Eddie Murphy is a living icon, but his journey has had many ups and downs. During a recent interview, he recalled one of the challenging times involving one platform that made him more popular—SNL.
He was referring to the time someone made a controversial joke on Saturday Night Live at his expense. It was nothing new. He’d been exposed to such jibes throughout his career, which helped him develop a thick skin. However, this particular one hit Murphy hard.
The joke was made in 1995 on SNL, shortly after Murphy’s film, “Vampire in Brooklyn,” became box office gold. As part of his “Hollywood Minute” sketch, Comedian David Spade produced a photo of Murphy and said: “Look, children, it’s a falling star. Make a wish.”
Murphy did not like the comment, and he felt hurt. He was a comedian on SNL in the past and is privy to how things work behind closed doors. The actor believes the hit was deliberate and very preventable.
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He told The New York Times: “I know that he can’t just say that. A joke has to go through these channels. So the producers thought it was OK to say that.” Murphy said it was wrong, especially since there have been other people on the show and none of them had to deal with such a joke after their exit from the Hollywood franchise.
According to Murphy, the joke “was personal.” He also called it “a cheap shot before adding that he “felt it was racist.” After Murphy left SNL, he stayed away for two decades before appearing for the show’s 40th anniversary special in 2015. In 2019, he got to host his own episode.
The veteran actor does not seem to be holding a grudge. He reportedly said: “In the long run, it’s all good. Worked out great.” He also confessed that he is okay with Spade and the show’s creator, Lorne Michaels. About two decades after he made the joke, Spade revealed via his memoir that he also thinks the joke was “stupid.”
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About Murphy’s angry response, Spade said, “I’ve come to see Eddie’s point on this one.” He went on to talk about how people in showbiz want everyone to like them, as it is the best way to get fans. So, getting hurt when someone pokes fun at you in a sketch or online is easy.
Spade implied that it quickly added up for Murphy, which is why he reacted the way he did. Both artists seem to have moved past it, but it will undoubtedly remain a sour memory.
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