Ready? Set? Let’s begin the mad tale of my Travel Channel co-hosting gig!

As you’ll recall, I was whisked to Tokyo in early October to be a guide on Andrew Zimmern’s popular new show, Bizarre World (airing in 75 countries!). The producers read my book Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants and saw the cross-dressing shenanigans on my blog, and somehow decided this was a good idea…

I can’t give away everything that happened… but we shot some vivid scenes in the heart of Shibuya. The program is called Bizarre World, so naturally, I dressed the part. What do you think of Outfit #1?

Fake roses: from Daiso
Leather lace-up demi corset: from a Goth shop in Seattle’s Capitol Hill
Skirt with strawberries: from AC/DC in Harajuku
Shiny red Lolita boots: Metamorphose temps de fille

I’m a lucky ducky. Andrew Zimmern is welcoming, upbeat, curious, enthusiastic… everything a travel host should be.

Nervous? No way. I ham it up on YouTube in my spare time. But it was a step up the ladder to be miked and have two cameramen, a field producer, a sound man and production assistant on hand.

Next, the denizens of the Tokyo underground join us in decadent dress… and we invade a mental hospital jail restaurant! There’s no need to wait until the show airs to see the madness; you can find photos and stories of Tokyo’s wildest theme cafes in my new book. (Details and ordering info here.)

Song of the Day #216: Valerie Dore – Get Closer (suggested by Sebastien)