Norm Macdonald Says Eddie Murphy Wouldn't Play Bill Cosby On The "SNL" Anniversary Special
The Saturday Night Live alum, who co-wrote the "Celebrity Jeopardy" sketch, revealed on Twitter that Murphy did not want to the play the comedian, who has been faced with numerous sexual assault allegations in recent months. UPDATE: Bill Cosby thanks Eddie Murphy. "I applaud his actions."
Eddie Murphy's appearance on the Saturday Night Live 40th anniversary special on Sunday marked the first time the legendary alum had stepped foot on the Studio 8H stage in more than 30 years.
Though his time on the special was short, according to fellow alum Norm Macdonald, the writers had originally planned to give Murphy more screen time.
Macdonald — who wrote and performed on SNL in the '90s in addition to anchoring the "Weekend Update" desk — helped craft the event and revealed in a series of tweets on Wednesday that Murphy was originally asked to play Bill Cosby in the "Celebrity Jeopardy" sketch he co-wrote with Steve Higgins.
Here's what Macdonald said transpired:
Higgins had the idea. A video daily double.
Norm Macdonald@normmacdonaldFollow
Higgins had the idea. A video daily double.
5:16 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
The category would be potent potables, a common one on Jeopardy, but one we somehow had never done.
The category would be potent potables, a common one on Jeopardy, but one we somehow had never done.
5:17 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
And the idea was that it would be a bar set. And the idea was that Cosby would be mixing a drink in a video that was taped 6 months ago.
And the idea was that it would be a bar set. And the idea was that Cosby would be mixing a drink in a video that was taped 6 months ago.
5:18 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
It was perfect. It was all Steve Higgins idea.
It was perfect. It was all Steve Higgins idea.
5:18 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
The iconic doors would open and on to home base would step Eddie Murphy. The audience would know what to do.
The iconic doors would open and on to home base would step Eddie Murphy. The audience would know what to do.
5:21 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
Why is Eddie wearing a multi-colored sweater?He steps behind the bar, begins mixing a drink. The audience covers the fact he has not spoken.
Why is Eddie wearing a multi-colored sweater?He steps behind the bar, begins mixing a drink. The audience covers the fact he has not spoken.
5:22 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
When he speaks, he is Cosby. Eddie Murphy doing a perfect Cosby impression. The audience does not let him finish. The sketch ends.
When he speaks, he is Cosby. Eddie Murphy doing a perfect Cosby impression. The audience does not let him finish. The sketch ends.
5:23 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
The first thing to do is cut down the number of contestant/impressions and the second is to contact Eddie and to convince him to do it.
The first thing to do is cut down the number of contestant/impressions and the second is to contact Eddie and to convince him to do it.
5:26 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
The middle man to talk to Eddie was @BrettRatner, a cool guy who knows a great deal about comedy. He was with Eddie somewhere.
The middle man to talk to Eddie was @BrettRatner, a cool guy who knows a great deal about comedy. He was with Eddie somewhere.
5:33 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
So, the talks were underway. "Brett says Eddie doesn't feel comfortable", "Eddie says 'maybe it's ok since he's doing pre-allegation Cosby"
So, the talks were underway. "Brett says Eddie doesn't feel comfortable", "Eddie says 'maybe it's ok since he's doing pre-allegation Cosby"
5:35 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
And on and on it went. I had not spoken to Eddie or @BrettRatner. I was dead sure Eddie would do it. Most others were not.
And on and on it went. I had not spoken to Eddie or @BrettRatner. I was dead sure Eddie would do it. Most others were not.
5:36 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
And so it was Saturday and Bill Murray may not make it and Eddie Murphy may not do Jeopardy and who was in charge of Update?
And so it was Saturday and Bill Murray may not make it and Eddie Murphy may not do Jeopardy and who was in charge of Update?
6:11 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
And chaos seemed ready to sink it all. So I went to Lorne.
And chaos seemed ready to sink it all. So I went to Lorne.
6:12 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
And Lorne was in his office,which overlooks 8H,which overlooks 40 years of memories.And he was looking out the window, down on to the floor.
And Lorne was in his office,which overlooks 8H,which overlooks 40 years of memories.And he was looking out the window, down on to the floor.
6:13 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
And I was very nervous and he was perfectly calm. "Perhaps it would help if you called Eddie", and that was that.
And I was very nervous and he was perfectly calm. "Perhaps it would help if you called Eddie", and that was that.
6:14 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
I'm standing with my son, Lori Jo, and Chris Rock. We see Eddie from 100 yards away.
I'm standing with my son, Lori Jo, and Chris Rock. We see Eddie from 100 yards away.
6:27 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
Rock says, "There he is. Like Ali in Zaire." Eddie, Bomaye.
Rock says, "There he is. Like Ali in Zaire." Eddie, Bomaye.
6:28 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
It's my job to talk him in to doing Jeopardy.
It's my job to talk him in to doing Jeopardy.
6:29 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
We talk in his dressing room a good hour. When it's over, I'm convinced he'll do it.
We talk in his dressing room a good hour. When it's over, I'm convinced he'll do it.
6:30 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
He doesn't.
He knew the laughs would bring the house down. Eddie Murphy knows what will work on SNL better than any one.
He knew the laughs would bring the house down. Eddie Murphy knows what will work on SNL better than any one.
6:31 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
Eddie decides the laughs are not worth it. He will not kick a man when he is down.
Eddie decides the laughs are not worth it. He will not kick a man when he is down.
6:32 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
Eddie Murphy, I realize, is not like the rest of us. Eddie does not need the laughs.
Eddie Murphy, I realize, is not like the rest of us. Eddie does not need the laughs.
6:32 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
Eddie Murphy is the coolest, a rockstar even in a room with actual rockstars.
Eddie Murphy is the coolest, a rockstar even in a room with actual rockstars.
6:33 PM - 18 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
Quite a week.
Those who watched know current SNL cast member Kenan Thompson ended up playing Cosby (an ironic turn of events as Thompson played Fat Albert in the 2004 film adaptation of Cosby's beloved cartoon).
Watch the "Celebrity Jeopardy" sketch as it aired on NBC on Sunday:
BuzzFeed News' requests for comment from Murphy's and NBC's reps were not immediately returned.
Bill Cosby issued a statement to NBC News about Murphy's refusal to play him. "I am very appreciative of Eddie and I applaud his actions," Cosby said.
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Jarett Wieselman is a senior entertainment editor for BuzzFeed News and is based in Los Angeles. Wieselman writes about and reports on the television industry.
Contact Jarett Wieselman at jarett.wieselman@buzzfeed.com.
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