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The Al Franken Podcast
Saturday Night Live Writer & Producer Jim Downey
Jan 21, 2024
Jim Downey, SNL writer and producer, talks about writing sketches and impersonations. They discuss creating caricatures of Al Gore during his presidential campaign and contrasting portrayals of George H.W. Bush and Donald Trump. They also share a long-running practical joke and their experience writing an ad for a change bank.
01:09:37
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Quick takeaways
- Having a small cast on Saturday Night Live in the early years allowed for more versatility and variety in sketches.
- Political sketches on SNL aimed to be funny and entertaining for both politically savvy viewers and those less knowledgeable about current events.
Deep dives
The advantages of having a small cast on Saturday Night Live
During their conversation, the podcast explores the advantages of having a small cast on Saturday Night Live in the early years. With a small cast, each member had the opportunity to appear multiple times in a single episode, allowing for more versatility and variety. The podcast mentions that cast members like Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi would often perform in multiple sketches in one night. This enabled the show to make the most of each cast member's talent and comedic abilities, creating a dynamic and entertaining show.
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Discover
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