|
|
Post by pairesta on Dec 3, 2015 7:21:10 GMT -5
Since AVClub has dropped coverage, should we do a thread here? Is there enough interest?
|
|
|
|
Post by songstarliner on Dec 3, 2015 23:54:10 GMT -5
It may be a one-on-one conversation pairesta, but I'll listen if you want to chat about it. Uh, but not now. It's late, I'm a bit drunk .... one thing I'll say is that I'm so ready for them to eliminate Greyson. This time she can't seem to cook at all, and her bratty attitude is appalling. CUT HER. |
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Dec 4, 2015 7:27:18 GMT -5
I only dimly remembered Grayson from Texas (I've put everything but Paul Qui from that season out of mind) so I went back and looked her up. She seemed well-beloved by people in the comments of the reviews. She was eliminated on the infamous "Bike Race Across Austin During The Worst Heat Wave In 30 Years" episode, for dried out stuffed chicken. The episode before, she had made meatballs and Tom apparently told her they belonged in the meatball hall of fame.
But yeah, it's a faceplant so far. I think it's safe to say bringing back past competitors is a bust, since they had Stefan back that one time and he did nothing, and I think CJ (the really tall guy from 3 or 4) didn't do much either.
I almost wonder if she's safe from elimination for a bit at least. Bringing her back and then throwing her right back off would seem counterproductive. But both times she's been up it's seemed like she was more likely to go.
|
|
LazBro
Prolific Poster 
Posts: 10,049 
|
Post by LazBro on Dec 4, 2015 8:32:30 GMT -5
Only seen Wednesday's episode. We actually stopped watching last season about midway, because I was finding myself really bored with it, and that along with the new limitations we have on TV time conspired in its deletion from the queue. It was the first season we didn't watch in full (including All-Stars, Desserts, Masters, you name it). Didn't turn off the series in my DVR though, so when I saw the other night that Top Chef was recording, cause really I had no idea a season was starting, I thought, "Huh, maybe I do want to watch Top Chef again."
Well, I had a bit of a crush on Grayson in the Texas season - remember that black chicken thing with the egg and blood? She stole my heart, man. - so I was excited to see her return. Unfortunately, she's pulling a Jennifer, who if I remember correctly returned for a season of All-Stars with a major redemption arc built up behind her, only to come across as spacey, argumentative and having thrown in the towel almost from the beginning. Based on Badger's comment, sounds like she'll be in the bottom (but safe) on episode 2 as well.
I'm pitting Isaac for the finals. This is based not on his skills, though they seem ample, but on my perception of the edit. He gets a LOT of screen time in all the preview footage or "this season on Top Chef" type stuff. Meanwhile, you wouldn't know Kwame existed. And after one episode, I'm still not sure. This year's crush will be Renee, the fire-haired "Sassy Chef." It's funny, because I recently interviewed a chef in Dallas who calls herself the "Saucy Chef" and is basically this same person: red hair, positive upbeat personality, "sassy" attitude. I know she's a huge Top Chef fan, too. I should ask her what she thinks of Renee.
Mrs. Snape made a crack about Phillip's man bun precisely 3 seconds before Gail did, and we had a good laugh.
Amar's pork belly "everything" meatball looked incredible!
Hopefully Frances won't be like one of those idiots on Chopped who insist on serving Scott Conant raw onion. If your perception of an ingredient is that most people think it's poison the first time they eat it, pick another ingredient. Man, I love IPAs, but if I'm trying to get someone into craft beer, I don't start there.
I'll stay current if I can, but then I said that about Parts Unknown, too, and I've still got episodes queued up.
|
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Dec 4, 2015 9:45:44 GMT -5
Like I said, I went back to research Grayson since I didn't remember much about her. Our own PA Noire is all over the comments crushing hard on her back then. Edit: I found Boston a much-needed redemption for them. Once they got into the Top 10, it was just a bunch of talented chefs in a competition and the drama was gone. The Top 5 all liked and supported each other, no villains in the bunch, any of them could have won and I'd have been happy. |
|
LazBro
Prolific Poster
Posts: 10,049
|
Post by LazBro on Dec 5, 2015 0:17:43 GMT -5
Well, shit! So much for that crush. Guess I'll just put this here (NSFW): |
|
LazBro
Prolific Poster
Posts: 10,049
|
Post by LazBro on Dec 7, 2015 12:19:11 GMT -5
Another random thought: is it just me being a beer nerd, or does anyone else feel this season has gone from Top Chef's long history of pimping the wine to pimping the beer? So many bottles of Ballast Point in that 2nd episode.
|
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Dec 7, 2015 12:47:14 GMT -5
Another random thought: is it just me being a beer nerd, or does anyone else feel this season has gone from Top Chef's long history of pimping the wine to pimping the beer? So many bottles of Ballast Point in that 2nd episode. I hadn't noticed. They are in California though, so I'd imagine a winery/wine challenge is in the cards. |
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Dec 11, 2015 7:00:55 GMT -5
Grayson rebounded nicely, winning immunity and beating the team she went up against.
"Sudden Death" Quickfire is a bit of a misnomer since the loser gets one last chance before being eliminated.
I didn't like the curveball thrown in this challenge, especially once Tom started lecturing them about being thrown off their game.
Kwame and Jeremy are early favorites. I like having Isaac around too.
Pigpen and Angelina need to go. Poor Angelina has been deer in the headlights from episode one, and her entire strategy is just not to make the worst dish, always a bad sign. Plus WTF with her belting out "I can't believe that bitch beat me again?" when she was standing right there?
Edits: I miss having this on Wednesdays.
I was surprised by Francis' elimination, it really did seem like it was down to Pigpen and Angelina. But my wife called it way early in the ep when we got a tearful backstory on Francis.
|
|
|
|
Post by songstarliner on Dec 11, 2015 8:37:50 GMT -5
Yeah, I kind of can't believe they didn't cut Angelina last night, but I'm sure it won't be long. She just doesn't have the skills, and her attitude is distasteful (get it?)
And Pigpen, while maybe not suited for this kind of competition, is at least entertaining - I laughed out loud when he said "I cooked like a child today"
So my early favorite is Jeremy! His food looks yummy, he seems like a decent fellow, and he's totally cute too. But I also like Jason, Kwame, and Carl.
And despite the fact that Grayson had a good day, I still Do Not Like her. She seems awful!
|
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Dec 11, 2015 9:44:40 GMT -5
I still don't really remember Grayson from Texas, but something must have changed for her to have been so beloved back then and then unpleasant now. Maybe it was just the awfulness of the Texas season making her seem better.
|
|
|
|
Post by songstarliner on Dec 17, 2015 23:24:14 GMT -5
DING DONG the witch is dead. Seriously though, what a brat. She just didn't have the skills to back up that attitude.
I wasn't very interested in this episode, despite Jose Andres and John Besh (who I've grown to adore) and - sorry everybody - Richard Blais, who is my #1 nerd chef crush. What can I say? He had me with that green curry tofu in beef fat.
All of the food seemed okay, nothing memorable or exciting. Jeremy wins again, as it should be, but I'm looking forward to at least one or two episodes where they can really cook without a lot of dumb hoops to jump through.
|
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Dec 18, 2015 7:35:06 GMT -5
I totally forgot this was on!  I really hate this Thursday move. Also the next two weeks are Christmas Eve and NY Eve, respectively, and I really hope they aren't putting up new eps then. |
|
LazBro
Prolific Poster
Posts: 10,049
|
Post by LazBro on Dec 28, 2015 11:14:20 GMT -5
Finally caught up. Thank goodness for the holidays or we'd be three behind.
So, yeah, though my crush feelings linger to this day, Grayson needed to go. Bad food, worse attitude. In fact her performance, 'tude, and overall arc were exactly the same as Jennifer's from the first All-Stars season. Shame.
I wouldn't be surprised if the young'n is next. She may have the talent in her, but she's clearly not ready for this competition.
I was disappointed with Jeremy's second win. It felt like that was the same dish he'd won with before. Oh, a raw slice of fish with some acidic shit on it. I don't doubt it was delicious, but this is Top Chef, not Top Raw Slice of Fish with Some Acidic Shit On It.
|
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Jan 8, 2016 6:40:54 GMT -5
After a DVR mishap, we finally watched the last episode before the holiday break last night. Good riddance Grayson. Jesus what happened with her? Ever time she got called out as the worst she had that smirk on her face. But holy crap does Angelina need to go next.
We did not, however, watch the new one, so that will be tonight.
|
|
LazBro
Prolific Poster
Posts: 10,049
|
Post by LazBro on Jan 11, 2016 9:39:53 GMT -5
- Nobody likes gummy potatoes. Not even in some Asian cuisine where the favored textures are wildly different than what an American palate prefers do they like gummy potatoes. Nobody. Nowhere. If that's what you were going for, then your dish has failed at conception.
- Seems like every season there's at least one bit where the guys are smitten with the guest judge (or sometimes, one of their lady competitors). I wonder if there's ever any actual awkwardness there or if it's pure editing room. Did Kwame really act the fool in a noticeable way? I get particularly frustrated when they make Padma the object - like she's in a bikini or something - because I don't find Padma attractive at all. I still want Katie Lee back. #2006 #OG #gritsbeforetits
- (Admittedly, if I was on this show and the guest judge was, say, Jennifer Lawrence, no editing would be necessary. I'd act the fool for sure.)
- Jason and Angelina's swiss chard stuffed with braised chicken looked amazing. Can't believe that didn't take it.
- Fuckin' cold seafood dish for the win. At least the shrimp was cooked, but fuck guys! Was it really hot during filming or something?
- Art Smith is great as always. Eating his fried chicken is on the bucket list.
- Mrs. Snape re: Phillip: "I hate everything about him."
- We won't miss Gisele "I'm like the nicest person here" Wellman, though she did give us the gift of that phrase before she left. All weekend the Mrs. and I were crackin' it: "I'm like the coolest person here," "I'm like the most popular person here," "I do like the most awesome stuff here, and I don't know why everybody hates me!"
|
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Jan 11, 2016 10:41:47 GMT -5
Philip fascinates me because there is such a huge gap between his perception and his delivery. There's always a talking head of him beefing up what he's gonna make, and then it so completely misses the mark, and he just looks stunned. He keeps whiffing badly; you'd think he'd be rethinking his approach by now but he just keeps plugging away.
I'd be completely unable to function around Gail. The only reason I'd act weird around Padma is because I'd be worried she would unhinge her jaw and devour me whole.
I liked Giselle (even though about 50% of the time I thought she was Grayson), particularly after Angelina was so nasty to her. But yeesh, that exit speech.
|
|
LazBro
Prolific Poster
Posts: 10,049
|
Post by LazBro on Jan 11, 2016 10:53:57 GMT -5
Philip fascinates me because there is such a huge gap between his perception and his delivery. There's always a talking head of him beefing up what he's gonna make, and then it so completely misses the mark, and he just looks stunned. He keeps whiffing badly; you'd think he'd be rethinking his approach by now but he just keeps plugging away. I'd be completely unable to function around Gail. The only reason I'd act weird around Padma is because I'd be worried she would unhinge her jaw and devour me whole. I liked Giselle (even though about 50% of the time I thought she was Grayson), particularly after Angelina was so nasty to her. But yeesh, that exit speech. Oh my god, Gail!
Yeah, I'd be useless. Which is a problem since you have to see her, like, every other challenge. Mrs. Snape doesn't get that one, btw. I was going on about Gail once, and she was like, "Really, her?" Of course, she's wrong. |
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Jan 15, 2016 7:19:21 GMT -5
This was a very busy episode that saw two of the biggest deadweights on the show going home. Philip had a mini-redemption after the housemates had an intervention and told him basically "Dude, your cooking sucks. Wake up." and wound up making strictly middle of the pack food, but not entertainingly bad. Both the quickfire and elimination challenges were well-thought out and executed by the chefs.
With the exception of Phil, almost everyone left is pretty likeable and has at least once cooked something I really liked the sound of.
I didn't understand the squid and pork meatballs though. They sounded inventive, but apparently it was based on some famous old dish? I'd never heard of it and my wife and I missed that that's what he was trying to do. At any rate, the execution of having them be quenelles fell far short of the mark. If he'd just made standard meatballs using squid and pork, then folded in the challenge ingredients and used southeast asian flavors he probably would have nailed it.
|
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Jan 15, 2016 7:36:44 GMT -5
Also: "How am I gonna put banana in a savory dish. Oh, I know: I'll dip it in liquid nitrogen and then shove it up my ass."
That's the hardest I've laughed at Top Chef ever. I hope Isaac's around for a long time. I want to open a restaurant just so I can hire that guy and listen to him all day long.
|
|
LazBro
Prolific Poster
Posts: 10,049
|
Post by LazBro on Jan 18, 2016 11:21:56 GMT -5
This was a very busy episode that saw two of the biggest deadweights on the show going home. Philip had a mini-redemption after the housemates had an intervention and told him basically "Dude, your cooking sucks. Wake up." and wound up making strictly middle of the pack food, but not entertainingly bad. Both the quickfire and elimination challenges were well-thought out and executed by the chefs. With the exception of Phil, almost everyone left is pretty likeable and has at least once cooked something I really liked the sound of. I didn't understand the squid and pork meatballs though. They sounded inventive, but apparently it was based on some famous old dish? I'd never heard of it and my wife and I missed that that's what he was trying to do. At any rate, the execution of having them be quenelles fell far short of the mark. If he'd just made standard meatballs using squid and pork, then folded in the challenge ingredients and used southeast asian flavors he probably would have nailed it. Yeah, if glasses dude is going for a "classic made modern", or hell, just "classic kept classic" repertoire, that hasn't really come through until this episode, and I don't much see the point of it. And the defense of, "Well, that's just how they do it," never, ever, ever works. (I guess no defense works in a solo challenge. If they don't like your food, there's nothing you can say. If you're humble and admit your mistakes, maybe it'll save you from elimination.) This was an okay episode. I perked up when I saw it was a beer challenge, but I'd have rather they used existing beers than these homebrews invented for the challenge. The chefs seemed too slavish to the flavor run down of the beer - is it really necessary for the dish to feature all those components to pair with the beer? Or was it in the rules of the challenge that they had to include those ingredients? It wasn't clear. Also, how fucking much do you want to be a guest judge on fish taco day? Hot damn. |
|
LazBro
Prolific Poster
Posts: 10,049
|
Post by LazBro on Jan 18, 2016 11:26:24 GMT -5
Does anybody here (so, all two of you) watch Last Chance Kitchen? I never have, because I really don't want to invest the extra time, but the commercials make it look more fun that the actual show. I like that it's hosted by Chef Tom, who's so much more fun when he's not just running down a script. Whether in the candid clips during reunion episodes or even during the occasional kitchen visit, off-the-cuff Tom is the Tom this needs show needs more of.
|
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Jan 18, 2016 11:47:59 GMT -5
I haven't ever watched it either, but from what I gather it's more purely cooking and a much more engaged Tom which makes it tempting.
|
|
|
|
Post by songstarliner on Jan 18, 2016 13:15:31 GMT -5
I haven't. I think maybe I would watch if someone I really liked were cut, but so far that hasn't happened.
|
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Jan 22, 2016 7:44:27 GMT -5
Before the ep began, my wife and I did a rundown of the fat left on the show that needed to be cut. Curiously, the three winners tonight made up that pack (along with Jason and Philip).
Jeremy is one of my favorites, but starting to fade. Just as Amar was ranting on the show about too many ceviches, I was doing the same to my wife. Then he goes and cooks something, and it's a mess. He could have been on the bottom were it not for his immunity. This was kind of a game changer episode, with the two leads stumbling badly and the middle of the pack rising to the occasion. Poor Kwame's dish sounded and looked inedible. I'm really surprised he didn't get cut.
Grilled lemons are bitter. I can't believe Marjory pulled that off as a sub for lemongrass.
I can't believe that snail dish was a winner, either. it just seemed like a conceptual mess.
Philip, as always, continues to languish. Him saying it's all about cooking to please the judges while Tom visibly seethed is probably what landed him on the bottom.
Speaking of Tom, watching him get choked up talking about that ill chef almost got me choked up too.
OK. Jason hit almost every one of my red flag buttons. Everything about him said "don't be in the same room with this guy for too long". He skeeved me right out.
|
|
|
|
Post by songstarliner on Jan 28, 2016 21:38:17 GMT -5
I'm watching it now and I just wanted to say: ohmigod Ron Funches! I wish he were my friend so I could get lots of goofy hugs.
|
|
|
|
Post by songstarliner on Jan 28, 2016 21:49:52 GMT -5
THEY DIDN'T EVEN LET HIM TALK THAT IS SOME BULLSHIT
|
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Jan 29, 2016 7:02:22 GMT -5
Who's Ron Funches?
What was Colin Hanks doing there?
9 chefs misunderstood the challenge. That's when you start wondering if there was a communication error. Although I was yelling at my TV when only one of them picked beef and they all were doing these little dainty cuts. But still. This doesn't bode well.
|
|
|
|
Post by songstarliner on Jan 29, 2016 7:51:56 GMT -5
Ron Funches is a comedian that I love from Kroll Show and @midnight and Drunk History. He was sitting right next to Padma. Maybe he was her date.
Yeah, husband and I were yelling at the TV from the very start of the elimination challenge. What a mess. I can't believe only one person did beef for the Beefsteak Dinner! Now, if one of my teammates had beef covered already, I would have done a brace of smallish whole roasted chickens.
|
|
|
|
Post by pairesta on Jan 29, 2016 8:17:26 GMT -5
RIBS, people. I can't believe no one did pork ribs. That would have won before they even ate it.
|
|
