I want my 90 minutes back.
I was expecting that the Food Network Awards would be about-- oh, I don't know-- food. The dead giveaway that the whole idea was a clunker was the conspicuous lack of chefs not on the payroll. What a drag.
The award for best professional grade appliance goes to the microwave? The microwave? Do professional kitchens even use microwaves? And then there's the award given for Achatz' anti-griddle. That's supposed to be the kitchen technology just around the corner for all of us? Um, no.
Quick, name a Tuesday night dinner that requires the use of an anti-griddle!
I didn't think so.
It's sad, really. For the longest time, the Food Network was good TV. It's the reason I still have cable...although they're fading fast. Actual cooking on the Food Network is going the way of music videos on MTV. It sucks. Most of their new shows are leaning toward faux cooking like Sandra Lee, and they haven't added a serious chef to the lineup in I don't know how long.
People originally turned on to the Food Network because of the food. If they keep dumbing things down (California Raisins walking the red carpet, anyone?) they're going to alienate more people than they'll attract with stupider shows.
[The comic is Achewood from January 26, 2007.]
