I am dead

YONI LOTAN • actor/comedian

WORK • Tuesday Routine

YONI LOTAN • actor/comedian
Neighborhood you live in: Williamsburg

It’s Tuesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I am delirious. I’m awake and yet, I am dead. I am conscious, I am…. probably very hungover. I work from home, so this is probably the place one would want to be, but the scene? Yikes. Knicks gear is splayed out all over the place. Leftover Chinese food that I ordered late last night, still left out on the table (after only having two bites, because I passed out while watching highlights of the game). But... everything is ok.

What’s on the agenda for today?
After I recuperate, I’ll clean my apartment, shower and get to work on my script. I’m writing a new comedy character for my character show BETTY at the UCB Theatre.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
All of my plans at present involve the Knicks. Period. There’s the Knicks and then there’s reality. So to answer your question properly, I’d say I’m excited to go to the bar Wednesday to watch the game. I’ll be at the Winslow (across the street from the UCB Theatre on East 14th St.) but if you’re looking for a great vibe may I recommend Roebling Sporting Club in Williamsburg. That’s my KNICKS CLUB’s home base. Though if you do plan on going there, I highly highly highly recommend going as early as possible to get a table. Like, as early as 5p. But you won’t regret it, I promise you.

Any recent getaways?
I was recently on a shoot that was filming in Philadelphia. Which was very fun, but hard, because I had to watch Game 1 from there. Now normally, I’d watch with my KNICKS CLUB, a group of 60-plus rabid Knicks fans that take over any bar we enter, but alas, that wasn’t the case. We wrapped for the day and I went straight to the TGI Fridays near my hotel, but it was not the vibe. Imagine going to a TGI Fridays in suburban Philly in full Knicks gear, hard hat and all. Also, it was bingo night. But actually. So I left, and decided to just watch the game in my hotel’s lobby bar.

And that’s when the magic happened.

At first it was just me and the bored bartender who told me that he’s probably going to close up shop during halftime. Then one man appeared who was also a Knicks fan. We high-fived and complained about the refs together. And then another person arrived… indifferent to the game, but intrigued by the concept. Five minutes in, we got him on our side. Slowly but surely, people just appeared out of nowhere… each one joining our TRAVEL KNICKS CLUB, no matter their allegiance or relationship to the game whatsoever. By halftime, the bartender and I locked eyes and he gave me the look. We were staying for the full game. It was around the end of the third quarter when an entire school field trip came into the hotel. The kids went up to their rooms, and very quickly their teachers came down and turned this party UPSIDE DOWN.

We were screaming LET’S GO KNICKS in the lobby, hugging, dancing, running around the hotel. The thrilling end to game one was a memory I will never forget. Those people in that lobby in the Marriott by City Ave. in Philadelphia, I will never forget. I just forgot to get their names.

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
TICKETS TO GAME 3 HELLOOOOOOOO but I also bought this basketball head to wear at the game on Amazon.

What NYC store or service do you love to recommend?
Support your local bars showing the game! How about ABC Beer Co in Alphabet City! Greatest staff in the history of bar staffs.

Where are you donating your time or money?
Knicks, Knicks, and Knicks.

Photo: @toygile/@sidetalksports