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Alternate Universe
By Anthony Bourdain on October 27, 2009 12:05 PM | Permalink | 69 Comments
There seems to be some understandable confusion with the announcement of our upcoming "web series", ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. Reactions varying between "WTF!!??" and " This time he's jumped the shark for sure." While shark jumping is always a danger--particularly since me and my partners take a perverse delight in flirting with just that with every new outrage (The family friendly Sardinia show being an example of a profoundly risky rub up against 'off-brand,' late-era Fonzarelli), these dark, nasty, frequently foul TWO MINUTE LONG web extras are not a replacement for NO RESERVATIONS. They are not a pilot for some new, family friendly, watered down follow on. They are instead brief, often violent, alt versions of NO RES--representing things we could never have done on the actual show-or the way things should have gone on the show--or animated acknowledgments of what already went terribly wrong on the show. Or, for example, my take on the network's "Travel Bug" promo campaign--about which I was, shall we say...dubious.
They'll appear on the fan site--for those who wish to click on them. I wrote the damn things--so there's nobody to blame but me if they're not as quick, nasty--and funny as I think they are. And I want to thank Andrew Zimmern and Samantha Brown in advance--for their extraordinarily good humored participation in one particularly lurid episode. I hope we don't freak out their fan base.
69 Comments
Anthony Bourdain
Meet Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain is a 28-year veteran of professional kitchens, having worked as a dishwasher, line cook and chef in places good, bad and horrible -- most of them in New York City. Read Anthony Bourdain's full biography.
About No Reservations
"No Reservations" dives headfirst into life's colorful and rich pageant. Join Anthony Bourdain as he circumnavigates the globe on his conquest to discover the cities, villages and countries that provide life's truest surprises. Learn more about the show.
- Alternate Universe
- I Told You I Smelled Emmy!
- …..I Shall Wear the Bottoms of My Trousers Rolled
- FOR PARENTS ONLY
- Big Sky ... Thick Jungle ... Zero Tolerance (and Diane Saves The Day)
- State of Siege
- I'm Not Angry
- A Drive by Shooting
- Tony 'n' Zamir's Excellent Adventure
- Swag Bags For All My Friends!
- Antonio/Antonia
- Dear Rachael
- How Can I Miss You, When You Won't Go Away?
- Not Fade Away
- Hierarchy of Pork
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- Marc Jacobs Sunglasses: I love the post. The information about Spain restaurants are really useful.
- Good Night Quotes: That's really a great piece of letter written by Anthony Bourdain, well this kind situations...
- online games: Oh my. Tony, you rule. This is perfect. As the father of a three-year-old, this is so spot on...
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- free online games: Love your show. You always strive to be fair. I live in SF. And it may be a good place to...
Tony, I just watched the trailer for your web series and was wondering when you were ever going to post again on your blog, and wham, there it was. So yes, I think this means I need to get a life. But first, I can't wait to see what you do with Rachael's brain.
And the anti-spam code for this comment is "woodiest $1-million."
Me too! If it brings us something new before the next season, then hooray! Can't get enough. I've seen that darn Alice Cooper show so many times I have to run screaming from the room, which is embarassing.
Dude, the Ramones had a comic book. This aint jumping the shark by a long shot.
I like it. Have fun and go for broke.
"brief, often violent, alt versions of NO RES"...
Whatever Tony does... I am so THERE!
I was really worried when I saw the trailer for this, but the way you describe it makes it sound pretty cool. Maybe the trailer needs to be reworked?
looks nothing short of awesome!
I'm all for it!!
Sometimes I wonder......Why is Tony so much in demand? Its ridiculous!
But then when his web series is about to come out....I say......Well, this is a webseries from Tony Bourdian and I'm gonna watch it.
Good luck tony.
I can't wait to see what you do to Brown's fan base!
I can't wait for this web series. I had a LOL moment just watching the sneak peak. Should be very interesting.
ok for now
So, you're saying that cartoon Tony is an illustration of your dark side that we seen through rare cracks in the vaneer but you have cleverly kept sedated with booze? This oughta be good.
I must have ESP or something. Haven't checked this blog for over 1& 1/2 months and low and behold, a new entry. I would have had the third comment here too if my post didn't crash out. Never the less, in between dealing with a car wreck, celebrating a major bday, and waiting for you to wear the Keith Richards and Dead Boys t-shirts I gave you Tony (!), I've also been wondering what you've been dreaming up, and this appears to answer that question. Hmmm, a demented animation show? Has potential. I-think-I-might-like-it. We'll see. Somehow I don't think it will present Ms. Ray in her safe "talk show" bubble; why do I envision her in a ball-gag? And as for Mr. Zimmern, I do hope he gets his just desserts for his "Grandpa" crack at you on his own show promo. Good luck with it. I'm sure the masses will let you know what they think. Cheers, artnlit (a.k.a. Bonnie from Pittsburgh) PS. Ruhlman of course makes an appearance, but how about bringing in Breck Boy for some fun? ;-)
Whoops, I meant to say that Ruhlman SHOULD make an appearance, but maybe you're being too nice. I do know Zamir does. He's made for it.
BTW, you may be amused to hear this story, Tony. I have the framed picture of you spralled out on top of the beer kegs (taken in Ireland for the mag spread) hanging in my office that you autographed for me when we met in Pittsburgh. My 80+ year old father stopped by today and upon seeing it exclaimed a bit disgusted and confused, "Why would some drunk send you a picture of himself??" I was too busy laughing to try to explain! Cheers, T!
Robochef amused me...More please
not gonna lie, was a little put off by the description of these things, but then I thought, your a good writer, your funny, and very opinionated, and lo and behold, they're really good! should never have doubted.
also, I really hope you have that Rome episode shot or in the works, because I plan on going there in the summer and whatever restaurants you visit, I have to too. keep up the amazing work! vivere, vedere e mangiare from Canada.
Freaking hilarious!
I got my thoughts posted here: http://www.bourbonasylum.com/blog/?p=663
IOW, I get it!
Tony:
Hate me! In spanish for you!
¡Te felicito!
Tu programa de telecision NO RESERVATIONS!, es uno de mis programas favoritos. Me encanta el formato del show, originalidad para llevar a cabo entrevistas, o candaditos a visitar alrededor del mundo. Tus opiniones me ayudan a pensar de otra forma. Tu respeto por las culturas, sus costumbres e indiosincracia son dignas de admiración.
¿Cuando vienes a Puerto Rico a comerte unas ricas arepas rellenas de jueyes? Puedes ir planificando para estar presente en el Festival de Jueyes, Maunabo, Puerto Rico a principios de septiembre de 2010.
Saludos
Cordialmente,
Hiram Báez Andino
Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico
I--CAN'T--WAIT!!!
Well, since I can't get enough of some Tony, I guess I'm gonna love this too.
Tony
I am a great admirer of you and your program would you enjoy
the food of my mother I am from Brazil a city near Sao Paulo.
'm your fan
Hello Tony,
A friend of mine just sent me a picture of you in MOntañita, Ecuador. I am a big fan of you and the show and was wondering if you where coming to Quito this weekend, maybe we could share a Club verde together. I dont know if you will see this but i hope you do, there is a lot to see in Quito.
I'm crazy about your wit (and talent), but I just saw that anime and it unfortunately sucks. Esp. the Austin Powers reference.
Wery good
Yo Tony! You are a rockstar! Are you still living in VN?
Laughing.My.Considerably.Large.Ass.Off.
Oh, Tony - if your sarcasms, cynicism would come alive this would be it... putting words to action or imagination rather...
just deadly... so will we see pigs taking all over the world and a pig eating you in one episode and giving his food insight? howell, only time can tell...
love it
Still laughing! (it's been a while since I have laught so much...)
Well good luck Tony !
Hey Tony
Enjoy your show and try and watch it as often as time permits around my home based business activites. Some of the locations that you travel to are just amazing. I look forward to travelling to some of those destinations and trying out the great food.
Keep up the great work.
I just wanna say the end of the jersey episode is the greatest bourdain show ever or any show for that matter, I may be drunk but it is inspired by my hero, Bourdain, this is happiness.
Tony
Just watched No Reservations, Indonesia. You're a braver man than me drinking water out of a glass in Jakarta. I shuddered watching you slice a durian in half then disembowel it with a spoon. If you come back to Jakarta, look me up. You need a crap-smelling-fruit etiquitte lesson. Still thinking about setting up shop in Bali? Yeah, me neither. Be good. Cheers!
Tony, I just watched your cartoon. I've been a fan of No Reservations since it first started, but I think you are surrounding yourself with "yes men and women" whose jobs rely on your satisfaction and happiness. My problem with alternate universe is that its been done and is being done as we speak on the Cartoon Network 24 hours a day.
I will check it out, BTW if you get to Nashville you have to check out Demos restaurant owned locally by a Greek family. Great steak baked chicken and chicken salad in a half pineapple.
I read your ALTERNATE UNIVERSE blog but i have some confussion about that the in web series why sahrk make atack on it?please explain me about this.
Sometimes I wonder......Why is Tony so much in demand? Its ridiculous!
But then when his web series is about to come out....I say......Well, this is a webseries from Tony Bourdian and I'm gonna watch it.
Good luck tony.
How great! Since I can't get into your pants, your mind is the next best thing :)
If you were Led Zeppelin, "Alternate Universe" would be Dread Zeppelin. IMHO, both are awesome.
Tony, (Can I call you Tony? Everyone else seems to...)
I watch your show because you don't censor yourself. You go to real places, meet real people, and eat real food, then say what you really think. I watch your show because I am insulted when Rachel Rae struggles to spend less than $40 a day on food, when I worked years at minimum wage making less than that. If you were posturing for some bull formula, that would suck. Doing a cartoon, or a show with your family: that does not. It's just more real life.
I've been watching for a long time, and I think the shows just keep getting better and better. People have been accusing you of jumping the shark since virtually the first episode in Paris. Maybe they have a point, but this Constant, Progressive Reinvention is why I keep watching you. It's also why I still listen to U2.
I say you aren't jumping the shark, as long as you are still willing to eat it.
Stay Golden, Tony Boy!
OK, I have always wondered waht is going on in Tony's mind... now I KNOW I have not a clue.
Either I never realized you had it in you, or someone is holding a real, big gun to your head. (makes circling motion with finger around ear - crazy)
Sound like it will be popular though.
Tony, get down to detroit tonight, eat a burger at the bronx on 2dn st, then go see the Cult at the Fillmore. Do it!
Oh my god, you're owned by The Food Network now?! What say ye?
Man what comes around goes around. Poor Tony The Food Network has control of NR (Run like the wind Tony, maybe the Discovery Channel can take you on).
Sorry, but I have no idea what to think of Alt Uni. I've looked at the trailer, but it just confuses the heck out of me. Guess I'll just have to wait for the real thing.
wow LOL How much fun was this to produce! Alt U may become the new cult party! I don't video game but I would start if Alt U jumped in an X Box.
Alt U looks good, additional place to express yourself. Finally saw who Timmy is...
Hey Tony
Love your show watch it as much as I can. I was wondering why I haven't seen your visit to Sicily done a second time?
I missed it and would like to see it.
Can't wait ot see the web episode with Samantha Brown and unfortunately Andrew!
Tony you should come to Costa Rica....we have a lot to show and I promise you would enjoy it!!!
Dear Mr Bourdain,
there is a place in Milos island, Greece (that s where we live) called Empourios which I believe is a heaven on earth. It is a tinz place of ten houses that comes alive in the summertime. When we go to our house there, we become food collectors, go fishing everyday and stay up until late drinking wine and raki and competing with each other in cooking. I am 33, a pianist and English teacher, my husband is 53,math teacher and cafe owner and our son is 1.How do you find the idea of coming here this summer? You can stay in our house,swim in unbelievable seas and make us proud that we met you!.. Is this as crazy as it sounds?..
afroditi
Mr. Bourdain.. is good see your travel/eating/talk think, down here in Mexico ... i am from Tecate Baja California, so i been on touch with the US people, and one thing that i see in your work is, you represent very well, with no offense, almost all the american people on your travel; so worry about the way to see the life, work and selfspace and thats the part i really like .. your travel to Vietnam is a very good example what i traying to say ... so we see us later during the show.
Memo. (iam not good typing on english, so thats fine)
Hey, I'm watching your New Jersey episode of No Reservations. Where is the love for South Jersey? I know that someone that has been born and raised in the north is supposed to have an automatic disdain for anyone from the 609 area code... but how can you do a show on New Jersey and leave the other half of the state out? I actually didn't know you were from NJ, but now I know why I like your shows and books so much. You're right about the sense of humor thing.
NJ rivalry aside, just wanted to say that I really look up to you, I've had some issues with substance abuse in the past as well and I've been clean for about 3 years now. Plan is to go to culinary school next fall. Keep doing what you're doing.
Hehe, had wondered what had happened to your blog. Guess it took you a while to get over the embarassment of that awful, awful show on Romania. Anyway, we have all had some embarassing moments. I kept waiting to see decent food and then I slapped myself and thought, no don't expect too much, he's in Romania.
Love it. More please!
Tony, you are a glove fit in Asia, particularly SE Asia. Had you not got the NR series going you would be an expat wordsmith living somewhere like Saigon or Bangkok. Why not a revisit to the author of Strange Foods, Jerry Hopkins --- going back to what was your first show?
Tony,
Bow out while you are on top. You are beyond personal appearances, and frankly looked like a sell out at Proctors tonight. Let me remember you in your leather jacket and smoking, give me that fantasy.
Lara
Woot! We just watched the sneak peek trailer, can't wait for more!
I love this. I've always been a fan of you. Can't wait to sample this new and unique offering from THE Antony Bourdain.
Absolutely Amazing! Can't wait to see more. The trailer was quite the teezer!
YOU NEED TO GO TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC !!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Anthony, I heard you are coming to Columbus, Ohio. Stan
one of my all time favorite hosts. it'd take a lot for you to jump the shark. do whatever you like.
I just go through with ALTERNATE UNIVERSE series.i did not get your shark attack concept in web series.I want to know thinking behind the scene.
I like it Tony I think it has great possibilities, as an artist/writer(not pro...yet) I understand that you always want to break some new ground and see where it will lead.
Good Stuff, good luck with it!
Well, I live in Rochester and am trying to sell the tickets I bought for Tony's show ... I had an epiphnay and no longer will support this guy. He would eat and rape a 10 year old if it was legal in the country he is filming in and it made money. His alcoholism will hopefully take him out sooner than later ...I realized he is a bad man.
Wow, JoJo. Do tell. What exactly was the "epiphnay?" Were you in church or a crack house when it happened?
Hi Anthony,love your sow. Please have a look at
latimes.com/news/custom/topofthetimes/features/la-tr-barbados1-2009nov1,0,1570701.story. Hope you can get in,
Barbados makes the belly happy, LA times.com, by Janis Cooke Newman. You can stay at my place.
I was really worried when I saw the trailer for this, but the way you describe it makes it sound pretty cool.
Tony awesome show man. Ive seen a lot of episode. i seen you going to a lot of the caribbean islands, but your missing one, Isla Margarita. Im a native of that small island north of Venezuela. Its known as the Pearl of the Caribbean and i think it be worth your while to make a show there. If you do, you wouldn't regret it. Warm weather, great food, beautiful beaches, beautiful women, friendly people, and great night life and beer.