Topic: Norm Macdonald
I first saw Norm Macdonald around 1994 when he started doing Weekend Update. I was never a big fan of comedy. It takes A LOT to get me to laugh, and I really wasn't all that impressed with the previous Weekend Update anchor. So when Norm started, I was skeptical to say the least.
Week 1 with Norm...I sat in front of the TV waiting patiently to see how this was going to go. "Over all, not so bad", I thought. The man just needs to slow down, and well, that Hasselhoff joke is funny." So, ok he was off to a pretty decent start.
Week 2, more of the same. But I was getting concerned about him talking so fast. I mean really. One joke would sink into my brain, and he'd be 3 jokes ahead. And then there was that Hasselhoff joke again....Still kinda funny, but not as funny as the first time.
Week 3..same thing. By week 4, my best friend at the time and I both knew he needed help. So we decided to write him a letter. Turns out, we think a lot a like. Long story short, we gave him the same pieces of advice, word for word, without knowing it. They were going to be off for two weeks, so we sent the letters knowing they'd have plenty of time to get there before the show was back live. But we figured he'd never read our letters. I mean really, I'm sure he gets tons of mail, right? But what happened next, we never expected. The show goes live...I wait...Finally, update starts. And I swear...this man starts off talking SO SLOWLY. Honestly, I'm about ready to die laughing at this point. Then 3/4 of the way through the Update, he introduces David Hasselhoff. And, holy cow, it really IS David Hasselhoff! The whole bit looks unrehearsed and like David was just dragged off the street to do it. I'm still not sure if it was just suppopsed to look like that or if that's really how it was. And it's all about Norm trying to get him to say "Germans love me." Norm ends the update, and I call my friend. Neither of us could talk. We were too busy laughing. (Oh, and he never did the Hasselhoff joke after that night.) Norm had a 3-year stint as the Update anchor before a certain idiot told him he wasn't funny and was fired from doing the Update.
Norm went on to do other things..movies and a TV show, "Norm" that lasted for three seasons. I still say "Norm" should have never been canceled. At least not until his character finished his five years of community service he was required to do. But I guess TPTB don't bother doing math when they decide to cancel a show.
I'm perfectly well aware that a lot of people don't get Norm, for some unknown reason. He's different...a refreshing change from most comedians I have seen. You have to have a brain to understand his humor. And he may act like a shy goof-ball, but don't let that fool you. He's usually the smartest person in the room and knows exactly what he is saying.
Fast forward to 2011. I had not seen Norm on anything for quite some time. I had actually given up hope of ever being blessed by his talent again when suddenly the man shows up on Twitter, of all places. Color me shocked out of my mind! I started following him and haven't been sorry once. I have enjoyed each and ever one of his tweets. I even start to go through withdrawl when he goes one day without tweeting.
March 26, 2011...the day all Norm fans have been waiting for. He has a stand-up special on Comedy Central for the first time in I don't know how long, but it definitely has been too long. And he is as funny as ever. Honestly, the first 20 mins. or so, I was trying to drink a cup of tea but couldn't or I would've choked from laughing so hard! My only complaint about the whole show is that it was only an hour. I would've preferred two hours since it had been so long since he had been on TV, but I'll take what I can get.
Next up is Sports Show with Norm Macdonald, which debuts on Comedy Central April 12, 2011. I don't understand a thing about sports, but with Norm as the host, I can't wait! Welcome back, Norm! You've been missed. I hope you never go away again!
