The return of Worst Cooks in America comes with a mixture of anticipation and heartache because the long-running Meals Community collection strikes ahead with out considered one of its most beloved faces.
The brand new season premieres Sunday, Jan. 4, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Meals Community, and for a lot of concerned—and lots of followers watching at residence—it’s not possible not to consider Anne Burrell, who died by suicide on June 17 at age 55.
That sense of loss has been echoed by those that labored intently with Burrell through the years. In a current Reddit AMA, a producer who labored on a number of seasons of Worst Cooks in America mirrored on Burrell’s presence each on and off digital camera.
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“I labored on 4 seasons of WCIA (two common, two movie star). Lengthy however very enjoyable days!” the producer wrote. “Anne was an awesome trainer within the kitchen.”
Requested about their favourite reminiscence of Burrell, the producer admitted her passing nonetheless feels unreal.
“Oh, Anne. It actually doesn’t really feel actual that she’s gone. She was completely a larger-than-life character,” they wrote, earlier than sharing a second that captured her trademark humor. “My finest reminiscence together with her can be exhibiting her photographs of when my drag queen buddy put me in drag. [Anne said] ‘Love the hair, however you want larger boobs!’”
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Burrell’s larger-than-life spirit was additionally mirrored in a heartfelt put up from Tiffany Derry, one of many new mentors this season. Saying the premiere on Fb, Derry shared that getting into the kitchen with out Burrell was emotional even earlier than her passing.
“I even informed Anne it felt bizarre carrying purple and never having her there,” Derry wrote. “In her true witty nature, she stated, ‘Why? You look sizzling in purple,’ and we each laughed. It’s much more bizarre now, however I can solely let you know this: I liked beforehand working together with her, and I liked working with the workforce I acquired to know on Worst Cooks in America Superstar Recruits.”
Derry added that the upcoming season is crammed with humor and depth, encouraging followers to tune in whereas acknowledging the difficult feelings surrounding it.
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“I liked mentoring this group,” she wrote. “Tune in to a mega humorous season❤️.”
Co-host Jeff Mauro additionally addressed Burrell’s absence in a current interview with TV Insider, calling it “bittersweet” to achieve season 30 with out her. He famous that he had co-hosted a number of seasons with Burrell and thought of her an in depth private buddy.
“Her legend lives on, and I’m greater than honored to hold that torch into the longer term,” Mauro stated. “I do know she would approve.”
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Burrell was a fixture on Worst Cooks in America for almost its whole run, mentoring contestants with equal elements powerful love, humor and coronary heart. Though she didn’t seem within the upcoming season—which was filmed whereas she was nonetheless alive—Meals Community has not publicly addressed the choice to not embrace her in season 30. These related to the present, nevertheless, have made it clear that her affect stays deeply woven into its DNA.
As the brand new season begins, the sensation shared by followers and colleagues alike is considered one of gratitude blended with disbelief—a way that Burrell’s presence remains to be felt, even when she’s now not standing on the judging desk.
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