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Bill Maher Nearly Beat Out Norm Macdonald for ‘Weekend Update,’ SNL Writer Says

“Norm emerged late,” “SNL” writer Jim Downey revealed in a new interview with Al Franken, who was also in the running for the gig.

But according to Downey, Maher “had the backing” of super agent Bernie Brillstein, who represented Lorne Michaels and several cast members on the show. Ultimately, Michaels and the SNL team took his advice, only to fire both Downey and Macdonald for going too hard on NBC executive Don Ohlmeyer’s friend O.J. But notably, Macdonald was not shy about his disdain for Maher, who at that point was already hosting an early version of his Politically Incorrect show on Comedy Central.

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