Emeril Live

shel · #1 01-28-2007, 09:02 AM

Hi Gang,

Last night I watched some of Emeril Live on the Food Network. I found the show to be awful. It looks like he's hosting a variety show, with the band and guests getting as much or more attention than the food and cooking. I've seen a few earlier episodes recently in which he had celebrity guests, some of whom seemed to know nothing about cooking or had nothing to do with the cooking portion of the show, such as certain musicians.

He's almost like the Ed Sullivan of cooking shows - <LOL>

Does anyone else think this format is a bit over-the-top for a cooking show?

Shel

yich · #2 01-28-2007, 09:11 AM

I absolutely agree with you. He makes funny noises that is pretty irritating.

'Essence of Emeril' is much better. He does give some cooking tips and advice in that show.

cheflayne · #3 01-28-2007, 09:19 AM

They are giving the public what they want. You can't knock success. I personally don't watch the show, but the producers don't know that and they would be remiss in their duties as producers if they cared that I don't watch it. The show is what it is. Popular and a megamoneymaker, basic tenets of business. TV is a business, not a God given right. Kinda of like chain restaurants, catering to the masses, not aficionados.

shel · #4 01-28-2007, 09:19 AM

... and what's with this business of the audience applauding every time he adds garlic to a dish?

BAM!

Mezzaluna · #5 01-28-2007, 10:23 AM

I first saw him on a PBS special in which Julia Child visited regional chefs. Emeril was quite and polite, his intensity emerging only as he was at the stove. There was no hint of the guy who says, "Oh yeah, babe!" or "Bam!". He was almost shy. Hard to reconcile that with what you see on TV. Further, he frequently mispronounces ingredients ("marscarpone" for mascarpone, "tamponade" for tapenade) which sets my teeth on edge.

Culprit · #6 01-28-2007, 11:32 AM

I liked Emeril's original program format and respected him for his professional abilities. It offered a serious adult level approach to food preparation and I looked forward to watching his program. I don't watch him any more. His show is, IMHO, is a culinary farce of slapstick comedy. If I want that kind of entertainment I'll watch the Three Stooges.
But I must also admit that, having once been a loyal viewer of many programs on HGTV, (which is the source of Emeril's program in this region) I rarely watch that channel any more. If they're making a good living by producing children's programs for adult viewers (there is a bit of the child in all of us; or so I'm told) then I wish the much success. I'm just not going to be among their viewing audience.

CarlAird · #7 01-28-2007, 12:06 PM

I think its fun and new I just cant stand him! I think he thinks he is the GREATEST ANYTHING THERE EVER WAS! And Rachel Ray is good on tape but IS NOT GOO WITH A LIVE CROWD! she snaps at people and is very nervous

bgan10 · #8 01-28-2007, 03:39 PM

I enjoyed the old emeril, the guy he was before all this other jazz. He is taking it iver the top now. He still makes amazing food, but to watch his program you have to filter out way to much.

Thecooktoo · #9 01-28-2007, 04:08 PM

Everybody is right, he is a pain in the butt...BUT, I'm sure he laughs all the way to the bank every morning when all the checks come in. Reminds me a lot of Liberace...everybody hated him, but he was the most popular entertainer in Vegas for years. I went to see his show a couple of times years ago, and you know what, could not stand him. But he put on a heck of a show!

Same with Emeril...for goodness sake don't try to follow one of his recipes on his show, but if you go ot the Food Network website you can pull them up... I have and have a couple that I use regularly that are very good.

At least every other show or so he pulls the knob off the stove and points out what its for...same thing applies to the channel selector switch on your tv...if you don't like him, TURN HIM OFF.

He is making millions of dollars for him and the Food Network. HE IS AN ENTERTAINER. Regardless of his abilities as a chef, his primary job on that show is to entertain. And he does it well, maybe not as we foodies would like, but it sure does satisfy his fans.

Jim

fiveiron · #10 01-28-2007, 09:40 PM

I can’t resist…….

It drives me crazy when he says “I make it like this” and I am 99% sure he has not made that dish in years or has probably never made it before the show. But he could care less with all his cash.

But……… his cayenne red pepper sauce is awesome. Or at least the one that gets private labeled or licensed with his name. On oysters its better that the Tabasco brand in my opinion.

But Alan Harding is the best.

oldschool1982 · #11 01-28-2007, 09:51 PM

The "Essence" is the only Emeril I have ever enjoyed watching. He seemed to be more in "his own" back then. All large scale fame has a tendancey to change the best of folks and.... I have know folks that schooled and worked with Emeril long before "Live". They say he was everything that Mez mentioned. There's nothing wrong, IMHPO, on what he and others from FN have become, just not my cup o' tea. As the Pat O's Hurricane glasses say "Have Fun" but for me, discretion is and always will be... the better part.

CarlAird · #12 01-29-2007, 06:35 AM

I'm learning they are ALL like that! I was fool to think Marth made all these recipes then when I found out it was her staff of flying monkeys I was so upset!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiveiron

I can’t resist…….

It drives me crazy when he says “I make it like this” and I am 99% sure he has not made that dish in years or has probably never made it before the show. But he could care less with all his cash.

But……… his cayenne red pepper sauce is awesome. Or at least the one that gets private labeled or licensed with his name. On oysters its better that the Tabasco brand in my opinion.

But Alan Harding is the best.