Eddie Murphy honors Little Richard as fake soul legend Murray Murray on 'Feeding America' special
Eddie Murphy unveiled the greatest soul legend you never heard of, Murray Murray, on Sunday's "Feeding America Comedy Festival."
Murphy portrayed the fast-talking character, a legend in his own mind, on the comedy special co-produced by Funny or Die hosted by Kenan Thompson, Billy Crystal, Tiffany Haddish and Byron Allen.
"If you got a record player, you know Murray Murray," Murphy's Murray said in the fake documentary setting. "If I got this voice and Jesus couldn't sing, then it must be the Voice of the Lord. All I am is a gift from God."
The fake doc featured President Barack Obama and late legend Ray Charles heaping praise on Murray Murray, who took credit for creating Charles' signature-look glasses ("I said 'Ray, try these on' ") and then took credit for one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s most famous speeches.
Eddie Murphy explains: How Obama's urging spurred his return to stand-up
"I coined the phrase 'I have a dream,' before Martin Luther King. That was actually going to be the name of my album, 'I Have a Dream.' " said Murray Murray. "He liked the way that flowed, with a good hook. He took that and run with it."
Murray Murray said his career was halted due to "soul-itis" a disease he claimed was the true killer of stars like Otis Redding. "My doctor told me I was one note from dying of soul-itis."
Murphy's "Feeding America" segment was dedicated to true music legend Little Richard, who died Saturday.
The double-named star Murray Murray promised a comeback concert, so we might not have seen the last of him.
In 2016, there were reports that Murphy would create a comedic fake documentary for Netflix centered around the soul legend character called "Soul Soul Soul: The Murray Murray Story." But like Murray Murray, talk of the documentary just disappeared.
The comedy special benefited the food charity Feeding America, as one in four American children will go hungry during the coronavirus pandemic, and featured appearance by Stephen Colbert, Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin James, Tina Fey, Kevin Hart and Andrew Dice Clay.
Crystal performed in one sketch as pandemic-leading Dr. Anthony Fauci, being jolted electrically to conform to the administration's point-of-view.
Wayne Brady performed an inspired number showing off the ultimate man for today, "Mr. Sanitary."
"In this post quarantine world of dating, I can give you so much more," he said. "I can give you peace of mind. Because I'm so so sanitary."
Wanda Sykes agreed to take real letters and discipline kids across America. She gave one lesson on behalf of all parents.
"Kids, you're only cute on the Zoom call the first time you run into the room. Every other time after that, we hate you," she said.
"The Feeding America Comedy Festival" will re-air on The Weather Channel Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday starting at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT, and on Comedy.TV.