Norm Macdonald reads The Final Chapter from his memoir, reflecting back on his life
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2021
- I'll never forget sitting a few rows from Norm Macdonald, almost exactly five years ago on September 22, 2016 at Sixth & I in Washington, D.C., when he read from his memoir "Based on a True Story." Now that we know he had cancer back then too, his reading of "The Final Chapter" might be the best way for us to understand what he went through, to celebrate his wit, melancholy, and kind heart.
He's sitting next to journalist Geoff Edgers, who wrote the best-ever piece on Norm, then one more "final chapter" at www.washingtonpost.com/entert...
Here, I edited and upscaled from a low-resolution copy-of-a-copy-of-a-copy into 4K using Topaz Video Enhance AI, then I color graded using FilmConvert, and cleaned up the audio using iZotope RX 8 Advanced. It felt important to get this right, shared here in a spirit of fair use and tribute. - Комедії
Norm was like Halley's Comet. They only come around once in a lifetime.
and always leave a trail of gas wherever he goes
He was struggling to not break down while reading this. His leg starts moving a lot, then his hand, then his foot. He carried so much with him, which is a testament to his real character. RIP, Norm.
I’ve cried watching this several times, it’s a man who very well knows his final days are numbered yet won’t crack. It’s heartbreaking.
Norm undersold himself. He wasn’t just a comic. He was a legend.
He was spiritually knowing and deep and guarded his soul from pride.
You summed it up right there
He should be posthumously made a saint. Genuinely.
@@MarcoBoneMan Agreed. You know what… I’m going to spearhead that cause. St. Norm has a good ring to it.
It's often hard to pick a best of anything but with Stand up comedy it was easy. Norm McDonald was miles better than anyone else
It hurts that Norm believed he'd be remembered for SNL or his departure from it, he says "as long as SNL exists, so do I." I dare says SNL is dead now, but even when the day comes that it is officially cancelled, I'll still believe Norm's memory will live on long after. He lived a truly incredible life, and its not only the memory of his comedy, but the memory of his character that has made him so indelible with his fans.
I guess to some no nothing person he is but to comedy and Norm fans he was so much bigger than SNL
2:00 “The only thing an old man can tell a young man is that it goes fast, real fast, and if you’re not careful, it’s too late.”
“I’m-… I’ve been lucky.” 😢
damn.
I have listened to this chapter on Audible and here dozens of times. I still cry every time. The world is colder without you, Norm. You were loved, and I’m glad to know you knew and felt that love.
Thanks for your personal testament, very touching.
I know you have no truck for the sentimental, but I love you Norm.
what a beautiful man.
He knew he was dying. Took it all in stride. Best comedian ever
Norm Macdonald, the legend. Thank you Norm, for all the laughs..we were lucky that you graced us with your comedic voice.
Norm was never a chunk of coal. He's just like me...and you...an earthen vessel, holding a wonderful, eternal soul.
I can't get over how much I miss him: a man I've never met; not family, friend, or even acquaintance. But I do miss him & now that he's gone, it's becoming more & more clear how great he was & how good he was. I've lost close family members that haven't struck my heart as much as Norm Macdonald's passing. What a legend.
Strange how I find myself grieving norm’s departure even more today than I did the day before. He was like the best magic trick that kept us hypnotized, in complete awe, observing every little nuance, every subtle slight of hand, trying to discern what was real from the illusion, endlessly hoping to attain the ability to separate the magician from the magic and then just like that the show is over, the curtain closes, you leave the auditorium, return to your life but you just can’t get that guy out of your mind and you’re left wondering what it was that actually captivated you the most....was it the genius, the slight of hand and all the brilliant tricks or was it simply the creator who actually had us so mesmerized, so transfixed and forever in awe of the man behind the curtain? I love you norm. You kept us guessing and ALWAYS AND FOREVER wanting more of you. ❤
I'm not crying, you're crying
I'm not playing this video, I just clicked it to say I bought norm McDonald's book years ago and took a pause on reading it. And since he died I can't bring myself to read it yet.. it feels almost sacred. I love you Norm, I know you didn't know me but I love you
Norm is the only celebrity that I have actually missed since they have been gone.
This really is an incredible eulogy by an incredible man.
He could have fallen into line, stopped doing the OJ jokes, played it safe. He could have done the Weekend Update for another ten years, each episode as forgettable and interchangeable as the last.
He's right. No-one remembers the favorite backer. You may lose it all on the long shot but the ride is so much sweeter
‘There’s no money in playing it safe.’
Not a super star? By Whose standards? Most of those guys will vaguely be remembered, but not you Norm. Legends are few and you are one... who backed in the front door by intellect, courage ,and raw talent.
This one is so emotional compared to the audiobook version. His “before I cross that river” and “I’ve been lucky” especially.
He opens up bare naked for all to see here...I love Norm and miss him very much...He was one of a kind !!
ahh i don't think anyone wants to see that much of Norm.
Norm, always touching hearts while tickling them at the same time. Big love to you up there 👆
Norm Macdonald wasn't just some comic who was on SNL many years ago. He meant a lot more to me than that. Comedic genius. Legend. One of my all time favorite people on Planet Earth. Norm is the guy I go hunting for on UA-cam when I'm down and need a laugh. He will be sorely missed.
Man goddamn it hurts to miss norm. more than normal. especially when you hear his sweet sweet voice. they way he talks. the way he intonats. He is a true literary genius.
Missing a guy I’d never meet, love you and all you did Norm
We’ve been lucky because of you.
That ending gives me chills.
Still can't listen to him read this without tearing up. We miss you oh so much Norm. Rest well dear soul.
Get well soon, Norm!
I am so grateful for all the laughs he’s given us over the years. He was wrong about his mark on the world, because so many of us treasure him and will not forget the great Norm MacDonald.
yes….Yes….YES!!!!
Hits you in the feels.
Reminds me of that tragedy
I hope that the family played this at the eulogy. It is a incredible synopsis of how he felt his life went. I never realized it before I heard this, that him and I had a lot in common. Kind of the same life, in a different hemisphere of entertainment, but still connected by a similar comedic path taken. Always striving to do and be more, but completely happy and complacent with the life we live. Feeling blessed for everything we have and every moment we live. God bless you Norm
I've been lucky too. Not lucky enough to have actually heard the answering machine joke...but seriously, more people have been to Antarctica than have heard that joke.
I love you Norm. I didn't even know you were sick.
Norm did the opposite of what everyone else would have done and what everyone else thought he should do. He rolled those bones, he always took the long shot, and in the end it finally came in. By the time he finally crossed that river he had been truly enshrined by all as a timeless legend and incredible soul.
Normy baby you were truly, truly so beautiful, and you always will be 🥲
I cry every time I read or listen to this. Fuck cancer.
Only book that ended and I started it again right away. Get the audio version read by Norm himself.
It’s not available in the UK I think that’s a mortal sin
It goes fast, real fast.
as a young man i cant understand how fast its going to go my days drag on forever all i know is i'm in my finest hour and ill regret not having done something with it
I have this book. It’s a great read. Emotional ending in my opinion.
watching this for the umpteenth time, and i firmly believe its one of the best final chapter ive ever read. i stil remember the first time watching the full interview, and this part in particular i almost know by heart now. witty, introspective, funny, charming. as he was alive. not so now that hes dirt napping, good lord.
Norm was a genius of comedy.
*sniffles* I got some dust in my eye or something... that was beautiful, Norm.
I really don't think losing any celebrity since i was 13 and hearing that kurt cobain was gone, has bothered me as much as norm. him, like letterman, has been making me laugh for 25 years. What always gets me is the wry smile and glint in his eye when he says something that he knows is funny, and when you get the joke and others don't its just a shared thing with the audience. re-listening to his podcast/show during the opening months of the pandemic (or any time) brought laughs when I needed them most.
And he took the most absurd things to great lengths; listen to some of his sets from the last few years, he'd go on and on referencing cannibalism, just throwing it in there and burning something out until it becomes funny again after the 20th time. Or cheese sandwiches. Sometimes I think he was the only one that even got the joke, but even that of itself is pretty hilarious to me.
But in interviews, he'd get deep. existential thinking and about life and interaction with people and worry and finding purpose.
Simply the best.
Completely agree
There’s few people in the world that I just genuinely admire, nothing more or less, but Norm is definitely up there
I don’t like words like legend, they’re too grandiose. I doubt he would like being called that. He was a teacher, his influence is boundless. He proved that there are two routes for every comic. One of indulgence and early demise. And one of meaning, with a much longer and beautiful life. He proved that the lifestyle the devil offers is not as good as it gets. Proof that every person is afraid of death and that can either strengthen your bond with reality today or scare you into receding from it altogether.
I’ve been thinking of him and Trevor Moore frequently as of late. They are consistent reminders that to leave a family and an incredible legacy takes courage. God-willing, luck is only paramount to the work you put in. The life you lead. The lives you touch. Luck plays as big a part as you do. Gratitude is a necessity
Teachers are the real heroes
@@XyasinX1 👍
This is the first thing I thought of when I heard he had passed away, and a newspaper here in my country had "former SNL star" in the title of the article.
"I didn't even knew he was sick"
Just a beautiful mind. And the funniest man in the universe.
Ty for posting this ....I watched this several times But now it just hit you more ....man Norm Macdonald is the Andy Kaufman of our times
Fuck I miss Norm
Man, God absolutely had a purpose for him. He made him a mathematical genius, not to mention genius in general. I mean, I did not graduate a couple of years early from high school. He gave him Cancer in his late twenties. He made him unbelievably kind yet hurtful sometimes. Although, I really believe it was not intended. He made him extremely fearful, I guess you would be if your first, maybe second, bout with cancer was close to your thirties. Yet he was unbelievably brave like few people could ever be. I feel his gambling was more of a subconscious guilt of having things.
Full of contradictions and then n the end mainly just good. I honestly believe he was born with one more thing.
Just like a sociopath we now understand has a very specific brain pattern, I think he had a brain pattern for happiness. I have a friend I have know and hung out with, for over thirty years, since we were kids. NEVER seen him angry. With Norm, Just amazing how, little I know but years in public you and home videos, he was just laughing. One interview you could tell he was getting very irritated, all he did was try to leave. Man I wish someone would write an biography on him.
That is so very insightful and heartfelt, thank you for putting it into words.
The wolves of irrelevance exist only in the mind of people who have had the bloody meat of fame.
rest in peace big dog
Norm, you have moved beyond the great beyond. For me, I miss you. Mary
I went to buy his memoir a second ago on Amazon and the hardcopy is $499. Wish like hell I had bought it last year when I saw it at the bookstore. I came really close.
Making money of someones death, I hope they rot in hell
Fortunately I bought the Audiobook the second it came out
Wtf! I rented it from my local library about 2 years ago and then got the digital copy on my kindle. If I would have known it was gonna be worth that much I would have bought the real copy, or kept the libraries '!
Kindle is cheap, I got that.
Norm bought all remaining copies from his publisher a few years back to sell it at his stand-ups. After he died, a friend of his started selling them on eBay. Check it out. They're priced reasonably.
Norm you made me laugh more then I thought anyone could. From one old lump of coal to another, I love ya Norm, can't wait to see your set in heaven. RIP and thank you!
And laughing with tears. Not necessarily laughing so hard my eyes water, but loss and sadness yet somehow laughing. At a joke I've heard 100 times.
@@rexseven6907 I listen to the Moth joke at least once a month, laugh every time. Norm was a legend.
That was beautiful
We were so blessed to have him in our lives. He still makes me laugh when I’m sad and alone. Such a gift! Sweet Norm.
I was in the audience at Sixth and I when this was filmed, and while I thought it was funny and well-written, I didn't really think too deeply about this passage when Norm read it. He was still alive, and no one even knew he was sick.
R.I.P Norm the world misses you
I love you Norm
Tears welling up. Chest pounding with emotion. Too relevant, too close to home.
Okay, I'm at 2:41, I haven't read the book (which I now realize I absolutely must do). But I'm really hoping this takes another direction. I never viewed Norm through the lens of SNL, I was too young to even catch him during those times. I've watched and loved a lot of comedians, and Norm is just in a league of his own. So I'm just really hoping that he didn't actually view himself this way. For truly was, to me at least, the greatest stand-up comedian of all time.
EDIT: Goddamnit Norm, of course you got me. Like always. Rest in peace Legend. See you soon.
I read because of that line at the end. It's a whole thing
I love norms comedy through UA-cam and have read his book but hearing him read it out loud has me in tears. RIP Norm I hope you know how much you made people laugh when they really needed it❤
He was a genius , yes he was good at math
I usually think its corny as hell when i hear people say this but the only "celebrity" i can confidentally say made life a little better knowing he was out there, seeing whatever kind of content he had made every now and then always felt like a breather. Very relateable person
you really did the original video justice, i hope you'd upscale and edit the full version of it. my soul needs it. 😭
Afraid I won't out of respect to the source, but this modest excerpt is certainly the holy grail from the full version.
Thanks for anything you can give!!
The greatest of all time.
Thank you for doing all that you had to, to get this right & posting it for us all to remember the Great Norm MacDonald in an awesome way.
Much Love 💕 God Bless✝️
The last time I read this book I was still laughing out loud. Next time will probably be different.
Yes, but I wish he really had a memoir but a guy like Norm just didn't want that invasion of privacy. So much in the book was just tales. His mom cracked me up when fans asked about "old Jack" or whomever and she's like "Who is that?" lol Norm just hid his face under blanket. : )
I bet in the next few years there will be a documentary about his real life. At least I hope.
I'm actually worried about that, as a documentary filmmaker myself. Sometimes people are simply private in their nature (and humility), so documentaries just aren't meant to be made about them. That's Norm.
What a powerful testimony and so beautifully read, a treasure I will save and revisit...so glad you quit gambling and trusted everything on the biggest payday there is, you are with Him now and His love was what guided you in the end.
In His Shalom my brother
To have been alive to see Norm on weekend update, I've been lucky
A true legend
Norm MacDonald .. Truly Self Aware..
Meta... I hate meta.
You made every second count on your final laps around the track of life. God bless you, Norm.
I need to buy the book
You're a legend Norm! Never to be forgotten.
Sitting here listening to this as a 44 year old man, this hits hard and deep. God Bless You Norm! Thank You For All The Laughs & Your Amazing Way Of Explaining Life! You Will Be Missed!
love u so so much Norm...
Norm Bukowski😁❤
I love you Norm.
I love this guy
wow
the funniest people have the biggest hearts, and boy was his heart big!
That’s a shame he thought that, I’m way younger then when norm was on SNL, he became my favorite comic completely aside from that, not that I don’t love the weekend update stuff and the sketches he was in
Whenever life is dragging me down, I look for Norm on UA-cam. He truly was a genius at his craft. There is a reason why he was the comedians favorite comedian.
He wrote this book knowing he was sick, but telling no one. He wrote his own eulogy and read it to us. Again, genius.
I was his fan since watching him on Star Search as a little kid.
Risk taker, wise and funny. There is no equal. You will be missed.
Last night I watched the season premiere of SNL, annoyed as ever by that pretentious, privileged gathering of elites at the end which Norm famously always opted out from, and went home early. That's Norm too. You tend to see the most faux-woke cast members holding up cause signs or loudly pointing to their T-shirts - but Norm had the historical grace to know that comedians are minstrels, not gurus.
Fantastic clip from the Geoff interview. Thanks for your efforts, FocusPulling and I agree with sentiments posted here - we're the lucky ones. RIP Norm.
Very self aware smart man.
Thanks, Norm.
Your wrong Norm , we were lucky !
Yeah, we were!
What's an snl? I remember him from the roast, and never looked back. Norm is the best stand up in the world because he takes risks.
Thanks for fixing the sound!
2:01
Legend
He told Geoff the books sucks, I hate writing and all that but his fans aren't as critical. I wish he did more and I wish someone realized he would be great in a sitcom or guest in a show. So underused
The norm show ? The library is on UA-cam , pretty sure a minute with Stan hooper episodes are too, plus check out the Mike Tyson mysteries ’norm as pigeon’ videos
And there’s a high chance he didn’t get much further because of ohlmeyer trying his best to close doors around him
Damn...
Very few people know that Norma Jean Macdonald was a deeply closeted gay guy.
2:00
Thanks for posting. Where can we find the full thing?