Ronny Sianturi
A few days ago, 72-year-old Danny Smiechowski stepped out of his San Diego home, not to the usual taunts of his neighbors, but to a waiting limousine and a chauffeur. For decades, Smiechowski had been a pariah in his community, enduring what he describes as "emotional abuse" for his unconventional habit of exercising in his driveway clad only in yellow briefs. Now, he stands as the unexpected focal point of a buzzy HBO/A24 docuseries, "Neighbors," culminating in a celebratory finale event in Hollywood.
"The neighbors were looking out their window, going, ‘Oh my God, that guy,’" Smiechowski recounts with a wry smile, mimicking their disbelief over water in a West Hollywood café. "You can’t really believe it could be true, but it’s true." He’s joined by Harrison Fishman and Dylan Redford, the creators of "Neighbors," who share in the amusement of his transformation from local eccentricity to celebrated subject. "Amazing," Fishman muses, "They must be like, ‘What’s going on?!’"
The six-episode docuseries "Neighbors," presented as a late-night documentary series, delves into the often intense and sometimes absurd disputes that erupt within local communities across the United States. Filmed with an immersive, vérité style reminiscent of the acclaimed work of executive producers Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, and Eli Bush, the series typically interweaves multiple neighborhood conflicts. However, the season finale breaks this mold, offering an extended, focused portrait of Smiechowski’s journey. The episode chronicles his initial struggles in California, his exploration of a Florida nudist community, and his eventual return to San Diego, accepting his home, for better or worse. This narrative arc serves as a fitting capstone to a series dedicated to the brutally funny, everyday indignities that define the experience of coexistence.
The Sweet Taste of Success: Smiechowski’s Vindication
Smiechowski views his newfound recognition as the ultimate form of vindication. "The best revenge is success, so that’s the nail in the coffin with [my neighbors] – and now they ignore me," he states with palpable satisfaction. He recounts a recent call from a French neighbor who had been particularly antagonistic during his mayoral campaign, leveling accusations of dishonesty. "He betrayed me with money, he told me that I was a crook. And now, he called me a couple days ago and left a message. He goes, ‘Wow, congratulations. Can I go to LA with you?’ Like, oh my God – what are these people thinking?" This dramatic shift in local sentiment is precisely the outcome Smiechowski had envisioned when he initially responded to a Craigslist advertisement placed by "Neighbors" casting director Harleigh Shaw several years prior. "I just wanted to do it to get the word out," he explains.
The path to the screen was not without its detours. After an initial conversation, Smiechowski heard nothing for over a year, leading to considerable frustration. He even resorted to blocking the phone numbers of many associated with the production. Fortunately, producer Rachel Walden remained in contact, reaching out when the project was ready to move forward. This persistence ultimately brought Smiechowski’s unique story to the forefront.
From San Diego Driveway to Florida Nudism: A Journey of Self-Discovery
The creators of "Neighbors" found themselves increasingly fascinated by nudist communities as their research progressed. "We had come across a couple disputes in nudist communities… and Harleigh had the idea of, ‘Would Danny be interested in living in a place like this?’" Fishman shares. Redford adds that Smiechowski had previously considered relocation, making the experiment feel like a natural and engaging step for him. "He had considered moving at various points, so it felt like a natural experiment that Danny was interested in doing and wanted to try."
The production team spent a month immersed in Smiechowski’s life, capturing dozens of hours of footage, much of which, inevitably, did not make the final cut. The resulting portrayal in "Neighbors" is a compelling character study. Viewers are introduced to Smiechowski in San Diego, where he faces public scrutiny for his choice of attire during his workouts. He remains bewildered by the criticism, stating, "I do it to be happy, I do it because I feel good inside – I feel younger." He reflects on the irony of his situation: "What’s so ironic about this is that for the people who were abusing me – and are abusing me – this is almost impossible for them to believe." He notes a significant improvement in his local standing since filming concluded, reporting that his situation is "about 90% better."
Upon arriving in Eden, a nudist community in Florida, Smiechowski experiences a profound sense of liberation. He encounters a warm and accepting community, participates in karaoke, and even develops a brief romantic interest in a much younger woman. This period is presented as a candid and vulnerable exploration of Smiechowski’s life, though he views it differently. "I just threw caution to the wind – if they say jump, I say how high, and that’s what we did," he asserts, emphasizing his commitment to the documentary process. He describes his dedication to capturing the perfect take, repeating actions numerous times until satisfied. This unwavering resolve, he believes, stems from a unique personal fortitude. He recounts an anecdote about Dr. Michael Dean, a renowned hypnotist in San Diego, who, despite hypnotizing everyone else in the room, could not influence Smiechowski, highlighting his singular mental resilience. "Dr. Michael Dean was known all over the world as a hypnotist in San Diego. He tried to crack me. He couldn’t do it, and he became frustrated because he was hypnotizing everybody in the room. I was the only one. So I’m one of the few people in the world who cannot be hypnotized."
Embracing Authenticity: Smiechowski’s Artistic Aspirations
In the lead-up to the finale’s airing, Smiechowski has actively pursued acting, enrolling in drama classes. He anticipates potential backlash but remains unfazed. "People are going to call me a freak, but they don’t understand… Even my drama teacher said to me, ‘Danny, I’m really sorry for you. You’re going to take a lot of abuse,’" he shares. His response to his teacher, George, was one of calm assurance: "’George, don’t even worry about it, man. Water off the duck’s back. Just forget about it.’" Fishman observes Smiechowski’s remarkable self-possession: "It’s rare to find somebody who is so truly themself. You’re, like, aggressively yourself."
Nudist Communities: A Haven of Acceptance and Harmony?
The creators of "Neighbors" observed a surprising level of functionality and acceptance within the nudist communities they explored. "Once we got in there, we saw that a lot of these communities were actually functioning much at a much higher and more forgiving level than many of the neighborhoods that we had been to throughout the country," Redford notes. He elaborates on the dedication of the residents: "Everyone there really wanted these communities to work. They didn’t want to lose it. They didn’t want the infighting or whatever conflict existed within there to get to a point where they would lose this place that they love so much." Fishman echoes this sentiment, describing the atmosphere as "insanely happy."
While "Neighbors" effectively illustrates this sense of contentment, Smiechowski remains pragmatic about its broader impact. "There’ll be a minority that will, what’s the word to use, gravitate or become interested," he concedes, but he is less optimistic about widespread shifts in public perception. "For most people, it’s too socially dangerous. They would be embarrassed. Most people couldn’t do it." He describes his current relationship with the nudist community as an "existential question," acknowledging that his present lifestyle is "somewhat related to that community."
"Neighbors" Renewed: A Glimpse into America’s Diverse Communities
The success of "Neighbors" has led to its official renewal for a second season. While Smiechowski’s current contentment suggests he might not be eager for a return to the intense scrutiny of his former life, Fishman and Redford are enthusiastic about the series’ future. "There’s so many subjects and places that we didn’t get to explore in season one for a bunch of different reasons, so we’re just so excited to get back and see what’s out there," Fishman states. He views the series as an ongoing project: "The more we’re painting this portrait of America, in a way, and the more that we add to it, the more exciting it gets."
The first season of "Neighbors" is currently available for streaming in its entirety on HBO Max. For a deeper dive into the production, THR’s in-depth feature on making the series is also available.
