Early Access: Episode 47 - Norbit (FINALLY!!!!)
Added 2025-11-21 18:23:58 +0000 UTC
Comments
I was a projectionist at a theater when Norbit came out and saw it play to many sold-out shows filled with steady howls. At the time I ranked it among the bottom-3 worst films I saw in my 2 years at that job. I revisited it just for this episode and can say it does indeed have its laughs - inherently from the "ridiculousness" of it all - and can understand why it has its fans. Totally agree with the previous comment summating it as Eddie Murphy's "Happy-Madison-film."
Josh Brine
2025-11-22 03:42:30 +0000 UTCSuch a great episode! I love the new format, but this was like catching up with an old friend. Thank you
Jason Patterson
2025-11-22 02:31:21 +0000 UTCOh yeah , you can watch him die repeatedly on YouTube. I still cant find Tiny Tims death video though
Louie Caponecchia
2025-11-22 00:32:18 +0000 UTCI saw this movie once years ago, and I remember being thrown by the scene where Norbit is crying after being abused by his wife, and it was tonal whiplash. Then I'm trying to think of a predominantly white neighborhood anywhere that wouldn't have just gunned down Rasputia and her brothers within 24 hours. And sorry, but anyone doing yellow face that late in the game is cringe. It's like Boomer comedy but it just didn't land. And then the overt product placement was definitely taking a page from Jew Sandler's book, a total sell out hack who essentially just runs a money laundering scheme where he sells every frame of film to a different corporation then pockets every dime. 😂✡️✡️✡️
Louie Caponecchia
2025-11-22 00:31:07 +0000 UTCoh god, Pluto Nash 😂 Definitely one of the films Eddie was for ed to do in exchange for the studio murdering the transsexual before she could do a tell all interview about Eddie
Louie Caponecchia
2025-11-21 23:51:01 +0000 UTCForgot to mention that!
A.W.
2025-11-21 22:03:39 +0000 UTCVery fair assessment.
A.W.
2025-11-21 22:03:21 +0000 UTCA lot of what ye like about Norbit is what I don't like about it, as people have deemed this as the end of Eddie's "second phase" in his career (Those being the family films he did after The Nutty Professor). While Baker's makeup is impressive, a lot of the jokes just feel level one and cheap in what they do and say, as it has a mocking tone towards certain ethnicities and fat people (Rasputia even says "oink" when she's being shagged by the dancing instructor). When done well, offensive humour can land a laugh, as it takes the right amount of wit or insight to pull it off (Like the stuntman sketch in Kentucky Fried Movie). But Norbit just relies on "offensive for offensive" sake, as it thinks Eddie just saying "r's" as "l's" constitutes humour. Speaking of whom, it just felt like he was rehashing a lot of better material from his career, as this multiple performances bit works better in Coming to America and Nutty Professor. I guess that same praise can be applied here, but then I'd be complimenting someone for doing yellowface. As ye touched upon, a lot of the negativity towards it was fueled by his Oscar buzz for Dreamgirls, as those critics saw it as Eddie actually progressing with his career and doing something different. Which is the key phrase here, as Norbit doesn't really do anything new or inventive, seeing as Katzenberg wanted to cash in on Eddie's past films. The only thing I find funny about Norbit is how Eddie defends the film to this day, yet will talk shade over stuff like Golden Child and Pluto Nash (The latter of which was sabotaged by him calling the shots on set, as no one dared to tell him "no" to his ideas).
The One and Rory
2025-11-21 20:59:53 +0000 UTCTo me this is Eddie Murphy’s version of a happy Madison film.
Luke Gordnier
2025-11-21 20:41:07 +0000 UTCTommy Cooper famously died on stage, too. You probably don't know who he was but he was a goofy but extremely popular at the time British comic who was cross-eyed and wore a Fez and had a horrible haircut.
John-Paul
2025-11-21 19:30:43 +0000 UTCA "no bits" podcast does a "Norbit" podcast!
John-Paul
2025-11-21 18:52:04 +0000 UTCThe Oscar Nominated Classic!
Trevor Poe
2025-11-21 18:51:08 +0000 UTCHoneslty, one of my favorite Eddie comedys. I'm interested to hear your guys takes.
Wade Wilson
2025-11-21 18:39:54 +0000 UTCYeah Joe better start pulling those punches or else he might lose out on some job opportunities
Lux Anatis
2025-11-21 18:35:15 +0000 UTCWhat is this, a movie discussion of a forgotten comedy movie? I thought this show was about Jerry Lewis, going over Joe's shelf, and Ryan's terrible taste in film
JokersJuicyAss
2025-11-21 18:26:56 +0000 UTC
