Rachael Ray, Oye Vey! Why'd You Pick Diane?

Princess of Perk Rachael Ray brought her act to talk-show land this morning, and did her best as a chat neophyte to attract, presumably, a younger female audience by welcoming as her very first guest that unmistakable icon of hip young females everywhere ... Diane Sawyer?

Nothing against the always-elegant and estimable Ms. Sawyer, but surely there might've been someone, somewhere who might've added a bit more star sizzle to the first edition of a nationally-syndicated talk show (Megan Mullally, for instance, had Will Ferrell in skivvies on for her first installment.) Perhaps the boss -- Oprah Winfrey -- didn't want her own appearance tomorrow on the show (and her own premiere) to be overshadowed.

As it was, Ray did her best to combine elements of just about every hosted studio-audience show in existence, including, in descending order of awkwardness, a little coffee-talk time at the top, some eyebrow-raising service segments (cleaning lettuce in the washing machine), and Ray making her trademark quick-prep meals, now whittled down to seven ( from 30) minutes.

Tags: Diane Sawyer, DianeSawyer, Rachael Ray, RachaelRay

Relevant Posts

Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 3) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. She is no Ellen. Not the greatest show I have seen.

Posted at 5:37PM on Sep 18th 2006 by angie

17. Wow...you guys are so harsh. She is just trying to have some fun. I enjoyed the show. It is upbeat. Everyone is so use to the "cry me a river" talk shows (except for Ellen, she is very cool too). Give Rachael a chance...she loves life...you should too. Karma people, karma.

Posted at 6:05PM on Sep 18th 2006 by Patty

18. Don't get your underwear all tied up in a knot people! It was a bit crammed w/ stuff, but cute nontheless. You say annoying, I say perky. Tomato, Tomatoe. Do you all prefer someone like Jane Pauley, all depressed and sh*t. Give her a chance. She doesn't have top selling books and tv shows for nothing.

Posted at 6:22PM on Sep 18th 2006 by SMILEY

19. Come on give me a break people. Why do other Women love to put down other Women?? You make no sense! Rachel Ray started off in a small town in upstate NY. Made her way to the TOP, making millions of dollars with her cook books, her Award Winning cooking show and now a Talk show. Give the women a break and at least except her for being one He** of a smart Women, laughing all the way to the Bank!

Posted at 7:17PM on Sep 18th 2006 by Lance

20. big mouth very loud!!!! didn't even take a breath.....awlsom is all she says.& with the hands... worse than tony danza.. i turned her off & watched rerun of ER

Posted at 7:24PM on Sep 18th 2006 by karen

21. I agree. she is so annoying, she talks so much and the way she cooks is not impress me. It's a disater when she starts her own show

Posted at 6:42PM on Oct 10th 2006 by thu

22. She was entirely too loud! There were too many segments in the show and nothing really held my interest. We were supposed to go to a taping today, and I think now I am happy I couldn't go. She needs to calm down a little!

Posted at 8:35PM on Sep 18th 2006 by nancy

23. Okay.... (not just the new show, but RR in general)

Rachael Ray is climbing the "oversaturated" ladder right now. I am a foodie, and I love cooking show, books, anything food. I will admit I do like some of her recipes, and she was cute.... at first. Then she was EVERYWHERE!!! That's a little too much perkiness for any normal person to handle. Also, even though it may be good for her to show different restaurants on her show, it sucks for alot of other people at the same time.

What about the people that serve those that take her "dining out" advice? If everyone followed her "eat cheap and tip even worse" rules I don't think anyone would want to eat out anymore for fear of someone spitting on their food. As a former hostess, waitress, bartender, cook, and pastry cook.... "thanks for the tip Rachael!" For the most part, people in the restaurant business usually make crap for money. they know how it is, and they tip and treat you with respect because they remember how it is!!!!

If you want to watch a real chef, a real person, real restaurants, street vendors, and alot of great commentary, watch Anthony Boudain: No Reservations (travel channel). Now THAT"S a real food show!!!!

Posted at 9:53PM on Sep 18th 2006 by ellamae

24. I like the idea of having a realistic TV host. Someone with at least one family memeber in prison, an angry pet, and ungrateful children. What's annoying about her is no one can realate to going to work being that upbeat about it and can't shut up long enough for anyone to have a private thought.

Posted at 2:08PM on Sep 19th 2006 by LoveBug99

25. TRUCK DRIVER. SICK OF HER. HAD ENOUGH OF HER ALREADY. LOVE THE COOKING CHANNEL BUT I TURN IT OFF WHEN SHE COMES ON. BIG MOUTH!!

Posted at 11:50AM on Sep 19th 2006 by Gisele

26. It's a shame that Rachael's producers and backers couldn't reign her in and show her how to connect with an audience. Oprah's strength is connection and
Rachael just didn't do it. The audience was staged and so were the interviews; it looked more like a really bad informercial.

Posted at 12:10PM on Sep 19th 2006 by sharon preston

27. I don't dislike Rachel Ray just because she's another woman. I admire many women and am respectful of their talent. The fact that she is a woman has nothing to do with the fact that she talks too much during her cooking show and spews a bunch of worthless info that interferes with the actual cooking tips. If you like her...fine, whatever floats your boat. However, don't accuse me of hating on women just because I have an opinion on her. That's just insulting.

Posted at 1:54PM on Sep 19th 2006 by Missy

28. Alright--I watched show #2 today--with OPRAH--Rachel Ray was much more MELLOW--like a friend is coming over for dinner...this is how you cook the dinner, etc. I liked how she handled herself today. Hopefully, we will see her more like this (today's show) vs. YESTERDAYs...

Posted at 2:46PM on Sep 19th 2006 by Kat

29. I would like to know how I go about getting tickets for Rachel Ray's new show? I think people should give her a chance. Its not easy starting something new as we all know so lay off Rachel.

Posted at 7:09PM on Sep 20th 2006 by Rosemarie Eppenstine

30. I did catch her show the other day. Very cute but it won't last long unless she changes her style.

Posted at 11:51PM on Sep 24th 2006 by Susan

Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments