Peter's in Babylon, New York
I was really disappointed by Kitchen Nightmares tonight. I had such high hopes for it because I've always loved the UK version shown on BBC America. The American version? Not so much.
It started off like the UK version kinda. Gordon's arrival wasn't a 'surprise' like the UK version. Gordon did taste the food like he would do in the UK version. He inspected the kitchen like he would in the UK version. We met the restaurant owners and workers like the UK version. But come on.
The voiceover guy for Kitchen Nightmares sounded like a bad imitator of the voiceover guy for Hell's Kitchen. I actually think I've heard him do voiceover work for Discovery Channel or History Channel or something.
And what was up with the stupid sound effects for the captions on the screen? That's not needed at all and was really just plain dumb.
Then Gordon has their kitchen redone overnight? He's replaced a stove or oven or shelving or some other such thing in the UK version but never had their kitchen redone. A new kitchen does not make a great restaurant as we learned in the end. It's all about the chef.
And we didn't get much from the chef tonight. The show focused completely on the co-owner Peter and his complete and utter lack of self-control and kitchen experience. Do you even remember the chef's name? I don't. Because the show was all about Peter.
Peter acting like a wannabe mob boss. Peter acting like a bad ass fighting (really - fist fighting) a debt collector. Peter being a douche to his staff. Peter eating the food out of the kitchen that was intended for the customers. Peter giving away meals and wine for free. Peter taking money from that night's take even when they didn't turn a profit.
They didn't even end the way the UK version does. Tonight's show just ended with basically Gordon wishing them luck and Peter's sister (and co-owner herself) thinking that Peter will change. This after Gordon told Peter that he's doing the family restaurant more harm than good. I see things changed a lot in that area. Not!
In the UK version, Gordon shows up and visits the restaurant 4-6 weeks later. He'll tell them if they've done a good job staying on course or if they've gone back to the same old same old and is disappointed. He checks in on the staff and tracks what's going on.
I think what I really disliked most about this American version is the lack of attention on the chef. The UK version is all about the chef first and the owner(s)/manager(s) second - unless they're both equally at fault for the sorry job. The U.S. version? Argh.
I'll give this American version of Kitchen Nightmares one more shot and if it's not any better next week, it will be out of my lineup.
But I promise you. If I'm ever in Babylon, New York and Peter's was the only place left open? I would go to the local pet food store and eat dog food first. Peter and his attitude (not to mention the state of his walk-in refrigerator) was enough to make me wanna starve myself. Yech.
What did y'all think of Kitchen Nightmares tonight?
It started off like the UK version kinda. Gordon's arrival wasn't a 'surprise' like the UK version. Gordon did taste the food like he would do in the UK version. He inspected the kitchen like he would in the UK version. We met the restaurant owners and workers like the UK version. But come on.
The voiceover guy for Kitchen Nightmares sounded like a bad imitator of the voiceover guy for Hell's Kitchen. I actually think I've heard him do voiceover work for Discovery Channel or History Channel or something.
And what was up with the stupid sound effects for the captions on the screen? That's not needed at all and was really just plain dumb.
Then Gordon has their kitchen redone overnight? He's replaced a stove or oven or shelving or some other such thing in the UK version but never had their kitchen redone. A new kitchen does not make a great restaurant as we learned in the end. It's all about the chef.
And we didn't get much from the chef tonight. The show focused completely on the co-owner Peter and his complete and utter lack of self-control and kitchen experience. Do you even remember the chef's name? I don't. Because the show was all about Peter.
Peter acting like a wannabe mob boss. Peter acting like a bad ass fighting (really - fist fighting) a debt collector. Peter being a douche to his staff. Peter eating the food out of the kitchen that was intended for the customers. Peter giving away meals and wine for free. Peter taking money from that night's take even when they didn't turn a profit.
They didn't even end the way the UK version does. Tonight's show just ended with basically Gordon wishing them luck and Peter's sister (and co-owner herself) thinking that Peter will change. This after Gordon told Peter that he's doing the family restaurant more harm than good. I see things changed a lot in that area. Not!
In the UK version, Gordon shows up and visits the restaurant 4-6 weeks later. He'll tell them if they've done a good job staying on course or if they've gone back to the same old same old and is disappointed. He checks in on the staff and tracks what's going on.
I think what I really disliked most about this American version is the lack of attention on the chef. The UK version is all about the chef first and the owner(s)/manager(s) second - unless they're both equally at fault for the sorry job. The U.S. version? Argh.
I'll give this American version of Kitchen Nightmares one more shot and if it's not any better next week, it will be out of my lineup.
But I promise you. If I'm ever in Babylon, New York and Peter's was the only place left open? I would go to the local pet food store and eat dog food first. Peter and his attitude (not to mention the state of his walk-in refrigerator) was enough to make me wanna starve myself. Yech.
What did y'all think of Kitchen Nightmares tonight?
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About HamsterDame
I'm a Texas lady that loves Reality and I love to give my opinion on it!
During the Big Brother season you can also find me blogging over at Silly Hamsters.
BEWARE: I post spoilers!
During the Big Brother season you can also find me blogging over at Silly Hamsters.
BEWARE: I post spoilers!
I get your point about wanting more from the chef, but the real character/problem of that place was Peter. You talk about a true sterotypical New York wop. I hate to use that word, but I get the feeling that Peter would use that word to describe himself.
Too bad he wasn't in Big Borther this year, he might have kicked Dick's ass.
The real person to blame for the state of that restuarant was the father, Yogi. He needed to smack his son around a little and get him in line.
I wonder if Peter would be such a bad-ass if one of those loan sharks pulled a gun on him.
Hi HD
I totally agree with you I had so high hopes for this show and I felt like I was watching a gansta movie. The part I liked about the show was when they would check back with the restraunt and see I they kept up the new menu, guest, etc. I loved the UK version, but Im with you next week I will be watching ANTM and catch KN on a repeat.
Awful, awful, awful.
HD, amply listed the many reasons, and I thought the voice over was the History channel guy too. What were they thinking?
The best part is Ramsay terrorizing the targeted restaurant and chef. This more "Trading Spaces" than Kitchen Nightmares.
I'm so not interested in this version and will wait for the next Beeb season.
BTW- Rebecca I'm an Italian-American and apology not accepted, the use of the word "wop" is no different than the "n" word to blacks.
hi hd
Im sorry BJ but I didnt say anything like that that was the comment above mine.
Hey HD,
I was so disapointed in the show last night. I love the BBC version and this episode seemed like a way over the top bastardized version of that show. A new kitchen over night??? What about the revist weeks after the original was shot to see if Gordon's changes had taken? I haven't given up on this show after one episode but if they are all like this, I see an early cancelation in its future.
Hi HD and congrats on your new home! Everythings looks wonderful. And of course, you are totally reading my mind about KNUSA...I am so disappointed at the show's diluted focusin comparison to KNUK...but Ramsay still is an ocular treat! I actually fell asleep on the show. I cant give up on the show, but I may end up turning the volume down. Looking forward to Survivor tonite!
Nothing worked in the kitchen, so it had to be replaced. The restaurant had no money, thanks to Peter, so the producers had to foot the bill.
I'll tell you what gets under my skin. It's the misleading, teasing commercials for the show. They clearly made it look like the guy who we would come to know as Peter was going to kick Gordon's butt. When I see something like this and it turns out not to be the case, it is as if the producers are lying straight to my face.
Rebeccaann: I am terribly sorry, my remark was intended for Eric. I read the sig line incorrectly.
However my reply was inappropriate as SR is not the forum for such discussions and I apologize to HD and SR commenters.
I was just talking to someone about this show and they said Gordon Ramsey is being suid for ruing the reputation of there restraunt. Have you heard this?
From HD - The lawsuit that was filed was concerning the restaurant 'Dillon's. The judge threw it out and sent the parties to arbitration.
http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/kitchen_nightmares/2007_Aug_28_ramsay_response
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08102007/news/regionalnews/tv_chef_out_of_frying_pan_regionalnews_kati_cornell.htm
Peter is threatening to sue me because I posted a blog article about the episode.
Read all about it here:
http://eyeoftherabbit.wordpress.com/2007/09/28/peters-restaurant-legal-threat/
Help spread the word, please!
That guy (Peter) is an asshole. He Attacked my friend.
Watching Peter actually turned me on. I'd love to visit this place just to look at him. Yummy!
I was a little bit dissappointed with the US version of Gordon's Kitchen Nightmares but I didnt expect the US version of a UK show to be the same as the UK version.
I really enjoyed this episode. The family and workers were very interesting and I thought that Peter was great. As a fan of reality TV, He was everything that you could hope for. Love to see a revisit in the next season.