His research on the neuroscience of aesthetics suggests that people crave the human touch. “If they think something is made by a person, they like it more; if they think it’s made by a machine they don’t like it.” He does not mention Twinkies. Or the late Joan Rivers. Presented with the Viñoly Foundation.
This scholar says, “What made American fashion different is that it was to be wearable, comfortable, practical.” But not on the red carpet at the Oscars, she did not add. We spoke in conjunction with her exhibition Art X Fashion currently at the Museum at FIT.
She joined the NY Times in 1997 and rose to executive editor, the first to hold that rank who has acknowledged her tattoos, as well as being our first guest to have written books about both a supreme court justice and her own puppy. Among her current activities, she is a guest lecturer at Harvard. … Continue reading »
She was a film critic for The Village Voice, New York and Vogue, and has written for the Times, the New York Review of Books and, well, everywhere. In this episode, she speaks insightfully about the tension between being an ambitious intellectual and a genteel southern gal: oh yes, she started out as a gal. … Continue reading »
He came to public attention as a co-founder of Spy magazine and later as the editor-in-chief of New York magazine. The author of three novels, he is the host and co-creator of the public radio program Studio 360. Plus, music from Peter Gordon and Ned Sublette. Big doings at the Brooklyn Historical Society. PERSON: Gene Shallit … Continue reading »
A journalist, playwright and essayist, he is perhaps best known in America for the novels The Master and Brooklyn. His 2012 novel, The Testament of Mary was short-listed for the Man Booker Prize and was adapted as a play, produced on Broadway with Fiona Shaw. His newest novel is Nora Webster. We were joined by … Continue reading »
Actor Jessica Hecht has appeared on Broadway in Julius Caesar, Harvey and A View From the Bridge, for which she received a Tony nomination. Among her Off-Broadway work, Stage Kiss by Sarah Ruhl, whose other plays include In the Next Room, or the vibrator play; The Clean House; and Passion Play – productions swiftly followed by … Continue reading »
She is in her 25th season as artistic director of the McCarter Theatre, and her work has been seen, well, everywhere. In 2012, she directed A Streetcar Named Desire on Broadway. Among her own plays: Still Life and Having Our Say. We convened at the Princeton Public Library along with our musical guest, fiddle player … Continue reading »
He is a songwriter who’s won an Oscar, 3 Grammies and 2 Golden Globes for hits like “We’ve only Just Begun” and “Rainy Days and Mondays.” Her TV and film scripts include Confessions of a Shopaholic for Jerry Bruckheimer. They are the co-authors of Gratitude and Trust: Six Affirmations that will Change Your Life. We spoke at Glenn … Continue reading »
Poet, essayist, and naturalist, she is the author of two dozen works of nonfiction and poetry, including A Natural History of the Senses and, most recently, The Human Age We convened at Poets house, along with musical guest Maeve Gilchrist on the lever harp. PERSON:Antonina Zabinski PLACE: Camp Pinemere THING: Squirrel anaesthesia mask RANDY’S THING: … Continue reading »
Her Pulitzer-winning reporting on a New Orleans hospital battered by Katrina became the basis of her terrific book, Five Days at Memorial. And just two days before our conversation, she won another Pulitzer as part of the team doing Ebola coverage for the Times. She goes to places sensible people avoid and writes about them astutely. … Continue reading »
Having endured the rigors of med school and growing up Jewish in Oklahoma, she has written a collection of stories, American Innovations, and a splendid novel, Atmospheric Disturbances. She is conversant with both literature and science, the intellectual equivalent of jeans and formal wear, although I’m unsure which is akin to which. Plus music by … Continue reading »
As we enter the post-Letterman era, two of his long-time writers reflect on their decades with the show. Gerry started writing for him in 1978 when Dave guest-hosted the Tonight Show. Steve started on the NBC show in 1990 and soldiered on through the final broadcast at CBS. I worked with – and admire – … Continue reading »
He joined the Times in 2000 and is now a chief movie critic. It’s tough to write about critics; they generally do not have lives teeming with event. And movie critics? They sit in the dark and watch something then sit at a desk and write about it. And in Scott’s case, talk about it … Continue reading »