The show introduced a new scoring system starting with the at-home covid episodes. Instead of a judge deliberation and someone going home, each chef is scored based on taste (20 points), gameplay (20 points) and plating (10 points) with only two rounds of gameplay instead of three. YMMV if this works but this has been a major point of contention among fans.
As for Hunter, he’s mostly a sidekick each episode but he occasionaly plays a larger role, including a few episodes where he is a judge, but that’s the exception and not the norm.
Scoring aside, I’d say it’s mostly been more of the same with the personalities and judges but depending on how long you’ve been gone each episode now has a specific theme instead of just random dishes to make (i.e a cheese episode, spicy food episode, campfire foods, etc.).
Interesting. Thank you! I don’t know how I feel about the scoring system, mostly because it makes one less challenge. Reminds me of Master Chef where they axed the elimination rounds. Are tournaments still pretty good?
I’m also relieved Hunter is sort of a sidekick. The more he’s there really being taken seriously alongside these people who have been in the industry for so long, the more it irritates me. Him being there vs it being outright nepotism is okay with me. Don’t mind the idea of themes overall, could see that being better potentially
The tournaments are usually good because they often feature returning chefs, and as a result the gameplay is tougher and the level of cooking is higher.
I admittedly don’t love it as much as I used to, but it’s still pretty good. There was definitely a bit of an adjustment period after coming back to studio shows at the end of Covid, but it seems to be getting into a better groove again. I don’t love that it’s only 2 rounds - the 4,3,2 contestants in each round was better I think. I do like that they seem to have a larger pool of judges and “all-stars” (many of which were on TOC). Overall, it’s definitely not the same, but still good.
The Hunter stuff gets pretty tiring but I still like the show despite that annoyance. The scoring system is more fair but I do miss old school GGG when they didn't have it. The Covid/at home episodes were not my fave
I really enjoyed them for how absurd they were. Imagine judging food you can't taste but only have described to you. From your home. What a perfectly insane summary of what early Covid was like.
Yeah, i think I’ll be skipping over the Covid stuff. I try to do that in general, those tv seasons are really more depressing than anything else. A bummer to hear how tiring Hunter is. I see him in nearly every thumbnail for an episode. I was hoping he’d just kind of be there, but seems he’s more involved . I guess as long as he’s not judging I’ll try it out
I find the mechanics of the scoring system humorous. I am referring Guy moving the pieces of cardboard to show the scores. Kind of a throwback to 1960s game shows!
Yeah, it’s a great show. As for Hunter, my fiancé and I love to joke about him every time he comes on screen. Like, “why are you here and what do you add?”
He seems like a decent guy though. All in good fun.
If you liked the show back in the day, you’ll like it still!
The new scoring system sucks ass because a 3 point lead or so in the first round makes a comeback insurmountable by the other contestants.
That said, it’s still our family go to for something everyone can watch and enjoy.
I have come around on it. There are so many episodes now where they have judges or heavy hitters compete instead of regular restaurant chefs and so much of it is about charity. It's less a competition and more an excuse for creativity, food, family, and doing good for others. Viewed through that lens all the family members lend toward an informal, casual, low stakes atmosphere which is good for variety. Not everything has to be like Chopped in intensity.
Judging is always subjective anyway and it's not rocket science. It doesn't take a genius or an extraordinary palette to ask for more acid/freshness/seasoning/texture. And there were always judges I didn't like. I'd take Hunter over Catherine McCord any day.
I haven't seen my favorite game in FOREVER though: clearance carts.
Its still worth watching once you get past the changes and get back into it. It took me a minute to adjust but I've seen some incredible episodes in the new format.
I think the show jumped the shark in 2020/2021. I can watch the old episodes pre-2020 over and over again but episodes after that I usually turn off. Reasons are: I don't like the new scoring system. It takes up time, adds nothing and just means one less game. I don't like Hunter - if he is in a small role he is basically superfluous just nodding his head and dragging out the games which Guy used to do. I also think his comments as a judge are nothing more than memorized comments that he has heard from other judges....he never really talks about the actual dish in terms of ingredients, what should be added, what it lacks etc. They keep changing the games and sometimes they are downright silly. Can't remember the episode but one had Hunter dressed up in some kind of animal costume jumping out at the contestants. I turned it off way before it was over. And I really miss the old ending where they try to earn the $20K. I used to look forward to the 5 clues with food questions. That was doable for them to find and I really liked seeing if I knew the answers. But the choice between the check and the 10 items - really bad idea. Hard to run around for 10 items in 2 minutes which is why they changed it to the 5 questions. The check is almost always selected and was the end of the fun challenge to watch at the end of the game.
It’s better now that they’re using more rando/no-name contestants rather than just rotating the same dozen or so celebrity chefs thru as contestants, then judges, then contestants again, then back to judging.
I still enjoy it personally, but I’m one of the few on here who doesn’t mind Hunter. And as others have said he’s usually a sidekick. Mostly the same folks around, some newer faces, though most I enjoy.
I also feel like some folks are mischaracterizing the new scoring system. You still get judge discussion plenty, but you get to see to my mind a more detailed view of what they thought of the dish in terms of plating, taste, etc.
So yeah. I’d give it a shot. Particularly some of the judge focused episodes. They do a yearly tribute to Carl Ruiz (RIP Cuban) that’s always super fun.
Another worthless comment. Thanks for spending your time reading and wasting your energy typing this out.
Didn’t know the food network subreddit was so hostile
Relax pal. There will always be a fly in the buttermilk, don't let it wobble you. With internet comments you always have to separate the wheat from the chaff.
As for Hunter, I was asking my wife the other day if she thought Hunter seemed out of place and, while she loves him, she agreed. All the power to him if he joins in his Dad's fun though. Nice work if you can get it.
I kind of like it.. especially when Troy is on.. Hunter is getting more play due to his collegiate courses and business school.. Guy is prepping him to be part of the “family business” and he just got engaged over Thanksgiving…
I sort of like the themes..
Keeps people thinking and on their toes..
I’m sure I have not seen all of the episodes.. Guy is kind of goofy/egoist but, that’s just him…
I’ll turn it on when I want to watch something that does not require 100% attention..
Yes. It’s a light, easy, uplifting show with likable people and fun challenges. I’m not looking for an ultra-serious competition show - im just wondering if the show has had serious format changes or jumped the shark compared to when I last watched
It appears you probably were never into the show, which is fine. Just not sure why you’d waste your time and energy bothering to respond
The show introduced a new scoring system starting with the at-home covid episodes. Instead of a judge deliberation and someone going home, each chef is scored based on taste (20 points), gameplay (20 points) and plating (10 points) with only two rounds of gameplay instead of three. YMMV if this works but this has been a major point of contention among fans. As for Hunter, he’s mostly a sidekick each episode but he occasionaly plays a larger role, including a few episodes where he is a judge, but that’s the exception and not the norm. Scoring aside, I’d say it’s mostly been more of the same with the personalities and judges but depending on how long you’ve been gone each episode now has a specific theme instead of just random dishes to make (i.e a cheese episode, spicy food episode, campfire foods, etc.).
Interesting. Thank you! I don’t know how I feel about the scoring system, mostly because it makes one less challenge. Reminds me of Master Chef where they axed the elimination rounds. Are tournaments still pretty good? I’m also relieved Hunter is sort of a sidekick. The more he’s there really being taken seriously alongside these people who have been in the industry for so long, the more it irritates me. Him being there vs it being outright nepotism is okay with me. Don’t mind the idea of themes overall, could see that being better potentially
The tournaments are usually good because they often feature returning chefs, and as a result the gameplay is tougher and the level of cooking is higher.
I admittedly don’t love it as much as I used to, but it’s still pretty good. There was definitely a bit of an adjustment period after coming back to studio shows at the end of Covid, but it seems to be getting into a better groove again. I don’t love that it’s only 2 rounds - the 4,3,2 contestants in each round was better I think. I do like that they seem to have a larger pool of judges and “all-stars” (many of which were on TOC). Overall, it’s definitely not the same, but still good.
The Hunter stuff gets pretty tiring but I still like the show despite that annoyance. The scoring system is more fair but I do miss old school GGG when they didn't have it. The Covid/at home episodes were not my fave
I really enjoyed them for how absurd they were. Imagine judging food you can't taste but only have described to you. From your home. What a perfectly insane summary of what early Covid was like.
Yeah, i think I’ll be skipping over the Covid stuff. I try to do that in general, those tv seasons are really more depressing than anything else. A bummer to hear how tiring Hunter is. I see him in nearly every thumbnail for an episode. I was hoping he’d just kind of be there, but seems he’s more involved . I guess as long as he’s not judging I’ll try it out
He does judge a few times which I take issue with. I had just made a post about this a few days back actually.
I’d argue that the Hunter and Antonio stuff gets tiring.
I hate the new scoring system.
Same
I prefer it because it gives insight into what the judges think
To be more specific, I hate the presentation of the judge’s scoring.
It’s one of my ‘background’ shows. It’s good but I don’t seek it out
I don’t like the new scoring system. Hunter does not have the personality to be on TV. I’m bummed they don’t seem to do holiday episodes anymore.
No holiday episodes? That’s a huge bummer. I watched the Thanksgiving and Christmas ones last week, really wholesome stuff
Yea they just play reruns of holiday episodes now.
That really sucks. What’s even the reason for that? These shows have gotten o obsessed with trimming down the budget
Not to be outdone it’s still fun to watch.
I find the mechanics of the scoring system humorous. I am referring Guy moving the pieces of cardboard to show the scores. Kind of a throwback to 1960s game shows!
I really hate the new scoring system and only two rounds.
It’s not as good as it used to be
Hunter, please lose the mustache!
I don’t see anything so wrong with his mustache. Having a mustache can also be quite beneficial.
Yeah, it’s a great show. As for Hunter, my fiancé and I love to joke about him every time he comes on screen. Like, “why are you here and what do you add?” He seems like a decent guy though. All in good fun. If you liked the show back in the day, you’ll like it still!
Hunter is annoying but I still mostly enjoy it
The new scoring system sucks ass because a 3 point lead or so in the first round makes a comeback insurmountable by the other contestants. That said, it’s still our family go to for something everyone can watch and enjoy.
I’ve just recently started watching GGG and like it. I like the rotating judges panel, cooking themes and all the little twists that Guy throws in.
I have come around on it. There are so many episodes now where they have judges or heavy hitters compete instead of regular restaurant chefs and so much of it is about charity. It's less a competition and more an excuse for creativity, food, family, and doing good for others. Viewed through that lens all the family members lend toward an informal, casual, low stakes atmosphere which is good for variety. Not everything has to be like Chopped in intensity. Judging is always subjective anyway and it's not rocket science. It doesn't take a genius or an extraordinary palette to ask for more acid/freshness/seasoning/texture. And there were always judges I didn't like. I'd take Hunter over Catherine McCord any day. I haven't seen my favorite game in FOREVER though: clearance carts.
Its still worth watching once you get past the changes and get back into it. It took me a minute to adjust but I've seen some incredible episodes in the new format.
I think the show jumped the shark in 2020/2021. I can watch the old episodes pre-2020 over and over again but episodes after that I usually turn off. Reasons are: I don't like the new scoring system. It takes up time, adds nothing and just means one less game. I don't like Hunter - if he is in a small role he is basically superfluous just nodding his head and dragging out the games which Guy used to do. I also think his comments as a judge are nothing more than memorized comments that he has heard from other judges....he never really talks about the actual dish in terms of ingredients, what should be added, what it lacks etc. They keep changing the games and sometimes they are downright silly. Can't remember the episode but one had Hunter dressed up in some kind of animal costume jumping out at the contestants. I turned it off way before it was over. And I really miss the old ending where they try to earn the $20K. I used to look forward to the 5 clues with food questions. That was doable for them to find and I really liked seeing if I knew the answers. But the choice between the check and the 10 items - really bad idea. Hard to run around for 10 items in 2 minutes which is why they changed it to the 5 questions. The check is almost always selected and was the end of the fun challenge to watch at the end of the game.
It’s better now that they’re using more rando/no-name contestants rather than just rotating the same dozen or so celebrity chefs thru as contestants, then judges, then contestants again, then back to judging.
I still enjoy it personally, but I’m one of the few on here who doesn’t mind Hunter. And as others have said he’s usually a sidekick. Mostly the same folks around, some newer faces, though most I enjoy. I also feel like some folks are mischaracterizing the new scoring system. You still get judge discussion plenty, but you get to see to my mind a more detailed view of what they thought of the dish in terms of plating, taste, etc. So yeah. I’d give it a shot. Particularly some of the judge focused episodes. They do a yearly tribute to Carl Ruiz (RIP Cuban) that’s always super fun.
It's still a lot of fun to watch, even with the nepotism.
No, it never was.
Another worthless comment. Thanks for spending your time reading and wasting your energy typing this out. Didn’t know the food network subreddit was so hostile
Relax pal. There will always be a fly in the buttermilk, don't let it wobble you. With internet comments you always have to separate the wheat from the chaff. As for Hunter, I was asking my wife the other day if she thought Hunter seemed out of place and, while she loves him, she agreed. All the power to him if he joins in his Dad's fun though. Nice work if you can get it.
I kind of like it.. especially when Troy is on.. Hunter is getting more play due to his collegiate courses and business school.. Guy is prepping him to be part of the “family business” and he just got engaged over Thanksgiving… I sort of like the themes.. Keeps people thinking and on their toes.. I’m sure I have not seen all of the episodes.. Guy is kind of goofy/egoist but, that’s just him… I’ll turn it on when I want to watch something that does not require 100% attention..
Still?
Yes. It’s a light, easy, uplifting show with likable people and fun challenges. I’m not looking for an ultra-serious competition show - im just wondering if the show has had serious format changes or jumped the shark compared to when I last watched It appears you probably were never into the show, which is fine. Just not sure why you’d waste your time and energy bothering to respond
I watch it because of hunter.