James Woodward Downey (born in 1952) is an American comedy writer, producer, and actor whose work has significantly influenced the landscape of American comedy, particularly through his long and impactful tenure at "Saturday Night Live" (SNL). Downey's career, spanning several decades, showcases his sharp wit, political satire, and ability to capture the zeitgeist of American culture.
Early Career and First Stint at SNL (1976-1980)
Downey began his journey at SNL in 1976, coinciding with Bill Murray's arrival. He shared an office with Murray overlooking 50th Street. However, he primarily collaborated with Al Franken, Tom Davis, and Dan Aykroyd during his initial years. This first stint lasted until 1980 and included a brief period as a featured cast member.
"Late Night With David Letterman" (1982-1983)
After departing from SNL, Downey took on the role of head writer for "Late Night with David Letterman" from 1982 to 1983. During this formative period for the show, he is credited with creating the iconic "Top Ten List" and contributing significantly to the show's unique and influential comedic sensibility.
Return to SNL and Head Writer Role (1984-1998)
Downey returned to SNL in 1984, during Dick Ebersol's production tenure. The following year, when Lorne Michaels reassumed control, Downey was appointed head writer. His decade-long tenure in this position, lasting until the end of season 20 in 1995, marks the longest tenure for an SNL head writer. He was one of the few writers from the previous season to return to season 21.
During the mid-1990s, as Norm Macdonald anchored "Weekend Update," Downey focused his writing exclusively on that segment. He and Macdonald formed a cohesive team, operating somewhat independently from the rest of the cast and crew. Both were fired from the show in 1998, midway through season 23, reportedly at the behest of NBC executive Don Ohlmeyer. Downey believes this was due to jokes on "Weekend Update" targeting O. J. Simpson.
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"Strategery" and Other Contributions
Downey returned to SNL in 2000 and continued writing for the show until 2013, taking a break only in 2005 to work on a novel. He coined the word "strategery" for a sketch in October 2000 satirizing a presidential debate. The word was intended for then-presidential candidate George W. Bush, playing on Bush's perceived struggles with public speaking.
Although only a credited actor on "Saturday Night Live" for one season, Downey appeared in over 40 sketches from 1977 to 2005, most notably in parody commercials such as "Craig's Travellers Checks," "First CityWide Change Bank," and "Grayson Moorhead Securities." In movies, he played the high school principal who judges the "academic decathlon" in Billy Madison, and he appeared in the Norm Macdonald movie Dirty Work as a homeless person. Downey also had a bit part in Paul Thomas Anderson's 2007 film There Will Be Blood, where he plays Al Rose, Little Boston's real estate broker.
Political Leanings and Satire
Given Downey's significant role in crafting political humor for "Saturday Night Live," his own political leanings have been a subject of speculation. He has stated that he began his career as "a standard-issue Harvard graduate commie" but later evolved into "a conservative Democrat." He is a registered member of the Democratic Party. In 2008, he expressed support for Barack Obama's presidential candidacy.
Despite his political affiliation, Downey's comedic targets have spanned the political spectrum. In early 2008, he wrote sketches for SNL that satirized the Democratic presidential debates, depicting the news media as biased toward Obama. These sketches were controversial, with some suggesting they were a ploy to favor Republicans. Downey responded by stating that he likely favored Obama over Hillary Clinton but felt she was receiving tougher treatment from the news media. He described Obama as a comedy project with a "degree of difficulty, 10 point 10," likening it to "a rock climber looking up at a thousand-foot-high face of solid obsidian, polished and oiled."
The Madonna Episode and Its Aftermath
Downey's insights into specific SNL episodes provide a fascinating look into the inner workings of the show and the impact of certain decisions. One notable example is the season premiere of 1985, which featured Madonna as the host. Lorne Michaels, who had returned to SNL after a five-year absence, aimed to revitalize the show by casting young movie stars and booking popular figures like Madonna.
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However, the episode was a critical and commercial failure. The New York Times described it as "tasteless and witless," and NBC received numerous complaints about certain sketches. Downey considered the Madonna show one of the worst in SNL history, stating that it "really crippled the new season from the get-go." He noted that while many viewers tuned in out of curiosity, the negative reception had long-lasting consequences.
Writer Jack Handey expressed concern that the "viciously attacked" Madonna show might lead to SNL's cancellation. Downey recalled that "years later, people would still say, 'I haven’t watched the show since that Madonna thing.’ It did so much long-lasting damage.”
While Madonna's performance was deemed mediocre, the broader issue was Michaels' decision to cast stars without sketch comedy experience. Michaels admitted that he was "off my game" and "went too young." Downey viewed the Madonna show as "an albatross" that weighed down the entire season.
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