The Good, The Bad, And The Downright Stupid
With such slim pickings on summer television, I count on the Food Network on a daily basis to keep both myself and my elderly charge entertained.
With me, just the odd program here and there will do. But with Contrary Mary, TV watching and sleeping are among her top five favourite activities, so the choices must be good. Even when she’s asleep. Plots must be minimal, and subjects must be engaging, so with that in mind, I offer a small dissertation on my current favourites, and not-so-favourites:
High on the list of those I’m loving: Fresh with Anna Olson. Simple, healthy, local food prepared by a wonderfully personable host. If I watch someone and can visualize how much fun it would be to cook with them, they’re in my winner’s circle.
Sweet Baby James is a BBC production and a new addition to the Food Network Canada schedule. James Martin and his assistant chef Will Torrent turn out some incredible desserts along with their wit and charm. While not a skilled baker or a big dessert eater myself, I’m finding this one pretty irresistible.
Then there’s the other end of the spectrum: Number One on Nancy’s List of Programs To Be Cancelled Immediately would be Eat, Shrink and Be Merry, the most insultingly dumbed-down excuse for a cooking show the Food Network has ever allowed on air. Janet and Greta Podleski, authors of a cookbook of the same name, travel around the country, take legendary dishes from the people who make them, and tell them everything that’s wrong with them. Then, in their “we know best and oh by the way, we’re kooky” sort of chirpy way, they come back with a low fat, low carb, low everything version of the original and challenge a crowd to a taste-off. And they usually win.
I can’t stand the sister act: They’re forced, phony, and patronizing to the people they interact with. And the narrator, oh God the narrator: He must die.
And a Post-Script: SHAME on you, Food Network Canada, for relegating Barefoot Contessa to Saturday mornings. When Ina starts shooting new episodes in the fall, she’d better bloody well have a slot in weekly prime time. Tsk.
