I watched a DVR'ed version of Hell's Kitchen while a new Top Chef was on, what was I thinking? Hells Kitchen= Bad Food Based Competitive Reality Show Top Chef= Good Food Based Competitive Reality Show
Yes, there is the fact that even this day in age, I still watch what is on the major networks over what is on Bravo. There is also the Gordon Ramsey factor, there is something fun about watching the whole angry cooking drill sergeant schtick, which I've heard is put on. I've been watching both the US and UK versions of Kitchen Nightmares, and keeping up with a few blogs about both HK and Kitchen Nightmares, and people explain how a lot of what goes on is faked and made for the camera.
Maybe it's because with the exception of the cute Kiwi Top Chef has been totally boring and forgettable so far this season? Usually by this far in the season I've got a couple of favorites picked but so far only Kiwi Mark is remotely interesting.
This is my first year watching HK, after falling for Gordon in Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and The F Word. It's (HK) definitely "bad" and so cheesy even compared to Top Chef's cheesiness, but you can't deny the awesomeness of the Gordon factor ;)
Will agree with you about Top Chef being kind of dull, none of the characters are interesting, I forget when it is on, and while I'm watching it, I tend to get a bit bored.
Agree, HK has cheesiness factors, and I think a large percentage of it is staged just for the drama. I've read some things about what went on behind the scenes of the US Kitchen Nightmares, to the point where it isn't really "reality TV," more something staged. With Gordon Ramsey, I'm almost tempted to come up with a drinking game for his reactions to things and things, how many times has he tasted something and said it is the "worst ever? Is it me does him becoming sick from foods he doesn't like becoming more and more of a common occurrence? He never seems to like off the beaten path preparations of foods. Honestly I'd be curious to see him as a "guest judge" on Top Chef, in the presence of more aspiring chefs, and fellow food critics.
With HK, I've also heard rumors that on this show they cast mostly for personality, and have a few people who are picked out to be the winners. If you notice Ramsey is the ultimate judge, and if you saw the last episode, it doesn't always matter what the rest of the contestants think.
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Date: 2008-04-10 04:01 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-10 02:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2008-04-10 04:05 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-10 06:06 pm (UTC)This is my first year watching HK, after falling for Gordon in Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and The F Word. It's (HK) definitely "bad" and so cheesy even compared to Top Chef's cheesiness, but you can't deny the awesomeness of the Gordon factor ;)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-10 07:28 pm (UTC)Agree, HK has cheesiness factors, and I think a large percentage of it is staged just for the drama. I've read some things about what went on behind the scenes of the US Kitchen Nightmares, to the point where it isn't really "reality TV," more something staged. With Gordon Ramsey, I'm almost tempted to come up with a drinking game for his reactions to things and things, how many times has he tasted something and said it is the "worst ever? Is it me does him becoming sick from foods he doesn't like becoming more and more of a common occurrence? He never seems to like off the beaten path preparations of foods. Honestly I'd be curious to see him as a "guest judge" on Top Chef, in the presence of more aspiring chefs, and fellow food critics.
With HK, I've also heard rumors that on this show they cast mostly for personality, and have a few people who are picked out to be the winners. If you notice Ramsey is the ultimate judge, and if you saw the last episode, it doesn't always matter what the rest of the contestants think.