After a year of watching Food Network, I found that I much prefer to watch my old pbs shows. Especially Jacque and Julia. Even though they are now reruns of reruns.

The biggest difference is that J&J are real and the FN "stars" are not. Jacque and Julia don't go thru the whole show smiling their faces off and making the show a skit about a luncheon they're having or whatever.

Ina I do like because she comes off like an intelligent person. More of the seriousness, talking much slower, smiling more normally, with very good recipes. But they make her do the d*$@ skits too.

Giada, well, bobblehead comes to mind. Her head is too big for her little body, she's constantly trying to sell the cleavage, and the constant smile with all those teeth!! I just can't stand watching her and was sorry they seem to have put her as a cohost of the new Food Network Star this year.

Every time I see Sandra I start yelling at the tv for someone to find that woman a husband!

Can't stand to watch Rachel, the Neeley's or Sunny because of the incessant chatter and I don't feel any of them are real cooks.

Bottom line, I think the only reason a lot of people like Flay and Alton are because they don't smile like sharks the whole show. Food Network's director or whoever came up with their format made a big mistake with all the smiling, huggy, kissy nonsense. Let's face it, how often do you smile the whole time you're cooking dinner.

One favorite show on FN is DDD and it's because Guy Fieri is so original with real life people, cooking real good food in real life places.

I do wish the FN execs would read this thread and get a clue. They'd have better viewer ratings. Make the shows about cooking and not the stars - they aren't stars folks!

Eileen, I think you did add to the conversation. I believe that remark was directed at someone who only came on to make a critical and rude post about others posting to this thread.

Annie

Eileen - Your crush hasn't aged well in the three years since you dropped cable. Keep the memory, don't google him!

Beth - Sandra might not have a husband, but her boyfriend of four years or so is running for governor of NY. Cocktails at the Governor's Mansion anyone?

Let's face it, those of us who are disappointed with FN evidently are not their target audience. We can complain amongst ourselves, but I imagine there's a group of folks more business savvy than most of us who are making decisions based on what brings in the bucks.

Oh, FOAS, I love his MIND! Did that age poorly, too?

I'll take any and all of the above mentioned celebrity types before I'll watch a minute of the fake-o competition type shows.

Top Chef, Chopped, Hell's Kitchen...even the Next Food Network Star or any of the like represent all that is bad about humans and everything that is bad about TV.

I do not want my wildebeest tartar garnished with essence of civet cat to be assembled by some shaking, sweaty chef wannabe who is under the clock.

Sadists on the judges panel, masochists as the contestants. I shake my head in shame and switch the station.

Only to find...

"Furthering the knowledge on a thread" that's a pretty tall order .

It involves self-censoring, reading what you're about to post, reading it again to make sure it's useful ; some days, a person might just want to comment briefly, or just acknowledge what was said by another person.

Someone like Lou, who gets up in the morning and decides to be annoying,
that's something else altogether.

Back on topic, I randomly watch cooking shows, so I can't name the ones I've seen, I mix up the Contessa, Giada and a few others. If I end up watching the whole show, it means I've been entertained but not necessarily inspired to cook.

As for the chef competitions, once in a while I'll be mesmerized by some of them, sort of like watching an accident when you know you should walk away.

When I fasted for 24 hours for a certain medical test, I watched the Cake Boss for an hour and so desperately wanted to eat a whole cake right then and there......

FOAS - you said: Let's face it, those of us who are disappointed with FN evidently are not their target audience.

About 2 yrs ago, I had friend staying with me and I had the Foodnetwork channel on. Sandra Lee (Semi-Homemade) came on and this friend of mine was riveted to the TV. This was the best show she had ever seen in her life and she planned to TiVo the show from now on.

She's not one to go into the kitchen and be excited to try a new recipe, she'd rather order out, not into cooking at all so this show was right up her alley.

So, what you say is so true.....

It all comes back to Julia....In my memory she was the first TV chef.
And who was that old Cajun guy in the overalls? I liked to watch him but never cooked anything he made....but I did learn how to make a roux.
In the same vein...does anyone...but me....like diners dives and drive-ins?
Some of the regional places just look terrible to me...but others look wonderful

Eileen, Annie is right. I always like reading your comments.

Jo

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives is great.

Celebrating individual endeavour rather than corporate.

Showcasing regional and diverse food traditions, rather than bland, boring and coast to coast sameness.

A host who actually puts food into his mouth and consumes it.

A host who is oft times just on the verge of wasted.

Authentic characters, not some over processed foodie wannabe's.

The only thing that would make that show any better is if Anthony Bourdain hosted it. Maybe if they both did?

And, for me, the top reason to support that show is I have read that once Guy airs your joint you become very, very busy and it sustains.

I just wish they would bring it up to Canada, we have some D, D & D left here too.

Support your local independent joint!

We have always enjoyed the one with Robert Irving or Michael Symon taking on a challenge. Dinner Impossible. The scenarios always were a hoot. And I'm with Eileen about Alton Brown. And Bobby Flay's Throwdown, where we always cheer for the local guys. Bobby comes across as a real person on that show (I don't watch any of his other shows, I admit) and I love his assistants.

Diners Drive ins and Dives is my favourite too. I quite enjoy "The Best I ever Had which is similar to Triple D. The only "contest" show I like is Chopped.

I always enjoy Ina and Tyler. Laura Coulders French Food at Home is hit and miss for me but more often than not I enjoy her show.

The one I absolutely cannot stomach is "B word' Kitchen, even the ad sets me off. How that woman ever got a TV show is so far beyond me!

Here is a link that might be useful: B word Kitchen

Some of favourite meals came from hole-in-the-wall diners. I also enjoy Diners, Drive ins and Dives.

Sharon did you see the Special a week or so ago with Laura Calder where she was at La Varenne preparing a meal for Anne Willan and friends. She took a young Canadian chef with her to help prepare the meal. I really enjoy her.

Ann

"Furthering the knowledge on a thread" that's a pretty tall order."

Yes, it is, especially when the OP is simply asking for opinions to begin with.

I just don't understand, however, how a few here always seem to take offense at comments made in jest.

I don't believe any one person here is so important or central to the existence of this forum that any and every little remark should be taken as a personal insult.
Yet some apparently do feel that way.

So many shows mentioned here I've not heard of, guess I am out of the loop, too.
And after checking out the link Chase included, I think I will stay that way! ;>)

Rusty

I think "pickety" means beautiful. If anyone finds a different definition on the web please let me know.

;-)

Not sure why I feel it is important to clarify, but I did not say a post had to "further the knowledge of a thread". I don't think anyone has that right to dictate content. I simply said that posts should "further the DISCUSSION of a thread". I also said that some of the best cf threads are those that take an unexpected turn but continue to impart knowledge. Every post on this thread, up until Lou's, furthered the discussion. Some with humor, some with facts,etc. Then, with a single post, Lou managed to change the tone and course of this thread, effectively derailing it.
That's all I am saying.

"Posted by foodonastump ----I think "pickety" means beautiful. If anyone finds a different definition on the web please let me know. ;-)"

I was going to give Lou hel l, then I realized that I did not know what "pickety" meant. :-)

dcarch

Pickety: (noun) the sound heard when a man attempts to cover his a$$.

;)

Bless his heart!

lol

;)

Eileen, too funny.

FOAS, I love the way you think.

Ann

no, it's LOL, in caps !!

jojoco, I misunderstood, I do now...

I don't watch any cooking shows although I've seen most of them for little bits and pieces but I absolutely love Top Chef and Tom Colicchio. The sometimes weird and sometimes amazing ingredients inspire and challenge me in the kitchen.
Padma...eh

Aw FOAS, you think Alton has aged badly? I was thinking he looked a lot better since he lost all the weight. He can be so nerve racking though with his skits that sometimes I forget what he's cooking!!

Glad to hear old Sandra got her a boyfriend, but she's been playing the 'coquette' (?sp) bit so long it's doubtful it'll get her to stop.

So if these FN shows are really selling sex or who knows what instead of cooking and people like the ones on this forum are not the target audience... Who is? The guys in my family might stop in to watch Giada's cleavage from time to time, but they aren't cooking or buying the stuff in the ads..

Someone should do a show that hosts a different cook from this forum each week! What a great one that would be.

I don't know why, but I enjoy most of the competition shows, and love Top Chef Masters the most of all of them. I enjoy Iron Chef because it's pretty much a comedy and pure entertainment - I don't expect to learn from it, although I've occasionally wished they posted recipes.

I've never watched Diners, Drive ins and Dives, because I get weary of the travel-around-and-eat-at-restaurants-shows. Maybe I should give it a chance. I like Guy Fieri. (Although I've never watched his game show.

Julia was the best and always will be, followed closely by Jaques, but alas, I don't get to watch them much since I work when they're on, and it seems that my local PBS station has pledge drives 11 months out of 12 these days, and I never can figure out when they're going to be on to record them.

Sally

Lindac, that was Justin Wilson. I enjoyed watching him too way back when. One thing I learned from him was measuring spices in the palm of your hand. He would scoop or pour them into a measuring spoon to show you he was pretty much right on with the measurement.

TFN isn't what it used to be that's for sure. I don't watch it as much as I used to. DDD is a great show. I love diners and local joints so it's great to see what he finds out there on the road. Ina is still a favorite but she not sharing many new recipes as of late. Tyler, Chiarello, Giada, Flay, Brown and Krieger are a few of the others I'll watch if I happen to catch them. Deen is okay too and I do like some of here recipes. The one that grinds on my nerves now is the Neeley's(SP). OY! I'd rather watch Sandra Lee. LOL!

Annie, the Two Fat Ladies is a pretty cool show. Loved watching them tool around on their bike cooking in different kitchens and feeding people. I didn't always care for some of the food they made but it was a interesting show.

Another fan of Top Chef here. I think the new season starts next week. Used to watch Hell's kitchen but I've grown tired of Gorden and his crazy fits of rage. I seem to remember lots of bleeps during the show too.

I do watch some of the old and current shows on a extended cable PBS channel. What is the name of this new cooking channel several of you have mentioned? I'd like to see if my cable provider has it. TIA!

David

Oh yeah....that's where I learned the hand measure thing...
And was it he who showed us how to, mush the tomatoes by hand too?
I almost never use measuring spoons but for baking powder....and Justin Wilson is to blame!
Yeah...like other "entertainment" TV...the shows come and go...and popularity waxes and wanes...
But there will always be Julia and Jacques!
I am really sorry for people who never watch any of the cooking shows....there is a lot to learn....a lot!!

Don't watch the FN that often. Haven't for some years now. Can't stand to watch most of the people they have on, just too annoying and phony . I watch PBS and their off shoot Create. They have real chefs on their programs where you can actually learn the correct techniques, what spices to use etc., not personalities that happen to cook(and some not very well I might add). Have only watched the new Cooking Channel a few times so can't quite comment on their shows yet. As was mentioned in previous posts, I'm probably not FN's target audience so they could care less. NancyLouise

I had the opportunity of being invited to the TFN to watch a few tapings of cooking shows when the station first went on air.
The show had no audience, and was anchored by Donna Hanover and Robin Leach. There were five kitchen sets in the TV studio, but there were no really cooking on the sets. All real cooking was done in a large kitchen next to the studio. Most of the on camera cooking was bogus, and there were many re-takes until everything was done right.

dcarch

That makes sense due to time constraints. I think cooking shows have always had examples of what they're preparing already made and cooked to various stages so the audience can see what they're supposed to look like. I bet that was fun, Dcarch.

I don't think I can get the new FN channel. I wasn't able to get Fine Living. Well, I could have if I wanted to pay extra, but I just don't want to pay any more for t.v. than I am already.

I remember Justin Wilson and The Fat Ladies. I only saw The Fat Ladies show once or twice, but enjoyed it thoroughly.

Oh, and on the radio lets not forget The Splendid Table with Lynne Rossetto Kasper. She is so charming and her show is interesting. It's on PBS radio.

Sally

I just watched some YouTube clips of Laura Calder and I have to say..... she made me want to jump up and make the Strawberry Galette and Lemon Risotto with Asparagus - and I don't even like asparagus! ha! She wasn't annoying - as long as she doesn't do too many "ta das" per show and she actually has cooking school training at LaVarenne. I liked that she padded about the house and kitchen barefoot and charmingly grumbled about her guests being tardy. I think she may have had the whole dinner menu on one show, which I like, seeing a full menu for a meal.

I'm looking forward to some fruit galettes as the summer progresses! My mom has made this before and I loved it - just forgot about it.

Yes, Ann I saw that show of Laura Caulder's it was fantastic!

Teresa she actually does have training at La Vrenne and she is extremely knowledgeable about French cuisine, but she does "ta da" once to often!

Alexa, she even made the radishes on buttered bread one show!

I forgot to mention one I really like best of all, "At the Table With"

Just so disappointed nobody has yet to mention the best ever... I guess those honorable shoes more then any current chef could ever hope to fill... (see link). ; )

No television so no regular exposure. I do like Bobby Flay and Alton Brown even more so. Bobby rubs me sometimes with his over confidence but he is in the business to sell and that takes confidence. Alton I don't know... probably the geek humor. I've never made anything I personally saw on a cooking show. My sister has me cooking salmon in parchment paper which she saw on television.

Sometimes play with the idea of my own cooking show. I have a vid camera and there is youtube. I used to be a chef at an A&W and I'm certain the world wants to know how to make a Papa Burger. Just playing so far... need better editing software.

Hopefully transvestites are in neutral territory in the gender wars. Both genders come up with strange ideas and I get all of them. If I wait until I have something to say the topic might never get off track.

: )
lyra

Here is a link that might be useful: the GREATEST tv chef of all time

Lyra,

I loved your link!

Thank you for reminding me of all the fun my daughter and I had watching him and all his buddies!

As I don't have cable, the only time I ever see any of the FN is during naptime when I am watching the grandkids at my daughter's house. And I don't think I am missing much.

I have lately watched lots of youtube video's with Nigella Lawson. And I really enjoy watching her cook!

Kat

I'm really enjoying this thread!! Although I'm not the cook that most of you are, I do enjoy watching the FN. I love watching DDD and really wish we had a great diner on my area -- if I win the lottery, I'm going to open one. I enjoy the Ultimate Recipe Showdown because I love watching "regular" people in a competition. I also think Unwrapped is interesting.

As far as the celebrities, I like the recipes the Neeley's share, but I can't stand how kissy-kissy they are and the "spice fairy" makes me nearly lose my lunch. Also, can't stand listening to Rachel Ray. I like Ina and Tyler the best. Paula, Giada and Sandra are okay, but I agree with the criticisms most of you have expressed -- I think I'd like them a lot more if they didn't have their "TV personas" turned on. Didn't like Bobbie Flay at first, but he's kind of grown on me over the years. And, I don't care for Alton, but I'm not sure why...LOL.

Pickety makes me think of the guy on Jail (it's a tv show) last night. He said "Why are y'all always harrassling me?" Even the corrections officer said, "Harrassling?!"

FOAS you beat me to it. I've decided Cooking Forum cooks are certainly NOT FoodNetwork's target audience. I do like Alton and Ina. I don't dislike Giada, Flay, Ciarello, Tyler, Krieger, and Sunny, but they're not my favorites. I truly dislike all others. Unpalatable. And miss others (like Moulton). I grew up with Justin Wilson (the overall wearing Cajun), Julia, Jaque, and Jeff Smith (the Frugal Gourmet). I have seen Two Fat Ladies and loved it!

I really liked Sara Moulton, Justin Wilson, Julia, Jaque and Alton. I know I'm very much in the minority but I also like Guy Fieri. Just don't like his show, DDD. I used to like Ina but those skits and some of the other stuff she does has started to wear on me. I can take or leave most of the rest of them except Aunt Sandy, Paula Deen, The Two Fat Ladies, and the Neeley's. I can't watch them at all. I watch Giada if there's nothing better to do. I do use some of Giada's recipes.

Oh my!! "Bork Bork!!"
Good memories!! LOL!!! The "Sveedish Chef" was a favorite of my 1/2 Swedish husband...

Posted by bunnyman ------------Hopefully transvestites are in neutral territory in the gender wars. Both genders come up with strange ideas and I get all of them. If I wait until I have something to say the topic might never get off track. : ) lyra"

lyra,

In NYC, there was a place (may still be there?) called Club 82. A performer there lived in the same apartment building when I was a kid. He was a wonderful cook and person. I enjoyed watching him make sushi all the time. He would knock on our door and announced, " I am making sushi!"

We went to restaurants to eat a couple of times. I never asked him which bathroom he would use if he had to go.

dcarch

Michael/Lyra thanks for that, I have always loved the Swedish Chef. I just like the muppets anyway, my favorite Christmas program has always been "A Christmas Carol" with Michael Caine as Scrooge and Gonzo as the narrator. (grin)

I'm sorry to say that I fell asleep watching the "Two Fat Ladies" although I had to laugh when the ingredient was "Meat" and one remarked that they were cooking for a girls LaCrosse team and in today's society they were probably vegetarians. After seeing the girls she changed her mind and noted that they were too healthy to look like vegetarians, LOL, and I wondered what the heck a vegetarian looked like! Of course, I know that lpink is mostly vegetarian and we've had meals, made jam and picked blueberries together and she doesn't seem really different. LOL Sorry, L, couldn't help myself!

Annie

Its interesting, after re-reading the pertinent comments on this thread, it occurs to me that Scripps has done the same disservice to HGTV. I'm sure you all remember when there were at least a few shown on HGTV that were actually about gardening . Now there is a non-stop littany about which reality show host and landscape company is going to sneak into your yard and bulldoze every square inch, replace everything with EP Henry and plants from a box store that are low maintenance and bring in the decorators with couchs, chairs, tables, lights, etc etc etc to make your new outdoor living space. NOw I would love to have $50k+ to spend on a gardening project (not that I would, but I would like to have it to spend) but it wouldn't be on another room to maintain!

I want the shows like Paul James (the Gardener Guy) That realism, plus Paul's somewhat zany style and a commitment to all-natural approaches to gardening, has endeared viewers to his show since it first aired on HGTV in 1996. "If I've got a spot where the soil is awful, or a plant that's been riddled by bugs or plagued by some sort of disease, I don't hide it. I feature it. How else will people know how to deal with their own garden problems?"

or the Gardener's Journal which often interviewed someone who is legendary in the development of a particular type of plant (daylilys, hostas, roses, etc) and toured their gardens and talked about what sort of characteristics hybridizers were striving to develop.

Unfortunately, there is no other offering on tv - there used to be Victory Garden on PBS but I think that was either cancelled or moved to an impossible time slot so it seems Scripps has ruined HGTV the same way it ruined FoodNetwork.

Amen Alexa, it amazes me how awful looking the yards are on one of those shows when they get through with them. It's like 'where are the plants'?! Instead they have a grill, a water feature, a gazebo, a deck, a patio, a fire pit, etc. And Jamie Drurey killed Victory Garden. Once they put him on, all of a sudden the show just came to a halt. It's a worrisome trend to see. Especially when we lose shows that were around for so many years with such a lot of great inspiration.

As far as the Food Network's "target audience" I believe I read somewhere that it is "males age 18 to 35", those least likely to be in a kitchen cooking in my opinion. The vast majority anyway.

"males age 18-35"

I think that is Giada's target audience. They should bump it up to 45 ish, to include my dh.

Jo

And bump it down to 13 - to include my son.

My regular-watching food show is "Good Eats" (Alton Brown). I llike learning about the history and science of a food or a technique, and his shows are inventive and entertaining. The other one I like is "Secrets Of A Restaurant Chef" (Anne Burrell), for the no-nonsense, straight-up cooking. I sometimes like "America's Test Kitchen" (Cooks Illustrated).

I need to search PBS for cooking shows, as the other Food Network shows are rather disappointing. I do like Ina for the relaxed pace and clear exposition, but I'm not all that interested in the dishes she makes. The kids and I enjoy watching the old Japanese "Iron Chef", for the goofy judges making bizarrely-translated pronouncements on puzzling dishes. We jump up and down and yell when the wrong chef wins. I can't say I actually learn much from it.

My favorite single episode of a "food show", using the term loosely, is probably the "No Reservations" episode where Anthony Bourdain goes back to the restaurant to work 12 hours on the line. I like the swearing, the efficiency, the controlled chaos, and the absence of pretty floral arrangements.

Shaun, eleven year old Thumper has no interest in cooking shows, but he likes Giada too.

There are only two shows that still interest me on the FN. The Barefoot Contessa. I never tire of Ina Garten, whose mellow voice puts my husband to sleep. But, I find her simple, relaxed cooking style worth watching.

Also, the Next Food Network Star; it's pure contentment to watch professionals screw up.

Sol

Finally caught an episode of Cake Boss the other night. I liked it.

"No Reservations" is a favorite of mine as well. I'm going to have to search for that episode, John, as I haven't seen it. I love Bourdain, that show is the perfect mixture of real travel, real food and real people.

I'm not crazy about Giada's show; I wouldn't make most of her recipes because of our food restrictions, but I love her. DH got me one of her books as a gift once. Beautiful cover, but I don't think I've made one recipe.

I also like Ina. Great style, relaxed, easy pace. I love her explanations.

I think it was called "Into The Fire NYC".