Eddie Murphy is arguably the biggest star to come from Saturday Night Live's 50 years on the air. So it was fitting that the comedy legend featured prominently in the show's anniversary special earlier this year. But one moment caught Murphy by surprise so much, he had to break character.
After becoming a household name as Saturday Night Live's biggest stars in the '80s, Murphy distanced himself a bit from Studio 8H. But he finally came back home in December 2019 for one of the biggest episodes in history.
Murphy kept the momentum rolling during SNL's 50th anniversary special. He appeared in multiple sketches, including the final one of the night, "Scared Straight." Murphy shared the stage with Will Ferrell, perhaps the second biggest SNL alum.
During a visit to The Jennifer Hudson Show, Murphy revealed some behind-the-scenes scoops on Ferrell's performance. Specifically, Ferrell's wardrobe choice caught Murphy completely off guard.
"Yeah, see, he didn't come to rehearsal," Murphy said. "So I saw him on air when he came out, and no, I didn't expect him to be dressed like that. So I'm holding it in the whole time."
Murphy also admitted that Ferrell's near-nudity caused him to break character. The comedian, along with Ferrell and Kenan Thompson, struggled to keep it together. It certainly wasn't the first time that happened during a "Scared Straight" sketch, and the studio audience ate it up.
The moment reminded viewers of what makes SNL so special, even after 50 years on television. Unpredictable moments and genuine laughter among comedy icons will always get a reaction. Ferrell's gag and Murphy's reaction showed how SNL's live comedy can still deliver the unexpected.