Rachael Ray is many things – an author, a successful chef, talk show host, cookware creator and wife – but she’s never become a mother.  Of course, in our society, when we hear about a woman who chooses not to have children, we wonder why she would make that kind of decision (we also wonder if she and/or her  partner is infertile).

In an interview on Nightline, she addressed the touchy subject: “I think that I’m 40 years old, and I have an enormous amount of hours that have to be dedicated to work. For me personally, I would need more time to feel like I’d be a good mom to my own child. I feel like a borderline good mom to my dog. So I can’t imagine if it was a human baby….I feel like it would be unfair, not only to the child but to the people I work with.”

When asked if she felt like she might be missing something Rachael said:  “I don’t feel like I am. I really don’t.”

She’s not alone.  I know a lot of people in my own life who have chosen to never have children and they seem happy with their decision.  Also, fellow talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, has also opted to never raise any children of her own.

What do you think?  Are childless couples missing out in life?

image: Newscom

After improving 29% since last May, the Rachael Ray Show has been renewed through the 2011-2012 season which is a big deal in this economy.  So many shows are dealing with cutbacks and cancellations so the young chef should be more than happy with this news.

I read in the Broadcasting and Cable article that many recognize what a valuable asset Rachael can be.  Not only is her show great but she makes a real effort to work with local stations and, of course, she cultivates advertising partnerships by “integrating them seamlessly into the show.” It helps create revenue which makes everyone happy!  I really agree with that state

Staples, which did home makeovers for guests; Sears’ Kenmore Elite appliances, which sponsored “Rach to the Rescue” segments; and Uncle Ben’s Rice, which sponsored “Hey, Can You Cook?” segments, some of which featured contestants using the company’s products. The Egg Board, Walmart and Sara Lee also have done integrations on the show.

Rachael Ray is especially appealing to viewers in this challenged economy because “she’s centered in value,” Wood says, with the show featuring many segments on how to cook, decorate or dress for less. “Value has always been important to us since day one. That’s been a part of the show we’ve never strayed from.”

image: Newscom

Google has launched a new project called iGoogle Showcase and it looks pretty cool from what I can tell.  Basically, it’s a collection of links to the personalized iGoogle homepages of celebrities and features some of their favorite content.  Among the growing list of stars on iGoogle are daytime talk show hosts, Martha Stewart and Rachael Ray.  

What’s on their iGoogle pages?  Martha created an iGoogle theme just for her beloved dogs, she has a picture of them on her Picasa gadget and she reads O’Reilly’s Radar to keep up with what’s happening in the world of technology.  Her other gadgets include BBC, Twitter, Amazon, CNN and Financial Times.

Rachael Ray’s theme is of Positano, Italy and her gadgets included “What’s Up with Rachael Ray,” Word Scramble, Flixster, Weather, Google Bookmarks and CNN (I’ve heard that she’s a big fan of Anderson Cooper – who also has an iGoogle profile!).

image: Newscom

I’ve heard some people claim that there is a rivalry between Giada DeLaurentiis and her fellow TV chef, Rachael Ray but the petite Italian chef told Redbook that there is no truth to those rumors (the June issue comes out on Tuesday).

"Do we hang out all the time? No. Are we best friends? No," Giada said. "We do these festivals together, and she’ll say to me, ‘Oh, we’d better take a picture together and smile, because if we don’t, God only knows what’s going to get written about us.’  She’s a lovely person."

I’m glad she said something because even I have wondered if there was some rivalry going on (not that it really matters).  They both have successful careers on the Food Network and a great line of cookbooks (pick up a copy of Giada’s Kitchen: New Italian Favorites – it’s really good!) and they’ve made the transition to daytime (Ray has her own show and DeLaurentiis is on the Today show).  They are so different so I don’t see why there needs to be a competition.  They’re both so great in their own way!

image: Amazon

At last, the nominees for this year’s Daytime Emmy Awards have been announced! Of course, some of our favorite talk shows and talk show hosts have been nominated so here is a list of some of the categories and nominations.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show has by far taken the crown for the most amount of nominations this year with over six of them! Rachael Ray and Dr. Phil got a good amount as well. Who are you rooting for? I have no idea who’s going to win for Outstanding Talk Show. It’s quite a close match, so it should be interesting to see who takes it!

This year Vanessa Williams will be hosting the awards show! Make sure to catch the event on August 30th at 8 pm E.T on the CW Network!

OUTSTANDING MORNING PROGRAM

• “Good Morning America”
• “The Early Show”
• “The Today Show”
  

OUTSTANDING TALK SHOW / ENTERTAINMENT

• “Live With Regis and Kelly”
• “Rachael Ray”
• “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”

More after the jump!

Read more

Talk show host, Rachael Ray, is planning to host another party at this year’s South By Southwest Music and Media Conference in Austin, Texas. 

So far, the New York Dolls, The Hold Steady and Ra Ra Riot have been announced as performers at Ray’s food and music party on March 21, 2009.  I wish I was going.  Sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun and you know the food is going to be great!

I wanted to put up the video of Hilary Duff’s appearance on the Rachael Ray show but the whole interview wasn’t available right away.  Anyway, Rachael started by telling Hilary how great she smells and thanked her for giving her some bottles of her fragrance “With Love.” 

Rachael mentioned that Hilary is often described as being wholesome and cute and asked if the singer/actress wanted to change her image a bit since she is now 21 years old.  I’ve actually wondered about this myself since I’ve noticed how mature Hilary seems lately (she’s come a long way since her days on Lizzie McGuire!).  I thought it was great that Hilary said that she prefers being known for being “nice” and doesn’t feel that she has to prove herself to anyone. 

I really love how down-to-earth Hilary is and, of course, my ears perked up when Rachael mentioned Hilary’s NHL hockey player boyfriend, Mike Comrie (recently traded from the New York Islanders to the Ottawa Senators).  I’m a huge hockey fan so I loved when Rachael asked how Hilary handles the crazy fans at the games.  Hilary said that people have tried to rile her up by saying things like “Mike Sucks” but she’s learned to hold her own now that she understands hockey a little better.  I think that’s pretty cool!

The audience were allowed to ask questions and one woman asked “if you could meet Faye Dunaway face-to-face, what would you say to her?”  The question stems from the fact that Faye made some negative comments about the fact that Hilary would be starring in a remake of Bonnie and Clyde as Bonnie, which is a role that Faye originally made famous.  I thought it was petty for Faye to try to put the younger actress down and I’m glad that Hilary chose to take the high road in how she has handled this situation.

Rachael Ray will have her voice over the holidays now that her throat surgery has been canceled.  Originally, she was set to have the procedure this month which would mean she had to be silent for 2 weeks.

What’s responsible for this good news?  Her spokesman told People: "during the course of normal pre-op care, Rachael started an intensive new vocal therapy and it is now the opinion of her doctor that surgery may not be necessary. Rachael is very grateful that it won’t be a silent Christmas and thanks everyone for their prayers and well wishes."

I’m happy for her.  It’s a time when you want to sing carols and just enjoy your family so, it would have been tough to have to be silent (although, I’m sure someone in her family might have enjoyed the break… ha ha!).

image: Newscom

Daytime talk show host, Rachael Ray, was at the IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade yesterday where she looked sleek and stylish despite the cool weather.  I hope she enjoyed the day since it won’t be long until she has throat surgery which will force her to rest her voice for a couple weeks. 

Talk show host, Rachael Ray, opened up about her upcoming surgery recently.  She is having voice surgery on December 16, 2008 so it will be a quiet holiday season for the chef since she won’t be allowed to talk for about two weeks.

"A lot of people have told me about the surgery and they say the hardest part is just being quiet," said Ray.  How will she talk to her friends, family and husband, John Cusimano?  With a pen and paper.  "I’m going to grow back the callous I had in grade school from writing."

She has made it clear, however, that this is not a cancer-related surgery: "it’s fine, it’s just a little bump," said Ray. "I need to get rid of it though."

Can you imagine Rachael Ray silent???  She’s arguably the most effervescent, talkative person on television right now so it’s hard to imagine her without her mouth moving.  It will probably be tough but, who knows?  It could be a life-changing experience.  Sometimes we learn more about ourselves by quietly observing than through dialogue.  Should be interesting…

image: Newscom