Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain

I thought this would be about the people and sights of Spain. Unfortunately it's just a food show with barely a mention of Spain's history and beautiful scenery. It seems like more of a wine and food show with a bit of scenery here and there. Maybe a bit of both worlds would be more interesting. Seems like it would be more interesting on oe of the food channels or be described as a strictly food show.

Spain is a beautiful place to visit but there is so much more of it than just the food although the food in the different regions is also worth visiting this beautiful country to sample there is so much more to the country...might have been more appropriate on a cooking channe.

The concept sounded good, but there's not enough "real food" and too much Michelin star crap. You know a lot of Michelin starred chefs are saying "no thank-you" to that award because even they realize that it's just an excuse to serve tiny portions at huge prices. By definition they try to be innovative, which means, "not real Spanish food". As to the broadcasting, I cannot find any evidence that episode 7 and 8 actually aired. Here it says they did on July 7, which is suspicious because it says that about both of them. 1-6 are on Amazon prime, but not 7, 8. Given the lackluster reception, did CNN just yank it before it was over and we're getting canned data, 'bot generated based on initial release information? No other episodes show the same air date.

Imagine booking a flight to Spain, not for the culture, the architecture, or the actual people who live there-but to watch Eva Longoria sip wine and moan over tapas like she just discovered salt. Welcome to Eva Longoria: Searching for Whatever, yet another entry in the inexplicably popular genre of "famous person travels, eats carbs, and pretends to understand local history."

This isn't a documentary. This is a glossy influencer reel with a travel budget. Eva strolls through markets, throws out phrases like "ancient traditions" with the enthusiasm of someone who read half a Wikipedia article, and acts shocked-shocked!-that people eat dinner at 10 p.m. In Spain. Groundbreaking content. Ten minutes in and you've already learned more about her skincare routine than the region's culture.

And let's talk about the trend. Who is still watching these shows? You people really sat there and thought, "You know who I want to explain the complexities of Spanish regional identity? The Desperate Housewife." Are we just collecting passport stamps by proxy now, living vicariously through people whose idea of "immersion" is hiring a local chef and calling it anthropology?

This show isn't about Spain. It's about Eva Longoria discovering food like an alien visiting Earth for the first time. Every episode is a montage of her gasping at olives, making overacted eye-rolls after eating a slice of jamón, and saying things like, "Wow, it's so authentic here." As opposed to what, Eva? The Taco Bell near your Malibu mansion?

Verdict: Skip it. Unless your idea of intellectual stimulation is watching a millionaire pretend to be humbled by rice.

Eva Longoria is back on CNN to make another food and travel show. It's more food than travel. She's eating from one place to the next. She's dressed a little more casually than the last show. I called that. In addition, she is going more to the high class artisan places and chasing Michelin Stars. That I did not ask for. I like it when she visited working class places in Mexico. That's probably why I like the Basque episode. They are not all exactly working class and the beans are informative. There are more everyday restaurants and bars. I really like their Pintxo. Overall, the show is fine, but it does tend to be repetitive with all the star hunting. I don't care about your hoity toity Michelin Stars.

The host's previous show "Searching for Mexico" was extremely well-done, with good narration, stories and camera work. The same trend continutes here.

Each episode we are shown different restaurants focused on Spanish food, and unique preparation methods. A good chunk of the show features michelin star recipient high-end chefs who made names for themselves.

I specially liked the segment about pan tomate, a very simple preparation invented out of necessity, food shortages following the Spanish Civil War and WWII when food was often rationed in Europe.

Overall this is a show focused on gastronomy, and it does that very well. The banter between the people on screen is always pleasant, and the foods are a delight to look at. I really like it.