The Food Network has fired Mario Batali. And no, it has nothing to do with Gwyneth.
After informing Mario that they were not renewing two of his shows (Molto Mario and Ciao, America, two of the only remaining shows on the network that DON’T pander to the Kraft Singles Totally Count As Cooking and We Demand More Fondant audience), he threatened to walk off Iron Chef America.
To which the Food Network was all, "KTHNXBAI!"
But wait, there’s more! So much drama!
As of this morning, Mario is denying the reports, saying that he’ll be filming episodes of Iron Chef America next week.
But a network source said "this is a face-saving measure [for
Batali]. He and another chef will be replaced after the new season
begins Nov. 18."New "Iron Chefs" will be selected in a pre-season special competition next month.
"It’s time for a change – it happens all the time," said the source. "That’s showbiz."
I’m pretty sure this part is true, as one of our favorite DC chefs is actually in the running for one of the spots.
And I also wonder if the Food Network, which undeniably did make Mario a star in the first place, would be okay with him taking his latest show to Public Television if he was still under contract with them.
I’ve eaten at a couple of Mario’s restaurants, and they are good. I don’t think leaving the Food Network, which is now waaaay more about celebrity chefs shilling for everything from Applebee’s to Dunkin’ Donuts and tours of the place where Circus Peanuts come from than actual cooking shows, will really hurt his empire too badly.
But if this is true, I hope Mario calls up his buddy Bourdain and the two of them go out and get rip-roaring drunk and launch into long-winded sermons about selling out and corporate bastards and all that. And I hope someone nearby has a camera phone.
