Julie Klausner’s anecdotal, razor-sharp wit has branded everything from television shows to an autobiographical memoir. Bubble wrap snark and cultural observations stirred by cocktail swords, Klausner always has something new in her book bag. Her show, How Was Your Week?, was earmarked by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the top ten comedy podcasts of the moment. With her cat Jimmy Jazz as a sidecar, Klausner’s humor is a dowsing rod of unbridled truth – and other flowery stuff. Cinema Spartan took some of her time – Manifest Destiny-style – in order to get answers to some of life’s more serious imbroglios (dating tact and Anthony Bourdain’s potential acting ability).
Robert Patrick: Your book, I Don’t Care About Your Band, is fueled by personal reflections and barbed anecdotes. Was there anything that you deliberately omitted that you couldn’t bring yourself to talk about in a public forum? Was it difficult to decide what to include and what to truncate?
Julie Klausner: I cut a couple of chapters before it was published, in part because they disrupted the flow and didn’t add anything, and in part because I was afraid. I still left in things that could have hurt me. It was a very bold book.
Now that Anthony Bourdain is no longer doing No Reservations, do you think he’ll finally play Elliott Gould in a biopic?
I sincerely hope not. Gould deserves to be played by somebody soulful, or at least Jewish. Brett Gelman should play him.
Who is a potential guest that you have always wanted to have on your podcast, but have yet to have on the show?
Camille Paglia. Kate Pierson. Fran Lebowitz. Basically, awesome lesbians.
Maker’s Mark and Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider. That’s not really a question – maybe of taste – but you should still try it. Any good cocktail recipes that you could suggest for a stressful holiday season?
I will try that. My cocktail of choice right now is simply Maker’s Mark. Perhaps I will jazz it up between now and New Year’s.
A concept album about your life is made by a band that you don’t like. What band would it be?
The Sea and Cake.
Being that you often interview people, do you find yourself, in situations like these, to be hyper-aware of people’s interview techniques – or lack thereof – when you get asked questions?
Nah. I’m just flattered for the attention.
As a person who has a Wikipedia page, have you ever wanted to edit the information they have about you? Maybe add something ridiculous?
The temptation lies more in DOING something ridiculous, so anything added would be truthful.
Is Black Friday humanity’s biggest character flaw?
Not necessarily. Shopping is one of the few things we still do in groups. I don’t understand getting up at 5 to go to Best Buy, but I do appreciate a FRENZY.
You have written on many topics and for many mediums. Is there a particular brand of writing – whether that be television, music journalism or political commentary – that you find most pleasing or difficult?
I like writing a list of stuff for myself to talk about on the podcast more than anything else–or maybe I just like talking through that list. Writing for TV is super fun and essays are immensely satisfying. But I love tweeting. It’s so easy and addictive.
Has Amy Poehler affected you, personally and professionally, as a comedienne and writer?
No question. I wouldn’t be here if she and the UCB four hadn’t brought their theater to NYC. She’s an incredible role model and an awesome person. I want to be her when I grow up, and I’m lucky to know her.
Is wearing gym shorts on a date a bad idea or the worst idea?
I can understand it if you’re a shy gay guy in the gym sauna for the first time. But–pull ’em down, champ! Go for it.
Finally, what can we expect from you in the coming new year?
I’m hoping to buy my cat a bowtie.
Go visit Julie at her website for good things.
