Had it with the Food Channel...

[Karen]

I would have been happy with any of the final three, and wonder if they will give the others shots at shows as well, like they sometimes do!

[cassiesmom]

I started to really pay attention to him the week of the fashion challenge when he did the deconstructed beef stroganoff with the beet juice. I thought Giada's entire team was interesting and fun. I loved what was said on the finale about the nerds, cheerleaders and jocks.

When the president was announcing the results she mentioned four and a half million - I wonder if that was votes or people voting. I only voted on Monday and Tuesday, but I used all ten votes each of those two days. Four and a half million votes would seem more like it to me. Interesting that his show won't start airing immediately- haven't past winners been on the air with their new shows within a week or two of the finale? I wonder what the final vote counts were, if it was a landslide or if it was really close. I'd watch any of their shows but the one I would be least likely to watch is Martie just because I don't entertain a lot. They've got two complete networks plus their Web site, so surely they can find some way to use the runners-up.

[cassiesmom]

The new season of "Food Network Star" started tonight. I was impressed by Pie Guy and "meat on the side" girl. Least impressed by model turned private chef. We'll see what happens...

[Karen]

We watched it, too - several interesting folks, and several I think will not last ...

[cassiesmom]

I think the right person was eliminated tonight. I think one particular statement that this person said during the challenge, was a contribution to the outcome.

I liked that the guy with the hat had something complimentary to say about each of the competitors.

[cassiesmom]

Spaghetti Western guy's teammates saved him tonight.

I am very confused by this whole Paula Deen thing. It sounds to me like she was sued for a hostile work environment by a former employee and things got worse from there. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

[Karen]

Paula Deen was not renewed because of admittedly using "the n-word" in public, which came to light in her testimony regarding the lawsuit being brought against her connected to her restaurants.

I thought the right person went home tonight, considering not only the failure of the dish tonight, but all other cooking challenges. Seems like all style no substance, sadly. I didn't dislike that person, but odd choices were made, and resulted in that contestant's downfall.

[cassiesmom]

I am very confused by this whole Paula Deen thing. It sounds to me like she was sued for a hostile work environment by a former employee and things got worse from there. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

I saw a good column by Dawn Turner Trice about this. She makes the point that things were different when paula Deen was growing up in the south. However, as a celebrity and a business owner, she had a responsibility to not let that carry over into her restaurant; but it did and was witnessed by other people. I'm not explaining it well, but it was a good column.