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Anthony Bordain has done a second show on Jamaica, It is the season finally of the Parts Unknown Show. It will be on CNN sunday night 8pm central time. Loved his first show hope this one is as good!!
http://www.eater.com/2014/11/10/7187...ken-in-jamaica
Awesome. Thanks for the heads up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Living_the_Dream
From what I see on the previews he is showcasing the parish of Portland. It should be very interesting as that is the parish I am heading to next.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeyNYC
Scheduled on DVR ........... thanks for up date ............... hopefully no trips to a feral cat filled cave this time ....... LOL
Not happy, I really wanted to watch it but just realized Dish network dropped CNN. hope I can catch it on you tube.
I caught the show. All of it was in Port Antonio. He spent most of the time dissing big AI's and high end resorts and how the coast is slowly being consumed by resorts, isolating the people of Jamaica from their beaches. There were some funny scenes of a large American guy, presumed to be an American Tourist at an AI, running out of the ocean with two drinks in hand and gobbling down nachos. Cut to Anthony Bordain eating authentic Ja food on a public beach.
It was really good. I'll be watching again soon. Recommended viewing if you ask me.
As a Jamaican i found it rather lame, it did strike somewhat of a cord with me however. It mentioned some of the inconvenient truths about the course the Jamaican government has taken in allowing Jamaica to become more and more dependent on a service based economy and allowing the construction of the big resorts. In the end, nothing that the Jamaican people do not fully realize already.
While tourism will always play a huge role in the economy of Jamaica it is a shame that the island could not have a developing tech sector or some other substantial industries to provide jobs and wealth for its people. Bad planning and lack of foresight by a series of corrupt governments have brought Jamaica to where she is today.
The question that kept being asked throughout the TV show was "who owns paradise?" The wealthy and well connected of course!
I agree with Kevin, it's worth the watch but nothing worthy of an award IMHO.
really enjoyed the soundtrack ...
I too found that it lacked a certain "connection "?? ..
seems like ..it was mainly about rubbing elbows with the "elite "
As an American who has visited Jamaica numerous times and who until now had found Anthony Bourdain to be a relatively good TV host. No Reservations I thought was a show that brought the cultural foods of a country to the attention of audience and was both entertaining and funny.
I had high expectations for Parts Unknown featuring Jamaica but I must agree with halfwaytree that I too found it rather lame. Jerk Chicken, Ackee and Saltfish, Currie Goat and some crab hunting were the high points of the show.
The separation of rich and poor in Jamaica was mentioned although the issue of Chris Blackwell's Oracabessa Project seemed to be the greater theme of the show??? The fact that the average Jamaicans soon will not have any beach access to their beloved sand was also briefly mentioned.
Other than the mention of Bob Marley there was little or no Reggae music. I am curious why Jamaican actor Carl Bradshaw was shown several times smoking a pipe and arguing with guy drinking a Red Stripe. Also found it funny that Anthony was insulted during a dinner party, host called him "dumb or stupid".
Strange show I thought. Didn't really encourage or empower tourists to visit the island and other than stay at Chris Blackwell's Goldeneye resort (between $2000-$10,000 USD per night) and drink at Blackwell's bar we really didn't get to see the many more affordable sides of Jamaica. The old saying "Jamaica is more than a beach, it's a country was lost on Bourdain. Disappointing for me!!!
He could have gone to a few more places, he didn't hit the Blue Hole, Demontevin Lodge, Frenchman's Reef, Jamaica Palace, The Trident Castle segment was interesting I would love to check that out but I couldn't even afford to eat there.
We watched the show, we loved the first one he did on Jamaica. Through the first half of this show I was very disappointed. Once the show was over I took away the deeper underlining of the show. What I took away form it was what I have known for years. What we love about Jamaica is the people and the small places along the road. If we do not support the small business guy, restaurant, shop or market the part of Jamaica most of us love will disappear. The super clubs and chain restaurants will eventually take over the entire island.
Sometimes after you have been to Jamaica multiple times maybe you don't need any souvenir's but you need to stop by that little shop on the side of the road and just spend $10. We don't need to always need to find the rock bottom price on a red stripe but look for the coldest red stripe and just pay the price. We normally always eat at the Sharks, De Bar, Murphy's and 3 Dives type restaurants. Yes you have Rockhouse, Ivan's, Blue Mahoe, Kuayaba's of the Island and I'm not saying don't eat there but limit those trips and enjoy more meals at small family owned place and have a good meal and get to know the locals.
If we don't all make a effort the Jamaica we all know and love will be gone!!
I think that was the message Tony was trying to get out there with this show. At least that is what I hope he was saying!!
As anyone got a link to the whole show?
well said living the dream, I think that's the message he was trying to convay.
i thought the show was too politically charged and was not up to his previous shows of providing a good overview
Crap. This was the worse episode I've seen of his. No energy. Plus his handlers sure had him see a side of Jamaica I never see: Michael Lee Chin and Chris Blackwell
i already emailed him a proposed itinerary for his next trip that included Accompong and the Blue Mountains and locally owned guesthouses - and my tour services :-)
I enjoyed the Winnifred beach segment because I love a good local beach - the food looked awesome, and the glimpse into Trident because I know nothing of the "elite" Jamaica.
Trident was so "elite" he was the only guest there lol
I agree the show was not one of his best and if you had never been to Jamaica it would be easy not to have the best impression or get the deeper meaning of the show. I was hoping for a lot more!!!
I just finished watching the episode very interesting and I feel I have to take a trip to Port Antonio before it's all commercialized!!
I actually enjoyed it! The unspoiled areas of Jamaica are truly to be cherished. Port Antonio was once the elite, then things changed. There is no comparing it to Negril or Mobay...it is now, to me, so unappreciated. There is a beauty and the past charm, that makes it one of a kind. I was rather impressed that he brought out the fact that some areas of Jamaica are best left untouched. Yes, development can bring big money but the peace and tranquility of certain spots are better left untouched. These areas are IMHO, going to be the place that some folks will seek, that are looking for a low key impressive getaway; yet I don't feel they have to be "elite" resorts. I still adore Negril and always will. However, there is a special place in my heart for Port Antonio.
Even on my frequent visits to Negril, I tend to seek out the road less traveled and frequent the "local" bars and restaurants with only a few visits to the more elite places. To each his own...vacations/holidays, are to be enjoyed with one's personal preferences of how they want to spend their money and time. May we all enjoy our visits the way we want. Choices are ample in Jamaica!!
I have to concur with most if not all of what you said. While his view might not mesh with others experiences, it was a different perspective, so take it for what it is worth. Regardless, it is nice to see Jamaica get some exposure. I for one do not feel it cast a negative light on Jamaica and I'm sure it will influence many to make the trek.Quote:
Originally Posted by yetta
I personally prefer the boutique places to stay and the bars and restaurants that are not overrun with people. Give me a 3 hour domino night at a place like Spyda's anytime over an AI experience. Not that anything is wrong with an AI experience, this just happens to be my preference. I have met a lot of great people all over Negril and this would not have been possible with the sampling of one property. I look forward to visiting PA and this episode only solidified my desires.
it was certainly rubbing elbows with the elite of the elite . . .
bourdain being called dumb or stupid? he seemed to let it slide . . .
found the character "carl" very creepy and domineering the fishermen who were trying to speak the truth. . . . all in all, very little of interest for us ppl who love to do more of the local flair . . .
Part of the show certainly was about the high-end tourist destinations like Blackwell's place and the Trident Hotel. However, I think he gave fair exposure to the local lifestyle when he visited the locals beach and ate ackee & saltfish and whole fish from a cook shop. I believe his words were something like, this an ideal beach that is "free of douchery and has cold, local beer".
Having never seen "Parts Unknown" before, I thought he would focus a little more on the food. But yeah, I do think the show was good exposure for Jamaica.
The overall message I got from the show was what Bourdain summed up at the end. In the future will not only Jamaicans but also "us regular folks "not be able to enjoy the beauty of Jamaica.? By highlighting Trident and the segment with Chris Blackwell and his plans for expansion and business model of high dollar establishments its only going to be for the elite.
I was a little baffled by the tacky tourist they kept showing, since thats not really the type of traveler that will be able to afford to go if his prediction comes true. An example of this is Blackwells property The Caves . As a splurge I stayed there once for a few nights. Nice experience but no better than other places I've stayed on the cliffs for a lot less $$. what if in the future all of the cliffs was bought and developed by Blackwell or someone with the same business model? And of course the question of what development does to the residents of the area.
And I may read too much into things, but I felt the "guide" Blackwell sent with Bourdain had an agenda set by Blackwell but he himself had other ideas. At least thats how I felt he was portrayed. I really enjoy all of Bourdains shows but I take them all with a grain of salt. They're making a show..
I hope Mr. Blackwell realizes he needs to peek outside of his bubble now and again. If he only markets high end tourism, I'm sure he's aware he is cutting out the other 99% of the market. He seems to think the trickle down theory will work and folks will go out and visit local restaurants and bars, but I don't think he really cares if they do or not.
I'll have to watch this again. I've been following Bourdain for many years, and while this episode didnt show as much food and as many local haunts as I would have liked, I think they did a good job showing the juxtaposition. You have to get to know your enemy somewhat before you can fight him. I feel like he let Lee-Chin and Blackwell dig their own hole and posited that it doesn't have to and shouldn't be that (for elites only) way. If this was ten years ago, he might have gone after them a little more but even he's admitted getting softer over the eyars.
Here is a link to the episode. http://vimeo.com/112030689
Yeah, he set Chin and Blackwell up perfectly to look like villains. Right down to the camera work. It was uncomfortable at several points, but I enjoyed it, and I agree with the point he's making overall.
Why would he care when he can cater to the 1% and get results? It's business, and business is about making money. PERIODQuote:
Originally Posted by goldilocks
Having Carl Bradshaw there as Tony's off compound handler didn't help Blackwell look any better. I guess he forgot his mic was on when he basically told the local to sit down, shut up and put on an irie face in order to make things "work."Quote:
Originally Posted by TAH
Agreed, but I really think that was his intent from the beginning. You could see the glimmer in AB's eye when Chin said he had thought he was brilliant, but his actions showed he's just dumb. He set them up to look bad, and very much succeeded IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by NKY
I watched the show, and was a little disappointed. I've been watching Anthony Bourdain over the years and to be honest, I was expecting something a little different. We only were given a small glimpse of the island rich and average. I think he needs to come back and give a glimpse of the best food places all along Negril's seven mile beach. Come back Anthony, let's have another show.
I think those that find the show disappointing are looking at this show through a totally different lens then they would any other episode. Most of us have our own experience with Jamaica and I feel many were hoping this episode would reflect their own personal experiences. When he visits other destinations unfamilure to us we can't turn around and say he should have went here or there or done this or that.
Also, I believe his original show was on the food network and the focus was on food. His current show is on CNN and while food is still highlighted I feel there is more emphasis on highlighting social and political issues in the areas he visits.
The court just ordered public access to Winnifred beach. I wonder if the show helped achieve this ruling.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...Beach_18013776
I agree with the comments on the board; I found the show lacking in energy and confusing.
HAaaaa! i bet you really did ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Seveen