To say that I hate reality television unfortunately isn’t much of an overstatement. I recognize that there is some quality programming in the genre, but I think that the genre, in general, has done more to hurt scripted programming than they have to help television in general. Shows like Survivor, American Idol, and The Amazing Race (shows that I will give their due credit) have given rise to an industry that now provides programming like Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire, More to Love, and Who’s Your Daddy.
I blame reality television for the death of shows like Journeyman, Firefly, and Life. Right, wrong, or indifferent, I do. But as much as I detest the genre, I still have managed to get sucked into Hell’s Kitchen. I watched a couple episodes this spring when I was visiting my parents (My mom is a fan). When nothing else was on tonight, I was pulled right back in.
First off, Gordon Ramsay is a dynamic lead to the show. Obviously an incredibly well qualified chef, he’s also got this entertaining personality. Yeah, he yells, insults, and is generally abrasive, but he makes it work for him. He has also has shown genuine compassion for the contestants, specifically with Robert Hesse last season, and how he personally invited Hesse back for season six.
Hell’s Kitchen is successful because of Ramsay, but he’s not the only aspect of the show I like. Let me put it to you this way … There is a reason I don’t write for CliqueClack Food. Me starting a project in the kitchen that doesn’t involve cereal and milk is a very dangerous scenario. As such, I’m fascinated by those that that have that particular skill that eludes me. Sure, I assume that there are more instructive selections out there, but I don’t want to learn, but just watch.
I can’t figure out if the blow up between Ramsay and Joseph helps or hurts my case. I just don’t get why someone with an attitude like Joseph has would even bother wanting to be on this show. He had to know he was going to have major problems with the way this kitchen was run. The only thing the whole episode served was making him look like a complete idiot as he walked out of the Kitchen after threatening the Chef.
It makes no sense. Like I said, I take out my frustration at the slow death of scripted network television on the cheaper to produce reality genre. Its probably unfair, and I’ll admit to that. All things considered, though, the fact that I’ve latched on to Hell’s Kitchen is pretty odd. Despite my protestations, however, I will probably be tuning in next week to see what trouble Chef riles up.
Clacked by Ivey West 
on Jul 29, 2009 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
That was hilarious … all he needed to do was say who and why … and he completely freaked out … perhaps the funniest thing I’ve seen in a while on tv
You gotta love Ramsay. My biggest question is why the show allowed him on in the first place! Somewhere in the interview process he had to show his hot-head self.
I DO love than when confronted, Ramsay kept his cool and didn’t back down!
Lovely…45 minutes to TAKE an order???? Please, in 45 minutes I could have taken their order and learned at least half of the table’s life history.
Where do they GET these people???
“Somewhere in the interview process he had to show his hot-head self.”
That moved him right to top of the pile. This show is more reality shown than cooking competition. It is produced for FOX. Do you think they care about the cooking? Not on your life. It’s pure spectacle.
*POST AUTHOR*
My problem is less with the producers, but more with Joseph himself. Uh, do you not understand what you’re getting into? Did he really think he’d be able to keep his temper in check long enough to leverage appearing on the show into a good job? Did he not factor in that he was going to come of as a major douchebag? I sure as hell wouldn’t hire him.