Food Commentary 200


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	The Food Network's New Dollar Menu = More Short Order Chefs Network Dumps Emeril Lagasse in search of increased profits

The Food Networks New Dollar Menu;
The Food Network Dumps Emeril Lagasse in search of increased profits
Food Commentary by The Wright Gourmet

a The Food Network Dumps Chef Emeril Lagasse
and Signs “Pretend Chefs” for Added Profits & Younger Viewers

CELEBRITY CHEF EMERIL LAGASSE was the Food Network, became their first star, and was the driving force behind the networks growing ratings. Over the past 15 years the lesser known "Network Stars" made one another famous as viewers tuned in to learn how to cook their favorite dishes from a growing list of chefs. As the networks ratings soared so did the name recognition of many of the networks celebrities, turning them into household names and marketable entities. As these “Chefs” grew in popularity so did their demands and egos… the shows became bigger and the original food network concept became lost among all the new faces seeking a place in the spotlight.

Presently the network has announced it has canceled "Emeril Live," and few understand why; but it all boils down to profits. The food network is dumbing down their programming targeted to dedicated foodies and gourmet dining because many of their new “Celebrity Chefs” don’t want to share the wealth. Plain and simple, “The Network” wants a larger share of all of their “Chef’s” popularity, restaurants, book deals, advertising and other ventures they helped create. The established Network Chefs disagree, and understand that all the new crop of “Chefs” can’t honestly cook but are willing to share more of the profits.

Review Of Food Network
New Line Up of Chefs & Shows

	Total Possible	Total Awarded
Taste	10	5
Ambiance	10	5
Service	10	5
Cleanliness	10	5
Table Comfort	10	5
Menu Selection	10	10
Serving Sizes	10	10
Perceived Value	10	5
Enjoyment	20	5
	Total Points Awarded	55

Overall the networks ratings are down, and legitimate chefs like Bobby Flay and Mario Batali, are finding themselves squeezed out by those who comparatively can’t boil water. None of them would survive Iron Chef… and besides “Iron Chef” is getting tired also.

The network's biggest homegrown star, Rachael Ray, admits she can’t cook, which is why she is always on “Vacation.” Even Alton Brown finds himself “Feasting on Waves,” as his new show finds him on sabbatical covering “the Foods of the Caribbean.”

We are not sure exactly what kind of brownies the latest crop of “Stars” have been baking up in the networks test kitchens, but what happens when they get the munchies? Are we doomed to suffer through another junk food road-trip series? Woo-ha, Network Dudes… Exhale! Its time to admit several of the new series inhale hard.

Just what were you thinking when you signed the "2 Dudes Catering" show? Give us a break and roll another fat-boy (Guy Fieri can show you how on a out-take). A pair of best-friend “chefs” with poor hygiene and a three-day growth of beard pretending they are not hung over? A down-home “BBQ Show” that smacks of the bumbling antics of the “Orange County Chopper” stooges hosting a “Q in da hood.” How much liquid smoke do we add before it tastes like real Barbeque?

FOOD NETWORK: Why not an honest hosting of the ongoing recipes and techniques directly from winning chefs on the National BBQ Circuit instead of the foolish antics of some back porch catering company? Let Bobby Flay “Throw Down” at the Jack-Daniels Invitational BBQ Cook off... let him show up with his gas grill there!

Or maybe… help us; "I'm Incompetent in the Kitchen," a help-me make popcorn show that has Jamie Oliver wearing a flannel shirt, knit cap and acting like a stoned out culinary school dropout.

How the Food Network can abandon its “Cooking” roots is bewildering to all of those that watch the networks programming. We agree that Emeril shouting “BAM” has gotten old… but than so has Bobby Flay pretending he is actually interested in a wedding cake “Throw-Down.” From a cooking standpoint Alton Brown blows away everything Rachael Ray has ever done with his “Good Eats” program, but other than that Gordon Ramsay has everything else beat out; how did that happen? Perhaps Rachael Ray could try out for "Hell's Kitchen" ... that would be fun to watch! She has her own line of cook ware & knives; Chef Ramsay might be impressed.

Somewhere in the mix we assume the Food Network’s menu will include some real meat and potatoes “Chefs” instead of the growing list of “Hamburger Helpers” they can better profit from. Give us a break from the bobble heads please!! We understand the goal is to attract younger viewers, but at the cost of trashing everything the Food Network was built on? Emeril Lagasse made the Food Network… the Food Network made everyone else.

The Food Network assures that Emeril is still "involved" with the Network, which will continue to show "The Essence of Emeril" as well as "Emeril Live" reruns. We hate reruns!!

HEY, FOOD NETWORK… Perhaps we could get a show where Emeril, Bobby and Mario teach your growing list of culinary incompetents how to reheat day-old “takeout” (very informative). Alton Brown could narrate with some Scooby-doo looking co-host announcing the dumbed-down series as “Recipes for those Who Don't Watch the Food Network,” while all of you go on an extended cruise!