They're Giving Guy Another Show?
So today I was watching the Food Network for the first time in weeks and I saw a commercial for Guy Fieri's new show in which he cooks in front a live audience.
What the hell?
Is it just me or is the Food Network having a total meltdown? Why do they keep giving the most annoying host's multiple shows? Are there people out there who love hearing Gina Neely call her husband "daddy" so much that they think it warrants another show? Are there people out there who enjoy Guy's obnoxious antics and who share in his belief that food can be "off the hook?" If so, SPEAK!
Why do you like these people? And most importantly, what's every one's opinion on the Food Network's actual degradation before our eyes?
(Also, if they FN is going to give every new host multiple shows like the Neely's, Guy and Sunny, what the hell happened to the Gourmet Next Door? Did she even get a full season worth of shows?)
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28 Comments:
I missed the promo - is it going to be an Emeril-type show?
Raphael at 12:52AM on 08/25/08
So let me get this straight--they get rid of Emeril Live for Guy Live. I didn't really watch Emeril Live (love Essence of Emeril), but Emeril actually merited having a live show because of his accomplishments. However, what has Guy contributed to the culinayr community? TGI Friday's ads?
beth1 at 12:55AM on 08/25/08
I think the network is just trying to attract different types of people (even those who don't give a crap about the host's contribution to the culinary community) I personally don't like Guy Fieri so I simply won't watch him, however SOMEONE must be watching him in order for him to score another show.
smile at 2:41AM on 08/25/08
ugh. just ugh. I may have contributed to this problem, because I watch Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. I wish they would switch hosts on the show, though, because Guy is truly annoying. Anyone would be better. Maybe he will lie on a resume or something....
brittj8585 at 5:04AM on 08/25/08
So let me get this straight. They nuke Emeril's live stand-up cooking show but they hand one to Guy? What are they thinking over there????
therealchiffonade at 5:24AM on 08/25/08
Amy Finley left the food network after doing 6 episodes of the Gourmet Next Door.
"The lifestyle and obligations of a television personality — including cultivating the thick skin it takes to survive the harsh criticism and vicious personal attacks mounted by bloggers — just aren’t compatible with my goals or my family at this time."
Don Luis at 7:11AM on 08/25/08
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! That's all that needs to be said :)
luswim06 at 8:36AM on 08/25/08
Another reason why I don't watch fn.....Guy reminds me of that Simpsons episode when they tried to liven the Itchy and Scratchy show and brought in Poochy......
Markbb at 9:22AM on 08/25/08
I go back to when a Dave Rosengarden (sp?) would cook on a little electric stove....and spend a 30 minute show on types of salt. The FN is now a joke to those who know food and cooking. And, the new guy who won some contest calls his potatoes “bad boys”.....no thanks.
Fred Rickson
Fred Rickson at 9:39AM on 08/25/08
Economics.
How much does Emeril want to be paid to do a whole season?
How much does Guy want to do be paid to do a whole season?
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... one guy just sold his brand for 50 million, while another guy does TGI Friday commercials. I'm just thinking the cost benefit analysis might skew towards the cheaper option.
foodinmouth at 11:24AM on 08/25/08
The FN has definitely become an uber-inert entity.
Iron Chef Japan, Molto Mario, A Cook's Tour, Jamie and Nigella, were enjoyable but those shows are long gone. Alton Brown can be entertaining, but not on a motorcycle.
I want to know why the current truck load of dopes with that fat (oh come on, she's got the girth of a Sequoia) and phoney Paula Dean at the wheel has such a fan base. Can this be explained???? Oh no, I think I just explained it to myself......
Pointy at 1:23PM on 08/25/08
If Guy is getting another show, it sends a loud message to those of us who want to see well-produced shows hosted by gimmick-free established cooks/chefs. Food TV doesn't care about us or want us as viewers. I got the message. (Won't) see ya' later.
Josdean at 1:59PM on 08/25/08
Guy is neither "money", nor is he "off the hook". I would love to see guy and rachael ray in a boxing match with undersized gloves and no headgear ... they could play that on FN and I'd watch 24 hrs. a day. Everytime each of them landed a good punch, he could shout one of his ridiculous catch phrases or she could giggle like the pillsbury doughboy.
Pavlov at 4:29PM on 08/25/08
Is Guy Fieri even a real fucking chef?
near as i can tell, he's a pudgy white dude with a bad dye job and a mid-90's haircut designed to make him "cool."
You're not "hip," Guy Fieri.
You're not "off the hook."
stop this charade now and make room for actual decent chefs and experts who deserve the time.
...i'm not actually sure who on food network this would be, but there's presumably someone--Alton Brown, maybe Bobby Flay(who, admittedly is a huge jackass and i might punch him if i met him, but he does kinda seem to know his shit).
rasellers0 at 11:04PM on 08/25/08
I think Fieri's fake goombah shtick works on the one where he goes around to places and eats slop. His palate is about at that level. ("Chili cheese fries and a vanilla milkshake? Off the hook! Best stuff I ever ate!") But as a cook? He's little better than Sandra Boobjob with her semi-homemade crap.
I think the Neely couple needs to dial back on the stereotypical hyper-sexual act--and that the new black guy's first show had him cooking fried chicken? C'mon. Racist much, Food Network Execs? ("Next up: How to pick out the perfect watermelon!")
Tokyorosa at 12:26AM on 08/26/08
When he's doing DD&D it's okay because he never ends up cooking himself. But his talent is obviously pretty thin once he has to prepare food. I too hate the "street" speak he endlessly blabbers, sounds like the dialog was taken from 7th grade homeroom. I guess we'll end up doing a 180 and the only place to get decent food info will be PBS all over again, albeit with a bare bones, communist bread counter appearance.
MaxCaviar at 3:36PM on 08/26/08
If anyone on FN deserves a live show it's Alton Brown. I've been to two of his cooking demos and they are a blast. He can cook, teach and zip out one liners all at the same time! :) That would be a show worth watching!
I've never liked Guy, even back on TNFNS I found him annoying and lame.
This is going to be a trainwreak.
miseenplace08 at 2:33PM on 08/27/08
And his real name is not even Fieri - it's FERRY. It's a phony as his dye job.
BITTER at 2:48PM on 08/27/08
My god you guys are so critical! Have YOU ever tried to put together a food show, or do a cooking video or any of those things? This sharp tone is uncalled for and too rude, IMHO. Bloggers CAN get really out of line. It reminds me of what my grad school prof said: no one is as critical as a graduate student... So true! Until they start writing their dissertation. Then they are begging for a clue - LOL.
It's just a helluva lot easier to snipe than it is to create. Public life in the blogosphere is clearly no picnic - maybe the best & brightest stay away because it's just not worth the pain.
I think Guy is a bit of a goofball, but I'd give him a shot. He's fun and sweet and enjoys eating at least. He's an ordinary kind of person who scouts talent in others and brings their story to the small screen. How is that a crime? Give the guy (and the rest of us) a break with the non-stop snark. It's just getting old.
Tobey at 3:37PM on 08/27/08
Thank you, Tobey -- I'm totally with you.
hungrybunny at 6:51PM on 08/27/08
Tobey, I was taught that it's not ok to settle for mediocrity, but if I was the sort of person that did, Guy wouldn't even meet those standards.
PumpkinBear at 7:34PM on 08/27/08
I think what we are all saying is: Give us good quality viewing with substance on FN. It has turned 180 degrees from the original programming where we were captivated by the cooking experience, not the schtick and half nakedness of today's programming. For those of us there from the beginning, Guy getting another show is a disappointment in a long line of FN disappointments. They USED to know how to produce shows with truly talented chefs!
izatryt at 8:02PM on 08/27/08
I totally agree with you, Tobey! SOME of you bloggers are vicious! Lighten up! Somebody out there likes Guy, the Neeleys, Aaron and Paula. Like it or not, there is a huge audience for "Down home" cooking. The majority of Americans still eat that way, no matter how many times they're told that too much is no good for you. We do have to respect that the types of foods that they prepare have been popular, and was American history itself for many years due to not just taste, but the cost (not expensive), and the many variations in preparation. Americans love them because they're all able to put their own tastes, styles and variations to the same dishes that have been cooked for years. What I do agree with some of the bloggers about is being able to do without some of the Neeley's cooing and playing with each other. Although I respect their cooking and they are personable,The other stuff is getting stale.
sassy at 8:20PM on 08/27/08
@pointy-- several of the old shows we know and love are still shown on Fine Living. Molto Mario, Wolfgang Puck, Iron Chef Japan, Emeril Live, and a couple of others are on during the mid-day. Set your TiVo!!!
beth1 at 8:38PM on 08/27/08
I like Guy. I don't know about his food, because his recipes are usually too complicated for my meager skills, but I like to watch him. At least he's somewhat lively. He's not Mario, of course, but most of Mario's food is beyond me, too.
minstrel at 12:58AM on 08/28/08
Let me add that I was an art critic for a dozen years, and an art history teacher for a number of years as well, so if anyone is clear on the concept of quality, taste making and what constitutes a genuine sense of standards based on principle, dear Pumpkin Bear, it is I. That said, over many years I have also come to recognize that authentic, regional, artisinal and close-to-the-source expressions of culture, whether that expression be in the form of art, food, writing, music, etc, are the ones worth exploring in some depth.
As Sassy notes, there is history available in these regional choices and we need a guide who can show us what is often overlooked in the alley in favor of the so-called creme de la creme served in the great hall. Bourdain for example makes a particular note of the peasant foods which often transform in a variety of ways to something truly soul satisfying, regardless of alleged pedigree. For some of us, perhaps, Guy reveals this sort of material in ways we would not otherwise see. I can not speak to the Neelys or Paula Dean as I do not watch those shows. Emeril has never been my cup of tea either - just a personal thing.
As my 99 year old grandmother from the Eastern Shore of Maryland likes to say: Difference of opinion makes horse races! When one dissuades people from exploring their passions - even passions which may be in the formative stage - it is a disservice to society as a whole which needs hopes and dreams in order to grow and change. Discussion, discourse, a lively exchange of ideas - these are all good. Being mean for the sake of a momentary blast of schadenfreude just cheapens us all.
And a cheap date doesn't get good entertainment from a network exec! LOL.
Tobey at 3:02AM on 08/28/08
I have no problem with snarkiness when it comes to criticizing TV chefs....they are after all, fair game, putting themselves in the public eye. Even the ones I like.
When someone posts "you shouldn't say that" I find it terribly annoying, preachy and sanctimonious. We are grown people here and we know what we like and don't like. Some people here don't like Guy, and it is totally their right to snark about it here Tobey. Take your soapbox and be gone, please.
BITTER at 5:10PM on 08/28/08
PumpkinBear couldn't have said it better. I have been watching the FN for 10 years. I have fond memories of the good ole days when they actually had entertainment. They now turn everything into a dog and pony show, (like the ridiculous Guy Fieri show last night in Cabo San Lucas). No longer is it the quality programming it use to be and that's obvious from the people that have left and moved over to PBS. I just watch my old favorites (and that does not include Rachel Ray) on FN and when I want to see authentic chefs make real food I turn to PBS.
mellon at 12:39PM on 05/26/09