Anthony Bourdain Has a Few Thoughts on the Food NetworkYou know, Anthony Bourdain should really learn to speak his mind...
Friday, February 09, 2007 | posted by Mike
You know, Anthony Bourdain should really learn to speak his mind...
If you give chef Bourdain an outlet, you're almost certainly going to get his candid, honest opinion on whatever topic he's thinking about. Today, he has the outlet (in the form of a guest blogging stint over at Michael Ruhlman's site) and he has some thoughts on what's good and what's not so good about the Food Network, and he wasn't afraid to name names.
His post, which runs under the title "Nobody Asked Me, But..." gives a full rundown of many of the big names on the Network and an accompanying paragraph containing his thoughts on each. Or, as he puts it, "Some thoughts on the Newer, Younger, More Male-Oriented, More Dumb-Ass Food Network."
Basically, he likes Mario, Alton and Giada. He feels that complaining about Rachael is no longer worth it. I might be mistaken, but I don't think he likes Sandra Lee.
SANDRA LEE: Pure evil. This frightening Hell Spawn of Kathie Lee and Betty Crocker seems on a mission to kill her fans, one meal at a time. She Must Be Stopped. Her death-dealing can-opening ways will cut a swath of destruction through the world if not contained. I would likely be arrested if I suggested on television that any children watching should promptly go to a wooded area with a gun and harm themselves. What’s the difference between that and Sandra suggesting we fill our mouths with Ritz Crackers, jam a can of Cheez Wiz in after and press hard? None that I can see. This is simply irresponsible programming.
Now, I know about the whole "Rachael Ray Sux" group. From the coverage that they get, you would think that Rachael is the most reviled person in food TV. But, if you look around on the web, the one person that really gets everyone's toque in a twist is Sandra Lee. If it's not the pre-packaged food and the over-the-top tablescapes, it's the constant presence of cocktails on the menu or the "Stepford Wife" references to her appearance. I know that the whole Semi-Homemade thing is a bit of cottage industry these days, but I would put the vitriol she draws up there with the criticism of either Rachael or Martha.
Labels: Anthony Bourdain, Sandra Lee
