Check Please Expansion

Crain's Chicago Business has a story on the Check Please producer's plans for expansion to have versions in other cities starting with San Francisco. This story in the free version probably won't stay available very long, but the print version will be in libraries next week. The show's producer, David Manilow, has rights for the program and some grandiose plans.

Hmmm, they might have difficulty replicating this show to other cities. I mean, are they that confident they can find enough truly clueless people to opine on dining? CP was OK in the early stages, but quickly lost any credibility with me; I think my wake up call was when somebody was directed to Nuevo Leon and complained that they didn't have margaritas. If I watch it now it's not for the food content but rather the (unintended) humor.

ekreider wrote:Crain's Chicago Business has a story on the Check Please producer's plans for expansion to have versions in other cities starting with San Francisco. This story in the free version probably won't stay available very long, but the print version will be in libraries next week. The show's producer, David Manilow, has rights for the program and some grandiose plans.

More power to them. I wish I had thought of it! The problem they are eventually going to run into is that you can count on one hand the number of cities that have enough decent dining destinations to sustain such a series.

The problem they are eventually going to run into is that you can count on one hand the number of cities that have enough decent dining destinations to sustain such a series.

Seems I am replying to Steve Z posts this afternoon.

How idealistic of you to assume that quality restaurants are required to sustain such a show! I only wish it were true.

Debra Pickett's lunch with Check Please creator column in April 23 Sun-Times has some information about the origins of the series as well as plans for expansion into more cities.

Manilow, who does not consider himself a foodie -- "What's a foodie, really?" he asks. "Someone who only eats the best of everything? There's greatness in a cheeseburger, as far as I'm concerned."

Takes a special level of zen to sneer at and agree with a group at the same time -- I'll give him props for that.

Kansas City's debut episode is tonight, hosted by local wine maven Doug Frost.

I know there's one in San Francisco and local press has mentioned one in south Florida, but I don't know of any others.

I told my wife, and she said, "That sounds terrible. There aren't enough good restaurants here, and people here don't like things that are good." So, it's got that going for it. I love her because she's a "glass half full" type of person.

I wondered if KC would ever get their own version of Check Please. As frequent travelers to Kansas City, it would be greatly appreciated if you could keep us updated on the format and quality of the show. Any internet links that you're aware of?

While there are plenty of restaurants in KC, I wonder for how long they will be able to maintain the Chicago show's format of featuring one high end, one medium range, and one economy restaurant per show. Plus, at the risk of sounding snarky, will they be able to do an episode without featuring at least one Barbecue place?

Buddy

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:I wondered if KC would ever get their own version of Check Please. As frequent travelers to Kansas City, it would be greatly appreciated if you could keep us updated on the format and quality of the show. Any internet links that you're aware of?

While there are plenty of restaurants in KC, I wonder for how long they will be able to maintain the Chicago show's format of featuring one high end, one medium range, and one economy restaurant per show. Plus, at the risk of sounding snarky, will they be able to do an episode without featuring at least one Barbecue place?

Buddy

Yes, I wonder about the critical mass question too. I would guess there will be a link. Not sure of how much of it I'll get to see, but I'll do my best.