Okay, scratch that last-named culinary disaster. (More on it in a minute.) What I enjoyed about TNFNS is that its contestants (or most of 'em) appear to have some legitimate kitchen skills, and that the prize up for grabs (becoming the host of a new Food Network series) leaves us viewers with a sense that the winner will have at least an outside shot at a career that is more than casting fodder for I'm a Celebrity…'s inevitable fifth season.
Last night's premiere split the 10 contestants into two teams, gave them $1,200 apiece, and asked them to cater a 16th birthday celebration for the Food Network attended by 75 people (including a bunch of the network's on-air personalities). And while I wished we'd gotten a more in-depth look at the ingredients and recipes in question, and while I could've done without milquetoast-y comments like "the person who did the least well this week will unfortunately be going home" (courtesy of judge Bob Tuschman), I still found myself setting a series recording on my DVR by episode's end. Here's a breakdown on my three early favorites:
Michael: Ted Allen and Barefoot Contessa's dining posse aside, The Food Network is a little light on gay fabulousness, and with his big tattoos and even bigger sense of humor, Michael might be one to fill the void. He's already proven he can distill his cooking philosophy into TV-ready catchphrases ("global-a-go-go," "Bed-Stuy to Bangkok") and his tenderloin impressed the judges.
Debbie: Okay, so she lied about coming in under budget, and as Michael noted, there was not method to her madness, only madness, when she shopped for her team at Whole Foods. Oh, and then there was the improvised "dessert" for which she tried to share the blame. (I loved how judges Susie Fogelson looked at it and sniffed "my daughter could've made that, and she's three."). Still, unlike most of her competitors, Debbie seems to have a fully formed culinary point of view (Southern comfort foods meet Asian spices) and she's telegenic to boot. Or maybe I was just craving crab cakes?
Jeffrey: He's the most high-minded from a culinary standpoint. Or, in other words, the key (and eventually missing) ingredient in his zucchini dish was something that I'd never heard of. But even though he ended up with "a distant, dry, miserable cousin" to the spice he wanted, his dish looked pretty tasty. And on a show that will likely test its combatants under less-than-ideal contestants, it's nice to see a guy who can successfully improvise.
Which TNFNS contestants did you like best? Anyone else want Brett to stop discussing the looks of his female competitors right in front of their faces? Who died inside when Ace of Cakes' Duff laid eyes on the Red Team's dessert? And was I the only one who thought Melissa's apple tarts looked a little bit busted? Holla back!
I’ve been watching this show since the second season and they have done a good job of finding folks who do well on the channel except for the third season. Guy Fieri basically owns the channel. I was disappointed in Debby and irritated by Brett. Loved the Diva attitude of some of the stars. Anyone who knows the show that Ann Burrell is on, probably laughed out loud when she thought someone was over the top and she (Ann) would tire of her easily. Please, Michael, make it a regular recap!
I’m angry I missed this. I thought the premiere would be on this Sunday, not last night. I’ll be sure to catch a rerun because it’s a fun summer reality show, and I found myself surprisingly invested in last season.
Slezak, I think you may be right on about Michael. Don’t underestimate the Food Network’s desire to fill certain demographical voids in selecting the winner. For example, I thought Aaron McCargo Jr. (last year’s winner) was a VERY sweet man, a good cook, but not very deserving of the win. (He seems to have grown into his TV gig with Big Daddy’s House). I was glad to see Adam Gertler get his shot with his infinitely more interesting “Will Work For Food.”
I have been watching since season 2…it always starts out a wee bit slow, but things usually heat up pretty quickly! No one is ever as diva-ish as, say, Top Chef contestants, but there are some that come close. I definitely think they eliminated the right person last night.
I still think the fact that Kelsey Nixon, the overwhelming popular choice, didn’t win last year shows that this show has an agenda in picking its next “Star.” But at least she has a show on Food2. Adam is just right for his show, too. Big Daddy will NEVER be a star to me. I can’t stand lying Debbie or freaky Michael (hate that beard of his, not to mention his tattoos). I liked Jen a lot and was sorry to see her go. I want to see the mom of 4 (I forget her name) win.
This show is alright. I’ve watched previous seasons and it’s not too bad. But when it comes to cooking competitions, I’m a bigger fan of Bravo’s Top Chef.
This is my kind of reality show – it’s not about contestants sniping at one another and completing disgusting “challenges” but about real competition for a real prize. I think Jeffrey has it in the bag already. Agree with PP about Ann’s comments – she makes my head spin with all her talking. I hope the recaps on this show are ongoing.
I thought that Brett was pretty gross. I would be so annoyed if I had to be around him and had to deal with him calling me “sweetie,” “sweetheart,” etc. When he introduced the rest of his team as ‘three beautiful ladies and a good-lookin’ guy,’ I saw a few of the “Stars” roll their eyes and kind of make a face. I really hope he tones it down, because that kind of behavior is smarmy and not well-received.
If you ever wanna see something hilarious, watch the finale of year before last. The blonde who thought she absolutely had it in the bag — lost — and BOY did it show on her face. Priceless! Guy is my favorite winner on this show — I never miss any of his programs. Gotta tune in for this years, I missed the opener.
It does help fill the void. I’ve been watching this since the first season, and have been able to pick the winners every year. (They may not be who I want, but I can usually call the winner half-way through the season.) I don’t know why I enjoy this so much, but I do. It would be great if you would do a weekly recap. Great food drama(??) and great writing in one!
Hooray! I missed out on the Idolatry commentary until near the end of AI:8 (my loss, big time), so I’m glad to be here at the beginning for some fresh Slezak treatment of another favorite show.
At this point, I’m mainly rooting for “not Brett”. What a tool. I really have to see more of the rest to start settling on a favorite, but Michael’s definitely a front-runner.
I think Guy has been the best choice out of all the winners. I like Guy, and cndn610, before Guy it was Rachel Ray and before that was Emerel Lagasse. I like them all but Guy is the best. He is really a funny guy, and very entertaining. No one knows or hears from the Hardy boys S1 winners, or any other season for that matter (except last season since it has not been that long ago.)
Welcome back, Michael! I’m so glad we don’t have to wait ’til Idol starts again to enjoy your singular brand of analysis. My faves so far are also Michael and Jeffrey, and I also dig Jamika’s smile. But if any of them starts calling the food “bad boys” as it’s added to the mixture/ grill pan, whatever, they’re automatically dead to me!
I got addicted to this show last season and love it for a good, summer filler. Plus, the show is as much about personality as it is about food, so that makes the ‘reality’ aspect of it more palatable.
*I*’m rooting for Slezak to keep writing TNFNS columns! My favorite columnist picks up another of my favorite shows.
Also, I’m rooting for Brett to lose a hand in a tragic spice grinding accident.
As far as past winners go, Amy who won S3 chose not to renew even though it was offered to her. And I think the contract they win specifies a “cooking show”, so I’m glad Adam didn’t win. I’m glad he got the type of show that was right for him in the end (although it sucked how blatantly FN took his show and used it for Ask Aida), and the recipes I’ve had of Aaron’s are tasty.
I really liked Michael, and I want to see more of Jefferey and Melissa. Jen and Brett were the two I really disliked. Her “Housewife 2.0″ schtick bothered me, not because I dislike the idea but because of her delivery of it. I’m looking forward to the others coming out of their shells as the season goes along.
I hope to seek weekly posts from you, too, Slezak! It won’t fill the void from Idolatry, but maybe it’ll soften the blow.