Norm MacDonald's Genius Roast Of Bob Saget (The Whole Thing)
There were three types of jokes made during last night's mostly disappointing Comedy Central Roast Of Bob Saget:
1. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen sexual jokes.
2. Gay jokes.
3. Jokes about Cloris Leachman's vagina.
Yawn! Gay jokes, really, still? Just when I was about to turn off the TV, though, the incomparable Norm MacDonald took the stage and turned the roast on its head with his own form of subversive comedy. Word is, the Comedy Central suits almost didn't use his set, which makes sense because it was the only original part of the entire thing. What scoundrels! After the jump, Norm's roast in its entirety, in which he proves that old lady vagina jokes are for the birds.
Leave it to the chronically misunderstood MacDonald to have the network's Carlos Mencia fans scratching their heads. Next year, as a creative challenge, Comedy Central should write a list of banned subjects, like that fun game, Taboo, only for tired old roast cliches.
Posted by Lindsay at 12:00 PM in Stand Up Comedy
Tags: Bob Saget | Norm MacDonald | Roasts
We've secretly replaced Norm MacDonald with the ghost of Andy Kaufman. Let's see if anyone notices.
Score = 29
Norm MacDonald is Canadian. That was Canadian humor.
Score = -18
omg. i laughed. then cried. norm macdonald just made me like bob saget???
Score = 2
Ouch! Did he lose a bet and have to read a bunch of jokes written by Shecky Greene instead of doing his own or what?
Score = -61
or did he just tell jokes that you where to stupid to get yes your stupid
Score = -18
This went past comedy to performance art. Norm is my personal god.
Score = 34
wow what makes a has been comedian your god? I hope his shit material on the saget roast was not your reasoning for making him your god... pathetic in so many ways.
Score = -47
The funny thing is that you are too stupid to understand what Norm did.
Score = 21
Thanks for saying what I was about to say, Buck.
Score = 2
Yeah- I was totally about to turn it off, but seeing Norm Macdonald's ridiculous vaudevillian roast was amazing.
Score = 26
Takes a lot of them there whaddaya call 'em? Balls. Takes a lot of balls to do a performance like that.
Score = 27
i love you norm macdonald and kinda miss your eponymous sitcom co-starring wacky aunt jackie.
Score = 2
Wow that was just terrible. Was he trying to suck up there? Those jokes were from like 1940. Im gonna go watch a Chapelle Show re-run to erase any unconventional comedic thoughts...
Score = -82
That's the whole point. He's not roasting Sagat, he's roasting roasts.
Score = 29
I love that he's gonna wash this off with Chappelle's Show.
I salute you, sir!
Score = -8
Anyone who didn't think this was the funniest part of the roast needs to suck on Heath Ledgers nut. (It's cool, he would have been ok with it) Besides I don't think there's a person here commenting who wouldn't love to watch Henry Fonda pick blueberries.
Score = 15
great! he seemed really emotional at the end.
Score = 9
His face looks like a couliflower. That was so funny. I did not know that Bob Saget had couliflower ear though? I thought that was just boxers that got that.
Score = -19
Norm rocked. I laughed so hard I had tears coming out of my eyes. He's an original. Just love him!
Score = 9
Norm Macdonald is also TV's greatest talk show guest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqeqsBQ0wq0
Score = 5
When he mentioned Christmas Seals, I spit out my nose.
Score = 5
you must spit out of your nose quite often. obviously it's for everything
Score = -12
I had a lot of mixed feelings about this. First I thought maybe Norm is facing some life threatening disease. Or something is seriously wrong with him. Then I thought, we’ll maybe he is just trying to mimic Bob’s Funniest home video humor. I don’t know. And then when Bob had that emotional moment at the end. Like he knew something was wrong with Norm. I hate conspiracy theories, but you put the pieces together?
Score = -37
I'm glad people besides me "got it". This is the segment that I laughed the hardest at. I'm glad that some of the comedians, and a few members of the audience seemed to realize what Norm was doing too.
Score = 17
this was neil hamburger-esque
definitely a good thing
Score = 5
OMG! I was crying at the end of Norms set. I'm glad most people "Got it". Looks like some didn't haha.
He is genius.
Score = 6
When I saw this the first time I remember going "...what the hell?" after the first joke, then thinking "He's gotta be up to something" at the second one, then finally catching on at the third joke. It was genius.
Score = 11
That just made me LOL. Hilarious.
Score = 4
I was practically in tears watching this last night
Score = 5
Pure genius! I don't need to do ab exercises for a while I was laughing so hard!
It was clear the comedians (or at least some of them) on stage got it, while Stamos just had a quizzical look on his face. He must not be too risible.
I almost died when he said to Gilbert, "Pay no heed."
Of course it's going to go over the heads of the Carlos Mencia fans.
Would love to see him as a sidekick on Conan when he takes over the Tonight Show.
Score = 8
You guys totally stole my idea.
I agree.
Score = 2
Macdonald's impression of Saget should go down in comedy history. He does a better Saget than Saget does. And the fact that so many people didn't get it is the ultimate burn! Now I'm just waiting for someone to do a YouTube bit alternating Macdonald with bits from AFHV...
Score = -17
He wasn't doing Saget, d-bag. He was doing schtick.
Score = 10
"Word is, the COMEDY CENTRAL suits almost didn't use his set," Oh, that's some sweet, sweet irony.
Score = 6
The truth? Norm didn't want to do the roast, and when he couldn't get out of it he decided to make a mockery of it. They cut about five minutes of this. It's funny but it ain't performance art.
Score = -9
sorry to burst the bubble
i knew what he was doing and did not laugh. once.
Score = -58
I think it’s like the emperors new clothes. “It’s funny and if you don’t get it then you’re just an idiot”. No, it wasn’t funny. Maybe an inside joke, maybe he didn’t want to do, maybe he lost a bet, maybe they were jokes from candy wrappers, maybe he was impersonating Bob Saget, but No, it wasn’t funny.
Score = -39
I think calling something The Emperor's new clothes is like The Emperor's New Clothes. Or at least it has Jumped The Shark.
Score = 2
Norm MacDonald is beyond your piddling stand up comedy. He has TRANSCENDED stand up comedy.
I also get the feeling that he doesn't like doing roasts and didn't want to say anything bad about anyone especially Bob Saget.
Score = -4
Loved it loved it loved it. Especially after seeing the other acts. This had me rolling! Also very interesting to see the half the audience with a confused stare and the other half just dying.
Norm's the man, end of story
Score = 6
Norm just didn't care. It was F'n Comedy Central like he said at one point. He threw together some 40 year old jokes, kicked backed, collected his check, and still made everyone laugh. Norm just didn't care folks.
Score = -9
Norm's set was absolutely the funniest thing on the roast! I have heard tons of people bash his set and did not get at all what he was doing. How funny was he using these old jokes and delivering them like he did! He had an idea, went with it and it worked! I loved it! People not getting it explains the 9000 American Pie Movies that call themselves comedy.
Score = 5
Why do I get the feeling that McDonald didn't particularly want to do the roast and instead of think up some jokes he just googled "roast jokes" and clicked on the third item. (Go ahead, you'll find the jokes he used). It requires virtually no effort, and they might get a few pity laughs, they are mildly funny in an ironic mocking way. Little did he know that a bunch of disingenuous wannabe comedy snobs would claim that they thought it was intelligent and hilarious. Sure you did...you really "get it."
Score = -28
But wasn't it kind of obvious that he was reading off a list of bad jokes (not written by himself)? What's not to get? You're being weird and silly. Calm down.
Score = 12
The same people who didn't like MacDonald's set are the types to buy 'Date Movie' and 'Meet the Spartans' on DVD, and howl at the mindless cut-'n'paste pop culture references. If you didn't "get it", then you don't know comedy, you don't know funny, and are too dopey for anything that's not safe, conventional and hack. Sometimes it's not subjective, so don't tell me that this is a matter of opinion. Just go stare at a wall and die... thanks for your attention.
Score = -2
you've managed to sound hyper-pretentious and curmudgeonly all at once. great job!
Score = 6
Kaproteus, Thank you so much for proving my point. Jay Newerk already compared this to "The Emporer's New Clothes" and the comparison is completely apt.
Perhaps you are right though, maybe it was funny and creative, just like Larry the Cable Guy. I've been saying for years that Larry is in fact a comedic genius, but not for the reasons that people think. His entire comedy routine and persona is in fact an act. It's a satirical portayal of rednecks and uneducated country folk, but few of his fans get it which makes it even funnier; they don't even know that he is mocking them.
What? Don't you get it? It's so obvious. Oh well, I guess you're just too "dopey" to understand sophisticated humor.
Score = 2
Wrong.....Larry the Cable Guy is surely an exagerated persona, but it is no way an ironic mockery of blue collar values.
Score = 4
really, i think it's just as funny if he did half-ass his way through it just to get a check. at the beginning, anytime someone would make a joke about him, camera would cut, and all you'd see was the newspaper he was reading. either he totally didn't want to be there, or he wanted us to think he totally didn't want to be there.
i'm happy with either.
Score = 5
I completely agree that Norm's set was hilarious, but what I don't understand why everyone seems to dissapointed by all the regurgitated cliche'd jokes. You do remember that it's a roast you are watching. The whole idea is to bust each other's balls in the most offensive ways possible, not to awe each other with your unconventional style of comedy. Anyone who didn't enjoy Norm obviously doesn't appreciate true comedy, but anyone who didn't enjoy hearing about Cloris Leachman's vagina obviously doesn't appreciate a roast.
Score = 6
"because it was the only original part of the entire thing."
Um, no.
Norm got all of his jokes from google. 4 of them on one page:
http://halife.com/speakers/roast.html
Score = -8
Norm stole the show he took the show home with him. Think i watched these like 200 times now and cant get anuff funnest stuff I heard in a while NORM RULES !!!!!!!!
and for all you haters maybe when ya grow up you will understand
!
Score = -4
Hate to sound retarded, but can anyone explain the henry fonda blueberries comment by jim norton, went right over my head....
norm rules, always
Score = 2
“Why do I get the feeling that McDonald didn't particularly want to do the roast and instead of think up some jokes he just googled "roast jokes" and clicked on the third item. (Go ahead, you'll find the jokes he used). It requires virtually no effort, and they might get a few pity laughs, they are mildly funny in an ironic mocking way. Little did he know that a bunch of disingenuous wannabe comedy snobs would claim that they thought it was intelligent and hilarious. Sure you did...you really "get it."
Posted by: IanR”
…yeah, I just wanted to say that you seem to have completely missed the bus, and are now showing your stripes in the attempt to discredit those who passed you by. Reading this post, it seems you are disappointed that Norm didn’t employ a team of writers to come up with a bunch of dirty, generic, gay/old/fat/ugly/sex jokes that he could randomly toss around to the panel for cheap, fleeting laughs. Sure the plastic world insteantly responded with stuff like “He said Leachman’s pu$$y is dry, that was so F’in classic…” Yawn… But instead, Norm actually gives a performance ~ whats wrong with him, and all these people who appreciated it acting as though they somehow “get it”!
What Norm did was unconventional so it must be ‘effortless’ as opposed to the extreme difficulty of reading other peoples jokes off a teleprompter, right? Really, if you don’t appreciate the fact that not everyone wants to take the easy road in an attempt to look trendy, then I don’t know what to tell you. If you cant appreciate comedy for its delivery, timing, and overall concept instead of the canned-laughs designed to give a couple bad actors a shock, well then I think it shows how much you are really missing out on. But there is a reason that the comedians who studied under the alltime greats could barely contain themselves during his set, and its not because he was “mildly funny in an ironic mocking way”. Among comic greats, Norm is one of the more respected comics that you will find; and has always been considered a “comics-comic”. But if you cant truly appreciate the art of comedy, then its understandable this would have gone over your head ~ it wasn’t intended to reach you in the first place…
But hey, maybe you have a point. I mean, its being hailed by so many that “claim” to “get it” as true genius, while simultaneously being attacked by so many others like yourself who also proclaim they too “got it” but that it sucked. A comedy bit which ends in gigantic, uncontrollable laughter in some (including those who studied under greats), a look of bewilderment in so many others (including the sitcom-actors and BrittneySpears generation), everyone trying to act like they got it, and enough interest to be the only thing really worth talking about on the entire night ~ yah, Norm sure blew that one…
Score = 8
I was dissapointed by how boring the entire show was. The jokes were subpar all around. I think the best ones were by Lewis Black, but even he has done much better than he did.
Althought I do wonder which of the roasters were the "comedians who studied under the alltime greats" that you mentioned. Lovitz maybe, but surely you can't mean McDonald. The only worthwhile thing he has ever done was SNL, which has been decidely unfunny ever since Aykroyd, Radner, and Belushi all left.
I'm sorry to tell you, but there aren't really any comic greats anymore, Carlin was one of the last. Off the top of my head, the only one left is Mort Sahl. McDonald is in line with Drew Carey, Dane Cook, and Carlos Mencia, far from "comic greats."
Score = -21
dude, you are not even close. First of all, ever heard of Don Rickles? I'm pretty sure he's regarded as one of the best ever and is still hillarious. Second, Drew Carey isn't great but he's old school and should never be compared to Mencia (at least Drew doesn't steal material). Lastly, yr remark about SNL not being funny since Dan Gilda and John left is just plain dumb. Gilda Radner wasn't even very funny and since then comedic geniuses Mike Myers and Will Farrell have owned that show. You need to try harder or get smarter to fool anyone.
Score = 1
OMFG ... I almost completely lost my shit here are at work. There should have been some kind of disclaimer: "Too funny to watch where your boss or co-workers may notice."
Score = 2
"I had a lot of mixed feelings about this. First I thought maybe Norm is facing some life threatening disease. Or something is seriously wrong with him. Then I thought, we’ll maybe he is just trying to mimic Bob’s Funniest home video humor. I don’t know. And then when Bob had that emotional moment at the end. Like he knew something was wrong with Norm. I hate conspiracy theories, but you put the pieces together?"
I have also put the pieces together, and determined that you are an idiot.
Score = 13
Norm knew exactly what he was doing and that the majority of the people watching wouldn't see through it. That's the brilliance of his comedy, he's being Norm the anti-conformist for the sake of making Bob crack up without regard to the audience. After all it was a roast in Bob's honor. What you are watching is Norm stripping away the marketability of the program completely and honoring Bob in the most honest way possible.
Score = 40
That's the best way of explaining it anyone has done so far.
Score = 4
Hate to sound retarded, but can anyone explain the henry fonda blueberries comment by jim norton, went right over my head....
norm rules, always
Score = 1
Man, I got that. I really GOT it. I was at work when I got it and let me tell you I laughed like I really got it. All you other people don't understand. You failed to get what I got. I feel sorry for you all for not being able to get the things that I have just got. There was so much there to be got and you all missed it except for everyone else that said they got it - they got it too.
Score = 5
The Henry Fonda picking blueberries reference was referring to his role in On Golden Pond. Pretty funny stuff......
Score = 1
Oh come on guys. He's not doing anything too over the top here. It shouldn't be THAT hard to get. It's a parody, people. A parody of roasting in general. I dunno why Norm was invited anyway he's more of an improviser, scripted comedy isn't his thing...
Score = 5
Anybody else agree that Jon Lovitz is a talentless and awkardly creepy douche?
Score = -8
"McDonald is in line with Drew Carey, Dane Cook, and Carlos Mencia, far from "comic greats."
Are you kidding me? Anger makes people say stupid things.
Why are all the people that don't like norm getting upset at the people that do like norm. Its just weird to me. Coming on here and saying that he sucks (not even his roast .. you are now bashing norm) is a bit ridiculous. He is a respected comedian (#83 best stand up comedian, according to Comedy central. Just to give you something solid rather than my opinion.) And before you comment back saying. "I dont care what comedy central thinks he sucks." just note that your opinion doesnt matter to anybody, obviously because if it did then norm would probably be ranked one thousand something. I just don't understand. You can hate someone but still respect him/her/understand why other people would like them. Its all opinions but just say "I personally don't find Norm funny." thats fine.
And now to everyone who keeps calling people stupid or saying they don't get it. Come on .. are you serious? And you dont even know if you got it anyway because on this forum alone there 10 different theory's on what he was doing up there (including the one of him just sucking). So whether you enjoyed norms delivery, timing, the way he mumbles over his words, or whatever theory you thought he was doing up there, well im glad. But dont call people stupid for not finding it funny. I personally found Norm to be hilarious, because norm is just a funny guy, it doesnt matter what joke he says he can make it funny somehow.
So will team norm and team anti norm put up the white flags.
Score = 12
It was anti-comedy (so unfunny that it's funny)
Score = 4
Steve Martin, Andy Kaufman and others have used anti-comedy over the years. Some comments about the comments of others:
It is possible to "get it" and not be amused.
It was a change of pace from the rest of the roast. I agree that a lot of the blue humor was repetitive, but some stuff was better than others. Jeffery Ross line about Cloris Leachman and Shakespeare in the park was funny.
I think some people started catching on to what he was doing about midway thru the set. You saw a lot of strange looks in the audience. You could smell booing in the air. About that time he did the "get it" bit with the cauliflower.
Score = 8
You're joking, right?
Score = -4
you have to watch this at least twice to see the quiet genius behind it.
Score = 2
I think he's reading them off of Laffy-Taffy wrappers.
Score = 4
Now I got that
Score = 2
I'm Canadian and I'm embarrassed. These jokes were worse than the stupid valentine cards we gave out in grade 3. Your ears are like flowers, cauliflowers. Your teeth are like stars, they come out at night. Your eyes are in love, they keep looking at each other.
Score = -15
When Larry peels back the mask to reveal his deep-seated hatred and scorn for rednecks everywhere, you will be revered as the only true genius of comic deconstruction.
Score = 2
I almost get the impression that a lot of those jokes were given to him by a Suit who gets those "funny joke" text messages on his cell phone.. you know, the ones who couldn't make someone who was dosed on Laughing Gas chuckle... and yet he still managed to kill 'em.
Score = 1
Norm had no props. How can you be funny without props? I wonder if Bob Saget's seat was lined with tin foil. I hope some one had a camera.
You're welcome.
Score = 3
okay wow i can't believe nobody got this yet --- all of his jokes were lines that bob saget said in full house. that's why it was so funny. none of it was his material. that's why it was so rated g. okay? OKAY. it was clever and funny but not amazing cause he didn't write it. don't get angry at him lol norm's still an awesome guy.
Score = -4
it was alright, but cloris leechman's set was the best by far.. (spelling errors)
Score = 3
Hahaha After every joke, he looks right to the crowd with a real serious face. Hahaha Nobody laughs. It was clever, but not funny!
Score = -4
His Burt Reynolds is amazing!
Score = 2
I just watched this four times in a row and laughed out loud harder and harder each time! I personally think that Norm is one of the funniest comedians, if not THE funniest comedian out there. Here is an attempt to explain what the "it" is that I did get.
First off, you have to be familiar with Norm Macdonald's comic style and wit before you can really appreciate what he did here. Look up some clips of him on YouTube if you watch enough of his material odds are you will probably get what he did here, but I'll try to explain it anyway in case you don't want to watch because you still insist that he isn't funny.
Here it goes -
Bob Saget (aside from "Full House" and "AFHV" because he didn't write any of the material in either of those shows) is known for being a very dirty comedian. Watch his other stuff if you are oblivious to this fact. Anyway, what would you expect at the roast of a dirty comedian? Well, exactly what everyone else gave you... The dirtiest, most crude humor they could dig up. It was all predictable. I'm not flat out saying that it wasn't funny, All I'm saying is that it was exactly what everyone that knows about Bob Saget should expect.
Now - on comes Norm Macdonald... Norm is not afraid of some crude comedy himself (see some of his stuff from the Dennis Miller show (Dennis Miller is another true genious, by the way). Anyway, instead of giving everybody exactly what should be expected, he blows everyone out of the water by doing the very last thing that anyone would expect. Instead of really ripping into everyone with dirty insults you get these terrible squeaky clean joke-book type jokes that throw everyone for a loop. Norm knew they were bad jokes. Thats what made them funny. How can anyone not see that? A couple of times he even broke and slipped out a chuckle because he knew how ridiculous the whole thing was.
Again, you have to know about and appreciate Norm's humor and style to really get this bit. I'm not trying to slam anyone that doesn't think Norm is funny. Humor is totally subjective, but just because you don't think he is funny, don't act like everyone who claims to "get it" is just trying to be some sort of pretentious snob for liking something that you didn't. I think Carlos Mencia and Dane Cook are two of the most unfunny comedians that ever lived, but I don't think that people who like them are idiots, I just think they have a different sense of humor that I do... a terrible one.
Score = 15
I think the best part of the whole show was the fact that Norm was reading a newspaper during the other routines. Any time someone would say something about him, he'd look up like, "yes?" and then go back to reading his paper. That was genius!
Score = 5
More people would get it if you actually posted the whole thing, seeing this video and not seeing the whole norm macdonald roast you only get like 1/3 of his corny jokes, so you never realize that hes just pulling out lame 1 liners which actually makes it funny, by seeing this vid your just like wtf...
Heres the whole thing http://comedyjuice.com/2008/08/norm-macdonalds-genius-roast-o.html
Score = 1
I admit norm mcdonald bit was funny. but we can fucking stop the blow job marathon on him. Like a trasformer there more to him then meets the eye.
but when all comes down to it all youll are doing is showing how the sheep always follow.
and if you disagree ill kill you
Score = -10
I thought Norm's roast was brilliant. I grow tired with these retarded roasts, with jokes of body parts, degrading stuff. Thanks Norm for breaking the.. dare I say.. Norm.
Score = 2
(or did he just tell jokes that you where to stupid to get yes your stupid)
Who is more stupid? You wrote 'where to' instead of 'were too' Usually, I wouldn't comment about spelling and grammatical mistakes made - but you did just have a go at someone for being stupid - Now that's irony.
Besides, that clip sucks donkey's dicks. VERY unfunny!
Score = -12
You forgot to mention the fact that he wrote 'your stupid' instead of 'you're stupid'.
Here is the really funny part - In your post where you make fun of him for his mistakes you wrote "Besides, that clip sucks donkey's dicks." which is completely idiotic to begin with, but to make your comment even more ironic than his, YOU made a grammatical mistake yourself! It should have read 'donkeys'' with the apostrophe on the outside of the s because you were referring to more than one donkey.
You no talky no more, okay?
Score = 7
To be fair, he also used the word where, where were was necessary and to where too was. Go English!
Score = 0
Norm is a very underrated comedian. His timing is one of the best since Benny. He's not afraid of pauses or dead air. He's edgy and dangerous. His firing from SNL was a result of some suit saying the same things some people said here. Some people just don't get it. Which is o.k. There's plenty of people who do. He was the best of all the SNL fake news anchors, IMO. Yeah, his show was so-so (loved the dog though) and his movie stunk but, like Kaufman, his particular brand of funny has a limited audience and is out there although, not as out there as Andy. His roast shtick was brilliant, IMO. And the best part of the show.
Score = 5
Wow blogger dude, you come off as an arrogant prick. You could've introduced this video without your condescending nonsense.
Score = -8
Wow blogger dude, you come off as an arrogant prick. You could've introduced this video without your condescending nonsense.
And this roast was utter failure. It sucked, big time. It wasn't funny, it made no sense; it was just pointless.
At least they learned not to invite him again. That was Suckery 101. And even if there was some kind of big master plan genius behind it, a joke that needs this much in-depth explanation is not really a joke.
I just hope Norm reads this page to take solace in it after his jokes bombed and all the pity applause.
Score = -8
The fact that some people are bashing norm for this is sad, yet predictable. I mean people will also vote for Mcain so what are you gonna do? If you don't get this you probably won't like Andy Kaufman either. You probably enjoy the newest 50 cent album and that 'kickin' nickelback single while simultaneously hating aesop rock and Animal Collective.
Score = -2
Norm is a genius, that's why he's misunderstood. The majority of society are conformist idiots. Including the other comedians on this roast. Funniest man ever.
Score = -3
Norm is a genius, that's why he's misunderstood. The majority of society are conformist idiots. Including the other comedians on this roast. Funniest man ever.
Score = -4
Pfft. Here we go again with that "oh no he's good, he's just, misunderstood" nonsense. If your jokes are so, so, so smart they need to be explained every time, you probably shouldn't call it comedy. Call it a puzzle. Call it a thesis. Call it anything. Just don't tell horrible crap then accuse the whole world of not understanding it. Pathetic.
I've seen Norm before. He was funny in a stoner kind of way. But here? God, what a train wreck.
Score = -7
why are you taking it so personal? I think you're defensive to the fact you have a lame, obvious sense of humour and when something original and "alternative" pops up you go on a personal mission to cut it down out of spite. Sad actually.
Score = 3
"First off, you have to be familiar with Norm Macdonald's comic style and wit before you can really appreciate what he did here."
Ah. Alright how about this: a guy walks into a bar, he orders a beer BUT HE DOESN'T DRINK IT! AHAHAHAHAHA!
What's the matter? Not funny? Well see, that joke is PURE brilliance, but you have to be familiar with my comic style and wit before you can appreciate it.
Score = -9
Hmmm... let's see... The only difference is that Norm Macdonald is famous and nobody has ever heard of you. It isn't difficult to search YouTube to see his marerial and become familiar with it. You are just being dense for the sake of being dense here.
Score = 1
"Man, I got that. I really GOT it. I was at work when I got it and let me tell you I laughed like I really got it. All you other people don't understand. You failed to get what I got. I feel sorry for you all for not being able to get the things that I have just got. There was so much there to be got and you all missed it except for everyone else that said they got it - they got it too."
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I swear I had trouble breathing and felt some pain in my stomach after reading this post of yours. Since I knew what the internet was, I have never laughed so hard. Hubert, you're a god.
Score = -3
It's a bit odd reading all these 'if you have to explain your comedy then it isnt funny'....it's pretty clear what he's doing isn't it? Roasts are full of people being as crude and as rude about each other as possible, and he's pretending to do it in a really twee, reserved manner. He's setting himself up as this completely out-of-place character. Surely not all comedy needs to be signposted with obscenity and cruelty?
Score = 4
His jokes sucked. There was no reason to have Norm on the show. People laughed only so he would not feel bad. There were very very very few to laugh. Fuck off and stop trying to be a comedian Norm MacDonald.
Score = -10
I was confused at first, since i'm not familiar with his style.
The akward vibe on the show while he was putting out his roast, made me want to look up who he was.
After reading other peoples replies, i decided to watch the act again.
This time i laughed a lot, because of his satirical way of putting out his act, making fun of the way everyone read lame, pre written jokes off cards, doing their cliche body movements after a joke and leaving the roast, with the only well done act.
What made it funny watching it, is how fake the forced laughter were & confusion on the set. I'm sure plenty of people re-though about his act, including other roast guests........and probably either laughed or kicked self in groin for not comprehending what was going on earlier.
Score = 5
Norm did a great job of using off beat humor to turn the roast on its head. The other comics weren't sure what to make of it. Didn't you notice that they looked uncomfortable? What does it take to make Jeffrey Ross uncomfortable? The comparison to Andy Kaufmann is dead on. He delivered with a sense of seriousness that has people on message boards talking about a Comedy Central Roast (of Bob Saget no less!) weeks later. Kudos to Norm!
Score = 3
I think the best gauge of how well norm did was the response he got from the other comedians. they loved it. all of the comedic material you see is recycled in one way or another. nothing is new under the sun. if he was half-assing his set, he did a great job.
Score = 0
Roasts are funny...but they're also one HUGE circlejerk
Score = 2
Norm MacDonald is a comic genius, if you didn't get what he was doing, you need to watch the video again and again
he killed, i have tears in my eyes
Score = 1
I was watching the roast with a few of my friends, and if I might say so, we have a great great sense of humor. The whole roast was funny, we laughed periodically, until Norm Macdonald came on. I only heard about half of his roast becaus we were laughing so violently. Grace of a swan, wisdom of an owl, eyes of an eagle. Ladies and gentlemen, this man is for the birds. Easily my favorite roasting of all time. Top-notch sense of humor Mr. Macdonald.
Score = 0
Ugh, I hate pretentious bullshit. Although I hate pretentious bullshit appreciaters even more.
I get what Norm was doing. Who doesn't? It just wasn't funny. What it did accomplish was making people who want to feel they're smarter than everyone else, feel as though they were a step ahead of the audience.
I love Norm McDonald. He's hilarious when he's on, but just because someone has a clever idea doesn't mean they know how to execute it. All it needed to be was funny and it wasn't.
Score = -10
All I know is that his set was a real buzz kill. Everyone before him was just awesome. I don't care what his motive was, it wasn't entertaining, it was just awkward. I wish they would have edited him out of the whole show. Bob Saget couldn't even fake a laugh on some of the jokes because they weren't even remotely funny.
If everyone got up there and did that, no one would have watched the roast, include Bob.
Score = -10
This was the only part of the whole show that made me actually laugh hard. There were a few chuckles here and there but Norm's set made my side hurt.
Score = 1
What a load of crap. I hate people like you that call anything different, unique, or unexpected pretentious.
"Be like me, be exactly like everyone else, anyone who tries to be different is a pretentious asshole."
Score = 1
Norm McDonald made a point that nobody was ready for. He was quite deliberately 'out of place' to draw attention to the decline of comedy, whcih sadly, points to the decline of society. This roast of Bob Saget might as well have taken place a couple of centuries ago in Pompei.
Score = 1
I FUCKING LOVE THIS GUY,,
dude ,neone who doesnt see his kauffman sense of humor is a douche and doesnt desrever to enjoy life,,, douchebags
Score = 1
It's amazing how many people here don't get it.
Score = 1
Norm Macdonald is a genius. I remember seeing him do a stand-up set on Conan O'Brien where all he did was point at each tooth in his mouth, say what it was called, and what it was used for. "and these big ones back here..." muffled talking because his finger is back in his mouth "..those are your molars. they are for crushing and grinding the food." He didn't tell a single joke in the whole set, and I was falling off my couch from laughing so hard.
The man is Andy Kaufman, but nobody knows it.
Score = 1
oh my god this is amazing
Score = 1
Pure Hilarity, To anyone who thinks this was boring or lame comedy, it really went over your head. Surrounded by many comedians that used shock value through their whole bit; he pulled out a brilliant line of jokes. This was definitely the highlight of the show. He was also the most sincere at the end, which was sort of beautiful.
Score = 1
The fact that he took the jokes from a "Roast Lines" book was hilarious. Old fashioned jokes at a dirty comics roast is brilliant in my book. Everyone else was going for the pussy/dick jokes. If you guys are debating the best comic of all time, I'll throw out my personal favorite and that man is BILL HICKS R.I.P. BILL
Score = 1
Most of the other comics relied on irrelevant, played-out gay jokes. Norm proves it's all about delivery. Genius indeed.
Score = 1
allot of the jokes were to old or clever for our time.He was at one point the funniest man I've ever heard but I was deeply hurt by his part in the roast as I'm sure that this is a shared experience.
Score = 1
I'm actually thrilled that most of you didn't appreciate the humor. Lets me tower over you from my elitist perch once again. This is why there should be an intelligence and humor caste system.
Score = 1
Ugh, it's late but I'd like to get my thoughts out before going to bed. ._.
First off, the most interesting part of Norm's roast, to me, was not what seemed to be a satire on the roasting itself, but how much admiration and respect he showed for Bob Saget at the end of his bit. "Bob was the first comedian I ever saw perform when I was a boy, live, and I loved him... and I hope everyone else does. I just wanted to say that". His final comment seemed bitter-sweet. He admitted that he was envious of Bob's success, but also attested to his admiration for him.
So, then, why the choice in what many would consider out-dated comedy? Clearly, this is been a big issue amongst many who have watched the bit. From what I can gather, it seems that Bob's style of comedy has changed quite a bit over his career. I.e, his early family-friendly antics to his present day, more vulgar comedy. Maybe Norm felt as though Bob sold-out when his comedy became identical to the vast majority of up-and-coming comics and did this as a homage to Bob's early works, which seemed to have a significant impact on the young Norm. Maybe Norm believed Bob deserved something more unique and original than the material other comics had. Or just maybe he did it out of spite and jealousy.
I can only speculate and guess as to what his purpose was on that evening, but I think that it has more meaning than some subversive ploy to poke fun at contemporary comedy. Norm seemed too sincere and endeared to Bob to think otherwise. But again, I can only speculate. I think Norm, Bob, and their fellow comedians have more of a clue than those who only have a hat on their minds.
Score = 0
nobody likes dry humor anymore... its all nigga this, nigga that nowadays
Score = 1
See Heather, this is the reason why I dumped your loser ass, because you are just as much of a bitch on the internet as you are in real life. That and your a bad lay.
Score = 4
Bob Saget and Norm are good pals. You noticed that when he ended on a sincere note. Norm didn't care about the crowd reaction in the least, he just wanted to make his pal Bob laugh.
Score = 2
If you don't get it, then you just don't get it. Norm MacDonald basically planned his set to be the exact opposite of what everyone else was doing, which is what makes him a genius. He didn't use one curse word, which shows what a classy guy he is. I was literally in tears. One of the best sets of all time on Comedy Central's roast series. You can see the unedited version on Youtube; Norm's set is longer than what is played here. The look on the other comedians' faces says it all. I'll say it again. Norm is a comedic genius.
Score = 0
Norm actually did curse.
Score = 2
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Score = 1
norm WAS NOT FUNNY AT ALL. everyone can say and assume he was hilarious by doing something different and being clean about it. it wasnt funny at all. his technique to writing jokes was horrible. when people want to hear comedy they don’t want to think about the joke it should just standout to them so they can process “oh thats funny” time to laugh now. any good comedian or writer knows that and oh umm let me see werent there comedians on that stage who have studied different types of comedy? obviously they didnt get it because they werent laughing and it showed in the crowd as well because nobody was laughing either. you know those times when you feel embarrassed for other people but you dont want them to feel bad about their crappy jokes so you laugh just to comfort them?…yeah. wen all the other comedians told a joke theyd show someone in the crowd laughing. how many times did they do that for norm? and how does anyone know for sure that he was roasting roasts? maybe he just was terrible and everyone would like to assume he was just doing a clean genius act. please explain to me why his joke about bob sagets face looks like a cauliflower and why everyone pisses themself everytime they hear it?
Score = -9
you have completely missed the point. read through the comments for this video.
Score = 0
just like everyone else that's posted thats your OPINION, and everyone is allowed to have theres
Score = 2
That was a spot of genius.
I have to address one thing though: in the comment section I saw some disses towards the Chappelle Show. Now listen, just because the network keeps renewing Carlos Mencia's crapfest doesn't mean they have put out some genius shows. Like Chappelle's Show and South Park.
But yeah, Norm was amazing.
Score = 1
He said it himself best.. (in the roast)
"That's what it says.. on this card.. "
and my favorite moment:
"How do you not get that?"
Score = 2
whatever I thought the whole roast was great, tho norm macdonalds bit really made me laugh for an entirely different reason
Score = 2
gotta disagree with you completely on this one, lindsay, unless un-funny, old jokes (some with incredibly obscure references) are the new funny. all my friends watching this were completely at a loss for words for how badly his roast failed.
Score = -3
Warren,
You're kidding yourself.
McDonald stole the show. If you like the template, run of the mill roast joke then bravo. I hear they're roasting Larry the Cable Guy this week (or last week).
McDonald flipped it and turned it on everyone involved with the roast.
Fail? Only to those who didn't get it.
Score = 3
Norm Macdonald is a comedic GENIUS!
Score = 1
I have found what i was looking for !!! thx )
Score = 1
It's not funny because the jokes he's telling are funny, it's funny because they AREN'T. I think most people are simply unwilling to exercise the miniscule amount of intellect required to make this connection. This guy probably said it best:
"when people want to hear comedy they don’t want to think about the joke it should just standout to them so they can process “oh thats funny” time to laugh now."
Yikes. Really sad to learn that people simply don't want to have to think. You don't have to like Norm MacDonald, but if you're complaining that the one-liners weren't funny, you are completely missing the point.
That is all
Score = 1
Sorry, I got the joke within a bunch of bad jokes and I didn't find it funny at all. Yeah yeah, Norm was basically "shooting the moon..." making us uncomfortable with how unfunny he can be. Definitely very Andy Kaufman, but ultimately it fails. If he wanted to "roast the roast", maybe he should have written a witty essay. Genius, yes. Ballsy, definitely. Funny? No. Not even a little.
Score = -3
People who complain that the jokes weren't funny or that they were nicked from an old joke book miss the point. It's not the jokes that were funny; it's the routine.
Score = 3
this discussion never needed to go beyond the anti-comedy guy who said "it's so unfunny that it's funny." say what you want about it, but if you don't think it's performance art you're crazy.
Score = 0
Incredible subversive humor. Comedy Centrals buisness model is to allow the comedians tell very dirty jokes then use the censorship as an excuse to hype the "uncensored" DVD sales. McDonald's brilliant performance is justified by the reaction's alone. Other Comedians and some of the audience were falling over themselves laughing, and everyone else was in stone silence. Jon Stamos was like a deer in the headlights. In addition to the jokes themselves the delivery was fantastic, he did everything stand ups are NEVER supposed to do: Explain the joke, repeat or stutter the punchline, ask the audience how can they NOT think that was funny etc.
Score = 0
WTF?! Norm Macdonald is fucking hilarious. He must have been doing this so badly on purpose. I don't get the joke, but this HAD to have been a joke on us...
Score = 0
Jesus, NONE of you are getting it. And none of you, apparently, know anything about the Friar's CLub roasts of the past. That's right, they aren't from Comedy Central.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Friars%27_Club
Seriously... who are these people???
I'd rather watch Henry Fonda pick blueberries than read any more of your exchanges. It's like all the people in the audience laughing at the Gavin McLeod joke, knowing that none of the 20 somethings in the crowd know who the hell he is.
Score = 0
The problem with "sophisticated" humor is that it necessarily narrows the target audience. I don't watch much standup so I had no idea who any of these people were except for Bob Saget and Stamos. He was so awkward when he started his set I wasn't even sure if he was a comic or a friend who signed on for the show. It was obvious that the jokes weren't funny but without context there is no metahumor.
I Googled him after the show and while I can appreciate the cleverness its not funny to me because I wasn't in the same context WHILE WATCHING THE SHOW. Futurama takes a similar approach with some of the science jokes but the jokes are flexible enough to be funny even if you don't understand the reference. Scott Adams, the cartoonist for Dilbert wrote that comedy needs to have two or more dimensions like meanness paired with cuteness. Cleverness by itself leaves you with jokes like the following:
Johnny was a chemist.
Johnny is no more.
What Johnny thought was H2O,
Was H2SO4.
Score = 0
what is the secret to comedy the secret of comedy is tining.
oh fork.
did norm's bit make you laugh? I LMAO, but then I'm Canadian (in fact, one of our most significant exports to y'inz/y'all is comedians; that, and water. But who needs more water? You just turn on the tap.)
Those who didn't get it, don't get it. Explaining a joke, or a routine, not only tends to kill the bit; it rarely wins over the non-believer because it doesn't change their fundamental approach to comedy - the sense of humour is individual, and not subject to rules. Here's a rule that proves the exception: While jokes occasionally equal comedy, comedy does not equal jokes.
I remember the first time I saw Andy Kaufman: the Great Gatsby bit, on SNL... wow.... I realized I was seeing the first person to do something new with standup since Lenny Bruce; and AK is still unsurpassed.
If you found Norm funny, right arm. If not, too bad. Either way, the hating, the dissing, the holier-than-thou, is uncalled for and unhelpful: it just drives us further apart. I don't love you because you share my likes and dislikes, I love you. The rest is gravy.
BTW, Heather: Superfrankenstein didn't say he spit out of his nose. Oh, and Superfranketc.: most of us don't eat the wrapper.
Score = 0
wow thank god some of you out there got this. I've read other sites and soooooo many morons just did not get it at all. Norm is amazing, shut the fuuuuuuck up all of you stupid ignoble half retards...
Score = 0