Billy Crystal and Donald Trump during Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night XIII - Show at Marriot Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)
Billy Crystal and Donald Trump during Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night XIII - Show at Marriot Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)
Billy Crystal says New Zealanders might see a little more of him if Donald Trump's presidential campaign is successful.
The 68-year-old comedian and star of films like When Harry Met Sally is embarking on his first New Zealand tour in July, performing over two nights at Aotea Centre's ASB Theatre on July 4-5.
But in a new interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Crystal says he's considering moving to New Zealand over the stress of Trump's high-profile bid to become president.
"I might consider finding a nice little ranch in New Zealand," he told the SMH.
He went on to call the presidential race "a reality show that's beyond belief".
"I mean, it buries the Kardashians," he said. "We're electing a new leader. Is this the best we have? It's really scary. I keep wondering what people internationally think as they watch these debates [with] Trump and (Ted) Cruz. It's embarrassing."
He singled Cruz, another Republican candidate, out for particular criticism over his re-enactment of movie scenes - including Crystal's character from The Princess Bride, Miracle Max.
"What a maniac," he said. "First time I saw [that] I thought, 'what is he doing?' He did this imitation of me that's sort of a version of me but not me. And he kept doing it.
"The whole thing was weird. He's weird. He's a strange one."
Crystal's tour is billed as An Evening of Sit Down with Billy Crystal hosted by Andrew Denton. Denton, a veteran Australian television presenter and interviewer, will be prompting Crystal for stories about his life and career.
The show follows Crystal's Tony Award-winning 700 Sundays, an autobiographical one-man show, which toured Australia but not New Zealand.
"I'm absolutely delighted to bring my new show to New Zealand. I have visited this beautiful country before but I am particularly excited to perform there for the very first time," Crystal said in a statement.
"The show will be spontaneous, funny and unpredictable. I tell stories, I perform, we show film clips. And yes, I will stand up. It's not only a conversation with Andrew, it's with the audience as well."
