A profoundly funny man. https://t.co/Iot5EqZF3u
— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) September 14, 2021
Famed comedian Norm Macdonald has died at the age of 61. Macdonald reportedly had a 9-year battle with cancer. His brother Neil said he died Tuesday from leukemia.
We could talk about Saturday Night Live, The Norm Show, his offbeat approach to being a talk show guest. All of that and more was amazing.
Macdonald went down a comedy path that comedians respected. A comedian's comedian often isn't as successful. Even when Macdonald had success, such as his Saturday Night Live stint, he lost his job because Don Ohlmeyer, president of NBC’s West Coast division and friend of O.J. Simpson, was upset because Macdonald made O.J. Simpson jokes.
Those O.J. Simpson jokes were funny.
Macdonald's Late Night with Conan O'Brien 1997 appearance with Courtney Thorne-Smith. His 2006 appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart where he talks about the recent death of Steve Irwin aka the Crocodile Hunter and makes a joke about Canadian conservative politician Peter Mackay. His final appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman where he told one of Letterman's old jokes. Macdonald was the final stand-up comedian on the show. His true, raw emotion was beautiful.
The Daily Show segment had Stewart, who doesn't want to laugh but laughs because Norm Macdonald is being who he is.
You always loved watching Macdonald on a talk show because he never did what you were supposed to do on a talk show.
Lots of Canadians become famous with humour but few of them are anglophones from Quebec City.
Macdonald played a hockey player who performs social work after being caught gambling and on tax evasion for The Norm Show. The fact that Laurie Metcalf and Ian Gomez were on that show speaks volumes about Macdonald's ability to make comedians laugh. He might have named Norm but he wasn't the norm.
Macdonald mentioned numerous times on those talk shows that he was from Canada.
We've mentioned a few times on the blog that Neil Macdonald, former parliamentary and foreign correspondent for CBC News, was Norm's brother. The journalist use to write these intriguing takes on what was happening in Canada. Very different approach than his brother but humour in his own way.
Dan Levy joins the list of Canadians who have hosted Saturday Night Live
By our count, Macdonald was one of 8 Canadians (9 if you count the one day Catherine O'Hara spent as a cast member) to be a Saturday Night Live regular. The others were Dan Aykroyd, Peter Aykroyd, Phil Hartman, Mark McKinney, Mike Myers, Paul Shaffer, and Martin Short. Dan Aykroyd, Hartman, Macdonald, Myers, O'Hara, Shaffer, and Short all hosted the show.
Macdonald was on the show from 1993-1998.
Room, Schitt's Creek dominate 2016 Canadian Screen Awards
CanadianCrossing.com television coverage
Deadline had a specific story on comedians' reaction to Macdonald's death. His brother's former employer (CBC News) had a touching tribute to the comedian.
We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Norm Macdonald, Canadian comedy legend, and host of the 2016 #CdnScreenAwards. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/q6TFSEkq16
— The Canadian Academy (@TheCdnAcademy) September 14, 2021
"Never has there been so much Canadian talent in one place that hasn't had to be zambonied first." Norm MacDonald gave back to Canada. Macdonald hosted the 4th annual Canadian Screen Awards on March 13, 2016. Macdonald was the one who suggested the awards be called the Candys after John Candy. Let's get that done in honour of John Candy and Norm Macdonald.
He also played a talking manhole on Sunnyside on Citytv.
Norm Macdonald’s appearance at the Roast of Bob Saget was unlike anything ever seen before. Watch this legendary clip with additional footage. pic.twitter.com/nb6JECXn4H
— comedycentral (@ComedyCentral) September 14, 2021
This Norm Macdonald routine at the Comedy Central roast of Bob Saget doesn't get many laughs until the people realize what Macdonald is doing; mocking the idea of roasting by doing tame jokes from a book called Jokes From Retirement Parties. Very few comedians would be brave enough to do such a set. RIP indeed.
Twitter captures: @GMillerTSN; @TheCdnAcademy; @ComedyCentral
photo credit: Late Show with David Letterman/Worldwide Pants/CBS
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