Norm Macdonald’s 1998 ESPYs Monologue Was a Game-Changer

Norm Macdonald passed away Tuesday (Sept. 14) at 61. Pretty much everyone I know is bummed about it.

Macdonald fans will remember his famed opening monologue at the 1998 ESPY Awards, where he made fun of some pro athletes that just didn’t expect it. They didn’t care for it much, either. Watch the monologue below.

After that, producers didn’t seem to want a comedian to host the show again. It took them years to finally book another comedian!

What’s your favorite Macdonald moment?

• Comedy Central’s “LAST LAUGH 2004”

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  LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 5: Actor/Comoedian Norm MacDonald performs during Comedy Central's "Last Laugh" at the Orpheum Theater December 5, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. ?Comedy Central?s Last Laugh ?04,? a year-end comedy special will air on Sunday, December 12 at 9:00 p.m (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

• WSOP No-Limit Texas Hold ’em World Championship

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  LAS VEGAS - JULY 28: Actor/comedian Norm MacDonald competes on the first day of the World Series of Poker no-limit Texas Hold 'em main event at the Rio Hotel & Casino July 28, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over 8,500 players have so far signed up for the event. The final nine players will compete for the top prize of more than USD 11.5 million on the final table which begins August 10. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

• Actor Norm Macdonald

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  LOS ANGELES - AUGUST 7: Actor Norm Macdonald cheers as the Cincinnati Reds take on the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 7, 2003 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
• 2004 World Series Of Poker Tournament

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  LAS VEGAS - MAY 23: Actor Norm Macdonald plays in the 2004 World Series of Poker Tournament held at the Binion's Horseshoe Hotel and Casino May 23, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

• Norm MacDonald cheers

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  LOS ANGELES - AUGUST 7: Actor Norm MacDonald cheers during the game between the Cincinnati Reds of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the game on August 7, 2003 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers won 4-3 . (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

• “Comedy Central Roast Of Bob Saget” – Show

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  BURBANK, CA - AUGUST 03: Comedian Norm Macdonald on stage at the "Comedy Central Roast Of Bob Saget" on the Warner Brothers Lot on August 3, 2008 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Comedy Central)
• “Comedy Central Roast Of Bob Saget” – Show

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  BURBANK, CA - AUGUST 03: Comedian Jon Lovitz and comedian Norm Macdonald on stage at the "Comedy Central Roast Of Bob Saget" on the Warner Brothers Lot on August 3, 2008 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Comedy Central)

• The Comedy Awards 2012 – Show

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  NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: (L-R) Chris Parnell and Norm MacDonald speak onstage at The Comedy Awards 2012 at Hammerstein Ballroom on April 28, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

• The Comedy Awards 2012 – Show

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  NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: (L-R) Colin Quinn, Chevy Chase and Norm MacDonald speak onstage at The Comedy Awards 2012 at Hammerstein Ballroom on April 28, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
• “Comedy Central Roast Of Bob Saget” – Show

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  BURBANK, CA - AUGUST 03: Comedian Norm Macdonald on stage at the "Comedy Central Roast Of Bob Saget" on the Warner Brothers Lot on August 3, 2008 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Comedy Central)