Service begins, and Richard is up first. The guests this time are all the other kids in the Common Threads program deemed too unattractive or bland to win a spot as a sous chef. We also have Scar, Gail and Art as the judges, as Daddy Tom remains in the kitchen to eat and observe. Richard's dish is roasted chicken with black beans and a salad, which both the kids and the judges seem to like with the exception of the skin on the chicken. Fleasa's up next with roasted chicken with edamame and a peanut butter/apple dessert, which gets only mediocre reviews at best. While they like the dessert, the judges wish Fleasa had used more fresh veggies, and find the chicken bland. As Fleasa describes the dish, we see Gail's been doing a little doodling on her tablecloth. While I half-expected naughty pictures of Daddy Tom, it's just boring old flowers. Although there does appear to be a "Padma + someone" in a heart that Gail may or may not be intentionally covering with her hands...
Wow. If this is what you think being pleasant looks like, stick with the death glare.
Dale's next to serve his turkey bratwurst and veggie dish. The kids seem a little suspicious at first, but wind up liking the dish while the judges feel that it may not be universal for the range of tastes you'll find in a family. I don't think that's a fair criticism. When I have kids, they'll eat what I serve or starve. My parents let me get away with that picky bullshit when I was a kid, and to this day I still eat like I'm 10 and have a fear of tomatoes and any tomato-based product. It's a crippling disease (I nearly hyperventilated once when ketchup splattered on me while waiting tables) and I won't stand for it. Eat the damn bratwurst and like it.
Evangelass's spaghetti is immediately a hit with the kids and the judges as well. The only problem he may have is that he didn't have time to finish baking his apples for his dessert, and elected to serve them half-baked (how fitting!) anyway. We'll see how it plays out, but that seems like an unnecessary risk to me, since he already has two finished dishes whereas most contestants just made one. Next it's Nikki with a one-pot recipe of roasted chicken, mixed veggies and salad. She's extremely confident in the dish, as well she should be because everyone loves both its taste and simplicity. Holy shit, you guys, Nikki's looking like a sure thing for the top group! If she wins and Yoda's eliminated, my entire outlook on life may be shattered.
Mutton's turn arrives, and even though Gail gives the kid her perkiest hello (she's a twit but I love the woman), all we still have is the sullen stare. This kid so should have been paired with Fleasa. Wait-- wait-- she talks! Mutton's kid describes their vegetable curry dish in the same tone of voice she'd use to describe when Spot got ran over by a car and dragged 100 feet. Turns out she didn't really have much to be excited about as the judges deem the dish too sweet and lacking sufficient protein. QF winner Antonia is next, presenting a chicken and vegetable stir-fry that looks awesome and is loved by the judges -- perhaps even beating out Evangelass's spaghetti. You know this means next week she'll be in the bottom group.
Okay, that totally says "Padma + Art." He's what, like 55? Seems about right.
Twitch is offering chicken paillard (which is a fancy way of saying pounded thin and cooked quickly), along with a fruity salad, all of which are praised by judges and kids alike. Which brings us to Yoda, who's finishing up plating her couscous with peanut-tomato sauce in the kitchen. Daddy Tom comes over to ask Yoda's kid if she likes the dish, and receives a nervous giggle and an obligatory yes in response. Ruh-roh. In addition to the couscous, she's also serving an apple-granola dessert. Unsurprisingly, the judges are not impressed, and Gail says Yoda's failure at this challenge is a tell-tale sign of a restaurant chef who doesn't go home much. Ouch, bashing your food and your personal life at the same time. That sucks.
« American Idol: And Then There Were Four: Voodoo Dolls Really Do Work! | Main | Dancing with the Stars: OOhh! Cool Leather Undershirts! Oh God. They're Not Wearing Undershirts! »
Comments (14)
Although I do have a fondness for Yoda, I actually thought it was fair that Mutton went home; his concept was kind of dumb. No protein? At all? For growing chill'ens? Christ, throw in a few chickpeas at least!
This was probably the touchy-feeliest episode thus far, which kind of made me love everyone a little. (Except for Fleasa/Greasa. And Evangelass.) Who'd have guessed that Antonia is a mom? And that Twitch used to be a pudgers? And that Dale is THAT short?
1 of 14 | Posted by MissKatrina | Posted on May 2, 2008 8:11 AM
Richard kinda creeped me out a little when he stated that he wanted to get home to "make some kids", methinks he protests too much... Pink Crocs?? And I agree with whoever said it last week, that when you have to tell everyone how funny you are, you're not. Doesn't he already have his own resturant?
I don't know who I am routing for yet, most of the girls get on my nerves especially Niki, if I had to hear one more time how her single mother left her alone to cook at 8 years old, I was going to throw a shoe at her!! I do believe that it was Mutton's time to go, he wasn't doing too well on the last couple of challenges. Evanglass is one of my favorites and I guess Dale is okay too.
2 of 14 | Posted by featherhead | Posted on May 2, 2008 10:22 AM
Two comments:
1: Mutton's an idiot. He should have added chickpeas or something like that to the curry. As a vegetarian myself it's a great way to add protein to a dish.
2. I think this is your second reference to Paganism/Wicca in a negative way (making them seem satanic, because people will use them to curse others). You should learn something about them before making stupid comments like that. They are not satanic, hell they don't even believe in satan, and they are nature loving and peaceful.
Ignorance is annoying.
3 of 14 | Posted by pixi-stix | Posted on May 2, 2008 12:14 PM
How is no one mentioning when Twitch said that he had a "culinary boner" at the very very end after the previews??? I guffawed. I love that crazy cat and that fact that he used to have a weight problem just endears me more.
This recap was also LAUGH out loud hilarious. Thanks!
4 of 14 | Posted by pfft | Posted on May 2, 2008 12:22 PM
in addition to Richard wanting to make babies..(it was delivered so unenthusiastically...why bother?), did anyone notice him talking about fashion with his young apprentice? Something about matching colors. Seeing kids at that awkward 10-11 year old phase does not inspire me to procreate. Just sympathy for all the existential angst.
5 of 14 | Posted by dredge | Posted on May 2, 2008 12:27 PM
Art Smith = Rip Taylor
6 of 14 | Posted by dredge | Posted on May 2, 2008 12:34 PM
Pixi-stix:
I'm sorry if I offended you or anyone else by any of the comments or jokes I've made in a recap. I certainly don't believe that Wiccans are Satanic anymore than I believe that Twitch is actually a crackhead or that Ryan's father really sent his daughter to work in a sweatshop. However, I see your point, and hope you accept my apologies.
In contrast, what I actually DO believe is that Fleasa's never seen a bar of soap in her life.
7 of 14 | Posted by LoLo | Posted on May 2, 2008 12:53 PM
Hey all, sooooo . . . coming from Salem, yes, that ironic witch killing town where people weren't witches, but just had moles or lots of property, but wiccan's gather there anyway, I can applaud you pixi in your correctness of the earthloving nature of true wiccans, but seriously, GF! you weren't really offended were ya!? Even I joke about my witchly status and play upon the stereotypes--tho I guess I insinuate that I can read minds . . . perhaps I can, coz I often feel the flames of hell burning me for my awful thoughts, even when I don't type them here. NIce of you to apologize LoLo, and as the wiccans say, (and the reason I'm not really one) Blessed be! It's just as bad as bless you, I'll stick to have a good one . . .
Art Smith is way hotter than Rip Taylor, but I guess I see your point, dredge!
Funny observation about the heart doodle, very cute of her, but honestly, Art's one of my kind, you know gay and all, right!? Should have been Art and Daddy! Bears in love 4eva!
I did enjoy the kids cooking, but I have to say, I think the producers nudged yoda and said "Hey Girl, you're winning too many of these and we don't want a predictable season, so give one up for the gipper, and we promise not to eliminate you." Kinda like Richard and scales gate, no, is it just me, am I going to be singed again!? I know I should believe in the sanctity of reality TV and the honesty of the producers, but HELL NO! It's all corrupt!!! And kuddos to said producers for showing Mutton saying DT doesn't like him, and shipping his ass home anyway--way to play with us, guys and gals to whom we bow to the consideration of at elimination time . . .
8 of 14 | Posted by juddfan | Posted on May 2, 2008 2:45 PM
LoLo: thanks for the apology. It's not so much that I was offended (since I know Wicca/Paganism is not like that) I just hate for people out there to maybe read that and think it's so. They already get enough crap as it is =)
9 of 14 | Posted by pixi-stix | Posted on May 3, 2008 3:32 PM
Lolo, Nikki's dish wasn't actually one pot. Oh, it's actually cooked in one pot... AFTER you've cooked the chicken in another pot/pan first. My friend clued me in when she came over to dinner this week.
Love the new nickname!
10 of 14 | Posted by HereKittyKitty | Posted on May 3, 2008 7:28 PM
If I didn't know better, and I don't, I'd say Yoda was sabotaging herself this week. There's no way she goes from being a top contestant with a seemingly impeccable sense of what looks and tastes extraordinary and also pleases the judges to a confused, disinterested hack with the kitchen sensibilities of a seven year old. I honestly believe the pressure of the show, the back-stabbings, or some other unpleasant happenings caused her to say "fuck it" and try to get herself axed. Too bad her previously strong showing weren't going to allow that to happen and the bumbling, sloppy goofball Aussie got the smackdown for his accumulation of nasty food and nastier unsanitary habits. So Nikki finally did something right... she knows how to cook a chicken in a pot for a family. Maybe that's what she should be home doing then, because she's definitely not capable of cooking for paying customers.
Great recap as usual btw :)
11 of 14 | Posted by vango | Posted on May 5, 2008 8:48 PM
Actually Richard's wife is expecting this spring. I believe she was already pregnant at the time of filming. (Not that I was there..... LOL)
Congrats to whomever named Evangelass & Fleasa!
Honestly, Steph *should've* gone home. If they can let her fly by, why couldn't they have let Tre fly by one week! (STILL upset about that)
12 of 14 | Posted by hutchlover | Posted on May 6, 2008 1:11 PM
Oh, forgot to add....
Making a Roasted Chicken with Potatoes & Veggies does not make one a "Chef". It makes one a "Cook".
At least the others tried to do something different, even if it was as lame as Carrot Soup.
Oh, and did anyone else think Mark's curry dish looked like Stephanie's dish after it had come up again?
13 of 14 | Posted by hutchlover | Posted on May 6, 2008 1:23 PM
if I hear Fleasa complain about one more thing I'm gonna break my television! I simply can't believe someone could be that negative. She should have gone home before Mutton. I liked him and his vegimite.
14 of 14 | Posted by realityjunkie | Posted on May 14, 2008 8:31 PM