Saturday, March 23, 2013

Kitchen Ambush, Can Dinner Save My Family? - Upcoming Food Network Pilots

There are two upcoming pilots airing on the Food Network, one being called Kitchen Ambush, and the other called Can Dinner Save My Family?
Robert Irvine Alex Guarnaschilli Kitchen Ambush
Kitchen Ambush airs this Sunday at 11:30am, and again on Monday, March 26th  at 6pm.  The show description states:
"Each week, two huge Food Network stars show up unannounced at someone's house, to prove they can cook an unforgettable meal with whatever's in the kitchen. It doesn't matter if the cupboards and refrigerators are empty, these culinary MacGyver's will still find a way to turn out a great dinner. The only question is — which chef will do it better?"
The first episode has Robert Irvine going up against Alex Guarneschelli to prepare a better meal.
Tom Kersting Can Dinner Save My Family
Can Dinner Save My Family? is the other pilot, which will air next Saturday March 30th at 3pm and again on Sunday, March 31st at 5:30pm.  The show description states:
"Each week a desperate family, on the brink of collapse, gets a chance to rebuild their lives -- one meal at a time. Expert Tom Kersting leads them through a transformative journey to reestablish the most important meal of their life: the Family Dinner."
The pilot episode has a family committing to eating together for 30 straight days.  Tom Kersting is therapist, relationship and wellness expert, author, and co-star of the A&E series Monster In-Laws.  Regarding the show, Tom stated on his Facebook page "The Food Network is airing the pilot and if the pilot does well in the Nielson ratings, it may get picked-up as a series." 


My guess would be that Kitchen Ambush turns into a series, while it will be a question mark as to whether Can Dinner Save My Family? gets turned into one.  Let me know what you think after watching them.

UPDATE 4/5/2012 - Looks like Kitchen Ambush is Done

24 comments:

  1. That second show sounds like it might be the most craptastic thing Food Network has ever attempted... and that includes Restaurant: Stakeout and Mystery Diners, which are truly the bottom of a barrel that fell out, went over the side of a water and smashed into pieces at the end.

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  2. I like the show & felt sad forr the stay at home mom who does not cook and clean for her family.

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  3. Like it lots. Great interaction and humor. With three children she better start cooking it is ridiculous not to do so.

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  4. Watched Kitchen Ambush and liked it a lot. Alex and Robert make great TV!

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  5. I really enjoyed the episode. The idea of using ingredients that you already have purchased and coming up with a family meal is a great concept. I love to cook for my family and trying new recipes but sometimes because of time constraints or budget it's not practical. The show sparks creativity.Other than the description above which sounds like it may be interesting, it's hard to say about the show next weekend. I think it may be interesting to see how some families make the 30 challenge work. I have to admit it doesn't always work with my family of five with work, school and sports schedules. But I am convinced that family dinner mandatory could possible make a difference. It's the orchestration that is difficult.

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  6. Kitchen Ambush-good concept. It seems to be a main problem with home cooks to think of something to make for dinner. How many times have we starred into the frig or cupboard and see nothing to make for dinner. This show really shows the thought process and that creativity can be simple. I am going to try the seafood wrapped in ground beef meatball and what a wonderful way to change up a salad. I look forward to the next show.

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  7. Paula Deen had a similar show in called "Doorknock Dinners" circa late 1990's.

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  8. I like the idea that dinner can help keep families together. It's a tried & true concept. When you look at the high ratings given to shows where purple berate one another, it'd be a nice change.

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  9. Kitchen Ambush - how do people who don't cook at home have that much fresh food in their refrigerator ?

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  10. Funny that very time they opened another door there was something new they could use. I really hate these set-up reality shows.

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  11. I was thinking the same thing

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  12. Just saw this... just missed it of course, Any idea when it or they will be rerun? DVR isn't picking it up (Kitchen Ambush) TIA

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  13. As of now, it is not on the schedule for the next few weeks.

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  14. I liked the show as to the cooking challenge, but a stay at home mom that can't cook? Wow...

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  15. Kitchen ambush seemed very staged and seemed like the homeowners were actors...I agree with a lot of you, people who don't cook don't have that kind of food on hand

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  16. I enjoyed Kitchen Ambush

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  17. Love the show "Can Dinner Save My Family" Great show!

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  18. Can dinner save my family was wonderful. Please continue to show more episodes.

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  19. I was pleasantly surprised. "can dinner save my family" felt like a real family dealing with a real problem. I loved the therapist. Thank you, Food Network. I hope this is a hint of a new direction.

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  20. Please do not turn "Can dinner save my family" into a series. This show is obviously fake and dramatized. If this show continues it would ruin the reputation and future of the food network.

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  21. Great new show concept for Foodnetwork. Can Dinner Save My Family goes beyond the conventional cooking shows and demonstrates the importance and power associated with the Family Dinner. Kersting does a great job relating with The Duffy's It made me reflect on how lucky I was to have dinner nightly as a family. I am blessed to be able to do the same today as a father; although this show has convinced me to turn off Spongebob during dinner so my wife and I can connect with our young sons even more. Thanks FoodNetwork

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  22. Karen Loves to CookApril 1, 2013 at 3:48 PM

    The new show Can Dinner Save My Family? was fabulous! I have read that even
    as little as 15 minutes of time around the table to connect with your
    kids
    is invaluable! In a world where our children are over-scheduled and
    constantly "plugged in" its a great way to connect. It is nice to see TV
    Shows doing some good and initiating change, in the place of shows celebrating bad behavior! BRAVO Food Network! BRAVO!!!

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  23. haha I cook at home and rarely have a lot of fresh food in my fridge!

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  24. Thanks for the reply! I'll keep checking :)

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