BlackJack_B To be honest, I like Emeril. I think his cooking is excellent and he really comes off as a very nice guy who respects his patrons. He certainly cooks a wide variety of meals; fancy Las Vegas or comfort food and everything in between. I do think he does overdo it with the butter, heavy cream, fat from various meats (pork fat especially), and booze but if you're paying $100 for your meal it must be worth the money. I like Doc Gibbs as well.What I really hate is that audience. The way they cheer for the Essence, alcohol, and especially garlic can get to you. Also, there are way too many shots of his audience and they always seem to be in some trance. They all have big smiles on their faces; as if seeing this guy cook is the greatest thing to experience in New York. While I enjoy the various guests he occasionally brings in, sometimes his pandering to some of them (Tony Danza) can be almost uncomfortable to watch.Still, it's a show I like to watch once in awhile and he does hit the mark with some of his catchphrases and antics. I just wish he'd dump the audience. It's scary to see them go over the top. Oh yeah, Babe!

fingle_fin i agree, this emmeril dude is quite annoying. Sometimes scary. What's the deal with the audience clapping like morons every time he adds garlic to whatever he's cooking??? WTF?! It's a good thing the food doesn't spoil every time he scatters his spit all over when he yells BAM Bam Bam!! Ewww gross! He's a scary screwball, and really, what's with the audience? I'd expect a little interaction going on but it seems as if the audience is scared stiff! Maybe he threatens them or something. Hmmm... I wonder? I'd rather watch the other chef who sounds like Arnold Schwarzenegger, only he's punier and mildly entertaining. Take it from me, this is one cooking show intended for Hitchcock fans...

maniac30 My girlfriend turned me on to Emeril. I had never liked or ever really watched cooking shows before. Well I am hooked now. I love his show. He seems down to earth and has so much energy and passion for food and cooking, it makes you want to cook. Which I am now. I love to cook and try new things. And this is on of the best most entertaining shows on TV. So if you want to Kick IT UP A Notch, watch this show.

minneman25 This is the MOST annoying person on TV! I love to watch cooking shows because I can get alot of ideas from them, I hate his show. I will NOT kick it up the notch. Quick yelling BAM all the time. And puhleeze get real, no one really acts like this and I have no idea why these people are getting excited over this.