Cake Boss - Season 3

let me first say that I have been a huge fan of the TLC semi-reality show "cake boss" and the Valastro family for their contribution in displaying moderen italian american culture in such a positive light. I have to say that season three does continue to provide the same wonderful bakery confections and dramatic personalities that made the show so much fun although the formula is getting a little redundant and is getting a feel of over sucess that takes away from the charm of the first season. What is really disapointing from the thrid season DVD and the main reason why I rated it so low is that it is missing the three most exciting episodes of the season. The episodes "familia, fishing,and family history", "frescos, fountains and family wishes", and "cassata, chessecakes and crates of wine", where the bakery crew goes to italy are not on this DVD. These are the best episodes of the season three and actually the episodes that "make" season three. So why are they not included?
another issue with the season three DVD is a lack of bonus features. There is deleted scenes and thats all while the two privious seasons DVDs had much more bonus features. finally, if I had known that the three Italy episodes where not on this DVD, I would not have purchased season three. Very disapointing.

This is a good show overall. But for the DVD collection, there are six episodes missing from the TV season as aired. Being a completionist, I picked them up from iTunes, but that's an extra $12 expense. One of the episodes in question is even a double-length one. Not impressed by that.

Also, this season definitely has more gimmicks--Buddy and the guys have all sorts of silly competitions and excursions that are obviously just filler to make less repetitive TV. Fun I guess, but ultimately hurts the show more than it helps.

Overall, if you're a fan, not a bad purchase, but certainly could have been a lot better DVD release. Dropping arbitrary episodes (and some of the best ones at that) is really weak.

Just to be fair, I need to say that I continue to enjoy this show even if they seem to stretch the limits of credibility with some of the episodes. I mean, some of the things that are staged are pretty obvious but its fun nonetheless to watch.

That being said, I have no problems with the storyline and watching how this business has really taken off and I am genuinely happy for Buddy and the Valastro's.

BUT..................there is the stench of money-hungry greed that is seeping into the purchase of the show and I highly doubt that it's from Buddy's side of the fence.

To wit, I have been most disappointed with the fact that after purchasing the DVD's, and finding episodes missing, apparently there is a regular set and then there is a "special edition" set that is for sale, but not here on Amazon, only on the TLC website. But according to the general product description on Amazon, they state that everything is included. Let me assure readers that "caveat emptor" is in order (buyer beware).

The regular set does NOT contain all the episodes from the season; they left out the Valastro trip to Italy as well as bonus features. But if you go to the TLC website and pay $40 + s/h = $45 total, then you get the "extra" in the form of a "special edition". An insult as well as another chance to squeeze more money out of you.

Normally I don't comment on this type of thing because most of the time, if you read the general product review, the information is in there. But the review states that the Italy trip is indeed included and it was not. Too late for me as I had already opened the set.

The same with Season 4 but worse. On TLC, Season 4 comes in "special" edition AND there it is packaged as only "Volume One". Therefore, you will have to shell out more money to get "Volume Two" and whatever other "volumes" they want to suck out of you.

Yes, I am more than aggravated with this money-hungry ploy to get people to waste money. TLC, who owns the rights to this show, needs to really look at how much they want to insult viewers and Amazon needs to tell the buyers exactly what we will be getting.

I don't mind if this is how the company wants to make their money but they have to tell us the truth so that we at least feel forewarned and we can make an informed decision.

OK..................I said all I want.

Peace.

ADDENDUM (December 2011): I decided to write to Amazon and explain this problem. They were most kind and helpful in allowing me to return the item (thanks Amazon). I then went to the TLC network and purchased the complete season, which happened to be on sale. FYI.