Although I told Dara that I wouldn't be watching the new Food Network show, Chopped, I was able to catch the premiere last night. Hosted by Ted Allen, Chopped is a combination of Iron Chef, Top Chef, and Ready Set Cook! all rolled up into one. That's not to say that it's bad - it's just already been done before, several times, and better. (I miss Ready Set Cook! but maybe not Sissy Biggers.)
The premise: four chefs enter, one chef leaves. Well, one leaves with a check for $10,000. The competitors cook three courses, with one chef "chopped" after a tasting and mini-judgment of each course. This week's judges included Aaron Sanchez, whom I've always hated. Maybe because he has no neck. Dunno, but seeing his ugly mug didn't win the show any points.
Will I continue to watch? Nope, it's on past my bedtime. And the unrelenting dark gray color scheme of the set, the chef's jackets, etc. is a we bit depressing, although it is quite stylish, particularly for a TVFN program.
