Food Network and Cooking Channel: One is about food

[Spunkygal]

3 minutes ago, letusprocrastinate said:

Multiple media outlets are reporting that Bobby Flay is leaving the Food Network after 27 years.

I wish he’d take Giada and her shark smile with him.

[chessiegal]

Huh. Bobby Flay was with FN from about day 1. He joked he was with them when they could only afford to pay talent who could get to the studio by taxi. I remember being thrilled when my cable provider added FN. I was pissed that my in-laws in rural Alabama got it, and I, who lived in the MD suburbs of DC, didn't. My cable provider offered HGTV before FN. I used to watch a lot of FN, and now I watch nothing on it. I like instructional cooking, and have no interest in contests. Years ago I was watching cooking shows on PBS, then added FN. Now I only watch cooking shows on PBS.

[Maverick]

 Hmmm... something is definitely up at Food Network.   First Chopped mysteriously disappears without explanation and now Bobby Flay is dropped, reportedly over financial terms.  I suspect Discovery is doing the typical corporate raider tactic of buying a company, firing all the employees and replacing them with cheaper, less experienced people.   I'd say we've seen the last of Bobby, Ted Allen, most of the Chopped judges and Giada.   Guy and Hunter had better watch out.    

[chick binewski]

On 9/22/2021 at 6:15 PM, HyeChaps said:

Went to Food Network to Go on my phone and what was a new offering--The Galloping Gourmet.

Wonder if this is going to show up on television.

I would love it if FN ran older cooking shows and the original programming from the early days - David Rosengarten, Michele Urvater, Too Hot Tamales...I understand she allegedly makes money but the 2-hour blocks of Pioneer Woman making tater tot calzones needs to stop.

Based on what I've read it sounds like Flay tried to play hardball and FN walked away from the table. That may be spin from a network insider but I find it plausible, especially after Guy just signed for $80 mil.

[MerBearHou]

I liked Bobby early on but to me, he developed this kind of arrogant, I’m better than this, mean, smarmy vibe and I couldn’t watch him anymore.

[chessiegal]

I've always liked Bobby, still do. He's a cat lover. He has 2 beautiful Maine C*** cats, Nacho and Stella. Was Bobby doing any new shows for FN? I saw promos for a show with him and Giada touring Italy that I think was only on Discovery+.

[HyeChaps]

https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/bobby-flay-food-network-end-contract-1235083730/

[JTMacc99]

11 hours ago, chick binewski said:

Based on what I've read it sounds like Flay tried to play hardball and FN walked away from the table. That may be spin from a network insider but I find it plausible, especially after Guy just signed for $80 mil.

Seems likely that Flay was looking for something more, probably significantly more, than the typical 7 figure salaries that Discovery pays it's stars.

Forbes estimates Fieri's deal to be around $26M annually, which is very unusual for Discovery.

But if you look at the ratings posted here over time, it's pretty clear that Guy is a big time money maker for FN. He's involved with 3-4 of the top ten shows every week, and they're all cheap to make other than him.  Bobby Flay has shows in the top ten, but not nearly as many or as lucrative.

Basically, this just looks like a standard business deal to me.  Hopefully for Flay, he can go find himself a project or two on FOX or another broadcast network. They pay better if you can find a show that gets decent ratings.

[Yeah No]

16 minutes ago, JTMacc99 said:

Seems likely that Flay was looking for something more, probably significantly more, than the typical 7 figure salaries that Discovery pays it's stars.

Forbes estimates Fieri's deal to be around $26M annually, which is very unusual for Discovery.

But if you look at the ratings posted here over time, it's pretty clear that Guy is a big time money maker for FN. He's involved with 3-4 of the top ten shows every week, and they're all cheap to make other than him.  Bobby Flay has shows in the top ten, but not nearly as many or as lucrative.

Basically, this just looks like a standard business deal to me.  Hopefully for Flay, he can go find himself a project or two on FOX or another broadcast network. They pay better if you can find a show that gets decent ratings.

I think Bobby has gotten too big for his britches and he was already too big, now even moreso.

His big ego probably couldn't stand it that Guy got such a lucrative contract and so he pushed too far.  But like you say, he's nowhere near the moneymaker that Guy is.

Maybe he knows he has other offers in the wings, but if so I wonder where.

I never was a Bobby fan but I never hated him either.

Speaking of Guy, what's this I hear about Flavortown market moving to a new, "bigger and better" location?  I guess Guy wants to keep things fresh, and the network is so invested in him that it paid for the upgrade.  I just hope they don't wreck up that show.

 

[Maverick]

 The truth is Food Network needs Bobby Flay more than the other way around.  No one is indispensable but he and Guy are the only two who would cause a measurable impact if they leave.  Bobby's basically a household name and someone will hire him.  I doubt he needs to work if he doesn't want to.  He could easily have the attitude that it's better to take less with someone else than to keep working for the same employer that won't pay him what he thinks he's worth.  His management team is probably pushing hard on this too.   

 it will be interesting to see how they deal with this.  Given the way they film they have to have at least some shows with him stockpiled.  And Flay is such an ingrained part of the network he's always being mentioned on other shows and chefs are always talking about how they're friends with him.   I wonder if they'll try to completely erase him.

[rcc]

For me I would much rather watch Bobby than FN's darling Guy. But people like Guy and his schtick I guess so FN gives him the big contract.

[HyeChaps]

OMG.  Is Food Network stuck with having to do a make good for Kerry Gold?  That same commercial is on EVERY PROGRAM.  

[WritinMan]

Hey Food Network, how about you give me a fucking break and ease up on airing that commercial with all the abused animals. I understand there are animals out there that need help, but I'm just trying to relax a little and watch some food porn. I don't need to get horribly depressed every 15 minutes.

[chessiegal]

9 minutes ago, WritinMan said:

Hey Food Network, how about you give me a fucking break and ease up on airing that commercial with all the abused animals. I understand there are animals out there that need help, but I'm just trying to relax a little and watch some food porn. I don't need to get horribly depressed every 15 minutes.

It's not just FN. Those ads are on every network I watch.

[annzeepark914]

4 hours ago, WritinMan said:

Hey Food Network, how about you give me a fucking break and ease up on airing that commercial with all the abused animals. I understand there are animals out there that need help, but I'm just trying to relax a little and watch some food porn. I don't need to get horribly depressed every 15 minutes.

I can't handle those ads. I tell myself that by now those poor suffering animals are in a shelter or have been adopted. Then I get angry & hope that karma pays a *nasty* visit to those who do this to animals. This can't be good for my blood pressure. Damn...I get mad!!

[Maverick]

So now Food Network is hopping on the sappy Christmas bandwagon?   And Ree's in it?   Did Guy pull strings and get Hunter in it too?

[bad things are bad]

So Bobby is staying after all...he either realized that no one else was going to pay him that kind of money,  or FN realized that he represents a lot of their programming and had no viable replacement 

[Maverick]

30 minutes ago, bad things are bad said:

So Bobby is staying after all...he either realized that no one else was going to pay him that kind of money,  or FN realized that he represents a lot of their programming and had no viable replacement 

 Well it can't be the latter.   Hunter Fieri was just waiting in the wings to fill the vacuum left by Bobby Flay.

[MerBearHou]

47 minutes ago, bad things are bad said:

So Bobby is staying after all...he either realized that no one else was going to pay him that kind of money,  or FN realized that he represents a lot of their programming and had no viable replacement 

I still won't watch Bobby unless he is part of a bigger group because he has really become too smarmy for me.  He also has an air of "I'm above this" that bugs me greatly when truly all of the others hosts on FN have a warmth about them (whether you like them or not).  

[bad things are bad]

1 hour ago, Maverick said:

Hunter Fieri was just waiting in the wings to fill the vacuum left by Bobby Flay.

Wouldn't put it past them but that would be the worst. Bobby at least can cook 

[Jimmac]

Food network competition shows have become a joke I'd love to be on one when they say you must use these ingredients must=optional you can forget ingredients and still win to push someone out that follows the ingredients must over someone that doesn't use them is just plain wrong if they actually used all mandatory ingredients their dish may have turned out horrible as anyone knows that has food service experience it can change sight flavor texture and smell rules are rules if they forget an ingredient it should be bye bye but not on these shows the mandatory ingredients are optional I'm done watching these mockeries of a actual real culinary competition Wich i yes have personal experience in competing in 

[roseha]

I don't have FN anymore but I'm dropping by to post a heads up that the original Iron Chef (Japan) is being continually streamed free on Pluto TV!  That show was such a hit in the late 90s and it remains just as enjoyable today.  The Iron Chefs really know their stuff needless to say, even when the theme ingredient is as oddball as "Yogurt" which poor Iron Chef Chen got stuck with yesterday (however he did win the contest).

I was saddened to read that Iron Chef Kobe (Italian) passed away due to a fall at his restaurant at age 49.  It appears that the rest of the regulars are still around though the show is long gone in its original form.   I do like that Chairman Kaga is subtitled for most of the show although in the long introductory segments he is both subtitled and dubbed (what?)

[Maverick]

 Do...Tiny Food Fight.   What.  The.  Fuck.

 This is seriously me watching this crap:

 

[orangekit]

How many show on FN will have gross Guy Fieri?  .  He isn’t even an ok  chef , he dresses like a wanna be frat boy, and his restaurants suck .   
I guess people relate to mediocre, and don’t feel threatened by a man who stuffs his face and hosts stupid food game shows ! 
Maybe Guy should use some of his 85 million on healthy foods and exercise equipment,  since he looks more and more gross and unhealthy every day .  

[MerBearHou]

On 12/28/2021 at 12:13 AM, Maverick said:

 Do...Tiny Food Fight.   What.  The.  Fuck.

 This is seriously me watching this crap:

 

This thing is a joke!  The guy who is judging is one of my favorites on FN (Darnell) but the woman is truly impossible for me to listen to — she is beyond annoying, shrill and loud.  The premise is so dumb.  FN, this is a big fat NO.  

[bad things are bad]

Guy's shtick is definitely annoying,  but I started feeling more warmly about him at the beginning of the pandemic,  when he raised a ton of money for restaurants 

[lambertman]

Really enjoying "Back In Time For Dinner" on Cooking - it's a Canadian show from a few years back with a family of 5 who is forced to live as if they are in each decade from the '40s - '90s, including having their house completely redone in styles and appliances of the time. 

The first three are On Demand and on Cooking GO, but not on D+. 

[justspiffy]

1 hour ago, lambertman said:

 

Really enjoying "Back In Time For Dinner" on Cooking - it's a Canadian show from a few years back with a family of 5 who is forced to live as if they are in each decade from the '40s - '90s, including having their house completely redone in styles and appliances of the time. 

 

There is a forum for this show, at least the British version - “Back in Time For…”  there are several iterations, including “Back in time for school “ and “Back in time for tea”.

[WritinMan]

So...now we have Guy's Chance of a Lifetime were contestants are exploited--I mean compete--to run one of Guy's imaginatively named Chicken Guy franchises.

Chance of a lifetime for whom exactly?

This is what we're getting from that $80 million contract Guy signed.

[letusprocrastinate]

Observation: 

Given how weekends have been programmed lately, Guy Fieri shows take up a lot of airtime on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.  Since Wednesdays are Guy's Grocery Games days, that's 4 days a week in which his shows are the dominant feature during afternoons and/or evenings.

[Cozytea]

I noticed Food Network has a new competition show that has something to do with Julia Child .  I dont even know the name or how it will work but I'm intrigued.  I love watching Julia Child cook. I watch her channel on Pluto tv non stop. I just watched her make croissants, so relaxing lol. Is anyone else interested or know anything about this new show FN has?

[Yeah No]

2 hours ago, Cozytea said:

I noticed Food Network has a new competition show that has something to do with Julia Child .  I dont even know the name or how it will work but I'm intrigued.  I love watching Julia Child cook. I watch her channel on Pluto tv non stop. I just watched her make croissants, so relaxing lol. Is anyone else interested or know anything about this new show FN has?

I saw that too.  It's called "The Julia Child Challenge" and it's premiering on FN on March 14 at 9:00 p.m.

I am a Julia superfan myself having watched her show since its very first episode aired when I was 5 thanks to my mom who was a big fan of her cookbook, so I'll definitely be watching it.  I'm kind of surprised that FN is actually doing a series based on her food.  I guess they're following in the footsteps of the 2 other recent Julia shows, the documentary simply entitled "Julia" which can be streamed on Amazon Prime, YouTube and other platforms (which I have watched and is very good) and a TV series based on her life, this one (also called "Julia") is acted and scripted and coming out on HBO Max on March 31. 

Nobody is more surprised than me at this resurgence of attention on her 8 years after her death, especially given the dearth of good food TV programming out there these days, but I'm definitely not complaining!

[Gramto6]

I am going to look up the Julia show on prime. I have always had a soft place in my heart for her. She was a pioneer of cooking shows and not many really reach her excellence in reaching the audience. I will watch this show and see how it goes.

[WritinMan]

The Food Network is getting a new president starting April 30. Curious to see if there will be any adjustments to the programming or if it will still be 20 hours of Guy each day and then some competition shows.

https://deadline.com/2022/03/hgtv-president-jane-latman-food-network-courtney-white-exits-launch-new-production-company-1234977966/

 

[HyeChaps]

So she's the one responsible for that Ree movie!  Boo

[Gharlane]

On 6/13/2015 at 3:52 PM, CMH1981 said:

I was thinking after watching another abysmal episode of the Pioneer Woman where she made "7 Can Soup"...you have to check out the recipe.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/7-can-soup.html

Well, that's not as bad as Sandra Lee using a can of potato soup and a can of clams to make clam chowder, but I cannot complain too much because that's how Mom made chili (but she used ground beef as the base). Now that I think about, that looks like a recipe I saw on a label of DelMonte vegetables once...

 

On 9/8/2015 at 12:43 AM, selhars said:

Bobby:  "Beat Bobby Flay" -- is OK, I guess. Although I am tired of him...to a certain extent. 

I got tired of Beat Bobby Flay never living up to its title. 😈

 

On 3/14/2016 at 2:28 AM, Automne said:

This was when his highly publicized divorce from Stephanie March was happening and right after that airplane with the "CHEATER" sign flew over his Walk of Fame star ceremony. Like, you're going to be surprised people have some shit to say about Flay? You keep some questionable company, G.

How did I miss that incident? 😲

 

On 3/16/2016 at 1:14 PM, bad things are bad said:

I can tolerate Bobby. I just can't with Irvine. 

I don't like either, but yeah, I despise that liar Irvine and am disappointed that not only did he get his show back, but he got more shows and endorsement deals.

 

On 9/4/2016 at 11:22 AM, Jaded said:

I just tried to watch an entire episode of The Pioneer Woman for the first time and she is so annoying. Her voice and mannerisms are like nails on a chalkboard. On the episode this morning she was making meal kits and kept repeating "meal kits" so much while she was speaking I thought the show was nearly over. I checked the clock only to realize was there were 15 more minutes and I couldn't take it anymore. I remember reading here I think that she treats her kids differently or something when they've been on or she's spoken about them. I'm pretty sure it was her.

I watched Pioneer Woman a few times but will never understand all the animus towards her. 🤷‍♂️ 

[Ms Lark]

On 1/12/2022 at 1:17 PM, letusprocrastinate said:

Given how weekends have been programmed lately, Guy Fieri shows take up a lot of airtime on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.  Since Wednesdays are Guy's Grocery Games days, that's 4 days a week in which his shows are the dominant feature during afternoons and/or evenings.

Which is 90% of the reason why I rarely watch Food Network anymore. Gross and disgusting. Nothin' like watching someone shove something twice the size of their head into their nasty mouth. How do you taste anything gloming that crap around. No wonder his restaurants get such bad reviews: he's got no palate!

 

On 4/12/2022 at 7:37 PM, HyeChaps said:

So she's the one responsible for that Ree movie!  Boo

1 hour ago, Gharlane said:

I just tried to watch an entire episode of The Pioneer Woman for the first time and she is so annoying. Her voice and mannerisms are like nails on a chalkboard.

Yeah, gross. Waaay back before she went on Food Network, I used to enjoy her blog. Now I can't stand the breath out of her. So annoying and prissy.

 

1 hour ago, Gharlane said:

I despise that liar Irvine and am disappointed that not only did he get his show back, but he got more shows and endorsement deals.

 

I have never been able to reconcile that in my mind at all! If you lie on your resume you get fired. WTF?

And now for something positive: I totally enjoyed the Julia Child Challenge. Love Julia, loved the tribute to her. They need to introduce more shows like that. Take a clue from GBBO! Dump the piggy boys and bring on the talented cooks/chefs with their lovely demeanors and attitudes.

 

 

[Gramto6]

On 4/20/2022 at 9:02 AM, Ms Lark said:

 

And now for something positive: I totally enjoyed the Julia Child Challenge. Love Julia, loved the tribute to her. They need to introduce more shows like that. Take a clue from GBBO! Dump the piggy boys and bring on the talented cooks/chefs with their lovely demeanors and attitudes.

 

 

I really enjoyed the Julia Child show too!! It was so low keyed and reverent to Julia. I really liked how they all ate together at the end and tasted each other's dishes. I hope they do another season.

Edited April 23, 2022 by Gramto6
typo

[Cozytea]

On 3/14/2016 at 2:28 AM, Automne said:

On the subject of Bobby Flay: I generally like Alex Guarnaschelli, but at some point last year, she posted a picture of him on her Facebook and got a legion of comments that were less than complimentary about Flay's character and she got upset about it, saying that he was her close friend and it's hurtful that people would post so many mean comments. This was when his highly publicized divorce from Stephanie March was happening and right after that airplane with the "CHEATER" sign flew over his Walk of Fame star ceremony. Like, you're going to be surprised people have some shit to say about Flay? You keep some questionable company, G.

Omg, I remember this. I giggled so hard at this when it happened. 

 

[Gharlane]

On 9/5/2016 at 4:21 PM, chessiegal said:

Yes it was Tyler Florence. The show was called Food 911. I really liked it.

I remember liking it, too, but the title now reminds me of a Sandra Lee show.  

 

On 11/26/2016 at 9:14 AM, xaxat said:

Before He Ruined Food, Guy Fieri Was Shilling Mufflers On TV

Hokey smokes! 🤣🤣

 

On 9/8/2017 at 8:23 AM, Skyfall said:

That's cause her YouTube show is named My Drunk Kitchen.

Did Food Network repackage reruns of Semi Homemade With Sandra Lee? 😏

[HyeChaps]

Look what's jumping to Netflix:

https://deadline.com/2022/05/iron-chef-quest-netflix-alton-brown-1235014048/

[Gharlane]

On 11/16/2017 at 11:18 PM, Maverick said:

 That thing was just weird.   I was cringing with embarrassment.  'Mmmm. the bacon has it's full flavor even though it's cut to 1/32 the size of a fingernail'. 

That reminds me of a Food Network show whose name I have forgotten from when SLoP was new and Guy Fierri was hosting a show from his mother's basement which featured a woman with an eating disorder who was always doing shit like that. Does anyone else remember it?

 

On 1/8/2018 at 1:23 PM, bad things are bad said:

Yes! The Big Game! The Super Contest! The Athletic Competition Bowl!!

Yay! Superb Owl parties!

 

On 2/20/2018 at 8:31 PM, Tress said:

Yikes, there's a show called, "Carnival Eats."   REALLY?  There's actually a show about food that one gets at a street festival or fair.  OMG.  

Unless it involves making funnel cakes with Coffee Mate ™ and giving handjobs to corn dogs, I'm not interested. 

[Gharlane]

On 11/1/2019 at 7:51 AM, BigBingerBro said:

Most of the early FNS finales were a shitshow.  I could have sworn that Guy beat a blonde lady with huge teeth and when they announced the winner she turned around and started sobbing while everyone ignored her. 

I'd cry too if I lost to that poser douchebag. 

 

On 8/14/2020 at 1:20 AM, Maverick said:

 Ok,, Alton Brown has gone too far.   He's been on a downward spiral for likability for years now but this is the final straw.   He was just is an ad shilling for Healthy Choice Ranch Dressing.   Healthy is not the point of ranch dressing.   Those two things don't go together.   If you try to make it healthy it won't taste like ranch dressing.   It will taste like crap.   It's like plant burgers and vegan lobster.   

Holy crap! Has Alton Brown sold out?  😱

[chessiegal]

18 minutes ago, Gharlane said:

On 11/1/2019 at 7:51 AM, BigBingerBro said:

Most of the early FNS finales were a shitshow.  I could have sworn that Guy beat a blonde lady with huge teeth and when they announced the winner she turned around and started sobbing while everyone ignored her. 

The blonde woman with the big teeth was Rory Schepisi from Texas. She was in Season 3 (Guy won Season 2) and lost to Amy Finley. This is the season where the first- choice winner had to withdraw because he lied about his military service and culinary training.

[JeezumCrow]

On 5/3/2022 at 9:51 AM, Gharlane said:

featured a woman with an eating disorder who was always doing shit like that. Does anyone else remember it?

I think so - this was the same woman who would add canned chicken broth to her salad dressings, right? That show was like a sad fever dream. 

[Gharlane]

On 12/4/2021 at 12:33 AM, roseha said:

I don't have FN anymore but I'm dropping by to post a heads up that the original Iron Chef (Japan) is being continually streamed free on Pluto TV! 

Yes! I noticed that! I'm disappointed that they no longer use the original music and now use this tinny synth crap and they removed most of the post-verdict interviews.

12 hours ago, JeezumCrow said:

I think so - this was the same woman who would add canned chicken broth to her salad dressings, right? That show was like a sad fever dream. 

Yes! That's the one! That woman was insane! 

[chessiegal]

27 minutes ago, Gharlane said:

Yes! I noticed that! I'm disappointed that they no longer use the original music and now use this tinny synth crap and they removed most of the post-verdict interviews.

Yes! That's the one! That woman was insane! 

Do you know her name?

[JeezumCrow]

7 hours ago, chessiegal said:

Do you know her name?

Her first name stuck with me, and a quick google (first name + Food Network + chicken broth) tells me her full name is Robin Miller and the show was Quick Fix Meals.

Edited June 8, 2022 by JeezumCrow

[roseha]

2 hours ago, Gharlane said:

Yes! I noticed that! I'm disappointed that they no longer use the original music and now use this tinny synth crap and they removed most of the post-verdict interviews.

Yes! That's the one! That woman was insane! 

Iron Chef (Japan) is also streaming on Peacock if that's any help.  Most of the eps I have seen are pre-Morimoto.   I didn't  realize how late in the show's run he joined as Iron Chef Japan.

[Gharlane]

On 6/7/2022 at 2:53 PM, JeezumCrow said:

Her first name stuck with me, and a quick google (first name + Food Network + chicken broth) tells me her full name is Robin Miller and the show was Quick Fix Meals.

Yeah, that's her! That woman was INSANE! 😱

I was looking for her show's forum on the backup of TVwoP but had no luck.

On 6/7/2022 at 4:25 PM, roseha said:

Iron Chef (Japan) is also streaming on Peacock if that's any help.  Most of the eps I have seen are pre-Morimoto.   I didn't  realize how late in the show's run he joined as Iron Chef Japan.

Was it Iron Chef Japan who was replaced? I remember it being Iron Chef Chinese for some reason. The replacement may have been late in the show's run, but I remember Iron Chef Italian being even newer and seemed to have been added as an afterthought. Heck, I don't think he always came up on the risers with the the other three,  but if he did, he was chosen.