Jaunted

Charles, if you're reading this, please realize that the vitriol you've brought out of the vast majority of anonymous commenters on WorldHum, Twitter, and elsewhere means you are succeeding. You've been called "diarrhea," a high school girl, and a candidate for abortion by people who think you were "rude." Isn't that special? I, for one, appreciated the way you gave voice to your thoughts. The National Geographic Traveler guy *was* a bit of a dork (in a good way). Shira *was* a shameless self-promoter (and a fine blogger). And mosquitoes *are* annoying, so now I'll know to bring along some insect repellent on my trip. These are just three examples of completely true statements that you were crucified for. I think many of these readers would prefer the kind of uncritical PR flackery that the Travel Channel devotes most of its airtime to (Sexiest Beaches, Cruises We Love!, anyone?). Yay, everything is wonderful, and to say otherwise would be culturally insensitive and make you sound entitled. Keep up the good work, Charles, and don't let the criticism get you down. The bleating masses will always have their Pablum. The rest of us can deal with incisive - and occasionally coarse - commentary.

This is what I think: Good Concept. Bad Host.
http://www.shannonlane.com/confessions-of-a-travel-writer/

You are doing this for a living, many people would be willing to swap jobs in a NY minute! So other journalists are different? SO WHAT? You are the wrong business, should be writing obits...

Snarky is fine within limits (see Anthony Bourdaine), but when Bourdaine changes perspective, he admits he was dumb or prejudged without sufficient experience. Otherwise, I like the diversity of goals of the five writers. Provides more perspectives on a place. I would prefer new hosts and writers each week.

Confessions of a Travel Writer could easily win my attention on a regular basis if Charles was replaced. Traveling about discovery and keeping an open-minded and practicing patience with all elements and types of people. Charles discredited himself as a genuine traveler with his negative commentary, sour attitude and judgmental disposition. It is hard to believe that Patagonia could have an ugly side, but Charles managed to create one. On the plus side, Shira schooled the old-timers with current, down-to-earth reporting void of any snobbery that shows the real future of journalism. As a writer myself, I was happy to discover Jaunted and watch Shira take Chile by storm. Bravo!

good idea of a show, but Charlie dampens the spirit of the venture. So many other possibilities of an interesting and visually stimulating host and you have to end up with that idiot? Does he every have anything nice to say? He should end up in another profession, like psychotheraphy....

Charles, what others fail to appreciate is that you are honest enough to turn that quick witted, laser like perception on yourself, as well as others. Honesty will always have its critics. Although, you may want to remember what Mark Twain said, "If you're going to tell the truth, better make it funny, otherwise they'll you."

I was thoroughly entertained and enlightened by your commentary and point of view. However, I think the producers may want to sprinkle you in just a tad more lightly in coming episodes. Allow us to catch our breaths between punches. When I laughed too much, I missed some of the show!

I saw and watched Confessions Of A Travel Writer with my wife. While I am a travel writer and know some or most of the inside lingo, she is clueless to it and honestly does not like to travel. So it was interesting to watch as she looked at me and said, "not all of your friends are like that douche host are they?" Nope...they are not. Which brings me to my thoughts on the show. Great idea...love it big time. I could definitely become a fan of a show that travels to a new destination each week and chronicles the travel writer's good sides and bad. But the host Charles Runnette just came off as a miserable and holier than though travel snob. Checking other writer's rooms to make sure that they did not get a better one? Really? Oh and anyone that does not like penguins has a major screw loose.

I've just started my career as a writer, and God knows I would kill to be in the position of ANY of the writers on COATW. However, if I had to spend any significant amount of time with Charles Runnette, I would probably stab myself in the eye. Maybe it's the editing (yeah right), but geezus, could he have been more of a d-bag? His egocentric personality made me love some of the other writers, just out of pure defensiveness. Some of whom would have probably driven me bonkers otherwise. Charles, I can see why you tend to make a lot of enemies on these trips. Pray that they are all as light-hearted as this bunch.

Caught the Chile part of the show by accident last night. I enjoyed it and will watch it or record in the future. Interesting concept and format. Charles is an engaging host - knowledgeable, opinionated and well spoken. And anyone who says they don't compare their hotel room to fellow traveler's is lying!

@AndrewBrooklynNomad: The most popular story from Shira's Chile jaunt, based on page views: http://bit.ly/18BT3X Yup, that's right. Anyone who grew up in New England and remembers the old NE Aquarium commercial knows that penguins = eyeballs -- "I can walk like a penguin"...

One wouldn't expect to be thrilled with every aspect of their travel assignment, but must you be downright rude? You may have been attempting to dodge your fellow writers, but I suspect they won't be in any hurry to spend time listening to your sarcasm, pompous comments either. Neither will I ... Travel Channel, please find a new host if you continue this series.

I recognize what was going on with Charles, he's burned out and has somewhat lost perspective that it could be worse. I am burned out at work and just tired, and occasionally whine. That's why I watch Reality TV, to ESCAPE MY REALITY! I respect and can get used to opinionated people, I like Anthony Bourdain. I don't agree with him often, but I like him. I watch him because he isn't me, he does things that I don't do. I don't however like more whiners, and that's how Charles struck me. If I need whining, I'll whine to my wife.

It is about time The Travel Channel aired a show with a little heart and opinion. Don't leave it all to A. Bourdain. I applaud all of the hosts, especially Charles..he was at least entertaining and engaging. You can tell from watching he is an intelligent, well-traveled gentleman full of character and heart...that is not often seen in today's world of instant celebrity.

Just plain painful to watch. It made everyone look bad. As my wife said pointing to the "reality show" characters who made travel writers seem like whining self-indulged children: "dweeb, dork, nerd, princess, bitch..." No value whatsoever unless you want to see how people are herded into press trips and fail to interact with the locals in any meaningful way. Could the narrator be any more pretentious and obnoxious: "If they had seen my writing credits, they would give me a better room..." FU man! You could at least attempt to speak a bit of Spanish! The ugly American x10. And that blogger. Who cares about her narcissism? "Reality TV" is cheap to make and cheapens the human beings who participate in the bogus scenarios. No decent travel writer would ever appear on such a charade.

Stumbled across the program last night and was pleasantly surprised. I love traveling and Chile is on my list of places to see. I will not go to the penguin island I will assure you. The first 5 minutes I was not sure if I liked Charles or not. Outcome, I loved him. I am looking forward to many more of his upcoming adventures. To me the combination of writers was fine. Each had something to give, some more than others of course, and one (Shira) a bit to vain. Looking forward to upcoming new episodes.

I thought the show was accurate. Don't feel like Charles is getting fair treatment online today: http://insathope.blogspot.com/

thought the show was great, Charles told it like he saw it, i would have liked to hear more from the other people on the trip too. thought the idea of jaunted was great would never have found this site if not for the show. I like the idea of Shira blogging as she went along and having fun. yes we have all been put in the worst room in a hotel / hostel at one pint in our travel lifes and no not everyone knows or cares who you are when you complain so we get over it and besides your not there to spend time in your room. Your there to explore and discover someplace you have never been before.

I appreciated Charles as the host of the show. For those people who tune into the Travel Channel to see nothing but perfectly sunny beaches and trips of a lifetime, that's not always what travel is about. I like that the show gave us a different perspective on travel without skewing it to appear as if everything went perfectly. Honestly, I probably would've had Charles' attitude in many of the places he visited: "OK, look at the cute penguins, it smells like crap here, let's get off this island." I want an honest opinion like that from someone. I don't want to spend a lot of $$ taking a nightmare boat trip only to discover that 5 minutes on the island was all I wanted to spend of my time there.

There's hope for America if so many people noticed what a big jerk Charles was. The others were pretty cool though...

will there be more episodes?

I loved the show and, except for the host, want more, more, more.