American Madness

Intelligent Criticism in the Service of a Better Nation

TV Magic

I watch Top Chef. Shocking, I know.
Well I just finished watching tonight’s episode and couldn’t help noticing a little TV magic. Now, you might expect a bit of this on a television show about food, especially one where the “challenge” is to cook food for another television show, but it isn’t what your thinking.
What I [...]

It was carbs all the time

Say, don’t you remember, they called me Al; it was Al all the time.
Say, don’t you remember, I’m your pal? Buddy, can you spare a dime?
- Brother Can You Spare a Dime. Yip Harburg. 1931.
Back in 1931, people knew that carbs, eaten to excess, would make you fat. It’s common sense. Who thinks they can [...]

What Does a Six Year Old and Wine Spectator Have In Common?

They both believe in fictional characters.
At least the six year old has a plausible excuse for their fantasy. They are after all still a child. So I ask, what is Wine Spectator’s excuse for bestowing an Award of Excellence on a restaurant that doesn’t exist?
And by doesn’t exist, I don’t mean, doesn’t exist [...]

Hebral Remedy 3: Not-So-Classic Gin and Tonic

Today’s recipe comes to us by way of OverTheHillAndOnARoll (an LA Blog for “Folks… who like livin’ the good life.”), their thoughts on Gin are pretty similar to mine. I haven’t yet had a chance to sample this one, but it sounds super refreshing, especially with the hint of cucumber.

2 oz of Gin
5 oz of [...]

Herbal Remedy 2: Basil Gimlet

So we would hate for all of that fresh basil you purchased yesterday for 1 drink to go to waste, so we figured we’d help you out with another Basil recipe today… Actually a large number of the recipes I have call for either basil or gin (and some for both.
This one comes to us [...]

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