Fran Lebowitz On The Upside Of Being Old

Cultural commentator Fran Lebowitz tells us the upsides of being 'old', and why she doesn't have a guest room so people can't stay over.
#FranLebowitz #CulturalCommentary #Politics

[@emmylou-y4b]

I am old enough (like Fran) to remember the reading of Metropolitan Life she gave at one of the midtown libraries in Manhattan. Her famous line, "The opposite of talking isn't listening...it's waiting," has stuck with me for over 40 years.

[@ER1CwC]

That quote is so true.

[@ReadingsinSuspension-gh6uc]

I was about 18 when I first read that line, & I found it absolutely hilarious! Used to quote it often, always crediting her, of course.

[@pierre1050]

She obviously waits to speak instead of listing what another one has to say. That makes her such a stubborn person.

[@debsylvester2012]

You are just the best Fran. I love your brain. Thank you. ☮️🌹

[@kathywilkowski725]

She is unapologetically herself. She's an original. How refreshing!

[@psps2034]

Alot of people are just being themselves - you just dont like them.

[@Absurd-Woman]

*Yeah... OMG! Hating Trump is soooo original. She' over overrated. BTW: I'm indifferent to Trump, Biden, the Clintons, Democrats and Republicans.*

[@davidherz9968]

yes but people are themselves people we don't necessarily want to be around with@@psps2034

[@stationarywanderer7910]

She's a transphobe.

[@veenamishra8950]

​@@Absurd-WomanHating Trump is not her only opinion

[@B-rian937]

Fran Lebowitz is my spirit animal.

[@andreebesseau6995]

Me too🎉

[@AuntieFa]

What does that mean?

[@XX-zk2lf]

Fran being wonderful as always

[@michaelmoraga2926]

💜

[@californianorma876]

Much needed

[@kimberknutson831]

God, I love that woman. That was really fun to watch. Thank you. : )

[@patricenz]

Fran was excellent, as expected, and Benjamin Law was absolutely wonderful. And ... the Opera Houuuusssse!!!

[@JudithRandall-vz1zk]

Really? "Absolutely wonderful:"? He did little more than ask a few mild questions.

[@craigmiller-randle8921]

I’m here to tell you being 60 is so much better than being 20! I wouldn’t ever want to go back to that 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@debbiemetke5938]

Yes, in many ways I agree with you, though the energy dissipates.

[@craigmiller-randle8921]

@@debbiemetke5938 oh yes agree my energy is definitely diminished, if I could have the energy of a 20 year old with the brain of a 60 year old well that would be perfect but as someone great once said youth looks much better than it feels but age feels much better than it looks 😜

[@debbiemetke5938]

@@craigmiller-randle8921 Ha! Never heard that before. True dat! :-D

[@Barb6106]

I adore Fran..so smart, whitty and effortlessly snarky. I always come away with a quip to toss around after listening to her. She cares about it all in a way that makes you care- but not really. What a gem.

[@emilymcnamara5179]

Thank you, Fran. There is very little that is good about being old. Nobody really appreciates your wisdom or your experience unless you know how to fix their faucet or take care of their child so they can go out to dinner. I also enjoy my time alone but it is nice to know my husband is around most of the time in case I fall and can’t get up.

[@JudithRandall-vz1zk]

She says everything I think and believe. In other words, she's great.

[@margaret7688]

Ms. Leibowitz is one of those rare human beings with a true, clear sense of who she is and doesn't make excuses for it. I have always enjoyed her down to earth persona. I always seem to learn about life listening to her. I hope she stays on this earth at least until I am no longer here. I am 70. So there!

[@unfingbelievable1]

I’m 77 and I agree!

[@stormwatcher59]

71 and I agree

[@kayeroskaft9619]

77 here

[@filmsforsmartpeople3587]

I love Fran...I remember her many talk show appearances back in the 70's-80's when they had actual intelligent people on talk shows...

[@j.b.9895]

Wow yeah. I remember when talk shows had interesting, intelligent guests on. Now the people are on just to sell something

[@patriciatapia1710]

the host was trying to get Fran to seem more humble, when she doesnt care, she s just right, and she loves it.

[@neonoires]

Right it felt kind of antagonistic at times lol

[@janserventi]

😂 love you Fran

[@marzymarrz5172]

She made me nostalgic for my bad jobs. What I loved was how easy they were to leave. No doubts, no second thoughts, no nostalgia. Ah the good old days.

[@amandad6513]

I love Fran. Thank you for hosting her!

[@Medina-bk2fo]

I'm with Fran: I like people - out there. The best way to keep liking people is to never let them in your house - maybe for coffee..

[@jcortese3300]

This is brilliant.

[@Kim-lc3fv]

I've seen her at her show in Copenhagen and she is so fun.

[@dianebarbera1284]

Yes, Fran. You are right we are always changing jobs in NYC. It was pretty easy. I remember you and am glad to see you again.

[@lindas.martin2806]

I do not like to work anymore either...not since I reached 63. Pretty unacceptable in the USA but I would rather live very, very simply than work like I did when I was young. And instead of gathering things, one of the nice things about being older is enjoying giving things away and uncluttering.

[@allnyermind]

I agree totally. Why keep working to accumulate more things? I'm 65 and I don't need more things.. I need time, time to read, time to spend with friends,, time to simply think, study, cherish.

[@MrDemoldo]

As a human being, it's incumbent upon you to engage your intellect and humanity. Fran exemplifies this by leveraging her cognitive faculties to actualize her fullest potential. She remains true to herself, refusing to compromise her authenticity for the sake of others' demands or dependencies.

[@ClueSign]

She's finally graduated to being an "old curmudgeon" instead of a young curmudgeon. God bless her.

[@roxtar38]

I've always known OF Fran, but in this 6:25 video, I LOVE her.

[@TroyBrooksPainter]

That interviewer graded on my nerves. Fran was gracious and smart as always.

[@moimeme6533]

he sorta missed the point several times esp at the beginning and she rescued the moment with aplomb

[@LiliWhyte]

I'm so happy to hear from Ms Leibowitz! What an icon! I love her!

[@JJNow-gg9so]

Respect Fran and nothing but respect. Celebrate who you are.

[@diaryofanafricanladyutanyo9656]

Fran is just like me about not wanting people in my house

[@davidanthonystone5165]

I am a native N Y er and remember the 1960’s and 7O’s for I was in my 20’s. I was interested in $ or a career then Until the 1980’s. However I Adore and Abhor N Y and feel grateful that I have a rent control apartment with garden

[@gilbertkelly-sx8gh]

Donald Trump makes it easy for people to express their racism - insightful

[@TheKmonta]

She's right.

[@johngalt5411]

I love Fran

[@angelscreation1]

She is 100% on point!

[@skypics]

Just saw her at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, brilliant! Man, she gets around.

[@MariaAyub-ma-sentient24]

“It is better to be twenty but you don’t have a choice”-best line of the interview. 😂

[@barbarabrooker2502]

I LOVE Fran Liebowitz-authentic. Smart. Says what we think.

[@karinschild9020]

Haha, she calls us non-New Yorkers Hillbillies when we come to her city. Here in the country we call urban tourists "citiots"

[@brucemajors7525]

New York City is now so wonderful, having enacted all of Fran's party's policies and ideas. Way to go Fran!

[@ryangrey8643]

Saw her give a speech in the 80’s at Franklin Marshall college and she was amazing! Had no idea who she was before that.

[@barbarabrooker2502]

I love her. Love her VOICE. Her truths. I am 87, the founder of the first age march in history-age pride for ALL ages. I'd rather be 87 than 20 so I disagree with Fran. But I LOVE HER. I also hate domestic life.

[@heatherwhite2788]

Nobody can go wrong looking down on Trump 😂

[@joanlyoung1]

Fran is awesome. Truthteller!🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@nanny287]

Her unbridled honesty is incredibly refreshing. Love her!

[@Collageartist69]

She is right. I love her.

[@cg9612]

Fran, how was the airplane journey this time? What books did you read enroute? Was your plane delayed from landing in Aus.?

[@LiliWhyte]

That would be a better interview than we got here!

[@moimeme6533]

the interviewer missed the point at the beginning and she discreetly bailed him out 3 times

[@larrysamet4030]

Fran for NYC Mayor

[@EvelynBaron]

Fran using humour rather than rage to address the Dunning-Kruger effect not localized anymore, I don't know how she does it. Watched an interview with Jon Stewart 7 years ago where he was so angry and simultaneously addressing an audience of young people. He was visibly fighting with himself to keep even a modicum of the public persona he struggled to maintain so as not to discourage the younger generation from completely abandoning any kind of public discourse, in retrospect was chilling. Glad she's still around. Glad he hasn't given up.

[@c.a.savage5689]

Well said.

[@aslfdjalskjflkajs134]

I felt like the interviewer wanted her to seem like a woman of the people, but instead she was just herself and good for her. Confidence in your own being is underrated, and it's not like she was being rabid and attacking people, she made statements, either factual or opinion, and left it at that. My word is my word and that's enough for me - I've said my piece.

[@EK-cr5ht]

I don't think he gets Fran, really. Well, I do and I love her.

[@katnap9189]

Totally agree Fran!

[@jamesrobiscoe1174]

Fran Lebowitz speaks for a lot of us. Civic leaders can learn a lot from her bold and forthright views. She certainly is a fine observer of our social and political culture. Long may she flourish.

[@endlessnameless6494]

She's always been cool. And please, guys- never drink and drive. Stay safe, call a cab if you must! 11,000 die each year. Don't be one!

[@user-xi5re1mo8p]

Fran understands life like no one else

[@irockluculent961]

Nice interview! I like Fran and I like Sydney, so what a good combination...

[@skyeblu817]

In New York no matter how rich you are you still end up walking on a filthy sidewalk to get to your $500 meal. Haha.

[@lobstermash]

Air people don't walk on the filthy sidewalk. The limo takes them to the red carpet under the porte cochere at the restaurant. They get into the limo under the porte cochere at the house or apartment building. 😀. That's how come they can wear pale pink satin slippers in the rain.

[@rodneyhamilton2562]

The thing about getting old is that you have to work towards it when you are younger, otherwise you will grow old ill prepared and will not be able to enjoy the upsides of being old. Most of them have to be earned.

[@Misshattans]

She is 💯 correct. We do not like tourist or working.

[@johndillon9791]

Right on

[@dottieparker7274]

LOVE LOVE LOVE ❤❤❤

[@jamesktucker979]

I am an American, and a Bush Republican. I love Fran.

[@kentdunne1320]

Any time she is saying something, I feel a broom sweeping a cobweb in my brain.

[@cidsanta4204]

♥️ Fran

[@DippyHippie]

So sad….no cc,what’s a deaf person to do?😢

[@lesleymcshanemitchell9651]

Love this intelligent interesting lady

[@bluelv]

One of Americas best exports! ❤️

[@Apollo_Blaze]

I love Fran so much. She has said that holding grudges is in the same category as having standards....I totally agree with her on that and on SO many things.....I would love to sit around and have drinks with her. None of her videos are ever long enough.

[@amusicment4829]

Love her!

[@ziziscorsese9475]

Fascinating woman !

[@waniaxaviermonteiro8487]

Fran is an unique person. Very genuine.

[@christianruiz5385]

If you ever want a definition of what a real New Yorker is : she is it!

[@ruling528]

For a second I thought it was George Burns with a wig!

[@kgolem79]

Fran is Fabulous!

[@sawahtb]

She's not wrong. I use to live in San Francisco and the tourists were a danger to themselves. Of course they were a financial life line and are sorely missed by hotels and restaurants, but yeah, they were also kinda awful. We wanted them to stay in the tourist attractions like on the water front. They would make their way into neighborhoods and be in the way.

[@doloreswylie3067]

When she was young she was very beautiful ,interesting and unique…still is …and just adorable.

[@semmaville]

Luv you Fran ❤❤❤ I’m a dumdum that adores old age… it fits me really well… 😊🎉

[@Rosiedelaroux]

I love you Fran - the brightest star in the UNIVERSE

[@marianfrances4959]

Shes awesome!👍😎🇨🇦

[@Brian-os9qj]

Fran is a treasure

[@rumorhasit9506]

I agree with Fran's estimation of Donald Trump.

[@wwbuirkle]

She's wrong and she's dangerous

[@c.a.savage5689]

​@@wwbuirkle luckily she's not running for president, eh?

[@wwbuirkle]

@@c.a.savage5689 Yea well she's tuff to look at

[@davezwick5539]

@@wwbuirkle Lucky for us that she doesn't care what you think.

[@ballet07]

Love her!!!❤

[@melodymcnamara]

Yes

[@lisahinkofer2085]

Love her

[@banshee7743]

She's spot on about trump

[@PatriciaDryburgh]

I love this woman!!!

[@dominicportelli7468]

I give this a thumbs up before I even watch it cause I'm sure it'll be a cut above intellectually.

[@mrmink]

She laid it out just right!

[@gstavella]

Fran is our national treasure.

[@karenbenning2166]

I love her humor, Have often wondered if she is really a grumpy old person or that is just her comedic person that we get to see and chuckle over. By the way I disagree w her politics-but she is still a very funny lady.

[@pamr4040]

❤

[@djhbr]

Imagine a mix of Kramer, Larry David and Joe Pitka ... that's Fran Lebowitz.

[@user-ek3rn7qe1f]

A complete original.

[@suzannemostafavifar1686]

“ herds of hillbillies”. Wonderful observation!

[@artyamada7954]

'herds of hillbillies'-hilarious! 🤩

[@mairimillar6606]

Love Fran. So charming, intuitive, direct and honest. A breath of fresh air.

[@themanwnoname3454]

I think Senator Sandwers is fantastic & if Donald Trump was elected President would posit the question “If the USA is the leader of the free world when exactly has Western Democracy failed?”

[@Happy_HIbiscus]

i am old as hell🤣😂🤣😂

[@TheKmonta]

"herds of hillbillies" ....Yep, she is right about that....and I agree with just about everything she is saying.

[@PrincessOPD_Utah]

😊😊😊😊😊

[@123Rockchild]

Wow…smoking has not been good to her. 🙄

[@BabyHoolighan]

She knows what she thinks.