{NOTE: In an effort to accept that technology has passed me by, I will be re-christening many of my posts with a number at the beginning... because it generates hits! So instead of "Lost Beatles Tracks," you'll see "Seven Lost Beatles Tracks." I don't like belaboring the titles, either, but that's the name of the game... and computers are clearly the wave of the future.}
Norm Macdonald has spent the past 18 years as “the guy who got fired from ‘Weekend Update’ for making O.J. Simpson jokes.” Wrong.
Norm Macdonald has spent the past 18 years as “the guy who got fired from ‘Weekend Update’ for making O.J. Simpson jokes.” Wrong.
He’s had (relatively short-lived) sitcoms and a talk
show, plus several parts in movies during the past two decades.
He was also a favorite guest of Conan O’Brien and David
Letterman (although Letterman seemed to cool towards him after having heart
surgery: Norm appeared 17 times from 1993-2000, but only 6 times after that –
including two very memorable appearances in Dave’s final weeks on the air).
He hilariously hosted SNL in 1999, twice dropping “Goddamn,” delivering
a monologue that said “the show blows,” ad-libbing during his “News & Views
with Larry King” segments, and generally not caring about anything – as he
always does (Artie Lange has since said that Norm considered doing the
monologue and then leaving).
Macdonald has also toured over the years, and currently has
an online talk show (Norm Macdonald Live).
Most recently, he put out a best-selling book, “Based on a True Story.”
Although much of the book is fictional (Norm said he wanted
to write a novel, but the publisher insisted on a memoir), he does include a
great deal of background about his time at “Weekend Update,” which seems to be fairly
straightforward.
He recounts his first meeting with legendary SNL writer Jim Downey: Downey wanted “Weekend Update” to have a “punk
sensibility,” like The Clash. (One clearly
fictional section of the book has Norm insisting he’s not a musician, and therefore cannot
turn “Update” into punk rock).
During the lead-up to SNL’s 25th anniversary special (1999),
Chevy Chase (who originated “Weekend Update”) said the only anchor he felt got
it “right” was Norm. The tone for Chase’s
years (1975-76) was so different from Norm’s, it’s surprising he said that. In later years, Jane Curtin, Bill Murray, Seth
Meyers, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon would all shape the segment to their
strengths and do well, and Chase seems to be forgetting the very popular Dennis
Miller years (1985-1991). However, none
of the anchors has ever created a persona and tone for the segment as strong as Norm's, to the point that it feels like a separate show-within-a-show.
During Norm’s years, he worked almost exclusively on “Update,”
along with Jim Downey. At one point, Don
Ohlmeyer (NBC President) decreed he did not care for Downey, and had him fired. Downey – who had been with the show since
1976, except for a period at “Late Night with David Letterman” – is widely
hailed as one of the best television comedy writers of all-time. (For me, personally, he’s in the same league
as David Lloyd and John Swartzwelder).
After Downey’s departure, he was able to come back and work
only on “Update,” giving it even more autonomy within SNL. When Norm was fired in December, 1997, the semi-official
reason from Ohlmeyer was that the news segment felt flat and Norm was unfunny. The unofficial reason -- the
one that’s been dogging Norm ever since -- is that Ohlmeyer didn’t like the
constant jokes about his friend, O.J. Simpson, during Simpson’s much-publicized
murder trial. Macdonald has always
dismissed that theory, and in fact says Ohlmeyer was surprised at being called
and asked by Norm about the firing, replying “oh, so they [SNL staff] want me to be the bad
guy?” This all leads me to believe that
Lorne Michaels (or others at the show) simply didn’t like the level of
independence the “Weekend Update” crew was enjoying. Read about this saga in Tom Shales’ “Live
From New York” and decide for yourself.
To help prove my point, I went back and watched every single
“Weekend Update” anchored by Norm, from 1994 through December, 1997 (season 20
through halfway into season 23). It’s
clear from watching that Don Ohlmeyer – and Norm’s critics at SNL and Rolling
Stone – were dead wrong.
These 69 gems of comedy are a secret stash that
still holds up perfectly today.
Although the audience takes a couple episodes to warm to
Macdonald, they quickly get the stripped-down aesthetic of his version of “Weekend
Update.” Many times, “The Fake News” was
the only thing that worked in the show (something noted by David Letterman
during Norm’s post-firing-appearances).
By Norm’s second season, he’s getting huge applause at the
start of “Update,” sometimes having to shout just to get the audience to quiet
down.
As for O.J. jokes, they increased in the lead-up to the criminal
trial, were relentless
during the trial (November, 1994-October, 1995) and then faded. Once
the civil trial began (November, 1996 to February, 1997) the jokes returned,
then faded again, popping up only when Simpson was in the news (such as when he
was refused service at a restaurant). By
the final (half) season, Norm was only making about one O.J. joke for every two “Update”
segments. That's not much... by this point, he was far tougher on President Bill Clinton.
And to critics who say Norm would stare at the camera
aimlessly: that was part of a bit! (Read
about this below in the David Alan Grier episode of 12/9/95).
Here now is an encapsulation of how Norm made us laugh for three
years…
Season 20:
After almost a decade of acclaim, season 19 was poorly received by
critics. SNL made a number of small
changes going into this year, including moving Norm from writer and occasional
featured player to “Update” host.
Recurring themes on WU this season include the Clintons hating eachother,
dog's sniffing eachother's butts, Marion Barry loving crack, and "the
current issue of _______ magazine."
Steve Martin/Eric Clapton: September 24, 1994
Norm gets off to a slow start, with an audience that isn't
sure what's happening. They will quickly
come around. This installment features O.J.
jokes, as well as "Germans Love David Hasselhoff." Guests include Laura Kightlinger on life
lessons (which gets a poor response; she and Norm do not care for eachother),
as well as Adam Sandler as Gil Graham reviewing summer concerts.
Marisa Tomei/Bonnie Raitt: October 1, 1994
More O.J. jokes, plus another "Germans Love David
Hasselhoff." Guests include Mike
Myers (one of two “Update” appearances with Norm) and Tim Meadows on the hockey
strike, and David Spade as the wordless "Cool Guy."
John Travolta/Seal: October 15, 1994
More O.J. jokes, plus "Germans Love David
Hasselhoff." Guests include Chris
Farley on the baseball strike, and Adam Sandler and David Spade as "Two
Guys From a Religious Cult."
Dana Carvey/Edie Brickell & Paul Simon: October 22,
1994
More O.J. jokes, plus "Germans Love David
Hasselhoff." Guests include Al
Franken (who had lobbied to host “Update” this season, and left when he was
passed over) on negative political ads, plus Hans & Franz.
Sarah Jessica Parker/R.E.M.: November 12, 1994
No O.J. jokes this week, but we do get "Germans Love
David Hasselhoff." Music reviewer
Gil Graham (Adam Sandler) returns.
John Turturro/Tom Petty: November 19, 1994
More O.J. jokes, plus "Germans Love David
Hasselhoff," which is appropriate since the real Hasselhoff makes a
cameo. Norm tries to get him to prove
the "theory" about Germans in a segment that runs way too long
(because the audience once again seems befuddled). The bit won't return for over two years. The only other guest is Mike Myers as Judge
Ito (from the Simpson trial). Also
includes what may be the first joke during Norm's tenure about Michael Jackson.
Roseanne/Green Day: December 3, 1994
No O.J. Simpson jokes, but this edition features the first
use of "Happy Birthday, Jesus... hope you like crap!" Guests include an Adam Sandler cameo (singing
"The Hanukkah Song”) David Spade on athletes on strike, and Janeane
Garofalo as a fictional ACLU rep (who awkwardly interacts with Norm; her
segment was solid, even if the audience wasn’t into it).
Alec Baldwin/Beastie Boys: December 10, 1994
No O.J. Simpson jokes, but this edition features the first
mention of "DUH Magazine." No
guests this week.
George Foreman/Hole: December 17, 1994
O.J. Simpson jokes return.
Adam Sandler, David Spade and Chris Farley return as part of
"Two Guys From a Religious Cult" and Martha Stewart (Janeane Garofalo) gives Christmas tips.
Jeff Daniels/Luscious Jackson: January 14, 1995
More O.J. Simpson jokes.
Guests include David Spade on concerts, and Ellen Cleghorne as O.J.'s
mother.
David Hyde Pierce/Live: January 21, 1995
More O.J. Simpson jokes.
Tim Meadows discusses the hockey strike and Jay Mohr (in his only
appearance with Norm on “Update”) presents sports bloopers.
Bob Newhart/Des'ree: February 11, 1995
More O.J. Simpson jokes.
Guests include David Spade doing a "Hollywood Minute"-style
run down of Cindy Crawford's suitors, Adam Sandler singing "Sex Phone
Lady" and a look at footage from the O.J. trial with Chris Elliot mugging
while giving testimony.
Deion Sanders/Bon Jovi: February 18, 1995
More O.J. Simpson jokes, and the first use of "Don't I
Know It!" The only guest is Operaman.
George Clooney/The Cranberries: February 25, 1995
More O.J. Simpson jokes. Starting with this appearance, Norm changes his greeting to "This
Is the News" instead of "Now, the Fake News." Guests include Kevin Nealon on Medicare,
George Clooney on "Chicago Hope" and an O.J. juror (Ellen Cleghorne).
Paul Reiser/Annie Lennox: March 18, 1995
More O.J. jokes. Guests include David Spade as Jeff
Foxworthy, and Frank Dippy & Hank Doodle (Sandler and Farley).
John Goodman/The Tragically Hip: March 25, 1995
More O.J. jokes. The guest is a cameo by Kato Kaelin.
Damon Wayans/Dionne Farris: April 8, 1995
More O.J. jokes. Guests include David Spade as Jeff
Foxworthy, and Adam Sandler asking Mike Tyson to beat people up for him.
Courteney Cox/Dave Matthews Band: April 15, 1995
More O.J. jokes. Molly Shannon makes her first Update
appearance, as an English teacher obsessed with grammar and diction.
Bob Saget/TLC: May 6, 1995
More O.J. jokes. Guests include Ellen Cleghorne decrying the
cancellation of "Full House" and Morweena Banks discussing American TV. Banks outranked Norm on Rolling Stone magazine’s 2015 ranking of every SNL castmember, much to his annoyance (before seeing the
list, he reportedly specifically asked if he was lower than Banks, who appeared on just 4 episodes before returning to England). The segment ends with a clip of Howard Cosell
(from his hosting stint on April 13, 1985) to mark his passing (from the sketch
in which he plays his own father in flashback, opposite Billy Crystal as his
mother).
David Duchovny/Rod Stewart: May 13, 1995
More O.J. jokes. Guests include Adam Sandler with a Mother's
Day song, Laura Kightlinger on friends getting married (which again does
poorly) and Michael McKean as Adam West, discussing the newer Batman films.
Season 21:
SNL got a major revamp and mostly new cast.
Norm was one of the few asked to stay.
Mariel Hemingway/Blues Traveler: September 30, 1995
More O.J. jokes, plus the first uses of "or as they
call it, Wednesday." Also contains
the joke about Ezra/Better Than Ezra. Nancy Walls is guest commentator, talking about the sad state of society. For some
reason, the news starts with the theme from "Friends" ("I'll Be
There For You").
Chevy Chase/Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories: October 7, 1995
The first show after the O.J. verdict, it famously started
with Norm saying "murder is legal in California." Also includes another use of "don't I
know it." Contains an extended
location piece from Father Guido Sarducci searching for the Pope's wallet,
which the audience does not seem to understand.
Possibly they were unfamiliar with who Sarducci was (this would be his
last appearance, to date, on the show). The intro
music changes again this week to an unknown instrumental.
David Schwimmer/Natalie Merchant: October 21, 1995
More O.J. jokes. Norm
returns to starting Update by saying "and now, The Fake News." Jim Breuer guests to discuss bar fights
(clearly a part of his standup act) and Will Ferrell makes his Update debut as
a Cleveland Indians fan discussing Chief Wahoo.
Gabriel Byrne/Alanis Morissette: October 28, 1995
More O.J. jokes.
Guests include Darrell Hammond as Phil Donahue, and Cheri Oteri, Molly
Shannon and David Spade acting immature during an editorial on respect.
Quentin Tarantino/The Smashing Pumpkins: November 11,
1995
More O.J. jokes.
Debut of Norm-worshipping fops Lucien & Fagin (Mark McKinney and
David Koechner). The other guest is Don
King (played by Tim Meadows) trying to sweet-talk Norm.
Laura Leighton/Rancid: November 18, 1995
More O.J. jokes.
Colin Quinn makes his Update debut, playing Joe Blow with news from The
Bronx. The other guest is a Howard Stern
supporter (writer Frank Sebastiano) who twice comes on under false pretenses just to yell "Stern
Rules!"
Anthony Edwards/Foo Fighters: December 2, 1995
More O.J. jokes.
David Koechner debuts his nervous "Norm's brother" character
(ironic since Norm's real-life brother is a smooth and polished CBC newsman).
David Alan Grier/Silverchair: December 9, 1995
More O.J. jokes, and the debut of "or so the Germans
would have us believe." The audience's
uncomfortable tittering at this joke -- while Norm prolongs a stares at the
camera -- was an attempt at meta-comedy.
Unfortunately, it was seized upon by Rolling Stone magazine in its ranking of SNL castmembers. Norm was
ranked 135 out of 141, just ahead of The Muppets (who weren't really
castmembers), Colin Quinn, Robert Downey, Jr. and Gilbert Gottfried. The Rolling Stone writers at least acknowledged the last three as talented people who were wasted on the show. In Norm's entry, they dismissed him as
"a Dennis Miller clone with no mullet and no jokes. Stare into the camera
a little longer, Norm; maybe it'll get funnier." Seizing on one recurring bit -- which was
done five times out of 69 Updates -- to define Norm's career is completely
wrong-headed. (And by the way, the joke does get some laughs each time).
Guests include Lenny the Lion (Colin Quinn) on animal
control, and Darrell Hammond's Bill Clinton reviewing "The American
President."
Madeline Kahn/Bush: December 16, 1995
More O.J. jokes, and another "or so the Germans would
have us believe." The guest is St. Nicky, played by Colin Quinn.
Christopher Walken/Joan Osborne: January 13, 1996
More O.J. jokes, another "or so the Germans would have
us believe" and "don't I know it." Jim Breuer returns to discuss alcohol (again
seemingly lifted from his standup act).
The other guest is Darrell Hammond as Jesse Jackson, discussing civil rights
and laughter.
Alec Baldwin/Tori Amos: January 20, 1996
More O.J. jokes. Colin
Quinn returns as Joe Blow.
Danny Aiello/Coolio: February 10, 1996
More O.J. jokes.
David Koechner returns as "Norm's brother." The other guest is a cameo by Dallas Cowboy Larry
Brown.
Tom Arnold/Tupac Shakur: February 17, 1996
More O.J. jokes, plus an over-long (fake) phone call from
O.J. Simpson (Tim Meadows), trying to sell his new video.
Other guests include Joe Blow (Colin Quinn) as well as Adam Sandler
making a cameo to sing a song about his grandmother.
Elle Macpherson/Sting: February 24, 1996
More O.J. jokes, and another use of "or so the Germans
would have us believe," as well as the return of Lucien & Fagin (Mark
McKinney and David Koechner).
John Goodman/Everclear: March 16, 1996
More O.J. jokes, and another use of "or so the Germans
would have us believe." Colin Quinn guests to discuss St. Patrick's Day.
Phil Hartman/Gin Blossoms: March 23, 1996
More O.J. jokes.
Darrell Hammond returns as Jesse Jackson to discuss the Oscars. Phil Hartman guests as Frankenstein (a
character from his years on the show).
Steve Forbes/Rage Against the Machine: April 13, 1996
More O.J. jokes, plus guest Fred Wolf on personalized
mail. (Wolf would co-write "Dirty
Work" with Norm, and also has a small cameo in the film as one of the
homeless men, along with legendary SNL writer Jim Downey. This is Wolf's only Update appearance despite
writing on-and-off from seasons 17-22).
Teri Hatcher/Dave Matthews Band: April 20, 1996
More O.J. jokes, plus a guest commentary from golfer Greg
Norman (played by Mark McKinney).
Christine Baranski/The Cure: May 11, 1996
No O.J. jokes this week.
David Koechner returns as "Norm's brother." The other guest is a cameo by the Chicago
Bulls' Dennis Rodman.
Jim Carrey/Soundgarden: May 18, 1996
The O.J. jokes return.
Season 22:
Slight changes to the cast, but otherwise the show remains the same. This season's regular Update targets (aside
from O.J. Simpson) include Michael Jackson, The Clintons (specifically jokes
about Bill wanting to kill Hillary, and both of them having killed Vince
Foster), and a lot of prison rape jokes.
Tom Hanks/Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers: September
28, 1996
More O.J. jokes, and the debut of "you guessed it,
Frank Stallone." Ana Gasteyer debuts
the retro-obsessed Kincaid character, and the other guest is a cameo by
Olympian Kerry Strug.
Lisa Kudrow/Sheryl Crow: October 5, 1996
More O.J. jokes, plus the first use of "I bet this
wouldn't have happened if they were rich, old white guys." Norm also gets in a good deal of ad-libbing
around the audience's boos for Roberto Alomar.
Darrell Hammond returns as Bill Clinton to review "Independence
Day."
Bill Pullman/New Edition: October 19, 1996
More O.J. jokes, and another "I bet this wouldn't have
happened... white guys." The guest
is Will Ferrell as Harry Caray.
Dana Carvey/Dr. Dre: October 26, 1996
More O.J. jokes, another "Frank Stallone," and a
commentary by Joe Blow (Colin Quinn) on Yankee Stadium.
Chris Rock/The Wallflowers: November 2, 1996
More O.J. jokes and another "Frank Stallone."
Robert Downey, Jr./Fiona Apple: November 16, 1996
More O.J. jokes, and another "I bet this wouldn't have
happened... white guys." The guest
is a cameo by Bob Dole (who was also in the cold open) interrupting Norm's
jokes at Dole's expense. This edition
features Norm (seemingly) ad-libbing to the audience "Michael Jackson is a homosexual pedophile," as
well as "The President's a murderer, you didn't know that?"
Phil Hartman/Bush: November 23, 1996
More O.J. jokes and another "Frank Stallone." Norm gets in an ad-lib about "The Dean
Martin Show." The guest is a cameo
by frequent Dean Martin-guest Rodney Dangerfield (one of Norm’s idols, who also
hosted March 8, 1980 and cameoed April 7, 1979).
Martin Short/No Doubt: December 7, 1996
More O.J. jokes, plus a commentary by Lenny the Lion (Colin
Quinn) on health care.
Rosie O'Donnell/Whitney Houston: December 14, 1996
More O.J. jokes and another "Frank Stallone." An animated Beavis & Butthead make a
cameo (promoting "Beavis & Butthead Do America").
Kevin Spacey/Beck: January 11, 1997
More O.J. jokes. Guest
is Courtney Love (Molly Shannon) discussing "The People vs. Larry
Flynt."
David Alan Grier/Snoop Doggy Dogg: January 18, 1997
More O.J. jokes.
Guest is Colin Quinn on Michael Irvin.
Neve Campbell/David Bowie: February 8, 1997
More O.J. Jokes, plus the first Hollywood Minute with David
Spade (on Update) in nearly 3 years.
Norm is clearly embarrassed when he ruins the final joke at the end by
mispronouncing a word.
Chevy Chase/Live: February 15, 1997
More O.J. jokes.
Guest is Colin Quinn on Clinton's infidelities.
Alec Baldwin/Tina Turner: February 22, 1997
More O.J. jokes.
Guest cameo by Howard Stern.
Sting/Veruca Salt: March 15, 1997
More O.J. jokes, plus the debut of "Note to
self." Guests include a drunk Colin
Quinn, and Ana Gasteyer on "Annie."
Mike Myers/Aerosmith: March 22, 1997
No O.J. jokes this week, but Norm does use "Frank
Stallone" and "note to self."
Guests include Dominican Lou (Tracy Morgan, making his Update debut) on
the Oscars, and Bill Clinton (Darrell Hammond) reviewing "Absolute
Power."
Rob Lowe/Spice Girls: April 12, 1997
No O.J. jokes this week, but Norm does use "note to
self." This episode features his
unintentional uttering of "what the fuck" after burping.
Pamela Anderson/Rollins Band: April 19, 1997
O.J. jokes return, and a use of "Frank Stallone"
and "note to self" (in which he references last week's accidental
swearing).
John Goodman/Jewel: May 10, 1997
No O.J. jokes this week, but Norm does use "note to
self." Guests include Dominican Lou
(Tracy Morgan) on Big Blue, as well as Will Ferrell vomiting about Ellen
DeGeneres coming out of the closet (which leads to a classic Norm ad-lib).
Jeff Goldblum/En Vogue: May 17, 1997
More O.J. jokes, plus "note to self" and the first
"Germans Love David Hasselhoff" since Nov. 19, 1994. Guests include Lenny the Lion (Colin Quinn)
on violence. Norm also reads kids'
letters to The President.
Season 23:
Few changes from the previous season but sadly, Norm is gone from Update
after the Christmas hiatus. Recurring
themes this season are Janet Reno's gender, Marv Albert's sex scandal, and
President Clinton's sex life as well as his ties to the Chinese.
Sylvester Stallone/Jamiroquai: September 27, 1997
No O.J. jokes. Guests
include a cameo by the real Richard Jewell (an idea Norm later said he did not
care for), and Ana Gasteyer as Cinder Calhoun singing "Sausage of
Pain."
Matthew Perry/Oasis: October 4, 1997
One O.J. joke, plus "note to self."
Brendan Fraser/Björk: October 18, 1997
No O.J. jokes. The
guest is Will Ferrell as Harry Caray.
Chris Farley/The Mighty Mighty Bosstones: October 25,
1997
No O.J. jokes, but Norm again uses "don't I know
it." The guest is Tracy Morgan,
reminding people he's "the other black guy" on SNL.
Jon Lovitz/Jane's Addiction: November 8, 1997
No O.J. jokes. The
guest is Jon Lovitz reprising his Tommy Flanagan pathological liar character.
Claire Danes/Mariah Carey: November 15, 1997
One O.J. joke, plus local news from Joe Blow (Colin Quinn).
Rudolph Giuliani/Sarah McLachlan: November 22, 1997
No O.J. jokes. Cinder
Calhoun (Ana Gasteyer) returns to perform "Basted In Blood" with
musical guest Sarah McLachlan.
Nathan Lane/Metallica & Marianne Faithfull: December
6, 1997
No O.J. jokes. The
guest is Lou Costello (played by Nathan Lane).
Helen Hunt/Hanson: December 13, 1997
One O.J joke. Guests
include a drunk Colin Quinn. Norm's
final 3 jokes on Update are classics, including the extended riff on a "women
are bad drivers" pie chart.
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