TV cooking competitions offer "brutal, bloodthirsty catharsis"

The Hollywood Reporter

Top Chef, Nailed It!, The Great British Bake-Off, Chopped -- "Each of these series and their endless boob tube doppelgangers rely on heart-pounding theatrics to entice millions of connoisseurs like myself who have the kinesthetic intelligence of a spoon, but still crave entertainment based on physical prowess, expert play-by-play and progressive elimination," says Robyn Bahr. "These competing cooks and food industry professionals must master speed, tactic, precision and intuition like any athlete, whether they're trying to craft an epicurean feast from congealed corn cob jelly and slimy whole canned chicken or carefully wadding a pie crust to ensure it doesn't develop a dreaded 'soggy bottom.' Far from traditionally relaxing, these shows can actually help wring out your stress and aggression at the end of a long day by pumping you up to hurl vulgarities at the sight of rubbery, overcooked scallops or frosting that melted in the humidity."