Too much of Gordon Ramsay is not a good thing
Currently, we have superstar chef Gordon Ramsay as host and berater of FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen and Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares. We also have him as host of the British version of Kitchen Nightmares and Gordon Ramsay’s F Word on BBC America. So, do we need to see any more of the verbally abusive chef who we never see actually cook anything?
Apparently we do. FOX has decided to bring over the Masterchef concept from jolly ol’ England to air in America because, frankly, we don’t have enough cooking shows out there that start or end with Master. The show will be hosted by Ramsay, who will challenge everyday backyard BBQers, homemakers, and folks who can’t boil water to prepare delicious dishes on their way to becoming a MasterChef. As with Ramsay’s 500 other shows, he’ll gently put these innocent folks through their paces to create amazing, culinary creations. That, or he’ll make them crying heaps of Jello.
If I hate reality TV, why am I drawn to Hell’s Kitchen?
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.
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Reality Clack – American Idol, Amazing Race, Dancing With the Stars
March Madness is wreaking havoc on CBS shows, in general, reality genre or not. I suppose the whole thing could be construed to be one huge reality show, brackets and all. But I won’t be covering it. Nothing against basketball, but I never understand why the college games are virtually ignored by major networks all during the season and then they air ‘em like nothing else exists come March on CBS.
Basketball didn’t keep American Idol away for its “country week” this past week. Nor did it trip up Dancing With the Stars. But it did cost us a week of Survivor (no show this past Thursday). This week’s Survivor will air on Wednesday night against American Idol. It’s going to be the clips show, so it surely will get ratings-stomped by AI. Oh, just a warning — the President is in the mix on Tuesday night further discombobulating the TV schedules.
Reality Clack – Hell’s Kitchen, The Bachelor, American Idol, Survivor
Ah, this week two of my favorite reality shows return — Survivor and The Amazing Race! But, just because they’re not on yet doesn’t mean the reality TV genre fan has nothing to watch. Nosirree, Bob! Right now The Bachelor is in full swing, American Idol has taken over the world once again, and Chef Gordon Ramsay is belittling and screaming at a new bunch of chef wannabes in Hell’s Kitchen. Life is good for a reality show fan.
Sure, the scripted TV shows have also picked up this month. That always leaves me with the dilemma of too much to watch and too little time. Right this moment I want to thank all of the networks who make full episodes of shows available online. You guys rock!
Things that didn’t suck this week – awkward moments, cursing and Keith Olbermann
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“I could have had you in my life forever, if I wanted to.” Peggy tells Pete she’s not perfect on Mad Men
How awesome is Elisabeth Moss? When I’m watching Mad Men, I’m often distracted by the utter hotness of Jon Hamm as Don Draper, but damn, Peggy Olson is a great character. Along with her genteel ambition and mousy exterior, there’s a quiet desperation that runs under everything she says and does. It’s the yearning that I notice the most when I watch Moss play Peggy, but the scene in last Sunday’s season finale in which she finally tells Pete exactly what the result of their affair was, she reveals a strength that is pretty damn impressive.
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