I'm with you, sister!

also

He doesn't drink. Idon't trust anyone that doesn't drink, except my dog.

Wow! Harsh... first off, the guy was a former alcoholic and heroin addict, wasn't he? Can't really blame him for not drinking.

I have seen an occasional episode where he finds something gross in a very very poor village, and clearly this kind of travel show isn't the best vehicle for stuff like that... but I've always found that AZ is usually really respectful of all the places he visits (terrible clothing not withstanding). And I give his show a lot of credit for teaching me how to eat and appreciate all sorts of food and flavors that years ago I wouldn't have touched.

I think the only reason to hate Andrew Zimmern is because we're jealous that we don't have his job!

Sarah DiGregorio

Absolutely agreed that we shouldn't blame him for not drinking! In fact, good for him for being in recovery.

But I have just seen too many episodes in which he is invited to someone's home or place of business, and proceeds to tell the people there that their food smells terrible. It makes me crazy because they're preparing for him the foods they eat everyday, the foods they are proud to serve a guest, and it seems like he's just using it as a childish gross-out opportunity.

But I'm glad if he has taught you to try things you wouldn't have! And I don't hate they guy himself (don't know him!)--just his show.

Sarah DiGregorio

A clarification: it's not that I think it's wrong to find certain foods gross. I recently tried dried worms for the first time, and I did not like them at all. But if someone made them for me, I'd eat them and say thank you, and never let on that I didn't like them.

Robert Sietsema

I wouldn't worry about the people who make the worms that Zimmern does his ritualized "yucks!" over. All these shows are arranged by publicists working for the respective countries and all the arrangements are made by them and the travel and food is comped. This is all fake anthropology, and the poor suckers making the worms are recruited to field the "yucks!" and probably know about them in advance. On food TV, you don't expect anything to be real, just like you don't expect a dunderhead like Zimmern to do any of the research or legwork necessary to produce a legitimate show about actual ethnic food.

Having only seen a handful of episodes with Andrew Zimmern, I have to say that I like his show. It's a fun watch whenever it comes across the tube. Comparing him with Bourdain is unfair because if they both go to China, only one of them for sure will eat Peking duck and soup buns.

I remember the episode where he went to Taiwan. I'm sorry, but even in Taiwan, there's plenty of shit that Taiwanese people will say, "Damn, that looks nasty." It's true. And AZ was also in Taipei 101 eat the same tasty things like other people and loving it.

AZ at the very least will try the food. And the show is about bizarre foods. I know people who don't ever put mushrooms or onions in their mouths. So I have to give props to this guy.

Never a regular watcher of his show but completely turned off when he drew the line of what he'll eat or won't eat at SPAM.

C'mon, really, SPAM?

Anthony Bourdain is the coolest mofo to walk the planet.

Looks like some one takes themselves a little bit too seriously. Enjoy it, or don't.

Huh, I've always thought that Andrew Zimmern would be the perfect dinner guest because he'll try anything and seems to me to always be very genuinely gracious to his hosts, especially those who invite him into their home. The show is called "Bizarre Foods" - of course there will be some mugging for the camera and exclamations about the oddity of the dishes. I actually had to come around to liking Bourdain after being hooked on Bizarre Foods - I always found Bourdain's attitude annoying but have learned to overlook it since he often has awesome encounters with great chefs.

Do you ever notice to that he likes almost everything. I mean, i really like Bourdain because there are some things he doesn't like. Otherwise, how can we, the watchers, know what is really good.

Plus, i agree with every other point made here.

Yes. A million times yes. I friggin HATE Andrew Zimmern. And I love you now for writing this article.

So, it's one thing to chew with your mouth open like a dopey ox , which I would also put at the top of my dislikes about this show, but it's another keep the level of the chewing high in post production. WTF?!? His jaw pops too.

I'd also add that, unlike Bourdain's "No Reservations," Zimmerman has no overriding point of view informing his explorations and experiences. The show's simplistic philosophy is fully conveyed by the juvenile title.

Perhaps worst of all, Zimmerman doesn't seem to have any knowledge or respect for other cultures' notions of affection or personal space. Every episode features him doltishly embracing and kissing men and women who seem to be trying to squirm away from his embraces. Not everyone is his #$%$ing grandmother.

AGreed. The show is terrible and the host knows little and seems ungracious. I wish it would just disappear.

It really irks me that, unfailingly, every time he eats a meal with his hands, he takes a bite and *flicks* the remaining food off his hands in the general direction of the plate he took the food from, spreading the Zimmern-virus all over the poor third world country's citizens.

(cleveland from family guy voice) "Oh, that's just naaaasty."

I'm a fan of both Bourdain and AZ. Their shows are as different as the hosts. Sure they both travel, eat, and interact with the locals. But wheras Bourdain cynic personality and appreciation for good food is the appeal of his series, AZ is an overly friendly tourist that is willing to try the less than appitizing eats that Bourdain doesn't do much of. In that regard I respect AZ's sense of adventure.

Wheras we watch Bourdain eat and react in foodgasm, AZ talks about the taste, texture and smell of what he's eating. Let's be honest, AZ's food hosts are as interested and excited in getting an outsider to appreciate their food as he is willing to try it. So far AZ has yet to fail me and due to his daring I'm more willing to try foods that have previously been a stretch for me. Likewise with Bourdain.

I don't know what the numbers are in viewership, but I have to think that half enjoy both shows and the remaining two quarters are split on either host. They're both fun shows to watch. Quite possibly the only discerning factor for me is that I'd be more interested in the writing of Bourdain (which is excellant), compared to AZ (that I'm not aware of, or interested in).

c'mon. bourdain eats as much "bizarre" food as that moron az. the difference is, as people have pointed out, bourdain honors his hosts and their sacrifice. just think of the episode in africa when he ate the ass end of a warthog. he may have been snarky (and justifiably so) away from his hosts, but in front of them he was gracious and humble and respectful of their sacrifice. can't imagine what that moron zimmern's reaction would be in that situation. ab deserves the meals at el bulli to even out. (as an aside, the noises of zimmern chewing [open-mouthed] is disgusting, and have annoyed since show 1).

Andrew Zimmerman is a prime example of a stupid American tourist mocking and insulting outside cultures

Who the hell made this moron ambassador of "normal" food.

The difference between Bourdain and Zimmerman, is that Bourdain just eats it. He doesn't make a fuss about the weirdness factor and always, always shows respect and appreciation towards his guests. Zimmerman insults his guests.

If you don't like the show, change the channel to something else - you can still do that in this country (at least at this point in time you still can).

I'm sure there's a rerun of Emeril Live, Paula's Party or Guy's Big Bite playing on the Food Network that you can watch :)

Isn't Bizarre Foods pretty much the same show as No Reservations? I mean, both Zimmern and Bourdain seem to visit the same places and eat (almost) the same food. Zimmern invariably eats it and grimaces. Bourdain says "I won't eat that shit." But really, it's the same show. Why now just merge the shows and have Zimmern join Bourdain as his sidekick.

Helloo!!! Anyone home?? The show is about bizarre and disgusting and smelly and gag inducing food. Isn't that why people watch? To see if he will eat something then hurl?

Kudos to AZ for staying sober.

http://graphjam.com/2008/10/27/song-chart-memes-travel-channel/#more-9537

Anthony Bourdain is who I want to BE, but I think I'd rather have AZ for a friend. He will clearly try anything. I find him to be largely respectful to the people and the tradition of the food, but honest in his reactions. Besides, I once saw an episode of Bizaar Foods in NYC in which Tony B admitted he had never been to Brooklyn - how long has the guy lived in NY? Maybe that's the difference - Brooklyn vs Manhattan.

Ahh. I wish you could have read up on the show and gotten some things straight before posting!

Here is some information that directly addresses your points:

http://www.zenkimchi.com/FoodJournal/?p=1228

I love Andrew Zimmern and the rock group KISS.

Your thoughts?

The main thing I like about Zimmern is his constant honesty. He is candid about every reaction and experience and that is refreshing compared to the over-narrated, postured, tough-guy-with-a-heart-of-gold bs you see on Bourdain.

1. Okay.

2. I'd rather he dress in the bright touristy shit than pretend to be a part of the culture. He's there to eat food and leave, not assimilate into a culture. I don't want to see him in most traditional garb. ew.

3. He is explaining the food to US. to let us know how it tastes and feels. He's not being condescending, he's doing his job.

4. Shamelessly mugging the camera??? He is genuinely surprised and excited about the food he's getting. Again the the frank thing.

5. 18 generations!!! I'm sure someone hasn't liked their fermented fish in 18 generations of making it. I think it would be more offensive if he pretended to like it and then later on camera told us how gross it was.

6. The villages he visits are so excited to have a visitor from anywhere. I think they are honored to be visited and on camera. I don't think they expect him to like everything. He ALWAYS eats a good amount of it and they are more entertained by his dislike than they are offended.

7. I'm sure if you tried some of the shit he tried you would spit it out and run away. He' on a TV show and we expect the truth from him. If you want bullshit, watch Bourdain.

I can't stand that rude, fat pig.

Even worse is the guy from Man vs Food who has absolutely no culinary value whatsoever. That mindless show just celebrates the idiotic 'bigger means better' dumb American attitude. The slacker host is total boob and even insults the literal intelligence of the eloquent Anthony Bourdain by saying his are bigger with a shit eating grin on his face. I'm not impressed that you eat the biggest pizza or the hottest peppers just to be on TV. The sight of you sweating and shoving food in your face is disgusting.

I agree. I think that he sucks! How did he even land that gig?

AZ is okay, he just annoys the hell out of me at times for pretty much all the reasons above, ESPECIALLY when the reasons above. Nothing makes me twitch more then his pleasured MOANS when he eats the food, and he practically says a summary of the dish that the people next to him made. I snickered when the people would be all: ">_>...*look awkwardly at each other*"

And oh my god, that Man vs Food guy.....

Bring that giant ass burger and huge ass pizza to Africa! Feed the masses! Don't give it to some fat drunk asshole who acts like he's God. 9_9;;;

^ LOL, I love how I when 'Especially went the reasons above'.

Ignore that please~ Just woke up~

man v food is a great show dont hate

Come on, the show is called "Bizarre Foods," not "How We Learn To Culturally Better Ourselves By Appreciating Others."

So Zimmern isn't the most sensitive guy in the world. He's still pretty damn polite. Besides, I need to know how things actually taste. If he pretended he liked everything he ate, the show would be totally worthless.

We're too concerned about being PC these days. We all just need to fucking relax.

The one thing I hate about Bizarre Foods is how there are SO many damn reruns of it. Travel Channel, run more Anthony Bourdain on another day BESIDES MONDAYS!

I think that who ever wrote the inital post is full of crap. Andrew Zimmern educates us on other peoples ways of life, and what unusual things they have grown accstomed to. Personally i think it would e pretty awsome to go to some of those places and try some of that stuff. So what if he friggin dislikes something and makes a face, yeesh you cant love everything.

Andrew Zimmern is my favorite food show host on television. Although his show itself presents a very entertaining format, it is Mr. Zimmern who makes the show. He is personable, kind, and always polite to his host or hostess, even if he tries a cultural dish or beverage that is unpalatable to him. Andrew Zimmern is the kind of person I would enjoy having as a nextdoor neighbor. He would do well even as a non-food related television talk show host. I wish him continued success and I sincerely hope he does not let his jealous critics bother him.

his chubby little face always performing the idiotic, condescending, continually-surprised tilt-to-the-side makes me sick. it's not that shocking, guy, and for as much as you decry indulgent cuts, you find no irony in eating the freshest beluga caviar on the planet.

faux-authoritative (and often factually incorrect) opinions aside, if i see him chew with his mouth open once more or hear his goddamn jaw click with every forced bite, i'm going to puke. spread some kimchi on that exotic, (fabulous!) digestive product and eat it, tough guy.

then again, i could always just change the channel.

Totally agree with you. He is one rude and most uncivilized person. VERY hatable guy.

seven reason I love Zimmern

1. Travels the world and gets paid for it

2. Has created his own destiny

3. Not afraid to strip down to his underware on national TV

4. You guys all hate him but you watch his shows

5. If he is a recovering addict, that is to be admired

6. Still smiling after eating bulls balls.

7. Best scene on television... AZ gets cleansed by an Ecuadorian Shaman!

it really bothers me that so many people hate this man.......i think he is a beautiful person: always respectable, forward, adventurous and honest......you seem like an extremely uptight person: the type of person who has a certain idea about what is appropriate and not and easily offended.....what more do you want of the man? he eats everyones food, enjoys it, thanks everybody from the bottom of his heart and is extremely knowlegable......do u think i should care about what kind of shirt he wears or particular style of chewing he utilizes?......u have a stick up your ass.....personally, i believe that what it really is that makes people hate him is because he's different -- he's shamelessly emotional and expressive: something men are afraid to be......now let's accuse him of being gay....fear is here!!!!!!!!.......nah, screw that.......here's a big thank you for the mans conrtibution to my knowlege of ethnic foods and ways, minus the self-conscious spoken-word overdubs of anthony bourdain and the true slobbish tastelessness of 'man vs food' -- so many, many reasons to absolutely adore andrew zimmern.....stop hating on the dude.....he's a really great soul and you've really demonized him in ways which have more to do with your hanghups than what he really is.

I have watched several episodes and persobally, I have seen no valid reason to hate him or accused him of being rude to his hosts. Those who "hate" him which is a srong word because he is maintaining sobriety, bald, fat, wears pollo shirts or whatever and eats with his mouth open. Look in the mirro you have some bias issues yourself. You have a lot of people to hate who fit those descriptions. He is usually seems to like 99% of the food and tolerant of the rest. He desribes the wonderful flavora, textures and preparation of the foods he eats. The fermented fish, Spam and walnuts (of all things) were the only episodes where he drew the line. I previously thought he was a human food disposal--rejecting nothing. He humanized himself by rejecting foods I can eat--Spam and walnuts.

I've watched Bizarre Foods and I personally like Andrew Zimmern. He might be kind of a geek, but that whole snobbish attitude that he's an ugly American tourist is bulls@!t. Ugly American tourists don't go to the countries he does, they don't eat the kind of food he eats, they don't and interact with people like he does.

Well said! Not to mention that he makes fun of other people's food all the while having some speech impediment that prevents him from pronouncing any foreign word correctly.