Overview

Wild and Crazy Guys is the larger-than-life story of the much-loved Hollywood comedy stars that ruled the 1980s. As well as delving behind the scenes of classic movies such as Ghostbusters, Beverly Hills Cop, The Blues Brothers, Trading Places and dozens more, it chronicles the off-screen, larger-than-life antics of Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, John Candy et al. 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. It's akin to Peter Biskind's Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, following the key players through their highs and lows, and their often turbulent relationships with each other. Nick de Semlyen has already interviewed pretty much all the big names for Empire, as well as directors such as Walter Hill, John Landis and Carl Reiner, and is sitting on lots of unseen material. Taking you on a trip through the tumultous '80s, Wild And Crazy Guys explores the friendships, feuds, triumphs and disasters experienced by these iconic funnymen. Based on candid interviews from the stars themselves, as well as those who entered their orbit, it reveals the hidden history behind the most fertile period ever for screen comedy.

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9781529015812

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Reviews

Pithy and propulsive -- Dominic Maxwell * The Times * A fabulous romp of a book . . . stuffed full of juicy tit-bits and filled with compassion * The i * There is no shortage of excellent critical writing about the US comedy scene in the 80s, and Wild and Crazy Guys is a terrific contribution to the genre. * Hadley Freeman * I loved it so much. I'm most impressed by the sheer breadth of the interviews - the only way [de Semlyen] could have been more comprehensive is if he bought a ouija board. * Stuart Heritage * A great read - a real joyride. So many fascinating new nuggets about a period I thought I knew inside out. * Joe Cornish * The irresistible Wild & Crazy Guys charts the rollercoaster ride of the groundbreaking comedy stars of the '70s and '80s, giving a fascinating look at the helium highs and crushing lows surrounding some of your favourite funny films. I couldn't put it down. Although that may have been the glue. * Edgar Wright * 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 * 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 * 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 and Raging Bulls *

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 and 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 * The irresistible Wild & Crazy Guys charts the rollercoaster ride of the groundbreaking comedy stars of the '70s and '80s, giving a fascinating look at the helium highs and crushing lows surrounding some of your favourite funny films. I couldn't put it down. Although that may have been the glue. * Edgar Wright * A great read - a real joyride. So many fascinating new nuggets about a period I thought I knew inside out. * Joe Cornish * I loved it so much. I'm most impressed by the sheer breadth of the interviews - the only way [de Semlyen] could have been more comprehensive is if he bought a ouija board. * Stuart Heritage * There is no shortage of excellent critical writing about the US comedy scene in the 80s, and Wild and Crazy Guys is a terrific contribution to the genre. * Hadley Freeman * A fabulous romp of a book . . . stuffed full of juicy tit-bits and filled with compassion * The i * Pithy and propulsive -- Dominic Maxwell * The Times *

Author Information

Nick is a film journalist who has written for publications including Rolling Stone, FHM, Stuff and Time Out. His current job is Reviews Editor for Empire, the world's biggest movie magazine.

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