Netflix's New Season Hit Show ‘Somebody Feed Phil' Inspires Travel Joy

Forbes

6 hours ago

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Relax and lean into the best feel-good gustatory adventures around the world with multi-award-winning funnyman Phil Rosenthal, who energetically returns for a stellar new Season 8 of Netflix's popular travel show Somebody Feed Phil, which premieres June 18. This year's fresh lineup of home-field and far-flung journeys spotlights delectable food, warm friendships, picturesque landscapes, dazzling discoveries, spirited camaraderie and laughter galore. Like a beacon, Rosenthal spreads his illuminating outlook and smiles across the miles, encouraging viewers to travel, which he credits to opening minds and hearts. 'Travel makes the world better and makes your life better,' he often opines. 'You come away with a new perspective on life.' This uplifting nine-episode series touches down in Amsterdam, Tbilisi, Sydney, Adelaide, Manila, Las Vegas, Guatemala, San Sebastián and Boston. Here is the trailer, a brief peek:
Rosenthal's globetrotting gallops have galvanized an enormous and devoted fan following. In addition to being the creator, executive producer and host of Somebody Feed Phil, Rosenthal headlines the rollicking podcast Naked Lunch with David Wild; readily fills U.S.A. and international theaters on travel-centric speaking tours; pens best-sellers, such as Somebody Feed Phil The Book; and gives back through his Somebody Feed The People, a philanthropic initiative of the Rosenthal Family Foundation, which supports community-building through food, partnering with organizations that access solutions to food insecurity. It also helps the career development of chefs and restaurant workers. His inimitable humor was honed decades ago as the creator, writer, executive producer and showrunner of the popular sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, starring comedian Ray Romano, which ran for nine seasons on CBS. In other words, Rosenthal brings a lot to the table. 'Food, I always say, is the great connector and laughs are the cement,' muses Rosenthal. 'I feel very lucky. Everybody doesn't get to live their dreams. Sure, I've worked hard to get it. But I am lucky and grateful for it.'
Cheers: Rosenthal toasts new friendships bridged on the road.
Comfortably packed with colorful sites as well as insights, the unscripted episodes brim with verve and playfulness. Here is a small sampling of goings-on this season. In Amsterdam, Rosenthal savors herring, smoked eel, pancakes and stroopwafel, as well as dines with Bridgerton star Claudia Jessie. In the Basque region of Spain, Rosenthal roams through the culinary capital of San Sebastián, devouring pintxos, impressive seafood and Txakoli wine. In Boston, Rosenthal steps along the Freedom Trail, exploring multicultural eateries and reveling in Southie diners, North End cannoli and Peruvian cuisine in nearby Cambridge. In the country of Georgia, notable as the birthplace of wine, Rosenthal delights at the city of Tbilisi, picks grapes, eats khachapuri (soft, cheese-filled bread) like a mountain man and receives a massage at an ancient sauna. In Australia, Rosenthal relishes a life-changing breakfast at Bondi Beach, sails Sydney Harbor and visits an Aboriginal vineyard in Adelaide. In Las Vegas, Rosenthal eyes the city's steakhouses with Ray Romano and Brad Garrett, then tastes bold flavors in its arts district. In Manila, Rosenthal feasts on pork sisig, shares a roadside meal with Jeepney drivers and encounters his first boodle fight on a tour of Filipino cuisine. In Guatemala, vibrant culture and rich volcanic soil serve up memorable events as Rosenthal wanders and wonders with Claudia, his family's longtime babysitter and friend. Indeed, so much of Rosenthal's raison d'etre is enlivened by his cherished family and pals, many of whom are involved in Rosenthal's work projects. His brother Richard Rosenthal is Somebody Feed Phil's executive producer and showrunner; their on-camera repartee is a golden fan-favorite.
Eat, drink and be merry: Rosenthal with buddies Donny Osmond (singer, dancer, actor, television host) and David Wild (writer, music critic, podcast host).
'The world would be better if we all could experience a bit of other people's experiences, to walk in others' shoes,' Rosenthal once told me during one of our past interviews. This message is his resounding refrain that has stood the test of time, as well as: 'If you give out nice, you'll get nice back.'
Meating at a Las Vegas steakhouse: Rosenthal with longtime friends comedians-actors Ray Romano and Brad Garrett.
Even with a busy calendar, Rosenthal seems genuinely happy to ever buoy his audience's happiness. At this point in his on-the-go-go-go schedule, how does he stay whole and keep chill, even when others want a slice of him? 'It has never been a burden and it is still not a burden,' he told me. 'I'm an older guy. I have not been famous my entire life. My joke is: It's amazing to wake up at this age and suddenly find myself Harry Styles! Ha! This is only a nice experience. People are only nice to me. It never bothers me when they come up to me. It never bothers me when they write to me or ask me questions. It is only nice, very loving and sweet.'
Fishing for laughs: Rosenthal makes a splash with spectacular seafood.
For my previous two seasons' coverage of Somebody Feed Phil, read: 'Somebody Feed Phil' New Season, March 1: Fantastic Travel-Food Fun and 'Somebody Feed Phil' Season 6—From Croatia To Nashville.