Ep 2. Cultural Affairs

In the second episode of Pretend It's a City season 1, titled Cultural Affairs, Fran Lebowitz continues to provide her perspectives on life in New York City. She starts by expressing her love for the city's cultural institutions such as museums, theaters, libraries, and music venues. Fran shares her experiences of going to the Whitney Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art while also discussing the unique benefits of having access to such world-renowned cultural venues.

The episode also features Fran talking about the importance of reading and literature. She reminisces about her love for reading as a child and how it has shaped her view of the world. Fran shares her thoughts on various authors she admires like P.G. Wodehouse, Marcel Proust, and George Bernard Shaw. She also talks about libraries and how they are a vital public resource that needs to be preserved and protected.

Moving on to theater, Fran discusses the current state of Broadway and off-Broadway shows. She speaks about how she feels that there is a lack of innovation and fresh ideas in today's theater scene. Fran also shares her thoughts on some of the classics and how they continue to be relevant in modern times.

The episode also sheds light on Fran's fascination with music venues. She talks about how the city's vibrant and diverse music scene is one of the things she loves about New York. Fran shares her experiences of attending concerts of famous musicians like Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder while also reminiscing about some of the forgotten music venues and musicians from yesteryears.

One of the highlights of this episode is Fran's commentary on some of the lesser-known public art installations and spaces in the city. Fran talks about how these installations add to the city's already rich cultural fabric and how they have influenced her creatively over the years. Some of the locations Fran highlights include the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, the Korea Town Public Art Project, and the Alice in Wonderland statue at Central Park.

In addition, the episode also features Fran's perspectives on various New York City personalities and characters. She gives her opinions on people like New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, political commentator Ann Coulter, and television personality Martha Stewart. Fran shares her thoughts on how these people have shaped the city's cultural and social landscape.

Overall, the Cultural Affairs episode of Pretend It's a City season 1 offers a fascinating glimpse into New York City's cultural scene through the witty and quirky lens of Fran Lebowitz. It showcases the city's vibrant and diverse cultural institutions while also celebrating the unique personalities and characters that call New York their home.