To promote his new memoir Based on a True Story, Vulture posted a new interview with Norm Macdonald today where he candidly talks about the current state of comedy as well as what he thinks of SNL these days, Jimmy Fallon’s interview with Donald Trump, how TV treats both presidential candidates, and more. Here’s what Macdonald says about the rise of confessional comedy, which he calls “the worst kind of comedy I’ve come across”:
Louis C.K. is a genius. But every genius breeds a bunch of fucking idiots. These people say, “I can do that.” But they can’t, they just think they can. I don’t understand all these comedy shows that forget about being comedies. It’s absurd. There shouldn’t even be a prevailing style of comedy, anyways. People should be individuals.
On comedies that tackle social issues:
Comedians, when they get really good, and nowadays they don’t even have to get good, reach a point where they feel they should be philosophers. I’ve heard it said even that the modern-day philosophers are comedians. I read modern-day philosophers! I’m sure they’re insulted when they’re compared to people who work in smoky nightclubs and hit on waitresses for a living.
On the reaction to Fallon’s Tonight Show interview with Trump:
It was absurd. Being hard on people is not what Fallon does. We’ve come to this crazy idea that entertainers should be political experts. Jimmy just likes to laugh and have fun and not hurt anyone’s feelings. He’s a real sweet kid. But mostly, what do you expect from Jimmy Fallon? You have to stick with what you’re best at.
Read the full interview over at Vulture.
