"Janet Bostwick" > wrote in message
> As I see it, there are two things at work here. The chefs/restaurants get
> free advertising. The show itself (like any reality tv show) is cheaper
> to put together without stars and elaborate sets etc. I don't like any of
> these shows. I don't like the judgemental element. That's just me.
> Janet

What you see as judgmental, others see as the big draw of the show. Of
course, you need someone who is arrogant and acerbic to make it more
interesting. Some I like, others I don't care for so much.

As for the judgmental part, we don't get to see all the behind the scenes
goings on and we don't get to taste the food. The participants
(contestants?) are willing pawns in the game. You have a choice to be
humiliated or not. Win or lose the get exposure and that is what most of
them really want. I watch some of the shows and consider them
entertainment, not a way to learn the food business. That said, it does
give us some idea of what it takes to run a restaurant. Not a business I'm
interested in and that decision is reinforced after watching some of this.
Tough work.