Chris Rock Urges Lorne Michaels to Retire After Eddie Murphy’s SNL Return

Chris Rock recently shared his reflections on Eddie Murphy’s much-anticipated return to Saturday Night Live (SNL), which took place over three decades after his original tenure on the show. This momentous occasion was featured in the Netflix documentary Being Eddie, where Rock, alongside fellow comedians Tracy Morgan and Dave Chappelle, expressed their enthusiasm for participating in Murphy’s monologue.

Murphy’s connection to SNL is significant; he emerged as one of the show’s brightest stars during a tumultuous period. From 1980 to 1984, he played a pivotal role in revitalizing the program when it faced declining ratings and creative challenges. His final episode aired on February 25, 1984, but he did not make another appearance for 35 years, reportedly due to a joke made by comedian David Spade that offended him.

In 2019, Murphy’s return to SNL was celebrated as a landmark event. The documentary reveals that it was Lorne Michaels, the show’s creator and executive producer, who invited Rock, Chappelle, and Morgan to join Murphy on stage. Each comedian reflected on the experience, highlighting its significance in SNL history.

Rock described the episode as “one of the greatest SNLs ever.” After the show concluded, he approached Michaels with a bold suggestion: “You should quit right now. It’s not gonna get any better than this.” Despite Rock’s proposal, Michaels chose to continue in his role.

Murphy’s return has since been recognized as a defining moment for SNL, and the documentary Being Eddie provides a deeper understanding of the event and its impact on both the show and its fans. The documentary is currently available for streaming on Netflix, allowing audiences to relive this iconic moment in television history.