Come Dine with Me

I used to watch this programme every week,but I agree with you janthea
it has lost its sparkle during the last few months,dont get me wrong I
enjoy banter around the dinner table as much as any one else,but
the contestants on recently leave alot to the imagination,as you say
some of them dont know one end of a cooker to the other and I used to
love some of the dishes that where posted on their website.

glammanana - I enjoy the banter but last week's episodes on Channel 4 were gross - the manners, the coarseness, language and ignorance. I'm no prude, but the dinner table is no place for such langauage and actions.

I agree with you both, it has become Big Brother with chips. I used to love it and still enjoy the repeats on More 4 from the days when it was about cooking and entertaining, rather than just shocking people. That chap's voice is starting to get on my nerves too.

On one of the other threads there was a discussion about children's ability to use cutlery. Watching Come Dine with Me now shows how standards have slipped. The majority of the participants are unable to use their knives and forks and their table manners are atrocious. Their knowledge of food and ingredients is abysmal.

I used to love Come Dine With Me but I agree, the standards have really dropped lately.

Some of the menus in the last few months have been awful,no thought
gone into them at all,it does not inspire you to try any of the dishes
that are cooked,to be honest I a more than happy to go to M/S for
the Dine in For £10.00 at least the meals look professional.The
episodes last week showed a girl from Liverpool hosting her night
and she was the only one who knew how to dress a table,even down
to the fish knives and forks,so good on her for that.

I too used to really enjoy Come Dine With Me, but now its really gone to the dogs.The contestants seem to be chosen for their shock appeal and inability to produce a well thought out and attractively presented meal for just 5 people. How much are they allowed to spend? Does anyone know.? Occasionally a really good meal is prepared by a good cook, but it is not appreciated by the other participants, condemned for being 'boring and unadventurous' The best bit is the commentary by Dave Lamb - worth watching just for his voice!! Would you want to appear on national television and serve up a trifle containing sausages? Or end up having a hissy fit at the table, NO!!! Perhaps there should be a special edition for contestants on a pension, with a budget of say £20? Come on Gransnet followers what do you think, could you do it?

I do agree this programme has lost its sparkle I only occasionally dip in now as the commentary is so funny. For me its a lost afternnon watch, bad weather, bore or poorly on the sofa kind of day.

And 'entertainment' now seems obligatory. I would have had entertainment at any of my dinner parties - just good company. gma you are right. If a classic dish is served, it's considered 'safe and uninteresting' regardless of its complexity. Like you susiecb if I watch it at all now, it's only for David Lamb's voiceover!

Sorry - typo - I would never have had entertainment.......

Must agree to all the previous commments on CDWM, I was such an avid viewer but have become bored recently for all the reasons mentioned. However, a friend has come up with a pretty good idea, over the winter months she is starting CDWM evenings but with husbands/partners also invited, four couples max and you can only cook things that you have NEVER done before - should prove interesting, plus an opportunity to meet new people

My granddaughter did CDWM with her boyfriend and 2 other couples, GD and boyfriend were doing the cooking.....GD spent most of the afternoon and early evening on the phone to me, with me giving her step-by-step instructions!

I used to love watching it also but not any more. The programme now revolves around the participants with the food taking a back seat. I can't understand anyone applying to go on these shows who can't cook which most of them can't!!