You know that feeling when a sketch starts and you just know it’s going to be a disaster or a masterpiece? There’s no middle ground. In 1983, Eddie Murphy walked onto a smoky set wearing nothing but a towel and a dream. That was the birth of the SNL hot tub sketch—officially titled "James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub Party"—and honestly, late-night TV hasn't been the same since. It’s one of those rare moments where the performer’s energy is so high it almost breaks the camera lens.
Most people remember the "Hot Tub!" shout. They remember the cape. But if you look closer, this sketch is a masterclass in how Saturday Night Live used to lean into pure, unadulterated character parody before things got so political and meta.
Why the SNL Hot Tub Sketch Works (When It Really Shouldn't)
It’s stupid. Let’s just be real for a second. The premise is literally just a legendary soul singer getting into lukewarm water. Yet, it’s arguably the most famous thing Eddie Murphy did during his tenure, right up there with Mr. Robinson and Gumby.
The genius is in the timing. Murphy doesn't just "do" James Brown. He captures the frantic, stop-start rhythm of the Godfather of Soul. He’s doing the grunts. He’s doing the squeals. He’s doing the tiny, percussive movements that made Brown a legend. When he says, "Should I get in the hot tub? Should I?" it’s not a question. It’s a performance. He’s building tension for something as mundane as testing water temperature with his toe.
The Anatomy of the Gag
The sketch follows a very specific, chaotic flow. You have the Godfather of Soul entering the frame, flanked by backup singers who are basically just there to validate his greatness.
- The Cape Toss: A direct riff on Brown’s real-life stage show where he’d be "exhausted" and draped in a robe, only to throw it off and keep singing.
- The Grunts: Most of the dialogue is just rhythmic noise.
- The Water Tension: The long, drawn-out hesitation before actually sitting in the tub.
It’s short. It’s barely four minutes long. In a modern era where sketches often overstay their welcome by three minutes, the SNL hot tub sketch gets in, screams a bit, gets wet, and gets out.
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The Cultural Impact of Eddie Murphy’s James Brown
Back in the early 80s, SNL was struggling. After the original cast left, the show almost died. Eddie Murphy basically carried the entire production on his back for three years. This specific sketch represents the peak of that "Save SNL" era.
What’s wild is how much James Brown himself loved it. Usually, when a comedian roasts a celebrity, there’s some tension. Not here. Brown famously enjoyed the impression because Murphy captured the energy rather than just making fun of the man's voice. It wasn't mean-spirited. It was a celebration of Brown’s over-the-top persona.
Think about the production value, too. Or the lack thereof. The "hot tub" looks like it was made of plywood and a few gallons of tap water. There are no fancy CGI effects. It’s just a man in a wig and a gold swimsuit. That DIY aesthetic is what made 80s SNL feel dangerous and alive.
The Evolution of the "Hot Tub" Trope on SNL
While the James Brown bit is the king, the SNL hot tub sketch became a recurring theme for the show over the decades. Writers realized that putting characters in a cramped, bubbly environment is a shortcut to comedy. Why? Because people are vulnerable in hot tubs. They’re half-naked. They’re trapped.
From James Brown to "The Love-ah-ls"
Fast forward a couple of decades to Will Ferrell and Rachel Dratch. Their "Luv-ahs" sketches took the hot tub concept and made it deeply, hilariously uncomfortable. While Murphy used the hot tub as a stage for his energy, Ferrell and Dratch used it as a petri dish for gross-out humor.
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It’s a different vibe entirely. The James Brown sketch is about coolness and charisma. The Roger and Virginia sketches are about Welsh accents, spiced meats, and "the hot tub's bubbling caress." If you watch them back-to-back, you see the shift in SNL’s DNA—from star-driven performance to ensemble-driven character pieces.
Why the Hot Tub is a Comedy Goldmine
There is something inherently funny about people trying to maintain their dignity while submerged in a giant vat of shared water. It’s a social equalizer.
- The Physicality: Actors have to deal with steam, wet hair, and limited movement.
- The Contrast: You have "high-status" characters (like James Brown) in "low-status" situations (worrying about if the water is too hot).
- The Proximity: People are forced to sit closer than they would in a normal living room sketch. This creates immediate tension.
Misconceptions About the Original Sketch
People often think this was a recurring sketch for Murphy. It actually wasn't. He did it once in Season 9 (1983), and it was so impactful that it feels like it happened a dozen times. That’s the "Mandela Effect" of great comedy. You remember it so vividly that you assume it was a weekly staple.
Another misconception? That it was heavily scripted. While there was a script, Murphy was notorious for riffing. Much of the "Too hot! Too hot in the hot tub!" was him just feeling the beat and playing with the audience’s reaction. You can see him almost break a couple of times because he’s having so much fun.
How to Watch the Best SNL Hot Tub Moments Today
If you’re looking to fall down a rabbit hole, don’t just stick to the Murphy clip. The SNL archives are deep. You can find the 1983 James Brown bit on Peacock or the official SNL YouTube channel. But you should also look for:
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- The "Jacuzzi" sketch with Adam Sandler and Chris Farley: It’s loud, it’s sweaty, and it’s pure 90s chaos.
- The 40th Anniversary Special: Where various characters were referenced, proving the staying power of the hot tub trope.
- The "Swimming Hole" variants: Not technically a hot tub, but the same "water comedy" DNA that Murphy pioneered.
Honestly, the SNL hot tub sketch is a reminder that you don't need a complex political satire to make people laugh for forty years. Sometimes you just need a gold swimsuit and a really good James Brown scream. It’s a bit of TV history that smells like chlorine and soul music.
To truly appreciate the craft, go back and watch the real James Brown performing "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" from 1965. Then watch Murphy’s 1983 parody. You’ll see that Murphy wasn't just being funny; he was doing a high-level study of a legend’s movements. That’s why it still works. It’s built on a foundation of real observation.
Next Steps for SNL Fans
If you want to dig deeper into the "Murphy Era" of SNL, your best move is to watch the Season 9 premiere. It’s a snapshot of a performer at the absolute height of his powers. Beyond that, check out the "Lost Sketches" compilations often released on the SNL app; many of the water-based sketches that didn't make the live cut end up there. If you're a writer or a performer, study the "James Brown" clip specifically for his use of silence and "the beat." He spends almost 40 seconds just looking at the water before he says a word. That’s confidence you don’t see much in modern comedy.