MasterChef (American TV series)#Series overview
{{short description|American competitive reality television series}}
{{About||the current season|MasterChef (American TV series) season 15|the PBS television show|MasterChef USA|other international editions|MasterChef}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2011}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2011}}
{{Infobox television
| image = MasterChef current logo & wordmark.svg
| genre = {{plainlist |
| creator = Franc Roddam
| director = {{plainlist|
- Rich Kim
- Richard Franc
}}
| judges = {{Plainlist|
}}
| narrated =
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 15
| num_episodes = 288
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = {{plainlist |
- Elisabeth Murdoch
- Natalka Znak
- Danny Schrader
- Gordon Ramsay
- Pat Llewellyn
- Ben Adler
- Sharon Levy
- DJ Nurre
- Shyam Balsé
}}
| producer = {{plainlist |
- Justin Brooks
- Jefferson Strouse
}}
| runtime = 42 minutes
| company = One Potato Two Potato
Reveille Productions (2010–12)
Shine America (2012–14)
Endemol Shine North America (2015–)
| network = Fox
| first_aired = {{Start date|2010|7|27}}
| last_aired = present
| related = MasterChef Junior
}}
MasterChef is an American competitive cooking reality television series that premiered on Fox on July 27, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2010/06/masterchef-usa-teaser.html|title=Master chief USA Teaser|publisher=TV Tonight.com|date=June 21, 2010|access-date=June 21, 2010|archive-date=June 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624095715/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2010/06/masterchef-usa-teaser.html|url-status=dead}} Based on the British series of the same name and produced by Endemol Shine North America and One Potato Two Potato, the series features amateur and home chefs competing to win the title of 'MasterChef'.{{cite web |url=http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/11/fox-masterchef-gordon-ramsay-.html |title=Fox orders 'Idol'-style cooking competition |access-date=July 21, 2010 |archive-date=January 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127142943/http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/11/fox-masterchef-gordon-ramsay-.html |url-status=live }} The current line-up of judges consists of Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich, and Tiffany Derry.
The fifteenth season, subtitled Dynamic Duos, premiered on May 21, 2025.
Format
MasterChef is based on the British BBC series MasterChef. The competition takes place in the MasterChef soundstage located in Los Angeles, CA which includes a large kitchen area with several cooking stations which is overlooked by a balcony, a well-stocked pantry, a freezer/fridge area and a fine-dining restaurant/seating dining area room used for certain challenges.
While the particular format of the season has slightly varied over the years, the following challenges have all been regularly featured:
- Skills Test: Cooks are challenged to perform a list of common cooking techniques or styles, or to replicate a particular cooking method of a dish (e.g. steaks done to an exact wellness). This type of test is also sometimes used as an Elimination Test.
- Mystery Box: Cooks are all given a box with the same ingredients and must use only those ingredients to create a dish within a fixed amount of time. The judges will select three dishes based on visual appearance and technique alone to taste, and from these three select one winner who usually gains an advantage of some type.
- Elimination Test: After the challenge is explained, judges evaluate all dishes based on taste and visual appeal. The judges nominate the worst dishes for elimination and criticize them before eliminating at least one contestant.
- Team Challenge: The cooks are split into teams by either team captains or the judges. They often occur in a restaurant takeover or pop-up restaurant taking the place of the staff of a particular restaurant. Diners taste both meals and vote for their favorite. The winning team advances, while the losing team will participate in the Pressure Test or face elimination based on the teams' performance.
- Pressure Test: Another form of the Elimination Test, in which losing team members compete against each other to make a standard dish within a very limited amount of time that requires a great degree of cooking finesse. Each dish is judged on taste, visual appeal and technique, and the losing chef is eliminated.
Once the competition is reduced to either the final two or three competitors, the finalists will compete against each other in a three-course cook-off. All courses of the meal are judged and an overall winner is crowned. The winner of each season wins $250,000, a MasterChef trophy, and the title of MasterChef. Some seasons have also added other prizes such as a cookbook deal.
Judges
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" | Season
! scope="col" | Judge 1 ! scope="col" | Judge 2 ! scope="col" | Judge 3 |
|---|
| scope="row"| 1
| rowspan="15"| Gordon Ramsay | rowspan="6"| Graham Elliot | rowspan="5"| Joe Bastianich |
| scope="row"| 2 |
| scope="row"| 3 |
| scope="row"| 4 |
| scope="row"| 5 |
| scope="row"| 6
| rowspan="3"| Christina Tosi |
| scope="row"| 7
| Guest judges{{efn|The guest judges rotated between Sánchez, Wolfgang Puck, Edward Lee, Kevin Sbraga, Richard Blais, and Daniel Boulud}} |
| scope="row"| 8
| rowspan="7"| Aarón Sánchez |
| scope="row"| 9
| rowspan="7"| Joe Bastianich |
| scope="row"| 10 |
| scope="row"| 11 |
| scope="row"| 12 |
| scope="row"| 13 |
| scope="row"| 14 |
| scope="row"| 15 |
;Notes
{{notelist}}
For the first five seasons, the series starred celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay (the co-creator of the series and Hell's Kitchen), Graham Elliot and restaurateur Joe Bastianich.{{cite web|title=Graham Elliot Leaving 'MasterChef' Franchise|url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/graham-elliot-leaving-masterchef-franchise-1201669754/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 19, 2015|access-date=February 1, 2016|archive-date=February 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201155322/http://deadline.com/2015/12/graham-elliot-leaving-masterchef-franchise-1201669754/|url-status=live}} From seasons six through eight, pastry chef Christina Tosi temporarily replaced Bastianich.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/01/masterchef-junior-renewed-season-4-christina-tosi-judge-1201349004|title='MasterChef Junior' Renewed For Season 4, Mataiasi Kalou Joins As New Judge|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=January 13, 2015|access-date=November 13, 2015|archive-date=November 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127100132/http://deadline.com/2015/01/masterchef-junior-renewed-season-4-christina-tosi-judge-1201349004/|url-status=dead}} In season seven, Elliot departed as a judge, and in place of a third judge, there were a series of guest judges, one of which was Aarón Sánchez. From seasons eight to fourteen, Sánchez was a regular judge.{{cite web|title=Chef Aarón Sánchez Joins the MasterChef Judges' Panel|url=https://parade.com/548433/alison-ashton/chef-aaron-sanchez-joins-the-masterchef-judges-panel/|website=Parade|access-date=April 25, 2017|date=February 17, 2017|archive-date=April 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425114257/https://parade.com/548433/alison-ashton/chef-aaron-sanchez-joins-the-masterchef-judges-panel/|url-status=live}} In season nine, Bastianich returned as a regular judge, replacing Tosi. In season fifteen, Tiffany Derry will join as a regular judge, replacing Sánchez.
Series overview
{{Series overview
| auxA = Contestants
| infoA = Winner
| infoB = Runner(s)-up
| link1 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 1
| auxA1 = 14
| episodes1 = 13
| start1 = {{Start date|2010|7|27}}
| end1 = {{End date|2010|9|15}}
| infoA1 = Whitney Miller
| infoB1 = David Miller
| link2 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 2
| auxA2 = 18
| episodes2 = 20
| start2 = {{Start date|2011|6|6}}
| end2 = {{End date|2011|8|16}}
| infoA2 = Jennifer Behm
| infoB2 = Adrien Nieto
| link3 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 3
| auxA3 = 18
| episodes3 = 20
| start3 = {{Start date|2012|6|4}}
| end3 = {{End date|2012|9|10}}
| infoA3 = Christine Hà
| infoB3 = Josh Marks
| link4 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 4
| auxA4 = 19
| episodes4 = 25
| start4 = {{Start date|2013|5|22}}
| end4 = {{End date|2013|9|11}}
| infoA4 = Luca Manfè
| infoB4 = Natasha Crnjac
| link5 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 5
| auxA5 = 22
| episodes5 = 19
| start5 = {{Start date|2014|5|26}}
| end5 = {{End date|2014|9|15}}
| infoA5 = Courtney Lapresi
| infoB5 = Elizabeth Cauvel
| link6 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 6
| auxA6 = 22
| episodes6 = 20
| start6 = {{Start date|2015|5|20}}
| end6 = {{End date|2015|9|16}}
| infoA6 = Claudia Sandoval
| infoB6 = Derrick Peltz
| link7 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 7
| auxA7 = 20
| episodes7 = 19
| start7 = {{Start date|2016|6|1}}
| end7 = {{End date|2016|9|14}}
| infoA7 = Shaun O'Neale
| infoB7 = Brandi Mudd & David Williams
| link8 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 8
| auxA8 = 20
| episodes8 = 21
| start8 = {{Start date|2017|5|31}}
| end8 = {{End date|2017|9|20}}
| infoA8 = Dino Angelo Luciano
| infoB8 = Eboni Henry & Jason Wang
| link9 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 9
| auxA9 = 24
| episodes9 = 23
| start9 = {{Start date|2018|5|30}}
| end9 = {{End date|2018|9|19}}
| infoA9 = Gerron Hurt
| infoB9 = Ashley Mincey & Cesar Cano
| link10 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 10
| auxA10 = 20
| episodes10 = 25
| start10 = {{Start date|2019|5|29}}
| end10 = {{End date|2019|9|18}}
| infoA10 = Dorian Hunter
| infoB10 = Sarah Faherty
| link11 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 11
| auxA11 = 15
| episodes11 = 18
| start11 = {{Start date|2021|6|2}}
| end11 = {{End date|2021|9|15}}
| infoA11 = Kelsey Murphy
| infoB11 = Autumn Moretti & Suu Khin
| link12 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 12
| auxA12 = 20
| episodes12 = 20
| start12 = {{Start date|2022|5|25}}
| end12 = {{End date|2022|9|14}}
| infoA12 = Dara Yu
| infoB12 = Christian Green & Michael Silverstein
| link13 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 13
| auxA13 = 20
| episodes13 = 20
| start13 = {{Start date|2023|5|24}}
| end13 = {{End date|2023|9|20}}
| infoA13 = Grant Gillon
| infoB13 = Jennifer Maune & Kennedy Underwood
| link14 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 14
| auxA14 = 20
| episodes14 = 19
| start14 = {{Start date|2024|5|29}}
| end14 = {{End date|2024|9|18}}
| infoA14 = Michael Leonard
| infoB14 = Becca Gibb & Kamay Lafalaise
| link15 = MasterChef (American TV series) season 15
| auxA15 = TBA
| episodes15 =
| start15 = {{Start date|2025|5|21}}
| end15 =
| infoA15 =
| infoB15 =
}}
= Specials =
Note: Bold indicates the winner(s) of the challenge.
MasterChef Celebrity Showdown (aired January 18, 2016){{cite web|last1=Maglio|first1=Tony|title=Fox to air 'MasterChef Celebrity Showdown' in January|url=https://www.thewrap.com/masterchef-celebrity-showdown-empire-brooklyn-fox-gordon-ramsay-christina-tosi/|website=TheWrap|access-date=July 6, 2016|date=December 18, 2015|archive-date=May 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501142738/http://www.thewrap.com/masterchef-celebrity-showdown-empire-brooklyn-fox-gordon-ramsay-christina-tosi/|url-status=live}}
- Ta'Rhonda Jones vs Kaitlin Doubleday from Empire (Mystery Box Challenge)
- Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker vs Terry Crews and Rebecca Crews (Cupcake Tag Team Challenge)
- Gigi Hadid vs Devon Windsor (Supermodel Signature Dish Face-off)
- Christine Hà, Luca Manfé, and Claudia Sandoval vs Addison Osta Smith, Zac Kara, and Amaya Baéz (Champions vs Juniors)
- Cheryl Hines vs Kal Penn (Mystery Box Challenge)
- Trai Byers and Grace Gealey vs NeNe and Gregg Leakes (Tag Team Challenge)
- Ronde Barber and Tiki Barber vs. Joel Madden and Benji Madden (Pastry Challenge)
- Anthony Anderson and Chef Gordon Ramsay vs. Jordana Brewster and Chef Christina Tosi (Mystery Box Team Challenge)
- Guest judges: Season seven winner Shaun O'Neale and MasterChef Junior season five contestants: Shayne Wells and Justise Mayberry.
MasterChef Celebrity Family Showdown (aired May 15, 2019 and May 22, 2019){{cite web|title=Stars Cook for a Cause on the All-New, Two-Night Special "MasterChef Celebrity Family Showdown," Wednesdays, May 15 and 22, on FOX|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/04/08/stars-cook-for-a-cause-on-the-all-new-two-night-special-masterchef-celebrity-family-showdown-wednesdays-may-15-and-22-on-fox-113015/20190408fox01/|work=The Futon Critic|date=April 8, 2019}}
- Johnny Weir and his brother Boz vs. Tara Lipinski and her husband Todd (Fish Dish Showdown)
- Lisa Vanderpump and her daughter Pandora vs. Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and JWoww (Blind Taste Test)
- Tori Spelling and her daughter Stella vs. Jennie Garth and her daughter Fiona (Home Fridge Swap Challenge)
- Evander Holyfield and his daughter Ebonne vs. Oscar De La Hoya and his daughter Atiana (Keeping Up with Gordon Match)
Broadcast
File:MasterChef old logo & watermark.svg
Season one aired as a summer series initially on Tuesday nights at 9:00{{nbsp}}p.m. ET, debuting on July 27, 2010; it later moved to Wednesday nights at 8:00{{nbsp}}p.m. ET on August 18.
On September 7, 2010, MasterChef was renewed for a second season,{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2010/09/renewed-masterchef-usa.html|title=Renewed: MasterChef USA|website=TV Tonight|author=David Knox|date=September 8, 2010|access-date=September 8, 2010|archive-date=September 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911225928/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2010/09/renewed-masterchef-usa.html|url-status=dead}} which started with a two-night premiere on June 6, 2011.
On October 6, 2011, MasterChef was renewed for a third season, which started with a two-night premiere on June 4, 2012, following Hell's Kitchen.{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/03/28/premiere-dates-announced-for-so-you-think-you-can-dance-hells-kitchen-masterchef-and-hotel-hell/126440/|title=Premiere Dates Announced for So You Think You Can Dance, Hell's Kitchen, MasterChef and Hotel Hell|work=TV by the Numbers|author=Amanda Kondolojy|date=March 28, 2012|access-date=September 29, 2013|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202181251/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/03/28/premiere-dates-announced-for-so-you-think-you-can-dance-hells-kitchen-masterchef-and-hotel-hell/126440/|url-status=dead}}{{Official website |http://www.fox.com/masterchef/}}
On July 23, 2012, MasterChef was renewed for a fourth season,{{cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2012/07/foxs-masterchef-renewed-for-season-4/|title=Fox's MasterChef Renewed For Season 4|website=Deadline Hollywood|author=Nellie Andreeva|date=July 23, 2012|access-date=September 29, 2013|archive-date=October 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002050406/http://www.deadline.com/2012/07/foxs-masterchef-renewed-for-season-4/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=FOX Renews MasterChef for Fourth Season|url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/fox-renews-masterchef-for-a-fourth-season|website=HitFix|author=Daniel Fienberg|date=July 23, 2012|access-date=August 22, 2012|archive-date=August 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826002407/http://www.hitfix.com/news/fox-renews-masterchef-for-a-fourth-season|url-status=live}} which premiered on May 22, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/28/fox-announces-finale-dates-for-bones-the-following-new-girl-more-announces-summer-premieres-including-so-you-think-you-can-dance/171375/|title=FOX Announces Finale Dates for Bones, The Following, New Girl & More + Summer Premiere Dates Including So You Think You Can Dance|website=TV by the Numbers|author=Amanda Kondolojy|date=February 28, 2013|access-date=March 1, 2013|archive-date=March 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303005354/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/28/fox-announces-finale-dates-for-bones-the-following-new-girl-more-announces-summer-premieres-including-so-you-think-you-can-dance/171375/|url-status=dead}}
On May 10, 2013, Fox renewed MasterChef for an additional two seasons, which extended the show to at least six seasons.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fox-inks-new-deal-gordon-520711|title=Fox Inks New Deal With Gordon Ramsay, Announces MasterChef Spinoff|website=The Hollywood Reporter|author=Mikey O'Connell|date=May 10, 2013|access-date=February 15, 2021}}
On July 22, 2015, Fox renewed MasterChef for a seventh season.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/07/masterchef-renewed-season-7-gordon-ramsay-fox-1201483656/|title=MasterChef Renewed for Season 7 by Fox; Judges Returning|website=Deadline Hollywood|author=Patrick Hipes|date=July 22, 2015|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=January 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102180209/https://deadline.com/2015/07/masterchef-renewed-season-7-gordon-ramsay-fox-1201483656/|url-status=dead}}
On September 19, 2018, the series had been renewed for a tenth season, which premiered on May 29, 2019 with Ramsay, Sánchez, and Bastianich returning as judges.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/masterchef-renewed-season-10-fox-1202948889/|title=MasterChef Renewed for Season 10 at Fox|website=Variety|author=Joe Otterson|date=September 19, 2018|access-date=September 20, 2018|archive-date=September 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920002218/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/masterchef-renewed-season-10-fox-1202948889/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=FOX Announces Summer Premiere Dates|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/03/27/fox-announces-summer-premiere-dates-205310/20190327fox02/|work=The Futon Critic|date=March 27, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BxNY7xBjIAu/|title=MasterChef on Instagram: "Grab your aprons, #MasterChef Season 10 premieres May 29!"}}{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvu6KRmD805/|title=MasterChef on Instagram: "It's only going to get hotter, bolder and more delicious! 🔥🔥 Don't miss Season 10 of #MasterChef on May 29."}}
On August 18, 2021, the series was renewed for a twelfth season,{{cite press release|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2021/08/18/fox-renews-masterchef-for-a-12th-season-with-judges-gordon-ramsay-aaron-sanchez-and-joe-bastianich-176114/20210818fox01/|title=FOX Renews MasterChef for a 12th Season, With Judges Gordon Ramsay, Aaron Sanchez and Joe Bastianich|publisher=Fox|via=The Futon Critic|date=August 18, 2021|access-date=August 18, 2021}} which premiered on May 25, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/fox-summer-premiere-dates-so-you-think-you-can-dance-masterchef-1234994905/|title=Fox Sets Summer Premiere Dates For So You Think You Can Dance, MasterChef, Lego Masters, Fantasy Island & More|website=Deadline Hollywood|author=Alexandra Del Rosario|date=April 5, 2022|access-date=April 5, 2022}}
On September 14, 2022, Fox renewed the series for a thirteenth season, prior to the airing of the twelfth season's finale later that same day.{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2022/09/14/masterchef-renewed-season-13-fox-release-date/|title=MasterChef Renewed for Season 13|website=TVLine|author=Michael Ausiello|date=September 14, 2022|access-date=September 14, 2022}} The season premiered on May 24, 2023.{{cite tweet|number=1641184839469498375|title=Mark your calendars for the Season Premiere of #MasterChef May 24th on @FOXTV. ✨|user=MASTERCHEFonFOX|author=MasterChef|date=March 29, 2023|access-date=March 29, 2023}}
On August 9, 2023, the series was renewed for a fourteenth season.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/08/masterchef-renewed-for-season-14-at-fox-1235458577/|title=MasterChef Renewed For Season 14 At Fox|website=Deadline Hollywood|author=Peter White|date=August 9, 2023}} On March 4, 2024, it was revealed that the fourteenth season, subtitled Generations, would premiere on May 29, 2024.{{Cite press release|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2024/03/04/fox-gets-pumped-for-summer-and-goes-balls-to-the-wall-with-new-and-returning-unscripted-series-452011/20240304fox04/|title=FOX Gets Pumped for Summer and Goes Balls to the Wall with New and Returning Unscripted Series|publisher=Fox|via=The Futon Critic|date=March 4, 2024|access-date=March 4, 2024}}
On May 13, 2024, the series was renewed for a fifteenth season.{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Michael |date=2024-05-13 |title=Fox Fall 2024 Schedule: 'Family Guy' Moves to Midseason; New 'Accused' Cast Includes Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/fox-fall-2024-schedule-family-guy-midseason-accused-cast-felicity-huffman-william-h-macy-1236000211/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} On April 8, 2025, it was revealed that the fifteenth season, subtitled Dynamic Duos, would feature pairs competing for the first time. Ramsay and Bastianich returned as judges, with new judge, Tiffany Derry, replacing Sánchez.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/04/masterchef-renewed-season-15-fox-1236363329/|title=MasterChef Renewed For Season 15 At Fox|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Rosy Cordero|date=April 8, 2025|access-date=April 8, 2025}} It was later revealed that the season would premiere on May 21, 2025.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/04/fox-summer-premiere-dates-gordon-ramsay-animation-1236376216/|title=Fox Summer Premiere Dates: Gordon Ramsay's Secret Service, MasterChef, Thursday Animation Block With Bob's Burgers, Family Guy & More|work=Deadline Hollywood|author=Denise Petski|date=April 24, 2025|access-date=April 24, 2025}}
Reception
=Critical=
The premiere episode received mixed reviews from major newspapers and online review websites, with reviews commenting that it was entertaining, but criticized the emotional aspect. The Los Angeles Times claimed{{cite web |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2010/07/masterchef-usa-reviews.html |title=MasterChef USA: reviews |publisher=TV Tonight.com.au |access-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729132458/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2010/07/masterchef-usa-reviews.html |url-status=dead }} the contestants' back stories were "blown up," which referred to their dramatization. A Reuters reviewer explained the show "manages to be hugely entertaining and involving thanks mainly to the judges’ personalities and the ability of the producers to spot emotionally charged stories." The Globe and Mail said "the contrived sentimentality of it is, frankly, vomitous" referring to the emotion in contestants' reactions.
The program also attracted negative attention in season two when Agence France-Presse journalist Alex Ogle discovered that the producers doctored a crowd scene said to be of "thousands upon thousands lined up" to audition for the program.{{cite web |url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/masterchef/2011_Jun_22_fake_crowd |title=Fox's MasterChef faked crowd shot |publisher=realityblurred.com |date=June 22, 2011 |access-date=June 23, 2011 |archive-date=June 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625160445/http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/masterchef/2011_Jun_22_fake_crowd |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/06/22/masterchef-fake-crowd-shot-photo |title=Busted! Fox's 'MasterChef' faked crowd scene |publisher=Inside TV |date=June 22, 2011 |access-date=June 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624045736/http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/06/22/masterchef-fake-crowd-shot-photo/ |archive-date=June 24, 2011 }} In post-production, portions of the scene were replicated so as to make the crowd look larger than it actually was, as evidenced by multiple appearances by especially noticeable people in the scene.
In 2018, season three auditionee Jessie Glenn discussed her experiences becoming a contestant, something she was uniquely able to do because it was overlooked that she had never returned the nondisclosure contract which all applicants are required to sign.{{Cite web |last=Schumacker |first=Lauren |date=2017-08-02 |title=The Untold Truth Of MasterChef |url=https://www.mashed.com/73956/untold-truth-masterchef/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=Mashed |language=en-US}}{{Cite book |last=Glenn |first=Jane K. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1264746520 |title=The joy of eating : a guide to food in modern pop culture |date=2022 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |isbn=978-1-4408-6210-6 |oclc=1264746520}} She revealed what she described as a carefully planned campaign by the show's staff to create emotional reactions for the sake of on-air drama which caused long-term emotional distress for many contestants, a situation she said was common to most American reality television; she called the casting process "sadistic prying" to assess contestants' weaknesses and vulnerabilities and decide how best to pit contestants against one another to "cause friction and distress".{{Cite web |last=Glenn |first=Jessie |date=2018-12-31 |title=Best of 2018: I am a "MasterChef" survivor |url=https://www.salon.com/2018/12/31/best-of-2018-i-am-a-masterchef-survivor/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=Salon |language=en}} Glenn also revealed that One Potato Two Potato, Ramsay's production company, assessed a 15% "management fee" on contestant earnings.
= Ratings =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height:16px; width:100%;"
! style="width:5%;" rowspan="2"| Season ! style="width:8%;" rowspan="2"| Episodes ! colspan=2| Premiered ! colspan=2| Ended ! style="width:8%;" rowspan="2"| TV season ! style="width:12%;" rowspan="2"| Time slot (ET) ! style="width:16%; background:#ffa700;" colspan="4"| Season averages (Live + SD) |
| style="width:8%;"| Date
! span style="width:10%; font-size:smaller; line-height:100%;"| Premiere viewers ! style="width:8%;"| Date ! span style="width:10%; font-size:smaller; line-height:100%;"| Finale viewers ! span style="width:8%; background:#ffa700;"| Viewers (millions) ! span style="width:8%; background:#ffa700;"| 18-49 rating |
|---|
| 1
| 13 | July 27, 2010 | September 15, 2010 | 2010 | Tuesday 9:00 pm (1–3) |
| rowspan="2"| 2
| rowspan="4"| 20 | rowspan="2"| June 6, 2011 | rowspan="2"| August 16, 2011 | rowspan="2"| 2011 | Monday 9:00 pm |
| Tuesday 9:00 pm |
| rowspan="2"| 3
| rowspan="2"| June 4, 2012 | rowspan="2"| September 10, 2012 | rowspan="2"| 2012 | Monday 9:00 pm |
| Tuesday 9:00 pm |
| 4
| 25 | May 22, 2013 | September 11, 2013 | 2013 | Wednesday 8:00 pm |
| 5
| 19 | May 26, 2014 | September 15, 2014 | 2014 | Monday 8:00 pm |
| 6
| 20 | May 20, 2015 | September 16, 2015 | 2015 | rowspan="4"| Wednesday 8:00 pm |
| 7
| 19 | June 1, 2016 | September 14, 2016 | 2016 |
| 8
| 21 | May 31, 2017 | September 20, 2017 | 2017 |
| 9
| 23 | May 30, 2018 | September 19, 2018 | 2018 |
| 10
| 25 | May 29, 2019 | September 18, 2019 | 2019 | Wednesday 8:00 pm (1-4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20–25) |
| 11
| 18 | June 2, 2021 | September 15, 2021 | 2.53{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-wednesday-9-15-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=Wednesday 9.15.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals|work=Showbuzz Daily|author=Mitch Metcalf|date=September 16, 2021|access-date=January 26, 2022}} | 2021 | rowspan="5"|Wednesday 8:00 pm | style="background:#ffdead;"|2.51{{cite web|url=https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/masterchef-season-11-ratings/|title=MasterChef: Season 11 Ratings|website=TV Series Finale|date=September 16, 2021|access-date=September 1, 2022}} |
| 12
| 20 | May 25, 2022 | 1.75{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-wednesday-5-25-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=Wednesday 5.25.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals|work=Showbuzz Daily|author=Mitch Metcalf|date=May 26, 2022|access-date=May 26, 2022}} | September 14, 2022 | 2.53{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-wednesday-9-14-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=Wednesday 9.14.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals|work=Showbuzz Daily|author=Mitch Metcalf|date=September 15, 2022|access-date=September 15, 2022}} | 2022 | style="background:#ffdead;"|2.22{{Cite web |last=Kimball |first=Trevor |date=2022-09-16 |title=MasterChef: Season 12 Ratings |url=https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/masterchef-season-12-ratings/ |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=canceled + renewed TV shows - TV Series Finale |language=en-US}} |
| 13
| 20 | May 24, 2023 | 1.63{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-wednesday-5-24-2023-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=Wednesday 5.24.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals|work=Showbuzz Daily|author=Mitch Metcalf|date=May 25, 2023|access-date=May 25, 2023}} | September 20, 2023 | 2023 | style="background:#ffdead;"|TBA | style="background:#ffdead;"|TBA |
| 14
| 19 | May 29, 2024 | September 18, 2024 | 2024 | style="background:#ffdead;"|TBA | style="background:#ffdead;"|TBA |
| 15
| | May 21, 2025 | | TBA | 2025 | style="background:#ffdead;"|TBA | style="background:#ffdead;"|TBA |
Earlier American adaptation
{{main|MasterChef USA}}
West 175 Productions{{cite web |url= http://www.west175productions.com |title= West 175 Productions, producers of the original MasterChef USA |access-date= August 10, 2020 |archive-date= July 18, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110718031410/http://www.west175productions.com/ |url-status= dead }} produced an earlier American adaptation, MasterChef USA, broadcast on PBS from 2000 to 2001. The series format was based directly on BBC's MasterChef and lasted 28 episodes over two seasons. It was hosted by British chef Gary Rhodes, who hosted the UK version of MasterChef in 2001.
Kitchenware
In 2011, Reveille Productions and Shine TV, announced licensing deals with kitchenware manufacturers The Cookware Company, Triple Loop Housewares, Global Knives, and Kidsline to produce MasterChef-branded cookware, including stainless steel pans, knives, kitchen appliances, and children's cooking sets. The branded products were given to contestants on the television show to use during challenges.{{cite web |title=MasterChef Brand Kitchenware Debuts At Housewares Show |url=https://www.homeworldbusiness.com/masterchef-brand-kitchenware-debuts-at-housewares-show/ |website=HomeWorld Business |publisher=ICD Publications |access-date=18 December 2020 |date=11 March 2011}} The show changed its branding in 2013 to reflect its expanded focus on consumer products in addition to the television shows.{{cite web |last1=Gosling |first1=Emily |title=A new identity for MasterChef |url=https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/july-2013/a-new-identity-for-masterchef/ |website=Design Week |access-date=18 December 2020 |language=en-UK |date=10 July 2013}} In 2018, Shine America hired Brand Central as their licensing agency,{{cite news |title=Brand Central Takes on MasterChef |url=https://www.licenseglobal.com/entertainment/brand-central-takes-masterchef |access-date=18 December 2020 |work=licenseglobal.com |date=13 March 2013 |language=en}} and more branded products, including barbecue tools from Unibrands and children's cooking sets from Wicked Cool Toys, were announced.{{cite web |title='Masterchef' Debuts Kitchenware (Exclusive) |url=https://www.licenseglobal.com/home/masterchef-debuts-kitchenware-exclusive |website=licenseglobal.com |language=en |date=3 March 2016}}
See also
{{Portal|Television|United States}}
References
{{reflist|35em}}
External links
{{Wikiquote}}
- {{Official website|https://www.fox.com/masterchef/}}
- {{IMDb title|1694423}}
{{MasterChef (American TV series)}}
{{FOXNetwork Shows (current and upcoming)}}
{{MasterChef}}
{{Gordon Ramsay}}
Category:2010 American television series debuts
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:Fox Broadcasting Company reality television shows
Category:Television series by Endemol
Category:Television series by Banijay
Category:Television series by All3Media
Category:Television shows featuring audio description