History Channel kicks Food Network’s ass
A camera crew from the History Channel taped footage at last April’s BBQ’n at the Autry contest, and I wondered to myself why History Channel was taping a food show, and not FoodTV.
In recent years, the Food Network progams as much substantive food education as BET broadcasts hockey, so I’m relieved and excited that the A&E Television Networks (which owns History Channel) is picking up their slack.
As it turned out, that Autry contest coverage aired in an episode of Modern Marvels: “BBQ Tech,” a show on the history and technical innovations of this uniquely American style of cookery. This show rebroadcasts again tonight and tomorrow (Sept 19 & 20) so set your Tivo’s! My BBQ team had our 1.5 seconds of fame. Screenshots are posted on the BBQ Junkie’s site.
American Eats is another History Channel show I’ve watched with great enthusiasm. Like their sister show, they focus on one food item (pizza, ice cream, cookies, barbecue) that Americans love and delve into its place in our nation’s history. Most episodes are well researched and employ known subject experts. Check the link for upcoming shows, and tune in.
September 20th, 2006 at 7:51 am
Hear hear!
Food Network’s show quality has definitely degraded over the years. The shows five years ago weren’t as polished, but you learned a hell of a lot more. Am I the only one who misses East Meets West, Melting Pot, and Molto Mario? Today’s Food Network personalities are more likely to fit the Rachel Ray model of gerbil-faced sycophants loaded with smarmy sayings and little knowledge of true value to impart.
I’ve certainly been tracking the History Channels food history offerings. My favorite has been their history of soda pop. Unfortunately, with the spin-off of History International as a premium channel, the History Channel’s shows have also decreased in quality, offering little of educational value other than food history, automobile trivia, and military/arms information.
The pandering to the lowest common denominator in middle America by television networks in recent years (aka the reality TV effect) has even impacted what once were quality edu-tainment networks .
- CP
September 22nd, 2006 at 10:52 pm
CP,
What took you so long to comment here?
September 23rd, 2006 at 9:10 pm
Likewise, Discovery Network’s Travel Channel is doing a better job recently with the likes of ‘Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations’. I can even take the goofy Mark DeCarlo on ‘Taste of America’. Discovery Home has a growing lineup of fairly glossy food related shows, although I alternately chuckle and gasp at the recipes that chef Alan Harding butchers on ‘Cookin in Brooklyn’ (great theme song though!).
Another possibly acquired taste is ‘The Thirsty Traveler’ on Scripps Fine Living. Kevin Brauch is allowed to be reasonably articulate IMO and has abused his liver mightly for our voyueristic benefit.
The best foodie channel that almost no one can receive is PBS CreateTV. Too bad they didn’t deliver this direct rather than through marginally equipped PBS broadcast stations.
Regards, Mike
September 25th, 2006 at 8:58 am
Congrats on the Modern Marvels appearance! I have that program TiVo’d already but since I just read this now and the machine is programmed to keep a maximum of 5, I’m sure the BBQ episode is gone by now. There’s like 10 episodes a day!!!
Agree on Food Network. Good Eats is just about the only program I watch on that channel now.