The summer TV season is upon us, which means there's a bunch of food-related reality shows on right now. I still can't really take Gordon Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen seriously. The contestants just don't have the food chops (by design, obviously) and Ramsey himself alternates between whiny prima donna and fake reality TV caricature. Although, I'd probably be pissed too dealing with people who repeatedly can't grok the simple timing required to cook Beef Wellington.
Then there's The Next Food Network Star. For the first two seasons, I was into it, but this year I'm just not able to gather up the energy to pay close attention. It may be a larger problem I have with the Food Network in general of late. I just don't find myself being captivated by their programming anymore, which has everything to do with their shift away from food and toward food personalities. I get the feeling they're spending more time in meetings about branding their hosts than they are seeking out people who are actually doing interesting things with food.
Top Chef is hands-down my favorite. I would like to see more from Ted, but this is the one show that is at least truly focusing on food. I'm an episode behind in my viewing, but it seems like so far TC is getting less gimmicky with their challenges, which is good. The ridiculous product placement, and Padma having to re-dub practically everything that she says still drive me nuts, though. The bubbas need to quit bitching at each other and get to cooking. My money's on a showdown between Tre and Hung in the end.
