Who's afraid of Fran Lebowitz? | all about women 2018

Celebrated author, humourist and contrarian Fran Lebowitz, beloved for her sardonic brand of cultural commentary, brought her bracing wit to Sydney Opera House's All About Women Festival for an evening of candid conversation about cultural nostalgia. Lebowitz is in conversation with Josh Zepps.
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[@ryanskelton7888]

I saw her on the 6 train once and she sat down beside me. I became so nervous trying to formulate a quick statement about how her commentary on how the AIDS crisis of the 80s and 90s ruined art and culture(because the most talented ppl were the ppl who got laid a lot and this died of AIDS.) blew my mind. I said that to her and she said “I can’t hear you”. 😂😂😂 ....I repeated it, and she simply said thank you. I then got off the train 2 stops before I planned to so I could go out on a high note. Love her so much.

[@bp9808]

Awesome post!

[@johnhegge8796]

AMAZING❗ WE, MUST NEVER SPEAK OF THIS ~ AGAIN.😜

[@21972012145525]

I don’t get it. Was your commentary in agreement or in opposition?

[@LaoZi2023]

@@21972012145525 , he clearly said that her comment "blew my mind." I.e., he liked her statement. And he inferred that he told her so.

[@ghostassoc]

Yeah i am confused about your comment.

[@clairefernanda]

"I write so slowly, I could write in my own blood without hurting myself." OMG, Fran is hysterical.

[@JeffreyGillespie]

Brilliant.

[@evelynbaron2004]

yes she is. I love the surreal comedy of Monty Python but Fran just breaks all the rules, essential!

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Funniest line of the evening.

[@mpg3946]

The world needs Lebowitz. Now more than ever. She's the best.

[@MarinaB63]

Yes she is!! 👍💖

[@beatricekarbaumer-jones6514]

As a former teacher, I can say that some of my smartest, most insightful students were not always the best students in school. If I had had her in class, FL would have given me ulcers and sleepless nights trying to figure out how to keep her motivated but I would have loved having her there and the challenge she posed...a critical thinker who loves to talk, who questions what she sees and hears but who is also a good listener.

[@pam0626]

Beatrice Karbaumer-Jones I agree. I imagine it is the regimentation of school which makes them hate it. People like Fran don’t like busy-work: they want to sit in silence and think.

[@purenkool2011]

I adored my high school teachers (most of them) but I was unmotivated, distracted and bored. I managed to get through high school and university too. Teachers were my role models, my favourite people and I enjoyed conversing with them after class. Great teachers are fascinating human beings, who are very generous to share their life experiences. I will always think of my teachers with heartfelt gratitude and adulation. 🥰🤗🌹

[@brywheatley864]

Agree, she couldn’t be more wrong on this. I like her but there are many things she speaks about she has no real knowledge about and yet a strong opinion which lacks empathy. I believe this lack of empathy allows her to be so snappy and decisive.

[@briandemello]

She seems kind of dumb to me, despite her ability to talk. In another interview she said she didn’t worry about Trump because she didn’t think he had a chance at becoming president. She also said Bernie Sanders was a fraud. The most honest man I’ve seen in presidential politics. And she adores Hilary Clinton, one of the most despised women’s in the country. And for good reasons. I didn’t bother listening to this after watching the other one, but thought I would throw this out to all her admirers here. Mainly because of her attack an Sanders. Being a critical thinker does not mean making ad hominem personal attacks on good people. She reminds me of a liberal gadfly, similar to Trump. Only Trump got elected president. Now he can get the job done of destroying our country. She’s still just a gadfly.

[@HRHDMKYT]

@@briandemello I have to disagree, Brian. Although she may have been making a snap judgement about Bernie Sanders, I heard Fran say in an interview she didn't trust him because he left NYC at age 18 (to move to Vermont). Since most young people in the U.S. are trying to escape their boring suburban lives to move to an exciting city like New York, it makes one suspicious of anyone who would do the opposite. It's all tongue-in-cheek. Fran's not an elected official, she owes no one any favours, so she can be as vocally critical about elected officials in her country as she likes. It's called freedom of speech. Giving her opinion is how Fran makes her living. People wouldn't ask if they didn't want to know. I also disagree with you that Hilary Clinton is hated by all. She's hated by some people, many because she is an educated, intelligent, successful woman. Some dislike her because she stayed with her husband despite his serial philandering & sexual harassment. But those are his character flaws, not Hilary's. She's a very smart woman, and had she been acknowledged as the true winner of the 2016 election, at least 150,000 more Americans would be alive right now than are. Because she's smart enough to know that during a pandemic, you have to heed the advice of scientists.

[@robertbarnier45]

I feel that no matter how good the interviewer is Fran does not need them. Just let her talk

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Yep, she could blow off a couple of hours of nothing but audience questions without any of the inane preamble.

[@lindabuonline]

I always love Fran. The fact that the interviewer is so full of mundane common sense is a great backdrop for Fran's sparkling wits.

[@kingsleysaxon9710]

You mean mundane nonsense right?

[@ajarnwordsmith628]

The Ying & the Yang

[@littleonekat]

What a legend, lucky are we to have her share her brilliance with us.

[@passionatebraziliangirl.4801]

I love Fran Lebowitz she is an authentic thinker and hilarious.

[@mikeparker7631]

One of the most worthless twits that ever drew breath. An utterly vile and worthless communist who is disgusted that America is digging itself out of the pit that her and her masters have spent decades digging for it.

[@AlvaSudden]

@@mikeparker7631: You ain't the first red-state incel punk who doesn't like Fran Liebowitz.

[@mikeparker7631]

@@AlvaSudden Of course not....no rational, thinking, moral, caring human being has anything but disgust for the shrill, liberty hating, man despising, whiny sellout of all that is female. Never said I was.

[@mgb5170]

I bet Fran would love this note

[@hotmarriedgays]

she makes me proud to be a new yorker.

[@pomeranianchannel]

she makes me proud not to be in New York. good luck with missing the poop and vomit on the subway.

[@patriciax3677]

@@gmx1100 YOU sound like an ugly man and human being. And an idiot. Nobody's ugly just because they're a lesbian. Obviously you judge people more by looks than the bigger picture of mind and spirit and in those categories, Fran's got quite a lot. (but I bet you couldn't see that). People like you are so superficial and boring.

[@TheShamelle]

I came for Fran. And she stuck the landing, as always. But I want to praise the host *crazy hard* for being such a fantastic interviewer. I suspect FL is one of the toughest folks around to interview. Her wit, sharpness, intellect, curiosity, interest level ... It's terrifying, frankly, to think about being on the other side of the conversation. You nailed it, sir. Thank you for being the (critical) supporting actor so that Fran could shine.

[@evelynbaron2004]

don't be like me and over analyse. She's brilliant and hilarious in any situation.

[@SandyCheeks63564]

She's brilliant, but lacks the arrogance of so many really sharp people. And she has a sense of humor--even about herself.

[@vincentmaldon7707]

"Immigrants make the culture, tourists ruin it" LOL! The interviewer is excellent.

[@vincentmaldon7707]

@Sincere Vivaan Thank you

[@delainestrandberg1541]

Tourists ruined Colorado, too. 6:31 😮

[@rallimb486]

she could do standup without even bothering to try

[@circulati]

I was just thinking the same thing, that this is the smartest stand up ever 🤩

[@catherine5599]

"I write so slowly I could write in my own blood and not hurt myself." Whadd quip. Love it. 💟

[@usinebeglaryan5661]

I am obsessed with her. Such an icon in this era of TikTok dummies.

[@mellicentquinn431]

Love her humanity & integrity so much!

[@phyllisgreenberg5]

Fran Lebowitz ..the best of the best...

[@elizabethmanets8710]

There will never be an interviewer equal to take on Fran's wit. Infinite knowledge through the stratosphere !

[@clairefernanda]

Wm F Buckley might have pulled it off.

[@JeffreyGillespie]

@@clairefernanda Or Christopher Hitchens.

[@bangwhistle69]

She has always been absolutely BRILLIANT.

[@connorbowen8867]

I'll admit I'd formed some opinions just from seeing her on late night...but listening to her in full conversation has been revelatory. Loved hearing a real voice of thought and reason getting a chance to hold a captive audience.

[@easywind4044]

“Let the lonely people lead the blind people around.”

[@blahblah1438]

I really, really enjoyed listening to Fran. She makes me laugh and I get her humor and I just think she's so cool

[@luciav8595]

Glad to hear that Diane

[@cajantube]

She's amazing, I'm laughing out loud!

[@northernbohemianrealist1412]

Socrates of our time. For longtime fans, the fact that she left New York, even for a day, is unbelievable.

[@evelynbaron2004]

You could be right. But my long time buddy Tom Petty wore sunglasses at night … because he earned it, and who knows.

[@MarinaB63]

Fran Lebowitz for President (or Supreme Court Judge 😊)!!

[@billykobilca6321]

Direct explanation Clear to the point. We need more Fran Intelligence out there.

[@susanbernard8511]

Endlessly entertaining and Endlessly correct. Simply the Oracle.

[@lechat8533]

But she`s wrong about the Russians :)

[@timothyrobinson]

@@lechat8533 She means the leadership of Russia, not the people, not the public. No one thinks of the government of Russia in the same way as they think of the people and public of Russia.

[@Degjoy]

She is so charming. I love her

[@neatrizareco4807]

Being offended, is just not sufficient.... 💙💗💜👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@rebeccahopkins9522]

Love her. Always have. She speaks the truth, albeit her truth, but also in a completely biting, transparent, formidable, stripped down, and direct way. She’s literally fearless to be herself, all the time, brave in her self awareness and perspective. Which takes a lot more courage than some people would admit. Brilliant, observant, inspiring, and a life long smoker (which is also incredibly ballsy considering what we know about cigarettes now), she’s also one of my heroes. I also wanted to be a writer since I was a child, and did write, but was never brave enough to have no fallback plan, and then got caught in that plan until it became my life. She never did. She went for it, 💯, and lived life as her truest self, without artifice or filter. And that is really kind of miraculous, really kind of magical. ❤️you Fran.

[@rogerlephoque3704]

That's a very acute piece you've written. Got her in one! My imagination is now in overdrive at being a fly on the wall at a meeting between Ms Liebowitz and the late Mr Crisp. I smile wryly at a prospect stymied by Mr Crisp's untimely departure from this world, but yearn to know how that dialogue might have unfolded, fleshed out in words by someone like you! Any words on the matter would be most welcome. Consider this a writing commission from cyberspace. Alas the remuneration is bound to vaporize in the mail. We can only pay you with all the smiles this will engender out there. Thank you.

[@verycaring2387]

I was very pleased to see the host ACKNOWLEDGE AND encourage the audience to PAY RESPECTS TO THE FIRST PEOPLES, ANCESTORS, NATIVES OF AUSTRALIA. I ALSO LIKE THAT THE HOST VERBALLY REMINDED EVERONE IN THE AUDIENCE/BUILDING THAT THEY ARE PRESENTLY GATHERED UPON THE FIRST PEOPLES' LAND. THANKYOU.💜

[@gilliansernich9267]

very caring In Canada, we do this all the time at public gatherings. We say that 'we acknowledge that we are on Treaty 4 land, and the traditional homeland of the Cree, Assiniboine and Metis people' etc.

[@aclark903]

It's God's land, He made it.

[@ryanskelton7888]

A Clark if you believe that you must believe he put the people that were there, there for a reason...

[@aclark903]

@@ryanskelton7888 Absolutely. Read Genesis chapter 11.

[@ryanskelton7888]

A Clark read it thought it was a nice peace of fiction.

[@gtaylor6937]

I love it when she goes on Bill Maher's show - she is the only one he'll take shit from. It's a riot to watch, his obvious affection for her.

[@evelynbaron2004]

bill Maher has always been about politics, and so also Jon Stewart. He confuses me because right now he is on a mission (impeach Trump) which is a no brainer. Politically Incorrect was before its time but he was still into identity politics; my mum just died so I watched a lot of late night tv so suffered through the Lewinsky scandal which frankly hurt no-one except for Monica and it got really boring very fast. Sometimes the worst thing you can do to a celeb is ask their opinion … but there was Timothy Dalton one night (think he did a James Bond among so many other things) who was so refreshingly there; 'this is not interesting … Americans are prurient voyeurs, so are lots of people but you people make an industry of it". Great wake up call and to give Bill Mayer credit, he moved on shortly thereafter. And I loved your comment, dead on, wonderful.

[@mberning1]

Admired her since her debuts in the 1970s and love and admire her now. Yes, remarkable.

[@aabracadavra]

I'm not one to care about other people's opinions and worldviews in the sense of seeking inspiration or validation, nor am I fond of people generally, however I can easily say that Fran is the only person in the world that I have stumbled on so far who can make me euphoric listening to her speak her mind. Intelligent would be a terrible understatement. She might not need the world, but the world surely needs her.

[@lindadeal3344]

She is a remarkable woman and I enjoy her very much and appreciate that honesty and candor she brings to any conversation!

[@lindajupiter9744]

Watching this video may very well be the happiest hour of my week!

[@loiscassels8966]

I thought i was the only person in the universe without a cell phone.

[@shrimpflea]

I have one because of work. I hate it with a passion.

[@loiscassels8966]

I hear Ya on that.

[@susieharmon2229]

So Brilliant, almost as brilliant as funny. I just about forgot to laugh admiring Ms. Lebowitz's insight and penache.

[@movienuts2234]

LOVE HER! She's brilliant.

[@ohno1706]

Fran is a rare original. Pure class.

[@SocyQueen2012]

I just love this lady, so smart and sincere!

[@dianegreen3492]

You’re the best Fran. Love, love, love.

[@Adrian-S.]

Brilliant.

[@DeborahSutherlandDebinPei]

Texting vs speaking on a call? Spot on 🤟🤣💜

[@Poemsapennyeach]

Brilliant. Enjoyed every moment of the wonderful Fran and excellent host.

[@jazsings]

My new year resolution is to read or listen something something from Fran every week so I stay sane

[@janoginski5557]

A Brilliant Free Thinker. In this Age of not very much of that. Good on you for having the Courage of your Convictions.

[@2010iamawesome]

omg she's hilarious. I had no idea!

[@gailbolton4891]

Thank you, Fran Lebowitz!

[@josephthomas2786]

How does she wear the same outfit BETTER than him.an inspiration!

[@mikerosensteel2077]

Glorious Lebowitz

[@p.a.f.mitasol8071]

Unique & Honest

[@animasuzie]

Fran is a treasure. Long life to her.

[@janusatthegate6201]

I love you, Fran. You go against the grain.

[@johntao6822]

Fran Lebowitz is a genius.

[@d3a1990]

Always great to hear Fran!

[@deeliciousplum]

Gently placing to the side that up until this morning, I had not heard of Fran Lebowitz, it was from an upload of all of Fran's appearances on David Letterman's show that I was bitten. This SOH upload is priceless. Fran and I may not be perfectly mirroring each other's views, and, yet, I love Fran's katana-esque mastery of the art of criticism and of raising concerns. Fran is on my list of people I would love to have a coffee and a long walk with. Probably at night as Fran does not like the lighting in the daytime. 🤭

[@glennfromthebronx]

...phenomenal talk with Liebowitz. I haven't seen her on talk shows in the US in years...but she was just on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show...talking about this trip to Australia.

[@13ivanogre13]

I would have to endure Fallon to watch Fran, tough choice.

[@AlvaSudden]

I would trade my Mom in for Fran Liebowitz. I had her (Fran's) book "Metropolitan Life" in the 70's.

[@bluegenes2273]

I could never trade my mom... But...! She's on my short list for surrogate grandma.

[@pas9ify]

A man here, who cannot get enough Fran Lebowitz! BTW, am I the only one who remembers the reference to her in Animal House?

[@Meg-Jagger]

The world needs lebowitz, and she needs me.

[@krismcdaniel-miccio2255]

A true icon. She is amazing. Some of the comments below belie either intelligence or understanding. The boys reveal a paucity of knowledge and...class.

[@conorcorrigan765]

It's ok, I used to think that being verbose was the same as sounding smart too when I was in high school...

[@johntao6822]

Thx for the heads up, Kris

[@bonnieplattner3094]

@@conorcorrigan765 @Aö

[@conorcorrigan765]

@@bonnieplattner3094 sTUNNING aND bRAVE

[@zitaharper5206]

Thanks for people like Fran Leibowitz, where would we be without them?

[@missmew5240]

Omfg this woman is hilarious and has such a spicy kick I love her and all her weirdness.

[@xz9376]

She’s awesome 👏

[@evaflandrak4273]

Fran I love you.......you are amazing.....

[@bookerdog1234]

Honest and so on point. Love her.

[@jeanadams1667]

I love her so much! I may love her slightly less because she doesn't like dogs, but that's like a drop in the ocean. Other than that, I completely agree with her opinions on just about everything.

[@keithnichols7926]

Fran doesn't dislike dogs-she's indifferent toward them-she just doesn't want them, or other animals, near her. About children, she just doesn't think we need any new ones.

[@matchingbirthdays4happiness]

I have loved her since first hearing her years ago.

[@karlr2908]

Everybody listening because she's saying what everybody wanted to say if they were willing to be real

[@pixyrosejes7133]

You would be an excellent Supreme Court Judge.

[@gmx1100]

you complete dolt.

[@evelynbaron2004]

the punch line is they get to have opinions and she has so many … cracks me up.

[@maryannmckinney4592]

Glad we stayed in Queens on our last trip to New York....

[@pchinnIII]

She timed that perfectly to leave on a high note. Love Fran

[@xaviennemg]

Love everything Fran had to say. She points out the obvious which most of us miss. Thank you dear one. I feel we are kindred spirits

[@STICKITINYOUREAR]

I would love to see a conversation between Fran and Stephen Fry. It would be titanic.

[@leeannklein9857]

Thank you for NOT saying iconic or epic.

[@STICKITINYOUREAR]

@@leeannklein9857 - You are welcome.

[@acedrumminman]

"American's don't really think New York is America and New Yorkers know it's not" No truer words have ever been spoken...

[@ellebee8476]

Refreshing. Sums it up. Thanks Sis! 💯✔💙

[@anitaclarke1304]

Love you Fran !!

[@lukasoitzl133]

I knew that I know the interviewer from somewhere. Years ago he interviewed Russell Brand. It was hilarious please go and watch it.

[@AnnoyingKiwiDude]

Brilliant talk

[@GordonRaphael]

amazing!

[@markmalbone1147]

Classic. Wonderful.

[@Queenie-the-genie]

I am reading Caro right now. fabulous!

[@jaredwalkingeagle]

“Yes, people are overly sensitive - there’s no question - but also people cherish these things in themselves. In other words, their ability to be easily offended is something they quite cherish. Because they believe that it’s a kind of morality. But it is not. Emotion is not morality.”

[@lauramcaz]

C

[@reneekennedy716]

Love her! So brilliant and funny and right on!

[@luxetrust204]

Fran is fantastic.

[@ttrack9089]

Both Josh Zepps and Fran Lebowitz are fantastic...THANKS!

[@MikkoHere]

Thank you.

[@jamierosezappolo319]

Fran uses zero electronics, yet she will ALWAYS be the smartest person in the room LOVE HER❤️❤️❤️

[@njits789]

She walked off that stage like a rock 'n roll superstar after her last encore. 'Thank you very much!'

[@easywind4044]

Again! Amazing good sense.

[@lindazeidler9654]

I just love Fran

[@cc_chi123]

I'm obsessed with Fran!

[@mck2021]

Gold!

[@juliaysofialarapla6982]

Simply the best

[@tvdeth]

6:00 😂😂😂 she's sO funny

[@allantorres101]

I would love to walk with Fran in New York for a day, talk with her and observe. So many things to learn from her.

[@1991jdclark]

She is so witty and hilarious.

[@jannetteberends8730]

I just discovered Fran, fortunately there is KZbin. But she was my role model all the time.

[@celiazuckerman2281]

A kindred spirit!

[@pammorton7448]

What a funny person she is. The interviewer was also excellent. I love the comment about the ESAs - Get the Lonely people to lead the blind people around (and so get rid of the dogs she doesn't like).

[@patriciaschell3769]

This always me up as a service dog trainer !

[@patriciaschell3769]

Of course, texting is limited because it just deleted part of the comment: it cracks me up ...guide people instead of dogs!

[@victoriahaas9364]

great interviewer!!! well done