TV vs. Live
The camera lens sees things differently than a live audience does. While Katie’s kids demo charmed Bobby, Rachael and the kids in the room, it made Susie and me seriously uncomfortable to watch on tape. Exaggerated facial expressions, glacial speech, wild-eyed enthusiasm. In person, it seemed to work. But on camera – not at all.
Mid Terms
Katie: She was middle of the pack till the bottom dropped out. She could never translate her fun, spunky energy to the camera, or her food expertise to the plate. Though she showed her best work on The Rachael Ray Show, her erratic performances and questionable dishes sealed it for me. Shame, because I truly like her and we could have used a healthy expert.
Jamika: I felt like a parent watching their child drop the fly ball that loses the game. I’m heartbroken. What is going on? She’s giving up. Two weeks in a row. This will either be the wake up call she needed, or the end. I’m hoping for the former.
Melissa: She gave a solid performance in the kid’s challenge. But I was disappointed that Rushed Melissa re-emerged on Rachael’s show. She wasn’t having fun, so we weren’t either. Where is the calm, radiant Melissa of last week? Aargh.
Debbie: I was seriously impressed with her warm, casual, chatty delivery on Rachael. She could have been a long-time star plugging her latest cookbook. She worked it like a pro. But if she doesn’t deepen beyond her “I’m Korean” chant, we’re going to get worn out.
Jeffrey: Prince Charming was back in the kids challenge. Impressive. But not on Rachael’s show. In reaction to Jamika’s checking out, he could’ve acted like a star and used his energies to engage her: ask her questions, suggest she help him cook. Instead, he launched into a four minute non-stop monologue, ignored Jamika, and wouldn’t let go of the camera. Not the Jeffrey who has impressed us thus far.
Michael: The camera brings out the worst in him: rushed, nervous and repetitive. And there’s been little improvement. Frustrating because he’s proved he’s got wild cooking talent and personality to burn when performing live. But the ability to charm a crowd in person has little to do with our needs for a television star.
They all have their challenges, and precious little time to overcome them.
See ya next week in Miami! Oh, and hey, be sure to vote in Star’s Fan Vote Sweepstakes for the finalist you would have sent home!
A few thoughts:
1) It's the curse of Debbie. If you work with her, you're going home!
2) This is at least the third season in a row that I think the show's title should be changed to "Suze Wants a New BFF." Two years ago, it was Amy and last year it was Lisa. This year's woman crush (and no, that's not a homophobic slur) is Debbie, with Melissa a close second.
3) I felt bad for Katie being cut this week in favor of Jamika. If Katie had been cut in the first week or two, I would've had no problem. And maybe it's because Katie started off so weak, but I thought she was the only person whose performance had improved over the past few weeks.
4) This follows the previous comment. It seems as though the judges this year are really grading based on the entire season instead of the episode. I guess that rewards those of us who do watch week after week, but it dilutes the impact of individual episodes.
5) Debbie. Bobby said to stop using the "I'm Korean" bit and it brings a tear to her eye? PUH-leeeeeze.
Bob, are you kidding with your berating Jeffrey for hogging the camera time???? Is this the NFNS or is it The Let Me Help my Fellow Contestant Show??? If Jameka froze—her tough luck—how dare you blame Jeffrey for it?
And puleeeez with your sympathies again for Debbie. Oh poor thing had a booboo, oh it was so bad, oh you wish we could have seen it, blah blah blah. If you have already picked her as the winner, I hope you will take the blame when her show fails. Read these comments—no one will be watching her.
If The Food Network wants to add an asian chef, why can't they just hire one instead of trying to fool a TV audience into thinking that Debbie can outcook the other contestants. I will not be waching her cooking show if she wins for her hipocracy and doublestandards the judges are allowing with her. I would take any of the other 4 that are left over her.
I am sooo glad Chef Flay called Debbie on the "I'm Korean" thing. Not only is that shtick getting old, but so are her culinary offerings. Week after week we see the same asian-influenced dishes. Does she really have the range to engage your audience? Are you looking for someone to fill the Asian gap on the network? If so, spare the viewers of what used to be a great show. If you are truly looking for a star from the remaining five, I sincerely hope you three judges can be impartial, and choose the star, and not your predetermined favorite. Since you decided on "Big Daddy" last year, I for one, have a very skeptical eye…
By the way, we LOVE Adam's show!
I agree with the poster that said Debbie was most comfortable because she knows she has the judges in her pocket. It appears she has been the darling of the judges all along, so why wouldn't she be confident? I thought Jeffery taking over was much the same as what Melissa did to Michael, but the judges didn't call her out on that. Michael got blamed for that, while Jeffery got blamed for his episode. How about a little fair judging here? Michael is scared to death of the camera, and doesn't appear to be getting any better. That, alone, should have sent him home. At least Katie was trying hard to improve. I thought this was her best yet. My favorite is still Jeffery, although I wish we sould see them do something of their choice, given time enough to prepare it properly. Guess it doesn't really matter, as Debbie seems to have won it from the first episode. It's a shame-the others are just wasting their time (and ours).
I can understand why there are no comments at 8:12 EST on Monday – what a waste of time. I am so disgusted, I can not even say anything negative about the contestents, only the judges. Bob -have you taken a look at your facial expression when Melissa set you straight about giving kids raw veggies. Kudos to her.
I keep saying, what a mess, and I am watching it, actually looking forward to it, and for what!!!!Again, out of the thousands of entries, as you stated you received, this is the best!!! Give me a break. As for television, will be happy to see some new Fall shows.
As far as most of the so-called Stars you now have, they were in the “right place and the right time”. That’s all – don’t want to go there anymore – it is fruitless.
To all my friends on here – have “no comments” this week. Will read yours and if you want some advice, just ask.
I love Michael! He brings something fresh to the kitchen and everything he makes, I want to try.
Bob:
Two things: 1) Thank God that Katie is finally gone. I figuered out right away that she was not coming across on camera, for exactly the reasons you stated. The mere fact of the wild-eyed popping drove me crazy. I was never impressed with her at all. There is someone out there who can give you what you want with regard to healthy food, but Katie is not it. Keep looking.
2) I agree with your comments about the rest of the contestants, but I feel that Jeffrey has it in the bag. He is so easy on camera and very relatable to us regular folk. He stumbled last night, but Jamika froze – he had to keep going.
I guess we will have to wait and see who you all chose. Till next week.
All the front-runners are slipping, Melissa’s continuing to make strides, and Debbie really did hit a home run this week whether the audience likes her or not. Sorry to say, though, as a whole this season of NFNS is a dud. You know that other cooking competition show? Well, this may as well be “Bottom Chef”. I really hope the contestant coordinators get some better competitors for next season.
Two things – I am really tired of the same cookie cutter programming with cheerful entertaining “stars”, it gets tired fast, and I am really tired of some of the “stars” who are just getting too cheerful, too happy, too over the top. It isn’t real anymore! Bobby keeps it real, Tyler keeps it real, Ann Burrell mostly keeps it real – other than that, not so much.
I love Melissa this season, but I really would like to see some shows with serious, trained chefs. Nothing against some who do not have culinary degrees and pedigrees, but I am tired of people without serious culinary training. Bring us some more CIA grads who can teach real technique for serious foodies. It’s time to start learning things from Foodnetwork again!
The comments on Jeffery, what the heck is he suppose to cover up the other contestants mistakes ? I thought this was a competition and like him I would of let the other contestant wallow in her sorry butt presentation. I see the comments are still slated toward Debbie as your chosen winner.
Honestly, I think this week's challenges were unfair. Has anyone coached these people on how to demonstrate cooking while being on TV? Did anyone tell the finalists how to handle the cameras? I think Rachael could have been more effectively used as an example as to how to perform on TV while cooking. Rachael had years of experience of cooking demos live and on TV, on her own before she came to the Food Network.
Mornin’ Putter!
With all due respect to Bob and Susie I’m just not buying their appraisal of Katie’s presentation to the kids. Folks, make up your minds about what you want. If she had performed as you said you wished she had, then you would’ve knocked her for not engaging the kids. One never knows what the judges are going to focus on and use as their battering rams against a contestant. You slam Jeffrey for mentioing his daughter twice, but have no problem pulling the string in Debbie’s back and listening to “I’m Korean, I have garlic, I have soy sauce” over and over and over again. You wanted to crucify Melissa for having a raw b-sprout on the plate, when she had a very good reason for it being there. If nothing else, it could have been a garnish. If stupid Rachael attempted to eat it, that’s her problem. I swear that somoeone could knock it out of the park and then in the evaluation room, you’d harp on something like the color of their shirt that ruined everything.
Bottom line: Jamika should have gone before Katie. Jamika has lost her confidence and checked out. Katie showed improvement over time and proved that she was coachable.
Dear Bob,
I suspect that the midterm exam was the problem, not the students. All finalists were either frenetic or in stun mode. Five minutes isn't much to present a dish with much meaning. That type of presentation needs loads of practice; possibly more useful towards the end of the challenge. I actually didn't enjoy this episode as much as the others.
Debby did seem to be having fun at RR's and the camera likes her, but here is your dilemma: way too many of your viewers don't like her. We don't need to here the "I'm Korean" thing anymore, and Korean is her only culinary choice when given an option. Moreover, she's an opportunist, a personality trait that is obvious and unpleasant.
Katie is sweet, maybe too sweet…just didn't have the authority that NFNS needs; she came off like a little girl, not an expert. Her elimination wasn't unexpected.
Jamika is likable, but she has demonstrated that she can freeze when presented with challenges that she is not comfortable with…museum food was awful and her presentation on RR's fell apart.
Michael may have good food chops and his eccentric personality is fun to watch….sometimes! He's consistently under prepared when he's playing to the camera or a live audience. He's like the many student's I've had who have the skills to ace the test, but never turn in their homework and then expect an A on their progress reports. He would also have to cleanup his appearance, if he were to become the NFNS…the greasy slob approach isn't appetizing.
Jeffery is good and I would watch him. I've liked his cool and collected style from the beginning, but he doesn't seem to choose anything but sweet-heat when given the option.
Melissa has a full range of culinary skills and a welcome to my kitchen personality. I would watch her. She does have high energy, but no more than Rachel Ray or Tyler Florence. She takes direction well and makes the adjustments; moreover, she is confident enough to stand up for herself when it's warranted. If given the chance, I can see her develop into a great FNS.
I don’t think you need better competitors, Bob, I think you need better planning of the competitions.
Why don’t you have Giada and Paula do all of their shows TOGETHER? Give them each 45 minutes to plan and shop, a hot plate that doesn’t warm up, and have President and Mrs. Obama breathing down their necks with a pad and pencil, ready to eliminate them at any false move. Oh, of course NO OUT-TAKES ALLOWED.
I love Bobby Flay and I can remember him years ago when I first saw him on the Today Show with Katie Couric teasing him and heckling him the entire time he was trying to demonstrate on recipe. She had to keep reminding him of how much time he had. He seemed nervous, although adorable. I felt sorry for him because Katie would not let up. Maybe she had a crush on him! Anyway, as far as Katie not looking at the camera – watch the whole video on Rachel Ray’s website. She was very engaging.
And Susie, so nice to ram Katie’s own word (engaging) down her throat at the end. It’s like you had to totally crush her.
Bobby Flay – as far as Katie’s chicken having little flavor – I believe it was supposed to be dipped into a ginger, soy, apricot dipping sauce. If she put spices in it – it would have “clashed” I’m sure with DEBBIE’S ASIAN SAUCE.
Katie was always in line and no one ever pushed her buttons and flustered her, compared with almost every other drama queen/king on the show. She has a culinary arts degree, as well as a Master’s of Science degree from Tufts, her own spot on morning TV in Philly. She worked with me at our hospital last year. She was the smartest and kindest dietician I’ve ever worked with. Always filled with energy, positive, sharp as anything – recommending things to the doctors for the patients, and always enthusiastic about her Healthy Bites catering business.
You cannot put a true professional into a hoaky, unfair competition and expect her to Wow the judges. She had great, credible, timely advice. You, Bob, described her as spunky and lovely.
You decided before the show that no matter what she did, she was not going to Florida. I think the other contestants are like watching a three-ring circus. Since we cannot taste the food ourselves, we just have to take your word for it. Bobby often liked Katie’s food, but Susie never gave her a chance, and all I ever saw was negative from you.
When someone comes in with strong credentials – were you trying to “break” her from the beginning.
You canned Katie and kept Debbie and Jamika – those potatoes v. undercooked turkey burger. Watch the video. Katie KNEW the heat was not right on the burner. Do you think she serves raw burgers for real? Those gooey potatoes slid by. As soon as I saw Jamika with the hot, small potato pieces and the food processor I thought – WHAT IS SHE DOING? But, she’s Jamaican, and bs’r, so you let it slide. As you can see, I could go on and on.
UNFAIR, UNFAIR, UNFAIR contest. I believe Rachel Ray and the kids, and the fleet, and Tyler Florence, and Bobby Flay really saw alot in Katie. I agree with everyone, Debbie is the chosen one.
Wait a minute. Jamika did NOT freeze. Jeffery clearly stepped all over her like the jerk he is. go to http://www.rachaelrayshow.com and see the whole presentation. Jeffery from the beginning wanted to take over, he talked for 3:30 straight about his wife and fake travels. I am sick of hearing about his wife. Get a new line Jeff. Although this is a competition, Jeff was wrong for stepping over a teammate. I hope he loses and gets a new hairdo. Hang in there Jamika. You are beautiful!
I’m glad you FINALLY told Debbie to tone down the “I’m Korean” just wish you had done it sooner. You got on Kelsey early about the “Culinary School” comments but you waited weeks to chastise Debbie over her “I’m Korean”. WTF? It’s become a total joke on your blog but it took you weeks to figure out that it’s old already.
Glad Katie is gone. Her eyes did bug me. Still can’t wait for Michael to go. He really isn’t a good camera personality. There’s no way I’d watch his show. Then again, at this point, I don’t know if there’s any contestant left whose show I would watch. Bad selections this year. These people actually make Aimee look interesting and that’s really hard to do.
Yes, it was time for Katie to go and Jamika and Michael should be next. It’s obvious that Jamiika is in over her head =she might be able to cook but she doesn’t have it in presentations and Michael is a poor cook and he’s never going to make it in front of the cameras. Pity, too, because he has a great personality.
No surprise that you are just glowing about Debbie. Glad to see at least that Bobby see’s through her but I doubt even his opinion will be enough to overcome your infatuation with her. I’m sorry but you may think she is great on camera but she is not watchable and I don’t see her culinary expertise, especially since she has taught us zip about korean cooking which is supposed to be her culinary point of view and what I assume got her to the finals. She has mostly done cajun/southern food and added soy sauce to make it “korean”, whatever! You think she is on par with Paula or is a replacement for Emeril and his cajun expertise? Please!
It’s a shame that Katie had to do so bad this week because she gave you a scapegoat so that you did not have to send Michael or Jamika home. Either one of them deserved to go home. No one could stand a single show with Michael, let alone a season and Jamika has just imploded. Anyone else would have compared the cameras to the gates of hell would have been sent packing. How is he planning on having a TV show with no cameras?
All and all I agree that it is hard to really see a star in this bunch. I like Jeffery and Melissa and could watch them. FN has really gone in a different direction than what initially drew me to the channel 7 years ago. You have gotten rid of the personality’s that filled a room such as Emeril and Mario Batali, I am not sure why you decided that was not what you needed. Guy Fieri is the closest you have to an Emeril or Batali and hopefully he will not be treated the same way to make room for a Michael or Debbie.
Are we watching the same FULL Rachel Ray Show demos? I went on th Rachel Ray Show website and saw the whole demos, and I have to agree with Susie–Jameka wasn’t a victim, she clearly lacked energy. You can’t blame one half of a partnership’s poor performance on the other–I have seen that since grade school and each and everytime I call the teacher out on it when he/she does it, even if its not me. Its not fair to slight him for trying to make sure the audience is engaged, especially if Jameka freezes.
Katie gave a great performance on RR. She gave healthful hints o cut back on fat and cholesterol (substitue milk for cream in cheese sauce, use half egg yolks and half egg whites in batters instead of all egg yolks, etc.) and even gave the more nutritious whole wheat pasta used a flavorful purpose, talking about how its nutty flavor complemented the cheese sauce. She showed improvement, whereas someone like Jameka has been crashing. Debbie connected w/ the audience, great job there…and she finally revealed her ethnicity. And also why she uses garlic, ginger, and soy sauce…seriously…thank god Bobby finally called her out on it (Is she Korean?…I laughed hard).
The Melissa and Michael demo wasn’t as bad either Melissa went very fast, and Michael didn’t freeze, he was being his goofy self with the wierd “Mmmmmm”‘s the entire time she was cooking. They had it planned in a sequential order over who got the limelight, as did Jeffery and Jameka…when she got the grill Jeffrey helped her and was very cordial to her. Stop making baseless accusations.
Oh and if you thought that Katie’s spheel to the kids was condescending, I hope you NEVER have to sit through children’s programming. Ever. Cuz you will be offended. That’s what its like.
Right now your truly strongest candidate is Jeffrey. Jameka has taken a major hit and dropped from second, giving it up to Melissa or Michael (I prefer Michael). either way, they are top three. Debbie is actually surprisingly generic in presentation. And really, you guys need to stop the very obvious promotion of your winner/Debbie…cookbook? Please…and Adam Gertler’s gushing over Debbie is pathetic.
Oh and Susie, next time don’t declare a certain contestant as a fan during the contest. Its very unprofessional, and makes us question whether or not the committe is truly ubiased.
Ah well, I’m sad Katie’s gone, but it was time…she was never standout like any of the others (not inc. Debbie).
Why must the contestants compete in pairs? If the winner gets a solo show, please let them compete solo! It is terribly frustrating to watch these folks struggling to merge their ideas and abilities ~ not entertaining at all. And, for what it’s worth, Melissa gets my vote for NFNS!
) She’s bright, articulate, and warm. I’d watch her show and try her recipes.
Melissa-still too much “Mommy Mayhem”
Debbie-is she Korean?
Michael-no camera presence, talks big to cover up insecurity
Jamika-lacks self confidence
Jeffrey-tried to “save the scene”. I don’t believe he has enough experience yet to pull another person in when stage fright is an issue. He probably had enough of his own to deal with.
The only person I would be interested in watching a show with is Jeffrey. We already have tons of mommies with shows, several over the top hosts and plenty of cultural diversity. I would prefer more Ina, Tyler and Robin types, so my vote is for Jeffrey. I would tune in just to watch his smile and absorb his Zen energy. He’ll learn not to talk with his hands so much when he gets proper coaching. Speaking of that…do you coach them and train them for the camera or is it sink or swim?
Oh and I forgot to mention…Major Props to Bobby Flay for single handedly saving this episode.
When you give an assignment to take adult food and create a dish to give to kids, and at the same time give a presentation that “sells” it to them, you have to be expected to see exaggerated motions, expressions, word and phrase choices that appeal to kids’ sense of humor and attention span. I thought Katie’s presentation was spot-on, and the kids really engaged with her. That was EXACTLY the assignment you gave to her, and exactly what you delivered. Yet because it wasn’t to your taste you condemned her for it.
Judging performance isn’t like judging food – there seem to be quantifiable subjective details any food judge brings to judging an actual dish. Taste, texture, seasoning, moisture, etc. You can’t translate those same preferences criteria to judging performance because you have to be able to connect and identify with the target audience. In this case, they were kids and she did exactly what you asked. If you’d taken the kids’ point of view more, you might’ve been more impressed.
Bob: Right on target for most things.
I actually felt bad for Jeffrey. Dead air, as you know, is a sin on a TV talk show. I think Jeffrey was so unnerved by Jamika’s frozen state that he felt he had to chatter to fill in the dead air. (And she sure looked incapable of responding to questions.) That is a normal reaction. Unless you are a trained journalist, or skilled talk show host, you don’t know how to respond to situations like these. I’ve been there and it isn’t fun. He gets a pass.
I think we should all chip in and buy Debbie a T-shirt that says,”I’m Korean. Ain’t I special?” Talk about one-dimensional. She has shown nothing that makes her special and her Korean fall-back plan isn’t working. Go away already!
I wish Michael didn’t have his camera phobia. He would be fun to watch on TV.
While I was sad to see Katie go, she was clearly ill-equipped to deal. She has some growing to do. Maybe when she develops her skills, she’ll become more confident, and feel more free to reveal her personality.
My son had an elementary school teacher like Melissa, and she really started to wear on the kids and the parents. All that hyperactivity isn’t good for anyone, but it is especially annoying for those who have to watch. She needs to take up yoga and lay off the coffee.
My two cents, for what it’s worth.
ODE TO DEBBIE LEE
Debbie, Debbie, she’s their gal
Tho’ bloggers (I mean posters) howl
Bobby wants no more “Korean”
But Bob and Sue like what they’re seein’
We’re sorry that she got a shiner
The judges think there’s no one finer
On ep one she was a sinner
Yet looks like they have picked the winner
HOT DOG!!!!!!
Mornin Dan
Have you purchased you ingredients for the Pasties? I hope I was clear in my directions for you, but if there is any “mud” to clear up – we could make them “pan-asian” and give Debbie a call. Please DO NOT use soy sauce in them. I am ust kidding you – I know you won’t.
I agree with you about Jamika – I would never let someone like Jeffrey upstage me in a team competition so I guess it shows Jamike really needs to get her backbone straightened and Jeffrey says, I just don’t know how it happened”. She was probably, at one time, your only competition – time to now make up for my (his) mistakes and show someone’s else’s flaws. He just hogged the whole 5 minutes, but Jamika, “hello there” couldn’t you see and feel that and change the whole scenario. She really didn’t like what they were to make from the get go and that ruined it for her, but doesn’t excuse the way she did not assert herself. I have had too many years of working with men and some jealous women.
I felt bad for Jamika, I like her and could easily watch a show done by her. I think Melissa or Jeffrey would be next. Debbie is okay, I don’t think I’d watch her show though. I can’t stand Michael. Please, I’m gay and he insults me. I really don’t care how FABULOUS he thinks he is, he’s annoying and neeeds to go. Especially since he has camera issues. What would possibly make him think he could do this if he can’t work in front of the camera. “The depths of Hell?” What is that about? Sorry honey, if you can’t work in front of the camera, you can’t do this. Buh-bye!
I can relate to Melissa and Jeffery You can keep the rest of them.
I haven’t cared for Debbie since she did the over buying and I would not watch a show
she is hosting.Poor me I am Korean.
Melissa To me is the most down to earth and intresting person on the show.
Kudos to Bobby Flay for saying what we all have been thinking about Debbie. Being Korean and cooking like a Korean are two different things. If FN needs a show with an Asian flair, then forget Debbie. Adding soy sauce and garlic can be done by anyone. Her food is mediocre at best.
I have watched every episode of NFNS and I still haven’t begun to understand why the judges are so goo-goo over Debbie. There is no way that I would watch her show. I certainly know she is Korean since she tells us that ten times a show. The way she closes her eyes when she smiles just really bugs me. All I can see is a round flat plate when she does that. When she talks it looks like she is trying to suck her upper lip into her nose. Her POV on food leaves me cold stone dead.
I felt sorry for Jamika because she was her own worst enemy. If she wasn’t happy with the food direction she and Jeffery were going, she should have spoken up. The same goes for Jeffery. I really like him and his delivery. I appreciate his “ZEN” delivery. Right now your network has far too many over-the-top performers and I watch none of them.
Melissa has improved every show and I feel that she can slow down with a bit more practice. Your current batch of “stars” weren’t all that great in front of the camera but you gave them time to grow with it. I like her approach to food.
For me, the final two would be Jeffery and Melissa. I would happily watch a show put on by either of them.
I would like to see a new show based on rediscovering the classics and how to make them in today’s world. Too bad Julia is no longer with us.
Your evening line-up really leaves me blank. I don’t want anymore challenges. I have no interest in seeing one more decorate-a-cake show. I have had cakes up to my eyeballs.
I watched one Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives and that was the end for me. I can’t take watching Guy. Yet it seems that every time I turn around, he is on another show. He completely turns me off when he shoves food into his mouth and then talks while chewing with food falling out the sides of his mouth BLAKKKKKKK
I think Melissa has done well, but the Mommie madness stuff could get on my nerves. And although you’d never see this on a cooking show, on this competition show, it seems as though anything will make her cry. A cloudy day. Bobby said “when I looked at your chicken” and tears were welling before he even got a complete thought out of his mouth. Brett’s “help” accusation. If that’s all it takes to bring you down, you need to get a grip.
I don’t subscribe to conspiracy theories regarding this program as a rule. Even in the depth of the JAG debacle, when Susie spent each episode drooling over his obnoxious schtick, I had some faith each contestant had an equal shot. But the bias in the judging is so glaring and so blatant this time around, I can see why people feel Debbie is already the anointed one. Moreover, the editing was designed to manipulate our perceptions so as to justify your decision. Bottom line: Jeffrey can’t win with you people, not matter what he does.
I recorded Rachel Ray, as I have every year, and watched it twice: once the day it ran and again just before NFNS was on. On both viewings, I found Debbie cold, wooden and distant, with an unappealing hard edge I would never want to watch; the short demo did nothing to lessen that impression. Katie was the stronger half of that team, and despite her occasional eyes down (something the edit made us thing was more problematic than it was) she was warm, funny and accessible. Debbie a pro? In your dreams.
Jeffrey and Jamika were a train wreck, true, but not for Jeffrey’s lack of effort to save them. I train people to do this kind of presentation in another context, and he was in the worst possible situation: stuck with a partner who had shut down, and on whom he could not depend. His reaction was natural: keep going and avoid the dead air. But what Jeffrey did was hardly the “four minute monologue” you claim. Jamika was able to muster a few words here and there, but only when it suited her – she let Jeffrey hold the camera. Not even Rachel’s efforts could pull her out of the fug she was in, and she finally gave up. Jeffrey is not experienced enough to know how to handle the situation he found himself in, and not accountable for Jamika’s decision to pout rather than smile and be a team player. Meanwhile, you were so busy looking for reasons to criticize him you completely failed to notice he took on board your notes regarding telling stories about his family and told a charming story about traveling with his wife, talked to the camera consistently, and was warm, funny and completely natural despite being lumbered with a partner who clearly wasn’t interested in being part of a team.
Melissa and Michael were pretty much as shown. Interesting double-standard though: Michael froze every bit as badly as Jamika, but I don’t see Melissa being held to the standard Jeffrey is. Clearly, the knives are out where he’s concerned. Too bad, because he’s the only one of the lot other than Melissa who has a prayer of drawing an audience.
All the same, I’m glad Jamika got another chance, although she scarcely deserved it. She’s got a lot of potential. But, for all that we know Katie was never going to make it as a FNS, she got hosed this week, and the ticket home should have had Michael’s name on it. Anyone who likens to the camera to something from hell has no place competing for a TV show, whatever other gifts he brings to the party.
Suzie’s infatuation with Debbie was absolutely obvious last night. She mentioned twice in the same breath how much she liked her. I wonder how the other contestants feel about the obvious bias from a supposedly neutral judge…
I am beginning to believe the other posters who suggest the outcome of this contest has already been decided, and that the weekly episodes are just manipulations to get to the winner they want.
The bare fact is, Bobby Susie and Bob, you may win the battle by manipulating a win from an inferior contestant, but you could very possibly lose the war by crowning a contestant that nobody will watch. Or aren’t ratings important anymore…..?
One Question, has the end segment already been taped?
There were two reasons for Jeffrey’s actions during the presentation. #1, dead air because Jamika was so sullen and #2, the constant harangue from the judges to open up. We really liked Jeffrey’s demeanor and it seems you are unfairly giving him a hard time. Defend this as you may but it is true. If you’ll read the blogs on Susie’s site & yours no one cares about the personal life of these people. This is a cooking program (network) not a test in interactive sensitivity. You never hear Flay or Brown (our favorites) drone on about their personal life. Ina (our other favorite) incorporates personal info subtly as to not be annoying.
You and Susie seem to constantly ignore how much Debbie is disliked by the public. Her actions to this point have been unforgivable. A manipulator, liar, very fake and … Oh yes, she’s Korean (more than likely an embarrassment to most Koreans). Yes, an Asian based show might be just the ticket if it was hosted by someone we could stand to look at. Your kudos for Debbie was pretty hard to stomach. Thank God for Bobby Flay.
As for Melissa, I can’t stand her. She’s getting worse. No peppers in her cooking? Give me a break. Please, no more Neeley types. Hopefully this is not a search for The Food Network’s most annoying new chef.
If Melissa or ….choke… Debbie wins, that’s one less FN program I’ll have to watch with my wife.
In parting “There’s no crying in cooking” unless you’re choppin’ onions.
A Nelms
Maybe Maybe…please let that Debbie is opening a Hot DOg Stand mean you have heard us and said “DEbbie we know you won but we can’t put you on the air. Our numbers would drop like an engineless plane…so we are going to buy you a hotdog stand and give you a write up in FN magazine instead. Cool with that?”
BOB whatever you see in Debbie is not translating to us. Are you watching tape? Maybe she is one of those “in person people” I am seriously begining to doubt your talent here. I mean even Aaron Spelling had a miss every now and then Don’t let Debbie be your “Nightengales” and Susie don’t let her be your Tori!
I feel pretty sure that if they had had to choose a winner for the whole thing while filming the judgement table that we saw last night, they would have picked Melissa or Debbie. I don’t dislike Melissa….I just think that A) she needs to tone down the ridiculous cheshire smile a bit, B) She has nothing to teach me, and C) They already have her demographic covered with Rachael Ray, Sunny Anderson, and Robin Miller. I DO however dislike Debbie. She is no fun to watch. She’s as dull as dirt. The only thing I know about her is that she’s Korean.
My husband and I still can’t stand Debbie. She’s phony and despite what the judges think, we find her unbearable to watch. I think she might crash and burn this week. One can only hope……
I think that Michael might do better with the cameras if he wasn’t under an extremely tight time crunch like they are in these challenges. I feel that with just a day or two of coaching and working under a normal pace, he’d do just fine. I think most of his issue with the cameras seems to stem from the rapid challenges.
Jamika………uhhhhhhhhh blah. Who the heck let this girl on the show? I can just imagine the person who found her….”OMG she has a great smile! Get her in here! people will love her!” Nevermind that she is boring, forgettable, and seems to have nothing new to offer the Food Network in regards to her food.
My husband and I still love Jeffrey. We were glad that Susie realized that he wasn’t attempting to shut Jamika out, he was just trying to keep the segment moving. It was clear that she wasn’t jumping in, so he did what he had to do to keep it flowing. We thought he did a good job of interjecting information about his life, just as the judges had asked. Then they didn’t even give him a “good job on taking our advice” like they have in the past with other contestants. Instead, Bob just lambasts him for Jamika’s faults. Sure he got a little hyper, but so did Melissa. Jamika was no victim here. Why was it jeffrey’s job to save her? Isn’t this a competition? Jamika should have saved herself, but point blank, SHE DIDN’T!
Overall it was no shock to see Katie go. We pretty much expected that before the show even began. It was a bit of a shame, as we felt that it was actually her best night. Having watched the full segment from RR, I can honestly say that despite her eyes popping out of her head, she had way more to offer than Dull Debbie.
It will be interesting to see what happens next week. My husband and I think it will be Jamika, Michael, or Debbie to go home.
I agree with BostonDan about Melissa’s weeping. In fact, I’m amazed about the weekly weeping sessions on the show. I wonder if being able to weep on cue is one of the talents looked for in the auditions…
Gotta get another cup of coffee…my grumpiness is showing…
I just peeked at the preview for next week, it doesn’t appear that any one contestant is coasting in as a winner. Maybe, Melissa cried one too many times as by Jeffrey’s response. He is still my favorite even with his appearance of trying to give the judges what they were asking for but came across as too hyper. Jamika explained her silence, she didn’t like what they were presenting and just shut down.Looks like we have to wait all week for another good show. The poem was funny, thank you for sharing it. We will just have to keep on watching to see this will all pan out.
This episode was difficult to call, I feel that Melissa and Michael worked well together on Rachel’s show. They both showed grace under fire, even though Michael was a bit camera shy at first. Who wouldn’t be? They took turns cooking and speaking, but Melissa was the star, even though she spoke too fast at times. The challenge with the kids, Michael was at his best, a brussel sprout puppet, what a great idea. Melissa, was hurried and did not manage her time well, but still managed to get her point across, she needs to plan what she says within the time constraints. I can see these two in the final episode. Jamika seemed a cold fish during Rachel’s show, this surprised me, she had such energy during the previous episodes. Jeffrey took over and left her hanging, it seemed they could not agree on the direction the challenge ingredients could take them. He did not give her any time to express her opinion about which direction to go. She did not speak up. Hot dogs and beans, come on, I can think of several ways to present these in a manner that would appeal to adults. Given this chance, I believe that Jamika can recover and can return to her bright energizing personality. Debbie and Katie as a team worked well, individually, Debbie was definitely the stronger. Food Network does have space for someone like Katie, her ideas nutritionally sound and apetizing at the same time. She needs to work on her presentation skills on camera, she did a great job convincing the kids to eat the grown up food. I have grandkids that would have tried her food, because she was so bubbly and loud. I am so glad Bobby called Debbie down on being Korean, her culture is part of her, but I want to learn about Korean cooking and spices. I believe it was time for Katie to go, I would like to see more of her at some time in the future. I know I am an arm chair quarterback as far as this show goes, I would have not gotten as far as any of these contestants have gotten. My hat is off to all of them. The next few weeks are going to be exciting, I am looking forward to them.
I love the reaction of Bobby and Suise at the end of Michael’s and Melissa’s demo!
This show is really starting to disgust me.
The judging really isn’t based on the weekly performance. Clearly, Katie improved. She did what was asked of her. And, the footage on Rachael Ray’s website showed she did pretty well. But, TNFNS was edited to make her appear she did worse than she did. Jamika should have gone how. Both equally lacked credibility in the food department– but they always have. But Katie did better this week. If the judges are going to judge on overall star potential, then why have them jump through hoops? Because it seems that doing the challenges are meaningless in regard to who they choose.
Jeffrey totally stepped all over that demo at RR. When he starts to spaz, Jamika just is so shocked she tunes out and never recovers.
After weeks of tossing the word integrity as though it were an anchovy in a Caesar salad, Bob, Susie and Bobby demonstrated questionable integrity this week. Their demands during the “Rachael Ray Show” segment weren’t high; they were unreasonable.
Insisting that the chefs show teamwork, convey authority, prepare a good meal, provide useful cooking tips, engage the audience, make friends with the camera and “have fun with it,” while the proverbial gun is held to their heads for five minutes and with no opportunity for a retake, is absurd. No one is an “instant star” the first time they step in front of a crowd.
I’m disappointed that Katie was given the heave-ho, especially because, to my eye, she outshined Jimika in the kids challenge and on Rachael’s show. I like Jimika, but lately she’s been getting by on personality, and last night she had less personality than a sleepwalker. Can she even cook?
PutterUP on July 6, 2009 at 7:19 am
You are soooo right! FN don’t take that kind of comments, they never post any of mine. Wonder why….
Last night really convinced me that Debbie is the chosen winner. Suzie’s comments showed that. Glad Bobby called her on the “I’m Korean” it was getting really boring particularly since she never cooked anything Korean, just used soy sauce.
I still favor Jeffrey, Suzie is right that Jamika shut down and he had to cover, he didn’t try to upstage her.
I agree that they should have individual challenges, not group. It’s difficult with very different styles for one person to show what they can do.
As for Micheal and the camera, last year Aaron wasn’t comfortable with the camera either.
michael should have gone , i’m sure he will have a blast next week with ted allen
First time contributor this year. I have watched the lst few seasons, tho’ not the first, and I always wonder where some of the contestants come from. I don’t mean where they live, either. Last year I was an Aaron and Adam fan, I am from the Philadelphia region, but could not get any good feelings from Katie. The eyes did “bug” me. I felt sorry for her misfortunes with the undercooked food, and of course she did not do it on purpose, but she was not able to recover from it sufficiently. I agree with her being sent home.
Now on to the rest. I’ve liked Jeffery since day one. I think that he and possibly Melissa have the greatest potential to carry a show. With Gordon Elliot’s help they both could become dynamite contributors to the network. Michael — please!! I read that he was not one of the original ten finalists and got it through default when someone else dropped out. Wasn’t there anyone else? He is funny, sure, but if even the gay members of our watching crew don’t care for him who is he going to market himself to? Jamika is beautiful, lovely to listen to, but I agree that she is down on herself now and porbably won’t be able to come back to her original form. And then there is “You know I’m Korean” Debbie. I voted her off the first week and agreed with all those other posters who would have, too. After the initial integrity speeches to let her stay on after that first display of no integrity and outright lying she should have been gone. I would not watch her show for many reasons. I haven’t really seen any “Korean” dishes and probably wouldn’t cook many anyway. Sorry she got hurt, no one deserves that, but it was an accident. I think the network made a mistake covering up her bruises with make-up. Maybe we would have been a little more sympathetic to her moanings of pain if she at least had looked hurt. But no, she looked picture perfect and once again I was wondering about her intergity. Was she as hurt as she was acting? By the way I just read somewhere that she is opening a hot dog stand in California (actually I think it was in the Food Network Magazine). Wonder what a Korean hot dog would taste like?
This is long, I know, sorry to you all. But since I have held off all season it took me a while to get it all out there. I won’t even start to go into the Teddy-Eddie thing. No tears for them or Brett either.
Thanks for allowing me to ramble (if this makes it through purgatory and actually does get posted!) I always enjoy reading the comments.
Bob,
I think everyone has had to do what they needed to do when they were paired up or teamed up. Jeffrey had to keep talking when Jamika stood silently by…and Michael never had a chance to jump in because Melissa never took a breath. As I said last week…you have a “glow in the dark” show featuring food for kids with Melissa. My jury is still out with Debbie…Michael always has interesting comments although none would be allowed if he had his own show. As for Jamika’s silence, both in the grocery store and on camera..speak now or forever hold your piece…it won’t help you one on one with the camera afterwards!
I feel as many other that Debbie will be your winner. I dont like her and agree with the others. You say you watch the Camera shots of backstage, but you have yet to call her on her selection of Anglefood Cake, Pudding, her Accident. We all just do not see what you see. WE all see Debbie as a back stabbing, underhanded, and muniplative person. I will not watch her, don’t like her, and don’t think she is NWFS material. I Love Bobby, and his food challenges, that is real. Love Guy, he is the best, (well one of them). You have such real host, and I just don’t see these current contestents with the “Star Quality” that has been in the past. People like Guy, and Adam, They grab you in an instant, and even though Adam did not win, last year, he still deserved a show and got one. He makes me laugh with his “Work for Food”.
As for this years winner, I like Melissa, or Jeffery. I just do not like Debbie as She can not cook anything else that is not Korean. Bobby Flay is an iron chef and can make a meal out of any given item. Debbie always goes back to the same ole same old. At least Melissa has always done something different in her prep work. It is not the same old dishes. As with the other contestents, they too make different things. Melissa has been in the top 2 rating the whole time. Debbie has not. She has not won a challenge, gotten her food in Good Housekeeping, in any magazine, but yet you continue to Make Her Safe. I agree, she is the choisen one, and we all know it. You just dont see the same film we see.
So glad to see Bug-Eyed Katie the Raw Food Cooker exit stage left. Really thought it was down to her and Michael; for someone who hates the camera, how does Michael still stand a chance? But I guess between raw food with grating facial tics and the perception of the camera as the “depths of he**” the raw food had to go.
Was so glad to see Bobby call Debbie out on the Asian thing. But then Susie’s fawning over Debbie — get a room, already!
Melissa is getting a bit arrogant, imho. She is SO overbearing that I think watching her on TV on a regular basis would be …well, I wouldn’t watch her, so that’s that.
Jeffery still is the last, best hope for something enjoyable to watch.
Or maybe Amy from last season could finally have a show? That would be nice, too.