Enough Gordon for Chanel 9

Channel 9.... I get it. Gordon Ramsay has been a blessing for your station's ratings – but enough is enough. Three nights a week – and in a row, no less – is too much of an ear bashing for this little petal.

You raised my hopes this year Channel 9, with a couple of pay TV favourites far removed from the cracking viewing pair Bargain Hunt and Antique Road show, and have provided more entertainment that I have come to expect from your usually tiresome and bland programming. Tuesday night had become part of my television ritual, setting the recorder for a fun evening of Gordon’s shock tactics followed by the even more shocking hit Ladette to Lady. But now that I can see Gordon on Tuesday, Wednesday AND Thursday nights, I’m starting to get sick of him. Worse still, I’m starting to loathe the man.

Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares is funny, Kitchen Nightmares USA even funnier. The altruistic nature of the show, juxtaposed to Gordon's ego is nice viewing, despite the bullying tactics of the show's star. But, what is with him on Hell’s Kitchen? Why is he being so mean? I know it's only Television but ultimately he decides on an image he is happy to portray. In last night's episode a table of paying customers enquired as to the status of their order. They'd been waiting for two and half hours and Gordon told them to "fuck off". Is this the image he really wants to portray and if so, for what end?

Gordon's military style break em down build em up form of management is something that I have experienced working in a restaurant. It's an unfortunate fact that good chefs develop magnificent egos which eventuate into giant arseholes. I'm not sure why, after all they are only cooking food.

I can no longer watch a program based on the premise of disrespect, insults and “hell”. I feel as though I am condoning the ingrained bullying that I experienced.

There is no entertainment in seeing Ramsay spit out someone’s food, call them names, then shove a plate of their food into their chest and rant and rave and swear about a blind mice being able to cook better. Then at the end of the show, kicking one of the branded hapless fools out.

We’re meant to be a progressive society that has banished bullying from our workplaces and communities. Why should we call it entertainment just because it’s on TV?