September 26, 2007
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Before I get into last night, let's live in the future for a moment and rejoice in the glory of Part 1 of the "Top Chef" finale tonight! It was such a blast shooting this thing in Aspen - I LOVE IT there, especially in the summer. If you've never been, go. There's nothing like smelling the crisp, fresh Colorado air! After tonight's episode, I will be live at Bravotv.com for "Watch What Happens" with one of tonight's eliminated chefs and Gail Simmons - call us live!
So last night was all about a book party for my friend Perry Moore's new novel, HERO. Perry is a movie producer (ever hear of an indie called "Chronicles of Narnia"?), movie director, screenwriter and sweet cutie and author. The book is about a gay teen superhero; I read the galleys last summer and loved it, but then so does People, Entertainment Weekly and Maurice freaking Sendak, who says on the back cover, "Perry Moore brings an enticing new genre to the world of young adult novels."
My date for the party was Ricki Lake, who is just back from her birthday weekend with her closest galpals. Would you believe that lucky lady won $8000 on a slot machine at Mandalay Bay?!?! Go Ricki! Ricki is still looking like a shadow of her former self, and last night she was very turned out and kind of unrecognizable. Thin or fat, she's a classic.
Comments
Brian B wrote:
Andy:
Love the Mercer, but the service has alaways been questionable. The last time I was at the hotel (as a guest mind you) I had to wait 25 minutes to get a "hello" and a drink. Sally Field was at a lobby table next to me waiting to settle up. She finally had to go up to a cocktail waitress and insist on getting a check, explaining that she needed to be somewhere. Nice to see that celebs are treated like the rest of us.
I will also have you know that the next morning Brian Grazer was next to me at breakfast with child in tow. Sally Field was leaving the hotel, and as she walked by Grazer yells, "Sally, hello, Sally." Let me tell you, Sally Field did not even turn her head and acknowledge him. Poor Brian. But this Brian enjoyed watching the scene.
posted on September 26, 2007 at 1:52 PM
Julia wrote:
Andy,
I love to watch your interview of every one. Great questions you raised. I actually found out from your bio that you indeed have a communication major as I thought. Great job.
I just watched your interview with Ted. He mentioned "I like Casey a lot".... Would it be better to say as a judge, "I like Casey's food a lot".... if Ted likes Casey a lot, would that have some bias already built in his judgments when he gives out the scores on the food?
I suggest you guys bring the food to the judges’ table and let them judge without telling them who prepared the food. But the viewers know who made what. Even though the judges might be able to tell whose dishes they belong to but at least there would be fewer biases. The FCI show is the best one so far. All the judges are authoritative and authentic. They are the real judges of this entire cooking show. Hung already won the TRUE Top Chef Title of Season 3 without doubt.
To my dismay, the Top Chef show has done a lot of character assassinations on Hung and Howie. These are fine chefs with feelings and souls. There are a lot of negative comments which should have been edited out. CJ, Casey, Dale, and Brian ganged up to bash on Hung in their interviews, we could tell. It’s very unfair. The show portrayed Hung as arrogant, selfish, cold, and obnoxious jerk. On the other hand, Casey is a Ms Nice Gal, she helped every one but Hung. Hey, this is not a competition for personalities. This is a serious individual elimination competition, not team players. Hung has been playing it right. He does have feelings and Souls. Please read chef Barton G’s blog. He said it all.
I also don't understand why you guys filmed Casey's body, her butt and big breasts on Watch What Happened online show? Does her body have to do with her cooking?
A lot of biases and poor judgments are getting into the TC show now. Soon you will lose the authenticity and the viewers, as many really good chefs got eliminated. Soon Top Sexy Cook perhaps should replace Top Chef as the title!!!
posted on September 26, 2007 at 3:49 PM
Coaster wrote:
Of course Andy. Let me quess WHO will be the mystery Top Chef guest along with Gail tonight on Watch What Happens.
Wish I was in Vegas right not to place my bet.
It would be.............ahhhhh HOWIE!
Gail is quite fond of Howie as we all know.....LOL!
Looking forward to the show. Break a leg........
Coaster
posted on September 26, 2007 at 8:36 PM
Eileen wrote:
Hi Andy:
Love your interviews, but I have to totally disagree with Julia's post. I think cooking is all about the love and personality that a chef puts into a dish. That's precisely why Casey, Dale, and Brian made it to the finals, because they actually have a personality. Sure, Hung has great technique and skills, but maybe his dishes would stand out even more (and the audience would like him) if he weren't so arrogant and full of himself.
Anyway, enough of my opinions. I love to hear yours! Keep up the great work!
posted on September 26, 2007 at 11:58 PM
Dennis wrote:
Hung, you have shown your colors. An arogant arse. What did you think they ate in Aspen? Vietnamese Quail eggs?
posted on September 27, 2007 at 1:26 AM
tanyatwin wrote:
Julia: This comment is mainly for you.. You are by far the best judge base on your ability to see whats right and wrong. although you are just a viewer like myself. I myself could see from the begining that TC are actually taking advantage of the viewer reaction towards how Hung and Howie was protray, would bring more viewer and more rating.
I felt exactly you have discribe on your blogs.I really feel bad for Howie but mostly for Hung. As you notice, The only fair person you see here is Padma, Anthony, & Tom who is playing with the Hearts and Judging with a Soul. As far as the other judge.. Trust me , I don't think alot of viewer even pays any attention to them.
Ps .. you must have read my blogs regarding Casey casting video.. :)hahaha
posted on September 27, 2007 at 1:57 AM
You're SO funny wrote:
It's the first time I'm reading your blogs (sorry), but will definaitely come back for more! You are too funny - Sam is certainly handsome, but I'm surprised women literally fall to his feet. He'll end up with someone that barely gives him a second look, don't they see that?
How do you know Ricky, and da#$ is she hot these days - super skinny though, I hope she's well...
Thanks for blogging and I'll be back to visit from now on!
posted on September 27, 2007 at 2:03 AM
Julia wrote:
Andy,
Last night show was disappointing. The producer changed the game plan again, which really in favor of Casey and Brian. As viewers we all agreed the judges are very biased (not the gust judge, Eric).
Gail has been really biased on her judgments and evaluation on the chefs. We could tell who her personal favorite is and who is not. As a judge on the national TV, she'd better put off her pride and emotions behind and focus on the food. Casey's elk was RAW, not slightly under cooked as she stated. Sara M's chicken was "slightly under cooked", not RAW and she got boot out. It has become salient to us that Gail likes Casey and seldom gave any credits Hung deserves. She acted very strongly about her opinions. It's very unfair and biased. We all do not like Hung's defensive attitude, either. He needs time to learn. He is a very competitive person, and very vocal about his feeling as a chef (not bad mouth on others). But his arrogance has NOTHING to do with his cooking and dishes. Hung has to work EXTRA and EXTRA hard to win this competition. Once again, Gail's blog did not help him at all, rather she was biting the dead horse and spreading her dislike of Hung again.
She reminds me of Affirmative Action research paper I did in the graduate school. I am not surprised Casey will be the winner and Hung, the true Top Chef, will be the second. In the real cooking society, in front of real authentic judges, Hung has already won the heart and soul of every one who understands food.
When can Padma and Gail pack their dresses and leave? We need more real judges.
posted on September 27, 2007 at 11:07 AM