#brucevilanch

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:

Today LIVE, with comedy writer, playwright, actor, and two-time Emmy winner Bruce Vilanch! Oh, thank Gd! I so need the eggs. And the laughs. 

Bruce has written for 24 Oscar broadcasts, was head writer for 14 of them collaborated with hosts such as Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, and Billy Crystal, and won his two consecutive Emmy Awards for the Billy-hosted Academy Award telecasts. Bruce has also written for the Tonys, Grammys, and Emmys, The Donny & Marie Show, The Star Wars Holiday Special, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, Bette Midler--Diva Las Vegas, the sitcom, Bette! to name but some, and did a 4-year stint on Hollywood Squares as both a performer and head writer. 

Writing for the aforementioned Billy and Bette as well as Lily Tomlin, Roseanne Barr, Rosie O'Donnell, Paul Reiser, Elizabeth Taylor, and Robin Williams, to name but a very few, Bruce also wrote three Broadway shows for Bette, three for Michael Feinstein, one for Diana Ross, recently wrote the book for two jukebox musicals, and starred on Broadway in one himself, as Edna Tuurnblad, in Hairspray, as well as off-Broadway in his self-penned one-man show, Bruce Vilanch: Almost Famous. 

Bruce penned the lyrics for the farewell song that Bette sang to Johnny on his final broadcast of The Tonight Show, which won him an Emmy Award.

Featured in Bosom Buddies, Law & Order, and Mahogany, Bruce also appeared on Celebrity Fit Club.

With the greatest T-shirt collection on the planet, Bruce wears red glasses and has been involved in various philanthropic causes, such as AIDS awareness, gay rights, and animal welfare. How could you not adore him? I do. And so look forward to sitting down, albeit virtually with him again. When last we met it was just pre-pandemic, the world’s turned upside down since then - cannot wait to hear his take. If only he could save us. His humor will surely help. 

Bruce Vilanch Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

Wednesday, 12/4/24, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET

Streaming Live on my Facebook

Avid tee-shirt wearer: Bruce Gerald Vilanch