Posts by: Dougy Boy

And exactly what is wrong with an "awful lot of cleavage"??? Hmmm??

I've had fun watching MK recently (but haven't learnt a thing!)

Barshedale!

I have been laughing for the last half hour!



You can't argue that it would be safe to eat, can you?

Oh God, what an image you paint chippy!!

Whatever happened to Edwina? Could she perhaps host Market Kitchen? They've tried everyone else in Britain.

(as long as she's not cooking eggs, please)

Brian, US reds are by FAR better than the French equivalents in general.

That's why California wines continue to beat French wines year after year in international competitions.

French wines are merely resting on their laurels and they are handicapped by the ossified Appellation Controllee scheme which dictates virtually everything. The rest of the world has gone varietal which gives vintners much more freedom, flexibility AND creativity.

If you like California big reds, try Far Niente vineyards. Delicious.

I also heartily recommend an Australian red "Dead Arm" from D'Arenberg vineyards. A wine made from the dying arms of very old vines. Superb.

Barshedale...essentially I think that is exactly what happens: GR finds somebody he wants to win and voila, there you have it, Our New Winner!

Clearly this has been decided before any ostensible "vote" is taken. Asking us to vote is just a con game. There's no point in voting as Rhodes has decided who is going to win.

Wasn't it ole Maggie Thatcher that told us egg yolks had to be cooked rock hard due to "salmonella" or something like that? I can't remember why she was telling us that - maybe the Falklands war or something - but I distinctly remember seeing her on TV saying it. Nonsense.

While I can't advocate the blood red pork like they show on Market Kitchen, the light pink tinge with juice coming off when you slice it is the way to go! Yummm!!!

I don't think that would EVER happen. A bit of pride involved there!

Ahh! The voices in her head! I remember that well. What a fun show that was.

Don't give up. While GFL surely will never grace our screens again (except perhaps for late night repeats) there is always the hope and chance that UKTVFood will wake up and improve their programming.

Clearly they only have the budget for one or two shows simulataneously (MK+the other short series like Rhodes Insults India). But that doesn't mean that MK Can't be re-jigged or some new programme developed to replace it.

Don't give up! Actually, it can only get better.

Hmmm. I love everything Rick Stein does and just adore AWT (although I don't think many share my enthusiasm for him). Barry has made an excellent point "they have nothing to prove". I love to see AWT bumble around the hob, getting confused, forgetting things but then finish the dish with such gusto and enthusiasm. And the dishes he selects are so worth trying.

I really cant add many comments about Rick Stein that hasn't been said a zillion times before. He's brilliant and comes across so passionate yet humble.

As I'm typing this I'm thinking of those two as permanent hosts of MK. Don't know if it'd work but I can certainly envision it. Conceptually it seems so superior to the present drivel. Can't imagine they'd do it though, it's a daily show and seems hard work with long days of taping.

They've got better things to do.....

John, there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that his name got him the job. It's all about ratings. He's clearly a TV amateur and still often seems awkward in front of the camera.

That being said, though, TPB is the only presenter there that seems genuine and his eagerness for food is evident. Nothing phony there (unlike everything else on the show)

Yes, MK does grate on the nerves but there's nothing else on so we've got little choice in new daily food programmes

And I do appreciate TPBs advocacy of chillis and "hotter" foods!

I too lament the loss of probably the most innovative food programme ever to come out of the UK - Great Food Live. There's has never been anything like it.

Well, you make complete sense. Your criticisms are spot on and if they did 1-4 it would be a MUCH more watchable show....

Great insight, thank you Haaitlie. Obviously this would be the case, but there is never any criticism or constructive comment on anything so why even bother with "taste testing" if we know everyone is just going to say how "wonderful" everything is?? It's all so silly, really.

I've seen a couple examples where they've cut into almost-raw chicken and still described it as if the dish was a gift from the gods.

Well, at least now e know...

But dallama, Tana is now history!!

Babsky, I'd love to hear your vote for the worst cookery programs currently on TV!

Well, here's some other suggestions: [link]

No, they're still there! Wouldn't be a surprise though if they did leave soon. No company wants to sponsor the same old same old for too long, sponsorship looses its imapact after a while, no matter how successful a programme is.

The minute I hear his name or see his face I switch the channel - PRONTO!!

The scary think about this Jack is that I think you're right. Media producers nowadays will do anything to pump up the hype and "Heather Mills on Gordon Ramseys Celebrity Hells Kitchen Goes to the USA" just sounds so like everything else on TV now. I wouldn't even bat an eyelid if they announced that.

So Heather's in the red kitchen. Who'll head up the blue?

Most definitely. TV is a business, after all, to get better ratings to get sponsors to pay even more. Ratings and content go directly hand-in-hand.

It is a win-win-win scenario where sponsors get the exposure they want, TV channels get the higher revenue and the audience gets a better programme.

Make no mistake, any changes you are seeing on MK is in direct consultation with the sponsor, if not even instigated by the sponsor. To me this would be an indication of dissatisfaction with the current ratings numbers, no matter where they currently rank.

It is interesting to note that of the myriad changes made recently to MK, they were all initially criticism of the show put forth here on this website.

Oh here we go again, defending the indefensible and praising the mediocre.

Is there any wonder we're being fed inferior programming and endless repeats when people actually praise this type of mindlessly over-produced television?

Insipid.

I don't think so, cornetto! Anyone who thought Jeni interrupted will REALLY see the "expert in interruption" when she comes on! She'll talk over anyone.

I think it was cooking4one above that mentioned someone being sacked, although not mentioning who exactly. I don't think it's important one way or another why someone exited the programme. It's just good that there have been changes made, whatever the cause. A good result for all, it would seem.

Maybe not as much difference as one would guess (or like) Ratings and content go directly hand-in-hand.

If content is not liked, then there will be less viewers, hence less sponsors up to the point a program may be cancelled if content and viewership doesn't improve.

The is a direct relationship between ratings and content.

Who "polices" that? The sponsors.

If the content of a show is such that there is insufficient viewers the sponsors talk with their feet. So, over time, the ratings will directly determine content.

That's not really true in any practical sense, Sean.

Imagine the scenario whereby the media buyer[s] at Waitrose's Ad Agency say to the Commissioning Executive at UKTVFood: "if ratings don't improve we will not sponsor the next season"

You betcha Waitrose has power over "editorial" content!

Yes, MF is indeed an experienced food journalist, whether you agree with his peculiar and pedantic opinions or not. But that neither makes him a foodie or particularly good at cooking his home brew dishes on national television. In fact, his recipes are terrible.

His place on the tube is shows like The Greatest Dish or Great British Menu where he can ply his trade as journalistic critic. He is not suited as a host on a "food chat" show. Listen to his inane commentary, he just doesn't know what to say.

Yes, we have become "mindless minions" to these TV producers. A dreadful show in most every respect.