Although Murphy has enjoyed commercial success since Saturday Night Live, he did not participate in the making of the Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live retrospective book by Tom Shales and James Andrew Miller (2002), nor did he ever attend cast reunions or anniversary specials until his appearance on the SNL 40th anniversary special. Murphy told Rolling Stone he had distanced himself from the show because he was angry with David Spade over the latter's joke about Murphy's career during a segment on SNL; he was also angry with Lorne Michaels and the production staff for allowing the joke in the first place. Murphy and Spade have since reconciled.
although murphy has enjoyed commercial success since saturday night live he did not participate in the making of the live from new york an uncensored history of saturday night live retrospective book by tom shales and james andrew miller (2002) nor did he ever attend cast reunions or anniversary specials until his appearance on the snl 40th anniversary special murphy told rolling stone he had distanced himself from the show because he was angry with david spade over the latter's joke about murphy's career during a segment on snl; he was also angry with lorne michaels and the production staff for allowing the joke in the first place murphy and spade have since reconciled