543044 Sun Jul 27 23:16:20 -0700 2008 54 33 Food Media and News 0 3907039 Message Sun Jul 27 23:16:22 -0700 2008 109044 Bunson 1 3907475 Only watched the spicy food and a bit of the refrigerator part. Really painful to watch. Love Ted Allen, but wasn't happy with how they tweaked him up a bit. Show was all about the campiness of Good Eats that I don't like. Mon Jul 28 07:32:19 -0700 2008 3907039 10763 Miss Needle 2 3907536 It was like watching Nickelodean. I expected slime to come from the ceiling at any moment. Couldn't watch it. Mon Jul 28 07:51:19 -0700 2008 3907475 59258 smtucker 3 3907560 Oh my gosh, you're right! I couldn't take watching it for more than a few minutes, it was that annoying. And I like Ted Allen, too. For me it's yet another dumb food trivia show (not as bad as the awful Unwrapped, but similar). It has no relevence for me. I'll occasionally watch Road Tasted or Diners Drive-Ins and Dives because I might, conceivably, see a product I might want or resto I might want to visit. But Food Dectectives? What's the point? If I drop something on the floor, I don't count to five. I toss it out! Mon Jul 28 07:58:46 -0700 2008 3907536 178560 SharaMcG 4 3907875 I felt exactly the same way. I, too, really like Ted Allen, but this show is not right for him. I was too uncomfortable to watch it for more than about 10 minutes...and what kind of budget do they have for it? It looked soooo cheap. Mon Jul 28 09:19:06 -0700 2008 3907560 157030 iluvtennis 3 3932443 Man you hit the nail on the head. Tue Aug 05 14:11:09 -0700 2008 3907536 89493 scubadoo97 2 3907609 I think it was a mix of all the bad bits that I don't like of Unwrapped and Bill Nye the science guy. They treat science as if it were a mysterious and mythological thing. I hated the fact that they made the food techs look like idiots, i.e. mug for the camera. They used the whole tease thing way too often. I was ready to scream:" Tell us the damned answers before wasting any more of my ^(*^(^)&*%$ time!" And then managed to make one of the more pleasant people on television, Ted Allen, sound like a moron, or Marc Summers, whichever you prefer. Mon Jul 28 08:12:14 -0700 2008 3907475 11826 Phaedrus 3 3908039 I am in whole-hearted agreement all around. The mugging, the in-your-face-ness, the pandering, the gaudy, cheap set and photography... And all in the name of "science"? Hardly a truly scientific way of examining the spicy food remedies (see the just-this-week repeated MythBusters episode for the same damn topic, done properly: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_(season_6)#Episode_91_-_Shooting_Fish_in_a_Barrel - oh and they've done the "5-second rule" too). Ted Allen - who I respect and like- was on the verge of being Pee-Wee Hermanized... Painful all around. Mon Jul 28 09:59:00 -0700 2008 3907609 160067 Scortch 4 3908396 As a big MythBusters fan .. yep, you nailed it. Half the show was done previously by MB and done better and more scientifically and (even though the MythBusters team can have fun and ham things up) done without any of the corny gags. Mon Jul 28 11:34:36 -0700 2008 3908039 183904 HarryK 5 3912317 I still haven't seen the Food Detectives (It is on my DVR, haven't had a chance) but if this show is basically Mythbusters but less serious then I don't think I'll like it. I quit watching MB years ago because they started getting more into "the presentation" and less into the nitty gritty. Tue Jul 29 13:59:01 -0700 2008 3908396 111910 jgg13 5 3993762 Just took a peek to see if this show had actually warranted any further episodes beyond the initial 3. There's two more up and coming, "Sleepy Turkey" (sure to be filled with the "Detectives" mugging and yawning...) and "Poppy Seed Drug Test"... yet another bit of territory very, VERY well previously covered by Mythbusters. Talk about a lack of originality! Thu Aug 28 08:19:56 -0700 2008 3908396 160067 Scortch 3 3908392 Hmm. Was it a Marc Summers production, I wonder??? Mon Jul 28 11:32:28 -0700 2008 3907609 183904 HarryK 1 3908510 I actually enjoyed this show... nothing super-groundbreaking or really new about it, but entertaining. Mon Jul 28 12:00:58 -0700 2008 3907039 67657 Kajikit 2 3908713 I've only seen Ted Allen as a judge on Iron Chef America, and he struck me as someone who knew food. Too bad the first episode of this show came out as such complete trash. Where to start? I expected this to be an informative show, like Good Eats usually is. But besides the best way to quench spicy foods test and parts of the other tests, nothing came close to explaining anything. More than anything, this show insulted the viewer's intelligence. The most egregious example was when Ted commented that he was surprised that the food lab's supposedly clean floors were dirtier than a sidewalk that dogs walked over. And instead of the food tech explaining why, the food tech basically says, "well, yeah." Ugh. I'm not a super scientist, but I'm pretty sure it's more plausible for a dry outdoor surface that is exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun will be cleaner than an enclosed indoor laboratory that's exposed to a bunch of nasty stuff. The "find out after these messages" tactics don't help either. Neither does Ted's rather ditzy demeanor that is nothing like his demeanor on Iron Chef. Maybe the show will get better later on, but it doesn't look good now. Mon Jul 28 12:49:07 -0700 2008 3908510 213915 dchan 1 3908666 Ted Allen is outstanding as a judge/commentator/blogger, but this show is just bad. It's a bastardization of Mythbusters and Good Eats, and the subject matter is not very interesting. The questions they covered in the show could be answered in 30 seconds doing a search on Google or Yahoo Answers search. Mon Jul 28 12:37:02 -0700 2008 3907039 109044 Bunson 1 3909103 Just a bad show. Cheap production values, Ted appeared uncomfortable the entire time. Painful to watch and not worthwhile for anyone who has even the slightest clue about how things work. Were any of the answers to any of these things a surprise to anyone? Or am I just a complete nerd? Mon Jul 28 14:22:19 -0700 2008 3907039 10157 farmersdaughter 2 3909177 No, lol. I mean it really reminded me of some videos we watched in jr high science classes. Mon Jul 28 14:44:13 -0700 2008 3909103 157030 iluvtennis 3 3909281 I think that was the intention, to get that ethos of kitschiness like that of badly made high school informational videos. I think they succeeded in that regard, but they failed in holding my attention. Mon Jul 28 15:23:27 -0700 2008 3909177 11826 Phaedrus 2 3909280 Exactly..who doesn't know that milk puts out the fire!? OOH..I just ate a habanero pepper..give me something carbonated..quick! Come on! And the people who were the test subjects?..really bad acting. I doubt they really ate a habanero salsa. Someone hit it on the head with the Nickelodean thing..I was waiting for the losers who picked the wrong beverage to get slimed. Ted is so much better than this show..I wonder how he got suckered into doing it? Mon Jul 28 15:22:45 -0700 2008 3909103 15755 sugarbuzz 3 3909662 "Ted is so much better than this show..I wonder how he got suckered into doing it?" It's amazing what a network can do/say to entice someone. Once that contract is signed, they often have a whole lotta leeway to change things for better or, as I think is the case with this, for worse. Unless he's signed for a time-based contract (foolish for him) I would be very, very surprised if we saw Ted hosting another show for FN after this one bombs. Mon Jul 28 17:59:23 -0700 2008 3909280 160067 Scortch 4 3919513 I think he was feeling the pressure to do something, anything. You can only be introduced as author of The Food You Want To Eat so many times, especially when sitting on panels with people like Tom Colicchio and Eric Ripert. He shoulda held out for something better though. Thu Jul 31 13:57:08 -0700 2008 3909662 95577 yamalam 1 3912080 The most irritating thing is their calling the show scientific. At best, this show is a bunch of facts or psuedo-facts presented by actors. It is about as scientific as Alton Brown. When these folks start using meaningful samples and applying double-blind isolation techniques, they can start talking science. At least Alton will reference meaningful studies - this show just pretended that their actors acting, actually proved something. It may be intended for a juvenile audience, but I wouldn't let my kids watch it - it would teach them the wrong things about what science is and isn't. Tue Jul 29 13:05:55 -0700 2008 3907039 10312 applehome 2 3912096 Plus Alton has Shirley Corriher on some times, a known entity. Who is the schmuck in the lab coat? Tue Jul 29 13:09:59 -0700 2008 3912080 11826 Phaedrus 1 3913182 I hated this show. Did I really need to be told that it takes less than 5 seconds for bacteria or dirt to get on food?? Its too bad, Ted Allan on Iron Chef seemed to be knowledeable about food..... I wonder why he stooped to this? I definitely wont watch again. Tue Jul 29 18:34:05 -0700 2008 3907039 150115 Mellicita 1 3913543 I'm guessing this show exists for a singular reason: They hope to get cross-over viewers who normally don't watch FN or cooking shows. It's intended to be a "base broadener" IMHO. Tue Jul 29 20:31:47 -0700 2008 3907039 183904 HarryK 1 3913705 Aww, it wasn't THAT bad. Ted Allen is endearing and it was a "fun" show. Not really informative in that it's stuff you didn't already know, but it wasn't godawful. I can't believe I'm saying it but there it is... Tue Jul 29 21:45:11 -0700 2008 3907039 167671 mumblety 1 3914965 I think it WAS that bad. As someone who always liked Ted Allen, I'm disappointed. Wed Jul 30 09:21:52 -0700 2008 3907039 126235 NYCkaren 1 3915073 Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but the (to me) most flagrantly unscientific part of the show was when they measured the stink in the fridge by timing how long the dude could stick his head in there. I just don't even know where to start with that one. Wed Jul 30 09:42:23 -0700 2008 3907039 16451 mhoffman 2 3915290 Yeah, again, the "science" portion of this show has much like the "cooking" portion of Semi-Homemade... Wed Jul 30 10:36:59 -0700 2008 3915073 160067 Scortch 3 3915431 We all know that Tablescaping should be the focus of a show on the FOOD Network. Wed Jul 30 11:10:19 -0700 2008 3915290 11826 Phaedrus 4 3915456 If only there were an FN show that would delve superficially into the science of tablescapes... Wed Jul 30 11:16:30 -0700 2008 3915431 16451 mhoffman 5 3915608 Don't you get it? They're camping him up, hoping to gay him down a little. I seriously think that's their goal. While Bravo becomes OutTv's cousin, FN is obviously becoming conservative city. I'm not quite sure how I feel about that yet. But it was terribly obvious to me...while I didn't think the show was that bad...it wasn't his personality..and that's honestly what I thought...they told him to not be himself. Flame me if you want..who else do they have other than Alton and the booze guy in the closet? Aren't they together?? Wed Jul 30 11:55:31 -0700 2008 3915456 159354 sommrluv 6 3919511 What? Way over my head. Who is the booze guy in the closet? Thu Jul 31 13:56:49 -0700 2008 3915608 50431 chef chicklet 7 3920164 I honestly couldn't remember Kevins Name when I was typing.. He does that show, where he drinks...the thirsty something. I wasn't trying to be vague, lol. I just have no memory. Thu Jul 31 17:25:48 -0700 2008 3919511 159354 sommrluv 8 3920267 Kevin Brosch, or something like that. I think Alton is married. Of course that doesn't mean much. Thu Jul 31 18:05:13 -0700 2008 3920164 11826 Phaedrus 8 3920600 oh yea, now I recall that news.. he he, well he is just so..Forgetable, as Gail would say! Thu Jul 31 20:18:08 -0700 2008 3920164 50431 chef chicklet 6 3920569 They could always put him on at 0730 in the morning... outta sight Thu Jul 31 20:04:10 -0700 2008 3915608 54744 rozz01 3 3915690 LMAO! That's I needed that! Wed Jul 30 12:21:56 -0700 2008 3915290 183904 HarryK 2 3994829 You must have missed the part where they calibrated the test subject's nose to an the international smell standard. It was completely legit. Thu Aug 28 13:58:32 -0700 2008 3915073 219739 MaxCaviar 3 3995176 Yeah. I guess I did. Thu Aug 28 16:18:19 -0700 2008 3994829 16451 mhoffman 1 3915630 I was hoping to like the show and gave it a chance, WOW, was it awful. Agree with the points made here, seemed to be made for children. Still a huge fan of Alton Brown and his shows, but I hope his paths dont start to go this way. Did any of us think the science would prove that indeed: Food was clean after 4 seconds on the floor, but not after 6 seconds. Wed Jul 30 12:01:14 -0700 2008 3907039 101707 yankeefan 1 3919135 Honestly, the worst Food Network show I've ever seen. I just watched the finale of Next Food Network Star, and he did nowhere near as well as the finalists. Clearly awkward, from asking the questions to trying to look interested during the explanation. Is this guy even qualified to have a show about science? Do his degrees in journalism and psychology make him an expert on microbiology or even simple chemistry? During the only, well, almost scientific part, they told him the candy (with the hard outer shell) didn't absorb as much bacteria as the wet shrimp or the highly porous french fry, and Ted was surprised! "So bacteria don't like candy like we do, huh?" WOW! And FN gave him a show! As a scientist/engineer/teacher, this was a mockery of the scientific method. To begin with, they start by saying, "We're gonna use REAL SCIENCE". Uhh, did you decide it was better than fake science? None of their methods were conclusive. Wow, someone stuck their head in the fridge; let's see how long it takes for him to realize it smells bad. No measurements of ppm of one given compound? No initial and final concentrations? No checking the same substances in different temperatures (say, fridge versus freezer)? They did nothings truly scientific; there was no evidence that was objective, non-refutable, and/or numerical. And the only time they bring in some sort of measurements, there are no conclusions. Their unitless graph of bacteria levels showed us that every time they ran the "experiment", the shrimp and fry had more junk on it. But they never showed us a comparison of surfaces. Good idea to have multiple tests and a control, but in the end we never saw a comparison of each individual substance's control versus tests. Argh! Their presentation was so insulting to the average Food Network viewer. "The food releases 'organic compounds'". Okay, that doesn't narrow down what is being released. He talks about negative calories, but for as low level this show is, they don't even explain what calories are (isn't this a science show), or why there are so few in celery. For such a great concept, FN should have got a real scientist chef. Otherwise, why bother making such a show. On The Next Food Network Star, they said the audience has to believe you're an authority in food. Ted Allen just got bumped down to guy who knows what good food tastes like, but doesn't really know anything beyond that. Please cancel this show ASAP, and leave the whole idea to it's old show name, "Good Eats" with Alton Brown. Thu Jul 31 12:16:03 -0700 2008 3907039 214887 chem cook 2 3919535 From all that I've seen about Allen, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt on this one. I think that, as bad is the show is (and it-is-BAD!) I sincerely believe that Ted Allen is the guy who signed onto what sounded like a truly interesting idea for a science-based food show, ala "What Einstein Told His Cook". Once he was contractually obligated to do the damn thing, the marvelous heads at FN sized it up, popped it into their reformatting mouth, chewed it up, swallowed and sometime thereafter produced the turd we know and don't seem to love at all. As for Allen not being a scientist, so what? As long as he presents the material well, accurately and entertainingly, I'm happy. Of course, this isn't the case, so I'm not. Would I prefer an real food scientist? Sure. I'd love to see some new faces, especially from the science field, but if an old one can do the job honestly, I'll deal. If you look at the FN schedule, there are only two other eps listed, "Double Dipping" and "Brain Freeze", before they hit repeats of our friend "5-Second Rule". I bet this goes the way of the dodo real fast and Ted Allen and his agent get a bit more detailed on their future contract signings... Thu Jul 31 14:03:17 -0700 2008 3919135 160067 Scortch 2 3919752 You say and describe what I was thinking when this show was on. It was insulting and so childish. Maybe it was meant for a younger audience, like 6 and 7 year olds that have an interest in food and Science. I agree that a real Chef/Scientist would be so much better to watch. Heck they can pull half their material just reading chowhound. Such as: "Why are my potatoes still uncooked?" "I have mold on my jam, will I die if I eat it?" (ok sort of like that anyway..." Thu Jul 31 15:08:07 -0700 2008 3919135 50431 chef chicklet 1 3919503 Well there was nothing new to be discovered. I was so embarassed for Ted Allen. I like him on IC, but this show... well, let's just say that I found my eyes doing that Lisa Garza squinting thing, only not out of happiness... Thu Jul 31 13:54:55 -0700 2008 3907039 50431 chef chicklet 2 3924313 chef, those eyes of yours are squinting from the sheer agony and utter pain of watching the show! and i believe that after watching the show, miss squinty mcbangs (phaedrus' moniker for lisa on tnfns) would be reading braille..... Sat Aug 02 09:13:03 -0700 2008 3919503 105717 alkapal 3 3924783 LOL. I would love to take credit for that moniker, but I fear I am not as original as alkapal has me pegged. Sat Aug 02 13:06:56 -0700 2008 3924313 11826 Phaedrus 1 3931038 review in today's NY Times... http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/arts/television/05food.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=login my favorite part [the final 2 sentences]: "Those who complain that the Food Network’s best days are in the not-too-recent past — you know who you are, and you’re blogging right this second — will only feel more disillusioned after watching “Food Detectives.” If they’re acolytes of David Rosengarten and his former show “Taste,” they may be positively depressed." Tue Aug 05 06:55:14 -0700 2008 3907039 103920 goodhealthgourmet 2 3931098 I was pretty young at the time, but I remember watching "Taste." His show on eggs, and especially this parpadelle with runny egg, shaved truffles, and parmigiano (and nothing else but salt, pepper, and olive oil) really captured my imagination. Tue Aug 05 07:21:11 -0700 2008 3931038 16451 mhoffman 2 3932038 Perhaps that is the best contrast - Rosengarten v. Allen. On the one hand, you have an unmistakable passion, a real desire to share great foods and great discoveries. On the other hand, you have... tap dancing. It's a real nutshell presentation of what FN used to be and what it has become since Scripps took over. Tue Aug 05 12:12:50 -0700 2008 3931038 10312 applehome 3 3933209 i miss rosengarten's show! that was one of the first things to really turn me on to cooking & gourmet food. Tue Aug 05 18:42:41 -0700 2008 3932038 103920 goodhealthgourmet 4 3994858 me tooooooo. he really got you INTO what he was doing. i really wish they would show re-runs of Taste, it was one of the best shows yet, and it was so simple without goofy graphics and junior high school rhetoric. and there was never a need to blame a cheap set, his was as cheap as they came, but he still made it work perfectly. Thu Aug 28 14:06:17 -0700 2008 3933209 219739 MaxCaviar 1 3933905 I must say I feel bad for Ted Allen. He is at his best in a more unscripted environment. His delivery in this show was very stilted. He's likable--they should have him do a Queer Eye lite sort of thing with general guidance of what to do and say, but no scripting. Let Ted be Ted! Wed Aug 06 04:41:49 -0700 2008 3907039 109573 coney with everything 2 3934340 I agree. Perhaps, FN was a bit reticent to attempt to capitalize on that style of show with him, but the idea of going into someone's home and weeding out the useless gadgets, bad ingredients and streamlining a kitchen and a pantry selection to fit a lifestyle would be a really interesting show to watch. They could touch a bit on basic techniques (ala Queer Eye's "shaving with the grain"), kitchen must-have's, and bang for the buck food choices. Yeah, I'd watch Ted Allen in THAT! Wed Aug 06 07:51:49 -0700 2008 3933905 160067 Scortch 1 3936279 I like Ted Allen but didn't care for this show. Oh well, as long as there are American Idol fans, there will be a Food Network.... Wed Aug 06 17:18:20 -0700 2008 3907039 22801 bkhuna