WASHINGTON — After weeks of buildup, Eddie Murphy’s return to Saturday Night Live ended with a thud. Following a lengthy introduction from comedian Chris Rock, Murphy improvised a few brief remarks until the show cut awkwardly to commercials.
It was a weird — and abrupt — segment for a man pegged as SNL’s savior in the early ’80s. Murphy was added to the show during a doomed season in which executive producer Lorne Michaels took a year off. The entire cast and all but one writer was replaced.
On the show, Murphy played several notable characters — a grown version of Little Rascals’ character Buckwheat, and a NSFW version of Gumby. As a stand-up comedian, Murphy did a pretty good Bill Cosby impression, especially the one from his 1987 concert film Raw, in which he mocked his own raunchy style through Cosby’s paternal gaze.
Even Murphy won’t go too far. On Twitter, fellow SNL alum Norm MacDonald said Murphy was thought to portray Cosby at ‘SNL40’, but decided against it. Several women have come out against Cosby with claims of sexual assault. Cosby hasn’t said much about the controversy. NBC canceled plans for a Cosby-based sitcom.
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
According to NBC News, Cosby released a statement regarding Murphy’s decision. “I am very appreciative of Eddie and I applaud his actions,” he said through a spokesperson.
