Did anyone see Anthony Bourdain; No Reservations! on The Travel Channel?

I thought it was excellent. Funny, insightful, smart.

I can't beleive the Travel Channel finally put a travel show back on TV.

There's a thread on the Europe board that started several weeks ago when the first show of this series aired. The first show was Paris and last week was Iceland. The Travel Channel is actually showing several new TRAVEL shows.

I can't beleive I missed this. I guess it is because I'm not used to seeing anything worthwile on The Travel Channel.

I thought last night's was really good with its New Jersey focus. Very gritty, very real.

I really like what they've been doing. They now represent a variety of travel styles, from the practical, informative Samantha Brown shows, to the edgy Anthony Bourdain, to the tight-budgeted backpackers in "5 Takes." There are others I haven't checked out yet (the Cash Peters one looks cool), but all I can say is Bravo to the Travel Channel, and I hope they continue this trend!

Oh gawd no not Samantha Brown!

Bless her heart, what she does she does well but her shows make me want to vomit!

LOL GoT, I know she bugs the crap out of some people, but I enjoy her light-hearted style. Her interactions with the locals (and the food) on the Europe show can be hilarious. Rudy Maxa and Rick Steves are so dry and boring in comparison, and Samantha offers some really good advice for new travelers. She's very honest--if the curry hot dogs in Berlin taste like ****, she tells you they tastes like ****.

I think Anthony Bourdain is fabulous - I loved his last show, Cook's Tour, and was so excited for this new one to start. I think last nights episode was the best so far - didn't know fried hot dogs existed until last night (or that they have name!). His gritty honesty makes me laugh out loud at times. They posted a phone number during the show (never seen them do this before) asking you to call Travel Channel and let them know what you think of Anthony - interesting.

I adore Samantha Brown. Her enthusiasm reminds me of being a kid and getting excited about the little things.

Here is the schedule for August and it looks like they are repeating some of his first shows such as Paris.
http://travel.discovery.com/schedule...87&channel=TRV

You can also go to the Travel Channel website and sign up to be reminded about a show.

Anthony has a website too. www.anthonybourdain.com

Anthony Bourdain's cookbooks and books are really wonderful -- Kitchen Confidential was his first, I believe.

I have to admit to being a bit, er, challenged when he ate a beating cobra heart.

A rerun of the last week's New Jersey episode is on tonight at 10.

Yes, big thumbs up for Bourdain from this household.

As for "5 Takes", we have the exact opposite opinion. What an absolute waste of time. Give us Globe Trekker any day.

The Travel Channel's best show.

Kitchen Confidential may have been his first book to touch on a more autobiographical note within the world of cooking, but it certainly is not his first book.

Bone in the Throat,Gone Bamboo, The Bobby Gold Stories...just to name three. Several are appropriately set in the Caribbean if that locale interests you.

Vietnam tonight.

Based on this thread I caught the re-run of the New Jersey show. Very good! It made me want to travel, and it was entertaining. I too had noticed that the Travel Channel was beginning to offer a few interesting programs again. It is about time.

Last night's rerun episodes were Paris and Vietnam. Tonight is Malaysia.

I'm a huge Bourdain fan, but was very disappointed in the Iceland show. When he was flicking his lighter and requesting Free Bird while the admittedly bad Icelandic musicians played, I was embarrassed for him. What a tired, unimaginative response! And he just seemed so snarky and full of himself. This pains me deeply because I really did admire his early endeavors.

Question:

I thought Anthony Bourdain was an alcoholic in recovery?

Am I crazy or did I read he had to give up booze before it killed him. He is clearly hitting the bottle on this series.

Not that I am judging at all, simply curious.

I am the LAST person to point a finger at another's vice.

New episodes starting tonight.