I really believed Debbie should have gone home this week. I don’t care how excellent her food was, her behavior was appalling. So how did she stay and Michael leave?
With four of us voting (Bobby, Susie, Ted & I), we decided to each write down our top and bottom finalists on a slip of paper. Nearly everyone had Michael in the bottom. But both Bobby and Ted thought that Debbie’s food was so extraordinarily good (and it was), that it should save her for this week. That left Michael as having the most votes to go home. I argued my case against Debbie, but was outvoted. Again.
We purposely toughen the challenges each week, to bring out the best and the worst in each individual. Here’s where the final five stand for me:
Michael: He seemed like a wild child this week – untamed, funny, but almost out of control. And repetitive (“Who loves you mommy?”). Uncharacteristically, nearly all of his food underwhelmed this week. He told us yet again that he prefers the crowd to the camera. In the words of Michael: HELLOOO! This is about television. Despite his being a seriously talented chef, and a funny, creative guy, the camera skills just aren’t there. So even if Debbie had gone this week as I wanted, I bet he would’ve gone next. Sorry.
Debbie: Her scorecard: Food: 10, Behavior: 0.
I was really turned off by the selfish behavior and false martyrdom that she exhibited this week (“I did it all for the team”). I voted for her to go home, and I bet most of you felt the same way. She’s a caterer for goodness sake! More than any other person there, she actually had the skills to carry off this tough party challenge. But she only focused on her dishes. Then, once again, she didn’t own up to it. The bummer is she’s got the natural camera skills and the cooking chops to ace these challenges without resorting to bad behavior. Thin ice.
Jeffrey: His food didn’t please many palates this week – his dishes were the Nikki Beach Chef’s least favorite and also didn’t impress the crowd. In contrast, his personality was at its best: warm, welcoming, charming and generous. You can see why this guy was a successful restaurateur. Still a contender.
Melissa: I am loving Melissa’s resilient, sunny, fighter spirit. Good for her that she questioned Debbie in the elimination room and stood up for herself. Her food was mixed this week: the veggie asada won’t win any beauty contests, but everybody loved its perfectly grilled vegetables and sweet and spicy sauce. While nobody dug the chicken bite with grilled onion, the salmon shooters were a clever party idea. Still impresses.
Jamika: She was overwhelmingly the crowd’s favorite personality. The clubbers also loved her Jerk Chicken. My biggest issues about Jamika are her inconsistency and her emotional transparency. Last week was as bad as this week was good. Of equal concern: Jamika has no filter – her performance shows 100% of whatever she’s feeling at the moment. A little of that is great and shows authenticity. But more often, no matter what’s really going on inside, this job is about consistently giving a bright, outgoing, star performance. Can she do this? Hope so. Because she still sparkles.
With only two weeks left before the finale, it’s do or die time. Next week, an Iron Chef challenge that pushes the cooking skills of all to the limits!
Have to agree with most others about Debbie, apalling. Hubby and I both agree, should Debbie win, we will NEVER watch her show. See her, change the channel will be our mantra.
Debbie makes me shiver…..she's sneaky and a liar. This episode reinforced the previous episode when Debbie went shopping and purchased all the groceries needed for her dishes, but left out main groceries others needed. We won't watch a FN show starring Debbie; we will, however, watch Jeffrey or Debbie! And, another thing about Debbie: in the first epidode she went through the whole "I'm a Southern girl; I don't speak Korean and my mother can't make kimchi!" Now, all she says is "I'm Korean!" Make up your mind, sneaky selfish Debbie!
I am really missing the video shots they usually give of the finalists that are remaining after the person is kicked off, when they're back in thier rooms.
What kind of a cat fight do you think was going on after Debbie was called out by everyone????!!!!!!!!
Or did she pull a Jennifer from last year and just stomp around and pout and justify herself and a tantrum and storm into her room and slam the door?
Really am missing the after judging room video.
I disagree with whoever said this was NOT a popularity contest. Who would ever watch a host (on any type of show) that they did not like and did not trust? Next Week: Bye bye Debbie. Oh, pleeeeeeze.
I agree with most everyone's comments. However, I loved Michael's forthright "gayness" and his incredible sense of humor. He could get used to the cameras, but…enough said. Debbit is abominable. She should have gone home after the first show. However, I agree that FN does need an Asian cooking show. But, PEASE, not that individual. I wouldn't watch. I like Jeffrey very much. I like Jamika also, but she wears her heart on her sleeve. Debbie is very good, but she's a clone of every other cook on FN. We need something different, and I don't think we're going to get it yet again this year. It's too bad that the winner isn't determined by the public. This would definitely make an intersting show. lol
Bob,
You need to remind the judges that the winner will be joining your outstanding team of talent. You should kick Debbie to the curb just for her attitude. Of the remaining finalist Mellisa is the only one with a personality. The rest are just stiff. Please don't let Debbie go any farther.
I’m getting heartily sick of the hoary mainstay of the genre where the contestant who viewers “love to hate” is made apparent is the first episode and is artificially kept alive until the end, under the mistaken belief that it’s good television. (Your doppelganger chef-elimination show on another network exploits the same abrasive device.) Please let it stop after this season. It is transparent and upsetting and insulting to your viewers, and we don’t enjoy or forget it.
The biggest Miami Vice, as I just now commented on in the Mid Terms blog, was Debbie opening the bottle with her teeth. Send her home, please, before she poisons someone.
I agree with you 100% re: Debbie. Thank you Bob, for articulating my thoughts. I did not like her behavior at all – to the point where I would not watch a TV show should she win. Her “selfless” behavior was non-existent.
Debbie has been repetitive also (“Look, I’m Korean”). Her reaction to the accident in the kitchen a few weeks ago showed signs of martyrdom as well. I really wanted her to say (and I could hear Jeffery or Melissa saying this): “Hey – it was an accident. Yeah, it hurts, but it’s no big deal. Let’s move on”.
- Adrian
wow !!!! Melissa I’m beginning to like more, she is calming down. So glad she spoke up about Debbie not doing anything! Jeffery did well considering the lack of help in the kitchen.Jamika was much better this week. Michael not so sure. And as far as Debbie goes..it was terrible what she did or should I say did not do !!!
Debbie Lee’s food could be the greatest stuff ever put into my mouth and I still would NEVER watch a show hosted by her!!! Bob’s comments above directly reflect my own thoughts; there simply is no excuse for the poor behavior/judgment she has shown continuously from the very first episode.
Debbie is a back-stabbing, lying, cheating, one-note “Korean” who should have been gone the first week. I don’t care how spectacular her food is, she’ dishonest and a schemer and I won’t watch her show, if she wins. Why does Food Network insist on keeping an abrasive, fan non-favorite on this show for the drama? It’s clear from the comments that almost no one will watch should she get a show of her own. I guess it would work if it was “All Korean, All the Time” and then gave tips on how to shank your friends and family. Do the judges not see the footage we see? Debbie should have been gone in week one for dishonesty alone. If she wins this season it will be my last with this show.
Debbie was appalling. She could have saved the night. Jeffrey is still the most interesting contestant left. Melissa is nice, but do we the Food Network needs to get back a little sophistication. I’ve stopped watching most of the shows because I can get most of that stuff from a cookbook without having to watch over the top personalities.
I agree with EdC.
Susie was much nicer this week — was impressed.
I really don’t understand why Debbie is still on — the viewers are smarter than that/her.
I am a huge fan of this show, I enjoy the challenges to show personalities of each individual and how they confront each of the tasks presented. I absolutely agree with Bob, Debbie should have gone home, her cooking may have been wonderful, but the way she conducted herself was abomibable. This was a team challenge, to me, it looked like she was out for number one. There was Jamika and Melissa busting their tails to get the food done, (not only their food, but Jeffrey’s and Michael’s as well) and out to the guests. Debbie was concerned only with her own preparations. Kudos to Melissa and Jamika for speaking up and bringing Debbie’s behavior out into the open.
I will miss Michael’s craziness, he brought something to the screen that Food Network could use. I believe he could have gotten over his stage and camera fright. He will go far in the business of food. His ideas on food were not only zany but doable for the average cook.
Melissa is still a favorite of mine for the final three, she is really genuine and has the cooking chops. Her idea of shaving the frozen chicken breasts was before preparing them was great, something a mother would think of to save time. She showed a different side of her when she revealed she was raised in a Spanish speaking enviornment. Her tapas dish look really great, I would love the recipe for it.
Jamika was back to her old self this week, she obviously did some soul searching and got herself back to her sparkling self. I just love her smile, she lights up the room, however she does need to control her feelings and develop, for lack of a better term, a poker face. She has the cooking chops.
Jeffrey is an outgoing person, he was a great host. His bruschetta with poached egg for the mini challenge was mind-blowing. I would eat that anytime during the day. He needs to develop a way to control his enthusiam, he was a bit over the top at the cocktail party. As the person, who won the mini challenge, he should have had a better handle on timing of presentation of the food and drink.
My pick for the final three are, Melissa, Jamika, and Jeffrey. While Debbie may have the food background necessary, her attitude and “me personality” have turned me off to her completely. Looking forward to next week.
I think it is sooooo unfair that Micheal went home. Debbie was so evil this week. All she cares about is herself and that she is Korean. BIG WHOOP! When Debbie said she prepared all 11 dishes, I WAS DISGUSTED! Melissa was amazing this week! She prepared 5 of 11 dishes. More consistency. Jamika prepared 4 of 11 dishes and her personality shined! At this point I would also send Jeffery home. He is soooo full of himself and is too calm. I would fall asleep watching his show. All he knows how to cook is Mexican. I mean when he tried to make a New England Pot Pie, he failed terribly. And Debbie only knows how to cook Korean. Her famous line of, “…and you know, I’m Korean.” Is getting EXTREMELY old. Melissa is my all time favorite at the moment because her being a stay at home mom prooves that she has a lot of experience from Mexican to Italian to American and so on. I bet kids don’t want to eat Mexican and Korean everyday. So,GO MELISSA! And I will miss you Micheal.
I agree with Mr. Tuschman, I think that Debbie is all about Debbie and if she were to be the next star would she blame the camera person if things did not turn out right (maybe farfetched). My favorite is Melissa, Jeff for me comes across as not quite sincere his congeniality seems somewhat forced, maybe that will change.
Thank you, Bob, for being savvy enough to question Debbie’s statements about having worked on numerous dishes and being “selfless.” That revealed so much about her lack of character; she clearly should have been the one to go home this week.
I don’t understand how Jamika comes off to be the crowd’s favorite personality. She’s gorgeous, but there’s an underlying sadness in her. She doesn’t exude confidence. And she blinks non-stop, making her seem like she’s constantly flustered or she’s constantly fighting back tears.
Debbie is smart to be selfish…there is no reward for being a team player.
Of course Debbie’s food was extraordinarily good. She spent the whole time preparing only her dishes. Had all the finalists been so self-serving, their food probably would have been “extraordinarily” good also. Bobby and Ted taking this line as an excuse for keeping Debbie makes them both look clueless and un-prepared as judges. Why is it that each week the judges come to the table acting as if they have NO idea what has gone on the entire show? You all would NOT accept that behavior in a finalist and yet it’s standard behavior for the panel of experts?! How refreshing it would have been if one of the judges had just said “Debbie, I watched the tape. I know that you didn’t work on all of the dishes. Why are you telling me you did?” Instead we have to wait for Melissa to say something and Susie to COUNT the dishes??? You are the experts, you are the professionals – where is your credibility?
Bob, glad you have finally spoken about Debbie’s selfishness. I really hope you get rid of her soon because I don’t see any TV show of hers having any success, given that your viewers already have a bad opinion of her.
I realize that most of the “challenges” in the competition are contrived to bring out the best/worst in each challenger.
But to be real – the entire competion is about who will the viewers watch? Of the most recent winners, I never watch Big Daddy and only watch Guy now and then. I watch Adam more than the other two combined.
IMHO Melissa is the clear winner here. She has the versatility to be able to cook for kids, families, grown ups, and hasn’t pigeon-holed herself into one particular genre of food. (For the life of me, I still can’t figure out what Michael’s focus is/was).
Jeffery is boring – you already have a superb Southwest chef. Debbie can cook, but recent actions have turned me off to her.
Jamika, nice kid, probably can cook, can’t tell you a thing about her otherwise.
Maybe FN backing and advertising Debbie’s Hot Dog Stand was her reward for playing the villan this season. It is impossible for people savvy enough to program a successful network would be so niave as to be “mislead” by such an obvious jerk.
Thanks for your comments, Bob. I was amazed – and appalled – that Debbie was allowed to stay, and up until this week, I actually liked her. But that’s the second time she’s lied and refused to take accountability. Enough is enough. And I agree with the earlier poster who said that no matter how good she is, I would never watch her.
I also have to wonder if you are keeping her around merely for the sake of having a villain to route against. It appeared you did that with JAG a few seasons back, and I still have a bad taste in my mouth from it. Are we missing something in the editing that makes you think these people are really viable candidates to host a show on TVFN?
Please, please, PLEASE get rid of Debbie next week!!!
Integrity above all.
This is not the first time Debbie has shown a lack of integrity.
She is also over-dramatic – the pan to the face is not the only instance of that.
An oriental food expert would be great. Just not this one.
If Debbie stays one more week or wins this thing, I will NOT watch her show and I will be permanently turned off from watching any more of the Next Food Network Star programs. This is ridiculous for someone to lie constantly and blame everyone but herself for the problems. I would never hire her as a caterer. She is not ethical.
Of course Debbie’s food was better – she spent all night on it. But thank you for finally calling her out on it, and I sincerely wish you hadn’t been outvoted. I find Debbie appalling.
You have managed to contradict yourself yet agin…what a surprise.
You said Debbie was saved by her food. But on the aircraft carrier fiasco Teddy, according to the judges, had by far the best food yet he is kicked off for looking at his hand during a speech what it turn out was very good speech.
Katie consistently serve raw undercooked food and is kept.
I’m sure Debbie’s food was great that’s all she did. She is supposed to be this fabulous caterer yet she can’t do anything. Nor did she live up to the challenge this week of being a team player. She has been told of integrity an yet keeps choosing to lie.
Don’t you people have any standards?
I was disappointed to see Michael go last night – although it wasn’t his finest moment. I think that he could have brought something different and fun to FN. Aaron was weak in front of the camera last season and is a great success. Perhaps, the judges did not feel that Michael was motivated to overcome the camera phobia and Aaron was last year.
As far as Debbie is concerned she has proved to be duplicitous on more than one occasion. Is she not aware that a camera records what she is doing? She must be delusional to think that her behaviour was “selfless” and people would be fooled. She also missed an opportunity to show off her catering chops by concentrating on her own two dishes – she bragged about all the top parties she managed in Hollywood – would you hire her after seeing her “management” skills? Personally I find her boring and one dimensional. Okay, so her food is good but so are others – she needs to go.
So you are finally seeing what your viewers saw the first week. WOW!!!
Please….Throw out the can of Debbie. It has been bad a long time.
Agreeing with the others about Debbie. There is NO WAY I will ever watch a show with her on it; I don’t care how good her food tastes. I hope they realize their ratings will go down with her on the schedule.
Kudos to Melissa this week. Looking back to the first episode, she is clearly the one who has grown and matured, and taken the selection committee’s comments and suggestions to heart. She is still a contender here.
Jamika-yeah, girl, too much blinking; it would annoy me to watch that for a 1/2 hour or an hour.
Michael-well, clearly a talented guy, but how can someone who hates cameras work for FN??
Jeffrey-not sure how I feel about him at this point. First he was too laid-back, now he almost gets too frenzied. Hasn’t found his balance yet, I don’t think.
Hopefully, Debbie is the next to go! Please, get rid of that lying, conniving sneak!
Agree with above comments on Debbie. Something not quite right
with her. I too, can’t see myself watching her. Michael was as
stated last nite, in my opinion, you have to love his happy-go-
lucky personality, he’s a great entertainer, but can be a little
over the top at times. Jamika does appear near tears at times.
Don’t know if she can handle the cameras either. Melissa I’m growing fonder of for sure. Love these shows!! It is unfortunate
we who are watching don’t get to try the wonderful food, and have to rely on the three judges!! Maybe, who knows, that too will be possibe someday.
Bottom line is that the food takes a backseat to the drama of the personalities…But if this is one long audition for a new cooking show, then who is most saleable? The best of the lot from a business point of view is Jeffrey. Melissa is too much of the same thing, and while I have always loved Bobby Flay, he’s starting to wear thin, and down the line, way down the line, Jeffrey may be a reasonable replacement. Jamika and Melissa aren’t solid enough. Debbie’s Soul-to-Seoul is an interesting concept, but she’s not the one to do the show….she’s a horror. The world is full of credible chefs that could pull that off…Same w/ Michael – interesting concept/flamboyent gay chef…just not quite the right guy – although I would have watched his show because I really enjoyed him the best of all…
Debbie reminds me of the back stabbing whiner of last season……JEN!! I recall Lisa Garza wasn’t safe in Jens jelous presence. Now we have poor pitiful it’s all about me Debbie…… Both have embaressed themselves. Please Debbie, go the way of Jen, you both are scarey!!!
I agree with all the previous comments. Debbie’s food should have been great, She spent the entire evening working on her dish only! And then again lied about how great she was in the kitchen helping the others. I would never watch her show if she should win because she has truly showed her true colors for all to see. Bobby and Ted should have known that her food tasted best because she was not a team player and focused on her food only. I like Melissa best because she has a great list of good ideas and can cook for kids and adults. Believe me, there are a lot of Moms who are always looking for great ideas for cooking for her family.
I’ll say it again. Not one of these finalists are in the same league as Aaron, Lisa, Adam or Kelsey from last season. What a shame that these are best contestants that the prestigious Food Network has to offer.
Debbie is an incredibly selfish person – hey did you know that she is Korean? While the others were trying to do the best for the team, she spent hour upon hour creating and plating her two dishes. Hopefully she will be gone next week.
Debbie’s overall behavior is appalling, unforgivable, and unethical. I’m glad you all finally called her out about it. It was team competition and there is no ‘I’ in ‘TEAM’, Debbie chose to ignore that part. She was out for herself and her comment about being ‘selfless’ made me gag. Even if she wins this competition I will not watch her show, even out of morbid curiosity. I yelled, quite loudly, BOOOOOOOOO at the TV when Michael was sent home. I believe, with coaching, Michael could have gotten over his fear of the cameras. Melissa and Jamika did a bang up job, as far as I’m concerned, getting out 9 of 11 appetizers while Debbie did her 2 and a couple of platters of Michael’s salmon.
PhillyHeather on July 13, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Where is the 'Backlash' video on the site? Is that what the video is called?
Debbie is a liar, always lying and using people from the beginning. she supposed to be sent home a long time ago. these judges are so stupid and unfair. they will lose viewers all the time. when will they learn. debbie is selfish and a cheat. i fedup with foodnetwork.
Kudos to the show’s editors. All of the little plot points that we’ve been given throughout the season to hate Debbie is rising to a crescendo of at the end of the season.
The strange thing is, I actually feel happy that we were manipulated. Without all of those hints throughout the season, Debbie’s behavior last night would’ve seemed to come out of the blue. But because of the clues we’ve been fed all year, her actions weren’t a surprise at all. In fact, I think most of us feel justified in our feelings against her.
Oh, but I will throw out an echo of one other thing that was ignored last night. Did Debbie says she wanted to give the partiers a taste of South Beach, and then prepare another Korean/Asian inspired dish? It was just a repeat of the Mardi Gras pot stickers!!!
I was impressed with how Melissa and Jamika busted their butts to get the food out – totally without that creep Debbie’s help, even though Debbie was supposed to be “in charge.” Debbie is a total fraud and should be the next to be eliminated. I hope we see more of Michael in some other venue on Food Network. He has a great personality.
Before I read Bob’s comments, my husband and I said the same thing about Debbie last night. As a caterer, she should have been the point person who could have executed the party in the back. Jeffery attempted to utilize this “crew” based on their strengths. Debbie let the team down. Remember there is no “I” in team. Does Bob writes his blogs in advance during taping or does he write them after watching the show when aired?
I wouldn’t be so quick to applaud Mr. Tuschman for his “critique” of Debbie. His comments are obvious damage control, and should not be taken at face value. The simple truth is that character doesn’t matter to the judges, they are running a business and that is the bottom line.
I agree that Debbie should have gone home. As much as I’ve liked her through out the season, I feel that she tried to take credit for other peoples work and should have gone home no matter how good her food was. She spent all that time on perfecting only her two dishes when she was supposed to be in charge of the kitchen. I would have sent her home.
If I was picking the winner, I would choose Melissa. I think that she has a fun personality and has some really good tips on cooking. I think any stay at home mom would watch her and cook her food. I love to watch her. I hope she wins.
I wish Bob hadn’t been outvoted, Debbie has to go. Her food was the best because all she did was work on it, no help to anyone else, then trying to take credit for everything. If the others had as much time on their dishes they would have been great also. She lies, connives, plays the martyr and then get all teary when called on it.
I was glad when Melissa and Jeffrey called her on it but then she lied to the judges again.
When she finally brought her food out the judges seemed so excited to see her, they didn’t have the same reaction to the others.
FINALLY….FINALLY…FINALLY…..some of the judges have come to their senses with Debbie! I could not believe her actions on last night’s show. I am disappointed in the judges for praising her food, though, because she only worked on HER DISHES, they were going to be great! The other finalists had to help prepare others dishes in addition to their own. I think that should have been taken into consideration in the evaluation room.
Jeffery last night surprised me with the comment he made in the evaluation room…the “menu was too complicated”. If he thought that, he should have spoken up when they were PLANNING the party. I knew there was NO WAY they were going to be able to keep plates filled in a timely manner with the food that was going to be served. Maybe if more time was available etc….but it was sad to see Bobby Flay go into the kitchen and tell them to get the food out.
Many of the posters want to know Food Network has kept Debbie on the show and many of you know, but the producers see a drama queen…someone the viewers will hate, BUT will tune in to watch to see what will happen next…it helps with the numbers and ratings. I am sick of this “soap opera”…if I wanted that I would tune into Soap Net.
Final Three: Jeffrey, Melissa, and Jamika
See you all next week!
Brian in St. Joseph, MO
Melissa is the only one left that I would watch, and feel I might learn something from.
Enough has been said about Debbie, Jamika needs to be on a mood stabilizer, Michael starting talking about ” tapas” when his challenge was Italian.
I think his bag of tricks is almost empty and can’t picture him having 13 episodes of anything original.
I think Melissa would combine the best traits of a Rachel Ray , Tyler Florence, and Alton Brown.
Great food, made simple, explained in a girl next door kind of way, and useful information you could use on more than just the dish being prepared.
By the way, anyone else think Debbie was taking the easy way out with her ” steak house salad”?
Bob, glad to see you are starting to see Debbie for what we have been seeing from the beginning…someone who can’t be trusted and who should not be representing TFN.
Am I surprised by Debbie’s behavior? NO! She did the same thing on the first challenge. She is horrible. I worked in the restaurant business for many years and know for a fact that she would never make it in that world. She is not a team player, she lies and is out only for herself. I really hope she goes home next week.