Groundhog Day’s Lasting Legacy: Bill Murray Reflects on the Classic Comedy
Bill Murray, the comedic icon known for his deadpan delivery and iconic roles, recently sat down with CNBC to discuss the enduring success of his 1993 film, "Groundhog Day." Murray, ever the witty and insightful conversationalist, shared his thoughts on the film’s themes, his own personal connection to technology, and even a heartwarming anecdote about his generosity.
Murray attributed the film’s longevity to its clever premise and execution, crediting screenwriter Danny Rubin for the genius behind the story. He noted that "Groundhog Day" is a film that transcends generations, finding a new audience with each passing year. "It’s in the Library of Congress,” Murray said, “It’s a very important movie.”
The interview touched on Murray’s personal life, particularly his relationship with technology. He confessed to being a technophobe, using a Blackberry as his primary phone and shunning the allure of social media platforms. "I don’t really like talking on the phone," he explained. "I only got a phone because I needed to communicate with my son."
He also revealed that his son’s response to phone calls is typical of any teenager: they don’t answer. "They will respond to a text," he continued, "because it’s a little bit hipper and they can appear as if they’re talking to a friend and not a parent."
The conversation shifted to an endearing story about Murray’s generosity. He shared how he and a group of friends had enjoyed a recent meal with a friend, Joe, who was not present. As a tribute to Joe, they purchased several expensive bottles of wine, breaking all but one. This remaining bottle, however, was saved for Joe, with a heartfelt inscription expressing their gratitude. “Joe, thank you for lunch," it read, "and for loving us all so much.”
In the end, Murray’s interview with CNBC showcased his signature wit and humor, offering insightful reflections on his career, the enduring appeal of classic comedies, and the enduring power of friendship and gratitude. As Murray himself put it, “I don’t take a lot of credit for it. Danny Rubin, the kid whose idea it was, is great. I mean, he was touched by God when he wrote that. He really was.”
Bill Murray on Groundhog Day, Technophobia, and the Power of Joe: A Conversation with the Comedy Icon
Bill Murray, the comedic legend known for his roles in iconic films like "Groundhog Day," "Ghostbusters," and "Caddyshack," sat down with CNBC for a candid conversation about life, legacy, and the enduring power of good humor. This laid-back chat, filled with Murray’s signature wit and insightful observations, touched on everything from the reasons behind the enduring popularity of "Groundhog Day" to his aversion to modern technology. He also shared a humorous anecdote about a recent "thank you" gesture to a dear friend – a testament to the generous spirit he’s known for.
Key Takeaways:
- "Groundhog Day"s Longevity: Murray credits the film’s success to its relatable premise and strong execution, acknowledging the brilliant mind of writer Danny Rubin. He even jokes about AMC’s "Groundhog Day" marathon, suggesting it’s a testament to the film’s enduring appeal.
- Technophobia: Murray admits to being a "technophobe," preferring his trusty Blackberry to the latest smartphones. He jokingly attributes this to his reluctance to be "insecure" about phone security and his desire to communicate with his children who, he notes, are more likely to respond to texts than phone calls.
- Bill Murray’s Twitter Mystery: Murray finds it humorous that someone is tweeting under his name, even though he doesn’t follow himself or the account. He acknowledges that while some of the tweets might be his, the tense and grammar are often off.
- A Toast to Joe: Murray shares a heartwarming story about a recent gesture of appreciation for a friend, "Joe," who had bought him lunch. After missing Joe, he and his companions decided to order several expensive bottles of wine, "just to make him here without his being here." This gesture, filled with good-natured humor and genuine appreciation, highlights Murray’s generous and playful spirit.
The Enduring Appeal of "Groundhog Day"
"Groundhog Day" remains a timeless classic, captivating audiences for decades. Murray believes the film’s enduring popularity can be attributed to its clever premise and strong execution.
"I think the premise of that film is a great one, and the execution is very, very good," he explains, giving credit to writer Danny Rubin. "I mean, I don’t take a lot of credit for it. The kid whose idea it was, Danny Rubin, is a great… I mean, he was touched, touched by God when he wrote that. He really was!"
The film’s repetitive cycle of reliving February 2nd, while initially comical, quickly becomes a powerful metaphor for personal transformation and the search for meaning. The film’s dark humor, combined with Murray’s nuanced performance, resonated with audiences and continues to do so today.
Technophobia and the Blackberry
Despite being a Hollywood icon, Murray admits to being a technophobe. He still relies on his trusty Blackberry, a stark contrast to the latest smartphones that dominate the market.
"I don’t really like talking on the phone, and I only got a phone because I to communicate with my son," he explains. "And they don’t answer the phone. If you have children, you know, they don’t answer the phone. So, but they will respond to a text," he quips, "because it is just a little bit hipper, and they can appear as if they’re talking to a friend and not a parent, you know?"
He also expresses concerns about the security of modern phones. "I have one of those with a keyboard, and someone told me, I’m like, ‘You text a lot?’ And I said, ‘Well, I got these kids.’ But, you know, I like it, and they say it’s much more secure than the other phones. Yeah, and I don’t know if I’m insecure, but I really don’t like phones that are insecure. " This confession makes for a relatable anecdote, highlighting Murray’s genuine and quirky personality.
A Twitter Mystery
Even though he’s not officially on Twitter, Murray is aware of a mysterious account that tweets under his name, racking up over half a million followers. He finds the whole situation amusing, even admitting that some of the tweets might be his own.
"I see these things written on walls that I wrote, and I’m like, ‘Not exactly…‘ " He laughs, "Because the tension, the tense is wrong, that would never be you. The grammar is incorrect, but it’s not bad, you know. It’s sometimes funny."
Despite acknowledging the humor in the situation, Murray remains somewhat perplexed by the phenomenon. "I don’t know where it’s coming from. Some of it may be mine, I don’t know. I don’t follow him." This tongue-in-cheek response highlights Murray’s ability to find humor even in the unexpected.
A Toast to Joe: A Touching Gesture
Murray’s conversation with CNBC ends on a heartwarming note, as he shares a story about his generous spirit and the appreciation he has for his friends. After a lunch outing with a friend named "Joe," Murray and his companions missed their friend’s presence so much that they decided to order several expensive bottles of wine "just to make him here without his being here."
"We missed Joe so much, we just thought, is there any way we could make him here without his being here? Like, seven people once, ‘Great idea!’" Murray recounts with a twinkle in his eye. "So, we started ordering up… we ordered six really expensive bottles of wine, and this is just one of them. We broke the others, and some were just spilled, and given to people at other tables."
In this anecdote, Murray reveals his playful and generous nature, and even though Joe is not present for the conversation, he is clearly a person of great importance in Murray’s life.
This heartwarming story serves as a fitting end to a conversation that reveals a multi-layered personality: the comedic icon known for his humor, genuine, thoughtful, and deeply appreciative. Bill Murray’s conversation, chock-full of wit, insights, and personal anecdotes, offers a glimpse into the mind of a man who embraces life’s absurdities while cherishing the people and moments that matter most.
