NYC icons lend their voices to MTA announcements
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Nicolas Heller selected 25 New York City legends to recite MTA safety messages on the subways and buses. Photo via Instagram
Have you ever envisioned the omnipotent voice of Fran Lebowitz telling covidiots on the subway to keep their masks on? Well, congratulations. Transit dreams do come true.
Lebowitz and two dozen other New York City legends have taken over the MTA’s safety and etiquette announcements after being selected by the city’s unofficial talent scout, Nicolas Heller.
Heller, who goes by New York Nico on his influential Instagram account, tapped the famous New Yorkers to record messages that will air across 400 subway stations and thousands of cars and buses.
Guests include Queens’ own Awkwfina, Cam’ron, Whoopi Goldberg, Young M.A., Jerry Seinfeld, Edie Falco, Bowen Yang,, Angie Martinez, Bob the Drag Queen, Debi Mazar, Michael Rapaport, Jadakiss, DesusNice, The Kid Mero, MaliibuMitch, Dave East, FivioForeign, Pat Kiernan, Angela Yee, Peter Rosenberg, Ilana Glazer, Michael Kay, Eric Andre, Abbi Jacobson and Lebowitz.
Participants were given the basic script and guidance from Heller, but had the freedom to remix the messages.
Instructions passed down from stars range from standard subway etiquette like giving up a seat to “make your mother proud” — a Mazer suggestion — to COVID guidelines like keeping your distance and wearing a mask.
Though the concept had been in the works for months, the project was created ”in six weeks with no money,” Heller said.
“We wanted to bring a little New York attitude and joy back into the system and who better to do that with than New York Nico,” said New York City Transit Interim President Sara Feinberg during an appearance on Good Day New York.
“People sort of dip their toe into their commute and they experience this gleaming subway system that's being cleaned and disinfected all the time, they're getting their announcements from their favorite celebrities, and they start to feel more comfortable,” she added.
