Very loosely based on Anthony Bourdain's best selling autobiography, this 2005 FOX series didn't last a season, but it had potential. FOX gave this one the full Firefly treatment, screwing with the schedule and eventually canning the series after just a few episodes before it could build an audience.
Producers Darren Star (Sex and the City) and Dave Hemingson (Just Shoot Me!, American Dad) put together a great cast led by a pre-Hangover Bradley Cooper as Chef "Jack" Bourdain. It also featured Frank Langella as Nolita's owner Pino, and John Cho as Teddy in recurring supporting roles. It was a solid, talented cast infused with several promising new faces.
Unfortunately, Anthony Bourdain didn't do any of the writing for the series. In fact, he had barely anything at all to do with it other than a "based on" credit. Hemingson wrote the first two episodes, then a cornucopia of writers wrote the final 11. Star directed the first 2 episodes then opened the revolving directors door for the remainder which probably explains why the plot wanders from episode to episode.
It's still a fast paced, funny look at life inside an upscale kitchen with a talented but dysfunctional staff. Worth checking out when you get the chance. All 13 episodes (most of which were never aired) are available on Hulu.
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