Did leftist politics kill "The Norm Show"?

Self | 22 Nov 01 | sneakypete

[sneakypete]

Am I the only one to notice that Norm McDonalds "The Norm Show" is not back on ABC tv for the fall lineup? It was a hit show last year,and had been renewed. It was written by and starred Norm McDonald from Saturday Night Live,and he played the part of a hockey player sentenced to community service work with a bunch of social workers.

Everything I remember about the show is that it was very funny,and that it was a prime-time hit. Norm was really on his way to the top,UNTIL he appeard on BaBa WaWa's show,"The View". To refresh your memories,this was right before the presidential elections,and Norm really blasted Bubba bin Bombing,even going so far as to call him a murderer and a rapist. He also stated "George Bush is a good man",and told everybody that he is a Republican.

BaBa and the other airhead bimbo's there were horrified,especially little Star Jones. BaBa tried to get him to take it back,but Norm sorta faked a apology,and then said something like "Ok,ok. He is a ALLEGED rapist and murderer,but we all know he did it. Is that any better?"

Oddly enough,Norm hasn't been seen or heard from since,despite having a hit show for ABC. I KNOW his show had been renewed,so I am assuming ABC just paid out his contract and told him to stay home.

Do any of you know anything about this? Were announcments made and I just missed them,or is ABC trying to slip this bit of political manuevering under the carpet?

[sneakypete]

Ok flamers,I posted this here instead of on the vanity threads because it IS a editorial. MY editorial. I think it may also be a case of leftist "dirty pool",with them silencing Norm because the left is terrified of having a popular tv personality with charm identified as a Republican and a conservative. Drew Carey gets away with stuff because he claims to be a Libertarian. Norm is a straight-out self-proclaimed proud conservative. This is the left's biggest nightmare,a conservative who is seen as "cool" and funny by the young adults. They only want conservatives and Republicans portrayed as Nixon with stubble and a attitude.

[Chemnitz]

I recall a SNL episode when Norm was doing the news portion. He referred to Clinton as a murderer. He then looked at the camera and said, "You know he's a murderer, don't you." I figured that was the end of Norm.

[Skywalk]

I'm not sure what did the show in. Were its ratings that high? I don't know, which is why I asked.

I hadn't heard about his appearance on the view. I always liked Norm's style, and hearing about that makes me like him more. I'd hate to find out his show isn't on because of that...

[Frapster]

i recall the Norm/View incident and knew then that he had written his own death sentence. I would expect fully that his comments got him pushed right out the door. Who knows. But you raise an issue I haven't researched... I'll see what I can dig up. In the meantime, if anyone else has any info I'd love to know why his show was nixed as well.

[Skywalk]

Funny how Alec Baldwin can call for the death of Henry Hyde's family but still survive, isnt it?

[WillaJohns]

I just checked on TVGuide.com--Nothing. Then checked ABC's website and did a search--Nothing. It's like the show never existed.

[Salo]

I won't swear to it, but I think they moved the show from following Who Wants to be a Millionaire/Drew Carey to Friday night, where it tanked.

[He Rides A White Horse]

No. Hollywood doesn't work like that. Ask Ellen Degenerate.

[xp38]

Hmm now here is a Canadian Freepers would love who could replace Jennings. After all he has news reading experience.

[Chemnitz]

The classic example is the Roger Mudd interview of a befuddled Ted Kennedy, when Kennedy was fixing to run against Jimmie Carter. Mudd destroyed Ted by asking him questions and running the tape. Mudd disappeared from mainstream TV. It was made clear that it was Kennedy revenge for the interview. Since then no national reporter has done much against the Demon-rats.

[American Dreamer]

Hmm...possibly to be brought back as a mid-season replacement?

[Cicero]

I know nothing whatever about this, but I do know that clinton got a number of people fired from media jobs because they broke the boycott on certain news items about him. So if this took place while clinton was in office, it wouldn't surprise me at all. If they essentially fired him back then, they would be unlikely to reverse themselves now.

On the other hand, if it took place after clinton left office, then it would just be the usual case of media bias, which is not all that unusual either. Most of them act like lemmings, and are genuinely offended if someone gets out of step with them.

[csmusaret]

Ellen just landed a new commercial account: Snap On Tools.

[Salo]

According to one Norm MacDonald fan site, Adam Sandler's production company is creating a new show for Norm. The old one is gone forever.

[Salo]

That's Strap On Tools.

[opinionator]

Norm was kicked off of SNL for political reasons.

[clintonh8r]

OJ butt-boy and drinking buddy Don Ohlmeyer got pissed that Norm was on OJ's case and had him aced from SNL.

[Hessian]

Barking up the wrong tree, Pete. It's always all about the numbers when it comes to network TV.

According to thefutoncritic.com, "the long dead comedy "Madigan Men" actually finished the season ahead of "Norm" in the rating race."

ABC tried to shore up Friday night with Norm. His numbers fell 44% with the move from Wednesday - AND Friday night went down 35% with his arrival.

Norm was cancelled. The show's ratings were in the tank.

It's happened to much better programs much less deserving than this one.

[F16Fighter]

I saw the same show where McDonald lit into Bubba. And WOULD NOT stop -- all you FReepers would have loved it!

Starr (Where are the donuts?) Jones and BaBa were extremely agitated and annoyed.

Did Wawa have that much pull to have Norm knocked off the air? Who knows.

As an aside, by chance I once met a female "producer" of the show 'The View' -- the word was Starr Jones not only reeked of BO, but is an obnoxious Prima Donna. WaWa came off as cordially aloof, if there is such a thing.

[rwfromkansas]

Wonder where Norm lives? We have got to get him on FR!