Netflix to release Judd Apatow documentary on famed comedian Norm Macdonald

An official synopsis for the documentary reads: “From director Judd Apatow comes an intimate portrait of one of comedy’s most singular and influential voices. Norm: The Tale of Norm Macdonald traces the life and career of the stand-up and Saturday Night Live legend, from his rise as the deadpan anchor of ‘Weekend Update’ to his enduring legacy as a comedian’s comedian — a master of absurd, dry, and unexpected humor. Built from archival footage, personal photos, and rare home videos contributed by fans and friends, the documentary lets Norm tell his own story in his own voice.”

The trailer compiles jokes from Macdonald over the years, alongside the comedian talking about his firing from Saturday Night Live, movie appearances, and snippets of his stand-up comedy.

Macdonald died in September of 2021 at the age of 61 following a nearly decade-long battle with cancer. Macdonald joked about the absurdity of the phrase "battle with cancer," saying dying from cancer isn't a "loss, it's a draw."

In his Comedy Central special "Me Doing Stand Up," he said, "In the old days, a man could just get sick and die. Now, they have to wage a battle."

The Canadian comedian rose to success after becoming the anchor of Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update, a role from which he was fired in 1998 because he wouldn't stop roasting OJ Simpson, the former Buffalo Bills quarterback who was put on trial for killing his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. He was found not guilty, though he was later found liable for their wrongful deaths.

"Well, it is finally official: Murder is now legal in the state of California," Macdonald said on SNL. Executive boss Don Ohlmeyer told him to stop making OJ jokes as he and "The Juice" were golfing buddies. Macdonald wouldn't stop and was fired, much to the dismay of fans and colleagues.

His final stand-up show was released in 2022 on Netflix, which was filmed in 2020 at home. Lori Jo Hoekstra, Macdonald’s long-time producing partner, said at the time that “while this version of Nothing Special was not originally meant to be the final product,” Macdonald’s family and friends wanted the public to see it. “He left this gift for us all,” Hoekstra said.