RIP Anthony Bourdain

I’m still profoundly sad about this. This one has stuck with me longer than anyone since perhaps Robin Williams. I’m not 100% sold on the notion that everyone who commits suicide is mentally ill though. I believe that it’s easy to use mental illness as a blanket condolence of sorts for things that we can’t grasp or comprehend. I don’t know what his mental or physical condition was at the time of his death. Perhaps he found out he had terminal cancer, kept it to himself and made a judgement decision. He looked very thin recently. I don’t know. I just feel like this issue is so deep and complex and it’s hard to pin all of these suicides on mental illness within 24hrs of a person’s death. 

thetrim said:

This is an interesting read.  I think he saved his best stuff for celeb chefs.   

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/anthony-bourdain-celebrity-chef-feuds

Thanks for sharing. Couldn't help but read most of that article with his voice in my head.  Kinda creepy. 

JohnInCarolina said:

DoubleEgger said:

I’m still profoundly sad about this. This one has stuck with me longer than anyone since perhaps Robin Williams. I’m not 100% sold on the notion that everyone who commits suicide is mentally ill though. I believe that it’s easy to use mental illness as a blanket condolence of sorts for things that we can’t grasp or comprehend. I don’t know what his mental or physical condition was at the time of his death. Perhaps he found out he had terminal cancer, kept it to himself and made a judgement decision. He looked very thin recently. I don’t know. I just feel like this issue is so deep and complex and it’s hard to pin all of these suicides on mental illness within 24hrs of a person’s death. 

Certainly could have been something else, but there are a good number of reports about him struggling with these kinds of issues in the past, as well as him being in something of a dark mood recently.  But maybe we’ll learn something new in the coming weeks and months, who knows.

After watching the Berlin episode last night, I wonder if that contributed to his recent darkness. Regardless of motivation or condition, continued prayers for his family, loved ones, fans, and those struggling with issues where suicide is an option. 

Back when the Food Network was actually cooking shows, I loved Emeril and Alton Browns shows. 

One gave me confidence to attempt more complicated dishes and the other taught me the science involved in cooking. 

And then there was “Chillin’ &Grillin’. 

billt01 said:
Can one be a genius with a mental illness? 

I'd bet most geniuses (geniuie?) were...

dmchicago said:

Back when the Food Network was actually cooking shows, I loved Emeril and Alton Browns shows. 

The good ol' days of the Food Network. I practically learned to cook watching Molto Mario back in college before Batali became a creep. 

Just finished watching the CNN show. Most of it was a bunch of talking heads but Anderson Cooper’s grief and sadness was real. 

DoubleEgger said:

Just finished watching the CNN show. Most of it was a bunch of talking heads but Anderson Cooper’s grief and sadness was real. 

Anderson’s older brother jumped out the window of their new york apartment in front of their mother (their mom is Gloria Vanderbilt). He and tony were clearly fairly close so I’m sure it’s not easy losing a brother and a friend to suicide. Crazy Schitt. 

DoubleEgger said:

The Cen-Tex Smoker said:

DoubleEgger said:

Just finished watching the CNN show. Most of it was a bunch of talking heads but Anderson Cooper’s grief and sadness was real. 

Anderson’s older brother jumped out the window of their new york apartment in front of their mother (their mom is Gloria Vanderbilt). He and tony were clearly fairly close so I’m sure it’s not easy losing a brother and a friend to suicide. Crazy Schitt. 

Really sad stuff 

Yep. Say what you want about Anderson but dude has seen some shitttt. His autobiography is very much worth a read. Squatting in abandodned apartments while watching dead bodies floating down the streets of New Orleans after Katrina, imbedded In conflict zones etc. crazy stuff. 

Botch said:

I'd kinda like to know what exactly happened to Emeril.  His show was on Wednesday nights, then "date" night for me and what's-her-name, and she loved Emeril so we always watched him after my primo dinner (I always tried a new recipe on Wednesdays, she cooked for me on weekends).  
His last season, he went to crap.  He sounded like me briefing senior leadership: stuttering, stammering, deer-in-the-headlights look, out of breath, just terrible.  I'd really like to know what happened....

I sweat a lot and don't know what to do with my hands. 

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Just listened to a few podcasts.  He was talking about having made every mistake possible in life and how much he loved his daughter.  Talked about changing, growing up, and always being there for her in the future and wanting to be there when she grows up and has questions about his life.

Cannot imagine having someone you love with such a huge digital footprint left behind after they commit suicide.  I feel really bad for her, she is going to have a long row to hoe.

I feel for his mother Gladys too.

DoubleEgger said:

I’m still profoundly sad about this. This one has stuck with me longer than anyone since perhaps Robin Williams. I’m not 100% sold on the notion that everyone who commits suicide is mentally ill though. I believe that it’s easy to use mental illness as a blanket condolence of sorts for things that we can’t grasp or comprehend. I don’t know what his mental or physical condition was at the time of his death. Perhaps he found out he had terminal cancer, kept it to himself and made a judgement decision. He looked very thin recently. I don’t know. I just feel like this issue is so deep and complex and it’s hard to pin all of these suicides on mental illness within 24hrs of a person’s death. 

I'm with ya man.
Everyone here blanketed RW before hearing of the Parkinson's, which would steal his identity, livelihood.

Last year I remember seeing a pic of Tony and Asia on the beach, and immediately thought he looked skinny, as in unhealthy skinny.

I think Bourdain was diagnosed with lung cancer several years ago.  He smoked like a chimney.  Cancer would strip him of his identity and livelihood as well.  Maybe he wouldn't want to put strain on his family and loved ones.  You can only review Ensure and Boost so many times.  

I wasn't a huge fan, never really watched his shows, had a buddy shut off his audio book midway back from 3 Floyds, but I liked Bourdain's approach to his work.  Always felt he was real, in everything I did see, hear him say.  I respect that part about him.  Never understood the Emeril hate, as Emeril was a much more talented chef head-to-head, but I did see why he went after the others.

Could've been a drug relapse?
Maybe he cheated on his GF?
Or she cheated on him?
Or a break up?
Definitely wasn't financial.

Just speculating.  But I do know one thing for sure.

Getting old isn't for pu$$ies folks.  

JohnEggGio said:

What does a child do when the person who would be their protector and teacher decides to off himself?

I think this was a big part of my initial anger towards him (yes, and some selfishness too).  A father makes a difference- maybe I’m deluding myself, but I feel I’ve been critical to the educating and shaping of my 19 year old daughter.  I’ve always felt it’s the most important thing I’ll ever do.  I guaranty that Sunday I will receive a card, thanking me for “always being there”.

Meanwhile, Bordain's daughter gets to bury her Dad.  So, so sad.  A long row to hoe.

JohnInCarolina said:

Rose McGowan released a statement on behalf of Argento (Tony’s girlfriend) that makes it pretty clear that this was mental health related.  Sounds like docs told him to consider medication and he chose not to.  Sad.

Rose McGowan...HA!

The same Rose which accompanied Marilyn Manson on to an awards show wearing nothing but chain-male ..

credible 

billt01 said:

JohnInCarolina said:

Rose McGowan released a statement on behalf of Argento (Tony’s girlfriend) that makes it pretty clear that this was mental health related.  Sounds like docs told him to consider medication and he chose not to.  Sad.

Rose McGowan...HA!

The same Rose which accompanied Marilyn Manson on to an awards show wearing nothing but chain-male ..

credible 

What the eff does what someone wears to an awards show have to do with their credibility on something like this?

I suppose his girlfriend Asia Argento is equally suspect?  Because she’s the one who asked McGowan to release the statement.  Good God man.