After comic legend Eddie Murphy made his long-awaited SNL 40th Anniversary show on February 15, a former SNL alum explained why the 'Beverly Hills Cop' star did not want to make fun of Billy Cosby on the aforementioned special.

"He (Murphy) knew the laughs would bring the house down," said former SNL cast member Norm Macdonald (1993-1998) regarding Murphy's decision not to make a joke regarding the alleged rape scandal involving his childhood idol Bill Cosby, according to a Yahoo! report.

"(But) Eddie decides the laughs are not worth it. He will not kick a man (Cosby) when he is down."

As a result, Cosby released the following message via a spokesperson regarding Murphy refusing to poke fun of him during the revised "Celebrity Jeopardy" segment.

"I am very appreciative of Eddie and I applaud his actions," said Cosby in a statement, according to NBC News report.

Murphy was part of the long running sketch comedy series from 1980-1984, where he launched his acting career to superstardom.

"Among many other things, this show was to be the return of Eddie Murphy," said Macdonald, according to a Yahoo! report.

"Eddie, the man who, in Lorne's absence, kept the show alive. Singlehandedly...Every Saturday Night at 11:30 Eddie Murphy, a kid, would fill 90 minutes with comedy. Impossible."

Chris Rock echoed Macdonald's sentiments regarding the memorable return of his friend and mentor on the aforementioned NBC network comedy special this past Sunday night.

"When I was young, I didn't think comedy was a job. Then I saw Eddie Murphy on Saturday Night Live and it changed everything. Not only could comedy be a job, but it could be a career," said Rock before he introduced the 'Trading Places,' '48 Hrs.' and 'The Nutty Professor' star at the SNL 40th Anniversary special.

"Every year the media tries to call some new comic the next Eddie Murphy. Martin Lawrence is the next Eddie Murphy. Chris Rock is the next Eddie Murphy. Kevin Hart is the next Eddie Murphy. [But] there is no next Eddie Murphy."