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

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(Page 3 of 3) Previous 15 Comments

31. Oh my gosh. This show is SO annoying. I used to like Rachel Ray on her 30 minute meal show on the food network, but this shows a completely different side of her. She needs to calm down. She is too excited and tries WAY to hard. She looks almost mental!

Posted at 12:40PM on Sep 29th 2006 by Julie

32. I agree that she sometimes likes to talk over other people, but she is such a refreshing change from stuffy old Martha Stewart. She's fun to watch and she does have some great tips. I guess she's an acquired taste. But I love her!

Posted at 5:42PM on Nov 8th 2006 by Keli

33. I think she darling and full of energy. She is a delightful personality. The world right now has enough negativity and Rachel is like a ray, (no pun intended) of sunshine. Besides she's Italian, what's not to love?

Posted at 1:07PM on Nov 9th 2006 by Kimberleih

34. Rachael Ray is the worst thing to happen to food and television in the last 20 years. She's a hack. But then, we seem to elevate hacks in American "entertainment". Witness the equally moronic shows like "Apprentice", "Survivor", and "Bachelor". Oprah's a hack too, but a genius hack - she takes other hacks and makes a gazllion dollars doing it: Dr. Phil and now Ms. Ray. The easiest solution - change the channel. Better yet - turn the TV off completely and read a book. Even if it isn't approved by Ms. Winfrey's book club or signed by one of her proteges.

Posted at 11:12AM on Nov 9th 2006 by Kim Mowrey

35. Rachel Ray is so annoying that even my 3rd and 5th graders want me to turn the channel the minute she starts her show.... and trust me I do! She doesn't even take a breath when going from one subject and heads into another! I can't even get thru a show to see the recipes. My girls and I like to watch Barefoot Contessa..slower pace and MUCH better food. We also like Semi-Home cooking cuz Sandra does alot of kid friendly foods.

Posted at 11:36AM on Nov 9th 2006 by Sue O

36. Rachael Ray's excessive hand gestures are most distracting, annoying and outright irritating as hell.
She apparently thinks it's cute.

Tie her hands behind her back, stifle her fake giggle and her shows might be watchable.

Posted at 5:37AM on Nov 28th 2006 by Caroline

37. I gave Rachel her chance to win my support on the Food Network channel. I got tired of trying to find her strong points. Her personality and cutesy demeanor finally helped me make the choice to simply change the channel when she came on. I was more than surprised to see her rewarded with her own show on a major network. She might appeal to the teeny bopper set, but not to the serious cook.
Age is not an issue, nor is her gender. Talent, ability and personality are her short comings.

Posted at 10:06AM on Nov 10th 2006 by Judy

38. i like this young lady and her spirit very much BUT i feel bad that Tony Danza was
given the booth in exchange for her show. Tony was fun, interesting, warm and
very informative. I like Rachel's show but one hour is a little to much.

Posted at 12:40PM on Nov 10th 2006 by lou carmona

39. I'm no fan of the woman but I think she does better in a studio alone or on the hunt for cheapo meals while on travel. She just seems too chipper to be real. I was hoping the show would be a breath of fresh air instead it's just annoying to even listen to her voice. Maybe she'll go to Oprah and ask to have her show taken off the air or work to revamp the format.

Posted at 12:31AM on Nov 12th 2006 by Michelechicago

40. Rachel is fun, hip, informed, spontaneous, unspoiled , adorable and entertaining!

gotta love her!

Posted at 2:23AM on Nov 14th 2006 by merry

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