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