SNL fans remember when Norm Macdonald was fired over OJ Simpson joke after murder acquittal in 1998

NORM Macdonald has been remembered by fans in the light of a recent death.

OJ Simpson died on Wednesday at 76, and many people were reminded of Norm Macdonald’s frequent comments on the NFL alum.

OJ Simpson died on Wednesday, and social media users were reminded of Norm Macdonald

OJ Simpson died on Wednesday, and social media users were reminded of Norm MacdonaldCredit: Getty
The SNL anchor was fired after repeatedly making joked during and after OJ's murder trial

The SNL anchor was fired after repeatedly making joked during and after OJ’s murder trialCredit: NBC

Prior to Norm’s death at 61 in 2021, the comedy star worked on Saturday Night Live.

He featured on the television show from 1993-1998, 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.

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 joked.

“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 fanTwitter

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.

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 low-speed pursuit.

The moment was filmed broadcast by multiple news channels, with almost 95 million viewers tuning in.

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.

Fans recalled how 'Norm refused to apologize' despite and NBC head being friends with OJ

Fans recalled how ‘Norm refused to apologize’ despite and NBC head being friends with OJCredit: Getty
In February, it was revealed that OJ was undergoing chemotherapy for prostate cancer

In February, it was revealed that OJ was undergoing chemotherapy for prostate cancerCredit: Splash
The NFL alum became a controversial figure after he was acquitted of the murder charges of his former wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend

The NFL alum became a controversial figure after he was acquitted of the murder charges of his former wife, Nicole Brown, and her friendCredit: Getty
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