en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/616449 Comments by DoctorSheryl http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment35561622 Thanks Gigi! Sheryl Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:51:57 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment35561622 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment35233288 DEAR FN: AFTER MELISSA HAS HER BABY, PLEASE LET HER RETURN AND HAVE HER SHOW BASED ON HER OWN CULINARY POV THAT YOU HAD HER DEVELOP DURING THE NFNS CHALLENGE . Not the title imposed by the FN's exec's to challenge meal for four on $10. IT IS OBVIOUS TO ALL BLOGGERS (AND TO YOU, THE FN) THAT THE DISSATISFACTION OF THE VIEWERS OVERWHELMINGLY, IS DUE TO THE CLICHE PREMISE OF MEAL ON $10. Melissa has so much more to offer than this. She is a professional, a mom, and a talented cook with diverse experience and hints to offer . . . let her run with that! Several bloggers have mentioned "Luxury for Less" (ie. less time, less money) -- something like that would be eminently appropriate. Not to mention it should silence some of the vitriol of the armchair viewers w/little to contribute but negativity about $10. Hang in there Melissa. Good luck on your pregnancy. Sheryl Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:02:22 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment35233288 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment35230706 Today, 20 September, Melissa's show was not on. No explanation. On last weeks' show it was pretty obvious that she is pregnant again . . . is this why? Brian Boitano's show (on after hers) was a rerun as well. Was there only a six episode deal for both? Please explain FN.l Sheryl Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:46:09 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment35230706 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment35230073 Dear Lov2Cook: If you use good quality Balsamic (that has a natural sweetness), this salad dressing ROCKED. The soy sauce "secret ingredient" was a surprise and worked well. Sheryl Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:38:12 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment35230073 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/a-chat-with-melissa-darabian/#IDComment31042982 Dear Melissa: You are a radiant and genuine soul -- what Bobby Flay and Alton Brown (in their male ihterpretation) call the "IT" factor -- this was evident from the first TNFNS epsode. Unfortunately there are some negative people out there, who now become one more "challenge" for you now that you are a celebrity and in the public eye. Some people will interpret your genuiness as a vulnerability, and attack (hence Eddy, Teddy, and Brett's bait-and-"throw under the bus"). Unfortunately Jeffrey appeared to not appreciate the generosity you expressed towards him in the last episode, and to our dissapointment, responded with the back-handed complement that he was surprised you made it past the first episode! These reactions can be a part of human nature, just continue being "you" and with a protective shell from the negativity and stress now that you are a celebrity! You have a large base of support out here of busy folks who look forward to more pearls you have to share (regardless of an artificial $10 format). Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:33:04 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/a-chat-with-melissa-darabian/#IDComment31042982 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/a-chat-with-melissa-darabian/#IDComment31039552 Dear Manny: Melissa has had personal culinary travels, as had Jeffrey. She was in Tunisia and is cooking from her experience there with spice combinations that are unique to that culture (not unique to Jeffrey). I don't mean to be antagonistic nor sarcastic, I just don't understand your point. Sheryl Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:35:06 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/a-chat-with-melissa-darabian/#IDComment31039552 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/a-chat-with-melissa-darabian/#IDComment31038503 Dear Mel: I believe what Joe meant about the "disconnect" is that the premise of the show is about feeding a family on a budget, yet she talks about her international travels so much (difficult on a budget!). Anyway, if the FN would allow Melissa to be Melissa and gear her show around making good home cooked meals with little time, Melissa would shine. She already radiates, but within the confines of the FN's business decision to have her show about $10, etc. Love you Melissa Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:16:19 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/a-chat-with-melissa-darabian/#IDComment31038503 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment30726395 I so agree with you luvcookin! It blew me away how gracious Melissa was before she was chosen, as a matter of fact, right before the decision was announced, her last comment was that the committee could choose both of them. I thought it was a little arrogant as well that Jeffrey commented that he was surprised she lasted after the first eopisode. Lady 73 don't worry. Suzie mentioned in her video blog (and also it was alluded to on the finale episode) that Jeffrey will have a spot in the future on the FN. Now lets all give Melissa a chance. She is nurturing to others (even her staunchest competitor, Jeffrey) so lets give her some of that Karma back! Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:16:32 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment30726395 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment30723697 Dear asunburst: Sorry to burst your bubble, but we are all cognizant that these shows were shot months ago -- the fact is she started work on her new episode the next day and it was shot in one week. I agree with you about some of the names though. . . . Melissa is such a vibrant force, she should be allowed to express the culinary POV that the judges had her foster. Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:36:48 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment30723697 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment30459230 Susy, good news! If you go back to the home page search at the top of the page and type in "melissa potato" then you will get her torte recipe (I believe this was from the Debbie elimination challenge as well as from her first show) as well as the mini-gratin recipe (from her pilot). Sheryl Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:44:03 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment30459230 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment30457675 To all you bloggers: Give Melissa a chance. Obviously she had very little time to adjust to the format change and the new job. I did not feel that Melissa is putting on "airs" discussing her French experiences, although it probably would be better to keep it down to 1 (or zero) "French" references per show. The "reveals" of the coveted French mother-in-law pastry and French cafe owner's dressing recipes were cute stories though and made me feel like I earned a couple "gems" by watching. Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:28:24 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment30457675 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment30457118 Melissa, if you are reading this, you are fantastic and have huge promise. You made a GREAT FIRST episode. My spouse and I were disappointed that FN made the business decision to change your format to $10/4 dinner (due to current economy?) vs keeping the Survival Guide concept of the pilot. You are the epitome of a survivor (4 kids, professional, homemaker) and you have great tips to share, therefore Survival Guide was not only more "you" but more unique. In my opinion, the $10 concept is extraneous and not relevant to your POV as cooking at home IS a budget concept these days (when we are all so busy) vs eating out, (a time and nutrition cop-out) therefore we do need you to show us HOW you do it all and do it so well. Melisa is a class-act. Let Sandra Lee (Dee?) have the budget ideas -- her "semi-homemade" appeals to a different genre of viewer than Melissas'. Sheryl. Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:22:46 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/08/quick-vote-melissas-new-show/#IDComment30457118 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/07/ask-susie-episode-8/#IDComment28547938 Dear Suzie: Idea for a page on this website: recipes from contestants during this season (with some of the judges critique added). You could add photos and synopsis of the challenge. Regardless who wins, could you please post Mellissa's recipes from Episode 8? Based on the judges' comments, her dishes were the best and they sounded delicious! Thanks for an entertaining show, Sheryl Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:15:08 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/07/ask-susie-episode-8/#IDComment28547938 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/07/ask-susie-episode-8/#IDComment28534790 Who are you talking to? We on the west coast see the show at the same time you do! (spoiler alert) Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:28:10 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/07/ask-susie-episode-8/#IDComment28534790 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/07/ask-susie-episode-8/#IDComment28534521 You ROCK'd with the Haukus!!! Hope Suzie sees it, ;-) DoctorSheryl Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:24:54 +0000 http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2009/07/ask-susie-episode-8/#IDComment28534521