The host of Emmy winning CNN show 'Parts Unknown' and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain (61) was found dead in his hotel room in France. It is suspected to be a suicide. CNN confirmed the news of his death and sent out a public statement saying:
"It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain. His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time."
Career
Anthony was a TV personality, celebrity chef and an author. His first book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly released in 2000 was an instant success. Later in 2003, he went on to host "A Cook's Tour" on the Food Network. In 2005 he started hosting Travel Channel's culinary and cultural adventure program Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. He hosted the show till 2013. The show was a hit with several Emmy nominations and two wins. Through his TV shows and books, he explored the human condition and helped audiences think differently about food, travel and themselves.
In 2013, he began his stint at CNN as the host of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. The show was in its 11th season last month. Additionally in 2013, he was honoured with the Peabody Award for Parts Unknown. He was considered one of the most influential chefs in the world.
Twitter exploded with reactions to his sudden demise:
Anthony Bourdain and his treatment of women
Anthony had a bad-boy public persona. He often would sexualize food. He confided to the Cut, "I am a guy on TV who sexualizes food. Who uses bad language. Who thinks our discomfort, our squeamishness, fear and discomfort around matters sexual is funny. I have done stupid offensive shit."
"And because I was a guy in a guy’s world who had celebrated a system—I was very proud of the fact that I had endured that, that I found myself in this very old, very, frankly, phallocentric, very oppressive system and I was proud of myself for surviving it. And I celebrated that rather enthusiastically."
Bourdain also acknowledged that he had been rude and inappropriate at times, something he deeply regretted later. However, he also hoped his actions didn't make anyone uncomfortable.
He additionally said,"there was a period in my life in the kitchen where I was an asshole. I was. I would do the classic, throw plates on the ground. If waiters or waitresses for that matter displeased me I would rail at the heavens, curse, scream. But I like to think I never made anyone feel uncomfortable, creeped out, or coerced, or sexualized in the workplace."
Recently, Asia Argento accused Harvey Weinstein of raping and molesting her. Anthony expressed his concern about how he wished women were comfortable around him and told him their stories. He even realised he could have been nicer to women. In reflection, he told Slate, "Why was I not the sort of person, or why was I not seen as the sort of person, that these women could feel comfortable confiding in? I see this as a personal failing."
He also said, "I’ve been hearing a lot of really bad shit, frankly, and in many cases it’s like, wow, I’ve known some of these women and I’ve known women who’ve had stories like this for years and they’ve said nothing to me."
Picture Credit: time.com
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Nimisha is an intern with SheThePeople.TV
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