Late comedian Norm Macdonald filmed a secret final stand-up special, and it's debuting on Netflix
 
 
Late comedian Norm Macdonald is set to make us laugh one last time.
Netflix has announced it will release a stand-up special later this month that Macdonald secretly filmed before his death.
The former Saturday Night Live Weekend Update anchor had been privately battling cancer for years before he died last September at 61. In 2020, he was working on a new comedy special but was unable to perform it publicly while venues were shut down during the pandemic. But his producing partner, Lori Jo Hoekstra, told The Hollywood Reporter that before Macdonald had to go to the hospital that summer, he decided he would self-tape the material in his living room.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
 
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"His test results were not good, so during the heart of COVID-19 pandemic and literally the night before going in for a procedure, he wanted to get this on tape just in case — as he put it — things went south," Hoekstra said. "It was his intention to have a special to share if something happened."
Though that procedure went well, Macdonald's health declined the following year, and he never got to film the special in front of an audience. But "he left this gift for all of us," Hoekstra said.
Netflix will also release a featurette along with the special, in which Adam Sandler, Conan O'Brien, Dave Chappelle, David Letterman, David Spade, and Molly Shannon pay tribute to Macdonald.
Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special hits Netflix on May 30.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
- 
 Critics’ choice: Watering holes for gourmands Critics’ choice: Watering holes for gourmandsFeature An endless selection of Mexican spirits, a Dublin-inspired bar, and an upscale Baltimore pub 
- 
 Argentinian beef is at the center of American farmers’ woes Argentinian beef is at the center of American farmers’ woesThe Explainer ‘It feels like a slap in the face to rural America,’ said one farmer 
- 
 ‘Businesses that lose money and are uncompetitive won’t survive’ ‘Businesses that lose money and are uncompetitive won’t survive’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day 
- 
 Hungary’s Krasznahorkai wins Nobel for literature Hungary’s Krasznahorkai wins Nobel for literatureSpeed Read László Krasznahorkai is the author of acclaimed novels like ‘The Melancholy of Resistance’ and ‘Satantango’ 
- 
 Primatologist Jane Goodall dies at 91 Primatologist Jane Goodall dies at 91Speed Read She rose to fame following her groundbreaking field research with chimpanzees 
- 
 Florida erases rainbow crosswalk at Pulse nightclub Florida erases rainbow crosswalk at Pulse nightclubSpeed Read The colorful crosswalk was outside the former LGBTQ nightclub where 49 people were killed in a 2016 shooting 
- 
 Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's ills Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's illsSpeed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future' 
- 
 Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, Stallone Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, StalloneSpeed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees 
- 
 White House seeks to bend Smithsonian to Trump's view White House seeks to bend Smithsonian to Trump's viewSpeed Read The Smithsonian Institution's 21 museums are under review to ensure their content aligns with the president's interpretation of American history 
- 
 Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talk Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talkSpeed Read The radio host said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could help 'traditional conservatives' take back the Republican Party 
- 
 CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show' CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year 
