There is nothing wrong with expressing an opinion. That's what I'm hoping people would do here. My issue is with people spewing venomous hatred for all things that don't fall into their realm of "preferences". It's a free for all of tearing down what you don't like here with some folk.

I've read many an opinion I thought was well thought out, articulate and written. It's this apparent hateful rage that rubs me the wrong way. Disappointment at your favorite contestant not winning is one thing but let it go. Express an intelligent view and move on.

No sir. This is not hostility you detect in me. It's annoyance in people's lack of ability to restrain their ugly side. The notion that having a forum such as this one allows us free reign to utter the ugliest vilest things we can utter whether they're true or not.

I stand by my comments. And perhaps there's an irony in your advice to me about reading comments that I don't find agreeable to my sensibilities . . .

Yikes! That sounds like a stuffy concept.

And are we the "lowest common denominator" you speak of? Don't you think that may be an offensive comment to make to those who haven't reached the plateau you've apparently reached in your cooking skills?

I would think once someone has reached a certain level of skill in their cooking abilities they no longer need the help of "television" shows to help bolster their abilities. Once you've attained the skill to ignite your own passions for cooking Food Network will become, well just Television viewing.

I do not agree with your concept to morph the Food Network into something it's not. It's not culinary school. It's entertainment. If it educates or inspires while it entertains, all the better. But if one is looking for more. To "grow". They need to venture elsewhere.

Food Network cannot "stunt your growth". Only you can do that. Only you can cause yourself to grow.

Me thinks you put too much faith in the Television's ability to teach.

Am I exaggerating or am I just making an observation? Read some of these comments. They're downright hostile and mean. Uncalled for. People questioning Melissa's ability to be a mother. Her appearance. What is that? Women's ability in general to multitask is questioned. Are women that incapable? I just think people can post without the personal insults. What happened to intelligence? There are ways to say things without getting so ugly. Why would anyone at Food Network listen to the voices of "irrational" people as you put it? I read these comments and for me it does nothing to convince me Food Network missed any mark. It says to me there are a bunch of sore losers out there who just communicate that with the vilest of remarks. Tell me why should anyone listen and take notice of "temper tantrums"? Maybe that's the way some rear their children. Giving in to their tantrums. But I think that's behavior that should be ignored or punished and not rewarded.
So Pamela, no I don't think I was exaggerating. I understand your frustration with perhaps seeking more out of the Food Network than they presently offer. But that's life. There are other sources of culinary enlightenment out there. There's the internet. There's the library. There's book stores. I may be "Lumpy Potatoes" but I'm not a "couch potato". If television doesn't provide for me the learning enrichment I seek, I will search for it from other sources. Without resorting to being a hurtful, vindictive, insulting person. And if I do resort to that, I'll temper it, season it, if you will, with humor to cut the acidity and make it more palatable.

Susie says negative posts are due to people being passionate about food. I would attribute it more to "the universe revolves around me and my preferences" lunacy. You people are nuts. It's like road rage here. And some comments border on the insane ("I don't like her teeth"). What is this craziness? If you don't like Melissa don't watch her show. If the contestant you rooted for didn't win can't you get over it and behave like an adult? Can't you move on? "I'm gonna boycott Food Network! Wah Wah!" Why don't you pour gasoline over your body and chain yourself to their front door and threaten to light yourself on fire if they don't change things to your liking? Come on folks! Is it really that important? Must we always get our own personal way like some spoiled little brats?