Sunday, April 1, 2007

Food Network - Why are they trying to be

"Way More Than Cooking!"

I swear this blog will not be a litany of rants.
But, this has been bothering me for about two months now. And, last night, Food Network sent me over the edge with their programming.

I sent Food Network an e-mail last night after I caught the last 5 minutes of the "Overweight Teenager's plight" (or whatever it was called) and the first 2 minutes of "Elie Kreiger helps people change their health path in 10 days" (or something like that.)

My e-mail was...to the point.
Overweight kids, and programs of the like, belong on TLC, some medical channel, Oprah, or Dr. Phil. On a Saturday night, when I am giving up the opportunity to go to the movies, I expect something educational or even entertaining on Food Network. A 518 pound child is NOT it. (Yes, his story needs to be told. But, elsewhere. Scripps owns a lot of channels. Find another one for it. And, I'm not being sarcastic. The child was 518 lbs.)

I asked them why they are trying so hard to be something they are not?
Why be "Way More Than Cooking?"

I said I want:

More cooking shows - especially ethnic - and Italian is well covered.
More Alton Brown
More Feasting on Asphalt
More Iron Chef America
More Hungry Detective (Had to throw it in. I know they didn't order a 2nd season, but they can re-run it.)
More shows about good cooking techniques and interesting, colorful, flavorful food.

Less other travel shows.
Less Sandra Lee.
Less Guy Fieri.

I told them that if they wanted to branch out a little, how about running some Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, Rick Bayless, or Jeff Smith? (Tossed Jeff in there 'cus I could.)

I said, the Food Network should be about Food. Be happy with what you are.

Oh, and I also specifically targeted that AB "Get out of the kitchen!" thing. That's the sound byte Food Network tagged at the end of the "Way More Than Cooking" commercial. (I am pretty sure they stole that sound byte from an Iron Chef episode where he said, "If you can't take the heat - get out of the kitchen.") And, since Alton Brown is all about trying to get people INTO their kitchens - empowering people to make their own good food - it makes me mad. Very mad.

It gets me more angrier than Food Network offering lap band shows about teenagers in peril as Saturday night entertainment!

/rant

Next up - the wonderful day I had yesterday cooking as a volunteer. :)
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--Dana

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