Norm Macdonald Talks About Getting Fired From "Saturday Night Live" | Letterman 

> Gets fired for making cracks about OJ being guilty. > Makes another crack about OJ being guilty while discussing his firing. Legend.

I love how innocent and disarming Norm seems but he's always the sharpest tack in the room

Don Ohlmeyer went on to live for nearly 20 more years after this incident, and still the most notable thing about his entire life, the first thing Wikipedia has to tell you about Don Ohlmeyer is "He received notoriety for firing Norm Macdonald from Saturday Night Live in early 1998"

Dave standing up for Norm, love it. Makes even more sense now why Norm was so emotional at Daves last show.

“You’re not funny ..” “oh, I got nothing to fall back on now..” I’m DEAD 🤣🤣🤣

NBC firing Norm was the worst move they could possibly make.

What's crazy now is knowing what really happened with Norm.Jim Downey was on a recent Conan podcast and they talked about what really happened. They came to Norm and told him Downey ( who wrote Weekend Update with Norm) was going to be fired but they wanted to keep Norm on. Norm said he wouldn't do the show without Downey. That's when they fired Norm. What a stand up guy.

Much respect to Dave for not pulling punches. I can't imagine current hosts talking like this.

One of the all time great talk show appearances. Norm played it perfectly- he was innocently hilarious while letting Dave doing all the real bad mouthing.

5:00 God bless Norm. OJ jokes are the reason they fired him, and he still managed to keep it up. This man was a king.

That joke about still having whiskey left is so finely crafted and delivered, Truly a master of his art.

The truth is Norm wasn’t fired…he was forced out bc Don O wanted to get rid of Downey, the head writer for the segment and the reason Norm got the part, and Norm refused to do Update without him. Not only that Norm didn’t tell Downey until years later. Norm was a true friend in business that’s full of backstabbers

“Dave was angrier about it than I was because Dave was not under the influence of xanax”

“I’ll tell you who’s taking your place. Nobody can take your place, Norm Macdonald.” The truth of this statement is so keenly felt now that he is gone forever. ❤️ I truly enjoy watching these appearances over and over. Thank you!

Norm said he stunk in sketches. Meanwhile, he was one of the most important, hilarious parts in one of the greatest sketches ever: Celebrity Jeopardy.

3:46 imagine being fired from your job, and one of your idols says this to you in front of an audience and on live television. Both of these guys are class acts

The fact that Norm noticed Dave still standing and immediately got up shows how much of a respect he has for his idol.

“Oh that’s not good” - genius RIP

Norm was so underrated. I really love his delivery. He was totally unique.

The crowd's support of Norm is heartwarming.

"Yeah, I know Don Ohlmeyer, and just between you and me, he's an idiot." Truer words were never spoken.

You can tell that Dave really liked Norm.

Dave did a really classy thing here, he basically validated Norm and it was back when Letterman was at his peak

It never crossed my mind when I was watching SNL as a kid, but my lord, NORM was a strikingly beautiful man.

"then I remembered I had more whisky" Fuckin LOL. Norm was so effortlessly funny.

Dave never passed up an opportunity to take shots at NBC executives.

Amazing how the internet has made these interviews iconic. These guys didn’t know this would play forever.

So many fine jokes in this interview and the timing was amazing. Real genius. And Letterman was up to the task. Kudos.

Dave running on all cylinders trying to save the good name of comedy (incarnated by Norm) is almost moving to me. Moving and absolutely hilarious. This is a stone cold classic of LN television and of comedy in general. RIP Norm.

Today is the day I really wish he was still alive, and that he could go on SNL and do one more Weekend Update.

I think David Letterman showed who he is more here with Norm than anywhere else, a legend of comedy who stood up for the art, for the little guy and for what’s right, gotta love both these men.

"He said to me he said to me he says..." 🤣

".......... and then I realized my father's dead". Holy mother of god, I lost it. The ingenuity of that comedic misdirection is priceless.

This was Norms hero not only praising him, but validating him in a way no other man could. Norm decided to go into comedy after seeing Dave do a set. He was speechless in the moment

His "sorry's" was so canadian. Love it.

The chemistry between these two is amazing. Been down a Norm rabbit hole lately. His last appearance on Letterman was one of the best sets ever. Its definitely a rollercoaster of emotion. Especially knowing the history between them.

One of the most legendary late night appearances ever. The dynamic here was perfect with Norm playing coy and Dave taking no prisoners. Norm, probably gotta be the funniest guy who ever lived… I’d also recommend Norm’s Letterman appearance from a few months after this (May 1998 I believe) - it may be even funnier, his bit about going to a Broadway play is hysterical. And it’s so wonderful seeing how much Norm made Dave crack up. Few people could make Dave laugh as much as Normie. Love them both, absolute legends.

I miss when Dave used to call all those hallway clowns “corporate weasels.” Always made me laugh.

Norm was such a genuine guy. Such a rare commodity in the entertainment industry. Dave was right on… NO ONE can take Norm’s place. Not then, not now. Not ever.

Never had anything against letterman but this gave me a new found respect the way he stood up for Norm.

If this channel wanted to post a Norm interview every week, I wouldn’t complain. In fact, I would love it.

Letterman “no one can take your place” what a truth

"And then all of a sudden I realize my Dad's dead" What a set-up and delivery Norm had 😊

Dave: 'Enjoy your complimentary beverage.' Norm: 'It ain't whiskey, but it's good.' Dave: 'Now there's a song.'

i never realized until now how nice of a smile norm had

This guy had balls of steel. And despite the shock humor, actually handled himself like a gent.

Make me happy that Dave was upset that Norm was fired

You can see how much Dave really loved him. Beautiful

Apart from Norm being awesome as always, I love that Dave (and no one else to my knowledge) could call some NBC executive "an idiot" at 1:42 and get away with it.

Don Ohlmeyer was a good friend of OJ Simpson and he thought that McDonald did too many jokes about OJ.

Its hard to watch Norm without getting a little sad. What a unique guy.

Love how Dave supports Norm!! What an awesome demonstration of faith from an industry legend!

One of the truly great Norm talk show appearances -- and in HQ at last. We miss you terribly, Normski. Funniest dude EVER.

This man is one of a kind. We lost a real one.

Norm was a "punchliner"... he was a thorwback to real comics.. you HAD to think, a little, or a lot, at times, and he hands you the payoff... and sometimes it takes a second, then, you laugh, or laugh even harder.. he is and was.. a great addition to what ONCE was a great SNL show.

I watched this on its first airing. Never missed Norm on Letterman. I was 14 and I loved Norm and Letterman so much. I remember being so shocked that Norm was fired from update. I was also so angry I wrote NBC an email saying they made a terrible mistake. I loved watching these two comedy behemoths together. The very best in the world.

David Letterman really did try to get Norm on CBS as host of The Late Late Show, but Les Moonves, president at CBS, wanted to go with Craig Kilborn instead who ended up getting the job as Tom Snyder's replacement on the program from 1999-2004 and was later succeeded by the great Craig Ferguson. So it wasn't empty platitudes when Dave said to him he said come to CBS we'll get you a show over here. They did have a lot of respect and admiration for each other. Norm was one of Dave's last guests before Letterman retired from hosting in 2015, and Dave later appeared as a guest on Norm's Netflix show, Norm Macdonald has a Show in 2018. After being fired from SNL Norm meanwhile continued to do his nightclub act, wrote and starred in the comedy film Dirty Work in 1998 directed by America's dad Bob Saget and also had a sitcom on ABC called The Norm Show which i believe was later shortened to Norm that ran for three seasons from 1999-2001. It's cancellation was a national tragedy.

The bill Cosby impression and story were off the chain hilarious. Respect to Norm and may he rest in peace ✌️

David Letterman is a real class act. Honest abiut his feelings, and loyal to his friends. He really seems like the kind of guy that once you've earned his respect, you could trust him with your life.

I met him in 2006 at the ice house in pasadena before his set. I introduced myself, shook his hand and asked if I could buy him another whisky to which he said yes. Later in the parking lot he seemed like he wanted to hang out and stood by his limousine and nodded at me. His set was amazing. He is amazing.

David Letterman giving GE the business is timeless.

Rest in Peace Norm. What a great interview.

It's because he kept doing OJ jokes and the big cheese was a friend off OJ and of course every time they told him to tone it down, he upped the Jokes on OJ game.

The way Norm flinches at 9:04 has me cracking up

Well, Don Ohlmeyer died at 72 in 2017, so there's that positive note.

Norm just had it- naturally funny and quick wit. Masterclass

I enjoyed Norm's work when I was young, but as I've gotten older, I've realized just how clever he was.

Norm: the greatest comedian ever. Dave: the greatest late night host ever.

"And then all of a sudden I realize that my father's dead . . . " That's pure Norm Macdonald.

The thing that gets me the most is watching this knowing that Letterman was his standup hero, and seeing him get all riled up on Norm’s behalf… it must’ve felt incredible for Norm. The final noise of overwhelmed appreciation he makes at the end says it all. God I love this clip haha.

I don't think that there has ever been anyone fired that has taken it this well. Ever. RIP Norm, you were treasure of comedy!

I can't look at Norm without grinning. I sure miss him, RIP you very funny man.

I love how Dave honestly laughs so hard by Norm being so funny. I'd sure like to be a fly on the wall with them just talking for an hour. 😂

"Nobody can take your place Norm Macdonald" This statement is more true than ever

Ah Norm , you left us too soon

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss Norm!

His OJ jokes were the very best part of the show.

They replaced him with Colin Quinn who got zero laughs during his entire tenure on Weekend Update...he was just awkward and had no timing...at the time I had no idea of the back story but was just confused on how they would put Quinn in that role who was never funny in anything he did

Dude we will NEVER have someone like Norm again, truly a unique legend, completely fearless, went on a talk show right after getting fired from his main gig and just joked about it😂 He was and always will be the MAN, RIP norm the GOAT of stand up and just being hilarious 🐐🔥

Norman Macdonald was such a sweetheart.

I watch this approximately every 3 months, I appreciate how Dave recognized the brilliance of Norm and had his back. Norm was one of a kind and will never be replaced. Miss that Ol'Chunk of coal

When I was 13 or so years old I would always wait until Norm’s weekend update segment was done before going to bed because it was easily the funniest part of the whole show every night and I knew it even at that young age

I feel like, so far, this is the sweetest I've seen Dave be to a guest. And how could he not love Norm? Very wholesome, this clip.

The groan at the end is everything 🤣🤣 Normy, you're the best 😇

I always loved when Norm was on the show. You and him were so great together. I loved how you helped him Mr. Lettermen.

God I haven’t had a laugh this hard in a while, I was on the floor after the Cosby story. You’re gonna live forever in our hearts Norm

Weekend Update with Norm was by far the best part of the show. RIP Norm.

I've watched this at least a dozen times and it still makes me laugh. I'm already feeling the loss of Norm and Gilbert Gottfried. Of the countless comedians to be found on you tube there are only maybe two left that can make me laugh out loud.

One word ... GENIUS.

I live in the Ottawa area and now that phone call I got finally makes sense.

This is one of Letterman’s best interviews - real chemistry between them. Play off each other perfectly

Hilarious. You can see Dave really respects him. He's leading him which is essentially helping him. You don't see that too often. Either way, great talk. I love the innocence of Norm.

Norms moan at the end is possibly the funniest moan I have ever heard.

Letterman was & is fearless. Great interview.

not many could turn "My father is dead" into a laugh out loud punchline, genius.

Norm is GREATLY missed!

Norm Macdonald was so classy. He didn't want to drag the man who fired him, he was just explaining what happened.

Just listening to norm and his smile makes me smile. RIP to this legend

Norm was so very, very funny in such a very different way. It's true that nobody can take his place.

Dave really loved him and you can clearly see it, what a great friendship 🤟