Leonard sullivan This show is fun and a nice light watch, one of those that can easily be enjoyed whilst fooling about on the computer, phone, etc.It is a simple show with a simple premise and should not be dug into any further than that. I truly do not understand the negative reviews on here, what were you expecting? Some Reality television re-telling of "Macbeth" through the contestants of the show with the finale being a severed head served upon a platter?! No, It is a "Reality TV-Culinary Competition" show that delivers exactly what is promises and nothing more, so why would you expect such? So, to end. The show is fun and that is all, it...is...fun. So, please stop the bitching and more importantly stop trying to turn the show into something that it is not (...trimmerb1234..."makes coughing sounds while pointing at this username!")If it comes on while you are browsing TV then go ahead and watch it, it's fun.Leonard

sakharovatasha I really love this program but I really fill a shamed for "THE Russians" people Who have no imagination or perhaps knowledge and assume that Russian food it's only Shuba, Olivje and Borsch. It's the same as to declare to the world that the English food has only two things - fish & chips !!!!!!!! Its obviously NOT Shame on you all "Russians " Stop it ;-z Best wishes With love Russia ,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,xxxxxx

welshNick This is shown on Channel 4 in the late afternoons and as late afternoon programmes go is really quite good.Five people who do not know each other each have to throw a dinner party for the other four on consecutive days and are secretly marked by the other diners. The winner at the end of the week receives £1000. All of this is narrated by a rather sarcastic Dave Lamb who does get on my nerves sometimes.The problem I sometimes have with this is the appalling manners of some of the contestants who take part. When at a formal dinner party you do not ask for any condiments that are not on the table. When the main course arrives, asking for salt before you have tried it is the biggest insult you can give whoever cooked it. I appreciate that this is an entertainment show but showing such low social standards does not reflect well on the British particularly as this show is now being exported abroad.Where have standards of politeness gone ? You can say what you like afterwards to the camera but don't have a go about the dessert to the host. I have been to many dinner parties both formal and informal but hopefully I will never have to endure any of the people who appear in this show.

highpriestess32 I am consistently amazed by the total cleanliness that the homes of the contestants boast only to then observe some decidedly poor cooking hygiene.That goes for the celebrity versions too. On one Celebrity Come Dine With Me, we see Anneka Rice drop a bag full of fresh squid rings onto her kitchen carpet, only to scoop it up, request that the clip not be included before throwing it all unrinsed back into the paella pan. Inexcusable lenience for the most basic food handling laws.The ongoing narration adds well to the humorous side of the show although many recipes are not helpful for regular home-cooking since in order to impress the dinner guests, hosts have a frequent tendency to push the boat out and many dishes are decadent in terms of calorific content and unsuitable for daily consumption. Contestants also have an allocated budget meaning they can afford a more upmarket joint of meat or the better catch of the day.What is appealing is the "fly on the wall" aspect of this programme. Once the small talk is over with, we the viewers get to see the real opinions of the guests as they are interviewed separately and on occasion the over-the-table banter leads to upset and disquiet as we see dominant personalities clash.Somewhat of a cult show, it is definitely worth one watch, even if, like me, you do not necessarily favour cookery programmes. The comedic element is what sells this truly worthwhile programme!