Manager Says Murphy Disliked Buchwald Story

Eddie Murphy’s manager testified Thursday the comedian never liked a story sold to Paramount Pictures by humorist Art Buchwald, who is suing the studio for allegedly stealing his idea to make Murphy’s “Coming to America” hit.

Robert Wachs, testifying at the Superior Court trial of Buchwald’s $5-million breach-of-contract lawsuit, also said he shared Murphy’s opinion of Buchwald’s story, entitled “King for a Day.” Wachs testified: “We never liked it from the beginning. I told Paramount innumerable times that we didn’t like it. It became a joke.”

Buchwald’s lawsuit claims “Coming to America” was based on “King for a Day,” a story concept he sold to the studio in 1983. “Coming to America” is about an African prince who comes to New York to find a bride. Buchwald’s concept focused on a king from an oil-rich African nation who is stranded in Washington when he is overthrown.