Next Food Network Star 7-19-2009 (spoiled)

[Alfer]

Not surprised who left last night....Jamika just got too flustered too easily and got so rigid and boring when things didn't go her way.

She seems like a nice lady, but not quite FN material.

I still think Melissa will win this one...but the other two she's competing with are both what I'd consider FN type hosts...will be interesting to see who makes it to the end.

[justen_m]

I loved the first competition with the sabotaged live presentations. I was laughing my ass off. Have they ever had that challenge before (past seasons)?

At this point, I really don't know who will win. Melissa is coming on strong and has improved quite a bit since the beginning.

[IJustLikeTivo]

I don't care who wins as long as they get either Paula Dean's slot or the Neely's.

[uncdrew]

I don't care who wins as long as they get either Paula Dean's slot or the Neely's.

I love Paula Dean and of course she only leaves FN when she wants to. She's locked in and won't be going anytime soon (I don't think).

I don't like the Neelys much either.



The Korean gal keeps showing her true colors:

"The capers are in the sauce."

Oh, wait...

"I wasn't given capers."

Oh, sorry.

"My bad."




She's really just a liar. Forgot to buy dijon for Kate in show one then told her "check that bag over there". Seems every show she does something borderline shady and to me they're all adding up to push her over the line.

[Alfer]

I don't care who wins as long as they get either Paula Dean's slot or the Neely's.

Amen...dislike both...honestly I wish they'd clear out most if not all of the long in the tooth FN regulars and get some fresh faces in there.

[justen_m]

Amen...dislike both...honestly I wish they'd clear out most if not all of the long in the tooth FN regulars and get some fresh faces in there.

You need to watch on Saturday mornings. Ask Aida and 5 Ingredient Fix have a couple of fresh faces - Aida Mollenkamp and Claire Robinson respectively.

On various days with new chefs you've also got Viva Daisy, Simply Delicioso, Cooking for Real, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Jamie at Home, etc. Most of these are only on once a week and not primetime.

I don't think these new shows have enough episodes to air on a daily basis like Emeril and Rachael and Bobby and Paula and Giada do. Or maybe they'd just get too low of ratings for primetime.

[jsmeeker]

Watch Aidia cause she is hawt. Watch "Secrets" cause Anne rocks.

FoodTV hasn't had real *cooking* shows in prime time for a while now (except for a period when Emeril Live was on)

[uncdrew]

I saw the "5 ingredient" show. Seems they don't count salt as an ingredient. I saw them add salt and not count it. :p

The host of that show was a cutie.

[jsmeeker]

I saw the "5 ingredient" show. Seems they don't count salt as an ingredient. I saw them add salt and not count it. :p

The host of that show was a cutie.

That is pretty normal when someone likes to do something with limited ingredients. Stuff like salt doesn't count. Usually pepper too. Also, using a bit of oil in a pan or whatever typically doesn't count either.

[uncdrew]

That is pretty normal when someone likes to do something with limited ingredients. Stuff like salt doesn't count. Usually pepper too. Also, using a bit of oil in a pan or whatever typically doesn't count either.

Agreed.


But it is wrong (in a strict definition). I did see in the one show I watched that butter was an ingredient. So as long it's just salt and pepper I'm fine with it. :p

Like they care what I think. I was just worried they could stretch it to flour, spices, etc. which would be pushing it.

[sushikitten]

I loved the first competition with the sabotaged live presentations. I was laughing my ass off. Have they ever had that challenge before (past seasons)?

Yes, I remember it in at least one other season, except it wasn't a live demo.

[Frylock]

If they want to drop a show, Big Daddy's House, or whatever it's called, can be dropped. That's pretty bad. I actually think Adam Gertler (sp?) show 'Will Work For Food' is a lot more amusing. FN doesn't need to only do cooking shows. I like how they mix it up. I just wish for this show they'd let people more pitch the type of show they would do, instead of trying to fit them into a niche they either don't belong in, or trying to make this generic show where you just swap the theme out (it's healthy, or it's Korean, or whatever...)

At this point I see it as Melissa's to use. It seems like FN really wants to add a diet show (but can't find a host for it), a different cuisine show (Korean or Indian based on who they cast for this show) and a for busy SAHM show (where Melissa seems to be shining).

This show could be great if instead of everyone trying to do the same show, each person came on with a different themed show, and you watched the theme evolve each week, as they refined it, and then America voted in the end for which show they'd actually like to see.

[Alfer]

I wonder though ...if Melissa wins, would she uproot her and her fam to do this new adventure?

I seem to recall a past winner (she was really lame) who got a show that lasted maybe 1-2 eps if that and then bailed saying she didn't want to deal with all that it takes to do these kind of shows etc.

[jkalnin]

I seem to recall a past winner (she was really lame) who got a show that lasted maybe 1-2 eps if that and then bailed saying she didn't want to deal with all that it takes to do these kind of shows etc.

That was the winner from season 3 - Amy Finley. Her show lasted 6 episodes then she moved to France.

If the Debbie "the Korean" wins then this show is a total sham. She has ZERO character and the judges know it. I don't care if she makes the best food in the world, she is someone I don't like or trust and would never watch her. She is a liar, cheat, and a despicable person. Jamika saved her by being angry and flustered and not giving 100% - I love how every week she said she can do better.

Melissa is my pick too, but Jeffrey is picking up steam.

[sharkster]

I'd definitely vote for whomever wins this competition replacing Paula Deen...she makes me cringe.

I expected to see Debbie voted off the island this week, so imagine my surprise when she did pretty well in both challenges (sans the caper caper). It became crystal clear pretty quickly that Jamika would be, rightfully, ousted.

I will be shocked if Debbie doesn't majorly screw up next week and get the boot.

I rather like both Melissa and Jeffrey. Considering her lack of culinary training, Melissa does have an amazing palate and knowledge base. When she jumped right into the pepper thing that one week and make a popoular dish I was surprised. Again, this week, she got dealt the peppers and excelled. Jeffrey has great culinary expertise, having won several challenges, and I rather like his 'zen' style. I don't think one needs to be all wacky and "unpredictable" to be an interesting show host.

I would watch either Jeffrey or Melissa. I would not watch Debbie....well, ok, maybe once.

[sushikitten]

I wouldn't even watch Debbie once.

[uncdrew]

It wasn't all surprising that somewhere as mundane as Red Lobster didn't choose the habanero pepper dish to showcase on their menu. :p


I don't even like peppers much, but it looked like the better dish to me.

[veruca salt]

Just out of curiousity, why all the dislike for Paula Deen and the Neelys? I've always liked Paula and I've only watched the Neelys a few times and I thought they were cute. Not that I want to change all of your opinions or that you can change mine...I'm just curious.

[uncdrew]

Perhaps it's because I live in the South, but I love Paula.

The ingredients, the down home charm, the silliness, the air-head moments, the stuffing half a brownie in her mouth going into commercial break...

[Alfer]

Perhaps it's because I live in the South, but I love Paula.

The ingredients, the down home charm, the silliness, the air-head moments, the stuffing half a brownie in her mouth going into commercial break...

Many of the reasons she annoys me.... :)

Neely's are TOO sugary sweet.

[USAFSSO]

I haven't watched any of the shows of the past winners. Well I guess I watch Triple-D from time to time, but that doesn't count. ;)

Paula is ok in small bites, which she has never heard of...

If we started a drinking game for the Neely's (:down:) I might watch...take a drink every time they say 'Baby' chug when they touch each other. (I know the list could be longer)

[JETarpon]

I think if it weren't for Red Lobster, Melissa would have won this week. But nobody is going to walk into a Red Lobster and order habenero anyting off the menu. It just wouldn't sell.

I think she probably did the best job of adjusting her dish to the change in the ingredients, but Melissa had no chance of winning tonight's challenge as soon as she was given the habeneros.

[Jebberwocky!]

I like the Neely's - I've made several of their recipes and they turned out pretty nice. Paula, I could take less of but my Wife likes her (and not The Neely's)

Big Daddy's house, don't care for at all.

I agree with Smeek, "Watch Aidia cause she is hawt. Watch "Secrets" cause Anne rocks. " Although chef Anne uses fennel way too much :)

As far as this show goes I can see them doing a "Cook like a Mom" type show with Mellisa. Jeffrey's not too bad but as they pointed out the last show, he tends to stay by that one border. No need to comment on Debbie.

[jradosh]

I get a really weird vibe from Jeffrey, like he's a drugged up used car salesman or something. I don't think I'd enjoy his show.

Melissa makes me nervous (too much nervous energy) but I like her the best. I used to like Debbie waaaay back when the season started, but not any more.

[murgatroyd]

I wouldn't even watch Debbie once.

Ditto.

Melissa really impressed me this episode. Sure, she should have taken the notes sooner about her frantic energy on camera, but I give her credit, this time she listened and put the advice they gave her into practice right away.

And she coped with the ingredient change.

Debbie has sabotaged other people, ignored the challenges, lied about what happened in the kitchen -- how many times now? I've lost count. I wouldn't want to work with her, so why would I ever want to watch her show?

Jan

[sharkster]

Re: the Paula Deen & Neeleys question -

I think the Neeleys are kind of sweet, yes sometimes a bit too sugary, but they I don't find them obnoxious.

Paula D, OTOH, I think she is as fake as the day is long. I remember when she first started on FN - she did NOT have that same accent. She had a regular accent from that region just like everybody else in her family, etc. (No, I'm not southern but both of my parents were from the south and I've travelled extensively in those regions) She amped it up to a nauseating level the last few years. Additionally, I guess I'm just not fond of her brand of cooking. I'm not a total health nut, but she goes pretty far over the edge for my taste. She's so gross with food handling too - very unsanitary.

If the uber-accent weren't enough, the way she butchers some words and expressions makes me cringe. e.g. - SPATCHler (it's spatula) and PEEEEEEEcans (gack) and the way she says "one at the time" (s/b one at a time). There are several more but, since I haven't watched her lately, I cannot remember them. Suffice to say they ARE equally cringe-worthy tho.

I don't think she's a bad person or anything. She's just let fame take her to a bad place and I find her truly obnoxious and hard to take. I've known people who have worked w/her and they had nothing complimentary to say about her behavior.

[jkalnin]

It appears that no matter who wins they aren't going to be a "Star" on the Food Network. This season should be called "The Next Person to Enjoy 6 Episodes Before Being Canceled."

Too Wordy ;)

The best finale ever would be the judges declaring non of them are good enough for the job.

[uncdrew]

We're soon to have two kids and a mom who will want to cook very often and get the kids involved.

Melissa's show would most likely be viewed (and used) in our household. We hope she wins.

[windracer]

If the Debbie "the Korean" wins then this show is a total sham. She has ZERO character and the judges know it.
I can't believe she wasn't gone this week after the capers thing. Arrgh! :mad:

Check out Bob Tushman's latest blog post (http://blog.foodnetwork.com/bobs-blog/2009/07/20/the-capers-caper/):

Debbie

I had wanted her to go last week. This week – man, oh, man, what is going on inside that brain? Once again, she slid into her slippery spin-mode: The capers are in the dressing. I mean I never had capers. I mean I forgot the capers. Are you kidding?

How to reconcile this infuriating behavior with the fact that this woman is a total pro on TV and an outstanding cook on top of that? She aced the rigged demo challenge with an impressive combo of quick thinking, humor, and charm. She was a model of how you handle a live morning appearance. Mike Symon thought Debbie had the most immediately TV-ready skills of all the finalists.

He seems conflicted, but it shouldn't matter how good a cook she is if she doesn't have the integrity of a Food Network star. Have the judges forgotten the Jag fiasco a few seasons ago?

[sushikitten]

We're soon to have two kids and a mom who will want to cook very often and get the kids involved.

Melissa's show would most likely be viewed (and used) in our household. We hope she wins.
Do they have a family (i.e. cooking with kids/for kids) show? That would be what I want.