McLean Stevenson is from Bloomington, Illinois. Nearby is the town of Normal, Illinois. Johnny asked McLean where he was from and he replied, "Bloomington, Illinois" Johnny then asked, "What sort of town is Bloomington?" McLean's response was, "Oh, it's a near normal town" There were a few in the audience from the area and burst out laughing. Johnny's look on his face (due to not understanding the pun McLean just laid on him) was hysterical. McLean then explained.