Bob Tischler | |
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| Born | (1946-06-12)June 12, 1946 Englewood, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | July 13, 2024(2024-07-13) (aged 78) Bodega Bay, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Writer, television producer |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 1 |
Robert Tischler (June 12, 1946 – July 13, 2024) was an American television writer,audio engineer and television producer. Tischler engineered theNational Lampoon's first comedy album[1] and withMichael O'Donoghue co-created and produced theNational Lampoon Radio Hour. A friend ofJohn Belushi's since the Radio Hour days, Tischler produced fourBlues Brothers albums, the first of which,Briefcase Full of Blues, reached No. 1 on theBillboard 200 and wentdouble platinum. He later worked onSaturday Night Live as head writer from 1981 to 1985.[2]
Robert Tischler was born inEnglewood, New Jersey, in 1946.[3] He was educated atIthaca College andFranconia College but never obtained a degree.[3]
Tischler was married to and divorced from Belinda Horowitz; he later married Judith English. He had a son.[3]
Tischler died from pancreatic cancer at his home inBodega Bay, California, on July 13, 2024, at the age of 78.[3]
Tischler was making radio spots for movie studios when, after hiring improvisational actorChristopher Guest as voice talent, Guest and Tischler became friends.[3] "Chris got me into show business," Tischler later recalled.[4] When Guest became involved with National Lampoon's 1972Radio Dinner album, he called on Tischler to help.[4] Tischler co-produced the record with Lampoon magazine writersTony Hendra andMichael O'Donoghue.[3]
In 1981, Tischler joinedSaturday Night Live whenDick Ebersol took creative control; Tischler served as head writer for four seasons, leaving the show in 1985. During his tenure, he helped reverse the show's declining fortunes after itsrocky sixth season.[3] He championedEddie Murphy as a cast member, whose emergence as a star was credited as a major factor for the show's newfound successes.[3] Guest,Billy Crystal, andMartin Short also joined the show during this time.[3]
Tischler producedDavid Brenner's late-night talk showNightlife during the 1986-'87 season and had since written for and produced a number of television series, includingWhat's Alan Watching?,[5]Empty Nest,Something So Right andBoy Meets World.[3]
