“Top Chef’s” Tom Colicchio will be more visible now. No, no, you silly geese, not on Bravo, on– wait for it– MSNBC… as its first “food correspondent.” He’ll be popping up all over the place. You can read all about it here in the Los Angeles Times. Here’s a taste (Pun intended… bygones.):
“I think the next step is getting a little deeper than food as entertainment and looking more at the social issues around food. How it’s produced. The effect it has on the environment. When we started talking about hunger in America, most people we tell the numbers to are shocked. Now we need to have a more in-depth discussion about what it takes to get food from seeds to the table.”
Cool. Delving into food policy may open a few eyeballs, who knows? But MSNBC prez Phil Griffin is mainly hoping to up the ratings, because we all know that’s all that really counts.
We know that because what passes for “news” these days is nothing but infotainment. Ever since news became a for-profit, commercialized, fatty, additive-infused, overcooked pot of rancid goulash (culinary reference intended), we’ve been ingesting corporate toxicants peppered with endless Big Pharma, Big Oil, and Small Penis Remedy ads. So get out the Pepto Bismol, it’s money-making time:
On MSNBC, Colicchio will have a regular segment in which he queries politicos for their views on food issues while being served a good meal. He’ll conduct catered chats with bold-faced names from other areas of public life as well.
MSNBC President Phil Griffin also envisions Colicchio out on the road, giving tips on how to eat more healthfully at fast food joints, or on a fishing boat with fellow angler Maddow to talk about ocean ecosystems.
Colicchio’s hiring is a first step at broadening the appeal of MSNBC.
Speaking of (un)appealing, here’s something that stood out among all that puff-piecery:
“We want to get outside the narrowness of Washington,” said Griffin. “I think these times are different than they were six years ago when we developed and exploded MSNBC. I want to stay true to the brand’s progressive sensibility. But the world is changing, and we’re trying to change with it.”
Although Colicchio will be part of a cable channel where the hosts’ point of view tilts heavily toward the Democratic Party, he contends that many of the topics he plans to cover can draw support from both sides of the political spectrum.
Not that getting both sides to agree on anything at this point– while also introducing new information about ecosystems and hunger– is a bad idea. But based on Griffin’s track record of “drawing support from both sides” ridding MSNBC of invaluable, outspoken liberal hosts and pushing Morning Joe, Abby Huntsman, and substitute hosts like former RNC Chair Michael Steele on us, well, color me skeptical.
Best part is the last sentence: “… based on Griffin’s track record of “drawing support from both sides” ridding MSNBC of invaluable, outspoken liberal hosts and pushing Morning Joe, Abby Huntsman, and substitute hosts like former RNC Chair Michael Steele on us, well, color me skeptical.”
Thanks. That was my most heartfelt part of the post. I do think the food info can be a good springboard for convos about poverty, TPP, etc. But generally, Griffin needs to go way more Progressive and less commercial.
I would give him a three hour cooking show and I know just the time slot for it.
Never Had A Joe and Mika With Leeks Stew Sounds Good
” Getting Out Of The Narrowness of Washington” !!!! WTF- Maybe Phillattio Griffin Might Want To Get Out Of His Narrow Mindness Himself
Especially considering he caters to the Beltway crowd. What a waste of good air space.