Bucket List Feature
Norm Macdonald – A Couple of Midgets Joke
Late Night with Conan O'Brien · Aired 1999
Why this bit hits
The Norm Macdonald – A Couple of Midgets Joke bit is a classic example of Norm Macdonald's audacious humor, pushing boundaries and embracing discomfort for comedic effect. The setup begins innocently enough, describing two individuals, a man and a woman, but quickly delves into a problematic term. Norm's use of language immediately signals that this will not be a typical joke, creating a palpable tension and anticipation of where he might take the audience. This discomfort is a key ingredient in many of his most memorable bits.
The joke works through Norm's signature deadpan delivery and his fearless commitment to the narrative, no matter how politically incorrect or absurd it becomes. He details the couple's daily lives and their unusual living situation with such earnestness that it disarms the audience, making them question the expected comedic trajectory. Conan O'Brien's reactions are crucial, as he often struggles to maintain composure, oscillating between genuine laughter and feigned outrage. This interplay between Norm's unwavering focus and Conan's visible discomfort amplifies the humor, creating a unique dynamic that was a hallmark of their appearances together.
The ultimate punchline, like many of Norm's "shaggy dog" jokes, is less about a clever twist and more about the deliberate subversion of expectations. After a long, winding, and increasingly uncomfortable narrative, the payoff is often surprisingly simple, or even anti-climactic. The humor here lies in the journey through the taboo, Norm's unyielding adherence to his premise, and the collective relief/groan when the joke finally concludes. It's a testament to his ability to find humor in challenging subjects, using discomfort as a comedic tool to expose the absurdity of societal norms and expectations.
"They just lived in an apartment... and they hated each other."
Transcript (excerpt)
Norm: There was a couple of midgets. And, uh, they lived in an apartment. And they hated each other. They hated each other, they fought all the time. One day, the man midget says to the woman midget, "I'm sick of this, I'm moving out." And she says, "Good, I hate you." So he packs his bags. And he leaves. And he gets to the front door, and he turns around, and he says to her, "I'll be back." And she says, "Oh, no, you won't." He says, "Yes, I will." She says, "No, you won't." He says, "Yes, I will!" She says, "No, you won't, 'cause you're too short to reach the doorbell!"
Conan: (groans) Oh, my God. Norm, I... I hate you sometimes.