Hell's Kitchen has been a tumultuous ride thus far. The show seemed poorly produced in its initial episodes, with odd cuts, and exasperating contestants. Gordon Ramsay's demeanor was unsettling to say the least.
As the weeks have passed, and thanks more to the wonders of TiVO/DVRs than the editing, one has grown more and more interested in the show. Ramsay is a talented chef, if not quite a patient teacher. The contestants are not just exasperating - they are petty, snivelling, middling cooks, and seem to lack grace under pressure.
The elimininations have been the interesting part - the viewer never knows what tasks or format the contests take. Unlike The Apprentice, this show is able to throw reality show conventions to the wind, and if only we didn't have to deal with the numerous voice-overs endlessly repeating what the attentive viewer knows well, we'd have a great show.
Last night's episode, the penultimate one, was challenging - for the participants. Jessica displayed a not surprising casualness and didn't help with the initial task - a rush job to bake bread in preparation for the dinner service. Her souffle flopped, too. Michael and Ralph displayed their skill and experience throughout the episode, juggling multiple tasks, taking over many of Jessica's assignments, and finally completing a complete service for the first time on the show. (more details at Jokersupdates)
The individual preparations looked good, especially Ralph's filet mignon. In an interesting surprise, the contestants' families were present, and were asked to rank the dishes. Michael's tuna beat Ralph's steak by a slim margin, leaving Jessica in last place, and having to exit the show.
In what may be a first for reality television, and I'm guessing here, Jessica's family included her 'girlfriend' - not a small step for television-dom.
Next week's two-hour episode features Michael and Ralph running their own kitchens, assisted by the previously axed participants. The winner gets his own restaurant.
Flame on!
Article comments
1 - Bobby
Man, that lip-lock between Jessie and her gal was hot!!
THe show was fun
2 - Aaman
What a tasteless way of describing something special:0
Can't wait for Monday:)
3 - Aaman
Tonight's the finale
4 - Natalie Davis
Funny, Mr. Bobby, I was touched by how much Jessica and her partner cared for each other and moved by how deeply they must have missed each other. Leave it to some het guy to belittle a relationship between women and to make a crass remark.
Mr. Lamba, you rock.
What was cool about seeing Jessica's gf is that the relationship was not singled out -- it was treated the same as Ralph's relationship with his spouse-to-be and as Michael's marriage. All of the couples were shown as being special, just as they all are. Very refreshing and affirming. Ramsay scored some points with me.
5 - Aaman
So, the winner turned out to be.... after a hard fight....
Michael
Line of the day:
Ralph to Dewberry: "You are my Rock of Gibraltar"
Dewberry: "I'd rather be Brad Pitt's wife!"
heh
6 - Natalie Davis
And don't forget Ralph's muttered followup: "He's got issues."
Congrats to Michael; he did a great job and deserved his win. Imagine getting to move to London and train to be a master chef under Ramsay and then getting his own restaurant. Awesome prize.
7 - Aaman
Ralph's got attitude
8 - lee
who the heck sings the theme song "fire" on hells kitchen? its killing me that i cant find it.
thanks
9 - frannie
I think Hells Kitchen was the best reality show on tv to date. I enjoyed it so much. There is no other reality show that can match it.
10 - Aaman
And what chutzpah - the first reality show, methinks, with BOTH a gay and a lesbian character - treated as matter-of-factly as they should be
Perfection would be to have no more seasons of the show - Gordon Ramsay is no down-and-out real-estate dude desparate for celebdom.
11 - A Harste
Isn't the song "Fire" by the Ohio Players? A blast from the 70s
12 - Terence Snell
YES! Fire by the Ohio Players! You rock!! Thanks.
13 - bob
The ohio players plays that fire song