Better Slots for the Next Food Network Star

OK, I love Guy Fieri and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.  Pretty much everybody does - or at least the real foodies do.  Guy is immensely entertaining, and he knows food.  He is the textbook case for the contest that is the next Food Network Star.  And when Guy was named the next Food Network Star, he rode his fame to the top with numerous shows culminating in Triple-D.  In fact, if I am not mistaken, Guy struggled a bit in the early days before hitting his stride with Diner, Drive-Ins, & Dives.  And, of course Guy's Big Bite is an excellent show is well - one that really showcases his cooking knowledge.

But the Food Network is doing a disservice to their other new Food Network Stars with the saturation of Guy-Food-TV in the prime time hours.  Guy Fieri and Triple-D is literally on all the time, and while he is certainly entertaining, I would love to see some other new Food Network Star veterans being given the opportunity to develop their brand.  For example, Jeff Mauro - or The Sandwich King - deserves some prime time exposure to develop what is arguably one of the best Points of View and new-brand shows to ever come out of the next Food Network Star.  It was the perfect niche with a great tagline - and the Food Network could certainly market a show on sandwiches - even several shows - with a big personality like Jeff the Sandwich King.

But he's buried in the Sunday morning line-up.  Just like Arti Party.

Either one of these shows could have developed into a more popular show given the right time slot.  But, while I turn the Food Network on regularly in the evenings, I rarely remember to flip on the TV on Sunday morning when I'm enjoying my breakfast, cup of coffee, and the Sunday paper.  It seems like Sunday morning would be a place you'd send a show to die - like a kill committee in Congress.  And why would the Food Network go to so much trouble to craft new shows around popular new culinary voices, and then stifle their opportunity to grow.  The Food Network should seriously consider giving the last Food Network Star - Jeff the Sandwich King - a slice of Guy Fieri's time.

Make sure the Food Network Star actually gets a chance to become a star.  Bring The Sandwich King to prime time.