We generally don’t share e-mails we receive from you, we consider them to be personal correspondence. However, an unsolicited mailing from a commercial enterprise is not quite the same thing.
So without further ado, here’s something we received recently, we’d like you to read it, read it again and think about it. Then tell us how you feel about it, what you believe, what they’re planning to do, and how you might reply.
After a while, we’ll post the reply we sent. It might be interesting to compare thoughts.
“Hi Steve and Angie—
I’m researching Wisconsin food and culture for a TV show that will be shooting in August. The name of our program is “Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World” and airs on the Travel Channel. It is a spin-off of our “Bizarre Foods” show, which is one of the most watched shows on the network. Although the word ‘bizarre’ can be misleading, the intent of the show is to look for customs, traditions, lifestyles, landscapes, etc. that our audience would find unexpected and unusual.
When researching a location, we look for all the most unusual cultural aspects. It could be anything: food, sports, festivals, traditions, religions, art, music, dance, rituals, homes, jobs, etc. As long as it could be considered “bizarre” to someone else in the world, we want to find it! The best stories are the ones
where our host, Andrew, can participate in what’s going on.
My executive producer told me that she heard there was an organic gardening nudist group in Wisconsin . I tried to track it down, but only found your website when searching for nudists in Wisconsin . I’m wondering if you know about this nudist gardening group? Or any other sort of nudist groups/clubs/activit
ies in Wisconsin ? Do you think they would be willing to let us film with them? We would obviously be very careful and tasteful in our filming. And please know that our show is intended to teach our audience about other people and cultures, not to make fun of people. Our host and crew always treat our on camera guests with the utmost respect. I look forward to hearing from you.”
OK, it’s up to you now. Let’s hear what you think, don’t be shy. Unless, of course, you are so ridiculous that I’ll be forced to verbally rip your lungs out. So to speak. But either way, your voice will be heard. We are dem-o-cratical around here, don’tcha know”?
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ABOUT OUR REPLY: Judging from your comments to the above posting, and the letter from the Bizarre folks, it would apppear that we are a bit less trusting and more cynical than our visitors. But we stand by our reply, though you may not agree.
We do not find it to be useful to the image of social nudism/naturism to have the kind of folks that enjoy watching people eat live worms and other disgusting things equate that with our lifestyle, ie: bizarre. This is not something that helps us understand other’s cultures, it simply makes us feel superior.
Watching naked people grubbing in the dirt could easily amount to the same thing. There’s much more that could be said, but we’ll cut to the chase. Please feel free to comment.
OUR REPLY to BIZARRE WORLD:
“It’s good to hear that you intend to do a ‘fair and balanced’ segment about social nudism/naturism. Usually the sensationalist media takes the opposite stand. After all, nobody wants to hear that naturists are just like anyone else, like your doctor, lawyer, neighbor, schoolteacher, cop, whatever. But they are. Because they are all of those and more. It would frighten people to know who’s a closet nudist in their communty.
That’s why we tend to be a bit shy, we like to keep our jobs, you know? We know someone in the Wisonsin legislature who is, and has been a nudist for many years. Would that news help with re-election?
So it’s great that you intend to do a thoughtful, reasonable presentation on ‘Bizzarre World’.
Right, as if. You have apparently done absolutely no research whatsoever on the subject or you wouldn’t be asking these questions. Not only are all of them answered on All Nudist , one of the top legitimate nudist/naturists sites on the Web (The Village Voice seems to respect our opinions), but are readily available with the minimum of effort on the internet. As are Wisconsin nudist/naturist clubs, groups, forums, message boards, camps and year-round events. Do you even know what AANR and TNS are?
Our guess is that you are someone who has taken some journalism or media classes and is doing a Summer internship, probably unpaid. Close?
Nothing personal here, we just get tired of folks looking to us for answers that they should be able to find for themselves, with a little effort..
Now, you can’t say that we ignored you, we always respond to our site’s visitors. Doubt if you’ve even been there.
We suspect you will not get much cooperation from most legitimate nudists, tittilation is not our thing. But we have no doubt you’ll be able to dredge something juicy up somewhere.
OK, you can have this much: Go to All Nudist (this is the condensed version), on the top bar find Groups/Orgs, under Wisconsin you’ll find some clubs and destinations. Suggest Friends of Mazo Beach, they have the greatest impact in the state.
Fair ’nuff? Be glad to help you after you do your homework, consulting fee $75.00/hr, one hour minimum. Or…maybe a promo on the show…
Otherwise, read the damn website and learn more than you need to know. Remember, everything on the site is copyrighted. If you want to quote from it, we’ll talk.
Of course, you may direct folks to it absolutely free! 
“
Finally, Their final Response to us: (Think we may have ruffled some feathers…)
“Angie and Steve—
“Your email was completely unexpected and uncalled-for. I have worked on ‘Bizarre Foods’ for more than two years, speaking with people in all corners of the world, and I have never encountered anyone with such a negative reaction to a few simple questions. There are plenty of friendly people in Wisconsin who are happy to work with us; we will get a great show without including naturism.”
So, let’s hear from you! Too harsh? Is it too much to expect someone to do a little basic research so at least they have some idea of what they’re talking about? Don’t they know about GOOGLE?
Filed under: Nudist News, Political/Social
Do it. Andrew Zimmern is always respectful of other cultures. I wouldn’t be surprised if he got naked with everyone else. This is a great opportunity for naturists, don’t let it get away. nudiarist
I don’t watch this show, it doesn’t really appeal to me because I usually only watch sports or the history channel or the learning channel. Interesting they couldn’t find the nude gardening place, I’ve seen it around before for several years. Matter of fact, I garden nude myself when our Great NW weather allows it!
I feel it is up to the people involved to make the decision as to whether they want to be filmed. Publicity may not be what they want and may not need.
I’d say go for it — but it doesn’t seem like a bizarre culture, it’s just a few farmers who work comfortably. I think if he wants a story, he should go to VVRC’s Nude Car Show. It’s a lot more people and a lot more going on.
If they want more info on the organic gardeners, they should contact TNS. There was a story in N about them a few years back, and their picture was on the cover. They can also maybe find a bigger event to cover once they are talking with TNS.
There’s nothing bizarre about nudism. However, the show could focus on the bizarre people who regard nudism as bizarre.
It’s sad that our mainstream media and our society in general believes that nude gardening might be unexpected, unusual or bizarre.
While they might present the subject in a positve light, the “Bizarre World” title adds a certain stigma. Like when NatGeo did the show on nudity in their “Taboo” series. They presented it well, stuck with the facts,and didn’t say anything negative but they still conveyed the idea that ndism, and by associatioan, nudists, were outside mainstream society and a little strange.
As well-intentioned as their motives might be, the media looks for the weirness factor. I’ve never seen the other Andrew Zimmerman show, so I could be talking out my other orifice. Just adding my 2 cents, for what it’s worth.
Reply now posted on ‘Bizarre’
Maybe a tad rough, I dunno. I really can’t understand how a show claims to be respectful of other “cultures” when they’re labeled as bizarre in the show’s title? I enjoy programming about other cultures but do we need to label them as bizarre or taboo right from the beginning? But I guess that boosts ratings. ( I’m sure American culture is ‘bizarre’ to most of the world. It sure is bizarre to me.)
I’m not of the opinion that anything in the media that uses nudity in some way that doesn’t outright ‘dis’ us is necessary good.
Yeah, Steve, it’s too harsh. I’m not sure if leaving naturism out of the show would be good for naturism or not. On one hand, it’s a way to promote naturism. On the other, it’s adding a label of bizarre. Nudiarist thought it’s a good thing and he apparently knows the show.
Also, you never mentioned the organic farmers they are looking for on your site — so how are they supposed to find it?
Please send this to them: The naturist organic farmers are talked about in The Naturist Society’s (TNS) N magazine issue 26.2. It’s the Rising Sun Farm near River Falls, WI. Please call or email TNS for further contact details and a copy of the magazine.
Thanks for the opinion, A.N. As it happens, I did give them enough info to easily find that out. Also, they did not refer to any specific group, apparently never heard of TNS, and never even Googled ‘nudist groups in Wisconsin’, or anything else. They had done zero research and were looking for easy answers.
If a High School kid came here for help on a paper, I would give them the same advice. Learn to research your own material. Then come here for comment or confirmation. I would expect more from ‘professionals’.
As for their program, I don’t believe I have come any closer to understanding or appreciating a culture by watching them eat raw monkey brains or slurp down fertilized eggs. I don’t fault them for their customs, but it sure doesn’t make me want to kiss them on the mouth!
Exploitation is what it is, not anything noble. If they want to find someone naive enough to trust them, they can do some research and find them on their own.
Should they do this program, and I approve of it, I shall do pennence and go a full 24 hours wearing clothes, post an apology, and mail them one too. I’m not worried.
The audience that wants to see people eat worms is not going to be entertained by seeing ordinary folks, being ordinary. They’ll come for the naked women, you can be sure of that!
I can’t believe you responded so unprofessionally. This would have been a great opportunity for nudism/naturism and you blew it.
Have any of you ever seen Andrew Zimmern’s show? You need to watch it. This man loves unusual cultures, he samples foods that most people would retch at the mere sight of. He’s friendly, gregarious, and completely respectful of the cultures he encounters.
To most people, nudists are taboo, or bizarre. The only way to overcome that stigma is to be open minded to the inquiries of those who do not understand. Steve’s reply was hostile and consescending, completely the opposite of what nudists and naturists are supposed to be.
As the other half of Steve & Angie I agree with those who thought Steve’s response was a bit harsh. After re-reading it I also see it sounding hostile & condescending. I myself was a little astounded at his response.
I usually read his posts before he publishes but not this time. We usually have a spirited discussion and he either publishes it as is or does some thoughtful revisions.
He loves your comments and critisism – so keep it coming in case I miss reading his blogs before you do.