Norm Macdonald, one of the funniest SNL castmembers ever, tweeted lots of behind-the-scenes trivia tonight about the big 40th anniversary show. He and a plethora of castmembers from the old days showed up alongside the newer ones and had some fun and revisited old sketches.
But one comedian who didn’t end up doing much was Eddie Murphy. Murphy was also a standout performer on SNL back in the day, but he hadn’t made any return appearances in 30 years until he finally agreed to participate in the reunion special.
Macdonald revealed in his series of tweets that he talked to Murphy about playing Bill Cosby on the return of Celebrity Jeopardy, but he turned it down:
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
You can watch the bit that Murphy did end up doing here, via NBC:
[h/t Variety]
[image via screengrab]
— —
Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac
Have a tip we should know? tips@mediaite.com
