C-SPAN Bookshelf 2025 Printers Row Lit Fest: Maureen Dowd on the Culture of Celebrity in America
Nov 9, 2025
Pulitzer Prize-winner Maureen Dowd, a New York Times columnist and author of Notorious, delves into the complex world of celebrity culture. She explores the interconnected realms of politics, Hollywood, and Silicon Valley, describing them as 'capitals of illusion.' Dowd shares her interview techniques and recounts her experiences with guarded subjects like Denzel Washington. The discussion also touches on Elon Musk's evolving views on AI and how fame can test character through examples like Kevin Costner, all while keeping the conversation engaging and insightful.
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Three Capitals Of Illusion
- Maureen Dowd triangulates Washington, Hollywood, and Silicon Valley as three "capitals of illusion."
- She studies how power and performance shape people at the top across these worlds.
Use Culture Questions To Disarm
- Ask culture questions to shift interviewees off rehearsed talking points and reveal character.
- Use playful prompts like "Confirm and Deny" to coax candid, unexpected responses.
Jane Fonda's Playful Confession
- In a "Confirm and Deny" bit, Dowd told Jane Fonda she had an affair with Che Guevara.
- Fonda replied she regretted not having one with Marvin Gaye, which opened a candid story.
