So, there you have it, Melissa is our new Food Network star.
So, why Melissa and not Jeffrey?
In many respects, they’re flip sides of the same coin. Two warm, likeable, smart experts. Both parents; similar ages. Both great communicators, full of info, who became remarkably comfortable on camera. Either could have had a hit show.
I struggled with the decision.
Overall, Jeffrey’s food fascinated and delighted me. Except for a few notable flubs, most of his food had a spicy elegance to it. The ingredients that attracted him – and would have been the heart of his “Ingredient Smuggler” show – and the sophistication of his recipes wouldn’t have appealed to everyone. That’s OK; we do a range of shows.
Melissa’s bottomless trove of tips and tricks kept teaching me things, and I thought viewers would appreciate them too. But mostly, her food kept winning me over. It is exactly the kind of smart, sophisticated but accessible home cooking that viewers constantly tell me they want to learn from us. And her deep knowledge of budget and time-conscious recipes seemed perfect for these times.
In the end, Melissa’s personality “popped” more for me than Jeffrey’s did. When I referred to him as the “zen meister”, I worried that at times his “steady as she goes” demeanor could feel slightly flat and predictable in comparison to Melissa.
I can’t state this any more strongly: I’m a huge fan of Jeffrey’s. He’s a class act and has a huge fan base. He just got aced out ever so slightly on this final challenge.
Melissa never stopped surprising me. It’s the edges, quirks and unpredictability that make a star. And her bright energy, endless high spirits and determination definitely excited me. As Ina said, “She glows in the dark.”
So – by a point or two – the decision went to Melissa.
Oh, and for those who asked, Big Daddy’s House, the show of last year’s winner, Aaron McCargo, Jr., continues to be one of the top rated shows in our weekend cooking block.
Tune in next Sunday at 12:30pm/11:30c for Melissa’s show, Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d’Arabian. Yes, Dinner for 4 for $10. What’s not to love?
I'll try to be as constructive as possible:
This show sucks. I hate French food. I don't much care for people who try to push French food on me.
Enjoy your 15 minutes, Melissa. It won't last much longer.
Melissa & Jeffrey were both great and it must have been the most difficult choice. I love Melissa, her tips and sophisticated recipes (on a budget). I'm watching her show now!! Jeffrey was great too, let's get him his own show.
A full hour of Sandra Lee – Sandra for 30 minutes, Sandra-clone Melissa for the next 30. What a nightmare! I gave the show one watch just to give it a chance, and after wasting a half hour, it will be the last. If you watched Ina's show earlier, you already have the pastry and green salad techniques she just repeated. This really seems to confirm that the concept for the show was pre-determined and the person who fit it most was chosen. Really sad. I had doubts about Brian Boitano's show, but it looks to deliver some humor and something different. Where is Jeffrey Saad? Get him in a studio soon, PLEASE!
I didn't like Melissa from day 1. And her camera presence is horrible. Her show is called $10 Dollar Dinners – yet she NEVER mentions the cost of her individual ingredients. So I don't really believer her. I'm adding up the costs of everything, and it would cost me a lot more than $10 to make her meals. I can't even look at her either. She has a snobbish look when she glances at the camera for a split second as she tries to remember what she's trying to say. You really need to get her off. Bring Jeffrey back.
I think she did a really good job for her first show. She is no Rachel Ray have you ever seen Rachel make a crust that looks like that…I think not. I enjoyed her show saved her recipe and am looking forward to next week.
I just watched Melissa's new show. I love Melissa, but always felt that she seemed a bit frantic. The beginning of today's show still showed her "franticness' but she did settle down a bit. I'll give her another try, but have to say I was wishing the whole time that I was going to get to see Jeffrey. He would have definitely brought a unique point of view to your viewers. Just add Melissa to Rachel, Paula, Giada . . . same ole, same ole.
Can you give Jeffrey a show too? That would be something I would look forward to.
Carolyn in Houston
Sign of the times. With a ;poor economy, shows that help you save money are "in". But hey… if you wanted to feed 4 people for $10, go pick up two $5 fill up packs at KFC.
Yes, she did. I guess you saw what you wanted. Just something else for people to complain about I guess. Don't like her, don't watch her, but it's senseless to come here and complain about her.
Man, what a bunch of whiners. If you don't like her show, then don't watch it. We all know you're posting negative stuff so you can push your precious Jeffrey. He lost. But, I'm sure if you all keep spazzing out he'll get a show too.
Whiner? Don't we get an opinion too? And, I won't watch.
I'm not sure why you feel the need to be nasty. I had high hopes for Melissa. When it came down to the two of them, I was very happy and I would have been happy if she or Jeffrey won. I definitely did not want Debbie to win because she did not come across as honest or sincere and she cried everytime she got criticized for being dishonest. I wish that Melissa had been less frenetic on her first show today. If that's a crime…oh well. She isn't doing a 30 minute meal so she shouldn't sound or come across as being rushed the way she did on her first show today. I have a feeling she will be another Amy and disappear after her 6 weeks unless she learns to slow down.
Has anyone noticed that there are now people with shows on the food network that never had to compete in the next food network star? Some of them truly suck. I'm really tired of all of the Unwrapped shows. They repeat them over and over again. I am also not a fan of the Neely's. She drives me nuts. I would love to watch a show with her husband alone. He isn't always performing the way she does and he is easy to watch and learn from. She needs to slow down also IMO.
I just watched 10 dollar dinners, I knew that the show would be boring, and it was, Melissa is just another RR and Giada waiting to happen. It was just not what I expected, Jeffrey would have been better to watch.
Many of the folks who wanted Jeffrey are probably getting ready or already are spouting sour grapes over Melissa's first show. What a bunch of closed minded "I didn't get my wish" babies. I liked BOTH of them. I think all the Melissa haters should get over themselves. It's not about Jeffrey with you people, it's all about you, which is easy to see from your words. Don't worry kids, Jeffrey will get his own show. Maybe not right this minute like you're all screaming for, but he definitely will. He's too good for some network not to snap him up. Food network isn't THAT dumb. There are enough other channels that have cooking shows, that I'm sure we'll get to see him SOMEPLACE. About Melissa's first show today. I can see why they chose her. She's got some great ideas. If you want to nitpick about how she didn't tell us the price of each ingredient, to prove that her meal cost under five bucks, get real. A 30 minute show doesn't have time to prove everything to naysayers and grousers. There are many people who are going to be hitting the website to get those recipes. If YOU don't want them, guess what? Nobody cares. As for being like all the other women on FN? HAH! MORE sour grapes. The reason I like her recipes is because they're simple gourmet type stuff without spending alot of time and money trying to find exotic ingredients. They're not heat ALL the time, which is how I see RR. I actually see her more like INA than any of the rest, because of the simplicity. I think the panel made the right choice and a majority of us out here agree. I do hope Jeffrey gets a show, but for right now, I'm thrilled with what we have. My daughter is a new mother on a strict budget and she is very happy to see and be taught by someone who makes sense to her. Melissa, YOU GO GIRL!
Ditto re: Clips response! Change the channel – watch something you do enjoy!
Hi Bob, I sure hope you read these comments because I think you are losing a large chunk of viewership and after the first, highly anticipated (by some) episode of "$10 Dinners" – I think you'll lose even more.
I just watched most of the show, I missed the first few minutes of the beginning. For one, Melissa sadly does not have a very good TV personality. Her voice alone (and aren't looks and voice two of the primary features a TV personality needs?) is flat and monotone. Rachael Ray, Sandra Lee, Ina Garten, Paula Deen, Giada DeLaurentis (hope I spelled that right) – ALL are cooks/chefs catering to the moms out there – and there are unmentioned more – that have nice visual personality as well as nice voices. Their voice has tones, some higher, some lower, some excited, some serious, but Melissa – has maybe two? Two vocal tones at most? She also did not look much at the camera. She looked down a lot, with a lot of "Uh's" scattered throughout her performance on screen.
Now I'm not a heartless individual. I realize this is her first show and on their pilots, Jeffrey and Melissa both had trouble their first few takes. But the in the final take, Jeffrey still had a more promising show and appearance lined up. So let's say she didn't look so boring and rigid as she did. Let's say that she managed to be a little more relaxed.
There's still the problem of the show itself . "$10 Dinners"? Come on! In case you aren't aware (and if you're trying to cater to families that cook, you ought to be) – not everyone has balsamic vinegar, real maple syrup, soy sauce, dijon mustard, heavy cream, olive oil, etc, in their fridge/pantry. If you DON'T have these ingredients on hand, how much is it REALLY going to cost you to make all or ANY of these meals? And then to claim that the potato torte only cost $4 to make? The salad only $3? It's reasonable to expect people might have salt and pepper, milk, flour, even potatoes on hand. But I guarantee you – the household you are in is only going to have the ingredients for the kinds of foods that are typically cooked. There might be a mom who watched that episode who perhaps had the dijon mustard, the olive oil, this, that, but didn't have the soy sauce. My family would have definitely had soy sauce on hand, but the dijon mustard? Not likely. The olive oil? Maybe. Any ONE of these ingredients can cost at least a few dollars. And even if you have ALL those sauce ingredients, the cost of getting all those different kinds of lettuce is going to run you a little more than a mere $3, I'm sure. Not everyone even has access to all the fancy kinds of lettuce and not everyone has access to farmer's markets where produce is cheaper.
And even in the torte alone! Bacon, heavy cream, and Gruyere cheese? How much will any ONE of those ingredients cost you? Maybe she meant she spent $4 on the potatoes alone. Seriously, there is simply no way unless, perhaps, you LIVE IN FRANCE. But you know, we watch Food Network in America and some of those things cost a bit more than just a handful of change.
So there is my detailed displeasure with the show. I can definitely excuse her unenthusiastic performance (how many times can you talk about a pie crust?) as a rookie error, but in my eyes what little interest I may have had is completely gone with a loss of all credibility. What is the point of having a show about $10 dinners if the people watching can't actually make it for $10??? Heck, I don't think I'd get by which twice that amount given all the ingredients I'd have to buy!
Oh, and one last thing. Were you TRYING to embarrass her by showing Sandra's Money Saving Meals right before her show came on? Sandra goes out and BUYS the ingredients and then tells you throughout the show "this is how much this cost" and "this was cheaper to buy made than to make from scratch" and information that REAL MOMS can use. Not "You're expected to have all this other stuff on hand and with $10 OF POTATOES, LETTUCE, AND APPLESAUCE – look what you can make!" because seriously that's what it comes down to. Sandra's show is so much better and so much more interesting. And REALLY saves you money! I could tell just hearing the recipes that there was NO way that it'd be $10. Maybe each dish you could possibly create for $10. (Considering maple syrup alone usually costs around $5+ – that's a big MAYBE).
So, Food Network, what is Jeffrey's show called?
I'm sure you're an experienced cook. Have you ever heard of SUBSTITUTION? AS in, if it's not REAL maple syrup, it will probably work almost as well? Give me a break. She just can't please you, no matter what she does. Admit it.
The object of any meal is not that it cost "X" but what it averages out to considering the whole weekly
budget.
The Olive Oil cost more than $10.00 yes but a bottle can last six months so what is the cost per usage?Maple Syrup same.
Balsamic Vinegar same
Dijon Mustard same I usually have a half dozen different mustards in the pantry or refer for me the
wife strictly yellow mustard.
Anyone can nitpick on any single ingredients cost if that will be the only time it will be used but stretched out over time the cost is negotiable.
So bottom line at the end of the day if you don't want to watch her show **DON'T** you won't be missed.
Gotta agree with all the comments about Melissa. I'm sure she is nice, but the girl can't teach me anything. There are more experienced cooks that watch your network than inexperienced and I don't think any of us needs info on how to cook on the cheap – we all do that most of the time. We want to learn about what we don't know – about ingredients we haven't heard of. Come on, how many people need to be told again how to make a salad from bagged lettuce and the dressing that everyone else on the network has made at some point? Keep your true audience in mind in the future. One of the judges commented on the fact that the Food Network is part entertainment – this show has none. Sorry Melissa.
Are you kidding me? Just watched Melissa's new show. How is she any different than RR. She is SO NOT AUTHENTIC. She is a bad bad version of RR. Bad choice.
Just watched Melissa's first show…she seemed nervous. I'll watch more though and hope it gets better. I also liked the name/theme they came up with for her pilot much better, a survival guide. Not crazy about "10 Dollar Meals."
Okay, how many times is she going to talk about living in Paris???? And who cares??? It reminded me of Debbie Lee talking about being Korean. Dinner for 4 for $10? If I remember correctly, she has a family of 5. Her Mother-in-law's pie crust is no different than my mother or mother-in-law's. I mean really? We already have Sandra Lee. If Melissa is to continue I would rather see her tips. I will give it another chance, maybe two. But I think you missed it big time with Jeffery! BiG TIME!!
One of the many things I like about Jeffrey is his "zen" ness. Melissa seems frantic, except when she can't remember what she's going to say. I love Tyler's cooking but can't watch him, because he talks so fast, he gets out of breath. It's very distracting.
My husband and I love Ina. Her cooking is awesome, but she is so laid back and makes things look easy. The ones who talk so fast, don't make it look easy or inviting to make.
So, are you giving Jeffrey a show?
I totally agree Teri – no costs given, & NO WAY the average cook could do that in $10. Maybe w/a well-stocked pantry? My husband & kids agree – BORING show. And esp. following Sandra Lee – 2 ladies touting the "I'm thrifty look how I do it" angle. YAWN. Looking forward to a Jeffrey show here.
Keep looking you have at least 6-8 months to never.
Well Melissa's show just aired and it was informative, entertaining and she came in under budget.
When you average out what each meal cost, coming in under $10.00 is not impossible.
Remember most people buy for the week so what is used in each meal averages out for a lot less than most think.
Although this was basically a meatless meal, except for some bacon, what Melissa prepared was rather easy to make and her Pie Crust Recipe should make anyone a decent baker now we know why the French Pastry Chef liked her desert.
Sunday, Aug 9
First, this new format sucks. I can't find if my comment got posted from three days ago or not. There should be a way to search comments, also. If my previous comment didn't show up, I dunno why. It was certainly more innocuous than many, and was more thoughtful than a one line comment.
I just got done watching Melissa's show. I was a doubter, but she turned out ok. My problem is that she claims her potato torte cost four bucks. Right. 2 sticks of butter 1.50. 2/3 cup of cream 1.00. Gruyere is by bulk 7/pound at the least, so about 75 cens of that. No way the rest of it rounded to four dollars. No way were her other prices close. The quality of the food looked good and she was better than some hosts to watch. I will not go out of my way to watch her again, but I am not averse to it, either.
Please give us Jeffrey.
Please go back to your old blog style, so I don't have to flip through thirty pages of one comment per page.
Melissa was my favorite and was excited to watch the first show. I was a bit thrown off by the title and would have much preferred the "survival" theme. I think the ten dollar thing is too limiting to what she can come up with. I have never made pie crust from scratch but will give it a try after seeing Melissa make it seem so simple. I can STILL remember EZPOT and the muffin gratins, so Melissa, continue to share your tips with us and will keep on watching !
This blog is a cluster-. Can't find anything, nothing loads where it should be, and nothing is in order. I appreciate the blog, but if it's useless, then why have it. I was trying to find post from today, and my earlier post, and even though I go to last activity, post from DAYS AGO show up.
Ridiculous.
Tell me about it
Food Network, good job. I watched Rachel, Sandra, Melissa, the Neely's and Big Daddy cook as I cleaned house, fixed lunch and ate lunch wishing I had some of Big Daddy's salad. Each show was different but each was so good with all the food looking and sounding wonderful. Melissa was very good. Now I just can't wait to see Jeffrey again. Again, very good job.
Hi Bob,__With all due respect I and other have discussed this new format – we all believe that the webmaster you utilized to redo this board has taken you for a ride.____This is one of the worst designed programs – __1. repetiion several times of the same post -__2. being brought to the original post of days or a week ago everytime signing on__3. one or two posts per page – __4. not up to date – always behind posts__5. unable to edit own post as it changes lines while typing and cannot go back for edit or spell check__6. and many many other problems – please have someone redo this – it truly is terrible__thanks so much for listening!
I agree. I was here almost a month ago, and it was much better. Simple. This is not organized at all, and you can't find anything!!!! If you post, it's impossible to go back and find it, to see if anyone replied. Some pages have 2 post on them, while others have dozens. There appears to be no method to this madness.
I signed up today to comment on Melissa's show, but it's too annoying to stay on here. I can't imagine they have time to read all the post either, because it takes a long time to get through it.
Just watched Melissa's show what a great edition to the food network. She seems very real and I feel that she was talking to me only and I was sitting in her kitchen having a nice visit. Very good choice. She has the personality and the know how to go far. Keep up the good work Melissa!
This is for the webmaster or whoever set up this blog. YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!!!!!!
Mel __I love your posts as you know – I just clicked next for the past 5 pages – and you have appeared on all five pages with the same post and no other posts – just you my friend – __now I know your words are sage – but 5 pages? LMAO
Melissa is a great new addition to the FN. I can tell you I am an avid watcher, I know all their names and their childrens names, husbands and wives. Melissa is a breath of spring and has it in her personality also. She's knowledgeable and fun to watch. Yea for Texas! I dont what im going to do now for steady entertainment & excitement. I'm so happy for her. My husband's getting me into FN therapy now, must go.
how can one keep losing pages – and i have be told 3 times today to relog in that my time has expired -
Na, are you logging in under Twitter?
I'm just signing in under the Guest at the bottom.
Either way this is screwed up, from page one to now is (8) pages and the only posts to come up are
yours.
When I reply I only get a half page to type in on that I can see, so keeping track of what I type is Eyck.
I taped Melissa's show and am re watching it while I'm trying to wade through this hodgepodge.
I don't know who designed this web forum layout but they need to go back to school, because they slept
through this course.
Isn't it amazing – Melissa's followers all wish Jeffrey well – as do I and hope that he gets a show soon – but I also really liked Melissa – hyper and all -__with that being said – with all the whining by Jeffrey's supporters – lets put this into reality __Jeffrey is nothing more than the typical self-indulged male living here in lala land – who didn't make it into the entertainment world – and simply – his style and comments that he has made make him nothing more than a Bobby or Emeril wannabe -__there is room for him and I personally would enjoy watching and learning from him – but for those out there that are still whining – cork it already – you all sound like spoiled brats – Jeffrey's show is coming – FN is already working on it – or aren't you all smart enough to realize that!
i think melissa will have a good show in time, but i think they should" kill ace of cakes "or" barefoot contessa" and put the ingredient smuggler on
I like to many others, was sorry that Jeffrey did not win. You all have made a mistake, but I am sure someother network will pick him up. He would be great on the travel network.
I would like to say one other thing.
You all have put her on each Sunday at 12;30 noon here on the east coast. This is a horrid time. People down here in the Lower east coast, ie; Virginia, North Carolina and more, go to church each Sunday and most do not get home until 12.. Then most have dinner and or spend time with family. Very seldom do they sit around and watch TV on a Sunday afternoon. It is a most difficult time for families that are doing all this. Her show should be on in the afternoon or early evenings weekly. If you want families to wach you have picked the wrong time. I know that I will be unable to watch, church is each Sunday at 11:;00AM until 12 noon.
I was hoping that there would have been a finalist I actually liked. Since Guy won everyone has flopped with the exception of Aaron McCargo. Give it time. How about just hiring a great chef without the competition thing. I don't understand why networks run the next star of whatever shows into the ground. I have always been intimidated by Asian cuisine and would love to see someone who can make it approachable.
Heather –
You mentioned some really good points – but—–
Sandra Lee does not do the shopping – they do a camera take of her in the market
nor does she figure the costs – it is written into her script for her by the show writers
nor is all her information accurate
I So wanted Jeffrey to win- I never learned a darn thing watching Melissa and found her completely annoying, with the constant references to her days in Paris- please, who care? She is SO TEDIOUS to watch. My husband and I painfully watched her pilot episode- again, nothing new- and she is clearly as uncomfortable doing the show as we are watching her. I hope FTV didn't tape many episodes! It is hands down the worse food show on TV ever! I was so impressed with Jeffrey's last recipe for Harissa and steak sandwiches, we went out and got the ingredients to make it- a new twist on a favorite sandwich- what's not to like? I hope Food TV gives him a show soon- we love Big Daddy- he's a great teacher and easy to watch- Melissa, NOT!!! Big deal- she makes a good pie crust- I make mine by without a food processor and could do it in my sleep- what is the big deal- her food is nothing new and different and that potato tart failed miserably!
Well, I happened upon Ms. D'Arabian's first show's last 6 minutes. Her choices of what to prepare looked unappetizing & uninteresting. The potato pie was sloppy (even after waiting 15 min. to set up). The salad was just a mixed greens salad (not very innovative). The dessert of granita looked like mashed potatoes with sour cream (yogurt) dumped on top. Even her facial expression showed that it wasn't very tasty. Overall, the meal was beige, like institution food. I can do better than that. Her "stage presence" consisted of popping eyes and a scratchy voice. (Please give her some water to cool her harsh throat.) What a flop!! Basically, Bob (et al) just advanced a dud to the time slot. There is absolutely nothing new to learn from Melissa's reinvented Betty Crockery. I don't need to tune in again. btw; Big Daddy (Aaron McCargo, Jr.) prepared a better looking salad following hers.
What a huge mistake. Who wants to watch smiley,cutesy Melissa. Jeffrey was pleasant,easy to
watch and should be the winner. Hope you all have enough sense to find him a spot as he is
terrific.
Melissa is AWFUL! Please tell her to stop popping here eyes and showing her gums with that fake smile. She has no idea how to deal with the camera and is totally out of her element being on TV. We can't bear to watch again! Moreso, we cannot believe you passed up Jeffrey- he was awesome- we've already made two of his recipes- he had a great idea- about introducing new and different ingredients- please give him a show of some sort- he's such a great guy anyway and easy to relate to- Melissa is not connecting with anyone that we know or the viewers.- really, she is awful!
Well, just as I suspected….Melissa annoyed me just as much on her show today as she did during the competition…..I watched for all of 10 minutes and changed the channel……someone said earlier that the Food Network wanted a RR clone…..Melissa can't light a spark next to RR but you are right….more of the SAME…and besides….they already have Sandra Lee doing the "budget meals"…….how Bob could have said that he thought Jeffrey's calm demeanor would seem "flat" boggles my mind….why do we constantly need someone acting a fool to be entertaining? Many people want to be "taught" things……geez, I was right in the competition blog….we have ENOUGH of "mommy makes dinner"….and oh by the way…..even her story about her mother in law got on my nerves….I didn't like Amy Finley and I REALLY don't like this one!
I watched the show, just to see, despite being a huge Jeffrey fan.
Even more convinced Jeffrey should have won. How was this meal under $10, anyway? Gruyere? Half a bottle of extra-virgin olive oil? French label mustard? "Two ingredient" dessert using a bottle of applesauce, yogurt, and three other ingredients, including real maple syrup? What about that top secret vinaigrette that we've seen so many times before? And she reminded me of Debi's "I'm Korean!" with her constant reference to "When I lived in Paris!"…
Count us out for watching again.
omg my mom taught me how to make sauted chicken when I was 10 but even she never cooked with african spices. we were really hoping jeffrey would win. we got hungry watching his demo. my mom and I watched melissas show today and I left to clean my room. at least when mom watches Paula I can chuckle at her southern accent and the whole family gets the benefit of baked fudge pie with all that butter and whipped cream. please please please find a place for the spice guy. I am only 14 so I will be a food network fan for a long long time
Sylv l, Couldn't agree with you more! Although I give you credit for watching the whole show….after 10 minutes I couldn't stand it any longer. She STARTED with "when we lived in Paris"……brought me back to Amy Finley……she is bringing nothing new to the network….she is a replay of so many of their shows. I haven't read a lot of the recent comments but I can tell you that within 2 minutes of the final judging, I knew they were selecting Melissa…..Bobby Flay was going to make certain of it. Suzie said that she really wanted to try Harissa, which by the way, Jeffery made me want to try it as well……and Bobby's answer was "OK"…….and then he started in on "Melissa, blah blah blah"…..and in case anyone else hadn't noticed…..everytime there has been a semi-attractive blonde on the show, he favors them…..and then add in that she is from Texas and that was it!! I surely will not watch this show……
Wow! Melissa's "new" show looked so old fashioned. The lunch she made was very unappealing because it lacked color and texture. You wouldn't serve that slop in prison. And her grating banter throughout the segment irked me to the bone. During the contest, she harped how much of a business woman-turned mommy she was. However, on this "show", she carped that she missed Paris! What was that all about? The selection committee clearly wanted a female host this year to counter balance last season's winner (i.e. Aaron). However, Ms. Melissa doesn't hold a candle to him (let alone Rachel and the rest of the best). The decision should have been based upon the best candidate who performed/presented the best and most consistent. That would be Jeffrey. I already miss his calm yet informative demeanor as opposed to the current wide-eyed harsh toned Melissa.
Just watched Melissa' lst show. She is a natural and very refreshing. Like the format with fading in and out showing less prep work. Very clever and other shows should do the same. We don't need to keep watching how to chop onions, potatoes, etc. Watch out for too much mother-in-law references, that can get tiresome. Her recipes are different, easy prep as well as cost conscious. Look forward to more.
This is ridiculous!! I have been trying to login for a half HOUR!!!!!!! It does NOTHING!!!!! Pages won't load either!!!!
Here are my thoughts, I liked Debbie. I thought she was a great cook and was fun with a unique point of view. But, I have to say I have started to like to appreciate the dishes that melissa made, especially the chicken for her demo, I thought it was wonderful. I also started to like Jeffery as well.
I thought Amy from last dear was dry toast. But I think we'll see Jeffrey in the future on FN. I agree with whoever said, get rid of will work for food, and dinner impossible. that guy lied and still has a show. YUCK.
But, I would like to see the lady from last year get her own show, she was a like a mini martha/ina. I thought her show would be great.
Melissa, you rock on girl. Jefrrey, I think we'll be seeing you soon.
They're both great and deserving but I would have preferred learning about a new ingredient for thirty minutes each week.
I watched Melissa's show– SHE SHINED!! So much more depth and personality is emerging. Almost a little "Ophrahesk"– so easy to relate to, such a natural teacher
For now the $10 meal concept is great — I hope that expands in the future.
and I would love for her to come up with a good parting line.
I was a Jeffrey fan– and she has TOTALLY won me over– I won't miss an episode
and I have rarely watched the food network before this.
this comment section BLOWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it would be nice to come on here and find recaps and opinions to the show – even if it doesn't agree with mine!! LOL I didn't watch the show – no desire..but I'm dying to know the various takes on it.
Good grief, people! Jeffrey thought he won weeks ago. Such arrogance. I'm glad Melissa won, and will watch her show. Jeffrey is very talented and will most likely get his own show, too. I'm a huge FN fan and watch it daily. Can't wait to see what Melissa will do.