are the people on Hells Kitchen for real?

[ratherbeatdisney]

i havent watched this show for a few season, but i happened to watch an episode the other day from this new season, it almost seemed like they either hired actors , or they they are REALLY encouraging the cast to be dramatic. It seemed really fake to me, especially that big guy what drunk doing karate, it seemed So staged. I dont remember the first few seasons seeming fake when i watched them, maybe they are hurting for ratings??

 

[OKW Lover]

Of course this is all staged - its "entertainment" and they need exciting/disgusting/odd/etc situations to get people to watch.

 

[DUHgreg]

The current series seemed to come out of nowhere. Little promotion, etc. that I'm aware of. It's almost like movie that doesn't get screened for critics because the producers know it's bad. The show has been one of my 'guilty pleasures' since it began. Unfortunately, so far, this one is like watching an anger management class for people who can't cook.

 

[doconeill]

I don't think any of the contestants in any of the seasons I would call people I'd expect to compete for an exec chef job at a top restaurant. We just watched the first hour, and I think this season they've just stocked up on psychos to go head to head with Ramsey and hate each other.

Why any restaurant would agree to give any of these people a job is beyond me, never mind advertise that they are going to do it. I would think it would drive away business.

 

[mjaclyn]

Does anyone know what happened to that contestant who went to the hospital?

 

[doconeill]

Does anyone know what happened to that contestant who went to the hospital?

Ramsey said she won't return.

 

[mjaclyn]

I know she's not coming back, I meant to ask if anyone knew if she was going to be alright?

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

We watched this week's episode and we won't be watching the rest of the season.

I think Greg nailed it on the head. My husband is an editor in television show promo, and they really do downplay disasters that they are contractually obligated to show.

I also feel that the show is taking on somewhat of a Jerry Springer quality. They are more worried about casting for drama instead of quality. I hope Gordon gets a clue from this and starts realizing that his name and quality branding are on the line here in the US for this decision.

Thank goodness Top Chef is still about the food.

 

[columnwest]

I don't normally comment on non-Disney matters, but I have to agree that Hell's Kitchen has seemingly gone off the deep end this season. What's worse is that Ramsay seems to be keeping the most, uh, "amusing" people on, while kicking out those with marginally better kitchen skills and lesser personalities. As for the contestants "acting"... I'm sure they are conscious of the cameras and are hamming it up a little, but I think that many were chosen because of their real-life "quirks".

Exhibit A) Raj. He can't even chop parsley. He seems (in my opinion) to have something mentally wrong with him. So, why is he even on this show? I mean, whom did he beat out in the auditions? Does anybody seriously think this guy was one of the top 18 who applied? Furthermore, the producers seem to think he's "comedy gold" and appear to be going out of their way to put him in especially awkward situations. For example, making him Maitre'D on the first night of service even though he can hardly manage a complete sentence when speaking, or plying him with alcohol at every opportunity to see more of his "karate" moves. At what point does this stop being "entertainment" and start being "making fun of someone with a mental problem"?

I'll keep watching, because I'll admit I love train wrecks. I really can't claim any moral high-ground. But, I have lost some respect for Ramsay for not only being a party to this charade, but seemingly also encouraging it in his "hang up your jacket" choices.

 

[trivial]

I had to stop watching the show a few years ago. It's obvious they accept people on the show for dramatic/comedic reasons, instead of, you know, actual culinary skill. Top Chef is much more my kind of culinary competition.

 

[Jeff & Stacy in NYC]

I was thinking the same thing this morning! I only was the episode this morning (thank you dvr!!). I loved Master Chef, and I really love the BBC Gordon Ramsay shows, but this seemed very over the top. When he didn't kick off that karate kicking guy, I started to wonder. I hope in future episodes it focuses more on the restaurant business and less on a bunch of kooks!

 

[dizneedoll]

I thought the same thing also when I watched the season premiere. That whole bit about Antonia making the gross food, Ramsey throwing it up and then she gets carted off to the hospital just seemed so staged and planned out. I really like Master Chef too and hope they do that one again but I don't know if I can watch HK anymore, it's just too much fake drama and no real cooking. I haven't watched Top Chef but since people are saying it's more about culinary skills then soap opera fights, then I'm going to give that a try.

 

[doconeill]

Finally watched the second hour, and I can tell you - I'll be watching the next one just to find out what the body count is, because its pretty obvious that Raj tried to kill everyone on his team with the knife he doesn't know how to use. I mean, right? That's what happens from the preview, right?

 

[Anjiebaby]

Yep from the first 3 minutes of the first hour with the drawn out preview of all the exciting drama of the new season it already seemed like they had headed in a new overly dramatic scripted direction. And oh my god some of the camera cuts and angles are making me sick!
I still haven't decided if I am going to keep watching, I guess I will try to watch the next episode. I can't seem to find anybody to like or to cheer on and hope they win.

 

[doconeill]

Wow. All I can say is that the preview they showed last week was practically false advertising.

 

[eeyorelvr09]

I agree! This show is going down the tube. DBF told me the other night that a friend of his had a cousin that was on the show. He said the Chef Ramsey does not yell as much as they portray, surprise, surprise.

Raj was definitely a spaz. I hate that other girl; can't remember her name, the ne with the ghetto attitude. What is problem with not doing prep work. If you run a resturant, chances are you are doing prep work.

We will keep on watching to try to get a favorite. We will see.