From the Archives: The Morning Edition Fantasy Thanksgiving
The “Fantasy Thanksgiving Feast” could be remembered as one of the weirdest moments in NPR history. It’s also just as likely that it will be forgotten.
But no, we’re here to rescue this surreal episode from public radio’s past.
There’s nothing weird about the concept: create a fantasy dinner, where celebrity chefs bring a dish to pass. (Food Network created a fantasy holiday dinner featuring its stars. It was ghastly.)
As far as we can remember, the original feature included Wolfgang Puck, Craig Claiborne, Julia Child, Maida Heatter and Paul Prudhomme. The piece ran for several years without change, even with the same introduction from Bob Edwards, until 1) the guests began passing away, and 2) the producers apparently wanted to reflect the times by welcoming some new culinary stars.
What’s so strange about this piece? It’s the contrived situation – the virtual dinner party; it’s the sound effects – this party has a dozen guests muttering watermelon watermelon; and it’s Bob Edwards.
Bob knows news, he knows how to host, he knows how to interview. Ask him to act, and the result is um, disappointing. He was so dependably wooden, that it’s surprising how often Morning Edition’s producers placed Edwards in set pieces.
Edwards: It’s Chef Paul. You made it. Our fantasy dinner is complete.
Prudhomme: Yeah, it’s a fantasy. I got a fantasy!
Edwards: Tell us about it.
The saving grace of the piece is the performance of the stars themselves. Child and Prudhomme are wonderful, and even Claiborne managed, despite his declining health.
If you want to dig through the NPR archives (are you that bored?), you can find every incarnation of this piece. Here are a few of them.
“Oh look at the time. You better check the turkey. It’s already… eleven minutes before the hour.”
