Wow. The Food Network has even less shame than I do. What are they gonna call this thing? Best Cooker? This is already a show, people! I've only seen a few episodes of The Next Food Network Star, but it is a ridiculously dumbed down version of Top Chef. Which is fine. I understand there's an audience that doesn't necessarily care that people like Daniel Boulud or Wylie Dufresne are big-ass deals in the culinary world, or maybe aren't interested in being bombarded with highfalutin' foodie terms like "amuse bouche" or "pommes dauphin," for example, and want something a little more accessible. That, I get. Pretension is definitely something Top Chef is guilty of, and that's why The Next Food Network Star works for the people who like it.

What I don't get is anybody trying to make the exact same show as Top Chef, like anyone who loves Top Chef would want a cheap knock-off of it. And the Food Network has this vast audience at their disposal who love and respect the network so, why not try and create original ideas? It's not like they aren't capable, and it's not like the audience wouldn't follow them there.

All that being said, if the fabulous Ina Garten is a judge on that show, I'm totally (and secretly) watching it. Why won't she just adopt me already?