"It was never my goal to be on camera" - Alton Brown

I was surprised to read that Mr. Good Eats Alton Brown never wanted to be on camera! Luckily for all the Alton-heads out there, someone saw his potential... even if it's a little wacky.


In an interview with Mediaweek, Alton said that he went to culinary school with the goal of doing a cooking show.
"I made two pilots of Good Eats shot on Super 16 film. It was never my goal to be on camera, but the investors wanted me and the budget was so low I was the only choice."

Eventually Food Network saw the pilots and wanted Alton, too.

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I was in Florida all weekend, enjoying a final beach trip before Fall really started setting in. I'm full, tan, and tired now. Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Paula Deen on 'The View' -- It's Just Sad

I was disturbed by Paula Deen's recent appearance on The View, and it wasn't just because she tried to "accidentally" flash her granny bits upon first sitting down. (I'm sure that was an accident, Paula, you sly puss.)

Just watch:



Where Paula, at 1:31 says, "Barbara, you remind me of my mother and my Aunt Peggy--classy, classy, so ladylike" and Barbara, without words, simply emotes what appears to be utter disgust with both Paula and the smorgasbord of fat-laden food spread out on the table before them, I knew the segment could not go well.

And then, at 2:13 after not getting a chance to ask her question, Barbara gives up and attempts to take a bite of the thing she's holding, but she looks so weirdly hesitant. It's almost like she's being asked to take a bite of human flesh or something!

Finally Barbara gets her serious question in to the very non-serious Paula. She asks:
"This is a cookbook for kids. Obesity is the number one problem for kids today. Everything you have here is enormously fattening. You tell kids to have cheesecake for breakfast... does it bother you that you're adding to it? Not at all?"

Appearing kind of stunned, Paula just tries to rattle off a talking point about teaching children "moderation," all the while shoving more slices of cake down the throats of the other co-hosts.

I admit that Barbara Walters could have let loose a little and should have been a bit more generous to her guest, but come on... how many more times are we going to see this same charade from Paula Deen?

Are the "parsley is a vegetable when you garnish a giant piece of cake with it" jokes ever going to stop being funny?

I think it's kind of sad that a woman who has basically made her fortune by blatantly joking about the very real effects of shoving butter-filled pie after butter-filled pie down your throat (and selling similar, pre-made food products directly on QVC and discount outlets like Walmart), can't seem to branch out from the friend chicken-surrounded corner she's put herself in.

Paula may be able to get away with having everyone fawn over her negligent behavior on her Food Network "talkshow" Paula's Party, but I honestly do not believe people would buy this shtick day after day on a daytime talkshow. Do you?

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I've been incredibly busy with a lot of other things going on in my life lately and haven't had that much time to devote to blogging. I'm sorry, faithful readers! I hope to get back to a more regular posting schedule. It's been a crazy, three years straight of blogging about Food Network and I'm thankful to all who're reading. Have a fun thu/fri/sat/sun!

Food Network Star and Celebrity Chef... Who?

When you think of Food Network, does Juan-Carlos Cruz come to mind as a "Food Network star and celebrity chef"?

Well, that's what Duda Farms is hoping you'll think! JCC will be at the farm's booth at the 2009 PMA Fresh Summit International Convention and Exposition in Anaheim, California. They're promoting him as "Food Network star and celebrity chef Juan-Carlos Cruz... host of Food Network's Calorie Countdown [sic] and Weighing In."


Hey, Duda! Maybe if you want to go and falsely promote a a FORMER Food Network personality, who's shows haven't been on the air in years, it might be a good idea to actually use the right name of the once-aired show! Calorie Commando, people!

And what a show it was.

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I wrote about this last year after I got tired seeing Warren Brown and others referred to as Food Network hosts when promoting other, separate events. How long do you continue to "host" a show when it's only been in reruns (or not aired at all) for years?

My Much-Anticipated Review of 'What Would Brian Boitano Make?'

Ha! Okay, not really... yet. I've had a lovely day outside enjoying the (last remaining shreds of) summery weather, and haven't watched ANY Food Network. I'm gonna watch the Emmys and then maybe catch up on other TiVo programs. Hope you have a lovely Sunday, too!

Paula Deen to Shoot Talkshow Pilot with Kate Gosselin

Rumors indicate that the initial deal Paula Deen supposedly signed with Telepictures to do her own talkshow didn't really go anywhere, despite a tearful announcement by Paula herself back in May of 2008, saying that the show would premiere this exact month.

Well, things ain't always what the seem, Pauler.

Like I said originally, I don't think Paula has the kind of MASS appeal that you need to have a successful talk show. I get why a talkshow-lite (a.k.a "Paula's Party") would work on Food Network--it's her crowd, it's cable, it's not big stakes.

So what do you do when the host doesn't have enough appeal? Ummm... hire someone who has an hell of a lot of controversy attached to her!


I twittered about this a few days ago, but now RadarOnline reports that Paula Deen is shooting a talkshow pilot this weekend with Kate Gosselin, star of the TLC... wait, do I even need to explain who this woman is? ;-) Didn't think so.

The show is supposed to be about mothers... talking. A talkshow for mothers. Got it? It's very far out there.

If anyone saw Kate's appearances on The View this past week, I don't think we're in for anything worth watching... if it even sees the light of day.

We shall seeeeeeeeeeee.

Bid on a Chance to Lunch with Giada De Laurentiis

As you may remember, Giada De Laurentiis joined Oxfam last year as an ambassador for the hungry. It was just announced that she'll be auctioning off the chance to meet her in Los Angeles, visit the set of Giada at Home, and get some autographed memorabilia.

Her auction begins Oct. 1. Click on the photo below for more info.


Other celebs participating are Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth.

Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger and injustice. Together with individuals and local groups in more than 120 countries, Oxfam saves lives, helps people overcome poverty, and fights for social justice.

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One of the questions I get asked the most is: "Does Giada film her show in her real home?" or "Is that really Giada's house?" WELL... as I've mentioned, Giada at Home is shot inside a studio in L.A., unlike Everyday Italian, which was shot in rented homes in L.A. I HOPE a FNA reader wins the auction, goes to the set, and reports back to everyone that yes, indeed, it is a SET! ;-)

Paula Deen's QVC Pans Recalled

Watch out for shattering Paula pans!

Paula Deen's line of cast iron pans, sole exclusively on QVC, are being recalled because they can "crack or shatter during heating," reports the New York Times. I guess the "extra handle" Paula put on for "a little extra stability" wasn't enough!



The manufacturer that supplied the pans exclusively to QVC, Meyer Trading Corporation, learned of the problems after consumers complained about cracked pans, said Suzanne Murphy, Vice President for Marketing of the Meyer Corporation, an affiliate of Meyer Trading. Meyer Trading notified the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission at the end of July, she said, and in August QVC sent recall letters to people who had purchased the pans.

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Is it just me, or does Paula have waaaaaaaaaaaay too many products out there? She's got the pans, the hams, the pork roasts, the nuts, the furniture line, the hair extensions, the false teeth, the butter-flavored adult undergarments, the.... well, she might not have some of those... but give her time!

Nigella Lawson Fills In for Hubby at Book Launch

When not seductively licking chocolate off of a wooden spoon, Nigella Lawson can also be seen around London helping to promote her husband and his book career... who didn't even show up to his own book launch party!

A very alabaster lookin' Nigie could have been mistaken for the former Mrs. Marilyn Manson (a.k.a. Dita Von Teese) last night!


According to London's Daily Mail, Nigella even conducted a question and answer session about her husband's book, which covers the art collector's career.

And even though it seems like being a no-show to your own book launch is pretty arrogant, Nigella assured the crowd that it was just due to her husband's dislike of "standing around talking about himself."

Good for Nigella!

Guess Who: Shirtless Man Edition

Well, this is rare: a Food Network personality who also has biceps and tight abs? (And I'm not talking about those hot air balloon things Robert Irvine has going on... gross.)

Who is it?

(Click on the pic to find out.)

The pics actually came from a 2002 movie, so that might be a hint. He's also going to be a contestant on a popular dance show soon.

Most people starting out probably need to seek out a little more work than 6-12 episodes of a Food Network show provides, so I'm fine with Food Network peeps doing movies. Maybe we'll see Noah Starr in a movie like this soon?

(via Square Hippies)

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In honor of Labor Day here in the U.S., I think I'll refrain from doing much labor (i.e.-going to the gym) and instead just hope these muscular pics above just cause some kind of spontaneous spurt in metabolism. We'll see how well that works while I'm eating Labor Day goodies.

And YES, I am working on a write up of What Would Brian Boitano Make? His show has proven to be so... ummm... different that I wanted to see a few episodes before I really took a stance either way. With most Food Network shows, after you've seen one, you've seen them all. Not exactly the case in Boitano's show. So that will be coming. I promise.

I hope everyone has a good holiday (here in the U.S.)! And if you're not, enjoy that Monday wherever you are.

Anthony Bourdain's Worst Nightmare? Food Net Parent Company Might Buy Travel Channel

I had to laugh after I read this short article indicating that several private equity firms, including Scripps Network Interactive (Food Network's owner), are interested in purchasing Travel Channel!

Anthony Bourdain must be praying this doesn't go through!


A majority stake in the channel has been up for sale since June, according to the Financial Times. As many of us have seen, Travel Channel has proven to be a good competitor when it comes to food-based programs.

It would make total sense for Food Network to buy it!

How hilarious would it be to have Bob Tuschman making Bourdain's programming decisions... again?!