J:
Will there be more books that you’ll do in the future other than the
possible titles you mention in ‘I Hate Your Guts ’?
JN: I would love to do a kids book. Something really ridiculous, like
about testicular cancer, like I joked about in “Happy Endings,” or
something silly – for adults, obviously. And then some kind of silly –
maybe a novel or something. I want to do a bunch of different things. I
did one book that was really autobiographical, one that was pop-culture
oriented with my take on it, and then again a kids book and then a
ridiculous fucking novel.
J: Can you let on what the novel might be?
JN: I have no idea what it would be about. That’s the problem with it. I
have no idea what I would write about.
J: Would you do another CD?
JN: I have two more taped, or at least one more. I’ve just been very
lazy.
J: Do you think comedy albums are as inspiring or groundbreaking or get
as much attention now as they used to?
JN: No, because there’s so many mediums to see comedians on. You can
read their books, watch them on HBO, watch them on Showtime, watch them
on Comedy Central. But years ago everyone listened to a comedy album. No
one gathers around a comedy album now, they just take a peek on YouTube
and watch a video or a clip or something.
J: Is that better or worse?
JN: It’s less focused, but I wouldn’t say it’s better or worse, because
if comedians are doing their job and pumping out the same stuff. The
naughtiness of listening to a Richard Pryor
album, or George Carlin
–
people are bit desensitized – and now it’s anything that’s politically
incorrect or violating socially. They get outraged and say these should
be banned. It’s still the same thing. People still react and still get
their fucking stupid feelings hurt.
J: Does it make it harder to do a longer piece or a longer story in an
act?
JN: It depends on what your audience is. There are plenty of guys that
can still do it. My crowd is patient for it as long as there’s some
punchlines in there. They don’t want to hear a 40-minute dissertation
but you can always do what you want if you’re good.
J: Will there be more of the ‘Down & Dirty’ HBO show?
JN: We don’t know. I really hope so. I love doing that. I would love to
do more.
J: If you did, who else would you like to have on that you didn’t get
before?
JN: There’s so many guys. I wanted Pete Correale on the first one;
there’s a bunch – I would love to get Otto & George on,
Rick Shapiro –
when you have other producers booking the show, I don’t get to book it.
I would want to put my buddies on of course.
J: But your name is on it.
JN: They don’t give a fuck. ‘You’re a scumbag and your name’s on it, and
beat it!’ Although I was happy with the comics they used. I’m not just
saying that to be polite because the feedback was actually very good.
J: Who’s next on your photo stalking list?
JN: DeNiro is still on there, and Pacino I want badly. I would have to
say those are the ones I want right now.
J: Have you had any attempts that have gone as badly as Derek Jeter?
JN: No, not in a long time, which is nice.
J: Do your fans return the favor? Do you get a lot of fans asking you
for pictures?
JN: Oh yeah, and they know I can’t say no, those pricks. Because they
know I have to say yes, and I do. I never mind. As long as they don’t
[ask] me while I have food in my mouth. But I’m great with the fans in
the sense that I really like them.
Jim Norton performs in New Brunswick, N.J. November 7 through 9, with
his November 8 shows already sold out. “I Hate Your Guts” hits stores
officially November 4, and he will sign copies at the Borders at Penn
Station in New York November 3; Ridgewood, N.J. November 4; Carle Place,
N.Y. November 5; Philadelphia November 6; and Staten Island, N.Y.
November 12.
|