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THE FAKE NEWS (EE#8)
An e-zine for Norm Macdonald fans
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[ FROM THE EDITOR ]
Thanks to those of you who answered a couple questions for
me. Y'all came through with the tentative release date for
"Foolproof" (Nov. 19). Not only that, we now have Norm's
Hardee's commercials to peruse.
Many of you have noticed there's a redesign in progress for
the magazine. Due to the size of the project, it'll take time to
get the whole thing completed, so pardon the mess. I have a few
goals in mind. First, fewer image files that create the structure
of the page ... instead, structure is created using color and
native HTML. Second, improved readability ... this is being
addressed by removing the color behind large blocks of type,
plus introduction of more sans-serif typography. Third,
making links more apparent ... we have a lot of material, plus
we often key to other sites, introducing colored links will
hopefully highlight these opportunities for readers. Finally,
with the addition of pay-per-click ads ... it became important to
integrate those into the product, rather than slapping them on
like Post-It notes.
Enough yammering on about things I'm certain the majority
of you care little about. Those that do, feel free to send in
suggestions. If there's a way I can make the magazine more
enjoyable ... please speak up. Thanks, -N!
[ NEWS ]
June 10 (Mr. Showbiz) -- Norm defended his buddy ADAM
SANDLER during a recent "Words Into Pictures" panel
discussion hosted by the Writers Guild Foundation. So says
Mr. Showbiz columnist JEFFERY WELLS who recounts the
event in "Showbiz Confidential." The group included JAMES
L. BROOKS, HARRY SHEARER, JANEANE GAROFALO,
DAVID ZUCKER, ED SOLOMON and ALBERT BROOKS.
In discussing the impact of comedic film, Albert Brooks
sarcastically compared Adam Sandler's enormous box office
success to a disease, "Let's do what else America likes. How
about cancer? They all seem to get that. Must be good! People
keep getting it!" The majority of the panel chimed in, lamenting
the perceived dumbing trend in movie comedies. Except for
James L. Brooks and Norm. Our Hero, stood up for his
friend, calling him "so f---ing funny." More than that, he tried
to reason with Albert, saying "If someone can come along and
make an enormous amount of people laugh, I think that's a
great thing." Garofalo pretty much summed up the dissenting
side by countering, "Just because it makes a whole lot of
people laugh doesn't mean it's that great." Norm's never been
known for his skill in debate, but you've got to respect his
effort.
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June 8 (Hardee's) -- The late BILL HICKS derided fellow
comedians for doing commercials. In 1993, it was JAY LENO
touting Doritos, and Hicks ranted, "You do a commercial,
you're off the artistic roll call forever. ... You're another
corporate f---ing shill. You're another whore at the capitalist
gang bang. ... There's a price on your head. Everything you
say is suspect, and every word that comes out of your mouth is
like a turd falling into my drink." Provocative words,
especially today, when just about every comic of any stature is
hocking some sort of product: JERRY SEINFELD, GEORGE
CARLIN, BILL COSBY, DENNIS MILLER, CHRIS ROCK,
DENNIS LEARY, DAVID SPADE -- and now, Norm. Yep,
Our Hero can be heard selling hamburgers as Hardee's Star.
Vigilant readers have been writing in for weeks about the radio
and TV spots, but it wasn't until recently that we got our
grubby hands on a few. Check them out at the Hardee's
website. And try not to picture Norman at the "capitalist gang
bang." [Shudder.]
o Hardee's Star ad campaign
http://www.hardees.com/promo/ads.html
o Bill Hicks official site
http://www.billhicks.com
[ APPEARANCES ]
o "One Night Stand" rerun on July 7, 8 (COM).*
* Available in archive.
[ THE NORM SHOW ]
"TNS" has completed its run of original episodes for the
spring. There has been no word yet as to when and if they will
rerun this summer. Stay tuned.
[ ARCHIVE ]
HOWARD STERN loved this interview with Norm done by
Time Out New York's JOHN SELLER. Howard calls Norm's
riff on "Mr. Fantastic" the funniest thing he's ever said. We're
not sure about that, but it's definitely a great read:
o Bold Macdonald (May 28, 1998)
http://www.thefakenews.net/n/timeout.shtml
[ LAUGHS ]
"At a dramatic press conference about the crash of TWA Flight
800, ABC news correspondent PIERRE SALINGER
displayed a document which he believes is proof the jet was
shot down by a U.S. Navy missile. Later, he proudly showed
reporters his solid-gold Rolex he bought on the street for just
fifteen dollars."
--
"Actress SHERRY STRINGFIELD announced she's leaving
the hit series 'ER.' Several actors have already expressed great
interest in the part including SHELLY LONG and DAVID
CARUSO."
--
MTV/Carson Daly '98: "Uh, I used to drink a lot. One time,
when I was a young guy, I was drinking in my house, and I
passed out. And the next day -- you know those Jehovah's
Witnesses show up? So, he knocked on the door, and Id
the door. And he like froze. He was all horrified. I had barf all
over my clothes. It was screwdrivers -- all orange with chunks
of Kentucky Fried Chicken. And he didn't even want to talk
about Jesus, or anything."
[ CONTEST ]
The Caption Contest is underway. Get your entries in by the
June 26th deadline and win a copy of one of our crappy, yet
remarkably cool Norm videos.
o Try your hand at our current contest.
http://www.thefakenews.net/n/contest.shtml
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THE FAKE NEWS
http://www.thefakenews.net
editor
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headline EMAIL EDITION, select UNSUBSCRIBE and click
SUBMIT. We never really liked you anyway.
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