Norm Macdonald Collection on Letterman, Part 5 of 5: 2003-15

I always thought Norm was simply emotional as he closed out Letterman because he was realizing all Dave had done for him after he lost his job, kick-started his career, etc. But to know that he had cancer at this time, was likely reflecting on his life and truly, because of his great love for standup and Dave as a friend, now I appreciate even more how legendary this closing standup was. All the best comedians watched that and knew there was no better ambassador for the craft to close out the 25 year run of the Late Show than the great Norm Macdonald. What a king!

Don Ohlmyre's headstone should say, "He fired the funniest man in the world. And was friends with OJ."

How can you not tear up, watching the boy inside the man, come out and tell his hero he loved him. And goodbye. Knowing this would be the culmination point of his life. He always said he wanted to be the last on Carson. He got to be the last on Letterman. That's iconic.

I was fortunate enough to be at the Letterman show on May 15, 2015 to watch Norm pay tribute to David, it was the most heartfelt 5 minutes I have ever seen. God bless and rest in peace Norm

'If something is true it is not sentimental, and I say in truth..." is possibly the greatest way to preface something authentic that I've ever heard.

He couldn’t have known at the age of thirteen that this man who stood up and told jokes to make people laugh would become his most outspoken defender and a true and enduring friend. What an incredible story,

“Come back later and I’ll give you some news that’ll shatter your life” how can he make something so real so hilarious and life affirming

Doesnt matter how many times i see that last clip of Norm getting emotional on Letterman, it always makes my eyes well up. The world needs a Norm more than every right now, miss you big guy 😥❤️❤️❤️

“If it’s true its not sentimental. So I say, in truth, I love you.” That was beautiful.

I've never seen David Letterman in his entire career so genuinely happy to see someone as much as Norm. Touching.

That last appearance, one of the most real human moments I've ever seen on TV. The guy who's always yanking everybody's chain, seen here as his truest and most honest self. 😭😭😭

This is why people really love Norm Macdonald. Not because he was the funniest, but because he was the realest.

I still remember watching this live, and it caught me totally off guard. He gathers himself together at the end to tell his favoriteDave joke , and then professes his love for his hero. It was as genuine a moment in television history as you can have. RIP Norm, gonna miss you truly.

I rewatched this after finding out that Norm died today. During that final segment where Norm is holding back his tears... it really got to me. I started crying for a complete stranger who felt like an old friend, a man who felt so familiar to me after all those years I watched his work, every Saturday he was on SNL and beyond. My heart goes out to his family and friends and to us fans, because this is such a loss. Norm made the world a better place, truly, with his gift for making us laugh and making someone feel less alone and depressed, if even for a moment. I still can't believe he's gone. I don't want to believe it. Thanks for all the laughter and good memories, Norm. We will miss you so much. With love, your fans.

i like the part where letterman calls back to norm's joke 3 years earlier on his show about the birth of his son being exciting, and norm doesn't recall it being a joke but then instantly one-up's his own joke without realizing it anyways.

Dave seems genuinely enamored with Norm and that’s awesome because I almost get the sense that getting Dave’s approval is all the validation of success that Norm ever needed.

When He recites the Letterman joke he even uses Dave's cadence. Genius

I just saw all 5 parts. In the beginning Norm was just a very funny young stand up. Then on the first sit down segment in 1995 you can see how Letterman is starting to really like this guy. On later appearances you can see he is genuinely happy to see him, all the way to the very moving last show. What a great story! Thank you so much, Don Giller!

Norm letting the world in. Briefly, he opened a portal to his soul... For me, the best Norm moment ever.

When you binge parts 1-5 and it ends... What a run these two had. Love it.