Letterman Repeats Food TV Rant, Apologizes To Jamie Oliver

Eater.com:

Last night world-saving chef Jamie Oliver dropped by the Late Show with David Letterman to cook some noodles. But before he came on, host David Letterman had to rant at his desk about the "culture of excess" and food television shows like Cupcake Wars and Man v Food. (His rant was nearly identical to the one back in October with Rachael Ray).

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Comments

[sunnydee07]

01:51 PM on 11/25/2010

If Letterman is angry about the disparity between the hungry and the obese, why is he lashing out at what could arguably be, the one person in the industry making a huge impact on people's relationship with food?

I think it's unfair to Jamie and to the other, lesser known, chefs who promote good food, local ingredients and proper meal planning to have Letterman tar them with the brush he should be wielding at someone like Paula Deen, whose food could put you into a butter-coma.

[bluecity2]

05:34 AM on 11/22/2010

At least Jamie is actually DOING SOMETHING to change bad eating habits. I've been following this man's work since his early days and had the chance to meet him a couple of times in food seminars in Italy. I really admire his devotion, his work ethics and his sunny personality. This guy is a very positive figure in the "food scene" around the world.

[thrugreeneyez]

02:49 PM on 11/20/2010

So excited Jaime is coming to LA! I really respect and admire what he is trying to do. I hope he can also add some vegan recipes to the healthy dishes he promotes, and then he'll be helping to stop global warming as well as being kind to animals.

[skjn62]

07:42 PM on 11/18/2010

We need more like Jamie Oliver.

[Jamie Schler]

04:30 AM on 11/18/2010

Just from listening to the videos I didn't really hear anything negative about Jamie Oliver. He was talking about those who make money (or he assumes they do) off of pushing more and more food to a section of America who just takes food for granted and most likely makes and eats way too much of it. And the suggestion of the acceptance and desirability of excess that the two food networks project. He is absolutely right when he talks about the divide between those who eat in excess and those who barely have enough to live on. As consrfunny stated so well "He is disgusted by the vast number of people that go to bed hungry in this country and the vast number of obese people in this country." and he is right! America is indeed a culture of excess yet seem to ignore the plight of those who just cannot afford that luxury.

[shthar]

10:49 PM on 11/17/2010

He's right about the man v food show. That guy is visibly dying in front of our eyes as the show goes on.

[nasayer2]

09:05 PM on 11/17/2010

Why attack someone for trying to act upon the very excesses you're ranting about? At least he's trying to do something. What is Dave suggesting, that nobody should even try?? His anger is misplaced.

Strange behavior from an increasingly eccentric, aging host.

[I3addog]

05:01 PM on 11/17/2010

I like Jaime and I totally support his food revolution.

[ontariogirl]

03:22 PM on 11/17/2010

Dave has a point. He wasn't singling out Jaimie or Rachel just the foolishness of it all.

[gemini68]

04:28 PM on 11/17/2010

Yes but I don't see the correlation between Food Network and the "culture of excess". I agree that we as a Nation need to learn moderation. But cooking shows? Really? Was it in reference to the number of food shows on TV? Or Food Network specifically?Because if it was directed at Food Network specifically then he can merely change the channel. Seeing that the Food Network is about FOOD. To me the bigger issue is why we as Americans feel the need to super-size everything and live on processed foods. Which is Jamie Oliver's whole point. We wouldn't be a nation with a 1 in 3 obesity rate if we weren't so lazy and got off our butts and cooked our own food instead of popping a frozen dinner in the microwave or hitting up the drive thru for a "double down". Cooking shows actually promote being conscious of your food and taking time to prepare it and enjoy it. Not all of them promote healthy ingredients (Hello, Paula Deen!), but there are shows that do.

[consrfunny]

07:58 PM on 11/17/2010

It's not about changing the channel. It's about waste and 1 in 6 Americans going to bed hungry. Did you actually listen to what he said?

He is disgusted by the vast number of people that go to bed hungry in this country and the vast number of obese people in this country. He thinks the two food networks do nothing to help either problem. And watching the majority of the shows they broadcast it's hard to argue with him.

Of course that Man vs. Food show illustrates his point perfectly and that's why he was so hard on it and it's host.

[palainausa]

08:54 AM on 11/18/2010

If you are concerned about your health or about excess calories, prepare your own meals at home. Restaurants are the worst place to eat. Salt, butter, more butter, bacon, Bloomin' Onions. Mmm...let's go, kids.