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 Well, Norm's smiling mug was back among theng credits, and he even appeared in a sketch. The studio audience greeted Our Hero with a long round of applause as he hit the stage as Jim Greer game show host of "Who's More Grizzled?" The sketch featured Robert Duvall and Garth Brooks as gruff oldtimers. At one point, Brooks' character bitterly remarked to Greer, "I don't much care for you." To which Norm quipped, "A lot of people don't ... ." There were no O.J. jokes during "Weekend Update."
Spring Breakers, listen up: Norm's headed to Florida! MTV announced earlier today that March 6-9, Our Hero will be in Panama Beach City to appear on "Top 10 Countdown," no doubt to promote his upcoming film "Dirty Work." Norm might become a little peeved upon realizing MTV could have sent him to one of their more exotic locations: Jamaica, Mexico and Hawaii. The network will air about 13 hours of spring-break programming on March 20-22 (reaired April 11-12).
OK. Two things. First: As of today, Norm remains a cast member of "SNL." So says NBC. Second: According to The Hollywood Reporter, rumors about Howard Stern's leap to network TV may come true -- with an assault on "SNL" via CBS. The theoretical program would be a hybrid of his behind-the-mike E! show. Norm was to have contributed a "Weekend Update"-esque mock newscast. But, according to the report, NBC is trying to stall Stern's plans by refusing to release Our Hero from his contract. An announcement could possibly come this week. Read E!'s rehash of the Reporter story.
Norm appeared during the final bows Saturday ... he stepped on camera long enough to smooch guest host Roma Downey. However, he didn't perform and wasn't featured during theng credits. One should note that it's HIGHLY unlike him to stick around for the final bow -- he usually avoids it entirely. As they've done each week since his reassignment, "Weekend Update" featured an O.J. Simpson joke. We're mighty disappointed no one shouted "Norm!" this week.
The Akron Beacon Journal (a Knight Ridder newspaper) carried a brief similar to the report we'd seen earlier this week. Their online edition reaffirms Norm's employment by NBC.
The first rule of hosting an awards show is: Keep things moving.
Norm did just that, but with surprising skill. He delivered an outstanding 8-minute monologue in which he lampooned sports, athletes, and of course, O.J. Simpson. The biggest laugh of the night came when Norm lamented that speed skater's outfits are too tight, " ... there was an East German woman, I swear, you could see the outline of her entire penis."
Norm made no mention of his plight at SNL. However, the program was coproduced by Broadway Video and featured Will Ferrell as "Harry Caray" and Chris Kattan as "Kerri Strug."
Throughout the broadcast Norm casually delivered sharply funny quips, between presenters, that always came off as adlibs. For those that missed the show, or just want to revel in his comic genius, here's a few soundbites:
MONOLOGUE EXCERPTS:
Why host the ESPYs? (Real Audio; 20.8 secs.)
Why kickboxing is cool (Real Audio; 9.4 secs.)
New football league (Real Audio; 23.2 secs.)
German skater's penis (Real Audio; 17.8 secs.)
Kill wife and a waiter (Real Audio; 16.6 secs.)
OTHER CLIPS:
Pharmaceutical company (Real Audio; 12.5 secs.)
Hype backstage (Real Audio; 15.7 secs.)
Kathie Lee (Real Audio; 7.4 secs.)
NORM TRIVIA: For those who lost count ... During his monologue, Norm scratched his nose on camera 11 times! Our Hero racked up an additional 6 scratches at other moments, for a total of 17 for the night. Now that's a mighty wicked itch.
A wire service report confirms Norm is definitely still a cast member of SNL. Norm's absence from last week's "Saturday Night Live" promoted rumors that he'd been released from his contract.
Norm didn't appear on this week's broadcast, nor did his mug appear in theng credits. As of yet, there's no official indication that he's been released from his contract. Our speculation is that he was in preparations for Monday's ESPY Awards telecast and unavailable to participate in rehearsals for SNL. Just as they did in the last "live" broadcast (Jan. 17), this week's "Update" featured an O.J. Simpson joke -- it seems Lorne might have a spine after all. Also, it's possible that during the applause for "Update" a woman in the audience (and maybe a man) shouted, "Norm!" We choose to believe they did, and encourage others to do the same in the future!
In his column, "Dish," Michael Fleming reports that by the time Norm Macdonald hosts the ESPY Awards on ESPN next Monday night, he'll likely be a former cast member of "Saturday Night Live." According to Fleming, Norm met Monday with NBC's Don Ohlmeyer to plead for dismissal from the rest of his contract. Rumors are also rampant that Howard Stern and CBS Stations Group CEO Mel Karmazin are cooking up a rival to "SNL," and that Stern will tap his pal Macdonald to contribute. There are also rumors that "SNL" will pursue Comedy Central's "Daily Show" newscaster Craig Kilborn for "Weekend Update."
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