William Shatner's Brown Bag Tasting

Watch William Shatner's Brown Bag Tasting

  • 2014
  • 2 Seasons

William Shatner's Brown Bag Tasting is a culinary adventure show starring the iconic William Shatner and Matt Walsh, both of whom embark on a journey to taste and evaluate different foods and beverages. Produced by Multicom Entertainment Group (MEG), the show offers a unique blend of humor, education, and gastronomy that promises to entertain and enlighten food enthusiasts and lay audiences alike.

Each episode of William Shatner's Brown Bag Tasting is focused on a particular food or beverage theme, such as cheese, coffee, beer, or chocolate. With a brown paper bag covering their eyes, Shatner and Walsh taste and rate various offerings presented by experts and local producers. The blind format of the show adds an extra layer of excitement and suspense that keeps the hosts and viewers guessing and commenting on each sample's flavor, texture, and aroma.

Shatner and Walsh's chemistry on the show is one of its most appealing features. The two actors and comedians share a natural rapport and witty banter that make even the most mundane food item entertaining. Shatner, in particular, brings his trademark humor and theatrics to the show, enunciating every word and gesture with theatrical flair. Walsh, on the other hand, plays the straight man to Shatner's antics, providing insightful commentary and observations.

Aside from the hosts' personalities, William Shatner's Brown Bag Tasting is also remarkable for its diverse range of food and drink offerings. The show features not only popular and well-known products but also rare, local, and artisanal items that many viewers may not have heard of before. The show's producers make an effort to showcase small businesses and producers who are passionate about their craft and often have interesting stories to tell.

In addition to the tasting segments, each episode of William Shatner's Brown Bag Tasting also includes educational content that sheds light on the history, culture, and science behind the food or beverage theme. Through interviews with experts and practitioners, viewers learn about the making, aging, roasting, brewing, or fermenting techniques that create the flavors and aromas they taste. The show also explores the environmental, economic, and social impact of the food and drink industry and raises awareness of sustainability and social justice issues.

One of the show's strengths is its pacing and structure. The editing and cinematography capture the hosts' reactions and the food's details in a visually appealing and dynamic way that holds the viewer's attention. The segments are well-organized and flow naturally, avoiding repetitiveness or monotony. The length of each episode, around 30-40 minutes, is just right, providing enough content without overstaying its welcome.

Overall, William Shatner's Brown Bag Tasting is a fun and informative culinary show that brings together entertainment, education, and gastronomy in a fresh and engaging way. Its combination of blind tastings, humor, and educational content, along with its diverse and eclectic selection of food and drink themes, makes it stand out from other food shows. The chemistry between the hosts, the quality production value, and the show's positive and inclusive tone make it a must-see for anyone who loves food and culture.

William Shatner's Brown Bag Tasting is a series that ran for 2 seasons (26 episodes) between June 23, 2014 and on Multicom Entertainment Group (MEG)

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Seasons
Nigel Lythgoe Compares Wine to American Idol Alums
7. Nigel Lythgoe Compares Wine to American Idol Alums
June 24, 2015
'So You Think You Can Dance' creator and 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe sits and sips with William Shatner. Nigel and William discuss how younger generations perceive fame and equate it to success. He relays how children dancing today are more talented than professional adult dancers were years ago, with gravity limiting them more so than their own abilities.
Wil Wheaton Geeks Out on Beer, Star Trek, and Wine
6. Wil Wheaton Geeks Out on Beer, Star Trek, and Wine
June 17, 2015
Actor Wil Wheaton joins his old friend William Shatner to converse about home brewing beer, the outer limits of space, and video games. Wil and William compare movies and video games by highlighting the added layer of interactivity that games offer. Wil excites William when talking about undiscovered dimensions and other-dimensional lifeforms that can't yet be perceived by humans.
Real Housewives' Brandi Glanville Talks Sex, Breakups, and Winemaking
5. Real Housewives' Brandi Glanville Talks Sex, Breakups, and Winemaking
June 10, 2015
Brandi Glanville sits and sips with William Shatner. William and Brandi discuss the ability for a cute label to successfully sell a bottle of wine to a customer. Brandi contemplates the heightened level of drama that arises even when cameras are filming a real situation. She can barely contain her laughter when William asks her to describe the mystery wine as if it were a sexual interaction.
Aspiring Actor Grant Harling Talks Showbiz and Vino!
4. Aspiring Actor Grant Harling Talks Showbiz and Vino!
June 10, 2015
Actor Grant Harling won the Brown Bag Wine Tasting charity contest, and this week he and William Shatner sit down and sip. Grant and Bill discuss the challenge of meeting people in Los Angeles, whether it be for professional networking or in order to forge new friendships. Grant draws upon his aptitude for making new friends when he rates and describes this week's spicy red mystery wine.
Food and Wine Editor Ray Isle Talks BBQ, Shipwreck Wine
3. Food and Wine Editor Ray Isle Talks BBQ, Shipwreck Wine
June 3, 2015
Food and Wine magazine executive wine editor Ray Isle knows his vintages. He joins William Shatner to discuss the best wines to go with Texas BBQ. Ray explains how, in the past, wine that was considered unsatisfactory was mixed with other ingredients to mask its taste, and he shares a story about an opportunity he had to taste wine from a 200 year-old shipwreck,.
Veep Star Matt Walsh Joins William Shatner for Wine and... Hypnosis?
2. Veep Star Matt Walsh Joins William Shatner for Wine and... Hypnosis?
May 20, 2015
Veep's Matt Walsh talks about his movie, A Better You, which had scenes written without dialogue, allowing the actors to improvise lines within the confines of the action of each scene. After elaborating on the intention of improv, Matt and Bill set a scene in which they drink and describe imaginary wine. He draws from his experiences with hypnotherapy to rate and describe the mystery wine.
ESPN's Marcellus Wiley Talks Football, Typing and of Course, Wine
1. ESPN's Marcellus Wiley Talks Football, Typing and of Course, Wine
May 20, 2015
Former pro football player and high school valedictorian Marcellus Wiley talks about his introduction to football during his childhood and markedly increasing his size in college. He discusses how football gave him a sense of identity and kept him out of trouble in his neighborhood. Marcellus employs his status as a typewriting legend to rate and describe the mystery wine.
Description
Where to Watch William Shatner's Brown Bag Tasting
William Shatner's Brown Bag Tasting is available for streaming on the Multicom Entertainment Group (MEG) website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch William Shatner's Brown Bag Tasting on demand at Amazon Prime and Amazon.
  • Premiere Date
    June 23, 2014