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‘The Next Food Network Star’? Probably not

July 23rd, 2008, 11:44 am · 5 Comments · posted by The Watcher

Aaron McCargo Jr.Adam GertlerLisa Garza

To while away the hours until we learn the winner of “The Next Food Network Star” Sunday night, the Watcher offers a challenge:

Can you name the first three winners?

Let’s see. There’s … um, uh …

The Food Network has created some legitimate TV stars - Emeril Lagasse, Rachael Ray, Mario Batali, Bobby Flay - but not via its annual competition.

Probably the closest we’ve come is season two winner Guy Fieri, he of the blonde dye job and the TGI Fridays commercials. Guy doesn’t get to cook anymore, but at least his new show, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” - the umpteenth take on “comfort food joints around America” - airs in prime time.

The same can’t be said for season one winners Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, whose “Party Line with the Hearty Boys” gets the highly desired 4 a.m. Friday time slot.

And of course there’s season three winner Amy Finley (who wasn’t supposed to win); she quit the Food Network after six episodes of “The Gourmet Next Door.”

Season four featured the usual combination of cooks, actors, beauty queens and/or reality retreads, but with a twist. After last year’s surprise result, the selection of the winner has been taken away from the viewers and returned to Food Network execs Susie Fogelson and Bob Tuschman, with an assist from Flay.

Their finalists: Aaron McCargo Jr., who can cook but can’t talk, Adam Gertler, who can talk but can’t cook, and Lisa Garza, who can cook and talk but comes off as very unlikeable. The judges have seemed desperate all season for Adam to make a decent dish, which he finally did last week with his smoked pork chop.

Was that enough to win? Maybe, but the Watcher’s dollar has been on Aaron since week one. It’ll stay there for now.

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Who wins 'The Next Food Network Star'?
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Posted in: TV: Reality shows • The Watcher |

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5 Responses to “‘The Next Food Network Star’? Probably not”

  1. Jen Says:
    July 23rd, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    I’ve been a fan since the beginning, although I don’t know why. I am just as glad NOT to see the Season 1 & 3 winners anymore. I do enjoy Guy Fieri, even though I can’t stand his hair.

    Aaron just comes across so poorly on TV. Lisa is so arrogant she belongs on Top Chef and there’s no way I would watch her show. Adam might not be a great cook, but I expect his show would be more entertaining than the other two. I know Bobby Flay can’t stand Adam, so I don’t expect him to win.

    Honestly, I don’t know why I’m still watching. Maybe I need to learn how to cancel a season pass on Tivo.

  2. The Watcher Says:
    July 23rd, 2008 at 5:39 pm

    Jen: Despite the generally disappointing outcomes, I still think it’s a fun show to watch.

    There’s something about cooking competitions that works on TV: Top Chef, Iron Chef, Hell’s Kitchen. I even miss Ready, Set, Cook.

    I think the ultimate problem with TNFNS is that being a good cooking show host is extremely difficult. People who are genuinely good at it get signed by Food Network without having to go through the competition.

  3. Jen Says:
    July 23rd, 2008 at 7:34 pm

    I agree, which is why I’m still watching! I really liked Kelsey even though she was very young. It looks like she’s the leader in the fan favorite votes, so maybe that will encourage her to stick with it.

    I can barely produce a meal in an hour and that doesn’t include describing ingredients and techniques! I do admire all these people.

    And yes, you are truly dating yourself with Ready, Set, Cook! Of course, I remember that one too. Whatever happened to the cute blonde that used to host that show?

  4. The Watcher Says:
    July 25th, 2008 at 10:06 am

    Jen: Best I can tell, SIssy Biggers is now hosting an online lifestyle show for MSN.com.

    I don’t understand why “Ready, Set, Cook” isn’t still on. It seems like a show that should have a limitless lifespan. The original British version, “Ready, Steady, Cook” has been going for 14 years.

  5. doodleez Says:
    July 31st, 2008 at 7:08 am

    Why Aaron won the next food network star contest I’ll never understand. The man can hardly articulate the English language !! What were they thinking? You missed the mark on this one all of you on the panel including Mr. Gordon (Idiot) Elliott. Either of the other two would have been more entertaining and easier on the eyes AND ears.
    Aaron’s show will never be on in our house, and it’s not a racial issue. I love the Neely’s !
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