Moviefone Editorial

Tag: snl-40

  • Eddie Murphy Declined to Play Bill Cobsy in ‘SNL 40’ Skit


    One of the most surprising moments from this weekend’s “SNL 40” special came when cast member Kenan Thompson briefly popped up to play Bill Cosby during a “Celebrity Jeopardy!” sketch. Unbeknownst to viewers, though, was who was originally supposed to portray the embattled comedian.

    In a lengthy series of tweets posted on Wednesday, former “Saturday Night Live” star Norm Macdonald, who starred in numerous “Celebrity Jeopardy!” parodies during his “SNL” stint in the early ’90s, revealed that the Cosby impression was initially supposed to be performed by Eddie Murphy. Murphy, who made his first return to Studio 8H after more than 30 years in honor of the show’s anniversary, is well-known for his Cosby impression, and as Macdonald wrote on Twitter, he was offered the gag for Sunday’s event.

    “It’s my job to talk him in to doing Jeopardy,” Macdonald wrote of Murphy, detailing the planning and writing that went into the sketch in the days before “SNL 40” was set to air. “We talk in his dressing room a good hour. When it’s over, I’m convinced he’ll do it. He doesn’t.”

    The reason, Macdonald said, was that Murphy didn’t want to “kick a man when he is down,” alluding to the multiple rape and abuse allegations that have swirled around Cosby in recent months. And while Macdonald declined to comment on what he thinks about Cosby’s recent troubles, he said he respected Murphy’s decision, saying it proved that Murphy was not a self-serving comedian.


    Cosby later released a statement to NBC News thanking Murphy for declining to play him.

    “I am very appreciative of Eddie and I applaud his actions,” the statement said.

    [via: Norm Macdonald, NBC News, h/t Esquire]

    Photo credit: YouTube

    %Slideshow-223518%

  • Schwing! This ‘Wayne’s World’ ‘SNL 40’ Sketch Is Excellent (VIDEO)

    Wayne's World, SNL 40
    There was plenty of nostalgia to go around during Sunday’s “SNL 40” special, including a reprise of beloved characters Wayne and Garth in a new “Wayne’s World” sketch.

    Mike Myers and Dana Carvey donned wigs and ripped jeans for the callback to their classic “Saturday Night Live” personas, sending up the show itself with a top 10 list shouting out all the things they — and viewers at home — love about the program, 40 years later. It included send-ups of their own penchant for catchphrases (Schwing!) and poked fun at both longtime producer Lorne Michaels, as well as relatively-new addition to the “SNL” canon Kanye West (who gamely played along as guards watched him closely in the crowd, lest he make a break for the stage to “interrupt” the proceedings).

    The goofy clip is sure to put a smile on your face, and make you want to bust out some air guitar as you sing along to the “Wayne’s World” theme song. Check it out below. We think you’ll find it’s pretty excellent.

    Photo credit: YouTube

    %Slideshow-223518%

  • The New ‘Ghostbusters’ Cast Hung Out at ‘SNL 40’ and It Was Awesome (PHOTO)


    Among the many highlights from Sunday’s “SNL 40” special, one of the biggest took place off-camera: The women at the center of the new “Ghostbusters” flick spent some quality time together at the show’s after party.

    Current “Saturday Night Live” cast member Leslie Jones shared some behind-the-scenes snaps from the all-star event, including one of her surrounded by her fellow “Ghostbusters” stars Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, and Kate McKinnon.


    Jones didn’t offer any additional commentary other than to say that the “SNL 40” special was “epic,” but fans eager to see her and the rest of the new ‘busters in action can no doubt assume that the fearsome foursome had a great time discussing how they’re going to revolutionize the ghost-fighting game.

    The “Ghostbusters” reboot, directed by Paul Feig, is slated to hit theaters on July 22, 2016.

    [via: Leslie Jones, h/t Uproxx]

    %Slideshow-198428%

  • Watch Eddie Murphy’s ‘SNL 40’ Appearance

    Eddie Murphy, SNL 40
    Hulu

    The night was significant for Eddie Murphy especially, though, since it marked his first appearance on the program since leaving the show back in 1984.

    Former cast member Chris Rock acknowledged the importance of Murphy’s presence with a short tribute to the comedian, talking about how Murphy’s “SNL” stint influenced his love of comedy as a child, and also helped save the flailing program from certain cancellation in the early ’80s, when producer Lorne Michaels had briefly left the show. Rock listed off some of Murphy’s most well-known characters and sketches, but said it was the small moments — like Murphy helping stretch a short show with impromptu stand-up — that really marked him as a genius.

    “Every couple of years, the media tries to call some comic the next Eddie Murphy. … There is no next Eddie Murphy,” Rock said, before welcoming his hero to the stage.

    For his part, Murphy seemed to be a bit nervous as he walked out to a standing ovation, delivering a short, awkwardly abrupt speech about his gratefulness for the opportunities “SNL” gave him and his fondness for the program.

    “This show is such a big part of who I am … and I am so happy to be back here,” Murphy said.

  • Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg Pay Tribute To Ruining Sketches on ‘SNL 40’ (VIDEO)


    Andy Samberg is largely credited with bringing “Saturday Night Live” into the digital age with his highly sharable digital shorts (created with his cohorts in the Lonely Island, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone), so it wasn’t much of a surprise that he would be back as part of the “SNL 40” celebration last night with another pre-recorded gem. This time the subject was cracking up during a sketch, something that virtually every “Saturday Night Live” cast member does from time to time.

    Samberg was joined by his “That’s My Boy” costar Adam Sandler, for an impromptu ’80s-rock-style tribute to breaking, set to the tune of “Simply the Best.” It’s a hoot and exactly the kind of sublime silliness that Samberg and Sandler were known to bring to “Saturday Night Live” during their respective years.

    Just watch and try not to crack up! It’s impossible! Now you know how Fallon and Sanz felt!

    %Slideshow-223518%