Debbie Does Salad

Reading Summary

The article begins by introducing the reader to some of the realities behind filming in studio and specifically for a cooking show. The next part of the article gives a short introduction and explanation of Barbara Nitke and her career as a porn still photographer. From here the author and Nitke go on to give the parallels and similarities between porn films and Food Network shows. This section is ended by another close up on the process of Food Network production. The final part of this article is about the idea that the stomach can be considered the second brain of the body. That it controls many parts of the body that are not controlled by the brain. It is also emphasized that our second brain is what controls what we desire and thus is how many of these shows in food and porn make money off of people.

Outside Example

Something that came to mind after I finished reading this article was actually art. What reminded me of art was when the behind the scenes process of the cooking show was explained. In the show every detail is looked at planed and even insignificant aspects are given attention. Likewise, in made pieces of art even the smallest detail of a painting or drawing was intentionally placed. As a person who is watching or observing art or a show many of these things will never be noticed but they do contribute to how people’s view of them is formed.

Reading connection

In the article, it is discussed that our second brain or gut controls what gives us that ‘”WOW”‘ feel (Kaufman 60). That many of the decisions of the show are based off of this feeling because its what our gut craves and this WOW feeling makes them money. Somewhat similarly an artist will draw or paint in a way that they believe will pull in their audience will capture their attention or imagination.