Anthony Bourdain Is Sick Of His Own Complaints About The Food Network

Oh look, there's Anthony Bourdain complaining about the Food Network for the millionth time. He tell TV Guide (not online) that Paula Deen is "the worst, most dangerous person to America" and questions why Rachael Ray still bothers. The horse has been dead for awhile and really badly beaten, but this time, Bourdain even agrees.

In fact, he encourages re-framing the conversation to who the best cooks are on the Food Network.

And, according to Bourdain, Bobby Flay does not suck.

He even modifies his Paula Deen comments.

We're happy to see Bourdain play nice, but would strongly encourage a fried butter make-up session.

Comments

[NRR]

04:26 PM on 08/22/2011

Love Anthony and love Paula. I'm a southern gal so I was raised on Paula's style of cooking and still love it. Love Anthony for his snark and exposing me to everything that isn't southern! It's the best of both worlds.

[blacksmithn]

10:03 AM on 08/22/2011

He's right about Paula Deen and he's right about Bobby Flay's restaurants-- at least the Mesa Grill in Las Vegas, at any rate.

[bourdainwho]

09:45 PM on 08/21/2011

Wow, I didn't know he was that hard up for publicity. That turned a lot of people off.

[applejack23]

05:03 PM on 08/21/2011

Tony is just stirring the pot . That is what he does, and as always gets some on his shoes.

[The Man64]

05:00 PM on 08/21/2011

Look mom! Two idiots -- Bourdain and Maher!!!

[French Toast]

08:57 PM on 08/21/2011

Your mom replied "Move out already."

[blacksmithn]

10:00 AM on 08/22/2011

But then who would get him his cereal and make him grilled cheese sandwiches?

[zelda181]

08:40 PM on 08/20/2011

I find it interesting that so many people are so quick to call Bourdain an elitist. Cocky as he is at times, watching his show, we also see what a self-depricating character he can be. He has never made any great claims for his own cooking abilities, or even his writing abilities. He often seems genuinely surprised at his own success.

Also, as far as being a food snob is concerned, on his show he is just as likely to wax poetic about a steaming bowl of pho served in some ramshackle roadside food stand in Cambodia as he is about a 52-course tasting menu at El Bulli. His special episode on techniques focused on the most basic things: tomato sauce, roasted chicken, an omelet. He excoriates Alice Waters in his book "Medium Raw" for insisting on organics, knowing how difficult and expensive it is for many Americans to eat organic. Tony is actually very much a food populist, and one who ascribes to the notion that eating well doesn't have to be a complicated or expensive affair.

[Spartan Ideal]

01:30 AM on 08/21/2011

I honestly doubt any of the whiners ragging on him have actually taken the time to read his work, or watch his show-On NR, it's always striking that he comes across as fairly coarse in his on-screen attitude, but has this soft, thoughtful voiceover carrying the 'narrative' of the episode. In his writing, he's quick-witted and tremendously funny, and uses that to talk about his passion for food...even if that involves a harsh appraisal of someone else.

And yeah, he repeteadly points out his status in the foodie world is due to his writing and subsequent show, and nothing to do with his (by his own admission) fairly pedestrian cooking abilities.

But a lot of people seem horribly affronted whenever an alpha male (or female, just look at politics) dares to express an opinion in anything but a delicate manner.

[susanvhdegrave]

11:20 PM on 08/26/2011

Right on, Spartan...it is refreshing and unfortunately uncommon for public figures, whether they be politicians, writers, television personalities, etc., to state frankly what is on their minds. Besides, Ms. Deen is a public figure, she should expect criticism. I am sick of people always tiptoeing around, not wanting to offend anyone..boring!!

[The Man64]

05:03 PM on 08/21/2011

Please, you have a show on the "Food Network" and travel around claiming to be a wondeful chef, which he has, and then knock others? Be prepared to back up your words. Btw, he is an elitist, arrogant, and pompous!

[French Toast]

08:59 PM on 08/21/2011

Okay. Here's a challenge: Cite his elitism using sources and/or clips from his show.

Since you have clearly watched him or read him, you must know by first hand experience and should easily be able to recall these memories.

[Maris Jahnke]

11:05 AM on 08/22/2011

On the contrary, he has no affiliation with the Food Network, but rather the Travel Channel. Not once on his show has he gone to a restaurant OR has been offered food by a local and NOT been gracious to the chef, even if it is obvious that he dislikes what he is eating. Try some research first before taking sides. The difference between you and Mr. Bourdain? He's done his and can afford to make cracks at others' expense. Note: for future reference, you may want to find another username other than "The Man" before you throw around words like "pompous" and "arrogant".

[tulsey]

05:51 PM on 08/20/2011

I'm afraid I must disagree with Mr Bourdain on the subject of Rachael Ray. Contrary to his stated opinion, I'm pretty sure the Anti-Christ is a guy.

[burton163]

12:09 PM on 08/20/2011

My Rankings of Food Network Shows:

Great: Iron Chef America; Cook Like an Iron Chef (Michael Symon)

Good: Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten); Secrets of a Restaurant Chef (Ann Burell), Good Eats (Alton Brown); Chopped (Ted Allen)

Mediocre: Giada at Home; Diners, Drive ins and Dives; 30 Minute Meals ( Rachel Ray)

Really Bad: Semi-Homemade (Sandra Lee); Paula's Best Dishes (Paula Deen); any and all of the insufferable FN "Challenges"

Absolute Rubbish: Extreme Chef

[2bad]

11:53 AM on 08/20/2011

I really enjoy Anthony's show but it is past time to give the Food Network bashing a rest. Let's see him go one-on-one with an Iron Chef. I don't think he'd find that so easy!

[StephenJK]

03:19 PM on 08/20/2011

LOL Anthony wouldn't be able to hang on Iron Chef.

[Spartan Ideal]

01:25 AM on 08/21/2011

It clearly matters to his core fanbase though, as they're the ones who keep asking him this sort of stuff, he's not choosing to tweet randomly.

[EatMeSF]

11:45 AM on 08/20/2011

Paula Needs The Velveeta Cheesy Skillet Guy, oh forget it....

[Quitcherbichin]

11:59 PM on 08/19/2011

I would like to see FN put Bourdain out to pasture with a steady diet of chitterlings.

[JackTheSkipper]

09:48 PM on 08/19/2011

I watch Sandra Lee's is semi home made show for her huge racks.

[nbart71]

07:38 PM on 08/19/2011

Really? Nobdy else found the El Buli episode offensive? I'm sorry but Bourdain's first appraisal of "that foam guy" was spot on. He sucks.

[zelda181]

08:20 PM on 08/20/2011

I didn't find the episode offensive, I found it a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a unique restaurant that I would probably never have had the chance to experience first-hand even if it hadn't just closed its doors forever. Do you have personal experience with El Bulli that leads you to the conclusion that it/Ferran Adria sucks?

[nbart71]

03:15 PM on 08/21/2011

I wouldn't have the money or credentials to eat at El Bulli, that's the problem. There's a difference between fancy, expensive, top shelf eateries and pretentious BS. Adria specializes in the latter. Did you hear him talk about his own food? He thinks he's God.

[cameron d]

04:03 PM on 08/21/2011

I thought that was actually one of the better shows of No Reservation's entire run.

[goy]

06:58 PM on 08/19/2011

A food fight- that's what we need to take a break from FNN and MSNBC; INA Garten uses perhaps as much cholesterol laden ingredients in her cooking than Paula does; could it be that INA's food is better because it is made in East Hampton?

[burton163]

11:51 AM on 08/20/2011

No Ina's food is better because she uses high quality ingredients, prepares them using sound fundamentals, and her recipes are based on tried and true classics. Paula Deen uses crap ingredients, processed foods, and her recipes are based on American housewife "recipes" that have no grounding in culinary fundamentals.

Any other questions?

[MollieinATL]

09:03 AM on 08/22/2011

Actually, I gotta side with Goy on this one. Paula Deen has and has always used quality ingredients and she cooks everything from scratch. It's yummy comfort food - with oodles of saturated fat and sodium, y'all! Quality ham, quality cheese, quality heavy cream, quality butter (ney-va margarine!)... , quality bacon

I find Ina less annoying because she's quieter and has good grammar and diction.

[raker]

06:43 PM on 08/19/2011

Bourdain is an an insufferable d@@shnozzle.