Don Ohlmeyer went on to live for nearly 20 more years after this incident, and still the most notable thing about his entire life, the first thing Wikipedia has to tell you about Don Ohlmeyer is "He received notoriety for firing Norm Macdonald from Saturday Night Live in early 1998"

> Gets fired for making cracks about OJ being guilty. > Makes another crack about OJ being guilty while discussing his firing. Legend.

“You’re not funny ..” “oh, I got nothing to fall back on now..” I’m DEAD 🤣🤣🤣

Dave standing up for Norm, love it. Makes even more sense now why Norm was so emotional at Daves last show.

I love how innocent and disarming Norm seems but he's always the sharpest tack in the room

One of the all time great talk show appearances. Norm played it perfectly- he was innocently hilarious while letting Dave doing all the real bad mouthing.

NBC firing Norm was the worst move they could possibly make.

“Dave was angrier about it than I was because Dave was not under the influence of xanax”

“I’ll tell you who’s taking your place. Nobody can take your place, Norm Macdonald.” The truth of this statement is so keenly felt now that he is gone forever. ❤️ I truly enjoy watching these appearances over and over. Thank you!

Norm was so underrated. I really love his delivery. He was totally unique.

5:00 God bless Norm. OJ jokes are the reason they fired him, and he still managed to keep it up. This man was a king.

That joke about still having whiskey left is so finely crafted and delivered, Truly a master of his art.

Today is the day I really wish he was still alive, and that he could go on SNL and do one more Weekend Update.

Norm said he stunk in sketches. Meanwhile, he was one of the most important, hilarious parts in one of the greatest sketches ever: Celebrity Jeopardy.

The fact that Norm noticed Dave still standing and immediately got up shows how much of a respect he has for his idol.

The truth is Norm wasn’t fired…he was forced out bc Don O wanted to get rid of Downey, the head writer for the segment and the reason Norm got the part, and Norm refused to do Update without him. Not only that Norm didn’t tell Downey until years later. Norm was a true friend in business that’s full of backstabbers

What's crazy now is knowing what really happened with Norm.Jim Downey was on a recent Conan podcast and they talked about what really happened. They came to Norm and told him Downey ( who wrote Weekend Update with Norm) was going to be fired but they wanted to keep Norm on. Norm said he wouldn't do the show without Downey. That's when they fired Norm. What a stand up guy.

“Oh that’s not good” - genius RIP

3:46 imagine being fired from your job, and one of your idols says this to you in front of an audience and on live television. Both of these guys are class acts

It never crossed my mind when I was watching SNL as a kid, but my lord, NORM was a strikingly beautiful man.

Amazing how the internet has made these interviews iconic. These guys didn’t know this would play forever.

Much respect to Dave for not pulling punches. I can't imagine current hosts talking like this.

So many fine jokes in this interview and the timing was amazing. Real genius. And Letterman was up to the task. Kudos.

Dave did a really classy thing here, he basically validated Norm and it was back when Letterman was at his peak

Dave never passed up an opportunity to take shots at NBC executives.

"Yeah, I know Don Ohlmeyer, and just between you and me, he's an idiot." Truer words were never spoken.

".......... and then I realized my father's dead". Holy mother of god, I lost it. The ingenuity of that comedic misdirection is priceless.

David Letterman really did try to get Norm on CBS as host of The Late Late Show, but Les Moonves, president at CBS, wanted to go with Craig Kilborn instead who ended up getting the job as Tom Snyder's replacement on the program from 1999-2004 and was later succeeded by the great Craig Ferguson. So it wasn't empty platitudes when Dave said to him he said come to CBS we'll get you a show over here. They did have a lot of respect and admiration for each other. Norm was one of Dave's last guests before Letterman retired from hosting in 2015, and Dave later appeared as a guest on Norm's Netflix show, Norm Macdonald has a Show in 2018. After being fired from SNL Norm meanwhile continued to do his nightclub act, wrote and starred in the comedy film Dirty Work in 1998 directed by America's dad Bob Saget and also had a sitcom on ABC called The Norm Show which i believe was later shortened to Norm that ran for three seasons from 1999-2001. It's cancellation was a national tragedy.

You can tell that Dave really liked Norm.

Dave running on all cylinders trying to save the good name of comedy (incarnated by Norm) is almost moving to me. Moving and absolutely hilarious. This is a stone cold classic of LN television and of comedy in general. RIP Norm.

The crowd's support of Norm is heartwarming.

I think David Letterman showed who he is more here with Norm than anywhere else, a legend of comedy who stood up for the art, for the little guy and for what’s right, gotta love both these men.

"then I remembered I had more whisky" Fuckin LOL. Norm was so effortlessly funny.

Make me happy that Dave was upset that Norm was fired

This was Norms hero not only praising him, but validating him in a way no other man could. Norm decided to go into comedy after seeing Dave do a set. He was speechless in the moment

One of the most legendary late night appearances ever. The dynamic here was perfect with Norm playing coy and Dave taking no prisoners. Norm, probably gotta be the funniest guy who ever lived… I’d also recommend Norm’s Letterman appearance from a few months after this (May 1998 I believe) - it may be even funnier, his bit about going to a Broadway play is hysterical. And it’s so wonderful seeing how much Norm made Dave crack up. Few people could make Dave laugh as much as Normie. Love them both, absolute legends.

"He said to me he said to me he says..." 🤣

Norm was such a genuine guy. Such a rare commodity in the entertainment industry. Dave was right on… NO ONE can take Norm’s place. Not then, not now. Not ever.

The chemistry between these two is amazing. Been down a Norm rabbit hole lately. His last appearance on Letterman was one of the best sets ever. Its definitely a rollercoaster of emotion. Especially knowing the history between them.

His "sorry's" was so canadian. Love it.

Don Ohlmeyer was a good friend of OJ Simpson and he thought that McDonald did too many jokes about OJ.

His OJ jokes were the very best part of the show.

"And then all of a sudden I realize my Dad's dead" What a set-up and delivery Norm had 😊

This guy had balls of steel. And despite the shock humor, actually handled himself like a gent.

If this channel wanted to post a Norm interview every week, I wouldn’t complain. In fact, I would love it.

Ah Norm , you left us too soon

Love how Dave supports Norm!! What an awesome demonstration of faith from an industry legend!

Never had anything against letterman but this gave me a new found respect the way he stood up for Norm.

Its hard to watch Norm without getting a little sad. What a unique guy.

Well, Don Ohlmeyer died at 72 in 2017, so there's that positive note.

Dave: 'Enjoy your complimentary beverage.' Norm: 'It ain't whiskey, but it's good.' Dave: 'Now there's a song.'

Letterman “no one can take your place” what a truth

One of the truly great Norm talk show appearances -- and in HQ at last. We miss you terribly, Normski. Funniest dude EVER.

They replaced him with Colin Quinn who got zero laughs during his entire tenure on Weekend Update...he was just awkward and had no timing...at the time I had no idea of the back story but was just confused on how they would put Quinn in that role who was never funny in anything he did

You can see how much Dave really loved him. Beautiful

It's because he kept doing OJ jokes and the big cheese was a friend off OJ and of course every time they told him to tone it down, he upped the Jokes on OJ game.

Apart from Norm being awesome as always, I love that Dave (and no one else to my knowledge) could call some NBC executive "an idiot" at 1:42 and get away with it.

i never realized until now how nice of a smile norm had

David Letterman is a real class act. Honest abiut his feelings, and loyal to his friends. He really seems like the kind of guy that once you've earned his respect, you could trust him with your life.

This man is one of a kind. We lost a real one.

I can't look at Norm without grinning. I sure miss him, RIP you very funny man.

David Letterman giving GE the business is timeless.

I quit watching SNL after his firing, he was the funniest person on the show. I've gotten sick and tired of people who get upset like that. Seeing Norm on the View they were so OUT of their element not one of that nits could have one brain cell among them.

The bill Cosby impression and story were off the chain hilarious. Respect to Norm and may he rest in peace ✌️

"And then all of a sudden I realize that my father's dead . . . " That's pure Norm Macdonald.

Norm was a "punchliner"... he was a thorwback to real comics.. you HAD to think, a little, or a lot, at times, and he hands you the payoff... and sometimes it takes a second, then, you laugh, or laugh even harder.. he is and was.. a great addition to what ONCE was a great SNL show.

I enjoyed Norm's work when I was young, but as I've gotten older, I've realized just how clever he was.

I watched this on its first airing. Never missed Norm on Letterman. I was 14 and I loved Norm and Letterman so much. I remember being so shocked that Norm was fired from update. I was also so angry I wrote NBC an email saying they made a terrible mistake. I loved watching these two comedy behemoths together. The very best in the world.

Norm just had it- naturally funny and quick wit. Masterclass

I don't think that there has ever been anyone fired that has taken it this well. Ever. RIP Norm, you were treasure of comedy!

I met him in 2006 at the ice house in pasadena before his set. I introduced myself, shook his hand and asked if I could buy him another whisky to which he said yes. Later in the parking lot he seemed like he wanted to hang out and stood by his limousine and nodded at me. His set was amazing. He is amazing.

Norm: the greatest comedian ever. Dave: the greatest late night host ever.

Norm had David genuinely laughing. Sorry that Norm isn’t with us anymore.

I love how Dave honestly laughs so hard by Norm being so funny. I'd sure like to be a fly on the wall with them just talking for an hour. 😂

Anyone would be lucky to have a friend and advocate like Dave. What a guy

Weekend Update with Norm was by far the best part of the show. RIP Norm.

Norm was the only man who could turn literally any word he said into a joke.

Rest in Peace Norm. What a great interview.

The way Norm flinches at 9:04 has me cracking up

When I was 13 or so years old I would always wait until Norm’s weekend update segment was done before going to bed because it was easily the funniest part of the whole show every night and I knew it even at that young age

Dude we will NEVER have someone like Norm again, truly a unique legend, completely fearless, went on a talk show right after getting fired from his main gig and just joked about it😂 He was and always will be the MAN, RIP norm the GOAT of stand up and just being hilarious 🐐🔥

I watch this approximately every 3 months, I appreciate how Dave recognized the brilliance of Norm and had his back. Norm was one of a kind and will never be replaced. Miss that Ol'Chunk of coal

The thing that gets me the most is watching this knowing that Letterman was his standup hero, and seeing him get all riled up on Norm’s behalf… it must’ve felt incredible for Norm. The final noise of overwhelmed appreciation he makes at the end says it all. God I love this clip haha.

So handsome, Norm was … RIP

The groan at the end is everything 🤣🤣 Normy, you're the best 😇

Norm was one of the greats. His humility while completely knowing how bad he was being screwed was so classy. SNL has to regret letting him go.

I feel like, so far, this is the sweetest I've seen Dave be to a guest. And how could he not love Norm? Very wholesome, this clip.

I always loved when Norm was on the show. You and him were so great together. I loved how you helped him Mr. Lettermen.

Norman Macdonald was such a sweetheart.

We forgot how outspoken DAVE was on his show. While everyone else would run and hide when the suits came round, DAVE really didn’t give a shlt about his executive overlords. RIP NORM.

not many could turn "My father is dead" into a laugh out loud punchline, genius.

Norms moan at the end is possibly the funniest moan I have ever heard.

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss Norm!

God I haven’t had a laugh this hard in a while, I was on the floor after the Cosby story. You’re gonna live forever in our hearts Norm

Dave is pure gold in this

Hilarious. You can see Dave really respects him. He's leading him which is essentially helping him. You don't see that too often. Either way, great talk. I love the innocence of Norm.

I've watched this at least a dozen times and it still makes me laugh. I'm already feeling the loss of Norm and Gilbert Gottfried. Of the countless comedians to be found on you tube there are only maybe two left that can make me laugh out loud.

No one can ever take his place.

This is one of Letterman’s best interviews - real chemistry between them. Play off each other perfectly

Norm is GREATLY missed!