Eddie Murphy calls out David Spade for 'racist' joke made on 'SNL' in 1995

Eddie Murphy expressed his anger during an interview with The New York Times where he spoke about his feud with David Spade
UPDATED JUN 30, 2024
During a recent interview, Eddie Murphy remembered being extremely insulted by David Spade's joke made during 'Saturday Night Live' in 1995 (Getty Images, Taylor Hill/WireImage)
During a recent interview, Eddie Murphy remembered being extremely insulted by David Spade's joke made during 'Saturday Night Live' in 1995 (Getty Images, Taylor Hill/WireImage)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Eddie Murphy has reignited his long-standing feud with David Spade, calling out the comedian for a joke he made on 'Saturday Night Live' in 1995.

The comment, made during the 'Weekend Update' segment, referred to Murphy's career slump following the poor box office performance of his film 'Vampire in Brooklyn'. Spade, now 59, quipped, "Look children, it’s a falling star. Make a wish."

Eddie Murphy slams David Spade's 'SNL' quip as 'racist' and a 'cheap shot'

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 22:  Actor Eddie Murphy smiles backstage during the 87th Annual Academy Awa
Eddie Murphy claimed David Spade's joke on 'Saturday Night Live' was a cheap shot (Getty Images)

Murphy, 63, expressed his anger during an interview on The New York Times 'The Interview' podcast, saying the joke felt like a "cheap shot" and carried racist undertones. "It was personal," Murphy stated. "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."

The 'Coming to America' star, who was a pivotal figure on 'SNL' from 1980 to 1984, argued that he had significantly contributed to the show's success. He criticized the show's producers for allowing the joke, saying, "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."

VENTURA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 28: David Spade performs onstage during the 'Comedy in Your Car's' driv
In his memoir 'Almost Interesting', David Spade recalled the backlash, including a heated phone call from Eddie Murphy (Getty Images)

In his memoir 'Almost Interesting', Spade recalled the backlash, including a heated phone call from Murphy, in which Murphy said, “David Spade, who the f**k do you think you are?!! Honestly? Who. The. F**k. Going after ME?? You dumb mother****ker! I’m off-limits, don’t you know that?"



 

Murphy did not return to SNL for over 30 years following the incident but hosted the show again in 2019. Despite the history, Murphy now says he holds no grudges. "In the long run, it’s all good," he told 'The Interview'. "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 'racist' claim about David Spade's 'SNL' joke triggers social media frenzy

Eddie Murphy's recent comments about David Spade's joke on 'Saturday Night Live' in 1995 have ignited a flurry of reactions on social media, with users expressing a wide range of opinions. The joke, which referred to Murphy's career decline after 'Vampire in Brooklyn', has been labeled as a "cheap shot" and "racist" by Murphy, stirring up a fresh debate online.

One user wrote, "Funny SNL has long survived without him on there. And boo hoo-he can make fun of others but can’t take it when someone is making fun of him lol."

Another commenter added, "He should be chill about this by now. I mean more people know his name than David Spades anyway."

Other reactions emphasized the irony of Murphy, a seasoned comedian, being sensitive to a joke. "Eddie. Eddie. You’re a comedian. If anybody should be able to take a joke, it’s you, brother," a user remarked.

Another criticized, stating, "The sensitivity these days smh ...lighten up."

"2 more has beens trying to stay relevant," one person wrote.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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