Series synopsis
Check, Please! is an American drama television series that premiered on PBS on October 2, 2001. It was created by David Manilow.
Check, Please! is a popular restaurant review program that first aired on Chicago's PBS member station WTTW in 2001. The show's popularity inspired spin-offs in several other markets. A San Francisco version of the show, Check, Please! Bay Area, began its first season in 2005, airing on KQED. A Miami version for WPBT, Check, Please! South Florida, debuted in January 2008. Check, Please! Kansas City then began airing on KCPT in 2009, and Check, Please! Arizona on Phoenix's KAET made its debut in ...
Premise
Check, Please! is a popular restaurant review program that first aired on Chicago's PBS member station WTTW in 2001. The show's popularity inspired spin-offs in several other markets. A San Francisco version of the show, Check, Please! Bay Area, began its first season in 2005, airing on KQED. A Miami version for WPBT, Check, Please! South Florida, debuted in January 2008. Check, Please! Kansas City then began airing on KCPT in 2009, and Check, Please! Arizona on Phoenix's KAET made its debut in 2010. A Seattle version, Check, Please! Northwest, began airing on KCTS in 2012.
The format of the show is simple: three people sit down with a host to discuss three local eating establishments, one favorite chosen by each guest. Before the program is taped, each person chooses a favorite restaurant, and everyone in the group is required to visit each person's selection. Afterwards, everyone describes their eating experiences. Although many participants select trendy, upscale restaurants, just about any eating establishment is fair game including hot dog stands and "neighborhood joints".
Episodes
This series spans 19 seasons with 84 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 12 | October 2, 2001 | January 29, 2002 |
| Season 2 | 12 | October 10, 2002 | February 7, 2003 |
| Season 3 | 12 | October 17, 2003 | February 27, 2004 |
| Season 4 | 12 | October 15, 2004 | February 25, 2005 |
| Season 5 | 12 | October 7, 2005 | February 10, 2006 |
| Season 6 | 12 | October 6, 2006 | February 16, 2007 |
| Season 7 | 12 | October 12, 2007 | February 8, 2008 |
| Season 8 | 0 | ||
| Season 9 | 0 | ||
| Season 10 | 0 | ||
| Season 11 | 0 | ||
| Season 12 | 0 | ||
| Season 13 | 0 | ||
| Season 14 | 0 | ||
| Season 15 | 0 | ||
| Season 16 | 0 | ||
| Season 17 | 0 | ||
| Season 18 | 0 | ||
| Season 19 | 0 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Wiener's Circle, Sushi Wabi, Le Titi de Paris Reviews and recommendations for Chicago hot dog-and-late nite abuse stop Wiener's Circle, West Loop Japanese joint Sushi Wabi, and Arlington Heights mainstay Le Titi de Paris. |
October 2, 2001 |
| 2 |
Tiparos, Lutz Continental Cafe, Carlos' Reviews and recommendations for Old Town Thai at Tiparos, old world baked goods in Lincoln Square at Lutz Continental Cafe, and a Highland Park French food destination at Carlos'. |
October 9, 2001 |
| 3 |
Genesee Depot, Sally's Waffle and Pancake House, Gibsons Reviews and recommendations for homey Wrigleyville spot Genesee Depot, all day breakfast in Norwood Park at Sally's Waffle and Pancake House, and Gold Coast steakhouse Gibsons. |
October 16, 2001 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Louis' Bon Appetit, Chicago Diner, N9NE Featured restaurants include Louis' Bon Appetit, Chicago Diner, and N9NE. |
October 10, 2002 |
| 2 |
Kendall College Dining Room, Pepper Lounge, Nuevo Leon Featured restaurants include Kendall College Dining Room, Pepper Lounge, and Nuevo Leon. |
October 17, 2002 |
| 3 |
Hong Min, Grizzly's Lodge, Cafe Absinthe Featured restaurants include Hong Min, Grizzly's Lodge, and Cafe Absinthe. |
October 24, 2002 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Rumba, Paprikash, Maple Tree Inn Featured restaurants include Rumba, Paprikash, and Maple Tree Inn. |
October 17, 2003 |
| 2 |
Francesca's Vicinato, Sweet Maple Cafe, Fogo de Chao Featured restaurants include Francesca's Vicinato, Sweet Maple Cafe, and Fogo de Chao. |
October 24, 2003 |
| 3 |
302 West, Pizza D.O.C., Opera Featured restaurants include 302 West, Pizza D.O.C., and Opera. |
October 31, 2003 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Siam Noodle, Millrose Restaurant, Raw Bar Featured restaurants include Siam Noodle, Millrose Restaurant, and Raw Bar. |
October 15, 2004 |
| 2 |
Tango Sur, RL, Pita Inn Featured restaurants include Tango Sur, RL, and Pita Inn. |
October 22, 2004 |
| 3 |
Miller Bakery Cafe, Cafe Laguardia, Maza Featured restaurants include Miller Bakery Cafe, Cafe Laguardia, and Maza. |
October 29, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Hot Doug's, Blu 47, Meiji Featured restaurants include Hot Doug's, Blu 47, and Meiji. |
October 7, 2005 |
| 2 |
Bistro Campagne, La Pena, Aria Featured restaurants include Bistro Campagne, La Pena, and Aria. |
October 14, 2005 |
| 3 |
Heartland Cafe, Geja's, La Fonda Featured restaurants include Heartland Cafe, Geja's, and La Fonda. |
October 21, 2005 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A La Turka, Le Lan, Palermo's 95th Featured restaurants include A La Turka, Le Lan, and Palermo's 95th. |
October 6, 2006 |
| 2 |
Terragusto, Cuatro, Honey 1 BBQ Featured restaurants include Terragusto, Cuatro, and Honey 1 BBQ. |
October 13, 2006 |
| 3 |
Cafe Trinidad, Santorini, Papillon Featured restaurants include Cafe Trinidad, Santorini, and Papillon. |
October 20, 2006 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Flavor, Il Mulino, Silver Seafood Featured restaurants include Flavor, Il Mulino, and Silver Seafood. |
October 12, 2007 |
| 2 |
Timo, Tanoshii, Xni-Pec de Yucatan Featured restaurants include Timo, Tanoshii, and Xni-Pec de Yucatan. |
October 19, 2007 |
| 3 |
David Burke's Primehouse, Pier 5736, Friendship Chinese Featured restaurants include David Burke's Primehouse, Pier 5736, and Friendship Chinese. |
October 26, 2007 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | PBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 2, 2001 |
| Last aired | February 8, 2008 |
| Runtime | 26 minutes |
| Status | Returning Series |