‘SNL’ Wrote Bill Cosby Parody, but Eddie Murphy Turned It Down

Eddie Murphy is opening up about his decision to turn down returning to “Saturday Night Live” to play Bill Cosby during a sketch for the show’s 40th anniversary.

Now, the Shrek star wants to explain exactly why he declined to do his incredible impression. I was like, ‘Hey, I’m coming back to SNL for the anniversary, I’m not turning my moment on the show into this other thing.'” The Huffington Post reported that Murphy opted instead to just do a short speech and not participate in any sketches whatsoever.

There’s a new Washington Post profile of Murphy out today, and Murphy ended up addressing why he didn’t play Cosby.

Elsewhere in the interview, Murphy talked about why he hasn’t told a joke in front of a live audience since 1987. Regardless, the “Jeopardy” bit went on with Eddie being replaced with current cast member Kenan Thompson impersonating Cosby.

The latest news surrounding Cosby’s ongoing legal battles came last week, when a judge dismissed his attempts to throw out a libel lawsuit brought by three women who say he sexually assaulted them. “Eddie Murphy knows what will work on “SNL” better than any one”, Macdonald tweeted at the time. “I am very appreciative of Eddie, and I applaud his actions”, said Cosby. “Eddie decides the laughs are not worth it. He will not kick a man when he is down”, Macdonald reportedly wrote, according to E! However, Murphy turned down the skit, and now, he has explained his reasoning.

And unlike many comedians, Murphy said he doesn’t feel that need to get laughs in his life.

Macdonald revealed on Twitter a few days after the episode aired that Murphy rejected the show’s offer to Cosby the night before the telecast.

“It’s terrible”, he said of the Cosby rape allegations.