''The Norm'' was a
CBC Radio
CBC Radio is the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which (regardless of language) are outlined below ...
comedy show that ran between 1986 and 1988. It was the immediate successor to
The Frantics' ''Frantic Times'' radio show, whose slot they took over in January 1986, and tried to capitalize on its often surreal and zany style with its own cast of characters placed in odd situations.
Its regular cast consisted of Peter McCowatt, Megan Smith, Brian Moffatt and Eva Almos. It was wholly recorded in the studio for its first season, and moved to live stage recordings for its second.
Re-occurring characters including Sammy Silverfish (a bug who got squished at the end of every segment), Galley George ("one sensitive man against the scourge of history's philistines, armed only with a bounteous knowledge of fine cuisine"), and the always obtuse "Norm Theatre" segments.
''The Norm'' had higher ratings than its predecessor in its time slot, but was cancelled anyway. The creators McCowatt and Moffatt were not officially informed but found out when they called their producer David Milligan (same producer for Frantics) to discuss their newest scripts. Insiders claim CBC just couldn't relate to humour that didn't rely solely on Canadian political satire. McCowatt once said "Humor is truth extracted from all of life's bullshit. Since there is no truth in politics, the only thing political humour leaves you with ''is'' bullshit."
''The Norm'' was succeeded by the politically satirical show ''
Double Exposure
In photography and cinematography, a multiple exposure is the superimposition of two or more exposures to create a single image, and double exposure has a corresponding meaning in respect of two images. The exposure values may or may not be ide ...
''.
Its distinctive theme music was the
Trio song "Hearts are Trump".
Peter McCowatt's comedy writing and performance can be heard today in the critical charged ''
Stan Noble Presents...Comedy for Short Attention Spans'' which airs on
XM Radio
XM Satellite Radio (XM) was one of the three satellite radio (SDARS) and online radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM, Sirius XM Holdings. It provided pay-for-service radio, analogous to subscription cable televisi ...
's
Laugh Attack
Just for Laughs Radio is a Sirius XM Radio channel featuring uncensored comedy from Canada. It was created in November 2005 as a result of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) regulations for Canadian content o ...
153. McCowatt co-created this program with Jamie Watson, Tom Goudie and several other top Canadian performers.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Norm, The
CBC Radio One programs
Canadian radio sketch shows
1986 radio programme debuts
1988 radio programme endings
Surreal comedy radio series