Long before he was running network sketch shows, Dick Blasucci was coming up through Chicago’s The Second City alongside future stars like John Belushi and Bill Murray—the start of a career that would span some of the most influential comedy series of the last four decades.
The Emmy-winning writer-producer joins Mark Malkoff on this week’s episode of Inside Late Night, where he reflects on a résumé that includes SCTV, The Tracey Ullman Show, The Larry Sanders Show, Mad TV, and the Emmy-winning Muppets Tonight.
Along the way, Blasucci shares stories about landing a one-line role on a 1978 episode of Saturday Night Live, his early friendship with Belushi, and how that Chicago scene helped shape his comedy instincts. He also recalls co-creating Jackie Rogers Jr. with Martin Short, doing punch-ups with Mel Brooks on Spaceballs, and navigating the exacting writers’ room of The Larry Sanders Show.
Elsewhere, he discusses taking over Mad TV and transforming it into a more collaborative, performer-driven show—one that helped launch talents like Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key—and why he pushed for a more authentic, live-audience feel in the show’s production.
Click the embed above to listen to Dick Blasucci’s full conversation with Mark Malkoff now, or find Inside Late Night on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
