TV THROWBACK
SNL fans remember when Norm Macdonald was fired over OJ Simpson joke after murder acquittal in 1998
OJ opened up about his health in February and hit back against some claims about his wellbeing
FORMER Saturday Night Live writer and castmember Norm Macdonald has been remembered by fans in the light of OJ Simpson's death.
Simpson's death at 76 years old was announced on Thursday, and many people were reminded of Norm Macdonald's frequent comments on the NFL alum.
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Prior to Norm's death at 61 in 2021, the comedy star worked on Saturday Night Live.
He featured on the television show from 1993 to 1998, serving as the Weekend Update anchor after his first year.
However, Norm's frequent jokes about OJ during the latter's murder trial reportedly led to his firing from the show.
"Well, it is finally official. Murder is legal in the state of California," he said after OJ's acquittal, in a move that sparked the end of his time on SNL.
READ MORE ON OJ SIMPSON
NBC West Coast division President Don Ohlmeyer was a friend of OJ, and fired him midway through the 1997-98 season, according to Rolling Stone.
"Lorne’s point at the time was, just do it for the rest of the season and we’ll make a change in the summer. And he probably was right," Ohlmeyer once reflected on the sudden firing, referring to SNL creator Lorne Michaels.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, many fans of Norm were quick to remember his firing in the wake of OJ's death.
"Norm Macdonald's running commentary of the trial seems like about the right way to mark OJ Simpson's passing," wrote one fan, along with a video of Norm's jokes.
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"I really wish Norm Macdonald could've told us the OJ news," a second social media user wrote.
"Remember that NBC fired Norm Macdonald for making OJ Simpson jokes and Norm refused to apologize," recalled a third.
"OJ Simpson died. And Norm Macdonald is trending. He would probably appreciate that," another person commented.
OJ GONE
OJ's death came just weeks after he updated fans with major news about his health.
OJ Simpson claimed to be 'in good health' in haunting last video weeks before death at 76 1
In February, it was announced that the football star had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
At the time, OJ was reportedly undergoing chemotherapy in Las Vegas.
However, he clapped back against reports that he was in a hospice.
"No, I'm not in any hospice. I don't know who put that out there... All is well," he said in a video shared on X.
Remember that NBC fired Norm Macdonald for making OJ Simpson jokes and Norm refused to apologize.
Norm Macdonald fan
Although news of his cancer emerged in February, OJ was spotted looking frail while out in Vegas in November 2023.
In photos of OJ taking a walk, he seemed to limp while strolling in slippers and used the support of a walking stick.
CONTROVERSIAL PAST
While OJ's celebrity began on the football field, he became an international household name due to his 1994 murder trial.
His former wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ron Goldman, were found dead outside her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, on June 12 of that same year.
The duo had multiple stab wounds to the head, neck, and body, with wounds on Brown's hands suggesting she fought back against the attacker.
Police collected evidence and ordered OJ to turn himself in on June 17, but the star instead fled in a car driven by his friend, Al Cowlings.
The LA Police Department declared OJ a fugitive, leading to a slow-speed pursuit.
The moment was filmed and broadcast by multiple news channels, with almost 95 million viewers tuning in.
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After being arrested, OJ's trial began in November 1994 and came to an end 11 months later in October 1995.
OJ, assisted by lawyers such as Robert Kardashian Sr., was ultimately acquitted of charges but was later found responsible by the jury during a civil case in 1997.
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