'SNL' Special: Eddie Murphy Almost Agreed to Impersonate Bill Cosby, Says Norm Macdonald

Bill Cosby released a statement, thanking Murphy for refusing to mock him.

A number of Eddie Murphy fans were disappointed that the star, who gave a brief speech at the recent Saturday Night Live 40th anniversary special, did not take part in a comedic segment. As it turns out, he came very close to doing so. 

Fellow SNL alum Norm Macdonald posted a long string of tweets Wednesday, revealing that he and the show's other writers wanted Murphy to play Bill Cosby during the Celebrity Jeopardy segment. The bit would would involve cutting to Cosby, who would be mixing drinks in a video supposedly taped in the summer, before numerous sexual allegations against him resurfaced.

According to Macdonald, who reprised his role as Burt Reynolds in the sketch, the SNL team went to mutual friend Brett Ratner, who relayed the plan to Murphy. At first, Murphy was hesitant, but Macdonald said he had heard that Murphy was coming around to the idea because he would be playing Cosby before the many claims came out.

On the weekend of the show, Macdonald still didn't know whether Murphy, who has a long history of impersonating Cosby in his stand-up act, would do it, so Macdonald spent an hour discussing things with Murphy in Murphy's discussing room.

"When it's over, I'm convinced he'll do it," Macdonald said. "He doesn't." In Murphy's place, current SNL castmemeber Kenan Thompson played Cosby. 

See more 'SNL': Inside the Show's 40 Most Defining Moments (Photos)

Macdonald said that Murphy "knew the laughs would bring the house down," as the star "knows what will work on SNL better than anyone." But Murphy ultimately decided that "the laughs are not worth it," Macdonald said. 

"He will not kick a man when he is down," Macdonald continued. "Eddie Murphy, I realize, is not like the rest of us. Eddie does not need the laughs."

Cosby responded to Murphy's refusal to mock him on the show, releasing a statement through a spokesperson saying, "I am very appreciative of Eddie and I applaud his actions."

Several of Macdonald's tweets can be seen below.

The category would be potent potables, a common one on Jeopardy, but one we somehow had never done.

— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015

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.

— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015

The iconic doors would open and on to home base would step Eddie Murphy. The audience would know what to do.

— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015

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.

— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015

When he speaks, he is Cosby. Eddie Murphy doing a perfect Cosby impression. The audience does not let him finish. The sketch ends.

— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015

The middle man to talk to Eddie was @BrettRatner, a cool guy who knows a great deal about comedy. He was with Eddie somewhere.

— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015

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"

— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015

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.

— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015

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?

— 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

Email: Ryan.Gajewski@pgmedia.org
Twitter: @_RyanGajewski