Anybody else watching Top Chef?

[Jenise]

And if you are, are you thinking it's kind of a dull season? There's no Richard Blaise, no Angelo Sosa, no Ed Cotton, no Voltaggios or Stephanie Izards...nobody who seems to hit it out of the park consistently and nobody else right on their heels. Paul seems to be doing well, but some of his wins have surprised me. Not sure if I'm just not paying close enough attention to him for some personality reason or if it's because there's no other stand-out so it doesn't seem all that competitive. Maybe the other contenders are those who never seriously blow it, like Lindsay and Sara. (I note, though, that when someone like that wins in the end--almost by default, really--they're never heard from again.)

It's dull enough this season that the DVR'd episodes might languish unwatched for a couple of days, which has never happened in my house in previous seasons.

There's just not a chef who can consistently back up the talk with wins, beyond maybe Paul.

Yeah I don't know what happened when they picked these folks. I think this is the first season where I haven't thought, "hey, I'd like to go their restaurant". Some very good chefs but not in line with previous winners and runners up.

Jason

[Jenise]

Yeah I don't know what happened when they picked these folks. I think this is the first season where I haven't thought, "hey, I'd like to go their restaurant". Some very good chefs but not in line with previous winners and runners up.

Jason

Sounds like I'm not alone!

Yes, some very good chefs no doubt. I think one of the best got eliminated too early, that is the beautiful black girl, Nyesha (sp?). She was fierce, but went down because her teammate screwed up so badly. And one or two made me wonder how they ever qualified in the first place, especially the girl who went home for her unimaginative and badly executed scalloped potatoes. She wasn't alone in the bottom on that challenge but I'd have been disappointed if anyone else but her got sent packing.

[Robin Garr]

I just don't watch these shows, sorry ... I hate to be so boring.

But ... it this one "Top Chef Texas"? If so, there's a Louisville guy, Edward Lee of 610 Magnolia, in it.

[Jenise]

I just don't watch these shows, sorry ... I hate to be so boring.

But ... it this one "Top Chef Texas"? If so, there's a Louisville guy, Edward Lee of 610 Magnolia, in it.

Yes, he's a doll, and obviously talented. But middle of the pack.

Yes, I am watching, and agree, but still find it very entertaining. I liked Naisha as well (are you watching Last Chance Kitchen on Bravo online?--If not, you must!)
Probably my favorites are Tyler (he keeps screwing up the meat though) and Grayson (the latter mostly based on personality, but she also cooks food that I think I would like).
Chris Jones is starting to get on my nerves.

[Jenise]

Carrie, oh I still can't wait for Thursday mornings when I get to catch up, but I'm having a hard time figuring out who to root for and think it's already clear this season isn't going to produce a star. It's been easier to root against; was so happy when they sent Mama Cass home last week (not making fun of her weight, just that she really did look like her). Beverly irritates me too, couldn't believe she just made standard beans and standard cole slaw then screwed both up. Was sorry Malibu never showed better, I had high hopes for him and liked the sophisticated looks of his cooking. Actually, I think I just liked his looks period. Grayson and Nyesha would be my top picks for new BFF. Agree with you re Chris Jones. He pouts too much, and what's with that daoist up-do?

Jenise, yes, Heather was a bully. I know a lot of the editing was intended to cast her in that light but I get the feeling the shoe fit. Glad to see her go.
Beverly frustrates me too. She has a strange thought process. Like the time they had to cook peppers of varying degrees and she just left hers raw? WTH? Agree too about the slaw and beans. It makes me mad when they have run-of-the-mill dishes to prepare and screw them up! Like the au gratin potatoes. (Speaking of which I need to post an updated about my New Years.)
Chris looks ridiculous with that hair. Was also sorry to see Malibu go. He is a great looking guy. I think he plays for the other team though!

[Jenise]

Jenise, yes, Heather was a bully. I know a lot of the editing was intended to cast her in that light but I get the feeling the shoe fit. Glad to see her go.
Beverly frustrates me too. She has a strange thought process. Like the time they had to cook peppers of varying degrees and she just left hers raw? WTH? Agree too about the slaw and beans. It makes me mad when they have run-of-the-mill dishes to prepare and screw them up! Like the au gratin potatoes. (Speaking of which I need to post an updated about my New Years.)
Chris looks ridiculous with that hair. Was also sorry to see Malibu go. He is a great looking guy. I think he plays for the other team though!

Re Malibu, not that it would change his attractiveness any, but I'm fairly sure he's straight. Did you see the little clip of him in his apartment in California? Nude women everywhere, which he himself paints.

But yes, Beverly is odd. She's a pleaser. Overthinks what she thinks they want to the point of missing the point, the point being that all they want is her perspective. Making a run-of-the-mill standard cole slaw isn't going to prove you're well-rounded.

You are right, of course it wouldn't change his attractiveness in any way. There were just a few comments made by him and a few others that got me thinking...hmmm, maybe. (Not that there is anything wrong with that! As Seinfeld would say... )

Have you been watching? My girl Grayson is doing pretty well. Also, are you watching Last Chance Kitchen???? If not, you should check out all of the episodes. You'll like what's happening!
http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/season-9/last-chance-kitchen

[Jenise]

I really like Grayson. She does some spectacular things and then flubs up badly, like the night she made that giant Wisconsin steak dinner. Have you seen the latest episode?

SPOILER ALERT

Can't believe they didn't send Chris home. Ty didn't do anything right, it seemed, but he took on a lot AND he tried to help when the dining room got backed up, where Chris only did his Cracker Jack as well as plating Ed's dessert and otherwise stayed put. I recall that Tom C liked it, although he admitted it wasn't pretty, but he was kind of out there by himself.

I really like Grayson. She does some spectacular things and then flubs up badly, like the night she made that giant Wisconsin steak dinner. Have you seen the latest episode?

SPOILER ALERT

Can't believe they didn't send Chris home. Ty didn't do anything right, it seemed, but he took on a lot AND he tried to help when the dining room got backed up, where Chris only did his Cracker Jack as well as plating Ed's dessert and otherwise stayed put. I recall that Tom C liked it, although he admitted it wasn't pretty, but he was kind of out there by himself.

TOTALLY agree! He didn't seem to do anything to help the team and his dessert really looked lame! Did you watch Last Chance Kitchen???

[Jenise]

I really like Grayson. She does some spectacular things and then flubs up badly, like the night she made that giant Wisconsin steak dinner. Have you seen the latest episode?

SPOILER ALERT

Can't believe they didn't send Chris home. Ty didn't do anything right, it seemed, but he took on a lot AND he tried to help when the dining room got backed up, where Chris only did his Cracker Jack as well as plating Ed's dessert and otherwise stayed put. I recall that Tom C liked it, although he admitted it wasn't pretty, but he was kind of out there by himself.

TOTALLY agree! He didn't seem to do anything to help the team and his dessert really looked lame! Did you watch Last Chance Kitchen???

No re LCK. I really want to, just haven't had any spare time. That's true of right this second too, I'm cheating by being here instead of writing the reccomendation letter I'm supposed to writing.