On last Thursday’s episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, actor and comedian Eddie Murphy opens up about his 25 year-long absence from Saturday Night Live. In the early ’80s, Murphy, 50, was a popular cast member of NBC’s sketch comedy show, known for skits like “Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood” and “Velvet Jones School of Technology”.
But the Tower Heist Star abruptly left the show mid-season in 1984, moving on to a blockbuster movie career with hits like Beverly Hills Cop, Nutty Professor, and Coming to America. Over the years the star has been cryptic about his sudden departure from SNL, only citing bad blood when fellow cast-mate David Spade poked fun of him, publicly calling Murphy “a fading star”.
“It was years ago,” Murphy told DeGeneres, 53. “I don’t have any bad blood with that show. And that show is such a big part of my past. I love being part of it.” Spilling on the split, Murphy also said, “Over the years — they did little sh-tty stuff where I was like, hey, F-ck y’all. I’m not trippin’.” So is the SNL vet ready to make amends? “Yeah, I wanna go back,” he finally announced.
Murphy is also focused on his what was supposed to be next gig — hosting the 84th Academy Awards ceremony on February 26, 2012. But the future master of ceremonies — infamous for his foul mouth — told DeGeneres it’s a good thing the Oscars’ telecast is delayed. He joked: “If I were to come out on the Oscars in a sky blue tux and pee on myself, they wouldn’t show that, would they?”
Eddie has since backed out of hosting the Oscars. That job has now gone to comedian/actor and veteran Oscars host Billy Crystal.
