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Time, they say, heals all wounds. In the hopes that we've all forgotten his cringe-worthy 2001 attempt at sitcom stardom, Emeril Lagasse is returning to prime time.
Okay, so his new employer, Ion TV, isn't really a network -- it's more one of those weird pseudo-networks that takes over a local channel and shows incessant repeats of "The Ghost Whisperer." And Emeril never really left our living rooms: He still graces the upper digits of our basic cable subscription on the Fine Living channel, hosts something called "Emeril Green" on the Planet Green network and just a few weeks ago he was Mario Batali's right-hand-man on the extra-special "Iron Chef America" White House challenge.
But judging by the description of Emeril's new gig, it seems the Cajun chef is jonesing to elbow in on Rachael Ray territory -- as if to remind us that he is, indubitably, king of the kitchen catchphrase.
Every Sunday starting March 28, Emeril will "break news and break bread" with celebrity guests, cooking, chatting and shooting the breeze. Whether the "news" involves a heated, Bill Maher-style debate over socialized medicine or a frank discussion of the merits of smoky paprika, we can only speculate. But we're pretty sure Emeril will ace the bread portion of his prime-time exam.
This is the whole nine yards of gab-fests: An audience, a live band, filmed "street" segments in Manhattan and the promise of pop stars, celebutantes, actors and other guests. In other words, it's more or less what he's always done, but with less okra and more talking. On the Ellen-Martha spectrum, this should put him somewhere closer to the Stewart end of the scale, although it remains to be seen if he will, say, reprimand Lindsay Lohan for partying too much and not eating enough. And should he aspire to Ellen-like levels of charisma, we beg of him: Please, don't dance.
Martha, not coincidentally, is the mastermind producer behind the new "Emeril Lagasse Show," something she announced with much fanfare on her show yesterday -- with Emeril standing by, sheepishly. "You know, it's been a long time," he admitted. The world of cheflebrities in 2010 is a competitive place indeed -- has the zeitgeist passed him by entirely?
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1-25-2010 @7:03PM ron Z said... Emeril is from my hometown of Fall River, Ma, so I wish him well, but he should try to lose some weight for health reasons
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1-23-2010 @5:15PM racendirt said... I couldn't be happier and ION is a great network. Still watch all Emeril's reruns and don't mind a bit. He's, by far, the best chef out there. So many great recipes and tips. Thanks, Emeril!!!
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1-23-2010 @5:37PM kerry said... Sorry but I say that their is no such thing called a cajun chef.....everyone i came across the food was nasty and not even close to being cajun
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1-23-2010 @6:01PM BILLYBOY53 said... I AM SICK AND TIRED OF EMERIL, MARIO BATALI, THE CACKLING PORTLY LADY (OH YEAH, PAULA DEAN) AND ALL THE REST OF THESE JADED PEOPLE WHO HAVE DOMINATED TV COOKERY FOR TOO LONG. LET'S FARM THEM OUT TO THEIR MANY SELF-OWNED RESTAURANTS AND GIVE SOME TALENTED NEW YOUNG KIDS A CHANCE.
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1-23-2010 @6:20PM Chef Alfred Schrader said... Like Emeril when I'm on TV or I do photo shoots for the papers I make it look glamorous & I smile a lot, but the real truth, & few TV chefs will tell you this is, it's grueling. There isn't enough time to remake the Ceasar salad, so it has to be perfect the first time while the assistant chefs are yelling for details on a dessert order & the omlet line is out of cubed Virginia Ham & the chickens are done in the roto, and the convection oven timer is blasting as the strudels are burning, & a customer has a food question, & the waitress who didn't write her number on the ticket, forgot to say what kind of bagel for the cream cheese & smoked salmon dish & the dishwasher is an hour late, . But, yes, I wouldn't trade it for anything on earth....Alfred-
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1-23-2010 @6:51PM Jo said... So happy to hear Emeril is coming back to TV be it on a national network or ION. He is an enjoyable person to watch and is a really good cook (been to his restaurant). Cannot wait to see him again.
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1-23-2010 @7:35PM LASSIE said... hey, "nick" - stop throwing your turds in the punchbowl, ok? This is about Emeril and TV, not your tabaccy chewin knuckle dragging political beliefs....If Martha's behind Emeril's show, it's good enough for me, getting kind of tired of watching people just decorate cakes in show after show.
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1-23-2010 @8:13PM Dori said... I'm sure they will give "talented new cooks" a chance, if they can cook, have a personality for T.V., it's not easy, even some try so hard.
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1-24-2010 @9:10PM Mary said... I seldom watch the Food Network anymore. I just do not like so many of the new chefs. Giada and Sandra are the only hosts that are not silly.
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1-23-2010 @8:49PM Bruce said... Forget the chefs...well do not forget Rachel Ray...she is the best of all...Emeril still looks as if he cooks with a broken back...now the show to watch is Man VS Food...yes...Adam Richman is the man!!! It is a good show..and has a lot of interesting things..and he really gets out to the hole in the wall restaurants...for some real good eats!! Remember MAN VS FOOD...ON THE TRAVEL CHANNEL!!! What a good plug!!!
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2-15-2010 @7:43PM MOM_IN_OHIO said... Was never really a big fan, but I'm always wiling to give him another try. I just feel it got a bit cliche.
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