What's for Dinner
Encyclopedia
For a certain King
of Hyrule
that made this phrase famous, see King Harkinian.
What's for Dinner? was a long-running Canadian
cooking show with humorous overtones that initially aired on Life Network
and was later syndicated around the world. The series started in 1995 and aired for several seasons.
The series was hosted by Ken Kostick
, a chef and cookbook author from Winnipeg
, along with Mary Jo Eustace. Kostick, inspired by the American
sitcom, Home Improvement and similar "behind the scenes" comedy programs, had come up with the idea of a sitcom built around a genuine cooking program, much like Home Improvement occasionally featured genuine products and tips mixed in with its comedy.
The idea of producing a sitcom was eventually dropped; instead, What's for Dinner? developed into a humour-based cooking show. Mary Jo Eustace
, a Canadian actress, fashion model, singer and trained sous-chef who stood a bit taller than the diminutive Kostick, was hired to solo host the series, but when it was discovered Eustace and Kostick had good on-camera chemistry, it was decided to make the show a duo act.
The appeal of the series was not so much in the dishes prepared, but in the comedic banter—and, quite frequently, barbs—thrown back and forth between the two hosts. Kostick in particular found himself acting as "straight man
" to Eustace, as well as the target of a number of running jokes ranging from his height (or lack thereof) to whether or not he was gay.
Originally filmed in a closed studio, later seasons added a live studio audience. During the show's final year, episodes were videotaped in cities across Canada. The series was also syndicated around the world and was, for a time, the highest-rated series on the Life Network. It is currently broadcast on the Q Television Network
.
In September 2006, Evanov Radio Group
announced that Kostick and Eustace would reunite as hosts of the morning show on CIRR-FM, that company's new LGBT
radio station in Toronto
. Later in 2008, the pair teamed up for another similar cooking show called He Said, She Said with Ken and Mary Jo on the W Network
.
What's for Dinner? currently airs in repeats on CBC Television
and OUTtv
.
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
of Hyrule
Hyrule
The fictional universe depicted in The Legend of Zelda series of video games consists of a variety of lands, the most commonly appearing of these being , and was created by Japanese video game developer Shigeru Miyamoto.-Hyrule:...
that made this phrase famous, see King Harkinian.
What's for Dinner? was a long-running Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
cooking show with humorous overtones that initially aired on Life Network
Life Network
Slice is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Shaw Media. Slice is a lifestyle channel directed towards women with programming including talk shows, reality television and more.-History:...
and was later syndicated around the world. The series started in 1995 and aired for several seasons.
The series was hosted by Ken Kostick
Ken Kostick
Ken Kostick was a Canadian chef and television and radio personality, best known for co-hosting the television series What's for Dinner? with Mary Jo Eustace....
, a chef and cookbook author from Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, along with Mary Jo Eustace. Kostick, inspired by the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sitcom, Home Improvement and similar "behind the scenes" comedy programs, had come up with the idea of a sitcom built around a genuine cooking program, much like Home Improvement occasionally featured genuine products and tips mixed in with its comedy.
The idea of producing a sitcom was eventually dropped; instead, What's for Dinner? developed into a humour-based cooking show. Mary Jo Eustace
Mary Jo Eustace
Mary Jo Eustace is a Canadian actress, singer and sous-chef best known as co-host of the Canadian cooking TV series What's for Dinner? and, more recently, as the former wife of Dean McDermott....
, a Canadian actress, fashion model, singer and trained sous-chef who stood a bit taller than the diminutive Kostick, was hired to solo host the series, but when it was discovered Eustace and Kostick had good on-camera chemistry, it was decided to make the show a duo act.
The appeal of the series was not so much in the dishes prepared, but in the comedic banter—and, quite frequently, barbs—thrown back and forth between the two hosts. Kostick in particular found himself acting as "straight man
Double act
A double act, also known as a comedy duo, is a comic pairing in which humor is derived from the uneven relationship between two partners, usually of the same gender, age, ethnic origin and profession, but drastically different personalities or behavior...
" to Eustace, as well as the target of a number of running jokes ranging from his height (or lack thereof) to whether or not he was gay.
Originally filmed in a closed studio, later seasons added a live studio audience. During the show's final year, episodes were videotaped in cities across Canada. The series was also syndicated around the world and was, for a time, the highest-rated series on the Life Network. It is currently broadcast on the Q Television Network
Q Television Network
Q Television Network was an American cable television channel which aired programming targeted to the lesbian, gay, and bisexual audiences. It was owned by Triangle Multimedia. The channel aired a mix of film, documentary and music programming, along with a number of original talk and information...
.
In September 2006, Evanov Radio Group
Evanov Radio Group
Evanov Communications, formerly Evanov Radio Group, is a Canadian radio broadcasting company.Evanov Communications currently owns and operates 13 radio stations.-Ontario:* Brampton - CIAO* Brantford - CKPC, CKPC-FM* Hawkesbury - CKHK-FM...
announced that Kostick and Eustace would reunite as hosts of the morning show on CIRR-FM, that company's new LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
radio station in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. Later in 2008, the pair teamed up for another similar cooking show called He Said, She Said with Ken and Mary Jo on the W Network
W Network
W Network is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Corus Entertainment. W Network broadcasts lifestyle and entertainment programming aimed at women....
.
What's for Dinner? currently airs in repeats on CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
and OUTtv
OUTtv
OUTtv is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel that airs entertainment and lifestyle programming for LGBT audiences.OUTtv's licensee is OUTtv Network Inc. which is 55.9% owned by Shavick Entertainment, 24.94% owned by Pink Triangle Press, 15% owned by Peace Point Entertainment...
.