Let them watch cake: a fun, family friendly delicious experience or Is It Fake?
“Is It Cake?” is a popular baking competition show/reality show, but I have to admit I’m an expert on neither. I’ve seen very few cooking shows beyond “America’s Test Kitchen” on PBS and one time in the late 20th century, I was in the room for a “Two Hot Tamales” demo/book signing event. At least I got paid to take credit cards from guests purchasing the Two Hot Tamales’ cookbook. More on that never. And I’ve seen even fewer reality shows. But here we go anyway.
The show features bakers creating really, really realistic cake replicas of everyday objects and works of art and everything in between. It’s undeniably fun and intriguing. These Bakers are highly skilled cake artists who push the boundaries of what’s possible with frosting and fondant and transform cake into everyday objects with such realism, you’ll swear you’re looking at a plumber’s nightmare or a designer purse. Imagine trying to tell a perfectly sculpted soccer ball from its edible counterpart (spoiler alert: it’s always cake…or is it?).
This playful premise keeps viewers engaged, with laughter and gasps of disbelief as the “cake-ness” of each object is revealed Oh. And the cakes are delicious, too. It’s light-hearted fun: It’s a show meant to entertain, and for many, it delivers on that promise. Watching the guessing game unfold and being amazed by the cake creations can be a delightful experience. And the contestants while wanting to beat each other (until light tips form), they’re supportive of each other and enjoy watching each other try things. I just like nice people.
Overall, “Is It Cake?” is a show that thrives on its novelty. Whether you enjoy it depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a light-hearted competition with amazing cake artistry, you might love it. But if you crave a show with more depth, a less quirky host or a chef who berates and curses at people, this is not your taste.
A Few Moldy Episodes: Where the Show Goes Stale
Can the most decadent, delicious, and dazzling cakes get stale over time? Absolutely. It’s science. But “Is It Cake?” defies this law of science. The format, while initially intriguing, is repetitive after a few episodes, but did they ever change the “format” of “The Price is Right” or the “Family Feud”? They did not, and yet we watch 49 year old clips of those shows on Facebook. Or at least I do, but whatever.
It’s a sugar rush remains sweet every time. The bakartists—yeah, it’s a thing. Well it is now—continue to design very realistic fakes—fcakes?—from tents to toilets (I poop you not) to tool boxes and replicakes of the most famous works of art that could fizzle out faster than a week-old can of soda. But every time I watch and pull the tab, the can continues to release gas. In a good way. Always fun, always interesting, always something new.
Host SNL veteran Mikey Day is funny, cheesy, salty—perfect ingredients for a delicious cake. The guest judges add more humor and sarcasm to the show to give it variety and flavors. Some are fellow SNL castmates or alumni, some are comedians I’ve heard of, some I haven’t, but all funny. A fun exchange when Day’s SNL castmate Heidi Gardner judged (I paraphrase):
Mikey: How’s your summer hiatus from SNL?
Heidi: Great. I did this film and that film and this show and that show, wrote a novel, and did a commercial campaign. You?
Mikey: Great. I’m doing this.
The Verdict: Too much sugar, too many calories, too much sarcasm. So, should you watch “Is It Cake?”? Absolutely, if you crave a show that’s equal parts hilarious, infuriating, and strangely addictive. Just don’t expect groundbreaking television or a profound examination of the human condition. This show is the dessert equivalent of reality TV: mindlessly entertaining, completely unnecessary, and likely causing a national sugar shortage. But hey, at least it’s cake, right?
Warning: Do NOT watch “Is It Cake” hungry. We’re not liable for any work or family negligence and/or unsightly weight gain due to marathon baking sessions. Many lawyers were harmed in the making of this statement.
