Bill Cosby "applauds" Eddie Murphy for refusing to play him on "SNL"
Eddie Murphy reportedly refused to portray Bill Cosby in a bit on the 40th anniversary "Saturday Night Live" special last weekend. This according to fellow "SNL" alum Norm McDonald, who tweeted that he had asked Murphy to play Cosby during a "Celebrity Jeopardy" sketch, but said Murphy wouldn't do it.
Now Cosby is speaking up about it, telling CBS News through his spokesperson, "I am very appreciative of Eddie and I applaud his actions."
Over the past few months, Cosby, 77, has faced a series of allegations from several women who claim he drugged or assaulted them -- or both.
The story about Murphy turning down the "SNL" sketch came in a flurry of tweets from McDonald, who wrote about the writing process behind Sunday's show. The comedian and former "SNL" cast member also explained how he tried to convince Murphy to do the Cosby impression during the skit:
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
Murphy, 53, was among the many cast members who came back for the "SNL" 40th anniversary special. During Sunday's episode he spoke about how special the show was to him.