- Man v. Food
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Man v. Food 
Genre Food Reality Presented by Adam Richman Country of origin United States Language(s) English No. of seasons 4 No. of episodes 58 (List of episodes) Production Executive producer(s) Matt Sharp Producer(s) Dan Adler (series)
Colin Gilroy (story)
Bonnie Biggs (story)
Dave "Paco" Abraham (story)
Claudia Castillo (story)
Aaron Schoonhoven (story)
Joshua C. Diaz (story)
Jillian Horgan (field)
Josh Abraham (coordinating producer)
Emily Graham (ap)
Andria Ortega (production coordinator)
Dan Kornfeld (field)
Alvin Chan (pa)Editor(s) Scott Besselle
Bobby Munster
Josh Baron
Caton Clarke
Liam Lawyer
Keith Krimbel
Max HellerCinematography Peter Fackler
Scott SansCamera setup Multi-camera Running time 21 minutes Broadcast Original channel Travel Channel Original run December 3, 2008 – present External links Website Man v. Food is an American food reality television series. It premiered on December 3, 2008, on the Travel Channel. The program is hosted by actor and food enthusiast Adam Richman.[1] In each episode, Richman explores the "big food" offerings of a different American city before facing off against a pre-existing eating challenge at a local restaurant. The program currently airs at various times during the week, with new episodes every Wednesday at 9 pm Eastern Time.
Contents
Host
Series host Adam Richman grew up in Brooklyn, New York, completed his undergraduate degree in International Studies at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and earned a master's degree from the Yale School of Drama.[2] A self-educated food expert, since 1995 he has kept a travel journal including each of the restaurants he visited and what he learned from the trip.[1] Although described as "a bit on the husky side", to maintain his health while indulging for the show, Richman exercises twice a day while he's on the road.[2][3] When the schedule permits, he does not eat the day before a challenge and he tries to stay "crazy hydrated" by drinking lots of water or club soda and forgoing coffee or soft drinks.[4][5] After taping for a challenge is complete, Richman spends an hour or so on a treadmill, telling the Las Vegas Review-Journal, "Being sedentary is incredibly uncomfortable. [...] [D]espite the fact that the first 10 minutes or 15 minutes on the treadmill might suck, it actually does alleviate a lot of pressure, and you feel better."[5]
Premise
In Man v. Food, Adam Richman travels across the United States to explore the culture and unique "big food" of one city in each episode. In some episodes, Richman takes on food challenges involving very hot and spicy (or piquant) foods (such as foods spiced with habanero peppers), and also large quantities of food, such as a 5-pound-sandwich challenge. He finds places in each city to indulge his appetite and visits local landmarks.[6] Richman interacts with local restaurateurs as they demonstrate the making of a house specialty or element of local cuisine. He gives a brief insight to the local community by talking to patrons at the establishments and asking about the most-talked about orders. The show emphasizes quality as well as quantity—a number of the locations in season one are Zagat-rated, while others have received honors from Esquire magazine as home of "The Best Sandwiches in America".[7] As of January 2, 2011, his record is 37–22 in his food challenges.
Episodes sometimes include a brief fantasy sequence where Richman pretends to be a character to psych himself up for the episode's big food challenge. The half-hour show culminates in Richman facing off against an established local food challenge. Each show wraps with a fake press conference where Richman fields questions about the challenge as if it were a just-concluded sporting event or as if he had just won, or in some cases lost, a big award.[6][8]
So far, with all of this "big-eating", Richman has only made one attempt at a Guinness World Record when he and a group of 40 regional eaters attempted a 190 pound burger in two hours, in which case food won the epic battle with about 30 pounds left of the burger.[9]
Critical reaction and reviews
The Los Angeles Times noted that the Travel Channel received its highest-ever ratings for a new debut with Man v. Food. They highlighted the show as an example of other networks moving in on the traditional turf of the Food Network.[10]
In the Star-Ledger, television critic Alan Sepinwall wrote, "It ain't deep, and it certainly ain't healthy (I could feel my arteries clog just from watching), but it's fun."[11]
Features reporters Thomas Rozwadowski of the Green Bay Press-Gazette said that "playfully eager host Adam Richman has won me over" and that "it's all in good fun."[6]
CityPages Minneapolis/St. Paul describes the show, "...like the food version of Jackass, with host Adam Richman as its very own Steve-O."[12]
Christopher Lawrence of the Las Vegas Review-Journal describes Richman as "impressive" and "likable" saying "think a beefier Fred Savage, although one who somehow weighs less than he did last season."[5]
Jonathan Bernstein of British newspaper The Guardian described "mixed feelings" about the series saying he likes "the concept" and "the guy" but that the challenges make him "a little uneasy".[13]
Charlie Brooker, also of The Guardian, was largely critical of the show's celebration of excess, stating "if food is the new porn, this is an all-out orgy between wobbling gutsos and farmyard animals – a snuff orgy, no less, since the latter end up sawn in half and smothered in BBQ sauce."[14]
Alton Brown, host of the food science show Good Eats, was also critical of the show, calling Man v. Food "disgusting," stating: "That show is about gluttony, and gluttony is wrong. It's wasteful. Think about people that are starving to death and think about that show. I think it's an embarrassment."[15]
Episodes
The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo
Main article: List of Man v. Food episodesSeason 1: 2008–2009
Main article: Man v. Food (season 1)The weekly series premiered on December 3, 2008, with back to back new episodes airing for the first two weeks then settling down to a pattern of one new episode followed by one repeat episode. First-run episodes of the series aired in the United States on the Travel Channel on Wednesdays at 10:00 pm Eastern time. The first season of Man v. Food was initially picked up for 10 episodes and then, after initial ratings success, an additional 8 episodes were ordered.[4] The show travelled to Amarillo, Memphis, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Austin, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, New York City, New Orleans, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, St. Louis, San Jose, Denver, the North Carolina Triangle, and Minneapolis. Over the course of the first season, the final record wound up at 11 wins for "Man" and 7 wins for "Food". Season 1 was released on DVD in the United States on October 6, 2009.[16]
Season 2: Mid–late 2009
Main article: Man v. Food (season 2)The second season of Man v. Food premiered on August 5, 2009, at 10:00 pm EDT. First-run episodes of the series aired in the United States on the Travel Channel on Wednesdays at 10:00 pm Eastern time. The 20 scheduled episodes included visits to San Antonio; Las Vegas; Charleston, South Carolina; San Francisco; Durham; Honolulu; Sarasota; Philadelphia; Springfield, Illinois; Boise; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; Detroit; Brooklyn; Anchorage; Little Rock; Tucson; New Brunswick(US) and Hartford, plus a "Baseball Special" episode that aired on September 30, 2009.[17] After the season finale in Hartford, a special "Live" episode aired in Miami on February 3, 2010.
Not counting the "Live" episode (which Adam won), the final second season tally stood at 13 wins for "Man" and 7 wins for "Food". The season 2 DVD was released on October 26, 2010.[18]
Season 3: June–October 2010
Main article: Man v. Food (season 3)On June 16, 2010, Season 3 began airing with a one-hour run at 9 pm ET before the premiere of Bert the Conqueror. It was announced on April 1, 2010, via Adam Richman on his personal Twitter account, that season 3 of Man v. Food would begin airing June 16 at 9 pm Eastern / 6 pm Pacific, with episodes in San Diego and Boulder. Other visits chronicled this season include Cleveland, Richmond, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Puerto Rico, Long Island, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Indianapolis, the Jersey Shore, Syracuse, Portland (Maine), Niagara Falls, Ontario, Butte, Sacramento, Des Moines, Knoxville, and Ann Arbor.
The final tally for the third season was 12 wins for "Man" and 8 wins for "Food". At this point, Richman's total win percentage for the first three seasons is 62%.
Season 4: May 2011 – present
Main article: Man v. Food NationThe fourth season of Man v. Food is entitled Man v. Food Nation. The format of the show is generally the same, with Richman travelling across the US to visit cities known for their interesting eateries. [19] Unlike the previous seasons of Man v. Food, Richman will recruit locals of the selected cities to take on the food challenges, while he serves as their coach. Richman states that the change is not due to any lack of ability or desire to do the challenges himself, but instead to keep the show interesting.[20] Some of the locales to be featured on Man v. Food Nation include New Haven, Connecticut; Tampa, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Albuquerque, New Mexico and Harlem, New York City. [21] After a special preview episode on May 25, 2011 at 9PM ET/PT, Man v. Food Nation premiered on June 1, 2011, with back-to-back episodes in New Haven and Tampa.
- Opening
“ I'm Adam Richman. For years I was one man on a quest to discover the country's greatest chowdown joints and take on its legendary food challenges. Now it's your turn. Together we'll find the most delicious local eats and face down the mightiest meals. This is...Man v. Food Nation. ” Clip shows
On March 3, 2010, Man v. Food: Carnivore Edition aired. The episode was mainly a compilation of clips from Richman's more "carnivorous" food stops. Some clips included barbecue in Amarillo, Texas, and the Thurman Burger in Columbus, Ohio.[22]
On October 27, 2010, a special series of episodes, Man v. Food presents Carnivore Chronicles debuted on the Travel Channel; this series features clips from past meat-related episodes, including some segments that were featured in previous clip shows, with some unseen material included. This series is seen Wednesday nights at 9 pm ET.
Other clip shows included a Breakfast Edition, featuring the series' most memorable breakfast dishes; a Dessert Edition and a Tailgate Edition were also shown.
Another clip show was Man v. Food's Greatest Moments, which featured the challenges in Amarillo, New Orleans, New Brunswick, Fifth Third Ballpark, San Francisco, San Jose, Little Rock, Washington D.C., and San Antonio, and featured commentary on the challenges by Adam.
See also
References
- ^ a b Wiser, Paige (December 3, 2008). "Job is easy to stomach for TV show host". Chicago Sun-Times. http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/food/1310414,FOO-News-manvfood03.article.
- ^ a b Friedlander, Whitney (January 27, 2009). deal-blog/index.php/man-v-food-travel-ch-3872/ "Travel Channel's Adam Richman digs into 'Man v. Food'". Los Angeles Times. http://travel.latimes.com/daily deal-blog/index.php/man-v-food-travel-ch-3872/.
- ^ Aromin, Joshua (February 5, 2009). "Travel Channel's 'Man vs. Food' a worthy contender". The Good 5-cent Cigar (The University of Rhode Island). http://media.www.ramcigar.com/media/storage/paper366/news/2009/02/05/Entertainment/Travel.Channels.man.Vs.Food.A.Worthy.Contender-3614655.shtml.
- ^ a b Norton, Al (February 11, 2009). "411mania Interviews Man v. Food's Adam Richman". 411mania. http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/96638/411mania-Interviews-Man-v.-Food\\s-Adam-Richman.htm.
- ^ a b c Lawrence, Christopher (August 9, 2009). "Host battles giant burrito as 'Man v. Food' visits Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. http://www.lvrj.com/living/52828527.html. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
- ^ a b c Rozwadowski, Thomas (January 8, 2009). "Viewers win battle of "Man v. Food"". Green Bay Press-Gazette. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/ic/blogs/channelsurfing/2009/01/viewers-win-battle-of-man-v-food.html.
- ^ "The Best Sandwiches in America". Esquire. February 16, 2008. http://www.esquire.com/features/food-drink/sandwiches.
- ^ Kerry, Emley (September 2, 2009). "Chow down on Travel Channel's 'Man v. Food'". Tiger Weekly. http://tigerweekly.com/article/09-02-2009/12226. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
- ^ Nunez, Jessica. "'Man v. Food's' Adam Richman takes on 190-pound burger in Detroit". News Article. http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/detroit/index.ssf/2009/11/man_v_foods_adam_richman_takes.html. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
- ^ Lynch, Rene (January 14, 2008). "'Chopped': Food Network stirs the pot with entertainment format". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-chopped14-2009jan14,0,3717194.story.
- ^ Sepinwall, Alan (December 31, 2008). "Me want food!". The Star-Ledger. http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2008/12/me_want_food.html.
- ^ Chapman, Jessica (January 20, 2009). "Man v. Food show coming to Minneapolis". CityPages Minneapolis/St. Paul. http://blogs.citypages.com/food/2009/01/man_v_food_show.php.
- ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (August 29, 2009). "Jonathan Bernstein's aerial view of America". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2009/aug/29/shark-tank-making-his-band. Retrieved September 2, 2009.
- ^ Brooker, Charlie (March 13, 2010). "Charlie Brooker's Screen burn: Man v Food". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2010/mar/13/charlie-brooker-man-v-food. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
- ^ "Alton Brown Calls Man v Food Gluttonous and "Disgusting"". Eater. September 28, 2010. http://eater.com/archives/2010/09/28/alton-brown-calls-man-v-food-gluttonous-and-disgusting.php.
- ^ "Man v. Food – Season 1". TVShowsOnDVD.com. http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/Man-v-Food-Season-1/9195. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
- ^ "Man v. Food Episode Guide". Travel Channel. http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Man_v_Food/Man_v._Food_Episode_Guide. Retrieved August 11, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ Per Man v. Food page on Facebook
- ^ Per Man v. Food's entry on Facebook on November 9, 2010.
- ^ http://blog.travelchannel.com/man-vs-food-nation/2011/04/22/so-why-man-v-food-nation/
- ^ Travel Channel: "Man v. Food Nation" episodes
- ^ http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tv/man-v-food-presents-carnivore/EP01234777
External links
Categories:- Man v. Food
- 2008 American television series debuts
- 2000s American television series
- 2010s American television series
- English-language television series
- Food travelogue television series
- Food reality television series
- Travel Channel shows
- Competitive eating
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