Top Chef

[Deleted]

I *knew* from the beginning that there was something about Josie that I didn't like. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but she seemed really strangely unlikeable to me. And for her to turn out to be such a horrible loser just sealed the deal for me. When it was time to go, all she could say was "I'm so talented" and "You people are morons for cutting me, because I'm the amazing Josie". She's just as in love with herself as Stephen was last season, except at least Stephen didn't try to hide behind this incredibly friendly, funny persona. He was egotistical and genuine, while she's egotistical and fake...neither one is good, but there are few things I dislike more than a phony.

And, on a slightly more superficial note: Woman has got some scary-ass teeth. I've seen creepy teeth in my life, but DAMN. One person over at TWOP said she looked like one of the Angry Beavers...I must say I've never heard a more accurate description in my life. And good God, that voice! She's like a female Gilbert Godfried, with that loud, harsh, nails-on-a-chalkboard cackle of hers. I'm glad she's gone just so I don't have to hear that shrillness again!

[FiggyPudding]

Normally I'm not for a lot of excessive cosmetic surgery, but I think Josie would benefit from some dental corrective surgery. I remember one scene, she was standing there with her mouth closed, looking solemn, and I thought she looked really cute.

She cries a lot during her exit interview, I think the "I'm so talented" stuff is covering insecurity. Still off-putting though.

[Deleted]

Josie was obnoxious. She reminded me of the loud girl in the room who can't dial it down.

[Deleted]

Josie did not do herself any favors with her "I'm so damn talented" exit speech, but then again, maybe some future employers will view that as self-confidence.

That cackle of hers must get old very quickly - can you imagine working side by side with her?

Still, I did feel a little sorry for her - I thought Marissa should get canned but I did have a little pang of regret that Josie was sent home too.

[topher]

Anthony Bourdain as guest judge. This should be good.

[girlnamedcarl]

This was the first time I'd seen this Bourdain guy. I'll have to check out more of his stuff; he's good TV.

I realized a few things tonight: Betty is nearing my last nerve, and I hate-hate-hate the way she dresses; Carlos always comes off sleazy somehow at the judges' table; Sam was totally stirring the shit tonight, and lost some points with me as a result; Cliff is now my fondest hope for combining talent with personality; and (and I hate myself for even thinking this) ... if I were single and the opportunity presented itself and I knew for a fact that nobody would ever know... I could totally see myself having hate-sex with Marcel.

I'll show myself out now.

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I'm the one whose going to have to show myself out, because...brace yourselves...I simply can't join the Marcel hate train. The Bacon and Avocado ice cream prevents me from ever really liking him, but I don't quite see this supreme arrogance that everyone says he embodies. To me he just seems kind of nerdy, and yeah, he's a little full of himself, but then again, so do almost all of the other chefs (including, dare I say it, Betty). And I didn't actually see him do anything incredibly outlandish tonight; Frank's crap was on the kitchen counter (the hell?), and all Marcel did was move it so that it wasn't in the way. Oh, and Frank's toothbrush was so NOT on the floor; it was in his bag, just as Marcel said it was. The other contestants don't have to like him, but if they're going to get in his face, they should at least make sure they get their facts straight.

Which brings me to my next point: to me this season's real asshole is Frank. I've been saying it since the beginning, beneath that friendly-dad type exterior there is a genuinely not nice person, and I think we got our first taste of that (pardon the pun) tonight. Even IF his toothbrush were on the floor (which it wasn't), and even IF Marcel had rooted through his stuff the way Frank seemed to think he did (which he didn't), NOTHING, I repeat, NOTHING gives you the right to get in someone's face and physically threaten them like that. I don't know what kind of a culture he comes from, but I do know that if this were a real-life situation Frank would be most definitely be fired for that, and possibly arrested for it as well. The guy is an adult, and what's more, he mentioned that he's a father...it really, really makes me worry about his daughter. Between this and his I'll-break-your-kneecaps speech in the commercials, Frank is really presenting himself as a violent individual.

I know I'm getting too into this, but physical abuse is something that I've seen first-hand, and it isn't a topic that I fuck around with. I'm sorry if I'm getting out of hand, or if I'm reading too much into his actions, everyone; all I can say is I'm a little sensitive when it comes to stuff like this.

[Deleted]

I don't know what kind of a culture he comes from, but I do know that if this were a real-life situation Frank would be most definitely be fired for that, and possibly arrested for it as well. The guy is an adult, and what's more, he mentioned that he's a father...it really, really makes me worry about his daughter. Between this and his I'll-break-your-kneecaps speech in the commercials, Frank is really presenting himself as a violent individual.

I agree with you. I thought his "I will beat you so bad that your mother won't recognize you" speech was totally uncalled for - was he drinking? It seems that he always has a drink or a bottle in his hand. He comes across as a bully and I cannot wait for him to get booted.

As far as Betty goes - can she possibly be any more shrill and annoying? I liked her in the first couple of episodes but she has gotten progressively more irritating. She shows the other chefs very little respect - it's all about Betty. Of course, it could be the editing - it seems to me that she was portrayed positively up until she changed her cookie recipe. Since then, she has been shown in a poor light.

I was glad to see Elia ask Chef Tom about his choice - the one she said she spit out. His response seemed to make her feel a little bit better. I like her and hope she winds up in the final 3.

Marcel - aside from channeling Eddie Munster, I haven't seen anything extroadinarily good or bad in his behavior. It does appear that his peers do not like him at all, but I just haven't seen any outrageous behavior on his part. Maybe jealousy comes into play here?

[bklynred]

Frank was so out of line with his reaction to Marcel. I'm surprised there wasn't Sam in the back, dancing around with strings as his puppet master. Bizarre.

I think Marcel may be annoying but mostly, the people who "hate" him most are threatened by him.

I think Josie's speech was definitely fueled by insecurity and posturing (and a lack of synonyms for the word 'talented'). She was goofy to me, but her heart seemed to be in the right place.

[girlnamedcarl]

I totally agree with y'all about Frank being the true asshole here. I should've chosen a different term than "hate-sex" 'cause I don't hate Marcel, but the (bizarre, inexplicable) attraction I have toward him is less about Eddie Munster lovin' or even liking him as a person and more about that weird, almost creepy gleam in his eye.

I too don't get why everybody piles on him like that, unless it's that he's the weird kid and the other kids feel the need to punish him for that. Lord of the Flies with spatulas and all that. I don't think it's that they're jealous or threatened by his mad skills, because he hasn't won any of the challenges yet; I think they just feel like he's so far out there and they distrust him for that. But yeah, I haven't seen him do anything hateful -- unlike Frank and Betty. Yeah, he's weird and maybe a little arrogant, but Marcel never bellows or threatens or stretches the rules and hopes nobody calls him on it.

I thought Elia handled her conversation with Colliccio really well: 'Oh, that's how his palate is oriented. Okay.' I'd be very interested to see if and how she applies this understanding to her future dishes. Maybe she already did with the mushroom soup, and that's why it won.