CAKE (2006)

 

CAKE (2006)
(CBS, September 16-December 9, 2006)
 
Brookwell McNamara Entertainment, KOL/AOL for Kids, DiC Entertainment Corporation

 

MAIN CAST:
Christa B. Allen – Cake
Anna Maria Perez de Tagle – Miracle Ross
Keegan McFadden – Benjamin Turner
Emily Everhard – Amy Carson

  

Since the year 2000, CBS’ Saturday morning programming was handled by corporate cousin Nickelodeon following the merger between Viacom and CBS Corporation. 5 years later, Viacom was again split from CBS Corporation into two distinct companies under the ownership of National Amusements. With Nickelodeon no longer under a common umbrella, CBS entered into a partnership with DiC Entertainment to take over their Saturday morning programming. DiC, in turn, partnered with KOL, internet provider America Online’s kid-centered website, to create the KOL Secret Slumber Party programming block.

Amy, Miracle, Cake, and Benjamin.

One of the first three programs launched under the block was Cake, created by Barbara Meyer and Maia Terzian and developed by Kaaren Lee Brown (not to be confused with the 2019 series of the same name). Cake was a how-to sitcom centered on a girl named Cake (Christa B. Allen) who was heavily into fashion and arts and crafts; inspired by her Grandma Crystal who used to design costumes and serve as a roadie for famous rock stars. Along with her best friend Miracle Ross (Anna Maria Pere de Tagle), who also loved fashion and art but was a bit on the materialistic and spoiled side, and young neighborhood girl Amy Carson (Emily Everhard), who was an environmentally-conscious jokester, Cake put on a public-access television show called Cake TV. Handling the camera was their other friend, Benjamin Turner (Keegan McFadden), whose stage fright left him happy to stay behind the scenes. They operated out of Cake’s garage and Crystal’s nearby Airstream travel trailer, which was loaded with supplies from her designing days. Despite other characters being mentioned and often being a factor at the center of an episode’s story, nobody else appeared on the show beyond a photograph of Cake with her mother and grandmother or vocal cameos from the television set.

Glue guns ready!

Cake debuted on CBS on September 16, 2006 with the rest of the Slumber Party block. The series was written by Susie Singer Carter and Don Priess, with Donald F. Roberts, PhD serving as an educational consultant to ensure the series met educational requirements mandated by the FCC. The main theme written by Michael J. Mani and Carter with vocals by Joey Singer, and music by Ron Wasserman. Costumes were designed by Sandy Ampon, CDG, and supervised by Dianne Kennedy, with Tim Wonsik, Raquel L. Jaffe and Stephen Oh as the costumers. The sets were decorated by Lisa De Los Reyes, SDSA.

Amy, Cake and Benjamin out in the yard by Grandma Crystal's trailer.

Each episode began with Cake showing the audience what craft project they’ll be working on later in the episode; such as jazzing up an old purse, creating a custom CD case, or revitalizing old plush toys. That was followed by a standard sitcom plot designed to lead the characters into a need or inspiration for that particular project. For instance, the first episode featured Miracle’s credit card being cut off by her parents for repeatedly going over her limit, leaving her without the ability to get a new dress (which was made for her by Cake) or a gift for a friend’s Bat Mitzvah (which was the mentioned project). For a bit of corporate synergy, one project was inspired by the success of pop group the Slumber Party Girls, the hosts and namesake of the Slumber Party block. The rest of the episode was dedicated to the filming of Cake TV and the craft project. The show would end with the disembodied voice of Cake saying “It’s a piece of cake!”

Amy, Cake and Miracle filming Cake TV.

As for the show-within-a-show, Cake TV featured the girls all wearing shirts with their names in creative lettering and Amy providing their introductions. Cake would then describe the project they’ll be working on. However, before that could begin, they played some stock footage of themselves marching out on the lawn carrying signs that spelt out the acronym “PARTY TIME”. PAR stood for “Permission Always Required”, reminding their viewers that they needed parental supervision and/or permission to use the more dangerous tools like scissors or a hot glue gun (Cake’s favorite). TYT stood for “Take Your Time”, encouraging the organization of materials and proceeding at a casual pace. IME stood for “Imagination Means Everything”, opening up their minds to allow their creativity to flow.  The girls then guided the viewers along on a step-by-step process of what materials they’ll need and what to do so they could follow along with their own craft project.

It's "PARTY TIME"!

Despite being nominated for two Young Artist Awards, winning one, the series was ultimately cancelled after the end of its only season of 13 episodes. A 14^th episode titled “Amy Takeover” was planned, but was never aired. Cake remained on the network in reruns until 2009. Following DiC’s takeover by Cookie Jar Group. CBS renewed its programming deal with Cookie Jar which then subsequently replaced all of DiC’s programming with their own for new programming block Cookie Jar TV.  While never released on home media, various episodes have been uploaded by fans to video sites like YouTube and it was made available for streaming on Tubi.

 

 

EPISODE GUIDE:

“Miracle on Ice…The Case of the Frozen Assets” (9/16/02) – When Miracle’s parents freeze her credit card, she’s unable to buy a new outfit or gift for a friend’s Bat Mitzvah.

 

“Flip-Flopped” (9/23/06) – Amy copies other people’s style until Cake helps her discover her own individuality.

 

“Or-dis-ganized” (9/30/06) – Cake must help everyone get over a spreading case of forgetfulness.

 

“Not Your Mama’s Piggy Bank” (10/7/06) – Amy’s desire to help rebuild a playground destroyed by a tornado helps inspire that week’s craft to renew old stuffed toys.

 

“You Tell Her” (10/14/06) – Everyone tries to figure out the best way to tell Miracle that she stinks when she comes to the garage straight from soccer practice.

 

“The Write Inspiration” (10/21/06) – The kids are inspired by the Slumber Party Girls’ success and set out to achieve their own.

 

“Baby Blues” (10/28/06) – Amy decides that she’s tired of being treated like a kid because she’s the youngest and starts dressing and acting like a grown-up.

 

“Makin’ Up Is Hard to Do” (11/4/06) – A misunderstanding breaks up the friendship between Miracle and Benjamin.

 

“A Cake Walk” (11/11/06) – Miracle is concerned that Cake’s preoccupation with her grandmother’s hip surgery has drained her creative spark.

 

“Trump-IT” (11/18/06) – Benjamin loses his passion for trumpet-playing in the school’s concert band when the new exchange student seems unimpressed by his skill.

 

“Flopportunity” (11/25/06) – Miracle’s fashion sense is challenged when the ripped jeans she spent all her money on is deemed inappropriate by the principal.

 

“Snack Attack” (12/2/06) – Cake is concerned about Miracle’s unhealthy chocolate chip cookie addiction.

 

“Second Hand Woes” (12/9/06) – Amy hates getting hand-me-downs, but Cake sees it as a creative opportunity.