The outspoken Fran Lebowitz

Most writers write; Fran Lebowitz talks. The opinionated essayist and raconteur sits down with correspondent Mo Rocca to discuss the reaction of her parents to her outspoken manner; why she still smokes; and her thoughts on gay marriage.
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[@Cathy-xi8cb]

Fran is outrageous, opinionated, and sharp as a tack. You might not agree with her, but you aren't going to be bored. Ever.

[@bm4114]

She makes my blood boil, and at 40 that’s not healthy 🤣

[@edgarohito4662]

I'm pretty bored. Kinda tired of Seinfeld-eqsue New Yorkers lol

[@aabracadavra]

For someone who gets bored easily, and also has adhd, Fran is the antidote. I can listen to her for days, which is more or less what I've actually been doing.

[@ellieg9099]

@@bm4114 You need to take a B M maybe... She rocks

[@likewaterforcoffee1570]

I can listen to her speak forever! She’s everything we need.

[@nazarkgb1]

“I never loved Hemingway. I’m my opinion there’s such a thing as too butch”. Wtf that’s her best line!

[@ktsillin]

"I don't know, but I'll tell you this" Classic Fran

[@nickbarcheck1019]

This woman is absolutely brilliant.

[@ncjeffhyder]

I absolutely hate cigarette smoke and I can smell it a mile away. Then I get an instant headache. But yes fran, you are loved.

[@sambrownsings]

She’s not “outspoken”, she’s right.

[@adonaiyah2196]

I hope so

[@joebarr725]

Is it possible to be both?

[@richmoves]

Two words: She's fabulous! 🧡

[@MiissAlexandraMakeup]

I simply cannot not love her! She's brilliant! Hilarious! And honest! She has more personality than half of the population alive

[@sharonolsen6579]

I absolutely LOVE this woman ! Great interview .. Could have been an hour long and I still would have thought it too short..

[@mililaniman]

I want to read a book of her essays now. She sounds very honest and funny.

[@sambrownsings]

You won’t regret it!

[@IntriguedLioness]

I discovered a copy of Fran Lebowitz's "social studies" when I was a young girl in Britain... I believe I was approximately 10 years old. It molded me. It taught me that was okay to have opinions and to voice those opinions. That book even shaped my humour, and that's coming from a wry, sardonic British family .. years later when I found myself in Manhattan .. that same humour helped me fit in in a city I love so much Every now and then I'll go online to try to find a reasonably priced copy of "social studies", just to revisit that pocket sized book. A good copy averages $100-$300+ .. that says a lot about out-of-print books but also about Fran Lebowitz's truth. Thank you for this piece, Mo was perfect for this assignment.

[@Beckola11]

Lucky you! Of all books to run across at the age of 10 or so. I grew up in a 2 story bookshop and ran across many amazing books. Fran's wasn't one of them. I understand how it could prime you for New York City!

[@IntriguedLioness]

@@Beckola11 Lucky you! To grow up around so many books in the Bookshop! I was lucky that my family, and my father in particular read nonfiction with poetry and books of history mainly. Cultural anthropology was also a common theme, hence Fran!

[@Beckola11]

@@IntriguedLioness How cool. I wonder what your family dinner conversations were like. It's fun to imagine. I think it's a wonderful way to bring up kids, surrounded by books. At a young age I ventured on my own at a young age to read nonfiction and autobiographies I don't care for the kindle at all! I just can't do it . I love the feel of a book, the smell of books and they bring a security to me. I wonder how Fran feels about kindle. I wonder how you feel about Kindle! If you've not checked it out yet, the collaboration of Fran with David Letterman thru the years is a great KZbin to watch. I've got a feeling you'd like it too. She was very, very funny. Allot of one word answers was all she gave and all we needed. She was also gorgeous in past decades.

[@fluffyunicorn57]

Yeah, I've found that even niche out of print books often sell for outrageous prices.

[@janespitfire9884]

She is a thinker and I like it!! Go Fran!!

[@mikeywestside8509]

A lesbian who does not support gay marriage and thumbs her nose to the whole lgbt lobby....now that's progressive.

[@carolutley6523]

An icon. So beautiful in her youth

[@jtlovescodelyoko]

After the Netflix Miniserise about her, this women is legendary

[@themarquis336]

Excuse me, she was legendary way before Netflix. Don’t be a simpleton.

[@jtlovescodelyoko]

@@themarquis336 I know, but thanks to Netflix, me and a whole new generation know who she is and her legacy

[@themarquis336]

@@jtlovescodelyoko Well, frankly, you shouldn’t have needed Netflix to learn who Fran Lebowitz is… Pick up a book or read an article online from time to time.

[@againstthepods4316]

@@themarquis336 honey i still dont know. a grouchy bag lady no thanks

[@themarquis336]

@@againstthepods4316 Oh don’t worry. It’s not for you, you’ll never have the smarts to understand Fran Lebowitz. Maybe Ellen Degeneres is more your speed…

[@xxrowtrave23xx]

Now this is a true comedian. She doesnt try to be funny cuz she already is by being herself

[@lisavitale8410]

I heard Fran speak at UCSB years ago now and loved her outspokenness very much!

[@ladanweheliye5688]

Ever since switching to electronic cigarettes I hate the smell of cigarettes, but I'd let Fran chain smoke in my face for hours HAHAHHAHAH

[@jacquelinechristian9090]

MO...when did you turn so gorgeous??? The gray is stunning!.... Even coming from Nash. TN I knew about Fran from the early 80's when I used to love my subscription to Interview! That's where she belonged and was applauded monthly!

[@johnhaggerty4396]

I live in Glasgow, Scotland, a rough old city. I can think of no American writer who would go down so well here as Fran. Lebowitz is Lebowitz is Lebowitz as a rose is a rose is a rose (Gertie Stein).

[@SandyWolf-]

Fran said "I should have had fun in my 20s"🤣🤣🤣🤣Hope your having fun!

[@jtlovescodelyoko]

Yes I am

[@lewstone5430]

I had too much fun in my 30’s, almost blew out a kidney, but I calmed down and lived to tell the tale. Coke is a hella drug!

[@brucelee4996]

@@lewstone5430 Coca-Cola or Cocaine ? They are equally as bad.

[@nickbarcheck1019]

Thanks Fran. I'm in my 20s and having a blast.

[@julieb7785]

Good. Commemorate every year of your life in some meaningful way.

[@honeydumpling1863]

Gosh she’s the best woman I’m 16 yr old from Texas this woman is my icon!!! I want her to go onto more podcasts ,she would be an amazing guest for anyone .

[@Minutemanfan71]

I love Fran! ❤️😎👍🏼 I could listen to her forever! She’s honest and funny.

[@johnIZaUWL]

Fran DESERVED a lot more than six minutes there Mo geez 🙄

[@richyrich3231]

“You’re not entitled to not be annoyed.” Most Americans today need to hear this

[@jaredjlinden]

I saw this interview on TV the other day. I had no idea she was so damned funny. I have to check out her essays.

[@antigonesmith9781]

How great is it that she still seems to bother so many people? (Pretty damn great.)

[@stephaniepersin4145]

She is so entertaining.

[@gsolomonla]

Fran says what other people only dare to think and is brutally honest about bad human behavior. Why do audiences have an unnatural urge to clap for everthing or laugh during live performances, even if the moment does now warrant laughter, because yes they are applauding themsleves and yes, audiences are very uncomfortable in silence or during dramatic plays that tug at the heart, so they laugh at the first word that may even sound humorous to escape, all of which is just a sign of intellectually immaturity that exists as a result of being fed instant happiness from the sitcoms that shaped their adolescence, along with the availablilty of antidepressants that became available in the 80’s, all making it impossible in this generation to concede to feeling or connecting to melancholy in a dramatic play,.

[@amyd7794]

There seems to be something really profound about “I never fought for these issues. I just tried to avoid them.”

[@julieb7785]

The frenzied standing ovations really are a hoot since most Americans are fidgeting, peaking at their phones or dozing within 20 minutes.

[@aaronying4989]

Yea do people even talk or listen or think like normal anymore?? Can’t stand the cell phones

[@mbtvalli]

Words of wisdom.

[@sanfrancisco89]

Knowing myself, I really shouldn't like her at all, but I do. That is what she does to people.

[@genagena127]

Adore her!!

[@vincentmaldon7707]

More Fran please.

[@dantronix1979]

Great interview. Love her.

[@edithlazenby5839]

And I did have fun in my 20s'...I agree FRAN!

[@Karla_Marie]

I always love to hear from Fran Lebowitz. However I will never see the Netflix miniseries because I do not have Netflix.

[@mercedesssg]

The line about Hemingway took me out 😭😭😭😭

[@mickylawless1941]

I feel the same about Hemingway. Just don't care for his writing.

[@lewstone5430]

I love Hemingway but some readers don’t understand, or don’t like, his style, which is fine.

[@GH-oi2jf]

I had a professor who said Hemingway’s titles were better than his books. Great titles.

[@mickylawless1941]

@@lewstone5430 Had a Professor who idolized Hemingway. He taught me a lot. I actually like Hemingways style of writing. His economy of words was really quite amazing. I wanted to like his actual story telling, I just couldn't. But to each their own.

[@as9198]

I agree with w Fran. Too much, too intense. The one book of his I did love was A Moveable Feast.

[@horizon42q]

One of the few people in the world I would love to have dinner with. It would be most memorable

[@zeldasmith6154]

Fran is spectacular but she's a snob. She would probably choose dining alone than with an ordinary person. Andy Warhol didn't like her. She said so. Andy was a big name dropper without naming them. He wanted to be seen with the rich and famous and beautiful. Not a nice person but few are.

[@akayrk]

fran telling it like it is. thank u fran

[@GRehillMusic]

Nobody looks more like their name than her.

[@permagnushaig5937]

More, we want more of Fran 🙏🥰

[@donniemoder1466]

Her recent Netflix series was wonderful and I have found many KZbin videos of her public appearances which are loaded with extemporaneous sharp funny comments/opinions/observation.

[@bybeebooks]

I'm a Fran fan!

[@sandramalone3522]

Love her!!

[@GGiblet]

I love her spirit!💜🌈💜

[@kitcoffey7194]

Sorry Fran hasn't heard of second hand smoke, but her "habit" actually does harm other people.

[@mikeywestside8509]

What she's really saying is that we're living in an age of restrictions and that it's better to be hedonistic. Her body, her choice.

[@GH-oi2jf]

She denies the danger of second-hand smoke, but she’s wrong on that. Witty about everything else, though.

[@kitcoffey7194]

@@mikeywestside8509 "My body, my choice" does not apply to things that are airborne or contagious. If you're going to be quoting that line, you should read some John Stuart Mill for historical context, who said "your rights end when your fist hits my nose."

[@mikeywestside8509]

Your body, my choice My wallet, my choice

[@kimcorreale4067]

She's a hoot!

[@williambirmingham1074]

Fran is amazing. I think it she says it! Lololol! Love her!

[@toddwaters3187]

She gets me.

[@weelass3188]

It's tough to be an opinionated person. Especially a woman. I find that most people I give my opinions to, couldn't care less. Oh well.

[@edithsmom6140]

Me too. I'm thankfully retired from 35 years as a legal secretary. Lawyers love to think themselves the smartest in any room (a few are) so if a secretary gave an opinion, expect the blank stare as a reply. I got past that and gave my opinion anyway. 🤣🤣🤣

[@zeldasmith6154]

@@edithsmom6140 Good for you. Elitism and sexism are devils and they come in many colors and speak different languages but devils they are. And anyone who is smart or even brilliant who hasn't reconciled the two aren't as smart as their law degrees, medical degrees, or stocks declare. But, we do the best we can to maintain our dignity which isn't a walk in the park. Parks where I live are dangerous for people and children.

[@SophieBird07]

Or worse, melt down on you.

[@LadyBug1967]

YEAH I remember one time I said-- I have an idea and it's free. aynd they laughed. THAT'S the best reception I ever got😏, but I still give my ideas away FREE to people who don't know true gold when it smacks them in the face. I think that's true of all of us gals with opinions. DON'T you think?🤗

[@solitarianihilista1454]

"Have fun in your twenties" is good advice. After that it gets tougher with every year.

[@doloreswylie3067]

What a face and when she was younger even more beautiful and her needle sharp mind I could listen to this woman (and wish I could meet her) for hours.

[@TheKittyGirl]

It’s like looking into the future for me tbh

[@kenzocohen4308]

IVE ALWAYS LOVED THIS WOMAN.

[@VEGANSAM]

Such a wonderful spokesperson for cancer & 2nd had smoke...

[@Beckola11]

Who cares, let alone the woman herself, I just gotta say, God I love Fran Lebowitz~

[@Kat-fr3jn]

I ❤️ Fran. Except the bit about cigarettes. I am not “annoyed” by smoke. I can’t breathe. She ought to try not breathing and see how “annoying” it is. And that is completely bypassing the whole lung cancer thing.

[@mikeywestside8509]

I can understand what she means. When I was a smoker it didn't bother me until I was smelling someone else's smoke.

[@nanlev613]

People have the right to smoke but when someone signed a contract to live in a non smoking apartment complex and they violate the terms of the lease by smoking, I struggle to be compassionate.

[@kitcoffey7194]

@@nanlev613 Yeah because THE RENT IS TOO DAMN HIGH to be smelling other people's noxious tobacco!

[@nanlev613]

I know!!! And I’m effing stuck living in this dump I live in! Rent is too high where I live! I have an upper respiratory condition so I live here BECAUSE it’s non smoking but people do what they want they don’t think about other people they just do whatever they want even if it causes someone else problems. I’m considerate; for example the music I blast is on my headphones because I don’t want to disturb other people but not everyone thinks like that.

[@notagain779]

@@mikeywestside8509 , 😂 Yes, that's kind of like not even noticing when your dog is barking, but you can't stand that neighbor's dog barking! That's exactly what's happening right now between two dog owner neighbors of mine!

[@colleen6050]

It's not just a bad habit. It is killing you and is potentially causing harm to those around you. Hey, I'm a former smoker and quit over 30 years ago. Get off your high horse and quit. I'm also a hospice RN. I promise you, Fran, you do not want to die of lung disease. It's horrible.

[@mikeywestside8509]

Isn't it funny how a lot of pot shops are springing up all over our country yet no one gives a damn about the health concerns of smoking that stuff but when it comes to cigarettes it's like armageddon.

[@GH-oi2jf]

@@mikeywestside8509 - It is not funny. I think pot shops are a blight and a sign of decay of civilization (one of many).

[@psps2034]

@@mikeywestside8509 Smoking causes FAR more destruction than doing weed, assuming youre not doing weed every hour of everyday. Smoking wrecks your body, which is fine, but it also puts enormous strain on the health service of every nation, which therefore impacts everyone else.

[@nickbarcheck1019]

She's so right about gay marriage and gays in the military. Not being able to marry and not being able to join the military used to be the best parts about being gay.

[@okboomer1340]

I'm not supposed to like Fran. I'm Catholic. Male. Straight. Conservative. But I love her. The writer in me loves her. I feel like buying a pack of cigs right now.

[@mikeywestside8509]

She was fantastic in the documentary The Booksellers.

[@stefan1713]

What is the name of the song that plays during the last 30 seconds?

[@nomadicroadrat]

Two incomparables, Leibowitz and Rocca, too short an interview. More please.

[@docmccoy95]

How much can closed captions cost?

[@brucelee4996]

Top Comment 💎

[@MadMan07712]

We must have shared parents. “Look it up.” “May I.”

[@Rob_Kates]

Her Netflix show is outstanding.

[@Monster_Mover_Stocks]

I get a kick out of her and enjoy listening to her, but she's dead wrong about smoking merely being viewed as an "annoyance". You might have the right to casually annoy people, but you don't have the right to endanger their lives via your secondhand smoke.

[@kitcoffey7194]

Louder for the Libertarians in the back

[@aaronying4989]

Oh please you’re not going to die from a tiny bit of smoke. I personally like the smell. Lol

[@LadyBug1967]

@@aaronying4989 MAY your Heaven be filled with second hand smoke, in that case.😚

[@cpkay33]

the best

[@pamparker4047]

So is true to her arts

[@laurencegoldman4639]

This seems like a dated interview. When was this actually recorded?

[@serajmehrabkhani7333]

Agree with alot that she says

[@cryptojuan5897]

Smoke it up babe.

[@samlee727]

Omg I though thst was Linda hunt that Playing on NCIS LA

[@hocktooey]

Demon Box in the background. I wonder if she's read it. Nice placement--I like that book.

[@daydayh7671]

She is amazing.. can't wait to read about this young woman

[@quietyoutrash8150]

I love her cigarette smoking shes so funny too

[@Norvo82]

"I think, in my opinion, there is such a thing as 'too butch'..." is an underrated, ironic line coming from Fran.

[@RenzoVodka]

Well I had fun since I was like 15. I'm almost 32 now and she's right. You gotta have it.

[@rockyboy623]

In my 30s I said I should have fun earlier. So there you go.

[@c.s.mcleod7383]

*WTF* hasn't Larry David had her in Curb Your Enthusiasm???

[@petekdemircioglu]

Ahaha! Shes super 👏👏👏👏

[@The-queen-is-dead-england]

I love her simple as that lol

[@californianorma876]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Lebowitz. Just one comment - cigarette smoke exposure prompts a strep throat attack for me. Pot smoke, no problem. Tobacco second hand - strep throat. So I stand up wind. But cannot be inside with tobacco smoke.

[@cynthiastipeche4356]

Keep on smoking, Fran! ❤

[@galeweaver790]

She thinks smoking is just a bad habit. I have never smoked but was diagnosed with asthma in my 50's from second-hand smoke. I've been taking medication for it for 15 years and have 87% usage of my lungs. I'm 70 now and recently had to have a lung biopsy. Thank goodness I didn't have lung cancer. Smokers have never cared about the harm they cause others.

[@LadyBug1967]

Well put. WHEN I walk by them, I steer clear of them and I make it very obvious that I think they are contagious and foul and should not be associated with!😐 If I were in New York and fran was my friend, I would have a very big problem and probably could only go to places where smoking was ABSOLUTELY forbidden and otherwise I'd put on a I95 mask when walking in the street with her smoking which might give her a laugh if she TRULY doesn't think it's a foul addiction but rather just a nasty habit.

[@lindascanlan6317]

Adore Fran..

[@XX-zk2lf]

Fran 2024

[@Zincink]

I didn't know she was from NJ and her manners comment was funny cause I've heard the same thing.

[@cr7dz207]

Hi can you please send me the book to read the 6 thanks🙏🇩🇿

[@jeffepstein4138]

Save your BITCOIN.

[@makeitmakesense2616]

Shes annoying but after watching her Netflix special, i get it, i like, and as a coney island baby of the early 80s, she quintessential New York - a rare and dying bred

[@jtlovescodelyoko]

Exactly

[@BroadwayBabyyy744]

Looovve fran

[@edwardjnarrojr3135]

I love you 💗

[@CarlosMartinez-bz7ut]

Poner subtítulos

[@jbt6007]

LOVE HER LOVE HER LOVE HER.

[@joybeans10]

I love her and I only visited NYC once 😁💚

[@rebeccarpwebb4132]

I just heard they fill her room with cigs before she even gets there. I volunteer to help with that . This news is very near to my heart literally, I smoke and it's just what I do . Please stop picking on me about it ,it's who I am . Just as u are who u are and I don't object . Franz I'm very glad to find out more about you , just by chance . Going to look up your writings and see what your about .I'm glad I'm not alone .as a smoker for 30 yrs it's just my vice as we all have a vice.

[@aaronying4989]

Which room?? Like hotel room or the room where she’s speaking

[@rebeccarpwebb4132]

Her office and home I assume . Does it matter

[@LadyBug1967]

Becky we have NO problem with you smoking just so long you don't involve us with it by making us breathe in your second hand smoke. SO you do it on your own in a room or walking in the street but not in the continual presence of another human being who has to also breathe the god-given air that we all share

[@000_x9]

The smoking thing annoyed me. Its a public health hazard. If you can find a place to enjoy your cigarette without effecting anyone else, then fine. But that usually is not the case. Your pleasure effects someone elses health. I am speaking as an ex smoker, daughter of a retired tobacco salesman, who died of lung cancer at 63.

[@michaelcalibri3620]

Agreed, if cigarette smoke is just an annoyance than I can own a full scale factory that emits the exact toxins cigarettes do in the center of NYC and flood the air with boatloads of the fumes and it'll just be an annoyance.

[@mikeywestside8509]

Her body, her choice

[@Ri57490]

@@mikeywestside8509 Yes, so she can smoke outside or in her home. Not in a public room where other people can breathe in the smoke

[@mikeywestside8509]

@@Ri57490 suck it up snowflake