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TVFN could get a wealth of feedback if someone in their camp would just read SE. I imagine there are lots of food blogs and sites lampooning TVFN for some really bad choices.

For crying out loud, quit giving new shows to wannabes (like Guy and the Neelys) and get some money into new Good Eats, Barefoot Contessa, Chiarello and (bows deeply) Anne Burrell. More food competition, less "move the cake." Spend some bucks to research real cooks because guess what? We're not going away! Isn't it ironic that no matter how thoroughly TVFN pumps ammo into its own foot, we (being the real cooks) are still optimistically hoping to see less Food Drivel TV and more real Food TV.

They'll either eventually get it or lose us for good. Their choice. Small hint: Don't diss your core audience.

actually i would keep all the "talent" and fire all the execs. Then i would put Alton Brown and Anthony Bourdain, Mario, and Ina in a room and let them develop new shows, I think with their skills and knowledge as well as divergent personalities, we would have a new season worked out very quickly. and in case they need incentive, i would serve them Paula Deens bananna, ham whatever bread pudding topped with potato chips. (although that last part may not be possible because of Geneva convention)

They clearly don't care. A pox on them.

@therealchiffonade: They have lost me for good. I literally never turn them on...even when there's something on I want to watch, I forget about it. For some weird reason, they grew to hate their core audience (????!!).

And AMEN huneybumper and Markbb!!

confession: I like Ace of Cakes. But it's less about the architectural challenges of the cakes and more about "personality" than it used to be, which gets boring. And recently, they even showcased a cake that was made out of styrofoam - I'm sure that's art, but it's not cake! It was more fun when they were trying to construct a german shepherd out of rice krispies...

@huneybumper: Fabulos idea! I secnod it! but, coudl we also have Morimoto chime in? I would love to see him have his own show. He is truly amazing.

And I don't care that the episodes are old, I don't get Fine Living and I would love to see the original Iron Chef come back. Perhaps they could be persuaded to create new episodes! :) Oh, I dream....

I have never made anything of Ida's, Tyler's, or Bobby's that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. Alton has given me techniques that are practical and as a result, have raised the qualiity of my cooking in general. The rest of the bunch are supposed to be entertainers (I think). Guess what Food TV?... they're NOT. If I hear one more story about how Aunt Peggy made this recipe when I was four or how cousin Claude used to take us a 'fishin' and I fell out of the boat, I'm going to SCREAM! During the Next FTV Star competition, the execs continually stressed to the contestants the importance of making their recipes personal by relating childhood stories and other drivel that was supposed to make them more "approachable". For the most part, anytime I hear a so-called reminiscence, I want to gag, especially from Rachel Ray and Sonny Anderson. I DON'T CARE! It makes them sound like chattering idiots. There's nothing wrong with a little silence while cooking, perhaps adding some music in the background if silence is too offensive like they do with some shows. And while I'm on my soapbox, I might as well say that I think the Food TV execs. are forcing the talent to become a pack of liars. Three to four anecdotes per show? I think not. Whoo! Now I feel better and can go back to PBS where I belong!

@bodaciousgirl: Music Television? Boy does that take me way back! Although, they did also have Remote Control and Just Say Julie Brown, so.....

I feel your pain. Fortunately Food Network Canada does dilute the crap (Neelys, Paul Deen, Guy) with some great home grown talent such as Michael Smith (Chef at Home), Laura Calder (French Food at Home), and Anna Olsen (Sugar, Fresh). Also they play some UK shows which are great, such as Sweet Baby James (James Martin). Perhaps instead of producing more crap, the US Food Network could show some of these great shows, and for once import some canadian culture instead of exporting more crap this way. Although I do like Ina Garten, even though her recipes are too fatty... Do check out the great recipes at www.foodtv.ca

All this gives me hope and makes me smile.

I would love to see more Michael Chiarello, his show Napa Style was fun and he is charming and unpretentious. Jamie Oliver is really a genius, so more please. One of the things that make Nigella delightful is that she was a food writer first. Mercifully unchef-fy, she conveys her love of food poetically, and I love that.

So why not consider another UK import, say Tamasin Day-Lewis, writer of many excellent cookbooks and with a few cooking/lifestyle shows apparently under her (miniscule) belt. I've got her books and relish them.

Oh, I forgot, she's much too fancy-assed for FN, being Daniel's sister and the daughter of one of Britain's poet laureates,etc. What dumb ass American can relate to THAT? Now, back to banana and bacon poop...

Incidently, Ina is sweet and her Jeffery endearingly patient, but those shows of hers with her homely friends, well, zzzzzzzzzzzz

Hey! Why not give that hipster dufus Tony Bourdain a plain old kitchen cooking show? Who wouldn't want to see le Bourdain chopping onions and sweating over a hot stove in his whites??!

Anne Burrell's new show is nice; I feel like I'm actually *learning* something. More NEW Ina, keep Alton Brown, Michael Ciarello, Jamie Oliver, even Bobby Flay (the new one with guest grillers was actually not total drivel.) And keep Iron Chef, because again, I feel like there's something to be learned there - technique if nothing else.

Sandra Lee makes me cringe - not because I don't appreciate shortcuts, but because her presentation is too dumbed down and fake. I don't like the Neely's because, well, they're kinda stereotypical and it makes me uncomfortable, and because when I did try to watch I kept wanting to correct their technique. Paula Deen was fun when she was first on, because she had a clear point of view (butter!) but I feel like she's just flirting anymore and the recipe ideas aren't new. And Rachael Ray was a good theme, but honestly, I never cooked any of her food.

What I would like to see on FN is a return to technique based shows. By this I include Robin Miller's menu planning show - she may not be teaching me how to cook, but she does inspire me to think about new ways to make the most of my time and money. Out of the kitchen, I enjoyed Alton's Road Trips - where the Neallys and the Deen boys make this feel trite and cheap, Alton teaches me about regionality and specialization. 'Less entertainment, more education' sums up my needs from FN. (heck, I even like Dinner: Impossible because it shows creativity. that's the kind of entertainment I like from a food show..)

I think the idea on Next Food Network Star is good: that they need a point of view, but I think they need to develop that much more. (That said, I really don't like NFNS)

I'm sorry, but I have more to say.

I started watching FN when shows like Sarah Moulton's Cooking Live, Surreal Gourmet, Naked Chef, Sweet Dreams (Gale Gand) and (was it called) My Country, My Kitchen were on. I feel like I'm a good cook now because of what I learned from FN then. I do not feel as though I could start watching FN now as a neophite cook and become as good a cook as I am from those old shows. (and man, what happened to Jacques Torres???) Just put a really great chef in front of the camera and the magic will happen! We don't need all this hype, we just need great cooks.

I fully accept that I am the only living person on earth who finds Alton Brown to be a miserable, smug douchebag, but I can't help it. I suffer through his bits on ICA, and I can't even watch Good Eats anymore, with the shtick and the silly and whatnot. I'd rather read Harold McGee's and Shirley Corriher's books, frankly.

And I love silly and ridiculous, honest! I even like Anne Burrell's Cookie Monster "brown food tastes good" voice! I swear!

Give Ina's gay friends their own show. Call it "Taste Test: Dine and Shine With Ina's Guys." One by one, they evaluate, then give every FN star and their sets a complete makeover. First up: Sandra Lee.

when is the FN funeral?

Hmmmmm I smell a mutiny!! I would like to see anything back from Mario, Bourdain, Sara Moulton and East Meets West chef (can't remember his name). Reruns: 2 Fat Cooks? (British,can't remember name), reruns of the Galloping Gourmet, and Rocco. As far as what is currently on, Barefoot Contessa, anything Alton, anything Tyler, Flay BBq w/ B.F.,Guy Fiery, Jamie Oliver, Big Daddy, Essence of Emeril, Paula Dean at Home, not the party show, The Next Food Network Star and Dinner Impossible. As far as a sick, I can't believe what I am seeing, joke show keep Semi Homemade (but just for that purpose only). Ace of Cakes I like Duff, Mary Alice and Geoff. The rest of the staff don't seem articulate enough. Ray's 30 Minutes, that's a tough one. I think of the sake of all the drinking games and Ray sucks blogs ect. keep her on for that purpose only, but limit her show to only 1 a day and eliminate her other shows. As far as what i would like to add to the FN: more ethnic shows, Indian, African, Middle Eastern, Greek, Caribbean, S.American, Eastern Europeon, Asian, French, Jewish, Hispanic, Pac. Island, all over the world, not just going there and tasting it, but real specialty chefs sharing their techniques, culture, and recipes. Also a Vegetarian and healthy eating shows that don't put you to sleep. Oh and I forgot Giada keep the the Everyday Italian, but other shows, axe.

I went from being a so-so, reluctant home cook to a fabulous and enthusiastic one by watching the old FN shows with Mario, Ming Tsai, Jamie, and--drumroll please--Alton Brown who in my world ranks in between Johnny Depp and Joss Whedon in stardom, cheese factor and all. Alton Brown especially for his scientific, step-by-step approach that makes cooking accessible and understandable for everyone. I miss those days!

I hardly watch FN anymore and would in fact rather watch Top Chef on Bravo. I do like Ace of Cakes, though.

I agree with pjracz10. Would love see a series of maybe six shows each on various ethnic cuisines. Serious basics taught by a real chef. Recipes on the website. Emphasis on the little tricks (i.e. Indians toast their spices before using them) that give characteristic flavors, and also transfer to most any style of cooking.

I started watching Michael Chiarello an Lydia on PBS when I was a teenager, they inspired my love of food and cooking. I was sooooo excited when my cable network finally picked up the FN, nothing else was ever on my television. Today, if I were to turn on FN when I get home from work, I would just get annoyed. First of all, why are there no cooking shows on at night?? I work during the day, can't watch tv then, housewives are not the only ones who would like to see actual cooking shows!
This is who I would keep: Michael Chiarello, Ina Garten, Giada DeLaurentis, Tyler Florence, Emeril, Alton Brown, Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver, Bobby Flay, Mario Batali............... Why you may ask? Well because I actually have learned from these people
This is who I would fire: RACHEL Ray, Paula Dean, Guy Fieri, the Neelys, the Neelys, the Neelys, oh did I mention the Neelys?? Sandra Lee.....Why? well because I learn nothing from these people, and they annoy the hell out of me!!
Next, I would get rid of all these "travel to a new city every week and buy local" shows, nothing against buying local, but why can't you go online and research where you are traveling to and then decide for yourself what to eat??
Then I would get rid of Unwrapped and the rest of these "Where did corn chips come from" shows, ok maybe they aren't so bad but at night all you see are these types of programs and challenges.
At last, I would get rid of the Next Food Network Star, the last few winners have not been my choices, I would like to see more skill and talent.
Until these changes are implemented, I will stick with PBS!!! :)

I have to admit I've learned alot from Rachel's 30-minute meals, as a working mother of two who still wants to cook good, healthy food for her family and not be in the kitchen all day. I'd probably strangle her if she were actually in my kitchen, though.

And amen to everyone who voted Sandra Lee off the island. How is what she does even considered cooking?

FN has changed. Some shows have evolved into a masterpiece and some down the drain. Look what emeril used to be, until Alton Brown took his crown away from him. Yes, I do agree, Alton Brown is a great host, and fun to watch, but let's not forget the one person that I think was behind bringing in new viewers just from the fun factor, and that is Mr. Double Dare himself, Mark Summers. Yes there are some hit's and misses. The Neeleys do seem a little "blackface" to me in way. Can't stand to watch the New Food Network Star, his nervousness makes me nervous - in fact, I think it would've been better if Adam had won the new FN star. So here's what it boils down to:
Alton
Mark Summers
Take away a lot of the "taped show" formats, and bring back some of the live content - like when emeril was doing it
Look to the ratings on iron chef - I heard ratings were slightly higher when Jamie Oliver and Ming Tsai was on, - new show maybe?
Whatever happened to Yan Can Cook?

Yan Can Cook and Martin Yan's China are on PBS. Just saw one this Saturday in lieu of FTV.

I would actually keep Aunt Drunkie for a comedy hour or something like that, provided her shows are clearly labeled as such. And perhaps she should do some community service for every episode aired, because, seriously, she should pay, not be paid, for that. Oh, and her show should only air late at night, because no child should see a grown woman being so giggly and giddy about an All You Can Drink Buffet For $12.99 at 10 am on Saturady morning.

...i do actually think it's ok to keep rachael. NOT SANDRA (who is an abomination)...

@megannesta and buffy... I used to watch Ray Ray but she lost me the first time she said, "I just get some bake-offs..." Then, I decided this was the perfect opportunity to cull what tidbits I can from the fast cooking piece and when she prescribes the use of a prepared product, I sub it with something else. For instance, I'd much rather have a piece of a nice purchased baguette than some insta-biscuits. My mom was a huge fan of RR - My mom was 77 and had nothing to prove to anyone. She cooked fields of food for jillions of people in her lifetime. She got a lot of "cooking for one" tips from RR.

As for Shamdra - nobody is going to paint a flattering picture of her in my eyes. Her "food" stinks and she keeps her guests so blotto they can't taste anything anyway. If TVFN added laugh track and appropriate disclaimers ("kids, don't try this at home!") I might lean toward keeping her on the air as a comedy. If even one person shortens his or her life by preparing Shamdra's Instacrap food, it's too many. She really has to go!

@joessausage Do you have a website for your sausage store and is shipping them to other states available?

@joessauage Let me know when you start shipping, I will be your first customer. I would love to see the list. of what you've got.

Just in case this was bothering anyone else. I'm going to drink the Kool-Aid and go along with because I LOVE dives. I wish they'd give this show to the Sterns of roadfood and ambulane girl fame. They'd probably chew with their mouths closed too.

Please rest assured that the food Guy samples is used just for our shoot and is not then served to customers.
Thanks for watching.

David

David Page
Executive Producer
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives
President
Page Productions
952-210-7733

On 8/25/08 9:34 PM, "Tara " > wrote:
Can you please ask Guy not to stick his hands and fingers in food that the
patrons of the diners are going to eat? It's gross and ruins the show.
Which is fun to watch otherwise.

Thank you!

I've stopped commenting on the Food Network because they don't give a damn about anything we say, and to believe otherwise is just plain stupid. Like so many others here, I barely watch that network anymore. It's just down right painful to watch most of their new shows.

hunneybumper pretty much said it all for me. Just watching them "judge" The Next Food Network Star is all the evidence I need to agree that they really, really should all be dumped!

However, I love Ace of Cakes because it's about the people! I have enjoyed the new Big Daddy's. Aaron does a great job and teaches me something each time I have watched. Alton's schtick is what makes him
Alton, for heaven's sake!

I would really like to see a new show that addresses baking and only baking - from a-to-z.

Whether or not Alton's shtick is or is not a shtick, and whether or not it makes him who he is, doesn't really matter to me. If it's an act, I dislike his act. If it's him, I dislike him. Again, just my opinion. But to be clear: I'm not saying I *would* like Alton if he were different. I just don't like watching him, period.

I can't believe everyone that wants to keep Barefoot Contessa? It is by far the most boring cooking show I have ever seen. I wonder if it is a geographic thing, like no one outside of NY finds Woody Allen funny, but New Yorkers get him. I firmly believe that if Ina was not friends with Martha Stewart she would not be on Food Network. I agree that Paula Deen only gets one show. In fact, she only has one show now - they just keep changing the name and pretending that it is a different show. The farce that is Next Food Network Star should either be revamped to actually pick a cheflebrity, or they should call it something else. Seriously, Aaron McCargo wins and Kelsey Nixon is back in Utah catering?

Just wanted to add I am always shocked to see how many people like Ina and Alton's shows. Ina I just find plain boring, and Alton is too much science, not enough cooking for me. The scariest thing, for me, about Alton is that people thing he's good to the point that it makes their mind go soft. I was semi-recently excited at getting to meet & greet Anthony Bourdain & Michael Ruelhman (sp?), and someone said to me well, they are not Alton Brown. Damn Straight.

They must get rid of Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee!! I get so angry every time I see that show on the network. It is just a bunch of pre-made, highly processed items that get mixed together and then pose as a good, quick meal. That is not cooking! The show is an embarrassment to the food network.

Please give Mario a better time slot! He's lost in the mash-up of midday shows that few people are able to watch. He deserves better.

Rachel Ray, Sandra Lee and Paula Deen should be exiled. Bring them to an island so they can work on recipes that include deep frying store-bought desserts in EVOO. Ugh.

It's all in the label. FN needs to become the FPN, The Food Porn Network, the food channel for people who don't cook. Those of us who love food and cooking need our own network with people like Bourdain, Ruhlman, Moulton, Morimoto, and Alton.

No one seems to remember "How To Boil Water"! He was funny but they really cooked stuff. I am an accomplished cook and I have learned some great techniques from Alton and I respect his knowledge but this schtick on the "New" Iron Chef is grating. Yes, yes, yes, repeat the original Iron
Chef. Believe me that show saved me from complete meltdown at 1AM on a Saturday night after closing my restaurant, coming home completely amped up and the comic relief was just what I needed (with a soothing glass or two of wine). Sarah Moulton always an education, Two Fat Ladies pure pleasure. I'm tired of these wannabes. I agree that if they really need to search for a new "Network" star they should go to the top restaurants. Michael LaMonaco was another educator and they really need more of the ethnic touch, food from all over the world. Teach me how!

All that's happening at the FN is they're continuing to grow the corporation and demographics. Hence, Neely's and Big Daddy (Afro-American demo),
Guy Fieri (younger demo), Dan and the other gay guy who "won" the first NFNS, (uh, expand gay demo)...anyway, you get the picture. To add my show opinion, best shows are Jamie Oliver's most recent (I think the guy's genius AND great technique), Tyler's Ultimate, make NEW Boy Meets Grill, and lose Flay's other ego projects, anything Batali, D,D,and D's (just because I love good diner food and all the Guy we get is pretty much just him eating), and the three new A chicks, Aida, Alex, and Anne. I guess ICA still entertains me. Lose everyone else and hire a few newer cutting edge chefs from great restaurants and let 'em cook for us.

Just my opinion...I could be wrong.

I know I am in the minority here, and accept that. I love FN and since I am a person who likes to eat - not necessarily cook - the shows that are entertaining and tempt me outside my comfort zone are the shows I watch. I love Guy Fieri and would watch DD&D every day. Ace of Cakes and Paula Deen are also on my list as well as the Challenges, Iron Chef and Dinner Impossible. Some of the best cooks on the network, like Ina and Mario are frankly, boring to watch. I like the humor, the fun and the wild ideas the other shows have. I guess I am their target audience since the rest of you are so ticked off!

FN needs more real ethnic cooking shows, i.e. Daisy Cooks feat. Daisy Martinez or Ming Tsai's East meets West, and not the fusion cuisine they try to cook up like Ingrid Hoffman. Also, what happened to Dave Lieberman, who had a niche of making affordable food at home (and really knew how to cook too). I think they should make a new all french cooking show staring Boulud, Bouley, Ripert, and Ducaisse cooking in their restaurants.

Talent to keep: Alton Brown, Ina Garten, Mario B, Bobby Flay, Morimoto, Symon,

Talent to get rid of: Rachel Ray, Sandra Lee, Paula Deen, all of the next FN stars (except Guy on diners, drive thrus and dives), Elie Krieger, Ingrid Hoffman (too many others to name).

I agree with many of the comments here...but especially love @honeybumper's comments and yes, I would also add Morimoto...yes, he's a bit hard to understand sometime...but let him cook and I'll watch and learn more!

I would love to see shows on how to make sausages, (sausage guy in Albequerque sounds like a good one to watch!), and how to make beer at home. Alton did one show on it but as a home brewer there is so much more to learn! Also the wine and cheese show idea is great! Lets get some depth to these shows.

At first I enjoyed watching NFNS but it's all about personality now instead of the techniques and teaching. I want substance!

therealchiffonade,
Thank you for explaining why people like Ina. I have seriously been scratching my head for years about it. So it is the way she presents what she cooks - the way she explains it. OK, cool. I kind of get that now. I do not, however, agree with you about her voice. When she speaks I think, "Oh, this is what Ben Stein would sound like if he took estrogen." To me, her voice is like someone banging something extremely boring against my temple.