For many fans of the hit TV show “Saturday Night Live,” the return of Eddie Murphy was an anticipated event. However, his opening monologue and lack of appearance in any sketches had many disappointed and perplexed. Now it has been revealed by a former “SNL” cast member why Murphy did not perform for the 40th anniversary of the show.
According to former “SNL” cast member Norm McDonald, Murphy objected to the “Celebrity Jeparody” sketch. In the sketch Murphy was supposed to wear a multicolored sweater while mixing a drink as Bill Cosby. It was expected that his dead-on impersonation of Cosby would bring the house down with laughter. But Murphy felt it was not worth the laughs. According to McDonald, Murphy stated “He was not going to kick a man while he was down just for laughs.” In addition, it is alleged that Murphy was disappointed in the writing of the sketch that consisted of celebrity impersonations. The sketch did go on as planned but using instead cast member Keenan Thompson to play Bill Cosby.
