Where have the oxtails gone?

I find it strange that tv programs like Iron Chef, Chopped, etc, plus tv food personalities seem more popular than anytime in my lifetime and yet fewer people seem to cook anymore. Am I wrong in this observation?

Cooking has turned into a spectator sport.

Found some short ribs at Whole Foods in Portland, ME yesterday. Very expensive IMHO $5.98 per pound. Did get three plus pounds of them. They also had to boneless ones! I asked the butcher about what we have been discussing here, and he thought the problem with the bones is social. He also said he could get ox tails with 24 hours notice.

[Jenise]

I find it strange that tv programs like Iron Chef, Chopped, etc, plus tv food personalities seem more popular than anytime in my lifetime and yet fewer people seem to cook anymore. Am I wrong in this observation?

You're not, and the observation's been made in the press too. Not sure of the psychology of it, but perhaps it's just part of the general increase in armchair-everything.