S11.E11: We Have A Winner

[cooksdelight]

Please stay on topic about Eddie, Dom and Jay and the finale. I've moved some posts, but I'll start deleting others unless you can figure out the proper thread to post them in. Thanks!

[WigglyJKitten]

I'm glad Eddie won. I loved him on Masterchef and even though I agree the BBQ thing has been done to death I will still watch his show. They did a pretty big concept change from Damaris' first season to her second, so maybe Eddie will get the same kind of change if they decide to keep him past 6 episodes.

 

I think Jay also deserved to win and I am sure he will be getting a show as well at some point. I knew he was out when the comment about the winner needing to appear on different types of shows was made. All I could think of was Jay walking into the Italian restaurant Dom visited and saying "yeah you've been here for 100 years but do you have a CAJUN meatball??"

 

Im surprised no one commented on what I thought was the best exchange from the flashbacks:

Sunny = I would watch someone boring if the food was good.

Giada (looking shocked) = Seriously??

Sunny = Yeah, I watch Bobby Flay all the time!

Edited August 18, 2015 by WigglyJKitten

[limecoke]

I agree - In addition, Eddie was on MasterChef in 2013 and already had a fan base with foodies from his stint on that show.

Glad I visited this forum today because I'd been wondering where I'd seen Eddie before!  Thank you.  Yep, I liked him on MasterChef and was sorry to see him eliminated.  He was my favorite from the beginning on FNS and I'm very glad he won.

 

I'm also mystified at the sudden switch from"Carribbean flavors" to "BBQ."  I'm a Texan and no one loves BBQ more than I do...but another show???  I don't get it considering Guy has been to a zillion BBQ joints in the course of his career and Destination America seems to be a channel almost entirely dedicated to it.  Oh well, since it's Eddie, I'll watch because he's very entertaining.

 

Even though I wanted Eddie to win, I actually enjoyed Dom's "pilot" the most since the restaurant had an interesting history.  He made me want to go there to eat.  I have a feeling Food Network will keep Jay in the fold and use him in some way.  I didn't care for him all that much and truly couldn't imagine myself watching a show about fried foods whether Jay was making it or visiting it.  

[goldenpuppy]

I definitely got the feeling that Jay thought he had this.  I didn't dislike him, but I didn't find him like a 'warm bear hug' or whatever they said about him. I found his voice super annoying, the Oxyclean guy is a perfect description. I felt like there was something not very genuine about him,and quite frankly, his "creativity" with after school snacks was so bad.

 

I don't care if the host is overweight, but Jay is so messy looking.  He is like a cajun version of Guy Fierri.  Do we need another middle aged man who is in love with fried greasy food?

 

Dom definitely has the sexist thing going on. I wondered if Suzie and Bob noticed that about him, and therefore wanted him gone.  His few remarks about women were all pretty sexist, and he did treat Michelle like crap in the kitchen.  I don't think FN wanted to take a chance with sexist Dom, they already had racial issues with Paula.

 

I liked Eddie from day one. He seems like a genuinely nice guy.  There seems to be no pretense with him. I also felt that in dealing with other people, he handled things fairly. I did not feel that with both Jay or Dom.

[hitchcock3011]

Eddie was entered *by a friend as a prank* according to this profile from the Sporting News

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-06-24/eddie-jackson-food-network-star-nfl-patriots-dolphins-arkansas-injuries-acl-master-chef-food-truck

 

 

Just because it wasn't something he thought of doing on his own doesn't make what happened going forward something done in bad faith. Reading the two pieces together, sounds like the friend entered him, he went ahead and went through with it because why not?  

 

Anyway, I'd read both pieces before being upset with him about it. He doesn't come off badly to me in either interview. (tvline piece is here: http://tvline.com/2015/08/17/eddie-jackson-food-network-star-winner-interview-bbq-blitz/).

This requires me to believe that Eddie has a friend who would set up an audition for a friend as a "prank."   I just don't buy the story.  Like I said, okay to want to be on television, just don't sell it to me as one big happy accident

[Vixenstud]

 

Alex got a haircut!  He's no longer channeling Bonnie Franklin, now he's channeling Toni Tennille.

See, you are too stupid, LMAO!

 

 

President Brooke Whatever of FN has a most unfortunately visage.  She reminded me of Rocky Dennis from Mask.

Heh, I was thinking of Mindy Sterling from Austin Powers/Linda Hunt from NCIS:  Los Angeles.

 

 

I don't know how I missed the bit with Giada picking Arnold's box (was it an outtake?) but that shit could live to be 1000.  Best moment of the season.

And funnier that she didn’t seem to get the joke!

 

I could see Arnold doing a show on the Logo Network…his could be a decorative/cooking program.

 

I was pleasantly surprised that Eddie won…despite his charisma, he was in the bottom two a few times whereas Jay* was not.  He’s such a cutie, however I wish his show would be about something other than boring BBQ food.  Oh, and was anyone else thinking that his dad looked like Bernie Mac in that pic?  (RIP Mac Man!)

 

(*During this season’s posting, there were ‘sloppy’ references made when it came to Jay which as an overweight viewer I found annoying.  Outside of the profuse sweating, how was he sloppy?  IMO I always found him appropriately dressed, he looked mighty dapper in his suit during the finale.)

 

I agree that Jay will be part of the FN family, if not his own show then he’ll be part of another show.

Edited August 20, 2015 by Vixenstud

[PamelaMaeSnap]

I read one of the two articles linked above and it said that the friend entered him onto Masterchef as a prank, not Food Network Star. I find that a little more believable since entering anything in the Gordon Ramsey-reality-TV realm probably had bazillions of entries.

 

Oh, and millions of hearts broke reading the words "I was watching with my girlfriend."

 

ETA: Okay, THIS heart. Even though I'm married and all.

Edited August 20, 2015 by PamelaMaeSnap

[Aquarius]

Re: Jay's sloppiness.  I rewatched the finale yesterday (don't judge, there was nothing else on!) and in Jay's segment, there were a few times I thought, "Wow, he showed up in just a crummy tee-shirt."  I don't know, maybe others did too, but on him, it just looked way too casual and sort of wrinkled.  It has nothing to do with his being overweight.  He did look dapper in his suit during the finale. . . there was no reason that at other times he looked like he just rolled out of bed.  And can I just say, those ruby slipper sneakers were awful.

 

I agree that the Medusa/Michelle exchange was sort of strange.  Something was edited out.  Medusa sort of snapped, "Well, no regrets, that's the main thing."  Then they cut to Michelle looking like she was going to say something or had just said something.  I find the whole finale episodes strangely edited in general, though.  Obviously much is said that doesn't make the cut.

 

"I cry at freaking cotton commercials."  Oh Arnold, I do love you so.

[ari333]

I'll go to the small talk thread for further ramblings, but what are we all gonna watch now? The threads are fun..... more fun than the show. :)

[cooksdelight]

Comments about this finale are all that belong in this thread. :)

Everything non-show related goes to Small Talk. Other threads have specific subject matter.

[DollEyes]

Observations:

 

*As the Founder of Eddie's Harem, I am thrilled that Eddie won. He has everything it takes to be the next Food Network Star: charisma, personality, versatility and the culinary skills to back it up. In other words, Eddie's good-lookin' & good-cookin'. He had a few bumps in the road along the way, but his star quality pulled him through. I can not only see Eddie's show being a big hit, he would also be great on The Kitchen as a substitute co-host, as he proved on the live TV episode. If he permanently replaces Katie Lee, that's even better. If he & Emmanuel Delacour, the hot French chef who's another TV boyfriend of mine, did an episode of The Kitchen together, I don't know which would explode first-my head or my TV. Eddie's pilot was awesome. He was funny, charming, relaxed, confident & of course, hot. I'd much rather watch Eddie talking about BBQ than Jay talking about fried food or Dom discussing Italian food. Eddie's reaction to winning was humble,sweet & genuine. Hopefully Eddie will take Jeff Mauro's advice because if anyone knows how to parlay winning FNS into success, it's him. Guy Fieri & Melissa D'Arabian did it, too, but since Jeff's the only one I actually like, I chose him. It has been said "Never trust a skinny chef," but when they're as fine as Eddie-or Emmanuel, for that matter-I'll make an exception.

 

 

Small Talk: The line for Eddie's harem forms behind cooksdelight

 

  Actually, since I invented the phrase, the line forms behind me. ;)

 

*Re Jay, while he has many of Eddie's best qualities, he's just a little too polished for me, as he showed in his pilot. Since Jay already works in the entertainment business,  he already knows how to perform on camera, but his skills can also make him seem fake. Case in point: the pilot. If I've seen one show about deep-fried food, I've seen 'em all. In fairness, the same could be said about Eddie's hosting another FN BBQ show, but the difference is that if FN does it right, Eddie could do episodes about BBQ all over the world. Then his harem could go Global-on second thought, maybe we should just try to keep him to ourselves in the good old USA for as long as possible.  Jay might do a few guest spots on other FN shows before he gets one of his own-if he does, that is.

 

 *About Dom, he did an OK job, but IMO he's just been too inconsistent throughout the season to have won. As for the pilot, the food was great; the ethnic stereotyping, not so much. If Eddie could do his pilot without shucking & jiving, then Dom could've done his without the mafia references.

[MajorWoody]

Late to the thread once again.

Congratulations to Eddie on a well deserved win. Jay came in a strong second.

I haven't seen anyone mention this, but in the previous episode, while making their pilots, there was a brief shot of Dom sitting in the restaurant waiting for the cameras. He had that deer in the headlights look, and it was apparent that he was still clueless unless he was given a script or responding to a question. He would never be able to do anything live without turning into a stammering fool. Furthermore, his mob jokes and innuendo got old real fast. As a former NY'er, and an Italian, it sometimes seems that is what the rest of the country thinks of NY Italians and for him to push that idiocy was a bit too much.

The good thing about Giada's dress was that it kept my eyes off her annoying fake smile. I'm sure she made sure to comfort Dom after the show though.

In regards to Brooke's Mr DeMille closeup, I was reminded more of Karloff in The Mummy.

The hashtag guy was still an annoying jerk in the finale. I certainly hope he doesn't show up in some other FN shows.

Not a bad season, and I think they chose the right person as a winner, as Eddie has the potential to actually be a FN Star.

[MajorWoody]

Regarding Dom and his mafia shtick, I usually don't care about those jokes, but it just seemed to go on and on, and some of the things he said regarding wires and who visited certain places was blatantly false.

[Snarklepuss]

MajorWoody - If you can remember, what did he say that was blatantly false?  I watched the pilot but I admit I didn't even listen to that part.   I usually don't like the glorification of the Mafia and playing that up for those who find it somehow amusing or glamorous.  As an Italian American that stuff usually bugs me.

[MajorWoody]

I deleted it off the DVR, so I don't have it available to watch again. I'm a retired NY cop (17 years of that as a detective), and I consider my self rather knowledgeable regarding the NY mob. One of the things he said, either about a shooting in that restaurant, or a wire in there, caught my attention when he said it, and I was sure it was not accurate, but for the life of me, I can't recall exactly what it was.

Sorry I can't be more help.

On a related note, and in keeping with the Finale theme, it seemed like Dom was given the easiest of the three pilots, giving the NYC Italian guy the NYC old time Italian restaurant. Could he have had it any easier? I still think he is totally lost unless answering a question or reading a teleprompter, he would be a disaster at a Food and Wine Fest or something similar, where he has to improv or speak live.

I think Eddie can adlib, and is at ease in almost any situation they throw him in. Jay can sell, or tell us what song we just heard, but he is Fieri Lite.

Edited August 25, 2015 by MajorWoody

[Snarklepuss]

I deleted it off the DVR, so I don't have it available to watch again. I'm a retired NY cop (17 years of that as a detective), and I consider my self rather knowledgeable regarding the NY mob. One of the things he said, either about a shooting in that restaurant, or a wire in there, caught my attention when he said it, and I was sure it was not accurate, but for the life of me, I can't recall exactly what it was.

 

Here's the exact exchange in its totality (OK my boss and everyone here is on vacation so I have waaaay too much time on my hands) -

 

He didn't mention anyone wearing a wire, just himself as a joke, which the restaurant owner seemed to appreciate as a joke.  And he mentioned Joe Masseria eating there but didn't mention the hit on Joe Valente that Masseria masterminded.

 

 

Dom:  “Now, a restaurant of this nature in this neighborhood must have had some gangster types eating here at some point”

Rest. Owner:  “You think?”

Dom:  “I hear Lucky Luciano used to eat here, Joe Masseria….I would get into the whole “wise guy” history of this restaurant but I’m wearin’ a wire”

Rest. Owner:  Laughter -  “Then I can’t tell you about Joey Cheeks!”

Dom:  “I don’t wanna hear no more!”

 

And that was that.  So although I searched for it, I didn't find the dialog overdone or inacurate about anything he mentions in that exchange.  And me, who gets offended by most overdone crap encouraging the "wise guy" fascination didn't even get offended by it, although I admit I could do without the constant references to it.

 

Here is the article that explains the hit in 1922 that took place in John's of 12th Street:

 

http://infamousnewyork.com/2013/11/23/joe-masserias-revenge-johns-of-12th-street-a-great-place-for-a-last-meal/

[HyeChaps]

And. . . Here's the new show:   http://www.foodnetworkgossip.com/

What a bummer.

[cooksdelight]

This is a disgusting waste of talent. They've already done a show or two like this.

Eddie should be showing us HIS food....not another BBQ-er who's already been on the network at least once.

[Snarklepuss]

Ugh, I agree, it's like every other show on FN anymore.  Like "Throwdown" but the host doesn't even cook.

 

I scrolled down that FN Gossip page and saw this - I thought this was very interesting and I didn't see anyone comment on it here:

 

 

UPDATE - Another interesting tidbit about the finale - Jay explained at his viewing party that the finale was shot in June, and three different endings were filmed (meaning each contestant was filmed as a winner).  So even the contestants didn't know who was going to win until the finale aired.

 

Yikes, so they didn't even know who the winner was until the airing of the finale?  That means FN reserved the right to actually choose the winner much later or at least prevent any spoilers or leaks from getting out before it aired.  Now I really feel sorry for Jay and Dom.

[cooksdelight]

That tells me that they were also taking into account viewer comments or possibly they were doing polls or focus groups during the final weeks. I don't feel sorry for Jay or Dom, if they weren't who the network wanted on TV. We don't know what went on behind the scenes, who was difficult to work with, etc. But give Jay time, he'll spill the beans at some point.

And I think the way Jay has been running his mouth and telling things like this, which the network would probably not want known, may kill any chances he might have had.

Has anything been said about the Fan Favorite voting? Did they pick one, and did they win anything?

[Lura]

cooksdelight, I have searched and searched for the fan favorite and haven't found a word about it.  The FN did a bang-up job of advertising it, but where are the results???  Not to be negative, but it's beginning to seem to me like one big PR stunt to drum up interest -- then no follow-up.I would be happy to write to the FN and ask, but I've never yet had a response from them.  So, ....  Have any ideas?

[howmanywords]

A traveling competition show? You have got to be kidding me.  I was SORT of ok knowing it was going to be a travel show but Eddie hosting a competition show is really irritating me. What was the point even making them cook on FNS?

[Snarklepuss]

That tells me that they were also taking into account viewer comments or possibly they were doing polls or focus groups during the final weeks. I don't feel sorry for Jay or Dom, if they weren't who the network wanted on TV. We don't know what went on behind the scenes, who was difficult to work with, etc. But give Jay time, he'll spill the beans at some point.

 

Yes, I believe so - They were reserving the right to change their minds at a later date due to new information.  Perhaps because of the Lenny situation last year they're not taking any chances that the public might dig up some dirt on one of the contestants or it may come out in some other way that they're being inappropriate.  Who knows?  Jay may have nixed his chances by opening his big mouth and they found out about it before the finale and Eddie was actually their second choice.  Or they realized that the fan response to Dom wasn't as positive as they would have liked after the show started airing, so they went with another choice.  I guess we'll never know.

A traveling competition show? You have got to be kidding me.  I was SORT of ok knowing it was going to be a travel show but Eddie hosting a competition show is really irritating me. What was the point even making them cook on FNS?

 

The way they acted about Eddie being so versatile and having longevity made me think that this is only a first step and they have other plans for him in the future - hopefully doing some real cooking.

[xaxat]

 

UPDATE - Another interesting tidbit about the finale - Jay explained at his viewing party that the finale was shot in June, and three different endings were filmed (meaning each contestant was filmed as a winner).  So even the contestants didn't know who was going to win until the finale aired.

 

I think Jay should be little bit more careful with what he says in public about how the sausage is made. FN might disappear him like they did Lenny.

 

So all of that falling to the ground, the tears, the congratulations. . .that was all fake? I feel kind of bad for the non-finalists. They had to act like they were happy for the "winner" three times when they probably just wanted the whole thing to end.

Edited August 29, 2015 by xaxat

[Lillybee]

I wish that Eddie would replace either Katie Lee or Sunny on the kitchen. He would be great there.

[Gbb]

Eddie's been posting pics on Facebook today from shooting BBQ Blitz. I still don't love the concept, but he seems really happy.

https://www.facebook.com/MC4Eddie

[chessiegal]

If the food he's putting up on his FB page are his recipes, they'd better give him a cooking show at some point. They look great.

[NewDigs]

Interesting that he's sticking with the healthy approach as "FIT CHEF EDDIE".

chessiegal, me too!, on the recipes thing. Especially with the FIT thing.

[cooksdelight]

Maybe that's why he's posting them. To get people interested, therefore to contact FN and beg for a Fit Eddie show!

[Snarklepuss]

That's a weird page - not his only one.  I only scrolled down a little bit and found myself in 2013!  He posts more on his regular "Eddie Jackson" page.  I still don't get making the "fit chef" who cooks Caribbean on his food truck do a BBQ show, but whatever....

 

That said, on Facebook a couple of days ago Dom posted a picture of himself with Bobby Flay and Michael Symon taken up at the Saratoga track.  Geez, for a guy that lost FNS, he sure keeps a lot of Food Network company.

Edited September 1, 2015 by Snarklepuss

[cooksdelight]

We have no idea when photos are taken. Just when Dom posts them. I get a "give me a show or else" vibe from him.

[Gbb]

nm :) Found it

Edited September 1, 2015 by Gbb

[Snarklepuss]

Yeah I don't know if I believe that Dom would write that they "stopped by the truck today" if this happened months ago, but whatever.

What's his regular page?

 

Eddie Jackson's Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/theeddiejackson?fref=ts

[xaxat]

Saratoga has a relatively short racing season. This year it started July 24th. The big event was the Travers, last weekend. That might be when the picture was taken.

[Snarklepuss]

Dom just posted that his last week up at Saratoga for the season will be next week.  After that his truck will be back in the NYC-NJ area.

[GaT]

It's amazing how much more visible Eddie is after his win than Lenny was (is). 

[Gbb]

Lenny who?

[GaT]

Lenny who?

I'm not sure if you're being funny/sarcastic or you really don't know, so sorry if I got it wrong, I'm going to assume you don't know. Lenny McNab was last season's winner. He was never given a show, & pretty much disappeared from everywhere, including social media after his online history was discovered, which was pretty much while the show was being broadcast. 

[Gbb]

I was being sarcastic ;)

[GaT]

I was being sarcastic ;)

Oh good LOL

[howmanywords]

Because Eddie is awesome, charming and handsome. Lenny, um was up the total opposite heh. I never grasped though if Lenny withdrew from fan interaction on social on his own or if he was given orders. If Eddie is at the NYFWF this year doing a demo im so there!

[grisgris]

Eddie was in my town earlier this week filming an episode of his new show. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

[Gbb]

Saw my first commercial for BBQ Blitz today when I was watching Sunday's episode of The Great Food Truck race online. Eddie looked adorable, and maybe a tiny bit uncomfortable/nervous, but I could have been projecting.

Can't wait!

[Rick Kitchen]

Saw my first commercial for BBQ Blitz today when I was watching Sunday's episode of The Great Food Truck race online. Eddie looked adorable, and maybe a tiny bit uncomfortable/nervous, but I could have been projecting.

Can't wait!

 

I saw one today, and there was a scene that looked like it was shot in a studio instead of out in the field.

[chessiegal]

I saw my first commercial a few days ago. The only impression I came away with is how mighty fine he was looking. :)

[cooksdelight]

I saw one today, and there was a scene that looked like it was shot in a studio instead of out in the field.

Me too, which gives me hope that he goes out and finds some good food then comes back to show us how it's done.

[cooksdelight]

Eddie's show now has a forum!

http://forums.previously.tv/forum/2046-bbq-blitz/

[Totale]

Just by the by for those who mentally cast Eddie in a show where he went around to sporting events tailgating, I noticed today there's a relatively new show on the Cooking Channel where they do just that (without Eddie). 

 

http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/shows/the-grill-iron.html