551829 Mon Aug 25 05:28:11 -0700 2008 93 33 Food Media and News 0 3984166 What's the next step up in his rehabilitation? Working the line at a hotel brunch? Mon Aug 25 05:28:16 -0700 2008 25244 rockycat 1 3984229 Rocco does not need to be rehabilitated. He stopped being a chef years ago with the apparent goal of becoming a celebrity and it appears he has succeeded. By being on Dancing with the Stars his name will be known by more people than ever. Mon Aug 25 05:59:37 -0700 2008 3984166 10195 KTinNYC 2 3984235 So is this the goal? Kind of like the culinary equivalent of the Gabor sisters? Going from the IT guy in the culinary world to "Why the hell is this guy famous?" Mon Aug 25 06:04:11 -0700 2008 3984229 11826 Phaedrus 3 3984259 I can only guess but I think Rocco realized that he could make more money with a lot less work by becoming a "personality" rather than being a chef. The hours are a lot better. I would not be surprised at all if Rocco has Rachel Ray as a model of what he wants to become. Mon Aug 25 06:11:45 -0700 2008 3984235 10195 KTinNYC 4 3984328 KT, I think that you are right on about this. Chefs have become a hot item of late, but I think that few people realize how few of them make a decent living. Most chefs, even the ones that are trained and work for well known places in NYC, do not make much money. And they work very long and hard hours. Considering how many nowadays go to culinary school, and get themselves in debt, well, that just adds to it. And, if you can land that TV gig, it can be a sweet deal. Bobby Flay was once asked by Dorothy Hamilton how he was able to make all of the different TV shows he does AND run the restaurants. He said that he was able to make ALL of the episodes for ALL of the shows in only a few weeks. If we can assume that he makes as much money from those shows (that is, also, the "free" publicity that it brings to him, and by extension, his restaurants and books) as he does from his restaurants, then, the ROI is pretty amazing. Mon Aug 25 06:46:11 -0700 2008 3984259 98964 DougRisk 5 3984470 The difference is that Flay still owns restaurants and Rocco does not. I have no problems with chefs trying to make a living. Even with guys like Emeril, I think he is still as passionate about his chosen profession. I don't get the same vibe from Rocco, I think if he could turn his back on his culinary past completely he would, in a heartbeat. Which brings us back to the question: what does Rocco bring to the party without his culinary genius? Mon Aug 25 07:40:52 -0700 2008 3984328 11826 Phaedrus 6 3984650 An awful lot of "celebrities" these days do not bring anything at all to the party. This should not come as a surprise to anyone. I am not a fan of Rocco's but who can fault a guy for giving up the culinary genius (which failed him), and riding the fame-and-money train along with the Kim Kardashian's of the world? He has made a choice. He probably will never be taken seriously in the culinary world again, but I am sure he knows that. And does not care. Like gloriousgood said below - everyone is entitled to a career change. Mon Aug 25 08:37:49 -0700 2008 3984470 15357 Justpaula 7 3984664 So what you are saying is that Rocco is about nothing. Kind of like the Seinfeld show. Mon Aug 25 08:43:34 -0700 2008 3984650 11826 Phaedrus 7 3984695 His genius did not fail him. He turned his back on it that is what disappoints many people most. He could be taken seriously if he chose that path. I would bet he could find many financial backers if he chose to cook seriously once again but I doubt that will ever happen. Mon Aug 25 08:53:46 -0700 2008 3984650 10195 KTinNYC 7 3985135 As KT said - he turned his back on the culinary world, and that lost ongoing potential is what bothers people who love great food the most. The ONLY reason I can see he might be doing DWTS is to promote that TV show he was supposedly working on back when he was judging on Top Chef....did that ever come to fruition? But if all he's doing is doing the Kardashian "reality star road trip" on whatever reality show he can be on, he becomes even more of a laughingstock in the culinary world...and should he ever wish to get back into the kitchen, it might bite him in the ass. As you said - he probably doesn't care. But I cannot think of a greater crash of ongoing potential than what he's (not) done in the last few years. Mon Aug 25 10:45:38 -0700 2008 3984650 10532 LindaWhit 8 3992087 i'm one of those people who desperately wishes he was back in the kitchen. his work at Union Pacific was *brilliant.* Wed Aug 27 14:11:26 -0700 2008 3985135 103920 goodhealthgourmet 8 3999651 That is funny, LindaWhit, that you compared Rocoo to the Kardashians because I was thinking the exact same thing. Watching "The Soup" the other night, Joel McHale was saying how they couldn't admit (joke) Kim Kardasian to the hospital when she stepped on glass because she left the occupation line of her admittance form empty. ... And that made me think of Rocco here. How many people are famous for no reason and with "job" other than being famous? Paris Hilton. The chick who's doing diet food commercials because she was on Survivor five years ago or something. And they all get reality shows. Rocco is the first from the culinary world but otherwise just another character in a long line of "ain't got no job 'cept being famous is my job" people who for some reason people watch and (even here) talk about. Sun Aug 31 06:19:41 -0700 2008 3985135 183904 HarryK 3 3984362 Everyone is entitled to a career change...why not Rocco? As KTin pointed out, he stopped being a chef many moons ago, so this really should not be a shocker to anyone. Me, I'm just wating for the Mario Batali movie to hit the big screen. Mon Aug 25 06:57:42 -0700 2008 3984235 12045 gloriousfood 4 3984929 <<Me, I'm just wating for the Mario Batali movie to hit the big screen.>> In Spain with a famous young movie star for PBS..perhaps the big screen IS next! Mon Aug 25 09:56:23 -0700 2008 3984362 36312 HillJ 4 3985595 Or Mario on Dancing with the Stars...in clogs! Mon Aug 25 12:41:54 -0700 2008 3984362 17220 Claudette 5 3985710 Claudette, That was the first thing I thought of when I read it. I thought I was being an idiot. So, thanks for saying it first and Welcome to my nightmare. Mon Aug 25 13:13:18 -0700 2008 3985595 11826 Phaedrus 5 3987852 You know, if they will take Warren Sapp (really big football player) on Dancing with the Stars, then I'm sure they won't say no to Mario. They are about the same body shape. Tue Aug 26 09:01:38 -0700 2008 3985595 89969 moh 3 3984677 "Kind of like the culinary equivalent of the Gabor sisters?" That's funny Phaedrus! Will there be a spot for his Mom to take over when his feet hurt? ; ) Mon Aug 25 08:47:08 -0700 2008 3984235 97452 Beach Chick 1 3985301 So maybe he really can dance. What happens if he wins......... Mon Aug 25 11:23:05 -0700 2008 3984166 10506 DiningDiva 1 3985311 Now I'm tempted to start a thread.... which cheflebrity would you be most horrified to see Dancing on the Stars....... Mon Aug 25 11:25:48 -0700 2008 3984166 165021 Firegoat 2 3985402 Definitely Mario. Mon Aug 25 11:57:24 -0700 2008 3985311 116638 southernitalian 3 3985706 O, I don't know, I don't think I'd be to thrilled to watch Paula Deen groping her dance partner. Mon Aug 25 13:12:36 -0700 2008 3985402 10506 DiningDiva 4 3986026 The one and only, Galloping Gourmet!!!!! James Beard might make a great DWTS's contestant, no? I'd do any dance Jamie Oliver asked of me..... Mario? Well, for one thing, he is too sweaty to dance with, and I don't think he'd be able to get away with the (cute) funny faces he makes- next time you see him, watch when he turns food over in a saute pan!! Mon Aug 25 14:36:00 -0700 2008 3985706 12388 JalamaMama 5 3987267 Mario would be interesting for the humor value. But I'd have to say my nightmare.... but what i would tune in to watch... would be Rachael Ray. I wonder if she can dance and keep her hands still...... Tue Aug 26 04:46:24 -0700 2008 3986026 165021 Firegoat 4 3992132 LOL! thanks for the laugh, DD...although it does inspire a pretty disturbing visual :) Wed Aug 27 14:27:10 -0700 2008 3985706 103920 goodhealthgourmet 5 3992456 Yeah, lets blind the entire Food TV audience. Wed Aug 27 16:38:48 -0700 2008 3992132 11826 Phaedrus 6 3992593 Paula Deen dirty dancing with her sons.. gack! seriously, though, i must confess that in addition to having been blown away by his culinary talents, i've always thought Rocco was pretty easy on the eyes. i've never seen DWTS, but i might actually tune in to watch him... Wed Aug 27 17:48:19 -0700 2008 3992456 103920 goodhealthgourmet 7 3992782 You've never seen Dancing with the Stars?!?!?? Oh, you must tune in. It is delicious fun and the dancing gets better week by week. It is a bonafide hoot, in part, because it doesn't take itself too seriously. Most of the stars are really awful the first few weeks, but there are always some that are surprisingly good...like Emmit Smith or (oh my god was he sexy last season) Jason Taylor. You've got to have true self confidence or an utterly secure ego in order to go on national TV in front of millions of people and risk making a complete fool and a** out of yourself. Trust me, if Rocco gets too full of himself Bruno or Len (2 of the 3 judges) will have few well placed comments for him. Rocco's partner is Karina Smirnoff who is very strong willed and she rarely gets stuck with a real dud for a partner in these things. They maybe vying for top diva billing in this duo. Wed Aug 27 19:12:47 -0700 2008 3992593 10506 DiningDiva 8 3992837 Jason Taylor was the one reason i considered watching last season :) but i think it must have aired at the same time as something else i was into. anyway, i'm on a dance kick now since i got hooked on "So You Think You Can Dance" a couple of months ago...those kids were amazing. i hope Rocco has some rhythm. few things make me more uncomfortable than watching someone who can't hold a beat try to dance - i get so embarrassed for them. plus, he's already taken enough heat for the disaster that was "The Restaurant." Wed Aug 27 19:35:23 -0700 2008 3992782 103920 goodhealthgourmet 1 3986839 I don't understand all the negative posts about Rocco DiSpirito. I am not a fan, but one shouldn't be forever stuck doing the same thing just because one does it well. I for one is happy that DWTS is branching out besides the actor/ess, comedian, singers, athletes, etc. So now celebrity chefs are mainstream enough. Mon Aug 25 20:11:20 -0700 2008 3984166 46671 notmartha 2 3986863 >>I don't understand all the negative posts about Rocco DiSpirito. I am not a fan, but one shouldn't be forever stuck doing the same thing just because one does it well.<< You are making two assumptions that are wrong. 1) That being a chef is a dead end job, that there is no room to grow. There are plenty of counter examples of that. 2) That Rocco had reached THE pinnacle of his craft. He may have reached what he feels like is HIS pinnacle, but he wasn't close to reach THE pinnacle. I think everyone who are blasting him, myself included, is that he is a story of an unfulfilled early promise. Mon Aug 25 20:21:57 -0700 2008 3986839 11826 Phaedrus 3 3986887 No, what I am saying is that just because he's good at cooking doesn't mean he should keep on honing his craft and be the best chef possible, not if he is not really interested in it. I think there's a thing called free will, and he's entitled to pursue what his interests are, regardless of whether he's good or bad at the new venture. Just reminds me of all the hoopla, disappointment and confusion when Michael Jordan decided to quit basketball and pursue his dream of playing baseball. It takes courage to pursue something you don't do well, and give up something you are very good at. I just don't understand all the ridicule. It's not as if there are not many, many more promising chefs out there. Also, growing in the restaurant business inevitable seems to lead to opening more and more restaurants, and at that point I doubt the chef really cooks anyway. It's really a management position at that point. Not everyone wants to be a manager with all the dealings with HR, logistics, etc. Mon Aug 25 20:32:12 -0700 2008 3986863 46671 notmartha 4 3987295 So his dream was to be a reality show faux celeb? What kind of courage or skills does it take to be Paris Hilton? Opening more and more restaurants does NOT mean inevitably opening more restaurants. Keller did finally start opening satellite restaurants when he could have done it many years ago. It is the trend, it is the money making path, but as you yourself said, there is such a thing as free will and he could have resisted the temptation. And Rocco wasn't even a success in the restaurant biz. His first foray was well documented on "The Restaurant" and it was a trainwreck. So he hadn't even succeeded in that if his heart was init. Most of the people in the chef business are obsessive to a fault. They are all a little obsessive. Perhaps it is a tribute to Rocco's mental health that he isn't so obsessed. But it is sad to see someone so gifted to walk away from something that he is brilliant at but isn't passionate about anymore. Tue Aug 26 05:18:21 -0700 2008 3986887 11826 Phaedrus 5 3987358 Well, Rocco *was* initially successful as a chef (Union Pacific), but not in owning his own restaurant and then branching out. And I think that is what most people are disappointed in - he's walked away from what could have been a great career in the culinary world, only to become a reality show guest judge. Tue Aug 26 05:52:27 -0700 2008 3987295 10532 LindaWhit 6 3987592 I think Rocco was taken by his quick celebrity status and thought that the world was open to him and he could do no wrong. His "Restaurant" relied on his celebrity and not his cooking. As guests were served cold raw food he was busy posing for pictures. He soon learned that his celebrity could not overcome the bad food and service. DWTS is his attempt to recapture that celebrity, look at who does this show, many, but not all, are former celebrities who have disappeared from public view, or ones who want to change their direction if life. In may ways this is Rocco's attempt to rehabilitate himself. Tue Aug 26 07:41:04 -0700 2008 3987358 69475 chazzer 7 3987701 I watched the trainwreck called "The Restaurant." I'm aware he was quite taken with himself...couldn't miss that! LOL But shilling frozen dreck for Buitoni - or whoever it was - and dancing on DWTS doesn't seem the way to "rehabilitate" himself, at least IMO. But if he wants to be a celebrity for celebrity's sake vs. getting back on the chefwagon, so be it. I still see it as a fall from grace that will be ever more difficult to recover from. Will I watch DWTS? Yeah - I'm a sucker for that show. Like the little girl with the curl - when the dancing is good, it's very, very good. When it's bad, it's horrid. :-) Tue Aug 26 08:19:50 -0700 2008 3987592 10532 LindaWhit 8 3987744 At least he didn't end up living in the same house with Flava-Flav, Jose Canseco, and one of the Two Coreys. Tue Aug 26 08:28:54 -0700 2008 3987701 11826 Phaedrus 9 3987766 Not yet. ;-) Tue Aug 26 08:36:19 -0700 2008 3987744 10532 LindaWhit 10 3999656 LMAO!!! Agred. It's only a matter of time. I just found out the other night there's a reality show on -- I swear this is true -- and I wish it wasn't -- with the actress who played Marsha Brady, Carrie Wilson and Bobby Brown running an inn in the country together. *sigh* Sun Aug 31 06:24:54 -0700 2008 3987766 183904 HarryK 5 3989666 DWTS seems to be a good medium in getting more positive exposure, and if he can survive at least half way through the show and show people that he can dance, I don't see why that's bad. I don't think the TV viewers think that Apolo Ono, Kristi Yamaguchi, Emmett Smith, and Jason Taylor as losers for being on the show. Dancing takes skills - agility and coordination, so it will be interesting to see whether a chef who should be somewhat fit, coordinated and can multi-task will do well. The only thing is I am not sure I want to see him with very skimpy outfits. Tue Aug 26 19:02:57 -0700 2008 3987295 46671 notmartha 6 3989720 However, Apolo Ohno, Kristi Yamaguchi, Emmitt Smith and Jason Taylor all didn't "sell out" their chosen profession as Rocco did. They all went in there as champion athletes in their own right with recognized, long-standing and ongoing talent in their fields. Tue Aug 26 19:24:06 -0700 2008 3989666 10532 LindaWhit 7 3989767 I don't see how not continuing with cooking is 'selling out their profession'. I didn't mention it, but past winners also include TV stars, singer and a race car driver. So isn't DiSpirito a recognized talent in cooking? It'll be neat if he can actually dance. For all we know, maybe he wants to participate because he wants to be a dancer. I guess we all jump to the conclusion that he wants more fame and exposure, and that's why he participated. I saw some of his endorsement as somewhat questionable, but even Mr. Puck has a line of TV dinners and soups. Anyway, I don't have a dog in this fight, but it just seems odd, and oddly parental. It's kind of how some parents force their kids down a certain career path - because they are good at it. Tue Aug 26 19:47:12 -0700 2008 3989720 46671 notmartha 5 3990556 I was taking a hospitality management course when "The Restaurant" was airing. Our instructor would show us a 10-15 minute clip of the show which aired that week with our assignment being to write down everything we thought Rocco was doing wrong. We would then have to pick an example and explain why it showed poor management style. There were usually so many examples of bad management in any 10-15 minute clip of that show that we could fill up two hours of classtime discussing them. Wed Aug 27 06:50:38 -0700 2008 3987295 73013 LabRat 6 3990594 wow...and you learned about hospitality by picking apart a paid professional? ask for a course refund! Wed Aug 27 07:03:19 -0700 2008 3990556 36312 HillJ 7 3991529 Actually we were taught about proper management techniques first, then our instructor quizzed us on what we learned by having us pick apart a paid (but clearly inept) professional. It was a very effective teaching technique. Request for refund rejected. Wed Aug 27 11:29:14 -0700 2008 3990594 73013 LabRat 8 3991977 Teachers can teach effective techniques without having to bash a professional and not all of us believe Roco deserves nit-picking. Reconsider the refund. Wed Aug 27 13:33:42 -0700 2008 3991529 36312 HillJ 9 3992283 Refund reconsidered and re-rejected. I learned quite a bit in that course and was able to translate what I learned in to career advancement at a pace far exceeding expectations. The best way to learn is by making mistakes and learning from them. The next best way is to watch others make mistakes and learn. The mistakes Rocco chose to broadcast to the world were a treasure trove of learning. Wed Aug 27 15:33:01 -0700 2008 3991977 73013 LabRat 10 3992308 Interesting, bully pulpits. You advanced at a pace far exceeding your expectations but you have insight critquing the choices of a fellow professional? Interesting perspective on learning. With all due respect, all I see is irony. Best of luck, LabRat! Wed Aug 27 15:42:45 -0700 2008 3992283 36312 HillJ 11 3994721 Doing case studies is SOP in B schools, are you objecting to this proven method of education of are you objecting to someone picking on poor Rocco. Thu Aug 28 13:27:11 -0700 2008 3992308 69475 chazzer 12 3994824 Neither. I asked LabRat a question. LabRat's reply (which I appreciated) rang rather ironic for me. Hardly earth shattering. Thu Aug 28 13:56:59 -0700 2008 3994721 36312 HillJ 2 3986908 I was such a HUGE fan of Rocco's when his first TV show started but his narcissistic ways did not bode well for him..it was magnified being in front of a camera and I think that is where most of us are turned off by him..from a chick's point of view..he is hot and we need more good looking men on TV but you realize that a pretty face is just that. Like, I had reiterated from a previous post that I had a chance to meet him in NYC last year after we both taped a show but I declined..should of gone to goof on him. I do wish him well on DWTS.. Mon Aug 25 20:43:04 -0700 2008 3986839 97452 Beach Chick 3 3986930 At least if it's his TV persona that offends people I can understand. I don't catch enough of the first TV show to form any type of impression, good or bad. Just seems most comments here are negative because he quit cooking. There's another thread on the board on Ming Tsai, who apparently did the opposite. A degree in Mechanical Eng from Yale with a father a professor in Stanford, and ended up cooking/owning a restaurant. Ming maybe an interesting candidate for DWTS. Anyway, it won't be the first time that a pretty face does well in the entertainment media. Mon Aug 25 20:51:48 -0700 2008 3986908 46671 notmartha 4 3987433 "Ming maybe an interesting candidate for DWTS." Mmm, I would love that! It would finally make me watch the show for the first time ever. Also, Jacques Pepin and Wolfgang Puck. For the women, bring on Sara Moulton, who seems like she would be a good sport. Tue Aug 26 06:32:26 -0700 2008 3986930 12045 gloriousfood 5 3987601 I vote for Wolfgang Puck, that would be so fun. Tue Aug 26 07:43:50 -0700 2008 3987433 69475 chazzer 6 3990272 I second Jacques Pepin. His smile alone would get my vote. "Happy Dancing!" Wed Aug 27 03:26:06 -0700 2008 3987601 83766 brendastarlet 7 4055928 I vote for, sigh, Eric Ripert. You know he can dance. Tue Sep 23 14:09:23 -0700 2008 3990272 95577 yamalam 8 4056069 Eric Ripert...mmm...yes. And I'll raise you Ming Tsai while we're at it! Perhaps they should do a show called "Dancing with the Chefs." Tue Sep 23 15:00:32 -0700 2008 4055928 12045 gloriousfood 1 3987507 Rocco does have great culinary talent...just look at how he rocked us early on at Union Pacific...It's a loss to the field but if he chooses a different career path and go for the bucks, that's certainly his choice. I wouldn't mind seeing him dance with George Hamilton though... Tue Aug 26 07:01:34 -0700 2008 3984166 141554 gutreactions 2 3990271 Rocco is what I'd call "stunt casting." The producers will keep him on the show long enough for him to cook for the other contestants, and to figure out a way for Wolfgang Puck to make an appearance. He'll be voted off around week four. Wed Aug 27 03:25:16 -0700 2008 3987507 83766 brendastarlet 1 3990384 The early reports from DWTS show insiders are not favorable for the cheflebrity. Another ''big diva'' was ''The Restaurant'' reality star, New York eatery owner and James Beard Award-winning chef Rocco DiSpirito. ''Such an ego ... a real know-it-all,'' said my show source. ''I'll be surprised if he lasts beyond the first elimination.'' http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/1126030,CST-FTR-zp26.article Wed Aug 27 05:22:47 -0700 2008 3984166 165021 Firegoat 2 3990591 Interesting. Who's gonna out-diva - Kardashian or Rocco? ;-) Wed Aug 27 07:02:55 -0700 2008 3990384 10532 LindaWhit 3 3990604 If they both go in the first double elimination --- I think it is safe to say that the votes were rigged and the staff has just had enough of both of them :) Wed Aug 27 07:07:29 -0700 2008 3990591 165021 Firegoat 4 3990626 I had forgotten I read about the double elims. Funny if they both did go! Wed Aug 27 07:16:54 -0700 2008 3990604 10532 LindaWhit 5 3990906 lol if they do, I guess we can call "shananigans!" but..... bless the staff's heart... I don't think anyone would. Wed Aug 27 08:43:39 -0700 2008 3990626 165021 Firegoat 4 3992931 My bet is on Leachman. I don't know if she has any fan base, and if the first dance is a latin dance it may be difficult. If it's not my hat's to her. Anyway, I thought 50% of the score is based on audience voting. Not that DiSpirito should have that big of a fan base. Wed Aug 27 20:12:12 -0700 2008 3990604 46671 notmartha 1 3997190 I didn't even know that show was back on and I would LOVE to see Rocco on it! Fri Aug 29 13:18:20 -0700 2008 3984166 112406 Chew on That 1 3999908 Just my two cents: Before "The Restaurant" I was absolutely a fan of the up and coming DiSpirito who was making a big name for himself at Union Pacific. He was a grad of my alma mater (Boston Univ.) so I was pulling for him. In a million years I never expected he would be the bad guy on that show. It wasn't that he just mismanaged a restaurant, it was how he behaved and treated others. The world revolved around him and his ego...so he didn't care if he paid his staff on a timely basis, or reneging on an on-air promise to give his bartender a Vespa... as long as Rocco got face time.... During the show's run, Tony Bourdain said Rocco was single-handedly destroying "celebrity chefs." When the show ended Rocco bragged he would be back right away with a new show, probably a talk show. When that didn't materialize, he took the reins of a weekday food show on WOR radio in New York. And it was bad. The show, again, ended up revolving around him. The staff at the station must have had their fill of his antics because they stole his wine and his headphones....he left shortly thereafter. One might think he would reassess after failing in both tv and radio, but Rocco was bitten by the "celebrity" bug and couldn't shake it. Focusing even more on himself, he decided to become a traithlete, while continuing to hawk his cookware, books, and frozen pasta meals, and judge a cooking show. While my respect for Rocco is non-existent, I hate to say it, but he is still entertaining in a train wreck sort of way. Like a class clown... you roll your eyes at him, but you still like to watch him take a pratfall. Sigh...I'll probably watch DWTS... if for no other reason than to write the next chapter of the Roccography. Sun Aug 31 10:00:44 -0700 2008 3984166 10726 TrishUntrapped 1 4054280 Watched the premiere of this last night. I was pleasantly surprised with Rocco, after reading some of the information which indicated he was a pain in the butt prima donna behind the scenes. His prerecorded bits weren't obnoxious. He actually did learn his dance and cleaned up beautifully in a tux. I predict he won't be one of the two to go home this week. Tue Sep 23 03:22:02 -0700 2008 3984166 165021 Firegoat 2 4054599 I missed his dancing as I flipped over to Heroes for their season premiere. Was wondering how he did. I did see him getting his feedback from the judges...he seems to have gained back a little bit of the weight he lost when he was "training" for a marathon or whatever it was. He looks better now, IMO. Tue Sep 23 07:00:12 -0700 2008 4054280 10532 LindaWhit 2 4054951 He did clean up pretty well, but his dancing was pretty awful compared to almost everyone else. I think he will be one of the 2 celebs to get eliminated this week. Maybe the fox trot just wasn't his thing. Tue Sep 23 09:00:04 -0700 2008 4054280 10506 DiningDiva 3 4055071 Uh, I didn't see Rocco, but he's goit to be better than the comedian with the eye injury. OY! Tue Sep 23 09:43:51 -0700 2008 4054951 11826 Phaedrus 4 4055087 He was, but not by much :-D Tue Sep 23 09:46:51 -0700 2008 4055071 10506 DiningDiva 5 4055111 oh he was quite a bit better than Jeff..... that was horrible. And massive amounts better than Cloris. He has at least another week in him. Tue Sep 23 09:54:51 -0700 2008 4055087 165021 Firegoat 6 4056052 Cloris was pretty bad :-) but like Master P, Billy Ray Cyrus and a couple of others with big fan bases, she'll be around for more weeks than is really necessary. Rocco should survive to dance tonight if his fan base is bigger than Jeff's. Unless his mambo is really great, or someone elses quick step is really bad, I think it's debatable if he'll survive Wednesday night's elimination Tue Sep 23 14:54:11 -0700 2008 4055111 10506 DiningDiva 7 4056717 Like a bad car wreck, I had to watch again tonight. The mambo was a definite improvement for him. He might stick around.... Tue Sep 23 19:38:38 -0700 2008 4056052 165021 Firegoat 8 4056974 My god, he can mambo!! who knew he could shake his hips like that. Have to say he was actually very good. Tue Sep 23 22:39:52 -0700 2008 4056717 10506 DiningDiva 8 4057326 Agreed - not too shabby! I don't think he's out this week. Cloris Leachman could go and I wouldn't mind. Her schtick has already gotten old. Wed Sep 24 06:18:27 -0700 2008 4056717 10532 LindaWhit 9 4057460 You don't like Frau Bruher? Wed Sep 24 07:03:44 -0700 2008 4057326 11826 Phaedrus 10 4057634 I think Kim of the large r ump roasts and Cloris will go down before Rocco.... and if he improves on this pace, who knows..... Wed Sep 24 08:08:57 -0700 2008 4057460 165021 Firegoat 10 4057993 I liked her as the servant of Dr. Froaderick Fronkensteen, but at this point, Frau Blücher looks worse than the monster and should be voted off the island. "I am Frau Blücher." [horses whinny] Wed Sep 24 10:01:18 -0700 2008 4057460 10532 LindaWhit 11 4057998 LOL.... please vote her costume selection person off the island first. They did her absolutely not favors. She can cut an elegant figure... but not squeezed into a sausage casing with her cleavage up to her neck. Wed Sep 24 10:03:24 -0700 2008 4057993 165021 Firegoat 12 4058231 Yeah, but it's her cleavage that's getting Len all in a tizzy. ;-) But yes - the costumes aren't doing her any favors. You gotta give her credit for wearing down the producers to get on the show, tho - she's tried several times! Wed Sep 24 11:04:45 -0700 2008 4057998 10532 LindaWhit 3 4058113 I agree, it seemed like he would be one of the first to go. I don't think he'll last very long but at least another week or two. Wed Sep 24 10:32:42 -0700 2008 4054951 112406 Chew on That 1 4058038 Just wondering...any good recipes coming out of this topic? Wed Sep 24 10:12:05 -0700 2008 3984166 141554 gutreactions 2 4058232 Those are posted on the Home Cooking board. :-) Wed Sep 24 11:05:06 -0700 2008 4058038 10532 LindaWhit 1 4058295 While flipping channels last night, Rocco was on Biggest Losers - Families. He was helping the contestants cook healthy meals... I flipped channels after a few so missed the rest of the segment. Wed Sep 24 11:20:16 -0700 2008 3984166 56054 dave_c 2 4064533 It was - surprise - lame. He handed out recipes like Splenda Fruit Salad and Ziploc Steamed Mussels. The thing that confuses me (as to why he's such a media whore) is that he's not even super dynamic, and doesn't seem to like people, or be good at talking to people. Why would a producer pick him - other than being somewhat good-looking, he has the personality of a Bertloli's Frozen Lima Bean. Fri Sep 26 15:26:54 -0700 2008 4058295 95577 yamalam 1 4079655 I wonder if this coming week will be his week to go home. Would be embarrassing to be sent home before Cloris..... Been reading some review on him on televisionwithoutpity.com .... not very nice things being said about his personality there. Bets seem fairly even between him and Cloris going bye bye Fri Oct 03 11:07:25 -0700 2008 3984166 165021 Firegoat 2 4106036 So, it happened. The Roccster is gone before Cloris. I'm not surprised. Although I think she's not far behind. Wed Oct 15 10:04:43 -0700 2008 4079655 10532 LindaWhit 3 4106172 Please let her be next. Although I admit, I kind of quit caring about this season after Misty wrecked her achilles. Wed Oct 15 10:50:13 -0700 2008 4106036 165021 Firegoat 4 4106235 I'm disappointed Misty's not in it either - she would have given Brooke Burke a good run for her money. Although I'd be surprised if Brooke doesn't win it all. (P.S. NO ONE should look that damn good after 4 kids!) And I agree with Dee - Cloris's fan base is probably bigger than Rocco's. Or it was decided that she would be the "go to" vote on those websites that vote against popular opinion to try and screw up on and keep the bad dancers/singers/whatever on the reality shows. :-) Wed Oct 15 11:09:53 -0700 2008 4106172 10532 LindaWhit 3 4106175 I think Cloris has a bigger fan base watching the show than Rocco. She may be around for longer than you think! (Go Cloris!) Not surprised to see him leave but was surprised it wasn't earlier! Wed Oct 15 10:50:28 -0700 2008 4106036 13683 Dee S 1 4106197 Poor Rocco, it seemed like he really tried hard and didn't want to leave. Just curious...does being a talented chef mean you're bad at dancing? Any good dancers AND chefs out there? :) Wed Oct 15 10:57:59 -0700 2008 3984166 112406 Chew on That 2 4119672 Rick Bayless can dance and has, in fact, taken part in some local celebrity dance events in Chicago. He can salsa pretty well :-) Tue Oct 21 16:25:44 -0700 2008 4106197 10506 DiningDiva