Eddie Murphy
Cast Member: 1980-1984
Favorite Characters: Buckwheat, Gumby, Mr. Robinson,
After the original cast left in 1980, the future of SNL was in doubt. Not yet an institution, many questioned whether SNL was anything more than the talent of the original cast. A 19-year-old stand-up comedian named Eddie Murphy began repeatedly calling SNL talent manager Neil Levy, begging for an audition.
Levy informed Murphy that the cast was already full, and beyond that, they had already cast their “token” black performer to replace the departing Garrett Morris, Robert Townsend. Murphy persisted, and won an audition. Levy was won over and told producers they needed to hire Murphy. After seeing the audition tape, executive producer Jean Doumanian also began lobbying the network to hire Murphy. Finally the network relented after discovering that Townsend had not yet signed a contract.
After suffering though a miserable ‘80-’81 season, NBC fired Doumanian and everyone in the cast except Murphy and Joe Piscipo. Murphy elevated the role of the black performer on the show from “token” to “headliner.” Murphy dominated the show for the next four seasons and brought a hip, urban sensibility to SNL.
Murphy remains the only cast member to host the show while still a cast member—subbing in when his 48 Hours costar Nick Nolte fell ill. Eventually, Hollywood made him an offer he couldn’t refuse and Murphy moved on, but by the time he left, SNL was on solid footing once again.
The...
January 10th, 2006 at 2:56 am
I see what you mean. I’d like to have Chris Farley on that list, but not bad enought to clear a spot for him. Good choices.
January 30th, 2006 at 9:33 pm
A talented list, true, but the one adjustment I’d make would be replacing one of the actors with another actress for the sake of versatility. Whom to replace? Tough call, but I see Mike Myers getting the boot. In favor of whom? There’s the problem: SNL is much better at developing male stars. Jane Curtin or Jan Hooks seem the most likely choices.
January 31st, 2006 at 10:17 am
I considered that, but in the end decided to judge solely on merit and impact to the show, rather than a quota system.
If I was to put another woman on, I’d probably go with Molly Shannon or Tina Fey before Curtin or Hooks — although Hooks was pretty damn funny.
February 9th, 2006 at 11:26 pm
It’s hard to take people off… I would love to add Dana Carvey, Steve Martin, Chris Farely or Martin Short… but I don’t know who I could take off. All I know for certain is the only funny thing on Saturday Night Live this season was the Chronic(what?)cles of Narnia. I really think the cast has suffered horribly.
February 9th, 2006 at 11:56 pm
Steve Martin was never a cast member.
Look it up.
February 28th, 2006 at 11:24 pm
Hmm it is hard to narrow down but I would have to say that I would dump Will Ferrell for Chris Farley anyday. Ferrell has his moments but Farley was something special, like Belushi those guys are once in an all too short lifetime.
I might also drop Gilda Radner for Dana Carvey.
Still its a funny group
March 7th, 2006 at 12:52 am
I would definately take off Will Farrell and flush him in the toilet. He is an unfunny creep that I imagine in my nightmares slowly trying to drive me insane.
April 4th, 2006 at 10:18 pm
I can’t believe nobody has mentioned Cheri Oteri! Not only does this list need more women… Cheri was CRAZY, but versatile. Anyone agree?
May 31st, 2006 at 3:40 pm
Great list, buddy. Phil Hartman never gets the credit he deserves. What a talent! I would have to say that I would drop Gilda for Cheri O’ teri as suggested, and I would definatley love Farley to be in there, but I couldn’t decide who to drop.
January 14th, 2007 at 2:25 am
January 19th, 2007 at 2:54 am
November 4th, 2007 at 5:51 am
April 7th, 2008 at 3:38 pm