Interview · moment 26 of 32
Staten Island Roots and Reliable Office Systems
from #179 - Sal Vulcano | The Tim Dillon Show · #179
4 min
Guest
Sal describes his early telemarketing job selling copiers on Staten Island, his grueling reverse commute, and his affection for Staten Island's character and mom-and-pop culture versus corporate Manhattan.
- Tim defends Staten Island despite its bad reputation, explaining the stigma exists for reasons but the island shaped who he is.
- The ferry ride to Staten Island is free and charming, with guys sitting outside watching the Statue of Liberty go back and forth in spring and summer.
- Tim dislikes when people trash Staten Island without acknowledging the good parts—he wants balanced takes, not blanket dismissal.
- Sam's show is a hidden camera series about friends, not a prank show, though people call it that because it's non-union and gets lumped in with reality TV.
- Reality shows are contrived productions hunting for viral soundbites and viral moments, which is not what their show is.
- Staten Island has some of the best, most salt-of-the-earth people he's met, including lifelong friends and family.
- Train cars through Staten Island take you through beautiful suburban areas you wouldn't know were on the island.
- Manhattan is too corporate now and has lost the character that made New York great—mom-and-pop stores and neighborhood diners are gone.
- Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island still have the people and character that defined New York, unlike the $300-per-head sushi places in Manhattan neighborhoods.
- He and his collaborators are closer than ever because they spend 24/7 together legitimately, and picking people you can spend time with is crucial.
- Despite disagreements and occasional blowouts, the group functions as a democracy because they have to and they have each other.