Double the choices, twice the fun

“50/50”

There are so many TV shows about food and cooking on the burping boob tube that producers keep wracking their brains for unusual “hooks” to induce and seduce viewers into avidly and even rabidly watching their programs.

Last week, we watched a real lulu of an inspired brainstorm in this regard—the Lifestyle Network’s “50/50,” an “eating and touring” show that trumps the competition by offering two choices each week in terms of gustatory discovery journeys to sign up for (hence the “50/50” title).

The telecast we caught was set in Alaska and dangled two tasty and exciting treats for its “guinea pig” couple to salivatingly consider:

First, they could opt to get treated to a yummy salmon dinner—that was totally special, because they would partake of it while they were in full view of an actual glacier! In addition, they would enjoy a scenic train ride to the glacier’s environs, and sleep overnight in an old “hotel with a difference.”

Decisions

Or, they could opt to enjoy a dinner featuring a slab of reindeer meat, plus a ride on a sled pulled by Rudolph’s relatives and descendants. Decisions, decisions!

Well, the telecast’s resident couple chose the salmon adventure—so, off viewers went with them on a really lovely train ride, followed by a road trip, then by a boat ride to the glacier’s vantage point, where the yummy feast was scrumptiously savored—yum!

That was just for starters, because the salmon sortie next vicariously took viewers to a small and really old hotel—
that turned out to be made of old train compartments!

Edgy

Even more idiosyncratically, the rooms themselves had an edgy and sexy character stamped all over them.
One of the rooms was even named The Bordello—and winkingly lived up (or down) to its salacious nomenclature. No vacationing clergy allowed, hopefully!

Not to worry, they could more properly be assigned to another room called The Chapel, where they could more piously sleep and pray, and pray and sleep—the whole night through!

The following morning, fully energized and raring for more sights and delights, we were next empathetically taken to a bowl-carving handicraft shop and store, a small brewery—and a dessert place whose menu boasted of ice cream infused with—beer!

Unusual

All told, the overnight trip was an unusual tour and romp that successfully won viewers’ special attention due to its unusual format and “hook.”

Other unusual “food-tripping” TV shows include “Unique Eats,” “Bizarre Foods,” “Cutthroat Kitchen,” “The Galloping Gourmet,” “Bitchin’ Kitchen,” “Two Fat Ladies,” “Boy Meets Grill,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Close to the Bone: Surgeons and Chefs,” “Cooking With Beefcake,” “Cooking With Dog,” “Cookin’ Good with the Cola Sisters,” and “Feed Me, Baby!”