Downey Wrote That

The biggest joke of this whole documentary was Al Frankin saying SNL wasn't "We did not feel it was our job to have a political point of view." C'mon, have you SEEN SNL? That show has been ruined for half of America for exactly that, shoving their liberal political views down the nation's throat. I'd love to see the ratings from the old good shows compared to today's tripe.

This was just more of the same. It's a shame they let one writer steer the show into the dumpster. I'll bet IMBD won't post this review.

Jim Downey is the type of wordsmith whose work managed to transcend the boundaries of Saturday Night Live, where the bulk of his career was spent, in order to become a mainstay of popular culture.

If this documentary only featured former SNL cast members and writers like Adam Sandler, Maya Rudolph, Will Forte, and Conan O'Brien talking about Downey's process and influence, it would still be great.

However, Director Brent Hodge spends the majority of the film allowing Downey to explain his approach to writing in a way that allows him to take something ordinary and mundane, like giving exact change at a bank, and somehow transform that concept into a hilarious sketch.

Downey is responsible for some of the most iconic sketches in SNL history, but I'm glad this film takes the time to recognize his two-year run as head writer for The Late Show with David Letterman. His influence in the early years of that show helped set the tone for what it would become.

The true genius of Jim Downey is best summed up by David Spade late into the film. After pitching Downey on an idea for a sketch, Spade waited patiently for feedback on how to proceed, only for Jim to turn to David and say, "I can't tell you exactly why that sketch won't work, I just know it won't." If that type of assessment came from someone without Downey's massive pedigree in comedy, those words might be seen as arrogant and harsh; however, that wasn't his intent. Jim Downey's unique perspective has allowed him to tap into the source of what makes an idea just good or truly great. Seeing Jim explain his method while friends and colleagues weigh in with their own viewpoint on his talent made this an engaging watch.

Seeing Jim explain his method while friends and colleagues weigh in with their own viewpoint on his talent made this an engaging watch.

If you come into this documentary already familiar with Downey's contributions to television and film, you'll find yourself appreciating him even more. If you're not familiar with his work, this film is an excellent introduction to a man who has helped shape the comedic landscape for 50 years.

This doc highlights some all-time sketches on SNL and Letterman,² teases greatness, then shows 4-5 seconds of it, completely removing all context and doesnt let the jokes develop.

Less talking heads talking about how great his work is and let the damn work speak for itself. Very disappointing.

Talking heads would be great, after the entire or most of the whole sketches so we can really get a taste of the skits as Jim Downey actually envisioned and executed with all-star casts.

"Discussing something that doesn't need explaining," is a perfect way of looking at Jim Downey's sketches. So how exactly am I supposed to review something where the whole point of it is to show you how perfectly ludicrous the mind behind all of it is?

I'm happy to live in a world where someone like Jim Downey helped push forward comedy I love, even though I didn't have much of an idea who he wss then.

This is a must watch for any fan of SNL.