Season Premier Thread

[MrMastodonFarm]

Thought Kitchen Nitemares was much better in episode two then last week. Gordon's trademark monolouge whilst shirtless and changing returned from the British version.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Tonight's episode of Kitchen Nightmares is what spawned the lawsuit from Martin....

http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/g...-joke-5689.php

Based on what I saw, Martin deserved to be fired, and then some. Still, I can't shake the suspicion that with FOX ultimately pulling the puppet strings, that stuff isn't being sensationalized in the greatest tradition of that network. "Hey, lets get a filthy disgusting place! Or a violent bully of an Owner!" In other words, too much flash, not enough substance.

I like watching the UK version as Ramsay works with what he has, in terms of staff and decore. No $000's of dollars being thrown around. Lots of interaction with the Chef and staff. In trademark FOX style, Gordon seems to just yell a lot more in 10 second soundbites. Doesn't hurt that the UK version has fewer commercials.

And I really do miss them going back to the restaurant 3 months later, to see if the place has gone back to hell. That's the real test IMHO.

Give me Restaurant Makeover anyday. Power tools and food. Do I need more?

[BlackEleven]

I'm in agreement with MMF. I thought last night's episode was far better than the premiere. It didn't have all that nonsense with the bill collectors and a roid raging ego maniac. It's on the right track, but there's still a couple elements that bother me though.

I don't like that the show buys the restaurant a bunch of stuff, as pointed out earlier by someone else. I enjoy it more in the British version where Ramsay gets the owners to fork out the dough and/or labour for the renovations or equipment of whatever he deems necessary. I find adds a certain charm by showing the commitment of the staff and owners.

The other thing that seems to be missing is Ramsay spending time with the chefs. He's really good at unlocking hidden talents of the sous-chefs and other people that don't get much time in the limelight. Fox seems to cut these parts out, where Ramsay is quite charming and jovial, in favour of more yelling and screaming. Not a surprise I guess considering its Fox, but I like to see the balance of his personality; its part of what makes him so successful in my opinion. Plus its a show about restaurants and they hardly show any cooking.

And lastly, as I mentioned before, the follow up visit. We need to see if things reverted back to the way there were, if the anyone quit, if the customers still like it, etc...

Its still entertaining enough to watch, but I still prefer the British version for now. I hated the American version of The Office at first, so I'm hoping this show comes into its own like The Office did.

[metallicat]

Did anybody watch Bionic Woman or Life? I recorded both, but have yet to watch either. Life looks interesting, but I don't know anything about it. I just like the lead actor.

[Hack&Lube]

I think the only thing I'm going to watch is Smallville tonight.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

Did anybody watch Bionic Woman or Life? I recorded both, but have yet to watch either. Life looks interesting, but I don't know anything about it. I just like the lead actor.

Watched Bionic Woman last night.....silly...but, I'd watch another episode. Filmed in Vancouver, so I'm all over it.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

Did anybody watch Bionic Woman or Life? I recorded both, but have yet to watch either. Life looks interesting, but I don't know anything about it. I just like the lead actor.

I saw them both. Bionic Woman didn't really grab me. However it kind of looks like this was just a huge setup to get the explanations out of the way. The next episode will be more how the series will go, so it needs another episode or two to decide if it is a keeper.

Life was OK, and I think the better of the two based on last night. But I wonder how long they can keep him looking for who framed him? That is the unifying element, but if the show goes on a long time then I can't see how they can have him solve all these other cases but not this one other case. And yeah, Damien Lewis was absolutely awesome in Band of Brothers and I watched this specifically to see his character. A bit rough, but if he (and the writers) get it polished then it will join ranks of other "quirky characters who are incapable of toeing the line but get results, much to the dismay of the superiors who are looking for an excuse to get rid of them".

[LChoy]

I really enjoyed "The Unit" on Tuesday. Tonight, The Office and CSI Premier
Also....Smallville on tonight as well

[fredr123]

http://www.pogdesign.co.uk/cat/index.php

If this has already been posted, my apologies. If it hasn't, you can use it to track your favorite shows and get episode information quickly and easily. Season premieres are in orange.

[IntenseFan]

The premise of Life is a bit derivative of Prison Break and the CSI-type shows. But the acting was surprisingly good. It puts me on the fence about that show and will give it another chance.

Bionic Woman on the other hand was a bit silly. It almost seems like they were at great pains to get the origin story out of the way as quickly as possible. This one might have benefited from a 2 hour pilot episode.

[flames_1987]

The Office Premier tonight!!

[metallicat]

I watched Life just now. Two big thumbs up from me.

Is there a good website to view ratings for new shows?

[flames_1987]

I wish the Office was an hour long every week

[gottabekd]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

I wish the Office was an hour long every week

Yea, lots of jokes, but 1 hour is too long. I just spent 2 hours watching The Office then Earl. I think I'd get the same boost out of just 22 minute shows each.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Well, The Office was hilarious yet again tonight. They handled "PB&J" nicely, and Dwight and Angela were hilarious.

One hour episodes might not cram in the laughs, but it really gives more time to the more fringe characters. I enjoy that.

[flames_1987]

I think the 40 minutes given for the supersized episodes is the best amount of time. Carell was great again tonight, "you don't know know me, you've just seen my penis"

[Eastern Girl]

I watched Life and thought it was pretty good, as some have said, because of the acting. I hadn't heard anything about the show prior to watching it, so I knew nothing about it. I essentially watched it by accident. It happened to be on after another show that I watch. But it was good, so I will probably watch it again if I remember that it's on.

As for The Office, I liked it. One thing though, I think it is slightly odd where they took the character Jan. She was initially a smart, savvy normal business woman and now she is just a raving loonie. Not sure if I like that or not.

One other thing, I absolutely love Michaels hate for Toby. I loved when he was making fun of him for stretching. Cracks me up.

[Vulcan]

Anybody else catch My Name is Earl? For some reason I like this show and think it's well done and despite it's seeming lowbrow situations, it always ends on a high note.

[Burninator]

RE: Kitchen Nightmares

This episode was better than the premier, but still lacked the essential parts of the show that I really enjoyed. Too much of the focus is on the drama and the yelling. While it has it's place, it shouldn't be the reason that I am watching the show, but FOX would have me believe otherwise. To be honest, I am quite disappointed with this show. I'll probably keep watching because I do enjoy watching Ramsay, but I definitely prefer the British version.

Like stated above, I too, miss the parts where Ramsay works with the kitchen staff. They don't really solve any problems in the FOX version. Someone else cleans the kitchen, someone buys the food, someone else designs the menu, someone else redesigns the restaurant interior and facade. There seems to be little from preventing the previous situation from coming full circle. Also both episodes have had the focus on the restaurant managers more than the kitchen staff, while it may make for good shock and awe television, it gets away from the essence of the show. It's called Kitchen Nightmares, not Manager Nightmares.

[bigtmac19]

Originally Posted by Burninator

RE: Kitchen Nightmares

This episode was better than the premier, but still lacked the essential parts of the show that I really enjoyed. Too much of the focus is on the drama and the yelling. While it has it's place, it shouldn't be the reason that I am watching the show, but FOX would have me believe otherwise. To be honest, I am quite disappointed with this show. I'll probably keep watching because I do enjoy watching Ramsay, but I definitely prefer the British version.

Like stated above, I too, miss the parts where Ramsay works with the kitchen staff. They don't really solve any problems in the FOX version. Someone else cleans the kitchen, someone buys the food, someone else designs the menu, someone else redesigns the restaurant interior and facade. There seems to be little from preventing the previous situation from coming full circle. Also both episodes have had the focus on the restaurant managers more than the kitchen staff, while it may make for good shock and awe television, it gets away from the essence of the show. It's called Kitchen Nightmares, not Manager Nightmares.

I agree, this version is obviously much more directed at North American audiences I think. I like the British version as well. He did not really teach the chefs anything, even bringing in a consulting chef.