We all know them well. I came of age with these guys. Chevy Chase, the meteoric star whose ego caused him to crash and burn, yet became a survivor. Dan Ackroyd, the genial everyman who effortlessly stepped into any character's shoes. Steve Martin, the brilliant renaissance man. Bill Murray, arguably the most beloved comedian of all time. Eddie Murphy, once the funniest and most controversial comedian of all time and biggest box office draw in the world. John Belushi, lovable wildman whose early death surprised no one. John Candy, the goofy teddy bear whose big heart couldn't take the strain of excessive success.
From Saturday Night Live, Second City Television, and National Lampoon to incredible box office success, and right down to career nose-dives, Wild and Crazy Guys covers the lives and careers of the most successful funnymen of the 1980's.
Writer Nick de Semlyen obviously has a great deal of respect and affection for these guys. He delights in the glories of their successes, and while he does not gloss over the career lowlights, he doesn't dwell on their failures with unnecessary glee. This isn't any kind of hatchet piece.
I always liked all of them too. I was never too much of a fan of the televised stuff, but I saw and liked most of the movies. Some I truly loved, such as Animal House, Meatballs, Stripes, Vacation, 48 Hours, Trading Places, and Groundhog Day. Some beloved films I did not enjoy, like The Jerk and Caddyshack. And still others I could not bear to watch at all: Oh Heavenly Dog, Nothing But Trouble, All Of Me.
I never rejoiced in their humiliations, as far too many hateful critics did. I looked up to each of these funny individuals, and I always, always, liked seeing them show up in any production. Even when the movies weren't very good, I sort of had fun with them. I'm thinking of things like Dr. Detroit, Modern Problems, and Three Amigos!
The 80's were a grand time for comedy, and I look back upon the era with infinite fondness. Wild and Crazy Guys is as good a book as I could hope to ask for about the subject. It's endlessly fascinating, funny, outrageous, and ultimately heartbreaking. I recommend it without reservation. Which is something I cannot say about Coneheads: The Movie*.
*Sorry, I couldn't resist one little jab.
Written by Mark Sieber
From Saturday Night Live, Second City Television, and National Lampoon to incredible box office success, and right down to career nose-dives, Wild and Crazy Guys covers the lives and careers of the most successful funnymen of the 1980's.
Writer Nick de Semlyen obviously has a great deal of respect and affection for these guys. He delights in the glories of their successes, and while he does not gloss over the career lowlights, he doesn't dwell on their failures with unnecessary glee. This isn't any kind of hatchet piece.
I always liked all of them too. I was never too much of a fan of the televised stuff, but I saw and liked most of the movies. Some I truly loved, such as Animal House, Meatballs, Stripes, Vacation, 48 Hours, Trading Places, and Groundhog Day. Some beloved films I did not enjoy, like The Jerk and Caddyshack. And still others I could not bear to watch at all: Oh Heavenly Dog, Nothing But Trouble, All Of Me.
I never rejoiced in their humiliations, as far too many hateful critics did. I looked up to each of these funny individuals, and I always, always, liked seeing them show up in any production. Even when the movies weren't very good, I sort of had fun with them. I'm thinking of things like Dr. Detroit, Modern Problems, and Three Amigos!
The 80's were a grand time for comedy, and I look back upon the era with infinite fondness. Wild and Crazy Guys is as good a book as I could hope to ask for about the subject. It's endlessly fascinating, funny, outrageous, and ultimately heartbreaking. I recommend it without reservation. Which is something I cannot say about Coneheads: The Movie*.
*Sorry, I couldn't resist one little jab.
Written by Mark Sieber
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