Giada on the Today Show

**David Ross** · August 23, 2007

Hmm-can someone explain to me why Giada Delaurentis is a co-host of the Today show this morning?

What is the correlation between hosting 'Easy Italian' on the Food Network and introducing 'softball' segments on the Today show? I can understand Giada appearing on Today to do a cooking segment, but doing an intro for a segment on the relatinship between yoga and pregnant women? I don't get it.

While it is an obvious move to push Giada more into the 'mainstream' media ala Rachel Ray and her talk show, doesn't it seem to dumb-down the public's perception of Giada as a cook on Food Network to have her sit on the couch on the Today show set?

Should a television cook, or a more fair description-the presenter of a television show about cooking, stick to a pure focus on food and cooking and not venture into mainstream television? (Remember the ill-fated sticom that Emeril did at the height of the 'Bam' phenomena? Did it last more than 4 episodes? Did we-aka serious foodies-see Emeril in a different light after that fiasco?)

Does the commercial drive to push the latest Food Network talent into the mass media diminish their standing in the food community?

monavano · August 23, 2007

Giada has been co-hosting now and then on the Today show for a while. I don't see why someone from any other profession shouldn't delve into television if they have the desire and talent. Her food chops are well established. She's got credibility and several years of varied cooking and entertaining shows under her belt. Why not? I think that her years of working in a studio and taking direction have helped her a great deal. She's got a great TV presence.

My sense is that she did several food segments and really clicked with the crew. And, I don't think FN is behind her increasing mainstream appearances.

Tiki Barber, a former NFL star, also co-hosts on the Today show vs. staying strictly in the NFL announcer arena post retirement. He's very good at it too.

Edited August 23, 2007 by monavano (log)

Naftal · August 23, 2007

Now this is serious :shock:

My favorite female food presenter is going mainstream :sad:

While I don't approve of or like such things :angry:

I am not suprised. I am not suprised that Dino DeLaurentis' grand-daughter would want to try her hand at becoming a pop icon. Like grandpa , like grand-daughter I guess. :rolleyes:

**David Ross** · August 23, 2007

Giada has been co-hosting now and then on the Today show for a while. I don't see why someone from any other profession shouldn't delve into television if they have the desire and talent. Her food chops are well established. She's got credibility and several years of varied cooking and entertaining shows under her belt. Why not? I think that her years of working in a studio and taking direction have helped her a great deal. She's got a great TV presence.
My sense is that she did several food segments and really clicked with the crew.
Tiki Barber, a former NFL star, also co-hosts on the Today show vs. staying strictly in the NFL announcer arena post retirement. He's very good at it too.
←

I agree with everything you mention-I personally like Giada and I think that people love her personality and smile. Easy Italian fits a big demographic-cooks who want to make tasty, homemade Italian meals in a short about of time.

I doubt that Giada would have been given the Today show offer if she wasn't popular. But I'm wondering what serious cooks think of tv chefs venturing away from the food and cooking arena into other areas of media?

monavano · August 23, 2007

Giada has been co-hosting now and then on the Today show for a while. I don't see why someone from any other profession shouldn't delve into television if they have the desire and talent. Her food chops are well established. She's got credibility and several years of varied cooking and entertaining shows under her belt. Why not? I think that her years of working in a studio and taking direction have helped her a great deal. She's got a great TV presence.
My sense is that she did several food segments and really clicked with the crew.
Tiki Barber, a former NFL star, also co-hosts on the Today show vs. staying strictly in the NFL announcer arena post retirement. He's very good at it too.
←
I agree with everything you mention-I personally like Giada and I think that people love her personality and smile. Easy Italian fits a big demographic-cooks who want to make tasty, homemade Italian meals in a short about of time.
I doubt that Giada would have been given the Today show offer if she wasn't popular. But I'm wondering what serious cooks think of tv chefs venturing away from the food and cooking arena into other areas of media?
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Well, I think most serious cooks and FN are mutually exclusive post Molto Mario, which I absolutely loved. IC excepted. I see more serious Chef's on PBS type programming on shows such as "Chef's Afield" and such.

Which reminds me, if anyone gets Create TV, there are some really good cooking and food shows there.

Toliver · August 23, 2007

She, along with Rachel Ray, probably have pretty high Q Score. The target audience is women of that same age group so they have hosts who are similar to those who watch the show.

They've also been using their newest medical expert Dr. Nancy Snyderman in a similar manner, introducing segments that may not have anything to do with medicine or health.

They're expanding the Today show to 4 hours in some cities (it depends on whether the local affiliate wants to show the 4th hour or not) and need hosts for the extra hour. It looks like Giada may be one of them.

tim · August 23, 2007

Hi,

Giada has provided some wonderful moments in the past on the Today Show.

I will never forget the time she sauteed boneless chicken breasts (full size) for about 6 minutes and served it to Matt Lauer in a sandwich. He took one bite, said "this isn't cooked", and ran to the end of the serving line spitting up the raw chicken. Al Roker almost choked he was laughing so hard.

I always assumed that experience helped make Giada's "heaving breasts" so famous.

Tim

**David Ross** · August 23, 2007

She, along with Rachel Ray, probably have pretty high Q Score. The target audience is women of that same age group so they have hosts who are similar to those who watch the show.
They've also been using their newest medical expert Dr. Nancy Snyderman in a similar manner, introducing segments that may not have anything to do with medicine or health.
They're expanding the Today show to 4 hours in some cities (it depends on whether the local affiliate wants to show the 4th hour or not) and need hosts for the extra hour. It looks like Giada may be one of them.
←

This could be Giada's opportunity to audition for a permanent spot hosting the fourth hour of The Today Show. A live audition if you will like the string of hosts who auditioned for Rosie's spot on The View.

I totally understand all of the demographics and commercial aspects of Giada appearing as a host of The Today Show and I don't begrudge her or The Food Network or NBC in their quest to increase ratings-but I cringe a bit each time another Food Network star becomes a mass media talent.

I often wonder if Batali or Emeril would just prefer to get back in the kitchen and cook rather than go to another photo shoot to advertise their latest non-stick cookware. And I'd love to hear Bourdain's thoughts on this topic. I imagine he'd agree with the serious food lover's here at eGullet.

I wish Giada well as I do anyone pursuing a career. But I sure wish Food Network would produce a serious show about food and cooking like 'Rick Stein's Food Heroes' on BBC, and hire a talent that's in it for the food, the cooking, and sharing that with others, with no further commercial aspirations. Just a simple show about the food, that's all.

I'm a big fan of PBS cooking shows, but the programming is based on your local PBS station and the budget they have to air cooking programs. Our local PBS station used to have a wonderful roster of many cooking shows on Saturday mornings. Now we are down to about only 4 shows. The cooking program you watch on PBS in New York may not be the cooking show I see on PBS in Spokane. And being a public entity, I know it is always a struggle for PBS to be able to afford to produce and air new cooking programs.

Maybe the cooks on PBS should have their agents call NBC and get a Today Show gig.

Terrasanct · August 23, 2007

I noticed her on the Today Show, too. At first it seemed strange, but really, she can do other things besides cooking. She's beautiful and personable, which is more than I can say for some others who have migrated.

**David Ross** · August 24, 2007

Hi,
Giada has provided some wonderful moments in the past on the Today Show.
I will never forget the time she sauteed boneless chicken breasts (full size) for about 6 minutes and served it to Matt Lauer in a sandwich. He took one bite, said "this isn't cooked", and ran to the end of the serving line spitting up the raw chicken. Al Roker almost choked he was laughing so hard.
I always assumed that experience helped make Giada's "heaving breasts" so famous.
Tim
←

Hah! 'Two' of Giada's most endearing qualities!

My Mother and Father, both 83, watch Giada's show on Food Network every day. Not because they like her or her food, but because they LOVE Paula Deen. Paula's show comes on at 4pm each day, followed by Giada at 430p and then the local news. They slog through Giada's show waiting for the news.

Now mind you, two retired 83 year olds are not the target audience for Giada's easy Italian food. They have often asked me, other than the low cut tops and the wares that almost fall into the mixing bowl :wink: , what is the actual draw to Giada. I never seem to have much of an answer.

When I tell them they can get a greater view of Giada on the Today Show they'll be amused.

I hope that Food Network works on signing on some new, serious cooks with a show directed at foodies. And someone who will refuse the temptation to go 'big' on a network show.

tommy · August 24, 2007

I often wonder if Batali or Emeril would just prefer to get back in the kitchen and cook rather than go to another photo shoot to advertise their latest non-stick cookware. And I'd love to hear Bourdain's thoughts on this topic. I imagine he'd agree with the serious food lover's here at eGullet.

this serious food lover on egullet is always baffled at why people care about others' careers so much. no one has ever questioned my career choices. i'm guessing because it would be foolish and inappropriate to do so.

are peoples' careers supposed to just stall? that's not been mine. maybe that's what happens to most people? their careers just stall and they never end up doing anything else other than what they're doing? sounds sad.

Edited August 24, 2007 by tommy (log)

Morgan_Weber · August 30, 2007

Who really cares?

Fpoint · August 31, 2007

I too thought it was odd that she first stared co-hosting the third hour and figured it was probably just an on air try hour for the up and coming forth hour. And she eventually got the gig.

What I also thought at the time was how bad she was. She was really like a fish out of water. Stumbling over her words(that's Anne Curry's job) Losing her place (Curry again) Looking into the wrong camera. Dead air time. There are a multitude of excuses about why she was so bad. Nerves live tv, etc...

But what got me was thinking back to the recent Next food Network Star series when she was judging. She was rude, obnoxious, dismissive and generally full of herself talking down to people with little or no experience on TV. Yet here she is a few weeks later like a deer in the headlights. She was no better that the contestants she was picking on and she was the one with the experience...and the attitude. She simply could not back herself up.

Edited August 31, 2007 by Fpoint (log)

chappie · August 31, 2007

Now this is serious My favorite female food presenter is going mainstream While I don't approve of or like such things I am not suprised. I am not suprised that Dino DeLaurentis' grand-daughter would want to try her hand at becoming a pop icon. Like grandpa , like grand-daughter I guess.
←

Whoa. Somebody likes the little Wal-Mart faces ...

But really, you don't consider Food Network mainstream? Look at their lineup, her show included. About as mainstream as anything else on television... So on that note, I agree -- Who cares?

**David Ross** · September 1, 2007

To my original point-which was to ask the question as to whether or not Giada's appearance on The Today Show minimalizes her impact as a cook on Food Network-in my opinion, the answer is yes.

And while I realize that the Food Network is as much about commercialism, entertainment schtick and marketing as it is about food and cooking, I think that the more the talent is promoted into mainstream media like The Today Show, the more that it dilutes Giada's impact as a cook on Food Network. That's just my opinion and I'm not saying it's a shared opinion or a fact.

Do I care? Yes and no. In the grand scheme of the American food and restaurant scene today, Giada appearing on The Today Show probably doesn't make a hill of frozen lima beans of difference as to the way America will eat in the next 20 years. I think a discussion thread on eGullet about finding Huckleberries in New York City that I have been a part of for the past week is far more interesting that what low-cut dress Ms. Delaurentis wore on this mornings Today Show. That's just to give you a perspective on my true interests in the world of food and cooking.

If Giada is successful and the Today Show hires her as one of the hosts of the expanded show this Fall, then hot tomatoes for her.

On the other hand, I do care, but not a lot,about a Food Network personality moving into the mainstream bowels of network television. There is a part of me that doesn't like it.

I care because for once, just once, I'd like to see a cook on Food Network be true to the serious side of food and cooking and leave it at that. Just a simple show ala Rick Stein's Food Heroes on BBC America. That's all. A simple show and a simple cook who doesn't care about 'standing out on The Today Show plaza' greeting the fans of Chris Brown, the latest hip-hop boy toy.

Is it wishful thinking on my part? Yeah, probably, but I suppose it's o.k. to wish isn't it?

Fpoint · September 1, 2007

If Giada is successful and the Today Show hires her as one of the hosts of the expanded show this Fall, then hot tomatoes for her.
←

They have already announced that she is one of the four (which seems like a lot) new co-hosts for the new forth hour.

I care because for once, just once, I'd like to see a cook on Food Network be true to the serious side of food and cooking and leave it at that. Just a simple show ala Rick Stein's Food Heroes on BBC America. That's all. A simple show and a simple cook who doesn't care about 'standing out on The Today Show plaza' greeting the fans of Chris Brown, the latest hip-hop boy toy.
←

I see your point regarding the seriousness of food. But with regards to FN that isn't going to happen. It is, rightly or wrongly, style over substance. We saw it clearly during the airing of The Next Food Network Star. It was all about personality. FN execs have stated before they do not want another Julia Child type.

**caseyell** · September 1, 2007

Seems to me Giada is getting better on the Today show, but a day or so ago she was swinging her one leg so constantly that I wanted to scream "SIT STILL" at the screen.

Joisey · September 4, 2007

Food Network is too far gone to ever have any "serious" food shows. Much like MTV, you wistfully remember the old days....

As far as hearing what Bourdain thinks about Giada on network TV, just find any Food TV rant of his, plug her name into the spot of his target du jour, and you have it.

**David Ross** · September 4, 2007

Food Network is too far gone to ever have any "serious" food shows. Much like MTV, you wistfully remember the old days....
As far as hearing what Bourdain thinks about Giada on network TV, just find any Food TV rant of his, plug her name into the spot of his target du jour, and you have it.
←

A wonderful comparison to be sure-Old MTV vs. New MTV. And Old Food Network-with shows about cooking, vs. New Food Network. I almost gagged last night when the 'new and entertainment maniacal' Food Network did a 'live' show from the South Beach Food and Wine Expo and I saw Giada and company. Poor gal couldn't boil water for her pasta. Maybe she'll have better luck bantering with Matt, Meridith and Al.

And back to that 'Old' MTV-most kids watching 'TRL' today on MTV probably have never seen one of those classic music videos introduced by Nina Blackwood. Rock on.

monavano · October 3, 2007

Has anyone noticed that Giada has not recently been hosting on the Today show? Hmm. Too many flubs? Maybe being bicoastal is too much.

Edited October 3, 2007 by monavano (log)

Elrushbo · October 4, 2007

Hmm-can someone explain to me why Giada Delaurentis is a co-host of the Today show this morning?
What is the correlation between hosting 'Easy Italian' on the Food Network and introducing 'softball' segments on the Today show? I can understand Giada appearing on Today to do a cooking segment, but doing an intro for a segment on the relatinship between yoga and pregnant women? I don't get it.
While it is an obvious move to push Giada more into the 'mainstream' media ala Rachel Ray and her talk show, doesn't it seem to dumb-down the public's perception of Giada as a cook on Food Network to have her sit on the couch on the Today show set?
Should a television cook, or a more fair description-the presenter of a television show about cooking, stick to a pure focus on food and cooking and not venture into mainstream television? (Remember the ill-fated sticom that Emeril did at the height of the 'Bam' phenomena? Did it last more than 4 episodes? Did we-aka serious foodies-see Emeril in a different light after that fiasco?)
Does the commercial drive to push the latest Food Network talent into the mass media diminish their standing in the food community?
←

Um, because she's really hot?

markabauman · October 5, 2007

Maybe Bravo and FTV could collaborate on a new late-night special: "Topless Chef".

monavano · November 5, 2007

Well, now we know why Giada has been MIA....she's PREGNANT! Giada announced it today on the TODAY show. It's a girl. Awwwwe!

VPF · November 8, 2007

I saw that on the Today show, too. It was painful to watch, she kept stumbling over words.

Mr. Delicious · November 9, 2007

Well, now we know why Giada has been MIA....she's PREGNANT! Giada announced it today on the TODAY show. It's a girl. Awwwwe!
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Damn, I was hoping her relationship would fail and we'd get married, now what chef do I drool over?

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