‘Drew Barrymore’ show embraces Gatorland, Kabooki Sushi, Lake Eola
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Gatorland, Kabooki Sushi and Lake Eola received national attention during an Orlando travel segment on “The Drew Barrymore Show” this week.
Appearing on the syndicated talk show was Ginger Gadsden, an anchor with WKMG-Channel 6, where the program airs in Central Florida, and Gatorland’s Savannah Boan. On Monday’s episode, taped last week in New York City, Gadsden shared Orlando favorites with Barrymore and co-host Ross Matthews.
Before the appearance, “they were like, ‘What do you like to do in Orlando that’s not the obvious thing?’” Gadsden said. “I gave them several options … because there are tons of things to do here.”
They first discussed the draw of downtown’s Lake Eola. Then, a tray of sushi from Kabooki Sushi was presented, and the panel sampled the fare. Then Gadsden unveiled ribs that were stowed beneath.
“You did not expect the sushi place to have the best ribs,” Gadsden said. “It is ridiculous how good those ribs are.”
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Barrymore and Matthews were still enjoying the food when Boan came onstage holding a small alligator with both hands.
“I see alligators every day, and God knows I love him, right? But I also love Drew Barrymore,” Boan said. “I’m holding the alligator, and I’m being safe, obviously. But I just want to stare at Drew Barrymore.”
The alligator was not one of Gatorland’s residents; the show borrowed the animal — named Snappy the Happy Alligator — from a New York animal sanctuary.
Barrymore “was so enchanted with the alligator, and she just loved it so much,” Boan said.
During the show, Boan talked about Gatorland and its conservation mission. She was decked out in her trademark hat, boots and jeans.
Matthews “was like, ‘Savannah, you look exactly the way you should look for a glamorous alligator handler.’ That was wonderful,” Boan said. “The whole place is just built on kindness. You didn’t see anyone rushing or stressed out. It was a completely different experience than I ever thought that it would have been.”
Gadsden and Boan were in New York for less than 24 hours.
“There was not one bad thing about it. She [Barrymore] was as delightful, if not more so, than I had hoped,” Gadsden said.
“On the flight back … I watched ‘E.T.’ and cried,” she said.
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