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Food Network Criticism

Posted: August 23rd, 2009, 3:04 pm
by Lavabe
I am a devoted follower of the Food Network, but two developments have caused me to wonder about the network:
1) "What Would Brian Boitano Make?" I am sorry, but the first episode was just TOO over the top for me, with precious little discussion of the actual food preparation.
2) The Next Iron Chef: Gee... how many Iron Chefs would that make?

I am also NOT understanding the chef vs. city reality show they now have.

Any explanation would be appreciatied.

Re: Food Network Criticism

Posted: August 23rd, 2009, 5:59 pm
by bjornolf
No explanation here, but we DO love to watch "Challenge", though I don't see how the $10K really helps them. I doubt they do much more with that than get back the money and time they spent preparing. I'm sure it's mostly the love of the battle and the notoriety you get by winning the medal for your business.

%%-

Re: Food Network Criticism

Posted: August 23rd, 2009, 7:55 pm
by wilson
Weird...I love to cook, and I almost never watch the Food Network. Holds very little allure to me.

Re: Food Network Criticism

Posted: August 23rd, 2009, 8:38 pm
by devildeac
wilson wrote:Weird...I love to cook, and I almost never watch the Food Network. Holds very little allure to me.
Also weird is that I like to eat a lot and rarely watch the Food Network. :roll:

Re: Food Network Criticism

Posted: August 23rd, 2009, 8:42 pm
by DukeUsul
I enjoy watching the food network. I've learned a few new techniques and had some ideas spurred from watching their real shows. Giada DiLaurentiis, Tyler Florence, Emeril, Bobby Flay.... they're worth watching. I do learn from them. The crap like WWBBM are kinda useless to me. I have a HUGE HUGE HUGE man-crush on Alton Brown. The man combines two of my favorite things, science and cooking. I usually skip over the challenge shows, although sometimes watch Bobby Flay's throwdown - it has some good local flavor sometimes.

Re: Food Network Criticism

Posted: August 23rd, 2009, 11:44 pm
by rockymtn devil
I watch a LOT of the Food Network. Like DukeUsul, I pick up a lot techniques and ideas. Even if I don't replicate recipes, I apply individual aspects of the programs into my cooking. But, I also agree with Lavabe. Some of the new shows are bad and need to be cancelled. I watched two minutes of WWBBD this morning and switched the re-runs of The Practice (I had a bit of the cocktail flu, so simply turning off the tv and doing something else wasn't an option).

Re: Food Network Criticism

Posted: August 24th, 2009, 11:17 am
by windsor
rockymtn devil wrote:I watch a LOT of the Food Network. Like DukeUsul, I pick up a lot techniques and ideas. Even if I don't replicate recipes, I apply individual aspects of the programs into my cooking. But, I also agree with Lavabe. Some of the new shows are bad and need to be cancelled. I watched two minutes of WWBBD this morning and switched the re-runs of The Practice (I had a bit of the cocktail flu, so simply turning off the tv and doing something else wasn't an option).
Any cooking show that re-hashes a line/song from South Park is an automatic 'Fail'....hence I wouldn't waste the DVR space for WWBBD

RFOLMAO - 'cocktail flu'

Oh yeah...and Bobby Flay rocks.

Re: Food Network Criticism

Posted: August 24th, 2009, 11:19 am
by devildeac
windsor wrote:
rockymtn devil wrote:I watch a LOT of the Food Network. Like DukeUsul, I pick up a lot techniques and ideas. Even if I don't replicate recipes, I apply individual aspects of the programs into my cooking. But, I also agree with Lavabe. Some of the new shows are bad and need to be cancelled. I watched two minutes of WWBBD this morning and switched the re-runs of The Practice (I had a bit of the cocktail flu, so simply turning off the tv and doing something else wasn't an option).
Any cooking show that re-hashes a line/song from South Park is an automatic 'Fail'....hence I wouldn't waste the DVR space for WWBBD

RFOLMAO - 'cocktail flu'

Oh yeah...and Bobby Flay rocks.
But Ed Mitchell's ribs are better. :D

http://www.thepit-raleigh.com

Re: Food Network Criticism

Posted: August 24th, 2009, 11:41 am
by Devil in the Blue Dress
Lavabe wrote:I am a devoted follower of the Food Network, but two developments have caused me to wonder about the network:
1) "What Would Brian Boitano Make?" I am sorry, but the first episode was just TOO over the top for me, with precious little discussion of the actual food preparation.
2) The Next Iron Chef: Gee... how many Iron Chefs would that make?

I am also NOT understanding the chef vs. city reality show they now have.

Any explanation would be appreciatied.
I saw the Boston based chef vs, city reality show and thought it lacked a clear sense of purpose..... too many elements or variables. The little vignettes of local sights/sites with the two local guys racing to beat the chefs in either travel time or eating grew old after a couple.

"The Best Thing I Ever Ate" series can be fun and informative. The episode on the best sandwiches was interesting. "Sandra's Money Saving Meals" sometimes has some useful quick recipes as do her other programs. I enjoy Guy Fieri's programs.... a variation on the "Good Food Road Food" theme. Since the dishes featured are in restaurants I not only learn about places I want to visit, I learn about some ideas to try out.

Re: Food Network Criticism

Posted: August 24th, 2009, 3:37 pm
by Miles
I love Food Network, but there are some shows that I wouldn't mind seeing cancelled. My current favorites are Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and F Word. I used to loathe this guy, but after seeing both of these shows I have a new found appreciation for his passion to make good food, and I love his culinary style.

Re: Food Network Criticism

Posted: August 24th, 2009, 3:38 pm
by Miles
Lavabe wrote:I am a devoted follower of the Food Network, but two developments have caused me to wonder about the network:
1) "What Would Brian Boitano Make?" I am sorry, but the first episode was just TOO over the top for me, with precious little discussion of the actual food preparation.
2) The Next Iron Chef: Gee... how many Iron Chefs would that make?

I am also NOT understanding the chef vs. city reality show they now have.

Any explanation would be appreciatied.
I won't even dignify Brian Boitano's show with a "fair chance viewing."
There was only one Iron Chef that mattered. Even Iron Chef America needed a breath of fresh air.

Re: Food Network Criticism

Posted: August 27th, 2009, 1:06 am
by Turk
The show I don't get is the cake decorating show. Mama Turk had a side business doing cakes - she did any occasion including weddings up to 250 people or so. I don't ever recall her using a propane torch, power tools, or hitting cakes with a hammer to get them to look the way she wanted...

I'd say Alton Brown and Guy whosis are my two favorites. I would love hanging out with Guy (as long as he keeps his shades in the glove box where they belong) and chasing the four major food groups: fried protein, grease, starch, and beer.

Re: Food Network Criticism

Posted: August 27th, 2009, 9:27 am
by DukeUsul
Turk wrote:The show I don't get is the cake decorating show. Mama Turk had a side business doing cakes - she did any occasion including weddings up to 250 people or so. I don't ever recall her using a propane torch, power tools, or hitting cakes with a hammer to get them to look the way she wanted...

I'd say Alton Brown and Guy whosis are my two favorites. I would love hanging out with Guy (as long as he keeps his shades in the glove box where they belong) and chasing the four major food groups: fried protein, grease, starch, and beer.
I wish I could get away with wearing my shades backwards on my head.