Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Farewell, Mr. Lagasse

Okay, so it only took me about two weeks to notice this, but . . . Holy crap! The Food Network canceled Emeril! The bammeister himself, the guy who made the network what it is today . . . canceled?

The real story is murky and complicated, involving shifting cable TV competition and celebrity chef branding and fickle television audiences. The best quote in the article, though, is from Mario Batali, who explains his recent move from the Food Network to public television as follows:

“They don’t need me. They have decided they are mass market and they are going after the Wal-Mart crowd,” which he said was “a smart business decision. So they don’t need someone who uses polysyllabic words from other languages.”

Okay, a little snooty there, Mario, but funny nevertheless.

The winner in all this? Rachel Ray, who just signed up with the network for a new primetime show called "Rachel's Vacation"

2 comments:

meathenge said...

Holy crap, no shit?

I don't think I've really 'watched' the food network for maybe 6 years or so. I caught the network from the absolute very beginning and enjoyed it. It was very much like a wild cable feed at 2am. Mario's first shows were static. One camera on a tripod that didn't move, at all. I thought he was on speed with the way he blew through each conversation. Absolutely enjoyed Lagasse during his early years.

AND FINALLY HE'S DUMPED THE BASTARDS THAT RUINED HIS CAREER FROM THE START !!!

Way to go, he's only just begun.

Biggles

Anonymous said...

Just what the world needs... more Rachel Ray on TV. Give us a break FoodNetwork!!

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