I'm a big fan of the travel channel. So when i first saw the preview for this show, i was expecting it to be really good. I've lived all over asia. i thought it would be a fun flashback to watch the bizarre foods: asia episode and the Philippines one.. i was shocked. i can not believe that travel channel would send some one so culturally ignorant and insensitive to these countries. Andrew Zimmern reminds me of one of those tourist who stands out of the crowd due to their cultural offenses, whether its through destroying a language or customs that even the most amature traveler should be aware of.

in the show andrew zimmern tells the viewers that these bizarre foods are common everyday foods that all people eat. some of it might be true.. but most of the foods are also considered "specialties" or even bizarre to the locals. to say that everyone eats it all the time would be as ridiculous of a comment as saying that in america everybody eats chitlins all day long. yes, some people in america do eat chitlins.. but its not everyone.. what this show promotes is just plain wrong.

also andrew zimmern needs a language coach. i have never seen someone butcher a language like andrew zimmern does.. wow... he is just so horrible...

i know anthony bourdain would never agree to be in the same room as zimmern, but perhaps travel channel should ask him to meet with zimmern for a cultural lesson...

travel channel, i'm disappointed in this poor choice of host...

lol they were in the same room together when they filmed the promotional commerical for zimmerns show.

And all the while you could tell he was so ready for it to be over...lol. "I'll leave the feral dog to you, you can go get the mail"~AB That was hilarious, he was talking to the guy like the little kid in everyones childhood thats always yelling..."look what I did, look at me!"

hahaha after reading all these posts i bet the travel channel is trying to edit the show with the scenes where hes being a prick(doing his faces and telling the people their food is disgusting)

ROTFL! I caught that too. Bourdain was just "being nice" to the new guy.

It's obvious that you guys aren't very well-traveled. Or well-spoken. Before you start pointing fingers, you might want to do your research. The foods highlighted thus far in Bizarre Foods are not only culturally important but also easily accessible. It was obvious from the show that those people Andrew interacted with loved him. And take a look at all the entries from people from the Philippines. They thought he was terrific. What show were you watching? Get off the couch. Maybe if you actually DID something you'd have something worthwhile to contribute.

Its also quite obvious that you can't read. The only positive things the people who were Filipino said they enjoyed watching him travel their country. The enjoyed the fact that he picked their country, BUT i will quote this from one of the entries
"I find Mr Zimmer to only fuel the already negative impression foreigners have of Americans traveling abroad - rude, ignorant, culturally insensitive. I think it is fascinating to examine the unique foods of other cultures but it is obvious that even though Mr. Zimmer says he respects others, he clearly does not. Telling hawkers or restaurant owners that their food is "gross", "funky", etc. making heaving motions IN FRONT OF THEM is extremely disrespectful in my book. He also very condescending when he speaks with locals and portrays Asia as somewhat of a "backwater." Mr Zimmer can't hold a candle to Anthony Bourdain who I feel truly appreciates the culture of other countries and always acts as a respectful guest."

How would you know that it was "obvious" from the show that people loved him, do u read minds or are u just making a bold claim to back up your flawed and idiotic remark. I mean who would be a total Jerk to a person who is basically advertising their business? Maybe he interacted with more people who were negative, but those parts got edited out. That we will never know because i can't read minds like you do.

So exactly which post in the forum were u reading? So maybe if u actually learned how to read and not be a jerk (using that word for forum regulations)you'd have something more worthwhile to contribute the our forums. Maybe you should get off the couch and get to know people so u can interact and learn how not to come off as a moron on the forums. Its easy for someone such as yourself to sound big and all online, but you know nothing about the kind people on these forums so don't judge us.

If people can see what they consider to be the flaws in others then they should be able to look past those 'flaws' and appreciate something from the show. If need be watch the show on mute. Learn from the show. If you notice someone doing something you don't like then don't do that thing. Don't expect everyone to be like you though.

I appreciate Andrew Zimmern & the Travel Channel.

I did not find any thing offensive in the show. Come on freinds... its a show about bizarre foods & not about Ice creams & sweet pie. If you talk to the local citizens of Morocco & Philippines etc,they do agree that certain foods are really really bizarre in taste that they themselves cannot eat it. So only by accquired taste someone can really enjoy that mystery food.
For me Andrews show was an informative one, cause with out that show, I would have not known of these bizarre foods. Andrew keep travelling because we want more.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT JERK?ANDREW IS DOING A GREAT JOB.ITS CALLED BIZZARE FOODS!DUH, DIRT BAG.GET OFF YOUR HOLIER THAN THOW SOAP BOX MR/MS.IVE LIVED ALL OVER THE WORLD.KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ANDREW YOUVE OFFENDED NOBODY AND I CANT WAIT TILL THE NEXY SHOW.

I think AZ is supposed to represent the American Everyday Joe reaction to various cultures with which we are unfamiliar...sort of an anti-AB (I think we can all agree that AB is not your average joe). Perhaps The Travel Channel is looking to bring in a younger (re: Fear Factor-ish)audience. I have no problem with this--the more the merrier, and I thoroughly enjoy both shows for different reasons. And if there comes a time when I dislike either, well, there's always that little thing called the remote control...

Yes I agree that Andrew is giving us the real reaction of the taste of Americans. If see something really bizarre being eaten, I want to know from a point of the view from someone who eats and is used to the average foods in america. Plus it gets funny froming seeing him disgusted from the foods at times. And you can't expect him to be able to master the regularly spoken words of the many different languages of the countries he visits. After all, with your accent, it limits you on how you pronounce words.

I've only seen two shows myself and thought I would come online to say that I thought it was a very enjoyable and informative show! I have read all the previous posts and possibly there have been shows previous that I have missed, but I thought that Andrew was polite to the hosting countries. If he didn't care for a food, he didn't waste it, he handed it to someone who would eat it. Here in the USA so much food would just be thrown into the nearest trash can! I give him credit for trying so many different foods and not just a teenie bite, but a substantial mouthful. How many of us could do what he is doing? How many of us could take that first mouthful and swallow and not spit it out? How many of us could travel and leave their spouse and child at home for long periods of time regardless of the income, living out of a bag? How many of us could open ourselves to online criticisms from strangers? I know I couldn't, so I'm thankful there are others who are willing to do all of these things so that I can enjoy "visiting" other countries and cultures that I can't afford to ever go to. Not only do I get to see the foods that are eaten (maybe not by everyone) but also the countries.

Hello all you other Bizarre Foods fans! I recently tuned into this wonderful show. I must say that I have traveled all over the world myself but have had pretty much the same reactions as Andrew just Looking at some of the foods out there (let alone actually trying them. This show isn't meant to be politically correct- I'm sure many of the other cultures out there would be disgusted with some of our choices of food as well, would we be tearing them apart as well?
Well anyway, enough of that!! There is only ONE thing that I cannot stand about Andrew and that is that he needs to learn to chew with his mouth closed! I can overlook that though Have a good day everyone!

I was absolutely mortified that he ate a guinea pig. I know it's their custom in Ecuador but it is a pet in many other countries. The next thing you know is that he will be heading to Vietnam and trying dog.

Well if it helps then here goes. I am from the Philippines(lived in the US for 10 years now) and I did watch the Philippines episode. I am happy that he picked the Phils. for his show. Did I think he was rude and obnoxious to the people there? No. Did i think he was condescending?No. Some of the foods that he sampled ARE gross,the balut I have never and will never try it. The other thing that viewers need to realize is that that some of the foods sampled are not eaten everyday and also they are specific to a certain area. The only shame about the show is that it is called Bizzare Foods so it mostly showcase such delicacies. The Phils. has so much to offer in terms of food. In the end I give him a lot of credit for doing such show since he ventures out of the comfy hotel and try certain delicacies of that specific place.

quote:

Originally posted by zimmernsux:
I'm a big fan of the travel channel. So when i first saw the preview for this show, i was expecting it to be really good. I've lived all over asia. i thought it would be a fun flashback to watch the bizarre foods: asia episode and the Philippines one.. i was shocked. i can not believe that travel channel would send some one so culturally ignorant and insensitive to these countries. Andrew Zimmern reminds me of one of those tourist who stands out of the crowd due to their cultural offenses, whether its through destroying a language or customs that even the most amature traveler should be aware of.

in the show andrew zimmern tells the viewers that these bizarre foods are common everyday foods that all people eat. some of it might be true.. but most of the foods are also considered "specialties" or even bizarre to the locals. to say that everyone eats it all the time would be as ridiculous of a comment as saying that in america everybody eats chitlins all day long. yes, some people in america do eat chitlins.. but its not everyone.. what this show promotes is just plain wrong.

also andrew zimmern needs a language coach. i have never seen someone butcher a language like andrew zimmern does.. wow... he is just so horrible...

i know anthony bourdain would never agree to be in the same room as zimmern, but perhaps travel channel should ask him to meet with zimmern for a cultural lesson...

travel channel, i'm disappointed in this poor choice of host...

^^Dude, this guy blows... he talks about AB like the creepy guy on Happy Gilmore, "Hey Shooter, wanna eat at Red Lobster?"... anyways, why the f would he need a language coach? He is trying to speak the language to people.. He11, I am a butcher at a grocery store and there are mexicans that come in that freaking cant even say "___lb/s sliced, please"... You learn a language by making mistakes. SHO NUFF!

Zimmern's style isn't going to appeal to everyone, bit I find him entertaining. At least he isn't like some "ugly Americans" who turn their nose up at foods they aren't familiar with and absolutely refuse to try them.

As for the Philippines, I tried some of the foods he enjoyed there. I couldn't get the balut down (I respect him a lot for not only eating it, but even enjoying it) and didn't really like the smell of the jackfruit. As for the bird's nest soup, I enjoyed it several times.

Hm well, to each his own. Personally I enjoy watching all these bizarre foods that Andrew eats. I feel he is being honest and authentic when he doesn't like a particular dish--I hardly think it's a sign of disrespect and you can't expect him to like everything just because it's his show. The whole point of this show is to be open-minded in regards to different matters of taste, and when tastes are not of one accord, to have a mutual and courteous respect for others.

In terms of butchering the language, well, he's no language expert but I think it's a sign of open-mindedness to be willing to speak it in the first place--I've had a lot of people "butcher" my language when they try to speak to me in my native tongue, and I admire them for their attempts--it's not offensive at all.

I know that in one episode, he talked about how some of these bizarre foods are specialty items and are not consumed daily by the average person. This tells me that he is not making generalizations.

And... not to be rude... but if you think it's that offensive, just don't watch it =)

i fell in luv with this show, as Anthony seems to be hiding, and he started doing too many LA/vegas/seattle shows for my dis-liking.

i think the point is he TRIES the new food with no preconception to start off with. that's all u can really do.
I find nothing wrong with him being honest on if he really luved those lil guinea pigs, or found something not to his liking.

it's a food/travel show after all, and if someone visited here, and said he found a BBQ rib disgusting, i wouldn't find it offensive.


btw, i'm waiting for the one day anyone, him, bordain, or whoever tries a dog or cat dish on cable TV. that will be something cool to watch :P