eNewMexican

When food becomes a character in sitcoms and dramas

It is often said that food is the great common denominator, the common thread that unites us all no matter our beliefs, backgrounds or cultures.

On television, it performs a different function, sometimes as a catalyst for a storyline or as a backdrop against which characters can engage with one another. And nowhere is that more true than on “Blue Bloods.”

Premiering its 12th season Friday, Oct. 1, on CBS, the venerable cop drama is known for its lively Sunday family dinner scenes in which patriarch Frank (Tom Selleck) and the Reagan family will discuss morally complex issues over meat loaf, roasted chicken or pot roast or whatever craft services whips up.

And the food is real, though no one in the cast except Donnie Wahlberg (who plays Danny Reagan) actually eats. When it takes all day to shoot the family dinner, it’s best to pace oneself.

Conversely, food played an unconventional role in “Seinfeld.” Of course, everyone remembers the “Soup Nazi” episode, about an eccentric soupmaker who put his customers through the wringer if they’re to get a pint of his extraordinary creations. But there were also junior mints, nonfat yogurt, Mackinaw peaches, a big salad, a loaf of rye, an early bird dinner and a discarded eclair that drove Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), George (Jason Alexander), Kramer (Michael Richards) and Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) to distraction – or worse.

On “The Big Bang Theory,” Chinese takeout is what’s for dinner on Fridays with General Tso’s chicken, beef with broccoli, shrimp with lobster sauce and vegetable lo mein being the typical order for Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and the gang. Much like “Blue Bloods,” the comestibles were real here and the cast really dug the steamed dumpling appetizer. Watch closely.

Food was mostly the butt of the joke on “M*A*S*H” with what was served in the mess tent being mostly unrecognizable. But there was the Spam lamb that a kindhearted Radar (Gary Burghoff) used to give a real lamb a stay of execution for a camp cookout and the ribs that Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and Trapper (Wayne Rogers) ordered from Chicago.

While the gang at “Cheers” mostly consumed their meals in liquid form, there was a memorable scene in one Season 5 episode where Thanksgiving dinner at Carla’s (Rhea Perlman) house devolved into a food fight with Sam (Ted Danson), Diane (Shelley Long), Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and the others letting fly with mashed potatoes, stuffing, peas, gravy and cranberry sauce. Fans will also remember this as the only appearance of Norm’s (George Wendt) wife Vera, albeit with pumpkin pie obscuring her face.

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2021-09-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://enewmexican.com/article/282140704527471

Santa Fe New Mexican