showbusiness, of course--like, shows, films, music, comedy. But then there are the other beautiful things in life like bowling, tap dancing, ping pong, reading PageSix..the basics.
Music
Oh boy, I like a little bit of everything...here it goes: LeTigre, Dean Martin, Bette Midler, Whitney Houston, Curtis Mayfield, Frances Faye, TV on the Radio, Wayne Newton
Television
Three's Company, The Jeffersons, Golden Girls, It's a Living, Dean Martin Show, The Muppet Show...I spent a lot of time watching Nick at Nite and TV Land.
Books
"Dean and Me: A Love Story" by Jerry Lewis, Etta James biography
Heroes
Frances Faye, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr.,Carol Burnett, Beth Ditto, Justin Bond, Phyllis Diller, Oprah
TOTIE FIELDS FRANCES FAYE
Who I'd like to meet: Polyester-clad MURRAY HILL, aka “Mr. Showbiz,” is a beloved entertainer, infamous personality, newsmaker, and renowned comedian and host. He tirelessly performs in shows, independent films, videos, television, and comedy clubs in his native New York and all over the world. His long-running and smash-hit THE MURRAY HILL SHOW, “a New York institution” (NY Times), ran for over three years, completely sold-out.
Currently he can be seen strutting in his stuff as a main character in the new The Gossip video for “Listen Up” and this past year he was on national television for the LOGO Network with his segment “Year-end Review in Showbiz.” He
recently performed for PENELOPE CRUZ & PEDRO ALMODOVAR, hosted the ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS concert, the premiere of BEASTIE BOYS film, has a cameo in John Cameron Mitchell’s SHORTBUS,performed two SRO nights at London’s Bloomsbury Ballroom, and was inducted into PAPER MAGAZINE’s Nightlife Hall of Fame.
He has produced, written, and starred in a string of sold-out theatrical runs, including his infamous annual
holiday show A MURRAY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, THE MURRAY HILL SHOW, and performed his unique brand of comedy at The Upright Citizens Brigade, Madison Square Garden, Gotham Comedy Club, Comix, and headlined his own show MURRAY ON BROADWAY at the legendary CAROLINES. In the Summer of 2005, Murray made his UK debut in the WEST END for a four-week run and this past winter he was in Montreal for a week long run at the JUST FOR LAUGHS theater. He wowed audiences for three weeks at San Francisco’s famed PLUSH ROOM. He also produces several events throughout the year like music and comedy showcases, and the legendary MISS LEZ PAGEANT.
Murray “the king of comedy” (TimeOut) Hill is one of the most sought after emcees working today. He’s razzled audiences into a frenzy and hosted thousands of shows and events such as: The International Burlesque Festivals; MARC JACOB’s infamous holiday party, MADONNA record release party in Times Square, LETIGRE concerts at Irving Plaza, Bowery Ballroom, The Fillmore in SF, and the El Rey in LA; Village Voice’s Siren Music Festival, Seattle Comedy Showcase, The Gossip, Philly Fringe Festival, Lady Fest, New Year’s Eve at Joe’s Pub with John Cameron Mitchell, Wigstock for two years with Lady Bunny,CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH, just to name a few. He has made cameos in LETIGRE and SCISSOR SISTERS music videos, SUNDANCE channel interstitial.
Recently hailed as “reigning patriarch of downtown performance” by The New York Times. He was been awarded: THE FLY LIFE AWARD ‘07: BEST PERFORMER, GLAMMY AWARD ‘07: BEST COMEDY PERFORMER, GO MAGAZINE: BEST PERFORMER, TOP PERFORMER of the year in 2004 in Out Magazine and “BEST OF NEW YORK” by Village Voice, Paper Magazine, Go, and New York Magazine.
In 1997, Murray ran for MAYOR OF NEW YORK. He lost, but did garner 341 write-in votes (no joke).
He’s currently writing a book, “Murray’s Ultimate Guide to Showbiz”, developing and online TV channel,
and in production for a Murray movie.
Going to try to make a show over there in July, enroute to London. slip me back on how to get tickets. Hope to stop by and so you can meet the clan. I think we have 12 of us from Tempest Burlesque going over the pond.
Bette Midler, Whitney Houston, Curtis Mayfield, Frances Faye, TV on the Radio, Wayne Newton
