Blink

Surprise Dish

January 6, 2008 9:00 PM

Anthony Bourdain, bad-boy chef and host of “No Reservations” on the Travel Channel, got a surprise that left a bad taste in his mouth while shooting in Waikiki. On his blog last week, he said he found out that Food Network was bringing his old show, “A Cook’s Tour,” back to prime time after a four-year absence. After almost spitting up his mai-tai, Mr. Bourdain said he wondered, “Why? Why that old show? And why now?” The antipathy was hardly a surprise to Bob Tuschman, senior VP of programming and production for Food Network. “We’re always amused by his writing,” said Mr. Tuschman, who noted that since “A Cook’s Tour” last aired in prime time, Food Network had added young viewers unfamiliar with that show. “The series remains popular and Bourdain is a provocative tour guide,” Mr. Tuschman said, adding he’s not concerned viewers will follow Mr. Bourdain to the Travel Channel. “We have a wide range of programming here,” he said.

—Jon Lafayette