Watching Rachael Ray

…not literally, of course, but today’s episode has us seeing the whole show interspersed with what’s happening behind the scenes, from the kitchens, to the guests to the voice overs and control room, we get it all.

It starts with Rachael declaring her hatred for the name of the show, because it takes hundreds to make it happen, but she lost that argument. She’s had a pot of coffee at home, then an iced coffee when she gets to the office, where she does the voice overs, and the producer is working with the music, and get the clips ready for when she says “watch this”.

Production meeting 90 minutes before the show, Isaboo heads off to ’school’ past the Audience checking in at 1 hour to show time as the guest, Larry the Cable Guy shows up. There’s a pause at the test kitchen where she says her food is ridiculous compared to what her cooks do for the guests. A wardrobe stop where Rachael chooses her outfit, then it’s to makeup. Not only are they working on the day’s shoot, they’re preparing for the next few shows as well. The producer talks to her through the day’s show, while another talks to the Guest and lets him know where he’s going. After that - it’s like high school, jump in and do it, no script.

Cue music, the Audience is shown to their seats, Rachael is given the 15 minute warning, then the warmup guy keeps the crowd grooving. Control room is ready, and counting down. When they hear Rachael’s walking, they know it’s time, standby, 5..4…3…2…1… and here we go! Send the Elevator!

Rachael welcomes the crowd (and us) to the inside out show, and introduces Larry the Cable Guy to the Kitchen Table. Larry’s staring in the upcoming Witless Protection, and laughs about wearing his sleeveless shirt, and how at Banana Republic he’s a medium, they even have a baby hefty section. Rachael asks him about Cable, and he says no, it’s just a name. He’s done a lot of shows, but says he’s never been so nervous as he is to be with Rachael.

He’s lost fifty pounds, because it got so bad Dipping Dots had a restraining order on him - and my favorite line of the interview “I started going to Hooters for the food!” He dishes on his co-star girlfriend, Jenny McCarthy, and how that can only happen in movies. Anytime he sees a girl with a slob, he considers her a hostage and calls the police. Ha!

Another back scenes look as they talk, as the Acupuncture Facial lady is welcomed and her area is set up. More chatting with Larry about his kid, and the movie, before pulling out the February Favorite, the Magellan Roadmate 1200 GPS Nav System. As we roll to commercial, we see Larry sign the fridge on his way out. Get’er Dun!

Back at the studio we see them finishing up the table, the Rachael introduces Janet Tsai, who is a licensed acupuncturist who does face lifts, then she settles to the chair to get her own. “It’s not so bad” Rachael says, as needles are placed in her face. It’s said that the needles create micro trauma to the skin, and helps the cells that produce collagen and elastin, so that it makes the skin more taught.

Backstage, we see Rachael checkin the recipe’s for the show, then the foodies head to the store to make sure that all the ingredients are available at the neighborhood grocery. They make the meal, pull some swap-outs, as Rachael says they try to do as much cooking live as possible, but due to time constraints they have to have some ready. The folks backstage test the food, and deliver it to the staff. What’s for dinner tonight? Caprese-Stuffed Meatballs with Tomato-Pesto Sauce.

And that’s a wrap, folks! Rachael heads home to get out of makeup and into her Jammies and her own kitchen.