Blindsided

[rootbeer1]

Know what bothers me about Tom Colicchio on Top Chef? The way he wanders into the kitchen and asks questions of the chef contestants like he’s a mentoring Tim Gunn Project Runway figure, and then half an hour later he sits there in judgment of the chefs who foolishly made themselves vulnerable by providing him with any sort of information.

TOM: “So, how’s your appetizer coming?”

CHEFTESTANT: “Well, I was worried that the halibut might be off, but it seems fine. I’m just hoping to get it all done before the clock runs out.”

*half an hour later, at the judging table*

TOM: “Weren’t you concerned that the halibut might be off? And I hear that you have time management issues. That’s it, you’re out of here.”

VAPID SPOKESMODEL: “Please pack your knives and leave. You’re dead to us.”

Comments

[joebehrsandiego.livejournal.com]

I've tried to get interested in the show. Since TV (so far anyway) is a visual medium, the experience with the creations doesn't do as much for me as does on PR (and the design thing on HGTV). The food is often nice to look at but we have to take the judges' word for how the rest of it turned out.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

I have to agree. There is no real reason for this show to exist.

Contrast this with Iron Chef, which has a similar concept. I think IC, because of the format (faster pace, already established top-rated chefs), makes for better TV, despite the fact that we can't taste the food.