I have new respect for Bradley...

I have new respect for Bradley Cooper as an actor. He was superannoying as Will on Alias, and then this summer he was a total jackass in Wedding Crashers. So the fact that he doesn't drive me crazy on this show, based on Anthony Bourdain's book of the same name, is a significant accomplishment. Cooper plays Jack (Bourdain), a chef who's given a chance to redeem himself after hitting rock bottom. In a very short time he has to put together a reputable kitchen staff for a new, trendy restaurant. And you know what that means, dontcha? Yeah, cue the Ocean's 11 music!

Weird coincidence of the night: This show has Nicholas Brendon from Buffy and John Francis Daley from Freaks and Geeks; meanwhile, How I Met Your Mother has Alyson Hannigan and Jason Segel, who are here it comes from Buffy and Freaks and Geeks, respectively. Did you just get chills? No? Oh. Well, how about now? Still no? Whatever.

Almost forgot: So is this show any good? The short answer is yes, but a few more laughs wouldn't kill anybody. That scene with Daley trying to make himself throw up in the alley? I felt bad, and yet I did laugh (not hysterically, but enough). I'm not advocating more vomiting humor, but you get the idea.