Image: Brett Carlsen / Getty Images
Punxsutawney Phil isn’t just looking for his shadow this Groundhog Day. He’s looking to make some cold hard cash on Cameo, too.
Yes, the “World Famous Groundhog” who comes around every Feb. 2 to help predict whether we’ll be moving onto spring or bracing for six more weeks of winter joined the growing list of animal creators on Cameo, which means you can book your very own video…for a price. For those who aren’t familiar with Cameo, it’s a video-sharing platform that allows people to pay for customized videos from actors, musicians, athletes, political commentators, and of course, animals.
Punxsutawney Phil is currently charging a whopping $80.00 per Cameo — $10.00 more than he was just a week ago. To put that price in perspective, Sopranos actor Ray Abruzzo, Bridgerton‘s Ruby Barker, The Parent Trap‘s Elaine Hendrix, and Friday Night Lights star Scott Porter — to name a few — are all charging less than the iconic rodent.
In other words, this groundhog thinks he’s the shit. And you know what? He’s not wrong.
Punxsutawney Phil is getting a head start on Groundhog Day celebrations.
If you’re thinking $80 is a great price for a personalized video of a talking groundhog, I regret to inform you that Punxsutawney Phil isn’t the one speaking in his Cameos.
Your video will feature “the Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators, and the only true weather predicting groundhog,” however, Punxsutawney Phil will be accompanied by his handler and Inner Circle member A.J. Dereume (aka the Rainmaker) who delivers your personalized message. Phil just sort of sits there, looking cute and cozy as hell.
For those who aren’t familiar with the Cameo process, when you book a video you’ll be asked to include some details so the creator can deliver a recipient-specific message. The personalized video will be sent to contact you provide within a week of placing the order, and if for some reason the request can’t be fulfilled you’ll be notified and refunded.
According to Punxsutawney Phil’s page, the account typically responds in 15 hours and has already received eight glowing 5-star reviews from satisfied fans.
You can check out sample videos on the page to get an idea of what you’ll be receiving, and there’s also an option to “Chat” with Punxsutawney Phil for $0.99 if that’s a little more in your price range. (Though I’m not really sure what “chatting” with a groundhog entails. Maybe he’ll sit on the keyboard or something.)
Cameos have really taken off in quarantine and make perfect birthday and Christmas gifts, so why not go all out for Groundhog Day, too?
If you know someone who’s a “Phil Fanatic,” has a Feb. 2 birthday, or is just really going to miss their IRL Groundhog Day celebration this year, this Cameo is a delightful, expensive, absolutely ridiculous gesture.