Food: Fact or Fiction? (2015) | Couchpile

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Food: Fact or Fiction? (2015) | Couchpile

Season 1

6 Episodes

2015

E01

What's for Dessert

10/26/2015

In this episode of Food: Fact or Fiction? join host Michael McKean as we indulge in the best part of every meal: Dessert! From cake to pie to banana splits, our favorite desserts are baked with rich stories that have shaped America in extraordinary ways. We travel back in time to find out how cake gave rise to democracy in America. We reveal the sweet truth about why ice cream topped with syrup is called a sundae. And we find out if anything really is more American than apple pie. Save room for dessert as we discover some tasty truths and some mouthwatering myths hidden in every decadent bite!

E02

Passports Please!

11/2/2015

In this episode of Food: Fact or Fiction? join host Michael McKean as we take a trip around the food globe to find out where some of our most popular international dishes were really born. We know French Fries are fried, but are they French? Pizza and Italy go together like cheese and pepperoni, but can the Italians really claim pizza as their own? And no Chinese meal is complete until you crack open that fortune cookie, but was this crunchy treat really invented in China? We get to the bottom of some shocking food origin stories and uncover the hidden identities of our beloved foreign favorites.

E03

Doctor's Note

11/9/2015

In this episode of Food: Fact or Fiction? join host Michael McKean as we uncover the truth behind America's most popular food remedies. Do carrots really improve our eyesight? Can a bowl of chicken soup cure a stuffy nose? And does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? We dig up some mind-boggling history to find out if these age-old adages are true. Have we all been fed a spoonful of food fiction to help the medicine go down?

E04

Breakfast

11/16/2015

In this episode of Food: Fact or Fiction? join host Michael McKean as we reveal the truth behind the most important meal of the day. From coffee to pancakes to bacon, we'll find out how some sneaky marketing ploys and acts of sin have shaped what we eat for breakfast in America. Does coffee really stunt your growth? Is the recipe for flapjacks rooted in sin? We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but who said that and is it really true? Get ready to wake up and smell the facts as we discover how our morning meals have come to taste so sinfully delicious.

E05

Taste of War

11/23/2015

In this episode of Food: Fact or Fiction? join host Michael McKean as we put food on the frontlines of war and discover how some of history's most epic battles were decided by what we eat. Did Frozen Dinners save the world in World War II? Were hamburgers invented on the battlefield? Did the South lose the Civil War because of salt? We dig into some fascinating food fights and discover how our appetites have shaped the world's most critical battles.

E06

Hungry for Love

11/30/2015

In the episode of Food: Fact or Fiction? join host Michael McKean as we dig into the heart of food and love. Chocolate and romance go hand in hand, but is this love affair really backed up by chemistry? Couples today can't tie the knot without saying "I do" to their dream wedding cake, but did this tradition actually begin with a baguette? There's nothing like keeping the spark alive by sharing some sensual oysters with your sweetheart, but are oysters really an aphrodisiac? We get the dish on our favorite romantic recipes and find out if it's really true love or just a fictional fling.

Season 2

13 Episodes

2016

E01

Hole in One

10/24/2016

Host Michael McKean shares the "hole" story of everyone's favorite middle-missing baked goods. See if donuts helped bring about the end of World War I, if the secret to New York bagels lies in the city's water and how bundt cakes went from headlining brunch to saving lives.

E02

The Kitchen of Good and Evil

10/31/2016

Host Michael McKean separates the good from the bad on some downright wicked food tales. He uncovers whether beer's spirits were put there by witches, if the pretzel is pious or if its story is full of twists and if the heavenly-tasting angel food cake is really just a little devil.

E03

Hungry Eyes

11/7/2016

Host Michael McKean chases rainbows to explain how our food's color can leave us tickled pink or feeling blue. Michael uncovers if cheddar cheese is really orange and if color can cause a taste bud blackout. Miss this golden opportunity to find out, and you may be left green with envy.

E04

Thanksgiving Winners

11/14/2016

Host Michael McKean gives thanks for our favorite Thanksgiving grub. He uncovers whether the turkey or the country came first, how burnt marshmallows ended up on sweet potatoes and if a lawyer gave up his career to put cranberries in a can.

E05

Breadly Combinations

11/21/2016

Host Michael McKean opens up a sandwich discussion and cuts the crust off some "deli-cut" issues. He finds out if the sandwich was actually named after a guy named sandwich, the correct name for an Italian sandwich and if the burrito is on the docket of sandwich court.

E06

Eat Your Words

11/28/2016

Host Michael McKean minces words to get to the bottom of some famous food phrases. He finds out if the extra muffin a baker's dozen could save a baker's life, what's really so cool about cucumbers and if you can literally butter someone up.

E07

Rags to Riches

12/5/2016

Host Michael McKean takes a look at how some favorite foods went from paupers to princes. He looks at lobster's prison past, whether creme brulee was always the cream of the crop, and if champagne's fizz almost burst its bubble.

E08

Power Couples

12/12/2016

Host Michael McKean takes a look at how some favorite food combinations got hitched. Michael traces the origins of peanut butter and jelly to the trenches of World War II, sees how spaghetti and meatballs went from Italy to America and finds out if chicken and waffles met after a late-night jazz set.

E09

Some Like it Hot

12/19/2016

Host Michael McKean cranks up the heat on food myths, discovering who invented chili, if hot wings bond people closer together and if "spicy" is just in our heads. Grab the oven mitts and plenty of ice-water to find out if there's truth in these five-alarm facts.

E10

State Fare

12/26/2016

Host Michael McKean takes a road trip around the US to uncover the stories behind our favorite state plates, including what baked Alaska has to do with Alaska, who put the Big Apple in New York cheesecake and if the California roll is from California, Japan ... or Canada!

E11

Eat to Win

1/2/2017

Host Michael McKean goes to bat finding out how our favorite stadium goods got tickets to the big leagues. Michael traces the football tailgate to a Civil War battlefield, shows how important the hot dog is to baseball's existence, and uncovers how the difficult-to-eat nachos became a stadium standard.

E12

Carnie Knowledge

1/9/2017

Step right up, as host Michael McKean juggles carnival classics with stories that will amaze and astound. His big top tales include whether cotton candy is at the root of a cavity conspiracy, if popcorn kernels saved the silver screen and if saltwater taffy pulled itself into the middle of a giant legal war.

E13

Up in the Air

1/16/2017

Fasten your seatbelt and put your tray table in the upright position, host Michael McKean is taking our favorite foods up and away. He discovers if there's a scientific reason you may not love airline food, why hungry astronauts tend to float over to spicy shrimp and how a corned beef sandwich could sabotage a space mission.

Season 3

20 Episodes

2017

E01

Sacred Chow

10/22/2017

Host Michael McKean enlightens us on a few divine dining delights. He finds out why we should we be handing out cake instead of candy on Halloween. Then McKean discovers that Valentine's Day candy hearts were once used as medicine. Later he figures out whether Corned Beef can really bring any Irish luck on St. Patrick's Day. Saints or sinners, this episode's foods are truly sacred.

E02

Disastrous Dishes

10/29/2017

Grab your flashlights and duct tape because host Michael McKean uncovers the truth behind the world's greatest edible emergencies. He discovers how a massive blackout in New York City led to the decadent Blackout Cake, that Tapioca pudding is no good at puddin' out fires, and that a tidal wave of sweet molasses nearly broke Boston.

E03

Opposites Attract

11/5/2017

Join host Michael McKean as he figures out why some classic culinary combos are a match made in heaven. He discovers that grilled cheese and tomato soup found love at a school cafeteria, that our brains are wired to crave peanut butter and chocolate. Then, he finds out that there's scientific proof that chocolate and caviar have perfect chemistry.

E04

Bloodlines

11/12/2017

Host Michael McKean sorts out the problematic pedigrees of some of our favorite foods. We'll find out if German Chocolate cake is iced with a grammatical error, if the real father of the French Dip will please stand up, and if English Muffins were spawned from some star-spangled batter. When it comes to the birth certificates of these deceptive dishes, make sure you read the fine print.

E05

Name that Dish

11/19/2017

Don't forget to bring some form of ID because host Michael McKean gets the scoop on some famous dishes that were named after actual people. He finds out that Bananas Foster was created out of corruption, the Caesar Salad started a family feud, and that Fettucine Alfredo was once used as mouthwatering medicine.

E06

Nifty Fifties

11/26/2017

It's a blast from the past as Host Michael McKean clues us in on some fabulous 50s favorites. Hop in the hot rod and find out if jiggly Gelatin was the original way to keep up with the Jones's, how Meatloaf was a cut above the rest, and why Deviled Eggs may just be the greatest treat the church ever pulled. Whether you're a greaser or a grease fire, these stories will light you up!

E07

Season's Eatings

12/3/2017

Host Michael McKean finds the reasoning for the seasoning in some sweet holiday treats. Help unwrap the mystery behind how Gingerbread Men turned into studs, how Hanukah was given the gift of Jelly Donuts, and how drama shaped Christmas Cookies into stars of the stage.

E08

The Book of Food

12/10/2017

Host Michael McKean does a deep dive into the most holy recipe book of all time: The Bible! He finds out which miraculous fish Jesus picked to feed the 5000, whether the Last Supper was a buffet blowout, and that reading the bible might actually be a piece of almond spice cake.

E09

The Takeaway

12/24/2017

If you don't feel like cooking tonight, host Michael McKean gets the scoop on your favorite Take-Out dishes. He discovers that Pad Thai may have saved an entire nation, that pizza delivery is fit for a queen, and that General Tso was anything but a chicken. Turn off the oven and grab a stack of menus, because these stories will be delivered in 30 minutes or less.

E10

Sounds Delicious

12/31/2017

On this episode, Host Michael McKean sounds off on how a little sizzle can sell a lot of Fajitas and why we should slurp our noodles like their taste depends on it. And when it comes time to order, loud noise could land you in burger heaven. Listen carefully, because your food is talking, and you definitely want to hear what it has to say.

E11

The Shape of Things

1/7/2018

Great ready for some mealtime mathematics! Host Michael McKean cracks open the old geometry book and studies the shapes of some of our favorite foods. He discovers that a pasta's figure is hiding a culinary code, that the pattern on a pineapple may unlock the mysteries of the universe, and that a chocolate's shape can transform its taste. Put down your fork and grab a ruler because today's menu has some mouthwatering math.

E12

Diner Delights

1/14/2018

Nothing could be finer than hanging with Host Michael McKean at a diner. Grab your greasy spoon and see how the milkshake got mixed up with home appliances, the Cobb Salad became a Hollywood icon, and why Salisbury Steak may be your one-way ticket to a better body. Forget all pre-conceived notions and give these blue-plate specials a spin.

E13

Rainbow Connections

1/21/2018

Somewhere over the rainbow, Host Michael McKean's dreams come true as he discovers some of our tastiest technicolor treats. He traces the origins of multi-colored macarons to some nuns on the run, reveals that a rainbow bagel may be a logo for love, and finds out that a colorful counterculture put the "smooth" in smoothie.

E14

Street Foods

1/28/2018

Host Michael McKean flexes his street food, street smarts. Prepare to get your hands dirty as we discover the explosive history of tacos, see how shish kebobs forged an edible empire, and find out why ice-cream didn't feel at home until it met the cone. So strap on your most comfortable eating shoes and get ready to pound the pavement.

E15

Crime Biters

2/4/2018

Host Michael McKean takes a bite out of crime and investigates how some of our favorite foods got mixed up with the law. He finds out why cheese is the most stolen food on the planet, that citrus has some bitter ties to the mafia, and that a hamburger can land you in the big house. You have the right to remain silent, but anything you eat, can and will be held against you.

E16

Wedding Chows

3/8/2018

Join Host Michael McKean and Say 'I do' to Italian Wedding soup as we learn its maiden name, find out why cookies object to wedding cake, and learn how Italian Beefs might once have brought a few cops to your reception. These wonderful wedding chows are indeed timeless.

E17

Biting Words

4/15/2018

Host Michael McKean uncovers the wondrous ways behind some famous food clichés. He takes a bite of humble pie to find out what makes it so modest, tries to track down the father of the "bun in the oven," and discovers that there's a scientific reason why everything actually tastes like chicken.

E18

Declassifried

4/22/2018

Host Michael McKean serves up a heaping helping of history for a few deep fried favorites. Pull up a fry basket and see why Tempura is tied to Easter, learn what hushpuppies are keeping so quiet, and how Fried Egg Sandwiches spawned a breakfast revolution.

E19

Townie Treats

4/29/2018

Pack your bags and grab a map because Host Michael McKean is heading out on a tasty tour of America's most delicious destinations. He b-lines for Boston to find out if Boston Cream Pie is a half-baked lie, goes sightseeing in Cincinnati to find the best Greek chili, and fills up in Philly where the cheesesteak is being challenged.

E20

Gone Camping

5/6/2018

Gear up and stake your tents, Host Michael McKean has set up camp and it's suppertime. As you warm by the fire, you'll glow when you hear that S'mores were built with girl power, learn why pilgrims were so full of Baked Beans, and discover why Beer Can Chicken may just be a waste of good beer. The stories behind these outdoor eats guarantee to stick to your bones.

Season 4

26 Episodes

2018

E01

Brunch Beauties

10/1/2018

Michael McKean skips breakfast and forgets about lunch so he can get to the bottom of brunch. He discovers how eggs Benedict was blessed by a pope and that we may have a melty mishap to thank for the croque monsieur. Michael concludes his mid-morning meal investigation by explaining how a saucy starlet named the bloody mary.

E02

Happy Birthday

10/8/2018

Michael McKean makes everyone's birthday wishes come true as he celebrates the best holiday of the year. He discovers that birthday cake was born during a revolution and that a bowl of Chinese noodles can bring you more birthdays to celebrate. Michael then continues the party by learning how eggs take the cake in Ghana.

E03

Game Night

10/15/2018

Michael McKean goes into the wild to hunt for juicy game meat myths and fresh fish fibs. He calls foul on duck a l'orange with its so-called French origins and throws a line at wicked tuna to find out how we got hooked on tuna melts. Finally, he dusts off his binoculars and sets his sights on the bison burger's presidential ties.

E04

Wicked Good

10/22/2018

Michael McKean celebrates Halloween by investigating dishes that are so good they're downright wicked! He's uncovering rhubarb pie's paranormal proclivities and does a background check on ramen with its racy rap sheet. Next on this menu of devious delights, Michael dips into a pot of fondue to reveal its ties to a criminal cartel.

E05

Baked Goodies

11/1/2018

Michael McKean throws the carb-free diet out the window and uncovers the stories behind our favorite baked goodies. He starts by revealing that cupcakes are edible equations and explaining how the whoopie pie nearly caused a civil war. Michael then follows a trail of crumbs all the way to the bakery where he finds there's something in the air when it comes to San Francisco sourdough bread.

E06

I'm Stuffed

11/8/2018

Michael McKean goes on a spectacular journey of some super stuffed foods. Find out if bao are good enough to save our necks, if toasted ravioli are a big stuffed lie and whether knishes could once land you in jail. Loosen your belt and settle in because these stories are definitely stuffed to the gills!

E07

Dishes In Disguise

11/15/2018

All is not what it seems as Michael McKean reveals the truth behind dishes in disguise. He uncovers what it took to make turducken tick, how it takes more than magic to get soup inside soup dumplings and how cake and pie have come together in order to save the world.

E08

Finger Foods

11/19/2018

Put down your fork and get ready to pick up some amazing finger food facts! Michael McKean has things handled, finding out how appetizers found their footing during Prohibition, that a king turned tapas into a tableside treat and why food could really use your hands.

E09

Santa's Sweet Tooth

12/6/2018

Even Santa eventually succumbs to his sweet tooth after a long night at work! Host Michael McKean takes us on a satisfying sleigh ride to find out if Yule log cakes can keep evil at bay, if panettone was actually created by a Tony and if sugarplums may only exist in our dreams. Whether you've been good or not, we're all about to receive some pretty sweet gifts!

E10

Gadgets and Gizmos

12/13/2018

Michael McKean has gadgets and gizmos a'plenty, and he's ready to show them all off! Discover that waffle irons were once incredible artists and the stand mixer almost went overboard, and find out why refrigerators would have been left out in the cold if it wasn't for good ole' beer.

E11

Dip it Good

1/24/2019

Cozy up with a bowl of chips because host Michael McKean has the scoop on our favorite dips! He'll discover that guacamole wouldn't be good without a mailman, queso almost started a civil war and chocolate fountains are full of physics.

E12

Vegas, Baby!

1/31/2019

Host Michael McKean has a date with Lady Luck and is ready to go all-in on some tempting Vegas eats! He'll find out how prime rib lured us all to Sin City, why prohibition poured us all a shrimp cocktail and whether there's a satisfying strategy to beating a buffet.

E13

War and Peace

2/7/2019

Michael McKean gets caught in the middle of some culinary conflicts as he uncovers some very delicious details. He solves the Cuban Missile Crisis with chop suey, runs the redcoats out with cornbread and keeps the peace with a little kimchi. No matter which side you stand on, these are all dishes worth fighting for!

E14

Play with Your Food

2/14/2019

Michael McKean turns our plates into a playground as he finds out the stories behind some famously fun foods! He'll spell out a solution to the Great Depression using alphabet soup, keep the doctor away with gummy bears and find out how the bento box ditched its suit and tie for the sandbox.

E15

Bon Appetit

2/21/2019

Michael McKean is all berets and baguettes as he digs into a few of France's most fantastic feasts. He crosses the pond to see if crepes could nearly kill a king, if coq au vin was once quite colloquial and if the curve in croissants can slow our roll!

E16

Tea Time

2/28/2019

Michael McKean has his pinkie out because it's tea time! He's discovering espionage may have bagged us English breakfast, the egg salad sandwich has some complicated chemistry and that matcha tea may be pulling a fast one.

E17

Into the Wild

3/7/2019

Michael McKean finds his bearings and heads out into the wild blue yonder! On this appetizing adventure, he'll discover if a classic cobbler helped Lewis and Clark, whether Girl Scout Cookies can save the planet and if urban foraging can help us all feel happier.

E18

My Kind of Town

3/14/2019

Michael McKean is taking us on a wild ride through the Windy City. He's going to determine if Chicago deep dish is definitely pizza, if brownies are just fancy fair food and he'll shed some light on saganaki's flames.

E19

Paradise Nosh

4/15/2019

Host Michael McKean has two tickets to paradise and is inviting everyone for a taste of the good life! He's finding out how poke started cooking without gas, why the Mai Tai became tied to tiki bars and if Hawaiian pizza is from the great white north.

E20

Deli-licious

4/22/2019

Dishes from the deli, including how the bagel met cream cheese and lox, black and white cookies, and when pastrami was first put on rye.

E21

Layers of Flavors

4/29/2019

Host Michael McKean layers it on thick as he digs into lovely layered feasts! He'll find out if club sandwiches were once for members only, how tiramisu tried to take coffee's job and why London may lay claim to lasagna.

E22

Fire in the Hole

5/6/2019

Michael McKean fans the flames of some fiery hot foods! He discovers that flaming-hot vindaloo may have once been far less combustible, wasabi isn't always what it seems and that jerk chicken is good at keeping ghosts away.

E23

Potlucky

5/13/2019

Host Michael McKean enlightens us all on how the potluck got started. He discovers how the casserole began as just a pan, why chocolate sheet cake is a Texas treasure and when potlucks first became bring-and-share bashes.

E24

Tasting is Believing

5/20/2019

Michael McKean reveals the flavors we hold near and dear are not always what they appear! He'll show us how apple pie could go crackers, why seaweed is giving bacon a run for its money and how texture can totally determine taste.

E25

Summertime

5/27/2019

Host Michael McKean is ready to roll out those lazy days of summer the right way with our favorite summertime dishes! He contemplates if ceviche is really cooked, whether gazpacho came from the Good Book and what the cake in strawberry shortcake really is.

E26

Backyard BBQ

6/3/2019

Michael McKean learns how barbecue can boost brainpower, discovers Korean barbecue is anything but, and explains why barbecue brisket may be blessed.