Billy Crystal reveals the inspiration behind the show he’s performing in Australia.
He could have hosted the Academy Awards in a few weeks time, but comic superstar and actor Billy Crystal chose to tour Australia instead.
Billy, who turns 60 next month, is here to perform 700 Sundays, a self-penned tribute to his father Jack, who died when he was 15, and his mother Helen, who passed away six years ago.
The show has been incredibly successful. Are you surprised?
I’m thrilled. But I guess everyone can relate to the themes. It’s a very warm, funny show with an unusual message. It’s about standing on your own feet after you lose your parents. It’s confronting when we become orphans, but the show has helped me come to terms with it.
What is the show’s message?
Have fun! Make sure the days you have are great and full and have as much fun as you can with the people you care about. I was 15 when I lost my dad. He worked six days a week and I calculated we enjoyed 700 Sundays together.
Why come to Australia?
Having toured most of the US with the show, I wanted to take it to another country. I wanted to see if its themes about family would work in another part of the world. I first visited Sydney eight or nine years ago and loved the people. They were so happy and friendly and I’ve never forgotten it. When I decided to go somewhere new, I thought, let’s play Sydney and Melbourne.
Which comedians do you admire?
My mentor Bill Cosby once said to me that when he first started out, there were 20 comedians … and five were good. Now there are 10,000 comics … and five are good! No, really, there are many brilliant young people in the States and I’m anxious to see some comedy in Australia. I admire Chris Rock and those guys, also David Letterman and Jon Stewart. And I think Robin Williams is as perfect as you can get!
What did you think of former Seinfeld star Michael Richards’ recent racist outburst on stage during a stand-up performance?
Michael’s a friend. He’s not that way. I think he got caught up in an awful stage. It was awful … disgraceful. I think he had a meltdown, in that he thought he was going to be funny and he just slipped up. It was awful to watch. I feel bad for him. I hope he can somehow find peace and work through this and that audiences will forgive him at some point.
You’re one of those rare showbiz types who is still married to the same partner after several decades. Congratulations!
If you met Janice, you would understand why. We’ve been going together for 37 years. Janice is the great strength of my life. My family means everything to me. I have two great daughters — Jenny, who’s 34, and Lindsay, 29, and two grandchildren — Ella, 3, and Dylan, 1. They’re both beauties. Having grandkids puts life in perspective. Someone older leaves and someone new comes along … that’s how it goes.
For more of this interview, see this week’s issue of Woman’s Day (on sale February 5)
