Comments on: No Reservations: Deconstructing The Cynicism Of Anthony Bourdain

By: Dave's Post

Dave's Post — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:25:38 +0000

Having been held up in a hostel recently I had the mis/fortune of re/discovering the travel channel. The bloke with the weird food fetish (Zimmerman), was not nearly as funny until I heard Bourdain's quip about him.

I then saw Samantha Brown and aside from a low cut top, nearly balked. But not nearly as much as what was just on. Some other girl, with no cleavage I may add, roaming around Mexico. ( I say no cleavage only because I might have looked on for longer otherwise)

She asked for a drink from a vendor and was told it was 3 peso's.

The host asked in bad Spanish if it was for two or one items.

The lady said one.

The host then said okay 6 pesos.

To make matters worse, on camera, she then dives into her pocket pulls out some change, without looking at it, and hands it to the lady. Could have been 2 pesos, maybe, but unlikely 10 pesos. In my head, I was wishing for more Samantha Brown.

Only some American imports were watching it. Strangely the same people complained all through Bourdain's show about his attitude. I think it will take a generation or two post Obama to make a difference. Can't remember the show, think it was globe trotters or the like. I left midway for a beer and discovered this article.

Well done to Becky for writing such a well written piece.

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By: Gregory Hubbs

Gregory Hubbs — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:13:03 +0000

Bourdain cynical? Give a break. He has that New York (his NJ background certainly is not apparent to me) wit which those who live here would find quite natural. You see thousands of people from many different cultures in a pressure-cooker every day — on top of which he worked in a kitchen, which was the topic of his great book. In addition, he is that rare bird these days — he is educated and not afraid to make fun of his references.

I think his shows are by far one of the best things on the boob tube, and while one can tire of anyone in large doses, he treats his hosts with the kind of respect and self-deprecating humor that I find refreshing.

In short, one person's cynicism is another's skepticism, and skepticism is the inverse of idealism. It is nice to see an educated and self-deprecating person host a show and dare to go places most dare not go.

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By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:17:12 +0000

Minneapolis(where I live) is incredibly diverse.

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By: sofie

sofie — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:45:57 +0000

Hi Allen. At first I thought you were writing about Sarah Palin from Alaska until I read "modern home-bound Minnesotan." Ooops! My bad. Hmmm… Lets apply some broad brushstrokes and stereotype "poor" Anthony B. knowing he grew up in NJ. Northern NJ Bergen County in fact so (1) He has an inferiority complex with his neighbors to the east; (2) He developed his "edge" as a result of that, and (3) He has to work 10x as hard as anybody else to prove himself? I wonder if Anthony B. is proud to be a son of NJ. Who knows. I do think that his personality, however it evolved, simply appeals to a certain type of loyal viewer who faithfully tunes in, and the network likes it. But then again, I went the business route in college. Does that make me a narrow-minded capitalist?

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By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:42:34 +0000

Some of these comments are correct: Minnesotans generally don't have much exposure to diverse culture and nationalities (and I say that because I am Minnesota born and bred). And, I found this article to be somewhat judgmental without the proper examples or evidence to justify the statements, regardless of how right-on the author may be.

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By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:46:13 +0000

I like Anthony Bourdain and Samantha Brown. I would not mind having their jobs for some time. Obviously, Bourdain is the edgier one of the two; I do prefer an edge.

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By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 12:55:30 +0000

i wasn't trying to write this article from a deconstructionist perspective. that headline was added higher up in the editing process, and holds meaning outside of the academic world.

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By: Healism

Healism — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 11:16:57 +0000

I think Title suits the content.

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By: N. Chrystine Olson

N. Chrystine Olson — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:09:28 +0000

I have relatives who's idea of world travel is a highly constructed, anal retentive trip to Scotland for 2 weeks. The tabbed notebook they showed me detailing their itinerary was larger and more organized than my graduate thesis…but these two LOVE Bourdain's show and I'm always flattered when they ask if he got it right when Anthony lands in a corner of the world I explored once upon a time. They know I love street food.

Me and my post- modern, smart ass, mid-western entourage dig No Reservations (Wisconsin born here, Becky. Hell, my travels didn't start until was 29). Great job getting to the essence of a very well done travel show that seems to be evolving.

Anyone who takes on Chilies and it's horrible take on "Mexican" food from the Texas/ Mexico border, reveals nachos as a totally American invention,while in search of a true taco, is quality viewing. In contrast, Sarah's saccarine traveling sweetness make me a bit nauseous

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By: ianmack

ianmack — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:00:19 +0000

My apologies if the title mis-lead anyone.

I'm was using "deconstruct" in the defintion "To take apart, analyze, or break down a media text into its component parts in order to understandhow and why it was created."

That sounds accurate to the article, no?

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