Wild and Crazy Guys

How the Comedy Mavericks of the '80s Changed Hollywood Forever

By: Nick de Semlyen

Narrated by: Curtis Armstrong

The behind-the-scenes story of the iconic funnymen who ruled '80s Hollywood - Bill Murray, Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, and Eddie Murphy - and the beloved films that made them stars, including Animal House, Caddyshack, and Ghostbusters

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NEW YORK

“An enjoyable romp that vividly captures the manic ups and downs of the remarkable group of funny folk who gave us a golden age of small and big screen comedy, from SNL to Groundhog Day.” (Peter Biskind, author of Easy Riders, Raging Bulls)

Wild and Crazy Guys opens in 1978 with Chevy Chase and Bill Murray taking bad-tempered swings at each other backstage at Saturday Night Live, and closes 21 years later with the two doing a skit in the same venue, poking fun at each other, their illustrious careers, triumphs and prat falls. In between, Nick de Semlyen takes us on a trip through the tumultuous '80s, delving behind the scenes of movies such as National Lampoon's Vacation, Beverly Hills Cop, The Blues Brothers, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and dozens more. Chronicling the off-screen, larger-than-life antics of Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, John Belushi, John Candy, and Rick Moranis, it's got drugs, sex, punch-ups, webbed toes, and Bill Murray being pushed into a swimming pool by Hunter S. Thompson while tied to a lawn chair. What's not to like?

Based on candid interviews from many of the stars themselves, as well as those in their immediate orbit, including directors John Landis, Carl Reiner, and Amy Heckerling, Wild and Crazy Guys is a fantastic insider account of the friendships, feuds, triumphs, and disasters experienced by these beloved comedians. Hilarious and revealing, it is both a hidden history of the most fertile period ever for screen comedy and a celebration of some of the most popular films of all time.

Praise for Wild and Crazy Guys

“Eminently readable . . . Children of the 1980s, take note: this is a fond, engrossing look back at the making of movies that became cultural touchstones.” (Booklist, starred review)

“Nick de Semlyen smartly charts the pinballing career paths of the stars of this new comic wave. . . . His punchy, nonstop narrative . . . tells a [story] where art and commerce smash hard against each other, sometimes causing destruction, but sometimes making sparks fly.” (The Sunday Times (UK))

©2019 Nick de Semlyen (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“An enjoyable romp that vividly captures the manic ups and downs of the remarkable group of funny folk who gave us a golden age of small and big screen comedy, from SNL to Groundhog Day.” (Peter Biskind, author of Easy Riders, Raging Bulls)

“Bill Murray, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy - they’re all here like you’ve never seen them before (with no shortage of drugs, competitiveness, and egos). Fast-paced and addictive, Wild and Crazy Guys is the Easy Riders, Raging Bulls of the wild and crazy ‘80s Hollywood comedy scene.” (Chris Nashawaty, author of Caddyshack: The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella Story)

“It's amazing that anybody survived making comedies in the impulsive, excessive, drug-fueled, rage-filled period in the decade following the explosive arrival of Saturday Night Live. And some didn't. But, aided by the sharp recollections of those who did, Nick de Semlyen gives that more-is-more period of comedy what it desperately needs: Clarity and perspective. Wild and Crazy Guys maps the era and its swaggering players beautifully.” (Mark Harris, author of Pictures at a Revolution and Five Came Back)

"Offering colorful film backstories and insightful portraits...de Semlyen’s enjoyable [and] welcome flashback reminds us why [these comedians’] very names still bring a smile to our faces.” (Associated Press)

Good but with continuity issues.

The stories are great. The writing is great. The premise is great. The performance is great. The jumping around in the time line is maddening.

Author clearly loved the topic!

As a self proclaimed SNL/SCTV/80's comedy expert - I naively thought I knew everything there was to know about some of my favorite comics from one of my favorite eras. Well - needless to say there were so many tidbits of info I was unaware of! If you're a comedy fan - there are tons of anecdotes you didn't know and will be thrilled to learn. There are familiar tales, like Belushi's drug fueled nights and stories I never knew, like Aykroyd accidentally borrowing ET's bicycle and riding it around the Ghostbusters set. Curtis Armstrong (Booger from Revenge of The Nerds) is the PERFECT narrator for this book. It almost seems as if unknowningly throws in some impersonations of Chase, Moranis, etc. and I was truly hanging on his every word. It's hard for me to imagine that Armstrong actually DIDN'T write the book - he is SO invested in this narration. The author's writing is so fluid and immersive - he truly knows his facts and has collected tons of quotes, stories, and adventures from some of my idols. I would love to read something else in the comedian realm from Nick - there are so many more people and eras to touch on - and without a doubt we need a follow up on the female comediennes of the 80s! This is now my all-time favorite book, I never wanted it to end. It's pure perfection.

Comedy gold

If you love 80s comedians look no further and enjoy this good read. Did not go wrong choosing Curtis to narrate the book. A good story of behind the scenes and what the comedians were going through at different times of their lives.

Side-Alley Stroll Down Memory Lane of SNL/SCTV Comedians

I saw this book listed as a recommendation on a website. It had me at “dives into 70s/80s comedy movies”. This is a book version of the shows that take a look at “the toys/commercials/movies that made us.” I grew up in the 70s and 80s so the subject matter is truly a stroll down memory lane...more like forays into the little side-alleys spoking off the lane. I love it. This really is about the major male comedians from SNL and SCTV. The book even mentions women on those shows didn’t get the big movie vehicles like their male counterparts did. You won’t hear much if anything about Gilda Radner, Jane Curtain, or Catherine O’Hara. Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis,John Belushi, Steve Martin, John Candy and Eddie Murphy are woven throughout as the book walks somewhat chronologically through their blockbusters and flops. Curtis Armstrong is a FANTASTIC narrator who reads naturally and delivers the funnier lines subtly and perfectly...Having him narrate was a master move. There is something surreal about hearing Booger Dawson talk about the movies of that era, with his signature sharply enunciated t’s.

Great Stories!

This was a very well written book and the narration by Curtis Armstrong was great!

Fun and Funny from Start to End

This book grabbed my attention from the opening line and walked me up and down memory lane. WACGs tells the stories of the intertwined entertainers that I grew up watching. I was born in 1966, and with the exception of having to wait a couple of years before seeing Animal House, I saw every one of the hits and most of the flops as well.

The reverence for the them and their comedy never flagged. I enjoyed the stories of their interactions, both friendly and not. I had a blast guessing the movie Curtis Armstrong was leading up to. The only clunker lines on the book were in the epilogue on Aykroyd. Otherwise, it is a thoroughly enjoyable trip back to the best decade for movies, music, and comedy.

Enough content for a book. Could be a book per actor!

Can’t wait to read it if he writes bios of each. We just scratched the surface it seems. Got me jonesing for more candy and Murphy at least. And insight into moranis’ departure from limelight.

You Never Want It To End

I grew up watching these icon movies and was obsessed with it's comedic geniuses. I've seen every John Candy movie, every Steve Martin Movie, and Dan Aykroyd is one of my personal heroes. Listening to this book was like taking a ride to a whole other world, filled with history, movie trivia, and an inside look into the lives and work of some of the greatest talent to grace our televisions. Though many stories are bitter sweet, I love the in depth look at not only the achievements of these actors, but their faults, trials, and tribulations as well - making these film gods seem more humanistic and closer to the average person like you and I. It's heartwarming, heartbreaking, interesting, funny, and sad all at the same time. I loved it. And a big thanks to Curtis Armstrong for a wonderful and perpetually magnetic narration of the book. So glad I purchased this and got to experience a side of history I've never heard before. 5 Stars all around.

A History of the Movies you Love!

A great look at the story behind all of those great movies you grew up with. Everything from The Blues Brothers to Groundhog Day and many many more.

A Great Book on the Great Icons of Comedy!!

What an incredible book! I couldn’t stop listening as Curtis (the perfect choice to read by the way!) rolls through story of these great comedy icons. It made me laugh out loud when hearing how the great 80s movies were made. It made me cry listening to the demise of the greats like Belushi and Candy. It’s an awesome ride. If you are a child of the 70s and 80s you will really love this! Don’t even hesitate.