Rick Moranis refuses to participate in GHOSTBUSTERS video game
July 6th, 2008 by Scott Marks
Rick Moranis as (clockwise) Skip Bittman, Gerry Todd, Linsk Menjuvic and Dick Cavett
Kudos to my old SCTV buddy Rick Moranis’ for having the integrity not to participate in the asinine video game restatement of Ghostbusters.
The game’s producer told Wired Magazines Das Gamer, “He made so much money off of Honey I Shrunk The Kids that he retired. He just doesn’t want to work anymore.” Well, that’s not 100% true. The five times this decade that he agreed to leave his house in search of gainful employment as an actor found him voicing cartoons.
Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson have agreed to re-team for the upcoming vidiocy. Moranis was not the only hold out. Sigourney Weaver also refused join in the game.
Moranis gained showbiz immortality for his sterling participation in 25 episodes of SCTV, still the funniest show television has yet to produce. He joined the show in its third season after it became apparent that Tony Rosato and Robin Duke weren’t clicking.
In Dave Thomas’ 1996 tome SCTV: Behind the Scenes, Moranis remarked, “I was the only guy ever to join the show from outside the little Second City world.” Moranis initially felt some resistance coming from Joe Flaherty’s corner. “I think he resented me because I hadn’t in his mind, paid my dues by coming up from the theatre. We never came to blows or anything, but if you look through the whole catalogue, there isn’t a lot of stuff that Joe and I did together.”
Catherine O’Hara, Joe Flaherty, Rick Moranis, Eugene Levy, John Candy, Andrea Martin & Dave Thomas as The Beaver
Thomas met Moranis at a party where both took to the stage and jammed with the band. “He had a good reputation,” Thomas recalls, “and seemed sharp, smart and funny.” Prior to that fateful meeting, Moranis worked as a deejay in addition to working alongside John Candy on 90 Minutes Live, the Canadian answer to SNL.
Thomas, then appearing on his second season of SCTV, was rocked by a chemistry “that was evident the moment we got up on stage and improvised together. I remember thinking, ‘This guy’s good. I want this guy in the show.’”
A meeting was arranged and series’ producer Andrew Alexander was taken aback by Moranis’ combination of business smarts and unbridled hubris. Alexander told Thomas, “He wants all this and all that and doesn’t have any of the experience that any of you have. Who does he think he is?” Years later Alexander proclaimed Moranis a “savior” adding, “It would have been tough to get through that third season had Rick not been there.”
Throughout the 1980-81 seasons, Moranis elevated the already stellar show with his dead-on impressions of Woody Allen, Dick Cavett, David Brinkley, Irwin Allen and Teri Shields (the latter aided greatly by makeup and wardrobe). In addition to his uncanny flair for mimicry, Moranis added several original characters to his SCTV repertoire including vidiot Gerry Todd, hog-faced hog butcher Fred Scutz, Rabbi Karloff and Lieutonia’s favorite son, Linsk Menjuvic.
Bob & Doug McKenzie
Easily his most recognizable achievement was Bob McKenzie, one-half of the beer-soaked, back bacon eating team that brought us Canadian Corner. Along with his brother Doug (Dave Thomas), the pair would spend a few minutes each week scrounging for topics which ran the gamut from Star Wars to How To Get A Mouse In A Beer Bottle.
The McKenzie Brothers were created in protest against government requirements insistent that each domestically produced television show contain some type of “identifiable Canadian content.” Due to less commercial content, the Canadian version of the show ran two minutes longer than its American counterpart. When the CBC “asked for two minutes of distinctive Canadian programming” Thomas and Moranis decided to cram every negative Canadian stereotype imaginable into weekly two-minute installments.
Thomas remembers, “Back then, we were doing Bob and Doug McKenzie essentially as filler. We had no idea at all that anyone liked it.” The “take off” took off. Canadian Corner (aka: The Great White North) went on to become the show’s most popular skit, spawning scads of merchandising including an LP and eventuallty a big screen adaptation, Strange Brew.
I have never spoken with a true SCTV lover that had much use for Bob & Doug. There really weren’t a lot of places to go with the dim-witted siblings and the segments quickly became dull and repetitive. With repetition the key to sitcom success, the constant hammering of “hosebag” and “good day, eh?” must have provided undemanding viewers lost in the otherwise esoteric environment something simple to grasp hold of.
As Louis Tully in Ghostbusters
Throughout the 80s, Moranis appeared in a string of successes unrivaled by any of his SCTV cronies. Quality notwithstanding, Ghostbusters I & II, Little Shop of Horrors, Spaceballs, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Parenthood were all performed well at the box office. His finest hour came under the direction of Walter Hill. As Billy Fish, the baby faced rock promoter in the cult “rock fable” Streets of Fire, Moranis achieved a perfect combination of intense hostility and slick, showbiz insincerity; Skip Bittman, only darker and minus the affectations and hair.
Catherine O’Hara, Joe Flaherty, Rick Moranis, Eugene Levy, John Candy, Andrea Martin & Dave Thomas as The Beaver
Almost instantly his fellow SCTV cast members began embarrassing themselves by appearing in projects that just months before they had all broken their comedic bones on satirizing. When it came to movies, Dave Thomas and Andrea Martin pretty much sat the decade out. Catherine O’Hara scored a juicy role in Marty’s After Hours and little else. Joe Flaherty was wasted in Sesame Street Presents: Follow that Bird, Club Paradise and Blue Monkey. Eugene “Biggest Whore In The Bunch” Levy started well in Splash, but before long films like Armed and Dangerous and Speed Zone heralded what was to come. John Candy headed for certain death (in more ways than one) with duds like Volunteers, The Great Outdoors and Who’s Harry Crumb?
Only Harold Ramis, who found more fame behind-the-scenes as a writer and later director, and Martin Short, brilliant in Joe Dante’s charming Inner-Space, managed to touch Moranis’ level of respectability.
In February of 1991, Moranis was emotionally clotheslined when his wife Anne died of cancer. The widowed father of two began slowly receding from the spotlight, devoting what little time he did to cinema on strictly family fare. He hasn’t appeared in anything stronger than a PG (or remotely watchable) since his uncredited cameo in L.A. Story (1991).
How many times have you asked yourself, “Just how much money does someone really need?” Moranis can proudly boast, “Honey, I Enlarged My Fortune!” to the point where he doesn’t have to humble himself for a paycheck. Those of you who accuse him of being too big for his britches or “stuck up” should stop and give the man credit for standing by his convictions by refusing to slum in the name of the almighty dollar. I mean, American Pie was one thing, Eugene, but Band Camp and the Olsen Twins?!?!? And what must that phone call from Dave Thomas been like when he pleaded with his “discovery” to do him a solid by agreeing to appear in yet another desperate animated updating of Bob & Doug McKenzie?
Yes, it would be great if on just one of the rare occasions Mr. Moranis agrees to work he would appear in a project that even remotely appeals to someone over the age of seven. If not, there’s comfort in the fact that a new generation of kiddie cinephiles are taking delight in a watered down dosage of his wit and charm. And for all you Lewis Tully types addicted to your Game Boys and praying that they can make cash off of being a nerd, put down your joysticks, go find a girlfriend, or maybe even a wife, and put your hands to better use.
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19 Responses to “Rick Moranis refuses to participate in GHOSTBUSTERS video game”
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Well, let’s not give the man too much credit. He did appear in his share of crap (i.e. “Big Bully”, “Little Giants”, “The Flintstones”, “My Blue Heaven”, “Club Paradise”), but he was smart to get out before he became a whore a la his onstage brother Bobby Bittman. And with the exception of “Innerspace”, I can’t think of anything else Short had starred in that was any good. Jog my memory. Although as one critic put it, “he’s the best actor working today in bad movies”.
Regardless, Moranis is way too big a talent to retire. He needs to find a project which showcases what he can do and come back to us and not just cartoon crap of substandard stuff he did 25 years ago. With Will Ferrell and Adam Sandler clogging the comedy marketplace (Did you see the trailer for “Step Brothers”? Not one laugh. Not one!!! It felt like watching a funeral.), we need talented comic actors like him more than ever.
By the way, Catherine O’Hara was HOT!!!!
Several SCTV cast mates were involved in “Club Paradise,” so I can’t single out Moranis. Took a pass on “Big Bully” and “Little Giants” for all too obvious reasons. Did see “Splitting Heirs” which could be his lowest moment. Double ditto for the film’s over-exposed screenwriter and star Eric Idle. As bad as it is, “My Blue Heaven” is Tati compared to the lower depths of Levy and Flaherty. And kill me, but I found “The Flintstones” enjoyable. Goodman & Moranis as Barney & Fred made it an okay time killer.
Before I forget, the Biggest SCTV Hypocrite Award goes to Andrea Martin. After her savagely disemboweling portrayal of Lorna Minnelli she went on to star opposite Judy Garland’s daughter in “Steppin’ Out.” I had to see it. Me and the 6 blue-haired widow women at the Water Tower loved it!
As for Martin Short, by golly you are correct! I’ll go to my grave championing “Inner-Space,” but apart from that and his hilarious cameo as the flaming agent in “The Big Picture,” this guy doesn’t deserve a parking space on the studio lot. “Captain Ron?!?!?” I think that he forever lost me once he donned the fat suit.
And yes, in so many of her transformations, Catherine O’Hara was a vixen.
If you only had kids…
There’s a made-for-DVD “Barbie” movie entitled “Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper” that my two adorable daughters love so much that they have to watch it 24/7.
It is so excruciatingly bad that I can barely watch more than 10 seconds of it.
Martin Short is featured as the villain trying to thwart poor Barbie out of her kingdom. He does a passable British fop-type of voice and has one song. Not even the Martin Short completist will be able to handle this one.
Hey, he had to do something inbetween his failed TV show and coming up with Jiminy Glick!
I told you not to have kids…
Marty did make a film I kinda liked years ago called “Cross My Heart” with Annette O’Toole, who was topless in that. Hmmm…maybe that’s why I liked it. He does his Montgomery Clift in that one. “Why do you laugh at me? Am I to be laughed at? Well, AM I???” Classic stuff. Did I mention Annette O’Toole was topless?
Speaking of “Innerspace”, I bumped into Joe Dante the other day (I am such a Hollywood name dropper) and I mentioned you and he remembered and says hi.
A tip of the hat to you!
While the severe decline in the creative output of all the SCTV stars is inarguable, I’m not sure I can apply the label “whore” to Andrea Martin or Dave Thomas, or several other cast members. Unlike Candy, Short and Moranis, they never really punched the gold ticket in Hollywood and SCTV — adored as it is by we fans — was never a massive hit in syndication or on NBC. It did OK, but I’m not sure anyone got really rich off it. The average Joe probably knows Bob & Doug but if you mention Dave Thomas, the late hamburger magnate will come to mind. Working actors have to work, though you wish their agents would find them better projects. Still, all is forgiven for SCTV. But sorry Scott, it’s only the second funniest show television has yet to produce. “The Simpsons” (well, at least seasons 3 - 9) is the funniest…though you’ll never know, ya’ animation snob!
Yup, it is almost impossible to think of any movies that the cast did that was as good as SCTV!
You can imagine me as a young adult seeing Buzz Aldrin (which of the cast members again??) playing in a spacesuit no less, in a version of T.S. Eliot’s “A Murder in the Cathedral”???
Priceless!!
What’s wrong with a video game? Video games are just another form of entertainment like movies and TV.
If you’ve actually looked at any of the recent games there have been, you’ll see they are being treated like movies in terms of production values, research, acting talent, and cinematic value. Don’t completely dismiss it as an art form.
I guess I am not as easily entertained by a video game. I’m in it for the artistry and storytelling, not hand/eye coordination.
What’s with the douchebaggy post? He has integrity because he didn’t want to provide his voice to a video game?
Well I have to laugh at this now seeing as how this is one of the most anticipated releases of 2009.
Sigourney Weaver had also bowed out of lending her voice to the video game, but after hearing Bill Murray was going to do it (Hmmm…you think his divorce had any say in his decision?), she wanted to do it, but was told that her part had already been re-cast.
I still think she is doing fine work. Check out a little seen movie called “The TV Set”, which is a pitch perfect satire of the TV pilot season, co-written and produced by Judd Apatow and based on his experiences with “Freaks and Geeks”. She is very funny and very dry in that movie.
Superstarseven is eagerly awaiting the release of a video game and I’m the douchebag.
I’d rather watch the movie again. What is this re-interest with Ghostbusters? First a video game, then a new sequel?
Wow.
Talk about blinding rage towards a now widely accepted entertainment medium and in many cases, expression of art.
As “idiotic” as you feel a video game treatment of Ghostbusters to be, I somehow think that Murray, Akroyd, Ramis and Hudson are glad they embraced the “vidiocy fad” that seems to have a grip on this nation. And for the record, Weaver’s refusal to participate in the project was based on a bit of snobbery…she didn’t want to be involved if it wasn’t “high quality”. Talk about a regrettable mistake.
Moranis should be honored that the original team respected him enough, and valued his contributions to the series to offer him a role in the game. This was a brilliant marketing tactic…bring a classic franchise from the 80’s back in such a form that individuals both in adolescence and adulthood during that era could appreciate and embrace it. Yes, even individuals who were adults in the 80’s are gamers today. Contrary to popular belief, electronic gaming has a large demographic…it isn’t limited to kids as it may have been 20 years ago.
I happened upon this…um…article by chance. This is the first time I’ve ever heard your name, seen your site, or read anything you’ve written in my life. I can immediately see why. Just by reading this one article, I can see that you are no different than the thousands of other prejudiced snobs that rejects electronic entertainment as a “plague” or “drug” that “makes kids shoot their classmates” or “lowers GPAs on a national scale”.
Get off your high horse and just accept the fact that video gaming is as much a part of this society as television, SUVs and internet porn. If you want to start a soapbox crusade, go after one of those. I don’t think I need to read any of your other rants to strengthen my observation that you are opposed to pretty much any form of media or entertainment that isn’t considered “classical”. Pull your head out of your ass and embrace the world of today.
For someone so opposed and hateful toward the medium, you sure do spend a lot of time on the internet.
Hypocrite.
Ohhh, did I hurt the little gamer’s feelings? Murray, Akroyd, Ramis and Hudson participated in the game for one reason: Money. It wasn’t because they couldn’t wait to have a video game as part of their legacy. And WTF does writing on the net have to do with wasting time on mindless video games? If you’re trying to present an argument, don’t compare apples and refrigerators. I do embrace technology, just not the fanboy vomit you lap up. Between playing video games and watching internet porn it sounds like you’re getting plenty of hand/eye coordination. Go find someone to read a book to you. You might learn something.
Ooh can I compare apples to refrigerators? That sounds fun!
“Moranis should be honored that the original team respected him enough, and valued his contributions to the series to offer him a role in the game. This was a brilliant marketing tactic…”
Darling M. Vin, I believe you said it yourself. It was a marketing tactic. Asking someone to reprise a film role in a video game has NOTHING to do with respect or valued contributions. Marketing says it all.
That being said, I am a gamer myself and have been most of my life. I enjoy video games but I also understand how they can be detrimental if overused. These days, kids are fat little wads because that is all they do. In my day (pause to drink some Metamucil) kids spent the majority of our time outdoors because our parents encouraged it, mostly with a swat to the bottom and the promise of hose water if we played nicely. But I digress.
My point is that anything can be enjoyed or respected in moderation. But today, moderation is an ugly word…just look at the SUV to which you smartly pointed. Perhaps someone with as much intelligence as Scott would be more apt to embrace video games if we as a society hadn’t turned to them for babysitters of our fat, pasty offspring as opposed to the occasional recreational tool which they should be.
You had me at Metamucil.
Works every time.