An amazingly inept performer. Stunning in his ignorance.
12
To me he is one of the funniest people alive. I’m always on the lookout for his next failed project.
26
I love you, Norm.
18
Enjoyable article. I've always enjoyed Macdonald's deadpan and often deadly delivery.
Nitpick comment1: "rigidly proscribed" is not correct, and I believe Brooks means "rigidly circumscribed"...
Nitpick comment2: I could not figure out the antecedent(s) to "these kinds of attachments"...
5
I once did lights for one of his gigs. While I was running focus, he and his opener wandered out on stage. He proceeded to stand on stage with us the rest of focus casually trading jokes until we were done and pretty much hung out backstage with the crew except a little time to eat and prep. No posturing, and a way about him that makes you instantly comfortable. The main house tech is a fan and surprised him with a fake poster in his dressing room featuring a running gag from his show. Norm took the poster with him and invited the guy to join them after the show for dinner. His live show is actually quite good and after meeting him, he's a person who deserves success.
41
A towering figure in contemporary comedy!
13
The moth joke was my introduction to Norm, and I've been in love with his craft ever since. He's truly the thinking man's comedian.
24
When you are almost a star, they let you grab the Kitty.
9
McDonald is as versatile as he is talented. I still laugh at his Little Chubby character from My Name Is Earl. A seemingly effortless Burt Reynolds ringer that stole the show!
7
Dirty Work is perfection
7
this is the guy from The Middle, right? he's not that funny
6
I pray for Norm. World's best comedian and a complete enigma. So sad. Author spent a full day with the guy to learn who he is, and couldn't get one line in about his wife? Or his family in general? Just "he lives with his son in a condo complex?" Who is Norm MacDonald? We still don't know
13
This was a well written article. I really enjoyed reading this. Brooks gives us a great look at a very intelligent comedian. Not everyone "gets" Norm's humor. Can't wait to see his new Netflix talk show.
10
I loved his recurring role as Mike's flaky brother on The Middle.
1
lol Panini Kabob Grill ...I order doordash from that place all the time
1
One of the brave few. <3
9
Love Norm. Great article. The Michael Jackson joke is gold. Norm: fix those wires hanging out of your TV!
9
This article is the perfect counterpoint to the recent NYT feature on Hannah Gadsby's "Nanette": Raging Against Empty Laughter. It's now clear to me why he's been trolling her on Twitter. He embodies every quality Hannah rails against in stand-up comedy; He's a witty intellect with zero courage to say anything that matters. Empty laughter, defined. At the end, he actually resents the idea that someone could be funny while also inviting people to reflect on themselves. Wow. This is a portrait of a sad human being.
8
He should get a job at the New York Times. I'm sure working there is more fun than a barrel of monkeys. He could, of course, do research for more jokes. To avoid being harassed by the workforce he could assume the identity of Norm's not very funny cousin, Eric. As a child Eric could, at times, be quite amusing but one summer Norm noticed this and beat Eric up. Eric now knows his place in society and keeps his jokes to himself.
3
Nobody has mentioned his gift basket appearance on Conan's Tonight Show. If you haven't seen it yet, stop reading this and search for it on YouTube right now.
6
He has an eighteen-year-old cat. What's not to love. If I had the legs I'd stalk him.
13
Norm Macdonald reminds me a lot of Buddy Hackett. ( Showing my age here) Buddy was a classic joke teller, you waited for the end of his stories knowing you'd be rewarded. Even when he would miss the mark, his facial expression would make you laugh. Norm can be a little mean sometimes but is still a very talented story teller. He'll never change and why should he?
9
Norm should've done this or that! That's what I would've done. He's not funny. I am. The end.
I met Norm Macdonald on a flight to LAX years ago, though after he’d been on SNL. He was very gracious and charming. After reading this article I’m rooting for him more than ever.
21
The one brilliant moment that this article fails to mention is his "roast" of Bob Saget, which sums up everything about Norm that this article did in one short performance: 90% of the audience seemed to be confused by what he was doing, but the 10% that got it, loved it. Ask people about it then, and most would have said he bombed. Now it's become an almost legendary act.
His performance at the White House Correspondence Dinner was also genius. Say what you want about him--I understand if his humor's not to your liking--but there's no denying he's one of the most fearless comics of all time.
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@Aaron- I'm sure you count yourself in that too cool 10% who "get" Norm.
I laughed so hard on the train reading this. Always loved Norm.
6
"Bob Dole likes how Norm Macdonald does Bob Dole."
19
I think there's an obvious reason this guy can't hold down a comedy job.
There's a lack of comedy in the way he performs his job.
6
@Mike Unlike the wit displayed in this zinger of a comment!
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@Mike
I don't get your comment. But I get Norm Macdonald.
19
@Know/Comment- You must be part of the 10% that think they do.
Comedy perfection is Norm telling his version of the moth joke. He did it on Conan once. It changed my life.
22
That much gambling is not Normal. Have to quit one day at a time.
6
"Any time your subject has a cold, it wrecks the profile." Very funny Dan!
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a638/frank-sinatra-has-a-cold-gay-...
10
Norm has always been his worst enemy!
5
Norm is really best live. I've seen him do stand up five times, including the Comedy Central taping at the Fillmore. Also, if you haven't done so already, watch all his segments on Conan, especially the old ones. They're comedy gold!
10
You think you're ready for the angle of Norm's punchlines, but you seldom are, which is why I think they stay with you so long.
55
No mention of my favorite Norm moment ever, dissing Carrot Top on Conan while he was interviewing Courtney Thorne-Smith?
“There’s this movie coming out, title undetermined”
“Chairman Of The Board”
“Ahh.” (to Norm) “Do something with that you freak”
(without missing a beat) “ I bet the Board is spelled B O R E D”
20
McDonald is exhausting.
He was briefly funny on SNL but his tantrums and immaturity far overshadowed his alleged talent.
I can take his petulant brand of insult humor for about five minutes.
5
Says @Victorious Yankee from The Superior North.
I'm assuming an attempt at humour.
3
What is it with people who don’t drive? Call the “We Teach You To Drive” place & get in with it.
6
@Commentress--There are many reasons why people don't/can't drive, even in California. Norm McDonald is closing in on 60. Some people can drive past that age, others not so much. People tend to complain about "older" drivers anyway. No matter what, no one will be driving (safely) past a certain age. Sigh. People think they will be driving forever. That's hubris.
5
I like Norm -- always have. But can we stop talking about comedy, analyzing comedy. Comedians talking about their craft in public -- whether talking about "Mitzi" at the Comedy Store, or that routine that some unknown performed in the 1970s that was of profound influence to them, or how one word is funnier than another in telling a joke, or the quest for the perfect joke, or the Jim Carrey mini-series about the inner life of comics, or Jerry driving around in a 1970s Datsun 240Z talking about diagramming a joke, or about how Robin Williams really had a profound sadness about him that all comics possess -- is a current trend that needs a rest. It's like listening to accountants babble on about Excel spreadsheets. Shut up, please, and make me laugh.
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@John from Watertown, MA In complete agreement .. like listening to one of Marc Maron's podcasts when he interviews a fellow comic and talks of the standup "art form" like some hardscrabble honor and ticket to deity. Leave the dissection to mice and shifts in global power.
11
@John from Watertown, MA So, physical comedy then?
2
@RM Did you hear about Trump's trouble with Excel formulas? He always starts with losers instead of equals.
3
As little use as I had for the late '90s version of SNL, I had still less for Norm's Weekend Updating.*
So imagine my shock when, desultorily going through Netflix's streamable stand up and coming across his Comedy Central special "Me Doing Stand-Up," I discovered I'd overlooked a comedy genius (and I use that word very sparingly). This is one of the funniest sets I'd every seen, and I've seen sets from the very best. He's one of them. Not just one of the best couple of stand-ups around today-- and of the two, the only one fully free to perform-- but one of the all-time greats.
(* I'm able to watch his Weekend Updates today on Youtube with a newfound appreciation for what he was doing.)
32
First rate comic, first rate interview.
32
on his tv show of many years ago he had fallen and couldn't get and implored his dachsund for help..."Wiener dog! Wiener dog!" i fell off the couch.
11
@david
Dog jokes = comedy gold!
The author of this article argues that Norm has not received the fame and rewards he is due.
That is an incorrect way of looking at the career of a true artistic person.
Norm is not Dane Cook or Gallagher. He is respected and hilarious.
The other goals the author tries to apply....fame and rewards... have no value.
16
Except when you wanna buy a house or pay big bills or... alimony. Eh?
5
Things that make you go hmmmm. Norm Mcdonald, for sure. Occasionally perfectly, killingly funny. Always odd. frequently disturbing. I like watching his comedy, but you get the feeling that if he was your roommate, you might wake up to find him standing beside your bed, eating a cheese sandwich and watching you sleep.
77
I wish this profile had explored Norm's love of literature, especially Tolstoy. He ran a book club on Twitter several years ago that was terrific: We read and discussed Moby-Dick, Something Happened (Heller), All the King's Men, and well as some newer books and some others. He has a penetrating knowledge of literature, which I think is part of what makes him a great comedian.
79
an enjoyable, skilful, but to me, over analytical, timesie (nyintellectual) piece on a funny, interesting guy who should not be pinned down, like a beetle with a pin. Comics are suppose to be a surprise package. I loved his youtube show and use to binge on it, which made me realize, I'd underestimated him. Jerry and Dave showed up to steer this audience member to norm's merit. Looks like a guy who's got it figured out about right.
5
I feel he serves a youthful porpoise.
13
Dying!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!! One of his greatest moments!!
3
His joke about baby-sitting a sick cat is the best Ive ever heard
3
Norm,
Never a funny person, and his punch lines were always very cruel (lovett and jackson).
Wonder how he's like it if he was the butt of things like that.
3
@suejax Why do people do this where they announce something like "never funny" even thought it is a) totally subjective, and b) contrary to widely held opinion. I don't get it.
12
Are you suggesting he was cruel to moths? And as far as Lovett and Jackson were concerned, he just spoke aloud what all sane people were thinking!
1
I liked his SNL pitch, after saying basically anything unrelated, he'd follow with "...which proves my theory, Germans love David Hassellhoff" They do actually, I was in Germany just a few weeks back, turned to the TV guide and Baywatch is still running there....
12
I've always enjoyed Norm Macdonald's comedy and was a big fan of "Norm." I was disappointed and puzzled when that show was cancelled. I couldn't understand why everyone didn't get how exceptionally funny he was. I'm going right now to YouTube so I can get a Norm fix. Thank you for letting me know where I can find him.
8
This is Kentucky Female Doc's 24 yr old daughter. My parents love Norm because of his time on SNL; My friends, my younger brothers, and I love Norm because of his YouTube presence. Norm YouTube videos, either from his talks show or fanmade, have kept Norm from obscurity and brought his comedy to a generation that wouldn't have seen it otherwise. You can spend hours watching "I'm Not Norm"'s fan videos.
37
I could not believe it when they replaced Macdonald with Colin Quinn, who had terrible delivery and terrible jokes (so many of them just fell flat to audience silence). The one thing SNL was forbidden from making fun of are any of the executives' pet sacred cows (cf. Al Franken and "limos for lame-os" about then NBC president Fred Silverman).
11
@Robert E. Malchman
Anyone who hasn't seen the video of Al Franken imitating Mick Jagger - go there now!
He just seems damaged and depressed, which is probably not uncommon for comedians.
He's interesting because other comedians keep talking about him, or asking "What's wrong with Norm?"
Nice that he bought his mom a condo.
7
As modern hyper-political "comedians" like Colbert and Bee seek applause over laughs, it is heartwarming and comforting to know that comics like Norm carry the comedic mantle into the future.
7
@Nick
Carry?
But all of his shows get cancelled.
1
"Still in search of the perfect joke"?!? Why? Is Norm finally done telling that weiner dog joke he's been repeating onstage since 1991?
5
@H. Stern - Thank you. I was thinking he should start searching for a funny joke.
Good article - except the reporters part about exposing his dangers. .... "It seemed an insight best kept from reporters"....Hello? Please...think...twice...
Norm is a Moth! We the audience want to keep watching that moth and his dances with the flame! He is a real inspiration to folks. Keep on keeping on!
4
The author clearly admires his subject- that what makes this article so special.
15
Love Norm. Check out his Uncle Rusty on The Middle.
12
Look no further for the brilliance that is Norm's brain in his stories on Conan (easily found on Youtube) "Sick Cat", "Two Midgets in Vegas" and the LSD-like journey of "The Moth".
He is a master storyteller.
12
All those Norm “failures” were brilliant. A comic genius.
10
Always liked Norm's comedy, I couldn't understand what happened when he was bumped from SNL since he was the only funny thing on it. I thought he was good in his sitcoms and I never understood why they got cancelled. Reading comments from other comedians about Norm, his biggest problem has apparently been an Dietrich-like self-imposed isolation.
8
Love his joke about "Big Acid"
9
His book is called "Based on a True Story : Not a Memoir".
Not "A Memoir".
@Baltimark Actually, to myself, there seems to be a couple versions of the book. Sometimes it is called "A Memoir" and sometime "Not a Memoir".
I am not sure why the distinction exists. Sorry for any confusion.
1
@Baltimark Searching for the book just now there seem to be two different covers. I think it was originally sold with "A Memoir" in red on the cover and later reissued with "Not A Memoir" in green on the cover.
2
Everyone would agree there are versions of the bible shorter than this article. Norm's a funny guy. He is uses a kind of feigned confusion to sell the joke..as if he is getting it at the same instant you are. But it's an act. A formula drives the construction of the joke much like Steven Wright, another comedic savant.
20
Thanks to Dan Brooks for this profile of a very funny fellow. The mind of a comedian is a fascinating place to visit. They are among the smartest people we have. I trust them. To me, they are as fascinating as a great magician without ever trying to fool you.
49
Norm is a good example of how YouTube can protect and reimagine great artists. If you haven’t gone down the Norm rabbit hole, its highly worth the time.
68
Yes Norm is funny, but for jokes that will truly remain funny many years from now (even forever).. just watch some Rodney Dangerfield! Pure jokes that are funny even after hearing it repeated from a friend for the 100th time
6
Glimmer. Excellent article about a genius.
7
Hello All:
Norm’s segment about Germany is considered stand up religion by many of the pros. Watch it here:
https://youtu.be/uXdtafGdIVM
Watch his episode of “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” too. He does a wicked joke about gambling that I now realize is quite poignant thanks to this article.
Cheers,
Jeff Pucillo
24
So then the podiatrist strikes a match and lights up a cigarette. The moth says: "I used to smoke. But I finally realized that sooner or later I'd be committing suicide."
11
Just the joke. No politics, no preaching. From OJ to Hitler's dog, thanks, Norm.
10
Norm MacDonald on Weekend Update was the last time I had a really good laff from SNL.
His “Norm” Show was brilliant.
16
I always liked his humor. But what really made him a favorite was his tribute to Letterman at the end of Dave's run, when he choked up and told Letterman he loved him. It was so poignant and real and, of course, embarrassingly funny. This wonderful essay only confirms why I admire Norm Macdonald. Good stuff, eh?
43
I proudly wear the Norm cap I won from the movie trivia contest he inserted into “The Norm Show”. I remember hoping I wouldn’t win one of the bigger prizes, I wanted the hat.
13
Earlier at dawn, this viewer of Neflix was musing over the difference between Fellini and Bunuel, adding to this mental brew a cautionary note to be more finicky in the future when it comes to entertainment choices.
While Mr. Macdonald (the last one I had was in 1999 at Rock Plaza) is debating the line 'Take My Wife', here it is 'May I Borrow Your Husband?': The latter would come in handy to do house repairs and accompany the cat for early morning walks. In the mice time, Jeremy Ironsides in his best tuxedo sends greetings to Norm's Kitty at eighteen.
Mr. Dan Brooks writes 'If he could only hold down a job', and while this is a necessity, unless Mr. Macdonald finds a rich mentor, his playing the wise fool is a vocation and a talent.
Glad to read that he is being careful with 'Fans'. The Fans, a tribe in the 19th century in Africa were warm and welcoming, while the leader of the expedition, a formidable British explorer, would have to do a head-count at breakfast as inevitably one of her men was missing.
Having preached earlier to an evangelical neighbor about the reality of space and time are precious commodities, a lecture which fell flat on his dim gentle ears, this possibly new admirer of Mr. Macdonald might only add never let a dog get in the way of his life.
With appreciation for this fine profile by Dan Brooks, wishing Mr. Macdonald many pink dawns and laughter on the road he has chosen to travel.
6
@Miss Ley
I find your stream-of-conscious posts interesting.
One note, it was a misnomer that the Fan (or Fang) tribe was murderous and/or cannibalistic. They were not.
2
I have yet to see the "wise" aspect of his act. Sarcastic and mean are the elements that come through the clearest. This article, extensive as it is, doesn't do anything to shift that understanding.
8
@Ruralist There's nothing sarcastic or mean about the moth joke. Not the OJ stuff either, unless you think we shouldn't be mean to murderers.
25
I remember when Norm did the news desk on SNL. That was what I watched it for. I, too, would usually call it quits after that segment. I always loved his jokes both for the content and for his unique delivery. They need to stop cancelling this guy.
55
Of course he's scrupulously polite ......he's Canadian!
(& like Another Canadian comedian, Leslie Neilson, he has a brother who, to a certain generation of Canadians, is equally famous) !!!!!!
13
@Steve Kohle
"....he has a brother who, to a certain generation of Canadians, is equally famous"
News and poli-sci junkies of the world, UNITE!
5
Great article! Norm MacDonald is brilliant as a comedian and an interviewer. Not everybody "gets" Norm. Letterman is his perfect audience. However, this story does not dip deeply enough into the fact Norm is Canadian and how that informs his humour. Norm tells a story of years ago during his drinking phase killing a winter afternoon in a sad little strip bar in Winnipeg (Canada's Chicago) buying beer and commisserating with one of the dancers. Ultimately, they emerged from the dark dank bar headed into the crisp freezing parking lot blindingly white in the afternoon sun, ice and snow. They made love in her small snow covered car still wearing their parkas. A true Canadian moment.
43
That's funny. My mother tells a similar story...
9
As long as O.J. is out walking around as free as a bird, Norm McDonald has a job to do.
41
Norm’s appearance on Conan with Courtney Thorne Smith, to this day, remains the single funniest thing I’ve ever witnessed.
37
@Nicole Chairman of the Bored!
4
You mean chairman of the Bored??
@Nicole Chairman of the Bored!!
1
I am so happy to see a write up on Norm Macdonald here in the NYT, he just lights up the TV screen every time I see him. The man is hilarious, and from the gist of this story, unusually down to earth. That whole "My wife is a battle ax" bit on Conan was hilarious, he transcends the moment by not promoting himself... such an engaging comic. Definitely one of the top 5 on earth.
26
I concur with Dan M. From Ann Arbor. Thank you from me too.
2
I agree; well-written.
3
Still can get over: "I saw this homeless guy walking a dog: Norm said the dog must be thinking "Damn, this is the longest walk I have ever been on"
111
"You know...with Hitler. The more I learn about that guy the more I don't care for him"
- Norm Macdonld on Letterman
Genius
73
Having watched Norm for a long time, it seems that people usually love or hate his comedy. In my non-scientific polling over many years, more men seem to "get" him; women not so much. Maybe this is for the same reason that men tend to like the Three Stooges and women don't. I'll leave the reasons why to sociologists.
I still remember that Michael Jackson joke quoted in the article. The great thing about Norm's humor is exemplified there--the joke was both so true and so funny at the same time.
7
@Jack Sonville
As a woman, I'd disagree...
3
I enjoyed this deep-dive into the mind of an artist I knew nothing about going in. Checking out the Netflix special now!
6
Loved the essay that offered a rare glimpse into the life of a genius within the comedy field. It is because of that rare quality of honesty that has endeared him to fans. (meself as well)
Even now, you come to the conclusion that he is not going to give in or compromise, while he will internally work at whatever answer eludes him to the myriad of questions we all face - except he is trying to put the funny to it, to ultimately give to all of us.
Norm, we salute you.
8
Perfect final paragraph to a wonderful portrait. Thanks for this.
37