eddie murphy’s oddly specific complaint about squirrels going to the gym goes viral, sparking a hilarious debate over who really pays their membership fees
Meme historians are having a field day after a clip from Murphy’s 1987 stand-up special resurfaced, where he hilariously rants about buff squirrels gripping tiny dumbbells. The internet, already obsessed with animal fitness and Murphy’s distinct delivery, immediately connected the dots: it’s the perfect analogy for gym bros who post pics without ever lifting a plate. Now, countless memes show squirrels with exaggerated muscles, captioned “When Eddie Murphy catches me skipping leg day.” The irony? The bit was originally a criticism of consumer culture, but today, it just fuels a viral inside joke about shape-shifting rodents who clearly aren’t paying for their Planet Fitness membership.