EPISODE · Aug 14, 2025 · 1H 27M
Semi-Unscripted Hollywood & Writing Jokes For The Stars with Bruce Vilanch
from Media Path Podcast · host Media Path
We stand in gratitude to Bruce Vilanch for Peak Hollywood’s most treasured and iconic entertainment history moments. Bruce is an EGOT Award Show Writer and he’s penned warehouses and server farms full of TV Variety shows and specials with lingering legacies. As infamous Youtube gems were mined, during lockdown, by intrepid Millennial podcasters, Bruce bravely opened wounds to spill toxic details.Yes, we are talking Star Wars Holiday & Paul Lynde Halloween Specials. The hot tea is on tap in Bruce’s new book, It Seemed Like A Bad Idea At The Time.As a child, Bruce was not just your garden variety funny fat kid. His mother recognized his unique potential and submitted young Bruce as a Lane Bryant Charming Chub print model. His journalism career took off at summer camp where Bruce successfully avoided outdoor activities by writing a popular and dishy camp newspaper. During college he went pro as a cub reporter for The Chicago Tribune, watching the films Gene Siskel elected to skip. A review of Bette Midler’s cabaret show led to a collaborative lifelong friendship.The pattern has continued with Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, Dolly Parton and beyond. Bruce’s comedic charms are so potent, he can take stinkers like Can’t Stop The Music and Ice Pirates (featuring Bruce as a court jesting body-less head) and churn hilarity. Wherever the comedy leaned towards tragedy, Bruce mined the gold that is his new book.Bruce also tells us how Donny Osmond’s pull with Mormon elders got a Utah affiliate to broadcast Bette Midler’s HBO special. Bruce then boldly addresses the Jo Koy Golden Globes fiasco. He imparts the famous legend of Beethoven (the dog’s) Oscar movement, and tells of his daring journey in search of a look at Milton Berle’s alleged equipment.But, Bruce’s glories will not be outshined by his duds because we are ringing in a round of IMDB Roulette in which we celebrate: Ray Charles, Dolly Parton Elizabeth Taylor and The Constitution! Plus, Bruce hints at an upcoming special with Whoopi Goldberg!In recommendations --Weezy: Shiny Happy People: A Teenage Holy War on PrimeFritz: The Documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes on HBO MaxPath Points of Interest:It Seemed Like A Bad Idea At The Time: The Worst TV Shows In History And Other Things I Wrote by Bruce VilanchBruce Vilanch on WikipediaBruce Vilanch on IMDBBruce Vilanch on FacebookWe Got Bruce - Fan SiteStar Wars Holiday SpecialPaul Lynde Halloween SpecialBrady Bunch Variety Hour - First EpisodeShiny Happy People - Season 2 - Teenage Holy WarBilly Joel And So It GoesMedia PathMedia Path on FacebookMedia Path on InstagramMedia Path on XMedia Path on Bluesky
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Semi-Unscripted Hollywood & Writing Jokes For The Stars with Bruce Vilanch
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