Dead Shows

In the few years that I've been watching the Food Network, I've been witness to the sad, slow destruction of a few shows.

I'm talking about the "dead shows" that, while once enjoying the comforts of a regular timeslot, were eventually relegated to ultra-late and irregular airings. Eventually... we lost them. They fought so hard, but there was simply nothing that could be done.


I was never that much of a fan of Calorie Commando or Low Carb and Lovin' It. Despite the "pow! bang!" quality of its logo, Cal Commando, with host Juan-Carlos Cruz, was pretty lifeless.

Let's see: I could eat real stuffed mushrooms, or low calorie ones. Ooooooohhhhhhh. Thanks for the advice, JCC.

Maybe this was a popular show back in the day when everyone feared fat and calories. I'm not really sure.

Then Atkins came around and George Stella jumped at the chance of doing his low carb-focused show. Everyone freaked their freak about eating bread and needed lots of good recipes showcasing the best ways to slather meat with cheese and eggs.

Now that we've cooled off a bit on the whole low carb thing, I'm not surprised LCALI is hardly registering a pulse on the Food Network-- but it could probably stand an airing or two a month. Isn't 3:30 a.m. open?



Once the darling of the Food Network, Jamie Oliver is now dead to FN-USA, yet still holds a little bit of Web space. It's kind of like parents who have a child die and can't bear to change the kid's bedroom for years.

In his all-new series, Jamie Oliver does what he loves most: cook for his mates. From musicians to fashion models to magicians, everyone is invited back to the Oliver flat for a meal they'll never forget. Follow Jamie on shopping expeditions to his favorite stores and get tips and insight on his selections. Then enjoy that inimitable Jamie style as he rustles up a heap of excitingly good grub. Let the party begin!

Hmm... all-new series? Move on, Food Network. You've already made us do it, but don't keep taunting us with sites like these.

I guess they don't mind keeping up three Jamie products that are available for purchase. Nice.
Nothing says "we own you for perpetuity" like that.

:-)

I'll go into dead shows again sometime. Obviously, some other big ones that upset people were the original Iron Chef and Sara Moulton's various shows.

What are your thoughts?