Lori Jo Hoekstra, Macdonald’s long-time producing partner, tells The Hollywood Reporter that the late comedian was working on new material for a Netflix special when he had to go to the hospital in summer 2020. So Hoekstra filmed Macdonald in his living room for what would be his final standup set. Macdonald wanted it taped "just in case. It was his intention to have a special to share if something happened," said Hoekstra. Even though the medical procedure went fine, the footage was put in a closet until last summer when Macdonald became very ill and asked if he could see it shortly before his death. "He ended up getting sicker last August and September and he remembered he had shot this and asked me to find it so he could watch it,” says Hoekstra. “He ended up watching it before he passed away.” Macdonald even suggested a characteristically self-deprecating title for the hour: Nothing Special, which will be released on May 30. Last week, Netflix held a private memorial tribute to Macdonald at Hollywood's Fonda Theater as part of its Netflix Is a Joke Fest.
TOPICS: Norm Macdonald, Netflix, Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special, Standup Comedy