I thought the selection process of the other chefs to help Richard and Mike was a really good way to do it. I was glad Richard won, but he was a little too intense sometimes, too full of sour grapes when someone else pleased the judges. I was really surprised how much more I could stand Mike and especially Dale and how obnoxious Jenn was. I enjoyed the season overall.
Although I haven’t seen every show yet, I agree almost 100% with this assessment. The only exception is Spike. I didn’t have a bad impression of him in the first place since I have yet to see his season in full, but I really like him. I was sad to see him go so early.
I agree completely about Dale T. He was obnoxious his season and obviously didn’t particularly like himself on TV either. He matured tremendously.
I’m a bit on the fence about Mike I. No question his cooking abilities improved considerably. I still found him obnoxious during the season, although I thought for the finals he was much better.
I liked both of them during their season, but also think they both have improved as chefs. They were fun to watch even if Richard’s angst gets a bit much.
I feel bad for Tiffani and Angelo. They basically filmed back to back seasons. That has to have taken a toll of its own on them. I liked Carla a little more this time, but she’s still not my cup of tea. I didn’t watch Marcel’s season but from what I saw this time both his personality and his cooking are immature. I’m not entirely sure why Stephen did the show again since he isn’t working as a chef and obviously knew his chances were slim.
Jen’s tantrum didn’t bother me all that much to be honest. I thought it was just a case of the expectations and the disappointment colliding. The rest I agree with.
I am still very glad Mike I. didn’t win and perfectly happy that Richard did.
My husband and I both shouted at the TV “Don’t pick anything with foam!”
LOL! I had the same thought re: foam. Marcel looked like the a little kid accustomed to being the last picked - so desperately hoping that someone would choose him. . . sad.
Spike deserves enormous credit. He walked right through a very bad start with Blaise, and was an amazing support to him. Very well done.
Re: the selection, I am always disappointed to see the element of luck brought into the last 2-3 elimination challenges. At that point I really want it to be all about creativity and skill. In fact, what I’d really like is if there were luck elements throughout only in the Quickfires, and the elimination challenges, although tricky, never involved chance. (Except the slight advantages given to the QF winners.)
Yeah, he really impressed me with how solidly he came through for Richard.
I was very happy to see the loser wasn’t determined by a bad performance by a sous chef. I was a little nervous Jaime would phone it in like she did as a competitor, but happy she didn’t.
I wonder how much incentive there is for the sous chefs, both in the “get picked to be a sous chef” part that they had this episode, and in general. Do they get money if their guy wins? I’d say it was for professional pride and exposure, but they hardly get any exposure out of it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t simply a contractual issue. By agreeing to appear on Top Chef you agree to perform as ordered in any and all episodes up through the finale, despite any eliminations.
Several, maybe most of those former contestants did NOT look like they wanted to be there. Jen in particular looked like she was about to lose it and a few others looked extremely uncomfortable. For folks like Elia, Jen and Jaimie I imagine there was a good bit of public humiliation at work on their minds.
Well, they did all get a free trip to the Bahamas out of it.
I can imagine there may have been some monetary incentive in being picked to be Richard or Mike’s sous chefs. I can also imagine that some of the chefs really did just want to hit the beach and threw that challenge so that they wouldn’t be picked.
Wow. BottledBlondeJeanie gets a shoutout from Padma during the reunion show! Nicely done.
Yeah, I mean, wow. That was shocking. Not that she’s a lesbian, but the coarse way she worded her desires - she sounded like a frat boy.
Elia dug herself in deep. She should have been ready for that discussion, but she seemed to be shocked that it came up.
Jen Carrol’s extension were awful.
Gail with the Pepperoni sauce. That was embarassing. She seemed to be having an rgaz just thinking about it. . .
But really best of all was the look on their faces when they found out that the “gift” was a fleece sheatshirt. That was just so tacky. I’m sure they were all thinking “Priuses for everybody!”
Wait, I missed the reunion. Padma seriously talked about getting motorboated by BottledBlondJeanie? I find this hard to believe.
They asked her which of three guys she would most like to date. She instead named two girls she’d like a date with, and then said “or I could just ‘motorboat’ so-and-so.” Then she laughed and said she’d just learned the word and wanted to use it. (Hi TC Producers! Glad to know you’re with us! ::snicker:: )
Sorry, I don’t remember the names, I was totally shocked.
I think she said Antonia!
I was shocked, too. While grinning from ear to ear!
I wish I could take credit for the motorboating comment, but it was alive and well on many boards before me. If she actually referenced me, I’d be on a plane. Someone else said it first on a Bravo bulletin board.
But, Padma, I would in a heart beat.
I have a feeling a feeling that Padma may have been a little drunk. I know, it’s shocking. Maybe she had two gins and tonics.
I have a niggling suspicion that she was stoned out of her mind. Like always.
I tuned in to see more of Padma in a bikini. So sad. The motorboat comment did make up a bit for it.
I’m still not clear what Elia’s problem was/is. Maybe it’s because I don’t know the difference in quality between a cornfed cow and a grassfed one. But it really seemed like she accused him of something, and he denied it, and then she said, “nuh uhh, I know you did, because someone told me you did. (and you endorse Coke.)” ?!wha!? He just said he didn’t do what you’re accusing him of. Unless you’ve got proof, it’s your word against his and he’s bigger. (Has more clout, respect, etc)
More Muppets! “Hurry up, Elmo’s gotta pee!”
Elia came off even worse in her first interview, which basically boiled down to “I worked for Tom, I thought he was my friend, I can’t believe he sent me home.” To which Tom replied, “So you wanted special treatment?”
And then she went on about Tom pushing high fructose corn syrup on kids. To which Tom responded with “I made a commercial for DIET Coke, which I drink myself. And it was a commercial for adults, who have the right to drink whatever they want.”
I’m surprised she didn’t come in with her tail tucked between her leg like Jen did, seeing as how bad she came off after the whole affair. It’s not like she didn’t have time to think about it.