I love hearing the stories from other comedians about Norm deliberately bombing, then saving, then ending with bombing a show, or variations on that, as a way of showing off to his fellow comedians. Or using uhms and ahs and verbal ticks, breaking up the flow of speaking, making things awkward, then tweaking a bit of a story and bringing it home with a punchline.
One of the strangest and most wonderful things to arise from the explosion of podcasts is the discussion among professionals of respected people in different fields. We all see George Carlin and Dave Chapelle and the major headliners, but that level of fame doesn't always accompany a high level of excellence.
I would never have known to pay attention to Norm as more than another good comedian without hearing his contemporaries and colleagues discuss his mastery and craft. I love that we're given a peek behind the curtains, that comics can point at Norm's genius and say "Look! Pay attention! This is special and beautiful and precious!"
robbedpeter|4 years ago
One of the strangest and most wonderful things to arise from the explosion of podcasts is the discussion among professionals of respected people in different fields. We all see George Carlin and Dave Chapelle and the major headliners, but that level of fame doesn't always accompany a high level of excellence.
I would never have known to pay attention to Norm as more than another good comedian without hearing his contemporaries and colleagues discuss his mastery and craft. I love that we're given a peek behind the curtains, that comics can point at Norm's genius and say "Look! Pay attention! This is special and beautiful and precious!"
RIP to one of the greats.