During a recent episode of his talk show, Conan O'Brien opened up about the firing of Jim Downey and Norm Macdonald from "SNL" and the pride he felt for their work on "Update." O'Brien highlighted the dedication and hard work that Downey and Macdonald put into their roles, which ultimately led to their dismissal. He revealed that one of the executives at NBC, who happened to be a close friend of O.J. Simpson, had a hand in their firing.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, O'Brien saw the firing as a proud moment because it resulted in an outpouring of support from fans and fellow comedians who recognized the injustice of the situation. When discussing the matter, O'Brien mentioned that he personally handled the news better than Macdonald, who took it much harder. O'Brien philosophically viewed it as a peak moment in their careers, proving that they had pushed the boundaries and made a significant impact.
O'Brien also shared a story about how the network approached Macdonald to get rid of Downey, to which Macdonald responded by threatening to quit if they fired Downey. O'Brien acknowledged Macdonald's loyalty and dedication, stating that he would have done the same if the situation were reversed. Although O'Brien was initially hurt that Macdonald didn't inform him of this development, he understood that Macdonald's focus was solely on being funny and didn't want their friendship to be clouded by the controversy.
The conversation shifted to Macdonald's passing, and O'Brien disclosed that he had tried to get Macdonald to be one of the last guests on his late-night show. However, Macdonald declined the offer, stating that he didn't want his appearance to be influenced by his changing appearance. O'Brien expressed his admiration for Macdonald's commitment to his craft and recalled one of their proudest moments together, a joke about an innocuous news story that cleverly touched on political correctness.
O'Brien reminisced about their collaboration process and their desire to deliver lean and efficient segments. He praised Macdonald's ability to interact with other guests, citing Seth Meyers as one of the best at engaging with the duo. O'Brien also humorously mentioned his frequent presence in Macdonald's thoughts, both regarding comedy and his unexpected ease as a subject for certain personal activities.
In the end, O'Brien expressed his gratitude for the impact that Macdonald had on his career and the lessons he learned from the late comedian. Macdonald's fearlessness in pursuing the perfect punchline, even if it meant sacrificing an easy laugh, left a lasting impression on O'Brien. He admired Macdonald's commitment to preserving the integrity of his comedy and never compromising for a cheap joke.
As this heartfelt conversation on Conan O'Brien's talk show showed, the firing of Jim Downey and Norm Macdonald from "SNL" may have been a setback, but it ultimately led to a proud moment for both comedians. It is a testament to their talent and dedication that they continue to be remembered and revered in the entertainment industry.
