Next Food Network Star

[disneygal922]

good choice on who went home tonight. I finally feel like they have a group where anyone could win and have potential.

I also agree!

 

[LilyWDW]

These shows are structured to create drama. The "cost" of giving the winner their own six-week series, in the case of TNFNS, is practically insignificant, in light of how much that prize boosts viewership of the competition itself. And if they happen to have a really great talent win (remember: They picked the contestants in the first place, presumably figuring that any of those that could win could perhaps end up being a great talent), all-the-better.

These shows are not about the best at what they do... they are about finding someone who they can put on TV that people will like while at the same time making a current show that people will watch. People for these shows are not always selected due to their skills, but because of their personality or appeal. They are then often casted to play a "role".

How do I know this?

I had a friend go through it for Design Star. She made it to the second to last round for making it on the show while still in school. She was very talented, but we also knew for a fact that she had beat out a TON of people will most experience. When casting called her about actually being on the show, they asked her if she would be able to be the witch (with a b). They wanted to cast her in a specific role to make the show more interesting. Well, she said no (she is the sweetest girl and didn't want people to think that role was what she was actually like) and didn't get to be on the show, but we learned a lot about how these things really work.

 

[wdwiala]

These shows are not about the best at what they do... they are about finding someone who they can put on TV that people will like while at the same time making a current show that people will watch. People for these shows are not always selected due to their skills, but because of their personality or appeal. They are then often casted to play a "role".

How do I know this?

I had a friend go through it for Design Star. She made it to the second to last round for making it on the show while still in school. She was very talented, but we also knew for a fact that she had beat out a TON of people will most experience. When casting called her about actually being on the show, they asked her if she would be able to be the witch (with a b). They wanted to cast her in a specific role to make the show more interesting. Well, she said no (she is the sweetest girl and didn't want people to think that role was what she was actually like) and didn't get to be on the show, but we learned a lot about how these things really work.

Sigh..these kinds of things aren't suprising but still frustrating. Reminds me of Mtv's Real Life. The best season was the first when everyone had jobs and a life, before they started manipulating and choosing cast because of their ability to make drama.

I feel like news networks do this too. A shame that they feel like news needs to be a sound bite with a hook. I try to dig for news in print instead (not that it is perfect either).

I could go all day....

 

[hegsag]

Aria has lost all apeal to me - especially after tonight's episode! She was my favorite in the beginning and now I just can't stand her. My two favorites are Aarti and Brad...

 

[kaytieeldr]

good choice on who went home tonight. I finally feel like they have a group where anyone could win and have potential.

Eh, I think one more person needs to go before they get down to the core group of potential finalists

 

[kaytieeldr]

I had a friend go through it for Design Star. She made it to the second to last round for making it on the show while still in school. She was very talented, but we also knew for a fact that she had beat out a TON of people will most experience. When casting called her about actually being on the show, they asked her if she would be able to be the witch (with a b). They wanted to cast her in a specific role to make the show more interesting. Well, she said no (she is the sweetest girl and didn't want people to think that role was what she was actually like) and didn't get to be on the show, but we learned a lot about how these things really work.

I'm watching the After Party now on the Cooking Channel - I'd seen part of it after the actual episode aired. Adam (Gertler) asked Bob how they find the contestants, and Bob described it very briefly - but it doesn't sound like Food Network looks for, or worse, asks contestants to portray certain characters. TNFNS needs to be the person they really are.

 

[jackemail]

I'm pulling for Aarti...

 

[nikkistevej]

I'm pulling for Aarti...

I really like her too, I want her or Brad to win- but I know I wouldn't watch either of their shows. LOL

 

[Metsfan520]

good choice on who went home tonight. I finally feel like they have a group where anyone could win and have potential.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I'm watching the After Party now on the Cooking Channel - I'd seen part of it after the actual episode aired. Adam (Gertler) asked Bob how they find the contestants, and Bob described it very briefly - but it doesn't sound like Food Network looks for, or worse, asks contestants to portray certain characters. TNFNS needs to be the person they really are.

They also wouldn't admit to casting "characters" either. It's the kind of stuff that goes on behind the scenes, and pretty much every "reality" show is guilty of it.

 

[kwelch10377]

Aria has lost all apeal to me - especially after tonight's episode! She was my favorite in the beginning and now I just can't stand her. My two favorites are Aarti and Brad...

Same here with Aria. In the first episode I really thought she was going to be one of the ones to beat and I liked her a lot.

I am VERY glad who went home this week. I love Italian food, but I would have never watched her show if she had won.

I like Aarti (although I hate the name of her show). I think she truly brings something new to the network, but I don't think I would watch her show because I don't like Indian food at all.

 

[DizBelle]

Did anyone else notice that Aria did to Aarti exactly what Dzintra did to her (interrupted) and thought was rude?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, we don't see much of the off-screen interaction among the NFNS contestants, with the recent exception of Breanna yelling at Serena to get out of the kitchen when she was cooking dinner for everyone. I truly don't feel Food Network expects its competitors to 'act' a certain way. They want the real person. Most of what we see on their competition shows is the actual competition (thinking Next Iron Chef, Chopped, Cupcake Wars...).

Especially with Next Food Network Star - the person and personality you see throughout the competition HAS to be the true person; they're going to be hosting a cooking show for at least six weeks.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I like Aarti (although I hate the name of her show). I think she truly brings something new to the network, but I don't think I would watch her show because I don't like Indian food at all.

Well, Melissa's show isn't called what she intended, and the theme isn't what she planned either. On the other hand, if Aarti does end up winning, yeah, Suzie has mentioned several times that FN doesn't already feature Indian cooking...

 

[MamaJessie]

*Just found this thread so I am jumping in *

Very happy with who went home last night. She was hopeless.

I also like Arti, but the name of her show grates on me for some reason. Maybe it is because with her accent it sounds more like Otty Potty..... And she also doesn't seem like a party girl..... anyway....

I like Brad too, hope he gets a good point of view.

And I cannot give up on Tom. Usually his food seems good, and for some reason I like him

PP - I forgot that Aria was the one Dzintra interupted. Aria made such a stink about it and then did it. I am over her. I liked her confidence in the beginning but now I just find her annoying.

And none of the food looked good enough to join a secret society for, that is for sure. I miss Bravo and Top Chef (We cut back to the first tier cable package. Oh how I miss you Tom.)

 

[bicker]

I wonder how many of the runners-up (and perhaps even the winner) eventually get "repurposed" to populate Food Network's new Cooking Channel.

 

[sorcerormickey]

I wonder how many of the runners-up (and perhaps even the winner) eventually get "repurposed" to populate Food Network's new Cooking Channel.

I have a feeling, regardless of the winner, that both Brad and Aarti will end up with shows.

 

[kwelch10377]

I have a feeling, regardless of the winner, that both Brad and Aarti will end up with shows.

I am thinking the same thing. it didn't really bother me when they gave Adam Gertler a show after last season. Cooking wise I though Aaron should have won, but thought that Adam had a great tv personality and he deserved the type of show they gave him. I worry though that if they give another second place contestant their own show people are going to start thinking it will be the norm (even though they didn't do it last seaon) and it will take away from the competition a little.

 

[webprinter]

I have to disagree with Aarti. She is the only one left that I strongly dislike and will not watch! She needs to lose the flower too!

 

[Robinrs]

I have to disagree with Aarti. She is the only one left that I strongly dislike and will not watch! She needs to lose the flower too!

I don't care for her, either, and I HATE Indian food. I think she'll be my current year Melissa, who really grates my last nerve.

It looks like Aarti will win, she's the crowd favorite. ugh...