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Archive through January 16, 2007

The TVClubHouse: Other Reality Shows ARCHIVES: Archives for 2008 - 1: Top Chef - Prior Seasons: ARCHIVES: Archive through January 16, 2007 users admin

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Lilfair
Member

07-09-2003

Friday, January 12, 2007 - 6:04 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lilfair a private message Print Post    
Cliff has more arrogant leanings than Marcel. I rather have Cliff leave before Marcel. I'll miss Michael because he was the only one with a personalitiy...the rest are too uptight for me....well maybe not Ellia.

I'm voting Michael for my home viewer favorite.

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Friday, January 12, 2007 - 6:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Maris a private message Print Post    
I liked Michael because he appreciated being there, he tried to learn from every experience and he listened to what the judges said every week. I think of all the chefs he has grown the most and he always had a good disposition.

Jami
Member

10-08-2003

Friday, January 12, 2007 - 6:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jami a private message Print Post    
I was reading the judges blogs and the thought came to me, if Marcel had chosen Mike instead of Cliff his team would have probably won. Mike would have let Ellia take the front of the house(and I think she would have done well), Marcel would have cooked, and Mike would have helped. I just bet they wouldn't have won.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Friday, January 12, 2007 - 7:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
I still feel Marcel acts pompous, and I don't want him to win. I don't really dislike him, but I would not want to hire him or work with him.

Gemma120in2002
Member

07-05-2003

Friday, January 12, 2007 - 7:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gemma120in2002 a private message Print Post    
Rehtse, I agree with you completely. I worked in a kitchen with a guy like Cliff last year. I had been carrying his obnoxious butt for over 6 months and he treated me with complete arrogance and rudeness. When I tendered my resignation, I did it very quietly and he didn't know anything about it until my last day. He absolutely freaked out! LOL! It was priceless!

I would far rather work with Marcel. He may be a bit full of himself, but he's not abusive. Cliff is absolutely abusive. He was nasty with Mia and then he was nasty with Elia and Marcel. He's the sort of person who needs an entire staff to walk out on him on Mother's day or on Thanksgiving.

Missy2
Member

07-31-2001

Friday, January 12, 2007 - 11:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Missy2 a private message Print Post    
I really like Marcel. It bums me out how elementary school most of them are acting. I get way too upset. I of course voted for him as a fan favorite because he deserves the $$ for the abuse he got! And if its just creative editing he STILL deserves it for being portrayed this way!

Trueheart
Member

09-12-2006

Friday, January 12, 2007 - 11:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Trueheart a private message Print Post    
I'm a Marcel fan too. I really don't see him as being arrogant. I mean yeah....he does seem a little "credit" grabby sometimes at judging but that doesn't make him pompous.

To me someone who is arrogant, speaks highly of themselves or their skills all of the time...or at least quite frequently. NOW STEPHEN LAST YEAR DID THAT!!! He was always going on....and on about how his dish was the most "superior" and he had more knowledge than the other contestants. He flaunted his "better education" as much as he possibly could!

Marcel on the other hand is quite realistic and accurate in his dish comparison's. (when he actually has an opinion on his or someone else's dish) Often times, when he defends his own dish or says something about another's, the judges agree with him. I think I've heard him say "Our food was better than theirs" but that is a general comment among the contestants so it shouldn't be construed as arrogant. Also, I personally, don't get a condescending vibe from him.

I think Sam and Ilan have the best "cooking ability". Their skill in the kitchen reminds me a lot of Harold from last season. BUT LOOK AT THE PERSONALITY DIFFERENCE!!! Harold dealt with just as much drama last year but he did not revert to childish antics.

I really wish I could respect those two boys! If only they would keep their mouths shut!! When I hear Sam or Ilan slam Marcel and make fun of him or talk about him IN FRONT OF HIM......GRRRRR!!!...I just get so mad! That is so rude! Grow up and be men.

I think he has handled the stress of the haters with a lot of dignity.

Thank you julie!! LOL I was discussing this with my sister and I could not think of the right word. I was so exasperated! I'm thinking..."they childishly gang up on him...but he just doesn't act badly back to them..he doesn't react much...he just takes it" "What is the word I'm looking for!!???"

LOL Dignity. That's the word I was searching for!

Dfng
Member

08-04-2005

Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 3:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dfng a private message Print Post    
I am always amazed how we all see the same show but our take is so opposite. I guess that's why I love this board.

I don't see Marcel as the victim in all of this. From the beginning he took an attitude with the rest of the cast that some of them obvisously took offense too. Over the weeks we find that more of the cast have reached the point where they can not work with Marcel or at least you can see they have little respect for him. Why would almost all the other cast members have the same issue with one person. How could the others all be wrong. I think there has to be more going on than a gang mentality.

To me Sam took the high road (or he was edited that way) until he had his tiff with Marcel at the supply place. Up to that point, Sam tried to stay neutral and you never heard him say anything negative about Marcel personally until then. I never heard Sam say anything personally negative about anyone. I don't count going off on someone's dish as a personal negative as that is part of the game.

So Sam finally showed some emotion that day with Marcel. Now why would a grown man who has so far displayed a personality that was kind and soft all of a sudden let it out with how he felt about Marcel. To me, Sam had enough and instead of going behind his back, he confronted Marcel. In the next episode you don't hear Sam attacking Marcel personally but you do see him turn around to Marcel with his hand out to say congrats when they both won the quick fire challenge. I just don't get the comments about Sam acting childish. Can someone give me an example.

Now Ilan is a different story. I see the Marcel/Ilan relationship as being childish with both men being at equally at fault. I also saw the Betty/Marcel relationship as one that was childish. Again, Marcel participated.

I see Marcel as young, childish and very insecure. From the beginning he has felt the need to put others down in order to make himself feel better about himself. He has tried to claim or take responsibility for things that have gone right that was not his to claim. Others call him out on his behavior and he doesn't go running out crying... so that is dignity.

I don't think I have ever written such a long post. I guess this boy has just hit a nerve with me.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 9:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
The episode before the last one is where Sam lost it for me. I don't care if he only did it one time. He still did it.

I do not see Marcel knocking anyone down who hasn't been giving him a super hard time initially. From what I remember he got in a spat with Betty one or two times, and I think they were equally "at fault" for those. They were pretty equally giving it and taking it. Though there is a 15 year age difference and you'd think Betty would naturally be more mature, which she was not.

I agree with Trueheart. He is way different that Stephen from last year. Now that guy was arrogant. I do not see Marcel putting down others very much at all. And the whole gang has gotten on him, to the point of conspiring to having the one team lose so that they could kick Marcel off. (was that sam or ilan talking to Elia about that?)

Dfng
Member

08-04-2005

Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 10:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dfng a private message Print Post    
Julieboo, that was Ilan talking to Elia.

So people believe Sam is not worthy because of one time speaking his mind to Marcel but people like Marcel who has been vocal to everyone a lot. He was very vocal in the first couple of episodes. Guess I just don't understand that logic. I agree though that Marcel has toned down his attitude the last couple of episodes. It just makes me think a lot of this is editing and that Marcel and Sam are okay with each other. Guess we won't know until the finale reunion if they have one.

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 10:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
Sometimes my instincts override my logical side. I initially did not like Marcel and wanted Betty to win. As the season progressed, I really found Betty to be fairly intolerable at times (but I wanted her to "straigten up" so I could root for her again). I have grown fond of Marcel even though I don't think he is Top Chef material, I still like the way he has handled himself once the others seemed to gang up on him. It will never be clear to us what actually happened behind the scenes. I remember actually liking Stephen last season at the reunion, something I never thought would happen in a million years!

Ladytex
Member

09-27-2001

Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 12:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ladytex a private message Print Post    
Sam was also involved in the trash Marcel mess with Frank when Marcel had to move Franks stuff off the kitchen counter. He is NOT an innocent in all this. And that really ticked me off because before that I was really a Sam fan. Not that I don't like him now, but he's definitely not my #1 choice anymore.

Allietex
Member

08-16-2002

Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 1:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Allietex a private message Print Post    
I am not an Ilan fan. He is my least favorite and I think his behavior with Marcel has been very childish.

Saying that, I do not think he was serious when he commented to Elia that that her team needed to lose so that Marcel would go home. He was joking.

Anyone with half a brain would know that a team losing would not guarantee the person going home would be the one you want to go.

People have blown this comment out of proportion. There was no conspiring going on here, there was just a bad joke.

Alisons
Member

01-10-2003

Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 1:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Alisons a private message Print Post    
These people make me lose my appetite.

Sadiesmom
Member

03-13-2002

Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 3:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sadiesmom a private message Print Post    
On the what did Marcel do side - wasn't he speaking loudly to the cashier about refusing a discount after he saw Sam and someone else actively take the discount? I think that was a way to warn Sam that he thought he was cheating and there is the possiblity of an implied threat that he would be reported.

Just the way I took it. I have to go look for the video when Marcel reported Michael for drinking. I have no seen it yet - he might have been the good guy in that one, depends on how he did it.

Fabnsab
Member

08-07-2000

Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 5:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Fabnsab a private message Print Post    
Sam was an early favorite of mine but he threw people under the bus twice and won't take responsibilities for his mistakes. I think he thinks his good looks will allow for mistakes and he is finding out, it doesn't on Top Chef.

I have worked with "Cliffs" before and I can tell ya, it's a pain! He has a temper and will admit no fault of his own.

IMO, they are doing a bad editing job if they want us to see all this supposed bad stuff Marcel does to get everyone to hate him. I see where he can be a touch annoying but not enough to garner all this hatred. They seem like the children, always making the challenges personal.

I respect Elia for sticking by Marcel when its not the popular thing to do. I think she has alot of talent but would need to grow some cojones to run her own kitchen, especially since its a mans world.

Betty always annoyed the hell out of me. She was too ingratiating. She seemed phony to me- someone who is used to the whole room loving them so they're always "on." I was so glad to see her go.

Michael...lol...i dug him but he is a line cook with talent, nothing more right now. He is very comfortable taking direction and never seems to give it. A true chef is a leader. He could be a very good restaurant consultant though. His food always seemed great.

Elan...I actually see the most Top Chef potential from him in all aspects. He just needs to grow up a bit and keep personality conflicts out of the kitchen.

lol, i havent posted here before and had to get all that off my chest! whew, that feels good!

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 6:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
I just can't subscribe to the theory that if we see a bunch of people not liking someone on a reality show that includes people being booted and a prize for winning that it MUST be a legitimate hatred.

I see it more as "send home someone who is not me" and they gang up and they undermine and they throw under the bus.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Saturday, January 13, 2007 - 7:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Yep Seamonkey. I totally am with ya there.

Beth4freedom
Member

10-24-2003

Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 12:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beth4freedom a private message Print Post    
At this point i would like to see Elia win.

And I have been voting for Mia in the people's online poll for favorite chef. I really enjoyed her and was proud that she left partly to leave Elia in the game (but also I think it was the right thing for Mia to do at that point; they really gave lots of hints throughout the show that she was ready to go home, back to her already existing business and family.

By the way, I haven't seen all episodes, because I don't always have cable access, but I am catching up and eager for next week's episode.

Fabnsab
Member

08-07-2000

Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 4:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Fabnsab a private message Print Post    
sea, i think the difference here is that these people should exhibit the traits of a great Top Chef and blaming someone else just to take the heat off you is sure not one of them.

Harold, last years winner took on every single responsibility when something went wrong and that is what you want in your chef.

Rehtse
Member

08-17-2005

Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 8:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rehtse a private message Print Post    
I agree, Fabnsab. Harold had the right attitude. I don't see Elia as being as "strong" as Harold, but given the ones that are left, I would like for her to win.

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 1:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
Coupla articles in NY Magazine:

http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/26577/index.html

So Hot She’s Flammable
Host roasted by top chefs.

By Jada Yuan

Padma Lakshmi, the ex-model married to Salman Rushdie and host of Bravo’s Top Chef, isn’t getting much respect from the show’s contestants, five of whom hail from New York. Asked if he trusted Lakshmi’s culinary taste, Ilan Hall, a line cook at Casa Mono, asked a Bravo flack, “Um, are we allowed to say disparaging things about Padma?” No. “She’s beautiful,” Hall offered. “Mostly, she just explained things, and she did a good job at that.” Cliff Crooks, executive chef at Salute!, said, “Nothing she said really made a difference in my cooking.” Sam Talbot, former executive chef at Punch, said, “Next question.” He also noted that she seemed intent on stepping out of her famous husband’s shadow. “She never wanted to talk about him. I remember a time she got a phone call and she yelled, ‘You can ask me any question you want, but don’t bring up my husband!’” And then there’s the matter of her stomach-baring, kitchen-unfriendly attire. “Some of the things she wore, I wouldn’t suggest anyone wear around a working kitchen,” said Crooks. “Either she’d be a fire hazard or she’d get hurt.”

--------------------
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2007/01/top_chef8217s_marcel_doesnt_lo.html

‘Top Chef’'s Marcel Doesn't Love Joël Robuchon That Much

In the magazine this week, Jada Yuan spoke to some of the contestants from Bravo's Top Chef about host Padma Lakshmi, wife of Salman Rushdie. In her conversation with Ilan Hall, Sam Talbot, and Cliff Crooks, Jada also asked them about the show's villain, Marcel Vigneron.

This season, everyone ganged up on one chef, Marcel, who had a penchant for putting foam on every dish. Was he really as annoying as he seemed?

Ilan: Much worse.

Sam: Much, much worse. The past couple of episodes they've made him seem like some sort of a sweetheart. Everyone was asking me why I had this outburst with him, but they didn't show him accusing me of cheating for fifteen minutes. I mean, I hope he watches the show and picks up some social skills along the way.

Cliff: Everyone and their mother is beating up on the kid. You know, I saw him at the premiere party, and in a room of a couple hundred people, he's okay.

So what was so awful about him?

Ilan: They don't show all the little bits and pieces leading up to people being angered with him. He's always talking down to other people's techniques and always questioning, and not in a creative way or constructive way. Everything is always insultory … if that's a word.

What was your favorite annoying Marcel moment?

Sam: There's no single moment, but he would switch into different alter egos in different places. On the beach he'd talk like a surfer, and other days he'd go gangster.

Ilan: This didn't air, but he had to make this dish about lust and I told him that he's never lusted after a woman, all he does is go home and jerk off thinking about Joël Robuchon. And the only thing he could think of as a comeback was, "I don't jerk off to Joël Robuchon." That was it!

Grooch
Member

06-16-2006

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 4:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Grooch a private message Print Post    
This makes me assume Cliff, Sam and Ilian don't win.

Gemma120in2002
Member

07-05-2003

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 8:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gemma120in2002 a private message Print Post    
LOL! I agree. People who win usually don't spend a great deal of time grumping (to put it nicely).

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 12:46 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
Oh and such a nice comment from Ilan, too.. I mean it would be funny, perhaps talking to a friend.. but if he's so proud of himself for that.. pfft!