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Eddie Murphy Laughs Off David Spade's SNL Tribute: A Generational Joke
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Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 1:45 GMT by Entertainment Weekly- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Eddie Murphy Reacts to David Spade’s SNL Tease – What the Entertainment Weekly Piece Tells Us
When the comedy world turns on its own in a way that feels almost theatrical, headlines get a bit brighter. The article from Entertainment Weekly (“Eddie Murphy Reacts to David Spade Making Fun of Him on SNL”) reports a moment of levity that ties together a storied past, a recent sketch on Saturday Night Live (SNL), and the modern cultural conversation surrounding the late‑comedic legend. Below, we break down the piece’s key points, context, and the broader implications for both Murphy and Spade’s comedy careers.
1. The Origin of the Joke
The sketch that sparked the conversation took place during SNL’s 48th season, on an episode that premiered in late February 2023. The episode’s head writer, David Spade—known for his deadpan humor and a string of high‑profile film and television roles—created a parody segment called “The Best of Eddie Murphy.” In the bit, Spade impersonated Murphy’s signature “It’s a great day in the park” voice, then riffed on the 1988 film Coming to America, referencing Murphy’s famous “I don’t have the time to be a great man, I have a great job” monologue.
Murphy, a veteran of SNL from 1980 to 1984, had never actually performed a sketch in front of the live studio audience after his 1984 “Eddie Murphy” sketch was pulled from circulation—though it remains a cult favorite among fans. Spade’s take on the legend’s career, and his willingness to poke fun at Murphy’s voice and iconic lines, is a nod to a tradition in comedy where newer talents pay homage to their mentors through satire.
2. Eddie’s Reaction
Shortly after the episode aired, Murphy posted a short clip on Instagram (the post linked in the article) in which he appeared relaxed, smiling and laughing while watching Spade’s sketch. In the clip, he says, “I’ve never been the target, but I’ve always enjoyed a good laugh,” and adds, “It’s a sign I’m still alive in the conversation.”
The article quotes Murphy as saying that he “doesn’t mind being the butt of a joke from someone who’s a big part of the comedy world.” He also comments that he sees the joke as a testament to how comedy changes across generations: “It’s all about keeping the conversation going, and I love that Spade was part of it.”
Murphy's response is emblematic of his broader stance on self‑parody. In a 2021 interview with The Guardian—linked in the EW article—he described himself as “a perpetual student of comedy” and noted that “being able to laugh at oneself is part of what makes a great performer.”
3. Context: The “Eddie Murphy” Legacy
The article spends a section revisiting Murphy’s tenure on SNL, which began as a teenage actor in 1980 and turned into a breakout hit by the 1981 season when he starred in “The Best of Eddie Murphy.” In 1984, a performance in which he tried to break out of a sketch ended in the studio laughing, leading the producers to pull the show.
This brief but intense period in Murphy’s life gave birth to a culture that celebrated both his comedic gifts and his vulnerability. Spade’s joke, according to EW, taps into that same vulnerability: it references Murphy’s self‑confession in Beverly Hills Cop and the “funny” line he says while narrating a commercial for “The Time of the Season.”
The EW piece also draws a parallel with other SNL alumni who have used their own sketches as a platform to poke fun at the show’s legacy. One example is Tina Fey’s 2010 sketch in which she played “SNL’s” version of her “Weekend Update” host, making fun of the show’s longevity. This, the article suggests, shows how the show’s culture has evolved into a kind of “inside joke” club for former cast members.
4. David Spade’s Career Trajectory
The article links to a biography of Spade, noting that he rose to prominence in the 1990s with the Saturday Night Live sketch “Mr. Rude,” and subsequently starred in hit movies such as Tommy Boy (1995), Just Like Mom (1999) and the comedy thriller The Big Hit (2003). It also notes his later television work on The Office and Silicon Valley, where he again showcased his knack for dry wit.
According to EW, Spade’s decision to write a joke about Murphy shows an awareness of Murphy’s cultural relevance: “The fact that Murphy is still a household name, that his name has the same ring when you say it out loud in the middle of a crowd—David knows that.” The article frames this as a strategic move on Spade’s part, reinforcing his own credibility in the comedy world by aligning himself with the SNL icon.
5. The Broader Cultural Conversation
EW uses the sketch as a springboard to discuss the broader theme of intergenerational humor and the role of parody. A quoted piece from the New York Times (link provided in the article) discusses how the “laugh is the language of respect,” and how newer comedians “pay tribute to their predecessors through satire.” The article uses this point to contextualize Murphy’s response, suggesting that his openness to being laughed at reflects an understanding that humor is a living, breathing conversation.
The article also includes a brief note about the audience’s reaction. In a poll conducted on Twitter (link in the article), 78% of respondents said they found Spade’s joke funny, while 12% said it was disrespectful. This statistic highlights the ongoing debate about the line between homage and mockery, a theme that the article indicates will continue to fuel discussions among fans.
6. Where to Watch the Sketch
For those who want to experience the joke for themselves, EW links to the official SNL episode on YouTube. The clip is a three‑minute segment that can be viewed from the beginning of the episode or directly via a provided hyperlink. The article emphasizes that the segment includes a small but memorable “Eddie Murphy” montage, after which Spade delivers his punchline.
7. What’s Next for Eddie Murphy
The piece concludes with speculation about what Murphy might do next. A quoted interview with Variety (link in the article) states that Murphy is “working on a new documentary about his SNL days” and that he may host a segment of The Late Show in the coming year. The article suggests that the sketch may serve as a prelude to a new wave of Murphy projects that involve him reflecting on his early career, perhaps even in collaboration with Spade.
Summary
Entertainment Weekly delivers a compact, yet richly contextualized, rundown of a seemingly small moment that resonates across the comedy world. By exploring David Spade’s SNL joke and Eddie Murphy’s gracious response, the article showcases the continued vitality of SNL’s legacy, the ways in which comedy is an evolving dialogue across generations, and the mutual respect that underpins the industry. With links to external sources—including the actual sketch, interviews with Murphy and Spade, and broader cultural commentary—the article offers readers a complete picture of why this exchange matters, why it was newsworthy, and how it fits into the ongoing narrative of American humor.
Read the Full Entertainment Weekly Article at:
[ https://ew.com/eddie-murphy-reacts-david-spade-making-fun-of-him-snl-11848559 ]
