How best to describe the arc of a successful reality show? Is it a souffle, puffed and impressive right out of the oven but with a tendency to deflate quickly? Or is it a risotto, a delicate melding…

What season was he watching that he thinks Nick and Nina were equally skilled and likable? But a lot of the points about the show trying to reinvent itself or running out of talent are interesting ones. And Top Chef Extreme? Ugh.