First of all, you are certainly entitled to your opinion. If you don't like Alton, fine, there are several hosts on FN that I do not like but I steer clear of them. Also, I certainly don't go onto message boards a bash them, but that's just me
As for Alton being "omnipresent" and in "every other show"... Good Eats airs at 8pm and 11 pm Monday thru Friday, at 8 and 8:30 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Iron Chef America airs Sundays at 9 and repeats on Thursday and Saturday.
Paula Deen, for example, has shows that air Monday thru Friday (Paula's Home Cooking), on Saturday (Paula's Home Cooking) and an hour show on Friday night (Paula's Party). Many of the other hosts have similar airing patterns, check Rachael Ray or Bobby Flay. Alton might have a slight advantage being on during prime time with all of his shows, but he is certainly not dominating the network's schedule.
I have never once thought of Alton as condescending when he explains things. In fact, I think he is the best host on the network because he does explain things. I had cooked for years before ever watching Good Eats and Alton has helped me understand more about the science and art of cooking than anyone. I learned all about making mayo, a substance I detest, from Alton. He's the only person who could get me to do that. And for watching that episode, I learned that mayo making skill transfer to making similar emulsion-type applications!
As for "cutesy", granted some of his examples are kitschy but that's the way Alton wants them to be. If you've ever heard him explain how and why he created Good Eats, you would understand why he does skits, uses props and the strange camera angles. He wants the show to be entertaining. Most every cooking show has some person behind a counter making a dish, Alton's show is different and creative! I like creative and fun.
I love his commentary on ICA, if he wasn't there to explain things to the viewer we would be lost. I know a lot about cooking and ingredients, but Alton knows more
and I manage to learn something from watching. Yes, sometimes he repeats information but many times, if you'll notice, that's after coming back from a commercial break or just before sending it a break or if the camera goes back to something a chef is making Alton will recap.
On a personal level, while I cannot speak any of the other hosts, I can say Alton is a wonderful person to his fans. Having met him twice, I can tell you that even if he is "omnipresent" and in "every other show" he certainly does not act like it. He is down to earth and very nice. When people come to his book signings or events, he gives everyone the same treatment. The first person to the last person in line gets a "Hi, I'm Alton" and a handshake. He'll take time to talk with you and makes you feel like the two of you have made a connection.
Say what you will, you are entitled to not like him. But, I am equally entitled to say I
do like him and am glad he is on Food Network as much as he is. He makes Food Network worth watching for me. I'm happy that the Network execs see what a valuable asset Alton is!