The kinda sad note on these is I've seen more than one of these where the guest is clearly exasperated that Norm is doing shows like this when he could be huge, and I don't think those are the guests buttering him up.

Hey, if Norm's happy with his career path that's all that matters I guess, but it sounds like Norm's exile is more by choice than anything. I hope it's not something holding him back.

Rumour has it painkillers (either benzos or opiates) are holding him back pretty bad, forcing him to work only in short, chopped up periods of sobriety.

It's just a rumour though, lots of people speculate about a lot of shit. He probably just doesn't care all that much and finds it absurd that people or companies would pay him for making jokes.

He strikes me as the kind of person who never wants to leave his house.

It's been mentioned repeatedly that Norm doesn't drive. So Maggot Brain may have it. On the other hand, Norm also has documented gambling addiction. So maybe a little from column A, little from column B.

I think it's telling that Norm is really focused on Dave's decision to be a talk show host at a time when there was one person doing that job. Because for me it's just that kind of "Okay, so Johnny Carson is the only human on earth with the job I want. I'm going to get that job" ambition that Norm is lacking.

On the topic of talent vs. ambition, I kinda want to see Norm and Jay Leno hang out now.

whatever your opinion of Russle Brand is, his episode of Norm is really worth watching, just to see two total opposites.

The close ups are pretty wild. I got used to them by the end though.

Dollar Shave Club wants to show everyone their handiwork.

Haven't seen closeups like this since Ren & Stimpy.

I'm sure if I had to spend 30something years looking TV-presentable for a living (not to mention keeping the look off-camera) I'd let myself go pretty hard once I was done.