CNN's popular original series Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, which has been nominated for four Primetime Emmys in the 2013 competition, launches its second season tonight, September 15 at 9pm ET. The season premiere episode "Jerusalem" features tours of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, marking the first time the host has filmed in these locations.
Leading into the season premiere, at 8pm ET, will be ABPU: Prime Cuts Season One, a retrospective special featuring notable moments, reminiscences, and a preview of season two.
The new season of the weekend lifestyle series, which airs Sundays at 9pm ET on
CNN and
CNN International, also takes Bourdain and his crew into "parts unknown" within Spain, New Mexico, Copenhagen, Sicily, Detroit, Tokyo and South Africa.
Below are descriptions of
Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown season two episodes (airdates, unless indicated, are TBA):
· "Jerusalem"(Sept 15) - In the season premiere of Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, the host and crew make their first trip to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. While the political situation is often tense between the people living in these areas, Bourdain concentrates on their rich history, food and culture, and spends time with local chefs, home cooks, writers and amateur foodies.
· "Spain" (Sept. 22) -
Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown explores Andalucía during Semana Santa (Holy Week, leading up to Easter), a time filled with great pageantry and excitement. Featured in this episode is Bourdain's longtime Director of Photography Zach Zamboni, who lives part-time in Granada and shows the host sights off the beaten path.
· "New Mexico" (Sept. 29)- Parts Unknown takes a close look at the mash-up of cultures that comprise this uniquely American state by sampling its food - a combination of Spanish, Mediterranean, Mexican, Pueblo and even chuck-wagon influences. New Mexico is also a land of drugs, guns, monster vehicles, and possibly extraterrestrials. It may also be the perfect place to investigate the underside of the Western cowboy ideal.
· "Copenhagen" Denmark (airdate TBA) - This episode explores the food and natural beauty of Copenhagen, the economic and cultural center of Denmark. Home to famed chef Rene Redzepi and his brainchild Noma - regarded by critics as one of the world's best restaurants - Parts Unknown delves into the city's cuisine and the new Nordic creativity that infuses Redzepi's work at Noma.
· Sicily (airdate TBA) - Parts Unknown explores the Sicilian way of life, which puts a premium on savoring family, life, and food. Bourdain travels in search of those foods as he eats his way around the island. He makes his home base at the Villa Monaci, on the outskirts of Catania with his enthusiastic, fast-talking sidekicks who counter the otherwise relaxed tempo and
Epic "food porn" of this episode.
· Detroit (airdate TBA) - Few cities have experienced such a dramatic economic rise and fall of Detroit. In this episode of Parts Unknown, Bourdain explores the past, present and future of the Motor City. He steps into the lives of Detroit natives and sees the glory days of the past at the famed Packard Plant, the current state of the city's urban decay, and the promise of the future in the citizens who are rebuilding their communities.
· Tokyo (airdate TBA) - Japan is a paradox. The low birthrate, the dedication, the conformity, and the life of a salary man are well known. There is also a competitive and rigid culture that gives way to some unique subcultures. Bourdain has traveled to Tokyo countless times, but on this trip he is in search of the city's dark, extreme, and bizarrely fetishistic underside.
· South
Africa (airdate TBA) - Once considered the most dangerous city in the world, Johannesburg now barely makes the top 50. But the end of the apartheid has led to vast changes in the city. In this episode, Bourdain visits the suburb of Hillbrow (which remains a dangerous locale), spends a day in the life of a taxi driver and discovers the culture and food that make up modern day Johannesburg.
Viewers can find updates, behind-the-scenes photos, and exclusive content from
Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown by following the show's Twitter account @partsunknownCNN, and accessing the
CNN Parts Unknown Facebook page. During each show, viewers are invited to go to the live blog at CNN.com/partsunknown and join in the conversation using the #PartsUnknown hashtag on Twitter.
