I'll Have What Phil's Having

Philip Rosenthal is a neurotic Jew from Queens. He grew up without much of a taste pallet and is now an amateur foodie. His claim to fame is creating the popular and successful network TV show Everybody Loves Raymond which made him very, very rich. This is a food travel show. It has six episodes with each location from across the globe. The first is Tokyo which provides some exotic expensive fare. This is probably the most problematic of the show. I won't have what Phil's having since it probably will cost me an arm and a leg. The second is Italy which has his emotional reunion with his long lost friends and that's a great side dish. The third is Paris which has a romantic connection with his wife and that's why this episode needs his wife with him. The fourth is Phil's first time in Hong Kong. He learns Tai Chi and have many different Chinese foods. The fifth is Barcelona. Tapas. Tapas. Tapas. The sixth is Los Angeles where he finally gets to eat with some recognizable guests.

As far as I can tell, it'd be a real problem trying to have what Phil had in Japan and Barcelona. Japan is as expensive as hell and Barcelona is as exclusive as hell. I get Phil's idea but he's as rich as hell. Italy is probably the best episode because it has an emotional heart. Paris clarifies something about the show. He's alone and all talks about is food. It's fine but the show doesn't expand beyond that. Jerry Seinfeld is not simply talking about the car or the coffee. Phil needs a travel partner. I'd rather have The Trip than this. In Paris, he needs his wife. In the other episodes, he needs his parents. Instead of Skype, he should just pay for their tickets to join him. As for Los Angeles, he finally gets some partners but they don't really get too far off topic. Marty Short is one of the funniest people on the planet. Phil's talkative nature and his obsession with food takes over the conversation. Marty struggles to do much with the short segment. This is fine for what it is. It's a funny, food-obsessed, rich guy traveling the world eating the best stuff. There's nothing wrong with that.

"Somebody Feed Phil" is a terrific travel and culinary show on Netflix which stars Phil Rosenthal, the guy who was the executive producer of "Everybody Loves Raymond". This show has brought him lots of fame and now Rosenthal is traveling the country with a live show due to the Netflix series' popularity. However, before this, in 2015, he made a six episode mini-series for PBS, "I'll Have What Phil's Having" and it's very similar to this later Netflix series. In both, he travels to various places around the world...making new friends, reacquainting himself with old ones and tasting lots of delicious looking food. The main difference is that the PBS series is a tad rougher...and Phil's lovable personality is there...just not as fully. In the later series, he seems to love everything and everyone. In the PBS series he's a bit more picky about food and even says he dislikes some items after he tastes them...something you really did not see in the later series. It makes the Netflix version a tad more positive...and a bit more polished and enjoyable. My advice is to do what I did...see the newer (and slightly better) series first and then this shorter PBS incarnation.

I'll Have What Phil's Having is my very favorite food/travel show. I streamed it on Netflix. The only reason I didn't give it a 10 is there were only 6 episodes, and I can't find out if there will be another season! Phil Rosenthal's enthusiasm for food is contagious, and made me laugh often. He is just as enthusiastic about family, friends and new acquaintances. Each of 6 episodes (nowhere near enough) takes place in a different city, with Phil exploring and sampling a variety of local wonderful food. There is the rare odd traditional food, but he braves them all. Everyone should live such a fun & enthusiastic life; and yes, I WILL have what Phil's having.

This is a winner at multiple levels. It does a wonderful job showing off highlights of the cities visited. It gives you a reasonably intimate glimpse at the restaurants, chefs, and other fine food purveyors Phil interviews. Everyone's love of food and respect for process, ingredients, and the people they serve comes through loud and clear. Most of all it gives you an extended look at what makes Phil tick in his crazy, quirky way, and he turns out to be amazingly entertaining and personable. The show is almost worth watching solely for the boyish glee that rushes over him when he tastes something truly delicious.

WARNING: do not watch if you're hungry or susceptible to the travel bug--it will only aggravate your condition(s).

I have watched Anthony Bourdain for years now. His travels, centered around food, have had my interest since this genre started I thought it couldn't get any better...Until I saw this show pop up on my Netflix feed.

Where Anthony Bourdain is cynical, crass, and sometimes under-expressive, Phil is kind, genuine, and really respects the food. I love cooking and I love food, and I see the same passion in Phil's eyes when he tries anything. He has a real respect for the art of cooking, and even a greater respect for the artists who create these meals. You feel like you're right next to him when he eats something, and his eyes just light up. This is now my favorite food-centered travel program, and Phil is my favorite host. Truly a man who loves and respects food like none other.