Comedy on the edge

Eddie Murphy, "Norbit"

A triple-threat attack of grotesque vaudeville stereotyping that is truly something to behold—especially for those with a perverse fascination for comedy stars at their most irredeemably repugnant. Murphy stars as the titular henpecked, Coke-bottle-glasses-wearing pushover; perpetually cranky Chinese restaurateur-slash-orphanage-caretaker, Mr. Wong; and, worst of all, morbidly obese domineering she-devil Rasputia, who personifies the most juvenile fears of strong black womanhood.

Does he go too far?: Murphy manages the astounding task of making Rooney’s “Tiffany” schtick look subtle, and was rewarded with well-earned Razzie awards for Worst Actor, Worst Supporting Actor and Worst Supporting Actress.