ABOUT ROBIN GIVHAN
I grew up in Detroit, Michigan, a city that is much maligned but will always be close to my heart. (Have a local give you a tour. There’s much to love.) I was always fascinated by the East Coast – probably from watching too many “I Love Lucy” re-runs as a child. So I headed east for college and majored in English at Princeton University. I headed back to the Midwest to get a masters degree in journalism from the University of Michigan. After graduation, my biggest goal was to become a gainfully employed journalist. My fall back position was to go to law school. Thankfully, the Detroit Free Press hired me. There, I was low woman on the totem pole in the Entertainment department. I reviewed many horror films, potty humor movies, a Tiffany concert and a terrible theatrical production masquerading as a Gilbert & Sullivan revival. I also wrote about the burgeoning techno music scene in Detroit and covered the fashion industry. I’ve lived in San Francisco, Manhattan and now Washington. And I’ve traveled in Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia. My perfect day would involve hiking up a mountain, a massage, my best buddies and a little trash TV.
When I’m Not in Front of the Tube
I’m the fashion editor for the Washington Post. I also cover the first lady and the East Wing of the White House. In 2006, I won the Pulitzer Prize for criticism. I do some freelance writing on the side. And I spend a lot of time thinking about – but not writing – a long overdue book.
Would you rather watch “I Love New York” or “Flavor of Love”? Blech.
“Girlfriends,” “Living Single” or “Sex and the City”? “Sex and the City”
Who was your favorite character on “The Wire”? Why? Bubbles. How could you not love him?
Which Housewife of Atlanta best describes you? Thankfully, none of them even come close.
What TV family best describes yours? The Huxtables
What’s your all-time favorite album? I couldn’t begin to choose, but it would probably involve Prince.
If the title of any song could describe you, what would it be? I can never remember song titles. But I could hum a few bars.
Duke Ellington or John Coltrane? Coltrane
What was the first CD you bought? No idea. I came of age during the LP era.
Favorite album of 2009? Sorry, my current musical life revolves around individual songs and iTunes.
Which artist could sing the soundtrack to your life? Could Miles just play it?
Biggie or Tupac? Neither really. But I’d prefer Tupac
Maxwell or D’Angelo? Maxwell
What’s your favorite Spike Lee Joint? The original: She’s Gotta Have It
Favorite movie of 2009? For lack of a better idea, Slumdog Millionaire
Favorite movie of all-time? Rear Window or Casablanca
Denzel or Poitier? Poitier
Denzel in “Mo’ Better Blues” or Denzel in “Devil in a Blue Dress”? Devil in a Blue Dress
Angela Bassett or Halle Berry? Halle. She had me at Monster's Ball
“Boyz n the Hood” or “The Wood”? Boyz n the Hood
Ossie and Ruby? Or Will and Jada? Ossie and Ruby
Harlem Renaissance or the Black Arts Movement? Harlem Renaissance
Favorite book? A Prayer for Owen Meany – at least that’s what popped into my head
What are you reading now? A big stack of back issues of The New Yorker