Giada de Laurentiis: It's "Rrrrrrrricohta" You Barbarian!

[chessiegal]

Giada is going to be Hollywood Game Night tonight.  Some celebrities are really good at the games, some are bump-on-the-log non-entities and some are attention whores that make everything about them and come off as an ass in the process.  Taking bets on which category LBH will fall into.

Guessing number 3. What do I win?

[HappyDancex2]

Now I know that we are being trolled by Giada & stylists on FNS...Giada was positively normal and dressed nicely on Game Show.  She didn't have that exaggerated cartoon shit persona that she does on FNS where she gets edited with her huge ass toothy mouth filling up the TV screen.  If you only saw Giada on this show, you'd hardly believe how ridiculous of a prop she lets herself be on Food Network.  Crazy!    Mrs. John Legend was the giada of the show...awkward tight dress, cartoon personality, "look at me" crawling on the floor....I wonder what Giada's perception of her was by watching all of that.  Giada SAVE YOURSELF!!!!

[Commando Cody]

Dang.  I didn't think that show was coming back, so I took it off my dvr.  She doesn't seem like the fun, game playing type.  

[smiley13]

 Mrs. John Legend was the giada of the show...awkward tight dress, cartoon personality, "look at me" crawling on the floor....I wonder what Giada's perception of her was by watching all of that.  Giada SAVE YOURSELF!!!!

That woman really does need to stop trying to make herself happen.  She must pay a fortune to the gossip sites to keep her name out there, not to mention her lowbrow porn pictures she keeps posting on sites that do not allow nudity.  As annoying as I find Giada to be, she is no where near that woman's level.

[JTMacc99]

Giada is going to be Hollywood Game Night tonight.  Some celebrities are really good at the games, some are bump-on-the-log non-entities and some are attention whores that make everything about them and come off as an ass in the process.  Taking bets on which category LBH will fall into.

Well, I missed it but will definitely check it out because I'm going to make a guess here.  I'd guess that she's got a competitive streak, so therefore not a bump on the log. I'd guess that she's not going to be great at the games, but will put in a good effort and then possibly get down on herself for not doing well. I think there is a chance she could make an ass of herself, but don't think that's a strong possibility.

[cooksdelight]

We have a forum for discussing Hollywood Game Night here:

 

http://forums.previously.tv/forum/207-hollywood-game-night/

[GoMocs]

Doesn't anybody tell her on FN that shouldn't smile with her mouth open so much? It does make me think of Shark Weak. If you notice, FN, hardly ever does a profile shot of her up close...and for good reason...might remind older people of Jimmy Durante.

[chessiegal]

I read in an interview with her she said she's been told she has a wonderful/beautiful smile, or something like that.

[Lura]

I think that "all the people" who admire her hair, like her teeth, love her smile, want to know her skin routine, and told her to write a book, are either relatives or don't exist.  What an ego!

[iggysaurus]

I think if she was just an ordinary person, who wasn't adhering to Hollywood/TV standards (too skinny, too much makeup, blinding white teeth, overly tight/revealing outfits), she would be pretty.  She used to be a lot prettier and more natural looking.  To me she seems like someone who's desperate to maintain a certain image as she gets older and becomes more fake looking over time as a result.

 

I wouldn't even mind her looks if it weren't for the fact that she seems like she has a really nasty streak in her personality. Kind of a "mean girl" thing.

[ari333]

Agreed.  She does give off a bit of a mean girl vibe to me as well on this show. It makes me feel weird to say this, but.... she seems lovely on other shows (Hollywood Game Night)  (as mentioned above with the other link) She wore nice clothes and supported her teammates and she seemed quite normal for a change. Given that, her shenanigans and wardrobe here  on FNS are beyond the pale. Maybe it's the edit monkeys, but IDK.

Edited July 8, 2015 by ari333

[Maverick]

She wore nice clothes and supported her teammates and she seemed quite normal for a change.

Yes. Color me disappointed.

[Lura]

Re Giada's wardrobe:  I think that Giada has lost touch with the fact that she is a 44-year-old mother and not a cute little teeny bopper any longer.  Being 44 does not mean you have to dress like some aging matron, but it does mean that you make a few adjustments in what you wear.  I'd like to think that Giada doesn't realize this, but I have to believe that she does, and she's bound and determined to defy tradition.  In fact, in my mind, she is giving tradition the big middle finger!  Her hemlines were cut up to "there" before the rest of the country even knew that shorter hemlines were in.  She has now progressed to even more risqué clothing.

 

As you may have seen online, Nicki Hilton (Paris' sister) wore a dress to a function with round cut-outs all over the front and a large cut-out in the back, revealing her butt to the world.  I couldn't help thinking, "That's Giada next year," and I wasn't laughing.  I think she's going to continue her bad girl image until the FN is swamped with messages, until people stop watching her shows, and she has to be fired.

 

Giada is not only the "bad girl," but the "mean girl" as well.  If she wants to be mean, shame on her, but I think she should pay close attention to that "bad girl" inside and clean up her act.  In the meantime, IMHO, it's past time for viewers to complain and for the FN to listen to those complaints.

Edited July 9, 2015 by Lura

[GaT]

Giada dresses like a Kardashian.

[rab01]

This may be an unpopular opinion but I think Giada has been a better judge this season than in prior years and I haven't seen her giving the women a disproportionately hard time like she did in years past. That in turn may be coloring my impression of her wardrobe choices but other than boob-slit outfits, they haven't seemed inappropriate to me. She is a Hollywood scion and she dresses like one. I've seen plenty of older stars dress in more revealing clothing than hers when they know they are going to be photographed  ... now her shark-like grin on the other hand ;)

[Lura]

rab01, I think the point that some people are trying to make is this:  Giada is a middle-aged woman on television.  As such, she was not hired to be on a so-called "glam" show; she was hired for a cooking show and is currently also a judge on another cooking show.  Comparing her to Rachael Ray, Sunny Anderson, Anne Burrell, Alex Guarnaschelli, Ina Garten, et al, why is Giada the lone host to wear revealing clothing?  I would also ask why, simply because older Hollywood women dress in revealing clothes, what that has to do with dressing appropriately for the job?  I don't feel that anyone here cares what Giada wears when the lights are off, and I personally don't care, either, but when the lights go on, it's surprising sometimes to see a bare midriff or cleavage, "come hither" expressions, out and out flirting, etc.  Furthermore, I don't know who the other women are that you're talking about, but if they're not judges on cooking shows, then I think they're beside the point.

 

For me, the issue is job performance.  It seems sometimes that Giada is using her job as a means of promoting herself (and her body).  If some secretary dressed for the office the way Giada sometimes dresses, I think she would be instructed to change or be terminated.  The same holds true for most other professions, I think.  I respect your opinion, but I just can't agree with it.  :)

Edited July 10, 2015 by Lura

[Aquarius]

I think that "all the people" who admire her hair, like her teeth, love her smile, want to know her skin routine, and told her to write a book, are either relatives or don't exist.  What an ego!

 

And how she stays so THIN!  You forgot the most important thing - the question EVERYONE who meets her asks, according to introduction to her book.  Barf!

 

Personally, I never got all the "Giada is so gorgeous!" hype.  To me, she's always looked nice, but average.  Her features are too harsh for "gorgeous."  I think she has one of those faces that the camera loves in certain lighting and angles, but in real life is sort of pointed and witchy, for lack of a better word.  For instance, in the candid shots in this article, Shania Twain looks as beautiful as she always does, and Giada looks much different than her glamour shots.

 

http://greatideas.people.com/2014/07/22/shania-twain-giada-delaurentiis-las-vegas-restaurant/

[cooksdelight]

Folks, snark is fine, but I don't want us to get into the area of body shaming. Whether someone is too thin or too heavy, and having a lot of comments about someone's body. Just be careful in the words you choose.

Thanks!

[smiley13]

I do not think she is gorgeous.  She is "manufactured" looking.  Without all the make-up and styled hair, she is probably average at best. And anyone who is as thin as she is most likely has fake "assets" that she never resists showing off.

[rab01]

rab01, I think the point that some people are trying to make is this:  Giada is a middle-aged woman on television.  As such, she was not hired to be on a so-called "glam" show; ... Furthermore, I don't know who the other women are that you're talking about, but if they're not judges on cooking shows, then I think they're beside the point.

 

For me, the issue is job performance.  It seems sometimes that Giada is using her job as a means of promoting herself (and her body).  If some secretary dressed for the office the way Giada sometimes dresses, I think she would be instructed to change or be terminated.  The same holds true for most other professions, I think.  I respect your opinion, but I just can't agree with it.  :)

To take the last point first, I totally understand where you're coming from.  ... Hey, I said I had an unpopular opinion ;)

 

As for your other points:

 

I think she actually was hired to be "glam" or else we wouldn't see her dressed more conservatively on her cooking show and on Hollywood Game Night.  Female judges of season-long elimination show often dress just like she does - or worse (e.g., J-Lo on American Idol, the female judges on The Voice and Heidi Klum on Project Runway.  *Yeah, I know comparing anyone to J-Lo is kind of setting a really low bar but I don't watch a lot of competition shows*)

 

As for prime time season long cooking competitions, the only others I watch are Top Chef and Next Iron Chef ... and in those Padma Lakshmi and Donatella Arpaia showed more cleavage that Giada. 

 

There's lots of stuff about Giada that I've found really grating in the past.  I've also made fun of her clothing when she wears stuff that's wildly impractically like spiked heels when she's going to have to walk across the lawn. I guess I just haven't found her wardrobe this season to be wildly risque or inappropriate (other than that boob-slit outfit).

 

ETA - I just thought of a counterexample to my argument. I caught some of an episode of Masterchef and the female judge on that show dressed much more conservatively.

Edited July 10, 2015 by rab01

[Snarklepuss]

rab01, I think the point that some people are trying to make is this:  Giada is a middle-aged woman on television.  As such, she was not hired to be on a so-called "glam" show; she was hired for a cooking show and is currently also a judge on another cooking show.  Comparing her to Rachael Ray, Sunny Anderson, Anne Burrell, Alex Guarnaschelli, Ina Garten, et al, why is Giada the lone host to wear revealing clothing?  I would also ask why, simply because older Hollywood women dress in revealing clothes, what that has to do with dressing appropriately for the job?  I don't feel that anyone here cares what Giada wears when the lights are off, and I personally don't care, either, but when the lights go on, it's surprising sometimes to see a bare midriff or cleavage, "come hither" expressions, out and out flirting, etc.  Furthermore, I don't know who the other women are that you're talking about, but if they're not judges on cooking shows, then I think they're beside the point.

 

For me, the issue is job performance.  It seems sometimes that Giada is using her job as a means of promoting herself (and her body).  If some secretary dressed for the office the way Giada sometimes dresses, I think she would be instructed to change or be terminated.  The same holds true for most other professions, I think.  I respect your opinion, but I just can't agree with it.  :)

 

I have said this before, but I wonder how much of Giada's wardrobe on this show is producer influenced given that they have to know that she is attractive to a lot of men - a sex symbol, even.  I can accept that they want to play that up within reason, although not to the extent they're taking it this season.  That's not a factor with Alex nor Anne B.  And there was a time when Rachael Ray popped up at celebrity functions with her cleavage and even most of a breast popping out (not to mention a sexy fully clothed spread she did for a mens' magazine), although that was well before she was 44.  Also, Rachael always dressed way down on her 30 minute meal shows - I suspect she was told to do that to maintain her "girl next door" image.  On her talk show she has run the gamut from skirts and dresses all the way down to jeans.

 

The point I'm making is that I can even understand and accept "glam" from Giada, it's "smut" I have the issue with.   She has a lot of class but those overly revealing outfits lower it, IMHO.  One thing I've learned from Stacy London is that you don't have to reveal a lot of flesh to look sexy and sophisticated, but the more flesh you reveal the trashier and less sophisticated you'll tend to look.

[Snarklepuss]

And how she stays so THIN!  You forgot the most important thing - the question EVERYONE who meets her asks, according to introduction to her book. 

 

I read an in-depth piece on her in a newspaper a few years ago that said she suffered from digestive issues, although I don't remember what now, and that they are the reason she eats so minimally.  I have never seen any mention of that anywhere else since and I can't remember the source now either.  It even made mention of her going to doctors and having treatments.  Although I don't mean to defend her or anything because she's never been a favorite of mine.  I tend to see her as pretentious and full of herself with that "high Italian" thing she's got going, like she thinks she's better than Southern Italians.  And she seems like a bit of an ice-princess too.  I remember when Rachael Ray went head to head with her on Iron Chef and Rachael won.  Not that I'm a Rachael fan either but I was rooting for her because I always had the feeling Giada thought she was so much better than Rachael.  And I never thought those two would like each other in real life either.

 

And from the looks of things, Giada has still not gotten over losing to Rachael in that battle way back in 2006:

 

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/secondhelpings/2014/08/11/giada-hated-losing-to-rachael/13899309/

 

Hah, it even calls her a sore loser!

[Aquarius]

I read an in-depth piece on her in a newspaper a few years ago that said she suffered from digestive issues, although I don't remember what now, and that they are the reason she eats so minimally. I have never seen any mention of that anywhere else since and I can't remember the source now either. It even made mention of her going to doctors and having treatments. Although I don't mean to defend her or anything because she's never been a favorite of mine. I tend to see her as pretentious and full of herself with that "high Italian" thing she's got going, like she thinks she's better than Southern Italians. And she seems like a bit of an ice-princess too. I remember when Rachael Ray went head to head with her on Iron Chef and Rachael won. Not that I'm a Rachael fan either but I was rooting for her because I always had the feeling Giada thought she was so much better than Rachael. And I never thought those two would like each other in real life either.

And from the looks of things, Giada has still not gotten over losing to Rachael in that battle way back in 2006:

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/secondhelpings/2014/08/11/giada-hated-losing-to-rachael/13899309/

Hah, it even calls her a sore loser!

You may have read all that, I don't doubt because Giada's stories tend to be all over the place. But I have the book - the book DOES NOT SAY THAT - the book talks about her wonderful portion control and yoga, etc.  I've also read interviews with her where she said that she exchanged agave syrup for sugar and she just "watched the pounds melt off."  Who knows what to believe?  I do know that she has her philosophy engraved on chandeliers in her restaurant and it doesn't talk about any digestive issues or extensive medical testing or even allows for different metabolic rates.  ("I eat a little of everything but not a lot of anything").

 

I've also read articles where she was controlling Jade's portions of lamb chops at age 3 or 4.  Lamb chops -  not popcorn, not chocolate, not cotton candy.  Lamb chops.

 

Needless to say, I know what I believe.   (It doesn't come out of a hatred of thin women, either.  I happen to be one.  I get and stay that way by limiting carbohydrates, so Giada's philosophy is bunk by me.)

 

And YES, Giada was a sore loser.  Ab-so-lute-ly.

Edited July 11, 2015 by Aquarius

[Snarklepuss]

You may have read all that, I don't doubt because Giada's stories tend to be all over the place. But I have the book - the book DOES NOT SAY THAT - the book talks about her wonderful portion control and yoga, etc.  I've also read interviews with her where she said that she exchanged agave syrup for sugar and she just "watched the pounds melt off."  Who knows what to believe?  I do know that she has her philosophy engraved on chandeliers in her restaurant and it doesn't talk about any digestive issues or extensive medical testing or even allows for different metabolic rates.  ("I eat a little of everything but not a lot of anything").

 

I've also read articles where she was controlling Jade's portions of lamb chops at age 3 or 4.  Lamb chops -  not popcorn, not chocolate, not cotton candy.  Lamb chops.

 

Needless to say, I know what I believe.   (It doesn't come out of a hatred of thin women, either.  I happen to be one.  I get and stay that way by limiting carbohydrates, so Giada's philosophy is bunk by me.)

 

And YES, Giada was a sore loser.  Ab-so-lute-ly.

 

I think the interview was from a mostly reputable source, like the NY Times magazine section or something like that.  It's not somewhere I'd normally question too much on stuff like that.  And I don't doubt that if she had such issues she would be the type to want to downplay them so much as not to discuss them in her book.  I'm sure that being in the food world having a digestive issue is not something she'd want to broadcast. 

 

And what works for one person to stay thin is not necessarily going to work for another.  If that were the case I'd be 100 pounds right now.  I limit carbs and last year I cut out all added sugar and lost 10 pounds.  Then it came back all by itself without changing my diet!  This happens with every approach I try now, even the doctor supervised ones!  I was thin with no weight issue until peri-menopause.  Then for those years I was able to control my weight with diet an exercise.  Post menopause nothing works.  NOTHING.  And I'm well read on the latest diet research and have tried many angles, too.  The same exact thing happened to my mother.  She was a brilliant woman who had tried everything and she warned me about this.  It happened to her mother and my great grandmother too.  The medical world just doesn't have all the answers.  I know a lot of older women who can eat the same diets they've always eaten and never gain a pound.   I am personally tired of people telling me I'm doing something wrong.  Maybe there's something about my body (and my genetics) the medical and diet community has not yet learned how to address.  So I am not one to shame or judge anyone on their weight issues whether it's to be heavy or thin.  Giada included.

[SpottedCoachDog]

I watch "Everyday Italian" and "At Home" when I have a chance because I flove Italian food. I've never really been bothered by Giada because I take her for what she is: attractive, family connected talking head who is a culinary professional. If she fixes something I might like, I look up the recipe online.

I have always noticed her cleavage is present the majority of the time. Her tops are predominantly low scoop or v-neck. She has a big rack and shows it off. I saw a meme once from a guy with a pic of her leaning over the counter giving an eyeful and it said "I've watched her show every day for months. I still don't know how to boil water." I will concur that micro mini skirts and bare tummies do not scream professional, but if FN is going to allow her to represent them that way? Oh, well. The boob keyhole dress and last weeks sheer lace were just typical to me.

I saw an article in a tabloid about her once that said she kept a "spit bucket" on set when filming. She "tastes" and then spits it back out. Watching her nibble in judging has made me wonder if she is just picky or over conscious of what she eats. Maybe she does have digestive issues. Who really knows.

I personally have been far more bothered by the endless gossip about her marital infidelities, even before her divorce was announced. I felt for her husband and daughter. Go to BlindGossip.com and search "Giada". She is a busy lil hussy.

Edited July 11, 2015 by SpottedCoachDog

[Aquarius]

I think the interview was from a mostly reputable source, like the NY Times magazine section or something like that.  It's not somewhere I'd normally question too much on stuff like that.  And I don't doubt that if she had such issues she would be the type to want to downplay them so much as not to discuss them in her book.  I'm sure that being in the food world having a digestive issue is not something she'd want to broadcast. 

 

And what works for one person to stay thin is not necessarily going to work for another.

As I said, I believe you read it. And no, Giada doesn't have to broadcast anything. But when she writes a book which in her own words includes the answer to the what she claims is the #1 question she's asked - how she stays so thin - and doesn't include that tidbit of information, I cry foul.  She's broadcasting things selectively.  You want to put your personal habits in print, including showing me how you do your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face, etc., then you really should mention the fact that you might very well be so thin because of your digestive issues.  And yes, what works for one person won't necessarily work for another.  That was sort of my point.  I don't judge anyone for how thin or heavy or tall or wide they are, until they write books claiming to have the answers and they're leaving out possibly critical information.

 

As for the gossip sites, I hope that's all just gossip.  If it is, I feel sorry for Giada, her husband and daughter. 

 

I liked the way Giada was dressed during last night's episode!  She looked attractive and nicely put together.  Without a boob window or a belly shirt in sight!

[GoMocs]

Found this photo of LBH's dog.....

 

http://www.adweek.com/files/adfreak/6a00d8341c51c053ef0120a849924e970b-450wi

[smiley13]

I looked and did not see a forum for her new show that FN is promoting pretty heavily.  I am guessing her will be in rare form overpronouncing all words Italian.

 

I was looking at show comments on FB after last week's episode of FNS aired and there was a tremendous amount of negative feedback about her.  Surely TPTB look at that kind of stuff.

[Bella]

I looked and did not see a forum for her new show that FN is promoting pretty heavily. 

 

If you want a PTV forum, you can request it here and someone will create it within a couple of days.

[smiley13]

If you want a PTV forum, you can request it here and someone will create it within a couple of days.

Thanks, I don't plan on watching it, but happened to see a commercial for it this morning, and all I could think of was how bad her exaggerated accent will be on there.

[Evangeline]

I really, really want to try Giada's restaurant in Vegas. Partly because I love pasta, and partly because I can't snark on her restaurant without trying it. I have tried her food at food events before and haven't liked it, but I don't really hold that against her because those food events tend to have more unusual/distinctive offerings and my tastes are pretty narrow which I acknowledge.

 

I think there is something really messed up, on a few different levels, with having Giada's diet advice on chandeliers in her restaurant.  That's kind of fascinating.  But I've never understood why she gets so many "Why are you so thin?" comments, though granted, I get the same so I probably shouldn't be surprised.  She's thin because she doesn't eat very much, and likely exercises religiously.  That's not some diet secret. It's also not inconsistent with her having digestive issues -- it's the not eating that's making her thin, not the digestive issues -- other people without digestive issues who eat as little as she likely eats would also be thin.  But I have no doubt it's her vanity that is the driving force (and of course, if you don't eat very much on a regular basis, then eat a lot, you'll also have digestive issues).

 

I've met her before, and she managed to piss me off in the like 5 seconds I talked to her lol (she was condescending in a greeting -- that takes talent). 

 

Either Giada has some serious enemies and a weak legal/PR team, or those rumors are true -- there are way too many of them, from way too many sources, for them to not be at least partially true. 

[Snarklepuss]

I really, really want to try Giada's restaurant in Vegas. Partly because I love pasta, and partly because I can't snark on her restaurant without trying it. I have tried her food at food events before and haven't liked it, but I don't really hold that against her because those food events tend to have more unusual/distinctive offerings and my tastes are pretty narrow which I acknowledge.

 

I think there is something really messed up, on a few different levels, with having Giada's diet advice on chandeliers in her restaurant.  That's kind of fascinating.  But I've never understood why she gets so many "Why are you so thin?" comments, though granted, I get the same so I probably shouldn't be surprised.  She's thin because she doesn't eat very much, and likely exercises religiously.  That's not some diet secret. It's also not inconsistent with her having digestive issues -- it's the not eating that's making her thin, not the digestive issues -- other people without digestive issues who eat as little as she likely eats would also be thin.  But I have no doubt it's her vanity that is the driving force (and of course, if you don't eat very much on a regular basis, then eat a lot, you'll also have digestive issues).

 

Giada has admitted that she exercised obsessively in her 20s and 30s, but has recently scaled that back to yoga, hiking and paddle boarding.  But truthfully, when I was her age I was a gym rat, did a TON of bike riding (and probably had more time to do those things than her), plus I was on a strict healthy diet.  I had excellent self control and did not eat cake, chocolate, bacon or a lot of other things for years and I was STILL never as thin as she is.  So I think some of it is the luck of the gene pool draw.  I only wish it could have worked that well for me! 

[smiley13]

She really takes a beating each week on the FN page on FB for her wardrobe choices.  It is pretty humorous to read.

[Evangeline]

Giada has admitted that she exercised obsessively in her 20s and 30s, but has recently scaled that back to yoga, hiking and paddle boarding.  But truthfully, when I was her age I was a gym rat, did a TON of bike riding (and probably had more time to do those things than her), plus I was on a strict healthy diet.  I had excellent self control and did not eat cake, chocolate, bacon or a lot of other things for years and I was STILL never as thin as she is.  So I think some of it is the luck of the gene pool draw.  I only wish it could have worked that well for me! 

I think the answer is just that she really, truly doesn't eat very much.  As in, borderline anorexic. She's all but admitted that.  You don't have to exercise to be thin and you don't have to eat healthy to be thin.  If she eats 1000 calories a day most days, even if those calories are made up of pasta, butter, and chocolate cake and she never goes to the gym, that's enough to explain it in a person with a normal metabolism. 

[Snarklepuss]

I think the answer is just that she really, truly doesn't eat very much.  As in, borderline anorexic. She's all but admitted that.  You don't have to exercise to be thin and you don't have to eat healthy to be thin.  If she eats 1000 calories a day most days, even if those calories are made up of pasta, butter, and chocolate cake and she never goes to the gym, that's enough to explain it in a person with a normal metabolism. 

 

Well, that's the thing - I don't have a normal metabolism because that's how I ate, and spent hours a week at the gym and didn't even eat fattening caloric food, and the smallest I could be at her age was size 10.  I admit that this is an issue of mine - pointing out that not everyone has a "normal" metabolism, because I've had to suffer with an abnormal one all my life and then always get told I was doing something wrong.  I suppose Giada is an example of someone with a normal metabolism - good to know because it helps me not blame myself so much because I was doing at least what she does.

[JTMacc99]

Giada's almost made the turn to the next level of Food Network personality. Emeril had a similar one to what I'm seeing with her.

 

She started off a little unsure but good in 2003-2004. She became confident and very good 2005-2007. From 2008-2012 Food Network started to wring her dry of every possible idea she's ever had, and during that period she developed her version of what Emeril had during his BAM! period. She seemed to be always "on" as opposed to just being herself.  Whatever is her actual personality, it was overshadowed by what Food Network expected her to be. Giada became her brand to use the term that they just talked about on the latest episode.  In the last couple of years they've used her more in the Food Network Start type stuff and let her produce the other shows at a more reasonable pace.

 

And what I've seen from her lately is a person who appears to be a reasonably normal person doing what she does, only doing it on camera. I really do think that those are real laughs when Dom does something Dom-like. I think those are real emotions when she gets frustrated with the contestants or when she decided to change her mind and send Matthew packing. 

 

I don't think that being an actual Food Network star is all that great. Unless you can get the heck out like Rachael Ray, there's nowhere near as much money in it as what other TV personalities make. The network rides your popularity until half of the viewers are sick and tired of you, and then they keep you cranking out shows for another couple years after that.  So I always think it is interesting to see it when one of them emerges out of the journey and gets to be themselves again. Emeril is fantastic on TV these days, so much different from the kick it up a notch guy. Rachael Ray managed to escape. And I think Giada's at that point now.

[DeLurker]

Giada has admitted that she exercised obsessively in her 20s and 30s, but has recently scaled that back to yoga, hiking and paddle boarding.  But truthfully, when I was her age I was a gym rat, did a TON of bike riding (and probably had more time to do those things than her), plus I was on a strict healthy diet.  I had excellent self control and did not eat cake, chocolate, bacon or a lot of other things for years and I was STILL never as thin as she is.  So I think some of it is the luck of the gene pool draw.  I only wish it could have worked that well for me! 

This (bold mine).  I wouldn't discount the ravaging effects of social and entertainment industry pressure about her looks either.

[chessiegal]

Geez Giada. Mario resents her? This is how she thinks of the person who wrote the preface to her first cookbook? I heard (from Bobby Flay himself) that she wouldn't talk to Bobby for 6 months after losing to Mario and Rachel Ray on Iron Chef, because Bobby promised her they would win. Man, can that woman hold a grudge - the Mario thing is probably more about Iron Chef.

[innocuouspuff]

She definitely mentioned the Iron Chef thing, but she framed it as being the continuation of their "rivalry" and her wanting to prove she was the better Italian cook on FN. I agree, it wasn't entirely clear to me as to whether Mario knew about said rivalry. And to be fair she wasn't describing a present day situation I don't think. But oh the hilarity if Dom gets an Italian show that challenges her throne.

podcast here

[rab01]

If I were Batali, I would have resented the hell out of her being heavily promoted while FN was forcing me out. And, y'all can throw brickbats at me if you like but picking her over him could not have been about cooking skill, camera presence, teaching ability or presenting ability ... so what could it have been other than looks, demographics and her family connections?  (That said, he's probably a better man than me and didn't actually resent her rise.)

 

The Iron Chef thing is so odd -- I get her being surprised and disappointed at losing.  Hell, I was stunned watching it that she and Flay lost because I had thought Flay and Batali were at similar levels and that Giada was a better cook than Rachel Ray. I would have thought Giada would have been upset at herself (Batali has said that the difference in the battle was Rachel Ray's dish) and taken a quick opportunity to try again, rather than be mad at Bobby Flay.

[Maverick]

her wanting to prove she was the better Italian cook on FN.

The hell? Arrogant, much? Bitch crazy. If she wanted to prove she's a better cook than Batali she should have challenged him one on one rather than relying on Bobby to win it for her. She makes Anne Burrell look like a good sport, which is really saying something.

[Aquarius]

The Iron Chef thing is so odd -- I get her being surprised and disappointed at losing.  Hell, I was stunned watching it that she and Flay lost because I had thought Flay and Batali were at similar levels and that Giada was a better cook than Rachel Ray. I would have thought Giada would have been upset at herself (Batali has said that the difference in the battle was Rachel Ray's dish) and taken a quick opportunity to try again, rather than be mad at Bobby Flay.

Giada only has herself to blame for that disappointment.  Flay and Batali were evenly matched.  The difference did come down to Rachael and Giada.  Rachael put her head down and cooked.  Giada acted like a diva and mugged for the camera, pouted, and otherwise did not perform as an Iron Chef.  Batali was being generous in saying it came down to Rachael's dish.  It didn't.  Flay got the better assistant, hands down.

[Snarklepuss]

I listened to that podcast hoping it would help me like Giada better and it almost did until I realized that she really buys her own bullshit about being so unaffected by her background and upbringing.  I watched that Iron Chef battle when it aired and later read about Giada regretting it (aka being a sore loser about it).  I always felt that Giada thought Rachael would be an easy win and so SHE didn't prepare enough as a result.  I always felt she saw Rachael as low class and that she looked down on her for not being a "real" chef.  So it was her arrogance that did her in in the end because she underestimated Rachael and overestimated herself.  And then she blamed Bobby for it like it was HIS fault for not pushing her to prepare more.  WHAT?  Take some freaking responsibility, Giada!  I think it was a good thing she realized she didn't have what it took to study Psychology because her self awareness is pretty damned bad.

 

Oh, and Mario was probably right about why the network chose to keep her.  I've known men to get completely irrational about her - Men who otherwise are pretty self aware and rational just act like complete idiots about her.  Sort of like Alton did in the podcast, IMO.  So I'm not doubting that the network knew that she was a draw for an audience they sorely wanted to attract.  She wants people to judge her for more than her appearance but then she does everything to make herself all about her appearance - Alton says he was surprised to find out that she was different that he expected her to be.  Unlike him, I'm not wearing any blinders or buying into her self delusion, and she's actually done more in this podcast to confirm for me that she's exactly what I expected her to be!

Edited August 14, 2015 by Snarklepuss

[smiley13]

Her appearance?  I don't think she is all that anyway.  She looks fake to me.  I guess someone told her she was pretty and she bought into the hype.  

[Aquarius]

I don't know who gave Giada this idea that her success was about her appearance.  It's a complete "retcon" as they say in Soapland.

 

De Laurentiis.

 

'Nuff said.

[Snarklepuss]

Her appearance?  I don't think she is all that anyway.  She looks fake to me.  I guess someone told her she was pretty and she bought into the hype.  

 

I agree with that.  She says she's one of those women who practically goes to bed with makeup on, and would never be seen without it.  I don't think she's all that pretty either but try talking to men about her - I can't get over how so many of my male friends think she's the hottest thing ever.  I mean EVER.  And then they proceed to tell me I'm "just jealous" when I say I don't agree.  Meanwhile, I was always peeling the men off ME most of my life so why I would feel the need to be jealous of anyone is ridiculous anyway.  Of course I then pull out my mile long list of gorgeous female TV and movie personalities that I LOVE and think are ten times more attractive than Giada.  But of course, they don't agree.  They are just so blinded by what I don't know.

[HappyDancex2]

I agree with that.  She says she's one of those women who practically goes to bed with makeup on, and would never be seen without it.  I don't think she's all that pretty either but try talking to men about her - I can't get over how so many of my male friends think she's the hottest thing ever.  I mean EVER.  And then they proceed to tell me I'm "just jealous" when I say I don't agree.  Meanwhile, I was always peeling the men off ME most of my life so why I would feel the need to be jealous of anyone is ridiculous anyway.  Of course I then pull out my mile long list of gorgeous female TV and movie personalities that I LOVE and think are ten times more attractive than Giada.  But of course, they don't agree.  They are just so blinded by what I don't know.

THe guys I know call it "tits on a stick." It's very appealing to most men. Actual face isn't the rate limiting step..which brings to mind another phrase "butterface."

Not sure if she'll ever be replaced but she's good TV to talk about regardless. With as many southern shows there are on FN, we should be glad. Do we need another semi homemade show???

[Gbb]

With as many southern shows there are on FN, we should be glad. Do we need another semi homemade show???

You can argue that FN doesn't need any more of either, but Southern and "semi-homemade" aren't at all the same thing.

[HappyDancex2]

Yeah I didn't make myself clear there. iPad typing sometimes makes me abbreviate too much!

My point was that at least Giada is different...both in style, looks, personality, vibe....she's just an odd bird no matter what you think of her. IMO we don't need another southern woman claiming southern food as her specialty.

And Giada, despite all attempts to be the FN sex pot, is actually a trained cook. She is not a home cook or blogger. I'd rather see some skilled people cook on FN because I don't get the cooking channel. I don't want shows like semihomemade or how to make a meal for 5 bucks with Melissa darabian. I guess ultimately I find her skill set wasted on FN. But she isn't really alone.... FN has tried to eliminate cooking talent as a highlight to only a selected few.

[Snarklepuss]

Actually, Melissa D'Arabian is a trained cook too.  I always felt she was given a raw angle by having to stick within the $10 limit - Like how realistic is that?  Even when she first started grocery prices were going up too fast to manage that and she got a lot of flack about it from the audience.  I don't think that helped.  But I agree that we don't need anymore shows aimed at "country" themes, or grilling/BBQ themes whether they be Southern or whatever.  I have already posted that the network is getting more saturated with that these days.  At least Giada isn't any of those things.  People complain that there is too much Italian on FN but I disagree.  Who else but Giada is specifically an Italian cook anymore?  I'm not even talking about Joe Blow who cooks an Italian meal every now and then on his show, but a chef whose specialty is Italian food?  No one.  And I'm not including Rachael Ray in there because she cooks a wide variety of types of food.

Edited August 15, 2015 by Snarklepuss