Worst Cooks in America

[Warpy]

OK, I admit it, I have started watching this latest contest wrinkle on Food TV. The premise is that they've selected the worst cooks out of a group who applied to be on the show, that they will give them lessons at the beginning of the show, and we get to watch them struggle to remember just what the hell it is they're supposed to do to duplicate the recipe.

My heart went out to the judges as they sampled the efforts of the worst. It looked like a lot of the stuff I was expected to eat when I was a kid.

Unfortunately, the show designers have got one thing backwards: instead of eliminating the worst effort every week, they need to graduate the best effort, telling them they're well on their way and preserving the tenure of the most entertaining kitchen stumblebums.

In any case, it's a great back door way to teach novice cooks out in TV Land some basic technique, to demystify recipe instructions, and to help them put something edible on the table for a change, even if theory is not delved into.

So far, it's been a walk down memory lane, some of my own blunders having appeared and my mother's infamous lack of culinary ability well represented.

I just wish they'd gotten the format right. Maybe next time.

[pengillian101]

1. I recorded and just watched both episodes also.

"Unfortunately, the show designers have got one thing backwards: instead of eliminating the worst effort every week, they need to graduate the best effort, telling them they're well on their way and preserving the tenure of the most entertaining kitchen stumblebums."

"I just wish they'd gotten the format right. Maybe next time."


I rather thought the same as you at first. But by advancing the better ones, I think they are reaching the same result. They are eliminating the worst ones at the start, except for the first episode - they told the first ones sent home that they were not the worst. So ya, they didn't do a good job in presenting the format - not one bit.

It's kind of a funny show. The can't cooks get so weepy and nervous about the whole thing.

That one promo shot of the gal cutting a piece of meat with a scissors just tickles me silly.

[Warpy]

2. Most of them seem like short bus material, that's for sure

and I was glad the oaf got sent home tonight, I don't think I could have taken that much more of him channeling Goofy.

[pengillian101]

3. Goofy

You can just tell he is a nice guy and beloved by many - but, he just can't cook yet :-) I bet his wife loves him just the same anyway, eh, Warpy?

[Warpy]

6. I think he needs to stick to a very simple world

with few variables to throw him off because variables will always throw him off. He reminded me so much of Goofy, amiable and beloved but someone you need to keep away from things like fire and sharp objects.

[hippywife]

4. Oh, goody!

Another reality show that will give people a reason to think it's okay to be mean.

"So far, it's been a walk down memory lane, some of my own blunders having appeared and my mother's infamous lack of culinary ability well represented."

So maybe they weren't really "short bus material" but just like anyone else who doesn't know how to cook?

[Warpy]

5. No, they seem completely incapable of following written instruction

along with being incapable of following demonstration of the simplest things.

I'm not talking about speed chopping onions here. I'm talking about measuring an amount of salt or soy sauce.

[Dora]

7. I know of what you speak.

One thanksgiving my husband said he'd help by mixing up the pumpkin pie filling, so I set out all the ingredients and told him to follow the recipe on the can. The sugar was in a stainless steel canister marked "sugar," and the salt was in clear plastic bag (I buy it from the bulk section) also labeled as sea salt.

He used salt as the sugar. And because he doesn't taste as he goes, he had no idea. Fortunately, I stuck my finger in it before pouring it into the crusts. And fortunately, I had extra cans of pumpkin so we could start again.

[Phentex]

8. I finally watched this show...

and was confused by the first episode where you had to BE bad and then good in the challenges to follow. Won't this give it away for next time?

I don't see much teaching but I think that's the editing. The students make it seem like they have learned a lot so maybe they do try and give them the basics but don't show it to us.

I hate shows like this which even discuss "plating". Really? You are going to worry about sloppy plating when you don't know how to use a knife? Make a roux? Blanch a vegetable? ADD SALT & PEPPER? Really?

Overall, I guess I don't get this show!