Rocco DiSpirito

[beekeeper]

Just wondering what you all think of Rocco and his TSV (03-30-04). I've been a fan of his for many years ... both on the Food Network and his restaurants. Besides being hot ... yowzers ... the guy is a sweetie pie! The way he treats his "mama" ... I LOVE IT!

His show "the restaurant" is entertaining too ... anybody see it? I think there is a second season coming soon ...

I don't know if I'd buy his pots/pans collection, but I did see him preview them on the Oprah show. The man is just HOT! Is it hot in here?!? lol ...

[whippet]

ROCCO DISPIRITO,seems to be crzy about his mother.They work so good together.

[DocLove]

Yeah, he's a cutie. ;)

[SBTZMom]

I like him...and his Mom too! I think he will be a great addition to the QVC cooking vendors! Even though I don't cook much anymore, I enjoyed spending time watching him this morning. I sure don't like having the flu, but happy it gave me the opportunity to catch Rocco on the Q!

I liked his "The Restaurant" show also...happy it is coming back for another season!

[shopreturn]

yep, he's a hottie, but does he love his mom just a little too much?? ifyaknowwhatimean.

I'm not sure it's really HIS line. From one comment I heard. QVC had it manufactured and made it the way he wanted it, but I think he's primarily lending his name (AND LOOKS and charisma) to help QVC sell another cooking line. Maybe Cooks Essentials sales have slowed down and they want something more "glam" in cookware.

Anyway, my point (having one somewhere) is that this is NOT like the EMERILWARE, where the creator manufactures it. It's really QVC's with Rocco's name and most certainly, his input as to what it should be and do.

He's still nice eye-candy, though. ; )

[Casanova69]

Rocco is ok but hes no Phillip the garden guy. Haha!

And Rocco is a big time mother lover isn't he?

[DocLove]

I was just thinking the same thing, Casanova!!! You and I think alike. I was thinking I'd rather look at David V. and Patrick ANYDAY than Rocco. To each their own, I guess.....

[occaseshpr]

SBTZMom, I'm SO sorry to hear that you have the flu! Drag! "Take tons of fluids, get lots of rest, and put those flu bugs to the test!"

Anyhow, my opinion of "The Restaurant" went down rapidly. I was SO excited about the show initially; oddly enough since I don't like "reality" shows. (But I'm heavily---no pun intended---into food) With each episode it became clearer that the original premise was manipulated ALOT with obviously conjured-up situations, patrons and reactions from within and outside the restaurant. You know, even with all the intricacies and explosive variables surrounding the opening and operation of a restaurant, it could NEVER be as compelling as Rocco's was/is ON CAMERA. I fall into the gaze of the 'natural activity' like everybody else, forgetting that there's a camera and soundman on these people at EVERY turn! So, if the show is viewed for entertainment and not for "reality", then I guess it's OK. I just don't care for anything that's manipulated for viewership. Mr. DiSpirito is charismatic and it's no wonder that QVC snapped him up for cookware sales. I can't help wishing, though, that SOMEONE with expertise would be able to resist the very green bottom line that's offered to them. Just for example, Suzanne Somers with her EVER-expanding lines of "product". Or Emeril with his BAM-you-over-the-head stuff now. The only one who has my respect for "selling out" didn't sell out at all! Paul Newman's products are great to begin with, but also are sold primarily to raise money for charity. As far as his devotion to his Mom goes, it's typical of an Italian Long Islander and I think it's very nice. Besides, SHE'S the one, along with his Grandma, who taught him to cook!

[carly04]

I also watched "The Resturant" and like you, was watitng for every episode to come on... I work with a guy who was opening up a resturant in the my area, the same time Rocco had his show on... this guy would watch the show and say that although he had SOME experiences that mirrored Rocco's, there was much role playing and it stopped being a Reality show and more like a sitcom...going forward.. I will probably watch Rocco 2 if does appear on tv... it is after all, entertaining... and he is easy on the eyes, I must say.

[SBTZMom]

Occaseshpr...thanks for the flu advice and good wishes :)

You made a great point about Paul Newman. I sometimes think until personal tragedy touches lives, there are people who just do not understand what "giving back" is all about.

I will watch the new season of THE RESTURANT through different eyes now...thanks for sharing :)

[shopreturn]

DocLove and Casanova.
I won't argue that the garden guy doesn't have the nicer face/body. And that Dave Venable is nice-looking and enjoyable to watch. HOWEVER, neither of them give me much of a hubba-hubba feeling,because I'm aware of their sexual preferences.
Which is why I prefer Rocco. Even though not as "purty," he's definitely straight, despite my mother-luvin' comments. : )
I guess if I think the man is gay (NOT THAT'S THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT!), I don't get that little buzzy feelin', though I can admire their looks/personality.

If that makes me strange, so be it. : )

[beekeeper]

I agree with you shopreturn ... I just can't get that "feeling" for a guy if I know he's gay. In the early 90's ... I just LOVED George Michael ... but once he came out those feelings were gone. I don't care if anybody is gay, but how is a str8 woman supposed to get "hot" for a gay man ... it's like salivating over a piece of candy when you are a diabetic ... NO USE!

Please God, PLEASE don't ever let Raoul Bova come out of the closet! That man SURE DOES do it for me! lol ...

As for Rocco ... I don't think he's gay. I think it's incredibly charming that he is that close with his Mother. A son is supposed to take care of his mother! And I think Rocco is INCREDIBLY handsome and sexy ... I get all tingly when I watch him cooking ... something about how he manhandles the pots and food! hehe ...

AND, as far as him putting his name on cookwear ... GOOD FOR HIM! Like any of us would do anything different were we in his shoes! We all know that these celebrity types make their money with their endorsement and product deals, NOT their tv salary, especially on cable programming!

[shopreturn]

Hi Beekeeper and nice to meet you.
Your name reminds me of a favorite movie, "Fried Green Tomotoes."

Re Rocco.....I agree he is straight. And I don't blame him for putting his name on some cookware. HOWEVER......what I found distasteful was QVC's overly obvious way of hawking his wares. "Just think, you can cook with Rocco's pans while watching the next season of Restaurant." ...etc., etc. I even heard him once try to guide the conversation more toward the concrete reasons the cookware was good. But every host that I heard harped on the fact that it would be so terrific to own something of his. I felt talked down to. It's enough that he's there, don't hit us (with a pot) over the head with it. Try a little subtlety!

Yeah, I know, it's QVC. : )

[beekeeper]

Hi shopreturn ... nice to meet you too! :-)

LOL ... yes, you are right. But there are SOOO many people obsessed with celebrity. Many people may not know who Rocco is, therefore, the constant reminder of what show he is from makes him more available to many ...

[DocLove]

Hmm, you consider Rocco a 'celebrity' because he has a reality TV show? That's interesting.

[Casanova69]

Pretty much anyone on TV these days is a celebrity.

[DocLove]

I guess I feel differently about that. I have good friends who do the local news, tho, and they get their share of the stalkers and all, too. I guess others consider them 'celebrities' as well. I just don't.

[occaseshpr]

I know what you mean, Casanova, about "celebrity" originating too easily. Our culture really feeds on that "15 min. of fame" thing and when it goes OVER those 15 min.'s, the "objects of our affection" all too often become icons. (Unfortunately) My hubby and I often say how wonderful it would be if our society would honor people accomplished in medicine, education and the (cultural)arts as it does people in "entertainment". Things are really becoming scarily imbalanced.

Now, about Rocco DiSpirito: he has become a "celebrity" as a result of his quick rise to fame in the culinary world. (And he DID get there by extraordinary talent and drive!) He graduated from the American Culinary Inst. before turning 20. Apprenticed abroad under the best chefs. Chef at "Dava" and owner of "Union Pacific" and "Tuscan" restaurants in NYC. In '99 he was named one of the "10 Best New Chefs" by Food & Wine Magazine. Now, you'll just love this one------he was recently named one of People Magazine's "Sexiest Men Alive"!!!! That may not be "celebrity" to you, but I'll wager that the distinction holds water (or goodies!) with the WOMEN! LOL! As for me, I'm EXTREMELY INTERESTED in culinary endeavor but not particularly in the charisma of the people doing it.

[DocLove]

occaseshpr's got a little crush on Mr. Rocco.....eh? LOL! Whatever makes you smile, girl. I still don't consider him a 'celebrity', tho. Sorry.

[occaseshpr]

HAHAHAHA! DocLove, you're funny! (But I'm afraid you're off the mark on the "crush" part!) My dictionary defines 'celebrity' as "a widely known person" and goes on to allow for many realms, ie: Sports, Theater, etc., etc. So, for anyone familiar with the ongoings of what's cookin' (pun intended!) he is a celebrity indeed. And your friends could/would be considered so among those who follow and admire local news "celebrities". But that doesn't mean you should! (And just between us chickens, if there WERE a celebrity I'd have a crush on, it'd be among Michael McDonald, Sting, Liam Neeson...and a few others closer to my age range! LOL) P.S. Is Lisa R. a "celebrity"?

[Casanova69]

I think anyone with any degree of fame is a celebrity for good or ill.

I mean even criminals are celebrities to some extent.

Even Monica Lewinsky is a celebrity and all she did was....shall we say, made the president happy. :P

[DocLove]

No, I wouldn't consider Lisa a celebrity.

[occaseshpr]

Casa, you are the first person I've known to express (what?).....desire?....titillation?.....whatever?. .. as :P !!! It's adorable.

[Sittin'n]

OC, I sooo agree with you regarding society's "unbalanced" devotion to celebrities, while educators, philanthropists, environmentalists, etc. are the true unsung heros/heroines.

I also agree that anyone who is in any public forum is deemed a "celebrity." For example, how would Kathy Levine have an audience for the purported book she's written if not for her QVC/HSN television stint?

And, while I absolutely ADORE Michael McDonald, I realize he's just a flawed human being like the rest of us slobs. (Okaaay, I admit I may have elevated dear McD to deity status, but has anyone listened to his song Peace? It's hymn-like---pun intended!---and deserving of praise.)

[Veritas]

OC & Sittin'n,
I totally agree with your accounts of our "society's unbalanced devotion to celebrities". I think that we are programed from the time we are children to view these personas on our tv sets as celebrities. Thus, many individuals end up having this predilection towards them.

I also like Rocco DiSpirito, along with Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, Ming Tsai, etc... because I enjoy cooking & serving my guests unique culinary dishes and a variety of wines. I personally do not look at them as celebrities, but rather as the culinary experts that they are.

Sittin'n, I also agree with you regarding Kathy Levine. Who would have purchased her book if she had not revealed so much about her life on QVC. She captured the viewers attention which resulted in a large number of book sales. Capitalism at its best, and who can blame her.

Now, this Michael Bergin cad is another story. I love the way he claims he is doing this for himself & Carolyn Bessette. I'm sure she is looking down on him & saying - "thank you Michael for telling the world about my abortions & miscarriage, AND my infidelity, especially since I am not here to defend myself". What a guy. UGH!

[Sittin'n]

Veritas: "Cad" is an apt description for that louse! He reminds me of Princess Diana's paramour, James "kiss-and-tell" Hewitt.


Oops, I accidentally misspelled "heroes" in former post. My apologies to all BB teachers! {:~)

[Denim&Co.]

"Society is celebrity oriented..."
-Glenn Hoban(friend of mine)

[Veritas]

Hey Sittin'n
these men were supposedly in love with Carolyn Bessette & Princess Diana. Imagine what they would have disclosed if they disliked them. These men, and I'm being generous, are nothing more than pathetic opportunists.

[Casanova69]

But I think it also says soemthing about the women who fall for those kind of guys as well.

[Sittin'n]

Cas, I agree, but Prince Charles appears emotionally bankrupt, which is why Diana was susceptible to Hewitt's "charms." I DO think women ought to bear SOME responsibility for being attracted to these lotharios.

Personally, I prefer guys with a slide rule attached to their belt loop! (Unless it's Michael McD., natch!)