Been spending much time in LiveJournal these days?
Which is part of why I hate him-- the product line with his name and face on it are most definitely not made with the care and skill with which he makes his own food. I mean, corn syrup in salad dressing? Why endorse a product line that you wouldn’t be proud to make in front of a live studio audience or for the diners at your restaurant? To me that shows a lack of integrity. I bet Alton Brown would never do that… at least I hope not, because I love that guy.
Jamie Oliver never seems to do anything I didn’t know how to do when I was 20. For all his leaping about and all his enthusiasm, he’s a dull cook.
Emeril is the king of the cooking shows. Sure, he overworks his favorite gags, but he’s entertaining. I often watch him, but I check first to see what he’s cooking.
I never miss Alton Brown’s Good Eats. I like his quirky style. The best part is that he not only tells you how to do something, he explains why it has to be done that way. Who else would use a toy train to explain saturated vs. mono-unsaturated fat? He can get away with inane devices like teaching a vampire how to cook garlic because he lets you know he knows it’s a stupid gag. I don’t ever intend to cook eggplant, but I still watched his eggplant show.
Wolfgang Puck is a very successful restaurateur, and I tip my hat to that. I don’t like him on TV, though. The few times I’ve seen him, he didn’t show us how anything was done. He just marvelled at the finished product.
Sara Moulton is too busy talking to cook anything.
Bobby Flay is all, “what are we going to get terribly excited about today?”
*Wolfgang Puck? Hrmmm. Never trust a short Austrian. Historically, a bad idea. Emirial
*Mr. Oliver always seems a bit off, like he tucks into the sherry before his shows or something.
*Emiril is too ‘prepared’. I want to see every damned detail, not ‘And earlier, I cut these vegetables in this intricate pattern…’ Oh ya? Let’s see it, motherfucker.
*There is some older blonde chick that does a show about cooking with canned food or some shit. I dunno, the food looks terrible but she looks great.
*Enough knocking on Rachel Ray for being psychotically cheerful. It’s a nice change from what you generally get on TV.
*I think we can all agree that Iron Chef: America will probably suck after the first few shows? Alton can do wonders, but if the enviroment is too scripted, I dunno…
I haven’t seen this, but I think it’s called “Semi-Homemade Cooking” or something to that effect? My sister was griping to me about the show; I guess she was trying to get you to substitute canned frosting for marzipan and some other equally gross-sounding switches. Hey honey, they do make premade marzipan, so you’re not saving time with this replacement.
I’m worried about Iron Chef America as well - I hope it’s just a one-season limited run miniseries or something. I also half expect they’ll keep Brown on a short leash and he’ll be stuck with the same types of interjections as his counterpart on the original show was: “I’ve checked with Flay’s team and that is apparently epazote that they are using.” “Thanks, Alton.”
Heh. Lobstermen have been calling 'em “bugs” forever.
I like Alton most of the time. Not too crazy about some of the stupid “characters” that come out every now and then, though, but I like his approach in the kitchen, and my inner geek appreciates the flame decals on his KitchenAid.
And even though Rachel Ray can be a little annoying with her Betty Rubble giggle and her “Mmmmm - yummy!” exclamations, I like her enthusiasm. Too many people think that they have to chain themselves to the oven and slave all day to make a decent meal, and she’s out there showing folks that cooking can be easy and fun. No problem with that.
Emeril, though. Feh.
Sarah Lee’s a total hottie. And a drunk. Every show has her chugging away at some homemade cocktail creation. And she does a little wiggle dance every time she sips. It’s pretty funny.
Sandra Lee, that’s it. Rrrrowwr.
Gah! I actually like that Essence of Emeril show, but not Emeril live.
Giada de Laurentiis is ALWAYS smiling. She could be chopping a carrot, and she has a huge grin on her face… it just kind of weirds me out.
Alton Brown is awesome, but I don’t like it when he simplifies stuff so much that it becomes inaccurate, or just says things that are inaccurate. (I don’t notice it often, but there’s usually something every other episode or so that strikes me wrong. ) I like it as much as I do because it takes me back to my childhood with Bill Nye.
I love the Food Network anyway, though. sigh
I was going to say that it’s way too funny if the host of a cooking show is really named Sarah Lee…
Nobody doesn’t like Sara Lee…
Yep, it’s Sandra.
I hate Emeril because he never teaches you how to do anything! He never gives precise measurements, or temperatures, or times. Maybe the hard-core foodies know what the hell he’s talking about, but I never do. And the food never looks appealing to me either.
Boobie Flay is the biggest ass, and somehow, it makes me feel better to call him Boobie. Heh, boobies.
Alton Brown is about the best thing I’ve ever seen. I love it when he says things like “But we have science, and science beats voodoo any time.” mmmmmmmmmAlton, tell me more.
Bah, you’re right. Although, in my defense, she does use a lot of Sarah Lee.
I also think that she’s probably (or was) a trophy wife. She’s really good looking (imagine her when she was in her twenties, yowza), and she built her empire by entertaining her friends a lot? I’m thinking afternoon cocktails with the gals while hubby is at the law firm.
You have to admit, the man knows the proper pickup lines for Doper-chicks…
Anyone heard of a Sarah somebody? NOT Sandra. This Sara is short and blonde–looks like a kid sister. I like her cooking. I don’t watch that often, I think she may be on TLC, not Food? Once I saw her shaving chocolate off a chunk the size of her range–I couldn’t figure out why she would ever need such a large portion of choc…
I like the Manchester guy (forgot his name, am terrible with names) but he gets a bit old quickly. And Emeril is boring.
I’m dating myself, but noone beats Julia Childe (before she had the “guest chefs”) and I love Dan Akroyd’s take on her…
Which reminds me of a joke that I tell everytime I use EVOO in the kitchen, much to the chagrin of the people I’m cooking for:
Q. Where does Extra-Virgin Olive Oil come from?
A. Extra-Ugly Olives!
d&r
My girlfriend met Emeril while she was living in Chicago and talked to him for a while. She mentioned in passing that she worked in a cookware store; the next day he came in and bought a huge amount of cookware from her (not to get in her pants or anything, but just out of coolness). Apparently in person, he’s really a personable and genuinely super nice guy. So Emeril’s okay in my cookbook. 
Sarah Moulton?
I watch Alton’s show every night after work - he is the man. I think my favorite episode is the one he did on chocolate chip cookies - and how just by varying the ingredients slightly, you would get a different result - puffy vs. chewy vs. crispy. The chewy is on my list to make - once I drop the holiday pounds!
As for the rest? Will NOT watch Emeril - like others have said, zombie audience. Rachael Ray is alright - will watch because she’s on before Alton. Hate Bobby Flay more then Emeril.
Triple Alton today! 7, and then from 10-11! Whee!
Susan
I recognize all the words in that sentence, but for some reason I just don’t understand the meaning…