More FN disasters coming soon
What the hell is going on at FN? Last night I saw ads for at least two new shows. One was Ask Aida where you can get answers to what appear to be mundane questions. But the REAL corker was Food Detective. Do we really want to know if swallowed chewing gum remains in our stomach for seven years??? I know a lot has been said about the declining quality of programing at FN, but does anyone else notice this current frenzy to add new and seemingly inane shows?
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19 Comments:
Same thing that's going on at all the networks: appeal to least common denominator = biggest ratings = bigger ad revenues.
It's all about pretty faces and soap opera drama.
Not sure how to articulate this metaphor wittily, but to me, the network's programming lately is the equivalent of processed food.
z911empire at 11:26AM on 07/14/08
Fluff shows like the 2 above wouldn't be so bad if the rest of TVFN programming didn't suck. At least those 2 shows have something to do with food. If Aida can answer questions about mundane cooking techniques, great. Maybe someone who otherwise wouldn't will pick up a pan. If Culinary Urban Legends can get someone to navigate over to TVFN, fabulous - but make sure that Anne Burrell's isn't the only legitimate new cooking show on the horizon. She can't carry the entire network on her shoulders and I for one am ready for some new Ina shows or Chiarello, et al.
therealchiffonade at 12:18PM on 07/14/08
I generally like Ted Allen, but I just can't foresee this one lasting any longer than Ham on the Street did. As for the other one, there are only so may ways to answer the question: "Will eating burnt Velveeta kill me?" from all the Aunt Sandy viewers.
beth1 at 12:30PM on 07/14/08
@beth - is Allen actually going to cook? We don't need another wannabe professional foodie to narrate some inane show about the best place to get a hamburger in Philadelphia.
therealchiffonade at 1:09PM on 07/14/08
i like Ted Allen normally, but c'mon. FN needs to do something more original than the culinary Myth Busters and Dear Abby to save the network. I've gotten to the point I turn it on long enough to catch Alton Brown and then shut it down. I'd love to watch Anne Burell and Michael Chiarello but the times they are on are downright stupid!
huneybumper at 1:10PM on 07/14/08
Okay, I know that this is going to sound bad, especially since I have been growing ever more disappointed in the general offerings of the FN over the years, but I am actually looking forward to Ted Allen's show. Sue, but it looks interesting; if for no other reason than the fact that it provide some useless trivia for a cocktail party or something. If they can't do actual cooking shows well, perhaps they are just trying to do something else. I watched a little of the new "How'd That Get on my Plate" show last week, and I realyl enjoyed it, and learned new things about honey that I didn't know before.
I hate to say it, but let's remember that the name of the network is not the Cooking Network, it's the Food Network, which gives them a lot of leeway in what they can put on the air.
And honestly, I would rather watch Ted Allen and that new show, than say...another round of last year's TNFS winner, Amy. Total lack of personality on the show, no matter how cool she seemed otherwise.
Traveller at 1:22PM on 07/14/08
...let's remember that the name of the network is not the Cooking Network, it's the Food Network...
TVFN tried to use this defense when the station took its wrong turn. No disrespect, Traveller, but it didn't hold water then and it really doesn't now either. Regardless of how TVFN wants to "diversify," their first and most dedicated audience, the one that lobbied for their existence, was hardcore foodies and cooks. I was calling my cable provider weekly haunting them to carry TVFN. When I see some of the dreck they air now, I'm almost embarassed to admit that but then I think back to Rosengarten and the Tamales.
therealchiffonade at 2:53PM on 07/14/08
I love Ted Allen, and any excuse to have him on my TV more often is fine by me.
lo82070 at 3:19PM on 07/14/08
I really hope he does cook. His segment on Queer Eye was always good, and made the show worth watching. All his recipes looked really good. I'll watch, hoping he will cook.
beth1 at 6:03PM on 07/14/08
As much as I enjoy Ted Allen, Queer Eye and as a judge on Iron Chef, this new program looks stupid. I remember years ago moving out of the area and not having our satellite installed for a few weeks and being really moody because I couldn't watch FN. If it were today? Whatever. That's a sad statement. I've been there watching since day one. Some shows have been gone for so long I can't remember who the host was. Does anyone remember the chef who also represented a winery? Why aren't we getting to watch David Rosengarten?
izatryt at 6:34PM on 07/14/08
@izatryt...The winery chef was John Ash who told a fabulous MFK Fisher story about a ham&cheese sandwich. Think you can access it on the web, it truly is the forerunner of the pannini machine idea.
I also miss David Rosengarten who is alive and VERY well.
bessfour at 10:45AM on 07/15/08
I won't knock it till I try it.
bodaciousgirl at 2:39PM on 07/15/08
His segment on Queer Eye was always good, and made the show worth watching.
I remember one guy in whom Allen must have had a lot of faith. When the Fab Five were watching the date, Allen said, "Wow...I really gave him a lot to do!"
I loved the ep where the Armenian guy proposed to his GF. Definitely a highlight.
therealchiffonade at 3:45PM on 07/15/08
I agree.......we need another lame show on FN like I need another hole in my head. I had high hopes for Secrets of a Restaurant Chef but AB just doesn't have a good screen presence and I find it difficult to watch. I don't care how long gum stays in my stomach but I wouldn't mind watching someone (NOT Rachel Ray who chrips through everything!) travel through Italy, eating a little trattorias or showing me how to make handmade tortellini.
tokyoastrogirl at 5:15PM on 07/15/08
To me the best cooking show on TV is Jamie Oliver.
PeteV at 9:08AM on 07/16/08
I am doing OK with Anne Burrell's show because the food she prepares is great. The thing I am really finding difficult to deal with is her flailing while she's holding a chef's knife.
At no restaurant where I have ever worked, nor in my home kitchen, am I that dangerous with a knife. Whatever else I might be doing in the kitchen, my knives stay in a 2' x 2' imaginary "box" of space directly in front of me. When I carry a knife through the kitchen, I instinctively hold up my other hand in front of the knife, which is always carried vertically, blade tip down. Only if I'm in a flurry of cooking will I walk with the blade tip pointed up but my hand is still in front of the knife.
I'm anxious to see if TVFN gets away from the whole "regular people cooking" show format in favor of shows hosted and demo'd by better known restaurant chefs.
therealchiffonade at 9:50AM on 07/16/08
I am all Ted Allened out. Much like I got queered out on the last season.
The formerly known as the food network is always going to be surrounded with junk a real foodie would eschew. The sponsors control the programming now. Just thank God they did not give SLop another show.
I do see that Biker Guy cooks with jewelry's shows are real good with advertisers. Friday's loves that boy.
JerzeeTomato at 3:45PM on 07/16/08
Saw the ad for Ted Allen's show and it looks like he won't be cooking. More fluff.
therealchiffonade at 8:10AM on 07/18/08
i was very disappointed with the Ted Allen show. fluff is correct. too bad
feeedme at 10:19PM on 07/28/08