Scripting dinner: Food on TV comedies and dramas
Just as it is often at the center of family or social gatherings, food can also serve as the catalyst for some memorable TV. Be it a sitcom from long ago or a drama series from the present, food can spur conversation, provoke conict or be a source of laughter. And keep viewers coming back for seconds, thirds and fourths. The following are few that we think are noteworthy. “M*A*S*H” (CBS, 197283): Amid all the complaining about Army food in this classic Korean War comedy, there was Hawkeye (Alan Alda) pining for and eventually ordering from Adam’s Ribs in Chicago (but forgot to ask for the coleslaw); Klinger (Jamie Farr) waxing on about Tony Packo’s hot dogs in his hometown of Toledo, Ohio; and Radar (Gary Burgho ) coming up with a Spam lamb to replace the real one he set free, lest it become the main course at a 4077th Greek festival. “Alice” (CBS, 1976-85): By default, this sitcom about the misadventures of waitresses (Linda Lavin, Polly Holliday, Beth Howland) at a Phoenix greasy spoon diner had food built into its premise. Viewers gobbled it up like burgers and fries. “Seinfeld” (NBC, 1989-98): For a show that was supposed to be about nothing, there certainly was a lot of food talk going on. From the “Soup Nazi” episode where there was “no soup for you!” to the fat-free yogurt that caused Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) to pack on the pounds to the Kenny Rogers Chicken joint that kept Kramer (Michael Richards) up at night, food certainly had a signicant presence – especially when you consider many scenes took place in a diner. “Gilmore Girls” (WB Network, 2000-07): Rory and Lorelai’s (Alexis Bledel, Lauren Graham) obsession with food was downright charming and provided fodder for a lot of laughs. But their diet was a tad unhealthy with marshmallows, frozen pizza and Pop Tarts serving as Gilmore staples. “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 2010-present): The weekly Reagan family dinner has been a xture on the drama series since its premiere nearly a decade ago. And that’s real food that Frank (Tom Selleck), Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) and the rest of the clan are consuming – though the actors admit they have to pace themselves in the face of multiple takes. Pass the antacid, please.