Eddie Murphy Reflects on ‘Cheap’ Joke David Spade Made About Him on ‘SNL’ in 1995: ‘I Felt It Was Racist’
Spade infamously joked that Murphy was a ‘falling star’ following the release of his 1995 film ‘Vampire in Brooklyn’
Hey there, fabulous reader! Got a moment to venture back to 1995, when a certain eyebrow-raising joke made waves on Saturday Night Live? Let’s dive into the details, as Eddie Murphy himself shares his perspective.
David Spade’s quip that Eddie Murphy was a ‘falling star’ after the lukewarm reception of ‘Vampire in Brooklyn’ stirred up quite a storm. The joke aired during a December 1995 “Hollywood Minute” sketch, just as Murphy’s film was navigating choppy box office waters.
Now, let’s talk about how Murphy felt. Appearing on The New York Times’ The Interview podcast, Eddie didn’t hold back. He expressed his disbelief and hurt, feeling betrayed by colleagues he considered ‘family.’
Imagine the scene: Eddie Murphy, Hollywood royalty and SNL legend, hears himself compared to a ‘falling star’ by a fellow SNL cast member. Ouch! Hurt feelings? Absolutely. Murphy said, ‘It hurt my feelings… I’m one of the family, and you’re messing with me like that?’
This isn’t just about a joke, folks. It’s a matter of respect. Murphy pointed out, ‘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?’
The real kicker is the behind-the-scenes drama. Murphy believed that many hands were involved in approving Spade’s joke before it ever reached the screen. ‘A joke has to go through these channels… So the producers thought it was okay to say that,’ he remarked. Feeling like a target? Who wouldn’t?
By now, you might wonder if the two comedians patched things up. Surprisingly, the answer is yes! Murphy did not return to SNL until much later, in 2015 for its 40th-anniversary special. He shared, ‘I’m cool with David Spade. Cool with [SNL creator] Lorne Michaels. Went back to SNL, I’m cool with everybody.’
But for Spade, the incident left notable scars. He shared that Murphy’s reaction was swift and intense. The Monday after the sketch aired, Murphy tried repeatedly to reach Spade, and when he finally got through, Murphy let him have it.
On Sway in the Morning in 2018, Spade admitted, ‘I was scared. And my feelings were so hurt because I love Eddie Murphy so much and he hated me… I’d rather just wonder if he ever thought I was funny, now I have proof he doesn’t and he hates me.’
Spade’s remorse also found its way into his 2015 memoir, Almost Interesting, where he acknowledged the sting of public criticism, ‘Everybody in showbiz wants people to like them… But when you get reamed in a sketch or online, that stuff stings.’
So, readers, what’s our takeaway? Well, always remember that jokes, while they can be good fun, have the power to cut deeply, especially in the high-stakes world of showbiz. This tale of old wounds and eventual reconciliation between Murphy and Spade is a poignant reminder of the challenges that public figures face beyond the glitz and glamour.
Thanks for joining me down this nostalgic lane. Keep those feelings sunny and those comments sassy!
