http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=236x73858Oh my.
Warpy (1000+ posts) Wed Jan-13-10 07:46 PM
THE DEFROCKED WARPED PRIMITIVE; #09 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009
Original message
Worst Cooks in America
OK, I admit it, I have started watching this latest contest wrinkle on Food TV. The premise is that they've selected the worst cooks out of a group who applied to be on the show, that they will give them lessons at the beginning of the show, and we get to watch them struggle to remember just what the hell it is they're supposed to do to duplicate the recipe.
My heart went out to the judges as they sampled the efforts of the worst. It looked like a lot of the stuff I was expected to eat when I was a kid.
Unfortunately, the show designers have got one thing backwards: instead of eliminating the worst effort every week, they need to graduate the best effort, telling them they're well on their way and preserving the tenure of the most entertaining kitchen stumblebums.
In any case, it's a great back door way to teach novice cooks out in TV Land some basic technique, to demystify recipe instructions, and to help them put something edible on the table for a change, even if theory is not delved into.
So far, it's been a walk down memory lane, some of my own blunders having appeared and my mother's infamous lack of culinary ability well represented.
I just wish they'd gotten the format right. Maybe next time.
pengillian101 (1000+ posts) Wed Jan-13-10 11:24 PM
Response to Original message
1. I recorded and just watched both episodes also.
"Unfortunately, the show designers have got one thing backwards: instead of eliminating the worst effort every week, they need to graduate the best effort, telling them they're well on their way and preserving the tenure of the most entertaining kitchen stumblebums."
"I just wish they'd gotten the format right. Maybe next time."
I rather thought the same as you at first. But by advancing the better ones, I think they are reaching the same result. They are eliminating the worst ones at the start, except for the first episode - they told the first ones sent home that they were not the worst. So ya, they didn't do a good job in presenting the format - not one bit.
It's kind of a funny show. The can't cooks get so weepy and nervous about the whole thing.
That one promo shot of the gal cutting a piece of meat with a scissors just tickles me silly.
Warpy (1000+ posts) Thu Jan-14-10 12:57 AM
THE DEFROCKED WARPED PRIMITIVE; #09 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009
Response to Reply #1
2. Most of them seem like short bus material, that's for sure and I was glad the oaf got sent home tonight, I don't think I could have taken that much more of him channeling Goofy.
Hmmmm.
Does one suppose maybe perhaps possibly the "oaf" happened to be the diet cola primitive, the "Tab" primitive, who's absent from Skins's island for a few weeks?
pengillian101 (1000+ posts) Thu Jan-14-10 01:49 AM
Response to Reply #2
3. Goofy
You can just tell he is a nice guy and beloved by many - but, he just can't cook yet I bet his wife loves him just the same anyway, eh, Warpy?
Warpy (1000+ posts) Thu Jan-14-10 01:05 PM
TDHE DEFROCKED WARPED PRIMITIVE; #09 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009
Response to Reply #3
6. I think he needs to stick to a very simple world with few variables to throw him off because variables will always throw him off. He reminded me so much of Goofy, amiable and beloved but someone you need to keep away from things like fire and sharp objects.
Sounds like many of the cooking and baking primitives.
hippywife (1000+ posts) Thu Jan-14-10 07:35 AM
MRS. ALFRED PACKER
Response to Original message
4. Oh, goody!
Another reality show that will give people a reason to think it's okay to be mean.
"So far, it's been a walk down memory lane, some of my own blunders having appeared and my mother's infamous lack of culinary ability well represented."
So maybe they weren't really "short bus material" but just like anyone else who doesn't know how to cook?
Warpy (1000+ posts) Thu Jan-14-10 12:59 PM
THE DEFROCKED WARPED PRIMITIVE; #09 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009
Response to Reply #4
5. No, they seem completely incapable of following written instruction along with being incapable of following demonstration of the simplest things.
I'm not talking about speed chopping onions here. I'm talking about measuring an amount of salt or soy sauce.
