yeah, i have watched it a few times more for comedy than anything else. you are 100% right on the money, not only does it seem staged but more than likely it is. coming from someone with more than a decade of experience, if i was working at a place that had any tv cameras whatsoever, regardless of what they said they were for, rest assured me and everyone else would be on our best behavior. shows like kitchen nightmares, while without a doubt overblown, are at least based on reality. these new breed of shows are a disgrace. shame on you food network, shame!