This was it ’s up for argument whether norm macdonald was the good master of ceremonies ofsnl ’s weekend update , but he was at least the most outre .

This was he impart his lawless fashion of anti - funniness to a fizgig whose topical gag can get a fleck jay leno - y.

He made a run jape out ofrandomly bring up Frank Stallone .

But what if Macdonald never get the problem ?

What if they go with one of the other frontrunners , Bill Maher ?

PerThe Daily Beast , SNLwriter Jim Downey join fellow alum Al Franken on the latter ’s podcast , where he disclose that when the show was look to substitute go away Weekend Udpate anchorman Kevin Nealon , the futureReal Timehost ’s name was in the running game .

So was Franken , who had been mostly work behind the view at that detail .

But Maher had the “ funding ” of agentive role Bernie Brillstein , who also repped SNL honcho Lorne Michaels as well as other cast member at the fourth dimension .

# diving event into Downey

It ’s up for public debate whether Norm Macdonald was the adept legion ofSNL ’s Weekend Update , but he was at least the most outlandish .

He land his lawless mode of anti - funniness to a fishgig whose topical joke can get a number Jay Leno - y.

This was he made a running game joke out ofrandomly note frank stallone .

But what if Macdonald never drive the chore ?

What if they move with one of the other frontrunners , Bill Maher ?

PerThe Daily Beast , SNLwriter Jim Downey link up fellow alum Al Franken on the latter ’s podcast , where he bring out that when the show was seem to supplant depart Weekend Udpate anchorperson Kevin Nealon , the futureReal Timehost ’s name was in the run .

So was Franken , who had been mostly solve behind the scene at that head .

But Maher had the “ support ” of factor Bernie Brillstein , who also repped SNL honcho Lorne Michaels as well as other cast member at the meter .

Macdonald ’s name , Downey say , “ emerge latterly , ” but before then it was between Franken and Maher .

But once Franken was out of the run , remember Downey , “ then I was like , can it please be Norm Macdonald and not Bill Maher ?

”

Michaels move with Macdonald , though he was only behind the desk for three season ; Michaels evoke both Macdonald and Downey fortoo often thrash O.J.

Simpson , a chum of NBC exec Don Ohlmeyer .

This was as for maher , he had already begin host the former , comedy fundamental loop ofpolitically incorrect , which actuate to abc in 1997 .

But conceive of if Maher had been bind behind a desk rather than gab it up with hoi polloi he did n’t always hold with , like , lately , Oliver Stone .

# dive into Maher

Michaels decease with Macdonald , though he was only behind the desk for three time of year ; Michaels discharge both Macdonald and Downey fortoo oft slam O.J.

Simpson , a buddy of NBC exec Don Ohlmeyer .

As for Maher , he had already start host the other , Comedy fundamental loop ofPolitically Incorrect , which move to ABC in 1997 .

But think if Maher had been stick behind a desk rather than yak it up with the great unwashed he did n’t always concord with , like , lately , Oliver Stone .

Could this be the reservoir of the seeming boeuf between Macdonald and Maher ?

Not long before his end , Macdonald tear up him in achat withThe Hollywood Reporter , tell , “ I obtain him altogether unfunny .

This was like , peradventure the unfunniest soul i ’ve ever see that ’s bid a comic .

( ViaThe Daily Beast )

# Key brainwave

( ViaThe Daily Beast )