Eddie Murphy: Raw 1987

As the show begins, Eddie Murphy takes audiences on a captivating nostalgic journey back to Thanksgiving 1968. A young Eddie (played by Deon Richmond) effortlessly steals the spotlight with a cheeky joke that mentions a monkey and a lion, prompting waves of laughter from the crowd. His aunt and uncle, portrayed sumptuously by Samuel L. Jackson, are filled with pride, exclaiming, “I love that doo-doo line! That boy’s got talent!” As the screen fades, we are magically transported to the live stage where the real Murphy shines.

With a playful sparkle in his eye, he dives deep into a comedic rant about the outraged responses from various celebrities after his stand-up special, Delirious. He humorously shares the backlash from iconic figures such as Mr. T and Michael Jackson, along with the discontent expressed by his viewers from the LGBTQ+ community who were offended by his jokes concerning “faggots.” This leads us into a flashback filled with unexpected moments, including an eyeful of a phone call from Bill Cosby, who critiques Murphy for his use of profanity during the performance.

The indignation of Murphy grows as he recalls Cosby branding his entire act as nothing but “filth flarn filth,” spurring him to seek the wisdom of the comedic icon Richard Pryor. In true Pryor fashion, he straightforwardly advises, “Just make ‘em laugh and get paid, Eddie.” He even tells Cosby to “Have a Coke and a smile and shut the fuck up,” showcasing the distinctive style and humor of the legendary comedian.

Transitioning smoothly, Murphy pays homage to Pryor’s raw comedic genius by sharing tales from his own teenage years, delivering a side-splitting routine that playfully revolves around defecation emulating Pryor’s signature style. The laughter flows abundantly as he recounts the comical experience of having non-English speaking fans who only remember the curse words from his performances and shout them excitedly at him on the streets.

In a reflective turn, Murphy delves into discussions on dating and relationships, expressing concern about the increasing prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, which now make him contemplate the idea of marriage. However, the high-profile divorce between Johnny Carson and Joanna Holland, where she demanded a substantial portion of his fortune, has made him wary about the potential financial pitfalls of marriage. He cheekily concludes that, “no woman is worth $150 million,” adding humorous commentary on the assertive and materialistic traits he’s observed in American women, while distinguishing them from Japanese women whose gentler demeanor he admires. He cleverly references Janet Jackson’s hit song, “What Have You Done for Me Lately?” as he humorously navigates his own trials in romance.

Murphy further jokes about embarking on a journey to Africa in search of a woman untouched by Western influences, but quickly acknowledges the reality that American women would likely educate her to stand up for herself and demand, “HALF!” This amusingly transitions into a broader alert for men, covering the oft-discussed “pussy trap,” as well as a comical warning about how women may tolerate their partners’ misdeeds following an intense climax.

The discourse continues as Murphy fondly recalls his childhood when his mother would promise him a homemade hamburger that could rival those from McDonald’s. Despite the neighborhood kids proudly flaunting their fast-food burgers, she would serve up an unappetizing creation dubbed the “big, welfare, green-pepper burger,” essentially a lump of beef packed with onions and green peppers on Wonder Bread. However, as he’s matured, Murphy has learned to appreciate the distinct flavor and endearing characteristics of his mother’s unique cooking.

Next, he shifts to delightful observations of white individuals experiencing life with their rather comical dance moves. He deftly moves into a riff about the inspiration Italian-Americans draw from the Rocky franchise, which eventually leads him to reminisce about an unforgettable altercation he had in a disco with Deney Terrio. The skirmish was so wild that, in the aftermath, “everybody sued me” for millions of dollars.

In a poignant conclusion, Murphy reaches out to his parents, launching into a hilarious impersonation of his inebriated stepfather, complete with his tendency to misquote Motown classics, including the famous tune, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” This last segment runs for more than ten enthralling minutes and features clever callbacks to beloved bits from earlier in the show, leaving audiences in stitches.