Rachel Ray and Guy Fieri together?

[sandiasingh]

Just shoot me now. Rachel Ray and Guy Fieri together with celebrity chefs? Are the FN execs tripping or what?

[JonParker]

I find the show pretty entertaining, although much less so now that Alyssa (and her shorts) have been eliminated. The big surprise for me has been how entertaining Coolio and Lou Diamond Phillips have been. They are the real stars here.

[Shrinkrap]

Agreed! I was wondering if anyone else thought so.......About Coolio, not the shorts.

[JonParker]

I think the hosts summed it up tonight. Coolio brought his A game. I respect him as an artist, and now as a chef. He acts like hes fooling around, but he's not.

And the shorts were damned nice.

[Shrinkrap]

For a second I was thinking..."wait...Coolio wasn't wearing shorts...."

[JonParker]

Coolio is the better chef, Alyssa looks better in shorts. For me its a tossup.

[mamachef]

That's bound to be one teeth-grittingly peppy show.

[alliegator]

I watched the show, mainly because there is not much on Sunday nights. I won't tune in again, mostly because Rachael and Guy's personalities grate on me. I think they are enthusiatic teachers, but the show was just hard to watch.
The mr. (who has a huge aversion to Guy) saw me watching and went on a "how can anyone like that feel proud to be who they are?" rant. So I printed off a few nice promo shots of Guy and have been taping them in weird places like the bathroom mirror or inside his laptop just to get a laugh. So now Guy is the current running joke in my home :)

[Phaedrus]

Nice solution. Fieri as punchline.

[ttoommyy]

Albeit a punchline who makes more money in a year than I could ever possibly imagine making in a lifetime.

[tommy]

And is loved by many. And who is charitable. And who is top in their field. I wish I could say the same about myself, much less his critics.

[tommy]

And who is loved by many. And who is charitable. And who seems genuinely happy and enthusiastic. And who is top in his field. I wish I could say the same about myself, much less his critics.

[Phaedrus]

Hey good for him. I hope he IS happy because he shouldn't be seeking his rewards in terms of respect in the eyes of his culinary peers.

[soupkitten]

why not? he's got a house and a car and health insurance, unlike 95% of the culinary field. he's proof that line cooks can make it, find fame&fortune, and that a swath of the public cares to hear what they have to say. the vast majority of pro cooks in america more closely resemble fieri than giada etc....

actually, which "media personality," if any, do you believe *does* have "respect in the eyes of his/her culinary peers?" it would be helpful if we could exclude real chefs who owned restaurants prior to finding fame and fortune, but then again, i guess i'm just curious about who would immediately spring to mind.

[tommy]

Yeah, his several successful restaurants speak for him to these "culinary peers", most of whom can't cook and run restaurants into the ground.

I wonder who these "culinary peers" are that people think don't give him respect.

[Westy]

I bet Cheech can make some mean brownies.

[EWSflash]

LOL- I bet you're right

[coney with everything]

that would make for a fun show...stoner food, dude

[Phaedrus]

Dave's not here man.

[JonParker]

I actually laughed out loud when he really did make brownies.

[John E.]

I did not watch the show, I was watching Hell on Wheels instead. The food might have been better on Hell on Wheels, it looked like some kind of bean slop, as typical of most westerns. Anyway, I did scan the Food Network Humor review of the show. I was too not familiar with the 'celebrities'. The only two that I could pick out of a lineup would be Cheech Marin and Lou Diamond Phillips. I understand the concept of this show. I won't be watching. If they got actual celebrities I might be tempted to watch it, but actual celebrities would never agree to be involved with something such as this program.

[freia]

I think you aren't the only one with the "celebrity ID problem"...they had the beauty contestant come out in her sash thus identifying her as Miss USA, and the athlete come out wearing an Olympic Gold medal that she won back in the day...I remembered Coolio only from that song he sang for a movie about schools in the 'hood ---actually I remember the Weird Al Yankovich parody of the song better...I had to google the female singer/plastic surgery victim who was apparently big back in the day. I knew the young male singer only because his brother is Nick Carter and my work colleauge's teen daughter had a crush on the brother so colleauge used to call him "Dick Farter" all the time just to irritate his his teen daughter LOLOL...sigh...good times...
That seems to be the Celebrity theme here..."Back in the Day...."

[Phaedrus]

The singer is Taylor Dayne, one hit wonder.

[boingo2000]

To be fair, I believe she had 2 or 3 huge hits, and several other top 10 hits, though that was quite a while ago. I think if we want to be snarky about anything, it should be centered on whatever she's done to her face. :)

[livetocook]

Googled her. WTH did they do to her face? Yikes

[Shrinkrap]

And I named my son after her...well his middle name. Back then, she was a women with a guys name. Now, son is a guy with a woman's name.

[goodhealthgourmet]

I remembered Coolio only from that song he sang for a movie about schools in the 'hood
~~~~~~~~
Gangta's Paradise from Dangerous Minds. great flick, great song.

[coney with everything]

Amish Paradise--great song (hey, my son was at that Weird Al stage at the time...)

[alkapal]

that's it! weird al! love him!

[Shrinkrap]

I admit, I have watched it, and came to this thread to see if any was commenting on how Coolio was doing.

[iL Divo]

agree freia, when we saw who was on the show and didn't recognize a few of them, I thought is this how far they had to reach to do another cooking show?

[paulj]

How does this differ from Worst Cooks?

I noticed from the ads that new the season of Worst Cooks (#3?) has a new coach - Bobby

[tommy]

The same way Julia Child differs from Jacques Pepin.

[mattstolz]

this one has a mix of good and bad cooks it seems, whereas worst cooks is all bad cooks.

so sad for bobby on worst cooks new season.

[Firegoat]

What a horrible show. The only things I learned are that about 3 of the contestants can actually cook and that Fieri is a much, much, much better host than Rach. I'm not even sure why she was there.

[tommy]

Did you tune into a reality/entertainment show on TV expecting to learn something?

[jarona]

Out of curiosity, my daughter and I started watching it. We changed the channel before the first commercial break. It was that bad.

[xo_kizzy_xo]

I watched it, but with very low expectations because this show strikes me as a "throwaway" as in "FN needed filler so, hey, what an interesting concept!"

I only marked three who rocked the challenge because it was obvious they know their way around a kitchen. The others? What the -- ?!? if I were Aaron Carter I'd be more humiliated than anything else.

[freia]

Horrible show. Watched the first 15 minutes. Can't stand either host, and the sum of the two is waaay worse than each of them separately. Didn't give a flying flip about any of the "celebrities". None of them. Awful show. Not going to keep on watching.

[tommy]

Yeah, networks have this weird thing where they need to fill up their schedules with interesting concepts, to appeal to viewers and sell to advertisers.

They also, if possible, will put their most bankable talent on their programs. Crazy, I know.

[linguafood]

The word "talent" being used in the most loose sense of the word.

[tommy]

No, used in the most technical sense.

I suspect you're not in media or broadcasting. Not surprising.

[linguafood]

You've suspected correctly, with a surprising lack of sense for sarcasm.

[paulj]

On the FN website for this show, Guy and Rachel are described as 'television personalities'. Regardless of what we might think of their cooking abilities (or ability to manage a restaurant - be a chef) they do have talent in front of the television camera.

[linguafood]

That's a rather subjective statement. I don't think GF has any talent. Opinions are like.... well, ya know. Everybody has one '-)

[freia]

Don't know how one defines talent, although I've used GF as an example of a personality on tv who is devoid of talent. Simply bluster, catch phrases, and funky clothes. And greasy hair. And sunglasses. Shudder. No talent there. Now as a host, maybe Alton Brown or that guy from Chopped. Much better IMHO.

[boingo2000]

Yes, I suppose you could say "talent" is a fuzzy concept, but to say that GF is devoid of talent is just incorrect. Just watching any episode of TNFNS, or even your average local news broadcast, shows that it's very difficult to stand in front of a camera and come across naturally. Whether or not you like GF, he *definitely* has a talent for hosting a show and talking in front of a camera...it's natural and effortless for him. That qualifies as a talent, whether or not you like his persona.

[freia]

I see "skill" and "talent" as two different things. GF may be skilled at hosting, but I don't see any talent there. I guess it just lies in how one defines "talent" i suppose. I see it as a more inherent ability that lies above the skilled. I think one can be adept or skilled at something, but not talented. Just in how you word smith things I suppose? And I will acknowledge that he is skilled at hosting his show but I don't see him as particularly talented. (Martha Stewart is talented, Rachel Ray is skilled., Alton Brown is talented, GF is skilled). If you take away the man posse, the yelling, catch phrases, crazy greasy hair, the rings, the forearm band thingee, the flip flops, the cars and just have him talk, GF wouldn't really be watchable. He relies on the gimmics IMHO and the fact he can hold interest as a host today is due to skill not talent. That's why he's not really marketable out of the niche he's carved for himself I think (skill), whereas Alton Brown can hold his own in a wide array of food based programming (talent). JMHO, of course :)

[paulj]

One dictionary defines talent as 'natural or acquired ability'. The word comes from the parable in which a master gives money to servants to invest, 1,5,10 talents. Preachers then applied the idea to 'God given talents'.

Even if you make the distinction that skill is acquired and talent is natural, I don't see you categorize those individuals. Doing a job well requires both natural aptitudes and learned skills, and learning can be both formal and on the job.

[freia]

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/138125...
I think there's a big difference between the two, and skill doesn't equate to talent. I don't consider GF or RR to be talented, I consider them to be skilled. JMHO. I think there's a big difference. Interestingly, I think this is what TNIC All Stars was trying to sort out -- which chefs are talented, which are skilled. Interesting debate, nonetheless...

[John E.]

If skill is defined as something acquired and talented as something innate, then Rachel Ray is skilled and Guy Ferry is talented. Ray was terrible at TV when she first started while Ferry (his birth name) was great at it right when he first showed up at TNFNS.

I'm not really a big fan of either one, but I do watch D, D, & D because I get ideas for dishes that I might try while I cannot sit and watch either a 1/2 hour or 1 hour of Ray. Not to mention the fact that I don't watch much daytime television. It might be that I watch D, D, & D in spite of Ferry rather than because of him.

[linguafood]

He changed his name to Fieri? Ha. Goes really well with those frosted tips...

[John E.]

Apparently, Fieri was the original family name and it was anglicized by some family member before he was born. His parents still have the name Ferry. I do not know if his siblings have changed their surname.

[linguafood]

I see.

[iL Divo]

John E, love how you put that and agree with you. I too watch DD&D because if something looks good to me and I want to go, I write it down and do regardless of where it is. with "the best of" from years ago and other tv shows over the years and now recently DD&D, it's a good venture to do and a mission I enjoy accomplishing.

as for Guy Ferry and RR, you know, although I have a basic opinion, uh, I pretty much agree.

[John E.]

I have been to several of the D,D, & D destinations. Some have been good, others not so good. They did quite a few episodes in my neck of the woods since the production was based out of the Twin Cities. There are several more featured restaurants in the Twin Cities at which I have not eaten. I know I will be avoiding the one that is the closest to my house. It's an Italian place that puts cheddar cheese on their pasta dishes. I have also been to a few in Arizona.

[iL Divo]

"with "the best of" from years ago and other tv shows over the years and now recently DD&D, it's a good venture to do and a mission I enjoy accomplishing"

like you, I enjoy the 'chase' as much as hoping to find a good meal.
plus John E, you're right, often times it's a disappointment, the food I mean.
but I usually really enjoy just finding my way, bus/train/rental car/walking.
if they really do good food there, it's a positive for me.
my ventures total double digits so far.

one place I want to go to in MSP, is Juicy Lucy's.
have you been there?

[John E.]

Juicy Lucy is the name of the burger. There are several establishments that feature this burger with the cheese on the inside. The place on D, D, & D is The Nook in St. Paul. Indeed they do have good burgers. I am not a huge fan of the burgers with the cheese inside because sometimes in order for the cheese to melt inside the beef has to be cooked well done. They are still 'juicy' but it's actually the grease and cheese making it that way. Other places that have the juicy lucy are Matt's Bar and The 58 Club, about 2 miles from each other on Cedar Avenue in South Minneapolis. The 58 Club is less than 10 minutes from the airport and the Mall of America.

[paulj]

Food Wars on Travel Channel tried to campare two of the Mpls versions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_Wars

[John E.]

I saw that. I know one of the judges. I'm fairly certain that program is why neither one appeared on D, D, & D.

[iL Divo]

John E

You're right.......this is in my notes on my phone's note pad:

1.The Juicy Lucy at the 5.8 club

2. Matts Bar

I wrote both are on Cedar Street MSP and I need to do them both in one day to compare. [exactly the same as I did with Gino and Pats in Philly for their cheesesteaks]

Wish I'd have remembered in Sept when I had a reason to go to the twin cities.

we visit family often so we'll get there eventually.

but again with me, it's more the mission than the meal.

;}

[soupkitten]

they also featured blue door pub, in st paul, which also makes various jucy lucys. most places in msp that do a "lucy" misspell the "jucy," on purpose.

[iL Divo]

yep, I do remember that about the misspelling.
it must be a Minnesota thing to do burgers this way.

freia,

loved your explanation about talen vs skill.
you hit the nail on the head

[alkapal]

juicy lucy's is also a chain -- at least it was in sw florida.

[alkapal]

the traffic reporter on our local radio station did an ad for some weight loss plan. at the end is a disclaimer voice-over : "talent was remunerated."

i think any performer or spokesperson (namely the person in front of the camera or behind a mike in radio) -- of whatever stripe -- is called "talent" in the industry. that, at least, is my understanding.

[freia]

Ya, I completely agree, as in using "talent" as a noun, as in "get the talent in front of the camera" and so on.

[soupkitten]

alton brown's "science" schtick is not a gimmick? i thought that he fully admitted that he does not have "talent" for cooking, which is why he went into the media biz, and cultivated that schtick.

huh.

i thought rr was absolutely atrocious (as a cook) when i saw her show many years ago. after not having cable tv or watching during the daylight hours for many many years, & catching her show again-- i must give her a little credit, she is no longer cringeworthy-terrible any more. practice can improve any person's skill, and being able to afford a support team can help immeasurably.

fieri has always struck me as a fairly stereotypical line-cook (perhaps a touch brighter, more telegenic, and a bit of a ham) who happened to hit the big-time because of innate talent. the local folks who've had their joint featured on DDD said he was personable.

[freia]

I don't think AB's talent IS cooking, and he admits that. He has a talent for hosting and talent plus effort makes all the difference. The way I see it is this, coming from Canada of course...Wayne Gretzky has talent plus effort -- best in the world at hockey. A third line NHL center has extreme skill plus effort. You can have talent, put no effort into it and not succeed. You can have extreme skill and effort and make it. You can have moderate skill and effort and carve out a place for yourself in your chosen profession. But you don't have talent, that something something that makes the difference between really good and exceptional.
Meh, its JMHO after all. I don't think GF or RR has talent. They have skill plus effort.

[John E.]

Your analogy does work and if you think about it enough you will realize that Guy Fieri has talent. He is a natural in front of the camera which is not a common thing. Rachel Ray was not a natural in front of the camera but through effort she became good enough to be quite successful at it, whether you like her shows or not, she is successful. Fieri took his natural talent with some effort and he has several successful TV shows in his resume. You don't have to like him either, but if you know enough about him you would understand that he has natural talent that others on FN do not have. And this is coming from someone who is not a big fan of either RR or GF.

[tommy]

This is great analysis.

[goodhealthgourmet]

"The way I see it is this, coming from Canada of course"
~~~~~~~~~~
your use of Gretzky & NHL players to illustrate your point was enough to tell me that you're from Canada ;)

[freia]

LOL a dead giveaway, eh???? LOL :)

[coney with everything]

the word "celebrity" also being used in the most loose sense of the word.

[freia]

Word to above...celebrity vs notoriety vs infamy...no shame left in this culture I'm afraid.

[512window]

Sounds like my reaction to Anthony Bordain's talk show.

[linguafood]

Oooh! Which channel is that on?

[John E.]

It used to be on Sirius XM but I don't know if they are still doing the show.

[Phaedrus]

So, Fieri I can take. I enjoy DD&D. he pretty much eats stuff that I can't eat so there is a vicariousness to it. RR is not a fave, don't like the cooking show, hate the travel show.

The "celebrities" are kind of astonishing. This isn't Ozzie Canseco and Flav-a-Flav.

I guess this is where you go after you 15 minutes are up.

I am hoping Cheech does his thing and do what Grace Slick couldn't do with Richard Nixon. THAT would be hilarious, seeing RR and GF as they really are and stoned out of their minds.

[alkapal]

the thing i didn't like about the travel show was that miserable little husband of hers.

[Phaedrus]

Uh yeah. He is very annoying. He seemed to like to cut in on everything and try to be a part of the conversation.

[rasputina]

Ugh, my husband told me about it the other day. He wants us to watch it. In the spirit of togetherness I'm going to give it a chance. I have no desire to see it though.

[jarona]

I have been reading the replies to this post. Very interesting read. Yes. I've seen the ads and while I'm not an admirer of either Ray or Fieri, the show just has me wondering.........what the heck has happened with the FN????? Yes. I realize that food has become a source of entertainment. However, I actually must be in the minority because we grew up respecting food--we were told not to play with it...etc. For some strange and deeply unusual reason, I've always looked to cooking shows as instructional and informative--with the entertainment leaning toward an amiable and knowledgeable host and/or hostess--like Chef John Folse..or Nathalie Dupree. (both on PBS), Laura Calder (on Cooking Channel)..or ..yes..my dear Martha--even ATK's (although not on FN) staff can be mildly entertaining at times. I loved that Jim O'Donnell guy who used to travel around ..."In Search Of"....and Mark Summers on "Unwrapped"...but bring the instruction on. I'll tell ya--I've ditched FN for Cooking Channel these days. I'm learing from Chuck Hughes and David Rocco and Kelsey and one of my faves, Jamie Oliver. While I realize nobody is being forced to watch these shows that FN now has to offer, if enough people stop watching, the powers that be will have no choice but to reaccess just what the FN is about.

[TrishUntrapped]

There are a lot of talented pastry chefs appearing on FN these days making Disney Villain cakes. Obviously there is a market for this type of show or it wouldn't be on. I'm not that market and don't appreciate this gimmicky dumbed down programming.

Caught an episode of Molto Mario, Melting Pot, and Gale Gand's show the other day on the Cooking Channel. Those are good cooking shows I really like. Throw in a dash of Jacques Pepin, a splash of Two Fat Ladies, and a pinch of Julia and I'm in heaven. Add a side dish of Bourdain and Graham Kerr and that's a visual feast for me.

[sandiasingh]

As the OP, I will clarify my original statement "just shoot me now." If I were stuck I'm a room with the choice of watching this show or staring at the wall, I'd stare at the wall. My general opinion and the reason for the post was the depths to which the FN execs will go to sell their pathetic programming and glorified cooks as credible, respected professionals in the industry. I give credit for RR working her way thru the industry as much as I do Nigella, but they are not chefs and don't claim to be. Guy to me is a buffoon who got lucky and the minute Emeril was gone, the network started blowing him up like a Macy parade balloon to fill in the vacuum. I'm not saying there won't be entertainment value here for many, just not for me. This is amplification of the mindless programming that really provides no other value than something to watch in the waiting room of the car dealership. That's my beef. Don't we have enough of that crap on the FN already?

Why can't they put together some programming that combines a little teaching with a little entertainment that serves a purpose instead of another stupid game show that really belongs on the Game Network. It's juvenile and dumb, requires very little production investment, and has the celebrities' PR reps banging each other over their heads to get their clients on. The bottom line here is that the FN has turned into an almost strictly entertainment channel so fine. I haven't watched it for years because I don't learn anything from it nor am inspired by any of their hosts to improve my skills or try something new, so I have moved on. For those people who have learned something from RR and GF, good for you. If it keeps you in the kitchen and has helped you provide better meals for your family, good for you.

[tommy]

How did they go to these "depths" to sell the talent as "credible, respected professionals in the industry" by putting them on a TV show? LOL!

[alkapal]

sounds like there might be some teaching thrown in….

[EWSflash]

Only a lot of the time there isn't- I hold out for your observation "Bitchin' Kitchen". I almost want to throw up just typing the show's name.

[Phaedrus]

Bitching Kitchen is great. When I'm drunk. I mean really really drunk, like falling down, incomprehensible obnoxious drunk.

I saw Nadia G on Andrew Zimmern's show from Montreal and she was actually somewhat normal, no shtick.

[jarona]

I'm likin' your recipe for that visual feast..I just might join you--but can you add just a bit more Pepin????

[The Professor]

Not a fan, but I see nothing wrong with it. Kudos to them for their success.
It seems as though whenever some people with unusual personalities, talents, or "that undefinable something" hit the jackpot of fame and fortune as these two have, you can bet that there will always be _plenty_ of people who feel obligated to piss on the parade.
It's part of the darker side of human nature.
Basically, if the pairing bothers you, don't watch the show. Seems simple enough to me...

[shezmu]

Should I consider myself fortunate for not having watched enough TV to know who either of these two people are?

[alkapal]

how was that starship journey to earth? how long did it take you to get here? is it true that the speed of light might be slowing down? did you pass the higgs boson?

[ttoommyy]

"Should I consider myself fortunate for not having watched enough TV to know who either of these two people are?"

I understand not knowing who Guy Fieri is, but if you read newspapers, keep up with current events and/or live in the US, then you should at least have heard of Rachel Ray. No?

[shezmu]

I've seen Rachel Ray's face and heard she's a terribad cook, but that's it. Never cared to go out of my way to watch her show on the tubes or anything. Not watching TV is awesome.

[alkapal]

she is not a terribad cook.

[mattstolz]

no. but aaron carter sure is.

[Joanie]

I'm gonna start using "terribad" in every day conversations.

And I liked your 'starship journey' comment.

[alkapal]

yeah, that "terribad" has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

[silence9]

Awesome-ness aside, both RR and GF occupy quite of bit of real estate on the shelves of bookstores, where one cannot wallow very far in the cooking/foodsection without stubbing one's toes and eyes on their many many tomes. Unless one finds not shopping at chain bookstores awesome, too. Which one might...

[freia]

I'm going to give it a shot, mostly because there's nothing else on at that hour. I'm bracing myself for shouting, fist pumping, shrillness, alot of noise from the hosts. On second thought, my head hurts. I might just give it a pass.

[Chemicalkinetics]

I don't get why this is so bad, especially given the fact that I am not their fans. I don't see anything wrong here.

[ttoommyy]

"I don't get why this is so bad, especially given the fact that I am not their fans. I don't see anything wrong here."

It's Rachel and Guy; people just feel they are "obliged to" bash them. Just ignoring them and not watching the show isn't good enough. Didn't you know this?

[alkapal]

ttoommyy.

yes, i agree that it is fashionable to bash them. this is unfortunate. and i think that is snobbism. it is effervescent here on chowhound, but i wish that it would diminish.

i really like guy and his show DD&D; i often wish i were there (and eating that food). he travels to good home-cooking places that happen to be restaurants. i think that he is engaging, loves people, the food they cook, and enjoys sharing it with others. he has a good sense of humor, and is self-effacing. he likes to eat. yeah; i'm there!

i also like RR, and i think that she has made a big difference for home cooks across the nation. she has great ideas for people who want to branch out -- esp. with other cuisines -- and i think that is good.

[ttoommyy]

I have to admit I loved RR at first, but like many FN celebs I got tired of her when she became a caricature of herself. (This is just a fact of the machine called Celebrity. I also stopped watching Seinfeld when Kramer took over the show and became an overblown buffoon. I know. Shoot me.) I am not bashing RR. Just stating why I'm not a big fan anymore. I will admit that my go-to recipe for homemade Salisbury steak is from her. It is delicious.

As for D, D & D... I like it. GF can be annoying at times, but he and his production crew find some great places. I am always salivating by the end of the show.

It's cliche to say, but no one is forcing anybody to watch these shows.

[freia]

True, but I don't think the question was "should we watch the show", the question for debate is the thought that a combo of Rachel Ray and Guy Fieri is perhaps a horrible combo for hosting a show? I would personally find that combo....challenging?....to watch due to the onscreen personalities of the two. I think that's the crux of the issue....

[ttoommyy]

"...the question for debate is the thought that a combo of Rachel Ray and Guy Fieri is perhaps a horrible combo for hosting a show?"

Maybe, but the severity of the OP's use of "just shoot me now" and "Are the FN execs tripping or what?" made me think the OP was just being negative and wanting to bash these two. Perhaps if the OP had couched his/her post in a more constructive way, I might have read it differently.

[freia]

Ya, i guess the way I read it was a tongue in cheek way of recognizing that to some, this is an unholy combination that will lead to unwatchable tv, in the OPs opinion...I found it kind of funny!

[ttoommyy]

Ah, the nuances of the Internet. :)

[freia]

WORD!!! :)

[Chemicalkinetics]

I don't think I like either of them. I just don't see the combination of them is any worse. I think we are just bored, so it is fun to bash someone.

[EWSflash]

I agree with you, kk. I used to watch RR until I got annoyed with the schtick (my thing, she went on to be totally famous, and good for her). Guy's show is one that DH will turn to when three''s nothing on in the way of sports. The only other show he watches- and by that I mean will actually tune into- on FN is Iron Chef America.. I'm starting to tire of Guy, but he's certainly not the worst thing that happened to FN, so good for both of them. I expect that if nothing else, the show3 will be VERY PERKY AND ENERGETIC.

[breadchick]

Yeah, Rach is totally famous now. She used to work at the food emporium in Albany that was a decent place to buy foodstuffs, and then was able to move on with her local tv spots. I used to go to that place all the time, it was near my work.

Can we say ZOOM?

Good for her - I think we'd all love that zoom!!

[paulj]

And her TV appearances grew out of cooking classes at the food emporium, right? Along with a cookbook. My impression, from the bio outline, is that she was, first and foremost, an popular cooking teacher.

[breadchick]

She had short spots on the local channel in Albany, and I guess it was seen by someone at the Today show. She also had a following from doing demos at a local market chain - Price Chopper. Also, yes, the food emporium - Cowan and Lobel, which closed quite a while ago. Which is a shame because shops like that (carried some cookware as well as prepared foods, cheeses and breads) are big now. It was a must-stop for us when we packed our picnic baskets for Tanglewood.

[ttoommyy]

She was also a food buyer for The Cellar at Macy's in Herald Square, NY, which used to be THE place to shop for gourmet goods.

[breadchick]

True, I heard that. She still does some local commercials and fundraisers for the high school in Lake George, so she heads back upstate once and awhile.

[kurtt]

Your facts aren't quite right.

"Ray graduated from high school in 1986 and in the 1990s moved to New York City, where she landed a job at the candy counter at Macy's Marketplace and worked her way up to manager of the fresh-foods department. After about two years, Ray left Macy's to become store manager and buyer for Agata & Valentina, an upscale gourmet marketplace."

Read more: Rachael Ray Biography - life, childhood, children, school, mother, born, contract, husband, house, time - Newsmakers Cumulation http://www.notablebiographies.com/new...

[Kenji]

I actually rooted for Guy when he was a competitor on "The Next Food Network Star." But he has become -- no doubt with encouragement from FN higher-ups -- a cross between a clown and a cartoon.

And the way he eats -- taking freakishly huge mouthfuls of the item, then taking another monstrous mouthful before he has chewed the first, smearing cheese and grease all over his facial hair and skin -- is disgusting. And then, worst of all, he starts babbling with his mouth full. If you want to accuse me of snobbery in objecting to all this, first ask yourself if you encourage children to develop these sorts of habits.

Finally, much of Guy's expressions of praise for dishes -- e.g., "That's off the hook!" or "That's on-point!" -- don't really make sense.

[alkapal]

not only do i encourage children to talk with their mouths full of two "ginormous" unchewed bites, but i also encourage them to take advantage of bulk discounts on bleach and hair gel at sally beauty supply's annual clearance sale. if they are sufficiently entertaining to me when i'm bored, then i also feed them.

[gaffk]

Now that made me laugh out loud.

But I will be promptly calling Social Services.

[Kenji]

Alright, just so long as you remind the youngsters to wear their glasses on the other sides of their heads.

[TrishUntrapped]

Not true. But I'm not getting into a debate with you. Enjoy.

[sedimental]

I can appreciate RR and GF for who they are and what they contribute to my inspiration in the kitchen on occasions. Both are "go to" for me when I have my kids and their friends visiting here. My kids are all between 21 and 30 years old and eat ALOT and invite their friends because I am touted as "the best mom cook in the world". I tend to use many, many "big" drink ideas from GF and large RR pasta dishes/salads/sandwiches ..........and "bar food" from both of those cooks. Their recipes are always excellent. Sometimes Thomas Keller style food is simply not appropriate or welcome.

I really don't like competition shows -but will watch one episode....just to see if Cheech makes brownies!!!!! LOL

[alkapal]

yes, cheech's show sounded like it might be fun.

i wonder what the set-up will be -- here is some weed, some flour, sugar, eggs, milk and cocoa. contestants, what will you make?

[alkapal]

sounds fun to me!
http://www.foodista.com/blog/2011/11/14/rachael-ray-and-guy-fieri-to-host-celebrity-cook-off

>>>The show, which debuts on New Year's day, will feature the chefs coaching eight celebrities who will compete in weekly competitions.

The six-episode series will feature Aaron Carter, Summer Sanders, Lou Diamond Phillips, Cheech Marin, Joey Fatone, Coolio, Taylor Dayne, and Alyssa Campanella. The celebrities will be divided up into two teams who will go head-to-head in weekly competitions. In the first episode, the contestants will have to cook a meal for 150 guests, who will vote for which dishes they enjoyed the most, and which they disliked the most.<<<

~~~~~~~
>>>"I wasn’t prepared for how intense it was. We went in there thinking we’d be there several hours a day, but we ended up there 12 and 14 hours a day. It was incredibly intense," Ray said. "It wasn’t over-produced: These people did all of their own work, there wasn’t a lot of behind-the-scenes culinary help for them. Everything about this was legit and intense, and these people, our celebs, they worked their guts out. Seriously. It was so hard to watch them and not be able to literally help them. All we could do was coach. We can’t physically touch the food or teach them a technique by allowing them to watch us perform it. They have to use their own skill set. We can only use our words, really, to help them. It’s frustrating."

http://www.foodista.com/blog/2011/12/...

[TrishUntrapped]

The commercials for this show look like a train wreck to me. It reminds me of that horrific NBC show Celebrity Cooking Showdown, hosted by Alan Thicke. Remember that one? It was so bad it was canceled before it got to the finals. Only this one looks like it is already pre-taped. It's not something written for me in mind, but I am sure it will have its followers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrit...

[tjinsf]

well who else would want to work with either of them?

[ttoommyy]

"Just shoot me now. "

Is someone forcing you to watch this?

[mattstolz]

im pretty sure there are cruel and unusual punishment laws that would prohibit that

[Kenji]

Is this another contest? "Most Annoying FN Personality," perhaps?

[shell22]

"Like"

[linguafood]

yet another sign of the impending apocalypse.

[mattstolz]

its like they have been watching my nightmares for show ideas

[ChefJune]

My sentiments exactly! However, don't know about RR's current pop status, but there are an awful lot of folks out there who LOVE Fieri's shows. I wouldn't be one of them....

[greygarious]

MY nightmare, based on the fact that Bourdain looks like Tom Bergeron's dissipated older brother, was "Dancing with the Food Network Stars". Ramsay as Goodman, Batali as Bono, Child as Leachman, etc. That's about all I can remember.

[dolly52]

big joke