Food Network Going In The Tank

[ismoke]

About the only thing on there that I watch is Good Eats, Grilling w Bobby Flay, and Boy meets Grill. I did get a kick out of the Worst Cooks show, but really it just sucked me in with the first episode (it was unbelievably funny), and the rest of it was just meh.

My biggest problem with FN is that it's either waaaay too dumbed down (Rachel Ray, and Sandra Lee) or things that I generally wouldn't eat (most of Florence's stuff, though I always check out what the shows about, and either record it or skip it). I like simple foods, griling, etc. I don't bake, so I have no use for those shows, and too many of them don't want to teach you how to cook, just how to make a dish (which is why I like Alton so much). If you want me to watch your show when you're making something I most likely wouldn't eat, make sure you're teachig me something I can use in another dish.

I do like everything my wife has made that she's gotten from Paula Deen, but I can't stomach watching her show.

Also, +1 to whoever mentioned weekend mornings. Good stuff on there.

 

[tjoff]

I agree completly. I used to love Emril and most of the other instructional type cooking shows. I hardly ever watch the channel anymore because of all the cake shows and cooking competion reality garbage that is on there. you can hardly ever find antything good to watch anymore.

 

[salsashark]

I've downloaded several of Florence's recipes from FN.com and they have all been really good so I bought my mom his cookbook for Christmas. It's exceptional. Lots of rustic dishes that absolutely rock.

 

[fire it up]

Tyler? Tyler Durden?
He did a menu for Applebees a while back, it wasn't very good IMO.

Tell you who I do enjoy watching is Giada, not only is she nice to look at I enjoy the truly ethnic Italian dishes she makes.

 

[smokey2569]

Giada is the best. Good techniques and real Italian food. Never mind how she looks...But then they follow her up with that water buffalo Ina Garten. Its like coming out of a dark movie theater into the bright sunlight. Its blinding...

I like what Ina makes, but HD is not her friend.

 

[northern greenhorn]

I like Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, I think its cool to see different places with all kinds of good food across are country, Good eats is cool, anything w/ Bobby Flay I can watch, but I agree on the Neely's, she is annoying, and I thought the show was supposed to be about food, not foreplay.

 

[mballi3011]

Now I used to watch that television station like it the only thing of the boob tube. I used to like it but now I see myself only picking out certain shows like Bobby's grilling show is pretty good and I like DDD for the differant places and I have even gone to a few but the most weirdest strangest one of them all I think was a place in Mississippi called the shed and the place was really cool to sit and drink at but the food SUCKED really bad. The ribs were boiled and the chicken was so tender they served me bones but it all was swimming in sauce. I thought they served me soup in mistake.I also like Micheal Chiarello in the calf. wine country. Now he has some really good things to cook and then there is Giada who's also good more on the eyes then the food thou. I do like the top chef and the next food network star at least those folks can cook something. And yes I have reservation at Micheal Voltaggio (the 2 bothers) restuarant "Volt" in Baltimore and I have been to Bobby Flay restuarant Mesa and (southwestern food)it was very good and differant for New York city too. But other then those couple of shows it might as well be the dumb and stupid network.

 

[white cloud]

I miss Sara Moltens show. I don't even remember the name of it now, it's been so long since they removed it.

 

[scarbelly]

Man I could not agree more - when Ina first started her cameraman was horrible with in and out and shaky shots - at least that has approved but her recipes are solid and well done - We have used several of Giada's recipes with our 4H kids and they are good simple recipes

I also like Tyler Florence - he puts together some strong dishes

 

[jirodriguez]

Yeah I don't watch it nearly as much as I used to. Bout the only ones I watch now are Iron Chef, Good Eats, and Dinners, Dive-in's, & Dives. Can't stand Rachel Ray or that Sandra Lee barbie doll.... lol.

Iron Chef is where I get most of my inspirations - a lot of "WOW! I would have never thought of that!" moments... lol.

 

[herkysprings]

I cant remember if its on Food Tv or Travel, but I do like watching Anthony Bourdain. I know its not really a cooking show, but I like the way he evaluates different cusines and cultures at the same time. Not any recipes from it, but you can learn about different ingredients from all over the world etc.

 

[richoso1]

I had the same discussion with my wife, not much to watch on that foodnetwork channel anymore. Sad....

 

[reichl]

Am I the only one who likes chopped? Maybe. Neely's seem fake and are just plain annoying to me, along with the ace of cakes. DDD is good and throwdown is good. I just hate cake shows in general. There... I have vented.

 

[caveman]

Kardashians.............ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!

Here Here... +2

Good to see you again Rich.

 

[rdknb]

well at least 2 of us like chopped. For the most part I too wath FN during the day and the shows are ok. They have seemed to gone to a cook this fro less money format, but I can understand that seeing that money is very tight for many people. Ace of cakes is my least favorite show, but that is just me

 

[venture]

This has not been by accident, they are doing it quite intentionally.

Their view is that the instructional shows are an out of date format. They derisively call them "stand and stir".

They are looking for a younger demographic. The shows are being dumbed down to appeal to the audience they seek. If you think there is any shortage of dumb in this country, you haven't been following election results lately.

 

[morkdach]

i agree 100% cakes suck

 

[tjc]

Thought I read this on here but maybe not. From the NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/19/bu...network&st=cse

FOR the upfront season of advance television advertising sales, Scripps Networks has something new to share with clients: a second 24-hour cable channel for food lovers and the advertisers who love them.
Enlarge This Image

Jim Cooper/Associated Press

Bobby Flay, of Mesa Grill in New York, has hosted shows on the Food Network and will star in a show on the Cooking Channel.

Scripps, the owner of the Food Network, plans to turn on the Cooking Channel on Memorial Day, May 31, this year, enhancing its position in the category of kitchen programming. Before meetings with advertisers, the company is announcing half a dozen series for the channel on Friday, including new ones starring Bobby Flay and Rachael Ray. It might as well be called Food Network, the Sequel.

About two years ago, when the company started considering a second culinary channel, “the advertiser demand for Food was outstripping the audience growth,” Jon Steinlauf, the senior vice president for ad sales for Scripps Networks, said this week. “Therefore, creating a second channel started making more sense.”

The Cooking Channel, which is a replacement for Fine Living Network, FLN, a low-rated lifestyle channel, was announced last fall. At that time, Scripps said the channel would focus on information and instructional programming, much as the Food Network did before it gravitated toward higher-rated reality competitions like “The Next Food Network Star.” In recent months, Scripps has altered its plans for the second channel to include more entertaining fare.

 

[mgwerks]

I can't believe that no one has mentioned this site. It's a blog-style comedic rip through all the idiots on the Food Network, and it's exceptionally funny in most spots!

http://foodnetworkhumor.com/

 

[hoser]

I couldn't agree more...with the exception of a couple good actual cooking show, food tv sux!