Customer Reviews

"Very interesting as I had watched some of the shows and made a few recipes. I thought the information was good, but the man himself gave me a creepy vibe. I had not heard about his downfall, so this documentary was eye opening! Thank you for making it."

"I thought it was interesting. I'm surprised at the number of his friends who didn't seem to believe that he was a molester."

"Well done documentary. It has me so conflicted. I saw a brilliant man that inspired my love of food, and a tortured man that couldn’t seem to find his way out of the darkness. It’s a sad story. Very well told from all perspectives."

"Love the detail this docuseries provided. Top notch on all the great and not great details of his life. Really outlines a truly troubled person in life who navigated fame in a unique way."

"This is an excellent series. And timely. While there may be more open discussion in society today about sexual exploitation, substance abuse, and the often times troubled intersection of religion and sexuality all of what took place in the life of Jeff Smith is happening today. I think this series is balanced as it can be given there are players not heard from on camera. A lot of time has gone by, that is to be expected and someone’s right to not respond is to be respected. Jeff Smith had more than his share of enablers. I’m not sure the ones interviewed for this have recognized their role or care to do so. And that’s what still makes this story important and relevant. Epstein files anyone?? People in power have the luxury to hide behind that power whether it’s a clergyman, business owner, famous celebrity, or all three. This series is engaging and worth every minute of insight because it takes a while for the complexities to really sink in."

"It was very informative, I watched his show all the time and bought his books. I was very sorry to see how events in his life unfolded for him, but it just shows we are all human. I hope he’s at peace now."

"I thought the film maker did a great job telling a complete story and painting a real picture for the audience and not just relying on the sensationalized headlines played on a loop, which some documentaries do. I grew up watching and loving the Frugal Gourmet, I had/ may still have in a box somewhere, a few of his books, I am a professional chef and have been for the past 35 years. I purchased the series because I was young when the charges hit the news cycle and that was a long time ago and was hoping for a really well researched piece and that is what I got. When it happened I believed the allegations to be true and the documentary did not change my mind, nor did I want it to, I just wanted a whole story and it was done with grace and factual impartiality by the film maker. It was hard to watch his priest deny and make excuses for him and just call his victims liars, not a big surprise though considering the church's long history of protecting their own predators."

"I enjoyed the first four episodes but the 5th really dragged and I think could have been eliminated."

"I used to watch The Frugal Gourmet back in the 80s. The series was very interesting and informative."

"This is a well thought-out docuseries. The viewer is not led to feel a certain way: the facts and opinions are presented well, and we are left to react in our own way. Very informative, not preachy...I was impressed by how this sad story was laid out. Jeff Smith was a very flawed man, but he was also an extremely talented man. It is so very hard to reconcile these things. There is lots to think about in this series."

"Very over rated. Story could have been much better in 2 episodes. Too much redundant info..."

"It was a difficult documentary to watch as the public JS was way different than the private self. There were other players in the FG saga such as his helper chef Craig and another assistant, Marion, who were left out. I also understand why only passing comments were made about Channing and Jason, but it would have been helpful to elaborate a little more on them (sins of the father?). I'm sure both of them want to keep this chapter in their respective rear-view mirrors. Like millions of others, I bought many of his books and faithfully watched him on WTTW on Saturday afternoons. I still "keep my fingers bent under". One audio problem in Ep4: there was an advance with the voice, then would repeat with the taped version. It's true as this story has faded in time, as do so many other "dark chapter" stories. Along with my then partner; while visiting Seattle and going through PP market, we met JS on his scooter. He was very engaging and warm to us."