Eddie Murphy may have forgiven a particular 'cheap shot' made at his expense by former 'Saturday Night Live' castmate David Spade, but he hasn't really forgotten the incident.
- June 30, 2024
AceShowbiz - Eddie Murphy, the iconic comedian and actor, hasn't always had it smooth. Reflecting on a particularly rough episode during his career, Murphy recalls a 1995 incident on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) that struck a personal chord.
In a New York Times interview, Murphy recounted a painful jab from David Spade during the "Weekend Update" segment. As a photo of Murphy was displayed, Spade quipped, "Look children, it's a falling star. Make a wish." At that time, Murphy was dealing with the box office failure of his film, "Vampire in Brooklyn".
The joke, he felt, hit below the belt. "Most people that get off that show, they don't go on and have these amazing careers. It was personal," Murphy reflected, expressing his disappointment.
For Murphy, who had been a lifeline for "SNL" during its early years from 1980 to 1984, the joke wasn't just hurtful - it felt racially charged. "It was like, 'Yo, how could you do that?' My career? Really? A joke about my career? So I thought that was a cheap shot. And it was kind of, I thought - I felt it was racist."
Even more troubling for Murphy was the realization that the joke had passed through multiple layers of approval. "The show would have been off the air if I didn't go back on the show, and now you got somebody from the cast making a crack about my career? And I know that he can't just say that," he added.
"A joke has to go through these channels. So the producers thought it was OK to say that. And all the people that have been on that show, you've never heard nobody make no joke about anybody's career."
The aftermath of the joke led to a phone call between Spade and Murphy. Spade, who later admitted in his book that he "took [his] beating," expressed his regret. The incident did not mark the end of Murphy's association with "SNL". In fact, Murphy returned triumphantly in 2019 to host the show, showcasing his legendary comedic talents once again.
"In the long run, it's all good," Murphy shared, highlighting his capacity for forgiveness. "Worked out great. I'm cool with David Spade. Cool with Lorne Michaels. I went back to 'SNL.' I'm cool with everybody. It's all love."
Eddie Murphy's journey through this ordeal is a testament to his resilience and ability to forgive. It's a narrative that resonates deeply, reminding us all that, despite setbacks and hurtful moments, it's possible to rise above and keep shining.
