Pretend It’s a City

Short of transcribing the entire series, I can’t describe why I want to recommend this Netflix show so highly. “Pretend It’s a City” features the inimitable Fran Lebowitz filmed and interviewed by Martin Scorsese. I am absolutely enamored of her.

There are so many notable quotes. I find myself rewinding and rewatching to catch them. I’m sure I’ve not written them accurately enough to do justice, but here’s some anyway:

• New York is like living in the Ring Cycle.
• There’s a density of angry homosexuals.
• I have news for you, mister baker. If you can say “I’ll have that and a cup of coffee,” that’s not art, it’s a snack.
• Life is challenging enough. If I can get to the dry cleaners without threatening to sue it’s an accomplishment.
• Bears have so many salmon to choose from they just pick and choose the parts they like. It’s like a rustic Russ & Daughters.

I have a lot of personal connections to what Fran says. Her relationship with classical music, the Jewish upbringing to feel like you need to kiss every book that drops on the floor, and that it’s a miracle more people aren’t killed in New York City traffic because we seem to be the only people that don’t cross the street while staring at a phone.

The highest praise I can think of for how hilarious Fran Lebowitz is would be coming this close to getting a spit take from Toni Morrison.

Here’s a beautiful related article: Fran memorializing her and Toni Morrison’s friendship.

Perhaps most importantly, “Pretend It’s a City” was lit by a solid NY crew.

Bowen Yang and Kyle Mooney absolutely nailed their take on this! Hilarious.