12-Sep-18
Podcast Topics: #1172 – Morgan Fallon
This podcast explores the life and career of Morgan Fallon, a DP, director, and producer who worked on Anthony Bourdain’s iconic CNN series “Parts Unknown.” Fallon’s insightful perspective offers a glimpse into the making of the show, Bourdain’s personality, and the impact of their shared experiences. Provocative themes explore the lasting legacy of Bourdain’s work, the transformative power of travel and food, and the importance of pursuing passions with genuine fervor.
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Fallon’s Introduction to Anthony Bourdain
Fallon met Bourdain through a serendipitous call, stepping in to film an episode of “No Reservations” in Egypt after the original DP canceled. This initial experience laid the foundation for their long-lasting collaboration.
Fallon’s initial impressions of Bourdain were positive, describing him as a passionate, energetic individual with a genuine desire to explore the world. The immediate bond was cemented through their shared experiences in Egypt, including eating pigeon and navigating the streets of Cairo.
Fallon’s daring climb onto the roof of a moving Land Rover in the Egyptian desert sealed his place in Bourdain’s circle, solidifying Bourdain’s trust and fostering a lasting friendship.
The podcast highlights how Bourdain’s personality, his unique perspective, and his commitment to experiencing the world first-hand influenced the tone and direction of the show.
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The Evolution of “No Reservations” and “Parts Unknown”
Fallon describes the transition from “No Reservations” to “Parts Unknown” as significant, marking a shift in Bourdain’s approach to food and travel. “Parts Unknown” allowed for deeper exploration of cultural nuances, social commentary, and the broader context surrounding food.
CNN’s involvement provided increased resources and access to locations that were previously unavailable, enabling Bourdain to push the boundaries of storytelling and explore more diverse cultures.
Fallon emphasizes the importance of CNN’s willingness to allow Bourdain to be authentically himself, embracing his curiosity, his willingness to challenge norms, and his exploration of controversial topics, such as Japanese subcultures.
The podcast highlights how “Parts Unknown” transcended the genre of a traditional food show, becoming a platform for social commentary, cultural exploration, and personal reflection.
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The Significance of Bourdain’s Narration
Fallon emphasizes the pivotal role Bourdain’s narration played in bringing the show to life. His writing added depth, emotion, and insight to the visuals, offering a unique perspective on food, culture, and the world.
Bourdain’s ability to articulate his thoughts and experiences in a poetic and insightful manner resonated with viewers, profoundly affecting their understanding and appreciation of food. He challenged conventional notions of cooking, highlighting its artistry and its deep connection to culture, history, and social context.
Fallon reveals the process behind the narration, describing how Bourdain’s voiceovers were added in post-production after the show’s rough cut was completed. This process highlights the transformative power of Bourdain’s writing and his ability to bring a project to life with his words.
The podcast emphasizes how Bourdain’s unique writing style and voice contributed to the show’s lasting legacy and its impact on viewers’ perspectives on food and travel.
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The Authentic Nature of Bourdain’s Personality
Fallon highlights Bourdain’s genuine nature, contrasting him with the often-calculated personalities of other celebrities. He emphasizes Bourdain’s self-deprecation, his humility, and his genuine reverence for true artists and masters in their respective fields.
The podcast reveals how Bourdain’s passion for life, his willingness to experiment, and his unwavering commitment to exploring new experiences were infectious, inspiring others to embrace a similar approach. Bourdain’s embracing of street food, his exploration of diverse cultures, and his willingness to step outside of his comfort zone resonated with viewers.
Fallon’s anecdotes about Bourdain’s late-night escapades and his enthusiastic embrace of jiu-jitsu further demonstrate his authentic personality and his commitment to experiencing life with passion.
The podcast showcases how Bourdain’s genuine nature, his passion for learning, and his willingness to be vulnerable made him relatable to viewers, forging a connection beyond the traditional boundaries of a food show.
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Bourdain’s Journey into Jiu-Jitsu
The podcast delves into Bourdain’s unexpected journey into the world of jiu-jitsu, a testament to his lifelong desire to learn and push his boundaries. Fallon highlights Bourdain’s commitment to the discipline, noting how he pursued it with the same dedication and passion he brought to his work and his travels.
Fallon emphasizes the transformative power of Bourdain’s jiu-jitsu journey, highlighting how it led to positive changes in his lifestyle, including weight loss, a commitment to physical fitness, and a newfound appreciation for the discipline and discipline that jiu-jitsu demands.
The podcast demonstrates how Bourdain’s jiu-jitsu journey was a reflection of his genuine desire to grow, challenge himself, and embrace new experiences.
The podcast highlights the transformative power of pursuing passions beyond comfort zones, showing how Bourdain’s dedication to jiu-jitsu reflected his genuine spirit of exploration and a desire to learn and grow.
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The Impact of Bourdain’s Passing
Fallon candidly discusses the emotional impact of Bourdain’s passing, reflecting on his profound loss and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. He expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to work with Bourdain and share in his unique perspective on the world.
The podcast reveals the deep sense of loss felt by many who were touched by Bourdain’s work, highlighting his impact on their perspectives on food, culture, and travel.
Fallon’s emotional reflection on Bourdain’s influence on his own life and the lives of countless others underscores the profound impact of Bourdain’s personality and his work.
The podcast highlights the emotional impact of Bourdain’s passing, emphasizing the lasting legacy of his work and the deep sense of loss felt by those who knew him and were inspired by his life and work.
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The Challenges of Working in a Commercial Television Environment
Fallon highlights the struggles of navigating the commercial television industry, contrasting the authenticity of “Parts Unknown” with the often-scripted and manipulative nature of other reality television shows.
Fallon emphasizes the importance of maintaining a moral compass and ethical standards in the industry, highlighting Bourdain’s commitment to honesty, authenticity, and avoiding unnecessary manipulation or control. He contrasts the authenticity of their approach to the often-scripted and calculated nature of other reality television shows.
The podcast highlights the challenges of finding genuine stories and voices in a television industry that often prioritizes sensationalism and manufactured drama. Fallon’s anecdotes about the production process demonstrate the struggle to create authentic content within a commercial environment.
The podcast showcases the challenges of finding genuine stories and voices in a television industry that often prioritizes sensationalism and manufactured drama. Fallon’s anecdotes about the production process demonstrate the struggle to create authentic content within a commercial environment.
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The Power of Storytelling and the Importance of Authenticity
Fallon underscores the importance of storytelling and the power of connecting with audiences through genuine narratives. He emphasizes the importance of finding and amplifying authentic voices and experiences.
Fallon highlights how “Parts Unknown” transcended the typical boundaries of a food show, becoming a platform for exploring social issues, challenging perspectives, and connecting with people across cultural divides. The podcast emphasizes how Bourdain’s work resonated with viewers because of its honesty, its commitment to exploring diverse cultures, and its refusal to shy away from difficult truths.
The podcast emphasizes the power of storytelling and its ability to connect with audiences on a deeper level. Fallon’s insights into the production process highlight how authenticity and genuine human connection are crucial to creating meaningful and impactful content.
The podcast underscores the importance of finding and amplifying authentic voices and experiences, highlighting the transformative power of storytelling to challenge perspectives, connect with audiences, and create lasting impact.
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The Future of Documentary Television
Fallon reflects on the future of documentary television, highlighting the growing demand for content that is both insightful and entertaining. He expresses optimism about the potential for authentic storytelling to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
The podcast explores the impact of streaming platforms, such as Netflix, on the television landscape, suggesting that they have created a space for more diverse and independent content.
Fallon’s observations on the changing television landscape highlight the growing appetite for content that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, suggesting that there is a place for genuine stories and authentic voices to thrive in a digital age.
The podcast expresses optimism about the future of documentary television, suggesting that there is a growing demand for content that explores complex issues, challenges perspectives, and connects with audiences on a deeper level.
Memorable Quotes
- “It’s actually, you know, a lot of people have been saying to me like, oh, it must be really hard to talk about that. It must really it’s I actually find it kind of the opposite. Like, I wanna talk about it and I wanna talk about who he was and what that experience was, you know.” – Fallon reflects on his desire to share his experiences with Bourdain, highlighting the importance of remembering and celebrating his legacy.
- “I think that’s I mean, maybe in some ways the most important aspect of the show, you know, it I mean, he is after all a writer. Right? Yeah. You know? And and that is how he experienced the world.” – Fallon emphasizes Bourdain’s skills as a writer and the key role his narration played in the success of “Parts Unknown.”
- “It’s not just an temporary art form. Form. Yeah. And and even beyond that, it’s an art form that’s that’s taking and incorporating all of these greater kind of macro social elements of you know, where you are, the history of where you are, you know, what people did for a living, what people’s ancestors did for a living, you know, it it’s rooted in so much more in what I think, you know you know, ultimately, it feels like we kinda joke around a lot and say like, yeah. It’s a food show. It’s not a food show, you know.” – Fallon reveals Bourdain’s unique approach to food, highlighting its deeper cultural significance and its ability to connect us to the world around us.
- “I just really appreciated him as a a genuine, unique person. Like, he’s a genuine rare person. And, you know, that’s that’s what I got out of being being able to spend some time with him and being able to talk to him and pick his brain, and he did my podcast once, and we always planned on doing it again, which we never got around to it because we’re both have ridiculous schedules, but Just my I would think about things differently because of him.” – Fallon shares his profound respect for Bourdain’s unique perspective and his ability to inspire others.
- “I’m not gonna I’m not gonna dedicate my career to these people unless I really, really believe in what they’re doing. And, like, that’s those are 2 cases of people that I, like, really believe in man because they were willing to look at an industry or look at something that they loved and say, like, well, I have completely different take on it, you know, and I’m willing to put that out there at whatever cost.” – Fallon reflects on the importance of aligning with people who share his values and ethics, highlighting Bourdain and Steve Rinella’s courage to challenge conventional norms.