Shocking but not surprising. Anthony had seen and done everything. His life had run its course. If you’re the type that is always looking for the next stimulant, and there is none to be found, a sense of hopelessness is inevitable.

I feel a great disturbance in the force.
As if millions of culinary/travel adventure shows cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.

That just plain sucks.

Wow! That's a shame, but then it's a shame any time anyone feels the need to do that. I did really like watching AB. He'd obviously had substance abuse issues over the years if not currently, so it's not really that big a surprise. Darn shame.

This is a gut punch. He was probably the only current tv personality I followed and cared about. I don't know what it takes to get to that point in depression, but I know people who do that can't be in their right mind when they do it. So sad for his daughter.

His program was/is my favorite on TV. I can't say I'm surprised but I'm saddened and will miss his personality and the program a lot. He had such a soothing and comfortable voice when commenting about things. I agree with Richard (Motion) about his life running its course as he probably felt he was running out of stimulating things. After all he'd given up heroin, smoking, prostitutes, and reduced his drinking - according to him. I have a feeling he had always been searching for something he could never find.

I watched his show now/then. I liked it.
What a shame.

Rip. I’m glad he saw the world.

I think he was pretentious, but he did it well. It was almost raw. I liked him.

There are those who constantly seek "the next stimulant"...the next fix.
Then when it comes time to just sit and be, issues can surface.
A Human Doing as opposed to a Human Being.
I saw this often while working in a Crisis Center as a co-director.
When an alcoholic stopped drinking, for example, they often became angry. Issues surfaced from which they sought to run/hide. I believe this is what the Taoist call "despair". A point (hitting bottom) from which one can develop authentically.
I had a g/f who was always on the run...she mocked me when I suggested meditation. She could not sit still.

Well then what the fk is left?

And everyone has their demons son....

Yep

Tiger has never hit bottom and Ted Turner can not sit still...so what did gaining the world do for them?

Very surprised by this news.

My favourites included the Rome and Northern Italy shows along with the Lyon, France show.

He will be missed.

Yes. Gaining the world is so little to ask.
Dr. James Cavanaugh (Los Gatos Therapy Center, CA) wrote a book, The Magnificent Addiction wherein he wrote about how addicts, once on the road to recovery, had an opportunity to gain a stronger sense of self than many of those in the corporate world dedicating their lives to chasing after power, money, recognition, etc.

I was also a big fan at first... but the last few years I stopped watching because he became cynical and angry.

Sad that he went out that way, I guess just more proof that fame and fortune does not bring happiness.

That is a really interesting observation. There is always another high if you are willing to look, change perspective.

I have only seen his show in snippets so the response to his suicide is surprising to me: very heartfelt, simple eulogies to a flawed, talented man.

Suicide is a remarkably selfish act - I wish his young daughter strength.

I respect AB for a number of reasons, but top of that list is that he deserves credit for making a whole bunch of Americans a little less afraid of the differences to be found in the rest of the world.

Looking for something new seems artificial and disingenuous to me. At the age of 61, he had probably already addressed everything that was meant to be, at least for him.

I'm at the same point, so I sort of feel like I know him... I'm never going to go out and look for something new, to conjure something to have passion for. Its impossible. The things that construct me, I have already addressed. Life feels like a dead-end when you're at that point. I'm very happy, though, and will continue to focus on the few things that are important to me. If Tony was in a new relationship, I guess he didn't have a "rock" to hold onto.

So sad that his good friend, Eric, discovered him. But, Eric probably knew him as well as anyone could have.

You know....it's entirely possible that he received news of a terminal illness....we don't know.

That would be one way to explain someone checking out - on their own terms.

The only thing shocking to me is the number of people that still don’t understand suicide. This is the least surprising story in the newspaper today.