Man v. Food

4 of 10 because that's how many seasons Adam had. They were all FANTASTIC! Adam is so personable, entertaining, funny and likable. Casey... sucks.

Adam was the heart and soul of the series. It's just an empty shell now.

I still like this show but I miss Adam. Casey is a funny guy but Adam was a better host than Casey. Casey loses too many challenges. Adam won the majority of his challenges.

For a couple of years now they're showing more and more Cooking- and Food-shows on German (private) Television, something that has been lacking for quiet a few years (this is, unless you enjoy a 60-something lady cooking "Toast Hawaii", a combination of toast, ham, cheese and a slice of pineapple). Gordon Ramsays "Kitchen Nightmares", Andrew Zimmerns "Bizarre Foods", Bourdains "No Reservation", to name but a few. Among one of the more entertaining of those shows is "Man v. Food" which, in my opinion has some very positive features, but also some rather negative aspects. Let's start with the bad first: For one, Adam Richman isn't the most charismatic of presenters. Quiet the opposite: occasionally he comes across as pretty obnoxious, something between a hyped-up Frat-brother, wanna-be Hip-Hopper and a professional glutton. Sure, the variations of the concept are limited, but then again: there are only so many ways with which to stuff food into one orifice within a limited time. During the final, "challenge"-segments, it occasionally also hurts the taste-buds to see plates of food, that look definitely delicious, being so mindlessly destroyed within a limited time. But maybe that's only the food-snob within me speaking.

Which brings us to the good: Many Europeans, who have never visited the US, have the preconceived notion that Americans live on Hamburgers, Steak and the occasional fried chicken alone. Apart from the mindless gluttony of the challenges, the show gives some very nice travel-tip for outsiders, showing them that there is another world apart from McD's, Burger King and (for the obesity-conscious) Subways. "Man v. Food" gave me quiet a lengthy list of "to-dos" when I visit the States the next time and once I sit down at the Orochon-Ramen-house in Little Tokyo, I'll do so on recommendation of "Man v. Food". However, no "challenge" for me. See, I do enjoy enjoying my food and taking less than an hour for a good meal does seem like swallowing in haste.

In other words: Thanks for the recommendation, Mr. Richman, as well as for the freak-show.

As far as the more "exotic" food-shows go, I'd give it a 6/10

It's very easy to write off a replacement - you like an original presenter etc, and this can be wholly unfair - people are different, and sometimes that's ok. But...

Not in this case! While OTT and silly, Adam was genuinely funny, quick witted, and knew his stuff.

It's all well and good being amusing, but to also know a thing or two about your subject just elevates the premise of the show.

I have tried and tried with Casey, but he just shouts, has zero knowledge, leaves pauses like he's caught in the headlights, and just isn't funny.

Some great eateries, some amazing chefs. But a real step down in presentation. And ultimately the subject makes you want to watch, but the host just pull you in. No longer, sadly.

What about someone who drinks the biggest amount of beer? No, I have better one, what about someone who can smoke more than anybody? What about, and I guess FOX will love this one, someone who has sex for the longest time as well?! Here's some *great* ideas for the network that brought us Man vs. Food. Maybe they'll have some zeal over one of them, or all of them. Maybe they'll work fine as even spin-offs for the same lead of this show, to have Man vs. Beer. Man vs. Smoke. Man vs. Sex. And Man vs. The American TV!

At first, I swear to God, I thought what a delicious idea; it would be an insightful tour all over America to watch a variety of restaurants, with diverse kinds of foods. I would learn something or two about how to make my food differently or better. But OH MY GOD!! How wrong was I?!! This is about some freak opening his mouth to the largest limit, eating like a pig, winning over and over being a black hole for food!

I don't get it. What's so amusing about someone who tortures his stomach, and our eyes, by eating exaggeratedly every time?!! Is it an agreement of some sort between the producers of this show, and the producers of The Biggest Loser, to generate contestants for the latter?!

Adam Richman is disgusting to say the least. Watching his face "concentrating" while overfilling his mouth is highly horrifying, sick, and no entertaining experience. According to the way he chooses his meals, no wonder if he made soon Man vs. Cholesterol. Man vs. Coronary Thrombosis. Man vs. Colitis. And the most appealing to FOX I'm sure: Man vs. Farts!

It looks produced by the serial killer of (Seven - 1995) who wanted to assure that the human is a slave to his own lusts, forcing someone - at one point - to eating himself to death. Hmmm, be aware FOX, you might face lawsuits because of that one!

This is not about facing food, it's rather about facing loathing, intellectual bankruptcy and cheapness. In other words, it's a deal for making the consuming American over consuming. I believe it's where the producers win, the restaurants win, the food companies win, Mr. Adam-has-a-jinni-in-his-stomach-Richman wins, and the viewer loses!

Finally, what about producing a show named Man vs. Reality TV? Well, in regard to some of the American Reality TV shows nowadays, that would fit a horror movie better!