292. “Everybody get out of here! There’s a lobster loose!”

April 25, 2011

Q: Been trying for weeks to figure out the quote “everybody get outta here there’s a lobster loose” Websites say Bill Murray said it on the National Lampoon Radio Hour. But is it from a movie or show besides?

A: It was part of a bit called “Front Row Center” supposedly featuring a performance of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s play “The Idiot.” It was performed by Christopher Guest (as Roger DeSwans) and Bill Murray (as “the idiot”). The bit was originally broadcast on National Lampoon Radio Hour and was included on Gold Turkey: National Lampoon Radio Hour/Greatest Hits LP (still available on CD and MP3 from Amazon) and on the Rhino National Lampoon Radio Hour Boxed Set (although on there it’s titled “Classics of Contemporary Drama: The Idiot”).

I’ve heard or read somewhere that Murray was doing this lobster bit even before he was on the Radio Hour. He also did a variation of it on Saturday Night Live when he was part of the cast. I remember seeing it, but I don’t know exactly which episode.

Comments

It's also shouted near the end of the Country and Western song "Clap is just the B-side of Love" on National Lampoon's Goodbye Pop album.

—Skumm

April 25, 2011 9:50 pm

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