T H E PA L M B E A C H E S
Burt Wolf
M
anhattan native Burt Wolf is best known for his ability to seamlessly blend humor and history into his travel profiles, making him perhaps one of the most unique and creative storytellers of our time. He has traveled the world, producing and hosting more than 5,000 segments of television for CNN, ABC and Discovery Channel. His eponymous Travels & Traditions series is currently in its 19th season on Public Broadcasting.
Q: You’ve traveled all over the world. What makes The Palm Beaches so special? When I was a teenager, during each Christmas vacation my uncle would take me with him to The Palm Beaches for his winter vacation, which usually exceeded my school vacation by at least two weeks. The Palm Beaches became a symbol of time off and fun.
Q: Which part of The Palm Beaches’ history intrigues you most and why?
It was one of the earliest beach vacation spots in the U.S. Thanks to Henry Flagler and the railroad, it became a hangout for the rich and famous.
Q: How do you decide how to frame the stories you tell and then add the humor and history (TV clips and pop culture references) so effortlessly?
When I was about 12 years old, I came to realize that humor was my best defense against most of the nonsense that confronted me. My family motto became, “You must kill 26 FALL
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us to stop us, and we are never more dangerous than when we are dead.” I tell the stories that interest me, and while I am composing the text, I laugh at what I am writing and try to find material that will illustrate my point. Most of the time, I remember something from a film or television show that makes my point. Each morning, I get up and check the obituaries in The New York Times; if I am not on the list, I have breakfast.
Q: What are your favorite pastimes when in The Palm Beaches?
Seeing my family have a great time, hanging out with my film crew, eating fresh fish.
Q: What is your favorite place in the world and why? Being with my family; the specific place is less significant.
Q: Where does your content air?
On 300 public broadcasting stations in the U.S. The shows are translated into various languages for many countries. Our international audience is about 150 million. To see more, check out Burt Wolf TV on YouTube.
Q: You allow the rights for your content to also air on The Palm Beaches TV, how do you feel about this additional exposure and distribution outlet? Over the years, underwriters have interviewed viewers about why they watch my programs. Same answers always come back — “I’m going to learn something new,” “I’m going to see places and people that
are interesting,” “I’m going to laugh.” They more people get to enjoy my programs, the better I like it.
Q: How important is it to team up with a good production team? I have been making all of my programs for the past 25 years with Paul Waide and Andy Cope at Apex TV in Jupiter, Florida. Once in a while, I give them time off for good behavior.
FLORIDA RESTAUR ANT & LOD GING A S SO CIATION
