Peacock will premiere the long-gestating original documentary Downey Wrote That on October 17, spotlighting the extraordinary career and creative genius of James Downey, one of the most influential writers in the history of Saturday Night Live.
The hourlong film delves into Downey’s decades-spanning contributions to television’s longest-running comedy institution, revealing how his sharp wit and political satire helped shape SNL’s voice—and, in many ways, the American sense of humor itself. Though rarely seen on camera, Downey’s fingerprints are on some of the show’s most iconic sketches, quotable lines and indelible moments across generations.
Downey joined SNL in 1976 and went on to serve, with a few brief absences, as the show’s head writer and comedic architect for nearly four decades. He stepped away from the series in 2013, concluding the longest writing tenure in SNL history. Over the course of his career at the show, he earned five Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for SNL50: The Anniversary Special earlier this year.
The documentary features new, candid interviews with Downey alongside a remarkable lineup of SNL alumni, collaborators and comedy legends, including Fred Armisen, Dana Carvey, Will Forte, Al Franken, Bill Hader, Darrell Hammond, David Letterman, Seth Meyers, Lorne Michaels, John Mulaney, Conan O’Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Martin Short, Robert Smigel, David Spade, Ben Stiller, and Kenan Thompson, among others.
Produced by Broadway Video in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio, Downey Wrote That is executive produced by Lorne Michaels, Susan Morrison, Andy Breckman, Erin David, Eddie Michaels, Oz Rodriguez ,and Brent Hodge, with Derik Murray, and Brian Gersh serving as co-executive producers.
The project has been a long time coming—first announced in May 2021, the film has been in the works for several years as part of an effort to chronicle Downey’s legacy within SNL’s creative ecosystem.
Watch the trailer below:
