As so many have noted, AB's unique approach to the entire cooking process is LOL funny and yet, very serious. The mixture of science (he explains exactly what is happening at the molecular level in many cases), practicality (what to use, how to prepare, what alternatives you can use), and dead-on accuracy (when you can relax rules, when you need to heed them exactly AND WHY), makes for 30 minutes that fly by faster than you can imagine.
If AB says something, you can take it to the bank. He has clearly done his homework and deep research. I think having the food anthropologist and other odd, arcane and important experts adds yet another dimension to a multi-dimensional show.
Lots of reviews have used the word "cynical" in describing his offbeat humor. May I suggest that "snarky" is a little closer. His humor really pokes fun at the Food Snobs (which he could be if he wanted to) and Foodies and the like. But it is always good-natured and clearly meant to illuminate, using humor as the lens.
Bottom line: This is far and away the best show on TV. A LOT of information packed into 30 minutes.
And Alton does a great job as Emcee(?) on Iron Chef America. He is just a Regular Joe with a lot (a TON) of specialized knowledge. Cooking or not, I would be happy to just grab a few brewskies with him and talk about anything -- even if not about cooking.
If AB says something, you can take it to the bank. He has clearly done his homework and deep research. I think having the food anthropologist and other odd, arcane and important experts adds yet another dimension to a multi-dimensional show.
Lots of reviews have used the word "cynical" in describing his offbeat humor. May I suggest that "snarky" is a little closer. His humor really pokes fun at the Food Snobs (which he could be if he wanted to) and Foodies and the like. But it is always good-natured and clearly meant to illuminate, using humor as the lens.
Bottom line: This is far and away the best show on TV. A LOT of information packed into 30 minutes.
And Alton does a great job as Emcee(?) on Iron Chef America. He is just a Regular Joe with a lot (a TON) of specialized knowledge. Cooking or not, I would be happy to just grab a few brewskies with him and talk about anything -- even if not about cooking.