Hatred of Rachael Ray can be a powerful uniting force

bostonglobe ^ | November 26, 2006 | rob walker

[stainlessbanner]

Consumer culture and indeed popular culture revolve in large part around shared admiration, shared likes: Fandom, in a word, is a thing that can bring us together.

But what about shared dislikes? Can a community form around that? What is the opposite of a fan club? The answer is the Rachael Ray Sucks Community.

[Mamzelle]

Isn't that the chick from Everyday Bulimian?

[irishtenor]

With a cholesterol level of 140, I am not in too much trouble. As far as I am concerned, ALL of them use too much butter and oil.

[x]

She's sort of "the anti-Martha." Martha Stewart came across as cold, haughty, and domineering. Rachael Ray's the reaction, and she goes too far in the opposite direction: too, ... well, too down-market and populist, maybe too loud. Probably the best alternative would be someone who's not so far to either extreme.

A lot matters about whether you're watching for information or to critique the host or just to kill time.

[bonfire]

She's gorgeous!

[Mamzelle]

She's killed her tooth enamel!

[freeangel]

I like Rachel Ray. My only regret is that I didn't think of this "marketing" idea first. I've been doing 30 minute "knock off" meals since the 70's.

[bonfire]

I hope you are only kidding.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I like Rachael Ray.

Me too!

[BigSkyFreeper]

I love her, but since I found out she's a HUGE Jimmy Carter fan.....well, you know.

The "Barefoot Contessa" worked in the Carter White House.

[Straight Vermonter]

She is very popular with the guys at work. Most of us watch with the sound off.

[beyond the sea]

I love Rachel........ she is a sweetie pie. No pretense there!

She was in Pittsburgh just a while ago, and I actually was able to set up a situation with a tv station here where my nephew was able to give her a gentle little, and proper peck on her cheek (she is "the love of his young 16 year old life"........ God knows how he gets to see her on tv ;-) ).

********

see tag .................. and please name this brilliant song..... a song written by one genius.

[beyond the sea]

She's a funny little darling girl.

I hope she can deal with all the celebrity and all the bull.

I worry about that for her.

[muir_redwoods]

Rachel Ray is cute and cooks well.

Now Nigella, mmmm

[beyond the sea]

It's the B U T T E R with Paula.

****

Julia Childs was a butter lover.

God bless her............

The only three people I ever knew personally in my sixty years on earth who lived WELL into their mid-90's were folks who had eggs, bacon and a lot of butter in their diets.

How strange.

;-)

But.............. very true.

My 96 year old male neighbor is still eating all those things, and happily consuming ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch nearly every day.

Go figure.

[beyond the sea]

Baking is very satisfying. Try bread. The aroma is wonderful.

So true!!!

[beyond the sea]

Rachel, PLEASE tie your hair back. I'd be so afraid to find long hair in any dish she prepared.

The very short, curly hairs are the ones you may not want to find on your plate.

[the lastbestlady]

I don't like 'Barefoot Contessa' and not because she worked in thr Carter White House.

[linda_22003]

I enjoy her a great deal, and use her recipes frequently. Her Challah Bread Pudding was the hit of one of my dinner parties last winter. What don't you like about her?

[WhiteGuy]

Who could hate Rachel Ray?

Seriously, she seems fun, she laughs easily, she's totally hot, and she loves food.

Sounds like the ideal woman to me.

[the lastbestlady]

She's fine; I just was never able to really get into her show. Paula is one of my faves.