The quality of programing on the Food Network has declined from an interesting collection of culinary recipes and techniques to a collection of programs that are based on the personalities involved and has very little to interest me. This is sad. Several of the personalities, maybe in fear of poor ratings, have tried to suppliment their viewership by exposing their cleavages. This too is sad. Bye bye Food Network, old friend.

Posted by: Matthew Lowe at December 18, 2007 7:05 PM

It is hard to beleive that after all of your success, the standards for your network is allowed to slip. With the loss of Emeril and Mario, and some of the lesser programs taking their place, it seems that marketing is far more important than substance. A very good thing is being washed away. It is very sad.

Posted by: j. rose at December 20, 2007 8:05 AM

I cannot believe that the Food Network would get rid of Emeril or Mario and that they are thinking of axing Rachel Ray! I have loved watching them for years and have gone to great lengths to eat at Emeril's restaurants. They said on a magazine cover that they axed them for being fat but I don't believe that. Then you hear that everyone hates Giada for being too pretty. I don't understand it all but I will say that they are ruining a great station and will lose many viewers when they axe the great chefs we all love. Please bring them back to us!!! Emeril is like a friend and that's the way we get to feel about many of the chefs. Cooking is a great passion and we develop a close bond to the chefs who enrich our lives with great cuisine!

Posted by: Gayle Shelton at December 20, 2007 4:14 PM

I have no problem with Emeril being dropped. Mario I like, but he's not a big player. I beg to differ with the comments above. Just watching a boring recipe being made is boring. I like the variety and great personalities. I am not a person who likes to cook, but I find myself watching many of the shows because they are interesting, informative and fun. I have started to cook again. Thanks Food Network for making cooking interesting.

Posted by: Carol at December 21, 2007 3:58 PM

How can the Food Network get rid of its pioneers? Greed. Emeril, Mario and other Chefs MADE THE FOOD NETWORK. Nobody halfed watched the food network years ago in the 90's---except die hard ordinary food fans like me. I didn't like anyone on the show until Emeril came on and made that Tuna sandwich. I was hooked after watching him. He made them become noticeable, watchable, built their ratings--he made Food Network shine--and make lots of money. Now, they don't want to pay the seasoned Chefs their just dues, because they are Greedy to get cheap nobody's--and still continue on with profits. BIG MISTAKE. Food Network will not be the same with half-baked comfort food stoleitfromAfricanAmericans Paula Dean, Rachael came-out-of-nowhere Ray, and Bobby faker Flay. Emeril and Mario taught me how to make some GOOD dishes that I serve to rants and raves--and I shop at Walmart. Won't watch Food Network anymore--I hate disloyalty for the sake of profit--no worry--they won't profit for long.

Posted by: Jackie at December 22, 2007 6:26 PM

My wife and I began watching cooking shows on our local PBS station back in the mid to late 70's. Julia Childs, The Galloping Gourmet, Justin Wilson, ect. We were delighted at the advent of The Food Network years later. I am disappointed to hear that the decision has been made to cancel one of the founding Chefs of the network, Emeril Lagasse and perhaps even Mario Batali. The two of them are great instructional Chefs and its really unfortunate in my opinion. Its my understanding that Mario and Sarah Moulton will be airing shows on Public Television in the near future. I guess we will be making the move with them.

Posted by: Greg M at January 1, 2008 11:55 AM

I am very sad to hear that Sara Moulton and Mario Batali will not be returning to the Food Network. I started watching Julia Child in the 60s. I was only able to watch cooking programs on PBS on the weekend. They were my entertainment and instructors. Julia, Jacques, Madelyn, Pierre educated me in the art of fine cooking. These are the people who taught me technique. I was so delighted when our cable company starting carrying the Food Network so I could watch every night. Now they are not showing their flagship programs. Shame on them. Rachael needs to go. Over exposure! She has become obnoxious! Bring back Mario and Sara!

Posted by: Sharon at January 3, 2008 11:13 PM

its the wal mart crowd that really made these people famous, bought their products, read their books, ate at their restaurants, and watched their shows. food network is turning into a reality show network with a food twist and thats what they think americans want. ratings on the networks prove that.
its not my style and i watch much less of food network. same as the travel channel doesn't do much for travel once discovery bought them.

Posted by: hank at January 4, 2008 1:07 AM

Food Network should change its name, since food and food preparation have become secondary at best. Personalities and their mostly superficial "cooking" shows do not interest me. Rather than paying legitimate chefs that built the network, management prefers to "dumb it down" and "entertain" for the sake of immediate profits that will not last because their audience are fickle and will not watch for long.

Posted by: Patricia at January 4, 2008 3:20 PM

I'm so tired of Batali and his euro-clog, yuppie ways (how can he complain about being corporate? ain't those the same people that go to his restaurants, buy his books?)- maybe the rest of America is too. I'm counting the days till he gets axed from food network. I think he's one of the most overrated chefs in America today.

Posted by: jimmy at January 6, 2008 2:11 PM

I haven't watched TFN since Sara left cept for one or two Iron chefs.

Posted by: meredith at February 28, 2008 8:27 PM