For the uninitiated, he currently hosts a half-hour show on the Food Network called “Food Detectives” where they address common myths/problems about food and see if they can come up with an answer (what can help cool down the burning in your mouth after eating something spicy, best cure of a hangover, etc.).
Now, I like him when he’s in a supportive role on other channels/shows (Top Chef, Iron Chef, Queer Eye, etc.) critiquing food or giving advice, but that Food Detectives show is awful. He delivers his lines in this stilted, weird cadence like a radio actor from the 40s that is just distracting. Maybe I’m just put off a bit by the campiness of the show, too. I’ve watched a couple of episodes, because I want to see what some of the findings are, but can’t seem to really get past him.
He’s hosting a new competitive cooking show that’s premiering soon on Food Network called “Chopped,” in which four regular chefs compete against each other in what looks like “Iron Chef” style (one ingredient, multiple courses). I hope he does well in it.
I’ve seen one episode of this, and you’re right. He hams it up to a huge degree that’s off-putting.
It kind of reminds me of the Straight Dope TV show in how it’s too campy for its own good.
I don’t like Ted Allen under any circumstances, so that makes Food Detectives a total “no-watcher” for me.
Actually, from the previews I’ve seen, Chopped will be a bit different in that it appears the contestants will be given a box of ingredients and left to make best use of their limited arsenal, rather than taking one key ingredient and given near-infinite choices about what to use it with. I’m intrigued.
As to Food Detectives, I agree. It’s okay, and I’ve watched five or six episodes off and on, but I could never get riveted or sit through a marathon.
The tone of the show feels like something that’s pitched at kids or teens.
I first read that as Tim Allen and was oddly disappointed to find otherwise.
Oh man, I used to looooooooooooove Queer Eye and seeing as how Ted was the Other Half’s favorite (mine was Thom), I couldn’t help but tune into this too. Now it’s confirmed, I looooooooooooove Ted as well and will seek him out on anything else he’s in.
Of course, I like campy, so perhaps that’s my problem. And the ‘supporting cast’ usually cracks me up. Looking forward to Chopped!
I like Ted Allen, not least because this vaguely nerdy gay foodie has managed to carve a noticeable niche in the media landscape for himself simply on the strength of charm and knowledge. But I found Food Detectives completely unwatchable, for all the reasons listed. It’s like the illegitimate child of the science segments of Alton Brown’s Good Eats and Bill Nye the Science Guy, hopped up on a gallon of Mountain Dew. Do not want.
It’s a shame, too, because “the illegitimate child of Good Eats and Bill Nye The Science Guy” sounds absolutely awesome on paper.