http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2006 by the authors Thu, 19 Sep 2002 11:18:21 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/09/16/201845.php#comment-685 In that respect, andy, it's not just you who admires Genevieve. I just hate her taste. As for Frank, yeah, he's a bit too country kitchen for me (I'd rank my favorites Laurie of the PreRaphaelite curls and honeysuckle accent, Laurie, Laurie, then Vern, then the rest of 'em in a lump), but I do like the way he engages people in the process. In that way, it's much more like Changing Rooms. And regarding Iron Chef, part of the appeal to me is the unfamiliarity of many of the ingredients, flavors and preparations. These guys really know what they're doing. My wife & I have been to top restaurants around the world (including Tour D'Argent, whose chef recently kicked Iron Chef French's behind), and the lunch we had at Nobu in New York (former home of Iron Chef Japanese Masaharu Morimoto) was one of the top 5 meals we've had anywhere, even though many of the flavors and ingredients were new to us. The only exception is Iron Chef Italian. He's lame. 685@blogcritics.org Thu, 19 Sep 2002 11:18:21 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/09/16/201845.php#comment-684 Changing Rooms seems to be more about trying to piss your neighbors off and their reactions than Trading Spaces. My problem with it is the same I have with all the British home improvement/decor shows - I can't relate. The spaces are smaller, older and the design sensibility is different. I only enjoy the human interest part. Iron chef - a friend at work loves it, but every time I watch, I just laugh. I'm sorry, I can't take preparing squid in bizarre ways seriously (like the announcers do). That's the greatness of cable - there's something for everyone. 684@blogcritics.org Wed, 18 Sep 2002 19:40:19 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/09/16/201845.php#comment-683 Hmm, I'm a fan of Genevieve, but not necessarily for her decorating skills. Maybe it's just me. :) Frank is the one I am not a fan of - if roadside faux-country Cracker Barrel decor is what you're after, though, he's your man. I can't endure Iron Chef, unfortunately. 683@blogcritics.org Wed, 18 Sep 2002 16:28:26 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/09/16/201845.php#comment-682 Nice review. We are hopelessly addicted to all of them -- Ground Force, Changing Rooms & Trading Spaces, not to mention Iron Chef. Our weekend television viewing habits are centered around these three shows and the HBO Sunday night lineup. Pitiful but true. Of course, with all of these shows, it's a matter of vicarious thrill and envy, since we're neither skilled cooks nor home improvement/gardening folks. I'm not a fan of Genevieve. I still haven't forgiven her for the moss wall. 682@blogcritics.org Wed, 18 Sep 2002 14:05:02 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/09/16/201845.php#comment-681 I still prefer Changing Rooms, but TS is growing on me. *The* place to go for episode recaps and snarky forum commentary is http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com 681@blogcritics.org Tue, 17 Sep 2002 17:29:03 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/09/16/201845.php#comment-680 Trading Spaces is good - for more honest reactions to the rooms, try Changing Rooms (which predates Trading Spaces) on BBC America. And for the landscaping version of that type of show, there's Ground Force, also on BBC America. The wife and I are hooked on them all. So are a lot of other people judging by the number of Google hits for "Paige Davis Trading Spaces nude" I get at the World Wide Rant. 680@blogcritics.org Mon, 16 Sep 2002 23:31:53 EDT