Ready, Steady, Cook: Analysis

The music featured in the titles is loud, mid-tempo and lively; an extravagant, synthesised fanfare of brass sounds accompanied by rock-beat style percussion. This music basically sums up the show; it is lively, fun and entertaining; something interesting that will brighten up your afternoon.

The show opens with the entrance of the host, Ainsley Harriot. This shows that he is the 'star', it is his show and he is the most important thing in it. Also, he is black; this is unusual and refreshing, a new idea in cookery programmes. He has a very camp, "girly" persona; this is reminiscent of the camp entertainers of yesteryear, such as Larry Grayson or John Inman. This will appeal to the target audience (it is an entertaining, daytime show aimed at older people i.e. over-30's) who will have memories of such entertainers.

The chefs are introduced one by one and enter from opposing sides. This is almost gladiatorial; two competitors are given a short introduction and then forced to do battle. The chefs are wearing proper chef outfits. This shows that we are watching professionals at work, and it is a striking contrast to Ainsley's bright yellow shirt, which once again reminds us that he is a bright, fun person who is there to liven the show up with comic interludes.

All the main people on the show are male, and behave very boyishly. One of the chefs is seen to be wearing out of the ordinary trousers and is smaller than the others, resulting in ridicule and humiliation from the other chef and the host. This is maybe a ploy to attract a different kind of audience; cookery is traditionally a female practice, and by getting men on to cook and behave like boys is attracting men to watch aswell (an audience not associated with cookery programmes).

The contestants on the show do not have the same entrance as the chef, they are announced and enter from the audience. This shows that they are being singled out from the rest to be given '5 minutes of fame'.

Oveall I feel that factors such as the bright lighting, and fun approach to the show make it appealing and enjoyable to watch.