Overview
- Murphy recounts in the Netflix documentary that a 1995 'Spade in America' gag about his post–Vampire in Brooklyn slump left him feeling betrayed by his former show.
- He recalls the studio audience booing the line, which labeled him a 'falling star,' and says the moment made him cut ties with SNL for years.
- He argues the joke passed multiple approvals that would likely block a similar shot at a cast alum today.
- After decades away, Murphy returned for a brief SNL 40th cameo in 2015, hosted on Dec. 21, 2019, and appeared during the 50th anniversary special this year.
- David Spade has written that he regretted the fallout, and he recently said the two were friendly when they met backstage at the 50th celebration.