Anthony Bourdain: Senza prenotazione

1. He's got the gig you always wanted.

2. He won the Lou Reed look-alike contest and you only took second place.

3. Two words: "Free oysters".

4. No one has the right to be in that kinda shape with a 3-pack-a-day habit and a well-documented history of substance abuse...I mean NO ONE!! You eat organic bean sprouts and never bought a carton of Marlboros in your life, and you still look like Sydney Greenstreet anyway.

5. Anyone who can properly pronounce the word "geoduck" probably also knows how to correctly enunciate the word "nuclear" and, as such, deserves your immediate enmity. (NOTE-- If you are currently serving as President of the United States, move this reason to #1 on your list).

6. He gets to say words like f**k and m**herf***er and s**t on national TV and has his mouth washed out with primo vodka, 30-year old single malt scotch and absinthe. Your mom used Lava soap on you.

7. His advance team finds the coolest underground joints in the world while you're Mapquesting the local Applebee's.

8. He gets to do the funniest show on TV and doesn't have to worry about the "Seinfeld curse" since Jason Alexander still has not appeared as a guest on the show.

9. His new movie stinks...Oh..I'm sorry...that's the other "No Reservations".

10. Three words: "More free oysters".

Easily the coolest travel and/or food show you'll ever see. And for all the badass showmanship, the gooey caramel center of "No Reservations" is Bourdain's subliminal message that our world ain't a sandwich...it's a banquet.

Don't get me wrong- I love this series. I loved cooks tour too. The raw talent of Bourdain, the way he reacts, his absolute mantra to be a traveler not a tourist is not just some press B.S.. If you never read another book in your life, read Kitchen confidential-there is no way you'll be disappointed. The language is tough-but- better yet buy the book and get it on CD as well-Bourdain on CD is almost as good as watching "no Reservations" only with out the censors. He does have a potty mouth- but then so does the entire restaurant business.I have the first season of No Reservations on DVD and as usual, Bourdain does not let you down.. Can't wait for the season 2 DVD's to get done.. Enjoy!

I'll make this short. 'No Reservations' is and was a better show than Bourdain's final show on CNN, before his death called, 'Parts Unknown.' No Reservations doesn't have the same quality in production as 'Parts Unknown,' which was more cinematic and breathtaking, but 'No Reservations' was lighter, more comedic, still informative, but better serving audiences. It was Bourdain at his best. 'Parts Unkown' get's heavy and depressing, 'No Reservations' is the perfect balance of investigative journalism and history lesson with comedy and playfulness.

Anthony Bourdain does something no one else does. He shows how the regular people live and gives us a glimpse into the real culture and real thoughts of people in other countries. It is a glimpse that is not filtered through the over-simplified American media machine. It provides context through the brief history segments on each show, then goes on to tell it like it is. This is a form of bravery we don't see on our televisions, news, etc. which is largely controlled by corporate interests. It is a breath of fresh air! Through getting to know the real story, and the real people, he is creating understanding, and conditions for peace in the world. Thank you Anthony Bourdain! We just purchased every show you have ever made.

It is interesting and very entertaining. You don't expect some things and the insights about foreign culture are original when compared to other shows. Sure some things are said with sarcasm or hyperbole, but that s how he writes his narrative.

Cool show. Cool guy. The production values are good BTW. Remember, in these types of narrated shows most stuff is intentional.

The show is original and every episode is different. See the episode on Russia if you want to see the show at its best.

Final rating: 10 out of 10 and the best show on the travel channel for all the above reasons.