Gina and Pat Neely: Too Hot for TV?
The Food Network chefs like to heat things up in the kitchen
By Sona Charaipotra Oct 25, 2010 8:03PM
Okay, so it's not quite food porn -- and I mean that in the punniest way. But is it just me, or are the Food Network stars Gina and Pat Neely turning up the heat a bit too much in the kitchen? The BBQ-slinging duo, who star on the Food Network's "Down Home With the Neelys," are all about cuddling and canoodling in the kitchen while they fry up some chicken or doughnuts or anything else they can coat with a nice crispy layer of bread crumbs. (They're from the Paula Deen side of things, rather than an Elie Krieger, say.) All well and good -- and kind of cute, really -- but lately the pair have taken to what comes off as so much verbal foreplay as they get things started in the kitchen.
Maybe fine for some latenight munchies, but really, Food Network, do I need to hear Pat Neely say, "Gina's been melting my chocolate for more than ten years now" or "She's one hot little chili pepper" as they seductively dip their hands in whatever they're mixing up, sort of a la "Ghost" and the pottery wheel, at 5:43 on a Monday afternoon. (Why I'm watching Food Network marathons in the middle of a weekday afternoon is different story, which I'll save for another day.)
The long-married couple, who run a chain of BBQ joints in Tennessee, are business partners and parents to two, so it's nice to see that they still enjoy each other's company in the kitchen. Maybe inspiring, even. After all, who doesn't want to, uh, stir things up every once in a while? But perhaps it would be best for the Food Network powers-that-be to slap a PG label on the show for those watching with impressionable chefs-in-training.
9Comments
Nov 18, 2012 8:31PM
I don't watch their show because it's too much for me to digest. In addition, their affections for one another doesn't seem genuine. I know what I'm seeing isn't the real deal, but a great business deal. Paula Dean seems like she's over doing it for the cameras, but I see her love for her family is genuine.
Dec 26, 2011 12:52PM
First of all let me say to all you nah sayers and haters out there... Get a life...fill it with love for someone and then let's revisit this. I'm Pat's bother and I know 100% That he's not gay. I also know that Pat and Gina's love is for real. They have been acting this way towards each other for as long as I can remember which is a hell of a lot longer than the Food network has been around. So there.... ponder on that all you out there that say that it's sickening for you to see this kind of love and affection displayed on a "FAMILY COOKING SHOW". if you don't like it just turn on your local news and let your family watch how our world is going to hell in a hand basket.
Nov 9, 2010 9:18AM
Yeah - kids (chefs-in-training) really shouldn't see two married people who are in love. Why don't you change the channel and find some suitable violence? There is plenty to choose from. Then there is the whole question of why a child is watching a cooking show at 5:43 in the afternoon? Surely there must be something better/healthier for them to do.
Oct 30, 2010 5:27PM
OMG! So why is it that it sickening to watch an African American couple display affection for one another! And yet no one has anything to say about Paula Dean and the affection she shows for her husband! Sorry folks but maybe it has been so long since we have seen a man and women show this much love that we don't know what to do! My guess is those of you who are posting the hate are the ones not getting affection!
Oct 27, 2010 1:00PM
How anyone can watch a man interact with his wife for 30 minutes (20 including commercials) and come to the conclusion that he acts gay is ridiculous. If you don't like the show, just say you don't like it. Don't come up with bogus reasons regarding hearsay on his sexuality. It's a shame that because he's a black man and he's not slapping his wife on her butt or talking down to her that he's looked at as being gay. He is kind and gentle and they make me wish that me and my husband acted like that in the kitchen.
Oct 27, 2010 11:32AM
I actually love the show. I'm sure they have the spats but this is food program. And more is a relationship growing and loving when both individuals are sharing the cooking responsibilities and making it fun! There are alot of couples that don't have this opportunity but if there are others that do, it is something that is missing in television. I think it is inspiring to see a couple together in the kitchen. And what's with the mushy and lovey dovey issues. Is your relationship so stagnant and passive that even you hate admitting your loss? Love is being mushy and lovey dovey and having the spats that is not shown on food network. Though, food network has visited this theme in other reality food programs. I think the Neely's is just wholesome television of a couple who loves cooking and it is one of many reasons how love brought them together to the kitchen.
Oct 27, 2010 9:54AM
The thing that is weird about the couple is the fact that sooooooo many folks believe that Pat is/acts very gay. Just look at the number of inquiries on the internet that ask that very question. 1 or 2 folks and you say "well that's just your opinion"... but when it's thousands... there is a real possibility that not all these folks can see the same thing and be wrong. I'm not hating on Pat, my statement is relative to the subject matter. While I would love to see "positive" black role models anywhere, the Neely's just don't seem real based on Pat's questionable sexual orientation.
Oct 26, 2010 9:34PM
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