Andrew Zimmern has failed us all.

"Going Where the Fringe Isn't Extreme"

by Mike Hale

The New York Times tells us that Andrew Zimmern has abandoned his original show, "Bizarre Foods," to move to the more generalized broadcast "Bizarre World." Food lovers shed a tear, and Zimmern's decision also left television critics skeptical.

Mike Hale of The New York Times comments that the premiere of Zimmern's new show lacked the bite of its predecessor. "He's kept "Bizarre" in the title for branding purposes, but based on the Cuba episode it now barely applies." I agree Mr. Hale, work with what you know! The expansion from culinary odyssey to a briefing of the whole world stage makes the viewing experience feel less focused and lazy. One prospect of "Bizarre Foods" which was lost was that Zimmern would dig through the proverbial trough to find the gems of exotic delicacies, and offer his viewer exceptionally unique and taboo food stuffs. Now he's just offering the trough and telling us to make the best of it.

If I wanted to learn about exotic cultures I could find a show that does Andrew Zimmern's new job much better. He was filling the niche by being the weird food guy! There was nothing wrong with that because it was unique, although Anthony Bourdain also occasionally offered up opportunities to watch him eat extreme foods, but Bourdain appeared crass by frequently making snarky comments. For example, I was watching Bourdain's program today and he described the spiciness of a chicken dish to "have set his pubes on fire". That is not very appetizing AT ALL.

Zimmern was authentically charming and made the effort to seem genuinely respectful of the cultures he exhibited.

Zimmern’s authority on the “Bizarre World” is also questioned because of the content that appeared in the first broadcasting. Hale states “So what does he explore in Cuba, the subject of his first episode? Cigars, old American cars, boxing and baseball, rumba and salsa, a May Dayparade, and Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner’s honeymoon suite at the Hotel Nacional.” It seems like Zimmern offers up general information in spectacular fashion, having a superb technical team, but it’s painfully apparent how shallow the show has become.

Mr. Zimmern, if you happen to read this, please return to the original format of “Bizarre Foods”, because that would be totally awesome and give me back the reason for looking forward to Tuesdays. I’ll be watching “Bizarre World” next week, but I might not be a repeat viewer. I’ll probably become on of those “happened to watch your show on coincidence” guys, like how I can watch Discovery channel for hours on accident. Unless you compromise, I will be tuning in to Food Network to check out “Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin” as it already looks promising. Seeing Jeff Corwin go from animal enthusiast on Animal Planet to animal devourer will also be maniacally fantastic.

Also, has anybody checked out that other show on Food Network, “What Would Brian Boitano Make?” Now that’s the weirdest fucking thing I’ve seen in a while.