* * * * *

                     Anthony Bourdain on the Food Network

> **SANDRA LEE:** Pure evil. This frightening Hell Spawn of Kathie Lee and
> Betty Crocker seems on a mission to kill her fans, one meal at a time. She
> Must Be Stopped. Her death-dealing can-opening ways will cut a swath of
> destruction through the world if not contained. I would likely be arrested
> if I suggested on television that any children watching should promptly go
> to a wooded area with a gun and harm themselves. What's the difference
> between that and Sandra suggesting we fill our mouths with Ritz Crackers,
> jam a can of Cheez Wiz in after and press hard? None that I can see. This
> is simply irresponsible programming. Its only possible use might be as a
> psychological warfare strategy against the resurgent Taliban—or dangerous
> insurgent groups. A large-racked blonde repeatedly urging Afghans and angry
> Iraqis to stuff themseles with fatty, processed American foods might be
> just the weapon we need to win the war on terror.
>

Via columbina [1], “Guest Blogging: A Bourdain Throwdown [2]”

Ouch.

Anthony Bourdain, formerly a Food Network [3] chef, has some biting
commentary on the remaining talent. And some of the comments are just as
biting:

> What sucks for anyone who really appreciates food is that Food Network is a
> business. An advertising and affiliate sales-driven business. They have to
> hire talent who will actually use the products that advertisers are buying
> time to promote. And, they have to hire talent that appeals to the lowest
> common denominator when it comes to cable subscribers. TVFN (Television
> Food Network) has become a hybrid of WWF (World Wrestling Federation),
> NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), The View and
> Friends— appealing only to people who say “hey buddy” and do finger-guns
> with a wink when they meet people, and find the jokes on popsicle sticks
> hilarious.
>

“comment [4] by DinerGirl  [5]”

Double ouch.

[1] http://columbina.livejournal.com/69196.html
[2] http://blog.ruhlman.com/2007/02/guest_blogging_.html
[3] http://www.foodtv.com/
[4] http://blog.ruhlman.com/2007/02/guest_blogging_.html#comment-
[5] http://www.typepad.com/t/comments?__mode=red&id=28986661

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