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Frank DiGiacomo wrote an outstanding piece about the Crisis.
 After last week's inspired -- yet, pre-taped -- Tarantino sketch, Norm makes his first live appearance following his "reassignment" by Don Ohlmeyer (aka. The Weasel.) Our Hero received an enthusiastic welcome when he stepped on stage during guest host Sarah Michelle Gellar's otherwise lame monologue. Smoking a cigarette, a grinning Macdonald savored the attention ... giving a "Who me?" look to the crowd, then saying, "I gotta do this skit now." That, of course, was met with even more applause. Here's a clip for you boycotters out there: LONG.ram (Real Audio; 62k, 29.1 secs.)
Also, in certain jab at Ohlmeyer, "Weekend Update" featured commentary by O.J. Simpson (Tim Meadows). Could this be, the until now, publicly-mousey Lorne Michaels thumbing his nose at the meddling suit? Let's hope so. Hmmm, maybe next time Norm can play the double murderer?
John Barron of The Times spoke to Norm on Thursday, who calls his new working situation "uncomfortable." However, he's more concerned about his audience, "I think other people feel more uncomfortable than I do, just like when someone's stricken with leukemia or something. The people around them don't know what to say." Our Hero is expected to perform Saturday.
A top NBC executive who is a close friend of O.J. Simpson is angry that people are saying he fired Norm Macdonald as host of the "Weekend Update" segment on "Saturday Night Live" because the comedian made too many O.J. jokes.
"I really kind of resent the inference," NBC West Coast President Don Ohlmeyer said Friday.
Ohlmeyer's axing of Macdonald from the mock newscast has caused some controversy because it was done over the objections of Lorne Michaels, creator and executive producer of the show. It has also forced Ohlmeyer to address questions about whether his longtime friendship with the former football star has affected how NBC treats Simpson.
Ohlmeyer said he made clear to everyone on NBC shows that his friendship should have no influence on how Simpson is treated. To say that it has is "goofy," Ohlmeyer said, noting the regular appearance of the "Dancing Itos" on the "Tonight" show during Simpson's criminal trial.
"I've tried, in this situation, to conduct myself with as much integrity as I can," Ohlmeyer said. Ohlmeyer said he doesn't think there's anything wrong with a top executive getting involved in casting decisions on NBC shows.
Macdonald, who is fulfilling his "Saturday Night Live" contract by being involved in other skits, had "kind of plateaued" as a "Weekend Update" anchor, Ohlmeyer said. "It wasn't as sharp and controversial and as biting and as funny as it had been in the past," he said.
Shortly after he was demoted, Macdonald went on David Letterman's show to say Ohlmeyer had told him he wasn't funny. Then again, Macdonald said, "this is the same guy who thought O.J. was innocent."
TV & Media columnist Tom Shales writes in depth about the ouster of Macdonald and "Weekend Update" producer James Downey. In addition to comments from "Saturday Night Live" producer Lorne Michaels, Shales reports Jerry Seinfeld's reaction -- who called "WU" the best part of the show. According to the article, NBC West Coast President Don Ohlmeyer will face the press Friday morning in Los Angeles to give his side of the story. This is a must read!
| Jan. 12 | TIME (Jan. 19 issue)
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TIME magazine's Joel Stein writes: "You cried, you screamed, maybe you discussed the matter with your spiritual leader. But what can you do--really do--to help Norm MacDonald get back his job as the anchor of Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update"? Join our letter-writing campaign!"
COLIN QUINN'S FIRST WORDS AS ANCHOR: "You know how you go to your favorite bar, and our local bartender isn't there. You ask, 'Where's Jeff?' 'Jeff no longer works here, I'm Steve.' And you're thinking, 'Hey, who's this idiot? I like Jeff.' But you still want your drink. And even though Steve doesn't mix your drink the same way you're used to -- like Jeff -- you still like the bar, you don't want to have to go to a different bar. And even Steve might feel kinda bad, because Jeff trained him. Jeff showed him how to work the cash register, where the tonic was on the soda gun, who tips -- who doesn't. Well, I'm Steve. What can I get ya?" (COLIN.ram; Real Audio; 76k, 36.3 secs.)
WILL FERRELL SEEMS A LITTLE RATTLED: [As Harry Caray] " ... Think of all the possibilities, *NORM*. Imagine ... " [Audience laughter.] "Hey? What's going on? ... " (WILL.ram; Real Audio; 20k, 9.2 secs.)
Disgruntled "Saturday Night Live" cast member Norm Macdonald may be about to pay the price for sounding off in public. ... Now the New York Times reports that network officials, who spoke on the condition on anonymity, say that Macdonald may be canned from the show completely.
Ex-Saturday Night Live star Chevy Chase says NBC blew it by removing Norm Macdonald from the "Weekend Update" desk. Chase tells TV Guide Macdonald is the first guy since, well, him to "take a stand and look you directly in the eye and say it."
ANOTHER FORMER ANCHOR'S OPINION: On both his HBO show, and CBS' "Late Late Show," Weekend Update high priest Dennis Miller called NBC's decision to oust Macdonald, "a big, big fucking mistake." Well, he used slightly less colorful language when speaking to Tom Snyder, but was no less sincere.
It's been speculated that Don Ohlmeyer, a close friend of O.J.
Simpson, was no fan of Macdonald's caustic and frequent O.J.
jokes. There was also talk that NBC was miffed that Macdonald
agreed to host next month's ESPY Awards for ABC-owned ESPN.
Macdonald shot down the latter explanation on The Howard Stern
Show, saying Lorne Michaels himself asked Macdonald to host the
special. Macdonald also told Stern that he didn't think Ohlmeyer
was miffed at him for saying a certain four-letter expletive (the
one beginning with "f") on air last season.
One theory that Stern offered: Macdonald's reported unpopularity
with fellow staffers and his reluctance to develop a trademark SNL
character--the kind that shows up week after week, repeating the
same catch phrases.
NBC spin doctors try to put a good face on the story by issuing a peppy press release downplaying Norm's "reassignment." ...
"Saturday Night Live" will debut a new anchor on "Weekend
Update" on the first show of the new year this week with cast member
Colin Quinn taking the reigns from Norm Macdonald. Norm has been
anchor for nearly four years and will continue to be featured in more
of the comedy sketches and memorable impersonations each week as Quinn
moves into the anchor seat. "Weekend Update" has been a popular and
integral segment on "SNL" since the show's premiere in 1975. The
role of anchor has been ever-changing, beginning with Chevy Chase and
continuing through the years with cast members such as Jane Curtin,
Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Christopher Guest, Dennis Miller, Kevin
Nealon, Norm Macdonald and now Colin Quinn.
Norm Macdonald joined the cast of "SNL" in 1993. In addition to
anchoring "Weekend Update," some of his impersonations include Bob
Dole, David Letterman, Burt Reynolds, Larry King, Charles Kurault and
Andy Rooney.
Colin Quinn joined "SNL" in 1995 and for the first two years was
a featured player and writer on the show. This season he became a full
repertory player. Some of his characters include Lenny the Lion, Joe
Blow, The Thank You Guy as well as a recurring feature this season,
"Colin Quinn Explains The New York Times." In April 1997, Quinn (as
Robert De Niro) and Jim Breuer (as Joe Pesci) were confronted on-air
about their respective portrayals by the real Robert De Niro and Joe
Pesci. Prior to "SNL" Quinn was best known for his three-year stint
on MTV's "Remote Control." He has been a stand-up comedian for 12
years and has written several screenplays.
Norm Macdonald, the caustic Canadian comedy news anchorman on Saturday Night Live told David Letterman on Wednesday he has been fired as host of the Weekend Update segment because an NBC official doesn't think he's funny.
But Macdonald is still a member of the SNL cast and said he'll appear in
sketches "but I stink in those." Pat Schultz, a spokeswoman for NBC
Entertainment, did not immediately return a telephone message left at
her office for comment.
In an interview on Wednesday night's Late Show with David Letterman,
Macdonald said Don Ohlmeyer, president of NBC West Coast, fired him. Macdonald said he called Ohlmeyer to discuss the situation.
"So I said: 'Hey, how's it going there...So, he goes: 'Oh yeah, I'm
firing you there from the show,'" Macdonald said.
"And I said: 'Oh, that's not good.' And I said: 'Why is that now? And he
goes: 'Oh, you're not funny.'
"And I said: 'Holy Lord, that's even worse news!'"
Letterman offered Macdonald plenty of support, saying no one could
replace him as the Weekend Update anchor and offered a solution. "Hit the dirt, come on over here to CBS, we'll get a nice show for you,"
Letterman said.
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