Guy Fieri, serious chef or buffoonish clown?
The game show. The continued existence of this worthless type of television program is exhibit A for evolution deniers. And who can argue with them? There was a time when the latest offering from Euripides, Shakespeare, or even Kubrick was there for medication of the masses. Now, it only takes a quick perusal of network tv to find some worthless piece of dreck that kills more brain cells in an hour than a weekend in Amsterdam.
Why write about game shows on a food website? Perceptive question. Please indulge me as to how we have arrived at this unfortunate place. Last week, between watching the inspiring visage of Lindsey Vonn and the glorious competition known as Curling, I caught one of NBC’s ridiculous new show promos. Was it Law and Order: Restaurant Health Inspector? A new sitcom about a mismatched pair of ex-cops (starring Don Johnson and Edward James Olmos) who open a pizzeria in Miami called Miami Slice? No, it was much worse, my friends. It was a game show called A Minute to Win it. Apparently people without lives are called on to engage in an act of stupidity for one minute so they can win money. What makes this so appalling? The host is none other than our old friend, Guy Fieri.
We’ve had some fun with Guy here at EP. If you are a quasi-regular reader you probably know we don’t think very highly of Guy. In our opinion he is a buffoonish cartoon character. When he was nominated for an EPIE Award for worst male personality, there was a howl of indignation from a small but vocal minority. He didn’t win, thanks to the general asshattery of Bobby Flay, but poor Guy shouldn’t get too complacent, there is always next year.
What are you, Guy? Are you a chef or a clown? Was there a cooler version of you from 10 years ago, that if offered a time machine would travel into the future to kick your butt for even thinking about hosting a game show? I have to say that all signs point to you being a clown. And that is sad. I didn’t care when you did commercials for TGI Fridays. You want to make a little extra money before your 15 minutes expire, go for it, at least it was food related. I won’t judge you for that. But you can be damn sure that I will judge you for hosting a game show.
You see, Guy puts forth a certain image. He has a few tats, he has spikey hair, and he wears his sunglasses in an unorthodox manner. I suppose one could say that if he wears a clown suit, why is it wrong for him to behave like one? The answer is simple; there are chefs out there with spikey hair, tats and unorthodox sunglass wearing methods who aren’t clowns. They have style, they have flava. They deserve better than being compared to Guy the Game Show Host. Now, thanks to Guy Fieri they will be seen as not being serious chefs, fodder for poorly paid food bloggers to expose in overlong rants.
So again, why should we here at Epic Portions take Guy seriously if he doesn’t? Beneath his exterior, I’m sure Guy fancies himself a serious chef. Well guess what, by hosting a game show you no longer qualify as a serious chef, Guy. Enjoy taking a big bite out of the raw cassava that is celebrity, it will poison you long after your game show and triple D days are over.
To those who were upset with our EPIE nom for worst personality for Guy, I throw down the gauntlet to you. Defend this. Make yourself watch the game show (make it quick, it probably won’t last long) and defend him. I bet he throws out the same tired one-liners he has been saying since he started.
You are old and busted Guy, Adam Richman is the new hotness. Someday you will have to head back to your restaurant to regain respectability. But remember, your sous chef, line cooks, and dishwashers are laughing at you, not with you.
Article by Jeremy Rosenberg
After seven years in show business I have retired to be a stay-at-home Dad to my six year old son and one year old daughter. I love Epic Portions, I get to work from home all week except for Friday, which is always casual day at the office anyway. No more ties for me!!!!
Jeremy has written 72 other articles.
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Isn’t that jerkoff the reason I still can’t get a table at Blimpy Burger?
No He can’t take credit for that Krazy jims now known as blimpy burger has been that way for over 40 years EP you got this one right on the money this guy (HA HA HA) is a nut job
Thanks for the great work on food
….I think I owned that shirt. In middle school. It might still be in my closet somewhere…
I think this is a bit unfair. Yeah, the guy’s kind of a tool, but can you really blame him for taking an opportunity to host a television show on a major network? I can see criticizing him for his hair, clothing choices, and general douchiness, but in my mind, this is probably a good move on his part.
I’d like to think I take myself seriously, but placing myself in Guy’s shoes, I’d have a hard time turning this gig down.
I should think any move of Guy Fieri’s AWAY from FoodTV would be welcomed by serious foodies.
I’m not here to defend Guy; I think he’s an asshat too. But neither will I speak up against someone changing directions in a career nor augmenting their career with seemingly unrelated jobs.
Actors race cars, rock stars run wineries, fashion designers write children’s books, figure skaters host cooking shows. Why not TV chefs host game shows.
I agree! It’s really easy to sit behind the comfort of your keyboard and bash someone else’ creativity or work. But can we really walk in their shoes? Are we living our own dreams? What have we done lately that can be considered a monumental career move? Seriously!! Some ppl have compared Minute To Win It game show to the Cube but I think its different. I mean that show is in Europe and Guy’s show is in the states…who cares!! Its a fun game show that average American Joe’s win cash that can truly help their families out…that means a lot in this economy!!!
So instead of spending time complaining about someone’s douchiness…why don’t you donate you time to helping the people of Hati or doing anything “GOOD”.
I can honestly say that if offered a chance to work at my current mind numbing full time job or host Minute to Win it, I would stay living in poverty. That show is completely asinine, so I suppose they found the perfect host.
DishChic, why weren’t you donating your time to Haiti while you read and commented on this post? Were you taking a break from serving food directly to earthquake survivors? You are an inspiration to us all.
P.S. You spelled Haiti wrong.
I agree with DishChic, the owner and writer of this blog can criticize all he wants but in the end, he is the douche who has done nothing meaningful in life. Yeah Howard Stern, Perez Hilton, and Michael Moore have all bashed other people to make themselves look good and this blogger is no exception – all for a few pay per clicks. What an AZZHAT. Guy Fieri is a smart individual, the number one talent on the food network, and now he is going to save NBC. I think this show will eventually eclipse Lost and American Idol easily.
AZZHAT? Eclipse Lost and American Idol?
Wow.
Yeah AZZHAT – Thats what I said lamesauce fvckstix
I remember when I turned 12…
Woah. I highly doubt that Minute to Win it will be an extremely successful show. It’s laughable to say that it would eclipse Lost or AI. I was simply throwing out a different perspective. Even though the show might tank, it will still get Guy some exposure and cash, and that’s why I can’t blame him.
Sorry if I stirred up trouble. I don’t think you’re an Azzhat.
You can remember as far as yesterday? WOW!
Nice to see the Guy Fieri mafia is on site, you should stand up for him if you like him so much.
Mal – I’d say if someone’s dream is to host a game show, that is pretty misguided. Guy has a successful restaurant along with his modest television success. I just think it is a more valued pursuit in life to own a restaurant (or even a host a cooking show) than it is to host a flavor of the month game show. If he played his cards right he could have been a sidekick in a Seth Rogan movie someday. Hosting a game show delegitimizes him. Perhaps we will agree to disagree.
Mr. Perfect – You have zero credibility. Calling Guy the “number one talent on food network” and saying his game show will eclipse American Idol is complete nonsense. Shockingly, there are things more meaningful in life than hosting a game show or being a slappy for Guy Fieri.
I invited people to defend Guy’s decision to host a game show. Linda and Mal presented a cogent defense. I don’t agree with it but if people always agreed with each other life would be boring. People who choose to call me a douche or some other childish insult need get a life. So I criticized your best friend, Guy Fieri. Why are you so viscerally effected by that? It just doesn’t seem healthy.
I hope I’m not considered to be in the Guy Fieri mafia. Embarrassing. Two things, though:
First, I never said it was his dream to host a game show. I’m simply saying I understand his decision and can’t really blame him. On that note, though, who are we to judge others’ dreams anyway? Just let Guy do Guy. Maybe he really likes being an entertainer.
Second, I don’t hold Guy to a high standard anyway, so in my mind, his hosting of a game show doesn’t really have much of an effect on his legitimacy.
Bottom line is, somebody has to host this ridiculous game show. It might as well be Guy Fieri.
Keep removing my posts Jeremy!
If this show is a success, I promise to wear a Guy Fieri visor for an entire week.
Foodie – Go back to the kids table, the adults are trying to have a conversation.
Mal – We’ll see over time if this turns out to be a positive career move for Guy. I submit that it will not. But perhaps we are both wrong, his show might be bigger than Idol and we could see Guy hosting the Oscars next year. I won’t wear a visor if I’m wrong but I will own up to it. And no, I’m not grouping you with the Guy mafia. You presented an intelligent rebuttal and I enjoyed the discourse.
I think that it is funny how people such as Jeremy have jumped to conclusions about Guy and the show, when they haven’t even seen the show. A sure sign of ignorance on your part. I sat in the audience on a taping of this show so I have a lot more knowledge than our blogging gameshow expert, Jeremy. I will explain to you why this show will be successful:
1. Guy Fieri – people love him, his personality is addictive, and he’s a natural in front of the camera.
2. Money – people actually win money on this show, and you don’t have to be a great athelete or rocket scientist to win. Your average joe can play and win a million dollars.
3. The games – anybody can make the games from household items and practice at home or even play along just for fun. Home olympics if you will.
On the show, the audience was either on the edge of thier seat or out of it entirely. I live in Los Angeles and I have witnessed a ton of tapings, but I have never witnessed a show as great as this one. So keep on making irrational judgements from your mom’s basement in Canada Jeremy.
Jeremy is just another INSTA-JOURNALIST courtesy of the internet who thinks he has talent. Perez wanna-be!
You also managed to read and comment several times on what he wrote so I suppose he’s the winner in this situation.
I’m going to have to side with the author of this magnificent post. Guy does epitomize douche-nozzledom- although, he is not wholley to blame. Producers of public errr “art” (ugh, there must be another term) are beholden to the unsuspecting public in that if they subject them to utter dreck then they must accept the consequences of their actions. I just don’t see how admitting to one’s willingness to whore one’s self (forgive me legitamate prostitutes here) somehow makes that piece of rectal apparel seem a case for empathy. In conclusion- write on Jeremy, I for one whole-heartedly support your position!