Though beloved comedian Norm MacDonald passed away last fall, the SNL stalwart is set to make audiences laugh one last time. The dirty mind behind cult classic Dirty Work recorded one final standup set prior to his death. Filmed in his own living room during pandemic, this new material is self-shot and heading to Netflix in the form of a comedy special set to premiere on May 30th, 2022.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, MacDonald was being treated for leukemia. With a risky procedure scheduled, the Canadian comedian feared the worst regarding his surgery outcome and wanted to do one last set, just in case the procedure didn’t go as planned.
Though MacDonald did recover from the 2020 procedure, he never returned to peak health and was unable to tour or properly get in front of a live audience to deliver the 2020 material. But now Netflix is releasing the self-recorded material to give fans one last go-round with the “Weekend Update” heavyweight.
A Comedian’s Comedian
Leaving behind a legacy that transcends his time on SNL, MacDonald is likely your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian. For those who made comedy their lives, MacDonald’s snarky style inspired a whole generation of standups and comedy writers, a whole generation of comedians who revere MacDonald’s authenticity and put his magnum opus Dirty Work high up on a pedestal.
McDonald’s popularity amongst other comedians is evident in Dave Chapelle later dedicating a Netflix of his own (The Closer) to him. Others from the comedy community spoke out about his passing. Whitney Cummings said, “Norm is the pinnacle of bravery and originality.” Jim Carrey added, “My dear friend Norm MacDonald passed after a brave 10-year battle. He was one of our most precious gems. An honest and courageous comedy genius. I love him.”
Norm MacDonald’s Body of Work
Most American’s may only know MacDonald from his time on SNL (1993 to 1998). But SNL was only a launching pad for the Dirty Work creator. He made his film debut in Adam Sandler’s Billy Madison in 1995, and then went on to star in some of the most recognizable comedies of the 90’s and early 2000’s, including the Dr. Dolittle franchise as Lucky the talking dog, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, Funny People, Grown Ups, and Klaus.
When it came to SNL, casual viewers and die-hard fans alike enjoyed his sardonic style, an aloof, above-it-all delivery that drew in viewers and inspired a generation of emulators. With a comedic style that was dry, snide, and ironic, but simultaneously lovable and kind, MacDonald was perhaps one of the most beloved “Weekend Update” hosts of the 1990’s. Helped along by impeccable comedic timing and a repertoire of facial expressions that could say more in one glance than a million host monologues, MacDonald became a household name for millennial SNL viewers.
MacDonald’s final work Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special hits Netflix May 30th 2022.
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