Ivan Urgant: "I Am Like A Convenience Store - Open To Everyone And Always"

Ivan, I want to start the interview with a small gift and present you with a new issue of Harper's Bazaar ART …

Whoa! Thanks! I will definitely read it carefully and plunge into its mysteries.

What is your general attitude towards contemporary art?

I pretend to understand everything. Seriously though, I am fond of it at the amateur level - without fanaticism.

Can you name the exhibition that you remember the most?

For some reason, almost all my impressions of contemporary art come from Berlin - somehow it happened so. If you are in the city, be sure to follow my example and go to the very beautiful exhibition "From Hockney to Holbein" - by the way, it was there that I first saw the works of Anish Kapoor.

It seems that absolutely everyone has already visited the studio of "Evening Urgant" … And nevertheless, is there a hero from whom you still dream of interviewing?

Come on, there weren't many yet! This question is very difficult to answer. Here, you know, here's the thing: often my characters turn out to be completely different from what I imagined them to be. Therefore, I have already stopped fantasizing about "ideal" heroes, everything is very unpredictable here. I am like a convenience store - open to everyone and always.

You know, I would compare my jokes with the flow of people in the subway: they enter on one side, and leave on the other. And then they come in again, I don't even remember them.

Who was it especially easy for you to communicate with?

You know, I have one guest who came to the show already twice - Robert De Niro. Before our first conversation, I was insanely worried: still, such a legendary person! But this year I felt more confident, and we even got into a conversation behind the scenes … Robert is an amazing person, very kind, open, incredibly endearing to himself. And it's so great that the actor who, to some extent, shaped your view of the world, turns out to be just that.

Remember some of the brightest jokes in recent memory?

You know, I would compare my jokes with the flow of people in the subway: they enter on one side, and leave on the other. And then they come in again, I don't even remember them.

You have an incredibly busy schedule. What's the best way to invigorate yourself during the day?

The best way is to get a good night's sleep. And also move as much as possible. Our office is on the 11th floor, and I try to climb (or go down) stairs at least once a day.

What about a gym?

Why, why? Now there are so many ways to exercise without leaving your home or office. Now, if I had a shower next to the office, I would definitely install a simulator for myself. By the way, my colleague Jimmy Kimmel has a treadmill in his office. By the way, I don't know if he has a shower room … Or maybe he doesn't sweat?

At the beginning of your career, as host of Cheerful Morning, you finished work just as everyone around you started it. What is your regime now?

My current daily routine suits me completely: I don't get up too early, and I don't come at night. Although the rise, of course, depends on the children.

You are known to love photography. How often do you pick up a film camera?

Unfortunately, I absolutely do not have enough time for this hobby, especially when it comes to a film camera.

However, what do you prefer to shoot when the opportunity arises?

You know, I need the presence of a person in the frame, so basically all my pictures are about family and friends.

I can't help but ask: what do you think about fashion shows?

I receive invitations to the shows, but somehow I can't go to them … I, however, was once at the Jean-Paul Gaultier couture show - we then interviewed him in Paris. It was great, although I don't understand anything at all.

Ivan, they say you are a big fan of New York. Can you please share a couple of must-see places?

Go to Queens, go to a Broadway show and, of course, go to the Russian Samovar. And one more tip: be sure to walk. Woody Allen's movie footage comes to life everywhere. I remember the first time when I came to New York, I went out to Broadway and walked down to Tribeca for a long, long time …

What about driving a car?

I drive with great pleasure. Especially if the car is good (now Ivan has Audi Q7. - HB). I immediately imagine myself as a Formula 1 driver. Rather, an elderly Formula 1 driver.

Have you ever thought about paying attention to a more compact car?

You know I'm tall enough. It is important for me to have somewhere to stretch my legs and put a box of persimmon.

Well, the last, most pleasant question: where will you celebrate the New Year?

Ivan Urgant: By tradition, at home. It is an illusion that a lot of corporate events take place on New Year's Eve. Even if they were, I would refuse. But Mitya (Dmitry Khrustalev, co-host of Ivan - HB) does not refuse. Yes, Mitya?

Dmitry Khrustalev: I don’t refuse anything! I have my whole life ahead of me!

Thank you for helping Audi arrange this interview.

• Audi
• Hero