Man: Wait, so you’re on Law & Order?
Epatha Merkerson: Mm-hmm.
Man: Wow, I don’t watch the show, but my son and daughter do. What’s your name? I’ll have to tell them I saw you.
Epatha Merkerson: Epatha.
Man: Epala?
Epatha Merkerson: Epatha.
Man: Epasa?
Epatha Merkerson: E-path-a
Man: Ensala? Maybe I should write this down, I’m sure I’ll forget. Emana, you said?
–Dentist’s office, 35th & Madison
Overheard by: Mandy G
Guy #1: I bought my dad a Clint Eastwood biography for Christmas. I feel like that’s a pretty solid bet for any dad. Clint, Frank Sinatra, maybe Brando.
Guy #2: What about James Dean?
Guy #1: Yeah, I guess. What about that Vin Diesel?
Guy #3: You are seriously obsessed, dude.
Guy #1: Don’t hate on the Diesel. Ooh, you know who everyone loves? That Anne Frank.
Woman: Anne Frank was a lesbo.
–The Strand
Girl #1: Marilyn Monroe is, like, one of my idols.
Girl #2: Wait, isn’t he that guy with the glass eye?
Girl #1: Um…no.
–Brooklyn Tech, Fort Greene
Overheard by: alina suriel
Nancy Bass: I’m pleased to welcome David Foster Wallace to our store. Recently, in the New York Times, renowned reviewer Ma…cocoa… Kaku…chooni…?
Thereupon David Foster Wallace gave the thumbs up.
–The Strand
Girl #1: Don’t laugh while I tell you this! Channel Chris Parnell!
Girl #2: Ha, ha, ha!…I’m sorry, I have to pull a Jimmy Fallon.
–Banc Cafe, 30th & 3rd
Man #1: I dunno, Richard Pryor was too…gross for me.
Man #2: Oh yeah?
Man #1: Yeah…Pretty good for a guy that did a lot of drugs, though.
Man #2: Yeah.
Man #1: You know what I just found out? Hunter Thompson did a lot of drugs, too.
Man #2: Really?
Man #1: Apparently.
–Associated Supermarker, Bleecker Street
Overheard by: Gus
Eliza Dushku: How much for these two?
Jewelry guy: $15.
Eliza Dushku: Can I get them for ten?
–14th & 7th
Overheard by: Lily
Girl #1: What do you think of Brad Pitt adopting Angelina Jolie’s kids?
Girl #2: I don’t get it, she doesn’t want her kids anymore? She’s just going to give them to him?
Girl #1: Man, you’re an idiot.
–Coles Sports & Recreation Center, Mercer Street
Guy #1: Can you think of anyone who, in their prime, was hotter than Jessica Alba is right now?
Guy #2: Oh, yeah, totally. Like, Bridget Bardot, and Apollonia in Purple Rain.
–5th Avenue & 10th Street
Overheard by: Christina Walker
Woman: Oh shit. Today’s the 25th anniversary of John Lennon’s death. He was so hot back then, yo. I was seven when he died, and now I’m pushing forty. But I still look damn good, yo.
Man: Was he a Beatle?
–6 train
Overheard by: alan cross
