Norm Macdonald sort of tells the truth in his new memoir

Norm Macdonald has read a lot of horrible memoirs over the years. 

So when it came time writing his own book, Macdonald took a bit of a different approach. Based On a True Story: A Memoir is a revealing look into his life — but it's not entirely true. 

Not interested in giving "backstage" looks into his life and comedy routines, Macdonald admittedly plays with truth and fiction, keeping readers on edge while still making them laugh their heads off. 

Another book idea Macdonald had, as a response to today's over-saturation of comedians, was "how to write stand-up without being funny." 

"Anyone can learn tricks now," he explains, of aspiring comics. He even points out an example he had seen: a man who went from being a bouncer to telling jokes onstage. 

"Comedy doesn't work by supply and demand," he continues. "You can't create art because you need art." 

WEB EXTRAS | Watch Norm Macdonald tell Conan O'Brien the "moth joke." 

And watch Macdonald's 1997 appearance on Late Night With Conan O'Brien alongside Courtney Thorne-Smith.