As a self-proclaimed TV junkie and foodie, I think my heart skipped a beat when, last week, I attempted to tune into Paula Deen and, instead, was confronted with a chipper voice reading aloud Cablevision’s statement against Scripps network for choosing to pull Food Network and HGTV from its lineup.
After self-medicating in a half-gallon of Edy’s Peppermint Chip and a piece of leftover pumpkin pie, I started flipping through channels, angry and annoyed that I no longer had a connection to my beloved Paula Deen, Rachael Ray, and that cute little Giada DeLaurentis. What was I going to do?
But… well… I’m learning to adjust.
As I flipped through the channels, I started to realize that there were more than a handful of ways to get my food fix. I didn’t need a network devoted to it – I could catch food shows on practically every other channel. Here’s my current list of non-Food food favs:
- Travel Channel (which is owned by Scripps but miraculously is still on the air) could moonlight as Food Network, with seemingly endless marathons of MAN VS FOOD, BIZARRE FOODS, ANTHONY BOURDAIN, and that super catchy CHOWDOWN COUNTDOWN special.
- TLC doesn’t always focus on food, but they sure do focus on the repercussions of eating too much of it.
- Bravo’s created a new brand with TOP CHEF – unfortunately, there’s so much fashion on the channel that it turns me off from eating any of the delicious recipes
- Lifetime – I swear, everytime I turn that channel on, I’m watching some made-for-tv movie about eating disorders, so that totally counts.
- WE – Hello, you can’t have a great wedding without some amazing food! Can you zoom in again on those shrimp cocktail, please?
And that’s just the beginning – it’s very clear that food is a genre that permeates across all genres and all demographics. But… there is something that’s just so comforting about a cold day, warm blanket, and Paula Deen deep-frying her butter. So, while I know I can survive, I have one message for Cablevision and Scripps: Can’t we all just get along?
Now that you mention it, I don’t miss the food channel either. The travel channel does have some awesome shows that certainly are unique. They don’t have that relaxation factor that the food network sometimes gives to me, however. Thanks for the insights, Liz. Always interested in your point of view.
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Caroline Reply:
January 8th, 2010 at 8:09 am
Bourdain was my favorite food show of all anyway, and he hates Food Network
When I moved into my new place, unfortunately my Time Warner plan nixed Travel Channel from my list and I was CRUSHED to say the least. But like you darlin, I adjusted!
Perhaps we in America really do function really on food: eating it, wishing about it, watching it being made. In the end, maybe it really is the formula for success!
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u should just read foodnetworkhumor.com – they are hilarious
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January 8th, 2010 at 8:50 am
That website has to be one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen – thanks for the heads-up!
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It’s amazing how many food shows there actually are. I miss Food Network more than HGTV but I find myself eating less at late hours as a result of not watching Dinner Impossible, Throwdown, DDD, etc. Those shows make me hungry so I can definitely do without them for awhile! I hope Scripps and Cablevision figure something out.
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Liz, the depth of your despair at the loss of the Food Network is palpable. If it’s any consolation for you, consider the fact that some of your favorite chefs, e.g. Deen and Ray, appear somewhat frequently on the shopping channels, enabling them to sell various products carrying their names, including cookbooks, and thus keeping them from the poor house while Cablevision and Scripps try to figure something out, without either company losing face. When that great day arrives, and the problem is resolved, I’m certain that Paula and Rachael, as well as Giada, will be primed to go with more tasty dishes, and your pain will ease. Meantime, keep up your fine and amusing writings.
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Check out your local PBS station which should have reruns of Fav food shows like Julia Child, Jac Pepin, and a host of others. In NYC channel 13 airs a group of them on Sunday afternoon.. Enjoy
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Heres another way to get your food fix ‘Chucks Day Off’ it airs in Canada and its awesome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob_QSj72ZhU
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