"Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares"

[Tri2Cook]

The web site works fine, the original link was incorrect.

Edited October 21, 2007 by Tri2Cook (log)

[FistFullaRoux]

My biggest pet peeve about the show is that Ramsay is supposed to be criss-crossing America searching for restaurants. He hasn't left NY/NJ.

Look, there is a Fox effect. Every show on Fox is going to bear this mark. Even the football games are overwrought. You have to realize that the network is not going to pick up a show that does not fit. It's the home of Cops fercryinoutloud.

[demiglace]

Sorry about the link guys...should have checked it out more I guess

[Reignking]

Sorry about the link guys...should have checked it out more I guess 

←

Eh, it was more fun that way. With the right link, we ended up having to look at two wheels, spinning simultaneously.

[Human Bean]

I just saw the Hollywood pizzeria (with "20 flavor combinations!") episode. Groan. I'm done with this show; another last-second epiphany by a cook that the editing showed us was never going to change.

I think I'll try to dig up the original Channel 4 series and (re-)watch those instead.

There was one absolutely brilliant bit of cross-cultural humor though; something that must have slipped past all the Americans involved. Ramsay says, "All of you are going to become great tossers." He was referring to teaching them to fling pizza dough. Maybe.

[dockhl]

Have to say, tho, that ole Sebastian wanted it HIS way to the end............

SEBASTIAN'S, TOLUCA LAKE, MENU......

Some things just won't change. Wonder how it is doing?

[demiglace]

I just saw the Hollywood pizzeria (with "20 flavor combinations!") episode. Groan. I'm done with this show; another last-second epiphany by a cook that the editing showed us was never going to change.

I think I'll try to dig up the original Channel 4 series and (re-)watch those instead.

There was one absolutely brilliant bit of cross-cultural humor though; something that must have slipped past all the Americans involved. Ramsay says, "All of you are going to become great tossers." He was referring to teaching them to fling pizza dough. Maybe.

←

It was hard not to chuckle at that one.

[pax]

I enjoy the U.K. based show. I haven't watched the Fox show because well, they're Fox, and I just can't bring myself to do it. Sounds like I'm not missing much.

I never noticed the cheesecake shots. I'll have to start paying attention. And a little sippy everytime he says "effing hell" would make it most enjoyable.

[Human Bean]

I never noticed the cheesecake shots. I'll have to start paying attention. And a little sippy everytime he says "effing hell" would make it most enjoyable. 

←

I never really noticed the GR topless shots until it was mentioned on one of the UK areas of eG that it almost seems written into his contract that there be a topless shot in every show (in one series, the topless shot was in the opening title sequence!) The US version of Nightmares seems to have a topless Gordon in about half the shows.

I'd always thought that his favorite expletive was "F-ck me," which is discernable even through the bleeping, but maybe you're right, it could be 'effing hell."

The amount of bleeping (by all concerned) on that last show seemed to hit a new all-time high; at times it was hard to follow what was going on, because there so few words left un-bleeped.

[Tri2Cook]

I tried to keep an open mind but the US version is nothing like the UK version. Just in the few episodes I've caught, because I've been a fan of Chef Ramsay for a long time and wanted to like it, I've already grown completely tired of the whole "we asked you to come here but we're not going to cooperate, ok I see where you're coming from, all is warm and fuzzy and everybody is suddenly transformed from bumbling idiots to polished pros" script that every episode I've seen is following. I know north America loves drama and happy endings but just once I'd like to see Chef Ramsay look into the camera and say "F*ck these uncooperative, incompetent wankers, Im outta here".

[walternewton]

Austinist story - what restaurants would you guys nominate?

[Kent Wang]

I've never seen the show before; does he only do high-end restaurants?

I think Wink could be good. They make only decent food, so it'd be nice if they could be turned around to make great food. Then again, business seems good there so maybe it's not enough of a nightmare.

[yimay]

Austinist story - what restaurants would you guys nominate?

←

tree house italian grill

[jayejo]

That's a really good one! I'd also nominate Old Alligator Grill. We used to love going there, at least for happy hour, but it's gone so far down hill that I wouldn't even order a Coke there anymore.

[deibu]

I just saw an episode of the new series of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (UK version) on Tuesday on Channel 4 in the UK. The 5th series premiered in in October and this was the 5th episode ("The Priory" - Wikipedia info about UK series).

Judging from this episode, they have "amped up" the UK version a lot. I still think it's better than the Fox version, with that stupid overly dramatic orchestral music playing in the background. But, the drama and seems to have been brought into the UK version now. Not too much though. But, a little bit. Gordon is a little more over the top, but the restaurant staff doesn't seem to be made up of aspiring actors. And he gave them £6000 worth of new kitchen equipment, so he's giving away a lot more now. But, all in all it was still entertaining on the same level as the older series.

I wonder if BBC America will air these eventually?

(edited after I finished watching it)

Edited December 1, 2007 by deibu (log)

[Lupinus]

I'm so glad it's back.

Love this show.

[Ted Fairhead]

Typical Fox runaround. Tonight's show was a repeat and was not as shown in my Tv guide fom the paper. Next week is also a repeat!

[RAHiggins1]

Typical Fox runaround.  Tonight's show was a repeat and was not as shown in my Tv guide fom the paper.  Next week is also a repeat!

←

I keep it as a season pass on my tivo box. If its not a first run it doesn't record it.

It didn't record it.

[Lupinus]

Yeah was the Old stone mill one, next week is the pizza guy that had the asinine menu.

Was hoping for new, but still worth watching.

[eatrustic]

Finally, the new season of KN starts Thursday night. It looks like they're listening as the first show is a follow up on six restaurants he tried to bring back from the brink last season. I'll be curious to see if there are any changes to the show this time round.

This is the only U.S. show of his that I can stomach, although I really enjoy all his Brit shows, especially F Word.

[RAHiggins1]

Finally, the new season of KN starts Thursday night. It looks like they're listening as the first show is a follow up on six restaurants he tried to bring back from the brink last season. I'll be curious to see if there are any changes to the show this time round.

This is the only U.S. show of his that I can stomach, although I really enjoy all his Brit shows, especially F Word.

←

I'm glad I recorded it for later viewing. Two hours of Gordon Ramsey backwash all with happy endings. I think there might be 20 mins of actual new footage in that mess.

[dockhl]

I really wanted to see something on that nut with the super-complicated menu who wanted to franchise. I believe the restaurant has changed hands but it would have been fun to see it before that happened.(Sebastian's, Toluca Lake.........that was it!)

[robert40]

Breaking News! Gordon Ramsay is the anwser to world peace.

Suddenly with one visit from the man himself management becomes the envy of Thomas Keller. And inexperienced cooks suddenly transform overnight and gain years of experience and pride.

Business improves 30-40% and all restaurants/homes are saved from foreclosure with GR advice.

But even better... Hot headed owners/husbands instantly become caring employer's and loving husbands.

By the end of this show I was convinced the next line I would hear from a teary eyed owner would be. Would you believe after Ramsay's visit all bottled water in the stockroom turned to wine, and I even tossed my months supply of Viagra in the trash.

Reality TV never fails to amaze me.

[petite tête de chou]

My husband looked up Sebastians and said that it had closed. Perhaps the owner has finally followed his dream to be an actor.

Yeah, the smarmy god-like status accorded Ramsay was too much to swallow. I just don't believe that all of the restaurants and those who work in them are doing as well as what was presented. Especially that Mr. Freak Out on Steroids guy, Peter. My experience is that hardcore dysfunctional behavior takes a bit more time and effort to correct than even a celebrity British chef can provide.

[pennbrew]

Last night's show was pretty tame. The new chef obviously knows his stuff, the place was held back by utter chaos in the management and some uncooperative, lazy, insolent doofuses on the line. Pretty funny when chef asked one to stir some rice, and he said "why should I have to? You brought it up". And the fry guy's empty, open-mouthed stare when told to do anything.

Next week looks like a classic. Cucarachas everywhere!