Norm Macdonald

While promoting his Netflix show, Macdonald said that Louis C.K. and Roseanne Barr had lost a great deal and that he felt saddened by their situations, adding comments on #MeToo that were perceived as minimising victims' experiences. NBC cancelled his Tonight Show appearance.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

During an interview intended to explain his previous controversy, Macdonald used a historically offensive term for people with intellectual disabilities. The new remark immediately triggered a second, separate controversy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Macdonald continued making jokes about Caitlyn Jenner and transgender people following Jenner's public transition, prompting criticism for transphobic humour or "punching down".

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Macdonald posted a series of highly critical tweets about Margaret Atwood, unfavourably comparing her work with Alice Munro's and notably accusing her of seeking fame. The messages triggered a strong reaction and were subsequently deleted.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Personally implicated

Macdonald publicly described a severe gambling addiction that reportedly caused him to lose very large sums on several occasions, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in a single session.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Macdonald was removed as Weekend Update anchor after years of particularly harsh jokes about O.J. Simpson, including after his acquittal. Many linked his removal to a conflict with NBC executive Don Ohlmeyer, a friend of Simpson.

State of the evidence

Disputed

Attribution

Directly implicated