I was watching Letterman last night and he had Billy Crystal on as a guest. Billy is wrapping up his fantastically successful run of 700 Sundays on May 22. The show was also nominated for a Tony this week (in the category of "Best Special Theatrical Event"), as I mentioned in this previous post.

Dave asked Billy about a quote in the New York Post, wherein Billy was quoted as saying that his audience should "stick [their cellphones] up their ass."

Billy told a great story, which is in line with my Theatiquette post from January.

Specifically, Billy related a story where, during a particularly poignant part of the show when he was talking about the death of his parents, TWELVE cell phones rang. As a performer, Billy found it difficult to get through, but he soldiered on. At the end of the show, he came out, and made a little speech, saying (I'm paraphrasing here): "When you go to the theater, you should turn off your cellphone, leave it at home, OR STICK IT UP YOUR ASS".

The New York Post promptly pulled it out of context, and simply quoted the "ass" part.

BTW, I agree. There NO EXCUSE for having a phone ring during a show...

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