The Moth Joke: Norm Macdonald’s Masterclass In Dramatic Tension

One of the best parts of the infamous “moth joke” is so expertly hidden that many people don’t even notice it.

This hidden secret, that is immediately seen by people who work in theatre, writing or standup comedy, showcases Norm Macdonald’s genius far more than if the joke had gone to plan.

Because it didn’t go to plan — Conan O’Brien actually screwed the joke up.

Here’s how.

If you haven’t seen Macdonald’s moth joke it’s a rambling and dark three-minute-long masterpiece showcasing all of the things that make him a comedic genius. Take some time to watch it now if you haven’t already.

It is a lesson in how to create, and then prolong, dramatic tension.

Despite the multiple variations of jokes such as “broken assumption”, “exaggeration jokes”, “misplaced sincerity”, and “meta-jokes” most of them tend to follow a very simple structure.

• The Setup
• The Punchline