Eddie Murphy will return to Saturday Night Live

[L.Kizzle]

After more than 30 years away, the king of SNL will finally come home. On the 40th Anniversary Show on February 20th.

[They Won]

Interesting. Has he never hosted? That is surprising, but I really can't remember him hosting.

[L.Kizzle]

Interesting. Has he never hosted? That is surprising, but I really can't remember him hosting.

He hosted twice. Once when he was a cast member and one time the season after he left.

December 15, 1984 was his last time on SNL.

[Thorpesaurous]

I don't remember him ever hosting. I found this interesting tidbit on Wikipedia:

Another notable moment was when Eddie Murphy hosted the show. Murphy substituted for his 48 Hours co-star Nick Nolte after Nolte fell ill (Nolte became hungover following a night of partying at Studio 54). Murphy became the only person to have hosted the show while still a cast member. He controversially announced "Live from New York, it's the Eddie Murphy Show!" Murphy's hosting gig angered most of the cast and crew, particularly Joe Piscopo.

And there's a lot of content out there about him having a longstanding dislike for the show after leaving it.

[They Won]

He hosted twice. Once when he was a cast member and one time the season after he left.

December 15, 1984 was his last time on SNL.

Dang. I didn't realize it was that long ago. For some reason I was thinking he was on the show until about 1986 or 87. Also, that is strange that he hosted while he was on the cast. Was there a late cancellation of a host or something?

[Thorpesaurous]

Dang. I didn't realize it was that long ago. For some reason I was thinking he was on the show until about 1986 or 87. Also, that is strange that he hosted while he was on the cast. Was there a late cancellation of a host or something?

There's a story in my quote up there. I'm not sure how accurate it was.


Also while googling it there was a lot of old articles about Ben Stiller hosting as part of promoting that Tower Heist movie he and Eddie did together, and a lot of rumors at that time that he was going to make a guest appearance during that show. But that apparently never happened.

[L.Kizzle]

Dang. I didn't realize it was that long ago. For some reason I was thinking he was on the show until about 1986 or 87. Also, that is strange that he hosted while he was on the cast. Was there a late cancellation of a host or something?

Eddie almost didn't even get the call. The job was almost given to his friend Robert Townsend (who basically had the job, but hadn't signed the contract yet) and underrated street comic Charlie Barnett (who couldn't read.)

Eddie was the last guy to audition.

[L.Kizzle]

There's a story in my quote up there. I'm not sure how accurate it was.


Also while googling it there was a lot of old articles about Ben Stiller hosting as part of promoting that Tower Heist movie he and Eddie did together, and a lot of rumors at that time that he was going to make a guest appearance during that show. But that apparently never happened.

I hope this means a return to stand up is on the horizon.

[Thorpesaurous]

I hope this means a return to stand up is on the horizon.

That would be awesome.

It is a little ridiculous that the SNL job was so clearly just looking to fill a single black guy role. Robert Townsend was a great comedian, and a great sketch guy. There's really no reason they both couldn't have been on the show at the same time. Not being able to read I can see as a deal breaker on the Charlie Barnett spot.

[They Won]

Eddie almost didn't even get the call. The job was almost given to his friend Robert Townsend (who basically had the job, but hadn't signed the contract yet) and underrated street comic Charlie Barnett (who couldn't read.)

Eddie was the last guy to audition.

I like Robert Townsend, but thank goodness Eddie got it.

[They Won]

There's a story in my quote up there. I'm not sure how accurate it was.

I remember him saying that. Doesn't surprise me that Joe was pissed.

[L.Kizzle]

That would be awesome.

It is a little ridiculous that the SNL job was so clearly just looking to fill a single black guy role. Robert Townsend was a great comedian, and a great sketch guy. There's really no reason they both couldn't have been on the show at the same time. Not being able to read I can see as a deal breaker on the Charlie Barnett spot.

Townsend's HBO sketch specials were hilarious. Barnett had some of the wildest stand up I've ever seen. I think Keenen Ivory Wayans and Jim Carrey also auditioned that season.

I like Robert Townsend, but thank goodness Eddie got it.

Townsend is great, he directed Eddie Murphy's RAW. And him and Keenen Ivory Wayans used to help write material with Eddie.

[They Won]

Townsend's HBO sketch specials were hilarious. Barnett had some of the wildest stand up I've ever seen. I think Keenen Ivory Wayans and Jim Carrey also auditioned that season.



Townsend is great, he directed Eddie Murphy's RAW. And him and Keenen Ivory Wayans used to help write material with Eddie.

Yeah, nothing against Townsend, I just think 80s Murphy was better.

[L.Kizzle]

Yeah, nothing against Townsend, I just think 80s Murphy was better.

Don't you see who's in my avatar?

[Thorpesaurous]

It's just a shame they were in a spot where they felt they couldn't use both.