Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Seasons 1-5

[FoodMan]

The short rant about RAW and Woody H. at the end was worth the price of admission.

Not to mention the little mishap where Tony almost got his neck broken by an ATV

[Claudia Greco]

The short rant about RAW and Woody H. at the end was worth the price of admission.

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The NZ episode cracked me up almost as much as Zamir did in the Uzbek episode. I think Tony's problem with the first NZ audience was that (1) he might have just been one panelist speaking at Savour that week, so his audience wasn't necessarily a total AB crowd, and (2) even they were all Tony aficianados, we, as Americans, tend to talk in bullet points, sound bites and snippets of cultural allusions - I think he might have assumed that they were all used to not only the American way of speech, but also his particular style. As an American and a foodie, I didn't see any reason why his "food porn" remark would have killed off a room like that; but as someone who was raised overseas (among Brits, Aussies and, yes, Kiwis, etc.), I could see why his literally shorthand might have taken them aback - or not registered. I noticed that with the second NZ crowd, Tony backed the verbal car up a bit by whipping out the actual book, making very clear he was quoting from it, and THEN went for Charlie Trotter's and Woody's jugulars (!!) The crowd KNEW where he was going with that one, because he gave it context. Most Tony fans (and Yanks in general) would have got the verbal shorthand right off the bat. I'm glad he was able to rally his audience the second time.

I'm just surprised Tony didn't get some serious Maori tats, to go with his Malaysian one (!!!)

Charlie seems to have dug himself in deep doo-doo with Tony . . . first the dread foie gras issue, and now the raw one. Time for an episode in which Charlie and Tony go noshing in, say . . . oh . . . France? Or Charlie and Woody in Tibet? Not too much raw/vegan food up THERE, that's for sure . . .

[Chris Cognac]

I watched that and went "oh my god, he was inches from death"...No shit, all my ATV buddies say that is the worst kind off wipeout...I am sure he studied the slo-mo footage and just shook his head...Hey Tony, did you go buy a lottery ticket after that...cause it was you lucky day!

[MHarney]

Biggest cackle "My momma done told me, bring somethin for dinner." Sing-songed.

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Same here -- it's from one of my favorite Warner cartoons, "Bugs Bunny Gets the Boid" (1942), in which the rather dim Beaky Buzzard tries to catch the wabbit (sound bite here). I half expected Bourdain to follow up with the also-classic (to me, anyway), "Ohhh, no, no, no, no , no, no! Not gonna do it. Nnnnnope."

[FrostFree]

As has often been remarked, reality television is all about putting ordinary people in extraordinary situations.

While few would describe Tony Bourdain as “ordinary,” he does have something of an everyman quality about him -- particularly if you think that the average guy is as tall and thin as he is jaded. That very cynicism brings a healthy groundedness to the show, however, as Tony trots of globe in search of the weird and wonderful. It’s much like the attitude that David Letterman (on whose show Tony often appears) brings to Hollywood -- a stubborn refusal to be dazzled by glitter, fame, or superficial appearances of any sort.

“Cook’s Tour” was one of my favorite FoodTV shows. Tony introducing each episode with that clip of his eating the bug provided the metaphor for the lengths to which he would go in search of the exotic.

In “No Reservations,” however, Tony’s world-weariness seems to be getting rather extreme. It’s entirely understandable. If you’ve ever lived out of a suitcase for weeks, even months on end, changing time zones almost as often as you do hotel rooms, it’s far less enjoyable and glamorous than it may seem. In fact, it can be some of the hardest work there is.

That’s under the best of circumstances - and those best of circumstances would hardly make for entertaining television. So instead we’ve got Tony trudging off to choke down putrefied shark in Iceland, when he isn’t being tied in knots by a deep tissue masseuse in Uzbekistan (wherever that is). I must say that watching Tony’s fingers being dragged from the edge of the platform where, with his voice over, he ultimately “confesses” to Rachael Ray’s great cooking skills, was simply exquisite.

Zamir in that episode made a perfect foil to Tony, both in personality and physique. In silhouette, the pair rekindles memories of the old Rocky & Bullwinkle show, with Zamir playing Boris Badinov to Tony’s Natasha Fatale. I emphasize “in silhouette” - there’s nothing in the least feminine about Tony Bourdain, of course. And I bet Zamir’s vocalization of “Moose, Squirrel” ain’t half bad either.

Then we have the New Zealand episode where Tony takes the spill on the ATV. Now, all of a sudden, this doesn’t seem so amusing. That little adventure could easily have been Tony’s last -- leaving him crippled or even dead. I close my eyes and I can still see that heavy vehicle overturning upon him and then, as if that wasn’t bad enough, flinging him like some oversized rag doll down the slope.

It was there where it finally hit home how unscripted all this is. That wasn’t some highly paid stunt double safely pretending to do these things. That was all as real as it gets.

Earlier in this same episode, Tony, this spectacularly unfit urbanite, just months shy of his fiftieth birthday, who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day, wheezes up those New Zealand hills vainly struggling to keep up in the hunt for wild boar. After the ATV debacle, that little exercise takes on something of a different quality too.

Isn’t stroke one of our leading causes of death?

I love Tony’s television shows, but I like and admire him far too much to have him come to a premature end just to provide us this entertainment, however wonderful and welcome it may be.

Tony may have the heart of a warrior, but even if he had the physical athleticism to match, reality TV’s “extraordinary situations” just shouldn’t be as life threatening as they’ve become on “No Reservations”.

[Claudia Greco]

As has often been remarked, reality television is all about putting ordinary people in extraordinary situations.

In “No Reservations,” however, Tony’s world-weariness seems to be getting rather extreme. It’s entirely understandable. If you’ve ever lived out of a suitcase for weeks, even months on end, changing time zones almost as often as you do hotel rooms, it’s far less enjoyable and glamorous than it may seem. In fact, it can be some of the hardest work there is.

Then we have the New Zealand episode where Tony takes the spill on the ATV. Now, all of a sudden, this doesn’t seem so amusing. That little adventure could easily have been Tony’s last -- leaving him crippled or even dead. I close my eyes and I can still see that heavy vehicle overturning upon him and then, as if that wasn’t bad enough, flinging him like some oversized rag doll down the slope.

It was there where it finally hit home how unscripted all this is. That wasn’t some highly paid stunt double safely pretending to do these things. That was all as real as it gets.

I love Tony’s television shows, but I like and admire him far too much to have him come to a premature end just to provide us this entertainment, however wonderful and welcome it may be.

Tony may have the heart of a warrior, but even if he had the physical athleticism to match, reality TV’s “extraordinary situations” just shouldn’t be as life threatening as they’ve become on “No Reservations”.

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I TOTALLY agree that Tony should not be put in danger for dazzle - or for ratings But, on the other hand, isn't Tony himself the one who puts himself in danger, rather than his producers? For instance, the ATV incident wasn't inherently dangerous - it BECAME dangerous only because Tony either did not hear (or misheard) the ATV expert's instruction NOT to follow him up the sand hill and do wheelies/zig zags. What looked to be intended as a nice zip along the NZ beach, la dee da, while waiting for the boar to be cooked, instead turned into a near-death experience. And then again, in Sicily, was Tony MADE to jump off the cliffs, or did he himself decide to do it as a guy thing because Cicco was doing it it? (True, it looked great for the camera and allowed Tony to do his usually "What the F___ Am I Getting Myself Into?" shtick, but you have to wonder sometimes . . . is it Tony's producers, or is it Tony being Tony sometimes?)

Tony is 49, a 2-pack-a-day smoker with a well-known fondness for vodka and brewskies, and at 6' 4" and about 160 lbs. wet (!), knows perfectly well he is not exactly Mr. Athletic. But I think he still enjoys a good challenge, a dare, and hanging his butt out over the edge, "money shots" or production values notwithstanding. It is possible that Tony has instinctively combined his inherent wise-assness with his beautifully described "spectactular urbanite unfitness" (!) to produce kind of a goofy antihero, a man who will gleefully sink his teeth into a challenge, knowing full well disaster and embarrassment lurks just behind the corner? (!!)

No doubt that Tony does do a lot of the stuff that the producers set up for him - but since Tony is famous for his occasionally on-camera "rebellions" against his producers, I think a man of strong opinion such as he would have no trouble putting his foot down and refusing to do anything he truly, truly believed would kill or cripple him - ratings or no.

A final thought -Tony actually seems not so much "world-weary" as "production-weary". He apparently has days, as he did in Sicily, where spending the day leanring about salt, picking capers and line-fishing in a raging storm to net ONE calamaro gets to be too pointless for him, especially when the sun-drenched paradise of Pantelleria was calling. I think he'll gladly put up with the lost baggage, multiple time zones and the ever-present need for Imodium as long as he isn't asked to do something inane. Trapani seemed to be his breaking point (!)

So . . . here it is, the larger question: Not whether Tony can be saved (from danger) - but Tony can be saved from . . . well . . . Tony? (!!)

(I hope not!)

[inny]

So . . . here it is, the larger question:  Not whether Tony can be saved (from danger) - but Tony can be saved from . . . well . . . Tony? (!!)

(I hope not!)

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I agree with everything Claudia Greco posted above, but the quote I pulled just nails it. That, right there, is the charm of the show. Sure, the producers may have their grubby little mitts on some of the set-ups, but the experience is pure Bourdain. That's what makes it watchable. That's what makes it fun.

[Claudia Greco]

So . . . here it is, the larger question:  Not whether Tony can be saved (from danger) - but Tony can be saved from . . . well . . . Tony? (!!)

(I hope not!)

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Sure, the producers may have their grubby little mitts on some of the set-ups, but the experience is pure Bourdain.

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I can just picture Chris, the producer, hitting Tony up with some of these ideas, and the occasionally prickly AB just microwaving him to dust on a single glance - "You f_____ want me to do WHAT?!!!" Almost as much fun as AB deciding he's gonna up and do something and the production team trailing helplessly after him. They should do an episode just on the inherent conflict of Chris wanting Tony to do something hair-raising, or Tony up and doing a Tony - the outtakes alone would be worth it!

[Daniel]

Wow.. I loved how uncomfortable everyone in the room was while Anthony gave his first speech.. I wonder if it was that bad the whole time? Moments of social ackwardness, burn the cheeks, start the heart racing, let you know you are alive..

I took particular interest in the wild pig being cooked. And liked how he was aware of just how boring the beer guy was..

But my favorite part was when he ranted about what a total herb Trotter is.. Trotter reminds me of a guy in prison for triple homocide preaching religion.. Some born again whack job. I am not having it..

[johnsmith45678]

Is that it for No Reservations - nine episodes?

I missed the last two - hopefully they'll be re-aired.

[rose_ayn]

Is that it for No Reservations -  nine episodes?

I missed the last two - hopefully they'll be re-aired.

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Nope, there's a second two coming in January (I think). I know there's another season just not exactly sure when.

They've been running repeats and if you miss them then you can always buy the dvds.

[karen m]

When he visited Chicago in October he mentioned they had filmed China.

Since then he has visited Quebec Canada. I believe it includes a visit to Palmex foie gras farm with Chef Martin Picard from Au Pied de Cochon.

Also, some time soon a visit to the Northwest States including Portland and Seattle.

I groove on each episode - love the pop culture associations. Tracy and Chris the camera crew rocks. Very gutsy camera work.

My question to Tony ..are you taking photographs while travelling and filming abroad for No Reservations? as you had during ACT?

Keeping with the 35 or have you gone digital or both? just wondering.

[bourdain]

Locations of completed shows soon to be aired:

China (Beijing and Sichuan)

Japan ( Osaka and Kiso Valley)

South Florida ( Miami, Everglades, Key West)

Peru (Amazonia, Macchu Picchu, Lima, Cuzco)

Sweden (Stockholm, Lapland)

Quebec ( Montreal, North north north with Inuits)

Puerto Rico (all over but NOT San Juan)

Shooting imminently:

Ethiopia

Beirut

India (two shows)

Korea

Indonesia

Mexican Border (from Dusk til Dawn show)

Pacific Northwest

Ireland

and more tbd

[kgaddis]

Have you guys done a south Vietnam show? All I keep seeing is the one with the crazy guy on the island. I know you did Saigon on the food network and in your book. Also, are you really planning on moving over there? My wife and I go to visit her mother, but I don't think I could live in the land of the little people. I am looking forward to new episodes, thanks for many years of entertainment and great food.

K

[1baugh]

Tony,

Great, new episodes !!!

How about the new book about Vietnam ?

I know after watching the New Zealand episode you don't love the book signing thing, but when are you going to hit the road again ?

Keep up the great work !

[sim]

What restaurants did you go to in Montreal and Quebec?

and I did read, somewhere, that you went to the Jean-Talon market, How would you compare it to other markets from around the world?

thanks and your shows, books are wonderfull! keep it up!

Edited December 19, 2005 by sim (log)

[jsolomon]

Bourdain,

Thanks for doing what you do. I don't understand how you walked instead of being carried away from Uzbekistan.

When are you going to do the gut-bomb greaseball tour of Nebraska?

[FoodMan]

Beirut! Finally. I am definitly looking forward to this one. Let me know if you need any tips or pointers...although I am sure you already procured whoever the Samir equivelant over there is .

[Claudia Greco]

Locations of completed shows soon to be aired:

China (Beijing and Sichuan)

Japan ( Osaka and Kiso Valley)

South Florida ( Miami, Everglades, Key West)

Peru (Amazonia, Macchu Picchu, Lima, Cuzco)

Sweden (Stockholm, Lapland)

Quebec ( Montreal, North north north with Inuits)

Puerto Rico (all over but NOT San Juan)

Shooting imminently:

Ethiopia

Beirut

India (two shows)

Korea

Indonesia

Mexican Border (from Dusk til Dawn show)

Pacific Northwest

Ireland

and more tbd

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Man, have YOU been busy, Tony! Are you shooting all of these before you move to Vietnam, or will you be shooting the Asian episodes from your new home base? Myanmar (Burma) could be interesting, too - assuming you could get not only INto the country, but safely out (!!)

[popover]

Locations of completed shows soon to be aired:

China (Beijing and Sichuan)

Japan ( Osaka and Kiso Valley)

South Florida ( Miami, Everglades, Key West)

Peru (Amazonia, Macchu Picchu, Lima, Cuzco)

Sweden (Stockholm, Lapland)

Quebec ( Montreal, North north north with Inuits)

Puerto Rico (all over but NOT San Juan)

Shooting imminently:

Ethiopia

Beirut

India (two shows)

Korea

Indonesia

Mexican Border (from Dusk til Dawn show)

Pacific Northwest

Ireland

and more tbd

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I see you are going to many places including Southeast Asia. And yet you left out Pakistan, which I was hoping you would visit for its unsual cultures, food and lots of picturesque areas. Any reason why you left out Pakistan?

[Soup]

I cannot wait to see the korean, indian and PR episodes!!! Hey AB do you need a korean english speaker who comes free of charge (i.e., me )?

[Daniel]

Ethiopia is something that should be addressed immediately... Cant wait to read that on my TIVO description..

[Swisskaese]

What about Israel?! It is a hop, skip and a jump from Beirut.

I will be happy to give you some suggestions and I am sure Boaziko would also lend a hand.

[iharrison]

Good news Canada.

As the field producer for the Montreal episode of No Reservations, I have been frantically seeking assurances that the show will air at some point in our home and native land.

Finally, this morning, I received this from CTV Travel:

Hello Ian,

We are going to be premiering the program starting Wednesday February 1st, at 9 PM Eastern Time and this will be it's regular timeslot. Although I don't have a firm airdate for a Montreal/Quebec episode, you can check our schedule on our website at http://www.ctvtravel.ca/schedule/detail.asp and it should give you a heads up as to when the episode will go to air.

Also, when I have a firm date I will try to send an email to you informing you of the firm airdate/time.

[Spiro]

Thankyouthankyouthankyou!

Good news Canada.

As the field producer for the Montreal episode of No Reservations, I have been frantically seeking assurances that the show will air at some point in our home and native land.

Finally, this morning, I received this from CTV Travel:

Hello Ian,

We are going to be premiering the program starting Wednesday February 1st, at 9 PM Eastern Time and this will be it's regular timeslot.  Although I don't have a firm airdate for a Montreal/Quebec episode, you can check our schedule on our website at http://www.ctvtravel.ca/schedule/detail.asp and it should give you a heads up as to when the episode will go to air.

Also, when I have a firm date I will try to send an email to you informing you of the firm airdate/time.

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