Overview
- Eddie Murphy was offended by Spade’s Dec. 9, 1995 'Spade in America' quip—“Look, children, it’s a falling star. Make a wish”—which referenced Vampire in Brooklyn’s poor box office.
- Spade says Murphy called him after the broadcast and “had it out,” and he felt guilty about mocking someone he considered a hero.
- Murphy later described the joke as a cheap shot he viewed as racist and said his anger was directed at SNL for allowing it on air rather than at Spade personally.
- The fallout led Murphy to keep distance from SNL for years, including skipping the 25th anniversary in 1999; he returned for the 40th in 2015 and hosted in 2019.
- Spade says the two spoke at SNL’s 50th anniversary special in February 2025 and agreed they are “all good,” as Lorne Michaels has called approving the joke a mistake.