Debriefer: Jane Feltes of 'This American Life'
Jane Feltes definitely has an ear for radio; currently she works as a producer for NPR's This American Life, the famed radio show that has, over the years, introduced us to a legion of artists and writers. When she isn't working for the radio, she serves as producer and music supervisor for the television series version of TAL on Showtime.
We're going to imprison you in the city of your choice for the rest of your natural life. You can do anything you want there, but you must stay in that city forever. Where would you choose?
Miami is the only city I've visited where I thought (even before you asked me!) "I wish I could stay here forever." Kinda like how you feel about amusement parks when you're little. I've lived in Chicago and New York and visited a ton of other cities, but none of them get me like Miami.
Why would you live in this city forever and not somewhere else?
Well, let me first say I'm aware that there's as much right with the place as there is wrong, and when I move there I'll get to fixing the bad stuff. But as for the good stuff? You can have a pretty decadent weekend for so little money in that town. It's culturally diverse, the air smells spicy, everyone has a boomin' system, and any kind of woman can take her top off for no reason other than it's hot. 98.6 degrees, sunny, and at least 70% humidity? It's like I don't know where I stop and the rest of the world begins.
In what part of the city would you reside?
South Beach. Sometimes when New York is getting me down, I search Craigslist for art deco studio apartments near Lincoln Road. They're totally grody most of them, and grody means affordable in my fantasy.
Where and what would you eat?
I only need three meals there: a butter croissant and coffee from Le Chic French Bakery, a slice from Pizza Rustica for lunch, and a late-night dinner with the bikers at La Sandwicherie. Their vinaigrette is radical. And I just drink my snacks. Luckily, margaritas come in to-go cups.
What would you do for fun?
Aside from shopping, I like to swim in the ocean and lay on the beach. Pretty typical vacation style. When I'm nice and burnt, I like to explore all the hotels and their secrets. The Park Central has a beautiful view from their roof and a self-serve 24 hour coffee bar. There's a hotel I promised never to tell anyone about, but it has a pool on the roof and beds for laying out and you don't have to be a guest to stay up there all day. Hotel Clinton has a happy hour for guests and they serve free mimosas. Just walk in like you own the place.
Where would you go for a night on the town?
No one is going to believe this, but I've only been to one club there and other than the waitresses wearing feather headdresses, it was disgusting. I prefer to bring pizza and a six pack back to the hotel lobby. And after the hotel lobby it's the hotel hot tub. And after the hotel hot tub, it's the hotel room. I'm out by midnight, dreaming of croissants.
What kinds of shops are worth going to?
Okay, I guess I need to ask the mayor or something, but why is it every time I go to South Beach, no matter what time of year, EVERYTHING IS ON CLEARANCE? And I mean everything. You are killing me, South Beach shopping district. The Barney's Co-op thinks it's TJ Maxx, Banana Republic and Kenneth Cole are curiously high-end and naturally fibered and every item is reduced and reduced again and take an extra 50% off the already reduced price at the register. Maybe it's a bad thing for the stores, but it's a good thing for my pocketbook. When I get home, I turn into my grandma, all "How much do you think I paid for this skirt? $9.99! Marked down from $150! Can you believe it? Tell me you can't even believe it!"
And on the flip side: What city would you never, ever visit again, if you had a choice?
Cover your ears: San Francisco. Ugh, I know. "Don't you just love it there? How can you not love it there?!" I think I need to stay away for the safety of all San Franciscans because, among other terrible sights, every time I go there I see a woman get kicked by a man. I do not know these men and women and it is a different man and a different woman every time. It is like my presence is unleashing some sexist rage. No thanks. I'm probably gonna get hate mail for saying that, but it beats a kick in the head.
This American Life is known for its impressive pedigree of featured writers and artists, but is there a writer, living or dead, that you, personally, would give anything to have read on the show?
I really can't think of anyone; we try so hard to get everyone we love on the show. And dead people are stiffs.
There's the radio show, podcasts, and of course the Showtime series; where do you see This American Life going, where it hasn't already gone? What other media can it conquer?
World of Warcraft, maybe? Haha. Ira should get an avatar and get to work.
What do you love about radio? What do you think it has to offer that other mediums cannot?
I love that it's free and you can enjoy it anywhere, doing pretty much anything. You don't have to sit on a couch or pay admission. (Though it would be nice if you pledged to your local public radio station! We gotta eat too! Sorry, had to.) But seriously, I think it's the ease of use that I love most.
Debriefer is a weekly two-part series. On Fridays, we interview random individuals about their favorite cities. On the following Monday, we map their favorite places in those cities. If you'd like to be interviewed for Debriefer, let us know.
