No, the next Food Network star isn't going to be Rachael Ray. She already has several shows on the network. "Rachael Ray" was the title of last night's episode, as the remaining contestants had to go on her show and do a team cooking presentation. Does someone know if this episode is going to air or will it air when new episodes of the show start up again? It would be weird for the episode to air after the winner of NFNS is crowned.
So, did they make the right choice in getting rid of Katie, or did Michael or Jamika deserve the boot? It's true that I couldn't see Katie hosting a TV show, but Jamika has fallen apart lately.















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-06-2009 @ 8:27AM
Lisa said...
I think and hope that Jamika will make a comeback. She had some good weeks but just has had a crisis in confidence and she and Jeffrey didn't produce a product she had any passion for. When she's on her own again I think she can bring it if she believes in herself.
IMO, Katie never had a shining moment and was overdue for departure. Right now Debbie and Melissa are the obvious frontrunners.
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7-06-2009 @ 9:39AM
Jimmy_MO said...
I agree. In my opinion Katie should have been dropped the first time she served something raw, let alone the second time. While I also agree Debbie and Melissa are the frontrunners at this point, that could always change -- who would have tought Lisa Garza would have made it to the top 3 last year.
Debbie certainly has the stage presence and could bring a unique POV to the network if she could only perfect it. She needs to find a way to better mesh the Korean and Southern aspects of her life.
Melissa appeals to me more because I like her personality and she can be good in front of the camera. I don't think the Rachel Ray appearance is ever a good indication of how well someone will performance in front of the camera. Who can really give a good performance with only 5 minutes. For Melissa, having never been trained as a professional cook, the rush aspect of some of these challenges plays to her weaknesses but I do think she's someone viewers would relate to.
7-06-2009 @ 9:21AM
wulfn1 said...
yes , katie just didn't have it, and was annoying. Michael isn't going to make it solely because he can't handle the cameras. While he does great with an audience, once a camera is focused on him he loses it. I don't think he can overcome that, though I kind of hope he does. Food network has no obvious flamers in their lineup and it would liven up the programing to see him acting all "outed" while producing cookable food.
I am getting tired of the "I'm Korean" bit too, though if that can be adjusted, it might work for her.
Rooting for "mom's cooking tips" and Doris Day style. everyone else is forgettable.
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7-06-2009 @ 9:24AM
Mike said...
The RR show where they did their cooking and such was aired earlier this week, I forget when.
I hope Melissa wins, she is the only one that I would actually DVR, much less watch live. :)
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7-06-2009 @ 9:40AM
Ryan said...
I'm rooting for Debbie myself. Yeah the whole "I'm Korean" thing without explanation what that meant is meh, but you know that can easily be fixed once she has her own show!
I do agree with everyone else that she is the frontrunner along with Melissa. Melissa just has momentum right now so if she can keep stringing great performances, it'll be tough to beat her.
I get why Michael was in the bottom three and the lack of confidence in front of the camera is disconcerting, but lest people forgot the WINNER of last year Aaron McCargo, Jr. was also quite uncomfortable in front of the camera. He recovered quite nicely when it was down to the final 3 so don't count Michael out yet.
I also think Jeffrey can challenge. Yes, he has had a rough two weeks, but he started very well. I also think this is true of Jamika except she has really suffered self-esteem-wise. If she doesn't knock it out of the park next week, she will be the next to go.
Having said that, I would've probably gotten rid of Jamika based on last night, but the judges looked at the whole season and if you did it that way then clearly it was time for Katie to go. From episode one, it was clear that she would just not fit into the Food Network mold and I'm amazed she lasted this long.
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7-06-2009 @ 10:16AM
Cynabee said...
I think the 3 ladies are top contenders- Melissa, Debbie, and Jamika.
Melissa adds a sparkle and I like her "Mom" tips and her Mom next- door quality.
I would watch Debbie also, as she is likeable
and needs to tells us what Korean food is like.
Jamika is fading and her sparkle is gone. I don't think she believes she can win this.
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7-06-2009 @ 10:59AM
Lisa said...
I forget to mention earlier that my favorite (like many of you) is Melissa. I think she is very watchable and likeable and I think her ideas are great. Pureeing brussel sprouts and putting them in mashies is a fantastic way to get veggies in there and offering a raw veggie on the side is brilliant as the crunch just might be the ticket for kids. Kids due to tend to munch raw veggies over cooked. Seems like every week she's brought some new idea that I've liked.
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7-06-2009 @ 12:42PM
Kathleen Weaver said...
I guess that I'm the odd man out because I definitely wouldn't waste my time watching Melissa. Her pollyanna, gushing style leaves me tired. I think that 30 minutes of her would be very overwhelming.
I'm not sure that I'd watch Debby, either.....but I'd at least try a few shows.
Jeffrey? Yes definitely I'd watch him and also Michael.
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7-06-2009 @ 2:07PM
GL said...
They made the right choice, but the other two are on thin ice.
Though I find Melissa to be the least irksome, I wouldn't watch a show with any of these people.
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7-06-2009 @ 3:10PM
Trippa said...
I don't understand Katie going home this week. Any other week. Fine. But she had her best week by far this week. Why keep her around this long and then boot her when she does good (or at least better than most).
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7-08-2009 @ 5:32PM
Kathy said...
I think Katie has needed to go for quite some time. I agree that Melissa, Jamika, and Debbie ALL deserve a show-they offer very different viewpoints and experiences. It would be nice to see a show with an emphasis on Asian cooking.
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7-06-2009 @ 9:13PM
Jim Kosmicki said...
every year they (and other cooking shows) have their token nutritionist contestant, and every year they barely make it this far, if they even make it this far. When will these contestants ever realize that cooking shows and networks are SPONSORED by food conglomerates. They are NOT going to let you condemn their food and encourage folks to go a more local/natural way.
Nathan Lyon from the Guy F. season of Next Food Network Star came the closest, and his show is on a very high-number digital only network (and was it renewed? every episode I see is a repeat these days).
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7-06-2009 @ 10:47PM
Gayla said...
I just don't see Debbie as the next star and would not watch her if she were to win. My whole family finds her annoying - on several levels. If she wins, you've definitely lost viewers in my house! Our top vote is for Jeffrey, but we'd definitely watch Jamika, Melissa or Michael if they come out on top.
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7-07-2009 @ 8:39PM
Joan Shurin said...
It was time for Katie to go. It was getting tiresome listening to
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7-10-2009 @ 2:49PM
ty said...
I like Melissa, but I really couldn't watch her... she's just way too frenetic for me. I like Jeffrey's calm demeanor, and he has such a wonderful way of talking about food. I like Jamika, too. If Michael could calm down and organize himself, he could do well-- his food is consistently great.
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7-11-2009 @ 7:10AM
Ladylon said...
I agree that it was time for Katie to go. I'm sure she's a very nice young lady, but I couldn't stand to watch and listen to her for those few minutes she was on camera in each episode, let alone for an entire program. Debbie is getting on my nerves more and more each week. I liked Jeff a lot in the beginning, but it seems what we saw the first couple of weeks was all there is to him. Melissa and Jamika are my two favorites. Jamika is an easy going personality and she is very savvy about food. Melissa, in my opinion has the most to offer viewers (that's not already offered on FN). I love the fact that she is an 'everyday' Mom, cooking with 'everyday' ingredients. Someone mentioned that she is too 'frenetic'. I think that's only because in the early weeks, she has been put in a position (by Brent, Teddy and Eddie) of having to 'prove' herself in a different way than anyone else. They basically put her down for being 'just a home cook'. Their attitudes were simply pathetic, in my opinion. But I can see how that would frazzle her. If she were to win jer own show, and the competition part were out of it, I think we would all find that she has the most 'usable' tips and ideas for most of us 'home cooks'. Regardless of how this one ends, I love this show!
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7-26-2009 @ 7:56PM
Liz said...
Actually wulfn1, judging by the multitude of forums where this show gets discussed, I'd wager good money that most people who watched the competition last year, including say Bobby Flay, thought Lisa Garza would be in the top 3 and deservedly so. She was a polarizing figure - you either loved her or hated her - and that's what led a lot of people to tune in. I do agree with you about Melissa this year, though; I'm rooting for her for the win.
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