Bill Murray put National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett on the spot during a Monday appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” asking him to say something that would test his smile.
Murray was there to discuss “A Course Called Ireland,” a six-part travel and golf series that premiered last week. Host Joe Kernen later invited him to ask Hassett a question.
“I would regret it if I didn’t take this opportunity,” Murray said. “Could you just say the words, ‘My dog just died?’ I want to see what happens to your smile.”
Still smiling, Hassett asked whether Murray meant his own dog or Hassett’s. “Your dog,” Murray replied.
“OK. My dog just died,” Hassett said, his expression turning more serious.
Murray joked that they had been about to send someone to take Hassett’s blood, but would now call them off.
Kernen then asked Hassett to name his favorite Murray movie. Hassett chose “Groundhog Day,” calling it fantastic and one of the five best movies ever made.
Murray recalled a conversation with former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, who told him she showed the film to new Justice Department employees as a way of explaining what their jobs might feel like.
Hassett said the film’s repeated-day premise reminded him of elections, where both sides often expect to win and the outcome can feel uncertain right up to Election Day.
