"The Next Food Network Star"

[Canice]

No thread on this? Or did I miss it?

I think this crop is overall much less appealing than last year's. Seems there are two categories of contestant: those with annoying personalities and those with none at all.

Who else is watching?

[KAnn]

I think this crop is overall much less appealing than last year's. Seems there are two categories of contestant: those with annoying personalities and those with none at all.

Who else is watching?

Oh, I was thinking the same thing! Out of all the hundreds of videos they received, this was the cream of the crop?! I stayed up late sunday night to watch it at 11 pm and I was very surprised. I thoroughly enjoyed the last season.

[Laurielee]

This is my first time watching and I like it, I got a kick when they had RR on there and they trying to do something in their short period of time. I didnt know she read off of a teleprompter. And when oh whats his name asked them to filet a fish, that was so funny. I like the one guy who looks like he is trying to grow a mustache, but then he looks creepy. and the guy with the with the white spiked hair.

[Canice]

Guy (the one with the spiked hair) is the only one who seems to be having any fun and also knowing what he's doing. Nathan is so concieted (ditto, Carissa). I thought it was great when they told him to stop throwing out words like "chinoise" lol. How weird that six of them are from California -did you notice that?

[Laurielee]

At first I thought they were only picking people from California. Nathan is awful he is sooo into himself I cant believe it. And there is one woman who talks so fast I cant believe she made it this far, I could barely understand what she said

Laurie

[schuh]

I agree that this group of people isn't as immediately appealing. I remember liking Dan and Steve right off the bat last time. I also liked the chef (Eric?) who was kicked off for not enough personality -- I actually liked his personality when he showed it.

Guy appears to be the person to beat, but I don't know that I'd really watch a show with him as the host. Nathan is too in love with himself. The women are either void of personality or annoying (what is it with the blonde woman's super long eyebrows?)

Having Bobby Flay as a judge gives it an interesting twist.

I think they made it a lot harder on the finalists this year. If I had to try to dice onions, julienne carrots, and filet a fish in front of Morimoto, I'd have a heart attack. Same with plating a Bobby Flay dish. The only one of those challenges I could have done was describe Mario Batali's dish.

I also can't imagine being given and ingredient and having to cook/demo something with it in 30 minutes!

If you like this sort of stuff, Top Chef on Bravo is pretty interesting.

[luckylori]

I think they're putting this group through the ringer. I think they are all giving it everything they've got, and I'm awfully glad I had enough sense not to try out.

[Canice]

LOL, Lori - I agree with you. Talk about humbling! I'd be curious to try the "deconstructing" excercise, but not on national television, thank you. And, ah, not under Mario Batali's eye.
Morimoto's "knife skills" test was interesting. I know she had the wrong attitude, but I could hardly blame Evette for just looking at the darned fishy and saying, "I don't know how to do this."

schuh, last season Eric was the sweetheart with the big personality, as I recall. Was the chef Hans? There were two of them who looked pretty much the same. Anyhow, I think I know who you mean - he seemed very good with culinary talent and technique, but not always "on". He's the guy I thought would make it.

I second you on Guy being the one to beat ...and on not wanting to watch him for 30 minutes. Did you catch Bobby Flay's comment about all his jewelry? (Would have been less odd were it not for the fact that every close-up of Bobby Flay's hands shows gross, chewed-down-to-the-nubbins fingernails!)

[KristiB]

Did anyone else notice in the first episode Reggie's boss referred to Reggie as "she"? :confused:

I have TiVo and did a replay.

[MISSINDI]

Tivo'd it, but haven't seen it yet. I really like Top Chef too, although that group seems to be largely from a food-related background of sorts, while the FoodTV groups usually were more mixed... still, I love watching them. ;)