Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy SNL controversy [Image Source: YIMG]
Eddie Murphy, reflecting on the Eddie Murphy SNL controversy, has spoken out in the new Netflix documentary “Being Eddie” about the emotional setback he experienced when Saturday Night Live made him the punchline of a joke. He shares that, years after his major success on the show, he felt deeply wounded by a comment delivered during a 1995 SNL episode, which then shaped his relationship with the legendary sketch program for decades.
The Spade Joke That Sparked Controversy
In December 1995, David Spade appeared during the “Spade in America” segment of SNL, making a sharp joke when an image of Murphy appeared on-screen after his film “Vampire in Brooklyn” failed at the box office. Spade quipped,
“Look, children, it’s a falling star. Make a wish.”
Murphy, who had joined SNL in 1980 at the age of nineteen and played a pivotal role in reviving the show when it faced possible cancellation, was so affected by the insult that he distanced himself from SNL for many years afterward.
Murphy’s Personal Reflection on the Hurt
In “Being Eddie,” Murphy likens the experience to being let down by a trusted community, stating,
“It’s like your alma mater taking a shot at you,”
expressing a sense of betrayal by the very institution he had helped to save. He further reveals the emotional impact, recalling the audience’s reaction and his own vulnerability:
“The audience there said ‘boo,’ and hissed him for saying it,”
and
“I was hurt. My feelings was hurt.”
Murphy reflects on the layers of approval that jokes undergo before airing on live television, suggesting he felt the responsibility didn’t just fall on Spade but on Saturday Night Live as a whole:
Image of: Eddie Murphy
“all of those channels that the joke has to go through”
and adds,
“If there was a joke like that right now, and it was about some other SNL cast member, and it was about how f‑‑‑ed up their career was, it would get shot down,”
followed by,
“The producers look at you, ‘You can’t, you’re not saying that joke.’”
Institutional Criticism and Lasting Impact
Murphy has previously stated that he believed the joke was racially insensitive, though his frustration was aimed more broadly at the culture of the program rather than Spade as an individual. He recounts his reaction, saying,
“I wasn’t like, f‑‑‑ David Spade. I was like, oh, f‑‑‑ SNL. F‑‑‑ y’all. How y’all gonna do this s‑‑‑? That’s what y’all think of me? Oh, you dirty motherf‑‑‑er,”
and ultimately,
“And that’s why I didn’t go back for years.”
Murphy’s choice to stay away from Studio 8H signaled how the incident lingered with him for decades.
Eddie Murphy’s Triumphant Return to Saturday Night Live
After a prolonged absence, Murphy finally returned to host SNL on December 21, 2019, stepping back onto the iconic stage 35 years after his initial exit. Reflecting on the experience, he shares,
“Going back to Saturday Night Live was a great experience,”
and described the surge of enthusiasm it brought back to his creative life:
“My creative energy, everything had been turned back up to 10.”
The episode was marked by appearances from other major stars, including Dave Chappelle, who commented on the special atmosphere of Murphy’s return:
“Seeing Eddie Murphy in Studio 8H, it’s like I can’t explain it. It’s like being on safari and seeing a lion in the wild,”
and further,
“Even being in the sketch, I thought, I can’t believe this is happening.”
Renewed Connections and New Perspectives
The 2019 return paved the way for continued involvement, as Murphy again appeared during SNL’s 50th anniversary special in February, joining both former and current cast members in celebratory sketches. Behind the scenes, relations seemed to mend; though Murphy and Spade did not share screen time, Spade recounted their friendly backstage encounter on his podcast, saying,
“We should’ve taken a picture, ’cause it was fun to see him, and then there was no weird vibes at the show. It was all good.”
The Ongoing Legacy of Eddie Murphy on SNL
The Eddie Murphy SNL controversy remains a significant moment in the comedian’s career and the show’s history, illustrating the enduring impact that public jokes can have, even among insiders. With Murphy’s candid reflections now available in “Being Eddie” on Netflix, audiences gain a deeper understanding of his complicated relationship with Saturday Night Live, as well as the broader dynamics faced by performers when comedic boundaries are tested within institutions they once helped define.
