Masterchef - better without John?

[Applesgalore]

I'm loving Monica and Michel, so much more refined, knowledgeable and watchable. Trouble is they just make Greg look even more crass. Monica's facial expressions are just brilliant. Make her the new regular judge I say!

They don't even pretend that Gregg has a say though do they. Monica chooses who gets to cook for 'Chef Michel', and Michel finishes the little run through by saying "I know who I want" - and I don't doubt he gets them. No point in Gregg really. Not in this one. He is the Alesha Dixon of Masterchef.

monica's great, but I cringe a bit at that 'get that garnish on the plate NOW' bit at the beginning of every single episode

lol @ Alesha of Masterchef

I know someone who works at La Gavroche. Says Monica is terrifying! An "itch" as they would say on another parenting site.(Although any woman high up in a kitchen gets that tag as she has to be tough.

I like Michel's one evil eye and one benign eye!

HaHa, I hadn't seen these articles about Greg, I am really going to struggle to take him seriously now. I think Greg (and John because I noticed this in the last series)must have been told to lower their heads when shoveling the food in, because we aren't seeing so much of the cavernous mouths (yuck) as we used to, so at least that's something. I wish Harry Hill's TV Burp was on at the moment, he would have a field day with all Monica and Michel's face pulling.

I used to be a big Gregg fan but really he just flounders on this series,perhaps they should let him speak before Michel gives his opinion because he just repeats more or less what Michel Roux jr has said with a few 'deep' s and his usual things slotted in. I quite miss John,if only for his disgusting tasting techniques.Absolutely love Michel Roux jnr though - and Monica is good,stern but fair !- wouldn't want to mess with her. I really like the chef Marianne btw

interestingly, as Katisha mentioned voice-over woman - she (India Fisher) was in Doctors this week - I went to look at her on iplayer especially.

And was she using the same voice?

yes she was - she didn't say anything about' wowing the judges with...' which drives me insane

Must get to the iplayer, what day was she on Doctors? - I went to school with India Fisher

Michel always worries me as he has the look of a man who is very, very ill. The eyes, I think.

will look on iplayer and link..

here you are Norkily

Thanks Mary! Internet running really slow now but will watch that today.

Oh, I love Michel. Is he married?

Yes to a French woman according to wikipedia

Every time the contestants fly out of the room to the critics with 3 plates of food I'm praying someone trips and smashes it everywhere

I love it too. The shouty fruit and veg seller makes me laugh:'it's criminal to serve a pigeon this rare.' Well in the name of haute cuisine arrest him, Greg. John's good. Like to see him get fatter as the series progresses. He could also do with spending a bit more time at his own restaurant Smiths of Smithfield, had really crap food on more than one occasion there.

I must say, I would prefer it with John plus Michel/Monica, rather than Greg. I think Michel and Monica would complement John, whereas they just seem to show up Greg as not having an original thought or much real in depth knowledge.

lol at "Well in the name of haute cuisine arrest him, Greg."

No, Greg doesn't have "much real in depth knowledge"; he has deep, deep knowledge

said !

crikey,how many more heats ?

I agree! Seems to have been going on for weeks!

Semi finals all next week! Should have a winner. My money's on the french guy.
Place your bets!

Yep - Ludo for me too.