I know he is harsh on Deadheads, Phisheads and other assorted dirty hippies, but where else on tv do you get a guy swilling alcohol making references about LSD, cocaine and porn stars.

He taught me everything I never wanted to know about restaurant kitchens. After reading Kitchen Confidential, I can't eat fish on Wednesdays or enjoy most Sunday brunches anymore. He's great, though!!

I'm reading Kitchen Confidential. He's a real blowhard. I do better with reading him than watching him (or listening to him narrate his shows). Cannot handle his TV programs. I don't care for his mix of elitism and blue collarism. I dig each on their own, and combined with the right personality and in the right mix, even the combination is good. He's one of those guys who makes me feel like he is shaking your hand and stabbing you in the back simultaneously; not necessarily two-faced, just a nasty person who understands diplomacy.

Good book. I'm enjoying it. Good writer insofar as writing like he speaks. It flies. I'm interested in the subject, so that helps.