Thursday, November 15, 2012

Guy Fieri Says He Is Being Bullied

I think we might be using the word bullied in all the wrong contexts. yesterday I Tweeted a link to the NY Times review of Guy Fieri's new Times Square restaurant. You can read the review here. It is possibly the harshest review of all time for an eating establishment, BUT, I also think it was right on the money. Guy told Today that he has only been open for two months so it is not fair to judge it so soon. People have been spending their money in there for two months and you were happy to take it, so yes, two months is fine. He said he knows it is not perfect. OK. If you know it is not perfect and there are flaws how come you have not addressed them. One chef said it was like the reviewer was reviewing Hard Rock. I think that is what a restaurant in Times Square that has 500 seats is trying to be so I have no problems with that. There was no attacking or bullying. The reviewer made fun of Guy and his antics on Food Network and his hair. Who cares. He also said a few nice things about his other eating establishments, but Guy didn't criticize that part of the review. Grow up and fix the place and make it seem like you care.
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Posted by ent lawyer at 6:45 AM

70 comments:

  1. Lynn Cloud6:47 AM

    Gordon Ramsey to the rescue!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cathy6:56 AM

    I hate when people overuse the word "bullying" because it loses its actual meaning and I don't think that bullying is an accurate description of the review. That being said, the review was a bit odd, since the whole thing was basically an open letter to Guy, criticizing his restaurant. Full of valid points, but it is a little more targeted at the owner than a review usually is.

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  3. Jessica6:57 AM

    Maybe people would take him seriously if he didn't pretend his name was pronounced Fee - etty, instead of the actual pronunciation that is apparently too close to "fairy" for him (Fee - airy)

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  4. Patty7:00 AM

    He needs Robert Irvine and Restaurant Impossible.

    I dislike this character, his schtick and his show. He featured a place in my area this year. On date night, hubby and I were thinking of a place to go and thought of trying the "dive" he featured. Looked it up on Urban Spoon. Pretty bad reviews from the locals who went there. Ever since then I have been dubious of the places and the slop he features.

    Oh, and do yourself a favor...read that review. The best, most creative restaurant review ever! I read it out loud to the family yesterday and we were in tears from laughing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LottaColada7:05 AM

      Patty, I would love to see Robert Irvine go to his place and try the food! There's a critic who knows his stuff.

      Delete
    2. Unknown3:30 PM

      sorry to hear he featured a bad restaurant from your city but i must say when he came to jacksonville he featured the metro diner and that's a place loved by many so not all the restaurants on his show are disgusting : )

      Delete
  5. Maximus7:02 AM

    He's not being bullied he's being called out for creating a terrible experience with criminally overpriced food in an area of the country known for being brutally honest with their opinions and particular about their food...

    Yes, even in times square.

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  6. LottaColada7:03 AM

    If you're going around to other establishments tasting they're dishes on tv and you CLAIM to also be a chef, your restaurant should have zero to little problems with its menu. If his customer reviews are not so great I think he's just slacking and thought he would get away with the crappy overpriced food.

    Also I think it's about time someone called him out on his ridiculous hair haha.

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  7. Amber7:06 AM

    People can say what they want about Guy Fieri - make fun of his hair, clothes, lingo - but I know for a fact he's a great guy. I have a number of very good friends that work with him.

    And ITA with Cathy. The use of "bullying" is out of hand, but that review is odd. Also, any restaurant @ Times Square has got to be a nightmare. I can't stand going to that area because it's such a freaking madhouse.

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  8. auntliddy7:07 AM

    Where did all these nasty, tempermental chefs and food critics come from anyway???? Whats their problem? Most people hate all this pretentious food anyway. "Sauted buffalo gonads on a bed of rice grown in a tiny village in outer slovikia, harvested once a year, with a berried buffalo sauce"! Please!!!! Most people r grabbing a sandwhich and getting back to whatever they were doing. Ditto for dinner. So they can tske all their pretense and attitude to- mcdonalds!!!!! ( the horror....the horror.. ) lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. auntliddy7:08 AM

      And he's not being bullied. He's being critiqued by a dick. Theres a diff!

      Delete
  9. Lucas7:19 AM

    Saying 'we've only been open two months' is a cop-out. You know you are going to get reviewed, you know you are going to be busy from day one as a celebrity establishment in Times Square. You should be ready and if you are worth your salt you should be embarrassed that something with your name on it is anything less than stellar. He had to know he has a target on his back. Don't rush to open just so you can start raking in the $.

    And if there was more swearing I'd have thought that review was written by Anthony Bourdain. Who is one of my heroes.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Patty7:25 AM

    I would love to see Bourdain's review of that place.

    Also, you should read the comments on that review. Some are as funny as the review. Even the people who tried his restaurants in California have a similar opnion of his food. Does not seem like an isolated incident.

    The reviewer made three trips to that joint and found very little positive to say in total. I like the fact he put on his creative writing cap for this one.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Fijigrrl7:29 AM

    I don't mind Guy and his "schtick". I thought the review was hilarious though. Bullying? I don't think so. Agree that the word is misused here.

    ReplyDelete
  12. MBK7:31 AM

    Best review ever! Hilarious.

    ReplyDelete
  13. MISCH7:31 AM

    My niece and future nephew were in the restaurant this week before they went back to Europe where they live...
    they said Guy was a total Bullocks their word not mine, he was there with his entourage deciding who was worthy of being photographed with him.
    The food is expensive and lousy....

    ReplyDelete
  14. BLT7:34 AM

    Bwahahaha. There are three of his restaurants in my area and they all suck! Unbelievable that they are still open. I think this reviewer was kind.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sugar 7:36 AM

    Isn't he a screaming homophobe or is that a rumor? And I can't get over all those rings and jewelry he wears while cooking. UNSANITARY!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Patty7:36 AM

    And his sob story of "we have only been open 2 months" is showing a lack of respect for customers and a failure to understand repeat service. If I go their when it opens and am thoroughly disgusted, I'm not only never going back, I'm telling all my friends how bad it was. Done. Strive for perfection on opening day, not 6 months down the line. Are there hiccups when a place opens? Sure. But food and service shouldn't be DOA.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Amber7:40 AM

    @Sugar - as far as I know that is not actually true. I asked my friends about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sugar 7:44 AM

      Good to know, Amber, cause ever since I heard that I've been watching him with a side eye. He does wear too many rings when cooking though. That's nasty.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous7:41 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  19. urban chaos7:41 AM

    Wah, wah, wah! He is not a chef he is all gimmick.
    I hate that the food industry is becoming overrun with fluff and every kid now thinks after a few years of turning out potatoes because they can cook one signature dish they can run a kitchen. Thomas Keller said something pretty excellent a while back in an interview which basically amounted shut up and pay attention before you try to go off all half assed..;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jolene Jolene7:43 AM

    Saying that the place has only been open for two months so go easy is only valid if the service isn't stellar, not if the food sucks.

    I have to say that when people in Chicago try a new restaurant and give it 3 stars because the service was bad but the food was outstanding absolutely pisses me off. Yelp is a joke at times because SO MANY of those people are such self-entitled snots. They honestly say "The food was awesome but it took 7 minutes to get our drinks" and then take off 2 stars for it. Whatever! I wish people here had a more European attitude about service. I go out to dinner for the food but also to enjoy the company of whoever I'm with. I like the take my time, have some space between courses, etc. Rant over!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jessica7:45 AM

    Puhlez - Google "guy fieri gay" and looks at what comes up.
    'You can't send me to talk to gay people without warning!"
    "gays weird me out"
    All from a number of different sources and people.
    But you ask your friend and they say "I don't think so" so none of it is true?
    Ok...

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sugar 7:46 AM

    Agree with your dining sensibilities Jolene except I want my first drink right away. After that I'm easy.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Eeekalicious7:48 AM

    @auntliddy Hawhawhawhaw!!!! First laugh out loud for me of the day Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Seachica7:48 AM

    Here here, Jolene. I hate being rushed at a restaurant. The Europeans have it right - take your time, enjoy the food and company, and don't interrupt me until I let you know that I am ready for my next course.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Amber7:57 AM

    Jessica - To be fair, people kill John Stamos and Morgan Freeman on the internet on a regular basis. Google is not Gospel.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Jessica7:58 AM

    Amber: Neither is "I know someone who knows someone..."

    ReplyDelete
  27. Amber8:03 AM

    *shrug* You don't have to believe me. That's not a card I pull often. Just felt like vouching for him, because I could. Be snippy all you want, it has no weight on my day.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Jessica8:04 AM

    Shockheaded Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives host Guy Fieri has some unsavory personal habits and beliefs, according to an article in City Pages. Like calling Jews “cheap,” treating women like boobs with legs, using the show’s production team for his own projects—and being creeped out by gays.

    Queerty reader Philippe Richard tipped us off to the October 12 cover story, which alleges, among other things:

    Fieri… needed protection from homosexuals, or at least advance warning. Early in the show’s run, Page got a phone call from Fieri, who’d just walked out of a restaurant in a huff.

    “Guy had decided that the two men running the restaurant were life partners,” Page remembers. “He said, ‘You can’t send me to talk to gay people without warning! Those people weird me out!’”

    From then on, show researchers were required to note any indications of homosexuality detected during pre-interviews. (Fieri declined to comment for this story through his spokespeople.)

    Former field producer confirms that Fieri made the odd demand about gay guests, and says she witnessed the star become more controlling on set.


    ReplyDelete
  29. rocaco8:04 AM

    Guys sister was a lesbian (she passed a couple years back). He and his sister were quite close so i highly doubt he is a homophobe.

    ReplyDelete
  30. cc4238:05 AM

    This is from a previous article in City Pages about this Guy:

    "Guy had decided that the two men running the restaurant were life partners," Page remembers. "He said, 'You can't send me to talk to gay people without warning! Those people weird me out!'"

    So yeah. I guess he knows bullying when he sees it.

    ReplyDelete
  31. cc4238:05 AM

    DOH! You beat me to it Jessica.

    ReplyDelete
  32. rocaco8:07 AM

    Guys sister was a lesbian (she passed a couple years back). He and his sister were quite close so i highly doubt he is a homophobe.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Amber8:08 AM

    LOL quotes from David Page are hysterical.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Jessica8:12 AM

    As for the specific allegations about Fieri, ace fact-checker Gregory Pratt called back our second source for the anecdote about gay guests, Kari Kloster. She offered more details about what it was like to break the news of a guest's gayness to Fieri:

    KariKloster.jpg
    Kari Kloster says Guy Fieri's discomfort with gay guests was well known on set
    ​We'd vet the place before Guy--in terms of personality of people, quality of food, if the restaurant is clean, not only for Guy but the reputation of DDD. That would be a common practice to make sure this is a place worthy of shooting for Diners.

    In the course of doing that in a day and a half the crew pulled me aside and basically told me that I was going to have to tell Guy that this owner was gay and it was going to be a problem. From their experience with him, that was their advice to me. I had a few concerns about how the shoot was going to go, including the fact that the crew had pulled me aside to tell me that there was a homosexual.

    So I called David Page to consult with him. I told David that the owner was homosexual and the crew told me it could be a real problem, real problem meaning Guy might walk out on it and not want to shoot the segment, he might treat the guy poorly throughout the process, it might be bad chemistry on camera. So David told me what I needed to do was wait for Guy outside the restaurant and when his car pulled up I needed to brief Guy on the restaurant as I normally would. "Here's what we're doing, we're going to make this and that." And he said that as part of the briefing I needed to let Guy know he was homosexual before entering the restaurant.

    That's what I did.

    He heard all of that information, he said okay, he came into the restaurant, and we shot the segment, it turned out great, the chef pulled off a miracle of all miracles and cooked the two dishes.

    It was a successful shoot day.

    From my memory of being a field producer it's just well-known to me among the crew that Guy has a problem - if there was a homosexual in a restaurant, as the main character, the shoot went different.

    I know he has a gay sister but Dick Cheney has a gay daughter. That's not something I know a lot about. I've never discussed the issue with Guy so I don't feel comfortable going into detail on his feelings there but it was well-known among the crew.

    If any crew members denies it, they're just lying. We all knew that we needed to tell him that. The fact that the crew advised me on it, they clearly knew.

    ReplyDelete
  35. ellie8:12 AM

    read the october '11 article in city pages titled "diners, drive ins and disasters" . city pages is an alt weekly out of mpls. sorry, don't know how to link it!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Bit dams8:14 AM

    I had 2 encounters with Guy, at 2 different restaurants in san diego a few years ago. he's a dick, so "oh well!" to a bad review.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Amber8:15 AM

    Yup, Jessica, you're right. Keep on truckin'!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Jessica8:16 AM

    I think someone spent too much time sniffing her own armpit.

    ReplyDelete
  39. flip8:19 AM

    Has anyone interviewed Bourdain yet for his thoughts? I think he is right on the money when it comes to Fieri and Deen and he gets ripped for being mean. I think he is honest and for some reason, a lot of people feel protective of the star that plays the America's average Joe/Josephine. I think it's great to see a critic take on a comfort food/entertainment concept and break it down. $28 for meatloaf?? It's akin to being driven out of the way by a cab driver for extra fare.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Cathy8:20 AM

    Sometimes an asshole does some very kind things and sometimes a truly kind person does some shitty things. So maybe you're both right. But either way, why are you dragging Libby's armpit into this, Jessica?

    ReplyDelete
  41. a non a miss8:23 AM

    Right Cathy? Libby hasn't even posted on this thread, why even bring her into this?

    ReplyDelete
  42. Jessica8:24 AM

    I think some people stir the shit for a valid reason and sometimes people stir the shit because they are born shit stirrers, and can't stand to stay out of any small thing that happens... So Cathy, who said I was talking about Libby?

    ReplyDelete
  43. Cathy8:27 AM

    Fair enough, Jessica - would you care to explain what you were talking about with your armpit sniffing comment?

    But of those two groups you mentioned, I'd say you're the latter.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Amber8:30 AM

    Oh no. Is it it already time for the bi-weekly bruhaha over Libby's armpit? lol

    ReplyDelete
  45. Cathy8:32 AM

    @Amber - and she hasn't even posted on this thread!!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. CantHaveMyPurse8:35 AM

    Bullied? He doesn't understand what that means....he's being called out for having a crap restaurant. That's not bullying.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Amber8:39 AM

    "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

    ReplyDelete
  48. Roman Holiday8:44 AM

    I cannot stand this man and if I ever met him I would tell him!!

    He is a hack!!! But his son is a cutie pie so I will cut him some slack for having an adorable kid!!!

    ReplyDelete
  49. jax8:48 AM

    I really don't give a fuck who knows Guy and "if he's a real swell guy" he's taking my money and serving me shit with a smile on his face.

    The homophobic rumours have followed him forever, having a lesbian sister proves NOTHING. Some of the most phobic people I have met had sons or daughters who were gay.

    Whine away Guy.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Sugar 8:49 AM

    Sheesh, sorry I brought the homophobe thang! Can we all agree that he wears too much jewelry and that is frat boy spikes are totally stupid?

    ReplyDelete
  51. car548:51 AM

    It is not bullying if someone just doesn't like you...or disagrees with you. The word is being misused all over the place nowadays.

    ReplyDelete
  52. EmEyeKay8:55 AM

    I met him once and he was all smiles and charm, at a great restaurant. He didn't have a crew, he popped in for a few minutes and spoke with the owner, and the only hands he shook were the people who approached him (like me).

    That says nothing, just sharing. I agree that a bad review isn't "bullying". It's a bad review. MY question is this: why in the world would the reviewer spend time on such a restaurant? No one cares about places like those. You're not going to go out of your way to eat there, it's a tourist trap. So, why bother? I think much less of the paper wasting space on words than I do of Guy or his restaurant.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Unknown8:59 AM

    You guys should read Food Network Humor, funny ass shit. Her entys on Guy are hilarious

    ReplyDelete
  54. MAC9:11 AM

    I'm live in the town where he opened his first restaurants. They are mediocre at best. The fact that he couldn't make a humble response and say that they were going to take this opportunity to make changes, shows what a pompous ass he is. So you have 8 restaurants, big deal, doesn't mean they're good. And since you have 8 restaurants you should know what you are doing.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Jolene Jolene9:28 AM

    Hahaha @Sugar. I'm with you if I've had a very bad day. That server better get me my drink stat lest they be cut! :)

    Ughhh STFU about the stupid armpit! If you don't like someone's photo, scroll on by. It's not that difficult. Sorry, I'm so over that entire topic.

    Guy Fieri probably is charming and friendly until he finds out you're a gay man. Just because someone has a gay sister doesn't mean anything. Many men are not homophobic toward lesbians but are toward gay men. It's about being threatened. Closed-minded fucktards they are.

    ReplyDelete
  56. All about Eve9:30 AM

    Never liked this guy and his whole schtick on Food Network, and completely agree with all that jewelry while cooking is nasty. I've heard about the homophobia and I'll reserve judgment on that and having a lesbian sister means nothing. The review was absolutely not bullying! Just because he didn't like being called out on his crappy food doesn't mean he gets to scream bully! And by the way, I wouldn't be caught dead eating in a Times Square restaurant, worst food and service, since most of their customers are tourist who will not come back they really don't care what they send out or how it's served.

    @ Lucas, I absolutely love Anthony Bourdain, he really does tell it like it is, has no problem eating in a five star restaurant or the joint in the corner and does it all without gimmicks.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Kelly9:36 AM

    I like nothing better on a boring Friday TV night then to watch several back to back episodes of DDD. I love that kind of food, and don't indulge very often because it's so bad for you, so I watch it instead! LOL
    Not nice of you all to label him a homophobe asshole just because there are RUMORS that he is. I give him a pass for now until I find out proof otherwise.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Mango10:31 AM

    I think the NY Times review was more about being clever and funny. I'd prefer a straight up review, hold the guffaws, thanks.

    That said, I enjoy DDD. I find Guy funny and engaging on the show. On his own cooking show I'm squicked out when he doesn't take off those godawful big honking rings when he's touching food-- nasty!

    The menu for the NY Times Square restaurant, from what I can tell from that scathing review, seems to be all over the frickin' place. He needs to (yeah, I'll say it) dumb it down a bit.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Icecat10:38 AM

    I have always thought Guy is nothing but a big douche.

    With his douche hair, douche clothes, douche jewelry, douche goatee.. Uggg. DOUCHE!!!

    ReplyDelete
  60. feraltart11:45 AM

    @Jolene, I shall be borrowing 'closed minded fucktards' for today. Tank you.

    ReplyDelete
  61. SusanB12:03 PM

    What's the relationship between him and NBC? I watched Brian Williams on the NBC Evening News last night and he did a 3 minute story on this. The head of the CIA is screwing around, the president has his 1st press conference since being re-elected, we're staring at a fiscal cliff and he devotes 3 minutes of a 22 minute broadcast to THIS story? Makes me think there's some payback about something going on.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Dee1:41 PM

    DITTO as to what Icecat posted! And I cannot stand when he takes his pinky and dips in for a taste of something. I am DIS.GUST.ED! Isn't that what they have tasting spoons for?

    ReplyDelete
  63. Agent**It2:18 PM

    Amber, David Page is a known liar so the homophobic remarks are suspect. There are some "employment issues" that went on. "Gregory Pratt" - the one that was let go from City Pages?" That's funny!Hail to the pit:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amber5:44 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  64. Amber5:51 PM

    Agent, bingo. I have direct knowledge of incidents that went down with Boss of the Year starting long before DDD got pulled from him. I have no idea what I'm allowed to say, though. In my opinion, DP is psychotic.

    ReplyDelete

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