Bitchin' Kitchen - Are they kidding???

[Midlife]

I'd heard this was coming (I guess it premiered last week and been a YouTube clip posted a while ago) but didn't come across it until this evening. It's not often that I will turn off a cooking show after just a few minutes. This one I did.

OK....... I'm a male with substantial libido left, so I watched this for a few minutes. But................ really!!!!! I thought I'd wandered into an off-Broadway review of some kind....... or a Saturday Night Live sketch. If the cooking had any merit I wouldn't know because I couldn't stick around long enough or get past what I was seeing and hearing.

Check back later and I'll tell you what I REALLY thought of this show.

[aurora50]

I don't know, I thought she was witty, funny, and different. And she has good knowledge of cooking - better than, say, Rachel Ray or Sandra Lee.
I actually laughed quite a lot during this show, and I appreciate that, especially during these hard economic times.

[DiveFan]

Exactly my thoughts. An attempt at 'cooking humor' beats the hokey competitions, 30 minute cooking and mostly filler dreck on FN these days. Still, I think the show belongs on FN rather than the Cooking Channel.
Don't take it seriously, folks!

[HillJ]

Who's taking it seriously? LOL, this show just isn't everyones cup of tea

[piano boy]

It's been on in Canada for a year... I can't watch it for more than about 3 minutes, it's unbearable. Maybe it's a love/hate thing because some people obviously like it but I'd rather gouge out my eyes with an immersion blender.

[Haggisboy]

The show's a one trick pony. It's all built around Nadia G's character of a "goombah" Italian woman (akin to those in the movie Married to the Mob). The show got its start because she had been making short videos for YouTube that were basically comedy sketches with a little bit of (largely satirical) cooking thrown in. From what I gather, producers at the Canadian arm of the Food Network clued on to the YouTube vids, found out she was Canadian (from Montreal) and realized that by helping her parlay her shorts into full blown half hour episodes, they could create some much needed Canadian content to fulfill their broadcast regulation requirements.

[chefathome]

EXACTLY. Even the commercial makes me blush from embarassment for her.

[steflink]

I agree--shlocky and absolutely awful.

[Chef Jimmy J]

Ok, the girl's cute, somewhat amusing, and relatively knowledgable but the over acting male side-kicks are, "freakin' re-diculous, eh?" The flashing/shaking shots of the food are annoying too. This girl whoops the hell out of Padma on Melting Pot, though.....JJ

[HillJ]

I read thru her bio and menu on the Cooking Channel website after the first commercial ran. If the tuff language, fluff wardrobe and Italian personna are entertaining the food is likely a secondary consideration. Giada gets tauted for cleavage, Guy for one liners but Bitchin Kitchen comes along and it's whoo hoo... just another example of where our tv entertainment has been heading for some time....food tv appears to be willing to go "there" too.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Isn't Bitchin' Kitchen a blog as well? Is there a relation if so?

[HillJ]

http://bitchinlifestyle.tv/
She was/is a You Tube "star" prior to this recent media attention. I think the website reflects her approach exactly.

http://www.facebook.com/BitchinKitchen
Nadia's photo with Guy F. says it all for me :)

[Midlife]

OK, so I went to the facebook page for the show and it appears that there are people who find the 'schtick' appealing, or at least can get along with it. For me someone like Guy Fieri is being himself and you either handle that or not. Nadia seems like a total act and I had such an immediate negative reaction to the 'character' that I couldn't stand it. I didn't find it funny, just annoying.

I think, too, that the use of such a theme on a channel that seemed as if it was going to be more 'serious' was a shock. It's interetsing to see the comments that the recipes are cood and the technique "spot on". Maybe I'll tie myself to the sofa long enough to watch more of a show and hope my screaming doesn't disturb the neighbors.

[HillJ]

Nadia's serving a lifestyle; her place in the kitchen is just one aspect to her following. I'm too old for it. :)

[boyzoma]

+1 HillJ. I saw the promo and said Nope to that Dope! Life's too short to waste a half hour on that show.

[Kagemusha]

It's a harmless and sometimes funny conceit. Relative to the bogus splenetic rages of Gordon Ramsay or the absurd gluttony of Adam Richman(Man vs Food), it's a walk in the park. That said, the Food Network in Canada is looking pretty sorry these days for want of anything beyond sideshow entertainment or outright snoozfests.

[JimboWoodside]

I thought the show was cute, too......and so is Nadia. And her food looked good, too!

Come on, folks - it's supposed to be funny!

[Midlife]

I guess this is going to turn into a discussion about what's funny and what's not............. and/or whether "funny" of this caricature style is appropriate in an arena that's supposed to be (at least I thought so) a bit more 'serious' (pardon the expression). I am not naive to all the issues of TV marketing and audience-building, but this show pretty much blind-sided me in what I'd been seeing as a much more straight-forward arena of food and cooking presentations.

Admittedly I did not watch more than a few minutes and should stick through more. I will, but that few minutes had such a dramatic impact (a real OMG moment) that the humormust have escaped me. I thought I'd turned to The Cooking Channel, not Comedy Central and don't think I would have found it 'funny' on that channel either.

[Kagemusha]

Gordo Ramsay is, er, "serious"? What about those drooling Lipitor Poster Boys Fieri and Richman?

[Midlife]

I was referring to what the Cooking Channel appeared to be when it began. If Ramsay, Fieri, and Richman are on that channel I'm not aware of it. To put it in another perspective, Graham Kerr (who IS on the channel) is too much as well.

[HillJ]

Oh I love good comedy...I guess Nadia's style just didn't reflect my own. To each her/his own tho. I'm not speaking for the masses just observing.

[gloriousfood]

+1 all the way! I happened to stumble on to this show last night and thought it was absolutely hilarious. Plus, the first two dishes really looked good. It reminded me of the Adriana character on the Sopranos--what she might have turned out if she wasn't whacked and was able to got out of that lifestyle.

[JeMange]

But it's actually painfully unfunny. And her accent... is she supposed to be Italian? Sounds like she's got a speech impediment.

[dbrodbeck]

It is a pretty authentic Italian Montrealer accent actually. (I am no fan of the show BTW).

[pikawicca]

I can't even stand to watch the promo. It's an immediate switch the channel moment for me.

[decolady]

+1. I've tried watching and the whole thing is just disgusting. If Scripps has to put her on TV, for pity's sake stick her on FNTV which is already a train wreck.

[Shrinkrap]

I was about to switch the channel when she slipped from her "shtick", and sounded like she knew what she was talking about. I was like...." wtf?"

Fascinating!

[aurora50]

Exactly.

[JimboWoodside]

It seems apparent, at least to me, that she *does* know what she's talking about - at least when it comes to the food she presents. The "shtick" is just that, shtick.

I mean, take a look at a lot of the other shows on FN and the Cooking Channel - we're not exactly talking about "Masterpiece Theater" here.......

[aurora50]

Right. FN turned into performance art years ago, and The Cooking Channel is not much different. I'm having fun watching the new girl.
If I want to watch something "serious", I'll tune in to something like America's Test Kitchen.

[Midlife]

I think you just hit on it. There were a lot of people hoping The Cooking Channel would NOT become performance art, at least not to the extent of the 'act' in this show.

[Midlife]

Well, I said I would try it again and I did. This time I Iasted almost 10 minutes.

Nadia does sound like she knows what she's doing and I think she'd be interesting to watch WITHOUT the overdone act. "SHPAGETTTI"........ please!

I guess I'm just getting a little fed up with the idea that marketers think you have to have an over-the-top gimmick to get attention.

[HillJ]

LOL, I lasted about the same time. For all the comments written about Giada, including how she talks, this "act" is just another gal with a gimmick. I like my food programming with less gloss and more know-how and still feel the gimmick IS the point...even if it doesn't appeal to me. Midlife, I've enjoyed this thread and all the perspectives. Thanks for starting it.

[paulj]

Is it really the case that you (or I) don't like gimmicks, or just that this gimmick is just the wrong one for our demographic?

[HillJ]

a bit of both I confess. I like diff perspectives, diff approaches to a common recipe, experimenting with diff ingredients to change "it up"...but gimmick as in costume, voice play, shtick...I guess I'm an old bird.

[Midlife]

+1

As I said above, I didn't like the movie Dumb & Dumber either.

[HillJ]

Funny, neither did I. :)

[goodhealthgourmet]

+2 on Dumb & Dumber. if you guys tell me you also found watching The Hangover akin to Chinese water torture, i'm going to rely on my fellow Hounds for movie reviews from now on ;)

and while i'm not quite an old bird, add me to the camp that doesn't see the appeal of mucking up a perfectly good cooking show with silly caricatures and tired shtick. i'd never know if this Nadia person possessed any food skills or knowledge because i couldn't bear to watch her long enough to find out.

[Midlife]

I probably shouldn't admit it here but I thought Hangover was pretty funny. Of course I watched an early release copy projected on the side of a building with about 50 20-somethings, so it might have been a yawn reflex sortof thing.

[goodhealthgourmet]

okay, you're forgiven ;) more than anything i just didn't get the appeal of Zach Galifianakis' character in that movie - to me he was cringe-worthy, not amusing.

[paulj]

Just found a new show catering to my taste in gimmicks - Gordon Ramsay's Great Escape on BBC. I've ignored all his other programs, but this one explores India, including a region that neither Tony or Andrew has found, the far NE (Nagaland).

[HillJ]

http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/371...
I'm a fan.

[christy1122]

I tuned in and then tuned out....between the "kitchen decor" and her voice...I could not take it....

[ospreycove]

Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste level of the American Consumer!!

[Midlife]

H. L. Mencken: "No one in this world has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby." Or............... something very close to that. I'm not sure it's always true, but it does explain a lot of things.

[ipsedixit]

If Roseanne Barr had a cooking show, this would be it.

[celfie]

Nadia is from Montreal as am I and I can tell you that the shtick she presents on this show is one you find commonly in montreal. her accent, manners and dialect are very very very common here. I personally find those people obnoxious (fake punks)

[magic]

I like this show. I think it's different and funny.

[cmp2491]

Nadia makes it embarassing to admit that i am Italian. Can't listen to her nonsense for more than one show. That's it for me.

[HillJ]

I find all the exaggerated hand gestures distracting and the side kicks belong on a comedy show, not a cooking program. My dh likes a lady to act like a lady....what can I say.

[blue room]

There oughta be a law.

[kmcarr]

Less than one minute was all I could bear.

[jujuthomas]

i lasted about 10 minutes, the recipes sounded interesting but i just did not find her entertaining. oh well! :)

[aurora50]

I'm coming to the conclusion that: either you like her, or you don't.
No harm, no foul, either way. : )

[jujuthomas]

I caught 2 more episodes last night, and I have to say, she's growing on me! i actually dvred the 9:30 show last night!

[hueyishere]

I had hopes for the cooking channel but it is not what I thought it would be. My opinion is that FN & the Cooking Channel are video versions of the Globe and National Enquirer in the cooking arena.

no real cooking education but sensationalism in cooking and what's up with all this Private Chef's, Best thing I ate, and the local food establishments cometing against each other. What a crock.

[Midlife]

As much as I couldn't handle Bitchin' Kitchen I have to say that Cooking Channel programming is head and shoulders above what Food Network is today. I still find the best 'education' on PBS however.

[NadiaG]

We'll grow on ya. Welcome to lifestyle 2.0 folks, the cardigan and saccharine disposition ain't for everyone.

For all those kvetching, this one's for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RAQXg...

[HillJ]

Now this kind of open attitude makes me smile! NadiaG, if that's really you then touche! And, yes when I watch your commercials Joan Jett with an apron is exactly the visual that comes to mind.

[pikawicca]

THAT I liked. Thanks for the link.

[Midlife]

If you're really Nadia I give you all the credit for creating a persona and, probably, a brand. You ARE getting attention, which is likely the underlying idea. But............ as with most cooking, there are certain ingredients that just seem wrong together. If I want to see a Saturday Night Live cooking show sketch I'll tune in to Saturday Night Live. The idea that I'd want to see it along side more 'serious' or 'normal' cooking shows is what turned me off Food Network completely. To each his/her own, I can still reach the remote when I need it............ assuming my walker doesn't get in the way. :o)))

[NadiaG]

Hehe, it's always good to keep an open mind. I'm sure some people still think that chocolate and fleur de sel, or candied bacon are incompatible :P.

[donovt]

Nadia, I tried watching the show twice and it just wasn't my thing. Your thick skin and obvious sense of humor coming through on here makes me want to give it another shot.

[cgarner]

I admit I wanted to HATE this show... I really did, except that to me... it's FUNNY.
"puttanesca - schpaghetti in the style of a hoe"

how is that not funny?

[Midlife]

I've beaten up on this show too much already, but just can't resist one more post.

Um-m-m.....it's not funny because it's true???? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghett...

So the 'funny is the character schtick..... which I just don't find funny IN THIS SETTING. Maybe somewhere else, but not on a supposedly at least somewhat 'serious' cooking channel.

I'm done now.

[aurora50]

I think you're great, Nadia.
My sister and I actually work our schedule around so we don't miss you.
Rock on, Sister.

[paulj]

Cooking channel is the FN's farm team, not their culinary arts school. :)

[aurora50]

Exactly what I've been saying.

[Midlife]

So you're saying that shows will begin on Cooking Channel and when they get to play in the 'big leagues' they'll have to dumb themselves down to play to the masses? I don't think that's all that analogous to MLB, but it's fine, so long as the minors keep getting new quality talent. ;o]]]]

[paulj]

I think it's more a matter of pulling in the advertising dollars, than of smarts or talent.

Doesn't FN test a lot of its new talent on Saturday daytime slots? Who knows, if Nadia makes a big enough splash on CC, she'll start making guest appearances on Good Eats!

[Midlife]

That's fine too. Food Network is the right venue for this show. Maybe Nadia could hide a camera inside a bowl of Pasta Fazool.

[decolady]

Yes, the train wreck that is Food Network is the right venue for this show. NOT the Cooking Channel.

[Niblet]

Also funny, "...here let me show you my rash..." then quick cut back to Nadia "Hey!..." or however they did, I thought it was hilarious.

But I also quote from Dumb & Dumber -- a movie cited up-thread as not funny -- pretty frequently still. ("Big Gulps huh? Awright! Well...see ya later!")

I remember taking an English class in college on "Humor in the English Language." Thought it would be easy, fun credits, as did the other suckers that took the class. It ended up being the most awful course ever, outside of Statistics. Defining humor takes all the life out of it. The clincher came at the end of the course, everyone had to do a solo standup comedy routine. As each of us was getting up there we're like "Oh God, Oh God..." as of course everyone that had to endure the "comedy" was saying that to themselves too.

I've had friends that had their minds changed about something they hadn't originally thought was funny (Anchorman, for example), but when you watch it with them, they get why you think it's funny and come around. But usually there's no changing someone's mind, and that's okay too. Anyway, I like Bitchin' Kitchen.

[magic]

"Big Gulps huh? Awright! Well...see ya later!"

Haha! Brilliant.

[jmcarthur8]

Nadia, DH and I make a special point to catch your show every week. And we DVR it so our college sons can watch it when they are home.
If cooking and humor can't go together, what's the fun of eating?

And....your recipes look delicious every episode.

And... being a kitchen designer, I love to see what the set designers do with your kitchen each week. Way more fun than Sandra Lee's theme kitchens.

[MplsM ary]

Re: decor. I love the backsplash though it looks like an anti-backsplash, attracting food particles from around the kitchen and beyond. Bet it's a bear to clean.

[gloriousfood]

Don't change a thing, Nadia. We love you just the way you are!

[TheDescendedLefticleOfAramis]

banjo bridges & bowties for the assisted living.
you keep those angles wide n' high off the tight shots ...

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/vide...

[CapreseStacy]

I made it through a whole show (the "spicy" episode, "Furious Foods") and I must say that it caused quite a spectrum of reactions. There were many moments that I cringed (Nadia's persona is hard for me to warm up to) and moments that I thought, "ooh, that looks like a good dish to try." I think I actually laughed a time or two, but I also reached for the remote ready to turn it off a few times, too.

I love the playful set and I REALLY love Nadia's "look" and the fact that she cooks in sexy shoes. I don't think I will set the DVR to record this one, but if Nadia comes on when I have the TV on, I'll probably keep one eye on the TV while I'm in the kitchen, anticipating both the cringes and the grins, looking for what Nadia is cooking, what she is wearing and how her kitchen set has been decked out. I could see Nadia growing on me, esp. if her dishes are as interesting as the "Furious Foods" dishes.

One of my favorite TV Chefs is Anne Burrell, and she has a pretty "in your face" persona, too. Plus, every dish of hers that I have tried has been a "knock it out of the park" success. Best of luck to you, Nadia (though you could do without those goofy sidekicks... more cooking, less Guido dudes)... and keep rockin' the great shoes and big hair!

[magic]

As I mentioned above, I’m a fan of the show. I just wanted to also give respect to the “supporting” players on the show. Those dudes are hilarious. And actually informative in the food knowledge they impart on their segments. The spice guy is ridiculously funny. Love the Israeli accent.

It’s a different kind of show, definitely not for everyone, but I for one really enjoy it. Snaps.

[nerfTractor]

Gotta admit, I saw the commercials for the show and thought WTF, then actually started watching and I really like it. I think she's funny as hell, knows more than the average dump-and-stir bimbette and the food looks really good. It ain't for everybody but so what. Give me "Bitchin' Kitchen" any day over some show about giant hamburgers.

[aurora50]

Or one about a challenge to make the best tower out of Rice Krispies.

[Midlife]

Is it me or has she calmed down the 'schtick' in the last episodes? I watched for a few minutes during a commercial on something else the other night and it just seemed that way. Unless I'm just getting used to Nadia.........OH MY!!!!!!!!

[HillJ]

I caught a commercial tonight for BK and it appeared milder in tone, mannerisms and wardrobe to me.

[DiveFan]

I also noticed that she talks in a more 'normal' voice on the commercials.

Changed my opinion posted above - keep the show on CC for a humor break. If BK was on Food Network, it could blend in too much with the Unintentionally humorous / scary non-cooking shows. Or, the actual cooking content would be deemphasized in favor of rock-and-roll tablescapes or something.

I would like to see NadiaG kick Fieri's sorry a** somehow ... maybe a sequel to the music video at the end of the last episode .... costarring Dee Snider ... am I tripping :-) ?

[EastBayShortcake]

I <3 Bitchin Kitchen - it's on my DVR every week. Guess it's a personal preference.

[mattstolz]

i think this is definitely a love it or hate it show. it makes decent background noise while i study, but as soon as i start to pay attention i have to change the channel

[HillJ]

Was my experience tonight. I lasted 10 mins. had to switch.

[MplsM ary]

I finally watched a couple episodes and I really like the show and Nadia G. Is she over the top? You betcha! Does she know what she’s doing? Betcher ass! Is she funny? Well, that’s where she walks a tightrope and to stretch the metaphor, the audience either stays with her or they plummet to the ground and get all grumpy about the experience.

[ediblover]

I got the feeling that the show is for people who don't typically watch food shows. It's very unique and it can be fun if you're not there for the food. The food itself I found to be very basic. I think most experienced home cooks already know most of the things she cooks, so there's no "!" moment where one might feel inspired or amazed.

For me, it sort of solidified my stance that the only good (non-competition) food shows are found on PBS.

[paulj]

When was the last '!' moment on a Ming Tsai rerun? :)

[silence9]

Re 'aha' moments from Ming Tsai: I would sometimes watch the opening minutes of 'Simply Ming' for what I have come to call 'The Nicholas Cage Effect' (patent pending). Simply put, when I become more aware of the protagonist's hair style (in its' shuffle & stagger toward the bizarro world) than I am in the actual content of the scene on the screen, I know that things will end badly for our hero. As with Cage, I would find myself musing on Ming's hair choices (like that Veronica Lake-bangs-hiding-one eye style that he sometimes sports). I'm still waiting for the inevitable 'mohawk' (from either Cage or Tsai)... Sorry for 'jacking the thread...

[jenscats5]

I started watching this show due to this thread and I really like it! It's hilarious!

[mattstolz]

has anyone noticed that this show has been on an abnormally large amount this weekend?? i think tonight is the second BK marathon in like three days. even if it WAS a good show, theres only like four episodes! thats not enough to justify a marathon!

[jarona]

After reading the replies, I was kind of surprised at how many people like and/or enjoyed this show! Personally, I didn't like it. I just cannot get past the persona of this Nadia G. Maybe it is b/c I grew up in NY and have parents from Brooklyn. She TRIES too hard to sound "goomba, fugedaboudit, eye-tal-ee-in tough gurl" I'm not buying it. I dunno. Please don't get me wrong. I love a great sense of humor--if Kathy Griffin was a really amazing cook or baker, SHE is the one I would love to see on a humourous TV Cooking show. This "Bitchin" Kitchin" just isn't my cup of tea.

[porker]

"She TRIES too hard to sound "goomba, fugedaboudit, eye-tal-ee-in tough gurl"
I completely agree and thats why I don't like the show. Not the kitsch, not the style, not the cooking - the forced, acted personality.

[HillJ]

http://www.amazon.com/At-Home-Range-Cookbook-Deranged/dp/0967631408
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback...

There are plenty of chuckles in food...but this show isn't one of them.

[mtlmaven]

I'm not Italian but I grew up in the east-end of Montreal. I know people who speak like her. I suspect that it's a bit tongue in cheek with her and that's fine. It's a persona which I happen to find hilarious.

[film_score]

Am I crazy or am I the only one who thinks it sounds like she's got a Russian accent or at least sounds like she's a Russian person trying to do a goombah accent?

[porker]

Well, she's from Montreal. Many Canadian Italians are not very francophone (french-only speaking), but I think the Quebec-French accent plays heavily on her style of goombah. Which, as I mention a few posts up, kinda irks me.
I told mrs. porker a couple of months ago that the show might be enjoyable if she was the real deal, not a made-up character.

[aurora50]

OK guys, we made her Spaghetti Puttanesca recipe for dinner tonight, and it was absolutely delicious. In fact, we only made half of her recipe, and next time, we are going to make the whole thing, so we can have leftovers.

[EWSflash]

i hadn't watched or seen an ad for her show until yesterday. I saw this really weird-looking woman on the screen, and when she began talking I thought "Good Lord, who the hell is that weirdo?" Well, it was her. I must say that I have no intention of watching her show. Ever. She even has a strange nightmare-inducing voice, like Jame Gumb in the Silence of the Lambs. Eerie, and not in a good way.

[cherrytomato]

I think she is talented. Her voice is her schtick and she is witty and funny. I find myself laughing a lot from the funny things she says. It's an interesting concept and I like it. I like a lot of these Canadian shows like Chucks day off too. They both have that Canadian accent.

[EWSflash]

Okay, maybe I'll watch an episode, but the ad was flat-out scary.
Just for shiz and giggles, do you like Ann Burrell's show?

[sugarcube]

I think they axed her on Food Network Canada (old episodes are only available on their website). However, I heard she's been picked up by The Cooking Channel now.

http://theavidbaker.wordpress.com/

[Midlife]

Who are you responding and/or referring to? This whole topic is about Nadia G's Bitchen Kitchen ON The Cooking Channel on US TV.

[magic]

Some of the posters here watch the show on Food Network Canada.

I never even heard of The Cooking Channel until this thread.

[Midlife]

I get it now, but the post was ambiguous enough that it didn't jump right out at me until you made that point. There's also the thing that happens when people post and haven't really followed the bulk of the topic. This topic began just two months ago and is about a NEW show in the US, so.............................

Anyway, no harm no foul. Thanks for the clarification.

[magic]

Not a problem...

[magic]

Was the show really cut from Food Network Canada??

That seems odd.

[sugarcube]

I haven't seen it on their lineup for some time now. The last episode I saw was at the end of the summer.

http://theavidbaker.wordpress.com

[Cheese Boy]

I'm trying to like her, being that she's the new tatted Julia slash Rachel Ray, but it's taking me longer than I thought. I will say this though, her "Word of the Day" vids on youtube are actually pretty funny. I'll list the three funniest vids here so you can giggle amongst yourselves.

Rimbambite --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b3-H2QV6LE

Brutta figura --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih6xYiWZT-4&feature=related

Mingia --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_Mfqv...

[aurora50]

Just like her the way you like! Or not.
There's no right or wrong way for anything in this world.
Just what's right for you. ; )

[foodieguydenver]

What kind of word is Bitchin' Kitchen, the show on Food Network? It is degrading to use the term. Since when have we become so cold to degrading terms??? Moreover, who cooks with al the the jewlery - yuck - think leaching of silver and other metals in your food.. No way, I am dying already.This is like the g4 show Effin Science? Have we grown immune to the terms, or are we just insensitive? What example are we setting our kids? how would you explain the terms Bitchin' and Effin to your kids?" You think it is cool???? You are naive? I accept the novelties of the WWW (world wide wen) and new terminology, but this is repulsive!!! Where are we going next? Please wake up.

[aurora50]

Well, I'm not sure where you're coming from or how old you are, but I'm 54 years old, and when I was young, "Bitchin" meant cool, rad, excellent, and it didn't "ruin" me.

[Sharuf]

I've got 20 years on you Aurora, and in my day that's what it meant, too.

[magic]

I don't understand a word you just said.

[Midlife]

foodieguydenver - no way to know about your personal background but "bitchin' can be a shortening of 'bitching' which (for most of us anyway) means COMPLAINING [try oxfordictionaries.com].............. it doesn't HAVE to have anything to do with the slang for someone's parentage. When used this way it doesn't have to be a problem to explain to your kids...... unless you make it so.

Actually, aurora50, the word you're referring to is supposed to be spelled b-i-t-c-h-E-n. Take it from someone who's lived at the beaches of SoCal for 50 years. I'm guessing that the ...i-n ending is the result of misspelling as in the way 'nucular' has become an acceptable word. ;o))

Watching Nadia G I'm not quite sure how the surfer term wound up in the 'Goombah' jargon.......... IF that's what it's supposed to be.

[aurora50]

Well, it seems to me, that NadiaG doesn't mean to be taken that seriously.
Like her and watch her, or turn the channel. : )
And, besides, we're here to talk about the food, and not language use, right?

[porker]

I'll lean towards aurora50's definition of radical-cool.
And yeah, we're just insensitive, thanks to popular culture and mass media. I don't think its necessarily cool, but its definitely a part of life these days, especially in kids' lives. With this said, who has to wake up?

[MplsM ary]

It's kind of amazing how this show has resurrected Dana Carvey's Grumpy Old Man. Kind of a mass awakening of the crotchety all yelling "I'm mad as heck and I'm not going to take it anymore!," Because they'd never say 'Hell' where anyone might hear them.

Bitchin' <> Bitching <> Bitch.

[aurora50]

"I'll tell your pa to wash your mouth out with soap, you young whippersnapper!"
(He said, wildly waving his finger in the air).
"You'll hear from me until who laid the rails!!!!"
Dadgummit.

[Midlife]

So............... anyone who doesn't appreciate the Nadia G schtick is just too old and grumpy????? Interesting conclusion.

My problem with it, at least I thought so prior to the armchair psychoanalysis provided here, was that the 'schtick' was corny, unnecessary, and detracted from whatever ability she has to provide useful and enjoyable food preparation (which appears to be substantial to those who can get past the schtick).

[aurora50]

Well, first of all:
1. Lighten up! I'm not so much of a spring chicken. I'm just trying to have a sense of humor and laugh, especially since I'm going through a trying time that is not fitting to talk about here.
2. Also: It's just her "stchick" that helps me through my day, I happen to think it's funny, PLUS I get the benefit of her cooking and recipes.
To each his own.

[Midlife]

aurora50............... thanks for the psych consult. It was MplsM ary that was being on the snarky side, not you. Anyway............... My 35 and 30 year-old kids are now telling me I'm getting old because I find Modern Family 'funny', but not 'laugh-out-loud' funny, and don't really like The Office or 30 Rock. So................. maybe I'm a bit sensitive. I started this topic because I really like good cooking shows I can learn from and felt Cooking Channel had gone too 'Food Network' too quickly with this show. Just my opinion.

[hueyishere]

I agree with foodieguydenver, I don't like the show or NadjaG.

[Midlife]

Well................ gotta give Cooking Channel and/or Nadia props for good marketing:

"Nadia G of Bitchin' Kitchen to Headline ZAP Festival 2011". ZAP is a very much respected wine industry event.

http://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=...

I made myself watch part of an episode last night and thought she has definitely dialed down the 'schtick'. I know I seem somewhat obsessed with dislike of it. I just find it out of place with what I thought this network was trying to do. Oh, well........... life's too short.

[slopfrog]

She seems to have toned it down a little bit. She actually talks almost normally in the latest Cooking Channel commercial for her show, something about turkey. I wish she talked like that all the time.

Part of me wonders if she doesn't have such a strong personality because she looks too good. People wouldn't pay any attention to what she's saying if they're admiring her features... unless her obnoxiousness overpowers them.

[Jeanne]

Had to resurrect this thread - have been wanting to post my opinion. The first time I watched this show I wasn't crazy about it - but now it's a must see for me. I love Nadia - I think she's hilarious and her recipes look deliciousl. I think she's a breath of fresh air - one of the best new shows on the cooking channel along with Debi Mazar and her husband Gabriele's show Extra Virgin.

Keep the shows coming! And write a cookbook!

And seriously - some people need to get a sense of humor! I'm 59 and I think it's a bitchin good (and funny!) show -

[paulj]

I'm enjoying the British history lessons on Saturday before BK.

[jbuttitta]

I also really like this show. She has cookbooks available. They are on Amazon.

I realize not everyone will like the show, but food, drinking and cooking should be fun. Stop taking all this so seriously, it s not

[piccola]

I don't mind the jokes - sometimes she goes for the absurd, which I really like - or the lighthearted approach to cooking. I just don't like the over-the-top stereotypical accent/behaviour. Just can't get past it.

[Treadmill88]

One of the TV show schedules, (I can't remember which), has the program categorized as 'Comedy'!!
Which is somewhat of a disservice to her.
When you get past the OTT persona stuff, some of the food is quite good.
Plus its fascinating seeing how her nail polish always color coordinates with the wall colors.
Looks like they put a lot of thought into the decor.
We enjoy the program for what it is.

T88

[paulj]

She's now on FN - late night Friday. Just the thing to watch after a bad date night.

[aurora50]

You know, I liked her at the beginning, and I still like her now.
She's great fun to watch after a hard day at work.
AND her recipes are tasty - I've tried 2-3 of them!!
Nadia, if you're listening, you've got a fan!!!

[jbuttitta]

I am also a big fan. She is hot, the show is funny and the recipes are good. What's not to like? Cooking shows have always been as much or more about the personality of the presenter as about the recipes. Nadia is doing something fun and new and she is doing it well. If you prefer the same old crap there are plenty of other shows to watch.

[Midlife]

I think they've developed The Culinary Adventures of Baron Ambrosia with you guys in mind. ENJOY!!!!!!!!

[jbuttitta]

Yes, they probably did

[paulj]

I liked his pilot episode. I even learned about a Portuguese bread and seafood soup from him. I don't get many recipes from TV shows, but they do occasionally expose me to new and different products and combinations.

[FoodPopulist]

FN had a late Friday showing that seemed to be a commercial, more or less, to get people to order whatever cable tier has the Cooking Channel or to ask their cable company to pick it up.

I liked it because it had an irreverent attitude and had several supporting characters rather than relying on a single chef/host. From the comments, some people hate that about the show.

I have decided that if I ever had a chance to pitch a show to the Food Network, it would be an Asian fusion show with a quirky host, making fun of Asian stereotypes with a cast of supporting characters. Basically, think Asian Alton Brown who is not uptight about "authenticity" and you're probably in the neighborhood.

[Midlife]

I'd watch Margaret Cho do a cooking show in a heartbeat.