and then there were two
so we are down to two. and you have about 9 hours to decide who you want to be your next food network star. will it be the spikey haired everyone's favorite guy "guy 'guido' fieri" or the sassy teddy bear "reggie 'shiney figgy' southerland?" it is anyone's guess. will america prefer reggie's "simply spectacular" cooking or "cooking off the hook" with guy? truthfully, i'd like to see the food network give both of these two characters their own show and screw all this voting crap. i think a lot of america is thinking the same thing, as i've gotten email after email from friends and family who are torn about who to vote for. and then they ask, "who would you vote for?" my reply is both of them. i think both deserve the top prize. ok, perhaps i'm biased (or in this case, can't be biased), as i saw the blood, sweat and tears that both of them experienced in their journey to become the next emeril, bobby, rachael . . . and all i can say is that i love both of them deeply, and i'll be rooting for both of them come sunday night.
though it may seem so, the choice is not a choice of two extremes. as different as these two may appear in looks, culinary style and personality, when it comes down to it, they both just want to entertain and share their common passion of food with you, the american viewer. both shined from day one. while i fumbled to find myself, these two knew exactly who they were the second they stepped in front of the camera (or rather nine cameras) and gave you just that, themselves. they were naturals that entertained us both on and off camera. and i don't think i'm going too far by saying that i've never met anyone like either of them. i doubt most of america has either.
reggie is one of the most endearing personalities i've ever come in contact with. i mean, do you know anyone that can make referring to food as "girls" and describing dishes as "sassy" completely natural and funny? an incredibly lovable character, i missed reggie dearly after i was eliminated. the man could just make you laugh with his stories and frankness. he is a truly natural entertainer. but there is more to our mr. southerland than this huge personality. reggie was a great friend that you could just talk to who listened and responded with care and concern - someone that you feel completely at ease with and someone that is completely at ease with himself.
guy is one of the most inspiring men i've ever met. a true entrepeneur, he is a risk taker and is a man that works hard at what he loves. a man that is deeply loyal to his friends and family, he has the unique ability to make everyone around him feel incredibly important to him. i told him during one of my last visits to santa rosa, if i didn't already have such a wonderful father, i'd want him to walk me down the aisle someday in the future. perhaps it's hard to imagine this gold chain ladened man as a paternal figure, but deep down inside this man is just one soft teddy bear.
It is really a tough call. I agree with you -- they both deserve to have their own show.
Thanks for the insider's perspective on it!
Posted by:Alison | April 20, 2006 at 07:47 AM
Hey! I love Guy sooo much and he is such an inspiration to me, if there is anything you can do to get him to send me his autograph let me know. please!
Posted by:Carly Smith | April 20, 2006 at 06:03 PM
I'm having a hard time also, I luv the way Guy cooks and how must energy he shows infornt of the camara. Reggie has this personality that just seems to scream out in a soft way.
Come on FoodNetwok just give them both a show.
Posted by:Fabien | April 20, 2006 at 11:43 PM
I've been rooting for Guy since Day #1 so I obviously voted for him but I completely agree that they should give them both a show. I would watch Reggie cooking any time.
Maybe we'll have some weird twist of fate where there is a tie. A girl can dream, right?
Posted by:Jenn | April 21, 2006 at 06:06 AM
Who is the girl on the far left, with the blonde curly hair? I've never seen her before. Is she someones girlfriend?
Posted by:Jeannified | April 26, 2006 at 04:51 PM