Norm Macdonald was one of the most beloved comedians who ever lived, but he's also one I didn't understand or truly appreciate growing up. Let's dive into his style of comedy, what I've missed out on, and just what makes him so beloved.

  • the_post_of_tom_joad [any, any]
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    edit-2
    2 months ago

    Norm MacDonald's weekend update on SNL was the best representation of the bit and I'll die on that hill.

    • happybadger [he/him]
      hexagon
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      2 months ago

      He had perfect timing. The moth joke is my gold standard for how to tell an anti-joke.

    • came_apart_at_Kmart [he/him, comrade/them]
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      edit-2
      2 months ago

      for sure. absolutely the gold standard, and moving through my angsty teen years, watching him deliver banger after banger and become my favorite segment in a time of a lot of solid SNL talent.... only to be fired by the Great Powers of industry was a massive lesson in the subservience of mass media to executives: it doesn't matter how much mass appeal and critical acclaim you deliver in the arts, if the really rich don't want to hear it, you will be gone.

      one of my favorite clips of norm is a Conan interview where he sticks around for the interview with Cortney Thorne Smith to promote a carrot top movie. norm is hysterical and completely fucks up the segment but it's so funny nobody can get pissed at him, because they are laughing too hard.