Eddie Murphy Delirious
Encyclopedia
Delirious is a stand-up comedy
television special
starring Eddie Murphy
. The 70-minute show, released in 1983, showcases his most racy material. The word "fuck
" is used a total of 230 times, and "shit
" is used 171 times. It was recorded on August 17, 1983 at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.
. It was a big success and was followed-up with the concert film
Eddie Murphy Raw
. The Bus Boys perform in the beginning of the concert and are referenced throughout by Murphy.
, followed by a depiction of Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton as a gay couple. Though his portrayal brought on raucous applause from the audience in the performance, these comments were retracted by Eddie Murphy in an interview several years later.
The performance is also known for Murphy's making fun of James Brown
's singing mannerisms, particularly the scratchy nature of Brown's voice and the nearly indecipherable nature of his lyrics. Other musical spoofs include comment on Mick Jagger
's lips, Murphy's imitation of Stevie Wonder
and the resultant unfavorable response from the African-American community, a spoof of Elvis Presley complete with an imitation of Presley's gait in his late years (which brought some of the performance's loudest and longest applause), a version of Teddy Pendergrass
, and an imitation of Michael Jackson
complete with reference to his emotional sensitivity. Eddie also makes a parody of Desi Arnaz
(Ricky Ricardo
) from the show, 'I Love Lucy
' about his famous laugh.
At one point during the stand-up, after Murphy remarks "I'm winded, I'm out of breath... I'm sweatin' and shit", alluding to the heat in the venue, a woman in the crowd shouts "Do Mr. Rob!", referring to his famous SNL character. A male audience member very quickly shouted back to the woman, "Shut up, bitch!". (He likely said this because, supposedly, Eddie had threatened to walk off stage if anyone requested him to do an SNL skit.) The exchange between the two caused Murphy and the audience to break up with laughter. Murphy had everyone give the member a standing ovation. After Murphy composed himself, he commented on the incident with, "Y'all didn't know I was a ventriloquist too."
Brown repays Murphy for his impersonation of him in the album track of "Living in America
". Towards the end of the album track, Brown yells out, "Eddie Murphy eat your heart out." The song was used in the movie Rocky IV
.
Highlights from this concert were released as a comedy album entitled Comedian
.
In February 2007, Delirious was released on Region 1 DVD, and March 2007, it was released on Region 2 DVD.
In June 2009, a 25th Anniversary Edition was released.
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
television special
Television special
A television special is a television program which interrupts or temporarily replaces programming normally scheduled for a given time slot. Sometimes, however, the term is given to a telecast of a theatrical film, such as The Wizard of Oz or The Ten Commandments, which is not part of a regular...
starring Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy
Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, director, and musician....
. The 70-minute show, released in 1983, showcases his most racy material. The word "fuck
Fuck
"Fuck" is an English word that is generally considered obscene which, in its most literal meaning, refers to the act of sexual intercourse. By extension it may be used to negatively characterize anything that can be dismissed, disdained, defiled, or destroyed."Fuck" can be used as a verb, adverb,...
" is used a total of 230 times, and "shit
Shit
Shit is usually considered vulgar and profane in Modern English. As a noun it refers to fecal matter and as a verb it means to defecate or defecate in; in the plural it means diarrhea...
" is used 171 times. It was recorded on August 17, 1983 at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. It was a big success and was followed-up with the concert film
Concert film
A concert movie, or concert film, is a type of documentary film, the subject of which is an extended live performance or concert by a musician ....
Eddie Murphy Raw
Eddie Murphy Raw
Eddie Murphy Raw is an American stand-up comedy film directed by Robert Townsend and starring Eddie Murphy. It was Murphy's second feature stand-up video, following Eddie Murphy Delirious...
. The Bus Boys perform in the beginning of the concert and are referenced throughout by Murphy.
Overview
This stand-up routine was infamous for its stereotypical depiction of a homosexual Mr. TMr. T
Mr. T is an American actor known for his roles as B. A. Baracus in the 1980s television series The A-Team, as boxer Clubber Lang in the 1982 film Rocky III, and for his appearances as a professional wrestler. Mr. T is known for his trademark African Mandinka warrior hairstyle, his gold jewelry,...
, followed by a depiction of Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton as a gay couple. Though his portrayal brought on raucous applause from the audience in the performance, these comments were retracted by Eddie Murphy in an interview several years later.
The performance is also known for Murphy's making fun of James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
's singing mannerisms, particularly the scratchy nature of Brown's voice and the nearly indecipherable nature of his lyrics. Other musical spoofs include comment on Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
's lips, Murphy's imitation of Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
and the resultant unfavorable response from the African-American community, a spoof of Elvis Presley complete with an imitation of Presley's gait in his late years (which brought some of the performance's loudest and longest applause), a version of Teddy Pendergrass
Teddy Pendergrass
Theodore DeReese "Teddy" Pendergrass was an American R&B/soul singer and songwriter. Pendergrass first rose to fame as lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in the 1970s before a successful solo career at the end of the decade...
, and an imitation of Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
complete with reference to his emotional sensitivity. Eddie also makes a parody of Desi Arnaz
Desi Arnaz
Desi Arnaz was a Cuban-born American musician, actor and television producer. While he gained international renown for leading a Latin music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, he is probably best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on the American TV series I Love Lucy, starring with Lucille Ball, to...
(Ricky Ricardo
Ricky Ricardo
Enrique Alberto Fernando Ricardo y de Acha, III, a.k.a. Ricky Ricardo is a main character in the television show I Love Lucy, played by Desi Arnaz...
) from the show, 'I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy is an American television sitcom starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley. The black-and-white series originally ran from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, on the Columbia Broadcasting System...
' about his famous laugh.
At one point during the stand-up, after Murphy remarks "I'm winded, I'm out of breath... I'm sweatin' and shit", alluding to the heat in the venue, a woman in the crowd shouts "Do Mr. Rob!", referring to his famous SNL character. A male audience member very quickly shouted back to the woman, "Shut up, bitch!". (He likely said this because, supposedly, Eddie had threatened to walk off stage if anyone requested him to do an SNL skit.) The exchange between the two caused Murphy and the audience to break up with laughter. Murphy had everyone give the member a standing ovation. After Murphy composed himself, he commented on the incident with, "Y'all didn't know I was a ventriloquist too."
Brown repays Murphy for his impersonation of him in the album track of "Living in America
Living in America (song)
"Living in America" is a 1985 song composed by Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight, and performed by James Brown. It was released as a single in 1985 and reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart...
". Towards the end of the album track, Brown yells out, "Eddie Murphy eat your heart out." The song was used in the movie Rocky IV
Rocky IV
Rocky IV is a 1985 American film written by, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone. It is the fourth and most financially successful entry in the Rocky franchise...
.
Highlights from this concert were released as a comedy album entitled Comedian
Comedian (album)
Eddie Murphy: Comedian was Eddie Murphy's second album. It is often referred to as his best comedy album. The album was the recipient of one Grammy, Best Comedy Album, at the 1984 Grammy Awards....
.
Home video release
The special has been released in the UK and US on VHS and Laserdisc.In February 2007, Delirious was released on Region 1 DVD, and March 2007, it was released on Region 2 DVD.
In June 2009, a 25th Anniversary Edition was released.
DVD features
- Interactive Menu
- Bonus Footage
- Buckwheat request
- In this bonus feature, someone in the audience requested Eddie's Buckwheat impression from Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
.
- In this bonus feature, someone in the audience requested Eddie's Buckwheat impression from Saturday Night Live
- "Cursing Through Can't Fight" skit
- This bonus feature takes place seconds after one audience member yelled, "Shut up, bitch!". This led Murphy to topics such as cursing and fighting.
- Buckwheat request
- Interview with Eddie MurphyEddie MurphyEdward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, director, and musician....
and Byron AllenByron AllenByron Allen is an American comedian. He is the head of Entertainment Studios, a broadcast syndication company responsible for producing and distributing several television shows pertaining to stand-up comedy and the entertainment industry. Allen also hosts some of the shows himself.-Early...
.