The ones that really work hard to keep a viewer trail going.
Like the cooking competition shows, which are kind of like talent shows except unlike talent shows there is every chance the contestant will get burned...literally.
While far from what I would sit back and visually dine on I have to admit that on a couple of occasions I have been slightly amused and ever-so-slightly entertained.
One was a Jamie Oliver show where he was tutoring a group of young kids who were deemed to be "at risk" in terms of what lay ahead in their lives.
He was running them through basic cookery, and one proved uniquely adept at following his instructions and being able to create something equally unique.
The smiling Jamie said in the long run the young lady had a strong chance at picking up an initial cheffing role somewhere...maybe even in one of his restaurants.
But then there was the young guy who, when asked to taste what I think was some sort of seafood, refused because it didn't smell all that appealing.
The increasingly frustrated Mr Oliver pointed out that if the lad wanted to continue on the course he had to taste things, and tasting this thing (which the other participants all agreed to do) was essential to that.
But the kid said he didn't like the aroma...nor was he too fussed about how it looked.
So Jamie reminded him one last time and the kid said fine, and simply walked away and left the set.
Oh you can't win 'em all Jamie.
And I remember seeing the wonderful Two Fat Ladies, Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright, both now having sadly left the kitchen of life, once enjoying several wines while making something which had more butter and sugar in it than the average corner dairy.
They were not at all interested in the fancy stuff...the haute cuisine with its fancy ingredients and presentation.
They were straight down the line, and catching sight of one of them having a sly ciggie was not unusual.
Them and their motorcycle sidecar...they made The Hairy Bikers look all rather innocent and slightly shy really.
Then there was Keith Floyd who once put out a remarkable video about how to beat a terrible hangover.
And he would have known for as he wandered about the great food and cooking landscape an accompanying bottle of wine was never out of the question.
Characters, one and all.
As I guess were our own Hudson and Halls and way back there in time the smart and savvy Graham Kerr who also enjoyed a glass or three of vino whilst dishing something up.
Today there are not too many genuine characters in the kitchen, so there has to be a point of difference, certainly in the case of those cooking competition shows.
The most memorable moments I've seen, in the brief times I have actually watched a few scenes, is when something goes terribly wrong and there are grimaces and groans...and that's just from the judges.
For the contestants generally dissolve in tears or end up lip-biting and head-shaking all the way to the door.
And so it has come to pass that the creators of Masterchef Australia (sorry, kangaroo steaks are off) are seeking what is effectively public opinion as to who can dish it up and who can't.
Opinion in the form of hard cash.
The teams involved in this Friday evening's outing take their skills to a market in South Melbourne where they must prepare a couple of dishes and then put them up for sale to passersby.
Sales are everything you see...for the two teams who have the least amount of money in the till at the end of the day get their marching orders.
I can only assume all dishes must cost the same.
They just won't taste the same.
● Masterchef Australia, TV1 at 7.30pm Friday: You may want to see how some of the contestants get on selling what they serve and then again you may not.
Television has a menu...you choose.
ON THE BOX
● America's Cup, Live from 5am Sunday on Sky Sport 1: Okay, it is now time to enter the final rounds having successfully taken the first four.
Of which we only got three points but hey, the billionaires make the rules.
So here are races five and six and let's just wait and see what happens, rather than start preparing a victory parade.
The memories of what happened over there in San Francisco four years ago are still difficult to digest.
● Lions vs All Blacks, Saturday at 7.30pm Sky Sport 1: I think rather than run odds on who will win and by how much the TAB should run odds on who out of Steve Hansen and Warren Gatland will crack a smile first.
While the Lions were devouring the New Zealand Maori lads Gatland hardly registered an emotion of any kind...until the final whistle.
And we all know how excited Steve can get...yeah right.
This eagerly awaited clash will get hearts stirring.
Wonder if it'll get the coaches to their feet (apart from wandering off to get a hot dog at half time).
