Norm Macdonald (who passed away five years ago this September 14th) was not only a brilliant comic and a master persuader, he was a high-IQ individual who played dumb on stage -- which was part of his persuasive power. No better example than this one. 👇

“You know…with Hitler, the more I learn about that guy, the more I don’t care for him…” Master of understatement. RIP Norm

That's another great "playing dumb" joke from Norm. He was just so good at it.

He used subtle absurdism very skillfully.

I was just thinking that ... demonstrating absurdity by being absurd.

he died? I didnt even know he was sick

What's next for Norm?

Miss him. Favorite part of snl- back when it was funny

Did you ever see the documentary, "Downey Wrote That," about comedy writer Jim Downey? He was Norm's writing partner on SNL's Weekend Update. Cool little film.

I have not seen that. I will look it up. Thanks

He made fun of comedians pretending to be smart about the world and they never used to be like that: "Hey Red Skelton, what do you think about Vietnam?"

I can’t believe Norm’s father had that level of evil in him

He fought Hitler, though.

Gosh, Norm was the best

My Gawd was he ever amazing. 🤞 Scott's chat with him makes it into JP's biographt

It's wild to me that I'm just recently finding out about that chat -- universes colliding

His delivery style reminded me of my dad. I was watching this interview when I got the call no one wants to get and my blood ran cold. Norm passed away ~2 weeks later and the gut punch was similar.

I miss Norm.

Anyone who knew his comedy and his work shares that sentiment. I wish more people knew.

The mosquito and the therapist is my favorite.

Have you heard the full story behind that? (Not the joke, how it came about that Norm told the joke on Conan's show.)

No. It’s such a perfect, simple joke told by a master. Link?

Short version: Norm wasn't planning to do two segments, Conan spontaneously asked him during the commercial break. Norm said yes, and needed something to fill the extra five minutes ... so he dragged that joke out as long as possible. All improv, all on the spot.

Moth and podiatrist, IIRC now. Great info. “I don’t love him.” Like a Russian novel!

Playing dumb while saying smart things has served me well in many occasions. Encourage people to underestimate you.

Similar to why I say it's more persuasive to ask questions than to make statements. Even if asking a question makes it look like you don't understand something.

He wasn’t playing dumb nitwit. That was the joke. Do you not get that?

@grok explain to danfromdc how playing dumb and that being part of the joke are not contradictory ideas

Playing dumb as a deliberate technique is the joke itself, not a contradiction. Norm Macdonald fully committed to a naive, understated persona because, as he explained, audiences dislike someone smarter than them. The high IQ enables sustaining that mask so the understatement and absurdity land harder. The act generates the humor.

5 years? I'd have guessed 2!

I know, I know. But yeah, he passed in 2021.

Norm was such an impressive person and a believer, to boot! It seems crazy it's been that long.

Norm had me at, "stuff on a rock."