Next Food Network Star ~ Official 2009 Summer Thread

[Minnie]

I was okay with Katie going home - wish it would have been Debbie

Melissa is still my fave followed close behind by Jeffrey due to his cooking chops.

 

[BriarRosie]

I think Debbie still has the best on-camera persona based on what happened on the Rachael Ray show. The others seemed flustered or not able to interact while cooking.

Does what happened week one color my perception of her? Nope, not anymore. I am completely over her past mistakes and judge her on the here and now. I am in agreement that she needs to lose the "I'm Korean" bit, but otherwise, she's doing fairly well.

I have a soft spot for Michael, but I think he just can't get over the "cameras are JUDGING ME!" hang-up. If he does get past that hurdle, he's a contender.

And the three remaining people are pretty much treading as much water as Michael is. I am positive that if the FN had to hire one of them today, the clear choice would be Debbie. It'll be interesting to see how things develop. She might have a major crash and burn. They all seem to have one, don't they?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Interesting how there were no actual winners tonight, in either challenge - not even a mention of it (unlike episode 1, where Bob said something like "ordinarily we'd name a winning team, but neither team stood out; however, there were three..."

 

[Angelhalo]

I feel pretty sure that if they had had to choose a winner for the whole thing while filming the judgement table that we saw last night, they would have picked Melissa. I don't dislike Melissa....I just think that A) she needs to tone down the ridiculous cheshire smile a bit, B) She has nothing to teach me, and C) They already have her demographic covered with Rachael Ray, Sunny Anderson, and Robin Miller.

DH and I still can't stand Debbie. She's phony and despite what the judges think, we find her unbearable to watch. I think she might crash and burn this week.

I think that Michael might do better with the cameras if he wasn't under an extremely tight time crunch like they are in these challenges. I feel that with just a day or two of coaching and working under a normal pace, he'd do just fine.

Jamika.........uhhhhhhhhh blah.

DH and I still love Jeffrey. We were glad that Susie realized that he wasn't attempting to shut Jamika out, he was just trying to keep the segment moving. It was clear that she wasn't jumping in, so he did what he had to do to keep it flowing. We thought he did a good job of interjecting information about his life, just as the judges had asked. Then they didn't even give him a "good job on taking our advice" like they have in the past with other contestants. Instead, Bob just lambasts him for Jamika's faults. Sure he got a little hyper, but so did Melissa.

Overall it was no shock to see Katie go. We pretty much expected that before the show even began. It was a bit of a shame, as we felt that it was actually her best night. But, it was clear that she just didn't have what it took to carry a whole show on her own.

It will be interesting to see what happens next week. DH and I think it will be Jamika, Michael, or Debbie to go home.

 

[stacy347]

I am loving Michael more with each episode. Hopefully next week he finds a way to get past the freezing up and choking on camera because I could definitely see myself watching a weekly show with him at the helm.

I still enjoy Jeffrey but he was a little overbearing in his speaking last night (I know he had to fill in all of the time that Jamika stood there looking lost but even if she hadn't been there, I just didn't care for the way he came across ~ hopefully it was a one time thing).

I think it was pretty clear Katie was not going to be able to hold her own in this competition and it was time for her to go.

Debbie ~ good grief, we get it! You're Korean, you like ginger, you use soy sauce, blah, blah, blah ~ sorry, she's on my last nerve and I would never watch a show with her.

Melissa ~ I am really torn when it comes to Melissa. I get where she is coming from and I admire what she's doing but there is something about the way she comes across that is off-putting and I can't quite put my finger on it yet. I hope she ends up in the top 3 at least.

My top 3 would be Michael, Jeffrey, Melissa. Next week should be fun (I love Ted Allen)!

 

[DisneyBlonde]

I'm happy Katie went home, was waiting for it from week one. I don't think she ever prepared anything the judges liked. I think they brought her on the show because of her unique culinary view - then harassed her every week for mentioning it. But she was annoying so I'm glad she's gone.

Melissa is ok, but I don't think i'd watch her. There's nothing special about her.

I like Jeffrey a lot, but I was put off by the way he steam rolled Jamika on the RR show. Up till then he was my front runner.

Jamika started out strong, but I think she peaked in episode 2. Pull it together Jamika!!!

Debbie is irritating and I haven't trusted her from the first episode. She doesn't look like a TV personality, she's frumpy. Debbie goes home next week {{{Fingers crossed}}} !!!

I love Michael. His food is always liked, he has a lot of personality...but he's not scary. I would watch him on TV.

 

[Angelhalo]

I like Jeffrey a lot, but I was put off by the way he steam rolled Jamika on the RR show. Up till then he was my front runner.

See DH and I didn't feel like he steamrolled her at all. She was blank...it was like she was in another world. All he did was try to keep their segment going.

It really irked me that Bob thought that Jeffrey should have tried to save her in some way. This is a competition! She should have snapped herself out of it and jumped in. It wasn't Jeffrey's job to fix her issues.

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

Anyone want to start a Debbie drinking game?

One shot for every "I'm Korean"

Two shots for every "Soul to Seoul"

Three shots for every "I'm Southern AND Korean"

Anyone still standing at the end of each episode is a winner!

 

[DisneyBlonde]

See DH and I didn't feel like he steamrolled her at all. She was blank...it was like she was in another world. All he did was try to keep their segment going.

It really irked me that Bob thought that Jeffrey should have tried to save her in some way. This is a competition! She should have snapped herself out of it and jumped in. It wasn't Jeffrey's job to fix her issues.

Yeah...I know. But he really didn't even acknowledge her. The others worked as a team, he was doing a solo act. But...I know that could be the way it was edited. These reality shows and their forced perspective!

Anyone want to start a Debbie drinking game?

One shot for every "I'm Korean"

Two shots for every "Soul to Seoul"

Three shots for every "I'm Southern AND Korean"

Anyone still standing at the end of each episode is a winner!

I'm in!

 

[Nancyg56]

Anyone want to start a Debbie drinking game?

One shot for every "I'm Korean"

Two shots for every "Soul to Seoul"

Three shots for every "I'm Southern AND Korean"

Anyone still standing at the end of each episode is a winner!

Count me in as well!

I was okay with Katie going home, I think that she had issues with her food. even if she was starting to relax her cooking was not up to speed yet.

I love Michael! I think he is funny, he can cook, he is funny, he can cook. I wish he would just relax and somehow get past the cameras.

I think Melissa might do well, I am not sure I would watch her. But then I don't really watch the "stars" from seasons past. I think the network has too much of that formula star thing going on. I wonder if they really know what people want to watch.

I think I would like Jeffery's cooking, I don;t need to know all the little details about his life, I don't watch cooking shows to know which family member likes the onion rings.

Debbie just rubs me wrong. If she wants to tell us continually that she is Korean then she needs to start discussing Korean cooking techniques. Not just that soy sauce is used in her recipe because she is Korean. I use soy sauce and I am Irish and French!

I think Jamika is done. I don't know how it happened but she sort of melted this week and it was a shame, I liked her.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Anyone want to start a Debbie drinking game?

One shot for every "I'm Korean"

Two shots for every "Soul to Seoul"

Three shots for every "I'm Southern AND Korean"

Anyone still standing at the end of each episode is a winner!

'Scuse me. I have to go stock up on peppermint schnapps...

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think I would like Jeffery's cooking, I don;t need to know all the little details about his life, I don't watch cooking shows to know which family member likes the onion rings.

Oh! I had Food Network on Saturday because I was on the computer and the remote was in the living room (and really, twenty feet is too far to walk ). There was some truly annoying blonde cook, prattling on and on and on and on and on and on and on... about 'personal' stuff. THAT impelled me to go get the remote - and I'll watch just about anything!

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

See DH and I didn't feel like he steamrolled her at all. She was blank...it was like she was in another world. All he did was try to keep their segment going.

It really irked me that Bob thought that Jeffrey should have tried to save her in some way. This is a competition! She should have snapped herself out of it and jumped in. It wasn't Jeffrey's job to fix her issues.

Exactly!!!

JEFFREY
JEFFREY
JEFFREY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TwingleMum]

I cracked up when Bobby said " I'm Korean " and kinda made fun of Debbie for starting everything with " I'm Korean" The sun is shining did I tell you I'm Korean. Pass the pepper did I tell you I'm Korean. ENOUGH ALREADY!!

Did you see the coming attractions It looks like Melissa explodes and tries to blame everyone for not helping her. This should be good. I'm really getting bugged by her and her beauty pageant cheshire grin. Like nails on a chalkboard. And pureeing food to put in kids food hasn't the Food Network heard of the Sneaky Chef??

I think Michael would be the most fun. Tell me you didn't laugh when he said the cameras are judging me. Hysterical. I think with a little patience he would be a hoot to wait.

Stick a fork in Jamika she is done. She may be the next to go. Then Debbie.

 

[luvmy3]

I cracked up when Bobby said " I'm Korean " and kinda made fun of Debbie for starting everything with " I'm Korean" The sun is shining did I tell you I'm Korean. Pass the pepper did I tell you I'm Korean. ENOUGH ALREADY!!

Did you see the coming attractions It looks like Melissa explodes and tries to blame everyone for not helping her. This should be good. I'm really getting bugged by her and her beauty pageant cheshire grin. Like nails on a chalkboard. And pureeing food to put in kids food hasn't the Food Network heard of the Sneaky Chef??

I think Michael would be the most fun. Tell me you didn't laugh when he said the cameras are judging me. Hysterical. I think with a little patience he would be a hoot to wait.

Stick a fork in Jamika she is done. She may be the next to go. Then Debbie.

I think Michael is going to go within the next few weeks. I like him but there is no way he belongs in front of a camera. I think not only will Debbie not be going anywhere soon, she is going to win the competition, she is the most comfortable in front of the camera and they really could use a show that focuses on how to Asianize American cuisine.
I'm still rooting for Melissa though

 

[Angelhalo]

I think Michael is going to go within the next few weeks. I like him but there is no way he belongs in front of a camera. I think not only will Debbie not be going anywhere soon, she is going to win the competition, she is the most comfortable in front of the camera and they really could use a show that focuses on how to Asianize American cuisine.
I'm still rooting for Melissa though

Hmmph. Adding soy sauce or garlic, is HARDLY "asianizing: American Cuisine.

Not irritated with you, just irritated if anyone actually buys into that hooey.

 

[luvmy3]

Hmmph. Adding soy sauce or garlic, is HARDLY "asianizing: American Cuisine.

Not irritated with you, just irritated if anyone actually buys into that hooey.

I know, I just mean she has the potential to teach us ways other than soy sauce and ginger if she really was brought up with all that Korean cooking. I think that asian cuisine is one area that FN is lacking and maybe they are looking to her to fill that void.

 

[TwingleMum]

If you read the comments on Food Network most people seem to really hate Debbie. Jeffrey seems to be a fav. I just think Michael has the most cooking talent of all of them. He needs to work on his camera image. He is super funny and I think could teach you alot. Although I would like to see him win I think the judges are favoring Jeffrey and Melissa.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think Michael would be the most fun. Tell me you didn't laugh when he said the cameras are judging me. Hysterical. I think with a little patience he would be a hoot to wait.

I would watch him. I think he will relax some and if his show had a live audience he would really shine. I wonder if the network would take a chance that people want to get back to cooking on their cooking network. O don't need any more shows that tell me how to shortcut recipes, I know how to do that. i have been using Paula's cooking style for years now, half of my recipes I was using as long as she has, I want to have the Chefs back, I can monkey around with ground meat and know how to get a meal on in less than an hour (No way I can cook in 30 minutes, I don;t have elves to clean up after me ) This network is beginning to send me back to public TV cooking shows

I think Michael is going to go within the next few weeks. I like him but there is no way he belongs in front of a camera. I think not only will Debbie not be going anywhere soon, she is going to win the competition, she is the most comfortable in front of the camera and they really could use a show that focuses on how to Asianize American cuisine.

I won't watch her. I find her as interesting as grass growing. She is comfortable in front of the camera but I am not sure that she is really going to have an asian cooking show. I keep remembering the various renditions of Angel cake and pudding.

Hmmph. Adding soy sauce or garlic, is HARDLY "asianizing: American Cuisine.

Not irritated with you, just irritated if anyone actually buys into that hooey.

Th FoodTv network does

I know, I just mean she has the potential to teach us ways other than soy sauce and ginger if she really was brought up with all that Korean cooking. I think that asian cuisine is one area that FN is lacking and maybe they are looking to her to fill that void.

I agree that we need an Asian cooking show, I just am not sure that she is planning that. I think I remember that she is not necessarily trained in Asian cooking, something from teh first episode. This old gal's memory is not what it used to be but I remember something there.

 

[onelilspark]

I was late watching the eipsode... I was actually surprised to see Katie go this week. Think she had the best kid's segment and she's the only one improving week to week, but then again, didn't see her winning the whole thing, so no big loss.

I like Michael, he's grown on me. He cracked me up when he said the camera's judgy. But at the same time, he wants to be on TV and he can't stand the cameras? He's got to get over that. If not, he might be the next to go.

Jamika...oh Jamika...get some confidence girl! Oh my goodness, I wanted to slap her in that episode...oh woe is me...blah blah blah, no one cares, moving on... I was kind of surprised she didn't go home over Katie. (She really needed some balls on RR's show.)

Debbie annoys me. They need to stop praising her. I'm glad Bobby said something.

I like Melissa...when she's not totally frantic! She needs to take a deep breath and realize she doesn't have 4 toddlers at her feet

As for Jeffery; Jamika froze. It was either...he talked, or there was silence. It's a competition, she needs to jump in there and make her presense known. He also did really well during the kid's segment. Plus: I'd actually watch his show.