Andrew Pace
In 2003, a sketch aired on Chappelle's Show depicting a basketball game between Prince and Charlie Murphy. The sketch was based on a True Hollywood Story recounted by Murphy on the show. In 2021, Eddie Murphy, Charlie's brother, confirmed that the story was totally and absolutely accurate, aside from a few details. The game took place in 1985 at Prince's house, and the musician beat Murphy and his team, later making them pancakes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 1985 |
| Location | Prince's house |
| Teams | Prince, Micki Free, and Gilbert vs. Eddie Murphy, Charlie Murphy, and Uncle Ray |
| Score | Prince's team won |
| Clothing | Prince wore heels and a short shirt with a leather jacket |
| Aftermath | Prince made blueberry pancakes for everyone |
| Confirmation | Confirmed by Eddie Murphy, Charlie Murphy, Micki Free, and Howard Hewett |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The story was reenacted in a 2004 Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories segment on Chappelle's Show
- Eddie Murphy confirms the story is totally and absolutely accurate
- Charlie Murphy's brother, Eddie Murphy, was there and recalls the events
- Micki Free, who played in the game, also confirms the story
- Howard Hewett, a former member of ’80s R&B group Shalama, said the events in Charlie Murphy’s story did happen
The story was reenacted in a 2004 Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories segment on Chappelle's Show
The story of Prince challenging Charlie Murphy and his brother Eddie Murphy to a game of basketball was reenacted in a 2004 "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories" segment on Chappelle's Show. The story was originally made famous by Charlie Murphy, who claimed that in 1985, after a night out at the club, he, his brother Eddie, and some other friends were invited to Prince's house to play basketball.
In the Chappelle's Show sketch, Dave Chappelle portrayed Prince, and the story was depicted as a hilarious and surreal encounter, with Prince and his team dominating the game. The sketch also included details about Prince's unique fashion sense, with the singer wearing an outfit from his "Kiss" music video.
The story gained further traction when Eddie Murphy confirmed its accuracy during a 2021 interview with Jimmy Fallon, sharing additional details about the late Charlie Murphy's encounter with Prince. The story has since become a memorable part of pop culture, with fans debating its authenticity and relishing the comedic and unexpected nature of the encounter.
The Chappelle's Show sketch not only contributed to the popularity of the story but also helped solidify its place in television history. The segment, titled "True Hollywood Stories: Prince & Red Balls Energy Drink," has been hailed as one of the funniest pieces of comedy on television and an important cultural moment for millennials. It showcased Chappelle's exceptional comedic timing and further emphasized the unexpected nature of the basketball game between Prince and the Murphy brothers.
Understanding FPTS in Basketball Box Scores
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Love & Basketball [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61bmMWstU8L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Eddie Murphy confirms the story is totally and absolutely accurate
During a February 2021 interview with Jimmy Fallon, Eddie Murphy confirmed that the story of him playing basketball with Prince was "totally and absolutely accurate". The story was originally shared by Murphy's late brother, Charlie Murphy, in a 2004 "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories" segment on Chappelle's Show.
In the story, Charlie Murphy recounts how, in 1985, he, Eddie Murphy, and some friends were at Prince's house after a night out at the club. Out of the blue, Prince challenges them to a game of basketball. Prince and his teammates, Micki Free and Gilbert, face off against Charlie, Eddie, and Uncle Ray in a three-on-three game. Interestingly, Prince did not change out of his club clothes and instead played in his signature outfit, which included heels. Despite the height disadvantage, Prince and his team emerged victorious, showcasing their impressive basketball skills.
Eddie Murphy's confirmation adds another layer of intrigue to the already captivating story. During his interview with Jimmy Fallon, Murphy shared additional details that were not included in the original sketch. For example, he mentioned that one of their teammates, Larry, had to borrow shoes from Prince because he didn't have any. This small detail highlights the spontaneity of the game and the lighthearted nature of the gathering.
The story has become a pop culture phenomenon, with people still quoting and referencing the sketch years later. Eddie Murphy's confirmation not only validates the events that took place but also sheds light on his relationship with the enigmatic musician. It provides a glimpse into the unique experiences Murphy had during his illustrious career, solidifying his status as a comedy legend.
The basketball story is just one of many memorable tales shared by Charlie Murphy on Chappelle's Show. Another famous sketch involves Charlie and Eddie Murphy's encounters with Rick James in the 1980s, showcasing the wild and entertaining experiences the brothers had during their heyday.
Small Hands, Big Game: Perfect Your Basketball Grip
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Charlie Murphy's brother, Eddie Murphy, was there and recalls the events
In 2021, Eddie Murphy recounted a “totally accurate” version of the events that transpired between his brother, Charlie Murphy, and Prince during a Zoom interview with Jimmy Fallon. The story, which was originally reenacted in a 2004 "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories" segment on Chappelle's Show, involved a game of pickup basketball at Prince's house.
Eddie Murphy recalled: "We had on club clothes, and Prince had on that outfit that was in the 'Kiss' video, where he had the little short shirt and the leather jacket with the buttons and stuff." He also confirmed that Prince was wearing heels during the game, which took place in 1985. Murphy humorously described the game as "shirts against blouses," with the "blouses" team, which included Prince, ultimately winning.
According to Murphy, one of their teammates, Larry, didn't have any shoes, so Prince lent him a pair of sneakers that were two to three sizes too small. Despite the size discrepancy, Larry was excited to wear Prince's sneakers and played in them. Murphy also shared his theory that their opponents won so handily because of this unexpected shoe change.
The story, as retold by Charlie Murphy on Chappelle's Show, included additional details about the events leading up to the basketball game. According to Charlie, he, his brother Eddie, and some friends, including Micki Free, went to Prince's house after a night out at the club. There were also a bunch of girls there. Out of nowhere, Prince challenged them to a game of basketball, saying, "Me, Micki, and Gilbert against you, Eddie, and Uncle Ray."
The story has become a part of pop culture, with people continuing to quote and reference the sketch from Chappelle's Show even years later. It also shed light on the friendship between Eddie Murphy and Prince, with Murphy being one of the few people who could share personal stories about the reclusive musician.
Basketball Suits: What's the Perfect Fit for Men?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![True Stories (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71tyC0Y7B2L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![True Stories (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/712rdfS59KL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Micki Free, who played in the game, also confirms the story
The story of Prince challenging Eddie Murphy to a game of basketball at his house was made famous by the comedian's late brother, Charlie Murphy, in a 2004 "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories" segment on Chappelle's Show. The tale was reenacted in the show, with Dave Chappelle portraying Prince. Eddie Murphy has since confirmed the story, describing it as "totally and absolutely accurate".
The basketball game took place in 1985, after a night out at the club. Free recalled that Prince challenged Eddie, Charlie, and some other men to a game, saying, "Do you guys want to play basketball? Me, Micki, and Gilbert against you, Eddie, and Uncle Ray." Free remembered that Prince did not change out of his club clothes, only swapping his heels for tennis shoes. Despite this, he played like "Jordan", making shot after shot.
Micki Free's confirmation of the story, along with that of Eddie Murphy, lends credibility to the now-famous tale of Prince's basketball prowess.
Mastering Basketball Handles: Secrets to Success
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The Very Best Of Prince [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71jW7NtDBoL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Howard Hewett, a former member of ’80s R&B group Shalama, said the events in Charlie Murphy’s story did happen
Howard Hewett, a former member of the '80s R&B group Shalamar, confirmed the events in Charlie Murphy's story about playing basketball with Prince. Hewett was not present at the game but provided details that supported Murphy's account. In an interview with DJ Vlad, Hewett revealed that Murphy and Prince met at a place called El Privado's on Sunset Boulevard, a popular hangout spot for celebrities such as Rick James and Prince. The next day, Micki Free, a former guitarist for Shalamar, called Hewett and told him that they had been invited to Prince's house.
Micki Free, who was present at the basketball game, also confirmed the story. In an article for Coffee or Die Magazine, Free recounted the surreal experience of playing basketball with Prince and the Murphys. He recalled Prince's impressive basketball skills, describing him as a "basketball-crushing beast" and praising his perfect jump shot. Free also mentioned that Prince wore heels during the game and changed into tennis shoes.
Charlie Murphy, the late brother of comedian Eddie Murphy, first shared the story during an episode of Chappelle's Show in the early 2000s. In the sketch, Murphy recalled how Prince challenged him and his friends to a game of basketball at his condo. The story became a part of pop culture and was even reenacted by Dave Chappelle, who portrayed Prince.
Eddie Murphy, Charlie's brother, has also confirmed the story as "accurate," with a few minor details. During an interview with Jimmy Fallon, Eddie recalled the surreal experience and described the unique outfit that Prince wore during the game. He also mentioned that Prince's team won the match and made blueberry pancakes for everyone afterward.
The story, though seemingly outrageous, has been repeatedly confirmed by those who were present, including Charlie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, Micki Free, and Howard Hewett. It has become a legendary tale in pop culture, showcasing the unique and fascinating world of celebrity encounters.
Passing Fundamentals: The Art of Basketball Passing
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the story is true. It was confirmed by Eddie Murphy, who played against Prince, and Micki Free, who was on Prince's team.
The game was three-on-three. Prince, Micki Free, and Gilbert played against Eddie Murphy, Charlie Murphy, and Uncle Ray.
According to Charlie Murphy, Prince made pancakes for everyone.
The story was first told by Charlie Murphy on Chappelle's Show in 2003. It was reenacted in a sketch, with Dave Chappelle portraying Prince.
![1999 [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81jeyFM3LrL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![The Hits / The B-Sides [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91wN0rwrjCL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![The Prince of Egypt [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71f3g08ilhL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
