The Next Food Network Star (Spoiler alert!)

Were you happy with the outcome? Do you think you will watch the new show? Please include a spoiler alert if you go into any detail because some may not have seen the finale yet.

[Jenise]

Let's presume this thread will contain spoilers--I'll tag your subject title accordingly.

Watched the finale this morning: was disappointed that Jeffrey didn't win because I liked the "Ingredient Smuggler" angle of his pilot. It's clever and useful without being cute, and more unique than what Melissa proposed. However, Melissa was far more popular with viewers so I'm not surprised she won. And here's a possible benefit: with Melissa on board, maybe they can dump Sandra Lee!

I would have been happy with either and I agree that Jeffrey's angle was really interesting. I would probably use his information alot.

As a note of interest, I saw a preview for her new show today. It wasn't the same show that she piloted on the Next Food Network Star. It was Dinners for under $10.

[Jenise]

It wasn't the same show that she piloted on the Next Food Network Star. It was Dinners for under $10.

I'm speechless.

Here it is. It's called Ten Dollar Dinners, not Dinners under $10.00

http://www.foodnetwork.com/ten-dollar-d ... index.html

When "Big Daddy" won, it was as if they decided the type of show/star they wanted early on and the fix was in. I'm wondering if they had wanted a certain type of show and needed a star to go with it.

Maybe I'm just too suspicious. But after seeing what's become of the the Food Network, it's hard not to be.

I was actually glad Melissa won, just because Jeff came off as a little smarmy in my book. Someone on the FoodTV boards said he reminded her of a used car salesman. (No offense to any used car salesmen here.) Melissa is a little manic, but I think she will get more polished with some practice. That said, I'm not the least bit surprised that they have already changed her schtick, and probably had that in mind from the beginning. (Actually, I really think they had an Asian-inspired show in mind for "Plug and Play Debbie" but with all of her personality flaws, they could not in good conscious give it to her.) Back to Melissa and her show idea that emerged in the finale'...how many kitchen tricks are out there that Alton or RR haven't already covered a million times? I think that theme had limited staying power (and appeal). With our recession, they probably think people are looking to tighten their food budgets, so here's Melissa with $10 dinners!

Jenise, I sure hope you are right and they can Sandra Lee. She is so "icky" I can't stand it.

I liked Jeff’s style better. Melissa is a bit too…energetic…for me to watch for any length of time. I wonder how 4 little ones and husband in Keller Tx is going to mix with a tough production schedule in NYC.

Richard

I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see some more of Jeff, after all they gave Adam Gertler a show and he didn't win. -RP

[Jenise]

I'm wondering if they had wanted a certain type of show and needed a star to go with it.

Maybe I'm just too suspicious. But after seeing what's become of the the Food Network, it's hard not to be.

I share your suspicions--realistically speaking, it almost has to be a somewhat foregone conclusion--and agree with Carrie that the fix was likely in early for Debbie. The judges kept extolling her superficial virtues and pretending that the dishonesty and backstabbing didn't matter. Which I guess is the world they live in--it's only what's in front of the camera that counts. In fact, one could make a case that Tamika and Debbie were the early judges' favorites, or even Melissa too: remember the event where all the women got semi-intuitive combinations (Tamika got sausage and potatoes, for instance) and Jeffrey was assigned lobster and blueberries? It was like sabotage.

Hey, and what about the finale show itself? Does anyone else think there's kind of a false, cheesy sense of spontaneity about it, almost like an info-mercial? The way the camera panned the audience for individual reactions to what were not exactly inspirational remarks by the judges had that look to it.

Hey, and what about the finale show itself? Does anyone else think there's kind of a false, cheesy sense of spontaneity about it, almost like an info-mercial? The way the camera panned the audience for individual reactions to what were not exactly inspirational remarks by the judges had that look to it.

Yeah, I agree and I thought the format was cheesy as well. Didn't like it at all. Seemed really low budget to me.

I only got to watch about the last 20 minutes, so I missed most of the shows...I did get to see some of Jeffrey...I was torn about the win. Some of me was rooting for Melissa, underdog that she was. She can cook. I'd watch her before Sandra Lee.

And I also agree that The Food Network probably is busy pitching an idea to Jeffrey's agent. He deserves a show, too.

b

With our recession, they probably think people are looking to tighten their food budgets, so here's Melissa with $10 dinners!

Carrie,

I totally agree with your suspicions and would add that I think it is a relatively short-sighted move by the Food Network. It may work in the short run, but I would bet that in a couple of years when the economy has turned around they will have a show staring some glamorous woman from Dallas showing how to throw an opulent dinner party.

As far as Sandra Lee goes, don’t be fooled by her. She and I went to school together and she was once a fellow Badger. Ah, but now that she has some plonk food network show she is an USC Trojan fan! Mercy on her soul and may the Swine Flu infect her household!!

Melissa is a bit too…energetic…for me to watch for any length of time.

Richard

That is what I was thinking as well. I might be able to tolerate her in person for 20 minutes or so, but I could not bear being stuck with her at a table during a long dinner party. But to her credit, and many may disagree, I like people with confidence and she just exuded that strong faith in herself. She did not have that Bobby Flay "I'm a shrimp, so I must act cocky" confidence, but a genuine sense of honestly believing in herself and knowing she could win at the end of the day.

I just watched her new show. It was pretty boring. I didn't learn anything nor do I feel compelled to make any of the recipes.

They've taken away any and all exuberance she once had.

They've taken away any and all exuberance she once had.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Not trying to be a smart-a$$, but I did not see it and would not know.