Friday, April 17, 2009

These Cakes Are Not Wrecks (But They Play Them on TV)

Friday, April 17, 2009

So I had an "industry insider*" send me a bunch of photos a while ago from various TV shows celebrating their 100th episode or whatnot. Sadly, there's not much Wreckage here to report (although the Charmed & Boston Legal ones are a little rough), but I thought you might find them interesting anyway. Of course, I have been known to be wrong before...


Those letters are actually 3D. Kinda cool.


This one came with a side of famous feet.


The power of...faded flames?


If you look closely, you'll see there's a glass of scotch on the first tier. Hm. Perhaps the decorator was banking on the age-old adage "Everything looks better through wine-colored glasses."



I like all the medical implements placed around the cake - particularly the little metal tray thingie. I remember throwing up into a larger version of one of those after getting my tonsils removed as a child. [gazing off wistfully] Ah, memories. 'Course, I never thought I'd associate that particular memory with cake, though.


Many thanks to my anonymous industry insider!


*And let me tell ya: I've always wanted one of those.
Jayme Q said...

Hey, am I the first comment? That NEVER happens to me!! How cool that you have an industry insider! ;0) I agree that the Boston Legal one is ... confusing? And so much more. I'm loving those 3-D letters on the CSI: Miami cake, though!

Mella said...

CSI:Miami is a wreck , not the cake but the show

Leslie said...

Little did they realize the House cake was not the REAL 100th episode House cake. The bakery sent two more incorrect cakes first after a series of tests and the REAL cake arrived in the last 10 minutes of the episode after Hugh Laurie did one of his amazing eyeball bulge realizations. :-D

And the CSI cake probably looks better with sunglasses on.

Anonymous said...

"CSI: Miami" - mm, I've always dreamed of having sushi rolls on my sheet cake.

Amber Schmidt said...

Not much wreckage but VERY COOL just the same! LOVE THE HOUSE ONE!!!

Laura Dotson-Thomson said...

Hmmm... I think the only one I'm digging is the family guy cake, and I don't even care for the show. I guess the CSI one is cool too, though I still don't like the show. The rest are either dull or ugly, IMO. I'd still eat them though :)

Jessi said...

I don't know. I'm pretty disappointed. You would think that the big networks could afford something a little more impressive. The family guy one was the best, I thought.

You know who I bet has awesome 100th episode cakes - food network! I think they should do a Challenge for that. Have each contestant do a different food network show. That would rock. I hope Bronwyn wins. Because I always hope Bronwyn wins.

Unknown said...

How much time would that house cake have taken to make?

Lost had their 100th episode party recently. There's a pic of the cake here http://darkufo.blogspot.com/2009/04/losts-100th-episode-party-photos.html

Mommy Boots (formerly KarmaPearl) said...

The flames on the Charmed one kind of look like they were done in colored pencil.

Trevor said...

You know, these really aren't wrecky, but I AM disapointed in many of them. *I* could have done that House cake. The Family Guy cake is really well done though, and I am digging that one. The rest really leave me Blah. Okay, except for the Boston Legal cake. It's just ugly.

However, I think it's cool that you have an industry insider sending you cakes!

Valerie said...

Haven't you ever seen Boston Legal? Two of the main characters always end the episode having a glass of scotch and a cigar. I bet there's a cigar on that cake somewhere too.

Scritzy said...

Is the other cake from "The Family Guy"? It's not labeled, but as best I can see, that's what's on the cake. It looks awesome.

Cyberg said...

I have to agree with Valerie here, the scotch glass is indeed very much a part of the show and the natural ending to every Boston Legal episode is drinking the scotch and smoking cigars on the balcony.

Unknown said...

as a huge boston legal fan, their cake makes total sense to me. Allan and Denny Crane drink scotch together every night and smoke cigars out on denny's balcony. Thus the scotch, cigars, and patio furniture.

mike. said...

Not to be mean or anything, but for big Hollywood productions celebrating major milestones, these cakes all look pretty shoddy and "homemade" to me. The "Boston Legal" one is well-constructed, but the decorating is pure cheese. These cakes aren't WRECKS, just boring, amateurish cheese, made with three seconds of thought and possibly as many minutes of actual effort. The "Family Guy" one looks alright though.

Emily said...

The Office just had it's 100:
http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/photos/gallery#item=69348

Anonymous said...

I guess there's nothing to be said about the Family Guy cake, cus everyone knows they're Awesome!

Jennifer said...

I agree that one would think the networks would get cakes that were more professional looking. All of them had flaws, IMO, and just didn't look perfectly neat, smooth, and even. (With the possible exception of the Family guy cake, but it was hard to see at that angle.)

And can someone tell me what that implement is directly to the right forefront of the House cake pic? (You don't wanna know what it looked like to me at first glance..)

Anonymous said...

If you look closely at the DWTS cake, it's a CCC!

Barbara said...

Did anybody else notice that the Dancing With The Stars cake isn't a cake? There are CUPCAKES under that topper thingie.

LHSES said...

I love 'em. Except if you look closely at the Dancing With The Stars cake it looks like it's really a CCC. Argh! NO! Now that Hollywood is condoning it everyone will want one!! Somebody, put an end to this madness!

On the other hand, can you imagine all those celebrities walking around with icing on their fingers? Just for that image I think I could forgive it being a CCC.

Speckledpup said...

did anyone notice the dancing with the stars cake is actually a cupcake cake?

Sarah :) said...

I'm digging the House cake, but that's just because I love the show. The medical instruments around it ARE pretty neat, though.
The Family Guy one wins, hands down. It's just the most well done. Though, I do NOT care for that show, at all.

---Sarah
http://lifeastoldbysarah.blogspot.com

Diana Dang said...

Those look very good!

Katie H. said...

The CSI is ok, but it's pretty simple. Anyone with a projector could've done it. The Dancing one looks fake; I don't think anything on it is edible! The Boston Legal is well done but ugly. The House cake is incredibly plain. I do like the Family Guy one though. Like everyone else, I expected more from hit TV shows. Thanks for the industry insight though!

Christina M. said...

What *is* Seth doing to that Family Guy cake? I shudder to think...

The Boston Legal cake looks like it took a lot of work. I wouldn't have wanted to cut it.

Nichole said...

Check out this Family Guy Cake: http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/object/event/wireimage/50/908/682_g.jpg

Awesome! Some of the cakes posted are pretty sloppy for professional cakes...

Jenny said...

Anyone who has every seen Boston Legal would understand the references on the cake. A lot of thought and effort was put into it, unlike some of the others that were pretty blah.

sendingtheclowns said...

Jennifer said...
"...can someone tell me what that implement is directly to the right forefront of the House cake pic? (You don't wanna know what it looked like to me at first glance..)"
***************
I think it is a very special knife that they used to cut the very special GIANT numbers out of balsa wood with.
=^~~^=

Unknown said...

The CSI, House and Charmed cakes were my favourites. So, the flames were a little pale on Charmed, it still looked cool.

Don't know about that tiered cake, though..looked like they had two rolls of toilet paper on top. LOL

~Amy B.

Trinian said...

Looks like that CSI cake just...
*sunglasses* couldn't cut it.

Yeaaaaaaaaa!

El Comodoro said...

Usually I just ask for 'the corner piece.' NEVER in my life have I thought of asking for 'the piece with the glass of scotch on it.'

This cake has redefined my entire worldview.

www.captainjackmakesport.blogspot.com/

BellaLovesPink said...

Yeah, I'm not very impressed w/ these cakes. I would almost expect perfection (clean lines, EXACT logo recreations, flawless fondant, etc.) for a cake these shows probably spent big money on.

Redd said...

I could completely be missing the point here, but...

the silver icing on the DWTS cake and the BL cake is freaking me out. Sure it's pretty, but it looks too much like murcury for me to want to eat it.

I have an image of professional dancers walking around licking poisoned frosting from the ccc off their fingers.

That being said, it's still one of the best ccc's I've ever seen. Meaning that the edible paper in the center is wrinkled and crooked.

sendingtheclowns said...

My, how extravagant...they really shouldn't have...!
To celebrate the 100th (!!!) episode of DWTS, they spared no expense!
Apparently they requisitioned a world-renowned artist to render their logo on the top; it is so realistic as to almost look like a photo, ISN'T it??
They have both chocolate AND vanilla cupcakes (never mind that that don't even appear to be frosted). Oops--I mean: (!!!)
And those curlicue, scrolly things along the sides? I'll bet they are 20 karat gold (!!!) tone styrene...imported from the Orient. Faaaancy...
Why wasn't all of this on World News Tonight?
=^00^=

Anonymous said...

House cake:

Speculum. . .near something edible. . .{gag}

Pam said...

Awesome cakes. I think it is a creative art all its own...one I do not have. I took classes thinking that if I could paint, I do cakes! Oh how very wrong I was! But I love to see the art in them that others create. I have a friend that owns a bakery and I love to see what they also turn out....
Very neat

Marie said...

I like the 3d letters on the CSI cake, but did you see all the orange spots on the yellow letters? Apparently the decorator couldn't keep the colors separate.

Unknown said...

Is... is that a swear behind Seth's head? I think it is!

Anonymous said...

If I could do a better job than these "professional" cakes, then they are officially wrecks. I shudder to think how much money was paid for these mediocre, simple cakes. Except the Boston Legal one, that actually took some effort. DWTS isn't even a cake, it's like a plastic lid over a bunch of unfrosted cupcakes.

Anonymous said...

I love the Family Guy cake! Hey, do you think the guy in the upper left hand corner of the pic is the guy who does Stewie's voice?? He looks like Stewie!

-Julie

StuffCooksWant said...

I think the guy on Boston Legal drinks a lot of scotch... William Shatner's character. Maybe that's what the glass was doing up there - he probably walked by and set it up there so he could go to the bathroom.

Suzanne Dargie said...

I agree with the comment made by "mike." These cakes are not well done...but I'm sure they cost quite a bit of coin.
That Boston Legal thing looks horrid!!!!

Unknown said...

The Boston Legal one is rather overly-busy. Something simpler (or dividing it into several cakes) would've looked nicer. Not quite a wreck - each individual section is decent - but... kinda average.

Mind you, it might not necessarily be strictly professional - could've been made in-house by the studio café or something, in which case it'd be pretty good.

Unknown said...

By the way: I suspect, to some extent, it's the thought that counts with these - they're for major TV shows, but they weren't actually meant to be seen by anyone but the cast, and they probably just wanted something fairly nice that tasted good.

I actually rather like the Charmed one. Reminds me of mediaeval manuscripts.

Anonymous said...

@Julie - Stewie is voiced by Seth MacFarlane (who also does Peter, Brian, etc.) I think it's funny and no accident that he's "killing lois" while cutting this cake.

The Masked Mommy said...

Not wrecks?! What about the one that says "CSI = Miami 100 episoder and counting" Haha!

Also, I was wondering if you would possibly consider hosting a Mr. Linky party where we could all make our own Cake Wreck posts. I think it would be great fun!!! And we could use nonprofessional cakes as to not eat up your material :-)

VeggieT said...

very nice cakes, very "ehh" cakes, but I'd say the wreck of the bunch was the "Dancing with the Stars" the color is very, um striking, the lettering appears to be printed on um a purple sheet. and I didn't even notice until reading the comments that it was CCC

Leesa Perrie said...

Cool cakes, with some wreckiness too!!

I believe you like Stargate? Have you seen what was served at the Atlantis wrap party last year? It's not cake, it's made out of chocolate, but I think it's cool. Photos from Joe Mallozzi's blog (http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/) - the 2nd pic has his writing partner, Paul Mullie, on it:

http://josephmallozzi.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/dsc000791.jpg

http://josephmallozzi.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/dsc000811.jpg

Now that almost makes me wish I liked chocolate!!

Leesa

Shannon said...

I like the House Cake...of course I loves me some Hugh Laurie and the show so...
The Family Guy show one is pretty cool too!

Beatrice said...

As a long time fan of Boston Legal, I have to say that this cake is perfect. The bottom tier is the logo of the legal firm Crane, Poole, and Schmidt. The scotch glasses and cigars are a part of every show as are the two chairs on the middle tier. They look exactly like the ones in the show. And the Boston skyline is also always featured in the show. Whoever designed this cake was certainly a fan. I think this is cake is a great tribute to the show.

green said...

I like the idea behind the Boston Legal cake (show is great) but the execution was sloppy.

You gotta remember, though, the network is necessarily the one paying for these cakes. There are two entities involved in these shows, the network and the people who actually make the show.

The people who make the show don't necessarily have the money. But it looks like the bigger shows might have gotten network support. It's sort of a testament to how well a show is doing to how good the cake is.

House is pretty decent. CSI: Miami is O.K. Family Guy is, well, c'mon, it's family guy.

Boston Legal isn't necessarily a network favorite. Charmed didn't do so hot there at the end (pun?).

So it's sort of a reflection on how much the network loves the show as to how much money they offer to make the 100th episode cake! I mean, look at Lost, for Christ Sakes!

p.s. I have now officially read all of your blogspot cake wrecks. Stalker? No. Efficient.

Alex said...

I TOTALLY ate some of that Family Guy Cake! LOL... As you can see, it was enormous and there were left overs that found their way to my mouth.

wundermary said...

Being an instrument tech, I can tell you what a few of those implements laying around the cake are.

From the left, it looks like part of a Tuffier rib spreader, a couple of tissue forceps, and then some gyne stuff. That appears to be a punch used for taking large uterine tissue samples and a vaginal packing forcep.

On the other side is one half of a set of Simpson forceps, an emesis basin (the thing you threw up in). Behind that is a deep balfour retractor, which is used on belly cases and in the front are some various hemostatic clamps, probably sponge tips and allises.

I can not see clearly what is laying in front of the cake, but it may be a traumatic amp. knife.

Yum! Let's eat!

Laura said...

It's enough to make you sadly wonder what form a Firefly 100th episode cake would have looked like.

I think a cake formed to look like the control panel of Serenity, complete with little toy dinosaurs and a plaque saying, "This Land," would have been cool.

*sigh* D*mn you, FOX network. D*mn you to he!!.

Anonymous said...

You're hating on House...seriously? And Family Guy, who doesn't like Family Guy...?!

Jennifer said...

Anonymous said...

"House cake:

Speculum. . .near something edible. . .{gag)"

Okay, good. So it wasn't just me thinking that. Then I though, NAH, there's no way...

wundermary, thanks for confirming the GYN stuff (although it wasn't the instrument I was thinking of)...

I think I could handle surgical tools and still eat the cake, but GYN stuff near the cake?? I LOVE cake, but not that much. I'll pass.

baldouting.blogspot.com said...

that boston legal cake is awesome - who knew that show had the most money for a cake!

Seattle MFT said...

The CSI:Miami cake almost looks like it says 150 Episoder and Counting... Odor is not something I look for in a cake, but then that show really stinks.

Bad Momma said...

I'll take the piece of cake with the glass of Scotch on it.

emzeegee & the hungry three said...

That DWTS CCC is just... bad. What's with those freaky 1970's looking ribbons in the corners? My eyes nearly were blinded by all that purple as well. The others are just, well... meh.

M

Sara said...

Not only is the Dancing With the Stars a CCC, but the cupcakes have NO ICING!!! A travisty....

Emma Cohen-Joppa said...

interesting that the CSI miami cake tried to write miami in the (i believe) trademarked font of the university of miami... :-)

(i only notice since i'm alumni)

http://j.b5z.net/i/u/2103700/i/university_of_miami.JPG

Anonymous said...

Is it me, or does the guy who is about to cut Lois Griffin in half seem just a little too gleeful? hmmmmm.....

gategeek said...

:D Tell me the title to this post is a Stargate reference??
Because I'll love your blog forever and ever if you do.
Actually I'll love your blog forever in anycase...but this would be the proverbial icing...

Melissa said...

Marq - I think that's supposed to say "Freaking" because Family Guy put out a "Freaking Sweet Collection" of episodes.

Julie -
No, the guy cutting the cake (Seth MacFarlane) is the voice of Stewie (and Peter and Brian and Quagmire and I'm sure others).

I know entirely too much.

Mira8 said...

It is VERY cool that you have an industry insider! p.s., that thing you threw up into is called an emesis basin. you're welcome. :)

Anonymous said...

Danita--

I can't answer for Jen, but I read that title as a reference to an old commercial which had some (soap opera?) actor plugging some over-the-counter medicine. As his "credentials" for being the spokesman for the product, he said, "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV," as though those watching would see Dr. So-and-So and think, "Well, if he says it works, it must."

Christina said...

Here is one more: Atlantis as cake, sadly shown at the wrap party for the very last episode:

http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2008/09/21/september-21-2008-the-wrap-pary/

http://josephmallozzi.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/dsc000791.jpg

http://josephmallozzi.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/dsc000811.jpg

Ben said...

Love to see a South Park celebratory cake.

Wendy said...

Ooooo yeah! Give me a BIG slice of cigar and ashtray. ::gag::

McMGrad89 said...

I am with Wendy. Those cigars just make me want to gag, but more power to the person who went through all the effort to show all the symbolism of the show. I especially liked seeing the cake with all the cartoon characters on it.

Celine said...

Why Seth McFarlane isn't cutting into Meg's character is beyond me...

Anonymous said...

The "Boston Legal" cake also contains an ASHTRAY with CIGARS. Just looking at it makes my stomach turn. Thank goodness they left out the ashes. *rolls eyes*

Toaster Recipes said...

hehehe, industry insider...yea that's me buddy!
I never knew you'd make it public...thanks for givin me the due credit..lol!
Jokes apart...this post is a wonderful one...really awesome!

Student said...

I was going to mention that at the end of each episode of Boston Legal two of the main characters smoke cigars and drink scotch, but Valerie said...
"Haven't you ever seen Boston Legal? Two of the main characters always end the episode having a glass of scotch and a cigar. I bet there's a cigar on that cake somewhere too."

If looked at closely, there are a pair of cigars and what might be a chair, what might be an ashtray. ;3

C.L. Young said...

I like the House cake. The Family Guy cake looks standard (especially for a "Simpsons" knock-off show that lasted longer than 6 to 13 episodes and is starting to overshadow The Simpsons), but I'd eat it.

I'm surprised you didn't mention this. When Peyton Manning hosted "Saturday Night Live" in 2007, it was on the day of his birthday, so during the goodnights (the part at the very end where the guest host thanks the cast, the writers, Lorne Michaels, etc for being on the show), Peyton's family (who was in the audience) wheel out this cake that has Peyton in football gear on the monologue stage. If I can find a pic of it, can I send it to you so you can see whether or not it's a cake wreck?

Cupcakes Lady said...

Did anyone notice the dancing with the stars cake is actually a cupcake cake? Love a good cupcake I do. xx