Apparently, the tobacco industry has the A.B. producers in their deep pockets. It’s bad enough that smoking is shown on this show, but the Paris segment I channel surfed through yesterday had Tony actually promoting cigarettes! What’s wrong with you people? It is for this reason I don’t watch No Reservations.

So, you have a guy promoting chemical dependence, 2 fat guys shoving enormous amounts of unhealthy food down their necks, and a glamorizing of gambling (I’ll never understand what a bunch of creepy guys sitting around a poker table has to do with travel).

Here’s an idea! Why don’t you show Samantha Brown shooting up in a Bangkok alley after entertaining a number of drooling men. You would then have each of the 5 most destructive behaviors in the U.S. covered, and you could repackage as the Addiction Channel. I’m sure your numbers would increase.

The Travel Channel is fading into obscurity in my home.

Oh very funny with the Samantha Brown jokes but I forgot to laugh. Just because Tony smokes and eats great food you're not watching! Yeah so Tony smokes, big deal! He gives us a little slice of information on his travels...culture, people and of course the cuisine. Tony is a great writer and you should listen to him speak and that's what makes his show so good. You don't like it?..CHANGE THE CHANNEL!

Paris was the first No Reservations, aired back in 2005.

It never bothered me that Tony smoked and I've never understood why some viewers need everything in life so tidy, PC and 'My way or no way' - but - FYI, Tony quit smoking about a year and a half ago. Happy? Goin' to sleep better tonight?

i am so sick of anthony bourdain,bizarre foods, ghost stories,and poker. what happened to seeing the world and people like Samantha Brown that brought a rounded view of traveling. lets see how the sponsers feel when people complain to them.

quote:

Originally posted by tmj54:
Paris was the first No Reservations, aired back in 2005.

It never bothered me that Tony smoked and I've never understood why some viewers need everything in life so tidy, PC and 'My way or no way' - but - FYI, Tony quit smoking about a year and a half ago. Happy? Goin' to sleep better tonight?

Thanks tmj54 for the info!

Ya know, I can without a doubt agree with you, that glamorizing the use of tobacco is ridiculous. It sure is a good thing they put that PARENTAL ADVISORY at the beginning of the show, and that we the people still have the right to change the channel if we want. And another thing, my 5 year old son loves Tony and watches every monday night. When I had parent teacher conferences with his kindergarten teacher, she asked me who Tony was and where my son comes up with all the weird things he talks about. She didn't say anything about smoking. She was more concerned that my son might try to eat someone's pet guinea pig (oh, sorry, that's a reference to the Peru episode - you probably didn't know that since you don't watch). I am more worried about grandma's smoking having an influence on my kids than "a guy who travels and eats cool food" (my son's words). I can't just change the channel when my mom lights up.

quote:

Originally posted by happytravels:
i am so sick of anthony bourdain,bizarre foods, ghost stories,and poker. what happened to seeing the world and people like Samantha Brown that brought a rounded view of traveling. lets see how the sponsers feel when people complain to them.

Oh, get off it!! There is a lot more to see of the world than the view from the tour bus. If you want a sugar coated view of the world, may I suggest a Carnival Cruise!

quote:

Originally posted by happytravels:
i am so sick of anthony bourdain,bizarre foods, ghost stories,and poker. what happened to seeing the world and people like Samantha Brown that brought a rounded view of traveling. lets see how the sponsers feel when people complain to them.

samantha brown? as in the show you could watch entirely on the postcard rack at the local tourist info center?

venegeo -

Why don't you just subscribe to the Amish Channel and leave us degerates alone? Or maybe the Nasty, Sanctimonious Complainer Channel is more your speed. Either way - I have to echo what so many have said before me...

THERE'S A REASON THEY MAKE REMOTE CONTROLS!!!!!

Use one. you watch your shows and we'll watch ours. We're not on YOUR message boards complaining (unless it's Rachel Ray or HSN, both of which are signs of the coming apocalypse and must be stopped).

Develop a sense of humor.

I like Samantha Brown, if what I want is a happy, sweet, "isn't-this-just-so-nice!" surface view of a destination. Sometimes that IS what I want. But sometimes that sanitized travel-brochure commentary can be really grating.

In general, and for really getting to know the character/essence of a place, I much prefer Tony. I respect him, because he respects the people he's visiting. He's not patronizing or condescending, is never the self-righteous noblesse oblige decrying the depravity of these "primitive savages" who could so benefit from our "enlightenment."

I love the idea of the 5 year old talking about things he's seen on the show. My kids were like that. The teacher's LACK of knowledge, though, is rather disconcerting and has distressing implications for our nation's state of education.

I really doubt that a kid's going to start smoking because he sees it on a tv show. If that's the case, Big Brother had better just ban tv altogether because things much worse than smoking are shown on television. If you are a parent who really is worried about television's effect on his/her child, and tv portrayals of smoking in particular, then USE that to DISCUSS your concerns with the child. Don't just ban the program or complain to the sponsors (personally, I think I am most offended by the sponsor of too many other shows, the idiot character called "Smilin' Bob.") . This is all part of the real world, and the real world is out there, even if some do choose to live behind closed windows and locked doors in a sanitized politically correct fantasy-land.

Tony occasionally makes me cry (not because it's sad, but because, like the episode on Egypt, it reminds me of treasured people and places that are no longer in my life in a visceral way that transports me back to those people or places). He often makes me laugh, and he ALWAYS makes me think.

And isn't that why we travel or watch travel shows? To learn, to grow, to live more complete and thoughtful lives ourselves by seeing and experiencing the paths others have taken? If we already have all the answers, know all there is to be known, and believe everyone else has a sacred duty to think the same way we do, then it doesn't matter very much what we watch. Someone who is so positive of their own superiority might as well save their money and sit at home. But don't try to tell the rest of us what to watch, think, or do!! (BTW, I have never smoked, although I have seen a lot of people smoke not just on tv but in real life. It hasn't made me start yet.)

I LOVE Anthony's interactions..HOWEVER He was an ABSOLUTE RUDEASS while visiting and filming in Sweden. He was a RUDEASS regarding the Saami culture...ETC. He RUINED the visit with his CONSTANT references to ABBA and Vikings...Aslo regarding the Azores visit his..watch the young Azorean host's eyes narrow at him after his RUDEASS comment...

quote:

Originally posted by kate in nw:
venegeo -

Why don't you just subscribe to the Amish Channel and leave us degerates alone? Or maybe the Nasty, Sanctimonious Complainer Channel is more your speed. Either way - I have to echo what so many have said before me...

THERE'S A REASON THEY MAKE REMOTE CONTROLS!!!!!

Use one. you watch your shows and we'll watch ours. We're not on YOUR message boards complaining (unless it's Rachel Ray or HSN, both of which are signs of the coming apocalypse and must be stopped).

Develop a sense of humor.

DITTO!!!!

WHATEVER...Galway Amish channel remoter ...I have watched Monsiuer Bourdain for years...HOWEVER HIS RANTINGS regarding ABBA, Vikings, ETC. RUINED the ADVENTURE and FOOD in Sweden. HE WAS AN ABSOLUTE RUDEASS IN SWEDEN. HIS HOST IN THE AZORES ALSO NARROWED HIS EYES REGARDING HIS RUDENESS.

taana, you seem to like capital letters. No need to shout.

I think you're confusing rudeass comments with typical NY/NJ sarcasm, which I grew up with and many of us find funny. You've got to realize that ABBA is a running 70s joke; sickeningly horrible beyond belief to most Americans, or at least New Yorkers. They were sure an automatic station changer for me. Sweden's not particularly known for good food, so he had to perk up the episode with something.

Not sure what problem you had with Vikings. Was there a specific comment you thought was over the top? I can't recall any. And what in particular are you referring to in the Azores episode? Who narrowed his eyes? I've seen that episode a couple of times and can't recall it.

Hey there Swamp Rat~ Friendly Greetings ~I wasn't shouting I was just emphasizing...Yes I have some East coast blood- Jewish, Mediterranean, Sinti (my maternal grandfather was half-I learned to prepare food from him- his grandmother taught him)... and then my dad was Scandinavian.

I understand-the CONSTANT scathing verbal communicating from my mother's family. I GREW UP WITH IT. (just friendly emphasizing swamp Rat..not shouting)

HOWEVER Anthony is never rude to Ethinic cultures elwhere....he was never rude to the 'bull penis soup venders in Malaysia, ETC...Anthony was A RUDEASS to the Saami in northern Sweden...what if he were visiting their 'Ethnic' cousins in northern Siberia? Would he be a RUDEASS in Rome constantly referring to the host as BarbaricRomans? (subjugation Europeans for over a thousand years).

I wanted to enjoy the ADVENTURE instead of his RANTING about Vikings and Abba...what if some foreign chef came here and peppered the visit with refernces to the LAWERENCE WELK SHOW. oh god i would crawl into a hole.

Oh by the way in the area of the country I live in (Pacific coast..many Native Americans have Swedish- Scandinavian backgrounds also due to the similar cultures of fishing) I prefer Sinti-Czech food - however Scandinavian cooking is very nice.

Anthony's response in the Azores was also Rude and Uncalled for ..yeah he had a few gin and lemon drinks..perhaps the Azorean host had a gorgeuous British girlfriend...did Anthony consider that?...probably not.. that is why the host narrowed his eyes at Anthony.

It cracked me up (LOL) when he was visitng Carnival in Brazil and referring to the 'odor of asscrack' (thongs in crowded streets) something that it was 'so thick you could scrape it off' that was a good one.LOL.!! HOWEVER HE WAS NEVER A RUDE*** TO THE BRAZILIAN HOSTS did not RANT about the Portuguese Slaving/Plantationsزِِ

How was he rude? You mean he ranted (to the camera) and was snarky (to the camera), right? Not actually rude, churlish or nasty to any Swedish PERSON, was he?

I completley Enjoy his snarky comments....However when his Ego Rants and Rants-That Ruins the Adventure, the Culture he is Visiting and the Food.
He was Never Rude to the Tibetans or their culture. His comment to the Azorean hosts regarding Brits laying on beaches compared to Brazilians of Portuguese descent...was not well taken- watch the eyes (body language)of the Azorean host-they narrow after Anthony's Rude comment. RUDE. The fact is he was Rude in Sweden. He Ruined the Adventure. Obviously he felt Superior to the Swedish people.

I Enjoy his Snarky comments...But Not when it crosses into Rudeness.

Anyhow...Thanks for your reply!

quote:

Originally posted by tmj54:
Paris was the first No Reservations, aired back in 2005.

It never bothered me that Tony smoked and I've never understood why some viewers need everything in life so tidy, PC and 'My way or no way' - but - FYI, Tony quit smoking about a year and a half ago. Happy? Goin' to sleep better tonight?

I agree. Whats the big deal? Smoking is not a crime. I don't think that they know that there are cheifs out there who smokes and make food really good. Be happy

For one thing Anthony quit smoking because of his 2 year old daughter. Next..No reservations is the best show on the travel channel right now. It's a show that shows you the real city and country. Anthony shows the other side of the coin of the people, the culture, and the towns. Not some cheesy, touristy show, Anthony is a traveler not a tourist. Zimmern is good and Samantha Brown is pretty good. Unfortunatley there are two new shows trying to break out...a dimwit blonde who needed a job because she go kicked out of the mansion, and a juiced up jockstrap beating people up around the globe. These two know nothing about travel and should not be on there! The travel channel has unfortunately been cheapened by them.

Apparently, the tobacco industry has the A.B. producers in their deep pockets. It’s bad enough that smoking is shown on this show, but the Paris segment I channel surfed through yesterday had Tony actually promoting cigarettes! What’s wrong with you people? It is for this reason I don’t watch No Reservations.

So, you have a guy promoting chemical dependence, 2 fat guys shoving enormous amounts of unhealthy food down their necks, and a glamorizing of gambling (I’ll never understand what a bunch of creepy guys sitting around a poker table has to do with travel).

Here’s an idea! Why don’t you show Samantha Brown shooting up in a Bangkok alley after entertaining a number of drooling men. You would then have each of the 5 most destructive behaviors in the U.S. covered, and you could repackage as the Addiction Channel. I’m sure your numbers would increase.

The Travel Channel is fading into obscurity in my home.

venegeo
Junior Member

Registered: 02-21-09
Posts: 1

Why you try to be politically correct when there is a world outside which does not follow your puritanism? If you want to watch a clean version where all is peachy, you've got the wrong person.

Tony presents us a world that is not as hypocritical as some pretend to be. He does not hide the reality and invites us to share with him the world with "No Reservations."

What is wrong with you? Are we supposed now to erase any implication to smoking? By sheer chance, do you think that will stop the worldwide consumption? Uh... no.

And as Kate in NW told you in her post "THERE ARE REMOTE CONTROLS" (Even though I disagree with her... you can always get your body out of the couch and walk to the TV to change the channel)...