Post by manekineko on Dec 18, 2013 2:45:07 GMT -5
Are you a master of desserts? Can you outwit three other chefs and take home $10,000? Welcome to a show called "Sweet Genius" hosted by a man named Ron Ben-Israel.
Starting to air on The Food Network in 2011, Sweet Genius is a show that is similar to Chopped with a focus on desserts.
Who is this guy in the first place? He's a dessert manufacturer who used to dance and spent 17 years of his life making cakes. He is the host.
The game play is simple. There are three rounds: Chocolate, Candy and Cake. At the beginning of the round, the host announces one ingredient that is a mandatory ingredient and then an "inspiration" that you're supposed to model your dessert after. It can be anything from a laser show to a fireman to a showgirl.
In the first "chocolate" round, you are given 40 minutes. At some point during the game, usually about halfway through, another mystery ingredient is added.
At the end of the round, the host samples and gives a critique to each of the desserts and then cuts one of the chefs, dismissing them by telling them "you are no sweet genius".
The 2nd round plays exactly like the first, with 50 minutes and a new mandatory ingredient, and a new inspiration and a cut after that round. The 3rd round is the final round and they are given one hour.
The last person standing is told that he or she is the only "Sweet Genius" belongs in Ron's "world of desserts" and is given a prize of $10,000.
Anyone who has read to this point, do you see a problem with the game play? It is practically the same as the show Chopped. The only serious difference are aesthetic differences. Does this really sound like its own game? I have no problem with the concept or overly eccentric host, in fact, they add to the effect of the game. The problem is: If I want something like this, I'll just watch an episode of Chopped.
All in all, Sweet Genius is no "sweet genius". I don't discount a show just because it has 4 chefs and cuts one every round, but this one is a copycat of a much more successful show. It may not be a coincidence that the 3rd season is the last one.
Overall rating: 2.5/10.
Starting to air on The Food Network in 2011, Sweet Genius is a show that is similar to Chopped with a focus on desserts.
Who is this guy in the first place? He's a dessert manufacturer who used to dance and spent 17 years of his life making cakes. He is the host.
The game play is simple. There are three rounds: Chocolate, Candy and Cake. At the beginning of the round, the host announces one ingredient that is a mandatory ingredient and then an "inspiration" that you're supposed to model your dessert after. It can be anything from a laser show to a fireman to a showgirl.
In the first "chocolate" round, you are given 40 minutes. At some point during the game, usually about halfway through, another mystery ingredient is added.
At the end of the round, the host samples and gives a critique to each of the desserts and then cuts one of the chefs, dismissing them by telling them "you are no sweet genius".
The 2nd round plays exactly like the first, with 50 minutes and a new mandatory ingredient, and a new inspiration and a cut after that round. The 3rd round is the final round and they are given one hour.
The last person standing is told that he or she is the only "Sweet Genius" belongs in Ron's "world of desserts" and is given a prize of $10,000.
Anyone who has read to this point, do you see a problem with the game play? It is practically the same as the show Chopped. The only serious difference are aesthetic differences. Does this really sound like its own game? I have no problem with the concept or overly eccentric host, in fact, they add to the effect of the game. The problem is: If I want something like this, I'll just watch an episode of Chopped.
All in all, Sweet Genius is no "sweet genius". I don't discount a show just because it has 4 chefs and cuts one every round, but this one is a copycat of a much more successful show. It may not be a coincidence that the 3rd season is the last one.
Overall rating: 2.5/10.