It's been two months since Anthony Bourdain's tragic death and nearly as long since the last episode of Parts Unknown aired. But today, the LA Times announced CNN's decision to air a final season of Anthony's beloved travel show this fall.
There is one complete episode left to air, showcasing a trip Anthony took to Kenya with fellow CNN host W. Kamau Bell. This will be the only episode featuring narration by Anthony, following the same format as the show's earlier seasons. Four more episodes cull together footage from trips Anthony took to New York, Texas, Spain, and Indonesia, and will be completed by the directors who filmed them for Anthony's Zero Point Zero production company. These will feature audio of Anthony on location, as well as follow-up interviews meant to tie any loose ends of the episodes together.
Amy Entelis, CNN's executive vice president of talent and content, told the LA Times this of the new season: "Each one will feel slightly different depending on what’s gathered in the field. They will have the full presence of Tony because you’ll see him, you’ll hear him, you’ll watch him. That layer of his narration will be missing, but it will be replaced by other voices of people who are in the episodes."
The final two episodes will reflect on Anthony's life and impact on the world. Viewers will see cast and crew talking about the show, mixed in with outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage.
Moving forward, CNN hopes to fill the hole Anthony left behind as best they can, though there are no plans to reboot Parts Unknown. "What Tony did was inimitable," Entelis said to the LA Times. "What we want to do is find a show that captures what Tony is all about. It might be a very different show and look nothing like Parts Unknown."
CNN hasn't announced an official start date for the final set of episodes, but if it follows previous seasons, expect an air date in September or early October.
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