In this post, we’ll share 100 of the best Norm Macdonald moth jokes and explain why they are so funny. We’ll also provide some background on Norm’s moth joke origins and evolution. Let’s get started!

Norm Macdonald was known for his unique brand of observational comedy and anti-humor. One of his most famous recurring jokes was about moths and their attraction to light. Though a seemingly simple premise, Macdonald mined this topic for endless laughs over the years.

What’s the Deal with Norm Macdonald and Moths?

Norm first started telling moth jokes when he was a cast member on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s. He became obsessed with the idea that moths were constantly drawn to bright lights, even though it often led to their demise.

To Norm, the moth’s single-minded focus on light, despite the risks, was hilarious. No matter how many times the moth got burned, it just kept going back. This absurd cycle lent itself perfectly to Norm’s dry, ironic delivery.

The simplicity of the moth premise allowed Norm to spin simple observational humor into clever jokes and extended metaphors. The moth became a recurring character in Norm’s stand-up act after he left SNL. He even titled his 2018 Netflix special “Hitler’s Dog, Gossip & Trickery.”

Over the decades, Norm honed and expanded on the moth joke, mining it for every possible laugh. Now, let’s get into the jokes themselves!

The Best Norm Macdonald Moth Jokes

Here are 100 of Norm’s most hilarious moth jokes for your reading pleasure:

1. A moth goes into a podiatrist’s office, and the podiatrist says, “What seems to be the problem, moth?” The moth says “What’s the problem? Where do I begin, man? I go to work for Gregory Illinivich, and all day long I work. Honestly doc, I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore. I don’t even know if Gregory Illinivich knows. He only knows that he has power over me, and that seems to bring him happiness. But I don’t know, I wake up in a malaise, and I walk here and there… at night I…I sometimes wake up and I turn to some old lady in my bed that’s on my arm. A lady that I once loved, doc. I don’t know where to turn to. My youngest, Alexendria, she fell in the…in the cold of last year. The cold took her down, as it did many of us. And my other boy, and this is the hardest pill to swallow, doc. My other boy, Gregarro Ivinalititavitch… I no longer love him. As much as it pains me to say, when I look in his eyes, all I see is the same cowardice that I… that I catch when I take a glimpse of my own face in the mirror. If only I wasn’t such a coward, then perhaps…perhaps I could bring myself to reach over to that cocked and loaded gun that lays on the bedside behind me and end this hellish facade once and for all…Doc, sometimes I feel like a spider, even though I’m a moth, just barely hanging on to my web with an everlasting fire underneath me. I’m not feeling good. And so the doctor says, “Moth, man, you’re troubled. But you should be seeing a psychiatrist. Why on earth did you come here?” And the moth says, “‘Cause the light was on.”
2. Moth 1: “I can’t stop thinking about the light.” Moth 2: “Dude, you gotta get over this obsession. It’s not healthy.” Moth 1: “But it’s so enticing…” Moth 2: “It’ll kill you if you get too close!” Moth 1: “Sorry, did you say something? I was distracted by that lamp over there.”
3. Why did the moth fly into the candle flame? Because he felt drawn like a moth to the flame. Some things never change.
4. What did one moth say to the other moth? “You’re looking pretty burnt out, maybe you should take a break from the light for a while.”
5. Moth parents everywhere tell their children, “Don’t go towards the light!” But do moths listen? Never.
6. I told my friend Joe to stop obsessing over that girl who’s no good for him. He said “Sorry man I just can’t help it, I’m drawn to her like a moth to a flame.” I said “Yeah but you’re gonna get burned!” He said “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
7. A moth flies into a podiatrist’s office. The podiatrist says “What’s the problem?” The moth says “What’s the problem? Where do I begin? My boss Gregory Illinivich is a real creep, and all day long at work I…” Before he can finish, the podiatrist interrupts “I’m a foot doctor. You need a psychiatrist, not a podiatrist.” The moth says “Oh man, I thought the sign said podiatrist, but it’s actually psychiatrist, isn’t it?” The podiatrist says “No, this is definitely a podiatry office. You just need to see a psychiatrist instead.” The moth says “Why would you have your office lit up at night anyway?”
8. What’s the last thing that goes through a moth’s mind when it flies into a flame? Its butt.
9. I asked my therapist if I might be obsessed with lamps like a moth. She said “You are crazy about lamps and we need to get to the bottom of this immediately.”
10. Why did the moth fly into the light bulb? He was seeking enlightenment.
11. How do you know if you have a moth infestation? There is a lingering burning smell from all the little kamikaze dive bombers.
12. I told my friend John he shouldn’t go back to his toxic ex-girlfriend. He said, “Sorry, but I’m drawn to her beauty like a moth to the flame.” I said, “Just don’t come crying to me when you get burned again!”
13. What did the aroused moth say? “Ooh baby, you turn my lights on!”
14. Why can’t moths have candlelight vigils? Too many accidental deaths.
15. I asked the moth why he kept hitting the light bulb with his head. He said, “I can’t help it man, I’m buggin’ out over here!”
16. I tried to do an intervention with my buddy who couldn’t stop hooking up with his crazy ex. He said, “When I look into her eyes, I’m as helpless as a moth drawn to a porch light.” I told him, “You’re gonna fry yourself if you’re not careful!”
17. Why do moths make the best psychiatrists? They are really good listeners and they are always drawn to the light at the end of the tunnel.
18. What do you call a moth who flies into bug zappers all day? Electronically obsessed.
19. My therapist suggested I make lifestyle changes to stop being so obsessed with my ex. I said, “Doc, asking me to stop longing for her is like asking a moth not to desire lamplight.” He said, “You’ll burn up if you don’t let go!”
20. Moth 1: “Hey man, another moth just flew straight into that bug zapper.” Moth 2: “Some of us moths just can’t resist the allure of the light.”
21. How many moths does it take to screw in a light bulb? None, they would rather burn themselves to death against the glowing bulb.
22. I asked the moth why he never hangs out with his friends anymore. He said, “I don’t have time for friends, I’m too busy pursuing my dream of uniting with the eternal flame!”
23. What’s it called when a bunch of moths get together and talk obsession? A lightnight group.
24. I told my cousin he needs to stop obsessively stalking his ex on social media. He said, “Sorry man, but I’m drawn to her page like a moth to the porch light.”
25. What did the moth say when his AA sponsor suggested he stay away from lamps? “But I’m so attracted to their light!”
26. They say you can’t teach an old moth new tricks. Believe me, I’ve tried getting grandpa moth to stop his kamikaze light bulb antics, but he just doesn’t listen!
27. A moth goes into a psychiatrist’s office and lies down on the couch. The psychiatrist says, “What seems to be the problem?” The moth replies, “Doc, I don’t know where to begin. I wake up every morning feeling anxious about my monotonous job at the lightbulb factory. I’ve lost all passion for my work. My youngest daughter just moved halfway across the world to follow her dreams, and it feels like all my children have abandoned me. And on top of all that, I think my wife is having an affair with a cockroach.” The psychiatrist interrupts and says, “I’m sorry, but I think you’ve come to the wrong place – you need to see a psychiatrist, not a podiatrist.” The moth replies, “I know, but the light was on over at your office.”
28. What’s it called when a moth flies into a tanning bed? Self-destructive behavior.
29. A son moth decides to follow his father’s footsteps and pursue a career slamming himself against light bulbs. His family holds an intervention and tries to get him into rehab, but the son insists, “I can quit anytime I want!”
30. How do you treat a kitchen infested with moths? With light therapy! Blast those lights and let them kill themselves against the bulbs. Prevention is the best medicine.
31. I asked my buddy why he keeps drinking when it always makes him depressed. He said, “Sorry man, but I’m just drawn to the bottle like a moth to the light.”
32. What do you call an AA meeting held during a blackout? A moth convention.
33. Why can’t moths spare a few minutes to chat? They’re always in a huge rush to embrace their fiery demise.
34. My cousin’s gambling addiction is so bad he has resorted to betting on how many moths will die against our porch light in one night. I think he needs help.
35. I tried to set some personal boundaries with my clingy ex, but she just can’t stop obsessively calling and texting me. She’s like a kamikaze moth and I’m the zapping light.
36. A moth walks into a doctor’s office and says, “Doc, every time I see light, I just can’t stop myself from banging my head against it over and over! What’s wrong with me?” The doctor replies, “Sir, you have an acute case of lightObsessive Compulsive Disorder.”
37. What’s the worst part about being a moth? When your family does an intervention about your self-destructive light addiction, but you just don’t have the will moth power to change.
38. A moth flies into a psychiatrist’s brightly lit New York City office. As he lands on the couch he says, “Doc, I have this overpowering compulsion to hurl myself at sources of artificial illumination.” The psychiatrist replies, “Clearly you have Lamprophilia and we need to get you into treatment right away.”
39. What do you call a gathering of moths trying to mount a revolt against human tyranny? A moth pit.
40. Why did the moth’s wife leave him? Because every evening he told her, “Sorry honey, I don’t have energy for us tonight, I need to pursue my one true light bulb love.”
41. What do you call a moth who is obsessed with staring at the sun? A solarphile.
42. A moth is sitting in a bar, drinking heavily. The bartender asks him, “Why are you drowning your sorrows?” The moth replies, “My therapist says I have to stop my repeated kamikaze attacks on lamps and candles.”
43. Did you hear about the new moth dating app called Illuminate? It promises to help lovelorn moths find the lights of their life.
44. They tried to have an intervention for Uncle Joe’s moth addiction, but he kept flying into the bug zapper. He has a real death wish when it comes to those lights!
45. What did the psychiatrist prescribe to help wean the moth off his light addiction? Lesser watt bulbs.
46. Why can’t moths hold down steady jobs? They are obsessed with burning the candle at both ends. There’s just no work ethic!
47. I wish I could be as committed to my goals as moths are to embracing sweet demise in candle flames. Now that’s determination!
48. What do you call a gathering of moths in an unlit room? An extinction event.
49. I told my cousin she needs to stop drunk dialing her ex boyfriend. She said, “I know it’s unhealthy, but I’m drawn to him like a kamikaze moth to porch lights.”
50. Where do moths go for vacation? To ammonia-soaked cotton balls in drawers and closets. They find the smell irresistible for some reason.
51. I asked my friend why he keeps jumping from one toxic relationship to the next. He said, “I’m sorry man, but crazy chicks are my personal light bulbs.”
52. What do you call a moth who moved to California and got medical marijuana for his light addiction? A cannabismoth.
53. My aunt is obsessed with constantly smelling flowers in her garden. We tell her that too much sniffing will make her pass out, but she just says, “I can’t help myself, I’m attracted to their scent like a moth to light!”
54. I told my friend to stop gambling away his paychecks at the casino. He said, “I’m sorry, but playing the slots is like my own personal light bulb.” Now he’s in debt up to his antennae.
55. According to research, moths who go to the light rehab center have a 98% chance of eventual relapse unless they avoid lamps completely. Moth abstinence is the only way.
56. Why did the moth’s girlfriend break up with him? He was too obsessed watching the nightly candlelight vigils for fallen brethren.
57. My buddy got fired for taking too many smoke breaks at work. When I asked him why he doesn’t just quit, he said “Smoking for me is like a moth to a flame, I can’t resist it no matter how unhealthy it is.”
58. I told my sister she needs to delete her ex’s number and stop drunk texting him. She said, “I know it’s stupid, but I’m like a kamikaze moth drawn to his porch lights when I drink.”
59. What do you call a moth who crashes AA meetings to rant about his undying love for lanterns? A lamplighter.
60. Why did the mad scientist invent a giant flashlight? He wanted to observe a moth Armageddon in his laboratory. The moths just couldn’t resist!
61. How does a moth practice abstinence from artificial light? He throws away all his lamps and lives in peaceful darkness.
62. What do you call a group text chat composed entirely of lovesick moths? The candlelight club.
63. Moth 1: “We really shouldn’t keep flying into this electrified net…” Moth 2: “But look how alluringly it glows!” ZAP.
64. I told my roommate he needs to stop hooking up with his manipulative ex girlfriend. He said, “I know it’s toxic, but I’m like a kamikaze moth addicted to her porch lights.”
65. Did you hear about the new self-help book for moths? It’s called “Abandon The Light: Curing Your Obsession For Good.”
66. Why do moths make bad tennis players? They spend all their time chasing balls of light.
67. What do you call a moth who escapes from the mental asylum? An inpatient who just wanted to get closer to the light.
68. Why don’t moths ever need nightlights when they’re sleeping? Because there’s already an alluring glow coming from the nearby bug zapper.
69. I told my friend not to go back to her abusive ex-boyfriend. She said, “I know, but when we’re together it’s like my own personal lava lamp.” Some moths never learn.
70. Moth parents sit their children down for “the talk” and warn them sternly, “Don’t go into the light! Resist the urge no matter what your peers say!”
71. I asked my cousin why he dropped out of high school. He said, “Sorry man, but smoking weed every day was like my own personal light bulb, I just couldn’t resist.”
72. What’s the only thing stronger than a moth’s attraction to light? His wife’s rolling pin when she catches him staring at lamps again.
73. I told my roommate she needs to delete Tinder and stop having toxic one night stands. She said “Yeah you’re right, but it’s hard being a lonely moth in this big city.”
74. According to the DSM-VI the newly added psychiatric disorder “Keriaphilia” refers to moths’ pathological love of candle flame. There is still no known cure.
75. I asked my brother why he keeps returning to toxic relationships. He said “What can I say, crazy girls are my kerosene lamps.”
76. What do you call a moth who flies into a tanning bed and achieves instant self-gratification? Crispy.
77. Why did Bogart have a moth sidekick instead of a cockroach in Casablanca? Because moths are always drawn to spotlight-loving leading ladies.
78. How does a moth kill himself? He flies into the back of an open throat while someone’s singing soprano.
79. What do you call a moth who just can’t resist investigating even the most blatant bug zapper? Soon-to-be-toasted.

80. I told my friend to stop drunkenly flirting with his abusive ex on Facebook. He said, “Sorry, when I drink loneliness hits and I’m drawn to her page like a moth to the light.”
81. What do moths think about when they see the optometrist? “Doc, I’ve been blind to everything except sweet incandescent allure. I need lamp blocking glasses stat!”
82. I asked my cousin why he keeps hooking up with his bipolar ex-girlfriend. He said, “I can’t help it man, crazy girls are my lamps.”
83. Why don’t moths make good journalists? They’re too drawn to tabloid spotlight scandals instead of serious news.
84. What do you call a moth who flies repeatedly into a tiki torch? Self-immolating.
85. I told my roommate to stop texting his ex, but he just can’t resist her. He says, “When she messages me, it’s like a glowing light I’m drawn to against my will.”
86. How did the moth burn his tongue? He tried to kiss the light bulb while it was still on. Passionate but foolish.
87. What did the moth say at his light addiction counseling session? “Hi I’m Rick, and I’m a lightaholic.”
88. Why don’t moths worry about climate change? They know the glory of sweet fiery doom awaits them either way.
89. What do moths call lamps? Slim-waisted temptresses of incandescent delight.
90. Doctor: “Sir, you have a dangerous obsession with flying into open flames.” Patient: “But doc, I’m just a moth trying to actualize my mistress Madame Lampshade!”
91. Why do moths flock to movie theaters? They’re attracted to the projector’s beam of light like cats to catnip.
92. What did the moth say to his friend at the party? “Dude, stop hogging that lava lamp! When’s it gonna be my turn to swirl around in the colors?”
93. Why can’t moths play poker? They go all in every time they see the shiny deck being shuffled under the light. No self-control.
94. I told my little brother he needs to stop playing Fortnite so much. He said “I can’t help it sis, it’s like my glowing LED monitor is calling to me!” Staring into screens must run in our moth family.
95. Did you hear about the new Avenged Sevenfold song “Moth to Flame”? It shreds hard about our futile obsession with sweet fiery doom. Rock on!
96. What band do moths love the most? Led Zeppelin, especially their song The Light because they relate so hard.
97. Why don’t moths celebrate Earth Day? They are too busy sacrificing themselves to Mother Lamp’s eternal glow to worry about the planet.
98. How does a moth ghostwriter pitch celebrity memoirs? “I know what it’s like being drawn to the spotlight, so let me shine the focus on your story!”
99. What did the moth medium channel from the great beyond? “I bear tidings from the Light Side telling you to walk into the beckoning glow!”
100. Knock knock. Who’s there? Moth. Moth who? Moth who is helplessly entranced by your bright aura! Now let me in before I burn my wings off out here!

The Evolution of Norm’s Moth Jokes

As you can see, Norm mined the moth premise for every hilarious absurd angle. Early versions focused on a moth visiting a podiatrist, not realizing he actually needed a psychiatrist. The podiatrist would point out the mistake as the moth described his woes.

This evolved into stories of moths trying to get psychiatric help and moth addicts attending “lightaholics anonymous.” Norm explored the moth’s obsession representing a doomed romantic quest or self-destructive addiction.

Later jokes pondered the moth’s inner monologue and motivation. Norm mused about their eternal longing for “sweet demise” in the “flames of glory.” He gave them angsty existential dilemmas, portrayed moth families holding interventions, and imagined moths burning themselves in tanning beds or vaporizing in bug zappers.

In the hands of a legendary comedian, the simple moth took on hilarious dimensions through twisted anthropomorphism and empathetic absurdism. Norm made us feel for the little guy and his futile plight.

Why Do We Find Moth Jokes So Funny?

So what makes Norm’s moth material so funny? Here are some reasons these jokes work so well:

• Simplicity – The basic moth premise is simple, allowing for endless absurd variations.
• Annoying truth – We’ve all experienced moths acting annoyingly suicidal around lights. Norm amplifies this to outrageous heights.
• Surprise – No one expects the moth to be the subject of deep existential angst. The juxtaposition is clever.
• Empathy – Norm gets us rooting for the pathetic moth who can’t help himself. We identify with his obsessions even as we’re laughing.
• Misdirection – Norm leads us down the path of talking animals, only to pull the rug out from under the moth in the end. We don’t expect the sudden twists.
• Irony – Moths are supposed to be harmless, so it’s funny to portray their single-minded obsession as profundity. The silliness reveals surprising insights.
• Universality – Everyone can relate to self-destructive tendencies, doomed repetition, and unwise temptation. The moth is a mirror for human folly.

So in the end, Norm’s moth jokes work thanks to both their absurdity and their universality. We laugh at the silly moths even as we cringe at our own moth-like attraction to the flames that burn us. It serves as a funny reminder about human nature.

Norm MacDonald’s Lasting Comedic Legacy

Though Norm MacDonald sadly passed in 2021, his unique comedic voice lives on through immortal jokes like the moth saga. He influenced generations of comics with his ironic style and delivered endless laughs. The best moth jokes remind us why Norm was so beloved.

While the moth jokes may seem simple on the surface, Norm used them to touch on profound themes of obsession, addiction, romantic folly, and our self-defeating tendencies. By exploring the moth’s plight with empathy and wit, Norm created an unforgettable comedy routine that will endure for decades to come.

So next time you see a moth pinging repeatedly into a porch light, take a moment to remember Norm and chuckle. That moth may have an inner world of romantic longings and existential angst that we can’t comprehend. As Norm demonstrated through brilliant comedy, even the smallest creatures have a story to tell.

So what do you think? Did we include your favorite Norm moth joke? Let us know in the comments if you have a good one we missed! And if you want even more hilarity, be sure to check out Norm’s full catalog of comedy specials. His absurd yet wise take on the world lives on.

Frequently Asked Questions about Norm MacDonald Moth Jokes

Norm MacDonald’s moth jokes are beloved by fans, but people new to his comedy often have questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the origins and meaning of Norm’s moth material:

When did Norm start telling moth jokes?

Norm first started experimenting with moth jokes when he was a cast member on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s. They became a staple part of his stand-up act after leaving the show.

What comedy specials feature moth jokes?

Some of Norm’s specials featuring moth jokes include Me Doing Standup (2011), Hitler’s Dog, Gossip & Trickery (2017), and Nothing Special (2022).

Did Norm ever explain the deeper meaning behind the moth jokes?

In interviews, Norm said he was fascinated by the moth’s kamikaze attraction to light even though it’s destructive. He felt we could all relate on some level to self-defeating behaviors.

Why does Norm have the moth visiting a podiatrist in early versions?

The misdirect of having the moth see a foot doctor rather than a mental health professional allowed for funny reveals and surreal imagery. Norm played with absurdity.

What real-life experiences inspired the moth joke evolution?

Norm mined his own struggles with addiction and romantic woes. As these intensified, the moth jokes grew darker and more introspective.

How did Norm perform the jokes on stage?

Norm delivered the jokes in his signature deadpan, allowing the absurdity to speak for itself. His gravely voice and impeccable timing heightened the effect.

Did Norm come up with new moth jokes over the decades?

Yes, Norm constantly tweaked the jokes and came up with new angles over 30+ years. The premise stayed fresh because Norm explored it so creatively over time.

So there you have it – the full story behind Norm MacDonald’s legendary moth jokes! Let us know if you have any other moth-related questions.