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Hell's Kitchen, Tuesday Nights at 9 PM


cjsadler

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And in related news.

MARCO PIERRE WHITE - AGE: 45 - HOME: London - CLAIM TO FAME: A legendarily temperamental chef and mentor to Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal and Mario Batali, White, at 33, was the youngest chef in history to earn three Michelin stars. His restaurants were Harveys, c at the Hyde Park Hotel and The Oak Room at the Meridien. - TODAY: White has left the kitchen to invest in businesses (including restaurants), spend time with his family, hunt and fish. He has just published his autobiography, "Devil in the Kitchen," recounting his unlikely rise from public housing in Leeds to the top of the culinary world. - FUTURE: White has just signed on as the next host of the reality TV show "Hell's Kitchen," formerly helmed by his famously abusive protege Ramsay.
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this topic makes think of somethin that came up in todd kliman's chat a few months ago:

Restaurant Culture:

Much was made of the fact that two African American coaches faced each other in the Superbowl. There can be no doubt about the historical import and implications of two black coaches in the biggest sporting event in the country. However, the more significant point of Tony Dungee and Lovie Smith coaching in the Superbowl is that both of these coaches have eschewed the militaristic, boot camp drill sergeant mentality of running a football team. They have clearly proven that there is a management approach that does not involve abhorrent behavior and can yield the highest results. Restaurateurs would be wise to heed that message. Too many chefs and owners have been reared in kitchens and dining rooms run by less than benevolent tyrants. As they ascend from line-cook, to executive chef, or from junior manager to general manager, this repugnant style of management becomes their own. Rarely is the cycle broken. In few professions – sports, and restaurants being notable exceptions – would it be acceptable to threaten employees with violence, throw a clipboard or plate, or berate one’s staff publicly and with as much venom as can be mustered. At best, this is emotional terrorism and felonious assault at worst. Both the dining public and restaurant employees bear culpability for this behavior. We happily lap up the stories of abusive coaches/chefs and their “antics” as shown on ESPN or regaled over drinks at the end of a shift. We laugh at the “eccentricities” of many great chefs almost suggesting that occasionally grotesque behavior is a fair trade for learning from their genius or enjoying the fruits of their work. Dungee and Smith have both declared pride in the fact that they “don’t yell or curse”. While I am sure that there are chefs who can make the same claim, I just haven't worked with them. Dungee and Smith’s approach is in the minority among their colleagues. Yet they met in the Superbowl, and a different management style won.

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Interesting... NQD and I watched the last season of Hell's Kitchen (well, I gave up on it, but she made it through to the end). I'm not particularly fond of the "reality show" formula, and generally don't watch those shows, but it managed to hold my attention longer than most. We both preferred Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.

I don't think I've ever seen White on TV. Does he have any actual screen presence? Shouting alone won't make it compelling.

Coincidentally, NQD and I ate at one of White's restaurants, Quo Vadis, a couple of weeks ago in London. It's not at the top of his chain, but it had the advantage of being open and able to accommodate us on a night when we had no plans. Quite good, but not exceptional; mediocre service. Lunch the day before at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay was outstanding. Eventually we'll get around to writing up the trip in the travel forum. Wagamama, Borough Market, Fat Duck...

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I tuned into Hell's Kitchen last night, only after seeing that US Weekly gave it 3 stars. Don't laugh.

Anyway, I really want to know where the hell they are finding the contestants? It's like the gimpy, social reject version of Top Chef!

As much as I love bad reality tv, I am not sure that I can stomach it for a full season...I actually felt guilty for watching it.

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I tuned into Hell's Kitchen last night, only after seeing that US Weekly gave it 3 stars. Don't laugh.

Anyway, I really want to know where the hell they are finding the contestants? It's like the gimpy, social reject version of Top Chef!

As much as I love bad reality tv, I am not sure that I can stomach it for a full season...I actually felt guilty for watching it.

I think there is someone from DC on this season. My girlfriend said she heard a piece of an interview with him on one of the morning radio shows.

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Anyway, I really want to know where the hell they are finding the contestants? It's like the gimpy, social reject version of Top Chef!

As much as I love bad reality tv, I am not sure that I can stomach it for a full season...I actually felt guilty for watching it.

yeah, that was, uuuuh, wild - where the hell did they find those people?

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first episode: everyone on the women's side gangs up on the short order cook, who turns out to be the only one who can cook an egg. the men's team is dominated by a big cry baby. i thought he was gong to be electrocuted or something. wasn't chef ramsay saying "don't die on me" during the lead in? maybe during the next episode.

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I have already commented on Top Chef and The Next Food Network Star, so I guess I should talk about this show too, huh?

I hate this show, I really do, but I still watch it. These people are not chefs, they aren't even close, they pale in comparison to anyone on Top Chef. Hell, they pale in comparison to anyone at Ruby Tuesday down the street from my office! Just awful.

Rock, the guy that served the frozen gnocchi, wins, you can take that to the bank.

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He probably would still be working there, wouldn't he? They aren't going to have him go work in Vegas before the show even airs, that would definitely give the winner away, right?

Or they simply haven't filmed the finale yet. On most of these shows, there seems to be a decent gap between when they film most of the episodes and when they film the finale (think about the last season of Top Chef in which Elia had time to start growing her hair back before the finale). If there's no winner yet, then the name of the winner can't be leaked and everybody has to keep their jobs in the interim.

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I have already commented on Top Chef and The Next Food Network Star, so I guess I should talk about this show too, huh?

I hate this show, I really do, but I still watch it. These people are not chefs, they aren't even close, they pale in comparison to anyone on Top Chef. Hell, they pale in comparison to anyone at Ruby Tuesday down the street from my office! Just awful.

I completely agree...

Gordon Ramsay should go back to his Restaurant Rescue Show. That was entertaining and it was actually interesting at times and mildly educational. You really wanted to root for the places and people he was trying to help.

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I completely agree...

Gordon Ramsay should go back to his Restaurant Rescue Show. That was entertaining and it was actually interesting at times and mildly educational. You really wanted to root for the places and people he was trying to help.

He is - apparently recording an American version of Kitchen Nightmares and he's already being sued

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Me, too-I love watching it-it's disturbing & compelling at the same time-I find myself yelling at the contestants, 'Donkeys!', although I'm sure I'd do just as poorly as they seem to be doing...Tonight, it's got to be Josh or Bonnie (unless there's a wild card)...

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Me, too-I love watching it-it's disturbing & compelling at the same time-I find myself yelling at the contestants, 'Donkeys!', although I'm sure I'd do just as poorly as they seem to be doing...Tonight, it's got to be Josh or Bonnie (unless there's a wild card)...

No, it's embarassing and painful to watch. I can't do it anymore.

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Anyone (besides me) still putting themselves through Hell('s Kitchen) every Monday evening?

I don't know why, but I'm really pulling for Julia (Waffle House cook)....

With the "dismissal" of Josh, I hoped it would be a "get out of jail free" night. But I think Ramsey was truly sincere about Julia's growth and talents, as demonsrated by his offer to send her to culinary school. In my book: she's the true winner.

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With the "dismissal" of Josh, I hoped it would be a "get out of jail free" night. But I think Ramsey was truly sincere about Julia's growth and talents, as demonsrated by his offer to send her to culinary school. In my book: she's the true winner.
I am. I am quite the sucker for bad tv. Although, I have to say, Ramsey's actions toward Julia were the first time that I felt like the show was not just worthless crap. She seems to really deserve the chance; classy move on Ramsey's part.
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With the "dismissal" of Josh, I hoped it would be a "get out of jail free" night. But I think Ramsey was truly sincere about Julia's growth and talents, as demonsrated by his offer to send her to culinary school. In my book: she's the true winner.
That's what I was hoping too, and it certainly seemed to me that someone else (with a bad temper and borderline abusive/misogynistic behavior) should have been sent packing. It was a kind and generous (and uncharacteristic) move on Chef Ramsay's part to give Julia a chance to continue to learn and grow. With her 'wins' on the last two shows, she's definitely shown that she knows what 'the people' want to eat B).

I'm not too inspired by any of the remaining three. The caliber of competition on Top Chef is so much higher and more interesting to watch. (That doesn't mean that I won't be tuned in on the coming Mondays... :angry: )

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I'm not too inspired by any of the remaining three.

Two sports betting sites (bodog.com and sportsbook.com) suspended betting on Hell’s Kitchen, Season 3. That shouldn’t stop us. The final three contestants are: Bonnie, Jen and Rock. Who do you think will win?

My money is on Bonnie. Why? It's all in the editing: the ultimate (reality show) winner is usually the one who's been flying under the radar. Both Jen and Rock have received too much air time.

What say you?

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Two sports betting sites (bodog.com and sportsbook.com) suspended betting on Hell’s Kitchen, Season 3. That shouldn’t stop us. The final three contestants are: Bonnie, Jen and Rock. Who do you think will win?

My money is on Bonnie. Why? It's all in the editing: the ultimate (reality show) winner is usually the one who's been flying under the radar. Both Jen and Rock have received too much air time.

What say you?

Nobody in the top three could ever run a restaurant. That said, my money is on Jen. I see a Jen/Bonnie final. It's amazing how far the series has backslid in terms of cooking talent - there were at least a few actual chefs on Season 1.
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Nobody in the top three could ever run a restaurant. That said, my money is on Jen. I see a Jen/Bonnie final. It's amazing how far the series has backslid in terms of cooking talent - there were at least a few actual chefs on Season 1.
My money is on Jen as well. But, I would be extremely hesitant to go to any restaurant that was run by any of them; it certainly wouldn't be a selling point. The show has presented them all in such a negative light that it seems like a career disaster. Except for Julia.
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My money is on Jen as well. But, I would be extremely hesitant to go to any restaurant that was run by any of them; it certainly wouldn't be a selling point. The show has presented them all in such a negative light that it seems like a career disaster. Except for Julia.
Jen was where my money was too and I think the outcome last night pretty clearly indicates that it's all about creating drama for the viewing audience, not the talent (what there is of it). The only reason I could see for Bonnie (and not Jen) being selected is that Rock is the preselected winner and going up against Bonnie will assure that he wins. Jen might have actually given him a run for his money.

Anyone think there is direction from the higher-ups/network that gender or race of the winner needs to be alternated by season? This would be unfortunate, since competitors wouldn't be judged purely for their skills/potential. And I know they aren't anyway, so I guess it doesn't really matter - ultimately, it's all about the ratings. Of course I will be tuning in next week to see who wins :angry:

(Winners thus far: season 1, Michael, white male, season 2, Heather, white female, season 3???)

Like lackadaisi said, I'd be pretty reluctant to go to a restaurant that any of them are running.

ETA: Jen is a class act - outtakes on the show website show that she spent more than $300 of her $1000 shopping spree to buy very nice knives for her 2 competitors.

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i have a tough time assessing who's doing the best cooking from television snips of people scurrying around a kitchen getting screamed at, scrapping with each other, blubbering, fuming, gloating and acting like simps. but who knows, when you're down to the final few, maybe hell's kitchen would be a good place to eat. this program tells the audience who is winning by the way it depicts them, largely through editing, and it throws in red herrings to keep everyone on the trail. i would like to assume that there is some integrity in the judging of this contest, and that the contestants are not actually as big a bunch of losers as they are made to appear. i guess it all boils down to how much you believe in the integrity of chef ramsay.

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i have a tough time assessing who's doing the best cooking from television snips of people scurrying around a kitchen getting screamed at, scrapping with each other, blubbering, fuming, gloating and acting like simps.
For real. It's about as interesting and rewarding as watching a "Help Me Find My Baby Daddy" episode of Maury. No thanks!
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WaPo article about Rock's first week(s) in Las Vegas. So far it sounds more like a publicity gig than a real cooking job (at least as far as what he's been doing so far). Not quite the "your own restaurant" that it is promoted as on the show - surprise, surprise.

It's a great opportunity for him though, hope it goes well! (who knew he was a T.C. Williams grad!?)

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WaPo article about Rock's first week(s) in Las Vegas. So far it sounds more like a publicity gig than a real cooking job (at least as far as what he's been doing so far). Not quite the "your own restaurant" that it is promoted as on the show - surprise, surprise.

It's a great opportunity for him though, hope it goes well! (who knew he was a T.C. Williams grad!?)

I wish him well also, but I'm very disappointed in his view on what comes next. Already talking about multiple cookbooks, kitchen apparel line, bottled vinaigrettes, knives, etc. etc. "Spoons, bowls, plates, hats," he says, ticking off Chef Rock products-to-be. "Furniture." And having an agent try to get him into the MTV video awards as a guest of 50-Cent?? Come on Rock, start cooking first. All of this will happen in due course.
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I wish him well also, but I'm very disappointed in his view on what comes next. Already talking about multiple cookbooks, kitchen apparel line, bottled vinaigrettes, knives, etc. etc. "Spoons, bowls, plates, hats," he says, ticking off Chef Rock products-to-be. "Furniture." And having an agent try to get him into the MTV video awards as a guest of 50-Cent?? Come on Rock, start cooking first. All of this will happen in due course.
I totally agree! He does seem to be getting the cart before the horse. Sounds like he needs to be working on building relationships with the rest of the staff and doing a little bit of proving himself in the kitchen. Hell, does Chef Ramsay even have all/any of the various product tie-ins he was rattling off??
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Woo Hoo! Hell's Kitchen starts it fourth season tonight!

Initial observations (from the FOX website):

  • Age range: 25 to 47
  • Three without prior culinary experience: Dominic, at-home dad; Shayna, catering company owner; Petrozza, catering director
  • 8 women; 7 men

My guess as to the contestant who "goes missing:" Louross

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Woo Hoo! Hell's Kitchen starts it fourth season tonight!

Initial observations (from the FOX website):

  • Age range: 25 to 47
  • Three without prior culinary experience: Dominic, at-home dad; Shayna, catering company owner; Petrozza, catering director
  • 8 women; 7 men

My guess as to the contestant who "goes missing:" Louross

They all look pretty pitiful, and there's still half an hour to go. And what's with stay-at-home Dad's hair?
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They all look pretty pitiful, and there's still half an hour to go. And what's with stay-at-home Dad's hair?

Where did they find the make-up artist for faux-Ramsey? For crissakes! They're in Hollywood! I did a better job on my niece's Halloween costume. And... was Jason smoking a blunt?

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Some pretty clueless f*ckers last night. Scallops and white chocolate? Jeebus.

Oh this episode had me howling.. they've really upped the camp factor this season, huh? The opening where the contestants are all miniature - haha! Ramsey in "disguise".... Anyway, dude with the above referenced exotic tartare - Ramsey's reaction was priceless.. and everytime they cut to this guy it looks like he's taking a severely painful dump.

That Jason guy is a lazy jerk - "the only thing I'm losing at to a woman is an ironing contest" ?!? I wonder if he was seriously outside smoking and picking his feet or if that was creative editing.

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It could have worked. I mean, there would have to be a lot more going on, but a chicken stew in a pumpkin shell could have worked. There are other possibilities. But, when you had to cut the (raw?) pumpkin I knew he was a loser.

These folks amaze me. They know they're participating in this contest; they know at one point they're going to be asked to make their "signature" dish. Don't you think sometime... in the not too distant past... they would have perfected their dish (as well as plating)? I'm only guessing, but the woman who "won" the signature dish event yet couldn't hold it together in the kitchen: she practiced her dish beforehand... the rest of the women were impressed... voted her the badge... and then she failed miserably.

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Oh this episode had me howling.. they've really upped the camp factor this season, huh?
Finally watched the first episode. They definitely camped it up a bit. I was cracking up at the "Black Gordon Ramsey, 4 Star General" comments, the "Hen in Pumpkin", and that one guy's out of control tableside flambeeing, where GR says "Try not to set the dining room on fire, you donkey!"
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Finally watched the first episode. They definitely camped it up a bit. I was cracking up at the "Black Gordon Ramsey, 4 Star General" comments, the "Hen in Pumpkin", and that one guy's out of control tableside flambeeing, where GR says "Try not to set the dining room on fire, you donkey!"
This promises to be the worst season yet - Hells Kitchen continually plays Rachael Ray to Top Chef's Tom C....(or Boulud).
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