The rowing team at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria is used to frequent practices on the Anacostia River. But the students never would have guessed that one of their practices would end up on Netflix.
The Ireton rowing team was featured in “Somebody Feed Phil,” a Netflix series documenting the adventures of foodie Phil Rosenthal around the world. Each episode is dedicated to a different city. A gray-haired, playful New Yorker, Rosenthal has two objectives for each trip: make new friends and try their food. In Season 7, Episode 2, released last month, Rosenthal visits Washington and works in some physical exercise with the help of Ireton students.
“I received an email in early June from Ireton’s Director of Admissions Nicole Mahon, inquiring about helping the show set up a rowing lesson for Phil,” said coach Stephen Hall. “I communicated with Katie Guhl, a producer on the show, and shared what we could do, and the facilities and rowers we could offer. After several emails and shared photos, a date was set to record Phil learning how to row in a rowing shell with Ireton rowers and equipment.”
The rowing team received several minutes of screen time, from minute 19:30 to 22:25, during the episode. The segment begins with Rosenthal walking down the dock in a tight Ireton rowing suit and greeting Hall. “I like everything about (Washington), except the outfit,” Rosenthal jokes, shaking Hall’s hand.
The segment provides a comical lightness to the episode. “I would like for you to meet the Bishop Ireton rowing high school team,” Rosenthal says in a voiceover to viewers. “I should not be on this team. This is for coordinated people. Kids, you have the wrong guy.”
Ireton rowers Katherine Kernan, Henry Boudreau, Cole Gabriel Winslow, Fiona Sullivan, Ava Lebens, Jake Schlise, Eva Pierre and Julia Plunkett help the enthusiastic Rosenthal learn to row. Team captain and senior Boudreau demonstrates proper rowing form to Rosenthal on a rowing machine before they take to the Anacostia. The eight students show Rosenthal how to carry the rowing shell down to the water.
“My microphone is about to fall out the bottom of my pants,” Rosenthal complains.
The rowers teach Rosenthal to row in sync with the team, while Rosenthal’s brother Richard teases him from a bullhorn. A good time was had by all, both on screen and behind-the-scenes.
“Most of the rowers were thrilled with the idea of being featured on this Netflix show,” Hall said. “They began to watch some previous episodes to get a feel for Phil and how he likes to experience new things in each city he visits.
“Phil is a genuine, upbeat and caring person who loves to meet and be with people, especially kids. That certainly came through in producing this episode,” Hall said. “In fact, all the crew, photographers, sound engineers and producers were lovely to work with and really had as much fun as the kids in being a part of this show. We are certainly proud to feature Bishop Ireton, our rowing team and be part of an exceptional show.”
