Blown Away continues to turn up the heat with the third season of the glass-blowing competition recently returning to Big Brother alum Nick Uhas, who uses his scientific background to ask simple questions about glass blowing, which piques the curiosity of fans. Chief Judge Katherine Gray lends her years of expertise to the show, which was originally pitched by an intern, according to Variety.
The juxtaposition of searing heat and fragile glass keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, and if a piece does shatter, the contestants are more resilient than the audience. From rough chalk sketches to gallery presentations, the contestants' imaginations are limitless, and their creations are breathtaking. The series has yet to be renewed for a fourth season on Netflix, but in the meantime, there are several other creative reality competition shows that will make hearts race with anticipation.
Blown Away: Christmas
Stream On Netflix
After the first two seasons of Blown Away captivated audiences, five former contestants returned for a shot at redemption in a special Christmas edition of the Netflix series. The winner of the competition would receive $10,000 for themselves and another $10,000 to donate to the charity of their choice, to showcase the true spirit of giving during the holiday season.
Aside from the prizes, some of the main differences between the Christmas edition and the original series were the holiday-themed challenges and music, as well as interior designer Bobby Berk from Queer Eye, taking over hosting duties. While some of the intensity of the original series remained, it was sweetened with nostalgia, and released just in time for the holiday season.
Metal Shop Masters
Stream On Netflix
Comedian Jo Koy hosts a fiery reality competition show on Netflix, called Metal Shop Masters. An elite group of metal artists utilizes old-school and modern techniques to cut and weld intricately designed creations that meet unique challenges and regulations in each episode.
The heat from the blowtorches and the flying embers can be intense, but the beauty the contestants create with their metal sculptures showcases similar artistry to Blown Away, with a grand prize of $50,000. The series relies on metal working experts, Stephanie Hoffman and David Madero to judge the contestants with a critical eye similar to Katherine Gray's on Blown Away.
Forged In Fire
Stream On History, Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, & Pluto TV
Forged In Fire takes the danger up a notch by inviting four bladesmiths to craft weapons and tests the weapons by allowing the judges to violently attack blocks of ice, pieces of meat, or dummies, to see whether the blade is sharp enough to do the job at hand. The winner of each season gets a $10,000 prize and the champion title.
Fire can be the contestant's best friend or worst enemy on Forged In Fire and on Blown Away. If the heat gets too high, contestants can lose significant parts of their pieces, which may prevent them from catching up and finishing in time. Although safety precautions are in place on set, fans are discouraged from trying these hobbies without proper training.
The Great Pottery Throw Down
Stream On HBO Max
The Great Pottery Throw Down proves that the art of pottery can make anyone's head spin, even in the home of pottery, Stoke-on-Trent, England. This HBO Max original has carried on for five seasons thus far, and the challenges continue to impress fans as they watch ten home potters turn a simple lump of clay into something extraordinary.
Pottery goes through elaborate steps and intense heat before it reaches its final state, which makes the artform just as fragile as the glass blowing on Blown Away. While both shows highlight important information and techniques, the main difference is that the amateurs on The Great Pottery Throw Down are seeking a title, but not a cash prize or residency, like the artists on Blown Away.
Good With Wood
Stream On Discovery+
Hosted by one of the funniest comedians in Taskmaster, Mel Giedroyc, Good With Wood brings talented woodworkers from all over the United Kingdom and challenges them to create stunning items out of wood. In addition to the big build challenge, the contestants are given a mini challenge that tests a specific woodworking skill, and the winner receives immunity from elimination.
After the judges explain the concept of the big build challenge, Good With Wood provides blueprints of each of the designs, which are later presented by each contestant, in a similar way that the glass-blowers on Blown Away sketch and explain their creative concepts. Both shows provide a team of talented assistants to the contestants and maintain a safe environment.
Ellen's Next Great Designer
Stream On HBO Max
Ellen DeGeneres and Scott Foley host Ellen's Next Great Designer on HBO Max. The series features American furniture designers who work with a craftsperson of their choosing to pair their unique design aesthetic with specific challenge requirements, often about specific materials and categories of furniture.
The furniture designers create their pieces in the comfort of their home studios, then present them in a gallery presentation to the of judges, which mirrors the style of judging in Blown Away. The winner of Ellen's Next Great Designer receives $100,000, which is double the prize amount of Blown Away.
Assembly Required
Stream On History, Hulu, & Pluto TV
Assembly Required taps into the 90's nostalgia of Home Improvement, with Tim Allen and Richard Karn hosting and judging the competition. The series was perfectly designed for social distancing, since Tim and Richard video call three contestants per episode, and challenge them to build specific items out of materials they send them, and anything from their home workshop.
Three contestants get narrowed down to two, and their final projects are sent to Tim and Richard, who have a blast testing them out, and deciding who deserves the $5,000 prize at the end of each episode. The projects are reminiscent of Tool Time, but the dangerous tools will capture the attention of Blown Away fans.
Lego Masters
Stream On FOX NOW & Hulu
The voice of Lego Batman, Will Arnett, hosts $100,000, and the title of Lego Masters. Every episode features a specific themed build, and while most challenges require contestants to keep it together, a select few will be made to fall apart.
The time and effort contestants put into their colorful builds can be destroyed in an instant, just like the glasswork on Blown Away. Both shows highlight the artistry of their field, and how one move can make or break someone's place in the competition.
Domino Masters
Stream On FOX NOW & Hulu
Modeled after the success of Lego Masters, the spinoff, Domino Masters is hosted by Eric Stonestreet. While Lego builds tend to stay together, dominos are set up to fall, however, timing is everything. On Domino Masters, teams of three utilize their skills and domino techniques to tell a story through a series of chain reactions, for a chance at $100,000.
Four teams compete in each bracket leading up to the finals of Domino Masters, and every domino topple is narrated by sports announcer, Joe Buck. Although the judges on Blown Away don't describe every move the glass-blowers make, they share a commentary on how things are going for them throughout the challenge, which provides specific insights into the world of glass blowing.
Top Chef
Stream On Bravo TV, Peacock, NBC, Hulu, & Fubo TV
The Emmy-winning cooking competition show, Top Chef is one of Bravo's most popular franchises. Chefs from around the U.S. meet in one city to face off in quickfire challenges, and elimination challenges, including the infamous restaurant wars.
While many reality competitions award a life-changing cash prize, few go the extra mile to also include a professional experience that could change the course of the winner's career. Top Chef and Blown Away both provide priceless opportunities to the winner, with Top Chef partnering with Food & Wine Magazine, and Blown Away offering the winner an exhibit at the world-famous Corning Museum of Glass.