2008 Woodie Awards
Is Rachael Ray the next Carson Daily?
Ian Frazier
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Perspectives
Rachel Ray is a television personality with two television shows on the Food Network and one on NBC. Ray has also published a series of cookbooks and launched her own magazine.
Today people without backgrounds in music, movies, and sports are emerging as cultural icons. Like Carson Daily, many of these people are gaining popularity in the media, is Rachael Ray one of these cultural icons? Or is her expanding presence in the media causing her to be viewed as a "sellout" among young adults?
"I liked her on the old shows," said sophomore Kelly Martin, "she used to have a cooking show on the Food Network, 30 Minute Meals, and she was all cool and laid back, but then they gave Ray her own show on CBS, so its like a different thing."
However it seems like a lot of SHU students are not on the same level as the millions of Ray fans. When junior Nate Huot was asked if he liked Rachel Ray, he laughed and said "No, she is probably my least favorite television person along with Rosie O'Donnell."
Some students seem to be turned off by Ray for various reasons. "I actually can't stand Rachael Ray," said junior Leah Gallagher, "There is just something about her that I find obnoxious." Junior Pat Bonner said, "She's just a little too plump for me."
I feel like Rachael Ray is only popular because of her endorsements by one of the most powerful women in American culture, Oprah," said junior Mike Morin, "She is one of the most well-known cooks in our culture yet she isn't even that talented. I just think it is stupid for her to have so much insight on the Food Network without any formal education in cooking."
But not everyone views her lack of traditional qualification to be a bad thing. "I think its great that someone with no culinary training can become such a star," said junior Matthew Cook, "It gives us all hope for things we would like to do with out specific training."
Rachael Ray's personality and versatility seems to be what has allowed to her to get where she is today.
Whether people like Rachael Ray or not there is something about her that makes her popular. "I don't even like Rachael but I must watch her show," said junior Stephanie Ciccone, "There is just something about her and her show that intrigues me.
Despite people's personal views of Rachael Ray, she continues to be one of the premier figures in daytime television.
Today people without backgrounds in music, movies, and sports are emerging as cultural icons. Like Carson Daily, many of these people are gaining popularity in the media, is Rachael Ray one of these cultural icons? Or is her expanding presence in the media causing her to be viewed as a "sellout" among young adults?
"I liked her on the old shows," said sophomore Kelly Martin, "she used to have a cooking show on the Food Network, 30 Minute Meals, and she was all cool and laid back, but then they gave Ray her own show on CBS, so its like a different thing."
However it seems like a lot of SHU students are not on the same level as the millions of Ray fans. When junior Nate Huot was asked if he liked Rachel Ray, he laughed and said "No, she is probably my least favorite television person along with Rosie O'Donnell."
Some students seem to be turned off by Ray for various reasons. "I actually can't stand Rachael Ray," said junior Leah Gallagher, "There is just something about her that I find obnoxious." Junior Pat Bonner said, "She's just a little too plump for me."
I feel like Rachael Ray is only popular because of her endorsements by one of the most powerful women in American culture, Oprah," said junior Mike Morin, "She is one of the most well-known cooks in our culture yet she isn't even that talented. I just think it is stupid for her to have so much insight on the Food Network without any formal education in cooking."
But not everyone views her lack of traditional qualification to be a bad thing. "I think its great that someone with no culinary training can become such a star," said junior Matthew Cook, "It gives us all hope for things we would like to do with out specific training."
Rachael Ray's personality and versatility seems to be what has allowed to her to get where she is today.
Whether people like Rachael Ray or not there is something about her that makes her popular. "I don't even like Rachael but I must watch her show," said junior Stephanie Ciccone, "There is just something about her and her show that intrigues me.
Despite people's personal views of Rachael Ray, she continues to be one of the premier figures in daytime television.
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