Phil Rosenthal’s new book features recipes from his Somebody Feed Phil Netflix series PHOTO BY SIMON ELEMENT
L.A.-BASED COMEDY EXECUTIVE PHIL ROSENTHAL DISHES ON THE SIXTH SEASON OF SOMEBODY FEED PHIL, HIS NAKED LUNCH PODCAST AND HIS LATEST SERVING—THE LAUNCH OF SOMEBODY FEED PHIL: THE BOOK.
Phil Rosenthal. PHOTO BY TOM CALTABIANO
“I LOVE L.A. VERY, VERY MUCH. I THINK IT'S THE BEST FOOD CITY IN AMERICA,” says Phil Rosenthal, foodie, star and co-creator of Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil. Rosenthal, who created the Everybody Loves Raymond series, has been busier than ever, filming the upcoming sixth season of Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil and his podcast, Naked Lunch, but also giving fans a behind-the-scenes taste of his global pursuits in Somebody Feed Phil: The Book (out Oct. 18).
Olive et Gourmando in Montreal. PHOTO BY RICHARD ROSENTHAL/COURTESY OF NETFLIX
In the Netflix series—the streamer’s top-ranking hosted food and travel program—Rosenthal takes viewers on a first-person journey to discover various cultures, people and parts of the world through his love of food. The series is a passion project for the exec, who created and produced it with his brother using Zero Point Zero, the same production company behind Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown.
While Rosenthal cites Italy as his favorite food country in the world, his love of food started with having meals in new places. “Anytime that I had food outside of my house growing up, it was a revelation… and I didn’t get to do that a lot, but I loved everything I had,” says Rosenthal, who is originally from New York. He recalls the first time he went to Europe, in his early 20s: “The top of my head came off and never came back! I kept chasing those flavors, and I still chase it—when I plan a trip, where I’m going to eat is the first thing I plan,” he says.
Rosenthal admits the main goal of the show is for people to accept and celebrate other cultures. “Food and my stupid sense of humor is just a way I’m trying to get you into the tent, because what I really want you to do is travel,” he says. “I think the world would be better if we all could experience a little bit of other people’s experiences—that’s my whole message.”
Rosenthal tours Lisbon in a motorcycle sidecar PHOTO BY RICHARD ROSENTHAL/COURTESY OF NETFLIX
“Food and my stupid sense of humor is just a way I’m trying to get you into the tent, because what I really want you to do is travel.”–PHIL ROSENTHAL
Rosenthal explores the Old Akko Market in Israel with chef Uri Buri PHOTO BY RICHARD ROSENTHAL/COURTESY OF NETFLIX
In one of his episodes, Rosenthal is in Seoul and meets a woman from North Korea. Over the meal, he discusses her life while they break bread over food from her hometown. “Food is such a prominent feature of this travel show because it’s this great connector—everybody eats—it’s one of the most relatable things in the world,” he says. “Food is the great connector for me and laughs are the cement.”
He also ties in family by calling in to his loved ones, including his late parents in past seasons, his children and his wife, actress Monica Horan. It’s another form of connection to the audience who can relate to a father embarrassing his children, Rosenthal says. “It’s the modern-day postcard home,” he notes of the video calls. “It’s the most relatable part, even if my parents aren’t your parents, you get it. We’re not the Kardashians, but we’re a family too!”
As a companion piece to the series, Somebody Feed Phil: The Book features stories and behind-the-scenes anecdotes and photos, plus 60 recipes—the most requested ones from the first four seasons of the show—from around the world. “I think it makes for one of the best cookbooks ever made,” he says of the global collection.
Adding to his plate, his Naked Lunch podcast, which Rosenthal launched earlier this year, drives this point home. In each episode, he and Rolling Stone journalist David Wild—his friend of 25 years—venture to various L.A. spots for a meal and discussion. This year, they will record 40 episodes for SiriusXM: It doesn’t look like he (or his appetite) is slowing down anytime soon.
Rosenthal and a furry companion film at Wat Suan Dok temple in northern Thailand. PHOTO BY RICHARD ROSENTHAL/COURTESY OF NETFLIX
Rosenthal, who infuses comedy in everything he does, also discusses the state of comedy and cancel culture today. “The world, not just in comedy, needs to lighten up. Comedians should be free to say whatever the hell they want,” he says. “And you either like it or you don’t, but you don’t have to cancel them so that they never work again. That’s none of your business—their career is none of your business. Paying money to see them or not, that’s your business. You have no right to cancel anybody.” Rosenthal adds that while people are free to share their opinions online, their thoughts shouldn’t be made into law. “You know what I do when I don’t like something? I don’t mention it,” he says. “You don’t see me disparaging anybody or any restaurant or anything on my show. I have a limited amount of time to show you stuff. … Why waste it on the stuff you shouldn’t do? Everything I like I put on the show. And we could take that view and apply it to almost everything else in life.”
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