Eddie Murphy Opens Up About SNL Joke

Eddie Murphy has recently opened up about a 'racist' joke made by David Spade on 'Saturday Night Live' in 1995, which deeply hurt him. The joke, aired during the 'Hollywood Minute' segment, referred to Murphy's then-recent box office flop 'Vampire in Brooklyn' by calling him a 'falling star.' Murphy felt betrayed by the show where he had been a significant contributor in the 1980s, and expressed that the joke was a 'cheap shot' approved by the producers. This incident led Murphy to distance himself from SNL for nearly three decades, though he eventually made amends and returned for the show's 40th anniversary in 2015 and hosted in 2019. Despite his initial hurt, Murphy now maintains a good relationship with Spade and SNL creator Lorne Michaels. He also reflected on the broader racial challenges he faced in his career, especially during his rise to fame.