Interview Key Points

Here are the key topics and points discussed in the interview:

Introduction and Guest Welcome

The hosts, Carmelo Anthony (Melo), The Kid Mero, and Kazeem Famuide (Kaz), welcome their guest, Timothée Chalamet, to the show "7 p.m. in Brooklyn." They deliver an elaborate and complimentary introduction for Chalamet, dubbing him various titles like "Marty Supreme," "new Spike Lee," and "Prince of the Garden."

• "7 p.m. in Brooklyn" Podcast: The show is presented as a Wave original and sponsored by FanDuel.
• Elaborate Guest Introduction: Chalamet is given a series of grand nicknames and accolades, highlighting his connection to New York and basketball fandom.
• "White Boy of the Year": Chalamet references a comment made by Anthony Edwards, which he jokingly took seriously.

New York City and Neighborhoods

The conversation touches on Chalamet's upbringing in Hell's Kitchen and his recent experience in Brownsville, Brooklyn, comparing and contrasting these areas and the broader New York experience.

• Hell's Kitchen Upbringing: Chalamet describes his neighborhood as having a mix of socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Brownsville Experience: Chalamet recounts visiting Brownsville for a "could have been records" event and expresses a sense of it being "the sticks" and a very different environment.
• Brooklyn's Distinctiveness: Mero notes that Brooklyn is perceived as a different "planet" from his Bronx upbringing.
• "Home of the Brave" - Brownsville: The hosts discuss Brownsville's reputation and the strong sense of community there, acknowledging its hardships but also its distinct culture.
• Notable Figures from Brownsville: The discussion mentions figures like Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe, and Zab Judah as examples of talent emerging from the area.

Project vs. Hood Stories

Carmelo Anthony clarifies the distinction between stories from housing projects and those from other urban neighborhoods ("hood stories").

• Project Stories: Described as living in confined spaces, sharing resources, and specific activities like riding on top of elevators or playing on rooftops.
• Hood Stories: Implied to be a slightly different, perhaps less confined, but still challenging environment.
• Vertical Living: Projects are characterized as a "hood within a hood" or a "prison" due to the concentrated living environment.

Knicks Fandom and Garden Experiences

Chalamet shares his deep-rooted Knicks fandom, his early experiences attending games, and what being a fan means to him.

• First Game Experience: Chalamet recounts attending a Denver Nuggets vs. New York Knicks game at age 10, sneaking down to the tunnel exits and being caught on camera going "nuts."
• Marty Collins Mention: The name Marty Collins is brought up in relation to Knicks history.
• Madison Square Garden's Past: Chalamet notes changes in the Garden's layout, specifically the location of the tunnels.
• Nostalgia for Old Jerseys: The conversation shifts to the memorable light blue Denver Nuggets jerseys from that era.
• Season Tickets Purchase: At 12 or 13, Chalamet used money from a Disney commercial to buy the cheapest season tickets, hoping to profit from LeBron James coming to the Knicks.
• Scalping Tickets: He describes a past practice of buying and reselling tickets to afford attending more games.
• Grandmother's Influence: His grandmother's strong Knicks fandom was a major influence on his own passion for the team.
• "New York is a Knicks Fan": A strong sentiment that living in New York implies being a Knicks fan.
• Curving the Met Gala for Knicks Games: Chalamet's dedication to watching the Knicks, even prioritizing them over the Met Gala, solidified his status with fans.
• "Brunson as the Perfect Anti-Superstar": Chalamet sees Jalen Brunson as embodying a Jeter-like quality of being an "every man" while still performing at a superstar level.

Carmelo Anthony's Knicks Debut

Carmelo Anthony shares the vivid and chaotic experience of his first game with the Knicks after being traded from the Denver Nuggets.

• Immediate Game: He had to play the same night he landed in New York after All-Star Weekend, without proper preparation or equipment.
• "I'm Coming Home" Moment: The emotional impact of the "I'm Coming Home" song playing during his introduction, despite his exhaustion.
• Lack of Familiarity with Plays: He admits to not knowing the Knicks' plays well and relying on his general basketball knowledge.
• Fan Reception: The initial reception was more about excitement for a "hometown hero" than pure adoration at that moment.

The Intensity of New York Sports

The group discusses whether playing in New York, particularly for the Knicks, is more intense and challenging than for other teams.

• Keeping Players "On Point": New York's environment forces players to perform at their best constantly.
• Performance-Based Community: New York is described as a city that demands performance, unlike other cities where a more relaxed approach might be accepted.
• Challenge vs. Disadvantage: The intense fan presence can be viewed as a challenge to overcome rather than a disadvantage.
• "Showtime" at the Garden: Carmelo's goal was to create an environment where visiting teams knew they were in for a tough game.
• Tough Arenas: Other challenging arenas mentioned include Oklahoma City and the old Arco Arena in Sacramento.
• The Garden as "The Mecca": Madison Square Garden is framed as a performance stage where players must "show out."

Interviews and Celebrity Interactions

Chalamet discusses his experience interviewing Kendrick Lamar and his general perspective on interacting with other celebrities and artists.

• Kendrick Lamar Interview: Chalamet was impressed by Kendrick's calmness amidst a hip-hop beef and his ability to engage with sports.
• Respect for Other Crafts: He expresses admiration for peers in different fields, seeing it as a friendly competition.
• "White Boy of the Year" and Hip-Hop Influence: Chalamet acknowledges the influence of Black culture and hip-hop on his upbringing and art.
• Soulja Boy's Impact: The conversation touches on Soulja Boy's pioneering role as an internet superstar.
• Kanye West Mention: Kanye West is brought up as a significant artist from that era.
• Mutual Respect Across Genres: The idea that artists and athletes respect each other's work, even from different fields.
• "Keep Your Foot on Their Necks": A memorable piece of advice Chalamet received anonymously at an event.

"Marty Supreme" and the Pursuit of Greatness

Chalamet's film "Marty Supreme" is discussed in the context of ambition, greatness, and not being ashamed of pursuing one's dreams.

• Themes of Ambition and Greatness: The movie is about striving for excellence, particularly in challenging circumstances.
• "The Last Dance" Influence: Chalamet cites "The Last Dance" as a highly influential piece of art that showcased Jordan's tenacity.
• Recontextualizing Greatness: He discusses how people often get stuck on nostalgia and don't make room for contemporary "greats."
• Pursuing Your Passion: The film celebrates pursuing one's passion, whether it's ping pong, basketball, or any other field.
• "Greatness in Every Category": An idea that people can be the greatest in any profession, with examples like Bill Nye and Michael Phelps.
• Shifting Hip-Hop Culture: Chalamet contrasts the aspirational and ambitious hip-hop of his youth with the more "punk rock" attitude of some current artists.

Advice and Instincts

Chalamet reflects on the advice he's received throughout his career and the importance of trusting his instincts.

• Leo DiCaprio's Advice: He received direct advice from Leonardo DiCaprio: "no superhero movies, no hard drugs."
• Skepticism of Advice-Givers: Chalamet is wary of people who are more eager to give advice than the advice itself is valuable.
• Trusting Instincts: He believes he has survived and succeeded by relying on his instincts.
• Sean Harris's Advice: The actor advised him to "travel more" in his early 20s.
• The Value of "No Advice": Sometimes, the best approach is to be given no specific advice and to "swing for the fences."

"Marty Supreme" Casting and Creative Process

The unique casting and creative direction of "Marty Supreme" are highlighted, featuring non-traditional Hollywood figures.

• Non-Traditional Casting: The film includes figures like Gristini's dude, Mr. Wonderful (Kevin O'Leary), Tyler, the Creator, George Gervin, and Kemba Walker.
• Joe Johnson's No-Show: A humorous anecdote about Joe Johnson being flown out for the film but never showing up.
• Kevin O'Leary's Personality: Chalamet discusses O'Leary's willingness to embrace being a "public asshole."
• "Keep Your Foot on Their Necks": The sentiment of relentless pursuit resonates with the film's themes.
• Josh Safdie's Directing Style: Safdie's shyness about his trailer and Tyler, the Creator's encouragement to "talk your shit."

"Fuck With It or Fuck Out of Here" Segment

Chalamet, Carmelo, Mero, and Kaz participate in a rapid-fire segment where they decide whether to "Fuck With It" (approve) or "Fuck Out of Here" (disapprove) of various pop culture items.

• River Dance Jordan 3s: Chalamet initially hesitates but ultimately "fucks with" the creativity of the unique shoe design, though he wouldn't wear them.
• UK Drill Rapper Theory (SD Kid): Chalamet has "no comment" on the theory that he moonlights as a UK drill rapper, suggesting "all will be revealed in time."
• Carmelo Anthony's First Commercial: The hosts and Chalamet "fuck with" Carmelo's early commercial for its authenticity and classic jingle.

Hollywood vs. Other Industries and Cultural Exchange

The conversation touches on the differences between the Hollywood industry and others, and the importance of cultural exchange.

• Hollywood's Isolation: Chalamet observes that Hollywood can be disconnected from the rest of the country, unlike touring musicians.
• Connecting with People: He values the experience of traveling and connecting with people in different cities to promote his movies.
• Western Culture's Global Reach: The idea that when Western culture is popular, it lifts everyone up.
• Mutual Influence: Chalamet believes there's a mutual influence between different artistic fields and that his generation has the opportunity to foster more collaboration.

The 7 PM Moment and Career Reflection

Chalamet reflects on significant advice and moments in his career.

• Leo DiCaprio's Practical Advice: The straightforward advice about avoiding superhero movies and hard drugs.
• Instinct Over Advice: Chalamet's current philosophy is to trust his instincts, as he feels he has "survived by the skin of his instincts."
• Regret About Not Traveling: He expresses regret for not traveling more in his early 20s, as advised by Sean Harris.
• Encouragement to "Talk Your Shit": The importance of being proud of one's work, as exemplified by Tyler, the Creator's encouragement to Josh Safdie.

End of Segment and Wrap-up

The hosts thank Chalamet for his appearance and reiterate the show's sponsors and call to action for listeners.

• "Marty Supreme" as a Complete Body of Work: The film is recognized as a significant achievement for Chalamet early in his career.
• Validation as "New York's Own": Chalamet is stamped as a true New Yorker by the hosts.
• Final "Fuck With It" for Carmelo's Commercial: A consensus that Carmelo's early commercial is highly "fucked with."
• Show Sponsorships and Call to Action: A reminder of FanDuel's sponsorship and a request for viewers to subscribe and engage with the podcast.