John Ruskin, more commonly known as Nardwuar the Human Serviette, or simply Nardwuar, is a Canadian journalist and musician from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He is the lead vocalist and keyboardist for the renowned rock band, The Evaporators.
Nardwuar's media career began at the University of British Columbia's radio station, CITR 101.9 FM, in Vancouver. His show, which has been a staple every Friday afternoon since October 1987, features a unique blend of eclectic music, in-depth interviews, and thought-provoking commentary. Nardwuar's interviews are frequently featured on MuchMusic's Going Coastal and Chart magazine, and he has stated that he is willing to interview any celebrity, not just music artists.
As a seasoned interviewer, Nardwuar has developed a signature style that begins with the question, "Who are you?", followed by "From?" if the subject does not voluntarily disclose their affiliations. Each interview concludes with the iconic phrases, "Keep on rockin' in the free world" and the "doot doola doot doo..." of "Shave and a Haircut", to which the interviewee is expected to respond with the final "doot doo!" before Nardwuar freezes with a wide smile until the camera cuts off.
Nardwuar's interviews often end with a thought-provoking question, "Why should people care about [interviewee's name]?", which encourages the subject to reflect on their significance and impact. When asked to explain the origin of his enigmatic name, Nardwuar has revealed that it is a playful nod to Sting and Sinbad, and that "Human" was inspired by the song "Human Fly" by The Cramps, while "Serviette" refers to the fact that in the United States, napkins are commonly referred to as serviettes.
