Read VisitNorfolk’s Q&A with Phil Rosenthal here.
Phil Rosenthal is the award-winning creator, executive producer, and host of “SOMEBODY FEED PHIL,” as well as a New York Times Best Selling Author. “Somebody Feed Phil” – one of Netflix’s most popular food and travel shows has garnered a cult-like following and will release its seventh season March 2024. This Emmy-nominated unscripted documentary series combines his love of food and travel with his unique brand of humor has become must-see TV for foodies, restaurateurs, travelers, and armchair enthusiasts all over the world. Rosenthal recently won a 2022 Critics Choice Real TV Award for “Best Travel/Adventure Show” on behalf of the series, and he also garnered a 2022 James Beard Award nomination for “Visual Media—Long Form.”
Following a resounding call from fans, Rosenthal created a companion book, “SOMEBODY FEED PHIL THE BOOK”, which was released in the US on October 20th, 2022 via Simon Element (an imprint of Simon & Schuster). It immediately landed on the New York Times Best Seller list, which then led to a UK release in January 2023 and a multi-country tour selling out venues across the globe. During this time Rosenthal had the chance to connect face-to-face with his fans sharing insights into the ultimate collection of must-have recipes, never-before-heard stories, behind-the-scenes photos, and more from the first four seasons of the beloved series.
Rosenthal has one rule about food: try everything at least once, which lead him to create a new children’s book with his daughter, Lily, called: JUST TRY IT: A Phil and Lil Book releasing on March 5th, 2024. The hilarious picture book is geared towards young children and is about a food-loving dad encouraging his picky eater daughter to just try something new.
Rosenthal’s early writing credits include the comedy series “DOWN THE SHORE” and “COACH.” In 1995, Rosenthal created the hit CBS comedy “EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND” which premiered the following year. He served as the showrunner and executive producer for all nine years of the show’s very successful run, which ended in 2005. During its original run, the show was nominated for over 70 Emmy Awards, and won 15 awards, including two for “Best Comedy Series” in 2003 and 2005. Rosenthal won the 2002 Writers Guild Award for “Excellence in Television Writing” for his “Italy” script.
After the series wrapped, Rosenthal penned a book on the art of comedy and the making of a sitcom classic. YOU’RE LUCKY YOU’RE FUNNY: HOW LIFE BECOMES A SITCOM was published in 2007 via Penguin Publishing Group.
Rosenthal also co-wrote “AMERICA: A TRIBUTE TO HEROES,” the 9/11 telethon which aired on all four networks in September 2001, for which he won a Peabody Award and an Emmy nomination for “Outstanding Writing.”
In 2015, Rosenthal embarked on a new journey by creating his first travel food series “I’LL HAVE WHAT PHIL’S HAVING.” This PBS documentary series, which is the precursor to “Somebody Feed Phil,” received two Taste Awards and won the 2016 James Beard Award for “Best Television Program, on Location.”
