Park Bench with Steve Buscemi

Last updated
Park Bench with Steve Buscemi
GenreTalk show
Comedy
Directed by Steve Buscemi
StarringSteve Buscemi
Gino Orlando
Michael Buscemi
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes25
Production
Executive producersSteve Buscemi
Stanley Tucci
Wren Arthur
Justin Wilkes
Joe Killian
Jon Doran
Running time10 minutes
Production companiesOlive Productions
Radical Media
Original release
Network AOL
ReleaseMay 15, 2014 (2014-05-15) 
September 3, 2015 (2015-09-03)

Park Bench with Steve Buscemi was an American web series talk show created, directed and hosted by actor Steve Buscemi, distributed by digital network AOL. The series premiered on May 15, 2014. In each episode, Buscemi interviews a famous friend, former co-worker or everyday person in New York City.

Contents

Production

The show was conceived when Buscemi met Gino Orlando, his sidekick on the series, while directing promotional shorts for Vampire Weekend. "When we saw the footage," Buscemi said, "Geo was so natural and just a great sidekick, if you will, that I said to my producing partner and our producing team, 'I think I can build a whole show out of Geo and I on park benches.'" His brother Michael Buscemi appears as a rival talk show host. [1]

Each season was shot digitally in five days, in interior and exterior locations. The titular bench is a prop brought to each filming location, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Julian Schnabel's home and various bars and restaurants in the New York area. [1]

Awards

In September 2016, the series won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Variety Series. The win was Buscemi's first out of eight Emmy nominations. The series had been nominated for Outstanding Short-Format Nonfiction Program in 2014. [2]

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1 13May 15, 2014 (2014-05-15)July 10, 2014 (2014-07-10)
2 12June 18, 2015 (2015-06-18)September 3, 2015 (2015-09-03)

Season 1 (2014)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleGuestsRelease date
11"Bench Rivalry" Anthony Laciura, Chris Rock, Janeane Garofalo May 15, 2014 (2014-05-15)
Steve Buscemi has a new show idea but Chris Rock has his doubts. Actor Anthony Laciura sits down to help, but Steve's brother Michael has his own ideas.
22"Hair Apparent" Rosie Perez May 15, 2014 (2014-05-15)
Rosie Perez takes a seat on the bench to talk about where she comes from, Geo leaves for important business, and Michael helps Rosie to her next appointment.
33"Close But No Cigar" Billy Connolly, Colin Quinn May 15, 2014 (2014-05-15)
Steve sits and smokes e-cigars with Billy Connolly. Later, Steve works connections with his brother Michael to get Colin Quinn as a possible guest.
44"Benchmark" Rosanne Cash, Michael Shannon, Joel Grey May 15, 2014 (2014-05-15)
Steve hosts his biggest show yet. With a live audience, Steve talks with Rosanne Cash about her southern roots, while Michael Shannon needs new shoelaces.
55"Parklandia" Fred Armisen June 9, 2014 (2014-06-09)
Fred Armisen is running late for an appearance on another talking show, but takes a moment to reminisce with Steve about a play they did together.
66"No Try, Just Do"Tim McHenry, Ani Trime LhamoJune 9, 2014 (2014-06-09)
After a tour of Himalayan art with Rubin Museum Program Director Tim McHenry, Steve and Buddhist nun Ani Trime Lhamo sit down, be quiet, and see what happens.
77"It's a Girl's World" GZA June 9, 2014 (2014-06-09)
Steve talks to GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan about his lyrical influences before heading to the Lower Eastside Girls Club to meet some higher dimensional beings.
88"Bill of Approval" Bill de Blasio June 9, 2014 (2014-06-09)
Steve surveys the public and shares their concerns with NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio. At last, Geo may have found someone to trust.
99"Fun with Dick and Debbie" Dick Cavett, Debbie Harry June 9, 2014 (2014-06-09)
Dick Cavett hosts an unexpected guest while Steve, Geo, and Michael observe the rules of conversation.
1010"Cobbler, Butcher, Biker" Tom McCarthy, Bobby Cannavale July 10, 2014 (2014-07-10)
Steve talks to Tom McCarthy about his upcoming film The Cobbler and Bobby Cannavale cuts in to debate the carnivorous origins of Italian-American names.
1111"A Carrot Is a Diamond for a Rabbit" Julian Schnabel July 10, 2014 (2014-07-10)
Steve and Julian Schnabel drink tequila while discussing natural light, biblical film scenes, signal flags and immortality.
1212"Bench Rap" Method Man, Ad-Rock, Mike D July 10, 2014 (2014-07-10)
Method Man and Geo share their emotions and Steve plays ball with Beastie Boys Ad-Rock and Mike D.
1313"One Fine Finale, Life Accordion to Steve" Michael Kenneth Williams, Jake La Botz, Jessica Williams July 10, 2014 (2014-07-10)
Steve and Geo mix it up with Michael Kenneth Williams, musician Jake La Botz and The Daily Show's Jessica Williams before warming the bench with brother Michael.

Season 2 (2015)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleGuestsRelease date
141"Every Dog Has Its Day" Triumph the Insult Comic Dog June 18, 2015 (2015-06-18)
Steve Buscemi sits down for a second season of Park Bench with brother Michael, co-host Geo, and bandleader Anthony Laciura. Triumph the Insult Comic Dog teaches Steve some new tricks.
152"Sidekicker" Debi Mazar, Kenan Thompson June 25, 2015 (2015-06-25)
Steve and Geo discuss their future, Debi Mazar talks about an elevator ride with Madonna, while Kenan Thompson takes off on a new career.
163"No Fools, No Fun" Mark Boone Junior, Puss n Boots July 2, 2015 (2015-07-02)
Geo takes a meeting with Michael, while Steve and potential co-host Mark Boone Junior unwittingly audition the band Puss n Boots (Norah Jones, Catherine Popper and Sasha Dobson).
174"Back in the Day" Jim Jarmusch July 9, 2015 (2015-07-09)
Jim Jarmusch talks to Steve, Geo and Michael about music, movies, and the virtues of being an amateur.
185"La Neighbor Delight" Siri Hustvedt, Paul Auster July 16, 2015 (2015-07-16)
Geo nixes the guest list, while Steve runs into neighbor John Turturro and Michael shows up to wrestle. Later at La Bagel Delight, the folly of a quote is revealed by writers Siri Hustvedt and Paul Auster.
196"I.O.U." John Oliver July 23, 2015 (2015-07-23)
John Oliver pays a debt, Geo recommends a do over and Steve gets a second chance with the Last Week Tonight host.
207"Orange Is the New Steve" Piper Kerman, Glenn E. Martin, Jackie Cruz, Annie Golden, Michelle Hurst July 30, 2015 (2015-07-30)
Steve sits with Piper Kerman. Glenn E. Martin joins to discuss Just Leadership USA, while Geo and Michael Bench Talk with Orange Is the New Black cast members Michelle Hurst, Annie Golden, and Jackie Cruz.
218"Sound Salvation" Elvis Costello August 6, 2015 (2015-08-06)
Steve meets up with Elvis Costello in Geo's old neighborhood to discuss sweets, dance bands, Springsteen and growing up in a musical family. Michael joins to hear Elvis perform "Radio Soul."
229"Park Mensch" Gilbert Gottfried August 13, 2015 (2015-08-13)
Steve talks to Gilbert Gottfried about being a stand up guy. Travis and Geo try to pull a fast one, and Michael sees an opportunity.
2310"Truth Be Told" Justin Vivian Bond, Zosia Mamet August 20, 2015 (2015-08-20)
Geo and Steve take a coffee break with performer Justin Vivian Bond, musicians Thomas Bartlett, NathAnn Carrera, and Claudia Chopek. Girls actor Zosia Mamet fast talks Steve, Travis asks for a favor and Michael saves the day.
2411"Leading Lady" Letitia James August 27, 2015 (2015-08-27)
Steve and Geo search high and low for New Yorkers to share their concerns with Public Advocate Letitia James.
2512"All In" Kathy Najimy, Amber Tamblyn, Bridget Everett, David Blaine September 3, 2015 (2015-09-03)
Steve plays poker with actors Kathy Najimy, Amber Tamblyn and Bridget Everett. David Blaine raises the stakes. Then Geo, Michael, Steve and Anthony join Miwa Gemini and the Main Squeeze Orchestra for a grand finale.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Martin</span> American comedian, actor, musician and writer (born 1945)

Stephen Glenn Martin is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician. He has won five Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and was awarded an Honorary Academy Award in 2013. Additionally, he was nominated for two Tony Awards for his musical Bright Star in 2016. Among many honors, he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2005, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2007, and an AFI Life Achievement Award in 2015. In 2004, Comedy Central ranked Martin at sixth place in a list of the 100 greatest stand-up comics. The Guardian named him one of the best actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination.

<i>The Larry Sanders Show</i> American television sitcom (1992–1998)

The Larry Sanders Show is an American television sitcom set in the office and studio of a fictional late-night talk show. The series was created by Garry Shandling and Dennis Klein and aired from August 15, 1992, to May 31, 1998, on the HBO cable television network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Buscemi</span> American actor (born 1957)

Steven Vincent Buscemi is an American actor. Buscemi is known for his work as an acclaimed character actor. His early credits consist of major roles in independent film productions such as the AIDS drama Parting Glances (1986), Mystery Train (1989), In the Soup (1992), and his breakout role as Mr. Pink in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs (1992).

Colin Edward “Quinny” Quinn is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. Quinn first gained widespread attention for his work as a cast member and writer for the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2000, and he became known for anchoring Weekend Update, the show's news parody segment. Prior to and after his work on SNL, he also worked on MTV's 1980s game show Remote Control, where he served as the announcer/sidekick; and as host of Comedy Central's late-night panel show Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn. Notable film work includes his role as Dooey in A Night at the Roxbury, Dickey Bailey in the Grown Ups films, and playing Amy Schumer's father in the film Trainwreck. Comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld, Tina Fey, Chris Rock, and Dave Attell have cited Quinn as the quintessential "comic's comic" and New York comedian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Harvey</span> American television presenter, actor and comedian (born 1957)

Broderick Stephen Harvey Sr. is an American television host, producer, actor, and comedian. He hosts The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Family Feud, Celebrity Family Feud,Family Feud Africa, the arbitration-based court comedy Judge Steve Harvey, and he formerly hosted the Miss Universe competition. His accomplishments include seven Daytime Emmy Awards, two Marconi Awards, and fourteen NAACP Image Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daytime Emmy Awards</span> American TV award

The Daytime Emmy Awards, or Daytime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), the Daytime Emmys are presented in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming. The first ceremony was held in 1974, expanding what was originally a prime time-themed Emmy Award. Ceremonies generally are held in May or June.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samantha Brown</span> American television presenter

Samantha Elizabeth Brown is an American television host, notable for her work as the host of several Travel Channel shows including Girl Meets Hawaii, Great Vacation Homes, Great Hotels, Passport to Europe, Passport to Latin America, Great Weekends, Green Getaways, Passport to China, and Samantha Brown's Asia. As of 2012 Samantha Brown has made her own travel luggage called Samantha Brown: Travel America. She has visited 62 countries. In January 2018, she began hosting Samantha Brown's Places to Love on PBS. It is shown on PBS stations nationwide and is on the PBS website and app.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis C.K.</span> American comedian, actor, writer and filmmaker (born 1967)

Louis Alfred Székely, known professionally as Louis C.K., is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and filmmaker. C.K. won three Peabody Awards, three Grammy Awards, six Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award as well as numerous awards for The Chris Rock Show, Louie, and his stand-up specials Live at the Beacon Theater (2011) and Oh My God (2013). In 2015, Rolling Stone ranked C.K.'s stand-up special Shameless number three on their "Divine Comedy: 25 Best Stand-Up Specials and Movies of All Time" list and ranked him fourth on its 2017 list of the 50 best stand-up comics of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lonely Island</span> American comedy troupe

The Lonely Island is an American comedy trio, formed by Akiva Schaffer, Andy Samberg, and Jorma Taccone in Berkeley, California, in 2001. They have written for and starred in the American TV program Saturday Night Live (SNL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terence Winter</span> American television and film writer

Terence Patrick Winter is an American writer and producer of television and film. He is the creator, writer, and executive producer of the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014). Before creating Boardwalk Empire, Winter was a writer and executive producer for the HBO television series The Sopranos, from the show's second to sixth and final season (2000–2007).

<i>WordGirl</i> Animated television series

WordGirl is an American children's Flash animated superhero television series produced by the Soup2Nuts animation unit of Scholastic Entertainment for PBS Kids. The series began as a series of shorts entitled The Amazing Colossal Adventures of WordGirl that premiered on PBS Kids Go! on November 10, 2006, usually shown at the end of Maya & Miguel; the segment was then spun off into a new thirty-minute episodic series that premiered on September 3, 2007 on most PBS member stations. The series of shorts consisted of thirty episodes, with 130 episodes in the full half-hour series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vuguru</span>

Vuguru is an American independent multi-platform studio founded by Michael Eisner's The Tornante Company in March 2006. The company has produced content including the web series Prom Queen, The Booth at the End, Little Women Big Cars, The All-for-Nots, and Back on Topps. The company has signed content deals with AOL, HDNet, Yahoo!, Hulu, YouTube, Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment, and FremantleMedia. Its shows are distributed in over forty countries, on the Internet, mobile phones, and linear television platforms.

<i>Boardwalk Empire</i> American period crime drama television series

Boardwalk Empire is an American period crime drama television series created by Terence Winter and broadcast on the premium cable channel HBO. The series is set chiefly in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era of the 1920s and stars Steve Buscemi as Nucky Thompson. Winter, a Primetime Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and producer, created the show, inspired by Nelson Johnson's 2002 non-fiction book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City, about the historical criminal kingpin Enoch L. Johnson.

"Mamma Mia" is the 21st episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 57th overall episode of the series. It was written by co-executive producer Ron Weiner and directed by series producer Don Scardino. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on May 7, 2009. Guest stars in this episode include Alan Alda, Steve Buscemi, Stuart Margolin, Keith Olbermann, Clayton Dean Smith, and Michael Benjamin Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">63rd Primetime Emmy Awards</span> 2011 American television programming awards

The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, honoring the best in prime time television programming from June 1, 2010 until May 31, 2011, were held on Sunday, September 18, 2011, at the Nokia Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles, California. Fox televised the ceremony within the United States. Jane Lynch hosted the Emmys for the first time. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony was held on September 10.

<i>Boardwalk Empire</i> (season 1) Season of television series

The first season of the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire premiered on September 19, 2010, and concluded on December 5, 2010, consisting of 12 episodes. The series was created by Terence Winter and based on the book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City by Nelson Johnson. Set in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era, the series stars Steve Buscemi as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a political figure who rose to prominence and controlled Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition period of the 1920s and 1930s. The first season takes place between January and November 1920, beginning with the start of national prohibition and ending with the 1920 presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Eichner</span> American actor and comedian

Billy Eichner is an American actor and comedian. He is the star, executive producer, and creator of Funny or Die's Billy on the Street, a comedy game show that aired on truTV. The show earned Eichner a nomination for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host in 2013. He is also known for playing Craig Middlebrooks on the sitcom Parks and Recreation, Mr. Ambrose the Librarian on the animated TV series Bob's Burgers, Timon in the 2019 remake of The Lion King, and Bobby in Bros.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicholas Britell</span> American film composer (born 1980)

Nicholas Britell is an American film and television composer. He has received numerous accolades including a Emmy Award as well as nominations for three Academy Awards and a Grammy Award. He has received Academy Award nominations for Best Original Score for Barry Jenkins' Moonlight (2016) and If Beale Street Could Talk (2018), and Adam McKay's Don't Look Up (2021). He also scored McKay's The Big Short (2015) and Vice (2018). He is also known for scoring Battle of the Sexes (2017), Cruella (2021), and She Said (2022).

Xploration Station is an American syndicated programming block that is programmed by Steve Rotfeld Productions, distributed by Fox, and debuted on September 13, 2014. It airs weekends, primarily on Fox-affiliated stations. Aimed towards teenagers, the block consists of six half-hour shows focusing on the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. All of the programs in the three-hour block are produced to meet federally mandated educational programming guidelines. Boat Rocker Rights owns the shows' international rights.

References

  1. 1 2 Melissa Locker (May 28, 2015). "How Steve Buscemi Created a Hit Talk Show on a Park Bench". Time . Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  2. Saba Hamedy (September 11, 2016). "AOL's 'Park Bench With Steve Buscemi' picks up Emmy". Mashable . Retrieved May 16, 2017.