Dear Food Network, Stop Junioring Things

Food Network’s “Chopped Junior”

Reality TV has recently taken a turn towards the cute & cuddly, and Food Network is one of the most notorious networks for using kids in their prime time lineup. Here, we take a look at this bizarre new trend in reality television.

Who doesn’t love watching a child say whatever pops into their tiny, unfiltered brains? Most adults, with or without their own children, can get a good chuckle from a gaggle of toddlers doing silly, weird things. But, isn’t that what our friends kids are for? Since when is it standard practice to put our kids on major TV networks for the sole purpose of competition, earning some cash, and entertainment in the form on exploitation?

Like, does no one else immediately think of The Hunger Games?

Okay, so maybe network big-wigs and viewers alike find it difficult to draw those comparisons because TV shows like Kids Baking Championship and Cupcake Wars: Kids are so cute and cuddly. But do the children’s darling smiles equate to less exploitation? Isn’t this a bizarre trend? And isn’t anyone else super annoyed by most of the major programming on FN being juniored?

So why are kids versions of adult competition shows taking off? What reasons are there to put chidlren on TV for millions to watch, scrutinize, and judge?

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