Food Network Upfronts: Three New Shows
Thursday, March 15, 2007 | posted by Mike
The Food Network (and the rest of the Scripps-owned television networks) held their upfronts, a presentation and accompanying announcement about the new and returning programs that networks hold every year for prospective advertisers. Traditionally, these upfronts are held in New York and feature media buyers attending the big presentations and then getting rip-roaring drunk in the city. You can see why everyone looks forward to upfronts.
For those of us who don't have an expense account or an open bar, the real fun of upfronts is that we get a sneak peek at what we can expect from the coming season. The Network announced three new full shows, as well as a few limited series. The new shows:
Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, in which Guy Fieri -- winner of The Next Food Network Star 2 and host of Guy's Big Bite -- will travel in his 1967 Camaro in search of the best diners, drive-ins and dives the country has to offer. It debuts April 23 at 10 p.m.
Simply Delicioso(working title), debuting in July, marking the Food debut of Ingrid Hoffmann.
Set for a fall debut, Food Dudes (working title) follows chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo as they strive to make a name for themselves while building a successful catering business.
Only one of the shows is a complete surprise to me, and that's Food Dudes. Having not seen it (TVFF is now accepting screeners!), I'm guessing that one could end up playing a lot like Ace of Cakes, being a behind-the-scenes look at a food business.
The Network also announced four limited series:
The third season of The Next Food Network Star, debuting June 3 at 9 p.m.
Feasting on Asphalt 2, debuting in August, follows Alton Brown on another "motorcycle tour through the back roads of America in search of the culinary soul of the nation."
The Next Iron Chef of America(working title), in which the network will search for a new Iron Chef.
'In the first quarter of 2008, Food will begin its search for America's Best Recipe, in which nine contestants will prepare their original recipes in front of a live audience in Las Vegas.
Again, not much here we didn't already know. The only question is whether America's Best Recipe will have a Simon Cowell-style cantankerous judge.
Being the optimistic guy that I am, I'll go ahead and pencil next year's upfronts into my schedule. I'm sure this year's invite just got lost in the mail.
Labels: Food Network
