Top Chef Season 4

[tmgrobyn]

. . . . Richard's wife is expecting a baby anytime now.

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Riley Maddox is a week old tonight: AJC Peach Buzz. Scroll down to "STORK REPORT."

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Wow! Congratulations to Richard and Jazmin! I am not up on the news in Atlanta, knew the baby was due in June, just hadn't kept up. Thanks Dave!

Edited June 5, 2008 by tmgrobyn (log)

[psychobombshell]

My roommate and I's opinion is that the only reason Lisa got yet another skin-of-her-teeth pass, was because she had Andrew as her sous. I don't care, but Mark, Dale, Spike, Antonia and Andrew are WAY more creative and competent chefs than she. Each week, said roommate and myself have sat on the couch with our jaws gaping in shock that she continues to progress to the next round, even though she has been in the bottom for the the LAST 7 WEEKS!!! That is more than half the episodes! And every week I feel like throwing the remote at the TV and have said on more than one occasion "If she skates by AGAIN, then I'm not watching this show ever again!" I am completely bemused on how she keeps getting a pass. SHE CAN'T EVEN MAKE RICE! She has proven this twice! If reality TV competitions have proven anything to us over the years, a chef who can't cook rice is dead weight (see Survivor: Australia) and should be pruned. And on top of that, she specialises in Asian cuisine! How do you not know how to correctly make the starch staple of the region of the world that you claim is your expertise!

I'm done ranting.... GO Stephanie! GO Richard! BOOOO Judges Table for letting 7 weeks of mediocre food pass you by!

[Doodad]

Ya know, I let my angst go with Lisa's win because Antonia's dish was lacking in several ways. Ok, so we have to look at someone who should have left in Restaurant Wars if not before.

But then, to accuse Stephanie and Richard, two of the nicest competitors we have seen in all the seasons, of some slight when they did not jump up and scream for joy?! My wife said she must be lying about having a girlfriend. Who would have that sorry waste of skin and air? Sorry Lisa, you are indeed disgusting. 91% bitch.

On another note: so how does Richard get the car back home?

Edited June 5, 2008 by Doodad (log)

[Tri2Cook]

Tri2Cook, does "DL'd" mean you downloaded the episodes, and if so, from where?  My tv died last Tuesday and I have been trying to find a way to download TC episodes.  I can only find up to the "Common Threads" on the Bravo website, so any sources would be greatly appreciated.

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Yep, that's what it means. With my work schedule, it's the only way I can keep up with the very few tv shows I actually watch. I DL the episodes, watch them, then delete them. I'm not sure that the fact that I don't do anything profitable with them makes it any more legit though so I probably shouldn't post the sources. I can PM the information if you want.

[pax]

Dear Antonia, I would come eat at your restaurant any time. I'm sorry you are gone. Tell your kid her Mommy IS a winner.

Dear Stephanie, teaming up people to their benefit was a generous and gracious choice. Not tearing Dale a new one, also pretty much up there with sainthood, imo.

Dear Bravo TV. I would like to contribute to the "Buy Gail a New Dress, You Cheap Bastards" Fund. Please let me know where to send my donation. I'm sick of looking at her in that blue and green checked sack. Go ahead, Bravo, live big.

Dear Richard, new babies smell even better than onions sauteing. Make sure you take time to nibble the baby feet.

Edited June 5, 2008 by pax (log)

[handmc]

I am surprised that after being drenched in product placement for so long that Richard didn't name the baby "Glad Kenmore"!

[Tsulli1]

A Travesty of justice.

Did Antonia deserve a grade of "D" for this episode? Yes.

Did Lisa deserve to stay? No.

The message I've gotten from Tom, Padma and Gail is this: Its better to be consistently mediocre with a C- average than to get all "A's" and have a bad day... ever.

Next season, they need to change up the rules and keep a running score, make the performance history mean something. Has Lisa won anything? Ever?

If Lisa had a restaurant, it would have run out of customers a long time ago. Antonia would still be open for business.

[Chris Hennes]

Next season, they need to change up the rules and keep a running score, make the performance history mean something.

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It'll never happen: the extra drama the current rules provide by allowing an underdog to make the finals, or an accomplished chef to be eliminated any time, makes for good television. I have to keep reminding myself that this is a TV show, not a real competition. The aim is to entertain, not to choose the best chef.

[Kevin72]

If I were a regular judge there's just no way, rules or not, that I wouldn't take into consideration the totality of Lisa's performance vs. Antonia's. One of Lisa's many running criticisms all season has been that her flavors are out of whack: "too bland" "too sweet" "too salty" . . . knowing that and knowing next week's the big show, who would you most want to see cook their fantasy meal? Lisa who's been on the chopping block for 50% of the season, or Antonia who had an off night but has consistently wowed the latter half of the season? I just don't see how that can't creep into their consciousness at some point and bias decisions one way or another. I can understand spectacular screw ups sending a normally star performer home (Tre ), but according to Tom they both gave B+ dishes, so SOMEthing has to break that tie.

Tony's write up on the Dale controversy a few weeks ago made the point of the value of guest judges, who can judge based only on that night with no idea of what previous performance has been. But then wouldn't that make a better case for the established judges who can offer that other part of the picture?

But yeah, it's only TV . . .

Anyways, they sure seem to be downplaying the finale next week(?). Again, no clip show to make us wait a week? Is it live? Or do they pull a fast one and bring it down to two competitors this year?

[Tsulli1]

Tony's write up on the Dale controversy a few weeks ago made the point of the value of guest judges, who can judge based only on that night with no idea of what previous performance has been.  But then wouldn't that make a better case for the established judges who can offer that other part of the picture?

But yeah, it's only TV . . .

Anyways, they sure seem to be downplaying the finale next week(?).  Again, no clip show to make us wait a week?  Is it live? Or do they pull a fast one and bring it down to two competitors this year?

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I was wondering who the guest chef might be next week. Doesn't Eric Ripert travel down to Puerto Rico fairly regularly? I thought I read that somewhere.

[rconnelly]

Antonia reallly missed the mark this week. Even the way her food was presented at the table looked more cafeteria than top chef.

Lisa needs a reality check. During restaurant wars she commented that the soup was the first mistake she made all season...what?

Then she talked about "knowing Latin food". But she says that about everything. And is she uses the word "amazing" one more time I may just go crazy.

She is clearly not TC material but by a simple twist of fate (or five or six) she's made it so far.

Did anyone notice is she congratulated Steph or Richard on their win?

[Chris Hennes]

Did anyone notice is she congratulated Steph or Richard on their win?

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I don't think anyone but the contestants could say for certain: even if it never made it to the screen, who knows what was left on the cutting-room floor.

[lucylou95816]

Stephanie---- A Class Act, being considerate on who she picked for everyone. She could have really screwed with Lisa

Richard--Another class act, but I want Stephanie to win..I too was wondering how they were going to get his car home.

Antonia--A good cook, but really didn't show her skills this time around, her food looked uninspiring and I was not impressed.

Lisa--I will admit a much better attitude, and the scrunched up face wasn't as present this time around. Her attitude at the end was not desirable, looking for congrats, and Richard was funny, "for a bronze?"...I think at that stage of the game, everyone is stressed and tired beyond belief and are probably in a state of, "I can't believe I am at this point" stage that congratulating poor little Lisa was the last thing on their minds. Get over it tough girl.

The outcome will be interesting. Dale was actually tolerable this time around too.

[Tess]

Antonia vs. Lisa = Austin Scarlet vs. Wendy Pepper on Project Runway. As much as I hate it when that happens, it's part of what makes the show watchable.

It doesn't hurt that good people who lose seem to do fairly well for themselves afterwards: see Lee Ann, Dale and others.

[Dignan]

Well, at least it was the last week we have to witness Lisa getting by as 2d most suckiest. It sucks when people who suck act like they don't suck and expect us to suck it up.

I would hazard that Richard didn't win that particular car that was right there in PR that night, but rather the right to a car to be identified and delivered at some time in the future. He might in fact rather be offered a check for the value of in lieu of any actual car, because of the pesky tax thing that got Oprah that time. Then he could spend the balance on a culinary tour and a haircut.

[Poffertjes]

Congrats for 3rd place?

Lisa knows asian food

Lisa knows latin food

Lisa knows everything and you better respect her, or else she'll throw you under the bus.

I don't hate her nearly as much as the sommelier with the tie from the first season, but she's got a huge chip on her shoulder.

Lisa, please, take a look at Stephanie and how she treated everyone all season, but especially Dale, after they found the pork belly left out all night. Class act that girl!

Go Stephanie, show them how to do it!

[coffeeroaster]

Does anyone else see that thought bubble above Lisa's head in judging -- the one that says, "I will cut you"? Eyelids at half-mast, chin out, arms folded; I expect her to pull a switchblade out of her sock any minute.

And for those of you who actually cook (I just eat, but I'm a very appreciative audience), where do you fall on the "cooking Puerto Rican in Puerto Rico" issue? I thought it was a mistake going in, but then they kept her, so..?

The thing that really bugs me is the implication, in her mind if no one elses, that Lisa has done better overall, or is a better chef overall than Antonia because she ended up staying one round longer. Everyone can see that Antonia had a solid record throughout. Lisa should have been gone by round 4.

Just had to get my two cents in. And, Go Stephanie!!

I'm going to miss this show!

[rconnelly]

Stephanie---- A Class Act, being considerate on who she picked for everyone.  She could have really screwed with Lisa

Richard--Another class act, but I want Stephanie to win..I too was wondering how they were going to get his car home.

Antonia--A good cook, but really didn't show her skills this time around, her food looked uninspiring and I was not impressed.

Lisa--I will admit a much better attitude, and the scrunched up face wasn't as present this time around.  Her attitude at the end was not desirable, looking for congrats, and Richard was funny, "for a bronze?"...I think at that stage of the game, everyone is stressed and tired beyond belief and are probably in a state of, "I can't believe I am at this point" stage that congratulating poor little Lisa was the last thing on their minds.  Get over it tough girl.

The outcome will be interesting.  Dale was actually tolerable this time around too.

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He doesn't take the car home.

They find a dealer in Atlanta where he is from and they "deliver" it from there.

Just like on "The Price is Right" or other game shows.

Edited June 5, 2008 by rconnelly (log)

[Kevin72]

I loved Antonia's little goodbye mutter to Steph when they hugged: "Kick. Their. Ass!".

Antonia being eliminated does make who to root for a little easier. Now I'll just be wishy-washy over two instead of all three.

[tmgrobyn]

Okay a bit off topic but you have got to see these! It takes a bit of time to load, but once you do, it is so totally worth it!

Richard and Jazmin's baby pics

Oh my goodness, what an intimate moment they've shared with us!

[Vinotas]

First, let me say Padma looked amazing in that blue dress.

Second, how is Lisa still in the running? Not only is she more and more unpleasant to look at, but her attitude vis-a-vis her fellow chefs is just stunningly bad. That comment at the end was just mind-bogglingly idiotic. As Brad said, Dale should be here, and the proof is his managing to help Stefanie out of the pork belly fiasco (which, admittedly, was his fault in the first place). Still, he's shown he's got the chops, moreso than Lisa.

My fav has been Richard for a long time, but I'm starting to think Stefanie might be able to beat him if he doesn't control his whimsy.

Can't wait for next week's episode!

Cheers!

[Doodad]

Stephanie---- A Class Act, being considerate on who she picked for everyone.  She could have really screwed with Lisa

Richard--Another class act, but I want Stephanie to win..I too was wondering how they were going to get his car home.

Antonia--A good cook, but really didn't show her skills this time around, her food looked uninspiring and I was not impressed.

Lisa--I will admit a much better attitude, and the scrunched up face wasn't as present this time around.  Her attitude at the end was not desirable, looking for congrats, and Richard was funny, "for a bronze?"...I think at that stage of the game, everyone is stressed and tired beyond belief and are probably in a state of, "I can't believe I am at this point" stage that congratulating poor little Lisa was the last thing on their minds.  Get over it tough girl.

The outcome will be interesting.  Dale was actually tolerable this time around too.

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He doesn't take the car home.

They find a dealer in Atlanta where he is from and they "deliver" it from there.

Just like on "The Price is Right" or other game shows.

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I don't know; I think they showed a brief shot of him hooking up the immersion circulator like an outboard engine.

[MissAmy]

Each week, said roommate and myself have sat on the couch with our jaws gaping in shock that she continues to progress to the next round, even though she has been in the bottom for the the LAST 7 WEEKS!!! That is more than half the episodes! And every week I feel like throwing the remote at the TV and have said on more than one occasion "If she skates by AGAIN, then I'm not watching this show ever again!"

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Hahaha! My roommate and I do the exact same thing! Last night, we went in saying, "Well, at least Lisa will be gone this episode." NO! ARG! At least there's no way she'll win.

Dale kind of redeemed himself to me last night. Still, though, I wouldn't work for the man for a million dollars.

Stephanie for the win!!

By the way, does anyone know if that dress Padma was wearing was a Rami Kashou? It sure looked like it, and that would be a cool tie-in with Project Runway. The dress was really stunning on Padma - color, draping, all of it. I wish I could wear it.

Edited June 5, 2008 by MissAmy (log)

[hungryCAT]

OMG - If Lisa wins this (no WAY!), I will never watch Top Chef again!

CONGRATS, Lisa for getting the bronze!! Get over yourfreakin' self!!!!!!!!

Anybody else would have had a meltdown when Dale left the meat out, but

Stephanie took a breath, figured out Plan B, and rose above. Steph, you ROCK!

My money's on Steph, although if Richard wins, I'll be happy for him, too.

[malarkey]

By the way, does anyone know if that dress Padma was wearing was a Rami Kashou? It sure looked like it, and that would be a cool tie-in with Project Runway. The dress was really stunning on Padma - color, draping, all of it. I wish I could wear it. 

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I'd say nope, because Rami would have chosen some fugly color that clashed with her skin tone.

Edited June 5, 2008 by malarkey (log)