[TonyTheTiger]

I'm surprised there's no thread for this yet, although it was one of the tamer, less explosive episodes so far!

The restaurant was pleasant and, as Gordon pointed out, suffered from just three main problems, not being seen, a hard head for an owner a chef that had lost the passion for food.

IMO, the makeover wasn't really needed - except as a boost to the staff's morale. The big change was in the food. The chef seemed to have Gordon's respect - and to respect him - and was capable. He just needed the spark that Ramsay was able to inject.

Overall, an entertaining, but not overly explosive or over-the-top episode. Loved the projected sign at the end!

 

[Magister]

I thought the 'make-over' was just so that the show could say they did a make over in the dining room. It didn't really need it.

The kitchen was clean and the outside was impressive. The food and signage did need to change.

Agreed that the projected sign looked great.

I think Gordan could have handled the owner better, but over all looks like this is one restaurant that has a real chance to make it.

 

[jtown0620]

I like this show but just can't get into it the way I do with the British version. I hate the narrator I wish they would just let Gordon do that and the way they completely redecorate every restaurant makes me think they should just call this show Extreme Makeover: Restaurant Edition. If you have BBCA and enjoy this show you should really check out the other version! I think its on Wed @ 8 but I TiVo it so... Also its called "Ramseys Kitchen Nightmares" if you just want to search and set up a pass.

 

[LoadStar]

Yet again, they trotted out the SAME formula as they've used for virtually every week! Opening night falls apart, Ramsay pulls someone aside to give them a pep talk, and suddenly everything is perfect... then the epilogue which makes it sound like Ramsay has moved in with the town for like a month and becomes everyone's best friend, before leaving town like he's Mary friggin' Poppins.

I don't believe one bit of any of this. How can the show producers use the same formula, week after week, and expect people to believe that the EXACT same thing happens in every restaurant in every city?

The sign on the fence was crap. It looked horrible. Letters weren't lined up properly, and the "STEAKHOUSE" was tacked on to the side like an afterthought. I frankly wouldn't even be surprised if the letters just start popping off the sign within a week. The projected sign onto the building was nice though.

 

[zordude]

How are you supposed to sit at big cushy sofas and eat from a restaurant dining table?

I wouldn't want that table.

Z

 

[kdelande]

Yet again, they trotted out the SAME formula as they've used for virtually every week! Opening night falls apart, Ramsay pulls someone aside to give them a pep talk, and suddenly everything is perfect... then the epilogue which makes it sound like Ramsay has moved in with the town for like a month and becomes everyone's best friend, before leaving town like he's Mary friggin' Poppins.

I don't believe one bit of any of this. How can the show producers use the same formula, week after week, and expect people to believe that the EXACT same thing happens in every restaurant in every city?

The sign on the fence was crap. It looked horrible. Letters weren't lined up properly, and the "STEAKHOUSE" was tacked on to the side like an afterthought. I frankly wouldn't even be surprised if the letters just start popping off the sign within a week. The projected sign onto the building was nice though.

This absolutely mirrors my thoughts as well, right down to Sherry Bobbins

They don't even seem to ever leave NY either but next week does show SOMEWHAT of a change of pace in locale and food.

KD

 

[Magister]

The sign on the fence was crap. It looked horrible. Letters weren't lined up properly, and the "STEAKHOUSE" was tacked on to the side like an afterthought. I frankly wouldn't even be surprised if the letters just start popping off the sign within a week. The projected sign onto the building was nice though.

I think the idea of the tacked on Steakhouse part allows the owner leaway to pull it off if they don't like the Steakhouse idea. So you arne't changing the name of the place.

 

[RoundBoy]

AHHHHHHH...

I could see them taking the 'steakhouse' off at a later point... but that seems to be the winner in that town. Why did they make over the interior? It looked just fine... at least not bad enough to redo everything.

I agree, I am sick of the formula.. Oh? you only need to be yelled at for a couple hours before you become uber:manager ? Ok then... get on it! If the show was ramsey sitting down with the owner / chef and working out a strategy, and then figuring out how to do it.. that would be better. The mary poppins analogy is spot on..

So.. he walked down the street, and asked the butcher where the steakhouse is.. finding none, we asked if he could sell meat to one? The chef just needed to be presented with meat to have wonderful dishes ?

Bah. Season pass deleted. And, i'm not really hard up to watch Hell's Kitchen anymore. Fake reality shows just do not hold me. and I mean OBVIOUSLY fake.

 

[terpfan1980]

If there is something else better to watch this show would get dropped, but it's not bad to slap on just to kill time.

Last nite's show featured a place that wasn't an obvious disaster, though you'd think that the owner/manager/chef would have been figure out that the town didn't have a distinctive seafood or steak or whatever restaurant.

Seeing the managers of the restaurants they have featured up to this point, and the owners as well, I'm not surprised at any of them needing help to get things straight. All have been incompetent weenies.

 

[montag]

I like this show but just can't get into it the way I do with the British version. I hate the narrator I wish they would just let Gordon do that and the way they completely redecorate every restaurant makes me think they should just call this show Extreme Makeover: Restaurant Edition. If you have BBCA and enjoy this show you should really check out the other version! I think its on Wed @ 8 but I TiVo it so... Also its called "Ramseys Kitchen Nightmares" if you just want to search and set up a pass.

I'm going to totally agree with you. I'm new to both Ramsey shows but the British version is far superior. The US version is Hell's Kitchen Lite: Traveling Edition.

FWIW, BBCA is advertising Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares marathon this Sunday.

 

[montag]

I don't believe one bit of any of this. How can the show producers use the same formula, week after week, and expect people to believe that the EXACT same thing happens in every restaurant in every city?

Look at the success of Hell's Kitchen. One of the fakest shows I've ever seen.

 

[montag]

Also the editing in this show is horrendous. They screw up all the time showing scenes that are supposed to have taken place days after the first scene, yet the people are wearing the same clothes they were in the first scene. The kicker was at the end of this episode, when Gordon was checking back in on the restaurant. He was sitting in the dining room and it had the old green tablecloths.

 

[Ntombi]

Well, I'm done comparing this to the obviously superior Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares on BBCAmerica. There haven't been new episodes of that show for a while, and I've seen them all at least three or four times, so...

Interestingly, I thought this was one of the worst restaurants, because the owner was so stubborn and delusional. Um...you think you're the best restauranteur ever, yet you're losing money every week? You hate the steakhouse idea, because... why? It wasn't your idea? Wow.

Of course I REALLY want to see Gordon come back after a few weeks for a real update. Hmm, wonder where I got that idea?

 

[jrinck]

I agree, it's the same theme over and over again, it's enough that even a dork like me can write the script outline...


ACT I: Show owners crying that their restaurant is losing money.

ACT II: Gordon shows up and tells everyone that it's nice to see them.

ACT III: Gordon orders food. Gordon hates it AND the service.

ACT IV: Chef and owner(s) get insulted.

ACT V: Gordon thinks it's important to see a dinner service in action.

ACT VI: Gordon mentions how the food AND service are horrible.

ACT VII: (optional) Gordon inspects kitchen and complains that he found some moldy substances that were used in his meal yesterday.

ACT VIII: Gordon insults the owners while he tells them their restaurant is doomed.

ACT IX: Gordon revamps menu and interior.

ACT X: (optional) Gordon has owner fire chef, and Gordon brings in a new one that he scoured from the local community.

ACT XI: First dinner service with new menu. Show staff, chef, and owners in chaos as the first customers arrive and the kitchen immediately gets backed up.

ACT XII: Show Gordon changing his shirt.

ACT XIII: Gordon goes outside and shares his thoughts to some invisible person off camera.

ACT XIV: Dinner service ends.

ACT XV: Next day, Gordon declares all the problems solved, and gives everyone hugs.

ACT XVI: Gordon organizes a BBQ or fun run sponsored by the restaurant.

ACT XVII: Narrator mentions how, despite Gordon's improvements, the restaurant continues to struggle or was sold.

ACT XVIII: Credits and preview for an even BIGGER nightmare next week.

 

[Tivortex]

I miss the original format too, but think about it for a second. That low key approach wouldn't last 3 episodes on American TV. Esp. on FOX.

So, I'm not in love with it, but if it gets renewed it's possible they will tone it down a bit next season. Well, we can hope.

 

[gossamer88]

This place is probably 10 miles from where I live. Since I'm a meat and potatoes man, my wife and I gonna try to go this weekeknd. Hopefully we can get a table. I'm assuming after the airing of these shows the restaurants get pretty busy afterwards.

 

[marksman]

I don't have the gripes most of you have. I like the show, and I like the BBC version.

What cracks me up, though, is the editing. This week when Gordon goes to check out the town, he is walking down the street and for some crazy reason they felt the need to reverse the image. So gordon is walking down the otherside of the street. The problem is the No Parking Sign is backwards. Why would they do this?

 

[ElJay]

I'm amazed at how difficult the owner was being in the beginning. Worried about failure? It was already a failure and Ramsay was there to help turn it around. The way the owner was acting about the changes I'd think he had a super successful restaurant and Ramsay proposed converting it into an Arby's franchise.

Who invited Ramsay to the place anyway? I'm tired of seeing him enter restaurants that don't seem to want him there. Granted he would run into some of this on his UK show with annoyed chefs or stubborn owners, but never quite to the confrontation level that we have seen on this Fox version.

 

[Jesda]

Who the hell cares if the British version is better? (It is) This is FOX. I want violence.

 

[mattack]

Last nite's show featured a place that wasn't an obvious disaster, though you'd think that the owner/manager/chef would have been figure out that the town didn't have a distinctive seafood or steak or whatever restaurant.

Of course it's a disaster.. they can't pay pills, the guy is about to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars..