The capitalization of Norm Macdonald's surname has been inconsistently reported in publications such as TV Guide. Books that discuss him, such as Shales (2003) and Crawford (2000), as well as other sources such as the Game Show Network and Comedy Central's Sports Show with Norm Macdonald, all consistently report "Macdonald" (lowercase "d") as his surname. Based on a True Story [is] often very funny but always very fabulist…A memoir in the sense that it's roughly organized by the timeline of Mr. Macdonald's life and career, this book is absurd fiction in many of its details, even the most basic ones…[Macdonald's] an oddball by nature who also seems to have genuinely cultivated a disregard for conventional success. This memoir's evasive clowning is in keeping with all that. The New York Times - John Williams Hilarious and filled with turns of phrase and hidden beauty like only a collection of Norm Macdonald stories could be." -- Esquire

Based on a True Story: Not a Memoir: Macdonald, Norm Based on a True Story: Not a Memoir: Macdonald, Norm

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. Of course, the young man will never understand this truth.” Given the prominence of a made-up character like Terence Keane (among others) I thought his Sancho Panza Adam Eget also wasn’t real and the name was a thinly-veiled pun - a damn eejit/idiot = Adam Eget. Especially as Adam Eget does act like a damn idiot all the way through! But apparently he is a real person and is Norm’s podcast co-host. He attended Quebec High School [19] before his family moved to Ottawa, Ontario. In Ottawa, Macdonald attended Gloucester High School. He claimed to have dropped out at sixteen, but may in fact have graduated two years early. [20] [21] He studied mathematics and philosophy at Carleton University in Ottawa before dropping out. [22] [23] Macdonald was later also briefly enrolled in Algonquin College's programs for journalism and broadcasting-television, following his elder brother Neil Macdonald's footsteps. He worked a variety of manual labor jobs in between periods of school and before starting in comedy. [24] [25]Norm is one of the greatest stand-up comics who’s ever worked—a totally original voice. His sense of the ridiculous and his use of juxtaposition in his writing make him a comic’s comic. We all love Norm.” —Roseanne Barr Macdonald said his influences included the comedians Bob Newhart, [96] Sam Kinison, [97] Rodney Dangerfield, [97] Dennis Miller, [98] and the writers Leo Tolstoy [99] and Anton Chekhov. [100] A driving, wild and hilarious ramble of a book, what might have happened had Hunter S. Thompson embedded himself in a network studio.” — Washington Post

Based on a True Story: Not a Memoir - MacDonald, Norm

Maron, Marc (October 17, 2011). "Episode 219 – Norm Macdonald". WTF with Marc Maron Podcast. Marc Maron. He is survived by an older brother, Neil, who was a journalist with CBC News (and is married to Joyce Napier, a journalist with CTV News), his younger brother (Leslie), his son (Dylan), and his mother (Ferne). [26] [27] [28] Career [ edit ] In the spare moments of a Las Vegas gambling adventure—replete with murderous loan sharks, drug and alcohol binges, and sexual misadventures—comedian and Saturday Night Live alum MacDonald recounts predominantly fictitious tales from his life and career to his companion (and podcast cohost), Adam Eget, who's portrayed as a dunce. Some MacDonald fans will enjoy the comedian's signature mix of dark absurdity and sophomoric antics (many of the gags in the book are recycled from the comedian's prior work), but general readers will find little to appreciate in this uninventive and meandering adventure narrative. Many of the details and sentiments that MacDonald shares about his childhood, his 1990s tenure at SNL as host of the Weekend Update segment, and his current experience as a working comic past his prime are surely true. For the most part, however, MacDonald steers clear of introspection and disclosure, choosing instead to make up stories and tell jokes. MacDonald does deliver some hilarious material—for instance, recounting a supposed confidential conversation with Rodney Dangerfield in which the late comedian admitted that despite his wealth and fame, he secretly felt disrespected. On the whole, however, MacDonald's faux memoir is not nearly funny enough to justify the reader's time. (Sept.) Publishers Weekly In September 2018, Macdonald sparked controversy after the publication of an interview in which he appeared to criticize aspects of the #MeToo movement and defend friends and fellow comedians Louis C.K. and Roseanne Barr. Macdonald's scheduled appearance on NBC's Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon was subsequently cancelled. [93] A book that both isn’t a celebrity memoir and is, arguably, the best celebrity memoir ever written.” — AV Club -There’s a whole, twisted plot running through the book involving a road trip to Vegas and a mad plan to win a million dollars or die. It sounds preposterous but it is probably uncomfortably close to the truth. Macdonald is candid about his gambling addiction and when Louis C.K. writes in the introduction —“Please buy this book. He probably needs the cash. He’s really bad with money”— he means it.

Norm Macdonald - Wikipedia Norm Macdonald - Wikipedia

Macdonald returned to Saturday Night Live to host the October 23, 1999, show. In his opening monologue, he expressed resentment at being fired from Weekend Update, and then he concluded that the only reason he was asked to host was because "the show has gotten really bad" since he left, [50] echoing a perennial criticism of the show. Norm is a double threat. His material and timing are both top-notch, which is unheard of. He is one of my favorites, both on- and off-stage." --Dave Attell

would've been too generous a tagline (that one may belong to British funwit Russell Brand. Or maybe Kathy Griffin's). But it is not wholly untrue: it is the only of its kind that actually dabbles with the (capital L) Literary. Yes, it is THE Norm Macdonald autobio (& not the Tina Fey, Amy Pohler, Rachel Dratch, Sarah Silverman, [even!!!] Steve Martin ones!) which transcends form. It takes Quixotean turns (i.e. postmodernism)! There's a "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas"-type ambiance! a b c d e f g "Norm Macdonald obituary". The Times. October 22, 2020. ISSN 0140-0460 . Retrieved October 22, 2021. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by Rose, Lacey (May 16, 2012). "Upfronts 2012: TBS Unveils Development Slate With Conan O'Brien Comedies, Norm Macdonald Talk Show". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved August 28, 2020.