19 Questions With Sandra Bernhard
Her thoughts on Beyoncé, her favorite Becky, and technology.
May 12, 2016
Sandra Bernhard still has something to say and she is saying it loud and clear. The singer, comedian, and actress takes to the air waves daily to vent and share her opinions on Sandyland, her show on Andy Cohen’s Radio Andy on Sirius XM. “I curate music every day,” she told us. “I have amazing guests and I like to have people on – everybody from Justin Vivian Bond to Bette Midler to Jane Fonda to Susan Sarandon and on and on and on. I try to have in depth conversations that range from talking about show business to politics to day to day life. I try to keep it open and flowing.”
We had the opportunity to chat intimately with Bernhard where she explained her thoughts on Beyoncé, who her favorite Becky was, and the status of her complicated relationship with technology.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited are you about life right now?
I think I am always at an 11 or 12. I get to have a really rarified experience meeting people constantly who inspire me who I have admired getting to travel, great food, live in a fabulous city. There is nothing to complain about. I look around at all the people in this country or around the world who are struggling. I am thrilled to have all the great things in my life.
If you could have coffee with one person dead or alive, who would it be?
I guess Elizabeth Taylor. I am sure she had great stories and I think she was a good person. I bet she was very real. I would have loved to get to know her.
A book just came out that is all of these really incredible behind the scene photos of her.
Yes. I know Firooz, the person who shot the book. His work is amazing.
How do you take your coffee?
Half and half with raw sugar.
Thoughts right now on Beyoncé?
I think she is doing great things for women of color. I am not sure what she is doing but it’s all good.
What’s your relationship with your phone or technology?
It’s utilitarian. I need it for business. It’s not something I spend a great deal of time nor do I care about the reactions that people have to social media because the things I’m saying are usually relevant and informative. Who is on my show today where I am performing what I believe. But I try to keep it very simple and not a lot of it.
It can be very consuming. It’s something I have struggled with. It’s a big part of what I do with writing but it’s very important to understand turning it off and disconnecting.
Exactly. Absolutely. More now than ever.
Now you walk into a gay bar and no one is looking at each other. Everyone is looking at their phones.
That’s how it is across the board. I like to be in the moment connecting to people and see what is going on around me because that is what inspires my work and my life.
Favorite Becky on Roseanne?
The first one. She was the best! I mean, she was the first.
Twitter or Instagram?
Twitter.
What about you would surprise our readers?
I love doing laundry and washing dishes.
Do you like kids?
Not most of them no.
Just your own?
Sometimes.
Favorite Golden Girl?
Bea Arthur. I wasn’t a real Golden Girls fanatic but I met her and she was bigger than life.
Anderson Cooper or Andy Cohen?
That’s hard for me because Andy Cohen is my employer and I am friends with both of them. Split them down the middle. We are all Geminis so there is enough to go around and then more.
Sing a duet with anyone who would it be?
Again that’s a hard one. Steven Tyler because he is fun.
Favorite prince song to perform?
I have performed a few of them but “Little Red Corvette.”
Favorite curse word?
Damn.
Favorite Meryl Streep film?
The Deer Hunter
What’s your favorite thing about NYC?
The food.
Your first concert?
Simon and Garfunkle.
Who have you been supporting this election?
Hillary.
I feel like the gays love Hillary. I’m not sure what she slipped into the Kool-Aid but the gays seem to love Hillary.
I mean, she is a woman. She has been in the trenches for 50 years. She cares about people. She has made mistakes like all politicians. Some missteps. But I think she genuinely cares about the people who need support and evolution. I don’t see why that would be a conflict. I don’t think she has given anyone any Kool-Aid. I think she is right on with her message.
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