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.

  • happybadger [he/him]
    hexagon
    ·
    2 days ago

    He plays a smart guy's dumb guy in the way Tim Heidecker does. You get the dopey presentation of a sitcom dad with a masterful understanding of comedic mechanics. Perfect timing, really captures and subverts the performer-audience dynamic in the way Andy Kaufman did, dark and edgy without being the generic reactionary slop of his era. Growing up if I turned on the TV much of the comedy was rooted in South Park and the remnants of 90s zany/shock/prop comedy. He was like the one big absurdist comedian still carrying that style from Kaufman's era to the Adult Swim era when it found new footing.