40th Anniversary Issue

What makes someone a New Yorker?

Flat feet and asthma.

-Tony Kushner

Playwright

When you measure distances in blocks.

-Martin Scorsese

Filmmaker

Getting the joke.

-Nico Muhly

Composer

If the Popemobile happened to cut you off in traffic and you immediately gave him the finger, you, my friend, are a real New Yorker.

-Denis Leary

Comedian

Worst thing about New York?

Midtown tourists holding hands and walking slowly.

In the circulatory system of this city, they are human blood clots.

-Conan O'Brien

Late-night host

Where else in the city you'd like to live?

I don't believe you're actually free to choose your neighborhood here.

The neighborhood chooses you.

-Martin Scorsese

Craziest New York story?

After a career in the nation's biggest police department, are you kidding?

-Ray Kelly

Police commissioner

First apartment?

Eightieth and Columbus.

I knew instinctively I was not cool enough to live downtown.

We had a rat situation because of the construction of the Hayden Planetarium.

-Tina Fey

Comedian

A sixth-floor railroad walk-up in Little Italy.

Twenty dollars per month.

-Edward Albee

Playwright

New York's best decade?

Now; always.

-Edward Albee

Isn't the answer whenever you moved to New York?

-Nico Muhly

Most accurate New York stereotype?

We get stuff done fast.

I just got back from a week on the West Coast, and I don't know how those people haven't chilled themselves into extinction.

-Nico Muhly

Current neighborhood?

The West Village is the farthest north my husband's ever lived, and I think the same will be true of our son.

-Sarah Jessica Parker

Actress

NoLiTa.

A lot of people from around the world live in midtown.

Downtown is more occupied by real New Yorkers.

-Ian Schrager

Hotelier

Biggest New York fear?

That all the bodegas, Korean markets, and delis will close and I'll have to get my paper and milk at CVS.

-Sarah Jessica Parker

New Yorker who'd make the best president?

The guy I buy my morning coffee and paper from.

He is very diplomatic and smart and he seems to have an answer for everything.

-Brooke Shields

Actress

Favorite place to be alone?

Central Park.

It's a miracle to have it near you.

-Mike Nichols

Director

Favorite New York noise?

A home run in Yankee Stadium.

-Mike Nichols