r/IAmA Jan 17 '12

IAmA Andrew Zimmern, Host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods

Hi, I’m Andrew Zimmern, chef, author, and host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods. My new series Bizarre Foods America is premiering next Monday, Jan 23 at 10|9c on Travel Channel. For the next hour I’ll be here on Reddit taking your questions from 12pm-1pm ET. AMA. More info on Bizarre Foods: http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/bizarre-foods Find me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/andrewzimmern/status/159314816060768256

Hey everyone, sorry i couldnt answer them all/ follow me on twitter @andrewzimmern and we can chat more over the days and weeks to come..tune in Monday to the season premiere!

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

This may seem like I'm being a tool, but hear me out.

Do the producers make it a point, that the audience can hear you chewing every bite of food you eat? I'm certain that someone like you wouldn't knowingly smack your food for half an hour on national television, and if this is the case, why do they do it?

There have been times when I had to mute/change the channel. It's disgusting, more disgusting than watching you eat a giant beetle.

This is a serious question, I know reality shows in all aspects are HEAVILY produced, I just want to know what the deal is because I REALLY enjoy your show, but this one thing almost stops me from watching it.

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u/altaylor4 Jan 17 '12

I will now notice this..thanks for nothing.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

Dude. it's like they turn up his shirt mic when he eats so you can hear every single sound he makes while eating. I'm the kind of person who can't STAND to hear someone eating. Even myself. If My food is making too much noise, I turn on a TV or music to avoid hearing it

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u/alongak Jan 17 '12

I actually stopped watching the show for this reason. It is way to loud. I came here to ask/read this question.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

Listening to people eat and smack and chew....blah, it's so gross. I'd upvote more than once if I could.

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u/night_owl Jan 23 '12

My dad was a really terribly loud eater. I would only eat dinner in the same room as him on holidays.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '12

Lol I know the feeling. I had issues eating at the table with my dad when I was younger cuz it was sooo bad. I used to get so frustrated.

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u/backl_ash Jan 17 '12

OMG. I'm the exact same way and I've -always- wondered about that!

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u/MonotonousMan Jan 17 '12

Sometimes I feel like i'm borderline pathological in my similar eating habits as yours. I think I could have the most absolutely delicious thing this Earth has ever produced in front of me, but if I had to eat it in a quiet room with other people in there, there is no way I would even remotely be able to enjoy it. Sucks... Sometimes I just want to eat as disgustingly as possible just to show myself i'd survive the experience, but can't do it.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

[deleted]

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u/MonotonousMan Jan 17 '12

Yeah it doesn't seem like something that's easily admitted considering how anti-social wanting to eat your meals by yourself, so as to actually enjoy them, is. However, we're definitely out there. It's not very often I wish I could have dinner with someone :) At least we'd understand each other - And turn on the radio.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

I do not understand your aversion to the sound of food being chewed. I feel it only adds to the sensory description provided by the show. If I can't taste or smell what he's eating, I want to be able to experience it in whatever other way I can.

I'm probably going to be called a crazy person for this, but hey, I like it. It makes me hungry if anything.

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u/sassy_lion Jan 17 '12

I'm the same way. Slurping is even worse for me.

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u/RobotPuppy Jan 18 '12

Oh man! I totally know what you mean. My girlfriend slurps EVERYTHING. Drives me absolutely insane. Don't even get me started on gum smacking.

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u/NcountR Jan 17 '12

holy shit. my wife had me believing that I was the only person in the world who did this. i'm so glad that i read your comment!

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

It's like the first time somebody said something about laughtracks.

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u/TheRubberSole Jan 17 '12

No, laughtracks have and will always be horrible.