Comments on: My Problem with the F Word http://foodriot.org/2010/01/06/my-problem-with-the-f-word/ A blog that has much to do with food and cooking Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:44:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Paul A Murphy http://foodriot.org/2010/01/06/my-problem-with-the-f-word/#comment-185 Paul A Murphy Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:40:16 +0000 http://foodriot.org/?p=488#comment-185 Indeed, agreed, Paul. In fact I'd go so far as to say that the competition never even started off as democratic: I mean, how empirically can a tv show weigh up two different types of cuisine, really? It's almost like penalising a Cox's Pippin for not tasting enough like Porterhouse Steak. And as you rightly pointed out, these quirky, interesting and atmospheric establishments rely on the individuality and memorability of their tasty cuisine to ensure success — not shoehorning them into pigeonholes of generic ‘Cordon Gordon’, to mix my metaphors. Television always seems to be feeding an ever-increasing public demand for gameshow formats and as a consequence, competitive elements get forced into the most spurious shows as if weighing one thing against another is the only way people can engage with the show's subject matter. And that's to say nothing of Ramsay's charisma-free presentation or his by-now self-parodying need to be ornery, contrary and objectionable. In fact, you've got me monologuing now! What was ever wrong with a simple "Food & Drink" format, where, say, the egregious Gawdon might just visit some decent restaurants, maybe show the viewer at home how to do a typical dish they specialise in and cuss away to his heart's content as he goes? Show and tell, let the viewer make their own minds up. Keeps it simple if nothing else! Mind you, as you said, there’d be no way for GR to advertise his own restaurants/latest book/massive ego in a show like that… I'll stop now. Indeed, agreed, Paul. In fact I’d go so far as to say that the competition never even started off as democratic: I mean, how empirically can a tv show weigh up two different types of cuisine, really? It’s almost like penalising a Cox’s Pippin for not tasting enough like Porterhouse Steak. And as you rightly pointed out, these quirky, interesting and atmospheric establishments rely on the individuality and memorability of their tasty cuisine to ensure success — not shoehorning them into pigeonholes of generic ‘Cordon Gordon’, to mix my metaphors.

Television always seems to be feeding an ever-increasing public demand for gameshow formats and as a consequence, competitive elements get forced into the most spurious shows as if weighing one thing against another is the only way people can engage with the show’s subject matter. And that’s to say nothing of Ramsay’s charisma-free presentation or his by-now self-parodying need to be ornery, contrary and objectionable.

In fact, you’ve got me monologuing now! What was ever wrong with a simple “Food & Drink” format, where, say, the egregious Gawdon might just visit some decent restaurants, maybe show the viewer at home how to do a typical dish they specialise in and cuss away to his heart’s content as he goes? Show and tell, let the viewer make their own minds up. Keeps it simple if nothing else!
Mind you, as you said, there’d be no way for GR to advertise his own restaurants/latest book/massive ego in a show like that…

I’ll stop now.

]]> By: umamimum http://foodriot.org/2010/01/06/my-problem-with-the-f-word/#comment-183 umamimum Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:29:36 +0000 http://foodriot.org/?p=488#comment-183 Bring back Fanny Cradock, the Galloping Gourmet and Jeni Barnet ......... Do you think Gary Rhodes ever regrets performing as his hero Gary Glitter during his stage shows back in the 90's? Bring back Fanny Cradock, the Galloping Gourmet and Jeni Barnet ……… Do you think Gary Rhodes ever regrets performing as his hero Gary Glitter during his stage shows back in the 90′s?

]]> By: Paul Davey http://foodriot.org/2010/01/06/my-problem-with-the-f-word/#comment-182 Paul Davey Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:35:27 +0000 http://foodriot.org/?p=488#comment-182 Gawdon's swearing seems to have been tamed a little. And quite right too. I have no problem with sweary people as long as they cuss appropriately. What if my mother, who remains delicate and fragrant despite her tattooed forearms, steel-capped teeth and years of experience working on oil rigs, was to start effing and blinding when cooking the Sunday lunch? I thank God that my dear old Dad is a bit deaf. Gawdon’s swearing seems to have been tamed a little. And quite right too. I have no problem with sweary people as long as they cuss appropriately. What if my mother, who remains delicate and fragrant despite her tattooed forearms, steel-capped teeth and years of experience working on oil rigs, was to start effing and blinding when cooking the Sunday lunch? I thank God that my dear old Dad is a bit deaf.

]]> By: Heather Lavender http://foodriot.org/2010/01/06/my-problem-with-the-f-word/#comment-181 Heather Lavender Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:08:15 +0000 http://foodriot.org/?p=488#comment-181 I'm relieved to hear that it wasn't just mois who thought I must have accidentally dozed off somewhere in the show, thereby missing something relevant - not only did the result make no sense, after all that went before, but Gawdy didn't even attempt to explain how he'd come to his decision. You're right, WTF!!! And that's another thing.....the endless stream of F-ing is frankly illustrating a severe drought in the vocabulary department at best and galloping laziness and lack of imagination at worst. I’m relieved to hear that it wasn’t just mois who thought I must have accidentally dozed off somewhere in the show, thereby missing something relevant – not only did the result make no sense, after all that went before, but Gawdy didn’t even attempt to explain how he’d come to his decision. You’re right, WTF!!! And that’s another thing…..the endless stream of F-ing is frankly illustrating a severe drought in the vocabulary department at best and galloping laziness and lack of imagination at worst.

]]> By: Tine Ros http://foodriot.org/2010/01/06/my-problem-with-the-f-word/#comment-180 Tine Ros Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:39:33 +0000 http://foodriot.org/?p=488#comment-180 Excellent article/comment Paul. I have never understood the joy of watching someone who is beyond arrogance and respect for others. I certainly do not understand how people will put up with being treated so rudely just because he is f..ing Gawdon! Excellent article/comment Paul. I have never understood the joy of watching someone who is beyond arrogance and respect for others. I certainly do not understand how people will put up with being treated so rudely just because he is f..ing Gawdon!

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