The kinda sad note on these is I've seen more than one of these where the guest is clearly exasperated that Norm is doing shows like this when he could be huge, and I don't think those are the guests buttering him up.
Hey, if Norm's happy with his career path that's all that matters I guess, but it sounds like Norm's exile is more by choice than anything. I hope it's not something holding him back.
Rumour has it painkillers (either benzos or opiates) are holding him back pretty bad, forcing him to work only in short, chopped up periods of sobriety.
It's just a rumour though, lots of people speculate about a lot of shit. He probably just doesn't care all that much and finds it absurd that people or companies would pay him for making jokes.
It's been mentioned repeatedly that Norm doesn't drive. So Maggot Brain may have it. On the other hand, Norm also has documented gambling addiction. So maybe a little from column A, little from column B.
I think it's telling that Norm is really focused on Dave's decision to be a talk show host at a time when there was one person doing that job. Because for me it's just that kind of "Okay, so Johnny Carson is the only human on earth with the job I want. I'm going to get that job" ambition that Norm is lacking.
On the topic of talent vs. ambition, I kinda want to see Norm and Jay Leno hang out now.
Letterman looks like he should be running out of a shack, shouting at some "dadblasted kids" to "git off mah property" while waving an ancient pellet rifle around.
I'm sure if I had to spend 30something years looking TV-presentable for a living (not to mention keeping the look off-camera) I'd let myself go pretty hard once I was done.