Norm Macdonald Tells The Most Convoluted Joke Ever - CONAN on TBS

Summary

In this humorous monologue, the speaker reminisces about Jacques De Gautier, a once-promising individual from Temiscaming, Quebec, who was expected to follow in the footsteps of renowned Quebec leaders. Despite obtaining multiple degrees and impressing at Cambridge, Jacques mysteriously vanished. The speaker unexpectedly encounters him years later at a SeaWorld, where Jacques is contentedly feeding baby dolphins. The encounter ends with a pun on 'purpose' and 'porpoise,' leaving the audience in laughter.

Takeaways

• 😄 The story is a humorous anecdote about a man named Jacques De Gautier, who was once the pride of his hometown in Quebec.
• 🎓 Jacques was highly educated, having attended McGill University and Cambridge, and was expected to become a prominent figure in Canada.
• 🤔 The speaker reflects on the expectations placed on Jacques, highlighting the pressure of being a town's hope.
• 😮 Jacques' life took an unexpected turn when the speaker unexpectedly met him working at SeaWorld, feeding baby dolphins.
• 🐬 The encounter at SeaWorld is a central part of the story, symbolizing a departure from Jacques' expected path.
• 😅 The punchline of the story involves a play on words with 'purpose' and 'porpoise,' showing Jacques' humorous take on his situation.
• 😓 The speaker expresses disappointment in Jacques for not fulfilling the potential that was seen in him.
• 🤷‍♂️ Jacques' response to the criticism is light-hearted and suggests contentment with his current role, despite societal expectations.
• 😂 The audience's reaction to the story is one of laughter and applause, indicating they find the story entertaining and relatable.
• 🎬 The script seems to be from a comedy routine or a stand-up act, as indicated by the presence of a host named Conan and the comedic delivery.
• 📺 There are references to television and a potential audience, suggesting the story could be part of a TV show or a recorded performance.

Q & A

Who is Jacques De Gautier mentioned in the transcript?

Jacques De Gautier is a fictional character created in the comedic story told by the speaker. He is portrayed as a promising young man from Temiscaming, Quebec, who was expected to achieve great things.

What was Jacques De Gautier expected to accomplish?

Jacques De Gautier was expected to become a significant figure in Canadian politics, similar to other influential figures from Quebec like Jean Marchand, Gerald Percier, and Pierre Trudeau.

What does the speaker discover about Jacques De Gautier later in the story?

The speaker later discovers that Jacques De Gautier is working at SeaWorld, feeding baby dolphins, which is far from the grand future that was expected of him.

What is the significance of the joke about a 'useful porpoise'?

The 'useful porpoise' joke is a play on words, combining 'purpose' and 'porpoise' to create a pun. It highlights the humorous and anticlimactic turn in Jacques De Gautier's life, where his grand potential is reduced to a pun in a mundane job.

Why does the audience laugh when the speaker says 'I think you just changed his last name'?

The audience laughs because the speaker accidentally changes Jacques De Gautier's last name to 'Gautino' mid-story, which is recognized and humorously acknowledged by another person in the conversation.

How does the speaker feel about Jacques De Gautier's current situation?

The speaker feels a sense of disappointment and shame for Jacques De Gautier, as he believes that Jacques could have achieved much more in life instead of feeding dolphins at SeaWorld.

What does the speaker mean by 'a town's hope pinned on them'?

The phrase 'a town's hope pinned on them' refers to the high expectations and pressure placed on Jacques De Gautier by the people of his hometown, who believed he would achieve great things.

Why is there a joke about Oscar Pistorius at the end of the transcript?

The joke about Oscar Pistorius seems to be a non-sequitur thrown in to add to the comedic randomness of the conversation. It underscores the absurdity of the situation and the nature of the humor in the dialogue.

What is the reaction of the characters in the story to the 'useful porpoise' joke?

The characters, particularly Andy, react with exaggerated disbelief and criticism, which adds to the humor of the situation. The joke is seen as anticlimactic after the long build-up of the story.

What does the speaker mean by 'More Quebecois humor'?

The phrase 'More Quebecois humor' refers to the distinctly Canadian, particularly Quebecois, style of humor that might not be fully understood or appreciated by everyone, especially the broader audience of the show.