Bourdain Comments on Food Network Hosts

News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Thu Feb 8, 2007 6:30 PM EST

Article Source: blog.ruhlman.com

I actually WATCH Food Network now and again, more often than not drawn in by the progressive horrors on screen. I find myself riveted by its awfulness, like watching a multi-car accident in slow motion. Mesmerized at the ascent of the Ready-Made bobblehead personalities, and the not-so-subtle shunting aside of the Old School chefs, I find myself de-constructing the not-terrible shows, imagining behind the scenes struggles and frustrations, and obsessing unhealthily on the Truly Awful ones. Screaming out loud at Sandra Lee in disbelief as she massacres another dish, then sits grinning, her face stretched into a terrifying rictus of faux cheer for the final triumphant presentation. I mourn for Mario..and Alton...Bobby and yes--even Emeril, nobly holding the fort while the TV empire he helped build crumbles like undercooked Bundt cake into a goo of Cheez Wiz around him.

Some thoughts on the Newer, Younger, More Male-Oriented, More Dumb-Ass Food Network:

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Michael Sautter's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Foodies!, TV Lounge
Regions: United States

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{"commentId":520364,"authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

lauhal

I disagree with some of the points this guy makes. But the piece is pretty funny! Actually, I guffawed a couple times. :)

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4 votes

#1 - Thu Feb 8, 2007 7:24 PM EST

{"commentId":520367,"authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

lauhal

Relegated to the circus of Iron Chef America, where--like a great, toothless lion, fouling his cage, he hangs on Poor Mario!

{"commentId":520367,"threadId":"74908","contentId":"559239","authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

5 votes

#2 - Thu Feb 8, 2007 7:26 PM EST

{"commentId":523000,"authorDomain":"agio"}

agio

I agreed with most of his comments. And he didn't badmouth my food network guru Alton Brown.

{"commentId":523000,"threadId":"74908","contentId":"559239","authorDomain":"agio"}

3 votes

#3 - Sat Feb 10, 2007 10:28 AM EST

{"commentId":529844,"authorDomain":"erink"}

ErinK

All hail Alton!

{"commentId":529844,"threadId":"74908","contentId":"559239","authorDomain":"erink"}

2 votes

#3.1 - Tue Feb 13, 2007 5:45 PM EST

{"commentId":557627,"authorDomain":"lamesafoods"}

mattwa

Did you ever think you would see the day when food personalities bragged about the fact that they aren't chefs?

{"commentId":557627,"threadId":"74908","contentId":"559239","authorDomain":"lamesafoods"}

1 vote

#4 - Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:00 PM EST

{"commentId":886416,"authorDomain":"deborah-harper"}

deb-165797

agree 100%. Food network star ended up disappointing - I won't watch either of these two. JAG fessed up at the end and was great to watch. We forgive everyone else.....................I want to see real chefs - heck I could have my own show too

{"commentId":886416,"threadId":"74908","contentId":"559239","authorDomain":"deborah-harper"}

1 vote

#5 - Sun Jul 22, 2007 9:11 PM EDT

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MICHAEL SAUTTER

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Bourdain Comments on Food Network Hosts

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