Dear Travel Channel: Please Replace Andrew Zimmern With … Anyone Else
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I want to like The Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern; I do. He has all the right avuncular qualities about him: he’s pudgy, he’s bald, he’s quirky. He’s got very pinchable cheeks. And he’s entertaining in a “Hey, look at my crazy uncle!” kind of way. Unfortunately that only takes one so far, especially in the land of TV hosts.
For the life of me, I cannot make it through an hour of his Bizarre Foods. And I think I’ve been able to isolate why the show irritates me so much. First off, it’s a shameless rip on No Reservations. TTC recognized the winning formula in Bourdain’s show and they’re trying to capitalize on its test tube twin. I think we can all agree on that. But there’s always room for more travel and culinary adventure shows in my book, so no harm/no foul there.
The difference is that Anthony Bourdain is self-deprecating and doesn’t pad his shows with a lot of hoopla about what he’s eating or how exotic it is. He just does it, quips why he likes or dislikes it, and moves on. It’s easy to empathize with that kind of traveling - take everything in stride and just appreciate it for what it is.
Zimmern, on the other hand, constantly feels the need to over dramatize everything he does. “Wow, I’m really eating scorpions. Isn’t that soooo weird?!? Look at me! Whoopadeedoo!” Actually, he’s probably never said “Whoopadeedoo!” but you get the point.
Yes, Andrew, I get it: I know your eating exotic foods. That’s why I tuned in in the first place. You don’t need to waste valuable air time by needlessly reiterating how crazy and adventurous you are.
Last, and definitely not least, is the lip smacking. Seriously. I think I may actually have a certifiable condition whereby the sound of someone smacking their lips and tongue while they eat makes me want to punch a puppy. I don’t know what it is, but that sound strikes a nerve so deep in my body that I often need to pull myself back from the brink of violence every time I hear it. (This is going to be a real problem in Asia, I know. But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.)
Last night’s episode was the straw that broke the culinary camel’s back. The smacking reached epic proportions. It was like a symphony of gluttony, as though the show’s editors put it together just for me. I’m not even sure where the show was located. I was too busy trying to scratch the deafening cacophony of slurping and smacking from my auditory canal with a kabob skewer.
At one point, I actually screamed at the television: “Close your F**KING mouth!”
In light of this, I’d like to pose this brief, open letter to The Travel Channel:
Dear Travel Channel,
Please replace Andrew Zimmern with … anyone else. ANYONE.
Howie Mandel. Even Richard Simmons. Or … no … that Billie Mays guy from the OxyClean infomercials. I’d rather listen to his strangely intoxicating sales pitches while he eats cobra hearts in Thailand, et. al.
If my above recommendation is not feasible due to contractual obligations, then I would like to formally recommend that you mute all future episodes of Bizarre Foods and provide smack-free closed captioning of the entire script.
Sincerely Yours in Travel,
Mike in Rhode Island
On Behalf of the Viewing Public
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Vagabondish editor Mike Richard lives in Rhode Island - a small patch of land in the northeastern U.S. He is a professional web designer and travel junkie with an unhealthy addiction to backpacking, camping, hiking and seeing the world. He enjoys knit hats and speaking in the third person.
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August 18th, 2007 - 11:33 pm
I haven’t seen the show but since I share your pure hatred of lip-smacking, I think I’ll avoid it now.
August 19th, 2007 - 12:31 pm
Yes - consider yourself lucky, leandra! =)
August 19th, 2007 - 7:29 pm
The lip-smacking is egregious; for the life of me, and especially in light of the fact that everyone hates it, I cannot fathom why they don’t edit it out.
August 22nd, 2007 - 12:10 pm
I’d like to see the show cancelled altogether. If you log on to Utube and type in animal cruelty you will be able to see videos by gaaradammit that show how asian countries torture dogs for hours because they think the meat tastes better the more the dog suffers before it finally dies. Now the travel channel is catering to this horrible cruelty and American tourists are eating dog because it is “cool”. Bears also are butchered alive.I hope A.Z. chokes on his next meal.I dare you to watch the videos, they will horrify you. Louise
August 27th, 2007 - 11:33 am
I like the show. I’ve traveled a bit and like to try some “different” foods myself. I’ve never met Andrew Z. But he lives but 45 minutes from me or so. I like the show, think Andrew is funny and a good host. I’ve never really noticed the lip smacking, but I’m sure to now. I’d love to have a job like that. What can I say? We have different opinions. I’m flexible and am not bothered by such details as you. To be pushed to violent tendencies over lip smacking? Do you beat your kid for spilling milk too? Ease up a bit. It’s just all fun. Sorry for that last comment, just making a point.
August 27th, 2007 - 11:39 am
Marcus, I like the content of the show, just not the character (read: host). Although, since the content is a direct rip on Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, that’s no surprise.
The bit about violent tendencies is in jest (sort of). Fortunately, I’ve been wise enough not to pop out any mini-me’s, so I stand no risk of beating any kids. Not my own anyway.
September 5th, 2007 - 10:44 pm
The lip smacking was so bad on tonight’s “New York” episode that I had to do a google search for “Andrew Zimmern smacking lips”, and found this posting. I like the show, but damn - the lip smacking has to stop. I seriously think the editors amplify the sound to let us know that Andrew is indeed eating something odd.
September 6th, 2007 - 8:10 am
LOL, Chad! That’s why I’m here. Perhaps we should start a photo gallery of Zimmern stuffing his face? I can even find some “smacking” sounds to loop in the background.
September 6th, 2007 - 8:53 am
That does it. I’m going to become a cohost of the show. As Andrew’s sidekick it’ll be my responsibility to comment on his lipsmacking. Hmmm wonder if he’d like that? Doubtful. Look for me.
October 1st, 2007 - 4:18 pm
You guys suck! Andrew rules, that is why I watch, to watch him. I think he is funny.
October 2nd, 2007 - 9:30 am
He is funny, Carla.
But not in the, “I’m laughing with him because he tells great jokes” kind of funny.
It’s rather the “he’s a goober and a bit of a crazy Uncle kind of guy and I’m laughing at him” kind of funny.
November 4th, 2007 - 6:06 pm
Ah come on, give him a brake,,All these guys are great,,,& interesting chefs too. Pay me that well & I’ll travel abroad & eat strange foods too,Thats what I look forward to watch while I work at my job taking care of a woman with dementia,,,so bug off & laugh it up.(Or should I say lap) thnx
November 28th, 2007 - 5:52 am
Andrew Zimmern is great.. I love his show.. I think he’s the perfect man for the job….
he makes the show so much more entertaining… i’ve given boudain a chance, but i can’t really get myself to like it as much as Zimmern’s show…
Of all the shows i record on my tivo, Zimmern’s show is the only one i watch regularly….
November 28th, 2007 - 11:46 am
I love anthony bourdain. Sure sometimes hes a little mellow dramatic or over the top, but his voice and writing style are awesome
December 10th, 2007 - 12:32 pm
We love Andrew Zimmern. We are not even a bit bothered of that lip smacking thingie. If his show is a rip off of No Reservations then all shows like On the Road and Bobby Chin’s show are also a rip off. Watching his shows we learn a lot about the culture of other countries which are hidden, not the passe kind of culture already dissected by a lot of travel shows. And please, enough of Bourdain. What’s with all the suave traveler who only travels and feels cool about it. Go to Bourdain’s site and he’ll ask you to buy his books instead.
December 10th, 2007 - 12:37 pm
To louisebakalik: I am asian and yes in my country there are groups of indigenous people who eat dogs and kill pigs in an unusal kind of way. Like they beat it until the blood clots and cook it. What’s up with that? It’s their culture, sometimes even part of their rituals. If tourists eat dogs or try that stuff, don’t blame shows like Zimmerns. Puhleaassse!
December 10th, 2007 - 12:39 pm
Ey mike, come over here and let’s eat balut. My treat.
March 4th, 2008 - 7:26 am
Ugh, I can’t _stand_ Andrew Zimmern!! Just his goofy act makes me want to slap him. Have any of you seen the episode where he invites Bourdain to New York and he gravels at his feet, “oh Anthony, you’re so amazing! I wanted to be just like you since the moment I saw you! Hey! Wouldn’t this be crazy of me? I could suck your cock, that’s crazy food, right?” He’s pathetic!
March 5th, 2008 - 1:58 am
yea. I have seen that. FYI, they have been friends long before they had their respective shows. So, we eat cow’s balls here in my country. And I respect you to say that’s crazy food. Anyway, to each his own.
April 11th, 2008 - 11:42 am
Este Andrew Zimmern é o maximo gostaria que viésse aqui no Brasil e eu ia te levar para comer coisas super exóticas!!!
April 11th, 2008 - 5:43 pm
I like him, but I do hate the way he eats, too. If you think he’s corny, you’ll love this!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0qWFE9uufs
April 12th, 2008 - 11:32 am
LKub: That was positively painful. Thanks (or not =P ) for pointing that out.
April 16th, 2008 - 3:54 pm
andrew rocks.
April 17th, 2008 - 12:03 am
Zimmerman’s show is great, mixing bizarre food,culture, and unusual destinations. But for the life of me I cant understand if you dont like it, why do you watch it.
Change channels. Not hard to figure out. Rest assured, he does not need you.
April 17th, 2008 - 12:05 am
Correction, please, spelling is Zimmern.
April 28th, 2008 - 3:30 pm
I would like to say that I LOVE the show! Andrew rocks and is by far way more exciting to watch than that boring snore anthony bordain. I hope that in the future the Travel Channel will feature more of this show. It shows everyone how we should be more culturally open to different foods which we have never tried, and to be diverse in the the way we think and live.
April 30th, 2008 - 12:20 pm
Andrew is fantastic.Never boring.
For Mabuhay,beating of dogs e.t.c.,
We love Andrew!!
Shame on Asia ,Barbarians!!!
Leave Andrew al
April 30th, 2008 - 12:27 pm
Go Andrew ,go.We love you.
For Mabuhay-get of the screen.
May 1st, 2008 - 8:30 am
For your info, we love Andrew. I see no point in arguing over something based on a cultural standpoint. I don’t belong to that indigenous tribe in my country but they have my respect. That is already a part of their customs and ritual long before man crossed the landbridges. They just do not beat the dogs just for the heck of it, please read my post.And i am proud to tell you that I am an owner of 4 lovely dogs. I am just sad that up to know, there are still people like you who label other people, calling them as barbarians without learning more about their culture. But I still do respect your opinion even if it’s saddening. Peace!
May 1st, 2008 - 12:33 pm
I am of the opposite opinion. Andrew’s show offers something the others do not. It’s unique and definitely different from Anthony Bourdain’s show, and I like that show too. If the host is all that Mike has an objection to, Mike should look deeper than skin deep. I do agree that the lip smacking is a bit much, but in some countries that is very acceptable and even desirable. Andrew seems to fit in quite well. Andrew seems more worldly than Mike. Would Mike have the guts to try some of the foods Andrew eats? I challenge Mike to go on the show with Andrew, and try some of the foods on camera with him. Hey Mike, walk a mile in Andrew’s shoes before you bash someone…now that would be an interesting show.
May 15th, 2008 - 2:57 pm
hey mabuhay…respecting your opinion and culture..I must say…we travel to learn about the culture of that land where ever it is but killing animals that way is not a culture..maybe back in the day there were no better ways to do it..but now…i am sure there are ways to keep traditon and reduce the animal suffering…after all it is 2008….
Now about andrew…if there are 100 comments here 95 says he is gross..he always has food dripping out of his mouth and he chews like it is his last maggot…I 150% agree with Mike R. about the sound of someone smaking their lip while chewing…it is just bad manners…he is simply irritating…i must say, his show is great to go in depth of each country and show us what they really eat..but I don’t think is much about the culture as much as about him showing off his ability to eat unusual food for our taste. as we all have noticed it’s always about him asking us on camera..”what do you think..i have had weired food before million times but this one..I don’t know!!!!”
Thats what I think and I think anthony’s show is far more realistic to the normal people’s eye…a true adventure in an unknown land…he may like it he may not…he kinda lives the conclusion up to you…
With hope for a better life for all living things in every part of the world..tradition or not…good luck to you all
May 16th, 2008 - 2:21 am
thanks for respecting my opinion on this. I do respect each and everyone’s opinion of Andrew Zimmern. If most people in this page find him gross or irritating, it’s ok. That doesn’t change my opinion of him.
If for you, killing animals is not a culture and so archaic, I beg to disagree.As what I’ve said, they don’t do it just for the heck of it. A thousand miles away from where you are now, there are still indigenous people out there. It’s not because it is 2008, they should conform to everything. I do not wish you to embrace this. You are entitled to your own opinion as well as these indigenous people. And culture as defined means it its the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations. It is their culture.
I can see now clearly the plight of these indigenous people.
May 26th, 2008 - 2:03 pm
Andrew gobbles worms and various other creatures that are considered inedible by the majority of people.
Why oh why does he spit out the flesh of the durian fruit?, probably the most delicious fruit that grows anywhere in the world.
He should get another job!
May 29th, 2008 - 6:10 pm
Andrew is great, Impossible for anyone to do better than this guy. TR.
July 1st, 2008 - 10:28 pm
I cannot stand this guy! He is truly an egomanic. I find him very offensive and just tries to get the shock effect. His show is something I will never watch again, and hopefully neither will any of my friends. Good God he eats Puffins! I truly find him respulsive.