Gersh Kuntzman
Encyclopedia
Gersh Kuntzman is a New York City
-based journalist
. Previously, he worked for the New York Post
, writing the column, "MetroGnome," which ran from 1994-2004. He also had a weekly column for Newsweek
online that ran from Jan. 2001-July 2005. Kuntzman authored HAIR! Mankind's Historic Quest to End Baldness (Random House
, ISBN 0812991583) and "Chrismukkah: The Official Guide to the World's Best-Loved Holiday" (Sasquatch Press), and is a frequent contributor to national magazines. He also co-wrote the critically acclaimed off-broadway play "SUV: The Musical" with songwriter Marc Dinkin, which was featured at the New York City Fringe Festival 2005. The next year he satirized the newspaper industry with another musical, "Stop the Presses." At the Post, he worked with Allen Salkin
.
Kuntzman is often said to be notable only for his coverage of the July 4
hot dog-eating contest
at Coney Island
, which is sponsored by Nathan's
. But he has done more than that.
In 2005, Kuntzman became editor of The Brooklyn Paper
, a group of community newspapers covering Kings County. During his tenure, he won awards for Editor of the Year and Columnist of the Year from the Suburban Newspapers of America. His editorial writing also won awards from the Independent Free Papers of America. That organization also gave The Brooklyn Paper its Vic Jose Award in 2009. In that same year, The Brooklyn Paper was bought by the Community Newspaper Group, a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch
's News Corporation
.
In 2010, CNG named him editor of four more print editions, including the Park Slope Courier.
Kuntzman also frequently guests on BBC Radio 5 Live's Up All Night New York show with Peter Franklin, presented by Dotun Adebayo
.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
-based journalist
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
. Previously, he worked for the New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
, writing the column, "MetroGnome," which ran from 1994-2004. He also had a weekly column for Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
online that ran from Jan. 2001-July 2005. Kuntzman authored HAIR! Mankind's Historic Quest to End Baldness (Random House
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
, ISBN 0812991583) and "Chrismukkah: The Official Guide to the World's Best-Loved Holiday" (Sasquatch Press), and is a frequent contributor to national magazines. He also co-wrote the critically acclaimed off-broadway play "SUV: The Musical" with songwriter Marc Dinkin, which was featured at the New York City Fringe Festival 2005. The next year he satirized the newspaper industry with another musical, "Stop the Presses." At the Post, he worked with Allen Salkin
Allen Salkin
Allen Salkin, an investigative journalist, contributes to many publications, hosts a video series on the AOL Website Slashfood, spent three years as a staff reporter at The New York Times, and appeared on a reality TV series...
.
Kuntzman is often said to be notable only for his coverage of the July 4
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
hot dog-eating contest
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is an annual American competitive-eating competition, which is run as a publicity gathering event by Shea Communications. It is held each July 4 at Nathan's Famous Corporation's original, and best-known restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in...
at Coney Island
Coney Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
, which is sponsored by Nathan's
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is an annual American competitive-eating competition, which is run as a publicity gathering event by Shea Communications. It is held each July 4 at Nathan's Famous Corporation's original, and best-known restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in...
. But he has done more than that.
In 2005, Kuntzman became editor of The Brooklyn Paper
The Brooklyn Paper
The Brooklyn Paper is a small, weekly broadsheet that covers news related exclusively to the New York City borough of Brooklyn. In existence for twenty-nine years, The Brooklyn Paper covers news and cultural events that have taken place throughout the borough, using different mastheads for...
, a group of community newspapers covering Kings County. During his tenure, he won awards for Editor of the Year and Columnist of the Year from the Suburban Newspapers of America. His editorial writing also won awards from the Independent Free Papers of America. That organization also gave The Brooklyn Paper its Vic Jose Award in 2009. In that same year, The Brooklyn Paper was bought by the Community Newspaper Group, a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
's News Corporation
News Corporation
News Corporation or News Corp. is an American multinational media conglomerate. It is the world's second-largest media conglomerate as of 2011 in terms of revenue, and the world's third largest in entertainment as of 2009, although the BBC remains the world's largest broadcaster...
.
In 2010, CNG named him editor of four more print editions, including the Park Slope Courier.
Kuntzman also frequently guests on BBC Radio 5 Live's Up All Night New York show with Peter Franklin, presented by Dotun Adebayo
Dotun Adebayo
Oludotun Adebayo MBE is a Nigerian-born, British-based radio presenter, writer and publisher. He is best known for his work on Up All Night on BBC Radio 5 Live, as well as the obituary programme Brief Lives.- Early life :...
.