Adam Riches on Bill Murray: ‘Ghostbusters made me want to be funny’

http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/apr/01/adam-riches-bill-murray-ghostbusters-comedy-heroes

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Man, I love Bill Murray.

I couldn’t think of any other way to start this piece: I just love him. Have done ever since he first ran away from that library ghost, laughing. A frigging coward, that’s my kind of hero. It was love at first Venkman.

Whether it be teasing Egon with a chocolate bar, taunting ghosts with a piano tinkle or leaping the little wooden door to greet Dana the first time she comes into the office (a move you can only truly appreciate in widescreen), that character, that attitude, that weird skip around the fountain, completely intoxicated me and instantly made him my gateway drug into American comedy.

Had I first seen him today, I would have Googled him, IMDBed him and Pirate Bayed his entire oeuvre. But this was 1984, and I had no idea how to work a microfiche. I still don’t. All I could do was wait to see where he popped up next.

To my complete surprise, it was on TV in an episode of a show called Saturday Night Live, and wait, isn’t that Ray Stantz with him? And Ally from Kate and Ally? And Norm from Cheers? And the guy from The Jerk? The more I watched it, the more people I recognised from all the films and shows I had loved throughout my childhood. It was the Grand Central Station of comedy, and Bill was the best thing on it.

“Star Wars, nothing but Star Wars. Give me those Star Wars, don’t let them end.”

I read somewhere that Kevin Spacey looks like the guy who knows the punchline to the greatest joke in the world. Well, if that’s the case, then it was Bill Murray who first whispered it in his ear. He is laid-back, sardonic, whip-smart and effortless. I feel good watching him. I feel inspired. As a lifelong teetotaller, the only time I’ve ever been tempted to drink was Suntory time.

I’ve seen him bomb too, in a 10-to-one sketch from the third or fourth season featuring Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd. The crowd just aren’t getting it, and these three swaggering titans are left to work as hard as I do when I’m dying on my sweet, sweet ass. It ain’t all luck, spit and magic that gets you where you want. It’s hard graft, hard times and bold choices. Seeing these idols of mine struggle and it still be OK afterwards, gave me real steel to go with my heart.

There’s way too many moments that stand out. Far too many wonderful films that we’re all so familiar with to recommend. So maybe a shout-out to a film that some might have missed: Quick Change. It’s brilliant, and he’s brilliant in it.

From live sketch, to network TV, to blockbuster and independent movies, Bill Murray brings the best out of everything he’s given and everyone who surrounds him. Seeing him in Ghostbusters made me want to be funny. Seeing him in Saturday Night Live made me want to be funny for a living.