Food Network Star, 8/14/11

Italian Mama’s Boy. Mexican. Sandwich King. I defy you to conclude that Sandwich King isn’t the best of those three concepts. Honestly, who wants to watch ANOTHER Mexican or Italian cooking show? They’ve been done to death. To. Death!!!!! Sandwiches, on the other hand
-- will never get old because there are sooooooooooo many different ways to make them.
-- have never had their own show. (Sad.)
-- totally appeal to even the most novice of cooks. Who can’t slap bread, meat, and cheese together?
People, I am so Team Jeff that it hurts.


Guy Fieri! Love him. Just as excited to see him now as I was earlier in the season. And it’s little wonder that he keeps popping up. I mean, other than Guy, can you name two past FNS winners? Hell, one? *deafening silence* He’s clearly the biggest FNS success story. I guess the judges want to remind us of the ONE time they got it right. Speaking of getting it wrong, there’s a focus group this year! LOL. Good. I guess Food Network was tired of the winner’s show not lasting more than one season, so real people have been called upon to weigh in. And by “weigh in,” I mean, “keep the judges from picking yet another FAIL show.”

YAY! Jeff nailed his on-camera challenge. Blah. Susie to me just felt like she was rambling, though the judges loved her. Vic over-focused on the story and left out the technique. And the person going home is … *on the edge of my seat* … Vic. WHEW. And if you ask me, it was for the above-mentioned reason. Plus, as Judge Suzy said: “I love marketing [Jeff’s] idea.” Damn right. Sandwiches practically sell themselves. But Vic gets plenty of points for being such a gracious loser.

And then there were two.
Jeff:
Take one: Oh no. Take two: Oh no, again. “Boom”? What the crap was that? Am I watching Jeff or Emeril? Take three. (OH GOD PLEASE, JEFF.) Nailed it!
Susie:
Take one: Oh no. Take two: only a little bit better — but hey, at least she’s not “boom”ing. Take three: Nailed it!
Ok, they both (eventually) knocked it outta the park, so it’s going to come down to who has the better concept. Let’s bring on that focus group!


Oh, wtf. Never mind what I said about the Food Network wanting input from real people. Instead of an actual focus group consisting of true Food Network fans John Everybody and Jane Anybody, we get the past contestants. *eye roll* While I’m incredibly glad for another glimpse of the incredibly sexy Justin B., this was a SUCH wasted opportunity. A few people had good things to say, but this was just a last attempt to wring out a final bit of Penny drama. And she was only too happy to oblige. That “Susie wasn’t engaging” line was complete BS. Susie was the epitome of engaging. As Team Jeff as I am, I would have been all over her if she weren’t. Go crawl back into your hole, you petty harpy. (But thank you for fawning all over Jeff. Susie’s pilot was good, but Jeff’s was better.) Also, why bring the past contestants back to give, what, 30 seconds of input from, what, four people? Sexy Justin didn't have anything to say? Where was Juba? SUCH a waste. A real focus group should have been brought in. Maybe next summer. (Yeah right.)


Oooooh, Giada pointed out something I hadn’t noticed: Jeff has had that same concept from week one. Susie, on the other hand, had to be told to cook Mexican food — and even Vic had to be told to choose between his Vegas personality and his Mama’s boy concept. Reason #27 that he should win. — gasp — HE WON! HE WON! Woo-hooooooo! Omg, I cannot WAIT to watch his show! All hail the Sandwich King! Congrats, Jeff!