French Onion Soup

Today, I am going to experiment. My love for food and curiosity of so called 'simple recipes' on the Food Network, has prompted me to try out English onion soup courteous of Jamie Oliver (I am wondering why this is so different from French onion? Maybe its because he's from England??). Although this recipe takes almost two hows of constant supervision, I am wondering how easy it can be. Easy enough for a food-illiterate person to whip up and impress their spouse with after a long day of work? Easy enough for a gourmet chef who's been in the trade for multiple years? That is what bothers me about these TV shows, sure it has to take them half half hour due to episode lengths, but is it realistic when they come back from commercial, their pot roast that takes 8 hours to cook is done? If I was really looking for a specific recipe I would just look online or in a cook book, not wait for it to come on tv then after days of waiting, write down directions for half hour while watching a cooking show! Take Rachel Ray for instance, essentially, you could cook a three course meal right along with her during the course of her show. Although I truly despise this lady and her abbreviations (E.V.O.O.- extra virgin olive oil for all your newbies!) her show is realistic.
Anyways, I am going to try out Jamie Oliver's English Onion Soup, topped with sage and cheddar cheese! Maybe the cheddar cheese is what makes it english as typical French onion soup has gruyere melted on top? If anyone knows the correct difference, please inform me!

Off I go. Wish me luck on this 'simple' recipe!!