We have been following the exchanges on the boards regarding the Romania episode. Clearly this show elicited some strong reactions and we appreciate the feedback both positive and negative. It is particularly dismaying to us to read of good hearted Romanians and fans who tuned in expecting to see a depiction of a country they know, love and recognize as their own but were disappointed.

People who are familiar with Tony’s shows (dating back to A Cook’s Tour days) should know that Tony and Zamir have a longstanding relationship and have traveled together on more than one occasion. For better or worse the show was an honest portrait of Tony’s trip to Romania with his old friend Zamir along as a sidekick.

For the record, we DID hire a number of Romanians to assist us with this production and looked to them for guidance and scene suggestions. However, our attempts to set up authentic experiences and off-the beaten path locales typical of No Reservations were, more often than not, foiled at every turn. It was a source of frustration that our requests for “everyday, working class food-related” scenes were again and again either discouraged or seemingly impossible to arrange. The prevailing wisdom was that “the best French restaurant in town” or patently “set up” scenes were preferable to what most Romanians would recognize as reality. Although certain commentators would assert that we ignored their suggestions in favor of our own agenda, this was certainly not the case. If anything, we worked more closely with official tourism entities than we usually do. Most scenes and locales were strongly recommended by them. The scene at the “mici” joint, which we shot against the explicit wishes of our minders, remains an example of a show that for good or bad, might have been.

We do out best to make shows that are both informative and entertaining. In some people's eyes, we failed on the Romania show. We didn’t show those people the country and scenes they wanted to see -- instead we showed them what we experienced during our brief time in Romania. We are not in the business of making fun of people. That is not our hope or our intention when we visit a country new to us. We well know that our very best shows are the ones where we are allowed to see people as they are—not as our official hosts or government representatives wish us to see them. In this instance, the results were often absurd and we showed what we experienced. Romania has survived far worse than our travel show. As the Executive Producers of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations we stand by the show we made.


Chris Collins & Lydia Tenaglia
Executive Producers / Directors
Zero Point Zero Production, Inc.

You are truly stupid and ignorant. If travel channel care about having audience will reconsider the collaboration with you, guys. You are not convincing me and you are just obnoxious with so bad intentions.
I wish you go back you school and learn. And come back after an education

As far as I'm concerned, you guys have more integrity in your little toes than most TV producers have in their whole networks.

No one can please everybody - when you try, you just wreck a thing.

This show never promised to do anything but make us a fly-on-the-wall for Tony's travels and thoughts. This is something you consistently do well and in an entertaining fashion.

Personally, I find Mr. Bourdain to be an unfailingly gracious guest (at least on camera), no matter the circumstances. He's friendly, appreciative, conversational, and very funny, given half a chance. But suffer fools? No - THANK GOODNESS! And nor should he.

If something really sucks, you all demonstrate integrity by letting us know. I also thank you for addressing complaints/praise in this forum. Seems like you guys work hard, play hard, and generally manage to do something constructive with some money, some cameras, a clever host and crew, and an hour of television time. This is an appallingly rare feat - so keep it up!

I live in fear that the Travel Channel will end it all for you, because almost everything that's really good on TV gets killed. Guess that's why I mostly read....(except for NR, of course...)!

Every personal experience is based on choices...you made very bad choices, starting with Zamir. I cannt belive you missed Peles Castle, which is one of the most beautiful castle in Europe. There are so many beautiful places to visit..and these days..Dacia is old fashion. People drive the newest and most expensive cars. And by the way, that is an old old model. I think you should go back and make better choices. It is sad that we can not share the beauty of our country with the world.

To Producers:
My most sincere apologies.
To all romanians:
http://www.cotidianul.ro/index.php?id=18268&art=44040&cHash=fecaa1a14a

Why did you need the money from the romanian government to do this show? 20000Euros (30000$) to be exact?

Newyorkgirl, I think it was you who recommended Romania to Bourdain

hi

i recently saw this episode!!! Unfortunetly, romanians have a way of bribing people! I live in Romania, i know!!! Dracula's castle it's nothing more that a fairy taile, but it's fun thoh to go there with friends and fammily and spend some qualitty time together. Maramures it's a wonderfull place, it's the place where most of the traditions are still respected. I don't agree with the DACIA :P because know we have a new dacia, Dacia Logan... that american people buy!!! Anyway, in romanian humor, DACIA means : Daca Ai Cap Iati Alta = If U Have Brains Buy Somethingelse (free translation). To end my post, Romania has many other places to explore, not those comercial ones (Dracula's Castle)... Brasov, Cluj-Napoca and many other beautifull places.... where parties aren't like the fake onw in Bran Castle, but u can fell the romanian spirit!!! I am sorry if the producers got a wrong impresion of Romania, if that, you should give it another chance !

quote:

Originally posted by zeropointzero:

For the record, we DID hire a number of Romanians to assist us with this production and looked to them for guidance and scene suggestions. However, our attempts to set up authentic experiences and off-the beaten path locales typical of No Reservations were, more often than not, foiled at every turn. It was a source of frustration that our requests for “everyday, working class food-related” scenes were again and again either discouraged or seemingly impossible to arrange. The prevailing wisdom was that “the best French restaurant in town” or patently “set up” scenes were preferable to what most Romanians would recognize as reality. Although certain commentators would assert that we ignored their suggestions in favor of our own agenda, this was certainly not the case. If anything, we worked more closely with official tourism entities than we usually do. Most scenes and locales were strongly recommended by them. The scene at the “mici” joint, which we shot against the explicit wishes of our minders, remains an example of a show that for good or bad, might have been.

Chris Collins & Lydia Tenaglia
Executive Producers / Directors
Zero Point Zero Production, Inc.

Chris/Lydia,

Keep up the good work guys. I am curiuos to know if the show received any money from the official tourism entities. There is a claim in a newspaper that they paid $20K for your show to have a certain schedule, to stay on the beaten path, so to speak. If you could comment on that it would do all of us a lot of good, since the controversy is not quite about what you've filmed there but about the fact the Romanians paid you to play nice. From what you are saying, you DID hire a number of Romanians, from what the tourism officials are saying, they hired them and you as well (quite hard to believe, but it could happen). What is the truth?

Regards,

Michael Roman

To Michael Roman,
The Romanian Government didn't pay the crew in cash. They accomodated them in the good romanian tradition of hospitality in the best hotels in Bucharest and the other places. Who do you think paid for the meal at Jaristea? And wrong they did. If Travel Channel wanted the genuine experience, then why address the Government in the first place? They should have behaved like any other tourist, and they would have been spared the fake but not cheap shows they've been exposed to.

First of all - to newyorkgirl: it appears from this post and several others on Travel Channel discussion boards that you are the one who needs to go back to school - to learn grammar, puncuation, style and courtesy. (Just what the hell does your second sentance mean, anyway???) You also can stop with the insults, which seems to be a large part of all your postings.

Secondly - the the producers: thanks for your message. I can imagine that it's not easy to do a show when dealing with local officials who want to control your visit. Was this the best "No Reservations" show - probably not, but it was entertaining.

One of the reasons I like NR and Tony is that you show the not-pretty aspects, the Kitsch, the underbelly, and the oddness (good and bad) of each place you visit.

I like Tony's sarcasm, but I also like the fact that Tony is a great tourist: he is accomodating, polite and interested in meeting the people is each country. He's not a fake.

Maybe as producers you should have done a better job of pre-planning the trip to Romania, but this show should lead to no more than a aplogy for not doing the best show you could have.

Keep doing what you do.

Can everyone please refrain from insults on these forums? I know feelings are strong about this episode but I would like everyone to feel free to post here without getting attacked or insulted. This is not directed at any one post but just a general rule for the forums.
Thanks,
mod_ben

I watched the show & found it inadequate to say the least. My friend Calin, who lives in Romania, was shocked that a Russian would be the guide for Romania. The Romanian govt found it downright insulting that such a sketchy view would be produced for their 20,000 euros.