Norm MacDonald - David Letterman - 01-07-1998

Here is Norm MacDonald on David Letterman after being fired from SNL.

[@bunnyblurrz]

I love how David sticks up to him like a dad. I'm not surprised Norm cried during the last Letterman show.

[@insaneclownhoty]

Ace Actually there is a video of him on the last week of letterman doing his standup bit from the first time he appeared on letterman and after the bit he made a speech and cried🥺

[@matth6900]

@@insaneclownhoty Really...? No offence bro but can you read? He knows that. How the hell would he know Norm cried?

[@insaneclownhoty]

Matt H I thought he was saying I wouldn’t be surprised IF he DID cry. Sorry

[@matth6900]

@@insaneclownhoty Damn man, your reply immediately made me feel I was too harsh lol. The internet has gotten to me bro, I'm turning into a hater >< No apology necessary, if anything I was the douche.

[@TetasGunners]

Wow what a wholesome conversation

[@JustinLeeper]

What makes Norm great is his jokes seem to come from discovery. Like he's finding out the punchline the same time we are.

[@AdlejandroP]

ViolentLee oh i really like that interpretation. Hadnt thought of it that way.

[@JacobHG1234]

He's the lawyer of comedy

[@rickideleon3578]

M

[@tonelar415]

thas pretty perceptive... it’s definitely his style. norm mac is the smartest man in the room.

[@ZeroFucksLeft]

@Shahaan G Well we all know that he who speaks the truth, is the moist messenger. He will rise again.

[@brianandrew9594]

Norm passed away today. His comedy helped get me through a lot of tough times (and will continue to do so). RIP to one of my personal legends.

[@iAmEdwinHamilton]

Same here. Great man now seating with the most high god chopping it up 🙌🏾

[@alexlarkins4218]

Boo I didnt cry when my father passed. I did when i heard about Norm. I might be a horrible person....

[@nayannbg6314]

Bro legit I am watching this to make myself feel better, I always want to imitate his smile

[@davidfitzsimons8916]

❤ me too always

[@kevinrhea7332]

Norm was a legend to anyone who truly knew comedy , I still cry about him every three months or so , something sentimental will remind me of him , he was a beautiful communicator, that’s why we’re so sad , he was so brilliant at bearing his soul we all feel like we knew him and we all did more intimately than some so called friends , god bless his soul

[@Karemaker]

Letterman doesn't like many people and you can tell the majority of his guests he secretly can't wait to see them leave, but he genuinely likes Norm

[@anamenobodyhas8793]

WHO WOULDN"T !!!

[@dildonius]

He’s always had a bit of a mentor/mentee relationship with Norm. A bit of a father/son thing maybe even (or at least big brother/little brother). He’s always tried looking out for Norm and help him out whenever possible (even seen here, I bet he legitimately would have fought hard to get Norm a show on CBS at that time). He’s responsible for getting Norm’s online podcast picked up by Netflix and turned into a “real show,” so to speak (though that may have turned out to be a bad move cuz now Netflix owns the whole show, the format, and even the old episodes from when it was on KZbin which is why they got taken down, and now it seems like they aren’t even gonna give him a second season possibly because of all that fucking bullshit contrived “controversy” he got into last year).

[@Gabriel_Moline]

He only liked him for his last name. That word killed him for some reason no one will ever know.

[@ristekostadinov2820]

that's why Norm was having speech on the Mark Twain awards when Dave was awarded

[@rapunzelagain]

7:43 "He said to me, he says to me, he says..."

[@patblackwell1]

Cate possibly the best comedy line ever.

[@Ishamv3]

"Gotta stay in character, gotta stay in character..." LOL!

[@curiosityl.6261]

That's the way I talk all the time😂 I'm real similar to Norm and that's how when I found him he just connected to me so easily haha not many other people like that

[@treehousekohtao]

You missed one

[@RedSntDK]

I've noticed that Bobby Lee does that same thing, except he says "the thing is, is that..": kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmKboJSjndBgd9U

[@FilipM1]

As a Norwegian, I can tall you (few individuals who maybe care) that Quisling was an actuall person - Vidkun Quisling. He was a Norwegian politician who, after Germany invaded Norway, supported them and took their side during the war. After the war ended he was labeled a traitor and sentenced to death. And from there you get the saying; being a quisling.

[@wazzup354]

i know im 7 years late, but I appreciate the history lesson :)

[@trevormiles5852]

love words thanks. similar but different to story of the word Chauvinist. Real person during Napoleonic wars. I will not take your fun away from searching it out yourself.

[@user-nh1og5hy1u]

Norway and all those northern Europeon country's are all full of entire populations of quislings to this day. They probably dont realise it and youre probably one of them

[@spacekitt.n]

sounds like the people who support trump after this nightmare is over. we have your twitter handles you fuckin quislings!

[@enesdapo635]

I'm pretty sure everyone who went through high school knows what quisling is.Also Norm knows it,it's just part of his bit

[@bobbybrown7574]

i love how letterman is standing up for norm, hes a comedy original.

[@schmidtzcargolbull]

Norm is so humble about the whole situation. Doesn't want to bad mouth anyone and acts as if the world owes him nothing.

[@lewcipher358]

+schmidtzcargolbull Part of his schtick. He uses that expression for everyone he shouldn't particularly like as a gag.

[@dolotsofacid]

nah he's a good guy tho

[@nedks11]

Norm is humbel but he called the guy who fired him fat and laughed when he said he thought oj was innocent.

[@yourmother3207]

schmidtzcargolbull No he does lol. He knows he’s setting up Letterman to talk shit about him.

[@DrPlatypus1]

He was on Xanax lol. He admitted it years later.

[@wonderguardstalker]

No wonder Norm cried when Letterman went off the show. Letterman is just so fucking nice.

[@Astinsan]

wonderguardstalker don’t tell Dave that.. you’ll just piss him off.

[@jpm199]

Hes nice to him and hes hilarious. Smartest man in show business and a rapist

[@Astinsan]

Lol..

[@titanablaze]

Not to Don Ohlmeyer.

[@TheGuitaristNate]

Don Ohlmeyer: "Yeah, I'm firing you from the show." Norm: "Oh, that's not good. Why's that now?" Don Ohlmeyer: "You're not funny..." Norm: "Oh, lord, that's even worse news." This story made me laugh to tears. Norm's a genius.

[@snavisTM]

It made you laugh to tears? I guess that's why you had to repeat it?

[@colin5196]

@@snavisTM You do not get it. And writing out the snippet is to allow all of us to reference it. Dolt.

[@BjornsLIfe]

And the irony of it all... Norm not funny? I’ll tell you What’s not funny since Norm was “fired”... you know what that is? SNL since. The show sucks ass. It’s been terrible and not entertaining since.

[@vanmoody]

@@BjornsLIfe Norm got even when he hosted the show. His monologue just killed.

[@balintharaszti7817]

Van PastorMan "Either I got funnier....or this show sucks!" 😄

[@tomlovin8931]

Ohlmeyer was a friend of OJ's and hated Norm for his jokes about OJ, a double murderer.

[@trevormiles5852]

"after having lost his money , now oj will go back to doing what he does best........ killing people".

[@curiosityl.6261]

@@trevormiles5852 😂🤣🤣😂🤣😂

[@knuckle12356]

This was always the "real reason" I had heard, too. Even so far as this appearance itself contributing to his complete dismissal from the SNL. Not 100% certain this is a real story (which Norm would have a certain appreciation for, I think...) but I thought that after being fired from weekend update, for Norm to have "the nerve" to go on Letterman and directly badmouth Ohlmeyer - like he was dumb & held mistaken opinions/beliefs (such as Norm not being funny and O.J. being innocent; ) just helped complete that final push goodbye.

[@IngeBall]

OJ's a good guy.

[@tedtamada]

When you look up Don Ohlmeyer it literally says The Man Who is best known for firing Norm MacDonald.

[@zeeegeee]

omg it literally does lmao what a legacy

[@exaltedchampion201]

I love how Letterman challenges what happened - 'did Lorne stick up for you?' The real questions

[@skonenblades]

I drank a lot of whiskey. Then I in the morning when I woke up, I remembered "Hey, I still have some whiskey"

[@drbryant23]

This is outstanding comedy - serious topic, and very little appears prepared. Amazing how good Norm was back then and Letterman is perfect

[@wildcardartsent]

Well good. Perfect?

[@michaelmorgan2880]

when letterman left, late night talk shows went along with him

[@tsukiji_wasabi3722]

Norm's "awwwhaww" at the end breaks my heart a littleReally great to see Letterman stick up for him, considering how much of a hero he is to Norm

[@gokinsmen]

I love how the line that makes everyone burst into laughter is: "My father's dead." One of kind, that guy.

[@lynagy20]

I love how much Dave loves Norm.

[@Eaoleolo]

In all honesty, this has to be one of the best entertainment interviews ever.

[@jeffreyriley8742]

Letterman is incredibly cool in this.

[@at1212b]

***** Letterman is giving Norm some real genuine compliments here. He doesn't do it unless he means it.

[@GentleGiant055]

He really loves Norm.Always has.

[@tonelar415]

these are two of my fave tv people... so stoked they’re friends

[@ChiliCheeseD0g]

Dave was always incredibly cool with everyone.

[@theprepubescentgrandpa7999]

@@ChiliCheeseD0g no, but he was with Norm.

[@ModernDayRenaissanceMan]

People see old Dave and forget - he pushed boundaries.

[@Ryanrre45]

I think its so fucking hilarious how Norm manages to include hats somewhere in every interview Even now, still talking about hats. Genius.

[@Danimal77]

Norm is one of a select few that David Letterman GENUINELY loved. So much so that Norm was the guy who was selected to give a big heartfelt farewell speech at Dave's very last episode.

[@snavisTM]

Dan Maler LOLOLOL it wasn't a speech it was a stand up act..

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

@@snavisTM It was a standup act followed by a heartfelt speech.

[@Katya_Lastochka]

Unlike Conan, the quisling.

[@chestersnapdragonmcphistic579]

I like how they were playing "Purple Haze" during the commercial breaks

[@jmmtcidc]

Chester Snapdragon McPhisticuff Crosstown Traffic at the beginning

[@wmhhealth2018]

And Cross Town traffic when Norm was introduced

[@victorkong82]

Dave is clearly using Norm to work through some of his own NBC grievances lol

[@andrewe288]

Norm is also using Dave as the person to air them.

[@AdamSmithNES]

Even if I'm flat broke and homeless, I would buy Norm a beer.

[@brianevans6328]

buy one for him and Joe Blow

[@hv3115]

I wouldn't give him any money or he might buy The Crack with it. I would buy him a meal at a diner though.. but i would make sure he had some money to cover the cost first.

[@ChiliCheeseD0g]

Norm died today. I hope you had that chance to buy him a beer.

[@GigaBoost]

How

[@basehead617]

LOVE how Letterman handled this interview - hilarious and honest!

[@meghanmcnally1890]

this has to be the best interview I've ever seen. Norm is funny as fuck

[@hamadeha]

Almost 20 years later and this is amazing

[@jwright520]

i love Norm's demeanor. Just a laid back, comical guy.

[@gramkrakrs92]

"my father's dead" *Instant laughter Now THAT is COMEDY

[@NEOpantos]

Weekend Update Hasn't Been The Same Since Norm Left ->.

[@HFXHenry]

"He also think's that OJ is innocent..." Bahaha.

[@Real28]

RIP Norm. You left behind a hell of a legacy.

[@waldroj01]

Thank god for the hatchery without it we’d all be lost.

[@poptartchica]

Norm is so freaking adorable here!

[@EpicGammingCrew]

Firing norm was the start of SNL’s death spiral

[@funforalgernon]

You guys are ridiculous. Letterman had Norm on several times as the first guest in the months following the firing, which helped keep Norm in the public consciousness until he landed his next gig with the ABC show.

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

What the fuck are you on about?

[@milesfinnch7348]

A perfect line for Norm would of been, "You know that Don Oholmeyer guy....that guy's a real jerk

[@NxDoyle]

I keep seeing this payoff line on KZbin. Surely you all know that the payoff only works with the massive set up. Bathos.

[@snavisTM]

Nx Doyle surely you're taking this "burden" of the set up to seriously, the punch line is what is remembered, quit over analyzing and trying to be a know it all, its not warranted in this situation and you're only making yourself look pathetic.

[@NicholasIrvingAU]

"Maybe we can get a dictionary during the break". Classic

[@duganjon]

"my father's dead" is a punchline. ONLY norm can pull that off.

[@bokkey45]

I love how at 11:35 he's clearly referencing the Mr. Peepers sketch with Chris Kattan along with the "cheerleaders" thing with Will Ferrel and Cheri Oteri

[@SuperSkinsman]

David letterman's the fuckin King

[@BenMJay]

Letterman was good until he was a sellout.

[@gribbleparts]

Why did LM duck calling on Norm's behalf? He could have tried. All his offers to help dissolved into nothing or jokes.' Norm was fired because he made fun of OJ and the producer and OJ were friends .. that's the reason most likely.

[@vanmoody]

Ladies and Gentleman. Murder is now legal in the state of California. Roflol.

[@zhongwa]

I remember when I got fired, I was in shock and numb. And I recall thinking they were right and I was wrong, sort of similar to what Norm was saying. I wished I had Macdonald's quick wit, to keep joking even at a difficult time.

[@snavisTM]

E Leo are you comparing your life to Norms? Very odd...

[@user-qo7tk8km6j]

snavis comparison of getting fired from their job to norm getting fired from his is fair. Its something that occurs in many peoples lives. They didnt state they were as funny or famous as Norm or something dumbass.

[@slappymcbutterballs7326]

Thank God for Norm, Bill Burr, Dave Chapelle, Brian Regan, there's a few more, but these guys have brought me so many laughs in tough times....and I appreciate it.

[@josephsiegel8300]

Sam Hyde

[@kobiromano6115]

This is MAGICAL. There have never been a moment more real in Talk Show history. Norm and David... What a power couple.

[@Pipezilla]

"Did you have a turkey there for the thing?" LOL

[@knarisa]

lol, the "aaww" from Norm at the end on the segment is priceless. Norm seems like a good guy. Miss him, wish we'd see him more these days.

[@84Elenai]

Love that old edgy Letterman. Norm always brought out the best in him.

[@LiberalViewer]

I remember this! In fact, a few months after this appearance, I saw Norm MacDonald perform live in St Louis on the night before I got married (May 16, 1998). I'm a fan, but Norm seemed really depressed that night Thx 4 the memories and thx 4 the upload :-)

[@myeyesaredrymylove]

Whoa, is this comment really 14 years old? Crazy.

[@thejkyle]

@@myeyesaredrymylove I was just thinking that, and here we are.. 14 years later still loving Norm.

[@myeyesaredrymylove]

@@thejkyle Agreed. Norm is one of the funniest.

[@Jared_Wignall]

May 16 is my birthday. I turned 4 in 1998.

[@jessicahildebrand9712]

He was a comedian he probably was always depressed, that’s the way they get funny

[@StormFive]

I just super love how Dave comes to Norm's defense. Perhaps the most aggressive-passive-aggressive burn of all time from Dave "oh I know Don Ohlmeyer, between you and me he's an idiot" when you use your position to stand up for your friends...Dave is just a treasure. What a terrific human being.

[@jasecola]

It's gotta be a huge honor as a comedian to have Dave heaping praise on you on his show.

[@RealWolfmanDan]

I'm a bit new to Vintage David Letterman but I got to say I'm impressed as hell at how hard he went to bat for Norm Macdonald in this video. what a stud

[@deletedwaffles]

"He said to me he says to me he says..." I remember Norm saying that line on Conan also.

[@Katya_Lastochka]

Only Norm could turn one of the most heartbreaking moments in his life into a funny segment. I really admire Dave for sticking up for him here. With all the clout Lorne had, you'd think he would at least fight for Norm.

[@tanmartselby6937]

This is Grade-A shit stirring.....and I love it!

[@assodclownjr4650]

"All of a sudden I realize my father's dead". I love the way Norm takes the hardest left turn, that no one can see coming, in the middle of a story!!

[@danielstavroff1535]

Congratulations, Norm for becoming the permanent host of Weekend Update. That's something they can never take away from you. Long live the king!

[@waldroj01]

Unless you kill your wife and a waiter. In which case all bets are off.

[@mcconlogue1898]

Unless you murder your wife and a waiter.

[@raisedonAMradio]

“It Ain’t Whiskey But It’s Good”... the best country music song ever!

[@woody2765]

Dave genuinely loves Norm.

[@IamConnorMacLeod]

What happened to THAT Letterman? He's not been this enganging for YEARS.

[@whiskyngeets]

he's old as shit.

[@GiantSandles]

He tends to be good when he's interested in the guest

[@alanis4ever]

Well a man grows ;)

[@alikazerani]

alanis4ever One for the real Norm addicts, huh?

[@Tamethefrontier]

***** im just so happy there are actually other norm addicts out there :')

[@briandawkins7108]

that whiskey line kills me every time

[@Krauser84]

I love how this is one of the earliest KZbin videos posted. Hope this gem stays here until the end of time. ❤️

[@mattm1982]

"All of a sudden I realize that my father's dead", hahaha. Oh man that was so damn funny.

[@PeterBondeVillain]

My two heroes!

[@nates1414]

You got any gum?!

[@mitchellcumsteen9220]

You enjoy the arli$$ program?

[@HolcombChristopher]

Norm McDonald is a true hero of mine.

[@axeman6598]

In spite of everything,that is still a hell of a Cosby story.

[@PokeLazarus]

I'm surprised to see people who don't. I love that man. He's just. So awesome.

[@geico105]

Letterman is the only guy who doesn’t let Norm interrupt him.

[@renegadealpha144]

Another way to look at it is, Letterman is the only guy Norm won't interrupt. He had so much respect for the guy, literally told him he loved him on TV.

[@theytookmahboy]

Norm is one of the most underrated comedians out there, and has probably the best deadpan delivery ever.

[@electrostatic1]

"I just thought aaaaaahhhh, like that. But then the next day I sobered up, and I remembered, ah, you know that, ah, I still had some whiskey left."

[@Prizm17]

2:55 the way he effortlessly yoinked letterman’s schtick is awe inspiring, even letterman knows it

[@rdc501]

God I love Letterman: "Between you and me...he's an idiot."

[@ppumpkin3282]

Still love this guy and like rewatching 23 years later.

[@methogonzo]

"he says to me he says to me he says .. *laughter* he says..." hahaha i love him!

[@luukeluketer1024]

These are called interviews.........

[@ThereIsNoGodButI]

I love how he always seems nervous during interviews no matter how many television appearances he has done. Way cute.

[@MelonMan24311]

On netflix I watched every episode from SNL 1990 to 1998 and saw all of Norm's Weekend Update episodes. He was the best weekend update anchor ever on SNL I loved it!

[@ilamb73]

"No, we were talking about, eh, eh, hats."

[@DungaroosRFun2]

I love that Letterman has no fear in calling out the people who sold Norm out. Courage and integrity wrapped in a comedy bow.

[@paulainsile5016]

My two most favorite entertainment funny fellas. The old man would tell me Johnny Carson was the master, nobody would come close. Letterman,in my opinion, is the b's knees. At 12 years old I thought he was zany, enigmatic, funny. At 42 I realize I lack the vernacular to elucidate the monumental influence he and his [comedic] peers have bestowed. Comedic potency is gifted to the very few, not unlike the ability for melodic structure. The beatles, The Stones, Simon and Garfunkel etc. Comedy prowess, to me, should be thus rewarded. Then again, someone farts, i still laugh.

[@snavisTM]

Paul Ainsile lolol you don't even realize how embarrisingly pretentious your comment is, do you?

[@HettiedeKorteDiplomaat]

Norm was the best in any program.

[@ronniepage]

i forgot hes dead! omg i laughed so hard, i wasnt sure where that joke was going ,but norm always manages to hit it hard, i had tears in my eyes.

[@jonsguitarbarn4270]

Norm and Dave both have that timeless quality. Like the Mark Brothers for instance, I can come back to the same bit many times and it's always a enjoyable experience.

[@turo9992000]

"He's a good man"

[@LoopLife42]

5:51 “comedy is subjective...Murray”

[@christopherkotsopoulos701]

"you're fired" "ohhh.. that's not good"

[@guillermojose939]

Norm MacDonald (1959-2021) R.I.P

[@Nugglashine]

Norm does a good impression of someone doing a bill cosby while talking like norm macdonald.

[@Densemankat]

Late 90s and everyone is loving the "tell the boss to go screw" angle. Stone Cold Norm Macdonald.

[@p2dC]

"and I remeber my father's dead!" That made laugh hard.

[@raxino774]

Norm Literally Fired From Biggest Show At That Time And Still Laughing At That

[@nomadcowatbk]

would they had fired Norm if Dole won in 96?

[@journeythruthepast]

Norm was hard on his sketch work but he was often hilarious in those too.

[@primitivodemetrio]

Norm MacDonald > Seth Meyers

[@conorfrog]

primitivodemetrio Everyone > Seth Meyers

[@bizzyb7th]

This comparison is an insult to a legend like Norm MacDonald.

[@jeffreyepsteinseggshapedpe143]

I wonder what seth Myers thinks about this

[@nickaloo]

Autistic Prophet Muhammad it’s not something i would do

[@IHateNicolasCage]

This comment is 7 years old. Meaning in 7 years I have watched zero Seth Meyers. I’m ok with it.

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

Norm very much knew the definition of 'Quisling'. That's the beauty of Norm. He turned a spontaneous word from Letterman into a bit.

[@bigtommy9715]

Norm shoulda been weekend update on letterman lol

[@j2n]

Norm MacDonald doing Bill Cosby impressions days after getting fired is easily the funniest thing I've seen in weeks.

[@jwright520]

if he just found out his house burned to the ground, he'd respond: "Oh, shoot. That's not good, ya know?"

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

Bo burned his house down. I'll always fear a dog named Bo.