Line #17 Series/DinnerImpossible


1	[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mv5bodzknzliyzatzme1oc00nwqzlwe2nwitowzim2fhmwjjndq3xkeyxkfqcgdeqxvynjc2ntqzmju_v1_5.jpg]]
2	"Dinner: Impossible" (2007-2010) (2021-) is a show broadcast by the Creator/FoodNetwork. Chef Robert Irvine is ready for any challenge. Robert must overcome culinary obstacles and deliver a delicious meal before his time runs out. For a time, [[{{Series/IronChef}} Iron Chef]] Michael Symon took part in the challenges instead of Irvine.
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4	!!This show provides examples of:
5	* BerserkButton: "Oui, chef!"
6	* TheBet:
7	** In the Fashion Model episode, Robert stated that he would go out on the runway if it started raining. It rains just as the mission is finishing, so he has to go out.
8	** In the cookoff against Guy Fieri, Robert bets that the losing team has to take a swim in the lake.
9	* ChefOfIron: Robert is a Royal Navy veteran. On top of it all, he's [[HeroicBuild buffed and cut enough to look like he could kick your ass with ease]].
10	* DidNotDoTheBloodyResearch: Robert is bleeped when he uses the curse words that are forbidden on US television, but not when using words like "bollocks", "tosser", "bugger", etc..
11	* DidntSeeThatComing: In the Block Party episode, both Robert and David are competing against another and a special judge will arrive to decide who wins. What ''neither'' of them know until they appear is that it's [[spoiler:George Galati]] who is arriving.
12	* DoesNotLikeSpam: Robert has noted that he's not a big fan of cinnamon in a few episodes.
13	* EverythingsBetterWithBacon: At least Michael Symon thinks so, as he is a lover of pork.
14	* FlatWhat: In the Comedy Improv episode, this is Robert's reaction when George's improv ingredient for his challenge (to make a meal based off 15 random ingredients a comedy troupe is providing for him) is a Hot Pocket.
15	* FoodPorn: They always show beautifully plated glamour shots of the finished dishes at the end of each mission.
16	* GondorCallsForAid: Robert often recruits local help from whatever facility he's currently using for his mission.
17	* HaHaHaNo: In the Barbie's Birthday Bash episode, Barbie asks Robert -- who must make miniscuel hoe doeurve's based on seven Barbies -- to make one dish based on Ken, Robert chuckles a little before bluntly replying "No".
18	* HeroicBuild: Robert brings the gun show every week! See also: MrFanservice.
19	* IDoNotLikeGreenEggsAndHam: In the Sesame Street episode, Elmo is not happy that Robert is cooking Brussel sprouts as part of his mission. However, he changes his mind after he munches on one.
20	* ImpossibleMission
21	* ImpossibleTask: The second Disney episode, which required Robert to, amongst other things: used canned food in one item, run around Epcot to find three princess characters, and make 2500 mini desserts ''on top of everything else''.
22	* IntercontinuityCrossover: With ''Series/{{Lost}}''. Robert's mission was to cook for the cast using only what he could find on the island. Though it was clear to everyone that ''Series/{{Lost}}'' is only a television show, Nestor Carbonell did appear in character as Richard Alpert and Robert was given several Dharma food drops to work with, so it qualifies somewhat for this trope.
23	* LetterMotif: The Sesame Street episode, which was in celebration of Sesame Street's 40th birthday, had Robert challenged to make food that either started with the letter "B" or the ingredients involved had to start with the letter "B".
24	* LoopholeAbuse: In the Block Party Bonaza episode, the rules state that aside from the three participants per group, both David and Robert can ask help for one more person. David gets help from a few more ladies to shuck corn by having ''one'' person out, but the others doing the work in their homes.
25	* ManInAKilt: Robert is dressed in a kilt for the Medieval Mayhem episode.
26	* MissionBriefing: At the beginning of each episode, Robert meets the people for whom he'll be cooking and is given his mission.
27	* MundaneMadeAwesome: The opening sequence, which is quite deliberately cheesy.
28	* MuppetCameo: The episode "Sesame Street Surprise" has Robert cooking for Sesame Street's 40th birthday and interacting with Cookie Monster and Elmo.
29	* OhCrap: Happens frequently whenever Robert realizes that some new disaster has occurred (i.e. food he needs has been ruined/won't be ready on time/isn't even available).
30	* {{Pirate}}: One episode had Robert cooking for an annual Pirate festival alongside a brigade of pirates which also includes him digging for treasure
31	* ProductPlacement: Dinners have been done for {{Franchise/Barbie}} and Creator/{{Pixar}} ([[WesternAnimation/{{Ratatouille}} Linguini]] was Robert's assistant!). In addition, brand name items are often clearly shown.
32	* RealMenEatMeat: Michael Symon is a lover of pork and will try to put it in nearly every mission he's in.
33	* RealMenHateSugar: Robert constantly notes that he hates trying to mix sweet and savory or anything that has to do with him baking. The former one got him in trouble when he had to incorporate candy into every dish he made -- although the Hershey one was an easier task and he actually was happy with how one of the dishes turned out -- and the latter has to do with a very infamous episode where all the donuts he made for the bakery ''fell onto the floor with a crash''. However, in "Ice Cream Meltodnw", he was willing to try and make his own ice cream flavors.
34	* SadistShow: The show could be fairly accurately summarized as "Food Network tries to kill Robert Irvine."
35	* SpiritualSuccessor: The current ''Series/RestaurantImpossible'' is not a sequel per se but it has a similar open and the same producers (Mark Summers' company).
36	* SupremeChef: Considering some of the challenges and/or helpers he's given, it's a wonder he's able to complete them as well as he does.
37	* TemporarySubstitute: In 2008, Irvine was replaced by Michael Symon while the network investigated allegations about the accuracy of Irvine's resume[[note]] The work-related claims were technically true but perhaps inflated. For example, Irvine worked as a trainer in a White House kitchen that serves the resident servicemen; this made its way into the title sequence as "worked for three U.S. Presidents"[[/note]]. Irvine returned to the show after ten episodes, and both he and Symon continue to appear on the Network.
38	** Although Symon's episodes seem to be [[CanonDiscontinuity rarely if ever re-aired]].
39	* TimeKeepsOnTicking: Robert must beat the set deadline or he will fail the mission. And unfortunately, his clock begins while the mission is being explained to him!
40	* VisualPun: "Crossword Crisis" is about making dishes based off of various food idioms ("Ducks in a Row" or "Cream of the Crop") and then presented in a way that expresses the phrase in general (for example a plate of three duck type dishes, with one of them being a duck "sushi" topped with fish roe).

Context Series / DinnerImpossible