shirley wrote:

You are very luck that Marcel has proven to be more graceful than you deserve. Despite the season-long heckeling that he has endured he stood there and accepted Cliff's apology like a man. So far he appears to be the only civilized person in the mix of whackos you recruited. I don't watch shows like Big Brother or Real Life because I get enough low level interaction in my day to day life dealing with the public. I like to escape the self-inflicted drama when I can, that's why I enjoy shows like Project Runway and Top Chef where you can watch people creating something...where did the premise go?

posted on January 19, 2007 at 11:01 AM

Jane wrote:

"I was trying to make Cliff, who was my guest -- who had just been completely shamed in front of a national television audience...feel a little comfortable."

Cliff was not shamed. Cliff put shame upon himself. Stop apologizing for someone who should have been arrested for assault.

I had a friend who worked for The Real World: San Diego. When a houseguest was accused of date rape, the producers called the cops. Producer's notes, tapes and even a computer was confiscated for the investigation. It doesn't look like any of that happened when Marcel was physically assaulted. Apparently Bunim-Marray takes things like this seriously. Sad to say that Magical Elves doesn't. So I guess the shame falls upon you too.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 11:49 AM

Cakey wrote:

The show on Wednesday was the last straw. I was already very skeptical of where this show was heading when I witnessed the cruelty directed towards Marcel that went unchecked. It's no wonder that it boiled down to this episode..(silence is seen as acceptance) and it's obvious that noone was reprimanded such as Frank (who was urged on by Sam), Sam, who was absolutely disgusting with this rant at the store or Sweet Betty who was completely ugly towards Marcel from the beginning. A lot of people don't want to bring race into it but I find it very racist that first you let Mia (isn't this your show) eliminate herself for Elia and use those horrible words about "kiss my black azz" to the only other Black contestant Cliff who was emliminated while his co-horts are rewarded with a trip to Hawaii.

Top Chef is no longer on my must see tv list..

posted on January 19, 2007 at 12:22 PM

Cindy wrote:

Hi Andy, I do feel it was the shows responsibility to air what happened between Cliff and Marcel in this last episode or the audience would have been wondering what happened to Cliff and assumptions are often worse than the truth. Also, I do think it is about the food but these chefs are living together for a period of time and it is understandable that they get into small arguments when living with people you don’t know. I think many of us would be irritated by a roommate or roommates and their habits or different personalities that we are not use to. It is quite another thing for Cliff, Elia, Ilan and Sam to resort to this type of crazy behavior. The food is just as important as how the chefs react to others because being a chef is also about professionalism and “Top Chef” should let us as the audience knows who is professional rather than keeping us in the dark. It’s not the one on one confrontation (non physical) that are hard to watch, it was the fact that four people bullied one person and one of those four put his hands on another, that was difficult to watch. I can’t believe Elia, Sam and Ilan did nothing, unbelievable.

In the first season when the top 5 were left my friends and I were routing for different people to win, just like in sports or other reality shows you want to route for your favorite (which my favorite was Harold and in every show I found myself saying “GO HAROLD”) In this season I was routing for Elia or Sam but I find it hard to say go Elia or go Sam, I just want to say go home Elia and Sam as they have lost any respect I had for them. I also believe its great that you interview the chefs after they are kicked or voted off the show. I just wish the questions for Cliff would have been what we are seeing on the blogs.
I love the show, I NEVER miss it.
Thanks

posted on January 19, 2007 at 12:36 PM

jandazza wrote:

I have to agree with Andy on this one. The four contestants were complete and total idiots. In my opinion Padma was being kind because "idiots" would have prefaced with a string of expletives had I been sitting where she was.
At the start of the season Sam, Cliff and Ilan were my favorites but now they disgust me. Out of the four though, I think Cliff is the best of the lot. At least he can fess up to being a prick: they should have all apologized to Marcel. They were all egging Cliff on, Sam with smug laughter and Ilan shouting for Sam to shave Marcel's head.
Although Marcel wasn't my favorite at the start of the season I've been impressed with how he has handled himself. He can't be performing his best with all the crap he's been getting but he's remained focused on his passion for food. I would have loved to see how he works in a less inclement climate.
And for the record: Badda-screaming-banshee-biatch Betty and Fricken Insane Frank totally sucked with the way they treated him as well and they started this fire.
Top Chef comes on in the winter when I love just curling up on my couch with a copy of my favorite cookbook watching marathon repeats of the show, but Betty and Frank (and now Ilan and Sam) get under my skin so much... I just can't go back there.
Please pick some contestants that handle themselves with grace next season... Please....

posted on January 19, 2007 at 12:53 PM

Jeff wrote:

I agree that Marcel didn't deserve the assault that Cliff laid on him, no one does. But to answer the question that I keep reading on these blogs and kept hearing on your after-the-show webcast, about why Marcel is the one everyone loves to hate, here's what I see. From day 1 Marcel has been antagonizing his colleagues (especially Elan). He's inconsiderate (eg. - not moving his eggs), he whines (eg. - the oil temperature, restaurant supply discount), he enjoys other's misfortunes (eg. - every episode), he's selfish (eg. - wouldn't acknowledge Sam's win as team leader, won't help anyone else in team competitions). Is he just playing the game? If that's what one needs to be TC, then Marcel win's hands down. Basically he doesn't play well with others. He even managed to piss off Sam for God's sakes! Even as brutal as Mike Yakura, Anthony Bourdain, & Gordon Ramsay are, I doubt they have alienated every person they have worked with as Marcel has (with the exception of Elia). In addition, they are great because they know how to lift others to reach their potential (just like Tom Colicchio). Marcel lacks the ability to build others. Marcel reminds me of Stephen from season 1, however Stephen had redeeming values, was a better chef, and a great sommelier. We also got to see that Stephen was human during the reunion show...something we won't get to see with Marcel. He must have set some kind of reality show record by being the one his competitors threatened or wanted to slap around the most.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 1:08 PM

Charles wrote:

I saw your comments from your first live online show-after-show earlier so my comments are addressing you.

Once you come down from that euphoric ego trip lets take a serious look at what you're proud of.

This season on Top Chef you've had:

1. Shop lifting leading to Otto's exit.

2. Franks threatening Marcel. They serve salad (really dumb I'll give you) and someone else leaves.

3. Marcel goading people into hate him creating a disrupting influence and detracting from the focus of the show. Hi! I thought this was a show about food. A little cockiness is fine. Acting like the south end of a north bound mule is another. I am really surprised someone didn't kick him in the rear.

4. Cliff acting like a thug on my then one episode. Personally I'm wondering if your judges were afraid he might slug them. Well he my be a nice guy but it looked to me like he got a total pass many weeks.

5. How about cheating on recipes? And no one goes home?

6. The next week you send 2 people home because they stuck together and more importantly, because you had to keep to contestant reduction on schedule.

7. You have a week of no winners. Wait It seemed like there were two like that? I can't remember because it would have been easier had this been a show about food.

8. You have a contestant admitting selling crack? At least she through herself in traffic so I superior chef could win. However this was also week Cliff forced his "team" into bad choices while lounged away the night with anonimity. I kind thought of him more as a chef enforcer insuring teams lost.

9. Michael should have been gone some time in the past probably. But how can you sing his praises one week and then look for lame excuses the next? It seemed alot of weeks your judges had been told who had to go and they had to look for excuses. This dog been beaten pretty hard elswhere so i won't give you more.

10. But that leads me to the oriental week team cook off, one team wins primarily because of customer service then the new restaurant show it doesn't mean anything. At least not more then a health code violation or an olive pit. /sigh

11. In second episode you have team firing up the mixing drinks and getting drunk before they have their menu? The last episode you have people getting drunk shaving their heads an leading to someone getting mugged. Meanwhile the conspirators watch and refuse to do anything. Was Cliff set up?

12. From beginning to end there was no professional behavior to be found anywhere.

For the record, I am commenting on what you presented. I'm not a Cliff or Marcel basher but you sure edited him to come across that way. Cliff did seem to be someone who could cook but not someone I'd ever want working for me for the very reason of the behavior. Again you edited him to look that way and I can't believe he's that big an.... Marcel has to have some redeeming quality too.

Then Andy, sorry Cliff, you all think hey hugs and kisses and all is better? Cliff bud get some anger management training or in an AA program. Again an exageration. I realize this falls into the silly horseplay that ends up badly.

And Andy, I don't care what kind of a person you are, you don't reward people who commit crimes. Imagine what would have happened if Cliff accidently hurt Marcel? Don't deify Cliff. Personally Marcel, next step is an attourney. And then Cliff you should look into it too because what they edited the show they helped you look really bad.

Cliff, anyone can come across as nice in an interview. I hope that really is the real you. But, my first opinion is based upon an entire season of you bullying. I hope you work it out.

So Andy, don't smile and feel good. You've got nothing to feel good about. You've turned out an inferior product and should be ashamed.

I watched this show for the first time this season because I thought I would learn something. That didn't happen.

The bottomline is that if you are truly running this station your show has questionable integrity problems. The contestants and judges all have a cloud over them. Before you think you have anything to be proud of remember you all look really bad.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 1:22 PM

Diane wrote:

I agree with Jane. Cliff brought shame upon himself. And so did the producers of this show for not reporting the assault.

I do think that Elia, Ilan, and Sam are equally culpable, however. Their behavior sickened me more than I can say.

And I will add my question to the chorus: Why did you change the timeline when you aired this spectacle? I saw Elia doubled over with laughter as Marcel was walking away from Cliff. She still had a full head of hair. So that means she and Ilan shaved their heads AFTER the assault occurred. The fact that these people could laugh and joke and enjoy themselves after such a thing happened simply boggles the mind. Tom was right. You should have chucked all of them and given Marcel the prize. They are horrible human beings.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 1:27 PM

Roger wrote:

Andy, I don't buy it!!! If the " Senior Vice President of Production and Programming - and resident "Pop Culture Pundit." " is not aware of the "FLAVOR" a show is going and how the underlings are suppose to "SEASON" the show, then what is your job? Who is running Bravo and Top Chef?

Season 2 of Top Chef, started with the selection of contestants, which I assume go under a fair amount of screening, looking for a "dramatic mix". This season has been getting less and less professional from the first or second episode.

This last episodes question about the ostrocising of Marcel, was the second viewer question on this topic!!! And I don't even know what number of incidents of unprofessional behavior towards Marcel. This is only what we the viewers saw after editing.

The judges and hosts have also made comments promoting this theme.

If the show is not going to focus on the food and professional chef behavior, then may I suggest it be renamed "Survivor Chef!" I don't watch the reality shows that are just people fighting. I sure hope if Top Chef makes a season 3, it becomes a TOP show, not a low class, Jerry Springer style show.

Andy, if you need someone to review the editing for professionalim for Bravo, just let me know. I would be glad to take that job. I do find it hard to believe that you knew nothing about the view question or atleast the flavor the show was taking.

Sincerely,

Roger

posted on January 19, 2007 at 1:43 PM

Paul Johnson wrote:

You know, I find it interesting that people watching this show think they know the contestants. Have you not learned anything from Reality TV. How much coaching goes on from the producers? Is Marcel really that good of a chef, or does his "character" just make for good television. Of course the network is going to fuel it, it causes a spike in ratings... I love the show! I could care less what happens to any of them...it affects me not. Just enjoy it for what it is....ENTERTAINMENT!!! Marcel is not your buddy.... He is a character, that probably has some form of script.....
Get over it.....

posted on January 19, 2007 at 1:53 PM

Tad wrote:

hi andy,

i am hoping you can address the role of corporate sponsors and product placement in top chef. although i am not terribly bothered by the plethora of corporate sponsored challenges, many viewers are, and i empathize with why that is. what my concern over product placement is that i cannot help but think that contracts with corporate sponsors played a role in the producers decision to veto chef tom's decision to do the morally correct thing in the aftermath of marcel's hazing, and eliminate cliff, sam, ilan and elia, thus making marcel the winner by default. after all, i'm sure these sponsors have a lot riding on the finale, and you can't really film a finale and showcase products with just one chef cooking for the prize.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 2:02 PM

r mehta wrote:

I agree with a lot of the other posters who are tired of the direction this season has taken. Personally I dislike most the recruits left with the exception of Marcel. Yeah, he's a bit of a snob, but I still can't understand what he has done to anyone that has warranted the schoolyard bullying that he's been put through. Sam, Ilian and Cliff are some of the most immature, worst dispositioned contestants you've ever had. I can't believe they've made it this far. I won't continue watching as long as they are on the show and the backstory gets more airtime than the food.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 2:05 PM

Deborah wrote:

Every blog by everyone involved with the show has been nothing but smoke and mirrors, with only the easiest questions by viewers being answered and the really hard ones not being addressed.

95% of the posts are calling for your heads and saying Marcel should have been declared automatic winner and furthermore should sue Bravo.

About half the posters said they felt "physically ill" , some even said they cried.

You edited the show to make it look like Ilan and Elia shaved their heads first, then got carried away, when in fact, there was a pre-meditated attack first, then they shaved their heads to cover up. Elia clearly still has hair when the attack on Marcel occurs, it's there on tape for all to see.

Get with it! Something other than excuse making and down-playing the gravity of the situation needs to be done.

The Emperor has no clothes, it seems.

Cliff's comfort is hardly of concern . He was shamed on TV...yes, by his own actions. What about the humiliation and shame Marcel endured.

I've already written to your sponsors--I won't continue purchasing their products if they continue to advertise on this show.

And if Tom doesn't resign, then he might qualify for the title of idiot too. This is going to do some real damage to his reputation.

I hope Marcel sues you.

Signed,
An ex-avid viewer

posted on January 19, 2007 at 2:19 PM

Debbie E wrote:

I have one question for you. Why did you air that tape? You must have enough tape in the cutting room to fill the time, you could have simply had Tom announce at JT that Cliff broke the contact rules and was asked to leave. Had Marcel broken into tears during the struggle, would you still have shown the tape?
The publics opinion doesn't select Top Chef, your Judges do.
Why did you do it?

posted on January 19, 2007 at 2:42 PM

Bonnie wrote:

For God's sake stop the Marcel drama machine. I just saw the preview for next week's show and once again it is about the Marcel situation. I can't believe that there was nothing else going on in Hawaii that had to do with FOOD and COOKING that could be of interest. I hardly watch TV but make certain that my Wednesday nights are free for Top Chef. However, after the last episode I am disgusted that it has become another stupid reality show. All you need to do to make the transformation complete is to cast is barely clothed girls pulling on each other's hair -- in the kitchen of course -- for next season. There is not a single one of my Top Chef loving friends that don't feel the same way that I do. Please save this terrific show and concept and stop with the focus on crap and focus back on the food. All four of the finalists are talented and I would much prefer to see that than the bickering and abusive behavior.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 3:14 PM

Liz wrote:

Various viewers have slow-mo'd the footage of the assault and the stills clearly show Marcel was attacked BEFORE Elia shaved her head (she is seen on the floor laughing after Marcel gets away from Cliff). Why did you so egregiously mislead us with the editing, Top Chef producers? The cast's apologies don't count for anything - they allowed the attack to happen and went on with their shaving party. Shame on you for not giving us the real timeline.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 3:15 PM

Raquel wrote:

I CANT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY BAD MOUTH MARCELL , SO FAR I HAVE BEEN PEOPLE BAD MOUTH HIM WHAT IS THEIR PROBLEM, I HAVE NOT SEEN MARCELL HAS NOT ACTED BAD, NOR HAS HE BAD MOUTH ANYONE . I THINK HE IS AWASOME

posted on January 19, 2007 at 3:27 PM

Dave wrote:

HEADS SHOULD ROLL over the "who hates Marcel the most". You could have shown yourselves as an innocent party to the bullying and assault on Marcel up to that point, but boy does that leave you guys vulnerable to a law suit.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 3:51 PM

Teri wrote:

Great Blog Andy!

I really appreciate you being open and honest when addressing the comments and questions from the viewers and bloggers. The live show was great, it gave us more insight into the whole situation on Top Chef. All of the chefs were idiots, and Cliff was really out of line, but we all mistakes at one time or another. Cliff showed a lot of class when he admitted his mistake and agreed with the producers in kicking him off the show. Gail was great, she was so candid and really helped us see things from the judges point of view. Keep up the good work!

posted on January 19, 2007 at 3:52 PM

cris wrote:

Granted the episode (with the head shaving) was intense,still... there has been tension building between Marcel and everyone there. Most of the chefs have had negative interactions with Marcel from the beginning of the show at one point or another. I mean, come on, that many people have negative feelings for one person and it has no base whatsoever?!?!?!?! Marcel is clearly arrogant, he speaks to the other chefs in a way which is not at all friendly or respectfull...at all. Tension has been building between Marcel and all other chefs (except Elia) from the beginning episode.Marcel had fights with Betty,Frank,Sam,Ilan etc etc.. Despite his talent, I strongly feel Marcel should not be the winner of Top Chef 2, because if you remember from last season, there was a similar debate about Harold and Tiffany. A Top Chef must not only have talent, but also other chefs must be able to work for him and with him, because after all, one chef cannot run a restaurant,RIGHT? Cliff....I can't believe he's gone?!?!?!? Well, good luck to him.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 3:57 PM

cris wrote:

Granted the episode (with the head shaving) was intense,still... there has been tension building between Marcel and everyone there. Most of the chefs have had negative interactions with Marcel from the beginning of the show at one point or another. I mean, come on, that many people have negative feelings for one person and it has no base whatsoever?!?!?!?! Marcel is clearly arrogant, he speaks to the other chefs in a way which is not at all friendly or respectfull...at all. Tension has been building between Marcel and all other chefs (except Elia) from the beginning episode.Marcel had fights with Betty,Frank,Sam,Ilan etc etc.. Despite his talent, I strongly feel Marcel should not be the winner of Top Chef 2, because if you remember from last season, there was a similar debate about Harold and Tiffany. A Top Chef must not only have talent, but also other chefs must be able to work for him and with him, because after all, one chef cannot run a restaurant,RIGHT? Cliff....I can't believe he's gone?!?!?!? He is so talented and passionate about his skill.... Well, good luck to him.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 3:58 PM

barbara wrote:

Hello Mr. Cohen,

I commend you for your willingness to face your viewers, those who wish not only to say what fans they are of the show but to voice their deep concerns and complaints about Top Chef.

For the life of me, I cannot figure out what you permitted the airing of the very bad behavior of the contestants from their rooms that night. What was your thinking? What possible benefit would ensue from the world gone wrong so far as these contestants are concerned? Surely a simple sentence would have sufficed: just a statement that Cliff had been removed from the show for physical harassment. That's enough.

We wouldn't have had to view the whole thing. Bad enough that it occurred. Why present it to your audience? Unbelievable!!

This is not a court of law in which evidence is presented at trial.
Ohmygosh, what a poor executive decision.

Since you did, I want to state that Cliff took his penalty like a man! He did not whine, He listened attentively to Chef Tom, accepted the decision, and then he went to say his goodbyes,
and apologized to Marcel.

We didn't hear any such apology to Marcel from Ilan, nor from Sam. (I'm unsure if Elia participated in the harassment of Marcel or not.)

Chef Tom must had had *some* reason for suggesting that those four go: Cliff, Sam, Ilan, and Elia.

A person commented who thought the time sequence had been altered inasmuch as they saw Elia with a full head of hair. But if you remember, Elia had a handband with an attached wig. It's only when she removed it that we saw she had shaved her head. Maybe she had been wearing that headband-wig at the time.

All in all, I've been very pleased with the judges' comments at the judges' table. I've found them to be educational. I like each of the regular judges very much. If the show continues, if there's a season three, then I hope the same three judges will be participating.

I've been profoundly disappointed and upset that any contestant should be subjected to constant ridicule and harassment as took place this season against Marcel. Such boorish behaviors were not limited to the boys, by the way. But the men seemed intent upon escalating the bullying. Since they were apparently unsupervised, and since no would attempted to stop their bad behaviors earlier, how could we possibly be surprised by the extent to which they would go, how far they would carry their ill behavior?

Please take responsibility for this problem. Who are the jerks who sit around filming yelling and screaming? They think that's entertainment for us? Pleeeeze. It's not.

Hire a psychologist to teach the producers about group dynamics, and then, as Chef Tom would say, "Fix the problem!
If you're not proud of it, don't put it out there!"

I hope will see considerable improvement in the future.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 4:59 PM

Lynda S wrote:

Hello Andy,

So you feel proud of yourself and your "product". Hmmmm. Proud of what, exactly? You must have very low standards.

I have a feeling that when the "Top Chef" winner is revealed (whoever it is), there will be more dissention from the viewers than from the horrible results of Jerkoff Jeffrey at Project Runway. The reason is that whoever you decided was the winner was most likely not deserving of the title (as described by the judges). You might as well have used a dart board to pick the winner than continue with the cooking.

With the exception of gentlemanly Marcel, the Final Few's behavior offended us all!

posted on January 19, 2007 at 5:02 PM

Cynthia Gutierrez wrote:

Why did the idiots that watched Marcel get assaulted (which by any defination, he did) get off so lightly?????? It did not seem that anyone told them that they were completely unprofessional, and did not show any sign of common simple decencey. During the judge's table, it really seemed glossed over. I though they all should have been sent home, and Marcel declared the winner.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 5:25 PM

Lonny wrote:

Now that it has started to be revealed that Bravo and everyone involved with Top Chef have attempeted to perpertrate a fraud on it's vieing audience , How do you plan on going on defending Cliff and the others visious assualt on Marcel ?
Was the film not edited to make us believe that they all shaved thier heads first and then went after Marcel? It looks as though the decision to shave heads came after the assualt on Marcel..
Is someone involved with Bravo ever gonna tell us the truth ?

posted on January 19, 2007 at 6:25 PM

Lori L. wrote:

People keep asking "why all the hate on Marcel"? Yes he has been ........(insert your adjective here).., but you know what, ALL of the contestants have had their moments. The difference is: When Frank threatened Marcel and BRAVO did NOTHING, they bascially let the other contestants know that Marcel was "free game", he's your patsey do what you want to him. It was permitted, it was encouraged.

I know it's been brought up but I want to mention it as well until the matter is addressed. Why was the timeline changed/edited to appear that Illan and Ellia shaved there heads BEFORE the assault on Marcel? When actually it was after. Maybe because it would cast a much different light on the matter? Maybe because it would make the situation even MORE deplorable in that they just had a grand ole fun time after what they did ?

posted on January 19, 2007 at 6:27 PM

Carrie wrote:

Marcel is such a whiney little boy. The contestants were the ones running the camera, there were no production people or producers there. The only way the producers could have found out what happened that early in the morning was for Marcel to have called and tattled to them. If Marcel really felt assaulted or in danger he should have called 911 or hotel security or left the room. He didn't he played this up to his advantage and acted like a little boy.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 6:48 PM

nan wrote:

Your blog is nothing but emails because you don't want to write one about what you think? You want to put all the blame on Cliff and none on the show so you air his bull about it? So glad he felt comfortable with you.

Who do you guys think you are fooling. You saw it coming, you egged it on, you filmed it , then your aired it. Marcel probably thinks he couldn't win if he sued and evidently the title means more than the money to him because if i were on the jury, he would own you. This title means nothing anymore. That is the shame of the editing you guys did this season.

You could have had Ms. Wong do a quick "how to" on the winning dish like is hear on the net. That would bring the audience more into the judging. But no, lets show them some violence. You are pathetic

posted on January 19, 2007 at 6:49 PM

hughman wrote:

wow. how quickly Bravo has denegrated into mucky-mucky mayhem.

it seems you start with a great idea (like Project Runway and Top Chef) and then the acclaim and interest go to your head and someone/somewhere just drops the ball.

project runway season 2 - unnecessary drama and mediocore results.

top chef season 2 - petulant adolescent contestants who seem more intent on becoming "reality TV" cliches than on representing their talent.

who is to blame for this? perhaps you should take a break from your globe-trotting and name-dropping to discern what you want in the long run.

it's obvious from the posts on all the Bravo blogs (and on the Bravo fan blogs) this is a common concern among viewers. it is probably influencing the interest in Top Design. will Top Design actually be a show about talent in the interior design field or will it be another show about self-obsessed blowhards who want to flounce their drama on TV?

seriously, you should have a meeting at Bravo and get a grip on this problem before you find yourself being the scorn and the laughing stock of those of us who are looking forward to creative, engaging TV.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 8:30 PM

lARUEN wrote:

I agree with Cynthia (the blog above), why do the other chefs get off lightly. Look at the blogs Andy, 99% of the bloggers think Sam, Ilan and Elia were to blame also. Are you going to address this in your net live show at all? Sam, Ilan and Elia should all read the blogs, no one agrees with how they behaved.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 9:25 PM

Morgan wrote:

Christ on cracker, really now, can't we let this drop already? Cliff has accepted responsibility for acting like a drunken frat boy an national tv, has been punished for it, and will most likely continue to be for a long time, given reruns and dvds. The others do not come out of it looking any better either, another legacy captured on film forever. Marcel (being the bigger person) has accepted Cliff's apology and appears to have moved on. Marcel does not need the American public to turn him into some sort of martyr over something so stupid.
This whole situation is ridiculous, the people in charge have made their decisions and taken the steps they feel necessary to right the situation in the moment and in further action (months after the fact) would be unfair.
Really now, what is expected of Bravo? Put Cliff and the others in stocks and let the public, led by St. Marcel, throw rotten food at them (again months after these events have taken place)?

posted on January 19, 2007 at 9:26 PM

Kris wrote:

Andy,

Thank you for being open to hearing from viewers and showing a real interest in our thoughts and concerns. I hope that they will have an impact on the next season of Top Chef.

I also hope that next season, you will find people who are more professional than this batch has been so that the primary focus can be about the food. Season 1 had the balance between skill and drama just about perfect - we got to see what the chefs were cooking, learned more about why they chose to make the dishes they did, how they felt about the challenges - and had just enough interpersonal angst to give it a bit of spice. But this season has been almost exactly the opposite. We learn very little about the cooking and so much time has been spent on the drama. Unfortunately, none of the contestants have been terribly likable, so the drama is just draining the show of life.

I know that reality shows are edited to help create "storylines" for the audience to follow, but there have been two occasions this season (that I know of) where such editing gave a truly distorted view of what was going on - and then that view was reinforced by comments made by contestants in their "confessionals" - making it appear that the contestants were either told to lie, or conveniently had memory lapses that matched what the editors had created. The first was during the first episode when Marcel and Ilan meet for the first time, and we were shown Marcel just sort of out of the blue asking Ilan if he wanted to see his knives. Ilan later (and it may have been another episode) made a comment about how he was irritated by that. Yet in the bonus footage posted on the Bravotv.com site, an unedited version of the scene was shown, and in THAT it was shown that ILAN first asked Marcel if he wanted to see HIS knives and that Marcel looked at them for a minute, then asked if Ilan wanted to see his. That re-editing made Marcel look like arrogant and irritating, and yet that wasn't the case at all.

The second is much more serious and comes from this week's episode. In the footage of the assault on Marcel, what we were shown during the episode was Elia and Ilan shaving their heads, Elia making a joke about Marcel's hair, Cliff commenting in confessional that "then" they decided it would be fun to shave Marcel's head, and the assault. However, in the segment starting where we see Marcel breaking out of Cliff's hold, as he leaves the room, Elia - WITH ALL HER HAIR - can be seen off to the side, kneeling on the floor and laughing. This means that the actual order of events had to be that they decided to shave Marcel's head, Cliff assaulted Marcel, Elia knew what was going on and was laughing about it, and sometime after Marcel left the room, Elia and Ilan decided to shave their head - with Elia making fun of Marcel's hair, AFTER HAVING WATCHED CLIFF ASSAULT HIM.

The re-editing seems to have been done to make it seem like this was just a night of escalating stupidity - people drink, do something stupid to themselves and then get carried away and do something really stupid to someone else - when in fact that wasn't the case. It also leaves open the question that Ilan and Elia may have decided to shave their own heads to either try and cover up what happened (by making it easier to rearrange the timeline) or to try and minimize the seriousness of what happened by trying to show that they were just in a really goofy mood or something.

Whatever the reason, though, showing the events out of sequence is COMPLETELY unacceptable, and viewers are owed an explanation.

I sincerely hope that you will pay attention to how many viewers are upset, not only by what happened on this week's, but by the tenor of the season as a whole, and will work to ensure that next season will return to the level of excellence that season 1 provided. Season 1 was incredible entertainment. This season has just been a pile of dog food.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 9:44 PM

Melanie wrote:

I urge those who are angered by this season of Top Chef, and particularly the attack on Marcel during the last episode, to boycott the finale episodes, and not watch Season 3 of Top Chef. Bravo should not be rewarded for these tactics of encouraging behavior like this and reveling in it--celebrating it, even with "Who hates Marcel most?" polls, a special on-line show featuring friendly conversation with Marcel's attacker, hot shot photos....amazing how a cooking show can make you feel like vomiting.

This show has turned into a mockery and has become just another crappy reality tv drama. Too bad.

Talented chefs should avoid this show like the plague--let it die a natural death due to neglect and disinterest.

Bravo sucks.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 10:17 PM

Connor wrote:

Something stinks in the Kitchen, Andy.
Mine and several other comments have been removed from Tom C.'s blog. I and others asked him to explain the video footage that shows Elia with a full head of hair laughing on the floor just out of Marcel's eyesight during the attack on him. This eveidence shows that everyone including the judges are lying about the sequence of events. This sequence shows that Elia was in on the assault, that the gang carried on their party afterwards without remorse, and Elia's and Ilan's shavings were some sort of ass-covering tactic. This evidence also shows there is alot of lying and deception going around. Somebody needs to save what's left of this show's dignity and address this most important development...

posted on January 19, 2007 at 10:32 PM

Mames wrote:

I have never been more disgusted at tv as I was this week. I thought this was a show about food first, drama, if any, second. I don't know what is real, what is edited, what is fabricated. I do know what you have chosen to show the viewers is despicable, appalling. I never in a million years thought I would have to watch a show about food with my hands over my face, peeking between my fingers. That may sound exaggerated. Sadly, it is not. While I know tv is for ratings, I refuse to watch Bravo programming anymore.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 11:05 PM

june wrote:

I too was embarrassed about the behavior of these supposedly Top Chef candidates in front of a real Top Chef, Monsieur Ripert. Americans already have a stereotyped reputation for being immature, coarse, vulgar, and violent. When I go to Europe, people ask me if people really behave the way they do on the Jerry Springer show. Are they as violent and just plain stupid, ignorant clowns? This does not speak well for this country as to what it is putting forward as Chef material.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 11:15 PM

Sandra Alexander wrote:

I will not every watch this show or use the the sponsor products. You and the show condone bullying and violence. You couldn't predict this would happen. Marcel should have won by default! If Elia, Ilan Cliff and Sam happen to be involved in a restaurant I go to I will leave!!

In fact-I dont't think I will watch Bravo as it apparently condones assalt for ratings.

posted on January 19, 2007 at 11:32 PM

Phyllis Erwin wrote:

Dear Mr. Cohen:
I wonder if anyone, judges or producers, reads these comments. That said, I will continue with mine, although I will no longer watch Top Chef.

1. Frank should have been sent home for threatening Marcel.

2. Betty should have been sent home for cheating in the Less is More episode. Whether or not she intended to cheat, cheat she did.

3. Mia should have been told that if she wanted to leave after the Holiday episode debacle it would be up to her, but that Elia was going home in any case because as the leader of the team she clearly failed.

4. A chef who thinks that chicken livers are an appropriate center for chocolate truffles needs to go back to cooking school, not on to Hawaii.

The producers bear primary responsibility for the assualt that occured in the Santa Barbara episode. Housing the chefs together dormitory style is obviously intended to provoke animosity in an already stressful and competitive situation. The producers, over a period of time, encouraged pettiness and jealousy to erupt into physical violence.

Who could have guessed that this would happen? Well, for starters, anyone who parents multiple children, especially boys, or anyone who is a teacher or coaches a sports team.

I suppose the producers thought that filming Cliff, Ilan, Frank, Betty, and Sam screaming at Marcel, thought that it made for "fun" viewing. Now the entire production team can claim to be shocked and appalled at how it turned out.

I am not shocked but I am certainly appalled. I wanted to watch a program about chefs, the interesting and delicious foods they cook, and their creative processes. Instead, I watched Lord of the Flies.

Those of you in charge should be ashamed of yourselves.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 12:08 AM

Lucie wrote:

The episode was edited. The prank was presented as one event. They got drunk, Elia decided to shave her head. Then Ilan. And then they decide to do try to do it to Marcel. Who would have had time to buy a wig? Elia had hair during the hazing. Why was it aired out of sequence?

posted on January 20, 2007 at 12:08 AM

DB wrote:

-Andy

Do you think we are a bunch of idiots?? When the assault occured-when Marcel left to another room, we can still see Elia with hair (prior to shaving her head). She was laughing and let her "friend" being harm. So that gives an indication that Cliff, Ilan, Sam and Elia were all involved in this sickening act. Then after the Cliff and Marcel incident, they went back to the bathroom and shaved their head...careless and disregard the whole incident. They obviously do not care! Cliff apologizes to Marcel because he got caught; if he were truly sincere, he could have apologize when he let go of Marcel. I don't believe this is a 'prank'. Marcel said no and told Cliff to get off of him. He continues to harm Marcel while the other did nothing but laugh at the whole situation. Bravo is lucky that Marcel didn't press charges. He had the chance to sue everyone but he's that much of a gentle guy not to do it. I'm a loyal viewer and now, I've had it. Forget about Season 3. Winning Top Chef is no longer a respectable title.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 12:09 AM

Elle wrote:

In response to people who are outraged that the incident was shown, I actually prefer that we saw what happened. I think we needed to see how serious the situation was that warranted Cliff's disqualification. If we were merely told that they carried a prank too far, I'm sure many people would want to judge it for themselves.
But that being said, like some people have mentioned, it appears that the timeline was edited. The incident seems more malicious if they tried to get Marcel before Elia and Ilan shaved their heads, instead of what we were shown.
One last point, you addressed wanting to make Cliff feel better because he had been shamed on national tv. While I understand your reasoning, I agree with other viewers that it came across as too forgiving and accepting.
Thanks for taking the time to respond to the viewers.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 4:58 AM

Katy D wrote:

Hey Andy thanks for those responses.
I would still like to know why Padma or
producers or whomever, felt the need to further torment Marcel by saying "I'm sorry, Elia Marcel, Please pack your knives"----- It would have served you better if you had the class to say Elia, Marcel, congrats you are on your way,. Then let those other two squirm a little. But Noooo you had to put more pressure on Marcel

posted on January 20, 2007 at 7:42 AM

Christine wrote:

The last episode of Top Chef was disgusting. Idiots is too gentle a word for these people - Nazis is a better term. This is like the arena in ancient Rome where someone gets thrown to the lions and the crowds cheer (read Sam and Ilan) . Think of the ratings if someone had tried to torture him! If somebody had tried to rape Elia would you have put it on the air? If it's discovered that Ilan is pedofile would you still just be concerned that his baked pasta is outstanding? Wake up. The chefs are not just the only idiots - its management who is joining them in this shock jock episode. You have the decision making responsibility and by not sending them all home have failed.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 9:56 AM

Dan wrote:

Mr. Cohen,

My girlfriend and I have been big fans of Top Chef since the first season. While I still enjoy the show, my girlfriend has stopped watching because of the contestants' hostile behavior towards Marcel, even before the events of the most recent episode. Needless to say, hearing about those events has just confirmed her feelings.

I feel that the show's environment, as mandated by the producers, is directly responsible for not only the childish and unprofessional behavior of the contestants, but for the general lack of inspiration and quality of their food. It is perfectly logical that isolating the contestants from the outside world and forcing them to spend every waking moment with each other would result in minor annoyances like Marcel (which would normally be just shrugged off) to fester and explode in a "Lord of the Flies" type of anarchy, complete with bullying and physical violence.

Furthermore, by isolating the contestants and driving them to physical and mental exhaustion, you the producers have denied the chefs the inspiration needed to succeed at such a creative endeavor. Creativity is the lifeblood of a great chef. The contestants cannot live in a vacuum . I would hope that in Top Chef 3 in Miami, the contestants are given some time on their own to chill out, release tension and get inspired by their location and environment. (You can still have them talk about what they did on their time off in interviews) This would greatly improve the food and the competition. The true, adult personalities of the contestants will shine through and the competion will still make great television.

While some may object that this could make the show "boring," my main complaint from this season is that most of the contestants' food has been utterly uninspired (everybody has been guilty of this, some more than others). The conflicts among the contestants have only distracted from the competition. Let the chefs be chefs!

posted on January 20, 2007 at 11:13 AM

Jackey wrote:

I was hoping that the judges would boot them all off and start from scratch. It's fun to watch the creative process and I GET that this is "reality" TV with heavy editorial license so we need to put up with drama that in REAL life we'd all avoid like the plague, but yowza, how can we get psyched for the finale when we don't want any of them to win? Does talent and ambition always translate into ---> rude, selfish, tacky behavior? It seems like it on Bravo TV. I never watch Survivor, Idol or any of the those shows, but got hooked on Runway and Top Chef because the challenges were interesting and I thought the participants and production were classier. But, ugh, can't you guys find folks with talent and class? Do they all have to be 28 going on 3?

posted on January 20, 2007 at 11:39 AM

Amazon wrote:

None of those involved in the assault on Marcel (including the co-conspirators and collaborators) should be going to Hawaii.

By sending those involved in the assault to Hawaii, Top Chef is validating and endorsing their behavior as desired qualities of a top chef.

Is an assault on a sleeping colleague part of the characteristics TC producers and judges believe are necessary for a top chef? It's a yes-no question, just as were the many questions the judges/producers have made throughout the season regarding sending a chef home. The decision to send them to Hawaii indicated a resounding "YES" decision to that question.

They all should have been sent home and an alternative found to reach the 3 contestants planned for Hawaii. One soultion would have been to bring in the last 2 chefs who had been sent home.

Perhaps an alternative solution to filling up the 3-contestant slot going to Hawaii ,which is more in line with the apparent mindset of the TC producers/judges, would be to grab a couple of contestants from the new "You Want to be a White Rapper" reality show.

Except that the White Rapper contestants have higher moral character, better ethics, and certainly better leadership skills, than the three contestants involved in the assault who are being rewarded for their actions by going to Hawaii.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 1:12 PM

JennieD wrote:

Andy,
I've enjoyed your blogs, and those of the judges and production, from this year's Top Chef. It saddens me to tell you that this week's Top Chef episode will be my last as a viewer. The assault on Marcel was appalling, but equally appalling is the production company's part in it. The editing of this season is suspect, and Marcel has been edited deliberately to be unlikeable to set this whole episode up. The evidence: the poll asking "Who Hates Marcel Most". That was the icing on the cake. And the fact that TomC originally wanted to kick off not just Cliff, but the others who stood by and watched the assualt, but was overruled by your production team? The production team was wrong. You would have gotten more ratings and more attention if you'd done the right thing, and made them all accountable for their behavior.

I originally enjoyed Top Chef, and hte first two seasons of Project Runway, because these were "reality" shows that showcased talent, where participants had to do something. The current season was obviously cast and edited to make it more about melodrama. That may appeal to some, but I'm out.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 1:35 PM

Michele wrote:

I agree with the comments that Cliff was very lucky to get off the way he did. any spin he tries to put on this, "Marcel is like a little brother to me" is ridiculous. He assaulted someone, I am curious as to how he got off so lucky and charges weren't filed against him. Marcel did accept his apology gracefully - much more than Cliff deserved.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 1:37 PM

Cindy wrote:

Hi Andy, It’s obvious that none of these chefs like Marcel. I notice Marcel talks the same way to everyone, which shows that’s just his personality and he needs to work on how he talks to people and I believe he can improve. However, I do not see how Ilan, Sam or Elia would be able to improve their professionalism at this time. As seen in the last episode they are able to be nice to each other but degrade Marcel, which means that it’s not just their personality but rather sheer ignorance, rudeness and very self absorbed. I say this because when working in ANY work environment a leader should NEVER play favorites or disrespect someone just because they don’t care for his/her personality. Whether they like someone or not, a true leader would treat EVERYONE the SAME and not pull out favorites and treat them better than everyone else. A TRUE leader would put aside their personal feelings towards someone and still work effectively. A TRUE leader would address any mistakes made in the work environment in a respectful manner. A TRUE leader wouldn’t gossip about the person they dislike in the workplace. If we put aside the “drama” outside of the kitchen in this last episode for a second and notice what happened in the kitchen, Marcel was just being honest when he said he could not help Sam at the time because he was going to be busy but Sam was running around saying I’m not gong to help Marcel out of anger. I respect Marcel’s honesty and find Sam’s behavior disgusting. I’m sure that anyone who has had a true leader would not say that Sam demonstrates those leadership qualities. I do believe he will win and is a great cook but a top chef is more than that, as Tom points out in his blog. You should also point this out in your blog. Thanks

posted on January 20, 2007 at 1:52 PM

maryd wrote:

Maybe the powers that be have decided that this (outrageous behavior) is the direction Bravo is going to continue with. Let's face it: advertisers aren't interested in a sedate cooking show. Also, look at some of the past & present shows on Bravo: Tabloid Wars; Being Bobby Brown; Battle of the Network Reality Stars; Real Housewives of Orange County. On Chef Tom's blog, he said he lost respect for Sam, Elia, Cliff and Ilan as people. Thank God someone actually said it! I wonder if he and Gail will return next season. This can't be what they signed up for.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 2:25 PM

Lisa A wrote:

Thanks for making a network I once loved and respected into trash tv!

I will be watching the finale of Top Chef with the faint (and I mean faint) hope of possibly seeing Marcel treated with the respect and decency he deserves. With all likelihood, however, I'm sure it will be another round of cruelty and immaturity brought to us by the gang of Sam, Ilan and Elia.

I want to thank you, too, for editing the hair shaving scheme to make it look like Marcel was assaulted AFTER Elia and Ilan went bald. We now know the difference. Good way to make the two of them into far lesser monsters than they really are. One of them must win, am I right?

Sorry Bravo. I won't be watching Top Chef 3. I think I'd find more class on Flavor of Love.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 2:52 PM

Renee wrote:

I'm not sure who is responsible for the crop of "chefs" chosen for Season 2, but they need to run not walk back to the drawing board. There is not one original in this group of losers, and they have done more harm than good to what started out as a quality show. You should take a lesson from HGTV's Design Star, gasp, and realize that viewers everywhere are eager to see nice guys and gals finish first. This season of Top Chef has been a disaster from the git go. Quit picking "Stephenlike" or Haroldlike folks, and chose based on talent, not toxic waste. If Season 3 starts out as badly as this season, I'm heading back to HGTV.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 4:35 PM

Cindy wrote:

Hi Andy, isnt the show in Hawaii taped 2 months after the final four were annonced? That is why Ilan and Elia's hair grew back right?
Thanks

posted on January 20, 2007 at 4:48 PM

Renee wrote:

I'm not sure who is responsible for the crop of "chefs" chosen for Season 2, but they need to run not walk back to the drawing board. There is not one original in this group of losers, and they have done more harm than good to what started out as a quality show. You should take a lesson from HGTV's Design Star, gasp, and realize that viewers everywhere are eager to see nice guys and gals finish first. This season of Top Chef has been a disaster from the git go. Quit picking "Stephenlike" or Haroldlike folks, and chose based on talent, not toxic waste. If Season 3 starts out as badly as this season, I'm heading back to HGTV.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 4:54 PM

Phyllis wrote:

My Top Chef watching friends and I have a question about your recipes. Frequently there seem to be two versions and sometimes three, if Leeann demonstrates.

One example is Ilan's clam dish from episode 11. The ingredients posted are very different from those used in Leeann's demo. No onions or tomatoes are listed in the ingredients posted.

Another example is Elia's dessert from episode 11. If I were making this dish according to the directions given on the web site, I would prepare the chocolate, put it in the fridge to cool, and never take it out again.

These discrepencies have been consistent since the beginning of season 2.

I would like to prepare both of the dishes I mentioned in this post, but really can't based on two (or three) different sets of ingredients and instructions. Can you help?

posted on January 20, 2007 at 5:11 PM

SARA PAGE wrote:

I WAS SO OFFENDED BY WHAT HAPPENED ON THE LAST EPISODE OF "TOP CHEF" I WORK IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL AND WE DO SO MUCH WORK WITH ANTI-BULLYING AND EVEN THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GET IT. MY STOMACH TURNED,NOT SO MUCH AT THE REPREHENSIBLE BEHAVIOR OF CLIFF, BUT ALMOST MORE SO AT THE REACTIONS OF THE OTHER THREE. FOR NO ONE TO INTERVENE OR SAY STOP WAS TRULY SAD.
I DON'T CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF SOMEONE,EVERY PERSON DESERVES RESPECT AND DIGNITY. I CAN'T IMAGINE
HOW MARCEL AND HIS FAMILY MUST FEEL.
THE WORST THING IS THAT NO MATTER WHO WINS, THEY WILL ALWAYS HAVE THIS INCIDENT AS A SHADOW. SOME DESERVE IT AND SOME DON'T.
SO MUCH FOR PROGRESS.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 5:40 PM

Alicia Guido wrote:

Hello Andy

I am a uge fan of the show but for the first time this season as been a total shame. Everyone accept Elia have totally dis respected Marcel. Cliff is lucky that Marcel does not press charges on assault. I do not agree with giving air time to Cliff. I wish the chefs would keep there dirty comments to themseilves and focus on the food. If you have nothing nice to say dont say nothing at all. Marcel should have been givin air time but I give mad respect to Marcel for accepting Cliff apology like a real man.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 6:09 PM

shelly wrote:

You have GOT to be kidding me! The more I see of this garbage the more disgusted I get. You actually have Cliff on for a little "interview" to discuss his side of it? He can't even find a reason himself why they pick at Marcel. Cliff is full of crap and the minute Marcel gets ditched from the show (which is obvious it's going to happen since all of you seem to dismiss the behavior of the other 3) I'm done with it. How dense are you people? Look through the blogs and read .... the majority of people who watch TC are not into this type of drama crap. This is not supposed to be Survivor. It seems pretty obvious to don't care. I also don't like the Jerry Springer Show and this is starting to remind me of it. I'm also wondering such as many others as to why Frank's butt was not sent packing the night he threatened Marcel! That was uncalled for and should have been dealt with at that time. Oh you might get your precious ratings, but maybe you should think about the type of people who will be watching. This has been a disgusting season! Bring on more like Harold and Dave! Hell, even Stephen was great compared to these that you have this season. Cliff calls them "chefs". HAHAHAHAHA Let me correct you Cliff, it's more like "clowns". What a punk group this season!! Get a clue producers.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 6:17 PM

Bug wrote:

Marcel is a punk, has been all throughout, and should have been punched out a long time ago

posted on January 20, 2007 at 7:35 PM

lARUEN wrote:

People started watching season two of top chef because they loved season one, although there was drama, in the end a professional top chef was crowned. Who is a great cook and also has the other qualities needed to be a top chef. Viewers told others that have never seen the show (referring top chef) but these new viewers will not see a professional top chef crowned in season two. Whoever wins out of these top four can cook but lack professionalism.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 7:43 PM

robin wrote:

I am glad to see that the comments I have read is in favor of Marcel. He has put up with alot this whole season starting with Betty who was very unprofessional from the start. It is amazing that Marcel has been able to endure what he has endured by these so called professionals, that i think he is the better of them all. I am for Marcel all the way. I feel the whole top chef staff owe Marcel an awful big apology. As for Cliff''s behavior, it was totally in bad taste and Ilan, Elia, and Sam egged him on and nothing happened to them.
Elia was the only one who stood by Marcel until Ilan and Sam got to her. Marcel appeared to be cooking some fine dishes and for just what he has endured this whole season, he should be the Top Chef.

Thank you.

posted on January 20, 2007 at 7:57 PM

Laura wrote:

Proud? Are you kidding me???????
Disgust doesn't begin to cover it. Disgust with the contestants for behaving themselves in such a horid manner - and disgust for Bravo and the producers for their "clever" (NOT!) poll about who hates Marcel the most. Are you kidding me?????
I am so mad. How can we root for anyone to win? How can we cheer on these cowardly frat boys (Ilan,Sam) who filmed, laughed and encouraged the incident??? Elia is no better. She laughed right along with them and refused to help.
Let's remember - Marcel is Elia's size!!!
To anyone who thinks it was just a harmeless prank- let's remember Marcel slept on the bathroom floor!! The cold BATHROOM floor- the only room with a lock!!
For shame Bravo. For Shame

posted on January 20, 2007 at 8:45 PM

meghan j. wrote:

The behaviors displayed in the last episode are in no way qualities desired in a Top Chef. It seems as though lack of leadership and ethics are being rewarded with a trip to Hawii. The editing of the episode is suspect and not what one would expect from Bravo. Shame on you! The producers had a chance to do the right thing and failed. I am done with Top Chef and with Bravo TV; I am sure I will not stand alone in this choice!

posted on January 21, 2007 at 2:00 AM

willnyc wrote:

I've been a HUGE fan of the show, but watching you and Gail and Cliff have a chatty, convivial little sit-down was nauseating. Clearly, you were all trying to make light of Cliff's attack on Marcel. Not that I ever had much respect for Tom Colicchio's chief buttkisser (ie, Gail), but she really showed her true colors on this one: by sitting next to Cliff, patting him on the back, and smiling into the camera, she showed she has no integrity. If she had any balls or gave a flip about the show, she'd have called Cliff out right then and there instead of using this airtime as an opportunity to excuse Cliff's behavior. I mean, what the hell? Cliff ASSAULTED another human being half his size on national TV and Gail sits there condoning it! And Cliff, Marcel is not your "little brother." He's a contestant in a high pressure competition and a person you've been threatening ("I wanted to hit Marcel 5 times.") the entire show. I was somewhere on the fence about this until I saw your smug little tea party. You just lost one devoted fan.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 2:06 AM

Cynthia wrote:

What I am having tremendous difficulty understanding is this: Why is everyone blaming Bravo and Top Chef's producers for what happened on the show?
Every single event we saw unfold in that, now infamous, episode is solely accredited to the contestants of Top Chef, not the producers. THEY were the ones who thought of the prank, THEY were the ones who laughed from the sidelines, THEY were the ones who caused Marcel to go sleep on the bathroom floor (yes, a VERY COLD bathroom floor as most of you like to point out, although I can't imagine how you would know).
How were the producers, at the time of casting, supposed to know what kind of people the contestants are? It is NOT their fault that these chefs did what they did. I don’t understand the need to place blame on anyone but them.

In the end, we have to realize that Top Chef is a TV SHOW, people. A reality TV show at that. All events that occurred during production WILL be filmed if there's a camera nearby. Was Bravo supposed to not air that clip just because it included the shave-heard-‘round-the-world? That’s what happened, that’s what we saw. The network’s slogan isn’t ‘watch what happens’ for nothing.

Was the series supposed to end last week, naming Marcel the winner by default? NO!! Hate to break it to you, but that’s not how things work out.
Then again, it would have saved you all the “torture” of having to watch Top Chef for one more episode.

oh and one more thing, why is everyone attacking Andy? He just writes the blog. Give him a break.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 2:07 AM

Jim wrote:

Oh please, get real. All you Marcel-fanboi's writing that he is "gracious" -- guess what, you misspelled "Machiavellian". That's the word you're looking for, and it does describe him. Watch him, listen to him, he wants to win any way he can, just not by his cooking. Anybody can do something wacky with food, Padma just wants the resident foamosaurus around so she can see what insanity he'll turn up next.

As for Cliff's behavior, the poor man has been sorely misunderstood. I totally lost respect for him a few weeks ago, but now he redeemed himself. Talk about gracious, that would be Cliff walking out with nothing but kindness on his lips and a knife in his back. As for the shaving incident, that was an attempted fashion-intervention gone wrong. Anyone with Marcel's misbegotten attempt at coiffure should be eternally grateful of the attempt to make him look like a serious kickass chef instead of a wannabe fratboy. Just my opinion of course.

Elia I love to pieces. Seeing your shell-shocked expression in the morning after Tom comes through and does his hatchet-man job, I just wanted to hug you and make it all better. Though you and Ilan do need to get a handle on that head shaving thing -- that clip-job is *ugly*. Get a brand new scary-sharp straight razor, some good quality shaving cream, and clean anything resembling stubble off your noggin. Turtle wax, shine it till it *glows*. You're not jarheads, you're not GI Jane, let's have some fashion in our cranial nudity.

Why don't we try this on for size. Rename the show to "Survivor: Kitchen Island" and just admit once and for all that it's just good old fashioned reality TV with some silly PC-ness and haute cuisine thrown in to confuse the innocent.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 2:26 AM

jschriever wrote:

Andy,
Cliffs behavior was egregious. His explanation on your interview was fluff - he could not justify it. He claims to feel towards Marcel as his little brother or how he may treat his little brother.
I re watched that portion of the assault by Cliff on Marcel tonight. I was not horse play. If you pull all of the clips of Cliffs remarks about Marcel during the episodes, they all lend to his hostile feelings towards Marcel. And yes the other three are just as culpable. No one tried to stop it. Sam being the biggest and the closest, just laughed. If it was your son, brother, friend, family member - I think you may have taken other action. I don't care how annoying anyone believes Marcel is. There is no justification for this behavior. I know many posts elude to "its just a show - get over it". Strip away everything else about the program. Cooking, personalities - whatever. This was a case of assault in my opinion. If this was a member of my family or inner circle, I'd be speaking with my attorney. History tells us not to look the other way.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 3:16 AM

Nilo wrote:

1. Marcel was assaulted on national television
2. Chef Tom, while dealing with Cliff and during JT, did not seem terribly concerned. He seemed more "well, rules are rules, so I guess we have to send you home". Not exactly a shinging beacon of morality and leadership, there.
3. [b]During[/b] the airing, Bravo puts up a poll about who hates Marcel most - and includes the option of d) Me. The kindest thing that could be said about this is "in bad taste". At worst, it's disgusting and despicable.
3. After the viewing of the show - what, 3 months after the fact? - Chef Tom blogs about how shocked and offended and disgusted he was with all [b]4[/b] of them - Cliff, Sam, Ilan, and Elia - even though we saw [b]nothing[/b] in his demeanor on film to substantiate that.
4. Careful watchers of the numerous repeats - or who downloaded the episode from ITunes or wherever - notice a pretty glaring thing which points to some tampering of the timeline: namely that Elia was visible during the assault on Marcel [b]with[/b] all of her hair. Meaning that the headshaving took place [b]after[/b] the assault on Marcel and not before.
5. People who posted on various blogs here on the Bravo website about this timeline discrepency have had their comments pulled. I know this to be true because it's happened to several of my comments.

Conspiracy, much?

posted on January 21, 2007 at 4:07 AM

macktan wrote:

Tom C was right--all of them should have been sent packing. That you singled Cliff out and rewarded the others sickens me. Assault is not only physical, and the others were also guilty. I'm surprised they let Cliff bear the blame for everything that night.

But Top Chef is no longer about who cooks the best. A few weeks ago, Mia was allowed to quit in favor of Elia. I remember last season when a vegetarian cook wanted to quit in favor of someone else, and she was not allowed to.

That both of these contestants, Mia and Cliff, are black, just makes the whole thing suspicious. I can't root for Top Chef any longer.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 5:06 AM

Stella wrote:

Andy,

I usually enjoy your thoughts and feedback on the show. Not this week.

You cannot expect an educated viewership to believe that you knew in advance the "storyline" of this episode, yet had no idea Bravo would be offering a "Who Hates Marcel the Most?" poll during said episode.

You cannot expect an educated viewership to believe that the producers had no idea the escalating harassment, along with the availability of booze in the apartment, plus a conveniently loaned video camera was a recipe for disaster more revolting than chicken livers and chocolate.

You cannot expect an educated viewership to believe you had no choice about including the boorish behavior of the participants when you have hundreds of hours of footage to choose from, nor that the participants themselves had no inkling that their continued engagement in such behavior wasn't being encouraged by someone behind the scenes as "good television."

I cannot believe you think that the show you presented this season is something your educated viewership wants to spend their time watching.

Chef Colicchio has said he wanted to send Cliff, Sam, Elia and Ilan home for their conduct, but was overruled by producers. Drama trumps integrity. Much as I enjoy Chef Colicchio's appearances on the show, I personally hope his disgust with Bravo's editorial decision leads him to depart, along with the many audience members that have already been lost.

Excuses don't cut it. You, and your staff, knew what they were doing; this show didn't edit itself. Like Cliff, you expect people to believe that things just got carried away and "oops" - look at what an awful situation we had on our hands, as if no one could have stopped it at any one of a hundred different points. You all chose to play a part in this fiasco. Congratulations on stooping to the level of "Flavor of Love" and "Survivor" - two reality trash television shows that, unsurprisingly, don't attract an educated viewership. I understand, your emphasis on drama and hostility may pick up new viewers and as a result, you may see no decline in ratings, but I don't imagine those new viewers are the desired demographic of the once sophisticated and high-minded Bravo.

Congratulations on ruining what was once an interesting, entertaining series and refusing to admit even an ounce of culpability in the direction things have taken.

Stella

posted on January 21, 2007 at 8:47 AM

Rita wrote:

Anyone defending Sam, Ilan and Elia (and Cliff and Betty too) must be related to them. There was no justification for what happened. I think it's amazing how well Marcel is handling himself through all of this. He may not be the best chef but he has proven he is the 'Top Chef' at least to me. Any of the others........well I hope I don't ever find myself eating in their restaurants. What happens if they have a bad day? Would they mess with the food?

posted on January 21, 2007 at 9:32 AM

Carolyn wrote:

Come on people! Bravo did the right thing by airing the footage. As it's been written already by someone else, if Bravo had merely stated Cliff was sent home for breach of the rules, or for harrassment, some viewers would have looked for a "racist" conspiracy. I am not black, but I have done a few stupid things after being stressed and drinking. Especially if my friends have been drinking & encouraging me. How many (or few) of you have not? I was lucky because I didn't happen to have a "peer" (not production crew) with a camera.
Get over it. I'm guessing that chefs have to work very long hours in close quarters, under stressful conditions in the real world, too.
After reading all these comments, Marcel & his family probably feel lucky. They're seeing $$$ signs for all the readers recommending legal action. cha ching!!!

posted on January 21, 2007 at 10:58 AM

Molly wrote:

ENOUGH ALREADY!!!! While we are all entitled to our opinion, and how cool of it of BRAVO to let us air our opinion for everyone to see, when they are less than kind, I can't help but notice that Marcel, who was the"victim" here, handeled the "situation" a lot better than all of you. If he's able to come out of it ok, than everyone else should just follow suit. And, if the producers had not shown the tape, and we just found out that Cliff was eliminated, how many of us would have DEMANDED to know why? And if the producers had then said there was tape of it, and it is upsetting, and they put it up on the website giving everyone a choice to watch it they wanted, how many of you would have? Be honest. You kow you all would. As far as I can see, they're damned if they do and damned if they done. They did the right thing by getting rid of Cliff. That should be enough. And as far as the people who said they have NEVER been so disgusted by anything they've ever seen on TV before, well, you obviously lead a pretty sheltered life. Thank you Andy for being brave and facing all of this harsh criticism. It's a lot more than any other TV executive has the courage to do.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 12:03 PM

Jo wrote:

Andy, I was really disappointed by last week's Top Chef. The hazing--while not in any way excusable--was certainly predictable, which makes me wonder (a) why the producers "spontaneoulsy" sent a camera and sound guy home with the chefs, (b) why a lot of alcohol was provided, (c) why judges' table was postponed from that night at the restaurant, etc. It just seems like the chefs were "set up" for something to happen--something the producers hoped would make juicy television and pump up a season that has lacked engaging drama so far.

It was predictable that Marcel would be the "victim"--his strategy throughout has been to antagonize the other competitors as much as possible to try to diffuse their focus (and it's worked). He did it again the night the hazing took place. We've seen the other chefs gang up on him repeatedly. It was like setting an abuse victim up for more abuse, knowing all the elements were there and that the catalyst of alcohol would be added. (Yes, I remember last year's "commentary" show with Stephen...) And since the contestants have been coached since day 1 not to interfere when the cameras were rolling, to just "play out" whatever happens, it seems really strange that you expected Sam or Elia to step in and stop Cliff and Ilan from hazing Marcel. That would be asking exhausted and drunk people to change behaviors that you'd been rewarding for the previous 4 weeks.

And then for everyone connected with the show to act so pious and disgusted that this Lord of the Flies scenario _did_ play out seems hypocritical in the extreme. I don't deny that the judges were clearly disgusted--I believe Tom when he says he would have sent them all home--but I think the producers set the whole thing up HOPING to have a crisis. And they got a doozy. Everyone at Bravo deserves all the criticism that's being heaped on you.

As a loyal viewer of Top Chef and Project Runway, I feel that my loyalty and support have been used and violated. I feel jerked around. And I'm disgusted. We deserve better than this manipulative engineering of drama. Shame on you, Andy, and shame on the Magical Elves and EVERYONE who was involved in putting this farce together.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 12:12 PM

Cindy wrote:

Hi, I would like to know why the more intense questions were not asked of Cliff? On the show the chefs are able to view their opinions and us as viewers should also be able to ask direct intense questions. Do you edit out the "not so nice" questions? I'm not saying to resort to name calling but if you look at the blogs many people are very angry that the other three chefs did nothing to stop the incident. Also, last season I believe the standards for a top chef were high. Do you believe that the winner of top chef this year is going to lower the standards of a top chef? Because I do not think Ilan, Elia or Sam are very good representatives of a top chef. Although this is a realty show it is also a competition for the best of the best and being a top chef should be an honor and a high level professional chef is deserving of it. Just as we see on "the apprentice" there is good guys and bad guys and the top business professional has always ended up winning and being the apprentice is a high standard of excellence. All reality shows have good guys and bad guys as does real life but who is the good guy/girl out of the remaining top four on top chef? It is hard to route for anyone since none prove worthy. I think the drama is great because even in "real life" people get into arguments but no one should put their hands on another. I hope in the third season a top chef is an example of professionalism, works well with others as well as a great cook. You had it in the first season but not the second season, I hope you bring the high standards back.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 2:53 PM

janette wrote:

This will be the last comment I leave in any of the blogs for this incident. Let's just be real here okay? You got rid of the gay and lesbian people. You got rid of the African American people, although Cliff deserved to be kicked for what he did, I'm wondering if you all didn't egg him on. It's already set that Sam will win. We all know it. That's why you allowed Marcel to be assaulted. Sam is your "man's man" and that's why he will win.

But no one should ever compare him to Harold. Harold has class and would never do something as disgusting as what happened to Marcel. I noticed you pulled the producer's log. Why? Too scared of the comments that were left for her?

And you, Andy, showed your feelings against Marcel by the poll of who hates him the most.

No one more than you.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 3:04 PM

Aaron wrote:

Everyone needs to quit ripping on the producers for not sending everyone home and declaring Marcel the winner. They maybe should have stopped it but they didn't break any rules at all. Some have suggested that Marcel should sue the network. Can you imagine what would happen if they sent 3 chefs home without any justification other than a moral disagreement? Right or not, no one but Cliff broke a rule so he goes home and everyone else stays.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 4:05 PM

TopChef Fan wrote:

Hi Andy! Just wanted to say I love Top Chef and who you have as host and judges. Also, I wanted to express my concern that the show is becoming too focused on drama and will turn into the typical reality show--please make sure that doesn't happen!! I feel the beginning of this season was better because it was more strictly about the food, but now your network is BRAGGING about basically becoming the stereotypical trashy reality show...not cool. It would be a shame to lose talented people like Tom or Padma if they feel the show is losing credibility....as someone who has always usually hated reality tv but feels this show is overall the exception, I just wanted to send my thoughts!! Also, I just watched your post-show podcast and look forward to what you guys are planning for the alternative to a reunion show.

P.S. Since I am constantly bored at college and need sources of procrastination, I know the official answer is "no", but is there ANY way I can receive/purchase tapes of this season's episodes from someone?! Thanks!!

posted on January 21, 2007 at 4:35 PM

Ericca wrote:

"Other Jen" - please note- obnoxious political correctness is more offenisive than the word "idiot"

posted on January 21, 2007 at 4:58 PM

tiffany wrote:

Andy,
Now I know there has got to be some African , Hispanic, or Asian Americans behind the gates in Orange County. I love bravo from the D-list to Project Runway to Workout and more important the Real Housewivies. You add Tammy, but can we add some color to the show. I mean Jo act like she's dump and can't accomplish anything just because she is pretty, she said season one. But all the other lovely white women are strong and smart and care about there families, just like other women of color. I think that the show should show the REAL Orange County wives. I hope that you will think about it, because I am a African American and I love to watch it, But I question the whole show while I'm watching as to to why there are no people of color and if I should even watch and support it. Yeah I'm one person, but I am A Loyal Viewer and many of your loyal veiwers are not all white.
thanx

posted on January 21, 2007 at 5:02 PM

Nancy S wrote:

I agree with you, Andy, on the "idiot" comment. People have to stop this politically correct nitpicking of language usage. Those chefs acted like idiots.
I thought Padma's reaction seemed very real and honest. We need more of that.
As to the craziness between this season's contestants, I don't think it's any different than the first season, with the exception of the fact that these people have ganged up on Marcel. In the beginning, I thought Marcel was kind of weird and annoying, but there is no excuse for the way Betty, Frank, Ilan and Sam treated him. Then this from Sam... Well, he got what he deserved.
Marcel is an excellent chef, and if you read his bio, you will be impressed. He and Sam are probably the best chefs here, though I think Ilan, with a little maturing, will be of the same caliber.
A fun show. I can't wait for the next two shows.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 8:43 PM

Chris wrote:

Great show! I love the drama with the contestents. I was a little surprised that Cliff was kicked off the show for such a minor transgression, but understand you can't have contestants beating up one another.

Please keep up the good work!

posted on January 21, 2007 at 9:28 PM

Erica wrote:

I have been watching Top Chef since season 1. It's the only show that my husband and I religiously watch together, in fact, we have gotten our teenagers hooked. That being said, I actually enjoyed this week's episode, hazing aside. I know that Cliff was out of line, and the others should have said something, but in the real world, things sometimes get out of hand. No one was hurt other than perhaps frightened and embarrassed, and it was definitely intriquing to see how it would all play out. I definitely agree that Cliff had to be sent home, and I'm glad the remaining four will get a chance to battle it out in Hawaii.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 9:39 PM

LS wrote:

Yes Laura, Marcel "slept" on the bathroom floor - I hope for everyone's sake they had more than one bathroom in the place. And it was juvenile and silly for Cliff to hold him down and shout for someone to shave Marcel's head. But please...Cliff was sent home for it and that seems to me to be the equivalent of sentencing someone to life in prison for throwing a snow ball at someone else. The worst result of the whole mess is that Marcel now gets to be the wounded party -- instead of the rotten little brat that has been irritating viewers and contestants alike all season. Marcel refused to help plate for anyone before his course went out last week but had the nerve to whine when others didn't want to help him. Anyone remember that he got help he didn't deserve? Of course not -- because Cliff went too far and behaved like an idiot. Cliff's poor behavior does not magically transform Marcel in a decent person. He's still obnoxious.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 11:34 PM

Julie wrote:

I just have a question is Sam in the GE oven comercial . He looks like one of the chefs cooking for the guy in his apartment.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 11:48 PM

army_guy wrote:

I like all of the remaining four contestants. They are the four people I'd most like to sleep with out of all of the contestants this season.

posted on January 21, 2007 at 11:58 PM

thc0196 wrote:

Here's an idea -- next time you see a potentially harmful situation clearly escalating day after day -- instead of constantly 'fueling' the fire --

Cut back on the amount of alcohol you provide!

posted on January 22, 2007 at 2:26 AM

Liz wrote:

I quit watching a few episodes ago, vowing I wouldn't watch again this season and hoping that Season 3 would be more like Season 1. A friend told me about this episode and I caught it on a rerun, as I couldn't believe that what she told me was true. Disgusting. There was no excuse for the behavior of those 4 chefs towards Marcel. If this is the way Bravo is going, there are other stations to watch.

posted on January 22, 2007 at 8:52 AM

jo wrote:

Andy, just ask yourself, "Would this have happened if Tim Gunn were part of the show?" This season--from shoplifting to threats to cliff's attack on Marcel--clearly shows that chefs under this kind of pressure need some kind of mentor. Tom's job isn't to do that, and Leanne's job isn't to do that. But it is clearly necessary to keep the chefs slightly more attached to the boundaries of reality than they seem to be this year.

I am very, very disappointed in TC2. Unless there are substantive changes to the show's format, I see no reason to watch a further season of it. In general, I've been very disappointed with the downward spiral of Bravo's reality programming--first with the trashy, voyeuristic "Blowout" and "Workout" and now with more of the "Spoiled Rich Women Whose Lives Should Make Them Grateful But Don't". If we wanted Rosie vs Trump or Jessica vs Nick we could have watched that. We expect more from Bravo. Please, stop pandering to the lowest common denominator and restore the quality to Bravo programming!

posted on January 22, 2007 at 9:16 AM

Jew 'mo in the Midwest wrote:

I've scanned many of the posts and sad to say, I agree with most of them. Understandable that having invested so much in the show it must continue, but after the drunken frat stunt, it really should have ended. The three participants in the foolish nonsense are in no way top chef material. Marcel is too young and doesn't have the chops to be top chef. so giving the title to him by default isn't an answer either. I really think the show should have shut down with all three dimissed and Marcel given a free pass for next season if there is one, to the final group. As for this season, I have no interest in who gets the title.

posted on January 22, 2007 at 9:47 AM

Jamie wrote:

"When I saw that question onscreen my mouth dropped open. It was completely insensitive and stupid."

Then... do something about it. You are the Senior Vice President of Production and Programming, right? Do you expect us to believe there's nothing you can do? Demand less unnecessary provocation like that horrendous poll. Hold those who pushed the show to its high-drama low-content limits responsible for their actions. Call for change, then see that it gets done.

Put your money where your mouth is. Show us that you and Bravo TV are really actually listening to us and not just trying to sweet-talk us into thinking that it's not so bad. Somehow, someway, get someone to cut the crap. Because that's the only way you're going to retain any Top Chef viewers at all after this season, from the comments I've seen here and elsewhere.

posted on January 22, 2007 at 1:14 PM

Cindy wrote:

It seems that this year's cast was chosen more for their ability to squabble rather than for their fanatical dedication to food. These idiots all knife each other, egg each other on to bad behavior, etc. and don't seem to put pride in their food even on the list, much less first. After this week's debacle, any winner except Marcel will be devalued. And Marcel will be devalued if he wins because he was not the most talented chef in the bunch. What a joke this year's cast is. I'm just so disappointed in the show this season.

posted on January 22, 2007 at 5:46 PM

Legolass wrote:

Dear Mr. Cohen,

Nowhere, in any of your responses, did I see YOU take any personal responsibility for what occured. As producer of this program, are you kept completely in the dark by your staff regarding significant events? Were you not apprised of the venomous atmosphere which Marcel was subjected to? Were you not made aware of the sordid and reprehensible poll taken of viewers? As John Lennon asked of Paul McCartney, "How Do You Sleep"?

posted on January 22, 2007 at 5:51 PM

Charles wrote:

Just an FYI that a letter writing compain has begun asking sponsors of shows on BRAVO to boycott the channel until changes have been made in the programing personal. Namely we want you and who ever else is responsible for interfering in the game shows (Top Chef and Project Runway being two examples) on BRAVO FIRED! So far we have 10,435 members and growing, all working with one comment purpose, to see you and your staff out of a job. Have a wonderful day!

posted on January 22, 2007 at 7:09 PM

Mary Matthews wrote:

Reality or no reality, it's a television show, people. Get a grip.

posted on January 22, 2007 at 9:28 PM

Sarah wrote:

I think that instead of leaving tons of angry comments on these blogs that are obviously not being taken into any kind of consideration, we should all do what would be most effective and boycott the show. I know that as a Nielsen's household, I personally have stopped watching this show, and have asked all my friends to boycott it as well. We should not be tricked into watching such disgusting fare or lies. The timeline of the incident has been altered, Marcel's friction with the rest of the crew will be endlessly exploited by the ratings-hungry Bravo team, and we, as fans, should do something proactive about it.

posted on January 23, 2007 at 5:20 AM

rick wrote:

Do you really care about these comments? The show, last season was enjoyable and was about the preperation and food, now it is notheing more than another reality show. Show a little class and get back to the basics. I have read all the blogs and the sentiment off all show that we the viewers want a good show about cooking not this drivel you are showing this year. I would be interested in your response to my comments other than the soft sopa you are giving us on the blogs.

posted on January 23, 2007 at 12:41 PM

CakeWalk wrote:

Dear Mr. Andy,
I have to level with you. I don't bother to watch any of the the S-2 reruns. The first time around was painful enough. At very few points in the progression of the series did my interest become piqued enough to be remotely inspired to try any of the cooks' creations. Beyond the banality of the food, the behavior was alltogether objectionable (from most of the cast). As a producer, that pitiful outcome could not have been your goal.

In any event, it is doubtful that I'll bother to see which idiot actually won the thing. It was probably Sam, "The Teflon Man" becasuse nothing stuck to him (especially the blame for his outrageous actions)... You and "your magical elves" have run a good concept into the ground. I hope you are happy! I know that I am not alone with my concerns and complaints.

posted on January 23, 2007 at 2:13 PM

Shazzer wrote:

Have none of you worked in a real kitchen or even read Kitchen Confidential?? This stuff (and far worse) is part of the commercial kitchen and has been for years! While willfully physically hurting someone is wrong, yelling, swearing and all the drama go on daily. Nice stuff happens too, fun stuff as well. Marcel handles it probably because he has learned to do so in his career. I'm sure he dishes it out just as well.

The Top Chef controls the frenzy and gets dinner service out. Yes, they are a leader, but to dictate here what their morals should be is ridiculous.

The only thing I don't care too much for is all the product placement. I can't see a Top Chef reaching for bottled salad dressing, at least, I hope not. I really want to see more top level FOOD challenges, I want to know what they can really do. C'mon, inspire me! I think if you gave them some motivation, they would focus more. Remember Harold last year saying something like 'Finally, I get to cook some meat!'?

Give these guys some MEAT!

posted on January 23, 2007 at 7:13 PM

Charles wrote:

Cynthia, I will assume for the sake of this discussion that you are not an employee of BRAVO or work for the producers of TC. But your comments make me wonder what show you have been watching?
First, Top Chef is not just a television show, it is a game show governed by federal law. This mean that the producer action to step in and change the judges decisions may very well get them thown in to federal prision! You said “Was the series supposed to end last week, naming Marcel the winner by default? NO!! Hate to break it to you, but that’s not how things work out.” Sorry but under federal law if the judges decied Marcel is the winner, the network CANNOT interfer. Now if anyone other than Marcel win this season BRAVO is in Big Trouble.
Secord, BRAVO and Top Chef knew about the assault and failed to call the police and report it, a criminal offience in the State of California. They further commited a second assault by airing the crime and making it look like it was Marcel’s fault! I will give you an example, we have have a large black man drag you out of bed hold you down and try to shave your head while your hear four of your co workers urging him on. Now in Caifiornia the four would be arrested for attempted rape just because you were a girl (not assault since Marcel is a male). Would you still feel it was nothing or would you have felt raped? If you saw the rape attempt on television asking how slutty you were and if you were asking for it, would you feel raped again? I rest my case.
And you close with this topper, “oh and one more thing, why is everyone attacking Andy? He just writes the blog. Give him a break.” We Andy is the VP for Marketing and Programming for BRAVO, that MAKES him the one who has his neck on the chopping block because the buck stops with him on this issue.

posted on January 23, 2007 at 7:55 PM

Star wrote:

That's it. I'm done.

I was seriously reconsidering whether I wanted to watch season 3 after this, or even the finale of this season. But the re-editing of the assault sequence to crop Elia out has pushed it over the edge for me.

It's not so much the editing. It's a reality show, and even though Bravo has typically had higher integrity with their reality shows than some other channels I could name... It's still a reality show. It's going to be edited to tell a particular story. I get that.

What has completely disgusted me, though, is the way Bravo has handled the whole thing. It's like you think if you just sweep it under the carpet and treat it lightly, we'll forget it happened. Apparently you think we have the IQ of a mossy rock or something. I detest being treated like an idiot (and I use the term here in every possible sense of the word, including the one a reader took offense over), and that's pretty much exactly what Bravo has done to me with their treatment of this episode.

I hope the slap of public reaction wakes you up. Because you desperately need it.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 2:36 PM

Christina wrote:

Thanks for clearing up the nasty bit about the Marcel poll. I hope whoever created that was fired.

Now make it up to us. In the next show air a poll on 'who do you hate the most' or 'who do you think is responsible for the attack on Marcel', with the options being Cliff, Elia, Sam or Ilan.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 5:51 PM

Mad John wrote:

Count me as another who's done with this show. There's a reason I don't watch Jerry Springer, and Top Chef has descended into the same gutter.

Glad others caught Elia's full head of hair during the assault on Marcel, though. Perhaps we're not as stupid as Bravo believes.

posted on January 24, 2007 at 6:13 PM

Toni wrote:

First of all, Marcel is a little cheating, manipulating weasel and I can't believe people actually defend him. I'm not saying that Cliff was right in doing what he did, but Marcel has been a jerk from the beginning. Second, are Tom and the rest of the judges on crack?! I just watched the first part of the season finale, and they let Sam go? Over Marcel?! You've got to be kidding me!! And don't get me started on Gail, she is the biggest $@#*h on earth, who thinks her a&% smells like roses. I HATE HER! I have personally been in the restaurant and food industry for 18 years and know more than she does. Sister please, you are NOT that cool. If Gail came into my restaurant I would spit in her food! These "judges" really don't know what they are talking about. I don't even want to watch the second part of the season finale, but if I do, I will be cheering for Ilan all the way!

posted on January 24, 2007 at 11:42 PM

thadueee wrote:

tire of the cliff stuff seen much worst. mrs gail simmons attitudeis a run link to why some of the chef have problems with the other chefs her arrogance for instance how do you go to a different country and tell them how their food should or should not taste. must of the guess like the foods that the so called amercian judges did not like. i like what happen at the birthday party when the chef said that the food effects everybody different. then mrs gail says the regional authenticity does matter to her i really believe besides her arrogant attiude and fliping her hair over the food there is some deep mental issues.

posted on January 25, 2007 at 12:25 AM

Lisa wrote:

I just started watching last week On TuesdayJanuary 17. I found the show interesting.One reason is becuse my uncle is an inspiring chef, who loves to cook and desires to have his own restaurant. I started watching so I could tell