Understanding Comedy and Cultural Attitudes Towards Race Since the 1995 Eddie Murphy and David Spade Incident

Comedy often serves as a barometer for cultural attitudes, evolving over time alongside societal changes. The 1995 incident involving Eddie Murphy and David Spade on Saturday Night Live (SNL) provides an interesting case study in how cultural perceptions of race and humor have transformed over the decades.

The Incident

Eddie Murphy, a legendary comedian and one of SNL's greatest talents, faced ridicule from David Spade, who played a snide anti-celebrity critic in one of the Hollywood Minutes. Spade's joke depicted Eddie over his shoulder with the caption, "Look children, it's a falling star. Make a wish." This shot at Murphy's career, which was then facing criticism, garnered significant attention and became an enduring memory in entertainment history.

Social and Cultural Context

The 1990s saw a significant shift in how comedy and race were perceived. Just a few years earlier, Eddie Murphy had solidified his status as a cultural icon, undeniably boosting the ratings and legacy of SNL. His departure from the show in 1987 due to salary constraints, followed by his eventual return, was a pivotal moment that defined the show's narrative. Murphy's pivotal role in saving SNL in 1980, when Lorne Michaels walked away, underscored his significance in the history of the show.

Audience Perception

When Spade's joke hit the airwaves, it was seen as a jab at Murphy's current career status. Murphy, who had just been featured in "Vampire in Brooklyn," a project that garnered negative reviews, felt particularly betrayed. The joke's impact was bolstered by its airing on numerous entertainment programs and news segments. This suggests that the audience of that era, including Hollywood critics and celebrities themselves, saw Murphy as a declining star.

Cultural Evolutions in Comedy

By 1995, Murphy had already been challenged by the industry and the audience. His career had hit its nadir, and he was facing numerous failed projects. Spade's joke, while possibly seen as petty in hindsight, was reflective of the prevailing cultural sentiments. In the mid-1990s, comedy often involved a more cynical and biting critique of the entertainment industry, a genre Spade explored through his character.

Many critics and comedians, including Spade, took aim at celebrity culture and industry practices. Spade's character in Hollywood Minutes exemplified this trend, often providing satirical commentary on the superficiality of the entertainment world. Even then, the jokes might have been perceived as a bit low-grade, but they definitely fit into the genre of cutting satire that SNL was renowned for producing in its earlier years.

Modern Reactions and Reflections

David Spade has since evolved as a comedian. His recent commentary on Fly on the Wall, a podcast he hosts with Dana Carvey, suggests a more mature and reflective approach to comedy. Spade has expressed regret over the joke, acknowledging that it was poorly timed and representing a moment where he was less enlightened about racial and cultural issues.

The incident highlights the evolution of comedy over time. What is deemed acceptable or offensive can change significantly as society progresses. Humor that was once seen as clever and edgy now might be viewed as insensitive or out of touch. Murphy, in turn, had undergone a transformation in his career, moving towards a more mature and reflective stance as well.

Conclusion

Comedy is not immune to the forces of change. The 1995_spade_murphy_incident serves as a poignant echo of a time when comedy, even in the era of Saturday Night Live, was still grappling with racial and cultural sensitivities. The incidents and the evolving attitudes they reflect illustrate the ever-changing landscape of humor and how it captures and responds to the cultural zeitgeist.

As we move forward, it is essential to understand the context in which comedy is produced and received. What might seem like a joke in one era might become a somber reflection of a more inclusive and thoughtful comedy in another. The incident with Spade and Murphy serves as a reminder to all in the comedy industry to be mindful of the evolution of cultural attitudes and the responsibility that comes with expressing humor.