One of the "charms" of reality TV is the unpredictability that is supposed to come from throwing a bunch of different personalities together in an unscripted environment and watching the drama unfold as they compete in various challenges or engage in acts of debauchery. Hell’s Kitchen is quickly losing that charm. The show, which is constantly being plugged as “controversial” and “ shocking,” is beginning to feel more and more like one of those America’s Funniest Home Videos clips where a little boy is hitting a baseball to a man standing a few feet away and you know immediately that the ball is crotch-bound, but you watch anyway. Before I even sat down with my trusty notepad, blanky, and butter pecan ice cream, I knew that tonight’s show would have a dose of Carol/Andrea bitchery, a helping of profanity and incompetence, and a juicy “surprise” elimination. All the elements were there, and the highlight of the show was still my butter pecan.
The challenge and theme of the show this week was preparing kingcrab, obvious by the terrifyingly large dead crab on a plate next toRamsay. Each chef had to prepare a unique crab dish and then decide asa team which dish was good enough to be presented to Ramsay for a tastetest. Now I will admit that I’m a bit sensitive when it comes to living creatures (I even feel a twingeof guilt when I kill creepy crawlies), but was the visual of all thosebig crab corpses being tossed about the kitchen sickening to anyoneelse? And why so many close-ups of their faces? My nausea aside, thered team decided that Andrea’s dish was the chosen one, and the menpicked Ben’s. Carol worried that Andrea’s decision to leave the shellson her dish would bite them in the ass, and for once her Andreanitpicking was spot-on. Ramsay disapprovingly dangled the severed limbin front of Andrea’s face and told her that her dish was "bland anddisgusting." Ben fared no better and Ramsay called forward Paula andDanny to replace them. Both were predictably delicious, but Ramsaydeemed the blue team the winners.
As punishment, the red team was required to clean the dorms andprepare the crabs for the next day’s dinner service. The men got tohang out on the Santa Monica beach with the Ramsanator for the day.They gleefully cruised around the beach on Segways, except from Robert,whose size mandated that he ride a bike instead. We were once againprivy to the fun side of Ramsay (he even took a spill into the sand)and so I must reiterate how handsome the Brit can be when heturns that frown upside down. But that’s not the point of this shownow, is it? (Just so we’re clear though, I would totally watch a showlike that.) Meanwhile, back at the kitchen, the women pounded andslammed on the backs of the crab carcasses with such force andaggression that I half expected the crabs to scream in agony. Perhaps avegetarian shouldn’t watch this show, yes?
Dinner service the next day had a bit of a twist. The teams wouldeach be serving their own menus consisting of three appetizers, entrees(one of which had to be crab, of course), and desserts. So Ramsay sentthem back up to the dorms to plan out their dishes, which resulted in afun little digression in which Ben tried to explain what pomme fondantwas to Danny and Robert, who were so bewildered by the term that theyeach repeated it a gazillion times to the camera. “Pommes fondant?” What is this strange language?Now I myself had to call up my French-language source to find out whatit was when a Google search proved only that I had no idea how to spellit — but I am not vying for a head chef position, now am I?
The service had its usual snafus. Gio under-seasoned his appetizersand Ben over-seasoned his soup. Gio’s bland appetizer prompted the mostentertaining (if not completely believable) moment of the night whenthe recipient of said dish decided to approach Ramsay herself tocomplain and whistled to get his attention. Now, whofor-the-love-of-all-that-is-courteous whistles for assistance? Ramsayresponded by telling her “Don’t whistle at me. I’m not your f—in’dog. You look more like a dog than I do.” Completely justified. Theappetizers, however, were the least of the problems. Carol screwed upthe potatoes she had been bragging about throughout the night, and thenwhen she attempted to fix them, Ramsay took the pan from her and threwthe entire thing away. Her meat kept coming back from the dining roomfor being incorrectly prepared and she had what was easily the worstperformance of the night. Somehow, however, the customer comments werebetter for the red team and so Danny was ordered to pick one of histeam members for the axe. Danny picked Ben. Now, it’s moments likethese where Hell’s Kitchen needs to shake things up. In usual fashion, Ramsay called bothBen and Robert up, and made it seem as though he was seriouslyconsidering sending one of them home. Then – GASP! – he sent Carolhome. Maybe my cynicism is sucking all the suspense out, but did anyoneseriously not see that happening? It seems the show tries sohard to deliver the surprise eliminations that the “shock” has becomethe norm. Everything seems predetermined and every week seems to offerthe same stale ingredients: "unexpected" cuts, endlessly bickeringteammates, not-so-genuine confrontations or conflicts, and so on. Maybewe only tune in to watch Ramsay swear and spit, but is it too much toask for just a peppering of authenticity to spice it up a bit?
So PopWatchers, did you see Carol’s elimination coming? Do you thinkit was deserved? What do you think is the “shocking announcement” innext week’s preview?
Comments (1-30) of 58 Add your comment
That customer was TOTALLY an actress. I did not believe that “encounter” one bit! Glad Carol is gone, she is such a whiner. Ben needs to go next. Just why is he so cocky anyway? Everything he does just blows.
I think all the customers are actors. I find it funny that all of the challenges come down to a final choice. There is always a tie and then a dramatic (with commercial) tie breaker.
I can’t figure out if the woman who went up to the counter was a plant, or someone who just wanted to be sure to be on TV. She actually smiled when she told her dinnermates that she got told off by Ramsey.
Previews for next week are over the top once again. Ramsey telling both Ben and RObert to take off their jackets (No, they’re not getting eliminated like they want you to think. They’re getting black jackets.
BTW, if you want to see the lighter side of Ramsey, watch “The F Word” on BBCAmerica.
I have been saying for weeks, now Danny is going to win this. Donkey Ben thinks he’s at dannys level? hahaha Thats a laff riot! Delusional!!!
Also, we finally got our GROSSEST TV moment of 2009 when Robert left his dirty drawers out for the women to wash.
I think the surprise is that Ramsay will decide not to hire any of them for the head chef position at his new restaurant. Seriously. Do any of those bozos seem remotely qualified to handle a job like that? The current financial crisis probably delayed construction anyway, so Ramsay can dangle the same “prize” again next season. Just hope the producers pick a few chefs actually deserving of an executive chef level job.
Ben is good support and help in the kitchen but he is not a chef. He was great with Lacey but I don’t see him as the guy in charge. I predict the final two being Paula and Danny.
Uh, that would be a huge slap in the face to viewers (and the chefs) if Ramsey hired NOBODY! I would never watch this show again! I predict he hires danny and tells the rest to get out.
I just have one question. Are all cooks CHAIN SMOKERS? If Ramsay really wanted to cause some tension, he would make their dorm area smoke free.
Order of elimination: Robert, Ben, Andrea, Gio.
Paula and Danny in the finals, with Paula winning.
Of course that cow was faking it. She returned to table and was smiling proudly when she told her companions that Ramsay told her to f**k off. She so did it just to get on camera. Otherwise I agree with the recap. I’m quite disappointed this season… these people are a drag.
Paula cant cook my _____!
My prediction…
Order of elimination: Robert, Ben, Andrea, Gio.
Paula and Danny in the finals, with Danny winning.
Paula is too mousy to run a kitchen.
I lost most of my interes in HK a while ago, precisely because it so contrived and predictable. Ramsay’s tantrums are clearly shtick, and sometimes feel forced, which is really tiresome. His other show, where he goes to strip-mall restaurants and “fixes” them, is even more formulaic and repetitive. Dullsville.
The shocking announcement is that they WON’T get to be the executive chef but will win the prize money. This groups just outright sucks. You could always tell in the previous seasons who would be in the finals fairly soon,. All of these people are incompetent.
I like Danny he can cook and seems like a nice guy. I still like the show
If you really want to see a more human Ramsey, you should watch the F Word or Kitchen Nightmares (British version) on the BBC. Both are far better than any Fox/American show he does.
I wasn’t surprised with Ramsay’s choice to eliminate Carol. Gio stated earlier in the show that her win wasn’t a big deal, it was just another day in the dorms. That gave away the ending, IMO. Also, I see Danny winning!
This crew is a joke this season. I mean last week one cook screamed “I can’t cook meat!” You can’t cook MEAT?? Are they serious? The contestants are just so incompetent it takes the fun out of the show. Ramsey has been going absolutely insane this year. He’s always been nasty, but this is a new level. He looks on the verge of a heart attack. And he’s right in their faces and even physically touches them. It’s getting old watching them mess up. The only one of the teams who has ANY talent whatsoever is Danny.
The best moment of the night was when Paula asked Ramsey to get them something and he casually told her to go f–k herself.
Ughhh. Ben has so little self-awareness it’s crazy. He cooks crap, is told it’s crap, Danny’s dish is delicious, and Ben still insists he’s the best cook in that kitchen. For that matter, Andrea’s not much better.
Of course it was apparent Carol was being sent home. The only surprise related to that was that the red team wasn’t told to pick their worst player, though I guess there was no question.
Robert seems mostly competent, but good lord I’m tired of the “Well, I guess I’m too fat to do that” self-pity.
Andrea must be thrilled since she got rid of Carol & Paula. Now I think the winner will be Robert or Danny. I still like the show. The lady whisling cracked me up.
The promos are jokes. They are making fun of all reality shows (including their own) by repeating silly phrases like “most dramatic ever” and “never before in Hell’s Kitchen.” There’s nothing shocking about the show, and it’s pretty clear that the powers that be know that.
The promos are jokes. They are making fun of all reality shows (including their own) by repeating silly phrases like “most dramatic ever” and “never before in Hell’s Kitchen.” There’s nothing shocking about the show, and it’s pretty clear that the powers that be know that.
does anybody still watch this show? it’s completely moronic. top chef is the cooking show to watch. this show simply appeals to the lowest common denominator. @ a commercial during the ER finale i switched to HK & saw Ramsay spitting in the soup. enuf already. that’s digusting & uncalled for. that anyone still watches this show is beyond me.
Folks, he (Gordon) is completely winning in his F Word show on BBC America….no real histrionics and lots of funny stuff. Hell’s Kitchen has gotten to be such drek – none of these people are believable….but I watch….shame on me….I watch.
hells kitchen is good, but “the F word” and the british version of “kitchen nightmares” are far better.he ramps it up for hells kitchen. ramsay is quite funny, sarcastic and genuinely wants people to succeed, esp in kitchen nightmares where he goes back 6 wks later and sees how much change the restaurants have done
I love Ramsay. I enjoy watching the show. It is mind boggoling how the people on the show cannot cook. For that matter he has every right to let them know what he thinks even if he cusses the way he does. Don’t judge Ramsay unless you have been there and worked with a bunch of idiots. How do they survive, without cooking skills. I hope Danny wins. I think he is the only one qualified as a cook and he should own his own Restaurant. I would like to meet Ramsay in person and I think he is awesome. I have followed him in Hells Kitchen and also the great job he has done for other people in helping them with there Restaurants. I think the world of him, so don’t knock him until you have been in his shoes. Florence Sena – Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Robert is a pig and I don’t just mean in looks
Your quote in the article “was the visual of all those big crab corpses being tossed about the kitchen sickening to anyone else?” made me laugh. My wife and I are eagerly awaiting the next Deadliest Catch on Discovery Channel!
I love Ramsay’s shows on BBC and even FOX’s version of Kitchen Nightmares (although, the original BBC shows are MUCH better). It is a dream of mine to visit one of the restaurant’s he has turned around — I would love to visit one of his restaurants, too!
I agree with Tony Bourdain, this show’s heading downhill fast. To paraphrase, who in their right mind would give any of these nitwits their own restaurant? They — for the most part — can’t cook. Gio screwing up meat starter seasoning? Carol can’t cook potatoes? Seriously?
Yet again, this show is going to come down to the less of all evils, which is Paula and Danny. Incidentally, I find it interesting that the reward for winning Hell’s Kitchen is no longer “executive” chef but is now “head” chef. Being the head chef of a Ramsay restaurant is essentially being a glorified line cook. You do, you cook, you prep what, how and when Gordon says, which is how it should be. Gordon’s a bright guy, and I think the reason why he pretends to be so angry and upset all the time is because he knows no one, even any of the viewers, actually has any regard for any of these “competitors.” The show’s slowly becoming a joke, and unfortunately it’s picking up its pace.