Hell's Kitchen (Fox)

My husband and I have been hooked on Hell’s Kitchen since the first season, but I vowed that I would not watch another episode if Chef Ramsay kept Elise after the last show. I understand the need for drama and ratings, but Hell's Kitchen ceased being entertaining several episodes ago. My stomach hurts from watching Elise and her tirades. My husband is an executive chef and he summed it up quite succinctly: Elise is hindering the abilities of truly qualified and talented candidates and a real exec chef would have rid the kitchen of that dead weight long ago. She is a drain on morale and creativity. Anything that goes wrong in that kitchen at this point is on Chef Ramsay.
I enjoyed the show because of the culinary competitions and Ramsay's antics; it was a fun watch with just the right amount of suspense and tension. But these latest stomach-churning theatrics have turned the show from an original and entertaining twist on an overused concept to just another trite, scripted reality fiasco. Elise has ruined the show for me and the completely transparent motive to keep her on solely for the train'wreck factor is both disappointing and patronizing. I'm sorry to say I won't be watching again; after all, I watch TV to escape from the stresses of real-life…if I want headaches, I’ll just work late.