One of the biggest disappointments during the epic Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special was Eddie Murphy’s uneventful appearance after more than 30 years away from the show that he saved while it simultaneously launched his career. According to Norm Macdonald — who is in the midst of a long and interesting twitter binge about the history of the Celebrity Jeopardy sketch and the process of creating the #SNL40 version — that wasn’t always the plan.
Before we get to what Macdonald and SNL producer/sketch co-writer Steve Higgins envisioned, let me provide a little context. As Macdonald tweets, the hardest part of pulling off the Celebrity Jeopardy sketch was the third podium. Macdonald’s Burt Reynolds and Darrell Hammond’s Sean Connery impersonations were never an issue and always meant to be more than mere impersonations.
Without Will’s perfect take on Trebek, maddened by the outright hostility of Connery, the faraway uninterest of Burt, the sketch is nothing.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
For the 40th anniversary, though, Macdonald and Higgins would have to work in “10 or 12” impressions, which Macdonald called “bad news” since the “rhythm would be gone.”
Thankfully, Higgins had a great idea that would have absolutely brought the house down.
At the end of the sketch, Darrel would choose potent potables. Homebase would be dressed as a bar.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
The iconic doors would open and on to home base would step Eddie Murphy. The audience would know what to do. — Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
Why is Eddie wearing a multi-colored sweater?He steps behind the bar, begins mixing a drink. The audience covers the fact he has not spoken.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
When he speaks, he is Cosby. Eddie Murphy doing a perfect Cosby impression. The audience does not let him finish. The sketch ends. — Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
The show, for all intents, ends.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
So, why didn’t it happen? According to Macdonald, Brett Ratner was the middle-man between SNL and Murphy for the sketch, but Murphy wasn’t comfortable.
So, the talks were underway. “Brett says Eddie doesn’t feel comfortable”, “Eddie says ‘maybe it’s ok since he’s doing pre-allegation Cosby” — Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
And on and on it went. I had not spoken to Eddie or @BrettRatner. I was dead sure Eddie would do it. Most others were not.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015
Obviously, we know that Keenan Thompson did a great job as Cosby and the sketch did kill, but it would have brought the house down with Murphy as Cosby. And now we know, thanks to Norm Macdonald.
Update:
Macdonald got back around to wrapping up the Murphy story, letting it be known that it was his job to try and convince Murphy to do it.
https://twitter.com/normmacdonald/status/568236140735541248
https://twitter.com/normmacdonald/status/568236197723529216
https://twitter.com/normmacdonald/status/568236410882236416
https://twitter.com/normmacdonald/status/568236590331330560
https://twitter.com/normmacdonald/status/568236763317026816
https://twitter.com/normmacdonald/status/568236977730031616
(Source: Twitter)
