I enjoy the worldwide locations, that the main focus is on food and not politics (mostly). Camerawork is well done too. And I really wouldn't mind Phil as a host. If he only wouldn't try so hard to be funny. I know he knows comedy...at least how to write, create it and produce it. And that was a huge achievement. But a comedy writer doesn't make you a funny comedian.
The "funny" face might amuse a toddler at best. To me it's just annyoing. And his constant "he-he"s. He just seems not really honest and genuine.
I'd prefer him to host it straightforward. Just have good food and a good time with the folks in the various countries. No forced comedy is needed.
I'm so glad somebody else has mentioned this. I have watched this show since the very first season on PBS and followed it to Netflix, but it's growing a bit long in the tooth for me due to things mentioned in your OP.
Politics. When you wrote this two years ago, the main focus was more on food with some brief political comments and digs at the other side (clearly Phil is a progressive). It's worse now. The Washington, D.C. episode from this most recent season gets a big 'ole eye roll from me. The whole episode was heavy on the political talk which happened to take place in restaurants, but the food wasn't the focus. They could've discussed their political worldviews over some cans of Vienna sausages and sleeves of saltine crackers. Even the Mumbai episode had an immigration lecture.
What cracks me up about the political talk is they believe they are so subtle about it and no one will notice.
Phil. The goofball act has become off-putting. The picture on the show's page here at MC is literally how his face looks every second of every episode. I swear he wasn't this bad in the PBS episodes. Maybe he was; it's been almost ten years, so I need to rewatch to confirm.
I'm getting close to my character limit, so I'll post a second reply with a recommendation.
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