Especially this part: "until recently it [FN] has not shared in their [the stars] success beyond the network. A spokeswoman for the network said it had no stake in Mr. Lagasse’s considerable outside merchandising, for example.
About a year ago, the Food Network began aggressively trying to change that with new deals that were “way more onerous” from the stars’ point of view, said a person who has been affected by the changing strategy, by insisting on a stake in book deals and licensing ventures, and control over outside activities.
Originally posted by Caine: [...]although I have to admit that watching Alton Brown fall off a motorcycle and break his face was mildly amusing, [...].
I didn't think it was all that amusing. It wasn't a stunt and he broke his collarbone. That is no fun. I have had a broken collar bone. In fact, come to think of it, mine was due to a biking accident also. It was on a regular bike, not a motorcycle, but it still hurt like you know what.
Alton's shows (minus ICA) are about the only thing I still watch on FN. He is entertaining but you still learn something. His contract for Good Eats expired this year and I have not heard what it's future may be.
1. do 4 laps on walking track without "resting" 2. do 1 mile (17laps) in 20 minutes (3miles per hour)
Posts: 3854 | Location: NE Atlanta (Chamblee, Doraville, Norcross, Duluth) | Registered: March 15, 2004
Our whole family used to like the FN and it was one of the best watched networks on our set. But since it has gone "entertainment" rather than education, it's been a downer in our house. My boys learned to cook with AB; learned how to make their own meals from Rachel; I used to yell at Paula for using so much butter. Now the only ones I watch faithfully are Paula, since her husband's health scare, she has become a much healthier (not 100%) cook, and AB. How sad, that they blew a really good thing.
I would hope that someone would see that this is a great way to educate America on healthy eating, and we could curb the obesity epidemic.
Summer Challenge Goals:
1. Get out of the house and in the pool four days a week. 2. Schedule meals a week at a time. 3. five fruits and vegetables a day, along with water.
Posts: 3426 | Location: Central USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
I haven't watched much Food Network since they closed their message boards, what, 3 years ago? Their new programming really took the fun out of cooking, and it wasn't all that entertaining either, although I have to admit that watching Alton Brown fall off a motorcycle and break his face was mildly amusing, and so was watching Tyler Florence getting fat and sloppy.
Driving is like coloring. You gotta stay between the lines!
Posts: 95 | Location: Chinatown | Registered: April 18, 2007
That's a rather interesting article. Quite enlightening, actually. Because it really explains why I'm getting more and more disgusted with FN.
I've been feeling like the networks has "dumbed down" programming for some time, I liked it best when they had David Rosengarten, KD, nSara Moulton, and the other "older" programming. Guy Fieri has done an amazing job turning me off of FN.
I doubt this will happen, but I'm hoping they keep producing "The Gourmet Next Door". It's the only new show they've produced that I actually liked. (But it sounds like I'm not in their "target" audience. )
Life is like a roller coaster, with lots of ups and downs, but the curves, spirals, loops and corkscrews are what make life interesting.
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