Norm Macdonald may be gone, but he’s making sure he’s not forgotten.
The late-comedian’s last-ever comedy special just dropped on Netflix.
The streaming giant released “Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special” over Memorial Day Weekend.
Norm Macdonald’s Comedy Special Is Streaming Now!
Macdonald passed away on September 14, 2021, after a decades long battle with cancer. The “Saturday Night Live” alum fought the deadly disease for more than nine years.
His passing was announced by his management team, Brillstein Entertainment. Norm was surrounded by friends and his producing partner, Lori Jo Hoekstra, at the time of his death.
His battle with cancer came as a shock to his massive fanbase, because he worked very hard to keep his battle a secret.
Norm was determined to keep his health struggles away from his family, friends, and especially fans.
Norm Kept His Cancer Diagnosis A Secret For More Than Nine Years
“He was most proud of his comedy,” Hoekstra said in a statement.
Even in death, Macdonald is bringing smiles to faces and laughter to fans.
So really, he got the last laugh!
The comedy special opens with a note from Netflix. It reads, “We are honored to bring you Norm Macdonald’s last special, followed by reactions and commentary from a few of his special friends.”
The message is followed by a photo (L-R) of David Letterman, Molly Shannon, Dave Chappelle, Conan O’Brien, Adam Sandler, and David Spade.
Another message follows the photo.
“Norm was working hard preparing material for his Netflix special- until COVID shut things down. In the summer of 2020, he was scheduled to undergo a procedure and as he put it, ‘didn’t want to leave anything on the table in case things went south,’” it read. “At home, the night before going in, he shot this – in one take.”
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Norm opened up the special by expressing his excitement to get back to performing, especially at casinos, because he’s a “degenerate gambler.”
The hour-long special concludes with Macdonald saying, “Stay safe folks, I love ya.”
In a statement to the Daily Beast, Hokestra said, “Norm worked so hard on a new hour of material and wanted it to be seen. While this version of ‘Nothing Special’ was not originally meant to be the final product, COVID restrictions prevented him from filming in front of an audience. We want to make sure his fans see this very funny hour. He left this gift for all of us.”
Macdonald makes multiple jokes about death throughout the special.
Norm Joked About Mortality In Last-Ever Comedy Special
“When I die I want my body donated to science. But more specifically, a scientist who’s working on bringing dead guys back to life,” the comedian joked.
Fans Praise Norm’s Comedy Special On Twitter
Many fans took to Twitter to express their excitement about the special.
“Norm Macdonald’s final show #NothingSpecial on Netflix is well worth the watch for hardcore fans. It’s an hour of comedy and 30 mins of roundtable commentary from old friends. Imagining it live on stage is not hard if you’re familiar with his timing. RIP to a true legend,” one fan tweeted.
Another wrote, “Norm Macdonald actually got us to like Zoom comedy.”
“Watching the new Norm Macdonald special on Netflix and he’s riffing all by himself on a zoom call. What a legend,” this fan added.
