Alton Brown Teases Food Network Star Guest Appearances On "Good Eats: The Return"
Three years after first teasing a Good Eats reboot, and almost a year after tinkering with a handful of past episodes for Good Eats: Reloaded, Alton Brown's beloved food science show is back on the air. With a new season airing August 25, Delish spoke to Alton about what's in store for Good Eats: The Return, how the show has changed since it first debuted in 1999, and whether any familiar Food Network faces will make an appearance. Here's everything you need to know ahead of Sunday's premiere.
What is Good Eats: The Return?
It's an extension of Good Eats, Alton's quirky, history- and science-filled food show that aired on Food Network for 14 years. In each episode of the reboot, Alton explores a food or topic, like chicken parm, which he argues was invented in America, not Italy. Another highlight? The season finale: a post-apocalyptic sourdough show. "Those are words that have never been put together before," Alton joked of the concept.
Wait—didn't this already start?
Nope, but you might be thinking of Good Eats: Reloaded. Last fall, Alton revisited more than a dozen episodes from the original show, updating previously covered topics like fondue, fries, and grits—the latter of which has been bugging him for years. While these episodes were edited versions of the originals, The Return features entirely new content.
What kinds of food will Alton make?
The season kicks off with the exploration of chicken parm (the single most requested topic not done the first time around, Alton says). From there, he'll cover topics like shakshuka, steak tartare, and turkey.
How is it different from the original?
Well, given the changes in both food accessibility (you can order practically anything from Amazon or Instacart in a few taps) and people's interest in food (hi, Instagram!) the world is basically Alton's oyster.
"Every thing has changed as far as availability, which opens [things] up," Alton said. "I never wanted to make shows where people couldn't make the food because they couldn't find the ingredients. Everything has changed that way. Everything is, I mean, I'm not going to say better because everything has downsides, but it does open up a world of possibilities."
These changes are part of why Alton pressed pause in the first place back in 2014. "I always intended to do it again," he says. "I just wanted to take a break. One, because I wanted to concentrate on touring shows, but also because I thought there was going to be a lot of changes in the media world and the way that we consume media. I was really just kind of biding my time to bring it back."
Things you’ll see on #goodeatsthereturn
A post shared by Alton Brown (@altonbrown) on Aug 15, 2019 at 8:43am PDT
Diehard fans, rest easy: While the menu may be a little more exotic, all your favorite puppets, decor, and inside-the-appliance shots aren't going anywhere. "We're still putting cameras in every conceivable appliance," Alton assured.
Will there be any guest appearances?
Yes! Alton is staying mum on who exactly will appear on Good Eats: The Return, but he did confirm two "well known personalities on Food Network" would pop up this season, one of whom loves Casablanca as much as Alton does. The two will play Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Is it Giada? Bobby Flay? Guy Fieri?! Only time will tell.
When and on what network does the show air?
Watch Alton on Food Network every Sunday at 10 p.m. ET/PT starting August 25. For the first three weeks, Food Network will be airing double episodes at 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. before moving to one new episode a week. The show will also be available on Hulu, iTunes, and Googleplay. Can't wait that long? Episode one, an ode to chicken parm, is online now!
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