Anthony Bourdain RIP

[Satchmo Distel]

Eventually to be shown on CNN and HBO Max.

[Incandenza]

[Gert from the Well]

I just remembered he was published by Rebel Inc., his short story Chefs' Night Out is included in the Rovers Return anthology. Anyone who shared a publisher with Nelson Algren, Jim Dodge, John Fante and Sadegh Hedayet has got to be a good writer.

[Bored Of Education]

I finished PU a month or two ago as well as Kitchen Confidential and the book version of Cook's Tour over lockdown. All glorious glorious stuff if always tinged with sadness that such a wonderful person (albeit knowingly flawed) has gone. Now trying to work out when I inevitably pay for all the rest of his stuff that I can't get off Netflix and Amazon Prime. Again, I must thank you, EIM, for the recommendation. To coin a phrase, it has been a game-changer. Not least, as so much of the music from the programme is going to make it into my next DJ set post lockdown

[EIM]

I'm rewatching Parts Unknown from the start and it's still a bloody delight. A glorious celebration of food, people, music, excess, and the world. I miss Anthony Bourdain deeply despite never knowing him, and I believe the world is a worse place without his voice.

[G-Man]

Bourdain was a fundametally decent guy who could be a total asshole, but knew it that he was being an asshole, and would apologise for being an asshole when that was necessary. That came across in his books, in which he describes behaviour that was not entirely admirable, and which he admits was not admirable. He had that cool factor that comes with not giving a fuck when no fuck needs to be given, and giving plenty of fucks when those needed distribution.

Bourdain looked like he'd karate-kick a racist bastard giving him lip.

[EIM]

He's sort of everything I'd like to be, or think I am but aren't. There's no bullshit there. He'll do 45 minutes on wanky, inaccessible food in Noma, Copenhagen, Michelin star stuff that doesn't appeal to me, and he'll enjoy it. But then he'll do four episodes on eating chicken feet by the side of a road with a cold beer and be even happier with it.

Taking happiness from the small things, while remaining deeply affected by the big things? That resonates man.

[San Bernardhinault]

Someone should have filmed this. I'd have watched a short documentary series on EIM-Watching-Bourdain.

[Hot Pepsi]

You could start a religion.

[EIM]

I'm nearing the end of my journey with Anthony Bourdain, as there's only a few episodes left of Parts Unknown left for me to watch on Netflix. I've become obsessed with him during lockdown, and vicariously travelling the world has kept me saneish.

Watching it all post his death has contextualised it differently to if he were still alive. Added a layer of dramatic irony and poignancy. It's triggered something of a crisis in me. All my favourite things are finite. No more of my favourite TV. No more releases by my favourite band. No more goals from my favourite footballer. And while his programmes show that there are endless brilliant new things to discover, I will genuinely, properly miss him when I'm finished watching.

Nothing else recently has inspired me more than him. Inspired to cook, to eat, to drink, to travel, to talk, to create. He has revealed and confirmed some fundamental truths. Power is corrupt. All good movements be it culinary, musical, political, or whatever comes from the people. Change therefore comes from the people. People, largely, are the same the world over. They want the same things. Safety for them and their loved ones, freedom to live and create, grilled meat on a stick, and a cold beer.

The world is a big place, but paradoxically a small one. I suddenly feel a great affection for it. The system is fucked, stacked against us, and it's getting worse and harder to change. But wherever there is bad, there are amazing people doing extraordinary things to help others and bring about change. And that's pretty fucking inspiring, isn't it?

Plus I really want some noodles.

[Bored Of Education]

Just resurrecting this thread to say that, inspired by EIM's mention of him and having lock down time, I have just binge watched the first 6 episodes and like everything I have seen so far. He is much more thoughtful and considered than I expected with none of the gonzo character that I expected. Indeed, it is only in the Columbian episode that he does anything resembling being a dick by falling off his ATV after insisting on not wearing a helmet and, let's face it, we have all done worse I am sure. I am very much looking forward to the more-lauded episodes such as the Palestine one. Needless to say, Kitch Confidential still remains untouched.

[beak]

There's enough disgust to go around!

[WOM]

I won't link because the betrayal of trust by the "friend" is disgusting.

Wait...she's trying to deny sex with a minor AND pin the payoff on a dead man, and you think the friend who's setting the story straight is the disgusting party?

[Satchmo Distel]

A "friend" of hers has released texts w/images that put the issue beyond reasonable doubt. I won't link because the betrayal of trust by the "friend" is disgusting.

[WOM]

Ah...the 'blame the dead guy' strategy.

[Satchmo Distel]

Odd twist:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/201...thony-bourdain

[Arturo]

Very sad to hear this recent news. I did a book signing with him for Kitchen Confidential back in 2000 just as the publication was taking off. I remember working several events of this kind which, to be frank, were not that interesting and didn't always hit the roof when it came to ticket sales. However, Bourdain was very funny and engaging, plus naturally good with the decent turnout who came along. The book did really well in our shop as a result and it was one of the more entertaining publishing events that I was lucky enough to attend.

I had a signed copy which has sadly disappeared into the ether. Damn.

[Nefertiti2]

Fixed- something odd happening in my browser

[Furtho]

That’s a Tommy Robinson thread you’ve linked to, Nef.

[Nefertiti2]

This is an amazing story too

[Satchmo Distel]

Would CNN be willing to put his Palestine episode on primetime in the Trump era? Will it be in their repeats? It would say far more than the CNN talking head tributes to Bourdain.

[Nefertiti2]

https://twitter.com/ajplus/status/1005256031314665473

[jason voorhees]

In the end, a snap poll in my brain.

As far as white Americans go:

1) Mark Twain

2) FDR

3) Anthony Bourdain

Hearing his girlfriend was Asia Argento, my heart goes out to her. What a horrible few years for that girl.

[Gerontophile]

Oh no.

[Nefertiti2]

a palestinian review of his palestine programme