Netflix has dropped a trailer for Norm: The Tale of Norm Macdonald, an upcoming documentary directed by Judd Apatow, which follows the life of the iconic comedian known for his razor-sharp deadpan delivery and brilliantly eccentric tangents.
Norm: The Tale of Norm Macdonald
The description reads: “From director Judd Apatow comes an intimate portrait of one of comedy’s most singular voices. Norm: The Tale of Norm Macdonald traces the life and career of the stand-up and Saturday Night Live legend, from his rise as the deadpan anchor of ‘Weekend Update’ to his enduring legacy as a comedian’s comedian — a master of the absurd, the dry, and the unexpected. Built entirely from archival footage, personal photos, and rare home videos contributed by fans and friends, the documentary lets Norm tell his own story in his own voice. This is a tribute to a comic genius whose influence on stand-up and television comedy remains unmatched.“
I came to appreciate Norm entirely too late, but I will definitely be watching when the documentary premieres on Netflix on October 16. There’s also a new biography in the works that could be very illuminating.
Norm Macdonald’s Life
Macdonald spent the ’80s performing in stand-up clubs in Canada, but he went on to write for comedies such as Roseanne and The Dennis Miller Show, and became a frequent guest on late-night shows. David Letterman and Conan O’Brien in particular became huge fans of Macdonald.
He was then hired as a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live, where he spent five seasons. He also anchored the show’s Weekend Update segment for several seasons, but was removed, allegedly due to his mocking of O.J. Simpson during the infamous murder trial. This was at the request of Don Ohlmeyer, president of NBC’s West Coast division, who was also a close friend and supporter of Simpson.
From there, he co-wrote and starred in Dirty Work, and starred in his own sitcom, The Norm Show. He was also a prolific voice actor, voicing Lucky the dog in the Doctor Dolittle franchise and lending his voice to Family Guy, The Fairly OddParents, Mike Tyson Mysteries, The Orville, and more. Not bad for an old chunk of coal.
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