Phil Rosenthal enjoys making connections.
His hit Netflix travel documentary series “Somebody Feed Phil” is about experiencing other cultures through their people and food. And he created and executive produced the nine-season sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond,” which depicted the comically complex relationships of a family, often around the dinner table.
During a visit to Central Florida in 2024, he said: “The best part of this experience for me isn’t even the food. That’s as much as I love it. It’s meeting people. It’s making new friends.”
Rosenthal will return to Orlando this week for a show at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, where he will share stories about his television career, food, travel, friends and family. Orlando Sentinel food writer Amy Drew Thompson will moderate the conversation.
When Rosenthal, who is based in Los Angeles, speaks by phone with a reporter, he is looking forward to being in his youthful base in the New York City metropolitan area and eating a slice or two of New York pizza.
His love of food obviously didn’t start at a young age. What was his childhood cuisine?
“It’s not very good,” Rosenthal says with a laugh. “We didn’t have a lot of money. Both my parents worked and they weren’t great chefs. If we could buy a hot dog, we were happy. In fact, I still love hot dogs.”
He believes it’s not unusual for people who endured poor diets in childhood to develop a strong interest in food as adults.
“I talk to great chefs who have had the same experience,” he says. And because of his upbringing, he became picky about what he ate. “I haven’t eaten fast food in about 30 years.”
No one would blame him if he sneaked a Happy Meal or two. He was a busy man, after all.
After graduating from Hofstra University, Rosenthal worked as an actor, most notably on the television comedy Coach, before moving into writing and producing. His biggest success came when he created the sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond,” starring Ray Romano as a sportswriter juggling a dissatisfied wife, a grieving brother, and meddling parents. It aired from 1996 to 2005 and was nominated for 69 Emmy Awards and won 15 times.
Rosenthal recently reunited with surviving “Raymond” cast members (his wife is Monica Horan, who played Amy) for a 30th anniversary special that will air Nov. 24 on CBS.
“They rebuilt the set, which is exactly what it is,” he said, adding that reuniting with the cast was “an absolute joy.”
“Raymond,” he says, proves his point that food not only nourishes the body, but is an essential part of human interaction.
“If you watch “Everybody Loves Raymond,” food was a big part of that show, he says. “Ray’s mother (played by the indomitable Doris Roberts) controlled the whole family because she was the only one who could cook. Because she could cook, she was able to have influence over her sons.”
He tells how he had to convince Romano, who doesn’t like flying, to travel to Italy to film a landmark two-part episode of the series. By the end of the experience, Romano had embraced the trip, telling Rosenthal, “Because of you, I’m a more adventurous eater.”
Rosenthal thought so. “My job here is done.”
But in reality, it’s just the beginning. That was the beginning of “I’ll Have What Phil’s Have,” a six-part PBS series in which Rosenthal explores food and culture around the world.
“It’s been very successful, but PBS — I don’t know if you’ve heard of it — doesn’t have that much money,” he says.
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The series then morphed into “Somebody Feed Phil,” which was picked up by Netflix and became the streaming service’s longest-running original unscripted series.
“It still feels almost like a vacation,” he says of making the series. “I actually like having a purpose when I travel. It makes me feel useful.”
In 2024, he traveled to Orlando for an episode of “Somebody Feeds Fill,” tasting his way from East End Market to Eatonville, from Mills 50 to the Milk District, from Paramore to the Michelin-starred Capa at the top of the Four Seasons. Sentinel Thompson was our guide.
“She’s the champion of Orlando,” he declares.
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She also opened her eyes to the international appeal of Central Florida’s culinary scene.
“I thought, ‘What do you mean, Epcot?'” Rosenthal says. “It wasn’t until I got there and Amy Drew showed me the amazing diversity of Orlando that I fell in love with Orlando.”
He looks forward to reuniting with Thompson at “An Evening with Phil Rosenthal” at the Downtown Arts Center. He also looks forward to hearing from Central Florida residents during the Q&A portion of the show. It reflects his love of food as a way to connect with people.
“I enjoy the live show as much as I enjoy ‘Somebody Feed Phil,’” he says. “The audience is there because they love the food and they love the show, and I get to interact with them.”
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. See more entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment or sign up to receive our weekly entertainment newsletter delivered to your email.
“An Evening with Phil Rosenthal”
What: The hosts of “Somebody Feed Phil” share stories and take questions from the audience Where: Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando When: Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m. Price: From $46.61 Information: drphillipscenter.org
