Netflix attempted to create its own The Great British Bake Off with Blue Ribbon Baking Championship, but some viewers find it ‘blasphemous’ to even mention the two in the same phrase.
To these people, I apologise for my first sentence.
Ten blue ribbon-winning bakers from state fairs across the United States will compete over eight episodes for a chance to win $100,000 (£75,600) and the largest ‘Best In Fair’ blue ribbon ever.
Cake experts Sandra Lee, Bill Yosses, and Bryan Ford judge the competition, which is presented by American Pie actor Jason Biggs, a ’00s Hollywood celebrity who is intimately aware with the intricacies of baking.
Jason, 46, is most remembered for his role as Jim Levenstein in the raucous high school comedy and its three (many) sequels.
In the film’s most famous scene, Jim, a terrified virgin, tries to imagine what it is like to have a sexual encounter with a woman. By making love to a pie.
The Blue Ribbon Baking Championship, thankfully, is in on the joke. ‘Take it from someone who knows,’ Jason quips during the show’s introduction, ‘that is a very attractive slice.’
Speaking to USA Today, Jason described how he came to be involved in hosting a baking competition.
‘I’ve really wanted to host something in the food world. Of course, there’s the wink at the camera and the audience with me as a baking show host. And whenever I can’t think of something to say, I always have a pie joke in my back pocket that brings the house down,’ he said.
‘There were no pies harmed in the making of this show. It’s safe for repeat viewing,’ he joked.
Bakes featured in the show include creative apple-based sweets, cotton candy cupcakes, and, yes, a classic pie challenge.
Its panel of judges includes novelist and TV personality Sandra Lee (who won a blue medal at a 1992 state fair), White House pastry chef Bill Yosses, and master baker Bryan Ford.
Its candidates include a diverse group of amateur pastry cooks, small business owners, and ambitious food competition winners hoping to win the grand prize.
After watching the series, which premiered on the streaming service last month, some viewers have harsh words for anyone who compare it to Bake Off.
‘The blasphemy! Nothing will ever come close to the GBBO,’ wrote Reddit_Sucks_1401.
Koivu_JR shared a similar sentiment: ‘Nope! America getting it wrong again. People like Bake Off because it features people doing what they love for the sake of it and a sense of achievement, not some big cash prize. It’s about passion, not greed.’
‘As an American, I’m so sorry this show exists,’ NotYerman dramatically typed. Curlykewing also pulled no punches: ‘Dear god, this show was awful.’
However, many people applauded the series for filling a void in their viewing schedules while they waited for the Channel 4 show to resume.
Carraperio wrote: ‘I immediately go through Bake Off withdrawal as soon as each season is over so I’m happy to find something with similar vibes lol.’
Meanwhile, Jrschobert believes it cannot compete with the beloved GBBO, he appreciates its existence nonetheless: ‘It is an awesome change of scenery from GBBO, not nearly as good but it doesn’t have to be.
‘It’s new, well done and entertaining. A perfect watch for those looking to scratch that baking competition show itch when looking for something in the same vein.’
Hateorade80, whose Reddit name suggests that there are a harsher critic, said: ‘It’s like if GBBO and <seasonal> Baking Championship had a baby.
‘Personally, I thought it’s alright to scratch the BO itch, but definitely not as good.’
Tinkrb was excited after recently discovering it and posted on X that she was instantly ‘obsessed’.
‘The Blue Ribbon Baking Championship on @netflix is SO good! The cast is fabulous and the aesthetics are very pleasing. Looking forward to a second season!’ added Ginger.
Jason’s appearance on the show comes 25 years after he became famous in American Pie. After starring in the 1999 comedic classic, he went on to play Jim in three sequels.
Aside from his famous franchise, he played Larry Bloom in Orange is the New Black, the 2019 film Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, and episodes of the US crime drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
He reconnected with film father Eugene Levy earlier this year, when the 77-year-old comedic classic received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Jason married his My Best Friend’s Girl co-star Jenny Mollen in January 2008, and the wedding took place in April of that year.
The couple has two boys, Sid and Lazo, born in 2014 and 2017, respectively.
The actor demonstrated his food-hosting ambitions as the host of Dinner and a Movie with wife Jenny, showcasing films such as Aquaman, Crazy Rich Asians, and The Greatest Showman, as well as behind-the-scenes trivia, celebrity visitors, and a potluck with friends.
Blue Ribbon Baking Championship is available to watch on Netflix
Source My Celebrity Life.
