633382 Thu Jul 02 07:43:31 -0700 2009 6 33 Food Media and News 0 4824109 We'll have to wait until Sunday to see who gets to go home after the performance aired today, but here's my thoughts after seeing 2 of the 3 "teams". I missed Melissa and Michael, but caught Debbie and Healthy Girl-I thought they really rocked it out. The food, an "adult" take on chicken nuggets and mac n cheese, was appealing, and they interacted nicely throughout the 5 minute presentation. HG managed to make whole wheat pasta look good! I have not found her to be appealing before, but I actually liked her! Next was Jamika and Jeffrey making their sophisticated take on weenie beanies. Jeffrey kept stepping ALL OVER Jamika and hogging the pan and camera. I wanted to reach through my tv and hold his hips to make him stop his manic gyrations, foot placing, knees bends and shoulder rolls. Honestly, I don't know if he's cooking or doing a Tai Bo workout. Poor Jamika got about 25% of the camera time as he hogged the attention, being first to do his portion of the dish. He left her about a minute and a half to present her rice and beans. He also managed to come across as pretentious, boasting about all his traveling and how he's so great at incorporating flavors from around the globe. And by around the globe, he means California "sweet heat". You know, I initially liked him, but don't want him preaching about flavors to me. I'm interested to see if the judges saw what I saw....thoughts? How did Melissa and Michael do, anyone? Thu Jul 02 07:43:31 -0700 2009 65673 monavano 1 4824438 I'm curious... how did you see this before it aired? Was it on the Rachel Ray show this week? I'm really hoping Melissa and Jamika stay, they are my two fav thus far. Jeffrey, I used to like but now, not so much. And Michael may make good food but he is THE most annoying personality so far. The rest of them don't really do anything for me one way or another. I'm over Debbie completely. She seems like a one trick pony, everything is "Asian inspired." Way to think outside the box. And karen, or HG as you've deemed her (love it!), I don't know, there's something off putting about her. Thu Jul 02 09:24:44 -0700 2009 4824109 193813 rocks67 2 4824633 Totally agree, rocks67! Each year, the RR show airs before TNFNS show airs, basically encapsulating the RR show performance. I just HAPPENED to come across it this morning. I think RR really rallied around the contestants and lifted each one up. Prior years, she's been a bit judgemental. I do wish that I had caught Melissa and Michael. You can go to the RR website to see the teaser.... Thu Jul 02 10:14:45 -0700 2009 4824438 65673 monavano 3 4824963 Thanks Monavano. I didn't realize they showed this episode before NFNS. I swore I wasn't going to get suckered into this show again this summer, having been through several season past (last year's was one of the worst, in my book, but at least we got Adam G. out of it). Of course, suckered once again. At least it's going to be over soon! I still don't get the Aaron following. He seems nice but his cooking/food?? No way. Thu Jul 02 11:50:14 -0700 2009 4824633 193813 rocks67 4 4831575 I saw each presentation on the RR website. I thought they were all pretty good, but I agree that Jeffrey hogged the camera, I can't wait to see what the judges say tonight. I also thought Melissa did a fantastic job. I don't like Michael - too over the top, but as a mom, I like Melissa. She did seem a little frantic, but who wouldn't in that circumstance. Sun Jul 05 16:42:52 -0700 2009 4824963 127407 kprange 5 4832823 I'm not following this show regularly, but that said, I caught the past two episodes, including last night's. I don't like any of the contestants for a series. The ones that are nice offer nothing new to cooking (Blonde lady and Jamika). The ones that can cook are rude (Guy with glasses and pink hair streak, and exec chef that was sent packing last week - he was an arrogant you know what.) My problem is the prize. Give the winner a special or a series of specials but NOT a show. I loved the first season with Dan and Steve and what show did they get? The Hearty Boys, which airs on Sunday mornings at dusk!!!! Amy Finley dropped out and moved to France. Big Poppa's show is boring, sorry to say that because he seems nice, but runner up Aaron gets his own show. Guy Fieri is the only noteworthy hit from the show's winners. TNFS: Don't promise a full series for the winner. It's too much for most of them and it's disappointing when you see your fave (for me it was Dana and Steve) be relegated to the timeslot from He**. Mon Jul 06 07:38:19 -0700 2009 4831575 10726 TrishUntrapped 6 4833966 Shoot, I just re-read this post and made some errors. --Sunday mornings at "dawn" not "dusk".... --Big Daddy Aaron got a show... But Adam the runner up got a better show Mea culpa. Mon Jul 06 12:59:57 -0700 2009 4832823 10726 TrishUntrapped