‘Somebody Feed Phil’: ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ Creator Brings Optimism (And Dad Jokes) To New Netflix Travel Series

You likely know Phil Rosenthal as the creator of the legendary sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, but the celebrated scribe is also quite the foodie. He demonstrated his knowledge of exotic cuisine on his PBS food and travel series I’ll Have What Phil’s Having, which earned him a prestigious James Beard Award (basically the Academy Award of the food industry). But now his popular travel show, coincidentally enough, has moved to a new location: Netflix.

Armed with an unwavering joy and never-ending arsenal of old-school sitcom charm, Rosenthal takes viewers on a tour of the local cuisine and culture of culinary hotspots like Bangkok, Lisbon, Mexico City, and New Orleans in his cheerful new series Somebody Feed Phil. From the show’s catchy theme song that evokes TV sitcom openings of the ’80s to Rosenthal’s endearing combination of earnestness and humor, the six-episode docuseries injects the genre with a hearty helping of fun.

What separates Somebody Feed Phil from other culinary-inspired reality shows is Rosenthal’s genuine sincerity and infectious curiosity. You don’t just get a single serving of some of the most delectable dishes on the planet, oh no. You’re spoonfed a potent gumbo of local culture and personal stories garnished with inspiration and triumph. You can’t help but get swept away in Phil’s earnest affection for people and food.

“If you just find out what people eat, and what they like to eat, you make them happy,” says 95-year old Leah Chase aka the Queen of Creole Cuisine. “We’d have a bowl of gumbo and change the whole world.”

If you’re a fan of food and/or travel shows, Somebody Feed Phil is the series for you. Just don’t press play on an empty stomach.

All six episodes of Somebody Feed Phil are now streaming on Netflix. 

Stream Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix