Delicious duels in ‘Donut Showdown’

“DONUT SHOWDOWN” judges (from left) Zane Caplansky, Maggie McKeown, David Rocco and host Danny Boome

Plucky pastry chefs clash in the weekly half-hour program “Donut Showdown,” a reality tilt where the creativity in conjuring up visually appealing and delectable desserts is highlighted.

Three chefs, who may also be business owners from North America, are pitted against each other for a $10,000 cash prize per episode. The contestants put their diverse cooking influences to the test, and must come up with a uniquely flavored batch of donuts from provided “mystery ingredients” after 45 minutes.

LOUIS C.K. in “Louie”

One contestant whose donut creation doesn’t impress the trio of dessert expert judges gets the boot, leaving the two remaining donut-makers to come up with three new creations—based on a given theme—for the last tough round.

Donut Showdown’s contestants usually are an eclectic group of personalities; each contestant is helped by a coworker/assistant during the preparation/baking process. Sometimes,

contestants get to trash-talk during the “interview” bits interspersed with the contest proper—it doesn’t really affect their ultimate standing, but they do make them somewhat interesting, even entertaining subjects.

One episode tested two competitors, who must make pastries with the theme “Bollywood” in mind. A young chef, who previously lived in India, created colorful, flavorful, vegan-friendly delights inspired by his familiarity with the culture, and his time in the country. His older competitor, the smug but focused type, created donuts inspired by his perception of Bollywood, hence the caramel popcorn toppings, and similarly playful designs. He wanted them to be “sexy, like a character in a Bollywood film.”

“ZIG & SHARKO”

It was a tight competition, but the older, more experienced guy won, after a lively deliberation—some judges liked one’s presentation over the other’s, and so on. The winner was lauded for his imagination, which enabled him to whip up more mouthwatering confections.

Other episodes are just as consistently playful, steadily focusing on the awe-inspiring talents of cooking geniuses and their near-countless takes on the tasty treat.

(Back-to-back episodes of “Donut Showdown” air Sundays, 9 p.m. on 2nd Avenue.)

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‘Don’t Lose the Money’

TOM Rodriguez in “Don’t Lose the Money”

On Sept. 22, GMA 7’s new game show “Don’t Lose the Money” will premiere after “Basta Every Day Happy.” The show is hosted by Tom Rodriguez.

‘Louie’

“Louie,” the third season of comic Louis C.K., airs Tuesdays (8:25 p.m.) and Wednesdays (5:55 p.m.) on Jack TV.

‘Zig & Sharko’

The wacky animated series “Zig and Shark,” about a hungry hyena and his shark foe, airs on Disney Channel every Tuesday at 11:30 p.m.