Customer Reviews

"I too was a big fan of Jeff Smith back in the day. He taught me how to make a perfect omelette which was worth all the money I spent on his cookbooks. I knew his ego was big but the documentary surprised me about how empty & lonely he really was. The saddest reveal was he thought he would be forgiven for all the sins he committed. He may have been a brilliant man but really not that bright."

"Jeff is referred to, I think incorrectly as gay by his friend. Jeff Smith appears to have been a rapist of children. One of his victims interviewed was 14 years old when they were abused - a child. I think apologists like the priest were given too much time."

"A very well structured, researched, and presented piece. If I'm honest, $20 is a steep price for it and I'm not sure how much new ground was covered for anyone who was familiar with the story, though I did enjoy the work."

"I was a huge fan of The Frugal Gourmet show back in the day. I remember being shocked when the news story broke. The documentary did an excellent job of showcasing Jeff Smith's career and successes, while exploring the dark side of his life. It was well researched and informative."

"One of my core memories growing up in the Pacific Northwest was watching The Frugal Gourmet with my grandmother. Jeff Smith’s easygoing presence and the ritual of watching together made the show feel warm and familiar. Years later, as a newly married adult, I began hearing rumors about Smith’s inappropriate behavior with boys, and the contrast between those allegations and my childhood memories was deeply unsettling. That tension is what made I Bid You Peace a must-watch for me. The docuseries thoughtfully explores both Smith’s cultural impact and the serious accusations against him, allowing space for the complicated mix of nostalgia, disappointment, and accountability that many viewers may feel. For those who grew up with The Frugal Gourmet, the series is a powerful reminder that beloved public figures — and the memories tied to them — can hold far more complexity than we once realized."

"It was very interesting but not surprising. The movie was excellent and I enjoyed it very much. I can recommend it to anyone. Great and interesting show."

"Enjoyed watching the series, but sad to see how he fell so hard."

"I grew up watching The Frugal Gourmet starting at the age of 8 years old. The show opened up a whole world to me and inspired me. Starting at 10 years old, I would host a family dinner party with a specific of country as a theme. He inspired me. This was a well rounded documentary and I appreciate the thoughtfulness behind it and the 360° coverage of all angles. I was sad to see the allegations and even more sad to be reminded of cancel culture. It is important that we recognize the whole person and acknowledge both good and bad. Can any of us throw stones at glass houses, really? May all involved who have passed rest in peace and all who are here find peace."

"Definitely interesting but sad"

"I grew up in a rural town and only had my local PBS channel. I watched whatever was on tv. I watched the Frugal Gourmet enough to be very very curious about this film. I vaguely remembered a scandal involving Jeff but didn’t google or do anything. I watched the film. This was a great documentary. It was fair, reasoned, and included many people from Jeff’s life. It showed the willful ignorance people chose to remain in his orbit. Seeing a member of the clergy dismiss accusations with hardly a second thought was chilling. Shocking and so well made."

"Gratuitous content, no editing, bloated story telling."

"I was a fan of Jeff Smith, so I had a keen interest in career and subsequent fall from grace. All five episodes held my interest and we watched them within 2 evenings. The people interviewed were close associates and their take on events was insightful and interesting. I would definitely recommend this documentary if you had an interest in Jeff Smith."