NEXT
by Anthony Bourdain
Monday’s episode in Penang is, in my opinion, one of the best shot, best edited episodes ever. It helped that we were in what cinematographers call a “shot rich environment”—where it seems that everywhere you point, there are bright colors, characters, beautiful things. The food is generally thought of (even by many proud food nerds in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur) to be among the very best in the Straits— and I think you’ll see why. Penang is the kind of place that ruined me for an ordinary life.
I feel inexorably attached to Malaysia for many reasons, but one of them is that I got there early in my career as a traveler, wasn’t really ready for it, and was changed by the place. It seduced and overwhelmed me at the same time. The smells and colors and flavors—the look and sound of the place, the at times impenetrable mix of Indian, Malay and Chinese cultures—it ****ed me all up.
I tried to capture that in the first scene—a shot of a woman’s fingers, unwrapping nasi lemak from its traditional banana leaf package. That’s a particularly vivid image for me, and it’s yet another testament to the ZPZ crew that they were able to recreate it so perfectly. Scenes like this matter to me. And the ability to imagine a thing—and then see it executed brilliantly, that matters too.
It was never my intention on NO RESERVATIONS to be a reporter, a critic, an advocate. It was also never my intention to provide audiences with “everything” they needed to know about a place—or even a balanced or comprehensive overview. I am a storyteller. I go places, I come back. I tell you how the places made me feel. Through the use of powerful tools like great photography, skillful editing, sound mixing, color correction, music (which is often composed specifically for the purpose) and brilliant producers, I can—in the very best cases—make you feel a little bit like I did at the time. At least I hope so. It’s a manipulative process. It’s also a deeply satisfying one.
As you may or may not have heard, at a point in the not too far away future, the Zero Point Zero team and I will be moving on to do what we do elsewhere. We recently filmed the last shot of our last episode. That means you’ve got 9 new episodes of NO RESERVATIONS still yet to be edited, or waiting in the pipeline to be aired. We have yet to shoot 10 new episodes of THE LAYOVER, which we’ll do this June and July. After that, I’m planning on taking my first extended break in eight years. A “normal” family vacation—where I plan to putter to excess, dote on my daughter—and do what people are said to do on vacation. Also, I’ll be writing a book.
Rest assured that whatever ZPZ and I do in the future, we will not be dumbing it down, we will not change our basic natures, we will not be morphing into something we are not. We will continue to do what we do. And have a hell of a good time doing it.
tony, your last few seasons have been like watching "weekend at bernies" pts 7, 8 and 9. it's way past the point to kill this thing. you did a lot of good work though. i would support you doing over some of the worst episodes though. like the montana one. it couldn't have been any less representative of the state. that gourmet pastie still pisses me off.
My favorite show to watch and live vicariously. (Arrested Development my favorite show to laugh) Not that you didn't make me laugh sometimes at you mostly with you. I'm looking forward to your team's next project. Long time admirer of No Reservations and your books–when I grow up I want to be like Anthony Bourdain.
All the Best!
My favorite show to watch and live vicariously. (Arrested Development my favorite show to laugh) Not that you didn't make me laugh sometimes at you mostly with you. I'm looking forward to your team's next project. Long time admirer of No Reservations and your books–when I grow up I want to be like Anthony Bourdain.
HI ANTHONY, I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR YOU + RICK STEIN OUT OF ALL TRAVELLING CHEFS. YOU BOTH HAVE A REAL CONNECTION, UNDERSTANDING +EMPATHY TOWARDS THE PEOPLE YOU VISIT AROUND THE WORLD ESPECIALLY ASIA. MY HUSBAND + I ALSO LOVE TO TRAVEL, SEEKING OUT OF THE BEATEN TRACK, PLACES + SAMPLING THE CULTURE THROUGH FOOD, DRINKS AND THE COMPANY OF LOCALS. WE ARE OF TO CAMBODIA + VIETNAM IN A FEW MONTHS TO EXPLORE THEIR DELIGHTS. IT WILL BE OUR SECOND TIME IN VIETNAM AND WE CANT WAIT TO GET BACK.BUT MY HUSBAND ALWAYS ENDS UP WITH GASTRO! HOW DO YOU GET AWAY WITH NOT GETTING ILL. THE TIMES WE HAVE BEEN TO ASIA WE HAVE NOT EATEN THE SALADS, RAW VEG OR ICE IN GIN ETC!!!!! OR WE HAVE JUST GONE FOR IT + EATEN EVERY THING.BUT REGUARDLESS IT ALWAYS ENDS UGLY!!!DO YOU JUST DOSE UP ON ANTIBIOTICS OR STAY DRUNK WE HAVE TRIED THAT!!!! CANT WAIT TO SEE YOUR NEXT SERIES, HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU. CHEERS TRISH + JOHN.STH AUSTRALIA
Tony, I love to fish, mostly big catfish, none the less, I love to eat, I love to drink and the more I watch your show the more I can't get enough. I am in between jobs right now and if you need somebody to traipse around the world with you, I am all in ! My girlfriend will be just fine without me for a couple weeks (or whatever) and I know how to behave, or not. But I just wanted to let you know I love your show, what you are doing, I think you're cool and it would be the trip of a lifetime for me. I'm a straight white male, 50 yrs old, and I think we would have a blast ! I would love to go and and hang with you guys and "No Reservations". Thanx for all the entertainment !
John Anderson
636.359.5050
Dear Anthony I'm a 15 year old kid form Chico California which is a college town, and a great place to live. My family has a rich and deep history here, and would love to share it with you on, or off camera. Our door is always open, and I would hope you would reply to this even to respectfully decline. Thanks for years of great shows which showed you don't have to have a fanny pack and a kodack camera to visit a place!
Your fan, Jared Carter 530-893-9235, 530-228-8019
Tony, do you have a problem with Atlanta, Ga.? You've never done a show here and now
with your tour, you're going to Birmingham and Memphis but not Atlanta? I'm sure you're
aware of the culinary resurgence here in the last 5-10 years. What gives?
I wonder if tony actually reads these comments. He probably laughs at some but agrees with others. Either way he deserves a break. Traveling like that bust get tiring. Yet I'm sure he still dreams of certain places he's been to in the past. I know I would. Either way, whether or not Tony keeps doing TV, I'm sure we'll always see him in the spotlight. Hope I can meet they guy one day, not to get an autograph or tell him how I watch his TV show all the time. But to just, hang out with him, even if its for a minute. I think that would be pretty interesting.
Please don't go.
Hi Tony-
I've watched your show for years and have read Kitchen Confidential and Nasty Bits. I'm really interested to know whom your favorite travel authors are. Personally, I love Paul Theroux and the late Ryzard Kapuscinski. I'm curious to know if you've read either of them?
Thank you,
Matt
I am so sorry to see you go. I love your show. You have taken me places I would never have been able to see. I have a dear friend in Singapore who I met on an online game 8 years ago and one of your eposides took me to his home. Thank you for that. Take your break, enjoy your family, and come back to us and take us to more places and show us cultures and wonders most of us would never see otherwise.
Hello Tony, When I first saw your show I thought you were an annoying, pretentious prick. I soon realized that I was seriously in error. I don't know how I eventually got into your show on Netflix reruns, but when I got into it, I was obsessed! I've read a few of your books, my favorite being Medium Raw. This one I listened to on audiobook, since I very much enjoy your narrative, it's what really makes No Reservations so great. I have a blog called Foo, Love & Tradition and I'm always thrilled when I see one of your shows in which you visit a local's home for a family or community meal
Tony…..I understand life must go on, but not without your show!!! How can a mentally fat people like myself mentally smell, taste and live vicarioiusly through you!!! What are you doing to me!!!
Rashida Morris
Your Hott !!!!
My wife and I watch at 5 to 7 of your shows every week. We can not get enough, love the humor. This is real travel, you waste no time talking about hotels. Eat, then spent time with the locals.
Oh no…Tony don't go! Certainly understand your need for some down time and no matter what you do next I will be a fan. I agree with an earlier post about listening to you. You have an incredible cadence to your narrative that makes me want your shows to never end! For now I am thrilled to have my show tickets for your event in Baltimore in November. Thanks for bringing us "No Reservations" one helluva a show!
Carn
Anthony?
I don't know if anyone monitors these posts;and its probably too late to make this suggestion, but I wanted to invite you to my new locale for a culinary and adventure packed episode for the show. I lived in Joshua Tree for almost 30 years and am told I was concieved there. Recently I took an early retirement and moved to a small town just outside Sedona, Az. To the south about five miles is the town of jerome with many great eateries and and once had the reputation of being the most evil town in the old west. It was a mining community with over 150 bordellos. Im told that Belgium Jennie's Pizza and bordello (the site of an actual bordello) has good stuff. We have scenic train rides, wild west dinner theater, and this is an up and coming wine region as well. What we may be lacking in cuisine we make up in history and interesting things to see and do. And of course just 15 miles away is Sedona. All in all a visit to the Verde Valley would be a great episode. call, if you care to….(951) 500-9261 and ask for Liz Or just watch the video………….. this is the place where rock stars make wine…. .http://www.movieweb.com/movie/blood-into-wine
Tony I for one will miss your show. Im a retired twenty year air force vet who has traveled around the world. Always enjoyed trying the different foods. You by far have the greatest job ever at least that's what I tell my friends and family. Wish you the best and thanks for the entertainment.
Sincerely,
MSgt (retired) Bobby Wren
Tony it such a same that the No Reservation team decided to make a final tour/series. I have been watching your show since the begining. I love all the places you have traveled to and your open opinion approach you take of the food and culture you experience when visiting each place. I feel that it makes it for viewers to go out and explore these places. I admire all you have done and wish that your show would continue til you have said we have explored all that can be explored (global). If I may suggest, is for you to possibly do another travel around the United States. That was an amazing show when you traveled the states; especially when you visted Ted Nugent. You have done an outstanding job and for me as a viewer will be sad to see/hear one of the final words of the famous Anthony Bourdain "this is f$*!ed up" or "what were they thinking about…." quotes. By the way still continue watching all your episodes on Netflix and watch them over and over again.
How am I going to leave without you? You showed me so many places and tastes? Because of you I wanted to travel so many places that I never imagine before! If you ever change your mind and want to know more about my country, Brazil, I'll be happy to host you. Best regards.
Renata.
Tony, I was very sad to hear that No Reservations was coming to an end. Its an odd thing to say that you have been one of the biggest influences on my life because I have never met you but you truly have been. You have instilled a deep and unyielding desire to travel and try new things that I don't think I will ever be able to ignore. Seven years ago by some miracle I stumbled upon the premiere episode in Paris when I was only 14 and I knew at the end of that episode that I had a new favorite show and a new dream job. That has still not changed and because of you I have a lifelong goal of visiting every country no matter how dangerous and meeting and getting to know the people and their culture. I'm sad to see you leaving the travel channel but look forward to seeing your new show, I didn't miss an episode of No Reservations in all the time its been on the air and I wont miss your show once you switch networks.
Tony..you keep telling us how old you are..what's up? Come on now..for all the older fans out there I want to say..knock it off! I'm really digging the fact that you're hanging out with young rock bands in Austin and bringing that awesome story to us..screw the aging thing..wear it proudly! (maybe a little work on the beer shotguns in the future wouldn't hurt either). Seriously..if you aren't a really hip older guy..than who the hell is?! Been a fan since your book Kitchen Confidential..thanks for all the laughs and the insights over the years and I hope you keep at it.
Tony!! Have been watching your show for the past two years and loved every one of them.I am from Roslyn-Cle Elum area of Washington state. Two bad you never got around to visit there because they some of the greatest food in that area. Especially the bakeries and a little Italian place named Mama Valones. If you ever find yourself there, its' worth a look around, Guaranteed!!! I really hate to see you go Man!!! I think the travel Channel should beg you to stay with a large increase in pay. Best of luck in the future. Keep it cool in the Motor pool and don't let your meat loaf.
Dear Anthony Bourdain, and crewmembers. part 2
With my former work as an independent transporter, did I also traveled around the world.
Montenegro or the Ivory Coast, South America, Russia, Europe.I'm allways eaten the restaurants
cafetaria's where locals eaten and prepare traditionally food brings people together. I hope that you once
with your world famous program "No Reservations" Paraguay
in particular the city Encarnacion, hometown from my wife and my second hometown comes.
I go the up coming months to establish and build an a small local restaurant in Encarnacion, Paraguay.
The building has been there, only the interior, equipment and furniture.
God blessing you all…Mijn sincere greetings,
Ronald Kornet part 2
tony,
good luck with new adventures and food.