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By a certain age, I mean someone over 50.
This is not a slight against Murphy or his level of celebrity.
The era ofSNLthat Murphy lorded over was tumultuous at best.
Tim Kazurinsky is a name you might recall as the actor who played Sweetchuck inPolice Academy.
Joe Piscopo is best known for being a resident of New Jersey.
In short, theres a reason you havent seen much ofEddie Murphys work onSaturday Night Live.
Besides the sketches Murphy was in, the show kind of stunk.
Nothing much happens, save for Murphys only mildly committed James Brown impression.
In a way, this was a direct progenitor of Kenan Thompsons What Up With That?
recurring sketch: a series of escalating musical absurdities in lieu of the talk-show premise youve been promised.
That said, theres plenty of pyrotechnics to keep your attention.
He gets that this is a completely ridiculous premise that goes nowhere, but hes having fun anyway.
His obvious joy at getting to play pretend R&B star is completely and utterly disarming.
This is one of manySNLmoments where Murphy carries a thin premise on star power alone.
Its not memorable because its clever.
Its memorable because itsEddie Murphy.
Buckwheat Dead: America Mourns
Today,SNLisnt known for running jokes that carry from sketch to sketch.
(Watch it here.)
Yes, this is comedy.
That could be said of many ofSNLs recurring characters from the past.
They capture the public imagination and then ossify into dull catchphrase machines designed to sell T-shirts at Spencers Gifts.
Murphys Gumby the claymation hero reimagined as a salty New York showbiz castoff was a sensation.
Velvet Jones
I hate that I love Velvet Jones.
I laugh every time he says, Hi, Im Velvet Jones.
In the span of three months, Velvet Jones was onSNL four times.
Eddie Murphy doing a funny voice and alluding to prostitution was good enough in 1981.
And 1982, when the character was retired.
And 1983, when he was brought back to sell a porno tape masquerading as an exercise video.
(Watch it here.)
His whole life becomes different.
