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Is there more to the story for why Norm was fired from SNL?

posted 3 years ago by TMC-4 (19411)
12 replies | jump to latest

It's commonly believed that he was dropped because a major executive at the network at the time, named Don Ohlmeyer didn't like the idea of him telling so many jokes about his buddy OJ Simpson:
http://www.agcwebpages.com/BLINDITEMS/2021/JANUARY.html

282. ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER 01/29 **6**

https://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2021/01/blind-item-6-reader-blind_29.html

Reader Blind: The story of an altercation between several stars A, B, and C. A (Danny DeVito) and B (Christopher Lloyd) starred together on a popular TV show ("Taxi") a number of decades ago for which they both won the same prestigious award. They were already friends and became even better friends on this show. After the show finished, Both went onto further success - A was in a number of well known films and also directed. B was in movies including a successful franchise ("Back to the Future"). Some time later, A produced and had a supporting role on a show ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia") that grew in popularity. When it wasn't popular yet, still a cult show, A was contacted by C (Norm McDonald) who liked the show and wanted to star in it but A turned him down flat and blocked him from ever appearing. Why? C is primarily known for his live work but his big break was the show ("Saturday Night Live") that launched a thousand careers. He was eventually fired from that show allegedly because he told too many jokes about other certain famous people (O. J. Simpson) but that’s not the whole truth. C, in those days, was a severe alcoholic and was violent and out of control when drunk. Specific accusations against him were 1.) sexually harassing a young staff member 2.) getting into several fistfights including with other staff members. B had been in a comedy club and witnessed C, still in his alcoholic period, molesting a waitress who didn’t like it. He had walked over and tried to get C to stop but C hauled off and punched him in the face despite the fact B is an older man. This was why A refused to let C on his show. C has made a joke out of this in interviews a few times. (A)Danny DeVito/(B)Christopher Lloyd/"Taxi"/"Back to the Future"/"It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia"/(C)Norm McDonald/"Saturday Night Live"/O. J. Simpson (Did Norm punch Christopher Lloyd?)

[–] kenburke (2280) 3 years ago

I thought it was because someone finally listened to his jokes and found out he wasn't funny.

[–] Bercilak (300) 3 years ago

Thank you!

[–] legnadibrom (5704) 3 years ago

check it, we got a real comedian over here

[–] Ldlamb (585) 3 years ago

Well, they must not have ears…since Norm is Hi-larious

[–] beavis (3249) 3 years ago

I don't think I liked norm back them , so I believe it hehe

[–] ebhaynz (3526) 3 years ago

It's pretty well documented via interviews with fellow cast members, NBC execs, that Norm was fired because people started tuning out during Weekend Update, which is supposed to be the highlight of the show. The NBC exec, Don Ohlmeyer was very adamant to Lorne that something had to be done. Lorne normally would have fought the good fight but then Chris Farley died around Xmas and Lorne had to focus on that whole ordeal and gave in to Ohlmeyer's demands. Lorne had Norm back on SNL a few months later but he obviously Norm was never a cast member ever again.

[–] TMC-4 (19411) 3 years ago

I wrote elsewhere that admittedly, Norm MacDonald's style and brand of comedy wasn't for everybody. I don't know if that is why people started tuning out during Weekend Update. But he did seem to have a bad insistence on telling “jokes” that were no longer funny, such as the O.J. Simpson schtick, which depending on your point if view, may have bordered into the area of racism.

[–] ebhaynz (3526) 3 years ago

Yes, that was the problem on Weekend Update. Although I thought he was hilarious he really was asking to be fired. For some reason he was being rebellious, he would screw up a lot during dress rehearsal and then, like you said, he'd tell bad jokes on purpose. Later on he became best friends with Artie Lange. Both Norm and Artie had steep career downturns, their lifestyles didn't seem all that healthy that's for sure.

Still, Norm is one of the funniest comedians ever, incredibly brilliant he's in the company of very few who could produce such a long list of insightful/hilarious material. RIP to one of the greatest of all time.

[–] Indiscipline (708) 3 years ago

I never really observed anyone referring to Weekend Update as the highlight of the show. I'd think it was the monologue or whatever recurring sketches that were popular during their era.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

Weekend Update may have been a highlight in the early days when it was done by Chevy Chase... but frankly by the time Norm was on SNL, the show had already become boring and past its prime.

[–] TimMC (9143) 3 years ago

Don Ohlmeyer was very good friends with OJ Simpson.
His name was even mentioned in the OJ movie with Cuba Gooding Jr.

Ohlmeyer fired him for making OJ jokes.

[–] Colorado_Kid (209) 3 years ago

I didn't think Norm was that bad on Weekend Update even though it really wasn't his strong point.