Olympic Figure Skater Brian Boitano in a New Food Network Series
Usually when Brian Boitano and ice are mentioned in the same sentence, it doesn't involve snow-cones and gelato. But the figure skater, who won a gold for the U.S. at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, will have a daytime Food Network series starting August 23 at 1 p.m. called What Would Brian Boitano Make?
In every unpredictable episode, Brian hosts get-togethers at his San Francisco home. With a humorous and knowledgeable approach to cooking, Brian puts his unique spin on irresistible dishes like Chicken Paella Burgers, Pear and Almond Crostata, Crab and Avocado Crostini, and Bourbon Bacon Apple Tarts.
It seems like they got show-naming inspiration from a song in the film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut.
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39 Comments:
that's just weird. ha.
megannesta at 7:04PM on 07/21/09
wow. That sounds like a winner.
I miss Sara Moulton!
marchpane at 7:16PM on 07/21/09
Jesus H. Christ in the Escapades. I don't even want to know what Brian Boitano would make.
Susquehanna at 7:18PM on 07/21/09
This is really just so very wrong.
lexophile at 7:24PM on 07/21/09
Who? Is there a bowl full of names of obscure people that these networks pull a name from and just give them a show? I know who he is but come on.
QueenAlli at 7:54PM on 07/21/09
"What would Brian Boitano do if he were here right now?
I'm sure he'd kick an ass or two, that's what Brian Boitano'd do."
Matt & Trey are awesome; this show - not so much.
graciecat at 8:10PM on 07/21/09
marchpane read my mind... sigh
justcook at 8:48PM on 07/21/09
I think the Food Network had a meeting and the topic was "what's the stupidest, most improbable piece of #$%@ show we could make just to see if people would still watch it," and this was the winner. I have a few pitches for them as well that would be equally entertaining: "What Might Paris Hilton Skip at the Buffet Table?"; "Items in Carrot Top's Fridge (that Ironically Aren't Carrots! ZING)"; and Things Ernest Borgnine Once Almost Choked On." Can an entire network jump the shark?
surf_monkey at 8:56PM on 07/21/09
Yeah, I'm not feeling real good about this. The target audience is so small, I'm wondering why they agreed to it, unless he's producing as well?
The world may never know.
-Dawn
WickedGoodDinner at 9:28PM on 07/21/09
aw why all the hate for Brian Boitano?! He's obviously got a sense of humor with that show title! I'll bet he's entertaining, give him a chance. He couldn't be worse than that porcupine headed Guy Feyetti (sp)!!
violetcassis at 10:06PM on 07/21/09
Matt and Trey FTW
pbelardo at 10:18PM on 07/21/09
is the food network owned by fox?
gastronomeg at 11:35PM on 07/21/09
Just don't know what to think...
Sounds a bit strange, but I will reserve my harsh snark until after I see a few shows.
How about a show with Aarón Sánchez...?
at least we would have some eye candy no matter what he cooks.
metrogirl at 12:14AM on 07/22/09
You're all too funny.
Hmmm. . .maybe Michael Phelps will stop by when he has the munchies.
betteirene at 2:08AM on 07/22/09
I'm baffled!!! Anyone gets a show these days!
jlewfoodie at 2:46AM on 07/22/09
I think he should be the Next Food Network Star...
sammie at 8:44AM on 07/22/09
@violet I think that it isn't really hate for Brian Boitano, it is hate for the FoodNetwork. Sure, Sara Moulton and some of the other early FoodNetwork stars might not have had Entertainment Tonight star power or any sex appeal whatsoever but at least they could cook - and they might even teach you a thing or two. I guess the problem a lot of people have is that FoodTV is moving progressively more and more away from instruction to entertainment, and the audience is shifting from people who love to cook and want to learn new tips, ideas and techniques to couch surfing voyeurs who want to drool and maybe catch a glimpse down Rachel or Giada's increasingly low-cut shirts.
lexophile at 8:48AM on 07/22/09
re: above
Not that I think Brian Boitano has any sex appeal either. Haha.
lexophile at 8:49AM on 07/22/09
First episode better have some chicken wings.
Xylda at 11:00AM on 07/22/09
This might be good IF he has a gorgeous kitchen, very cute friends (not like Ms Ina's homely gaggle), really cooks interesting things and makes frequent trips around SF....
Why don't they get the venerable Paula Wolfert to do a series on Moroccan cuisine, shot on location. Now that I would LOVE to watch... Or how about Patricia Well's at home in Province....sigh.
Pointy at 3:53PM on 07/22/09
What is with the Food Network? Did they forget the word FOOD is in their name? I used to Love The Food Network. Now I have no respect for them at all.
amylou61 at 4:07PM on 07/22/09
Give it a chance. San Francisco is a food town - great farmer's market and the accent is on fresh and healthy. We might learn something!
I miss Sara Moulton too! She has a PBS series, but I can't find it.
suegsf at 1:01PM on 07/24/09
This is why I don't have cable.
It seems like the only qualification necessary to get a cooking show is the ability to eat--and perhaps not even then.
Brian Botino is a lovely, talented, and charming athlete who had a great career and has a sense of humor about himself. As an ice skating fan nerd, I always enjoyed watching him. Not once, however, did I think: wow, I'd really like to see that man grill a chicken.
HeartofGlass at 8:34AM on 07/25/09
This is exactly why we dropped our cable. We didn't watch much besides Food TV and HGTV, and both networks' shows had just gotten ridiculous.
doxytoo at 9:20AM on 07/25/09
I respect Boitano's skating skills and sense of humor but this is just off, no matter how well-appointed his kitchen is or how fun his friends seem. If someone gave him a show on BRAVO or another network where he and Kristi Yamaguchi got to judge ice skating talent, that would make sense and I would totally watch it. Bring on Project Rink.
Susquehanna at 12:19PM on 07/26/09
Wow, this is really judging a book by it's cover. Give it a chance, you watch that D**che Guy Fierri without so many qualms. Brian Boitano is actually a foodie with a really fun palette. I have seen a few clips from this show and it actually looks quite funny. I cant wait to see it, THEN I'll judge it. Jeesh!
chefviking at 12:22PM on 07/27/09
Rather than Boitano who might surprise us all, bring on some 80 year olds who cook by a little this and a little that a la Rachel. We might show them a thing or two that we learned from our Moms from the "old country"...Give it a try Food Network. You need a couple of gray haired ladies who know the ropes. surrah
surrah at 7:59PM on 07/27/09
I happen to like Boitano; he's one of the classiest athletes the US has produced, the anti-Tonya or anti-obnoxious football or basketball player with a sense of entitlement. The fact that he's a foodie makes me like him even more. Like others have said, if we can watch Fieri or that awful Sandra Lee, why not Boitano???
I can't wait to see his show - there are preview clips available at the FN website.
Leave Boitano the f**k alone.
BITTER at 11:17AM on 07/28/09
@chefviking - Assume much or just often? I wouldn't ever watch Fieri.
lexophile at 1:45PM on 07/28/09
@BITTER: It is possible to like Boitano and intensely dislike the idea of him on a cooking show. Not mutually exclusive. I happen to like Boitano and would rather seem him in a different type of show. Big deal. I'm not gonna' go cussin' anybody out over it.
@chefviking: From what I've read, very few people here on SE actually like Fieri or Sandra Lee. I do know that some watch their shows for the can't-look-away-from-the-trainwreck appeal. But I don't get that. Oh well.
Susquehanna at 3:59PM on 08/01/09
@metrogirl - Aaron Sanchez actually *will* have his own show (with Chris Cosentino): "Chefs vs. City" premieres Aug. 7.
meatloafing at 9:48PM on 08/02/09
@lexophile- I guess just often......my bad. I just got so annoyed by the insta-slam Brian was getting that I jumped in all the way.
Amendment: "Give it a chance, some of you are willing to watch that D**che Guy Fierri without so many qualms."
Feel better. ;-)~
chefviking at 4:10PM on 08/12/09
Just finished watching What Would Brian Boitano Make? I LOVED IT...very campy.
Nice to see you again, Brian.
leddck at 1:55PM on 08/23/09
I loved the show Brian !! You are adorable and very entertaining! So excited for you! Keep up the good work!
~Proud Mom of a Future Figure Skating Champion
tia maria at 11:28PM on 08/23/09
Funny entertaining show! Thank you Brian
chefviking at 6:06PM on 08/24/09
I loved it, it was nice to see that silly side of Brian B...and he had some good ideas too. I am definitley going to make the goat cheese balls, they looked fantastic.
sammie at 1:56PM on 08/25/09
Watching the episode on bacon - first time I've seen it. Food looks interesting and probably worth cooking - but his voice gets on my nerves and his striped shirt makes me think of Peewee Herman for some reason.
He's going to be another one I eventually have to mute to watch - Paula Dean, Sunny Anderson, and the Neeley's affect me that way sometimes.
CatchClaw at 6:52PM on 09/05/09
WOW!
I 'm shocked at the amount of negative cooments directed towards Brian Boitano's ability to pull-off the cooking gig!
Obviously, and I do mean obviously, those who so were so quick to criticize Brians ability, really haven't a clue about the person himself. This man has been cooking(well) for 20+ years and is well capable of pulling-off the show. Give the guy a chance for crying-out-loud.
After all, this man represented this fine country in the Olympics and won 1st and continued to represent this fine country in many, many other ways.
Don't be so darn quick to judge a proven "winner".
Please, pursue your negative energy with something/someone who is damaging this fine country. Mr. Boitano deserves kind and fair comments at the very least.
warmnfriendly at 1:47PM on 09/06/09
The show is actually pretty good the episodes I've watched he had good recipes, and he's funny So STOP HATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nessa at 4:05PM on 09/06/09