In 2014, Norm Macdonald turns down a publisher’s offer for him to write a memoir.
A memoir is “one step below instruction manuals,” Norm says.
Instead, Norm decides to chill on a Canadian farm for two years.
He returns with a manuscript that’s part comedy, part Greek tragedy, and 100% unclassifiable.
When the world tried to pin down if this was his celebrity memoir, Norm’s says:
“Call it anything you damn like.”
The interview below takes place September 22, 2016 at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue in Washington D.C.
Norm’s book “Based on a True Story: A Memoir” had come out 2 days earlier.
Interview with Norm Macdonald about his book “Based on a True Story: A Memoir”
I know the video quality of this sucks — sorry but I didn’t make it. The audio (decent) is what counts anyway. -Rob
There are two videos of this interview I’ve found on this Norm interview:
- 1 hour and 14 min on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qo5BqgGEu0 (this is the one I watched and refer to in the time stamps below — you can also click on the video embed above to watch it)
- 1 hour and 28 min on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5YQ6FHdZFI) (this one has an intro without Norm (skip to 13:16 to watch Norm)
Ratings:
- My Rating: 97/100
- IMDB Rating: na/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: na /100 (Users); na/100 (Critics)
My Favorite Parts of the Norm Interview
Here are some my favorite moments (including quotes) from the Norm interview:
- Norm reading “The Tiny White Coffin” story from his book (mentioned in multiple comments as a highlight)
- Norm explaining the origin of his famous “Moth Joke” (around 16:05) — he took a 20-second joke from Colin Quinn and expanded it to a 7-minute Moth Joke he did on Conan O’Brien.
- Norm’s line “You can’t get into heaven without Jesus Christ” getting a laugh
- Norm’s joke about taking “fistfuls of acid” and his doctor being a purple dog (around 1:05:00)
- An audience member asking Norm a “Jew joke” and Norm delivering the punchline (around 51:00)
- Funny Norm quote about picking material for his book: “Most of your life is finding and eating food…which doesn’t make for a great read”.
- Norm’s self-deprecating and humble quips, endearing him to the audience
- Norm’s funny and insightful takes on the meaning of life and philosophical musings
- Norm’s story about his early days in comedy and dropping out of school (around 19:00)
- Norm skillfully winning over the interviewer, who seems initially uncomfortable but grows to enjoy the exchange
- Norm’s poignant reflections when reading book excerpts (especially around 37:00 and 42:00)
- Norm casually telling the “greatest joke in the history of mankind” after realizing he’s on for a second segment (a comment referencing a Conan appearance)
- Norm panicking and telling the baby seal clubbing story because he needs more material
- Norm’s funny comment “Aren’t you a fucking writer!?” to the interviewer
- The story at the end of the interview sounding like a self-eulogy in retrospect
- Norm recalls how he was the last standup act on Dave Letterman show.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc