However riotous the Eddie Murphy stories from Arsenio Hall, Tracy Morgan, Adam Sandler and Russell Brand, the highlight of Spike TV’s tribute to Murphy was the comedian’s duet with Stevie Wonder.
Murphy, 51, joined the subject of one of his most classic impressions for a rousing rendition of Wonder’s 1973 hit “Higher Ground” during the taping of the Spike TV special “Eddie Murphy: One Night Only,” which is set to air Nov. 14. The Roots served as the house band.
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Jamie Foxx, Tyler Perry, Martin Lawrence, Chris Rock and Keenan Ivory Wayans were also among those paying tribute to Murphy on Saturday at the Saban Theatre.
Murphy beamed throughout the two-hour program, saying he was moved by the tribute.
“I am a very, very bitter man,” he said with a beguiling smile. “I don’t get touched easily, and I am really touched.”
Morgan called Murphy “my comic hero” and came on stage wearing a replica of Murphy’s red leather suit from his stand-up show “Delirious.”
“He set the tone for the whole industry a long time ago,” Morgan said before taking the stage. “He inspired me in a fearless way.”
Sandler was still in high school when he first saw “Delirious,” which he described as “one of the most legendary stand-up specials of all time.”
“Everybody on the planet wanted to be Eddie,” he said. “He’s funnier than us. He’s cooler than any of us.”
Samuel L. Jackson said Murphy “changed the course of American film history” by giving Jackson his first speaking role on the big screen, in 1988’s “Coming to America.”
“If it weren’t for Eddie, we might not have all the wonderful films that I’ve made,” Jackson quipped.
“He is a true movie star,” Jackson said, lauding Murphy’s performance in “48 Hours” and “Beverly Hills Cop.” “You became an inspiration for all young African-American actors.”
The program featured clips of Murphy’s stand-up shows, his film appearances in “Shrek” and “Nutty Professor” and his work on “Saturday Night Live.”
Murphy insisted before the tribute that he is retired from performing.
Aerosmith giving free Boston concert
BOSTON – Aerosmith is returning to its hometown of Boston for a surprise free street concert expected to cause some headaches for commuters.
The rock band featuring lead singer Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry is scheduled to play at noon Monday outside an Allston apartment building at 1325 Commonwealth Ave., where it got its start. Band members will also dedicate a plaque in their honor.
City officials will close a section of Commonwealth Avenue from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday. Green Line rail service of the MBTA will be interrupted from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. between Washington Street and Packards Corner.
Aerosmith will be promoting its 15th studio album and encouraging people to vote.
‘SNL’ salutes Bloomberg’s lively signer
NEW YORK – You wouldn’t have known it was the Saturday before the election on “Saturday Night Live.”
Sure, Mitt Romney, played by Jason Sudeikis, made a quick appearance on “Weekend Update,” but otherwise much of the focus was on Superstorm Sandy – and Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s sign-language interpreter, Lydia Callis.
The real Callis has gained some pop-culture popularity with her enthusiastic interpreting of Bloomberg’s words.
She was back at the mayor’s side at Saturday’s briefing in New York and was played on “SNL” by Cecily Strong. The mayor – played by Fred Armisen – thanked Callis for bringing “pizazz” to her job.
Hosting Saturday’s show was comedian and TV star Louis C.K. During the monologue, he said of New York City: “We’re still standing.”
– From news service reports
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