Food on the Tube: The Next Food Network Has-been

Food Network

I’ve talked before about how I’m not a big fan of reality TV. As such, I’ve never been a dedicated follower of The Next Food Network Star, even with my Food Network obsession. If I do watch it, it’s usually in reruns on a lazy Sunday afternoon. More often than not, I watch the winner’s show more than I do their quest to attain it. Herein lies the problem. It seems like more often than not, the so-called next Food Network star ends up being a complete flash in the pan.

The fourth season of The Next Food Network Star ended recently, and winner Aaron McCargo’s show Big Daddy’s House seemed to have a handful of episodes before it was yanked from the lineup. This 6 episode stretch fulfills the obligation for the Food Network. In defense of my beloved Food Network, Big Daddy’s House is coming back with a second season in January. We’ll see what happens after that, but I would have been replaying those few episodes in an attempt to build up a fan base. I, however, am not in charge of programming over at the Food Network.

Let’s face it, though, history is not on McCargo’s side. The first season of The Next Food Network Star ended with Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh the victors. Their show Party Line with the Hearty Boys got 32 episodes, but I think it deserved more. Smith and McDonagh featured great dishes, most appropriate for cocktail parties and entertaining; I still use some of their recipes today. I’m not quite sure why the show fizzled out, but it is nowhere to be found. Actually, a quick trip over to the Food Network website shows that the program airs on Thursday mornings… 4 in the morning to be exact. Guess I stand corrected.

Amy Finley, the winner from season 3 didn’t even make it past her 6 episode test season. Her show, The Gourmet Next Door, aired the 6 episodes and disappeared. It’s not even listed on Food Network’s website anymore.

Season 2 is where Food Network hit it big. That year’s winner, Guy Fieri, is plastered all over the channel like Monet prints on a dorm room wall. Seriously, it seems like the spiky-haired chef is on every show on the network. I was not a big fan when he first showed up, and there are still things about him that drive me nuts (you really have to wear those sunglasses on the back of your head all the time, Guy?  All… the… time?!?), but I’ll admit that he has grown on me. Aside from his cooking show, Guy’s Big Bite, he can be seen in Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and the new show Guy Off the Hook, which is filmed with a live audience. That show and Paula’s Party make me sad that the Food Network let Emeril Live go. If you didn’t know, Emeril Live can be seen over at Fine Living Network these days.

So… What does the future hold for our latest winner, Aaron McCargo? Time will tell, but history says the future of his TV career is bleak.

Clacked by Bob Degon
on Nov 08, 2008 @ 13:00 EST5EDT