David Farnor | On 10, Sep 2018

Norm Macdonald has a Show on Netflix from this Friday, as Netflix continues its push into the late night talk show arena.

The Canadian comic, who was on Saturday Night Live for five years and also wrote for Roseanne, is no stranger to Netflix: he’s the voice of Glumshanks in the streaming giant’s animated series based on the Skylanders video game and has a stand-up special – Hitler’s Dog, Gossip and Trickery – already on the site. Now, he’s getting his own talk show, which he will exec-produce.

Produced by Macdonald’s own Anchor Spud Productions, with Pygmy Wolf Productions and Lionsgate Television, the series sees Norm and his trusty sidekick, Adam Eget, dive into “hilarious and unexpected conversations” with celebrity guests. For its debut 10-episode season, those guests include Drew Barrymore, David Spade, Judge Judy, David Letterman, Jane Fonda, Chevy Chase, M. Night Shyamalan, Michael Keaton, Billy Joe Shaver and Lorne Michaels. The series marks Netflix’s latest attempt to crack the talk show circuit, after failed attempts with Chelsea Handler and cancelled efforts from Joel McHale and Michelle Wolf.

Norm’s secret weapon may well be Letterman, who is also on board the project in an advisory role. Letterman’s own My Next Guest Needs No Introduction has enjoyed one season on Netflix, although that series distinguished itself from the pack by focusing on long-form interviews with high-profile individuals, rather than skits and topical commentary.

Norm Macdonald has a Show will drop all of its episodes on Friday 14th September. Here’s a trailer:

Netflix orders talk show from Norm Macdonald

10th March 2018

Netflix has ordered a new talk show from Norm Macdonald.

The Canadian comic, who was on Saturday Night Live for five years and also wrote for Roseanne, has more recently been the voice of Glumshanks in Netflix’s Skylanders series and become known for his appearances on other talk shows, delivering long-form jokes and stories.

In January, the comedian revealed during a Reddit AMA interview that he was in talks with Netflix to host his own show. Now, Variety confirms that the agreement has officially been put on paper, with 10 episodes of “Norm Macdonald Has a Show” given the green light.

Macdonald will exec-produce, with David Letterman on board in an advisory role, and Adam Eget attached as Macdonald’s sidekick. The show is produced by Macdonald’s own Anchor Spud Productions, with Pygmy Wolf Productions and Lionsgate Television.

There is no known date yet for the series’ premiere, but Lori Jo Hoekstra will be a co-showrunner, with KP Anderson and Daniel Kellison on board as exec-producers.

The order marks a continued strategy for Netflix, as it looks to corner the talk show market. The streaming giant has already established itself as a key hub for stand-up comedy, but has had less success with its initial talk show steps, cancelling its flop Chelsea, starring Chelsea Handler. Now, it’s doubling down on its talk show efforts, with both The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale dropping on Sunday nights and David Letterman’s My Next Guest Needs No Introduction releasing new episodes each month.

Recently, Netflix has also ordered a talk show from The Daily Show’s Hasan Minhaj and another from Michelle Wolf.

Norm, meanwhile, is no stranger to Netflix, recently releasing a stand-up special on the site – Hitler’s Dog, Gossip and Trickery – showcasing his sly, deadpan observations of life.

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