The Food Network announced yesterday that “Emeril Live!,” the cooking show featuring Emeril Lagasse that has been on the network for a decade and that once was its most highly rated program, will cease production next month.
The program will continue in repeats, and Lagasse will continue to do his “Essence of Emeril” program for the network.
While specifics of the cancellation were not disclosed, there was some speculation that the two sides were not able to reach agreement on a new contract that would cover production of the live program.
The program will continue in repeats, and Lagasse will continue to do his “Essence of Emeril” program for the network.
While specifics of the cancellation were not disclosed, there was some speculation that the two sides were not able to reach agreement on a new contract that would cover production of the live program.
- KC's View:
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There also have been some rumblings that Lagasse may not have fit the audience demographics being sought by the Food Network, which may prefer to have hosts who look like Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay than Lagasse.
Whether that makes sense or not I have no idea.
But I will tell you this. I once had the opportunity, with my buddy Jim Roxbury, to attend a taping of “Emeril Live!” It was for a show about “Manly Man” snacks, and we were in the audience with a bunch of fire fighters and policemen. That show probably gets rerun a couple of times a year…and every time it does, I get phone calls or emails from MNB users who say that they were watching it and saw me in the audience. It is always amazing to me how many people watch that show…and while I don't watch it as regularly as I used to, I’m going to miss it.
