How A Lawsuit Killed An Early Rachael Ray Show

Rachael Ray has managed to build a thriving career as a celebrity cook and TV personality, but it wasn’t always so. A copyright infringement case worked to end her earlier cooking show. Here’s what we know about the case that would go on to become a big part of Ray’s career.

Lawsuit Accused Rachel Ray Of Using A Rejected Food Network Pitch For Her ‘Inside Dish With Rachael Ray’ Show

These days, Rachael Ray is known for hosting ‘The Rachael Ray’ Show and her podcast, ‘I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead.’ But prior to that, she’d starred in a variety of Food Network shows, finally landing her very own show ‘Inside Dish with Rachael Ray’ in 2004.

The show usually saw her prepare a meal and dine out with a celebrity guest, which included Gloria Estefan, Morgan Freeman, Cheech Marin, and Tony Danza.

It was a great time for the Food Network star until the show became the subject of a 2005 lawsuit. The suit was filed against Watch Entertainment, Ray’s husband’s John Cusimano’s company.

Other defendants in the case included Television Food Network and CBS Television Distribution Group.

According to the filings, Jeffrey Zella and Ross Crystal believe that the show has breached implied contract. At the time, the duo claimed that they contacted the Food Network president via a colleague of theirs to pitch a show they called, Showbiz Chefs.

Sadly, they were met with rejection: “Thanks for thinking about us and sending along the sample script. We have no interest in celebrities at all. Every time we do something of this nature it fails.”

A few months later and a new President steps up in 2004, paving the way for the debut of ‘Inside Dish,’ which Zella and Crystal believe rips off their own original idea.

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They explained that their pitch was about a “30-minute interview/cooking for featuring celebrities cooking their favorite dishes in their own kitchens.”

The pitch continued, “In addition to sharing their favorite recipes, celebrity guests will open their homes to the viewer providing a glimpse into their lifestyles,” the description in the lawsuit reads. Along the way, we will gain insights into their latest projects – books, films, television series, etc.”

“Showbiz Chefs will be filmed on location in and around the Los Angeles area and will feature a host/interviewer who will participate with the celebrity guest in the cooking experience. A typical episode may include a quick tour of the home/grounds – a few surprises – or, a clandestine grocery-shopping trip to the local market with the celebrity guest.” At the end of the day, the episode will ultimately lead back to the kitchen.

The plaintiffs asked for $150,000 for the alleged copyright infringement. While the defendants denied ripping off their idea, they did admit to receiving the pitch.

Shortly after, ‘Inside Dish’ shut down.

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