Dear Travel Channel: Please Replace Andrew Zimmern With … Anyone Else

Yes – consider yourself lucky, leandra! =)

I’d like to see the show cancelled altogether. If you log on to Utube and type in animal cruelty you will be able to see videos by gaaradammit that show how asian countries torture dogs for hours because they think the meat tastes better the more the dog suffers before it finally dies. Now the travel channel is catering to this horrible cruelty and American tourists are eating dog because it is “cool”. Bears also are butchered alive.I hope A.Z. chokes on his next meal.I dare you to watch the videos, they will horrify you. Louise

Marcus, I like the content of the show, just not the character (read: host). Although, since the content is a direct rip on Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, that’s no surprise.

The bit about violent tendencies is in jest (sort of). Fortunately, I’ve been wise enough not to pop out any mini-me’s, so I stand no risk of beating any kids. Not my own anyway.

LOL, Chad! That’s why I’m here. Perhaps we should start a photo gallery of Zimmern stuffing his face? I can even find some “smacking” sounds to loop in the background.

You guys suck! Andrew rules, that is why I watch, to watch him. I think he is funny.

Ah come on, give him a brake,,All these guys are great,,,& interesting chefs too. Pay me that well & I’ll travel abroad & eat strange foods too,Thats what I look forward to watch while I work at my job taking care of a woman with dementia,,,so bug off & laugh it up.(Or should I say lap) thnx

I love anthony bourdain. Sure sometimes hes a little mellow dramatic or over the top, but his voice and writing style are awesome

To louisebakalik: I am asian and yes in my country there are groups of indigenous people who eat dogs and kill pigs in an unusal kind of way. Like they beat it until the blood clots and cook it. What’s up with that? It’s their culture, sometimes even part of their rituals. If tourists eat dogs or try that stuff, don’t blame shows like Zimmerns. Puhleaassse!

Ugh, I can’t _stand_ Andrew Zimmern!! Just his goofy act makes me want to slap him. Have any of you seen the episode where he invites Bourdain to New York and he gravels at his feet, “oh Anthony, you’re so amazing! I wanted to be just like you since the moment I saw you! Hey! Wouldn’t this be crazy of me? I could suck your cock, that’s crazy food, right?” He’s pathetic!

Este Andrew Zimmern é o maximo gostaria que viésse aqui no Brasil e eu ia te levar para comer coisas super exóticas!!!

LKub: That was positively painful. Thanks (or not =P ) for pointing that out.

Zimmerman’s show is great, mixing bizarre food,culture, and unusual destinations. But for the life of me I cant understand if you dont like it, why do you watch it.

Change channels. Not hard to figure out. Rest assured, he does not need you.

I would like to say that I LOVE the show! Andrew rocks and is by far way more exciting to watch than that boring snore anthony bordain. I hope that in the future the Travel Channel will feature more of this show. It shows everyone how we should be more culturally open to different foods which we have never tried, and to be diverse in the the way we think and live.

Go Andrew ,go.We love you.
For Mabuhay-get of the screen.

I am of the opposite opinion. Andrew’s show offers something the others do not. It’s unique and definitely different from Anthony Bourdain’s show, and I like that show too. If the host is all that Mike has an objection to, Mike should look deeper than skin deep. I do agree that the lip smacking is a bit much, but in some countries that is very acceptable and even desirable. Andrew seems to fit in quite well. Andrew seems more worldly than Mike. Would Mike have the guts to try some of the foods Andrew eats? I challenge Mike to go on the show with Andrew, and try some of the foods on camera with him. Hey Mike, walk a mile in Andrew’s shoes before you bash someone…now that would be an interesting show.

thanks for respecting my opinion on this. I do respect each and everyone’s opinion of Andrew Zimmern. If most people in this page find him gross or irritating, it’s ok. That doesn’t change my opinion of him.

If for you, killing animals is not a culture and so archaic, I beg to disagree.As what I’ve said, they don’t do it just for the heck of it. A thousand miles away from where you are now, there are still indigenous people out there. It’s not because it is 2008, they should conform to everything. I do not wish you to embrace this. You are entitled to your own opinion as well as these indigenous people. And culture as defined means it its the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations. It is their culture.

I can see now clearly the plight of these indigenous people.

Andrew is great, Impossible for anyone to do better than this guy. TR.

You look too cool, hip…hip for Andrew. He is just a regular guy. The program is very informative. He gets right into homes and kitchens. His show on Delhi was great.

You see as much of the culture as you do with the hipper-than-thou Tony Bourdain whose show is often as much about him as the country and food he is visiting.

My contention is the really hip like Andrew better than Tony.

All you idiots need to get a f@#$in job. If all you have to do is hate on another man, you need to see a shrink. Andrew’s show is as much like Anthony’s as Sandra Lee’s is like Giada DeLaurenta’s. Andrew doesn’t drink and smoke the whole entire show either. I like Tony and Andrew and have met them both in New York. You flunky’s hate him because you wish you could get paid for doing something as cool as these guys do. Now get in your tan minivan and go to your job at Best Buy.

hey kevin ..only idiot without a job is you, to take time and to reply to the coments of this so called “F@#$in idiots”…
Only an ignorant looser can make fun of people with a decent job…or maybe since you have nothing better to do, you make fun of the people with tan minivan and their jobs at best buy…atleast they have a job….you should get one to keep you busy….

I second Charlie Sommer’s assessment.

Baldy eats worms and almost convincingly fakes his ‘love’ for it, then cannot stomach a Durian sample. That, my friends separates a true lover of food from the pricks.

He also has a nauseatingly forced delivery and a vocabulary limited to 5 juvenile phrases recycled over and over and over again, show after show after show to describe all of the foods he shoves in his gullet:

1) Wow!
2) That’s really funky.
3) I love worms.
4) I like to suck the inside of [some food..or Bourdain (subconsciously)]
5) [loud lipsmack]

OMG….The smacking has got to GO….. I was so annoyed just a few minutes ago that I resorted to coming on line to see if others had a problem with it as well. Well this was my first stop. I seriously thought it was me until my 7 year old asked why he smacked so much. I can no longer tolerate the smacking. But otherwise he does a great job, he really does. It’s just the talking and smacking at the same time. And I also would suggest him getting braces, since he it on television now.

Thanks

I love Andrew Zimmern’s, show and I hope it doesn’t go off for a long time. Anthony Bourdain is just as entertaining to me as well. I DVR/Tivo their shows and watch regularly. They are both entertaining. I would love to travel just like them, but I have young children. I moved from NYC to Buffalo NY. The food in Buff. NY is boring. Mostly pizza, wings. subs/heros and beer. Some of the foods on Andrew’s show is what I’ve seen in NYC, not that I’ve tried a lot of them. However, for Bourdain & Zimmern being from NYC is where they get the nerve to eat the foods from those countries, due to NYC having everyone on the planet living there. Living in Buff. NY and watching Zimmern & Bourdain makes me always want to move back to NYC or travel the world for the ethnic diversity in food. Anyway Zimmern keep doing what you’re doing by bringing something different to the table. For all of you who are so repulsed by Zimmern’s show, why do you tune in. Is it that you like to be repulsed and disgusted by him?

Dear Cie Kay,

Your comment is something of a dichotomy, How can you be so against cruelty to an animal but recommend
it so fervently for one of your fellow
human beings?

Perhaps a less Draconian punishment would be more appropriate for poor Andrew. I don’t really like his show but I hardly think he should suffer death for it.
Perhaps making him eat a durian, which he hates, would suffice.

Well, we did not choose to be on top of the food chain. LOL!

Come on, this is going to be an endless debate. Just leave things at that Cie Kay. I respect your decision to avoid eating meat. I think your vegan. And go ahead, practice that. This is so preposterous.

Very good, Charlie! Thanks.

I did not come here to enter into a debate on this subject, Jade, dear. I made ONE COMMENT. You and Charlie chose to respond. And Charlie has been perfectly cordial in his replies.

Jade, your responsibility as “the top of the food chain” is to prevent the abuse of those living below. That is the only point I wanted to make. Why is that “preposterous”? Have you ever considered the feelings of an animal who is being slaughtered for your dinner plate? Go visit an abattoir before you insult me again.

Finally, Jade, you have NO right to tell me where I should “leave” anything. I’ll respond to any and all comments directed to me. Deal with it. It only stops where you let it stop.

Yes, I definitely agree with you Doc Feral. That is very rational.

Well then about feelings, I guess those bigger should be taught not to eat those smaller fish, for we all have feelings.

Doc Feral, you are in severe denial. Have you ever had a conversation with an animal? Ever walked up to a chicken and said, “Hi there! How would you like to be strung up by your feet and electrocuted, then have your feathers boiled off whether or not you’re dead or still alive, so I can then roast your carcass and eat it for dinner?”

No, I didn’t think so, unless you have a close, personal relationship with a psychiatrist who encourages your delusions.

Do you honestly think that a chicken, or any other creature, can decide on its own whether or not to let us kill them? Free will simply means that we have a choice to act morally. (Human beings are not carnivores, by the way. Just thought you should know that.) People aren’t born with the instinct to run out and gorge themselves at KFC or McDonald’s.

Jade: Yes, even fish have feelings, but your logic is so far off-base that it staggers the mind. The issue I brought up originally is not about the habits of animals, but about our treatment of them.

Bottom line: human beings are NOT superior to animals. In most ways, in fact, THEY are superior to us.

Man, Fuck all you guys that talk shit about andrew!! He is bizzare foods, he’s the only reason why i watch his show. anthony bourdain is a boring mofo and i preffer to watch bizzare foods anytime before the other show. i cant even stay awake on anthony bourdain. Andrew Zimmern 4 LIFE!

Close your mouth Andrew zimmern!!!!for all the fans of Andrew get some class and follow someone who actually has some proper etiquette!!!

You couldn’t be more wrong. i have the luxery of it’s obvious success to confirm my quote, but rest assure i would have said the same thing after the 1st show. And i love the sound of lip smacking. If it’s so much like No Reservations your problem is easily solved-don’t watch it. I am enjoying both more then any other shows available

Dear Concerned English Teacher,

If you are going to correct the grammar of others, you may wish to revisit it’s/its. “I have the luxury of ITS obvious success” would be correct as it is being used in the possessive form. Additionally, “I am enjoying them more THAN any other…” slipped by you.

CK,

It took you two weeks to call me an asshole and tell me to burn in hell..? Wow, a little slow there. Seems you’re as clueless as Palin is when it comes to right and wrong.

As for knowing more than you.. I think that’s more than been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. I can see you still have quite a bit to learn about life and people. When you’ve had a bit more experience with life you come back and we’ll have a serious conversation– but then I don’t see that happening with you anytime soon.

~ DF

Everyone also learns in Spelling 101 how to spell ‘manners’. Manors are homes in which some people live.

I’ll say I’ve continued to watch Bizzare Foods and I have yet to witness any of this lipsmacking, drooling, or percieved rudeness people have indicated they’ve witnessed.

As for defending Andrew, of course we will especially when others make ineffectual arguments as reasons to remove him. If you don’t like the show. Don’t watch it. Some of us do like it and him. Deal with it. When you see it coming on, turn the channel. If you don’t, you’ve got no one to blame but yourself for watching it.

~ DF

I think Doc Feral didn’t spend much time on that travel lover. I love Andrew Zimmern and will still watch it. If he irks you, then you better not watch him. To each his own.

I came across this posting after having my my own last straw with the open-mouth chewing! It disgusting and unnecessary and I cannot not stand this show. Otherwise I usually enjoy this type of program.

this series is a spin-off of a special about bizarre foods in asia that was aired before bourdain ever got a show. and the title is bizarre FOODS, there is nothing keeping bourdain from doing other things for his show. look at samantha brown for example, she actually does stuff besides eat. it’s silly to suggest that one show “ripped-off” the other…in fact the whole thing is stupid…why am i writing this?

Yes, there are people out there that share the same feelings that I have for Zimmern!!! I too came across this post when I was annoyed for the last time with the lip smacking!
Everything is” nutty” or “buttery” and everything is by the far the best thing he’s ever tasted! Is “Snaily” even a word?!
Yes the show is great and amazing to see other parts of the world. I will find myself watching the re-runs, but once the lip smacking gets in motion, I will turn it away or mute it. God forbid if I have the channel on while eating dinner. I wouldn’t be able to stomach it.
For those who have never heard him lip smack… try watching it with your eyes closed, it’s apparent you are visual occupied and your hearing senses are being challenged. I’ll guarantee the smacking will be amplified.

Bizarre Foods, is great too, but I can afford to lose to see the peach, orange, sherbet shirts with “camel toe” appearance. The cameraman should also be questioned for taking some awkward shots of his “down below”.
I won’t find myself eating behind Zimmern. All that lip smacking, there’s bound to be some fly away particles spewing out of his mouth and then he double dips out of the same sauce that he is sharing with other people! I don’t hate the man, and will respect the things that he eats. But dang, chill out with the lips smacks. I forget why I watch the show in the first place when I am drowned out the sound that comes out of that man’s mouth.
Anthony must think he’s a douche bag when he is sitting with him at the table.

Andrew Zimmern is awesome! He is like a real life Homer Simpson; and I mean that in the best way possible. He’s funny, descriptive, humble, and has an adventurous spirit. He is the perfect host for that show.

It’s hard to take an animal rights person seriously when they state something like…Cei kay- “If anyone deserves to be sliced and consumed while his heart is still beating, it should be Andrew Zimmern. And I hope they give him a taste while they feasting on his throbbing guts.”

He should be replaced with the ShamWow guy.

I think Zimmerns show is great. The thing that gets me is his critics are people who find his eating gross because they are wealthy enough to only eat the “prime meats”. Bourdain is great but his “talk show” special was horrible while Zimmers Halloween was great! Tipping a glass of blood with a British bobby? Brilliant!

man, I couldn’t agree with you more. His show is on right now and it prompted me to Google “Andrew Zimmern chewing sounds”. It’s like they mic’d his uvula.

what i can stand is the way he wags his hands/fingers after he’s put something in his mouth. it is so irritating

The most common complaint you’ll probably read on the web regarding Zimmern is his oafish insensitivity towards the various cultures he visits. It seems oddly ironic then that people from his own culture have such strong opinions about what ultimately is a cultural thing: lip smacking. Really, it is very funny, and I’m not dissing anyone for their opinions – the sound makes me crazy too – but I just can’t hate the guy for that. Bourdain, OTOH, is way too tortured; each episode feeling the need for verbal self-flagellating catharctic moments as though his viewers were some collective therapist who should be nodding his/her head in Jungian knowingness. Really, Tony, give it a rest, it’s okay to be imperfect. Americans are often accused of being culturally ugly unless they beat themselves up publically. Well, I like both the guys and their imperfections and their shows.

I am actually watching the show now and decided to google him. Why? Because I wondered what other people thought about him. Imagine my surprise when I clicked here!! I was yelling ‘close your mouth when you’re eating!!’, so I guess the lip smacking bothers me too.

And what is up with all the orange? How is it possible for one person to own so many orange clothes?

Crazy uncle for sure!

Liz

Love the show. But please stop pronouncing the “t” in often.

If lip-smacking drives you round the bend, I shudder to think how you would handle a real emergency. Whenever I have seen the show it seemed okay to me.

Also, this is a response to Chris: Have you considered seeing a psychiatrist for your hatred of fat people? “fat fingers, fat head, fat ass–waddle off” were your comments. Are you such a model of perfection that you can throw stones?

I actually like the show. It’s like watching a train wreck (although I don’t like watching trains or anything wreck for that matter.) Andrew does not make any of the food look appetizing at all not because of what it is but the way he eats it. He has bad table manners but I like the show. It always makes me crave actual good food though!

Oh Mike! You’ve done humanity a great service by publishing your rant on Andrew Zimmern. I, like others who’ve commented on your article, was so irritated by Zimmern’s exceedingly annoying lip smacking that I Googled “hate andrew zimmern’s smacking” —which is how I came across your article.

At first, I thought it was the fault of the soundman having made Zimmern’s microphone too sensitive and thus magnifying every one of his torturous smick-smack-grunt-n-drools. But, if that were the case, the mic would’ve picked up other environmental sounds, which we don’t hear—-thus proving that Zimmern is really no less repulsive than Fat Bastard from the Austin Powers movie.

And I totally agree with you that Zimmern over dramatizes the “weirdness” in what he’s eating. But it’s not merely over-dramatization he’s guilty of. The way he does it seems so passive aggressive…so ethnocentric…so self-aggrandizing…so unappealing. It’s like having to watch that bloated swine masturbate with each gnarly mouthful—made only more gnarly because viewers are subjected to watching and hearing it all being gnashed about in Zimmern’s gaping maw.

I believe the general content of the show is interesting enough, but I find myself distracted by Zimmern’s piggishness and spending 80% of the time yelling things at the TV like, “SHUT YOUR FESTERING PIE-HOLE YOU RUDE SLOBBERING PIG!!” That said, I continue to watch certain episodes of his show (ones of locations I’m interested in) in hopes of picking up on some unique place to try on my own—–but I’ve been watching with the sound off…especially when Zimmern is eating (I’m also starting to need to turn away as soon as that cochon starts gripping at something and stuffing it into his flapping lips).

Mike…do you think the show’s producers would do tell Zimmern to close his mouth when he chews and to stop smacking if you started a petition? How many signatures do you think you’d need for them to get him to do the show with a canvas bag over his head?

Thanks for providing this forum to rant about all this!

I would actually like the show if it wasn’t for the lip smacking and chewing noises. Many people have a problem with people that eat that way.

I would like to let his producers know that the editors should simply equalize that stuff out during those parts.

Then people who are bothered by it could make it through an entire show instead of changing the channel when the chewing starts.

Jeez, unless you’re in the same situation my grandmother was in the early 70’s where she could only get 1 channel, could those who hate Zimmern just change it?
I for one enjoy seeing a host who resembles Homer Simpson rather then a cookie cutter kewpie doll or pretty boy host. It’s his everyday guy approach that 1st got my attention. I personally love the way Travel Channel has taken a quirky approach to their hosts. There’s something for everyone. And if you still can’t stomach a unique way someone approaches his show, you can switch to the italian chick on the Food Channel

Katrina start a petition?
You are beyond needing to “get a life”, your ready for a straight jacket!

The guy is a jerk. He’s arrogant and obviously a tourist no matter how much he’s traveled. He drives me crazy with both his eating with his mouth open and chewing only two or three times unless it’s a very chewy dish.

Ok…I promised myself to not talk about or watch his show again or write about him here as I have done in the past, But I am planning on a trip to Ethiopia to explore the culture and I thought I give it a shot…already knew about the awful eating habits he has…so I got myself ready to pass that…but my god he is just rude and unbearable…he gives a bad name to this country by representing it around the world, acting like a superior idiot….He insulted their food as they were trying to be hospitable and made disgusted faces, implying how can you eat s!#$ like this…

As we know these places can be very poor at times and food is hard to come by…they killed one of their few cows for him and as he mentioned they only afford to eat meat couple of times a year….ungrateful bastard…he said after tasting one of the dishes..ahhh in this culture when you touch the food you have to eat it…oh man…do I have to?…making nasty faces….

The worst is when he tries to take a comedians job and be funny.
He act superior to these cultures and that is not the purpose of the show…you were lucky enough to born in a place that food is easier to come by on the supermarket shelves…just educate and explain…don’t judge….I will just depend on the internet and books for my trip

I couldn’t care less if he was gnawing the heads off live kittens in Bangladesh as long as he kept his damn mouth closed while doing so

He’s the most annoying person ever i tried watching his show so many times I CANT DO IT hes rude and ANNOYING if that’s what your into well have fun with him you can keep him.

I havent watched his show in some time in protest. Just thinking about him makes my blood pressure rise…….

If I ever saw this guy on the streets I would literally try to choke him out. Not kill him, but inflict much much pain

This guy is a complete dumbass. He’s like an overgrown 5 year old. And his vocabulary is ridiculous. He just adds a “y” to the end of any word and uses it as a adjective. I’ve heard him say the following throughout various episodes: “it tastes very porky” (while eating pork…), “it’s very seafoody”, “it’s horsey”, “it’s very…mineraly” While in Vietnam “this place is a foody mecca”, and many many more. This guy is a joke.

Funny I’ve never really noticed his slopping noises when he eats. Probably because I just focus on the way he speaks and relates to other people, which is horrendous. But I’m gonna start looking out for his slopping so I have something else to make fun of him for.

It’s awful watching Andrew Zimmern attempt to be charming with his guests who clearly are just faking a smile just because they want to be on TV.

Seriously he is lacking in the social skills.

However, the show is interesting and while I don’t really like him as a host (especially when he’s being a dick)…the show itself is pretty interesting and definitely watchable.

I’d rather have a show about Bizarre Foods with a semi-likeable host rather than no show at all.

Ha Ha haaa. oh, how I love google….

I’ve always had this dislike for Andrew Zimmern, so a quick search for ” I hate andrew zimmern” gave me like a gazillion hits, and numerous devoted sies!
The more I watch, the more I hate him, and I’m really TRYING to like him. because, really, the format, the (stolen) concept, exotic locations, etc. all make for good tv.
BUT Damn, isn’t there anyone better than A.Z.? Some one commented earlier, to describe him best, as funny, in the crazy uncle way. But I don’t get any satisfaction from watching rambling about how disgusting or CrAzY something is. I don’t know if he does more to help people open up and try new things, or the complete opposite and run from trying anything different, all while making stupid faces. He sure loves big fat nasty American cheese-goober-burgers and hang over the plate weiners, but doesn’t some other fat guy have that show already?

The thing I hate about AZ so much is his arrogant, fat, obviously American ignorance. He travels to so many countries and sees so many different cultures, and yet his comments are so….kindergarten.

“oh, that’s gross!”
“wow, is that cool, or what?”
“Now that’s the wackiest thing I’ve ever put in my mouth”

Not once have I ever heard him try to greet, or even thank people in their own language. He knows nothing of world cultures, religion, history or food for that matter.
Who the hell gave him a show anyway?

Last night was horrible. I think he was in S. Africa, bungee jumping. Except he gets to the edge and….fails. Why bother airing that? What a waste-of-time douche bag! What a complete let down. And then they continued to show 10 more minutes of him blabbering about “i had no problem until I got to the edge….I was gonna do it” What a waste of time you are.

What makes me so upset about this whole show is the failure to use it’s popularity and its reach to reach millions of close minded americans to try new things but completely obliterates it by overly dramatic and dumbed-down reactions to everything. This show has the chance to do good. A chance to fight ignorance. And what a superb job in failure.

No wonder us Americans (US americans) are so unpopular accross the world. Because people like Az and his show spawn more dumb people to say and do stupid things in other countries.
what a disgrace.

So, Andrew, I hope your reading this. You need to do some research before setting out to the next CrAzY place and eating/sharing your host’s meager meal and hurling it up in front of them. You are a disgusting pig (and not just the way you stuff your face) and the reason why we american are so dumb. You are the Rachel Ray of travel shows. I’d rather you do what she did, and get a day time show and leave the travel-ogues to the pro’s. You discourage smart, intellectual and curious travels from ever leaving American soil. Sad, sad sad…

Quick story about Mr. Zimmern . . .

I live in the Twin Cities suburb of St. Louis Park. After dropping my kids off at school today, I went to the local coffee shop to get a cup. Wouldn’t you know it, but Mr. Zimmern was there with his young son. I made I contact with him, and said “I know you’re with your son, but I’d like to shake your hand. I’m a big fan”. His response: “Yes, I am with my son.” He then turned his back to me. I’m a father of three – I know time with the little ones is precious. But for christ’s sakes, all I wanted to do was shake the man’s hand. He was a total DICK. Needless to say, I won’t be watching his show anymore. Fat prick.

wow how rude! I put up with the chewing noise cause i thought he might be a nice guy. now I REALLY dislike him.

I think it’s rude to not realize with how much he’s on the road in regards to his show. That being the case, time with his kids is even more precious then might think. If I was Andrew here’s what I’d see… 3-4 weeks away at a shot. home for maybe a day or two before hitting the road again. So must spend time with off-spring during that time. Here I am with my child and some knuckle-head wants to shake my hand. Sorry, this is child’s time, not some stranger’s.

Maybe if you offered to buy his coffee for being so rude, he would have been more congenial.

The person who contributed with the screen name of “Who Cares” said even more good stuff than I did. It’s worth reading. Thank you for contributing. I like your fuckin style….

Hey Zimmern’s Tiny Penis. I agree with you 110%. But I have one problem. What do you mean barbarize a foreign language? That soft, white, silly, son of a bitch has never even once tried to say anything in a foreign tongue. If he had, then yes, he would have destroyed it completely. And by the way, the reason his penis is tiny is because he ate the rest of it. He should have his lips sewn shut so he can’t pollute the airwaves with lip smacking-drooling-or foot in mouth gagging while visiting distant lands.

And yes the word bizarre pisses me off to no end. It’s highly offensive to assume that every other culture, other than the supposed american culture, is somehow strange and weird. I think the The Travel Channel should pull its head out of its ass also. Do you really want “this” as your representative of americans? It sucks to admit but AZ does represent a cross section of americans. A large cross section. Fat, stupid, ethnocentric, mouth breathers who can’t even leave their Lazy Boy chair, let alone their own county (I mean country).

I saw a show on the food network with Jeff Corwin (sp?) along the same premises as AZ’s pathetic show. It’s pretty good, we all need to start patronizing his show instead of AZ’s.

And to the post directly above me…….I feel ya buddy, if I ever met AZ I just might see red and do something I’ll regret. I’d like to snatch AZ for a few hours and stick him in a room filled with ripe durian fruit.

On a tangent, I’d just like to point out that when Bourdain travels to different countries, the culinary elite all welcome him with open arms. AZ has to hire travel aids who smile at him through clenched jaws. Working as a chef for 6 years has made me jaded perhaps, but I just can’t stand how the Travel Channel allows this guy’s buffoonery. Man vs. Food is bad enough. Wow giy, you talk like a frat-boy dropout and you eat til’ you hurt. Standards, Travel Channel, it’s called standards.
And Bali looks amazing. Ive been to mainland China and Japan several times, but I long to go to SE Asia.