Billy Crystal Returns to TV for First Sitcom in 30 Years - Closer Weekly

Billy Crystal is back — and better than ever!

The 67-year-old actor will appear on TV for his first sitcom role in more than 30 years with a new show, The Comedians, premiering on FX Thursday, April 9.

In the hilarious upcoming series, Billy stars alongside funnyman Josh Gad, 34, as a comedic duo who try to put together a new sketch comedy show.

Billy and Josh on ‘The Comedians.’

Billy’s involvement with ‘Comedians’ marks his first lead role since he starred on the sitcom ‘Soap’ from 1977 to 1981. Since then, the iconic actor has chosen to focus on film roles, including ‘The Princess Bride,’ ‘City Slickers’ and ‘Parental Guidance.’

When asked why this project in particular drew him back to television, the former ‘Saturday Night Live’ star said, “I saw it as giving me the chance to return to do what I did on ‘SNL’ and in my stand-up.”

Billy as Jodie Dallas (right) on ‘Soap’ in 1977.

“I’m in a live show, we have a live audience. We have the filmed pieces that roll in. We’re creating characters. I come into work and it’s, ‘How about this character, what about this sketch?'” he told ‘E! Online.’

Just For You

Conversation

All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Closer Weekly does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.