Alton Brown »
Whoa, Alton Brown Is SKINNY
Published on: August 3, 2009 – 12:55 pm by Jillian Madison 
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Forget Melissa D’Arabian. The real story during last night’s Next Food Network Star finale was the new Iron Chef commercial that featured an almost unrecognizable Alton Brown looking SUPER THIN (we’re talking “just returned home from taping a season of Survivor” thin).
Sadly for the Food Network, hardly anyone cared about Melissa winning the show… but hundreds of FNH readers sent us comments about Alton’s new svelte appearance. If that doesn’t speak volumes about the new winner and the state of the network, we don’t know what does.
FNH reader Karen Morley just talked to Alton at Food Network’s Southern Food & Wine Fest, and said he lost “45 pounds in 5 months eating sardines.” She also sent us these photos of “The New Alton Brown” that she took over the weekend:
The new season of “The Next Iron Chef” starts Oct. 4.
Other posts on Food Network Humor:
---Dear Alton Brown, The Internet Is Worried About You---Alton Brown, Upon Finding Someone Drank The Last Of His Welch’s Grape Juice
---All Hail Alton Brown: Punchable Genius
---Alton Brown Celebrating 10 Years Of “Good Eats” With Live Shows
---The Story Of One Fan’s Ridiculous Alton Brown Encounter
6 Trackback(s)
- Sep 23, 2009: Umm… Nevermind « Chicken Fried Everything
- Oct 13, 2009: Mary Alice Is SKINNY! « Food Network Humor
- Oct 15, 2009: Alton Brown: Good People. « Sugarmamabakingco’s Blog
- Oct 29, 2009: TERRIBLEMINDS: Chuck Wendig, Freelance Penmonkey » Blog Archive » Painting With Shotguns IV
- Jan 10, 2010: Alton Brown’s Snack Almonds « SakecatFood
- Jan 15, 2010: The Sardine Trend of 2010 and the Infamous OPPOSING TRENDS!
I hope he’s fine.
“he lost “45 pounds in 5 months eating sardines.” Apparently, he eats them 5 times a week.”
This is for real?
How about just eating fruits and vegetables and removing all that Sandra Lee Processed Foods instead?
If you ever watched his show you’d know he would eat sara lee crap
OMG! What is wrong with you people? Someone losses some weight in their quest to a healthier body and self image and everyone thinks their sick or talks about how bad they look. Im sure the same folks saw him a year ago and said “He really needs to lose some weight!” I guess its just the overly critical world we live in these days. Hmmmmm?
I agree!!! People like to talk about and find fault with others! I suppose they think it’s a way to get the focus off themselves, or maybe talk themselves into thinking that change is not good and no one could possibly be healthy! The world we live in today is fostering overweight and unhealthy children. Look around!!!! You’ll see the majority of kids overweight either slightly or in some obese state! Not good folks! Do some research! I commend Alton Brown for presenting a show that actually includes “healthy”! Thank you, Alton Brown!
Actually, if you read his interview, he really rips on ‘fat’ people, to the point of being obnoxious. And no, its not about just being healthy and getting thin. That’s awesome. Its about him looking emaciated and sick; people were worried he was sick and not saying anything.
You are so right! We are so used to fat people that we think a healthy weight is abnormal. Travel to France, Spain etc. And see the size of people there.
Get real. He looks skeletal and if you think he looks ‘healthy’ your a nut.
Call down Jeff and Rhonda! If you really think about it, there’s someone out there that everyone knows that’s been stricken with CANCER!! We also know that’s exactly what you look like (as in Alton) when that does happen. The first moment I layed eyes on him that’s exactly what I thought! I said to my husband, “Oh my God….I wonder if he’s sick!” It’s not people bashing him, but merely being concerned for him. Don’t know if that’s the proper way you should lose weight, but all the more power to him. Hope he can keep it off.
I hope nothing is wrong with him behind the scenes. He doesn’t just look thin, he looks emaciated.
more like jenny crank diet!
He is starting to look like an AIDS patience. Did he join the VEGAN cult or something. I really love his show but really worried about his sickly appearance.
I couldn’t agree more. He looks like a very sick man.
I just hope he’s not ill.
Ditto. I would hate to find out that something is wrong with him.
The Sacred Cow is now a Sacred Broomstick?
Well, he’s a smart man. Perhaps a bit OCD, but a smart man. He knows more about food and nutrition than the rest of us combined, and I have faith he knows what he’s doing with his own weight loss.
All my best, AB!
So the new Iron Chef show is the Next Iron Chef? Did I see that commercial correctly? Is this someone to replace Batali?
lookin very hot!! wrap it up!
That top picture is unflattering in terms of hairstyle, lighting, angle, awkward facial expression that made his face look more gaunt, FN cutting down costs by turning off the air conditioner, etc. But he looks fine in the other pics. And by fine, I mean FIIIIINE ;D
You must like scarecrows or sickly looking men? To each his own, but the majority of ‘fans’? here, think he looks like an AIDS patient. Who would eat sardines 5 days a week? Weird.
Congrats on the weight loss I say.
I think he looks fine and healthy in that last pic. It could be that horrible haircut or the lighting in that Iron Chef commercial from last night that just makes him look unrecognizable.
He is the only one at that network worth watching! Could you imagine if they put Sunny Anderson and Paula Dean in a room with only cans of Sardines for 5 weeks?
Alton is a lovely guy, and my favorite. However, I think you are doing disservice to Paula. She’s so much fun. I like the lightheartedness of her show. Is it my imagination, or is there a little something different in Good Eats? Alton doesn’t seem as enthusiastic or joyful as he did a ways back.
If you put Paula Deen or Ina in a room with nothing but sardines – they would demand that a truck load of butter be brought in and they would fry them up! Talk about fat, overweight, obese American’s! WHY are they showcased on The Food Channel all the time? I don’t purposely, watch them any longer.
well, he didn’t eat just sardines. He said he’s in the best shape of his life – low carb high protein involving omega-3 fatty acids. He hinted that he will tell the whole story in a book that we’ll maybe see in October.
He is FIINNE!
Yah, right. If you believe that, then I have some property off the coast of Southern Louisiana I have for sale for ya.
Thanks Karen VERY GOOD TO HEAR!!!!
Also, would be very interested in his book seeing as how you know it will be based on scientific data etc. Go Alton!
Thanks, Karen.
I hope he’s okay…he’s the only guy worth watching on FN. Still think that in that first picture he looks a little too Ted Allenish (and not in a good way)
Yeah, that’s a bit too skinny, but I remember I saw him earlier this year and I thought he was quite chunky!
Do you have a screen shot of chunky Alton too?
Wow, now I feel bad. I saw the same commercial and apparently missed the whole weight loss look for I commented about his ‘comb forward’ hairdo to my boyfriend. Clearly it’s not anyone fault with hair loss. Embrace it I always say. But the comb overs, toupees or the comb forward (creating ‘bangs) looks worse if you ask me. Leave it to me to spot the ‘not-so-obvious’ LOL
The sexiest thing in the world is a man with brains who has a sense of humor. I don’t care if he’s slightly over or underweight but I hope he’s not ill. He’s too smart (and linear/logical) to develop an eating disorder in his late 40’s.
O-M-G
I didn’t notice the weight loss either until now, I noticed the bad hair in the commercial.
Commercial? Didn’t know he did one, but money is money. I just watched him on Iron Chef America today Feb. 13, 2010 and several of my friends were here and we were shocked on how bad he looks. I came here online to see if he were ill. Guess what… Almost everyone’s comments were ‘is he ill or anorexic or has AIDS.’ He has lost signifigant amounts of his hair in just months. His weight loss is not from enjoying … and I say that with humor folks, sardines!? He looks seriously ill. He better be selling lots of his books and hurriedly writing another because he isn’t long for This World from his appearance. Why would anybody in the food world of TV want to look like that? I don’t buy it.
Jenny Mac, I had the same worry. As long as he’s not sick, I’m ok with the weight loss. But the comb over that he is apparently contemplating, is unacceptable.
He’s just too cute for that kind of nonsense.
One more thing. I just realized who he reminds me of in that top photo. Dexter.
Who is Dexter?
Please not another diet book. “The Sardine Diet.”
You can get plenty of omega 3s from flax seed, walnuts, etc. This is one more complicated kitchen ritual, that no one will follow, but seems brilliant.
Meanwhile, on the other FN shows, they’re pushing BBQ, bacon, butter and Red Lobster. Go figure.
And did Alton give up cooking all those cakes and pastry?
We are so conditioned to Food Network hosts being fat slobs ,that Alton, after losing 45 lbs returns to a normal BMI.
Good for Alton for showing some self control and discipline. Maybe some of the others can follow his lead.
I saw AB this weekend in Nashville as well. At the demo he was full of typical energy and wit.
So how long ago did they film last nights episode?
Because I don’t remember him being so skinny while directing them? Or was I not paying enough attention.
@Birdie
Dexter is a character for a tv show on the Showtime Channel called “Dexter”. He’s sort of a serial killer…. but he kills bad people.
Excellent show. But it may not be for everyone due to the subject matter.
DesignerJeans, thanks again. I don’t have Showtime anymore. Got tired of paying for channels I never watched, so didn’t know about Dexter. But just for the record, I have nothing against serial killers. Wait, that didn’t come out right…
So maybe Alton is preparing for a new episode called “Cereal Killer”??
He looks great in the bottom pictures. FN should fire a few hairstylists, from the looks of it.
It’s probably because you made so much fun of how out of shape and scruffy he looked and you wee calling for the old Alton to be brought back. He might have taken it to heart…if he reads your site which I’d wager he does.
Byrdie, I’m with you on the serial killers, but only if they could be aimed at certain FN “cooks”.
Why does he want to look like he doesn’t like food?
The line between being overweight and bulimic is very broad. Going rail thin is not something to brag about no more than is being 50 pounds overweight, there is a middle ground. Now Alton, the last real bastion of food on FN, has sold his flesh to starvation gods and creeps of Horrorwood? Say it ain’t so! Eat, love, laugh!
He looks fine, and probably feels better not carrying those extra pounds around. But WOW it seems to have happened just overnight and it really shows in the face.
You are perfect size, AB – just don’t lose anymore pounds or you’ll have all your fans in a tizzy of worry!
Judith, spot on! I think there’s even an attempt on Aunt (hic) Sandy and Ina! You’ll have to go back to the archives here and check it out. Scary stuff….
I agree Byrdie ~ What’s with the pound of butter that Ina thinks is a health oil? Paula Deen adds a pound of butter to olive oil to fry stuff. Do you ever wonder what those women’s cholesteral counts are? AND Paula Deens poor new husband wanted and NEEDED to lose weight? Fat chance. Pun intended.
:::sniff sniff::: he’s tooo thin! put 20 pounds back on , AB, then you’ll be looking good again. your tooo thin , sweet heart :( not that you don’t look good at all….but your fans need some butt on you to pinch;)
No amount of weight loss is worth eating all those sardines!!!
Sad, I never even thought of him as heavy, perhaps a tiny bit extra in the middle, but he looks a bit gaunt now.
A ‘bit’ gaunt? Are you kidding?? He looks skeletal and AIDS like. I guess we will learn the awful truth from the ENQUIRER?
I think he looks fit – there’s a difference between thin and fit/toned. I think his face is a leeeettle on the gaunt side, but other than that, body-wise he’s terrific. IMO, we’re conditioned to seeing super skinny celebrities (no doubt with eating disorders) so when we see someone lose a lot of weight (and quickly), then we immediately think “uh oh, eating disorder…” Not always the case.
Hopefully, he is more healthy from loosing this weight. Just because he lost weight does not mean he was starving himself or ill… but that sardine comment makes me wonder… I would hate for something to be wrong… he’s the only one on the network I respect. :(
I think that first picture is very unflattering, which may not be helping. He does not appear to be an unhealthy weight.
Also of note, the night before Alton’s demo, Jamie Deen said he had lost 25 pounds. maybe FN is on a mission? However in Alton’s case – 45 pounds in 5 months is a healthy and reasonable rate of loss. I thought he looked fantastic.
Jillian, re: The recent Tyler tweet.
Why does Tyler hate FoodNetworkHumor.com America?
looking good alton ! :)
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one with a nerd-crush on Alton Brown. For he is the hotness.
He reminds me of that crazy but delightful Lincoln Meyer character on Boston Legal (played by David Dean Bottrell).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMu-0miGsXU
Hey Liz, what would happen with Paula and Sunny in a room with nothing else but sardines is that Sunny, the younger and stronger, would definitely eat Paula.
A braise, probably, to tenderize the old bird. Deen au vin, perhaps.
Alton looks ABfab.
That’s my speed rack in the background! I saw him this weekend in Nashville as well. He seemed to be one of the nicest celebrities I’ve met in a while.
Hooray! He’s not a fat load anymore~Look at those pecks! The Iron Chef lighting makes him look very gaunt, but the pictures from Karen show he is positively fit. I don’t think you need to worry about him having an eating disorder. Knowing Alton, he made sure the lose the weight safely and at a pace right for his body. As for illness, he looks energetic & fresh to me. :)
Kitty I note your post here was from last August? I just saw him on newest show of Iron Chef America tonight (Feb. 13, 2010) and he looks like he has AIDS or something horrible. He looks skeletal, skull like head and losing his hair at an amazing rate. He looks very ill. I’ve seen people on chemo who looked better.
I prefer a chuibbier AB over his skinniness. He looks like Vince Offer now.
Actually, I thought he looked heavy during the “Riding on Asphalt” and “Riding on Waves” series … this looks like a healthy change for the better!
I think the whole cooking show thing has burned out. If you haven’t figured out how to cook a chicken breast by now, you’re prob a microwave person anyway. $10 meal? Two boxes of mac & cheese, a can of tuna, and a six pack. What’s hard about that?
That’s why Alton’s taking a stab at directing, and now diet guru.
I wonder where he got the inspiration for the sardine diet, maybe from visiting Sea World. You don’t see chubby dolphins.
I agree with your point of view. Cute!
Entertainment Weekly posts, wuite possibly, the most worth less list of the “17 most sauciest chefs”.
I mean they get Tony Bourdain right but the rest is a comical run down of the same gang of people you see each and every tv food chef list. Wouldn’t want those EW editors to actually work for their paycheck would we?
Rachel Ray #2 ?~?!!!
Can I hear a 30 minute WTF?
Could not even get past #4 since bobby flay was on it, and how he and Tony could be on the same list……….
Ha ha Barb…that was funny..hmmmm might make a good show as a alternate to the train wreck of the food network stars they are dishing out now!
That Iron Chef commercial is wack. He looks great (i.e., healthy) in the cooking demo pics.
http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20281399_20281424_20183500_1,00.html
Oh and EW. Try using a pic of RR that _isn’t_ from half a decade ago.
He also looks majorly pissed off.
oops, sorry … “FEASTING on Asphalt” and “FEASTING on Waves” … please forgive me, Alton, as I was stuck at work and not thinking properly!
Someone posted in another thread that Cat Cora’s leaving Iron Chef to have a baby. True? Not true? I’d hate to see her go. Iron Chef seriously needs at least one female if not two on it.
He’s my favorite ….I hope he’s OK.
Cat Cora and her wife/partner were pregnant at the same time… I think at least one of them has already delivered, maybe Cat is close to her due date?
Honestly Cora loses all the time, they need to find someone better. Maybe Guarnaschelli or Freitag could replace her.
I think most of the FN stars have gotten too fat – so many have been losing weight: Alton, Mario Batali, Bobby Flay and Rachael Ray – It is not a bad thing really. Don’t ya think?
Alton was very proud of his weight loss and talked a lot about it at the event. And was very cognisant of how that relates to his overall health.
He was full of his typical energy, sarcasim, wit and charm both at the demo and the dinner the night before.
I’m all for people losing a few pounds.
But that pic with Alton looking gaunt with the bad combover in the suit just looks awful. Makes Tommy Lee Jones in Men in Black look good.
:::FLOOR::: totally okay to have a super nerd crush on AB!!! I have a temple to him!
::Princess Crazy Pants::: I had no idea Cat Cora was gay, but that is cool. She actually just had her baby right after her wife Jennifer did according to Wikipedia.
Personal Life ( Wikipedia)
Cora is married to Jennifer Cora. They live in Santa Barbara, California, with their sons Zoran and Caje.[2][13] In March 2009, Cora revealed that both she and Jennifer were pregnant with sons; the boys would be born three months apart in 2009. Cat reported that all four children have the same sperm donor.[14] Additionally, Cora and her wife were surrogates for each other’s embryos. Jennifer gave birth to Thatcher Julius on Saturday, April 4.[15] Cat gave birth to Nash Lemuel on Sunday, July 19.[16]
Congrats to Cat and Jenn
Oh good grief! Totally disgusting. I hope CAT does NOT come back on Iron Chef AMERICA. Let’s get some values back into an AMERICAN home.
Oh, I didn’t realize Cora had a partner. I had that little nudge on my gaydar, but she’s very professional and I adore her cooking, so I didn’t think on it too much. Congrats to her and her wife and their new babies. I’m glad they both love each other enough to want to bear the other’s child. It’s truly beautiful and makes me feel hopeful for the lady I currently love. ;D
He looks like David Hyde Pierce.
Blasphemy! He doesn’t look like David Hyde Pierce, David Hyde Pierce looks a little like him!
LOL… Right On.
He looks like Lerch from Addams Family
Lerch! That’s rich!
i don’t care, as long as he’s healthy and happy. I’ll always have a nerd crush on Alton Brown.
Floor
August 3rd, 2009
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one with a nerd-crush on Alton Brown. For he is the hotness.
________________
Brains + a sense of humor = full satisfaction.
In the last one he looks like David Hyde Pierce, the first of many depressingly cute gay crushes (Anderson Cooper, anyone? TR as well).
Max Headroom……?
It must be difficult for Alton Brown to work for the food network while trying to win a spot in Puff Daddy (or whatever his name is now)’s band as a keyboard player. More power to him.
Wow, AB looks EEARILY thin, but as long as he’s truly healthier, I’m not complaining! Now, if only we could get him off FN and onto a channel that’s still worth watching, that’d probably do equal wonders for his mental health.
(Obligatory “Crap, I made a typo” follow-up comment)
That letter A is quite the little jokester, sneaking itself into “EERILY” like that. You gotta watch out for those alphabets; they’re sneaky little buggers!
Yeah, I noticed his weight loss, that’s why I looked it up and ended here at this site.I noticed he was a bit over weight lately, so seeing that commercial was a shock. Anyway, he looks pretty good, I hope he doesn’t get any thinner cause he’s sick though.
Where IS AB this summer? No “Feasting on —” and it’s hard to find a new “Good Eats” episode.
I want More AB!
Honestly, he looks like he had a life threatening disease… have you ever seen someone who has Interferon for Hepatitis or chemotherapy?
That’s what I first thought when I saw that commercial…
Don’t get me wrong… I love Alton… Good Eats is my favorite FoodNet show! But I think I’ve seen all of them…
I’ve been watching Alton from the beginning, since he had all his hair, and before all the hi-def cameras!
I saw Alton put on the weight around the time Feasting on Asphalt came out. Glad to see he’s taken it off. When you lose a lot of weight, the people around you tend to err on the side of protection and assume you’re doing something unhealthy if the weight comes off quickly.
I for one like the new look. He looks much more distinguished, and a bit edgy.
Alton looks better with a little extra weight on him. I hope he’s not ill! I think he’s now too thin! I really love his shows a lot! I own every DVD set & all his books!
I wonder if he’s gonna end up with mercury poisoning, like Jeremy Piven did when he was on
Broadway and had to leave the show. He said he ate sushi all the time.
It’s not a good look for Alton. That big a weight loss in that short amount of time, doesn’t seem right. It doesn’t seem healthy
he could just have realized that he needed to be a healthier weight for his age and decided to cut pounds and work out. i mean why does thin look bad? just because you are a thin chef doesn’t mean you’ve fallen off your game. I once read that Giada keeps her figure by only sampling foods instead of eating entire servings. i mean jeez people, it wouldn’t kill ya to not look like a cow on tv. the bottom pics look great, and agreed that the foodnetwork iron chef promo is unflattering.
I find Alto Brown to be knowledgable and I have learned a lot from him but I find his humor to be completely annoying. Infact his act bothers me……sorry
Sorry folks, but celebrating Alton’s OCD tanorexia is just kinda weird. I do love him but it seems clear he goes a little over-the-top in all he does including this weight loss gig.
I agree that Alton looks emaciated on the promo for The Next Iron Chef. He looks like someone with pancreatic cancer. I hope he’s not seriously ill.
Why do they need another Iron Chef?? Is it because you rarely see Batali or Morimoto? Perhaps Bobby Flay is tired of doing all the shows and is giving it up? Most of the contestants for this time around are unfamiliar to me. Is any one of them qualified to be an Iron Chef?
I’m in the process of losing weight myself. And it’s good to see Alton at a healthy new look than looking like Guy and Duff, whose purpose of having a show on Food Network still baffles me.
[...] thought twice. How can I be sure? Maybe the dude just lost a bunch of weight? Turns out that was a good instinct. Here’s my original, completely wrong post. Sorry, Alton. I never should have doubted [...]
I’d have thought illness before deliberate weight loss. He looks like friggin’ Eddie:
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/700/eddies.jpg
I hope Alton Brown is okay. He does not just look like he lost weight, but like he is seriously ill. I watched Iron Chef America and we are not talking about just a bad picture. Every camera angle I saw of him looked like the one above.
Personally I liked Alton better with a little more weight, which made him look younger. Not everyone looks great super thin. Some people look better with a little weight on their ribs.
Other than that I love Alton =)
I thought he was sick, his face was so gaunt and suit was ill fitting, even his skin looked ashen. I adore Alton, I liked him a bit heavier he was more relatable… Take care of yourself AB, we love you!
what about omega 6’s? 3’s are good, but mustn’t forget the 6’s
I agree with the others who have said that they hope Alton is not sick. He does look more than just “skinny.” He’s absolutely the best when it comes to food knowledge and keeping you entertained!
Alton actually looks like a refugee out of recently liberated prisoner retention center! I didn’t think he was “fat” or even overweight at all before. Are you sure he isn’t sick? He looks it. And his hair is thinner too which is a sure sign of being ill.
I watched Next Iron Chef Sunday night. A.B. looked “normal.” The promo must have been filmed after his weight loss??
Speaking of weight loss, over the weekend, I watched Iron Chef America–Iron Chef Symon vs. 3 culinary students. Karine Bakhoum was one of the judges. She has lost a bunch of weight. You can see it in her face. Also, her voice has changed. Her voice is now higher pitched and it’s like she’s having trouble speaking. I wonder if she is seriously ill or had gastric bypass surgery?
Alton Brown always looked like a really healthy guy with great food tips and a GREAT sense of humor. This new look is not good for him if this is what he is looking for. I have seen him through numerous hair changes over the years with his changing scalp line. Hey, that is life! It happens!! Hopefully, this emaciated look is short lived. If he is ill, I hope he declares it. If not, he needs to gain at least 25 lbs and forget the changing hair line. God only made so many great heads, the rest HE covered with hair!!
Alton, I love sardines, I haven’t lost an ounce. If that is all you are eating 3 times a week, eat a little more. WE ARE ALL WORRIED ABOUT YOU!! Mary C
I thought it was just weight loss but I have just seen the live tribute to Good Eats. He does not look well. Bless you, Alton. A votre sante!
Alton truly does look ill. Ofcourse there are many processes that can cause wasting syndrome e.g. cancer, aids, hyperthyroid. What is that unusual mark on his left cheek. In earlier pictures of him he does not have it??????
Its hard to believe anyone other than Ghandi would purposely go for that look. Libarace said his wait loss was a water melon diet.
pardon the mistype it should read weight loss
I was shocked to see how thin and gaunt Alton looks. I just watched the 10th anniversary special and he seems to have his normal energy, but his voice seems weak. My first impression was how much he resembled Steve Jobs, the Apple CEO that is fighting cancer.
Wow, I hope he’s not ill. That just would suck.
I watched the 10th anniversary show earlier. First thing I noticed was his voice! It had a deeper,gravelly-tone to it. Like he was straining to speak. (Did anyone else notice this?) I had seen him in the next Iron Chef America commercial and thought he looked a bit aged. Enjoyed the anniversary show, but his stick-thin appearance concerns me. I truly hope the man is not ill. He is one of the most informative and entertaining persons on television. I’m sending him vibes of the white light of healing and prayers too.
Namaste AB!
To be honest, it looks like AB has cancer. He is not only too thin, he appears to have no muscle mass whatsoever. I hope this is not the case. I will send Reiki/Seichim his way for better health overall.
DH and I caught some of Alton’s special last night while hopping back & forth from the Michigan/Iowa football game. We both thought that Alton definitely appears unwell: gaunt, jaundiced, weak. The thinning hair is a concern because most folks who lose weight while dieting don’t lose their hair. jmo
I think everyone is going a little overboard with the whole “wondering if Alton is sick” thing. He’s made several media appearances over the last 2 weeks and looked/sounded like his usual self to me. Sure, he lost weight, but he’s been on a diet. And as for the hair loss, the man is almost 50 years old. What man that age ISN’T losing some of their hair?
I have been a fan of Alton’s for a long time, so when I saw his Good Eats special last night, I was taken aback at how thin he was. I’m sure his weight loss has to do with the fact that he is a fan of deep fried foods and his cholesterol is probably through the roof. However, I thinks it’s more personal than that. If any one watched his last special, Feasting On Waves, he was VERY plump. He had, and I hate to say this,’moobs’. Man Boobs. Can’t be anymore blunt that that. It’s when your XXXL tee shirt just doesn’t hide the chubby anymore. I guess he took a good hard look at himself and wanted to be not only healthy, but able to fit into his clothes. I know the feeling. I hope he has many years of success as the host of Iron Chef and he nevers stops teaching and entertaining with Good Eats. All the best Alton! You ROCK!
I think he looks healthy, slender and rarin’ to go. He talked about having been dieting on the radio interview, so he did it on purpose. Aging changes your body and what used to be carefree stuff to eat because you could absorb, burn off and move on becomes more of a ‘not so much’. So I think he took the bull by the horns, so to speak and did something to keep himself in great shape. And as for his hair loss…Jillian hit the nail on the head. He ain’t no spring chicken. So fear not, my guess he’s just trying to stay ahead of the curve as he gets older.
@Jillian and Byrdie: You’ve both made good points about the hair loss, and I really never knew Alton’s age. That said, while most men begin to lose their hair at @50, it’s more gradual that what I’ve seen with the “Good Eats” guy. Mr.CherryRose’s hair loss over the past 10+ years has been subtle – giving me time to adjust to it since I’ve known him since I was still in high school. He’s even sporting what our stylist calls “virgin hair” these days. No more fake-looking hair coloring; rather, he has white hair that soft, shimmery, and SCANT.
New to cable but very familiar with the show. He not only looked thin but his voice was weird and did you notice his collar? Maybe he lost weight to be cute for the 10th anniversary show and has lost weight so fast that he can’t buy clothes that fit quick enough to keep up with the weight loss or he still thinks of himself has chunky and continues to wear his fat shirts. Either way he didn’t look or sound great and seemed a bit lethargic. Just an opinion.
Iam sooo glad he is not sick! We just love him at our house! I agree with S that he really didn’t sound very good and he just really looked sickly.
Alton said in an interview recently that 90% of diet consists of sardines, almonds and fruit smoothies and he intends to stay with that routine. He also said he went from 213 to 165 dieting since March. None of that sounds very healthy and he seems to be headed in a strange nutritional direction.
He is supposedly a “Star” on a Food Network channel for heaven’s sake. Get real people, the man looks skeletal and sick. Not the place on a food channel teaching us overweight unhealthy American’s how to cook healthy. He needs to get a grip, either tell the truth or put on a few pounds which are healthy muscle weights – kick the metal laden sardines.
My first thought on seeing AB on his 10th anniversary special was that he was sick, and he looked like ME, and I have LYME DISEASE. When I was at my sickest, and before I was properly diagnosed and treated, I had lost 40 lbs and couldn’t put weight back on; my hair started thinning; I had no energy; and my voice got gravelly and rough from stomach acid washing up into my larynx. I was also really stiff and in pain, and Alton had that look up there on the stage, like it cost him something. His jaw was tight and he had the same look in his eyes I have in pictures of myself from that time. Over the course of 2 years I aged a subjective 10-15 years.
I do hope he’s not ill, as he is one of my heroes. If this is deliberate weight loss, he’s gone too damned far.
Hope AB reads your post! Might be his diagnosis. He looks very ill.
I hear AB has mentioned this would be his last season on TFN with Good Eats. Now, all of the offhanded criticism of his comrades on TFN makes more sense. He knows he is leaving for greener pastures as is taking a few pot shots on the way out.
As for his manorexia? He’s a bit obsessed, non? I found the anniversary show a bit odd as well. Did it come off a bit “canned” or is it me? A wee bit contrived IMO.
JustMe, that is not a very healthy diet!
[...] like Alton Brown isn’t the only Food Network personality shedding the pounds these days! I almost didn’t [...]
Alton looks sick because he is! A high fat, high protein is hazardous to your health. It’s hard on your heart and kidneys, it contributes to osteoporosis (makes your blood acid and you pee out the calcium in your bones). Science has proven these diets to be a fraud! Yes, you lose weight, but you shorten your life! A much healthier diet is the McDougall or Ornish Reversal diet (the only diet medically proven to reverse heart disease). These diets are Complex Carb, no added fat, no added sweetener vegan. see http://www.drmcdougall.com/free.html and http://www.webmd.com/diet/ornish-diet-what-it-is for more info.
I saw him do the10th year special and thought, ” he has cancer.” I hope all the reports that he lost his weight by design are true. Though my wife was disappointed by the new skinny Alton. Hey Alton, put a little of that weight back on and regain your muscle mass. I figure you can think of a few good dishes to get the job done.
I guess it wasn’t just me that was scared to see him sooo thin, …
so long as he feels good about the weight loss, I guess it’s healthy…
[...] its new size and caloric deficit. Maybe it was on purpose. Maybe it was no-sugar or low-carb. Maybe it was Sardines…You would think Alton Brown was Britney Spears with all this internet speculation about his [...]
I kinda like A.B trim. But I think he’s sexy no matter what his size is. MeYOW!
Though, to be serious, it might have just been me but Alton did sound a bit sick on stage at the anniversry show. Was it just me or was his voice gravly and hoarse. I’ld hat for the food god to be ill. That would be crushing to hear.
for me I miss Alton with some meat on his bones. Now, he looks think and lanky. He should makes some ice cream, or cookies and gain a couple pounds. He looks almost like a whole new A.B now.
I saw Alton in Sat October 17 @ the Costco book signing.
Yes, he is a bit thinner than previously recorded, and stories of his sardine diet abounded in the line.
From a medical view- it appears that AB lost the weight though diet and not from a condition that requires medical intervention.
Not a Doc- But close.
Just watching the anniversary show and a recent (Man Food 2) episode and I was really shocked at how AB looked. In the episode you can see he has some really good muscle definition in his arms but in many pictures he’s wearing a suit which covers that up. His face looks skeletal regardless and gaunt in a way that I personally associate with the starlets who are anorexic and very underweight.
If he’s happy and has his doctors looking after his health and diet it’s all good though. I was just worried he was sick but I’m glad he’s not. :)
skinny or not Alton is THE sexiest chef on tv. Hands down! (Not that I could keep my hands off of him in the first place)
I bet that was his plan all along, to get fat and then lose a lot of weight and then write a book about how he did it. He’s gonna make a killing.
Altie? Never! Not Mr. Sexy Eats! How dare you say such things about him! I bet he did it for himself its probably the pressure of trying to look sexy for the camera. I gotta say, its working. Mmmm, what I wouldn’t give for Alton pie.
My hubby, who is a doctor, and I were watching the 10th anniversary show ( we are both big Alton Brown fans) and were both shocked at his appearance. My husband commented that he noticed every time Alton sat on the couch – he made sure to sit on a pillow. He wondered if Alton could have had prostate cancer. My husband (who is close to Alton’s age) had prostate cancer two years ago. He also commented that if he was bulking up on proteins – he could be doing so to build back up after chemo. Of course we hope that Alton is doing great and it is only a diet – but in any case we hope he is well and thriving.
lol, he looks thinner, sure.
but not “super-thin”.
he looks healthy, actually.
When one isn’t exactly a spring chicken and loses a lot weight, even with proper diet and exercise, one tends to look older. His hair’s been thinning this whole time, it didn’t just happen.
Seeing the anniversary show, as well as the last two current Good Eats episodes, it occurred to me that he hadn’t been tucking in his shirts for a long time. And a previous poster is right, his weight was getting up there on Feasting on Waves. There always that one number on the scale that makes us “break out the sardines,” and maybe Alton hit it. I’m also willing to bet that having a young daughter he wants to see grow up is also quite an incentive to trim down.
As for seeing his arms on the anniversary show, well with a successful diet comes exercise, and I’m guessing he can afford a personal trainer to get those bi- and triceps looking all nice and defined.
It’s funny, I quipped to my friend during the show that he looked like David Hyde Pierce. I love them both.
seriously, i got here because i googled “alton brown looks horrible” ’cause i wondered if anyone else thought this. i
didn’t even realize it was from weight loss. well, i DO hope he is okay, i like his shows.
[...] a sidenote, while I support everybody losing weight, Alton Brown has lost too much weight. My first response when seeing him was, “Is he sick? Does he have cancer?” He lost 50 [...]
I am glad that A. B. is okay, and isn’t ill. I do have a few words for the person who asked why Guy and Duff even have a show. They have a show because they deserve one. I love to watch triple D and Guys Big bite, and tailgate warriors. I also love duff’s show. What is your problem jealous? Those who can do those who can’t complain. Get a life. Congrats to Alton you’re the best. Keep up the good work Alton, Guy, and Duff………….and Food Network!!!!!!
GAIL said “I do have a few words for the person who asked why Guy and Duff even have a show. They have a show because they deserve one. I love to watch triple D and Guys Big bite, and tailgate warriors. I also love duff’s show. What is your problem jealous?”
Jealous that Guy is a middle-aged douchebag who looks more like an overweight Billy Idol and is pretending he’s still a frat boy? Jealous that Duff’s show has less to do with cake making and more with trying to find out why he looks too douche for his own good?
Yeah, I guess I’m jealous of that since I consider myself to be a mature, intelligent 40 year old who enjoys this site, Jillian’s sly sense of humor and the fact that I don’t have to dress up like a fratboy. Maybe should become a douch if that’s how you feel.
GAIL said “I do have a few words for the person who asked why Guy and Duff even have a show. They have a show because they deserve one. I love to watch triple D and Guys Big bite, and tailgate warriors. I also love duff’s show. What is your problem jealous?”
Jealous that Guy is a middle-aged douchebag who looks more like an overweight Billy Idol and is pretending he’s still a frat boy? Jealous that Duff’s show has less to do with cake making and more with trying to find out why he looks too douche for his own good?
Yeah, I guess I’m jealous of that since I consider myself to be a mature, intelligent 40 year old who enjoys this site, Jillian’s sly sense of humor and the fact that I don’t have to dress up like a fratboy. Maybe I should become a douch if that’s how you feel.
I love Alton Brown and have been watching him for a long time but recently, I wasn’t able to watch (over the last 2 months) and when I saw him the other night I was a bit shocked and concerned!! My first thought was I hoped there was nothing medically wrong. I had also watched the anniversary show and noticed the weight loss and that his voice sounded very gravelly. Then, my husband (who knows I secretly have big crush on AB) tells me that it might be due to a motorcycle accident he had a while back. I once lost a lot of weight and my own mother keep telling me how sick I looked. She just wasn’t used to seeing me without all the weight. I had to educate her that this is what “healthy” looks like on me and that everyone better get used to it cuz I sure wasn’t going to gain the weight back. It would break my heart to find out there was something else going on with AB and I hope it’s only due to him losing weight. Guess we’ll find out for sure when his book comes out. Like a previous poster, there’s nothing sexier than an intelligent man with a sense of humor and I’ve always had a soft spot for men with glasses. Here’s hoping for many more years on Food Network, we love you Alton!!
@ Be Bop A Lula
I know. They way his eye look behind those glasses, purrrrr!! Oh I am an A.B fangirl to my very core and there’s no way in hellz I’m changing any time soon. Love you A.B!!!
Cari your becoming obviously VERY boring. YES… we all know you sexually hanker over this skeletal AB. Enough of your boring postings.
Ignore Angel, Cari, and Fangirl On!
Sorry, but that much weight loss in that time frame usually means something other than a desire to lose weight……I hope he’s not sick…..but……it could be something worse.
I take offense to the person who said that Mr Brown is down to a “NORMAL BMI”. Anyone who has seen him on tv and the most recently, Good Eats, can see that he looked sick. He was WAY below what a NORMAL BMI would be, or at least the very end of the scale. Too skinny is as bad for your overall health as obese. Dont you people watch “Intervention?”
Does Alton have AIDS? He looks awful.
I purchased the 18-DVD Ultimate Good Eats Collection because my future wife has a 10 year “fan girl” crush on Alton. By watching them myself, I have learned a GREAT deal about cooking and certainly admit AB is an incomparable chef; however, I think he’s gone overboard with the weight-loss. If his doctor said it was necessary in order to stay healthy, that is definately understandable, but otherwise I have to wonder what he’s doing at night after taping GOOD EATS.
throwing up? He looks anorexic or a Cancer chemo patient. I’ve seen many many people getting infusions and he looks like them. Very sad.
My wife was a little worried over his rapid weight loss. Especially since we had seen him “Feasting on Waves” about 5 months prior and 50 pounds heavier. I felt even worse because I had nicknamed him ‘Alton Round’ at the time. ;p
Dude im a fatty myself! AB congrats on the weight loss!! Your knees will thank you for it in the end!!! Now if only i could lose!!! You are a freaking awesome man!
My husband and I are avid Good Eats viewers and it wasn’t until tonight that I actually took time to Google the weight loss. Honestly, we thought he was battling cancer except his energy level seemed to be constant and color still seemed good.
Skinny yes…good skinny? Umm..he looks ill in my opinion. Someone earlier in the thread mentioned a book possibly coming out that addressed his lifestyle change. Has this been published?
Why do all the wrong people lose weight? He was by no means over weight. 70% of the chefs/cooks on the food network are overweight. However, Alton Brown is the last person that needed to lose weight. He looked great–healthy and strong. And now, sadly, he looks ill. He face is so drawn and he’s aged so much since his weight loss. I really enjoy him. I hope he’s ok.
We saw Alton on Iron Chef and my wife and I both thought Alton looked very sick. He looked aged like someone fighting cancer. That is excessive weight loss. He did not look over weight before the weight loss.He may have wanted to take this much weight off but it makes him look very bad and like he just aged 20 years. I hope he is all right he is one of our favorites on the Food Network.
If I hadn’t read the TIME article about chefs promoting healthy eating, I would have been truly alarmed at AB’s weight loss (first saw him on the finale of “Next Iron Chef” and then on the new “Good Eats” episode tonight). On Iron Chef he looked horribly cachectic, but it was probably the awful hairstyle (good to see he went back to spikes for Good Eats) and unflattering lighting.
I wouldn’t get too worked up over this for now–anyone who discovers a new way of life tends to go overboard and evangelical about it, and more than a tad obsessive (heaven knows I did every time I lost weight or took up a new pastime). For now, I’d cut him some slack over the weight loss and diet, but NOT over his insensitive remarks during his interview (or more ominously, his underlying attitude towards those less affluent or disciplined than he). Good for him that he’s taken control over his own health (he’s been open about his lipid-profile problem and the negative effect the excess weight had on his endurance), but he’s gone too far projecting his former failings on to others. (The fact that he’s given up milk as a “gateway drug to sweets” says volumes about his own perceived weaknesses–he should have told viewers to analyze their own “trigger” foods and activities and left it at that).
Let’s see what happens by this time next year. 5 months of eating sardines and antioxidants is easy. Heck, I lost 60 lbs. in 8 mos. (and as a woman, it’s much harder) on Atkins and kept it off for three years. But boredom is bound to catch up with him as it did with me. Best of all possible worlds is that he rediscovers TRUE moderation and the discipline to exercise it, rather than the all-or-nothing philosophy he’s adopted, seemingly as much out of fear as any other reason. And that he admits he’s taken control of his body FOR HIMSELF–his health, his physical comfort, his spiritual peace–and that no mortal human being is qualified to make that call for anyone else. Hopefully, he’ll pick up his Bible and reread, “judge not lest ye be judged.” Meanwhile I’ll watch him and pick up some healthier recipes (if I don’t taste the bananas, and can afford a big honkin’ Vita-Mix, I might try the smoothies)….heck, I LOVE sardines and eat them even when not dieting, But not at every lunch……
Thin Alton VS. Skinny Alton
WOW! I was watching the Iron Chef w/ Batali, Lagasse, Flay, and the chick from the white house (sorry I didn’t remember your name) the other night; and I seen Alton sitting at the judges table. I kept thinking is there something wrong with him? He looked like my grandpa did after he had chemo, well with hair. He just looked tired and weak, but I couldn’t tell exactly what was wrong. Then the next day I seen Good Eats and he had a whole show about his weight loss from eating from the four foods groups. Then it all made sense, he had lost a lot of weight. He said 50 lbs.
Personally, I think Alton looked much better when he was fatter. The fat must plump up his wrinkles because now he just looks too old. He looks like he aged 20 years. I am not saying this to be mean or cut him down. I am really big fan of Alton’s. I just think he was much more hansom when he was fat. Maybe he should spend a month with Paula Deen and her sticks butter and we’ll have him fattened up back to way he was.
Reviewing for myself the quotes:
”I’ve struggled with weight all my life, and probably always will. But I was on my most recent book tour I was shocked by the number of overweight families,” he says. “People would come up to me and say, ‘Oh, we love the Food Network.’ Well, no (expletive); did you eat the TV? There’s only four of you and you can’t ride in an elevator together. I’ll probably make fat people angry, but we need, as a culture, to be ashamed. It’s not “… healthy.”
and
“I’d go to appearances and see an audience of very heavy people. And I thought, ‘What role do I have in that?,”
Wow, not a tv eater here but I will skip any further meetings and signings w/AB. Maybe it is his true thought or also a way to thin down the external appearance of his fan base by exclusion. I agree it can be as simple as man up and take control of your eating but there has to be some percentage in the fringe. People with thyroid issues, people that have to take some medications for medical reasons, food addicts, people in low income families buying the starch an sugar laden foods because they are cheaper to them or more accessible.
I will go w/Sandy on this that he is on one about his new lifestyle but unfortunately his words are immortalized and cannot be erased.
I’m worried. He looks like he has a wasting disease. Is he really okay? If this is such a great idea, how come he looks ill?
I came to the web wondering whether Alton Brown was seriously ill. His face has the “wasting” look of cancer patients. Is this really a look he wants? This is just kind of weird…
You cannot tell me Alton is well. He is very thin with patchy skin. I never comment on these issues publically. I hope I am wrong.
[...] Live and Let Diet episode has 2 paleo-friendly ideas that will require only slight modifications. He recently lost about 50 pounds over a 9 month timeframe. This probably looks more dramatic because of TV and filming [...]
Alton – I love your work, but I tried to eat the sardines on toasts, as you described on your show. I can’t do it man. It’s not horrible, but it’s certainly not good.
Alton has gone overboard. He looks like a refugee. I have been a loyal fan but can not watch him any longer.
Keep in mind I am dieting, lost 34 lbs and understand a desire to be thinner. But, geez he is scary looking!
I am looking for the book that Alton Brown mentioned about his weight loss. He made list of what he could and could not eat. Do you know the name of the book or know where I could find it?
he DID NOT consult a physician and if he goes by the BMI chart he could be underweight (the BMI was created to predict economy trends not someone’s perfect weight range) and being underweight is not healthy even if you are eating healthy
he is a little OCD which as you get older can consume other areas of life or change areas all together ( i have minor ocd and it recently went from having to clean my handbag every hour to having 4 toothbrushes each with their own toothpaste, three types of floss and 3 types of mouthwash that all have to be used each time i do my teeth)
he could possibly have gotten wound up in the weight lose propaganda from the last few years but instead of doing a fad diet he changed his diet for the better (or so he may think ie didn’t have to lose any weight)
Im not at all claiming I know what he did or what is best for him, but i agree with people before me, it is a little worrying
if you watched his show you would know he lost the wait by eating healthy and following his 4 lists of what to eat everyday, three times a week, once a week, and never. he even let himself have sweets once a week. he didn’t just eat sardines. watch the show he did an episode on it. he’s fine.
He’s fine?! You have got to be kidding. You actually bought into another fad diet book/program? Unbelievable.
Poor Alton. HE wanted to change his eating habits. HE wanted to change the way he looked. And HE did it. He is merely sharing the information. He’s been criticized for being too fat… and now he’s being criticized for being too thin. I think he looks fantastic. Different? Yes! Healthy? Very much so.
Kudos to you, Alton, for marching to the beat of a different, better drum.
[...] the only sardine recipe Alton has published. At any rate, these sardines supposedly helped Alton lose about 50 pounds. Attention grab: [...]
FFS, people – has your view of what’s normal become so warped that somebody who’s actually a healthy weight now looks emaciated? Have you become that conditioned by widespread obesity? Just watch him – he’s vibrant, ebulient, full of energy. He looks great.
Becky: here are the ‘lists’:
Include Daily:
- Fruits
- Whole Grains
- Leafy Greens
- Nuts
- Carrots
- Green Tea
At Least 3 times a week (eat more if you want to!)
- Oily Fish
- Yogurt
- Broccoli
- Sweet Potato
- Avocado
No more than once a week
- Red meat
- Pasta
- Dessert
- Alcohol
NEVER!
- Fast Food
- Soda
- Processed meals/frozen dinners
- Canned soup
- “Diet” anything
Eat breakfast every day, no exceptions.
If you had the shake for breakfast; fruit, nuts and a carrot for a morning snack; a sardine / avocado sandwich for lunch with an orange and green salad; yoghurt, walnuts and honey with an apple for an afternoon snack; and salmon with greens and other veges for dinner, you’d be looking at around 2000 calories of something very close to a perfect Mediterranean diet – loads of fruit, vegetables and healthy fats, 50% / 25% / 25% carbs / protein / fat by weight, but 40% / 40% / 20% fat / carbs / protein by calories. It’s an enormously healthy way to eat.
If having a carrot and nuts for a midmorning snack is what it takes to lose weight…no thanks. That’s having a life? How many people have bought into just ‘another fad diet’ that is impossible to follow for long. Atkins works too, in the short run, but it’s boring and causes kidney stones, gallstones, and worse. Never again. we all know how to lose weight, crazy or not, healthy or not. BUT, sticking to it and making it a lifestyle, we fail. Alton, too. If he truly is NOT sick with some life threatening disease now, he should count himself fortunate because eating that crazy sardine crap will cost him more than just losing his hair and looking like a skeletal guy.
What his show didn’t reveal is that he’s ALSO running 4 miles a day. That probably has a lot to do with his weight loss and keeping the weight off. I don’t think it was an entirely wise choice that he refused to consult a doctor before such a tremendous change in his diet, but Alton does know a lot about nutrition and it IS a fairly healthy diet, not just sardines. However, I think he went a bit overboard, and I fervently hope he’s not still losing weight. The hair loss is natural, and he’s been losing his hair for some years. My husband is going through the same thing. It’s called “male pattern baldness”. He’s NOT ill and does NOT have cancer nor any other life-threatening disease (certainly not AIDS. Your insinuations that he’s throwing up or has anorexia are very insulting. Unless you know more than you’re telling, this is how vicious rumors get started.
I liked Alton when he had more weight on his bones. Now he looks sick and drawn…and older. This is not a pretty sight. He may feel better but, I feel he has lost way too much.
Please recover from your illness
Alton Brown of Iron Chef America went on a weight loss diet of sardines and WANTED to look like he does? Nonsense. He looks to be very ill to me. I’m work in the medical field. ICU unit at a teaching hospital. Watch, in a short time it will come out that he indeed, is very ill and wanted to ‘hide’ it for his family. Why not be honest.
you are ALL fat and jelous!
Patch on his left cheek looks like skin cancer to me….
I’d get that looked at!!!!
I need to lose 45 pounds…but I still wouldn’t be skinny!!
His condition may reflect the Kaposi’s sarcoma on his face.
I think Alton looks great! He has inspired me to work harder towards my own weight loss goals. I am going to start eating the way he described on “Live and Let Die”. Alton is my absolute favorite person on the Food Network, he is very smart and witty. Even my husband (who is not a foodie at all) and my children enjoy watching his show. Thank you, Alton for showing all of us that you don’t have to be sick to get skinny! :)
AB, Please gain 10 lbs. You just look too skinny and unhealthy.
i still think he is hot!!!! gotta love a smart funny cute guy who can cook!!
Alton Brown sure like to know how you lost the weight. I’ve been overweight most of my life. Only time was when I lost from 211 to 150 on Weight Watchers and that was 36 years ago, gaining 50 pounds per child and still to this day just can’t lose it. So how did you do it?
Dear Alton,
2011 calendar? I think you look great.