Fall TV

[emma]

Has anyone watched Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food? I love it! I know that lots of people (especially in the U.K.) seem to hate him, but he's one of my heroes. I found it genuinely moving. There was a little bit of manufactured drama in the way it was produced, but generally speaking, I think Oliver is using tv to advance his project rather than exploiting his subjects in order to make entertaining tv. Worth a look for people who are interested in the politics of food.

I have not seen this but I adore Jamie Oliver and will now proceed to seek it out. Thank you, sir!

[Bryan]

Where can one see it? 

It's on thebox. I also recommend Jamie at Home (also on thebox), which is his most recent cooking show. It's probably the best one I've ever seen. Bee-yoo-tiful photography and dishes that are do-able for normal people. Besides the food porn aspect, it's also got a large dose of lifestyle porn. The guy's house is incredibly lovely. I'm sure he works too much to enjoy it properly, though. (I guess I've got a small dose of sour grapes after all!)

[Omar]

J. Oliver rules.  He even held his own on Iron Chef v. M. Batali.

[dave from knoxville]

Is that from Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations?"  That's my new favorite show.  It shows how much fun it would be to tour the world with Lou Reed if Lou Reed were much taller and much, much nicer any nice.

fixed

[Sarah]

Guess I'd better download Ministry of Food.

The Food Network is currently reairing Jamie at Home on Saturday morning.  I've already transferred about sixteen episodes to a DVD and eventually will get the rest.  Have you seen Jamie's Great Italian Escape?  Not at useful as Jamie at Home but entertaining.

I know he's got to be an operator, but he's so much nicer than Gordon Ramsay.

[Bryan]

Have you seen Jamie's Great Italian Escape?  Not at useful as Jamie at Home but entertaining.

I know he's got to be an operator, but he's so much nicer than Gordon Ramsay.

I've seen most of Great Italian Escape, and agree with your take.

My perception of Oliver is that he's an operator insofar as he knows how to work people, and trick/flatter/charm them into doing what he wants them to do, but he's working for good. All his major projects have been charitable - unlike Ramsay, who seems mainly to be creating an empire. (Admittedly, Ramsay's very entertaining, and probably one of the most skilled restauranteurs [sp?] in the world.)

[Martin]

Agree with the rest of you about Jamie. He's a good guy. Also, his Italian cook book is surprisingly great.

Downloaded Ministry of Food, watching the first episode now. Five-year-olds who've never had a home-cooked meal... pretty fucking depressing.

I'm drooling over Jamie's kitchen (in his house), just amazing.

[Sarah]

I love when he cooks in his garden.  I drool over his outdoor oven.

[mostlymeat]

I'm just glad the WB brought back Stinkle and the Kid.

-Ajax

[Martin]

Downloaded Ministry of Food, watching the first episode now.

Watched the whole thing. Pretty good. Couple of great characters there.

[samir]

"'Ave ye got a potato grater?"

I wish I hadn't watched that first ep while eating a Twix.

[Martin]

I think I might know why the show depressed me more than it cheered me up: it really reinforced my experience of class in the UK. Everything from the participants and Jamie's "bubble" (as it were), to the council members and factory bosses. The class system is still so alive and vital in the UK, everytime I visit I'm reminded of it. It's almost like people unconsciously take some pride in it. (I don't have to tell you this, Samir - it just dawned on me.)

[Bryan]

Yep, you're right. The thing that I liked about it was that it showed a guy who is really trying to help, and that he was taking real professional risks. I guess they were going to edit it to look as though it had a successful resolution no matter what, but there seemed to be a real risk of failure - and also just of looking like a jerk. And there was no faking the sense of accomplishment and pride - in some cases, for the first time in their lives - that some of the participants were feeling.

Also, I liked the crazy accents.

[samir]

Sorry to bring back Stephen Fry in America, but on last night's episode, he encounters Truck Nuts.

"Do you suppose they hang these from the rear view mirrors?"

[Gilly]

Somebody told me I should watch Shameless. I don't know anything about British TV... is it any good?