Tuesday, February 12
The Next Rachael Ray?
My full thoughts on Down Home with the Neelys will be coming shortly, but for now... enjoy this video of Gina Neely highlights from the premiere episode that I made:
Rachael Ray-esque with the sayings and loudness? At first I thought she was a little much (I feel that espeically after watching this lil' video), but I think a lot of it might have to do with nervousness. Some people, like Giada, were nervous and barely smiled in their first few episodes. Others, like Rachael, get crazy loud to the point of obnoxious.
Will Gina (and her nerves) settle down, or is this pretty much the standard, you think?
Rachael Ray-esque with the sayings and loudness? At first I thought she was a little much (I feel that espeically after watching this lil' video), but I think a lot of it might have to do with nervousness. Some people, like Giada, were nervous and barely smiled in their first few episodes. Others, like Rachael, get crazy loud to the point of obnoxious.
Will Gina (and her nerves) settle down, or is this pretty much the standard, you think?
Labels: food network, Gina Neely, The Neelys
posted by jacob @ 2:59 PM
30 Comments:
I like how everything is a stereotype:
-Fat old woman reluctant to change her ways (Pauler)
-Fat New Yorker with raspy voice (Retch)
-Skinny model with impecible pronounciation (Giada)
-Fat old Jewish mother-type with upper class sensibilities (Ina Garten)
-Peroxide blonde trailer trash (Aunt Sandy)
-Obnoxiously loud black woman repeating cliche phrases (Neely)
Thanks marketing class!
I totally agree with you, Marc!
But, like Jake, I think that it was probably nervousness that was pushing Gina to act a little bit too much like the stereotypical overpowering black woman... (and please, do not see anything racist in my comment... my family is very multiracial...)
Ha Ha Marc!!! My laugh for the day. Gina is quite annoying, I could only watch 3 minutes of the show before turning it off. Hopefully, she gets better, then maybe I will try to watch it.
I have to say that when she was on an episode of Paula's show she didn't seem as irritating as she did on her own. It may be a serious case of nerves, either that or it's because Paula's abnoxiousness is to such an extreme that anyone seems low key beside her.
I suppose the marketing execs over at FN are laboring under the inaccurate assumption that the viewing public will only watch if their celeb hosts fit within the mold of what they think society stereotypes for various ethnic groups. Sad indeed, that this view is also bringing in watchers to the network!
FN is in some serious need of some diversity that isn't just a typical stereotype.
HMM I think I am the only one that does not see anything wrong with the way Gina acts. Everyone has different personalities. I see her as bubbly and outgoing, I also might just be so happy to see black people cooking on the FN.
In most cases at the Food Network, new personalities are given a media coach. Someone to give them pointers on how to speak, what to say, how many times to say the word beautiful when describing an ingredient, you get the picture.
I seriously doubt Gina was allowed to go out and freestyle on her debut. Someone has given her some direction and this is what you are seeing.
And aside, black people tend to speak at higher decibel levels than others.
marc: I tend to agree. What does it say about us that these "stereotypes" are the most popular of the bunch, though?
anon: i think it also comes from having Gordon Elliott as exec. producer, who also does all of the Paula's stuff. She seems to be modeling a bit off of the Paula style.
jessica: yeah, i'd give her some time.
amy: I don't think Duff or Ellie are stereotypes, but they aren't really the biggest stars of the network, either. I think they look to find hosts who appeal to the biggest audience possible, so naturally they're going to be very middle-of-the-road kind of people. it's definitely something to work on, though.
atiyah: I don't see anything "wrong" with the way she's acting, either. It just seems like she was pushing it a bit much for the camera and trying to "perform" instead of just act natural. I could be wrong, though. Even Rachael was not very good on her first talkshow and she was pretty seasoned by then.
anon: media coach=Gordon Elliott.
I think she's a breath of fresh air on the Food Network.
I didn't see a stereotype. I live in Washington, DC and didn't see anything on her show I don't see every morning on the train to work.
It sounds to me like some people are okay with diversity as long as the host isn't too African-Americany.
Maybe Gordon Elliot will take her out and knock on doors for a dinner surprise.
Wasn't he the genius who gave us DoorKnock Dinners ?
I remember him hauling around a young Tyler Florence to snoop around people's pantries. I'll bet Tyler would want to forget that chapter uh ?
Maybe that's just her personality. Is that such a stretch? I don't think anyone here knows to what degree Gina on FN is any different from her off-camera self, so I don't get the immediate assumption that she's playing up a stereotype. Also, I agree with the statement two posts above.
I watched the first episode and could NOT bring myself to endure a second episode. I'll be reading here to find out if the show gets any better. The Mrs. was too silly and The Mr. was too "I'm giving a speech for my high school speech class". I was shocked to find out that Gordon Elliot was producing it. Let's hope he sees something that we've yet to see.
Also, BRING BACK DOORKNOCK DINNERS!!! I LOVED that show!! That's what got me watching Food Network to begin with.
I agree with Jacob that Duff and Ellie are more the real deal but they aren't who we see a lot of on air either. I will also second the comment of another poster in here in that I too live in DC, and Gina reminds me of most of the people I see on the Metro riding to work.
It could be that she was either overly nervous, or was coached too much or not enough--or perhaps she didn't understand what they were after. It was not so much annoying for me as it seemed forced and less than natural.]]
Dear Lord, she is perky!
I saw Mo'Nique do a cooking segment on Good Morning America a while back and said "THAT"S what the Food Network needs!" Unfortunately what we got was Gina Neely. She puts out an "I'm so cute" vibe that gets old real fast. The show was a lot more watchable when it was just her husband and his brother in the kitchen.
I sincerely hope her abrasiveness is just due to nerves.
I think eventually they will find their "groove".
But for now, its like bad SNL skit - her to him sweetly "Daddy's gonna get the eggs" - him to her with a deep voice "I knooow how you looooove nutz" - me, waiting for the porn music *eyebrows lifted*
Boomchaka boomchaka bow wow
I'm uncomfortable with Gina's treatment of her husband, Pat, on the show. She's bossy and spotlight-stealing. But you know what? It's a refreshing change from Ina Garten's worshipful treatment of Jeffrey.
No one thinks this is just the FN's way of trying to appeal to a different demographic?
Souther style cook books sell a lot better than French cuisine and I betcha FN will make sure to get a cut of this one this time around!
Too freaking bubbly regardless of race. She needs to learn from Emeril and kick it DOWN a notch. Notice he no longer says "BAM!" every other sentence!
The cooking style was refreshing, if the intent of the show is to showcase them both, it isn't working. She's grabbing all the spotlight!
Let's hope it's just nerves....
I think it is primarily nerves. Like someone above said, she was much less annoying when they were on Paula's Party.
Maybe I'm just inclined to forgive Gina because I love Neely's BBQ and am excited to see them get more exposure, and I think RR is like nails on a chalkboard with no redeeming qualities.
Overall I found her annoying as hell. I just wanted to scream SHUT UP through the whole episode. I won't watch again.
I think it's great to mix it up. I love many culture's food, so I think it's great to have black, Mexican, Chinese, whatever, on FN, I like that. But, the Neelys do not represent black America. They represent good-'ole-boy, down-home, can't-seem-to-act-classy-for-your-life, cater-to-the-lowest-common-denominator, tactics. I think it's disgusting. Show some class. Lose the act.
I've been watching the Food Network for years and I think instead of improving, it's getting worse. Repeats 2, 3, 4 years old. No talent people who happened to be in the right place at the right time.
People who never stop talking and say nothing... Rachael Ray and Gina Neeley are quite obnoxious. Alton Brown at least is well educated, but poor guy has no personality.
How many hours a day do we have to be subjected to Throwdowns, Challenges, Dinners Impossible, Rachael Ray over and over. Everything, over and over and over.
I like Paula Deen who has worked very hard for many years to make a living, and to get where she is today, but cut in half the "ya'll"s and there will be more time to say something worth saying. Enough of the heightened twang!
I know Gina is taking care of her baby, but where has Ina gone?
You've come to a standstill. Too many people trying to be cute and not enough professionalism, intelligence, personality and sustance. You're wasting money, I'm wasting time watching the Food Network. You've lost it and I hope you can find a way to get it back.
How bad is this show. My sixteen year old daughter loves foodnetwork and even said Mom I can't believe the sexsual content in this cooking show. Don't our kids see enough on TV and now on cooking shows. Shame on you foodnetwork.
How bad is this show. My sixteen year old daughter loves foodnetwork and even said Mom I can't believe the sexsual content in this cooking show. Don't our kids see enough on TV and now on cooking shows. Shame on you foodnetwork.
you people need to stop!! just watch another show. My goodness, has it ever occured to you that someone actually would like the show?
The comment about rubbing down the meat and messaging the seasoning into her and Gina talking about getting up on the table. All come on guys.
How many Big Daddy's are there? Even my six year old asked me what was wrong with her.
I cant watch this show, this woman is way too annoying! Big mouth with very little actual content, just cliche catchphrases! She makes me want to throw the tv out the window!! Which would probably be a GOOD thing. She reminds me of someone who should be running her big mouth at a motor vehicle office, not on my Food Network!!
Nasty woman. never shuts up and is a stupid goofball to boot! get her off the air!
please tone down the nonsense we know the two of you are a couple, just cook we don't need to hear about your sex life and grown up time. Really food network MAKE them tone it down
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