Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy

Tucci takes you on a real deal tour of Italian cooking and ingredients and it's people and culture that is sparkling and fresh. He visits the cuisine of the poor and the rich, of the establishment masters and the young rebels. Unlike shows with an obnoxious UK host overplaying his own part, Tucci being Italian the show has a sweet, refined Italian hospitality and grace to it that is a great addition to the whole process. I moved to Italy 17 years ago after marrying an Italian from Bologna and we both think this is a great culinary adventure series. It is emotional and quite revealing.

Forget all those 'feel good' movies or comedy shows - for relaxing times, make it Stanley Tucci time...

this show is like Italian cuisine - simple yet beautiful, tasty yet very low-key. Walking with Tucci from joint to joint, re-discovering all those (in theory) familiar tastes is soothing and relaxing, and it leaves you with even greater appetite both for food, and for life in general.

Stanley Tucci himself strikes me as a reasonably (he's still a holywood star, mind you) humble guy, who still has this grip on reality, that is frequently, if not always, absent in people of certain status. There are no coerced laughs, no forced bonding, but we get a lot of "human touch" on this very basic, and - especially today - so much desired level. And I believe the credit goes equally to Tucci and all the people he meets along the way.

Combined with breathless shots, great recipes (most of them you can try to recreate at home... to a certain level of course) it's the ultimate show to relax, have a laugh or two, and regain some of that positivity that's definitely been lost during last 12+ months...

With Tucci's natural charisma, excellent hosting, keen interest in rediscovering Italy, and chumming with the locals in their native tongue, this is a delightfully positive, informative and absolutely enjoyable docuseries. If you love food, travel or just learning about Italian culture, this is not to be missed.

I have been to Italy on a personal trip (with an Italian-Canadian chef of all people!) and what they are showing is spot on. We've been to Naples, from Formia going through the region where they make the mozzarella di bufala, and that's exactly the feeling we had. The exceptional link to the land, the narrow streets of Naples, which felt like Rome's punk sister - an exceptional city on its own, being in the shadow of the Vesuvius ... and the food! Great, great work, and excellent host. Good to showcase the locals - and keeping it in the original Italian... get use to subtitles, that what makes it so authentic! Looking forward to the remaining episodes, hope Lazio will be in there.

Ignore the Bordain comparison because this is a different personality and approach. Stanley lived in Florence with his family while young and is fluent in Italian. He knows what he's talking about. He has found some great chefs and regions to focus on and while I do agree that Parts Unknown were more entertaining from a cultural aspect this show is about the food. Tucci is not there to make friends and win hearts he focuses in history and simple recipes often. His voice is soothing and the show is relaxing while informative. When I learn new things about Italian cooking, after having watched pretty much every show out there, then I'm happy.

This is worth your family's time and it's well done. CNN nice job. Tucci nice job. Italy is a beautiful place that lives off of its food, who wouldn't appreciate this show highlighting such a simple concept?

Edit: so sad to hear this show was canceled today. Show business is tough but my family is thankful for Stanley and the production crew for what they presented. The two seasons we got were amazing. We hope this show is resurrected soon on a different network. Thanks Stanley, Italy shined with your help!