Millions watched at home as Tiffany “New York” Patterson got burned not once, but twice by the former Public Enemy hype-man, Flavor Flav in the VH1 reality show, Flavor of Love.
So when she came back in her own spin-off, I Love New York, Tiffany welcomed an array of bachelors to repair her broken heart. Each week, she eliminates a gentleman who she feels was not up to par; including Lee Marks, or best known to his fans as Mr. Boston.
In this exclusive interview, Marks speaks to Associated Content about why he decided to audition for the show, who was the fakest in the house and how he really felt about New York.
Before the Lovin’
AC: Where are you originally from?
Marks: Acton, MA, which is a small town outside of Boston. Ironically, it’s the same town that one of my comic idols grew up in, Steve Carell.
AC: How many siblings?
Marks: My twin brother and an older sister, who’s 28. We all currently live in Los Angeles.
AC: Where did you go to school?
Marks: I graduated from Bentley College in Massachusetts, which is a small business school.
AC: Before the show, what were you doing?
Marks: Working accounting in Boston.
AC: Any hobbies?
Marks: I used to play a lot of tennis, but now I’m trying to get into weightlifting so I can win a rematch with Chance in the boxing ring.
AC: Favorite genre of music? Singers/groups?
Marks: I love disco from the 70’s. I’m not sure why, considering no one else I know listens to it, but for some reason as soon as I first heard it on the radio as a little kid, I just fell in love with the music. Bee Gees, Trammps, Donna Summer, Chic, Sister Sledge, I love all those artists.
AC: Hidden talents?
Marks: Pretty much nothing except being myself. People say they’ve never met anyone like me, which makes me unique, so that’s what I consider my hidden talent.
AC: What was your reputation with the ladies before the show?
Marks: Definitely not as good as it is now. Only the girls who liked the dorky white guys were into me. The show has now helped me attract a lot of new females, which I’m not complaining about.
AC: Did you watch Flavor of Love?
Marks: I watched a few episodes before the show to know what I was getting myself into and also to plan out my strategy (see what kinds of contestants made it far, and which didn’t make it far).
AC: How did you hear about the NY show and what made you want to audition for the show?
Marks: I had just moved to LA and I was trying to find a job, and one of my friends told me I should audition for a reality show since I’m funny and now had some free time on my hands. I found the casting call for “I love new york” on some website and from seeing a couple of episodes of “Flavor of Love” I knew this was the right show for me. I would never go on a mainstream reality show like Survivor or The Amazing Race, because people are just way too serious on those shows. “Flavor of Love” was more edgy and I knew that would be right for my style of humor.
Lights, Camera, Lip Action
AC: Were you genuinely interested in NY or was it a stunt to be seen on national television?
Marks: After seeing her on “Flavor of Love” I didn’t think I’d be interested, but once she started showing interest in me, I realized we did have some chemistry together, and I liked her too a certain degree. I don’t know why so many people trash her, I mean she was nice to me, so I don’t have anything bad to say about her, except for the breast implants she got after the show. They’re way too big now.
AC: What was it like being on a reality show?
Marks: It was weird for me just because I’m not used to hanging out with all those ghetto guys, but besides that the only difference is that there are cameras following you around.
AC: Do you believe the producers selected you because they thought you would be a good match or a total opposite for NY?
Marks: Definitely because I’m a total opposite. They knew they had to get a bunch of ghetto thugs to appeal to New York’s taste in men, but they also wanted to get a few total opposites just to make the show interesting.
AC: Who were your allies in the house?
Marks: Tango, Onix, and 12 pack at times.
AC: I have heard rumors that NY is a completely different individual when the cameras are off. Is that true?
Marks: I don’t think so. Most of the time she’s really nice, but if you piss her off, she can be a huge bitch. I didn’t think she was fake at all.
AC: Who was the fakest person in the house? Who was the realest?
Marks: Romance was the fakest. I had no idea he cried like that until I saw the show. When he was on the show he was trying to fit in with the ghetto guys by trying to sound all hip, and then in the confessions, he starts crying. I’m glad he went home when he did because the audience doesn’t like fake people and everyone saw right through his idiotic act.
I’d say 12 pack was the realest, because in the most recent episode, he admitted he was only on the show to help his acting career, and that’s about as real as you can get.
AC: When each housemate did his confession, when was it done (i.e. after the show was taped, right after it happened)?
Marks: Throughout the course of filming.
AC: How much was scripted and were any of the events provoked (i.e. arguments)?
Marks: I didn’t think any of it was scripted, or at least nothing I was involved in. You see, I already brought enough entertainment value to the show, so the producers didn’t need to tell me to do or say anything. Whether the arguments that happened between other guys were scripted, I don’t know, but my guess is no, because the only fake person in the house was Romance.
AC: The episode where you went to NY’s church, your fellow housemate, Onix, stated that Sister Patterson’s tirade was very unrealistic. Because you were raised Jewish, what was your impression of her actions?
Marks: It was definitely a shock, since we weren’t expecting it, but I definitely wasn’t offended by Sister Patterson’s tirade, the Onix was. I accepted her as a deeply religious person.
After the Elimination
AC: How has your sudden fame changed your every day life?
Marks: I get recognized everywhere now, even more after I got eliminated than before. So far no one has said a negative thing to my face. Most people say I was the funniest person on the show, they were disappointed when I got eliminated, and I’ve even had a couple people offer me free boxing lessons.
AC: Since you have been eliminated from the show, what have you been up to?
Marks: Just working my 9-5 accounting job here in Los Angeles, hoping to get my own show, so I can quit my accounting job and start doing what I do best as a full time job: That is, to entertain people.
AC: Now that the show is being aired and you have seen yourself, would you have done anything differently?
Marks: Not pick my nose so much! That’s the one thing that’s turning off the chicks.
AC: What is your reputation now with the ladies?
Marks: Very successful. But it’s kind of annoying, because half of the girls that like me now probably wouldn’t have given me the time of day if it weren’t for the show. I’d rather the girls like me for who I am rather than for the show.
AC: Have you dated any Black girls since the show has ended?
Marks: No, but I’m definitely more open to it now.
AC: It’s not rare for people who have appeared on VH1 to have their own show (i.e. NY), would you want your own show? If so, what would your show be about?
Marks: It would be a dream come true to get my own show. I know people would watch it, because I read the message boards and everyone, whether they like me or not, seems to say a “Mr. Boston show” would be quite interesting and they would tune in. But I don’t know if I want a dating show, because people may start to grow tired of that concept pretty soon. I mean they’ve already done two seasons of “Flavor of Love,” one season of “I love new york” and now they’re filming that “Rock of Love” show with Bret Michaels. I think I’d rather go a new direction and have the show be something like “A day in the life of mr. boston.”
AC: There’s an actual petition going around on Myspace for you to get your own show. If someone wanted to get his/her voice heard, what website can they go to electronically sign their name?
Marks: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/mrboston
The petition was started by my fans and we’re getting a lot of signatures. Make sure to get everyone to sign it.
AC: Who do you still keep in contact with after the show?
Marks: Tango, Onix, Bonez, 12 pack, and a few other guys I’ve spoken to once or twice.
AC: Will there be a reunion show?
Marks: Yeah, it’s being filmed in a few weeks, and it will air probably the week after the finale, towards the end of April.
AC: What happened in the house that you wish was aired?
Marks: When I was on the solo date with New York, there was a really funny part in which she asked me if I’m a virgin, and then in the confessional I pointed out how people always seem to think I’m a virgin, and it would have been really funny, I’m disappointed they didn’t include it.
AC: If you had actually won the show and NY’s heart, what would your parents have thought? Would they have approved or thought you had lost your mind?
Marks: My parents would have approved of her, but they would have known it would not have worked out in the long run. We were just too different people.
AC: Any current projects/ appearances you wish to include?
Marks: Just trying to line up all the support I can to get my own show. Make sure everyone signs that petition!
You heard the man. Sign the petition!
