Jim Downey Shared An Office With Bill Murray At “Saturday Night Live” | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend

[@Targemq8]

35 seconds in, Downey clinches the funniest opening to any Conan podcast.

[@florianadolf2256]

True. He comes in as the well-spoken, neat kind of guy - and then, all of a sudden you realise, his opening packs a punch, lol😂

[@c016smith52]

Seriously, the Epstein/Gislaine bit was the hardest I've laughed in a while - Jim's delivery on this, and just leaning into the bit, OMG pricless!

[@jmp01a24]

Funniest bit coco does in this cast is saying 'there are billions of listeners, from asia, around the world'.... and it has 10k views and 500 likes.

[@AttilatheThrilla]

Not even close the Kevin N level

[@andrewalaniz6656]

Greatest intro bit I’ve ever heard.

[@joeyjones49]

Everyone is rightfully talking about Jim’s hilarious intro, but an underrated part of it (and part of what makes Conan so great) is Conan’s ability to recognize what’s happening and set up Jim perfectly with a straight-man act. Comedy masterclass

[@evolutionstationmusic2559]

Beautiful observation . Absolutely true … he is so good at that always has been but on another level always… and that takes such humbleness and withdrawing from Ego

[@asbestosman]

Conan plays a great straight man, always has

[@pabloy_]

I think he’s THE most talented host in late night history. There are hundreds and hundreds of examples how he helps obviously nervous guests feel at ease by making fun of himself or guiding the conversation to topics they are enthusiastic about. His situational awareness what the guest needs to make them shine is unparalleled in the industry.

[@upplsuckimcool16]

are we saying this was an act and he DOES know Jeff is dead etc?

[@kierewietje]

​@@upplsuckimcool16 yes

[@collinmckenna3207]

The delivery on the “haha, nice try” is so perfect

[@KingMinosxxvi]

It's Genius is what it is

[@c016smith52]

Gold!

[@jaykparikh37]

“The financier!” Got me crying bro 😭

[@munnmaung3693]

The island 😆😆

[@TribalKing306]

Excellent set ups on both sides

[@mikeruge5918]

Ha ha funny nice try

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

Wait…you mean Jeffrey Epstein? The one with the Island?!

[@AlzataDiMano]

Because he had an island.

[@WilkinsonX]

Nobody will ever be able to top Jim’s intro. Pure gold. Norm would have been on the floor.

[@bempoh]

This is actually so true 😂

[@philgriggs5803]

Because he is dead?

[@WilkinsonX]

@@philgriggs5803 I didn’t even know he was sick.

[@Sockerfader]

@@philgriggs5803 so the germans would have us believe...

[@gustavolee9682]

He's under the floor now

[@willjackson6522]

“I’m talking about Jeff Epstein, the New York financier” is one of the best placed lines in comedy I’ve ever heard

[@flxsemi]

1:41 that mock laugh is so golden that it warrants its own emmy

[@aumarigan]

He's alive....😂

[@andyoushouldfeelbad]

5:50 The way Jim just agrees and lowers his head is PERFECT.

[@bennyfactr6122]

"with the island?", killed me

[@kennethlutze]

Only time that Jim starts to break a little, otherwise he plays it so straight

[@a.i.1823]

His approach to comedy is oddly reminiscent of Norm's, you can tell these two were comedy partners...legends....

[@nicknoga564]

I was an intern on SNL in 2004… and I’d always see Jim Downey outside Lorne’s office on show nights (I recognized him from older sketches, but didn’t know his name). Eventually he became very friendly, and even brought me into his office to show an old tape of his Grayson Moorhead sketch. He told old stories about how John Belushi once found an ad for an actual hit-man in the yellow pages. Mr. Downey was a real great guy… very down-to-earth, easy to talk to, and not a snob at all. (Coincidentally he is Robert Downey Jr’s uncle)

[@arshad_nazran]

I think that’s a different James Downey (RDJ’s uncle)

[@YourTVFriend]

@@arshad_nazranDunno if there is another one but Jim is indeed RDJ’s uncle

[@poisongodmachine3]

​@@YourTVFriendno, RDJ has an uncle called James Downey... it is not THIS Jim Downey

[@kevinhavens3428]

@@poisongodmachine3you are correct.

[@rogerhare7886]

I award Jim 100 points. The entire room is now funnier for his presence.

[@neiloch]

He told some story where an absolute 10 of a woman was acting very sultry, walked up to him, got close and whispered in his ear that entire speech. It was a friend's girlfriend that put her up to it but god damn is that hilarious.

[@rmoultonrmoulton145]

Ha...great comment. "Mr. Madison, what you just said is one of the most insanely, idiotic things I've ever heard. At no point in your rambline, inchoherrent response, were you even CLOSE to ANYTHING that could be considered a rational thought. EVERYONE in this room is now dumber for having listened to it........I award you no points, and may god have mercy on your soul"

[@mikeh4551]

​@@neilochHe told that on Dana Carvey and David Spade's podcast, that's a good listen too if you like Jim.

[@ianmcallister9264]

And my god have mercy on our souls

[@adctd2gtr]

YES! Nicely done.

[@SirVicc]

The first couple minutes made him my favorite guest on the podcast ever. Brilliant.

[@AdamAuxier64]

I think I’ve watched these first 3 minutes 30-40 times already

[@richb313]

The commitment to this bit by Downey is well worth it to the point of heroic.

[@angelpipessd]

man this whole interview was so incredibly funny. I've of course heard of Jim Downey, but only from Conan and other writers talking about how funny he is - to experience how truly and deeply funny he is within this interview was an absolute joy.

[@VivanLaMNWA]

EXACTLY

[@MM-ud1xf]

Same. I thought this was going to be a stinker but it was hilarious.

[@zg9445]

Downey is one of the funniest people of all time. What a special man. I’ll always remember his role as an introspective homeless man in Dirty Work. Here’s your two dollars!

[@matthewgriffith7302]

On Wikipedia, it describes his role on Dirty Work as “ someone who is experiencing homelessness.”

[@leavingtheisland]

“Rolling Stones, Street Fightin’ Man, G - SEVEEEEOOWWWNNN1”

[@ztoxtube]

His speech on Billy Madison. No one could change a word of that to make it better.

[@firstactionhero]

One of the funniest movies of all time

[@roddydykes7053]

@@matthewgriffith7302lmao!

[@shabbychicnyc]

Can we please have Jim Downey as a regular guest or an honorary chill chum? This was one of the funniest episodes I've listened to (and they are all hysterical).

[@aaabbbccc985]

This was easily the best episode. I could listen to this guy for hours and I’m sure he has tons of stories to tell. He’s been at it a long time. He needs his own podcast or something. I would listen to it.

[@Sals37]

Less celebrities and more comedy writers please!

[@stevej.7926]

Absolutely!

[@thunderb4stard80]

Oof backhanded compliment if ever I've heard one.😂

[@toothzombie]

He is a celebrity

[@CUpierretong]

@@thunderb4stard80he’s just saying he’s no Jeff Epstein

[@thunderb4stard80]

@@toothzombie wait what Jeff did something wrong? No can't be

[@dougalmaguire2357]

What a great opening he clearly is funny af

[@tvviewer4500]

Him and norm Macdonald worked together a lot. Can you tell?

[@VideoNozoki]

I have never been MORE CAPTIVATED within the first 30seconds of an interview!!! I can't wait to hear the _whole_ _thing_ with Jim Downey!

[@loulouloulou2519]

I love how Conan's already laughing by 00:23 because he know Jim's about to start a joke. Gotta love when two comedians understand each other so well

[@DominicSnyder]

Implying Conan has an "unconventional" personal life is part of the joke.

[@BonJoviBeatlesLedZep]

An underrated part of the bit about Epstein is that the initial joke is making fun of the format of the podcast of needing to explain why the guest is Conan's friend, but when Conan gives him the "much has been said about Jeffrey Epstein, terrible things", Jim doesn't miss a beat and switches the entire joke to him being oblivious about Epstein's dealings. He does it in a split second too, because he immediately says "Jeff" after that. The dude is a master.

[@ollybears7797]

This is a perefect analysis of what went down lmao

[@BonJoviBeatlesLedZep]

@@ollybears7797 It's the sign of a great improviser. His "scene partner" misunderstood the joke he was setting up, but instead of forcing the original joke, he swung sharply into the direction that Conan was going. Excellent comedy.

[@rdg515]

That was actually the joke from the very beginning. “No one criticizes him” was said before Conan said anything, indicating he was oblivious.

[@dlxmarks]

And also Downey's sense of comic rhythm. He's knows exactly how long to carry on the denials before moving the next phase of the joke.

[@twixles6297]

@@BonJoviBeatlesLedZepbro you’re so wildly misunderstanding this that it hurts, watch it again please

[@mikefoley5792]

It's so great when Sona really cracks up. She goes all in.

[@archstanton313]

Everyone who likes Conan and Norm and such needs to know who Jim Downey is.

[@zg9445]

A lot of us Norm superfans heard Norm speak very highly of Jim, particularly on the Norm Macdonald Live KZbin show. ❤️

[@interfusor]

Absolutely. From what I understood Norm and Jim together were what made Norm's weekend update the best there was.

[@claytonberg721]

Honestly, I've been a Conan fan forever. I watched his late night show on the first night it debuted. I still think of him as this weird, awkward ginger dude but he's got such a pedigree, the people he came up with like Greg Daniels, bob odenkirk, louis CK. All those guys for better or for worse (almost all for the better) are legends. Then you learn about the people who mentored Conan.

[@joshkrahenbuhl5002]

​@@zg9445And in one of his guest host stints for Dennis Miller, he interviewed Downey

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

For those who don't recognize him, this guy is the best part of Billy Madison.

[@Generationrhino]

The game show host?

[@joshmoreland2698]

Yes, we are dumber because of your question....@@Generationrhino

[@corey4548]

"Ok, a simple 'Wrong' would of been just fine.."

[@justsaying14]

​@@joshmoreland2698Sorry, but ... " ... Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. ... "

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

@@Generationrhino YES!

[@tarsierontherun]

I love that Conan immediately caught Jim's cue to play the straight man. This bit wouldn't have worked with any other pair of comedians. Conan and Jim are just masters of their craft.

[@neiloch]

Yep, that is a huge strength for Conan. Even on his shows the pre-interview prep was just him asking them what they want from him, what topics or questions to bring up to tee them up and he'll let them go. When he made comments it was just to let them double down and go more. Zero brakes, all gas. Comedians LOVED going on his show more than any others (at least in NA).

[@rossy3486]

His phrasing, pauses and word choice in the intro are just masterful.

[@davidhurtado2725]

The comedy timing on this guy is unbelievable. 5 years of guests and in his very first appearance, he did without a doubt the funniest "Hi, my name is _______ and I am ________ about being Conan O'Brien's friend" 😂

[@kingdomcome1980]

"Ghislaine's in prison?" 😂😂😂😂😂

[@elcorado83]

I've replayed the beginning about five times now and every time I end up crying with laughter

[@BlikeNave]

I really like the stumbling and fumbling at 2:30 is one of the funniest things by any comedian. Him trying to insinuate politely in full character... absolutely hilarious. Talking about Epstein for two minutes and then ending with "whatever you do in your private life... doesn't matter, I'm your friend." LOL!

[@kevgar57]

I woke up and saw Jim Downey and I knew this was a special day. I didn’t want this one to end.

[@dr.badass702]

This whole bit is brilliant - it just builds and builds. One of my favorite little touches is the way he says “ok” after Conan says “I don’t do anything in my private life!” '🤣

[@andypike1234]

The first 3 minutes, the most legendary moment of this podcast ever!

[@chrispalmerdemo]

I keep coming back for the intro! It’s funny that they couldn’t allude to the topic discussed in the intro and instead entitled the clip about sharing an office with Bill Murray. You gotta love Downey!

[@shivansawh1107]

I can't wait to hear more of this interview. Jim "Jeffrey Epstein" Downy is one of the greatest talents in comedy history, his wit, use of language and comedic chops is nothing short of genius !

[@donalobrien9422]

It's Jeff to his good friends

[@doubles7533]

That is the single greatest intro/read by any guest this podcast has ever had

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

He wrote and stars in one of my favorite SNL sketches of all time; First CityWide Change Bank. It must be from 1991, but it captures the lameness of bank commercials in the 90s. I was so high when it first came on that I thought it was a real commercial. Then Roseanne pops up and it dawned on me that she's hosting SNL (what a coincidence!) and then I figured out, "Oh this is part of the show!" Jim is a master of deadpan comedy and it's obvious why he and Norm became such good friends.

[@John-uh5et]

1:42 “Haha. Sorry, nice try.” absolutely killed me

[@outofabook]

This whole interview with Jim Downey was so great, one of my favorites. He's still funny as hell.

[@mladent1464]

It's fantastic to see Jim on the show. I'm really looking forward to listening to the entire podcast. I would be disappointed if they didn't talk about Norm Macdonald.

[@MikkoAPenttila]

I'm certain they wouldn't miss the opportunity to talk about the GOAT.

[@Underpantsniper]

They do for a good 20 minutes, it's gold

[@wildcardartsent]

​​​@@MikkoAPenttilaIf they didn't it would be worse than that tragedy.

[@Alpha7721]

Jim Downey came prepared for that intro!!! More of him on the next episodes 🙏

[@rygarisfun8164]

I have listened to this episode of CONAF several times. I adore Jim Downey!

[@RiskE80]

“Haha! Sorry! Nice try!” Gets me every single time lmao

[@BSagat]

After that intro, many people learning Jim is one of the best comedy minds won't be shocked

[@oybay]

Jim Downey is the best. Always has been. A fundamental part of what is funny. This was a great listen.

[@mattmays9063]

It's so strange to hear these legendary writers all these years later and, in hindsight, being able to hear in their voices the influences of one another like Al Franken and so on.

[@palehorse864]

I love how straight Jim Downey plays it the whole time except for that one bit where he says "With the island" and he starts to break.

[@mattdad8429]

My god, I cant stop watching the Jeff Epstein intro. His timing is just too good. Truly a living legend. Jim Downey that is, not Jeff.

[@leavingtheisland]

I've watched this intro many times myself. Totally agree on the timing!

[@JollyGiant19]

Why not Jeff? What happened with him?

[@mattdad8429]

@@JollyGiant19 🤣

[@CLS1507]

You act like two legends cannot coexist. J Cole talked about this 😤

[@Lonelywookiee]

The Howard Shore Jim references as the band director is THE SAME Howard Shore that made the iconic film score to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, amongst many other iconic movie scores! That's wild!

[@angelpipessd]

OMG I immediately wondered if it was the same guy when he said the name - what a cool fact!

[@bgheadjack]

Downey is a legend. An actual legend. On late night's Mount Rushmore of writers.

[@chasedwards9626]

You’re confusing him with Teddy Roosevelt

[@PopMyCulture]

I LOVED LOVED LOVED this episode! Another winner for Team Coco! No one deserves more staying power than Conan 🧡🧡🧡

[@padredelaverde]

Jim is one of the top 3 friends you've had on in my opinion. Great interview and friend.

[@TwoWrights]

I’ve watched this intro 50 times. Pure comedic genius.

[@Jump-2-the-moon]

Google Jim Downey, I had to double-check that I searched for the right person! He looks so different!

[@udaymukhija4366]

best first three minutes of any podcast ever

[@Patsanford220]

The way he says Ghislaine’s in prison gets me EVERY TIME 😂😂😂😂😂

[@akshayaravamudan8504]

As a person from Asia, I can guarantee all of us listen.

[@kennypcolin]

I keep coming back to 😅😅 so so funny. What a legend, Jim.

[@Ponch316]

I almost lost it when I read his name on my notifications. This has got to be top 3 episodes EVER, if not the absolute best. What a treat. Thank you Team Coco and Mr. Downey!

[@bofa83]

Thank you Conan for introducing me to this man who was responsible for shaping a lot of my sense of humor, and I didn’t even know it.

[@brianduffytube]

the first three minutes have had me crying every single time I’ve listened to it since its debut. unbelievable

[@peterroberts3827]

This is one of the greatest podcast openings of all time.

[@medzards]

His delivery is impeccable. The Epstein bit was perfectly rolled out.

[@reuben.x.herrera1930]

1996 through 2000 I had a lease on a house in Malibu on old Malibu Road right behind the old Hughes market now a Ralph’s market. Bill Murray owned “a” house next-door. In those few years I saw him all of 4-5 times. I knew it was his house because of course the window cleaner told me and I saw him six months going into it on my first year there. In addition to meeting his younger brother later when they had a moving company empty out the house to renovate the place and sell it or whatever they did with it. Bill begrudgingly waved at me once as he looked down at the concrete. I of course left him alone. That house remained unopened, unused, except for the homeless guys who were living in there at the tail end. They utterly wrecked the place towards the end. I have a crazy story about Bill exiting his house, waiting for a limo to take him to the airport. Two in the morning climbing out the side window because he didn’t have keys to his “own” house. It’s like 1-2-3 in the morning or something and my then girlfriend wakes me up because the dogs barking at the side of the house where the windows are. I’m like what what’s going on and she’s like I don’t know there’s there’s somebody coming out of the window next door and falling in to the garbage cans. I looked down opened the window, and I see Bill finishing from scaling down the trellis and what-not fallen on the ground. Luggage thrown on the ground like a duffel bag and up garment bag. And I am craning my neck trying to look down and of course we had this motion sensor light that went off. And she’s like what is it? What’s going on down there and I just casually tell her, Oh it’s no big deal it’s Bill Murray climbing out the window again. This time with his luggage down on the ground. He’s probably leaving. The funny thing about that is that when I look back in retrospect on his career and everything, it was typical Bill Murray. The guy was a wreck. Long story short, I think another year and a half past or so maybe shorter had past. For about a period of about 4-5 months there had been some people staying there and I thought OK he let his house out. Some friends are borrowing the place I see some freaks go in and out, always a lot of commotion going on there. We later find out that some homeless guys had seen him climb into the window one day, as he had a came back into his house. Several months later I would imagine and they ended up doing the same thing and parking themselves in there. One day the police showed up, cleared out the house, and it seems these homeless people were living in there and squatted on the place and literally destroyed the place. Stole a bunch of his stuff. One thing in particular that his brother had told me that they had stolen was he had a signed pair of Air Jordans in a glass case by Michael Jordan. All Bill cared about was that one pair of shoes and something about a Bose portable stereo missing. Anyway, his youngest brother was there and he was really nice. He gave me some stuff out of the garage, some golf clubs, a box of one sheets from the movie, “The Man Who Knew Too Little, and six cases of Pepto-Bismol pink bathroom tiles. It was the same younger brother, who played his younger brother in the movie Scrooged with Bill Murray. Oh, and the police came knocking on the door asking me about if I sign it and suspicious next door and I told him no he said well did you see all these homeless types going in and out and foolishness going on? Didn’t make you think I said, no have you ever met Bill Murray? This IS typical Bill type of situations! I mean this is the same guy that goes in and out of his own house THROUGH a window because he doesn’t have keys to his own house!

[@ok_jaja]

To start out the pod like this is just completely legendary best episode ever. geniuses

[@AttilatheThrilla]

I LOVE how he ends the Jeff joke with.. “Conan” 😂

[@HappyNBoy]

I really appreciate that Jim is absolutely game and doesn't feel stale or stuck in the past. The guy is fresh and sharp and doesn't have any misgivings about staying with it. So many comedy writers in their 70s wouldn't be willing to keep up... Comedy is all about moving forward, you wouldn't expect comedians to give up and stand still.

[@neilh9442]

I need more comedy stories from Jim Downey and I need them now, Conan.

[@9TAFASOJ9]

Open your notebooks people, that's world class comedy right there.

[@frankcowan6625]

Absolutely best guest! Absolutely best ever comedic written of our time. Thank you!!!!!!!

[@THETRIVIALTHINGS]

Best opening ever. To any podcast. It reminds me of the old SNL Weekend Update jokes.

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

2:33 - “It doesn’t matter to me what you do in your private life” LMAO 😂

[@CamMacMastermusic]

Jim Downey owns the sense of humour we carry in our minds ! Think about that !! Our parents taught us a lot but Jim taught us how to make each other laugh! Thank you Jim. And Conan too, I guess !

[@themalacast]

"And Conan too, I guess." what a touching tribute

[@CheeseMonger60]

Jim’s intro reminds me so much of the norm “i didn’t even know he was sick” joke

[@selfdiscardedkingofruin7291]

His voice and demeanor are so unmistakable.

[@nood1e236]

This is just comedy gold. It doesn't get better than this.

[@marcheeeen]

What a genius bit about Jeff, with the island.

[@adctd2gtr]

Jim's recall is astounding, frankly. But I'm commenting mainly to enjoy his genuine giggle when somebody gets a real laugh out of him.

[@JeNJeN-mk4dv]

Conan and team, you are the highlight of my day from the morning to end of the night. I chuckle everyday by myself. Laughing stupidly every time I am in the car!

[@jayandreas1131]

These Jim Downey interviews are glorious. Mind you, I am from Amsterdam and even I love them.

[@Cybernetic800]

The opening minute was hilarious

[@leoorpi]

Wowwww I've seen clips of this going around, but i didn't know Jim came right out the gate with this! Pure brilliance with their wit and comedic synergy.

[@snosaerable]

I was so hoping they would talk about Norm ! So happy they did. Awesome he had Jim Downey on 🙌

[@matthewhegarty729]

“I’m talking about Jeff Epstein, the New York Financier.” got me

[@Mappy8899]

“There’s one easy way, let’s call Gislanne Maxwell”😂

[@AdamAuxier64]

Those first three minutes are a masterclass in comedy

[@billcrotts5456]

I haven't seen Downey in a while and was somehow surprised that he's old now

[@capnstewy55]

Conan says worst intro but Sona's face says best intro.

[@superkally]

It’s the “ha ha!” for me. 😂

[@zekelucente9702]

I saw the Blues Brothers at the Universal Amphitheater and it was a blast.

[@Artimao]

God,I've seen the clip of Jim talking about Epstein many times on twitter, but I never knew he did that in the opening monologue. What a genius

[@MasterVDrumming]

EDUARDO, I BEG YOU. PLEASE UPLOAD THE FULL PODCAST ON VIDEO. PLEASE!!

[@zg9445]

Who will climb aboard the all video train first, Conan or Carvey/Spade???

[@MasterVDrumming]

@@zg9445 Conan listens to his supporters, I trust him to start the trend

[@HowieDuwett]

I did not recognize this legend until I looked him up. Mind blown. “I award you no points and may god have mercy on your soul”

[@kixindamix]

Jim Downey is a comedy genius. ❤

[@carlsamos1677]

I can see why Norm loved him

[@wackJackle]

Jim Downey brought back the spirit of a Conan - Norm bit, because of the ghost of Jeffrey Epstein, while Norm smiled in heaven. This will be an all time classic. Thank you very much, Mr. Downey.

[@ouishi9447]

True, when i see this bit i always think of the «My doctor? He’s not a comedian.» bit

[@nataliemcgovern3087]

I don't have a proper adjective to describe how funny this is. But seriously, have this banter on more often!

[@chasedwards9626]

Hey watch it with the name calling, there’s no need to be racist. Some of my best friends are banters.

[@wyskass861]

Jim is a legend

[@jefffunke252]

The entire podcast is hilarious. Downey wrote some of my favorite skits when I was growing up.

[@Allenmarshall]

Wow that may be the funniest man I've ever encountered in my life