A few weeks ago I came across the new PBS food/travel series, Spain… on the Road Again. Already it’s become one of my favorite food shows. You know what I like about it? It’s slow.
The premise is that Mario Batali, Mark Bittman, Gwyneth Paltrow (yup, that’s right, she of Apple/Moses fame) and Claudia Bassols amble around Spain while ruminating about life, learning about history and eating the best of regional Spanish cuisine. They drive around in fancy Mercedes convertibles, wander through picturesque fields and generally make those of us watching insane with jealousy.
Sure, the show’s a little pretentious and contrived (they try a bit too hard to make everything look spontaneous: I’ve got an idea — let’s drive down to Galicia! We didn’t plan this ahead of time!). That said, I appreciate a show that’s in no hurry, gives you a distinct feeling of place and an almost tangible sense of the food. In one episode, Mario and company spent five meandering minutes sitting at a table and practically having orgasms while eating shellfish. Any other show would have cut that scene in half. Spain let them ramble on — I could taste the shellfish.
Then there are the female co-stars. Gwyneth Paltrow’s getting the publicity as the big name, but forget her, I’m all about the lovely and charming Claudia Bassols. When she’s wearing her hair all messy, speaking in both English and Spanish and munching on a slice of manchego cheese… hoo boy, I think I’m in love. (Note to the producers: More Claudia, please.)
Who wouldn’t want to travel around Spain with this woman?
I hope people find and enjoy Spain… It’s a show that’s almost out of place in today’s ADD fast-editing tv landscape. Give it a chance though — it’s got Spain, food and Claudia. What more could you want?
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Tags: spain on the road again
November 1st, 2008 at 4:36 am
I thought the show came off less about teaching food preparation and more about 4 spoiled celebrities boring us with witty small talk. Overall I find the show obnoxious. I’d prefer a more down to earth cast spending less time being exclusive and more time teaching us how to prepare wonderful Spanish foods.