Alex Vs. America

Why the Food Network continues to try and force feed her on the viewers is bizarre. She has no appeal from a TV show standpoint. Probably a great chef she just has absolutely no star quality. They've bounced her around on a dozen shows and she never lasts.

Alex's snark and food have always been a fun combination. Now three chefs get a chance to take advantage of her weaknesses by choosing ingredients, cooking times, and other factors as they attempt to beat her dishes for a cash prize.

Thus far the competitors are top-quality, with diverse cuisines and extensive experience. So it's nicely inspirational to watch, and usually mouth-watering.

The only drawback is that the judges likely know Alex's style very well, and it stands out from most of the competitors. But they also aren't judges known for cutting anyone a break, and their blind assessment of strengths and weakness of the dishes seems genuine enough.

Seriously, each episode has someone on as a challenger who cooks something that in no universe imaginable would Alex have cooked, whether it's niche Mexican, authentic Asian, etc. So right away they no which one dish Alex DIDN'T make.

Now we need a female version of Beat Bobby Flay. Nothing against Alex, but why do we need another Food Network retread? Why do we need yet another cooking competition? Here's an idea...go back to the ole days when Julia Child or Emeril Lagasse actually showed us how to cook. The Food Network has just become a parody of itself.

As much as I like Alex, there is nothing new here. It's an amalgam of other shows. Also the host a bit lost and boring. Hopefully, it will improve as the season progresses.