Letters to the Editor
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American TV is insulting to our intelligence
I, too, have watched the English version of Gordon. The man who goes into failing British restaurants and not only fixes their ills but also goes out into the town to market to the masses. As tough as he is, he is ht every time I see him. The owner in the kitchen IS ruining everything while his staff desperately tries to dress up the messes he makes. If the owners actually listen and abide what he says, they succeed. But then we have the abomination that is the American version. Here "contestants" are humiliated, screamed and sworn upon, all the while groveling around saying "yes chef" this and "yes chef" that. It' horrid. The first few times I saw the American version, I was shocked by how brutal and cruel he was. And fake. He has grown into into his character, it appears, seemingly more understanding of the expectation.
I agree with Alex. It's sad. It's sad that we are continuously exposed to shows - dramatic and comic - that are mind numbingly dull and cater to the lowest common denominator. I think the best thing that ever happened to American tv is TIVO, since I can now fast forward past all the commercials that lower my IQ. Watch British and European commercials and you will feel so discriminated against - not only are they (and I am speaking generally here) smart but they are funny.
There are few shows on tv that I bother to watch anymore. The majority cater to the stereotypes and over-explain every nuance.
GR is an asshole, however, in England there was a purpose to it and it wasn't the main course...more like garnish. Here it is the full seven course meal.