Of all the names put forward to fill the vacant hosting position on CBC’s Q, comedian Norm Macdonald was one of the more interesting prospects. After a popular social media bid to host the show in November, the veteran SNL cast member’s momentum faded and it’s unlikely that we’ll ever hear the deadpan comic indifferently welcoming us to Q. Though it’s unfortunate his brand of the show won’t make the airwaves, we can at least get a sense of how it wouldve gone down when he performs at the Queen Elizabeth theatre tomorrow (January 30).
Throughout his career, the Quebec-born comic has eschewed any of the inherent politeness often associated with Canadians. He’s crass, outspoken, dry and, yeah, a bit of an ass. But he’s an honest ass, delivering his comedy so bluntly and straight up that it mocks manners. It’s no-nonsense nonsense, the stuff friends wish they could say to each other without having to feel guilty. Even if he has matured slightly since the scatological gags of his 90s cult comedy Dirty Work, his distinct sarcasm remains unchanged.
It’s this trademark style that makes it easy to picture Macdonald clashing with Q’s listeners he just always does things his way. To illustrate my point, here are our top five favourite Norm Macdonald moments:
1. Bob Saget’s Comedy Central Roast
In lieu of trying to be more vulgar than everyone else on stage, Macdonald goes for a different kind of shock and performs material from a book of jokes for retirement parties.
2. The moth joke on Conan
Many of Macdonald’s best moments come from appearances on Conan, maybe because Conan has the patience necessary for jokes like this. Just make it to the end. Really. See here or below.
3. As Burt Reynolds on SNL’s Celebrity Jeopardy
Chewing gum furiously and wearing a bolo tie and a 70s leather jacket, Macdonald’s impression skills are so bad here that, of course, they’re at least very entertaining. See at Funny or Die or below.
4. On male vs. female drivers on SNL’s Weekend Update
5. On Conan, interrupting an interview with Courtney Thorne Smith
Once O’Brien reveals Smith’s new film co-stars Carrot Top, Macdonald mercilessly and hilariously takes the piss, stealing any possible publicity the former Melrose Place actor hopes to get for her 1998 film, Chairman of the Board.
So: Macdonald is perhaps not the best match for Q. But Norm Macdonald on stage by himself for an hour? That’s the perfect format for this legend to host.
