Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Seasons 1-5

[rose_ayn]

Comparing No Reservations to A Cook's Tour is like comparing your children. It's unfair to both. A Cook's Tour may have been the genesis of No Reservations but they are different beasts.

It's as if people cannot wrap their minds around the fact that it's a different program. Yes Bourdain and his crew are back. They were the soul of ACT and it's more than present in No Reservations. That soul is what I love about the new show.

Bourdain is certainly capable of carrying an hour long program. I almost always felt ACT ended too quickly. The hour long format of the new show is a good balance of food and travel.

So, when does the Las Vegas episode finally air?

[johnsmith45678]

Ugh, that "squeezle" scene. Porcupine served with the quills mixed in! And the dead critters in the bottles - they make whiskey (or whatever it was) from them?

[Bux]

Ugh, that "squeezle" scene. Porcupine served with the quills mixed in! And the dead critters in the bottles - they make whiskey (or whatever it was) from them?

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They don't actually "make" whiskey from them. They submerge them in some high proof alcohol and the dead animals impart some essence to the liquid. I'll bet that someone looked hard and had a clue, you could find something like that in Chinatown in NYC. In Guandzhou we saw snakes and lizards in such bottles of alcohol quite commonly. My wife wanted to buy some to bring back. I wondered if they'd pass customs, but mostly I thought bottles are heavy and I need to want to drink what's in them to make it worth while carrying them.

I don't believe there's much of a chance a porcupine quill could get mixed into the stew by accident. I think we need to get used to the idea that much of the apparent "documentry" is scripted and that the voice overs of Tony thinking are added later. Then sit back and relax. Theres a level of what, for a better term, could be referred to as less than professionalism in the production of the series. And that's the good aspect of it. Seriously, there's a disjointed aspect to the episodes we've seen so far. They all don't seem as if they're from the same series. There is no formula and that alone leaves one excited to catch the next episode. Each one is an inspired reaction to what they already know of their destination and what they find there. We all know travel shows where if you've seen three, you can plug in what you know of the fourth location and not need to see the show. This is a bit different. Tony's refreshng, if not a breath of fresh air.

[coquus]

It's good to see people keep coming back to the show, another classic episode this week (Vietnam), and I'm looking forward to Malaysia. And hats off to Blues Explosion's NO Reservations theme, I really look forward to hearing that.

[jesteinf]

I think we need to get used to the idea that much of the apparent "documentry" is scripted and that the voice overs of Tony thinking are added later. Then sit back and relax.

I think we also need to face the facts the A Cook's Tour was a bit more scripted than we would like to believe. Like the bird's nest soup. In the book, Tony makes it very clear that he had no interest in trying this local treat, that it was actually his producer's idea. I'm of the belief that 99% of everything we see on television that is supposed to be unscripted or "reality" is actually quite scripted.

In any event, we should take No Reservations for what it is. Is it a pure food show? No it's on the Travel Channel. Is it Tony just going nuts and doing whatever he wants and stumbling into random situations? No. Is it damn entertaining and should we appreciate Tony being back on TV? Absolutely!

[BryanZ]

The falling pig was hilarious in the Malaysia episode. Certainly the highlight of the series. The voiceover was quintessential Bourdain.

[M.X.Hassett]

Malaysia and V'm, best episodes yet. Ruhlman and AB, you spent time in Vegas, I thought it was for this show. Does this mean the show was picked up for a 2nd season and that what you two (drug induced, violent, inebriated,gods of food) did was not to vulgar, drug and booze induced to air, from what Mike says about your jacket from vegas, AB, I can not imagine TravelT will air it.

I do hope this is not the fact.

I'm sure you are in a land far and exotic that "smells better, tastes better"(A.Now)" working on your next novel. But please whip out the blackberry and talk to youre drooling groopies.

[TrishCT]

I enjoyed the trek to Malaysia. Fascinating country, nicely portrayed. I notice that Paris is being repeated next week... Are there only four episodes or are there more new ones to come?

[GordonCooks]

Am I the only one that thinks Chef Wan and Jimmy Wah (the bar owner in "Good Morning Vietnam" with the shiny green suit) are the same person?

[Soup]

There are parts of this show that I really like (e.g., pig falling off the pole, squeezle). I hope it wasn't scripted. The best part of the show had to be his experience in paris at that little out of the way resturant, can't remember the name.

Many on the forum have argued that the show is about travel and less about food. But I'd argue that it is not even a travel show. If it was, the show doesn't work. What did you learn about Paris, Vietnam and Malaysia (I missed most of Iceland) if you were going to travel to these places or wanted to learn more about them that you didn't already know.

I liked ACT and his books because of two reasons. First it gave me information about the food that I wasn't seeing in other outlets (e.g., other food network shows, PBS, food section in the post). Second, Tony is a great personality and a complete anti-food network star. I guess the second reason is why I still find his current show so interesting.

For me when it stripped down the show, it is not about the food (unfortunately) nor travel. It is about bourdain and his smoking, drinking and cursing personality. Still facinating. I hope he will once again marry the personality to showing us his exploration of food.

[Bux]

. . . .  It is about bourdain and his smoking, drinking and cursing personality.  Still facinating.  I hope he will once again marry the personality to showing us his exploration of food.

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As much as I've enjoyed watchiing the series so far, I very much agree that it could a better job of exploring its subject. I've been inclined to think it could be more informative, intstructional or educational, but if those are self consciously incorporated into the show, it could have as negative an effect as the positive one I want. On the other hand, Tony could offer greater exploration without lecturing and preaching and that could make the show not only more informative, but perhaps even more entertaining.

[MHarney]

According to the Travel Channel schedule for No Reservations, that was the last show for a while. His "last thoughts" type wording at the end of the Malaysia show made me wonder enough to check. I certainly hope there are more to come. Has there been any word on that?

Edited August 23, 2005 by MHarney (log)

[jeffZ]

Not sure when they will air but I know he's talked about Sicily and a couple other places that have not shown yet. So I assume there are some episodes in the can.

Anyone know when the next round of shows will be?

[Genny]

Not sure when they will air but I know he's talked about Sicily and a couple other places that have not shown yet. So I assume there are some episodes in the can.

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You know, when I finished watching AB:NR last night I was thinking about how tired I am of the Asia travel shows and that I would love to see him in Sicily! Ha! I sure hope this one gets made. I'd also love to see him in some places in South America like Costa Rica, or how about Africa? These are cultures I've not seen much of.

Regarding the "vision" of AB:NR. I really think that he does a great job of showing a slice of the real life and the culture of the places he visits. Are these your standard travel destinations? Nope. I'm sure we wouldn't have the same opportunities he gets but it is interesting to me to see the local food, entertainment and values that he gets to experience and share. It could be more in-depth but I think that you don't want to lose too much of the Bourdainesque view and commentary since that quirky irreverence juxtaposed by his absolute respect for the experience is what sells the show. FWIW. IMHO

[Jason Perlow]

I think that flamboyant Malaysian cooking show guy, Chef Wan, should get a job on The Food Network. I'd watch him all the time, even if I can't understand half of what he is saying. Heck, pair him up with The Evil Mr. Sang, and you'd have countless hours of enjoyment.

[rickster]

On another website, Louisa said the next round of shows begins with Sicily on early October

[DCMark]

I enjoyed the pig killing scene quite a bit. As someone who advocates the meat 'lifestyle' I wonder if that really was the first mammal TB has killed? If so, its high time he had that experience, considering the 1000s++ he has served as dinner!

I found his faux-guilt amusing too.

Edited August 24, 2005 by DCMark (log)

[Mild Bill]

Tony, the Malaysian show was very special.. My wife and I were really moved, awestruck, and inspired...

That was a power adventure!

I thought the Vietnam show was gonna be tops, and it was good, but this one was meat and potatoes baby!

Thanks bro...

Edited August 24, 2005 by Mild Bill (log)

[ken T]

From todays Seattle Post Intelligencer.....

Already four shows into the first 13-part season (he has been signed for a second), Bourdain has ingested unimaginable local dishes as he has traveled through Iceland, Paris, Vietnam, Malaysia and ... New Jersey, eating as the natives do. The rest of the season will take viewers to China, Peru, New Zealand and Uzbekistan, among other places.

[Jason Perlow]

An advanced preview of the Sichuan China episode in Chengdu, courtesy of our foreign correspondent, Vic Chanko:

(All photographs by Diane Schutz, Zero Point Zero Production)

"A little chicken with your peppers?"

Sichuan Food Porn

New Fusion Restaurant--rural Sichuan

The Kitchen

Ye Olde Malt Shoppe--Sichuan Style

Time for a head joke? I think... yes!

Edited August 29, 2005 by Jason Perlow (log)

[boaziko]

Does anyone (Tony?) knows if and when ACT or NR rights were sold to Israel?

We read the book (KC), on the plane to NYC; my brother had it in English and I got one of the first copies in Hebrew. We both enjoyed it immensely and finished while in the Hotel Giraffe (2-3 blocks from Les Halles, Park Ave.)

So we now wish, among other Israelis, to get some visuals too.

Any good news?

Boaziko

[Jason Perlow]

Actually I could really go for a Tony in Israel episode.

[Behemoth]

Actually I could really go for a Tony in Israel episode.

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Or Beirut: great nightlife, hot women, the occasional car bomb.

I have to admit I haven't gotten into the show (apart from the Jersey episode, which was sorta cute.) I suppose I was hoping for something more like a culinary version of Globe Trekker. This is more like the overheard conversations of frat boys on vacation -- self-absorbed and almost entirely devoid of content or insight. I guess I will be TiVo-ing old ACT episodes and rereading kitchen confidential until our man recovers from the spell of his own hype. Sorry!

[Jason Perlow]

This is more like the overheard conversations of frat boys on vacation -- self-absorbed and almost entirely devoid of content or insight.

Hey. Some of us resemble that remark.

The show is what the show is -- its Tony doing what he wants to do, and its him letting us have a glimpse of his jaunts around the world, and his psyche, flippant comments, and endless film references. Whether you like them or not, its what it is.

[Jason Perlow]

Actually I think he went to North Africa in his first series on The Food Network, if I am not mistaken.

EDIT: He went to Morocco (click)