Billy Crystal says he doesn’t trust God after losing home to fire, Rob Reiner to murder, as new show set to premiere on Broadway

The set is an exact replica of his home office, which is now in ashes after the Palisades Fire ripped through the neighborhood. A man who was charged with arson for setting the fire reportedly "had a deeply entrenched belief that the wealthy were destroying the world." Crystal spoke to CBS about the loss, revealing that Reiner had helped him come up with the title for the show before he was killed around Christmas 2025. CBS asked him about it.

"Can you even process the loss of Rob and Michelle today?" Crystal was asked.

"No. It's too big. It's too—it's so insane. Because we were together the night before. We said goodbye like late that night, 10:30, something, party we were at together for the holidays, and then... what, you know? And then you know."

"How do you find humor in these dark times?" He was asked.

"That's what I do. You have to, man. You gotta. You gotta. It's a healer. It's, it always has been that way. You know what we say when life gets tough, all you can do is laugh."

He was asked if he had been "talking to God" about the losses he experienced in 2025, the Palisades Fire destroying his home, his friends, Rob and wife Michelle, being murdered by their own son.

"No," Crystal said, "because I don't trust him."

"Are you serious?" he asked.

"Yeah," he went on. "Too many bad things have happened. The Earth is in bad shape. This is a weird, scary time. So, no, not anymore."

Crystal turned his loss into a Broadway show and has been working with director Scott Ellis and composer Mark Shaman. His last Broadway show, "700 Sundays," earned him a Tony Award. This one may, too. Crystal is 78 years old, has two children with his wife Janice, and has been working in show business since 1969.

"I feel really good," the 78-year-old said, "and I'm optimistic for what life is going to bring. If we've gotten though this in the way that we've gotten through it, we're doing okay."