In a recent interview with the New York Times, Eddie Murphy opened up about some of the cheap shots
he feels he has endured throughout his career. This introspection comes as Murphy’s new film, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, is set to premiere on Netflix next week.
Back in the old days, they used to be relentless on me, and a lot of it was racist stuff,
Murphy reflected.
The comedian recalled how different the world was when he began his ascent in the 1980s. One particularly hurtful instance involved a 1995 episode of Saturday Night Live where David Spade made a disparaging remark about Murphy’s career. During a Hollywood Minute segment, Spade displayed a picture of Murphy captioned, Look children, it’s a falling star. Make a wish.
The jibe came directly after Murphy’s film Vampire in Brooklyn experienced poor performance at the box office.
It was like: ‘Yo, it’s in-house! I’m one of the family, and you’re f-–king with me like that?’ It hurt my feelings like that,
Murphy revealed.
Murphy was a cornerstone of SNL from 1980 to 1984, and he is often credited with helping to save the show from cancellation during its early years. He rose to stardom through beloved sketches like ‘Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood’, Gumby, Buckwheat, and Stevie Wonder.
Naturally, Murphy was deeply impacted by Spade’s words. He said he couldn’t recall other instances where SNL alumni made such painful jokes about each other’s careers. The producers thought it was OK to say that. All the people that have been on that show, you’ve never heard nobody make no joke about anybody’s career. Most people that get off that show don’t go on and have these amazing careers. It was personal,
he elaborated.
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 racist.
Spade later recounted receiving an angry phone call from Murphy following the bit and felt remorseful for his stupid joke.
He wrote, I’ve come to see Eddie’s point on this one. Everybody in showbiz wants people to like them. That’s how you get fans. But when you get reamed in a sketch or online or however, that shit stings. And it can add up quickly.
Over the years, Murphy has largely stayed away from SNL but did make notable returns for the show’s 40th anniversary special in 2015 and hosted an episode to much acclaim in 2019.
In the long run it’s all good; worked out great. I’m cool with David Spade; I’m cool with Lorne Michaels. I went back to SNL,
Murphy remarked this week. It’s all love… but I had a couple of cheap shots!
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