Norm Macdonald reads The Final Chapter from his memoir, reflecting back on his life

[@1qwasz12]

Norm was like Halley's Comet. They only come around once in a lifetime.

[@mtrps_]

and always leave a trail of gas wherever he goes

[@DreDawg3000]

He was struggling to not break down while reading this. His leg starts moving a lot, then his hand, then his foot. He carried so much with him, which is a testament to his real character. RIP, Norm.

[@maxwellhesher1790]

I’ve cried watching this several times, it’s a man who very well knows his final days are numbered yet won’t crack. It’s heartbreaking.

[@ericbrucker]

Norm undersold himself. He wasn’t just a comic. He was a legend.

[@glendamcgee1779]

He was spiritually knowing and deep and guarded his soul from pride.

[@kenj.8897]

You summed it up right there

[@MarcoBoneMan]

He should be posthumously made a saint. Genuinely.

[@ericbrucker]

@@MarcoBoneMan Agreed. You know what… I’m going to spearhead that cause. St. Norm has a good ring to it.

[@bobwoods1302]

It's often hard to pick a best of anything but with Stand up comedy it was easy. Norm McDonald was miles better than anyone else

[@johnk5398]

It hurts that Norm believed he'd be remembered for SNL or his departure from it, he says "as long as SNL exists, so do I." I dare says SNL is dead now, but even when the day comes that it is officially cancelled, I'll still believe Norm's memory will live on long after. He lived a truly incredible life, and its not only the memory of his comedy, but the memory of his character that has made him so indelible with his fans.

[@michaelhauser6440]

I guess to some no nothing person he is but to comedy and Norm fans he was so much bigger than SNL

[@tayzk5929]

I'm one of many that are too young to have watched him on SNL, but still Love him and his work

[@paulogaviola5522]

2:00 “The only thing an old man can tell a young man is that it goes fast, real fast, and if you’re not careful, it’s too late.”

[@fat-gotenks]

“I’m-… I’ve been lucky.” 😢

[@paulogaviola5522]

damn.

[@ICYTR]

I have listened to this chapter on Audible and here dozens of times. I still cry every time. The world is colder without you, Norm. You were loved, and I’m glad to know you knew and felt that love.

[@focuspulling]

Thanks for your personal testament, very touching.

[@benicio1967]

Strange how I find myself grieving norm’s departure even more today than I did the day before. He was like the best magic trick that kept us hypnotized, in complete awe, observing every little nuance, every subtle slight of hand, trying to discern what was real from the illusion, endlessly hoping to attain the ability to separate the magician from the magic and then just like that the show is over, the curtain closes, you leave the auditorium, return to your life but you just can’t get that guy out of your mind and you’re left wondering what it was that actually captivated you the most....was it the genius, the slight of hand and all the brilliant tricks or was it simply the creator who actually had us so mesmerized, so transfixed and forever in awe of the man behind the curtain? I love you norm. You kept us guessing and ALWAYS AND FOREVER wanting more of you. ❤

[@lukeskelton6479]

‘There’s no money in playing it safe.’

[@Spinner773]

I'm not playing this video, I just clicked it to say I bought norm McDonald's book years ago and took a pause on reading it. And since he died I can't bring myself to read it yet.. it feels almost sacred. I love you Norm, I know you didn't know me but I love you

[@rhettsycoplando4064]

Read it, it's brilliant.

[@HowDoesFrankyEven]

I've only cried at the passing of one famous person, and that was Norm

[@soraya2218]

Same, a testament to what a good and beautiful soul he is that he was able to connect to so many strangers around the world. Norm showed me that we're not alone in carrying the weight of the human condition and that faith and hope always prevail.

[@TaraVanflower]

what a beautiful man.

[@amytavmukherjee]

Norm Macdonald, the legend. Thank you Norm, for all the laughs..we were lucky that you graced us with your comedic voice.

[@ryantiller5624]

I know you have no truck for the sentimental, but I love you Norm.

[@Koldeman]

I can't get over how much I miss him: a man I've never met; not family, friend, or even acquaintance. But I do miss him & now that he's gone, it's becoming more & more clear how great he was & how good he was. I've lost close family members that haven't struck my heart as much as Norm Macdonald's passing. What a legend.

[@Vaughan2323]

He knew he was dying. Took it all in stride. Best comedian ever

[@fanofeverything]

I'm not crying, you're crying

[@MColemanTV]

This really is an incredible eulogy by an incredible man. He could have fallen into line, stopped doing the OJ jokes, played it safe. He could have done the Weekend Update for another ten years, each episode as forgettable and interchangeable as the last. He's right. No-one remembers the favorite backer. You may lose it all on the long shot but the ride is so much sweeter

[@nonstoprocker5377]

He opens up bare naked for all to see here...I love Norm and miss him very much...He was one of a kind !!

[@frankfrunkenstichen3367]

ahh i don't think anyone wants to see that much of Norm.

[@mtrps_]

watching this for the umpteenth time, and i firmly believe its one of the best final chapter ive ever read. i stil remember the first time watching the full interview, and this part in particular i almost know by heart now. witty, introspective, funny, charming. as he was alive. not so now that hes dirt napping, good lord.

[@know-body2519]

Get well soon, Norm!

[@cmmmmmmmw]

lol this got me, you bastard

[@rexseven6907]

Norm was never a chunk of coal. He's just like me...and you...an earthen vessel, holding a wonderful, eternal soul.

[@josephdykes1820]

Norm is the only celebrity that I have actually missed since they have been gone.

[@supermegaultrazdivek]

This one is so emotional compared to the audiobook version. His “before I cross that river” and “I’ve been lucky” especially.

[@leoandolino4668]

Not a super star? By Whose standards? Most of those guys will vaguely be remembered, but not you Norm. Legends are few and you are one... who backed in the front door by intellect, courage ,and raw talent.

[@Yasherdooble]

as a young man i cant understand how fast its going to go my days drag on forever all i know is i'm in my finest hour and ill regret not having done something with it

[@lookitsrswish6782]

Still can't listen to him read this without tearing up. We miss you oh so much Norm. Rest well dear soul.

[@morgancasey]

Missing a guy I’d never meet, love you and all you did Norm We’ve been lucky because of you.

[@roamsy]

Norm, always touching hearts while tickling them at the same time. Big love to you up there 👆

[@David-mt7tj]

The most memorable Norm-related SNL moment was having him host a year and a half after they fired him and SNL not expecting Norm to shit all over them.

[@jonathanstow9638]

I was in the audience at Sixth and I when this was filmed, and while I thought it was funny and well-written, I didn't really think too deeply about this passage when Norm read it. He was still alive, and no one even knew he was sick.

[@Zsuluap]

Man goddamn it hurts to miss norm. more than normal. especially when you hear his sweet sweet voice. they way he talks. the way he intonats. He is a true literary genius.

[@dispassionateobserver]

Norm Macdonald wasn't just some comic who was on SNL many years ago. He meant a lot more to me than that. Comedic genius. Legend. One of my all time favorite people on Planet Earth. Norm is the guy I go hunting for on KZbin when I'm down and need a laugh. He will be sorely missed.

[@MMAjsf7]

That ending gives me chills.

[@smitmastaflex]

Only book that ended and I started it again right away. Get the audio version read by Norm himself.

[@mclean9012]

It’s not available in the UK I think that’s a mortal sin

[@DavidxBoyd]

I am so grateful for all the laughs he’s given us over the years. He was wrong about his mark on the world, because so many of us treasure him and will not forget the great Norm MacDonald.

[@buddyblackmon7405]

yes….Yes….YES!!!!

[@lastofthemohicans4665]

I love you Norm. I didn't even know you were sick.

[@fat-gotenks]

It goes fast, real fast.

[@MeltWithU]

I hope that the family played this at the eulogy. It is a incredible synopsis of how he felt his life went. I never realized it before I heard this, that him and I had a lot in common. Kind of the same life, in a different hemisphere of entertainment, but still connected by a similar comedic path taken. Always striving to do and be more, but completely happy and complacent with the life we live. Feeling blessed for everything we have and every moment we live. God bless you Norm

[@oldschoolpunkguy1]

Hits you in the feels.

[@MMAjsf7]

Reminds me of that tragedy

[@rexseven6907]

I've been lucky too. Not lucky enough to have actually heard the answering machine joke...but seriously, more people have been to Antarctica than have heard that joke.

[@MarcoBoneMan]

Norm did the opposite of what everyone else would have done and what everyone else thought he should do. He rolled those bones, he always took the long shot, and in the end it finally came in. By the time he finally crossed that river he had been truly enshrined by all as a timeless legend and incredible soul. Normy baby you were truly, truly so beautiful, and you always will be 🥲

[@jodeewedgeworth6325]

I cry every time I read or listen to this. Fuck cancer.

[@tonygibson5171]

I have this book. It’s a great read. Emotional ending in my opinion.

[@flaviuscountry]

*sniffles* I got some dust in my eye or something... that was beautiful, Norm.

[@odw_99]

There’s few people in the world that I just genuinely admire, nothing more or less, but Norm is definitely up there

[@jackblackfan4202]

I don’t like words like legend, they’re too grandiose. I doubt he would like being called that. He was a teacher, his influence is boundless. He proved that there are two routes for every comic. One of indulgence and early demise. And one of meaning, with a much longer and beautiful life. He proved that the lifestyle the devil offers is not as good as it gets. Proof that every person is afraid of death and that can either strengthen your bond with reality today or scare you into receding from it altogether. I’ve been thinking of him and Trevor Moore frequently as of late. They are consistent reminders that to leave a family and an incredible legacy takes courage. God-willing, luck is only paramount to the work you put in. The life you lead. The lives you touch. Luck plays as big a part as you do. Gratitude is a necessity

[@XyasinX1]

Teachers are the real heroes

[@tawpgk]

@@XyasinX1 👍

Just a beautiful mind. And the funniest man in the universe.

[@johnmcclellan9020]

Norm was a genius of comedy.

[@brostoevsky8481]

rest in peace big dog

[@No_Use_For_A_Name1981]

I really don't think losing any celebrity since i was 13 and hearing that kurt cobain was gone, has bothered me as much as norm. him, like letterman, has been making me laugh for 25 years. What always gets me is the wry smile and glint in his eye when he says something that he knows is funny, and when you get the joke and others don't its just a shared thing with the audience. re-listening to his podcast/show during the opening months of the pandemic (or any time) brought laughs when I needed them most. And he took the most absurd things to great lengths; listen to some of his sets from the last few years, he'd go on and on referencing cannibalism, just throwing it in there and burning something out until it becomes funny again after the 20th time. Or cheese sandwiches. Sometimes I think he was the only one that even got the joke, but even that of itself is pretty hilarious to me. But in interviews, he'd get deep. existential thinking and about life and interaction with people and worry and finding purpose. Simply the best.

[@StuartFinnigan]

Completely agree

[@Chimponaut]

This is the first thing I thought of when I heard he had passed away, and a newspaper here in my country had "former SNL star" in the title of the article.

[@dangerismyusername]

Man, God absolutely had a purpose for him. He made him a mathematical genius, not to mention genius in general. I mean, I did not graduate a couple of years early from high school. He gave him Cancer in his late twenties. He made him unbelievably kind yet hurtful sometimes. Although, I really believe it was not intended. He made him extremely fearful, I guess you would be if your first, maybe second, bout with cancer was close to your thirties. Yet he was unbelievably brave like few people could ever be. I feel his gambling was more of a subconscious guilt of having things. Full of contradictions and then n the end mainly just good. I honestly believe he was born with one more thing. Just like a sociopath we now understand has a very specific brain pattern, I think he had a brain pattern for happiness. I have a friend I have know and hung out with, for over thirty years, since we were kids. NEVER seen him angry. With Norm, Just amazing how, little I know but years in public you and home videos, he was just laughing. One interview you could tell he was getting very irritated, all he did was try to leave. Man I wish someone would write an biography on him.

[@focuspulling]

That is so very insightful and heartfelt, thank you for putting it into words.

[@sologodsquad5249]

I love you Norm

[@marygr8064]

Norm, you have moved beyond the great beyond. For me, I miss you. Mary

[@TheHannah2494]

I love norms comedy through KZbin and have read his book but hearing him read it out loud has me in tears. RIP Norm I hope you know how much you made people laugh when they really needed it❤

[@aquaticambiance]

R.I.P Norm the world misses you

[@mjjondoe9845]

Ty for posting this ....I watched this several times But now it just hit you more ....man Norm Macdonald is the Andy Kaufman of our times

[@sean269]

Fuck I miss Norm

[@rcair123]

Norm you made me laugh more then I thought anyone could. From one old lump of coal to another, I love ya Norm, can't wait to see your set in heaven. RIP and thank you!

[@rexseven6907]

And laughing with tears. Not necessarily laughing so hard my eyes water, but loss and sadness yet somehow laughing. At a joke I've heard 100 times.

[@rcair123]

@@rexseven6907 I listen to the Moth joke at least once a month, laugh every time. Norm was a legend.

[@derekm3180]

I went to buy his memoir a second ago on Amazon and the hardcopy is $499. Wish like hell I had bought it last year when I saw it at the bookstore. I came really close.

[@jeezez666]

Making money of someones death, I hope they rot in hell

[@jeezez666]

Fortunately I bought the Audiobook the second it came out

[@jasmincenteno4953]

Wtf! I rented it from my local library about 2 years ago and then got the digital copy on my kindle. If I would have known it was gonna be worth that much I would have bought the real copy, or kept the libraries '!

[@deb9806]

Kindle is cheap, I got that.

[@victorbruno271]

Norm bought all remaining copies from his publisher a few years back to sell it at his stand-ups. After he died, a friend of his started selling them on eBay. Check it out. They're priced reasonably.

[@TheBlackClockOfTime]

Okay, I'm at 2:41, I haven't read the book (which I now realize I absolutely must do). But I'm really hoping this takes another direction. I never viewed Norm through the lens of SNL, I was too young to even catch him during those times. I've watched and loved a lot of comedians, and Norm is just in a league of his own. So I'm just really hoping that he didn't actually view himself this way. For truly was, to me at least, the greatest stand-up comedian of all time. EDIT: Goddamnit Norm, of course you got me. Like always. Rest in peace Legend. See you soon.

[@do3807]

I read because of that line at the end. It's a whole thing

[@meo21626]

We were so blessed to have him in our lives. He still makes me laugh when I’m sad and alone. Such a gift! Sweet Norm.

[@seank361]

That was beautiful

[@Staring4827]

I usually think its corny as hell when i hear people say this but the only "celebrity" i can confidentally say made life a little better knowing he was out there, seeing whatever kind of content he had made every now and then always felt like a breather. Very relateable person

[@chilliwraslin2510]

"I didn't even knew he was sick"

[@cam-inf-4w5]

Very self aware smart man.

[@fat-gotenks]

The greatest of all time.

[@PBHorrorGaming]

A true legend

[@timcross2510]

The wolves of irrelevance exist only in the mind of people who have had the bloody meat of fame.

[@GripAndRipShorts]

I love you Norm.

[@silencedogood159]

Whenever life is dragging me down, I look for Norm on KZbin. He truly was a genius at his craft. There is a reason why he was the comedians favorite comedian. He wrote this book knowing he was sick, but telling no one. He wrote his own eulogy and read it to us. Again, genius. I was his fan since watching him on Star Search as a little kid. Risk taker, wise and funny. There is no equal. You will be missed.

[@focuspulling]

Last night I watched the season premiere of SNL, annoyed as ever by that pretentious, privileged gathering of elites at the end which Norm famously always opted out from, and went home early. That's Norm too. You tend to see the most faux-woke cast members holding up cause signs or loudly pointing to their T-shirts - but Norm had the historical grace to know that comedians are minstrels, not gurus.

[@irisd90]

love u so so much Norm...

[@criztu]

Very few people know that Norma Jean Macdonald was a deeply closeted gay guy.

[@tayzk5929]

What?! He was gay?!

[@loveandpeace1985]

I love this guy

[@mtrps_]

you really did the original video justice, i hope you'd upscale and edit the full version of it. my soul needs it. 😭

[@focuspulling]

Afraid I won't out of respect to the source, but this modest excerpt is certainly the holy grail from the full version.

[@dangerismyusername]

Thanks for anything you can give!!

[@robf6105]

You made every second count on your final laps around the track of life. God bless you, Norm.

[@stevenboyd593]

What a powerful testimony and so beautifully read, a treasure I will save and revisit...so glad you quit gambling and trusted everything on the biggest payday there is, you are with Him now and His love was what guided you in the end. In His Shalom my brother

[@sli0.0]

Thank you for doing all that you had to, to get this right & posting it for us all to remember the Great Norm MacDonald in an awesome way. Much Love 💕 God Bless✝️

[@conditionallyunconditional5691]

You're a legend Norm! Never to be forgotten.

[@QueensLadyDay]

Norm MacDonald .. Truly Self Aware..

[@jaems]

Meta... I hate meta.

[@hacksawtheonly]

The last time I read this book I was still laughing out loud. Next time will probably be different.

[@deb9806]

Yes, but I wish he really had a memoir but a guy like Norm just didn't want that invasion of privacy. So much in the book was just tales. His mom cracked me up when fans asked about "old Jack" or whomever and she's like "Who is that?" lol Norm just hid his face under blanket. : )

[@hacksawtheonly]

I bet in the next few years there will be a documentary about his real life. At least I hope.

[@focuspulling]

I'm actually worried about that, as a documentary filmmaker myself. Sometimes people are simply private in their nature (and humility), so documentaries just aren't meant to be made about them. That's Norm.

[@MonsieurDrobot]

Tears welling up. Chest pounding with emotion. Too relevant, too close to home.

[@danielgawelczyk4695]

Sitting here listening to this as a 44 year old man, this hits hard and deep. God Bless You Norm! Thank You For All The Laughs & Your Amazing Way Of Explaining Life! You Will Be Missed!

[@mkast2815]

Thanks, Norm.

[@JabzthaJackManc]

He was a genius , yes he was good at math

[@karen81986]

I need to buy the book

[@royceferguson]

Fantastic clip from the Geoff interview. Thanks for your efforts, FocusPulling and I agree with sentiments posted here - we're the lucky ones. RIP Norm.

[@individuationportal]

wow

[@ChessQuestionMark]

To have been alive to see Norm on weekend update, I've been lucky

[@Katya_Lastochka]

What's an snl? I remember him from the roast, and never looked back. Norm is the best stand up in the world because he takes risks.

[@PresleyRiver]

the funniest people have the biggest hearts, and boy was his heart big!

[@byHexted]

That’s a shame he thought that, I’m way younger then when norm was on SNL, he became my favorite comic completely aside from that, not that I don’t love the weekend update stuff and the sketches he was in

[@steyndewet1191]

Thanks for fixing the sound!

[@bloodtypedating]

His inner voice was silenced

[@do3807]

Damn...

[@deb9806]

He told Geoff the books sucks, I hate writing and all that but his fans aren't as critical. I wish he did more and I wish someone realized he would be great in a sitcom or guest in a show. So underused

[@JabzthaJackManc]

The norm show ? The library is on KZbin , pretty sure a minute with Stan hooper episodes are too, plus check out the Mike Tyson mysteries ’norm as pigeon’ videos

[@JabzthaJackManc]

And there’s a high chance he didn’t get much further because of ohlmeyer trying his best to close doors around him

[@T25de]

Legend

[@kenj.8897]

Your wrong Norm , we were lucky !

[@jimmez]

Yeah, we were!

[@bloodtypedating]

Norm will outlive SNL