seebee wrote:Well, all you ppl vote for the people you know. I'm voting for Cleetus. His name is Cleetus. That will get my vote every time. I said his name is Cleetus. Yup, Cleetus.

He must win.

Cleetus is awesome, and it's a shame he was too short for Blue Man Group, because the dude has significant rhythm and soul. I met him at an Odd Pairs event (along with the Figs) and have been following his social media presence and event judging since then. He'd of course be great as well.

I can't believe I just watched all those videos.

Frank Brunacci is knowledgable, easy to watch and has charisma. I don't think he screams Chicago though.

Most of the rest were pretty average. Some were really bad.

Two shining stars: Cleetus Friedman and Bill St. John. I hope one of 'em gets it.

My money is on Cleetus Friedman and I've never seen a video, eaten his food or anything other than read about him for the last few weeks... the dude is on a roll and CP will be the capper

Its been narrowed down to five finalists.

http://checkplease.wttw.com/

toria wrote:Its been narrowed down to five finalists.

http://checkplease.wttw.com/

I saw 4:

Senam Amegashie
Emilie Rose Bishop
Anthony Todd
Ina Pinkney

Who's the fifth?

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:

toria wrote:Its been narrowed down to five finalists.

http://checkplease.wttw.com/

I saw 4:

Senam Amegashie
Emilie Rose Bishop
Anthony Todd
Ina Pinkney

Who's the fifth?

=R=

Not sure where this list came from (if you're talking about the "finalists" Manilow mentions on Twitter, those are just teases from the various audition tapes), but they are announcing the 5 on Wed., May 1st-- has been the announce date from the start.

boudreaulicious wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:

toria wrote:Its been narrowed down to five finalists.

http://checkplease.wttw.com/

I saw 4:

Senam Amegashie
Emilie Rose Bishop
Anthony Todd
Ina Pinkney

Who's the fifth?

=R=

Not sure where this list came from (if you're talking about the "finalists" Manilow mentions on Twitter, those are just teases from the various audition tapes), but they are announcing the 5 on Wed., May 1st-- has been the announce date from the start.

Ok, thanks. Now it makes sense.

=R=

You almost gave me a heart attack! No, those are only the finalists whose videos they have happened to feature first. Who knows what that means.

PS - I'd never seen this thread until someone sent it to me. Thanks so much for all the kind words, everyone.

AnthonyTodd wrote:You almost gave me a heart attack! No, those are only the finalists whose videos they have happened to feature first. Who knows what that means.

Think I gave Cat similar heart attack when I mentioned this thread to her last night.

And here they are: http://checkplease.wttw.com/finalfive

To cut to the chase:
Senam Amegashie, Freelance Writer
Donny De Castro, Owner of Tavern at the Park Restaurant
Catherine De Orio, President at Culinary Curator
Sarah Levy, Owner of S. Levy Foods/ Magazine Editor
Ina Pinkney, Chef/Owner of Ina’s

Would certainly be interesting of Sarah Levy was the host and had Natalie Zarzour on, wouldn't it.

Someone's in the kitchen with Ina!

Sorry DH didn't make the cut.

Interesting to see the finalists on TV tonight. I'd vote for Catherine d'Orio, followed by Donny de Castro. First woman (Senam) was too much about her. Ina Pinkney a bit too low key. Last woman had an annoying voice. Just my opinion.

I found Ina to be the only one I liked somehow (did not expect to) after last night's show. The guy talked too fast and most of the younger women seemed to have fake enthusiasm.

I though Ina was the one worth choosing. I actually thought Ms. Senam Amegashie had the best audition, however, she would burn me out on the show eventually. I enjoyed Ms. Pickney's calm demeanor. I know it a VERY unpopular choice on this site, however, David Manilow should really go after Brittany Payton to host his show. I think she far more talented and experienced that the finalist presented.

However, the winner seems to be John's Place.....nice 30 minute commercial for his cowboy burger kiddie paradise.

beelewis wrote: David Manilow should really go after Brittany Payton to host his show. I think she far more talented and experienced that the finalist presented.

Brilliant suggestion, I could not agree more-

beelewis wrote:David Manilow should really go after Brittany Payton

Is she still vegetarian?

nr706 wrote:

beelewis wrote:David Manilow should really go after Brittany Payton

Is she still vegetarian?

A few days ago the "Markets" episode aired and she ate pork.

rickster wrote:Interesting to see the finalists on TV tonight. I'd vote for Catherine d'Orio, followed by Donny de Castro. First woman (Senam) was too much about her. Ina Pinkney a bit too low key. Last woman had an annoying voice. Just my opinion.

Catherine De Orio it is; she will be the first native Chicagolander (Elmwood Park) to host, and the third successive well-connected youngish woman in the Chicago franchise.

Santander wrote:

rickster wrote:Interesting to see the finalists on TV tonight. I'd vote for Catherine d'Orio, followed by Donny de Castro. First woman (Senam) was too much about her. Ina Pinkney a bit too low key. Last woman had an annoying voice. Just my opinion.

Catherine De Orio it is; she will be the first native Chicagolander (Elmwood Park) to host, and the third successive well-connected youngish woman in the Chicago franchise.

I think D'Orio will be excellent in the role; she is, as Borrelli pointed out in today's Tribune, talkative, radiant, very knowledgeable about food, and...nice.

Does anyone know if the show is actually coming back ? The delay of material to broadcast may mean there are production issues. I miss checking out info on restaurants I may have missed otherwise.

beelewis wrote:Does anyone know if the show is actually coming back ? The delay of material to broadcast may mean there are production issues. I miss checking out info on restaurants I may have missed otherwise.

October 18.

I met the new host last week at the Reader cocktail event. She seemed nice, especially when I inadvertantly made it clear that I had no idea who she was.

=R=

Hi,

WTTW has been running teasers about the new season of Check, Please! including interview snippets with the new hostess.

I didn't pay attention the date when it begins, though it appeared to be soon.

Frankly, when I see an entity is about to be reviewed. I make a mental list to avoid it for a few months, because of near term increased business.

Regards,

Thanks for the info, you guys are great.

beelewis wrote:Does anyone know if the show is actually coming back ? The delay of material to broadcast may mean there are production issues. I miss checking out info on restaurants I may have missed otherwise.

I posted the link to this story about Check Please profiling one of our poster child GNR's - Cajun Connection in Utica, IL. in the new season on the CC thread, figure its appropriate here as well. guessing this might be the furthest place out from Chicago that they have profiled(correct me if I am wrong as I dont watch the show very much).

heres the story from the local paper - airdate tbd:

http://www.mywebtimes.com/archives/otta ... ?id=483136

beelewis wrote:Does anyone know if the show is actually coming back ? The delay of material to broadcast may mean there are production issues. I miss checking out info on restaurants I may have missed otherwise.

They were just filming at Athenian Room this week. Alex and company can be expecting a Tina Fey sized rush when it airs. Actors/actresses love it. I was sitting at Glascott's for week one of the Bears game and Michael Shannon aka Nelson van Alden from Boardwalk Empire sat down next to me with a gyro plate. Truly a great neighborhood restaurant, I don't care what anyone says

The new host has a nervous tic that she does with her shoulders, moving one of them forward and then the other rapidly while her head makes motionless eye contact with whoever she's addressing. It bugs me.

riddlemay wrote:The new host has a nervous tic that she does with her shoulders, moving one of them forward and then the other rapidly while her head makes motionless eye contact with whoever she's addressing. It bugs me.

DRINKING GAME!!!!

riddlemay wrote:The new host has a nervous tic that she does with her shoulders, moving one of them forward and then the other rapidly while her head makes motionless eye contact with whoever she's addressing. It bugs me.

it looks almost like she's a bobble head.

My wife can't stand her. I like her better, but she's no Alpana...maybe she's on par with Amanda Puck.