Staunch Defense:: Waters strongly refuted any negative portrayal of Baltimore, rejecting comparisons to Detroit and firmly stating, 'I never thought it was super sh*tty... I think it’s super great!'
'Coolest City':: He hailed Baltimore as the 'coolest city' primarily because its affordability still allows for a thriving 'Bohemia.'
'Smalltimore' Moment:: Waters met fellow Baltimorean comedian Stavros Halkias for the first time on the show, sharing insider references like calling Club Charles 'Club Chuck.'
Local Flavor:: The conversation touched upon Greektown, a 'scary' former lesbian bar Waters once took Debbie Harry to, and Halkias' connection to a restaurant used for filming HBO's 'The Wire.'
Waters' Quirks:: Waters shared personal anecdotes, including dating an anarchist squatter, keeping an electric chair (from his film 'Female Trouble') in his hallway, and his philosophy on knowing good taste to effectively rebel with bad taste.
Why this matters:: Waters' outspoken defense reinforces Baltimore's unique cultural identity and highlights his enduring role as one of its most prominent and colorful ambassadors. It counters negative stereotypes often associated with the city.
Appearing as a panelist on John Mulaney's experimental live Netflix show, John Waters quickly became the center of attention, especially when the conversation turned to his hometown. Host John Mulaney playfully suggested that living in Baltimore was 'technically a squat,' prompting a vigorous defense from Waters.
He pushed back against Mulaney's comparison to Detroit, emphasizing Baltimore's positive attributes, particularly its affordability fostering a creative scene ('still cheap enough to have a Bohemia') and the potential for neighborhood revitalization ('still bad neighborhoods gay people can take over'). Waters has a history of defending the city, notably countering negative remarks made by Donald Trump in 2019.
The Baltimore connection deepened when comedian Stavros Halkias, also from Baltimore, joined the panel. Their exchange highlighted local spots like Club Charles (affectionately nicknamed 'Club Chuck') and the Greektown neighborhood. Waters reminisced about a now-closed lesbian bar there, 'The Port in the Storm,' which he claimed terrified Blondie singer Debbie Harry. Halkias shared his own link to Baltimore lore, revealing his mother worked at a restaurant featured in Season 2 of 'The Wire.'
Beyond Baltimore talk, the episode's theme was 'Squatters.' Waters contributed characteristically unique stories, recalling dating an anarchist who preferred squatting to sleeping legally and mentioning a friend whose job involves paying squatters ('Cash for Keys') to vacate properties – a concept Waters found amusingly scam-like. He also confirmed the presence of an electric chair prop in his home's front hall, adding 'a certain edge.'
Throughout the appearance, Waters maintained his signature blend of wit, rebellion, and surprising good manners, embodying the unique spirit he champions in Baltimore itself.
Who else was on the panel with John Waters?
The panel also included comedian Wanda Sykes (who noted her DMV roots), fellow Baltimorean comedian Stavros Halkias, and lawyer Neal Katyal.
What did John Waters specifically say to defend Baltimore?
He called Baltimore 'the coolest city' because it's 'still cheap enough to have a Bohemia' and declared, 'I think it’s super great!' He also rejected the notion that it was ever 'super sh*tty.'
Was HBO's 'The Wire' mentioned?
Yes, Mulaney brought it up. Waters joked he wanted bumper stickers saying 'Baltimore is still like The Wire,' and Stavros Halkias mentioned his mother was a waitress at a restaurant where Season 2 filmed.
Gain insight into John Waters' perspective on his hometown and its unique culture.
Understand how Baltimore is perceived and defended on a national stage.
Appreciate the 'Smalltimore' effect, where local connections emerge unexpectedly.
Consider the value of affordable cities for fostering creative communities.
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Source: Baltimore native John Waters defends his hometown on national TV: ‘I think it’s super great!’ target="_blank"
Additional Context: The Baltimore Banner, Cracked.com
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