With Halloween approaching, actor Billy Crystal talked with Governor Cuomo about New York's real-life horror story.

“Here is something that haunts all of us. Could this have all been prevented?” Crystal asked the governor.

“Billy, there was no reason for this,” Cuomo responded. “This happened from denial, from incompetence. I mean think about this. We had MERS, started in 2002. We had 20 years of warnings.”

Cuomo did most of the talking throughout the interview sponsored by the 92nd Street Y. He was asked if he would have done anything differently in those early months when COVID ravaged New York State, killing thousands. 

“If you could play the game over, would you do anything differently?” Crystal asked.

“I wasted too much time trying to deal with the president. I spent a lot of time. In some ways, I overreacted.”

Cuomo made trips to the White House, and was often careful then not to criticize President Trump, especially when he needed the president’s help building out hospital space.

Their relationship has since deteriorated.

The discussion also had its lighter moments, like when Crystal made no secret of his affinity for the Yankees.

“Why do you root for the Mets?” Crystal prodded.

“I’m from Queens,” Cuomo returned.

“Yeah, that’s what I figured.”

Cuomo has endured much criticism for writing a book about the pandemic long before it is actually over. Here was his answer to that.

“The book was, this is what we’ve learned through this nightmare. Let’s make sure we share it, we are conversant in it, and let’s play better the second half,” Cuomo said.

The publisher of Cuomo’s book would not release a list of media appearances Cuomo is making to promote it. 

Cuomo’s staff has refused to provide the reporters who cover him with a list of appearances either. 

In addition to the 92nd Street Y with Billy Crystal, Cuomo has also appeared on Andy Cohen Live, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and a handful of cable television news programs.