You know what’s really cool about New Yorkers. In the past five years or so, I’ve probably seen 15 or 20 celebrities in my neighborhood, and not once have I seen someone pester them or ask them for their autograph. New Yorkers know what it’s like to be annoyed by people, so I think they don’t generally inflict themselves on celebrities. At least not that I’ve seen.
Lots of celebrities in my nabe on the UWS. I see Jerry Seinfeld, Howard Stern, John McEnroe, Willie the tall guy from Morning Joe, used to see Bobby Canavale when he lived next door, same with one of the Baldwins before he made the move to Suma.
Two good celebrity stories. First, long time ago, before I met my wife, on a first date, going to the arty Lincoln Plaza theaters over on Broadway in the lower sixties. Going to see some Chinese language movie. But got to the theater late and it was crowded. No seats together. So we see that there’s two seats in one row, but on opposite sides of the row. The movie’s about to start, so we don’t bother people to shift over, we just each take a seat apart, but in the same row. But people in the row see what’s happening, and a powerful surge of romanticism takes over — “let’s help the young guy out on his date” — and they all get up and shift over so we can sit together. Only one person protests, fighting it until she gives up, exasperated. Barbra Streisand.
Second, a few years ago, I was walking on 83rd street, going east from Amsterdam toward the Park. Walking towards me is Jerry Seinfeld, who I used to see all the time. He’s carrying a “Banana Republic” bag as he walks west from Columbus. Not a big deal, but here’s why I like this story. He lived on Central Park West, so he’s walking away from home. There’s a Banana Republic at 86th and Broadway, which was probably where he was going. So why was he carrying a bag? Probably because he was returning something that someone got him at Banana Republic. And that’s why I love this story. It’s nice to know a guy like Seinfeld, who is worth a gajillion dollars, still takes the time to schlep back to the store to return a sweater that’s a little too big for him.
