Marcel's Quantum Kitchen

This show had a couple strikes against it going in, but they were running several eps this morning, and nothing else was on.

1) Syfy channel is not known for producing high-quality reality shows (or much of their scripted stuff, for that matter -- go back to your roots and show old SF reruns, PLEASE! "Land of the Giants" is better than most of your pablum)
2) Marcel. I never saw his original season of Top Chef, but on All Stars he was something of a douche.

Well, he gets his own show, and the douche really shines through. He's whiny, he's passive-aggressively abusing his staff (blaming the slow apple peeling process for him letting the dehydration run too long)... but mostly, the food was not in the least bit appetizing. Short ribs "meat glued" to a tenderloin to look like a log? Too much work for too little payback. Fried potato nests with tomato water foam "egg"? Dull and greasy looking. Chicharone "snakes"? Not what I'd serve to a wildlife preservation fundraiser, and size inappropriate for a cocktail party. Apple leather "map"? Yawn.

So that was the first episode, I'm not sure I can sit through another.

Oh, dear. Thanks for the warning. I did have the momentary urge to watch, but couldn't find SyFy on Comcast's woefully incomplete printed channel listing, and didn't want to bother calling to ask about it, always a trying experience. Whew! Close shave.

JoelF wrote:1) Syfy channel is not known for producing high-quality reality shows (or much of their scripted stuff, for that matter -- go back to your roots and show old SF reruns, PLEASE! "Land of the Giants" is better than most of your pablum)

Hey, Battlestar Galactica was awesome!

Independent George wrote:

JoelF wrote:1) Syfy channel is not known for producing high-quality reality shows (or much of their scripted stuff, for that matter -- go back to your roots and show old SF reruns, PLEASE! "Land of the Giants" is better than most of your pablum)

Hey, Battlestar Galactica was awesome!

We're straying off topic, but I didn't say ALL, just MUCH.
They don't seem willing to support good (expensive) shows often -- Farscape (aka Muppets in Space) and Dresden Files were definitely worth watching, and didn't last long.

Their first foray into food (to bring this back on topic) does not bode well. But it does beat wrestling.

I've seen the wildlife benefit and engagement party episodes. I have no particular view on Marcel's personality, having seen him only briefly on Top Chef All Stars. Like most reality shows, there is a lot of annoying artificially constructed drama. On the other hand, I did appreciate seeing, in a decent amount of detail compared to other programs, how some molecular gastronomy techniques are applied in the kitchen. I've never seen that on other shows and that will keep me watching, even if I have to hit the fast forward button on my remote sometimes.

I just watched the motorcycle episode on Dish G-4 channel-191- and it was painful. Really painful.

Molecular gastronomy is really awesome.
The production of this show is great.
The creation process looks pretty cool.

Verdict? This show blows. Some people can pull off 'asshole' - Gordon Ramsay does it extremely well and still somehow maintains likability. Whenever Marcel opens his mouth, he just comes off douche-y, even if he's being sincere. Unfortunately for me, I think I'm in it for the long haul...though I may be watching it on mute.

Ugh I totally agree. Molecular gastronomy can be so cool and can really inspire people to be creative in their food prep. But of ALL people to give that show to, they had to choose the douche of all douches?? I really wanted to give him a third (!) chance- I watched his season of Top Chef and I watched him in All Stars. As much as he claims to be a nice guy, he is a conceited little douche with a Wolverine haircut.
I watched one episode hoping that the food would outweigh the Marcel. Sadly, it did not. I will not be giving Marcel a 4th chance...