Emeril LaGasse is a well-renowned chef whose antics on his own show, "Emeril Live", which airs on the Food Network (on cable), are plenty entertaining. So why did NBC decide to green-light an effort - with a script - where Emeril plays himself? Who knows? It could be imagined that Emeril was so hot at the time the sitcom aired (2001) that NBC wanted a piece of the pie.
Here was the problem: Emeril didn't need a script. The man is at his best when he's working without a net, schmoozing the audience stageside, and chatting with his band. He's plenty funny on Food Network's show without any help from writers and, of course, meddling producers and exec-producers. In addition, his real show gets a full hour while working to a sitcom format (plot exposes, builds, and resolves in 30 minutes) would have been constricting.
Mercifully, this dish from NBC was sent back to the kitchen. "Emeril Live" continues to provide "Bam!" on Food Network, where Emeril will continue to work his magic on viewers.
Here was the problem: Emeril didn't need a script. The man is at his best when he's working without a net, schmoozing the audience stageside, and chatting with his band. He's plenty funny on Food Network's show without any help from writers and, of course, meddling producers and exec-producers. In addition, his real show gets a full hour while working to a sitcom format (plot exposes, builds, and resolves in 30 minutes) would have been constricting.
Mercifully, this dish from NBC was sent back to the kitchen. "Emeril Live" continues to provide "Bam!" on Food Network, where Emeril will continue to work his magic on viewers.