'Man v. Food' filming at Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger today
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger is the site for shooting "Man v. Food" today.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
If you passed by Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger before noon on Tuesday, you likely spotted “Travel Channel’s Man v. Food” star Adam Richman — donning sunglasses, a white shirt and a black jacket — with a small film crew on the sidewalk.
According to Blimpy owner Rich Magner, “They’re going to be here all day,” shooting a segment for “Man vs. Food.”
The show’s website describes how Richman seeks out “the biggest and best eats our nation has to offer, including some of the craziest eating challenges around.”
The film crew prepared Blimpy’s for its moment in the spotlight by installing small, rectangular lighting screens around the restaurant’s small space, while early lunch diners squeezed themselves around the equipment to find a seat. A half-dozen customers stood at the counter shortly after 11:30 a.m., when a Blimpy’s employee said, “It’s crazy in here today, isn’t it?”
Outside, I took a seat on a bench, near another woman who was eating a burger, and the crew prepared to start filming the opening shot.
“You ladies are fine to stay right there,” a crew person informed us. “Just no looking into the camera is all I ask.”
Richman then performed about eight takes of a shot in which he walked down the sidewalk to the restaurant’s entrance while saying variations on a script that begins, “I’m on South Division Street in Ann Arbor, at Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger.”
After briefly touching on the local favorite restaurant’s history and appeal for burger lovers, Richman said that at Blimpy’s, “It’s not just what you order, it’s how you order,” before heading up the steps to the door.
Takes were delayed as loud trucks passed by, or repeated because a crewman thought the ending was too abrupt, or else Richman’s voice cracked, or he tripped on the sidewalk. All the while, Blimpy customers — a couple with a dog, a construction worker in a hardhat, three college-age young men — maneuvered their way around the crew and equipment to go inside.
After the television crew was satisfied with the opening shot, Richman paused a moment on the steps outside the restaurant. A man headed inside touched Richman’s arm and said, “I’m going to go in and eat before you eat. But I love your show, man. I watch it every day.”
“Thanks, man, that’s very kind,” Richman said.
And word of the film crew’s presence clearly spread fast. Just after noon, while the film crew set up inside the restaurant for dining room shots and diner interviews, a group of four college-aged young men — three of them in identical blue T-shirts that read “M Go Greek” — stood on the sidewalk as one of their group hurriedly tried to down a sandwich so they could all go in.
A woman held the door for them when they made their way inside. “They’re filming ‘Man v. Food’ here today.’”
“We know,” one of the male students said. “That’s why we’re here.”
Magner said the "Man v. Food" crew is also stopping at other Ann Arbor restaurants while it's in town. No word yet on when the local episode(s) might be broadcast.
This isn't Blimpy Burger's first time in the TV spotlight; it has been featured on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives."
Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.
Comments
Jenn McKee
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 : 8:34 a.m.
The Ann Arbor ep is scheduled to air October 20.
Sarah
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 10:34 p.m.
So when does the A2 episode air?
Tex Treeder
Sat, Sep 11, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.
Krazy Jim's, best hamburgers in the western world, a virtual cholesterol orgy. I'd eat there more than once a month, but I think my arteries would never forgive me.
Rasputin
Fri, Sep 10, 2010 : 11:03 a.m.
I LOVE Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, but I fear Adam Richman has an eating disorder.
rrt911
Thu, Sep 9, 2010 : 8:26 a.m.
Tee Hee Hee--I love this place and come back to it whenever I can with my son. If it's been a while, I make sure that I read up first so I can order like a pro!
treetowncartel
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 10:04 a.m.
It would have been cool if he showed up in the Winter when the "snow bears" are in full blossom.
Spooner
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 9:20 a.m.
Congratulations Rich and Chris You have earned your kudos. Cook on. Spooner
alum73
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 8:58 a.m.
I used to go to Blimpy's all the time back in the day--but I forgot how to order--I remember getting "A quad Blimpy with an egg"--but forgot the whole drill. Refresher course, anyone?
billchase2
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 8:38 a.m.
I wish I would have known they were at Blimpy yesterday; I would have stopped by! I love the show and have been wondering when they'd do one in Ann Arbor. Looking forward to seeing it on TV!
Jimmy McNulty
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 6:24 a.m.
Is there any ideas about what other area restaurants Adam Richman will visit while he is in town?
townie54
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 12:40 a.m.
no on the drive in and dives show didnt a girl break the record of 21 doubles or something like that?Maybe he's gonna beat that
Justin Guglielmotti
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 7:10 p.m.
I was able to sit in on one of the tapings of the show, and he is just as funny when the cameras are off as when they are on. He signed autographs and took pictures as well. Number one class act.
Lokalisierung
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 5:10 p.m.
"Actually he usually visits more than one restaurant in each location of the show. He only does a "challenge" at one establishment," Thanks for clearing that up. I've watched it although I'm not that familiar with it.
free form
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 5:03 p.m.
Actually he usually visits more than one restaurant in each location of the show. He only does a "challenge" at one establishment, but visits others in the area to highlight their specialities, etc... It seems like a safe bet that they might be filming at other restaurants in the area and would be doing a food contest elsewhere. It's not "lame" at all.
Brad
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 4:51 p.m.
Sorry, but I'm going to have to call "lame" on this one. I am a fan of both KJ's and Man v Food, but they just don't really go together. Man v is about "outrageous" - 6lb pizzas, bonnet pepper snackers... that kind of stuff. I think the producer is just a little lazy this week. Or else just wants to come to Ann Arbor.
jameslucas
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 4:18 p.m.
I love Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burgers, but never heard of this show or Adam Richman before today. I think Blimpy's will help get the word out about the "Travel Channel's Man v. Food" and Adam Richman.
michiganexpats.com
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 2:56 p.m.
Haha, how cool. That poor host must be so sick after these shows, but I'm glad he came to Ann Arbor!
Lokalisierung
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 2:47 p.m.
"the factory worker who set the record for most patties eaten..." yep that makes sense.
Hmm
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 2:33 p.m.
Oh man I love that show!
treetowncartel
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 2:27 p.m.
I think the challenge is to eat a quint loaded with at least three itmes off the grill, go home and lay on your couch, and see if you can get up off of it within the next two hours.
John Schultz
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 2:19 p.m.
@Lokalisierung - I think the old AANews article - posted on the wall at Blimpy - about the factory worker who set the record for most patties eaten offers a perfectly valid contest or challenge to anyone with the proper mindset. Wherever someone has established a "most," there's always room for "more."
genericreg
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 1:48 p.m.
Nice crew give permission to sit in public.
townie
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 1:47 p.m.
A white shirt to eat at Krazy Jim's? What's the sequel, "Man vs. Stain?"
Lokalisierung
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 1:34 p.m.
Does Blimpy have some sort of contest or challenge? I didn't think so, but that's the point of the show.
jjc155
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 12:49 p.m.
Hopefully he places he order in the correct sequence, lest he be yelled at on TV! LOL