Film
Norm Macdonald: Hitler's Dog, Gossip & Trickery
Norm Macdonald's 2017 special is deadpan comedy at its most patient and strange. He meanders through absurd premises with the timing of someone who couldn't care less if you're laughing, which somehow makes it funnier. It's for people who love comedy that trusts the audience to keep up.
Should you watch it?
Watch it if you love comedians who take a long, slightly unhinged detour and let the silence after a bad joke do as much work as the punchline, the way Norm's dry, rambling delivery rewards patience.
Skip it if you want fast, joke-dense material; this stand-up stays unhurried and conversational, and the deadpan can feel like it is circling a point for a while before it lands.
What it asks of you: About an hour of steady attention with few visual tricks, just one man talking, so it rewards listening closely and a willingness to sit with odd pauses.
Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.
If you liked this
John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City2018
Mulaney shares Norm's commitment to structure and timing. Every joke is perfectly built; nothing feels wasted. A masterclass in why precision matters more than volume.
But It's polished in a way Norm isn't. If you love his rambling, this might feel too neat.
Patton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping2016
Oswalt has that same ability to follow tangents and make them land. Funny, weird, willing to sit with awkwardness. The special's title says it all.
But Some bits are intensely personal. It's heavier than pure comedy at points.
Hannah Gadsby: Douglas2020
Gadsby proving she can do traditional stand-up structure and destroy it anyway. Playful, clever, unafraid of the weird space between setups and punchlines.
But Very different register from Norm, and much more personal. If you want his sparse, observational style, this is denser.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Norm Macdonald: Hitler's Dog, Gossip & Trickery
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
Nathan for You2013
Both use patience and commitment to a bit as the actual comedy. Neither winks at the camera. The joke is whether you'll stay with them long enough to get it.
Nathan Fielding as a con artist posing as a business consultant, pitching insane plans to real people with a totally straight face. It's Norm's deadpan applied to reality itself.
But Some episodes are uncomfortable (intentionally). The cringe is real, and it can feel mean-spirited rather than funny.
More like this (2)
Maria Bamford: The Special Special Special!2012
A comedian using the medium itself as part of the joke—multiple screens, odd editing, fractured narrative. She trusts you to keep up just like Norm does.
But The format is experimental enough that it can feel like work to watch. Not everyone wants comedy to be a puzzle.
Louis C.K.: Shameless2007
Louis at his sharpest, mining comedy from real observation and patience. He'll follow a thought for as long as it takes, which is the Norm playbook.
But It's from 2007 and feels a bit dated in places. His sensibility has shifted since then.
People
Cast
Norm MacdonaldSelf
Directing
- Liz PlonkaDirector
Writing
- Norm MacdonaldScreenplay
Production
- John IrwinExecutive Producer
- Lisa NishimuraExecutive Producer
- Lori Jo HoekstraExecutive Producer
- Marc GurvitzExecutive Producer
- Norm MacdonaldExecutive Producer
- Robbie PrawExecutive Producer
Recommended by
Steven Wright: When the Leaves Blow Away, Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted, James Acaster: Repertoire, Bill Hicks: Revelations, Trevor Noah: Afraid of the Dark, Patton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping, Dave Attell: Road Work, Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time, Louis C.K.: Sorry, Louis C.K.: Live at the Beacon Theater, Dave Chappelle: Deep in the Heart of Texas, Louis C.K.: Shameless, Patrice O'Neal: Elephant in the Room, Patton Oswalt: Werewolves and Lollipops, Tom Segura: Completely Normal, Marc Maron: Thinky Pain, Chris D'Elia: Man on Fire, Louis C.K. 2017, Nate Bargatze: Hello World