516402 Tue May 06 10:46:01 -0700 2008 7 33 Food Media and News 0 3661638 Did anybody catch Life's a Trip on the Travel Channel last night at 11P after No Reservations? This guy (forgot his name) went to Japan and New Zealand. I was only half-watching it as I was doing something else while it was on TV. But my first impressions were that I found the host kind of boring. His narrations were very slow and monotonous. And he didn't seem like a person who is open for anything. When his Japanese guide asked him whether he wants a Japanese cookie (?), his first response was no. He went to Kobe, ate his kobe beef and said he appreciated the work that went into it but didn't enjoy it. Then they showed him eating a grilled "American" steak in probably what is supposed to be the "typical American" suburban backyard saying that this is the best thing ever. The show kind of had a bit of a condescending attitude towards other cultures. Turns out that the host used to be a venture capitalist. I didn't read the credits but I wouldn't be surprised if he produced the show in order to get himself on TV. Tue May 06 10:46:02 -0700 2008 10763 Miss Needle 1 3663450 I didn't bother watching because the guy turned me off. I am glad I didn't watch it after reading your description. Tue May 06 19:41:37 -0700 2008 3661638 11826 Phaedrus 1 3676280 Yeah, I watched this show. Don't think I'll bother watching again, unless there's nothing else on. I couldn't tell if the host was being sarcastic/funny or serious when he said he didn't like the kobe beef. I really wanted to know every detail about his 'beef' w/ the beef since I've only heard good things about it... very disappointing. This guy is very dry and boring to me. Seems like he just wants to be seen because he doesn't really bring anything to the table. Hmmm. Sun May 11 06:43:08 -0700 2008 3661638 180579 chocolate_lover 1 3681640 He come's across as an arogant a-hole and the perfect model of the "ugly American". I felt embarassed, Mon May 12 23:19:46 -0700 2008 3661638 191814 kidcharlamagne 2 3682223 I was turned off just viewing the promo's for this show, not interested. Tue May 13 07:35:07 -0700 2008 3681640 15347 MagnumWino 1 3697174 I did not like the Japan show either. His comments were along the lines of "eww these people are so strange..." with a self-centered, judgemental tone throughout. He has none of Bourdain's wit and perception, nor Zimmern's inquisitiveness. Not sure what Travel Channel was thinking when they bankrolled this series. I won't be tuning in again. Sat May 17 17:13:23 -0700 2008 3661638 83923 Ulua 2 3699326 I did the see Dubai episode because DH has a friend who's been working and living there for the past 10 years. This episode wasn't as much of the "eww these people are so strange" schtick but more on line with how these millionaires spend money in Dubai. I kind of get what angle he's trying to do with these shows, but he's not pulling it off very skillfully. He's trying to be like Bourdain without being Bourdain. It comes across as very arrogant and clumsy. It takes a certain person to be able to pull off something like this, and this host is not the right person for the job. Sun May 18 17:25:02 -0700 2008 3697174 10763 Miss Needle 1 3705642 actually, the guy is canadian which only added to my contempt for him. Maybe if he were an American he'd at least be a little more animated, maybe funny, instead of just being a total dick, eh? I caught the Cuba episode last night which confirmed to me he was Canadian. He even teased Americans on the commerical leading up to the show, saying, "...tonight Im going to Havana, you know, where you Americans can't go" ...jackass. but i'll be big enough to go as far as to admit, I am a little jealous...he was arrogant for saying he didnt enjoy the kobe beef, but who wouldnt want the luxury of having it at their disposal? Im a cigar smoker so the chance to go to cuba (without having to jump through a ton of hoops) would be nice. with that said, glad to hear not a whole lot of people are fans of the show. Maybe the cancellation of his show will be a wake up call to this pretentious ass. Tue May 20 12:14:56 -0700 2008 3661638 175541 thelpv