Halloween Baking Championship - General Discussion

[libgirl2]

11 minutes ago, cowgirlwen said:

I feel like Aaron has to have something over on the producers/judges.  First to get invited back for a 2nd Baking Championship, especially when he made it to the finals in his first attempt.  (Meaning he wasn't brought back because he was an early boot who got screwed in his previous season due to some questionable production flaw.)  But also, I think the judges in this season are raving unnecessarily over every dessert he puts in front of them.  Don't get me wrong, I think he's a great baker.  I just see them criticizing the other bakers for things that they are ignoring (or even praising) on his.  The judging just seems exceptionally biased towards him, for some reason.  

Or if he had been on a previous show and had to leave early due to illness or something. Do an all star, this I don't like. 

[2soon2tell]

I would like to see it more structured, like this is a cake challenge, everyone must make a cake. This is a cookie challenge, this is a plated dessert challenge. Also, a step back from the gore. They could do beautiful tarot cards or day of the dead skulls. How about a buffet spread for kids with whimsical characters and another for adults with classic horror themes.

[dleighg]

yeah, I've always gravitated toward pumpkins rather than skeletons for Halloween decor. I'm getting old! Skeletons are a little too close to home!

[libgirl2]

33 minutes ago, dleighg said:

yeah, I've always gravitated toward pumpkins rather than skeletons for Halloween decor. I'm getting old! Skeletons are a little too close to home!

I dont mind the gore but I agree, they could do bake themes each week and then throw in the theme idea the decor.  

[CrazyInAlabama]

New 10/21/2024, "Otherworldly Treats"  Season 10, Episode 6

Bakers: Lillian Chng, Aaron Davis, Joel Gonzalez, Manny Martinez, Hollie Rivera, (Eliminated bakers were Samantha, Carly, JL, Megan, and Thierry)

"John Henson catches a spirit doing some imaging in the X-ray room! The films the spirits have been taking of themselves are monstrous, and John wants the bakers to use these X-rays as templates for build-a-spirit desserts. Then, the bakers enter the lab basement where the portal to the underworld is kept locked behind a secure heavy door, but lately ghouls have been letting all sorts of otherworldly creatures out! The bakers make a portal entremet that reveals an otherworldly creature to judges Carla Hall, Zac Young and Stephanie Boswell."

Thriller Challenge: Build-a-Spirit desserts inspired by X-Rays, any type of dessert the bakers want to do..     

Winner:  Lillian (no longer gets immunity, but still gets an advantage.  She had choice of characters)

Killer Challenge: Entremet of other worldly dessert ghouls. 

The judges' costumes are fantastic.    

Joel's goat creature is amazing decorating.   Aaron's demon dog is great.   Manny's fire faced phantasm is amazing decorating.   Lillian's is a steam punk demon, but looks like a hot mess.   Holie's animated ghoul is well decorated, in 3-D. 

Top Two: Joel and Hollie

Winner: Hollie (her first win)

Bottom Two: Lillian and Manny

Eliminated: Lillian

Four remaining bakers to the finale, next week: Manny, Hollie, Aaron, and Joel. 

 

Edited October 22, 2024 by CrazyInAlabama

[mojoween]

Joel and Manny still kicking surprises me, I have no idea why.

I love Halloween.  My birthday is on Halloween.  And while I love spiders and cats, I tend toward the more harvest-y part of the season.  It’s not all gore and zombies and mummies dangit.

[BMGepinniw]

Bye, bye Lillian! 😪 I grew to adore you and your lovely smiling face!  🙂 

[libgirl2]

2 hours ago, BMGepinniw said:

Bye, bye Lillian! 😪 I grew to adore you and your lovely smiling face!  🙂 

I just knew it was her time since she won the first challenge, finally. 

[Maya]

Lillian was dialed up to 11 last night.

I’m glad Hollie made it through but I don’t see how anyone can beat Aaron. The judges can’t get enough of him.

ETA: Hollie hasn’t seen her parents in six years 😢

Edited October 22, 2024 by Maya

[libgirl2]

4 minutes ago, Maya said:

Lillian was dialed up to 11 last night.

I’m glad Hollie made it through but I don’t see how anyone can beat Aaron. The judges can’t get enough of him.

ETA: Hollie hasn’t seen her parents in six years 😢

I thought Hollie would go but that cake was gorgeous 

[Frost]

I knew Lillian was toast as soon as she swapped for Steampunk Zombie.  Not that there's anything wrong with swapping, but it seems to signal the universe to cause chaos!  I think that was a weak prize anyway.  She should have gotten the 10 minute head start prize.

Lillian did deserve to go home.  Her cake was an over worked mess.  And technically, it wasn't a good bake.  Oh well.

I'm rooting for Joel but Aaron will probably win.

[libgirl2]

8 minutes ago, Frost said:

I knew Lillian was toast as soon as she swapped for Steampunk Zombie.  Not that there's anything wrong with swapping, but it seems to signal the universe to cause chaos!  I think that was a weak prize anyway.  She should have gotten the 10 minute head start prize.

Lillian did deserve to go home.  Her cake was an over worked mess.  And technically, it wasn't a good bake.  Oh well.

I'm rooting for Joel but Aaron will probably win.

As soon as I saw it, I knew she was done. I'm going to miss her, she is pretty silly and fun. As I said, Hollie, who has been bottom two often enough really redeemed herself. 

I'm rooting for Joel. 

[Salacious Kitty]

Anyone But Aaron. 

[tennisgurl]

Aaron was so salty about Lilian taking his steampunk zombie character, he was even pouting about it to the judges and he could hardly even pretend to be sad when she was sent home. Aaron is a great baker, but he's becoming more smug and shitty every week, and if he somehow doesn't win here they'll probably just stick him on another show until he does win. 

I love Lilian but it was time for her to go home, that bake was a total mess, which is too bad because steampunk zombie sounds like a slam dunk for her. I loved Joel's goat creature and I am glad that Hollie had such a good week. I still don't think she'll have a chance at winning, but good for her. 

I liked the bake themes this week, but count me in as someone else who would like a bit more variety in their Halloween themes, I would love a few that are more autumnal/pumpkin based or more cute Halloween vibes than everything being scary. Also, not everything needs a crunch guys! 

[libgirl2]

9 minutes ago, tennisgurl said:

Aaron was so salty about Lilian taking his steampunk zombie character, he was even pouting about it to the judges and he could hardly even pretend to be sad when she was sent home. Aaron is a great baker, but he's becoming more smug and shitty every week, and if he somehow doesn't win here they'll probably just stick him on another show until he does win. 

I love Lilian but it was time for her to go home, that bake was a total mess, which is too bad because steampunk zombie sounds like a slam dunk for her. I loved Joel's goat creature and I am glad that Hollie had such a good week. I still don't think she'll have a chance at winning, but good for her. 

I liked the bake themes this week, but count me in as someone else who would like a bit more variety in their Halloween themes, I would love a few that are more autumnal/pumpkin based or more cute Halloween vibes than everything being scary. Also, not everything needs a crunch guys! 

Yea, he was having a hard time hiding his feelings on that one. And he mentioned it to the judges. I do not care for him but he will probably win. 

[dleighg]

Aaron was also kind of obnoxious to Manny, asking him "have you ever made an entremet before?" And proceeding to "mentor" him on how to do it. Manny seemed annoyed.

[libgirl2]

8 minutes ago, dleighg said:

Aaron was also kind of obnoxious to Manny, asking him "have you ever made an entremet before?" And proceeding to "mentor" him on how to do it. Manny seemed annoyed.

Yea, there was that one too. 

[mlp]

I just loved Lillian but I knew she wouldn't make it until the end right from the early episodes.  In fact, I was surprised she got as far as she did.  I'd ike to be her friend though.

I haven't been crazy about Hollie and I was hoping she'd be eliminated instead of Lillian - until I saw her entremet.  It looked great and Lillian's, sadly, was a mess.  Joel's goat was terrific too.  At this point, I think all of them have the ability to succeed although Manny seems a bit weaker overall.   Aaron is very, very good but he hasn't endeared himself to viewers.  I think I'm rooting for Joel although I won't argue with Aaron winning if he does so on merit.

 

[Salacious Kitty]

When Lillian said she'd never made an entermet before, I knew she was toast. 

[carrps]

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but Lillian was working my last nerve last night. I can't imagine having her as a coworker. Is she a homebaker? If so, that's o.k. I just can't deal with all the "Look at ME!!!" all the time. Plus, her decoration on her steampunk cake was really amateurish looking. In the Pre-Heat, her "brownie" was actually liquid on the inside. Was that supposed to be a "lava" brownie? But none of the judges commented on it. Maybe they didn't want to make it obvious she was a goner so early in the show.

The two sides of Joel came out last night -- the deconstructed "pretty" side, and the one that was getting with the Halloween program. Nice goat.

Hollie is very talented for her age. She's not going to win. But she has a decent future.

Manny had a nail-biter night. I'm happy he made the finale.

Aaron? Everything has been said.

Are they going to de-frost the people who went to the Cryo Chamber???

 

[Kendra143]

I must be watching a different show. I find Aaron quite interesting. Maybe y’all think he should more intimidated by his elders on the show?? 

[MerBearHou]

I’ll jump into the Unpopular Opinion pool.  I concur @Kendra143 I like Aaron.  And I was delighted when Lillian was sent home.  I give her credit for lasting as long as she did but she got on my nerves. Hollie has been on borrowed time and I thought she should have been gone at least a couple of weeks ago, but she did well last night.  

[ILuvShibaInus]

The editing monkeys show Aaron's talents but also his entitled "attitude." Interesting edit if he ends up being the winner. Almost want him to win so we don't have to see him pop up on another baking show. LOL... And again, someone circling the drain (Hollie) manages to conveniently win right before the semis so the show can say she has legitimately earned a spot. Uh huh...

Edited October 23, 2024 by ILuvShibaInus

[storyskip]

Speaking of the editing…

I will not be surprised if Hollie ends up the winner. Remember, the winner is chosen strictly on the merits of the final Killer challenge and is not cumulative of the whole season. All Hollie needs to do is knock that one challenge out of the park.

The editors love the “underdog, comes from behind to win” stories in “reality” TV, and we’ve twice heard the “heart touching” story of how she’ll use the money to “see her family, who she hasn’t seen in 6 years” complete with pictures. If we’ve heard from any other contestants about their plans for the money, I think we’ve only heard it once; usually in the episode where they then went home.

 

[CrazyInAlabama]

14 hours ago, carrps said:

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but Lillian was working my last nerve last night. I can't imagine having her as a coworker. Is she a homebaker? If so, that's o.k. I just can't deal with all the "Look at ME!!!" all the time. Plus, her decoration on her steampunk cake was really amateurish looking. In the Pre-Heat, her "brownie" was actually liquid on the inside. Was that supposed to be a "lava" brownie? But none of the judges commented on it. Maybe they didn't want to make it obvious she was a goner so early in the show.

The two sides of Joel came out last night -- the deconstructed "pretty" side, and the one that was getting with the Halloween program. Nice goat.

Hollie is very talented for her age. She's not going to win. But she has a decent future.

Manny had a nail-biter night. I'm happy he made the finale.

Aaron? Everything has been said.

Are they going to de-frost the people who went to the Cryo Chamber???

 

No, if they defrost them, they'll show up on other holiday baking shows.   

[rlc]

Joel is my favorite this season, and I would love to see him win. 

I was thinking back to Hollie's bakes from last season, and nearly everything this season pales in comparison.

[RoxiP]

18 hours ago, dleighg said:

Aaron was also kind of obnoxious to Manny, asking him "have you ever made an entremet before?" And proceeding to "mentor" him on how to do it. Manny seemed annoyed.

I actually thought he was trying to help Manny who had never made an entremet before and gave him some (albeit vague) advice how best to accomplish it.

14 hours ago, carrps said:

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but Lillian was working my last nerve last night. I can't imagine having her as a coworker. Is she a homebaker? If so, that's o.k. I just can't deal with all the "Look at ME!!!" all the time. Plus, her decoration on her steampunk cake was really amateurish looking. In the Pre-Heat, her "brownie" was actually liquid on the inside. Was that supposed to be a "lava" brownie? But none of the judges commented on it. Maybe they didn't want to make it obvious she was a goner so early in the show.

The two sides of Joel came out last night -- the deconstructed "pretty" side, and the one that was getting with the Halloween program. Nice goat.

Hollie is very talented for her age. She's not going to win. But she has a decent future.

Manny had a nail-biter night. I'm happy he made the finale.

Aaron? Everything has been said.

Are they going to de-frost the people who went to the Cryo Chamber???

 

Not unpopular.  She was driving me crazy last night. I am still surprised that she stayed in lieu of Manny but her steampunk zombie was horrible.  First of all - zombies are NOT bloody.  It looked more like a rag doll than a zombie.

[TVbitch]

It seriously seemed like the whole cast was given remedial acting lessons from Zandra with a Z for the semifinal. (Jack McFarland's acting coach) Their expressions and reactions to the challenges were ridiculously OTT. At least they gave John a laugh. 

[libgirl2]

27 minutes ago, TVbitch said:

It seriously seemed like the whole cast was given remedial acting lessons from Zandra with a Z for the semifinal. (Jack McFarland's acting coach) Their expressions and reactions to the challenges were ridiculously OTT. At least they gave John a laugh. 

I kind of get laughing at his jokes but some of the other reactions are so lame. 

[ruffy666]

58 minutes ago, TVbitch said:

It seriously seemed like the whole cast was given remedial acting lessons from Zandra with a Z for the semifinal. (Jack McFarland's acting coach) Their expressions and reactions to the challenges were ridiculously OTT. At least they gave John a laugh. 

Would be interesting to read about a baker's experience on the show because I'm sure this is all prompted by the production staff.  My husband tells me ALL THE TIME that I should go on one of these shows but the reality is I don't have a sob story background and I'm not good at being phony on camera lol

I am not trying to be mean but I can't believe Hollie is still there.  That sad scorpion was a mess from start to finish, it didn't look good at all and the flavors sounded atrocious.  So it was indeed a shocker that her entremet came out as good as it did...

I never really warmed up to Lillian but I gotta hand it to her, the little dance on the way up to the cryo-chamber legitimately gave me a laugh so GOOD JOB LILLIAN!

I don't mind the gore of a Halloween baking show (and if anyone is looking for an even gorier baking extravaganza, Amazon Prime has a 2-episode show that is pretty over the top!) but I am definitely feeling the loss of the Halloween Cookie Challenge this year because that one usually featured lots of creative challenges with some mighty impressive results.

 

[libgirl2]

5 minutes ago, ruffy666 said:

I don't mind the gore of a Halloween baking show (and if anyone is looking for an even gorier baking extravaganza, Amazon Prime has a 2-episode show that is pretty over the top!) but I am definitely feeling the loss of the Halloween Cookie Challenge this year because that one usually featured lots of creative challenges with some mighty impressive results.

 

I really do miss that and The Big Bake (which tended to have cutesy Halloween stuff. 

[carrps]

2 hours ago, ruffy666 said:

I am not trying to be mean but I can't believe Hollie is still there.  That sad scorpion was a mess from start to finish, it didn't look good at all and the flavors sounded atrocious.  So it was indeed a shocker that her entremet came out as good as it did...

I think she's really good at the things she's good at, and, well, kinda sucky at the things she hasn't done much. 

I'd forgotten about the win being decided strictly on the finale performance. She could potentially win if the challenge is in her wheelhouse. Even though I like her, that wouldn't make me happy.

[libgirl2]

2 minutes ago, carrps said:

I think she's really good at the things she's good at, and, well, kinda sucky at the things she hasn't done much. 

I'd forgotten about the win being decided strictly on the finale performance. She could potentially win if the challenge is in her wheelhouse. Even though I like her, that wouldn't make me happy.

It really should be a combination of the whole season and the final challenge. I get that it isn't fair if someone has been doing so good and then bombs on the final challenge, while someone else redeems themselves, but it has to be fair. 

And on all of these episodes, they needed more time. Many of the results have been just okay. Chocolate covered aluminum foil? 

[dleighg]

1 minute ago, libgirl2 said:

Chocolate covered aluminum foil? 

I noticed that! 

[libgirl2]

3 minutes ago, dleighg said:

I noticed that! 

I was surprised he did that. Maybe with an extra half hour he could have made all chocolate hands? They just have to rush so much that either decoration or tastes suffer. 

Edited October 23, 2024 by libgirl2

[mlp]

6 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

No, if they defrost them, they'll show up on other holiday baking shows.   

That made me laugh but, honestly, I don't understand why people showing up on other shows bothers anyone.  Being a past contestant on one show doesn't guarantee a win on a different one.  I actually like to see people I "know."  The old FN Challenge had regulars who appeared time and again - Bronwen Weber, Richard Ruskell, Vinny Garcia..............  I don't remember anyone complaining about it back then.  Quite a few people have been on Halloween Wars more than once.  I'm not sure why the baking show is different.  

[libgirl2]

8 minutes ago, mlp said:

That made me laugh but, honestly, I don't understand why people showing up on other shows bothers anyone.  Being a past contestant on one show doesn't guarantee a win on a different one.  I actually like to see people I "know."  The old FN Challenge had regulars who appeared time and again - Bronwen Weber, Richard Ruskell, Vinny Garcia..............  I don't remember anyone complaining about it back then.  Quite a few people have been on Halloween Wars more than once.  I'm not sure why the baking show is different.  

I don't mind on shows that have teams but individual ones I'm not so sure. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

2 hours ago, mlp said:

That made me laugh but, honestly, I don't understand why people showing up on other shows bothers anyone.  Being a past contestant on one show doesn't guarantee a win on a different one.  I actually like to see people I "know."  The old FN Challenge had regulars who appeared time and again - Bronwen Weber, Richard Ruskell, Vinny Garcia..............  I don't remember anyone complaining about it back then.  Quite a few people have been on Halloween Wars more than once.  I'm not sure why the baking show is different.  

I don't mind contestants showing up again, but I like that John said why Aaron looked familiar.     Sometimes the contestants were on other competition shows, out side the holiday baking championships, and that always confuses me.   Maybe put in their bios what else they've appeared on. 

[Pi237]

The decorating has been awful this season. Everything’s some muddled version of a melted pile of facial features that may be neon green or air brushed into blurry mess. The color combinations haven’t made much sense either. 

[mlp]

4 hours ago, libgirl2 said:

I don't mind on shows that have teams but individual ones I'm not so sure. 

I thought about that when I was writing my comment.  I'm not sure either.  

[Cheese]

I think Thierry was on Halloween Wars as the sugar artist. A couple channels air older seasons of baking shows and I thought he looked familiar in one airing a couple weeks ago.

Spoiler

I am pretty sure his team won that season.

I typically prefer the Halloween Baking Championship since they tend to have more freedom to be creative and the host and judges are my favorite. I have been enjoying this season, but also eh. Not everything needs a story, not everything needs to be gory, and give them more time! 

Edited October 24, 2024 by Cheese

[Rammchick]

18 hours ago, ruffy666 said:

I don't mind the gore of a Halloween baking show (and if anyone is looking for an even gorier baking extravaganza, Amazon Prime has a 2-episode show that is pretty over the top!)

Can you share what it's called?

[ruffy666]

3 hours ago, Rammchick said:

Can you share what it's called?

sorry, i should've included that in my original post!  it's called Killer Cakes.  just 2 episodes so an easy binge... a little heavy on the "edgy" production but overall it was entertaining enough for spooky season!

[RoxiP]

I kind of like to see familiar faces also, plus I assume that there are not that many people who are willing (or able) to take time out of their lives to appear on shows like these.  Recycling is probably going to happen more and more.  On Halloween Wars it happens a lot more.

Besides, as I get older it seems I forget that I've seen them before...LOL!

[KittyMom4]

On 10/22/2024 at 7:03 PM, carrps said:

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but Lillian was working my last nerve last night. I can't imagine having her as a coworker. Is she a homebaker? If so, that's o.k. I just can't deal with all the "Look at ME!!!" all the time. Plus, her decoration on her steampunk cake was really amateurish looking. In the Pre-Heat, her "brownie" was actually liquid on the inside. Was that supposed to be a "lava" brownie? But none of the judges commented on it. Maybe they didn't want to make it obvious she was a goner so early in the show.

@carrps I'm at your table, found her to be almost as annoying as the lady with the (faked) Boston accent on a previous Baking Championship show. I didn't think any of her bakes showed much skill, at least not to the level I expected to be on this show, and her persona seemed...um...forced? faked? I can't exactly put my finger on it but when she told Holley she was naming her 'mouth' cake after Hollie I felt that was mean, and maybe a bit more telling about Lillian's actual personality. Whatever her true personality is, her decorating skills were lacking and, IMO, they all pretty much looked messy and uninspiring.

 

On 10/23/2024 at 9:56 AM, RoxiP said:

I actually thought he was trying to help Manny who had never made an entremet before and gave him some (albeit vague) advice how best to accomplish it.

Me too! I didn't find him arrogant, thought he was just giving Manny some good information to help him. 

15 hours ago, Pi237 said:

The decorating has been awful this season. Everything’s some muddled version of a melted pile of facial features that may be neon green or air brushed into blurry mess. The color combinations haven’t made much sense either

I will agree with this, there has only been a few cakes I've been awestruck with. Not sure if Halloween is just tough to decorate for or if the wrong people were chosen for this type of challenge. I watched a pervious season a couple weeks ago and it seemed everyone on that season knew how to decorate with gore, scariness and horror. This season seems like they're just bakers who can (mostly) decorate a cake. 

I also remind myself that its "BAKING" championship, not "DECORATING" championship, so overall the taste and baking skill is what is mainly judged.

Edited October 24, 2024 by KittyMom4
misspelling

[Rammchick]

On 10/24/2024 at 7:23 AM, ruffy666 said:

sorry, i should've included that in my original post!  it's called Killer Cakes.  just 2 episodes so an easy binge... a little heavy on the "edgy" production but overall it was entertaining enough for spooky season!

Thanks!  Too bad it was only two episodes.

[libgirl2]

I knew it! Very happy. Congratulations to the winner. It really was the best put together cake in the end. 

[mlp]

After seeing all four final cakes and hearing the judges' comments, I figured either Manny or Aaron would win.  Both met the challenge and were delicious but Manny's cake was stunning so I was leaning toward him and wasn't surprised when he won.  I felt a little bad for Aaron coming so close and losing once again but Manny deserved his victory.  

Carla's chicken costume was a riot.  She's such a good sport and she was cracking me up.  She can carry off anything.

[Rammchick]

What a lackluster season, in general.  Except for Zac's Joan Crawford, even the costumes were nothing to write home about.  

[DEL901]

When Aaron’s cake was shown to the judges and he mentioned “ancient aliens” , I think it was Zack who said Egypt was the first thing he thought off when he heard the theme…as if Aaron had made a smart choice, but it was literally shown to him when that theme was given.  

That said he did a good job, but happy Manny won, particularly with h8m battling through the pain.