Writer Jonathan Ames

Tarzan, My Hero

Jonathan Ames is the author of the novels The Extra Man and Wake Up, Sir!, creator of the TV show Bored to Death, and the creator of and show runner for the TV show Blunt Talk, which features Patrick Stewart and is scheduled to air on the Starz network in 2015. Before talking with Joshua Wolf Shenk about the chemistry of great collaborations, he discussed his boxing prowess, why his laptop is perpetually dirty, and his admiration of Tarzan (the one from the novels not the movies) in the Zócalo green room.

Q:

Who was your childhood hero?


A:

My first hero is probably Tarzan. Tarzan from the novels, from the books, not the movies. I read those in seventh grade—I was probably 12 or 13. He was a hero role model because when he woke up, he was immediately present when there was any kind of danger. And he was heroic. He could race through trees, had incredible strength.


Q:

What promise to yourself do you break most often?


A:

Saying yes when I mean no. I always think I want to do better with that. Then I don’t.


Q:

When have you been most bored, and what did you do to alleviate that boredom?


A:

I almost never experience boredom. I don’t like waiting on lines so, like most people now, I compulsively look at my phone.


Q:

Whom would you most like to fight in the boxing ring?


A:

Having boxed, I know that I don’t like to hit other people, and I don’t like to be hit. So there’s no one I’d really like to box. I had two boxing matches, and I had my nose broken. I admire the sport. I might only like to fight if somehow through some miracle, I awoke one day with incredible skills and could beat Floyd Mayweather for the glory of it, but beat him in a way he wasn’t damaged. A quick knockout in the first round.


Q:

What is the best gift you’ve ever received?


A:

Money. I always think, when I was poor and broke, I always appreciated gifts of money. I’m not a very good shopper, so maybe I’m not thoughtful enough about other people’s gifts. I always feel money is the thing most people need.


Q:

What worries you the most?


A:

That through my fears, I squander my life. And so I don’t use my time on the planet with enough gratitude and love.


Q:

What’s your guilty pleasure?


A:

Well, I’ve been technophobic my whole life. But someone set me up with Apple TV, so I have finally caught up to the Netflix generation. The last three nights I have been binge watching The Walking Dead.


Q:

What weapon would you choose in a zombie apocalypse?


A:

I wouldn’t like to have to chop into their heads with a knife or anything. I would probably prefer the hygienic distance of using a gun.


Q:

What is your most prized material possession?


A:

I don’t have many possessions. I guess at the moment my laptop, though it’s covered with dust and spittle. I don’t know how to clean it.


Q:

What is your favorite season?


A:

I probably like the fall in New York. I like that the air feels clean. I like the light, getting to wear a tweed sports jacket.


*Photo by Aaron Salcido.
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