I studied abroad in Milan and looked forward to seeing one of my favorite actors stroll through the city I spent so many beautiful days. For most of the show he is on the straight and narrow. He hits the spots you'd expect, like the roof of the duomo, navigli, a secret bar and goes truffle hunting. He is serviceable as a host bringing his own Italian and high-class charm.
When he goes to the picture-perfect Lake Como, the show goes off the rails. Instead of continuing on the center line and eating a mountain of Bellagios finest seafood, he attempts to do what he is not: be Anthony Bourdain. He speaks with local fisherman while trying the trade a bit himself, covering overfishing on the lake and their difficult daily routines. Then, when he goes to the fisherman's house to consume what they just drew out of the depths, it truly turns into a CNN program.
The fisherman he befriended turns out to be a Lega Norde "northern league" supporter, a party on the extreme right known for their anti-immigration policies. It's understandable Tucci disagrees with him, but why bring it up after he brings you into his home? The Devil Wears Prada actor starts an awkward lecture about the benefits of immigration, all the while the man opposite him grows increasingly uncomfortable. Salvini, the leader of lega norde, is not someone to be admired, but it all came across very judgmental. He wasn't trying to connect, he was trying to critique. He is the anti-Bourdain.