Villains are a necessary part of reality shows, because strong narratives need antagonists. But Marcel Vigneron, the supposed villain on Top Chef 2 is rapidly becoming a sympathetic protagonist, the kid who the popular kids pick on just because they can. He may be an annoying ass, but doesn’t deserve the increasing amount of vitriol… continue reading
Editing of Marcel’s head-shaving attempt may have understated Elia’s role
Careful viewers of Top Chef 2‘s Wednesday episode, in which Cliff was sent home for restraining Marcel, have noticed that the events may have been edited out of sequence. The effect of that editing seems to have minimized Elia’s role in the attempt to shave Marcel’s head. Television Without Pity poster DjLexxy noticed something in… continue reading
Producers vetoed Tom Colicchio’s decision to send all the chefs home and let Marcel win
On Wednesday’s episode of Top Chef 2, Cliff was sent home after what he described as “a very stupid plan or joke” that involved “try[ing] to shave Marcel’s head.” Instead, Cliff tackled Marcel and held him in a headlock as Sam and Ilan encouraged him. On the show ,head judge Tom Colicchio told Cliff, “I’m… continue reading
Chefs not “allowed to say disparaging things about Padma”; new Bravo aftershow debuts after Top Chef
New Top Chef 2 host Padma Lakshmi may have saved us from the horror that was Katie Lee Joel, but three of the cast members weren’t very happy with her. Cliff told New York Magazine’s Intelligencer, “Nothing she said really made a difference in my cooking.” And when Sam was asked about her, he said,… continue reading
Bravo VP says comments about Padma Lakshmi’s wardrobe may be anti-semitic
Reading Bravo VP Andy Cohen’s self-serving blog, which this week includes photographs of himself on the Top Chef set, is an uncomfortable experience. The subtext in all of the entries suggests that he’s incredibly concerned with showing off how incredibly cool and connected he is, unlike those of us pathetic plebeians who only get to… continue reading
Project Runway 3 ends tonight and Top Chef 2 begins
Tonight, Bravo ends the third season of its most popular series, Project Runway, and debuts the first episode of the second season of that show’s heir, Top Chef. First, we’ll find out whether or not Jeffrey gets kicked off the series for breaking the rules, and then we’ll see whose collection earns them this season’s… continue reading
New Top Chef host turned down the job for season one
Padma Lakshmi, the new host for the second season of Top Chef, may be rescuing us from Katie Lee Joel’s incompetence, but she’s also partly responsible for it. That’s because “Bravo approached her about hosting ‘Top Chef’ last year” but “[s]cheduling conflicts ultimately forced her to turn down the role in the first season, which… continue reading
Bravo announces Top Chef 2 cast
Bravo has announced the cast of Top Chef 2, and it has grown from season one. For the second season, which debuts immediately after Project Runway 3‘s finale on Oct. 18, the cast has been increased to 15 chefs. Their ages range from 23 to 46, but eight are in their 20s, and a total… continue reading
Top Chef moves to LA, returns in October, and will be hosted by Padma Lakshmi
Top Chef will return for a second season in October, Bravo announced yesterday. In addition to getting a new host, the series is moving from San Francisco to LA. Production “will commence this month in Los Angeles on thirteen episodes,” Bravo said in a press release. The show’s return “is scheduled for October 2006.” Tom… continue reading
Bravo VP confirms Katie Lee Joel is leaving Top Chef, says it’s to “pursue other opportunities”
Bravo’s Andy Cohen, the networks VP of programming and production, confirmed on his blog that Katie Lee Joel will not return for Top Chef 2. Her departure was rumored last week. Cohen says Joel is exiting to “pursue other opportunities.” Of course, few phrases are more full of shit than that one; every spin-controlling corporation… continue reading
Katie Lee Joel reportedly dropped as host of Top Chef 2
The awkward and stilted host of Bravo’s Top Chef has reportedly been dropped from the show’s second season. Blog Televisionary, via Defamer, cites a “well-placed insider” and says that “Joel will ‘not be returning’ to the show. No reason for her departure was cited.” The show’s producers are reportedly searching for a new host. No… continue reading