Nailed It! premiered on Netflix March 9th, 2018. The series is a quasi baking competition and quasi comedy show, hosted by comedienne Nicole Bryer and judged by world-renowned chocolatier Jacques Torres. It features three novice bakers who are challenged to replicate stunning baked goods within a set time. The concoction that resembles and tastes the most similar wins a secret prize in the first round and $10,000 in the second round.
The success of the series has spawned multiple spin-offs worldwide, including ¡Nailed it! México, C'est du gâteau! and Niquelao! The show is currently in its fourth season and has released 40 episodes, including their Nailed It! Holiday! episode. Fans' favorite episodes usually revolve around the memorable contestants, special guest judges, and hilarity from the baking fails.
"Tailgate Faildate" - Season 2, Episode 3 (7.2)
The contestants took a different turn in the first round, where instead of baking cakes or cupcakes, they were instructed to cook Superbowl classic appetizers and entrees. Each contestant was given a section that, when joined, would form a football field.
For the second round, they were assigned with assembling barbeque cakes and inevitably added their "unique" touches. Bryer and Torres were joined by guest judge Johnny Hekker, a football punter for the Los Angeles Rams. Viewers were satisfied with the mixup in the show's routine.
"Let's Get Lit" - Season 4, Episode 1 (7.3)
In this episode, contestants were challenged to make treats inspired by literary classics. The first round had them baking cookies in the likeness of William Shakespeare's characters and the author himself. While in the second round, they built a Moby Dick cake.
Fans adored contestant Gregory Gardner, who was passionate about baking and couldn't help himself from saying "bursting" to evoke sublimity. Comedian Matt Walsh (Upright Citizens Brigade) was the guest judge and made a hilarious addition to the episode.
Howdy, Failure! Season 4, Episode 6 (7.3)
This Western-themed episode had contestants dishing out fried duck donuts and flavor-infused rodeo cakes. Sticking with the Western theme, a couple of the contestants were tasked with a Cowboy challenge, whilst the loser from the first round had the upper-hand.
Adam Scott (Parks and Rec) served as a guest judge, and his comedically awkward comments made him one of the funniest comedians to have guested on the series. The episode also included a "surprise" appearance from Lana Condor (To All The Boys I've Loved Before).
"High Society" - Season 2, Episode 1 (7.3)
Since this episode was depicted in the show's intro montage since season one, fans were amped up for it. Contestants were tasked with baking late-night munchie-inspired pancakes in the first round and a gravity-defying tea party cake in the second round. One of the most ambitious cakes from the show to date, each contestant struggled to create the mesmerizing optical illusion.
Comedian Jon Gabrus (Comedy Bang! Bang!) was a guest judge, and along with the contestants, he served up not baked goods but some delicious light-hearted humor.
"Out Of This World" - Season 2, Episode 6 (7.3)
In this space-themed episode, contestants were faced with baking cosmic cupcakes and something viewers could relate to - building a model of the solar system. However, instead of styrofoam, the planets were made of cake pops and regular cake, while the scenic starry sky was composed of gelatin-mirror glaze. J
Joshua John Russell was the guest judge, the creator of the YouTube channel Man About Cake, and he offered some substantial advice to the contestants.
"Head Under Water" - Season 1, Episode 3 (7.4)
In this episode, contestants were tasked with baking hot tub ganache cakes with lounging animals and in the final round, a Jaws inspired cake.
Undeniably one of the most famous contestants in the show's history, Sal made his first appearance. As someone who never followed recipes, his baking attempts were creative, to say the least. He made another appearance in the first season of Nailed It! Holiday! Valerie Gordon, a prolific baker who owns a popular bakery in Los Angeles, served as a guest judge.
"Big In Japan" - Season One, Episode 5 (7.4)
For the second time in the show's history, contestants were challenged with replicating a guest judge's novelty treats. In the first round, they were tasked with baking emoji cakes that were originally designed by cake artist and host of the YouTube channel How To Cake It, Yolanda Gampp.
The second round, keeping with the Japanese theme, had the contestants baking sushi and sashimi cakes. This was the first episode of the season in which the contestants were all women.
"Weird Science" - Season 1, Episode 4 (7.4)
Once again, Nailed It! decided to shake things up a bit by having the contestants prepare cupcakes with matching alcoholic cocktails in the first round. In the second round, they got scientific and made bubbly volcano cakes.
This was the first episode of the series to have a deaf contestant, Alexis, who was an inspiring baker. Dave Arnold (the founder and president of the Museum of Food and Drink) was a guest judge.
"Fantasyland" - Season 1, Episode 2 (7.5)
This was another strong episode from season one and it challenged contestants to make pirate-inspired donuts and Rapunzel tower cakes accompanied by a fire-breathing dragon and knight.
The contestants were a hoot, especially Amanda who was a sweet grandmother but struggled immensely in each challenge. The judges enjoyed her blunt but clueless remarks and spirited nature. Byer and Torres were joined by prestigious pastry chef Zac Young, who has appeared as a judge on multiple baking shows on the Cooking Channel and Food Network.
"Fictitious And Delicious" - Season 2, Episode 2 (7.7)
This fairytale themed episode had contestants whip up cake pops resembling classic fairytale characters and a unicorn cake that'd been prominently featured in the show's intro montage since season one.
The episode had an amazing turnaround from contestant Chris. In the first round, he mistakingly used salt instead of sugar, but by the second round, he was the only contestant to have a rainbow layered unicorn cake and he consequently won.