Comedian Jeff Ross Discusses the Death of Norm Macdonald & More with Rich Eisen | Full Interview

Comedian Jeff Ross and Rich Eisen discuss the unexpected passing of fellow comedian and good friend Norm Macdonald and why he kept his illness to himself right up until his death.
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#RichEisenShow #JeffRoss #NormMacdonald

[@frankblaze-]

I will forever miss Norm Macdonald. A true legend.

[@Filmkid3000]

I took this really hard. Gonna miss this dude

[@josiplilic3384]

Me too bro.I've written 100 messages,still can't get him out of my head.When Kobe died,I was feeling bad for a day.This one cuts deeper.Genius,funny,subversive intellectual.🙏

[@frank-ski]

A legend! A genius! He will be missed…

[@1970DAH]

When you think about it, you are going to die, too. So, it won't really be forever. I'm just pointing it out. I hope nobody laughed because it wasn't a joke.

[@BRAUSA]

Makes two of us

[@axe2grind772]

“Greg Geraldo is here ladies and gentleman…he has the grace of a swan, the wisdom of an owl and the eye of an eagle. I tell ya this guy is for the birds” -Norm Macdonald

[@dangerous8333]

"Ladies and gentlemen, this man is for the birds". I know it's hard to remember the jokes, but Norm chose his word so carefully that you really need to get them right for full effect.

[@Dr.Frankensteen]

@@dangerous8333 One of the great things about Norm is he varies so much it's easy to get it confused, and even if you nail the joke exactly, it doesn't have the same effect as when Norm says it.

[@ryanhunsinger]

Reminds me of that tragedy…

[@idiotidiot5821]

I used that joke once with skateboarders because a few have bird names (beside Tony Hawk)

[@butterflymoon6368]

what does that mean though?

[@wasteofspace20]

Jeff Ross is a thoughtful and reflective bloke.

[@SAMZIRRA]

I have grown so accustomed to Norm being a part of my life this past five years, thanks to the internet. During this last week the lump in my throat has started to grow till i finally cracked. I cried for one of my favorite human beings. Ill always miss you Norm.

[@JeremySeanA]

Norm is the greatest. I'm not gonna use the past tense "was" because his jokes are gonna make me laugh today, make me laugh tomorrow, next week, next month, next year and in 10 years. He will continually make my life better and for that I will always love him. Norm Macdonald IS the greatest.

[@PianoMoverSmith1]

This a nice statement and very true for all of us. We love you Norm

[@MikeSmith-ym9eq]

Can I keep my doghouse?

[@grantcanada1]

I agree - I believe he has to be top 5 now - very consistent, his huge respect from DL, and I love when I notice he likes doing his material, he enjoys it, his comfort during delivery.

[@dakotamax2]

Never heard so many sincere tributes to a deceased artist by peers. Norm was sincerely loved and respected by them and so dearly missed by the rest of us.

[@aggcavan943]

I’ve noticed that Norm MacDonald made a point of telling his friends “I love you.” I also noticed that his friends tell each other, publicly, “I love you” when they sign off with each other at the end of their Memories of Norm spots. Wouldn’t that be an absolutely perfect legacy from Norm MacDonald? Imagine if it grew into a social movement? That would really be something.

[@treeheadz]

he was a very deeply closeted gay man

[@billybatchelor2863]

I always tell my loved ones I love them, you just don't know. I know its a captain obvious but its important to let them know as much as possible. God Bless Norm McDonald that old chunk o coal

[@R.J.MacReady1982]

@@treeheadz so you're gay? NO! I'M A DEEPLY DEEPLY DEEPLY CLOSETED GAY MAN!

[@commentresurrection1841]

It's called being human and most people practice it

[@christinearmington]

I love you, Norm. R.I.P. 😘

[@dgio5052]

Only 'celebrity' death that ever made me teary eyed. RIP

[@AgentRacerX]

Same

[@jaywalker1093]

Norm, Eddie Van Halen and Steve Irwin for me.

[@h.b.m.1483]

There will never be another like Norm Macdonald. Ever. Even after his passing he will continue to be one of the greatest comedians that has ever lived.

[@Skkra]

Agreed. Legendary comedians like Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, Charlie Chaplin, the 3 Stooges... I truly believe Norm in that league of legends. People will still be enjoying his incredible work decades and decades from now.

[@PETERODZZ]

Amen.

[@Gustavo-ok7jw]

I hate these "one of". He is the greatest period.

[@grief6052]

There’s a solid SOLID case to be made that he was the greatest comic period, even with all those fucks at NBC dragging him down

[@MikeSmith-ym9eq]

MacDonald is the greatest because he was hilarious, honest, and bravely skewered sacred cows against a backdrop of spineless “woke” zombies.

[@timothy9182]

Long live Norm, the most beloved celebrity I think of all time. He was almost like a prophet in many ways if you think about it. The way he touched us all is just unbelievable. God rest your soul man.

[@francisconunes5668]

very true, Timothy

[@christinearmington]

I can’t stop binging out. So happy and so sad at the same time.

[@jaewok5G]

"In comedy news, Norm Macdonald has fought cancer to a draw. 'There will be no rematch,' said a spokesman for cancer."

[@DavidMcdonald-df8tb]

Well done ❤

[@archibaldcreep1]

In this day and age where it seems everyone wants to play the victim, Norm chose pride and dignity. The joke came first.

[@thewkovacs316]

as has been pointed out by many....he gave a ton of people a punch line "i didnt even know he was sick"

[@Hygelac1000]

Yes exactly. The type of character traits that are now rare in people

[@ordinarypete]

@@Hygelac1000 they sure are.

[@oldgroucho2203]

if you paid attention to Norm's KZbin channel you kinda knew. He only had a handful of videos he made interviewing friends over the phone last year. very skinny, skin was a grey shade. He looked like a person in chemo. He wanted to make people laugh, not cry.

[@gpwcowboy]

Agreed. And the lockdown played into his hand to stay in stay scarce.

[@lauriehere6408]

He looked really bad but I just thought he was up all hours, betting and not taking care of himself😩

[@cmase1991]

Grey in both appearance and demeanor

[@oldironsides4107]

Norm had 8 you tube videos…. Since the invention of KZbin. Thank you for paying attention.

[@wgsuperstar7730]

He was Grey in appearance, but NOT demeanor

[@talesfromthetrip]

My friend told me when the news broke and I was heartbroken, but he said that he always liked Norm because I reminded him of Norm. That is like the highest compliment I could get. RIP Norm. I may not be a comedian, but you sure make me feel like I want to be one.

[@youngpower24]

Thank you for talking about him, Rich. We appreciate you very much sir.

[@wesleyclark8586]

He was one-of-a-kind I will truly miss him

[@brack25c]

Thanks Jeff, that was a great analysis of Norm.

[@jackdaley2155]

His death was the only time I felt a loss when a celebrity passed.

[@RobinMarks1313]

Norm didn't want to roast Bob Saget. Because he was a very good friend. Norm didn't even want to do the roast. But, since Bob was one of his best friends, he decided to do the show, but he told Bob that he was going to tell jokes from a 1940's joke book. I'm sure Norm had oppositional conduct disorder, however, in this case, he went the other way, because he didn't have another way of doing the roast, but not say mean things to his friend. Norm's roast is now legendary. But it wasn't his usual genius that made him do it, it was a gesture of friendship.

[@thewkovacs316]

saget messed up the story a bit...which was understandable because he was deep in despair the joke book was 40 years old it had been given to him by his father it was a gesture of love but he also was roasting the roast there have been many great comics....but only a very few who have been totally unique

[@Jespl1]

I realized how deep of a mind Norm had when he said something along the lines of "no one wants to hear comedy from someone smarter than you." Who knew, keeping his secret this whole time that time he was really trying to teaching us a much deeper lesson: "no one wants to hear comedy out of a tumor riddled old man."

[@owenthunderguns3608]

You stumbled upon his biggest secret...the reason why Letterman is likable and Leno was not...Letterman let you feel like YOU were the smart one.

[@Jespl1]

@@owenthunderguns3608 you know, maybe not his biggest secret.....that might have been the terminal cancer, but either way Leno is a dick

[@redavatar]

@@owenthunderguns3608 Actually I never thought Letterman played the dumb guy. He was rather smug which does not suite a dumb guy role. Conan played a better dumb guy than Letterman. For that matter, Leno didn't play the smart guy either - nor the dumb guy. Somewhere in-between. "But what do I know?" is a typical Leno line.

[@mjproebstle]

Norm received all the love and support that he needed from his peers, his comedy and his fans. That was his family, the same family who now grieves at his passing.

[@dwdorris3048]

Respect. Great conversation gentleman.

[@billyclub56]

Even dying, he considered other people's feelings. Wanted to hold his head up. Have to Respect his feelings & decisions. None of us know how we'd handle it. But he left a lot of clues

[@ElmwoodParkHulk]

Norm you made the world laugh .....but the other day you made the world mourn . We all will miss you ❤️

[@richardholly7984]

Norm- “Well, you don’t have any children. Seinfeld- “ What are you talking about, I have a daughter and two sons.” Norm-“ I guess we agree to disagree” 😂

[@OldWorkingMan]

I love that Jeff talks about how well Norm's jokes are written. Most people when listening to Norm don't realize the work that went into every bit he did.

[@dontpanic1812]

I really love how people with principles and integrity talk respectfully of the dead. They're insightful and transparent and authentic, disclosing memories through their pain in a way that honors the deceased without embarrassing or disparaging them. Yeah, rose-colored glasses are often employed, but for the most part people begin to practice a soulfulness and a magnanimity that's not normally used with the living, showing how good we really could be treating one another.

[@whodawhattha84]

Norm was a one of a kind never to be duplicated he will be missed dearly

[@louisd100]

Norm was the funniest man alive. That old chunk of coal was the only man who could take something not funny and turn it into comedy gold. Love you norm.

[@edub9930]

Easily one of my favorite comics. We love you Norm & we'll miss you 💔😢

[@davydebrycke6106]

Norm was one of the first that mastered the aspect of comedy to make you give/feel vicarious shame. Especially with his facial expression. Ricky Gervais did this also in The Office, not many comedians are able to do that and yet you keep rooting for them, untill 2 mins later.. uppercut RIP Norm, Carlin, Hicks

[@brianwilson6564]

Thanks for the Norm content! Keep it coming.

[@Jeffbambam]

Norm ! We were not worthy but thank God we got to experience you're genius, RIP my brave brother of comedy that never caved to the other norm.

[@orangebucky]

Carlin, Hicks, Foxx, Dangerfield, Pryor, and now Macdonald...heaven now has an all-star cast of comedians!😃

[@tonyibraham5931]

Do atheists go to heaven?

[@ryanhoffman4224]

I think they're down there right now, screaming up at us.

[@robotbjorn4952]

@@tonyibraham5931 Norm wasn't an atheist.

[@tonyibraham5931]

@@robotbjorn4952 never said Norm was. The only person I know for certain was an Atheist was Carlin.

[@tonyibraham5931]

@@robotbjorn4952 which was listed. In fact the first name listed.

[@davidsandall]

You people were home while norm was walking through the blood and bones searching for his brother...

[@dangerous8333]

Turns out he was in Northern Canada.

[@jillbezek4270]

blood and bones Bob Schneider song listen to it

[@joescarborough8434]

Almost reminds me of that tradegy.

[@williamdolan2673]

The only man to give Nine Eleven Airlines a positive review is... you guessed it... Frank Stallone.

[@-jq8gt]

Norm was suffering from cancer for years and here I was busy laughing about that terrible tragedy 9/11. I feel like a real jerk.

[@BurntToast422]

Can we start a petition to make norm the patron saint of comedy?

[@lauriehere6408]

I’m in

[@-jq8gt]

I think Norm might've hated that idea, but I'm still behind it.

[@kingsxkids]

Done. No paperwork is necessary 🙂

[@Rigoletta53]

Absofrickinlutely

[@ModernRome1]

The King is dead :( Thanks for the tribute Rich and Jeff. Norm was and is the best. R.I.P. King Norman

[@bobabooey285]

Norm was great but the king is named Richard

[@craneanderson2317]

A true life warrior, a true comedian, a true fighter with BALLS. Only if I had half of his courage. Tip my hat with the highest salute to the brave brave Norm Macdonald. History fairly shows what a guy with grit and the world witnessed.

[@katherinea.rodgers8366]

Norm was so special. I am heartbroken. RIP. I think that his roast of Bob Saget went the way it did is because he loved Bob and didn't want to insult him.

[@wgsuperstar7730]

Good point captain obvious

[@JonnyDIY]

Well said Jeff. What a lucky and long friendship you two shared 💕 thanks for the laughs

[@wgsuperstar7730]

"Sing like no one is listening, Dance like no one is watching, Love like you've never been hurt, And fuk like a goddam re+ard" -Norm

[@ojpistorius6369]

Some wise words from Jeff Ross "You don't have to be funny to be dirty"

[@superbird4351]

It’s rare that you see Jeff Ross speak so respectfully. RIP Norm

[@overthetoppranks]

Norm was a comedy genius, easily in my top 10 favorite comedians all time.

[@lidserg-b7663]

5 days later and honestly my grief is growing for Norm Macdonald...& it was pretty bad to begin with.

[@lindamurr6250]

Im still grieving and crying

[@bdonovable]

I'm glad I am not the only one who is down the Norm rabbit hole. Been watching at least a video a day, often several videos.

[@Pyrela]

You know, no one gives credit where credit is due, but that cancer bravely fought Norm to a draw.

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

Stalin was worse.

[@alecskinner8807]

Too soon

[@MrAlecRamsey]

Rich Eisen completely misunderstands the roast situation. Stunning.

[@-jq8gt]

Yes, he thought Norm was pressured to keep it light. Where in fact Norm just didn't want to trash a man he loved and chose to use that old joke book to find a way to roast without using real teeth.

[@shiratake1974]

This is the best medium and connection they can get for an interview in 2021?!?

[@MF-hz6xx]

Thank you Jeff Ross please tell more.

[@mikezimmerman9547]

Jeff Ross is the only comedian who is more savage than Norm was. RIP Norm, you will be missed.

[@mjanderson4]

People are superficial and show how much they care when it's convenient for them. Norm didn't want to be the victim and for people to feel sorry for him. He wanted to keep his private life private and I can respect that. A true legend that will be missed.

[@johnschreckengost3698]

The Bob Saget roast was weird because Norm & Bob thought Artie Lange had passed away before they started the Roast.

[@RoseUnseen]

i cry to work for about 15 mins for norm maybe this week ill get over him :/

[@MikeinEtna]

Great video, we all miss Norm.

[@Badwolf0683]

Norm's Comedy Roast Special is a multilayered and detailed performance. His comedy has always been ahead of his time. A lot of people don't get it, or him. It's at a higher level, it really is. Often it wasn't intentional. That was his natural flow. Like a great author who has people generations later looking at their writing and looking into it. That is Norm MacDonald. He will be remembered as one of the greats in comedy.

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

Never cared for Jeff Ross before but this interview showed me he’s one of the good guys.

[@matthiasstephens2265]

Has anyone heard anything from Artie Lange regarding Norms passing yet?

[@docd2295]

He put out an audio clip. He sounds stable.

[@ugly717]

Yes

[@matthiasstephens2265]

@@ugly717 thanks I caught it

[@dalliepool550]

Ahhhh he's a good man. RIP Norm

[@lancerx1759]

Maybe thru Norms passing Real Comedy will have a Revival! ! Never Forget Norm !!

[@eoghanfarrell2147]

Just watched the moth joke 🤣🤣

[@philwright2480]

Great words from Jeff

[@IrishGary1]

abNORMally brilliant

[@Dr.Frankensteen]

You hear all these people talk about how great Norm Macdonald was, then you wonder why he wasn't a bigger comedian outside of the niche audience.

[@MrBill-mq7ti]

Norm was as big as he wanted to be. He was content with himself. Actor, comedian, author, father. A brilliant man.

[@catfishcooler1566]

Jeffery Ross' story about young Norm MacDonald is poignant. When Norm would bomb, he'd make an effort to say goodbye & thank everyone after the show. When he would kill it, he just vanished out the backdoor. Norm MacDonald killed it. That's why he didn't feel a need to tell all of us goodbye.

[@MT-qn1hd]

Damn

[@JohnLee-ue6gy]

I didn't even realize that you could EAT flowers.

[@MUBM]

One of my favorite things Norm ever said and I am paraphrasing here, he said something about comics wanting to be the smartest person in the room and the goal should be the funniest person in the room. It is ironic that he was usually the smartest and the funniest.

[@blackdot3538]

hey ... be careful with that, that's my lucky stab'n hat!

[@UnbelievablyGauche]

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue - everyone should check this Norm MacDonald video out. It has some of the funniest Norm moments. People keep talking about going down the Norm rabbit holes....but this is better than 90% of them. Especially his story about the dying kid and the funeral afterwards.

[@raylang4608]

Jeff Rosa what a nice guy he really isc... Very respectful..

[@Rigoletta53]

He was our Mark Twain. Will be missed.

[@davidigleniec2483]

when you have nothing left to lose, you give a piece of your mind.

[@JeffHuntsinger]

You are SO missed Norm...

[@adriennem3168]

Love 💖

[@user-xg7fj2bb8t]

NORM LOOKED SOFT BUT HE WAS A REAL TOUGH GUY………..

[@darinmbicknell]

Norm and Saget were friends. He didn't want to roast him. See Saget's tribute.

[@migy5031]

I find it ironic that Ross characterizes Norm’s use of language as economical, since Norm seemingly wanders all over the place in recounting his true stories.

[@zacharyking7149]

💔

[@actuallicensedteacher1846]

Lame as hell that Rich didn't laugh when Ross delivered some of Norm's best OJ jokes.

[@thewkovacs316]

one of the reasons no one stole from norm because only norm could be norm

[@skipads5141]

98% of Norm's jokes can't be retold.

[@drdrew3]

Ross didn’t even attempt to “deliver” any of Norm’s material - he was just referencing it.

[@thewkovacs316]

@@skipads5141 i would say 100 percent ive been watching a ton of vids of guys trying to retell norm stories or jokes and none of them get them right the worst was fallon doing a lame norm impersonation and screwing up norm's buying a dog bit. norm was the anti-fallon

[@hey_its_travis]

He didn't know back then Jeff. Only known for close to 10 years. He was fearless before that.

[@Jtaylor812]

This Thanksgiving I’m going to “O.J.” the turkey in honor of Norm.

[@JoJo-cy4tb]

dont forget your lucky stabbin hat

[@ImmaWright]

Like losing a friend, he was the best!

[@LudiCrust.]

The reason John Candy was so crazy is because everyone in his family died by the time they were 40. He never bothered going to a doctor and after he died they discovered if he had he could’ve been easily treated.

[@TheCrusaderRabbits]

Norm was my favourite

[@dalehulen369]

"Norm Macdonald is really the Bob Dylan of comedy" - Jay Leno It seems that Norm Macdonald had made peace with God in these last few years.... The world will seem not as funny without Norm Macdonald.

[@davidjamespiano]

I can understand that he didn't want anyone to know. It was probably difficult enough to know that his time was running out and the more people who know, the more you have to talk and face the fact you're not healthy etc., .... he probably just didn't want to be reminded of his illness.

[@GMZohar14]

Someone needs to tell Jeff that they have made quite a few new phones since 2003

[@sleepless2nd736]

Great guest for you Rich you can fake laugh freely

[@JM-co6rf]

i don't understand people's discomfort with Norm's soft roast. To me it was immediately obviously a hilarious and brilliant routine. Jeff Ross was nervous?

[@paulomontero12]

He didn’t want fake pity from these fools. That’s why he kept it to himself.

[@ruleroftheuniverse1832]

I have binge watched Norm

[@trkddy]

My Dad and Sister died of Cancer . My Mom is dying of Cancer Cancer Sucks !

[@godless1014]

I don't know what's more shocking and depressing: the fact that Norm is dead or that Jeff Ross is still alive lol.

[@screamstation]

He won one battle against cancer as a kid and one draw later, let’s be precise.

[@OldDood]

More like an Armistice then a Draw later. (the Cancer laid low and came back)

[@ruleroftheuniverse1832]

I miss Norm a true comic legend so sad

[@msstroh]

My Goodness, Jeff knows.

[@tkbuffalogaming]

Still missing Norm

[@slimpickens3863]

Thank God for KZbin.

[@ChristinaFromYoutube]

Why did i think Jeff Ross was dead? Did they just fire him from roasts?

[@slammajamma5435]

We’ve had so many great comedians. Unfortunately they don’t get the respect & understanding they deserve until they’re gone. I really wish more people would know what they have when they have it. We’re not educating ourselves properly. Dumbing down is anti-evolution & we’re definitely in a dumbing down stage. I remember crying when Carlin passed, he meant that much to me. Norm McDonald will not be forgotten, he’s one of the special ones.