Norm Macdonald Has a Show

Interesting, hilarious, mostly great guests, perhaps with the exception of Fonda and Letterman. There's not a lot a lot to say about it. It's basically just like a podcast, and that's great, because it is all about the discussion.

I know that not everyone gets Norm. If you don't get him this is a show that you should avoid at all costs. That's fine.

To me, Norm is the finest comedian alive today and his uniquely weird, warm personality adds immeasurably to his appeal.

I found myself watching every episode with a sappy, happy grin on my face interspersed with bouts of laughing out loud. Norm effortlessly charms guests he didn't know well, like Jane Fonda, Drew Barrymore, Michael Keaton, Judge Judy and M. Night Shyamalan. For friends and colleagues like David Spade, David Letterman, Chevy Chase and Lorne Michaels there is lots of entertainment to be derived from their pointed teasing and joking around. The episode with Billy Joe Shaver, one of Norm's best friends, is just delightful.

A must see for fans of Norm.

Norm is at his best. Before you judge Adam Eget, please watch his old Norm MacDonald Live spots...Adam is doing exactly what Norm wants him to do.

Norm interrupts and has horrible (or genius?) segues between topics which is his trademark. That's what makes it different and funny. Even when he interrupts, the guests love him.

I only hope he gets Gilbert Gotfried on ASAP.

Norm is so authentic and natural that he brings out the humanity of his guests better than any other talk show host. Although the show is heavy with irony, irreverence, and hilarious non sequiturs, there remains a genuine warmth between Norm and his guests (and to a lesser extent his sidekick Adam Egret, who masterfully plays the role of the good-natured inflatable clown punching bag). You can tell Norm's guests truly like him and some even revere him for his incomprehensible comedic genius.

Unfortunately, like all geniuses, Norm is often misunderstood. Many can't make sense of him because, like a force of nature, he is unpredictable, and is often indifferent to politically correct pieties. This is refreshing to most honest souls, but is anathema to the puritanical ideologues who currently dominate the media. For this reason, Norm will likely never have mass appeal. For the same reason, he is a true artist with integrity whose legacy will outlive most of his peers.

For those not familiar with Norm's humor and personality, the show may be somewhat puzzling at first. I urge you to stick with it. He grows on you, and you feel yourself and your own humor growing along the way.

This show is better than most interview shows out there right now. It's kind of like a choose your own adventure interview for the guests. Norm allows them to be as serious and/or as silly as they want by asking good questions and injecting comedy throughout. It also has great production value. My only complaint is that the jokes segment at the end could be a tad bit longer. (To be honest, I wish each episode were longer.) Norm is a very knowledgeable guy and adds a lot of depth to each interview.