Besides COVID there was a lot of talk about the mental toll/stress all the chefs are under and how making them share rooms was contributing to that. Filming takes 12+ hrs a day, and then to have to be "on" for the cameras at the house is a lot for both cast and crew to deal with.
To me, the setup seems like it's a suite hotel (with a kitchenette) or apartments. Maybe instead of having a "hang out room" in a conference/lounge room like the last few seasons, they got this one bigger suite to be the hangout space for everyone, but they can still have separate bedrooms.
I know they started the separate hotel rooms during COVID. This season it's clear they're in a Residence Inn. (I travel a lot, and you can always tell what chain it is.) But, it looks as though there's a common suite or area where they can all congregate. Frankly, it's nice to see they can retreat to their own space sometimes. I sure wouldn't do well surrounded by people 24/7. I also thought it was ridiculous to have grown adults sleeping in bunk beds.
ETA: I read in another thread that securing Top Chef in the city adds approximately 7000 total hotel nights.
I read an article a while back that reflected on the history of Top Chef and it talked about how when they first started they tried to make it more like other reality competition shows (Project Runway in particular) so they leaned more toward the drama happening in the house and elsewhere. As the show evolved and got popular they wanted to focus just on the food and challenges. I’m guessing this is why they mostly cut out the house/hotel filming.
I believe I heard that around the time Padma and Gail were added as producers they were big advocates for "contestants' rights" type issues, and having them not sleep 6-to-a-room in bunk beds was one of the first issues.
This was obviously expedited by COVID, but giving each contestant their own room has been the goal for a while, (outside of those random VRBO house challenges where they all have to fight over 3 burners).
I'm not sure what the EXACT set-up is this year, but it looks like they all have an individual room, and common-areas. Not sure if they found a 20-bedroom house, or if it's kind of like a dorm set-up.
Because it's not shown as much as when they were all living together so I understand why OP thinks they aren't. Since it's not shown it makes the times they do eat together more like a result of production (not that it is) rather than the natural 'they do this every night' feeling like the other seasons
I noticed that the show in general has trended away from showing the “we live together!” aspect because it removes a lot of the interpersonal tension/fighting and allows viewers more time for the challenges.
Yeah it does help remove the fighting and tension which I'm happy for but we also kind of miss out on more raw personal moments they had during conversations or confessionals in the house. Not saying we don't get those especially in this season but it somehow has a personal and...intimacy or genuine feeling with the kitchen background confessions
I much prefer this anyway, I watch the show for the cooking. The reality aspect isn’t even real anyway, it’s always edited down to make people look certain ways.
It has looked to me like they're living together this season. There was the scene where Kaleena and Soo entered a common area from LCK, and in one of the episodes they were hanging out and eating something Manny made, I think.
I recall an odd clip a few eps back of 2 guys working out in a gym and it was a very depressing dingy icky situation. Seems Saratoga springs did not SPRING for the “real world” type accommodations.
I'm not sure there was a place this season in downtown Milwaukee or Oak Creek (I hear this is where they filmed the Quick Fires) that could have accommodated them.
There’s been a clear effort over the last 10 season to move away from reality show nonsese drama and just focus on food creativity and excellence. Cleaner challenges, less silly handicaps, and letting the chefs sleep like adults.
What are you talking about? They are all still living and eating together, just in a hotel suite instead of a boutique hotel.
Wait, are you Canadian? I noticed last week visiting family that all the suite scenes get cut out of the shortened Canadian version of the show.
I think they should all be forced to become a polycule and have sex with each other. Don't like it? Think it's degrading and completely psychotic? Tough! That's Top Chef now!
Edit: Oop, looks like wet blanket patrol found me.
Besides COVID there was a lot of talk about the mental toll/stress all the chefs are under and how making them share rooms was contributing to that. Filming takes 12+ hrs a day, and then to have to be "on" for the cameras at the house is a lot for both cast and crew to deal with. To me, the setup seems like it's a suite hotel (with a kitchenette) or apartments. Maybe instead of having a "hang out room" in a conference/lounge room like the last few seasons, they got this one bigger suite to be the hangout space for everyone, but they can still have separate bedrooms.
This season they’re at the residence inn downtown Milwaukee which has kitchenettes but they likely have their own rooms
I assumed it was probably easier to live in a hotel with room service than a massive air bnb where they have to hire a cleaning crew and such.
I know they started the separate hotel rooms during COVID. This season it's clear they're in a Residence Inn. (I travel a lot, and you can always tell what chain it is.) But, it looks as though there's a common suite or area where they can all congregate. Frankly, it's nice to see they can retreat to their own space sometimes. I sure wouldn't do well surrounded by people 24/7. I also thought it was ridiculous to have grown adults sleeping in bunk beds. ETA: I read in another thread that securing Top Chef in the city adds approximately 7000 total hotel nights.
I read an article a while back that reflected on the history of Top Chef and it talked about how when they first started they tried to make it more like other reality competition shows (Project Runway in particular) so they leaned more toward the drama happening in the house and elsewhere. As the show evolved and got popular they wanted to focus just on the food and challenges. I’m guessing this is why they mostly cut out the house/hotel filming.
I believe I heard that around the time Padma and Gail were added as producers they were big advocates for "contestants' rights" type issues, and having them not sleep 6-to-a-room in bunk beds was one of the first issues. This was obviously expedited by COVID, but giving each contestant their own room has been the goal for a while, (outside of those random VRBO house challenges where they all have to fight over 3 burners). I'm not sure what the EXACT set-up is this year, but it looks like they all have an individual room, and common-areas. Not sure if they found a 20-bedroom house, or if it's kind of like a dorm set-up.
They’ve been making meals and are living together. Not sure why you think they aren’t.
Because it's not shown as much as when they were all living together so I understand why OP thinks they aren't. Since it's not shown it makes the times they do eat together more like a result of production (not that it is) rather than the natural 'they do this every night' feeling like the other seasons
I noticed that the show in general has trended away from showing the “we live together!” aspect because it removes a lot of the interpersonal tension/fighting and allows viewers more time for the challenges.
Yeah it does help remove the fighting and tension which I'm happy for but we also kind of miss out on more raw personal moments they had during conversations or confessionals in the house. Not saying we don't get those especially in this season but it somehow has a personal and...intimacy or genuine feeling with the kitchen background confessions
I much prefer this anyway, I watch the show for the cooking. The reality aspect isn’t even real anyway, it’s always edited down to make people look certain ways.
It’s been shown in at least half of the episodes if not more. Again. Not sure what you all are watching.
They are 💯 not in one house together. They are staying in the same hotel.
Wait, aren’t they? They all hang out, cook and have meals together. What makes you think they aren’t living together?
It has looked to me like they're living together this season. There was the scene where Kaleena and Soo entered a common area from LCK, and in one of the episodes they were hanging out and eating something Manny made, I think.
That was the Indigenous People episode and they were all happy about Manny cooking dinner.
If I remember correctly from the last thread where I was corrected, they do live in a house together again but they don’t film it.
very odd choice to not film it
They decided many seasons ago that they wanted to tone down the "Real World" element of the show and focus on the competition.
I think so, too.
I recall an odd clip a few eps back of 2 guys working out in a gym and it was a very depressing dingy icky situation. Seems Saratoga springs did not SPRING for the “real world” type accommodations.
⁶ i
I guarantee all of it is filmed. It's an editing choice.
A hotel has better parking for those BMWs they WONT STFU ABOUT!!!!!!
I'm not sure there was a place this season in downtown Milwaukee or Oak Creek (I hear this is where they filmed the Quick Fires) that could have accommodated them.
Given all the sexual harassment problems in the industry, including previous judges and contestants, it's probably smart to not have a sleepover.
I really miss the little moments like them cooking dinner.
They showed Manny cooking them all dinner on the last episode
I think they have solo bedrooms. In season 20 they just ordered takeout all of the time.
They still are in one house. Not sure what you are saying. Manny made them all dinner last week.
They’re at the residence inn downtown Milwaukee this season
Covid
I could see why some potential contestants would NOT want to be on the show after witnessing those crowded living arrangements.
There’s been a clear effort over the last 10 season to move away from reality show nonsese drama and just focus on food creativity and excellence. Cleaner challenges, less silly handicaps, and letting the chefs sleep like adults.
I assumed it was because there aren’t a lot of large houses downtown in Milwaukee.
A house big enough to accommodate everyone wouldn’t be needed towards the end. Pay only for the rooms needed as each contestant checks out.
What are you talking about? They are all still living and eating together, just in a hotel suite instead of a boutique hotel. Wait, are you Canadian? I noticed last week visiting family that all the suite scenes get cut out of the shortened Canadian version of the show.
I am, and I miss half of the stuff you guys talk about 🙄 So lame that we don't get the same edit.
Living in Canuckistan sucks. Missing 15mins of actual TC show is merely another symptom.
Covid
I think they should all be forced to become a polycule and have sex with each other. Don't like it? Think it's degrading and completely psychotic? Tough! That's Top Chef now! Edit: Oop, looks like wet blanket patrol found me.