Norm Macdonald’s “Nothing Special” is a final comedy recording that’s altogether different
June 8, 2022 Mike Seigel Features, Norm Macdonald, Reviews, Specials
Norm Macdonald’s Nothing Special, the posthumous release that Netflix dropped on May 30th, does not fit the mold that we as comedy fans might expect of a comedy special.
For one thing, it’s not really stand-up. Filmed back in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the footage is shot inside his home. Mcdonald had kept his cancer diagnosis a secret to many people, including those close to him. But the time it was recorded, Norm was working on a new special even though his future was uncertain. So with pretty much all clubs around the country closed, he felt compelled to document that material.
Because of this, there’s no audience present and the entire thing has a distinctly homespun quality. In this way it bears comparison with Bo Burnam’s Inside, another Netflix comedy special created entirely in the comedian’s home. However, while Burnam’s presentation is carefully edited and highly produced, Macdonald’s performance is as stripped down as possible because it was an attempt to document the material instead of a performance of it.
With Macdonald’s death in September 2021, plans to record a final version would not come to fruition and essentially this, a rough sketch, serves as a final product that in no way was meant to be a final product. So that’s the spirit of the special – it perpetually feels like the wheels are about to come off – Macdonald is interrupted several times by phone calls and a dog barking – but this scattered feel fits in with the comedian’s style.
This is one quality of Macdonald’s that comes across strongly throughout his work – a sense of joyful, gleeful chaos. It’s a point that is brought up several times in the concluding section of the show, which cuts to a group of Macdonald’s more famous friends, reflecting on the content of the special and Macdonald’s legacy.
When thinking about Macdonald’s comedy style, Dave Chappelle remarked, “It makes people feel safe, like everything is gonna be alright.”
The extra layer to the special is that Macdonald knew, while recording his set, that he was facing his own death. Although he had kept it hidden even from close friends, Norm had been suffering through a long battle with cancer.
The choice to end the special with footage of a group of wistful friends gives the show a melancholy feel. But this is countered by Macdonald’s own words. The set was overall very positive.
Perhaps the crux of the special comes out in his bit about his chosen profession. He expresses exasperation that comedians have come to be called modern day philosophers.
“It always makes me feel sad for the actual modern day philosophers,” he laughs.
Always humble, Macdonald departs reminding us that he is no more and no less than a comedian.
He assures us that nothing he says is really that serious. Per his title, it’s nothing special. The sense of safety that he brings comes from the joy in laughter, a job well done and a life well lived.
Nothing Special is now streaming on Netflix.
