I’m a writer, and my job involves interviewing several people each month to write feature articles. I don’t ever get to interview famous people, and I would say only about 10-15% of the people I interview are really interesting (although it’s my job to make everybody sound interesting!)
So, who would you like to research and interview for a big, 5,000 word GQ- or New Yorker-type feature story, assuming the interview would consist of a 3-hour sit down talk with the person in which you delved into their past, their thoughts on life and their art or occupation, and whatever the hell else came to mind?
Here’s a list of people I’d like to talk to, just off the top of my head:
Music:
U2 preferably the whole band, but I’d settle for just The Edge.
George Clinton Man, I’ll bet he’s got some stories!
Paul McCartney I used to think the Beatles were all John, but I’ve come to appreciate Paul more in recent years. Plus, he’s a bass player, and so am I.
DJ Spooky He’s a published science fiction writer and has shown visual art at the Whitney. Plus, he’s my favorite turntablist, a musical form I appreciate but have little knowledge about.
John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) He’s always got something to say.
Iggy Pop He’s always seemed remarkably down to earth for how huge and influential he has been.
Lou Reed I think he hates talking to the press, but it would still be fun to try.
Bjork I’m not the biggest fan of her music, but she seems very, very smart.
Dolly Parton I’m not the biggest fan of her music, but she seems very, very smart.
Beck I’m just afraid I would be in too much awe of him to conduct a good interview.
Actors/Actresses
Nichole Kidman She’s beautiful and a good actress, but I’m curious to know if there’s much more to her than that.
Wynona Rider Wynona, Wynona, what happened?
Uma Thurman I’m pretty sure she IS much smarter and more interesting than people give her credit for.
Helena Bonham Carter Just not in the ape costume, please.
John Cusak I’d probably end up getting stoned with him and forget to record the interview.
Steve Buschimi (sp?) I saw an interview on Trio with him the other night and he seemed really cool.
Ewen McGregorHe’s an incredible actor.
Ed Norton I actually talked to him for a minute when I was an extra in The People vs. Larry Flynt and he gave me the time of day!
Michael Palin My favorite Python, except for Terry Gilliam.
Directors
George Lucas I know, I know. Save it. I still want to talk to him.
Spike Jonez So, what’s it like sleeping with Sophia Copella?
Sophia Copella So, what’s it like sleeping with Spike Jonez?
Terry Gilliam Seeing Lost in La Mancha doubled my desire to want to talk to him.
Writers
Charlie Kaufman Probably the best screenwriter working today.
Neil Stephenson A smart motherfucker, but I’ll bet he’s terribly arrogant IRL
Neil Gaiman His blog makes him seem very personable.
Norman Dubie For my money, the greatest living American poet.
Matt Greoning Although I’ve already read lots of interviews with him, I’d still like to talk to him.
Thomas Pyncheon Yeah, right.
Politicians
John McCain I read a great GQ profile on him last year, but I could do better.
Howard Dean If for no other reason than to figure out how I feel about the guy.
Tony Blair From W., I expected it. What the fuck were you thinking?
Robert Byrd For a sense of persepective.
Nelson Mandela A hero of mine.
Etc.
Adam ParfeyEditor of Apocalypse Culture and one of the founders of Feral House Press. What’s in that brain?
Saalam Pax The Baghdad Blogger.
Jerry Rice I really have no idea what he’s like IRL.
Eileen Collins She was the first female shuttle commander and she’s going to be in charge of Atlantis on STS-114, the first post-Columbia shuttle mission.
I could go on all day. Who would you like to interview?