Kitchen Nightmares (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Kitchen Nightmares is a television show on the FOX network, in which Gordon Ramsay helps failing restaurants to get back on the map. It is based on the Channel 4 show Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares produced in the UK. The show premiered on FOX on Wednesday September 19, 2007.

The first season ended in December of 2007. Casting for the second season began shortly afterwards, and is now underway.

In September 2007 a case was filed against Ramsay for allegedly staging some of the more dramatic elements in the second episode. The case was dismissed and sent instead to arbitration.

Episodes

Original airdates in parentheses.

1. Peter's, Babylon, New York (Sept. 19, 2007)
2. Purnima (changed from Dillon's during relaunch), New York, New York (Sept. 26, 2007)
3. The Mixing Bowl, Bellmore, New York (Oct. 3, 2007)
4. Seascape, Islip, New York (Oct. 10, 2007) (eventually sold)
5. Olde Stone Mill, Tuckahoe, New York (Oct. 17, 2007)
6. Sebastian's, Toluca Lake, California (Nov. 7, 2007)
7. Finn McCool's, Westhampton, New York (Nov. 14, 2007)
8. Lela's, Pomona, California (Nov. 21, 2007) (according to the show, due to the owner's large debts it had to close down)
9. Campania, Fair Lawn, New Jersey (Nov. 28, 2007)
10. The Secret Garden, Moorpark, California (Dec. 12, 2007)

Reception

Gina Bellafante of the New York Times found Ramsay's teaching methods and high standards "undeniably hypnotic" and commented that "the thrill of watching Mr. Ramsay is in witnessing someone so at peace with his own arrogance." Doug Elfman of the Chicago Sun-Times said the show is "a very entertaining public service" that "will make you laugh, make you sick and make you think". Randy Cordova of the Arizona Republic found Ramsay "just as blustery and foul-mouthed here as he is on Hell's Kitchen. But he is also oddly endearing, mainly because he genuinely seems invested in the fate of each restaurant".

Some critics found Fox's adaptation of Kitchen Nightmares strayed from the strengths of the original Channel 4 series. Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune said, "Leave it to Fox to take something the Brits did pretty well and muck it up". She added, "Never mind the cooking; this edition of the show appears to be more interested in playing up the family dramas at the restaurants Ramsay visits". Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times commented, "Whereas the British Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares is fundamentally a food show " it has interesting things to show you about how a restaurant runs and a kitchen works, the wonders of local markets and what you can make from them if you're Gordon Ramsay or willing to follow his instructions " the Fox edition emphasizes mishap, argument and emotional breakdown almost to the exclusion of cuisine".

In addition, one review noted the power of television editing which can give viewers the false impression that featured restaurants are in worse shape than they really are, as well as revealing that at least one restaurant featured in the first season did not actually apply as a failing restaurant, but was invited on the show due to the personality of the chef who had previously applied for Hell's Kitchen.

Footnotes

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