Joe Rogan Experience #138 — Anthony Bourdain Transcript

Transcript

0:00 If I can throw an experience I would have said that's the most retarded show Confidential, just fucking took off, Wow, that's fucking wild. And it all kind of turned out real good. taking it that seriously. But it's become like she's become a show. And in that way, I probably have something in common that you are in these first on Food Network for two years

3:52 What shows? Yeah, here's how it all started, though. And we all looked at each other and, you know, yeah, dude, well, let's just do it. So we're having fun. And I think if anything makes the show special, it's that I mean, there are shows where I'm really miserable and all this terrible, humiliating stuff happens you flew into the jungle? I'm public enemy number one in Romania.

6:22 time there. and gun. We were We're moving you to a more attractive-looking farm. man. You went to Kurdistan. that I dreamed about and read about. Almost nothing. kind of living that out and actual kitchen, do, and, you know, that's fun. and an assistant. Basically, they're called fixers. So there's that, you know, you already have friends when you arrive.

10:30 Holy shit. When laying there, especially after a couple of glasses of whiskey or something, I never thought of it before. And then you post this stuff. I don't think we should put that energy out there, fella. You have a camera crew or a gang, but I pretty much do it for Joe. at night. I sit in front of the box just clicking sounds in different cities? It's like... That's probably sounds? Have you seen those YouTube videos of these weird sounds in different cities?

12:59 I don't know. Scary? but it was ridiculous in the end. And we realized, you know, we're not getting out anytime soon. it's silly I think the scariest are probably places like Liberia. moments there, but that's about it. It was a true picture of, you know, we told the truth about Liberia for sure. Except for his boots. I thought he was in government, actually. He's a preacher now. I believe he's a preacher. Yeah. Yeah. And now he's a preacher. Yeah, yeah. I thought he was in government, actually.

16:24 Is that what it was? So it was in many ways this little America in Africa. It's like this fantasy for years. You know, that's where they found that giant chimpanzee. There's a chimp in the Congo called a Bondo ape. Just draw it for me. jaguar eating chimpanzee? in a diaper, you know, coming out That's a pretty horrifying story. Our world of not fucking people up all the time.

19:42 this tiny little game park or camp. would do. You run outside Right. At which point the game once they get going. thousandth their weight Were you guys sober? I mean, one of our guys, both of them, actually, when we were shooting in Kurdistan, they're hanging out the hatches of these Russian cargo helicopters. Nothing freaks me out more than those planes

22:15 And so over 10 years, how many different countries have you visited? Wow. They don't fight back. I'm a professional traveler. When I'm in the car, I just go zen. you're still going to end up sleeping on the floor. So what does that show? They're out of reach of anybody's expectations, I think, any reasonable ones. all in a really short period of time.

25:13 boom to boom. That's insane. Yeah. Like every time I go to their house, I see that book. Yeah, it's an ultra-violent sort of, So did you write it? Now, who's illustrating it? the little boy thing. And my wife was like, really? So I had a very good comic book collection. strange i was like they like, they're infected. the set decoration, Just throwing Doritos

29:04 Thank you. And I was offered the honor of doing the deed. anything crazy? That's such an important you're not responsible. But on the other hand, this stuff. in the stomach or something. that I saw, and it's one of the things that got me hooked on the show, because I was like, well, this is real. He's letting me use his rifle. Did you know how to aim?

32:19 who doesn't like standing there that you could basically go to and just get fucked up. Bone marrow and bread is your favorite meal It's mostly fat I do. crazy UFC nut? and jiu-jitsu at night jiu-jitsu at night. You know, some over-enthusiastic fan, some drunk chick with hair extensions Listen, we're very proud of the Bourdain household that my wife, a couple of months ago, choked out her trainer.

34:58 It's all about the grappling, which, you know, it makes it tough, though, because we'll go out to dinner at a really nice French restaurant, Yeah, you try dating a kickboxer Black eyes and shit So she just got hooked four years ago Your wife is one of those fucking people that throws her arms up. Once you figure out who's good and who's interesting

36:44 I thought the fight was over then. And, you know, like 45 seconds of the first round, guys start to slow down. with a magician. as one of the all-time great athletes. I still look up to him. no Vietnamese ever did nothing to me. I mean certainly Right. people say Ali's happy now. from the daily boozing I mean he just I really you know when that stuff came out on

40:26 Well, I think you just can't do that to your health and not struggle creatively. And then what will happen? I watched the documentary, and I went, holy shit. credentials, I think, his White House It was a very romantic, sentimental side. This is where the wave broke and then it all rolled back. He was describing it that these, you know, So it was almost like, you know...

43:32 and see your dead grandmother crawling up your leg are available. I think the book's called I don't know if it's the Life and Times or whatever it is, but just Gonzo. who are they're not going to like me anyway you know whether i shoot animals that's the fact that Total vegans tend to not have a sense of humor. And then see what these self-righteous fucks think.

45:41 I have friends that are vegans. He used to eat meat Real super lefty If you're so happy about pigs, pig loose, within three weeks their body starts boar before, That's fucking delicious. Never. elky flavor. The law is kicking in. It's so good. Really? Holy shit. They're waiting to pick a side to be on, whatever team it is, So there are bigger and more deserving targets than foie gras,

49:32 but basically you tilt the thing's head back, that makes for a very lurid picture of the process. they will then be able to raise money They will otherwise the liver is just not as tasty. And the animals otherwise live really cool, comfortable, luxurious lives. No. those are the people to rescue animals from... and we need to move past our monkey past and we move

52:52 You slice into that thing and you start chewing it and the blood in your mouth, like, oh. Or actually, or Argentina or Uruguay, You start blocking up. He's a fucking caveman. He's this giant gorilla. He's literally like a real Viking. His fucking head is this Yeah, because they sort of tuck off into the side there and start to irritate. He was pissed off before, and now he's lost 11 inches of colon.

54:58 How do they get away with just eating meat? It's like 20 below zero. that we wouldn't be able to take. That was definitely cold. He makes pool cues. That's what happens. Fuck. junior, they all whip out knives and start survival. I mean, they're survival. that's kind of I think people everywhere have been particularly nice to us and let us see a particularly, I don't know,

59:11 You eat whatever's offered. I didn't go to that one. I was filming Fear Factor, so I stayed home. Feijoada? Now it's like the national dish. fish market and there's these fucking alien It's wild. But we did go to the supermarket and get these fucking alien-looking fruits. country, man. People are really nice. where everybody was like, whoa, okay jiu-jitsu is probably one of the best ones to have. And the Brazilians were the ones who figured

1:02:52 But the Brazilians came along and they figured out that if you only know one thing, you should know how to choke people. Rio is awesome. you know, being in a country that beautiful, food that good, Wow. Spain. Vietnamese, that, that whole part of the world looks to me particularly beautiful. And, uh, Anybody that doesn't appreciate the idea of cooking as an art form

1:06:01 Yeah, I mean, it was basically considered the best restaurant in the world for mean something in a few years and So that's something I'm really proud of. until I watched your show, I never thought of food as an art form. Does it have to absolutely be completely different? For me, the benchmark is Ferran Adria unique to history. There aren't a lot of people

1:08:41 It was traumatizing, I think, for a lot of people who looked at him. With a little bit of Dalai Lama. I don't know, and I wouldn't even like to think about it. I know there's somebody out there. They might not be the innovators. You know, some people would call this the art of podcasting. You don't think that's art? Talking about yourself as an artist,

1:10:26 different than standing on a hopefully you're having fun doing it you are one of those guys My friend Johnny B, I used to, my best friend was a professional pool hustler. It's all about your Is that really how the show works? What else would he be doing? They got that early on. That's not what the show's about. It's about What human has lips like that?

1:13:20 everyone who watches will feel better about themselves, I don't think it's worse or the best, but it's definitely weird. ever existed So few of these shows have really any relationship to reality at all. What the fuck are you talking about? rehab? Yeah, you gotta be pretty You don't need to be here, man. He's just thinking cha-ching, cha-ching, Wells Fargo.

1:16:02 and say, oh, fuck, you know. Blacked out Friday, Saturday, Sunday. you had that one episode where you took I'm sitting around waiting to get off. and shit but everybody that I know that's six hours by boat from any place And I'm like, what? and the whole kitchen would be drinking this tea all night long. Yeah, they used to preserve them in honey. like with psychedelic mushrooms

1:19:30 Europeans and most people So coffee houses were the first place in Europe where people would sit around in a state of sobriety. That's fascinating. I'd want people to smoke marijuana. Is there a correlation between weed smoking and voting? Because all the most fervent supporters will forget to show up. are just fucking useless and it doesn't matter if you give them marijuana it doesn't matter if you

1:21:59 Didn't start smoking weed until three years ago. I think some would respond well. I think John I would be very worried about giving Michelle Bachman acid. Listen, I'd be shocked, by the be shocked if Bill Clinton hadn't done acid. Yeah, I'll never forgive him for that, actually. It's really amazing. like the President of the United States. by decree, I would make sure there was an In-N-Out

1:25:06 I'm bitter it's something I like about it. You just get Really? Day. Am I kind of voting Probably. But the point is they've apparently created this really pretty cool business model for fast food. and selling each other burgers. I mean, truthfully, what is our best export? Music, TV, and movies. There have been places where I thought that was going to happen,

1:28:32 Vietnamese were incredible from the first time I went there. again. Before you, there was the French, this week, next week you're welcome at my house. We shot at favelas in Rio Our fixer will contact us. You know, and we'll get to wander around and shoot your whole area of your city without They're proud of their friends. at the last minute. And, you know, literally, I mean, the car of my driver says, oh, you just come

1:31:40 She's bullying me. And the food looked fucking jamming. and everybody on the crew Sprout land. So, you know, we're ordering just like lots of stuff. Yeah, they're always pedaling around and shit, But look how they eat. 1 o'clock in the afternoon, they knock off for a couple light supper. They're not sitting down and doing It's so good though. those fucking people know how to live.

1:34:53 That's awesome. It's something I ask all the time. And you're having this At your house? That's what happens when you have a small culture. priorities are very, very different, but I'll tell you, a couple million each? but I just think that any time you jam that many people I love driving in New York. sky. It's nice, yeah. And those big waves I've been in a cab and been T-boned

1:38:22 It was one of those things. because the guy got out of there awful quick I was a chef at a restaurant for many years. Did you just give him shop talk? Lay Al's. that show and uh i've been away for almost 10 years um it is like riding a bicycle and that you you could still do it but your brain when you're a chef i think your brain starts to turn to mush

1:40:14 Even the great artists, the great chefs, You know, you can be the best cook in the world You know, I can't focus on everything. or the effort that goes into it. but that they spent most of their adult lives became well-known, was offered a show, wasn't particularly good at it. Audiences liked launched like emeralds. There's But it's interesting that they love him for his personality.

1:43:57 shouldn't be out there talking to regular people on a regular basis trying to do normal business The other one would join the family business or go to hotel school to learn. there's always a job for you on the floor of a restaurant couldn't hack it anywhere else It is an education. York culture as a speech. But they're also... you get so smart about human behavior when you're a busboy or a waiter.

1:46:48 get this really unique view of the world, It gets to some people. I knew a bartender who I'd be drinking with him. He takes three glasses and i guess he presses them in Orders a third Bars are great once a month. I will never, you know, never again I would never want to be a part of anything like that. It doesn't mean it's a credible one, but people are going to be suing you.

1:49:34 would cause so many fucking problems Oh, my God. I had a buddy who What a beautiful thing they've done. Look at this shit. They're taking it to the next level. It's probably pretty easy to violate state law, too. Yeah, I love Mexico. And Afghanistan I love Mexico City. So you've never seen any Right, right, right. Yeah. with people who have done very, very bad things in their lives.

1:53:36 operation. Well, you make Or you choose not to, depending. Who's the rebel? You know, China, up near the Tibetan border. they're going to be in a very bad place if I go back will be at the end of the day, you've got to ask yourself, Well, I could have gone on and on and on about the history of the regime and what they've done. They were. It's dangerous information, but there it is.

1:57:35 for whatever reason they trusted us to come and they pretty much let us wander around We had arranged all of this through the government. No, you obviously have approval over what we're allowed to shoot. They understand what it is that people want to see in Cuba, which is the old Cuba of Godfather II. you know, things are going to change. Sort of. of anywhere, anywhere.

2:00:06 But I've since met a lot of Miami Cubans He was really struggling to contain his anger And they took his business and ended his livelihood. We hope to shoot in September. And we were getting sort of dispatches of what life's like there. It's like all these young people from all over the world, Yeah. It's a feel-good for everybody, and they're doing it basically.

2:03:25 Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan. I mean, I think the fact that all these governments are toppling So it's really kind of awesome. I think it depends on who you're paying attention to Everywhere you go, it's amazing. They'll need 50% of the world's oil, And how much time has this been? 10 years. They had much more rules. They've been put, they're willing to work to get things that's already an advantage

2:06:40 I took that as a religious And the kids are now in university, ferociously competitive. And we're definitely going to be eating better. Have you been to China? So the level of luxury and development that you see in places like China where, you know, You start to get this terrible, I'm an American. I'm a New Yorker. is certainly not the best in the world, it's

2:09:38 We are the most powerful nation on Earth Clearly, it makes people want to, you know, whatever it is they see, they kind of want I don't think we're that good. to another book, to another book. operations, That's so sad. about the CIA being involved, And we're definitely not that secure. I think today, I don't think during the time of the Kennedy assassination

2:12:36 every boring, grim detail It's like, yeah, okay, well, it was the mafia. where Kennedy actually vetoed it, This was this Cuban around that time. So much of it embarrassing, So if you believe that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, And there were just certain things were just, do mention that the Garrison jury was out for like 30 seconds. he put a lot of very interesting stuff together

2:15:52 Whether or not they were actually involved in the Kennedy assassination is almost moot enters out the back without hurting the guy. And I was like, God, that seems like fucking shifty logic to me. Wasn't that part of it? Yes. I mean, Oswald was a guy who... He wanted to be... I had problems with all of it because I was lost in it for 10 years. He took amphetamines in large doses early at his point.

2:18:55 Not uncommon at certain levels. I believe it was Dr. Max Jacobson. It was unflattering. and in fact I was But I go for the simple explanation much of the time. most of the time I go for the simple door. If I was going to be from a company that faked the moon landing, for like $200,000 or something. Jesus fucking Christ. whatever view that you would get doing high doses of mushrooms in the dark by yourself,

2:21:43 Whatever the space shuttle is, when you see those photos, when you get the full circle of the Earth, I mean, that just must be. Yeah, you supplement your income, though, doing speakings, too, right? I would think you would have a lot more levity, a lot more room for... Because I'm starting at The and you kill and then another night you go in and you're all

2:23:57 you start to, someone will ask you off camera or off stage a question to, you know, something But when you're talking about this, what you're doing is, all you're doing is getting the thought to them as efficiently as possible in a method that you're already successful at. But over time, it would become an hour of solid material. my book and then and then you know i signed the book i started doing talks uh while on book tour

2:26:02 So I just do theaters now. This is why I was enjoying your Carlos Mencia shit so much. That is hard. You know, it's just as funny if you say somebody else said it. not larry the cable guy people will get man. They'll get mad if you're and But I just never contended with that. It's fun. It's fun. That's nice. This has been a dream come true, man. and you get 15% off the number one sex toy for men.

2:29:49 Bye. Bye.