Your Sweet Genius Viewer's Guide:
1) The first thing that stands out about this show is the host, Ron-Ben Israel. He is a former Israeli soldier/modern dancer turned cake expert who somehow became tied into Martha Stewart's empire. He is complex. He is bold. He is terrifying. He acts like a cross between Dr. Evil and acts like Dieter from Sprokets. But he feels less like a Mike Myers character and more like a Kids In The Hall sketch.
His final line on every episode: "You can now join my world of deserts." Other lines: "This cheese puff ice cream is like a cloud" and "this cake is anxious."
He is one of the most bizarre human beings to ever appear on television. Completely unsettling.
2) Like Chopped, the chefs have to base their food around selected ingredients. The choices could not possibly be more randon: jelly beans and hot sauce! Mexican herbs, white chocolate and beef jerky! But on top of it, they also have to reflect an "inspiration" like fire, Chinese paper dragos or Banzai trees.
3) The ingredients and inspiration are introduced by a female, gender-specific robot voice that is activated after Ron Ben hits a gigantic yellow button. The female voice then explains the ingredients and inspiration in detail.
4) The contestants themselves are overshadowed by Ron Ben but are also fairly off. There's so much pathos! They act like they're going to see a family member executed if they lose this dumb show! It kind of feels like they're held hostage. But it's so out of whack to the stakes! The prize is $10K. I mean, that's a decent amount of change, don't get me wrong. But when you figure taxes are also taken out it's like $7,500. That's a lot of money obviously but it's not worth the "YOU MAY BE KILLED IF YOU DON'T WIN" attitudes...
This is the best show on television right now. BAR NONE.
