The prescience and quick wit of Norm Macdonald
May 16, 2020, FrankPoliat©2020
One of the most celebrated incidents in the history of TV has to do with Norm MacDonald and film criticism, on “Conan” in 1997. His comment might serve as the most succinct doctoral thesis in history on comedic content and timing.
Conan + Norm Macdonald + Courtey Thorne-Smith, FILM CLIP, 1997
MOVIE CLIP w Carrot Top
https://youtu.be/aqhrPa_7LVA?t=229
“Chairman of the Board” (1997) stars Conan’s other guest, Courtney Thorne-Smith and co-stars Carrot Top. This was her first (second?) movie effort that Courtney starred in after leaving “Melrose.”
I’m a big fan of MacDonald and Conan. I have NEVER watched “Melrose Place” or, until watching this clip, never seen/watched/heard of Thorne-Smith. The clip has become a viral immortal. At this point, in the 1997 video-clip, she is responding to Conan’s meat and potatoes questions to her about why she had quit “Melrose Place” (1992-1999) in 1997 and also gives her a chance to plug her latest movie, “Chairman of the Board.” Meanwhile, Norm’s little mental cogs and wheels go to work.
Norm’s zinger is immortal. It’s plain, it’s obvious and it stops the show (figuratively).
But not only that, the movie being discussed may well be THE low point of Courtney’s possibly bumpy (I would not know) but financially rewarding career.
Herewith, the clip in question and proof that Norm’s quip/prediction was dead-on, you can see movie’s ratings and production cost below. Maybe it has garnered a few more bucks since this rating, but that’s probably mostly because of Norm’s feedback stirred interest. “COTB,” sank to the bottom of Hollywood bombs stockpile. Apparently, only Ed Wood and Russ Meyer could have made anything lower. I question whether Norm had even watched this movie, his comment is solely based on his opinion of Carrot Top’s brand of comedy.
Thank god I'm an atheist. 