Butts in Seats meditates on food sustainability and the arts:
This immediately sounded like the challenge arts organizations face when trying to introduce audiences to anything outside their experience. The advantage the beef has over the arts is that while both steak and certain segments of the arts have an elitist aura about them, there is a perception that being adventurous with food is a mark of distinction while sampling a new arts experience is either intimidating or the mark of a snob. Do the arts need their own version of Anthony Bourdain to incite exploration?
In my opinion, that last sentence is more on the mark than the sentences that lead up to them. The current renaissance of food accessibility comes from the fact that there are plenty of shows (primarily on the Food Network) that make participating in food easily -- they model good food eaters, share the language of food, and educate their audience while making it seem like a good time.
For instance, take this Mitchell and Webb sketch:
The "rude waiter" is the old elite; instead, food looks more like Rachel Ray who, for better or for worse, makes everyone feel like they can do food.
Do we have that? A show where someone goes and sees the arts, talks to artists, and talks about it with the audience, while sharing input with the audience?
Who would we nominate to host that show?
