Eddie Murphy on why he didn't play Cosby for 'SNL 40'

NEW YORK, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Eddie Murphy finally revealed why he opted out of playing Bill Cosby for Saturday Night Live's 40th anniversary episode.

Murphy impersonated the 78-year-old actor back in the 80s, during his stint on SNL. But when called back to do it again 30 years later, Murphy declined saying that Cosby's image in the media was nothing to laugh about.

"It was the biggest thing in the news at the time," Murphy told The Washington Post. "I can see why they thought it would be funny, and the sketch that Norm [Macdonald] wrote was hysterical."

But Murphy's decision not to do the skit went beyond him trying to avoid an awkward situation.

"If you get up there and you crack jokes about him, you're just hurting people. You're hurting him. You're hurting his accusers. I was like, 'Hey, I'm coming back to SNL for the anniversary, I'm not turning my moment on the show into this other thing,'" he added.

According to the Latin Post Murphy was close to playing Cosby for the "Celebrity Jeopardy" on SNL 40, but backed out last minute. SNL actor Kenan Thompson took on the role instead.

Murphy attended the anniversary episode only to say a special thanks to the audience.

Former SNL member and "Celebrity Jeopardy" segment writer Norm Macdonald said he understood Murphy's reasoning behind his decision saying "the laughs are not worth it."

NBC News reported that Cosby thanked Murphy for refusing to do the role.