The Twelve Reviews of Christmas...Day Two: "Extreme Christmas Trees"

It's Christmas...

To the Extreme!

The Story:

In 2011, The Learning Channel created a special showcasing some of the biggest, most elaborate Christmas trees around the globe.

They showcase the largest indoor tree in a private residence at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.

There's the 35 foot tall lobster trap tree in Maine.

An upside down 3 story tree inside of a 2 story house in England.

A 10 foot charity cake tree.

And many, many more!

No history of trees or anything noteworthy about Christmas.

It's simply straight up, one extreme tree after another.

It's available to stream instantly on Netflix if you are so inclined.  Apparently it should also be airing on TLC on the 21st of December if you'd like to go that route.

Some segments, and trees, are better than others.  That said, there is not a lot of time spent on any particular segment, so they'll all zip by fast enough to not bore you.

Hopefully.

:)

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  No reason to purchase it.  I might stream it again in a few years on Netflix, or watch it again on TLC.  I don't think it will go into annual rotation though.

Sometimes You Can Go A Little Too Far..."Extreme Cheapskates"

What would you do to save a buck?

The Story:

The Learning Channel (TLC) brings us tales of people who do anything...and everything... to save a buck.

If you're watching it to find some frugal tips to help out your budget...

This is not that show!

Seriously?

I watched over half of the first episode, getting irritated and disinterested in equal amounts by the second.

The first guy sets the tone...

Asking people at restaurants for their leftovers to take home and eat?

Giving anniversary presents out of the garbage can?

No. No. No.

While I won't say it gets "worse" from there, it certainly doesn't get any better.

The thing I also found most amusingly annoying...

::voiceover::

The average monthly savings of $6... annual savings of $100...

:: voiceover::

Really people?!

Just bite the bullet, and pay the price.

It's a small price to pay to restore your spot in the human race.


Now streaming instantly on Netflix if you'd care to indulge.

Unless you're too cheap to have Netflix!

;)

Final Grade: D

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: No. No. Not going to happen!

Delicious Weekend Part Two: "Cake Boss"

Who doesn't like cake?

The Story:

Welcome to Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken New Jersey.  It's a bakery that is owned and run by Buddy Valastro, and his family, either by blood or by virtue of being employed there.  Aside from being a bakery that sells goodies by the tons, Buddy has developed a knack for being the go-to-guy for making big, elaborate cakes for events.

This is their story.

The Learning Channel brought Buddy to fame in 2009.

Naturally, I didn't catch onto the craze until last year when I stumbled upon Cake Boss streaming on Netflix.

Of course, this show is a perfect one for binge watching.

You'd think it would get old watching the crew make cakes, but 6 seasons (and counting) and I'm not there yet.

Balanced out throughout the episodes are the lives of his family, all of whom work in the bakery, and as Buddy is the only son and has 3 sisters, you can imagine that the ladies make his life miserable, just be virtue of being his sisters.

Thankfully, many of their husbands work at the bakery, so  Buddy's got some sympathetic ears in Joey and Mauro to help him keep the ladies at bay.

Many reality stars get under my skin as annoying fakes, but so far, at least to me, Buddy and his family seem genuine.  There hasn't been much that has changed, personality-wise, since the beginning of the show until now.  If anything, the crew has grown closer together.

The biggest change was Buddy's expansion of the bakery,  and it's been interesting to see him move to a larger space to provide their wares on a larger scale, but refusing to lose the personal touch.

That's the American dream, or at least that's how I see it, and it's always sweet to see how Buddy is doing this, all the while hoping his Pops would approve.

And yes, as you watch the show, you'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll get just as aggravated with some of the characters as Buddy does.

But you keep watching, because you care.

You're now part of Buddy's family, at least in your own small way.

All seasons ready to stream, and with most running at 21 minutes, you can fly through these fairly easily.

Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: As long as they're streaming, I don't have to purchase. : )  Thanks Netflix!