Do you think the Food Network cares about our comments?
I can't help but get the impression that the Food Network really doesn't give a damn what "we" the people of Food Nation have to say about their programming. What's your opinion?
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
12 Comments:
Absolutely not! They feed us whatever they feel we should "want to see", not what we are really hungry for.
Spicelord at 11:58PM on 06/28/08
Ratings equals ad dollars, so what they're concerned about is how many people are watching the shows, and not necessarily why they're watching. So if guys tune in to see cleavage, it counts as someone watching a show.
And let's face it, people who post here are in the minority as far as food knowledge/interest compared to the general population. We may never see the shows we dream of on FN, because the majority needs lessons on how to chop an onion to add to the can of baked beans they're serving.
dbcurrie at 1:09AM on 06/29/08
I got started in food forums 5 - 6 years ago on the now-defunct forums on foodnetwork.com. The only thing they seemed to care about even then was in deleting threads with even minor disagreements between members (i.e, on their old forums, if someone were to come in this kind of thread and say, "See, I remember it differently", this thread would then disappear). God forbid if someone wrote anything bad about one of the shows ... the thread would vanish almost instantly and the person would be flagged as "moderated" (i.e., all comments approved).
I still watch on occasion when something good actually comes on. But their focus has changed so drastically since the move to Chelsea Market that it would take considerable work on their part to somehow get that focus back.
LunaPierCook at 6:07AM on 06/29/08
Oh honey, I don't just think it, I know it. When we participated on the TVFN forums on Shamdra's board, it seemed like every single concern we ever raised was corrected.
1) We mentioned that she never washed her hands on camera, not even after handling chicken - Boom, next thing you know, she's washing her hands.
2) We pointed out that placing gummy worms in ice cubes is not a good idea for kids drinks and - she quit putting choking hazards in her food.
3) I personally remarked that she should never have covered a ball of foil with chocolate as a structural support on a cake because if she was not around when the cake was served, someone could bite into it. (Have you ever had foil against your teeth? Yoweeee.) I don't think she has used this technique since then.
I don't know what else has changed on that particular show because I haven't watched one in its entirety in years. I used to watch them and review the shows but my stomach is just not that strong anymore. I might do it as an exercise to increase my visual tolerance to vomitous "food." Frankly, I'd rather run a marathon.
TVFN nuked their boards which were probably a tremendous source in gauging reaction to their shows. I think this was a horrific mistake. Talk about destroying your own window to people's thoughts!! I believe there must be someone who checks blogs and other sources of feedback.
For one thing - I have been bellyaching for a restaurant-based food show on TVFN (like the Great Chefs series) since they started nuking their actual cooking instruction shows - and now we're anxiously (and happily) awaiting the premier of Anne Burrell's show.
It's a cross between "squeaky wheel" (we air our culinary viewing desires) and TVFN's attempt to fill "supply and demand" (if it's out there, we'll watch it). I definitely think someone's paying attention over there. It would be bad business not to listen.
chiff0nade at 7:53AM on 06/29/08
I'm already paying an arm and a gullet for cable and I don't get the Fine Living Channel. At least there is still PBS for me. I think you can be pretty sure that Fine Living will get the cream of the crop, which FN rejects. I don't think you'll be seeing Mark Summers or the Deen brothers, Aunt Shamdy or Retchal. I'm a little surprised to see Emeril Live, but it's better than no Emeril. Hopefully, they'll drop that when they get The Essence of Emeril. There are still a very few really good shows on FN, so I'll continue to watch for them, but my TV is no longer constantly tuned in to that channel. Most of it is pure trash and, from the look of things, will get trashier and trashier.
PerkyMac at 7:56AM on 06/29/08
I work in advertising and I can guarantee you that some people have told FN that they love the programming. The shows are tested in advanced and viewership is monitored.
I think the problem is that we may have outgrown FN. Years ago, I couldn't get enough of it. As my skill set has grown, I'm looking for personalities that can out-do my skills. That's why I love Tyler Florence and Alton Brown; they still challenge me. To a new cook, I bet Rachel Ray rocks. Rejoice because we still have America's Test Kitchen.
NuJoi at 8:18AM on 06/29/08
Hey WRONG COASTERS - it's 5:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. Time to get up, shower and have your coffee. Anne Burrell is on FN in an hour. Let's boost the numbers (unless her boobs are falling out, ala Giada) and show them that we want real chefs and instructional cooking! That may be the only way to fight back. We can go back to bed with our NY/LA Times and cream cheese bagel/tofu egg afterward. ;-)
No offense intended. My daughters and brother are wrong coasters and I want them back. Sniff.
PerkyMac at 8:32AM on 06/29/08
@NuJoi - I think the problem is that we may have outgrown FN.
Bingo. TVFN didn't start out as "training wheels" for cooks, but this seems to be the role they've embraced. It's a shame. I'm one of those people who used to scan my seven stations in search of that overhead shot of someone stirring a pot. I really thought TVFN would be a haven for those of us who really loved cooking - Not a "how to" of schlock techniques that yield garbage food. I guess we always have PBS.
chiff0nade at 10:15AM on 06/29/08
@chiffOnade and NuJoi: I have been an anti-foodnetwork person for the past several years. I believe both of you have just put me out of my misery. Indeed, we HAVE OUTGROWN the foodnetwork...what a revelation. Their demographics appeal to the 16 to 24 year olds...hence the vernacular and the clothing. May I add another BINGO to the Bingo Bingo?
dianeb at 1:15PM on 07/02/08
@dianeb......if that's the case, then why does Rachael YELL? I thought maybe her demographics showed that her viewers were over 90.
PerkyMac at 1:36PM on 07/02/08
@PerkyMac Great question and I don't have an answer. Yet another example of putting the wrong people in front of a TV camera ? I really enjoy DaisyCooks on PBS. Quite a contrast.
dianeb at 1:52PM on 07/02/08
My love and curiosity for cooking was nurtured by the "early" Food TV. Remember Sara Moulton getting a surprise box of veggies from the local co-op and coming up with real recipes on the spot? Even very early Bobby Flay was intriguing to me when he gathered a group of clueless friends and had them assist in preparing a meal to be shared on sofas at the end of the show. I thought if they could do it, (and they were pretty clueless) then I certainly could.
It's all about the money and ratings now. At least they (along with the poorly subsidized PBS) should get credit for bringing a good concept to TV. Too bad they lost their focus.
Josdean at 11:52PM on 07/06/08