Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Emeril's show had run it's course. Redundant phrases, sloppy presentations, and I never did understand the relationship with Doc and the band. Cooking is what I want to watch. FN needs to seriously do some house cleaning and view those shows left standing with a critical eye. The formats have become over "staged" . I want to see cooking - not personalities with cleavage and the fakest of smiles. I watch Good Eats once in awhile, but it has become too scripted for my taste. Basically, FN lost me sometime ago. I now watch Create TV (PBS) and watch "real" chefs such as Lidia Bastianich. Also watch cooking shows on Travel Channel, Fine Living, and Discovery. NOW, if FN could get rid the rest of the shows listed below - they may get me back!

Rachael Ray - all of her programs showcase her irritating personality. Now they have her cooking for pets, highlighting her pit bull 'Isaboo'. Glad she hasn't at least hurt the dog with a her exuberant hand guestures - watch out for that knife Isaboo. FN - give us a break - enough is enough of Rachel Ray, her dog, and her husband trying to fit into one of the episodes. Catch phrases such as Yum-o, EVOO, into the spa - nauseating. Does the FN consider her nervous laugh, carrying the armful of ingredients from the pantry to the counter, as cute? Get real with food, not the personalities.

Giada DeLaurentis - I'm Italian and love food. Is this a cooking show or a photo shoot for models? Smile as large as you can, show the cleavage, and over-pronounce those Italian words - wow. Every dish is either sharp, creamy, crispy, tender or tart. Uhg! The best part of her shows has been her aunt, Robbie, who challeges what she is doing to an authentic dish. Another show where "hubby" is trying to fit into the script.

Sandra Lee - Good grief! Gag me with a spoon! I am so-so-so tired of her "Valley Girl" phrases. I believe she is from Canada, but would bet she was picked up in streets of L.A. Her favorite phrase is 'simple, simple, simple". Basically, that is how I describe the format for this show, and her personality. Perhaps her neices, nephew, sister and "best" friends enjoy her creations - I do not. Who doesn't know how to add fresh berries to pound cake and top it with Cool Whip spiked with a bit of alcohol?

Paula Deen - Her earlier shows were entertaining and interestesting. Southern cooking is new to me and I was interested. However, I soon realized every recipe contained cheese, cream of mushroom soup, cream cheese, sour cream and butter. I don't think this represents southern cooking. Now, there is 'Paula's Party'. When I watched the episode with the "Butter Boys", I thought no, this is not funny. Actually, I felt sorry for what she was scripted to do. I continued to watch couple of other episodes on Friday - things got worse. I like having fun like anyone else. BUT, not to the point of embarassing myself, and the suspect audience members. What in the world is FN thinking of? FN apparently finds the flirtation, and shoving food into the other's mouth appealing to the audience - NOT. Here is another card in the deck of FN's "star" personalites in which their families have been incorporated into the scripts. If "Paula's Party" is being aired, I switch to the Weather Channel, or some other programming. Just can't stand the scripts - perhaps she is willing to embarass herself, perhaps not.

Iron Chef - liked the original format. The American version reminds me of ants trying to find their way to the queen. It it sooooooo phoney! Get rid of the original chairman's nephew! The quest for the new Iron Chef series is also phoney - especially the executive staff making the decisions - so much drama. I just can't control my emotions?

Also do not like Charm City Cakes; and most of the cake challenges with the same participants and judges. Do like Guy's Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives. However, the newest offering with Mark and Guy could be successful - IF it weren't so dramatic. After all, it's only a hamburger or macaroni and cheese challenge. FN, are you listening? Get back to food, and how to prepare it; i.e. the likes of David Rosenburg.