I’m getting annoyed now. You see, the Food Network in their statement seemed they were hedging their bets (a good thing). But since all the news wires have decided by their headlines that Irvine is 100% gone, FN is probably going to end up do it. (I hope not). But the way news media is saying things, it might later look like FN flip-flopped. When again, that’s not at all the case. They said they would review things later. That was an open door. A slim one, yes, but an open one. And so I’m annoyed as once again the news media (at least those who are news media who are not me) seem intent on creating the news not reporting on it with their more sensational “Irvine Canned” rhetoric.

I say let Chef Robert Irvine have another shot Why? Many reasons. First and foremost, I am a big believer in second chances. I say we’re all human. I say half the population lies on their resume and that all but 1% of employees steal (be it a paper clip, a pen, or personal use of the copy machine) at work. I say we’re all human. And I say we all get second chances.

Take Richard Nixon and Vanessa Williams — to name but two.

The first became before his death an elder statesman of his party with much cred. And Williams, it’s difficult to remember after all she’s accomplished how she had a tarnished beginning. Point is, if Mr. Watergate Break-In and the only Miss America not to finish her stint can get past their past, are allowed to, then why not Robert Irvine?

Tell you what, folks. The two mentioned betrayed public trust. Nixon was entrusted with running our country. To many young women, Williams had a trust to behave as a role model (something she later indeed became.) Yet initially they let us down on that trust. And they were forgiven or at least given a chance to do better, and they did.

So let’s compare. Did Chef Irvine betray a public trust? Nope. He wasn’t in such a loftly position to do so. What we trusted him to do was no more than to entertain us weekly and wow us with his culinary skills. Nothing more. And even in those he succeeded; it was Mission Accomplished.

So hey, give Robert Irvine a second chance. Not only is this the right thing to do, but week after week he has earned it.

{01 Mar 2008}