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7/26/16, 11:03 AMWest Side Rag » WHY ROBERT SMALL LIVES ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE
Page 1 of 15http://www.westsiderag.com/2016/07/26/why-robert-small-lives-on-the-upper-west-side
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WHY ROBERT SMALL LIVES ON THE UPPERWEST SIDEPosted on July 26, 2016 at 2:34 am by West Sider
7/26/16, 11:03 AMWest Side Rag » WHY ROBERT SMALL LIVES ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE
Page 2 of 15http://www.westsiderag.com/2016/07/26/why-robert-small-lives-on-the-upper-west-side
Robert Small with his MTV Video Music award.
By Eileen Katz
Robert Small is the president and executive producer of RSE (Robert Small Entertainment) and the director of TheMacaulay Honors College New Media Lab here on the Upper West Side. Robert has won numerous Peabody andVideo Music Awards as well as Emmy nominations for his co-creation of MTV’s “Unplugged” series. For such anaccomplished guy, it’s nice to know you can still find him most mornings walking his dog Beans in Riverside Park,heckling joggers.
Why the West side, Robert?
I moved here in 1980 maybe, and in those days you moved where there were apartments available. I got a rent-controlled apartment where I lived until my wife was 8 months pregnant (twin boys – surprise!). It started at$300/month and by 1995 it was up to $512/month for a one bedroom. I kept saying to my wife: “Do we really haveto move?” And one look from her later and we were packing. At that point we made the choice to stay up here ratherthan look around because we both felt it just had so much character compared to other neighborhoods in the city.Architecturally, etc. It’s a little less pretentious than other places. It was very fun in the ‘80’s up here. It was sointeresting to witness the transformation, gentrification really, of this part of the city. I think the West side surprisespeople. It doesn’t seem the place where you would just pass by well known writers, authors or actors. It seems to betrying to hold on, as hard as it can, to some sense of history. To maintain its original integrity some how. It’s hard!
7/26/16, 11:03 AMWest Side Rag » WHY ROBERT SMALL LIVES ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE
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Believe me, it can’t be easy going up against all these banks and chain drug stores! And that appeals to me as aperson. As someone who lives here.
What do you think the best part of living up here is?
It’s a combination of things: it’s not claustrophobic as some other neighborhoods can feel. There’s a sense of space. Ilove the Riverside Park area!
So, which is your favorite: Riverside or Central Park?
Oh it’s gotta be Riverside for me. It’s the dogs! I love dogs. And it feels less touristy. Certain parts of it almost feellike a private park. I love the promenade in there. Do you believe I lived up here 20 years before I discovered it? Icouldn’t believe how beautiful it was! It felt like being in France in the Spring with the tulips coming up and all theflowers in bloom. And it seems they’re always shooting something there. I think that’s kind of cool when I amwatching a movie or show and I’m like: “Hey! That’s my park or block or whatever.”
What’s best about living up here?
The West side can amaze you. You can go in to a building that looks seemingly insignificant and the interior is justmagnificent. Some of the greatest architects, Irwin Chanin, Emory Roth created beautiful buildings here. Did youknow the Zabar’s are big property owners up here? But they don’t seem to be interested in destroying the essence ofit, which, you know, kudos to them, it’s unusual for property owners.
Leading me right to: If you’re stuck on a desert island and could only have one thing from Zabar’s, whatwould it be?
Well, I am a Zabar’s fan, though I gotta be honest and admit I’m a Citarella fan too. I would have to go with thesable. At that price though, I don’t know if I could afford it on a desert island. Does your offer include shipping?
What do you think are the worst parts of living up here?
I don’t know. I really like it up here! I guess the political correctness can be a bit much. The liberalism. But I use it tomy advantage. If I need a laugh, I just say something to whoever is closest to me about Trump maybe not having itall wrong, and the reactions you get are priceless! Funny stuff for sure. I am fearful of all the building going on. Allthese huge buildings may start to change the open complexion and feel that makes this neighborhood so great. I hateto say it, but the bikes are starting to get to me. I’m all for less cars, more exercise, but the racks take up parkingspaces and then the people riding the bikes are mostly really scary. Rarely wearing helmets, breaking most laws andcreating situations that need new ones. And aren’t they the ugliest bikes in the world? That bugs me, that stuff.
What are some of your favorite places to go up here?
I used to love Amsterdam Billiards! This is my fear for so much of the city though. So many of the wonderful placesthat made this neighborhood unique just can’t cut the rents and so you lose them. Now it’s an Equinox. The DublinHouse still survives somehow. I think they own the building, God bless them. Like look at La Caridad across thestreet (we are having coffee and Robert ordered a corn muffin, butter on the side, at the New Wave Café, aneighborhood favorite of his.). How long before that’s a Verizon? It closed recently with some cryptic note on thewindow and I was sure that was the end, but it came back! … but for how long? H&H Bagels, also sadly gone. Thisis the stuff that makes me sad. But there are plenty of nail shops! One for every pair of hands up here, I’m prettysure. I’m a fan of The Boat Basin. In Spring and Summer it’s a cool place to go. Very social, inclusive. They don’tkill you on prices. Beautiful use of public space. You can be part of something there.
Describe, in your mind, what a typical Upper West Sider is like.
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Well, the crowd I roll with isn’t as young as in some neighborhoods…40+ to be kind. They have liberal politics,smart, curious…perhaps a bit hypocritical. If they have kids, they’re worried about them 20 years from now…”Whatwill they do? What will they eat? How will they live? Will they have jobs?” Oy.
When they declare “Robert Small Day” on the Upper West Side, how would you like people to celebrate?
With alcohol! I’ve always been a fan of celebrating at funerals, rather than crying. That’s why the Irish have it right!I think I would just go to the park with my dog and have everyone join me with theirs. And there would be onespecial area where the dogs could poop and just for that day, nobody would have to clean it up. There would be aspecial crew who gets a bonus for cleaning it all up afterwards. That would be my gift to the neighborhood on RobertSmall Day. I don’t know. It’s all I can think of right now!
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7/26/16, 11:03 AMWest Side Rag » WHY ROBERT SMALL LIVES ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE
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7/26/16, 11:03 AMWest Side Rag » WHY ROBERT SMALL LIVES ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE
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7/26/16, 11:03 AMWest Side Rag » WHY ROBERT SMALL LIVES ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE
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7/26/16, 11:03 AMWest Side Rag » WHY ROBERT SMALL LIVES ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE
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7/26/16, 11:03 AMWest Side Rag » WHY ROBERT SMALL LIVES ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE
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7/26/16, 11:03 AMWest Side Rag » WHY ROBERT SMALL LIVES ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE
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7/26/16, 11:03 AMWest Side Rag » WHY ROBERT SMALL LIVES ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE
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