Great story. Something I did not know until I read the GQ piece is that Bourdain was an introvert who did not like big social settings, and needed someone he could lean on when he was surrounded by strangers. It sounds like that’s what you were able to do for him there.

Great piece, but this time of year I’m always looking forward to Drew’s takedown of the Williams Sonoma holiday catalog.

It’s a fantastic piece in every way, but be ready for its emotional gut-punch before you read it. It will hit you hard and maybe make you a little weepy at what we all lost. It will make you miss Bourdain all the more, and I miss him so, so much. All those stories you mention are fantastic Kevin, but I liked this one…

I can’t. I’m sure Drew did a spectacular job, but Tony really did me in. I was already wobbly from David Bowie and I’m thinking about sending vitamins and supplements to Patti Smith and Iggy Pop. 

I’m still not over it. This man literally saved my life. He and I had a conversation late one night when I was in a dark place and something he said to me gave me enough to keep going. I just wish someone could have done the same for him. 

As a man, I’m good with it. Hope we get bred out of the species. Fuck men... Especially white men and conservative men in general. They ruin all the things!

In Irish there’s a saying: “Ní Saoirse go Saoirse na mBan” (roughly “there’s no freedom until there’s freedom for women) which is broadened by this, from the article:

This village embodies what, I believe, men fear at the most deep, existential level: a society in which they’re unnecessary.

I’ve never seen Nailed It outside of online clips, but my first guess about people not liking her was the same. She’s an overweight Black woman who loves her body and is sex-positive 24/7 (though I’m guessing sex isn’t brought up much on this show). She is free and most people don’t like that.

The wife and I love “Nailed It!” Yes, it is dumb. But, it’s hilarious. Absolutely no one should take the show seriously. Yes, they do give the winner way too much money for their skillset and amount of work they do.

If there was a charity auction for brunch with Nicole and Jacques, I would probably bid far more than I could afford.

So much hate in the comments! This show is delightful. Various at home games to play-can you spot the judge who hit the bong before judging the last challenge? Cage match-gravity vs. prayer! Which contestant has never used a microwave (bets must be placed after intro, before cooking)?

I’m reading a lot of these comments, wondering if I was watching a different show. Everyone seems in on the joke, and nobody takes themselves too seriously. Maybe it’s because I came from a really self deprecating time (adolescent in the 90s), but people making fun messes and laughing at how far they came from the…

Sylvia was a delight.

Sylvia was an absolute sweetheart and totally hilarious.  I loved her stealing the pan, then asking for the complete set.

Jacques lost some weight. Good for him!

I love when she walks into their pantry and takes the pan. She seemed to give zero fucks.

I enjoy Nailed It, and Sylvia Weinstock coming back is awesome. Her episode was hilarious.

It sets them up for failure with a very tight time constraint, then laughs at how bad they are.

The way they always try to find good in the designs is what I like. I rarely got the idea that they were actively laughing at anyone like in America's worst chef, but just taking joy in the spirit of having "nailed it". The cooking show about average people doing their best and having fun.