Yes, Chicago has a past history of "gangsters", and yes many of them were of Italian heritage; but not everything Italian is connected with gangsters, the mafia, or crime.

However, just like every other TV/Cable program that does an "in-depth" program on Chicago, there's the obilgatory references to Al Capone and gangsters.

Let's get a few facts out:
Capone has been dead for over 50 years; and he was from New York.

Not every Italian is connected to the mob; very few are.

The gangs in the 1920s and 1930s had large numbers of German, Irish and Jewish criminals.

The "Untouchables" bus tour is an embarassment to Chicago - a bunch of idiots in costumes 1970s high-school production of Guys and Dolls taking gullible tourists to see empty lots, spewing myths and lies that they try and pass off as "facts."


The continual glorification of Al Capone and a bunch of criminals from over 60 years ago is not what Chicago is about. I thought that Ian was on the right track when the first part of the show was about how modern Chicago is a great place, but like all hacks he descended into the same old crap about Chicago being all about gangsters.

Utter crap.

Probably the lowest point of the show was Ian eating an Italian beef sandwich and calling it "real gangster food."

Why is that Mr. Wright? Is it because everything Italian is same as being a criminal? Thanks for insulting a huge population of Italian-Americans, you little Cockney prick.

I'm waiting for you to go to a New York Harlem soul food restaurant and calling it "real gangbanger food." Or maybe you can have a falafel in a Palestinian-American restaurant somewhere and call it "real Islamo-terrorist food." Don't forget to have a bratwurst when you're in Milwaulee and mention how it must be "real Nazi food."

Can't wait for my next trip to London where I'll look for all the great, iconic sites of that city - you know, tours about skinhead soccer hooligans and all the sites where they puked and places where they beat the crap out of minorities... cause that's a part of British history, isn't it???? ... just like Chicago ia all about "gangsters."

Chicago is a great city, and I'm proud of being a native Chicagoan. I've lived in other places across the US, and I've traveled to Europe, Latin America and Asia. One thing I've tried to do is not be a slave to stupid stereotypes of different cultures and countries.

Too bad Ian Wright and the travel Channel can't do that.