Bill Murray calls him “the best writer I ever worked with.” David Letterman says, “There’s no one like him.” But if you’re not a hardcore “Saturday Night Live” fan, you’ve probably never heard of Jim Downey.
Shoutout to Jason Kottke for putting this one on my radar.
Trailer for “Downey Wrote That”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- Jim Downey coined the fake George W. Bush word “strategery.” It became so famous that millions of people thought Bush had actually said it.
- Downey spent decades writing at “Saturday Night Live,” making him the show’s longest-running writer and helping shape political comedy for generations.
Watch “Downey Wrote That”
You can watch “Downey Wrote That” on Peacock.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 91/100
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: not yet rated
Director’s Note: Brent Hodge directs this documentary, giving the spotlight to one of television’s most influential comedy writers. Through interviews with comedians and longtime collaborators, Hodge shows how Jim Downey quietly helped shape the voice of modern political satire.
Release Date: 2025
Other Unique Stuff
- Despite influencing generations of comedians, Downey has largely stayed out of the spotlight throughout his career.
- Downey believed the funniest political jokes came from exposing a politician’s personality rather than pushing a political agenda.
Wrap Up:
If you love comedy or behind-the-scenes stories about television, “Downey Wrote That” is a terrific watch. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the writer behind some of the funniest sketches ever made.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty Guest Writer, Daily Doc