Bill Murray is one of Saturday Night Live’s most legendary alumni, but his journey to comedic stardom on the show wasn’t always smooth.
In a recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers on February 11,
the comedy icon reflected on his early struggles on SNL and the infamous on-air apology he made for not being funny.
As SNL gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary on February 16, Murray took a trip down memory lane,
explaining how his first season on the show was far from the breakout moment he had hoped for.
Instead of being handed standout roles, he found himself repeatedly cast in minor background parts.
This frustration ultimately led him to take a bold step—directly addressing the audience in a comedic but heartfelt plea for understanding.
Murray’s Difficult Start on SNL
Although many associate Murray with SNL’s original cast, he actually joined the show in its second season as a replacement for Chevy Chase. But despite his comedic talent, he struggled to find his place among the show’s established stars.
“No one ever wrote a sketch for me for like seven months or so,” Murray recalled to Meyers. “I was the second cop, the second FBI man, the second plumber. I had like a line or two lines a week.”
Feeling sidelined, Murray believed that the show’s writers didn’t trust him to deliver their jokes. As a result, he found himself floundering on screen, failing to make the impact he knew he was capable of.
The On-Air Apology That Changed Everything
Realizing that he needed to take action, Murray devised an idea to address the situation head-on. He decided to directly acknowledge his struggles in a self-deprecating yet sincere way, using comedy to win over both the audience and his colleagues.
“I had the idea. I thought, ‘God, I’ve got to do something’ because if I were watching this show, I’d say, ‘That guy’s gotta go. They gotta get rid of him soon,’” he admitted.
Before he could even pitch the idea, SNL creator and producer Lorne Michaels approached him with a similar suggestion. “Before I even said it, Lorne Michaels said, ‘I’ve got an idea for you’… I said, ‘Great minds think alike, Lorne, great minds!’”
On March 19, 1977, Murray performed a now-famous sketch in which he openly confessed, “I don’t think I’m making it on the show.” The moment was played for laughs, but it was also a rare instance of vulnerability on a program known for its sharp-edged comedy.
How the Apology Changed Murray’s Career
Looking back, Murray credits the sketch with turning his SNL career around. When asked by Meyers if he felt a shift after the apology aired, Murray confirmed that he did.
“I felt like I was really being myself. I felt like people got to see who I really was,” he said. “I really meant all of that. I meant to be funny [too], and… I was spinning it at 32 RPM.”
After that moment, things began to change for Murray. He became more comfortable on screen, and the writers started trusting him with bigger roles. He soon developed his signature comedic style—combining dry humor with an underlying charm—that would make him one of SNL’s most celebrated cast members.
Murray’s Legacy on SNL
Murray remained a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1976 to 1980, becoming a key player in some of the show’s most memorable sketches. His time on SNL paved the way for his massive film career, leading to roles in comedy classics like Ghostbusters, Caddyshack, and Groundhog Day.
Even after leaving the show, Murray continued his connection with SNL, returning to host five times between 1981 and 1999. His influence on the show remains strong, and his early struggles serve as a reminder that even the greatest comedic talents sometimes need time to find their footing.
Murray Set to Return for SNL’s 50th Anniversary Special
As SNL prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary on February 16, Murray confirmed during his interview with Meyers that he will be part of the special event. He will join an all-star lineup of past cast members, including Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wiig, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Tina Fey, and Pete Davidson, among others.
For fans of SNL and Bill Murray, the upcoming special will be a nostalgic trip through five decades of comedy history. And for Murray himself, it’s a chance to return to the stage where it all began—this time, as one of the show’s all-time greats.
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