Irvine off Home Shopping Network?
The day ended quietly yesterday for fresh news in the Irvine flap (well, except the story aired on Inside Edition). Late in the afternoon, Erin Crumb, director of corporate communications at HarperCollins, told me: "Our statement on it is we are reviewing the issues raised regarding Robert Irvine and his book Mission: Cook!"
But, get this: As of 6:30 p.m. last night, Irvine's line of cookware was all for sale on the Home Shopping Network's website. This morning, as of 8:15, all of the products have been pulled and are no longer available. Several attempts to speak with representatives at HSN yesterday went unanswered.
I'll be working today to find out what this means for the future of the "Possible Pan" and other Irvine merchandise.
"He who distinguishes the true savor of his food can never be a glutton; he who does not cannot be otherwise." 
It's strange HSM would pull a product line before all the facts are in on Irvine. I mean, if he fibbed about the materials used to make the line, I could understand yanking everything immediately. But, I suspect this is indicative of the hammer blow about to fall on Irvine. HSN's action would seem to say: we don't care if his products are excellent or not, he lied on our show while selling them and that undermines our brand and commitment to being honest and straightforward with customers. I'd say it does not look good for Chef. Not good at all.
Posted by: JM | February 20, 2008 at 12:00 PM
This HSN story, regarding Robert Irvin's cookware, sounds like Wendy LaTorre had something to do with it. Hell hath no fury like a scorned woman. Shame on Wendy!
Posted by: Annette | February 20, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Shame on Wendy? How about shame on Irvine for being so full of crap? If he's a good chef he should be able to stand on that alone.
If he's willing to risk his career with such bold faced lies, can you really trust anything he puts his name behind? HSN is absolutely correct in pulling anything this guy has promoted.
Posted by: Jon | February 20, 2008 at 04:23 PM
not to be terribly cynical ... well, ok, to be terribly cynical: what really goes behind those HSN deals? is there more to it than mass producing some pan, then finding someone to put there name on it? i mean, i know they like to make it sound like the chef does nothing but sit in a secret lab all day for months trying to figure out just the right angle the handle should be at and ... WAIT! MAKE IT PORCELAIN-COATED VERDANT FOREST GREEN! ... but do they actually have anything to do with that stuff other than stamp their name on it and come to roosevelt blvd and cook on camera? i don't know. i'm willing to be told i'm wrong on that.
to up the cynicism one more notch, to borrow a phrase, if they pull the line, seems to me they could just stamp the name of the next chef they do a deal with on the box for the same item and move on, with no one the wiser.
Posted by: jim webster | February 20, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Wendy is bringing this man down singlehandedly. She is acting like a jilted lover. Perhaps she was? At the end of the day, he has a wife and kids and the truth would have come out. Would you like to be blamed for someones absolute demise just because he made you look bad in front of your socialite friends? Guess she still sleeps well!
Posted by: Roberta | February 20, 2008 at 05:06 PM
HSNhas an obligation to pull the products or risk getting sued for false advertising.
Posted by: | February 20, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Wendy is being pulled down along with this guy
Posted by: | February 20, 2008 at 05:47 PM