July 15: Norm Macdonald

Here we are. Finally. The anticipation was palpable. It's the epic Norm Macdonald episode! Ninety-minutes of pure Norm. Well, maybe not the Norm you're used to, but certainly the deep and thoughtful Norm that was hinted at on WTF with Marc Maron. That is, I'm not sure how much comedy nerds will like it. There's a bit of comedy talk, but there's a lot more serious talk – although all delivered in the awesome Norm delivery. So don't expect any conversation on his Saturday Night Live gig or his movies or sitcoms, because there's precious little talk of his career.

I take full blame for the direction it went. In my defense, however, Norm clearly loves to talk about these topics. In my head, because I'm interested in these topics, too, I figured we'd touch on them and move on. But it just kept on going. And going. The episode is 90 minutes long. Quickly fast-forwarding through it, I can tell you most of the topics and names touched on:

• aging
• homophobia
• Adam Carolla's comments on women
• siblings
• his days living in Vancouver
• being a dad
• early shyness
• hypochondria
• colonoscopies
• dying
• indulgence
• avoidance
• Tolstoy
• God
• "important" comedy
• Sam Kinison
• Jerry Seinfeld/Brian Regan
• Thoreau
• Bob Hope/Richard Pryor
• smiling and the spread of goodwill
• John Candy/Charlie Chaplin/Bill Cosby
• influences
• literature
• politics
• pride
• the scientific method

Hopefully there's enough comedy-talk for those that want it.  Next time he's here, I'll make it a point to focus more on his career. But this was pretty great, I thought.

I heard from some people who saw him at the Saturday Yuk Yuk's show (i.e. after this recording, which took place on a Saturday afternoon) that they thought Norm was high or drunk because of his voice. As you'll hear in this episode, that's just the way he sounds. He even mentions it early in how many people think he's stoned. Near the end of our chat he says enough people told him he slurred his words that he got tested for Multiple Sclerosis. But he passed. Or failed. Or whatever signifies he doesn't have the disease.

Let me paint the picture of the set-up. Norm was sitting reclined throughout the interview, with his back on the seat of the sofa and his shoulders and head up against the back of it. His legs were propped up against the coffee table. So if it sounds like he's about to fall asleep, that may be why.

I should mention that at about the half-hour mark you'll notice a difference in sound. My good recorder (two mics and a mixer) crapped out on us. Thankfully, I had along my backup: a small, handheld device. It's not as good, obviously, but it's just fine.

Here's a hint of what's to come, in video form:

Tune in tonight at 11 pm PST on CFRO, 102.7 FM in Vancouver or livestream the show at coopradio.org for the full meal deal. The episode will drop in podcast format next Sunday, July 22. If you miss tonight's airing and you want to hear it before next Sunday, I believe you'll get the first hour only at the station's website. But you'll have to wait until the 22nd for the full 90-minute podcast.

And with this instant classic out of the way, we're taking two weeks off the air. I'll still report into this space as the need arises, so bookmark us and check back.