I was glad to see Melissa go, not only because she’s been screwing up, but because of that thing on her chin that appeared a couple shows back. I mean, dude, if that’s impetigo or something contagious, she shouldn’t be cooking for the public.

The best episode of the recent KN series was his return to Momma Cherri’s in Brighton, which had expanded and become a success on the publicity he brought. The new, bigger location was too much for it to handle, and the quality had sunk. And you could see Ramsay thinking that he’d created a monster.

(Plus, unlike BBC America, the original C4 broadcasts aren’t bleeped.)

Now, I’m going to see if I can grab a set of F-Word 3 rather than endure this shower at HK, and Ramsay’s over-acting.

I do know that most bloggers here know the difference and Bourdain has more or less given us the straight goods on this stupid show.

I would watch a show with Bourdain any day. At least you get honesty.

I would really like to kick the crap out of Ramsey though. What do yo all think ?

Also, how the hell does he think it must look, particularly singling out a black man for additional humiliation? If Gordon wants to get known enough so he could open in NYC and sustain his outpost in NYC, THAT was so not the way to do it. That was stunning insensitivity and, to my mind, the worst thing he’s ever done as a chef or human being. Never mind all the screaming and cook-bollocking and being vicious to Australian food writers, etc., etc. – THIS was bad. This season’s Hell’s Kitchen is, like Jen, scraping at least the sides of the garbage can.

The only good thing I can say is that Gordon didn’t wait for a vote – he propelled Melissa out of the kitchen. While’s he’s “binning” her, he should “bin” HK and stick to Kitchen Nightmares – and get some sensitivity training in the interim . . . or “bin” himself. WHY single out Rock, a cook GR has, up to this point, admired? It looked awful. And it was bad on EVERY level. Shamne on the producers for that little stunt.

Apparently the upcoming UK 3rd season with Marco Pierre-White will again have a strong focus on teaching and encouraging cooking skills. But MPW is only replacing GR because he backed out of the show after the 1st season to focus on his restaurants. He was replaced by Novelli and Rhodes for the 2nd season, which had pretty poor viewing numbers and the show’s been off air here for a couple of years, until this MPW fronted version turns up.

Both types of show are fascinating in their own way IMHO.

I like Julia.

1. It’s a reality show. Therefore, it is not reality; it’s scripted. There are writers, there are casting calls, and yes, specific types are sought.

2. It’s brought to us by the illustrious carnies at FOX.

3. It’s a cooking show in the same way that it’s possible to dance about architecture. (Was that from Tom Wolf, or John Waters? I can never keep them straight. –but you get the idea.)

4. WWF-worthy personalities: who wouldn’t watch Crying Fainting Asian Cowboy throw down with that strange bossy redheaded woman with the soul patch, both in full superhero regalia?

It all adds up to roller-derby-style entertainment, with barely-bleeped spittle-encrusted swearing. It’s a total fraud, and we (HK’s remaining viewers) are the fucking donkeys of the piece. And it’s a particularly welcome diversion from whatever political asshattery is going on.

Top Chef, on the other hand? yaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwnn. Premise is more or less in the same ballpark. Less screaming and less food is thrown. Yet the show is only slightly more believable, and the challenges are less than gripping.

Say what you will about Iron Chef in any of its incarnations, but I do trust that the constestants on that show can actually cook. When I watch HK, TC, or whatever the Food Network’s version is called, I can never sufficiently suspend the belief that none of the contestants are capable of much beyond assembling a reasonably boiled Kraft Dinner.

Chris: Have you seen “Good Eats” by Alton Brown on Food Network? He does all of these things that you mention.

Chris: Have you seen “Good Eats” by Alton Brown on Food Network? He does all of these things that you mention.