NapLajoieonSteroids wrote:
I didn't see him on SNL but he's great and improves with age- only problem I have with the Dennis Miller/Norm Macdonald pairing is that both of their styles don't mesh really well. It's clear they are friends and there is the (SNL.weekend update alumni?) rapport but where Miller sets up well- and Macdonald has a good give and take (because he's pretty good in interviews)- Miller smothers when things start rolling and doesn't know how not to draw attention back to himself. That is part of his persona and act, so you can't blame him for that, but he's not a good team player with anyone who can't 'go big' with him- doyouknowwhatimean?
Macdonald is doing Bob Hope act (with a lot of other influences mixed in there of course)
and for some reason my brain associates him with rugged individualist- though I can't give you any reason why that is.
Interesting take. I never made the Bob Hope connection. good catch.
For a year or two, I was almost addicted to Miller's radio show (MP3 format, not live) precisely because he granted his guests and interviewees more air time and latitude than any other talk radio personality I have heard. I have heard several radio producers comment that more than 6 seconds of silent air time is the kiss of death for a radio show. That may be part of it. I also thought that the shtick of MacDonald's halting, hesitating delivery required a prodding, insistent questioner to draw him to the next punch line. But who knows. People with small egos don't get into show biz.
In my naiveté, prior to listening to Miller and a half dozen comedians dissect the mechanics and work of comedy on his show, I just assumed all these guys were doing unprepared stream of consciousness. Silly me.
Last week I listened to the entire 3/27/15 show again. Gene Barretta, Karl Zahn, Rob Laurich, and Norm MacDonald were all great. I laughed at least three times as much at MacDonald this time around than the first time. Subtlety is sometimes lost on me. Rob Laurich is amazing. Check him out.
That was actually Miller's last show. For several months, he hinted that end was near, than just off the air. I found out a few days later when I tried to download MP3 files.
I think the self-depreciating humor of the person who is obviously ignorant, yet absolutely certain of the timeless validity of their own personal opinions, comes across as rather rugged individualist-esque.
don't you?
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)