A blurb in Page Six notes that Sara Moulton’s contract for her show on Food Network will not be renewed for 2006 because Food Network is going in a different direction. I love Sara Moulton – she is down-to-earth, personable, accessible and her comfort food recipes have an elegantness that make them perfect for both entertaining and the regular family dinner. I understand that the network needs to constantly stay ahead of and predict trends, and they obviously do that with inductions of new shows, like the “carb”-focused ones, but surely not at the expense of the stable of veterans that built Food Network from the beginning to what it is today.
I love Rachael Ray, but is it okay for FTVN to slot time for three different shows from her, but not make a little room for Sara? Now, playing Devil’s Advocate, maybe this is what Sara wants too, and if she does, then I’m all for it… perhaps it will leave her time for bigger and better things. But from the small piece (taken from NY Post) below, it doesn’t sound like she was the impetus for this decision. Conversely, Sara has had a great career, with a steady build to where she is now, so if anyone has to go out on their own, I suspect she’ll be fine.
My mom and I were lucky enough to meet her last year at a book signing for her cookbook. She gave a talk for about an hour, regaling the audience with stories on how she got her start, apprenticing with Julia Childs and more. She was approachable and enjoyable.
Here’s the piece from the NY Post:
The Food Network is giving itself a facelift, and one of its original hosts is not making the cut. “Sara’s Secrets” host Sara Moulton’s contract will not be renewed once it runs out at the end of this year. “I will not be on the TV Food Network in 2006,” the Foodie Cutie told PAGE SIX’s Lisa Marsh. However, she’s taped shows to air every day through the end of the year. “Every show has a lifetime, and after 9 1/2 years, my time is up,” Moulton said. “They’re taking the network in a different direction.” A rep for the Food Network declined to comment.
Feel free to drop Food Network a line and let them know that you’ll miss Sara … there are already petitions circulating. And for another Sara fix, visit her website at www.saramoulton.com. We’ll miss you Sara!
noooo! i love sara! thats a bummer. im with you- why does rachel ray get a million slots and THREE shows, while sara gets the boot? and dont even get me started on those silly carb/calorie focused ones. alas, i guess thats what people want.
Oh, wow…that’s news to me.
I rarely get to see Sara’s show (Alex’s Nick, Jr. programs take priority!), but I certainly have nothing against her.
They give us back-to-back Semi-Homemade with Miss I-Never-Make-Anything-From-Scatch, but they’re booting Sara…huh.
I didn’t know either – how horrible! I actually watch very little on the Food network these days – guess I don’t like the direction they’re taking. I think it started when they took Cooking Live off which was a wonderful show and really showcased Sara Moulton’s strengths. I’m so sorry to here she’s leaving…maybe PBS will pick her up!
I agree, Cai — I really liked Cooking Live as well, and was sorry to see it go. Who knows – I know there’s a few petitions circulating to keep Sara on FTVN; maybe they’ll listen?
Thanks, all, for stopping by Sweetnicks – glad to have you. :)
Hey there, thanks for linking to my blog! You really are sweet!
Man, I love Sara Moulton. I like her much better than Rachael Ray. What is this new direction the Food Network’s going in? I don’t care about the hip, trendy shows (like Date Plate and low-carb this). I like the staples! I wish they’d do a Naked Chef/Barefoot Contessa-style show for Asian foods.