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>> I LOVE NEW YORK.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE,
I'M ABOUT TO PUT A ***
IN MY MOUTH.
I'M AN ACTOR, SO MY WORK
DETERMINES WHERE I LIVE.
THE MOST RELAXED I EVER FEEL
IS WHEN SOMEBODY HOLDS A KNIFE
TO MY NECK.
RIGHT NOW,
THAT MEANS LOS ANGELES.
THIS IS THE MOST INTENSE-LOOKING
THING I'VE EVER SEEN.
BUT FOR 3 GLORIOUS DAYS,
I'LL BE A NEW YORKER AGAIN.
AAAH!
HA HA HA!
THIS IS LIKE HUMPTY-DUMPTY
PUT ON A YARMULKE.
I'M JOSH GAD.
SLAINTE. L'CHAIM.
AND NEW YORK CITY IS MY GETAWAY.
SIT BACK, RELAX,
AND ENJOY THE SHOW.
>> WHEN THE WORLD IS YOURS.
>> NEW YORK CITY.
I MISS THIS PLACE!
THE ENERGY, THE PEOPLE,
THE FOOD. I LIVED HERE FOR TWO
YEARS WHILE I WAS PERFORMING IN
"THE BOOK OF MORMON," A LITTLE
BROADWAY SHOW WRITTEN BY THE
CREATORS OF "SOUTH PARK." A YEAR
AGO, I MOVED TO LOS ANGELES TO
DO MORE FILM AND TV WORK, BUT
NOW I'M BACK, BABY. I'M BACK!
IN NEWARK AIRPORT.
THERE'S 3 MAJOR AIRPORTS
THAT SERVE NEW YORK CITY.
ONE OF THEM IS ACTUALLY IN
NEW JERSEY, AND THAT'S WHERE
MY ADVENTURE BEGINS.
I DIDN'T EAT ON THE PLANE
BECAUSE I WAS SITTING NEXT TO
CAMERON DIAZ, AND SHE'S, LIKE,
A HEALTH NUT, AND SO I WAS JUST
EATING, LIKE, NUTS. BUT NOW I'M
JUST GOING TO HAVE A LITTLE,
YOU KNOW...FIGURE, WHAT WITH THE
CULINARY EXPERIENCE THAT IS THIS
SHOW, WHY NOT START OFF WITH
SOMETHING AS FANTASTIC AS A...
I THINK THAT'S BACON.
[MUFFLED] THERE'S REALLY NOTHING
LIKE GOOD FOOD IN NEW YORK.
NEW YORK CITY IS MADE UP OF
5 BOROUGHS, BUT "THE CITY"
IS MANHATTAN, WHICH, MOST
PEOPLE FORGET, IS AN ISLAND.
AH!
AHH.
I LOVE THAT RIDE INTO THE CITY
FROM JERSEY, WHERE YOU JUST SEE
ALL THE BUILDINGS. IT'S JUST
LIKE THIS MECCA. YOU LOOK AT IT,
AND YOU'RE LIKE, "THIS IS WHAT
I'M STRIVING FOR. THIS IS WHAT
I WANT TO BE A PART OF."
LOST MY WALLET AT THAT RITE AID,
SO SOMEBODY ELSE IN THE WORLD
RIGHT NOW IS CLAIMING TO BE
JOSH GAD.
LIKE A BLOND GERMAN BOY.
HE'S LIKE, "I'M TELLING YOU,
I'M JOSH. I VAS IN THE BOOK
OF MORMON. I LOST A LOT
OF WEIGHT."
I NEVER REALLY GOT TO IMMERSE
MYSELF IN THE CITY WHEN I LIVED
HERE. ON BROADWAY, YOU PERFORM
PRACTICALLY EVERY NIGHT OF THE
WEEK, WITH TWO SHOWS A DAY ON
WEEKENDS. IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST
INTENSE EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE--
ABSOLUTELY GRUELING, BUT TOTALLY
THRILLING, JUST LIKE NEW YORK
CITY ITSELF.
>> IF YOU EVER HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO NEW YORK
CITY, YOU MUST COME.
>> I LOVE EVERYTHING. I COULDN'T
IMAGINE BEING ANYWHERE ELSE.
>> AND YOU'LL SEE THE SKYLINE
AND JUST HOW MASSIVE IT IS ON
THIS LITTLE ISLAND.
>> WE'RE IN NEW YORK CITY.
IT'S THE MOST EXCITING CITY.
>> YOU KNOW YOU COME HERE WITH
YOUR THEME SONG IN YOUR HEAD.
>> ♪ I WANT TO WAKE UP
TO THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS ♪
>> A LOT OF CREATIVE PEOPLE
COME TO NEW YORK TO TRY TO
LIVE THEIR DREAM.
>> IT'S LIKE A HOTBED FOR,
LIKE, AMAZING MUSIC, ART,
FASHION, FOOD.
>> ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN,
AND THERE'S SOMETHING STIRRING
ABOUT IT.
>> YOU CAN JUST RIDE OTHER
PEOPLE'S WAVE, AND YOU CAN
FEEL THEM CARRY YOU ALONG.
>> YOU DON'T STOP, BECAUSE
STOPPING IS THE WORST THING
THAT YOU CAN DO. THAT'S WHAT
NEW YORK IS LIKE. DON'T STOP.
JUST KEEP WALKING.
>> IT REALLY IS VERY STRANGE
TO BE BACK HERE. I DON'T KNOW
HOW TO DESCRIBE IT. IT'S LIKE,
"OH, GOD, I NEED TO GO PERFORM
RIGHT NOW."
SMELL THAT NEW YORK AIR.
NOW'S MY CHANCE. I'VE GOT 3 DAYS
TO DO EVERYTHING THAT I WAS
TOO BUSY TO DO WHILE I LIVED
HERE, BUT UNLIKE THE REST OF
NEW YORK, I DEFINITELY PLAN ON
GETTING A LITTLE SHUTEYE DURING
MY STAY. AND WHAT BETTER PLACE
THAN THE LONDON HOTEL? I STAY
HERE EVERY TIME I COME TO
NEW YORK. THIS PLACE IS IN THE
PERFECT LOCATION. CENTRAL PARK
IS A FEW BLOCKS NORTH, TIMES
SQUARE IS A FEW BLOCKS SOUTH,
AND THE THEATER DISTRICT SO DEAR
TO MY HEART IS RIGHT OUTSIDE
THE DOOR.
COME IN. ENTREZ.
WELCOME TO MY BEAUTIFUL SUITE
AT THE LONDON.
THIS BATHROOM IS BIGGER THAN
MY FIRST AND SECOND NEW YORK
APARTMENTS COMBINED.
THIS IS THE COOLEST FEATURE IN
THE ROOM. WE'RE TALKING, LIKE,
VERY ADVANCED, STATE OF THE ART.
ONLY JAY-Z AND BEYONCE HAVE
THAT. WE ALSO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL
WALK-OUT TERRACE.
YOU HAVE TO BE EXTRAORDINARILY
FIT AND SKINNY TO ACTUALLY
GET OUT, BUT YOU CAN
AT LEAST BREATHE.
IT'S GOOD TO HAVE AS MANY PLACES
TO SIT AS POSSIBLE. YOU'RE,
LIKE, ON THE DECK OF THE
STARSHIP "ENTERPRISE" AS
YOU'RE BEING ATTACKED.
THIS IS WHERE ALL
THE MAGIC HAPPENS.
OR, IN MY CASE, NO MAGIC AT ALL,
BECAUSE I'M ON THIS TRIP STAG.
MMM...
AH!
WITH JUST A QUICK CHANGE OF
CLOTHING AND A TEENY, TINY BIT
OF GOLD BOND POWDER TO PREVENT
CHAFFING, I'M READY TO HIT THE
TOWN, AND I'M DOING IT ON FOOT.
WHENEVER I COME TO THIS CITY,
THE THING THAT GETS ME THE
MOST EXCITED IS THIS IDEA
THAT YOU CAN WALK EVERYWHERE.
>> BEST WAY TO GET AROUND THE
CITY FOR ME? WALKING.
>> THE ADVANTAGE OF WALKING
AROUND NEW YORK IS YOU REALLY
SEE EVERYTHING, AND YOU GET
THE ENERGY OF THE STREET.
>> YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO GO ANY
SPECIFIC PLACE. JUST SEEING THE
PEOPLE, SEEING THE DIFFERENT
SHOPS AND STORES AND STUFF,
MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WENT
SOMEWHERE.
>> A HUNDRED DIFFERENT THINGS
WILL GO BY, AND ALMOST EVERY ONE
OF THEM WILL BE ENTERTAINING.
>> AND THERE'S ALWAYS A BLOCK
YOU'VE NEVER BEEN DOWN.
IT'S THE GREATEST THING.
AFTER LIVING HERE FOR SO LONG,
THERE ARE STILL MOMENTS THAT
I'M LIKE, "I'VE NEVER WALKED
DOWN THIS STREET."
>> YOU JUST HAVE TO WEAR VERY,
VERY COMFORTABLE SHOES.
>> AND I THINK YOU HAVE TO
HAVE A LITTLE STYLE, EVEN IF
YOU'RE WEARING SNEAKERS.
HAT AND A SCARF, YOU ALWAYS
LOOK DRESSED UP.
>> YOU GOT TO GET OUT THERE,
AND YOU GOT REALLY HIT THE
PAVEMENT, AND YOU GOT TO,
YOU KNOW, FEEL THE VIBRATIONS.
>> IF YOU'RE NOT REALLY TIRED
AFTER YOUR FIRST DAY WALKING
THE CITY, YOU HAVEN'T DONE IT.
>> IT MIXES THE BEST AND WORST
SMELLS ALL AT ONCE. SO ONE
SECOND, YOU CAN SMELL THIS
AMAZING BACON, EGG, AND CHEESE
SANDWICH, AND THE NEXT,
JUST GARBAGE.
I'VE GOT A BIG WEEKEND AHEAD
OF ME. I NEED SUSTENANCE.
FORTUNATELY, IT'S LUNCHTIME,
AND I KNOW JUST WHERE TO GET
A DELICIOUS SANDWICH THAT'S
BIGGER THAN MY HEAD.
WE'RE ON OUR WAY TO
CARNEGIE DELI.
IT'S, ESSENTIALLY, THE ESSENCE
OF MAN VERSUS FOOD. THE
SANDWICHES ARE ABOUT THIS BIG,
AND THE HEART ATTACK PROBABILITY
IS ABOUT THIS LARGE.
THE CARNEGIE DELI FIRST OPENED
UP IN 1937 BUT WAS PURCHASED
IN THE SEVENTIES BY THE
FATHER OF ITS CURRENT OWNER,
MARIAN LEVINE.
THEY'RE KNOWN FOR 3 THINGS--
PASTRAMI, THEIR CELEBRITY
PHOTOS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,
GIANT [BLEEP] SANDWICHES.
I REMEMBER COMING TO CARNEGIE
DELI AS A KID, HAVING THAT
PASTRAMI SANDWICH AND SHARING IT
WITH, LIKE, MY 4 FAMILY MEMBERS.
AND THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT
THIS DELI THAT IT'S A PART OF
THE EXPERIENCE.
>> YOU KNOW WHAT THE WHOLE
THING IS? TRADITION.
>> YEAH.
>> IT'S SPECIAL FOR PEOPLE.
>> WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO
GET A JOSH GAD SANDWICH AT
THE CARNEGIE DELI?
>> IF YOU COULD FINISH THIS
SANDWICH, THEN WE'LL NAME
THAT SANDWICH AFTER YOU.
>> OH, I LOVE IT. OK.
>> OK.
>> TERRIFIC. I'M SOLD.
>> NO PROBLEM.
>> OH, MY GOD. NOW, HOW MANY
TRIPLE BYPASSES HAVE YOU--
>> NOW YOU HAVE TO FINISH THIS.
>> FINISH IT? I DON'T EVEN KNOW
IF I CAN START IT.
>> IT'S CORNED BEEF, PASTRAMI,
SALAMI, BACON, LETTUCE, TOMATO.
>> OK. THIS IS...
THE MOST INTENSE-LOOKING THING
I'VE EVER SEEN. HOW MUCH DOES
IT WEIGH?
>> 2, 3 POUNDS.
>> ABOUT 3 POUNDS.
>> WOW.
>> WE HAD TO HAVE SPECIAL
TOOTHPICKS MADE TO HAVE THE
SANDWICH HELD TOGETHER.
>> WOW. I DON'T EVEN KNOW
HOW TO BEGIN THIS.
SO LET'S TAKE THIS HALF.
THE CARNEGIE DELI CURES,
PICKLES, AND SMOKES THEIR
OWN MEAT, AND, GOOD LORD,
YOU CAN TASTE IT.
THIS DEFINITELY CAN'T BE
AN EVERYDAY MEAL.
>> BUT IT COULD LAST YOU
A FEW DAYS.
>> THIS COULD LAST ME A FEW
DAYS. THAT'S UNBELIEVABLE.
THIS WHOLE JOURNEY TO NEW YORK
FOR ME, COMING BACK HERE,
HAS BEEN A LOT ABOUT WHAT MAKES
NEW YORK, NEW YORK.
>> IT JUST HAS EVERYTHING TO
OFFER. EVERYBODY IS VERY NICE
TO EVERYBODY.
>> THAT'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT ON
THE MONEY, AND I THINK IT'S
A MISPERCEPTION THAT A LOT OF
PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT THE CITY, BUT
IT'S ACTUALLY A VERY INCREDIBLE
COMMUNITY.
>> IT REALLY IS.
>> I AM SO FULL. DO YOU GUYS
HAVE, LIKE, A DOCTOR ON CALL
UPSTAIRS?
>> NO, BUT YOU GET TUMS
ON THE WAY OUT. HA HA HA!
>> ALL RIGHT. I DIDN'T FINISH
THAT SANDWICH, BUT I ATE MORE
THAN I SHOULD HAVE, SO I'M GOING
TO WALK IT OFF BY HEADING UPTOWN
TO ANOTHER NEW YORK CLASSIC,
CENTRAL PARK IN THE SPRINGTIME.
CENTRAL PARK WAS THE FIRST
LANDSCAPED PUBLIC PARK IN THE
UNITED STATES. BUILT IN THE MID
1800s, IT NOW SPANS 843 ACRES
AND IS A HAVEN FOR NEW YORKERS
OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
THERE'S TRULY NOTHING MORE
PEACEFUL AND TRANQUIL THAN
TAKING A NICE LEISURELY STROLL
THROUGH THIS PARK, THIS OASIS
IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONCRETE
JUNGLE. IT'S SO COOL.
WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF NARNIA
RIGHT NOW. THERE'S LIKE A 5-DAY
WINDOW FOR WHEN CHERRY BLOSSOMS
COME OUT. THIS IS THE MOST
GORGEOUS FREAKING THING I'VE
EVER SEEN.
MY GOD! IT'S...
IT ACTUALLY HAS NO SMELL,
BUT IT'S JUST THE TEXTURE
FEELS NICE AGAINST MY NOSE.
SO BEAUTIFUL.
NOW I'VE GOT TO GET BACK TO
THE THEATER DISTRICT. I DO HAVE
ONE LITTLE BIT OF BUSINESS
WHILE I'M HERE, AND I'M ACTUALLY
A LITTLE LATE, SO I THINK I'LL
HOP IN A CAB.
LET'S OPEN THE WINDOW, TAKE IN
SOME NEW YORK CITY AIR.
SMELL ALL THAT POLLUTION.
[HORNS HONK]
[SIREN]
SO MANY TIMES IN NEW YORK CITY,
YOU'LL START OFF IN A CAB, THEN
REALIZE, YOU KNOW WHAT? IT WOULD
HAVE JUST BEEN FASTER TO WALK.
ONE OF THOSE TIMES IS RIGHT NOW.
PART OF THE THEATER-GOING
EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU COME TO
NEW YORK IS TO GO SEE
A BROADWAY SHOW.
BUT IT CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE.
YOU CAN SPEND HUNDREDS OF
DOLLARS ON ONE TICKET.
ONE WAY TO GET AROUND THIS IS
TO GO TO THE DISCOUNT BOOTH
CALLED TKTS IN TIMES SQUARE.
BUT HERE'S WHAT NOT TO DO.
ONE TIME, WHEN I WAS A COLLEGE
STUDENT AND I WANTED TO GO SEE
"THE PRODUCERS," I DECIDED TO GO
GET IT FROM A STREET VENDOR WHO
WAS OFFERING THESE TICKETS FOR
$100. TURNS OUT THAT THE STREET
VENDOR WAS A LIAR. HE WAS A SON
OF A *** WHO STOLE MY MONEY
AND RAN AWAY, AND HE LEFT ME
WITH THIS, LIKE, [BLEEP] RADIO
THAT HE SAID WAS LIKE COLLATERAL
FOR ME TO WAIT FOR HIM. TURNS
OUT THAT I WAS DEFRAUDED THAT
DAY. THANKFULLY, THERE'S NOW
A BETTER ALTERNATIVE TO GETTING
RIPPED OFF--THE LOTTERY.
CERTAIN THEATERS HOLD DAILY
TICKET DRAWINGS, AND THE WINNERS
CAN PURCHASE FRONT-ROW SEATS
VERY CHEAPLY. SO I'M HERE AT
THE EUGENE O'NEILL THEATRE,
READY TO MAKE SOME BROADWAY
DREAMS COME TRUE.
[CROWD CHEERING]
I WAS THE ORIGINAL ELDER
CUNNINGHAM, AND AS YOU CAN SEE,
I'VE FALLEN ON HARD TIMES.
[LAUGHTER]
THIS PERSON IS FROM CANADA.
ISABELLE--
>> WHOO!
>> ISABELLE, CONGRATULATIONS.
I HOPE THERE'S NOT ANOTHER
ISABELLE FROM CANADA.
AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE CROWD,
YOU'VE GOT TO BE PRETTY LUCKY
TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS.
>> WINNER!
>> WHOO!
>> BUT IF YOU'VE GOT THE TIME,
IT'S DEFINITELY WORTH A TRY.
HAVE YOU SEEN "BOOK OF MORMON"
BEFORE?
>> NO, I HAVE NOT.
>> OK. YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE IT.
NOT AS MUCH AS YOU WOULD HAVE
WHEN I WAS IN IT, BUT YOU'RE
GOING TO LOVE IT.
>> TYPICAL NEW YORKER WALKS
REALLY FAST, TALKS REALLY FAST.
>> INSTEAD OF GIVING YOU A
FAKE SMILE OR TRY TO BE NICE,
THEY'RE JUST STRAIGHT UP.
>> THAT CAN SOMETIMES BE
PERCEIVED AS UNFRIENDLY.
>> THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS,
MOST NEW YORKERS, LIKE MYSELF,
ARE VERY HAPPY TO HELP YOU.
>> BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE PEOPLE
ARE VERY HELPFUL THEMSELVES.
THEY'RE VERY NICE, VERY POLITE.
>> IF YOU NEED A HAND,
WE'RE GOING TO HELP YOU OUT.
>> IF SOMETHING WAS TO HAPPEN
AND YOU WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED,
EVERYBODY WOULD COME TO YOUR
RESCUE. BUT IF YOU WEREN'T
SERIOUSLY INJURED, THEY MIGHT
JUST VIDEOTAPE YOU AND PUT YOU
ON THE WEB.
>> FOOD IN NEW YORK IS LIKE
THE FASHION, IT'S LIKE THE
MUSIC, IT'S LIKE THE PEOPLE;
IT'S JUST DIVERSE.
>> WE HAVE VEGAN RESTAURANTS.
VEGAN IS VERY FASHIONABLE.
>> KOREAN DOWN HERE IS AMAZING.
BONE MARROW SOUP, AND THEY HAVE
A NICE BLOOD SAUSAGE AND REALLY
AMAZING KIMCHI.
>> DIRTY LITTLE HOT DOG THAT'S
DELICIOUS, ON A STAND.
>> INDIAN JOINT AND GET
THE CURRY--SPICY RED CURRY,
GREEN CURRY, YELLOW CURRY.
>> AND DON'T FORGET THE PIZZA.
HELLO! NEW YORK, PIZZA;
PIZZA, NEW YORK. YEAH.
>> FOR MY FIRST DINNER BACK
IN NEW YORK CITY, I'M GOING
TO HAVE--WELL, MORE MEAT.
BUT THE PORTIONS WILL BE MUCH,
MUCH SMALLER. I'M GOING TO
TAKASHI IN THE WEST VILLAGE
FOR YAKINIKU, OR JAPANESE-STYLE
KOREAN BARBECUE. 3 THINGS
TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PLACE--
THE MEAT IS SERIOUSLY
HIGH QUALITY,
THE SELECTIONS ARE UNCOMMON--
TONGUE, STOMACH, MARROW,
INTESTINES--
AND YOU COOK WHAT YOU ORDER
AT YOUR VERY OWN GRILL.
I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN DYING TO
COME TO TAKASHI. IT'S ONE OF
THOSE PLACES THAT I WANTED
TO EXPERIENCE SO BADLY.
THE GRILLING WILL HAVE TO WAIT,
THOUGH, BECAUSE MY FIRST COURSE
OF THE NIGHT IS STEAK TARTAR,
RAW CHOPPED BEEF SERVED WITH
SEAWEED AND A QUAIL EGG.
THIS SHOULD BE AN ART
INSTALLATION AT MoMA.
WOW. THAT LOOKS DELICIOUS.
>> WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT COME IN
JUST FOR THIS.
>> I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
YOU GET THIS FLAVOR OF THE
SEAWEED.
THAT IS REALLY EXTRAORDINARY.
THOUGH DELICIOUS, STEAK TARTAR
IS JUST A WARM-UP FOR SOMETHING
FAR MORE ADVENTUROUS.
>> THIS IS THE TESTICARGOT.
>> I HEAR A WORD IN THERE THAT
I'M FAMILIAR WITH. A LITTLE
ESCARGOT AND A LITTLE...
>> ***.
>> OK.
>> UH-HUH.
COW BALLS, ESCARGOT STYLE.
JUST GIVE IT A LITTLE SQUEEZE
OF LEMON BEFORE YOU EAT IT.
>> LITTLE SQUEEZE.
>> A LITTLE SQUEEZE OF LEMON.
>> ESSENTIALLY, PROSTATE EXAM
FOR MY COW FRIEND. IT'S A
SLIPPERY...IT'S A SLIPPERY
LITTLE BALL.
AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN
MY LIFE, I'M ABOUT TO PUT
A *** IN MY MOUTH.
UH!
TASTE AND TEXTURE IS NEW TO
MY MOUTH, NEW TO MY PALATE.
>> THAT'S WHAT THEY ALL SAY.
>> IT'S CHEWY, VERY CHEWY.
I'M GOING TO TRY TO FORGET
ABOUT THAT. DON'T TELL MY WIFE
THAT THIS HAPPENED.
SO MAYBE I WASN'T READY TO
JUMP BALLS-DEEP INTO THIS ONE.
AND JUST FOR THE RECORD,
THOSE WOULD HAVE BEEN BALLS FROM
A BULL, NOT A COW, IF YOU WANT
TO BE ANATOMICALLY CORRECT.
BUT THERE MUST BE A HAPPY MEDIUM
SOMEPLACE BETWEEN THE ANIMAL'S
BALLS AND ITS BRAIN, WHICH,
BY THE WAY, IS ANOTHER
DELICACY HERE AT TAKASHI--
CALF'S-BRAIN CREAM SERVED IN
A TUBE, LIKE TOOTHPASTE. I HEAR
IT'S SURPRISINGLY TASTY, BUT
I'LL SAVE IT FOR ANOTHER TIME,
BECAUSE I'M READY TO START
GRILLING.
IF I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH
THIS PART OF IT, I BLAME ME
AS THE CHEF.
>> YES.
>> THAT'S A GOOD WAY TO TAKE
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR IT. YEAH.
>> SO WE HAVE 3 DIFFERENT CUTS
OF TONGUE.
>> SO IT'S ESSENTIALLY LIKE
I'LL BE MAKING OUT WITH A COW.
>> YES, EXACTLY. YEAH.
THIS IS THE TONGUE SINEW,
THE BACK PART.
>> THIS IS VERY EXCITING.
I FEEL LIKE I'M ON AN EPISODE
OF "IRON CHEF" RIGHT NOW.
JUST GOING TO LET IT SIT A
LITTLE BIT LONGER, BECAUSE I
DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU GUYS,
BUT I DON'T LIKE MY COW TONGUE
THAT RAW.
MMM!
THAT IS YUMMY.
THAT'S SOME REALLY GOOD COW MOO
PART OF TONGUE. WELL, THIS HAS
BEEN TRULY AN EXTRAORDINARY
MEAL. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY
MORE BODY PARTS THERE ARE
AVAILABLE, BUT--
>> WE CAN KEEP 'EM COMING.
>> OK.
>> YEAH.
TAKASHI WAS CERTAINLY A FIRST
FOR ME, AND THE NIGHT IS YOUNG.
SO I'M HEADING UPTOWN
TO KEEP THE FIRSTS COMING--
A RIDE IN A HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE
THROUGH CENTRAL PARK. THE
CARRIAGE DRIVERS LINE UP ON
WEST 59th STREET, ALSO KNOWN
AS CENTRAL PARK SOUTH, AND
THEY'RE THERE ALMOST ANY TIME
OF THE DAY.
AND SINCE I'M IN NEW YORK,
I'M GOING TO MULTITASK, SO I'M
USING IT AS AN EXCUSE TO VISIT
WITH AN OLD FRIEND, BOBBY LOPEZ.
THIS IS MY FIRST NIGHT CARRIAGE
RIDE, AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO
TAKE IT WITH ANYBODY OTHER
THAN YOU.
>> WHICH HORSE DO YOU LIKE?
>> I THINK I WANT TO DO THE ONE
WITH THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.
>> BOBBY LOPEZ IS A TONY AWARD-,
GRAMMY AWARD-, EVERY AWARD-
WINNING WRITER/COMPOSER OF
SUCH HITS AS "AVENUE Q,"
"BOOK OF MORMON," AND WROTE
"WINNIE THE POOH," WHICH MY
DAUGHTER LOVES. DID YOU ALWAYS
KNOW THAT YOU WANTED TO WRITE?
>> YEAH. EVER SINCE I WAS
ABOUT 11, I KNEW I WANTED
TO WRITE MUSICAL THEATER.
>> DO YOU REMEMBER THE
FIRST SONG YOU EVER WROTE?
>> YEAH, BUT I WAS 7 WHEN
I WROTE MY FIRST SONG.
>> CAN WE HEAR IT?
>> IT WAS CALLED "OY VEY,
WHAT A DAY."
>> OK. LET'S HEAR A LITTLE BIT.
>> ♪ OY VEY, WHAT A DAY
THE CROPS HAVE NOT BEEN FED
OY VEY, WHAT A DAY
IT'S ALREADY TIME FOR BED ♪
>> SO YOU WERE DEALING WITH
RELIGION AT AN EARLY AGE.
YOU ALWAYS KNEW THAT YOU WANTED
TO DO--
>> YEAH. I GUESS I WAS WRITING,
LIKE, AN ISRAELI FARMER OR
SOMETHING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT
IT WAS, BUT...
>> FOR ME, THERE WAS NO CHOICE
IN MY MIND. I HAD TO COME HERE.
I HAD TO PROVE MYSELF HERE.
>> THE HISTORY OF ALL ART FORMS
IN THIS CITY IS REALLY STRONG.
IT'S A BUNCH OF PEOPLE SMUSHED
TOGETHER, AND YOU CANNOT
DUPLICATE THAT FEELING IN L.A.
BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE JUST SPREAD
APART.
>> CLEARLY, YOU'VE NEVER TAKEN
THE HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIGHT
THROUGH COMPTON, BUT THERE IS
AN ELEMENT OF THIS CITY THAT,
BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS ON TOP
OF EACH OTHER, THAT ENERGY
IS ALMOST A LIVING ORGANISM.
IT ALMOST FEEDS YOU.
>> THE SHEER AMOUNT TALENT
THAT'S IN THE CITY IS
INCREDIBLE.
>> IT'S INCREDIBLE.
>> AND SO PEOPLE CONTINUE TO
COME HERE WHEN THEY GET ADVICE
FROM THEIR MENTORS. THEY'RE
LIKE, "WHAT DO I DO AFTER
COLLEGE?" "WELL, YOU MOVE TO
NEW YORK. YOU GOT TO MOVE TO
NEW YORK." AND THAT'S WHY
PEOPLE MOVE HERE.
>> I'M SO SAD THAT WE NEVER
TOOK A HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDE
PRIOR TO THIS DAY.
>> WELL, IT IS SAD, BUT...
I'M GETTING EMOTIONAL.
>> YOU SHOULD GET EMOTIONAL.
>> I'M GOING TO HAVE SOME
HOT CHOCOLATE.
>> IF YOU STAY UP LATE AT THE
CLUB, YOU'RE DRINKING A LOT,
AND YOU WANT TO EAT AT 4:00...
>> CLASSIC GO-TO'S IN THIS TOWN
ARE PIZZA. WE CALL THEM SLICES.
LIKE, FOR $2.00. EGG SANDWICHES
FROM ANY DELI.
>> ANOTHER AMAZING THING THAT
YOU HAVE TO CHECK OUT ARE ALL
THE HALAL CARTS. GRILLED CHICKEN
AND LAMB CHOPPED UP, AND THEY
RIP IT ON THE GRIDDLE, AND
YOU'RE INTOXICATED. YOU'RE
REALLY DRAWN IN BY THE SMELL.
YOU CAN'T HELP BUT STOP AND
GET SOMETHING.
>> YOU EAT, AND YOU GO TO BED
RIGHT AWAY. I DON'T KNOW HOW
FATTENING IT IS, BUT WHO CARES,
AT THIS POINT?
>> NEXT, PLEASE.
>> WE DO HAVE THE BEST BAGELS.
I SAY THAT IN ALL ARROGANCE.
I MEAN, BAGELS ARE FROM
NEW YORK CITY.
>> A REAL NEW YORK BAGEL IS
GOOD BECAUSE IT'S MADE WITH
NEW YORK WATER.
>> IT'S A TASTE THING, AND YOU
GO, "OH, THIS IS A NEW YORK
BAGEL," OR, "OH, THIS IS
SOMETHING PRETENDING TO BE
A NEW YORK BAGEL," OR, "THEY
DIDN'T EVEN TRY! THESE PEOPLE
DIDN'T EVEN TRY!" YOU KNOW?
>> IT'S GOT A NICE CRISPY
OUTSIDE, BUT THE INSIDE IS
STILL KIND OF SOFT AND FLUFFY,
WITH SOME CREAM CHEESE, TOMATO,
A LITTLE BIT OF SALT AND PEPPER.
>> OH! BAGELS. I LOVE BAGELS.
>> AND BAGELS, I LOVE THEM, BUT
THEY'RE A THOUSAND CALORIE EACH.
>> IT'S MY SECOND DAY IN
THE BIG APPLE, AND I AM
READY TO ROLL. RIGHT NOW,
I'M GEARING UP FOR MORE
OF THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
OF THIS AMAZING CITY.
AND WHEN IT COMES TO ACTION
ON THE STREET, NEW YORK NEVER
DISAPPOINTS.
>> ♪ I'M ON MY TIME, MAN
STAY IN YOUR LANE
THIS IS MY GAME
SHOW ME THE MONEY
UH-OH, UH-OH
YOU BETTER SHOW ME THE MONEY
UH-OH, UH-OH
YOU BETTER SHOW ME THE MONEY
FOR MY GRIND, FOR MY HUSTLE
YOU BETTER SHOW ME THE MONEY ♪
>> MY FIRST DESTINATION THIS
MORNING IS THE LOWER EAST SIDE.
IT'S BASICALLY AT THE BOTTOM
OF THE ISLAND, SO, AS ENJOYABLE
AS THE STREET PERFORMERS ARE,
I'M GOING TO HOP ON THE SUBWAY
TO GET THERE.
>> PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE
AND REALLY ARE NEW YORKERS
TAKE THE TRAIN. THAT'S HOW
YOU GET PLACES.
>> NOTHING BEATS THE SUBWAY.
THERE'S SUBWAYS RUNNING EAST
TO WEST, NORTH TO SOUTH. SO IT'S
LIKE WHEREVER YOU'RE GOING,
THERE'S ALWAYS ONE IN TWO-BLOCK
RADIUS OF WHERE YOU ARE.
>> THE SUBWAY SYSTEM IS MASSIVE.
YOU CAN GET ABSOLUTELY ANYWHERE
YOU NEED TO GET.
>> FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ENJOY
WILDLIFE, YOU'LL FIND MANY
EXOTIC SPECIES OF RAT IN MOST
OF THE SUBWAY LINES IN NEW YORK.
THE LOWER EAST SIDE IS ONE OF
THE OLDEST NEIGHBORHOODS IN
NEW YORK. NOW IT'S FILLED
WITH TRENDY RESTAURANTS, BARS,
SHOPS, AND GALLERIES.
ONE RECENT TREND IS A
PROLIFERATION OF HIP
BARBERSHOPS, WHERE YOU CAN
GET AN OLD-FASHIONED SHAVE--
AND BY OLD-FASHIONED, I MEAN A
STRANGER TAKING A STRAIGHT RAZOR
TO YOUR THROAT. I'VE GOT TO TRY
IT, AND I'M BRINGING A CLASSIC
NEW YORKER FOR MORAL SUPPORT--
MY GOOD FRIEND AND PERSONAL
JEWISH YODA, ALAN ZWEIBEL,
ONE OF THE ORIGINAL WRITERS
FOR "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE."
HAVE YOU EVER ACTUALLY USED
A STRAIGHT RAZOR AT HOME?
>> I DON'T THINK I HAVE.
HAVE YOU?
>> I DON'T TRUST MYSELF.
>> NO. I DON'T TRUST EITHER
MY DEXTERITY OR MY MOOD.
>> YEAH.
FOR OUR CLOSE SHAVE, WE'RE GOING
TO FRANK'S CHOP SHOP. IT OPENED
JUST 6 YEARS AGO BUT HAS THE
LOOK AND FEEL OF AN OLD-SCHOOL
1920s BARBERSHOP, THOUGH I'M
NOT SURE IF THE BARBERS IN
THE TWENTIES HAD TATTOOS ON
THEIR FINGERS.
HAVE YOU GUYS EVER LOST ANYBODY?
>> NO. NOBODY'S BLED OUT JUST
YET. YOU KNOW, THE IDEA IS FOR
YOU TO FEEL COMPLETELY RELAXED.
>> YEAH. THE MOST RELAXED
I EVER FEEL IS WHEN SOMEBODY
HOLDS A KNIFE TO MY NECK.
>> HA HA HA!
>> I NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS
PART OF NEW YORK BEFORE. THERE'S
ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW TO DO,
ISN'T THERE?
>> CERTAINLY. THAT'S WHAT'S
GREAT ABOUT NEW YORK.
IT'S CONSTANTLY EVOLVING
AND CHANGING.
>> YOU GUYS EVER BREAK OUT
INTO, LIKE, A QUARTET AND START
SINGING HARMONIES?
>> ♪ OHH ♪
>> HA HA HA!
>> ♪ AFTER THE BALL IS OVER ♪
>> THIS IS SOME PRESHAVE OIL.
>> ♪ AFTER THE BREAK OF MORN ♪
>> ALAN, BACK IN THE FORTIES,
YOU USED TO TAKE A HORSE AND
CARRIAGE TO YOUR BARBERSHOP,
CORRECT?
>> WELL, YEAH. YOU KNOW, WE HAD
TO START OUT EARLY IN THE
MORNING, JOSH. SO WHAT I WOULD
DO IS, I'D WAKE UP, I'D CHURN,
AND THEN I'D GO, "POP. PAPA."
>> PAPA?
>> "HERE'S THE BUTTER. LET ME
GO INTO TOWN."
>> HA HA HA!
>> YOU KNOW, THEY WERE GATHERING
PLACES. IT'S LIKE A CENTER OF
TOWN, KIND OF. EVERYBODY WAS
THERE FOR GOSSIP.
>> YEAH. A LONG TIME AGO,
WE WERE THE DENTISTS, WE WERE
THE DOCTORS. WE STILL ARE
PSYCHOLOGISTS, TO A CERTAIN
DEGREE.
>> OH, ALAN. WHAT DO YOU
THINK OF MY FACE TRANSPLANT?
>> I'M RECOGNIZING YOUR
VOICE, BUT...
>> MY GOD. I'VE NEVER SEEN
MY SKIN SO WELL BEFORE.
WELL, ALAN AND I SURVIVED THE
STRAIGHT RAZORS. NOW WE'RE
TAKING ON ANOTHER TRICKY
CHALLENGE FOR THE MODERN MAN--
CHOOSING THE RIGHT HAT.
ALAN'S TAKEN ME TO THE OLDEST
HAT SHOP IN THE CITY,
JJ HAT CENTER, OPEN SINCE 1911.
MARC AND ROD HAVE BEEN HELPING
CUSTOMERS PICK THE PERFECT HATS
FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
THIS IS OVERWHELMING TO ME.
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START?
>> I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU WANT
THE HAT FOR--IF IT'S FOR DRESS,
CASUAL.
>> MY FRIEND ALAN LOVES
GANGSTERS.
>> GUYS WITH GETAWAY CARS.
>> FORTIES GANGSTERS. I WANT HIM
TO HAVE SOME STREET CRED.
>> "LEAVE THE GUN.
DON'T FORGET THE CANNOLI."
>> YES.
>> THOSE GUYS.
>> OOH!
>> IF YOU MET ME FOR THE
FIRST TIME AND I WAS WEARING
THIS HAT, WOULD YOU STILL WANT
TO WORK TOGETHER?
>> I WOULD FEEL A NEED TO
BECAUSE I'D FEEL LIKE YOU'D BEAT
THE HELL OUT OF ME IF I DIDN'T.
>> SEE, THAT'S THE LOOK I WANT.
I'M TIRED OF TALKING. I'D RATHER
LET MY HAT DO IT FOR ME.
>> HA HA HA!
>> NOW WE NEED JOSH.
>> NOW WE NEED ME. I'M A BIGGER
GUY. SOMETHING LIKE THIS,
BUT THIS IS TOO SMALL.
>> IT'S TOO SMALL.
>> THIS IS LIKE HUMPTY-DUMPTY
PUT ON A YARMULKE.
IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, I'VE SEEN
AN EXPLOSION OF THE OLD-SCHOOL
STYLE HATS.
>> NEW YORK IS THE MELTING POT.
EVERYBODY BRINGS THEIR
CREATIVITY.
>> THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE
HAS BEEN THE BRAD PITTS,
THE JUSTIN TIMBERLAKES.
>> YEAH. WHO DO YOU SELL
MOSTLY TO?
>> LATE 20s TO 55 IS
THE CORE MARKET.
>> GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE.
THOUGH THE ENTERTAINMENT
BUSINESS HAS PUT HATS BACK IN
STYLE, JJ HAT CENTER HAS ALWAYS
HAD A HEALTHY MIX OF REPEAT
CUSTOMERS, BOTH OLDER AND
YOUNGER MEN LOOKING TO MAKE A
FASHION STATEMENT. THEY ALSO
PROVIDE A LOT OF HATS FOR
BROADWAY AND TELEVISION SHOWS.
>> I WANT TO MAKE ALAN LOOK
LIKE SHERLOCK HOLMES. CAN WE
MAKE THAT HAPPEN?
>> YEAH.
>> SURE.
>> OH! LOOK AT THIS.
>> THERE HE IS.
>> SHERLOCK HOLMES.
INDIANA JONES.
OK. I'M GOING TO STUMP YOU NOW.
READY?
>> OK.
>> BEYONCE.
>> WOW.
>> THERE ISN'T A WAY TO STUMP A
MAN WHO'S BEEN WORKING HERE FOR
25 YEARS AND KNOWS EVERY HAT.
HA HA HA HA!
>> STRAIGHT BOOTYLICIOUS.
>> OH, COME ON!
>> HOW ABOUT HARRISON FORD
IN "WITNESS"?
>> SO FAR, YOU'VE GONE THROUGH
HARRISON FORD AND TWO OF HIS,
LIKE, MAJOR FILMS. DO WE HAVE
A HAN SOLO HAT?
>> HE DIDN'T HAVE A HAT.
>> AH! IT WAS A TRICK QUESTION.
IN YOUR HUMBLE OPINIONS, WHAT
SUITS ALAN AND I BEST? WE NEED
TO WALK OUT OF HERE WITH SOME
COOL HATS.
>> IS THIS IT?
>> YES! YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU LOOK
LIKE THE FATHER IN "NEWSIES."
"EXTRY, EXTRY, READ ALL
ABOUT IT."
>> THIS LOOKS A LITTLE MORE
SERIOUS WHEN YOU WEAR THE
BRIM DOWN.
>> OK. LET ME, UH...GET THE HELL
OUT OF MY WAY WITH THE CAMERA.
COME ON. THERE'S A MIRROR...
>> HA HA HA!
>> I THINK WE GOT IT.
>> IT'S YOU.
>> THIS WAS GREAT.
>> THIS WAS AMAZING. THANK YOU
SO MUCH. WE'LL TAKE THEM ALL.
>> YEAH.
>> WE WERE COUNTING ON THAT.
>> HA HA HA!
>> PEOPLE DON'T REALLY,
IN THIS TOWN, GIVE A [BLEEP]
WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THEM.
>> YOU CAN EXPRESS YOURSELF HERE
BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A HUGE CITY
AND THERE ARE SUCH MULTIPLE
PERSONALITIES HERE.
>> SO YOU HAVE A FANTASY TO
BE A PIRATE, FANTASY TO BE A
SHOWGIRL. ANY FANTASY YOU HAVE,
YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.
>> YOU SEE PEOPLE WALKING AROUND
WITH A TUTU, AND THERE ARE
PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO LOVE
DRESSING HOMELESS.
>> YOU CAN BE WHO YOU ARE IN
THE CITY. YOU DON'T STICK OUT,
AND YOU'RE NOT ODD.
>> YOU CAN INVENT YOURSELF,
REINVENT YOURSELF.
>> THE STREET IS YOUR STAGE.
>> HA HA HA!
>> DARKNESS IS FALLING ON MY
SECOND DAY HERE IN NEW YORK,
AND I AM STARVING. LUCKILY,
ALAN MADE RESERVATIONS FOR US AT
SAMMY'S ROUMANIAN STEAK HOUSE,
A LOWER EAST SIDE INSTITUTION.
ALAN AND HIS WIFE ROBIN HAVE
BEEN COMING HERE SINCE THE EARLY
DAYS OF "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE."
LIKE SO MANY OF THE PLACES I'M
DRAWN TO, SAMMY'S IS FAMOUS FOR
HUGE CUTS OF MEAT AND FABULOUSLY
CALORIC JEWISH COMFORT FOOD.
WOW! SO THIS PLACE WREAKS
OF HISTORY.
>> ELLIOTT GOULD BROUGHT ME
AND GILDA HERE AND FELL IN LOVE
WITH THIS PLACE.
>> I'VE NEVER SEEN A MENU
ATTACHED TO A FOLDER.
>> IT'S A MENU, BY THE WAY,
THAT HAS A SAMPLE OF ALL THE
FOOD, SO IF YOU LICK THE MENU,
YOU CAN SEE WHAT THE FOOD
TASTES LIKE BEFORE YOU ORDER.
>> THE MENU MAKE LOOK CHEAP,
BUT THE PRICES AREN'T.
ALAN AND ROBIN ASSURE ME,
THOUGH, THAT OUR MEAL WILL BE
WORTH EVERY PENNY.
IS THAT BURIED IN ICE?
>> IT'S IN A BLOCK OF ICE.
>> YOU'RE KIDDING ME.
>> NO.
>> IT TASTES LIKE WATER,
SO YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL.
>> OK. TERRIFIC. IT'S GOING TO
BE A LONG NIGHT.
SLAINTE. L'CHAIM.
>> WHOA!
>> WOW!
THAT IS...
THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING
RIGHT THERE.
>> OH, BOY, OH, BOY, OH, BOY.
>> OUR FIRST COURSE--
CHOPPED LIVER,
PREPARED TABLESIDE.
OH, KEIN AYIN HORA. MY YIDDISH
NANA WOULD BE SO PROUD!
SO NOW WE HAVE CHICKEN SKINS,
ONIONS, AND CHICKEN FAT AND
LIVER. I DON'T THINK I'VE
EVER HAD A DISH CONSISTING OF
THOSE THINGS IN ONE.
OK. IT'S TIME TO FREEZE FRAME.
SEE THAT BOTTLE OF BRIGHT
YELLOW LIQUID ON THE TABLE?
THAT'S CHICKEN FAT, AKA
SCHMALTZ. THOUGH OUR WAITER
IS MIXING IT INTO THE CHOPPED
LIVER, SOME PEOPLE SIMPLY SPREAD
THE FAT ITSELF ONTO BREAD.
THAT IS A SCHMEAR.
>> OH, MY GOD.
>> WOW.
[PEOPLE CHEERING]
HEY! I CAN SEE FROM THE
SCRAPBOOK DECOR ON THE WALLS
THAT THIS IS A PLACE PEOPLE
COME TO CELEBRATE, AND HAVE
DONE SO FOR A LONG TIME.
>> THE RESTAURANT'S BEEN HERE
FOR ABOUT 84 YEARS, 38 YEARS
IN MY FAMILY. MY FATHER WON
THE RESTAURANT IN A POKER GAME
IN 1975.
>> NO! REALLY?
>> YOUR FATHER WON THIS
RESTAURANT IN A POKER GAME?
>> NO ONE'S ROMANIAN HERE.
NO ONE SPEAKS ROMANIAN.
>> EVERYWHERE I GO, THERE'S
ALMOST A CENTURY OLD, AND THEY
HAVEN'T CHANGED IN A CENTURY.
IT'S TRAPPED IN TIME.
>> IF IT'S NOT BROKEN,
DON'T FIX IT.
>> YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.
>> YOU'LL SEE IN JUST A LITTLE
BIT THAT THE FOOD IS ONLY A PART
OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THIS PLACE.
I'M SERIOUS.
>> THE FOOD MAY ONLY BE A PART
OF THE EXPERIENCE, BUT IT SEEMS
LIKE A BIG PART. SAMMY'S IS
FAMOUS FOR THEIR GARLIC-RUBBED
TENDERLOINS, AS TASTY AS THEY
ARE HUGE.
MY GOD.
>> MAKE SOME ROOM.
>> YOU'RE NOT A VEGETARIAN,
ARE YOU?
>> NOT ANYMORE.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS IS IT'S
THE ONLY STEAK I'VE EVER SEEN
THAT HANGS OFF THE PLATE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> SO NOW I'M GOING TO DO
A LITTLE BITE OF THIS
AMAZING-LOOKING MEAT.
WOW.
>> OH, THAT'S GOOD.
>> CHEERS.
>> L'CHAIM.
CHEERS.
AND HERE'S HOW THE MEMORIES
REALLY GET MADE.
DANI LUV, SAMMY'S HOUSE
MUSICIAN, HAS BEEN PERFORMING
HERE 6 NIGHTS A WEEK SINCE 1998.
>> I WANT TO SEE A CIRCLE,
HAND IN HAND. EVERYBODY ALL
AROUND THE ROOM, LET'S DO IT!
1, 2, 3! COME ON!
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MY NAME IS DANI LUV.
GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.
[SINGING IN HEBREW]
>> WE DO THIS IN EVERY
RESTAURANT WE GO TO.
>> AND THAT, LADIES AND
GENTLEMEN, IS SAMMY'S ROUMANIAN.
>> OH!
>> NOTHING BURNS SCHMALTZ
LIKE A HORA.
>> HA HA HA!
>> THE NIGHTLIFE HERE IS
7 DAYS A WEEK, 24 HOURS A DAY.
>> BARS CLOSE HERE AT, LIKE,
4 A.M. I CAN'T EVEN STAY UP
UNTIL 4 ANYMORE.
>> THERE'S ANOTHER UNDERWORLD
OF NEW YORK CITY, AND IT GOES ON
FOREVER, ALL NIGHT LONG.
>> NOBODY'S JUDGING ANYBODY.
IT'S JUST FUN. JUST DRINK
AND DANCE.
>> WHY GO TO SLEEP, ANYWAY?
>> THERE'S ALWAYS AN AFTER SPOT.
YOU HAVE TO KNOW SOMEONE,
BUT THERE'S ALWAYS ONE.
>> NEXT ONE UP IS I-28.
>> AFTER SPOT? WHAT AFTER SPOT?
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE
TALKING ABOUT.
HA HA HA HA!
AFTER ALAN AND ROBIN LEFT,
I'M SURE I WENT STRAIGHT BACK
TO MY HOTEL.
HEY! HA HA HA!
I'M ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE THAT
I DID NOT GO TO SOMETHING CALLED
*** BINGO AT A DRAG CLUB
CALLED LIPS.
>> GET DIRTY!
>> HA HA HA! CALL MY WIFE!
TELL HER THIS IS DONE!
NOPE. DIDN'T HAPPEN.
AAAH! HA HA HA!
WHOO!
>> I LOVE IT!
>> AH, LOOK AT THAT. THE SUN IS
UP. NOT SURE HOW THAT HAPPENED.
AND NOW THAT I'M AWAKE, I FIND
THAT SOMEHOW, I'VE SLEPT THROUGH
MUCH OF MY THIRD DAY HERE.
MANY A LATE NIGHT, MANY A
DEBAUCHEROUS NIGHT. THANK GOD I
WOKE UP, BECAUSE I HAVE A HELL
OF A MEAL PLANNED. I'M HEADING
BACK DOWN TO THE LOWER EAST
SIDE--SLOWLY; PLEASE, GOD,
SLOWLY--TO ONE OF THE
HOTTEST RESTAURANTS IN TOWN,
MISSION CHINESE.
I'M MEETING THEATER IMPRESARIO
JORDAN ROTH. HE OWNS AND RUNS
5 BROADWAY THEATERS.
OH, GOD. I THINK I'D BETTER
PULL MYSELF TOGETHER HERE.
NOW, YOU MIGHT BE THINKING,
"CHINESE FOOD. THE PERFECT
HANGOVER MEAL." BUT THIS ISN'T
YOUR AVERAGE GREASY CHINESE
FARE. OWNER AND CHEF DANNY
BOWIEN SERVES UP HIS OWN TAKE
ON AMERICANIZED CHINESE FOOD,
AND THE CITY CAN'T GET ENOUGH.
FOR ME, THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL.
WHEN I WAS DOING "BOOK OF
MORMON," I NEVER HAD A CHANCE
TO EVEN COME TO THE LOWER
EAST SIDE.
>> EVER, EVER?
>> NO. HAVE YOU BEEN HERE
BEFORE?
>> I HAVE NOT.
>> ARE YOU EXCITED?
>> I AM. AND HUNGRY, CAN I SAY?
>> I KNOW. I'M VERY HUNGRY, TOO.
DANNY BOWIEN CALLS HIS
CUISINE WEIRD CHINESE, WHICH
GIVES HIM THE FREEDOM TO PRETTY
MUCH MAKE WHATEVER THE HELL HE
WANTS. THRICE-COOKED BACON WITH
SHANGHAINESE RICE CAKES IN CHILI
OIL, RED CABBAGE LEAVES TORN AND
TOSSED WITH GROUND SESAME,
ANCHOVY, AND SEA KELP, AND THE
EXPLOSIVELY HOT, I'M GOING TO
BURN YOUR [BLEEP] MOUTH OFF
CHONGQING CHICKEN WINGS.
YOU CANNOT GET THESE AT
PIZZA HUT, BY THE WAY.
[COUGHING]
>> HERE.
>> UNBELIEVABLY GOOD.
UNBELIEVABLY GOOD. BUT IT'S
NUMBING MY MOUTH. YOUR TONGUE
GOES LIKE "UUHHH..."
>> I DON'T THINK I'VE HAD
THIS SENSATION BEFORE.
>> I'VE NEVER HAD THIS SENSATION
BEFORE. THE ONLY TIME I'VE EVER
HAD THIS SENSATION BEFORE WAS
WHEN MY DENTIST HAD TO FILL
3 CAVITIES LAST WEEK. THERE'S
SOME NOVOCAIN IN OUR FOOD.
>> HEY, GUYS, WHAT'S UP?
>> ARE YOU DANNY?
>> I'M DANNY. HOW'S IT GOING?
>> WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT YOU.
>> YOU ARE MAKING AMAZINGNESS
FOR US.
>> JOSH.
>> JORDAN.
>> NOW, WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE
TO COME AND OPEN UP A CHINESE
RESTAURANT IN THIS AREA?
>> YOU KNOW, I LOVE THE LOWER
EAST SIDE. I LIVED HERE WHEN
I WAS, LIKE, 22, AND SOMETHING
ABOUT IT. I'M REALLY DRAWN
TO THIS NEIGHBORHOOD. I REALLY
LIKE IT. I HAD NEVER COOKED
CHINESE FOOD. I'M NOT
CLASSICALLY TRAINED TO COOK
CHINESE FOOD. I'VE COOKED
ITALIAN FOOD AND JAPANESE FOOD.
I'M KOREAN AND I WAS BORN IN
KOREA, BUT I WAS ADOPTED,
AND I GREW UP IN OKLAHOMA, SO I
LOVE SMOKED MEAT, I LIKE
BARBECUE, SO THERE'S, LIKE,
SOUTHERN THINGS ON THE MENU.
>> HA HA! THIS IS THE ESSENCE
OF WHY THE NEW YORK CULINARY
EXPERIENCE WILL NEVER BE BEATEN.
DANNY'S SELF-TAUGHT FUSION
OF FLAVORS HAS MADE MISSION
CHINESE A HIT, AND WITH THE
RICH HISTORY OF IMMIGRANTS
ON THE LOWER EAST SIDE, IT'S
IN THE PERFECT NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> WE HAVE THE BEST JOB IN
THE WORLD BECAUSE WE GET TO DO
WHAT WE WANT TO DO.
>> WHAT YOU GUYS ARE PUTTING
TOGETHER HERE, IT'S INCREDIBLE.
CHEERS.
>> YEAH, CHEERS.
>> THANK YOU, DANNY.
EVERYTHING ON OUR TABLE IS
INCREDIBLE, AND APPARENTLY
STILL A GOOD CURE FOR A
HANGOVER, BECAUSE I'M FEELING
A WHOLE LOT BETTER NOW.
>> YOU CAN TELL WHO THE TOURISTS
ARE BECAUSE THEY WEAR SNEAKERS.
NOWADAYS, ENOUGH SHOES ARE MADE
THAT ARE COMFORTABLE THAT YOU
DON'T HAVE TO WEAR SNEAKERS.
>> THEY'RE ALWAYS LOOKING
AROUND, AND THEY'RE JUST
POINTING EVERYWHERE.
>> LOTS OF LOOKING UP.
>> THEY'RE STILL WEARING THE
*** PACKS.
>> AND THEY STOP IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE STREET, TAKING PICTURES
OF EVERYTHING. IT COULD BE A
PIECE OF PAPER ON THE GROUND,
AND THEY WILL TAKE A PICTURE
OF THAT, BECAUSE IT'S NEW YORK.
>> BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD,
LIKE, JUST PICK UP THE PACE A
LITTLE BIT SO THAT YOU DON'T GET
RUN OVER BY A NEW YORKER LIKE
MYSELF TRYING TO GET 10 BLOCKS
IN 5 MINUTES IN 6-INCH HEELS.
HA HA! GOT THINGS TO DO.
>> IT'S MY LAST NIGHT HERE IN
NEW YORK, AND NOW THAT I'VE
GOTTEN RID OF MY HANGOVER,
I JUST CAN'T RESIST GOING TO
A BROADWAY SHOW.
WHEN I GRADUATED CARNEGIE
MELLON, I WANTED TO BE
ON "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE,"
AND "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE"
DECIDED THAT THERE WERE MUCH
BETTER PEOPLE TO BE ON "SATURDAY
NIGHT LIVE" THAN ME, APPARENTLY.
I CALLED MY MOM, AND I TOLD MY
MOM, "I THINK I'M GOING TO GIVE
UP ACTING. I THINK I'M GOING
TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL." AND MY MOM
STARTED CRYING. I'M THINKING,
WHAT JEWISH MOTHER STARTS CRYING
WHEN HER SON SAYS, "I WANT TO GO
TO LAW SCHOOL"? SHE SAYS TO ME,
YOU KNOW, "IF YOU GIVE THIS UP
NOW, YOU'LL ALWAYS LOOK BACK
AND SAY YOU HAVE REGRETS." AND
A WEEK AND A HALF LATER, I GOT
A PHONE CALL TO AUDITION FOR
THE SHOW CALLED "SPELLING BEE,"
AND I WOUND UP TAKING OVER THIS
TONY AWARD-WINNING ROLE, AND IT
CHANGED MY LIFE--A WEEK AND
A HALF LATER, AFTER I MADE MY
JEWISH MOTHER CRY. I STILL THINK
I WOULD HAVE MADE A LOT MORE
MONEY AS A LAWYER, THOUGH.
BUT ENOUGH REMINISCING. I HAVE
A TICKET TO SEE THE TONY
AWARD-WINNING HIT MUSICAL
"*** BOOTS" AT THE
AL HIRSCHFELD THEATER.
BUT THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE
BROADWAY AND OFF-BROADWAY SHOWS
HAPPENING ON ANY GIVEN DAY.
THE CITY HAS AN EMBARRASSMENT
OF RICHES WHEN IT COMES TO LIVE
THEATER, BUT IT WASN'T ALWAYS
AS VIBRANT AS IT IS TODAY.
BROADWAY, IN THE SEVENTIES
AND EIGHTIES, WASN'T REALLY
THRIVING. IT WAS KIND OF A
SCARY PLACE. IT WASN'T, LIKE,
A FAMILY DESTINATION. AS A KID,
IT WAS MY DREAM TO GO TO A PEEP
SHOW, AND WHEN I FINALLY WAS
OLD ENOUGH, THEY WERE ALL GONE.
SO I NEVER REALLY FULFILLED THAT
DREAM. SO THEN MY SECOND DREAM
WAS TO BE ON BROADWAY.
NOW, BROADWAY IS BACK AND
BETTER THAN EVER.
GOT TO WAIT ON A LONG LINE.
CELEBRITY PREFERENCE WILL GET
YOU NOWHERE. NOT IN NEW YORK.
THEY DON'T CARE.
AND DUE TO COPYRIGHT LAW, WE'LL
HAVE TO SKIP THE PERFORMANCE
AND GO STRAIGHT TO THE END.
GOT OUT OF "*** BOOTS."
EXTRAORDINARY REMINDER OF WHY
I MISS NEW YORK CITY SO MUCH.
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THE MAGIC
OF LIVE THEATER.
NOW I'M HEADING OVER THE 46th
STREET, WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS
RESTAURANT ROW. BEING IN THAT
THEATER REMINDED ME OF HOW GREAT
IT WAS TO BE A PART OF THE
THEATRICAL COMMUNITY HERE IN
NEW YORK. HAPPILY, MANY OF MY
OLD BUDDIES FROM "THE BOOK
OF MORMON" ARE STILL HERE,
AND SINCE THEY JUST FINISHED
TONIGHT'S PERFORMANCE, THEY'RE
READY FOR COCKTAILS AND
A LATE-NIGHT MEAL.
WE'RE MEETING AT JOE ALLEN,
A NOTORIOUS POST-SHOW
WATERING HOLE FOR PERFORMERS
AND FANS ALIKE.
WE DON'T HAVE NORMAL LIFESTYLES.
WE LIVE ALMOST ON A DIFFERENT,
LIKE...A DIFFERENT TIME ZONE
THAN EVERYBODY ELSE, RIGHT?
>> YEAH.
>> A DIFFERENT SCHEDULE
COMPLETELY.
>> AS A WORKING ACTOR, YOU
ALWAYS FEEL LIKE YOU'RE KIND
OF MOVING AGAINST THE REST OF
THE CITY, YOU'RE MOVING AGAINST
THE RIVER.
>> WHAT WE GIVE PEOPLE IS
THEIR TIME OFF.
>> YEAH. WE GIVE THEM THEIR
WEEKEND. WE ARE THEIR WEEKEND.
YEAH.
>> AND THEIR EVENING AND THEIR,
LIKE, SPECIAL OCCASION.
>> ANOTHER THING THAT I'M REALLY
FASCINATED BY IS THIS IDEA OF
COMMUNITY. WHEN I'M IN L.A.,
I RARELY SEE FRIENDS MORE THAN
EVERY 3 WEEKS, BUT THE SECOND
I COME BACK TO NEW YORK,
I'M IMMEDIATELY BACK IN WITH
THE SAME PEOPLE, THE SAME
ARTISTS, WITHIN A 10-BLOCK
RADIUS OF EACH OTHER.
>> YOU CAN DO ABOUT 15 THINGS
IN A DAY IN NEW YORK BECAUSE
YOU ARE SO CLOSE TOGETHER.
IN L.A., YOU'RE LUCKY IF YOU
GET 3. SO THE COMMUNITY,
I THINK, IS JUST A LITTLE BIT
MORE IMMEDIATE IN NEW YORK.
>> IT'S TRUE, AT LEAST IN THE
THEATER DISTRICT. EVERYTHING IS
SO CLOSE TOGETHER, IT'S EASY TO
MAKE A NIGHT LIKE THIS HAPPEN,
WHICH ADDS A GREAT SPONTANEITY
TO LIFE HERE.
>> ♪ I'M GONNA SING
A SONG FOR YOU
>> FIRE EXIT, KEEP IT CLEAR
>> ABOUT HOW WE'RE HANGIN' OUT
WITH JOSH ♪
>> HA HA HA!
>> ♪ I FEEL SO GOOD, YEAH
>> FIRE EXIT, KEEP IT CLEAR
>> IT MAKE ME WANNA GO RRAHHH! ♪
>> THIS IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT
HAPPENS WHEN YOU'VE BEEN IN
A DARK, MOLDY THEATER FOR TWO
YEARS STRAIGHT.
>> ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DON'T
TAKE YOUR MEDICATION.
>> OH, SHUT UP.
>> HA HA HA!
>> I REALLY MISS THESE
LATE-NIGHT IMPROMPTU MEET-UPS.
IT ALMOST MAKES A FELLOW WANT
TO "ACCIDENTALLY" MISS HIS
FLIGHT BACK TO L.A.
CAN YOU GIVE ME A SLICE OF
PEPERONI?
ALAS, I MUST RETURN...
RIGHT AFTER I SNEAK IN ONE
LAST TASTE OF NEW YORK.
THIS CITY WILL NEVER CEASE TO
SURPRISE YOU, IF YOU OPEN YOUR
EYES TO IT, IF YOU LOOK UP, IF
YOU TAKE IT ALL IN. IT'S A CITY
CONSTANTLY MOVING, CONSTANTLY
THINKING. IT'S A CITY CONSTANTLY
PROGRESSING, AND A HUNDRED YEARS
FROM NOW, THE CARNEGIE DELIS,
THE MISSION CHINESES, ALL OF
THESE PLACES ARE STILL GOING
TO BE THERE, BUT THEY'RE STILL
GOING TO BE FULL OF SURPRISES.
SO WITH THAT, I EAT MY NEW YORK
SLICE OF PIZZA, AND I SAY ADIEU.
MMM!
NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE
A SLICE OF NEW YORK CITY PIZZA,
IT JUST ALWAYS BLOWS MY [BLEEP]
PANTS OFF.
I LOVE THIS CITY.