Latest news with #PadmaLakshmi
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kristen Kish dishes on Season 22 of ‘Top Chef,' Emmys, and the show's global impact: ‘It's all driven by the fans'
Kristen Kish, the Emmy-nominated host of Bravo's Top Chef, returned for her second season at the helm, offering a fresh perspective shaped by her experience as both a former contestant and a champion of the iconic reality TV cooking competition. The Season 10 winner stepped into Padma Lakshmi's shoes as the host of Top Chef last year — and wasted no time proving she was up to the task. Her debut earned her a 2024 Emmy nomination for Best Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program. More from GoldDerby Tramell Tillman could make Emmy history as the first Black Best Drama Supporting Actor winner New 'Freakier Friday' trailer, Mia Goth set for 'Star Wars: Starfighter,' Samuel L. Jackson heads to Taylor Sheridan's 'NOLA,' and the rest of today's top stories 'Survivor 50' spoilers: Jeff Probst on the 'competitive, dramatic' first challenge and what the 24 players told him at the marooning Now, as Season 22 nears its spicy finale on June 12, Kish dishes on everything from her favorite moments in the kitchen to her dream guest judges: "My parents! They're the classic Midwest mom and dad—I'd be highly entertained by their commentary.' Plus, she reveals why she's settling into hosting —'The joints are looser, I feel more at ease' — and breaks down what makes Top Chef an unstoppable force in the culinary world. Gold Derby: How was it filming Season 22 in Canada? Kristen Kish: I love filming up north. It's not a drastic departure from the U.S., but I got to use my passport. I love Canada — it doesn't feel that much different. Maybe a little more "Canadian nice," but other than that, it was very familiar. Do you have a dream destination where you'd like to see go next? Korea, Japan, and Australia. You're settled into hosting for your second season — how does it feel compared to the first year? The show itself is a completely well-oiled machine. They have everything taken care of. I think for me, it feels more familiar this time around. You feel more comfortable. I definitely feel more confident and settled. The joints are looser. I feel more at ease. How has being a former contestant shaped your approach to hosting? It impacts how I communicate with the chefs, but each contestant experiences competition differently — some are excited, others nervous, or insecure. While I can relate to the enormity of the experience and the pressure, my background allows me to approach the chefs with a bit more compassion. I've stood where they are, waiting to hear whether my dish succeeded or failed. What's the hardest part of hosting? Telling someone to "pack your knives." It's hard, especially when the chef knows they've made a mistake before deliberation even starts. That feeling of knowing you didn't perform your best is tough — it's not great to send someone home. But, even if a chef doesn't win, there's hope for success afterward. You just don't know what opportunities await them. Season 21 earned you an Emmy nomination for Best Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program —what was that experience like? I was honored and surprised. It's not everything to be nominated, but it felt amazing to hold the standard that Padma Lakshmi set for so many years. I was thrilled not just for myself, but for the show as a whole—that meant so much more to me than my individual nomination. What happens if a dish contains ingredients you dislike, such as smoked salmon or lamb—how do you judge those? Personal taste doesn't matter. Judging is based on technique: Is the dish seasoned properly? Is it cooked well? Are the proportions correct? Even if a dish contains something I don't particularly enjoy, I eat it—and I can still appreciate the skill and execution behind it. Do you have a favorite dish from your time as host? Oh, yeah. César [Murillo]'s pickle tart from the "Pickle Me This" episode was outstanding. A close second would be Massimo [Piedimonte]'s winning dish from that challenge — it was incredible. Tristen [Epps] also made a mackerel dish with a burnt pickle situation, jus lié — it was amazing. All three of those dishes were absolutely outstanding. You won as a contestant. What's your perspective on its role in the competition? I'm thrilled Last Chance Kitchen exists — it's a great platform for second chances, much like the restaurant industry itself. Sometimes you just have a bad day, and this allows chefs a shot at redemption. As someone who benefitted from it, I know how valuable it is to have that opportunity to prove yourself again. What's one dish you would rather order than cook yourself? Chicken fingers, preferably from the kid's menu. I don't enjoy making them at home; the best ones are always brought to you. Same with meatloaf — my mom's meatloaf is unbeatable, and I've only attempted to make it twice. I screwed it up so badly I just refused to ever do it again. What did you enjoy the most about this season of ? This group of chefs is incredible. It's anyone's game. Each one had such strong, unique points of view in food. From César's wacky concoctions to Tristen's hot streak and Bailey [Sullivan]'s comforting Italian dishes. They were so consistent. It's been an incredible season so far. Why has had such a lasting impact in the culinary world? The show has integrity — it magnifies the beauty of the food industry without focusing on interpersonal drama. It challenges chefs in meaningful ways but mirrors real-life culinary situations. Then there's the "Top Chef effect," where fans seek out chefs' restaurants, and dining scenes transform practically overnight. It's all driven by the fans and the community around the show. Who is your dream guest judge for ? My parents! They're the classic Midwest mom and dad. I'd be highly entertained by their commentary, though I'm not sure how helpful it would be for the chefs. My mom would be terrified, but it's fun to dream about. Top Chef airs Thursday nights on Bravo and is available to stream on Peacock. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Best of GoldDerby The 25 best 'Survivor' villains of the past 25 years 'Survivor' winners list: All seasons 'The Voice' winners: All seasons Click here to read the full article.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Whom can we believe anymore?
From Padma Lakshmi baring all to wardrobe malfunctions on the ramp, why is it that fashion gets noticed only when it reveals the naked truth? There is a lot more to it -- top designer tiffs, model face-offs, dressing up celebs and the kind of gossip that would make filmdom blush. This blog brings fashion to you through the eyes of one who has followed it professionally as one of India's foremost fashion critics. Vinita Nangia, a Senior Editor with The Times of India, also writes a Sunday column, Ozone. LESS ... MORE Whom can we believe in a world of smoke and mirrors? When falsehood and fake news are peddled with unbelievable insolence, the lines between true and fake don't just blur; they soon get obliterated. Confidence in one's own self to a great measure depends on the information we are privy to. And if we lose faith in our sources of information, we lose our sense of perspective and the ability to speak with conviction. What moral compass can we possibly follow in a world where truth is slippery and debates are no more than shouting matches between the ill-informed? My mantra used to be to start off with believing everyone, unless they prove themselves to be liars; and then, to take everything thereon with a pinch of salt. Sadly, now it needs to change. Believe nobody and nothing until I am sure, beyond doubt, of the credibility of the source, and till I have verified that the information has not been generated by Artificial Intelligence! And, since this is easier said than done, I find myself becoming quite a Doubting Thomasina! Individuals share false narratives and claims; companies share untrue data and achievements; politicians and lobbyists spread misinformation to influence public opinion, and even countries in war situations make untrue claims to mislead citizens! Deep fakes can alarmingly alter a politician's speech to say something he never said; a celebrity gets caught in a scandal that never happened – twisting facts and ruining reputations. Our emotions are played with through AI-generated fake videos of flawless faces, perfect sunsets, amazing destinations, kids who sound too intelligent, and pets who perform unimaginable stunts. Caught in this miasma of fakery, our ability to distinguish between authentic and phony gets terribly eroded, making us cynical and doubtful. And so, we start questioning everything… Studies show that people look for and believe only information that aligns with their perspectives. This makes us vulnerable to misinformation, and in the Digital Age, information platforms take full advantage of this vulnerability. Algorhythms that prey on our fears, biases and low attention spans, help spread like wildfire all news that is calculated to feed our sense of indignation and shock. The most emotionally-charged content is pushed to the top of our social media feed, and truth falls an easy prey at the altar of engagement and virality. Where does that leave us? Surrounded by fake virality and false propaganda, emotions exploited for different agendas, one feels used and manipulated. Look at the way our emotions swayed in the four days of Indo-Pak war, depending on what reports we were fed. Shock and sadness over the Pahalgam massacre turned into a sense of righteousness when India wiped out terrorist bases in Pakistan. Anxiety over the Pak counter drone attacks turned into a confident pride when India pounded enemy military facilities. The sudden ceasefire with both sides claiming victory, created confusion with President Trump claiming credit for brokering peace. Further, our collective morale took a dip when international media revealed that Indian planes had been downed with help from China. And then, with PM Modi's speech, we were led back to a sense of 'All is right with our world.' This is what we wanted to believe; so, this is what we believed. As we emerge from this emotional wringer, can we even believe our own selves anymore? When emotions can be so easily manipulated by outside factors, one ends up losing respect for one's own self. Misinformation ensures that we can see the same reality from as many perspectives as there are agendas, resulting in chaos! But amid all this chaos, the quiet power of truth still holds somewhere, waiting to be discovered. The truth may not be going viral, but it is what endures. Maybe that truth resides with those who talk less and do more; with those who build their lives around action rather than propaganda– the friend who turns up when she knows you need her, the Mother who quietly hands out home remedies rather than blog about them; the writer who doesn't constantly post on Social Media but writes that one thoughtful piece that lingers – voices that are not constantly self-promoting, but genuinely contributing. Will the future see a lessening of misinformation online? Opinion remains divided. Some believe that the reach of internet will speed up the human tendency of accepting and acting on misinformation, while others believe that with information literacy, people will be able to critically evaluate information sources and flag misinformation. The trick is to look beyond the spotlight and find those who actually care about the credibility of what they say, do, create, or propagate. As the poet John Donne said, On a huge hill, Cragged and steep, Truth stands… (Elegy VI) The poet implied that it is not easy to reach that truth, but it can be done with effort and perseverance. It requires the power of critical thinking and the inclination to go beyond all the noise that surrounds us. Maybe the answer isn't about whom to believe, but about how to listen – with a little skepticism, a lot of curiosity, and an instinct for the authentic. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
2025-26 TV Preview: Every New Comedy, Drama and Unscripted Show
It's never too early to look ahead: While some broadcast shows have yet to air their finales, the networks are already unveiling their primetime lineups for the 2025-26 TV season, including the many new series hoping to land a spot on your viewing schedules. CBS was first to reveal its freshman slate on Wednesday (check out the network's full schedule), but there will be plenty more pickups to come from ABC, NBC, Fox and The CW during next week's annual Upfronts presentations. More from TVLine ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Thus far, the announced offerings are heavy on spinoffs and 'universe expansions' at both ABC (with 9-1-1: Nashville) and CBS (Sheriff Country, Boston Blue and CIA), the latter of which is also launching a Yellowstone offshoot. Elsewhere, the Eye network is hoping that a trip to the DMV will make you laugh, and is hitting The Road with a trio of high-profile musicians. To help you sift through the brand-new offerings, TVLine presents our annual guide to all the upcoming dramas, comedies and unscripted programs, with additional series orders, castings and trailers to be added as they're released. Make sure to bookmark this page and check back often! Then hit the comments to tell us which newbies are piquing your interest. America's Culinary Cup, CBS America's Culinary Cup, CBS PREMIERE DATE: Midseason ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement TIME SLOT: Wednesdays at 9:30/8:30c WHO: Host Padma Lakshmi WHAT: A new cooking competition series featuring a cast of the nation's most decorated chefs as they embark on a one-of-a-kind, high-stakes competition designed to challenge their creativity, endurance, presentation, leadership and more. 9-1-1: Nashville, ABC 9-1-1: Nashville, ABC PREMIERE DATE: TBA TIME SLOT: TBA WHO: Chris O'Donnell (NCIS: Los Angeles), Jessica Capshaw (Grey's Anatomy) WHAT: The spinoff stars O'Donnell as Captain Don Sharpe, 'a rugged fire captain and rodeo rider who runs Nashville's busiest firehouse with his beloved son,' according to the official character breakdown. 'Don's a devoted husband and family man but he has his secrets.' Boston Blue, CBS Boston Blue, CBS PREMIERE DATE: TBA ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement TIME SLOT: Fridays at 10/9c WHO: Donnie Wahlberg (Blue Bloods), Sonequa Martin-Green (Star Trek: Discovery) WHAT: The Blue Bloods Universe expansion finds Wahlberg's Detective Danny Reagan leaving New York City and his family to take a position with the Boston Police Department. Once there, Danny will be partnered with Detective Lena Peters (Martin-Green), the eldest daughter of a prominent law enforcement family. CIA, CBS CIA, CBS PREMIERE DATE: TBA TIME SLOT: Mondays at 10/9c WHO: Tom Ellis (Lucifer) WHAT: A FBI Universe expansion, the crime drama centers on two unlikely partners — a fast-talking, rule-breaking loose cannon CIA case officer (Ellis), and a by-the-book, seasoned and smart FBI agent who believes in the rule of law. When this odd couple are assigned to work out of CIA's New York Station, they must learn to work together to investigate cases and criminals posing threats on U.S. soil, finding that their differences may actually be their strength. DMV, CBS PREMIERE DATE: TBA ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement TIME SLOT: Mondays at 8:30/7:30c PRESS PLAY ABOVE TO WATCH TEASER WHO: Harriett Dyer (Colin From Accounts, American Auto), Tim Meadows (The Goldbergs), Molly Kearney (Saturday Night Live), Alex Tarrant (NCIS: Hawai'i), Tony Cavalero (The Righteous Gemstones), Gigi Zumbado (The Rookie) WHAT: Based on award winning author Katherine Heiny's short story, a single camera workplace comedy set at the place everyone dreads going most: the DMV. Harlan Coben's Final Twist, CBS Harlan Coben's Final Twist, CBS PREMIERE DATE: Midseason TIME SLOT: Wednesdays at 10/9c WHO: Harlan Coben WHAT: The program brings the world's best-selling mystery author into the true-crime television genre for the first time. In each one-hour episode, Harlan will guide audiences through gripping tales of murder, high-profile crimes and life-altering surprises, each meticulously unraveled to reveal hidden truths, deceptions and lies. With exclusive interviews and never-before-seen archival materials, the series will provide an in-depth look at stories where nothing is as it seems. The Road, CBS The Road, CBS PREMIERE DATE: TBA ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement TIME SLOT: Sundays at 9/8c WHO: Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, Blake Shelton WHAT: The series offers viewers a backstage pass into the gritty and unforgiving life of a touring musician. With exclusive access to the behind-the-scenes workings of the music industry, viewers will see what happens when some of the best up-and-coming performers pile into a tour bus and tackle a grueling schedule in pursuit of their dreams. Sheriff Country, CBS Sheriff Country, CBS PREMIERE DATE: TBA TIME SLOT: Fridays at 8/7c WHO: Morena Baccarin (Fire Country), Matt Lauria (CSI: Vegas), Christopher Gorham (Covert Affairs), W. Earl Brown (Deadwood), Michele Weaver (Love Is_, Council of Dads) ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement WHAT: The Fire Country spinoff follows straight-shooting Sheriff Mickey Fox (Baccarin) — the stepsister of Fire's Sharon Leone — who investigates criminal activity as she patrols the streets of small-town Edgewater while contending with her ex-con father (Brown) and a mysterious incident involving her wayward daughter. Y: Marshals (Working Title), CBS Y: Marshals (Working Title), CBS PREMIERE DATE: Midseason TIME SLOT: Sundays at 9/8c WHO: Luke Grimes (Yellowstone) WHAT: In the spinoff, with the Yellowstone Ranch behind him, Kayce Dutton (Grimes) joins an elite unit of U.S. Marshals, combining his skills as a cowboy and Navy SEAL to bring range justice to Montana, where he and his teammates must balance family, duty and the high psychological cost that comes with serving as the last line of defense in the region's war on violence. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Best of TVLine Sign up for TVLine's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
CBS Settles Discrimination Lawsuit Over Alleged Racial Quotas for Hiring TV Writers
CBS Studios has settled a lawsuit from a script coordinator for SEAL Team, who accused parent company Paramount of carrying illegal diversity quotas that discriminate against straight white men. Lawyers for both sides on Friday informed the court of a deal to settle the case. They noted that the 'action and all claims and defenses asserted therein, be dismissed with prejudice,' meaning the lawsuit can't be refiled, according to the filing. Terms of the agreement weren't disclosed. More from The Hollywood Reporter "Who the Hell Are You?": 'Matlock' Creator Answers Key Questions From Finale, Teasing Season 2 Padma Lakshmi to Host Cooking Competition Series for CBS 'The Bold and the Beautiful' Scores Three-Season Renewal at CBS The settlement aligns with companies across Hollywood rethinking diversity, equity and inclusion policies amid a larger retreat from initiatives under that label in the private sector driven by the government. That includes Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount, which earlier this year eliminated staffing goals tied to race, ethnicity, sex and gender. The company also stopped collecting gender and diversity data for most U.S. job applicants and tying its employee incentive program to DEI goals, pointing to the U.S. Supreme Court striking down race-conscious admissions in universities and federal mandates that 'require changes in the way our company approaches inclusion moving forward.' Some of those policies came under the spotlight last year when SEAL Team script coordinator Brian Beneker alleged in a lawsuit filed in California federal court that he was repeatedly denied a staff writer job after the implementation of an 'illegal policy of race and sex balancing' that allegedly promoted the hiring of less qualified applicants from certain groups, namely those who identify as minorities, LGBTQ or women. He sought at least $500,000, as well as a court order making him a full-time producer on the series and barring the further use of discriminatory hiring practices. The court overseeing the case later rebuffed Paramount's bid to dismiss the case. The lawsuit was settled as Paramount Global continues to seek regulatory approval of its proposed merger with Skydance. FCC commissioner Brendan Carr, who sent a letter to Comcast in February saying that he was investigating DEI policies, has asserted his authority over the sale due to the transfer of broadcast licenses. The agency continues to investigate CBS News' handling of a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. Beneker was represented by America First Legal Foundation, a conservative group founded by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. The firm, which was joined by JW Howard Attorneys, has brought federal complaints against major companies, including Starbucks, Morgan Stanley and BlackRock, arguing that corporate diversity and hiring practices run afoul of civil rights laws. It has targeted allegedly discriminatory hiring quotas at Disney, specifically a provision requiring that at least half of producer and writing staff come from underrepresented group that the company rolled back earlier this year. The settlement was reached as President Donald Trump's administration continues to campaign against DEI programs in the media and entertainment sector. Carr in March urged the agency's enforcement arm to open an investigation into Disney and ABC over whether the companies maintains discriminatory policies through racial quotas, among other things. Paramount and CBS declined to comment. Lawyers for Beneker didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Padma Lakshmi Cooking Competition Ordered by CBS for 2025-26 Season
Padma Lakshmi is moving from the world of cable into network television. CBS has ordered 'America's Culinary Cup,' the working title of an upcoming cooking competition series from the former 'Top Chef' host. The series is set to premiere during the 2025-26 broadcast season. Lakshmi will serve as the creator and executive producer of the series alongside Susan Rovner, CEO of Aha Studios. Rovner was previously the content chief for NBCUniversal, the parent company of Bravo. Contestants for 'America's Culinary Cup' will be invitation-only as the series will challenge some of the nation's most decorated chefs. The competition is specifically designed to test their 'creativity, endurance, presentation, leadership and more,' a press release for the series reads. 'We're inviting elite chefs from across the country to represent their unique culinary style and battle it out,' Lakshmi said in a Thursday statement. 'This competition echoes the thrill of sports and the American spirit as we cheer on our favorite chefs. I'm very excited to work with CBS and partner with Susan on 'America's Culinary Cup.'' The upcoming series is produced by Lakshmi for Delicious Entertainment and Rovner for Aha Studios. For nearly two decades, Lakshmi has been the face of culinary competition shows. After hosting specials for the British culinary show 'Planet Food,' Lakshmi became the host of 'Top Chef' in 2006. She later departed the series after 20 seasons in 2023 to focus on other creative pursuits. One of those pursuits is Hulu's 'Taste the Nation With Padma Lakshmi,' which aired its second season in 2023. Between 'Top Chef' and 'Taste the Nation,' Lakshmi has been nominated for 16 Emmy awards. 'America's Culinary Cup' marks a pivot for CBS. Historically, the network has rarely prioritized culinary shows. The broadcaster did air the short-lived 'The American Baking Competition' in 2013. But for most of television history, Fox has been the broadcast home for these types of programs. The post Padma Lakshmi Cooking Competition Ordered by CBS for 2025-26 Season appeared first on TheWrap.
