Bill Murray's 1986 Looney Tunes riff is comedy gold

Bill Murray once spent two glorious minutes pretending Bugs Bunny was a selfish Hollywood diva, and the internet can't get enough of his performance nearly 40 years later.

In 1986, Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels produced a star-studded mockumentary celebrating the Warner Bros. cartoon universe. The concept was simple but genius: famous actors would discuss Looney Tunes characters as if they were real colleagues in show business.

The cast list read like a Hollywood who's who. George Burns, Kirk Douglas, Cher, David Bowie, Chevy Chase, and Steve Martin all participated in the project, which was tied to a Looney Tunes exhibit opening at New York's Museum of Modern Art.

But Murray stole the entire show. While other celebrities worked from scripts, he casually shot pool and improvised observations that sound like genuine Hollywood gossip.

"Bugs never did anything for anybody that didn't serve Bugs Bunny," Murray quipped. "That's why he's a star."

His take on Porky Pig is equally hilarious. Murray claimed the stuttering pig could get any woman in Hollywood with a phone call, but only wanted to date outside his species because he was "rejecting his past and wanting more."

The most touching moment comes when Murray discusses Pepe Le Pew's departure to France. Speaking in a mock French accent, he described the heartbroken skunk asking about Bugs during visits, never returning to America despite his gracious hospitality.

Murray also praised Daffy Duck as a "maverick" and "rebel" while admitting he had "no respect, intellectually, for Fudd." His commitment to treating these animated characters as real people with complex motivations and careers makes every second entertaining.

Why This Inspires

Murray's performance reminds us that the best comedy comes from total commitment to the bit. He didn't just read lines or make jokes. He created an entire fictional history of rivalries, friendships, and heartbreak among beloved cartoon characters.

Legendary animator Chuck Jones appeared in the documentary too, sharing real insights. He explained that Bugs represents "what you'd like to be like" while Daffy represents "what you're afraid you're really like." The special blended genuine animation history with absurd celebrity gossip to create something uniquely joyful.

The fact that Murray put this much creative energy into a promotional piece for an art exhibit shows his dedication to making people laugh, no matter the platform.

Nearly four decades later, clips of his performance continue circulating online, bringing fresh laughter to new generations who discover his deadpan brilliance for the first time.