on Oct 3rd, 2007Top Chef Seasons 3 and 4
After what seems like a year instead of four months, the Top Chef Season 3 finale is tonight, after Bravo gets everyone caught up with yet another day-long marathon. The finale, drawn out as the season has been, runs 1:15 instead of the usual hour (but expect a one-hour version for the many replays), and features a new gimmick: announcing the winner live. That will occur from Chicago, enabling Bravo to promote Season 4, already filming there.
Reporter Joe Gray had a fun piece in the Chicago Tribune last week after spotting some filming in progress. No surprise that producers, a generally picky lot, required more than one take of the fifteen contestants running toward the production area to start a Quickfire challenge and of host Padma Lakshmi introducing the challenge. What is surprising is that the contestants were not in sight when she recorded her intro and that she said the winner would not have immunity. With fifteen contestants it’s only the start of filming (it’s also indicative of another forever season) and if the immunity prize is eliminated altogether, it could only be a good thing. Too many contestants have escaped the axe when they shouldn’t have because of it.
So tonight it’s down to Dale, Hung and Casey. Chicago-area native Dale Levitsky has the momentum after last week’s win, and he certainly has the background to win. Metromix Chicago has an entertaining Q&A with him in which he talks a bit about the reality of some fellow contestants versus the way producers have portrayed them. And if you remember him saying last week he’d been dumped before the competition, he admits the show has not helped his love life one bit. “I can’t get a date to save my life,” is how he puts it.
I’m glad this is nearly over at last — my eyes have glazed over many times during this season — and I won’t spoil it for anyone, especially those who might not have time to watch it till the weekend, by writing anything about the finale.
I hate spoilers.
This is the first season that I’ve watched.
I’m rooting for Casey. And not just because chicks rule.
Completely unrelated to the competition, or the food ~
Dale, that Mohawk does you no favors!
Hi, sage! If you get a chance to see Season 1, try to watch or record it. There was another marathon a couple weeks ago. It’s the best.
I must say I’ve never been a Casey fan for many reasons, and she’d have been gone loooong ago if she hadn’t had immunity when she was teamed with Joey and Howie and did almost nothing.
Total agreement about Dale’s hair - Dale, lose it , girlfriend!
Ella, ella. I TOTALLY agree w/ you about Casey. I just didn’t see much flair or creativity to her cooking. Maybe I’m just being a bit snobby, but I really wasn’t ‘wowed’ by her cooking at all. I am definitely getting sick of the whole product placement thing in the show. it’s kind of getting ridiculous and making the show almost unwatchable! but still… i watch. i’ll watch the rerun of the finale this w/e. thanks for not spoiling!
Hi, Amy. I hope you’ll come back after you watch it and let me know what you think. Also check out Gail Simmons’ blog at Bravo after you watch it.