Once upon a time there was an little show on Food Network called, "The Next Food Network Star" . The concept was that amateur cooks from around the country would send in their videos, telling why they deserved to have their own show on the network. If their videos were selected, they would be asked to come to New York to audition, and if they were chosen, they would be one of a number of contestants on the actual show.
The contestants would be put through a series of rigorous cooking 'challenges' all meant to gauge how well they would do in all the areas that a cooking show features-speaking, presenting on camera, the ability to teach, and the ability to do one (or more ) of these things at once. An interesting idea, which struggled its first season-and unfortunately the winners of said first season are long forgotten. (although I remember them; a good looking gay couple who did something along the line of "Easy and Elegant Entertaining":--and GOD no, that wasn't the title of the program, so that can't be blamed for its failure.
For some reason though the ratings were good enough that they brought the show back for a second season. The winner that year was Guy Fieri. And at that point, things went rapidly downhill.
Sure the show was sometimes fun to watch, if you enjoy bloody train wrecks. Apparently, a lot of people did. Seasons went past, some with scandal, others with blandness.
IMHO, the best season ever was the one where Alton Brown guested on a few episodes, and uttered the line, in frustration-"Can't we just send them ALL home?" Now that, was brilliance on tv.
Time went on, and the show remained popular. Some of the staples on the network loved the show and guested every year, some people voiced, quietly and snarkily, their negative opinions.
Flash forward to this year. Perhaps the franchise was dying because low and behold, a new formt was announced for the show's 8th season. Instead of the contestants being on their own, there would be
-teams
and
-mentors
Three to be exact. And joy of joys, the winner would not only get their own show, but have it produced by their teams mentor.
The mentors were: Giada DeLaurentiis, Bobby Flay, and --wait for it---Alton Brown Yes, you read right, Alton Brown. Not the same Alton Brown who seemingly loathed the show from its inception?
you ask in horror. Yeah, that Alton Brown. Although, if you read what he said about it in January, it doesn't seem like he's especially thrilled.
http://altonbrown.com/2012/01/463/
Now this was written months ago, and perhaps the Great Man's mind may have changed, but I don't know. He tweets about the show each Sunday, sounding sad and beaten down at least once. His body language is stiff, and if he cracks a smile--especially in the later episodes, it looks like it hurts him to do so. In fact, in the previews for the the next to last episode, he's crying.
Oh, Alton. It worries me. Giada and Bobby seem happy and encouraging, but you? You seem to be acting as if you're the captain of a sinking ship. And the remaining two team members, esp Justin, who for some inexplicable reason everyone loves, are unwatchable.
I wonder why you agreed to do the show at all. And I wonder if there will be a happily ever after-for you, even if your team wins. What about the shows you were promised? I see so many others on FN get new shows, most of them insipid, but never you, dear man. :(
I guess it remains to be seen.
Mr Brown, if you've read my blog before you KNOW where my heart is concerning you. Please don't take offense.
And instead of "The End", let me just leave this at
"To Be Continued"
Peace, Alton. Always. In the most non threatening, and kindest way possible, I love you.
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