Was Norm McDonald intentionally bad on Bob Saget's Roast?

Question

I thought he was awful

Answer 1

He was reading old jokes from roasts from the 60's & 70's...

You can find some of the same jokes at the source I provide

Answer 2

Guys, the funny parts aren't in the actual lines. It's that he went up there and did a hokey act. And sell it without a trace of self awareness. He wasn't doing Bob Saget. He was just making a mockery of roasts in general.

It really is funny. Watch it a second time. It's all over the internet right now.

Answer 3

It wasn't intentionally bad, it was intentionally different.

It was like a throwback to clean jokes from the 60s roasts.  The funny came from the impeccable delivery and timing.  Everyone else had s*x jokes.

Answer 4

I think he was doing a play on "Joey Gladstone", he is known as the cleanest comic in the business so I'm pretty sure it was a spoof on him

Answer 5

The truth is i'm sure it was intentional. Doesn't mean that it was funny. That's always been norm's problem. He thinks because its a good idea that it always sells. Unfortunately Norm couldn't sell funny even if it was to a desperate Bob Saget.

Answer 6

it was on purpose and hilarious - his delivery was the best part, and if you re-watch, I think you will appreciate it more.

Answer 7

Of course it was intentional. "Sagets face looks like a flower....cauliflower" Ahahahaaha

Answer 8

hands-down the funniest set of the night. it's a shame more people don't understand his humor. simply brilliant. we had to rewind it and watch the second half of his set because we couldn't stop laughing.

Answer 9

I think you all ar missing the obvious answer. He is a gambler, and probably lost a bet. "If I win, I get to write your roast for Bob Saget"

I remember his stand up and think he is very funny, but not in this roast. Maybe I just don't get it.

Answer 10

A person has to be totally clueless or incredibly young to ask if Norm was "intentionally bad." It was the funniest part of the show, hands down, and all the comedians were thinking, "Oh c**p, he just blew us all away." Norm has always been hilarious, especially on Letterman. The problem is that most people seem to be too stupid to get the joke. These people find Dane Cook funny (now THAT is laughable!)

Thanks to the internet, we can see some people with taste do appreciate it: http://videogum.com/archives/stand-up-co...

Answer 11

Yes, I think it was intentional, just not as funny as he thought it would be.  I would ask why Dave Coulier (prob spelled wrong) was not on the dais?

Answer 12

Are you kidding me?  He was brilliant.  He turned the whole idea of a roast on its head.  Instead of doing over the top and often unfunny dirty jokes, he just went with these hokey clean jokes.

Answer 13

Norm's set was one of the funniest things I've seen in years.