Food: Fact or Fiction?
(2015)Streaming Episode Guide
Season 4
Backyard BBQ
Episode 26 - 6-03-2019
Michael McKean learns how barbecue can boost brainpower, discovers Korean barbecue is anything but, and explains why barbecue brisket may be blessed.
Haven't Seen
Summertime
Episode 25 - 5-27-2019
Host Michael McKean is ready to roll out those lazy days of summer the right way with our favorite summertime dishes! He contemplates if ceviche is really cooked, whether gazpacho came from the Good Book and what the cake in strawberry shortcake really is.
Haven't Seen
Tasting is Believing
Episode 24 - 5-20-2019
Michael McKean reveals the flavors we hold near and dear are not always what they appear! He'll show us how apple pie could go crackers, why seaweed is giving bacon a run for its money and how texture can totally determine taste.
Haven't Seen
Potlucky
Episode 23 - 5-13-2019
Host Michael McKean enlightens us all on how the potluck got started. He discovers how the casserole began as just a pan, why chocolate sheet cake is a Texas treasure and when potlucks first became bring-and-share bashes.
Haven't Seen
Fire in the Hole
Episode 22 - 5-06-2019
Michael McKean fans the flames of some fiery hot foods! He discovers that flaming-hot vindaloo may have once been far less combustible, wasabi isn't always what it seems and that jerk chicken is good at keeping ghosts away.
Haven't Seen
Layers of Flavors
Episode 21 - 4-29-2019
Host Michael McKean layers it on thick as he digs into lovely layered feasts! He'll find out if club sandwiches were once for members only, how tiramisu tried to take coffee's job and why London may lay claim to lasagna.
Haven't Seen
Deli-licious
Episode 20 - 4-22-2019
Dishes from the deli, including how the bagel met cream cheese and lox, black and white cookies, and when pastrami was first put on rye.
Haven't Seen
Paradise Nosh
Episode 19 - 4-15-2019
Host Michael McKean has two tickets to paradise and is inviting everyone for a taste of the good life! He's finding out how poke started cooking without gas, why the Mai Tai became tied to tiki bars and if Hawaiian pizza is from the great white north.
Haven't Seen
My Kind of Town
Episode 18 - 3-14-2019
Michael McKean is taking us on a wild ride through the Windy City. He's going to determine if Chicago deep dish is definitely pizza, if brownies are just fancy fair food and he'll shed some light on saganaki's flames.
Haven't Seen
Into the Wild
Episode 17 - 3-07-2019
Michael McKean finds his bearings and heads out into the wild blue yonder! On this appetizing adventure, he'll discover if a classic cobbler helped Lewis and Clark, whether Girl Scout Cookies can save the planet and if urban foraging can help us all feel happier.
Haven't Seen
Tea Time
Episode 16 - 2-28-2019
Michael McKean has his pinkie out because it's tea time! He's discovering espionage may have bagged us English breakfast, the egg salad sandwich has some complicated chemistry and that matcha tea may be pulling a fast one.
Haven't Seen
Bon Appetit
Episode 15 - 2-21-2019
Michael McKean is all berets and baguettes as he digs into a few of France's most fantastic feasts. He crosses the pond to see if crepes could nearly kill a king, if coq au vin was once quite colloquial and if the curve in croissants can slow our roll!
Where to watch
Haven't Seen
Play with Your Food
Episode 14 - 2-14-2019
Michael McKean turns our plates into a playground as he finds out the stories behind some famously fun foods! He'll spell out a solution to the Great Depression using alphabet soup, keep the doctor away with gummy bears and find out how the bento box ditched its suit and tie for the sandbox.
Haven't Seen
War and Peace
Episode 13 - 2-07-2019
Michael McKean gets caught in the middle of some culinary conflicts as he uncovers some very delicious details. He solves the Cuban Missile Crisis with chop suey, runs the redcoats out with cornbread and keeps the peace with a little kimchi. No matter which side you stand on, these are all dishes worth fighting for!
Haven't Seen
Vegas, Baby!
Episode 12 - 1-31-2019
Host Michael McKean has a date with Lady Luck and is ready to go all-in on some tempting Vegas eats! He'll find out how prime rib lured us all to Sin City, why prohibition poured us all a shrimp cocktail and whether there's a satisfying strategy to beating a buffet.
Haven't Seen
Dip it Good
Episode 11 - 1-24-2019
Cozy up with a bowl of chips because host Michael McKean has the scoop on our favorite dips! He'll discover that guacamole wouldn't be good without a mailman, queso almost started a civil war and chocolate fountains are full of physics.
Haven't Seen
Gadgets and Gizmos
Episode 10 - 12-13-2018
Michael McKean has gadgets and gizmos a'plenty, and he's ready to show them all off! Discover that waffle irons were once incredible artists and the stand mixer almost went overboard, and find out why refrigerators would have been left out in the cold if it wasn't for good ole' beer.
Haven't Seen
Santa's Sweet Tooth
Episode 9 - 12-06-2018
Even Santa eventually succumbs to his sweet tooth after a long night at work! Host Michael McKean takes us on a satisfying sleigh ride to find out if Yule log cakes can keep evil at bay, if panettone was actually created by a Tony and if sugarplums may only exist in our dreams. Whether you've been good or not, we're all about to receive some pretty sweet gifts!
Haven't Seen
Finger Foods
Episode 8 - 11-19-2018
Put down your fork and get ready to pick up some amazing finger food facts! Michael McKean has things handled, finding out how appetizers found their footing during Prohibition, that a king turned tapas into a tableside treat and why food could really use your hands.
Haven't Seen
Dishes In Disguise
Episode 7 - 11-15-2018
All is not what it seems as Michael McKean reveals the truth behind dishes in disguise. He uncovers what it took to make turducken tick, how it takes more than magic to get soup inside soup dumplings and how cake and pie have come together in order to save the world.
Haven't Seen
I'm Stuffed
Episode 6 - 11-08-2018
Michael McKean goes on a spectacular journey of some super stuffed foods. Find out if bao are good enough to save our necks, if toasted ravioli are a big stuffed lie and whether knishes could once land you in jail. Loosen your belt and settle in because these stories are definitely stuffed to the gills!
Haven't Seen
Baked Goodies
Episode 5 - 11-01-2018
Michael McKean throws the carb-free diet out the window and uncovers the stories behind our favorite baked goodies. He starts by revealing that cupcakes are edible equations and explaining how the whoopie pie nearly caused a civil war. Michael then follows a trail of crumbs all the way to the bakery where he finds there's something in the air when it comes to San Francisco sourdough bread.
Haven't Seen
Wicked Good
Episode 4 - 10-22-2018
Michael McKean celebrates Halloween by investigating dishes that are so good they're downright wicked! He's uncovering rhubarb pie's paranormal proclivities and does a background check on ramen with its racy rap sheet. Next on this menu of devious delights, Michael dips into a pot of fondue to reveal its ties to a criminal cartel.
Haven't Seen
Game Night
Episode 3 - 10-15-2018
Michael McKean goes into the wild to hunt for juicy game meat myths and fresh fish fibs. He calls foul on duck a l'orange with its so-called French origins and throws a line at wicked tuna to find out how we got hooked on tuna melts. Finally, he dusts off his binoculars and sets his sights on the bison burger's presidential ties.
Haven't Seen
Happy Birthday
Episode 2 - 10-08-2018
Michael McKean makes everyone's birthday wishes come true as he celebrates the best holiday of the year. He discovers that birthday cake was born during a revolution and that a bowl of Chinese noodles can bring you more birthdays to celebrate. Michael then continues the party by learning how eggs take the cake in Ghana.
Haven't Seen
Brunch Beauties
Episode 1 - 10-01-2018
Michael McKean skips breakfast and forgets about lunch so he can get to the bottom of brunch. He discovers how eggs Benedict was blessed by a pope and that we may have a melty mishap to thank for the croque monsieur. Michael concludes his mid-morning meal investigation by explaining how a saucy starlet named the bloody mary.
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Season 3
Gone Camping
Episode 20 - 5-06-2018
Gear up and stake your tents, Host Michael McKean has set up camp and it's suppertime. As you warm by the fire, you'll glow when you hear that S'mores were built with girl power, learn why pilgrims were so full of Baked Beans, and discover why Beer Can Chicken may just be a waste of good beer. The stories behind these outdoor eats guarantee to stick to your bones.
7.6/10Haven't Seen
Townie Treats
Episode 19 - 4-29-2018
Pack your bags and grab a map because Host Michael McKean is heading out on a tasty tour of America's most delicious destinations. He b-lines for Boston to find out if Boston Cream Pie is a half-baked lie, goes sightseeing in Cincinnati to find the best Greek chili, and fills up in Philly where the cheesesteak is being challenged.
Haven't Seen
Declassifried
Episode 18 - 4-22-2018
Host Michael McKean serves up a heaping helping of history for a few deep fried favorites. Pull up a fry basket and see why Tempura is tied to Easter, learn what hushpuppies are keeping so quiet, and how Fried Egg Sandwiches spawned a breakfast revolution.
Haven't Seen
Biting Words
Episode 17 - 4-15-2018
Host Michael McKean uncovers the wondrous ways behind some famous food clichés. He takes a bite of humble pie to find out what makes it so modest, tries to track down the father of the "bun in the oven," and discovers that there's a scientific reason why everything actually tastes like chicken.
Haven't Seen
Wedding Chows
Episode 16 - 3-08-2018
Join Host Michael McKean and Say 'I do' to Italian Wedding soup as we learn its maiden name, find out why cookies object to wedding cake, and learn how Italian Beefs might once have brought a few cops to your reception. These wonderful wedding chows are indeed timeless.
Haven't Seen
Crime Biters
Episode 15 - 2-04-2018
Host Michael McKean takes a bite out of crime and investigates how some of our favorite foods got mixed up with the law. He finds out why cheese is the most stolen food on the planet, that citrus has some bitter ties to the mafia, and that a hamburger can land you in the big house. You have the right to remain silent, but anything you eat, can and will be held against you.
Haven't Seen
Street Foods
Episode 14 - 1-28-2018
Host Michael McKean flexes his street food, street smarts. Prepare to get your hands dirty as we discover the explosive history of tacos, see how shish kebobs forged an edible empire, and find out why ice-cream didn't feel at home until it met the cone. So strap on your most comfortable eating shoes and get ready to pound the pavement.
Haven't Seen
Rainbow Connections
Episode 13 - 1-21-2018
Somewhere over the rainbow, Host Michael McKean's dreams come true as he discovers some of our tastiest technicolor treats. He traces the origins of multi-colored macarons to some nuns on the run, reveals that a rainbow bagel may be a logo for love, and finds out that a colorful counterculture put the "smooth" in smoothie.
Haven't Seen
Diner Delights
Episode 12 - 1-14-2018
Nothing could be finer than hanging with Host Michael McKean at a diner. Grab your greasy spoon and see how the milkshake got mixed up with home appliances, the Cobb Salad became a Hollywood icon, and why Salisbury Steak may be your one-way ticket to a better body. Forget all pre-conceived notions and give these blue-plate specials a spin.
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The Shape of Things
Episode 11 - 1-07-2018
Great ready for some mealtime mathematics! Host Michael McKean cracks open the old geometry book and studies the shapes of some of our favorite foods. He discovers that a pasta's figure is hiding a culinary code, that the pattern on a pineapple may unlock the mysteries of the universe, and that a chocolate's shape can transform its taste. Put down your fork and grab a ruler because today's menu has some mouthwatering math.
Haven't Seen
Sounds Delicious
Episode 10 - 12-31-2017
On this episode, Host Michael McKean sounds off on how a little sizzle can sell a lot of Fajitas and why we should slurp our noodles like their taste depends on it. And when it comes time to order, loud noise could land you in burger heaven. Listen carefully, because your food is talking, and you definitely want to hear what it has to say.
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The Takeaway
Episode 9 - 12-24-2017
If you don't feel like cooking tonight, host Michael McKean gets the scoop on your favorite Take-Out dishes. He discovers that Pad Thai may have saved an entire nation, that pizza delivery is fit for a queen, and that General Tso was anything but a chicken. Turn off the oven and grab a stack of menus, because these stories will be delivered in 30 minutes or less.
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The Book of Food
Episode 8 - 12-10-2017
Host Michael McKean does a deep dive into the most holy recipe book of all time: The Bible! He finds out which miraculous fish Jesus picked to feed the 5000, whether the Last Supper was a buffet blowout, and that reading the bible might actually be a piece of almond spice cake.
Haven't Seen
Season's Eatings
Episode 7 - 12-03-2017
Host Michael McKean finds the reasoning for the seasoning in some sweet holiday treats. Help unwrap the mystery behind how Gingerbread Men turned into studs, how Hanukah was given the gift of Jelly Donuts, and how drama shaped Christmas Cookies into stars of the stage.
Haven't Seen
Nifty Fifties
Episode 6 - 11-26-2017
It's a blast from the past as Host Michael McKean clues us in on some fabulous 50s favorites. Hop in the hot rod and find out if jiggly Gelatin was the original way to keep up with the Jones's, how Meatloaf was a cut above the rest, and why Deviled Eggs may just be the greatest treat the church ever pulled. Whether you're a greaser or a grease fire, these stories will light you up!
Haven't Seen
Name that Dish
Episode 5 - 11-19-2017
Don't forget to bring some form of ID because host Michael McKean gets the scoop on some famous dishes that were named after actual people. He finds out that Bananas Foster was created out of corruption, the Caesar Salad started a family feud, and that Fettucine Alfredo was once used as mouthwatering medicine.
Haven't Seen
Bloodlines
Episode 4 - 11-12-2017
Host Michael McKean sorts out the problematic pedigrees of some of our favorite foods. We'll find out if German Chocolate cake is iced with a grammatical error, if the real father of the French Dip will please stand up, and if English Muffins were spawned from some star-spangled batter. When it comes to the birth certificates of these deceptive dishes, make sure you read the fine print.
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Opposites Attract
Episode 3 - 11-05-2017
Join host Michael McKean as he figures out why some classic culinary combos are a match made in heaven. He discovers that grilled cheese and tomato soup found love at a school cafeteria, that our brains are wired to crave peanut butter and chocolate. Then, he finds out that there's scientific proof that chocolate and caviar have perfect chemistry.
Haven't Seen
Disastrous Dishes
Episode 2 - 10-29-2017
Grab your flashlights and duct tape because host Michael McKean uncovers the truth behind the world's greatest edible emergencies. He discovers how a massive blackout in New York City led to the decadent Blackout Cake, that Tapioca pudding is no good at puddin' out fires, and that a tidal wave of sweet molasses nearly broke Boston.
8.4/10Haven't Seen
Sacred Chow
Episode 1 - 10-22-2017
Host Michael McKean enlightens us on a few divine dining delights. He finds out why we should we be handing out cake instead of candy on Halloween. Then McKean discovers that Valentine's Day candy hearts were once used as medicine. Later he figures out whether Corned Beef can really bring any Irish luck on St. Patrick's Day. Saints or sinners, this episode's foods are truly sacred.
Haven't Seen
Season 2
Up in the Air
Episode 13 - 1-16-2017
Fasten your seatbelt and put your tray table in the upright position, host Michael McKean is taking our favorite foods up and away. He discovers if there's a scientific reason you may not love airline food, why hungry astronauts tend to float over to spicy shrimp and how a corned beef sandwich could sabotage a space mission.
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Carnie Knowledge
Episode 12 - 1-09-2017
Step right up, as host Michael McKean juggles carnival classics with stories that will amaze and astound. His big top tales include whether cotton candy is at the root of a cavity conspiracy, if popcorn kernels saved the silver screen and if saltwater taffy pulled itself into the middle of a giant legal war.
Haven't Seen
Eat to Win
Episode 11 - 1-02-2017
Host Michael McKean goes to bat finding out how our favorite stadium goods got tickets to the big leagues. Michael traces the football tailgate to a Civil War battlefield, shows how important the hot dog is to baseball's existence, and uncovers how the difficult-to-eat nachos became a stadium standard.
Haven't Seen
State Fare
Episode 10 - 12-26-2016
Host Michael McKean takes a road trip around the US to uncover the stories behind our favorite state plates, including what baked Alaska has to do with Alaska, who put the Big Apple in New York cheesecake and if the California roll is from California, Japan ... or Canada!
Haven't Seen
Some Like it Hot
Episode 9 - 12-19-2016
Host Michael McKean cranks up the heat on food myths, discovering who invented chili, if hot wings bond people closer together and if "spicy" is just in our heads. Grab the oven mitts and plenty of ice-water to find out if there's truth in these five-alarm facts.
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Power Couples
Episode 8 - 12-12-2016
Host Michael McKean takes a look at how some favorite food combinations got hitched. Michael traces the origins of peanut butter and jelly to the trenches of World War II, sees how spaghetti and meatballs went from Italy to America and finds out if chicken and waffles met after a late-night jazz set.
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Rags to Riches
Episode 7 - 12-05-2016
Host Michael McKean takes a look at how some favorite foods went from paupers to princes. He looks at lobster's prison past, whether creme brulee was always the cream of the crop, and if champagne's fizz almost burst its bubble.
Haven't Seen
Eat Your Words
Episode 6 - 11-28-2016
Host Michael McKean minces words to get to the bottom of some famous food phrases. He finds out if the extra muffin a baker's dozen could save a baker's life, what's really so cool about cucumbers and if you can literally butter someone up.
Haven't Seen
Breadly Combinations
Episode 5 - 11-21-2016
Host Michael McKean opens up a sandwich discussion and cuts the crust off some "deli-cut" issues. He finds out if the sandwich was actually named after a guy named sandwich, the correct name for an Italian sandwich and if the burrito is on the docket of sandwich court.
8/10Haven't Seen
Thanksgiving Winners
Episode 4 - 11-14-2016
Host Michael McKean gives thanks for our favorite Thanksgiving grub. He uncovers whether the turkey or the country came first, how burnt marshmallows ended up on sweet potatoes and if a lawyer gave up his career to put cranberries in a can.
Haven't Seen
Hungry Eyes
Episode 3 - 11-07-2016
Host Michael McKean chases rainbows to explain how our food's color can leave us tickled pink or feeling blue. Michael uncovers if cheddar cheese is really orange and if color can cause a taste bud blackout. Miss this golden opportunity to find out, and you may be left green with envy.
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The Kitchen of Good and Evil
Episode 2 - 10-31-2016
Host Michael McKean separates the good from the bad on some downright wicked food tales. He uncovers whether beer's spirits were put there by witches, if the pretzel is pious or if its story is full of twists and if the heavenly-tasting angel food cake is really just a little devil.
Haven't Seen
Hole in One
Episode 1 - 10-24-2016
Host Michael McKean shares the "hole" story of everyone's favorite middle-missing baked goods. See if donuts helped bring about the end of World War I, if the secret to New York bagels lies in the city's water and how bundt cakes went from headlining brunch to saving lives.
Haven't Seen
Season 1
Hungry for Love
Episode 6 - 11-30-2015
20m
In the episode of Food: Fact or Fiction? join host Michael McKean as we dig into the heart of food and love. Chocolate and romance go hand in hand, but is this love affair really backed up by chemistry? Couples today can't tie the knot without saying "I do" to their dream wedding cake, but did this tradition actually begin with a baguette? There's nothing like keeping the spark alive by sharing some sensual oysters with your sweetheart, but are oysters really an aphrodisiac? We get the dish on our favorite romantic recipes and find out if it's really true love or just a fictional fling.
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Taste of War
Episode 5 - 11-23-2015
20m
In this episode of Food: Fact or Fiction? join host Michael McKean as we put food on the frontlines of war and discover how some of history's most epic battles were decided by what we eat. Did Frozen Dinners save the world in World War II? Were hamburgers invented on the battlefield? Did the South lose the Civil War because of salt? We dig into some fascinating food fights and discover how our appetites have shaped the world's most critical battles.
8.6/10Buy
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Breakfast
Episode 4 - 11-16-2015
20m
In this episode of Food: Fact or Fiction? join host Michael McKean as we reveal the truth behind the most important meal of the day. From coffee to pancakes to bacon, we'll find out how some sneaky marketing ploys and acts of sin have shaped what we eat for breakfast in America. Does coffee really stunt your growth? Is the recipe for flapjacks rooted in sin? We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but who said that and is it really true? Get ready to wake up and smell the facts as we discover how our morning meals have come to taste so sinfully delicious.
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Doctor's Note
Episode 3 - 11-09-2015
20m
In this episode of Food: Fact or Fiction? join host Michael McKean as we uncover the truth behind America's most popular food remedies. Do carrots really improve our eyesight? Can a bowl of chicken soup cure a stuffy nose? And does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? We dig up some mind-boggling history to find out if these age-old adages are true. Have we all been fed a spoonful of food fiction to help the medicine go down?
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Passports Please!
Episode 2 - 11-02-2015
20m
In this episode of Food: Fact or Fiction? join host Michael McKean as we take a trip around the food globe to find out where some of our most popular international dishes were really born. We know French Fries are fried, but are they French? Pizza and Italy go together like cheese and pepperoni, but can the Italians really claim pizza as their own? And no Chinese meal is complete until you crack open that fortune cookie, but was this crunchy treat really invented in China? We get to the bottom of some shocking food origin stories and uncover the hidden identities of our beloved foreign favorites.
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What's for Dessert
Episode 1 - 10-26-2015
20m
In this episode of Food: Fact or Fiction? join host Michael McKean as we indulge in the best part of every meal: Dessert! From cake to pie to banana splits, our favorite desserts are baked with rich stories that have shaped America in extraordinary ways. We travel back in time to find out how cake gave rise to democracy in America. We reveal the sweet truth about why ice cream topped with syrup is called a sundae. And we find out if anything really is more American than apple pie. Save room for dessert as we discover some tasty truths and some mouthwatering myths hidden in every decadent bite!
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Top 5 Highest Rated Episodes 8.6/10 8.4/10 8/10 7.6/10
Taste of War
Episode 5 - 11-23-2015
20m
In this episode of Food: Fact or Fiction? join host Michael McKean as we put food on the frontlines of war and discover how some of history's most epic battles were decided by what we eat. Did Frozen Dinners save the world in World War II? Were hamburgers invented on the battlefield? Did the South lose the Civil War because of salt? We dig into some fascinating food fights and discover how our appetites have shaped the world's most critical battles.
8.6/10Buy
Haven't Seen
Disastrous Dishes
Episode 2 - 10-29-2017
Grab your flashlights and duct tape because host Michael McKean uncovers the truth behind the world's greatest edible emergencies. He discovers how a massive blackout in New York City led to the decadent Blackout Cake, that Tapioca pudding is no good at puddin' out fires, and that a tidal wave of sweet molasses nearly broke Boston.
8.4/10Haven't Seen
Breadly Combinations
Episode 5 - 11-21-2016
Host Michael McKean opens up a sandwich discussion and cuts the crust off some "deli-cut" issues. He finds out if the sandwich was actually named after a guy named sandwich, the correct name for an Italian sandwich and if the burrito is on the docket of sandwich court.
8/10Haven't Seen
Gone Camping
Episode 20 - 5-06-2018
Gear up and stake your tents, Host Michael McKean has set up camp and it's suppertime. As you warm by the fire, you'll glow when you hear that S'mores were built with girl power, learn why pilgrims were so full of Baked Beans, and discover why Beer Can Chicken may just be a waste of good beer. The stories behind these outdoor eats guarantee to stick to your bones.
7.6/10Haven't Seen
