I believe I have previously mentioned my appreciation for reality television shows that feature a cooking competition. Top Chef was first love in this genre and though recent seasons have lost some of their pizazz, I am sure I will still tune in for the next season. I discovered Gordon Ramsay's 'Hell's Kitchen' through it's sister-program 'Kitchen Nightmares'. Sure HK seems to feature a bevy of vulgar, uneducated, inexperienced and often talentless so-called chefs, but watching Ramsay rip them a new one is really the show's main appeal.
Then there is 'Last Restaurant Standing'...this is one of those filler shows that I only watch if it's an choice between that and watching a nature program about the mating rituals of yellow-billed hornbill (it's a bird, people!). LRS is a BBC production, shown in the US on BBC America, and features Raymond Blanc (famed French chef) offering to set up a restaurant with whichever couple makes it through the various challenges that are set. The couples are made up of husbands and wives, fathers and daughters and childhood friends. One member of each couple focuses on front-of-house duties while the other member is in the kitchen acting as head chef. The premise of this show sounds interesting enough but the real downfall comes from Blanc himself. His low-key approach coupled with his limited English and thick accent make any scenes with him both boring and hard work. It would be more dramatic and engaging if he started cursing in French at his hopeless proteges.
Into this mix came 'The Chopping Block', NBC's attempt to get into the reality cooking genre. The set-up was a bit similar to LRS, couples enter the competition in the hopes that they will be the last ones standing and be able to set up a restaurant. The difference in the set up between TCB and LRS is that while the couples on LRS each had their own restaurants to manage during each of the challenges, on TCB, the couples are put onto two teams, each team is in charge of a restaurant. 'The Chopping Block' had one major advantage over LRS...while LRS had a woefully uncharasmatic restauranteur at its head, the Block was helmed by one of the most legendary and imposing restauranteurs in recent memory..Marco Pierre White. He has received the nickname 'Great White' because the way he circles his kitchens, intimidating anyone in his path. But, White also has a big heart and you do feel that his harsh criticism is his attempt to mentor his cheftestants.
The Block seemed to have everything going for it, and yet after only 3 weeks on the air, NBC pulled it due to dismal ratings. Why? I really don't know! I quite enjoyed this show...sure it probably wouldn't win Emmy's but it was a hell of a lot more interesting than watching fatties trying to lose weight or watching ABC make-over someone's house. The Block's cheftestants weren't the most interesting bunch, and as always you wish there was a bit more drama and a bit more of White yelling at people but I would have happily watched more of the show if only to see more of Marco glaring at people and seeing right through them.
One can only hope that US television will develop another vehicle to bring Marco into our homes. Until then, if you like me have become invested in this show and want to see it to its completion, NBC seems to be posting the remaining episodes on Hulu.com. Happy Watching!
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