During the concluding battle of MasterChef, Season 5, Episode 17, judge Graham Elliot introduces the final pressure test as a battle of “The Oil Man vs The Stay at Home Dad.” The “Oil Man,” Cutter, snickers at this introduction, as the “Stay at Home Dad,” Leslie, grimaces at the perceived insult.
When it comes to Leslie, there is plenty to mock:
- He’s the oldest in the competition, but definitely not the most mature.
- He is cocky and sometimes overconfident.
- He does not work well in teams, often sabotaging group efforts.
- He is a poor listener.
- He talks constantly, often annoying others with his banter.
- He is easily frustrated and difficult to work with.
Leslie’s contribution to his family as a Stay at Home Dad (SAHD), however, has no place on this list.
The previous episode surprised contestants with their loved ones. Leslie’s wife, Paula, arrived and his face lit up. The judges asked Paula if she missed her husband, and she quickly replied, “Oh, it’s terrible. It’s so lonely at home. It’s so quiet.” Whatever Leslie does to annoy his fellow contestants, he clearly does not employ the same strategies at home. In a touching moment, Paula runs to hug Leslie, whispering “I am so proud of you!’
The episode continues with a shopping montage, where contestants rush to find ingredients to “elevate” their loved one’s favorite dish. Leslie and Paula are shown shopping companionably and you hear his voice over:
“My wife’s the breadwinner. When I first met her, I married her with 5 children, she was tired of being a stay at home wife and I was tired of working 3 jobs, so I’ve been cooking for 7 children for the past 22 years. She’s a wonderful mother. She’s a wonderful wife. She’s my soul mate.”
I enjoy MasterChef and easily get caught up in episodes on hulu. I appreciate the varied personalities of the judges, especially the grouchy, yet sweet, persona of judge Gordon Ramsey. Throughout Season 5, however, I’ve been disappointed in the judges and contestants as they’ve let this mockery of Leslie’s choice to be a SAHD remain unchallenged.
Let’s be honest. If Leslie were a woman in this case, this type of mockery would never be tolerated. Can you imagine Graham Elliot introducing “The Oil Woman vs The Stay at Home Mom,” let alone hearing one contestant snicker at the other? If anything, the SAHM would be the hero of the story. And that’s nonsense too.
When the show allows contestants and judges to bully the SAHD, their mockery is widespread. Leslie, a father of 7 and grandfather to 5, is somehow less for choosing to care for his home and children while Paula works. What does this say about Paula and her choices? Is she somehow less for working full time? What does this say about our true feelings toward SAHMs? Why does having female anatomy make their choices more noble?
Season 5 is almost over and I’m sure it’s too late for Masterchef to change their tone toward SAHDs this late in the game. But I hope viewers will notice and perhaps start a new conversation about the topic, beginning with, “Why is the role of a SAHD something to mock and pity?”
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