Eddy Murphy: Delirious (EOTWS)

End Of The Week Shorts #42 extract: Eddie Murphy: Delirious (1983)

The 80s were a nutty time for comedy. On stage and in their prime were the likes of Dice, Carlin and Kinison. Among these absolute murderers was Eddie Murphy. And he, in my opinion, was the best of the best. Murphy wasn't a particular kind of comedian; he was 'blue' and he told stories, he delved into his past and he dealt with his present, he didn't try too hard to be clever, nor change the world, he only wanted to be ridiculous and leave your insides burning. Murphy was a huge personality, and was a genius when it came to translating his comedy through body language and his voice; and all with effortless timing. 

Delirious captures some of Murphy's best with a perfectly tuned hour sprinkled with some hilarious inputs from the crowd. I almost know it by heart, but this is like a great piece of music. Play it once, play it again, play it again and play it again, then play it some more.