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.
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.
The intense energy and excitement during live performances on SNL shaped the atmosphere of the show and the involvement of cast members in different roles.
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.
Writing sketches that reward people who know stuff
The podcast delves into the writing process for political sketches on Saturday Night Live. It highlights the approach of rewarding people for knowing stuff, but not punishing those who don't. This means that the sketches aimed to be funny and entertaining for both politically savvy viewers who understood the references and for those who were less knowledgeable about current events. The hosts discuss the importance of striking a balance between clever political commentary and providing comedic entertainment that appeals to a broad audience. They reminisce about their work on sketches featuring political figures like George W. Bush and Al Gore.
The memorable and eccentric sketches on Saturday Night Live
The podcast hosts share anecdotes and insights about some of the more eccentric and memorable sketches on Saturday Night Live. One example they discuss is a sketch called 'Blurry' which featured a character who had never had their vision tested and thought everything was blurry. The hosts recall the process of writing and casting this sketch, with John Belushi initially being hesitant to perform it. Additionally, they touch on other notable sketches like 'Change Bank' and their experience working with talented cast members such as Jill Clayburgh. These stories give listeners a glimpse into the creative and innovative nature of Saturday Night Live sketches.
The popularity and excitement of live performances on the show
The podcast episode discusses the intense energy and excitement that would arise during live performances on the show. The host describes how cast members would move quickly from one point to another, sometimes receiving applause from the audience. The fast-paced nature of the show and the involvement of cast members in different roles, such as playing waiters or reporters, is highlighted. The episode also touches on the contrast between featured players and main cast members, as well as the importance of the audience's reaction in shaping the atmosphere of the show.
The impact of auditioning for update and Norm Macdonald taking over
The podcast episode explores the host's experience auditioning for the Update segment and his desire to take on the role. However, it went to Norm Macdonald instead, which turned out to be the best thing for the show. The decision led the host to eventually leave the show and write a book. The episode delves into the different comedic styles between the host and Norm Macdonald, with the host being more left-leaning, while acknowledging the importance of their collaborative dynamic. The discussion also touches on the portrayal of political figures such as George H.W. Bush, highlighting the difference between how the elder Bush was received compared to more polarizing figures like Trump.
