Is the Food Network getting too flashy?
I recently read Jacques Pepin's autobiography, which lead me to hours of watching one of his most recent Public Television series on the internet.
When I first started watching them, I found them a little slow, a little dull maybe. But after a while, I was enthralled by the simplicity of his cuisine and the sincerity of his approach to cooking.
Always an avid food TV junkie, I now find myself a little overwhelmed by the flashiness and rapid-fire pace of their latest programming. It feels a little empty.
What do you think? Do you feel like something is missing from Food Network's current approach to culinary entertainment, or am I just missing the point?
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18 Comments:
I think good food is missing from a lof of Food Network programming. I used to watch FN all the time, I actually credit the station with teaching me how to cook when I moved to a different state and worked as a nanny who had to feed two small girls three meals (plus snacks) everyday. I barely ever watch FN anymore. Sometimes I'll check out Tyler Florence's show and though I love Ina Garten, they never show recent episodes during the week.
I can see what you mean though. I watch all of the PBS cooking shows and Pepin's is the most straight forward. I think Food Network shows are a little to scripted or concerned with getting the host's personality out there with personal stories about the food they're making. I actually don't care to hear stuff like that; I just want to know about the food.
PumpkinBear at 6:53PM on 10/22/09
He makes everything look so easy! His knife skills are amazing... his recipes are so simple and delicious looking. I love him and his show.
gingercookiewithlime at 7:18PM on 10/22/09
FN is more about entertainment than education. You are not missing anything. But did I hear that Fine Living Network is changing its name to a cooking related theme? Maybe there's hope there.
lambowner at 9:45PM on 10/22/09
That's like asking if 8-track cassettes are losing market share to MP3s.
finewinendine at 7:59AM on 10/23/09
Jacques Pepin is one of my heros. I truly enjoyed his show with Julia when it was on PBS.
Since I'm a Kanuck I can't relate to this because we have Food Network Canada up here....Same company I believe just different line-ups and branding. But I'm not sure it's loosing its edge in my view. Mind you: there are a few shows that I CANNOT bring myself to watch. I still find most of it pretty educational..and inspirational.
To each their own I guess :D
hungrychristel at 10:11AM on 10/23/09
Lamenting the suckitude of the Food Network has been a part time hobby for a lot of foodies for the past few years. I gave up cable about three years ago and I don't miss it much.
I was recently reading a book called Heat, which is about a journalist working at Babbo, which is Mario Batali's flagship restaurant. He mentioned that for a while the network didn't know what to do with Mario, as they started favoring tv personalities over talented cooks. It was most telling when neither Rachel or Giada could really handle iron chef.
missjess at 10:34AM on 10/23/09
@missjess - I kina thought Rachel did alright on Iron Chef actually! Considering her professional credentials.
Giada on the other hand....well...LOL...apparently her daddy bought her credentials for her. And it totally shows!
Sorry just had to add my opinion on that one :)
hungrychristel at 10:48AM on 10/23/09
I couldn't tell you, because I confuse which of the glut of nominally-food-oriented shows are Food Network and which of the glut of nominally-food-oriented shows are Travel Channel. It seems every other show is some sort of "reality TV" or competition kind of deal. I hate those. I wish there were more shows about actual cooking and food. Sure, I remember Jacques Pepin--I have an autographed cookbook. I even remember watching The Galloping Gourmet and Julia Child when I was nine or ten years old. I venture to say that Jacques and even Julia couldn't land a job on Food Network today. Talent and knowledge count for nothing. You have to be a "TV personality" today.
Lorenzo at 11:50AM on 10/23/09
I don't think that FN has become too "flashy" per se, because most of it is soooo boring. When I first started watching, it was for the educational value of the programming. There are so many hosts who were talented at teaching (which I believe is its own art form) who seem to have disappeared.
I, too, have started watching the PBS shows. Jaques and Julia are talented teachers with passion about what they do! That's what counts most to me.
lindy123 at 12:15PM on 10/23/09
@missjess: I know! I've pretty much boycotted Food Network forever in my house.
I used to love Ina Garten and I think I still would, but I can't stand the way they film it now-I liked the old format better.
Once Giada crapped out her kid the show changed, too. I can't even watch it. I don't want to know about her family and I hate the way they film it--it looks like a soap opera!!! The fuzzy lighting is terrible. Looks like Sandra Lee's craptastic show. Aesthetics are important to me.
They have all these new 'personalities' that I can't stand. It's not even about the food anymore, it's about the host and how "TV ready" they are. Barf.
Give me old ass episodes of "Chefs of the World", Jacques Pepin's show, and Cooks Illustrated and I'm happy.
JessMess at 12:54PM on 10/23/09
FoodNetwork has lost it's focus-
We want cooking. Recipes. And more cooking.
CJ McD at 1:01PM on 10/23/09
They kept the "bam" but lost Emeril! Yes - they should refocus on more cooking, more recipes, less flash. I miss the chefs that were featured on the line up until the last few years we so much more focused on cooking and why food works - Sara Moulton, Michelle Urvater, etc., as well as shows like "The Melting Pot"
MMinNYC at 1:13PM on 10/23/09
All I can say is anything with Alton Brown in it will be good.
@lambowner- really? I think FLN is actually pretty great, I loved it when I had it! The play Molto Mario, East meets West (Ming Tsai rocks!), and the old Iron Chef Japan. Actually, I'm not sure if they play Molto Mario and East meets West anymore... Does anyone know?
Fweety at 1:31PM on 10/23/09
Oh, yea! Great Chefs of (fill in the blank). That was a good show, just a memory.
lambowner at 1:33PM on 10/23/09
Fweety, I thought I read it on this blog, but can't find it. Anyway, here's an article, I think it will be the Cooking Channel henceforth.
http://www.tvnewscheck.com/articles/2009/10/09/daily.3/
lambowner at 2:01PM on 10/23/09
I have totally stopped watching Food Network--I think they've lost their focus.
thegourmetgal at 2:02PM on 10/23/09
@lambowner- Thanks! 'The Cooking Channel'... that sounds pretty cool actually. Perhaps then it will stay more focused on things that are realted to cooking than just images of mostly mediocre food all day.
Fweety at 2:59PM on 10/23/09
Food Network = FAIL (imho). I despise that tool Bob Tuschman. He is personally responsible for all that craptastic programming. Him and Suzie Fogelson. So sad. I literally NEVER watch it anymore. PBS is awesome on Saturdays, though. I just grieve over the wonderful programming they used to have on TFN!!!!
Chef Jo at 12:32PM on 10/25/09