Archive through August 03, 2003
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: The Restaurant (ARCHIVES): Archive through August 03, 2003

Bastable

Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 05:30 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
The people who did the product placements in this show are the same people who put all those Coke products in that awful old pretty-kid show Young Americans. Pretty soulless, isn't it?

Scorpiomoon

Sunday, July 27, 2003 - 08:02 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Man, I really want to like this show. But after watching the second episode, it feels so fake to me.

Did you guys see the part where the customer gave the waiter his credit card and told him to go buy four bottles of wine? Did you hear the TWO voiceovers they did--having the waiter say the card was an Amex ("Here's your Amex. I went to two places...")?

And the Coors twins showing up? The product placement is getting worse and worse.

Are people really that obnoxious? Everyone from the wait staff to the customers were so rude!

Judging by the previews, things seem to be going downhill fast. I might continue to watch just to see how much worse it can get.

Guminherhair

Sunday, July 27, 2003 - 08:21 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Okay, I may have stepped out and missed something, but how come the waiter thought there was no red wine, told the customers there was no red wine, went running around the neighborhood with a credit card looking for red wine, when there really was red wine?

And not only did they have red wine, but it was of the of-course-we-have-red-wine-what-are-you-stupid? varietal.

Was it a setup?

Iceprincess

Sunday, July 27, 2003 - 08:57 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
This is my first time watching this show, I caught the end of the debut ont he repeat...But my gosh the product placement, the Rocco overkill...but yanno what...it was much more entertaining then BB4...I think I will keep watching it.

Scorpiomoon

Sunday, July 27, 2003 - 11:06 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Guminherhair: Don't forget, it wasn't just any credit card; it was an AMERICAN EXPRESS credit card. :)

Hippyt

Sunday, July 27, 2003 - 11:09 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
The fact that product placement is the only thing being discussed in this thread makes me know I'm not missing much.

Jhezzie

Sunday, July 27, 2003 - 11:10 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
The red wine fiasco was of the "I'll trust the computer telling me that there is no red wine rather than go eyeball it for myself." variety. I do think that the product placement is very ham-handed. One can be very subtle and still accomplish what you need. The Coors Twins? Gimme a break! I can try an ignore that, though. The rest of it was entertaining, and yes, customers getting free food will be the most obnoxious, demanding, cheap b-astards you will ever wanna meet, lol.:)

Texannie

Monday, July 28, 2003 - 06:06 am EditMoveDeleteIP
The free loaders were the worst! And what about that big "soprano type" guy dishing the meatballs and then calling mama over and telling her they were the best! Why was that guy miked anyway? The power went to his head.

Gina8642

Monday, July 28, 2003 - 08:08 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I think only some customers signed the waivers to have themselves miked. It was obvious that those that did (The italian family, the couple with the guy in drag, etc.) just wanted camera time. I wouldn't be surprised if the 'italian family' were actors.

Did anyone notice that during the fire Rocco was the one using the fire extinguisher? What, he is the only one who knows how to use one? The whole place could burn down while waiting for the 'star' to be the hero of the evening.

Anyway, I do think this show is entertaining. But I think they should stay away from the customers. A one time shot on the camera is just going to bring alot of mugging and actors trying to get camera time. The only semi real situations will be with restaurant employees. After a few days on camera they will start being honest.

Beachcomber88

Monday, July 28, 2003 - 08:42 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I'm trying to like this show, but the "fakeness" of it all is hindering that. As others have said, I'm not really sure how much of this show is reality and how much is rehearsed. The product placements contribute to this feeling of nonreality. ("They're towing Rocco's Mitsubishi" - what, nobody's going to try to stop them?)

Thinking back to the first episode, do they just happen to have a camera in the Construction Manager's (or whatever his position his - the guy in the shirt and tie) office all the time? So that if Rocco should call when there's a crisis, they capture it on film? Please. We're not that naive.

Saw the commercial during the show about the American Express business card, and they seem to have changed the name now to Rocco's on 22nd Street, or something like that. Guess the restaurant is still around. For all you NYers, I'd be curious to see if any of these waiters/waitresses/bartenders/receptionist/kitchen help are still working there, now that the cameras are OFF. Or are they all wannabe actors looking for yet another break on a "reality" show?

Lori

Monday, July 28, 2003 - 09:01 am EditMoveDeleteIP
This show is somewhat entertaining. Although it is as phony as a $3 bill! I would enjoy it so much more if the "chef" were an unknown...some who had just graduated from culinary school and investors are betting that he could make a go of it.

I hardly think it was much of a risk to back Rocco...he already has two restaurants and indicated he had been involved in several hotel openings. This just seems more like a t.v. drama than a reality show.

Texannie

Monday, July 28, 2003 - 10:21 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I wasn't particularly surprised that alof of the wait staff were actors (or actor wannabe's), it's not an uncommon thing to see. I don't think Rocco is trying to hide the fact that some are actors, he even referred to them when he was defining "soft opening" as "for those of you that are actors, it's alot like a preview show".

Nathalia

Monday, July 28, 2003 - 03:11 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I happen to like this show...never said I had good taste..lol I wasn't even thinking of the product placement thing. All I was thinking was how is this guy going to use this customers credit card and sign for the purchase? That was what was unbelievable to me. What was with the fast food take-out checkerbox seafood containers? That IS/WAS tacky! Running out of glasses? However...I still like Rocco so far..don't quote me I am easily swayed..lol

Beaver_Gal

Monday, July 28, 2003 - 04:14 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I think this is another one of those "guilty pleasures". As for all the product placement, I say bring it on. After the first show we clued in and it became a great drinking game. Hit the table and chug if you are the first to spot the placement. Needless to say, Coors is not our drink of choice.

Gina8642

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 12:36 am EditMoveDeleteIP
The product placement doesn't bother me. TV is basically free to the viewers. Why? Because folks like Coors, AmEx, and Mitsubishi advertise. Doesn't matter to me if it is within the show or during the commericials. I think the product placement is pretty obvious, and it isn't more or less likely to get me to buy a product than the traditional 30 second commercial. I am greatful to the advertisers, I wouldn't want to pay the true cost of the entertainment shows I enjoy.

Beachcomber88

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 08:22 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I don't mind the product placement. What I do mind is the obviously fake "reality" of this show.

Many wondered if Survivor 1 was fixed, with the whole MB desire to get Rudy into the finals. This show is obviously set-up. I wonder how many times they have to rehearse their scenes and reshoot things to get them right. I'll keep watching because Rocco seems like a genuinely nice guy. But I'm not at all interested in the staff/actor wannabes and the roles they fill.

Gina8642

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 09:29 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I don't think the scenes are rehersed. There are way too many stares at the camera, and trips, and stumbles for rehersal. However, I do agree that many of the situations are set up. Set-ups I'm sure of:

-The AmEx for wine run

-Rocco being the only one who could use a fire extinguisher

-Coors unload

-Mitsubishi gas station shot

-Problem customers who send stuff back all night long.

-Firing some folks on camera.

-Catching Gideon and the guy who replaced him on camera the first time they meet after the change.

-Keeping some folks who clearly shouldn't be wait persons.

-The day when the guy in the shirt and tie made it on camera (in his office) I don't think was a set-up as much as that was the day they choose to follow all the main players. I'm sure all these people where talking to each other on cell phones many times a day every day. This was the day they filmed. I'm sure everyday had panic phone calls. I've worked in a business with tight timelines. You get/make phone calls like that several times a day, every day you work.

-Actually the whole limited time to open is a set-up - a la Mark B's Survivor and Eco-Challange. Put folks under extreme stress and see what happens.

-I'm sure there are more...

Not set up - Gideon hurting his arm. (As a matter of fact, if you watch the scene carefully, it is the camera person who actually causes him to fall. LOL)

However, I believe just like Survivor, the folks are allowed to react however they react to each of these situations. If their reactions make for good TV or can be edited to fit their storylines or promotional needs - then you see it on air. If not, it is left on the cutting room floor.

Scorpiomoon

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 09:53 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Gina: What about both scenes when, first the investor guy, then Rocco are served with court papers? Do you think they were set up?

(I'm asking purely out of curiousity. I think the first one was, but I'm not sure about the second time.)

How many episodes are there? Does anyone know?

Gina8642

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 10:19 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I can't decide on that one, that's why I didn't put it on my list. I don't believe Rocco knew, his suprise seemed pretty genuine. But, maybe the camera crew knew. I'm sure that MB company was named in any suit, so their lawyers, at the very, least would know the current owners were not happy with Rocco et al's bid the buy their property.

It also may not have been a set-up. Since it wasn't their property yet, they probably needed to inform the current owners they would be filming there that day. It was an easy opportunity to get the limo guy out in public to serve him. He looks pretty protected, it might be difficult to hand him something on a normal day. Doesn't the lawsuit have to be delivered/served in person? I don't know, it is just the way you see it in television shows.

The suit including a charge like 'interfering with their business'. MB showcasing that property as the future restaurant, etc, is definately interferring in my book. It sounded like a hostile buy, maybe some kind of forclosure or back taxes buy out. Who knows?

Gina8642

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 10:35 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I remember that there was a second time, but I don't remember the circumstances.

Curiouscat

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 04:39 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Scorpiomoon, I believe I read there are six episodes total, and they are already done filming them.

Realfan

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 04:51 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I'm confused by what kind of restaurant this is supposed to be. Italian food, yes, but upscale? If so, what's with the paper food containers? Or was that because they ran out of dishes? Why didn't they have enough? Weird! The plastic glasses were explained, but I missed any explanation about the paper containers. Also, some of the food didn't seem presented well. Like those huge hunks of lobster? prawns?? Ribs? Whatever they were, that the couple sent back. Looked like someone just slapped it on a plate and sent it out.

I felt sorry for the hurt elbow guy. So far, this show isn't paining Rocco and his management team in a very good light. Waiting to fire those girls was bad form (so the cameras could be there?) especially after they had their hair done. But it was pretty funny that the girl didn't know the basic hostess duties of showing people to their tables, greeting them, and taking their coats! "Not the right fit" indeed . . .

And why do gay guys make such great waiters? :)

Jan

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 05:47 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Regis talked about this show again this AM. Said he and Joy went to this restaurant for dinner last night and it was great...but there are no TV cameras now. It is just a regular restaurant.

Max

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 07:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
It's supposed to be home-style Italian. Remember, he keeps talking about how he wants it to resemble having dinner at his grandmother's place.

I felt bad for Gideon (the hurt elbow guy), too. The Frenchman who's in charge "out front" seems like a REAL cold fish and what he said to Gideon was irresponsible. I got the impression that the Frenchman told Rocco the changes he wanted made in the staffing at the last minute. Remember, Rocco said something like, "I wish you had told me earlier, before I made them come in and have their hair done."

Not all gay guys make great waiters, but some gay guys (like the blond whose name escapes me) are REALLY outgoing and connect really quickly with people. That ability to connect and make people feel comfortable and happy is what makes a great waiter. :)

Ketchuplover

Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 02:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I can't wait to miss the rest of this shows' entirety :)