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Ben Stiller is hosting Saturday Night Live this week, but the buzz heading into the weekend is that he might be joined by his Tower Heist co-star, Eddie Murphy, the biggest movie star that the sketch show ever produced. Nearly singlehandedly, Murphy maintained SNL‘s must-see status after Lorne Michaels left in 1980, and his four seasons — in which he played Gumby, Mr. Robinson, and James Brown — remain as dynamic a showcase as any performer’s in the show’s rich history. But since exiting the show for Hollywood millions in 1984, Murphy has returned to host only once. He couldn’t even be persuaded to appear at the show’s 25th anniversary party in 1999. Speculation has been that Murphy and Michaels feuded in 1995 after a snarky David Spade ridiculed Murphy’s sagging movie career — remember A Vampire in Brooklyn? — with the verbal dart, “Look, children, it’s a falling star! Make a wish!” during a “Weekend Update” segment.
Of course, time heals all most wounds, and Murphy, who shocked everyone with the announcement that he’ll host the Oscars next February, might be more open to a homecoming now. The New York Post is reporting that “Work is going on behind the scenes for Murphy to pop up” on Saturday’s show, but his publicist was dismissive of the rumors, saying only “Mr. Murphy is not planning on returning to Saturday Night Live at this time. Perhaps at some time in the future.”
I’m cautiously optimistic. Saturday Night Live is a no-brainer for Murphy — this week or at some point soon. It will help promote his film, which opens Nov. 4, it will be heralded as a glorious homecoming, and it will be good live-audience preparation for the Oscars while reminding viewers of why they liked Murphy in the first place. To be honest, there is a Does-He-Still-Have-It? curiosity surrounding Murphy’s willingness to host the Oscars. An solid appearance on SNL would help us determine if the Oscars have anything to fear.
What would you like to see Murphy do, if he cameos on SNL? A “Weekend Update” appearance? Resurrect a classic character? Or are you hoping for some raw stand-up?
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That would be awesome
Totally!
Actually, did pop up once after he left (not sure if he hosted the episode though). SNL did a thing where they had a “Should we keep or fire Andy Kaufman” phone campaign. You dial one number for keeping him, the other for firing him. They had various SNL cast members/celebs plead Andy’s case, with Murphy being one of them. Didn’t work, and Andy was fired.
Murphy was still a cast member at that time. Murphy did “host” an episode that same season, replacing “48 Hrs” star Nick Nolte, but it was just a fill-in thing.
Dey fine way to fock it up chu know how dey do
I loved his stint on the young and restless. Him and Drucilla were great together!
Still want to see Charlie Day to host SNL. Come on SNL make it happen!!!! You saw how funny Melissa McCarthy. Charlie Day would be the same.
He hosted the year after he left, and it may have been the single best SNL ever. Sketches included “Mr. White” and the shooting death of Buckwheat. Please get your act together, EW.
Are you sure it was after he left? I remember him hosting one time when he was still a cast member, because the actual host dropped out at the last minute, and they asked Murphy to fill in. I definately remember the shooting death of Buckwheat, one of the best ever. Pretty sure he was still on the show at that point though because the next week Eddie played the assassin as well, John David Stutts. Even later still, Buckwheat turned up alive, turned out he faked his own death.
I’m 110% positive. I remember in the monologue he was saying how he had left the show, but then his movie with Dudley Moore called Best Defense came out (which bombed) and he joked that he called and begged to come back, but then Beverly Hills Cop came out and was huge and now he was second guessing coming back.
JRock is right. It was a Christmas episode. His monologue is on the SNL Best of Eddie Murphy dvd and he specifically mentions that when he first left the show he planned to come back.
“Ladies and gentelman, Buckwheat has been shot, I repeat, Buckwheat has been shot.”
I don’t know if it happened before or after he left, but man that was hilarious!
No he didn’t. They aired before he left, according to Live from New York. That said, those were two of the best sketches ever.
That’s such a great book.
I’ll watch, Eddie was a part of SNL when it was a “must see” show! Comic genius!
His last show as a cast member was April 1983 and he hosted December 15, 1984 – Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest and Martin Short were all in the cast. Musical guest Robert Plant & The Honeydrippers.
that would be insane.
for people too young to remember. eddie DOMINATED SNL. he kept it from getting canceled.
Judge It Live is doing SNL this weekend. You can compare your ratings of the skits and musical numbers to everyone else’s in real time. It’s big fun! BTW, the site is doing X Factor tonight!
“An solid appearance”. I’m sure you had something along the lines of “An absolutely solid appearance” or “An appearance” but please, you’re a professional writer.
Josh, please….I’m sure no one comes to your job, knocking the hamburger buns out of your hand, give the writer a break…you got the gist of the article….
I’m with you Josh. As a professional proofreader, it drives me nuts…and I noticed it too. I’ve just learned not to say anything (most of the time) because people like Cookie Monster don’t care and they like to insult the people who do.
Don’t watch SNL much lately. I would for SURE watch to see Eddie Murphy return!! Wishing and hoping!!
SNL acts like Eddie was never on the show. He ruled that show. I hate that Dion Dion is lost in the universe. Was he very unPC? Heck yeah! Was he funny? Hecky yeah!!! I still remember his Michael Jackson commerical. Comic Gold! I hope that he comes and still has it.
Man, I hope he does his Cheeboiger, Cheeboiger, Cheeboiger, No Coke, Pepsi thing…heeeeeeeelarious!
Eddie Murphy was one of the best ever SNL cast members, but if he stops by now they’ll make him do something with Kristin Wiig and it won’t be funny. Stay away, Eddie!
would be smart to do before Oscars….
I’d like to see him opposite Jay Pharoah doing an Eddie Murphy impression.