I wholeheartedly agree with 90% of what’s stated above — that said, I also agree with the comment that RR is trying to do something worthwhile: get the average family to be a little less daunted by cooking, and actually make a whole meal (most often 2 or 3 courses) on a weeknight. Cooking for friends. Trying new ingredients. Not being intimidated by the kitchen. It’s a worthwhile mission. It’s just too bad that she completely bastardizes it by dousing everything in olive oil. I’m sorry, but there’s no way a meal with 1/2 cup of olive oil (988 calories, 108 grams of fat) is “figure friendly.”

My main problem with TFN is how obviously overproduced everything has become. It used to be fun and scrappy - cooking is messy and involves making mistakes and they used to show that. Now when they show cooks making mistakes, everything is corrected after the break and the kitchen is spotless again. You can also see how the shows evolve, as if the producer’s notes are written across the screen (be perkier! say BAM more! come up with a catch phrase!! MORE CLEAVAGE!) It’s just so…desperate.

The one person missing from your rant is Tyler Florence. I can’t even watch that guy. Define “the ultimate” for me please, if you would, you arrogant hack. To him it seems that everything ultimate just includes 2 cups of cream and a few sticks of butter. By that definition, he should just reproduce Paula Dean’s recipes and call it a day.

Phew! I think that’s all.

So let me get this straight, her fans have time to watch her hour-long daytime show but they only have 30 minutes to cook? Oh, I know, they must live 25-hour long days.

Why are you making assumptions that we spend days and nights doing this? I’m more interested in good cooking than RR. But even if Even if I do, so what? I still think Hot dog mac and cheese, cheeseburger salad, hot dog salad and osso bucco made with ground veal are disgusting and that makes her a bad cook. I still think Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and RR are proof positive that one’s popularity isn’t directly proportional to their talent.

As for her perkiness, she is just not my cup of tea. I thought everyone was entitled to their own opinion. Oh, but only if they don’t differ from yours. Right.

I must go, I don’t want to turn this beautiful blog into a snark site.

That is just the short list. You did write a good article because you explained your point but I think she is a great person. Whether is being fake on tv or not, well it sells doesnt it? Have you never seen a singer, actor, or anyone else that is required to be in front of cameras? Usually they are totally different than their real selves. They have to do what will sell them and their product. If Ray went on the camera boring, quiet, and doing the same thing as everyone else, do you think anyone would watch her? No. If she did not coin the term EVOO, or any of her other little fun sayings, do you think people would stay interested? She is not over the top with anything, she cooks, she is fun to watch, she may dumb things down but guess what, not everyone is a damn chef that watches. Some people have 4 kids and don’t have time to grate their own cheese and chop their own veggies. Her 30-minute meal concept is perfect for the average parent.

So please, get over yourselves, respect her audience and find something else to watch. If all you can do is hate on Racheal for such simple things, I am afraid to see what you guys are like for stars like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. They give you something to hate on and gossip about. Rachel on the other hand, does her job and does it well.

I think you can be the person who can vouch for the fact that rache is really annoying considering the fact that you formed that opinion based on a total of 45 minutes worth of TV watching. You go girl! I may have to quote you on that one!

and thanks for reminding me to look back at past comments! I still believe that paula is hiding slaves somewhere! i feel like it’s hard for her to not use the n-word in sentences… i could be wrong here, but segregation never really ended down in her neck ‘o da woods!

please stop by again!
amy and jonny

I am proud to admit I don’t have cable, so I rarely get to watch TFN. I have only caught glimpses while staying in hotels, but the few times I stumbled across RR’s show, I couldn’t figure out why the hell she is so popular. I have probably watched a grand total of 45 minutes of her, but even that was enough to make me vomit.

All the good chefs are on PBS, anyway, so I guess I am not missing much by not having access to TFN. DEATH TO TFN!

PS - Jonathan - the “slaves in the basement” comment nearly made me pass out, I was laughing so hard!!

it’s too early…don’t get me started. congrats on your new blog!! and thanks for adding us to your feed. we appreciate the support!

I’ve browsed your blogs and found some amazing looking food. You seem dedicated to cooking food as authentically as possible - something I really enjoy doing. That’s why I hate Rachael Ray so much. I don’t think she is passionate about cooking at all; she instead chooses to bastardize things that could be made by investing a little more time and care. I guess Food Network in general has lost their way but Rayray epitomizes this dumbing down of cooking.

Btw - Awesome blog and I am subscribing to your RSS feed.

If you guys are ever in the Denver area give me a holler. We could sit down over sushi and sake