The "Bam!" Heard 'Round the World
The writing seemed to be on the kitchen walls when the Food Network recently moved Emeril Live!, the network's once flagship show, to 7PM from its 8PM slot, and, as reported earlier this week, they've officially pulled the plug on the program, with the last episode taping on December 11. The show will live on in reruns and Emeril's studio-audience-free show Essence of Emeril will continue taping. The Food Network's reasoning seems to be "that all good things come to end," but it's not a great sign of what's to come following the September news that Mario Batali's two shows wouldn't be renewed.
This is what Anthony Bourdain had to say about the Food Network when I interviewed him last year:
"It particularly pains me to see them slowly weed out the trained chefs--deliberately. They don't want them; they've said so. They got rid of Sara Moulton for god's sake--she helped build that network. Mario doesn't have a stand-up cooking show anymore. That's shameful. They're growing their own talent--like industry bands--out of Petri dishes, and teach them to cook, I think, then build brands around them. I understand the economics behind it, it works for them, but you look at some of the food... The Food Network's about food the way MTV is about music, which is to say, not at all anymore."
Both Emeril and Batali seem to be taking the network's decision in stride. In a message to his fans, Emeril says "It's been such an incredible ride…but there is much more to come." And during an appearance on The Martha Stewart Show this week Batali said, "Well, the Food Network has made the conscious decision to go a little more mass market than I would say that I appeal to. But I am still on Iron Chef and as a matter of fact, I am the number one Iron Chef!"
--BTP
Gregory Lane on November 29, 2007 at 03:31 PM
It is a shame that the Food Network has to downscale, er cheapen its focus due to the economics of it all. I do not watch the Food Network much, but I do watch "Emilil Live" occasionally. His flair and passion for what he does is apparent every time he walks onto
the set. He adds a lot of pizazz on his show and has fun doing it in the process.
Cancelling his show and the shows featuring expert chefs may save money for the Food Network suits, but may cheapen the quality of its menu to that of the superfical "Galloping Gormay" show that aired briefly in the early 1970s. Because a specialized lifestyle network like this depends on expertise and a lively cast, not the mundane chefs of current food programs like "The Fretz Kitchen," I believe the Food Network is starting a downslide from being Fine Wine to being a cheap cable channel like MTV or VH-1.
Big Kielbasa on November 29, 2007 at 04:55 PM
!0 years is a long run for anyone, I gave up watching some time ago when the cue cards came out and had the audience cheer wildly for garlic. The bam routine got old very quickly along with some other staged things. There will be no need to hold a car wash for him, the networks will jump on him like stink on a Monkey. That being said I still don't like the direction the food channel is going with some of the new shows, they should take a clue from bravo and do their own top chef show..
Christine on November 30, 2007 at 06:31 AM
I've noticed the change in content, too. I really don't need someone to show me how to make a breakfast sandwich by slicing a croissant and sticking ham and cheese in it.
Mr. Terry Torres on November 30, 2007 at 02:20 PM
It’s about time!! Emeril is a Clown not a Chef. Most of the people who watch and enjoy his show either don’t cook or have limited experience in the kitchen. All of the dishes he mutilates on air no one would eat. There is always the same dish properly prepared (by someone else) that just happens to be ready to display and serve. For people that do know how to cook we want to learn something new from these programs. Things like techniques, variations, history, preparation and how to incorporate it into our own repertoire. That BAM Crap is so lame. The audience sits dumbfounded hanging on every thing he does. That’s because they don’t have a clue as to what to do in the kitchen. This is the problem facing food network. It’s hard to cater to everyone’s skill level. What I want out of a show is not necessarily what you might want to see. In the beginning of the network they had an eclectic mix of shows to choose from. It worked and it grew in popularity. It’s difficult to make changes but I believe they are headed in the right direction. Certainly axing Emeril and Sara were way over due. Both had awful and long running shows. Mario on the other hand is a really Great chef. Although not all of his shows were great most I learned something from. Maybe there should be 2 separate food networks, like ESPN. One network can be dedicated to the serious chef with shows that are advanced in their curriculum. The other network can be for those who just want to be entertained by someone in the kitchen. I applaud your efforts food network, finding the right mix takes time but you are on the right track.
Sincerely,
Chef Torres
Linda on December 04, 2007 at 09:47 AM
I can understand why viewers and other chefs might be unhappy about the apparent "dumbing down" of the Food Network. However, for those of us who are not professional chefs, the newer, more viewer-friendly hosts are giving us what we need. We need to be able to present healthy, good-tasting meals of all types in the least amount of time possible. We are staying away from the great amounts of butter, cream, difficult-to-procure ingredients and fancy presentations; we prefer simple, down-to-earth, health-conscious meals presented homestyle or, at least, with very little fuss. This is not a bad trend. More people are cooking at home now. Children are becoming interested in food preparation. We can always refer to the classic chefs when necessary, but most of the time we will lean on those Food Network Stars who speak our brand of "kitchenese."
Ryan on December 05, 2007 at 05:43 PM
I have to say that I did not care for Emeril's show, and it had to end sooner or later. I am concerned, however, by the new wave of shows on the FN. I believe there is a place for shows that are more "user-friendly" but I also believe there should be a place on the program for the experts. There are too many shows where people go around and eat things. I don't want to watch someone eat at a diner, I want to learn to cook. I believe a healthy balance between the simplistic and the more complex can be found.
Lindy on December 10, 2007 at 03:57 PM
The food network is a bore. I LOVE to cook and find Paula, Rachel
and all the other non professtionals a waste of my time. They appear to be in front of the camera to mainly yak and build a following to market their magazines and books.
SORRY, but this network is a WASTE of time.
Bonnye on December 16, 2007 at 05:01 AM
I for one am not sad to see Emeril get the boot. His show is a complete bore. How much more "bam" could a person take? However, I'll miss Mario. At least I was able to learn something from him. I find myself watching the cooking shows on public network more. America's Test Kitchen is probably the best cooking show. I also enjoy Lydia. Years ago when I first started watching FN, it was a really great show. There was such a mix of "chefs". The network as "dumb downed" considerably in the past 3 years or so. I'm sure Emeril will bounce back (and if he doesn't, who really cares). If people want to see real chefs, tune in to America's Test Kitchen!!!
Shannon on January 29, 2008 at 05:18 PM
I couldn't stand watching Emeril anymore. I did not find him funny at all. There is nothing wrong with letting some new blood in, it keeps things fresh not stale.