The Food Network is making headlines lately! They have not renewed Emeril Lagasse's nightly Live show and recently declined carrying Mario Batali's new series. So, who does the Food Network want? Apparently, they want Alton Brown who they just signed to a three year deal. Brown will continue to host Iron Chef America, continue to produce and host his show Good Eats, and he's getting a new show called Feasting on Waves (a follow-up to Feasting on Asphalt). Why so much Alton? The Food Network is aggressively pushing for a younger audience. Bob Tuschman, Senior VP, said that their campaign is working citing that the average age of the network's audience dropped from 50 in 2003 to 46 in 2007. Wow, what a big drop! (Note the sarcasm.)
Now, I love the Food Network (mainly because I love food). But Alton Brown? I'm in my twenties so I think I fit into this "younger audience" the Food Network is trying to capture. Yet I rarely watch Alton Brown's shows. Good Eats is interesting because he explains a lot about the ingredients but the format is annoying and he comes off as creepy. But that's just me.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)
1-07-2008 @ 8:36PM
eugene said...
AB as creepy? Uhmm.... I'm pretty sure that is just you.
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1-08-2008 @ 3:16PM
Melissa said...
Indeed. I don't find him creepy at all, I love Alton. In fact, when I saw this article, I jumped up and yelled "Yay Alton!" True story. I'm 27, btw.
1-08-2008 @ 3:44PM
Leslie said...
I can't imagine anyone thinking AB is creepy. Bizarre, yes,
but that's what makes him so funny and interesting. He's always been my favorite! I'm afraid I'm not in the target audience..oh well.
1-08-2008 @ 5:52PM
Venetia1 said...
I "Heart" Alton...I wish he was single! My grandpa's name is Alton too.
1-09-2008 @ 3:48PM
Anna said...
Alton Brown =
1-08-2008 @ 7:51PM
ziggy said...
no it isn't just the previous poster. AB's show Good Eats has a lousy format, the info is interesting but the presentation really turns me off and I reach for my remote promptly when this show comes on
1-07-2008 @ 9:11PM
Big Al said...
Creepy? Alton Brown? Yep, must be just you.
Alton Brown is by far the best thing Food Network has going for them. Good Eats is the only show on that network I'll make time to watch.
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1-07-2008 @ 9:13PM
ENID said...
ALTON'S GREAT! ENTERTAINING,NOT CREEPY AT ALL!!
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1-07-2008 @ 9:16PM
Cody said...
I'm in my twenties too, and if I had to name 5 of my greatest heroes, AB would be in the top 2 or 3.
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1-07-2008 @ 9:22PM
Oreo said...
Feasting on Waves???
Anyways Alton Brown is the cooking man! I would have signed him to a 10 year deal.
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1-07-2008 @ 9:30PM
Secret Asian Man said...
Alton Brown? Creepy? What the Hell is wrong with you?
Obviously you've never read comments from posters in any of Brigitte's TVSD posts.
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1-07-2008 @ 9:32PM
onedollarwilliam said...
It's definitely just you a quick informal gmail chat poll of everyone I know who happens to be on gmail chat at the moment (14 people ages 22-31) confirms that Good Eats is one of the only things we watch on Food TV, and was unanimously voted the best of the lot (other shows included Iron Chef America, Ace of Cakes, and Food Network Chalenge).
If you want creepy try Rachel Ray. No human being can be so chipper without pharmaceutical help.
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1-07-2008 @ 9:48PM
Chuck said...
Have to agree with the posters here. AB is pretty much THE reason to watch Foodnetwork.
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1-07-2008 @ 9:50PM
Rick said...
AB is the best! After the programming 'geniuses' at FoodTV dropped Emeril Live and added another show from demon spawn Rachel Ray, this is great news, indeed.
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1-07-2008 @ 10:01PM
MJG said...
Yea, it's just you :) It's been many years since I've found anything BUT Alton Brown worth watching on Food Network.
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1-07-2008 @ 10:07PM
Scott H said...
I agree with the other commenters--it's YOU. Alton is the most likeable, accessible, friendly guy on the network, and the only reason to watch. "Good Eats" may be kooky from time to time, but his specials, like "Feasting on Asphalt", have been terrific. Unlike everyone else on that network, he has no ego, and always puts himself in the viewer's place. I'm looking forward to more "Good Eats" and especially "Feasting on Waves", and whatever "Feasting on" comes after that!
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1-07-2008 @ 10:45PM
onedollarwilliam said...
I'm hoping that one day he'll do Feasting on Feasts, where he tours America's great privately owned all you can eat smorgasbords, family style services, and buffets.
2-11-2008 @ 7:54PM
Missi said...
Scott you hit the nail on the head! Alton doesn't have an ego. He's there for the viewers, not to say "Here I am, and I am GREAT" I think that's why I like him so much, as opposed to some of the other personalities on FN. I can't wait till the new "Feasting" either. I loved Feasting on Asphalt. It was so real, just the folks who are the backbone of these good old United States of America. Paula Deen is another favorite of mine as is Duff, who's last name escapes me now, the Ace of Cakes. Now you want to talk about wacky...that's Duff and I love it. PS I'm in the over 50 catagory :)
1-07-2008 @ 10:34PM
tozmervo said...
Good Eats is THE single reason that I dearly wish I could afford cable. Seriously. My decision was "Is Alton worth $50 a month?" I decided that I would put that $50 toward good, wholesome foods and that AB would approve.
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1-07-2008 @ 10:57PM
ken said...
Wow, hate to break this to you guys, but by "younger audience" I don't think they mean 20 year olds. That's not the money demo. I think the demo they're really wanting is 30-44 year old professionals, female leaning (slightly). It would be dumb to be targeting 20-year olds, at least, if you're anything like the 20ish year old I was. No real spending money, nothing for the advertisers really wanna latch onto.
I hate to say it, but the 20ish year old audience is still the equivalent of the MTV audience from 15 years ago, as far as advertisers are concerned. They're kind of right, I watched Good Eats today and it was all about freaking knives and how to keep them sharp and why to use which ones, and none of that interested me as a 20ish year old. But now that I'm 36 and in the demo, I'd really like to know how to use a paring knife without slicing my damn thumb up.
I like Alton on Good Eats, I like him a lot on Iron Chef America (and BOO on Food Network for discontinuing the original Iron Chef late-nite reruns) but I don't like his other shows so much ("feasting on... " whatever.) Dunno why.
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