Vanessa Ramos on Netflix’s ‘Blockbuster’

29th November 2022

Vanessa Ramos is a television writer. She’s written for shows like Superstore, Bordertown, Crashing and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Her latest show is called Blockbuster on Netflix. It’s a sitcom set at the very last franchise location of Blockbuster, and the employees who try to keep the store alive. We talk with Vanessa about creating the new sitcom, and her own memories of Blockbuster, and what VHS tapes were most important to her. Plus, how she got her start in comedy and what it was like to be in the writers room for Comedy Central Roasts.

Episode notes

(Photo: Ricardo Hubbs / Netflix)

Vanessa Ramos is a television writer. She’s written for shows like Superstore, Bordertown, Crashing and Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Her latest show is called Blockbuster on Netflix. She’s the creator and showrunner of the show. It’s a sitcom set at the very last franchise location of Blockbuster, the once great video rental chain.

It stars Randall Park and Melissa Fumero in the leads, with a great supporting turn from JB Smoove.Park and Fumero play Timmy and Eliza, respectively.

Timmy has worked at Blockbuster since he was a teen.  These days he’s the manager, and he seems happy enough. He loves his job, but he’s kind of stuck there. 

Eliza worked with Timmy back in the day, went to college, and had a kid. But after falling on hard times, she’s back at the Blockbuster. Timmy’s thrilled to have her there, since he’s always had a crush on her.

Together along with the other employees they try to keep the store afloat.  

On the latest episode,  we talk with Vanessa about creating the new sitcom, and her own memories of Blockbuster, and what VHS tapes were most important to her. Vanessa also reflects on her childhood in San Antonio, Texas and line dancing in physical education. Plus, how she got her start in comedy and what it was like to be in the writers room for Comedy Central Roasts.

In this episode...

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  • Vanessa Ramos

About the show

Bullseye is a celebration of the best of arts and culture in public radio form. Host Jesse Thorn sifts the wheat from the chaff to bring you in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary minds in our culture.

Bullseye has been featured in Time, The New York Times, GQ and McSweeney’s, which called it “the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world.” Since April 2013, the show has been distributed by NPR.

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Senior Producer

Producer

Maximum Fun Producer

Maximum Fun Production Fellow

Video Editor

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