Geezer Power! Or, Elaine Doesn’t Need Your Stinkin’ Newspapers

Today’s New York Observer celebrates the sublime arc of an unexpected, glorious Act III, which is a far more polite way of lauding the powerful seniors of New York City than by designating them “Power Geezers,” but hey, if the orthopedic stockings fit…(I’m just kidding, Elaine Kaufman, it’s pretty clear that you could snap me in two without feeling it).

The old-timers of the media/literary elite are well-represented by Rupert & Si, natch, plus the NYTBR’s Bob Silvers; NYT historian and father-honorer Gay Talese (husband of publisher Nan); lit agent Lynn Nesbit (not to be confused with turn-of-the-century pinup Evelyn Nesbit, who is one of the many famous characters immortalized by fellow Power Geezer E.L. Doctorow); feminisit Gloria Steinem; the aforementioned Elaine’s proprietess, who trafficks in linguine and information (well, as the lady says, “you’re not going to get it from the fucking newspapers“); and gossip grande dame Liz Smith, who also doesn’t get her clutch info from newspapers, i.e. her own: “I read Page Six, but I would say I don’t know 40 percent of the people they’re writing about.” Also, apparently she “rides the tiger” every day, which might explain why she’s always smiling when we see her at Michael’s!

But the real story of the Power Geezers may just be something only the young and internet-addled can understand: The list has its very own link! Look! http://www.nyobserver.com/subtoc_powergeezers.asp! Could it be that this story will be available on the internet past next Wednesday? Sacre bleu! Which is somewhat ironic: as the weekly news pumped out by the (mostly young) Observer scribes is washed away with each new installment, an article listing the city’s most powerful, ever-present and immutable players will remain.

The Power Geezers [NYO]

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