Next Food Network Star Winner: Aaron McCargo Jr.
Published on: July 28, 2008 – 12:06 am by Jillian Madison 
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The Finale: Episode Review
Are we being punked? Did Aaron McCargo Jr (aka marble mouth) really just win The Next Food Network Star? The hospital chef who cooked nothing but pasta and spiced chicken? The guy with zero personality who was more nervous in front of the camera than Richard Gere while filming that nude scene in the cold shower? The contestant who was continually in the bottom 2 because he sucked harder than a Dyson at every challenge?! THE GUY WHO BOMBED HARDER THAN CARROT TOP IN FRONT OF THE LIVE AUDIENCE LAST WEEK?! What a joke! I feel robbed! The worst contestant won! I want the last 9 weeks of my life back!
And what the hell is he holding in that picture to the left? A cupcake candle with a wick??? It looks revolting and unedible… something he made, undoubtedly.
Here’s what went down on tonight’s episode before the Food Network judges made the biggest mistake of the century: The final 3 contestants had to shoot 4 1/2 minute pilots on Rachael Ray’s sound stage. Lisa’s show was called “Beautiful Basics” and the pilot came out great. She was at her finest, and I thought it was the best she’s been all year. She told stories about fishing with her dad and cooking when she was 13 years old with her mom. I did notice a hideous, trashy looking black peace dove tattoo on her left wrist. And while her pilot was well done, her face still disturbs me. She’s constantly squinting, like she’s been constipated since 1997.
Adam cooked beercan chicken on his pilot, called “Hungry In Philadelphia.” He came up with the idea to interact with people live on the internet during his show. His pilot was hands down the best, even though he had to deal with constant questions and bickering from the obnoxious, fake woman on the “live” webcam chat. I think she was planted there by Food Network to try to make Adam tank, since they knew they wanted Aaron all along. But no such luck. Adam owned it, and he breezed through his pilot. It was the most entertaining, the most informative, and he should have won this show… despite poor Adam having an annoying “backseat cooker” in the kitchen with him on the monitor (”…WHY ARE YOU USING PAPRIKA? SHOULDN’T YOU BE USING RED PEPPER FLAKES?”)
Aaron McCargo Jr was up next, and his pilot was called (laughing)… “Big Daddy’s Kitchen.” What the hell is this? A cooking show, or a 2nd rate Adam Sandler movie? No words could explain how awful Aaron… excuse me, BIG DADDY… was in front on the camera. He was talking way too fast, mumbling incoherent words, and flailing his hands all over the place the place like he was Robin Williams in The Birdcage. Even worse, as he was cooking, he was swinging his steak knife to and fro like he was Jack The Ripper. Watch out BIG DADDY, you could take someone’s eye out.
During his pilot, Aaron exclaimed, “I’m Big Daddy, and I’m gonna make you want what I got.” Um, I’m thinking no. Unless you have a magic wand that will transform you into someone entertaining and informative, you can keep what you’ve got.
Back home at the Food Network Studios, in front of a packed house of 11 or so people, Bobby Flay and the gang named the winner of The Next Food Network Star 2008… obviously, Aaron McCargo Jr. Cut to a shot of balloons falling, graffiti blowing around, and me crying in my lap. Aaron’s show, “BIG DADDY’S HOUSE,” will air on Sunday, August 3rd.
Roll the credits, I feel robbed. Over and out.
Other posts on Pophangover:
July 28th, 2008
I wanted Lisa Garza to win. Anyone but Aaron McCargo. Where did this Big Daddy stuff come from? I don’t remember hearing it once all season. Sure he might have been a decent cook and yeah maybe he will “get better” as time goes on, but like the judges said, they wanted someone who could “START TOMORROW.” Aaron is so clearly not that person and it’s soooo frustrating to watch him struggle and stumble. He was the least qualified and the least talented and the worst in front of a camera!!!
July 28th, 2008
BIG DADDY? It sounds like a monster in the video game Bio Shock.
July 28th, 2008
I agree with all of you, this is like being punked! Do those judges have eyes?! How can they say they want someone who can start tomorrow and then pick Aaron? I wanted Adam to win, just anyone but Aaron.
July 28th, 2008
AARON IS THE MAN AND HIS SHOW IS GONNA BE THE BOMB
July 28th, 2008
He’s gonna be “the bomb” all right, but probably not in the way you’re thinking. More like the BOMB he experienced while trying to be funny with that “I have an eating disorder” joke in Las Vegas! You could have heard a pin drop!
July 28th, 2008
Oh come on. Aaron was the best of a weak crop and hits a demographic that the food network desparately wants to appeal to: african americans, people voting for barack hussein obama and white people with white guilt. that’s a big bunch of folks for big daddy to appeal to.
but his food also looked good. anyone who puts pepper flakes in everything gets a win from me.
kelsey was the 2nd best and adam was #3. write that down, both of them will eventually get shows.
July 28th, 2008
I wanted either Adam or Aaron to win. I can’t imagine Lisa being being able to keep up with being a television personality. She seemed like the type who would break down and give up. Not to mention she looks like another food network drone, with a fake smile on 24/7, much like Rachel Ray.
Also, Aaron was only a least favorite twice, and he was never on the bottom. Adam was on the bottom twice, and Lisa was on the bottom once. Get your shit straight, Jill.
July 28th, 2008
Well as ignorant as I find that last comment to be, let me try to dignify it with a repsonse: I am a black woman and Aaron McCargo does not appeal to me! Neither did his nasty assed food! That man has no place on a television screen.
July 28th, 2008
I don’t care how many times Aaron was in the bottom. None of that matters because the judges wanted him to win from day 1, clearly. He should have been in the bottom every week. He sucks. How is he entertaining? Mumbling and stuttering and looking awkward and nervous is entertaining? Yeahhhh sure it is. His show is going to bomb.
July 28th, 2008
ewwwwwwwwww big daddy won!??!?!? say what!?!
i thought he had a 0% chance of winning and i was positive it was going to be adam. lisa garza and kelsey were much too similar to annoying rachael ray and bob tuschman wouldn’t allow her to have any competition.
July 28th, 2008
Adam was so good in front of a camera. If he doesn’t have a show on Food Network soon, he will be popping up somewhere else. I guarantee it. Those food network exec’s should be fired. Adam will get the last laugh when he’s working for another network making millions.
July 28th, 2008
Adam sucked, he clearly can’t cook who cares if he had some personality HE CAN’T COOK I mean he gave them raw dishes how many times? I am sure that had to do with it. I think the final three all sucked the blonde girl who got in fourth should have won, she had personality, and she could cook. Lisa can cook but lacks personality. Adam can’t cook but has personality, and Aaron he just has neither.
July 28th, 2008
Are you really that fucking stupid? Aaron won almost every challenge. And Soshanna, how the fuck do you know what his food taste like you moronic dolt? I’m sure Martha Stewart and Bobby Flay know better food than you do. You people are just butthurt. Aaron cooked the best food. Bye Lisa! Oh, what’s even funnier is that she came in third to Adam! Now that’s great!
July 28th, 2008
Whoops, wrong moron. It was Robyn’s idiocy that was the target of my comment.
July 28th, 2008
Can we say Amy Finely all over again? I liked Aaron and I was pulling for him, but the last couple of episodes, in which they were basically doing their job, he couldn’t pull it off.
Oh and to WhatAjoke … Adam has demonstrated through most of the show that he can both cook and entertain. His only problems were when he was given ridiculous time constraints.
July 28th, 2008
I can see most everyone’s point in their comments, but I think what it really comes down to is the new direction that the Food Network is going in. Most of their new shows are unappealing (i.e., Chic & Easy, Cooking For Real, etc.). All of them very forgettable and more importantly, not very interesting. While Aaron seems like a nice guy, “nice” does not want to make me cook. I want to learn, or at least be entertained — neither of which I do not think he can do. I hope he will prove me wrong, but I just do not see the potential that the Selection Committee sees. It felt as though they favored him from the very beginning (and reference Buffet Challenge in Vegas episode), so it was doomed from the get-go. Lisa at least knew her stuff, and Adam had a unique idea. Plus, who wouldn’t want to learn how to make a smoker out of a wok? :)
While change can be good, it just feels as though the Food Network is forgetting the viewers. Stick with what works. Pick people who will inspire both non-cooks and cooks alike to actually, well, cook. Aaron .. I’m sorry; but he’s just not a good pick.
July 28th, 2008
Your method of sarcasm only distracts the reader from your already bullshit insight and want to end your ability to type.
July 28th, 2008
I had a feeling that this thing was rigged once we got that sob story about the runaway kid.
Hey, Aaron – just a suggestion, but if your kid ran away from home, what the everloving HELL are you doing on a reality show? Go find his ass!
Lisa was hands-down the best “chef” in the group, and Adam was the best “face” in the group. In selecting the candidate who was the best at neither aspect of televised cooking, Food Network is fulfilling Anthony Bourdain’s statement, that is, that they are “aspiring to mediocrity.”
July 28th, 2008
Aaron won two challenges. ( Kelsey was the only one to win more challenges) He was in the low group in two challenges, with Adam and Lisa both being in the low group a total of 4 times.
I think that Aaron saying things like, ” If you don’t think this food looks good, you better get your eyes checked” will add to a cooking show. It’s not the most original thing ever, but I never hear anything that original or conversational from the other two contestants.
I think that all of the contestants were fairly strong in most of the important areas and I think there is very little evidence to support the claim that Aaron was the worst of the finalists. An opinion will only take you so far.
July 28th, 2008
Aaron won ONLY because he’s black, plain and simple. It was way too predictable as the show went along.
July 28th, 2008
Lame Duck: I believe Aaron won because the Food Network doesn’t want to renew the contract of the winner after six episodes. In that regard, picking the worst one works to their advantage. He wins, he sucks, he’s cancelled, end of story…until next season…
July 28th, 2008
So disappointed — I was shocked that Aaron won! I wanted Lisa to win, but would have been o.k. if Adam won, as both offered a lot. I also liked Kelsey. Aaron is not very articulate and seemed very uneasy and lacks confidence. This has changed, plus tarnished, my opinion of Food Network. I believe the whole thing was rigged from the start. Too bad I didn’t know this or never would have watched all of the many episodes!
July 28th, 2008
All you guys are talking crap but you didn’t NOT win so all of you need to shut up and get a life. Aaron won so deal with it. He won for a reason. GROW UP!!
July 28th, 2008
Someone said Aaron won because he is black? What a shame you are so ignorant.
July 28th, 2008
I totally disagree with most of the comments. I thought Aaron had the best attitude. He always seemed like he wanted to be there more than anyone else. He had massive energy. He did, admittedly, have a number of issues with being timid when the camera came on, but he usually seemed to pull through it when it came time to do his thing.
I couldn’t help but find myself cheering for the guy, hoping that he’d shed the nerves and do a good job.
I liked Adam a lot too- I’d watch a show from both guys. Lisa was a different story. She always came off as an elitist snob who probably would be hard to deal with, and no way she’d ever be able to connect with the audience. I can’t even imagine watching 5 mins of her show- her weird helmet hair stuck in place as she squints to the point her eyes completely disappear in that creepy smile. Ugh. No thanks.
July 28th, 2008
Aaron seems like a nice guy but I have little doubt that he will soon be in the “Where are they now” file.
He looked like a deer in the headlights every time he was in front of the camera and I have absolutely no doubt that he was a shoe-in from day one for completely politically correct reasons.
HOW LUDICROUS is it that the “judges” laid out their deciding criteria as “Which one is READY to start their own show TOMORROW?”…and then picked the one who wets his pants every time the camera light comes on?
Still, I wish him all the best and I hope that I’m proven wrong about his ability to carry a show as he DOES seem like a truly good guy.
July 28th, 2008
Juanita said that Aaron “…won for a reason”.
Yes, and sadly we all know what that reason really was.
Too bad so few of us are willing to admit it.
July 28th, 2008
Look everyone, it was clear from about 3 weeks ago that it was going to be Aaton or Adam. Who could stand to watch Lisa squint for 30 minutes, and while she did have good food knowledge and excellent abilities in the kitchen she was forgetable- the best she EVER did was her pilot. Aaron had great personality and I believe his passion for food, but every time he “won” he cooked what appeared to be over-spiced chicken or pork. It’s pretty hard to screw up chicken and even he tried to do that. His pilot was a MESS- Gordon Elliott made it look good and I’m willing to bet they won’t spend the kind of cash it will take for a good producer on a new show. Aaron is nice, and his food is probably good, but he makes HOSPITAL FOOD- how good can he really be? Finally, yes-I wanted Adam to win, he seemed approachable, had different and interesting ideas that a 30 or 13 year old could attempt. HE came up with the idea for his show, and how many ways can you turn that idea? Many, I’m sure- a lot more that Aaron fumbleing with chicken buried in spices, and calling himself Big Daddy 20 times. Adam was engaging and didn’t have a problem making fun of himself or having fun- something Lisa and Aaron could NEVER seem to do. Adam will eventually show them all why they were wrong.
July 28th, 2008
WHAT THE CRAP HAPPENED MAN!!!! Aaron was no
where near qualified to win. I’ve been upset
all morning….upset that I’ve wasted weeks
of time watching only for the whole thing
to be botched. I mean…C’mon man…maybe Bob,
Susie and Bobby need to be re-thought because
if they truley thought he was the best candidate…then THEY need to be replaced.
The Food Network is trying to meet their minority quota or something.
July 28th, 2008
The next thing you know..they have a show
with gang members cooking birds over
an open trash can fire..and they’ll call
the show “Homeless and Hungry”
July 28th, 2008
From the very beginning it was clear the network and producers wanted this guy to win. He seemed to do badly every week, yet the judges were tripping over themselves to find ways to excuse his mistakes.
Its disappointing that the network feels that to appeal to minority viewers, it needs to rig a show and resort to ridiculous stereotypes (Simply Delicioso? Down Home? Big Daddy?) How about an African-American host whose specialty is classic fine cuisine, rather than home cookin’/BBQ?
Also, Adam and Lisa clearly made progress throughout the season, moreso than Aaron. In my view, I think Lisa had the most to offer. She seemed like she would have more knowledge of recipes and food.
Unfortunately, at the end it all felt staged and you watched in hopes it wasn’t…but looking back, the judges did a bad job of disguising it.
July 28th, 2008
Did Aaron win because he was black? Why does Food Network suddenly hire a ton of black hosts (ie. Down Home with the Kneelys, Kneely Road Trip, How’d that get on my plate, The Chef Jeff Project, etc? I am not against it at all, but do they now just realize Food Network has been an almost all white network? Aaron shouldn’t have won because he was bad in front of the camera. I…I mean Lisa should have one.
-L.G.
July 28th, 2008
I wanted either Aaron or Adam to win. PLEASE… ANYONE but squinty-eyed Lisa! Didn’t she creep you all out? I’m happy they chose Aaron, but I have to wonder, why do they bother having this show at all? They make it sound SO dramatic~”This is going to change somebody’s life FOREVER!” So, what happened to Amy Findley? (OK, maybe it will change their life for 5 MINUTES!) And I, too, thought that Aaron was chosen because he is black. Not a racist bone in my body, like I said I was rooting for him…but had he NOT been chosen it wouldn’t be 5 seconds before Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would be filing a discrimination lawsuit! You know I’m right!
July 28th, 2008
Support for Aaron all the way! He was the best!
July 28th, 2008
NO VOTING THIS YEAR?….THE BLACK MAN WAS SELECTED THIS SEASON WHEN THE PROGRAM WAS IN DEVELOPMENT. WHO’S FOOLING WHO?
July 28th, 2008
I would have been happy with either Aaron or Adam. The A man will do fine. Sooooooo happy Lisa the squinter was eliminated. Gawd she was awful.
July 29th, 2008
THANK YOU!! I was thinking the same thing. There’s some kind of conspiracy going on…
July 29th, 2008
I was rooting for Aaron but thought Adam had the best concept and pilot. He actually surprised me and I thought he gave a good turn in his pilot. Aaron will have some work to do, but remember, Paula, Bobby and the judges thought several times that Aaron’s food was great. He just had a few off moments. So good luck to him. I’ll watch him a couple of times to see if I like the show and if not, there’s always someone else coming up in 30 minutes.
Good luck Aaron, and I hope your son comes home now to a winner!
July 29th, 2008
I couldn’t believe they changed the rules on the previous episode to allow Aaron to continue on the show. He completely imploded on that episode and the judges let him off the hook. One judge, I think it was Fieri, said he couldn’t see punishing a guy for having a bad episode after several good episodes. How come everyone else who was kicked off after a bad show didn’t get the same chance? From that point on, I was afraid Aaron was going to win. The fix was in.
Lisa was like Martha Stewart Light. So many marketable skills! She should’ve won.
July 29th, 2008
They clearly wanted Aaron from day one, the same way Tyra wanted the “PLUS MODEL” on Americas Next Top Model from day one.
AARON SHOULD NOT HAVE WON PLAIN AND SIMPLE. His show will not last a month!
These reality shows have less and less validity every year and this seems to be the only website pointing that out, between this show, and Hell’s kitchen and the whole So You Think You Can Dance Will ass kissing fest. Bravo Pophangover!
July 29th, 2008
Somebody made the great point that they said, “The winner has to be ready to start tomorrow”, and then they completely contradicted themselves by picking the worst guy on camera. Great point, and they did the SAME thing last year!
Minutes before eliminating Amy they said that the elimination would be based off the contestant’s ENTIRE body of work to that point, not just that one show. And minutes later they threw out the contestant that had ONE bad show (and it was the show where everybody sucked if you remember. It completely contradicted the critera they had just laid out.
And you know they yanked the fan voting because last year the fans voted in Amy, who they clearly didn’t want hosting a show because they sent her home! And made excuses for Jag and Rory!
Amy’s show was boring as hell, and I’m sure they had a feeling it would be and sent her home. But don’t contradict the criteria you lay out for elimination! It’s two years in a row they’ve done it!
July 29th, 2008
Please white people stop crying out loud.It’s got to be you all way or no way at all,we are in the year 2008 in case you all forget Aaron work very hard to get to the top if you all are not please with the result stop watching the show.Stop it haters.
July 30th, 2008
Lame Duck: I believe Aaron won because the Food Network doesn’t want to renew the contract of the winner after six episodes. In that regard, picking the worst one works to their advantage. He wins, he sucks, he’s cancelled, end of story…until next season…
I totally agree!
July 30th, 2008
This is bullshit. Another nicra getting shit handed to him. Just like every other black guy out there… I came from the hood and if I could make it, so can you. What a load of shit. He makes me embarrassed for him to watch. This is a scam and it sucks.
August 2nd, 2008
I can’t believe how biased the judges were towards Aaron. I bet he could’ve served them up his feces and they would’ve just gone off on how beautiful and delicious it was. :-P This pile of trash will fit in just fine on this trash network. F**k you FN for wasting our time
August 3rd, 2008
BTW – He is holding and APPLE in the picture. Cupcake with a wick? WTF?
August 3rd, 2008
This message is for LEIGH’s comment posted July 28th. I really hope you read this…
How ignorant can one person be? I didn’t watch the entire show so I don’t know how well or not Aaron did during the season. And I just happened upon this website and took interest in reading these comments. However, I do know that for you to make the completely out of left field jump from him winning to a new show with “gang members cooking birds over
an open trash can fire” is the most ignorant thing I’ve ever heard!!
The reason this country will never be what it could be in regard to race relations completely lies on the backs of people like you that think gangs can be related to any African American person. I am so upset by your stupid comment. I think you should be ashamed of yourself.
I certainly hope you don’t have kids that you are teaching to be as ignorant as you, but the reality is that you probably do. How sad for this country!
August 3rd, 2008
I wanted aaron to win and he did. Seems to me that since all of you hate the fact that he won, I would like to see one of you fucking idots try-out and try and win. Lisa looked like she had been baking in the sun every damn week. Adam was a stupid to me and neither on of them I would watch. Deal with it unless any of you that are downing Aaron can do better.
August 3rd, 2008
After reading all the comments about Aaron winning because he was black , I felt compelled to write. I am a 60 yr old white female and not a racist.
If one recalls in the second season, Reggie Sutherland lost out to Guy Fieri. Reggie was black.
Case in point.
Now I especially loved Reggie, I liked Guy and he certainly has proven to be an asset to the Food Network.
But Reggie brought a down home comfy feeling to his cooking. Mainly too plain. As Guy does add that bling!!!
If one was going to be biased I could say Reggie lost not because he was black, but because he was a large man. I wish they could have given Reggie his own show too, but Guy won with the viewers vote.
I was more upset over last years show. Amy wanted to quit and the whole thing with Jag was inexcusable. To not have done a backgroud check only left the Food Network with egg on it’s face.
I was rooting for Aaron or Adam. I enjoyed Aaron’s show having watched it this afternoon. Except he says this “bad boy” way too often. But the food was good and seemed easy to do.
Hey , I like easy and good. He does seems a little nervous, but may improve in time.
If you don’t like him, don’t watch his show. There are plenty others.
But respect that he won and life goes on.
Thanks for letting me get on my soapbox.
P.S. Here’s hoping Adam finds his niche.
My fault with Lisa was she already had a lot on her plate. A restaurant, her own apron line etc. I live in Fort Worth, maybe I will go look up her restuarant in Dallas.
August 4th, 2008
Aaron is believable and down-to-earth. He is the kind of person who makes me want to stand up and cheer. Flawed and humble. Courageous and respectful. Exciting and real.
Can you say that about any of the others?
August 4th, 2008
Aaron’s first episode was surprisingly good. He seemed comfortable and overall did a superb job, especially when you remember this is his very first show.
I could not have watched Lisa because of her squinty eyes and vague snootiness that unfortunately seeped through her personna every time she opened her mouth. She just needs to relax and be more ‘real’ so we can all relate to her better.
Adam was great in front of the camera but I wonder how good his food really is judging from the comments about his food throughout the contest.
Aaron should do fine in his new show…..he’s genuine, easy-going, likeable and will no doubt just improve as time goes along…….good job judges……I AGREE with your decision to give Aaron this opportunity of a lifetime…..he deserves it !!
Cheri
August 4th, 2008
I watched every single episode of Next Food Network Star. They need to expand their talent search and pool. I find it hard to believe this group represented the best talent they could find. Lisa was arrogant. Period. Adam was not interesting at all- used car salesman type. Aaron was ok- he was the most genuine. But NONE would have inspired me to watch. Judges need a serious reality check on what viewers are looking for. Diversity is not just about color.
August 4th, 2008
While I do think that Aaron initially struggled with relating to the audience, I think that overall he was the best choice. If anyone looked at the sneak peak, Lisa’s had to be done several times before she got it right, as well. And Adam, we weren’t even sure he could cook.He served raw food twice! And Aaron tried to help him out, but he wouldn’t listen. If you want to talk about favoritism, week after week they talked about how Adam’s food wasn’t up to par- he should have been kicked off early in the show. The only thing he had going for him was personality, but what good is that on the FOOD NETWORK, if you can’t cook. Also and for the person who said Aaron couldn’t cook- he’s the only one whose dishes were consistently raved over during the competition. If you’d watched the entire season, you’d have seen that. The episode where they had to eat someone else’s dish and describe it, Adam was so busy eating Aaron’s dish he couldn’t even talk. That’s how good it was. Personally, I wanted Aaron to win, but I wouldn’t have minded if Lisa had won. She was a pretty good cook even if her dishes did were a bit more fancy than I would cook at home. Overall I think Aaron won for his ability to cook and to be molded into what they want him to be. So for those who keep hopping on the fact that Aaron did bad in Vegas, all of them did bad at some point during the season. The judges were basing it on total performance throughout the season, not just one failure. And I wish everyone would stop saying he was picked because he was black. As if to say that the only thing he had going for him was that he was black. He was picked because he has excellent culinary skills, he knew about food and the judges could see that if he would relax into being himself he would relate to a lot of people. But more to the point, how many times in our lives have white people been picked because they were white. I mean honestly you mean to tell me that out of all the contestants only two black people were good enough to be a finalist? Please! So even if you were all correct. If the deciding factor was the fact that he was black. Then so what… How you look is used so often in determining hiring practices, admission to schools, and so much more. Bottom line Aaron deserved to win based on his skills alone… No one can take that away from him
August 5th, 2008
I watched the episode on Sunday in which Aaron made chicken finger salad, French fries etc…
Everything looked disgusting and was COVERED in grease and oil.
Even his hands were dripping oil and grease as he bit into the oozing mess of the artery-choking pork and cheese sandwich he made.
Greasy chicken strips coated with Nacho-cheese Doritos fried in two inches of oil to go along with a giant container of Cherry Kool-aid for a 4 year old?!?
Yep.
Sure sounds like a pro in the kitchen with an eye on healthful cooking to me!
No wonder he’s morbidly obese.
Perhaps we’ll be treated to “Big Daddy’s Open Heart Surgery Diary” in the future.
August 10th, 2008
Combining his garbled vocal delivery with a Sanford and and Son annoyongly-loud soundtrack, and his loud/forced hoots and obvious nervousness makes for distracting television. This sucks, but is anything-but-substance, which is what Food Network seems to want to purvey these days. At least the PBS cooking shows are there. FN is similar to tabloid newspapers, and I plan on avoiding them. FN ANNOYS ME TO DEATH, YES I MEAN YOU TUSCHMAN AND SUSIE!!!!
August 10th, 2008
I can not believe the people making comments about Big Daddy’s House and Aaron McCargo Jr. I am African American woman who lives in Texas and I loved the show. It was light, and fit great in the line up Food Network Sunday afternoon shows. His voice was clear and steady and I understood every word. The last poster mentioned that he was morbidly obese. What?? What planet are you from? He looked great!!! You should look at the other cooking greats Maria Batali, and Emeril Lagasse before you make such ignorant statements…Shame on you!This is a real family man who simply loves to the cook. It was mentioned in earlier posts that he was out of his element but to all the posters you have been dead wrong. His food presentation was dead on and I loved the food combinations. He show was also very open and warm. It is refreshing to have an everyday man on the small screen. I can really say that I and my family will be watching his show next week.
The best man won! Best of Luck Aaron! We are routing for you in Texas!!
August 13th, 2008
Worst man won, f**k you Charlie Brown! You dumbass sh*t!
August 17th, 2008
Aside from the vulgarity in some of the posts, this has been an interesting study in perspective of viewers of the NFNS. I don’t think race has anything to do w/it; there are other shows with hosts of other ethnic backgrounds.
The thing, to me, is although I like Aaron, I don’t think he’s FN material…but then again, so are some of the hosts of other shows. If I don’t particularly like a host (think fake constantly smiling Giada), I simply don’t watch the show.
I’ve seen two of Aaron’s shows,and I think he’s much better than he was on the NFNS show. His style of cooking – I don’t use so much OIL these days – isn’t my thing, so I won’t watch any longer. BUT…I wish him well.
I’m a retired chef from New Orleans. I enjoy most of the shows, but don’t watch on a daily basis. PEACE, all!
August 21st, 2008
Hey..I really like Aaron. He has a genuine personality that will just take a few times in front of the camera to perfect. Lisa, to me, was difficult to relate to. She seemed pretentious.I am looking forward to watching Aaron and I am sure that he will have a steady progression to stardom on the Food Network. Congratulations! You deserve it!
August 24th, 2008
WHEW!!!!!!!!!!! what is wrong with some of you people. Does race have to play a part in everything?
To all of the “people of color” who found it necessary to state that they were “colored, black or whatever” and they voice there displeasure with Aaron, give it a break. Believe me, you scored no points with the people who are not of color. You simply come across as “ignorant”.
Aaron won DEAL WITH IT! Lisa didn’t need another $300 blouse. She didn’t win because
she didn’t deserve to win…so sorry. Adam on the other hand is now working for the food network. What does this tell you? So all of you “haters” of Aaron, whether it is because of his race or his food. TOO BAD!!!
Much success to “Big Daddy”
Many of you who published the ugly and racist remarks about Aaron I am quite sure you are no doubt miserable individuals. And that goes for black and white individuals.
If you don’t like the show, DON’T WATCH IT! No one will miss you with your negative views and attitude.
August 24th, 2008
Oh and by-the-way Jill and Robyn you are pathetic
individuals.
Get a life!
August 26th, 2008
Jill and Robin and the rest of the people here aren’t pathetic – they’re being honest. What a relief, to not have a television reviewer kissing a winner’s ass in a fake display of political correctness. Thanks for that, Pophangover.
Aaron McCargo Jr has no place on television. Black, white, or purple… he just doesn’t have the personality for it. End of story.
August 27th, 2008
Aaron was very impressive when he recuperated from almost missing the chicken in vegas to quickly deepfry and make parmesean out of it. Honestly, it looked really tasty. On screen he is very nervous and uncomfortable, but I don’t think there is any doubt about his talent. In all fairness they were all talented. I don’t feel anyone was robbed.
September 18th, 2008
Aaron McCargoooohhhhhh-Nooooooo. Who did he pay to win this show? Awful.
October 1st, 2008
Wow, I can’t believe all of the negativity! Aaron is unique and definitely brings a new face to FN. Lisa would have just been another Giada, Rachel, or Sandra Lee. Adam would have been just another Bobby Flay or Tyler Florence. I admire FN for attempting to draw a wider audience. Of course he’s nervous! So would any of you! He will get better over time. And if he doesn’t, then people will stop watching and then he will eventually get canceled. I happen to like his show and will keep watching. Good luck Aaron!
October 2nd, 2008
To the last commenter Jay, if Lisa would have been another Giada or Rachel and Adam would have been just another Bobby or Tyler, then the fact is, Aaron is just another Down Home with the Neelys. No racial context insinuated – but it’s true. The shows are virtually identical,except Aaron’s is 500x WORSE.
October 2nd, 2008
PS, there’s all this negativity because people don’t like Aaron McCargo and he shouldn’t have won the show. People who watched the entire season of Next Food Network Star know what I’m talking about. He was the worst contestant on the show and it felt like the producers just knew he was going to win from day 1 – regardless of his performance. GOod Riddance aaron McCargo, can’t wait til your show gets canceled and you have to return to hospital cooking.
October 23rd, 2008
He was awful, stupid, unprepared, loud (of course) and very nervous. We all know why he won. Liberal Hollywood cant do enough for minorities. The entire crop was lousy. Not one deserved it, but as Clint Eastwood said in the movie..”Deserve has nothing to do with it.” Its about money. This guy will be here and gone by 2010. Then the next winner should be an obviously gay male, so they all feel good about helping minorities.
January 11th, 2009
Congratulations Aaron! Congratulations Barack! Congratulations Muhammad Ali! Congratulations Jesse Owens! Congratulations Hannibal (Yes Hannibal the Moor)! Congratulations Vanessa! Congratulations Denzel, Halle, Jaime, Forrest, Whoopi, and Sydney! Congratulations Oprah! Most of all, congratulations JESUS!!!!!!
Do you get where I’m going? Haters.
Condolences to the Food Network because even though Aaron won (food is good), your network along with HGTV has gone down. Sometimes change is not a good thing. Lieberman, Sugar Rush, Party Line with the Hearty Boys, and Emeril were all good shows. You changed too much and even the new website is horrible. Too much Fieri, Giada, and Rachel.
It all went down for me after Paula changed her kitchen.
P.S. You don’t need to know what color I am. But hint hint—checkered, multi-racial, multi-cultural, and I don’t eat mayo.
May 28th, 2009
Aaron you really need to step up your game on the show. Don’t be shy you know you have a whole lot more in you.
June 4th, 2009
This guy is pretty much useless in the kitchen. Why doesn’t he go by his given name? He chooses to use the moniker “Big Daddy”, and refer to himself in the third person. Why???
August 19th, 2009
uh, that’s an apple he’s holding. And yes, it’s a really unappatizing, half-peeled apple, but it’s an apple all right.
October 11th, 2009
Well, whoeaver is was that wrote this utterly ridiculous article needs to just go get a life!
Aaron is doing just fine and this article is more than a year old.
His show is still a hit and he’s getting more exposure on the Food Network, so the troublemaker who has started up this crap needs to just go buzz off!!
~Sherman.
March 14th, 2010
Well, hmmm. I love his show and his cooking. So sorry you feel robbed.