I know TPB is from a "privileged" background but is no-one else annoyed at the way he holds his head up and looks down his nose at you every time he talks to the camera?!

And why does he insist on interrupting and talking over chefs when they are explaining things?? It's rude, spoilt behaviour...!

Howling..your question may be politically incorrect and too embarrassing to respond to....but if you look at the posts on the other threads here I think you can read between the lines and get a resounding "YES". I think TPB and Tana are generally "not appreiated for their talent" to put it politely.

It is politically incorrect! But accurate...look at the many postings on presenter chemistry on the other threads.

Howling, you've got it!!

I don't know if snob applies, but I can see how someone could feel that.

Regardless, there does seem to be a consensus building, even amongst those that like MK in general, that TPB and Ms Ramsey should look for greener pastures. That *would* help the programme immeasurably.

I'm a fan of MK and have been from the 1st prog. I've seen them all except when I was on hols for 2weeks. I particularly enjoy the weeks TPB and MF are on as their rapport and style is more entertaining and their adlibbing is a joy.
When I read the postings most detractors say they don't watch the show any more and haven't for some time but then they go on to slate it anyway. Just an observation.

DGK, don't believe them. Like myself, I think everyone checks in on MK once or twice a week just to see if there's been any improvement.

Actually I watched tonight's episode and was very surprised when TPB sat down and let Rachel Allen get on with her recipe without interfering! I suppose with her being a TV presenter herself, he knew that she knew what she was doing. Unfortunately when Diana Henry started cooking MF couldn't help interfering and interrupting.

And I'm sorry but I get annoyed at the way TPB and MF are constantly making snide childish remarks to each other; its never funny or entertaining.

AND... what exactly was that whisky segment all about? I thought I was watching UKTV FOOD... not drink. How many people watching the show actually tune in to watch people discussing £35 bottles of whiskey? I know it's something I'm not in the habit of buying every week. Don't the producers ever read the posts people make on here? People want to see recipes...!

Ok, rant over! Phew!

See Howling, maybe things are changing!!! I won't see that episode for a couple weeks but to see TPB sit down and let someone "go" would indeed be a major [and positive] departure from the format.

As for Whiskey, I see your point, but if this is a "general" food show like GFL then reviewing tipples is part-and-parcel of the whole gastronomic experience. I think a lot of people are curious about spirits...I'd like to learn abit about gin - and how to make sloe gin!

I sense maybe they are slowly altering MK??

Oysterman, Hugh did a spot on sloe gin on the one of the River cottage episodes you know when he went on a road trip...keep a look out for it.

Howling, whiskey for 35 pounds??? Heck thats $AUD105 it would want to be darn good drop

£35 for a bottle of good whisky is not excessive at all, you get what you pay for as any connoisseur will know. It's not snobbery it's appreciation.
Why is it wrong to talk about any drink on a food programme, they go hand in hand. This site even has a board for drinks.

ShelleyK64...did you know you can buy Gordon's Sloe Gin at Dan Murphy's?? The only place in Australia that I know of!! Try it on a hot summer day 1 part to 2 parts Pompelmo over ice. Ooooo.

Wow $105 bottle of whiskey....I don't think we have anything quite that posh here! I guess that would qualify as a "snob" beverage?? I'm jealous

Anyway, to the main topic...these MK presenters are NOT getting any better...I keep looking forward to the episodes everyone keeps saying are coming up but they always seem to disappoint. As for TPB, he is much better than hypercompetitive Tana.

I think what people are saying when they use the word "snob" here is really reflecting what comes across on the screen as a condescending tone or mannersism. This is especially true of Tana but some could even say they see it in TPB. It's accent, mannerism and words used.

But I would just chalk it up to not having any particular training in presentation or acting skills. They haven't been in front of a TV camera that much really. They are clearly awkward and uncomfortable. So it may not be snobbery.

The real question is why, oh why, were these four picked??? Celebrity names, pretty face, it's not at all clear.

Looking across all the boards here, commentary especially on other websites, and then reading this thread there does seem to be quite a bit of agreement and only a minute amount of rebuttal that Tana is not suited for this show at all.

And that Matt Tebbutt follows closely behind, although my thought is that maybe Tana's negative aura may be rubbing off on Matt in the audience's mind.

Regardless, they are a bit too much to take, especially together.

He may not be the most experienced of presenters but he's a self deprecating bloke and has a good deal of charm in my view. Quite the reverse of snobbery, I'd say.

The original press release had Simon Rimmer and Clarissa of 2 Fat Ladies as presenters. I wonder what happened ...

Good point on TPB, I'd have to agree.

Conch, I too was wondering why the change of presenters. It would have been a totally different show with those two I would guess.

I suspect Simon Rimmer is moving on to better things

He's an excellant natural presenter and very good chef and is appearing more on BBC

Although we are all UKTVfood viewers (presumably) there are very few of us compared to any program on terrestrial TV.

I bet Simon and Clarissa turned MK down flat when they got better offers (and read the script!)

Rick 13 I really like Simon Rimmer. He was often on GFL with Jeni and had great recipes.

I now like him on his "country market" show, he is a good presenter and seems very comfortable in front of a camera.

As he was one of the original hosts planned for MK it makes you wonder what the show would have been like with him. It may well have been a better programme considering the horrific commentary about the current lot.

I still think there is a fundamental flaw of having chefs/"professional foodies" host a show with chefs. There just isn't any life in that format.

It's like a sleeping pill as they discuss the technical nuance of something. "what type of flour, self raising or normal?" "normal flour." normal flour?" "yes, normal flour." "so you use normal flour for this?" Jeeeezzz!!!

It needs a lively professional presenter that can keep things moving, inject a bit of raw humour and otherwise keep the chefs in line. (eg Jeni Barnett and others)

Pace, laughs, fun, variety, spontaneity.

Fix it! Please.....

For goodness sake Jenni B has gone , and not before time in my opinion for what it's worth .
Most of you don't like the four presenters MK has at the moment , TPB and TR because some think they are "snobbish ." I must be watching a totally different programme ,because I certainly don't get that impression .When Tana talks with the chefs ,other presenters and audience to me she comes over as very natural,especially as she is getting better at presenting . As a mother of four I think her comments and views are well worth listening to .
As I did'nt particually like GFL because I was'nt overenamoured with the JB , I don't feel the demise of the programme as intensely as some . I think the sections on various drinks is relevant , and so is showing a variety of prices , many people do spend a great deal on their chosen tipple .
If TPB was'nt who is he ,ie son of Camilla , and TR was'nt who she is, ie wife of Gordon , then I do feel that most people slating them would have adifferent view of them and their abilities .
I just feel that the removal of GFL is overshadowing everything that is good or could be good in MK

Jackwagstaff

I'm interested in your comment that as a mother of 4 Tana's comments are well worth listening to

I've got no children - does that make me less of a "foodie"

If she had 5 children would she be even more worth listening to??

Sorry Rick, let me expand on that . I did'nt intend it to be taken as a generalisation.
What I know of Tana Ramsey comes only from the various media . So my perception may well be flawed.
However , I see her as a concerned , intelligent mother of four , interested in her children's health and well being , I was implying that her views would be worth hearing . That she proberbly has spent quite a lot of time considering the dietery needs of her children as well as having to make the food attractive enough for them to want to eat it . Nutrition as well as cooking seems to be important to her .So for any mothers watching the programme I would think that Tana Ramsey's views and ideas are relevant to them , although I accept , perhaps not to you who has no children.
No , not all mothers of four , or even of five would have views relevant to a food programme , as can be seen when you realise just how many overweight children there are . After all , they did'nt get like that themselves , unless they have a medical problem , then it was their mothers who have made them become fat .A lot of that comes from ignorance , but perhaps even more from lazyness. We all know it takes time and effort to think of a meal , shop for the ingrediants and then cook it , a lot of mothers cannot cook , or don't want to cook , or feel they have'nt the time to cook , this is the point at which unbalenced , highly salted , sugery or fatty ready meals , microwave meals or generally processed food comes into its own . I don't believe that Tana Ramsey is one of these mothers .

Also , I have no idea whether you are a"foodie " or not , I know nothing about your background ,you may well be a talented chef , an interested amateur ,or a turkey twizzling cola guzzling couch potatoe ! I would imagine you must have some interest in food to be on the forum , but whether you're a "foodie " or not , well I don't know .

Jack, I don't think your view of Tana is flawed, but as a celebrity we only think of them in ways that the media have told us to view them. Hence the media are portraying her in a certain way, especially revolving around the issues about motherhood, children, kids food and other politically correct topics the media handlers tell us about.

So your view is exactly as the one that's been put forward by the media. That's just good marketing.

But in no way would "snob" apply in the way I use the word. "Posh", "upper class", "high breeding" perhaps, but not snob.

I think that, because she's not very good on television, people come up with all sorts of ways of saying how they don't like her without really explaining themselves very well.

Jack

I think you have a passion for supporting the under dog - it's an admiral quality, but I think you're paddling upstream here!

All the best.

No honestly gastro , I really don't support "underdogs " , I just happen to believe that she's a breath of fresh air , I realise that she's not as competant yet in front of the cameras, but I hope she'll be allowed to find her forte .
I like pleasant people and she comes across as pleasant , good marketing ? Proberbly , I've always liked what I had read about her prior to this programme, but unless we have the opportunity to actually meet these people ,our perceptions of all are as we read from newspapers and magazines etc. Victoria and David Beckham , Jade Goody ,Cheri Blair , Gordon Brown , what do we really know of these people ? Only what we read ,see and what they want us to know .