Critic Frank Bruni on Nightline: Wow
Frank Bruni, who will step down as the New York Times restaurant critic later this month, will appear on ABC News' Nightline next Wednesday, Aug. 19.
He'll be there to promote his book, “Born Round: The Secret History of a Full Time Eater." I knew nothing about it until I got the press release about the interview.
I was staggered. ...
I assumed it would be one of those pleasant reads about what disguises he wore and some of his adventures while reviewing restaurants for the Times.
Not so.
Apparently in the interview with ABC's John Berman, he discusses his bulimic episodes in college, the fact that he tried the Atkins diet at age 8, and his taking laxatives and amphetamines to control his weight. (He says only for a short time.)
Berman asks him when it all started, and Bruni says:
You know, my mother used to always talk about a time when I was 18 months old and I was sitting in a high chair. And she had fed me two good sized burgers and I threw a tantrum because she wouldn’t feed me a third one. And that was sort of like the defining narrative of my childhood. I could just eat and eat and eat and by the time I was 8 I was enough overweight that people were teasing my initials FB stood for fat boy.
Of course, he'll talk about being a critic as well, but I doubt if there will be many surprises there.
This is one interview I don't want to miss. Not that I can stay up until 11:35 p.m. when it starts, but I'm definitely TiVoing. You can also watch some of it the next morning on Good Morning America.
(Photo of Bruni and Berman courtesy of ABC News)
Comments
Here's his New York Times magazine article from 19 July 2009:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/magazine/19bruni-t.html
Posted by: Donna Beth Joy Shapiro | August 14, 2009 7:18 AM
I better leave my phone open today. No doubt the Times will be calling to offer me this job.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | August 14, 2009 7:47 AM
Zoinks! I think he has a reputation for being a vicious reviewer. This could explain some of that anger.
Posted by: VoodooPork ■|:o) | August 14, 2009 7:55 AM
Sorry to burst your bubble, RoCK, but the job got filled last week. The new restaurant critic is Sam Sifton, the culture editor of the Times. (As an editor, Sifton's photo has appeared in the paper from time to time in the past. So much for critic anonymity.)
Posted by: hmpstd | August 14, 2009 8:00 AM
There was a story about Sam Sifton on Morning Edition this morning. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111743841
Posted by: Rosebud | August 14, 2009 8:26 AM
No doubt Sam Sifton's photo is already hanging in every restaurant kitchen in Manhattan. Meanwhile, RoCK has been carefully nurturing his anonymity while hunkered down in his high security safe haven. He certainly has the dining credentials and palate essential to the task. How many other food critics are as well versed in the offerings at the American Legion? So, the hope is still there.
And when RoCK's moment of triumph arrives, maybe he can put in a plug for OMG to take over Sifton's old job as culture editor of the Times.
Posted by: Laura Lee | August 14, 2009 8:26 AM
I second that, Laura Lee!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | August 14, 2009 8:28 AM
Laura Lee, RoCK may think he's anonymous, but a GOP stalwart will stick out in Manhattan like a sore thumb. ;-)
Posted by: hmpstd | August 14, 2009 8:30 AM
And, like Ruth Reichl, RoCK appreciates the value and deliciousness of inexpensive ethnic food well prepared.
I'm stunned that someone who self-identifies as having eating disorders would work as a food critic. That must be very, very difficult.
Posted by: Lissa | August 14, 2009 8:32 AM
My mother has really bad memories of the teasing that goes along with being an overweight child, that she will never grow out of. I wish Mr. Bruni much success.
Posted by: NotableM | August 14, 2009 9:05 AM
One of the hallmark "symptoms" if you will (I know that is the wrong word, but forgive me, I'm no psychologist) is an obsession with food and eating. It is the almost inevitable result of the deprivation. The disordered person fixates on what he or she can't have. So actually it's not surprising at all that someone who struggled with an eating disorder would gravitate towards a career as a food critic.
Posted by: ET | August 14, 2009 9:43 AM
ET, I think you need to stay out of the pop psych section at the library.
Posted by: Lissa | August 14, 2009 9:46 AM
Several years ago a food blogger in NYC blew away Bruni's column by re-reviewing everywhere that he went and totally tearing him a new one. They should have hired the blogger!
Posted by: Joyce W. | August 14, 2009 10:03 AM
Another one Bites the Dust......Lets just say that Food Critics don't Hold the same Influence or Integrity They had in the Past. For Better or Worse, Restaurants and there Reviews are at the Mercy of the Bloggers and Twitterers
Posted by: The Underbelly | August 14, 2009 10:47 AM
Loved reading Bruni's Bust in Wednesday NYTIMES. Last week he gave 4 stars, he must want to go out on a positive note. The July story in The Times magazine is a must read for foodies. Got luck Frank and don't eat too much!
Posted by: aj | August 14, 2009 10:49 AM
"Sifton" is a pseudonym for "Sessa"
Posted by: Sam Sessa | August 14, 2009 11:24 AM
Sam Sifton? Didn't he used to open for Andy Kaufman?
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy | August 14, 2009 11:34 AM
I thought what ET had to say was interesting.
Posted by: gosseyn | August 14, 2009 11:40 AM
ET, I think I know some people who fit that description pretty closely!
Posted by: sean | August 14, 2009 2:53 PM