“It’s hard to believe the ESPYs are six years old. Although Anthony Mason swears they’re 18.”
Norm MacDonald Developing A Sports Show, Still Not Hosting The ESPYs
Pardon the mid-90s Knicks jokes, but you have to respect the audacity of someone that leads off an awards show with a statutory rape joke. That’s Norm MacDonald from the ‘98 ESPYs, part of a monologue that continues on to make fun of Hideki Irabu, the Jets, the ‘90s Cowboys, Michael Jordan’s gambling habit, a vicious O.J. joke, and the often forgotten late-90s documentary on the Denver Nuggets, “Black Men Can’t Jump Either.”
And guess who’s working with Comedy Central on a new sports show! It’s about time.
Because yeah, his ESPYs performance ensured he’ll never be asked to host an awards show again, but it sure was brilliant while it lasted. For that alone, Norm has carte blanche around here.
And with news that he’s working on a new show, here’s to hoping he masters a formula that has eluded others, and that his ESPYs monologue serves as the inspiration. Because that would just be awesome, and the market’s wide-open at the moment.
Besides, it’s about time for Norm to make a comeback. We’ve been marveling at that 12 year-old* monologue for way too long not to have a follow-up. It’s not like he’ll be lacking for material.
*FOR THE RECORD: Two of Ben Roethlisberger’s personal bodyguards read that as “21” years old, and regardless, ESPN consented to everything that happened that night.
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