Marc Shaiman likes to joke that for half a century he’s been “the funny Jewish guy at the piano,” a role as old as vaudeville and as enduring as a well-timed joke.

The post Marc Shaiman recounts collaborations with Bette Midler and Rob Reiner first appeared on Bootleg Betty.

Join us for an unforgettable conversation with legendary comedy writer Bruce Vilanch, as he shares his incredible journey through Hollywood, Broadway, and beyond.

The post New Video Interview: Bruce Vilanch on Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus & Winnie Sanderson Podcast first appeared on Bootleg Betty.

#BetteMidler delivers her iconic #monologue Fron #TheRose. Written by Bette Midler and #BruceVilancch

The post Video: Bette Midler And The Rose Concert Monologue first appeared on Bootleg Betty.

Bootleg BettyVideo: Bruce Vilanch On His Journey Writing For Bette MidlerBy Mister DJuly 28, 2025

The post Video: Bruce Vilanch On His Journey Writing For Bette Midler first appeared on Bootleg Betty.

IndieWire talks to the iconic comedian about his new book, "It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time," and TV disasters like the 1989 Oscars opening and a "Star Wars" special that George Lucas walked out of.
By Elaina Patton

The post Bruce Vilanch on the Worst TV Moments in History first appeared on Bootleg Betty.

Mister D: Bruce Vilanch's new book is titled It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time, and it will be available March 4, 2025. It is available for pre-order now

The post Bette Midler Gives A Shout Out To Bruce Vilanch’s New Upcoming Book first appeared on Bootleg Betty.

Attention Oscar addicts: Bruce Vilanch is launching a new podcast that shares secrets from his 14-year tenure as head writer of the Academy Awards.

The post Bruce Vilanch Debuts Podcast ‘The Oscars: What Were They Thinking?’ on Nov. 11 first appeared on Bootleg Betty.

Vilanch knows almost everybody, and almost everybody knows him. He’s written jokes for the funny (Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, Ellen DeGeneres) and the not-so-funny (Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley MacLaine, Cher, the Osmonds). He wrote for as many as 25 Oscar shows, at least 14 as head writer. He co-wrote Bette Midler’s Johnny Carson tribute, “You Made Me Watch You,” for her Emmy-winning appearance on the late-night host’s last regular show. Vilanch is famous enough to have had a documentary made about him, “Get Bruce.”

The post Comedy Writer Bruce Vilanch Discusses His Journey from Ohio State to Chicago Theater To Bette Midler to the Oscar Stage & More first appeared on Bootleg Betty.

Choose ChicagoA Night at Mister Kelly’s: The Stars Come AliveBy StaffSeptember 18, 2021 A TRIBUTE OF THE GREATEST ENTERTAINERS OF THE 20TH CENTURY features Chicago’s own, Anne Burnell, Jeff Hedberg,…

The post Night At Mister Kelly’s Doc Streams Nationally Oct 12, 2021 first appeared on Bootleg Betty.

Quarantine, Cabaret, and CocktailsHosts: Robert Bannon & Lee LessackMarch 25, 2021 Quarantine, Cabaret & Cocktails Online talk show Quarantine, Cabaret, and Cocktails, created on a lark during the pandemic, has become…

The post Podcast: Check Out Bruce Vilanch On ‘Quarantine, Cabaret & Cocktails’ first appeared on Bootleg Betty.