I think that’s what finished “Kitchen Nightmares” too – both versions. I always preferred the U.K. version of the show; there was much less shouting, and a greater focus on what was really wrong with the restaurant. Many of the owners on the U.S. version of the show weren’t even likable.
What gets me is that it’s basically the same people every year: the bimbo, the bitchy lady, the sexist pig, the guy with severe anger management issues, the morbidly obese person, the person who departs early due to injury/medical issues, the person counting on winning the show to turn their life around (almost always departs early in the competition, complete with teary interview), etc. I swear some of them have to be planted. And in case you’re wondering why I still bother with the show…I inevitably have to hear about or see the latest season, since my mother watches it.
Where are all the good stories? Seems all we get anymore are rehashing of previously aired stories with only the final 8 1/2 minutes dealing with new developments. And how many times can an ep recap the already said stuff even in a new-ish story? Gotta drag out that whole two hours, huh?
Robert Kirkman flat admitted that his formula for writing the comic was to get the characters to a hopeful spot… spend an issue or two building relationships… then kill a few people and screw the cast, and explore the horror for a while. Lather, rinse, repeat.
The show has followed this formula, but I dare say they’ve done it more skillfully. There’s life left in the old zombie yet.
I do feel that ever since the cast of Big Bang signed that three-year contract making them among the highest paid people on TV… the quality of the show has slid… and Sheldon’s character has gone from “high functioning autistic” to “plain ole jerk.” It’s nowhere near as much fun as it was. Kind of hoping that when that contract expires, they let the show die.
They’re **all **planted; everyone has to go through a selection procedure where they inevitably choose everyone who’s expendable (and will be eliminated in as dramatic a fashion as possible). They know in advance who the finalists will be, since the others don’t stand a chance of surviving in a culinary environment.