Check Please finalists named...or at least published

http://chicagoist.com/2013/01/31/the_co ... ana_si.php

Congratulations to David Hammond for being on the short list.

This is a list of people who applied. Not a list of finalists.

Likewise, much as I love the idea of Mr. Hammond taking on this role (I picture a lot more clever taunting of the guests ), I don't read this article as stating he's on the short list--merely that he is someone notable ON the list. But I'm absolutely rooting for him--go Hammond!!!!

Hi,

I find this interview of Alpana Singh reflecting on her Check Please! experience interesting.

“I watched Check, Please! the other night. I had not seen it for a while. It was really interesting to watch through the prism of being an owner/operator now. I have become much more empathetic to restaurant owners. If I were to continue to host the show, I would be more demanding of the guests to explain themselves and be more defensive of owners in general."

If any host were to cleverly taunt the guests, then he shifted the program away from its original intent of citizen-reviewer. There is a skill to keeping the conversation on-track, lively and not smother it with your own opinion and experience.

Regards,

The fact that their names are mentioned means to me that they are serious contenders and will probably be looked at very carefully. I think Cathy is right. Its difficult to be a moderator and not interject your own opinion into things.

toria wrote:The fact that their names are mentioned means to me that they are serious contenders and will probably be looked at very carefully.

I think they're just the applicants that are (most) known by Chuck Sudo, who wrote the piece. If Mr. Sudo was also the person making the hire, that would be another story. But he's not.

=R=

Cathy2 wrote:If any host were to cleverly taunt the guests, then he shifted the program away from its original intent of citizen-reviewer. There is a skill to keeping the conversation on-track, lively and not smother it with your own opinion and experience.

Exactly. A skill. If it was obvious, wouldn't be very skillful, now would it. Go Hammond!!

boudreaulicious wrote:Go Hammond!!

He really would be the ideal host for this show.

=R=

No offense to Hammond, but I'd rather watch pretty much anyone other than the Dining Diva.

jesteinf wrote:No offense to Hammond, but I'd rather watch pretty much anyone other than the Dining Diva.

+1

Sorry if I mis-stated (sp?) our own David Hammond as being on the "short list," as he is actually on the long list, but his name is out there and I'm still proud and rooting for him.

Go Hammond!

Thanks for the support, LTH amigos.

Interesting. We've got Check Please! on KC's PBS (hosted by local wine guy Doug Frost). It never occurred to me that the show was franchised, but obviously it is. Chicago must be one of the most important markets, hence it's only fit, right, and proper (indeed) that Hammond be The Guy. Good luck mon ami!

Geo

Cathy2 wrote:If any host were to cleverly taunt the guests, then he shifted the program away from its original intent of citizen-reviewer. There is a skill to keeping the conversation on-track, lively and not smother it with your own opinion and experience.

I agree with all of that 100%, but I wish for a host who will prompt and prod the guests to be more specific than that the food was "fantastic." I am well aware myself of the difficulties of food criticism--I'm a generally articulate guy who nevertheless lacks a vocabulary to describe food interestingly--but really, the program is not worth watching (which is why I don't watch it) if all I find out is that a place was "great" and the food was "absolutely delicious." I think David will be a host to make my Check Please dreams come true. Good luck, DH!

Another vote for Hammond here!

I can't recall if the show is live or if they edit it. I agree with Cathy that is is extremely difficult, with all that they have to accomplish in a short time, to ask follow-up questions that really clarify the "fantastic!" and "great" comments. However, with a little prep before airtime for the reviewers, as well as a few pointed follow-ups from Hammond, it could really improve the show.

One thing I think David does really well in his radio work is to capture the essence of a place in a few ideas, or even a single riff, (such as the one on the sounds of Moon's.) This is what Check Please ought to do. And maybe it takes a great listener to do it!

Geo wrote:Interesting. We've got Check Please! on KC's PBS (hosted by local wine guy Doug Frost). It never occurred to me that the show was franchised, but obviously it is. Chicago must be one of the most important markets, hence it's only fit, right, and proper (indeed) that Hammond be The Guy. Good luck mon ami!

Geo

Chicago was the original "Check, Please!" show... back in 2001. According to Wikipedia, it's now in Miami, SF, Phoenix and KC as well.

I'm not at all sure I'd wish this job on our Mr. Hammond or anyone else who holds strong views on Chicago restaurants and dining. It seems to me to be the place where opinions (the host's, that is) go to die. The focus is entirely on the guests' opinions. Singh never interjects an opinion about a restaurant, and--it seems to me-only recently started interjecting opinions on wine pairing suggestions for some cuisines. It'll be interesting to see whether the person selected to be the next host is someone who expresses his or her opinions or someone who is comfortable keeping his or her opinions to his or herself.

It'll be interesting to see whether the person selected to be the next host is someone who expresses his or her opinions or someone who is comfortable keeping his or her opinions to his or herself.

I'd assume the latter, as the formula has been so wildly successful for PBS; a Seattle version debuted last year, and not surprisingly, has been picked up for another season. Interestingly, the South Florida version is hosted by highly successful Miami restaurateur Michelle Bernstein.

I'm guessing several people around here are more than qualified...

Now Hiring

Do you have what it takes to be the next
Check, Please! host?

If you’re engaging, lively, inclusive, smart, and knowledgeable about Chicago, food, wine, and spirits, it could be you! Here are some characteristics we’re looking for in the new Check, Please! host …

Man or woman, young or old, our new host needs to be nice, fun to work with, and a brand ambassador for Check, Please! He or she could be currently (or formerly) working as a chef, server, bartender, sommelier, restaurateur, writer, blogger, or other occupation that allows for a broad, intimate understanding of the culinary world. Previous on camera experience is not necessary.

Complete the form below, and we’ll get in touch with those who may fit the bill. Thanks and good luck!!!

The deadline to submit your online application below is Friday, March 1, 2013.

David Manilow
Executive Producer

http://checkplease.wttw.com/now-hiring



EDIT: Thank you Mods, I guess I should have searched a little harder for this thread. I was amazed there wasn't a thread about this and I was wrong.

The more I think about it, the more I wonder what really can be done. Even if I got my wish for a host who would probe the participants to go beyond clichés and generalities, what would come of it? Something like this:

PANELIST: Our food was just absolutely delicious.

HOST: That's wonderful--what made it so delicious?

PANELIST: The fact that everything was just so scrumptious.

HOST: You're making me hungry. Tell me about the most scrumptious thing on your plate.

PANELIST: I would have to say everything. Oh, did I mention that from the moment you walk in they make you feel like an old friend?

HOST: (Buries head in hands and sighs.)

The finalists announced. Vote for your favorite.

http://checkplease.wttw.com/checkpleasehost

rickster wrote:The finalists announced. Vote for your favorite.

http://checkplease.wttw.com/checkpleasehost

The online voting tally in combination with input from WTTW producers and staff and the producers of Check, Please! will be considered in reaching the final host selection decision.

Seventeen (!) finalists?

I'm torn between the adorable Cristiane Pereira (in action courtesy our own strong round one candidate) of Taste of Brazil just down the street from me, and LTH frequenter Anthony Todd, a fellow Maroon singer. I'm leaning Anthony for his subversive hilarity (which doesn't really come across in his video), which would go a long way on the show. Good to see Cleetus and Bill in the mix as well.

Let me shamelessly plug for votes for the cute and geeky Anthony Todd. He worked for me last summer (as a law student) and he's amazing, funny, warm, and incredibly smart about everything, including food. I think his audition makes the great point that as a journalist, it's all about pulling out the good stories from people, not showing off yourself.

"The host of Check, Please! shouldn’t be a “personality” or a “star.” He or she should be a knowledgeable, articulate person who is there to make everyone else shine. I know a ton about food and drink and can speak well on my feet, but I’m also invested in learning what diners and guests have to say and in making sure their voices get heard."

http://checkplease.wttw.com/checkpleasehost/

+ 1 for Anthony--I met him at the GNR dinner a couple of years ago and have followed him on FB and Twitter ever since. He comes across as bright and passionate--and, yes, a bit edgy, but not so much that it comes across as snark. I especially like that he's not a restaurant owner/chef/employee--always seemed a bit odd to have someone who works for restaurants involved in a show that critiques them. While I guess it could be useful to have the perspective, I think someone with good journalistic credentials would be so much more interesting. He's also done some fun spots on one of the Windy City Live type shows--don't remember which one--but he was really fun to watch there.

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.

I'm on record as thinking that no one can make this show palatable, but I'm sorry David didn't make the cut, because if anyone could have, it's he.

I sampled a few of the videos, and all were absolutely deadly, except for Anthony Todd's. He's charming, and he makes a good case for himself. If he has an undisplayed subversive wit to boot, so much the better. The show needs subverting. I'll vote for him.