This story is part of I'm so obsessed (subscribe here), our podcast with interviews with actors, artists, celebrities and creatives about their work, careers and current obsessions.
Author and producer Phil Rosenthal describes himself as the happiest man in the world. It's not because he created the popular sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. And not because in 2000 he staged President Bill Clinton in a humorous video for the White House Correspondents' dinner. That's because Rosenthal hosts the travel and food series on Netflix called Somebody Feed Phil, which seems like a dream job to me.
In each episode, Rosenthal travels to a different city around the world to experience the people, sights, and food. Season 4 of Somebody Feed Phil landed on Netflix in October 2020 and watched it during one pandemicWhen most people can't travel, that's a bit surreal. It almost feels like a science fiction story set in an alternate reality. But it's the show's escape that really intrigues. And the focus is on Rosenthal, our traveling everyone. He's a replacement for many of us who want to have the experiences that "Phil" is having.
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On CNET's "I'm So Obsessed" podcast, Rosenthal explains the difference between a tour guide like Anthony Bourdain, whom he considers a superhero, and himself.
"I thought there might be more people out there watching Bourdain like me and saying, 'He's amazing. I never do that.' And yet there should be some kind of travel show for them, "said Rosenthal. "What do I want from a vacation? Well, I would like a hotel with a bed and a pillow. I would like food that I recognize as food and not bugs that we don't necessarily eat."
During our conversation, he explains how his brother, a Somebody Feed Phil producer, likes to push Rosenthal out of his comfort zone. He also shares what it was like to work on Everybody Loves Raymond and how complex it is to direct an active US president in a comedy video.
Listen to my entire conversation with Rosenthal on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. You can watch all four seasons of Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix. You can also subscribe to I'm So Obsessed on your favorite podcast app. In each episode, Connie Guglielmo or I meet an artist, actor or creator to learn more about work, careers and current obsessions.
