Jim Downey & Norm Macdonald Were Both Fired From “SNL” | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ย. 2023
- Jim Downey didn’t find out for years that Norm Macdonald refused to work on the show without Jim.
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ABOUT CONAN O’BRIEN NEEDS A FRIEND
Deeper, unboundedly playful, and free from FCC regulations, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is a weekly opportunity for Conan to hang out with the people he enjoys most and perhaps find some real friendship along the way. Watch highlights of Conan, Sona Movsesian and Matt Gourley chatting with celebrities and meeting fans, along with special segments like “Review the Reviewers” and “Big Dick History.”
ABOUT TEAM COCO
Team Coco is the TH-cam home for all things Conan O’Brien and the Team Coco Podcast Network. Team Coco features over 25 years of comedy sketches, celebrity interviews and stand-up comedy sets from CONAN on TBS and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, as well as exclusive videos from podcasts like Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,
Literally! with Rob Lowe, Why Won’t You Date Me? with Nicole Byer, The Three Questions with Andy Richter, May I Elaborate? with JB Smoove and Scam Goddess with Laci Mosley.
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More Jim Downey please! Have him back for ten more episodes!
More Downey!
He's a pretty cool dude. So, I second this motion🤚
Yes to the freaking Please!
This was Phenomenal and adds another look into why people come into this orbit and stay together as q real work family.
I love every thing I heard from this man and will eagerly look for more content by him in the future.
(Had no idea about his acting work but was L I V I N G for your commentary on, There Will Be Blood.
Straight effing 💀)
Would love if Jim had his own podcast on the Team Coco network. He could talk about anything and it would be interesting.
And Kevin Nealon
Norm walking away from his dream job cause tgey wanted to get rid of Jim. And then not even telling Jim.....made me tear up.
A great man.
This is something I hope to learn from Norm. Doing the good deed is enough getting praise for that act cheapens it.
Norm was Christian and Christianity teaches to do the right thing because God says it's the right thing, not because you could get anything for doing it.
The fact that norm went to battle for this writer is just another example of how much respect i have for him. I miss him so much. Legend
"Well, it is finally official. Murder is legal in the state of California" - Norm McDonald and Jim Downey
Thank you for telling us that it was really important to have Norm on your last shows, Conan. It was a real mystery to many of us why he wasn't there given the gold he had spun with you and Andy over the years. It was clearer what was going on just a few months later, when Norm passed. But to know how important it was to you to have him there means a lot.
Listen to his episode on Norm's death with Smiley (I think) and Andy. He talks about this there
Goes to show sometimes you just don't know what's going on behind the scenes. Some people were speculating that Conan and Norm had a falling out.
which proves you can't trust the internet. People were bashing Conan for not having Norm on, thinking he was boycotted.
I miss Norm so much. He could say the same line six different ways and I’d laugh 7 times
And between the attempts where he just smirks at his own joke
Are you a woman? I'm sensing someone not good at math.
Or so the Germans would have us believe.
@@Psychol-SnooperYou don’t strike me as someone who owns a doghouse
Hah?
Norm interrupting Jim during his speech in Dirty Work is still comic gold.
How about 2 dollars?
Here’s your 2 dollars.
Right that's the line@@roycopeland9560
I want a 24 hour version of this podcast. Please have an entire special with Jim.
I absolutely live for these sort of "inside" stories and shared experiences between Conan and other writers. Please, please have more content like this
Trim the fat and cut into the muscle
Me too! When I discovered Norms first podcast with Adam "Egret" I thought " this is so cool! I am seeing how comedians work"
I love the joke Norm did about women drivers, then challenging the audience with “that joke was written by a woman”. Then “nah, we don’t hire women”. I don’t know who wrote that but it’s absolutely genius.
I believe that was one of Jim's jokes, with Norm modifying it a bit for the live show.
"Now ya don't know WHAT to think!" 😅
Norm's appearance on Letterman after being fired from Update is a masterclass in how to destroy someone in the most roundabout way. Don Ohlmeyer had a long career, including MNF and coining "Must See TV" for NBC... and all people will remember is him firing Norm and that Letterman appearance by Norm.
That Letterman appearance was hotter than a two dollar pistol, by god.
Talking about Don, "The Quisling" Ohlmeyer.
Norm and Dave were both fearless legends. Them together was the epitome of Must See TV in my book.
@@derfroschprinzausbayernyeah but he's a good guy, he just didn't think Norm was funny
I don't know what that means,@@vanmoody
I could listen to people talk about Norm all day.
Sorry about your girlfriend.
@@driftless7134 Her name is Mom to you. Got it, buddy? You're grounded for the week.
@@TheKitchenerLeslie You're a bit of a rough and tumble character... When she went to the doctor, he told her to open up and say oink!
@@driftless7134 Hey hey there friend! I'll have you know that pig is my girlfriend! I don't care too much for you, Cap'n.
@@TheKitchenerLeslie I don't work day and night in a dank, coaly mine to take guff from you, fella!
Jim's recall is incredible. A total legend.
Norm was beloved by some audiences, but not nearly as much as he was by other comedians. He was so original and deeply, darkly funny in ways that make average audiences squirm.
There are quite a few stories from other comedians that Norm would discover himself tanking in front of a crowd but instead of being discouraged he'd adjust his material for the comedians watching! They'd be laughing there heads off while Norm would tell the stupidest jokes to a dead audience and he'd be doing it just for them. One particular story stands out where he was touring with a bunch of comedians and they played some midwest venue and he was tanking, so he just doubled-down on the worst jokes much to the delight of the crew he was traveling with!
@@GlennTillema Norm was the chef that other chefs love to eat from. And he had such simplicity when he made his jokes, he didn't go out of his way to make them complicated. But his jokes had layers. If you analyze them, there is a lot. but then as you go deeper, you go back to the beginning and realize it is a simple joke. That's why nearly every comedian refers to him as a master.
It is a cliche now but he didn't try to be the smartest guy in the room though he often was. A lot of bad comedians like Bill Maher are doing just the opposite.
This man needs his own podcast. Such a story teller and has such history. Lovely seeing him after hearing his name mentioned over the years.
the homeless newspaper was a great jim/norm story
i like the Fly on the Wall podcast (David Spade & Dana Carvey) because of the neat behind-the-scenes history (and comedians laughing with comedians is the best stuff) but i missed the episode with Downey; i'll have to go back and pick it up :) he's great
@@davidlrogers Their Downey episode was fantastic.
Thank you Jim for telling that story about Norm sticking up for you. What a standup guy.
Very glad Jim is getting the attention he deserves after so many years of working behind the scenes!
Plus he was at SNL so long that he has stories that could sink ships lol. Give him a 10 part documentary
It is so cool hearing this from Downey himself. Conan is awesome for giving time to the people who really make the sausage.
It truly is incredible isn’t it? Not to mention that he wrote a lot of great comedy in addition to making all of those sausages.
I always knew Norm was a class act, but yet, the more i hear such stories about Norm, the more and more i adore him. Someone i'd like to emulate in my life. God rest your soul, in peace, good man. ❤
Imagine getting fired by your boss and his justification for giving YOU the ax was that HIS "best friend" was a knife-wielding murderer. 😂
Every single time I think of Norm Macdonald dying I get a lump in my throat all over again. His comedy meant so much to me. Such a profoundly funny human being.
Norm felt like a friend, man I miss him!
My impression of Norm is that he was just simply happy to entertain himself. If other people found it funny too, well, that's just gravy.
So THAT’s why I don’t get gigs!!! So…….. don’t … call me…. I guess.
Well said.
The more I learn about this Norm guy. The more I like him.
I started crying listening to the pod when Jim was telling how Norm quit SNL because they were firing Jim. Absolutely amazing.
One of the best guests in the entire run of the podcast.
Norm embodied comedic integrity
Just "integrity" in general.
I'm so glad that Conan brought up Norm. Conan seems to have a good understanding of what his audience wants. Jim is hilarious and a great storyteller.
Norm is a legend! Jim Downey is the gift that keeps on giving. Love this!
Jim could have his own podcast, so funny, honest and charismatic
I was so angry at conan for not inviting norm on his final week. There was controversy with fallon cancelling norms appearance about a year earlier and i thought conan was following suit. I was wrong. Conan you are the man and im sorry i doubted you. Noone gets it more than you in late night.
Conan isn't like that. His L.A. writers, probably, but not Conan.
When Norm was going through all the stuff at SNL, Donny told Conan to not have Norm on. Conan wrote him a letter saying his job was to put in the best show he can, and that his best guest was Norm. Donny said something to the effect that he expected better from Conan
As a comedy geek and comedy historian I knew I loved Downey, but his comedy ethics and principles are so inspiring and powerful. He is subtley calling out every single piece of comedy that is out there right now. Even Conan (who is a god to me) is having little epiphanies while he speaks where he is remembering where he used to be and questioning what he is doing and has been doing. I wouldn't be surprised if Conan actually made changes after this interview.
Norm didnt talk about his cancer because empathy ruins comedy.
Maybe he didn't tell Downey about standing up for him because it might ruin their dynamic.
It's a wonderful thing that these two men worked together.
Those (way too few) stories about Norm's comradery with Downey, Drake Sather and others with a similar style of humor to his really fills that Norm shaped hole in my heart.
I think he would've found it gross or cheap(?) to tell Downey. Like bragging about donating to charity.
New norm clips are my favorite drug
There will never be another Norm.
I can’t remember whose podcast it was on, but Downey tells a great story about there being a newspaper for the homeless in New York and he and Norm pitching an idea for a sketch about a tough, no-nonsense newspaper editor yelling to his news staff about getting him 500 words about “going to the bathroom in your pants” and “a human interest piece on urine-stained mattresses.”
@@user-cl3re8xi7yand norm said "and they hated it." It was so hilarious the way Norm said that 😂
Norm could read a grocery list and make it funny when he’d start laughing at the end. And he probably did.
Proof? I’ve watched the moth joke and the turtle joke a hundred times each. I still laugh every time. It’s the telling more than the joke. Genius.
I think it was Dennis Miller’s show? You’re right. It’s hilarious 😂😂
Those of us who loved Norm and understood his style of comedy appreciated that commitment to the bit that would die, but was really brilliant.
Cried at the "no way" about firing Downey. That is beautiful.
tv execs are the worst, they didn't just fired him, but after that they kept making it difficult for norm to do other shows and to promote them. Then they had the balls to invite him to host the show again, which he did, cause norm is a classy guy who just loved to make people laugh.
It’s odd, and great, that Norm’s legend grows with each day that passes since his death. Like his firing from SNL, he left us at the top of his game, and we were wanting more.
I love the guy…
Jim is a comedic genius... Or so the Germans would have us believe
Norm was the absolute King. I didn’t even know him but he felt like family and I miss him everyday.
The more I hear about this Norm fella, the more I like him.
This guy was great. I’d never heard of him before, and I’m so glad to now have him on my radar so that I can appreciate all of his creative contributions. I’d love to hear more from him.
He was the guy in Billy Madison moderating the quiz at the end. The "i award you no points and my God have mercy on your soul" guy
I like Jim's cadence in storytelling. I could listen to him for 10 hours. You know he has a bunch of stories no one has heard.
I love me a Norm story.
They hated it
You can tell Gourley was 💯 invested in these stories.. True respect for a legend.
Ohlmeyer ordered Conan to stop booking Macdonald as a guest. Insane OJ pal. Conan said nope.
I think SNL was the only Job besides stand up that he really loved doing, so it was really a blow to him when he was fired. And when SNL wanted Norm to stay and to get rid of JIm it shows how much loyalty and respect Norm had for his friend when he said "if you fire him then I go to" and they did.
We've been hearing the name Jim Downey for decades from the lips of David Letterman, Norm, SNL folks...It's nice to have him step in front of the camera for an interview and find he can talk with such grace and humor about his work.
Norm would have loved the thumbnail for this video. Norm's name taking up half the screen, but another guy's face is the picture, but a tiny thumbnail of Norm in the corner. It's perfect.
We need more Jim and more guests like him. I could listen to his stories all day. Hilarious man.
As a Norm fan I can't believe I haven't heard about this guy until now. I can totally see these two being on the same wavelength.
I read his Wikipedia page yesterday; he really is a legend
I don't think that you have the Norm Macdonald everyone knows and loves without Jim Downey.
If you were not old enough for the Jim Downey yrs of SNL, you would not have heard of him
I love Norm stories.
I never realized Mr. Downie had gotten fired for that as well. This was a great show. I was very excited to see he was the guest this week. I could listen to Conan interviewing him for 4 more hours
I was there during this time. I got my first joke on with Norm and Jim on 11/15/97. 6 weeks later they'd be fired.
After Norm and Jim were fired from Update, both were still employed by SNL. Norm stuck around for another 4 episodes (or so), but Downey's stay was much more amusing and under the radar.
Jim would call in to the script department every Wednesday in the late morning (Wednesday is read-thru day) and would free-form write a sketch that one of our top script coordinators would have to type out. Literally he'd write it from the back of a towncar that was driving him around and she would have to just type the whole thing out.
Each week this happened the sketches got longer and longer - 14 pages, then 17 pages, then 20, and finally we had something like a 32 page sketch of madness that concluded this crazy pattern.
The sketches were funny (Downey's the greatest late night writer of all time, imo), and weird, but what always stood out is that he would cast NBC execs to appear in the beginning of them. It would go something like this:
NBC LAWYER NAME:
Hi, my name is NBC Lawyer Name.
(Thunderous applause from audience. This lasts for 30 seconds at least)
NBC EXEC
And I'm NBC Exec.
(silence)
...sketch continues.
Each sketch had execs and lawyers and it was just bizarre and awesome.
Jim and Norm are the best. Just true disciples of The Joke and masters of their craft.
Too funny.
Love conan and downey keeping norm’s legend alive. I didn’t even know he was sick
Norm's brother Neil would be an excellent interview with Conan.
Has he ever spoken out before about norm? Be interesting to hear how norm was growing up
Can't wait for the off-the-cuff badinage.
How sad we all are and didnt even know Norm personally. His friends and family must be still hurting a lot. Norm wouldnt like this "mushy" talk 😂💕😭
THANK YOU for the Norm memories, Jim.
Norm and Downey was a real meeting of the minds. Minds. Plural god damn it!
Guarantee Downey has owned has owned a dog house or two.
@@karlgustov9648 He might have an unconventional private life but nobody criticises him
There's never enough interviews with people talking about norm. Still miss him
Jim and Norm sound like a match made in heaven.
I could listen to these two talk about comedy and norm stories for hours
'runners whom renown outran, and the name died before the man' - a.e. houseman
a laurel as brief as a girl's?
The Norm jokes on OJ were brilliant, lacerating, courageous and unlike anything done before or after on SNL. So of course they were fired.
this episode should be retitled to 'walking through ankle deep blood and bones to find a gambling den in northern canadian escarpment'
It's so interesting seeing two people who both got a raw deal when being fired
I wonder how many people don’t realize this is the guy from Billy Madison.
Y'know I'm starting to think this Norm guy was a real jerk!
RIP Norm MACDonald.
I could listen to people talk about norm for hours.
Most important comedy guy you’ve probably never heard of
I’m loving these video of Jim Downey and Conan. To listen to the progression of comedy over time is very special and moving.
Norm was so damn funny, or so the Germans would have us believe.
i'll you one thing, they LOVE david hasselhoff
Jim Downey is an unsung National treasure. Thank you for this interview! 🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️
we need so many more jim downeys and conan o'briens on this planet
Thank you for these conversations. For sharing with us a little snippet of Norm's life. We miss him so much. Please continue to talk about him. He was truly a good soul. RIP
Norm is loyal and brave. Many people turned on him when he dared to say something that the hive mind didn't agree with. It made me cringe to watch everyone scramble around when he passed away acting like they didn't distance themselves from him when he wasn't woke enough. Conan was one of the few that didn't seem to participate in that.
Norm wouldn't like to be told that he is loyal and brave, nor would he want to make anything political.
So your comment is disrespectful.
@@thedude4672jeez Louise, you sound like that old battle axe I call my wife. God love her.
Conan sure did get raked over the coals for not having Norm on his show until fairly recently, when Conan explained they'd tried to but Norm just wasn't up to it. It all makes total sense in hindsight.
Yet more reasons to love Norm!
Downey one of the best comedic writers, and minds of my generation. Conan, my generations late night host. And Norm Macdonald my favorite comedian of all time.
Norm was a cool guy because he made out he got fired. He was secretly honourable, not doing it to look good.
Miss norm so much! This was a great interview.
These stories are amazing.
I remember watching weekend update when I was young in the 90s and absolutely loved it. Norm and Jim had a profound effect on my sense of humor.
I was shocked norm wasn’t on the last Conan show, when Norm passed it made sense.
Great interview.
i really miss norm... those stares they talk about, the awkward pause as if it was never the joke that could be off, but you... and we will wait here and stare till you come to terms with it. The dryness, the brilliance.. ugh... i really miss norm.
This just goes to show that those closest to us need to know how much they mean to our everyday existence. I would hate to have regrets if my closest friend died tomorrow. I'm not suggesting this guy has any regrets, but the way Norm shed his mortal coil was stoic and dignified.
Exactly. A class act to the very end.
Having Jim on was a delight and I love any talk about Norm.
Mr Downey is such a great human. I'm so glad I could experience his gifts
I'm ok with this show being all about Norm.. Seriously. More Norm stories please ❤
''Hearts are not good'' 😅
I could listen to Jim and Conan talk for hours. What a great guest.
I'm aware of age and people getting older, but man, Jim looks so different than when he was on David Letterman or even just a few years ago.
it's the mustache! And the glasses but mostly that mustache.
Norm had this charmingly innate deadpan that you seem to find in Canada and the upper Midwestern US, but his is unique.
You know who should be on the podcast?
You guessed it- Frank Stallone
Frank Stallone would be an interesting interview. Going through his unique career. He got a Golden Globe nomination (not for acting) and his b-movies are becoming cult favs (which even confuses Frank).
Can you tell the people at home who Frank Stallone is?
Even from beyond the grave Norm is still absolutely cracking Conan up!
Fun fact: Don Ohlmeyer’s second best friend…Frank Stallone.
In a universe where Norm’s loved ones do not exist for some reason or another, he agrees to appear on the final episode of Conan.
“So some of of you might be thinkin’, Boy Norm, you look bad! Are you on chemo or something? Well, it’s a funny story really. I’m DYING OF CANCER.”
Insert 2 minutes of Norm staring into the audience’s soul.
“He waged a battle!”
More Jim Downey please. Thanks
Even before I understood the genius of Norm, seeing him on weekend update as a teen, I knew whatever he was doing was something special. The way he would hold the joke when the audience didnt get it, was just next level brilliance. Absolute Legend!