Hell's Kitchen - ongoing thread (1 Viewer)

[Paul Padilla]

There is "staged" and "scripted", and then there is heavily edited. It's certainly staged from the fact that it's a complete staff of rookies trying to live up to Ramsey's level. And yes, the perfectly polished and lit sports cars outside the restaurant are staged. They are probably a bunch of stock shots they took long before the restaurant even opened. There might be a little prompting going on with the customers, though, but at the same time they know what's going on in the restaurant and they're willing to hang out for hours to get camera time. It is in Hollyweird, after all. The idiot who felt the need to espouse his music degree, thumped the maitre'd in the chest and ordered the pizza fell into that category. Now he can tell his friends, "I was the jerk who ordered pizza in a high end restaurant instead of just leaving." I have to say, though, that I laughed my ass off when he told the maitre'd to escort the two women back to plastic surgery.

I caught Ramsey in a BBC show called Cooking School. A couple of the students at the Cordon Bleu got to work in two of Ramsey's restaurants for a while. He definitely had his ballistic moments there, but he was also only dealing with one newbie along with his already trained staff. He comes off to me as kind of a drill seargent. Being as harsh as possible and breaking them down to some degree to strip away their preconceptions and then build on their talents. I'm pretty disgusted with most of the reality shows, but I'm there with this one.

 

[Hunter P]

Geez, I thought someone would have commented on last night's show already. Isn't anyone still watching this?

Last night's episode was awesome. Especially the elimation. When the executive chef, Chris, was nominated for elimatation he did this slow turn of his head to burn holes into Mike for blindsiding him. Man, I was cracking up for five minutes.

Best show of the summer, IMO.

 

[chuck_b]

One of the few shows this summer I am making a point to catch.

Although last nights epsiode was very good as usual, I am afraid it is starting to become a little stale, due to the similiarity in each episode. The format kind of creates the sameness with the stock shots of high end cars pulling up each night, the same annoyed patrons and the fairly boring out-of-kitchen dynamics.

Still like it a lot however, but the lack of competition probably helps it's chances.

 

[CaptDS9E]

Im still watching. The show is fun to watch. Im just wondering how they are going to do it when it gets down to only a couple of people. How can only two people run a kitchen

capt

 

[RAF]

Yep, I'm still watching. This show (and Dancing With the Stars) are among the few new network offerings this summer to catch my interest. All the action to me is on the non-network channels (4400, Monk, etc. etc.)

Both this and DancingWTS are winding down over the next few weeks. Pleasant watching.

 

[Elizabeth S]

Yup, still watching. I'm also wondering how they're going to do this thing as the contestants get whittled down further.

Supposedly, there was an injury to one of the contestants during early filming caused by a scuffle with Ramsay. I can't figure out if we've not yet reached that point, or if it was edited around in such a way to leave no indication. (Like the week where 2 contestants ended up leaving. Obviously, they couldn't show or refer to it for legal reasons.)

 

[SarahG]

I'll watch if I remember it's on. The first couple eps I saw were good. I love it when the chef hates the food.

 

[Tom McA]

Rather telling that this thread hasn't had a bump in a month.

Ever since the more likeable (albeit less talented) contestants fell by the wayside, I've been caring less about the final outcome.

My wife and I are still watching out of habit, but ever since Elsie got bounced, we have nobody to root for anymore.

The last two are clearly very good cooks, but they're also weasels, imho.

 

[RAF]

I, too, was wondering about the lack of talk here about this show. I've been watching it and will watch the finale next Monday. The most enjoyable thing to me has been seeing how patient (or impatient) the restaurant patrons are each week. Like others said, they have to know in advance that this is being staged (cameras, lights, etc.) It still makes for good theater, but I feel it's a one-shot deal. I can't see "Hell's Kitchen II" being very interesting.

 

[chuck_b]

Still watching also....was sure that women who was booted last night was staying due to the editing which seem to be against her from the start.

The final two are probably the best and most experienced and now it probably turns into an Iron Chef episode for the final.

 

[Jed M]

I have really enjoyed this show. So far the best game show of the summer, IMO.

 

[Elizabeth S]

I've never missed an ep and I've found this very interesting. I was rooting for Elsie, though. . . No real surprise who the final 2 are. I think I'll be rooting for Ralph, though. Both have been sneaky in their own way, but at least Ralph has made more of an effort (however transparent) to act happy/encourage others for their successes.

 

[Mike Graham]

I've been working night shifts this past month and unfortunately haven't been following the series, but hopefully I'll be able to catch this week's episode.

On a side note, the reason I enjoy the show so much is because I had a British professor this past year who was prone to some of Ramsay's temper tantrums (foul language and all). Seeing other people on camera react to the outbursts is the highlight of the show!

 

[Todd_B]

It's funny..after watching every episode I sorta developed a man-crush for Gordon Ramsay

Shh..don't tell my wife :p)

Todd "Button it!!!" B

 

[BobbyPerry]

My guess is that Michael is the better chef, but Ralph is more of a team player, althought they are both sort of obnoxious.

 

[ChrisMatson]

Michael and Ralph both seem like they are capable of being the head chef, but I wonder if either is up to the task of actually running day-to-day operations. The last task will be the big test and I can see it going either way.

I think Michael has the slight edge, given his more calm temperament.

 

[Hunter P]

Exactly. I was wondering when they would test which one could actually run a restaurant which is more than just cooking up some good grub.

Then again, I am sure that the show will probably provide some business managers or w/e. I cannot imagine that the show would let these chefs have complete control of the restaurant. It wouldn't be good for Ramsay's rep if the restaurant folded in the first year or the food and service sucked.

 

[Martino]

In some of the early shows, they had Michael staying up all night and talking to himself (it was kind of scary)...I don't think he is too stable.

Because of that, I'm rooting for Ralph.

I wonder if they let Gordon in on the back stage footage.

Also, it seemed kind of strange, but all of the chiefs were chain smokers - just what I want around my food...

 

[ChrisMatson]

The best chef won. Michael
I hope we get an update on what he is doing now/plans for the future.

If they do another season, I hope they do away with the annoying voice-overs. Recapping after each commercial is vary annoying. Thankfully, I watched most of the season in TiVo and was able to FF through the talking.

 

[RAF]

I was rooting for Ralph. The best chef may have won, but Ralph has a better chance of actually pulling off a successful restaurant based on what I saw. Michael had better have a "Ralph" on his staff when he actually opens a restaurant (if he ever does). Interesting to watch, but I don't know if a second season would be as successful.