Jim Downey On The “Anarchy” Of Norm Macdonald’s “Weekend Update” | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend

[@watersauce3998]

The pure joy Conan feels talking about Norm makes me so happy. He was a legend fought cancer to a draw.

[@joshyc2006]

I didn't even know he was sick

[@comedy-and-cabaret]

Or so the germans would have us believe.

[@sstills951]

Well I blame it on, yup you guessed it, Frank Stallone.

[@jimrobertson7900]

Quote “Conan is happier, Norm is dead.”

[@CapAnson12345]

And he beat his heart too. Never had a chance to attack him.

[@honestempire]

I miss Norm so much. I have a cat called Norman Macdonald and before Norm died and back when I had an Instagram, Norm would click the little heart button whenever I posted a photo of him, that was the extent of our interactions, and it was lovely.

[@Tonyhouse1168]

That is really sweet. Norm was a class act; it feels like you brought a little warmth to the old lump of coal

[@claytonberg721]

Not jealous at all.

[@egret203]

I named my cat Norm too! Norm Catdonald

[@jonjaime]

Norm's cat joke was one of my favorites. Vet: "the bad news is he's not gonna make it...the good news is... he's just a cat." 😂

[@junjalapeno7773]

I’ll name my first kid Norm, doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or a girl

[@hakkinenfan]

Jim Downey explaining the fine tuning of their alien autopsy joke is gold.

[@charlie-obrien]

"Surprisingly" golden.

[@Psychol-Snooper]

I wish they would cover the Michael Jackson jokes too, because they were right about him and OJ. (EDIT) Was the alien autopsy joke the genesis of the "i can't fap to this" memes? 🤔

[@mariorossi4861]

@@Psychol-Snooper same. Especially, I'd love to know who came up with "...but make no mistake about it: he is a *homosexual* pedophile". "Homosexual" here is at least as good as "surprisingly" there

[@DLites151]

MJ innocent@@Psychol-Snooper

[@Psychol-Snooper]

@@DLites151 You are sick.

[@TheBalzy]

The reverence Conan has for Jim is very apparent. If this is the first time you're hearing his name, look him up and realize how much he's contributed to comedy. Living legend.

[@danielm4114]

Downey as long as he's alive with be one of the finest comedy craftsmen in any writer's room

[@ZeroESG.goopootoob]

Apparently, his wife is "a dirty, dirty tramp."

[@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113]

@@danielm4114 Morton Downey, Junior (RIP), was Comedyier.

[@mikejohnson3338]

​@@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought.

[@wt9767]

Sona Movesian adds nothing.

[@aidoox]

Conan and Jim downey talking about Norm? never clicked faster.

[@perry0547]

Me too. Would do anything to listen to these guys celebrate the best comedian who ever lived.

[@bradschaeffer5736]

@@perry0547 Or so the Germans would have us believe....

[@notachannel7495]

@@bradschaeffer5736 But they're like kinda jerks. Now, I don't know if you're a history buff...

[@bradschaeffer5736]

@@notachannel7495 "Germany you can't be a country no more on account of you keep attacking...THE WORLD. Who do you think you are, Mars?"

[@winzyl9546]

I like your back

[@oman115]

It means so much that Conan is using his platform to keep the memory of Norm alive. I hope entire new generations get to experience Norm's brilliance even after his passing.

[@sirmount2636]

Thankfully there are hundreds of hours of his material on this website.

[@jefftobbin6833]

That’s my lucky stabbing hat! 😢

[@tuxtitan780]

I'm only going on 17 but I truly love Norm, and it was old clips of him on Conan's shows that introduced him to me. I only discovered and fell in love with Norm a couple months before he died. It is sad to me how a lot of people my age just don't know who he is, because he really is brilliant and absolutely hilarious

[@papasquat355]

Norm's roast of Bob Saget was a masters class in comedy. He wrote and performed jokes that were meant to bomb, which had to be extremely hard to do. That made his performance incredible. And, he was right. Everybody would love to see Henry Fonda pick blueberries.

[@MrPadorey]

Well I don't give a hoot.

[@RadioactiveLobster]

"Well, it is finally official. Murder is legal in the state of California." One of the greatest jokes ever told.

[@phoenixspirit62]

I ❤ this one

[@vinyllpreviews9462]

Or, so the German's would have us believe.

[@vinyllpreviews9462]

I think Norm's best joke was at the ESPY's when he told Charles Woodson Congratulations on winning the Heisman Trophy, that's something they can never take from you, unless you kill your ex wife and her waiter friend, then all bets are off the table.

[@FineFlu]

And rings true today! 😂

[@SDXStudio]

Norm's full on attack of OJ Simpson was so incredible.

[@weeniehutjunior]

That last bit with the alien autopsy joke was hilarious! Especially Downey acting it out! HAHA

[@tvviewer4500]

It was Hot!

[@bradbicksler2186]

So funny!

[@esotericVideos]

What's great about that is that he knows it's funnier, but even in this room of talented comedy people it's not until he fully articulates it that they can appreciate just why it is so much funnier.

[@bmac63]

That was pure comedy gold and thats how you structure a great line...so good...

[@antoineboileau4194]

He tells us what the punch line is in advance and it still killed! 3 times! Unreal.

[@2010mceric]

The Better than Ezra joke is my all-time favorite Norm MacDonald line. I think about it every time I hear one of their songs.

[@betweenthestatic2464]

In a weird twist, one of the British singer George Ezra's first US shows was opening for (and this really happened) Better Than Ezra.

[@atownpronoun]

Same here.

[@BrandyStaples-d8l]

I absolutely loved watching Norm making half the audience feel awkward and uncomfortable on Weekend Update. His delivery was pure gold!

[@cloudshad0ws]

He reveled in those long pauses.

[@johanstinson]

His face when a joke didn't land was priceless. He loved that.

[@rdmez1]

The man was fearless...

[@goochI034]

99% of the SNL audience felt awkward because they werent ready for him or understood his sense of humor but after awhile…people finally “got it” and loved him.

[@sirmount2636]

Norm was so good @ bombing. Sometimes he would intentionally bomb his own sets. Fearless comedian.

[@adamcoe]

i wanna sit and listen to Jim Downey stories all day every day for an entire year. what an absolute gem

[@bgheadjack]

Downey is on the Mount Rushmore of late night. What a legend. This was when late night cared about comedy and was truly punk rock.

[@GrootSkywalker]

Heard a lot about Jim Downey on this podcast and others but never heard from the man himself. Does not disappoint. Legend!

[@maestrogringo]

He showed up in a few SNL sketches back in the day, one of the greatest SNL comedy writers, along with Conan, Al Franken, Robert Smigel & Tina Fey!

[@brianmay3669]

He was also the man that played the older homeless gent in Dirty Work that says “We are the more broken, spiritless, “I’ve lost the will to live” type homeless guys.”

[@maestrogringo]

@@brianmay3669 and lest we forget the principal in Billy Madison!

[@opaljk4835]

@@maestrogringoI think he’s the trivia moderator in BM.

[@maestrogringo]

@@opaljk4835 yep!

[@CordellPotts]

Norm fans have good hearts. We will click on anything just to hear someone say good things about him.

[@RhapsodyinGlue]

Like a moth at the pediatrist's office.

[@MISNM0]

💓

[@jaygray26]

Yup he’s a beast!

[@teaching_and_learning]

I love whenever Conan talks about Norm...that's why I tune in. Not a doubt in my mind Norm was by far his funniest guest on his show over the years, and I'm so happy we have those great memories all on KZbin to relive them again and again.

[@majcrash]

Yes, same with David Letterman and Dennis Miller.

[@teaching_and_learning]

@@majcrash totally agree!

[@shivansawh1107]

There is an excerpt from a Norm Macdonald interview with Jim Downey that I revisit every so often. They spoke about everything from Iran Contra, to Women Comedians to There Will Be Blood. RIP Norm and thank you Team Coco for interviewing this comedic genius ! Massive respect from Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹👏.

[@TheDylls]

I have to check this out! Thanks for sharing!

[@jmp01a24]

Ay ay Matey. Ship o hoy. From the high seas with Tumbaga we charter to Tobago. We shall rule the oceans... Oh darn there she itches, my damn wodden leg needs a scratching...

[@jgrantmistak]

That was when Norm guesthosted Dennis Miller's radio show.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

The problem is Jim only reads revisionist history... he knows a lot of BS history written by Communists who hate America... and believes it's newly uncovered facts when it's just propaganda. I can't wait until he finds out the truth about people like Bob Woodward.

[@Marty131080]

"So Jim, Watcha got pokin' in the fire?"

[@JonnyDIY]

Rip Norm. As a long time fan I feel so cheated he was taken just as he seemed to be hitting another level of success. He had really cultivated a whole new group of fans the last 10 years of his life 💔

[@bigandyt-man3010]

I will never forget his appearance in Billy Madison and his response to Sandlers answer "At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul." ... God I laughed so hard, and still do to this day! Love Jim Downey!

[@ajnode]

wtffffff thats Downey?!

[@JVIZ213]

@@ajnodeyes. Also the main homeless guy in Dirty Work

[@kevgar57]

Yes!! This guy is a meme. One of the best lines ever delivered.

[@bigandyt-man3010]

@@JVIZ213 good call!

[@charlie-obrien]

The best line of dialogue ever written and delivered by the same man.

[@stephen2d338]

I miss Norm. I’ve been saying that regularly since he passed away way too early. Thanks for keeping his memories and laughs alive, Coco!

[@Robomaniquin]

The fact that this is available online for free is a miracle. It’s amazing to watch. Long live Norm

[@dudemaister96]

I want (and would pay good money for) a 90 minute podcats of Conan remembering Norm's bits with a different guest every week.

[@YouTubedrumvids]

I always thought of Norm was one of the most punk rock guys in comedy. So nice to hear that validated. Incredible human being and is needed nowadays more than ever

[@papasy3748]

Jim Downey is an absolute legend and a sharpshooter of a comedy writer, so awesome to hear him speak especially under Conan's auspices!

[@judykane7682]

The love that Conan has for Norm (and other comedians) makes him even more lovable. He appreciates the craft in the way that we appreciate art.❤

[@-.._.-_...-_.._-..__..._.-.-.-]

It's crazy how 1 word can make a joke 10 time funnier. The whole line of Norm Mcdonald OJ jokes wasn't only one of the most funniest things I've ever seen; it was one of the most heroic. The way he kept going despite the straight-faces and boos was inspiring.

[@bah-nah]

And getting fired for it lol

[@smartpig555119]

There’s a term for it actually, it’s called “‘Gracie’s Maxim” if anyone’s interested:)

[@anuske9]

Huh? Grice? Which maxim? And it's the flouting of communicative norms that can be comedic, not following them.

[@jamsjars9505]

Love it when Conan chats to old TV heads. He's the only talk show host that's charming and intelligent enough to really have great conversations. Can't imagine Jimmy Fallon doing anything like this at all.

[@DylanCoteActor]

colbert?

[@Thedudeabides803]

Colbert would be offended by OJ jokes, because Colbert is puppet boy.

[@ragnakak]

Can people stop with the term oldheads. It’s really dumb

[@HarrieLeuknrut-b3s]

He would be like wahahahaha, oh my god that's so funny, doing an impression that hasn't to do with it.

[@adamplace1414]

"Clapter" is a great word that perfectly describes the late night scene now that Conan is no longer in it.

[@h.d.5194]

It's pretty much the bottom of the barrel with Fallon Colbert and Kimmel

[@tomp1116]

his trip to Haiti was clapter incarnate

[@pfzt]

@@h.d.5194 I love that you didn't even mention the worst of them: Corden. That this person took over from Ferguson is simply a crime against comedy.

[@DraxWithASax]

​@@pfzt Corden left, he doesn't have a late show anymore thankfully

[@rustyshackelford934]

Exactly what late night is now, including Seth Meyer’s unfunny ass. I’m not sure how this guy went from working with a legend like Norm, to Seth Meyers.

[@SALVATl0N]

Please have more guests like Jim Downey!

[@harold3165]

Please have more Jim Downey!

[@richb313]

Norm deserves all the respect his timing and delivery are ground breaking

[@anthonypayne2526]

I was in college during the OJ trial. The OJ jokes absolutely killed everyone I knew. My god, that was all gold. Norm was the best Weekend Update ever. Also, I was driving listening to this, and I about crashed my car during the alien joke.

[@esotericVideos]

Norm's OJ jokes always killed, almost as much as OJ Simpson.

[@GeorgeBailey2]

Thank you. I was fortunate enough to recognize him at a restaurant in CT after taking my young family to a midday movie in 2008. He graciously told me to call him and he'd set me up to go to SNL. When I called, we chatted for maybe 15 minutes or so. During that conversation, he explained that rhythm of the jokes and used the shark joke as the example. We got to sit on the floor for Valentines Day with Alec Baldwin as the host. Thank you Jim (and Norm) for the best Weekend Update.

[@bobbyologun1517]

WOW

[@ArsenicDrone]

Norm was so good at delivering that Frank Sebastiano joke structure (7:40). My favorite one went "Ford this week recalled two models of cars, saying that they might explode during refueling. At Ford, quality is job one. Job two? Making your car explode."

[@salwood]

what an amazing writer and storyteller. that memory is crisp. could listen to him tell the jokes all day. great interview!

[@chrisstorrer]

I was really impressed with his memory, too.

[@curtislindsey1736]

Jim Downey and Norm MacDonald are comedic legends. It's great to hear his side of the bits and jokes!

[@TheOrlandoTrustfull]

Norm MacDonald was not only one of the funniest people that ever lived, he was one of the greatest trolls that ever lived. Trolling is an art form, when done right.

[@TheSteveBoyd]

This one still hurts. It's weird. I never even met Norm Macdonald, but somehow it's like grieving for a lost friend. Ya know?

[@yamahamutha1]

I feel the exact same way!

[@joshyc2006]

I came across him years ago, but not in a doghouse way He just comes across as very...warm? Like he didnt seem to do anything with bad intentions, and i've spent so many hours watching and rewatching his stuff, to think theres nothing to explore going forwards it really pulls me down

[@thedude4672]

He was one of a kind. I never met him, but I love him

[@jodyleis9784]

​@@joshyc2006damn. I just realized. I do not own a doghouse!

[@alexanders8883]

​@@yamahamutha1I do too.

[@KitHavok]

You’re only truly dead, the last time someone speaks your name….. thank you Conan & Jim for keeping my hero alive ! ❤

[@mombear5116]

I smiled through this whole thing, which reminded me of my favorite thing about Norm, his smiling eyes. And then I realized his smiling eyes are contagious and live on in everyone who appreciates him.

[@thewildroots4491]

I went to a comedy club to see Norm. A few comedians opened for him. They were funny. When he took the stage I have never seen anything like it. Dude was such a genius. He made up jokes about the area where I lived off the cuff. The professionalism was unmatched.

[@ryankibler7973]

"I award no points and may God have mercy on your soul" - I never would have recognized Jim Downey until I heard that voice.

[@mondo1080]

Can listen to Norm stories for hours. Brings him back at least for a little while.

[@degergard]

How I wish I could THANK Conan, first of all for influencing my own sense of humor, and very much improving my life as a sad teenager. Secondly for introducing me to Norm, whose comedy completely rocked my world like nothing else. My first contact with Norm was a re-run some 20 years ago of the infamous Courtney Thorne-Smith episode that I saw on my "Tee-ve". (Only Norm-fans will get that). Conan and Norm, thank you!

[@davids.688]

CONAN: Do something with that, ya freak. NORM: I bet the "board" is spelled ... That whole appearance should be on the Mount Rushmore of talk show segments.

[@terdfergusonIII]

Some Canadians actually pronounce it that way. Not me, but some.

[@carlsamos1677]

This is perfect. More Jim Downey and Norm stories.

[@timmalone1534]

I could listen to this discussion for hours on end. What a master of comedy, and what a pairing he had with Norm. I remember seeing a few of those jokes during their first airing, especially the Sharks one

[@MeissnerEffect]

Norm loved you and Andy so much Conan. You understood you had nuclear fusion so you let him shine like a star. Likely THE BEST talk show sessions in history. You were all so beautiful to him and he knew he was loved. Genius set free.

[@ae6888]

This moments like these that show the true value of filming these podcasts, rather than just recording the audio. I listen to this episode earlier today, but watching the clip and seeing Jim actually miming the motions at end was even funnier.

[@marilynsparks852]

I am stuck in traffic and watching this and am crying at that.

[@stevepappas19]

The Better Than Ezra joke was my all time favorite Norm joke from Update. So glad Conan brought it up.

[@DjSunexx]

10:00 it's so great to see how just 2 little words make such a big difference in the end. For a joke where you'd think it is a relatively simple delivery but this truly shows the craft behind writing a good joke!

[@thinkplanetearth2946]

So many great jokes. And Conan's delight and raucous laughter is infectious.

[@_CaptainCanada]

I could listen to Norm stories forever. An absolute legend. Thanks for sharing.

[@iamrjdennis]

Finally, OJ Simpson can rest easy knowing his wife's killer is dead

[@senegoid3221]

This is a good line.

[@thedude4672]

Thank you Conan, Jim Downey, and (of course) Norm Macdonald for making me double over with laughter for most of my life.

[@rosemoore437]

Jim Downy is now in my top five Conan guests. This was a great episode. So funny!

[@soapywoodswitch]

OMG Where have you been hiding this GEM of a man?? I need several more hours of Jim Downey.

[@geoffreymaher7169]

The SNL skit with Downey that still gets me is the bank that only gives change. "We're not going to give you 2000 nickels, unless that meets your particular change needs."

[@keneldridge]

Same, that's how I always seem him

[@sfbsfb]

Change Bank! Fantastic piece.

[@angelicacollins7357]

Love that one

[@svyt]

I've been quoting that commercial for years - I thought I was the only one who loved it that much!

[@gjackson5778]

im ashamed to say I didnt know anything about Jim Downey, other than hearing his name over the years, and Im now convinced hes the funniest person on the planet. what a great episode!

[@jslberto]

To this day I'm still devastated that Norm is gone. I really can't get over it.

[@StellarJAGuar]

Same. I can’t believe he’s gone

[@butchvito]

Paul Newman told me you never get over it.

[@SeemoreDunkan]

I was just thinking of that ''Better Than Ezra'' joke today... Norm was such a national treasure. We miss you!

[@AllStater09]

Please have Jim Downey again! This was just pure gold! I don’t care how much it costs!

[@rygarisfun8164]

I listened to this specific podcast episode and have replayed clips so often. Best CONAF episode of all time

[@brotherless]

Conan needs to be back on late night. The best interview ever. Best host ever. We sure miss you.

[@bionicRod]

I remember seeing "Careful with that, that's my lucky stabbin' hat" when it aired and that has always stuck with me as one of the funniest things I have seen on tv, outside of the circumstances

[@frankharvey88]

The Better Than Ezra joke is literally one of my first memories of something being funny to me as a kid. As a kid of the 90s, Norm was a constant comedy presence in my life.

[@esra_erimez]

What you've just said is one of the most insanely brilliant things I have ever heard. At all points in your rambling, coherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now smarter for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

[@carlosfer2201]

The one time explaining the joke is even better.

[@ProppaT]

Man, I would have given anything to be a fly on the wall in a room with Norm and Jim. Two of the most brilliant comedic minds ever.

[@aR0ttenBANANA]

I wasn't even born when these two were doing their thing but they both sculpted my sense of humour so profoundly I can never repay them. RIP Norm et a la prochaine.

[@ChrisMan183]

I always liked Conan but I never actively watched his stuff. But this comes into my feed and I remember why I like him. RIP Normie and thanks to Conan. I don’t know how many people will be telling norm stories/jokes in the future. Almost one of those “had to see it to believe it” type of people.

[@marksasahara1115]

It's funny, I've heard the name Jim Downey, but it's great to finally see him and hear him talk about working with Norm and the great comedy they created together!

[@rickroll9086]

That was surprisingly easy to watch. Thanks Jim Downey for the stories on Norm.

[@davidvondoom2853]

Jim and Norm sounded like an amazing team.

[@MichaelPrill-si3zz]

Listening to them dissecting the jokes is such a rare glimpse behind the curtain, this is absolutely one of my favorite episodes!

[@ReggyGDI]

OJ died yesterday and KZbin recommrnnded this video to me today.😆

[@chrisnealis4270]

Jim Downey is possibly my favorite comedic mind of all time. Everything he touched turned to pure comedy gold, and his relationship with Norm proves it.

[@cleverusername9369]

Conan REALLY channeled Norm when he stared directly into the camera as Norm would do

[@jameslawrenceandrews]

Totally, he did that ever so subtle nod to to the viewer exactly like him.

[@Danny-wv8ec]

i'm on a Norm binge, AGAIN. RIP legend!

[@everyonelovesmajima]

My favorite OJ joke: “OJ Simpson said in an interview that Nicole Brown used to beat him up. He also claimed that Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown KILLED HIM.”

[@avocadomonkey4892]

This man is brilliant!!! I love hearing Jim and Conan break down classic jokes, and Conan's analysis of Norm's delivery. Please have Jim back!

[@mbarton36]

One of the better guests from the SNL days. Could listen to these two recount Norm stories for many hours

[@1972dsrai]

I’m from London, UK, we didn’t see a lot of Norm, but I saw a lot on TY and his own podcast and he was simply a genius. Never failed to make me laugh.

[@seamusburke639]

11:10 "I can work with this!"

[@jmedlin81]

Downey is perhaps the most underrated/unknown *genius* in all of comedy.. watching him speak with another legitimate genius of comedy (about a third certified genius of comedy) is the rarest of treats. I wish this were 5 hours long.

[@drewom9404]

Norm's passing spurred me on to finally try stand up. I'm just an open mic'er, but Norm was so influential to me, that losing him made me realize if i never tried, I'd actually regret something in my life. I love you and miss you, you old chunk of coal.

[@dr.mark.b.hubble]

Same boat. Norm made it ok not to conform to traditional stand-up routines and joke about awkward things with equally awkward timing.

[@jefftobbin6833]

Best of luck wish u the best

[@FunkSoulBubby]

I have DMs from after I sent him a joke when he was encouraging me to try stand up. I told him I was a single father and didn't quite have the time. He told me to record myself doing jokes over the weekend and send it to him by Monday. He was a very kind man. I still need to try an open mic night. I feel like I kind of have to now.

[@drewom9404]

Thank you all for sharing. I didn't realize this would resonate with so many. I'll keep going for Normie. Love and thanks to all of you!🧡

[@wildzeromusic]

Jim Downey talking through his edit of the alien autopsy joke combined with Conan's belly laughter at the memory of Norm telling is a fine moment to share with the folks at home.

[@brentfeldman]

I could watch them talk about Norm jokes forever. RIP Norm.

[@doubles7533]

Jim Downey is such a legend.

[@stobe187]

Downey is a bona fide legend. Damn I miss Norm so much..

[@RogueA.I.]

It makes my heart smile to see all the love for Norm. Before he passed I thought I was the only one who loved him this much.

[@AnthonyColomboAppliedMath]

I love how much he has true friendship with Norm. I miss Norm so much

[@JustSwivel2]

I watch the Jim Downey episode every two weeks and find a new favorite part every time.

[@lynobird9197]

The irony of Seth myers coining “claughter”..

[@mctaguer]

I loved that, long after people stopped talking about OJ, Norm kept going. Ruthless and relentless. Loved it.

[@garpfunkel2876]

I miss Norm a lot. One of the funniest people ever. I don't know why his full youtube shows aren't up. They were brilliant.

[@StumpkillerCP]

Thank you, Conan, for recognizing this outlandish, wild talent that was Norm Macdonald. And thank you, Conan, for the outlandish reactions to Norm's statements on your show. Comic hand grenades with the pins pulled and handed to you as host.

[@mikecantreed]

Conan and Downey are comedic geniuses.

[@revolveronvinyl]

Conan's delight at a good joke is just wonderful.

[@Garrettdx1988]

Jim Downey is an absolute legend

[@pauljacobs1911]

I'm so glad Jim Downing came out with the story about he and Norm's exit from SNL. Norm was not fired, he quit because they were firing his friend. RIP

[@lisvender]

Explaining a joke doesn’t always ruin it; sometimes it makes it funnier