Mario Batali Dropped From Food Network
Food News September 6th, 2007I couldn’t believe the news when I read it today.
Chef Mario Batali has been chopped from TV’s Food Network, the influential cooking channel that made him a household name.
Sources said that network executives told the spotlight-loving chef last month his multiple shows, which includes the long-running “Molto Mario,” would not be renewed and that he would no longer be competing in the popular “Iron Chef America” series.
“He said that if his shows weren’t going to be renewed, then he wasn’t going to do ‘Iron Chef,’ ” said a network insider. “And then they essentially said ‘ciao.’ ”
What the hell? Have the executives at Food Network lost their frickin minds?
There used to be a time when watching the Food Network was all about the food. The love of creating some of the most spectacular and delicious recipes could be seen in the hosts eyes. Mario Batali was one of those chefs. Oh sure, he loved to be in front of the camera and he was quite the showman, but when Mario cooked, the spotlight was always on the food.
No matter what reason Food Network will try to use for cancelling all of his shows at the same exact moment, the viewers are the ones who will be losing out. What will they run in place of his shows? More “Top 5″ shows? Oh I know, “unWrapped” Cough. Yeah, like that was culinarily stimulating television.
If I owned a television network, I would be offering Mario the moon to bring his shows to my network. Only a fool (or a group of them calling themselves Food Network) would let such a talented chef get away.
[Hat Tip: Chef Tom]
November 8th, 2007 at 20:24
Once I visited Atlanta, Georgia and a Tour guide said that ” DUE to General Sherman of the US Army during the American Civil War, NOTHING IN ATLANTA IS OVER 100 years old because HE burned EVERYTHING on his MARCH to the Sea ! ”
The Almost same thing Holds TRUE with FOOD NETWORK as those who MADE THEM FAMOUS ARE GETTING BURNED as FOOD NETWORK MARCHES TO THE SEA!
However Food Network WILL find them selfs ALL WET ! By the time they figure out that THEY have LOST in it’s HISTORY of TOP programs, They will have created another Group of Programs that are more or less SIT/COM’S !
November 12th, 2007 at 14:45
My husband taught himself to cook watching the Food Network and such great chefs as Batali. Now we rarely watch it. There’s very few shows about cooking anymore. I think the Food Network has changed it’s focus and I think it’s very sad.
November 18th, 2007 at 22:36
they will find themselves…
November 26th, 2007 at 17:38
Stupid does as stupid is; or what were they thinking, I am sure we will soon see Mario on PBS doing his great cooking. I sure wish the food channel managers would take the time to watch their own shows.
November 29th, 2007 at 02:01
For over a year the Food Network has been going downhill. Even the old faithful education shows like Food Hunter with Pete Lucket are no longer aired. Info programs about cooking, technique, and unusual food items have been replaced by 3 year old seasonal specials run back to back. Although not a huge fan of Emeril Live, I do enjoy Cooking With Emeril. True artistes like Sara Moulton are gone and now Mario is gone. I guess we will all have to tune in to the Travel Channel and TLC for meaty shows about something other than where to order already made food items or diners and drive-ins, or how my cereal is made. I have been a faithful watcher since the network first aired but I find myself avoiding the constant stream of re-runs and where-to-order-it shows.At this rate the network will not last long.