By 1997, Ohlmeyer renewed his concentrate on limiting Michaels's independence, forcing the elimination of writer Jim Downey and cast member Norm Macdonald. Concerned the present would be canceled with no him, Michaels recommended writers Al Franken, Tom Davis, and Jim Downey as his replacements. At the recommendation of Paramount Pictures government Barry Diller, Schlosser and Ebersol then approached Lorne Michaels.