This episode features the second part of our two-part interview with literary and journalistic legend Gay Talese (click here for part 1). Additionally, in our Italian American Story Segment, we have an interview with Italian-American actress, producer, and television host, Lucia Grillo. Talese is a bestselling author who has written eleven books. He was a reporter for the New York Times from 1956 to 1965, and since then he has written for the Times, Esquire, The New Yorker, Harper’s Magazine, and other national publications.

Lucia Grillo began her theatre studies at the age of fifteen, attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York for seven years. She received her B.F.A. in Acting from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, and acted in her first play at the age of six and has since worked in theatre, cinema and television. Grillo founded her own production company, Calabrisella Films  and her directorial debut, the short film, “A pena do pana (The Cost of Bread),” stars internationally acclaimed actor, Vincent Schiavelli, and premiered at AFI Fest in Hollywood. She is also an associate producer for the “Italics” television show (CUNY-TV Channel 75 www.cuny.tv).

Episode Quote – Gay Talese

“I hope to think I’m probably the last of the Italian-American experience who’s very familiar with the term “dago” and “wop,” because it was foisted upon me…I am a living memory of the dark ages of American-Italian experience…” – Gay Talese on his childhood

Tweetables (click quote to tweet)

• “There is a quality about being Italian American that is unique.” – Gay Talese
• “I never owned a cell phone and I don’t think I will win the Nobel Peace Prize for that.” – Gay Talese
• “As a journalist, you have to get out there. You can’t Google your way through life. You have to show up.” – Gay Talese
• “I hate the idea of unnamed sources.” – Gay Talese
• “The art of non-fiction is to delve into private life but use real names, and real facts.” – Gay Talese
• “She is basically a simple Italian American girl from the neighborhood.” – Gay Talese on Lady Gaga
• “You never shied away from being Italian American to be a great American writer, you did both.” – Dolores Alfieri to Gay Talese
• “When I find something I believe in, I am very determined.” – Lucia Grillo
• “I am a creative person, I need to create.” – Lucia Grillo
• “I felt like I had to recreate my parents’ childhood.” – Dolores Alfieri

Episode Summary

Talese talks about his career as a journalist in detail, and also talks about the current state of our government. Some topics include:

• The difference in journalistic styles from earlier in Talese’s career until now.
• The internet has taken away serendipity in that now you search for and find exactly what you want.
• You should consider talking to people that don’t think the same way you do, as that is how you grow.
• How Talese structures his writing.  How he starts most of his pieces with a scene.
• Talese discussed how his parents wanted to assimilate as Americans as quickly as possible.
• Talese talked about how he lived in Calabria for 6 months learning about his family.
• Lucia Grillo talks about how her parents were supportive of her non traditional Italian ways.
• Grillo talks about how she falls outside of the typical Italian immigrant stereotype.
• Grillo discussed how her creativity came at a young age through support from her family.
• She discovered a lot about her family through the documentaries she has created.
• Immigrants want stability, so it was tough for her family to accept her non-traditional career decisions, but Lucia said regardless of that, her parents supported her.
• It’s important to appreciate where you come from and honor your past and humanity.

Resources Mentioned

Calabresilla Films
Italics Television Show
The Italian American Podcast on Italics

Episode Sponsors
The National Italian American Foundation
Select Italy