HBO’s reality series Neighbors is full of memorable characters. The series is a stunningly absurd, dark, and hilarious condensation of America as seen through the eyes of those living next door and at war with each other.
And Danny Smikowski, 72, took the show to new, unforgettable heights when she appeared in the Season 1 finale wearing nothing but a yellow thong bikini.
Directed by Harrison Fishman and Dylan Redford, “Neighbors” primarily revolves around disputes over fences and property lines. But Mr. Smiehowski’s problem with his neighbors is his clothing. He’s become a pariah on the block in San Diego because he prefers to work out in his driveway wearing nothing but a thong.
“The problem is that five inches of skin is exposed,” Smichowski told Variety. (He’s referring to the exposed upper thighs.) “If I were a woman, if I dressed like this, I’d be a hero. I’d probably get a multi-million dollar TV contract. But I’m a man, so they throw accusations at me and they tear me apart.”
A few years ago, Smichowski answered the question, “Are you working on an ongoing neighborly dispute? Would you like to appear in a new documentary television series?” Soon, a film team arrived at his door and filmed his life for two months.
Fishman and Redford ended up following Smychowski to a nudist colony called Eden, Florida, where he removed his thong and remained completely naked for most of the episode. Smyhowski quickly became friends with other nudists at Eden, and while attending a naked karaoke night, he met a college student named Amanda Kent and memorized her phone number. He takes her on a date and buys her red high heels. In an excerpted interview, she admitted that she is looking for a sugar daddy who will buy her nice things and help her start her music career.
When his relationship with Kent inevitably deteriorates, Smykhovsky returns to his life in San Diego, where he continues to exercise and uploads pornographic content to OnlyFans. In an unfiltered phone interview, Variety found Smichovski’s cell phone number on his Instagram account, where he said he still had issues with many of his neighbors.
How are you today?
We had a wonderful day. There was a drama class. I am learning about acting and young people are helping me. I think we’re doing pretty well. I may have a natural talent – they tell me so, but who knows? And now I’m working on my house. Since I met the young ladies, I am looking to improve the property and get a new kitchen. A lot of people want to come here because they are really kind girls. But we can’t have them come in with a bad kitchen.
Did you meet these women in drama class?
No, after the final episode of HBO’s Neighbors, I’m not exaggerating, probably 3 million people contacted me. I treat them all equally. Reply to all. In fact, I stayed up three days in a row because I had to reply to everyone. It’s in my nature.
So those people came to your house?
Well, there are a lot of people who want to come see me. The other day, there were cars lined up on the street. Well, young people are new to me. Men and women in their 20s, there is nothing wrong with what I did. People my age, baby boomers, criticize me. People can’t find the truth. They say, “It’s bad because he’s naked.” That’s not true. There are many good naked people. Look at Adam and Eve. They are written in the Bible for the love of God.
Do you consider yourself a Biblical character?
In a way, I think so. I study religion, history, and human nature, so this is actually true. Many of my ideas come from French literature. Let’s just say that in the 1940s and even the 1950s, both men and women were more sexually liberated. Look at President Kennedy. Look at his outfits in South Florida. He was wearing little clothes – the same as what I wear. Modern people don’t know history. Pink was the dominant color for men until World War II. The baby boy was wrapped in pink clothes. They would never have dreamed of dressing men in blue.
HBO
Let’s talk about “neighbors”. You said you received a lot of fan mail. Have you heard from friends or family who saw this episode?
Oh, there are a million people like that.
What was their reaction?
A friend of mine who lives in Borrego Springs saw the episode and contacted me to shower me with praise. She told me she was proud of me and took a picture of me for OnlyFans. I was frustrated because so many people have broken out of the situation and jumped on the bandwagon. They were mean to me, but then they saw me on HBO. People are like that. they are weak. It’s very weak.
And do you still live in the same house?
yes.
What do your neighbors think about the program? Have you resolved your issue with them?
My neighbor on the left, Tomas, he has no problem with me. The woman on my right abused me horribly and then jumped on the bandwagon and acted like nothing had happened. I don’t even talk to her. She can go get fucked. Most of the other neighbors I’ve never spoken to. I think they know I beat them in public opinion because the comments I’m getting on the internet are 100 to 1 in my favor.
Let’s be clear: the most important question is what you choose to wear, or what you choose not to wear.
The conclusion is: I’m in the driveway wearing a thong bikini. You’re not walking down Main Street in San Diego. I’m not bothering anyone. I don’t want any trouble. I’m pushing big gears on my Peloton bike, something most men my age would never be able to do. Yet these people abuse me emotionally.
Hmm.
They have this false notion that when they get older, they have to play bingo while lying on a toilet in church or a nursing home. They believe this because society has conditioned them. That’s ageism. Let’s say you’re my age, healthy as a bull, unmarried, and like young women. I don’t know, but maybe you are gay and like young men. it doesn’t matter. I don’t care who is who. But they don’t care what I do in my driveway. The back of the thong bikini is also not shown as it faces towards the garage.
Let’s back up. What did you know about the current project? What did the film crew tell you about what was being filmed?
That’s the $64,000 question. I had common sense and knew that if I was asked to jump, my answer would be, “How high?” I knew I needed to stay out of their way. They were light years ahead of me.
So did you trust them?
Come. Did you trust them? Of course I trusted them. That’s an illogical question.
This is a logical question, since being fully nude on TV seems like a dangerous experience.
I never felt uncomfortable. I never felt vulnerable. My only goal was to get in front of the public and tell them the truth about what I was doing. And I did it to beat my neighbor.
Were you paid for your participation in the series?
I don’t even know if I should answer that because I’m following a commitment with HBO. Let me put it this way: They took care of me. I don’t know all the rules.
that’s ok. I’m not going to make you break your NDA.
got it.
HBO
When you watched this episode, did you feel betrayed when Amanda said she wanted a sugar daddy and was only going on dates to buy her things?
There were 250 people at the Hollywood premiere, and I cringed in my seat when that scene came on. If I ever felt weak, that was the only time. I felt ashamed of my innocence. It still stifles me to talk about it.
Did you learn any lessons from your experience with her?
I did that. In fact, she contacted the film staff and said she wanted to go to Los Angeles to see the premiere. If she had shown up, I wouldn’t have been there, I said.
Has she tried to contact you?
No, no. But she did justice. I feel completely vindicated. She must have watched the show and saw the part I criticized her for. She’s — well, I shouldn’t say this.
what?
Essentially she is a prostitute. She just wants money, money, money.
Has your OnlyFans account gained more followers since the episode was published?
My OnlyFans exploded by 20,000%. No matter what you’re doing if you can mention it. I don’t even know what I’m doing. I don’t even care what you’re doing. I don’t care what you do. But just mentioning OnlyFans might bring in more people. Please do so.
What do you recommend I do?
If you can, I encourage you to subscribe to my OnlyFans.
I’m not sure if you’ll allow me to link to OnlyFans.
no problem.
HBO
You mentioned on the show that you still want to have children and carry on the family name. Has there been any progress?
I have. Amanda taught me to be careful, but a girl comes along. And she wants to be naked in my backyard. I met another girl who was planning on coming over for French toast. You know, I’m a really old-fashioned guy and I’ve never touched a woman inappropriately in my life. I swear to God, I have a perfect track record. Women think I’m not a good guy because of my nature. But men are like the three little pigs. Do you know the three little pigs?
I know better.
All men are pigs. There are good pigs, there are bad pigs, and there are pigs that aren’t pigs at all. The worst pigs are the bad pigs, followed by the pigs with no pigs at all, and then the good pigs.
So are you a good pig?
I’m a great pig. I think most men are good pigs. But there are some bad pigs out there, and they’re really bad for women. Then there are men who aren’t pigs at all, but those men are asexual, so it’s not evenly distributed — well, they’re part of the equation, but there aren’t many of them.
They are part of the pig equation.
They are part of the pig family.
Understood. Well, those are my questions. Thanks for talking with me, Danny.
Oh, sure. I really enjoyed talking with you.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
