Customer Reviews

"This was a tastefully done documentary series on a celebrated personality who fell from grace. The details about the sexual abuse allegations against Jeffrey Smith, the Frugal Gourmet, were handled carefully, without leaning into prurience, which is often what happens in so many stories of this kind. Instead, the individuals interviewed, including several of the men who were teens when they encountered--and were subsequently abused by--Smith, presented a well-rounded picture of a charismatic yet troubled person who never fully acknowledged the harm he committed. We can appreciate what the Frugal Gourmet offered us. Yet, in the end, we are saddened by the reality of guilt, shame, and sexual repression that so many carried in his wake."

"I was very interested in seeing this documentary, but I was hesitant to pay for it since I pay for multiple streaming services already. I'm glad that I did. Firstly, because it was very informative and well done and secondly, to support new talent. I'm glad this is out there for others to see. This story needs to be told."

"Excellent review. I was a big fan and follower so the story is disturbing, sad, and infuriating. Such an amazing talent in such a flawed man. Addresses the ability to separate art from the artist. Video and sound track were a little out of sync which was distracting. I do wish there had been more discussion about his marriage but overall an engaging series."

"This was so beautifully presented, with interest, humanity, complexity, and sensitivity. I found it fascinating from start to finish, and very much hope these documentatrians will continue their work with another subject; they do a fantastic job."

"Excellent. I grew up in Tacoma and lived there in the 1980s and 1990s. I wish there would have been more about the media ignoring this story when it was brought to them. Everyone seemed to know. I was dating a Tacoma bartender in the early 90s. Everyone who worked in her restaurant knew. Which media outlet, or outlets got tipped? Why didn't they do what The Oregonian did? Along the same lines, what's the name of the former judge who witnessed Smith molesting a boy and didn't report it? What does he have to say about that now? Did not appreciate AI narration. At all. It was fingernail-on-blackboard stuff. Otherwise, appreciated the deep dive, exhaustive approach."

"This is an offensive sham of a documentary. It wallows in sensationalistic offensively graphic details of Jeff Smith's terrible crimes and sexual abuses. It is repetitive and manipulative and insincere and, I believe, dishonest about its motives and objective. I think it is an exploitative injustice to Jeff Smith's victims. The film is also a disservice to a public who may remember Jeff Smith and want to understand what happened and an even greater disservice to anyone who is not familiar with "the frugal gourmet" and may be learning about him for the first time. A truly terrible film."

"I watched this show back in the 80's. I knew a guy that was in a class the Jeff taught in the 70's. He said that boys did talk about his abuse. This was interesting and presented well. I am sure he was a sexual preditor but understand that others do not."

"It's a balanced and detailed story of an interesting person. You found the right audience in me. I enjoy documentaries. I watched Frugal Gourmet in Chicago and still make his pork chops with fennel. For me, it was worth my time and the $20.00. Maybe a little too detailed? I could have used identifying captions with some of the interviews. I sometimes forgot their connection to Jeff Smith. It would be nice if it was available on one of my streaming services and frustrating if it was on another. I appreciated the direct no committment purchase."

"The film is a graceful, sympathetic portrayal of a talented yet conflicted man and the ripple effects of his behavior. The cinematography, with the Pacific Northwest backdrop, and the poignant soundtrack enhanced the eloquence of the production."

"Thoughtful, sensitive documentary featuring a variety of friends, acquaintances and colleagues of someone everyone thought they knew. Fascinating! We binged it straight through. Highly recommended"

"Very well done. Learned a lot I didn’t know."

"A fascinating story I'd never heard before. While I remember watching the Frugal Gourmet on TV when I was younger, I missed the news around the end of his career. Loved the way the story is told across the episodes, visually attractive and very well mixed."