If you are are stoner and haven’t seen ‘Disjointed’ or ‘Cooking on High’, you must be living under a pop-culture rock. The two have been the most recent, and most focused bids, at creating shows for the stoner community. Web series, streaming shows, and movies have been committed to sharing the world of cannabis behind the government propaganda such as Viceland. If you haven’t been under a rock, however, you would know these shows have had mixed reviews from both those who consume cannabis and those who don’t.
‘Disjointed’, the now cancelled pot-themed sitcom starring Kathy Bates, was Netflix’s first dive into cannabis-oriented shows. Though it was well received by cannabis consumers as a comical take on life working at a dispensary, it currently sits at a critic-score of 23% on Rotten Tomatoes. IndieWire critic, Ben Travers, claims the show is “made to be watched high-and that only works if you are.” While that’s a green-light for many enthusiast, it’s not meant as a compliment. Disjointed’s case, with it’s wacky episode-plots and random cartoon-like visuals, can be argued but it raises a more interesting question.
What about these stonerific shows keeps them from well-reception on both sides? It may all lie in the execution.
The newest addition, ‘Cooking On High’ produced by Stage 13, is comprised of 15 minute episodes where experienced chefs will prepare cannabis-infused meals in 30 minutes. The judges range from comedians, rappers, and other pop culture icons who are known for not their taste in cuisine but in cannabis. Essentially, it’s a show about cannabis enthusiasts making edibles while discussing cannabis and their experiences with it.
The premise of the show reminds most of the smoking circles of bouncing terrible, but elevated, ideas off of one another. The show, unfortunately seems to be just that. A medicated idea with questionable execution. The attempt is appreciated but, some steps can be taken in their next season to ensure it’s longevity.
The show’s episodes do have some notable faces, who just happen to be canna-enthusiasts, from the culinary world. One of the first is actually a known private cannabis chef to celebrities, Andrea Drummer. Her opponent, Luke Reyes, is a Chopped champion an head-chef of private cannabis restaurant, La Hoja. Both come from strong cooking and cannabis backgrounds but there wasn’t much talk about either during the duration of the show. The lack of clarity on whether this is a cooking show or a competition cooking show is the most crippling issue.
With shows like Chopped, where it got its structure from, is based around the cooking and how ingredients are tied together. ‘Cooking On High’, however combines the simple activity of openly enjoying infused foods while in a cooking show atmosphere. It operates more along the lines shows like Martha & Snopp’s Potluck Dinner Party with a friendly unstructured competition taking place as well.
The show isn’t a deeper look at how infuse foods, how to mask cannabis flavor, or even what they effects of eating cannabis look and feel like. The show’s resident and self-proclaimed “chronnisseur”, Ngaio Bealum, is one of the redeeming parts of the show. Over the course of the 15 minute episodes, Ngaio explains the strains used as well as lightly going over their history and origin. Though not common, he does quickly explain the need for decarbing flower before cooking with it. He also inquires about the chef’s process, prompting the them with questions on how they are actually making their meals. He steals the show for his knowledge but, the lack of focus on him leaves the show in the limbo I described earlier.
So, to answer my previous question, the lack of a good subject matter aside from bud is keeping these shows behind. These shows need to have some other element pushing the narrative aside from cannabis. ‘Disjointed’ is seen as the better attempt by many critics but the first try, with it’s visually psychedelic moments, was possible a step too far into stoner-culture. The show made lots of puns and raunchy pot-jokes that poked fun at the industry and “stoner lifestyle”. CoH is a little lighter on the “dankness” but the judges, and in some cases chefs, that are too high to stay focused make the show forgettable. It does, however, still push cannabis into the normal consumer’s eye and can possibly open a conversation about infused shows in the future.
Here at The Social Weed, many of the same thoughts are echod. Many of our staff love the silliness and inclusion of more cannabis-themed shows but, see some much more potential in the shows premise. It takes away from the medicinal aspect of the cannabis and puts us a fews steps back in dismantling the stigma around consumption. The show needs to focus more it’s educational moments to capture bigger audiences.
The overall reception of the show is still positive and it’s existence alone is revolutionary. A streaming service like Netflix to advertise a show about openly consuming cannabis is a big step for the plant and the nation. As well, ‘Cooking on High’, was possibly created and filmed some months or years ago; so we can’t cut them cast a bit of slack.
Netflix is on the right track but might need more input from real, long-time consumers to get the subject matter right. If you are looking for something fun to watch involving cannabis or simply want to introduce the idea of cooking infused foods to someone, this might be a great start. If you want something a little more educational or at least about cooking, wait for the second season to see improvements.
Written by: Joycelin Arnold
