Julia from America’s Test Kitchen

Are her and that other husky blonde... you know... 'that way'?

I like the other one. She seems to have an affinity for NC things. From Ohio? I think. We had Ohio cousins that would come down for summers, holidays, and the beach. Bet she has family from here.

They would take back pounds of BBQ and cigarettes!

She represents a form of nonfiction media that’s very clear and engaging. I like her very much because her work on camera never feels performative nor “put on”. She adds some personal responses but not in a cloying, artificial way. It looks like she is a solid, ethical presence in that whole organization, through years Chris Kimball’s oddities and prissiness. She landed on top, and seems to belong there. She is just a really neat, cool, telegenic presence. I like her a lot. Everyone does.

That blue shirt is styled so much like Ina that it must be in either homage or shade.

Dan Souza wrote R4.

They were on tv before Ina, pretentious cunt.

I've always liked ATK, but I find it refreshing with Julia and Bridget as hosts. Chris Kimball was ok enough, but his prissiness as pointed out by R4 was always a bit off-putting.

Ina and ATK and Ina and Chris have always had a mutual respect.

They're both (Julia and Bridget) pros but after the rancor and split with Kimball they took on the spotlight, and it is not a great fit. They've improved, but the tendency on the show now to lick lips and "whoa ho" food and call meat "big guy" and act like they need a black cook with them if they're making Southern dishes because otherwise those grits would be appropriated is tedious. At least it's only the three larger women, but the thin white guy who is married is sooooo dry and self-conning.

What exactly are they testing?

And why?

R10, Arithmetic, Rose!

durrrrr

To an extent they are, r11.

I'm find her and her other female co-host very "Frau"-ey lately. They emote, react and enthuse a little bit too "de trop" for me in recent seasons' episodes.

I like the vibe of Kimball's newer separate show he moved onto, also, except for one very good chef he works on in some recipes who, sorry I have to say this, has a voice so intensely vocal-fry annoying and mosquito-tone whining that I need to mute when she's on for fear my ears (or, hers) will start to bleed!

Kimball was terrible.

R7, Ina Garten was on television four years before either one of these two ladies so you can fuck right off to IMDB.

you wish.

2001 vs 2002.

Honestly, I quit watching the show after Chris left. Julia is nice, but it just isn’t the same. And I don’t care for Bridget.

Is Adam still on?

Adam is still on doing his product testing and making witty comments - he’s the best!

R19

He also came out on the show. Made mention of "his boyfriend."

I'd love it if the gods would let us have Dan, too, but I'm pretty sure he's straight. Hunky Keith Dresser is also straight.

But we'll take Adam!

Glad Adam finally came out.

I still don’t believe Jack is straight….😒

Jack would go nowhere near my dick with those choppers

I really like Julia but Bridgett is my fav. She looks like she'd be fun, and she's knowledgeable and easy going.

Erin McMurrer is the best of the chefs. She always appears to be thoroughly skilled in every aspect of cooking and also slightly annoyed that she has to talk everyone through a recipe when it all ought to be perfectly obvious. She's not nasty about it, but I always feel that doing the recipe for the camera is somehow slowing her down and I like that about her. We get what we need from her, but there's obviously so much more.

Several years ago, when Kimball was still there, they did a show in which they prepared a full evening's formal meal from the first Fanny Farmer Cookbook published in 1896. Erin was in charge of everything and cooked it all on a large wood burning cook stove. It was the only time I've seen her appear to be tested by the task at hand. Of course, she nailed it and ended up liking how the stove cooked.

Wow, I hate them and their weird ad-libs. The sounds they make when cheese is involved...

[quote]At least it's only the three larger women, but the thin white guy who is married is sooooo dry and self-conning.

Who is the think white guy? Dan? Jack? Keith? Bryan?

I'm in the U.K., and don't really know these people, but I have seen Lisa McManus's YouTube videos. She's great - thorough and fair.

Dan Souza is so damn sexy. There is something about him that gets me going!!

Is the fat girl with the black rimmed glasses still there? I didn’t care for her.

Didn’t care for the vegetarian lady either.

I’m watching now on Pluto TV - I love that they have a channel that plays the shows 24/7!

Are there no new episodes of Ina Garten?

On the episode I saw today about cooking for 2, Julia mentioned her husband Ian. And Bridget has referred to her husband on other episodes. So I guess the answer to R1's question is "NO".

But R20 is right that Adam Reid referred to "my boyfriend" recently, I saw that episode during PBS pledge programming.

THAT’S RIGHT!!

[quote] We like her, right?

Are you able to wipe your own ass, or do you need group help?

[quote]On the episode I saw today about cooking for 2, Julia mentioned her husband Ian.

He was on one of the older shows, when Chris used to go visit places outside the studio. He was a butcher or fishmonger, IIRC.

just watched an old one. i think julia and kimbal fucked! creepy flirting. ewww

Both Julia and Bridget are very talented at simultaneously cooking well, explaining, and being camera-friendly. It's not an easy balance, just look at some YouTube cooks for contrast (or even some of the guest cooks they have). They both just feel natural onscreen.

Does that include US, Julia?

Si, si, and us too, mujer?

I can't believe Adam is a homosexual!

I would have believed Adam was heterosexual before Jack!

Yes, I could see Adam with a fat homely wife.

I cannot see Jack sticking it in a woman. Never.

Julia and Bridget are totally playing tennis.

I’m really, really glad that Julia grew out that unfortunate Rosie O. hairdo she had for a while.

R44 Oh, that was a mess!

Interesting notes in this page on their website. The "Chinese Take-Out: Revised" one is especially cringe-inducing.

You know who is really good on the show? The Asian woman Lan! Her delivery and skills are on point.

I want to direct an episode that has Bryan and Keith spit roasting Dan.

Bryan Roof makes me moister than a smoked brisket

The show has the feel of an infomercial.

Just missing Ron Popeil, the fat lady and her copper cookware.

And dump cakes.

ATK and Cook's Country are produced by the same production company. The TV show is the magazine, Cook's Illustrated. The original concept for the magazine and TV shows were built by Chris Kimball.

Kimball's a notoriously difficult to work with and rumor is he's unpleasant, but somehow finds women who want to sleep with him get married. As the company grew, it became part of Boston Common Press. Over time, Kimball was joined on-air by Jack, Bridget, and Julia. I think Adam was added before Kimball was booted from the company in 2015. What happened in 2015 was messy and involved lawyers and a number accusations against Kimball and his latest wife.

For me, America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Country have gone downhill over the past few years. They are examples of how a low-key, somewhat staid and very caucasian and informative program(s) are now very, very, au courant.

Oh look! the show's are now hosted by two women and they've added a Black woman to the on-air hosts! Ooo, there's a young guy who's got sleeves or tats (edgy, baby, edgy). If there is a caucasian guy on-camera, he seems to be very asexual - except for Keith Dresser.

At this point the programs have morphed into the Bridget and Julia hours, have lost their earlier style of explaining how to cook well. The recipes, for me, feel very suburban and (yes) frau-driven. And look at how the sets are more and more "homey." We even have Julia making "yummy" noises and sounds when preparing or eating food - ick; leave that kind of behavior to the ever-larger David Venable on QVC.

I'm not a big fan of Kimball's new program "Milk Street" either, but that's because I think he has a schtick he's cultivated over the years and I'm tired of it.

[quote]For me, America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Country have gone downhill over the past few years. They are examples of how a low-key, somewhat staid and very caucasian and informative program(s) are now very, very, au courant.

I agree. I quit watching it after Kimball left. The chemistry just wasn’t the same anymore. And I also don’t like his new show.

I don't like the fucking color-sucking filters used on the video shot for Milk Street. Who chose that look? Fire him or her.

I disagree R51. There have been a few slightly clunky sops to "diversity" but I actually appreciate that this show has mostly maintained it's comforting caucasian naffness, I would perhaps be less positive about it if the recipe didn't stand up (they do, although I admit the white people dishes unsurprisingly stand up most and I wouldn't go to ATK for a Sichuan recipe, for example) or if the equipment reviews were shit but they're not. I have yet to purchase a kitchen gadget recommended by ATK that didn't bear out its high marks from Lisa.

Either way, i MUCH prefer ATK to whatever the fuck terrible, embarrassing fuckery Bon Appetit became before it exploded in controversy and became whatever even more terrible embarrassing fuckery it is now.

[quote]ATK and Cook's Country are produced by the same production company. The TV show is the magazine, Cook's Illustrated. The original concept for the magazine and TV shows were built by Chris Kimball.

Cook's Country is a magazine as well. I've subscribed to both of them for years.

And speaking of CC -- is there a new season? Now that the current season of ATK has finished, I'm expecting CC (they usually alternate.) But I can't find anything about a new season of Cook's Country.

One of the men on this show is hot. Midwestern DILF hot. Not sure of his name and don't see him often but he's kind of breadth-y (and prone to wearing fitted l/s shirts) and I approve.

Julia's husband IS a fisherman, as R35 thought.

Dan Souza, years ago when he wasn't as prominent on ATK, used to do Moth Story Slams in Boston. A different look and demeanor. Still hot as blazes.

Dan Souza and Bryan Roof are best friends. Or, at least they were at one time.

I think Bryan Roof got divorced; he no longer wears a wedding ring and last time I looked, he only mentions his kids in social media and no longer mentions his wife.

Keith Dresser is the third in the Hot as Blazes ATK Triumvirate. (Dan and Bryan are the others in case you haven't been following along.)

I'd do Adam also. Of course, as far as we know, he's the only gay one.

I'm not sure why or how I know these things; maybe I'm obsessed or maybe I have a sad life.

The "audience" on ATK is so obviously fake. They're all paid stand-ins, just like they do on other shows like Judge Judy. They're always cutting to shots of them gleefully smiling and clapping and nodding their heads in approval, endearingly glancing at each other... It's so corny.

Becky Hays is so high strung, I'm always waiting for her to just snap and stab one of the other cast members in a psychotic rage.

R58

The audience you speak of is a selected group of people that are assembled to do food "taste tests". There is no studio audience as we generally think of.

[quote]Keith Dresser is the third in the Hot as Blazes ATK Triumvirate. (Dan and Bryan are the others in case you haven't been following along.)

I think Lawman Johnson (who the hell gave him that name?) is pretty hot, except for the tats.

I’d love to blow Bryan.

[quote] The show has the feel of an infomercial.

Yes! All the "dialogue" sounds canned, like a Cathy Mitchell (SnackMaster) presentation. The audience does seem like a paid group of extras.

Chris Kimball was known to cough while eating paprika or anything remotely hot and spicy. I saw a new presentation (Milk Street?) where he's with someone who's preparing something with chili peppers. Did Chris Kimball taste the product? No. He's standing there acting unbothered.

I just like a cooking show where they're not screaming and crying. Cooking shouldn't hurt.

I could not stand christopher kimball - what an enormous ego - i was so glad when he left, that's when I started watching it again

Christopher Kimball added the necessary knowledgeable commentary and skepticism the show needed. I agree Bridget and Julia are too self-congratulatory and make too many ooh and ahh noises. I still watch them on YouTube as I still like a lot of their recipes and techniques. It was better with CK. However, this aversion to diversity is just what it sounds like. Lan and Elle are both excellent at what they do. I only saw the black guy once and he was a waste of air time. I think he steamed green beans or something equally as innocuous.

I like the new CK show and subscribe to it on YouTube.

I swear he and Julia were way flirting in the early episodes.

"aversion to diversity"

"the black guy was a waste of air time"

fuck off

I like the slight whiff of cheeseball about ATK. It's comforting. I like the studio audience clapping and smiling.

I saw the black guy on a recent show. He made an inexpensive, delicious-looking dish of yellow potatoes and onions.

Lawman has some hotness, but the tattoos are awful and he's just not a ball of fire. As in, he seemed to be a nice guy, but he was boring.

Is red-blooded heterosexual Jack still on?

Kimball was so pretentious. I couldn't get past him pronouncing marinade as "mahrin-odd"

R68 - you can fuck all the way off. The only segment I saw him in sucked. There isn't any contradiction, hypocrisy, or racism in my statement. Troll

no YOU R66

[quote] I’d love to blow Bryan.

mmm, pants-less in an apron.

I saw a Kimball-era episode of ATK (on VHS, no less!) awhile back and would never have guessed that our Julia would ever have the ability to co-host the show. Kimball is overbearing as usual, but Julia seemingly lacks personality altogether. What a change!

These days, I like her warmth and enthusiasm and is my favorite on the show, along with Elle, and Brian Woof.

Somehow Julia strikes me as a woman who's got a wicked-ass temper.

That voice -- Becky Hays -- can't stand it. Arrrggh!

Can't watch any of her segments.

She may a nice person and a great cook, but I cannot abide a chirpy, high pitched voice like hers. So I don't know what she cooks on the show.

And it's not just her voice -- there are some women's voices that like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. It's not their fault, it's mine, but I just have to remove myself from earshot.

R79, that's what the "mute" button and closed captioning are for.

Gee, ya think, r80?

Yes - I love Julia but I can also see her GOING OFF in a production meeting!

That HUSSY Julia Collin-Davidson didn't take her husband's last name!!! She already has TWO-- what's ONE more!!!

Becky Hays sing/talks like she's teaching a bunch of 6th graders how to cook!!!!

I FUCKIN' HATE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Becky Hays is so fucking annoying!!!!

The programs, ATK and Cooks Country are uniformly well produced, pleasant and informative. I don’t really eroticize the presenters, but can understand why some here do.

Kimball seems like a successful WASP, maybe a secret prick. Milk Street is unevenly interesting to me, but I did enjoy hearing Sarah Moulton on a recent NPR broadcast, commenting on tips for salting a tomato before making a BLT. I like Moulton a lot, always found her to be a nice, modest presence on camera, in the early days of the Food Network. I think her spot was taken over by Rachel Ray, who’s pretty loud and awful (“yummo!!!!EVOO”).

[quote] I've always liked ATK, but I find it refreshing with Julia and Bridget as hosts. Chris Kimball was ok enough, but his prissiness as pointed out by [R4] was always a bit off-putting.

Chris always came off as a colossal cunt. Good riddance.

I swear they were fucking with the looks they give each other in the early episodes. bahhhh

[quote] I’d love to blow Bryan.

Yes, his seed is probably delectable and delicious. With milky undertones and just a subtle hint of man musk at the finish.

Kimble created the show, then sold it to the producing company, at which time he then became an employee. Then he wanted a big raise and they canned his ass. He leaves; starts Milk Street (which I don't like-- everyone trying to be dry and witty is annoying) And now he's been sued by ATK for copying the copywritten blueprint that he created! What a mess! Don't know if they settled out of court or if the lawsuit is still active.

Ugh! I got the name wrong of the bitch with the annoying way of being patronizing to the audience!!! Ashley Moore is the stoopid bitch who sounds like she's talking to children!!!!

I FUCKIN' HATE HER!!!!!!!!

(But I still hate Becky Hays too!!!)

Yes, Ashley Moore is horrible on camera. Let her work off camera testing recipes. But she has no talent for television.

I always thought Julia was a lez, she's somewhat butchy to me sometimes.