Here's the Bourdain Layover video in Paris:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2x9omsWhat everyone said is pretty much spot on. If you have enough lead time and really want to get up the Eiffel tower, try to book a reservation on their official website. I think you may need a good month of lead time, but still really cool and keeps you from having to stand in the crazy lines.
Or, if you want a view of Paris from a high vantage point without the aggressive sellers, massive crowds, and really long lines, go over to the Tour Montparnasse.