The Evolution of Beverly Hills Cop: Latest Insights

Behind the Scenes of Seinfeld and the Close Talker

Elaine Benes had a number of truly odd boyfriends throughout the course of Seinfeld, one of them was a psychotic clown with a history of violence, and Aaron, the close talker played by Judge Reinhold, was one of the most memorably eccentric characters. During a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Reinhold discussed his experience shooting the close-talker scenes. The crew laughed as he got closer to Jerry Seinfeld, who was revealed to be a germaphobe. Despite the discomfort, Reinhold continued filming, almost touching Seinfeld's nose during the scene.

The issue of Seinfeld's germaphobia surfaced both in real life and on the show, with instances of avoiding touching items that may have been contaminated. Seinfeld's reputation as a germaphobe was further solidified when he refused to hug Kesha during a red carpet interview in 2017. However, Seinfeld later clarified that he didn't hug her because he didn't know who she was, not due to germaphobia. The New York Times questioned Seinfeld about his behavior during the pandemic, to which he denied being a germaphobe, emphasizing his focus on organized behavior routines.

Incidentally, Reinhold's portrayal of the close talker was so convincing that even Julia Louis-Dreyfus instinctively backed away when she saw him years later. If there were Emmys for psychologically messing with co-stars, Judge Reinhold would be a top contender.

The Evolution of Beverly Hills Cop with Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy's rise to stardom in the 1980s was solidified with hits like 48 Hrs. and Saturday Night Live. When Beverly Hills Cop was in development, the lead role was initially meant for Sylvester Stallone, with Judge Reinhold lined up for a part. However, once Stallone left to do Cobra, Murphy took over and transformed the film into a comedy. The original script had less comedy, but with Murphy's improvisational skills and collaborative efforts, the movie became a successful blend of action and humor.

The production of Beverly Hills Cop supported a loose environment that allowed for humor to flourish, with director Martin Brest encouraging improv and Sam Simon working on the screenplay. Scenes like those with Reinhold and John Ashton in the unmarked car on stakeout were improvised, adding to the comedic elements of the film. With Murphy on board, the movie became a box office hit and remains one of the funniest films of the 1980s. Beverly Hills Cop became the highest-grossing R-rated comedy at the time and continues to be a fan favorite even after forty years.