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The Rosenthals on Netflix

 That could be the name of the show /series on Netflix but it is not.  Instead it is called 'Somebody feed Phil' for the eponymous actor, director and producer of a food and travel series created by Philip Rosenthal.

A Jewish kid from NY that now is close to 60 and lives in LA and works in Hollywood was the creator of a presumptuously titled 'Everybody loves Raymond'.  I did not watch it at all and did not know that this Rosenthal was its creator.





The food show features Philip visiting many hotspots on the globe much like many who came before him and harps on the cliched, predictable 'love thy neighbor' and 'food unites us' theme.

 But his child like curiosity and comedic style which includes self deprecating humor are what sets the show apart including the fact that true to his Jewish roots he has decided to include his entire family in the production thereby saving lot of money.

His brother Richard is lead camera and his wife and kids make cameo appearances to indulge in the gluttony. His parents appear in each episode with his cranky 90 year old father sharing corny jokes via Skype on this show.

It gives it a quirky appeal not to mention I like watching food in its worldly manifestations all the time.  Many more to go.

The problem though with many locations is that they are closed by the time the films air on Netflix.  Covid or not restaurant biz is hard and it goes to show that to make a living from it is not for everyone.  More romantic than practical.

I am grateful to what I can go to over and over in my new neighborhood in the Carolinas.. recently a delicious Uthappam.



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