Billy Crystal wasn’t afraid to get political as he appeared at the Hollywood Bowl Saturday, hosting the venue’s opening night for its 2026 season.
The New York City native, 78, acknowledged a huge ovation in saying, ‘Welcome to the 2026 opening night of the Hollywood Bowl.’
The When Harry Met Sally… star, referencing current events, joked, ‘I haven’t heard excitement like that since they took Trump’s name off the Kennedy Center – unbelievable.’
Crystal’s joke came after U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper last month ordered the president’s name removed from the structure, saying that the board that put it there violated laws in doing so.
The venue’s executive director Matt Floca said in a statement to a federal court on Saturday that workers had dismantled ‘all physical signage on the Kennedy Center building and grounds … that purports to rename the Kennedy Center after President Trump.’
Crystal, who has hosted the Academy Awards on nine occasions, also made reference to the recent Los Angeles Mayoral election.
Billy Crystal, 78, wasn’t afraid to get political as he appeared at the Hollywood Bowl Saturday, hosting the venue’s opening night for its 2026 season. Pictured in NY earlier this month
He said of the local atmosphere, according to The Wrap: ‘The stars are out, the music’s alive, there’s pollutants in the air – what an L.A. night.
‘Traffic moves so slowly. I got here yesterday, I thought I’ll beat it everything’s slow here – that’s how we count our mail-in ballots – very slow.’
His comments came after an extended process earlier this month that saw Los Angeles city council member Nithya Raman rally against Republican Spencer Pratt to face off in the election against Mayor Karen Bass this fall.
Crystal added, ‘Right before I came out, they had the final results of the governor race, and Gray Davis is going to be in,’ the latter a reference to the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election eventually won by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The veteran entertainer continued with his monologue in saying, ‘Tonight’s theme is the best of Broadway.’
Again referencing the president, Crystal said in reference to Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 event, ‘It was either this or holding a UFC match here, and we decided that we would be classy and respectful.’
As the audience groaned, the City Slickers star said, ‘I know. We’ll get through it.’
Crystal made reference to his upcoming Broadway show 860: ‘You love Broadway, I love Broadway – and speaking of Broadway, did I mention my new show a few minutes ago?’
President Donald Trump pictured June 17 at the G7 summit in France
Crystal joked, ‘I haven’t heard excitement like that since they took Trump’s name off the Kennedy Center – unbelievable.’ A worker seen amid the process on June 12
Crystal’s comments came after an extended process earlier this month that saw Los Angeles city council member Nithya Raman rally against Republican Spencer Pratt (pictured in LA on June 2) to face off in the election against Mayor Karen Bass this fall
Crystal wrapped things up with another joke about the slow traffic in Southern California.
‘After the fireworks are over,’ he said, ‘if you would do me a favor, please stay in your seat for about a minute or two so I can get into my car and get out of here easily. It’s been an honor everybody.’
The event also included a presentation of The Best of Broadway from performers Halle Bailey, Darren Criss, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Lea Salonga.
The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by conductor Thomas Wilkins, played opposite singers from the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles and California State University, Fullerton.
