Battle of the MasterChefs

Fans of MasterChef who do not have PVR's might find themselves faced with a difficult decision tonight when the timeslots for the two new MasterChef series clash.

MasterChef South Africa continues the melodrama on M-Net at 19h30, whilst the second episode of the new season of the original MasterChef comes to BBC Lifestyle at 20h00.

How do you prefer your MasterChef?  Dished up by the slightly dull vegetable expert, Gregg Wallace or stared and sniffed at by an appallingly over the top Andrew Atkinson drowning in a suit three sizes too large?  And how do you prefer your contestants? Cooking in real restaurants and being exposed to the real pressures of being a chef, or being grilled on a pretty set by the three stooges?

 

Whichever you crave, Tuesdays nights now officially cater for all MasterChef fans.

MasterChef SA - Episode 5

Last week we learnt how to make a little house out of chips.  And tonight we might discover how to spruce up a dessert with a mint sprig.

MasterChef SA airs on M-Net on Tuesdays at 19h30

By the way, we LOVE the new title sequence!

ARE YOU WATCHING: MasterChef South Africa - Episode 4

Tonight our jolly judges welcome the top 18 contestants to the MasterChef kitchen at the Nederburg Wine Estate. Let's hope they finally start focusing on the good food being churned out instead of the disasters we've been witnessing the past two weeks.

Don't miss it!


MasterChef South Africa spices up M-Net on Tuesdays at 19h30




See also MasterChef South Africa - Episode 3
              MasterChef South Africa - Episode 2
              What does Modern Family have to do with MasterChef SA?
              MasterChef South Africa - Episode 1

MasterChef South Africa - Episode 3

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then we wonder ....

Is this honestly the sort of food one would expect from a top 25 contestant?  (Being sent to your room without dinner is probably not much of a punishment in that house.)

Does Andrew Atkinson. Have. A speech. Impediment?  (Or does he intentionally act like a complete moron?)

And are there actually people living in South Africa who have never braaied before?  (We say Home Affairs should be alerted immediately. Oh, and in this case, the fashion police too.)


MasterChef South Africa airs on M-Net on Tuesdays at 19h30

MasterChef South Africa - Episode 2

After the fantastic buzz created by the first episode, MasterChef South Africa really had to deliver in episode 2 to prove to us that the show is as good as promised. Sadly - just like the contestants - it did not.

Whilst the boot camp produced some fun moments (notably when Fortune got a head full of egg whites), over all the episode was bogged down by the dreary and robotic delivery of the judges. Andrew Atkinson in particular, with his grating drill sergeant act, positively peadophilic stares, horrible dress sense and general over the top behaviour is fast becoming an unbearable irritation. 

The contestants are also starting to leave much to be desired.  After chopping and whisking their way through the first two challenges, they finally had an opportunity to cook and treat us to a display of some of the amazing skills we would expect from the so called best amateur cooks in the country. We certainly did not expect to see a demonstration of how to transform the humble potato into slop you wouldn't even feed your dog.  

Whilst we haven't lost faith yet, we are certainly no longer excited. And that's a pity, because MasterChef South Africa has a lot of potential.

MasterChef South Africa fizzles on M-Net on Tuesdays at 19h30.

see also      MasterChef South Africa - Episode 1 Review
                   What does Modern Family have to do with MasterChef South Africa?

What does Modern Family have to do with MasterChef SA?

Hilarious irreverent mockumentary meets sitcom, Modern Family, is a good reason to look forward to Wednesdays.

Each character, whilst inherently a stereotype, comes alive in such a brilliant and realistic way that other TV shows pale in comparison. What is their secret? Yes, brilliant writers and a clever concept goes a long way, but so too does having your actors fit their roles almost perfectly. Because ultimately finding a form of expression whether in work, art or entertainment that is truest to who you really are is a very powerful thing.

Sadly, this is where SA reality TV in particular goes very wrong. When Randall on SA Idols pretends to be a mean Simon Cowell clone, he comes off as a constipated idiot that slipped and came down awkwardly on a Toilet Duck. Or when the clearly jovial and friendly new judges on MasterChef South Africa try to emulate the arrogant pompous cravat wearing ringmasters from the Aussie show, they seem like Smartie offering sex offenders.

Take a hint from the cast of Modern Family and rather work hard and excel at being yourselves!

Modern Family lights up Wednesdays on M-Net at 19h30.

MasterChef South Africa - Episode 1

If you are too good to go to cooking school or actually work in a kitchen, but still dream about being a chef, then you can skip the trouble of becoming a real chef and become a MasterChef instead.

Jokes aside, Master Chef South Africa is a very watchable high quality production - if you are a fan of the Australian and American formats of the show, that is.  A giant leap forward for reality television in South Africa, it actually features likeable judges - when they are not pretending to be stern, which we will hopefully see less of in future- , interesting, fun and diverse contestants, high production values and some pretty good looking food. 

Definitely a show to keep an eye out for.

MasterChef SA sizzles on M-Net on Tuesdays at 19h30.

Note to judges: staring at someone blankly whilst chewing their food does not make you look stern and discerning. It makes you look like a stalker and a sex offender.