Barry Blaustein

Barry Blaustein joined me to discuss watching political events of the early 1960's on a b/w TV; his comedy influences; going to school for broadcast journalism; "Broadcast News"; going to LA and getting jobs on specials; working on The Mike Douglas Show; submitting for SNL; Jean Doumanian asking him to write more, not doing it and getting hired anyway; the writing staff did not intimidate him; Elliot Gould and the Accordion Killer; Malcolm McDowell; Ellen Burstyn and Raheem Abdul Mohammad; his dad coming up with "Is that velvet" from "Coming to America"; writing "LFNY" for Eddie on the seventh show and having people upset; Tommy Torture and Ray Sharkey's erratic behavior; Karen Black episode; Charlene Tilton, Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood and Charles Rocket's f-bomb; writing a Nick the Lounge Singer with Bill Murray; the Writer's Strike; first show back with Little Richard Simmons, Prose and Cons, and Khaddafi Look; show two with Buckwheat; John Mulaney was born in 1982 when he was at SNL; Ted Cruz being a fan of his work; Velvet Jones; Donald Pleasance and Fear; "Hidden Photo"; Michael O'Donoghue; writing the Mick Jagger variety special for Tim Curry; "retiring" Velvet Jones and The Jersey Guy; Gumby; Larry the Lobster; appearing on camera; Ebony & Ivory; going out to L.A. to write for Chevy hosting via satellite; Drew Barrymore; Eddie hosts and Steve Martin makes a cameo; Lily Tomlin; working with Rick Moranis, Sid Caesar, Stevie Wonder and Ed Koch; leaving the show and not being allowed to tell Eddie; Pam Norris; "Coming to America"; being a Mets and Clippers fan; writing the "Police Academy" movies and their humungous success in Russia; What's Alan Watching?; going back with Eddie in 2019 to SNL;