Tag: Burt Reynolds

The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: Number 10 – Norm MacDonald

My top 50 list of SNL cast members has been populated with numerous performers who sat behind the iconic Weekend Update desk: Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Dan Aykroyd, Dennis Miller, Kevin Nealon, Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers, Colin Jost, and Michael Che. As we enter the top 10 of this countdown, we arrive at the final Update anchor. That means it’s the one I thought did it the best and that is Norm MacDonald.

The Canadian stand-up brought his flawless timing and devil may care attitude to the news desk. It could rightly be said that his Update was the last time SNL felt a little dangerous and that’s thanks to him and Jim Downey, his legendary Update cowriting partner.

No one could deliver a joke quite like Norm. Like Johnny Carson, you often laughed harder when they didn’t land due to his reaction. MacDonald’s relentless mocking of O.J. Simpson during his murder trial infuriated NBC exec Don Ohlmeyer, who was a friend of the disgraced football star. In fact, it is allegedly what got him fired from Update (a colossal error in judgment).

Norm’s contributions to SNL went beyond the signature segment airing after the musical guest’s first song. He had great impressions of Larry King and Senator Bob Dole and delivered a rather biting take on David Letterman, his comedic idol. Then, of course, there’s his 70s era Burt Reynolds who would appear on Celebrity Jeopardy.

You could spend hours going down a YouTube rabbit hole watching Norm be hilarious and I certainly have. Most of his couch work on Conan O’Brien’s shows will split your sides. The late great MacDonald did the same on SNL. #9 will be up soon!

Norm MacDonald

Years on the Show: 1993-98

This Day in Movie History: February 11

Nine years ago Today in Movie History – February 11 – Will Smith’s romantic comedy Hitch got the thumbs up from audiences and many critics. After his sitcom days, Smith’s movie career mostly consisted of huge grossing action/sci-fi flicks until this came along. Hitch, which costarred Eva Mendes and Kevin James, opened to a terrific $43 million debut on its way to a domestic total of $179 million.

As for birthdays, Burt Reynolds turns 78 today. He was one of the biggest movie stars of the 1970s and his hits included Deliverance, The Longest Yard, Gator, Smokey and the Bandit, Semi-Tough, The End, and Hooper. His successes would continue into the early 80s with The Cannonball Run, Sharky’s Machine, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. He would experience a movie career resurgence with his Oscar-nominated turn in 1997’s Boogie Nights and appear in the Adam Sandler led Longest Yard remake in 2005.

Jennifer Aniston is 45 today. By far, Aniston has had the best movie career among the “Friends” cast. Her success from the sitcom led to starring in late 90s rom coms like Picture Perfect and The Objection of My Affection. In 1999, she would costar in the now cult classic Office Space. Notable films since are many – The Good Girl, Bruce Almighty, Along Came Polly, The Break-Up, Marley & Me, Horrible Bosses, and We’re the Millers.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between Smokey and Rachel:

Burt Reynolds was in The Longest Yard with Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler was in Just Go With It with Jennifer Aniston

And that’s today – February 11 – in Movie History!