The Best Guests in Netflix's Not So Special Christmas Special

"A Very Murray Christmas" was just alright, but it was nice to see these guest stars.

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Complex Original

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On paper an hour-long Bill Murray Christmas special seems like a pretty entertaining way to spend an evening on your couch—egg nog and chill, right? After all, it’s the first time Murray has collaborated with director Sofia Coppola since the Oscar-winning Lost in Translation. Unfortunately, A Very Murray Christmas, a Netflix holiday special that's now streaming features a bunch of your favorite famous people singing alongside Murray, is a dull and mostly unfunny endeavor.

The premise is simple: Bill Murray, who sports a reindeer headband in the film’s first moments, is snowed in at the Carlisle Hotel. He’s supposed to be hosting a TV special (meta), but is worried that no one will show up considering the horrid weather conditions. To his surprise, the whole thing works out, thanks to the “guests,” “staff,” and some other people who just pop in.

While the whole thing is pretty cheeky, illogical, and unspecial—maybe on purpose—there were a few moments when I abandoned my Grinch ‘tude, and appreciated the musical stylings and random appearances from some of great Hollywood figures. Here’s a list, from worst to best, of some of the stars who showed up to help Murray out.

10. George Clooney

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9. Jason Schwartzman

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Considering he’s first cousins with Sofia Coppola, a Jason Schwartzman appearance make sense. But the actor, best known for playing really great, but ridiculous characters, is kind of subdued in his short guest spot. He plays the mopey fiancé of Rashida Jones, who lands a spot closer to the top of this list. The two are bummed because the weather has gotten in the way of their wedding. As they sit feeling all gloomy in a bar, Murray tries to cheer them up, and they get their own singing moment. Unfortunately Schwartzman can't really sing and his contribution to Todd Rundgren’s “I Saw the Light” is pretty unremarkable.

8. Chris Rock

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7. Phoenix

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In one sense it doesn’t make much sense that the French indie pop band Phoenix would make an appearance in Murray’s Christmas special, but on the other hand, lead singer Thomas Mars is Sofia Coppola’s husband. Mars and his band play the kitchen staff who are enlisted by Murray to sing an original tune. It’s the first up tempo moment in the show, and while the song is pretty goofy (lyrics include: “why the sadness / when there should be gladness”), at least it’s something different. Also, Jason Schwartzman is on drums. That he can do.

6. Rashida Jones

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As mentioned earlier on, Jones plays a bummed out bride. Still in her wedding dress, she’s disappointed that the weather’s gotten in the way of her perfect night. Like the good old grandfather figure that he is, Murray tries to give her a pep talk and get her to make the best of their situation, but she’s not having it. At least at first. Finally, she shows up in the bar and performs alongside her fiancé (Schwartzman). Jones actually can sing, and her sweet, but not particularly powerful vocals do “I Saw the Light” justice. 

5. Amy Poehler & Julie White

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The first few characters not to play exact versions of themselves are Amy Poehler and Julie White, who appear as Murray’s upbeat producers. In the very beginning of the special they also really hope Clooney will show up. While Poehler and White don’t have much to do with the stilted dialogue, there's still something funny about them hovering around Murray. There's also a brief bit where Poehler sings a few lines of “Let it Snow!” And she has a pretty decent voice!

4. Jenny Lewis

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3. Michael Cera

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It’s hard to say why Michael Cera shows up here, but we’re just glad he does. After being called a Hollywood sleazebag by Murray, he goes on a semi-serious rant about how he should be Murray’s manager. He not only insults Murray, comparing him to a hooker, but insults the special in general. Ater Murray says, “We have Clooney” (because the Clooney jokes don’t end), Cera jabs at The Monuments Men, the mediocre World War II film that starred Murray and was directed and written by Clooney. Cera seems to be the most self-aware of the bunch and is genuinely funny as this feisty character calling out these Hollywood figures.

2. Maya Rudolph

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If Maya Rudolph shows up, nothing can go wrong. Rudolph plays a sultry lounge singer stereotype. She sports red lipstick and is being swallowed by a fur coat. Rudolph sings, or should I say slays, her version of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” Her past Béyonce impressions hinted at her talent, but her vocals are genuinely stellar, which makes sense considering her mom was famous blues singer Minnie Riperton. It’s a show stopping sequence.

1. Miley Cyrus

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Last but not least Miley Cyrus shows up—with George Clooney. Although never particularly acclaimed for her acting, Cyrus is a genuine delight. After Murray finds himself leaving the hotel and entering some sort of white winterland, he sees Cyrus and Clooney approach by sleigh. Cyrus immediately jumps into a version of “Sleigh Ride” before slowing it down, sitting atop Paul Shaffer’s piano, and singing a gorgeous cover of “Silent Night.” She’s so good, in fact, that after she left all I could think of was a Cyrus Christmas album. Need to cop ASAP.

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