I was having dinner with Gretchen last night when I freaked out and screamed, "I have to get back to my room to watch The Next Food Network Star!!" Gretchen just stared at me, shrugged her shoulders, and was like "Ok… freak."
I got in just in time, booted up the laptop, and watched in awe as some of the so-called stars imploded in front of Rachael Ray. Granted, I’d probably have spent my four minutes poking Rachael’s arm while asking her, "Are you real?" I understand there’d be some nerves, but if these folks want to be stars, they must learn to be in control.
Before I get into how the contestants did this week, am I the only one that freaked out upon seeing Cory Kahaney in the first episode? I mean, really, a cast-off from the first season of Last Comic Standing on this show?! You’d think a comic who had already been on national television wouldn’t have bombed so badly in front of a camera. It made me wonder if Food Network really had that many good contestants to choose from this time.
Bah! Let’s see how our potential stars did.
The challenge, besides cooking live on the Rachael Ray Show, was to create a delicious, nutritious meal for their girl scout cooking buddies. Sounds like fun to me, especially when one of the girls said she wanted a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and extra chocolate on the side. I’d totally want to be her cooking partner.
Aaron, our illustrious executive hospital chef, rocked out a broccoli and burger pizza. It was the first time he really connected with the camera and let his personality shine. And what do you know, his girl scout buddy walked off set with the whole pizza! Kelsey tried to show her food knowledge by having Rachael cook the eggs and her assistant make the side dish. She also referred to Rachael as "Rach," and that made all the judges wince. At least her breakfast sandwich and banana boat yogurt "thing" looked good. Shane pretty much floundered with his chicken cordon bleu, not even using his girl scout. Lisa freaked out making a steak with horseradish sauce and couscous, and let Rachael take over the demonstration. And Adam finally showed both his personality and cooking chops with his BBQ chicken packed pita. Rachael even said "oogie googie" during his segment, so he must have been doing something right.
It was obvious from the challenge that Shane and Kelsey would be in the bottom two; Kelsey for her lack of experience and Shane for his, uh, lack of experience. At least Kelsey shows passion for cooking, while Shane thinks reading aboutFrancemeans he knows what it’s like to live there. So off Shane went, with no regrets. That, my friends, is the way to be eliminated from a reality show.
What did you think about this week’s episode? Should someone else have gone home? Will Lisa ever stop crying?
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My favorite part was Lisa’s interaction with her girl scout. She completely snowballed the little girl into making what Lisa wanted. She just couldn’t think that someone wouldn’t know what Hericot Vert were. (little green beans). The judges keep talking about how dumb the home cook is (which is greatly irritating), but if they truly believe that – then why is Lisa still around? She is operating at a complete different level. (two weeks ago she mentioned that she was wearing Pucci shoes!!).
This show is miles behind Top Chef. And who is Rachael Ray to judge them? I saw this episode, and she stood two inches behind them and just screeched over them. Her food looks horrid. FN needs to rethink they’re scheduling. These contests (which the judges choose anyway, so why show us? To show that the untalented ones with annoying personalities make it to the end?) as well as all those dumb travel shows are straying from what people go there for. Give us some authentic cooks with a tolerable personality and enough of Rachael Ray and Sandra Lee!
Marc-
Thanks for writing about this show which is definitely keeping me entertained during the summer Sunday nights. I had the exact same thoughts as you regarding Shane’s elimination. It’s a little shocking to see a reality show contestant get kicked off with dignity.
I don’t really think this show is trying to be Top Chef. Of course, they want someone that can cook, but they’re not shy about wanting to find a new “personality” that fits into their lineup (I believe two of the three judges are TV people). That being said, I really enjoy watching the contestants go through the TV-related challenges, which probably seem really simple sitting at home, but always trips them up.
Delilah-
You’re absolutely right about Lisa and her girl scout. She honestly thought she could convince people that it was the little girl’s idea to make horse radish sauce and Hericot verte.
Rachael Ray is a nitwit and the absolute worst tv show host in the country.
As much as people seem to dislike Lisa I think she actually has some untapped talent if she would only take the corn cob out of her butt. Shane needed to go; he has no experience to pull of his own show. Kelsey, while also lacking experience, could pull off her own show. While I like Aaron and Adam I see nothing in them that could carry a TV series over the long run. In fact, I don’t see a star in any of the contestants. While the judges like to crab about Kelsey’s over-the-top personalty she’s just like Rachel Ray, so I don’t understand their issue. Are they saying they don’t like Ray’s over-the-top personality? I know I don’t.
twap, msDaisy, Jimmy, – Ouch!
Rachael Ray isn’t the best TV host but she’s hardly the worst (try Tyra Banks). NFNS is not trying to be Top Chef, (which I find boring), Food Network is trying to find someone to host a cooking show. Of the 3 previous seasons’ winners, only Guy Fieri is a breakout star. Last year’s winner (by default) was so bad I don’t think she even did the obligated 6 shows. As for Shane, I’m sure that he will find a great executive chef position somewhere, he will go to France and get some real world experience, then in 10 years Food Network will find a show to showcase his talent.
So glad to see this in Popwatch! My boyfriend just turned me on to this show and I’m hooked. Kelsey cracks me up with her over the top peppiness. She sooo reminds me of Cheri Oteri in her SNL heydey.
Lisa is probably being groomed as the next Ina. Better looking than S3 winner Amy, but with identical “culinary POV’s” it’s interesting to think that Tushie thinks so lowly of his audience that they need to be shown (over and over and over) the steps of dredging a piece of meat.
Damn you Shane for doing what they want and getting slammed for it! Given this show is pre-selected from teh beginning (other than a TOTAL meltdown) I can’t believe the choices left.
And I didn’t realize Kelsie was about 4′9″. Rachael looks gigantic next to her. Oh well, unlike the Rach, she’s got an impressive rack, which is what is likely keeping her in competition. After all, FN is hard-targeting the male 18-35 demographic. Doesn’t matter she’s Mormon and soon to be married…
Kelsey seems the likely winner. Lisa is painfully high strung and looks like a Vulcan. Who does her eyebrows? I like Aaron, but have a hard time imagining his show. Better cast than last season, so maybe someone can shine through.
Someone said this show is miles behind Top Chef and I have to agree. I really don’t like the direction that Food Network has gone in the last several years. Promoting cheap hosts and food. Watching the NFNS contestants try to show basic food prep techniques was painful. It seems as though FN has retained a couple people who can actually cook and the rest is fluff. Guy Fieri is a perfect example. His recipes are pretty much the basic chain restaurant garbage. Ace of Cakes – FN producers sat around and thought it would be cool to do a “where are they now” show featuring the loser shop kids from high school baking cakes. The Neelys – we learn more about their sex life than the food (ewww). Paula Deen – butter and high pitched cackling. Also the schedule is filled with too many road shows, cook-offs, and reality shows. FN producers need to sit around and watch Top Chef and the other foodie shows on TV to get better inspiration for their programming.
ITA with Kate. Every one of the contestants on NFNS is painful to watch and I can’t imagine watching 30 minutes of any of them. Food Network has become all about the merch — Rachel Ray knives, somebody else’s pots, cookbooks, seasonings,etc. HGTV is going in the same direction — too many shows, too many hosts talking about essentially the same thing.
I don’t know why I watch this show because I can’t imagine any of these contestants making a successful career out of it. Lisa kills me with her squinting…OPEN YOUR EYES! Is she related to David Archuleta or something? The only one that I would MAYBE tune in to see is Aaron, if he can keep it together in front of the camera. He can cook, and he seems like a genuine person, not some manufactured ‘personality’.
FN actually did a show that was more in line with Top Chef – ‘The Next Iron Chef’. The challenges were much more haute cuisine, and strangely enough the winner of that show (Michael Symon) is much more likable and entertaining than any of these contestants. They should really just give him his own show and stop trying to push this mediocrity on us.
To aaa: I heartily agree – this show, along with The Next Design Star ( or whatever it is called) are my guilty pleasures this summer. Lisa may be a wonderful cook – but the squenchy eyes will never do on TV.
These contestants all stink. Kelsey is by FAR the most annoying person on television. Even dingbat Sandra Lee seems like a genius compared to Kelsey. She’s so fake and over the top with all her reactions. Did you see her grab her head and nearly fall down when she heard they were going to Vegas? Please, it’s not like they’re flying her to Paris. With the exception of Guy Fieri (who I can’t stand) none of the winners of this contest has ever become a star or even hosted a successful show. Plus, who would want to work for that ice queen judge?
I thought I liked this show, until this season. I just get more frustrated every week. First, they want people to be food stars, but why are they not bringing in real cooks with potential? No, in fact, they are bringing in Cory, a finalist from Last Comic Standing, and Shane, who was on All That and Law and Order! when did this show become “second chance for unknown actors. Second, the food stinks. No one would have made what the contestents made this week at home (maybe the pizza, but its a stretch). what happened to realistic food for the home cook? Lisa, funny as she is, is way out of touch with what people want to eat and cook at home. Kelsey cooks her college dorm food (her and Shane both went to culinary school and i have yet to really see something great from her). This show just lacks true cooks and fun personalities. They need to fix their casting
…Is it that hard to find another Guy Fieri?? There has to be more qualified contestants out there! And Lisa is so unlikable, surely Food Network is smart enough not to let her win. And thank you Marc for acknowledging this fab channel.
Even though this season is lacking in contestants I WAY prefer this show over Top Chef. And I like Rachael Ray. Her recipes are good and easy to follow. And LOVE Sandra Lee!
I can’t believe Ace of Cakes is being bashed!!!!!! I love that show and clearly their cakes bring a lot of joy to people. The cast are regular people and very likeable. If you don’t like Food Network don’t watch!
I don’t know if it’s been mentioned before, but Lisa’s incessant squinting reminds me of the Miss Swan character on Mad TV. Someone tell her to quit sucking on lemons and open up her eyes. I’m glad Adam finally stepped it up this week, I think he would be entertaining to watch. Aaron did well this week too (finally!), and even though Kelsey floundered she is growing on me.
I’m sticking up for Adam. I think he could have a great show. The guy is hilaaarious.
I am a long time FN fan… back from the Grillin and Chillin days of the mid-90’s and I must say that I hate the move from professional chef toward the common cook. I love me some Paula Deen but the others just suck! Rachel Ray in small doses isn’t bad but an entire day of Rachel Ray and Rachel Ray copies is just insufferable. And all the chef shows are strangely in the early weekend morning and the rest of the day is filled with cook-offs… Who watches this crap?
I like this show. Its really not comparable to Top Chef or Hells Kitchen, this is about being able to cook AND host a tv show. A lot of great chefs couldn’t do that. And why all the slamming of FN? You don’t have to watch it all the time, thats why there are 500 other channels. the only shows I really enjoy are Good Eats, Iron chef, NFNS, and sometimes Emeril. I also really liked the shows Jamie Oliver used to do. Other than that I can find something else to watch, so can you.
Aw, come on, why the hating on Paula Deen? A woman not afraid to drink melted butter is alright with me. Rachel Ray is actually aight on her “30 Minute Meals” show and I’ve used a lot of her recipes. Her talk show tho is awful. Sandra Lee is the worst by far. The hoe opens up three cans, puts them in a dish, and sticks it in the microwave and that’s all she does. As for NFNS, I’m not a huge fan of any of the contests. Lisa is definitely not likable and she’s a little too impressed with herself. The only contestant left that could carry a show is Adam but the cookin’ just isn’t there, or so it seems.
BIG NEWS
http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/2008/07/24/next-food-network-star-reveals-winner-on-website-before-final-episode/
Well, the NFNS winner was just announced (Aaron)and I’m so disappointed for the 2nd time around. I didn’t find Aaron that engaging, and his food knowledge is very limited. I just wish the network would give us another Guy, Paula, Bobby. Last season, the wrong winner was selected and the show was a bore. I predict Aaron’s show will not survive.
Aaron??? What the @#%* I don’t have a clue as to what the selection committee must be looking for because this guy is BORING. That and the fact that he is very hard to understand and is NOT engaging on camera at all leads me to believe that this show will be around for a VERY short time.
Frankly I liked the hook with Matt and the internet. Lisa was the most knowledgeable but her squinty eyes were hard to watch for 5 minutes let alone 30.
All in all a VERY disappointing end to the season.
Aaron, wow, I thought he was a credible 3rd, but definately not first. I think he was chosen as a new style of personality, as the other two would challenge Bobby Flay and Rachael Ray for attention!
No one here but I just say that the outcome was ridiculous. Aaron is not good and he does nothing I would watch. Adam was the most likeable and I could see him having a show. Lisa, she was just plain annoying.
I can’t believe Aaron won either. He seems like a great guy and cooked wonderful food but he’s very hard to understand on camera and I thought he seemed nervous even in his demo. I loved the Adam’s internet idea. This is the first season I’ve watched–I know Guy Fieri won season one–can anyone tell me what happened to the season two winner?