Discussed in this issue:
📝 From My Desk — Remembering Bill Rasmussen and the impact ESPN had on sports and media. Plus, reflecting on 25 years of The Life.
🍽️ Eating This Week — An unassuming Colombian joint on Melrose, fresh seafood in the North Shore of Massachusetts, and a popular Venice spot is back…is it better than ever?
🎙️ The Conversation — Rob Sand, running for Governor of Iowa, talks his goals for the state, the problem with partisanship, and his unique resume.
Photo Credit: ESPN Founder
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From Jamie’s Desk:
Earlier this week, Bill Rasmussen, the co-founder of ESPN passed away. It’s hard to put into words the impact he had on the sports and media worlds, stemming from a brilliant idea just under fifty years ago.
As a producer, sometimes there are projects that get away from you. One of those is when I had the rights to Jim Miller’s must-read book Those Guys Have All The Fun: Inside the World of ESPN. When ESPN launched on September 7th, 1979, cable TV barely existed – let alone a 24/7 sports channel. Bill was way before his time, and to be honest, he didn’t get the credit he deserved. He truly revolutionized the sports world and television – so if you’ve ever watched ESPN, in honor of Bill, you should check out Jim’s book and learn the story behind the story.
Bill’s passing also made me reminisce about my first TV series, The Life. The show premiered on January 13th, 2001 – the day before my 25th birthday. Not to age myself, but The Life was the first ESPN-aired program that wasn’t news, live sports, or a game show. It seems hard to remember (and for those not alive in 2001, hard to believe). To put into context, Connor Schell, (who created 30 for 30 along with Bill Simmons) was my intern on The Life. The show was one of the first of its kind, premiering within months of MTV’s The Real World, it looked at athletes off the field. Today, you might just think of that as TikTok or Instagram content, but back then there was no way to see what the most famous athletes in the world were doing when they weren’t playing sports on television.
From Shaq to A-Rod to Kobe to AI to LeBron, we had the biggest names in sports on screen. The show was nominated for an Emmy and was an early-days project for some people who became some of the most influential content creators in the business. The team went on to produce projects like The Last Dance, Air, Fade to Black, Val, Chef’s Table, Mr. Scorsese, Summer of Soul, and so much more.
To this day, it’s still one of my proudest professional achievements. We were young, had no idea what we were doing, but somehow still created something very special that remains relevant to this day. It was made even better by J. Cole’s use of the show’s theme song in his song My Life, which made it to #2 on the Billboard charts. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the show – and it’s crazy how time flies. Like so many others, I owe Bill and his son Scott a debt of gratitude for doing the impossible and creating the behemoth we know as ESPN.
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My guest this week was Rob Sand, Iowa state auditor turned Democratic gubernatorial candidate. For those of you who follow politics closely, you know this is an important race. He has potential to turn Iowa blue for the first time in over a decade. So of course, I had to learn about him.
Rob had a few jobs before being state auditor: a McDonald’s cashier, a chicken wrangler, and a male model. Quite the resume.
He hasn’t used Donald Trump much in his campaign – by design. Rob’s running on policy alone, focusing on what he feels needs to be done for the people of Iowa rather than running on an anti-Trump platform. He’s saying what he’s for, not just what he’s against.
Rob’s campaign theme song is kind of genius – Enter Sandman by Metallica. Fitting.
His ideal day off involves time with his wife and two sons, whom he affectionately calls his three best friends. But if he had to pick a true solo activity, he’d go bow hunting in the woods.
He’s done over 100 town halls across Iowa, and has heard from people from all positions of the political spectrum. His opponent is a far-right, MAGA-backed candidate who wants to ban mRNA vaccines and is pushing against a woman’s right to choose.
Even if you’re living in CA or NY or anywhere in between, you can still support Rob and his campaign — and help turn Iowa blue. Want to learn more about his vision for Iowa? Check out his website.
📍Los Angeles: La Fonda Antioqueña
Cuisine: Colombian
Crew: James Ponsoldt, Rachel Halilej, Food Talk Central, The Infatuation
Good For: Casual, Take Out, No Reservations, Small Groups, Large Group
Pro Tip: Go with multiple people and share dishes if possible. There’s a lot to try but the portions are big.
What to Order: Empanadas, Ave Maria Pues, Arepa con Queso, Sweet Plantains, Pollo al Horno, Chicharron, Chorizo
Notes: If you have ever ventured to the Melrose and Western area, aka Melrose Hill, you have probably passed this restaurant. But if you are like me, you probably just drove by and didn't stop in and give it a try. I have literally passed this place 1000 times and never stopped – I have no clue why I just hadn't made it in. Well now that my office is a block away, it was time, and wow…have I been missing out. This family run Colombian spot is delish. Serving everything from empanadas to arepas to chicharron. The portions are plentiful and options are wide. I was even eating with a vegan (shhh don’t tell anyone), and they had no problems putting together a great option. Next time you are heading east, whether it is to the Ahmanson theater, Crypto, or the Paramount lot – this place is a must for lunch or dinner.
Photo Credit: Max Shapiro
📍Los Angeles: The Tasting Kitchen (reviewed by Max Shapiro for Mad Food World)
Cuisine: Contemporary Italian
Crew: Alex Tse, Eli Meyer, James Ponsoldt, Matt Karatz, Eater, Food Talk Central, The Infatuation
Good For: Date Night, Small Groups, Good Cocktails
Pro Tip: Blake Antrobus runs the bar, and makes a great cocktail. If you’re not sure what to get, talk to him and he’ll point you in the right direction.
What to Order: Bluefin, Matrimonio Toast, Romano Beans, Crab Stuffed Squash Blossoms, Brentwood Corn, Melted Leek in Barigoule Chicken Stock, Tagliarini, Corn Ravioli, Basque Cheesecake
Notes: The Tasting Kitchen is back, baby. Casey Lane is back. They’ve assembled a great team. They have the support of Sprout behind them. They’re only about a month in, but the parts are there, and together they’re really delivering. This is a major reopening for Los Angeles, and I couldn’t be happier that a restaurant I used to love, then stopped going to altogether, is worth going back to. So this is me officially telling you to get your ass back to The Tasting Kitchen. I never thought I’d be saying that again. It still feels like The Tasting Kitchen. Just a little lighter. A little more refined. They didn’t try to reinvent it, which I’m glad they didn’t. They just cleaned it up while keeping all the original charm.
To see the rest of Max’s review, as well as other hot LA dining picks, subscribe to Mad Food World.
Photo Credit: Martha Patricof
📍North Shore, Massachusetts: The Lobster Tail (reviewed by Martha Patricof)
Cuisine: Seafood
Good For: Casual, Small Groups, Take Out, No Reservations
Pro Tip: Once you have ordered, go next door to the great local market to get yourself a beer — since the Lobster Tail serves only soft drinks.
What to Order: Steamed Lobster, Clam Chowder, Steamers, Fried Whole Bellies, Fried Clam Strips, Lobster Roll
Notes: For those of you looking for another place to add to the seafood shack list in the NE corridor, here is a place (truly a fish market) where they will prepare whatever they have available including the usual suspects, i.e. fried bellies, strips, etc. It is not on the coast and definitely not charming, but we had the best steamers, strips, lobsters, and sides of the summer. They will prepare whatever they have in fresh that day, and customers are told to choose their own lobsters.
Photo Credit: Heels & Hotels
📍Berlin: Borchardt (reviewed by Matt Haimes)
Cuisine: German/French
Crew: Condé Nast Traveler
Good For: Large Groups, Small Groups, Casual, Business Dinner
Pro Tip: Go with big groups so you can try more things. They’re good at accommodating everyone. Busy always, but I seem to get a big table when I need it.
What to Order: Schnitzel, Potato Salad, Turbot, Cucumber Salad, Fries
Notes: When in Berlin it’s a must have must see. Beautiful room with an outdoor out back for nice nights. I’ve seen all types there, everyone is welcome and the food and wine top. There is really only one order: a schnitzel bigger than your head that comes with warm potato salad. Order the cucumber salad on the side and you are set. My dinner companion ordered the Turbot, which he loved, along with the fries but he received a look of disdain from everyone around us. I’ve never had a starter there because I always get too much Schnitzel. They do offer a half version for those inclined to eat less and several cuts of steak. Don’t leave Berlin without a trip there.
For Your Awards Consideration, HBO Max presents HACKS. Nominated for 25 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series. In the aftermath of mistaken news reports that Deborah passed away, she and Ava return to Las Vegas, determined to secure Deborah's legacy as a comedian. Don't miss the series Variety calls "One of TV's Best Comedies Ever." HACKS is now streaming on HBO Max.
✨ Collection 1: Classics from Disney, Jamie’s List member Bobby Kim’s new vintage tee line, is launching on DisneyStore.com tomorrow, August 20th, at 9 pm PT
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