Jim Downey gets his due in Peacock’s new SNL documentary
Jim Downey gets his due in Peacock’s new SNL documentary
Comedy greats like Bill Murray, Conan O’Brien, and Tina Fey share stories about the man behind SNL’s best moments.
I love comedy. I write it, I study it, and I’ve spent a lot of time working on my own sketches. That’s why when I watch something like “Saturday Night Live” and they make it look so dang easy, you can’t help but tip your hat. So when I heard that Peacock was dropping a new documentary about legendary SNL writer Jim Downey, the guy behind some of the show’s funniest sketches, I was all in. “Downey Wrote That” premieres Friday, Oct. 17, and it’s packed with stories, behind-the-scenes memories, and interviews with some of the biggest names in comedy. You can watch with a subscription to Peacock.
How to watch ‘Downey Wrote That’
- When: Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. ET
- TV: Peacock
- Stream: Watch with a subscription to Peacock.
- From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.
Everything you need to know about ‘Downey Wrote That’
What time will ‘Downey Wrote That’ become available?
“Downey Wrote That” premieres Friday, Oct. 17 on Peacock. Generally, you’ll be able to stream it starting at 12:01 a.m. ET. It’s an hour long, so it’s perfect for a late-night watch if you’re the type who still quotes classic sketches word for word.
Can you watch ‘Downey Wrote That’ for free?
Unfortunately, you can’t. Peacock doesn’t have a traditional free trial anymore, so to stream “Downey Wrote That,” you’ll need one of the paid plans. The Peacock Select plan costs $8 per month, and Peacock Premium (which is ad-free) costs $11 per month. Both give you full access to the entire SNL library, along with tons of original series and movies.
Why do we recommend Peacock for watching ‘Downey Wrote That’?
Because Peacock is the only place you can watch it. Plus, Peacock is the home of “Saturday Night Live,” plain and simple. So after you watch “Downey Wrote That,” you can jump straight into the sketches he helped create like “Chippendales Audition” or any of his “Weekend Update” bits. It’s all in one place, which makes it the obvious pick.
Peacock
Peacock is a subscription video streaming service from NBCUniversal that includes original shows, blockbuster movies, and classic television series. Peacock is home to “Yellowstone,” “The Office,” and original hits like “Poker Face” and “Bel-Air.” You can also watch live sports and NBC programming, including the NFL, MLB, WWE, the Olympics, the Premier League, NASCAR, the French Open, college football and basketball, and the PGA Tour. Premium Plus subscribers can stream their local NBC feed in all 210 markets.
What is ‘Downey Wrote That’ about?
“Downey Wrote That” shines a light on Jim Downey, one of the most influential comedy writers to ever work in TV. He joined “Saturday Night Live” in 1976, the same week Bill Murray started, and went on to become the longest-running writer in the show’s history. Over the next three decades, he wrote and shaped some of the smartest, sharpest sketches ever to hit late-night TV.
The doc features interviews with a crazy lineup of comedy legends, including Bill Hader, Conan O’Brien, Dana Carvey, John Mulaney, Maya Rudolph, and Lorne Michaels. You also get rare clips, old rehearsal footage, and stories that show how Downey helped define SNL’s voice for generations. It’s part love letter, part masterclass in how the best comedy gets written.
Watch the trailer for ‘Downey Wrote That’
What other comedy documentaries can you watch on Peacock?
If you’re into “Downey Wrote That” and want to stay in the SNL world, check out “SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night.” It’s another Peacock original that celebrates five decades of sketches, cast shake-ups, and behind-the-scenes stories that shaped the show we all know.
You should also stream “Good One: A Show About Jokes,” a 2024 docu-special on Peacock that follows comedian Mike Birbiglia as he develops new material. You’ll see him test out bits, journal ideas, bring in perspectives from folks like Hasan Minhaj and Seth Meyers, and reflect on how his upbringing and family have shaped his comedy. It’s a really compelling peek into how a stand-up gets from blank page to stage.
Downey Wrote That
Exploring the sketches, contributions and influence of Jim Downey, one of the most impactful comedy writers in the history of “Saturday Night Live.”