--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was young, I'd watch guys on 'The…" description: "\"When I was young, I'd watch guys on 'The Tonight Show', Buddy Hackett, guys like that, where all they'd be is funny. Later, I remember, on 'Late Night ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d67/norm-macdonald-1825_buddy_when-i-was-young-i-d-watch-guys-on-the-t_2940667.jpg" --- # When I was young, I'd watch guys on 'The Tonight Show'… ![“When I was young, I'd watch guys on 'The Tonight Show', Buddy Hackett, guys like that, where all they'd be is funny. Later, I remember, on 'Late Night with Letterman', I remember he'd have Jay Leno and Richard Lewis as first guests and the entire point was to entertain and be funny, and I think…” quote by Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d67/norm-macdonald-1825_buddy_when-i-was-young-i-d-watch-guys-on-the-t_2940667.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d67/norm-macdonald-1825_buddy_when-i-was-young-i-d-watch-guys-on-the-t_2940667.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d67/norm-macdonald-1825_buddy_when-i-was-young-i-d-watch-guys-on-the-t_2940667.jpg) > “When I was young, I'd watch guys on 'The Tonight Show', Buddy Hackett, guys like that, where all they'd be is funny. Later, I remember, on 'Late Night with Letterman', I remember he'd have Jay Leno and Richard Lewis as first guests and the entire point was to entertain and be funny, and I think talk shows have kind of lost that.” [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Commentary on the shift from pure comedy to broader entertainment in talk shows. **In simple terms:** Talk shows lost focus on simple humor. Key Takeaway Seek authentic humor in media. Themes media entertainment culture Mood nostalgic critical Type reflective observational When to use this quote - late‑night programming - stand‑up comedy - media criticism Key Concepts evolution of television comedic standards Questions to Reflect On - How has humor changed on TV? - What elements make a show genuinely funny? A Different Perspective Nostalgia may idealize past formats. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Buddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddy/) [Entertain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entertain/) [Entire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entire/) [First](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Guests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guests/) [Guys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guys/) [He](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he/) [I remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-remember/) [I think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-think/) [Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jay/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/late/) [Late night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/late-night/) [Later](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/later/) [Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letterman/) [Letterman Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letterman-remember-4383161/) [Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lewis/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night/) [Night Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night-letterman-4383160/) [Point](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/point/) [Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember/) [Richard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/richard/) [Saturday night live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saturday-night-live/) [Show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/show/) [Shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows/) [Talk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talk/) [Talk shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talk-shows/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Tonight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tonight/) [Tonight show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tonight-show/) [Watch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watch/) [Where](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/where/) [Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young/) ## Related quotes > [I've always wanted to do a segment on a talk show. Jay Leno has been such a good friend, and if he would allow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrot-top/i-ve-always-wanted-to-do-a-segment-on-a-talk-show-jay-leno-has-been/) [Carrot Top](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrot-top/) > [When I did 'The Tonight Show' and Jay Leno was still there, he was very nice but it was surreal. It's like you can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-atkins/when-i-did-the-tonight-show-and-jay-leno-was-still-there-he-was-very/) [Rodney Atkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-atkins/) > [There's always something about the Tonight Show that makes me a little bit anxious, nervous, excited. But it's good. It's good. It's been real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-secada/there-s-always-something-about-the-tonight-show-that-makes-me-a/) [Jon Secada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-secada/) > [I've performed on 'The Tonight Show' with both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, but not at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-f-wilson/i-ve-performed-on-the-tonight-show-with-both-johnny-carson-and-jay/) [Thomas F. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-f-wilson/) > [I was always the class clown; I made my family laugh, and that was when I was always happiest. I grew up listening to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-silverman/i-was-always-the-class-clown-i-made-my-family-laugh-and-that-was-when/) [Sarah Silverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-silverman/) > [For those who don't like Dave Letterman, there's Jay Leno; and for those who like neither, there's Craig Ferguson; and if you're still feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-shales/for-those-who-don-t-like-dave-letterman-there-s-jay-leno-and-for/) [Tom Shales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-shales/) > [I didn't really want to inject myself into anything political. A lot of people were asking me at the time about Jay and Conan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/i-didn-t-really-want-to-inject-myself-into-anything-political-a-lot/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Letterman is very intimidating because he's so funny, so you have to be really prepared. Also, he's a little squeamish about certain things, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/letterman-is-very-intimidating-because-he-s-so-funny-so-you-have-to/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Yes, I'm supposed to go back to New York to do Geraldo, and we're going to be doing The Tonight Show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-sherman/yes-i-m-supposed-to-go-back-to-new-york-to-do-geraldo-and-we-re-going/) [Bobby Sherman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-sherman/) > [I want to get back and figure out how we're going to make 'The Tonight Show' funny and good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-richter/i-want-to-get-back-and-figure-out-how-we-re-going-to-make-the-tonight/) [Andy Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-richter/) > [I like raconteurs; I like conversation. I liked the 'Tonight Show' when it was 90 minutes, I like when people aren't plugging things per…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/i-like-raconteurs-i-like-conversation-i-liked-the-tonight-show-when/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [It used to be if you wanted to be a comedian, you used to just do sets. You'd go up three times a night,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-braunohler/it-used-to-be-if-you-wanted-to-be-a-comedian-you-used-to-just-do-sets/) [Kurt Braunohler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-braunohler/) > [It used to be that if you got on 'The Tonight Show,' your career was made. Now, if you're on 'The Tonight Show,' maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-birbiglia/it-used-to-be-that-if-you-got-on-the-tonight-show-your-career-was/) [Mike Birbiglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-birbiglia/) > [When we developed the 'Seinfeld' show, we took a bet on Jerry Seinfeld, who was not a household name. But Jerry had a voice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-littlefield/when-we-developed-the-seinfeld-show-we-took-a-bet-on-jerry-seinfeld/) [Warren Littlefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-littlefield/) > [When Joan Rivers walked through the curtain on 'The Tonight Show,' nobody in my house was allowed to utter a sound. Her gait was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-gold/when-joan-rivers-walked-through-the-curtain-on-the-tonight-show/) [Judy Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-gold/) ## More by Norm MacDonald > [In estimating the adversities of life, we would seldom have much reason to complain of the evils we suffer, did we understand the dangers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/in-estimating-the-adversities-of-life-we-would-seldom-have-much/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Chastity is oftener owing to diffidence and shame, than to fortitude of reason or virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/chastity-is-oftener-owing-to-diffidence-and-shame-than-to-fortitude/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [The first principle of solid wisdom is discretion, without it all the erudition of life is merely bagatelle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/the-first-principle-of-solid-wisdom-is-discretion-without-it-all-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [I'd say Jon Stewart has remained funny the entire time. Jon always makes it funny first. And he's just, he's talking about serious things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/i-d-say-jon-stewart-has-remained-funny-the-entire-time-jon-always/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Liberty, like health, appears most precious when lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/liberty-like-health-appears-most-precious-when-lost/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [In theatres, you're kind of disconnected. Also, it's way too big for the likes of me. Unless you're Robin Williams or someone that can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/in-theatres-you-re-kind-of-disconnected-also-it-s-way-too-big-for-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [After months of speculation, the sitcom star Ellen DeGeneres admitted that yes, she's gay. Inspired by her courage, today, diet-guru Richard Simmons admitted that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/after-months-of-speculation-the-sitcom-star-ellen-degeneres-admitted/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [So much in L.A. is waiting. It's so irritating. That's what's good about stand-up. You can go away, and you don't have to sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/so-much-in-l-a-is-waiting-it-s-so-irritating-that-s-what-s-good-about/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [You ever hear guys with small cocks talk about sex? Can't talk about it enough. They even got poems. They'll say, 'It's not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/you-ever-hear-guys-with-small-cocks-talk-about-sex-can-t-talk-about/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [My dad died, and my grandfather died, and my great-grandfather died. And the guy before him, I don't know. Probably died.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/my-dad-died-and-my-grandfather-died-and-my-great-grandfather-died-and/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [ Louis \[C.K.\] is great. But I don't know how many you could do. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/louis-c-k-is-great-but-i-don-t-know-how-many-you-could-do/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [I don't have any ego about it, but I find there's not a great work ethic in show business. A lot of people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/i-don-t-have-any-ego-about-it-but-i-find-there-s-not-a-great-work/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Many people are skeptical about marriage of Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Pressley. They say, Lisa Marie is more of a sit at home…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/many-people-are-skeptical-about-marriage-of-michael-jackson-and-lisa/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Back in the old days, a man could just get sick and die. Now they have to wage a battle. So my Uncle Bert…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/back-in-the-old-days-a-man-could-just-get-sick-and-die-now-they-have/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [The man that does not fear punishment, little regards crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/the-man-that-does-not-fear-punishment-little-regards-crime/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) [Explore all 205 Norm MacDonald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) ## More Buddy quotes > [I talk to my dad all the time, he's more like my buddy than my father, and he's not happy that I use him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-spade/i-talk-to-my-dad-all-the-time-he-s-more-like-my-buddy-than-my-father/) [David Spade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-spade/) > [“Now I had a mate and a pal. All I needed to complete the Kat Friendship Club was a buddy!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/june-whyte/now-i-had-a-mate-and-a-pal-all-i-needed-to-complete-the-kat/) [June Whyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/june-whyte/) > [You shouldn't even be in a band if you can't play Buddy Holly's Not Fade Away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mellencamp/you-shouldn-t-even-be-in-a-band-if-you-can-t-play-buddy-holly-s-not/) [John Mellencamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mellencamp/) > [I'm working at trying to be a Christian, and that's serious business. It's like trying to be a good Jew, a good Muslim, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-m-working-at-trying-to-be-a-christian-and-that-s-serious-business/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“Some of our friends are our friends only because we used to be friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/some-of-our-friends-are-our-friends-only-because-we-used-to-be-friends/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [I have a band that I started with a buddy of mine, a Vietnam veteran pal named Kimo Williams from Chicago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-sinise/i-have-a-band-that-i-started-with-a-buddy-of-mine-a-vietnam-veteran/) [Gary Sinise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-sinise/) > [Even to the sage who's doing Sahaja Samadhi, the great guru, I'd say: "Hey buddy, you know, I like the robes and everything, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/even-to-the-sage-who-s-doing-sahaja-samadhi-the-great-guru-i-d-say/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [The first time I played golf was in Flushing Meadows, Queens, when I was about 16 or 17. They had an 18-hole pitch-and-putt. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-romano/the-first-time-i-played-golf-was-in-flushing-meadows-queens-when-i/) [Ray Romano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-romano/) > [What I've found is that a lot of soldiers are surprisingly apolitical. Their reality is, "Today I'm going to leave the gate for twelve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/what-i-ve-found-is-that-a-lot-of-soldiers-are-surprisingly-apolitical/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [From, someone who loves you beyond boundaries …A Journey With My Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luckybannu/from-someone-who-loves-you-beyond-boundaries-a-journey-with-my-girl/) [Luckybannu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luckybannu/) > [They used to be buddies, I thought, they used to be friends, and now they hate each other because one has to work for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-used-to-be-buddies-i-thought-they-used-to-be-friends-and-now/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Hey Buddy Anyone Going on with me, the later do not tell me that some of I'm does not share with someone, I'm going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/hey-buddy-anyone-going-on-with-me-the-later-do-not-tell-me-that-some/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [With these Funny or Die videos, I do everything for them. I write them, act in them, and co-direct them with my buddy Brian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-franco/with-these-funny-or-die-videos-i-do-everything-for-them-i-write-them/) [Dave Franco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-franco/) > [The part of football you don't see with all the buddies I ever had, we might have gone out and thrown some passes, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-jones/the-part-of-football-you-don-t-see-with-all-the-buddies-i-ever-had-we/) [Jerry Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-jones/) > [In school, I didn't speak up often in class. I was never the person to yell out an answer. If I knew it, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyle-lovett/in-school-i-didn-t-speak-up-often-in-class-i-was-never-the-person-to/) [Lyle Lovett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyle-lovett/) [Browse all 536 Buddy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was young, I'd watch guys on 'The Tonight Show', Buddy Hackett, guys like that, where all they'd be is funny. 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