They need to be who they are and not try to be somebody who is already on the network. A lot of times people try to copy something that we already have. And so I think it's important for them to just be that person, so hopefully they'll become — like, if someone's name is Tina, for example, now we have Tina, as opposed to the next Rachael Ray.

I think what they should not do is over-rehearse. I find a lot of people, they pretend like this job is sort of like reading the news, in a way, and I think that if you over-rehearse what you're going to do and say, you tend to come off as cold and inaccessible and untouchable. So I think, try not to rehearse and live in the moment and just say what comes to mind, and if you're not perfect, you're better off because you're genuine.

I would list off things Bobby said to me: Do not be untrue to who you are ('cause it shows in your face), don’t wear an outfit you don’t like just 'cause someone told you that it’s what you should wear, and don’t cook food that you’re not comfortable with when you’re in front of a camera.

Don't sell. Have a conversation. Television is about making people forget they're watching television and building some sort of intimacy with the viewer. So I think the best advice to all of these finalists is literally don't think about it too much; just be yourself.