Literally! With Rob Lowe James Austin Johnson: Scooby Dooby Doo
Feb 26, 2026
James Austin Johnson, comedian and SNL cast member known for razor-sharp celebrity impressions (notably Donald Trump). He explains how he drills impressions using listening, repeat clips and YouTube, reduces icons to comedic hooks, crafts modular bits inside characters, and dreams of a one-man impressions show. Short, funny tales about SNL life, table reads, and viral sketch origins pop up throughout.
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Hearing An Impression Teaches Your Ear The Hook
- Insight: Learning impressions often starts by hearing another impressionist's version which reveals the 'hook' in a voice.
- Johnson says hearing someone else's adaptation teaches your ear how to latch onto the natural tone and quirks that make a character memorable.
Use Focused Repetition To Find The Hook
- Do use tape and repetition to build an impression by listening to the same clip repeatedly.
- James Austin Johnson credits YouTube (and YouTube Premium for locked replay) as the tool he uses to obsess over short phrases and contour voices while walking.
Refine Overdone Impressions For Maximum Impact
- Do take extra time to refine impressions that already have easy, hacky versions because precision makes them stand out.
- Johnson chooses to invest more time in voices where a clumsy starter impersonation already exists.