Hey, Guys: I’ve been following all the chatter going on here at Star Talk and to put it simply – I had to join the conversation!
Every week, through the remainder of the show, I’ll be happy to answer questions you send in via our blog here, Facebook or Twitter. If you don’t have a question, but a comment – well, leave that too. I love reading your insights (and several have made me laugh out loud). Keep ‘em coming!
Now, let me get to your questions.
Do you guys watch the behind-the-scenes footage of the cast, kitchen incidents, etc. before making an evaluation decision? – Nicole Miller
Wow, excellent question, Nicole. There are hundreds of hours of footage from every episode, so it’s not logistically possible to screen and edit it all for us in time for judging. But the producers are vigilant about making sure we know EVERYTHING that went on behind-the-scenes. We get massive amounts of background notes before every judging event. The notes detail and transcribe every notable moment for the finalists while they were shopping, cooking, living together, etc. Why? As we say in this competition, character matters.
How long do the eliminations really take? The editing makes it seem really quick. – Jenny Cohen
On average, we talk to each finalist for about an hour. Every judge addresses every finalist. We spend a lot of time giving them constructive advice. In the early episodes, these sessions can take about 10 hours. It all gets edited down to 12 minutes (of course, all my best lines are left on the cutting room floor). Pity the poor finalists – we’re sitting all this time; they have to stand.
Hi Bob. Have you ever thought about the contestants judging each other? – Kris Mohnen
Hmmm. That’s an interesting idea, Kris. We haven’t, although we do that on The Next Iron Chef when they’re all pro-chefs. Maybe we’ll try it?
Hello Bob. I was wondering how someone goes about presenting an idea for a Food Network show. Who would a person contact, and what kind of presentation would you be expected to give? – Devin S. Forbes
I’ve got bad news, Devin. For legal reasons, we are not permitted to review show ideas from individuals. We can only take pitches that come from major production companies (i.e., those who produce network series). So if any of you have an idea, you need to make a deal with a production company, who would then pitch it to us.
Have you ever tasted something that you had to spit out, or even made you sick? – Mike Walters
Luckily, no food in this show has made me sick yet, though some has briefly made me lose the will to live. A few weeks ago DAS and Tom served jerk slaw which everyone but me actually spit out (I was fascinated that they could fit so many horrible flavors onto one fork). In two weeks, you’ll see a dish that I call the WORST DISH in the HISTORY of The Next Food Network Star. Not to put too fine a point on it.
Would you consider taking someone whose food and technique is not the best (but rocks it on-camera) or vice versa – knowing that they will need work to be ready for their own show? Or, are your criteria that they have to excel in both areas? – Tim McMillin, Sr.
Our stars really need to have expertise and food credibility to make it, mostly because our viewers are smart and food savvy. That said, if we saw someone who had the inherent personality and passion for food, but just hadn’t learned proper technique yet, we might tell them to come back after they had been through culinary school and had some experience.
What is the most important factor in picking a star? – Rebecca Stuart
Well, it’s not quite grammatically correct, but there are TWO most important factors when picking a star: A charismatic personality that pops on camera, and an authentic passion for and expertise in the food world. Unfortunately, those qualities are so rare to find together. But if it was really easy to find people like this, I probably wouldn’t have a job.
How much thought is put into the candidates’ ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, etc. when choosing contestants for The Next Food Network Star, Chopped, etc? From the outside it appears to be far too much. – Gary Saunders
Our candidate pool and our audience is richly diverse in every way. So, we’re lucky to be able to pick the finalists we feel have the most potential while still being able to reflect the diversity of our viewers.
At the start of the season do you have a gut feeling about who the winner will be? If so, how right have you been? – Hope Harris- Gayles
I’m right about half the time. But no matter what the initial feeling is, you never know how the finalists will do when put to the test. Last year on the first day of taping, I thought Melissa, Jeffrey and Jamika radiated the most charisma. Two years ago, I thought Aaron was disastrous at the beginning of taping. Three years ago, I never could’ve guessed Amy. But Guy, and the Hearty Boys I had a good feeling about from the start.
That’s it from me. Now, what say you?
Talk to you next week.
Hello Bob!
First of all, let me say: Thank you, and this is "waayyyy kewl" that you are jumping in and allowing us to pose questions/comments to you!
Here goes:
1. The "weeknight evenings" time–slot line-up.
How would you feel about mixing it up or "rotating" things more, so that we viewers see more different chefs that are currently on "before 3pm", or on a weekend, get some exposure on nights? Yes, they may already be doing very well in their current time-slot—-but as I've written elsewhere…..how many people on a tuesday night at 8pm- even know- about Melissa? or "big-daddy Aaron" or Robin, for example?
I promise, no one is paying me to say any of this, but for example, Melissa is a wealth of tips and knowledge….what if she was on at 9pm on mondays? or 7pm on wednesdays? What if Sandra Lee was on at 10pm? or Tyler at 8pm on thursdays? No doubt this would mean "bumping" someone already in the timeslot….or would it? How about if the "current" person kept their 8pm show on say tuesdays & thursdays, and "the other guy" gets the same time on monday & wednesdays? More chefs, more exposure at *different" times so more of America can fall in love with them. You get the idea. There must be some "brainstorm session" way of accomplishing this. At what point, or how, is it decided that: "its time for some new faces at these times" ?
2. (This one will be shorter. I promise.): Qualifications. You mentioned Charisma and Passion. No argument there. Question: How do you decide when charisma is too loud—-and how do you decide when passion becomes over-the-top and simply too much? What is your "yardstick"?
3. One mild criticism: the challenge where everyone had to make what was in their food-basket. Several people, rightly or wrongly, thought that was rigged….i.e…whoever the judges didnt like got lousy ingredients to work with so as to be more easily eliminated. It may not be true at all, but even so, wouldnt it bemuch more of a fair challenge and a "level playing field" to give all contestants the same "tools" and see who uses them best?
4. Maybe for next year—when it gets to where there are 4 contestants left, how about having a challenge where the judges say: "Cook me Dinner". Anything. Seafood. Steak. Pasta. Whatever. Surprise me. Its up to you. Impress me with something delicious. A dish you'd be proud to serve anyone. (and then rate it a whopping 80% on fantastic TASTE–and 20% on creativity). One person would then be eliminated and go home, 3 people left. Another challenge given by the judges, then…the final 2 showdown.
Thats it. Big Kudos to you, Bob, for giving us this opportunity!
I agree with you James on point #1….would love for the Food Network to mix things up a bit. Tired of seeing same ole people in same ole slots and missing others while at work or church! Hope FN considers changing some things soon….getting stale!
Wow, there is a bunch of analyzing going on here! Whether agreement is felt or not, much careful thought has been given, thanks. Yes, thank you, Bob for Food Network, for giving us this opportunity to "air out" our thoughts.
Hello again! I have more.
Above, you said (begin cut-n-paste): "On average, we talk to each finalist for about an hour. Every judge addresses every finalist. We spend a lot of time giving them constructive advice. In the early episodes, these sessions can take about 10 hours." (end paste)
10 hours. I would think in that time, here would be discussion on "what exactly is your food point-of-view". If there isnt, why isnt there? If there is, then why do we viewers even see this later questioning of contestants about this? Why isnt this nailed down on "1st day orientation" or even in 1st contact w/judges or within 1st week?
I think Brianna COULD be a real STAR yet she comes off as SSSSSSSSSSSSo high-class and "all-that" that she turned me completely COLD. there's nothing wrong with having confidence and gaining success
yet turning one's nose up at people because they don't meet a certain rich and famous and privilleged status does NOT make the NEXT food Network STAR.
I agree….her personality was a major turnoff…..but apparently she could cook – that's not enough for a Food Network Star
Brianna was, without question, the one candidate this year that we would not watch under any circumstances. She cared more about being a "diva" than gearing a show to the people who want to learn cooking tips, and ended up looking down her nose at anyone who didn't meet that "standard." We're really glad she's gone.
Bob, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, it does mean alot. I love this show; it is my summertime addiction.
One question; I would love for Adam to vist Door County, Wisconsin where the bing and red cherries are now ripening. A chocolate covered dried cherry candy might be an interesting feature for a show. i understand this comment will probably be edited out, that is fine, I just don't know where to send this idea. Thank you!
(Hey guys its me again!)
Hey bob,
What I REALLY think you should do is combine ALL the things they learned and tell them to make a episode out of it. It'll besiclly be a test to see if they can make a show and be comforting and funny at the same time. It'll really determine who has REAL "star power" because you don't want to to pick a winner and when their show is on no one likes it.Every episode you've been Looking at seperate points tha they need to master,and I'm not saying you did they wrong thing, but NOW you need to combine these things now.
Well that's all. And anyway thanks for making a blog about this!
$
Blah
Blah – that idea of yours sounds interesting – and – I'm willing to bet that Brad Sorenson would say yes to it – especially after his success in Episode 6 at the Frank Sinatra house – he stated his relation to "My Way" – the song that Frank Sinatra made as his signature number! Honestly, I believe you have a great idea for either this season or the next one of the NFNS. I only hope that Bob will consider it while Brad is still in the competition, as THAT would be up his alley.
I think Bob must have heard you…it looks like next week's episode is exactly what you asked for.
My first post is to say I agree with you. Aarti's use of "Curry" is way over the top. Many people, including myself, are allergic to that spice. And Indian foods just are not popular. That's why there are so few of those specialty restaurants around. Some other contestants have used "curry", too. Get off the "Curry" kick. Most of us don't like it and/or are allergic to it. Move on and give us something other than Indian flavors and backgrounds. Yuck!
I for one won't watch any "host", who is too one-minded or who leans toward using only a mere handful of spices. Be watchful, judges, about how the contestants are using spices. As we know, spices can make or break a recipe, which will also make of break the cook.
Why are my negative comments on the food of Aarti’s I tried always removed from the posts? Are they setting her up for a win and don’t want the former CNN employee to have a negative image?
Having said my previous post let’s see if this posts, Aarti’s deviled eggs were terrible! Just not edible.
All of her food is terrible. She's one-note, at best. Completely unrealistic food, and a very phony personality, and regrettably, immature to be on camera at this point in time.
I think Bob Tuschman exemplifies what makes the Food Network so great. It makes Food accessible to the at home cook. He is so approachable, likeable and real….I smiled when I read his two most important qualities in a Food Network Star….charisma and talent. It takes one to know one!
We wonder if you have seen much food that you refuse to try due to under-cooking, or you know it was prepared under unsanitary conditions. We see them touching everything with their hands, but never see them using soap and water. Just editing?
Hi Cindy,
I think we don't see them washing their hands because that would be a very boring show. We assume they wash their hands. What gets me is long hair not tied back.
Why is Aria's percentages on the fan vote going down? She is definitely the one for a good show. Her show would be watched by many. She cooks for the every day cook. I vote for her every day ten times but her percentages keep going down. If she is the next food network star, you will have another hit show.
Thanks.
I think her person'ality is lacking. I could never watch her for 30 minutes
I wonder how many people there are like you who vote every day? Aarti has a lot of fans, it appears. What I don't get is how come Doreen is so high in the voting – she's been gone since the second episode!
Her percentages are going down because the majority don't agree with you! This last episode when she interupted Aarti doing the preliminary introduction as leader of the supper club team with that "ehhh" or whatever that was sound…she behaved like Zintra (sp?) rude…and self serving – which is something I have seen in her disguise all along – the overly cute bubbly BS didn't cover it up. There is ambition with class and there is -well- the other kind. Which by the way I am sad to see Serena leave cause although she may have talked to fast or seemed tense during challenges – she had great food and was a class act.
I agree with you. I am not that much of a cook but if I were it would be homestyle cooking. Some of the foods that the chefs prepare look practically raw to me. I like to go out to nice restaurants but if I was served some of the foods chefs prepare I would send it back.
Aria is so "antipatica" – an Italian word for which I have never found a good translation – she interupted Aarti, she has this real attitude – I know I would NEVER watch her show