Gothamist: Gothamist's Week in Rock, Volume 2

NWJR

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:51:53 -0500

Don't diss the Manilow. 30 years and still going? That's more than Ms. Black will ever be able to say.

janine

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 20:42:07 -0500

Repeat, I'm not a fan of Barry Manilow's music. Moreover, a wittier term would have been "manilunatic" or "manilover."

anonymass

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 12:54:50 -0500

OK, in fairness I reread the article and it is a little more hostile than I took from my first quick reading. It's true - the guy doesn't need to reinvent himself - but I still think that doesn't change two things: 1) He could go the Tony Bennettt route and, instead of reinventing himself, just do an occasional appearance on a hip show (like he did with Colbert) which would spread his appeal. 2) He is still a diva. He just is. I like the guy and grew up with his music, but he has 'drama queen' written all over him.

janelle

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 09:44:03 -0500

"Manilowmaniacs" - ha!

Mary

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 08:28:12 -0500

Does she even know how to do an interview? I think Mr. Manilow handled it the best way he could have. First, she gives him advice on what he should be doing and then she insults him because she was humiliated! He deserves way more repect.And she needs to find a new career!

Kevin Walsh

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 00:47:56 -0500

"I mean, you’re already associated with kitsch, so I think you could be hipper than ever if you would consider… " I would have hung up on that idiot myself... www.forgotten-ny.com

d

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:47:49 -0500

I have to say I love TONY, but there's better questions she could have approached him with other then "Why don't you do a Rock record?" and "Why don't you re-invent yourself as a (hipster whatever)?" Manilow probably IS a jerk but I have to side with him here.

d

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:39:08 -0500

Jeff, agreed. His publicist should have given Manilow the lowdown. I think it was a combination of getting him at the wrong time and basically suggesting he was 'not hip enough' and having the gall to offer the guy career advice when he's been doing gigs since the 70's. It serves her right and she should not talk smack now (like that updated thread) cause it makes her look dumber then she already is.

Samantha T

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:12:08 -0500

I demand that Gothamist re-write the print to convey that Christina Black, rather than Barry Manilow, is a dick!

janine

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 15:43:54 -0500

Basically what adidas nut said. I don't personally like Barry Manilow but I don't see why he should have to apologize for his art. Each question had a not so subtle dig at him (for example, the first question could have been: How dis you choose these songs? or How did you choose this era?) His first reply showed that he's not delusional; he knows who he is and what he does. If he were a real industry whore, he would have been constantly pandering to popular tastes, rather than staying the way he is.

tony suxs

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 15:22:16 -0500

It was for an Events/goings on about town magazine so she should of did a normal interview about what's going on. You want jokes go write for National Lampoon. That's what Mr. Manilow's PR people should expect.

null hypothesis

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 15:08:29 -0500

oh, and christina-if you're reading this- guess who won't be reading your shite..... boo hooo!

null hypothesis

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 15:07:00 -0500

i completely, totally agree with adidas nut. wow, that christina black..... she is THE B*TCH!

adidas nut

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:34:16 -0500

Manilow paid his dues. You have to respect him for that. unlike you hipsters who want everything handed to them and the snipe about it on a blog. Mr. Manilow expected some decency and not to be the butt of a hipster joke.

Jeff

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:29:06 -0500

Jeez, where'd all the Manilowmaniacs come from??? I can't be the only one who thinks her questions were pretty much in line with what I'd expect a TONY interview to ask. They didn't seem offensive or out of place at all. What the hell did Barry (or, more likely, his publicist) expect?

janine

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:05:26 -0500

Wow, how disrespectful was Cristina Black? She even includes more information about what a terrible interviewer she is: http://www.timeoutny.com/newyork/tonyblog/?p=511#more-511.

jammer

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 13:55:14 -0500

what "obvious appeal"? matt and kim are seriously terrible.

d

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 13:42:30 -0500

Seemed like she simply got Manilow at a bad time, and didn't think of anything meaningful to ask. I'd have hung up on the 3rd question too. He doesn't have to pander to the moron-billyburg-hipster contigent anyway. Well, the 'straight' hipster-tards that is.

Samantha T

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 13:16:27 -0500

Sure, he could capitalize on the kitsch thing, but he'd rather not undermine his accomplishments by rendering them "cute." His music isn't for everybody, but he does have a nice, strong voice and was a huge, huge commercial success back in the day. Doesn't really make him a diva, in my mind - he's been around for a really long time (played piano for Bette Midler back when she was Bathhouse Bette) and came from nothing. He's paid dues. Yes, I just stuck up for Barry Manilow. In print.

anonymass

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 13:00:46 -0500

Samantha, I find the whole thing hysterical. Truth is, she has a point. Denying how the 35 and under crowd sees him doesn't change reality, and I think she's right in that he could capitalize on that kitsch factor if he were so inclined. I mean if he weren't such a little diva.

Samantha T

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 12:33:24 -0500

I'd hang up during the third question, too. Anybody else find it hysterical that Ms. Hipster/Kitsch got blown off by Manilow?

save the rev ike

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 12:31:39 -0500

yup, they definitely still have service though, yeah, i dunno who leads 'em. the space is also used for concerts (mostly various latin music stars) and graduations etc. yes, the place is a beautiful landmark in my neighbrohood. all that beats what the bowery presents folks may have in mind. i sure don't want swarms of so-called hipsters pouring into the nabe to go see the latest 20-something sensation. plus, there likely will be a bunch of new "hip" bars and restaurants opening as well to feed and quench the crowds (who do not always want rice-n-beans, grilled chicken or cuban sammies). there is enough of that crap in so much of the city. yuck.

Joe

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 12:04:51 -0500

It was Reverend Ike that renovated the to its original Loew's Wonder Theater splendor. I'm not sure if Ike is leading the services, but they still take place.

save the rev ike

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 11:59:09 -0500

NO, NO, NO!!!! say it ain't so. save the rev ike (or at least its patronage by neighborhood folks)... no more gentrification of Washington Heights!! though, i gotta admit, it seems the rev is a crook, but, hey, he gave us that late night fave and subway poster boy... creflo dollar!!!! see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverend_Ike and http://members.aol.com/SATP2/articles/review_issue/ike.html