TLDW: I watched RFK Jr.'s cooking show, and used 'Ladies of London' and 'Monsters of God' as a palate cleanser

I find it funny when people call a YouTube channel a show. The Real Food Show's name in itself makes me chuckle. A little hee-hee, ha-ha. Hosted by HHS Secretary RFK Jr. that makes healthy, affordable cooking simple and accessible for every American. (This is on RFK Jr.'s YT channel, mind you – grifters be grifting). We're flipping the food pyramid and putting real food where it belongs, baby!

Here's the show's description from Kennedy's YouTube account: Inspired by President Trump's Make America Healthy Again agenda, Secretary Kennedy is bringing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to life and showing that cooking with real food can be practical, approachable, and affordable for every family. Every episode is packed with affordable, budget-friendly recipes and easy cooking techniques designed to save you time and money. Plus, you’ll get practical nutrition advice to help fuel your family, all while watching incredible special guests whip up their favorite healthy signature dishes right alongside Secretary Kennedy.

Episodes come out on RFK Jr.'s YouTube channel every week. The first ep is co-hosted by Andrew Gruel, a foodie and politician on the Huntington Beach City Council who throws around buzzwords like American caught seafood and seed oils. Chef Gruel walks Mr. Secretary through how to make salmon cakes with a bean salad and homemade vinaigrette, while RFK Jr. stands there like 🧍🏼

I also watched episode four with Andre Rush, a veteran who worked in the White House as a chef for Clinton, Bush, Obama and Trump (round 1). Andre has so much more stage presence compared to Andrew. The bar is so low we're tripping over it. Andre teaches viewers how to make a healthier version of a crunch wrap.

The key to a cooking show hosted by RFK Jr. is obviously the guests. Because what the hell is he doing in the kitchen? He uses a knife like Kendall Jenner. This man has never worn an apron in his life. I'm waiting for him to pull out the methylene blue.

In a world of drains, be a fountain (or a magpie named Hecate)

I've been in my UK reality TV era. Love is Blind UK. Real Housewives of London. But none of them are giving what the reboot season that Ladies of London is.

First, some background. Ladies of London ran from 2014-2017 on Bravo, but got put on pause after three seasons. Seasons 1-3 are fine. Nine years later, Ladies of London: The New Reign got a full recast. None of the OG women made a return. Something a bit different with the reboot of LoL compared to other shows is that we finally get a man as part of the main ensemble: Mark-Francis Vandelli. He alone is worth watching for.

Every now and then, you're watching a reality show and hear someone drop a bar that stops you in your tracks.

The first thing that comes to mind is this Tiktok – one of my favorite pieces of dialogue I've ever heard was from Wife Swap: 'She's too sweet for you. She's too gentle. She's too much like a flower. A flower in the hands of a gorilla is a fool, I would never give a gorilla a flower.'

I had a similar feeling watching Ladies of London, and hearing Kimi tell the other women: People are either two things. They are fountains or they are drains, and most people are drains. Bar.

I was really eager for the next season of The New Reign, but the show has been put on pause. Again.

Giving my BFF the long version of 'Monsters of God'

A few weeks back, I drove up north to drop some groceries off in Cantwell and picked Dustin up on the way. My house to my friend's was 4 hours one-way, and Dustin's place is almost right in-between, an hour and 57 minutes from me to him (to be exact).

We had plenty of time to catch up on the drive. How's the family? Did you hear about so and so? Are you watching anything good lately?

Well, yes. I started telling him about a documentary I recently finished called Monsters of God. The same guy — Eric Goode, directed Tiger King – which Dustin was really into in 2020. Eric also directed Chimp Crazy in 2024.

The first scene starts with a guy named Al and a big metal box. This animal's got enough venom to drop an 8,000-pound elephant, Al says. He pulls a snake out of the box and handles him before the snake tries to strike.

I hope you got that, Al said.

Jesus. Eric, the producer, says. Yeah, I think you can put him back.

Thank you so much for reading! You're receiving TLDW because you are a paying subscriber to AK IRL (or you've been given a complimentary subscription). Being able to host watch parties each week with friends from all over and reconnect has been such a bright spot in a weird fucking year. So if you're in our Discord, or just a reader who supports what I'm doing, thank you.