Is there a funnier talk-show guest right now than Norm MacDonald? I think not. Check out his appearance last night on The Tonight Show. After telling what he called a few old jokes he’d “pulled from the vault” (his decade-old Winona Ryder jokes still killed), MacDonald talked about the TV pilots he’s worked on, including his versions of Jon & Kate Plus Eight and Rock of Love:
Watching MacDonald, you wonder why he’s not a bigger star, and are almost glad he’s not, because his status as a stealth-talk-show secret-weapon is so enjoyable.
Did you watch? What do you think?
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Hey, Tucker, ever heard of a guy by the name of Don Rickles? Sorry, but Norm McDonald is outclassed as long as Mr. Rickles is around.
Well, I was laughing out loud. His style of comedy made me feel like I was hearing raunchy jokes from an 80 year old man. So when Andy said he felt like he was listening to his grandfather’s jokes, I died laughing even harder.
Norm Macdonald is the funniest man on the planet. He kills every time he’s on any talk show. Since Conan is out in LA now, it would be nice if he’d get Norm to do skits with him every now and then, because Norm kills it when things aren’t scripted. I love the fact that Norm doesn’t care to promote anything. Most guests are all about clips and telling boring stories, but he’ll come on, maybe show a clip and then say how terrible and unfunny it was and that you shouldn’t waste your time. It’s hilarious! I do agree with Ken Tucker, that I’m kind of glad that he isn’t a huge star, I like that he’s a cult icon, but I would like to see him more often. I hope that next time Conan just gives Norm an entire show… No second guest, no band.. just half an hour with Norm and let him go. I honestly feel that Norm is the last dangerous comic left. He makes people feel so uncomfortable at times, and is so unfiltered, you really have no idea what to expect. He certainly is not predictable.
yet another US “national treasure” from Canada!
Very well put. Couldn’t agree with you more.
The thing for me is that I feel he’s been treated like crap in the industry. He deserves better.
My post was a reply to Dicky…makes a little more sense when read that way.
Norm McDonald is one of the few people who can tell the dumbest jokes, but everything he says is hilarious. If there was an award for “Best Delivery,” he would win it every year.
Actually, Norm isn’t the last… Louis C.K. and Greg Giraldo are also dangerous comics as well. Three of the funniest guys are also some of the most under-appreciated. It’s a shame. In a society with bland humor and stale, recycled and safe jokes… it’s really hard to find a place for smart, witty and crude comics that have unique styles. I mean, everything that Norm does gets cancelled, Lucky Louis was one of the best comedy shows ever but was cut way too early and before it had time to really grow. I’m actually shocked that Showtime didn’t pick it up. Oh well. Anyway, Youtube Norm’s old clips and just laugh away… especially when he’s on Dennis Miller.
Good ol’ Canadian boy right there!
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/06/11/tv-tonight-friday-june-12th-2009/
I just love him in Deuce Bigelow. “Hey you better pay me, cos if you don’t, I’m going to stick this toothpick up your peehole” He was even funny as a dog in Dr. Dolittle.
HE FU!@ING KILLED ! That was great…and unexpected. His dry delivery and general appearance of being underwhelmed and then WHAM, he gets you with a good joke. I love this guy!
Norm, Louis, Greg and Rickles are all great…
When I was watching, I got this great “it’s like Conan’s old college drinking buddy just showed up at his fancy new job”; gave the episode a great old-school “Late Night” feel, and LOVED it. More Norm please. Actually, a showdown between him and the Tonight Show’s resident “Best Guest Ever” Don Rickles would be not only in order, but the funniest thing ever (and very in character for Conan).
He was absolutely hilarious and so was Letterman’s next guest, Jim Gaffigan. Laughed out loud many times at both of them. A great show with two guys who should be much more famous than they are! Was still chuckling this morning….
Yes, he’s a national treasure, only he’s Canadian and so am I.
Yes he was an anchor on SNL but the irony is that his brother is a serious journalist, on the CBC (if you have any idea what that is…)
I actually cried from laughing at his male prostitute joke on Andy! I was alone on my couch, laughing, crying, clapping out loud. Norm is priceless!!! Andy’s comeback was even better. Conan’s reactions were fantastic! What a great time!
I’ve never seen Norm not kill on any talk show and I loved him on SNL and his story about how he was fired for making OJ Jokes because one of OJ’s NBC executive buddies didn’t like them was priceless. However, now u have Letterman being persecuted by conservatives for a joke years later, why won’t these people just turn off the tv and let the rest of us who appreciate wit, humor, candor, intelligence enjoy Norm and Dave!
He is a national treasure, for Canadians!
@Jane, I think you are confused on who you are watching.
I have to agree — his ABC sitcom was a riot. I was so bummed when it disappeared.
Norm is hilarious with his dry humor I try to catch him on any appearence. My favorate appearance was the Roast of Bob Saget last year my stomach hurt from laughing so hard.
Norm is the best! LOVE him!! He always kills at everything he does. Wish they’d bring him back to SNL to do Update again – he is sooooo much funnier than Seth Meyers.
@Martijn: you bet I know what the CBC is. I live in Detroit and some of my favorite shows are on CBC. Including DaVinci’s Inquest, HNIC, The Hour. List goes on, but I’m huge fan of Canadian Television.
I LOVE Norm! I got to see him live a couple months ago and his stand up is amazing. He totally killed on Conan. If only the musical guest had better last night the show would have been absolutely perfect.
These guys are hard at work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMm9iX-6Xu4&feature=related
I think we can expect more Norm appearances on Conan – they are on the same coast now
That interview was the best one Conan’s had yet. Hilarious stuff.
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there is no comedian like norm.