American Eats - Season 1

American Eats - Season 1

Season 1

Network
Episodes15
DatesJuni 29, 2006 - Nov. 23, 2006

Episodes

Soda
Season 1Episode 160 min

Soda

Did you know that...Coca-Cola is the second most universally recognized word on the planet after "OK"? Each year, Americans drink enough carbonated beverages to fill more than 100,000 Olympic-sized pools. Sugar, water, carbon dioxide--these simple ingredients are the foundation for a $25-billion a year industry. Modern, state-of-the-art bottling plants supply Americans with 15-billion gallons of soda every year, in every variety of flavor, no calorie or low-calorie, caffeinated or caffeine-free, in a 12-ounce can or half-gallon bottle, all packaged and sold with some of the best marketing strategies ever developed. Inspired by miracle mineral waters, advanced by small town pharmacists, the story of soft drinks is the story of American ingenuity and competition, along with an insatiable thirst for profits.
Juni 29, 2006
Salty Snacks
Season 1Episode 260 min

Salty Snacks

For every new snack food introduced, there are about 100 duds! Americans buy more than 4.3 billion pounds of snack food a year--in fact, snacking is quickly becoming America's favorite meal. A snack is defined as a meal or food item eaten hurriedly or casually, which might include anything from a candy bar to a hamburger. Whether it's chips, pretzels, or popcorn, Americans love their snacks--especially if salty! Perhaps the first truly American salty snack was popcorn. But of all the salty treats we indulge in--pretzels, peanuts, corn chips--the potato chip is by far America's favorite snack, with annual sales in excess of $6 billion
Juli 6, 2006
Hotdogs
Season 1Episode 360 min

Hotdogs

From the ballpark to barbeque, the story of hotdogs.
Juli 13, 2006
Canned Foods
Season 1Episode 460 min

Canned Foods

History of Canned Foods. Canned food has been in pantries for more than 200 years. But long before it was a staple on store shelves, it was used to feed armies. In 1795, a confectioner came up with the concept of preserving food in bottles. In America, canning had a slow start but the 1849 Gold Rush and Civil War contributed to its popularity. A mere 50 years after its development, invention of the can opener made it more convenient. In America's post-WWII economy, rise of the suburbs meant supermarkets, and food with long shelf life became the modern convenience food.
Juli 20, 2006
History on a Bun
Season 1Episode 560 min

History on a Bun

History of foods using bread.
Juli 27, 2006
Ice Cream
Season 1Episode 660 min

Ice Cream

Few treats are as popular or American. At the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, a man selling waffles beside an ice cream vendor put a scoop of ice cream in a rolled-up waffle when his neighbor ran out of dishes--the totable treat caught on and is still a favorite way to enjoy the frozen confection. But whether in a sundae, ice cream sandwich, banana split, parfait, or baked Alaska, ice cream is a dessert we can't desert.
Aug. 3, 2006
Cookies
Season 1Episode 760 min

Cookies

Whether on Santa's plate or at grandma's house, cookies are a part of American culture. What began as hardened biscuits (perfect for traveling), they grew lighter, richer, and sweeter once sugar became readily available in the Middle East in the 13th century. America made its mark in the cookie world with invention of the chocolate chip cookie. Along with the peanut butter cookie--and yes, the fortune cookie--the chocolate chip cookie is uniquely American. Whether dropped, rolled, molded, pressed, filled, or cut into shapes, cookies are ingrained in our culture and recognizable icons.
Aug. 10, 2006
Chocolate
Season 1Episode 860 min

Chocolate

History of chocolate. How did this little pod from a little tree become a global obsession?
Aug. 17, 2006
Condiments
Season 1Episode 960 min

Condiments

The old saying goes "you are what you eat." So what does that say about America? More than you might imagine, as AMERICAN EATS reveals. This irreverent, insightful and unique look at the nation reveals the secret tales behind our favorite indulgences, heads into the test kitchens where science combines with cooking, and visits temples of taste across the country. Though considered an American invention, ketchup can be traced back to European fish sauces used in the 18th century to help brine food and stop the growth of bacteria. Meanwhile, mustard seeds were purportedly first brought to the city of Dijon and its surrounding fields by Caesar. Another favorite was the product of necessity - after a victory over the British in 1756, the French chef of Duc de Richelieu created a victory feast that included a sauce made of cream and eggs. Realizing there was no cream in the kitchen, the chef substituted olive oil, and our obsession with mayonnaise was born. AMERICAN EATS traces the explosion of condiments beyond these basics and visits some of the giants of the industry to see how our favorite flavorings are made.
Aug. 24, 2006
Barbeque
Season 1Episode 1060 min

Barbeque

History of barbeque. Three out of four of US households own a barbecue grill. Between grills, charcoal, smokers, sauce, and spices, it's a multi-billion dollar industry.
Aug. 31, 2006
Beer
Season 1Episode 1160 min

Beer

History of beer. Whether light, dark, bottled, tapped, great tasting, or less filling America loves beer--20% of the world's beer is brewed here. As old as civilization and pre-dating bread, we'll take a look at beer's history in the US. Breweries had to survive the Prohibition until 1933 when it ended and beer was back on tap. After WWII, the aluminium can made beer drinkers happy because it now fit neatly in the fridge.
Sept. 9, 2006
Cereal: History in a Bowl
Season 1Episode 1260 min

Cereal: History in a Bowl

History of cereal. Move over pancakes, step aside bacon! Cereal is arguably the true breakfast king, a $9-billion industry with an indisputable place in pop-culture history. Full of surprise, nostalgia, and fascinating facts, our special celebrates the colorful--and crunchy--saga of a distinctly American breakfast.
Sept. 14, 2006
Pizza
Season 1Episode 1360 min

Pizza

Whether it's a thin crust or a deep dish ordered by the slice or the whole pie America has been head-over-heels for pizza for well over a century. On average Americans eat approximately 350 slices of pizza per second-about 100 acres of pizza a day! At last count there were close to 70000 pizzerias in the U.S. working tirelessly to satisfy that multi-billion-dollar craving. During this lip-smacking gastronomic tour discover how the history of pizza in America has come full circle-from small Italian-American communities to the cutthroat competition of global chains to the mass-produced world of frozen pizza and finally back to distinctive personal pies. Featuring visits to the nation's most fabled pizza houses and compelling interviews with chefs foodies and cultural historians AMERICAN EATS serves up the fascinating and mouth-watering story behind PIZZA.
Sept. 21, 2006
Holiday Foods
Season 1Episode 1460 min

Holiday Foods

A bird roasted to perfection, a steaming plates of succulent sides, a kaleidoscope of colorful holiday sweets...nothing quite announces the holiday season like food. Take a festive look at America's most delicious holiday foods. Among American's favorite trimmings are bread stuffing, candied yams and cranberry sauce--first introduced in 1864 when General Ulysses S. Grant ordered it served to the troops during the siege of Petersburg. Take a look back at America's obsession with the sweeter side of the holidays, from gingerbread to candy canes. Learn why the dreaded fruitcake--an invention dating back to Roman times--was once against the law! New trends in holiday feasting are always a hit, from a deep fried turkey born out of the Bayou of Louisiana, to the ever-humorous, and delicious, Turducken: a chicken stuffed inside a duck inside a turkey.
Nov. 22, 2006
More American Eats
Season 1Episode 1560 min

More American Eats

Dig into the sumptuous stories of great inventors, innovators, dreamers, and wizards who made eating into an industry and transformed the American table. Clarence Birdseye really did invent modern frozen food; John Harvey Kellogg reinvented breakfast; Milton Hershey turned an elite sweet into a treat for the common man; and yes, there really was a Chef Boyardee! Explore the roots of barbecue, Jell-O, and Spam--and meet the originator of nacho chips.
Nov. 23, 2006

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Running

Late Night with Seth Meyers

Seth Meyers, who is Saturday Night Live's longest serving anchor on the show's wildly popular "Weekend Update," takes over as host of NBC's Late Night — home to A-list celebrity guests, memorable comedy and the best in musical talent.

As the Emmy Award-winning head writer for "SNL," Meyers has established a reputation for sharp wit and perfectly timed comedy, and has gained fame for his spot-on jokes and satire. Meyers takes his departure from "SNL" to his new post at "Late Night," as Jimmy Fallon moves to The Tonight Show.

GenreComedy
Wild Cards
Running

Wild Cards

Wild Cards follows the unlikely duo of a gruff, sardonic cop and a spirited, clever con woman. Ellis, a demoted detective, has unfortunately spent the last year on the maritime unit, while Max has been living a transient life elaborately scamming everyone she meets. But when Max gets arrested and ends up helping Ellis solve a local crime, the two are offered the opportunity to redeem themselves, with Ellis going back to detective and Max staying out of jail. The catch? They have to work together, with each using their unique skills to solve crimes. For Ellis, that means hard-boiled shoe leather police work; for Max, it means accents, schemes and generally befriending everyone in sight, while driving Ellis absolutely nuts. Against the backdrop of beautiful Vancouver — with all its unique, charming, and even contradictory neighbourhoods and subcultures — the two will have to learn what it means to trust another person and maybe actually become partners.

NOVA
Running

NOVA

NOVA brings you stories from the frontlines of science and engineering, answering the big questions of today and tomorrow, from how our ancestors lived, to whether parallel universes exist, to how technology will transform our lives.

Doctor Who
Running

Doctor Who

The Doctor and his companion, Ruby Sunday, travel across time and space, having adventures from the Regency era in England to war-torn future worlds, from the dawn of human history to distant alien worlds. Throughout their adventures in the TARDIS – a time-traveling ship shaped like a police box – they encounter incredible friends and dangerous foes, including a terrifying bogeyman and the Doctor's most powerful enemy yet. And everywhere they go, they find adventure, terror, fun, chases, joy, and monsters.

Watson
Running

Watson

In Watson a year after the death of his friend and partner Sherlock Holmes at the hands of Moriarty, Dr. John Watson resumes his medical career as the head of a clinic dedicated to treating rare disorders. Watson's old life isn't done with him, though — Moriarty and Watson are set to write their own chapter of a story that has fascinated audiences for more than a century. Watson is a medical show with a strong investigative spine, featuring a modern version of one of history's greatest detectives as he turns his attention from solving crimes to addressing the greatest mystery of all: illness, and the ways it disrupts our lives.