"Let's Dine Out Show" has been canceled!
By Ed Wright, "The Wright Gourmet"
March 2007

Say it isn't so; Good Bye Allan Borgen and the "Let's Dine Out Show?" After 18 years on KVCR ch. 24, the management of KVCR decided to cancel the "Let's Dine Out Show" mid-season, without notice and with shows already recorded and ready to air. In speaking with Allan Borgen, he confirmed that within days of the cancellation notice the "Let's Dine Out Show" had submitted a new format proposal to KVCR, and it has joined other proposals from other local programs that will be reviewed when KVCR’s new fiscal year begins on July 1, 2007. Additional information is available through their web sites and press releases in the local newspapers. You can also call Allen Borgen directly at any time at (909) 910-3463 for additional information.

If you will also miss this popular show may I suggest that you email KVCR to let them know how you feel about their decision to possibly cancel permanently the “Let’s Dine Out” program at: info@kvcr.org. Please keep in mind that all of KVCR’s local productions are reportedly being evaluated and according to their press release are “Retooling to ensure quality and sustainability;” which is what we are being told. Somewhere in the background, more than likely this cancellation is a move to increase station support and revenues, and is more of a money issue than that of The Let's Dine Out Show's quality or local popularity. Clearly with programming on the cable networks like the "Food Network" exploding in popularity, it is very hard for “Local” shows like "Let's Dine Out" to generate the same levels of interest and potential revenues of larger State and/or Nationally syndicated programming… but hopefully the KVCR management will not permanently remove this incredibly well produced local dining program.

Ed Wright, "The Wright Gourmet" would personally request that everyone who reads my articles online please take a couple of minutes of their time and e-mail KVCR and request that they continue to air Allan Borgen's "Let's Dine Out Show" again in the near future, and let them know you appreciate the shows local restaurant reviews. It will be interesting to see how the program is re-worked and we are sure improved.

In preparing this article I briefly spoke with very busy Martha Green ("Cooking Things" Program), who says that the changes that canceled the "Let's Dine Out Show" have not affected her programing... and we wish her "Cooking Things" program the best, Martha's recipes are always great. 

The Let's Dine Out television show airs/aired every Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. and 12 midnight and is repeated on Saturday nights at 6:00 p.m. and at 12 midnight . The show could also be seen throughout Southern California in approximately 7 million households on KVCR TV, Channel 24-PBS. The station can be seen on various Cable Stations, on UHF, on Direct TV and on the Dish Network in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange Counties including Redlands, Palm Springs, Indio, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Cathedral City and surrounding areas.

Allan Borgen, MSW (Host & Producer)
Allan Borgen, supposedly better looking than “The Wright Gourmet,” has been a well-known and respected restaurant critic for over 20 years. He hosted, produced, and wrote the popular “Table for Two” television show that aired for 9 years on PBS. He now has the same responsibilities on the Let's Dine Out Show, which has aired for the past 6 years on PBS. Borgen is also a member of the Southern California Restaurant Writers as well as the International Association of Food, Wine and Travel Writers. Allan has 10 years of restaurant experience, owned a very successful catering company, has taken numerous restaurant management and chef's' training classes and is the restaurant critic for the San Bernardino County Sun and the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Newspapers. In addition to his sense of humor and spontaneity, Allan has a passion for helping people as well as for the culinary profession and is very popular throughout the Southern California area.

Missy Porteous, MS, RD, CDE (CO-Host )
Missy Porteous, honestly better looking than “The Wright Gourmet,” co-hosts the "Let's Dine Out Show," is a bright and knowledgeable individual who is dedicated to helping people learn how to eat smart, eat healthy and have fun doing it. She is a Registered Dietitian, a Certified Diabetes Educator, a Certified Group Exercise Instructor and Personal Fitness Trainer. She is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to nutrition contents of food, creative food planning and vegetarianism. She has a keen sense of humor and complements Allan very well.

Current Philosophy Of The "Let's Dine Out" Show
The "Let's Dine Out Show" show is intended to provide viewers honest and objective restaurant reviews all around Southern California but primarily in San Bernardino and Riverside counties… my guess is that it is very hard for Allan or Missy to go into many restaurants where they are not immediately recognized for their dining show and restaurant reviews. Whatever KVCR’s decision, we can be sure to see more of this program as it is retooled and hopefully expanded.