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Based on a True Story: A Memoir
Based on a True Story: A Memoir | Norm MacDonald
32 posts | 22 read | 5 reading | 9 to read
Wild, dangerous, and flat-out unbelievable, here is the incredible memoir of the actor, gambler, raconteur, "SNL" veteran, and one of the best stand-up comedians of all time. As this book s title suggests, Norm Macdonald tells the story of his life more or less from his origins on a farm in the-back-of-beyond Canada and an epically disastrous appearance on "Star Search"to his account of auditioning for Lorne Michaels and his memorable run as the anchor ofWeekend Update on "Saturday Night Live" until he was fired because a corporate executive didn t think he was funny.But "Based on a True Story" is much more than a memoir; it s the hilarious, inspired epic of Norm s life. In dispatches from a road trip to Las Vegas (part of a plan hatched to regain the fortune he d lost to sports betting and other vices) with his sidekick and enabler, Adam Eget, Norm recounts the milestone moments, the regrets, the love affairs, the times fortune smiled on his life, and the times it refused to smile. As the clock ticks down, Norm s debt reaches record heights, and he must find a way to evade the hefty price that s been placed on his head by one of the most dangerous loan sharks in the country. As a comedy legend should, Norm peppers these pages with classic jokes and fondly mythologized Hollywood stories. This wildly adventurous, totally original, and absurdly funny saga turns the conventional comic s memoir on its head and gives the reader an exclusive pass into the mad, glorious mind of Norm Macdonald. Advance praise for "Based on a True Story" Norm is brilliant and thoughtful and there is sensitivity and creative insight in his observations and stories. A lot of comics over the years have been compared to Mark Twain, but I think Norm is the only one who actually matches the guy in terms of his voice and ability. I seriously f**king love Norm Macdonald. Please buy his book. He probably needs the cash. He s really bad with money. Louis C.K., from the foreword Norm is one of my all-time favorites, and this book was such a great read I forgot how lonely I was for a while. Amy Schumer I always thought Normie s stand-up was the funniest thing there was. But this book gives it a run for its money. Adam Sandler Norm is one of the greatest stand-up comics who s ever worked a totally original voice. His sense of the ridiculous and his use of juxtaposition in his writing make him a comic s comic. We all love Norm. Roseanne Barr Norm Macdonald makes me laugh my ass off. Who is funnier than Norm Macdonald? Nobody. Judd Apatow Norm Macdonald is more than a triple threat he s a septuple threat. He is smart, funny, wry, rakish, polite, rakish . . . no, wait. He is polite, insightful, and . . . aaaaah . . . warm. No. He s exciting. Yeah. Exciting! You never know what he ll do. Okay, then make that unpredictable. Add that up. He s amazing. Alec Baldwin Norm only has to grunt to make me laugh. And this book is three hundred pages? Sign me up. Sophia Amoruso, author of "#GIRLBOSS" Norm is a double threat. His material and timing are both top-notch, which is unheard of. He is one of my favorites, both on- and off-stage. Dave Attell David Letterman said it best: There is no one funnier than Norm Macdonald. Rob Schneider"
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reading_rainbow
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RIP Norm ♥️

wanderinglynn I just read that he passed. That‘s so sad 😢 I loved him as the SNL weekend update anchor. 3y
15 likes1 comment
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LeftyDv
Mehso-so

Like every bit of comedy ever written by MacDonald in his career, this book is hit or miss. At parts, I laughed out loud and had to share aloud to others. At others, I wanted to skip ahead go get to the next funny joke. But this “memoir” really did leave me thinking about all those forgotten comics who you either hate or hate a little bit less.

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britt_brooke
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ You realize rather quickly that this isn‘t really a memoir. It‘s a bizarre satire rooted in (possibly) true stories. Some are very obviously made up. I liked the quirkiness initially. MacDonald is funny and self-deprecating, but then things get dark and disturbing. It was a bit much, IMO. And as the “ghostwriter” character popped in more and more, I enjoyed the story less and less. A weird read for sure.

Cinfhen Pass 💚 3y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen Good call. 😂 Btw, I‘m so behind on reviews. I have 3 - possibly 4 - to get done tomorrow. 😬 (edited) 3y
Cinfhen Woohoo!!! Any I might like??? 3y
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britt_brooke @Cinfhen Only one, I think. Do you remember Jo Koy from Chelsea Lately? His memoir. I love books by former “round table” comics. 😄 3y
Cinfhen Yes!!! He was my husband‘s favorite along with Loni Love~ need to check that one out. Thanks 😊 still need to read Loni‘s memoir 3y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen It‘s a good one! And of course, he narrates the audiobook. I enjoyed Loni‘s book, too - love her! 3y
Hooked_on_books Totally unrelated to this post, but I just read about a book released today that I suspect is right up your alley! It‘s a social science look at cults, why people join them, and why some of the groups we call cults aren‘t really. Looks interesting. 3y
Hooked_on_books Ha, never mind! I see you already know about it! 😂 3y
britt_brooke @Hooked_on_books Thanks for thinking of me! I literally started this book about an hour ago. 😄 3y
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Twainy
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Pickpick

🎧 read by the author and “ghost writer”. I think I like Norm in small chunks. I liked him on Saturday Night Live & The Orville. There were times during this book that I forgot he was a comedian. He‘s THAT good. The book is bizarre ... there are times you‘re not sure if you‘re reading truth, narrative device or strait up being messed with. If you like this comedian you‘ll love his book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/3

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GirlWellRead
Panpan

Being Canadian, and growing up watching SNL, I thought requesting this book was a no brainer, but it was simply a rambling monologue that ends up being one long joke. There were nuggets of real stories that were camouflaged with fiction. After reading this, I realized that the joke was on me.

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CherryPie
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MrBook
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😂😂😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I'd say the same thing as a dad 😎. This would work great in a novel 😁. #LitsyHumor

EchoLogical 😂 7y
Marmie7 🤣 This sounds like my husband! 7y
cajunsyd 😂😂 7y
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Jokila
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Pickpick

I loved this book! It had me laughing out loud all day long at very inappropriate moments in the subway and on the sidewalk 😝 It is NOT--despite the title--actually a memoir. It's a work of fiction that stars Norm and friend/fellow comic Adam Eget as his idiot sidekick. They win big and lose big in Las Vegas, interrupted every other chapter with shared memories. The absurdity of their adventures and deadpan humor will please fans of Jack Handey!

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Jokila

I'm looking forward to being a big shot author. And why not? New York City was the site of my great success. I made it there, and then I didn't make it anywhere else. I guess Frank Sinatra isn't so smart after all.

TobeyTheScavengerMonk I can totally hear his voice in my head. 7y
Jokila @TobeyTheScavengerMonk I'm listening to him read it on audio and it's fantastic!! 😂 7y
35 likes2 comments
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jordanerickson
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Pickpick

This is one of the funniest books I have ever read. All-time great. I didn't want it to end

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nikirtehsuxlol
Mehso-so

Only for Norm fans.

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ThatNeilGuy
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It's not the greatest book ever but I'm enjoying it so far...

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nikirtehsuxlol
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SNL, Weekend Update

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nikirtehsuxlol
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nikirtehsuxlol
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BeckyBelt
Mehso-so

There were parts of this book I loved, and parts that I just could not. I listened to the audio version and I think overall I'm glad I did that instead of reading it. I love Norm's voice. I would recommend with reservation.

JennaAZ He has such a great voice. Instantly makes me laugh. 8y
6 likes1 comment
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nikirtehsuxlol
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Louis CK on Norm Macdonald #comedians

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bio_chem06
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I spent 10 minutes looking for my chapstick because I knew it didn't hit the floor. I think I might have to concede, my husband says, "if it fell off a book onto another book & wedged itself between 2 more books, you have a problem!"

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AMVP
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Pickpick

I've been meaning to read more Paul Auster; who'd of guessed that Norm MacDonald, with his winding and intertwining narrative perspectives, would do just as handily! Dark wit and gentle observation, often simultanious, carry the book along at a breakneck clip.

[Trigger warning for blithe jokes about male prison rape and some transphobic passages.]

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AMVP
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Norm MacDonald is one of the smartest people alive in terms of knowing how to be funny. His book, thus far at least, exemplifies something so many professional novelists could do well to learn: don't look like your trying to be funny. All the flowery prose and absurd scenarios in the world can't hold a candle to confident and patient delivery.

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dariazeoli
Pickpick

This book was ridiculous! A "memoir" of sorts, it definitely made me laugh a few times. Norm is in on the joke, and if you're a fan of his at all, that works to his advantage.

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dariazeoli
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Well, they just renewed Fuller House for a third season, so Bob Saget must be on to something with this gratitude thing...

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dariazeoli

Listen, I'm the kinda gal that finds Turd Ferguson on Celebrity Jeopardy hilarious. But this bit about a Make-a-Wish kid wanting to club a baby seal? 😳

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dariazeoli
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I'm halfway through this book and I alternate between amusement & pondering the tall tales.

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dariazeoli
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I've had this on request for a lot longer than expected, and it finally became available tonight thru Overdrive. I've seen Norm do standup live and he remains one of my favorite Weekend Update anchors, so I hope this is a good read!

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JRG_Readz
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Starting this. Louis C.K. wrote a pointless and short foreword. First two pages of the book proper are already better, darker and more literary than one would expect based on the foreword.

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TofuandBooks
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Pickpick

Definitely different, but incredibly original and funny.
I always liked him and I was super excited to read this.
It's good to go in knowing this is mostly fake.
This is a very sarcastic look at typical celebrities memoirs, and I loved it.

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KrisConstantReader
Mehso-so

This book had its good parts but it was a little too off the wall for my tastes. I'd much rather have read a straightforward memoir about Macdonald's experiences in show business and SNL. Still, parts of this book were extremely funny.

KrisConstantReader Read my full review and add me on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1757881006 8y
heikemarie I find Norm McDonald as a comedian to be consistently a little too off the wall for me, so this sounds pretty on-brand! Haha. 8y
KrisConstantReader @inwhichHeikereadsharder yeah, it was a little out there but hilariously so. A little too much for my tastes. 8y
55 likes3 comments
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KrisConstantReader
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😂😂😂

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KrisConstantReader
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Tav Yeah, Frank Sinatra should not be giving anyone advice. 8y
Ericmanciniwriter Good so far? 8y
KrisConstantReader @Eamann yes, I really like his writing voice. The only thing is, it's not a straight memoir--a lot of it is off the wall and you don't know what's true and what isn't. 8y
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maximoffs For some reason it won't let me email you, but Litsy Librarian here! Wanted to let you know your requested book is in the database now 8y
KrisConstantReader @steverogers cool, thanks so much! 8y
maximoffs Just came back here to let you know I've added 8y
KrisConstantReader @steverogers nice. You're really on the ball, much appreciated. 8y
64 likes7 comments
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KrisConstantReader
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Just got this one from Netgalley, I'm excited to read it.

BookishMarginalia I don't know about that cover, though 8y
Vexingcircumstance I saw that and almost requested it but I'm so behind on reviews and already lost my 80% because of it. I didn't want to request any more until I was able to read some of what I have and get my reviews up. 8y
KrisConstantReader @Vexingcircumstance I was on 80% too but lately I've gotten way behind, I think I'm down to 72%. 8y
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