Why do we keep watching "Top Chef"?

Padma Lakshmi always looks nice, sure, but come on. We're not watching a cooking competition because of its host, no matter how much cleavage she shows.

Gail Simmons, who is a regular judge, is a welcome presence. And every time she mentions she's Jewish, we get an urge to write her profile. But we're not watching it for her. Sorry, Gail.

Head judge Tom Colicchio is so full of himself, he's about to explode. Emeril Lagasse has been repeating the same shtick for decades. The chefs themselves? Sure, some are affable. Some.

Do we watch it for the food? We can't even taste the food! And, to be honest, a lot of it doesn't sound too pleasant. Beet reduction? Pine nut terrine? And can someone tell us what the hell is an aioli?

And yet, we keep watching "Top Chef"...