Newsletter sign-up: 
Get Breaking News on your cellTop Chef 4: Karmic justice was not served this week
9:54 AM Thu, May 15, 2008 | Permalink |
E-mail News tips
 |
 |
 
|
|
July 2008
Recent Posts
Renovations at Penne Pomodoro and Royal China McGrady does local TV turn on Princess Diana's birthday Dominion's beef makes m-m-good hamburgers Chipotle says it's stepping up local sourcing Cheese O' The Week: a local fresh goat perfect for summer Categories
dallasnews.com
Entertainment Blogs |
A fresh round of hostility breaks out during Judge's Table, but the biggest news (other than, to me, the surprise cheftestant going home) was that Restaurant Wars happen this season after all - next week! These folks are really trying for some blockbuster ratings this season. (And apparently getting them: Bravo TV sent out a release after last week's show that Wedding Wars was the most highly watched non-finale episode of Top Chef since Season 2.) Spoilers galore right after the jump. So, I'll start by saying that the manipulative editing powers of reality television have once again worked their dark arts on me: I hate Spike now. Hate. Him. Want him to crash and burn. Was so hoping he was going home after his lamer-than-lame lunch that was fueled more by malice than creativity. Alas, karmic retribution delayed. Oh, Andrew. Why did you have to be all cocky about your nutrition training and your weird grain-free sushi? Raw foods "cooking" does something to chefs who dabble in it. It seeps into their brains and they become fervid believers who think they can change the eating habits of the world. (Maybe they should? This article scared me.) I watched it in my own restaurant career ... though I did score an amazing, self-freezing ice cream machine that I still own when one of my friends went from vegetarian to vegan to hard core raw foodist. Anyway, the predicted smackdown between Richard and Andrew never transpired. Richard for Fan Favorite? What do you think? Or Stephanie? They seem to be the two most likeable personalities this season. Antonia seemed unpleasant until she cried about missing her kid a few episodes ago, and now I'm warming to her. I wonder if she'll regret all the catty comments she makes about the other contestants during interview mode come the reunion episode. Doubt it. She seems very at peace with herself and her choices. We do have more than the usual number of unlikable characters this season, though. Lisa, who'll throw you under the bus in the spirit of competition. (If I were Andrew, I would have been going off on her, too.) Dale, who's moving into Hubris Hung territory by thinking he's better than every other chef in the game. And, of course, Spiteful Spike. I'm also tired of Padma saying something vacuous like, "Well, that was interesting ..." after every verbal altercation among the chefs during Judge's Table. C'mon, woman, use your brain to come up with something a little more specific or intelligent or spicy! Good preview moment for the Puerto Rico finale on the Bravo TV website. Note the artwork in the background: I'm betting that means the finale is held in a restaurant called Pikayo in the Musuem of Art of Puerto Rico in San Juan. I went there a few years ago - good restaurant. Interesting upscale take on Puerto Rican cuisine, beautiful space. Fun location to see Richard, Dale and Stephanie duke it out. (That's still my guess, anyhow.) |
 | |
|
Spotlight
|
|
Comments
Posted by allison @ 11:02 AM Thu, May 15, 2008
I can't even concentrate on what they are doing with Richard's fauxhawk growing an inch an episode. And he wears a headband next episode?! How am I supposed to pay attention?
I really wish Lisa would finally screw up more than someone else because I'm really tired of her attitude. She doesn't seem to enjoy anything or anyone and it's quite the buzzkill.
Posted by Mere @ 12:28 PM Thu, May 15, 2008
Alright, Bill - so who among Richard, Dale and Stephanie - who's your pick? Who would you LIKE to win and who do think WILL win?
Posted by Jay @ 12:39 PM Thu, May 15, 2008
They are running the Miami season (Tre and Casey!) during the day on Bravo now...the Miami contestants are SOOOO much better than Chicago. It's hard to find someone to like this season.
Posted by Melissa @ 12:45 PM Thu, May 15, 2008
I think the final three will be Richard, Dale, and Antonia. Just a guess though. Stephanie's cake in wedding wars was pretty cool though!
It's this time of the season though that I really miss the gang from Season 3. Casey, Hung, Brian, Tre, and Dale were a pretty fun group.
Posted by Jack Sprat @ 2:52 PM Thu, May 15, 2008
These are the biggest bunch of losers they've ever had on Top Chef. Dishwater dull personalities, and most of them ego-maniacs for no apparent reason. Arguing with the judges is never a good move and a bad attitude only makes it worse. They need to bring in Chef Ramsey and let him work them over for a couple of days.
Posted by Kristin @ 5:00 PM Thu, May 15, 2008
Shame on you for not even mentioning the BEST part of the eppy - the return of totally hot diabetic Sam from Season 2! Be still my married heart.
Go Antonia! They need a woman to win and she is my pick. :P)
Posted by Bill Addison @ 5:15 PM Thu, May 15, 2008
Well, who I WANT to win is easy: Richard.
Who do I think will win? Hmm. You can be sure the producers want a female Top Chef this year, so it might be Stephanie or Antonia. The more I think about it, the more I wonder who will make it: Stephanie or Antonia. (I would be shocked if neither made it -- they'll keep one of them in if at all possible.) It might be Antonia, she has more presence than Stephanie.
I would be surprised if Dale goes all the way. My TC intuition tells me he's going to stumble somewhere along the way.
So, my guess at this moment would be: Richard or ... Antonia. Sorry, Stephanie, I'm revising my bet.
Who do you all think will win?
Posted by Liz @ 6:33 PM Thu, May 15, 2008
I can live with Lisa's attitude. I just wish she'd wash her hair. This last episode had her running her fingers through that nasty hair and then going back to cooking - EW!
Posted by RB @ 8:12 PM Thu, May 15, 2008
that was ted allen who said "that was interesting," not padma (she just said "lisa sure did have a lot to say). nitpick much? (i guess that goes for both of us)
Posted by Bill Addison @ 10:45 PM Thu, May 15, 2008
Thanks for that note, RB, I stand corrected. Though I also stand by my wish for Padma to be more ... sharp-witted. But, she is who she is, I guess.
Posted by Leslie Snyder @ 11:12 AM Fri, May 16, 2008
Yes, it sure was sweet to see Andrew pack up and go.
I'm torn between Stephanie and Antonia as well, but neither has really stepped out in front as a kitchen leader, like Richard has.
Posted by Jeff @ 10:23 AM Sat, May 17, 2008
Why was Sam the guest judge this week? Is he promoting something? It seems odd that the show brings on Rick Bayless, Ming Tsai, Rocco, and.......Sam? He's an old contestant that didn't win. What gives?