Plot Synopsis

A GROUNDHOG DAY STORY is a five-part documentary series that takes a comprehensive look at the history and legend of Groundhog Day, its impact on the town of Punxsutawney, PA, and a look into the spirited group of volunteers responsible for all of it: The Inner Circle, who protect Phil throughout the year and plan the annual celebration in Punxsutawney. The special also shares illuminating details about Phil himself, such as where he lives, what he eats, how he travels, what aggravates him and wife who is his companion. A GROUNDHOG DAY STORY also shares the storied history and steady growth in the popularity of Groundhog Day -- from the first official event, documented in local newspapers, to the arrival of television broadcasts, and ultimately the 1993 film, GROUNDHOG DAY, where actor Bill Murray played a weatherman trapped in a personal time warp repeating the same day again and again, cementing Groundhog Day as a cultural phenomenon. Animal Planet premiered all five episodes of the series, airing back-to-back, starting at 10pm ET/PT on Groundhog Day 2017: Thursday, February 2, 2017.