Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Damaris Phillips - Predicted Winner of Food Network Star

Damaris Phillips Food Network Star
Photo - Food Network
Voting for the Season 9's Food Network Star ended today at 9am ET (convenient for the West Coast fans, huh?).  I guess they have to film the final episode and have enough time to edit it and everything before Sunday, which may be the reason why voting ends so early.

With voting ending, and the current poll of who people have voted for on a previous post, I think it is safe to say that Damaris Phillips is going to be the next Food Network Star.  With over 1,000 votes cast, Damaris has a little over 72% of the people voting for her as of writing this.  I will keep the poll open until Sunday, but it is pretty revealing how big of a lead she has over the others.  None of the contestants or fan groups told people to come to this site to vote (which I wanted), so this should be a good enough sample size to know who everyone is voting for.  I also didn't allow for multiple votes per person.

So, do your votes really count, and will the Food Network listen?



The answer to that seems to be up to the Food Network.  While I would think they go with the voting results, it seems they do have the option of selecting whoever they want. 

From the Season 8 (Justin Warner's season that had voting) rules:
"33. All decisions related to the selection of the Semi-Finalists, Finalists, Food Network Star, the application evaluation, and eligibility requirements, shall be subject to change at Food Network’s sole discretion. Food Network reserves the right to disqualify an applicant at any time, to modify these requirements or any aspect of the Program as it deems necessary, and to cancel the production and development of the Program or any programming contemplated hereunder."

And from the Season 10 casting site rules (Yes, the are already starting to get ready for the next season):
"20. All decisions related to the selection of the Finalists, any Program winner, the winners of the challenges in the Program, the judging of the various challenges in the Program (including all aspects of any voting processes), the application evaluation, and eligibility requirements shall be determined solely by FOOD NETWORK and/or the Producer, are not appealable, and are subject to change at FOOD NETWORK's sole discretion. At any time FOOD NETWORK reserves the right to disqualify an applicant, to modify these rules and requirements or any aspect of a Program as it deems necessary, and to cancel the production and development of the Program or any programming contemplated hereunder. FOOD NETWORK is under no obligation to exploit the Program in any media. FOOD NETWORK reserves the right to select prospective participants and Finalists and to receive application materials at open casting calls, casting sessions, or through any other manner as determined by FOOD NETWORK in its sole discretion."

So, while Damaris probably has the most votes, we will have to wait until the finale on Sunday to see who actually is the Season 9 winner of Food Network Star.

35 comments:

  1. I don't even care who wins. I wouldn't watch any of their shows. They all seem to have a hunger for fame and no passion for food. What's the point?

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  2. I think a lot of people agree with you and this season didn't have a lot of likeable people. Damaris was one of the few who hadn't been on TV before this season of Food Network Star.

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  3. Absolutely the worst season yet of this show and the one that I didn't care if I watched or not. Last year I was counting the days down until the show aired but this year I mainly read the summaries from this website to get who was eliminated.

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  4. Season 10? Wonder if they'd consider a "redemption" series and bring back past contestants.

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  5. If the votes didn't go the way the network wanted, I wouldn't be surprised if they were tweaked to get the desired result. I firmly believe after the viewer vote gave Justin the win last season the network found itself with a star for whom it couldn't create an appropriate vehicle. This time around, I think the network will be wary of caving to the viewer vote if the winner doesn't fit the desired mold.


    But then, I have a nasty, suspicious, cynical mind.

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  6. I absolutely agree and don't doubt they arranged it so Alton couldn't be around to help produce his one ep.

    Then again, FN has been picking personality over skill or unique concept for years now and Justin's win must have caused serious teeth gnashing over there.

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  7. I have a sinking feeling they're going to have Rodney win...Guy Fieri 2.0, blech.

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  8. I predict a public uproar if that happens. I have yet to understand how he made it past the first elimination round. Still, Damaris could be the networks chosen replacement for Paula Deen. *fingers crossed

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  9. FN has already demonstrated that they're not interested in the West Coast, based on rerunning the live holiday specials with no indication that they'd been taped earlier.

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  10. Do they need to? They've already gone ahead and produced shows with past runners up, like Kelsey.

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  11. I think Damaris has a passion for food. She actually talks to her food when it's being prepared and when they were filming her pilot, she commented that working with the food calmed her down. It's what she loves.

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  12. Damaris has the best shot at a successful show - in my opinion. The Network guy, sorry I'm not good with names, loved her.

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  13. I've noticed that. All the same, they could bring back people they haven't used in other projects. If Iron Chef could do a redemption season, why not?

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  14. I haven't been impressed by any of the contestants in a few years. A show about sandwiches? How many of the winners have a cooking show on past 1 year? Guy F doesn't cook, he hosts.

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  15. Paula Dean 2.0. A reboot with less racism. So tired of Food Networks WAY-OVER focus on the south.

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  16. Considering the last episode is going to be another fluff piece made up of clips and interviews, I don't care who wins. I won't waste my time like last year. When I heard they were doing the same structure as last year, I have been a casual viewer at best.

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  17. Maybe they will bring back "fan favorites"? You know, contestants from previous seasons we all loved but got cut off too soon? Like Emily (Retro Rad from last season).



    I could go for that, IF they would allow a fan vote on it.

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  18. I don't think so, I think you are right.


    I think Justin truly won, but the network didn't like him. I actually think Justin was one of the few that wanted to do this his own way (or none at all) and the network couldn't handle it.

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  19. Count me in as well (despite my 170 Damaris votes)

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  20. Guy's Big Bite is still running and on that show he cooks

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  21. I think Damaris will win. I think FN IS looking for a new Southern gal, and Damaris' dating concept is new to the network (if not to Ted Allen). I also think she had the best delivery once she got her act together. Unfortunately, no one blew us away with their food chops, but Damaris had her moments.

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  22. If it really were up to the network fans, I'd agree with you but like the others said above I have a feeling the network wants another Guy (in Rodney).

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  23. Oops! I guess I never noticed it because I don't look for him as I don't especially like him. This is a time I'm glad I'm wrong.

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  24. Amen to that! And what's up with all these new hillbilly shows? (Bubba q, etc.) Sensationalism!

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  25. I think it's awkward & silly.

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  26. "Guy's Big Bite"? I thought it was "Guy Bite's Big".

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  27. I guess its just me but she has rubbed me the wrong way since the first episode.

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  28. Verrryy funny!

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  29. She is the last person I would want to win; I couldn't imagine anyone more fake or revolting.

    I was hoping the culinary sins guy would win. We'll see.

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  30. I think if it is Damaris it would be a cooking show that teaches something. The others wouldn't be. That's what I really like.

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  31. She only won because they got rid of Paula deem n they needed someone from the south to replace her

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  32. Basically I do not trust the food network anymore. This was a joke this year. Horrible untalented people and it was WEIRD. I did not like the judges and it feels so fake now.
    I will not be watching this show anymore.

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  33. revolting? oh.. you're from boston. that explains it

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  34. Of course Damaris is going to win they canned Paula Dean and need someone to take over her spot. Disappointing Season....

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