Monday, July 07, 2008
Summer TV
The Next Food Network Star
Why I Love It: Pure culinary entertainment, minus all the pretentiousness. If I want a five-star meal, I’ll visit one of the Top Chef’s restaurants. Food Network is all about the home chef, not the home chef who spent four years at the CIA.
Who I Love: If I had to pick a final four from the first episode, I think it’d be exactly who’s left in the competition now. I’d have liked Jeffrey to go further, but I guess he was more reserved and less fierce than I expected him to be, which showed on camera. So, who’s left:
Adam: Totally entertaining and funny, and not at all in an annoying way. His segment on Rachael Ray’s show (could she be more annoying or domineering?) was great. I’m still waiting for him to make something great that isn’t barbecue. Still, I think he’s a contender for the win. I’d like to see the producers give him a live-audience show to really feature his talents.
Aaron: Completely endearing. He grows on me, and obviously on the judges, with every episode. His segment with the Brownie girl was adorable. His food doesn’t really jump out at me, although he seems to do well in the tastings each week. I can’t see him winning, but I’m glad he’s still in it.
Kelsey: At first I thought she’d grate on me, but I like her, I really like her! Her food is simple and would definitely appeal to a home cook looking for quick, easy and inexpensive meals that the whole family would enjoy. She listens to and takes criticism well, and her energy on camera is in the sweet spot right now. Not pegging her as the winner, but she’s great fun to watch.
Lisa: Somehow along the way, Tony decided Elsa was a more appropriate name for her, and it’s stuck. We LOVE her. I wasn’t rooting for her one-hundred percent until the day she wiped out on the boat, and forged ahead covered with sauce. She’s got the culinary chops (more so than any of the other contestants), and the drive to win, which puts her at the top of my prediction list. I loved when she told her Brownie that horseradish cream was similar to a remoulade. Elsa for the win!
Design Star
Every season of Design Star so far has given me one for-certain and one or two ok-maybe designers to root for. Not so this season. This season, it’s Matt, and that’s it. I could see him becoming the male-r, edgier, American-er Candace Olsen on HGTV, which is a very good thing. How is Traceeeeeeee still in it? I really, really, REALLY don’t get into the whole Shabby Chic look, but even I could have figured out that old doors could be repurposed as headboards. Also, that damask wall treatment? 1995 is over. I like Jennifer bunches, and her artistic contributions are nice, but I see her more as a sidekick (like David Bromstad’s Danielle) than a host of her own show. Mikey V, as well, would be an entertaining carpenter but I can’t see him carrying his own show. I just don’t get Trish. I don’t dislike her, but I couldn’t see myself watching her show. I thought Stephanie had the most potential to give Matt a run for his money, but she’s gone, so boo. I’m still waiting for that David-Bromstad-pet-store-moment, though. Sometime soon, please.
So You Think You Can Dance?
Mia Michaels’ choreography. Incredible. That is all.
The Mole
This is my first season watching, and I LOVE IT. It’s sort of the low-rent Amazing Race, but that’s perfect for summer. I called it from the beginning, and I’m standing by my prediction that Mark is The Mole. We’ll see at the end if I’m right or wrong. If you watch this show, do you feel like all of the contestants are actors? There doesn’t seem to be much authenticity to their behavior, which leaves me wondering. I’m not saying the whole show is staged, but it seems like there’s something funny (and not in the ha ha way) going on with casting. Thoughts?
I Love Money
Was there ever a show more suited for my tastes? I think not. Finally a reality show that calls it like it is: I want money, and lots of it. Humiliate myself? Sure! Fight and/or flirt with other contestants? No problem? Have frequent meltdowns? You bet! I’ve only watched the background episode so far, but if the previews are any indication, this show will not disappoint. I’ll keep you posted.
I’ve gone back and forth on Lisa. I loathed her in the first episode because she was so obnoxious, but then she started to become more human and I started to like her a little. When she slipped and fell on the boat, I felt bad for her and was pleased to see that she did well with the presentation afterward, then she went on and talked about her (brand) shoes and $300 blouse and I was thinking of hating her again. This week when she just ran right over everything the brownie said she liked and “convinced” her that they should make exactly what she would have made anyway, I couldn’t believe it and she was right back to being everything I hate.
I really like Aaron. They almost always like whatever he makes and while they complain about the way he is on camera, he is so personable when on-camera for the show, but not “performing”. He really did great this week though.
The big problem with Adam is that the only times they have liked his food is when he made a sandwich for the Brownie, and when he made home fries or some other potato dish. It seems like he could do ok making bar food, but that isn’t enough to build an entire show around, especially when you already have Guy Fieri on your network.
Yeah, if Adam does win, they’re going to really have to work with him from a culinary standpoint. Other than owning a barbecue joint, I’m still not totally clear on what he could bring to FN that they don’t already have.
Then again, Lisa’s culinary point of view is basically Ina Garten meets Martha Stewart. Although I doubt Lisa’s show would feature Ina’s two main elements: The Hamptons and gay men, so there’s probably room for Lisa in that niche.
I love I Love Money. Speaking of the VH1s, though, um, where’s my WSOPC?
*raises hand* Ooh! Ooh! I know the answer to that one!
There’s not going to be another WSoPC unless they work out a deal with a different network.