'The Restaurant' Will Rocco Around the Clock Again

[Brian]

When viewers last left Rocco DiSpirito, his restaurant had completed its grueling first six weeks. The NBC series that followed the opening of Rocco's 22 Street, "The Restaurant," ended on an awkward note of happiness and reconciliation that seemed somehow foreign to the five weeks of crying and backstabbing chaos that had proceeded it.
Now, NBC is going back into Rocco's kitchen (or rather his Mama's kitchen) to find out how things have changed for the restaurant and its staff. Production has begun on a second season of six episodes, which will premiere in 2004.

"This show and its star Rocco were clearly one of NBC's break-out hits this year," says Jeff Gaspin, the network's executive vice president, alternative series. "We feel our viewers are hungry to find out what has happened to Rocco, his beloved Mama and their colorful staff."


Premiering in July, the first installment of "The Restaurant" followed DiSpirito as he chose the location for his restaurant, supervised its construction and hired the staff. Then the cameras watched as the eatery went through its growing pains, from negative reviews to staff revolts to romances and firings and injuries.
The show faced criticism for belabored product plugs from primary sponsors American Express and Coors and for obviously staged events. Ratings were solid, though, as "The Restaurant" averaged 7.83 million viewers in the middle of the summer dry spell.

There had been rumors that the second season of the series would focus on a different restaurant, leaving Rocco behind. Instead, many favorite "characters" will return, including Mama DiSpirito, the harsh Laurent and stuck-up super-waiter Uzay.

"I always considered season one of 'The Restaurant' a six episode pilot. So many great dramas come back season after season and there is no reason why unscripted dramas cannot continue this trend," says the show's executive producer, "Survivor" guru Mark Burnett. "It is simply great drama incorporating captivating characters with Rocco, our leading man, front and center."

[Doom]

I thought it was pretty damn entertaining. I know I'd check it out again. As long as the show has great employees again, because Rocco's just a jackass, it should be successful.