Cake Wars - General Discussion

[Maverick]

 I was glad to see this back, even if it was just for one episode.  Hopefully it was a trial of the tweaked format and will be back as a multi-week show next season.   Al and Kristoph were both on Halloween Wars, but weren't they both on the same team together?   If so, seems a bit unfair.  They've had many returnees over the years on HW but I don't think they ever paired anyone up a second time.

 Glad they dumped the fruit carvers that were basically forced in so it could be a true clone of HW.  In theory you can put some carved pieces into the Christmas displays but they all ended up looking like they were pulled off a bad cruise ship buffet last time.  Shinmin and Jason did not mesh well together.  I agree with the idea that it's because they're both bakers.  Not having a third judge or one devoted solely to aesthetics threw everything off. 

 All of the pieces looked better than most of what we've been getting on HW lately.   

 Did the winning team only get $10k total?   I know it's only one challenge but split 4 ways that's barely worth showing up for.   

[Spunkygal]

7 hours ago, Maverick said:

Not having a third judge or one devoted solely to aesthetics threw everything off. 

I agree. I loved Charles Phoenix in his over-the-top sparkly Christmas suits when he was on the show. He and Sherry Yard seemed to really mesh well together. Holiday Wars got really good ratings. I hope FN decides to add more episodes next year and to increase the prize money. In fact, all of FN's seasonal specials perform great in the ratings. Here are the ratings for the week it was aired:

1--HOLIDAY BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP---Monday 9:00PM---1,637,000 (0.44) 
2--THE KITCHEN---Saturday 11:00AM---1,311,000 (0.24)
3--HOLIDAY GINGERBREAD SHOWDOWN (Series Premiere)---Sunday 9:00PM---1,294,000 (0.36)
4--CHRISTMAS COOKIE CHALLENGE---Monday 10:00PM---1,232,000 (0.35) 
5--HOLIDAY WARS (Pilot)---Sunday 8:00PM---1,211,000 (0.35)
6--PIONEER WOMAN---Saturday 10:00AM---1,196,000 (0.22) 
7--CHOPPED THANKSGIVING---Tuesday 9:00PM---1,090,000 (0.36)
8--TRISHA’S SOUTHERN KITCHEN---Saturday 12:00PM---1,054,000 (0.20)
9--GIRL MEETS FARM---Sunday 11:00AM---903,000 (0.19)
10-BAREFOOT CONTESSA---Sunday 12:30PM---901,000 (0.20)
11-DINERS, DRIVE-INS & DIVES---Friday 9:00PM---843,000 (0.21)
12-GIADA’S HOLIDAY HANDBOOK---Sunday 11:30AM---836,000 (0.20)
13-GUY’S RANCH KITCHEN---Saturday 12:30PM---823,000 (0.15)
14-MARTINA’S TABLE---Sunday 12:00PM---815,000 (0.17)
15-BEAT BOBBY FLAY---Thursday 10:00PM---574,000 (0.14)

[drcboy]

I don't like the inclusion of the judge walk-throughs, at least not these judges. I think they rarely have constructive comments, only offer annoying facial expressions, and just put the bakers anxious. I think it is a poor and simplistic strategy to inject drama into the series.