we have largely different takes on the show but all your criticisms are valid. the issues i did have with the show were pretty much the same they just bothered me much less (although they were most apparent in the Mexico/Israel episodes). I never got the sense that Grillo is insincere though.

He's definitely bro-ey and can't hold a candle to Bourdain but to me it is clear that he is passionate about martial arts and respectful of the cultures/people he profiles during the season.

definitely a ymmv situation