“Top Chef” has always been a well-respected reality show, both within foodie culture and among the rabble who hate most reality programming (like me). So it’s kind of a head-scratching move that the show would add Emeril Lagasse, a chef who’s known more for his catchphrase than his cuisine, as a permanent judge.
The Bravo reality competition show has hired Emeril Lagasse as its new judge, along with another lesser-known chef, Hugh Acheson (who previously competed on Top Chef Masters).
Padma Lakshmi, Gail Simmons and head judge Tom Colicchio will remain on the judging panel for the upcoming ninth season along with Lagasse and Acheson. Instead of focusing on one city, the show is going to three cities in Texas (Austin, San Antonio and Dallas) and returns later this fall. [EW]
I mean, I’ll still watch with Emeril on the show, I just won’t enjoy his presence. This entire show is built around Padma looking hot and Colicchio being a dick to the chefs. A fair dick, but definitely still a dick. The thinking man’s Gordon Ramsay.