Rachael, Rachael, Rachael

Guess who's getting a talk show? Perky Rachael Ray from the Food Network has signed a deal for an hourlong chat fest to debut next fall. One of the dealmakers is Oprah's production company.

If Ray's interview skills on "Inside Dish'' are any indication, no thanks. She's too "shut up .. . hell-OOO ... how great/easy/cool is that'' for me.

How many people do you think she has helping her? A magazine coming out next month, plus another cookbook. She already has at least 10 cookbooks with her mug on the front. Four shows on the Food Network. Plus, she got married last month in Italy. This is one Bionic Woman.

I can't figure out the massive appeal. (Of course, we'll see how massive when the mag and chat show come out and she jumps from niche TV to mass market.) At the end of "30-Minute Meals'' I am so exhausted from her frenetic pace, I only have the energy to order takeout.

Tell me, are you a Rachael Fan or Rachael Foe?

Comments

[Anonymous]

rachael fan!but i must agree "inside dish" was the pits. i even sent a scathing e-mail to the producers and begged for reruns of "$40 a day."she does exhaust me, but a quick episode of paula deen is al you need to get back on track.ok, i watch too much food network!

[Anonymous]

Here's another show that should get some attention:"a kind of muckraking, nationally televised reality show, taking viewers into the cold industrial heart of a typical school-cafeteria kitchen."With the Naked Chef.

[Janet Keeler]

Thanks for the link.Last month, I heard Alice Waters talk about her Edible Schoolyard program. She thinks we need a national inititiave like the President's Physcial Fitness Council to improve kids' eating habits. Certificates for eating broccoli as well as doing situps?Not a bad idea.

[erin]

I have to admit, I like watching Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals (and I agree that Inside Dish was a terrible show!) Her recipes are good, but it seems like I can never make most of them in 30 minutes. I probably wouldn't watch her on a talk show though. She can be WAY too peppy!! I mean, come on, she can't be cheerful all the time. And really, does she always love EVERYTHING she eats??? Everyone doesn't like something.

[Anonymous]

I agree, I like her recipies, have bought 1 of her books, but CANNOT do a meal in 30 minutes, no way no how. How would it be fun running back and forth in your kitchen for 30 minutes? I would be exhausted by the time it was all over. She is way too perky and surely every meal she makes is not to die for!

[EC20TBT]

She is not really a chef, she admitted that too. She got the first show by accident.

[Janet K. Keeler]

The 30-minute concept is a bit misleading, though I do think she provides lots of ideas for meals. Someone has already shopped for her and conveniently put what she needs at the front of the pantry. Much of her produce has already been washed, plus there is a network chef assigned to the show to pull everything together.Don't forget she has a writer, too, and I think uses a teleprompter or cue cards. On another note, look closely at the labels on the cans and other products she uses. Food Network artists make those specially for the show so the network doesn't have to deal with product placement issues or become an advertising venue. I like that.

[Anonymous]

Rachael fan. I think she's cute and perky and energetic - everything I'm not! I get a real kick out of 30-Minute Meals. But I have to agree, Inside Dish sucked. I too watch too much Food Network (as well as HGTV!)

[Anonymous]

I'm a Rachael fan and own 2 of her cookbooks, but getting the meals done in 30 minutes is near impossible. Also, buying all those items, such as washed romaine lettuce,can be expensive. All her items are at her fingertips thanks to the Food Network staff. I just figure it will take me an hour at least, forget 30 minutes. I did not care for "Inside Dish", and she needs to tone down the perkyness and enough about the garbage bowl and EVOO!! But I like her show anyway, she has lots of great ideas.

[Lisa]

I've never been a Rachel fan. She's so perky, TOO perky, that it almost seems forced. And like past commenters have already said, "30 minute" meals are a bunch of hooey. I miss the days when cooking shows were more about the food and less about the person cooking it.

[BiloxiSchooner]

All 3 of my Rachel Ray books got wet in the storm surge here .. I guess I'll have to get some more ..she does have a certain style about her, you have to admit'RVO

[Anonymous]

Rachel fanShe is way better than the Iron Chef stuff. I get a lot of good ideas from her. I also like Paula. I have tried recipes from both. I don't think I would watch a talk show with her unless she offered more cooking info.

[Anonymous]

I think Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals may be more then 30 mins, but she does a hell of a job getting it done in that amount of time. She does pace around her kitchen pretty quickly, which is probably how she stays so thin. She is perky, but in a happy go lucky way so I say good for her. She seems like a decent enough person to be given the credit she deserves. Bravo

[Anonymous]

i like her alot. she is frenzied, but also hometown kind of girl who isn't pretentious.

[SF Foodie]

How Annoying!I tried to be open-minded and watch "$40 a day". Between her lack of manners (she eats like a pig, talks with her mouth full of food and never leaves a tip), god awful faces (she’s great at rolling her eyes) and idiotic comments (awesome….) - I just turned her off. Her cooking show is bogus - she can't cook - her recipes are pedestrian. She doesn't really "know" anything except what her producers tell her - why waste time. With such excellent chef's on the Food Network or Public TV, why bother with a nothing like Ray. She's got a good PR firm working for her - that's it.

[Me]

I'm a fan!I think she's hilarious. She's just go go go, but she gets a nice meal done in 30 minutes. I think she's a lot more calm on $40 a day and goes to some fun places. I'll admit the EVOO thing gets annoying, but if she wants to acronym things, by all means.. let her!

[Anonymous]

I enjoy watching her work and have had some great experience with some of the recepies I picked up from watching her. I'm a fan!

[Anonymous]

I think Rachel Ray is the most down to earth person on TV - especially the cooking shows. She makes it easy for the novice - nothing fancy fancy, just plain good old food that is simple, inexpensive and easy. I love her.

[Anonymous]

So when did the perfect fairy knock on your door. So she is not perfect. Who is? I think she is an inspiration to all who are not professionally trained chefs but who love to cook. I have been cooking since I was a little girl. I, like Ms. Ray, have no problem making a gourmet meal in under 30 minutes. It really doesn't take a genius just a little creativity and thought. So add a few minutes for the time it takes you to think of the meal. She even gives you great ideals on her show and in her books. I don't think she is going at a fast pace, she works about average, and not to mention, she is also concentrating on narrating what she is doing. I would love to see any of you who complain about her, to try and do what she does. Even with the help she gets, you would all probably fail. So as the saying goes, "put up or shut up." When I read all of the complaints, it makes me think there are a lot of jelous people out there, who would love to be in her position, I know I would. TLZ

[Tara]

So when did the perfect fairy knock on your door. So she is not perfect. Who is? I think she is an inspiration to all who are not professionally trained chefs but who love to cook. I have been cooking since I was a little girl. I, like Ms. Ray, have no problem making a gourmet meal in under 30 minutes. It really doesn't take a genius just a little creativity and thought. So add a few minutes for the time it takes you to think of the meal. She even gives you great ideals on her show and in her books. I don't think she is going at a fast pace, she works about average, and not to mention, she is also concentrating on narrating what she is doing. I would love to see any of you who complain about her, to try and do what she does. Even with the help she gets, you would all probably fail. So as the saying goes, "put up or shut up." When I read all of the complaints, it makes me think there are a lot of jelous people out there, who would love to be in her position, I know I would.

[kd626]

I first watched Rachael back in 2002 (I think before she got real popular?)... anyway, she was great then, but I agree, she's way too perky now. Seems forced. And it gets really annoying. My fiance can't stand it when I have her show on. I still think she's got great ideas for recipes but there's no way they're done in 30 minutes... even when you have two people working!

[Anonymous]

I like Rachael. I think her best suggestion on food making is to plan ahead and prep as many of the ingrediants in advance as possible. This would certainly be a help to all 'cooks in a hurry'. It wouldn't hurt to have her staff. She seems to work hard for what she has gotton so she deserves the credit.

[GetSmart]

I can't stand her. She can't cook, she can't talk and appears like she has ADD. Not only that the Food Network is ramming her down your throat. Too much Rachael Ray, wayyyyy too much.

[Anonymous]

Rachael Ray looks like she could be Martha Raye's grandaughter...

[Anonymous]

Rachael Honey STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN.You are not a chef and they write all prepare ALL of your meals.