Bob Kushell on The Simpsons, Stand Up, and Starting Over in Hollywood

Bob Kushell on The Simpsons, Stand Up, and Starting Over in Hollywood

What happens when a veteran TV comedy writer steps away from the writers’ room and starts over in stand-up?

In this episode of Drinking During Business Hours, hosts Sarah Halstead and Rich Chasler sit down with legendary television writer, producer, showrunner, and comedian Bob Kushell for a funny, candid, and deeply personal conversation about comedy, Hollywood, reinvention, and finding your voice again.

Bob Kushell shares stories from his incredible career writing and producing some of television’s most iconic shows, including The Simpsons, Dream On, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Grounded for Life, Anger Management, The Muppets, and more. He opens up about the realities of TV writers’ rooms, the pressure of writing comedy at the highest level, and why stand-up comedy has become the most authentic creative work of his life.

Over a bottle of 2020 Cab Franc from Absolution Cellars, the conversation explores the changing culture of Hollywood, public setbacks, personal growth, healing through comedy, and the courage it takes to begin again.

If you love comedy podcasts, stand-up comedy, TV writing, Hollywood stories, creative reinvention, and behind-the-scenes entertainment industry conversations, this episode is for you.

Guest Info

Bob Kushell is a veteran television writer, producer, and showrunner whose credits include Dream On, The Simpsons, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Grounded for Life, Anger Management, The Muppets, and the British comedy Way to Go.

In this episode, Bob shares stories from his decades in television, talks about the changing culture of Hollywood, and explains why performing stand-up comedy full-time now feels like the most authentic work of his career.

Guest Social Links

Bob Kushell
Instagram: @bob.kushell

Drink of the Podcast

2020 Cab Franc, Absolution Cellars
A Central Coast California Cab Franc with a story behind it, discovered by Sarah and Rich during a trip to Morro Bay. The hosts also shout out the winery’s distinctive hand-painted labels and family-run feel.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and wine intro: Absolution Cellars Cab Franc

04:40 Introducing Bob Kushell

07:10 Why stand-up now feels like home

15:45 Bob’s early writing life and first TV jobs

21:30 Dream On, The Simpsons, and 3rd Rock from the Sun

34:50 The joy of making his own work

38:15 Career fallout, writers’ rooms, and changing Hollywood

59:20 Returning to stand-up after years away

1:01:45 Socials, upcoming shows, and wrap-up

Host Links

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Sarah

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Website   @SarahHalstead | sarahjhalstead.com

Rich

IG @richchassler https://www.instagram.com/richchassler/

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Website  richardchassler.com

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Tell us in the comments: What was your favorite Bob Kushell moment from this episode?

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