Thanks Chef Michael Symon, but your services are no longer needed on Dinner: Impossible. Yes, he's been given the pink slip because it seems the folks at Food Network realize that they may have acted a bit rashly when they changed chefs last April. The Food Network has rehired Robert Irvine and will reinstate him as the host of Dinner: Impossible.Apparently, fudging his resume wasn't quite the high crime and misdemeanor it was made out to be. In fact, the network's dramatic reversal is proof positive that Dinner: Impossible has not been the same show with Chef Robert.
It's easier to forgive Irvine for padding his credits -- including facts like cooking for the Queen and preparing meals at the White House -- than it was to find as charismatic a star to anchor the weekly show.
Chef Symon, who's quite good on Iron Chef America, was never as fun as Robert on Dinner: Impossible. Being a Brit, Robert had a certain 007 quality that he brought to the show, in which the host is given a certain amount of time to deliver a catered affair usually under extreme conditions and obstacles. Chef Robert faced cooking in a hotel made completely of ice (in Canada), executing a Bahamian island dinner for Survivor winners Ethan and Jenna, and even using Colonial cooking materials to create an authentic dinner in Williamsburg, among other adventures. Chef Symon's challenges have been rough, too, but not as memorable TV.
Chef Irvine's new episodes will begin airing in March. But more than this, I expect to see Irvine welcomed back into the Food Network family. Watch, you'll see him back in the all-star rotation for specials and The Next Food Network Star guest spots. Frankly, I'm kind of glad. All is forgiven, Robert.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-20-2008 @ 9:38PM
Erica said...
great news! I love Chef Robert.....
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11-20-2008 @ 9:52PM
GL said...
I like the new version better. This is sad news for me.
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11-20-2008 @ 9:56PM
tv junkie said...
apparently, nobody at food network knew anything about business ethics. exaggerated false resume is fraud and ground for dismissal, especially when you lie about cooking for the white house british royalty.
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11-21-2008 @ 5:24AM
deebopalula said...
I'm glad to see Chef Robert back.
But how was cooking a "Bahamian Island dinner for Survivor winners Ethan and Jenna" a challenge? I missed that episode. What was so challenging about it?
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11-21-2008 @ 7:46AM
CRVBOY said...
It was a challenge because he was on a island about the size of a postage stamp, and given two crates of items that he could use (like 1 pot, a spoon and a commemorative joanie loves chachi cup and saucer.) Everything else had to be found on the island (coconuts or other native type fruits/veggies) and Ethan had to attempt to catch fish with his hands and a spear. And it wasn't just the two survivors, it was like 20 other people too.
I'm glad Chef Robert is back. I rooted for Michael Symon in Next Iron Chef but stopped watching Dinner Impossible after a couple of episodes with him. It just wasn't as fun. March won't come soon enough!
As for Chef Robert embellishing his resume. So what? It's not like he's a nuclear physicist where if he doesn't know what he's doing it's the end of the world. He's a chef.
11-21-2008 @ 9:36AM
Mike said...
I haven't watched the Michael Symon episodes, but Robert Irvine is clearly the better entertainer. Talk all you want about business ethics (and you'd be right in any other industry), but entertainment is entertainment, regardless of resume.
The Food Network is a network, and like any other network, they'd rather have high ratings than inscrutable ethics.
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11-21-2008 @ 11:28AM
WhatI said...
Hey - give Michael Symon a big hand for stepping in! He didn't do a bad job at all, just not as good as his predecessor, and I enjoyed seeing him get alot more tv time. Yes, I still have a problem with people getting ahead with lies, but we seem to be living in an "ethics-free" society nowadays and Robert Irving's actions are unfortunately common. He's obviously the man for this job, despite the fictional resume, and giving him time-off-for-bad-behavior, then welcoming him back a little lighter in his wallet isn't such a bad thing. I look forward to the future episodes, while hoping Food Network can find something else for Michael Symon to do in the near future as well.
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11-21-2008 @ 3:56PM
Leslye said...
I love them both and was sad when Robert Irvine was fired. Michael Symon did an admirable job on *Dinner Impossible*, I just didn't get the feeling he was completely comfortable with the show dynamic. I love him on *Iron Chef America* and will watch anything he's on. I will welcome Robert Irvine back and can't wait.
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11-21-2008 @ 5:55PM
Jimmy said...
I think Leslye hit it: Symon has never really felt comfortable in the role. While he is a great Iron Chef, he just never seemed able to adapt to this format. Robert Ivine had a sort of pinache he always brought to each episode. Symon always seemed annoyed to be there at all, and sometimes a little whiny. Maybe they should rotate the chefs so we actually have more episodes to watch.
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11-23-2008 @ 12:28PM
cyberdoc said...
I think FN simply finally listened to the fan base, the vast majority of which wanted Chef Robert back. Yes, fudging your resume is grounds for dismissal, but dismissal is not manditory. The Michael Symon's DI's were ok, but Robert is better in that role. This does not take anything away from Michael Symon's skills as a chef. Being nominated for a James Beard award is no small feat. But, Robert is better at DI.
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12-01-2008 @ 12:11AM
Megan said...
I liked Robert on DI, it was one of me and my husbands favorite shows but Robert lied and thats not cool. It can be forgiven as it should be but I will never look at him the same and wont enjoy the show like have with Michael Symon. Robert is dishonest/a liar and Food Network doesnt need someone like that.
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12-07-2008 @ 10:17PM
Marti said...
THANK GOODNESS!!! I am certainly a BIG fan of his and was VERY happy to see he's returning cause that other guy was not doing it for me. Ok, so he fudged a couple things on the ol' resume, BUT, I believe he has earned himself into the ranks of Iron chef as well as host of Dinner Impossible becuase he obviously got skills. I know the biz, and its easy to fall into the resume bloating...we all have done it at some point...doesn't mean we're horrible liars and cheats, I think he got spun into what being a celebrity can be like and things snowballed out of his control. Glad you're returning Robert!!!
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