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Steve Buscemi's Park Bench Show: A Hugely Unexpected Hit
31 May
Summary
- Steve Buscemi created an Emmy-winning talk show from casual park bench chats.
- The web series featured both famous and everyday New Yorkers as guests.
- The show received an Emmy nomination and later won for its format.
Steve Buscemi developed an Emmy-winning talk show format, "Park Bench With Steve Buscemi," by engaging in conversations on park benches. The initial idea stemmed from an impromptu scene with a carpenter named Geo Orlando.
Premiering as a web series in May 2014 via AOL Originals, the show saw Buscemi and Orlando transport a park bench throughout New York to interview notable figures like Chris Rock and Mayor Bill de Blasio, alongside non-famous individuals. Buscemi directed and hosted, filming 12 episodes over just five days.
The series garnered an Emmy nomination for short form nonfiction program in its debut year. Subsequent seasons included guests such as John Turturro and John Oliver, leading to "Park Bench" winning outstanding short form variety series in 2016. Buscemi expressed his enjoyment of talking with people, even if he didn't consider himself a great interviewer.
