We'll Do It LIVE! — Chazz Palminteri
YouTube · b2F-_Bhd1pQ
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖"A Bronx Tale" has been viable for 37 years as a play, movie, and musical, selling out internationally.
- ❖Palminteri's father refused easy money from the mob, teaching him that once 'they get their hooks in you, that's it.'
- ❖He believes drama requires showing both good and evil, defending the portrayal of Italian-American gangsters in art like 'The Sopranos.'
- ❖Palminteri never discusses politics with Robert De Niro, respecting him as an artist.
- ❖He views Woody Allen as an artistic genius despite personal controversies, noting 'your good deeds are written in water and your bad deeds are written in stone.'
- ❖Palminteri's children were raised to pursue acting seriously, with a philosophy that 'no is always the answer you're going to get,' but the 101st 'yes' makes it worthwhile.
- ❖He seeks to work with the 'greatest actors' to elevate his own performance, feeling no intimidation.
- ❖Palminteri describes a private, $9,000 COVID-19 treatment that cured him overnight, which he claims was withheld from the public by the government.
- ❖He expresses confusion and distrust regarding media honesty, watching diverse sources to discern truth.
- ❖Palminteri believes fame is fleeting, but art and well-raised children are a lasting legacy.
Insights
1The Universal Appeal of 'A Bronx Tale'
Chazz Palminteri's play, 'A Bronx Tale,' has maintained its viability for 37 years across stage, film, and musical adaptations, selling out internationally. He attributes its enduring success to universal themes of father-son relationships, navigating moral ambiguities, and traditional values, resonating with audiences far beyond its specific Bronx setting.
Palminteri states, 'I can't believe this play is 37 years old... I sold out June 6th in 24 hours... It's a universal thing... It says something about the way America... used to be father, son, mother values.' He notes the play's 'Gray and Gray' morality where a mobster offers similar advice to a father.
2Artistic Freedom vs. Ethnic Portrayal
Palminteri defends the artistic depiction of Italian-American gangsters, arguing that drama fundamentally explores the conflict between good and evil. He dismisses objections from figures like Joe Colombo, stating that if one is a gangster, they cannot simultaneously complain about being portrayed as such. He believes art should not be censored for ethnic sensitivities.
When asked about objections to portraying Italians as gangsters, Palminteri responds, 'Columbo was a gangster... I don't want to hear Columbo tell me we were gangsters... If you want to talk about art, you have to have drama. Drama at its core is good versus evil. That's it.'
3Distrust in COVID-19 Treatment Availability
Palminteri recounts his personal experience with COVID-19, where he and his family were required to get vaccines for work, but later, when he became severely ill, he was denied access to effective treatments by hospitals, which claimed the government had 'took it away from us.' He eventually obtained a private, expensive treatment that cured him overnight, leading him to believe the public was deliberately misled about available remedies.
Palminteri states, 'I couldn't go to work unless I got a co shot... 10,000 people over the border... don't need no Co shot. That's a lie.' He later describes being 'sick as a dog' with COVID, being told by doctors 'we can't give him that, the government took it away from us,' and then paying $9,000 for a private treatment that made his symptoms 'gone' by morning.
4Media and Government Distrust
Palminteri expresses confusion and distrust regarding the honesty of both media and government. He observes a pattern where politicians from both parties commit wrongs without facing consequences, leading him to suspect collusion. His personal experience with COVID-19 treatments further solidified his belief that information is deliberately hidden or manipulated.
Palminteri states, 'I don't know anymore, Bill... I think there's some stuff they just hide from us for some reason.' He questions, 'Why is it when both Democrats and Republicans do something wrong, nobody ever goes to jail?' and suggests 'they're in the game together.'
Bottom Line
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Palminteri experienced a stark contrast between publicly available and privately accessible treatments. After being denied a specific treatment by major hospitals due to government restrictions, he paid $9,000 for a private doctor who administered an intravenous therapy that cured his severe symptoms overnight.
This personal account suggests a potential disparity in healthcare access and treatment options during a public health crisis, where those with resources could obtain remedies allegedly withheld from the general public. It fuels skepticism about official narratives and the equitable distribution of medical care.
Investigate the specific treatments and policies that led to such disparities during the pandemic. Explore the ethical implications of restricting certain treatments while others are available privately, and advocate for transparency and equitable access to all effective medical interventions during public health emergencies.
Key Concepts
The 101st 'Yes' Rule
In the face of overwhelming rejection, particularly in fields like acting, one must adopt a mindset where 'no' is the expected answer. The goal is to persevere through 100 'nos' with the belief that the 101st attempt will be a 'yes,' making each rejection a step closer to success rather than a deterrent.
Playing with Greatness
To elevate one's own performance and skill, actively seek opportunities to collaborate or compete with the most talented individuals in a given field. This exposure to excellence pushes one beyond their comfort zone and fosters growth, rather than succumbing to intimidation.
Fame vs. Legacy
Fame is a temporary and superficial byproduct of one's work, not to be taken seriously. True legacy is built through enduring artistic contributions and the successful upbringing of one's children, which outlast personal recognition.
Lessons
- Cultivate resilience by viewing 'no' as a step towards an eventual 'yes,' especially in competitive fields like acting or entrepreneurship.
- Prioritize working with highly talented individuals to elevate your own skills and performance, rather than being intimidated by their greatness.
- Maintain a clear distinction between your work and your public persona; take your craft seriously, but not your fame, to stay grounded and focused on lasting contributions.
Notable Moments
Palminteri calls former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio's wife a 'racist' live on radio for overturning the public vote for Mother Cabrini's statue.
This moment highlights Palminteri's passionate defense of Italian-American heritage and his willingness to directly confront perceived injustices and political bias, even against powerful public figures.
Quotes
"The greatest gift my parents ever gave me was poverty. They gave me so much love, but they didn't have money. So to me, I was like, you know, my age now, I still work as hard as ever."
"If you want to talk about art, you have to you have to have drama. Drama at its core is good versus evil. That's it. That's what drama is. To show the good, you have to show the evil. It's very simple."
"No is always the answer you're going to get. But think of it this way. If I told you right now that you're going to get a 100 nos, but the 101st is going to be a yes. How would you feel? And then you just got a no. They would go, 'Well, I would feel all right. 99 more nos.' That's how you got to look at it."
"I take my work very seriously, but I don't take my fame seriously."
"There's only two things you can leave behind after you're gone in my opinion, your art and your children."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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