Bourdain and the Boarded Rowhouses

-- Picture from http://www.kilduffs.com/Homes.html

Quite a few people have commented on this column, and on this one about Anthony Bourdain's travel show that featured Baltimore.

Here's part of a comment that stands out for me:

Honesty and authenticity.
In this episode, both were utterly lacking. The forced dialogue, the staged meetings with "The Wire's" actors, the briefness of the 3-in-1 format all lead me to feel like the show lacked the honesty and authenticity that has been the strength of the show. 

Beyond the "How come Bourdain didn't mention my favorite place?" which, I assume is said after every episode of every travel show (What ever happened to Insomniac?), people are upset about Bourdain's shallow portrayel of Baltimore.

Why did we have to see so many boarded rowhouses? I've seen more boards in the first five minutes of the show than a Home Depot cashier does in a year.

Hey, remember writing a paper for college? First, you come up with the thesis, then you find the proof that suits it.

Bourdain loves The Wire. So Bourdain's segment on Baltimore fitted with his thesis.

But don't we all have our subjective ideas about what Baltimore is really like? Don't we all see in Baltimore only what we want to see?

Maybe that's the magic of this crazy city. You can live in one of the most violent cities in America and never be exposed to violent crime. You can live here all your life and know nothing about the religious history, historical cultural significance, or political history. You can live your life here and be sure Baltimore is just as wacky as a John Waters movie. And you can live here and think it's just as sad as The Wire.

Bourdain had to make a choice for his show. Maybe next time he visits we'll take him to see Paper Moon?