Bill Murray: Trickster Extraordinare!

Ah, to be Bill Murray! Popping up on video in surprising places. Whether it’s bartending in Austin, Texas:

Or doing the Reservoir Dogs slow walk with a group of strangers at an aiport:

Or singing “Gloria” with some band somewhere:

The latest installment of Murray’s endless road show is a bachelor party in Charleston:

Here Murray dons a Mentor mask to dispense some wisdom to the group of on-their-way-to-getting-inebriated males.

Amidst all this frivolity, there’s some takeaway here for writers: If you need a touchstone for a Trickster, think Bill Murray. He does what he likes, when he likes it. That slots right into my take on a Trickster: Walking Id. Sometimes what they choose to do can help the Protagonist. Other times, they create obstacles and impede the Protagonist’s path toward their goal. A shapeshifter. Good at improvisation. And often a character who provides some laughs. Sound like someone we know?

Bill Murray: Trickster Extraordinaire!

What other Bill Murray trickster videos have you seen? If you have additional links, please post in comments.

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