A Batali/Tuschman Blowup?

foodnetworkaddict.com · 12-18-2007, 11:01 PM

I've been getting a lot of emails about the recent New York Times article about the Food Network--namely, the he said/he said statements of Mario and Bob Tuschman about whether or not Mario's new show was turned down by FN, or never offered to it in the first place!

The Times claims that Food Network passed on Mario's new public television show, which is a food tour of Spain with Gwenyth Paltrow and other guests. (And sounds delicious, btw. I'm not a major public television watcher, but I love food from the different regions of Spain.)

The exact quote is: "Mr. Tuschman of the Food Network said it had passed on that series. 'It was not the right fit for us.'”

Now, saying something was not the right fit doesn't necessarily equate "we were offered the show and didn't choose to buy and run it"-- it could simply mean the concept in general was something that he and other FN execs felt would not be a good fit.

It's just weird that the Times throws that random quote in, follwed by: "Mr. Batali, who still participates in the Food Network’s Iron Chef America competition, said the show had not been offered to the Food Network."

And then NO explanation for the seemingly incongruent statements. Was this a passive aggressive response by Mario--who perhaps feels betrayed by the network he helped found--or simply an honest answer to a question? He may or may not have even known that Tuschman said FN had passed on the show. The way the statements are presented, that isn't clear.

But I do get the feeling that Mario feels a little betrayed...

In regards to his on-again, off-again relationship with the network, Mario attempted to set the record straight by pointing out why he thought his presence was dwindling:

“They don’t need me. They have decided they are mass market and they are going after the Wal-Mart crowd,” which he said was “a smart business decision. So they don’t need someone who uses polysyllabic words from other languages.”

Wow. Wal-Mart, Mario? They sell their wares at Kohl's. Give them some credit!

More...

isilzha · 12-18-2007, 11:03 PM

I hope this mess doesn't turn around and hurt both the food network and Mario. Maybe they need to work it out a little so the public doesn't sour on both of them.

Food Network Fan · 12-18-2007, 11:16 PM

I think it's going to fare worse on Mario if he doesn't quit belittling. The people watching and buying are what got him the wide recognition he has. First he goes after the food bloggers which add to his popularity simply by finding him interesting enough to write about. And I have seen his products on mall store clearance racks at bargain kitchen supply stores, not even a major department store chain. So the Walmart comment just seems petty. Maybe some of this stuff isn't top of the line chef grade kitchenware, but people who like the stars and the Food Network buy their things and the new Food Network line because they are fans. I have one of the food network baking pans and I think it's made well for the price. I think he might be getting too big for his britches, and I suspect the bloggers who he doesn't like may have made the same conclusions.

isilzha · 12-18-2007, 11:31 PM

Thats true. I can't see too many people feeling good about that comment.

radiodugger · 12-19-2007, 10:19 PM

Uh oh...it's getting worse. I thought the anti-Mario sentiment was gone. I guess he stepped on his ----, this time. The comment about him being red-faced and overweight was cruel..give him a RADIO job? That hurts.

I was told by a TV station that I auditioned for, that I was better suited for radio. It took me a while to face the fact that I'm UGLY. Damned ugly. So Mario is no peach. He is one of the most TALENTED and successful TV chefs on the air! He blows Emeril away. Emeril's better looking, but can't even talk and cut onions at the same time!

Mario can talk to you, teach you things, talk about regions in Italy that you've never heard of, and, at the same time, cut onions paper-thin, dice carrots, roll dough, put olive oil in the pan, all the time looking right at you! Most people I know would cut off all their fingers doing that (including ME)!

I hate seeing all the Mario Bashing on the various boards. The man is so talented...they're just jealous. I wish I owned ONE of his restaurants. LOL.

Radio Doug

Food Network Fan · 12-19-2007, 10:27 PM

You gotta admit though him saying he hates food bloggers and the comment about the viewers being the "Walmart Crowd" isn't going to swing the public in his favor. I like Mario, but I think he needs to remember that just having a successful career as a chef doesn't get him the kind of endorsements he has gotten because of the Food Network. I hope he's not cutting off his nose to spite his face.

radiodugger · 12-19-2007, 10:38 PM

Agreed. Not conducive to popularity, that's for sure. I'm tempted to say he has a RIGHT to his arrogance. I think he feels "surrounded by idiots" in certain instances. He KNOWS what he's doing, and probably hears self-righteous know-it-alls talking all the time.

Here in my business, I run across it all the time. I KNOW the business of Radio. I've done just about every job, news, sports, talk radio, music radio (every format but Jazz and Urban), management, engineering. I just had a rather unpleasant discussion with a 23 year old, who's had THREE years of experience, tell me that my thinking is "outdated" and "old school". That the business needs "younger blood" that can change with the times. He forgets that my ratings have gone to #1 (in THREE demographics) since I started.

Mario and I are kindred spirits in that regard. Who the hell do these people think they ARE??? I bet that's where the "Wal-Mart" remark came from. I shop at Wal-Mart, and I admit, it's a bit unfair, but I can certainly see where Mario might develop a bit of arrogance. In my opinion (although he takes an unpopular stand), he's EARNED it.

Peace.

Radio Doug

Food Network Fan · 12-19-2007, 10:42 PM

But he's not talking about the food network big shots, he's talking about fans ... people who watch, people who blog ... people who buy the stuff he sells. I think that is why the boards are bashing him, he's been bashing US!!!

radiodugger · 12-19-2007, 10:45 PM

That would be like me belittling listeners on the air...I see your point. Blogs can be pretty cruel to celebrities. I bet he ran across one that had some unkind things.

Still, fans keep one WORKING! LOL!

Doug

Food Network Fan · 12-19-2007, 10:53 PM

Oh I know there are some nasty ones out there. Some are so bad I can't/won't even use them here as links. But some of us really are fans, and it seems like he is forgetting us. I am sure he's feeling like just saying the hell with it and tossing in the towel. I can understand that, but he doesn't need to spit on the true fans while he's at it. I think he would be far more elevated in the public if he said how much he appreciates the fans and the success having them has brought him. Instead because we watch a channel where he isn't getting what he wants, all the sudden we are the "Walmart crowd" that's just wrong.