Jim Downey Helped Conan Identify His Comedic Style | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend

Conan would have given his bone marrow to be a writer on “Late Night With David Letterman” as Jim Downey was.
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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 KZbin 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.
Team Coco
/ teamcoco

[@privatepenguin3137]

The Late Night writers staff from 82-93 was like a Murderer's Row of great writers.

[@kaogoogle1031]

Thanks dipshit

[@hgb0005]

and continued to be from 93-09

[@wyskass861]

Conan being best when on his heels is a great observation.

[@RM6737]

Indeed. I started watching Late Night with Conan O'Brien around 1998 and that was one of the things that got me hooked on the show: his ability to make use of the "dificulty".

[@reneekuhl7614]

This pod episode was FASCINATING, I love this era of SNL. Thank you Conan for lifting up Jim Downey and pulling the curtain back on this era.

[@Thrashman138]

This episode was absolute gold. I sincerely hope Downey comes back for another round soon. I could listen to his stories for hours and hours. I feel so lucky to even have this! This dude is comedy joy personified.

[@jmp01a24]

Can't wait until week 3 of this chop-fest. When they start boil soup of the bones...

[@Thrashman138]

@@jmp01a24 ok

[@jmp01a24]

@@Thrashman138 Let's have a soup party and watch the whole animal in one sitting. So we can enjoy it fully.

[@VMonkies]

@@jmp01a24 the crazy thing is there's a link in the description of *this very video* where you can do that without whining in the comments.

[@macallen2009]

"it's a terrible ripping when I do it." Hilarious!

[@davidhogenmiller248]

This series of clips with Jim Downey are fantastic. The crazy part about Letterman's 90 minute morning show was that it's probably his best work. He had more time to tell stories. Great conversations with Edwin Newman. He would linger in the audience. The sketches ranged from brilliant to awful and they were all about his deadpan reactions. The styrofoam cup commercials were my favorite.

[@culwin]

Conan is definitely the best when he has people to bounce off of. Not even just 1 straight man, but multiple people. Whether it's Andy or Max or Joel or Sona or Matt or Jordan or whoever. That's why I think he wouldn't be a great stand-up. But in an environment like a talk show or this, he shines.

[@gefaehrlich]

What a lucky coincidence then that this is exactly what he did and does . . .

[@culwin]

@@gefaehrlich You could say it's a good thing that Jim Downey helped Conan identify his comedic style.

[@fwfulton]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, I never heard of Jim before. Absolutely love the conversions you had with him. Proof positive of your comedic genius.

[@dighead]

Downey is the GoAT. Would kill to have dinner and just listen to stories for hours.

[@Aaliyahchannel2024]

I think you losing your virginity... Is even more likely then that.

[@user-yn7yo1co3k]

💯❗️

[@moisescardenas7244]

Alright, then. Who would you kill??

[@Aaliyahchannel2024]

@@moisescardenas7244 himself

[@tr1co0]

You could just get a snack and listen to this very podcast episode and avoid the whole crime thing

[@stefanmarraccini8646]

Absolutely. The Conan losing control (boyish exuberance), and then pulling back into adult control befitting a host is a beautiful staple of his broad repertoire. The Big C struck me as stunningly and broadly gifted from jump street, and every time I haven't watched any Conan for awhile, I come back and start thinking craziness like, "he really is my favorite comedian and Talker...evah!". Could be the Halfzheimer's talkin' though, eh?

[@HG-pi3qp]

Incredibly thankful for these, great interview

[@caardappel]

Loving this peek behind the curtain!

[@juandesalgado]

Conan has made his life's mission to get reactions from Sona.

[@rickyd-lux9067]

5:25 Sometimes, the bad jokes are the best jokes. Nobody polishes a turd like Conan.

[@GuidoGrasso]

When did Downey turn into Stan Lee? I still love him.

[@patrickmartineau1008]

Always loved his on camera stuff. The SNL sketch with Eddie Murphy made up as a white guy and he goes into Downey's corner store and tries to pay for a newspaper: "There's nobody around...take it. Go ahead, take it." 🤣

[@meb114]

Damn. That's a blast from the past.

[@TSOL2023]

Written by the great Andy Breckman

[@jaerivus]

Wow, I never knew that was him until you said! He was at SNL longer than I realized.

[@sizzlinshizzle]

"Slowly I began to realize that when white people were alone they gave away things to each other for free."🤣

[@stefanmarraccini8646]

I was almost 13 when Dave's morning show premiered. Mom was instantly hooked and told me that I would think he was funny. She was so right. Moms also got me onto David Sedaris. And Hasselhoff! 😆 The great Jim Downey...wow. This was a treat. All the Downey clips. He killed when he performed on SNL too. So great to see the dynamic going on with him and Conan. Why does mutual respect between grown men make me wanna cry? F'er cryin' out loud!! Thanks for this Conan and illustrious cast and crew. 🙏😀

[@RTSOB1]

Maybe it's a generational thing, and Letterman has spoken to this, but my sense of what a late-night talk show should be, had its roots in what Steve Allen was doing.

[@shephusted2714]

if cabana boy and man under the stairs had children #duck soup #chico and the man remake "Chico and the Man" was a popular television sitcom that aired in the 1970s, featuring the comedic duo of Jack Albertson as Ed Brown (the Man) and Freddie Prinze as Chico Rodriguez. One of the recurring elements of the show was the banter and comedic interactions between the two main characters. While the show had many funny moments and skits, one memorable aspect was the generation gap humor between Ed and Chico, with Ed being the older, grumpy character, and Chico being the younger, more optimistic one. One example of their humorous interactions is the classic dynamic between Ed and Chico, with Ed often making sarcastic remarks, and Chico responding with his cheerful and often naive perspective on life. Here's a sample of their banter: Ed: "You know, Chico, you're about as useful as a screen door on a submarine." Chico: "Hey, Mr. Brown, that's good, you know? If a submarine ever sinks, the fish won't get wet!"

[@user-mb2yp6xh9w]

Maybe thats why the norm segments are great bc conan is shocked and trying to readjust and reel him in

[@patreekotime4578]

Somehow I missed this part when I listened to the podcast... Guess im going to have to listen again!

[@taylorlconner]

I just relistened to the podcast and this isn’t there… Must be a KZbin exclusive

[@LMarti13]

what a legend

[@balder4295]

Wow! Thx Conan

[@constantlyenthused336]

Conan even interrupts compliments

[@lachauntiswashington231]

very good

[@rancerants]

Weird that Conan's research was so off. Merril Markoe was the OG head writer for David Letterman. Make her a podcast guest - she would be a fantastic interview.

[@cactaceous]

Merrill Markoe is and has always been great.

[@wyskass861]

What about the Mangrate?

[@privatepenguin3137]

It's made in the USA...or so the German's would lead us to believe.

[@BLACULA-Skeewoah]

Chicken... Steak... Has never tasted so good!

[@wyskass861]

@@BLACULA-Skeewoah Great gift for fathers who are still alive.

[@randymagnum143]

You dirty dog!

[@glenneric1]

I always think it's weird how these advertisers require the talent to read their ads. What a pimp job.

[@Paulafan5]

Podcasts are radio shows and radio show hosts would have to read ads live on the air (or at least they use to).

[@glenneric1]

@@Paulafan5 My morning sports radio is probably half and half live and prerecorded. It's always awkward to me. You know they're lying. "I use blank cream every 2 hours and I love it!"

[@authorrayrogers]

Putting ads in the full podcasts I get. Putting an ad in the middle of a six minute clip of the podcast is just ridiculous.

[@dennisclancy5726]

It pays the bills and they make that part obvious. A small price to pay and the chance for another laugh at the sponsors expense.

[@xcryptoone]

Dave's Morning Show Debut In 1980 | Letterman 1:15

[@BLACULA-Skeewoah]

Downey, Norm and Shane Gillis... Seems like all the best people get fired from SNL! I'm not American, but this man is an absolute national treasure! What a storyteller!

[@brewer921]

Damon Wayans was also fired.

[@dustywaynemusic6297]

Shane Gillis is ok but he doesn't belong in the same sentence as those 2 🤦

[@Ugoogolizer]

​@@dustywaynemusic6297sure, maybe a function of age. Norm called him when it happened though that's a strong endorsement

[@DLZ2000]

Shane Gillis isn't anywhere near that caliber.

[@thanksfernuthin]

Oh, wow. I wasn't the only person that watched David Letterman during his initial day time show? That can't be right. Can it?

[@sweetpain67]

Does anyone remember…how 75% of your friends/family didn’t get the absurdist brilliance of Change Bank? But whoa, 25% were on the floor, laughing so hard they couldn’t breathe!🧘

[@wyskass861]

Jim played one of the bums in Dirty Work

[@liammcooper]

They should do a documentary on Letterman's morning show.

[@Polyfusia]

I hardly recognize him at all. Hope he's doing alright. Comedy legend.

[@jmp01a24]

Besides the scheduled liver transplant he is going to live until he is 100.

[@user-ys1iy4fx8w]

علي موحان👑💚🥀❤💚❤💚❤💚❤💚❤❤🤎🌺🤎🌺👑🌺👑💛💛🌺🌺🤎❤❤🤎❤🤎❤🤎❤🌺🤎🌺🤎🌹💜🌹🌹💜🌹💜🌹💜🌹👑🌹🌹👑🌹👑🌺🌻🌺🌻🌺🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@jmp01a24]

O another porkchop. I personally can't wait till we get to the spare parts: Hoofs, tale, ears and face.

[@drewpen7956]

Wait is Jim Downey also James Downey? Brainsplosion.

[@iam_Klaus]

// hey Dave...? Please (please) book Jim Downey for #MyNextGuestNeedsNoIntroduction

[@xploration1437]

Conebone69

[@ericdean840]

🥓🫔🍣

[@davemason7046]

He looks like a totally different person

[@ROYALPRIX]

I had to google and was SURE I had the wrong guy. The "What you just said is one of the most insane, idiotic things...." guy?

[@acvieluf]

This pod episode was wonderful. But this video is 1/6 advertisement.

[@H-Vox]

He looks like a completely different person now

[@lynnturman8157]

I wonder if Beyonce is jealous of Taylor Swift

[@Zannathin]

Is Jim Downey ok? He’s unrecognizable.

[@haze1123]

Conan is a much better podcaster than he was a late night host. He is relaxed here. On TV, he was always too jumpy and nervous.

[@felipeluna9341]

Quit interrupting him.

[@Aaliyahchannel2024]

Typical Conan... He does it all the time.

[@user-yn7yo1co3k]

💯❗️

[@Icelandlover]

I like Conan, but he's no Craig Ferguson.

[@jeffreyimagine7962]

God I hate letterman

[@cactaceous]

Sucks for you. Everything Conan did was a sophomoric ripped off version of things Letterman had done a decade prior. Without a doubt Letterman is the by far most groundbreaking and original late night show host of them all. Go to the nearest ATM, withdraw some cash and go buy yourself a sense of humor.

[@user-mm8vw1ow1x]

Conan! Support free speech; move off youtube!

[@user-yn7yo1co3k]

Whut?

[@cumincalamity9867]

move to where?

[@user-mm8vw1ow1x]

@@cumincalamity9867 Rumble is an option. They could use some sanity over there

[@cumincalamity9867]

@@user-mm8vw1ow1x No offense but that place has a very bad reputation due to the fact that everyone on that platform was formerly on KZbin but kicked off because they said something against the TOS. That definitely does not make Rumble an attractive platform for any "sane" content creator, especially if they're perfectly capable of not violating TOS.

[@user-mm8vw1ow1x]

@@cumincalamity9867 KZbin is still so much worse. Silencing people is gulag business