May 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.
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]
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.
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.
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.
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.
6
6
"No Try, Just Do"
Tim McHenry, Ani Trime Lhamo
June 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.