As culture evolves and accelerates in the age of social media and the culture wars rage on in the wake of this shift, there are two sets of older generations in the world today. One that feels that a changing “woke” world is something to fear, an oppression that one must combat, and those that realize the world has changed and they need to adjust to a changing era of empathy. And it’s a relief that 71-year-old Bill Murray seems to be squarely in the latter camp.
READ MORE: Searchlight Suspends Aziz Ansari’s ‘Being Mortal’ After Complaint About Bill Murray
In the wake of the Searchlight Pictures comedy “Being Mortal” being shut down— a production that was paused and is undergoing an investigation because of an “inappropriate behavior” claim against Murray from a female member of the film—the actor has finally spoken out.
“I did something I thought was funny [involving a female coworker], and it wasn’t taken that way,” Murray said in a conversation with CNBC at the 2022 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting today (see below), an awkward place to have such a conversation, but one that took place regardless.
“Being Mortal is a comedy directed by Aziz Ansari, starring Murray, Seth Rogen, and Keke Palmer. While Searchlight and no parties have gone into details, the assumption, for better or worse, is the offended party is Palmer, as the only other female lead. Murray was in a reflective, almost downcast mood but definitely seemed to be taking ownership of his actions during the conversation.
“The company, the movie studio, wanted to do the right thing, so they wanted to check it all out, investigate it. and so they stopped the production,” Murray explained. “But as of now, we’re talking, and we’re trying to make peace with each other. I think that’s where the real issue is, between our peace. We’re both professionals. We like each other’s work. We like each other, I think, and if you can’t really get along and trust each other, there’s no point in going further working together or making a movie as well.”
While many comedians of his age often cry cancel culture, being sensitive or a newer generation that’s too sensitive, Murray seemed to suggest the opposite, that all of this has been a sobering teachable moment for him that he hopes to learn from.
“It’s been quite an education for me,” he admitted. “And I feel like if I don’t see that, you know… the world is different than it was when I was a little kid. You know, what I always thought was funny as a little kid isn’t necessarily the same as what’s funny now. Things change, and the times change, so it’s important for me to figure it out. And I think the most important thing is that it’s best for the other person. I thought about it, and if it’s not best for the other person, doesn’t matter what happens for me.”
Murray says the incident, the complaint, and the fallout has been on his mind ever since, and it really sounds like he’s trying to be accountable.
“How could I misperceive [the situation]?” he said. “How could I be so inaccurate and so insensitive when you think you’re being sensitive to some sensibility that you’ve had for a long time? So, we’re talking about it. We’re, I think we’re going to make peace with it. I’m very optimistic about that.”
Murray reiterated that either way, whatever happens, he has to learn from this moment.
“I really think [it’s] a really sad puppy that can’t learn anymore,” he explained.” I don’t want to be that sad dog, and I have no intention of it. What would make me the happiest would be to, you know, put my boots on and for both of us to go back into work and be able to trust each other and work at the work that we’ve both spent a lot of time developing the skill of, and hopefully do something that’s good for more than just the two of us, but for a whole crew of people, a whole crew of moviemakers. and the movie studio as well.”
“You learn more from your mistakes than your successes,” Murray said, “But the hard things and the wrong things are where you really learn something.”
There’s no word on when the “Being Mortal” investigation may conclude, but it sounds like it’s underway, and the offending party is being seen and heard. Stay tuned to see if production resumes or if the film goes into drastic recasting or worse.