Blown Away
GenreReality
Written by
  • Ron Carroll
  • Amy Hosking
Presented by
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes34
Production
Executive producers
  • Mark J. W. Bishop
  • Matt Hornburg
Producers
  • Ron Carroll
  • Amy Hosking
  • Donna Luke
  • Mike Bickerton
  • Brett Ashley
  • Caitlin Dosa
  • Zoe Kazakos
  • Ajeeth Parkal
  • Greg Floyd
  • Gina Lomas
  • Topher McFarlane
  • Jacqui Skeete
Running time23 minutes
Production companyMarblemedia
Original release
NetworkMakeful
ReleaseFebruary 20, 2019 (2019-02-20) –
present (present)

Blown Away is a Canadian reality glassblowing competition television series that premiered on the Canadian channel Makeful[1] before a subsequent release on the streaming platform Netflix. The 10-episode first season was released on July 12, 2019. The series is filmed in Canada[2] and is produced by Marblemedia.[3]

Casting for a second season was announced in November 2019.[4][5] Season 2 was released on Netflix in January 2021. A four-episode Christmas series was released in November 2021.[6] Season 3 premiered on July 22, 2022.[7] Season 4 premiered on March 8, 2024.[8]

The contestants on the show are 10 glassblowers. Katherine Gray, an artist and associate professor at California State University, San Bernardino, is the chief judge. Nick Uhas, a former Big Brother USA contestant and science YouTuber, hosted the show for its first three seasons.[9] Hunter March became the host for season 4.[10] The winner receives a prize package worth the equivalent of $60,000, including an artist residency at the Corning Museum of Glass.[11] The first season was filmed in a converted warehouse in Hamilton, Ontario,[12] a facility that was "custom-built to accommodate 10 glass blowers working simultaneously".[11] Industry experts from the Craft and Design Glass Studio at Sheridan College, Pilchuck Glass School, and the Corning Museum of Glass consulted the producers during the construction of the facility and provided advice and evaluation to the contestants each round.

Contestants

Season 1

Contestant[13] Outcome
Deborah Czeresko[14] Winner
Janusz Poźniak[15] Runner-up
Alexander Rosenberg[16] 3rd place
Patrick Primeau[17] 4th place
K. Momoko "Momo" Schafer[18][19] 5th place
Leah Kudel[20] 6th place
Annette Sheppard 7th place
Edgar Valentine[15] 8th place
Benjamin Kikkert 9th place
Kevin Kiff 10th place

Season 2

Contestant[21] Outcome
Elliot Walker[22] Winner
Cat Burns[23] Runner-up
Chris Taylor[24] 3rd place
Nao Yamamoto 4th place
Andi Kovel[25] 5th place
Mike Shelbo[26] 6th place
Brad Turner 7th place
Jason McDonald 8th place
Ben Silver 9th place
Tegan Hamilton 10th place

Blown Away: Christmas

Contestant Outcome Blown Away History
Season Placement
Cat Burns Winner Season 2 Runner-up
Nao Yamamoto Runner-up Season 2 4th place
Alexander Rosenberg 3rd place Season 1 3rd place
Edgar Valentine 4th place Season 1 8th place
Andi Kovel 5th place Season 2 5th place

Season 3

Contestant[27] Outcome
John Moran Winner
Minhi Su England Runner-up
John Sharvin 3rd place
Dan Friday 4th place
Trenton Quiocho 5th place
Grace Whiteside 6th place
Brenna Baker 7th place
Maddy Hughes 8th place
Rob Stern 9th place
Claire Kelly 10th place

Season 4

Contestant Outcome
Morgan Peterson Winner
Ryan Thompson Runner-up
Jonathan Capps 3rd place
Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen 4th place
Gemma Hollister 5th place
Ryan Blythe 6th place
Leana Quade 7th place
Arthur Wilson 8th place
Robert Burch 9th place
Hayden MacRae 10th place

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
110February 20, 2019 (2019-02-20)April 24, 2019 (2019-04-24)Makeful
210January 22, 2021 (2021-01-22)Netflix
Christmas4November 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
310July 22, 2022 (2022-07-22)
410March 8, 2024 (2024-03-08)

Season 1 (2019)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal air date [28]
11"Snapshot"February 20, 2019 (2019-02-20)
Guest evaluator: Chris Taylor from the Pilchuck Glass School
22"Potluck Party"February 27, 2019 (2019-02-27)
Guest evaluator: Marc Lepine from the restaurant Atelier
33"Lighten Up"March 6, 2019 (2019-03-06)
Guest evaluator: Jay Macdonell from the contemporary and design manufacturing company Bocci
44"Clash of the Robots"March 13, 2019 (2019-03-13)
Guest evaluator: Jesse Hirsh
55"Thirsty Work"March 20, 2019 (2019-03-20)
Guest evaluator: Sommelier Emily Pearce-Bibona
66"Pop Art Blowup"March 27, 2019 (2019-03-27)
Guest evaluator: Perry Tung from Bonhams Auction House
77"Dual Intent"April 3, 2019 (2019-04-03)
Guest evaluator: Catherine Osborne, former editor-in-chief of the architecture and design magazine Azure
88"The Glass is Greener"April 10, 2019 (2019-04-10)
Guest evaluator: Janet Morrison, president of Sheridan College
99"Body Parts"April 17, 2019 (2019-04-17)
Guest evaluator: Greta Hodgkinson, principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada
1010"Best in Blow"April 24, 2019 (2019-04-24)
Guest evaluator: Eric Meek, from the Corning Museum of Glass

Season 2 (2021)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release date [28]
111"Mirror, Mirror"January 22, 2021 (2021-01-22)
Guest evaluator: Alexander Rosenberg, glass artist and educator, season 1 contestant
122"Think Inside the Box"January 22, 2021 (2021-01-22)
Guest evaluator: Benjamin Wright, artist director of Pilchuck Glass School
133"Name That Toon"January 22, 2021 (2021-01-22)
Guest evaluator: Kathryn Durst, artist and illustrator
144"Force of Nature"January 22, 2021 (2021-01-22)
Guest evaluator: Heather McElwee, executive director at Pittsburgh Glass Center
155"Center of Attention"January 22, 2021 (2021-01-22)
Guest evaluator: Bobby Berk, design expert on Queer Eye
166"Scents and Sensibility"January 22, 2021 (2021-01-22)
Guest evaluator: Michel Germain, fragrance entrepreneur
177"Who's Got Game?"January 22, 2021 (2021-01-22)
Guest evaluator: Stephen Weatherly, defensive end for the Carolina Panthers
188"Runway Walk"January 22, 2021 (2021-01-22)
Guest evaluator: Sunny Fong, Project Runway Canada season 2 winner
199"Light My Fire"January 22, 2021 (2021-01-22)
Guest evaluator: Deborah Czeresko, glass artist, season 1 winner
2010"Finale"January 22, 2021 (2021-01-22)
Guest evaluator: Rob Cassetti, former senior director of Corning Museum of Glass

Blown Away: Christmas (2021)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release date
211"Santa's Elves"November 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
222"Festive Food"November 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
233"Oh Christmas Tree"November 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
244"Winter Wonderland"November 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)

Season 3 (2022)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release date [29]
251"The Evolution Will Be Televised"July 22, 2022 (2022-07-22)
Guest evaluator: Deborah Czeresko, glass artist, season 1 winner
262"Bottoms Up"July 22, 2022 (2022-07-22)
Guest evaluator: Veronica Saye, award winning cocktail bartender
273"2022, The Year Of Glass"July 22, 2022 (2022-07-22)
Guest evaluator: Chris Clarke, Director of Operations at the Pittsburgh Glass Center
284"Seven Deadly Sins"July 22, 2022 (2022-07-22)
Guest evaluator: Donna Davies, Deputy Director Pilchuck Glass School, Art Historian
285"The Bigger The Better"July 22, 2022 (2022-07-22)
Guest evaluator: Briony Douglas, Sculpture artist
296"Under The Big Top"July 22, 2022 (2022-07-22)
Guest evaluator: Miranda Tempest, aerial acrobat, circus company owner
307"Team Work Makes The Dream Work"July 22, 2022 (2022-07-22)
Guest evaluator: Julia Rogers, Robin Rogers, glass artists
318"Out Of This World"July 22, 2022 (2022-07-22)
Guest evaluator: Dr. Marianne Mader, space scientist
329"Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself"July 22, 2022 (2022-07-22)
Guest evaluator: Elliot Walker, glass artist, season 2 winner
3310"Finale"July 22, 2022 (2022-07-22)
Guest evaluator: Susie Silbert, Curator of Postwar and Contemporary Glass at Corning Museum of Glass

Season 4 (2024)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release date

Results

Season 1

Elimination chart
Artist 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Deborah BEST BEST BEST WINNER
Janusz BEST BEST BEST Runner Up
Alexander BEST BEST OUT
Patrick BEST OUT
Momo OUT
Leah BEST OUT
Annette OUT
Edgar OUT
Benjamin OUT
Kevin OUT

Season 2

Elimination chart
Artist 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Elliot BEST BEST BEST BEST WINNER
Cat BEST BEST Runner Up
Chris BEST BEST OUT
Nao BEST OUT
Andi OUT
Mike OUT
Brad OUT
Jason OUT
Ben OUT
Tegan OUT

Blown Away: Christmas

Elimination chart
Artist 1 2 3 4
Cat BEST BEST WINNER
Nao BEST Runner Up
Alexander OUT
Edgar OUT
Andi OUT

Season 3

Elimination chart
Artist 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
John M BEST BEST BEST BEST BEST WINNER
Minhi BEST BEST Runner Up
John S BEST BEST OUT
Dan BEST OUT
Trenton OUT
Grace BEST OUT
Brenna OUT
Maddy OUT
Rob OUT
Claire OUT

Season 4

Elimination chart
Artist 1 2 31 4 5 6 7 8 92 10
Morgan BEST BEST BEST WINNER
Ryan T BEST BEST Runner Up
Jonathan BEST BEST OUT
Karen BEST BEST OUT
Gemma BEST OUT
Ryan B OUT
Quade OUT
Arthur OUT
Robert OUT
Hayden OUT

^Note 1 : No contestants were eliminated in this episode.
^Note 2 : Jonathan won the quick blow challenge and an extra 20 minutes to complete the main challenge.

Colour key:

  Artist got through to the next round.
  Artist was eliminated.
  Artist was the Best in Blow.
  Artist was a series runner-up.
  Artist was the series winner.

Reception

Blown Away received a positive review from Joel Keller of Decider who compared it to Top Chef and The Great British Bake Off.[30] The Fader praised the series as rising above other competition shows and being educational.[2]

Awards

2020 Canadian Screen Awards Reality/Competition Program or Series Nominated
Production Design or Art Direction, Non-Fiction - Tim Luke Nominated
Best Direction - Reality or Competition - Mike Bickerton Won

References

  1. ^ Collins, Leah (July 25, 2019). "Blown away by Blown Away? Fact checking the new Netflix reality series with Canadian glass artists". CBC. Retrieved July 14, 2020. Technically, the series first aired on Makeful
  2. ^ a b Fitzmaurice, Larry (July 17, 2019). "Blown Away is like Great British Bake-Off, but with glassblowing". The FADER. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  3. ^ Schuster, Clayton (July 17, 2019). "Where Reality TV and Museums Meet: How Netflix's 'Blown Away' Teamed Up With Corning". Observer. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  4. ^ Quattrini, Nick (November 21, 2019). "Contestants sought for 2nd season of "Blown Away" on Netflix". WENY News. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  5. ^ @BlownAwaySeries (November 21, 2019). "Now casting season 2 of the @netflix original series Blown Away! @marblemedia is casting glassblowers from around the world for season 2 of Blown Away! Follow the link to apply: http://blownaway2.castingcrane.com #casting #glassblowers #CastingCall #glassblowing #Netflix" (Tweet). Retrieved July 22, 2020 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ Fox, Mira (November 22, 2021). "Why Netflix's 'Blown Away' Christmas special seemed a little too Christmas-y for its Jewish contestants". The Forward.
  7. ^ Spencer, Samuel (June 28, 2022). "All The Movies and TV Show Coming to Streaming Services in July". Newsweek.com. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  8. ^ Owen, Rob (March 6, 2024). "3 WA contestants face the heat on 'Blown Away: Season 4' on Netflix". Seattle Times. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Kirkl, Justin (July 15, 2019). "'Blown Away' Is Netflix's Must-Watch Glassblowing Competition of the Summer". Esquire. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  10. ^ Vlessing, Etan (June 9, 2023). "Hunter March to Host 'Blown Away: Extreme Heat' on Netflix (Exclusive)". hollywoodreporter.com. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Logan, Liz (July 12, 2019). "The Spectacle and Drama of Netflix's New Glassblowing Show Will Shatter Your Expectations". Smithsonian. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  12. ^ "Blown Away: Edmonton glass artist stars in new reality show on Netflix". The Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on July 9, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  13. ^ Raga, Pippa (July 16, 2019). "The Contestants of Netflix's 'Blown Away' Will... Well, Blow You Away". Distractify.
  14. ^ Brennan, Matt (July 31, 2019). "Love her or hate her, Deborah Czeresko is the unlikely star of Netflix's 'Blown Away'". Los Angeles Times.
  15. ^ a b Talbott, Chris (July 12, 2019). "2 glassblowers, from Seattle and Tacoma, feel the fire on new Netflix competition 'Blown Away'". The Seattle Times.
  16. ^ SNJ Today Staff (July 12, 2019). "Salem Community College Instructor to Appear on Netflix Reality Show 'Blown Away'". SNJ Today. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  17. ^ "Quebecer shows off his glass-blowing skills after Netflix show". CBC News. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  18. ^ Icasiano, Spencer (July 17, 2019). "In Netflix's 'Blown Away,' Artist K. Momoko Schafer Holds Up Glass In A New Light". WBUR. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  19. ^ Thompson, Kim (July 17, 2019). "Blown Away Contestants Talk About Their Time on the Hot New Netflix Show". Corning Museum of Glass. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  20. ^ Roe, Jon (July 11, 2019). "Alberta glass-blower competes for cash on Netflix show Blown Away". Calgary Herald.
  21. ^ White, Brett (January 22, 2021). "'Blown Away' on Netflix: How to Follow the Season 2 Cast on Instagram". Decider.
  22. ^ "Elliot Walker Defying Convention & Twisting Perception". 2021.
  23. ^ "Cat Burns Glass". 2021.
  24. ^ Edwards, Eve (January 22, 2021). "Meet Chris Taylor from Blown Away season 2: Netflix's glass artist to beat".
  25. ^ Turnquist, Kristi (January 22, 2021). "Portland designer competes on Netflix's glassblowing series, 'Blown Away'".
  26. ^ Bryant, Jackie (January 21, 2021). "Vista glassblower Mike Shelbo appears on Netflix series 'Blown Away'".
  27. ^ Sharma, Muskan (July 22, 2022). "Blown Away Season 3 cast list: Meet the glassblowers from the Netflix reality TV show". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  28. ^ a b "Blown Away – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  29. ^ "Blown Away Season 3 Challenges? Netflix Show Format, Eliminations, Etc". The Tough Tackle. July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  30. ^ Keller, Joel (July 12, 2019). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Blown Away' On Netflix, A 'Top Chef'-Style Glass Blowing Competition". Decider. Retrieved July 21, 2019.

External links

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