So Chris Rock praises Eddie Murphy the way Eddie Murphy deserves to be praised–for saving Saturday Night Live in the early 80s (and thereby saving Tina Fey from a less interesting career), for wearing a leather suit, for generally being the man — a sui generis comedy innovator who could tell a “yo mama” joke in a pinch and kill it on live TV.
Then Eddie Murphy comes out, looking positively resplendent in a bespoke suit, and he proceeds to–well, what? He says it feels like he’s back in high school. Says it feels nice. Said he’s glad people appreciate all that stuff he did “35 years ago” on the show. No jokes, no laughs. And then he sort of runs out of gas. Seems to think he’s done–has no more material. Doesn’t tell a “yo mama” joke to “stretch” as Chris Rock just mentioned. The producers cut to a picture of Dick Ebersol. The weirdest moment on the SNL 40th anniversary special had to have been Eddie Murphy’s mirthless appearance, right? Still it’s always great to see the one and only Eddie Murphy.
