David Spade recently opened up about the infamous incident that sparked a decades-long tension with Eddie Murphy, shedding light on the complexities of celebrity humor, regret, and reconciliation. The 61-year-old comedian shared his reflections during a November episode of his Fly on the Wall podcast, providing insight into the 1995 “Hollywood Minute” sketch on Saturday Night Live that changed his relationship with Murphy forever.

The 1995 SNL Sketch That Sparked the Feud

During the sketch, Spade, appearing on Weekend Update, commented on Murphy’s career by saying, “Look children, it’s a falling star, make a wish”, while showing a photo of Murphy on screen. At the time, Spade was new to SNL and admitted he was learning the ropes of celebrity satire, poking fun at various stars.

Murphy, then 64, later criticized the joke as “racist” and felt personally attacked. Spade recalled:

“It was weird going from being a super fan to having him hate me overnight, and to try to win him back for the last 25 years.”

Spade’s Reflection and Apology

On his podcast, Spade told guest Dana Carvey that he had always admired Murphy as a hero and felt genuine guilt for the joke. He explained:

“I made fun of him and it didn’t go well, and he called and we had it out. Actually, he had it out. I didn’t fight back really, because I did feel a little guilty about it, and he did make some sense. I just didn’t like that because he was a hero.”

Spade emphasized that his intentions were never malicious, and he has spent years trying to repair their relationship, acknowledging Murphy’s perspective on the situation.

Making Amends

The two comedians have since mended fences. Spade shared that they reunited at SNL’s 50th anniversary special in February, where they spoke briefly and resolved any lingering tension. Spade said:

“We talked a little bit and everything’s fine, and then he admitted on the show — not admitted, they just asked him about it — and he said, ‘Yeah, we’re all good.’ So we’re all good.”

Carvey, 70, reflected on the reconciliation as an example of the wisdom of time:

“Time heals all wounds, and later on you go, ‘Well, really, what was I so upset about?’”

Spade echoed this sentiment, noting that “everything bad has evaporated,” and the pair are now on friendly terms, sharing laughs without any residual awkwardness.

Eddie Murphy’s Perspective

Murphy, who spoke about the incident on a 2024 episode of The Interview podcast, described the joke as a “cheap shot” and admitted it hurt his feelings, particularly because it came shortly after the box office failure of Vampire in Brooklyn. He clarified that his frustration was directed more at SNL as a show than Spade personally, adding that he is now “cool with everybody” and there are no hard feelings.

Legacy of the Hollywood Minute Sketch

The Hollywood Minute segment on SNL has long been remembered for its sharp celebrity satire, but this incident illustrates how jokes can have long-lasting consequences. Spade’s candid reflections highlight the delicate balance between humor, respect, and accountability in the entertainment industry.

By addressing the feud openly, Spade not only reaffirms his respect for Eddie Murphy but also offers a lesson in humility, reconciliation, and the power of time to heal misunderstandings.