Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend Jim Downey
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Sep 25, 2023 Conan welcomes Jim Downey, a legendary comedy writer from Saturday Night Live, known for his sharp wit and contributions to classic sketches. They dive into Downey's favorite SNL moments, recount hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, and reflect on performances alongside Daniel Day-Lewis in 'There Will Be Blood.' The conversation touches on mastering Weekend Update with Norm Macdonald and navigating the fine line between humor and sentimentality in comedy, providing a delightful insight into the art of laughter.
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Early SNL Days
- Jim Downey started at SNL at 22, sharing an office with Bill Murray.
- John Belushi played blues records, inspiring the Blues Brothers, which Downey initially saw as a joke.
Blues Brothers Origin
- Downey recalls John Belushi's introduction of blues music, influencing the Blues Brothers.
- He highlights the impressive SNL house band with members like Lou Marini and Al Rubin.
Spanish Sketch
- Downey discusses writing the Spanish game show sketch "Quien Es Mas Macho".
- Gilda Radner's portrayal of a contestant whose husband is an exterminator was a highlight.