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[0:00] Robert Bannon: Are you ready? It's The Roundtable with me, Robert Bannon.

[0:09] Robert Bannon: You know, everybody, our next guest is one of my favorite people in the entire world. He is the king. He is the king of, he's funny. He sings. He gives looks. He gives entertainment. He is showbiz. And I read his book this weekend. I sat on the couch with my dogs, and I fell in love with the good, the bad, the truth. You think you know, but you have no idea about what's going on. And he's going on tour. And you've seen him on TV. And if you're from New York, he's a legend and an icon who has now blown up national mainstream, helping bring new activism, community, inclusiveness. I just love you. I'm just so excited. I want to give you the biggest hug. Robert, let's do a bear hug through the Zoom.

This is a bear hug. You know? Our tummies are tapping. My tummy's tapping. And I'm excited to be here with you. Because I think what you do is, I don't even know how to describe what you, what do you do for a living? What do you say? I mean, you know, showbiz. Showbiz, period. But like, but you've done showbiz before Murray Hill is superstar books, tours, television, Fancy Friends. You've performed in everywhere, in an alleyway, a dive bar, a bowling alley. You have worked your ass off in this business. I was, I did a private event the other night in a basement. And not just like the first floor basement, but it was like four levels down basement. So, you know, one night I'm at Lincoln Center.

The next night I'm in, you know, basically in the subway tunnel telling jokes. So you, Murray Hill is, is been around, you've been decades working in this business and doing what you did. Is, what has changed? What has changed for you? What has changed for you 30 years ago till today?

[1:59] Murray Hill: Oh, that's, that's a good question. I mean, you know, when I first started everything, like, you know, I got to sound like a dinosaur, but there was no social media or even iPhones. Right? So gay clubs in New York, that's where you went to socialize and that's where you went to go find community and chosen family. So every single night of the week in the East Village, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, there were slamming, crazy gay parties and nights and several a night like shows, you know, Jackie B, Vivian Bond, like so many people all the time. So the, so I was out every single night making like six or seven stops a night and it was all in the, like, you know, like a 10 block radius.

So now, you know, over the years and, and the cover charge, you're ready for this $5 cash. There's no advanced tickets or ticket links or link in bio or any of that crap. You showed up with, you know, $5 maybe one of those dollars was rolled up to somebody starts to poke with, you know, the eighties and nineties. Yeah. So you know, so it was really happening. And then, you know, fast forward to today, it's all gentrification, of course, and money and capitalism. And, you know, the gay clubs have just spread out, like way into Brooklyn, all over the place. And it's not, it's not that same, like powder keg of clubs. So I think that's the, you know, that's, that's the biggest change. And I think like, just like the cost of everything, and the audience has changed for me.

[3:48] Robert Bannon: For sure. But everybody wants to go to a show. It's not just your shows and your book is not just a book for the LGBTQIA plus community queer book, it is for everybody is entertaining, it is touching, it is moving. And while we're talking, everybody, the book, which you need to go run is called Showbiz. And you're going to get a copy of it, you're going to get a real copy, a Kindle copy, whatever copy you're going to get my life as a middle aged man. When did you decide to write the book?

[4:15] Murray Hill: Oh, my God, it was like, it's been a long time in the making. I would say it's it took me three and a half years. And if my editor's listening, she's probably going to say four to write the damn thing. But, you know, for me, I was when I was a kid, again, pre-internet, I learned about life through reading celebrity memoirs, and watching Norman Lear shows, like The Jeffersons, Different Strokes, you know, All in the Family, all those old classics. So it was so reading and watching those old shows, and Johnny Carson, that's where I learned about that life is not a suburban hell. So the memoir was my way out. And it was a blueprint, unconsciously, because I was young, that said, Okay, you can go through all of the shit, all kinds of stuff, trials and tribulations, and but you can get out and have this big life, and meet these wonderful people that won't judge you, you know, show people, we don't show people, you're the best. Yes, exactly as you are.

[5:29] Murray Hill: They're my favorite. I, you know, to be honest with you, I didn't when I was living and trying to be normal, whatever that means, and teaching and not being in this business, I came out, I felt who I was around people, when I first was cast in a show, they gave me the ability, community, New York City, people who don't judge gave me the ability to be me, I owe my life to people who let me be who I am. And for you, you know, you came up in New York, when there wasn't a blueprint for this, you didn't just see yourself represented on TV, there was not as much social outreach and push as there is now, did you feel like you had to create your own space, like you created this, this community you were a part of for decades?

[6:08] Murray Hill: You know, when I first started in the 90s, in New York, you know, I was, I started off as a photographer in Boston, I took photographs of drag queens. And then when I moved to New York, I took photographs of drag queens. And then, you know, what New York has a great way of doing is smacking you in the face. And being like, you know what, you're not all that. Everyone is taking pictures of drag queens, you're not original. This isn't some new idea. So New York was like, get your shit together. So I had an epiphany at Wigstock. You know, this was early in the 90s, when it was on the West Side Highway. And I'm there with my camera, and I'm looking around, and I'm like, where it was like a sea of drag queens, gay men.

And this is a term they use then I don't know if I think it's been retired, fag hags. I think it's, who knows. But anyway, so that's all I was like, where are the lesbians? Where's the queer people? Where's the butch? Where's the femmes, the dykes? You know, and where's what's on the other side of the spectrum, like drag kings. So I was like, that's what I should New York made me think, what is on the other side of this? So I went, there's, you know, they used to have these listings, HX magazine, these little, you know, that this is so old, like all the club nights would be in a goddamn magazine that you picked up on the corner. And I found something that said, drag king pageant at the Hershey bar in the Meatpacking District.

And this is like, you know, the Meatpacking District was sketchy back then. Not like it is now. Not like you can, you know, get your pride of stuff and all that. So, so I went in there with my camera. And it was so it was all about like masculinity, and passing and serious and sexuality. It wasn't like camp and funny and like the drag queens, right? So anyway, I started photographing and then I saw a space that didn't exist. I was like, okay, there's not somebody that's like a campy drag king. That because I, I love camp. And I think it's a great way to communicate. It's great. To me, it's a great form of activism, because you're like, you get in the room, you make people feel good, you make them laugh, and then you hit them over the head, rather than getting the sign and the flag and poking them in the eyes and then be like, except me.

So I, I became what I didn't see. I really did. And then I, you know, I had a professor at a school of visual arts, where I'm studying photography. She said, put the camera down and become the subject matter, get on the other side of the camera. And that's how I became that's how I started.

[9:03] Murray Hill: So I totally created this from scratch. And I used all the influences from the drag queens, you know, that I had studied and seen in Boston and, you know, early New York. And I, my whole thesis, my mission statement, which is fortunately and unfortunately still strong today, is to, you know, make the representation equal. And it's, you know, it's still apples and oranges. But I'm still here. And I'm not giving up. And it's been a very slow climb. But and that's why I say, you know, in the back of the book, I'll get you a hard copy. The quote on the back of the book says, if you don't see yourself represented, go out and represent yourself. And that's, that's what I did.

[9:56] Robert Bannon: You know, I think that's so incredibly beautiful and moving. And you became the best and the biggest of what you do. But you make a good point. There are, I can name 50 drag queens right now. And many, everyone, my grandmother can name drag queens. And that's incredible and amazing. But drag kings and other people within the community, they need representation and be on TV and make books and have television shows and game shows and all of those things. And you've helped usher those things in. I know, I'm not trying to ask you the same question you get asked all a million times, but is there a difference between Murray Hill and the person that was Murray Hill before Murray Hill existed? Are they the same? How do you describe it? And do you get annoyed when you get asked this?

[10:34] Murray Hill: No, I mean, I get asked a lot of things. I mean, you know, I'll tell you what I get annoyed at. I was just on vacation. And, you know, people are like, oh, what do you do? And you're like, oh, God. Yeah, I'm a comedian. And then they're like, oh, here, will you tell me some jokes? I'm like, oh, shut the fuck up. That's annoying. But nothing you asked is annoying. No, I don't want to sing at your birthday party. I don't want to sing at your wedding. Please leave me alone. Please. Yeah, unless you know, you get that checkbook. But anyway, so yeah, your question's not annoying. But, you know, I think it hasn't been very linear. So I think, you know, I had a kind of a split, my public life and my home life when I was a kid.

And the home life was dark. And going to school was a chance for me to be a completely different person and leave the childhood and stuff behind. So, you know, I was kind of disconnected to those two selves. And, you know, of course, that led to a career in entertainment because when you do drag in a persona, you recreate who you are on your own terms. So, you know, when I first started in the 90s, I didn't acknowledge my past. I just shoved it down and I became this persona 24 hours a day. So it's not really until pretty much going through the process of writing this book and

[12:12] Murray Hill: SHOWBIZ, BABY! 🎤 The one, the only, the hardest-working middle-aged man in show business, MURRAY HILL, joins Robert Bannon for an unforgettable conversation on The Roundtable! The legendary comedian, actor, entertainer, and star of HBO's Somebody Somewhere is pulling back the curtain with his highly anticipated debut memoir, Showbiz! My Life as a Middle-Aged Man, arriving October 6 from Gallery Books. For more than three decades, Murray has been bringing his signature old-school showbiz charm, razor-sharp wit, and larger-than-life personality to stages and screens around the world. But behind the tuxedo, the jokes, and the applause is a deeply personal story of resilience, identity, chosen family, and the power of finding joy even when life gets difficult.

In this special conversation, Murray and Robert get into it ALL! From the early days of New York City's downtown entertainment scene to becoming a beloved television star, Murray opens up about the journey that made him who he is today. They talk about the new book, the stories behind the laughs, the importance of queer visibility, and what it means to build a life on your own terms. And of course, when Murray Hill is in the house, you KNOW there are going to be laughs! It's funny, heartfelt, honest, and a celebration of a true entertainment original who continues to remind us that sometimes the greatest thing we can do is simply show up as ourselves. This is one you don't want to miss! 📚 Showbiz!

My Life as a Middle-Aged Man is available October 6, 2026. 🎙️ The Roundtable with Robert Bannon Watch and listen on BroadwayWorld, YouTube, Broadway Podcast Network, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and wherever you enjoy your favorite conversations. The best is yet to come! #TheRoundtableWithRobertBannon #RobertBannon #MurrayHill #MrShowbiz #Showbiz #SomebodySomewhere #HBO #LGBTQ #QueerEntertainment #QueerStories #ChosenFamily #Comedy #Memoir #BroadwayWorld #EntertainmentInterview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices