Tucci TV

I enjoyed his Searching for Italy episodes, but now recently read his new book, Taste: My Life Through Food. I was stunned to learn that he was diagnosed with tongue cancer 3 years ago, then was on a feeding tube for months while undergoing extreme chemo and radiation therapy. While he was pronounced cancer free by the time the TV series started filming, the effects of the cancer and the treatment hadn’t ended. There was also a recent New York Times interview to promote the book, and there he further explained how his recovery affected his ability to savor the dishes the show intended to highlight. The radiation gave him vertigo and mouth ulcers, plus a loss of appetite.

Tucci said that after three radiation sessions, all food tasted to him like cardboard “slathered with someone’s excremement.” He said he wasn’t fearing death, but a future life without taste. Once production started, he could taste, but not necessarily swallow. It would sometimes take 10 minutes of chewing to swallow, and other times he’d just give up. Sometimes just smelling food made him nauseous, but he was determined to host Searching for Italy, and tell “the story of Italy and the disparate cuisine in every region.”

So it was remarkable that he could even go to Italy, and take a bite, let alone give a rapturous response to what was going into his mouth.

A highlight of our stay in Orvieto was happening on Stanley Tucci filming an episode for the second season of Searching for Italy. We saw a camera crew filming at the market and didn’t think too much of it until we saw Stanley filming multiple takes on the side of the Duomo.

Yes, when I heard of Stanley's struggles with cancer, it raised some of my own fears of life and the unknown of what might be around the corner, similar when I read of some of Roger Ebert's cancer struggles as a foodie who could no longer enjoy what he loved most. I am thankful early retirement has afforded me some time to enjoy life while I can...though Covid has put a serious damper on my plans.

Alex Polizzi's series on Italy was OK, I did not enjoy it as much as Searching for Italy, I think maybe because her travel style is a bit more upscale, (I shudder to think what her families hotel in Rome runs a night) nice for dreaming, not so much for actual travel. She also has a series on Spain if you are interested. Beyond that, she has a host of "hotel Inspector" type shows, and one where she herself bought and renovated a hotel in the UK.

My brother has tongue cancer and is still struggling. I know what he is going through so I can’t imagine trying to film an Italian food show. I will have to check it out.

I watched the reruns on CNN a number of months ago and enjoyed it just as much as the original series. I was aware of Tucci’s health history and knew about all his struggles with his cancer. Have to admire his strength to give his best during a challenging time of his life. Looking forward to the next series in 2022.
Thanks for the book reminder!

I have seen some shows but did not know of his struggle with cancer and trying to live life and stay true to his commitment to carry on with the series, my heart breaks and I wish a hopeful and healthy new year ahead , I can’t imagine the struggle to finish filming with such a health crisis . Will watch again in a new appreciation.

I really enjoyed the TV show and just finished Tucci’s book. He reads the audiobook version, which I loved.