Podcast appearances and mentions of Bruce Vilanch

Bruce Vilanch is Hollywood's go-to comedy writer for award shows, sitcoms, and variety specials. His new book is It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time: The Worst TV Shows in History and Other Things I Wrote. Co-hosts: Jonathan Friedmann & Joey Angel-Field Producer-engineer: Mike Tomren It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Timehttps://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/it-seemed-like-a-bad-idea-at-the-time-products-9780914091929.php?page_id=21 Bruce's IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0897358/ Star Wars Holiday Specialhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxtSX1lg8rE Paul Lynde Halloween Specialhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCJ0D4pI0tI&t=1412s The Ice Pirates – trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5gHZWxxVhk Amusing Jews Merch Storehttps://www.amusingjews.com/merch#!/ Subscribe to the Amusing Jews podcasthttps://www.spreaker.com/show/amusing-jews Adat Chaverim – Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, Los Angeleshttps://www.humanisticjudaismla.org/ Jewish Museum of the American Westhttps://www.jmaw.org/ Atheists United Studioshttps://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

For the second episode of Hollywood Stories' sophomore season, Richard Rushfield talks to the brilliant and bawdy Bruce Vilanch, known as the longtime joke purveyor extraordinaire for the Oscars (plus the Emmys, Tonys and more). But before he became the go-to for Hollywood galas, Vilanch got his start in writing for the big variety shows and specials that peppered the network schedules of the 1960s and '70s and represent the height of television's most flamboyant and unhinged period. Expanding on some of the wildest misadventures chronicled in  his new book, “It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time,” Vilanch takes Richard through three of those song-and-dance spectaculars — the “Star Wars Holiday Special” that George Lucas famously disowned, the “Paul Lynde Halloween Special” and the short-lived series “The Brady Bunch Hour.” From writing material for graceless Wookiees to putting Robert Reed's Mike Brady in Carmen Miranda drag, Vilanch revels in how right it felt when everything went fantastically wrong. “It was ridiculous, but I had fun,” he recalls. “A lot of these things were conceived in clouds of smoke.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bruce talks about stumbling into writing and finding a home. His feud with Barbra Streisand, writing for Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Lily Tomlin. He talks about how being your own weird self is the best marketing and he discusses his new book “It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time: The Worst TV Shows in History and Other Things I Wrote”  He talks about t-shirts, Elmo, Hollywood Squares, The Star Wars Holiday Special and surviving as a writer forever no matter what he's asked to write.Bio: Bruce Vilanch is an American comedy writer, songwriter and actor who has won two Emmy Awards for his work on the Annual Academy Awards. He is also known for his appearance as a celebrity participant and head writer on Hollywood Squares for four years. Here are some facts about his life and career: He was born on November 23, 1948, in New York City and was adopted by Jonas and Henne Vilanch, an optometrist and a housewife. He started his career as an entertainment writer for the Chicago Tribune, where he interviewed celebrities and wrote about the industry culture. He moved to Los Angeles and wrote for various shows and artists, such as The Donny & Marie Show, The Star Wars Holiday Special, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, Bette Midler, Robin Williams, Lily Tomlin, Billy Crystal, Roseanne Barr, Rosie O'Donnell, Paul Reiser, Elizabeth Taylor, Steven Tyler and Aerosmith. He wrote the lyrics for the farewell song that Bette Midler sang to Johnny Carson on his final broadcast of The Tonight Show, which won him an Emmy Award. He was a panelist and the head writer for Hollywood Squares from 1998 to 2002, where he sat next to his friend and client Whoopi Goldberg. He was the head writer for the Oscars from 2000 to 2014, after being a co-writer for the previous ten years. He collaborated with hosts such as Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, and Billy Crystal. He also acted in several movies and TV shows, such as The Ice Pirates, Law & Order, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, and Celebrity Fit Club. He performed off-Broadway in his self-penned one-man show Bruce Vilanch: Almost Famous in 2000. He played the role of Edna Turnblad in the Broadway musical Hairspray in 2005. Within the last several years, he has written the book for 2 jukebox musicals. He is openly gay and has been involved in various philanthropic causes, such as AIDS awareness, gay rights, and animal welfare

Bruce Vilanch wrote for countless TV variety shows dating back over 50 years. Sometimes, those shows turn out great! Think of Billy Crystal at the Oscars! The stuff that's not so great, you can read about in his new book: It Seemed Like A Bad Idea At The Time: The Worst TV Shows in History and Other Things I Wrote. Vilanch tells Bullseye stories from behind the scenes of the Oscars, The Brady Bunch, and the Star Wars Holiday Special.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In our first of many spcial Featuring Famous People episodes, Dominick and Chris talk with LIVING LEGEND Bruce Vilanch about The Star Wars Holiday Special, writing for The Oscars, what producing TV was like back in the day, and how Dominick and Chris were probably both turned gay by different versions of Hollywood Squares.You can find Bruce's podcast here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andrew Z and Demetrius BONUS: Andrew Z one on one Interview with Hollywood Legend Bruce Vilanch

This show is supported by our beloved MaxFun Members! To become one yourself as part of the #MaxFunDrive, go to maximumfun.org/join and set up a recurring monthly contribution (or an annual prepay) for as little as $5 a month. Help us make our goal to unlock even more gifts … for YOU!It's only $1/month to BOOST your membership too – every little bit helps!Bruce Villanch was a guest on episode 124. Some guests struggle to give us three topics they love that they're willing to be quizzed on. And then there's Bruce. In this fun and wide-ranging conversation, Bruce tells us about the many other topics that we didn't cover when he was a guest  – including the Titanic, commercial passenger planes, and the divine Bette Midler.Hosts: J. Keith van StraatenHelen HongJim NewmanCredits:Theme Song by Jonathan Green.Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!And of course… maximumfun.org/join!! MaxFunDrive ends on March 28, 2025! Support our show now and get access to bonus content by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join.

Jess is joined by beloved go-to comedy writer BRUCE VILANCH! Topics: Bette Midler at the Continental Baths, Barbra Streisand being too cheap to pay him, writing punch-ups for Cher in "Burlesque," writing The Oscars (Ellen difficulty, Anne Hathaway & James Franco hosting, Billy Crystal's opening medleys), starring in "Hairspray" on Broadway & more!  IG: @jessxnyc  Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island

In this episode of Looking at Lucasfilm, Jim Hill and Brian Gaughan explore the wild intersections of Star Wars history, theme park updates, and forgotten Lucasfilm curiosities: A closer look at Disney's abandoned 1979 sci-fi project “Snow Star,” a reimagined Snow White set in space. New budget details and storytelling ambitions behind The Mandalorian & Grogu film, debuting May 22, 2026—alongside a new Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride film featuring Mando and Grogu. WonderCon 2025 preview: Panels every Star Wars fan should catch, from trivia parties to cosplay and behind-the-scenes insights on Skeleton Crew and Kenobi. A deep dive into Bruce Vilanch's new memoir and how it unpacks the creation—and chaos—of the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. From scrapped film concepts to theme park expansions and the bizarre TV moments Lucasfilm would rather forget, this episode is packed with Star Wars storytelling both new and nostalgic. Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Book Now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Looking at Lucasfilm, Jim Hill and Brian Gaughan explore the wild intersections of Star Wars history, theme park updates, and forgotten Lucasfilm curiosities: A closer look at Disney's abandoned 1979 sci-fi project “Snow Star,” a reimagined Snow White set in space. New budget details and storytelling ambitions behind The Mandalorian & Grogu film, debuting May 22, 2026—alongside a new Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride film featuring Mando and Grogu. WonderCon 2025 preview: Panels every Star Wars fan should catch, from trivia parties to cosplay and behind-the-scenes insights on Skeleton Crew and Kenobi. A deep dive into Bruce Vilanch's new memoir and how it unpacks the creation—and chaos—of the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. From scrapped film concepts to theme park expansions and the bizarre TV moments Lucasfilm would rather forget, this episode is packed with Star Wars storytelling both new and nostalgic. Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Book Now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe visits a ranch, El Greg is mad that someone is mad, James makes a find and Scott is lost inside an inside joke.

#Wolfpack #4 Top 70 California Business Podcasts, #68 on the Top 100 Hollywood Podcastss List. Adam "Tex" Davis is a versatile screenwriter, producer, podcaster and Emmy-nominated creator best known for writing Just Friends (2005 - starring Ryan Reynolds & Anna Faris). He co-created and is head writer of WHO SMARTED?, a top kids' educational podcast, and created MYSTERIES ABOUT TRUE HISTORIES (M.A.T.H.). He also co-hosts SLAYCATION, a true crime show about vacation murders, and THE OSCARS: WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? with Bruce Vilanch. His past credits include BRAIN GAMES (Emmy-nominated) and BRAINCHILD (co-produced with Pharrell Williams). Currently, he's developing multiple feature scripts in comedy and horror while taking time to help mentor the next generation of creators and storytellers!  www.atomicentertainment.com Connect with your host Kaia all Alexander: https://entertainmentbusinessleague.com/ https://twitter.com/thisiskaia  Produced by Stuart W. Volkow P.G.A. Get career training and a free ebook “How to Pitch Anything in 1 Min.” at www.EntertainmentBusinessLeague.com Summary Adam shares his journey of writing "Just Friends," a film that blends humor and relatability, while recounting the arduous road to production, which began back in 1999 before its release in 2005. He vividly details the endless iterations of the script, the changing dynamics in Hollywood, and the serendipitous moments that brought the film to life. Central to our discussion is the relatability of its characters and comedic moments, which resonate with audiences even 20 years later, making it a perennial favorite, especially during the holiday season. We explore the themes of reinvention and adaptability within Adam's career, noting how he pivoted from screenwriting to producing engaging educational content. His exciting venture into the world of podcasts culminated in "Who Smarted," which captures the essence of making learning fun for kids. Adam emphasizes the importance of creativity in education, sharing how he approaches storytelling with scientific concepts to captivate young audiences. Our conversation also touches on his collaboration with Pharrell Williams on "Brainchild," an educational series that aimed to inspire curiosity in children through clever storytelling. Adam discusses the ups and downs of working within the streaming landscape, reflecting on the challenges of making meaningful content accessible in a commercialized media environment. He further articulates how successful projects often come back to the value of owning one's audience, a lesson he learned while cultivating a loyal listener base for "Who Smarted." Adam reveals insights about his latest screenplay "Midwolf Crisis," which humorously tackles midlife dilemmas through a supernatural lens. We also discuss his podcast "Oscars: What Were They Thinking?" where Adam pairs with Bruce Valanche to critique past award-winning films. Throughout our conversation, he expresses a deep-seated passion for storytelling and a steadfast belief in the importance of using creativity as a tool for connection and community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Oscars this weekend, we've reached the culmination of the year's awards season. And for this week's Sewers of Paris we're diving into the archives for a chat with an awards show legend: Bruce Vilanch, who's been slipping sly queer comedy into our entertainment since before some of us were even born. Starting out as a joke writer for great divas of the 1970s and then moving on to variety shows, the Academy Awards, and a notorious holiday special, Bruce provided a subtle queer infusion into American showbiz for decades. We'll have that conversation in a minute. First, if you're enjoying The Sewers of Paris, I hope you'll consider supporting the show on Patreon. And you may also enjoy my YouTube videos — I just released a new video about the movie Cruising, and how a Hollywood director accidentally wandered into an explosive fight between New York's gay leaders and the NYPD.Also check out my weekly livestreams on Twitch, my book Hi Honey, I'm Homo!, and my free email newsletter. There's links to all that in the episode shownotes, and at MattBaume.com.

Just the two of us, WATP's Karl joins to roast Monica Lewinsky's podcast, Casey Anthony is popping off, Luigi Mangione porno, a death triangle, an Oscars recap, and Family Feud surveys are the best surveys. Marc is out today. It's the skeleton crew today. Drew is having prescription problems again. Luigi Mangione porno is out there. Casey Anthony is making videos about being an advocate now. RIP Joey Molland of Badfinger. RIP Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean. RIP Kimberly Burch. Bruce Vilanch claims he's not Travis Kelce's mom. Family Feud surveys are the perfect representation of the populace. Jay-Z is suing again. Karl from WATP drops by to cover Monica Lewinsky's podcast, check in on Armie Hammer and listen to Stuttering John jokes. Oh, and Woke Dad pops up too. Christina Gennari vs the creepers. The Oscars happened. We try and highlight some notable parts. Valerie Bertinelli won't go away. Tariffs are going crazy lately. JPMorgan can be mean sometimes. Stephanie Mead is proud of her body. If you'd like to help support the show… consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (The Drew Lane Show, Marc Fellhauer, Trudi Daniels, Jim Bentley and BranDon).

Topics: Chris's 4am night, dating in NYC, Alix Earle stood up Bethenny Frankel, Bruce Vilanch confirms that he is not Donna Kelce, Dave Portnoy slid into Gabby Windey's DMs, WYWG: Love is Blind, The Traitors, RHOBHSponsors:Boll & Branch: Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollAndBranch.com with promo code TAYLOR.Quince: Go to Quince.com/taylor for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Acorns: Head to acorns.com/taylor or download the Acorns app to get startedArya: VISIT arya.fyi AND USE CODE TAYLOR for 15% off todaySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host Jason Blitman talks to Charlotte McConaghy (Wild Dark Shore) about Charlotte's journey from writing fantasy epics to exploring real-world themes, environmentalism and human connection in her recent works, and the challenges and joys of depicting complex, authentic characters. Jason is then joined by Guest Gay Reader Bruce Vilanch who shares amusing anecdotes from his vast career in entertainment, including his experiences with celebrities and the most memorable—and infamous—projects he's worked on. Charlotte McConaghy is the author of the international bestseller MIGRATIONS, a TIME Magazine Best Book of the Year and the Amazon Best Fiction Book of the Year for 2020, which is being translated into over twenty-five languages and adapted for film, as well as the New York Times Bestseller ONCE THERE WERE WOLVES. Her forthcoming novel WILD DARK SHORE will be released March 4, 2025. She lives in Sydney, Australia.Bruce Vilanch is an actor (occasionally an actress), writer (occasionally a rewriter), and comedian (occasionally for money, often for causes). He has coauthored 25 Academy Award spectacles, winning two writing Emmys in the process, and has been nominated for seven more. In addition to the Oscars, he has cowritten many Tonys, Emmys, Grammys, People's Choice, American Comedy Awards, TV Land Awards, SAG Awards, and a ton of other pageants, roasts, tributes, and various trumped-up reasons for people to strut a red carpet. He has coauthored dozens of variety television shows and actually put words in the mouth of Cher. He's also a lyricist, scoring gold and platinum records for disco songs he wrote for Eartha Kitt and the Village People. And musical theatre geeks will remember him as the coauthor of the Broadway misfire called Platinum, which was revived off-Broadway for reasons that continue to mystify Bruce.BOOK CLUB!Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply.http://aardvarkbookclub.comWATCH!https://youtube.com/@gaysreading FOLLOW!Instagram: @gaysreading | @jasonblitmanBluesky: @gaysreading | @jasonblitmanCONTACT!hello@gaysreading.com

From the scene-stealing red carpet looks to the speeches, the co-hosts share their favorite Oscar moments from Hollywood's biggest night – including Whoopi Goldberg's tribute to Quincy Jones. The co-hosts then react to the meeting between Pres. Trump and Ukraine Pres. Zelenskyy that exploded into a shouting match. Emmy-winning comedy writer Bruce Vilanch shares his takeaways from the 2025 Oscars, his favorite moments writing for awards show hosts and discusses his new book, "It Seemed Like A Bad Idea At The Time." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bruce Vilanch has worked on over 25 Academy Awards, winning two writing Emmys in the process, and has been nominated for seven more. He has co-written for the Tonys, Emmys, Grammys, People's Choice, American Comedy Awards, TV Land Awards, SAG Awards, and many more...His new book is entitled “IT SEEMED LIKE A BAD IDEA AT THE TIME: The Worst TV Shows in History and other Things I Wrote”Bruce talks:-Host Conan O'Brien's Oscar prep -How the evening wears on, the room fills up with losers-His FAVORITE host for the Academy Awards and why -They did 5 shows a day (2 after lunch) for Hollywood Squares and drank WINE before the last two shows -The WORST tv shows he's written (hello - Star Wars Holiday Special)  To subscribe to The Pete McMurray Show Podcast just click here

Child advocates in Connecticut say universal school meals are a top priority this year. Nurses at South Shore University Hospital vote to strike if contract negotiations stall out. Senator Blumenthal demands the Trump administration pause mass lay-offs. Plus, a conversation with Oscars legend Bruce Vilanch.

Jason was a loser at bingo last night, Tropicana and its orange juice is in trouble, famed comedy writer Bruce Vilanch dishes on Oscar hosts, and RIP Gene Hackman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jason was a loser at bingo last night, Tropicana and its orange juice is in trouble, famed comedy writer Bruce Vilanch dishes on Oscar hosts, and RIP Gene Hackman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL EPISODE. Please check out the full podcast episode on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture Two-time Emmy Award-winner, American comedy writer, songwriter, and actor Bruce Vilanch wrote for the Academy Awards from 1989 to 2014 and was the head writer for his final fifteen years. He was kind enough to come onto our show back in November and lend some insight into the process of writing for the show, his thoughts on the current state of the Oscars, which movies he would've chosen for Best Picture in the years he wrote for the show, and more. Please be sure to listen below and check out the 97th Academy Awards this Sunday on ABC. They will be simultaneously streaming on Hulu, and Conan O'Brien will be hosting. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bruce Vilanch has written monologues for Oscars hosts like Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, Ellen DeGeneres, David Letterman, and more. And in this episode, he not only shares some of his favorite jokes, but also reveals which of the many hosts he worked with over more than two decades gave him the most trouble. As the 97th annual Academy Awards approach this weekend, Vilanch walks through the highs and lows of his illustrious Oscars career, from nearly blowing it his first time out with the disastrous Rob Lowe and Snow White opening, through the game-changing Billy Crystal years, to the Anne Hathaway and James Franco-hosted year that marked the unfortunate end of his long run. Along the way, he also shares some shocking stories about Oscar presenters, including his jaw-dropping theory about the origins of that Richard Gere gerbil rumor—and reveals why he turned down the opportunity to write for the very first season of ‘Saturday Night Live.' And Vilanch, whose new book ‘It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time' chronicles his biggest failures as a writer, takes us inside the most infamous bomb of his career: ‘The Star Wars Holiday Special.' ‘It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time' on AmazonFollow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpod and Threads @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cinema Drive welcomes screenwriter/director/producer Adam "Tex" Davis to the show! Tex is the inspiration and screenwriter for the romcom Just Friends (2005), starring Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart, and Anna Faris, he's sold screenplays to the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way, and written, rewritten, or punched up over 25 feature film scripts for every major studio in Hollywood!Tex shares his behind-the-scenes stories and terrific insights into the ups and downs of screenwriting, and dives into the Coen brothers' classic Raising Arizona (1987) with Jason and Ryan. It's a Cinema Drive episode you won't want to miss!The Deep Question: You're tasked with creating a movie similar to Hitchcock's The Birds. What animal do you choose instead? And why?This Week's Features:Raising Arizona (1987)Check out Tex's show with Oscar-aficionado Bruce Vilanch!:The Oscars: What Were They Thinking?oscars.wtfatomicentertainment.comMessage Jason and Ryan

John & Heidi share funny stories of people doing weird things... plus John chats with a guest. We visit with Bruce Vilanch - It Seemed Like A Bad Idea At The Time https://amzn.to/4bkOY1M Learn more about our radio program, podcast & blog at www.JohnAndHeidiShow.com

"Bruce Vilanch, a storyteller without peer, has written a tell-all . . . on himself! And it's hilarious! He's finally coming clean and owning up to his part in creating some of the worst television of the twentieth century, and that's saying a lot. There's no one like him. As they've been saying since I discovered him as a cub reporter at the Chicago Tribune, when you're in a pinch . . . Get Bruce!" -BETTE MIDLER Bruce Vilanch is known as a go-to comedy writer for award shows, sitcoms, and top-heavy variety specials, but he has also been responsible for quite a few of the worst shows ever put on television-legendarily bad productions. Some of his work lives in infamy-The Star Wars Holiday Special, The Paul Lynde Halloween Special, Rob Lowe dancing with Snow White at the Oscars, and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. How did these ever seem like a good idea? Well, everyone has screwed up a few times, or had their work screwed up by others. It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time is a lifetime reflection of what Vilanch has experienced, learned, forgotten, dismissed, and embraced in decades of working in show business, specifically the south forty acres known as comedy. It involves very famous people and people who were not very famous but should have been. And it explains  to the person in the audience who says to himself, once he has gotten his jaw off the floor, "'How did this ever get made?" Don't we all want to know?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

"Bruce Vilanch, a storyteller without peer, has written a tell-all . . . on himself! And it's hilarious! He's finally coming clean and owning up to his part in creating some of the worst television of the twentieth century, and that's saying a lot. There's no one like him. As they've been saying since I discovered him as a cub reporter at the Chicago Tribune, when you're in a pinch . . . Get Bruce!" -BETTE MIDLER Bruce Vilanch is known as a go-to comedy writer for award shows, sitcoms, and top-heavy variety specials, but he has also been responsible for quite a few of the worst shows ever put on television-legendarily bad productions. Some of his work lives in infamy-The Star Wars Holiday Special, The Paul Lynde Halloween Special, Rob Lowe dancing with Snow White at the Oscars, and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. How did these ever seem like a good idea? Well, everyone has screwed up a few times, or had their work screwed up by others. It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time is a lifetime reflection of what Vilanch has experienced, learned, forgotten, dismissed, and embraced in decades of working in show business, specifically the south forty acres known as comedy. It involves very famous people and people who were not very famous but should have been. And it explains  to the person in the audience who says to himself, once he has gotten his jaw off the floor, "'How did this ever get made?" Don't we all want to know?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.

Adam "Tex" Davis plus his podcast with Bruce Vilanch [powerpress]

Today on After Hours Lubie talks with comedy icon a man who was a Hollywood Squares regular, who won multiple Emmy awards, Bruce Vilanch. Bruce has also been involved with some of the most infamous tv ever, that is why he wrote the new book IT SEEMED LIKE A BAD IDEA AT THE TIME: The Worst TV Shows in History and Other Things I Wrote. Bruce talks about what brought him to write a tale of his wrongs, and how he decided to just lean into it! Plus he discusses the world of comedy today.

A special guest joining us this morning. Writer, actor, comedian Bruce Vilanch joins us today. Bruce, Steve, and Ted discuss life, bad television, and Bruce's new book "It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time: The Worst TV Shows in History and Other Things I Wrote."

Welcome to Myopia Movies, the podcast where we revisit the films of our youth to see if they hold up under the lens of nostalgia—or crumble under the weight of time! This week, we're plunging headfirst into the campy chaos of 1984's Ice Pirates. With space herpes, robot pirates, and a desert-dry water crisis, this sci-fi comedy is equal parts swashbuckling adventure and ‘80s absurdity. But does it still have treasure hidden beneath its dated special effects, or has it been lost in the black hole of bad cinema? Strap in, mateys, and let's find out! Make sure to like and subscribe where ever you are getting this! Please leave us a review and follow us on Bluesky, Reddit, and Facebook! How will Ice Pirates hold up? Host: Nic Panel: Nur, Alex, Keiko, and Matt   Directed by Stewart Raffill Starring: Robert Urich, Mary Crosby, Michael D. Roberts, Anjelica Huston, John Matuszak, Ron Perlman, John Carradine, Natalie Core, Jeremy West,  Bruce Vilanch

My conversation with Emmy Award Winner Bruce Vilanch, author of "It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time"

GGACP marks National Book Blitz Month and celebrates the recent release of Bruce Vilanch's memoir, “It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time” by presenting this ENCORE of a 2018 interview with the legendary writer-performer. In this episode, Bruce looks back at the “golden age” of TV variety shows and specials, including “Donny & Marie,” “The Brady Bunch Hour,” “The Star Wars Holiday Special” and “The Paul Lynde Halloween Special.” (all written or co-written by Bruce himself). Also, Margaret Hamilton makes her move, Robert Reed channels Carmen Miranda and Gilbert takes over the new “Hollywood Squares.” PLUS: Jack Palance! Bob Hope's filing cabinet! “Wayne Newton at SeaWorld”! And Bruce hangs with Tallulah Bankhead!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of No Film School, GG Hawkins speaks with the filmmakers behind two impactful films, Hazard and Studio One Forever. Writer-director Eddie Mensore shares the journey of creating Hazard, an indie drama about the opioid crisis in Appalachia, and how leaving LA led to the film's 40-theater release. Later, Marc Saltarelli discusses the acclaimed LGBTQ+ documentary Studio One Forever, exploring its historical significance and enduring legacy. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins, Eddie Mensore, and Marc Saltarelli discuss: How Eddie's move away from LA revitalized his career and allowed him to focus on meaningful indie films The challenges and triumphs of making Hazard, a deeply personal story about the opioid crisis Marc's experience documenting LGBTQ+ history through Studio One Forever and the film's resonance in today's political climate Advice for filmmakers navigating the industry outside of traditional Hollywood structures Memorable Quotes: “As an independent filmmaker, it's not about what's the most passionate project you want to make. It's about which one can you physically make.” “I hope that the younger generation will take a little bit of time out from TikTok and watch these 90 minutes and realize what we went through—and what's at stake.” “I had to take a few steps backward, I believe that I'm ultimately taking 10 steps forward.” Resources: Hazard Official Website Hazard Theatrical Release Studio One Forever Official Trailer STUDIO ONE FOREVER is the untold story of America's first gay disco, a kaleidoscopic excursion into LGBTQ+ history through the lens of this groundbreaking club. Directed by Marc Saltarelli, the film features interviews with Chita Rivera, Bruce Vilanch, Lance Bass, and others. Eddie Mensore on IMDb Marc Saltarelli on IMDb Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If one were to print out all of Bruce Vilanch's writing, acting, and producing credits on a dot-matrix printer and lay that continuous piece of paper on the ground, it would encircle the world approximately one hundred and eighty seven times. From The Brady Bunch Variety Hour to the famously infamous Star Wars Holiday Special starring Bea Arthur and Harvey Korman to too many awards shows to count, two-time Emmy-Winner Bruce Vilanch is a walking, talking encyclopedia of Hollywood history. Come join us for an exceedingly charming chat with a true living legend. To pre-order Bruce's brand-new book, "It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time," click HERE. Save on the perfect gift by visiting https://AuraFrames.com to get $35-off Aura's best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code BALD at checkout. This deal is exclusive to listeners, so get yours now in time for the holidays! Terms and conditions apply. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://BetterHelp.com/BALD and get on your way to being your best self! Need a website? Head to https://www.SquareSpace.com for a free trial, and when you're ready to launch, go to https://www.SquareSpace.com/BALD to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain! Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/BALD to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today! Follow Bruce: @BruceVilanch Follow Trixie: @TrixieMattel Follow Katya: @Katya_Zamo To watch the podcast on YouTube: http://bit.ly/TrixieKatyaYT Don't forget to follow the podcast for free wherever you're listening or by using this link: http://bit.ly/baldandthebeautifulpodcast If you want to support the show, and get all the episodes ad-free go to: https://thebaldandthebeautiful.supercast.com If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be amazing! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/baldandthebeautifulpodcast To check out future Live Podcast Shows, go to: https://trixieandkatyalive.com To order your copy of our book, "Working Girls", go to: workinggirlsbook.com To check out the Trixie Motel in Palm Springs, CA: https://www.trixiemotel.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tragically, Lovett entered a catatonic state this week after watching Wicked 24 times in a 72 hour period. Luckily, that gave us the perfect opportunity to welcome Keep It's Louis Virtel as our substitute host! This week, the Oscar goes to Bruce Vilanch for juiciest behind-the-scenes gossip. Raven Symoné spells out her life in television, and it's worth way more than seven points. And Louis and the gang pick out the gay gift for the gifted gay in all of our lives. Tour dates & cities: crooked.com/events

Bruce Vilanch Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson We were Live with 6x Emmy Winner, Bruce Vilanch, even though he only stakes genuine claim to 2 of them, he's got 6. Well, he was awarded 6, he gave one to his mother, one to his manager, one to his business manager, and he's got 2 in his possession. They all still count, Bruce. And they're all deserved. This human has brought so much joy, and so much laughter to audiences around the globe for decades. Bruce has written for 24 Oscar broadcasts, was head writer for 14 of them, and collaborated with hosts such as Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, and Billy Crystal, we talked about all of those: fun with Whoopi, outsider Dave, magic with Billy, and the infamous Rob Lowe/ Snow White monologue, difficult Ellen, no surprise there, wildness with Jack Palance, apologies from James Franco, great stories, all! We talked the Hollywood Squares, which brought Bruce front and center - put him on camera, made him a celebrity, helped him land Hairspray and his star turn as Edna Turnblat on Broadway… how the show worked, great tales about Little Richard, Garth Brooks having the funny, Whoopi, again, John Davidson hosting and the adlib that brought the house down, or was it? Starting as a child actor, always funny, writing the funny for the Chicago Tribune, meeting Bette Midler, a relationship that has spanned 55 years and has been a game and life changer. Writing for Joan Rivers, Lily Tomlin, Robin Williams, Roseanne, Nathan Lane, and pretty much everyone else in Hollywood. The pandemic kept Bruce busy - his book, It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time, drops March 4th and is available for pre-order now https://www.amazon.com/Seemed-Like-Bad-Idea-Time/dp/0914091921 he wrote the book for the Dolly Parton musical, Here You Come Again, which has enjoyed successful runs across the states and is currently readying a run in London's West End. Bruce is featured in Studio One Forever, about America's first iconic gay disco, streaming now on Prime. Bruce is everywhere and has done everything. Indefatigable and talented beyond compare, Bruce can get inside the head of just about anyone - be them and make them funny. Funnier. What a gift. He's a treasure. I adore him and I'm damn grateful he never stops working. Do us all a continued favor, Bruce, stay busy! Bruce Vilanch Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 12/4/24, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3BdtJ4d

In this episode, Hayley and Amy talk with director Rachel Klein about socioeconomic barriers to working in theatre, mentorship as a tool to make theatre work more accessible, the challenges of earning respect as a woman leader, and more. Click here for a transcript of the episode! Episode Notes Hosts: Hayley Goldenberg and Amy AndrewsGuest: Rachel KleinMusic: Chloe Geller Episode Resources: NAMT Festival of New Musicals Iconoclast Theatre Collective The Trouble with Dead Boyfriends Esther, Heart of a Queen at the George Theater Spells of the Sea at the Kennedy Center Guest Bio: Rachel Klein (she/her) is a New York City-based stage director specializing in new play and musical development. Off-Broadway: The Gospel According to Heather (Theatre 555; starring Katey Sagal); Red Roses, Green Gold (Minetta Lane Theatre/ft. the music of the Grateful Dead); Around the World in 80 Days (The Davenport Theatre); The Anthem (Lynn Redgrave Theatre); The Opposite of Love (Royal Performing Arts Space). Selected NYC: Tink! (NYMF); More Than All the World (Theatre for the New City); Circus of Circus (The House of Yes). Selected Regional: The Suffragist (Gallagher Bluedorn Theatre; starring Nancy Opel), Dead Certain (composer: Air Supply's Graham Russell); 54 the Musical (House of Independents; starring Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Frankie Grande). Selected workshops and readings: High Priest (Paul Iacono's Warhol Factory play); Helen (Starring Bonnie Milligan), Medusa: A New Pop Opera. Charity: Ms. Klein directed the charity roast of Michael Musto raising funds for the Callen Lorde Community Health Center, featuring Rosie O'Donnell, Bruce Vilanch, and Jinkx Monsoon. Ms. Klein is a proud member of SDC, founding member of Iconoclast Theatre Collective, guest teaching artist at Fordham University, serves on the New Musical Screening Committee for NAMT, directed Double, Double for Bite-Sized Broadway (ft. Richard Kind), and is the Director/Showrunner of the audio series The World to Come (ft. Adrienne Barbeau). Up next: Esther, Heart of a Queen (The George Theatre, Houston); Spells of the Sea (The Kennedy Center, DC). Find Rachel Online: Visit Rachel's website Follow Rachel on Instagram Follow Rachel on Facebook Thanks for listening! Who do you want to hear from next on the Women & Theatre Podcast? Nominate someone here. The Women & Theatre Podcast is created and produced by Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews. Please like, comment, subscribe, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and consider making a donation to support our work. Thank you for listening!

On this day in 1978, CBS aired what they hoped would be an instant classic: a brand-new holiday special to be rewatched and beloved for years to come...set in a galaxy far, far away. The Star Wars Holiday Special. Today, on the 46th anniversary of it's airing and Life Day, we're revising the classic, and we've brought along the incredibly talented and lovely hosts of The Mixed Reviews, Gavin and Louie, to help us celebrate this incredibly camp, often absurd, and this surprisingly queer piece of art! (It involved Bruce Vilanch and Bob Mackie, I mean, hello?). We also discussed 2023's documentary and book of the same name A Disturbance in The Force: How and Why The Star Wars Holiday Special Happened. Follow The Mixed Reviews: Twitter: @TheMixedReviews Instagram: @TheMixedReviews Bluesky: @TheMixedReviews TikTok: @TheMixedReviews Where to find us: Web: ⁠GitterJaw.com⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠@DistantEchoesSW⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@DistantEchoesSW⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠@DistantEchoesPod⁠ Email: ⁠DistantEchoesSW@gmail.com⁠ Theme Music 失望した by EVA -⁠ https://joshlis.bandcamp.com⁠⁠ Promoted by ⁠⁠@RoyaltyFreePlanet⁠⁠ Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense⁠ Please consider donating to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund, a non-profit with the mission of providing free medical care to thousands of injured and ill children: ⁠⁠⁠www.pcrf.net⁠⁠⁠ All audio clips are used under Fair Use and belong to their respective copyright owners.

Tread Perilously continues a witchy October with The Paul Lynde Halloween Special. When neighborhood kids harass Paul Lynde about his plans to celebrate Halloween, he flees to the home of his housekeeper's sister. But he soon learns both are witches with remarkable resemblances to Witchiepoo and The Wicked Witch of the West. As it turns out, they want him to be a spokesman for witches. In return, he'll get three wishes granted and a private concert from KISS. The latter aspect is not negotiable. What wishes will Paul get granted? Will KISS let Peter sing "Beth"? And will guest stars Billy Barty, Florence Henderson, and Betty White make a mark on the proceedings? Erik and Justin try to deal with a variety special making a stab at an ongoing narrative. They also conjure the Osmonds back into existence. The previous on-screen persona of Betty White is explored. Bruce Vilanch returns as Erik reads out a very long list of writers. The Pinky Tuscadero phenomenon gets explained ... including the unlikely connection to Suzi Quatro. The pair take a closer look at KISS and give "Beth" a review. Erik decries the industry for not giving Margaret Hamilton a true starring role and the long delayed Alien: Romulus chat finally occurs.

Ethan shared some amazing stories from his youth in Fairport, NY. We learned so much more about his high school band "Green Machine" and the band member who would get drunk and kick the lead singer. The boys start the search for the great Bruce Vilanch.

Martin Lewis is a multi-faceted player in the spheres of the arts and entertainment. With a fabled five-decade history working in music, comedy, film, stage, TV, radio & books. He has been a cultural alchemist with many of the leading musicians and comedic artists of the last half-century. Bruce Vilanch is iconic for, among other things, the best jokes at the Academy Awards. He has been writing for the star-studded event for over 25 years, and has been the head writer since 2000. Bruce is much more ingrained into our culture than a single award show, however-- he. has written jokes for Bette Midler, Elizabeth Taylor, Lily Tomlin, and even..The Brady Bunch.   They each have been world-changing "influencers" decades before the concept of "influencers" was even a thing. Today they join us to talk about yet another cultural force, artist manager, Brian Epstein. It has been said of Epstein: "If there had been no Epstein, there would be no Beatles."  Brian Epstein is the man responsible for taking the Beatles from unknowns to worldwide phenomena in just under 50 days. Martin led a 15-year campaign to induct Epstein into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Friday, August 23rd marks the exact 60th anniversary of the Beatles' landmark first appearance in Los Angeles in 1964. Their L.A. debut was a sold-out concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Celebrating that historic occasion Martin  - considered one of the world's foremost Beatles scholars - will be debuting a special ‘TED-Talk' style illustrated presentation in L.A. - titled "The Greatest Beatles Story NEVER Told! The Untold Tale Of How The Beatles Beguiled America" The event will take place on the exact same date and time as the Beatles Hollywood Bowl concert in 1964 - at the historic building of the Philosophical Research Society in Los Feliz.

Martin Lewis is a multi-faceted player in the spheres of the arts and entertainment. With a fabled five-decade history working in music, comedy, film, stage, TV, radio & books. He has been a cultural alchemist with many of the leading musicians and comedic artists of the last half-century. Bruce Vilanch is iconic for, among other things, the best jokes at the Academy Awards. He has been writing for the star-studded event for over 25 years, and has been the head writer since 2000. Bruce is much more ingrained into our culture than a single award show, however-- he. has written jokes for Bette Midler, Elizabeth Taylor, Lily Tomlin, and even..The Brady Bunch.   They each have been world-changing "influencers" decades before the concept of "influencers" was even a thing. Today they join us to talk about yet another cultural force, artist manager, Brian Epstein. It has been said of Epstein: "If there had been no Epstein, there would be no Beatles."  Brian Epstein is the man responsible for taking the Beatles from unknowns to worldwide phenomena in just under 50 days. Martin led a 15-year campaign to induct Epstein into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Friday, August 23rd marks the exact 60th anniversary of the Beatles' landmark first appearance in Los Angeles in 1964. Their L.A. debut was a sold-out concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Celebrating that historic occasion Martin  - considered one of the world's foremost Beatles scholars - will be debuting a special ‘TED-Talk' style illustrated presentation in L.A. - titled "The Greatest Beatles Story NEVER Told! The Untold Tale Of How The Beatles Beguiled America" The event will take place on the exact same date and time as the Beatles Hollywood Bowl concert in 1964 - at the historic building of the Philosophical Research Society in Los Feliz.

Today's The Chairman's last day leaving early. Excited for the new chapter. Posting personal news on LinkedIn. Top signs of being a hoosier. Tim ran into the guys who ordered a Cameo from Iggy. Tim and Warson Woods Wacko did not win the Member Guest this weekend. Massaging handicaps. Sometimes you can just tell with a golf swing. Tim is now available to play his FPCC match. What will Bruce Vilanch think? Nerves on the golf course. What does self-made mean? The state of the Redbirds. Who will host the show on June 14th.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's The Chairman's last day leaving early. Excited for the new chapter. Posting personal news on LinkedIn. Top signs of being a hoosier. Tim ran into the guys who ordered a Cameo from Iggy. Tim and Warson Woods Wacko did not win the Member Guest this weekend. Massaging handicaps. Sometimes you can just tell with a golf swing. Tim is now available to play his FPCC match. What will Bruce Vilanch think? Nerves on the golf course. What does self-made mean? The state of the Redbirds. Who will host the show on June 14th.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Disney's Ike Eisenmann, and author, Jonathan Rosen, as they chat with legendary comedy writer, Bruce Vilanch!Bruce discusses writing for Bette Midler, working on the Paul Lynde Halloween Special, behind the scenes stories from The Brady Bunch Variety Hour and The Donny and Marie Show,  helping create the Star Wars Holiday Special, & much more!

On this episode writer and media personality Bruce Villanch stops by to have a conversation about the holiday special from Scott Rockett, Making the Yuletide Gay: A Very Special Paul Lynde Christmas in which Michael Airington plays Paul Lynde who plays host to a bevy of special guests who stop by his “house” for a cocktail, a song, and a few corny jokes. It's now available via DVD and VOD.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-projection-booth-podcast_2/support.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5513239/advertisement

Two-Time Emmy Winner Bruce Vilanch and Actress/Singer Natalie Denise Sperl join us on this episode of The Jimmy Star Show with Ron Russell broadcast live from the W4CY studios on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-jimmy-star-show-with-ron-russell9600/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Detroit Lions: America's Team, Eli Zaret joins us, Michigan v. OSU week, Gary Ho Ho Hoey joins us, P Diddy settles sex assault lawsuit in record time, RIP Rosalynn Carter, Taylor Swift concert kills fan, and Mama Kelce is out of control. Killer Cares is on Friday, December 8th in Keego Harbor. Join us there! Eli Zaret drops by to See It His Way on the 8-2 Super Bowl bound Detroit Lions, Michigan settling with the Big10, we learn of the Playoff Bowl, quarterback injuries in the NFL, the mystery of ‘Uncle T', what's wrong with J.J. McCarthy, the Wolverines crawl to a victory over Maryland, MSU's win over Indiana, other college football scores, Charissa Thompson pisses off sideline reporters everywhere, Jason Benetti vs the White Sox and more. Jason Carr Drive snags one of our advertisers. Politics: RIP Rosalynn Carter. Happy birthday President Biden! The Rock has distanced himself from Sleepy Joe. Donald Trump is a germaphobe and does not like “golden showers”. Kid Rock talks Bud Light on Hannity. A Taylor Swift fan dies at her concert, but it's #notyourfaultTaylor. Jackson Mahomes has been sighted and living his best life. Snoop Dogg ‘giving up the smoke' was all a marketing ploy. Britney Spears has been seen! News! The Jonas Brothers were on College Gameday, but were not making out. Gary Hoey joins us to promote his concert December 9th at the Magic Bag. Suge Knight has a well produced podcast from prison. P Diddy's sexual abuse lawsuit has some crazy details. It must have been bad because it was settled in record time. Kesha has responded by changing her lyrics. Sean Combs is so bummed right now. Kanye West's wife, Bianca Censori, may have finally escaped his grasp thanks to an intervention. Mormon leaders are under scrutiny for covering up sexual abuse. Drew re-watched Air with Triple Threat Alec. Bloop. Marc watched a clunker called Fingernails. Trudi admits her 86-inch television is too big. Travis Kelce is talking about his relationship with Taylor Swift. “Kelce” is a top trending dog name. Ugh. Bruce Vilanch popped up on GMA today. Use our Amazon portal for all your Black Friday and Cyber Monday needs. Visit Our Presenting Sponsor Hall Financial – Michigan's highest rated mortgage company If you'd like to help support the show… please consider subscribing to our YouTube Page, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (Drew and Mike Show, Marc Fellhauer, Trudi Daniels, Jim Bentley and BranDon).