Dinner: Impossible. Anybody else watching? [Text View]

cheesesteak

04-23-2007, 05:11 PM

I stumbled across this show a couple of weeks ago and have watched about four episodes. I really like it. The challenges have been interesting and really seem to test Chef Robert Irvine. I don't like reality shows but this one, Bobby Flay's Throwdown and Deadliest Catch are in my wheelhouse.

JimSpence

04-23-2007, 05:25 PM

Network?

cheesesteak

04-23-2007, 05:56 PM

Network?
Food

kaszeta

04-23-2007, 06:16 PM

I've caught a few episodes. The chef is less arrogant than your typical reality-show chef.

uncdrew

04-23-2007, 06:22 PM

I think I've seen it twice. I liked the time they had to feed the cattle ranchers as they came in from their cattle drive.

IJustLikeTivo

04-23-2007, 06:31 PM

I like the premise but I have serious doubts about what they acheive. It seems on the two/three I've seen that they miraculously find the exact ingredients they need to make some really esoteric stuff.

Additionally, while not quite as arrogant as say Bobby Flay, the chef does think pretty highly of himself.

Mr. Soze

04-23-2007, 06:33 PM

Yes. It's a good fun show.

Hunter Green

04-24-2007, 08:54 AM

It's really corny and hammed up over-the-top, and I get the same sense of affectation and insincerity as I do with No Reservations, but in this case, they're pretty much up-front about it, so it's almost a parody of itself, and that makes it tolerable. Sometimes though the "miracle saves" are a bit too much.

goblue97

04-24-2007, 09:39 AM

Additionally, while not quite as arrogant as say Bobby Flay, the chef does think pretty highly of himself.
with good reason too. Have you seen his resume?

sharkster

04-24-2007, 02:23 PM

I like it a lot. I don't know when it started, so I have missed some episodes (haven't seen the cattle one yet...), but I make sure to record every one I can find.

I liked the one at that college and the frozen hotel one. I like the way they make each one unique, instead of it just being a dinner in a different place. The parking lot one was cool because they had to start with nothing.

sushikitten

04-24-2007, 02:46 PM

The tailgating one was the first one I saw - fun! I have a few eps waiting for me.

cheesesteak

04-24-2007, 03:48 PM

I have yet to see the frozen hotel one. The TiVo guide data has twice said it has recorded it but I keep getting the Penn frat house one.

TheZach

04-24-2007, 04:13 PM

I have yet to see the frozen hotel one. The TiVo guide data has twice said it has recorded it but I keep getting the Penn frat house one.

Same thing happened to me, except I had both the Frat and Ice one. The titles were swapped apparently and so I watched "Ice House" for the Frat one and vice versa.

Great show by the way - I like No Reservations better - but this is a good filler when nothing else is on.

sharkster

04-24-2007, 10:22 PM

That's how it happened for me too - they were swapped.

gschrock

04-25-2007, 02:33 PM

I've really kinda liked this show so far. For one thing I find it's pretty insightful on how dinners for large groups of people are prepared. I've done a couple cruises, and you figure the cooking staff there are basically going through the same thing every day (obviously more controlled, since the situation doesn't change, but they still have to prepare a huge number of meals that have to basically be ready to serve at one time).

sushikitten

07-08-2007, 10:42 PM

sharkster

07-09-2007, 02:54 AM

I think I've seen them all (there haven't been any new episodes lately). I enjoy the show but it's kind of hokey because you know he's going to be freaking out and you know he's going to meet the challenge.

I like the two Georges too.

cheesesteak

07-09-2007, 08:14 AM

I saw one where he didn't meet the full challenge. There were at least three dishes he didn't complete.

kaszeta

07-09-2007, 08:16 AM

Yeah, the Culinary Institute challenge was one where he fell pretty far short of his goal.

wprager

07-09-2007, 06:04 PM

I've caught a few episodes. The chef is less arrogant than your typical reality-show chef.

If that wasn't done tongue-in-cheek I find it terribly disturbing.

kaszeta

07-09-2007, 06:16 PM

If that wasn't done tongue-in-cheek I find it terribly disturbing.

Well, mostly I was contrasting him to, say, Gordon Ramsay, Rocco, or several other chefs who have very inflated egos.

Frylock

07-09-2007, 08:00 PM

It's definitely an entertaining show. I also wish it was a little longer. It's worth watching if you haven't caught it yet.

sushikitten

07-09-2007, 08:16 PM

Edited message out because it was a complete smeek re: the CIA episode. :D

Church AV Guy

07-10-2007, 05:33 PM

My wife thinks this is a great show. I really don't care to watch a show where the main character spends so much time shouting at his help, telling them to hurry up because he elected to do a challenge with an artificial time frame that automatically puts him on a tight schedule. It is too highly contrived.

WhiskeyTango

07-11-2007, 11:35 AM

Just saw the Ice Hotel one tonight--great stuff! I really enjoy this show - but sometimes wish it was an hour, because a half hour doesn't show enough--they list 16 dishes and you see a few, then poof! They are done and being served. But then again, how much hurried cooking can they show? :) I never think they will get done in time, but they always miraculously pull through.

I've seen three episodes, the Ice Hotel, Frat House, and the Cowboys. I think this show should be an hour too. I have to pause every time they start to scroll up the listing of the dishes so I can read them all and not miss anything. They condense a 7 or 8 hour challenge into 20-30 minutes. I'm sure they could come up with more footage to fill an hour, even if they just show a little more of how the dishes are made instead of like you said, POOF! :)

sushikitten

07-11-2007, 02:59 PM

I have always thought they were fairly harsh with their time limits, but the cowboy one? With the list of like 25 things they couldn't make? In addition to the rustic cooking methods? Wow.

I think their time allotment should start after they have the lay of the land (so to speak). The meet and greet and (in this case) driving the 20 miles one-way to get groceries shouldn't count.

gschrock

07-12-2007, 11:11 AM

BTW, apparently new episodes of this are starting up, um, July 22 or something like that.

sushikitten

08-26-2008, 09:14 AM

Anyone watched this with the new chef? I didn't like him as much, but then again, change is hard for me. :o

justen_m

08-26-2008, 09:33 AM

I liked Robert Ivrine more too. Michael Symon grates my nerves. Even on Iron Chef America I find him a bit annoying.

It is interesting to see the catering side of cooking. Appetizers for 800? Yikes. I feel swamped when I cook for more than a half dozen people.

stlarenas

08-26-2008, 09:38 AM

A little late to the thread.

But I just wanted to comment how Food Network continues to come up with quality (while sometimes contirved and slightly hokey) shows that my kids enjoy. This being one of them. And while I think they could streach this into an hour, 30 min is perfect for a 5, 7, and 9 year old. (not their target audience I'm sure...)

Add Ace of Cakes, Challange, and Unwrapped - and we find ourselves doing without the cheesey shows on Nick and Disney most nights of the week.

cheesesteak

08-26-2008, 09:59 AM

Apparently Robert Irvine embellished his resume a little bit.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/mar/03/television.usa

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/03/01/Southpinellas/Food_Network_drops_ta.shtml

A shame. I liked him.

Church AV Guy

08-26-2008, 04:18 PM

mrmike

08-26-2008, 04:41 PM

My wife really thinks the new guy is just not entertaining, and she has all but quit watching the show. It has gone from searching the recorded program list for it, to she'll watch it, but only if there is nothing else to watch. I find him, well, uninteresting. Robert was much better, but I really can't say why or how specifically.

At least in the couple of Symon episodes I saw, he's less frantic and animated and more methodical. Maybe that makes him less approachable? I like his cooking style, we'll see how the season progresses.

Hunter Green

08-27-2008, 11:30 AM

I thought Robert seemed to ham up the "oh my god it's all going to fail" thing a bit too much at times, myself. Symon seems more realistic.

Church AV Guy

08-27-2008, 11:51 AM

Realistic maybe, but not entertaining. I now find the show rather boring. My SP has been deleted. For some reason, Robert kept my attention, but Symon does not.

Yawn...

MonsterJoe

08-27-2008, 12:26 PM

I've disliked Simon...ever since Melting Pot.

Irvine was perfect for the show. I really don't give a rat's ass about his resume, he was entertaining on the show.

I don't watch it anymore.

IJustLikeTivo

08-27-2008, 02:47 PM

I stopped when Robert left. wathced one with new guy and hated it.

su719

08-27-2008, 03:33 PM

I agree, he exaggerated on his resume, and he got canned for it, BUT, all the stuff he did on this show, he really did it, right? As soon as the "facts" came out, they redid the opening, leaving all the embellishments off, and it still worked.

My wife really thinks the new guy is just not entertaining, and she has all but quit watching the show. It has gone from searching the recorded program list for it, to she'll watch it, but only if there is nothing else to watch. I find him, well, uninteresting. Robert was much better, but I really can't say why or how specifically.

It seemed he embellished slightly and to be honest who does not do that slightly to make their roles look better than they might be. If this was such a big deal Food Network should have caught it, especially when playing it up in the opening credits.

Instead of changing hosts Food Network should have had Robert issue an official apology and go on. He was one of the better new talents to join the network lately.

Symon just doesn't have the presence that Robert had and it shows on the show. Wonder how long Food Network will keep it going with th enew host.

IJustLikeTivo

04-05-2009, 09:15 PM

I stopped when Robert left. wathced one with new guy and hated it.

And it appears I wasn't the only one since I see they have rehired Robert. Starts this week for a new run of at least 6 shows according to Wikipedia. At the end of the day, the game is to entertain. Regardless of his credentials, Robert made great TV. The new guy did not.

justen_m

04-05-2009, 09:59 PM

And it appears I wasn't the only one since I see they have rehired Robert. Starts this week for a new run of at least 6 shows according to Wikipedia. At the end of the day, the game is to entertain. Regardless of his credentials, Robert made great TV. The new guy did not.

I though Robert was better than his replacement (Michael Symon), even if Symon became the next Iron Chef. Robert was just more fun to watch. I've set up a season pass for the new eps with Robert. I really don't care about his resume. He did some things on the show that amazed me. Having no experience with catering, I liked that aspect of the show. Symon just annoyed me.

jsmeeker

04-05-2009, 10:04 PM

sushikitten

04-06-2009, 09:29 AM

YAY! I enjoyed Robert much more than Michael.

kaszeta

04-06-2009, 09:36 AM

I miss Michael Symon. I like MS on TV just fine.. Of course, I really have enjoyed my visits to his two Cleveland restaurants and enjoyed reading his story before he became well known nationally.

Lola/Lolita are both quite good. I'm actually hoping to do Lolita (among other places) on my upcoming trip to NASA Glenn.

Still, somehow his approach and TV presence were a lot less enjoyable than Robert Irvine. That, and he seems less flexible than Robert.

DVC California

04-06-2009, 12:27 PM

And it appears I wasn't the only one since I see they have rehired Robert. Starts this week for a new run of at least 6 shows according to Wikipedia. At the end of the day, the game is to entertain. Regardless of his credentials, Robert made great TV. The new guy did not.

Great, I enjoy Robert more than Michael...Robert has more personality and makes the challenges more dramatic.

Now they just need to can the Neelys and bring back the Deen boys to Road Tasted. I can't stand all that "Baby", "Brown Sugar" nonsense on TV...just get a room!

Alfer

04-06-2009, 12:37 PM

Great, I enjoy Robert more than Michael...Robert has more personality and makes the challenges more dramatic.

Now they just need to can the Neelys and bring back the Deen boys to Road Tasted. I can't stand all that "Baby", "Brown Sugar" nonsense on TV...just get a room!

I too dislike the Neely's...but I equally dislike the silver spoon-fed Deen brothers...they were so phony and unappealing to watch. Just because their mom is a great TV personality doesn't mean they can carry a show too.

goblue97

04-06-2009, 12:39 PM

Lola/Lolita are both quite good. I'm actually hoping to do Lolita (among other places) on my upcoming trip to NASA Glenn.

He's also got a new one in Detroit named Roast. I've heard some very good reviews so far but have yet to get there myself.

kaszeta

04-06-2009, 12:40 PM

He's also got a new one in Detroit named Roast. I've heard some very good reviews so far but have yet to get there myself.

Yeah, I tried to go to Roast in December, but they were booked solid the two nights I had open.

IJustLikeTivo

04-06-2009, 01:48 PM

I too dislike the Neely's...but I equally dislike the silver spoon-fed Deen brothers...they were so phony and unappealing to watch. Just because their mom is a great TV personality doesn't mean they can carry a show too.

+2. Dislike both the Neely's and the Deen brothers. A little of both goes a long way. I'm not thrilled with Mom either but I've learned to tolerate her.

justen_m

04-06-2009, 09:48 PM

I too dislike the Neely's...but I equally dislike the silver spoon-fed Deen brothers...they were so phony and unappealing to watch. Just because their mom is a great TV personality doesn't mean they can carry a show too.

I sort of like the Deen bros... just because I can relate. My brother and I and my mom have an amazing time whenever we are all home at the same time. We cook.

We cook and cook and cook. Enough to feed hundreds. That's how me and bro and mom connect. None of us are pros. We just all love food and have cooking as a hobby. I love seeing the Deen boys in the kitchen with their mom - it reminds me of home.

Frylock

04-09-2009, 10:52 PM

He's Back! I guess Chef Symon just wasn't cutting it (IMHO, he wasn't. He was pretty bad) so it looks like Food Network has brought back Robert Irvine for 6 episodes. I watched the first one, and it was good to see him back. He really is this show. They either need to cancel it or keep him on it, because he really is the one to make the show.

I hope they continue it for more than 6 episodes though!

Mikeyis4dcats

04-09-2009, 10:55 PM

Glad he's back, but I'm betting Lee won't see another episode...

Wonder what became of George...

Church AV Guy

04-24-2009, 02:09 PM

Robert has been back for a few episodes now, and my wife has requested the SP again. I have to admit, Robert is just much more entertaining. The show was boring with Symon. I don't think he was a bad chef. But he was not as entertaining.

The latest episode, where he had to gamble over the size of the crowd, his kitchen time, and the ingredients that he was allowd to use, seemed contrived. If I remember, he got so many hours, and they made him wait an hour. He wasn't allowed to start early. The thing is, he could have gotten two or three more than he won. Would they have delayed the meal from five, to seven PM, or was it just a hoax for dramatic effect?

It was good to watch though. "What happened to my salad's? Who took them?" :D