BOB Tischler, known for helping to revive Saturday Night Live, has died at the age of 78.
The television writer died on July 13 at his Bodega Bay, California home.
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His son, Zeke, confirmed his death was caused by pancreatic cancer.
Bob was part of the writing and production team that helped revive Saturday Night Live after its 1980-1981 season when the comedy sketch show was in decline.
The long-running show originally began airing on NBC in October 1975.
After five seasons under producer Lorne Michaels, the show went downhill under his successor, Jean Doumanian, in the early 80s.
According to a 1981 New York Times article, reporter Tony Schwartz said the show’s “flinty irreverence gave way a year ago to cheap shocks and worn-out formulas.”
As SNL saw its worst season to date, Dick Ebersol took creative control in 1981 and hired Bob as a supervisory producer.
SNL veteran writer Michael O’Donoghue, who was the head writer before Bob, was fired over an inappropriate skit.
Bob ultimately aided in SNL’s revision as he took over the role for the following four seasons.
Bob left the late-night television program in 1985.
BOB’S OTHER CREDITS
Over the next two years, Bob produced David Brenner’s late-night talk show Nightlife.
His production credits spanned into television series such as Empty Nest, Something So Right, The People Next Door, and Boy Meets World.
Bob was also recognized for his contributions to audio, including producing albums for the Blues Brothers and The National Lampoon Radio Hour.
In the 2002 book Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, Bob revealed he had a hard time considering himself a writer.
“I produced a lot of comedy and I did writing, but I wasn’t a member of the union or anything,” he told Tom Shales and James Andrew.
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UPCOMING FOR SNL
The sketch show has been on the air for nearly 50 years and has featured a rotating ensemble of comedians.
The show is set to premiere its landmark 50th season on September 28 with a star-studded cast.
There are currently 15 cast members in the lineup, including 11 repertory players and four featured players.
Saturday Night Live airs weekly on Saturday nights at 11:30 pm ET on NBC.
Each season typically runs from late September to mid-May, with a month-long hiatus in December.
Lorne has received 98 Emmy Award nominations for SNL and has personally won 21 Emmys as a television producer and writer.
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