Masterchef

US MasterChef, what can I say about this show? I only stumbled across it recently whilst channel surfing. Being from the UK and knowing and loving the original MasterChef, I was intrigued to see what it was like. At first, I enjoyed the different format, but once I saw a few of the episodes, it frustrated me more and more.

The overly dramatic music; the over-the-top contestants and pathetically staged bickering between them; the judges constantly ripping into the "home" cooks as if they were professional chefs; the constant reminders of the contestants' backstories and them always crying; and finally, the way in which contestants are eliminated, where you see stronger ones being knocked out and weaker ones surviving. The show's a bit of a guilty pleasure, but I do not consider it a serious cooking show. To use an overly used phrase on the show, "make the food the hero of the show, not the fake drama.

If you want to watch a decent MasterChef show, watch the UK one, or surprisingly the best one IMO, the Australian MasterChef, which mixes the best parts of the UK and American show.

Though I can watch this show and enjoy it a little bit. The fake Fox-Produced drama has worn thin. It has gotten worse each season of this American version. I get sick of the contestants always degrading and yelling at each other. Very disrespectful to each other. And there is no doubt in my mind that Fox producers pushes these contestants to be that way. There was probably 3 or 4 contestants out of all the seasons that I was actually rooting for.

I find the Australian Masterchef version to be superior in just about every way. 1. Many, many more episodes. A journey 2. Several more challenges. Including a multitude of top chefs to compete against to try to win an immunity pin. Pressure tests for another chance to survive. 3. Contestants that I actually care about and several each season that I root for to win. 4. Contestants that actually use teamwork and have respect and care for each other. 5. No fake-produced drama. Real emotion displayed by the contestants. 6. And several Mentor elite Chefs to help contestants learn.

I do like all the judges from both the U.S. version and Australian version. But the Fox version is a fake-drama filled 'Express' version of a reality show.(no big surprise there.) Masterchef Australia is an 'Epic Journey' to truly find a top amateur chef, with contestants to truly care and root for. I highly recommend watching the Australian version.

It seems like every single time an episode airs, the hosts try and outdo themselves in theatrics. When you watch the US version and then watch the UK cersion, it's night and day. Watching Gordon Ramsay throw a hysterical temper tantrum and literally throw food against a wall should shame him off of the show. Watching Joe treat a piece of undercooked meat like it's the end of the world is ridiculous. Arron Sanchez isn't bad - he doesn't pitch a fit. He's good and fair, but doesn't act like a petulant child. Ramsay and Bastianich could learn a thing or two from Sanchez.

The UK version is for adults - children left at the door.

It is a petty to see how they took the Australian (or UK) show and changed it to break people instead of building and teaching.

It is a completely different atmosphere compared especially to the Aussie version.

The Brits and the Aussies also have the MasterClass episodes that are really educational.

There are elements that are interesting in seeing how contestants form informal teams as well as having to team up with "enemies". Still - quite more subtly executed in the original series. I recommend watching the Australian version.

I have nothing against this show in principle. One sees Gordon Ramsay and lots of struggle to create good food. However there are some elements which are objectively bad, and I am just picking out a striking one (because there doubtlessly many small ones). Ands that is: actually, one doesn't eee much cooking or food. There are always only brief glimpses of cooking and food (1-2 seconds), constantly quickly intercut with trite remarks by the contestants. The fake dramatics, which are annoying on their own, go so far to even ruin what the show is all about, the cooking (including the individual cooking quality). So why still 6 stars and not less? Well, frankly, it is just a way to pass time anyway.