Eddie Murphy Rejected ‘SNL 40’ Cosby Part: Didn’t Want To ‘Kick A Man While He’s Down’
Eddie Murphy could have been something special on the SNL 40 show, but what viewers were treated to instead largely disappointed.
It’s made even worse by the recent revelations from fellow Saturday Night Live alum Norm Macdonald, via Twitter, showing how close fans came to seeing the former funny man do a Bill Cosby impersonation.
If you know anything about Murphy’s history with Cosby, then you know the men have had their differences. Most of it stems from Cosby not appreciating the vulgar standup act of Eddie Murphy.
In fact, in the Eddie Murphy Raw comedy concert, the Beverly Hills Cop star shared details of a phone call he received from the Jell-O/Spanish Fly pitchman.
Warning: NSFW.
While the men have reportedly buried the hatchet, SNL tried to get Eddie to play Bill Cosby in the now famous “Celebrity Jeopardy” skit. Ultimately, the two parties couldn’t come to terms, but Norm Macdonald tells the story in much more detail.
Take it away, Turd Ferguson.
Too many superstars to take in all at one time. So happy my son could see them all.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
And then comes Eddie.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
I’m standing with my son, Lori Jo, and Chris Rock. We see Eddie from 100 yards away.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
Rock says, “There he is. Like Ali in Zaire.” Eddie, Bomaye.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
It’s my job to talk him in to doing Jeopardy.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
We talk in his dressing room a good hour. When it’s over, I’m convinced he’ll do it.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
He doesn’t.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
He knew the laughs would bring the house down. Eddie Murphy knows what will work on SNL better than any one.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
Eddie decides the laughs are not worth it. He will not kick a man when he is down.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
Eddie Murphy, I realize, is not like the rest of us. Eddie does not need the laughs.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
Eddie Murphy is the coolest, a rockstar even in a room with actual rockstars.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
While it was definitely disappointing not getting to see Eddie Murphy do something funny, it’s hard to find a weak spot in the “Celebrity Jeopardy” sketch. Here it is as if you needed the reminder:
Do you think Eddie Murphy is a class act for not “kicking a man while he’s down,” or has Cosby earned said kick? Sound off in our comments section.
[Photo by Christopher Polk / Staff / Getty Images]
