TV Hot Spot: News

Food Network Orders More Helpings of Rachael Ray!

Post by: Sal


Source: Zap2It

Yummo. Can't get enough of sprightly food diva Rachael Ray? Well, neither can the Food Network.

The culinary cable channel has ordered up 60 new episodes of Ray's "30-Minute Meals" and has agreed to a two-year deal for her new series, "Rachael's Vacation."

"Rachael is the quintessential example of the homegrown stars we create at Food Network," says Brooke Johnson, Food Network's president. "She has been with us since 2001 and we have built a strong partnership that will continue for years to come and bring more new and exciting projects."

"Rachael's Vacation," which will premiere on Jan. 12 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, is pretty much what it sounds like. The chipper host gets to go on holiday to locations near and far and participate in local culture that's accessible to everyone. This can include tapas in Barcelona, pubs in Dublin or farmer's markets in Bordeaux. Her adventures aren't confined to just food, though. She'll also visit bookstores, shoe shops, boutiques, museums and street festivals.

Ray, 39, also hosted "Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels," "$40 a Day" and "Inside Dish" for the Food Network, along with participating in numerous other specials. Her "30-Minute Meals" is a daytime show that instructs viewers how to put together a meal in under half an hour. It has also helped her spawn several cookbooks based on the concept.

Over on CBS, Ray hosts her own talk/lifestyle show, "Rachael Ray," co-produced by Oprah Winfrey. The show is currently in its second season and has been renewed through the 2009-2010 season.



Take Care,

Sal

TV Hot Spot: News

Rachael Ray Gives Thanks

Post by: Sal

You're arguably the nation's best-known food expert, a popular weekday show bears your name, and Thanksgiving is coming.

Yummo! Does it get any better?

Not for Rachael Ray. She starts a daily "Friends of Rach Thanksgiving Countdown" on her syndicated program Monday, Nov. 12, and extends it into the following week.

Among the "friends" are Ray's Food Network peers Bobby Flay and Paula Deen, who offer holiday tips of their own. Also returning is "Desperate Housewives" star Teri Hatcher, who helped Ray launch her second season in September.

"I wanted to do this last year," the ever-lively Ray explains. "I tried to get everybody from Food Network to come by, but we'd just started the show and they were already jammed up schedulewise. I said, 'Well, all right. I'll just throw out every trick, every story and every recipe I've got.' Basically, I've had to turn to other people because I used up everything I know about Thanksgiving last year."

Just as Turkey Day signals warm reunions, Ray was glad to welcome Food Network colleagues for the tapings.

"They've always been so supportive of me," she says. "And Paula: what a reception for that woman! She comes out on the set and gets a standing ovation as long as the president would. These aren't just my friends; they're in people's homes, and they build really intimate relationships with them. We knew this would be a great way to please our audience, too."

In year two of "Rachael Ray," any guest -- ranging from actors Kelsey Grammer and Anne Heche to Jenna Bush and Elizabeth Edwards -- knows what to expect.

"We're not an A-list-only stop where you come on and do your three-minute-plug for your new movie," the host says. "Even when we have celebrities on, they talk more about things like their family lives.

"Also, even more this season than last, our viewers are a huge chunk of the program. Now their segments have names, like 'The Human Lab,' where they test things like fashions or exercise equipment."

Ray adds, "We've also got 'So You Think You Can Cook' contests, where someone literally wins a chance to be Rachael Ray. They get a page in the magazine, they do a cooking segment on the show, and we send them to a culinary camp. They actually could end up more talented than I am."

Ray expects her own Thanksgiving to be traditional, spent in upstate New York with family.

"I really do make the same Thanksgiving every single year," she maintains, "and there's only so many times I can reinvent my apple, onion and celery stuffing. This mixes it up. I do a segment on having a Thanksgiving if it's only two or three or four people, so I still have valuable information, but this takes the turkey off my back."

Take Care,

Sal

TV Hot Spot: News

'Rachael Ray' Renewed Through 2010

Post by: Sal

Oh my gravy! Rachael Ray's new syndicated show has received a substantial renewal.

CBS Television Distribution announced on Tuesday (Jan. 16) that "Rachael Ray," the season's top premiering syndicated show, has been renewed for two seasons, through the 2009-2010 season.

"As the only bona fine new syndicated hit of the season, we're pleased to renew 'Rachael Ray' for two more seasons," says Roger King, CEO at CTD. "It's clear that Rachael's devoted fans are happy to welcome her into their living rooms every day and the positive response from our affiliate stations has been tremendous. We look forward to many more years of fantastic shows from Rachael and the show's talented creative team."

The September launch of "Rachael Ray" was the highest-rated syndicated talk show since "Dr. Phil" in 2002. The show ranks among TV's top five syndicated talk shows and has averaged a 2.1 household rating.

"I'm thrilled the I will be able to keep working with all the talented people who make the show such a success," Ray says in a statement. "It is truly a dream job, and I thank all the viewers for tuning in every day."