The other day I was watching Live With Kelly! And Whothefuckever. Don’t judge me, she is my inspiration for pretending to be orgasmically happy every fucking morning at 9 am no matter what is going on in her life. I’d just like to be able to fake cordial. Or perhaps slightly less filled with homicidal rage. Baby steps.
So anyway, the topic was buying clothes we will never wear and Kelly talked about a particular piece that she would never wear because it was too nice. It just hangs in her closet. While I can’t relate from a fashion perspective, I most certainly can when it comes to my DVRed TV programs. I record all of Anthony Bourdain’s shows. I save them all. Forever. Which is why I am struggling over my need to update my DVR box. I will watch the domestic episodes any old time. But if I am going to travel internationally with Anthony, I need zero distractions, the perfect drink, and the ability to not babysit the site for an hour. Okay. I will check the site during commercials sometimes. But Parts Unknown requires as much of my undivided attention as I can possibly muster. It is way too good to watch “in the background” unless I’ve watched it at least ten times already. It’s the best show every created in the history of the world.
It is on tonight at 9 p.m. on CNN and we are going to Rome. UNLESS Donald Trump tweets something or speaks to a world leader on the phone, or sends back an order at wherever he eats dinner or does anything at all that CNN feels is more important that the best show ever in the history of civilization; in which case, they will preempt the show so that we can be up to the moment on the current state of the president elect’s spray tan. Because CNN has priorites.
If we manage to avoid a preemption, this may be the best episode of Parts Unknown since the Tripoli episode. Or the Beruit one. Or… well so many of them. Tonight it is Rome. I’m sure I’ve been to Rome with Anthony before back when his show was called No Reservations on the Travel Channel. But on CNN Anthony is gaining more and more creative control over his show and tonight, they are shooting the episode entirely in wide screen, letterbox anamorphic format replete with an actual score – a beautiful collection of related pieces on a theme by longtime music director Michael Ruffino.
Bourdain says, “I was adamant about acquiring rights to an existing piece of music — the song “Spiral Waltz” from the wonderful 60’s sci-fi satire, “The 10th Victim.”
“And though we intended from the beginning to make the most beautiful looking show we had ever done, there was one important thematic constraint: We would shoot NO classical Rome. The entire episode would feature ONLY the architecture of Mussolini and post-Mussolini era Rome: brutalist, futurist and rationalist structures, mid-century housing blocks, suburbs, the decidedly downscale and not particularly romantic seaside community of Ostia.”
“Rome may be the most romantic city in the world, and one of the most filmed, but the films we chose to reference were films by Pier Paolo Pasolini, Dario Argento and Abel Ferrara. Pasolini’s wonderful, heartbreaking “Mamma Roma” is kind of a continuing reference point. And visually, Bernardo Bertolucci’s “The Conformist,” of course — a film I’ve been besotted with for years.”
No matter what is going on, Anthony Bourdain has a way of making everything in my tiny little corner of the world right again. It’s all only seven and a half hours away. Or a bit more for me, because duty calls upon me to recap RHOA at 8pm. But Bourdain will be waiting for me when I finish.
“What’s it about? Well … it’s complicated. A lot of stuff. It’s about everyday Rome, the joys and the frustrations. It’s about fascism — and how it might have happened in this most beautiful of cities. It’s about movies. It’s about love — for films, for places, for the little things that make our lives bearable and for people.”
“Near the end, the brilliant and always honest Asia Argento says, “So you’re saying there’s a little fascist inside you?”
Yes. Thinking about it now, I am saying that. And to some extent, that’s what this episode is about: the urge, the impulse, for ordinary people, even ones surrounded by beauty, to want a leader, a man on a horse, to come down from on high and make everything better. Someone/anyone who will say with a firm voice, “Listen to me! I know what I’m doing!” That things have historically seldom if ever worked out in the wake of such promises is almost beside the point.”
If you watch tonight’s show, that ooze between your ears – caused by exposure to countless hours of menopausal women shrieking about whose toilet plays the classier music while they perform their bodily functions- your usual programming that liquidizes your gray matter- that ooze you have accepted as your new normal brain- may briefly coagulate into something more substantial. You may even remember what it used to be like when you were a functioning adult with intellectual capabilities who had conversations with like-minded people about things that mattered. It may even seem possible to return to that level of functioning one day.
I urge you, in the strongest possible way to click here to read Bourdain’s full description of tonight’s masterpiece. Then let me know what you think after the show. Unless of course, you’re an idiot. In which case, please excuse yourself from these comments.
Yes!!! I will be watching. 🙂
Although I loved his international shows , I really enjoyed his recent stints in New Orleans and Chicago. He always features such interesting locals. Thanks for the heads up on Rome. This should be really good. I will d vr Mariah as both Bravo and E have it on. I am expecting a giant train wreck.
Your next to last paragraph is exactly in Bourdain’s speaking style.
And now I’m going outside to play in the snow like a little kid again.
Judith, that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.
Now if I could only figure out why paragraphs are not working on this new stupid waste of money template.
Thanks for posting this TT! I will set my DVR plus let my friend who is traveling to Rome with me in April know to record it too.
There is a chance for me to stop in Venice before Rome but I would go there on my own. It makes me nervous since internationally I have always had a companion, plus I can’t swim! It’s totally ridiculous on my part to even think this way bc it’s Venice but I can’t help myself
PS. Did you watch last Sunday Minas Gerais? That is my birth state in Brazil. It really made me love Bourdain even more to see him venture inland of Rio de Janeiro, a place where most international tourist would never even think of exploring
Nope, MHP. Still saving it. The past few weeks have not been conducive to enjoying life’s finer things. But tonight? Tonight is the night. My load has been lightened and I’m good to go!
OMG I love Anthony Bourdain! His facial expressions are PRICELESS.
Let alone his WORDS! YES I will be watching. His shows, IMO, are “real” reality shows. I loved “no reservations”, where he just sort of showed up, having to rely on the kindness of strangers for lodging….the Nordic countries were the best. So much lutefisk! Well maybe this show wasn’t the most “real” but it was full of “real” people. Not those looking to be “reality” stars. I hate that.
At various times, he’s not had a show on the air, and I have been beside myself. For the most part, I am not a Food or Travel Channel kinda chick.
Tho I am as it turns out, a British Bake Off kinda gal. Baking is hard. You can’t fuck with recipes. And the BBO has that HUNKY Paul Hollywood, with his piercing Blue Eyes and his Rude Behavior. He’s perfect.
I was really, REALLY surprised when Tony got married and had a baby. Or maybe he had a baby and then got married. Apparently the baby worked out great and he is the adoring Father to a little girl, but the marriage, I recently heard, did not survive.
I always think of him as the quintessential bachelor, roaming the world, hanging out in dark alleys behind restaurants, smoking with the restaurant staff. Eating tons of beef and inward and pasta and sushi.
He often goes places I am too chicken to visit. lol.
I’ve had a long time dream of having a meal with Tony. A big, fat steak at Les Halles. BUT IT CLOSED!!! So I guess we’ll settle for Sammy’s. Bring me a side of beef, some horseradish and some au jus. NO FILLER so back off with the bread, potatoes or GASP a salad. Give me an hour, then I’d appreciate a hot towel, and a cigarette.
I mean honestly, is there a cooler cat on the planet? Me thinks not!
TT I am so happy you love Tony too! Can’t wait for your recaps.
For the love of God. There will be no recap. How do you catch a moonbeam in a jar?
Thanks for the heads up! Always had a mad crush on him. My all time favorite of his is the black and white Rome show from 2005 done Fellini style. OMG! I am an ancient Roman history nutball.
When I was a kid the family traveled around Europe every summer in a green and white Ford station wagon. Dad was in the army. Six kids and not much money so we camped. Mom wore an apron cooking the meals. Adorable. Anyway, my favorite place was Rome. Guess it’s been a life-long compelling interest. Oh, and I thought Paris was filthy but intriguing; saw a woman with blue hair and a poodle with fur dyed to match. This was 1960 so she wasn’t a punk. Holland was immaculately clean. I don’t know why a kid of 7 would notice the filth or cleanliness of countries. Hey, this is on topic. Travel. 😛
Well someone’s in love…..and good timing! Just checking email and put on CNN. Love Anthony, too. I would not have known to watch if not for your email. Thanks.
Never has a show been so incredibly perfect for this particular time than this one. I loved it even more than I expected. I am off to recap WWHL now and then I will watch it again.
Breathless, enthralled, beautiful, actually felt a longing inside, I am missing living.
Hope Bourdain and his crew know how successful they were in their filming of Rome. What a gift they gave us.
What great research Bordains crew did.
“Make America great,” B. Mussolini 1927
Wish I could move to that beach town and hang out at the local bar.
Why haven’t we or I never heard of the part of Rome Bourdain shared? I read architecture books, seen photos of communist prewar buildings but never read they were in such perfect condition in Rome.
Anyone else catch the irony the other much older Rome buildings were bombed not the communist buildings?
I’ve got it dvr’d and can’t wait!
Why the HELL does CNN have to block half the screen after the break with an ad for bourdain’s book??? Loved the show. It’s so funny because i STILL get mocked at that one messagebiard place for talking about the beach in Rome. I hope they all saw that!!!
Oh and I loved the woman singing horrible songs beautifully and the gorgeous grocery store trannys. This is why Italy is so very much better than America. No one ever pretends to be politically correct there. Maybe we will get back to that place now. Where no snowflake is allowed to be offended by anything that does not physically harm them.
I Agree about the book ads. CNN is the worst about covering the entire screen with crap in general. One would think they could leave this particular show alone.
I also hate the yellow English subtitles. Back before I became the smartest person in the world who knows everything, I would see the term “yellow English subtitles” on a movie description and wonder what yellow English was. Apparently, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, movies might be subtitled in more than one language on the same film the yellow was the English text.
I think the yellow subtitles was part of Bourdain’s old timey throw back cinematic look. Maybe. But it was very difficult to read because the scene with the subtitles was full of yellow flowers and stuff. Very hard to read.
The songs were perfection. The only thing that would have made them better would have been if they could somehow how worked the phrase “eat shit and die” into the chorus.
And I’ve learned a new Tamara Tattles lesson today. Whatever I do, I will no longer take a BIG swig of hot coffee simultaneous to pulling up the new TT comment, because when I got to the “eat shit and die” chorus portion, I did a massive spit take and proceeded to choke-laugh until my kids thought I was having a seizure.
Still can’t wait to see the episode. Hopefully cable will stay ON tonight.
Hey, it would have fit in seamlessly into the lyrics. Watch the show and tell me otherwise. Also, it sounds kind of lovely in Italian, “Mangiare merda e morire!” Such lovely alteration! Now please excuse me. I just realized I may need to brush up on my Italian. 🙂
Agree 100%. I am thinking about retiring to Italy. No joke. It’s just so much better than here.
I’m coming to visit!!
You mean live, You’re going to live there. You need to start learning how to say more than just “Mangiare merda e morire!” in Italian. You will be packing in all the FLOTO.
I fucking caved again. Gray Roma shoulder bag.
We cannot afford this.
AHA! You are the same!!
My damn cable went out yesterday and just came back on this morning, so I missed every freaking show I wanted to watch last night, including this one! I’ll have to hope it comes up on my ON Demand option asap! My husband and I have loved all of his shows. Does anyone remember when he did THE LAYOVER? We loved that it. I thought it was fascinating in each location to see what he would find/choose to do there in such a limited time.
I love AB so much. Crazy much. However, it’s more of an admiration from afar. He is way too cool for me. Intimidatingly cool, like I would not be able to get even one word out of my mouth if I was ever in his presence. He is on a pedastal so high that I would never be able to reach even the base of it. That’s how I feel about him.
I think I’m going to have my sons start watching this show with me. It’s like the best geography, cultural, historical, epicurean, social experiment of a show that has ever existed. They need to know this shit.
Oh and I forgot the adorable little boy who was ever so politely eating what he was served, which happened to be tripe. He was such the trooper as the adults at the table started talking about eating brains and things that tasted like human fingers and he maintained his composure right up to the point where his mother FINALLY told him that he didn’t have to eat it if he didn’t want to. At that point, he daintily wiped his mouth and pushed the plate back with a sigh of relief. Then he very appropriately joined the discussion about how much lovelier the Colosseum looked after its recent renovation.
This is what children are supposed to be like, and kinda how I picture TeeCee’s retard.
First, you can have Tony after you pry him from my cold, dead fingers. Last, I loved everything about this episode and this post.
Bourdain’s voice is wonderful, such a way with words. They really did “give it everything they had.” Lovely.
CNN does suck ass for putting so much shit across the screen. So annoying. Still loved it almost as much as I love well-behaved little retards. They’re like spotting Big Foot these days!
Yes!! Loved that little boy. I also enjoyed when his mom and AB were in her favorite restaurant that he wouldn’t give the name of, and she was saying that she doesn’t vote and stays out of politics. Her reasoning was that she has concern for her neighborhood, her children and her building. That’s all she can worry about. Well, damn it, that’s all I can worry about too so I give up on freaking out over what’s happening in the US. I’m going to pick three things and focus on that.
I agree Heidi. There were so many timely lessons on life in this episode. Determining who and what is worth your time, energy and concern and setting firm boundaries was one I needed to get. Asia is like, look, I’m going to deal with me and my family and my little part of the world and everyone else can fend for themselves. We all need boundaries based on our ability to contribute. I am immensely more happy today than I was a week ago. The reason? Boundaries.
I’m going to watch it again tonight with my hubby, he loves him too. I seriously feel like this was the best show of any shows that I’ve ever seen in my life. I think I may even hit the green monster, that makes the episodes better if thats even possible. That pasta that they were eating while they were watching the boxing match looked so al dente I couldn’t even stand it. My friend and I were in Italy 20 years ago and the food was mind blowing. God, sometimes I hate America.
It is actually just like Tardy. He ate razor clams (live) and sea urchin and octopus whe he was like 6 and older. One of his first words was “frittata”. And what a trooper. He tried everything and went out of his way to try new crazy stuff. He could order politely as soon as he could read (3 or 4). He would never be rude at a table. Or to an adult. Or even another child. He did not eat until everyone was served, he sat I his seat until everyone was finished and he cleared his plate if we were in a home. Kids today are all so nasty. They explained that children were welcome at restaurants there. Yes. They are. But they behave and stay put without bothering the whole place. Last year one brat at my table screamed “EWWWE! Did you put LEMON in the broccoli”. I wanted to bat him across the room. His ill-bred mother acted like he had been intentionally injured and told him that it was ok. He didn’t have to eat them. Ugh.
Finally, I wanted you acknowledge what fine job I have done with Tardy. It’s perfect in every way. Just like me.
I hate it that parents cater to kids food issues. I have always made one dinner and if they’re hungry they’ll eat it. Bfast is the next meal. My boys are adventurous eaters and I feel like it’s one of the few things I’ve done right, lol.
I wonder what that cute little Italian kid would do if you put “chicken nuggets” and “french fries” in front of him. He would probably eat it. But I wonder if he would like it.
A friend of mine here in Chicago actually knows Bourdain and he (and his bar, The Old Town Ale House) have been on the show a couple of times…anyway, he says that “Tony” is exactly the same guy in “real life” and possibly even cooler! …sigh…?
JT LeRoy had a memoir published 15 or so years ago. Story was young trans boy with teen mother raised by some crazy holy rollers. Teen mom was a truck stop prostitute, drug addict who let live-ins fuck the kid. This memoir made a big spash in the publishing world, and naturally hooked Hollywood types who wanted to turn a buck on the story. Asia Argento was one of those who bought in. Big Time. Based on a farce. There was a subsequent book published, more Hollywood types buying in, and Asia thought this was her chance to become a star. Made a movie based on book. A poorly directed movie. There was quite a story to be told, but she has zero talent…
Turns out, the books were written by a middle aged woman who hired her sister in law to play JT LeRoy in real life. Asia actually hung with these people and didn’t catch on. Really? Google pics.
The entire Memoir genre has since been under attack. With good reason. The unfortunate victim of this backlash includes Augusten Burroughs, who happened to win the lawsuit brought against him. It bothers me that someone so talented and honest is questioned because of fucknuts like Asia.
What bothers me even more is that Tony sits with her on my favorite show like she is some kind of cultural icon. She is a privileged idiot and should never be heard from again. Rant over; I have several real life assholes to deal with today.
Hope I’m not too late to comment on this further, but I FINALLY got to see the episode after being unable to view it when it premiered due to the aforementioned cable outage. It was MARVELOUS. Anthony was PITCH PERFECT, as always, and somehow I felt like the tone and discussions were addressing me directly. I admit I couldn’t help but think of the JT Leroy scandal (mentioned here by Dee, which I’d not heard of until now) and Asia Argento’s unwitting part in it every time she was on screen. However, setting that aside, I’m forever amazed at how Anthony always seem to pick JUST the right people/person to throw in the mix with him in episodes and locations to make everything sing, no pun intended here. Did they give a preview for the next location the show will be in? I missed it if they did. Can’t wait.
Sadly, I think that was the season finale. It will be back eventually though,
NOOOOO! Crap! Why do the good shows’ seasons go by SO fast and the shit shows seasons just roll on FOREVER?