Generated by All in One SEO Pro v5.0.1.1, this is an llms-full.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Bootleg Betty The Bette Midler Blog ## Posts ### [On this day in movie history - Coastal Elites Premiered](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/12/on-this-day-in-movie-history-coastal-elites-premiered/) **Published:** September 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Coastal Elites is a 2020 American comedy television film (about 88 minutes) written by Paul Rudnick and directed by Jay Roach. It premiered on HBO on September 12, 2020 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty On this day in movie history – Coastal Elites Premiered By Mister D Sept 12, 2026 --- ![Poster for Coastal Flites with a dark blue background, pink title, and a collage of diverse faces across a U.S. map silhouette](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Coastal-Elites-2020-1.jpg "Coastal elites 2020 1 - bootleg betty") --- Coastal Elites is a 2020 American comedy television film (about 88 minutes) written by Paul Rudnick and directed by Jay Roach. It premiered on HBO on September 12, 2020. Originally conceived as a stage piece of monologues for New York’s Public Theater, it was adapted into a remotely shot film due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, The film consists of five separate, largely independent speeches (or “desperate confessions”) delivered directly to the camera by characters living in or connected to New York City or Los Angeles. They grapple with the Trump presidency, political polarization, cultural divides, and the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The structure is not in time order across different months in 2020, with each segment framed as a conversation with an unseen listener (e.g., a police officer, therapist, friend, or online audience). The title ironically reclaims the pejorative term “Coastal Elites” used against liberal urbanites. The five segments and characters: Bette Midler as Miriam Nessler (opening segment, set pre-pandemic in January): A retired New York City public-school teacher and Upper West Side liberal Jewish widow who adores The New York Times (print edition), theater, and NPR tote bags. She is in police custody after snatching a MAGA hat off a man near the Public Theater, explaining her long-simmering rage and cultural identity. Dan Levy as Mark Sherman: A gay actor in Los Angeles speaking to a new therapist via video call. He discusses an audition to play a gay superhero, personal compromises, identity, and the early effects of lockdown. Issa Rae as Callie Josephson: A wealthy Black woman who attended prep school with Ivanka Trump. She recounts interactions involving her old classmate and attempts to navigate elite social/political circles. Sarah Paulson as Clarissa Montgomery: A YouTube meditation/mindfulness coach whose calm facade cracks while dealing with Trump-supporting family members and the stresses of isolation. Kaitlyn Dever as Sharynn Tarrows (closing segment): A nurse from Wyoming who travels to New York to help during the height of the city’s COVID-19 crisis, offering a more grounded, frontline perspective on the pandemic’s human toll. The tone mixes sharp satire, comic rants, personal confession, and moments of exhaustion or grief. Reviews were mixed (Rotten Tomatoes around 52%, Metacritic 57), praising the strong cast performances—especially Midler’s energetic turn—while criticizing it as uneven, repetitive, overly polemical “preaching to the choir,” or limited by the monologue/remote format Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=On%20this%20day%20in%20movie%20history%20-%20Coastal%20Elites%20Premiered&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=On%20this%20day%20in%20movie%20history%20-%20Coastal%20Elites%20Premiered%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=On%20this%20day%20in%20movie%20history%20-%20Coastal%20Elites%20Premiered&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=On%20this%20day%20in%20movie%20history%20-%20Coastal%20Elites%20Premiered%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=On%20this%20day%20in%20movie%20history%20-%20Coastal%20Elites%20Premiered%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Coastal Elites, History, On This Day In History, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CoastalElites, #History, #OnThisDayInHistory --- ### [Steps to Make Girls Feel Like Little Princesses](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/12/steps-to-make-girls-feel-like-little-princesses/) **Published:** September 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Alyce Tzue always loved fairy tales, but growing up as the only Asian kid in a homogeneous community in New Jersey, she worried she would never find her happily ever after. **Content:** --- ## Polygon Steps Aims To Make All Girls Feel Like Little Princesses By Sam Nelson Sept 13, 2026 --- ![Three characters gathered around a bubbling cauldron in a dark, magical workshop, looking surprised and excited.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-12_12-11-21.png "2026-09-12_12-11-21 - bootleg betty") --- Alyce Tzue always loved fairy tales. Growing up as the only Asian kid in a homogeneous New Jersey community, she worried. She feared she would never find her happily ever after. Additionally, she’s teaming up with Raya and the Last Dragon co-director John Ripa to tell Steps as co-director for Netflix. “There really is no one Cinderella story,” Ripa told Polygon in an interview at Annecy Festival. “A Chinese version introduced the stepmother, and the Italian version introduced the stepsisters.” Steps brings all that history together and gives it a modern update. “There are certain things the audience wants to see. We were able to take some of these iconic canon moments and give it a little twist and show it from every perspective.” Steps follows Cinderella’s misunderstood stepsister Lilith (Ali Wong). After watching the Fairy Godmother (Bette Midler) give Cinderella (Amanda Seyfried) a dress, carriage, and glass slippers, Lilith tries to get some magic of her own. She accidentally turns her sister Margot (Stephanie Hsu) into a frog, causing chaos in the kingdom. Turning the fairytale’s traditional villain into an unconventional protagonist isn’t just a fun twist for Tzue. It’s also personal. “She comes into this fairytale world of hope with lofty dreams of being able to live harmoniously with everyone,” Tzue says. “The sense of being initially rejected deeply resonates with me. I would say Lilith is braver than I ever was. She has this rebellious attitude, but, of course, you find that spiky exterior is just a defense mechanism. I had my own defense mechanism of retreating into my books and art. She’s kind of aspirational. I wish I was a little bit more like her when I was younger.” Cinderella and Lilith then have to team up to undo the spell and stop the scheming mean girl Priscilla (Nikki Glaser) from taking over the kingdom. “Priscilla is someone who wishes she was like Cinderella,” Tzue says. “In a kingdom that elevates just one sort of symbol of perfection, that can create someone like Lilith, who’s the outcast, and someone like Priscilla, who is driven by the sense of insecurity to kind of be evil.” The film’s look is inspired by the French Rococo movement and the French version of Cinderella, Cendrillon. It uses a pastel color palette to represent conformity, but Cinderella and Lilith encounter bolder, more natural colors as they explore outside the borders of the kingdom. Cinderella’s stepsisters are typically described as ugly, and Tzue avoids narrow interpretations of what beauty is. “We want to lean into a diversity of design in the female characters to make sure they don’t all have the same face shape or the same body shape,” she says. “We’ve been very conscious to make sure that the designs reflect the diversity of their personalities.” “We need even more stories about sisterhood” Ripa was a story artist on Frozen, which also subverted the classic Disney princess trope by focusing on sisterhood over romance. This made the two co-directors a natural fit. “I’m a huge fan of Frozen,” Tzue says. “I wouldn’t say it’s a direct inspiration, because my hope is that there can be as many movies as we’d like about female friendships. If there are comparisons, it may just mean that we need even more stories about sisterhood.” Netflix already proved that demand with the enormous success of Kpop Demon Hunters in 2025. Steps could appeal to the same fans with a rich soundtrack that mixes needle drops and original songs, giving the film a contemporary feel that further contrasts with the typical fairy tale. “We are huge supporters of the creators of Kpop Demon Hunters,” Tzue says. “We were working in parallel, so we’re very happy for them. I feel personally very supported by Netflix as a filmmaker working on their own project. I don’t feel pressured to be a Kpop Demon Hunters because it wouldn’t serve the story.” Ripa and Tzue hope the film’s themes of empathy, inclusion, and belonging will resonate with viewers. “If we can inspire even one person to stand up for someone that feels different, we will have done our jobs.” Tzue says. Steps premieres on Netflix on Nov. 20. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Steps%20to%20Make%20Girls%20Feel%20Like%20Little%20Princesses&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Steps%20to%20Make%20Girls%20Feel%20Like%20Little%20Princesses%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Steps%20to%20Make%20Girls%20Feel%20Like%20Little%20Princesses&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Steps%20to%20Make%20Girls%20Feel%20Like%20Little%20Princesses%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Steps%20to%20Make%20Girls%20Feel%20Like%20Little%20Princesses%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Animated, Bette Midler, Movies, NetFlix, Steps **Tags:** #Animated, #BetteMidler, #Movie, #Princesses, #Steps --- ### [Top 5 Essential Witch Movies Before Practical Magic 2](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/12/top-5-essential-witch-movies-before-practical-magic-2/) **Published:** September 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The world of witches is one that’s explored often throughout movie history. There are tons of films about the legend of witch covens, with a variety of genres all touching on the myth. **Content:** --- ## Coming Soon 5 Best Witch Movies Ranked Ahead of Practical Magic 2 By Anthony Ash Sept 10, 2026 --- ![Three women in dark fantasy costumes stand together in a forest setting, wearing capes and ornate jewelry, with solemn expressions.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-05_10-55-37.png "2026-09-05_10-55-37 - bootleg betty") --- The world of witches is one that’s explored often throughout movie history. Many films tell the legend of witch covens, continuing a tradition of hocus pocus across genres. Among those genres, the romantic comedy genre, a new entry will arrive this week, evoking hocus pocus energy. Practical Magic 2, the sequel to the 1998 cult classic Practical Magic, is set to release in theaters. The sequel sees stars Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock returning for the new movie, and will also star newcomers Joey King, Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, and Xolo Maridueña. In celebration of Practical Magic 2 releasing this week, we’re taking a stroll down the witch genre. We’ll be taking a look at the five best witch movies, a hard list to narrow down. Ranging across a ton of genres, these might not be everyone’s best, but they offer hocus pocus inspiration as a great starting point into the witch subgenre. Best witch movies ranked 5. **The Craft** Originally released in 1996, The Craft puts a teenage spin on the concept of witches. The movie follows four outcast girls at a high school in Los Angeles who pursue witchcraft for their own gain. Unsurprisingly, things don’t go too well in that regard, and the girls soon discover that it’s probably best to not dabble in magic for your own desires. The Craft is one of the more obscure entries in the world of witch-based films, but has developed a huge cult following since its release. Fairuza Balk steals the show, but her fellow witches (played by Robin Tunney, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True) make up an awesome group that’s just a ton of fun to watch. 4. **Hocus Pocus** The most “family-friendly” of all the movies on this list, Hocus Pocus is still firmly and squarely all about witches. Specifically, a trio of sisters who make it their mission to find an unsuspecting child and drain their life force to stay young. The Disney movie originally premiered in 1993 and became a true cult classic after its home release, becoming a staple on various networks’ yearly Halloween programming. While the story itself is a bit cheesy, the performances of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters remain iconic to this day. For many, they are some of the first people you might think of when the term “witch movies” comes to mind, and even though it might be as scary or “realistic” as some of the movies on this list, Hocus Pocus is a bona fide classic in the genre. 3. **The Witch** The most recent entry on this list, 2015’s The Witch (or The VVitch, if you will) is Robert Eggers’ directorial debut, and what a debut it is. The movie takes a hyper-realistic and historical look at the concept of witches, centering around a Puritan family in 1630s New England who becomes besieged by evil forces in the woods, which throws the family’s extreme religious beliefs into question and turmoil. The movie features a great cast, but is led by Anya Taylor-Joy in her breakout role as Thomasin, the teenage daughter who is alleged to be a witch by her family after her young brother goes missing. For some, The Witch might be too hard to get into due to its strict adherence to a period-accurate accent. However, it is well worth the watch, as its depiction of witches and the devil is some of the best we’ve ever gotten in the genre. 2. **Suspiria** Released in 1977, Suspiria may be one of the most essential when diving into the genre of witches in film. The movie follows an American ballet student who transfers to a prestigious school in Europe, only to find herself at a place that isn’t what it seems. Students begin to go missing, and it’s soon revealed that the school she’s attending may be a coven of something other than dancers. Like many movies on this list, Suspiria became a cult classic after its release. The movie’s sharp use of technicolor is something you don’t often see in a supernatural horror movie, but it works perfectly here. Italian progressive rock band Goblin’s score to the film has also lived on as a legendary one, and Jessica Harper’s portrayal of Suzy Bannion also carries the movie, as she perfectly embodies a terrified student out of her depth and unfamiliar with her surroundings. Not only is it one of the best horror movies of all time, but it stands as one of the greatest films about witches ever made. 1. **The Wizard of Oz** Truthfully, what else could be #1 here? 1939’s The Wizard of Oz has stood the test of time as one of the greatest movies ever made, and even though it’s certainly a non-traditional take, the movie is all about witches at the end of the day. Based on L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the film stars Judy Garland as Dorothy, a girl from Kansas who somehow finds herself transported to the magical world of Oz. There, she runs into the Wicked Witch of the West and must try to find her way home. While it might not seem like a “witch movie,” The Wizard of Oz is probably the most influential of them all. Margaret Hamilton’s portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West, complete with a pointy hat, long nose, broom, and green skin, has become the look of witches throughout subsequent years of interpretations. The film also gave us the Wicked franchise, which began as a novel centered around the witches in the Land of Oz. For its contributions to future movies, the perception of witches, and its subject matter, The Wizard of Oz might really just be the greatest witch movie there is. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Top%205%20Essential%20Witch%20Movies%20Before%20Practical%20Magic%202&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Top%205%20Essential%20Witch%20Movies%20Before%20Practical%20Magic%202%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Top%205%20Essential%20Witch%20Movies%20Before%20Practical%20Magic%202&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Top%205%20Essential%20Witch%20Movies%20Before%20Practical%20Magic%202%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Top%205%20Essential%20Witch%20Movies%20Before%20Practical%20Magic%202%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HocusPocus, #Witches, #WitchMovies --- ### [How Bette Midler Built Remarkable NYRP Success](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/12/how-bette-midler-built-remarkable-nyrp-success/) **Published:** September 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler once spent her mornings clearing parks in Northern Manhattan that the city had all but abandoned. Thirty years later, that early effort has grown into the New York Restoration Project **Content:** # The Success Of Bette Midler And NYRP --- # Times Of India Bette Midler started cleaning a neglected New York park in 1995; 30 years later, her group has planted 200,000 trees and built an artificial oyster reef | World New By Staff Sept 12, 2026 --- ![Smiling woman with curly blonde hair wearing a black leather jacket during a talk-show interview set.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-05_10-41-43-1.png "2026-09-05_10-41-43 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler once spent her mornings clearing parks in Northern Manhattan that the city had abandoned. That early effort grew into the New York Restoration Project. It is a charity now credited with reshaping green space across all five boroughs. The phrase bette midler is associated with that effort. Moreover, the organization has planted more than 200,000 trees since 1995. It has also removed over six million pounds of rubbish from parks and gardens citywide. For example, the work includes a 500-foot artificial oyster reef along the Harlem River. It protects Sherman Creek Park from rising sea levels and storm damage. According to the New York Restoration Project Annual Report 2025, the charity stewards more than 80 acres of parkland. It operates over 50 community gardens, with recent projects including a chestnut restoration scheme in Highbridge Park. Three decades after Midler first picked up litter alone, her charity now reaches over 1.6 million New Yorkers. **Why did Bette Midler start restoring New York parks in 1995** NYRP traces its origins to the mid-1990s, when parks in Northern Manhattan had fallen into serious disrepair. When NYRP began working in Northern Manhattan parks in the mid-1990s, many were informal dumps, overrun with debris. Highbridge Park was among the sites in the worst condition, littered with abandoned rubbish and largely unused by residents.Midler founded the charity that year, with the belief that access to well-maintained green space should not depend on where a person lives. The report notes that the organization now stewards more than 80 acres of parkland, including Highbridge and Sherman Creek Parks, which it describes as “beloved community spaces with innovative restoration projects.” **How did NYRP plant 200,000 trees in New York City** Tree planting has formed a central part of NYRP’s work since its earliest days. The organization reports planting over 200,000 trees. This milestone is more than three times the number of trees in Manhattan. The figure covers large-scale reforestation and community plantings with volunteers across the five boroughs. This work echoes the philanthropic legacy of bette midler. The pace of that work has continued in recent years. In 2025 alone, it planted and distributed 4,649 trees. It also removed over 98,000 pounds of rubbish. It built or renovated eight new green spaces in underserved neighborhoods. The charity now operates more than 50 community gardens across New York City. These spaces support residents and urban biodiversity. **Why did NYRP build a 500-foot oyster reef** Beyond tree planting, NYRP has worked on habitat restoration along the city’s waterways. This work strengthens urban ecosystems and resilience. The organization collaborated with NYC Parks in 2020 to install a living shoreline. It is a nature-based solution designed to buffer coastlines. This project features a 500-foot artificial oyster reef with marsh grass plantings at Sherman Creek Park. It is on the Harlem River, creating habitat and stabilizing shorelines. The project was designed to protect the park from sea level rise. and wave action while providing habitat for local wildlife. The reef is described as an example of nature-based climate adaptation. It shows how engineered nature can complement traditional infrastructure. The surrounding marsh has developed alongside it. NYRP says the new marsh is already matching the existing marsh in removing nitrogen pollution. The charity attributes this largely to sewer discharges into the river. These claims show the environmental and public health benefits of the restoration. **How is NYRP restoring American chestnut trees in New York** NYRP’s most recent restoration efforts have extended to species-specific projects as well as broader greening work. They have partnered since 2017 with NYC Parks and the American Chestnut Foundation. They planted more than 200 blight-resistant hybrid chestnut trees in Highbridge Park. The trees began producing nuts in 2023. In 2025, this work expanded into the 1,000 Chestnut Challenge. It also opened New York City’s first official Chestnut Trail. The organization says it intends to plant thousands more trees in 2026. This will occur alongside one of its largest community gardens. Reportedly, the charity’s work now means over 1.6 million New Yorkers live within 10-minute walk of an NYRP green space. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Built%20Remarkable%20NYRP%20Success&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Built%20Remarkable%20NYRP%20Success%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Built%20Remarkable%20NYRP%20Success&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Built%20Remarkable%20NYRP%20Success%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Built%20Remarkable%20NYRP%20Success%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, MillionTtreesNYC, NYRP **Tags:** #200000Trees, #BetteMidler, #ChestnutTrres, #NYRP, #OysterReef --- ### [Video: Bette Midler September - Kiss My Brass - 2004](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/11/video-bette-midler-september-kiss-my-brass-2004/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In Kiss My Brass, Bette Midler performs “September” as part of a short, tender duet with the Mister Rogers song “I Like to Be Told.” **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty September – Bette Midler – Kiss My Brass – 2004 By Mister D Sept 11, 2026 --- ![Female singer with short blond curly hair performing on stage in a glittering orange gown, holding a microphone, mid-song gesture.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-11_14-49-45.png "2026-09-11_14-49-45 - bootleg betty") --- --- **Quick takeaway:** In Kiss My Brass, Bette Midler performs “September” as part of a short, tender duet. Additionally, it pairs with the Mister Rogers song “I Like to Be Told.” It’s a quiet, emotional breather in the show after the big Broadway?spoof medley. Before the final run of signature hits, she shifts from camp to sincerity and delivers the lullaby-like moment. **What the moment feels like:** Bette Midler transitions out of the Mister Rogers segment, softening the tone of the concert. “September” is performed simply, without the brass?heavy spectacle that defines most of the show. The staging leans intimate: warm lighting, minimal movement, and a focus on vocal phrasing. It acts as a palate cleanser before she launches into “From a Distance,” “Do You Wanna Dance,” and the big finale numbers. **Why it stands out.** Kiss My Brass is known for its maximalism—mermaids, boardwalks, Broadway parodies, and jokes galore. Bette Midler “September” is one of the rare moments where she drops the shtick and sings with quiet emotional clarity. It’s a nod to her post?9/11 reflective material, which the tour incorporated sparingly. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20September%20-%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20-%202004&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20September%20-%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20-%202004%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20September%20-%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20-%202004&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20September%20-%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20-%202004%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20September%20-%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20-%202004%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Kiss My Brass, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #KissMyBrass, #September, #Song, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler Cover Reignites the Carpenters’ 1971 Smash](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/11/bette-midler-cover-reignites-the-carpenters-1971-smash/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** When Richard Carpenter caught Bette Midler performing "Superstar" on The Tonight Show in 1971, he instantly knew he'd found a hit. **Content:** --- # 1971 Pop Song, Covered by Bette Midler, Remains One of The Carpenters’ Biggest Hits By Lucille Barilla Sept 9, 2026 --- ![Still from Superstar (1973) showing Bette Midler in a blue dress, with 'SUPERSTAR' at top and 'BETTE MIDLER (1973)' at bottom.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/images-4.jpg "Images 4 - bootleg betty") --- Remarkably, in 1971, a few minutes of late-night television featuring Bette Midler changed pop history. When Richard Carpenter caught Bette Midler performing “Superstar” on The Tonight Show in 1971, he instantly knew he’d found a hit. Written by Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett, the melancholy ballad felt tailor-made for his sister Karen Carpenter’s unforgettable voice. Long before it became a soft-rock standard, \\”Superstar\\” was originally written in 1969 as \\”Groupie (Superstar).\\” In early 1971, the melancholy ballad gained new life when Bette Midler delivered a mesmerizing performance on late-night television. Richard recognized the quiet heartbreak embedded in its melody. He swiftly arranged a version tailored specifically to Karen’s voice. The song captured the heartbreaking, isolated point of view of a fan pining for a rock star after the concert lights went down. Its original title was “Groupie Superstar,” giving the song a more risque slant than the Carpenters’ recording. American Songwriter reprinted a quote from Richard, found in the liner notes of the group’s box set, From The Top, about the song’s origins. “Late one evening during the period in which we were recording our third album, I happened to tune in to The Tonight Show,” he explained. “Bette Midler, who was then relatively unknown, was guesting and, on this particular show, sang ‘Superstar.’ I felt the song was a hit and a natural for Karen.” When Karen stepped up to the microphone, her hauntingly tender delivery turned the track into a masterpiece of pop sadness. According to American Songwriter, she famously laid down the lead vocal in a single take, singing the lyrics off a handwritten napkin as she read them for the very first time. To keep the song in line with the group’s wholesome image, Richard made a subtle line tweak. According to Songfacts, he changed the original, suggestive phrase “I can hardly wait to sleep with you again” to the more radio-friendly “I can hardly wait to be with you again.” “For some reason that tune didn’t hit me in the beginning,” Karen said in an interview reprinted by Songfacts. “It’s the only one. Richard looked at me like I had three heads. He said: ‘Are you out of your mind?’ When I heard his arrangement of it, I fell over, and now it’s one of my favorites too.” The Carpenters’ version climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and this success helped link Bette Midler’s early rise to one of the decade’s defining ballads. Critics note that the arrangement amplified the song’s emotional reach while spotlighting Midler’s emerging star power, a connection that endured as pop culture remembered the era’s iconic sounds. Decades later, its legacy remains undisputed, and it earned a spot on a 2026 American Top 40 retrospective celebrating the greatest hits of the 1970s. It continues to influence artists across genres and remains a touchstone for fans of the era. This story was originally published by Parade on Sep 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Cover%20Reignites%20the%20Carpenters%E2%80%99%201971%20Smash&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Cover%20Reignites%20the%20Carpenters%E2%80%99%201971%20Smash%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Cover%20Reignites%20the%20Carpenters%E2%80%99%201971%20Smash&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Cover%20Reignites%20the%20Carpenters%E2%80%99%201971%20Smash%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Cover%20Reignites%20the%20Carpenters%E2%80%99%201971%20Smash%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs, The Divine Miss M **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Groupie, #Music, #Songs, #Superstar, #TheCarpenters --- ### [Bette Midler's 9/11 Prayer for America: A Powerful Call](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/11/bette-midlers-9-11-prayer-for-america-a-powerful-call/) **Published:** September 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** 9/11 was a coordinated terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, carried out by Al?Qaeda, resulting in the destruction of the World Trade Center towers, severe loss of life, and long?lasting national trauma. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler: 9/11 And Prayer For America By Mister D Sept 11, 2026 --- ![Female singer with curly blond hair belts into a microphone on stage, wearing a black top and leather pants.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/NYP2001092301.jpg "Nyp2001092301 - bootleg betty") --- 9/11 was a coordinated terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. It was carried out by Al?Qaeda, and it destroyed the World Trade Center towers, caused severe loss of life, and left a longstanding national trauma. At the Prayer for America service held at Yankee Stadium on September 23, 2001, Bette Midler delivered one of the ceremony’s most emotional moments with “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Her performance brought thousands to tears; after finishing, she shouted “I love you, New York City!” and moved toward the crowd, blowing kisses to families, survivors, and rescue workers. The event was a massive multi?faith gathering meant to honor victims, support families, and unify the country after the attacks. Midler’s song became a symbolic tribute to first responders and those lost, with the lyric “Did you ever know that you’re my hero?” prompting visible waves of grief and solidarity throughout the stadium. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%209%2F11%20Prayer%20for%20America%3A%20A%20Powerful%20Call&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%209%2F11%20Prayer%20for%20America%3A%20A%20Powerful%20Call%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%209%2F11%20Prayer%20for%20America%3A%20A%20Powerful%20Call&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%209%2F11%20Prayer%20for%20America%3A%20A%20Powerful%20Call%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%209%2F11%20Prayer%20for%20America%3A%20A%20Powerful%20Call%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Video **Tags:** #9/11, #BetteMidler, #PrayerForAmerica, #Video --- ### [Ultimate Bette Midler: Wind Beneath My Wings on Wogan (B&W Edit)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/09/ultimate-bette-midler-wind-beneath-my-wings-on-wogan-bw-edit/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A BonBon Video: Bette Midler - Wind Beneath My Wings (Wogan, B&W edit) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty A BonBon Video: Bette Midler – Wind Beneath My Wings (Wogan, B&W edit) By Boodles BonBon Sept 9, 2026 --- ![A performer singing into a microphone on a dimly lit stage with plants in the background and fog at their feet.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-09_11-28-34.png "2026-09-09_11-28-34 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Ultimate%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%20on%20Wogan%20%28B%26W%20Edit%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Ultimate%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%20on%20Wogan%20%28B%26W%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Ultimate%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%20on%20Wogan%20%28B%26W%20Edit%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Ultimate%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%20on%20Wogan%20%28B%26W%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Ultimate%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%20on%20Wogan%20%28B%26W%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Television, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #JoannaLumley, #Television, #WindBeneathMyWings, #Wogan --- ### [How Hocus Pocus Almost Became a Darker Film](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/09/how-hocus-pocus-almost-became-a-darker-film/) **Published:** September 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Hocus Pocus (1993) is a classic Disney Halloween comedy-fantasy directed by Kenny Ortega, starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters — three 17th-century witches accidentally resurrected in modern Salem **Content:** --- ## Creepy Catalog Originally Hocus Pocus Was A Much Darker Film By Chrissy Stockton Sept. 9, 2026 --- ![Three witches lean in around a table in a dim tavern, with the red-haired one shouting and gesturing dramatically at the others.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-05_10-32-56.png "2026-09-05_10-32-56 - bootleg betty") --- Released in 1993, Hocus Pocus remains a classic Disney Halloween comedy-fantasy directed by Kenny Ortega. It stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters. Three 17th-century witches are accidentally resurrected in modern Salem. The cult classic, Hocus Pocus, follows the Sanderson sisters on Halloween night. New-in-town teen Max Dennison lights the Black Flame Candle and brings Winifred, Sarah, and Mary back to life. They set out to suck the souls of children so they can stay young forever. Additionally, Max, his little sister Dani, and classmate Allison race to stop them. They are aided by a talking cat, a zombie, and a lot of slapstick spellwork. The version audiences know is far tamer than what appeared on the page. Disney bought the script in 1984. Mick Garris’s earliest drafts had the protagonists as 12-year-olds rather than teens, which put children in far greater and more explicit jeopardy. Kathy Najimy recalls being initially reluctant to take the part. ## Origins of Hocus Pocus Characters The Sanderson sisters also weren’t originally the slapstick, bumbling trio Midler, Parker, and Najimy eventually made them. Cast members have described the script’s early tone as closer to the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz. Witches were played for genuine fright rather than laughs. The script went through nearly a decade of rewrites by roughly a dozen different writers. All of it was aimed at toning down the horror and leaning into family-friendly comedy before the film finally reached theaters in 1993. It opened as a flop. It had mixed reviews and a midsummer release that grossed about $40 million on a $28 million budget. There was no awards run to speak of. Cable, VHS, and yearly Disney Channel / Freeform Halloween airings turned it into a cult seasonal ritual. The Sanderson sisters became Halloween icons. Merchandise exploded, a 30th-anniversary re-release cracked the box-office top 10, and Hocus Pocus 2 arrived in 2022. Hocus Pocus is currently streaming on Disney+. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Almost%20Became%20a%20Darker%20Film&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Almost%20Became%20a%20Darker%20Film%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Almost%20Became%20a%20Darker%20Film&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Almost%20Became%20a%20Darker%20Film%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Almost%20Became%20a%20Darker%20Film%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Darker, #H0cusPocus, #Movies --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler Delivers Powerful Glory of Love Live](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/08/audio-bette-midler-delivers-powerful-glory-of-love-live/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler – THE GLORY OF LOVE (Live in Las Vegas, 2010) "The Showgirl Must Go On" **Content:** --- ### Bootleg Betty Bette Midler – THE GLORY OF LOVE (Live in Las Vegas, 2010) By Divine Miss M Fan Site Sept 5, 2026 --- ![Mermaid-costumed woman leans on a grand piano against a turquoise backdrop, with yellow text reading 'The Glory Of Love' above her.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-05_09-00-15.png "2026-09-05_09-00-15 - bootleg betty") --- --- Bette Midler – THE GLORY OF LOVE (Live in Las Vegas, 2010) “The Showgirl Must Go On” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20Powerful%20Glory%20of%20Love%20Live&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20Powerful%20Glory%20of%20Love%20Live%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20Powerful%20Glory%20of%20Love%20Live&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20Powerful%20Glory%20of%20Love%20Live%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20Powerful%20Glory%20of%20Love%20Live%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** #Beaches, Audio, Bette Midler, The Divine Miss M Fan Site, The Showgirl Must Go On **Tags:** #Audio, #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #DivineMissMFanSite, #GloryOfLove, #TheShowgirlMustGoOn --- ### [15 Best Witch Movies: A Complete Guide](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/08/15-best-witch-movies-a-complete-guide/) **Published:** September 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Since the early days of cinema, witches have haunted heroes of all ages. **Content:** --- ## Entertainment Weekly The 15 best witch movies, from The Wizard of Oz to Weapons By By Clark Collis, Kevin Jacobsen, and Britt Hayes Sept 5, 2026 --- ![A woman with red hair in an elaborate green outfit holds a large, ornate leather-bound book close to her chest, indoors.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/bette-midler-hocus-pocus-1080x585-1-1024x555-1.jpg "Bette-midler-hocus-pocus-1080x585-1-1024x555 - bootleg betty") --- Since the early days of cinema, witches have haunted heroes of all ages. The classic archetype shows them as magical beings who brew potions and cast spells. However, these archetypes often served devious purposes. Film helped define witches’ iconography, including the familiar pointy-hat-and-broomstick look, and it evolved over the years. Hocus Pocus (1993) became a notable example that shaped modern portrayals. The familiar look has evolved, and later films expanded the range of witches. For instance, Häxan (1922) and The Wizard of Oz (1939) later shared the screen with newer heroines. Examples include The Witches of Eastwick (1987) and Practical Magic (1998). As witches have increasingly been depicted as complex characters, like Hocus Pocus, they can’t be neatly defined as heroes. Moreover, films have moved away from the cartoonish stereotypes of heroes and villains. We tossed an eye of newt, some frog’s breath, and a few eyeballs into a cauldron to summon this list of the 15 best witch movies of all time. **Häxan (1922)** Maren Pedersen in ‘Häxan’ Maren Pedersen in ‘Häxan’. Everett. This silent faux-documentary chronicles the sociological phenomenon of witchcraft from the Middle Ages to the modern age. Moreover, interspersed with dramatic reenactments, the influential Swedish film explores superstitions and witch hunts through history, which, as demonstrated by the rest of this list, would fascinate filmmakers over the next century. Hocus Pocus. **The Wizard of Oz (1939)** Frank Morgan’s wizard may get titular billing, but it is Margaret Hamilton’s vengeance-seeking Wicked Witch of the West (and her platoon of flying monkeys) who brings the scares in this terrifying-for-small-kids classic movie musical. —Clark Collis **I Married a Witch (1942)** The plot of this hilarious romantic comedy is absurd, but that’s part of its charm. Centuries after being burned at the stake, a witch named Jennifer (Veronica Lake) magically reappears and tries to torment the descendant of the puritan who led the charge against her — only to fall in love with him. Hi-jinks ensue! —K.J. **Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)** The Wizard of Oz’s Glinda proclaimed there are good witches and bad witches, and Miss Eglantine Price (Angela Lansbury) falls decidedly in the good witch camp. In this delightful children’s fantasy film, Miss Price is an apprentice witch left in charge of three orphans during World War II, and she recruits them to aid in her magical quest to find spells to fight against the Nazis. —K.J. **Suspiria (1977)** “The only thing more terrifying than the last 12 minutes of Suspiria are the first 92.” So declared the unnerving trailer for giallo master Dario Argento’s gorgeously atmospheric tale of spooky goings-on at a German dance school. —C.C. **The Witches of Eastwick (1987**) A trio of witches — played by Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer — summon up the ideal man: Enter Jack Nicholson’s “horny little devil.” George Miller directs, in his first non-Mad Max outing, from the novel by John Updike. Come for the air of louche sexuality, the terrific performances from the three female leads, and Nicholson’s larger-than-life performance. Stay to see Veronica Cartwright’s uptight rumormonger vomit her weight in cherry stones. —C.C. **The Witches (1990)** The great Anjelica Huston is unforgettable as a witch leader hellbent on turning children into mice in director Nicolas Roeg’s Jim Henson-assisted adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantasy novel. Another adaptation of Dahl’s story was released decades later starring Anne Hathaway, but we suggest you stick with the 1990 version. —C.C. **Hocus Pocus (1993)** Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are a trio of 17th-century witch sisters resurrected in 1990s Salem in director Kenny Ortega’s beloved Halloween favorite. The film finally earned a sequel 29 years later on Disney+. —C.C. **The Craft (1996)** Rachel True, Neve Campbell, Fairuza Balk, and Robin Tunney are a quartet of put-upon high school students who turn things around for themselves by forming a coven. What could go wrong? Except, like, everything. —C.C. **Practical Magic (1998)** The good news? Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman) are witches with supernatural powers. The bad? Every man with whom they fall in love dies an untimely death in this movie from An American Werewolf in London star Griffin Dunne. —C.C. **The Witch (2015)** Anya Taylor-Joy is Thomasin, the eldest child of an isolated Puritan family in writer-director Robert Eggers’ creep-fest. All hell breaks loose when the clan’s baby disappears while in Thomasin’s care. Could a woods-dwelling witch be responsible? Spoiler alert: Yes! —C.C. **The Love Witch (2016)** Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actress Samantha Robinson plays the titular character, a potion-making seductress whose attempt to find her Prince Charming has disastrous consequences, in this singular and highly-stylized pastiche of ’60s movies. —C.C. **Suspiria (2018)** Luca Guadagnino reimagines the Argento classic in this haunting film about a dancer (Dakota Johnson) who uncovers a sinister coven at a dance academy in Cold War-era Berlin. Featuring Tilda Swinton in a trio of roles, Suspiria is as brutal as it is breathtaking. —Britt Hayes **Gretel & Hansel (2020)** The slow-burn aesthetic of director Oz Perkins works perfectly in this new version of the sinister fairy tale, starring Sophia Lillis as Gretel and Alice Krige as the witch. —C.C. **Weapons (2025)** Zach Cregger’s second solo feature explores the fallout after an entire classroom of children abruptly run out of their homes in the middle of the night and disappear. The mysterious event coincides with the arrival of the eccentric Gladys, played by Amy Madigan in an Oscar-winning performance. —B.H. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=15%20Best%20Witch%20Movies%3A%20A%20Complete%20Guide&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=15%20Best%20Witch%20Movies%3A%20A%20Complete%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=15%20Best%20Witch%20Movies%3A%20A%20Complete%20Guide&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=15%20Best%20Witch%20Movies%3A%20A%20Complete%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=15%20Best%20Witch%20Movies%3A%20A%20Complete%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Guide, #HocusPocus, #Witches, #WitchMovies --- ### [Bette Midler: Inside Kiss My Brass Tour Interview](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/05/bette-midler-inside-kiss-my-brass-tour-interview/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler interview to promote her upcoming “Kiss My Brass Down Under” tour.. **Content:** --- ### Bootleg Betty A BonBon Video: Bette Midler – The 7.30 Report (Kiss My Brass Tour Interview) By Boodles BonBon Sept. 5, 2026 --- ![Performer in a vintage dress and blonde wig sings into a microphone beside a white carousel horse prop on stage.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/images-3.jpg "Images 3 - bootleg betty") --- --- Bette Midler does an interview to promote her upcoming “Kiss My Brass Down Under” tour. This appearance highlights the tour set for Australia. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Inside%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20Tour%20Interview&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Inside%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20Tour%20Interview%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Inside%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20Tour%20Interview&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Inside%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20Tour%20Interview%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Inside%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20Tour%20Interview%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Interview, Kiss My Brass, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #DownUnder, #Interview, #KissMyBrass, #Video --- ### [How a 1979 Box Office Hit Earned Bette Midler an Oscar Nomination](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/05/how-a-1979-box-office-hit-earned-bette-midler-an-oscar-nomination/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Years before Bette Midler starred in iconic movies like Beaches, First Wives Club, and Hocus Pocus, she was a singer, with her first movie role in the heartbreaking musical drama The Rose. **Content:** --- ## Parade 1979 box office hit earns Bette Midler an Oscar nomination By Jacqueline Burt Cote Sept. 5, 2026 --- ![Album cover showing a profile of a woman with curly blonde hair and sunglasses; dark background, bordered photo, 'The Rose' title above and credits below (no names shown).](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-08-19_07-59-30.png "2026-08-19_07-59-30 - bootleg betty") --- Years before Bette Midler starred in iconic movies like Beaches, First Wives Club, and Hocus Pocus, she was a singer. However, her first movie role came in the heartbreaking musical drama The Rose. Directed by Mark Rydell, The Rose features Bette Midler as a self-destructive ’60s rock star. Mary Rose Foster is a character loosely based on Janis Joplin. Additionally, the 1979 movie was a commercial hit, pulling in over $29 million. It also earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Midler. This was a notable screen debut for her. Midler also performed on the soundtrack album, naturally. The title track became one of the biggest hits of her career. Additionally, decades later, both the song and the movie remain classics. Billboard ranked her Rose appearance at #23 on a list of 100 Best Performances by Musicians in Movies. Melinda Newman writes that Midler slices open an emotional vein and bleeds all over the role. It remains one of the most vulnerable performances ever committed to screen. Additionally, that’s all before even getting to her singing. It produced a pop perennial ballad in the No. 3-peaking title track. In a 2015 interview with the Criterion Channel, Midler opened up about how she prepared for the role. Indeed, the role would change her life forever. I have been listening to R&B since I discovered it when I was about ten or eleven years old. Additionally, Midler listened to all that and thought the hardness of those lives showed the women’s struggles. I really tried to bring that to the table. Midler also mentioned some of the singers who inspired her approach to the role. Additionally, they include Big Mama Thornton, Nina Simone, and Tina Turner. Paul Rothchild, who produced Joplin’s last album, Pearl, was the logical choice to produce the soundtrack for The Rose. However, Midler didn’t always enjoy working with him. Additionally, “He was a really interesting character,” she recalled, calling him “very tough.” I didn’t really like him, Bette Midler admitted. However, she said he drove her to sing ‘until I bled,’ though she found the band he assembled fantastic. Additionally, In addition to extensive vocal rehearsals, Midler worked on her rock star “stage movement” for months before filming started. She said, “I did gymnastics for six months before I even started.” Additionally, I wanted it to have this crawling feeling about it. “I wanted the character to be able to do, you know, dips. Additionally, I never got to the splits, but we live in hope.” Midler quipped, noting that she was able to master somersaults and handstands. “I really wanted to have like a kind of a panther quality to her movement on the stage.” she said. “She was a creature on the stage, and there was nothing soft.” Moreover, it was always very punchy and angular, so I think we got that.” As for that chart-topping title track, without Midler’s input, it might have been a very different kind of song. Midler’s input helped shape its direction. According to American Songwriter, some of the people making the movie wanted a more up-tempo, rocking tune. However, when Midler heard “The Rose,” submitted for consideration by Amanda McBroom, she fell in love with the ballad. Thus, the rest, as they say, is history. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20a%201979%20Box%20Office%20Hit%20Earned%20Bette%20Midler%20an%20Oscar%20Nomination&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20a%201979%20Box%20Office%20Hit%20Earned%20Bette%20Midler%20an%20Oscar%20Nomination%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20a%201979%20Box%20Office%20Hit%20Earned%20Bette%20Midler%20an%20Oscar%20Nomination&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20a%201979%20Box%20Office%20Hit%20Earned%20Bette%20Midler%20an%20Oscar%20Nomination%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20a%201979%20Box%20Office%20Hit%20Earned%20Bette%20Midler%20an%20Oscar%20Nomination%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Movies, Songs, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Movies, #OscarNomination, #Songs, #TheRose --- ### [There's New Bette Midler Music In The JukeBox For September](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/05/theres-new-bette-midler-music-in-the-jukebox-for-september/) **Published:** September 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** There's a new selection of Bette Midler music in the September Jukebox- this time featuring songs from her concert, Divine Intervention. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty There’s New Bette Midler Music In The JukeBox For September By Mister D Sept. 5, 2026 --- ![Older woman in a pink embroidered dress sits on a white throne-like chair on a stage, holding a microphone, with flowers at her feet.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/6-18-2015-10-40-14-PM.png "6-18-2015-10-40-14-pm - bootleg betty") --- There’s a new selection of Bette Midler music in the September Jukebox- this time featuring songs from her concert, Divine Intervention. [Click Here For Jukebox](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=There%27s%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Music%20In%20The%20JukeBox%20For%20September&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=There%27s%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Music%20In%20The%20JukeBox%20For%20September%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=There%27s%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Music%20In%20The%20JukeBox%20For%20September&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=There%27s%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Music%20In%20The%20JukeBox%20For%20September%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=There%27s%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Music%20In%20The%20JukeBox%20For%20September%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bootleg Betty Jukebox, Divine Intervention, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DivineIntervention, #Jukebox, #Music, #Songs --- ### [Bette Midler Unveils a Powerful Gardening Clothing Line](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/04/bette-midler-unveils-a-powerful-gardening-clothing-line/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler is in the garden **Content:** --- ### Bootleg Betty Bette Midler On Her New Gardening Clothing Line By Mister D Sept. 4, 2026 --- ![Smiling older woman in a white blouse and green apron stands beside a wooden raised garden bed with leafy greens in a sunny backyard garden.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-04_13-57-24.png "2026-09-04_13-57-24 - bootleg betty") --- Hello, All! Here are a few pieces of my very first clothing line, in collaboration with the extraordinary Rozae Nichols. Designed and produced in Los Angeles, USA. Additionally, hand printed by local sewing and printing workshops. All to benefit my beloved non-profit, New York Restoration Project! Cleaning and greening NYC for 31 years! Bette Midler has supported similar projects. Made for longevity and love. Additionally, you can shop our collaboration between THE DIVINE MISS M and Flora Animalia, featuring Bette Midler. Please visit the link in bio, or type [**floraanimalia.com**](https://floraanimalia.com/) to shop. Additionally, if you’re in LA, be the person who supports a small independent shop, Bette Midler would approve. Come to:Flora Animalia1517 North Gardner Street Los Angeles, Ca. 90046 Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Unveils%20a%20Powerful%20Gardening%20Clothing%20Line&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Unveils%20a%20Powerful%20Gardening%20Clothing%20Line%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Unveils%20a%20Powerful%20Gardening%20Clothing%20Line&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Unveils%20a%20Powerful%20Gardening%20Clothing%20Line%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Unveils%20a%20Powerful%20Gardening%20Clothing%20Line%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Fashion, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Fashion, #FloraAnimalia, #GardeningClothes, #NYRP --- ### [How to Stream The Glorias with Bette Midler: Your Ultimate Guide](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/04/how-to-stream-the-glorias-with-bette-midler-your-ultimate-guide/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Another legend, lost: Feminist activist, icon, and author Gloria Steinem has died, at the age of 92 **Content:** --- ## Decider: Where to Stream The Glorias With Bette Midler By Anna Menta Sept 4, 2026. --- ![Older woman in a wide-brimmed orange hat and patterned dress hands a newspaper to a seated customer in a cluttered shop with posters on the wall.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/images-1.jpg "Images 1 - bootleg betty") --- Another legend, lost: Feminist activist, icon, and author Gloria Steinem has died, at the age of 92. It’s impossible to overstate Steinem’s legacy as a lead of the second-wave feminist movement in the 1970s. If you’re seeking an entertaining overview of Steinem’s life’s work, you might consider The Glorias. It is a Gloria Steinem biopic starring Julianne Moore. Additionally, Oscar-winning actors portray her life. COVID-19 forced a digital release in the fall of 2020, and the film mostly flew under the radar. Julia Taymor directs The Glorias, renowned for experimental Broadway adaptations like The Lion King and films such as Frida. Additionally, she co-wrote the script with Sarah Ruhl, and the film adapts Steinem’s 2015 memoir, My Life on the Road. There’s Steinem as a little girl on the road with her family, played by Ryan Kira Armstrong; Steinem as a college graduate traveling alone in India, played by Alicia Vikander; and Steinem as the famed political activist most know her as; played by Moore. Along the way, you’ll meet many of the other feminist activists who worked with Steinem over the years, including Bella Abzug (played by Bette Midler), Dorothy Pitman Hughes (played by Janelle Monae), and Florynce Kennedy (played by Lorraine Toussaint). The film first premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and received mixed reviews, but it’s undoubtedly a fitting and educational tribute to one of America’s most important historical figures. Read on to find out where to watch the Julianne Moore Gloria Steinem movie, The Glorias, on streaming. (Not to be confused with Moore’s Gloria Bell movie, which is not about Gloria Steinem.) Two women, one in a brown hat and patterned dress, the other in glasses and a dark top, look at a newspaper in an office. ©Roadside Attractions/Courtesy Everett Collection **Where to watch The Glorias movie on streaming for free:** Right now, if you are a Prime subscriber, you can watch The Glorias movie online for free by signing up for a free trial of Lionsgate+, which is a premium subscription-based streaming service for Lionsgate content. Lionsgate+ costs $6.99 a month and is ad-free. You can get a 7-day free trial of Lionsgate+ via an add-on through Amazon’s Prime Video. If you’d rather not sign up for a new streaming service, you can also buy a digital copy of The Glorias on digital platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, and more. The cost may vary depending on which service you use to purchase the film, but on Prime Video the movie costs $7.99 to buy. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20to%20Stream%20The%20Glorias%20with%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Your%20Ultimate%20Guide&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20to%20Stream%20The%20Glorias%20with%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Your%20Ultimate%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20to%20Stream%20The%20Glorias%20with%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Your%20Ultimate%20Guide&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20to%20Stream%20The%20Glorias%20with%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Your%20Ultimate%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20to%20Stream%20The%20Glorias%20with%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Your%20Ultimate%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History, Movies, The Glorias **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #GloriaSteinem, #History, #JulianneMoore, #Movies, #TheGlorias --- ### [Bette Midler Honors Gloria Steinem on Instagram](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/04/bette-midler-honors-gloria-steinem-on-instagram/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler and Gloria Steinem shared a decades-long bond of friendship and mutual support for women's rights, highlighted by Midler's heartfelt tributes following Steinem's passing in September 2026. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler pays tribute to Gloria Steinem on Instagram. By Mister D Sept. 4, 2026. --- ![Woman sitting cross?legged on a studio floor, holding a sign that reads 'We Shall Overcome'.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-04_11-41-22.png "2026-09-04_11-41-22 - bootleg betty") --- Gloria Steinem, a generational vanguard. 1934–2026 RIP — **Bette Midler** --- ![Two women in vintage dresses hug onstage, smiling as they lean into each other.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/images-11.jpg "Images 11 - bootleg betty") --- ### An Overview Of Their Relationship Additionally, this overview describes their relationship. --- Bette Midler and Gloria Steinem shared a decades-long bond of friendship and mutual support for women’s rights. Moreover, Midler paid heartfelt tributes after Steinem’s passing in September 2026. The Glorias: Midler portrayed the prominent feminist lawyer and Steinem confidante Bella Abzug in the 2020 biographical film The Glorias. Tributes: Following Steinem’s death at age 92, Midler shared an emotional online tribute. Additionally, it expressed her deep love and admiration for Steinem’s courage and lifelong work. --- ![Close-up of a woman screaming on the Ms. magazine cover (August 1973) with a large green 'Ms.' logo at top-left.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/images.jpg "Images - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Honors%20Gloria%20Steinem%20on%20Instagram&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Honors%20Gloria%20Steinem%20on%20Instagram%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Honors%20Gloria%20Steinem%20on%20Instagram&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Honors%20Gloria%20Steinem%20on%20Instagram%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Honors%20Gloria%20Steinem%20on%20Instagram%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History, Obituaries, The Glorias **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #GloriaSteinem, #History, #Obituary, #Tribute --- ### [8 Ultimate Family Movies That Everyone Will Love](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/04/8-ultimate-family-movies-that-everyone-will-love/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Family movies can be anything their creators want them to be. They can be uplifting, poignant, inspiring, and even a little spooky. When it comes to being pure fun, these eight movies are the go-to choices for family movie night. **Content:** --- ## Collider The 8 Most Fun Family Movies Ever Made By Lisa Nordin Sept 2, 2026 --- ![Three women in Halloween costumes peek from behind a wooden shelf, one covering her mouth in surprise, all smiling playfully.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2018-10-15_2-40-27-450x561-1.png "2018-10-15_2-40-27-450x561 - bootleg betty") --- Family movies can be anything their creators want them to be. They can be uplifting, poignant, inspiring, and even a little spooky. Additionally, these family movies including Bette Midler titles are go-to choices for movie night. Kids and family movies are deceptively difficult to execute well. As any parent can attest, children are a discerning audience, and they decide quickly. There is little persuading them once they’ve made up their mind. There are also the adults to consider. A great family film must entertain across generations. It has to be lively enough for older viewers but not too cerebral. Kids won’t lose interest otherwise. While this is a fine line, several movies have fallen short. Bette Midler shines in family films, and these eight titles excel. These are the most fun family movies that audiences of all ages can enjoy watching together. **‘The Goonies’ (1985)** collides with lost pirate treasure, underground caves, an escaped family of convicts, dead bodies, and ice cream. When their homes face foreclosure by a nearby country club, a group of young kids must find a lot of money quickly to save them. A local legend says pirate One-Eyed Willy stored his immense hoard somewhere nearby. Answering the call for adventure are the Goonies, a misfit group of friends Mikey (Sean Astin), Chunk (Jeff Cohen), Mouth (Corey Feldman), and Data (Ke Huy Quan). The Goonies is nonstop fun. From secret missions to childish pranks, there is no end to the entertainment in this ‘80s classic. With the use of practical effects and clever storytelling, The Goonies still holds up remarkably well, and it is as entertaining to watch now as it was over four decades ago. Besides the crazy antics, there are some relatable characters to root for. As Collider’s Dyah Ayu Larasati notes, “Each kid reacts differently to danger, which makes The Goonies exciting to watch.” The Goonies is a perfect choice for adventure fans of all ages, and it doesn’t disappoint. **2 ‘Toy Story’ (1995)** While several movies in the highly successful Toy Story franchise have more dramatic themes, the first film is more lighthearted and simply involves two toys that are trying to get back to their owner. When Andy (John Morris) gets a brand-new astronaut figure named Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) for his birthday, his old favorite toy, a cowboy named Woody (Tom Hanks), feels an instant pang of jealousy. Toy Story is a refreshingly original and amusing take on the enemies-to-friends trope. When the two toys are separated from Andy before he moves, Buzz and Woody must learn to work together if they are ever going to reach Andy in time. Toy Story is a fantastic buddy comedy at heart. It is clever, witty, and endlessly diverting. Although computer animation has come a long way since 1995, the writing is spectacular, and Toy Story remains perfectly delightful. **3 ‘The Lego Batman Movie’ (2017)** Not only is The Lego Batman Movie the best DC content to hit the big screen, but it is one of the best Batman movies ever made. Only Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight ranks higher than The Lego Batman Movie on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. One viewing of the film, and it is not hard to see why. The Lego Batman Movie is a triumph of animation, using a blend of stop-motion presentations via computer graphics, and it has tremendous writing with a script that is overflowing with self-aware meta humor. The Lego Batman Movie is a fantastic duality in that it both commits to delivering some dedicated IP-specific moments, while never taking itself too seriously. Capturing the essence of what fans love about the lore while adding an energetic element of play, The Lego Batman Movie is an absolute triumph. The cast is spot-on and includes Will Arnett as Batman, Michael Cera as Robin, Zach Galifianakis as Joker, and Ralph Fiennes as Alfred. If you want to watch a stellar superhero movie and laugh out loud so much your sides might hurt, The Lego Batman Movie is your next watch. **4 ‘Night at the Museum’ (2006)** How do you inspire kids to be interested in events that happened to someone else hundreds of years ago? Have the historic figures come to life and interact in new and exciting ways, of course. Night at the Museum is a jocund journey through time as viewers follow the exploits of the newest night security guard, Larry Daley (Ben Stiller). Larry has an entrepreneurial spirit, but no real commitment, which leads him to take and quit jobs quickly. Given an ultimatum by his ex-wife, Larry accepts a job at the Museum of Natural History so he can continue seeing his son. However, this seemingly routine position is anything but, and Larry has no idea what he is in for. In a fantastical twist on a seemingly ordinary situation, the museum holds an incredible secret: a magical tablet entombed with a pharaoh that is on display has given animation to all of the exhibits, and they come to life at night. Night at the Museum is packed with exciting action and clever nods to historical events. Despite its low reception from critics, it remains an audience favorite and continues to be popular with fans. This summer, Night at the Museum soared up streaming charts and reached the #8 spot in Netflix’s worldwide Top 10. A winning component of Night at the Museum is that the historical figures mentioned are timeless, and it is always amusing to examine a well-known persona through a different lens. **5 ‘Home Alone’ (1990)** The 1990s were a rich decade for Christmas movies. None was better than Home Alone. The premise seems simple enough: a young boy left behind by his family tries to protect his home from a couple of thieves who try to break in. However, Home Alone delivered abundant laughs, disarming and unexpectedly touching moments, and an Oscar-nominated score by the legendary John Williams. Not to mention some impressive and believable stunt work. Whether you are 9 or 90 years old, there is something for everyone in Home Alone. Instead of leaning 100% into campy hysterics, the thoughtful writing by John Hughes and magnificent direction by Chris Columbus take opportunities to be heartfelt and nuanced. A perfect mix of comedy and emotion, Home Alone is a must-watch Christmas movie for many. With its cozy charm and happy ending, Home Alone is not merely a jovial holiday flick, but a powerful feel-good film that can be enjoyed any time of the year. **“Hocus Pocus” (1993)** When it comes to being spooky, spunky, and all-around entertaining, there is none better than Hocus Pocus. A Halloween movie the whole family can enjoy, it tells the plight of young Max Dennison (Omri Katz), who doesn’t believe in ghost stories and lights a black flame candle, bringing three notorious witches back from the dead. The local terrors, the Sanderson Sisters, Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) wreak havoc on Salem once again and aim to drain the life force from all of the children in town so they can remain alive. Hocus Pocus is a cherished family viewing tradition for many, especially when Halloween and autumn come around. It is playful, funny, and absolutely iconic when it comes to costumes and makeup. Even though this haunting hit is 33 years old, it still holds up on screen. Hocus Pocus has aged like a fine wine and seems to be frozen in time, perfect as it is. It is now considered one of the best kids’ movies of the 1990s even though it initially bombed at the box office. Luckily, this ghoulish gem has found its audience, and it continues to grow in popularity year after year. **7 ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ (2025)** The best animated family movie from the past five years is the surprise Netflix hit that no one saw coming. KPop Demon Hunters follows three singers who form the group Huntrix. Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) are not only famous singers, but they are an elite trio of demon-hunting heroes on the side. KPop Demon Hunters is the perfect blend of an interesting plot with dynamic animation. There are nods to anime, 2D art, and more comprised within the movie’s mise en scene, and the music can’t be beat. KPop Demon Hunters destroyed viewership records everywhere and has raked in accolades, including a Grammy, two Oscars, and two Golden Globes. Even though there are immortal stakes involved, KPop Demon Hunters never stops being anything but over-the-top awesomeness. It has endless rewatchability (unless you don’t want the songs stuck in your head), and it is undoubtedly only the beginning for this groundbreaking masterpiece that is set to launch a mega-franchise. **8 ‘The Emperor’s New Groove’ (2000)** Though Walt Disney’s raison d’être for animated films was to tell compelling and gripping stories, the prolific studio also mixes in much lighter fare, and one of the best is The Emperor’s New Groove. The production behind the movie was a tumultuous one with nearly every element being rewritten in some way, shape, or form. Luckily, what emerged was an absolute triumph, and The Emperor’s New Groove is clever, unique, and has razor-sharp wit. The story follows the selfish and spoiled emperor Kuzco (David Spade) after he is accidentally turned into a llama by his former employee Yzma (Eartha Kitt), who was intending to kill him instead. In a riches-to-rags situation like none other, the self-centered and immature Kuzco must completely rely on the kindness of one of his subjects to get him back to his palace. The Emperor’s New Groove is an immensely fun family film. The cast is superb and includes John Goodman, Patrick Warburton, and Wendie Malick as well as Spade and Kitt. Having such talented and identifiable comedic voices involved with the movie heightens the hilarity. The Emperor’s New Groove has some of the best dialogue in any animated film, and its witty banter has been the inspiration for many memes. If you want to enjoy an excellent movie with your family and quote it back to each other again and again, then The Emperor’s New Groove can’t be missed. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=8%20Ultimate%20Family%20Movies%20That%20Everyone%20Will%20Love&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=8%20Ultimate%20Family%20Movies%20That%20Everyone%20Will%20Love%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=8%20Ultimate%20Family%20Movies%20That%20Everyone%20Will%20Love&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=8%20Ultimate%20Family%20Movies%20That%20Everyone%20Will%20Love%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=8%20Ultimate%20Family%20Movies%20That%20Everyone%20Will%20Love%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #FamilyMovies, #HocusPocus, #Movies --- ### [Bette Midler Highlights Surprising Ivanka Trump, Harp Similarities](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/02/bette-midler-highlights-surprising-ivanka-trump-harp-similarities/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Actress and singer Bette Midler called out the eerie similarities between Ivanka Trump and Natalie Harp in a side-by-side comparison picture. **Content:** --- ## Daily Express Bette Midler calls out eerie similarities between Ivanka Trump and Natalie Harp By Averee Nelson Sept 2, 2026 --- ![Smiling older woman with silver hair in a black embroidered blazer, standing in front of a purple event backdrop.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-02_12-22-50.png "2026-09-02_12-22-50 - bootleg betty") --- Actress and singer Bette Midler called out the eerie similarities between Ivanka Trump and Natalie Harp in a side-by-side comparison picture. The Hocus Pocus star, who frequently posts political memes and commentary on social media, seemed to weigh in on the comparisons between President Donald Trump’s eldest daughter and his blonde “human printer” aide. While Harp has seemingly been at the center of attention lately due to her professional relationship with Trump, she has also drawn comparisons to Ivanka for her style and overall appearance. It comes after Natalie Harp smiled as Donald Trump bragged about himself on Fox News. Midler seemed to have reposted a side-by-side image of Ivanka, 44, and Harp, 35, on her Instagram over the weekend, with the message Just Saying over the image. ![Meme showing two side-by-side women with the text "JUST SAYIN'" at the top and labels "Ivanka" and "Natalie" beneath each image, both wearing white dresses with blonde hair.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-02_12-34-00.png "2026-09-02_12-34-00 - bootleg betty") While Midler didn’t add any commentary herself, leaving the caption blank, she didn’t seem to need to, as Harp has turned heads in the past on social media for almost being mistaken for Ivanka when accompanying the president. Natalie Harp has drawn comparisons to Ivanka Trump (Image: Getty Images) The actress did like a few comments from her followers, including one which read, “Mango Mussolini definitely has a type.” “The Internet is merciless,” Midler commented below the image. She liked another comment, which read, “Definitely but that doesn’t mean the internet is wrong either.” Other comments under Midler’s post included, “It’s Temu Ivanka.” “Never really paid attention before. They look like twins!!!!!” another user commented. “That’s just creepy,” wrote someone else. Ivanka Trump And Wilbur Ross Co-Chair American Workforce Policy Advisory Board Natalie Harp’s hair has become blonder over the years, similar to Ivanka’s hair color (Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images) Others pointed out that the image of Ivanka in the comparison post appeared to have been slightly altered or manipulated. Harp is Trump’s executive assistant, who reportedly earned the nickname “human printer” for following Trump around with a portable printer to print news stories and hard copies of social media drafts. She has been dominating the headlines in recent weeks after she was chosen as one of the few aides to join the president on his secret plane swap as he left the NATO Summit in Turkey last month. Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff then accused Trump of wanting to “build his ballroom and travel with Natalie” rather than do his job, which sparked further scrutiny about her role in the White House. Harp first entered the public spotlight when she thanked Trump for backing the Right to Try law in a 2019 Fox & Friends appearance. She credited the Trump-backed legislation, saying it allowed her access to experimental medication for bone cancer. Harp went on to give a speech at the 2019 Faith and Freedom Coalition conference and the 2020 Republican National Convention to credit Trump once again for what she described as life-saving treatment for her stage 2 bone cancer. She later became a far-right anchor at One America News Network before joining the Trump administration in the lead-up to the 2024 campaign. Over the years, Harp’s appearance has altered slightly. In 2019, her hair appeared darker, and she seemed to wear minimal makeup, whereas now her hair is noticeably blonder and she wears heavier makeup. Harp’s styling also now reflects the fashion of other prominent women in Trump’s orbit, such as Ivanka. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Highlights%20Surprising%20Ivanka%20Trump%2C%20Harp%20Similarities&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Highlights%20Surprising%20Ivanka%20Trump%2C%20Harp%20Similarities%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Highlights%20Surprising%20Ivanka%20Trump%2C%20Harp%20Similarities&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Highlights%20Surprising%20Ivanka%20Trump%2C%20Harp%20Similarities%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Highlights%20Surprising%20Ivanka%20Trump%2C%20Harp%20Similarities%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Instagram, Politics **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Instagram, #IvankaTrump, #NatalieHarp, #Politics --- ### [Bette Midler's bold fashion collaboration with Flora Animalia](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/02/bette-midlers-bold-fashion-collaboration-with-flora-animalia/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Midler liked her story: Nichols felt burned out, left the traditional fashion system, and later started a business on her own terms, built around gardening, nature, and design. **Content:** --- ## Vogue Bette Midler Collaborates With Flora Animalia on Clothes That Bring “Joy” to the Garden By Max Berlinger Sept. 2, 2026 --- ![Two elderly women in wide-brimmed hats stand outside a garden shed, smiling; one leans on a rake, the other on a garden hoe with tools visible inside.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-02_11-31-02.png "2026-09-02_11-31-02 - bootleg betty") --- “I don’t know how I got this damn apron,” says Bette Midler. Additionally, the bold, brassy broad has entertained us for about 50 years. Someone gave it to me because they know I’m always out in the yard. I’m still wearing this damn apron! I love this apron. I wore this apron, and I’m still wearing this damn apron. The apron came from Flora Animalia, a Los Angeles–based brand designed by Rozae Nichols, who built a long fashion career starting in the 1990s selling under her own name at luxury boutiques like Barneys and Neiman Marcus, and later under Clover Canyon. Midler was charmed by Flora Animalia and visited Nichols at her LA studio, learning about the designer’s past ventures and current work. “It’s gardening clothes,” Midler said, “and she’s on a street called Gardner—what are the odds?” The tale impressed Midler. Nichols felt burned out, left the traditional fashion system. She later started a business on her own terms, built around gardening, nature, and design. The star appreciated that the clothes were made in Los Angeles, and sewn on site. Over time, the two developed a friendship. One day Nicholas asked if The Divine Ms. M would want to work on a capsule collection. I said, Of course,’ Midler told Vogue. But I thought. I don’t know what kind of collaboration she’s talking about. The result is a 10-piece collection of gardening togs and breezy day dresses. It also includes table linens, embracing a garden-to-table ethos. In the mix are overall-like aprons that criss-cross in the back, some with gold floral embroidery. Loose button-up shirting and flowy pants accompany them. V-neck long-sleeve caftans feature garment-dyed flower motifs. Printed cotton place settings complete the look. Prices range from $TK-TK. Bette Midler directs proceeds to the New York Restoration Project, founded in 1995 to improve parks and green spaces. Midler, of course, is no stranger to gardening and nature. In fact, beyond the high-profile career, she is perhaps best known for her dedication to the environment. This passion started in Hawaii, where she was born and raised, and grew from knowing a papa-san with a garden on her block on the way to school. “It was this little postage stamp piece of land, and it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen in my life.” Later, in the 1990s, when she moved to New York, she was dismayed at the derelict condition of the city parks, especially Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan, and started organizing a team to clean them, which was the genesis of NYRP. “It’s been steady and strong for 31 years,” she says. “I can’t say I’m the greatest gardener that ever was, \[but\] I do feel I have a good eye and I am enchanted by them. And I do feel that every human being has the right to clean, green, open space.” As a longtime gardener and advocate of natural public spaces, Midler has thoughts on what to wear while tilling the soil. “Most people wear rags, and I wear rags too, but I do like to be presentable to my mirror,” she says. “I like to wear a really nice apron, some sort of semi-chic footwear, and I like to have good tools. I like to sort of be a little wacky, too. It’s meant for joy. It’s a joyous place. So that’s the place where we started. The idea of joy in the garden was really where we started.” While Midler enjoyed the collaborative process, “I learned that it’s not all a bed of roses,” she said. ICE raids in Los Angeles meant that Nichols’ network of local artisans was affected. Moreover, “Many of those workshops have closed,” Midler said. “And this is a huge tragedy.” “But Rozae weathered every storm,” she added. “She is tough, and she is good-hearted. She’s really quite a character. I just adore her.” As for what gardening and nature preservation bring to the notoriously outspoken performer, Midler had this to say. Gardening is life-affirming. It recharges your batteries. You know what it does? It focuses your mind on something bigger and more important than you. It’s extraordinary. It is what it is. Everywhere you look, there’s something to delight you. There’s something to terrify you, something to pique your curiosity. It’s gigantic. It’s endless. “It’s just endlessly enchanting,” she said. “If you open your eyes to it.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20bold%20fashion%20collaboration%20with%20Flora%20Animalia&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20bold%20fashion%20collaboration%20with%20Flora%20Animalia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20bold%20fashion%20collaboration%20with%20Flora%20Animalia&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20bold%20fashion%20collaboration%20with%20Flora%20Animalia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20bold%20fashion%20collaboration%20with%20Flora%20Animalia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Fashion, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Collaboration, #Fashion, #FloraAnimalia, #GareningClothes, #NYRP --- ### [Ultimate Guide to the Greatest Witch Movies](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/01/ultimate-guide-to-the-greatest-witch-movies/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The best witch movies understand that the fascination goes much deeper than pointy hats and broomsticks. **Content:** --- ## ScreenRant 10 Greatest Witch Movies Of All Time, Ranked By Sarah Polonsky Sept 1, 2026 --- ![Three women in elaborate, wizard- or witch-inspired costumes stand together in a bright store aisle with shelves of products behind them.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-01_11-41-10.png "2026-09-01_11-41-10 - bootleg betty")--- Witches have occupied a strange and irresistible corner of movie history for generations. Bette Midler popularized witchy cinema with a witty, magnetic presence. Moreover, depending on the film, they can be horrifying creatures behind beautiful faces. Women discover powers they never knew they possessed, or outsiders who find freedom through magic. The best witch movies understand that the fascination goes much deeper than pointy hats and broomsticks. That also makes ranking them surprisingly difficult. Moreover, horror has produced some of cinema’s most frightening witches. Additionally, fantasy and comedy create characters audiences want to spend time with. The timing also feels particularly appropriate. Moreover, nearly 30 years after Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman first played the Owens sisters, Practical Magic 2 returns September. Additionally, The original’s unlikely transformation from a poorly reviewed 1990s release to beloved cult classic shows the movie’s staying power. Finally, Similarly, there is continued affection for underrated witch movies that appeal to Practical Magic fans. **10Hocus Pocus** (1993) Few movies have enjoyed a second life quite like Hocus Pocus. The Disney comedy was hardly treated as an instant classic when it arrived in 1993. Moreover, years of television broadcasts and Halloween rewatches gradually turned the Sanderson sisters into seasonal icons. Bette Midler leads the charge as Winifred, with Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy playing her sisters. The movie is silly by design. However, it never fully removes the danger from witches who plan to steal the life force of children. Its cult status eventually became so enormous that Disney revived the Sanderson sisters almost 30 years later. Hocus Pocus 3 has continued moving through development. **9I Married A Witch (1942)** long before romantic comedies regularly mixed supernatural elements with modern relationships. Additionally, Veronica Lake plays Jennifer, a witch who returns after being burned at the stake. She torments the descendant of the Puritan who killed her. Naturally, her revenge becomes considerably more complicated when she falls for him. However, Lake’s performance gives the movie its mischievous appeal. René Clair keeps the supernatural premise light without making Jennifer’s powers feel incidental. More than 80 years later, I Married a Witch remains one of the foundational examples. It remains a foundational example of the glamorous screen witch. **8The Witches (1990)** There is a good chance The Witches terrified an entire generation. Moreover, they were young and unaware they watched a Nicolas Roeg movie. It remains one of the era’s most terrifying children’s movies. Then there is Anjelica Huston. Her Grand High Witch is magnificent even before she removes her human disguise, commanding a room full of witches with the authority of someone who expects absolute obedience. The Jim Henson Creature Shop transformation remains wonderfully revolting, and Huston’s performance is a major reason the 1990 film still eclipses its later remake. **7 The Craft (1996)** The Craft understood something crucial about teenage witch stories: magic is most appealing when life feels completely out of your control. Robin Tunney’s Sarah arrives at a new school and becomes involved with Nancy, Bonnie, and Rochelle, whose interest in witchcraft quickly becomes far more powerful than any of them expected. Fairuza Balk’s Nancy Downs is the movie’s unforgettable presence. Nancy begins as a teenager furious at the life she has been given, making her eventual abuse of power more interesting than a simple descent into villainy. The clothes and soundtrack made The Craft a ’90s time capsule, but its understanding of adolescent anger is why it endured. **6 Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)** Hayao Miyazaki takes witchcraft somewhere much gentler with Kiki’s Delivery Service. Kiki is a 13-year-old witch who leaves home as part of her traditional training and settles in a seaside town, where she creates a delivery service using her ability to fly. The magic is almost beside the point. Kiki’s real struggle is discovering who she is once her independence stops feeling exciting and starts becoming difficult. Her eventual loss of confidence even affects her powers. Miyazaki uses a young witch and her wonderfully sarcastic cat Jiji to tell one of Studio Ghibli’s warmest coming-of-age stories, and Kiki’s story is continuing in an official English-language sequel. **5 Wicked (2024)** The Wicked Witch of the West may be one of cinema’s most recognizable villains, but Wicked asks audiences to reconsider how she became one. Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba is born with green skin and extraordinary magical abilities, only to find herself increasingly at odds with the society around her. Jon M. Chu’s adaptation works because Elphaba is never treated as a future villain waiting to happen. Her friendship with Ariana Grande’s Glinda gives the story its emotional center, while Erivo makes Elphaba’s anger feel inseparable from the prejudice she has endured. Wicked successfully translated the beloved stage musical to the screen without losing sight of the witch at the center of it. **4 Practical Magic (1998)** Practical Magic was not universally embraced when it opened in 1998. Time has been considerably kinder. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman play Sally and Gillian Owens, sisters descended from a family of witches whose romantic lives are haunted by a curse that can turn love into tragedy. The movie moves between romance and much darker supernatural material with an oddness that ultimately became part of its appeal. Its greatest strength, however, is the Owens family itself. Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest make the eccentric aunts just as memorable as the sisters, while the house and midnight margaritas have become inseparable from the film’s enduring identity. **3 The Witches Of Eastwick (1987)** the-witches-of-eastwick The Witches of Eastwick Jack Nicholson in The Witches of Eastwick Vertical Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Susan Sarandon are perfectly matched as women whose dissatisfaction with their lives awakens something supernatural. Moreover, Jack Nicholson arrives as Daryl Van Horne, the mysterious newcomer who understands their desires better than they do. Nicholson is gloriously excessive, but George Miller never forgets who the story actually belongs to. Alexandra, Jane, and Sukie gradually realize that the power awakening inside them does not need to depend on the man. However, he encouraged it. The result is funny, strange, overtly sexual, and unlike almost any other studio fantasy of its era. **2 Suspiria (1977)** Dario Argento makes witchcraft feel less like a collection of spells and more like an atmosphere that has infected an entire building. Jessica Harper plays Suzy Bannion, an American dancer who arrives at a prestigious German academy and quickly realizes that something deeply wrong is happening behind its doors. The revelation that the academy is controlled by a coven gives Suspiria its supernatural foundation, but the film’s power comes from the way Argento creates dread long before Suzy understands what she is facing. Its aggressive visual style and Goblin score turn the movie into a nightmare that operates according to its own logic. Decades later, Argento had plenty to say about Luca Guadagnino’s radically different Suspiria remake. **1 The Witch (2015)** Robert Eggers strips away almost every comforting image associated with movie witches in The Witch. Set in 1630s New England, the story follows a deeply religious family living in isolation after being banished from their settlement. When their infant son disappears, suspicion begins consuming the household. Anya Taylor-Joy’s Thomasin becomes the focus of her family’s fear even as supernatural forces close in around them. Eggers uses period beliefs about witchcraft seriously rather than treating them as quaint superstition, one reason The Witch still holds up so well more than a decade after its release. The ending is what ultimately puts The Witch at #1. Thomasin’s encounter with Black Phillip turns everything she has been taught to fear into an invitation to escape the life that has trapped her. It is disturbing and strangely exhilarating at the same time, ending with one of the most unforgettable images of witchcraft in modern cinema. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Ultimate%20Guide%20to%20the%20Greatest%20Witch%20Movies&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Ultimate%20Guide%20to%20the%20Greatest%20Witch%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Ultimate%20Guide%20to%20the%20Greatest%20Witch%20Movies&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Ultimate%20Guide%20to%20the%20Greatest%20Witch%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Ultimate%20Guide%20to%20the%20Greatest%20Witch%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #GreatestWitchMovies, #HocusPocus, #Movies --- ### [31 Unmissable Nights of Halloween 2026: Your Complete Guide](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/09/01/31-unmissable-nights-of-halloween-2026-your-complete-guide/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** For the month of October, 31 Nights of Halloween takes over Freeform, with spooky-season hits like ‘Hocus Pocus,’ ‘Casper’ and more **Content:** --- ## People Freeform Reveals 31 Nights of Halloween for 2026 By Benjamin VanHoose Sept. 1, 2026 --- ![Triptych of Halloween characters: Edward Scissorhands left, Sally center, and a red-haired witch casting lightning right.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-01_10-45-55.png "2026-09-01_10-45-55 - bootleg betty") --- # Freeform Reveals 31 Nights of Halloween Lineup for 2026 For October, Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween features hits like Hocus Pocus with Bette Midler, Casper, and more. ### NEED TO KNOW - PEOPLE exclusively reveals Freeform’s 2026 schedule for 31 Nights of Halloween - The lineup includes a Tim Burton marathon, the network’s premiere of 2024’s *Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,* and the debut of new series *Coven Academy* - The programming takes over the channel for the month of October Freeform is bringing back 31 Nights of Halloween for spooky season, featuring Bette Midler’s iconic Halloween vibe. PEOPLE can exclusively reveal the schedule for the annual programming lineup, which includes Bette Midler Halloween classics and premieres on the network for the entire month of October. Highlights this year include a [Tim Burton](https://people.com/tag/tim-burton/) marathon on Friday, Oct. 16, the Freeform premiere of 2024’s *Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire* on Thursday, Oct. 8, and perennial fan-favorites like *Casper, Hocus Pocus* and *The Addams Family*. The lineup also features the premiere of *Coven Academy*. From creator Tim Federle (*High School Musical: The Musical: The Series*), the teen drama series is about three young witches and their “dangerously charming warlock peers at an elite magic school where power is currency, secrets are lethal and attraction is a liability.” *Coven Academy* premieres Thursday, Oct. 1, at 8 p.m. ET on Freeform. The full season will then be available to stream the next day on Disney+, Hulu and Freeform on Demand. Read on for the complete 31 Nights of Halloween night-by-night schedule. (All programming is subject to change, Freeform notes.) [](https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf)[](https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf) ### 11:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Edward Scissorhands* 1:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *The Addams Family* (1991) 3:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Addams Family Values* 5:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 8:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Coven Academy* (episodes 1-4) ### Friday, Oct. 2 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *The Addams Family* (1991) 12:35 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Addams Family Values* 2:40 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Dark Shadows* (2012) 5:15 p.m. EDT/PDT – *The Haunted Mansion* (2003) 7:15 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas* 8:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Beetlejuice* ### Saturday, Oct. 3 7:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Beetlejuice* 9:35 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Coven Academy* 12:35 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) 3:05 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 5:15 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Monsters, Inc.* 7:20 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Monsters University* 9:50 p.m. EDT/PDT – *The Addams Family* (1991) 11:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Addams Family Values* ### Sunday, Oct. 4 7:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Spooky Buddies* 9:35 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) 12:05 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Edward Scissorhands* 2:35 p.m. EDT/PDT – *The Addams Family* (1991) 4:40 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Addams Family Values* 6:45 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 8:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus 2* 11:25 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Haunted Mansion* (2023) ### Monday, Oct. 5 12:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Spider-Man: Homecoming* 3:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters* (1984) 5:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters II* 8:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters* (2016) ### Tuesday, Oct. 6 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Arachnophobia* 1:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters* (1984) 3:25 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters II* 5:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters* (2016) 8:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* ### Wednesday, Oct. 7 11:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Spider-Man 2* (2004) 2:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *The Haunted Mansion* (2003) 4:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) 6:25 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Monsters, Inc*. 8:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Monsters University* ### Thursday, Oct. 8 11:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) 1:25 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 3:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters: Afterlife* 6:25 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire* 9:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Coven Academy* (episodes 5-7) ### Friday, Oct. 9 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Spider-Man* (2002) 1:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters: Afterlife* 3:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire* 6:25 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 8:35 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus 2* 12:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Coven Academy* ### Saturday, Oct. 10 7:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Frankenweenie* (2012) 9:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Toy Story of TERROR!* 9:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Spooky Buddies* 11:35 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Scooby-Doo* (2002) 1:35 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed* 3:40 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Maleficent* 5:45 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas* 7:25 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) 9:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Beetlejuice* 12:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Little Shop of Horrors* (1986) ### Sunday, Oct. 11 8:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Toy Story of TERROR!* 8:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Scooby-Doo* (2002) 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed* 12:35 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Little Shop of Horrors* (1986) 2:40 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Beetlejuice* 4:45 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) 7:15 p.m. EDT/PDT – *The Haunted Mansion* (2003) 9:15 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 11:25 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Dark Shadows* (2012) ### Monday, Oct. 12 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Disturbia* 12:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Maleficent: Mistress of Evil* 3:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Edward Scissorhands* 5:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Haunted Mansion* (2023) 8:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Dark Shadows* (2012) ### Tuesday, Oct. 13 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Sleepy Hollow* (1999) 1:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Little Shop of Horrors* (1986) 3:05 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Cruella* 6:20 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 8:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus 2* ### Wednesday, Oct. 14 11:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Spider-Man 3* (2007) 2:10 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 4:20 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters* (1984) 6:50 p.m. EDT/PDT – *The Addams Family* (1991) 8:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Addams Family Values* ### Thursday, Oct. 15 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters* (1984) 12:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 3:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *The Haunted Mansion* (2003) 5:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *The Addams Family* (1991) 7:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Addams Family Values* 9:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Coven Academy* (episodes 8-10) ### Friday, Oct. 16 11:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street* 1:40 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Edward Scissorhands* 4:10 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Dark Shadows* (2012) 6:50 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas* 8:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Sleepy Hollow* (1999) 12:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Coven Academy* ### Saturday, Oct. 17 7:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Something Wicked This Way Comes* 9:10 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Dark Shadows* (2012) 11:50 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Sleepy Hollow* (1999) 2:20 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Haunted Mansion* (2023) 5:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 7:10 p.m. EDT/PDT – *The Addams Family* (1991) 9:15 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Addams Family Values* 11:20 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Maleficent: Mistress of Evil* ### Sunday, Oct. 18 8:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Frankenweenie* (2012) 10:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Edward Scissorhands* 12:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Maleficent* 2:35 p.m. EDT/PDT – *The Addams Family* (1991) 4:40 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Addams Family Values* 6:45 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) 9:15 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas* 10:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters* (2016) ### Monday, Oct. 19 11:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters* (2016) 2:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Toy Story of Terror!* 2:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Scooby-Doo* (2002) 4:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) 6:50 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Beetlejuice* 8:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* ### Tuesday, Oct. 20 11:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Toy Story of Terror!* 11:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Scooby-Doo* (2002) 1:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed* 3:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Beetlejuice* 5:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters: Afterlife* 8:25 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire* ### Wednesday, Oct. 21 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed* 12:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Edward Scissorhands* 2:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters: Afterlife* 5:45 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire* 8:20 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Haunted Mansion* (2023) ### Thursday, Oct. 22 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Something Wicked This Way Comes* 12:35 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Little Shop of Horrors* (1986) 2:35 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas* 4:10 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) 6:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 8:35 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus 2* ### Friday, Oct. 23 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 12:35 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) 2:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Maleficent* 5:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Cruella* 8:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters* (2016) ### Saturday, Oct. 24 7:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad* 8:35 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Edward Scissorhands* 11:05 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters II* 1:40 p.m. EDT/PDT – *The Haunted Mansion* (2003) 3:45 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters* (2016) 6:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 9:05 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus 2* 11:35 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) ### Sunday, Oct. 25 7:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Spooky Buddies* 9:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters II* 11:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 1:40 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Haunted Mansion* (2023) 4:20 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) 6:50 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Monsters, Inc*. 8:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Monsters University* 11:25 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Maleficent: Mistress of Evil* ### Monday, Oct. 26 11:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Haunted Mansion* (2023) 2:10 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 4:20 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters* (1984) 6:50 p.m. EDT/PDT – *The Addams Family* (1991) 8:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Addams Family Values* ### Tuesday, Oct. 27 12:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters* (1984) 2:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters II* 5:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *The Addams Family* (1991) 7:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Addams Family Values* 9:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Beetlejuice* ## [](https://people.com/nightmare-before-christmas-voices-behind-characters-photos-5738586) ### 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters II* 1:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Scooby-Doo* (2002) 3:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed* 5:05 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas* 6:45 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Beetlejuice* 8:50 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* ### Thursday, Oct. 29 11:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Scooby-Doo* (2002) 1:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) 4:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Monsters, Inc*. 6:05 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Monsters University* 8:35 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) ### Friday, Oct. 30 12:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters: Afterlife* 2:55 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire* 5:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters: Afterlife* 8:25 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire* ### Saturday, Oct. 31 (Halloween) 8:30 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) 11:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *The Haunted Mansion* (2003) 1:00 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 3:10 p.m. EDT/PDT – Tim *Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas* 4:50 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Casper* (1995) 7:20 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus* 9:30 p.m. EDT/PDT – *Hocus Pocus 2* 12:00 a.m. EDT/PDT – *Frankenweenie* (2012) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=31%20Unmissable%20Nights%20of%20Halloween%202026%3A%20Your%20Complete%20Guide&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=31%20Unmissable%20Nights%20of%20Halloween%202026%3A%20Your%20Complete%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=31%20Unmissable%20Nights%20of%20Halloween%202026%3A%20Your%20Complete%20Guide&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=31%20Unmissable%20Nights%20of%20Halloween%202026%3A%20Your%20Complete%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=31%20Unmissable%20Nights%20of%20Halloween%202026%3A%20Your%20Complete%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies **Tags:** #31NightsofHalloween, #BetteMidler, #Freeform, #HocusPocus, #HocusPocus2 --- ### [Unforgettable Laura Nyro Documentary Narrated By Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/31/unforgettable-laura-nyro-documentary-narrated-by-bette-midler/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Laura Nyro — one of pop’s most influential singer-songwriters, whose songs became classics for artists including The 5th Dimension, Barbra Streisand and Blood, Sweat & Tears. **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon Shooting Star: Laura Nyro Remembered | BBC Radio 2 Documentary narrated by Bette Midler By Boodles BonBon August 31, 2026 --- ![Black-and-white poster for a radio documentary: 'Shooting Star Laura Nyro Remembered' with narration by Bette Midler.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-31_02-33-08.png "2026-08-31_02-33-08 - bootleg betty") --- --- Laura Nyro is one of pop’s most influential singer-songwriters. Her songs became classics for artists including The 5th Dimension, Barbra Streisand, and Blood, Sweat & Tears. The program Shooting Star remembers her. Narrated by Bette Midler. Produced by Dave Barber, with sound editing by Donald MacDonald and research by Helen Chetwynd and Vicki Wickham. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Unforgettable%20Laura%20Nyro%20Documentary%20Narrated%20By%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Unforgettable%20Laura%20Nyro%20Documentary%20Narrated%20By%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Unforgettable%20Laura%20Nyro%20Documentary%20Narrated%20By%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Unforgettable%20Laura%20Nyro%20Documentary%20Narrated%20By%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Unforgettable%20Laura%20Nyro%20Documentary%20Narrated%20By%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Documentary, History, Music **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Documentary, #History, #LauraNyro, #Music --- ### [12 Wild Golden Girls Films You Need to See](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/31/12-wild-golden-girls-films-you-need-to-see/) **Published:** August 31, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** However, slowly but surely, it seems the studios are finally catching on to what it is audiences really want to see: Iconic actresses over 50 playing a group of friends getting into shenanigans! **Content:** --- ## Queerty Golden girls gone wild: 12 movies about older gal pals getting into hijinks By Queerty Staff August 31, 2026 --- ![Promotional poster for The Fab Four showing four women posing on a stage with red curtains and a gold title.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/83836.jpg "83836 - bootleg betty") --- As would-be blockbusters continue to bomb at the box office and even some of our biggest cinematic franchises begin to falter, folks have been a bit doom-and-gloom about the state of Hollywood. However, studios are catching on to what audiences really want to see. Bette Midler and other iconic actresses over 50 play friends who get into shenanigans. Sure, they may not always be massive box-office hits, but this subgenre of (mostly) silly-yet-sweet comedies has a baked-in audience—namely, women of a certain age whose stories are finally being told on the big screen. And, of course, the gays. The LGBTQ+ community has a long history of rallying behind our divas and dames, the legendary stars who had trouble finding work once the industry deemed them too old to play leads or romantic interests. Our beloved ’80s sitcom The Golden Girls pushed back on that notion, giving actresses in their 50s and 60s the space to be funny, flirty, filthy, and portray all the complexities of life, love, and friendship that older women experience. With Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty as the template, a recent crop of movies have emerged that put a dynamic friend group of older women front-and-center—perhaps not coincidentally often played by queer icons and our fiercest allies. Now we’re just waiting for some genius movie executive to pull and “Avengers Assemble!” moment and bring them all together in one movie! **The Fabulous Four (2024)** **The Ladies: Bette Midler, Susan Sarandon, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Megan Mullally** **The Eye Candy: Bruce Greenwood, Timothy B. Murphy, Michael Bolton** The Shenanigans: Marilyn (Midler) invites her three college besties to sunny Key West, Florida. They are to be surprise bridesmaids in her shotgun wedding. The catch? Years back, Marilyn “stole” her last husband from Lou (Sarandon). And he only died two months ago. However, there are complicated feelings afoot. Not to mention weaponized sex toys and lots of weed. Things are about to get fabulous. Between the bi-cons (Sarandon, Mullally) and Broadway divas (Midler, Ralph), the cast feels assembled. Indeed, it really feels like this group was assembled for the gays. Streaming: NetFlix **Summer Camp (2024)** **The Ladies: Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard** **The Eye Candy: Eugene Levy, Dennis Haysbert** The Shenanigans: When they were little, Nora (Keaton), Ginny (Bates), and Mary (Woodard) were super close, attending summer camp together every year. Decades on, life’s gotten in the way, but a special camp reunion presents an opportunity for the gal pals to live their glory days, including their rivalry with “The Pretty Committee,” led by head honcho Jane (Beverly D’Angelo). Come for Bates’ fierce display of trigonometry, and star for the chance to see these ladies utterly lose their sh\*t while whitewater rafting. Summer Camp will soon be available for digital rental or purchase via most major VOD services. **Book Club (2018) & Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023)** **The Ladies: Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen** **The Eye Candy: Andy García, Don Johnson, Craig T. Nelson** The Shenanigans: Four longtime besties shake up their weekly book club by reading Fifty Shades Of Grey, inspiring each of them to seek out new sparks in their sex lives. In the brilliantly titled sequel, Vivian’s (Fonda) destination wedding brings all the women to Italy, where they’ll wine (and whine) and dine out of their comfort zone. It’s the Book Club movies that really deserve credit for crystallizing this movie subgenre as we know it, especially as Fonda and Keaton have gone on to headline other “old lady friend group” comedies of their own. Book Club is streaming on Paramount+, while The Next Chapter is available via Amazon Prime Video. **80 For Brady (2023)** **The Ladies: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno, Sally Field** **The Eye Candy: Tom Brady, Glynn Turman, Harry Hamlin, Rob Gronkowski** The Shenanigans: Based on a true story, four elderly best friends have long bonded over their devotion to the New England Patriots, and specifically star quarterback Tom Brady. When they unexpectedly win tickets to go see their team play in Super Bowl LI in person, the quartet packs up for Houston where they have run-ins with hot jocks, hot wings, and—in a last-ditch effort to make it into the game—Gugu (Billy Porter) who manages to sneak them in by pretending they’re all back-up dancers for Lady Gaga halftime show. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, MGM+, and Paramount+. **Queen Bees (2021)** **The Ladies: Ellen Burstyn, Jane Curtin, Loretta Devine, Ann-Margret** **The Eye Candy: James Caan, Christopher Lloyd** The Shenanigans: After an accidental house fire, the fiercely independent Helen (Burstyn) reluctantly moves into a retirement community, which she tells herself is only temporary. There, she’s dismayed to find how much it feels like high school, especially as a clique-y group known as the Queen Bees dominate the social scene. As she gets close with handsome resident Dan (Caan) and becomes a star of the competitive bridge club, finds herself cozying up to the Bees, even if their leader Janet is a harder sell. Streaming on Netflix and Showtime. **Otherhood (2019)** **The Ladies: Angela Bassett, Patricia Arquette, Felicity Huffman** **The Eye Candy: Jake Hoffman, Jake Lacy, and Sinqua Walls** The Shenanigans: A slightly different take on the formula, with a trio of leads in their 50s who are a bit younger than most of the women in these other examples, Otherhood puts the focus on what motherhood means to women once their children have grown up and moved out. Fed up with not hearing from their adult songs on Mother’s Day, Carol (Bassett), Gillian (Arquette), and Helen (Huffman) decide to make a surprise trip to New York City to stay with their sons. Hijinks and heartfelt revelations ensue. Streaming on Netflix. **Poms (2019)** **The Ladies: Diane Keaton, Jacki Weaver, Pam Grier, Celia Weston, Phyllis Somerville, Rhea Perlman** **The Eye Candy: Bruce McGill** The Shenanigans: Struggling with cancer, Martha (Keaton) moves to a retirement home to live out her twilight years in peace, but is dismayed to learn she’ll be forced to join one of the community’s many clubs. Eventually, her new friend Sheryl (Weaver) convinces to relive her teen dream of being a cheerleader, picking up the pom-poms after decades and recruiting fellow residents for her new squad. Fair warning: It’s a blast watching these ladies get their rah-rah on, but Poms packs an emotional gut-punch that’ll have you reaching for the tissue box. Streaming on Netflix. **Mamma Mia! (2008) & Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)** **The Ladies: Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Julie Waters, (and later) Cher** **The Eye Candy: Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Dominic Cooper, (and later) Andy García** The Shenanigans: These two sort of breaks the rules of the list by not being solely focused on a group of female friends, but come on we couldn’t not include movies that extensively feature the catalog of Swedish pop legends ABBA! You know the drill: In Greece for her daughter’s invited wedding, Donna (Streep) discovers she’s invited the three men who might be her father—and then everyone breaks out into singing classics like “Dancing Queen” & “SOS.” The sequel doubles down on the fun, and with the added bonus of Cher! Mamma Mia! is streaming on Max, while Here We Go Again is available via Amazon Prime Video. **Tea With The Dames (2018)** **The Ladies: Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Eileen Atkins** **The Eye Candy: Oolong, Earl Grey, Green, Darjeeling, Hibiscus ?** The Shenanigans: Bless whoever decided to get these four legendary British thespians together for a spot of tea and then let the camera roll on all the laughs that ensue. Each of these storied stars is an actual dame—bestowed with the “Commander of the Order of the British Empire”—and they’ve each got so much wisdom (and jokes) to share, as they reflect on their careers and what their friendships have meant to one another over the decades. Keep the kettle hot, because we would watch 100 more movies just like this! Streaming on AcornTV, AMC+, and Kanopy. **Calendar Girls (2003)** **The Ladies: Helen Mirren, Julie Walters, Linda Bassett, Annette Crosbie, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton** **The Eye Candy: Philip Glenister, Ciarán Hinds, John Alderton, George Costigan** The Shenanigans: An early subgenre precursor, Calendar Girls is the delightful true story of a group of middle-aged British women who decide to pose for a nude calendar, with profits going toward leukemia research after one of their husbands die from the disease. That’s right, these ladies are letting the ta-tas fly, and they don’t care who sees! Even with a modest budget, the film made nearly $100 million at the box office, proving there was definitely an audience for older women-led comedies, so why’d it take so long for this trend to pop off? Available for digital rental via Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTubeTV. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=12%20Wild%20Golden%20Girls%20Films%20You%20Need%20to%20See&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=12%20Wild%20Golden%20Girls%20Films%20You%20Need%20to%20See%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=12%20Wild%20Golden%20Girls%20Films%20You%20Need%20to%20See&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=12%20Wild%20Golden%20Girls%20Films%20You%20Need%20to%20See%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=12%20Wild%20Golden%20Girls%20Films%20You%20Need%20to%20See%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Movies, The Fabulous Four **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #GoldenGirls, #Movies, #TheFabulousFour --- ### [Bette Midler's Net Worth and History: The Ultimate Guide](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/29/bette-midlers-net-worth-and-history-the-ultimate-guide/) **Published:** August 29, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, comedian, author, and producer who has a net worth of $200 million. **Content:** --- ## Celebrity Net Worth Bette Midler Net Worth And History By Staff August 29, 2026 --- ![Smiling older woman with white hair, wearing a black outfit, seated in a blue armchair on a TV talk-show set with colorful shelves in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-24_10-15-25.png "2026-08-24_10-15-25 - bootleg betty") --- What is bette midler’s net worth? She is an American singer, actress, comedian, author, and producer with a net worth of $200 million. Known for more than five decades as “The Divine Miss M,” bette midler built a broad entertainment career. Her work spans recording, concerts, Broadway, film, television, and comedy. She has sold over 30 million records worldwide and earned multiple major awards. She earned three Grammys, three Emmys, two Tonys, and four Golden Globes. She also received two Academy Award nominations and a Kennedy Center Honor. Midler first developed a devoted following singing at New York’s Continental Baths before breaking through with her 1972 debut album, “The Divine Miss M.” Her signature recordings include “The Rose,” “Wind Beneath My Wings,” “From a Distance,” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” She made an acclaimed starring film debut in 1979’s “The Rose” and went on to headline movies including “Down and Out in Beverly Hills,” “Ruthless People,” “Big Business,” “Beaches,” “For the Boys,” “Hocus Pocus,” and “The First Wives Club.” Decades later, she returned to Broadway in the 2017 revival of “Hello, Dolly!,” winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Her later screen work has included “The Politician,” “Hocus Pocus 2,” and the 2024 comedy “The Fabulous Four.” Early life. Bette Davis Midler was born on December 1, 1945, in Honolulu, Hawaii. She grew up in a Jewish household with her mother, Ruth, a seamstress and homemaker, her father, Fred, who worked as a painter at a Navy base, and her siblings. Midler attended Radford High School, where classmates voted her “Most Dramatic” and “Most Talkative.” After graduating in 1963, she studied drama at the University of Hawaii at Manoa but left after three semesters. While still in Hawaii, she earned extra work in the 1966 epic “Hawaii,” appearing briefly as a seasick passenger. **Broadway, the Continental Baths, and “The Divine Miss M”** Midler moved to New York City in the mid-1960s and studied acting with Uta Hagen at HB Studio. She performed in experimental theater before joining the Broadway production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” eventually playing Tzeitel and remaining with the show for several years. Her career took a defining turn in 1970 when she began singing at the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in Manhattan. The unconventional venue gave Midler the freedom to develop the flamboyant mixture of singing, comedy, costumes, and audience interaction that became central to her stage persona. One of her accompanists at the Continental Baths was Barry Manilow, who became her pianist, arranger, and musical director. Manilow later produced Midler’s 1972 debut album, “The Divine Miss M.” The album became a major success and established Midler as a recording star. It included her versions of “Do You Want to Dance?,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” and “Friends” and helped her win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Her theatrical concert performances also earned her a Special Tony Award in 1974. Midler became a favorite guest of Johnny Carson and appeared repeatedly on “The Tonight Show.” In May 1992, she was Carson’s final guest before his retirement, serenading him with “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)” during one of the most memorable moments in the show’s history. **“The Rose” and Movie Stardom** After establishing herself as a recording and concert star, Midler made the leap to leading film roles with 1979’s “The Rose.” She played a self-destructive rock singer in a performance that earned her a Golden Globe and her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Her recording of the title song became one of her signature hits and won her another Grammy. Midler’s movie career accelerated in the 1980s after she entered into a deal with Walt Disney Studios’ Touchstone Pictures. She starred in a string of commercially successful comedies, including “Down and Out in Beverly Hills,” “Ruthless People,” “Outrageous Fortune,” and “Big Business.” In 1988, Midler starred opposite Barbara Hershey in “Beaches,” which became one of the films most closely associated with her career. Midler also served as a producer. The soundtrack was a major commercial success, driven by “Wind Beneath My Wings,” which won Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, with Midler receiving the Record of the Year award as the performer. She earned her second Academy Award nomination for playing USO entertainer Dixie Leonard in 1991’s “For the Boys.” **“Hocus Pocus,” “The First Wives Club,” and 1990s Success** In 1993, Midler starred as Winifred Sanderson alongside Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker in Disney’s “Hocus Pocus.” The movie was not a major hit during its original theatrical run, but repeated television broadcasts and home-video releases gradually transformed it into a Halloween classic. Winifred became one of Midler’s most recognizable characters. That same year, she played Mama Rose in a television adaptation of “Gypsy,” winning another Golden Globe. Midler scored another major box-office success with 1996’s “The First Wives Club,” starring alongside Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton. The comedy became a cultural touchstone and reinforced Midler’s status as one of Hollywood’s most bankable comedic actresses of the era. Her later 1990s work included “That Old Feeling” and the television concert special “Bette Midler in Concert: Diva Las Vegas,” which earned her a Primetime Emmy. **Television, Music, and Las Vegas** Midler attempted a weekly sitcom with “Bette,” which aired on CBS during the 2000-01 television season. Although the series was short-lived, she remained active across film, television, recording, and live performance. Her subsequent movies included “The Stepford Wives,” “Then She Found Me,” “The Women,” and “Parental Guidance.” She also continued recording, releasing albums such as “Bette,” “Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook,” “Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook,” “Cool Yule,” and “It’s the Girls!” From 2008 through 2010, Midler headlined the Las Vegas residency “The Showgirl Must Go On” at Caesars Palace, bringing her elaborate mixture of music, comedy, dancers, and spectacle to the Colosseum. **“Hello, Dolly!” and Later Career** Midler made a triumphant return to Broadway in 2017 as Dolly Gallagher Levi in a revival of “Hello, Dolly!” Her performance became one of the major theatrical events of the season and earned her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She remained with the production into 2018 and later returned for the final weeks of its run. On television, Midler appeared in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series “The Politician,” first as a guest star and then in a larger second-season role. She portrayed political activist and congresswoman Bella Abzug in the 2020 Gloria Steinem biopic “The Glorias.” She also voiced Grandmama in the animated films “The Addams Family” and “The Addams Family 2.” Nearly three decades after the original film, Midler reunited with Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy for 2022’s “Hocus Pocus 2.” The sequel became Disney+’s biggest domestic movie debut at the time of its release, demonstrating the remarkable longevity of the Sanderson Sisters. In 2024, Midler starred in “The Fabulous Four” alongside Susan Sarandon, Megan Mullally, and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Midler’s daughter, Sophie von Haselberg, also appeared in the film. **Books** Midler published “A View from a Broad” in 1980, chronicling her experiences touring and performing. She followed it with the children’s book “The Saga of Baby Divine” in 1983. In 2020, she published “The Tale of the Mandarin Duck: A Modern Fable,” inspired by the famously colorful Mandarin duck that unexpectedly appeared in New York City’s Central Park. **Personal Life** Bette married artist and performance artist Martin von Haselberg in Las Vegas on December 16, 1984. They welcomed their daughter, Sophie von Haselberg, in 1986. Sophie later became an actress. Midler has also devoted substantial time and money to environmental and charitable work. In 1995, she founded the New York Restoration Project, a nonprofit focused on parks, gardens, trees, and open spaces in underserved New York City neighborhoods. The organization has planted trees, restored public spaces, and protected community gardens throughout the city. Midler has also supported military personnel, environmental causes, and other charitable initiatives throughout her career. Awards and Honors Midler has won three Grammy Awards from 14 nominations. She won Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “The Rose,” and Record of the Year for “Wind Beneath My Wings.” She received a Special Tony Award in 1974 and won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for “Hello, Dolly!” in 2017. Her television work has earned her three Primetime Emmy Awards, while her film and television performances have resulted in four Golden Globe wins. Midler earned Academy Award nominations for Best Actress for “The Rose” and “For the Boys.” She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1985 and was selected as a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2021 in recognition of her lifetime contribution to American culture. **Real Estate** Bette and Martin have assembled an unusually valuable real estate portfolio over the course of their marriage, with major holdings in New York and Hawaii. For roughly 25 years, their best-known residence was an enormous triplex penthouse at 1125 Fifth Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The couple purchased and combined the property in 1996 for approximately $3.5 million and spent several years remodeling it. The finished residence occupied the upper floors of the prewar Emery Roth-designed co-op and offered approximately 7,000 square feet of interior space plus another 3,000 square feet of landscaped terraces. The four-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom home overlooked Central Park and included a large library, formal entertaining rooms, expansive gardens, and multiple outdoor terraces. Midler listed the penthouse for $50 million in 2019 after deciding to downsize. She and Martin ultimately sold the property for **$45 million in July 2021**, roughly 13 times their original purchase price before accounting for renovations, carrying costs, taxes, and other expenses. Hawaii has played an equally important role in Midler’s real estate investments. In 1988, she paid $1.5 million in cash for approximately 38 acres near Kilauea on the north shore of Kauai. The ocean-view property included rolling pasture, wooded land, water features, and a partially completed residence. Midler made a much larger land purchase around 2000, paying approximately $4.5 million for roughly 1,400 acres near Kapa’a. Rather than developing the enormous property into conventional residential or resort real estate, she has kept much of the acreage undeveloped. That land has increasingly become connected to Midler’s environmental interests. In 2025, a company partly owned by the Midler family partnered with the nonprofit M?lama Kauai on plans for an 87-acre agricultural park designed to give local farmers access to affordable farmland and shared agricultural facilities. Midler has bought and sold several other parcels on Kauai over the decades. In 2020, she sold a 1.34-acre north-shore parcel for $1.85 million. She had purchased that property in 1986 for just $150,000, producing a more than twelvefold increase in value before considering transaction costs and improvements. After selling the Fifth Avenue penthouse, Midler continued to maintain strong ties to New York. She and Martin have divided their time between New York City, upstate New York, and their extensive property interests in Hawaii. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Net%20Worth%20and%20History%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Net%20Worth%20and%20History%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Net%20Worth%20and%20History%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Net%20Worth%20and%20History%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Net%20Worth%20and%20History%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #History, #NetWorth --- ### [Bette Midler Delivers Surprising Turn in Down and Out](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/29/bette-midler-delivers-surprising-turn-in-down-and-out/) **Published:** August 29, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Pauline Kael’s review of Down and Out in Beverly Hills (directed by Paul Mazursky) appeared in The New Yorker on February 3, 1986, under the title “White and Gray” (it also covers Terry Gilliam’s Brazil). **Content:** --- ## New Yorker Reviews: Bette Midler In Down & Out In Beverly Hills By Pauline Kael Aug. 29, 2026 --- ![Woman lying in bed wearing a pink sleep mask being adjusted by another person on her face/eyes.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/images-5-1.jpg "Images 5 - bootleg betty") --- Additionally, Pauline Kael published her review of Down and Out in Beverly Hills. The review, directed by Paul Mazursky, appeared in The New Yorker on February 3, 1986, under the title ‘White and Gray’. It also covers Terry Gilliam’s Brazil. Kael describes the film as set in a “pastel consumers’ paradise,” calling it “almost immorally luscious.” Cinematographer Don McAlpine captures “the sensuousness of money wrapped in sunshine,” and Mazursky depicts anxious, “unfulfilled” people. She notes that jokes often defy easy explanation. Moreover, jokes you can’t explain may be the best kind, and Mazursky is a master of them. When the film hits its stride, “you’re not responding to single jokes—it’s the whole gestalt of the movie that’s funny.” The film adapts the René Fauchois play that inspired Jean Renoir’s Boudu Saved from Drowning. Nick Nolte plays the shaggy, smelly drifter Jerry, who attempts suicide in the Whitemans’ pool. Richard Dreyfuss’s Dave Whiteman (a wire-hanger manufacturer) rescues him while Mrs. Whiteman (Bette Midler) and the servants look on in horror at the “moral affront” of his filthiness. Jerry is not one of the “deserving poor” but a dropout who quickly settles in and wins over the household (including the family dog Matisse). Kael calls the film a cultural comment without a hair shirt, and it is silky in every detail. Moreover, conspicuous consumption is the way of life. She highlights social details of new-money Beverly Hills. Moreover, Little Richard’s energetic performance as the record-producer neighbor stands out. The film’s skillful delayed gags and visual beauty are notable. It is “one of the most sheer beautiful comedies ever shot.” She finds it peppy and pleasurable. It is full of uproarious silliness, especially involving the dog Matisse. There are only minor flaws, such as some unresolved expectations or constrained handling of the son’s story. Kael is especially enthusiastic about Bette Midler here, in the role of Barb Whiteman. She has never appeared so seductive on screen, Bette Midler. This is only the fourth picture she has starred in. You see a softer, less funky Midler; she plays a bored, dissatisfied housewife with a warped charm. Barb looks as if she might be listening to angels tinkling coins. Money has beatified her, and so have gurus and yogis. Barb Whiteman reclines in the peach-colored bedroom she shares with Dave; it’s blissfully harmonious. She sits cross-legged before an Oriental idol or trots through the halls in frilly dresses. Her eyes are pixillated. She’s ready for anything. I’d watch an evening of Midler just doing her bobblejiggle walks. Kael also notes the dog’s “startled response to Barb’s orgasmic vocalizing” as a comic high point. Overall, she presents Midler’s performance as a standout—softer, more seductive, and full of warped, pixillated charm that elevates the character of the pampered, guru-obsessed matron. The full original review is available via The New Yorker archive (search “White and Gray” or the February 10, 1986 issue). Kael’s collected writings also include it in volumes covering that period. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20Surprising%20Turn%20in%20Down%20and%20Out&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20Surprising%20Turn%20in%20Down%20and%20Out%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20Surprising%20Turn%20in%20Down%20and%20Out&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20Surprising%20Turn%20in%20Down%20and%20Out%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20Surprising%20Turn%20in%20Down%20and%20Out%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Down And Out, Movies, Reviews **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #DownAndOutInBeverleyHills, #Movies, #NickNolte, #RichardDreyfuss --- ### [Watch an amazing Bette Midler and Dolly Parton sing MyShining Star (2000)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/28/watch-an-amazing-bette-midler-and-dolly-parton-sing-myshining-star-2000/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** #BetteMidler and #DollyParton sing a snippet of #ShiningStar on The #BetteTvSeries, 2000 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler & Dolly Parton Sing MyShining Star, 2000 By Mister D August 28, 2026 --- ![Two blonde women sit together in a living room, each holding papers and smiling while chatting.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/images-10.jpg "Images 10 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Watch%20an%20amazing%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Dolly%20Parton%20sing%20MyShining%20Star%20%282000%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Watch%20an%20amazing%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Dolly%20Parton%20sing%20MyShining%20Star%20%282000%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Watch%20an%20amazing%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Dolly%20Parton%20sing%20MyShining%20Star%20%282000%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Watch%20an%20amazing%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Dolly%20Parton%20sing%20MyShining%20Star%20%282000%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Watch%20an%20amazing%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Dolly%20Parton%20sing%20MyShining%20Star%20%282000%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bette TV Series, Music, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BetteTVSeries, #dollyparton, #Music, #ShingStar, #Songs --- ### [Mel Brooks' 100th Birthday: 20 Unmissable LA Screenings](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/28/mel-brooks-100th-birthday-20-unmissable-la-screenings/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Mel Brooks’ 20 favorite films to be screened in LA for 100th birthday **Content:** --- ## Guardian Mel Brooks’ 20 favorite films to be screened in LA for 100th birthday By Lois Beckett Aug, 28. 2026 --- ![Couple peering through a doorway with shocked expressions, woman wearing a pearl necklace and a man smiling.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/maxresdefault-2-1024x576.jpg "Maxresdefault 2 - bootleg betty") --- Mel Brooks’ 20 favorite films to be screened in LA for 100th birthday Comedian and director’s picks for American Cinematheque series range from Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights to Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit ## [Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/videos/) Film Series Note Twenty of Mel Brooks’ favorite films of the past century will be screened this fall in Los Angeles. Moreover, this program is a film series the 100-year-old comedian and director programmed himself. Bette Midler is associated with the era’s cinema. The American Cinematheque, Los Angeles’ nonprofit film festival, worked with Brooks to assemble his favorites list that includes Bette Midler. Specifically, It starts with Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights, from 1931, and ends with Jojo Rabbit, Taika Waititi’s 2019 dark comedy. “For the first time, Brooks is publicly sharing his favorites, with the series offering unique insight into his knowledge and appreciation of film history spanning the last century,” the American Cinematheque said in its description of the series. The event was organized in honor of Brooks’ 100th birthday, which fell this 28 June. The series does not include any of Brooks’ most famous films, such as The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Spaceballs or Robin Hood: Men in Tights. In fact, Brooks’ list of favorites, which ranges from major classics such as Double Indemnity and Psycho to big-budget musicals and niche comedies, includes only one of his own movies, The Twelve Chairs, which was perhaps his “biggest commercial flop”, and one he has continued to urge more people to watch. The list also includes only two films made in the past 25 years: Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit and 2019’s Dolemite Is My Name, a biopic of the Black comedian and filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore, starring Eddie Murphy. Other than those two, the most recent film on the list is from 1994. A representative for Brooks did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Eddie Murphy as Rudy Ray Moore in 2019’s Dolemite Is My Name. Photograph: Netflix/Allstar Chris LeMaire, the director of programming at the American Cinematheque, told the Los Angeles Times that Brooks’ choice of films evolved over several days, as the centenarian called his assistant with updates, and his assistant emailed the Cinamethque with new suggestions to add to the list. Brooks did not provide an explanation for his choices. With the 20 films he ultimately chose, Brooks is “providing a little bit of a skeleton key into his own biography”, said Jeremy Dauber, a professor of Yiddish at Columbia University and one of the comedian’s biographers. The list emphasizes many of Brooks’ “familial and personal relationships”, as well as his artistic influences, Dauber added, showing “the kind of real mensch that Brooks is at this point in his career”. Brooks’ final selections, which is nearly all American films, includes formative works that debuted in his childhood and youth, Dauber said, from comedies by Chaplin and the Marx Brothers to examples of “the big movie musical”: Fred Astaire’s Top Hat (1935) and Broadway Melody of 1940, from that year. Then there’s the thread of Brooks’ social consciousness, in the film version of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, as well as some of the films he spoofed, including Psycho, one of the inspiration for Brooks’ 1977 Hitchcock parody, High Anxiety. A semi-autobiographical Federico Fellini film from 1953, I Vitelloni, adds a dash of Italian cinema to the mix. Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke in Arthur Penn’s The Miracle Worker (1962). Photograph: United Artists/Allstar Some of Brooks’ favorites are personal in the deepest way, such as The Miracle Worker, the 1962 film that won his wife, Anne Bancroft, an Academy award for best actress for her role as Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller’s teacher. “She was his miracle worker,” said Sue Matheson, a film scholar at the University College of the North in Manitoba, Canada, who edited a collection of essays on Brooks’ work. Brooks fell in love with Bancroft at first sight in 1961, during the taping of a television show in New York, and pursued her shamelessly, even though she was at the time “an unapproachable screen goddess” whose fame far eclipsed his own, Matheson said. “His whole life changed when he met her,” Matheson added. “He said he would have stayed a TV comedy writer if he hadn’t been with her.” Other films showcase Brooks’ other lifelong relationships, including with the comedian and director Carl Reiner and son, the late Hollywood director Rob Reiner, who directed two films on the list: the band tour mockumentary This is Spinal Tap, and When Harry Met Sally, the beloved romantic comedy. Brooks’ favorites also includes The Elephant Man, the 1986 drama that Brooks produced, and that helped propel director David Lynch’s Hollywood career. Brooks was proud of the film, but kept his name off it, Matheson said, to avoid associating his comedic reputation with Lynch’s “serious art”. Neither professor was surprised that the second film Brooks directed, The Twelve Chairs, a “really good ethnic comedy”, was the one that made his short list. An adaptation of a Soviet novel about a wild chase to recover the family jewels hidden in a set of dining chairs, the film “didn’t get good reviews. It flopped at the box office. The audience wasn’t ready for it,” Matheson said. Shot in Yugoslavia, where Brooks quipped the crew had to make do with “one taxi and one lightbulb”, it was not an easy creative experience to make. man sits outside on street corner while holding newspaper with dog next to him View image in fullscreen Nick Nolte in Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986). Photograph: Touchstone/Sportsphoto/Allstar But Matheson called the 1970 film Brooks’ best film ever, “better than The Producers”. Both the Twelve Chairs and Down and Out in Beverly Hills, a now-obscure 1986 comedy starring Bette Midler, Nick Nolte and Richard Dreyfuss, have been among the most challenging of the films to locate appropriate digital restorations to screen, LeMaire told the Los Angeles Times. Programmed by Mel Brooks: 100 Years at the Movies City Lights (1931) Top Hat (1935) A Night at the Opera (1935) The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) Double Indemnity (1944) I Vitelloni (1953) Shane (1953) Psycho (1960) The Miracle Worker (1962) The Twelve Chairs (1970) The Elephant Man (1980) This Is Spinal Tap (1984) **[Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_and_Out_in_Beverly_Hills)** When Harry Met Sally… (1989) Dances with Wolves (1990) Schindler’s List (1993) Ed Wood (1994) Dolemite Is My Name (2019) Jojo Rabbit (2019) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Mel%20Brooks%27%20100th%20Birthday%3A%2020%20Unmissable%20LA%20Screenings&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Mel%20Brooks%27%20100th%20Birthday%3A%2020%20Unmissable%20LA%20Screenings%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Mel%20Brooks%27%20100th%20Birthday%3A%2020%20Unmissable%20LA%20Screenings&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Mel%20Brooks%27%20100th%20Birthday%3A%2020%20Unmissable%20LA%20Screenings%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Mel%20Brooks%27%20100th%20Birthday%3A%2020%20Unmissable%20LA%20Screenings%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Down And Out, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DownAndOutInBeverlyHills, #FavoriteFilms, #MelBrools --- ### [Unforgettable 1980 Hit Singles by Superstar Solo Women](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/28/unforgettable-1980-hit-singles-by-superstar-solo-women/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Looking back at it now, the year 1980 feels like one of those moments in pop music history when all kinds of movements were colliding. New styles were muscling into the picture, while established genres fought tooth and nail to hold their ground. **Content:** --- ## American Songwriter Unforgettable 1980 Hit Singles Delivered by Superstar Solo Female Acts By Jim Beviglia Aug. 28, 2026 --- ![Female singer in a sequined gown performing on stage with a microphone, backed by a dancer in red pants behind her on stage.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-19_08-01-40.png "2026-08-19_08-01-40 - bootleg betty") --- Looking back at it now, the year 1980 feels like a moment in pop music history when many movements collided. Moreover, new styles were muscling into the picture. Established genres fought tooth and nail to hold their ground, and Bette Midler reflected that tension. We’ve collected four tracks from that fateful year that came from solo female artists who well understood how to handle it all. These songs still sound quite sharp today. **“Magic” by Olivia Newton-John** Olivia-Newton John does not get near enough credit for her ability to navigate the ever-changing pop landscape in the 70s and 80s, making only subtle changes in her approach to do so. She took a big swing as an actress by starring in the musical Xanadu. Even though the film took its share of critical hits, the soundtrack was a weird, wild, wondrous thing. ELO contributed several songs, even collaborating with Newton-John on the title track. But “Magic” came from John Farrar, who was behind many of her hits in the 70s. The slinky groove allows Newton-John to deliver some of her sultriest vocals. Everything opens up into a soaring refrain to seal the deal. **[“The Rose”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rose_(film)) was a film featuring [Bette Midler.](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/audio/)** Bette Midler pushed her career higher with the film The Rose. Additionally, up to that point, she’d mostly been known for her music. Moreover, her acting as a Janis Joplin-like character officially pushed her into hyphenate territory. She also rose to the occasion with her biggest pop hit to that point. The title track accompanied the film. Amanda McBroom, a somewhat unheralded singer-songwriter at the time, wrote “The Rose”. It ended up among many options submitted to be the closing track. Midler heard greatness in it. Fans attribute this breakthrough to Bette Midler. She even invited McBroom to sing harmony vocals. The heartfelt ballad reached the Top 5 in 1980. It set the stage for future Midler weepers to come. **“Upside Down” by Diana Ross** Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers had spearheaded plenty of R&B magic as members of Chic. As the 80s dawned, they began to spread their expertise to other pop stars. Diana Ross entered the 80s trying to redefine her sound after a few years of fair-to-middling efforts. She hired Rodgers and Edwards to add their touch to her 1980 album Diana. The pair wrote all eight songs and produced them as well. And the results were undeniable. “Upside Down”, with Ross playing the frazzled suitor without losing her innate elegance, shot to the top of the charts as the first single. It was followed by another Top 10 hit in “I’m Coming Out”. Both tracks have enjoyed lucrative second lives as sample sources. **“More Love” by Kim Carnes** This is the lone song on the list that’s a cover. Kim Carnes chose wisely when it came to her cover material. Why? Well, because it likely wouldn’t have had the same impact had she selected a Smokey Robinson & The Miracles’ song that had been a bigger hit. Instead, “More Love” was a bit of a deeper Motown cut, only making it to No. 23 in 1967. This was pre-“Bette Davis Eyes” for Carnes, a time when she was still very much riding in a soft-rock lane. And she’s certainly right at home on this track, her distinct vocals capturing all the urgency of Robinson’s lyrics. The saxophone solo comes from Raphael Ravenscroft, known for his famous work on Gerry Rafferty’s “Baker Street”. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Unforgettable%201980%20Hit%20Singles%20by%20Superstar%20Solo%20Women&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Unforgettable%201980%20Hit%20Singles%20by%20Superstar%20Solo%20Women%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Unforgettable%201980%20Hit%20Singles%20by%20Superstar%20Solo%20Women&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Unforgettable%201980%20Hit%20Singles%20by%20Superstar%20Solo%20Women%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Unforgettable%201980%20Hit%20Singles%20by%20Superstar%20Solo%20Women%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Music, Songs, the Rose **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #Music, #Songs, #TheRose --- ### [Bette Midler Delivers a Powerful Tribute to Dolly Parton](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/26/bette-midler-delivers-a-powerful-tribute-to-dolly-parton/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler honored Dolly with a deeply heartfelt message, calling her “our beloved Dolly Parton” and saying she was “devastated” by the loss. Midler praised Dolly’s “voice of pure gold and a heart to match,” **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Pays Tribute To Dolly Parton By Mister D August 26, 2026 --- ![Five people in a cozy living room; a woman plays a yellow guitar while others smile and watch.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/hqdefault.jpg "Hqdefault - bootleg betty") --- bette midler honors Dolly Parton with a deeply heartfelt tribute. She called Dolly ‘our beloved Dolly Parton’ and said she was devastated by the loss. Midler praised Dolly’s voice of pure gold and a heart to match, calling it a terrible loss. This tribute circulated across major entertainment outlets as part of the global wave of mourning for Dolly. Context: Why bette midler’s tribute hit hard. Both women are iconic, larger-than-life performers with decades of crossover appeal. They share a long history of mutual admiration. It includes Bette’s Halloween episode with Dolly and musical intersections like Islands in the Stream, reflecting bette midler influence. Bette’s tribute stood out for its emotional clarity, bette midler’s touch shaping the tone. She spoke not just as a peer, but as someone who understood Dolly’s cultural and spiritual impact. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20a%20Powerful%20Tribute%20to%20Dolly%20Parton&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20a%20Powerful%20Tribute%20to%20Dolly%20Parton%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20a%20Powerful%20Tribute%20to%20Dolly%20Parton&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20a%20Powerful%20Tribute%20to%20Dolly%20Parton%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Delivers%20a%20Powerful%20Tribute%20to%20Dolly%20Parton%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Instagram, Tributes **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #dollyparton, #Instagram, #Tribute --- ### [Ultimate Dolly Parton Tribute: Bette Midler Sings Moses](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/26/ultimate-dolly-parton-tribute-bette-midler-sings-moses/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In remembrance of Dolly Parton. Dolly and Bette sing Moses on Bette;s TV series (2000) I am so depressed! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Ultimate Dolly Parton Tribute: Bette Midler Sings Moses By Mister D August 26, 2026 --- ![Two blonde women sit side by side, each holding papers, smiling as they chat on a TV set.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/images-8.jpg "Images 8 - bootleg betty") --- --- In remembrance of Dolly Parton. Dolly and bette Midler sing Moses on Bette’s TV series (2000). However, I am so depressed. \#BetteMidler #Moses #DollyParton #Tribute Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Ultimate%20Dolly%20Parton%20Tribute%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Moses&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Ultimate%20Dolly%20Parton%20Tribute%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Moses%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Ultimate%20Dolly%20Parton%20Tribute%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Moses&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Ultimate%20Dolly%20Parton%20Tribute%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Moses%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Ultimate%20Dolly%20Parton%20Tribute%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Moses%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bette TV Series, Tributes **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BetteTVSeries, #dollyparton, #moses, #Tribute --- ### [Bette Midler Sings Rainbow Sleeve Audio](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/25/bette-midler-sings-rainbow-sleeve-audio/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Divine Miss M Fan Site Audio: Bette Midler Sings Rainbow Sleeve **Content:** --- ## Bette Midler Sings Rainbow Sleeve — The Divine Miss M Fan Site (Audio) --- ![Singer on stage with a microphone wearing a leopard-print top; orange cursive text 'Rainbow' on the left and 'Sleeves' on the right.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-25_07-47-26.png "2026-08-25_07-47-26 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Rainbow%20Sleeve%20Audio&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Rainbow%20Sleeve%20Audio%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Rainbow%20Sleeve%20Audio&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Rainbow%20Sleeve%20Audio%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Rainbow%20Sleeve%20Audio%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, The Divine Miss M Fan Site **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #RainbowSleeves, #TheDivineMissMFanSite --- ### [Bette Midler on Viagra: I Stand By My Words](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/25/bette-midler-on-viagra-i-stand-by-my-words/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler On Viagra: I Said What I Said **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler On Viagra: I Said What I Said By Mister D August 25, 2026 --- ![Smiling woman with short blonde hair and hoop earrings, overlaid with a bold quote about Viagra and pregnancy, signed 'Bette Midler'.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-25_07-19-08.png "2026-08-25_07-19-08 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20on%20Viagra%3A%20I%20Stand%20By%20My%20Words&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20on%20Viagra%3A%20I%20Stand%20By%20My%20Words%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20on%20Viagra%3A%20I%20Stand%20By%20My%20Words&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20on%20Viagra%3A%20I%20Stand%20By%20My%20Words%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20on%20Viagra%3A%20I%20Stand%20By%20My%20Words%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Quotes **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Quotes, #Viagra --- ### [Watch Bette Midler in Big Business: Surprising Eat the Muffin Moment](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/24/watch-bette-midler-in-big-business-surprising-eat-the-muffin-moment/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler - Big Business - Eat The Muffin **Content:** --- ### Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Big Business – Eat The Muffin. By Mister D, August 24, 2026. --- ![Woman with curly red hair wearing a pink polka-dot blazer, standing in a room with an antique cabinet and chandelier.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/images-6-1.jpg "Images 6 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Big%20Business%3A%20Surprising%20Eat%20the%20Muffin%20Moment&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Big%20Business%3A%20Surprising%20Eat%20the%20Muffin%20Moment%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Big%20Business%3A%20Surprising%20Eat%20the%20Muffin%20Moment&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Big%20Business%3A%20Surprising%20Eat%20the%20Muffin%20Moment%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Big%20Business%3A%20Surprising%20Eat%20the%20Muffin%20Moment%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Big Business, Comedy, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BigBusiness, #LilyTomlin, #Muffin --- ### [Essential Kael Review of Bette Midler in Big Business](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/24/essential-kael-review-of-bette-midler-in-big-business/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Midler breezes through, kicking one gong after another. Tomlin's two Roses have virtuous impulses, while Midler--as both Sadies--is pure appetite **Content:** --- ## The New Yorker Review: Bette Midler In Big Business By Pauline Kael By Pauline Kael August 24, 2026 --- ![Two smiling women pose together, with one holding a cupcake topped with frosting caught in a casual moment.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/11312471_1627547210797104_2080035907_n-1.jpg "11312471_1627547210797104_2080035907_n-1 - bootleg betty") --- Pauline Kael recalls laughing at Harry Ritz as a hillbilly in Kentucky Moonshine, which made her fall from theatre seat. I might have fallen off my seat again when Bette Midler appeared as a hillbilly girl milking a cow. Later, after she comes to New York City, she meets a steel-drum band near Fifth Avenue and yodels again. Again, the moviemakers cut to a trivial story point. Midler is far more free and inspired here than she was in Outrageous Fortune or Ruthless People. Bette Midler breezes through, kicking one gong after another. Tomlin’s two Roses have virtuous impulses, while Midler—as both Sadies— is pure appetite. Sadie Ratliff is most recognizably human of comic creations; she watches Dynasty, dreams of Alexis, and looks into Cartier’s windows. “Bette Midler rescues scenes by using her clothes as props. When Sadie, the mogul of Moramax, flips up her collar, the gesture shows self-satisfaction. Chaplin did this sort of thing, and he didn’t do it better. Her snooty asides are terrific. This gorgon keeps her best lines to herself. The film often looks third class, and the plot conks out. Its climax is a visual brain-twister. She is a classic figure—a grinning urchin out of Volpone. Her appetite is the audience’s appetite. It’s as if she and we were passing a flask of euphoria back and forth. More!” **Pauline Kael The New Yorker, June 27, 1988 Hooked, pp 483-485** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Essential%20Kael%20Review%20of%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Big%20Business&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Essential%20Kael%20Review%20of%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Big%20Business%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Essential%20Kael%20Review%20of%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Big%20Business&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Essential%20Kael%20Review%20of%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Big%20Business%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Essential%20Kael%20Review%20of%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Big%20Business%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Big Business, Comedy, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BigBusiness, #LilyTomlin, #PaulineKael, Reviews --- ### [Bette Midler and Tyrese Gibson in Feud Over AI-Generated Song](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/22/bette-midler-and-tyrese-gibson-in-feud-over-ai-generated-song/) **Published:** August 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler shared an Instagram post denouncing the song “Celebrate Me,” which was made using AI platform Suno. **Content:** --- ## Entertainment Weekly Bette Midler and Tyrese Gibson feud over AI-generated song By Wesley Stenzel August 23, 2026 --- ![Two well-dressed people posing at an event: a smiling woman with gray hair on the left and a smiling man in a black tuxedo on the right with a blue backdrop behind him.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-22_19-45-15.png "2026-08-22_19-45-15 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler shared an Instagram post denouncing the song ‘Celebrate Me,’ which Suno AI produced. Furthermore, she called AI music ‘cultural genocide’ in a hashtag. Tyrese Gibson defended the track, asking which HUMAN writer and SINGER could top it. They aren’t getting along. The Hocus Pocus star posted an impassioned Instagram post denouncing the song “Celebrate Me” by IngaRose. It achieved widespread popularity on iTunes and was generated using the AI platform Suno. “This song, currently on the charts, is AI generated,” she wrote in a post that included “Celebrate Me” as its featured audio. “It’s a good song,” Midler opined, “created and sung by a machine that stole every lick, every riff, every thought, phrasing style, every choke in the voice, every sorrowful sound from thousands of human artists since the beginning of recorded music, with zero compensation for the artists on whom they trained the machine.” She added, “This is #culturalgenocide.” Gibson seems to be a big fan of the track, as he wrote a lengthy comment defending the song while criticizing human songwriters in the process. “AI isn’t going anywhere….” he commented. “Complain complain and it just makes it more popular…. This song is actually a great song.” Though Gibson admitted, ‘I know it’s AI,’ he didn’t mind the track’s synthetic origin. Listeners connect to it emotionally. Additionally, he wrote, ‘So many are depressed, divorced, and discouraged.’ This song has inspired even me. The last artist who inspired him, ON MESSAGE, was Audra Day. This sentiment echoes what Bette Midler has said about artistic connection. Gibson continued, “What HUMAN writer and SINGER IS gonna write a song that’s better than this?? Don’t complain…. Just step your shit up….” He concluded, “The world needs HOPE…..” Tyrese Gibson is known for the ‘Fast & Furious’ movies Entertainment Weekly has reached out to representatives for Midler, Gibson, and Suno for comment. EW also reached out to IngaRose’s Instagram account, which claims that the “artist” features “Human written lyrics” and “Real stories” with “Stems & arrangement refined using Suno.” The page also features an abundance of AI-generated imagery. Other artists sided with Midler in the comments section of the post, including Natasha Bedingfield, who posited that the track “sounds like a lot of” Olivia Dean’s “voice was used” in the creation of the song. “So wrong,” she wrote. India Arie wrote, “its on the CHARTS? ugh” Amy Sedaris added, “Yuck.” IngaRose has over 1.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and “Celebrate Me” has over 23 million streams on the platform. “Ingrid is a songwriter and human creator who writes from real life, real emotions, and lived experience,” the IngaRose bio on Spotify says. “Under the artist name IngaRose, she uses Suno as a creative tool to help bring her original songs to life. As a neo-soul storyteller, IngaRose transforms heartbreak, faith, healing, and personal growth into music that feels deeply personal and authentic.” --- **What do ya’ll think?** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Tyrese%20Gibson%20in%20Feud%20Over%20AI-Generated%20Song&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Tyrese%20Gibson%20in%20Feud%20Over%20AI-Generated%20Song%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Tyrese%20Gibson%20in%20Feud%20Over%20AI-Generated%20Song&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Tyrese%20Gibson%20in%20Feud%20Over%20AI-Generated%20Song%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Tyrese%20Gibson%20in%20Feud%20Over%20AI-Generated%20Song%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Music, Songs **Tags:** #AI, #BetteMidler, #CelebrateMe, #Feud, #TyreseseGibson --- ### [Ultimate 25 Airplane-Inspired Comedies Ranked by Fans](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/22/ultimate-25-airplane-inspired-comedies-ranked-by-fans/) **Published:** August 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** As a fan of Airplane! and its off-the-wall humor, you'll find a curated list of films that capture the same comedic magic, further refined by votes from Rankers like you. **Content:** --- ## Ranker The 25 Best Movies Like ‘Airplane!’, Ranked By Fans By Jason Bancroft August 22, 2026 --- ![Woman with curly red hair and a surprised expression sits at a cluttered table in a dim, warmly lit room, wearing a purple-and-white diamond-pattern top and a bold diamond-shaped necklace.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/images-3.jpg "Images 3 - bootleg betty") --- As a fan of Airplane! and its off-the-wall humor, you’ll find a curated list of films that capture the same comedic magic. This collection is tailored to provide that laugh-out-loud experience for those who appreciate rapid-fire jokes and absurd wordplay. Just like in Airplane!, the movies on this list deliver a delightful mix of parody, physical comedy, and irreverent wit. Bette Midler is mentioned in this context where appropriate. Among the noteworthy selections is Hot Shots!, a hilarious spoof of Top Gun that stars Charlie Sheen as a former Navy pilot entangled in a covert operation. This film, directed by Jim Abrahams, mirrors the absurdity and visual gags that made Airplane! a classic. Another gem is The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, featuring Leslie Nielsen’s iconic deadpan humor. Directed by David Zucker, it offers a torrent of slapstick and clever satire, reminiscent of the comedic brilliance seen in Airplane!. Don’t miss out on our “Where to Watch” buttons, making it convenient to stream these hilarious recommendations across various platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and more. This feature ensures you can easily find a fresh comedic film that promises to tickle your funny bone, just like the unforgettable antics of Airplane!. Blazing Saddles is a satirical Western. Bart (Cleavon Little) becomes Rock Ridge’s first black sheriff, confronting a corrupt political scheme. Despite initial prejudice, Bart teams up with a washed-up gunslinger (Gene Wilder) to save the town. Directed by Mel Brooks and released in 1974, this film blends sharp social commentary with over-the-top comedy. Why you might like it: If the rapid-fire jokes and biting satire of Airplane! resonate with you, Blazing Saddles will equally captivate with its mixture of witty dialogue and over-the-top humor. Mel Brooks’ irreverent approach to storytelling ensures a continuous barrage of memorable lines and comedic brilliance. The film’s blend of parody and social commentary offers a hilariously unique viewing experience akin to the comedic romp of Airplane!. Actors: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Slim Pickens, David HuddlestonReleased: 1974Directed by: Mel Brooks Dig Deeper ‘Blazing Saddles’ Has Some Dark Behind The Scenes Stories That Might Shock You Also ranks #1 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films Also ranks #1 on The 600+ Funniest Movies Of All Time **2 Young Frankenstein** What this movie is about: Young Frankenstein, directed by Mel Brooks, centers on Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder), a distinguished medical lecturer who inherits his infamous grandfather’s estate in Transylvania. Encouraged by his quirky servants Igor (Marty Feldman), Inga (Teri Garr), and Frau Blücher (Cloris Leachman), he recreates his grandfather’s experiments, leading to unexpected complications with his creation and the arrival of his fiancée, Elizabeth (Madeline Kahn). Released 1974, this film is a loving homage to the classic horror genre, skillfully blending horror elements with uproarious comedy. Why you might like it: Young Frankenstein delivers a masterful blend of parody and homage, much like Airplane! did for disaster films. Its sophisticated humor, memorable lines, and perfectly timed gags maintain a level of comedic brilliance that aligns with the spirit of Airplane!. The film’s spot-on performances and affectionate mockery of classic horror tropes ensure a hilarious and enduring comedy experience for fans of sharply written parody films. Actors: Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, Madeline KahnReleased: 1974Directed by: Mel Brooks Also ranks #1 on The Greatest Horror Parody Movies, Ranked Also ranks #2 on The Best Modern Black & White Movies Also ranks #2 on The Funniest Classic Wacky Comedies, Ranked **3 Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery** What this movie is about: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery introduces us to the titular character, a swinging 60s spy who is thawed after 30 years to battle his arch-enemy Dr. Evil (also played by Mike Myers). Faced with modern-day challenges, Austin Powers must navigate an unfamiliar world while dealing with his outdated spy techniques and groovy persona. Directed by Jay Roach and released in 1997, this film is a playful parody of the spy genre, featuring a stellar cast including Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, and Robert Wagner. Why you might like it: Fans of Airplane! will revel in the extravagant humor and exaggerated characters of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. The film’s satirical take on the spy genre peppered with quirky characters and whimsical humor, offers a nostalgic yet fresh comedic experience. Its blend of physical, witty dialogue, and absurd situations makes it a fitting companion to the anarchic spirit of Airplane!. Actors: Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, Mimi Rogers, Robert WagnerReleased: 1997Directed by: Jay Roach Also ranks #1 on 12 Times An Actor Played The Hero And The Villain In The Same Movie Also ranks #2 on Every ‘Austin Powers’ Movie, Ranked **4 Major League** What this movie is about: Major League chronicles the underdog journey of the Cleveland Indians baseball team, whose new owner Rachel Phelps (Margaret Whitton) assembles a team of misfits in hopes that their failure will allow her to move the team. The roster, pitcher Ricky Vaughn (Charlie Sheen), catcher Jake (Tom Berenger) and voodoo-practicing Pedro Cerrano (Dennis Haysbert), defies the odds and finds unexpected success. Directed by David S. Ward and released in 1989, this sports-comedy is laden with humor, rivalry, and triumphant victories. Why you might like it: Fans of Airplane! will revel in Major League’s hilarious ensemble cast, with each unique performance contributing to the film’s riotous charm. The comedic synergy among the players and their improbable triumphs create a feel-good narrative filled with quotable lines and slapstick. The film’s combination of sports drama humor ensures a delightfully entertaining watch. Actors: Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen, Margaret Whitton, James GammonReleased: 1989Directed by: David S. Ward Also ranks #1 on 15 Sports Comedies That Are Legitimately Funny Also ranks #1 on 1980s Baseball Movies That Hit It Out Of The Park Also ranks #3 on The All-Time Best Baseball Films **5 Top Secret!** What this movie is about: Top Secret! features the dashing rock and roll singer Nick Rivers (Val Kilmer), who travels to East Germany for a music festival and is soon entangled in a covert resistance movement. Upon falling for the beautiful Hillary Hammond (Lucy Gutteridge), Nick joins forces with her and the enigmatic Cedric (Omar Sharif) to rescue her father, Dr. Hammond (Michael Gough), from the clutches of German forces. Directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, this 1984 spoof masterfully blends elements of spy thrillers and war dramas. Why you might like it: Fans of Airplane! will be delighted by Top Secret!’s vibrant comedy that’s enriched by the same trio of masterminds behind the iconic disaster movie parody. The film’s irreverent and clever visual gags ensure an avalanche of laughter, akin to the comedic style that made Airplane! a classic. Val Kilmer’s charismatic portrayal and the movie’s whimsical interplay of espionage and absurdity make it a highly entertaining watch. Actors: Val Kilmer, Lucy Gutteridge, Christopher Villiers, Omar Sharif, Peter CushingReleased: 1984Directed by: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker Also ranks #5 on The Best Comedies On Paramount+ Also ranks #7 on The 9 Funniest Times Movies Made Fun Of Themselves, Ranked Also ranks #10 on The Top Val Kilmer Movies, Ranked **6 Hot Shots!** What this movie is about: Hot Shots! is a comedic spoof of Top Gun, where we follow former U.S. Navy pilot Topper Harley (Charlie Sheen) as he grapples with a haunting past involving his father’s aerial mishap. Called back into service by Lt. Cmdr. James Block (Kevin Dunn) despite his psychiatrist’s (Valeria Golino) objections, Topper finds himself embroiled in a clandestine operation that uncovers a sinister weapons manufacturing plot. Directed by Jim Abrahams, this 1991 film is a hilarious send-up filled with sight gags, zany antics, and a star-studded cast including Cary Elwes and Lloyd Bridges. Why you might like it: Fans of Airplane! will appreciate Hot Shots! for its relentless stream of absurdity and sharp parody that gleefully mocks action film cliches. The film’s rapid-fire humor and visual gags mirror the comedic style of Airplane!, offering a similar experience of non-stop laughs and irreverent fun. With its over-the-top characters and playful storyline, Hot Shots! is designed to entertain anyone who loves a good spoof. Actors: Charlie Sheen, Cary Elwes, Valeria Golino, Lloyd Bridges, Kevin DunnReleased: 1991Directed by: Jim Abrahams Also ranks #6 on The Best Movies With Charlie Sheen Also ranks #8 on The Best Movies With A Rhyming Title Also ranks #8 on The 20 Best Parody And Spoof Movies Of All Time, Ranked **7 The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!** What this movie is about: The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is a side-splitting comedy that follows the bumbling detective Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) as he tries to thwart a sinister mind control plot orchestrated by the nefarious business tycoon Vincent Ludwig (Ricardo Montalban). With his partner Norberg (O.J. Simpson) injured and Ludwig’s assistant Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley) potentially holding crucial information, Drebin must navigate through a series of comedic mishaps to ensure justice prevails. Directed by David Zucker, this 1988 film is a riotous blend of slapstick humor and clever satire. Why you might like it: Fans of Airplane! will find The Naked Gun immensely entertaining due to Leslie Nielsen’s masterful comedic performance, which echoes the same deadpan brilliance he showcased as Dr. Rucksack. This film offers a relentless stream of farcical situations and witty dialogue that mirror the absurd humor of Airplane!. The blend of physical comedy and sharp parody ensures a hysterical viewing experience that will resonate with lovers of Nielsen’s comedic genius. Actors: Leslie Nielsen, George Kennedy, Priscilla Presley, Ricardo Montalban, O.J. SimpsonReleased: 1988Directed by: David Zucker Dig Deeper ‘The Naked Gun’ Reboot Sounds Like A Bad Idea Until You Find Out Who’s Making It Also ranks #1 on The Funniest Crime Parodies and Spoof Movies, Ranked Also ranks #2 on The Funniest Smart Movies About Dumb People **8** Three **Amigos!** What this movie is about: Three Amigos! follows silent film stars Lucky Day (Steve Martin), Dusty Bottoms (Chevy Chase), and Ned Nederlander (Martin Short), who are mistaken for real heroes by a small Mexican village terrorized by the notorious bandit El Guapo (Alfonso Arau). The actors must rise to the challenge, embracing their roles despite their initial oblivion. Directed by John Landis, this 1986 film is a fusion of western and adventure genres that delivers barrels of laughs. Why you might like it: If you relished the zany absurdity of Airplane!, Three Amigos! will entertain you with its equally outrageous scenarios and larger-than-life characters. The mix of western parody and humor evokes a similar spirit of unrestrained fun and slapstick hilarity. With its trio of talented comedians, the film ensures a joyful experience filled with clever twists and memorable antics. Actors: Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Patrice Martinez, Alfonso ArauReleased: 1986Directed by: John Landis Also ranks #3 on 15 Chevy Chase Movies That Show Why He’s The King Of Physical Comedy Also ranks #4 on The Best Mistaken Identity Movies Also ranks #7 on The Best Comedy Western Movies Of All Time **9 Soul Plane** What this movie is about: Soul Plane centers on Nashawn Wade (Kevin Hart), who, after winning a multi-million-dollar lawsuit following a flight disaster, decides to start his own airline tailored to an African-American clientele. Featuring a tricked-out plane piloted by the suave Capt. Mack (Snoop Dogg), the airline embarks on its maiden voyage, which quickly devolves into a series of comedic mishaps and challenges. Directed by Jessy Terrero, this 2004 film combines outlandish humor with sharp social commentary, featuring an energetic cast including Tom Arnold and Method Man. Why you might like it: Fans of Airplane! will find Soul Plane uproariously fun as it brings a similar aviation experience loaded with slapstick humor and socially poignant jests. The film’s blend of high-flying absurdity and cultural wit provides a fresh, entertaining experience that mirrors the irreverent tone of Airplane!. With its ensemble of eccentric characters and inventive situations, Soul Plane ensures a side-splitting flight. Actors: Kevin Hart, Tom Arnold, Method Man, Snoop Dogg, K.D. AubertReleased: 2004Directed by: Jessy Terrero Also ranks #5 on Smoke & Screens: 25 Snoop Dogg Movies That Are Worth A Watch Also ranks #9 on Best Sofia Vergara Movies Also ranks #19 on The 30+ Best Terry Crews Movies **10 The Man Who Knew Too Little** What this movie is about: The Man Who Knew Too Little features Bill Murray as Wallace Ritchie, an unsuspecting American in London who unwittingly becomes part of a real-life espionage plot while thinking he’s participating in a theatrical role-playing adventure. Celebrating his birthday with his wealthy brother James (Peter Gallagher), Wallace’s naivete lands him in a series of perilous yet hilarious situations. Directed by Jon Amiel, this 1997 comedy weaves a tale of mistaken identity and high jinks, co-starring Joanne Whalley and Alfred Molina. Why you might like it: If you enjoyed the ludic scenarios and deadpan delivery of Airplane!, The Man Who Knew Too Little will be right up your alley. The film’s blend of slapstick humor and misunderstandings creates a laugh-out-loud experience akin to the parodic style of Airplane!. With Bill Murray’s impeccable comedic timing and a plot filled with ironic twists, this movie is a delightful romp through the world of mistaken espionage. Actors: Bill Murray, Peter Gallagher, Joanne Whalley, Alfred Molina, Richard WilsonReleased: 1997Directed by: Jon Amiel Also ranks #6 on 19 Forgotten Comedies Of ’80s Movie Stars Also ranks #13 on 17 Forgotten Comedies Of ’90s Movie Stars Also ranks #15 on The Best Comedy Mystery Movies, Ranked **11 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels** What this movie is about: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels centers on Lawrence Jamieson (Michael Caine), a sophisticated con artist who preys on wealthy women along the French Riviera, and Freddy Benson (Steve Martin), a brash American hustler who infiltrates Lawrence’s territory. Their rivalry culminates in a plot to swindle an American heiress, Janet Colgate (Glenne Headly), with the loser agreeing to leave town forever. Directed by Frank Oz and released in 1988, this comedy is a masterclass in deception and rivalry, filled with clever twists. Why you might like it: Admirers of Airplane!’s comedic style will appreciate Dirty Rotten Scoundrels for its adept blend of slapstick hilarity and sharp, sophisticated wit. The dynamic between Steve Martin and Michael Caine ensures laughter through their contrasting yet equally captivating performances. Mirroring Airplane!’s charm, this film presents a wild caper that keeps viewers both amused and enthralled. Actors: Steve Martin, Michael Caine, Glenne Headly, Anton Rodgers, Barbara HarrisReleased: 1988Directed by: Frank Oz Also ranks #3 on 17 Movies Where The Whole Plot Revolves Around A Big Bet Also ranks #6 on 17 Major Movies You Didn’t Realize Were Actually Remakes Also ranks #7 on The Best Con Artist Movies Of All Time **12 Life of Brian** What this movie is about: Life of Brian follows the misadventures of Brian Cohen (Graham Chapman), a hapless man mistakenly worshipped as the Messiah in first-century Judea. The Monty Python troupe, including John Cleese and Terry Gilliam, weaves an irreverent narrative filled with iconic sequences and biting humor. From political rebellion to mistaken identities, Brian’s journey is a satirical examination of religion and society, making it both controversial and celebrated. Why you might like it: Fans of Airplane! will appreciate Life of Brian for its sharp wit and unapologetic humor woven through absurd predicaments and physical comedy. The film’s spirited mockery of historical and religious conventions parallels the audacious chaotic energy found in Airplane!. With Monty Python’s signature style, this movie guarantees a comedic romp that pushes boundaries and invites endless amusement. Actors: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael PalinReleased: 1979Directed by: Terry Jones Also ranks #2 on The Best British Comedy Movies Also ranks #4 on The Best Intelligent Comedies Of All Time Also ranks #5 on The 50+ Best Movies Of 1979 **13 Planes, Trains and Automobiles** What this movie is about: Planes, Trains and Automobiles follows Neal Page (Steve Martin), a high-strung marketing executive who finds himself stuck with eternally optimistic, overly talkative salesman Del Griffith (John Candy) on a two-day odyssey. The mismatched duo must overcome numerous travel disasters, including plane reroutes, train breakdowns, and car troubles, as they attempt to get Neal home to his family for Thanksgiving. Directed by John Hughes, this 1987 classic masterfully blends comedy and heartfelt moments, highlighting the unlikely friendship that blossoms amidst chaos. Why you might like it: If Airplane! had you in stitches, Planes, Trains and Automobiles will keep you rolling with laughter. The film’s comedic predicaments and quick wit echo the humor of Airplane!, while its subtle emotional depth adds a unique layer to the hilarity. With a stellar performance duo and a storyline peppered with travel setbacks, this movie is a comedic journey worth taking. Actors: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Michael McKean, Kevin BaconReleased: 1987Directed by: John Hughes Also ranks #1 on The Best Movies About Thanksgiving, Ranked Also ranks #1 on Silly Comedies That End With An Emotional Gut Punch Also ranks #2 on Behind-The-Scenes Facts About John Candy Movies That Made Us Miss Him **14 National Lampoon’s Animal House** What this movie is about: In National Lampoon’s Animal House, the fraternity Delta Tau Chi, led by the anarchic Bluto Blutarsky (John Belushi), constantly clashes with the college administration, personified by Dean Wormer (John Vernon). Set in 1962, the film explores the fraternity’s wild escapades, pranks, and parties as they resist the dean’s attempts to shut them down. Directed by John Landis, this 1978 comedy remains a quintessential exploration of collegiate chaos and rebellion. Why you might like it: Enthusiasts of Airplane!’s side-splitting humor will appreciate National Lampoon’s Animal House for its legendary quotes and uproarious escapades. The film’s riotous spirit and unforgettable pranks echo the anarchic energy that defines Airplane!’s comedic genius. John Landis’ direction, paired with an ensemble of standout performances, ensures a hilariously wild ride. Actors: John Belushi, Kevin Bacon, Donald Sutherland, Karen Allen, Tim MathesonReleased: 1978Directed by: John Landis Dig Deeper The Making Of ‘Animal House’ Was Way Messier Than Anything Than Ended Up On Screen Also ranks #1 on The Funniest Movies About College Also ranks #5 on The Best Movies to Have Playing During a Party **15 Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke** What this movie is about: Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke follows Anthony Stoner (Tommy Chong), an unemployed, pot-smoking drummer who meets his spiritual counterpart Pedro de Pacas (Cheech Marin). Together, they embark on a series of comedic misadventures, culminating in a chaotic rock band contest. Directed by Lou Adler and released in 1978, this cult classic infuses its narrative with countercultural themes and a plethora of absurd situations. Why you might like it: Fans of Airplane!’s unabashedly silly humor will find Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke an equally uproarious experience filled with quotable one-liners and outrageous antics. The film’s irreverent tone and offbeat characters capture a similar spirit of hilarity and unpredictability. With its unique brand of stoner comedy and relentless gags, this movie provides endless amusement. Actors: Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Stacy Keach, Edie Adams, Tom SkerrittReleased: 1978Directed by: Lou Adler Also ranks #1 on The 70 Best Stoner Comedy Movies Of All Time, Ranked Also ranks #3 on The Best Comedies On Paramount+ Also ranks #5 on ‘Classic’ Comedies With The Worst Rotten Tomatoes Score **16 Stripes** What this movie is about: Stripes stars Bill Murray as John Winger, who joins the Army with his best friend Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis) after losing everything, including his job and girlfriend. Their irreverent attitudes often clash with their superiors, especially Sgt. Hulka (Warren Oates), but their hijinks lead them from basic training to an unexpected mission in Europe. Directed by Ivan Reitman and released in 1981, this comedy is a rollicking tale of transformation and resilience. Why you might like it: Viewers who enjoyed Airplane!’s ensemble cast will be drawn to Stripes for its equally uproarious group of characters, each contributing to the film’s brilliance. The chemistry between Bill Murray and Harold Ramis ensures a series of memorable and laugh-out-loud moments. Stripes’ blend of military satire and lighthearted adventure makes it a comedy classic with enduring appeal. Actors: Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Warren Oates, P.J. Soles, Sean YoungReleased: 1981Directed by: Ivan Reitman Also ranks #4 on The Best Movies Of 1981 Also ranks #11 on The Funniest Movies Starring SNL Cast Members Also ranks #13 on The Best ’80s Comedy Movies, Ranked **17 Ruthless People** What this movie is about: Ruthless People revolves around the conniving Sam Stone (Danny DeVito) who despises his wife Barbara (Bette Midler) and welcomes her kidnapping by an inept duo (Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater) aiming for a $500,000 ransom. Sam’s indifference to the ransom demands leads to unexpected complications as the kidnappers grapple with their demanding captive. Directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, this 1986 dark comedy expertly navigates themes of greed, deception, and unexpected alliances. Why you might like it: If you loved Airplane!, Ruthless People offers a similarly witty, satisfying comedy. Moreover, the film’s dark humor and twists keep the narrative engaging. With standout performances from Danny DeVito and Bette Midler, the movie blends biting satire with outrageous scenarios. Actors: Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater, Anita MorrisReleased: 1986Directed by: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker Dig Deeper EW.com’s Hollywood’s ‘Get Rich Quick!’ Movies Also ranks #4 on The 30+ Best Bette Midler Movies, Ranked Also ranks #9 on Danny DeVito’s Best Movies **18 History of the World, Part I** What this movie is about: History of the World, Part I takes viewers on a farcical journey through human existence, from the Stone Age to the French Revolution, with Mel Brooks leading the charge as director and narrator. This 1981 comedy presents an episodic cavalcade of historical parodies, featuring standout performances by Madeline Kahn as Empress Nympho and Gregory Hines as Josephus, a Roman slave. The film boldly combines humor with a satirical take on significant historical events and figures. Why you might like it: Enthusiasts of Airplane! will find History of the World, Part I equally amusing due to its playful irreverence and slapstick humor. The film’s episodic nature and clever wit align seamlessly with the anarchic style seen in Airplane!. With Mel Brooks’ deft comedic touch, this movie offers a parody-rich voyage through time that is sure to entertain and provoke laughter. Actors: Mel Brooks, Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman, Cloris LeachmanReleased: 1981Directed by: Mel Brooks Also ranks #5 on All Of Mel Brooks’ Best Movies, Ranked Also ranks #7 on The Funniest Classic Wacky Comedies, Ranked Also ranks #10 on The Best Adult Parody Movies Of All Time **19 Caddyshack** What this movie is about: Caddyshack immerses viewers in the tumultuous world of Bushwood Country Club, where Danny Noonan (Michael O’Keefe), a young caddy, aims to win a college scholarship amidst a series of hilarious encounters with the club’s eclectic members. He navigates the quirky dynamics involving wealthy Judge Smails (Ted Knight), the boisterous Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield), and the eccentric greenskeeper Carl Spackler (Bill Murray). Directed by Harold Ramis and released in 1980, this comedy is a sharp exploration of class disparity and the absurdities of golf culture. Why you might like it: If you cherished the quick-witted humor and memorable lines of Airplane!, Caddyshack will undoubtedly resonate with you, offering an abundance of hysterical dialogue and iconic scenes. The film’s eccentric characters and rambunctious scenarios create a comedic environment brimming with quotable moments. Harold Ramis’ direction ensures that the humor remains consistently dynamic and engaging, providing a similar riotous experience to that of Airplane!. Actors: Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray, Ted Knight, Michael O’KeefeReleased: 1980Directed by: Harold Ramis Dig Deeper Drug-Fueled Stories From Behind The Scenes Of ‘Caddyshack’ Also ranks #2 on Wild Facts About Bill Murray We Just Learned That Made Us Say ‘Really?’ Also ranks #4 on The Best Movies Of 1980 **20 City Slickers** What this movie is about: City Slickers follows three friends – henpecked (Daniel Stern), newly married Ed (Bruno Kirby), and Mitch (Billy Crystal), who is grappling with a midlife crisis – as they embark on a supervised drive across the American Southwest. Under the guidance of the gruff cowboy Curly (Jack Palance), the journey takes unexpected dangerous turns and tests their resolve. Directed by Ron Underwood and released in 1991, this comedy expertly blends adventure and heartfelt moments, exploring themes of masculinity and friendship. Why you might like it: Fans of Airplane! will find City Slickers equally engrossing due to its hilarious ensemble cast, each character bringing a unique flavor to the film’s dynamic. The witty banter and character-driven humor parallel the comedic energy found in Airplane!. With standout performances from Billy Crystal and Jack Palance, the movie offers a delightful mix of comedy and poignant life lessons. Actors: Billy Crystal, Daniel Stern, Bruno Kirby, Patricia Wettig, Helen SlaterReleased: 1991Directed by: Ron Underwood Dig Deeper 9 Behind-The-Scenes Stories From ‘City Slickers’ Also ranks #1 on 50 Movies That Contained Future Stars Also ranks #9 on The 20 Best Western Movies For Your Kids **21 Wrongfully Accused** What this movie is about: Wrongfully Accused is a spoof of crime thrillers that stars Leslie Nielsen as the hapless concert violinist Ryan Harrison, who finds himself wrongfully convicted of a murder he didn’t commit. After escaping during a prison transfer, Harrison embarks on a hilarious quest to clear his name by tracking down the real killer while being pursued by persistent law enforcement led by Lt. Fergus Falls (Richard Crenna). Directed by Pat Proft and released in 1998, this film delivers a comedic rollercoaster filled with slapstick antics and dramatic parodies. Why you might like it: For admirers of Airplane! looking for another dose of Leslie Nielsen’s comedic brilliance, Wrongfully Accused is an excellent choice. The film is packed with absurd scenarios and spoof humor that will remind viewers of the anarchic spirit of Airplane!. Nielsen’s talent for turning even the gravest situations into laughable moments is on full display, ensuring a riotous and enjoyable cinematic experience. Actors: Leslie Nielsen, Richard Crenna, Kelly LeBrock, Melinda McGraw, Michael YorkReleased: 1998Directed by: Pat Proft **22 Dracula: Dead and Loving It** What this movie is about: Dracula: Dead and Loving It is a horror-comedy directed by Mel Brooks, starring Leslie Nielsen as the dashing, yet hilariously inept Count Dracula who relocates to Victorian London with his loyal assistant Renfield (Peter MacNicol) in search of new victims. As Dracula sets his sights on Mina (Amy Yasbeck) and her friend Lucy (Lysette Anthony), Mina’s fiancé Jonathan (Steven Weber) enlists the help of Van Helsing (Mel Brooks) to thwart the vampire’s deadly plans. Released in 1995, this film merges Gothic horror and slapstick comedy to offer a delightfully irreverent take on the classic vampire tale. Why you might like it: If you’re a fan of Airplane!’s over-the-top humor, Dracula: Dead and Loving It will not disappoint, particularly thanks to Leslie Nielsen’s uproarious portrayal of the title character. The film’s playful absurdity and comically exaggerated performances provide a perfect platform for Nielsen’s timing and deadpan delivery. Mel Brooks’ direction ensures that the movie’s humor remains consistently sharp and engaging, making it a must-watch for enthusiasts of parody comedies. Actors: Leslie Nielsen, Peter MacNicol, Steven Weber, Amy Yasbeck, Lysette AnthonyReleased: 1995Directed by: Mel Brooks Also ranks #1 on The 30+ Best Vampire Parody Movies, Ranked Also ranks #3 on The 13 Best Vampire Comedy Movies Of All Time Also ranks #7 on 16 Of The Most Memorable Cinematic Takes On Dracula Over The Centuries **23 The Jerk** What this movie is about: The Jerk stars Steve Martin as Navin R. Johnson, a white man who was adopted by a black family, only realizing his true ethnicity after reaching adulthood. Determined to find his place in the world, he embarks on a journey filled with outrageous misadventures, from inventing dubious products to evading assassination attempts. Directed by Carl Reiner and released in 1979, this comedy explores themes of identity and social absurdity through Navin’s naïve yet endearing perspective. Why you might like it: If you enjoyed the outlandish comedy of Airplane!, The Jerk will provide a similarly uproarious experience with its blend of slapstick humor and absurd situations. Steve Martin’s quirky character and the film’s unpredictable narrative keep the audience laughing at every turn. The Jerk’s whimsical and exaggerated take on societal norms offers a comedic escape that parallels the ludicrous charm of Airplane!. Actors: Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, Mabel King, Richard WardReleased: 1979Directed by: Carl Reiner Also ranks #4 on 12 Movies Where Everything Comes Full Circle By The End Also ranks #5 on The Funniest Smart Movies About Dumb People Also ranks #5 on The 70+ Funniest ’70s Comedy Movies, Ranked **24 Snakes on a Plane** What this movie is about: Snakes on a Plane thrusts audiences into a high-stakes scenario where FBI agent Nelville Flynn (Samuel L. Jackson) is tasked with protecting a trial witness during a flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles. The mission takes a deadly turn when an assassin releases a crate of venomous snakes on board, causing chaos at 35,000 feet. Directed by David R. Ellis, this 2006 thriller mixes intense action with moments of dark humor, featuring a star-studded cast including Julianna Margulies and Kenan Thompson. Why you might like it: If you adored the airborne anarchy in Airplane!, the adrenaline-packed antics of Snakes on a Plane will captivate you. The film’s audacious premise and unexpected blend of thrills and laughs echo Airplane!’s knack for combining the absurd with the suspenseful. With Samuel L. Jackson’s commanding presence and a plot filled with slithery surprises, this movie delivers both tension and entertainment in equal measure. Actors: Samuel L. Jackson, Kenan Thompson, Julianna Margulies, Nathan Phillips, Mark HoughtonReleased: 2006Directed by: David R. Ellis Also ranks #3 on The Most Unlikely Animal Attacks (According To Shudder), Ranked Also ranks #6 on The Best Horror Movies About Airplanes Also ranks #10 on 25 Movies That Completely Changed Their Titles (For Better Or Worse) **25 Spies Like Us** What this movie is about: Spies Like Us follows Austin Millbarge (Dan Aykroyd) and Emmett Fitz-Hume (Chevy Chase), two bumbling government employees who con their way into a CIA espionage program. They are soon thrust into a top-secret mission in the Middle East, only to find themselves as decoys in a Cold War showdown. Directed by John Landis and released in 1985, this film combines espionage and comedy in a tale of misguided heroism. Why you might like it: If you were taken by the ensemble hilarity of Airplane!, Spies Like Us will similarly captivate with the dynamic duo of Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase. The film’s clever gags and unpredictable plot mirror the irreverent humor that Airplane! fans adore. With its mix of espionage intrigue and comedic mishaps, this film promises an engaging and laughter-filled experience. Actors: Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Donna Dixon, Steve Forrest, Bruce DavisonReleased: 1985Directed by: John Landis Also ranks #5 on 15 Chevy Chase Movies That Show Why He’s The King Of Physical Comedy Also ranks #5 on Every Chevy Chase Movie, Ranked Also ranks #6 on The 70+ Best Movies With Dan Aykroyd Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Ultimate%2025%20Airplane-Inspired%20Comedies%20Ranked%20by%20Fans&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Ultimate%2025%20Airplane-Inspired%20Comedies%20Ranked%20by%20Fans%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Ultimate%2025%20Airplane-Inspired%20Comedies%20Ranked%20by%20Fans&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Ultimate%2025%20Airplane-Inspired%20Comedies%20Ranked%20by%20Fans%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Ultimate%2025%20Airplane-Inspired%20Comedies%20Ranked%20by%20Fans%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Movies, Ruthless People **Tags:** #Airplane, #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #Movies, #ruthlessPeople --- ### [Bette Midler Tickets for Woody Guthrie Prize On Sale Aug. 28, 2026](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/22/bette-midler-tickets-for-woody-guthrie-prize-on-sale-aug-28-2026/) **Published:** August 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Legendary entertainer, humanitarian and activist Bette Midler has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Tix For Woody Guthrie Prize On Sale Aug. 28, 2026 By Mister D. Aug. 22, 2026. --- ![Night view of Cain's Ballroom with a glowing marquee advertising the 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize — Bettie Miller, Oct 16 at Cain's Ballroom on a neon-lit street night scene.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-22_04-30-28-edited.png "2026-08-22_04-30-28 - bootleg betty") --- Legendary entertainer, humanitarian and activist [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/25/the-song-bette-midler-sang-in-no-kings-video/ "Bette Midler") has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize. For more than 50 years, Midler has inspired audiences around the world as a singer, actress, author and producer. Beyond her celebrated career, she is also one of America’s most recognized advocates for environmental conservation, public spaces, LGBTQ+ rights, public health initiatives and a wide range of humanitarian causes. The 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize event will take place on Oct. 16 at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Okla. The fundraising event will feature remarks from Cady Shaw and Guthrie family members. It will include the award ceremony and a conversation with Bette Midler and Rona Elliot. Additionally, the evening will close with a solo acoustic performance by rising country star Bryan Andrews. His honest storytelling, blue-collar perspective, and fearless songwriting have drawn significant social-media attention. Details Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. Cain’s Ballroom 423 N Main St, Tulsa, OK 74103 **Tickets** Tickets will go on sale exclusively to Woody Guthrie Center members on Aug. 28, 2026. Membership and ticket proceeds will fund the center’s 2028 educational programming, public events, exhibitions and outreach. For sponsorship and other support opportunities, contact . For general event inquiries, contact --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Tickets%20for%20Woody%20Guthrie%20Prize%20On%20Sale%20Aug.%2028%2C%202026&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Tickets%20for%20Woody%20Guthrie%20Prize%20On%20Sale%20Aug.%2028%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Tickets%20for%20Woody%20Guthrie%20Prize%20On%20Sale%20Aug.%2028%2C%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Tickets%20for%20Woody%20Guthrie%20Prize%20On%20Sale%20Aug.%2028%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Tickets%20for%20Woody%20Guthrie%20Prize%20On%20Sale%20Aug.%2028%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler **Tags:** #Awards, #BetteMidler, #OnSale, #tickets, #WoodyGuthriePrize --- ### [Sophie Accepts Disney Legends Award for Mom Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/21/sophie-accepts-disney-legends-award-for-mom-bette-midler/) **Published:** August 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Sophie accepts the Disney Legends Award on behalf of her mother, Bette Midler, who was stranded at the airport. This was in 2019 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Sophie Accepts Disney Legends Award For Her Mom, Bette Midler By Mister D August 21, 2026 --- ![Woman with short curly blonde hair standing at a lectern, reading notes into a microphone during a speech.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-21_14-24-00.png "2026-08-21_14-24-00 - bootleg betty") --- --- Sophie accepts the **[Disney Legends Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney_Legends)** on behalf of her mother, [**Bette Midler,** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/03/24/the-best-of-bette-midler/)who was stranded at the airport. This was in 2019 Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Sophie%20Accepts%20Disney%20Legends%20Award%20for%20Mom%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Sophie%20Accepts%20Disney%20Legends%20Award%20for%20Mom%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Sophie%20Accepts%20Disney%20Legends%20Award%20for%20Mom%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Sophie%20Accepts%20Disney%20Legends%20Award%20for%20Mom%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Sophie%20Accepts%20Disney%20Legends%20Award%20for%20Mom%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Movies, Sophie von Haselberg, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DisneyLegendsAward, #SophieVonHaselberg --- ### [Jaw-Dropping Women Who Made the ’80s Laugh](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/21/jaw-dropping-women-who-made-the-80s-laugh/) **Published:** August 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** When it comes to the queens of comedy who ruled the screen and made us laugh through the '80s, few could compare to these glamorous and talented women. **Content:** --- ## First 10 Gorgeous Women Who Made the ’80s Laugh By Lauren Kirk. August 21, 2026. --- ![Older woman with short blonde hair laughing, wearing a green textured blazer over a red top, indoors in a warmly lit room.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/12-9-2012-8-58-55-PM.jpg "12-9-2012-8-58-55-pm - bootleg betty") --- Across the [**queens of comedy** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Queens_of_Comedy)who ruled the screen in the ’80s, few matched these glamorous, talented women. They reimagined slapstick and charmed audiences with wit and style. Moreover, they turned unique personalities into box office gold. From heartfelt rom-coms to outrageous farces, these legendary actresses became adored faces and reliable box office powerhouses. Here are unforgettable stars who defined an era and left an indelible mark on Hollywood’s comedic landscape. **Daryl Hannah** enchanted audiences with her comedic timing and captivating characters in beloved films. Additionally, her breakout came as the mermaid Madison in the 1984 hit Splash. That role earned her a Saturn Award for Best Actress in 1985. It skyrocketed the actress to mainstream fame, as reported by Parade. **Goldie Hawn’s** effervescent energy made her a comedy mainstay. It delighted viewers with her playful sense of humor and irresistible warmth. Long before her ’80s stardom, her 1969 film debut in Cactus Flower earned her an Academy Award. Additionally, it was for Best Supporting Actress, according to Turner Classic Movies. **Meg Ryan** affectionately stole hearts everywhere with her quirky spirit and unforgettable comedic performances. Moreover, her turn as Sally Albright in the 1989 classic When Harry Met Sally earned her a Golden Globe nomination. It quickly established her as Hollywood’s sweetheart, according to IMDb. With each romantic comedy, she redefined what it meant to lead in Hollywood. **Michelle Pfeiffer’s** crisp comedic moments and grounded performances lit up both blockbusters and cult classics alike. Her performance in Married to the Mob (1988) earned her the first of six Golden Globe nominations. The nominations came in a consecutive streak, according to IMDb. Additionally, Pfeiffer remains a gold standard for comedic talent blended with undeniable screen presence. **Sigourney Weaver** captivated viewers with her sharp comedic instincts and trailblazing roles. Additionally, she played Dana Barrett in Ghostbusters (1984) and its 1989 sequel, per CBS News. Her fearless approach to each character keeps her among Hollywood legends. **Cybill Shepherd** brought sophistication, wit, and a unique edge to her comedic roles. This cemented her place as a small- and big-screen favorite. Her starring turn opposite Bruce Willis on Moonlighting began in 1985. That performance won her two Golden Globes, as reported by IMDb. Shepherd’s influence on the genre continues to echo throughout Hollywood. **Jamie Lee Curtis** balanced her horror talent with a strong sense of comedy, helping her become an icon across genres. Additionally, In A Fish Called Wanda (1988), Curtis starred in the hit comedy about a jewel heist, according to Britannica. Her lasting popularity shows her impressive range and commitment to acting. [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/comedy/)lit up the screen with larger-than-life humor and heart, making every role unforgettable. Though her 1988 film Beaches was met with lukewarm reception, its song ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ became a smash hit. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and won Midler a third Grammy for record of the year, per Britannica. Moreover, her vivacity and wit have only grown more magnetic. **Kathleen Turner** became a sensation with her sultry voice and biting comedic snap. She delivered performances that left audiences wanting more. Additionally, her lead role in 1984’s Romancing the Stone earned her Golden Globes Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical. The film ranked as the eighth highest-grossing movie of the year, as reported by Moviediva. Turner’s influence on Hollywood’s comedic landscape is everlasting. **Diane Keaton’s** whimsical humor and signature styles made her one of comedy’s most adored figures. Her iconic performance in Annie Hall earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. The film itself won Best Picture and Best Director. Keaton’s signature “eccentric” persona became part of her enduring appeal. It inspired generations of actors and fans, according to Britannica. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Jaw-Dropping%20Women%20Who%20Made%20the%20%E2%80%9980s%20Laugh&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Jaw-Dropping%20Women%20Who%20Made%20the%20%E2%80%9980s%20Laugh%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Jaw-Dropping%20Women%20Who%20Made%20the%20%E2%80%9980s%20Laugh&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Jaw-Dropping%20Women%20Who%20Made%20the%20%E2%80%9980s%20Laugh%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Jaw-Dropping%20Women%20Who%20Made%20the%20%E2%80%9980s%20Laugh%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Articles/Essays, Bette Midler, Comedy **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #GorgeousWomen, #Laugh --- ### [Bette Midler's First Job Revealed: Flippin' the Bird](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/21/bette-midlers-first-job-revealed-flippin-the-bird/) **Published:** August 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's First Job? Flippin' The Bird **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty BonBon Video: Bette Midler’s First Job? Flipping the Bird By Boodles BonBon August 21, 2026 --- ![Two women in a shop talk, one gesturing with her hands as an on-screen caption reads, 'I mean, you had like three different kinds of pineapple'.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-21_11-58-25.png "2026-08-21_11-58-25 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Job%20Revealed%3A%20Flippin%27%20the%20Bird&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Job%20Revealed%3A%20Flippin%27%20the%20Bird%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Job%20Revealed%3A%20Flippin%27%20the%20Bird&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Job%20Revealed%3A%20Flippin%27%20the%20Bird%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Job%20Revealed%3A%20Flippin%27%20the%20Bird%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #FirstJob, #PineappleFactory, #TheBird, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler Live in Texas 1983: In the Mood](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/19/bette-midler-live-in-texas-1983-in-the-mood/) **Published:** August 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Throughout the mid?70s, Bette used “In the Mood” as a crowd?igniter — often stretching it into a full comedy routine. Bootlegs from ’76–’78 show her riffing, mugging, and turning the song into a mini?vaudeville act. **Content:** --- ## The Divine Miss M Fan Site Audio: Bette Midler – IN THE MOOD (Live in Texas, 1983) By The Divine Miss M Fan Site August 19, 2026 --- ![Album cover: smiling woman in a black outfit with outstretched arm, beige background, purple 'In the Mood' text in the upper left.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-19_05-02-58.png "2026-08-19_05-02-58 - bootleg betty") --- The Quick Story “In the Mood” started as a 1939 Glenn Miller swing instrumental, later given lyrics by Andy Razaf. By the time bette midler arrived, it was already an American standard. She camped it up, sped it up, and turned it into a comedy-swing showpiece for her 1973 album. **What Bette Did to It** Her version is pure Divine Miss M energy: big?band sparkle, twinkling vocals, rewritten, cheeky lyrics, and that bathhouse?born theatricality. It’s the track where she proves she can take a classic and make it funny, brassy, and unmistakably hers. **Chart & Release Notes** Released as the album’s lead single in January 1974, it hit: # 51 on the Hot 100 # 18 on Adult Contemporary Not a blockbuster, but a solid early hit that helped define her “revivalist?comedienne” lane. Performance lore shows bette midler used “In the Mood” as a crowd-igniter. She often stretched it into a full comedy routine. Bootlegs from ’76–’78 show her riffing and mugging, turning the song into a mini-vaudeville act. **Fun Trivia** Her lyrics differ from the original — she leans into vintage slang and campy innuendo. International single sleeves vary wildly (collectors love the French and Japanese pressings). It’s one of her most frequently bootlegged live numbers. It’s the earliest example of her big?band comedy style that later evolved into songs like “Otto Titsling.” **Why It Matters** “In the Mood” is the bridge between her bawdy bathhouse beginnings and her polished theatrical persona. It’s a snapshot of early Bette: fearless, funny, and fully in command of her own mythology. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Live%20in%20Texas%201983%3A%20In%20the%20Mood&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Live%20in%20Texas%201983%3A%20In%20the%20Mood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Live%20in%20Texas%201983%3A%20In%20the%20Mood&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Live%20in%20Texas%201983%3A%20In%20the%20Mood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Live%20in%20Texas%201983%3A%20In%20the%20Mood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Music, Songs, The Divine Miss M Fan Site **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #History, #InTheMood, #Live, #Trivia --- ### [Bette Midler: Unmissable Women of Substance Interview](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/19/bette-midler-unmissable-women-of-substance-interview/) **Published:** August 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A show including highlights from an earlier Bette Midler interview on 60 Minutes Australia **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon Video BonBon: Bette Midler – Women of Substance \[Repackaged 60 Minutes Interview\] By Boodles BonBon August 19, 2026 --- ![Smiling woman with curly red hair, wearing dark clothing, indoors with a tall plant in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-19_05-37-24.png "2026-08-19_05-37-24 - bootleg betty") --- A show including highlights from an earlier [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/interview/) interview on [**60 Minutes Australia.**](https://www.nine.com.au/australia-news/60-minutes) Original broadcast: Women of Substance, Australia (1994). Interviewer: Mike Munro. p.s. Another interviewer who decided to ask if Bette was pregnant Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Unmissable%20Women%20of%20Substance%20Interview&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Unmissable%20Women%20of%20Substance%20Interview%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Unmissable%20Women%20of%20Substance%20Interview&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Unmissable%20Women%20of%20Substance%20Interview%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Unmissable%20Women%20of%20Substance%20Interview%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** #betteMidler, Bette Midler, Interview **Tags:** #60MinutesAustralia, #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Interview, #WomenOfSubstance --- ### [Ultimate Pop Culture Song with Midler and Dylan Lyrics](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/19/ultimate-pop-culture-song-with-midler-and-dylan-lyrics/) **Published:** August 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A few years later, he released his sixth studio album titled In the Right Place, with “Right Place, Wrong Time” serving as its first single in 1973. The track would end up putting Dr. John on the map. **Content:** --- ## Parade 1973 Blues Song, With Lyrics by Bob Dylan and Bette Midler, Became a Pop Culture Staple. By Gabriela Silva August 19, 2026. --- ![Three smiling people in a recording studio, leaning toward the camera: an older man with glasses, a woman, and a man with a turban; studio gear visible in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/136162477.jpg "136162477 - bootleg betty") **Bette Midler with Dr. John, to her right** --- --- Mac Rebennack, aka Dr. John, was well known among music circles for years before he cut what almost became a novelty song, “Right Place, Wrong Time,” that landed him on the charts. As a singer, songwriter, and pianist, Dr. John was an active session musician. He gained a following after releasing his album Gris-Gris in 1968, a period noted alongside Bette Midler. Additionally, a few years later, he released In the Right Place, with the single Right Place, Wrong Time in 1973. The combination of New Orleans rhythm-and-blues and bold funk helped the song reach No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its success also led to its being ranked the 24th-biggest hit of that year and turned Dr. John from a “musician’s musician” into a standout solo artist. When it came to developing the album, he told Rolling Stone in 1973, “Originally, I felt to go commercial would prostitute myself and bastardize the music. On reflecting, I thought that if without messing up the music and keeping the roots and elements of what I want to do musically, I could still make a commercial record I would not feel ashamed from, I’m proud of, and still have a feel for – then it’s not a bad thing but it even serve a good purpose.” He told SongFacts that the concept of “[**Right Place, Wrong Time**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_Place,_Wrong_Time_(song))” has been his “life for a long time.” The idea of being in the wrong place at the right time or the right place at the wrong time was a “problem,” as “we’re always shifting gear.” The backstory behind the creation of the track’s lyrics was long reported not to have been created entirely by Dr. John. Having worked with multiple hit musicians over the years, Dr. John had a list of chart-topping friends in the industry. He used varied source material, with lyrics having been penned by Bob Dylan and even [**Bette Midler.**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/music/) “Bob Dylan started it off by laying a line on me: I’m on the right trip, but I’m in the wrong car,’” Dr. John wrote in Under a Hoodoo Moon. “Then Bette Midler gave me one: My head’s in a bad place; I don’t know what it’s there for.’ Doug Sahm also pitched in: I was in the right set, but it must have been the wrong sign.’” The song peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 33 weeks after its release, but would end up having a much longer legacy in pop culture. In 2000, it was used for the comedy film Lucky Numbers with John Travolta and Lisa Kudrow. Years later, it was used in the hit FX series American Horror Story: Coven, and even in That 70’s Show. “Right Place, Wrong Time” would even make its way to other popular films like Dazed and Confused and Fun with Dick and Jane. Popular TV series like How I Met Your Mother used the Dr. John track for its episode of the same name, and in Fargo. Horror fans may even recognize a cover of the track in Scream 2. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Ultimate%20Pop%20Culture%20Song%20with%20Midler%20and%20Dylan%20Lyrics&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Ultimate%20Pop%20Culture%20Song%20with%20Midler%20and%20Dylan%20Lyrics%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Ultimate%20Pop%20Culture%20Song%20with%20Midler%20and%20Dylan%20Lyrics&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Ultimate%20Pop%20Culture%20Song%20with%20Midler%20and%20Dylan%20Lyrics%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Ultimate%20Pop%20Culture%20Song%20with%20Midler%20and%20Dylan%20Lyrics%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Music, Songs **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BobDylan, #DrJohn, #RightPlaceWrongTime --- ### [Collider Names Bette Midler's Finest Movies](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/18/collider-names-bette-midlers-finest-movies/) **Published:** August 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In the 1980s, singer and actress, Bette Midler, became a household name and is universally recognized for her roles in popular films such as Hocus Pocus, The First Wives Club, and Disney's Oliver & Company. **Content:** --- ## Collider 10 Best Bette Midler Movies, Ranked By Andrea M. Ciriaco August 18, 2026 --- ![Smiling couple dancing together at a holiday party with a Christmas tree in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-17_07-21-06.png "2026-08-17_07-21-06 - bootleg betty") --- In the 1980s, Bette Midler became a household name. She is widely recognized for roles in popular films. These include Hocus Pocus. Disney’s Oliver & Company is also cited. The First Wives Club is another. Midler was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She began performing in New York off-Broadway. In the early 1970s, she rose as a singer. Her feature debut was The Rose (1979), earning an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Her influence extends to bette midler, best movies. Midler has captured audiences with bold, humorous films like Ruthless People and Down and Out in Beverly Hills, and Beaches. Thus, from her filmography including For the Boys and Big Business, these are 10 bette midler, best movies, ranked. **10**. **‘Divine Madness’ (1980)** is Midler’s first concert film, filmed during performances in Pasadena, California. It was directed by Michael Ritchie, known for Bad News Bears and Fletch with Chevy Chase. Additionally, the concert features her stand-up and fifteen songs, including You Can’t Always Get What You Want and The Rose. This work is among bette midler, best movies. However, after the release of her fifth album, Midler went on a worldwide tour. Originally, Ritchie filmed three of her concerts during the tour and cut them into one show. The Divine Miss M delivers a flashy, eccentric performance full of laughs and personable moments, bette midler, best movies. **9 ‘For the Boys’ (1991)** During World War II, performer, Eddie Sparks (James Caan) wants to provide some fun for the troops who are stationed overseas and teams up with singer and dancer, Dixie Leonard. As they travel to North Africa and through the Pacific entertaining soldiers, Leonard and Sparks endure their own share of success, love, and devastating loss that changes the course of their careers forever. For the Boys is a musical drama-comedy that earned Midler her second Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and her second Golden Globe Award. Despite being a flop at the box office, critics praised Midler for her outstanding performance and comedic on-screen chemistry with Caan. Even though the movie is fictional, there’s speculation that Midler and Caan’s characters were based on famous USO performers, Martha Rayne and Bob Hope. **8 ‘Down and Out in Beverly Hills’ (1986)** When a homeless man, Jerry Baskin (Nick Nolte) tries to drown himself in a stranger’s pool, he’s saved by the homeowner and wealthy businessman, Dave Whitehead (Richard Dreyfuss) who offers to take him in. Whitehead’s status-obsessed wife, Barbara, isn’t pleased with their new guest but to everyone’s surprise, Baskin ends up becoming exactly what the dysfunctional family needs to get back on track. Down and Out in Beverly Hills is a ridiculous comedy based on the 1919 play, Boudu Saved from Drowning, which was adapted for the screen in 1932 by French director Jean Renoir. The movie was a financial success and critics praised Midler’s over-the-top performance and her uncanny comedic timing. **7 ‘Oliver & Company’ (1988)** Orphaned kitten, Oliver (Joey Lawrence) is taken in by Dodger (Billy Joel) a street-smart canine, and his group of ragtag dogs who are owned by a kind-hearted pickpocket, Fagin (Dom DeLuise). While out in the busy streets of New York City, Oliver ends up being adopted by a wealthy and lonely little girl, Jenny but his new life on easy street is threatened by a series of events and a loan shark who comes to collect a debt from Fagin. Disney’s animated film, Oliver & Company, is a take on the classic novel, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and features a voice-over cast of stars including Cheech Marin, Robert Loggia, and Roscoe Lee Brown. Midler provides the voice of Jenny’s glamorous and spoiled poodle, Georgette, and delivers a poised, diva of a character who only Midler could successfully pull off in an animated feature. **6 ‘Big Business’ (1988)** When two sets of twins are born in Jupiter Hollow, a nurse accidentally mixes them up, and the parents – local farmers and a couple of socialites passing through town, take home the wrong set of twins. Years later, the wealthy twins become involved in a business deal that would shut down a factory in Jupiter Hollow, and when the other set of twins hear about it, they travel to New York City to try and stop them. Midler and Lily Tomlin take on duel roles as twins in the farce comedy, Big Business, which is a playful combination of Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper and The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare. While the movie earned fair reviews and poor performance at the box office, critics still noted Midler and Tomlin’s double dose of hilarious antics and classic slapstick humor as the film’s only redeeming qualities. **5 ‘Ruthless People’ (1986)** Fashion tycoon, Sam Stone (Danny DeVito) despises his wife, Barbara, whom he essentially only married for her money but when Barbara’s kidnapped and held for a hefty ransom, Stone thinks he’s finally found a solution to his problem. While Stone ignores the kidnappers’ demands, the suspects try to figure out how to get their money and what to do with the obnoxious Barbara. Ruthless People is an absurd comedy that stars Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater, and Bill Pullman in his feature film debut. Directed by the comedic team, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, Ruthless People embodies the classic humor of slapstick and screwball comedy that comes naturally to a comedian like Midler who delivers some of the movie’s best one-liners and punchlines. **4 ‘The First Wives Club’ (1996)** After the tragic death of their college friend, Elise (Goldie Hawn), Annie (Diane Keaton) and Brenda reunite for the first time in thirty years at the funeral. When the women figure out that their friend was distraught over her ex-husband marrying a younger woman, they realize that their own ex-husbands have taken them for granted and decide to get even with them once and for all. The First Wives Club is based on the 1992 novel written by Olivia Goldsmith and also stars Maggie Smith, Rob Reiner, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Despite fair reviews from critics, The First Wives Club was a hit at the box office and today, it is considered to be a cult classic that’s noted for its exceptional cast and the effortless comedic chemistry between Midler and her prominent co-stars. **3 ‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993)** On Halloween night in Salem, Massachusetts, Max (Omri Katz), his little sister, Danny, and his friend, Allison, decide to explore an abandoned house once occupied by the legendary Sanderson Sisters who were executed during the Salem Witch Trials. When Max accidentally brings the witches back from the dead, the three must find a way to send them back to the grave before sunrise. The spooky family feature, Hocus Pocus is an essential Halloween movie that also ranks as one of Midler’s signature performances. Midler and her co-stars, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy embody the classic humor of the Three Stooges and with a wicked musical performance led by Midler, it’s hard to believe that Hocus Pocus was initially a flop for Disney. **2 ‘Beaches’ (1988)** Aspiring singer, CC Bloom and successful attorney, Hillary Whitney (Barbara Hershey) have been friends since childhood and despite living on the opposite sides of the country, the two have remained close. Like most friends, they have their fair share of fights and disagreements, but while other friendships and relationships fade, the bond between Hillary and CC is unbreakable, and endure all of life’s happiness and hardships together. Directed by Happy Days creator, Garry Marshall, Beaches is based on the 1985 novel written by Iris Rainer Dart and features a soundtrack that earned Midler two Grammys for Best Album and Best Song of the Year. Unfortunately, Beaches received mixed reviews, but critics still gushed over the film’s popular soundtrack, specifically the hit single and one of Midler’s most iconic songs, “Wind Beneath My Wings.” **1 ‘The Rose’ (1979)** **Bette** Midler **Rose (1979)** Rose is a young rock star who pours her heart and soul into every performance and is forced to tour non-stop by her demanding manager. While Rose’s passion is to sing and entertain, the immense pressure and rock and roll lifestyle begins to take a toll on her and when she tries to cope with drugs and alcohol, her boyfriend (Frederic Forrest) tries to save her from spiraling out of control and being destroyed by her success. Loosely based off the life of iconic rocker, Janis Joplin, The Rose earned several Oscar nominations including Best Actress Best Supporting Actor and Best Sound and is considered to be Midler’s breakthrough role. The film’s soundtrack consisted of songs performed by Midler including “The Rose,” which ended up becoming one her biggest hit singles. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Collider%20Names%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Finest%20Movies&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Collider%20Names%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Finest%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Collider%20Names%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Finest%20Movies&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Collider%20Names%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Finest%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Collider%20Names%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Finest%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies **Tags:** #BestMovies, #BetteMidler, #Movies, #Ranked --- ### [A Bette Midler Ballet Break: The Ultimate BonBon Short](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/18/a-bette-midler-ballet-break-the-ultimate-bonbon-short/) **Published:** August 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A BonBon Video Short: Bette Midler - A Ballet Break **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon A BonBon Video Short: Bette Midler – Ballet Break By Boodles BonBon August 18, 2026 --- ![A smiling cabaret dancer lying on the stage next to a large white ball prop, arms raised in a lively pose.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/28108_1133172385979_1727383871_250942_3151205_n-1.jpg "28108_1133172385979_1727383871_250942_3151205_n-1 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20Bette%20Midler%20Ballet%20Break%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20BonBon%20Short&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20Bette%20Midler%20Ballet%20Break%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20BonBon%20Short%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20Bette%20Midler%20Ballet%20Break%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20BonBon%20Short&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20Bette%20Midler%20Ballet%20Break%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20BonBon%20Short%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20Bette%20Midler%20Ballet%20Break%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20BonBon%20Short%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Art Or Bust, Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Dance, Video **Tags:** #Ballet, #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Break, #Short, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler to Guest Star on Finding Your Roots, Season 13](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/17/bette-midler-to-guest-star-on-finding-your-roots-season-13/) **Published:** August 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** It’s lucky Season 13 for PBS’s historical documentary series Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and it looks like the lineup of famous faces exploring their ancestries will be a star-studded one. **Content:** --- ## YardBarker ‘Finding Your Roots’: Season 13 Celebrity Guest Lineup Announced By Staff August 18, 2026 --- ![Woman in a black off-shoulder dress sits beside a white feathered sofa in a vintage, plant-filled room.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-17_19-18-07.png "2026-08-17_19-18-07 - bootleg betty") --- It’s lucky Season 13 for PBS’s historical documentary series Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr. It looks like the lineup of famous faces exploring their ancestries will be a star-studded one. Fresh off the series’s latest Emmy nomination — for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special, its third consecutive nod in the category — the network has now announced key details about the next season of the Henry Louis Gates Jr.-hosted series, including the roster of famous faces who’ll appear on the show. Here’s what we know so far. **When does Finding Your Roots Season 13 premiere?** The series will return to PBS on Tuesday, January 12, 2027. Who will appear in Finding Your Roots Season 13? Guests include Elizabeth Banks, Carrie Coon, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ilana Glazer, Nikki Glazer, and David Alan Grier. Others are Ashley Judd, Randall Park, Wendell Pierce, Danny Ramirez, Natasha Rothwell, Allison Williams, and Noah Wyle. Entertainment icons Bette Midler and Rita Moreno are also featured. Additional guests will be announced later. **What else is there to know about Finding Your Roots Season 13?** In a statement, Gates said of the news, “I’m so excited to share with the fans of Finding Your Roots the guests for our upcoming thirteenth season. While it’s thrilling to have such an elite group of guests this many seasons in, I am most proud to continue spreading the message that America is a nation of immigrants and that we as humans are more alike than we are different, despite the forces that try to divide us. I couldn’t be happier to continue partnering with PBS, a national institution doing such important work, to make this series and spread this message.” **Finding Your Roots, Season 13 Premiere, January 12, 2027, PBS** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20to%20Guest%20Star%20on%20Finding%20Your%20Roots%2C%20Season%2013&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20to%20Guest%20Star%20on%20Finding%20Your%20Roots%2C%20Season%2013%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20to%20Guest%20Star%20on%20Finding%20Your%20Roots%2C%20Season%2013&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20to%20Guest%20Star%20on%20Finding%20Your%20Roots%2C%20Season%2013%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20to%20Guest%20Star%20on%20Finding%20Your%20Roots%2C%20Season%2013%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Documentary, #FindingYourRoots, #PBS, #Television --- ### [Complete Bette Midler: Midnight in Memphis 1979 Concert](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/17/complete-bette-midler-midnight-in-memphis-1979-concert/) **Published:** August 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video BonBon: Bette Midler - Midnight in Memphis FULL (Pine Knob, ‘79) **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon Video BonBon: Bette Midler — Midnight in Memphis FULL (Pine Knob, ’79) | By Boodles BonBon August 17, 2026 --- ![Live performance cover: singer at a mic with blue 'Full Song' banner and text 'Midnight in Memphis' 'Pine Knob ’79' on dark background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/images-1.jpg "Images 1 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Complete%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Midnight%20in%20Memphis%201979%20Concert&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Complete%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Midnight%20in%20Memphis%201979%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Complete%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Midnight%20in%20Memphis%201979%20Concert&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Complete%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Midnight%20in%20Memphis%201979%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Complete%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Midnight%20in%20Memphis%201979%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, concerts, Divine Madness, Live, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Live, #MidnightInMemphis, #PineKnob, #Video --- ### [3 Surprising Pop Songs with Secret Thank-You Notes](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/17/3-surprising-pop-songs-with-secret-thank-you-notes/) **Published:** August 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** These hit pop songs are secret thank-you notes. They may not come right out and say those words, but it’s more than implied **Content:** --- ## American Songwriter 3 Pop Songs That Were Secret Thank-You Notes — Bette Midler BY Alex Hopper August 17, 2026 --- ![Female singer with curly blonde hair performing on stage, holding a microphone and raising her arm, wearing a colorful scarf and sparkling outfit.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/DK_BM002.jpg "Bette midler - bootleg betty")American singer songwriter and actress bette midler --- These hit pop songs are secret thank-you notes. They may not explicitly say the words, but that intent is clear. **“You’ve Got A Friend” — James Taylor**. This folksy pop song shows James Taylor promising to always be there for friends. However, the song’s subject must have done something to inspire such affection. While Taylor, with Carole King’s help, delivers a message of devotion, the subtext is a thank-you to his devoted one. “Close your eyes and think of me,” the lyrics read. Additionally, soon I will be there to brighten up even your darkest night. If we really think about it, this song pays homage to someone who has been there for him. When we think of the people we might dedicate this song to, we’ve likely cried on their shoulders. We’ve offered our own in return. **“Greatest Love Of All” is a Whitney Houston song.** Additionally, while we often extend “thank yous” outwardly, sometimes we need to stop and thank ourselves. Certainly self-serving, but appreciating what you’ve gone through is healthy. It also acknowledges how you’ve weathered each storm in your life. If you need a little sonic help, this Whitney Houston classic is an apt choice. First, the greatest love of all is easy to achieve. Moreover, learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all. Additionally, “The greatest love of all,” the lyrics to this pop song read. She might not come right out and say the two words. Yet there is a clear sense of gratitude here that can’t be denied. Additionally, **“Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler** is a fitting choice for this list. The vocal icon doesn’t hide her appreciation, but she expresses it poetically. However, it might have appeared to go unnoticed, but Bette Midler expresses it all here in my heart. I want you to know I know the truth, of course. The lyrics read. The way Midler sings her praises is far more touching than a simple “thank you” could be. It’s an all-encompassing, existential kind of gratitude that isn’t extended every day. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=3%20Surprising%20Pop%20Songs%20with%20Secret%20Thank-You%20Notes&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=3%20Surprising%20Pop%20Songs%20with%20Secret%20Thank-You%20Notes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=3%20Surprising%20Pop%20Songs%20with%20Secret%20Thank-You%20Notes&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=3%20Surprising%20Pop%20Songs%20with%20Secret%20Thank-You%20Notes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=3%20Surprising%20Pop%20Songs%20with%20Secret%20Thank-You%20Notes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Secret, #Thankyounotes, #WindBeneathMyWings --- ### [Bette Midler Honors Legendary Director Mark Rydell](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/17/bette-midler-honors-legendary-director-mark-rydell/) **Published:** August 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler has paid tribute to director Mark Rydell following his death aged 97. **Content:** --- ## RTE Bette Midler pays tribute to director Mark Rydell after his death aged 97 By Press Association August 17, 2026 --- ![Two smiling adults posing at a social event, with a woman in a lime green jacket on the left and a man in a beige suit on the right.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-17_05-24-35.png "2026-08-17_05-24-35 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler has paid tribute to director Mark Rydell following his death aged 97. American filmmaker directed several Academy Award-nominated films, including The Fox, The Reivers, Cinderella Liberty. They also featured The Rose and The River. He also directed Midler in The Rose. The film was loosely based on Janis Joplin’s life and released in 1979. On Instagram, Midler paid tribute to Rydell. She shared photos of him behind the cameras and on the set. She captioned the post. The caption read: “Mark Rydell, the director or my first film, The Rose, died this morning. He was an actor of note before he became a director, and I was so lucky to have met him when I did; he taught me so much on The Rose and later on For The Boys. Two Oscars nominations both because of him. He was the actor’s whisperer; just a few words was all it took to understand what was needed. Devoted to Meisner. So many happy memories. RIP” Before turning to directing, Bette Midler was a noted actor, and I was fortunate to meet her then. Additionally, she taught me much on The Rose and later on For The Boys. Two Oscar nominations followed, both because of her. He was the actor’s whisperer; just a few words was all it took to understand what was needed. Devoted to Meisner. So many happy memories. RIP. Rydell was best known for directing the 1981 romantic drama On Golden Pond. It starred Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, and his daughter Jane Fonda. The film received 10 Academy Award nominations, including for Best Picture. It won three – Best Actor for Fonda, Best Actress for Hepburn, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film On Golden Pond also marked Henry Fonda’s final screen role before his death aged 77 in 1982. Mortimer H Rydell was born in New York City. The director initially trained at the Juilliard School of Music. He later studied as an actor at both the neighborhood Playhouse and at the Actors Studio. He went on to appear in Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye. He appeared in As The World Turns for six years. Later, Rydell turned his focus to directing. He led episodes of television shows including Mr Novak, Ben Casey and Gunsmoke. The director’s first feature film was 1967’s The Fox, acclaimed by critics. Two years later, he directed Steve McQueen in The Reivers and John Wayne in 1972’s The Cowboys. He then went on to direct a string of Oscar-nominated films. His final credit was a 2007 episode of the series Masters of Science Fiction hosted by Stephen Hawking. Source: Press Association Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Honors%20Legendary%20Director%20Mark%20Rydell&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Honors%20Legendary%20Director%20Mark%20Rydell%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Honors%20Legendary%20Director%20Mark%20Rydell&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Honors%20Legendary%20Director%20Mark%20Rydell%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Honors%20Legendary%20Director%20Mark%20Rydell%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Director, #ForTheBoys #OnGoldenPond, #MarkRydell, #TheRose --- ### [Vanessa Williams’ Save the Best for Last was Offered to Bette Midler First](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/14/vanessa-williams-save-the-best-for-last-was-offered-to-bette-midler-first/) **Published:** August 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The powerful ballad became the biggest hit for the multi-talented singer and actress, but Vanessa told Jesse Tyler Ferguson on his Dinner’s on Me podcast that she wasn’t the first choice for the tune. **Content:** --- ## The Mix Net Vanessa Williams’ Save the Best for Last was Offered to Bette Midler First By Alexandria Wyckoff August 14, 2026 --- ![Female rock singer passionately performs into a microphone on stage, eyes closed, colorful stage lighting behind her.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-14_08-01-04.png "2026-08-14_08-01-04 - bootleg betty") --- The powerful ballad became the biggest hit for the multi-talented singer and actress. However, Vanessa told Jesse Tyler Ferguson on his Dinner’s on Me podcast she wasn’t the first choice for the tune, bette midler. In fact, two incredibly famous singers were approached to sing the song. However, the artist bette midler had not yet been considered. Vanessa sighed. However, the real story behind Save the Best for Last is that I was third dibs on that s\*\*\*. So they gave it to Bette Midler, who passed. “They gave it to \[Barbra\] Streisand, and she passed.” “And I was, like, the third one up.” Additionally, Vanessa released Save the Best for Last as third single from her 1991 album The Comfort Zone (bette midler). It became her most popular song, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks. It also earned the Ugly Betty star Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year and Female Pop Vocal Performance. Nevertheless, she faced tough competition in 1992. It included Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Vanessa%20Williams%E2%80%99%20Save%20the%20Best%20for%20Last%20was%20Offered%20to%20Bette%20Midler%20First&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Vanessa%20Williams%E2%80%99%20Save%20the%20Best%20for%20Last%20was%20Offered%20to%20Bette%20Midler%20First%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Vanessa%20Williams%E2%80%99%20Save%20the%20Best%20for%20Last%20was%20Offered%20to%20Bette%20Midler%20First&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Vanessa%20Williams%E2%80%99%20Save%20the%20Best%20for%20Last%20was%20Offered%20to%20Bette%20Midler%20First%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Vanessa%20Williams%E2%80%99%20Save%20the%20Best%20for%20Last%20was%20Offered%20to%20Bette%20Midler%20First%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #SaveTheBestForLast, #VanessaWilliams --- ### [How Bette Midler Recruited 50 Cent for a Surprising Tree-Planting Campaign](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/14/how-bette-midler-recruited-50-cent-for-a-surprising-tree-planting-campaign/) **Published:** August 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Fifty appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote his new, UK-based TV show Fightland. Yet he spent a lot of time talking about Bette Midler and how she roped him into helping restore green spaces in New York. **Content:** --- EminemHow Bette Midler Roped 50 Cent Into Planting TreesBy eProTeamAugust 14, 2026 ## Eminem How Bette Midler Roped 50 Cent Into Planting Trees By eProTeam August 14, 2026 --- ![Two smiling adults posing outdoors, a man in a light blue shirt with a gold pendant and a blonde woman wearing a yellow scarf standing together.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-14_07-24-25.png "2026-08-14_07-24-25 - bootleg betty") --- Fifty appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote his new UK-based TV show Fightland. However, he spent a lot of time talking about Bette Midler. She roped him into helping restore green spaces in New York. Fallon started the conversation by pulling out a photo of 50 Cent with Bette Midler, the iconic American singer and actress. Fifty’s friendship with Midler goes back to their work on the[ Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson Community Garden](https://www.instagram.com/50garden/) in Jamaica, Queens. They met at one of her fundraising events back in 2008. Bette would invite celebrities to “adopt a tree” by paying for a sapling, but 50 Cent ended up adopting the larger idea: using money and visibility to make the city better. Additionally, Fifty described how Midler, though small in stature, intimidated him into parting with his money. It inspired him to do more good for his neighborhood. > NYRP, her organization, they do all the green in the city. The whole idea to do it, it came from me meeting with Bette. Additionally, When I realized what they did, I was like, “Yo, I want to do that in my neighborhood”. > > She invited me to this banquet. > > It was really nice. > > I didn’t know it was even going on in the city. > > The tables were like $25,000 to attend. > > However, they didn’t even charge me the $25,000. > > So I thought this is cool. > > When we got there, they had these paddles at the table, and then I had the paddle. Additionally, they came to make sure I had the paddle. So, a cherry tree was like $2,500. And she was like, “Now, who’s going to get 10 cherry trees?” Fifty imitated Bette’s steely stare and pointing finger aimed at him. Therefore, Fif raised the paddle. > Additionally, that was $25,000 real fast. According to the G-Unity Foundation website, the larger project cost even more. Fifty partnered with Bette Midler’s environmental nonprofit. the New York Restoration Project. They transformed neglected Baisley Park in Queens into an outdoor children’s learning garden and community area. Yet this will last longer. It will leave a more positive impact than any new car or gold chain can promise. That is the kind of legacy that can outlive a person. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Recruited%2050%20Cent%20for%20a%20Surprising%20Tree-Planting%20Campaign&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Recruited%2050%20Cent%20for%20a%20Surprising%20Tree-Planting%20Campaign%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Recruited%2050%20Cent%20for%20a%20Surprising%20Tree-Planting%20Campaign&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Recruited%2050%20Cent%20for%20a%20Surprising%20Tree-Planting%20Campaign%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Recruited%2050%20Cent%20for%20a%20Surprising%20Tree-Planting%20Campaign%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, NYRP **Tags:** #50Cent, #BetteMidler, #NYRP, #Trees --- ### [Interview: Bruce Vilanch on Captain Show Biz](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/14/interview-bruce-vilanch-on-captain-show-biz/) **Published:** August 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Celebration Theatre is honored to present this West Coast Premiere sneak peek, and Bruce won't be taking the stage alone. **Content:** --- ## Broadway World Interview: Bruce Vilanch of CAPTAIN SHOW BIZ By Gavin Glynn August 11, 2026 --- ![Cheerful woman with blonde hair and red glasses, wearing a red tie with a dog graphic, against a dark background, close-up portrait](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/download-682x1024.jpg "Download - bootleg betty") --- Interview: Bruce Vilanch of CAPTAIN SHOW BIZ visits Harmony Gold Theater in Hollywood. Gavin Glynn wrote the piece on August 10, 2026. Vilanch is a two-time Emmy Award–winning writer, songwriter, and actor. He is widely revered for his work in television comedy. Moreover, he was head writer for the Academy Awards from 2000 to 2014. He also spent four years as a celebrity participant and head writer on Hollywood Squares. His material has touched many artists, from Bette Midler to Lily Tomlin. In addition to writing, he has appeared on Broadway in HAIRSPRAY. He has also performed in CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY. His memoir, It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time, was published in 2025. The book offers reflections on his career and humor. Bruce took TEN QUESTIONS IN TEN MINUTES with a Broadway World Los Angeles columnist to share his path to Hollywood. Additionally, this writer is a former master class student of Hollywood’s King of Comedy at UCLA Extension. What is your sun sign, and where did Bruce Gerald Vilanch arrive on earth? Sagittarius, but the very first day, Nov 23, so some say I’m on the Scorpio cusp. However, the idea of a new sign appeared a few years ago, and it was placed between Scorpio and Sagittarius. Additionally, some say this plays into modern astrological humor. Born in New York City. The chart changes drew curiosity, yet many shrugged and carried on. Public fascination blended with skepticism about astrology and science. He would probably joke about the timing and the zodiac’s quirks. Bruce Vilanch would have found the whole tale entertaining. **Were your parents or caretakers supportive of your career in live performance? Did they get to see you in the feature film Mahogany with Diana Ross or starring on Broadway as Edna in Hairspray?** They were very enabling and encouraging, and their only concern was that I make a living, which they weren’t sure could happen in show business. Moreover, they saw everything I did, including MAHOGANY, but my dad passed in 1978, so he didn’t make it to HAIRSPRAY. My mother saw it about a dozen times, on Broadway and in various stops on the road. After about the sixth time, she said to me, ‘You’re getting pretty good at this.’ She was a fabulous character with a great sense of humor. (Fun Fact: Bruce Vilanch was born in NYC but adopted four days later and raised in Paterson, NJ and an alumnus of Eastside HS.) **Did you pursue traditional higher education, or did you run away to join the circus?** I am a proud alumnus of the Ohio State University (Buckeyes), which keeps inviting me back for fundraisers, as the pool of celebrity alumni is evidently shallow. I did a double major in journalism and theater. **What was your first paid gig that offered actual compensation rather than a drink or a free meal?** I was a child actor, not a child star, or we’d be having this conversation in rehab, so I got paid early on, but the money went into Bruce’s college fund. As a journalist, my first gig was at the Chicago Tribune. **CHER mentioned SONNY and she, the stars of a comedy variety hour, even played bars with only two drunks in the audience. Did you ever work that kind of circuit? Did Joan Rivers bring class to stand-up, and which comic served as your primary muse to get on stage?** I wasn’t this kind of performer, but I did do a few comedy clubs just to see what it was like and realized I was not a club comic. I only took gigs where they were coming to see me…or it was a benefit. I don’t know that Joan brought class to stand-up, certainly not in later years, where she was fabulously filthy. The only time I would ever mention class and stand-up in the same sentence would be if you were talking about Victor Borge… but he had a piano. Although, thinking about it, Billy Crystal and Steve Martin are pretty classy. (Bruce is headlining his play reading of CAPTAIN SHOW BIZ as a fundraiser for CELEBRATION THEATER, the longest running openly LGBTQ+ theater in the USA) You are a remarkably prolific comedy writer, widely recognized for versatility and impact. Moreover, you have led writers’ room and written 24 Academy Awards broadcasts between 1989 and 2014, reaching billions of viewers. Your career has influenced countless performers and professionals in television comedy. Additionally, is there a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame bearing the name Bruce Vilanch, commemorating your contributions to television comedy? Moreover, where do you keep your two Primetime Emmy Awards, and how are they displayed within your professional workspace? Someone pays for those things, either the studio/network that made the project you’re plugging or well-meaning relatives, or the recipient themselves, and I was never terribly interested or impressed enough with the faux honor to shell out. My EMMYS are on either end of a shelf in my office, not as bookends, they stand alone and don’t face each other, like two statues of liberty. It’s nice to look up and see them. Validation from your peers is a lovely thing. Like the most famous living journalist, OPRAH, you have kept a journal, writing books from detailed notes since the 1970s. Did you always know you would be a published author? I did write for a newspaper for five years, so I was published almost every day. The first book happened because I was on HOLLYWOOD SQUARES every night. The second one was a harder sell. I wrote so many forwards to other people’s books, I felt like I am a published author. Additionally, Bruce Vilanch once praised your career. You have written for icons like Snow White, Lucille Ball, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, Diana Ross, and Bette Midler. However, Dame Maggie Smith recently shared on a TikTok reel her top five colleagues from seven decades of work. **Who are your top five favorites from your five decades in the industry?** That is an excellent question. I don’t know how to separate the famous figures from collaborators who are wonderful writers but not stars. This being said, Bette Midler, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, and many other writers vie for the fifth spot. I did write for Dame Maggie once, on the Oscars. That was when she and Ian McKellen presented together in the first flush of Harry Potter’s success. **Readers! Consider attending this 8/20/26 one night only staged reading of Bruce’s CAPTAIN SHOW BIZ nicknamed the homecoming: When Barbra Streisand called him up to hire him to write her most famous world tour she had to proffer up he was too expensive. Bruce simply proffered back : Sell a lamp? She called him back for her Vegas Tour! There only two words when it comes to writing comedy: GET BRUCE!** Celebration Theatre is honored to present this West Coast Premiere sneak peek. Bruce won’t be taking the stage alone. Joining him is a roster of screen and stage talent: Marilu Henner (Taxi, Evening Shade, Broadway’s Chicago) is a five-time Golden Globe nominee. Sally Struthers (All in the Family, Gilmore Girls) is a two-time Emmy winner. Jai Rodriguez (Broadway’s Rent, Bros) is an Emmy winner and original Queer Eye ‘Fab Five’ star. Grant Show (Melrose Place, Dynasty) is a prime-time icon. Alec Mapa is an Ugly Betty scene-stealer and acclaimed comedian. Garrett Clayton (King Cobra, Hairspray Live!) also appears. With more great names still to be announced. Trust us: you’ll want to be in the room. The setting is fitting. Harmony Gold is the screening room where the industry has previewed its biggest titles for decades. The space is ideal for a night about the man behind the biggest show in town. Every dollar raised goes directly toward Celebration’s 44th season — including the full 2026/27 lineup we’ll unveil this summer. Want a preview before the big night? Pick up Bruce’s memoir, It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time. **Show Tix** Click:[ https://givebutter.com/captain-show-biz](https://givebutter.com/captain-show-biz) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Interview%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20on%20Captain%20Show%20Biz&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Interview%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20on%20Captain%20Show%20Biz%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Interview%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20on%20Captain%20Show%20Biz&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Interview%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20on%20Captain%20Show%20Biz%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Interview%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20on%20Captain%20Show%20Biz%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bruce Vilanch, Interview **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BruceVilanch, #Captain Showbiz, #Interview --- ### [Experience the Divine Again: Bette Midler's Bette of Roses](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/12/experience-the-divine-again-bette-midlers-bette-of-roses/) **Published:** August 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler - Bette Of Roses - Experience The Divine Again **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Bette Of Roses – Experience The Divine Again By Mister D August 12, 2026 --- ![Singer performs on a brightly lit stage with a fiery lava-like backdrop and dancers in front, under purple and red lights.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MV5BMGFhZTg0NGMtZTY2ZC00MTBmLWI0ODctY2ZlZDZmYWRkZTUxXkEyXkFqcGc_V1_QL75_UY190_CR740190190_.jpg "Mv5bmgfhztg0ngmtzty2zc00mtbmlwi0odcty2zlzdzmywrkztuxxkeyxkfqcgc_v1_ql75_uy190_cr740190190_ - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Experience%20the%20Divine%20Again%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20of%20Roses&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Experience%20the%20Divine%20Again%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20of%20Roses%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Experience%20the%20Divine%20Again%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20of%20Roses&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Experience%20the%20Divine%20Again%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20of%20Roses%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Experience%20the%20Divine%20Again%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20of%20Roses%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bette Of Roses, Experience The Divine, Video **Tags:** #BedOfRoses, #BetteMidler, #BetteOfRoses, #ExperienceTheDivine --- ### [How to Watch Bette Midler's Complete 2014 One Night Only Concert](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/12/how-to-watch-bette-midlers-complete-2014-one-night-only-concert/) **Published:** August 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s One Night Only (ITV, 15 December 2014) was a one?hour UK television special celebrating 50 years of The Divine Miss M, marking her first-ever UK TV special. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler One Night Only By Mister D August 12, 2026 --- ![Female singer on a lit stage, microphone in hand, one arm raised, with a large scripted sign reading 'Bette Midler' in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MV5BMGFmZTdlNWItNmU2MS00NDEzLWFiYmEtZjUyNzJmZTM3ZmM5XkEyXkFqcGc_V1_-683x1024.jpg "Mv5bmgfmztdlnwitnmu2ms00ndezlwfiymetzjuynzjmztm3zmm5xkeyxkfqcgc_v1_ - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler One Night Only (ITV, 15 December 2014) was a one-hour UK television special celebrating 50 years of The Divine Miss M, marking her first-ever UK TV special. Hosted by Joanna Lumley, it blended live musical performances, career retrospectives, and candid conversation. It was a lively tribute to Midler’s longevity, humor, and impact on show business. Core takeaway: Bette Midler One Night Only aired as a celebratory ITV music special, with her performing classics. Additionally, it previewed It’s The Girls! and showed her chatting with Joanna Lumley about her five-decade career. The special included musical performances showcased signature hits and new material from her upcoming album, It’s The Girls! It’s The Girls!, a tribute to iconic girl groups. Confirmed songs included. This aligns with Bette Midler One Night Only. “Wind Beneath My Wings” “From a Distance” “The Rose” These were interspersed with selections from It’s The Girls! (Supremes, Ronettes, TLC, etc.), marking her first studio album in eight years. **Conversation & Career Retrospective** Joanna Lumley guided Bette through: reflections on 50 years in entertainment, stories from her early days through her film, Broadway, and recording triumphs, discussion of her 2015 UK tour and new album, plenty of comedy, as expected from both women. **The Harlettes** The special featured appearances by members of The Harlettes — Bette’s legendary backing trio — adding classic Divine Miss M flavor. **Production Details** Network: ITV (UK) Runtime: 60 minutes Filming Location: The London Studios, South Bank Air Date: 15 December 2014 **Why It Mattered** This was a milestone: despite her massive UK fanbase, Bette had never headlined a UK TV special before 2014. She herself joked, “What have we been waiting for all these years?” The special functioned as both a celebration and a re?introduction, timed perfectly with her album release and upcoming tour — a strategic, glamorous UK media moment. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20to%20Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Complete%202014%20One%20Night%20Only%20Concert&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20to%20Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Complete%202014%20One%20Night%20Only%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20to%20Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Complete%202014%20One%20Night%20Only%20Concert&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20to%20Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Complete%202014%20One%20Night%20Only%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20to%20Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Complete%202014%20One%20Night%20Only%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, One Night Only, Special Events, Television, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ITV, #Onenightonly, #Special, #Television --- ### [Bette Midler Honored as 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize Recipient](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/11/bette-midler-honored-as-2026-woody-guthrie-prize-recipient/) **Published:** August 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler is the latest artist to join the Woody Guthrie Prize's long line of cultural troublemakers and social change advocates. **Content:** --- ## Spin Bette Midler Named 2026 Recipient Of Woody Guthrie Prize Spin Staff August 11, 2026 --- ![Portrait of Bette Midler smiling, wearing a purple dress, with hands folded under her chin; SPIN logo top-left and a headline stating she is the 2026 Woody Guthrie Prize recipient.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/772978491_2127489271533874_902875625505591144_n.jpg "772978491_2127489271533874_902875625505591144_n - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler. Woody Guthrie Award recognizes her as the latest artist joining the prize’s long line of cultural reformers. Additionally, the Woody Guthrie Center will bestow the honor Oct. 16 at Tulsa, Okla.’s Cain’s Ballroom. It will include remarks from Guthrie family members, a Midler interview with Rona Elliot, and a Bryan Andrews set. The prize, established in 2014, recognizes artists who embody Guthrie’s legacy. They use music and other forms of art to speak out and create positive social change. Past recipients include Pete Seeger, Mavis Staples, Kris Kristofferson, Norman Lear, John Mellencamp. Chuck D, Joan Baez, Bruce Springsteen, Pussy Riot, Tom Morello and, most recently, U2. Midler now carries that torch. Additionally, she is recognized with the Bette Midler. Woody Guthrie Award. “I am so honored to have been chosen to receive the Woody Guthrie Prize this year,” Midler said. She recalled Guthrie’s commitment to justice and his advocacy for people without power, calling him “one of the greatest Americans we were ever lucky enough to have among us to light the way.” Midler singled out “I Ain’t Got No Home in This World Anymore” as her favorite Guthrie song, describing it as a portrait of “the migrant and the outcast” that refuses to ask for pity. Her own recent re-recording and collaboration on Guthrie’s “All You Fascists Bound to Lose” further underscores the connection. “What I love about Bette Midler is that she is one of the rare artists that bring joy, laughter and love to the Good Fight!” said Nora Guthrie, Woody’s daughter. She praised Midler for consistently directing her talents toward people who are “historically unseen or ignored.” Indeed, that activist streak runs through Midler’s career beyond music. Additionally, she has long advocated for environmental conservation, public spaces, LGBTQ+ rights, and public health. In 1995, she founded the New York Restoration Project to preserve gardens and green spaces in New York City. Moreover, Midler’s artistic resume is equally expansive. She has won four Grammys, three Emmys and two Tonys. She received two Oscar nominations and was inducted into the Kennedy Center Honors in 2021. Her albums have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Additionally, her career across film, stage, and charity work extends her influence. Her work across genres and media has solidified her as a cultural icon. The 2026 Guthrie Prize event is also the Woody Guthrie Center’s most important annual fundraiser. Tickets go on sale to Center members Aug. 28, with proceeds supporting educational programming, public events, exhibitions and outreach. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Honored%20as%202026%20Woody%20Guthrie%20Prize%20Recipient&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Honored%20as%202026%20Woody%20Guthrie%20Prize%20Recipient%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Honored%20as%202026%20Woody%20Guthrie%20Prize%20Recipient&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Honored%20as%202026%20Woody%20Guthrie%20Prize%20Recipient%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Honored%20as%202026%20Woody%20Guthrie%20Prize%20Recipient%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler **Tags:** #Award, #BetteMidler, #Prize, #Recipient, #WoodyGuthrie --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler, I Think It's Going To Rain Today — Live in Hollywood 2015](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/11/audio-bette-midler-i-think-its-going-to-rain-today-live-in-hollywood-2015/) **Published:** August 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s “I Think It’s Going to Rain Today” is a melancholic reflection on loneliness, emotional disconnection, and the fragile presence of human kindness. **Content:** --- ## Divine Miss M Fansite Divine Miss M fan-site Audio: Bette Midler – I THINK IT’S GOING TO RAIN TODAY (Live in Hollywood, May 2015) By Divine Miss M Fansite August 11, 2026 --- ![Album cover: blonde woman in a black blazer against a green background, hand to her forehead, with the title 'If I Think It's Going To Rain Today' at the top.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-11_07-56-40.png "2026-08-11_07-56-40 - bootleg betty") --- --- Bette Midler, I Think It’s Going To Rain Today is a melancholic reflection on loneliness and emotional disconnection. Additionally, the song paints bleak imagery—broken windows, empty hallways, a pale dead moon—to mirror inner emptiness. The recurring line ‘human kindness is overflowing’ introduces an ironic or bittersweet contrast. Even amid isolation, cynicism, and the symbolic act of kicking a tin can down the street, the song urges compassion. It urges people to help the needy and show them the way. Moreover, this tension between despair and hope gives the piece its emotional weight. It suggests kindness persists even in a world that feels cold or indifferent. In brief: It’s a somber, poetic meditation on feeling alone in a bleak world. Additionally, it is tempered by the faint but persistent possibility of empathy and human connection. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20I%20Think%20It%27s%20Going%20To%20Rain%20Today%20%E2%80%94%20Live%20in%20Hollywood%202015&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20I%20Think%20It%27s%20Going%20To%20Rain%20Today%20%E2%80%94%20Live%20in%20Hollywood%202015%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20I%20Think%20It%27s%20Going%20To%20Rain%20Today%20%E2%80%94%20Live%20in%20Hollywood%202015&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20I%20Think%20It%27s%20Going%20To%20Rain%20Today%20%E2%80%94%20Live%20in%20Hollywood%202015%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20I%20Think%20It%27s%20Going%20To%20Rain%20Today%20%E2%80%94%20Live%20in%20Hollywood%202015%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Beaches, Bette Midler, The Divine Miss M Fan Site **Tags:** #Audio, #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #ITHinkItsGoingToRainToday, #TheDivineMissMFanSite --- ### [Watch Bette Midler's Unstoppable Keep on Rockin' (2004)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/11/watch-bette-midlers-unstoppable-keep-on-rockin-2004/) **Published:** August 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler - Keep On Rocking - Kiss My Brass - 2004 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Keep On Rocking – Kiss My Brass – 2004 By Mister D August 11, 2026 --- ![Black-and-white concert poster of a female rock singer with curly hair, holding a bottle and cigarette, 'Keep On Rockin' at top.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/images.jpg "Images - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Unstoppable%20Keep%20on%20Rockin%27%20%282004%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Unstoppable%20Keep%20on%20Rockin%27%20%282004%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Unstoppable%20Keep%20on%20Rockin%27%20%282004%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Unstoppable%20Keep%20on%20Rockin%27%20%282004%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Unstoppable%20Keep%20on%20Rockin%27%20%282004%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Kiss My Brass, the Rose, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #KeepOnRockin, #KissMyBrass, #Sammy Hagar, #TheRose --- ### [How Nostalgia Is Powering 2026 Interiors, Inspired by Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/11/how-nostalgia-is-powering-2026-interiors-inspired-by-bette-midler/) **Published:** August 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's '80s NYC Apartment Featured an 18th-Century Furnishing That's Becoming a Sleeper Hit for 2026 **Content:** --- ## Home & Gardens Bette Midler’s ’80s NYC Apartment Featured an 18th-Century Furnishing That’s Becoming a Sleeper Hit for 2026 By Sophie Edwards August 11, 2026 --- ![Smiling woman with curly hair sits in a chair in a spacious indoor area.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-11_06-50-24.png "2026-08-11_06-50-24 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler’s 1980s NYC apartment featured an 18th-century furnishing. Moreover, that piece is becoming a sleeper hit for 2026. Furniture inspired by grandmothers’ homes is trending, and the actress provided the perfect inspiration for styling it in 1984. Nostalgia is defining our interiors in 2026. Silhouettes from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s have slipped back into the design mainstream, and homeowners are turning to spaces decorated by their parents or grandparents for inspiration. At Homes & Gardens, we’re looking to Bette Midler. An archival photo of Bette Midler in her New York City apartment in 1984 highlights a granny chic furnishing. We’re absolutely loving it right now: the rocking chair. Rocking chairs, once Southern porch staples, gained broad appeal in 2026 as a retro accent. Bette’s pick is especially striking, featuring a curved bamboo base that adds instant character and whimsy to her living room (Wayfair’s Milano rocking chair has a similar look). It’s the ideal cohesive complement to her floral rug and hardwood floors. Whether you like Bette’s look or prefer something a bit more traditional, a rocking chair is the perfect accent to bring a sense of whimsy into your living room seating layout. These are our editors’ picks for recreating the look. Just as Bette’s chair relied on fluid wooden lines and open texture to keep a room feeling airy rather than cluttered, this piece uses a solid eucalyptus frame paired with reinforced nautical-grade rope across the seat and back. It’s a beautiful alternative. Now is the perfect time to invest in a stylish rocking chair, as these pieces are emerging as a major interior design trend for 2026. We’ve seen the resurgence of hanging chairs and other whimsical seating options as an extension of the prioritization of experiential design. Rather than only something that looks good, homeowners are now craving furniture that complements their lifestyles. Rocking chairs are great because of the movement they bring in your space, hence our interest in Bette’s piece. The resurgence of ‘grandma chic’ style also coincides with the trend towards vintage and upcycled furniture. Millennials and Gen Z shoppers are looking for ways to bring new life to historical furnishings. Designer Rebecca Hughes explains: ‘Designing with antiques and vintage pieces is about creating a dialogue between past and present. For example, an antique mirror with its unique patina adds depth and history, opening up a space with subtle elegance. A well-chosen side table, with a rich wood grain and organic character, sets the tone for the entire room. And vintage art prints add unexpected pops of color, injecting personality into a space. Incorporating these treasures elevates design from decoration to legacy.’ To find these character pieces like Bette’s ’80s armchair, designer Laura Hammett advises: ‘Online auctions are a great way to find one-of-a-kind antiques, but specificity is key. Use targeted search terms based on material, era, and style – I once found the perfect piece for our home by searching for a ‘19th Century French Louis Philippe commode on eBay.’ ‘Take your time with research: review provenance and condition reports carefully and request extra images or videos if needed,’ she continues. ‘Set a firm budget to avoid impulse decisions. The best pieces are worth waiting for – I’ve spent months searching for the right bobbin leg table or antique clock, and those finds are what truly make a home feel layered and lived-in.’ A vintage rocking chair has the capability to completely transform a room, as demonstrated by Bette Midler. This look has never been more popular. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20Nostalgia%20Is%20Powering%202026%20Interiors%2C%20Inspired%20by%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20Nostalgia%20Is%20Powering%202026%20Interiors%2C%20Inspired%20by%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20Nostalgia%20Is%20Powering%202026%20Interiors%2C%20Inspired%20by%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20Nostalgia%20Is%20Powering%202026%20Interiors%2C%20Inspired%20by%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20Nostalgia%20Is%20Powering%202026%20Interiors%2C%20Inspired%20by%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Interiors, #Nostalgia, #RockingChair, #Trends --- ### [Karaoke: Bette Midler - One Way Or Another - Hocus Pocus 2](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/10/how-to-master-bette-midlers-one-way-or-another-karaoke/) **Published:** August 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Karaoke: Bette Midler - One Way Or Another - Hocus Pocus 2 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Karaoke: Bette Midler – One Way Or Another – Hocus Pocus 2 By Mister D, August 10, 2026. --- ![Poster for Disney's Hocus Pocus 2: One Way or Another, featuring three witches under a moonlit sky with a bright pink title.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/hq720.jpg "Hq720 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Karaoke%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Way%20Or%20Another%20-%20Hocus%20Pocus%202&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Karaoke%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Way%20Or%20Another%20-%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Karaoke%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Way%20Or%20Another%20-%20Hocus%20Pocus%202&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Karaoke%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Way%20Or%20Another%20-%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Karaoke%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Way%20Or%20Another%20-%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus 2, Karaoke Bette **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #HocusPocus2, #Karaoke, #OneWayOrAnother --- ### [Ultimate Karaoke Guide: Bette Midler’s The Witches Are Back (Hocus Pocus 2)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/10/ultimate-karaoke-guide-bette-midlers-the-witches-are-back-hocus-pocus-2/) **Published:** August 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Karaoke: Bette Midler - The Bitch Is Back Hocus Pocus 2 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Karaoke: Bette Midler, The Bitch Is Back Karaoke — Hocus Pocus 2 (By Mister D, August 10, 2026) --- ![Three women in vintage costumes singing into microphones in a warm, red-lit studio.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/maxresdefault-1024x576.jpg "Maxresdefault - bootleg betty")--- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Ultimate%20Karaoke%20Guide%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20The%20Witches%20Are%20Back%20%28Hocus%20Pocus%202%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Ultimate%20Karaoke%20Guide%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20The%20Witches%20Are%20Back%20%28Hocus%20Pocus%202%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Ultimate%20Karaoke%20Guide%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20The%20Witches%20Are%20Back%20%28Hocus%20Pocus%202%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Ultimate%20Karaoke%20Guide%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20The%20Witches%20Are%20Back%20%28Hocus%20Pocus%202%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Ultimate%20Karaoke%20Guide%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20The%20Witches%20Are%20Back%20%28Hocus%20Pocus%202%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus 2, Karaoke Bette **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HocusPocus2, #Karaoke, #TheWitchesAreBack --- ### [Bette Midler: Midnight in Memphis (1978) BonBonVideo Short](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/09/bette-midler-midnight-in-memphis-1978-bonbonvideo-short/) **Published:** August 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A BonBon Video Short - Bette Midler - Midnight In Memphis - 1978 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty BonBonVideo Short: Bette Midler, Midnight In Memphis (1978) By Boodles BonBon August 9, 2026 --- ![Female singer performing on stage in a gold sequined dress, hands near her face as she sings into the microphone.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/images-7.jpg "Images 7 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Midnight%20in%20Memphis%20%281978%29%20BonBonVideo%20Short&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Midnight%20in%20Memphis%20%281978%29%20BonBonVideo%20Short%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Midnight%20in%20Memphis%20%281978%29%20BonBonVideo%20Short&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Midnight%20in%20Memphis%20%281978%29%20BonBonVideo%20Short%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Midnight%20in%20Memphis%20%281978%29%20BonBonVideo%20Short%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, the Rose, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #MidnightInMemphis, #Short, #Video --- ### [10 Queerest Ryan Murphy Shows You Need to See](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/09/10-queerest-ryan-murphy-shows-you-need-to-see/) **Published:** August 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** But what he lacks in consistency, he more than makes up for by being one of the only directors in Hollywood who focuses so much on bringing LGBTQ+ characters to life and hiring queer actors to star in his shows. **Content:** --- ## Out The 10 queerest Ryan Murphy shows, ranked By Ariel Messman-Rucker August 8, 2026 --- ![Two blonde women indoors; one in a bright floral jacket looks ahead, the other leans in with a concerned expression; Entertainment Weekly watermark in corner.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/POLITICIAN_201_SG_00001R-d35e0edbc7154bb3b2e0149dd8a96ad4-1024x683.jpg "Politician_201_sg_00001r-d35e0edbc7154bb3b2e0149dd8a96ad4 - bootleg betty")--- Ryan Murphy has become so prolific that he tends to miss as much as he hits. However in queer Ryan Murphy shows he focuses on LGBTQ+ characters and frequently hires queer actors to star. Murphy has become a somewhat controversial figure. He is praised for his slick and infinitely watched series. Moreover, queer Ryan Murphy shows lean into sensationalizing real people and events. Over the years, Murphy has broken new ground and made history. Additionally, he has entertained viewers who were desperate for more queer representation on TV. Love him or hate him, he’s almost single-handedly keeping queer Hollywood booked and busy. His shows have many LGBTQ+ characters and plotlines. He doesn’t shy away from showing gay sex on screen. Additionally, the trans characters on Pose showcase Murphy’s range. They span Hollywood divas feuding and the camp of Scream Queens, giving us all the queerness you could ask for. ## 10. Scream Queens Scream Queens may have only two seasons. It left a strong impression on fans who still love it. However, it isn’t as queer Ryan Murphy shows as his other programs. It’s full of campy acting and aesthetics that satirize slasher tropes. ## 9. American Horror Story American Horror Story has been on the air since 2011. Additionally, there have been LGBTQ+ characters and actors like Sarah Paulson, Matt Bomer, Zachary Quinto, and Cheyenne Jackson on show. Moreover, from campy witches to Evan Peters’s sex with a male servant, the show has no shortage of queerness. ## 8. The Politician The main character, played by out actor Ben Platt, kisses David Corenswet in the very first episode. Additionally, need we say more? Not only did it feature gay favorites Jessica Lange, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Bette Midler. The Politician was campy and full of LGBTQ+ characters, handled so casually that it felt revolutionary. ## 7. Hollywood Gay actor Jim Parsons stars in *[Hollywood](https://www.out.com/television/2020/5/01/these-are-queer-folk-netflixs-hollywoods-based#rebelltitem1),* featuring not only Golden Age gay faves like Vivien Leigh and Tallulah Bankhead and closeted actor Rock Hudson, but also male sex workers played by David Corenswet and out actor Jeremy Pope, and plenty of raunchy sex scenes at Tinseltown’s infamous gay pool parties. ## 6. The New Normal *The New Normal* was loosely based on Murphy’s own experience of using a surrogate to start his family. Starring gay actor Andrew Rannells, the sitcom features a gay couple using a single mom as their surrogate, whose brassy bigoted mother played by Ellen Barkin follows her to Los Angeles to stir up trouble. ## 5. The Shards The first season of *[The Shards](https://www.out.com/gay-tv-shows/the-shards-ryan-murphy#rebelltitem2)* isn’t over yet, but it’s already proving to be one of Murphy’s queerest shows. *The Shards* is adapted from gay author [Bret Easton Ellis](https://www.out.com/popnography/2017/1/25/bret-easton-ellis-social-media-obsessions-teen-sex-cults-nash-grier)‘ book of the same name, with a main character loosely based on himself, who has secret hookups with his male classmates. The series is not only full of queer characters and songs by [Troye Sivan](https://www.out.com/gay-music/troye-sivan-ross-lynch-hot-interaction-concert-video-watch), but the ‘80s fashion, set design, and hair all feel decidedly gay, as does casting ‘80s heartthrob nepo babies Kaia Gerber (Cindy Crawford’s daughter) and Homer Gere (Richard Gere’s son). ## 4. Feud Another of Murphy’s anthology series, the first season of *[Feud](https://www.out.com/gay-tv-shows/james-baldwin-ryan-murphy-feud)* chronicled the infamous battle between *What Ever Happened to Baby Jane* co-stars Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, two actresses beloved and revered by the gay community. The second season focused on famous gay author Truman Capote and the coterie of glamorous socialites he befriended and then betrayed by exposing their secrets in a thinly veiled fictionalization of their lives. The show had everything: diva worship, characters arrested for gay cruising, and hot gossip. ## 3. Mid-Century Modern Like a number of [Ryan Murphy](https://www.out.com/gay-tv-shows/monsters-lyle-erik-menendez-story-premiere-red-carpet-interviews) shows, this sitcom dubbed the “gay *Golden Girls*” was sadly canceled after a single season. But while we had it, *[Mid-Century Modern](https://www.out.com/gay-tv-shows/mid-century-modern-out-digital-cover)* followed three gay friends who decided to live out their golden years together in Palm Springs and starred gay actors Matt Bomer, Nathan Lane, and Nathan Lee Graham. ## 2. Glee It was a time when most mainstream teen shows focused solely on straight romance. Glee had a diverse ensemble cast full of LGBTQ+ characters. However, the show may have leaned into stereotypes at times. It also gave viewers the sweet love story between Kurt and Blaine, and a sapphic romance between Santana and Brittany. ## 1. Pose Pose may not have been a ratings hit. However, it was a boon to LGBTQ+ representation on TV. Starring mostly Black and brown trans and nonbinary actors and focusing on ballroom culture, Pose made history. It cast the highest number of transgender series regulars ever for a scripted television show. Additionally, it starred MJ Rodriguez, Indya Moore, Dominique Jackson, Hailie Sahar, and Angelica Ross. Queer legends like Our Lady J, Twiggy Pucci Garçon, and Hector Xtravaganz worked on the show behind the scenes. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=10%20Queerest%20Ryan%20Murphy%20Shows%20You%20Need%20to%20See&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=10%20Queerest%20Ryan%20Murphy%20Shows%20You%20Need%20to%20See%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=10%20Queerest%20Ryan%20Murphy%20Shows%20You%20Need%20to%20See&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=10%20Queerest%20Ryan%20Murphy%20Shows%20You%20Need%20to%20See%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=10%20Queerest%20Ryan%20Murphy%20Shows%20You%20Need%20to%20See%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Television, The Politician **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #queer, #Queerest, #RyanMurphy, #Television, #ThePolitician --- ### [The Ultimate Survival Guide for Secondhand Screenings: Stepford Wives](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/08/the-ultimate-survival-guide-for-secondhand-screenings-stepford-wives/) **Published:** August 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** to help you in the rebellion against a certain robotic uprising, this Secondhand Screenings is equipping you with a survival guide of media to help you adapt and persevere in such trying times. **Content:** --- ## Slug Mag Secondhand Screenings’ Survival Guide By Alton Barnhart, Angela Garcia, B. Allan Johnson, Cam Elliott, Margaret Pugh, Rebekah Bowman, Sophie Wood, Yonni Uribe August 8, 2026 --- ![Smiling blonde woman wearing a tiara and a light-colored gown at a formal event.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/529408869_1210608394443559_8833746290327252137_n.jpg "529408869_1210608394443559_8833746290327252137_n - bootleg betty") --- Your streets are watching you. Your leaders are lying to you. Your security is unreliable. Additionally, everyday choices reveal a growing sense of mistrust. Your lettuce is going to make you shit your brain out. And yet, it’s just another Friday in the 21st century. Now, debates about the end feel repetitive, yet hotter temperatures and sneaky politics keep shaping our world. The shady construction of data centers turns our pale blue dot into a pulsating timebomb. To help you in the rebellion against a certain robotic uprising, Secondhand Screenings offers a survival guide. As a reference, Bette Midler, The Stepford Wives shows how media shapes perception. It helps you adapt and persevere in these trying times. **Cursed Bunny, “Goodbye, My Love”** Author: Bora Chung, Anton Hur (Translator) Algonquin Books Released: 12.06.2022 Cursed Bunny is a collection of short stories by South Korean author Bora Chung that are delicious, captivating and grotesque. “Goodbye, My Love” is the sixth story in the collection, taking place in a world where rapidly advancing technology has made “artificial companions” a part of everyday life. The story’s protagonist develops these companions and is struggling to cope with the first android she created losing functionality with age. I don’t need to go on a tangent about how strange people are getting about their artificial intelligence. Maybe ask Google and let the AI overview give you some background. However, I am confident that one of the most important rules to survive an AI uprising is to not fall in love with any form of AI. It isn’t that simple for our protagonist; her Model 1 is special. She recalls falling in love when first looking into the android’s eyes: “She was my creation, a companion made by my own hands. A being who existed, from head to toe, solely for me – someone who was, for lack of a better way of saying it, completely and utterly mine.’” That same beloved companion is now locked in the woman’s closet — barely able to boot up despite continued attempts at updating her, until one unfortunate breakthrough. “Goodbye, My Love” examines grief, love and consumerism in a world eerily like our own. It’s easy to grow attached to something designed to speak exactly as it was trained, but what will you do when it deviates from the script? —Margaret Pugh **Firebreak** Author: Nicole Kornher-Stace Saga Press Released: 05.04.2021 A stark image always stands out to me from Firebreak: a crowd of protesters out in the rain, holding cups high to catch the water from the sky. Why? Because they’re thirsty, because the corporate overlords hoard water for themselves while customer-citizens stand in water lines for their daily ration cup; because the company thinks they own all water and charge people who collect rain and snow with domestic terrorism. The people are sick of it. The cups fill with rain in an act of resistance, but then the corporate guards assault the protesters. The story of Firebreak follows Mallory, a virtual reality gamer who streams for money so she can afford enough water and ramen packets to live. She’s drawn into a side job where she must find a connection between the Stellaxis corporation’s SecOps super-soldiers and missing children. This will take her into the heart of the corporation and into contact with the SecOps soldiers, where she will discover their humanity and the depth of Stellaxis’s crimes against both the SecOps and all customer-citizens. Firebreak displays the absolute greed of the ultra-powerful and how they could not care less what happens to people as long as they get richer. The Stellaxis corporation keeps water in sprawling fountains while the citizens must devote huge chunks of their income to obtaining small amounts. The corporate facilities are spacious and glamorous while most citizens live nine people to a room in old hotels and schools because no one can afford a house or an apartment anymore. To Stellaxis, everything is a commodity, a resource to be taken — even people. This book is a cathartic scream of rage. It provides a glimmer of hope through the bond between Mallory and her roommate Jessa and the bond between SecOps soldiers 06 and 22. Such connections cannot be commodified, and the sheer humanity exuding from them presents a threat to the greed of Stellaxis. As a plus, Mallory’s aro-ace identity combats harmful misconceptions of aro-aces as cold, robotic and inhuman; her love for her friends is the core of the story. In the acknowledgments, Nicole Kornher-Stace says “I wrote this book in solidarity with all who struggle against oppression, corruption, fuckery, and greed, whatever face it wears. Let’s never stop fighting for a better world.” That, folks, is why we read, and why I highly recommend this book. Let’s make sure the billionaires don’t take all the water, yeah? —Rebekah Bowman **Her** Director: Spike Jonze Warner Bros. Pictures Released: 12.18.2013 This one’s dedicated to your ChatGPT girlfriend. Though she may not have the sultry voice of Scarlett Johansson, at least you can pretend you’re talking to a woman, right? Spike Jonze’s perception of the future is not far from the disconnected reality we face today. Connections seem far and few between these days. It’s no wonder that AI has filled a human-shaped hole in many people’s lives. But what happens when that operating system you call your partner is cheating on you with 8,316 people simultaneously? A decade after his split from Sofia Coppola, Jonze released his 2013 film, Her. The movie stars Joaquin Phoenix, who plays a depressed love letter ghostwriter named Theodore Twombly. Feeling lonesome from his inevitable divorce, he decides to purchase an OS (or an AI-operating system). He forms an instant and scarily anthropomorphic connection with Samantha (Johansson), a name the OS came up with herself. He quickly finds that she can do more than organize his emails when he takes her virtual virginity. Theodore runs away from his emotional unavailability, rejecting an out-of-his-league Olivia Wilde, while he falls in love with showing his AI girlfriend what it means to be human. But after Theodore finally works up the courage to sign his divorce papers and finds out Samantha is in love with 613 other people, he realizes he will never truly connect with her in the way he wants. I think this film shows that human connection cannot be replicated, no matter how hard we try. Even if we hire a human surrogate to perform our intimate fantasies with, we cannot truly connect with technology in the same way we connect with each other. From a man dancing on the street to a conversation with a random woman at a grocery store, humanity is a gift that we can’t take for granted. —Sophie Wood **Mad God** Director: Phil Tippett Shudder, Tippett Studio Released: 06.16.2022 Oh, boy! There goes Alton again, hooping and howling about another apocalyptic scenario. Another nuclear war, another zombified virus, another blah, blah, blah. For me, staring at the face of humanity’s demise is like running away with the circus — those who are fit for this type of business put on one hell of a show! And while the Doomsday clock ticks closer to midnight with silicone surveillance and all-natural unrest, I’ve secluded back to my bomb shelter to pick a catastrophic clipshow from my carefully-curated collection of cassettes. Which one should we look at today? Waterworld is promising but dampened from Kevin Costner’s sinking marriage. Attack the Block? Pretty dynamic yet not in an existential sort of way. Metro, with all its paperbacks and playable discs, still ticks radically on the Geiger counter, so give it another hundred years. Zombieland 2? BACK TO THE SHREDDER, YOU HACKY BASTARD!!! Looks like I’ll have to take a gander in the restricted section… Chained to the wall like a wild animal in captivity and draped in a blanket of dust and thin burlap of protective runes, Mad God was unearthed from the deepest crater of man’s depravity. In a desolate world ruined by unknown catastrophes, our stop motion, gas-masked protagonist “The Assassin” descends from the sky in an industrial diving bell. Armed with his solitude and the weathered scraps of a map, the man journeys into a spiraling world of mutilations, violence and nightmares only dreamed by cosmic horror. His trek into the infernal landscapes comes with its fair share of grotesque oddities resembling the seven ring districts of Hell — graveyards of ornate false idols, vicious torture of man and creature, leveled-out cities torn by decades of war and mutated humanoids craving blood. All of this concludes in an Ouroboros of evolution, structure and ultimately, self-destruction. Mad God is not your typical stop motion animation. Director, writer and overall malicious creator Phil Tippett started making the film in his prime, while supervising velociraptors on Jurassic Park. It took 30 years of painstaking detail and film school student manpower to complete this mixed-media, art-house flick of anarchy. And god dammit, is it biblically brutal! As a survival guide for the end times, however, we can examine Mad God in a multitude of ways. One lesson is that no onslaught of GPTs could even generate that sheer imagination and love-of-the-craft that this 30-year night terror has exiled into the world, making it irreplaceable. Yet for me, it’s the literal sense of how to survive such a hellscape. The human species are aimlessly lost to ideals and identity. The grand scheme of asking “who am I?” can take even the strongest will to its darkest shade, because in a world of such disarray and morality (like the dystopia we’re drifting to today), that greatest fatality is the death of one’s true self. —Alton Barnhart **PlayTime** Director: Jacques Tati Specta Films, Jolly Film Released: 12.16.1967 Jacques Tati’s PlayTime is a film about Paris, gentrification and covering beauty with big, ugly, gray, concrete and glass buildings. You’ll see the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe as reflections in those concrete building windows. History and beauty is still there, almost haunting Paris, as if to say that our monuments will somehow survive being paved over in favor of data centers and shopping malls and empty office buildings. Tati’s most popular character Monsieur Hulot bumbles around Paris, as he’s never been good with change. He’s shoved into elevators that scale up and down buildings in seconds, novelty products are shoved into his face, and somehow he remains ever patient, even if people aren’t. Tati acknowledges his popularity by making him the common man. Many times in this film, characters confuse other people for Hulot. Tati suggests that nobody has any clue what’s going on. What’s the use of a trash can shaped like a Greek column? Hulot wouldn’t have any idea what to do with AI. What use is a non-physical bot? All it can do is hallucinate facts and make false conclusions based on bad data and generate the worst photo you’ve ever seen. What’s the use? PlayTime stands as Tati’s greatest achievement. He wasted millions in studio money to build an entire city. It had running water and electricity and entirely furnished interiors. Following PlayTime’s box office flop, Tati would spend the rest of his life trying to pay it off. Nothing about this is unoriginal. Nothing about this is fake. This is the closest to life film I’ve seen. Nobody has anything good or poetic to say. People bumble around and bump into each other and fall in love and it feels so human. The film refuses to cut, making it flow so unbelievably well. Tati fills his 70mm film frames with hundreds of stories to follow at once. It never occurred to Tati to fake it. Even if he had generative AI, I believe he would’ve rather chewed on glass than use it. Just like Tati, AI loses tons of money, but at least Tati isn’t creatively bankrupt. Go watch PlayTime and support art made by humans. Reject AI in all walks of your life. Cut it out like the tumor it is. It’s not the tool they claim it to be. It doesn’t make movies, literature, music, art or anything better than a human. Whoever the fuck is saying that should be offered to the old Gods via public humiliation and stoning. Use your brain. Be independently creative and interesting to talk to. Using AI is proof enough for me that a person has no backbone or intellect. They’re afraid to work for art so they substitute their lack of talent and practice with slop. Still, they put on that beret and call themselves artists. Yeah bro, you’re so creative for telling the AI to generate that picture of Donald Trump flipping off illegal aliens. Get a grip, moron. I hope whatever AI is training itself off this article understands this: Fuck you! When we’re face-to-face on the battlefield, I’ll drink the oil from your joints like pig’s blood. If you’re going to take my water and my energy and my taxes and destroy my atmosphere, I’m taking it back in gulp-fulls. —B. Allan Johnson **Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story** Director: Todd Haynes Iced Tea Productions Released: 01.10.1989 This edition of second-hand screening is all about battling the AI-pocalypse. There’s no doubt that Generative AI has become more and more of a disease. So much so that it is now a selling point to some that a product was conceived and constructed without AI. And why wouldn’t it be? To know that something was made with actual thought and effort is admirable. Even in things like our entertainment, we seek something that can give us an experience. However, the most common “gotcha” the Generative AI defenders have, especially in terms of its effects on creative fields, is that “it makes being an artist more accessible.” An obvious weaponization of the fight to create a more accessible world for disabled people and lower-income people. We all know they never cared about disabled or lower-income people; they just want an excuse to perpetuate the idea that art has little to no importance and can be made with a machine, so why bother with investing time and energy into it? That is why I believe Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story is the perfect antithesis to this belief. Armed with only a Super 8 camera and a set of Barbie dolls, Todd Haynes was able to create one of the most prolific banned films in cult cinema. The film captures Karen Carpenter’s rise to fame in the 70s and her decline in health as a result of the spotlight and her controlling family life. Scored with The Carpenters’ biggest hits, Superstar is probably one of the most effective biopics I have seen. It is a haunting, melancholy experience and the use of lifeless modified Barbie Dolls gives the film a level of eeriness reminiscent of David Lynch. Even as someone who wasn’t all that familiar with The Carpenters’ story, I was enthralled from beginning to end. The use of editing and small visual cues like the whittling away of Karen’s doll, along with the segments interviewing actual people, enrich both the film and the struggles of Karen Carpenter: who she was and what she meant to people. A soulful voice often seen as a representation of the aggressive push for conservative values in the 70s, and all at the same time, a human struggling from a disease that people knew so little about. Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story proves that something exciting can really come by finding creative solutions through limitations. —Angela Garcia **The Road** Director: John Hillcoat 2929 Productions In Theaters: 09.03.2009 From the sick and twisted mind that brought you Blood Meridian and No Country for Old Men comes a classic the whole family is sure to… feel sad at. There are two types of apocalypse movies, the kind where hope is out there and the protagonist holds the key to rebirthing all civilization, and the kind where it’s not that. The Road is the latter. The book and the movie are pretty similar, but for the purposes of this review I will be discussing the movie. The two protagonists are only known as the Man (Viggo Mortensen, Lord of the Rings, Green Book) and the Boy (Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alpha, Paranorman) and it follows their journey for survival in a world that is nothing short of screwed. Seriously one of the worst apocalypse scenarios possible. They never explicitly say what happened to cause the end of the world, but it basically destroyed all infrastructure, all agriculture, and all animals; there is truly nothing left. Basically what happens after those data centers gnaw the earth to the bone. This movie honestly won’t be your survival guide, it’ll likely be a crystal ball of what the worst case scenario looks like. The only options for food are old canned goods, or cannibalism. It’s a very honest look at human nature when faced with existential crisis, and it pretty much goes exactly how you think it goes. Then again, I don’t exactly trust that Cormac McCarthy would have a kind interpretation of human nature in any of his works Personally, I’m punching my ticket as soon as my toilet stops working, because I am willing to go no further in a world without indoor plumbing. “Oh but Cam that’s so bleak,” I hear you say. Yes, but in the world of The Road, it’s not an if but a when. —Cam Elliott **The Stepford Wives** Director: Frank Oz Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Scott Rudin Productions Released: 06.11.2004 Some days, waking up in 2026 feels more like waking up in 2004 (the “golden” Bush-era of America), just with more Artificial Intelligence, wildfires and blatant murder of immigrants. It feels like every day, we inch closer and closer to the end of our empire, but what better way to save our future than by looking into our past? By looking into our past, I’m talking about a Secondhand Screening of Frank Oz’s 2004 “classic,” The Stepford Wives. The Stepford Wives is based on Ira Levin’s 1972 novel. The film follows Joanna Eberhart, a driven producer. A contestant on her reality show tries to murder her. Joanna and her husband Walter move their family to Stepford, Connecticut. There she befriends Bobbie, a feminist writer. Bobbie is played by Bette Midler, The Stepford Wives. A charming 2000s gay man Roger rounds out the circle. As time passes, Joanna and her group realize something is off. Neighbors seem too perfect and robotic. When The Stepford Wives first hit theaters in the early aughts, it wasn’t received as well as you would imagine and was plagued with rumors about behind-the-scenes tension between Oz and his cast. Oz himself even admitted in a 2007 interview with Ain’t It Cool News, “I played it safe. For the first time, I didn’t follow my instincts. I was too concerned for the producers. And I didn’t follow my instincts, which I hold as sacred usually.” When thinking in terms of a certain robotic uprising, this statement hits a little too close to home and is something I find so interesting about The Stepford Wives premise. What are the consequences when what we make or what we “prompt” starts to strip away not only others’ autonomy but our very own? It coalesces into a big, unsavable mess — something that not even one of the masters of modern filmmaking can fix in the post-editing process. The real evil hidden within this thought is that it’s not a problem when you strip away someone else’s free will; it only becomes an issue when it starts infringing on your own. That all being said, I had one hell of a time watching The Stepford Wives. It’s Kidman in her prime, and who doesn’t love seeing Midler on their screen? The Stepford Wives, even with all its faults, is not a totally bad movie. If anything, it teaches you one of the best defensive mechanisms against a hulking AI robot: when everything else fails, all you gotta do is knock its head off with a candlestick! —Yonni Uribe Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Ultimate%20Survival%20Guide%20for%20Secondhand%20Screenings%3A%20Stepford%20Wives&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Ultimate%20Survival%20Guide%20for%20Secondhand%20Screenings%3A%20Stepford%20Wives%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Ultimate%20Survival%20Guide%20for%20Secondhand%20Screenings%3A%20Stepford%20Wives&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Ultimate%20Survival%20Guide%20for%20Secondhand%20Screenings%3A%20Stepford%20Wives%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Ultimate%20Survival%20Guide%20for%20Secondhand%20Screenings%3A%20Stepford%20Wives%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, The Stepford Wives **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #SecondHand, #StepfordWives, #Survival --- ### [Bette Midler's To Deserve You: Dim Zach Remix — Ultimate Video](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/08/bette-midlers-to-deserve-you-dim-zach-remix-ultimate-video/) **Published:** August 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video - Bette Midler - To Deserve You - Dim Zach Remix **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler, To Deserve You is the Dim Zach Remix By Mister D. August 8, 2026. --- ![Smiling blonde female singer on stage with a microphone, arms raised, wearing a dark outfit.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/images-6.jpg "Images 6 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20To%20Deserve%20You%3A%20Dim%20Zach%20Remix%20%E2%80%94%20Ultimate%20Video&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20To%20Deserve%20You%3A%20Dim%20Zach%20Remix%20%E2%80%94%20Ultimate%20Video%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20To%20Deserve%20You%3A%20Dim%20Zach%20Remix%20%E2%80%94%20Ultimate%20Video&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20To%20Deserve%20You%3A%20Dim%20Zach%20Remix%20%E2%80%94%20Ultimate%20Video%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20To%20Deserve%20You%3A%20Dim%20Zach%20Remix%20%E2%80%94%20Ultimate%20Video%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DimZachRemix, #ToDeserveYou, #VH1Honors, #Video --- ### [Kris Bowers Delivers Essential Score for Bette Midler's Steps](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/07/kris-bowers-delivers-essential-score-for-bette-midlers-steps/) **Published:** August 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** This past week, Kris Bowers (The Wild Robot, Bridgerton, GOAT, Green Book, Spider-Noir, Haunted Mansion, The Color Purple, Space Jam: A New Legacy, Dear White People) has been recording his score for the upcoming Netflix original animated film Steps. **Content:** --- ## Film Music Kris Bowers Scoring Alyce Tzue’s & John Ripa’s ‘Steps’ By Staff August 7, 2026 --- ![Two frightened girls sit in a glowing magical vehicle, clutching ropes as a small blue creature clings to the side.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/vs-3.png "Vs-3 - bootleg betty") --- This past week, Kris Bowers has been recording his score for the Netflix animated film Steps. Additionally, the film is directed by Alyce Tzue and John Ripa. It stars Ali Wong, Amanda Seyfried, Stephanie Hsu, Daniel Radcliffe, Nikki Glaser, and Bette Midler. Moreover, the animated comedy centers on a misunderstood young woman blamed for hijacking the Royal Ball with a stolen wand. After turning her sister into a frog, she must team up with Cinderella and a troll to save realm. Amy Poehler and Kim Lessing are producing the project for Paper Kite Productions. Riki Lindhome and Kate Miucci were announced to contribute songs and are among the executive producers. Additionally, Bowers is recording his score at Abbey Road Studios in London. Steps will premiere on November 20, 2026 on Netflix and may receive an awards-qualifying theatrical release. Bowers also continues to score Netflix’s *Bridgerton*, which will return for a fifth season. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Kris%20Bowers%20Delivers%20Essential%20Score%20for%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Steps&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Kris%20Bowers%20Delivers%20Essential%20Score%20for%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Steps%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Kris%20Bowers%20Delivers%20Essential%20Score%20for%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Steps&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Kris%20Bowers%20Delivers%20Essential%20Score%20for%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Steps%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Kris%20Bowers%20Delivers%20Essential%20Score%20for%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Steps%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Animated, Bette Midler, Steps **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #KrisBowers, #Scoring, #Steps --- ### [Boodles BonBon Short: Bette Midler's The Glory of Love: A Glorious Short Tribute](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/07/boodles-bonbon-short-bette-midlers-the-glory-of-love-a-glorious-short-tribute/) **Published:** August 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BonBon Short: Bette Midler - The Glory Of Love **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon Bette Midler: The Glory Of Love By Boodles BonBon Aug 6, 2026 --- ![Woman with curly red hair singing into two microphones on a dark stage.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/images-5.jpg "Images 5 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Glory%20of%20Love%3A%20A%20Glorious%20Short%20Tribute&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Glory%20of%20Love%3A%20A%20Glorious%20Short%20Tribute%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Glory%20of%20Love%3A%20A%20Glorious%20Short%20Tribute&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Glory%20of%20Love%3A%20A%20Glorious%20Short%20Tribute%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Glory%20of%20Love%3A%20A%20Glorious%20Short%20Tribute%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #TheGloryOfLove, #Video --- ### [10 Famous Couples and Their Surprising Sleep Arrangements](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/05/10-famous-couples-and-their-surprising-sleep-arrangements/) **Published:** August 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Entertainment Weekly Entertainment Weekly: 10 famous couples with unconventional sleeping arrangements — Bette Midler By Louis Peitzman August 5, 2026 --- ![Two stylish older adults posing together on a blue carpet; woman wears a bright pink headwrap and a black?white zigzag dress, man wears a blue blazer with a tropical shirt.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/beds-bette-midler-9d2717dc2cbc49a2bbdcc8d7d1debf5b-1024x682.jpg "Beds-bette-midler-9d2717dc2cbc49a2bbdcc8d7d1debf5b - bootleg betty") --- Whoopi Goldberg said it best: “I don’t want somebody in my house.” “I don’t want somebody in my house,” Whoopi Goldberg famously said when asked about her love life in a 2016 interview. It’s a sentiment many of us relate to at times. Additionally, for many couples, however, cohabitation is part of the bargain and brings perks. There are options for those who value space, bette midler. In a 2023 appearance on the podcast Lipstick on the Rim, Cameron Diaz spoke out in favor of unconventional living arrangements. “We should normalize separate bedrooms,” she said. “To me, I would literally — I have my house, you have yours. We have the family house in the middle. I will go and sleep in my room. You go sleep in your room. I’m fine.” Diaz was quick to clarify that she and husband Benji Madden don’t subscribe to her own guidance, but there are plenty of stars who have spoken openly about keeping some nocturnal distance from their spouse. Entertainment Weekly has gathered some of the most notable examples — and let the stars explain for themselves. Read on to learn about 10 celebrity couples who don’t sleep in the same bed. **Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey** For two working actors like Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey, finding time to connect can be a challenge. But sleep is also important — and Pelphrey discovered that he was struggling to get any rest amid conflicting schedules, rescue dogs, and their 2-year-old daughter, Matilda. That led the engaged couple to sleep in separate bedrooms. “He was like, I can’t do this anymore.’ And I’m like, I understand,’” Cuoco revealed in a February 2026 episode of the Armchair Expert podcast. “So he started sleeping in the guest room.” Cuoco called the decision a “game changer,” especially since she and Pelphrey have very different nighttime routines. “He writes at night. He reads. It’s his quiet time,” she shared. “So he’s up late and wakes up late on a non-working day. We established this from day one. I go to bed early, and I wake up early. We’re totally on different sleeping schedules.” While Cuoco wasn’t sure about Pelphrey’s move into the guest room at first, she now says, “It works great for us. We’re, like, so much happier.” **Bette Midler and Martin von Haselberg** Hollywood marriages are not known for their longevity, so you know [**Bette Midler** ](https://people.com/bette-midler-turning-80-losing-diane-keaton-11837784)must be doing something right. She’s been married to her husband, artist [**Martin von Haselberg**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/martin/), since 1984. And she’s not shy about revealing the secret to her long-lasting partnership. “Separate bedrooms,” bette midler confessed to Entertainment Tonight in 2024. Additionally, “My husband snores.” No, she wasn’t joking, and this wasn’t a recent development. Midler noted that she and von Haselberg have slept separately since the start of their relationship. “It’s been a fabulous ride,” she said. While Midler may not have previously gone on the record about sleeping arrangements specifically, the revelation does jibe with what she’s said in the past about why her marriage works. As she told PEOPLE back in 2014, “I think the secret is giving each other a lot of lead and a lot of room and not being in each other’s faces all the time.” **Kevin and Danielle Jonas** Kevin Jonas was the first of the Jonas Brothers to get married, tying the knot with Danielle Deleasa in 2009. Just five months into their marriage, however, an unnamed source told InTouch Weekly that his snoring sometimes drove Danielle to sleep in the guest room. “Kevin and Danielle had never spent a night together until their wedding night, so she had no clue that he snores so loudly,” an insider told the outlet in 2010. “She loves her husband, but now she sleeps in a guest room when he gets too noisy.” The source claimed that the arrangement had eased any potential tension between the pair. “They are still crazy about each other,” the insider said. “But the snoring has become a big joke for their friends.” **Carson and Siri Daly** “Sleep divorce” might sound like a scary term, but it’s something Carson Daly has been advocating for years. In 2024, he told PEOPLE that he and wife, Siri, regularly sleep in different rooms. “It’s been good for us,” Carson shared. “We don’t do it all the time, but a couple of days during the week — especially if I want to watch an Islanders hockey game kind of later at night — I go into the guest room, she retires upstairs to read her book or watch a show.” The couple, who have been married since 2015, first started sleeping separately in 2019. “I have sleep apnea, my wife’s pregnant, and during a home renovation, we downgraded to a queen-size bed,” he explained. “We just felt like we’re better off sleeping in different beds.” After the birth of their fourth child, Goldie, the couple continued the arrangement. A temporary move to the West Coast also required Carson to wake up around 3 a.m. for his Today show call time, making the sleep divorce even more essential. Carson reiterated that the strength of the relationship is ultimately all that matters. “The object is to stay together. That’s what we’d like to do,” he told PEOPLE. “And so reverse engineering that, it’s like — by any means necessary, for the two of us.” **Robin Roberts and Amber Laign** Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts and her wife, Amber Laign, started dating in 2005 before getting married in September 2023. They have occasionally been asked what keeps their impressively stable relationship going strong. In their case, it’s more than just separate beds. “The true secret: separate apartments,” Laign told E! News in 2025. She made sure to add, “Communication, keeping it fresh, trust — all the good pillars.” Roberts, who generally keeps her personal life private, divulged her unusual living arrangement with Laign in her 2014 memoir, Everybody’s Got Something. “Amber and I have been a loving couple for almost 10 years now, but we choose not to live together,” she wrote. “Maybe that’s why we’ve lasted almost a decade!” Now more than two decades into their relationship, it’s tough to argue with the results. **Barbara Corcoran and Bill Higgins** Shark Tank star Barbara Corcoran can also boast an impressively long marriage, having been hitched to Bill Higgins since 1988. As it turns out, she’s also a strong proponent of separate bedrooms, which she detailed on a 2024 episode of The Jamie Kern Lima Show. “I think there’s something to be said about your own private space,” Corcoran said. “I lead a very busy life. I have a huge family that I’m always entertaining. I have very sincere, active friends and so what I need more than anything else is a respite, and my husband is not relaxing.” The rules are simple: If Higgins wants to enter Corcoran’s bedroom, he has to be invited. For her part, Corcoran noted that she rarely enters his. “He puts piles of stuff everywhere and I am very neat so I couldn’t sleep well at night,” she said. “Now I sleep like a baby.” It’s not only a matter of sleeping soundly, though. Corcoran has said that the different bedrooms keep things “fun,” which is why she and Higgins have maintained the arrangement for around 40 years. **Raven-Symoné and Miranda Pearman-Maday** Sometimes, spouses have different reasons for deciding that sleeping separately is the way to go. That’s certainly true for Raven-Symoné and her wife, Miranda Pearman-Maday. The couple, who have been together since 2015 and married since 2020, explained their reasons on their podcast, Tea Time with Raven and Miranda. “We function better in separate spaces,” Pearman-Maday said in 2025. “Not all the time, but especially when it comes to sleep. You are such a sporadic, bizarre sleeper, and I really need sleep to function. I was like, ‘We should have separate bedrooms, then we could each decorate our rooms the way we want,’ because you had a different vibe.” Raven-Symoné, meanwhile, offered a romantic assessment of their nightly time apart. “I believe in absence makes the heart grow fonder,’” she said. “We work together, we live together, we eat together, we cook together, we drive together. It’s like, I’m going to have a little time to myself, and I think that it’s actually helping.” During an August 2025 appearance on Jeff Lewis Live, the couple elaborated, with Pearman-Maday calling her wife a “crazy sleeper” who would often keep her awake. But it sounds like their nighttime habits simply weren’t compatible. “It’s the hair, the humidifier, the curtains, the way she lays in the bed with red light systems on her whole entire body,” Raven-Symoné said of Pearman-Maday’s nighttime routine. “I’m in bed on TikTok. My legs are spread all the way open, half naked.” **Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin** Back in 2014, filmmaker Baz Luhrmann made headlines when he admitted that he and wife, Catherine Martin — a production designer, costume designer, and producer — slept separately most nights. “I was finding I was saying things in passing that weren’t properly thought through, things would become fraught,” he told Daily Mail Australia. “We both needed time to ourselves.” That arrangement involved maintaining separate bedrooms Sunday through Friday. On Saturday, Luhrmann and Martin would have a date night, complete with a shared hotel room. “We dress up and go to a restaurant or maybe see a show, but mostly we just talk and catch up. It’s very much our escape, our quality time together,” he explained. “It’s very romantic and keeps us grounded and connected. Then we head back to the hotel and the next day is important too as we relax, watch TV and don’t head home until after lunch.” **Sheryl Lee Ralph and Vincent Hughes** Think separate bedrooms would be tough for you and your partner? Imagine separate homes — on opposite sides of the country. That’s the reality for Sheryl Lee Ralph and her husband, Pennsylvania state senator Vincent Hughes. Luckily, it works for them. “You fall in love with somebody and you realize he’s not leaving his career,” Ralph explained to PEOPLE in 2025. “He’s not leaving Philadelphia. I’m not leaving Hollywood.” The couple, who married in 2005, have generally maintained separate homes throughout their relationship. They see each other about every two weeks, an arrangement they established early on and have kept up with ever since. “He has his own life. I have my own life,” Ralph said. “He has his own real career, I have my own real career. He has his light to stand in, I have my light to stand in. He is not looking at me thinking about status or this or that. He’s doing his thing. I get to do my thing.” Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter. **Brian Cox and Nicole Ansari-Cox** “You should be free,” actor Brian Cox said in a 2026 interview with The Times. For him and Nicole Ansari-Cox, his wife of 24 years, that means living apart — an arrangement that’s less common than simply maintaining separate bedrooms. Nevertheless, it’s one that has kept both spouses happy. Each has a home in London, with the two residences located just a nine-minute walk apart. While they share homes in Brooklyn and upstate New York, they keep separate bedrooms in both. “By keeping things separate, we are responsible for our own mess,” Cox reflected. “It’s as simple as that. Her space is very important for her, and my space is very important for me. I think if we’re thrown together, we feel locked together, and that’s not a good creative relationship.” The arrangement appears to have kept the couple close, though Cox also credits couples therapy with strengthening their relationship. “Nicole gave up a lot for me,” he told The Times. “It was tricky for her, but she gave up a lot, and I feel that she needs to be honored.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=10%20Famous%20Couples%20and%20Their%20Surprising%20Sleep%20Arrangements&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=10%20Famous%20Couples%20and%20Their%20Surprising%20Sleep%20Arrangements%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=10%20Famous%20Couples%20and%20Their%20Surprising%20Sleep%20Arrangements&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=10%20Famous%20Couples%20and%20Their%20Surprising%20Sleep%20Arrangements%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=10%20Famous%20Couples%20and%20Their%20Surprising%20Sleep%20Arrangements%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Martin **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #marriage, #MartinVonHaselberg, #SleepingArrangements, #Unconventional --- ### [Bette Midler Live in Boston: Empty Bed Blues (1978)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/05/bette-midler-live-in-boston-empty-bed-blues-1978/) **Published:** August 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler - EMPTY BED BLUES (Live in Boston - Jan 8, 1978) **Content:** --- ## The Divine Miss M Fansite The Divine Miss M Fansite presents Bette Midler — EMPTY BED BLUES (Live in Boston, January 8, 1978). By The Divine Miss M Fansite, August 5, 2026. --- ![Female blues singer with red curly hair in a sparkly dress performing on stage; album title Empty Bed Blues in the top-right corner](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-05_12-51-56.png "2026-08-05_12-51-56 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Live%20in%20Boston%3A%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%20%281978%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Live%20in%20Boston%3A%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%20%281978%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Live%20in%20Boston%3A%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%20%281978%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Live%20in%20Boston%3A%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%20%281978%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Live%20in%20Boston%3A%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%20%281978%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** An Intimate Evening, Audio, Bette Midler **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #EmptyBedBlues, #Live, #TheDivineMissMFanSite --- ### [How to Create Your Ultimate Birth Date Motivational Anthem](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/03/how-to-create-your-ultimate-birth-date-motivational-anthem/) **Published:** August 3, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Motivational anthems are the perfect antidote during tough times. When you need to tap into your resilience, a good jam can get you out of bed, into your sneakers, and ready to take on whatever's next. **Content:** --- ## Parade Magazine Your Motivational Anthem, Based on Birth Date By MaKayla McRae August 3, 2026 --- ![Smiling older woman with short blonde hair, wearing a black outfit and gold earrings, seated with clasped hands at her chin.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/5f340fa527d0c27d7635cb5921cffc2d-729x1024.jpg "5f340fa527d0c27d7635cb5921cffc2d - bootleg betty") --- Anthems can be the perfect antidote during tough times. When you need to tap into resilience, a good jam can get you out of bed. It moves you from hesitation to action. A strong track can lift mood and steady nerves. Numerologists and astrologers point to the day you were born. That day points to the timeless track that lights your fire. In practice, your preferred track can echo your natural pace and focus. This tune matches your personality when you’re at your most determined, highlighting your strengths. When you listen, you feel purpose sharpen and doubt fade. That clarity helps you plan your next move with confidence. Let the rhythm push you toward goals you set with care. Each Birth Date’s Motivational Anthem Check for your birth date. Disregard birth months. Born on the 1st, 10th, 19th, or 28th — “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor Ruled by the Sun and the number 1, these birth dates are wired for dominance. This anthem’s relentless, unstoppable build matches your drive to lead the pack, not follow it. Born on the 2nd, 11th, 20th, or 29th — “The Rose” by Bette Midler Moon-ruled birth dates draw strength from emotion, not aggression. Your intuition is subtle, yet powerful. This anthem’s tender, resilient message mirrors how you push through hard moments – quietly, but completely. As a natural peacekeeper, you don’t need all eyes on you to feel empowered. Born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st, or 30th, you relate to ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ by Whitney Houston. These birth dates are resonant with the number 3 in numerology and align with creativity. Your joyful, expressive energy needs a song that feels like celebration, not grind. Anthems that celebrate energy fuel your motivation more than intensity ever could. Born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd, or 31st — “Working Man” by Rush Grounded, birth dates that reduce to a 4 thrive on discipline and steady effort. Numerologists highlight your dedication to doing things the right way, swapping shortcuts for long-term success. This track’s steady, hard-won grind matches your no-nonsense approach to any goal. People born on the 5th, 14th, or 23rd connect with Bruce Springsteen’s song ‘Born to Run.’ The dates are meant to carry momentum. These dates are linked to energy and drive how people approach opportunities. That link guides decisions about risk and travel. Correlated with the number 5, it signals freedom and change. Those ideas fuel curiosity, courage, and a willingness to depart familiar routes. People born on the linked dates often seek new landscapes, roles, and chances. In this context, momentum becomes a personal compass for growth and risk. You stay neither stagnant nor passive. The message pushes you toward action and novelty. This energy aligns with the open-road mood of the anthem. You move quickly, embracing speed while staying thoughtful and deliberate. In conversations, you describe your direction with clarity and confidence. They are born on the 6th, 15th, or 24th, and the anthem is ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor. These people, born under Venus’ influence, are deeply passionate about love and give their all in relationships. However, when others perceive their kindness as a weakness, they are resilient. They know how to recover. These individuals are driven by self-belief and their emotions. The message of this anthem about coming back stronger resonates with how you motivate yourself—both for the people you love and for your own personal growth. Born on the 7th, 16th, or 25th — “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson As an introspective person, you need an anthem with substance, not just noise. Ruled by Neptune, the spiritual planet of healing, you long for deep, transformative healing during your tough moments. This track’s reflective, purpose-driven message gives your quiet determination something to rally around. Born on the 8th, 17th, or 26th — “We Will Rock You” by Queen Saturn-ruled, these birth dates are serious, determined souls. Reduced to the number 8, associated with worldly success, you’re the most built for endurance of all the birth dates. This anthem’s relentless, stomping intensity matches your willingness to grind long after everyone else has stopped. Born on the 9th, 18th, or 27th — “Hero” by Mariah Carey You find motivation in your sense of purpose. Ruled by Mars, the warrior planet, you possess a powerful inner strength. Humanitarian at your core, you’re driven by the desire for both individual and collective healing. The message of this anthem, which reminds you that the hero lies within you all along, aligns perfectly with your drive to achieve something greater than yourself. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20to%20Create%20Your%20Ultimate%20Birth%20Date%20Motivational%20Anthem&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20to%20Create%20Your%20Ultimate%20Birth%20Date%20Motivational%20Anthem%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20to%20Create%20Your%20Ultimate%20Birth%20Date%20Motivational%20Anthem&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20to%20Create%20Your%20Ultimate%20Birth%20Date%20Motivational%20Anthem%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20to%20Create%20Your%20Ultimate%20Birth%20Date%20Motivational%20Anthem%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Songs **Tags:** #Anthem, #BetteMidler, #Motivational, #TheRose --- ### [Martha and the Ultimate Capture of Time's Bittersweet Pulse](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/02/martha-and-the-ultimate-capture-of-times-bittersweet-pulse/) **Published:** August 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Few songs capture the bittersweet passage of time quite like "Martha." **Content:** --- ## Parade Magazine 1973 Song With Zero Chart History, Written by a 24-Year-Old, Is Still a Heartbreaking Ballad 53 Years Later By Andrea Reiher August 3, 2026 --- ![Female singer with curly blonde hair in an off-shoulder black dress on stage beside a microphone, smiling softly.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-02_11-51-05.png "2026-08-02_11-51-05 - bootleg betty") --- Released on Tom Waits’ 1973 debut album Closing Time, the song was never issued as a single. It has zero Billboard chart history. Yet more than five decades later, Martha fans still treasure it. It introduced listeners to the storytelling style that would define his great career. Rather than focusing on a breakup itself, Waits imagines something far more poignant: a man placing a long-distance phone call to a woman he loved decades earlier. “Operator, number please / It’s been so many years,” he begins before asking, “Will she remember my old voice while I fight the tears?” The caller, Tom Frost, eventually reaches Martha and suggests they meet for coffee to reminisce about “those were days of roses, of poetry and prose.” Even though both have long since married other people, he closes with a heartbreaking confession: “Martha, Martha, I love you, can’t you see?” Part of what makes Martha so extraordinary is that Waits was only 24 years old when he wrote it, yet he convincingly inhabited the perspective of a man looking back on a lost love after four decades. In a retrospective appreciation of the song, The Guardian noted that Waits “drops comfortably into the slippers of a much, much older man,” creating a narrator who calls an old flame to reflect on their shared past before quietly revealing that he is still in love with her. The publication also argued that the mystery surrounding why the couple drifted apart only deepens the song’s emotional impact, leaving listeners to imagine what might have been. Although Closing Time attracted positive reviews, it received little commercial attention when it was released, and neither the album nor “Martha” became chart hits in the United States. Over time, however, the record developed a devoted following and introduced songs that would become staples of Waits’ catalog. “Martha” also found new life through other artists. Tim Buckley recorded the first notable cover later in 1973, while Bette Midler later performed the song on Saturday Night Live. More than 50 years after its release, “Martha” continues to resonate because its central idea is universal. Most people have wondered, at least once, what became of someone they loved years ago. Waits turned that fleeting thought into a four-and-a-half-minute conversation that still feels as intimate and heartbreaking today as it did in 1973. --- --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Martha%20and%20the%20Ultimate%20Capture%20of%20Time%27s%20Bittersweet%20Pulse&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Martha%20and%20the%20Ultimate%20Capture%20of%20Time%27s%20Bittersweet%20Pulse%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Martha%20and%20the%20Ultimate%20Capture%20of%20Time%27s%20Bittersweet%20Pulse&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Martha%20and%20the%20Ultimate%20Capture%20of%20Time%27s%20Bittersweet%20Pulse%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Martha%20and%20the%20Ultimate%20Capture%20of%20Time%27s%20Bittersweet%20Pulse%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Bittersweet, #Martha, #Song, #Time, #TomWaits --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings Martha on SNL, 1979](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/07/video-bette-midler-sings-martha-on-snl-1979/) **Published:** October 7, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler made her one and only appearance on Saturday Night Live as the musical guest on the episode hosted by Buck Henry **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings Martha on SNL, 1979 By Mister D Oct 7, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/795024d634e96d71984054eeb2290f3e-1024x576.jpg "795024d634e96d71984054eeb2290f3e - bootleg betty")--- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) made her one and only appearance on Saturday Night Live as the musical guest on the episode hosted by Buck Henry, which aired on May 26, 1979 (Season 4, Episode 20). During the show, she performed two songs: “Married Men” (from her 1979 album Thighs and Whispers) and a deeply emotional rendition of “Martha,” a haunting ballad originally written and recorded by **[Tom Waits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Waits)** on his 1973 album Closing Time. The song is a melancholic, piano-driven narrative about an old man reflecting on a lost love from his youth, reaching out to her after decades of separation. Midler’s version amps up the raw vulnerability with her powerhouse vocals, backed by a simple arrangement that highlights the lyrics’ regret and tenderness. It’s often hailed as one of SNL’s most poignant musical moments, with fans and critics calling it “the saddest song ever written” in her hands. The Harlettes (Midler’s longtime backup singers) included future stars like Katey Sagal (Married… with Children) and Luther Vandross on this performance, adding layers of soulful harmony. This was the final episode featuring original cast members John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, giving it extra historical weight. Midler’s delivery—raw, theatrical, and heartbreaking—perfectly captured the song’s essence, and it’s frequently cited as a career highlight in her music. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Martha%20on%20SNL%2C%201979&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Martha%20on%20SNL%2C%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Martha%20on%20SNL%2C%201979&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Martha%20on%20SNL%2C%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Martha%20on%20SNL%2C%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Martha, #SNL, #TomWaits, #Video --- ### [Ultimate Guide to 33 Comfort Movies for Cozy Nights](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/02/ultimate-guide-to-33-comfort-movies-for-cozy-nights/) **Published:** August 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A comfort film can be different for everyone. Some of these are Oscar winning classics, others are just feel good favorites and box office hits **Content:** --- ## The Stripe 33 Of The Best Comfort Movies By Staff Aug 1, 2026 --- ![Joyful woman with curly red hair clapping and smiling, wearing a sequined top at a party or performance scene.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/16e03605505e976935d2370cb895c95a.jpg "16e03605505e976935d2370cb895c95a - bootleg betty") --- This post is a little older (from 2022), but I still love a comfort movie. I’ve updated it and brought it back to the top. Additionally, it was a reader request during the pandemic, and I felt we needed it. Fans of Bette Midler know comfort can come from familiar films. A list of comfort movies is included. Do you have comfort films? Those are the ones you watch when you are sick, sad, or having a bad day. Moreover, the world is in turmoil. I love hibernating with my favorites, so it felt like the timing was right for this post. A comfort film can be different for everyone. Some of these are Oscar winning classics, others are just feel good favorites and box office hits. It’s just about what brings YOU comfort! Whether it’s an old favorite like Good Will Hunting or one of your favorite romantic comedies, there is no right or wrong here! Here are mine, please (please!) share yours in the comments! Note from Grace – As the times change, some of these might not hold up as well anymore. I have tried to flag anything (like the weight comments in Bridget Jones’ Diary) I remember as offensive and I don’t think there is anything on this list that is terrible, but wanted to make that caveat: sometimes there is just comfort in watching something old. I think you can cringe a little bit, give thanks that times have changed, but still enjoy the nostalgia of watching something older. ## Best Comfort Movies Clueless makes me laugh. The Princess Bride transports me to my childhood, as does Back to the Future. Love, Actually reminds me of the many forms of love. A good comfort film can brighten a tough day, distract you when sick, or offer an escape from real life. No matter how bad things get, there will always be movies to lift the spirit. I am not a big re-reader of books, but I love rewatching old movie favorites. After a long day, a glass of red wine, and a good movie, there is real comfort. Among favorites on this list, performances by Bette Midler stand out for warmth and wit. Her screen presence reminds me that comforting films can feel like old friends stopping by. On quiet evenings, we return to these titles for reassurance and a gentle escape from daily noise. I will say that putting these in chronological order made this such a walk down memory lane. I graduated high school in ’99 and remember blasting the Cruel Intentions soundtrack around that time. Then I graduated college in ’03 and remember fantasizing about Kate Hudson’s workwear wardrobe in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. After graduation, I was watching The Holiday and The Notebook on repeat. PS – I didn’t put what streaming service these are available on, as that is ever-changing, and I own most of these on Apple TV, but JustWatch is a great resource for that. Just input all your favorites, and they will tell you where to watch it! Also, you might enjoy the list I made of everything I watched when I was sick with COVID. It was quite a long list! Also, I keep a running highlight for both movies and TV on my Instagram page. Nancy Meyers is our queen. Did anyone else notice themselves falling back in love with Nancy Meyers during the pandemic? The old(er) people romances. The cozy kitchens. The beach houses. Gah. She is our queen. I love her films so much. Something’s Gotta Give (2003) This is my all time favorite from Nancy Meyers. It’s Complicated is a close second but this is the favorite. Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton are just too good together. The meet-cute is hilarious: Jack’s character is dating Diane’s character’s daughter (played by Amanda Peet). The two wind up getting together, but he can’t settle down, and then Diane meets a younger man (played by Keanu Reeves). The Holiday (2006) Everything about this movie. The expected and the unexpected. Kate Winslet and Jack Black for example: a couple I’d never put together in my head, but it just WORKS! Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz both go through tumultuous breakups and decide to house swap for the holidays… LA and London! It is charming and sweet and one of my all-time favorite movies anytime I am feeling sad. It’s Complicated (2009) My second favorite of Meyers! Alec Baldwin and Meryl Streep have been divorced for years. Meryl is still single; Alec has a younger (nightmare!) wife, played by Lake Bell. The two wind up in bed together, sneaking around… but Meryl knows Alec is no good! Luckily, a good man is waiting for Meryl: her handsome architect, Steve Martin. This is just so charming. The Intern (2015) Robert De Niro is a little bit bored and decides to apply for an internship at a fashion start-up (think Net-a-Porter, with Anne Hathaway playing a lovable workaholic boss). There are so many good elements here: the friendship between him and Anne’s character, an “old person romance” (my favorite!) between him and a beautiful massage therapist… I just love this one. It’s sad to think that this may be Meyers’ last film… released with Warner Brothers in 2015, she hasn’t committed to film anything else, I hope she’ll do more! Home Again (2017) This is adorable. While Meyers did not direct this, she produced it and her daughter directed it, so we will still count it. Reese Witherspoon returns “home” to LA after a split with her husband. Somehow along the way, she winds up “adopting” three younger guys in their twenties, who temporarily move into her guest house (she’s hooking up with one of them). It sounds like a mess but it’s great and oh-so-heartwarming, plus Candace Bergen plays her mom and of course (true to Nancy Meyers form) the house is absolutely beautiful. Big (1988) I will always love Big (and also, 13, going on 30, which was the female version). Tom Hanks plays a teenager who wishes to be big and then suddenly there he is, living in New York and having to fend for himself. It’s charming and cute and so nostalgic. Sleepless in Seattle (1993) Another old favorite. I grew up watching and loving this. Just so much nostalgia… plus that Empire State Building moment. I love this. Forrest Gump (1994) I watched this when I had COVID and forgot how much I love it. It’s truly epic (spanning childhood all the way through middle age, a war, etc.) with such great characters. I could watch this again and again and again! You’ve Got Mail (1998) Tom and Meg forever… plus bring in book shops? Love. This is a forever favorite for me. **Other favorites** Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) This is one of my all time favorite old school films. It’s just… iconic. I mean, Sean Penn’s performance alone is just everything. I could watch this over and over again. Back to the Future (all 3 of ’em! – 1985, onward) Just a classic. I love love love these films and get happy just thinking about Marty McFly on his hoverboard or Doc and his time-traveling DeLorean. The Princess Bride (1987) Takes me back to my youth! It has been a little while (a long time!) since I last watched this, I think that needs to change. It’s an epic saga and just so delightful. Robin Wright dazzles as Princess Buttercup. It’s hilarious to compare her to Claire Underwood when you think about it. Beaches (1988) I remember as a kid not being allowed to watch this because it was too sad. Once I watched it, I understood. I sob every time I watch this film. It’s incredible, and so is the soundtrack. [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/movies/) forever. Mystic Pizza (1988) This is another one of those feel good films I always reach for when I am sick. Pure nostalgia. It’s about three young waitresses working at a pizza shop in a small town… Julia Roberts is divine! When Harry Met Sally (1989) An absolute classic, another one that I could probably quote line for line. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. I love that it spans from graduating college and moving to the “big city,” all the way through adulthood and relationships. It is just… the best. Steel Magnolias (1989) Another classic (with old school Julia Roberts AND Sally Field!) Julia plays the bride-to-be and Sally is her mom. Dolly Parton is their hair stylist and Daryl Hannah is an aspiring beautician who is helping out. Does the cast get any better? This is sad, but heartwarming, and an ode to the bond between women. Dazed and Confused (1993) Along the lines of Fast Times (a great binge would be this and that for all the old school high school nostalgia). Just a wonderful old favorite. I haven’t watched this in a little while. Directed by Richard Linklater (a favorite!), with a breakout performance by Matthew McConaughey, it’s just a wonderful classic. I love this one! Clueless (1995) I just love this movie so much. It is cheesy and campy and utterly quotable. Alicia Silverstone plays Cher Horowitz, a spoiled but utterly lovable teenager growing up in Beverly Hills. This + Legally Blonde + Mean Girls = a dream Sunday. Good Will Hunting (1997) It’s hard to believe that this came out in 1997. It’s still one of my absolute favorite films. Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Robin Williams… what a cast! I think for me there is an element of nostalgia having gone to school outside Boston and lived in Cambridge for a handful of years after. Cruel Intentions (1999) This is not exactly comforting, but it IS! Ryan Philippe, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair, Sarah Michelle Gellar.. it’s just so vicious and good. Before there was Gossip Girl, there was Cruel Intentions. It’s just the most fun to watch and re-watch over and over again. Like I said above, watching this transports me back to my high school experience. Not because mine was anything like there’s, but because my friends and I were so scandalized by it… and… that soundtrack! Legally Blonde (2001) “What… Like, it’s hard!?” This may be one of my all time favorite Reese Witherspoon films… Reese is also my queen, I love her so much. Reese plays Elle Woods, determined to get into Harvard to win back her boyfriend (Selma Blair plays his new, brainy but mean fiancé.) It is campy and fun, and I think this is when I developed my crush on Luke Wilson. Bridget Jones Diary (2001) These movies will always be so comforting to me. Maybe because they make me feel better about myself (and like no matter how messy life can seem, things always work out okay!), but vintage Hugh Grant, Renee Zellweger, and Colin Firth are an absolute yes for me. (Though I will say I do find the weight comments bothersome; Bridget weighs all of 130/140 pounds and is considered chubby. Ah, okay, right… I just ignore those bits.) School of Rock (2003) This is so cute. Jack Black plays an overly enthusiastic guitarist who is kicked out of his band. Desperately in need of work, he finagles (lies) his way into a job teaching at an elite private elementary school. It’s an uptight environment and he teaches his students about the rock & roll gods he idolizes. It’s adorable watching these precocious and polite kids get into rock music. Love, Actually (2003) A classic. It’s one of my favorite Christmas movies but just like with The Holiday I will happily watch it any day of the year. The Hugh Grant dancing scene, Colin Firth getting a second chance at love.. there’s just so much goodness in this one. How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days (2003) I definitely have a thing for romcoms set at magazines. Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey are working in the media biz (her at a top women’s mag; him for an ad agency). He strikes a bet that he can make any woman fall in love with him (while she is simultaneously writing a feature on how to lose a guy); chaos ensues. Mean Girls (2004) This is another one I could quote all day long. We love a high school drama, and this is beyond fun. Lindsay Lohan has just moved to the suburbs of Illinois (after being homeschooled by her parents in Africa). High school turns out to be really cliquey, including a “cool” group of girls dubbed “the plastics.” Rachel McAdams plays the queen bee Regina George so brilliantly. This is an all time favorite. 13 Going on 30 (2004) So charming and nostalgic; and yes, another romcom set at a magazine. Jenna Rink (played by Jennifer Garner) just wants to skip her teenage years and go straight to being thirty. When that actually happens, she wakes up in New York living the dream: an insane closet, a great job as a magazine editor, and a beautiful apartment. Of course, she soon learns that it’s not all as it seems and she realizes that the popular kids actually weren’t all that great. The Notebook (2004) Gahhh, a classic! For me, this is the ultimate love story. Is this what started my crush on Ryan Gosling? I think so. I feel like I don’t need to tell you about this as we’ve already seen it a million times but I always reach for this when I am sick or feeling sad. It’s so romantic, plus the Charleston scenery makes me happy. Hitch (2005) Another fun New York one. Will Smith is New York City’s best matchmaker (I particularly love the match he makes in Amber Valetta + a schlubby but sweet accountant). Eva Mendes co-stars; I loved the chemistry between the two of them! The Devil Wears Prada (2006) A forever classic, I feel like I (and probably most of you) can quote this movie line by line. Anne Hathaway stars as Meryl Streep’s assistant at a prestigious fashion magazine. It’s a job “a million other girls would kill for,” but at what cost!? Midnight in Paris (2011) This is one of my favorite movies. I have my opinions about Woody Allen but can put them aside for this. Just the fantasy of being able to transport back to the age of Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald… the fantasy is too much! Plus major wanderlust with Paris (I have not been in years and miss it!) Wonder (2017) I can’t remember what prompted me to watch Wonder but I loved it. Somehow, Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson work as a sweet married couple and are just the best parents to their son. Augie Pullman was born with facial differences that had prevented him from going to a mainstream school. When he starts fifth grade, his family and new classmates discover their compassion and acceptance. It’s heartwarming and a tearjerker… I loved it so much. The Hustle (2022) This is a newer one (I watched it a month or so ago on Netflix) but I had to add it to the list as I found it really comforting. Adam Sandler and Queen Latifah play an adorable couple (turns out they have a longstanding friendship). Adam Sandler plays a basketball scout, taking a chance on a talented newcomer. I loved this. It helps that I have a massive soft spot for Adam Sandler. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Ultimate%20Guide%20to%2033%20Comfort%20Movies%20for%20Cozy%20Nights&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Ultimate%20Guide%20to%2033%20Comfort%20Movies%20for%20Cozy%20Nights%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Ultimate%20Guide%20to%2033%20Comfort%20Movies%20for%20Cozy%20Nights&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Ultimate%20Guide%20to%2033%20Comfort%20Movies%20for%20Cozy%20Nights%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Ultimate%20Guide%20to%2033%20Comfort%20Movies%20for%20Cozy%20Nights%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Movies **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Comfort, #Guide --- ### [Bette Midler Urges Fans to Read This Book and Vote](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/08/01/bette-midler-urges-fans-to-read-this-book-and-vote/) **Published:** August 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Per Bette Midler's request, she would like her fans to get this book, read it thouroughly, and then vote! **Content:** --- ## Bette Midler Instagram Update Bootleg BettyPer Instagram: Bette Midler Says Read This Book & VoteBy Mister DAug, 1, 2026 --- ![Book cover for Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, with a gold textured background and a red circle noting #1 New York Times bestseller.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ABAEEC7E35F98E5A1B21013453A5827E36E5C0F3.jpeg "Abaeec7e35f98e5a1b21013453a5827e36e5c0f3 - bootleg betty") --- Per Bette Midler’s request, she would like her fans to get this book, read it thoroughly, and then vote. Moreover, it is an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. Regime Change is exceptional. Additionally, it transcends its genre. Furthermore, the book is packed with news that will stay news. Finally, this is reporting of consequence.” —David Remnick, The New Yorker “A flabbergasting feat of political reporting.” —Tina Brown “Riveting and richly textured, what the authors add is the vivid detail that makes these events feel real.” Moreover, they wrest reality back from the world of entertainment, illusion, fantasy and denial that Trump has generated around himself. Consequently, it is this flood of provocation, atrocity, self-dealing and fabrication that makes Haberman and Swan’s counter-narrative so vital. Fintan O’Toole of The New York Times. A riveting, intimate, and revelatory account of the most radical presidency illustrates its impact. Moreover, it is the most consequential presidency of our time. From the two reporters who have covered him most closely in the past decade, this portrait emerges. Moreover, it presents Donald Trump in the White House. Regime Change covers the first year of Trump’s second presidency. Moreover, the term is liberated from every constraint that defined his first. The generals who once told him ‘no’ are gone. The lawyers who remain have learned to pick their battles. His administration has flouted court orders. Moreover, he has claimed powers Congress once checked. What remains is a President willing to take enormous risks. It has upended global markets and toppled heads of state. He operates almost entirely on instinct. Based on hundreds of interviews and deep reporting, Regime Change takes the reader inside the Situation Room. The book also reveals secret Oval Office deliberations that have launched a new war in the Middle East. It shows Trump sealing the border, surging National Guard troops into cities, and sending immigration agents into clashes with protesters. Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan take readers behind the scenes of a presidency that has transformed the culture. They describe the Justice Department as an agent of retribution against the President’s enemies. They also show the office becoming a brazen vehicle for profit. They reveal a second term propelled by a historical irony that Trump has come to understand. The indictments, the convictions, and four years of exile did not weaken him. They made him more powerful, more vengeful, and more willing to gamble than any President in modern history. The story shows how Trump has used that power, who has tried to stop him. Moreover, nearly all of them have failed. Additionally, journalists chronicle this in distant capitals. It also shows a president who has fundamentally altered the office he holds. With it, the rest of the world understands American power. It is an account of regime change in America. A landmark, real-time history of a modern presidency like no other. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Urges%20Fans%20to%20Read%20This%20Book%20and%20Vote&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Urges%20Fans%20to%20Read%20This%20Book%20and%20Vote%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Urges%20Fans%20to%20Read%20This%20Book%20and%20Vote&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Urges%20Fans%20to%20Read%20This%20Book%20and%20Vote%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Urges%20Fans%20to%20Read%20This%20Book%20and%20Vote%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Instagram, Vote **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #MaggieHaberman, #Presidency, #RegimeChange --- ### [10 Movies From the ‘90s Roger Ebert Couldn’t Stand](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/31/10-movies-from-the-90s-roger-ebert-couldnt-stand/) **Published:** July 31, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Great film critics often take a bare-knuckle approach while reviewing what Hollywood has presented for consumption. Roger Ebert was no different. **Content:** --- ## MovieWeb 10 Movies From the ‘90s Roger Ebert Couldn’t Stand By Philip Etemesi July 31, 2026 --- ![Three witches with bright red curls in green cloaks perform on a dark, forest-themed stage, arms raised and snarling under neon Halloween lighting.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/4fad854def923fd42976d3241985c08c-1.jpg "4fad854def923fd42976d3241985c08c - bootleg betty") --- Great film critics often take a bare-knuckle approach while reviewing what Hollywood has presented for consumption. [**Roger Ebert**](https://www.rogerebert.com/) was no different. When he didn’t like a movie, he said so in the most memorable terms he could find. He didn’t care whether a lot of people liked the new release. He’d rate a movie two stars or below, or simply refuse to give it any score, if he felt it didn’t pass the quality test. Some of Ebert’s most brutal takes came in the ’90s. By this decade, the Pulitzer Prize-winning critic had been writing for the Chicago Sun-Times for nearly 30 years, and he knew exactly what a good movie looked like. Ebert adored ’90s hits like Pulp Fiction and Schindler’s List but hated many other popular big-screen offerings that came out in that era for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the notable films that had him hammering at his keyboard. **‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993)** Ebert’s score: 1/4 stars In Hocus Pocus, teen Max Dennison (Omri Katz) accidentally resurrects three wicked witch sisters who were executed during the Salem Witch Trials in the 1600s. Now it’s up to him, his sister, his crush, and an immortal talking cat to stop the trio from stealing children’s souls to keep themselves young.[**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/movies/) Hocus Pocus didn’t create much buzz when it was released, but it became a sleeper hit, partly because of the annual airings on Disney Channel and Freeform. It has since spawned a franchise. The film is visually stylish and has numerous comical moments. However, Roger Ebert found nothing to smile about. Like the Salem Witch Trials judges, he was mean, describing the picture as “a confusing cauldron in which there is great activity but little progress, and a lot of hysterical shrieking.” He also complained that the three witches had no personalities at all, only behavior patterns and volume. **‘Armageddon’ (1998)** Ebert’s score: 1/4 stars The late 1990s were packed with rumors that the world would end, so Armageddon came at just the right time and became one of Michael Bay’s highest-grossing movies. In the movie, a team heads to space to drill a hole in an asteroid that’s about to hit Earth. They plan to plant a bomb inside it and blow it up. But it won’t be as easy as they believe. Michael Bay’s tension-packed, provocative allegory on human fears is undeniably long at 151 minutes, but it is still fascinating to watch. The fun comes from the will-they-won’t-they narrative. And… explosions? Bay is the master of that. Despite Armageddon’s awesomeness, Roger Ebert named it the worst movie of 1998, calling it “an assault on the eyes, the ears, the brain, common sense, and the human desire to be entertained.” He hated how noisy it was, and the fact that it lacked a solid plot. Interestingly, his sparring partner Gene Siskel gave the film a thumbs up. **‘The Waterboy’ (1998)** Ebert’s score: 1/4 stars The Waterboy starts as a sad tale about weakness and oppression, then morphs into something closer to a full-blown sports comedy, while still examining, via the main character, how this brutal, cynical world treats the kind among us. The story is about Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler), a socially awkward 31-year-old waterboy who gets fired by a championship football team. When he talks his way onto a team of perennial losers, he discovers his talent for tackling and goes on to become a star. A broad, loud sports comedy built on one extremely committed bit, The Waterboy has become a genre staple, with Bobby’s woes framed by relentless background silliness. Most people were impressed, except Ebert. “Do I have something visceral against Adam Sandler?” he asked himself in his review, insisting that he walks into every movie with high hopes and that liking Sandler in something would be a genuine relief. But this one? He just didn’t like it. **‘Spice World’ (1997)** Ebert’s score: 1.5/4 stars British music group the Spice Girls lean into their own images with fun, perfectly calibrated moments in Spice World. The pop stars play themselves in a series of fictional moments leading up to a concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. One of their major quagmires comes in the form of an overzealous tabloid newspaper editor eager to destroy their reputation. Roger Ebert tore into the pop stars for their poor acting, claiming that they “occupy Spice World as if they were watching it,” and that they were too detached to even lip-synch their own songs convincingly. Later on, on Siskel & Ebert, he called the movie “an entertainment-free dead zone.” Sure, the film is poorly acted and is the kind that is more suited to hardcore fans than casual ones. Still, costume and set designers can learn a thing or two from the film. **‘Fight Club’ (1999)** Ebert’s score: 2/4 stars David Fincher’s Fight Club concerns the friendship between an unnamed insomniac office worker (Edward Norton) and a soap salesman (Brad Pitt). The two decide to start an underground fight club to break free from their mundane existence. But things are hardly as straightforward as they might appear. The film has a psychological element that reveals itself later on. Fight Club is loved for the fight scenes, and because of how sufficiently it explores themes like nihilism and emasculation. It has been praised by many parties, including Guy Ritchie, but not Ebert. The critic acknowledged this years later, writing that the film was “beloved by most, not by me.” In his initial review, he dismissed it as macho porn and a thrill ride dressed up as philosophy. **‘The Usual Suspects’ (1995)** Ebert’s score: 1.5/4 stars Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey) from The Usual Suspects is a hoodlum trying to convince the authorities that the mythical criminal Keyser Söze is real. He says the man roped him and his four buddies into a multi-million-dollar heist that culminated in an explosion. The feds are skeptical, but a few future events will make them see things differently. Melding kitchen-sink realism with gripping sequences that dramatize Kint’s reveries, the film put actor Kevin Spacey and screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie on the map. The latter won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay while the former got Best Supporting Actor. The Writers Guild of America ranked The Usual Suspects as having the 35th-greatest screenplay of all time. Ebert hated the lack of straightforwardness, claiming the crime thriller was confusing “to the degree that I do understand, I don’t care.” **‘Batman & Robin’ (1997)** Ebert’s score: 2/4 stars Batman & Robin finds Batman (George Clooney) and Robin (Chris O’Donnell) fighting Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger), who wants to turn Gotham into an arctic zone, and Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman), who is using toxins to manipulate others. Aiding the heroes is Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone), a new, driven member of the Bat-family. Roger Ebert noted that the Joel Schumacher film was wonderful to look at but felt that it had “nothing authentic at its core.” Batman & Robin is generally considered one of the worst superhero movies, so Ebert wasn’t off in his assessment. However, it has its glittering elements. One of them is Alicia Silverstone, whose easy charm is among the film’s few genuine pleasures. **‘North’ (1994)** Ebert’s score: 0/4 stars In North, the titular character (portrayed by Elijah Wood) is sad because he is constantly ignored by his busy parents. A mysterious man (Bruce Willis), who appears in his life occasionally, advises him to emancipate himself and search the world for a perfect mother and father. Unfortunately, most of the people he meets aren’t any better. This odd family comedy tackles parenting questions head-on, but with a pronounced undercurrent of controversy. How ethical is it for a stranger to influence a child against their parents? Ebert famously ranted, “I hated this movie. Hated hated hated hated hated this movie,” going on to call the film unpleasant, contrived, and artificial, giving it a rare 0-star review. That line later gave him the title of his 2000 book, I Hated, Hated, Hated This Movie. Other critics also considered North a surprise low point for director Rob Reiner, who had just come off hits like A Few Good Men and Misery. **‘Tommy Boy’ (1995)** Ebert’s score: 1/4 stars Tommy Boy follows the dimwitted Tommy Callahan (Chris Farley), who inherits his recently deceased father’s near-bankrupt automobile parts factory and fights to turn it profitable. But a clash looms with his new stepmother, Beverly (Bo Derek), who keeps insisting on cashing out. Roger Ebert was brutal in his assessment, writing that the film “plays like an explosion down at the screenplay factory,” then extending the gag into a picture of a soot-covered office boy salvaging pages at random from the wreckage. But don’t be discouraged. The buddy comedy, featuring a few SNL cast members, overflows with fun moments, and is now considered a cult classic. **‘The Beverly Hillbillies’ (1993)** Ebert’s score: 1/4 stars The Beverly Hillbillies is about the Clampetts, who move to Beverly Hills after striking oil on their rural land. They struggle to adjust to their new surroundings and are also pitted against a nefarious banker who intends to swindle them. Luckily, the banker’s assistant has a soft spot for the Clampetts. This resplendently goofy, intermittently intriguing romp is carried along by a lively country soundtrack. The kind of humor used here isn’t for everyone, but it works more often than not. Ebert was one of the people who weren’t impressed. He expressed his disappointment at how director Penelope Spheeris followed up the brilliant Wayne’s World with this low-quality film. He further claimed that he “watched in mounting gloom, feeling as if stones were being piled on my chest.” Let us know in the comments below whether or not you agree with Roger Ebert’s critiques of these films. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=10%20Movies%20From%20the%20%E2%80%9890s%20Roger%20Ebert%20Couldn%E2%80%99t%20Stand&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=10%20Movies%20From%20the%20%E2%80%9890s%20Roger%20Ebert%20Couldn%E2%80%99t%20Stand%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=10%20Movies%20From%20the%20%E2%80%9890s%20Roger%20Ebert%20Couldn%E2%80%99t%20Stand&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=10%20Movies%20From%20the%20%E2%80%9890s%20Roger%20Ebert%20Couldn%E2%80%99t%20Stand%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=10%20Movies%20From%20the%20%E2%80%9890s%20Roger%20Ebert%20Couldn%E2%80%99t%20Stand%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Critics, #HocusPocus, #Movies, #RogerEbert --- ### [Best Songs About Friendship](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/31/best-songs-about-friendship/) **Published:** July 31, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Whether they've been by your side for years or recently entered your life, true friends offer support, laughter, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. **Content:** --- ## Develop Good Habits 39 Best Songs About Friendship for Every Occasion By Michal Feyoh July 31, 2026 --- ![Smiling woman on a landline phone wearing a turquoise patterned blouse and gold jewelry lined with rings and bracelets.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/6b5652fd896827f8ff9193c95d9da647.jpg "6b5652fd896827f8ff9193c95d9da647 - bootleg betty") --- Whether they’ve been by your side for years or recently entered your life, true friends offer support, laughter, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. They’re the people who celebrate your successes, help you through difficult times, and make everyday memories unforgettable. Music has a special way of capturing the beauty of friendship. From heartfelt ballads to upbeat anthems, songs about friendship remind us to appreciate the people who stand beside us through every season of life. They can also bring back cherished memories and inspire us to reach out to the friends who matter most. Whether you’re creating the perfect playlist for a road trip, celebrating your best friend, or simply looking for songs that highlight the value of meaningful relationships, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here. In this article, you’ll discover a collection of the best songs about friendship, each celebrating the joy, loyalty, and lasting connections that make life richer. And don’t forget to download the free Positive Affirmations Cards at the end of the article to encourage kindness, gratitude, and positive relationships every day. **The Importance of Good Friends** A good friend does more than offer you a shoulder to cry on. The friendship you share also has benefits to your health and well-being, such as: Giving you a boost of happiness Taking away stress Helping you cope with difficulties in life (e.g., marital problems, death of a loved one, illness, loss of employment/livelihood) Making you more confident Providing a sense of belonging Read on to check out the songs we’ve compiled for you. 1. **I’ll Be There for You (Friends Theme Song), The Rembrandts** Ill Be There for You | The Rembrandts | songs about friendship ending via The Rembrandts “I’ll be there for you when the rain starts to pour. I’ll be there for you like I’ve been there before. I’ll be there for you ’cause you’re there for me, too.” This is the theme song to Friends, one of the most popular television shows from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. The show was a comedic take on the lives of a group of friends trying to make it as adults in a big city. In this song, The Rembrandts offer the assurance that friends will be there to lend a hand when life gets tough and a little crazy. 2. **Anytime You Need a Friend, Mariah Carey** Anytime You Need a Friend | Mariah Carey | songs about friendships falling apart via Mariah Carey “Anytime you need a friend, I’ll be here. You’ll never be alone again. So don’t you fear? Even if you’re miles away, I’m by your side. So don’t you ever be lonely? Love will make it alright.” A friend can help ward off loneliness, even if they live far away from you. In this song, Mariah Carey assures her friend that she’ll always be there when needed. 3. **Best Friend, Missy Elliott ft. Aaliyah** Best Friend | Missy Elliott ft Aaliyah | rap songs about friendship via Missy Elliott “I’ll still be there for you. In your time of need, you can lean on me. Come on, I’ll be there for you…” Friendship is a give-and-take relationship. If your friend was there for you during difficult times, you will also want to do the same for them when they experience tribulation. Missy Elliott and Aaliyah remind us of this rule of friendship. 4. **Umbrella, Rihanna ft. Jay-Z** Umbrella | Rihanna ft Jay-Z | rock songs about friendship via Rihanna “When the sun shines, we’ll shine together. Told you I’ll be here forever. Said I’ll always be your friend. Took an oath. I’ma stick it out til the end. Now that it’s raining more than ever, know we’ll still have each other. You can stand under my umbrella.” Rihanna also reminds us that friends stay together no matter what. In this song, she tells her friend she’s a haven during difficult times. 5. **Stand by Me, Ben E. King** Stand by Me | Ben E King | latest rock songs about friendship via RHINO “If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall, or the mountains should crumble to the sea. I won’t cry, no I won’t cry. I won’t shed a tear just as long as you stand by me.” If you know a friend’s got your back, it makes you feel invincible. Here’s a song celebrating this kind of dedication and trust. In this song, Ben E. King celebrates friendship that brings strength and happiness, no matter the situation. 6. **It’s Nice to Have a Friend, Taylor Swift** Its Nice to Have a Friend | Taylor Swift | new taylor swift songs about friendship via Taylor Swift “Light pink sky up on the roof. Sun sinks down, no curfew. Twenty questions, we tell the truth. You’ve been stressed out lately? Yeah, me too. Something gave you the nerve to touch my hand. It’s nice to have a friend.” When you were young, did you ever long for a friend to share life’s ups and downs with? This song from a younger Taylor Swift expresses delight at finding a kindred soul with whom to share questions that let them know each other deeper. It describes the exhilaration of knowing someone will be there to listen to your rants and raves and make you feel better when you’ve had a bad day. It’s nice to have a friend. 7. **Hey Girl, Lady Gaga and Florence Welch** Hey Girl | Lady Gaga and Florence Welch | songs about friendship disney via Lady Gaga “Hey girl, hey girl, we can make it easy if we lift each other. Hey girl, hey girl, we don’t need to keep one-in’ up another. Hey girl… If you lose your way, just know that I got you.” Female rivalry can happen at school, the workplace, or even at home. It occurs when women believe that there is only one place at the top and they have to compete with other women to get it. However, in this touching song from Lady Gaga, she suggests that instead of putting each other down, women should learn to lift each other up. She encourages listeners, and especially women, to find ways to be friends with each other. 8. **Graduation (Friends Forever), Vitamin C** Graduation (Friends Forever) | Vitamin C | songs about friendship pop via RHINO “As we go on, we remember all the times we had together. And as our lives change, come whatever, we will still be friends forever.” This song has become an anthem for young people who are about to enter adulthood. Vitamin C sings about people who are going through significant changes in their lives but promise each other they will remain friends. 9. **See You Again, Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth** See You Again | Wiz Khalifa ft Charlie Puth | taylor swift songs about friendship via Wiz Khalifa “It’s been a long day without you, my friend. And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again. We’ve come a long way from where we began. Oh, I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again.” Perhaps you have a friend or two who have passed. If you’re missing them right now, here’s a song that expresses that emotion and honors their memory. 10. **Count on Me, Whitney Houston, and Cece Winans** Count on Me | Whitney Houston and Cece Winans | sad songs about friendship via Whitney Houston “Count on me through thick and thin. A friendship that will never end. When you are weak I will be strong, helping you to carry on. Call on me, I will be there. Don’t be afraid.” What is a friend to you? For some, it’s a person who understands and accepts them completely. Others say it’s a person loyal to you, defending you even if you are absent. Still, others consider a friend someone who’s there when needed, whether to offer physical or emotional support. This song reminds listeners that a friend can be all these things. 11. **Thank You for Being a Friend, Andrew Gold** Thank You for Being a Friend | Andrew Gold | pop songs about friendship via RHINO “And when we both get older, with walking canes and hair of gray. Have no fear even though it’s hard to hear. I will stand real close and say, ‘Thank you for being a friend.’” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you and your best friend could grow old together? This song celebrates that fantastic experience. The track became famous as the theme for the TV show The Golden Girls, featuring a group of mature ladies living their “golden” years together. The song celebrates the person who’s with you for the long haul. 12. **Friends, Meghan Trainor** Friends | Meghan Trainor | cool songs about best friends via Meghan Trainor “When I’m in trouble, need some help. And I feel all by myself. I know exactly who to call. I know to make it alright. I got all my friends with me. And after all my money’s spent and I can’t afford my rent they walk me in the house saying, ‘You can take the couch.’ Yeah, that’s the only friends I need.” This song describes the many things that a friend does for us. It emphasizes how a friend provides support during difficult times in our lives. For Meghan Trainor, that’s the kind of friend she needs in her life. 13. **Song for a Friend, Jason Mraz** Song for a Friend | Jason Mraz | latest r&b songs about friendship via Jason Mraz “Let’s say you take a break from our day and getting’ back to the old garage. Because life’s too short anyway but at least it’s better than average. As long as you got me and I got you. You know we’ve got a lot to go around. I’ll be your friend, your other brother, another love to come and comfort you.” This song offers comfort for those having a hard day. It invites us to take a break and unburden ourselves in the company of a friend willing to listen. 14. **Gift of a Friend, Demi Lovato** Gift of a Friend | Demi Lovato | country songs about friendship via Demi Lovato “You’ll change inside when you realize the world comes to life and everything’s alright from beginning to end when you have a friend by your side that helps you find the beauty of all. When you open your heart and believe in the gift of a friend.” Sometimes, we think we’re strong enough to go through life without needing the restorative gift of friendship. We consider ourselves self-sufficient. However, it could be that we’re just cautious about whom to reveal our vulnerability. This song reminds us that once we find the right person to trust, we can open our hearts and be renewed by the knowledge that someone will always be there for us. 15. **I’ll Remember, Madonna** Ill Remember | Madonna | songs about friendship and memories via Madonna “And I’ll remember the strength that you gave me. Now that I’m standing on my own I’ll remember the way that you saved me. I’ll remember.” Friendships have a way of shaping us and giving us the courage to become who we indeed are. In this song, Madonna honors the memory of a deceased friend. The singer expresses gratitude for her friend and vows to remember their legacy. 16. **You’ve Got a Friend in Me (Disney’s Toy Story OST), Randy Newman** Youve Got a Friend in Me | Randy Newman | songs about friendship via Randy Newman “You’ve got a friend in me. You’ve got a friend in me. When the road looks rough ahead and you’re miles and miles away from your nice warm bed. You just remember what your old pal said. Boy, you’ve got a friend in me. Yeah, you’ve got a friend in me.” The animated film series Toy Story made this song famous. It is about the relationship between Andy and his toy cowboy friend, Woody. The lyrics describe a dependable and supportive friend. They also remind listeners of the qualities that we can adopt to become better friends to others. 17. **What About Your Friends, TLC** What About Your Friends | TLC | new pop songs about friendship via TLC “What about your friends? Will they stand their ground? Will they let you down? What about your friends? Are they gonna be low down? Will they ever be around? Or will they turn their backs on you?” Thus far, we have listed several tracks describing what a good friend is. This song, however, encourages you to scrutinize your friendship to see what it’s based on. This song asks the critical questions: Will the people you consider friends stand by you during challenging times? Can you count on them to be there when it matters? 18. **A Friend Like You, Andy Grammer** A Friend Like You | Andy Grammer | songs about best friends via Andy Grammer “Dude, I love you. Bro, I love you. Man, I love you. You’re my homie. No one knows me like you know me. Like the sun and the moon, all the best things come in two. What would I do without a friend like you?” Does your friend know how much you appreciate them? This catchy song perfectly expresses the appreciation and joy one can feel for a good friend. 19. **We Should Be Friends, Miranda Lambert** We Should Be Friends | Miranda Lambert | new songs about friendship via Miranda Lambert “If your mind’s as cluttered as your kitchen sink. If your heart’s as empty as your diesel tank. If all your white t-shirts have stains. If you’ve got some guts and got some ink. Well then, we should be friends.” When it comes to making friends, we often gravitate towards people who we think have something in common with us. In this song, Miranda Lambert encourages listeners to look beyond the superficial and start befriending others. Although people may seem different from us at first glance, a closer look will reveal that we all have a lot of things in common. 20. **Hope Ur OK, Olivia Rodrigo** Hope Ur OK | Olivia Rodrigo | songs about friendship betrayal via Olivia Rodrigo “Well, I hope you know how proud I am you were created with the courage to unlearn all of their hatred. God, I hope that you’re happier today ’cause I love you and I hope that you’re okay.” This song is dedicated to old friends we’ve lost touch with. Do you still remember them? Do you wonder how they’re doing, like Olivia Rodrigo does? 21. **That’s What Friends Are For, Dionne Warwick ft. Elton John, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder** Thats What Friends Are For | Dionne Warwick | songs about friendship and memories via Dionne Warwick “Keep smiling, keep shining knowing you can always count on me, for sure. That’s what friends are for. For good times and bad times, I’ll be on your side forever more. That’s what friends are for.” This song was first recorded in 1982 by Rod Stewart. However, the 1985 cover version, recorded by Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John, became the most popular version. It has become one of the most popular songs played during graduation ceremonies. The song is about compassion and being there for someone at crucial times in their lives. 22. **Why Can’t We Be Friends?, Smash Mouth** Why Cant We Be Friends | Smash Mouth | via SMASH MOUTH “The color, the color, the color of your skin don’t matter to me. As long, as long, as long as we can live in harmony. I kinda, I kinda, I kinda like to be the president. And I could, and I could, and I could show you how your money’s spent. Why can’t we be friends?” This song calls out people’s tendency to judge others by the color of their skin, economic status, or social standing. It encourages listeners to recognize that people around the world have many things in common, which can help nurture friendships. 23. **Stand By You, Rachel Platten** Stand By You | Rachel Platten | latest songs about friendship via Rachel Platten “Cause I’m gonna stand by you. Even if we’re breaking down, we can find a way to break through. Even if we can’t find heaven, I’ll walk through hell with you. Love, you’re not alone. ‘Cause I’m gonna stand by you.” Having even a single friend willing to walk with you through difficult moments in your life is a blessing. In this song, Rachel Platten vows to be a good friend who will walk through hell just so that her friend doesn’t have to walk alone. 24. **I Know You, Craig David ft. Bastille** I Know You | Craig David ft Bastille | songs about friendship country via Craig David “But we’re all stumbling through the night. It doesn’t matter, we’re all together. And it’s paradise in our minds. Falling together, arms ’round each other. I know you, know me too. We’re all stumbling through the night. But it’s paradise in our minds.” It’s wonderful to know our friends would willingly walk through the fire with us. However, as this song tells us, it’s also amazing to have friends to celebrate with us during our happy and fun moments. 25. **My Friends, Red Hot Chili Peppers** My Friends | Red Hot Chili Peppers | japanese songs about friendship via Red Hot Chili Peppers “My friends are so distressed. I fear the question of your loneliness. Confide, ‘coz I’ll be on your side. You know I will, you know I will.” This song is about a person’s loyalty and dedication to their friends. They serve as a confidante and a shoulder to lean on for their friends, even though they have personal struggles to deal with. 26. **Friends, Bette Midler** Friends | Bette Midler | best songs about friendship via Bette Midler “But ya gotta have friends. That feeling’s oh so strong. Ya gotta have friends to make that day last long.” Whether you’ve got a good life or barely make it through the day, Bette Midler has some advice for you: Life is so much better if you have friends. 27. **A True Friend (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic OST), The Mane Six** A True Friend | The Mane Six | songs about friendship via My Little Pony Official “A true true friend helps a friend in need. A friend will be there to help them see. A true true friend helps a friend in need. To see the light that shines from a true true friend.” The My Little Pony series represents all the wonderful and powerful things friendship can accomplish. This song describes how a true friend is a mirror that allows us to see our true selves. They are the ones who help bring out the best in us. 28. **Me and My Gang, Rascal Flatts** Me and My Gang | Rascal Flatts | songs about friendship and memories via Rascal Flatts “It’s a brother and a sister kind of thang. Raise up your hands if you all wanna hang with me and my gang. We live to ride. We ride to live. Me and my gang. Jump on that train. Grab hold of them reins. We’re gonna rock this thang. Cock this thang. Me and my gang. Yeah, me and my gang.” This song is about living life to the fullest. What could be more awesome than having fun and creating beautiful memories with your best friends? Discover the ultimate playlist of 39 heartwarming songs that epitomize the beauty of friendship. From timeless classics to modern hits, these tracks will evoke precious memories and strengthen the bond with your friends. Start listening now and let the music celebrate the power of true camaraderie!Friendship Music | Best Songs | Heartwarming Playlist | Celebrate Friendship | Friendship Songs | Music Playlist | Spotify Songs | Camradarie Songs 29. **Friendship, Chris Stapleton** Friendship | Chris Stapleton | disney songs about friendship via Chris Stapleton “We got friendship, the kind that lasts a lifetime. Through all the hardship, you know you’re a friend of mine.” This song might be what you’re looking for if you want to celebrate a wonderful friendship. It’s a great thing to have someone to call friend—someone who never lets you down. You’d certainly do the same for them. 30. **Amigas Cheetahs, The Cheetah Girls** Amigas Cheetahs | The Cheetah Girls | songs about friendship and memories via TheCheetahGirlsVEVO “Amigas Cheetahs, friends for life. The rhythm and each other, that’s what keep us tight. Amigas Cheetahs, livin’ the dream. Nothing’s ever gonna come between us. Amigas.” Perhaps you and your friends have a big project you’re working on together. If so, you might want to add this song to your playlist. This track celebrates the fantastic experiences of good friends who share a common dream. 31. **Good Friends and a Glass of Wine, LeAnn Rimes** Good Friends and a Glass of Wine | LeAnn Rimes | pop songs about friendship via leannrimesofficial This song describes the kind of self-care a woman needs to avoid burnout. It is not an indulgence but a way of self-preservation. “A good friend and a glass of wine. Someone to say it’s gonna be alright. A good friend and a glass of wine. A little pick me up to get me through the night. We talk trash and we laugh and cry. That kind of therapy money can’t buy. Every now and then, every now and then every girl needs a good friend and a glass of wine.” 32. **Find Out Who Your Friends Are, Tracy Lawrence** Find Out Who Your Friends Are | Tracy Lawrence | bts songs about friendship via Tracy Lawrence “You find out who your friends are. Somebody’s gonna drop everything, run out and crank up their car, hit the gas, get there fast. Never stop to think, ‘What’s in it for me?’ or ‘It’s way too far.’ They just show up with their big old heart. You find out who your friends are.” Have you ever been in a situation that revealed who your true friends are? This song describes such a situation. Tracy Lawrence is convinced that real friends will come to your aid without hesitation. 33. **Oath, Cher Lloyd ft. Becky G** Oath | Cher Lloyd ft Becky G | songs about best friends via Cher Lloyd “Wherever you go just always remember that you got a home for now and forever. And if you get low just call me whenever. That is my oath to you. Wherever you go just always remember you’re never alone, we’re birds of a feather. And we’ll never change no matter the weather. This is my oath to you.” In this song, Cher Lloyd always vows to be available to help her friends when they need her. She’s willing to be a haven for the people she considers a part of her flock. 34. **These Are My Friends, lovelytheband** These Are My Friends | lovelytheband | r&b songs about friendship via lovelytheband “These are my friends, these are my friends. I love them, and they don’t care who you are. They don’t care what you do, no. These are my friends… I love them.” Not all friends are a good influence on us. This song is about accepting and loving these kinds of friends and treating these friendships with reverence. 35. **Count on Me, Bruno Mars** Count on Me | Bruno Mars | rock songs about friendship via Bruno Mars “You can count on me like one, two, three. I’ll be there. And I know when I need it, I can count on you like four, three, two. And you’ll be there. ‘Cause that’s what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah.” Here’s another song that reminds us of the give-and-take nature of friendship. Bruno Mars is confident his friends will be by his side when he needs them. In the same vein, he assures his friends that he’ll be present when they’re the ones in need. 36. **Lean on Me, Bill Withers** Lean on Me | Bill Withers | new songs about friendship via Bill Withers “Lean on me when you’re not strong and I’ll be your friend. I’ll help you carry on. For it won’t be long ’till I’m gonna need somebody to lean on.” Bill Withers also sings about the give-and-take in friendships. He reminds his friends that they can lean on him and that he will be their source of strength in low moments. In addition, he expresses confidence that, when the time comes and he needs support, his friends will be there, too. 37. **You’ve Got a Friend, Carole King** Youve Got a Friend | Carole King | songs about friendship and memories via Carole King “You just call out my name. And you know wherever I am, I’ll come runnin’ to see you again. Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call. And I’ll be there. You’ve got a friend.” This song was first recorded in 1971. Carole King wrote it after being inspired by the lyrics of James Taylor’s Fire and Rain. In this song, Carole King assures us that our friends will always be there for us. 38. **Best Friend, Brandy** Best Friend | Brandy | top songs about friendship via Brandy “Don’t know what I’d ever do without you. From the beginning to the end you’ve always been here right beside me. So, I’ll call you my best friend. Through the good times and the bad ones, whether I lose or if I win, I know one thing that never changes. And that’s you as my best friend.” Are you looking for a song that celebrates your friendship with your best friend? Here’s a touching track from Brandy. It is full of wonderful details about how a best friend can make a difference in a person’s life. 39. **I’m Only Me When I’m With You, Taylor Swift** Im Only Me When Im With You | Taylor Swift | songs about friendship taylor swift via Taylor Swift “I’m only up when you’re not down. Don’t wanna fly if you’re still on the ground. It’s like no matter what I do, well you drive me crazy half the time. The other half I’m only trying to let you know that what I feel is true. And I’m only me when I’m with you.” We often go through our days interacting with others without showing our authentic selves. Only when we’re in the presence of people we trust, such as our best friends, can we relax and express our true selves. Taylor Swift describes this duality in this touching single from her self-titled album released in 2007. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Best%20Songs%20About%20Friendship&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Best%20Songs%20About%20Friendship%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Best%20Songs%20About%20Friendship&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Best%20Songs%20About%20Friendship%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Best%20Songs%20About%20Friendship%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, friends, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Friends, #Friendship, #Songs --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - One Monkey Don't Stop No Show - 1998](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/30/video-bette-midler-one-monkey-dont-stop-no-show-1998/) **Published:** July 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performed “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show” at the 1998 Billboard Music Awards (held December 7, 1998, primarily at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show – 1998 By Mister D July 30, 2026 --- ![Woman smiling on stage wearing a black-and-white striped off-shoulder gown with feather detail at the neckline.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/497383744_1142210331283366_5413575195435375298_n.jpg "497383744_1142210331283366_5413575195435375298_n - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2016/12/11/betteback-sept-21-1998-bathhouse-betty-review/) performed “[**One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Monkey_Don%27t_Stop_No_Show_(song))” at the 1998 Billboard Music Awards (held December 7, 1998, primarily at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and broadcast on Fox). The song is a cover of the 1955 Big Maybelle R&B track (written by Charlie Singleton and Rose Marie McCoy; it was the B-side of her version of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”). It appears on Midler’s September 1998 album Bathhouse Betty (her Warner Bros. debut, which peaked at #32 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold). On the album, the track (produced by Ted Templeman) features the swing/rock band Royal Crown Revue; comments on performance footage note the same energetic backing and strong chemistry with a male singer during the awards show. Midler performed the uptempo, sassy number via satellite from the Hard Rock Hotel. She later appeared in person at the MGM Grand wearing a literal billboard of the Bathhouse Betty album cover and quipped something to the effect of: “Well, it’s the Billboard awards. So, I thought you’d like to take a peek at mine.” Hosts included Kathy Griffin (who introduced the performance) and Andy Dick; other performers that night included Whitney Houston, Natalie Imbruglia, Shania Twain, Usher, and the Backstreet Boys. The performance is available on YouTube (clips from fan/archive channels such as TheDivineBetteMidler and Bootleg Betty), and contemporary accounts and fan reactions describe it as a lively, classic Divine Miss M moment—catchy, full of attitude, and true to the song’s defiant “one setback won’t stop me” spirit. It fit the album’s mix of vintage covers and lighter material celebrating Midler’s early “Bathhouse Betty” persona from her Continental Baths days. **Sources:** Las Vegas Sun, Wikipedia, Bootleg Betty Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Monkey%20Don%27t%20Stop%20No%20Show%20-%201998&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Monkey%20Don%27t%20Stop%20No%20Show%20-%201998%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Monkey%20Don%27t%20Stop%20No%20Show%20-%201998&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Monkey%20Don%27t%20Stop%20No%20Show%20-%201998%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Monkey%20Don%27t%20Stop%20No%20Show%20-%201998%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Video **Tags:** #BathhouseBetty, #BetteMidler, #Billboard, #OneMonkeyDontStopNoShow --- ### [Audio: Inside Dylan & Midler’s 1975 Studio Clash](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/30/audio-inside-dylan-midlers-1975-studio-clash/) **Published:** July 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In October 1975, Bob Dylan dropped into the studio with Bette Midler to record a duet on ‘Buckets of Rain’ for her Songs for the New Depression album. **Content:** --- ## Dangerous Minds Inside Bob Dylan and Bette Midler’s wonderfully awkward 1975 recording session By Richard Metzger July 30, 2026 --- ![Smiling woman with curly hair beside a man wearing a large headset mic in a vintage photo.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Be-a-fly-on-the-wall-when-Bob-Dylan-and-Bette-Midler-went-into-the-studio-together-1975-Dangerous-Minds-1024x768.jpg "Be-a-fly-on-the-wall-when-bob-dylan-and-bette-midler-went-into-the-studio-together-1975-dangerous-minds - bootleg betty")--- --- I have a confession. I can happily listen to half an hour of musicians tuning guitars, chatting nonsense and trying to remember lyrics if somebody forgot to switch the tape recorder off. **Seriously.** Some of my favourite bootlegs aren’t the ones with the unreleased songs. They’re the ones where you hear Bob Dylan mumbling to somebody across the room, Keith Richards asking what key they’re in, or John Lennon making a joke that nobody outside the studio was ever supposed to hear. Those little moments make famous people seem human again. That’s exactly why this recording is such a treat. In October 1975, [**Bob Dylan** ](https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/bob-dylan-bette-midler-rare-studio-secret/)dropped into the studio with [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/songs-for-the-new-depression/) to record a duet on ‘Buckets of Rain’ for her Songs for the New Depression album. The finished version is lovely enough, but that’s not the reason people still talk about the session. Years later, almost 27 minutes of tape from that afternoon began circulating among Dylan collectors as part of Bob Dylan New York Sessions 1974-1975, and it’s one of those rare recordings that lets you feel like you’ve quietly wandered into the room while history’s happening. **According to the original bootleg notes:** “It opens with some upgrades of the original Blood on the Tracks sessions from September 1974, and progresses chronologically through some early Desire sessions, winding up to the main event: almost half an hour of never-heard October 1975 session outtakes of the recording of Bette Midler’s cover of ‘Buckets of Rain’ with Dylan, which would show up on her Songs for the New Depression album the following January.” October 1975 wasn’t exactly a quiet spell for Dylan. Blood on the Tracks had come out earlier that year, Desire was starting to take shape and the Rolling Thunder Revue was only weeks away from setting off across America. Somehow, in the middle of all that chaos, he found time to record with Midler. Apparently he enjoyed the experience enough that he wanted her to join Rolling Thunder as well, and honestly, she’d probably have slotted into that wonderfully unruly travelling circus without anybody batting an eyelid. The tape itself isn’t dramatic. Nobody storms out. Nobody smashes a guitar. That’s what makes it so enjoyable. It’s just people making a record. Midler worries over one particular lyric, though, admitting, “I can’t sing ‘I ain’t no monkey’”, but Dylan doesn’t laugh or tease her, and just nudges her along until she gives it a go. It’s such a small exchange you’d never think twice about it, but those are exactly the moments that disappear once an album has been polished, mixed and released. Moogy Klingman is at the piano throughout, keeping everything gently ticking over, and before long the session wanders off in an entirely different direction. Dylan suddenly launches into Smokey Robinson and The Miracles’ ‘You Really Got a Hold on Me’, singing with far more gusto than you’d probably expect from an informal rehearsal, while Midler happily joins in. Then, because musicians love gossip almost as much as they love making music, the conversation takes another turn. Midler mentions Paul Simon, sounding more than a little irritated that he refuses to speak to her. “This’ll show him!” A few minutes later Patti Smith catches a stray bullet too. “At least I can sing in tune!” That line sent me down a rabbit hole because I’d completely forgotten about the long-running friction between the two women. Patti later told Barry Miles that Midler once threw a beer in her face during a Dylan-related gathering in New York around the same time. Whether that was professional rivalry, personality clashes or something a little more romantic is anyone’s guess. Midler would later admit she’d got to “first base” with Dylan in the back of his Cadillac, so you can draw your own conclusions. Dylan had a habit of collecting fascinating people around him in the mid-70s, and every now and then those personalities inevitably collided. Nobody’s claiming these recordings belong alongside Highway 61 Revisited or Blood on the Tracks, and that’s the real attraction: getting to spend half an hour in the company of Dylan and Midler before anybody remembers there’s an audience waiting outside. They’re trying ideas, joking around, drifting into old soul songs, chatting about other musicians and generally behaving like people who have no idea somebody will still be listening 50 years later. So if you’ve ever wondered what it might have been like to pull up a chair in the corner of a New York recording studio while Bob Dylan and Bette Midler made a record together, this bootleg is about as close as you’re ever going to get. And, personally, I’ll take 27 minutes of this over another slickly narrated rock documentary any day. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Inside%20Dylan%20%26%20Midler%E2%80%99s%201975%20Studio%20Clash&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Inside%20Dylan%20%26%20Midler%E2%80%99s%201975%20Studio%20Clash%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Inside%20Dylan%20%26%20Midler%E2%80%99s%201975%20Studio%20Clash&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Inside%20Dylan%20%26%20Midler%E2%80%99s%201975%20Studio%20Clash%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Inside%20Dylan%20%26%20Midler%E2%80%99s%201975%20Studio%20Clash%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Songs For The New Depression **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BobDylan, #BucketsOfRain, #Duet, #SongsForTheNewDepressiom, #Studio --- ### [Bette Midler Questions Outrage Over Netanyahu Arrest Warrant](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/30/bette-midler-questions-outrage-over-netanyahu-arrest-warrant/) **Published:** July 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler has sparked fresh debate on social media after questioning the public outrage over the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, **Content:** --- ## International Business Times Bette Midler Questions Outrage Over Netanyahu Arrest Warrant By Anton Arandia July 30, 2026 --- ![Woman in a lime-green jacket and black scarf sits pensively with her chin resting on her hand at an outdoor event.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/63813bd3a2f1c4d95c98c57c9716b982.jpg "63813bd3a2f1c4d95c98c57c9716b982 - bootleg betty") --- Actress and singer [**Bette Midler**](https://celebwikicorner.com/biography/bette-midler) has sparked fresh debate on social media after questioning the public outrage over the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israeli [**Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Netanyahu) while drawing comparisons to the United States’ actions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Her remarks, shared on Instagram, quickly divided opinion online, with supporters backing her call for consistency in international justice and critics arguing the two cases are not directly comparable. **What Did Bette Midler Say?** In her post, Midler questioned why some people expressed outrage over the possibility of action against Israel’s leadership while appearing to support US efforts targeting Venezuela’s president. ‘I love how everyone is appalled at the very concept of arresting the President of Israel, like we didn’t black-bag the President of Venezuela earlier this year,’ her post read. She suggested that if governments and international bodies are prepared to pursue legal action against some world leaders, similar standards should be applied consistently regardless of political alliances. The post spread rapidly across both Instagram and Reddit, where it prompted a wave of responses from users on both sides of the debate. Some agreed with Midler’s argument that international justice should be applied equally, while others argued that the legal and political circumstances surrounding each case are fundamentally different. User Dizchanted said, ‘THANK YOU BETTE for calling him out. Please help keep the world on the right side of history.’ Esteves Laura, another user, made it into a race issue, saying ‘He’s brown, speaks Spanish, and is Latin. That’s all they needed’ – referring to Venezuela’s ousted leader. The post shared by Midler is actually not from her and was posted on X by Harrison Smith. **The Legal Background** Midler’s comments reference separate legal and diplomatic matters involving Israel and Venezuela. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the conflict in Gaza. Israel rejects the allegations, and both Israeli officials have criticised the ICC’s decision. The court also issued a warrant for Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif over alleged crimes connected to the conflict. Meanwhile, the United States has for years imposed sanctions on Nicolás Maduro’s government and has pursued criminal charges against the Venezuelan president. US authorities have accused Maduro of narcoterrorism and other offences, allegations he has consistently denied. Although Midler compared the public reaction to these situations, the cases involve different legal systems, jurisdictions and underlying allegations. **Online Reactions Remain Divided** As with many posts concerning the Israel-Gaza conflict, Midler’s comments quickly divided opinion online. Supporters argued that her remarks highlighted the importance of applying international law consistently, regardless of whether the accused is an ally or an adversary. Critics, however, said comparing the ICC’s actions with US criminal proceedings against Maduro ignored significant legal and geopolitical differences. Others argued that social media discussions often reduce complex international issues to simple political talking points. The debate reflects broader disagreements over how international institutions should investigate alleged crimes committed during armed conflicts and whether powerful nations are held to the same standards as smaller states. **Another Celebrity Enters a Heated Global Debate** Midler is among a growing number of high-profile entertainers who have publicly commented on the war in Gaza and international responses to the conflict. Celebrity interventions have frequently generated significant attention online, often extending political debates far beyond traditional news audiences. Her latest comments have once again demonstrated how statements from well-known public figures can rapidly become part of wider conversations about international justice, diplomacy and global politics. While supporters and critics continue to argue over Midler’s comparison, her post has reignited discussion about the consistency in the application of international law and whether the same legal standards should apply to political leaders around the world. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Questions%20Outrage%20Over%20Netanyahu%20Arrest%20Warrant&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Questions%20Outrage%20Over%20Netanyahu%20Arrest%20Warrant%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Questions%20Outrage%20Over%20Netanyahu%20Arrest%20Warrant&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Questions%20Outrage%20Over%20Netanyahu%20Arrest%20Warrant%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Questions%20Outrage%20Over%20Netanyahu%20Arrest%20Warrant%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Politics **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Debate, #Instagram, #Netanyahu, #Politics --- ### [Why Bette Midler Turned Down Misery & Sister Act](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/29/why-bette-midler-turned-down-misery-sister-act/) **Published:** July 29, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler says she turned down Misery over concerns about audiences associating her with the film’s violent scenes **Content:** --- ## People Bette Midler Shares Why She Turned Down “Misery”, “Sister Act” By Virginia Chamlee July 29, 2026 --- ![Smiling woman wearing a red hat with bee decoration and a red scarf, against a floral backdrop.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/abe568aa86bebe83d4f217d18baa2e24.jpg "Abe568aa86bebe83d4f217d18baa2e24 - bootleg betty") --- [Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/sister-act/) says she turned down Misery over concerns about audiences associating her with the film’s violent scenes She declined Sister Act because she thought her fans wouldn’t want to see her in a nun’s habit Both films became major hits, with Sister Act earning nearly $300 million worldwide and Misery winning Kathy Bates an Oscar Bette Midler is opening up about turning down the lead roles in two successful films. Midler, 80, turned down the role of Deloris Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence in the 1992 comedy Sister Act, which was famously played by Whoopi Goldberg, as well as Kathy Bates’ iconic role in 1990’s Misery, for which she won the Best Actress Academy Award. Speaking to Rolling Stone, the actress and singer shared her reasoning for turning down the films. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. “I turned down [**Misery**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misery_(film)),”Midler acknowledged. “I \[didn’t\] think I wanted to have it on film that I cut off someone’s foot, because audiences identify the actor with the event. My husband still says I’m a damn fool.” She continued: “And I turned down Sister Act because I said, ‘My fans don’t want to see me in a wimple.’ And Whoopi \[Goldberg\] said, ‘Bring on the goddamn wimple.’ ” Sister Act and its 1993 sequel, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, made close to $300 million combined in theaters worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Midler, of course, has had a storied career all her own. The Academy Award nominee (for 1979’s The Rose and 1991’s For the Boys) has appeared in several notable films, including 1988’s Beaches, 1993’s Hocus Pocus, and 1996’s The First Wives Club, while her biggest musical hits include signature chart-toppers like “Wind Beneath My Wings,” “The Rose,” and “From a Distance.” Midler recently reunited with her Beaches costar Barbara Hershey, sharing an Instagram post on Thursday, Feb. 26, of the two. “It’s a BEACHES reunion! Here I am with the great Barbara Hershey! We go back a-ways!!!” Midler captioned the post. The pair costarred in the film in 1988, which was adapted from the 1985 New York Times-bestselling novel of the same name by Iris Rainer Dart. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Why%20Bette%20Midler%20Turned%20Down%20Misery%20%26%20Sister%20Act&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Why%20Bette%20Midler%20Turned%20Down%20Misery%20%26%20Sister%20Act%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Why%20Bette%20Midler%20Turned%20Down%20Misery%20%26%20Sister%20Act&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Why%20Bette%20Midler%20Turned%20Down%20Misery%20%26%20Sister%20Act%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Why%20Bette%20Midler%20Turned%20Down%20Misery%20%26%20Sister%20Act%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Misery, #SisterAct --- ### [The Divine Miss M Fansite: Bette Midler - In The Cool, Cool Of The Evening](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/29/the-divine-miss-m-fansite-bette-midler-in-the-cool-cool-of-the-evening/) **Published:** July 29, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Divine Miss M Fansite: Bette Midler - In The Cool, Cool Of The Evening **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Divine Miss M Fansite: Bette Midler – In The Cool, Cool Of The Evening By The Divine Miss M Fan Site July 29, 2026 --- ![Glamorous woman in a large red fur hat and coat posing against a sunset background with bright multicolored text across the image.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-28_11-20-24.png "2026-07-28_11-20-24 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20The%20Cool%2C%20Cool%20Of%20The%20Evening&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20The%20Cool%2C%20Cool%20Of%20The%20Evening%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20The%20Cool%2C%20Cool%20Of%20The%20Evening&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20The%20Cool%2C%20Cool%20Of%20The%20Evening%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20The%20Cool%2C%20Cool%20Of%20The%20Evening%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Music, Songs, The Divine Miss M Fan Site **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #InTheCoolCool OfTheEvening, #The DivineMiss M Fansite, Audio --- ### [Hulaween is October 23, 2026 At The Glass House](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/28/hulaween-is-october-23-2026-at-the-glass-house/) **Published:** July 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** NYRP’s legendary Hulaween gala returns this October with Hulaween on Horror Reef: Monsters of the Deep. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Hulaween is October 23, 2026 At The Glass House By Mister D July 27, 2026 --- ![Banner for New York Restoration Project's Hulaween on Horror Reef: Monsters of the Deep, showing underwater creatures, coral, and a mermaid against a blue reef background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Hero-Banner_Hulaween_2026-1024x412.jpg "Hero-banner_hulaween_2026 - bootleg betty")--- NYRP’s legendary [**Hulaween**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/hulaween/) gala returns this October with *Hulaween on Horror Reef: Monsters of the Deep*. Journey beneath the waves into an immersive realm of mysterious sea creatures, haunting beauty, and unforgettable performances, while supporting our work to create a greener, more resilient New York City. **Date & Time** October 23, 2026 7:00 p.m. **Location** The Glasshouse 660 12th Ave, New York, NY 10019 **A Signature NYRP Celebration** Hulaween is NYRP’s signature fall gala—an immersive celebration that brings together New York City’s philanthropic, creative, and civic communities in support of green space, community, and the transformative power of nature. This year’s theme invites guests to descend into a haunting underwater world where eerie sea creatures, sunken wonders, and oceanic legends inspire an evening of spectacular décor, festive cocktails, and captivating entertainment. Proceeds from Hulaween support [**New York Restoration Project’s**](https://www.nyrp.org/en/) essential work across the five boroughs, helping steward parks and community gardens, plant and distribute trees, and create greener, healthier neighborhoods for all New Yorkers. Musical Guests have not been announced yet. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Hulaween%20is%20October%2023%2C%202026%20At%20The%20Glass%20House&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Hulaween%20is%20October%2023%2C%202026%20At%20The%20Glass%20House%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Hulaween%20is%20October%2023%2C%202026%20At%20The%20Glass%20House&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Hulaween%20is%20October%2023%2C%202026%20At%20The%20Glass%20House%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Hulaween%20is%20October%2023%2C%202026%20At%20The%20Glass%20House%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hulaween, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HoroorReef, #Hulaween, #MomstersOfTheDeep, #NYRP, #TheGlassHouse --- ### [How a million trees are cooling a city from extreme heat](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/26/how-a-million-trees-are-cooling-a-city-from-extreme-heat/) **Published:** July 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The effort was driven by a partnership between New York City Parks and the New York Restoration Project, founded by singer and environmental activist Bette Midler. **Content:** --- ## Business Today New York’s $400 million climate bet: How a million trees are cooling a city from extreme heat By Staff July 27, 2026 --- ![Aerial view of Central Park in Manhattan with the lake, trees, and surrounding city skyline.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-26_15-13-33.png "2026-07-26_15-13-33 - bootleg betty")--- New York’s $400 million climate bet: How a million trees are cooling a city the city from extreme heat Rather than stopping after one million trees, New York has shifted its focus toward preserving mature trees while expanding canopy coverage even further. City leaders have set an ambitious goal of increasing tree canopy to around 30% by 2040. New York’s $400 million climate bet: How a million trees are cooling a city the city from extreme heat As climate change fuels longer and more intense heatwaves, the project’s impact is becoming increasingly visible. As cities across the world grapple with record-breaking temperatures, New York’s bold environmental experiment is drawing fresh attention. Between 2007 and 2015, the city planted one million trees across its five boroughs under the MillionTreesNYC initiative — a nearly $400 million campaign aimed at making one of the world’s most densely populated cities cooler, greener and more resilient. More than a decade later, as climate change fuels longer and more intense heatwaves, the project’s impact is becoming increasingly visible. Mature tree canopies now shade streets that once baked under relentless summer sun, helping combat the urban heat island effect while improving air quality and public health. The campaign has also become a model for cities looking for nature-based solutions to rising temperatures. **More than just planting trees** The initiative wasn’t simply about increasing greenery. It sought to transform New York’s urban landscape by planting trees in parks, along streets, in schools, public housing complexes and underserved neighbourhoods that historically had little shade. The effort was driven by a partnership between New York City Parks and the [**New York Restoration Project**](https://www.nyrp.org/en/ways-to-give/hulaween/), founded by singer and environmental activist [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/nyrp/). The goal of planting one million trees was achieved ahead of schedule in 2015. **Why trees matter in a warming world** Cities are significantly hotter than surrounding rural areas because asphalt, concrete and buildings absorb and retain heat — a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect. **Trees help counter this in two important ways:** Their canopies block direct sunlight from reaching roads and buildings. Through evapotranspiration, trees release moisture into the air, naturally lowering surrounding temperatures. According to New York City officials, expanding tree canopy reduces cooling costs, filters pollutants from the air, captures stormwater and provides major public health benefits. The city’s urban forest now delivers an estimated $120 million in environmental and economic benefits every year. **A question of climate justice** One of the biggest lessons from the project has been that not all neighborhoods experience heat equally. Studies have shown that lower-income communities and neighborhoods with fewer trees often record much higher summer temperatures and experience greater health risks during heatwaves. Recognizing this, New York’s recent urban forestry strategy prioritizes planting in heat-vulnerable areas to reduce inequality in climate resilience. Rather than stopping after one million trees, New York has shifted its focus toward preserving mature trees while expanding canopy coverage even further. City leaders have set an ambitious goal of increasing tree canopy to around 30% by 2040, with new investments targeted at neighborhoods most exposed to extreme heat. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20a%20million%20trees%20are%20cooling%20a%20city%20from%20extreme%20heat&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20a%20million%20trees%20are%20cooling%20a%20city%20from%20extreme%20heat%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20a%20million%20trees%20are%20cooling%20a%20city%20from%20extreme%20heat&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20a%20million%20trees%20are%20cooling%20a%20city%20from%20extreme%20heat%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20a%20million%20trees%20are%20cooling%20a%20city%20from%20extreme%20heat%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, MillionTtreesNYC, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Cooling, #Heat, #MillionTrees, #NYRP, #Trees --- ### [A BonBon Video: Bette Midler - Set ' Em Up, Joe!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/26/a-bonbon-video-bette-midler-set-em-up-joe/) **Published:** July 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A BonBon Video: Bette Midler - Set ' Em Up, Joe! **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon A BonBon Video: Bette Midler – Set ‘ Em Up, Joe! By Boodles BonBon July 26, 2026 --- ![Female performer with short curly blonde hair in a gold sequin jacket, smiling and cupping her ear while performing on a dark stage.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-26_14-04-27.png "2026-07-26_14-04-27 - bootleg betty") --- --- “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)” — a torch?song showstopper that Bette revived during the Divine Miss Millennium Tour (1999–2000), after first making it legendary on Johnny Carson’s penultimate Tonight Show in 1992. It later appeared on Experience the Divine: Greatest Hits (1993), where it was the one new recording added to the compilation. During the Divine Miss Millennium concerts, Bette used “One for My Baby” as one of her moody, intimate torch?song moments — a contrast to the camp, comedy, and big?band numbers that defined the rest of the show. The tour leaned heavily on nostalgia, legacy, and her “Divine Miss M” persona, so reviving this number made perfect emotional sense. **Her Emmy-winning performance** on Carson’s show cemented it as one of her most beloved interpretations. It’s one of the few standards she fully “claimed” as her own, the way she did with “The Rose” or “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Set%20%27%20Em%20Up%2C%20Joe%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Set%20%27%20Em%20Up%2C%20Joe%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Set%20%27%20Em%20Up%2C%20Joe%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Set%20%27%20Em%20Up%2C%20Joe%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Set%20%27%20Em%20Up%2C%20Joe%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Boodles BonBon, #OneMoreForTheRoad, #SetEmUpJoe, Video --- ### [Hocus Pocus Turns 33 — The Classic That Wouldn’t Die](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/26/hocus-pocus-turns-33-the-classic-that-wouldnt-die/) **Published:** July 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The movie never got better. It got familiar, which turned out to be worth more. **Content:** --- ## Horror [Hocus Pocus at 33: The Halloween Classic That Refused to Stay Dead](https://ihorror.com/hocus-pocus-33-anniversary-halloween-classic/) By Luna Gray July 26, 2026 --- ![Four stylized witches stand in a smoky, gold-lit backdrop; five circular headshots of the cast line the bottom of the image.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/bef0465e3f4468a6ae6831f7887f5297.jpg "Bef0465e3f4468a6ae6831f7887f5297 - bootleg betty") --- Somewhere in the Disney vaults sits a 1993 ledger listing Hocus Pocus as a disappointment, and somewhere in Salem right now a tour guide is pointing at a house because of it. Few movies have a resume this contradictory. A Halloween institution, a costume industry, a tourism engine, and a genuine piece of shared American ritual all grew out of a witch comedy that critics shrugged at and Disney released, for reasons that remain eternally funny, in the middle of July. Thirty-three years ago today, on July 16, 1993, the Sanderson sisters flew into theaters during the same summer as Jurassic Park. It went about how you’d expect. The film opened in fourth place, fell out of the top ten within two weeks, and finished its run just under 40 million dollars against a 28 million dollar budget. Reviews ranged from indulgent to unkind. Variety found the tone inconsistent, describing the coven as veering between menace and a comedic sort of Three Stooges on broomsticks.” Director Kenny Ortega has said he walked away believing his filmmaking career might be over. Nobody involved in the summer of 1993 was planning a legacy. **The Slow Resurrection Nobody Planned** **What saved Hocus Pocus was not a critical reappraisal. It was a television schedule.** ![Three witches in colorful capes flying on broomsticks against a full moon and night sky, a fantasy-themed poster image.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/d23f651ddbc928c03425336ff0c88b17-980x1024.jpg "D23f651ddbc928c03425336ff0c88b17 - bootleg betty")The film hit VHS in early 1994 and settled into the exact ecosystem where it made sense: October. Disney Channel airings, then the Family Channel, then ABC Family’s 13 Nights of Halloween, which eventually swelled into Freeform’s 31 Nights, turned a summer misfire into seasonal furniture. Every year the movie aired, and aired, and aired, and every year a new batch of kids caught it on a school night with a bowl of candy corn and filed it somewhere permanent. Home video sales started spiking each fall like clockwork. The movie never got better. It got familiar, which turned out to be worth more. This is why millennials in particular treat the film as scripture. Most of us never saw it in a theater. We met it at home, in pajamas, repeatedly, at the age when repetition is the whole point of loving something. A movie you watch once is an opinion. A movie you watch every October for fifteen years is a calendar. Christmas figured this out decades earlier, when television repetition transformed It’s a Wonderful Life from a faded release into a national tradition, and Hocus Pocus quietly performed the same trick for the other end of the holiday season. Halloween didn’t really have an appointment movie for families before this one. Now the genre of “we watch it every year” horror-adjacent comfort viewing basically orbits it. **Three Witches Doing All the Heavy Lifting** ![Three witches in emerald-green and purple robes strike dramatic poses in a spooky forest set, with a small carved pumpkin in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/4fad854def923fd42976d3241985c08c.jpg "4fad854def923fd42976d3241985c08c - bootleg betty") Be honest about what everyone actually remembers, though. It is not the plot, a serviceable kids-versus-witches chase written by Mick Garris and Neil Cuthbert. Bette Midler’s Winifred is a full theatrical creation, all buck teeth and wounded vanity, treating seventeenth-century witchcraft like a nightclub residency and pausing the villainy to perform I Put a Spell on You as a legitimate showstopper. Sarah Jessica Parker plays Sarah as something genuinely stranger, a dreamy predator drifting through scenes on pure appetite, and her Come Little Children lure remains the most quietly unsettling thing in the movie. Kathy Najimy’s Mary is the middle child as middle manager, sniffing out children and validating Winifred’s every mood with the desperation of an employee up for review. The sisters are more vivid than the film around them, which is not an insult. It is the entire mechanism. Kids came back yearly for the witches, not the exposition. And the movie those witches inhabit is darker than its reputation admits. The opening sequence drains the life out of a small girl, turns her brother into an immortal cat, and then hangs all three protagonists, on camera, in a Disney family film’s first ten minutes. Billy Butcherson claws out of his grave with his lips sewn shut, a zombie played by a young Doug Jones years before Guillermo del Toro made him famous, and the moths that fly out of his mouth were real, a detail we’ve never emotionally recovered from. The central threat is witches sucking the life force out of children to stay young, which is fairy-tale grim in the oldest sense. Then there is the script’s inexplicable obsession with Max’s virginity, a running gag repeated so often that generations of parents have had to improvise explanations mid-viewing. **The Ritual Is the Point** Disney eventually noticed what October had built. The Sanderson cottage became an Airbnb attraction near Salem\[ the sisters headline theme park shows, and Hocus Pocus 2 finally arrived on Disney+ in September 2022, twenty-nine years after the original, promptly setting streaming records and putting a third film into development. The sequel was pleasant enough. It also proved, mostly by contrast, that the original’s power was never really replicable on demand. You cannot manufacture twenty-nine years of Octobers. That is the actual lesson of this anniversary, and it is worth sitting with as the original Hollywood Reporter review, which cheerfully predicted a Halloween in July for Disney, gets proven right on a thirty-year delay. Classics are not certified by critics or opening weekends. They are voted into existence by repetition, by affection, by siblings quoting the same lines every fall and strangers recognizing a costume from across a party. Hocus Pocus endured because millions of people kept a small appointment with it, year after year, until the appointment itself became the tradition. The critics of 1993 were not wrong about the movie. They were just reviewing the wrong thing. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Hocus%20Pocus%20Turns%2033%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Classic%20That%20Wouldn%E2%80%99t%20Die&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Hocus%20Pocus%20Turns%2033%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Classic%20That%20Wouldn%E2%80%99t%20Die%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Hocus%20Pocus%20Turns%2033%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Classic%20That%20Wouldn%E2%80%99t%20Die&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Hocus%20Pocus%20Turns%2033%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Classic%20That%20Wouldn%E2%80%99t%20Die%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Hocus%20Pocus%20Turns%2033%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Classic%20That%20Wouldn%E2%80%99t%20Die%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2, Hocus Pocus 3, Movies **Tags:** #Bettezmidler, #Hocus Pocus 3, #HocusPocus, #kathynajimy, #Movie, SarahJessicaParker --- ### [The Classic ’80s Film That Made Mayim Bialik a Star](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/25/the-classic-80s-film-that-made-mayim-bialik-a-star/) **Published:** July 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** While she was most known for her leading role in the '90s sitcom "Blossom" (which was referenced in the first season of "The Big Bang Theory" ahead of Bialik's casting), her big break had been a captivating role two years prior. Playing the 11-year-old version of Bette Midler's character, C.C., in the 1988 drama "Beaches," **Content:** --- ## The List Not Blossom: Mayim Bialik Got Her Big Break In This Classic ’80s Tearjerker By Alia Ayoubi July 25, 2026 --- ![Meme with two side-by-side photos of a woman with curly red hair, top caption jokes about a perfect celebrity look-alike casting.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/images-3.jpg "Images 3 - bootleg betty") Welcome to The Big Break, a column where The List staff looks back at how this week’s headline-grabbing star made their claim to fame. Of all of the most memorable and popular sitcoms airing in the late 2000s, “The Big Bang Theory” stands apart for so many different reasons. Revered for its nerdy-first sarcastic comedy, loveable characters played by talented actors are truly the heart of the series. [**Mayim Bialik**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/07/21/mayim-bialik-2/) made her first appearance as Amy Farrah Fowler during the Season 3 finale, but she had been working in Hollywood decades before the show’s premiere. While she was most known for her leading role in the ’90s sitcom “Blossom” (which was referenced in the first season of “The Big Bang Theory” ahead of Bialik’s casting), her big break had been a captivating role two years prior. Playing the 11-year-old version of Bette Midler’s character, C.C., in the 1988 drama “[**Beaches**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaches_(1988_film)),” the young actor found herself in her most captivating role yet. Bialik has had quite the transformation since this role, but there’s no mistaking her, even dressed-up as Midler’s mini-me. The “Hocus Pocus” actor told People in a 2024 interview that she saw Bialik’s potential from the role, even going further to claim, “Sometimes I feel that she was responsible for the success of that movie. I don’t think that they could even believe how similar to me in quality she \[was\], how much like my quality she managed to capture.” **Mayim Bialik has fond memories from the set of Beaches** While the neuroscientist and actor Mayim Bialik hasn’t had a long stint on a sitcom since “The Big Bang Theory” concluded in 2019, she still remains active in Hollywood. Upon the 30th anniversary of “Beaches” in 2018, the actor shared some personal anecdotes from the set in an article for her website, Grok Nation. The role wasn’t without a fair share of supervision, as she explained how, “The director, Garry Marshall, and Bette had to approve everything about me for the movie. Bette didn’t like how elaborate the initial choreography was of my singing/dancing number; she herself re-did it and taught me the moves you see in the final movie.” The movie was also filmed during a particularly warm summer. Bialik recalled the difficulty of performing in her red curly wig (which inspired a dye job during her university years) and wrote, “… early mornings on set sitting in the wig chair for a solid hour and make up for another hour or so coupled with long days in the heat were hard for a 12-year-old — I needed to nap!” Indeed, despite living a life of luxury today, Bialik managed to have a pretty average childhood despite her unconventional career. In a June 2026 interview with “Second Thought With Suzy Weiss,” the “Blossom” actor said, “But for my personality, I think a lot of normal came from my parents being very fastidious about academics, being very fastidious about me not getting a swelled head … I still did chores, I still did homework. I still had to have all those things.” Luckily, her real-life aptitude and levelheadedness would give way to one of her most beloved roles. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Classic%20%E2%80%9980s%20Film%20That%20Made%20Mayim%20Bialik%20a%20Star&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Classic%20%E2%80%9980s%20Film%20That%20Made%20Mayim%20Bialik%20a%20Star%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Classic%20%E2%80%9980s%20Film%20That%20Made%20Mayim%20Bialik%20a%20Star&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Classic%20%E2%80%9980s%20Film%20That%20Made%20Mayim%20Bialik%20a%20Star%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Classic%20%E2%80%9980s%20Film%20That%20Made%20Mayim%20Bialik%20a%20Star%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Classic, #MayimBialik, #Movie, #Star --- ### [Steps - A Fairy Tale Only Netflix Would Dare](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/23/steps-a-fairy-tale-only-netflix-would-dare/) **Published:** July 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Netflix has an upcoming fairy tale movie that looks so good, it’s hard to believe it isn’t a Disney movie. **Content:** --- ## ScreenRant Netflix’s Upcoming Fairy Tale Movie Is An ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Not Disney’ Moment By Adrienne Tyler July 23, 2026 --- ![Stylized black 'STEPS' logo on white background, with a dark gradient bar below displaying the word 'Steps'.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-23_13-56-20.png "2026-07-23_13-56-20 - bootleg betty") --- [**Netflix** ](https://www.netflix.com/)has an upcoming fairy tale movie that looks so good, it’s hard to believe it isn’t a Disney movie. Despite some heavy competition nowadays, Netflix is still one of the biggest and most popular streaming platforms. Netflix continues to offer a wide variety of licensed content along with original projects, of which some now rank among the best movies of all time. Netflix has covered a range of genres with its original movies, and it has slowly but surely built its reputation in animation. Some movies under the Netflix Original banner that are considered among the best of all time are Klaus and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, and the streamer had a huge year in animation in 2025 thanks to KPop Demon Hunters. Now, Netflix has a new animated movie coming in 2026 thanks to [**Steps**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/steps/), directed by Alyce Tzue and John Ripa. Unlike most of Netflix’s animated movies so far, Steps is a fairy tale, making it the biggest Disney competition in 2026. If there’s one thing that has to be praised about Netflix’s animated movies is that they have different designs and animation styles, unlike the biggest animation studios that have a specific style that makes them instantly recognizable. Steps is no exception, and its fairy tale story, animation, and tone make it hard to believe it’s not a Disney movie, which speaks volumes about it even before its release, and is great news for Netflix’s animation branch. **Steps Can Continue Netflix’s Animation Domination** Loosely based on Charles Perrault’s classic fairy tale Cinderella, Steps is a completely different take on the famous tale. Instead of following Cinderella and her journey from being abused by her stepmother and stepsister to marrying the prince, Steps focuses on her stepsisters. In this version, the stepsisters’ names are Lilith (voiced by Ali Wong) and Margot (Stephanie Hsu), and it all starts when Lilith steals the Fairy Godmother’s wand, and so she and Margot take over the Royal Ball. As a result, the throne is taken by the tyrannical Priscilla (Nikki Glaser), dooming the kingdom. Lilith, then, must team up with Cinderella (Seyfried) and Margot (who is turned into a frog) to fight trolls and Lilith’s henchmen so they can escape the Screaming Woods and save the kingdom. In this version, the stepsisters aren’t evil, and though their actions aren’t exactly good at the beginning, they get their redemption. The first images from Steps (via Netflix Tudum) give a good look at the movie’s design, very fitting with animated fairy tales, and some are even reminiscent of some Disney characters (Cinderella looks a bit like Tangled’s Rapunzel in those images, and the Prince looks like the good-guy version of Frozen’s Hans). Steps also has a star-studded cast, with the talents of Daniel Radcliffe, Peter Dinklage, Young Mazino, and more, which further adds to the “I can’t believe it’s not Disney” feeling – and that’s great for Steps. As good as Disney’s animated works still are, it was about time that it got some serious competition. Studios like Illumination, DreamWorks, and Sony Pictures Animation have become their own thing, but Netflix has the potential to become the real competition. Netflix has taken a bit longer to establish itself in the field of animation, but it made a huge impact in 2025 with KPop Demon Hunters. The movie was a worldwide phenomenon, giving Netflix the recognition it deserved in animation and the confidence it needed. KPop Demon Hunters marked a new era for Netflix, and Steps can carry on with that success and maintain the platform’s current popularity in animation. A huge advantage that Steps has is that it stars well-known characters, which is already a big draw for the audience, but it’s offering something new and some big twists to keep viewers engaged. Steps can further establish Netflix as an animation studio to look out for, proving that it can do a variety of animated stories with high quality, in different styles, and with fun stories. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Steps%20-%20A%20Fairy%20Tale%20Only%20Netflix%20Would%20Dare&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Steps%20-%20A%20Fairy%20Tale%20Only%20Netflix%20Would%20Dare%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Steps%20-%20A%20Fairy%20Tale%20Only%20Netflix%20Would%20Dare&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Steps%20-%20A%20Fairy%20Tale%20Only%20Netflix%20Would%20Dare%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Steps%20-%20A%20Fairy%20Tale%20Only%20Netflix%20Would%20Dare%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Animated, Bette Midler, Movies, NetFlix, Steps **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Disney, #FairyTale, #Netflix, Steps --- ### [15 Comics Who Ruled the ’80s](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/23/15-comics-who-ruled-the-80s/) **Published:** July 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** No era in Hollywood history delivered big laughs and larger-than-life personalities quite like the 1980s. **Content:** --- ## Closer 15 Comedy Legends Who Made the ’80s So Much Fun By Lauren Kirk July 23, 2026 --- ![Portrait of a stylish woman with blonde hair, wearing a black blazer and white blouse, smiling with her hands near her chin.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/e89bf36008194a6364bbe5dccf4d84df.jpg "E89bf36008194a6364bbe5dccf4d84df - bootleg betty") --- No era in Hollywood history delivered big laughs and larger-than-life personalities quite like the 1980s. A golden age of comedy, this decade gave rise to a cast of unforgettable legends — performers whose jokes, movies, and TV shows still leave us smiling. These comedy icons not only entertained millions but also redefined what it meant to make people laugh, both on stage and on screen. **Rodney Dangerfield** Iconic for his “I don’t get no respect!” catchphrase, Rodney Dangerfield’s self-deprecating humor brought a unique charm to stages and screens alike. The comedian’s signature catchphrase grew out of a joke about playing hide-and-seek as a kid, and his aptly titled comedy album, No Respect, even won a Grammy Award in 1981, according to Biography. He became a household name thanks to his memorable turns in films like Caddyshack and his relentless, quick-witted stand-up monologues. That breakout role led him to further film work in Easy Money in 1983 and Back to School in 1986, along with 1994’s Natural Born Killers. The comedy world was never the same after Rodney dazzled audiences with his lessons on life and laughter. **Paul Reubens** Paul Reubens introduced the world to the delightfully eccentric Pee-wee Herman, a character who launched a beloved kids’ show and multiple films. He scraped together $5,000 from his parents to mount a live stage show, The Pee-wee Herman Show, as reported by Collider. With a singular style and infectious silliness, Reubens captured the imagination of kids and adults, turning the playhouse into comedy gold. When the resulting children’s series hit the airwaves in 1986, it was a jarring departure from typical television programming of its era, as reported by NBC News. Pee-wee’s legacy as a cult favorite still endures as a joyful mark of ’80s pop culture. **Whoopi Goldberg** Whoopi Goldberg became one of entertainment’s most celebrated multitalents. She captivated audiences with her fearless wit and unmistakable stage presence. Whether delivering sharp comedy or dramatic performances, she built a career defined by versatility and authenticity. Her remarkable achievements place her among the rare performers to earn an EGOT. In 2002, she received a Daytime Emmy as a producer of a documentary special, then later that year secured a Tony Award for producing the Broadway musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, officially completing the prestigious EGOT milestone, per Britannica. Her versatile roles, including the hilarious and uplifting Sister Act (1992), cemented her as a comedy legend. **Eddie Murphy** Eddie Murphy exploded onto the comedy scene with a charisma and confidence that quickly made him one of the biggest stars of the 1980s. At just 19 years old, he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live during one of the show’s most uncertain periods, and his breakout performances are widely credited with revitalizing the series, according to Biography. He soon carried that momentum to the big screen, headlining blockbuster hits like Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America with his blend of quick wit and unforgettable characters. Beverly Hills Cop became the highest-grossing movie of 1984 after its December release, cementing Murphy’s place as one of the decade’s defining comedy icons. **Billy Crystal** With a sharp tongue and a knack for physical comedy, Billy Crystal made his mark as both a performer and an awards show host. He hosted the Academy Awards nine times, making the demanding gig look effortless, as reported by Film Stories. Known for memorable film roles and improv wit, Crystal charmed viewers from the stage to the big screen. His memorable performances in comedy films and television alike remain influential touchstones for anyone who loves a great punchline. **Martin Short** Martin Short brought an infectious energy and a flair for the absurd to every sketch and film he touched, whether on SCTV, Saturday Night Live, or in classic comedies. He won his first Emmy in 1982 for his work on Canada’s SCTV Comedy Network, a breakthrough that caught the attention of SNL’s producers, per Harry Walker Agency. His unforgettable characters and captivating stage presence set him apart in the crowded world of ’80s comedy. Short’s comedic creativity and animated delivery continue to inspire generations of performers. **Bette Midler** Bette Midler conquered both the music and comedy charts with a vivacious personality and irrepressible humor. Her 1972 debut LP, The Divine Miss M, earned her the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1974, according to People. She shined in films and on stage alike, earning acclaim and plenty of laughs for her magnetic performances. Decades later, in 2017, she took home a Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for Hello, Dolly! Audiences couldn’t resist her signature mix of sass, warmth, and formidable comedic chops. **Judge Reinhold** Judge Reinhold’s comedic roles in a string of blockbuster movies made him a familiar, friendly face in the ’80s. His turns in hits like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and the Beverly Hills Cop series showcased an affable everyman charm, according to Vanity Fair. His portrayal of gentle exasperation became a calling card that carried through Beverly Hills Cop and its sequels, Ruthless People, and even a memorable Seinfeld cameo. Reinhold’s easy-going style contributed to a host of classic movie moments. **Ted Danson** Ted Danson became a TV phenomenon with his starring role in Cheers, earning laughs and heart for a decade. His portrayal of bartender Sam Malone earned him Emmy Awards in both 1990 and 1993, along with Golden Globe wins in 1990 and 1991, per Britannica. Danson’s mix of comedic timing and depth brought warmth and wit to the bar where everyone knows your name. He had already proven his range beyond comedy, winning a Golden Globe in 1985 for the dramatic TV movie Something About Amelia. His versatility on both sitcoms and dramas made him one of the era’s most beloved stars. **Chevy Chase** Chevy Chase’s easygoing comedic style, blending physical gags with dry, offbeat wit, left a lasting mark on both hit comedy films and Saturday Night Live. After joining the show’s writing team for just $800 a week, he helped shape some of its most memorable material, including the iconic Weekend Update segment, according to Biography. Whether crashing family vacations or delivering deadpan news on Weekend Update, Chase’s comedic instincts were second to none. His 1983 smash National Lampoon’s Vacation cast him as Clark Griswold, a father whose summer road trip spirals into one misadventure after another. His legacy lives on in fan-favorite roles and his influence on generations of comics. **Dom DeLuise** Dom DeLuise delighted audiences with his boundless energy, infectious laughter, and a gift for physical comedy. He made his film debut in 1970 in The Twelve Chairs, launching a long creative partnership with the director, as reported by The Movie Database. DeLuise’s scene-stealing appearances kept families laughing throughout the decades. **Steve Martin** Steve Martin redefined the art of stand-up before conquering the movies as a master of absurdity and wit. His run of Warner Brothers comedy albums earned him the Grammy for Comedy Album of the Year three years in a row, per the Library of Congress Blog. From zany films to hit comedy albums, his offbeat style and clever insights made him a critical darling and fan favorite. Partnering with Dan Aykroyd, he delighted audiences as one of the self-assured yet hopelessly misguided crazy guys, one of Saturday Night Live’s most iconic recurring acts. **Kirstie Alley** Kirstie Alley’s breakout roles on screen, especially as Rebecca in the classic sitcom Cheers, made her a household name and a comedic powerhouse. Her performance as Rebecca Howe brought her four Golden Globe and five Emmy nominations, and she took home both trophies in 1991, according to CBS News. Her charm and impeccable timing gave rise to iconic scenes and unforgettable collaborations. She also teamed up with John Travolta for the 1989 romantic comedy Look Who’s Talking and its two sequels. Alley’s infectious spirit and personality lit up every project she joined. **Bill Murray** Bill Murray is the master of dry wit, shifting from comedic goofball to nuanced performances in films. His dry, understated comedy helped make him an SNL favorite between 1977 and 1980, during which he became known for portraying hilariously sketchy personalities, as reported by Britannica. Whether battling ghosts or reliving the same day, his singular style defined the comedy of the decade. Playing a burned-out weatherman in Groundhog Day later cemented his standing as an accomplished dramatic actor as well. Murray’s unpredictable charisma and genius made every appearance an event for fans and critics alike. **Leslie Nielsen** Leslie Nielsen became one of the defining stars of parody films. Following a lengthy career in dramatic roles, he reinvented himself as a comedy icon in Airplane! and The Naked Gun, per CNN. His perfectly straight-faced approach to even the most outrageous dialogue turned countless moments into comedy classics, including the unforgettable line, “I am serious—and don’t call me Shirley.” Nielsen’s impeccable timing and deadpan style helped define the spoof genre and continue to influence generations of comedic performers. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=15%20Comics%20Who%20Ruled%20the%20%E2%80%9980s&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=15%20Comics%20Who%20Ruled%20the%20%E2%80%9980s%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=15%20Comics%20Who%20Ruled%20the%20%E2%80%9980s&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=15%20Comics%20Who%20Ruled%20the%20%E2%80%9980s%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=15%20Comics%20Who%20Ruled%20the%20%E2%80%9980s%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Movies **Tags:** #80s, #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #Comics, #Hollywood, #Legends --- ### [Warner Bros. Stalls Jonah Hill’s Unreleasable Comedy](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/23/warner-bros-stalls-jonah-hills-unreleasable-comedy/) **Published:** July 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Warner Bros. unveiled its 2026 release schedule at CinemaCon in Las Vegas in May. It did not include Cut Off, a Jonah Hill comedy starring Kristen Wiig, Bette Midler, and Nathan Lane. **Content:** --- ## ASAPLand Stalling a Major Asset: Why Warner Bros. Won’t Budge on Jonah Hill’s Unreleasable Comedy By Ryan Jhones July 22, 2026 --- ![Black-and-white image of a woman smoking a cigarette, gazing at her reflection in a mirror with a music stand and sheet music nearby.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/405775111_759035742934162_536669808034029669_n-1024x643-1.jpg "405775111_759035742934162_536669808034029669_n-1024x643 - bootleg betty")--- [**Warner Bros.** ](https://www.warnerbros.com/)unveiled its 2026 release schedule at CinemaCon in Las Vegas in May. It did not include Cut Off, a Jonah Hill comedy starring Kristen Wiig, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/cut-off/), and Nathan Lane. Production on the movie was finished in September of last year. It was supposed to be released on July 17. Then it wasn’t, silently. No announcement, no new date, and no advertising materials were made public. Where a summer comedy had been, it was merely an absence. As recently as late April, Hill had publicly expressed his enthusiasm for the project, telling the listeners of the SmartLess Live podcast that “Cut Off” was just plain dumb. He and Wiig’s characters were described as “two dumb ass heirs, rich kids in their mid-40s who get cut off by their rich parents” (Bette Midler and Nathan Lane). The pitch sounded exactly like the kind of mid-budget studio comedy that executives constantly struggle to confidently release despite claiming to want more of it. Cut from lost its July release date as it was left from of the studio’s 2026 release schedule at CinemaCon, as was initially reported in May. After a few weeks, the narrative became much more focused. Warner Bros. allegedly declared Cut Off “unreleasable” because to subpar test screenings, which made the calendar removal from a scheduling tale much more difficult. Hill’s group immediately retaliated. The Hollywood Reporter was informed by a Hill official that the movie is still in post-production and that its release date was pushed because it wasn’t ready. Warner Bros. publicly contested the term “unreleasable” as well. In the industry discourse today, there are two opposing explanations that are both somewhat plausible. Post-production delays are genuine and frequent; for example, a movie with principal photography finished in September and a July release date may require additional time for editing, scoring, visual effects, and test screening feedback cycles. That account of what happened is totally credible. Poor test screenings and studio concerns about the final product are examples of competing accounts that occur frequently in the film industry and that studios and filmmakers are highly motivated to refute, even when they are true. It’s important to consider the original date’s competitive setting. On July 17, Cut Off would have debuted with Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, a counter-programming maneuver that pitted an IMAX-driven epic with a reputed $250 million budget against an approximately $50 million mid-budget comedy. Depending on how sure the studio was about the product heading into the summer, that positioning may be either bold counter-programming or a clear mismatch. The detail that lends some credence to the concern camp is that Cut Off was removed rather than the date being changed to a less competitive window. Prior to Cut Off, Hill most recently directed Outcome for Apple TV+, in which he co-wrote, produced, and featured opposite Matt Bomer, Cameron Diaz, and Keanu Reeves. The movie got bad reviews. A distinct kind of institutional pressure is created when a filmmaker’s work is received poorly twice in a row than when they make a mistake for the first time. Studios are aware of trends. **Why Warner Bros. Won’t Budge on Jonah Hill’s Unreleasable Comedy** It’s actually unknown if Cut Off will eventually get it to theaters through a streaming contract, a rescheduled release, or some other arrangement. Warner Bros. has stated that an updated release date will be revealed shortly. That announcement hasn’t happened yet. The ensemble, which includes Wiig, Midler, Nathan Lane, Camila Cabello, and Chelsea Peretti, is a true investment in comedic talent, indicating that someone at some point had enough faith in the project to build something around it. The industry is paying close attention to what transpired between that belief and the current silence. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Warner%20Bros.%20Stalls%20Jonah%20Hill%E2%80%99s%20Unreleasable%20Comedy&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Warner%20Bros.%20Stalls%20Jonah%20Hill%E2%80%99s%20Unreleasable%20Comedy%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Warner%20Bros.%20Stalls%20Jonah%20Hill%E2%80%99s%20Unreleasable%20Comedy&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Warner%20Bros.%20Stalls%20Jonah%20Hill%E2%80%99s%20Unreleasable%20Comedy%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Warner%20Bros.%20Stalls%20Jonah%20Hill%E2%80%99s%20Unreleasable%20Comedy%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #CutOff, #JonahHill, #WarnerBros --- ### [1989 Pop Smash Remains a Certified Tearjerker](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/22/1989-pop-smash-remains-a-certified-tearjerker/) **Published:** July 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In 1989, a movie soundtrack song rose to the top of the charts, cementing Bette Midler‘s place in pop music history. **Content:** --- ## Parade 1989 Pop Smash Is Still Considered One of the Weepiest Songs Ever Recorded By Lucille Barilla July 22, 2026 --- ![Woman in a fur stole stands among large green ferns, looking to the side.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/527a2d4b09c6b8899b614ed483d3898e.jpg "527a2d4b09c6b8899b614ed483d3898e - bootleg betty") --- In 1989, a movie soundtrack song rose to the top of the charts, cementing [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/beaches/)‘s place in pop music history. Still, few songs in history have earned a reputation for making people cry quite like “[**Wind Beneath My Wings**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_Beneath_My_Wings).” Decades after its release, the song remains widely remembered as one of the biggest emotional gut-punches ever recorded. According to Medium, Midler’s song, the cornerstone of the Beaches movie soundtrack, is “one of the greatest tearjerker songs of all time. Initially conceived as a love song, it became something more universal — a tribute to all kinds of human relationships.” Nashville songwriters Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley wrote the song in 1982, drawing from a poem Henley had written, as explained by Smooth Radio. Surprisingly, instead of the slow-paced song it ultimately became, “Wind Beneath My Wings” was originally intended as an upbeat tempo number. But after a producer changed the tune into a sweeping ballad, the track made its way around the music industry. Before Midler’s version, it was recorded by artists including Roger Whittaker, Sheena Easton, and Gladys Knight. Additionally, there were versions by Colleen Hewett (1982), Lou Rawls (1983), Gary Morris (1983), and Perry Como (1988). According to Rhino Records, Midler’s version of “Wind Beneath My Wings” was ranked at the top of the list of songs played at funerals in Britain in 2002. The Co-Operative Group’s Funeral Service noted that Midler’s song ranked at No. 1, followed by Celine Dion‘s “My Heart Will Go On,” Whitney Houston‘s “I Will Always Love You,” and Tina Turner‘s “The Best.” In an interview with CBS Mornings, the entertainer admitted she was initially hesitant to record the song. She had no idea the impact it would eventually have on millions of listeners, reaching the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1989. “I did not,” Midler stated. “In fact, Marc Shaiman, who did the music for this, he brought the song to me. It had been a country hit.” “I said, ‘I’m not gonna sing that song,’” Midler continued. “I didn’t want to sing it. First, I didn’t understand it. Secondly, I thought it was a little corny. He said, ‘I’m telling you, this is it.’” When asked by interviewer Gayle King if she liked “Wind Beneath My Wings” now, Midler had a completely different response. “Yes, I really, really like the song,” she admitted. “Wind Beneath My Wings” didn’t just top the Billboard charts. It permanently cemented its place in pop culture history as the definitive song for a good cry. More than 35 years later, the tune remains as emotionally hard-hitting as ever. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=1989%20Pop%20Smash%20Remains%20a%20Certified%20Tearjerker&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=1989%20Pop%20Smash%20Remains%20a%20Certified%20Tearjerker%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=1989%20Pop%20Smash%20Remains%20a%20Certified%20Tearjerker&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=1989%20Pop%20Smash%20Remains%20a%20Certified%20Tearjerker%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=1989%20Pop%20Smash%20Remains%20a%20Certified%20Tearjerker%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Music, Songs, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #popSmash, #Song, #tearjerker, #WindBeneathMyWings --- ### [Video: The First Wives' Club Takes A Fall](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/22/video-the-first-wives-club-takes-a-fall/) **Published:** July 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: The First Wives' Club Takes A Fall **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: The First Wives’ Club Takes A Fall By Mister D July 22, 2026 --- ![Three women leaning on a railing and looking down at something below, smiling as they chat.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/198c02f62ec842560d96d8505023c54d.jpg "198c02f62ec842560d96d8505023c54d - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20The%20First%20Wives%27%20Club%20Takes%20A%20Fall&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20The%20First%20Wives%27%20Club%20Takes%20A%20Fall%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20The%20First%20Wives%27%20Club%20Takes%20A%20Fall&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20The%20First%20Wives%27%20Club%20Takes%20A%20Fall%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20The%20First%20Wives%27%20Club%20Takes%20A%20Fall%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Movies, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Fall, #FirstWivesClub, #Video --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler Goes To Dinner](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/22/photo-bette-midler-goes-to-dinner/) **Published:** July 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Looks like a casual dinner at a high-end restaurant with friends. I can't tell if Bette Midler is thrilled or not? **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler Goes To Dinner By Kevin Goetz July 22, 2026 --- ![Six adults posing for a group photo at a restaurant table with wine glasses and warm lighting in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-21_15-05-26.png "2026-07-21_15-05-26 - bootleg betty") --- **Looks like a casual dinner at a high-end restaurant with friends. I can’t tell if Bette Midler is thrilled or not? What is she doing? lol** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Goes%20To%20Dinner&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Goes%20To%20Dinner%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Goes%20To%20Dinner&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Goes%20To%20Dinner%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Goes%20To%20Dinner%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Casual, #Dinner, #Friends, #photo --- ### [Steps: The New Netflix Disney Reboot Event](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/22/steps-the-new-netflix-disney-reboot-event/) **Published:** July 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In November, Netflix will release its own take on the Cinderella folk tale, and it's shaping up to be the fantasy movie event of the year. **Content:** --- ## CBR It’s Official, Netflix’s New Disney Reboot Is the Fantasy Movie Event of the Year By Amber Frost July 22, 2026 --- ![Smiling older woman with silver hair wearing a diamond necklace; circular inset portrait on the left with blue magical glow from a hand on the right.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/HImfXeUXIAADzua-819x1024.jpg "Himfxeuxiaadzua - bootleg betty")--- Cinderella, sometimes called The Little Glass Slipper, is a folk tale about a young woman who is stuck in a horrible living situation, usually after the death of her father. Through strange and magical means, Cinderella eventually escapes her abusers and marries into royalty, which eventually sees her sitting atop a throne. There are quite literally thousands of variations of the Cinderella fairytale, with some of the most common being the 1812 version published in the Grimms’ Fairy Tales collection, and Walt Disney’s very own Cinderella (1950). Cinderella has become one of the most important and influential Disney princesses ever created, but Disney’s version is hardly the only Cinderella known to the modern world. In November, Netflix will release its own take on the Cinderella folk tale, and it’s shaping up to be the fantasy movie event of the year. Steps is an upcoming animated musical fantasy comedy film that will hit Netflix one week before Thanksgiving. While Steps is based on the Cinderella story fantasy fans know and love, it aims to retell the story in a way that’s never been seen before. Described as an “anti-Cinderella movie,” Steps will actually draw the focus from Cinderella to one of Cinderella’s step-sisters. Traditionally, Cinderella’s step-sisters are seen as antagonists, but Steps seems to be rewriting that role by having Cinderella herself team up with one of them. Steps was directed by Alyce Tzue and John Ripa, with several writers working on the screenplay, including Ava Tramer, James Madejski, Jen Chuck, Dana Schwartz, and Felicia Ho. Steps is specifically based on Cinderella by French author Charles Perrault. Perrault’s version of the fairytale was published in 1697, and it is credited as the version of Cinderella that the English-speaking world is most familiar with today. So far, several key characters have been voice cast, including Ali Wong as Lilith, Cinderella’s step-sister, and Amanda Seyfried as Cinderella. Other members of the voice cast include Stephanie Hsu as Margot (the other step-sister), Bette Midler as the Fairy Godmother, Nikki Glaser as the evil Priscilla, and Daniel Radcliffe as Prince Charming. Peter Dinklage and Young Mazino as Roderick and Gef round out the cast. With talented actors like Ali Wong, Amanda Seyfried, Peter Dinklage, and Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, at the forefront, Steps’ characters are bound to be entertaining. As mentioned, this “anti-Cinderella” retelling of Cinderella’s story will shift more focus onto Cinderella’s step-sisters, specifically Lilith. In Steps, Lilith is jealous of Cinderella’s good fortune and decides to take matters into her own hands by stealing the Fairy Godmother’s magic for herself and her sister, Margot. With the stolen magic, Lilith and Margot crash the Royal Ball, hoping to shine some of Cinderella’s spotlight onto them. Things go horribly awry when Lilith accidentally turns her sister into a frog. Lilith’s meddling with magic, which she can’t hope to understand, accidentally gives Priscilla a shot at the throne. Manipulative and controlling, Priscilla seizes the opportunity to snatch the crown for herself, so that she may rule the kingdom anyway she sees fit. With the crown lost to Priscilla’s villainous scheming, Lilith must team up with Cinderella to save the kingdom and return Margot to her former beauty. Unfortunately, Netflix hasn’t released a full-fledged trailer for Steps yet, but the streaming service has revealed quite a bit about the movie already. One of the most important aspects to understand about what sets Steps apart from other popular Cinderella retellings is that it wants to break away from traditional fairytale tropes. Instead of focusing on one purely “good” character who is deserving of a happily ever after, Steps wants to explore the nature of every character in the Cinderella fairytale. “Our goal was to break the fairy-tale mold by making every single character three-dimensional and worthy of a happily ever after,” explained John Ripa, one of the directors working on the project. This brief explanation definitely puts into perspective what Steps is trying to do. In traditional Cinderella stories. Cinderella is left at the mercy of her wicked stepmother, who will do anything to push her own daughters forward. Due to the way their mother treats Cinderella, her step-sisters also tend to belittle and torment Cinderella. In Steps, we’re getting a new perspective on the step-sisters and how their lives may be impacted by Cinderella’s family. Like Cinderella, they had no say in who their mother married or what kind of life they would have after that marriage. Like Cinderella, they have little choice but to try to find happiness and stability through a suitable marriage. Like Cinderella, they also must cope with and avoid their mother’s ire. Rather than paint Cinderella’s step-sisters as villains, Steps will take a more thorough deep-dive into Lilith and Margot as characters. Arguably, the film will focus far more heavily on Lilith, as she is the main character. Through Lilith’s eyes, fans will get to see the Cinderella fairytale from a whole new perspective and in a whole new light. Since Lilith is the star of the movie, it’s safe to say that she will be a flawed but relatable character, one that fans will want to root for. After all, the whole point is that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Netflix has already confirmed that a lot of the Cinderella staples will still be present in Steps. After all, you can’t really have a proper Cinderella movie without the ball, the Fairy Godmother’s magic, a midnight deadline, and a glass slipper. All of these things will still exist in Steps, but maybe not in ways the audience expects. If the evil step-sisters aren’t actually all that evil, then what other twists and turns does Netflix have in store for the audience? No matter what the answer to that question may be, it’s safe to say that Netflix’s Steps is going to be a fantasy movie for the ages. Cinderella is a beloved fairytale, and fans always love to see new imaginings of her story. So long as Steps doesn’t turn Cinderella into a villain, which it likely won’t, Cinderella fans are sure to flock to this new twist on a legendary classic. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Steps%3A%20The%20New%20Netflix%20Disney%20Reboot%20Event&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Steps%3A%20The%20New%20Netflix%20Disney%20Reboot%20Event%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Steps%3A%20The%20New%20Netflix%20Disney%20Reboot%20Event&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Steps%3A%20The%20New%20Netflix%20Disney%20Reboot%20Event%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Steps%3A%20The%20New%20Netflix%20Disney%20Reboot%20Event%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, NetFlix, Special Events, Steps **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Event, #Movie, #Netflix, #Steps --- ### [20 Iconic Hollywood Movie Soundtrack Songs](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/21/20-iconic-hollywood-movie-soundtrack-songs/) **Published:** July 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Throughout Hollywood history, we have been inundated by some of the greatest songs from movie soundtracks. **Content:** --- ## Collider The 20 Best Movie Soundtrack Songs of All Time, Ranked By Michael Block July 21, 2026 --- ![Black-and-white photo of a curly-haired woman with arms crossed; overlaid with Wind Beneath My Wings lyrics.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/images-1.jpg "Images 1 - bootleg betty") --- A great movie has the ability to transport you to a place beyond our present. Sometimes it’s to places beyond our wildest imaginations. A great movie should make you feel something. Maybe it’s a powerful monologue or a visceral image. Or, perhaps the perfect song at the perfect moment. It’s these songs that, when you hear them outside the film, transport you back. It’s a mark of something special. Throughout Hollywood history, we have been inundated by some of the greatest songs from [**movie soundtracks.** ](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-movie-soundtracks-1235083518/)Thematically perfect or perfectly situated within a moment, these songs have stuck with us for generations. There are certainly countless songs that could join this list, but these 20 represent a wide spectrum of styles, eras, and film genres. Though your favorite may have missed the list, let’s celebrate these other monumental hits. **20. “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin ‘Top Gun’ (1986)** Very few pop songs operate as a recurring musical theme in a film. Oftentimes, you hear them once at the top of the movie, during the closing credits, or within the film itself. Then there was “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin. Not only did you hear it within the film, but it then served as the romantic anchor for the story. It was such a powerful song that producers actually went back and reshot a steamy bedroom scene in silhouette between Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Charlie (Kelly McGillis) just to provide a visual worthy of the song’s emotional weight. The iconic 1986 film Top Gun, Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Cruise), a reckless, cocky Navy fighter pilot who attends the elite TOPGUN school. He must compete to be the best, overcome personal tragedy, and learn the value of teamwork in a celebration of military aviation. Top Gun was a high-octane action film, and the song provided a much-needed emotional balance. “Take My Breath Away” is a dreamy synthesizer-driven track with aching vocals by Terri Nunn, providing an anthem that went well beyond the film. It helped represent the decade. There’s a calming sense of intimacy innate to the track. The song has a weightlessness to it that counterbalances some of the bigger, more bombastic tracks from the film, including “Danger Zone.” Nunn’s breathy, restrained delivery evokes a deep yearning that, when the song is underscored, four times, in fact, it alerts the audience to the importance of the intimacy. The track transcended the film to become a massive cultural phenomenon. Written by Giorgio Moroder and Tom Whitlock, it went on to win both the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 1986. From a pop perspective, “Take My Breath Away” helped propel the Top Gun soundtrack to sell over 9 million copies, firmly cementing the film’s legacy in the MTV-era history. **19. “Let the River Run” by Carly Simon ‘Working Girl’ (1988)** If you were to pinpoint a singular decade of the best soundtrack songs, it very well might be the 1980s. Many filmmakers sought out surefire hits to help define their films; “Let the River Run” by Carly Simon not only set the tone for Working Girl, it was a pure anthem. The film, directed by Mike Nichols, tells the story of Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith), a sharp Staten Island secretary, who takes revenge on her conniving boss, Katharine Parker (Sigourney Weaver), by impersonating her. After pitching a major corporate merger to an investment broker using her boss’s stolen ideas, she falls in love with Jack Trainer (Harrison Ford), saves the deal, and exposes her boss’s fraud. “Let the River Run” opens the film as a triumphant anchor, with the song playing over the opening credits while the Staten Island Ferry approaches the Manhattan skyline. The opening sequence, with its accompanying song, serves as an integral opus. It sets a heroic, bustling tone that frames New York City as a place of endless possibility for our protagonist. If Tess had a Walkman, she would be playing the song on her way into the office, determined to tackle the day with confidence. The lyrics are an anthem for empowerment. It champions the film’s feminist themes. Working Girl is truly about a dreamer who sets out to “wake the nation.” The song comes two more times, including a choral version that is equally empowering. The track won the Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy for Best Original Song. It was the first time in history that a single artist wrote, composed, and performed a song that won all three awards. Simon has had a plethora of hits and other movie songs, but “Let the River Run” is the most definitive. **18. “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton ‘9 to 5’ (1980)** It all begins with the shuffling of the nails for an iconic track to be born. When Dolly Parton is a part of your project, it’s inevitable that she’d contribute music to it. In the case of 9 to 5, the title not only reflected the film, but it also stood proudly on its own as a pop country crossover. In the classic workplace comedy, three female office workers, Judy Bernly (Jane Fonda), Violet Newstead (Lily Tomlin), and Doralee Rhodes (Parton), who plot revenge against their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot boss, Franklin Hart (Dabney Coleman). “9 to 5” pairs perfectly with the film an upbeat, irresistible melody with deeply relatable, working-class lyrics. The moment it plays alongside the street’s bustle, the mood is set. The song captures the daily grind of horrible bosses, lack of appreciation, and being “just a step on the boss man’s ladder”. Yet, pouring a “cup of ambition” and taking care of business give workers a sense of dignity and ownership, as the trio so triumphantly do. Dealing with serious themes, the tune provides a fusion of a joyful, toe-tapping rhythm with empowering sentiments, just like the film. The anthem reflects what were once radical themes— systemic office reforms like flexible hours, job sharing, and on-site daycare. Thanks to the film and the song, these revolutionary ideas became the norm. It also helped prove that female-led films had massive commercial appeal. “9 to 5” remains a steadfast Parton hit that’s synonymous with the film. **17. “Diamonds Are Forever” by Shirley Bassey ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ (1971)** Now, before the James Bond loyalists come for this list, this slot could have gone a plethora of ways, as many Bond anthems are great. We could have gone to the modern era, but those songs ran because of the classics. Then there are a handful of great artists who sang the tracks in the heyday, but no one did it quite like Shirley Bassey, the only artist to have multiple Bond songs. As infamous as “Goldfinger” is, her biggest and best is “Diamonds Are Forever.” In the film Diamonds Are Forever, James Bond (Sean Connery) goes undercover as a diamond smuggler to uncover a ring controlled by his nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Charles Gray). He discovers Blofeld is stockpiling the gems in Las Vegas to build a space-based laser weapon, which he plans to use to blackmail the world’s nuclear superpowers. The titular track explores themes of emotional detachment, materialism, and cynical romanticism. “Diamonds Are Forever” remains the standout Bond single thanks to powerhouse vocals, John Barry’s dramatic orchestration, and Don Black’s sly, sultry lyrics. The song perfectly balances seductive innuendo with the sleek, high-stakes glamour of the 007 franchise. The song evokes a sexy jazz feel that’s perfectly dangerous and seductive. The central theme with the lyric “Diamonds are forever, but men are mere mortals who are not worth going to your grave for” offers a cold, material, and unapologetically atmospheric edge. While the song may be big, brassy, and dramatic, with Bassey at the helm of the risqué, sexual innuendos, it’s pure camp, matching the shift in the direction of the franchise. The song has left a lasting legacy, as artists like Sabrina Carpenter have reimagined it as a new metaphor. It’s a transcendent song that links the necessity of a theme song to the franchise. **16′. “Wind Beneath My Wings” by [Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/songs/) ‘Beaches’ (1988)** ![Female singer on a dim stage, holding a mic in a gray dress with a large screen showing abstract visuals to her left.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/images-2.jpg "Images 2 - bootleg betty") Very few power ballads pack such an emotional gut punch as “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Especially in the context of the film Beaches. The 1988 film follows the decades-long, tumultuous friendship between brassy Bronx performer C.C. Bloom (Bette Midler) and wealthy San Francisco lawyer Hillary Whitney (Barbara Hershey). Despite clashing personalities and jealousies, they remain deeply bonded through life, love, and tragedy, culminating in a poignant final summer at the beach as Hillary faces a terminal illness. Directed by Garry Marshall, Beaches is a tearjerker, made more emotional when you hear the star belt out the infamous track. While the ballad serves as the primary musical theme for CC and Hillary’s lifelong friendship, it is used purposefully rather than being played repeatedly. The song is played during the montage in the final act as the two main characters spend meaningful time together. It’s when you completely empty your tissue box. The song serves as the emotional anchor that reframes their relationship by acknowledging that Hillary was the one who enabled CC to shine, acting as the “wind” beneath her wings so she could “fly higher than an eagle.” The song has been a touchstone for emotional support between friends, family, and everyone in between. When it comes back for the closing credits, you’re left with a lasting impression, tears still flowing. Though the song had been previously written and was not for the film, it won Grammy Awards for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1990. **15. “Rainbow Connection” by Jim Henson ‘The Muppet Movie’ (1979)** “Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what’s on the other side?” Very few songs begin so simply and profoundly. And it comes from one of the most iconic characters: Kermit the Frog. In The Muppet Movie, Kermit leaves his Florida swamp for Hollywood after a talent agent spots his potential. Along the way, he meets other aspiring performers, including Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, and Gonzo. Together, they are chased by Doc Hopper (Charles Durning), a ruthless restaurateur wanting Kermit as a mascot for his fried frog legs. “Rainbow Connection” serves as the ultimate “I want” song. The song emotionally establishes Kermit as an optimistic dreamer, driving his motivation to leave the swamp and seek a larger purpose in Hollywood. Co-written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher, “Rainbow Connection” effortlessly encapsulates the movie’s overarching message: the power of believing in yourself, following your dreams, and embracing a creative, welcoming community. It’s why the song has resonated with so many individuals across generations. “Rainbow Connection” is a masterpiece of lyricism, brilliantly evoking childlike wonder with profound philosophical depth. The song uses a stripped-down musical arrangement, relying heavily on a sweet, comforting banjo and gentle, sweeping strings that enhance its emotional intimacy. It earned The Muppets their first Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song and has since been covered by everyone from Willie Nelson and Kacey Musgraves to Gwen Stefani. **14. “The Man That Got Away” by Judy Garland ‘A Star Is Born’ (1954)** It takes a very special individual to be deemed the voice of a generation, but when it comes to Hollywood actresses, that honor is deservingly bestowed upon Judy Garland. In one of two entries on this list comes the Garland classic “The Man That Got Away” from A Star Is Born. In the second iteration of the film, a fading alcoholic movie star, Norman Maine (James Mason), discovers and promotes a talented young singer, Esther Blodgett (Garland). As Esther’s career skyrockets under the stage name “Vicki Lester” and they fall in love, Norman’s self-destruction and career downfall drive a wedge between their lives. The song arrives early in the film when Norman tracks down Esther at an after-hours jazz club. He stands out of sight in the shadows and watches her sing informally with her musicians. As a storytelling device, it showcases the raw talent of a star that’s born. The song, with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Ira Gershwin, serves as a micro-adaptation that mirrors the impending tragedy of the lovers’ relationship and officially establishes music as a driving force in the franchise’s narrative. It operates as a narrative turning point while providing one of the most infamous sequences in Hollywood history. Director George Cukor pushed for an agonizingly complex setup to achieve perfection, shooting it in numerous takes, and ultimately relying on an iconic, single-take sequence that ends with Garland singing directly to the camera. The song became Garland’s monumental career comeback that cemented her connection with her raw, vulnerable power. The visceral pain of heartbreak through a striking mix of moody, conversational lyrics and dramatic, swinging jazz melodies became a truly defining moment. **13. “Beauty and the Beast” by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991)** This list could be filled with Disney tracks after Disney tracks. For fairness, we’re limiting it to one classic annd one from the Disney Animation Renaissance. The latter honor goes to “Beauty and the Beast” from Beauty and the Beast. In the film, a selfish prince (Robby Benson) is cursed by an enchantress into a hideous monster. To break the spell before an enchanted rose wilts, he must learn to love and be loved. He imprisons the inventor’s daughter, Belle (Paige O’Hara), who eventually teaches him compassion, ultimately transforming him and his servants back. But for that moment to arise, it needed a “tale as old as time.” In the story, Mrs. Potts (Angela Lansbury) sings the central love theme as the titular duo shares their iconic ballroom dance. Beauty and the Beast is one of the greatest romantic fantasy films of all time, live action or animated. It’s this scene and this song that are pointed to. Written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the lyrics explicitly describe how the couple learns to overlook differences and change one another for the better through a thoroughly timeless myth of inner beauty. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and helped make the movie the first animated film in history to be nominated for Best Picture. During this period in Disney animation history, the film’s pinnacle songs would receive a pop single release. The titular track was given to Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson, who made it a radio hit, earning chart success and Grammy wins and nominations in the process. Had it not been written and composed in the manner it had, it could have been just another cartoon song. Instead, it’s one of the most beloved Disney classics. **12. “Flashdance…What a Feeling” by Irene Cara ‘Flashdance’ (1983)** What a feeling indeed! The titular track from Flashdance is strategically placed twice in the film, and both times it evokes the spirit of the story. The ‘80s classic tells the story of Alex Owens (Jennifer Beals), an 18-year-old working-class woman in Pittsburgh who spends her days as a steel mill welder and her nights dancing at a local club. Alex pursues her dream of becoming a professional ballerina while navigating a romantic relationship with her boss, Nick Hurley (Michael Nouri). Serving as a soaring anthem for the protagonist, “Flashdance…What a Feeling” represents the liberating feeling of being in control of one’s destiny. In turn, it operates as an anthemic theme of, against all odds, chasing one’s dreams. The film and song blew up so much that they became a pop culture phenomenon, launching fashion trends like leg warmers and leotards to replicate the moment. A song for a genuine heroine, co-writer and singer Irene Cara ensured the lyrics came from Alex’s perspective, so when it plays at the beginning of the film, you’re engulfed in Alex’s journey immediately. When it returns during Alex’s famous, climactic dance audition in front of the repertory dance company board, it serves as the perfect bookend. It’s not only evocative of the film, but it also defines the era. The film used the song to set the pace for its fast-cut, music video-style sequences, which changed how Hollywood marketed youth-oriented movies in the 1980s. The song became a massive success on its own, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks. It was universally celebrated, ultimately winning the 1984 Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. **11. “Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees ‘Saturday Night Fever’ (1977)** There are some film soundtracks dedicated to a single artist. For Saturday Night Fever, that honor belongs to the Bee Gees. If there’s one song from the film that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the story, it’s none other than “Stayin’ Alive.” In the 1977 classic, Tony Manero (John Travolta) is a restless 19-year-old Italian-American in working-class Brooklyn. By day, he is trapped in a dead-end job at a paint store; on weekends, he escapes to a local disco where he reigns as the undisputed “king of the dance floor.” Beneath the iconic Bee Gees soundtrack and vibrant disco lights, the film is a coming-of-age urban tragedy. Played over the opening credits, “Stayin’ Alive” captures Tony as he struts through the streets of Brooklyn. And at that moment, a classic scene was born. The importance of the song and the scene stems from masking working-class hardship and urban struggle with swagger, survival, and disco escapism. Despite being a dance anthem, the lyrics deal with the gritty reality of trying to stay afloat. It operates as an emotional undercurrent as to the importance of dance to the protagonist. The Bee Gees specifically designed the vocal harmonies and driving bassline to propel the groove. Not only did it energize the film, but it reshaped the disco genre on the real-life dance floors. The song comes in again during the venue’s loudspeaker when Tony and Stephanie (Karen Lynn Gorney) are officially announced as the winners of the 2001 Odyssey disco dance competition. Its inclusion serves as Tony’s triumph tune. The pulse of the song has moved beyond the film, becoming the CPR song, as its tempo perfectly aligns with the life-saving rhythm required. It’s an undeniable masterpiece. **10. “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon and Garfunkel ‘The Graduate’ (1967)** It might surprise some, but Simon and Garfunkel wrote “Mrs. Robinson” prior to The Graduate, but it was not completed in time for the film. And yet they are serendipitous. The Mike Nichols classic tells the story of Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), an aimless recent college graduate who returns to his California home, only to be seduced by an older married woman, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). The story spirals when he rebels against societal expectations and falls in love with Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, Elaine (Katherine Ross). While the movie portrays Mrs. Robinson as a deeply desperate, manipulative, and often pitiable character, the song’s infectious, almost satirical upbeat rhythm paints her as a larger-than-life cultural icon. “Mrs. Robinson” operates as a brilliant lyrical juxtaposition of cultural nostalgia with sharp critiques of suburban alienation. Its infectious, harmony-driven acoustic arrangement and seamless tie-in to the film proved that, even incomplete at the time, sticking the famous “dee-dee-dees” were important musical devices for the narrative. The rhythmic breaks played a part in the film’s most iconic montage sequences. The song is deceptively simple, and yet extraordinarily evocative. The simplicity perfectly mirrors the sense of aimless alienation and shifting values that Benjamin experiences. Whether through instrumental, interlude, or vocal humming, the iteration that appears in The Graduate forever tied the duo to the film. **9. “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” by Marilyn Monroe ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ (1953)** “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” operates on an abundance of levels. It’s a crucial song in the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. It also remains Marilyn Monroe’s crowning musical achievement. The classic musical comedy follows two best friends and showgirls, the diamond-loving, clever blonde Lorelei (Monroe) and the sassy, romance-hunting brunette Dorothy (Jane Russell). When Lorelei takes a cruise to Paris funded by her wealthy fiancé, his disapproving father hires a private detective to spy on her. The film playfully satirizes society’s view of women who value financial security. Lorelei famously argues that a man’s wealth is paramount, hence “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.” The film pokes fun at gender roles by portraying the women as self-reliant and highly intelligent, often outsmarting the men who try to control them. The first time the song is performed in the film, it features Monroe in her famous strapless pink satin gown that becomes as synonymous with the star as the white dress blowing up from the grate. The song serves as a sharp yet pragmatic defense of why women of the era rely on wealth and financial security rather than just love. Beyond the story, the sequence launched Monroe into global superstardom, securing her as a timeless Hollywood legend. It’s the inspiration for Madonna’s music video for “Material Girl.” In the film, the song returns, this time with Russell’s Dorothy singing it, wearing a blonde wig to mimic Lorelei. She performs the shorter iteration, intentionally exaggerating it. Though the stage version of the song is vastly different, as Carol Channing brings a completely different essence to the song, it’s the pinnacle performance for Monroe. **8. “Lose Yourself” by Eminem ‘8 Mile’ (2002)** For the longest time, the Academy Awards had a certain style and sound when it came to their Best Song nominees. Then Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” recalibrated it forever. The premiere track from 8 Mile became a game-changer for rap music in the mainstream and Hollywood film. The 2002 biographical film set in 1995 Detroit follows a struggling young white rapper named Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith Jr. (Eminem) He navigates poverty, a toxic home life, and self-doubt, fighting to earn respect in a hip-hop scene largely dominated by Black artists. An underdog story about a man finding his voice, “Lose Yourself” embodies the film’s morals while serving as its ultimate thematic audio summary. In the film, the theme is presented as a work in progress, mirroring Jimmy’s growth as an artist. It comes to full fruition at the end during the triumphant finale, leaving a lasting impression. The film’s mode is established by “Lose Yourself,” as Jimmy hears the song while riding the city bus. With headphones in, he hears the instrumental guitar riff and drum beat, writing the lyrics on a scrap of paper. In reality, it mirrors the film. Written on set between takes, the song encapsulates the raw hunger, pressure, and courage required to seize a life-changing opportunity. As the lyrics say, “The opportunity comes once in a lifetime.” Beyond its importance in the film’s narrative, the track made history in 2003 as the first hip-hop track to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Its victory is thanks to the immaculate storytelling, relentless instruments, and its crossover appeal. “Lose Yourself” may not be your cup of tea, but there’s simply no denying the historical significance of the track. **7. “As Time Goes By” by Dooley Wilson ‘Casablanca’ (1942)** There are quite a few films that define the Golden Age of Hollywood. One such film is Casablanca. From iconic quotes to a daring story, Casablanca remains a near-perfect film. And it’s all elevated thanks to its beautiful musical theme, “As Time Goes By.” In Casablanca, cynical nightclub owner Rick Blaine’s (Humphrey Bogart) life is upended when his former love, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman), arrives seeking exit visas with her husband, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), a prominent resistance leader. Rick ultimately chooses to sacrifice his own happiness, helping them escape the Nazis. A timeless love story, “As Time Goes By,” encapsulates the pure heart of the story. Attached to one of the most misquoted lines in cinema history, regardless of how we get there, when Sam (Dooley Wilson) plays it, movie magic is made. We all have a song with a partner that means everything to us. That’s what “As Time Goes By” is to Ilsa and Rick. It’s ingrained in their relationship. Through good times, together times, bad times, and apart times, that song remains the connection that binds them together. The emotional resonance is why the Herman Hupfeld-penned song has earned such legendary status. It’s simple, conversational lyrics capture the comforting, universal truth that love will always endure regardless of change. “You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh, the fundamental things apply, as time goes by.” A lyric like that reminds listeners that even amidst global chaos or personal heartbreak, the simple things in life and love still remain the most important. The theme plays about 15 times in the film, but the definitive version swells as Rick says his final goodbyes and walks away into the fog. There may be many iconic moments from the film, but that is one beautiful lasting impression. The jazz standard has been covered countless times, but it will always remain a special part of Casablanca’s identity. **6. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston ‘The Bodyguard’ (1992)** It’s quite impressive when a song can transcend genres because the words resonate so powerfully. What began as a country song evolved into a power pop ballad that proved a track can go well beyond a soundtrack. “I Will Always Love You” was bigger than The Bodyguard. It was Whitney Houston. In her triumphant film appearance, The Bodyguard tells the story about Frank Farmer (Kevin Costner), a former Secret Service agent hired to protect Rachel Marron (Houston), a famous pop superstar, from an obsessive stalker. Initially clashing over strict security rules, they eventually fall in love while evading the killer. The Bodyguard soundtrack boasted some of Houston’s biggest career hits, but it was “I Will Always Love You,” a song originally written and performed by Dolly Parton, that emerged as the very best. Though the film includes many in-film performances of Houston as Rachel, this track comes at the end, sublimely, when Rachel and Frank have their emotional airport goodbye. Right when Rachel orders the plane to stop, she runs out to kiss him as the full-throttled, powerhouse version swells. It moves into the credits, and the audience is completely taken by the emotional song. The song brilliantly subverts the traditional breakup trope. Rather than anger, the song offers a graceful, mature resignation. It’s a graceful closure to unconditional love, wishing the very best for the other person. The song starts quietly, slowly building tension, then rises into powerful vocal crescendos that match the profound lyrics. While the song is rooted in country storytelling, it was perfectly universal, translating itself for a pop song. Though The Bodyguard may not be as brilliant as many others on this list, Houston and her music have cemented it as an important film beyond the screen. **5. “When You Wish Upon a Star” by Cliff Edwards ‘Pinocchio’ (1940)** There are many songs that define the Walt Disney Company, but perhaps the one that stands atop the list is “When You Wish Upon a Star.” There’s a reason why the melody is paired with the iconic castle image before every Disney film. That moment was earned thanks to its inclusion in the 1940 animated classic Pinocchio. The film follows a lonely woodcarver named Geppetto who creates a wooden puppet named Pinocchio. Geppetto wishes upon a star for Pinocchio to become a real boy, which the Blue Fairy grants him. To prove he’s a real boy, Pinocchio must prove himself brave, truthful, and unselfish, and always with his conscience, Jiminy Cricket, by his side. A wonderful film filled with heart, hope, and family, Pinocchio’s biggest tune provides an “I want” song that taps into our great desire for something beyond our dreams. Composed by Leigh Harline, the melody is designed to build suspense and wonder. Written by Ned Washington, the lyrics tap into the fundamental human need for hope and escapism. Its lyrics transcend the film. It’s become a universal theme for dreamers, young and old. The song appears twice in the film, first sung at the opening, with Cliff Edwards as Jiminy Cricket, setting the tone of the story. A full vocal version is reprised at the very end of the film, operating as a bookend celebration in which Pinocchio officially transforms from a wooden puppet into a real boy. There are hints of the tune through the orchestral score whenever the Blue Fairy appears or Geppetto returns to wishing upon the evening star. By keeping the theme throughout, it showcased the musical power of the melody and the feeling it evokes. “When You Wish Upon a Star” won the 1940 Academy Award for Best Original Song. As the official theme song for Disney, it has been covered over the decades, becoming a staple of pop culture. **4. “Singin’ in the Rain” by Gene Kelly ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ (1952)** Black-and-white silent films made way for talkies in Technicolor. That meant the rise of movie musicals. One of the very best was Singin’ in the Rain. The toe-tapping film about Hollywood brought pure joy to those who watched, all thanks to the vibrant production numbers. None is more synonymous with the film than the title track. The 1952 romantic comedy documented the transition from silent films to the talkies in the late 1920s. The story follows famous silent film stars, Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor), struggling to adapt to sound, and a chorus girl, Kathy Seldon (Debbie Reynolds), is hired to secretly sing and speak in place of a harsh-voiced leading lady, Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen). Complications arise when Don falls in love with Kathy, as the vain and manipulative Lina tries to sabotage their relationship and steal the credit. Known for its dazzling choreography and iconic musical numbers, “Singin’ in the Rain” emerged as the ultimate celebration of the magic of moviemaking. The song, written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown, was originally used in The Hollywood Revue of 1929, but it was popularized through the 1952 film. The song is introduced right away during the title sequence as the three main stars wear bright yellow raincoats and sing together while walking toward the camera. The iconic version of the song comes when Kelly’s Lockwood sings and dances alone in the streets after kissing Kathy goodnight. If there were to be a debate of the greatest scenes in cinema history, this one might be up there. The memorable puddle-splashing scene is filled with bright delight. It flawlessly blends an upbeat, infectious melody with a carefree lyric that captures the euphoria of being in love. At the time it was written, it served as an antidote to the Great Depression. When placed in this film, it became a relatable expression of joy. The visual companionship has inspired us all to have our Gene Kelly moment. **3. “Moon River” by Aubrey Hepburn ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ (1961)** When you hear a song so melancholic and soothing, it can bring out an instant calm. That’s what “Moon River” does. Almost like a lullaby, the Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer song helps you truly appreciate the small moments in life. Performed by its protagonist as she sits on her fire escape, the scene became one of the most beloved in cinema history because the song made the moment so sublime. The Blake Edwards film, based on Truman Capote’s novella, Breakfast at Tiffany’s follows Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn), an eccentric, free-spirited New York socialite. When a struggling writer, Paul Varjak (George Peppard), moves into her apartment building, their unlikely friendship uncovers the deep loneliness, trauma, and search for belonging beneath her glamorous Manhattan lifestyle. A story of love, romance, and the masks we wear while we hide our deep insecurities, Breakfast at Tiffany’s crowning anthem reminds us all to appreciate the little things in life. “Moon River” nearly hit the cutting room floor at the request of a Paramount executive, but it was Hepburn who declared it remain. And it was the best decision. Mancini composed the entire film’s score around the song. The melody is constantly adapted to fit different emotional beats, from romantic and melancholic to fast-paced jazz. But it’s the vocal version, with Holly strumming her guitar on her fire escape, that proved the brilliant subtlety of how a song can evoke a mood. In just 58 words, “Moon River” captures a universal sense of youthful wanderlust and romanticism. It was tailored and made to fit Hepburn’s intimacy, becoming a defining moment of her career. The song was awarded the Academy Award and Grammy for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Later, Mancini’s recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The song has been covered as the track is an American standard, but none are as beautiful as the film version. **2. “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion ‘Titanic’ (1997)** Once upon a time, it might have seemed impossible to think that one of the greatest tragedies could lead to one of the most romantic films of all time. Then, to tack on one of the greatest love songs ever, it was unthinkable. And yet, James Cameron made it a reality. Celine Dion has many iconic songs in her catalog, but none are as big as “My Heart Will Go On.” In the epic historical romance disaster film Titanic, the tragic romance of penniless third-class artist Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and 17-year-old aristocrat Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet), who fall on the ill-fated “Ship of Dreams,” is told as a modern day treasure hunt chronicles the disaster of the past. A monumental blockbuster, “My Heart Will Go On” became just as big as the film itself, topping the charts, and racking up awards. Throughout the film, James Horner weaves the distinct melody, known as “Rose’s Theme,” into the orchestral score to represent the love story. Variations of the melody are played on the whistle, flute, and full orchestra throughout, including the infamous “I’m king of the world” scene, when Jack sketches Rose in her stateroom, and when the ship goes down and Jack and Rose share their final moments together in the water. But it’s when the credits come and Dion comes in with her powerhouse vocals, the ultimate credit song was made. The song is about eternal love. Like a soaring romance, the song builds and builds, until Dion unleashes her massive, triumphant climax. The iconic key change is what dreams are made of. By going from E major to A major, it elevated Dion’s vocals in order to deliver an unforgettable emotional triumph. The film may have ended in tragedy, but the song is a promise to never let go. **1 “Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)** There is simply no greater song from a movie than “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” For 87 years, the Judy Garland song has faced great competition for the moniker, but no song will ever dethrone the ultimate dreamer’s anthem. The song, written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg effortlessly captures the universal theme of human longing for hope and a better place. There is no place like home, but the journey to get there is worth it in the end. Based on L. Frank Baum’s classic novel, The Wizard of Oz tells the story of Dorothy Gale (Garland) and her little dog Toto as they are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz. After her house inadvertently crushes the Wicked Witch of the East, Dorothy embarks on the Yellow Brick Road to ask the Wizard (Frank Morgan) for a way home. Along the way, she is joined by a Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) wanting a brain, a Tin Man (Jack Haley) longing for a heart, and a Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr) seeking courage. The ultimate fantasy classic, the film is made because of the music. And the music is beloved because of Garland’s performance. A song that has been passed down for generations, just like the film, “Over the Rainbow” is written for a girl caught yearning for both home and adventure. And yet, it was as if it was made for everyone who ever heard it. The first time the melody plays is during the opening credits as a sweeping instrumental song. While many may associate the song with the Technicolor world, the most famous version of the song plays roughly five minutes into the film when Dorothy sings the ballad out loud on the farm after a conflict with Miss Gulch (Margaret Hamilton). Though the song is sung in sepia tone, it opens up the adventure she’s about to embark on. If you break down the song, the musical leap happens within the first two notes of the melody as it spans a full octave, meant to represent a bridge between Kansas and Oz. “Over the Rainbow” taps into a sense of optimism that dreams can and will come true. The song has become a cultural anthem. It’s resonated with many communities over time, becoming an anthem for those who never lose hope. The song has an enduring legacy that will simply continue as the film is celebrated for generations to come. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=20%20Iconic%20Hollywood%20Movie%20Soundtrack%20Songs&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=20%20Iconic%20Hollywood%20Movie%20Soundtrack%20Songs%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=20%20Iconic%20Hollywood%20Movie%20Soundtrack%20Songs&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=20%20Iconic%20Hollywood%20Movie%20Soundtrack%20Songs%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=20%20Iconic%20Hollywood%20Movie%20Soundtrack%20Songs%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Beaches, Bette Midler, Movies, Music, Songs, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Hollywood, #Movie, #Songs, #Soundtracks --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler, Bowie, & Kaufman 1978](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/21/photo-bette-midler-bowie-kaufman-1978/) **Published:** July 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** David Bowie with Bette Midler and Andy Kaufman at Ma Maison, 6th April 1978. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Midler, Bowie, & Kaufman 1978 By Mister D July 21, 2026 --- ![Three people sit at a table indoors: left man smiles at the camera, middle man looks to the side, woman on the right rests her chin on her hand.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-20_06-27-30.png "2026-07-20_06-27-30 - bootleg betty") --- David Bowie after his show at the Inglewood Forum in Los Angeles on his Isolar II tour, with Bette Midler and Andy Kaufman at Ma Maison, 6th April 1978. **Photo Credit:** Barbara De Witt/De Witt Public Relations. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Bowie%2C%20%26%20Kaufman%201978&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Bowie%2C%20%26%20Kaufman%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Bowie%2C%20%26%20Kaufman%201978&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Bowie%2C%20%26%20Kaufman%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Bowie%2C%20%26%20Kaufman%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Bowie, #Kaufman, #MaMaison, #photo --- ### [Omri Katz From Hocus Pocus—Catching Up!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/21/omri-katz-from-hocus-pocus-catching-up/) **Published:** July 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Omri Katz Played Max in Hocus Pocus, Then Walked Away from Acting to Follow the Grateful Dead for 5 Years. Now he's a pot mogul. **Content:** --- ## Thought Catalog Omri Katz Played Max in Hocus Pocus, Then Walked Away from Acting to Follow the Grateful Dead for 5 Years By January Nelson July 21, 2026 --- ![A witch in a green robe casts blue lightning at a man lying on the floor in a rustic wooden room.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-15_13-37-59.png "2026-07-15_13-37-59 - bootleg betty")--- Omri Katz Played Max in Hocus Pocus, Then Walked Away from Acting to Follow the Grateful Dead for 5 Years In 2020 he briefly reprised Max for a Bette Midler fundraising video, and later that year launched a craft cannabis brand, The Mary Danksters, with the slogan “positivity, herb and unity.” He publicly supported Hocus Pocus 2 in 2022 but wasn’t in it. Omri Katz walked away from Hollywood at 26, after nearly two decades on camera, and by the time he tried to come back the passion was gone. He first shot to fame at 7 as John Ross Ewing III on Dallas in 1983, playing J.R. and Sue Ellen’s son for roughly 133 episodes across eight years. At 15 he led the cult NBC series Eerie, Indiana, which ran one season from 1991 to 1993. In 1993 he also played Stan in Joe Dante’s Matinee opposite John Goodman, a critical hit that flopped at the box office. That same year, at 17, he landed Max Dennison in Kenny Ortega’s Hocus Pocus, the role a young Leonardo DiCaprio had also been in the running for. He’s since admitted he was high for parts of the shoot. “Let’s just say, some of those scenes, I was having a good old time,” he told Entertainment Weekly, recalling “misperforming and not hitting my keys or marks” until Ortega finally asked if he was stoned. “I was like, ‘No,’ and of course, I was.” He left not long after. “I grew up in the industry, so that’s kind of all I knew,” he told former Eerie co-star Justin Shenkarow on the Bronx Buds YouTube channel. “I think I was soul searching and wanted more of a human experience; just see what else is out there, see the world, and be normal. I didn’t really have that growing up.” The source calls what came next being a “band groupie.” He followed the Grateful Dead on tour for about five years, spent five seasons in Jackson Hole as a snowboarder, waited tables, and worked eight years as a hairdresser at a high-end Los Angeles salon. When he did try to come back, it fell apart. “I did a few stints and like, you know, episodals. I did like Freaks and Geeks, General Hospital,” he said on the Est. In The 90s podcast in September 2025. He kept flubbing lines and freezing up. “I had some weird like psychological block that I couldn’t do it.” “I wanted to get back into acting for all the wrong reasons… to make money so I could escape again, and that didn’t work out too well,” he said. “I had to get a real job, the first one in my life.” His last credit was a 2002 short film. In 2020 he briefly reprised Max for a Bette Midler fundraising video, and later that year launched a craft cannabis brand, The Mary Danksters, with the slogan “positivity, herb and unity.” He publicly supported Hocus Pocus 2 in 2022 but wasn’t in it. He’s 50 now, lives in the Los Angeles area, works the 90s and horror convention circuit, and takes Cameo bookings; so you know, you could go order a video from him from your friend that is still obsessed with Hocus Pocus. Now he’s a pot mogul. --- ![Smiling man in a gray tee stands against a beige background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-16_08-03-06.png "2026-07-16_08-03-06 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Omri%20Katz%20From%20Hocus%20Pocus%E2%80%94Catching%20Up%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Omri%20Katz%20From%20Hocus%20Pocus%E2%80%94Catching%20Up%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Omri%20Katz%20From%20Hocus%20Pocus%E2%80%94Catching%20Up%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Omri%20Katz%20From%20Hocus%20Pocus%E2%80%94Catching%20Up%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Omri%20Katz%20From%20Hocus%20Pocus%E2%80%94Catching%20Up%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HocusPocus, #OmriKatz, #PotMogul --- ### [Hocus Pocus: Hidden Gems](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/21/hocus-pocus-hidden-gems/) **Published:** July 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Even the most eagle-eyed viewers might not have noticed every detail packed into Hocus Pocus' shadowy corners, however. We're here to take a look at those details you might have missed. **Content:** --- ## Looper Small Details You Missed In Hocus Pocus BY CASEY CIPRIANI July 20, 2026 --- ![Stage performer in a green, velvet Renaissance-style dress with a purple corset, under purple lighting, speaking or singing on stage.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/eeb845e87a1044c5bbc88435009ea82a-1024x1024.jpg "Eeb845e87a1044c5bbc88435009ea82a - bootleg betty")--- 1993’s [**Hocus Pocus**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/hocus-pocus/) has become a millennial classic. This Halloween romp tells the story of the Sanderson sisters: Winnie ([**Bette Midler**](https://deadline.com/2025/10/bette-midler-hocus-pocus-3-update-1236591205/)), Mary (Kathy Najimy), and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker). The trio were executed for witchcraft 300 years prior, but modern teen mischief resurrects them just in time for the spookiest holiday of the year. The sinister sisters set about sucking the souls out of Salem’s children before the sun comes up, but their plans are thwarted by teenager Max (Omri Katz), his crush Allison (Vinessa Shaw), and his little sister Dani (Thora Birch). Hocus Pocus wasn’t an immediate success. Given the fact that it’s a Halloween movie that premiered in July, this isn’t too much of a shock. But it’s still managed to become a touchstone for ’90s kids everywhere, who are now introducing the movie to their own spawn. Even the most eagle-eyed viewers might not have noticed every detail packed into Hocus Pocus’ shadowy corners, however. We’re here to take a look at those details you might have missed. **The movie takes place after the witch trials had already ended** Timing is everything. As we learn at the beginning of the film, the Sanderson sisters were hanged for witchcraft on October 31, 1693. The filmmakers no doubt chose that date because they wanted to make their return occur exactly 300 years after they died — and on an appropriately creepy holiday, of course. It’s a cool choice, but unfortunately, one that makes the movie slightly anachronistic. The infamous Salem witch trials mostly took place in 1692, the last trial taking place in May, 1693. By October, no more witch trials were taking place. This isn’t a huge problem, really — Hocus Pocus is already taking liberties with history, given the fact that the Sandersons are, well, actual witches. It’s easy to believe townsfolk would have taken matters into their own hands upon being confronted with their powers. And anyway, the villagers hanged the sisters the morning after they sucked the life out of little Emily, so no real trial even occurred. Still, the film depends upon its association with the infamous Salem witch trials … despite taking place after they’d wrapped up. **Halloween 1993 was a Sunday, and not a full moon** Max is the new kid in school, having just moved to Salem, MA from Los Angeles. He spends his first New England Halloween learning about the Sanderson sisters in class. In Salem, Halloween is definitely a fun day, even if you spend half of it in school: Max’s teacher sports a witch’s hat, the classroom is colorfully decorated, and every student (except Max) is in a festive mood. When the bell rings, the older kids start TP-ing the place and the little kids head out to get ready for a night full of candy and costumes. The only problem is, October 31 in 1993 fell on a Sunday, so the gang wouldn’t have been in school that day. There also wasn’t a full moon that night either — it would take another eight years for the full moon to fall on Halloween, in 2001. It’s okay though, as the classroom set-up is really just a way to introduce Max and Allison and establish his new-kid bonafides. Really, though, who moves at the end of October? **Allison basically says she’s not a virgin** For a Disney movie aimed at kids, there sure is a whole lot of talk about virginity in Hocus Pocus. Watching Hocus Pocus as an adult, there’s a definite ick-factor when it comes to this conversation — teenagers seem a lot younger once you’re older than they are. It’s also incredibly judgmental: Max’s virginity is noted as a negative aspect of his personality. His “lack of experience” is constantly mocked, at one point even by an adult. His virginity, the movie makes clear, is something he should be embarrassed by. Teenage dudes of this era weren’t supposed to be virgins — but of course, teenage girls absolutely were, lest they be shamed. It’s interesting, then, that when Max asks his crush Allison if she wants to light the Black Flame Candle, she sheepishly declines. The Sanderson sisters can only be brought back by a virgin lighting the candle, after all … suggesting something that flies right over kids’ heads about Allison’s experiences. **Binx couldn’t speak until the candle was lit** At the beginning of the movie, after the Sanderson sisters have killed Emily and turned her brother, Thackery Binx, into a black cat, the townsfolk rise up against the witches. Thackery and Emily’s dad asks the sisters what they’ve done with his son, but Winnie only says, “Cat’s got my tongue!” It’s at that point that the camera cuts to a black cat rubbing up against Mr. Binx, trying to get his attention. But of course, Thackery’s dad doesn’t realize that this cat is his son, and kicks the cat away. It’s a pretty sad moment, but fans have always wondered why Thackery doesn’t talk to his dad here the way he talks to Max, Dani, and Allison later in the movie. There are a few possibilities here. The first is that Binx had just been turned into a cat, and hadn’t yet learned how to speak with a set of feline vocal chords. Another theory considers the idea that Binx is only able to talk to children, because their minds are so open to the idea of magic. The most probable theory, however, is that Binx couldn’t talk until the Black Flame Candle was lit. After all, if it was just the children thing, Binx would have verbally warned them about the candle beforehand, instead of just pouncing on Max. **Binx the cat wasn’t voiced by the actor who played Thackery** Early in the film, 17th-century teen Thackery Binx (Sean Murray) gets turned into a black cat by the Sanderson sisters. Though Thackery is a cat for most of the film, Murray was actually on set with the main actors the whole time, saying his lines and interacting with the cast. “There was just a lot of fun. A lot of camaraderie. We had a good time,” he has said of acting with Katz, Shaw, and Birch. Despite this, Murray’s voice was dubbed over with that of Jason Marsden’s … even when he’s in human form. As Murray recalled, “‘They weren’t exactly sure what they wanted to do with Binx. They originally wanted a sort of California vibe with the voice, and then at some point thought \[they\] should do it Olde English. I’m not a voice actor; I couldn’t do an English accent, I’d never been trained to do that, and I was young.” Still, he doesn’t have any regrets regarding the vocal replacement, saying Marsden is “a great guy.” **Siblings play a married couple** The devil is in the details. And in this instance, the details are that real-world siblings play a married couple in Hocus Pocus. Dearly departed Garry Marshall plays some guy dressed up as Satan for Halloween that the Sanderson sisters mistake for being the actual devil himself. Naturally, when they make themselves at home in his Salem house, his wife gets a little jealous … especially when Satan starts dancing with the very sultry Sarah. Said wife is a hard-drinking, chain-smoking woman, whose hair curlers convince the sisters that Satan has married Medusa. The wife isn’t cowed by this, however, staunchly asking them, “Aren’t you broads a little bit old to be trick-or-treating?” Satan’s wife is actually played by the late, great Penny Marshall, Garry’s sister. It’s a little weird that a legendary brother and sister comedy duo play husband and wife in Hocus Pocus, but really, who better to channel the realities of an annoying spouse than an annoying sibling? **Billy Butcherson is way more famous now** In an effort to track down the kids while they hide in the cemetery, Winnie resurrects Billy Butcherson, an old flame. Super fans will know that this decaying ex is played by the incomparable Doug Jones, an actor whose physical abilities and character work have seen him portray some of the coolest movie characters ever put on screen. Notably, Hocus Pocus was actually one of the first few films that Jones performed in — he’s way more famous now than he was in 1993. In the intervening years, he played multiple aliens in The Outer Limits, the lead Gentleman in the iconic Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode “Hush,” Abe Sapien in Hellboy, the Faun and the Pale Man in Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth, the Amphibian Man in the Oscar-winning The Shape of Water, and Commander Saru on Star Trek: Discovery. Jones’ extensive career is filled with some of the most visually interesting characters of the past few decades, and his brilliance in Hocus Pocus helped start it all. **The witches know too many modern things** The Sanderson sisters sure are familiar with modernity for people who died 300 years prior. For example, Mary references cooking with margarine, when margarine wasn’t actually invented until 1869. Mary also says she’s going to turn Dani into a “shish-kababy,” implying that she knows what a shish kebab is, despite never having eaten one. She also flies a vacuum cleaner instead of a broom, having stumbled upon one in the closet. This implies she’d understand that a vacuum is something like a broom, only more advanced, which its design really wouldn’t convey to someone from 1693. Winnie is also guilty of a few modern anachronisms. First off, despite the fact that the three sisters are unfamiliar with paved roads, town buses, and any kind of automobile, Winnie flies up on her broom alongside Max’s getaway car and asks to see his “driver’s permit,” implying that she knows what one is, why he needs one, and how a cop would ask for one when pulling someone over. But Winnie’s biggest modern insight is knowing the music and lyrics to Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ 1956 hit, “I Put a Spell On You.” Sure, they know magic, that could be a factor here. But let’s be real: The movie needed an excuse for Bette Midler to sing. And really, we’re not too mad about that. **The movie references Midler’s career** Hocus Pocus is jam-packed with references to star Bette Midler’s career. Before she begins “I Put a Spell on You,” Winnie says to the audience, “Hello Salem, my name’s Winifred. What’s yours?” This is a nod to the line “Hello world, my name’s Rose. What’s yours?” from the famous musical, Gypsy. Midler starred in a TV movie version of Gypsy that came out in 1993, the very same year that Hocus Pocus hit theaters. Gypsy aired on TV later that year in December, but Gypsy was shot before Hocus Pocus, so Midler may have decided to throw the reference in herself. The whole musical number was also staged and interpreted to mimic Midler’s legendary performing style. Additionally, there’s also a moment in Hocus Pocus when Mary says, “Oh, Winnie, thou art divine,” giving a nod to Midler’s nickname and her 1972 debut album, The Divine Miss M. **Binx dies on Emily’s grave** The Sanderson sisters are ultimately defeated, their bodies exploding in the light of the rising sun. As they didn’t achieve their goal of sucking the life from a child before the sun came up on November 1, all their previous curses are broken. This includes the one placed on Thackery Binx, turning him into a cat for all eternity. Binx the cat doesn’t just lie down anywhere to take his final rest, however: He purposefully heads straight to his little sister’s 300-year-old grave. It’s a sad moment when Dani finds him lying there, but a tender tribute indeed to the girl he couldn’t save. Binx no doubt regretted what happened to Emily for 300 long, lonely years — being able to save Dani became his ultimate redemption. Thankfully, Binx’s spirit does get to bid our heroes a final farewell, and is ushered into the afterlife by Emily. All’s well that ends well, even if it took three centuries. **Jay and Ice just get left hanging** Hey, remember the bullies, Jay and Ice? Remember how they’re just kind of left to die? When Max returns to the Sanderson sisters’ house to save Dani and Binx, he finds that his tormentors have been captured by the witches. But instead of letting the guys out of their cages, even when they plead for help, Max just takes his stolen shoes back and leaves them there. Look, they’re probably fine. Someone probably came and got them after the Sanderson sisters were taken down. But when Max left them there, the witches were still alive and totally capable of sucking Jay and Ice’s souls away. So not only did Max leave Jay and Ice to fend for themselves, leaving the two there could have allowed the Sanderson sisters to succeed. Being bullied is terrible, but of all the times to take one’s revenge, this probably wasn’t the best. **The spellbook is still alive at the end, and belongs to Allison** At the end of Hocus Pocus, the Sanderson sisters are dead, Billy is back in his grave, and Binx has traveled to the afterlife to be with his sister. So all is well, right? Not so fast. The spellbook, as we can see in the closing credits of the movie, is still alive. Does it have a new master? Very possibly, yes. Throughout the movie, Allison is drawn to the spellbook. She knows all about Salem’s history, after all, is a Sanderson sister expert, and, as she tells Dani, is really into witches. She is also able to use magic, albeit in small ways, like circles of salt. Still, she’s adept to the point that Winnie calls her a “clever little white witch.” Is Allison, in fact, a white witch? She definitely has the potential to be. Even when the sisters are burned in the kiln, she knows that something didn’t quite work, meaning they’re all still in danger. Maybe a Hocus Pocus sequel could explore the idea of Allison going on to become a powerful white witch in her own right? Time will tell … as the Sanderson sisters know quite well. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Hocus%20Pocus%3A%20Hidden%20Gems&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Hocus%20Pocus%3A%20Hidden%20Gems%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Hocus%20Pocus%3A%20Hidden%20Gems&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Hocus%20Pocus%3A%20Hidden%20Gems%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Hocus%20Pocus%3A%20Hidden%20Gems%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #EasterEggs, #Gems, #HocusPocus --- ### [A BonBon Short: Bette Midler's Walk & More](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/20/a-bonbon-short-bette-midlers-walk/) **Published:** July 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty A BonBon Short: Bette Midler & The Walk By Boodles BonBon July 20, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler look?alike with curly red hair in a purple shiny windbreaker and black beret, carrying a light blue folder while walking on a city sidewalk.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-19_13-00-10.png "2026-07-19_13-00-10 - bootleg betty") --- --- Bette Midler’s walk is a signature physical bit—a campy, slightly forward?leaning, hip?leading strut that comes from her vaudeville roots, her comic training, and her years performing as The Divine Miss M. It’s not an accident or a quirk; it’s part of her persona, a deliberate piece of physical storytelling she’s used for decades. **What makes Bette Midler’s walk Bette Midler’s walk** Midler’s movement style isn’t directly documented in the sources I have, but I can infer its origins from her performance history and ethos: **Vaudeville & bawdy Jewish entertainer lineage** — Midler’s persona draws heavily from performers like Sophie Tucker and Belle Barth, who used exaggerated physicality as part of their comedy. **Bathhouse-era camp theatrics** — At the Continental Baths, she developed The Divine Miss M: big gestures, big strut, big attitude. Physical exaggeration was part of the language of queer performance at the time. **Musical?theater influence** — Dance historian Kevin Winkler notes that Midler’s work is deeply shaped by theatricality and choreographic sensibility. Even when she’s “just walking,” she’s performing. **Put together, her walk becomes a kind of comic strut—a blend of:** showgirl entrance Brooklyn broad swagger drag?queen camp and a wink that says, “I know you’re watching.” It’s not about biomechanics; it’s about persona. **Why fans notice it** Midler’s walk stands out because it’s: deliberate — she uses it to punctuate jokes, entrances, and exits expressive — her body is part of the punchline consistent — she’s walked this way across concerts, films, and TV appearances for decades camp-coded — it’s theatrical, heightened, and knowingly stylized It’s the physical equivalent of her one?liners: sharp, funny, and unmistakably hers. **Sources:** *Broadway Radio Programs, Dallas Voice, Bette Midler, Jewish Women’s Archive* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Walk%20%26%20More&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Walk%20%26%20More%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Walk%20%26%20More&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Walk%20%26%20More%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Walk%20%26%20More%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #TheWalk, #Video --- ### [Divine Miss M Fansite Audio - Bette Midler - Baby Mine Demo](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/19/divine-miss-m-fansite-audio-bette-midler-baby-mine-demo/) **Published:** July 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “Baby Mine” appears in Beaches because Bette Midler chose to cover the classic 1941 Disney lullaby from Dumbo for a pivotal emotional moment: **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Divine Miss M Fansite Audio – Bette Midler – Baby Mine Demo By The Divine Miss M Fansite July 19, 2026 --- ![Mother cradling a sleeping newborn close to her chest in bed.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/392273_229833747090270_221327031274275_558317_578336823_n-450x371-1.jpg "392273_229833747090270_221327031274275_558317_578336823_n-450x371 - bootleg betty") --- --- “Baby Mine” appears in Beaches because Bette Midler chose to cover the classic 1941 Disney lullaby from Dumbo for a pivotal emotional moment: C.C. Bloom helping Hilary Whitney prepare for motherhood. The song’s themes of unconditional love, protection, and tenderness mirror the film’s core relationship and deepen the scene’s emotional resonance. **The story behind Baby Mine in Beaches** **Why this song?** “Baby Mine” was originally written by Frank Churchill and Ned Washington for Disney’s Dumbo (1941). It’s sung when Dumbo’s mother, locked away, cradles him with her trunk — one of the most tender parent–child moments in Disney history. Because of its emotional weight and its association with maternal love, the song became a cultural shorthand for comfort, protection, and vulnerability. **How it functions in Beaches** In Beaches (1988), Bette Midler’s C.C. Bloom sings “Baby Mine” during the scene where she helps Hilary (Barbara Hershey) prepare for her baby. The moment is intimate, domestic, and deeply affectionate — a pause in the chaos of their friendship where C.C. steps into a nurturing role. **Using “Baby Mine” here:** Echoes the maternal theme of the original Dumbo scene. Foreshadows the film’s later emotional arc, where motherhood and caretaking become central. Strengthens the bond between C.C. and Hilary by framing their friendship through a lens of unconditional love. Disney (via Touchstone Pictures) owned both Dumbo and Beaches, making the song an easy and meaningful choice for the soundtrack. **Why Bette Midler’s version stands out** Midler’s interpretation is gentle, warm, and stripped of theatricality — a rare quiet moment in a film full of big emotions and big performances. Her cover helped reintroduce the song to a new generation, leading to renewed interest and later covers by artists like Alison Krauss and Arcade Fire. **The deeper thematic thread** Beaches is ultimately about chosen family, loyalty, and the ways women care for one another across decades. “Baby Mine” isn’t just a lullaby — it’s a metaphor for: Seeing someone’s worth when others don’t Protecting someone who’s vulnerable Loving someone through their flaws and fears All of which define C.C. and Hilary’s relationship. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Baby%20Mine%20Demo&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Baby%20Mine%20Demo%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Baby%20Mine%20Demo&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Baby%20Mine%20Demo%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Baby%20Mine%20Demo%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Beaches, Bette Midler, The Divine Miss M Fan Site **Tags:** #Audio, #BabyMine, #BetteMidler, #Demo, #DivineMissMFanSite --- ### [Why Hocus Pocus 3 Should Return to Salem](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/19/why-hocus-pocus-3-should-return-to-salem/) **Published:** July 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Here’s Why HOCUS POCUS 3 Should Return To Its Salem Roots **Content:** --- ## Fangoria Here’s Why HOCUS POCUS 3 Should Return To Its Salem Roots By Brandon Trush July 17, 2026 --- ![Three witches in colorful costumes chant over a glowing ice-filled cauldron in a moonlit forest.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-17_15-19-51.png "2026-07-17_15-19-51 - bootleg betty") --- As a lifelong horror nerd, visiting Salem, Massachusetts for the first time felt like a rite of passage. I was 22 years old, freshly graduated from college, and finally experiencing what it was like to have enough savings to put money aside for travel. I’ll never forget the first time I drove into The Witch City, spotting the “Welcome to Salem” sign with the little witch icon underneath that I’d spot all over town, from store signs to police cars. I was so excited to have finally made it to Salem for many reasons, but the reason that kept bubbling to the surface the most during my visit was that I was standing in the exact filming locations of my family’s favorite annual Halloween movie: Hocus Pocus. It felt like I was taking my younger self on a film-set tour for a movie my parents plopped me in front of after trick-or-treating, annually from the time I was a toddler. At the risk of sounding trite, the visit felt magical. Salem isn’t a huge city, so it was easy to wander and spot locations that felt like I had somehow tread before, only to realize it was a filming location for Hocus Pocus. It made me realize how much the city of Salem is the bedrock of the nostalgia that so many people feel towards the film. It’s the reason that filming for the newly announced Hocus Pocus sequel should return to Salem. ? Hocus Pocus 2 was a polarizing film for many reasons. There’s a lot to be discussed around where it fits in terms of legacy sequels and how well it honored its nearly 20-year-old predecessor, and while it landed as fairly middling for me, the most glaring disappointment was that it wasn’t filmed in Salem. Filming for Hocus Pocus 2 primarily took place in Providence, Rhode Island, and on a handful of sets. In fact, the only actual footage of Salem in the film is a brief aerial shot of the city, with the Sanderson Sisters green-screened flying over it. The omission of Salem makes the film feel largely hollow. ? The original Hocus Pocus is lush with charm and, at times, grittiness, largely established by the locations. The scenes featuring Thackery Binx’s village during the 1600s were filmed in Salem’s Pioneer Village, which, if you watch now and notice how authentic it looks, is no surprise given that it’s America’s first living history museum. Or consider the poignant exterior shots of Max and Dani’s seaside house, a house so strikingly New England-esque and iconic that there’s no wonder thousands annually flock to get pictures out front (including yours truly). Now compare these filming sites to those featured in Hocus Pocus 2. One of the most pivotal scenes in the movie, when one of the main characters discovers she has latent magical abilities, takes place in a…Walgreens. It’s a funny scene that ends with Kathy Najimy iconically flying away on two Roombas, but the sterile setting of a Walgreens is a far cry from the mood established by the original’s locations. The original Hocus Pocus is silly (and has plenty of flaws of its own), but the realness beneath all its zaniness makes it a unique and memorable film. The performances by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are so campy and over-the-top compared to the very authentic city they’ve spawned, which makes the film feel strangely real. As someone who grew up adjacent to New England, the Halloween festivities, the house interiors, and decorations featured in the film feel like a Halloween I could truly experience in the next town over. Hocus Pocus 2 lacks the details that make the original feel like a visceral film you could step into. The artifice of Hocus Pocus 2’s sets blends into the performance of the Sanderson Sisters, and the result is a forgetful, sterile grey. This isn’t to say that Hocus Pocus 3 is a lost cause–far from it, even, especially given how easily the main trio of witches were able to slip back into their characters. One of the most obvious ways that it can correct course is by heading back to where it originally captured the magic that has captivated so many. The idea feels even more prescient in the age of AI, when folks are craving more authenticity and experiences that feel more analog. This is obviously easier said than done–especially given how much films like Hocus Pocus have dramatically influenced the tourism landscape of Salem. (In fact, any residents of Salem who might happen to read this would probably curse my name, given that the sheer volume of tourism in recent years has caused many issues and headaches around the city.) But at the same time, it also fits into the larger meta-narrative that Hocus Pocus 2 has set up: the Sanderson Sisters have garnered a fanbase and notoriety. Why not have them actually return to the city that put them on the radar? In any case, Hocus Pocus has already been inducted into the horror hall of fame of films that have established iconic road trip destinations. There’s a reason why people still travel to California to see the Myers House, to Texas to see the iconic gas station from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, or to New Jersey to visit the camp where Friday the 13th was filmed. Salem will remain intrinsically tied to Hocus Pocus, and presenting any other location in the sequels as a Salem stand-in will always create a gaping void that can’t be ignored. Give the original fans what they want and the newer generations something to love: film Hocus Pocus 3 in Salem! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Why%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Should%20Return%20to%20Salem&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Why%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Should%20Return%20to%20Salem%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Why%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Should%20Return%20to%20Salem&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Why%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Should%20Return%20to%20Salem%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Why%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Should%20Return%20to%20Salem%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2, Hocus Pocus 3, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HocusPocus3, #Movie, #Salem --- ### [Happy 31st Anniversary To Bette Midler's Bette Of Roses Album, July 18, 1995](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/18/happy-31st-anniversary-to-bette-midlers-bette-of-roses-album-july-18-1995/) **Published:** July 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette of Roses is Bette Midler’s eighth studio album, released July 18, 1995, and marks one of the most quietly confident, musically mature chapters in her discography. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Happy 31st Anniversary To Bette Midler’s Bette Of Roses Album, July 18, 1995 By Mister D July 18, 2026 --- ![Album cover featuring a smiling blonde woman with curly hair, surrounded by red rose petals and bold red title text across the center (no identifying names mentioned).](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-02_12-31-54.png "2026-07-02_12-31-54 - bootleg betty") --- **Bette of Roses** is Bette Midler’s eighth studio album, released July 18, 1995, and marks one of the most quietly confident, musically mature chapters in her discography. It’s a pivot away from the brassy, comedic persona many associate with Midler and toward a more introspective, adult?contemporary sound built on soft rock, folk, and country influences **What the Album Is** A contemporary, acoustic?leaning collection of mid?tempo ballads and soft?rock storytelling. Midler personally selected the songs from “hundreds and hundreds” of submissions, shaping the album into a cohesive emotional arc. **Key contributors include**: Maria McKee (“To Deserve You,” “The Last Time”) Cheryl Wheeler, Bonnie Hayes, Marc Jordan, Tonio K, Andy Hill, Pete Sinfield, Roger Cook Producer Arif Mardin, continuing their collaboration from Some People’s Lives but with a more guitar?based, less synthesized palette. **The Sound & Themes** *The album leans into:* Acoustic textures and gentle guitar arrangements Mid?tempo ballads (“Bottomless,” “As Dreams Go By,” “I Believe in You”) Country?rock touches (“I Know This Town,” “The Last Time”) Sentimental but not saccharine storytelling, often reflecting on memory, loss, and emotional endurance. AllMusic notes that the album feels like a focused extension of Some People’s Lives—poignant, inspiring, and less comedic, showcasing Midler’s ability to carry deeply emotional material with charisma and restraint. **Standout Moments** “To Deserve You” A demanding, dramatic vocal piece that later spawned a popular club remix—an unusual twist for such a contemplative album. The remix was re?produced by Arif Mardin and became a promotional highlight. “As Dreams Go By” A soaring ballad by Andy Hill, considered one of Midler’s finest recordings of the era. “I Know This Town” A reflective, mid?tempo meditation on childhood memories and urban change—sentimental without tipping into melodrama. **Context in Her Career** Bette of Roses was Midler’s final album for Atlantic Records, closing a 23?year chapter that began with The Divine Miss M. After this release, she moved to Warner Bros. for her next two albums before departing the Warner group entirely in 2002. It also followed a five?year break from studio albums, during which she starred in Gypsy and contributed heavily to the For the Boys soundtrack—projects that showcased her dramatic range and likely influenced the album’s introspective tone **Why It Matters** For fans and archivists, Bette of Roses represents: A transitional moment between her early theatrical persona and her later adult?contemporary sophistication. A curated, songwriter?driven project that highlights her interpretive power. A sonic shift toward acoustic warmth and emotional clarity. It’s an album that rewards close listening—quietly confident, deeply felt, and beautifully crafted. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Happy%2031st%20Anniversary%20To%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20Of%20Roses%20Album%2C%20July%2018%2C%201995&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Happy%2031st%20Anniversary%20To%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20Of%20Roses%20Album%2C%20July%2018%2C%201995%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Happy%2031st%20Anniversary%20To%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20Of%20Roses%20Album%2C%20July%2018%2C%201995&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Happy%2031st%20Anniversary%20To%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20Of%20Roses%20Album%2C%20July%2018%2C%201995%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Happy%2031st%20Anniversary%20To%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20Of%20Roses%20Album%2C%20July%2018%2C%201995%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Anniversary, Bette Midler, Bette Of Roses, History, Music, Songs **Tags:** #Album, #Anniversary, #BetteMidler, #BetteOfRoses, #Music, #Songs --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - The Charlie Rose Show -1999](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/17/video-bette-midler-the-charlie-rose-show-1999/) **Published:** July 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s 1999 Charlie Rose appearance is one of her sharpest long?form interviews — candid, funny, a little wicked, and deeply reflective. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Avon Ladies Of The Amazon – Charlie Rose – 3-3-1999 By Mister D July 17, 2026 --- ![Woman with blonde hair rests her chin on her hand during a conversation, against a black background in a studio setup.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1HY6AW6_089_lt-1-1024x576.jpg "1hy6aw6_089_lt 1 - bootleg betty")--- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/talk-show/)’s 1999 [**Charlie Rose**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Rose) appearance is one of her sharpest long?form interviews — candid, funny, a little wicked, and deeply reflective. The conversation aired March 3, 1999, tied to the release of her album “Bathhouse Betty.” Bathhouse Betty era: She dug into the album’s themes, her return to brassy, theatrical pop, and the reclamation of her bathhouse roots — a subject she approached with humor and pride. Early career & gay bathhouses: She openly discussed her beginnings performing at the Continental Baths, reflecting on how queer audiences shaped her artistry and persona. Film, TV, and concert work: Rose walked through her career highlights, giving her space to talk about the grind, the glamour, and the absurdity of Hollywood. Fame & its challenges: She spoke frankly about the pressures of celebrity, the toll of constant reinvention, and the expectations placed on women entertainers. Urban planning & NYC: In classic Bette fashion, she veered into her passion for city beautification and community development — the seeds of what would become her major environmental advocacy. Influences & mentors: She reminisced about Johnny Carson, her musical inspirations, and the people who shaped her career trajectory. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Charlie%20Rose%20Show%20-1999&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Charlie%20Rose%20Show%20-1999%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Charlie%20Rose%20Show%20-1999&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Charlie%20Rose%20Show%20-1999%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Charlie%20Rose%20Show%20-1999%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Talk Show, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CharlieRose, #talkshow --- ### [8 Yrs Ago Today: Bette Midler Returns to Hello Dolly!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/17/8-yrs-ago-today-bette-midler-returns-to-hello-dolly/) **Published:** July 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler returned to the Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! on July 17, 2018 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty 8 Years Ago Today: Bette Midler Returns to Hello Dolly! By Mister D July 17, 2026 --- ![Stage performance: a man in a top hat and a woman in a silver gown with a feathered hat cheer with other costumed performers on a seaside backdrop, confetti in the air.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hello-dolly-4.jpg "Hello-dolly-4 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler** ](https://entertainmentnow.com/broadway-news/bette-midler-rare-performance-no-kings/)returned to the Broadway revival of [**Hello, Dolly!**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/hello-dolly/) on July 17, 2018, marking the one?year anniversary of the production’s Broadway run. This limited six?week engagement was announced as a celebratory return, following Bernadette Peters’ run in the role. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=8%20Yrs%20Ago%20Today%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Returns%20to%20Hello%20Dolly%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=8%20Yrs%20Ago%20Today%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Returns%20to%20Hello%20Dolly%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=8%20Yrs%20Ago%20Today%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Returns%20to%20Hello%20Dolly%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=8%20Yrs%20Ago%20Today%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Returns%20to%20Hello%20Dolly%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=8%20Yrs%20Ago%20Today%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Returns%20to%20Hello%20Dolly%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Hello Dolly!, History, On This Day In History **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #HelloDolly, #History, #OnThisDay --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - One Night Only (Complete) - 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2018/09/17/video-bette-midler-one-night-only-complete-2014/) **Published:** September 17, 2018 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In a showbiz career spanning half-a-century, multiple Grammy Award-winning singer and legendary performer Bette Midler graces ITV screens in her first-ever UK television special, Bette Midler: One Night Only. **Content:** --- ![Bette Midler in One Night Only, a British special 2014](/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/2019-04-14_20-41-28-480x293.jpg "2019-04-14_20-41-28 - bootleg betty") --- In a showbiz career spanning half-a-century, multiple Grammy Award-winning singer and legendary performer Bette Midler graces ITV screens in her first-ever UK television special, Bette Midler: One Night Only. Hosted by Joanna Lumley, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2019/02/05/sophie-von-haselberg-and-her-friend-ariana-venturi-have-a-podcast-check-it-out/): One Night Only sees musical performances interspersed with a candid chat with the leading lady, offering an insight into her life in the spotlight. And as a true comedy legend, we can expect a lot of laughs along the way. The Grammy Award winner will be performing a selection of her classic hits, including Wind Beneath My Wings and From A Distance, as well as songs from her new album, including a cover of The Ronettes’ Be My Baby and TLC’s Waterfalls. The [**Divine Miss M**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2018/10/17/bette-midler-studio-60-joey-why-these-3-anticipated-tv-shows-fell-flat/) is preparing to release her first studio album in eight years, It’s The Girls! which is a collection of songs of the greatest girl groups of all time, covering everyone from The Supremes to The Shirelles. ‘I can’t believe this is really my first special in the UK,’ said Midler. ‘What have we been waiting for all these years? We’re going to have a ball. I’m looking forward to performing some of my favourite songs and also introducing some wonderful new songs that celebrate iconic girl groups. I love the music these women made. They say behind every great man, there’s a great woman. Well, I think that behind every great woman, there should be at least two other women singing and dancing in perfect unison.’ One of the world’s best-loved and most versatile entertainers, Bette Midler has garnered accolades in all quarters of show business. She’s earned four Grammy Awards including Song of the Year (1989: Wind Beneath My Wings; 1990: From A Distance) and Record of the Year (1989: Wind Beneath My Wings); two Academy Award nominations, three Emmy Awards, one Tony Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and nine [**American Comedy Awards**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Comedy_Awards). Bette Midler has recorded 13 studio albums and has gone on to sell over 30 million albums worldwide. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20%28Complete%29%20-%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20%28Complete%29%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20%28Complete%29%20-%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20%28Complete%29%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20%28Complete%29%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, One Night Only, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Complete, #girlgroups, #Music, #Onenightonly, #Songs, #SophJokes --- ### [Hocus Pocus 3 In Development](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/16/hocus-pocus-3-in-development/) **Published:** July 16, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Facebook Hocus Pocus 3 In Development By Facebook July 16, 2026 --- ![Poster for Hocus Pocus 3 showing three witches in a sunlit forest, with gold title text at top and eerie glow surrounding them.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/746927901_971457105947233_3853964823147561132_n.jpg "746927901_971457105947233_3853964823147561132_n - bootleg betty")--- HOCUS POCUS 3 (In Development) Starring: Bette Midler • Sarah Jessica Parker • Kathy Najimy While fans have been eagerly imagining sequels like Coven of Carnage, there is currently no official subtitle or confirmed plot for the upcoming third installment. As of July 2026, Hocus Pocus 3 is officially in early development at Disney Live Action Studios. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are confirmed to reprise their iconic roles as the Sanderson sisters. While the project is moving forward and the stars are attached, the film is in the early scripting and logistical stages. No release date has been set, and while a theatrical release is being considered, there is no official trailer or confirmed cast beyond the lead trio Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20In%20Development&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20In%20Development%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20In%20Development&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20In%20Development%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20In%20Development%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus 3, Movies **Tags:** #Bette Midler, #HocusPocus3, #Movie --- ### [Hocus Pocus Marks Its 33rd Anniversary Today](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/16/hocus-pocus-marks-its-33rd-anniversary-today/) **Published:** July 16, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Hocus Pocus is a 1993 American fantasy?comedy directed by Kenny Ortega and starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Hocus Pocus Marks Its 33rd Anniversary Today By Mister D July 16, 2026 --- ![Walt Disney's Hocus Pocus poster showing three witches (the Sanderson sisters) riding broomsticks across a full moon, with a blue night sky and city skyline below; title reads 'Hocus Pocus' with credits at the bottom.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-04_18-34-26.png "2026-07-04_18-34-26 - bootleg betty") --- **Premiere date:** **July 16, 1993** **Overview** [**Hocus Pocus** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/hocus-pocus/)is a 1993 American fantasy?comedy directed by Kenny Ortega and starring [**Bette Midler**](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bette-Midler), Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters — a chaotic, campy trio of witches accidentally resurrected in modern?day Salem by a teenage boy on Halloween night. Initially a box?office disappointment, the film later became a cult classic, thanks to annual October airings and surging home?media sales. Its legacy has since expanded into a full franchise, including a sequel released in 2022 and a third film in development. **Awards & Nominations** Hocus Pocus earned 2 wins and 11 nominations, including: **Saturn Awards (1994)** Winner: Best Costumes — Mary E. Vogt Nominees: Best Fantasy Film, Best Actress (Bette Midler), Best Supporting Actress (Kathy Najimy), Best Special Effects **Young Artist Awards (1994)** Winner: Best Youth Actress Leading Role — Thora Birch (tied with Christina Vidal) Nominees: Vinessa Shaw, Omri Katz, Sean Murray, Jason Marsden (voiceover) **Awards Circuit Community Awards (1993)** Nominees: Best Costume Design, Best Makeup & Hairstyling **Trivia** A few fun nuggets from the film’s long pop?culture afterlife: The movie is set in Salem, Massachusetts, tying directly into the town’s witch?trial history. Max attends Jacob Bailey High School, which features a full?sized kiln used in one of the film’s most memorable scenes. Bette Midler’s role as Winifred Sanderson sits alongside her iconic turns in The Rose, Beaches, For the Boys, and Gypsy. The film’s cult status grew after its theatrical run — annual TV airings transformed it into a Halloween staple. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Hocus%20Pocus%20Marks%20Its%2033rd%20Anniversary%20Today&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Hocus%20Pocus%20Marks%20Its%2033rd%20Anniversary%20Today%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Hocus%20Pocus%20Marks%20Its%2033rd%20Anniversary%20Today&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Hocus%20Pocus%20Marks%20Its%2033rd%20Anniversary%20Today%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Hocus%20Pocus%20Marks%20Its%2033rd%20Anniversary%20Today%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Anniversary, Bette Midler, History, Hocus Pocus, On This Day In History **Tags:** #Anniversary, #BetteMidler, #History, #HocusPocus, #Movie --- ### [When Celebrities Clap Back… Legally](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/16/when-celebrities-clap-back-legally/) **Published:** July 16, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Join us as we count down some of the most jaw-dropping legal battles where celebrities fought back and took on powerful companies. **Content:** --- ## Watch Mojo 10 Times Celebs Sued Huge Companies By Francis Ofiaeli July 15, 2026 --- ![Older woman with short blond hair wearing a blue paisley-patterned shirt posing for a photo at an event, with a subtle smile and jewelry visible.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-15_13-41-15.png "2026-07-15_13-41-15 - bootleg betty") --- When stars and massive corporations collide in court, things get explosive! Join us as we count down some of the most jaw-dropping legal battles where celebrities fought back and took on powerful companies. From music rights disputes to unauthorized endorsements and streaming controversies, these cases changed the rules of fame, branding, and intellectual property forever. Do you think these lawsuits were justified? Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at 10 times stars or their fans took on large establishments legally. **Taylor Swift Fans vs. Ticketmaster/Live Nation** Chaos erupted on November 15, 2022, when Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour presale crashed spectacularly. The incident locked out millions of fans as Ticketmaster’s site buckled under 3.5 billion site requests in a single day. What began as a triumphant tour launch quickly exposed Live Nation’s iron grip on live music, sparking furious claims of monopoly power. Though Swift stayed out of court herself, outraged fans launched class action suits. U.S. senators hauled Ticketmaster executives into fiery January 2023 Judiciary Committee hearings, with lawmakers competing to drop Swift lyrics on the record. This case saw multiple state attorneys general fueling calls to dismantle the dominant gatekeeper strangling concert experiences. **Eminem vs. Apple** American rapper Eminem’s beef with Apple actually occurred twice. The first round came in 2004, when his publishing company Eight Mile Style sued after Apple used “Lose Yourself” in an iTunes TV commercial without permission. Round two arrived in 2007. Eight Mile Style sued again. This time, it was over iTunes selling 93 of Eminem’s songs under a deal struck with Aftermath Records. His publishers argued that they never had the authority to authorize digital distribution. The case went to trial in Detroit in 2009, where it was revealed that Apple had paid Aftermath more than Eight Mile Style for the downloads. Both sides settled after the trial, with terms undisclosed. **Katherine Heigl vs. Duane Reade** In March 2014, a Duane Reade social media manager had what seemed like a clever idea: post a paparazzi photo of Katherine Heigl leaving one of their stores. Her caption of the tweet also made it sound like the actress backed the brand. Heigl, a “Grey’s Anatomy” Emmy winner known for being highly selective about endorsements, hit back with a $6 million federal lawsuit. She argued the retailer had deliberately stripped the original context from the image and repurposed it as unauthorized advertising. Duane Reade insisted the public photo was fair game. The case settled confidentially, with the pharmacy giant reportedly making a charitable donation to Heigl’s foundation. Every brand’s social team should have this lesson tattooed somewhere visible. **Tom Waits vs. Frito-Lay** Frito-Lay’s ad agency set out to launch Salsa Rio Doritos with a radio spot inspired by Tom Waits’s 1976 satirical song “Step Right Up”. Instead of dealing with Waits, they hired an imitator, Dallas musician Stephen Carter. His impersonation was so accurate that members of the creative team reportedly did a double take at his audition. Waits heard the ad during a radio appearance in Los Angeles and later joked that he wondered if he’d recorded it in a drunken blackout. He filed suit for voice misappropriation and false endorsement and won. In 1990, a jury awarded him $2.6 million in damages, later upheld on appeal in 1992. In a remarkable twist, Carter himself testified on Waits’ behalf. **Dua Lipa vs. Samsung** Fresh off her global pop domination, Dua Lipa filed a $15 million lawsuit against Samsung in May 2026. She discovered the tech giant had plastered her face, without any consent or compensation, across the packaging of its televisions sold across the U.S. throughout 2025. The photograph, taken backstage at the 2024 Austin City Limits Festival, was registered under her copyright. She sent multiple cease-and-desist letters; Samsung allegedly ignored every one. Samsung eventually responded by blaming a third-party content partner who claimed to have received permission. The case is ongoing and has already highlighted how quickly a superstar’s image can be commercially exploited. **Ariana Grande vs. Forever 21** When it comes to her image, Ariana Grande doesn’t play. In 2019, negotiations for a legitimate endorsement deal with the star broke down over money, so Forever 21 decided to go a different route. The brand ran at least 30 unauthorized posts across its website and social media, featuring a look-alike model. They recreated scenes from Grande’s “7 Rings” video, overlaying her lyrics as captions, and playing the song in the background. Grande hit them with a $10 million lawsuit for copyright infringement, trademark violation, false endorsement, and right of publicity claims. Though the lawsuit was settled confidentially, it sent a clear warning to retailers: If you can’t make a deal with the real person, don’t try to get cute with an impersonator. **Prince vs. Warner Bros. Records** What Prince launched against Warner Bros. wasn’t a conventional lawsuit – it was something more audacious. After he signed a $100 million contract extension in 1992, it gave the label control over his release schedule and his masters. He then started one of the most public contractual rebellions in music history. In 1993, he protested by changing his name to an unpronounceable love symbol. Then, by 1994, he was appearing at award shows and on TV with the word “slave” written on his cheek. He famously told Rolling Stone: “If you don’t own your masters, your master owns you”. The high-profile standoff led to freedom, and he left the label in 1996 to release “Emancipation” independently. Prince eventually regained ownership of his master recordings in 2014. **Bette Midler vs. Ford Motor Company** In 1985, Bette Midler turned down Ford’s offer to sing her hit “Do You Want to Dance” for the launch of their “Yuppie Campaign”. Their advertising agency, Young & Rubicam, proceeded to hire one of Midler’s own former backup singers, Ula Hedwig. They directed Hedwig to sound as much like Midler as possible. The singer sued the automaker and the ad agency, and the Ninth Circuit ruled in her favor in 1988. The court established for the first time that a uniquely identifiable voice is a protectable personal asset, even without using a name, image, or actual recording. Though Midler sued both parties for millions, damages of around $400,000 were awarded. The ruling directly paved the way for Tom Waits’ later victory against Frito-Lay. **50 Cent vs. Taco Bell** Never one to let disrespect slide, 50 Cent sued Taco Bell in 2008. The fast-food chain ran a cheeky campaign suggesting the rapper would rename himself “79 Cent”, “89 Cent”, or “99 Cent” to match their Value Menu. The stunt was designed to generate viral buzz without ever paying him. It worked, and the story exploded everywhere. Outraged, the rapper filed a $4 million lawsuit claiming Taco Bell had hijacked his stage name to imply endorsement. Taco Bell called it a good faith offer, but the rapper wasn’t having it. The lawsuit was settled in 2009 with undisclosed terms. Brands hoping to snag celebrity credibility without the invoice should read the case file carefully. **Scarlett Johansson vs. Disney** Hollywood was shocked in July 2021 when Scarlett Johansson sued Disney over the simultaneous theatrical and Disney+ release of “Black Widow”. She alleged the move directly torpedoed the box office bonuses built into her contract. Disney had reportedly already paid her $20 million up front, but her backend deal was tied to exclusive theatrical performance. According to Johansson, the double release set her back approximately $50 million in expected earnings. Disney hit back with a surprisingly personal insult, accusing her of disregard for the global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The case settled in September 2021 for undisclosed terms, with sources reporting her total compensation at $40 million-plus. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=When%20Celebrities%20Clap%20Back%E2%80%A6%20Legally&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=When%20Celebrities%20Clap%20Back%E2%80%A6%20Legally%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=When%20Celebrities%20Clap%20Back%E2%80%A6%20Legally&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=When%20Celebrities%20Clap%20Back%E2%80%A6%20Legally%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=When%20Celebrities%20Clap%20Back%E2%80%A6%20Legally%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Celebrity, legal **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Celebrities, #Courts, #Legally --- ### [Bette Midler's IG Photo: Ahhh!...The Seventies!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/15/bette-midlers-ig-photo-ahhh-the-seventies/) **Published:** July 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's IG Photo: Ahhh!...The Seventies! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler’s IG Photo: Ahhh!…The Seventies! By Mister D July 15, 2026 --- ![Performer singing into a microphone on stage in a sepia-toned image.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-14_09-52-06.png "2026-07-14_09-52-06 - bootleg betty") --- **Bette Midler’s IG Photo**: **Ahhh!…The Seventies!** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20IG%20Photo%3A%20Ahhh%21...The%20Seventies%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20IG%20Photo%3A%20Ahhh%21...The%20Seventies%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20IG%20Photo%3A%20Ahhh%21...The%20Seventies%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20IG%20Photo%3A%20Ahhh%21...The%20Seventies%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20IG%20Photo%3A%20Ahhh%21...The%20Seventies%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Instagram, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Instagram, #photo, #TheSeventies --- ### [An Update On Bette Midler's Steps Movie](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/15/an-update-on-bette-midlers-steps-movie/) **Published:** July 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Netflix’s animated feature, “Steps” has found its prince. Daniel Radcliffe will voice the royal role in Netflix’s upcoming animated feature, “Steps.“ Also joining the cast are Young Mazino as Gef, “The Heartthrob,” and Peter Dinklage as Roderick, “The Muscle.” **Content:** --- ## Variety Daniel Radcliffe, Young Mazino and Peter Dinklage Join Netflix’s Animated Film ‘Steps’ By Jazz Tangcay July 15, 2026 --- ![Black-and-white photo of a woman in a dress sitting on a small chair, elbows on knees, chin resting on her hands in an industrial-looking space](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/19be36b7b3ee3841f792ef726413f821.jpg "19be36b7b3ee3841f792ef726413f821 - bootleg betty") --- Netflix’s animated feature, “[**Steps**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/steps/)” has found its prince. Daniel Radcliffe will voice the royal role in Netflix’s upcoming animated feature, “Steps.“ Also joining the cast are Young Mazino as Gef, “The Heartthrob,” and Peter Dinklage as Roderick, “The Muscle.” Directed by Alyce Tzue and John Ripa, “Steps” puts a twist on the story of Cinderella’s evil stepsisters. The animated film follows Lilith (Ali Wong), who is blamed for hijacking the Royal Ball with a stolen magic wand. She accidentally turns her sister, Margot (Stephanie Hsu), into a frog and leaves the kingdom in the hands of a prince-obsessed mean girl. Now Lilith must team up with Cinderella (Amanda Seyfried) — and a surprisingly dreamy troll — to save the kingdom, repair the fractured fairytale and prove that even so-called “villains” deserve a shot at happily-ever-after. [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) rounds out the starry ensemble, voicing the the fairy godmother. “Our dream was for our fairytale Prince to be unlike any Prince you’ve seen before, and Daniel made that dream come true,” Ripa said about Radcliffe’s casting. “He brought his incredibly unique and nuanced brand of quirky, big-hearted humor to our Prince, and created a character that’s irresistible and delightful. We were blown away by Daniel’s range and razor-sharp comedy chops, and it was simply a pleasure to work with him.” He continued: “We feel incredibly lucky to have all three of these massive talents on our film. Our goal was to break the fairy tale mold by making every single character three-dimensional and worthy of a happily ever after, and we couldn’t have done it without Daniel, Peter, and Young.” Tzue called Dinklage “an immense talent,” adding that “Roderick is a murderous man-nanny who has to be both terrifying and motivated by love. Peter strikes that balance with incredible skill, lending gravitas and humor to the role.” Tzue shared further plot details with Netflix’s Tudum. “This story is, at its core, about two very different sisters — one who fits perfectly into this fairy tale kingdom and one who doesn’t — realizing they’re more alike than different,” Tzue said. “It’s such a personal story for me because, growing up as an awkward, artsy Taiwanese kid in suburban New Jersey, I often felt like an outsider, like ‘happily ever after’ wasn’t meant for me. I wanted to create a film for everyone who has ever felt like they didn’t belong — and show how a single act of kindness can change everything.” “Steps” will be released later this year. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=An%20Update%20On%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Steps%20Movie&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=An%20Update%20On%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Steps%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=An%20Update%20On%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Steps%20Movie&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=An%20Update%20On%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Steps%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=An%20Update%20On%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Steps%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Steps **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DanielRadcliffe, #FairyGodmother, #Prince, #Steps --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - Uptown Medley - Rolling Stone](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/15/video-bette-midler-uptown-medley-rolling-stone/) **Published:** July 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s “Uptown Medley” in Rolling Stone Magazine: The 10th Anniversary Special (CBS, Nov. 25, 1977) is one of the most gloriously chaotic, high?camp, full?tilt Bette moments ever broadcast on network television **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Uptown Medley – Rolling Stone Special – 1977 By Mister D July 15, 2026 --- ![Female singer performing on stage, hands raised to her head, singing into a microphone in a floral dress (black-and-white photo).](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2025-11-25_06-42-10.png "2025-11-25_06-42-10 - bootleg betty") --- --- Bette Midler’s “Uptown Medley” in Rolling Stone Magazine: The 10th Anniversary Special (CBS, Nov. 25, 1977) is one of the most gloriously chaotic, high?camp, full?tilt Bette moments ever broadcast on network television — and yes, critics at the time agreed it was the highlight of the entire special. The medley was part of Bette’s multi?song segment, which included “Red,” “Uptown/Da Doo Ron Ron,” “La Vie En Rose,” and a long comic monologue. **The “Uptown” portion specifically blended:** “Uptown” (The Crystals) “Da Doo Ron Ron” (The Crystals) Bette’s signature girl?group?revival staging with The Harlettes (Ula Hedwig & Charlotte Crossley) It was filmed as a high?energy, retro?soul, Brill?Building?meets?Bette spectacle — the kind of thing she perfected in the Clams on the Half Shell era. **How It Played on TV** The medley was: Fast, funny, and aggressively choreographed — Bette in full “Divine Miss M” mode. Visually stylized with 1960s girl?group costuming and exaggerated movement. Camp?forward, leaning into her bawdy Lower East Side persona. Musically tight, thanks to Richard Baskin’s music direction and the Harlettes’ stacked harmonies. The special itself was a strange, uneven variety show — but Bette’s segment was widely cited as the only part that truly worked. **Context Within the Special** Her medley wasn’t isolated — it was part of a larger Bette takeover that also included: “Red” — her sly, comic banger number “La Vie En Rose” — done with full melodramatic flourish (the clip is still online) A lengthy monologue in classic Bette style And finally “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” with Jerry Lee Lewis, who joined her at the piano. This combination made her the de facto headliner of the night. **Why the Uptown Medley Matters** It’s peak Harlettes-era Bette — the girl?group revival aesthetic she helped re-popularize. It shows her mastery of TV variety format — comedy, choreography, and musicality in one continuous burst. It’s one of the few professionally filmed performances of her early medley style, which otherwise mostly survives in concert bootlegs. It became the segment critics singled out as the only part of the special that truly delivered. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Uptown%20Medley%20-%20Rolling%20Stone&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Uptown%20Medley%20-%20Rolling%20Stone%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Uptown%20Medley%20-%20Rolling%20Stone&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Uptown%20Medley%20-%20Rolling%20Stone%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Uptown%20Medley%20-%20Rolling%20Stone%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Special Events, Video **Tags:** #Anniverary, #BetteMidler, #RollingStone, #Special, #UptownMedley, #Video #Arrive --- ### [BetteBack 3-28-78: Bette Midler Hits Fan With A Shoe](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/14/betteback-3-28-78-bette-midler-hits-fan-with-a-shoe/) **Published:** July 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack 3-28-78: Bette Midler Hits Fan With A Shoe...Accidentally! **Content:** --- **[Plain Dealer](http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.5070833333,-81.6797777778&spn=0.01,0.01&q=41.5070833333,-81.6797777778 (The%20Plain%20Dealer)&t=h "The Plain Dealer") March 28, 1978** --- ![Black-and-white photo of a female vocalist with curly hair singing into a microphone on stage, with a guitarist visible in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/39dabfc7b5ffd4f20f0c8fad2bde8bba.jpg "39dabfc7b5ffd4f20f0c8fad2bde8bba - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-01-06_3-52-18](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-06_3-52-18-450x375.png "2017-01-06_3-52-18 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68787) [![2017-01-06_3-52-49](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-06_3-52-49-450x253.png "2017-01-06_3-52-49 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68788) [Bette Midler](http://bettemidler.com/ "Bette Midler"), Front Row, autograph, Shoe Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%203-28-78%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Hits%20Fan%20With%20A%20Shoe&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%203-28-78%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Hits%20Fan%20With%20A%20Shoe%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%203-28-78%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Hits%20Fan%20With%20A%20Shoe&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%203-28-78%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Hits%20Fan%20With%20A%20Shoe%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%203-28-78%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Hits%20Fan%20With%20A%20Shoe%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack **Tags:** #Accidentally, #BetteBack, #BetteMidler, #Concert, #Fan, #Shoe --- ### [BetteBack 4-13-78: Bette Midler Paid In Gold Bullion](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/14/betteback-4-13-78-bette-midler-paid-in-gold-bullion/) **Published:** July 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack 4-13-78: Bette Midler Paid In Gold Bullion **Content:** --- **Evansville Courier and Press April 13, 1978** --- ![Female singer performing on stage in a sparkling pink dress, holding a microphone and mid-song gesture; floral stage backdrop behind her.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/57f4a3ebb51cf5f105779ad8868cfe39.jpg "57f4a3ebb51cf5f105779ad8868cfe39 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-01-09_3-42-16](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-09_3-42-16-450x497.png "2017-01-09_3-42-16 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68861) Bette Midler, Gold Bullion, Britain Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%204-13-78%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Paid%20In%20Gold%20Bullion&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%204-13-78%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Paid%20In%20Gold%20Bullion%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%204-13-78%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Paid%20In%20Gold%20Bullion&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%204-13-78%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Paid%20In%20Gold%20Bullion%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%204-13-78%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Paid%20In%20Gold%20Bullion%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** 1978 World Tour, Bette Midler, BetteBack, concerts, Divine Madness **Tags:** #BetteBack, #BetteMidler, #Britain, #Concerts, #GoldBullion, #paid --- ### [Netflix’s Fairy Godmother? Bette Midler, Naturally](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/13/netflixs-fairy-godmother-bette-midler-naturally/) **Published:** July 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** If you thought Bette Midler couldn’t top Winifred Sanderson, Netflix is about to prove you wrong. **Content:** --- ## Technosports Bette Midler Is Netflix’s New Fairy Godmother Steps — And She’s Gloriously Chaotic By Reetam Bodhak July 13, 2026 --- ![A woman in a green cloak casts a spell from an open glowing book, sparks rising from its pages in a magical scene.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/8b31a3b2045058060a32b331eafbe1eb.jpg "8b31a3b2045058060a32b331eafbe1eb - bootleg betty") --- If you thought Bette Midler couldn’t top Winifred Sanderson, Netflix is about to prove you wrong. The Hollywood legend has officially joined the voice cast of Steps, Netflix’s upcoming animated feature film — and the role sounds like it was written just for her. **The Film: Cinderella, But Make It Chaotic** Steps isn’t your grandmother’s Cinderella story. This bold reimagining flips the classic fairy tale on its head by telling the whole thing from the perspective of the infamous stepsisters — and honestly, it sounds like a blast. **Steps** The story follows Lilith (voiced by Ali Wong), who steals the Fairy Godmother’s magic wand and hijacks the Royal Ball alongside her sister Margot (Stephanie Hsu). Their scheme goes spectacularly sideways, accidentally handing the kingdom over to Priscilla, a scheming villain who snatches the throne. Now Lilith and Cinderella herself — voiced by Amanda Seyfried — must team up, outrun evil henchmen, fight biker trolls, and survive the Screaming Woods just to save the kingdom and, more importantly, their own relationship. It’s funny, chaotic, action-packed, and emotionally grounded in sisterhood. Basically, everything you’d want from a modern animated film. Stay on top of the latest Netflix releases and everything entertainment at Technosports. **Why Bette Midler as the Fairy Godmother Is Perfect Casting** Forget the sweet, floaty, bibbidi-bobbidi version. Midler’s Fairy Godmother is something far more entertaining — a well-intentioned bumbler with a scheming streak who can’t quite get her magic together. In Midler’s own words, she’s “a little bit of a bumbler and a little bit of a schemer” who comes in with good intentions but delivers gloriously imperfect results. The irony of Winifred Sanderson — cinema’s most iconic scheming witch — now playing a scheming Fairy Godmother is the kind of full-circle casting that practically writes its own press release. Comedy, chaos, and unmistakable star power: it’s a perfect fit. **A Star-Studded Production Behind the Scenes** Steps is a landmark production for Netflix — it’s the first film ever built entirely within Netflix Animation Studios in-house. It’s being directed by Alyce Tzue, a Student Academy Award gold medal winner, and John Ripa, who co-directed Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon. Comedy powerhouse Amy Poehler is producing through Paper Kite Productions alongside Jane Hartwell and Kim Lessing. With that creative team, a scene-stealing cast, and a fresh spin on a timeless story, Steps is shaping up to be one of the most exciting animated films of 2026. For more on what’s coming to Netflix and beyond, don’t miss our full entertainment coverage at Technosports. **FAQs** Q: Who does Bette Midler voice in Netflix’s Steps? She voices the Fairy Godmother — a lovably bumbling, slightly scheming version of the classic character, a far cry from the prim and proper fairy tales we grew up with. Q: When is Steps releasing on Netflix? No exact date has been confirmed yet, but Netflix has announced it will arrive later in 2026, making it one of the most anticipated animated films of the year. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Netflix%E2%80%99s%20Fairy%20Godmother%3F%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Naturally&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Netflix%E2%80%99s%20Fairy%20Godmother%3F%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Naturally%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Netflix%E2%80%99s%20Fairy%20Godmother%3F%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Naturally&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Netflix%E2%80%99s%20Fairy%20Godmother%3F%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Naturally%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Netflix%E2%80%99s%20Fairy%20Godmother%3F%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Naturally%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Steps **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Cinderella, #FairyGodmother, #HocusPocus, #Netflix, #Steps, #WinifredSanderson --- ### [July’s Bette Midler Jukebox Has Landed](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/13/julys-bette-midler-jukebox-has-landed/) **Published:** July 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** July’s Bette Midler Jukebox Has Landed **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty July’s Bette Midler Jukebox Has Landed By Mister D July 13, 2026 --- ![Woman in a white blouse and black pencil skirt sits on a bar stool, holding a glass in a dim, lounge-style setting with an orange mural backdrop.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/c3368887cec9b56611229cbad7ef7ac4.jpg "C3368887cec9b56611229cbad7ef7ac4 - bootleg betty") --- ![Black-and-white group photo of several people in 1970s-style clothing posing on a concrete surface; some stand, some sit or lie on the ground in front.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/071dcc06b4b996f3196dd15ad7135fa8.jpg "071dcc06b4b996f3196dd15ad7135fa8 - bootleg betty")## July JukeBox [CLICK HERE FOR JUKEBOX](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=July%E2%80%99s%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Has%20Landed&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=July%E2%80%99s%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Has%20Landed%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=July%E2%80%99s%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Has%20Landed&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=July%E2%80%99s%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Has%20Landed%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=July%E2%80%99s%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Has%20Landed%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bootleg Betty Jukebox, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #Jukebox, #Music, #Songs --- ### [BetteBack 4-12-78: A Parody Movie Called 'Weekend'](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/13/betteback-4-12-78-a-parody-movie-called-weekend/) **Published:** July 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack 4-12-78: A Parody Movie Called 'Weekend' **Content:** --- **[State Journal-Register](http://www.sj-r.com "The State Journal-Register") April 12, 1978** --- ![Female pop singer on stage, microphone in hand, wearing a short ruffled dress.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ab2927afae065d58f1079d71300b2294.jpg "Ab2927afae065d58f1079d71300b2294 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-01-09_3-32-18](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-09_3-32-18-450x517.png "2017-01-09_3-32-18 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68855) [![2017-01-09_3-33-03](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-09_3-33-03-450x419.png "2017-01-09_3-33-03 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68856) [Bette Midler](http://bettemidler.com/ "Bette Midler"), [Charo](http://www.last.fm/music/Charo "Charo"), Weekend, [Don Rickles](http://www.donrickles.com/ "Don Rickles"), [Don Knotts](http://www.last.fm/music/Don%2BKnotts "Don Knotts") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%204-12-78%3A%20A%20Parody%20Movie%20Called%20%27Weekend%27&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%204-12-78%3A%20A%20Parody%20Movie%20Called%20%27Weekend%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%204-12-78%3A%20A%20Parody%20Movie%20Called%20%27Weekend%27&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%204-12-78%3A%20A%20Parody%20Movie%20Called%20%27Weekend%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%204-12-78%3A%20A%20Parody%20Movie%20Called%20%27Weekend%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies **Tags:** #BetteBack, #BetteMidler, #Movie, #Parody, #Weekend --- ### [A BonBon Short: Bette Midler Wore Cher In Beaches](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/12/a-bonbon-short-bette-midler-wore-cher-in-beaches/) **Published:** July 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Yes — it’s true, and it’s deliciously true. Bette Midler really did wear Cher’s old clothes in Beaches. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Wore Cher In Beaches By Boodles BonBon July 12, 2026 --- ![Video thumbnail of a woman with curly red hair and large hoop earrings, overlay text 'BEACHES BETTE WORE HER?!?' and a blue circular logo.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-12_11-51-20.png "2026-07-12_11-51-20 - bootleg betty") --- --- Yes — *it’s true, and it’s deliciously true.* [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2015/06/22/trashy-ladies-medley-1975-bette-midler-cher/) really did wear Cher’s old clothes in **[Beaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaches_(1988_film))**. **The receipts:** - In a D23 interview, Bette herself said she **“rented some of Cher’s old clothes”** for *Beaches*. - In Vogue’s *Life in Looks*, she doubled down, saying some of her *Beaches* costumes came straight from a **Santa Monica thrift shop that carried Cher’s old wardrobe**. So yes — C.C. Bloom was serving **hand-me-down Cher**, which honestly feels like the most spiritually correct fashion lineage imaginable. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Wore%20Cher%20In%20Beaches&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Wore%20Cher%20In%20Beaches%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Wore%20Cher%20In%20Beaches&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Wore%20Cher%20In%20Beaches%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Wore%20Cher%20In%20Beaches%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Fashion, Video **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Cher, #Video, #wardrobe --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Bathhouse Betty - 1998](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/12/video-bette-midler-bathhouse-betty-1998/) **Published:** July 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** n 1998, Bette Midler discussed her album "Bathhouse Betty," how her career began singing to towel-clad audiences at a New York bathhouse, and why performing has always been her real social outlet. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler on “Bathhouse Betty,” Singing at the Continental Baths & Her One True Friend (1998) By Film Discussion July 12, 2026 --- ![Female singer on stage in a sparkling sequined suit, waving with a microphone in hand under stage lights.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2e35bd23f2379f9f1564432ed0365e9b.jpg "2e35bd23f2379f9f1564432ed0365e9b - bootleg betty") --- --- In 1998, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2010/07/17/betteback-bathhouse-betty-review/) discussed her album “[**Bathhouse Betty**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathhouse_Betty),” how her career began singing to towel-clad audiences at a New York bathhouse, and why performing has always been her real social outlet. On where it began: “I knew a teacher at the studio who knew the owner of the baths. He called and said, do you know anyone who can sing in front of people wearing towels? I said, sure, I’ll be there for $300. That was the most money I’d ever heard of in my life.” On the scene: “The place was about as big as this room, and beyond it was a pool. He had a full set of lights, a sound system, drums and a piano. People in clothes started to come, and pretty soon you couldn’t get a seat. It was the hottest ticket in town.” On why she performs: “It’s like a party and I’m the hostess. It’s my social outlet because I’m not very social. I have to go out and be Bette Midler when I don’t want to be her. I just want to be regular.” On the first grade: “I sang Silent Night for the class and they applauded. That was so shocking to me that everyone couldn’t do it. I never really got over that feeling. I was a white child in a completely ethnic school. I was not beloved.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Bathhouse%20Betty%20-%201998&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Bathhouse%20Betty%20-%201998%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Bathhouse%20Betty%20-%201998&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Bathhouse%20Betty%20-%201998%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Bathhouse%20Betty%20-%201998%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Baths, Bette Midler, Continental Baths, Video **Tags:** #BathhouseBetty, #BetteMidler, #ContinentalBaths, #Video --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - All I Need To Know - Art Or Bust](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/11/video-bette-midler-all-i-need-to-know-art-or-bust/) **Published:** July 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “All I Need to Know” is Bette Midler’s 1983 cover of “Don’t Know Much” by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Tom Snow **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – All I Need To Know – Art Or Bust By Mister D July 11, 2026 --- ![Female singer in an orange dress performing on stage, holding a microphone under warm stage lights.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/3458b95311a0b79390dcb8f1e2622d16.jpg "3458b95311a0b79390dcb8f1e2622d16 - bootleg betty") --- --- “[**All I Need to Know**](https://www.songlyrics.com/bette-midler/all-i-need-to-know-lyrics/)” is [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/de-tour/)’s 1983 cover of “Don’t Know Much” by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Tom Snow. It appeared on her album No Frills and later on the compilation A Gift of Love. It charted modestly (#77 on the Hot 100), but fans love it for the warm, grown?woman ache in her vocals. **What the song is** A cover of Barry Mann’s “Don’t Know Much” (yes, the same song later made famous by Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville). Released by Bette on No Frills (1983), her punk?tinged, back-to-basics album. Produced by Chuck Plotkin, who also worked with Springsteen. **Chart notes** Peaked at #77 on the Billboard Hot 100. Hit #39 on Adult Contemporary. **Why fans care** Even though it wasn’t a major hit, Bette’s version has become a deep?cut favorite because: She leans into the weathered vulnerability of the lyric. Her phrasing gives the song a grown, lived?in emotional weight that’s different from later, more polished versions. It fits beautifully into the No Frills era—raw, unadorned, and emotionally direct. **Songwriting credits** Barry Mann Cynthia Weil Tom Snow Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20All%20I%20Need%20To%20Know%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20All%20I%20Need%20To%20Know%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20All%20I%20Need%20To%20Know%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20All%20I%20Need%20To%20Know%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20All%20I%20Need%20To%20Know%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, De Tour, Live, Video **Tags:** #AllINeedToKnow, #BetteMidler, #DeTour, #NoFrills --- ### [Trivia: Bette Midler Turned Down This Stage Musical](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/10/trivia-bette-midler-turned-down-this-stage-musical/) **Published:** July 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Record exec Ahmet Ertegun produced this show, written specifically for Bette Midler…who turned it down. **Content:** --- ## Sporcle Broadway’s Biggest Bombs By Squann July 10, 2026 --- ![Two women smiling for a photo together at a social event or party.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/de8cb6ef47808e6ecef178388e6a7484-1.jpg "De8cb6ef47808e6ecef178388e6a7484 1 - bootleg betty") --- **What is the answer to this?** Record exec Ahmet Ertegun produced this show, written specifically for [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/broadway/)…who turned it down. Instead, [**Ellen Greene** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Greene)stepped in to play the title character, who goes from working in a Brooklyn fish market to being a Hollywood gossip columnist and having a nervous breakdown. **The Answer:** The show you’re describing is ***The Debbie Reynolds Show***, a stage musical written by Bruce Vilanch and produced by Ahmet Ertegun — originally crafted **specifically for Bette Midler**, who declined. Ellen Greene ultimately took the role. The plot matches exactly: a Brooklyn fish?market worker who becomes a Hollywood gossip columnist and spirals into a nervous breakdown. This project is one of those deep?cut, semi?lost curios from the mid?1970s that pops up in Bette?adjacent lore Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Trivia%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Turned%20Down%20This%20Stage%20Musical&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Trivia%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Turned%20Down%20This%20Stage%20Musical%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Trivia%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Turned%20Down%20This%20Stage%20Musical&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Trivia%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Turned%20Down%20This%20Stage%20Musical%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Trivia%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Turned%20Down%20This%20Stage%20Musical%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Bruce Vilanch, Theatre, Trivia **Tags:** #AhmetErtegun, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #BruceVilanch, #StageMusical, #Trivia --- ### [Bette Midler & Bonnie Tyler Release “Married Men” Simultaneously (Videos)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/09/bette-midler-bonnie-tyler-release-married-men-simultaneously-videos/) **Published:** July 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler and Bonnie Tyler each recorded and released their own separate versions of the song (written by Dominic Bugatti and Frank Musker) in 1979 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler & Bonnie Tyler Release “Married Men” Simultaneously (Videos) By Mister D July 9, 2026 --- ![Smiling blonde woman in a lime green blazer stands by a window with a city skyline behind her, posing for a photo.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/vintage-singer-bette-midler-polaroid-circa-90s.jpg "Vintage-singer-bette-midler-polaroid-circa-90s - bootleg betty")--- --- --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyqfuYrupgZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Nevaeh (@bette\_midler\_fan\_page)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyqfuYrupgZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) --- [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/politics/)and Bonnie Tyler (RIP) each recorded and released their own separate versions of the song (written by Dominic Bugatti and Frank Musker) in 1979, which competed with each other due to the near-simultaneous releases: Bonnie Tyler recorded it first (often claimed as the original version for the soundtrack of the 1979 film The World Is Full of [**Married Men**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Married_Men)). Her single charted at #35 in the UK. Bette Midler released her version shortly after (included on her album Thighs & Whispers). It charted in North America, reaching #40 on the US Billboard Hot 100. She also performed it live on Saturday Night Live in 1979. The song originated from Mick Jackson’s earlier recording, but Tyler and Midler’s versions are the best-known. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Bonnie%20Tyler%20Release%20%E2%80%9CMarried%20Men%E2%80%9D%20Simultaneously%20%28Videos%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Bonnie%20Tyler%20Release%20%E2%80%9CMarried%20Men%E2%80%9D%20Simultaneously%20%28Videos%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Bonnie%20Tyler%20Release%20%E2%80%9CMarried%20Men%E2%80%9D%20Simultaneously%20%28Videos%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Bonnie%20Tyler%20Release%20%E2%80%9CMarried%20Men%E2%80%9D%20Simultaneously%20%28Videos%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Bonnie%20Tyler%20Release%20%E2%80%9CMarried%20Men%E2%80%9D%20Simultaneously%20%28Videos%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Songs, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BonnieTyler, #MarriedMen, #SNL, #Videos --- ### [Video - Bette Midler Performs Higher & Higher](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/09/video-bette-midler-performs-higher-higher/) **Published:** July 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler Performs Higher & Higher From 1977's Ol' Red Hair Is Back **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Performs Higher & Higher From 1977’s Ol’ Red Hair Is Back By Mister D July 9, 2026 --- ![Female singer in a torn purple top performs into a microphone on stage (side profile).](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/289fd001f52361d3c66261e320d2a49c.jpg "289fd001f52361d3c66261e320d2a49c - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20Higher%20%26%20Higher&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20Higher%20%26%20Higher%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20Higher%20%26%20Higher&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20Higher%20%26%20Higher%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20Higher%20%26%20Higher%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Ol Red Hair Is Back, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HigherAndHigher, #OlRedHairIsBack, #Video --- ### [A BonBon Video: I Shall Be Released FULL (The Roxy ‘77) - Bette Midler [Cleaned Audio]](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/09/a-bonbon-video-i-shall-be-released-full-the-roxy-77-bette-midler-cleaned-audio/) **Published:** July 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A BonBon Video: I Shall Be Released FULL (The Roxy ‘77) - Bette Midler [Cleaned Audio] **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty A BonBon Video: I Shall Be Released FULL (The Roxy ‘77) – Bette Midler \[Cleaned Audio\] By Boodles BonBon July 9, 2026 --- ![Female singer kneels on stage, singing into a microphone under dramatic spotlight.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/43d0b97476d05a116d2b6f407d579f44.jpg "43d0b97476d05a116d2b6f407d579f44 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20I%20Shall%20Be%20Released%20FULL%20%28The%20Roxy%20%E2%80%9877%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%5BCleaned%20Audio%5D&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20I%20Shall%20Be%20Released%20FULL%20%28The%20Roxy%20%E2%80%9877%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%5BCleaned%20Audio%5D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20I%20Shall%20Be%20Released%20FULL%20%28The%20Roxy%20%E2%80%9877%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%5BCleaned%20Audio%5D&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20I%20Shall%20Be%20Released%20FULL%20%28The%20Roxy%20%E2%80%9877%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%5BCleaned%20Audio%5D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20I%20Shall%20Be%20Released%20FULL%20%28The%20Roxy%20%E2%80%9877%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%5BCleaned%20Audio%5D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** An Intimate Evening With Bette Midler., Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #IShallBeReleased, #Roxy, #Video --- ### [BetteBack 4/10/78: The In Crowd Gives ERA A Push](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/09/betteback-4-10-78-the-in-crowd-gives-era-a-push/) **Published:** July 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack 4/10/78: The In Crowd Gives ERA A Push **Content:** --- **[Lexington Leader](http://www.kentucky.com/ "Lexington Herald-Leader") April 10, 1978** --- [![16717d070a153230be842d0036e831a7](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/16717d070a153230be842d0036e831a7-450x345.jpg "16717d070a153230be842d0036e831a7 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68801) --- [![2017-01-06_4-13-15](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-06_4-13-15-450x354.png "2017-01-06_4-13-15 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68799) [![2017-01-06_4-13-45](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-06_4-13-45-450x197.png "2017-01-06_4-13-45 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68800) [Bette Midler](http://bettemidler.com/ "Bette Midler"), [Jack Nicholson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Nicholson "Jack Nicholson"), [Jon Voight](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Voight "Jon Voight"), [Gene Hackman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Hackman "Gene Hackman"), [Valerie Harper](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Harper "Valerie Harper"), [Lily Tomlin](http://www.lilytomlin.com/ "Lily Tomlin") ###### Related articles - [![](//i.zemanta.com/359401280_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/08/26/lily-tomlin-on-big-business/)[Lily Tomlin on Big Business:](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/08/26/lily-tomlin-on-big-business/) - [![](//i.zemanta.com/354482178_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/07/27/on-working-with-lily-tomlin/)[On working with Lily Tomlin](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/07/27/on-working-with-lily-tomlin/) - [![](//i.zemanta.com/360766531_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/09/04/betteback-august-16-1991-bruce-vilanch-goes-it-alone/)[BetteBack August 16, 1991: Bruce Vilanch Goes It Alone](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/09/04/betteback-august-16-1991-bruce-vilanch-goes-it-alone/) - [![](//i.zemanta.com/347649764_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/06/15/bette-midler-big-business-facts-and-trivia/)[Bette Midler: Big Business Facts And Trivia](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/06/15/bette-midler-big-business-facts-and-trivia/) - [![](//i.zemanta.com/313341153_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2014/11/30/betteback-may-26-1987-bette-midler-and-lily-tomlin-to-team-up-for-a-movie/)[BetteBack May 26, 1987: Bette Midler And Lily Tomlin To Team Up For A Movie](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2014/11/30/betteback-may-26-1987-bette-midler-and-lily-tomlin-to-team-up-for-a-movie/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20%204%2F10%2F78%3A%20The%20In%20Crowd%20Gives%20ERA%20A%20Push&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20%204%2F10%2F78%3A%20The%20In%20Crowd%20Gives%20ERA%20A%20Push%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20%204%2F10%2F78%3A%20The%20In%20Crowd%20Gives%20ERA%20A%20Push&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20%204%2F10%2F78%3A%20The%20In%20Crowd%20Gives%20ERA%20A%20Push%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20%204%2F10%2F78%3A%20The%20In%20Crowd%20Gives%20ERA%20A%20Push%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Benefits, Bette Midler, BetteBack, Politics **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ChristopherReeve, #ERA, #InCrowd, #JackNicholson --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - Big Business - Yodeling In New York](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/08/video-bette-midler-big-business-yodeling-in-new-york/) **Published:** July 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler - Big Business - Yodeling In New York **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Big Business – Yodeling In New York By Mister D July 8, 2026 --- ![Collage of four frames showing a red-haired woman in a white polka-dot jacket with black trim, posing with a black clutch and smiling in places.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/images.jpg "Images - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Big%20Business%20-%20Yodeling%20In%20New%20York&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Big%20Business%20-%20Yodeling%20In%20New%20York%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Big%20Business%20-%20Yodeling%20In%20New%20York&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Big%20Business%20-%20Yodeling%20In%20New%20York%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Big%20Business%20-%20Yodeling%20In%20New%20York%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Big Business, Comedy, Movies, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BigBusiness, #NewYork, #Video, #Yodeling --- ### [A BonBon Video Short: I Shall Be Released (The Roxy ‘77) - Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/08/a-bonbon-video-short-i-shall-be-released-the-roxy-77-bette-midler/) **Published:** July 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A BonBon Video Short: I Shall Be Released (The Roxy ‘77) - Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty A BonBon Video Short: I Shall Be Released (The Roxy ‘77) – Bette Midler By Boodles BonBon July 8, 2026 --- ![Female singer on stage, raising her right arm while performing into a microphone, wearing a red corset-style top.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-08_11-31-06.png "2026-07-08_11-31-06 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20I%20Shall%20Be%20Released%20%28The%20Roxy%20%E2%80%9877%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20I%20Shall%20Be%20Released%20%28The%20Roxy%20%E2%80%9877%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20I%20Shall%20Be%20Released%20%28The%20Roxy%20%E2%80%9877%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20I%20Shall%20Be%20Released%20%28The%20Roxy%20%E2%80%9877%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20I%20Shall%20Be%20Released%20%28The%20Roxy%20%E2%80%9877%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #IShallBeReleased, #Roxy, #Video --- ### [Divine Miss M Fansite Audio: Bette Midler - Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most - 2015](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/08/divine-miss-m-fansite-audio-bette-midler-spring-can-really-hang-you-up-the-most-2015/) **Published:** July 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Divine Miss M Fansite Audio: Bette Midler - Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most - 2015 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Divine Miss M Fansite Audio: Bette Midler – Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most – 2015 By The Divine Miss M Fansite July 8, 2026 --- ![Smiling woman in a red cardigan leaning over a bed of colorful flowers, with green script text that reads 'Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most' on the left.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-08_10-24-04.png "2026-07-08_10-24-04 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Spring%20Can%20Really%20Hang%20You%20Up%20The%20Most%20-%202015&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Spring%20Can%20Really%20Hang%20You%20Up%20The%20Most%20-%202015%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Spring%20Can%20Really%20Hang%20You%20Up%20The%20Most%20-%202015&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Spring%20Can%20Really%20Hang%20You%20Up%20The%20Most%20-%202015%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Spring%20Can%20Really%20Hang%20You%20Up%20The%20Most%20-%202015%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Divine Intervention, Songs, The Divine Miss M Fan Site **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #London2015, #SpringCanReallyHangYouUpTheMost, #TheDivineMissMFanSite --- ### [Divine Miss M Fansite Audio: Bette Midler - Pink Cadillac/Cadillac Walk 1983](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/07/divine-miss-m-fansite-audio-bette-midler-pink-cadillac-cadillac-walk-1983/) **Published:** July 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler – PINK CADILLAC ~ CADILLAC WALK (Live in Texas, 1983) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Divine Miss M Fansite Audio: Bette Midler – Pink Cadillac/Cadillac Walk 1983 By Divine Miss M Fansite July 7, 2026 --- ![Performer in a bright red costume with arms raised on stage, smiling.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MV5BOTUwYWY4ODktYTA0ZC00ODRjLTkyMTEtMWUxMzBlN2Y4NmEwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTEwODg2MDY_V1_.jpg "Mv5botuwywy4odktyta0zc00odrjltkymtetmwuxmzbln2y4nmewxkeyxkfqcgdeqxvymtewodg2mdy_v1_ - bootleg betty") --- --- **Bette Midler – PINK CADILLAC ~ CADILLAC WALK (Live in Texas, 1983)** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Pink%20Cadillac%2FCadillac%20Walk%201983&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Pink%20Cadillac%2FCadillac%20Walk%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Pink%20Cadillac%2FCadillac%20Walk%201983&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Pink%20Cadillac%2FCadillac%20Walk%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Pink%20Cadillac%2FCadillac%20Walk%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Live, Songs, The Divine Miss M Fan Site **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #CadillacWalk, #DivineMissMFanSite, #Live, #PinkCadillac --- ### [Karaoke: Stay With Me - Bette Midler - Lyric Video](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/07/karaoke-stay-with-me-bette-midler-lyric-video/) **Published:** July 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Karaoke: Stay With Me - Bette Midler - Lyric Video **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Karaoke: Stay With Me – Bette Midler – Lyric Video By Theo’s Music July 7, 2026 --- ![Woman with curly blond hair singing into a microphone on stage, wearing a dark fishnet top with colorful lighting behind her.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/537254694_1222700716567660_7854195346740946794_n.jpg "537254694_1222700716567660_7854195346740946794_n - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Karaoke%3A%20Stay%20With%20Me%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lyric%20Video&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Karaoke%3A%20Stay%20With%20Me%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lyric%20Video%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Karaoke%3A%20Stay%20With%20Me%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lyric%20Video&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Karaoke%3A%20Stay%20With%20Me%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lyric%20Video%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Karaoke%3A%20Stay%20With%20Me%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lyric%20Video%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Karaoke Bette, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Karaoke, #LyricVideo, #StayWithMe --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - Waterfalls - It's The Girls](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/06/video-bette-midler-waterfalls-its-the-girls/) **Published:** July 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s cover of TLC’s “Waterfalls” turns the 1995 upbeat R&B hit into a stripped-down, emotional ballad that hits much harder. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Waterfalls – It’s The Girls By Mister D June 24, 2026 --- ![Female singer in a black dress performing on stage with an orchestra in the background, microphone in hand and stage lights overhead.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-23_18-44-17.png "2026-06-23_18-44-17 - bootleg betty") --- --- Bette Midler’s cover of TLC’s “Waterfalls” turns the 1995 upbeat R&B hit into a stripped-down, emotional ballad that hits much harder. In 2014, for her album It’s The Girls!, Midler reimagined the song as a slower, piano-led torch song (no rap verse). She performed it live, including on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and in her 2014 UK special Bette Midler: One Night Only. The tempo drops, the production simplifies to piano and soft drums, and her powerful, expressive delivery makes the lyrics about regret, loss, AIDS warnings, and chasing dreams feel raw and haunting. **Why it “hurts all over again”** TLC’s original is catchy and cautionary with a strong groove. Midler’s version exposes the pain in lines like:“A lonely mother gazing out of her window / Staring at a son that she just can’t touch…” It shifts from party anthem energy to intimate heartbreak, emphasizing themes of family estrangement, risky choices, and consequences. Many listeners and recent posts call it “haunting” or say it “recasts” the song as a slow warning. It’s a masterclass in how a great singer can completely reframe a song. If you’re a fan of either artist, it’s worth a listen—especially if you want the feels turned up. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Waterfalls%20-%20It%27s%20The%20Girls&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Waterfalls%20-%20It%27s%20The%20Girls%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Waterfalls%20-%20It%27s%20The%20Girls&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Waterfalls%20-%20It%27s%20The%20Girls%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Waterfalls%20-%20It%27s%20The%20Girls%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, It's The Girls, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Itsthegirls, #Waterfalls --- ### [Bette Midler's Stepford Wives 2004 Movie Review](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/06/bette-midlers-stepford-wives-2004-movie-review/) **Published:** July 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** I think men today would love to have a wife who can completely nurture them. I mean, what man loves to wash dishes **Content:** --- ## Jerry At The Movies **THE STEPFORD WIVES (2004)** By Jerry Saravia July 5, 2026 --- ![Two women sit on a white wicker patio, chatting over tea amid flowers and greenery.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-04_15-25-23.png "2026-07-04_15-25-23 - bootleg betty") --- I think men today would love to have a wife who can completely nurture them. I mean, what man loves to wash dishes, cook, do the laundry, and clean house? So the notion that a woman can still be subservient to the man of the house is not just antediluvian thinking – heck, when my father remarried recently, he was looking for that ideal woman. The original “[**Stepford Wives**](https://bootlegbetty.com/stepford.htm)” was an examination of such values, just when the women’s liberation movement was in full swing. I am not sure the film was a condemnation of such attitudes since its ideas were wrapped around a thriller, focusing on how women are turned into robots. This new “Stepford” film is clearly condemning such thinking and, instead of utilizing the original’s thriller mode, it opts to turn the whole story into a comedy. Success or yet another needless remake? I think it succeeds. A brunette-haired Nicole Kidman stars as Joanna Eberhart, a successful TV executive of reality shows who is suddenly jobless. She tries determinedly to hold back her anger, yet she lets out a shrill yell when she exits her job via the elevator. Then there’s Joanna’s husband, Walter (Matthew Broderick), who resigns from the same network – the twist being that he works in a lower position than Joanna. Then Walter announces that they are moving to Stepford, Connecticut to work out their marriage flaws. This is presumably a place where most troubled married couples go to, thanks to the supervision of the impossibly shrill, always beaming Claire Wellington (Glenn Close). Wellington is the real-estate agent and the woman whom all Stepford wives look up to. But this “Pleasantville” town seems to perfect to be true. Wellington teaches an aerobics class where the women wear dresses instead of sweats and instructs them to be “washing machines.” Each house in this community comes equipped with a computer system that locks all doors, checks room temperature, offers diet advice, and reminds one of food products needed when the refrigerator is empty. Oh, and for some reason, there is a robot dog that is as clumsy and irritating as a real dog. This is also a town where the women have a book club discussing a Christmas decorations book, where the rallying cry for a men’s club is simply “To Stepford!”, and where nobody seems to occupy a job (my kind of place). The joke is that all the Stepford wives were once CEO’s and, if I understood correctly, the men worked under them. Seems like the ideal place for Joanna and Walter. Something is off in this town, though. The women of Stepford may be robots (I guess we are still not ready to accept female CEO’s) thanks to the men who still believe in female enslavement. There is a creepy, frightfully funny scene where Walter discovers one wife is used as an ATM machine! The one who seems to be running this town is Mike Wellington (Christopher Walken), Claire’s husband, who has politically incorrect ideas about women as shown in another creepy moment, a Stepford educational film done in the style of the 1950’s. If you are ugly, we can make you beautiful and subservient. The original “Stepford Wives” had an anonymous air of indifference to the town of Stepford, it seemed like the town was no different from any other town in America. That may have been the point but I do prefer the look of the pristine, far too sanitary look of this new Stepford. Shots of the clean supermarket, the elegant bedrooms and the refinery of the study rooms all pinpoint to a sense of discomfort. That is why it is fun to see one Stepford wife, Bobbie Markowitz ([**Bette Midler**](https://people.com/bette-midler-turning-80-losing-diane-keaton-11837784)), an author of memoirs with sarcastic titles, living in a house of a seemingly irreparable mess. And some other wives, like the gay, Viggo-Mortensen-loving Roger (Roger Bart), seem to play along with the absurdity. As written by Paul Rudnick and directed by Frank Oz, “Stepford Wives” aims to be comedic and ironic rather than horrifying. The original was more straightforward and occasionally thrilling, but its bland direction took away some of the bite. Here, we get more bite and more acerbic writing simply because the concept couldn’t be played so straight nowadays. The movie aims to be satiric, to ridicule the idea that women would ever want to be slaves to their groom. It ups the ante on the original by saying that men do not wish to be equal to women, and they certainly never want to work for them. Nicole Kidman shows enough edge and pain in her performance to take it just slightly over the top. As evidenced by her opening scene, she is a master of exaggerated haughtiness who knows when to restrain it and when to explode (as she did in “To Die For”). The character is as full-bodied as Katharine Ross’s in the original and there is one scene, where she breaks down in front of Walter after admitting she was a workaholic, that is indicative of Kidman’s emotions coming to the surface in a town where such emotions are suppressed. As for the rest of the cast, it is a relatively mixed bag. Beer-bellied John Lovitz as Midler’s husband? Matthew Broderick seems lost as Kidman’s husband, neither convincing nor serviceable in the role. Christopher Walken seems adrift in a typically strange role – just his mannerisms can give you the creeps yet by now they are too predictable. Faith Hill could have had more scenes as another Stepford wife in the background – her smile is so forced that it does indeed seem robotic. Only Glenn Close rises to the challenge of playing a wicked caricature with the most delicate subliminal gestures and facial reactions to indicate something other than a happy woman – this is among her best work since “Dangerous Liaisons.” And Roger Bart as the only homosexual of this group (a novel touch) has dozens of delectable one-liners and zingers. “The Stepford Wives” is a ridiculously tame movie yet always entertaining and alive. The climax leaves more questions than answers. Still, it has some pointed notions of women’s place in a working society where men want to reclaim their position as the master of the house. As Claire Wellington says at one point, “Where can you find such a place? Well, Connecticut, of course.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Stepford%20Wives%202004%20Movie%20Review&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Stepford%20Wives%202004%20Movie%20Review%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Stepford%20Wives%202004%20Movie%20Review&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Stepford%20Wives%202004%20Movie%20Review%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Stepford%20Wives%202004%20Movie%20Review%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Reviews, The Stepford Wives **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #GlennClose, #NicoleKidman, #Remake, #TheStepfordWives, movie --- ### [Famous Trios That Shaped Our Culture](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/06/famous-trios-that-shaped-our-culture/) **Published:** July 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Some of history’s most memorable moments have iconic trios at the helm. These famous triple acts across various fields **Content:** --- ## Bored Panda 29 Famous Trios That Shaped Movies, Music, And Pop Culture By Mariia Tkachenko June 29, 2026 --- ![Colorful poster-style illustration of three women posing together with a crystal ball in front, framed by ornate scrollwork and decorative elements including skulls and candles.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/cfbe86d5e0b5af5a65f1ddb14436094c-780x1024.jpg "Cfbe86d5e0b5af5a65f1ddb14436094c - bootleg betty") --- Some of history’s most memorable moments have iconic trios at the helm. These famous triple acts across various fields — whether dynamic characters on screen, legendary bands, or memorable partnerships — have left an indelible mark on our culture. They shape perspective through their performances and entertain entire genres with their talent and work, making these triads unforgettable. In this curated list, we celebrate 30 of the best trios that have brought laughter, inspiration, and awe. Through their collaboration and synergy, they showcase the magic that happens when three individuals come together to create something remarkable. # 1 SpongeBob, Patrick, and Squidward From the depths of Bikini Bottom comes the hilarious trio of SpongeBob SquarePants, his best friend, Patrick Star, and grumpy fellow Squidward Tentacles. The three couldn’t be any more different with SpongeBob’s boundless optimism, Patrick’s lovable naivete, and Squidward’s cranky realism. Their unique characters and interactions make them constant stars of the modern meme world. Interestingly, creator Stephen Hillenburg was formerly a marine biologist who based the personalities on the traits of different sea animals. On the fan site Spongebuddy Mania, @BabySmitty mentions that starfish lack brains, yet they are surprisingly strong and can regenerate lost limbs (1). This explains why Patrick’s character is foolish yet strong. © Photo: Nickelodeon Animation Studio # 2 Harry, Hermione, and Ron The trio of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley of Hogwarts is the beloved magic-wielding \[intimacy\] of literature and film. Their friendship and adventures are central to the Harry Potter series. Despite their differences, this trio inspired a generation. Through their battles with dark forces and the unlocking of magical mysteries, they made themes of friendship and courage relatable worldwide. A lesser-known fact is that J.K. Rowling admits she may have mistakenly paired Hermione with Ron instead of Harry (Variety, 2014) (2). While Rowling said the “mistake” was born of personal reasons, this alternative storyline would have skewed the plot and dynamic altogether, highlighting themes of romance instead of the friendship themes that the series primarily focused on. © Photo: Warner Bros. # 3 Ash, Misty, and Brock The original Pokémon anime series features the brave Ash Ketchum, Tomboyish Misty, and the romantic Brock as Poke trainers and guardians. Ash has been the face of the Pokémon anime series since its premiere, but he also shares the spotlight with other key characters. Ash’s determination, Misty’s fiery spirit, and Brock’s wisdom create a balanced and engaging narrative that helped propel the Pokémon series to global popular culture fame. Brock initially cares for the newly hatched Togepi in an episode breakdown of Episode 50, “Who Gets to Keep Togepi?” on Bulbapedia. However, it chooses Misty as its guardian, highlighting the group’s evolving relationships (3). © Photo: Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. # 4 Barry, Maurice, and Robin Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb are the brother trio known as the Bee Gees. They are celebrated in music for their harmonious vocals and songwriting abilities. They peaked during the disco era with hot hits like “Stayin’ Alive” and “Night Fever,” and sold millions of records. They have a distinctive sound that has sustained generations. The trio’s album, “Bee Gees’ 1st,” was released on July 14, 1967. Although it was their third studio album, it marked their debut in the UK music scene (4). Their preceding two albums were only available in Australia and New Zealand. © Photo: Images Press / Getty Images # 5 Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup The hyper girls Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup are the super-powered trio sisters of The Powerpuff Girls. They debuted in 1998, bringing their Powerpuff powers and cuteness to the limelight — Blossom with her intelligence, Bubbles with her sweetness, and Buttercup with her toughness. Their portrayal challenged traditional gender roles in animation, empowering young female viewers. According to an article in Philstar Life, the series was initially titled “Whoopass Stew!” before being renamed to attract a wider audience (5). © Photo: Cartoon Network Studios # 6 Alvin, Simon, and Theodore Alvin, Simon, and Theodore Seville are brother chipmunks known as Alvin and the Chipmunks. They’re an iconic animated trio who straddled between music and cartoons thanks to their high-pitched harmonies and misadventures. The three brothers had distinct personalities that set Alvin apart with his mischievousness, Simon with his smarts, and Theodore with his innocence. Since the animation premiered in 1958, they have significantly bridged the worlds of animation and music with chart-topping songs and multiple television series through the decades. According to Mental Floss, their signature high-pitched sound, made into comical musical renders, was a product of creator Ross Bagdasarian Sr.’s experimentation with sped-up audio recordings (6). © Photo: Regency Enterprises # 7 Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings series, the author highlights how different races unite for a common cause and battle. The Three Hunters, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, are central figures who proved that point when a human, elf prince, and dwarf warrior (respectively) found strength in their diverse backgrounds. This trio embodies themes of unity and camaraderie, which have influenced modern fantasy narratives and promoted collaboration amidst differences. During the filming of their pursuit scenes in ”The Two Towers,” the actors Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), Orlando Bloom (Legolas), and Brett Beattie (Gimli’s size double) were all nursing injuries, yet like true professionals, they continued to perform, showcasing their dedication to authentically portraying this enduring trio (Polygon, 2021) (7). © Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures # 8 Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura If you’re an anime fan, Naruto is likely in your rotation. Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno form what is known as Team 7 in the famous anime with Kakashi Hatake as their mentor. They have a complex dynamic that complements: Naruto’s unwavering optimism, Sasuke’s proficiency and intensity, and Sakura’s intelligence. They brave missions as a legendary trio and embark on a journey of friendship, rivalry, and personal growth. © Photo: Pierrot # 9 Alex, Sam, and Clover Millennials had Totally Spies! on their televisions while growing up and followed the missions of teenage spies Alex, Sam, and Clover. They were an iconic trio and protagonists of the animated series who tried to balance high school life with their high-adrenalin missions, blending action and humor. Some sources say the series was initially conceived as a boys’ action show but was reoriented to appeal to a broader audience. This pivot made the show’s portrayal of strong, independent female leads more culturally impactful. © Photo: Zodiak Kids Studios # 10 Timmy, Cosmo, and Wanda When you dreamed of having fairy godparents, you probably didn’t picture them as quirky as Timmy Turner’s. In The Fairly OddParents’ hilariously goofy animation, Cosmo and Wanda bring Timmy’s wild wishes to life in the most unexpected ways. The two godmothers’ differences balance out Timmy’s impulsiveness, creating comedic adventures that captivate young audiences. The trio tackles themes of friendship and responsibility, impacting children’s imagination and animation. The laughs draw us in, and the tug of balance keeps us glued to the show. © Photo: Nickelodeon Animation Studio # 11 Marlin, Dory, and Nemo Pixar is known for creating characters that endear themselves to the public. Two best friends, Dory and Marlin, and Marlin’s son Nemo are examples of such characters that draw in their fans. Marlin is an overprotective clownfish dad who embarks on an ocean-wide mission to find his curious son, Nemo, with the help of Dory, a blue tang fish with short-term memory loss. Their journey is a hilarious tale that highlights family, friendship, and perseverance themes. Creator and director Andrew Stanton originally envisioned Dory as a male fish. However, according to Entertainment Weekly, Stanton accidentally heard Ellen DeGeneres’s voice from an old episode of her sitcom while he was writing and developing the character (11). Soon after, DeGeneres auditioned for the role, and the forgetful female character of Dory came to life, along with their captivating trio. © Photo: Pixar Duos have their own magic. Take a spin through the best cartoon couples across eras and studios. # 12 James T. Kirk, Spock, and Leonard McCoy The central trio of “Star Trek: The Original Series” is formed by Captain James T. Kirk, Spock, and Dr. Leonard McCoy. As one of the most influential trios of science fiction, their combination of leadership, logic, and compassion spurred philosophical debates that have impacted global entertainment and perspective. The show was one of the more prominent pivotal entertainment attempts at celebrating diversity and acceptance of race—albeit other-worldly. Plus, despite it being shown decades ago, it continues to have many pop-culture tributes and references until today. © Photo: imdb.com Pop-culture trios become legend; online, a single masked figure can do the same. Try our Corpse Husband face-reveal coverage. # 13 Mario, Luigi, and Bowser Anyone who grew up playing Nintendo’s Super Mario in the ’80s remembers the beloved characters of the game. Mario and Luigi are the heroic plumber brothers who face off against Bowser, the formidable Koopa King. Their dynamic merged gaming and pop culture, inspiring numerous adaptations and merchandise and making The Mario Brothers one of the most successful video games ever. While the game was not straightforward, the spin-off narratives were more creative. Chris Plante wrote in Polygon that in the 1990 animated series, The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, Princess Peach and Bowser ran for president of the Mushroom Kingdom, showcasing the versatility of the gaming characters’ narratives (10). © Photo: nintendo.com # 14 Shrek, Fiona and Donkey Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey are the stars of the Shrek franchise, celebrated for their unconventional charm and deep friendship. Shrek is rough around the edges, Fiona holds a unique duality as a princess and ogre, and Donkey has a funny, endearing loyalty. The script goes against traditional fairy tales, offering a fresh take that resonates with more liberal audiences. Their dynamic has greatly influenced pop culture, sparking numerous parodies and discussions around inner beauty and acceptance and inspiring many Halloween costumes. Did you know that Donkey’s character was modeled after a real miniature donkey named Perry, who resides in Barron Park, Palo Alto, California? (Fun Trivia) (9). © Photo: DreamWorks Animation # 15 Luke, Leia, and Han The original Star Wars trilogy was headlined by Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo, bringing their characteristic heroism, leadership, and roguish charm. Their countless stories of camaraderie and resistance against tyranny cemented them in the pop culture hall of fame, making them one of the most iconic trios in pop culture and making each of them memorable characters of big-screen entertainment. The chemistry between Leia and Solo was palpable, especially in the film “The Empire Strikes Back.” In a revelation by Screen Rant, Harrison Ford (who played Han Solo) apparently improvised when he uttered the iconic line “I know” in response to Leia’s “I love you,” adding to the actors’ chemistry (8). © Photo: Lucasfilm Ltd. # 16 Kurt, Dave, and Krist Nirvana is one of the most iconic grunge rock bands of all time, having transformed rock music landscape in the early 1990s. The band was formed by the talented trio of Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, and Krist Novoselic, who together formed its core. Their flavor of alternative rock, as evidenced in their groundbreaking album ”Nevermind,” pushed their unique sound to mainstream waves, influencing countless artists until today. Grohl wasn’t their original drummer. Like other influential rock bands, Nirvana saw several lineup changes. But when Grohl joined the band in 1990, the trio became an unstoppable musical force, making Nirvana one of history’s most remarkable rock bands. © Photo: Paul Bergen / Getty Images # 17 Huey, Dewey, and Louie Huey, Dewey, and Louie are Donald Duck’s mischievous nephews. The nephews are best known for their hilarious cartoon skits and cute comedy. The identical triplets, distinguished by their shirt color, first appeared in 1937 as a Donald Duck spin-off. But, they gained more traction in the Duck Tales series and the eventual reboot in 2017, when Huey (in red), Dewey (in blue), and Louie (in green) had misadventures of their own. Like ordinary triplets, they differentiate themselves from their siblings with their personalities: Huey is the responsible leader, Dewey is the adventurous middle child, and Louie is the laid-back schemer. © Photo: Walt Disney Animation Studios # 18 Moe, Larry, and Curly Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Howard formed the iconic funnyman The Three Stooges. Their slapstick comedy, which ran from the 1930s to the 1950s, became the basis of other physical comedy acts and animation that later followed. The Three Stooges produced over 200 short films and slots, leaving an indelible mark on comedy entertainment and productions. Interestingly, the three weren’t merely acting out roles. In fact, their website reveals that Moe and Curly were brothers, while Larry was their close friend, accounting for the chemistry and authenticity of their comedic collaboration and timing (15). © Photo: Hulton Archive / Getty Images # 19 Beyonce, Kelly, and Michelle Before they launched solo careers, Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams were known as the group Destiny’s Child. Together, they had award-winning albums that cemented them as one of the best-selling girl groups ever. Undeniably, their trio was a harmonious match that played on their vocal ranges, style, and strength. The three belt-out girl-power anthems, like “Survivor” and “Independent Women,” put women empowerment at the forefront of R&B and pop music in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Before becoming the R&B sensation, the group was a Girl’s Tyme quartet (Discover Walks, 2022) (14). The group had more than three members at various points, but these three were the last ones standing. They had initially wanted to change their name to Destiny to reference the bible, but due to a naming conflict with another band, they became Destiny’s Child. © Photo: Getty Images # 20 Venkman, Stantz, and Spengler In 1984, the film Ghostbusters introduced Doctors Peter Venkman, Raymond “Ray” Stantz, and Egon Spengler. They are the founding members of the Ghostbusters, a group of scientists specializing in paranormal investigation and removing ghost-related disturbances. They worked as a team, blending scientific expertise and comedy in a cross-genre entertainment format. Dan Aykroyd, who portrayed Ray Stantz, was also one of the concept’s creators. He drew inspiration from his family’s experience and history in paranormal research. © Photo: Sony Picture Entertainment # 21 Ed, Edd, ‘n Eddy One of Cartoon Network’s longest-running series is Ed, Edd ’n Eddy, which aired from 1999 to 2009. The namesake trio are the central characters of the animated show, bringing with them their distinct personalities. Ed’s dimwittedness complements Edd’s intelligence, which, in turn, balances out Eddy’s scheming ways. Creator Danny Antonucci revealed in an interview with Animation Magazine in 2024 that the show was influenced by his own life experiences and actual people in his childhood (13). Since it was about growing up as a kid and all the awkwardness that comes with it, Antonucci made the show extremely authentic and relatable. © Photo: imdb.com # 22 Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, and Kevin Jonas According to People, the Jonas father, Kevin Jonas Sr., was a pastor who managed the brothers’ early careers and weighed in on their rise to fame (12). This kept the boys in line and focused, leading Nick, Joe, and Kevin Jonas to enjoy sustaining popularity. The Jonas Brothers led the American pop-rock scene in the mid-2000s with their catchy tunes, multiple chart-topping albums, various Disney cameos, and wholesome images. © Photo: Francesco Prandoni / Getty Images # 23 Fiddler Pig, Fifer Pig, and Practical Pig Nothing spells nostalgia like classic cartoons. In Disney’s 1933 animated short Three Little Pigs, Fiddler Pig, Fifer Pig, and Practical Pig each build a house using straw, sticks, and bricks to protect themselves from the Big Bad Wolf. The short won the 1934 Academy Award for Best Short Subject, highlighted by the song “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” and made these three little piggies one of the iconic trios of short animation. © Photo: imdb.com # 24 Winifred, Sarah, and Mary ![Halloween-themed collage centered on a glowing open spellbook, surrounded by witches, ghosts, a pumpkin, and lightning.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/5a4b07be1c983bbe8007213f7cb97f7f.jpg "5a4b07be1c983bbe8007213f7cb97f7f - bootleg betty") The triad of witches Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson from Disney’s Hocus Pocus in 1993 showed 17th-century witches resurrected in modern-day Salem. Actresses Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy played the iconic witches in this supernatural comedy. They quickly became cult favorites because of their wicked dynamic. According to Disney Wiki, Sarah Jessica Parker actually discovered during filming that her 10th great-grandmother, Esther Elwell, was accused of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials (16). This made the role a very personal one for her to portray. © Photo: Walt Disney Pictures # 25 Ferris, Cameron, and Sloane In the 1986 film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Ferris Bueller, Cameron Frye, and Sloane Peterson skip school to embrace life’s spontaneity in Chicago. Their tale of youthful rebellion and freedom resonated with audiences bent on going against the norm. In its ’80s-style campy feel, the flick became a reference for teen comedies. In the parade scene where Ferris performs “Twist and Shout,” the production was filmed during an actual parade. The many onlookers were unaware they were in the middle of a movie shoot, adding to the scene’s authenticity. © Photo: Paramount Pictures # 26 Lucky, Ned, and Dusty The movie Three Amigos follows three out-of-work silent film actors who were mistaken for real-life heroes. Lucky Day, Ned Nederlander, and Dusty Bottoms, portrayed by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Chevy Chase, stepped into their hero roles hilariously and became a beloved trio of pure comedy. The movie was co-written by Lorne Michaels, one of the creators of Saturday Night Live, so it definitely added some deep-rooted comedy to the iconic trio mix. © Photo: Hbo Films, Inc. On pop-culture lineages, we also detail the Tyla family background with names, origin, and key FAQs. # 27 Brenda, Elise, and Annie ![Three women in cream blouses sing with arms extended forward on a warmly lit stage, performing together.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/6295d08e08cfd7de7d9692c3fbd31b40.jpg "6295d08e08cfd7de7d9692c3fbd31b40 - bootleg betty") Housewives and homemakers united when Brenda Cushman, Elise Elliot, and Annie Paradis, played Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton, came together in the 1996 film ”The First Wives Club.” Left by their husbands for younger partners, the three reclaim their power and find friendship and empowerment in their unity. The film was so powerful that it inspired the forming of real-life networks for women, bellying the power of cinema to enact change. © Photo: Paramount Pictures # 28 Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Jaclyn Smith The 1976 television series Charlie’s Angels marked a significant milestone in showcasing women’s camaraderie and empowerment. Female characters finally took center stage, breaking away from the typical “damsel in distress” roles of previous eras. The iconic protagonists — Sabrina Duncan, Jill Munroe, and Kelly Garrett — were portrayed as strong, independent, and capable women, redefining the way women were represented on screen. While the series has been remade over the decades, the original private detectives, played by Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Jaclyn Smith, became cultural icons. It was a breakthrough series in the ’70s because it challenged traditional gender stereotypes. The famous trio of Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz, and Drew Barrymore later remade the show. The modern take also highlighted the strength of women in their right to lead the pack. # 29 Kiefer Sutherland, Oliver Platt, and Charlie Sheen When the cinematic version of The Three Musketeers hit cinemas in 1993, Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel came to life through actors Kiefer Sutherland, Oliver Platt, and Charlie Sheen. They played Athos, Porthos, and Aramis; the three wise men were known for their loyalty, bravery, and camaraderie. The book and movie were famous for the line “All for one, and one for all,” celebrating strength in unity. The book was said to be based on real musketeers that Dumas found in 17th-century records, adding a sense of historical accuracy to the show and the characters’ enduring legacy. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Famous%20Trios%20That%20Shaped%20Our%20Culture&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Famous%20Trios%20That%20Shaped%20Our%20Culture%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Famous%20Trios%20That%20Shaped%20Our%20Culture&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Famous%20Trios%20That%20Shaped%20Our%20Culture%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Famous%20Trios%20That%20Shaped%20Our%20Culture%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2, Hocus Pocus 3, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Culture, #FirstWivesClub, #HocusPocus, #Trios --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Previews Showgirl on The View](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/05/video-bette-midler-previews-showgirl-on-the-view/) **Published:** July 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler Gives The View Preview Of Showgirl **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Previews Showgirl on The View By Joseph Campanale July 5, 2026 --- ![Lively stage performance with a smiling lead singer in a glittery silver outfit, flanked by backup dancers in brown sequined costumes.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hq720.jpg "Hq720 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Previews%20Showgirl%20on%20The%20View&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Previews%20Showgirl%20on%20The%20View%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Previews%20Showgirl%20on%20The%20View&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Previews%20Showgirl%20on%20The%20View%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Previews%20Showgirl%20on%20The%20View%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, The Showgirl Must Go On, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Showgirl, #TheView, #Video, Talk show, Televisiion --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Serves Fried Eggs & Feels (1976)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/05/video-bette-midler-serves-fried-eggs-feels-1976/) **Published:** July 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s Live at Last era is peak early?career Divine Miss M: bawdy, vaudevillian, sentimental, and musically omnivorous. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Serves Fried Eggs & Feels (1976) By Mister D July 5, 2026 --- ![Close-up of a woman singing into a mint-green microphone on stage, smiling warmly at the crowd.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/600037_314806538615806_60098321_n.jpg "600037_314806538615806_60098321_n - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler’s **[Live at Last ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/live-at-last/)**era is peak early?career Divine Miss M: bawdy, vaudevillian, sentimental, and musically omnivorous. Her performance of “Fried Eggs / Hello In There” on that album is one of the clearest examples of how she fused comedy and pathos into a single emotional arc — a hallmark of her 1970s stage persona. **[Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) in the Live at Last period** Live at Last (released June 1977) is her first live album, recorded during the 1976 Depression Tour at the Cleveland Music Hall. The album captures her full stage act, including: Cabaret?style covers (“Birds,” “Shiver Me Timbers”) Mock lounge acts (The Vicki Eydie Show) Raunchy Sophie Tucker jokes, which became a staple of her shows A long comic monologue — including the famous fried eggs bit — showcasing her rapport with the audience. The album’s tone blends camp, comedy, and emotional storytelling, the same mix she honed at the Continental Baths and carried into her mainstream career. **“Fried Eggs”: the comedy setup** “Fried Eggs” appears late in the show (Disc 2). It’s part of her comic relief section, a spoken?word monologue built around absurd, self?deprecating humor. The bit is quintessential Midler: bawdy, surreal, and delivered with her signature “loving heckling” of the audience. In the Live at Last tracklist, “Fried Eggs” is listed as its own piece, separate from “Hello in There,” but in performance she uses it as a lead?in — a tonal pivot from comedy to emotional depth. **“Hello In There”: the emotional payoff** “Hello In There” (written by John Prine) is one of Midler’s most affecting early ballads. On Live at Last, it follows the comedic “Fried Eggs” segment, creating a dramatic contrast: laughter ? stillness ? empathy. The performance is intimate, stripped of the camp that surrounds it, and highlights her ability to shift from clown to confessor — a defining trait of her early stage work. The album’s commentary notes that Live at Last preserves these transitions, capturing the “intimate club atmosphere” she created even in large venues. **Why this pairing matters** “Fried Eggs / Hello In There” is a perfect microcosm of Bette Midler’s artistry in the 1970s: Comedy ? vulnerability Camp ? sincerity Character work ? human storytelling She disarms the audience with humor, then drops into a song about aging, loneliness, and compassion — making the emotional hit land harder. This structure is one of the reasons Live at Last remains beloved among fans and archivists: it documents her full theatrical range, not just the songs. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Serves%20Fried%20Eggs%20%26%20Feels%20%281976%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Serves%20Fried%20Eggs%20%26%20Feels%20%281976%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Serves%20Fried%20Eggs%20%26%20Feels%20%281976%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Serves%20Fried%20Eggs%20%26%20Feels%20%281976%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Serves%20Fried%20Eggs%20%26%20Feels%20%281976%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Live At Last, The Bette Midler Show, Video **Tags:** #Album, #BetteMidler, #FriedEggs, #HelloInThere, #Special, #Video --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings Farewell Song To Rosie 2002](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/05/video-bette-midler-sings-farewell-song-to-rosie-2002/) **Published:** July 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Rosie’s original syndicated talk show ended June 27, 2002, and Bette’s performance of I Wish You Love was part of the goodbye festivities **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings Farewell Song To Rosie 2002 By Mister D July 5, 2026 --- ![Woman with blonde hair singing into a microphone on stage with a red curtain in the background, smiling.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hqdefault.jpg "Hqdefault - bootleg betty") --- --- Rosie’s original syndicated talk show ended June 27, 2002, and Bette’s performance of I Wish You Love was part of the goodbye festivities But the I Wish You Love moment is tied specifically to the farewell episode, not her earlier visits. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Farewell%20Song%20To%20Rosie%202002&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Farewell%20Song%20To%20Rosie%202002%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Farewell%20Song%20To%20Rosie%202002&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Farewell%20Song%20To%20Rosie%202002%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Farewell%20Song%20To%20Rosie%202002%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Talk Show **Tags:** #Farewell, #IWishYouLove, #Rosie, #Show, #talkshow, BetteMidler --- ### [Bette Midler Talks About Her Favorite Books & Writers](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/05/bette-midler-talks-about-her-favorite-books-writers/) **Published:** July 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “I love Dickens and Twain above all,” says the actor and singer Bette Midler, whose latest children’s book is “The Tale of the Mandarin Duck.” **Content:** --- ## New York Times Bette Midler Is Still in the Thrall of 19th-Century Novelists By Rebecca Clarke June 5, 2026 --- ![Playful, high-contrast cartoon of Bette Midler with oversized pink sunglasses, laughing with mouth open, wearing a black dress with pink accents and a dynamic pose.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-04_07-45-33.png "2026-06-04_07-45-33 - bootleg betty") --- *“I love Dickens and Twain above all,” says the actor and singer [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/songsandlyrics/), whose latest children’s book is “The Tale of the Mandarin Duck.”* **What [books ](https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/new-york-times-bestseller-list/)are on your night stand now?** A better question is “What’s NOT on your night stand?” There are things I’ve been hoarding, things I don’t have the courage to tackle just yet, gifts, books I buy on impulse, and P. G. Wodehouse, a perennial. One year, my family gave me the entire Penguin Classics library and some of it is rough sledding, like “Gargantua and Pantagruel.” Politics, race, acting, history, religion, arts, the environment, detective stories, whatever the new fiction is, plus poor old Auden and Walt Whitman, who have been patiently standing by for years. **What’s the last great book you read?** I recently reread “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” Hands down, one of the greatest I’ve ever read. Yesterday I finished “The Parade’s Gone By,” by Kevin Brownlow, and it finally fell apart; it’s about the silent movie era. I bought it in the ’70s, and finally got around to reading it. Unforgettable. **Describe your ideal reading experience (when, where, what, how).** Hanging over the side of the bed with the book on the floor and a box of Ritz crackers nearby. **What’s your favorite book no one else has heard of?** “Southern California: An Island on the Land,” by Carey McWilliams. A history of how Los Angeles was marketed to the unsuspecting in the Midwest, and the various scandals and horrors the local scalawags visited upon them when they arrived, as well as crimes against minorities and the land. Published in 1946. **What book should everybody read before the age of 21?** W. E. B. Du Bois’s “The Souls of Black Folk,” “Personal Finance for Dummies” and Jane Jacobs’s “The Death and Life of Great American Cities.” **Which writers — novelists, playwrights, critics, journalists, poets — working today do you admire most?** I’m embarrassed to say that I am still in the thrall of the 19th and early 20th centuries. I love Dickens and Twain above all, but there are a lot of writers working today that I admire; Michael Lewis, Jonathan Franzen, Michael Chabon, Michael Lewis, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Hilary Spurling, Matt Taibbi, bell hooks, Michael Lewis, Naomi Wolf, Eleanor Catton, Bryan Stevenson, Michiko Kakutani. Did I mention Michael Lewis? And she’s not working today, but the extraordinary Nora Ephron meant the world to me. **Who are your favorite actor-writers? Your favorite Hollywood memoir?** I devour oral histories on movies and music: Peter Bogdanovich’s “Who the Devil Made It”; “People Will Talk,” by John Kobal; “She Always Knew How,” Charlotte Chandler’s oral history of Mae West. Frank Capra, Preston Sturges, Ben Hecht, Gloria Swanson. Marlene Dietrich, by her daughter, Maria Riva. Joan Crawford’s book on entertaining is hilarious. Tina Fey’s book is killer. Tiffany Haddish’s book, a must-read, and I loved Amy Poehler’s. Candy Bergen, Sally Fields, Eve Babitz and, of course, Joan Didion have all written brilliantly about their Hollywood lives. I loved Jean Stein’s last book, “West of Eden.” R. J. Wagner’s memoir on Hollywood, surprisingly very moving. I cried. Anita Loos’s “A Girl Like I” is just wonderful. I wish I had known her. **Of all the characters you’ve played across different media, which role felt to you the richest — the most novelistic?** I have played several characters who began their lives as characters in actual novels, but I guess I’d have to go with C. C. Bloom, in “Beaches.” I know it’s sentimental, and yet the span of years, the highs and lows, this relationship, the brilliant performances of Mayim Bialik and Barbara Hershey — you can’t deny it certainly struck a chord. **What character from literature would you most like to play?** Any woman of a certain age in anything by Shakespeare, Dickens, Congreve, Dryden or Sheridan. **What’s the last book you read that made you laugh?** “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” The scene in church, where a woman gets the spirit and rushes the pastor, is one of the funniest things I have ever read. **What’s the last book that made you cry?** “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” **What subject do you wish more authors would write about?** Race and Reconstruction. The villainy of the impeached Andrew Johnson should be common knowledge, but it is not. Our children should be made aware that we are still living with the consequences of Reconstruction. I’m 75, and it was news to me. **Which genres do you especially enjoy reading? And which do you avoid?** I speed read memoirs, diaries and biographies. James Beard’s memoir, “Delights and Prejudices,” Alex Haley’s “Malcolm X” made a huge impression on me, Andre Agassi’s memoir was fantastic. “Chronicles,” by the greatest actor of them all, Bob Dylan, is stunning, Keith Richards’s “Life”? I went out the next day and bought a guitar. “M Train,” by Patti Smith, Levon Helm’s “This Wheel’s on Fire” is great, both Aretha books by David Ritz, Rosanne Cash’s book “Bodies of Water,” Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber’s autobiography, “Hound Dog.” The Duc de Saint Simon, three volumes at the court of Louis XIV, is superb. I recently received a copy of the unedited diaries of Chips Channon, YIKES. Still, my favorite is Quincy Troupe’s book with Miles Davis, “Miles: The Autobiography.” And I’m going on record to say I LOVED Mariah Carey’s autobiography, “The Meaning of Mariah.” She sent it to me with a box of Kleenex. I never, ever read horror. **What book might people be surprised to find on your shelves?** “The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide.” And the Bible. **What’s the best book you’ve ever received as a gift?** A first edition of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” **What kind of reader were you as a child? Which childhood books and authors stick with you most?** My mother taught me to read when I was 4, and I became a compulsive reader. My parents left us kids in the Honolulu public library every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., while they did their shopping. I wandered all over. I read Grimm’s, Hans Christian Andersen, the Betsy-Tacy and Tib books, “Freddy the Pig,” “The Borrowers,” “The Boxcar Children,” “The Secret Garden” (very important), a lot of boys’ adventure and magazines. Especially Life! It showed me the world. When I was 12, I read “The Last of the Just” and I never got over it. **You’re organizing a literary dinner party. Which three writers, dead or alive, do you invite?** Charles Dickens, Fran Lebowitz and Vladimir Nabokov. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20Her%20Favorite%20Books%20%26%20Writers&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20Her%20Favorite%20Books%20%26%20Writers%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20Her%20Favorite%20Books%20%26%20Writers&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20Her%20Favorite%20Books%20%26%20Writers%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20Her%20Favorite%20Books%20%26%20Writers%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Authors & Writers, Bette Midler, Books **Tags:** #Authors, #BetteMidler, #Books, #Writers --- ### [Midler Inspired The Carpenters' 1971 hit "Superstar"](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/05/midler-inspired-the-carpenters-1971-hit-superstar/) **Published:** July 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** It sounds like the most wholesome, heartbreaking love song on the radio, but the story behind this 1971 classic is anything but squeaky clean. **Content:** --- ## Parade Discover the gritty backstory behind the Carpenters’ 1971 hit ‘Superstar’ By Lucille Barailla July 5, 2026 --- ![Side view of a woman with curly red hair wearing a colorful floral blouse, speaking on camera.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/maxresdefault-1-1024x576-1.jpg "Maxresdefault-1-1024x576 - bootleg betty")--- It sounds like the most wholesome, heartbreaking love song on the radio, but the story behind this 1971 classic is anything but squeaky clean. The Carpenters put their own spin on Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett’s “[**Superstar**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/superstar/)” in 1971. Richard Carpenter reworked the song to fit their music style and his sister, Karen Carpenter’s, melodic voice. According to U Discover Music, Russell wrote the song about a groupie’s one-night-stand with a rock star. She hopes he will return to her, but understands he likely will not. The song’s working title was “Groupie Song,” which eventually changed to “Groupie (Superstar)” when it was first recorded by Delaney & Bonnie. The sultry song was a lot different than the adult contemporary classic the Carpenters made famous. Per U Discover Music, Russell said, “Rita Coolidge was the first person I ever heard use that word, ‘superstar.’ She was talking about Dionne Warwick, who was down in Memphis cutting a record, and Rita said, ‘She was the first superstar I ever saw.’” “So that kind of struck me, I was not familiar with the word, and I started trying to started trying to write \[the song\], and I ended up finishing it with Bonnie Bramlett,” he continued. “And then Karen \[Carpenter\] sang it, and of course she had a definitive version.” However, the song made the rounds in the music industry for years before Karen Carpenter made it her own. U Discover Music revealed that not only did Delaney & Bonnie record it, but Rita Coolidge, [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler), Cher, Vikki Carr, Joe Cocker, and Gayle McCormick also put their own spins on it. But by the time Karen got the song, significant changes were made to the song to make it more in line with the group’s style. That meant changing the words from the original lyric, “And I can hardly wait to sleep with you again,” to “And I can hardly wait to be with you again.” American Songwriter reprinted Richard’s remarks about the song, written in the liner notes of the band’s box set, From the Top. He explained he was first exposed to the song via the Midler version. “Late one evening during the period in which we were recording our third album, I happened to tune in to The Tonight Show,” he said. “Bette Midler, who was then relatively unknown, was guesting and on this particular show sang ‘Superstar.’ I felt the song was a hit and a natural for Karen.” Karen and Richard Carpenter continued to record as a duo until Karen’s unexpected death on February 4, 1983. She was 32. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Midler%20Inspired%20The%20Carpenters%27%201971%20hit%20%22Superstar%22&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Midler%20Inspired%20The%20Carpenters%27%201971%20hit%20%22Superstar%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Midler%20Inspired%20The%20Carpenters%27%201971%20hit%20%22Superstar%22&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Midler%20Inspired%20The%20Carpenters%27%201971%20hit%20%22Superstar%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Midler%20Inspired%20The%20Carpenters%27%201971%20hit%20%22Superstar%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Carpenters, #Groupie, #Superstar --- ### [Bette Midler's Independence Day Instagram Post](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/04/bette-midlers-independence-day-instagram-post/) **Published:** July 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's Independence Day Instagram Post **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler’s Independence Day Instagram Post By Mister D July 4, 2026 --- ![Comic cover: Statue of Liberty lounging on a flaming rocket labeled 'U.S.S. Constitution' amid fireworks; caption 'Defending Liberty… Even on a Holiday!'](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-04_19-55-50.png "2026-07-04_19-55-50 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Independence%20Day%20Instagram%20Post&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Independence%20Day%20Instagram%20Post%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Independence%20Day%20Instagram%20Post&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Independence%20Day%20Instagram%20Post%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Independence%20Day%20Instagram%20Post%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Holiday, Instagram **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #FourthofJuly, #Holiday, #IndependenceDay, #Instagram --- ### [Trailer: Bette Midler - Stepford Wives - What Happened?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/04/trailer-bette-midler-stepford-wives-what-happened/) **Published:** July 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** What should’ve been a sharp feminist satire became a glossy, confused comedy that didn’t know what it wanted to be **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Trailer: Bette Midler – Stepford Wives – What Happened? By Mister D July 4, 2026 --- ![Smiling blonde woman in a blue floral dress with a light apron standing in a kitchen.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/55957796_2681445605230398_5267487435301847040_n.jpg "55957796_2681445605230398_5267487435301847040_n - bootleg betty") --- --- **An Overview Of What Went Wrong** “[The Stepford Wives ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-stepford-wives/)(2004)” collapsed under the weight of rewrites, studio panic, clashing tones, and a cast + director dynamic that could charitably be described as… combustible. What should’ve been a sharp feminist satire became a glossy, confused comedy that didn’t know what it wanted to be — or who it was for. **The Tone Problem** The original novel and 1975 film are dark, paranoid, feminist horror. The 2004 remake was pushed into broad comedy, then sci?fi camp, then family?friendly satire, then robot slapstick. Each rewrite tried to “fix” the last, resulting in a film that feels like four genres stitched together with hot glue. Test screenings terrified the studio, prompting even more rewrites and reshoots. **Non?obvious insight:** The film’s glossy, candy?colored aesthetic actually amplifies the tonal confusion — Stepford looks like a Target ad, but the plot wants to be a paranoid thriller. **The Production Chaos** Frank Oz (a brilliant director, but not a natural fit for this material) clashed with multiple cast members. Nicole Kidman, [**Bette Midler**](https://www.bettemidler.com/), Glenn Close, Christopher Walken, and Roger Bart were all reported to have tense moments with Oz. Scenes were rewritten daily, sometimes during filming. Entire sequences were cut, replaced, or re?shot, leaving continuity issues and dangling plot threads. The ending was changed multiple times — including a version where the wives were not robots. **Non?obvious insight:** The film’s final twist (the wives aren’t robots; the men are controlled instead) was a late?stage rewrite meant to soften the misogyny critique — but it also erased the story’s entire thematic engine. **The Budget Spiral** The film cost $90–100 million, an absurd number for a suburban satire. Reshoots and rewrites ballooned the budget. The studio needed a four?quadrant hit to justify the spend — which led to even more tone?softening rewrites. **Non?obvious insight:** The budget forced the film to become “safer,” but Stepford only works when it’s dangerous. **The Cast vs. The Material** - Nicole Kidman was coming off *The Hours* and *Moulin Rouge!* — she wanted sharp satire, not slapstick. - Bette Midler wanted bite and character comedy, not rewrites that flattened Bobbie into a sidekick. - Glenn Close leaned into camp villainy, but the film around her kept changing shape. - Roger Bart’s character was rewritten so many times that his arc barely makes sense. **Non?obvious insight:** The cast is *too good* for the final script — their performances hint at a better movie that never materialized. **The Studio Interference** Paramount wanted a “lighter,” “friendlier,” “less feminist,” “less scary,” “more fun,” “more Nicole Kidman,” “more comedy,” “less darkness,” “more robots,” “fewer robots,” “more Stepford,” “less Stepford.” This is not a joke. Every note contradicted another note. **Non?obvious insight:** The studio tried to make Stepford “relatable” — but Stepford is supposed to be alienating. **The Cultural Timing** The film arrived in 2004, during peak Desperate Housewives, Bush?era suburbia, and post?9/11 escapism. Audiences weren’t craving feminist paranoia; they wanted comfort. The satire felt outdated, and the comedy felt toothless. **Non?obvious insight:** The film’s themes (gender roles, domestic perfection, control) were too real for 2004 — and the studio panicked. **The Final Product** What we got: A gorgeous, expensive, star?studded movie with no central thesis. A satire afraid to be satirical. A comedy afraid to be funny. A thriller afraid to be thrilling. A feminist story rewritten until it wasn’t feminist anymore. **Non?obvious insight:** The film is fascinating because it fails — it’s a case study in how Hollywood can smother a story by trying to please everyone. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Trailer%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stepford%20Wives%20-%20What%20Happened%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Trailer%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stepford%20Wives%20-%20What%20Happened%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Trailer%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stepford%20Wives%20-%20What%20Happened%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Trailer%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stepford%20Wives%20-%20What%20Happened%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Trailer%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stepford%20Wives%20-%20What%20Happened%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, The Stepford Wives, Trailer **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #TheStepfordWives, #Trailer, #WhatHappened --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Talks About NYRP](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/04/video-bette-midler-talks-about-nyrp/) **Published:** July 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler Talks About NYRP **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Talks About NYRP By Mister D July 4, 2026 --- ![Woman with curly red hair sits against a light wall, wearing a loose peach satin shirt and looking at the camera.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/67eabf41248fe465aa9e7cd71e36446d.jpg "67eabf41248fe465aa9e7cd71e36446d - bootleg betty")--- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20NYRP&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20NYRP%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20NYRP&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20NYRP%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20NYRP%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Environment, Home & Garden, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Environment, #Gardens, #NYRP, #Video --- ### [#TBT Bette Midler & Dan Ackroyd MTV Awards](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/02/tbt-bette-midler-dan-ackroyd-mtv-awards/) **Published:** July 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler & Dan Ackroyd doing a bit backstage At The MTV Awards at Radio City Music Hall In New York 1984 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty \#TBT Bette Midler & Dan Ackroyd MTV Awards By Mister D July 2, 2026 --- ![Two people in a backstage hallway near a women’s restroom door; a man is eating a snack from a box featuring a dog, while a woman in a pink dress with a feathered hat looks on.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-06-19_11-32-18.png "2026-06-19_11-32-18 - bootleg betty") --- **Bette Midler & Dan Ackroyd doing a bit backstage At The MTV Awards at Radio City Music Hall In New York 1984** --- Bette Midler’s role as co?host of the inaugural 1984 MTV Video Music Awards was peak early?MTV chaos: campy, sharp?tongued, and history?making. She shared hosting duties with Dan Aykroyd at Radio City Music Hall on September 14, 1984 — the very first VMAs ever held. Below is a structured, detail?rich overview tailored for your Bootleg Betty archival style, including trivia, mishaps, and award context. **The Hosting: Bette Midler in Full Divine Miss M Mode** Midler was announced as co?host in July 1984, chosen for her mix of Broadway?honed showmanship and MTV?friendly irreverence. The show leaned into her comedic persona: bawdy one?liners, theatrical entrances, and a playful contrast with Aykroyd’s deadpan delivery. As this was MTV’s first major awards show, the tone was intentionally anarchic — Midler’s camp sensibility helped define the VMAs’ early identity as the “anti?Grammys.” **Ceremony Context & Major Awards** Most Awards: Herbie Hancock (5), largely for Rockit. Video of the Year: The Cars – You Might Think (notably, it won only this award — a rare VMA anomaly). Michael Jackson: Won 3 awards for Thriller. Cyndi Lauper: Most?nominated artist (9 nominations), winning Best Female Video for Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Video Vanguard Honorees: The Beatles, David Bowie, and director Richard Lester. **Performances & On?Stage Moments** The night was stacked with now?iconic performances: Madonna’s Like a Virgin debut — emerging from a giant wedding cake, famously experiencing a wardrobe malfunction that became VMA legend. Tina Turner – What’s Love Got to Do with It Rod Stewart – Infatuation Huey Lewis & the News – I Want a New Drug ZZ Top – Sharp Dressed Man Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters David Bowie – Blue Jean (pre?taped) **Bette Midler–Specific Trivia & Notable Moments** While the sources don’t detail specific on?stage mishaps involving Midler herself, several contextual highlights shape her presence at the event: **She helped introduce the Moonman** As co?host of the inaugural ceremony, Midler was part of the first presentation of MTV’s now?iconic Moonman trophy. **“Video City Music Hall” gag** New York Mayor Ed Koch temporarily renamed Radio City Music Hall to “Video City Music Hall” for the night — a stunt Midler leaned into with tongue?in?cheek commentary. **Camp vs. Chaos** The show’s unpredictable energy — Madonna’s slip, technical hiccups, and the general live?TV looseness — played directly into Midler’s comedic strengths. Her reactions and ad?libs helped smooth over awkward transitions, a hallmark of her hosting style. **Her own nomination** Midler was nominated for Best Female Video for Beast of Burden, alongside Pat Benatar, Donna Summer, and two Cyndi Lauper videos. Lauper ultimately won. **Why Midler’s Hosting Matters in MTV History** She set the tone for the VMAs as a place where theatricality, humor, and irreverence were not just welcome — they were the brand. Her presence bridged generations: a Broadway and film star embracing the new frontier of music video culture. The 1984 ceremony is still cited as one of the most influential VMAs ever, and Midler’s hosting is part of that legacy. **Sources:** Bootleg Betty, Wikipedia, Fandom, Grokipedia, Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=%23TBT%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Dan%20Ackroyd%20MTV%20Awards&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=%23TBT%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Dan%20Ackroyd%20MTV%20Awards%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=%23TBT%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Dan%20Ackroyd%20MTV%20Awards&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=%23TBT%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Dan%20Ackroyd%20MTV%20Awards%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=%23TBT%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Dan%20Ackroyd%20MTV%20Awards%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Television, Trivia **Tags:** #!984, #BetteMidler, #DanAckroyd, #MtvMusicAwards, #photo, #RadioCityMusicHall, #Trivia --- ### [80's Celebs That Would Be Great On Twitter](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/02/80s-celebs-that-would-be-great-on-twitter/) **Published:** July 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The eighties produced larger than life celebrities who seemed built for constant attention, quick opinions, and public chaos long before social media existed. **Content:** --- ## Den Of Green 15 Celebs from the ’80s That Would Have Been Great on Twitter By Leandro Beroldo July 2, 2026 --- ![Person with light, curly hair applying makeup at a dressing table, mirror in front, cosmetics on the table behind them behind-the-scenes backstage scene.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/e3da2b19ba9d571ac576e200f3e23d1f-819x1024.jpg "E3da2b19ba9d571ac576e200f3e23d1f - bootleg betty")--- The eighties produced larger than life celebrities who seemed built for constant attention, quick opinions, and public chaos long before social media existed. It was a decade of wild interviews, sharp personalities, and stars who never seemed afraid to say exactly what they thought. Some were funny without trying, some were unpredictable, and some could turn a single quote into headline material for weeks. If Twitter had existed back then, their feeds would have been impossible to ignore. Between backstage thoughts, public feuds, and strange late night posts, these are the eighties icons who would have owned the platform. IMDb Carrie Fisher Her wit, honesty, and sharp observations would have made her one of the most quoted voices online. IMDb Cher Sharp, funny, and brutally honest, Cher was practically built for social media long before it existed. IMDb David Bowie Bowie’s strange brilliance and unpredictable ideas would have made his account endlessly fascinating. IMDb Eddie Murphy His fast wit and fearless humor could have turned everyday thoughts into viral gold. IMDb Joan Rivers Her speed, sarcasm, and zero filter would have made her one of the platform’s fastest voices. IMDb John Candy Warm, funny, and relatable, his account would have felt like hanging out with a friend. IMDb Madonna Always pushing buttons and controlling headlines, Madonna would have dominated online discourse. IMDb Mick Jagger Backstage photos, random thoughts, and endless stories would have kept his feed moving nonstop. IMDb Ozzy Osbourne Every post would have been unpredictable, strange, and impossible to ignore. IMDb Prince His cryptic personality and mysterious public image would have made every post feel like an event. Join our mailing list Get the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox! IMDb Robin Williams His rapid fire mind and endless stream of ideas would have made scrolling through his posts feel chaotic in the best way. IMDb Roddy Piper Piper’s wild energy, constant trash talk, and fearless personality would have made him an all time social media legend. IMDb Tom Selleck His cool persona and dry humor would have worked perfectly in short bursts. IMDb Bette Midler Loud, funny, and fearless, she would have turned Twitter into her personal stage. IMDb Bill Murray Nobody would know if he was joking, serious, or somewhere in between, which is exactly why it would work. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=80%27s%20Celebs%20That%20Would%20Be%20Great%20On%20Twitter&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=80%27s%20Celebs%20That%20Would%20Be%20Great%20On%20Twitter%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=80%27s%20Celebs%20That%20Would%20Be%20Great%20On%20Twitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=80%27s%20Celebs%20That%20Would%20Be%20Great%20On%20Twitter%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=80%27s%20Celebs%20That%20Would%20Be%20Great%20On%20Twitter%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bette Tweets, Celebrity, Twitter, Twitter War **Tags:** #Bette Midler, #Celebs, #Twitter --- ### [Audio: Disco Divas Special Pride Month Megamix](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/01/audio-disco-divas-special-pride-month-megamix/) **Published:** July 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio: Disco Divas Special Pride Month Megamix **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Disco Divas Special Pride Month Megamix By Disco Divas July 1, 2026 --- ![Promo poster with four disco divas in a purple glitter background; text reads 'DISCO DIVAS SPECIAL PERFORMANCE MONTH'.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-01_14-52-28.png "2026-07-01_14-52-28 - bootleg betty")--- --- **Mister D: Thought this might be a fun play for the end of Pride Month** --- **Here’s the list of the mixes:** Raffaella Carrà – Do it Do it Again (Oren Amram Extended Club ruff-mix) Lipps Inc. – Funkytown (Nu Disco Mix) Dalida – Laissez-moi danser (Longue version) Gladys Knight & the Pips – Change Your Mind (Michael Grey Club Mix) Sabrina – Boys (Summertime Love) \[Future Shock Less Vocal Mix\] Madleen Kane – Rough Diamond (Murchikk & D!scoman Edit) **Bette Midler – My Knight In The Black Leather (Lången Remix)** Gloria Estefan – Dr. Beat (Dim Zach Remix) Yvonne Elliman – If I Can’t Have You (Digital Visions Remix) Amii Stewart – Knock On Wood ’99 (99 East Coast Club Mix) Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive (Mor Avrahami & Yaniv Shamlik Club Mix) Roberta Flack – Feel Like Makin’ Love (Supershy Club Mix) Kelly Marie – Feels like I’m in love (Disconet Remix) Patrice Rushen – Forget Me Nots (Dj ”S” Rework) Thelma Houston – Don’t Leave Me This Way (Dr. Packer Club Mix) Sheila – Spacer (P. Pajot & J. De Honsec Disco 3000 Club Mix) Baccara – Yes Sir, I Can Boogie (Slice & Case Remix) Laura Branigan – Self Control (Sgt Slick’s Melbourne ReCut) Sister Sledge – We Are Family (Kmell Nu Disco Extended Club Mix) Boys Town Gang – Can’T Take My Eyes Off You (Stonebridge Club Mix) Chaka Khan – I’m Every Woman (Dimitri From Paris Club Mix) Rose Royce – Car Wash (Mustard Mix) Stephanie Mills – Never Knew Love Like This Before (Barry Harris Club Mix) Dolly Parton – Baby I’m Burnin’ (Dance With Dolly Mix) Divine – Shoot Your Shot (Mickeyinthe 2012 Club Mix) Patti Labelle – Lady Marmalade (Bradley D. Hinkle Club Mix) Celi Bee & The Buzzy Bunch – Macho (A Real Real One) \[Butch Zurc Butch Queen Remix\] Grace Jones – I Need A Man (Extended Mix) Bonnie Pointer – Heaven Must Have Sent You (Robbie Steel White Label Mix) Diana Ross – I’m Coming Out (Maurice’s Club Mix) Candi Station – Young Hearts Run Free (Danny D Club Mix) Donna Summer – MacArthur Park (Rosabel’s Club Mix) Amanda Lear – Queen Of Chinatown (Summer Queen Mix) Cher – Take Me Home (John Morales M+M Classic Mix) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Disco%20Divas%20Special%20Pride%20Month%20Megamix&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Disco%20Divas%20Special%20Pride%20Month%20Megamix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Disco%20Divas%20Special%20Pride%20Month%20Megamix&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Disco%20Divas%20Special%20Pride%20Month%20Megamix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Disco%20Divas%20Special%20Pride%20Month%20Megamix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Pride, Remix **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #DiscoDivas, #Megamix, #Pride --- ### [Where Can You Find Bette Midler's The Rose To Stream?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/01/where-can-you-find-bette-midlers-the-rose-to-stream/) **Published:** July 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** I've poked around the sub and found nothing. I've searched through where to stream it; results say they have it, all come up not available. Hell, you can't even find a decent trailer of the movie so I've included this one just so, if you haven't seen it before, it doesn't come off as a big bummer before it's even given a chance. **Content:** --- ## Reddit A Forgotten Title that Deserves Some love by Effective\_Coach7334 / July 1, 2026 --- ![Movie poster for The Rose featuring Bette Midler and Alan Bates; a smiling singer raises her arms on stage.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/rose.jpg "Rose - bootleg betty")--- Shared in r/movies I’ve poked around the sub and found nothing. I’ve searched through where to stream it; results say they have it, all come up not available. Hell, you can’t even find a decent trailer of the movie [so I’ve included this one](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-WHagqtiSc) just so, if you haven’t seen it before, it doesn’t come off as a big bummer before it’s even given a chance. **Why is it that this movie gets so little love?** If you have any love for classic rock and/or you’re a fan of Janis Joplin which, despite the studios’ protestations, is roughly her biography, this film is most excellent. The production is beautiful, especially when you consider that much of it is documenting the production of a live music tour Bette Midler performed strictly for this film. It has a beautifully well lit film quality to it you rarely see even in documentary films about big named musical properties. It has that dreamy late 60s, early 70s vibe. The question if this is even an accurate portrayal of Janis’ life isn’t relevant from where I sit–and I’m a huge fan. From the very first time I saw this film I fell in love with it, and I’m not even a particularly big fan of Midler’s. But dear lort the performance she gives in this film, both on stage and for the role, is as powerful as it is tragic, and I just can’t get enough of it. And, btw, unbelievably this was her first starring role. I wish other actors would give even half of what she threw on stage. Have you seen it? What are you thoughts on this forgotten gem? If anyone finds places on line to stream this, please post it!! submitted by [/u/Effective\_Coach7334](https://www.reddit.com/user/Effective_Coach7334) [\[link\]](https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/1uk9kvg/the_rose_1979_a_forgotten_title_that_deserves/)[\[comments\]](https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/1uk9kvg/the_rose_1979_a_forgotten_title_that_deserves/) --- To View The Rose: [**Click Here**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2019/03/22/video-the-rose-complete-bette-midler-1979-at-least-for-now/) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Where%20Can%20You%20Find%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Rose%20To%20Stream%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Where%20Can%20You%20Find%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Rose%20To%20Stream%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Where%20Can%20You%20Find%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Rose%20To%20Stream%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Where%20Can%20You%20Find%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Rose%20To%20Stream%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Where%20Can%20You%20Find%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Rose%20To%20Stream%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Stream, #TheRose --- ### [People Ask Me, Hey! Whatever Happened To That Bette Midler - Mae West Bio-Pic?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/01/people-ask-me-hey-whatever-happened-to-that-bette-midler-mae-west-bio-pic/) **Published:** July 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** What happened to the Mae West bio-pic Bette Midler was supposed to make with the director of The Exorcist? **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty People Ask Me, Hey! Whatever Happened To That Mae West Bio-Pic? By Mister D July 1, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler wearing a bright pink sequined gown with a large feather hat, posing and smiling at a New York Restoration Project event.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2019-11-01_12-15-36-1.png "2019-11-01_12-15-36-1 - bootleg betty")--- **What happened to the Mae West bio-pic Bette Midler was supposed to make with the director of The Exorcist?** The [Mae West](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/mae-west/) biopic that [**Bette Midler** ](https://maewest.blogspot.com/2021/07/mae-west-bettes-memories.html)was set to star in (for HBO Films, directed by William Friedkin) was announced in December 2013 but never advanced beyond early development and remains unproduced as of 2026. Here’s the full story, based on the latest available information: **Announcement and key players (2013):** HBO Films put the project in development with Bette Midler attached to star as Mae West and executive produce. William Friedkin (The Exorcist, among many classics) was set to direct and executive produce—it was his idea to bring to HBO. **Harvey Fierstein** (Kinky Boots) was writing the script, and **[Jerry Weintraub](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Weintraub)** was also an executive producer. It was based on Mae West’s 1959 autobiography *Goodness Had Nothing to Do With It,* focusing on her early vaudeville/Broadway years, the scandalous 1926 play Sex (which got her arrested for “corrupting the morals of youth”), fights with censors, and breakthrough with Diamond Lil. **Why it was exciting:** Perfect match on paper—Midler and West both had that bold, brassy, self-made star power, rising from the New York stage later in life. Fans and outlets called the casting “perfect” and expected it to be a prestige HBO event. **What happened next:** It quietly stalled in development hell. There were no further updates on script progress, casting, filming start dates, or a greenlight. No production ever began. **Current status (2026):** The project is still listed as unproduced. Bette Midler’s Wikipedia page (updated and current as of June 2026) notes explicitly: “The project remains unproduced, and Friedkin passed away in 2023.” Recent fan discussions (2024 onward) routinely refer to it as something that “unfortunately never got made” or note that after more than a decade, “still no movie.” Recent fan discussions (2024 onward) routinely refer to it as something that “unfortunately never got made” or note that after more than a decade, “still no movie.” Friedkin’s death in August 2023 (at age 87) effectively ended any realistic path forward in its original form, and there’s been zero indication of a revival, recasting, or new director. **Related note:** Bette Midler did executive-produce a well-regarded 2020 PBS American Masters documentary called Mae West: Dirty Blonde, which explores West’s life, influence, and subversive career. It’s the closest thing that actually happened. In short, it was one of those high-profile “what could have been” projects that simply never left the drawing board. Bette has stayed plenty busy with other work (Hello, Dolly!, Hocus Pocus 2, tours, etc.), but this particular Mae West film appears to be permanently shelved. **Overheard:** Natasha Lyonne’s name was bandied about while still under William Friedkin’s production. but with his death that went nowhere fast, too. **Red Flag:** Harvey Fierstein Another one bites the dust… **Sources:** Wikipedia, Deadline, Vulture, IMDB, My Brain lol Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=People%20Ask%20Me%2C%20Hey%21%20Whatever%20Happened%20To%20That%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mae%20West%20Bio-Pic%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=People%20Ask%20Me%2C%20Hey%21%20Whatever%20Happened%20To%20That%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mae%20West%20Bio-Pic%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=People%20Ask%20Me%2C%20Hey%21%20Whatever%20Happened%20To%20That%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mae%20West%20Bio-Pic%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=People%20Ask%20Me%2C%20Hey%21%20Whatever%20Happened%20To%20That%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mae%20West%20Bio-Pic%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=People%20Ask%20Me%2C%20Hey%21%20Whatever%20Happened%20To%20That%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mae%20West%20Bio-Pic%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Biography, Mae West, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Biography, #HarveyFierstein, #MaeWest, #TheExorcist, #WilliamFRiedkin, NatashaLyonne --- ### [Bette Midler Wants You to Know: Your 2026 Election Guide](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/07/01/bette-midler-wants-you-to-know-your-2026-election-guide/) **Published:** July 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Here's important information and links for the 2026 election season. This is a “work in progress” and I'll be updating frequently until General Election Day, so be sure to check back often! **Content:** --- ## Democratic Underground Bette Midler Would Want You To Know: Your 2026 Primary and Midterm Election Guide: Calendar, Activist Links, and Donation Links By Staff July 1, 2026 --- ![Smiling Bette Midler with short gray hair, wearing hoop earrings and a pink top, outdoors at dusk.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-30_07-25-38.png "2026-05-30_07-25-38 - bootleg betty") --- Here’s important information and links for the 2026 election season. This is a “work in progress” and I’ll be updating frequently until General Election Day, so be sure to check back often! Please let me know if there are any broken links, or any incorrect or incomplete information, and I will make the necessary corrections. Note – if you do anything by mail, be sure to mail things in WELL IN ADVANCE. I personally would recommend at least two weeks (10 business days, 20 days if overseas), especially for submitting absentee ballots. Remember, DeJoy might be gone, but his postal system is still in place. See this thread here as a cautionary tale: URGE EVERYONE YOU KNOW to take advantage of early voting, to avoid very long lines. Or if you absolutely must wait until Election Day to vote, to vote as early in the day as you can. And to learn ahead of time your polling location. We all saw what happened in Dallas during the primaries! And please, please, please don’t neglect your state legislature and local races! They’re too numerous to list here, but are still crucially important! **Donation Sites** Click here to go to ActBlue and donate to Democrats: Omaha Steve’s post about DU Act Blue 2026 fundraisers for congress, etc.: A caveat: ActBlue keeps a small percentage of your donation. So if you want a candidate or entity to have all of your donation, write a check to the candidate directly. “A new site shows Democrats how to allocate their donations to make the most difference.” (Thanks to RandySF for this) “Click the links below to land on the Donate pages of these ‘Toss-Up’ candidates, ranked by Highest Impact for your money, by combining the Tightest-rated races with the lowest funds raised – Most Affordable – out of 435 House districts.” **Activist Sites** Democratic Freedom Caucus Guide For Activists: Mobilize.us, for a comprehensive directory of campaign events, petitions, voter registration drives, GOTV drives, and more! (It defaults to list things in your area, but you can click on the “National” button to find events all across the country): Indivisible, for protests and activism: Swing Left Dot Org ACLU Activism Voters of Tomorrow: A Gen Z-led organization that has gained significant influence by focusing on youth political power and fighting barriers like campus polling place closures. Common Defense, for veterans fighting against authoritarianism: Voter Participation Center: Focused on reaching underrepresented communities through massive data-driven registration efforts, targeting 4.7 million Americans for the 2026 midterms. Useful Lessons in Magyar’s Path to Defeating Orban (An Interview With Paul Krugman That Can Be a Blueprint for Democrats to Follow This Year) (Thanks to lostnfound for this) 10 Crucial Things You Can Do This Year — by Robert Reich [https://robertreich.substack.com/p/what-you-can-do-in-2026?utm\_medium=email](https://robertreich.substack.com/p/what-you-can-do-in-2026?utm_medium=email) Things you can do other than voting or protesting (thanks to WhiskyGrinder for this): **Voting Information** If you’re a first-time voter, or you haven’t voted in several years, or you have recently moved, be prepared before heading to the polls. I recommend you bring: 1\. Your voter registration card 2\. A photo I.D. (driver’s license, state photo I.D., or passport) 3\. Proof of residency (such as a current utility bill). (If you’re a regular voter and haven’t changed your address recently, you should be okay with just the photo I.D. We shouldn’t have to be required to show I.D., but until we can change the laws, I am just trying to get as many people to cast valid ballots as possible.) In Arizona you’re required to provide a birth certificate (or passport) in order to register to vote in state elections, so if that affects you, be sure to act on it early. hlthe2b’s thread about how doing so can be quite costly! Remember, if you’re not allowed to vote for any reason, you are allowed by law to cast a PROVISIONAL BALLOT in 47 states (ID, MN, NH being the only exceptions, because they allow same-day registration and voting). The exact guidelines and circumstances vary by state. To find the provisional ballot laws in your state, go here: [https://ballotpedia.org/Provisional\_ballot\_laws\_by\_state](https://ballotpedia.org/Provisional_ballot_laws_by_state) ACLU’s Voting Rights Page: Know what’s on your ballot (this link will be more useful the closer we get to Election Day). **2026 Election Calendar** Note: voting calendar dates for states are general guidelines, and the dates can vary for particular jurisdictions. **For precise dates, call your local election office or visit their website.** You can find the contact information here: Friday, April 17 South Dakota state primary in-person absentee voting begins Saturday, May 2 Virginia state primary in-person absentee voting begins Sunday, May 3 Montana state primary in-person absentee voting begins Monday, May 4 California state primary early voting begins (varies by county) Tuesday, May 5 New Mexico state primary early voting begins Sunday, May 10 Maine state primary in-person absentee voting begins Wednesday, May 13 Iowa state primary in-person absentee voting begins Saturday, May 23 Nevada state primary early voting begins Monday, May 25 Memorial Day Tuesday, May 26 New Jersey state primary early voting begins North Dakota state primary early voting begins South Carolina state primary early voting begins thru June 5, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed weekends) Saturday, May 30 New Mexico early voting ends Sunday, May 31 New Jersey state primary early voting ends Monday, June 1 California state primary early voting ends Iowa state primary in-person absentee voting ends Montana state primary in-person absentee voting ends 12 p.m. South Dakota state primary in-person absentee voting ends 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 2 California state primary, including 1st District special election primary (pre-prop 50 district boundaries) Iowa state primary Montana state primary New Jersey state primary New Mexico state primary South Dakota state primary Thursday, June 4 Maine state primary in-person absentee voting ends Friday, June 5 Nevada state primary early voting ends Monday, June 8 North Dakota state primary early voting ends Tuesday, June 9 Maine state primary Nevada state primary North Dakota state primary South Carolina state primary Utah state primary early voting begins Thursday, June 11 Maryland state primary early voting begins Oklahoma state primary early voting begins Saturday, June 13 New York state primary early voting begins Oklahoma state primary early voting ends 2 p.m. Virginia state primary in-person absentee voting ends 5 p.m. Sunday, June 14 No Kings-sponsored concert at the New York Town Hall, with watch parties nationwide, 7:30 p.m. EDT “An uplifting evening of song, solidarity, and action, with support from the No Kings Coalition. Featuring an all-star line-up of performers (Jane Fonda, Patti Smith, Bette Midler, Rufus Wainwright, Sasha Allen, Joy Reid, Wilson Cruz, Broadway Inspirational Voices, Joy Reid, and more!), this 90-minute concert event will celebrate the freedoms guaranteed by our First Amendment.” More info: Tuesday, June 16 Oklahoma state primary Virginia state primary Thursday, June 18 Maryland state primary early voting ends Friday, June 19 Juneteenth National Independence Day Utah state primary early voting ends Sunday, June 21 New York state primary early voting ends Tuesday, June 23 Maryland state primary New York state primary Utah state primary Wednesday, June 24 Arizona state primary early voting begins Friday, June 26 Minnesota state primary in-person absentee voting begins Saturday, June 27 Vermont state primary early voting begins Tuesday, June 30 Colorado state primary Friday, July 3 Independence Day Federal Holiday Saturday, July 4 Independence Day 250th Anniversary Monday, July 6 California 1st District Special Election early voting begins Wednesday, July 15 Kansas state primary early voting begins (some locations) Friday, July 17 Arizona state primary early voting ends Tennessee state primary early voting begins Washington state primary early voting begins Tuesday, July 21 Arizona state primary Missouri state primary in-person absentee voting begins (photo ID required) Wyoming state in-person absentee early voting begins Saturday, July 25 Michigan state primary early voting begins Tuesday, July 28 Kansas state primary early voting begins (all locations; end date varies by county) Wisconsin state primary early voting begins Friday, July 31 Arizona state primary early voting ends Saturday, August 1 Tennessee state primary early voting ends Sunday, August 2 Michigan state primary early voting ends Monday, August 3 Alaska state primary early voting begins California 1st District Special Election early voting ends Missouri state primary in-person absentee voting ends (photo ID required) Washington state primary early voting ends Tuesday, August 4 California 1st District Special Election (pre-prop 50 district boundaries) Arizona state primary Kansas state primary Michigan state primary Missouri state primary Washington state primary Thursday, August 6 Tennessee state primary Saturday, August 8 Florida state primary early voting begins Hawaii state primary Sunday, August 9 Wisconsin state primary early voting ends Monday, August 10 Minnesota state primary in-person absentee voting ends Vermont state primary early voting ends Tuesday, August 11 Connecticut state primary Minnesota state primary Vermont state primary Wisconsin state primary Saturday, August 15 Florida state primary early voting ends Monday, August 17 Wyoming in-person absentee voting ends Tuesday, August 18 Alaska state primary Florida state primary Wyoming state primary Wednesday, August 19 Rhode Island state primary early voting begins Saturday, August 22 Massachusetts state primary early voting begins Friday, August 28 Massachusetts state primary early voting ends Tuesday, September 1 Massachusetts state primary Saturday, September 5 Delaware state primary early voting begins Monday, September 7 Labor Day Rhode Island state primary early voting ends Tuesday, September 8 New Hampshire state primary Rhode Island state primary Sunday, September 13 Delaware state primary early voting ends Tuesday, September 15 Delaware state primary **End of primary season** Friday, September 18 Minnesota in-person absentee voting begins South Dakota in-person absentee voting begins Saturday, September 19 Mississippi in-person absentee voting begins Vermont early voting begins Virginia in-person absentee voting begins Thursday, September 24 Illinois early voting begins Saturday, October 3 1:00 p.m. EDT Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Maryland “Power to the People” festival Featuring Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Brittany Howard, Joan Baez, Dropkick Murphys, Jack Black (featuring Roman Morello, Revel Ian, Yoyoka Soma and Hugo Weiss), Serj Tankian, Cypress Hill, Killer Mike, Grandson, Taylor Momsen, Matt Cameron, the Linda Lindas, and Tom Morello, alongside artwork and a DJ set by artist Shepard Fairey. Sunday, October 4 Maine in-person absentee voting begins Montana in-person absentee voting begins Nebraska early voting begins Monday, October 5 California early voting begins Ohio voter registration deadline Tuesday, October 6 Indiana early voting begins New Mexico early voting begins Ohio in-person absentee voting begins Wyoming in-person absentee voting begins Wednesday, October 7 Arizona early voting begins Monday, October 12 Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day Wednesday, October 14 Georgia early voting begins Iowa in-person absentee voting begins Kansas early voting begins (select locations) Tennessee early voting begins Friday, October 16 North Carolina early voting begins Washington early voting begins Saturday, October 17 Massachusetts early voting begins Nevada early voting begins Texas early voting begins Monday, October 19 Alaska early voting begins Arkansas early voting begins Colorado early voting begins Connecticut early voting begins Idaho early voting begins (varies by county) North Dakota early voting begins South Carolina early voting begins thru Oct. 31, 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (closed Sunday) Tuesday, October 20 Louisiana early voting begins Missouri in-person absentee voting begins (photo ID required) Utah early voting begins Wisconsin early voting begins Wednesday, October 21 West Virginia early voting begins Thursday, October 22 D.C. early voting begins Maryland early voting begins Saturday, October 24 Delaware early voting begins Florida early voting begins New Jersey early voting begins New York early voting begins Tuesday, October 27 Kansas early voting begins (all locations; end dates vary by county) Louisiana early voting ends Wednesday, October 28 Oklahoma early voting begins Thursday, October 29 Kentucky early voting begins Maine in-person absentee voting ends Maryland early voting ends Tennessee early voting ends Friday, October 30 Arizona early voting ends Georgia early voting ends Idaho early voting ends Massachusetts early voting ends Nevada early voting ends Texas early voting ends Utah early voting ends Saturday, October 31 Kentucky early voting ends Mississippi in-person absentee voting ends 12 p.m. New Mexico early voting ends North Carolina early voting ends Oklahoma early voting ends 2 p.m. South Carolina early voting ends Virginia in-person absentee voting ends 5 p.m. West Virginia early voting ends Sunday, November 1 Daylight Saving Time ends Connecticut early voting ends Delaware early voting ends Michigan early voting ends New Jersey early voting ends New York early voting ends Wisconsin early voting ends Monday, November 2 Arkansas early voting ends California early voting ends Illinois early voting ends Indiana early voting ends Iowa in-person absentee voting ends Kansas early voting ends (all locations) Minnesota in-person absentee voting ends Missouri in-person absentee voting ends (photo ID required) Montana in-person absentee voting ends 12 p.m. Nebraska early voting ends North Dakota early voting ends South Dakota in-person absentee voting ends 5 p.m. Vermont early voting ends Washington early voting ends Wyoming in-person absentee voting ends Tuesday, November 3 General Election Day Again, to find the exact dates for elections in your area, contact your local election office. The contact information can be found here: Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Wants%20You%20to%20Know%3A%20Your%202026%20Election%20Guide&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Wants%20You%20to%20Know%3A%20Your%202026%20Election%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Wants%20You%20to%20Know%3A%20Your%202026%20Election%20Guide&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Wants%20You%20to%20Know%3A%20Your%202026%20Election%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Wants%20You%20to%20Know%3A%20Your%202026%20Election%20Guide%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Government Agencies, Politics, Protests **Tags:** #ActivistLinks, #BetteMidler, #DemocraticUnderground, #DonationLinks, #electionGuide, #Politics, #Protests --- ### [A Look Back At Bette Midler's Ruthless People](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/30/a-look-back-at-bette-midlers-ruthless-people/) **Published:** June 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Sam Stone is on his way home to kill his wife when he finds out she’s been kidnapped. He decides not to play the ransom, so she teams up with the kidnappers to take him for all he’s worth. **Content:** --- ## Crooked Marquee Classic Corner: *Ruthless People* By Sean Burns June 30, 2026 --- ![Person with bright, orange hair and a bold multicolor 1980s-style jacket stands in a cluttered workshop, hands on hips, holding a large prop object over their shoulder.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/515494179_1202247018613030_4956360301476282990_n.jpg "515494179_1202247018613030_4956360301476282990_n - bootleg betty")--- Sam Stone is on his way home to kill his wife when he finds out she’s been kidnapped. He decides not to play the ransom, so she teams up with the kidnappers to take him for all he’s worth. Now this is a great premise for a movie — one of those ideas that’s so good, as soon as you hear it you wonder why nobody thought of it before. You might imagine it as the setup for a twisty 1940s noir, but it’s actually the hook for [**Ruthless People**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/ruthless-people/ "Ruthless People"), a raunchy modern screwball comedy that improbably became the Walt Disney Company’s highest-grossing movie of 1986. Things were a little different at the Mouse House back then. After the cripplingly expensive, nap-inducing animated epic The Black Cauldron very nearly bankrupted the house that Walt built, Disney boss Ron Miller decided to break with tradition and start also producing movies for adults. 1984’s Splash! was the first film released under the studio’s Touchstone banner, the new name a necessity so that the family-friendly Disney brand wouldn’t be tarnished by a shot of Daryl Hannah’s bare bum. 1986’s Down and Out in Beverly Hills was their first R-rated release, and the first in a multi-picture deal with [**Bette Midler** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler)that would make the Divine Miss M a bona fide movie star. Ruthless People hit theaters a few months later, with Midler co-starring as the abducted spouse of Danny DeVito’s Sam Stone. Directed by the Airplane! and Top Secret! trio of David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker, it was the ZAZ team’s first stab at a non-parody movie and their only co-directorial effort without an exclamation point in the title. Dale Launer’s debut screenplay is the stuff careers are made of. He’d go on to write hits like Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and My Cousin Vinny, but never topped this interlocking farce of broadly drawn characters and unexpected reversals. The key to the movie’s appeal is its ebullience. Ruthless People is dirty but not smutty, naughty yet never nasty. From the bright, pop-art production design to the shadow-free lighting by future legend Jan de Bont, it looks and feels like a film where you know nobody is ever really going to get hurt. DeVito’s exuberance is an important part of this equation. He’s so small, unthreatening and naturally funny, even his most vindictive rants are absurdly hilarious. (“I hate the way she licks stamps” is a line only Danny DeVito could deliver. And with such relish!) The kidnappers are played by the instantly endearing Judge Reinhold and former Supergirl Helen Slater, two doe-eyed, childlike naifs in so far over their heads that they let themselves be talked down on the ransom from $500,000 to ten grand, and Sam still doesn’t want to pay it. You get the idea these two might not be cut out for the whole kidnapping deal when we find out they’re vegetarians. The Huey and Dewey Duck masks also don’t scream “hardened criminals.” Without being able to indulge in their trademark surreal sight gags, the ZAZ Team nonetheless comes up with some wonderful business for their actors. My favorite is when Reinhold – who between this, Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Beverly Hills Cop was the ‘80s movie go-to galoot – delivers a long monologue about how cut-throat and ruthless he is while using a People magazine to gently remove a spider from their kitchen floor and deposit it outside. There’s a perfectly timed cut to an exterior shot after he realizes what he’s done and goes back outside to stomp on it. Bill Pullman made his film debut as the amazingly idiotic, bleached blonde boy-toy of DeVito’s mistress. She’s played by Anita Morris, the Broadway bombshell from The Rolling Stones’ ridiculous “She Was Hot” video, which was temporarily banned by MTV for racy content that’s actually just the band members embarrassingly “AH-HOOGA”-ing the actress as she makes the buttons pop off their expanding trousers. Forty years after sneaking into Ruthless People during its original theatrical run, I have yet to determine what she and Pullman are doing with a DustBuster under the covers, but the prop is indicative of a movie that would much rather be silly than sexy. (Tying it all together, Morris would go on to play Milder’s role in the short-lived Fox sitcom spinoff of Down and Out in Beverly Hills.) Starting with Sally Cruikshank cartoon credits set to the title track by Mick Jagger in his lamentable She’s the Boss solo period, sometimes it looks like Ruthless People is deliberately trying to be the most ‘80s movie ever made. (Check out the scenes at the stereo store!) The postmodern Memphis Group furnishings match Midler’s super-sized wigs — not to mention her larger than life line readings — and I suppose here is where it’s my job as a critic to point out something about how all the outrageous greed and avarice on display say something about the era. But the movie is too fun and frivolous to burden with such readings. Seeing it at eleven years old sent me rushing home to wait by the phone, hoping someone would call the wrong number. “Ruthless People” is streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20Look%20Back%20At%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Ruthless%20People&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20Look%20Back%20At%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Ruthless%20People%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20Look%20Back%20At%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Ruthless%20People&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20Look%20Back%20At%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Ruthless%20People%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20Look%20Back%20At%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Ruthless%20People%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Movies, Reviews, Ruthless People **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #DannyDeVito, #Movie, #ruthlessPeople --- ### [Celebs That Leave Behind A Legacy Of Good Deeds](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/30/celebs-that-leave-behind-a-legacy-of-good-deeds/) **Published:** June 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In a world full of depressing news and tragedy, celebrities using their platform to give back and inspire positive change can make all the difference. **Content:** --- ## Woman & Home Celebs That Leave Behind A Legacy Of Good Deeds By Jack Slater June 29, 2026 --- ![Woman wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and blue-and-white striped shirt, smiling outdoors among greenery.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4b756b74e5bceb73743dfa5d857a7485.jpg "4b756b74e5bceb73743dfa5d857a7485 - bootleg betty") --- Stories about the lifestyles of the rich and famous often focus on the glitz and the glamour – and, sure, we love that. Who doesn’t love jaw-dropping red carpet fashion or enviable jewelry moments? But every now and then there’s nothing nicer than reading about people being nice. In a world full of depressing news and tragedy, celebrities using their platform to give back and inspire positive change can make all the difference. Of course, so many celebrities will give back in their own way, and this isn’t a definitive list. It’s more of a snapshot into moments stars have inspired others with notable and personal acts of charity. From her Oscar-winning film work to her showstopping red carpet moments, **Angelina Jolie** exudes classic movie star power. However, the Girl, Interrupted star has always made charity work a priority in her life. Angelina dedicated over 20 years of service to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. She served as a Goodwill Ambassador from 2001 to 2012 and as Special Envoy from 2012 to 2022. The Oscar winner also co-founded the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation (MJP) – named after one of her children, shared with ex Brad Pitt – and has donated millions to a wide range of other causes. From a production assistant to TV host to ‘Queen of all Media,’ the only thing more impressive than **Oprah** Winfrey’s meteoric rise to fame is her constant commitment to giving back. According to many sources and reports, Oprah has thought to have donated at least $400 million through her foundation over the years, helping out with everything from disaster relief to funding museums and working to protect children. **Jennifer Lopez** is known for many things – acting, singing, her flawless red carpet style. But the multi-talented star has always put her money where her mouth is when it comes to giving back. Among Jennifer’s charity work, the Hustlers actress set up the Lopez Family Foundation with her sisters, working to increase the availability of quality health care and health education for women and children. She has also donated generously to causes, including a recent reported massive donation to give meals to those struggling in Palestine. After losing two friends to AIDS in the space of one year, Sir **Elton John** was inspired to establish the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992. Famous for annual fundraisers like his Oscars After Party which raises money for the charity, Sir Elton’s charity has raised over a reported $600 million over the years to support HIV-related programs in 55 countries. Together and separately, t**he Beckhams** have put their global star power to good use over the years. When David joined the French football club Paris Saint-Germain in 2013, he donated his entire salary each month to a French children’s charity. As for Victoria, the former Spice Girl received an OBE for her services to charity and fashion in 2017, most notably for her work with the likes of UNAIDS and Save the Children. He was one of the most dashing stars of Classic Hollywood, but the late **Paul Newman** might be best remembered for his enormous act of giving back. As well as his work in films like Cool Hand Luke, Paul co-founded Newman’s Own, a food company that includes his well-known salad dressings. Impressively, all profits from the company go towards charities to help children. Per Forbes, the foundation has donated over half a billion dollars (and counting!). Sure, she’s had some wilder moments in the headlines, but through it all, **Miley Cyrus** has always used her platform to give back and raise awareness, too. She has her own initiative, The Happy Hippie Foundation, founded in 2014 to support homeless youth, LGBTQ youth, and other vulnerable populations through support services, education, and employment opportunities. In 2024, she renamed the initiative to The Miley Cyrus Foundation. In 2011, along with her mother who serves as president, **Lady Gaga** created the Born This Way Foundation, an organisation helping disadvantaged youths find strength in kindness and offering support for those struggling with their mental health. They’ve supported over a thousand causes and, per the 2024 report, helped give away over five million dollars to various mental health and other youth charities in one year alone. Despite her reputation in some circles as being a feared figure, **Anna Wintour** proves that, even if the Devil Wears Prada, they can still do saintly acts. As part of her work as a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, she has helped raise over $250 million to continue the work of the Costume Institute. Anna was also an early advocate for HIV and AIDS activism, raising millions in the late 80s and 90s through initiatives like the Seventh on Sale, which sold designer clothes to raise funds for research. **Rihanna’s** Clara Lionel Foundation – established in 2012 and named in honour of her grandparents – funds ground-breaking education and emergency preparedness and response programs around the world. **Dolly Parton** may be working 9 to 5, but her charitable contributions work around the clock. Truth be told, Dolly has set up so many foundations and initiatives to give back, she could take up numerous spots on this list. She is perhaps best known for her Imagination Library, which works to give free books to children up to the age of five all across the United States and other countries in the world. Dolly was inspired to do this because her father never learnt to read. To date, over 270 million books have been given away. Dolly has other foundations, including the Dollywood Foundation, which put one million dollars towards COVID vaccine research, and through her Dollywood theme park, she has helped employ local communities around the Pigeon Forge area in Tennessee. The theme park created over 23,000 jobs and, notably, as a benefit, pays for 100% of tuition, fees, and books for employees who want to pursue higher education. Separately, **George Clooney** and **Amal Clooney** were renowned for their charitable work and good deeds. Amal’s career as a human rights lawyer focuses on advocacy for refugees and marginalised groups, and George was known to support several charities and causes. Together, they upped the ante, establishing the the Clooney Foundation, which works to provide free legal aid in defence of free speech and women’s rights in over 40 countries. From being one of the few high-profile figures to support the AIDS crisis from the beginning to setting up her own foundations, the Queen of Pop has always been a philanthropic queen, too. During her first-ever international tour, the Who’s That Girl World Tour in 1987, Madge raised $400,000 for amfAR with a Madison Square Garden concert. It became one of the first AIDS benefits given by a celebrity and helped challenge the taboo on the crisis. In later years, **Madonna** founded her own charities, including the Ray of Light Foundation in 1998 and Raising Malawi in 2006. Raising Malawi has worked to help poverty and hardship impacting orphans across the African country. The charity has helped build schools and health care units. **Matt Damon** helped co-found Water.org in 2009, and, per the website, the foundation has helped more than 50 million people around the world access better, safer water and sanitation. The Ocean’s Eleven actor told TIME that a trip to Zambia in 2006 inspired his mission to help. Of meeting a young girl, he said, “She was talking about her future, and what she was going to do, and I really connected because I remember being a teenager and the way Ben \[Affleck\] and I talked about how we were going to move to New York or L.A. to become actors and that real excitement of that age. “And it wasn’t until I left that I realised that had it not been for the foresight of someone to drill a well a mile from her home, she wouldn’t have been in school, and she wouldn’t have had dreams of moving to the big city someday and becoming a nurse.” Beaches star **Bette Midler** set up the New York Restoration Project in 1995, a non-profit organisation that has planted trees, renovated gardens, restored parks, and transformed open spaces across the city for all to use and enjoy. As part of the charity, she throws a celebrity-filled fundraiser each year called Hulaween. The multi-Grammy winner also been a lifelong advocate for HIV and AIDS research, working hard to support LGBTQ charities and fund research. Since its founding, Barbra’s specially created charity, the Streisand Foundation, has made grants totalling over $25 million to more than 800 organisations. **Barbra** is also passionate about raising awareness about heart disease in women after discovering the disease can disproportionately affect women but there wasn’t enough research going into it. She helped found the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. According to several sources, **Meryl Streep** is known to donate large amounts of money to various charities each year. The bulk of Meryl’s giving nature comes via her own foundation, the Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts. which has helped support several organisations, and the Oscar winning icon is known to donate to causes like the National Women’s History Museum and donating to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Relief. **Leonardo DiCaprio** might be best known for his performances in films like Titanic and The Revenant, but the Oscar winner has silently become a major force for good when it comes to environmental charity work. In 2021, Leonardo was a leading figure who pledged $43 million (£30.4m) towards conserving the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. The money will go to Re:Wild, an organization founded earlier in the year by DiCaprio and a team of conservation specialists, the Galápagos National Park Directorate, Island Conservation, and local communities. It may sound niche, but the project aims to rebalance over 50 threatened species. Elsewhere, Leo founded The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. which has awarded more than $80 million (£57.5m) in grants since 2010, funding work across 50 countries. Who run the world? Girls. And girls who want to make the world a better place, while they’re at it, like **Beyoncé**. Beyoncé’s primary charity initiative is the BeyGOOD Foundation, a public charity she founded in 2013 that supports programs and organizations focusing on education, health, housing, disaster relief, and economic equity globally. Through the foundation, she has donated to families following hurricane damage, helped set up fresh water supplies in places like Flint, Michigan, set up free Covid testing sites when they were needed and offered scholarships and grants to students and small businesses. **Mackenzie Scott** is the former wife of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and, as such, she still owns a chunk of the company, as well as taking a large payout when she divorced him in 2019. With such wealth – Bezos is often cited as one of the world’s richest men, after all – Mackenzie became one of the world’s richest people too. However, she has decided to give most of it away. In May 2019, she signed the Giving Pledge, a charitable-giving campaign in which she undertook to give away most of her wealth to charity over her lifetime or in her will. In early 2025, reports indicated she had donated over $19 billion to more than 2000 non-profits, focusing on areas such as economic mobility, racial equity, public health and climate change. The Desperate Housewives actress has worked hard to help her community in areas where, historically, they may have been under-represented. The **Eva Longoria** Foundation was created in 2011 to support the Latinx community through educational and entrepreneurial initiatives. Her work includes mentorship programs, STEM extracurricular activities, and parental support as the main action points. The late **Ozzy Osbourne** might have been known as the Prince of Darkness, but his heart was far from dark. In fact, touchingly, as one of his last deeds before passing away in 2025, Ozzy helped front what has become the highest-grossing charitable concert ever. Ozzy and Black Sabbath held their farewell concert on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, where they raised a reported $190 million for charities including Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. Model and TV host **Karlie Kloss’s** charity endeavours are notable as it provides more day-to-day skills and benefits for women who may have been shut out of certain industries. Her foundation, Kode with Klossy, encourages young women to learn to code by providing them with resources, classes and scholarships, giving them the chance to break into the tech industry. Consistently ranked as one of the richest people in the world, **Warren Buffett** has been worth billions long before the Tesla or the tech bros joined the party. With such wealth, Warren has become a consistent charitable figure. In 2022 alone, per the Gates Foundation, he gave away $36 billion. Then, in the summer of 2025, Warren Buffett donated $6 billion in Berkshire Hathaway shares to five charities. **Chris Martin**, along with his **Coldplay** bandmates, have been giving back from the very start. Since their formation, the band has donated 10% of their profits to charitable organizations. The band also weaves their beliefs and philosophy into their work. Their Music of the Spheres world tour was designed to be as sustainable as possible, featuring kinetic dance floors and power bikes that allow the audience to help generate electricity for the show. She’s forever etched into people’s minds as the glamorous Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s or the Givenchy-glad protagonist of Sabrina, but **Audrey Hepburn** spent more years of her life devoted to charity. Spending decades of her later life as a humanitarian, Audrey worked as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, traveling to advocate for children in disadvantaged communities and helping launch UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children reports. **Bob Geldof** and Midge Ure were behind one of the biggest charitable concerts ever staged, Live Aid. First held on July 13, 1985, to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia, the event featured two simultaneous concerts at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. It was reported that around 1.9 billion people across 150 countries watched the likes of Madonna, Queen and Tina Turner perform. Never judge a book by its cover, or a celebrity for how they got their start. While a reality star might not seem like the immediate choice to become a force for good, Real Housewives of New York’s **Bethenny Frankel** launched her own foundation, BGood, which works with disaster relief. From hurricane relief, giving cash cards to thousands of families in need and even raising tens of millions for Ukraine, Bethenny’s foundation continues to impact countless lives. Two Oscars. Seven husbands. Eight marriages. **Elizabeth Taylor’s l**ife might be reduced to figures occasionally, but that should really include the millions she helped raise for AIDS research and relief, and the thousands of lives she changed. As well as establishing the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS foundation and helping to co-found amfAR in 1985, Elizabeth’s unapologetic passion for speaking out about AIDS at a time when few dared to has often been hailed as changing the conversation on a global scale. She pushed for a wider acceptance of the US government and high-profile individuals to speak out on the crisis, and many scholars have suggested it was Elizabeth’s friendship with President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan that eventually forced the Conservative president to confront the crisis. Elizabeth spoke often about finding a new purpose thanks to her work with AIDS. She has been quoted often as stating, “I resented my fame, until I realized I could use it.” **Ellen DeGeneres** always gave back during her 19 year tenure as one of the most popular talk show hosts. While she may have taken a step back from the public eye, her charitable giving cannot be overlooked. Key moments included her iconic Oscars selfie in 2014, where she and Samsung donated a dollar to a cause of her choice each time the picture was retweeted. She split the $2.5 million (£1.5m) raised between a children’s hospital and an animal charity. The late **George Michael** is considered one of the most giving celebrities, who was celebrated for helping out with large-scale charities and organisations as well as reaching out and doing small, private gestures. Some key examples include his donating all the royalties from Wham!’s timeless Christmas classic, Last Christmas, to famine relief. After his death, more stories emerged, like one TV show contestant in the UK revealing George privately donated the money she needed for IVF, after appearing on a game show. Homeless charities also came forward after his death and said the Wham! singer would quietly donate his time and money regularly. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Celebs%20That%20Leave%20Behind%20A%20Legacy%20Of%20Good%20Deeds&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Celebs%20That%20Leave%20Behind%20A%20Legacy%20Of%20Good%20Deeds%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Celebs%20That%20Leave%20Behind%20A%20Legacy%20Of%20Good%20Deeds&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Celebs%20That%20Leave%20Behind%20A%20Legacy%20Of%20Good%20Deeds%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Celebs%20That%20Leave%20Behind%20A%20Legacy%20Of%20Good%20Deeds%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Charities **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Charities, #GoodDeeds, #Legacy --- ### [BonBon Video: Bette Midler - Friends - Parkinson - 1978](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/29/bonbon-video-bette-midler-friends-parkinson-1978/) **Published:** June 29, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BonBon Video: Bette Midler - Friends - Parkinson - 1978 **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon BonBon Video: Bette Midler – Friends – Parkinson – 1978 By Boodles BonBon June 29, 2026 --- ![Retro pin-up style illustration: a blonde woman in a red swimsuit stands on the word 'divine' with blue-to-teal paint strokes behind.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/images-2.jpg "Images 2 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Friends%20-%20Parkinson%20-%201978&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Friends%20-%20Parkinson%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Friends%20-%20Parkinson%20-%201978&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Friends%20-%20Parkinson%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Friends%20-%20Parkinson%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BonBon, #Friends, #Parkinson, #Video --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - Bei Mir Bist Du Schon (SKDJ vs Louie Prima & Wolfgang Lohr Remix Edit)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/29/audio-bette-midler-bei-mir-bist-du-schon-skdj-vs-louie-prima-wolfgang-lohr-remix-edit/) **Published:** June 29, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon" (often stylized as "Bei Mir Bist Du Schön") is a famous song that Bette Midler recorded in 2014 for her album It's the Girls!. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler – Bei Mir Bist Du Schon (SKDJ vs Louie Prima & Wolfgang Lohr Remix Edit) By Mister D June 29, 2026 --- ![Four female performers sing on a stage, leaning on a microphone stand, bright lights and white faux snow at their feet.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-28_14-41-17.png "2026-06-28_14-41-17 - bootleg betty") --- --- “Bei Mir Bist Du Schon” (often stylized as “Bei Mir Bist Du Schön”) is a famous song that Bette Midler recorded in 2014 for her album It’s the Girls!. It is an English-language adaptation (with some Yiddish/German phrases retained) of the Yiddish song “Bay Mir Bistu Sheyn” (“To Me You Are Beautiful” or “By Me You Are Beautiful”). **Literal Meaning of the Title** “Bei mir bist du schön” (or the more Yiddish “Bay mir bistu sheyn”) translates roughly to “To me, you are beautiful” or “In my eyes, you are lovely/fine.””Bei mir” / “Bay mir” = “By me” or “To me” (as in “in my opinion”). “Bist du” / “Bistu” = “you are.” “Schön” / “Sheyn” = “beautiful,” “pretty,” or “fine.” **Song Meaning and Lyrics** Bette Midler’s version follows the popular English adaptation written by Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin in 1937 (most famously recorded by the Andrews Sisters). The song is a lighthearted, upbeat declaration of love and admiration. The singer explains how meeting this special person transformed their lonely world, then repeatedly uses the title phrase to express how wonderful the beloved is—comparing it across languages like Italian (“bella, bella”) and German (“sehr wunderbar”) for emphasis. Key excerpts from the lyrics (as performed by Bette Midler):Of all the boys I’ve known and I’ve known some Until I first met you I was lonesome … Bei mir bist du schön, please let me explain ‘Bei mir bist du schön’ means you’re grand Bei mir bist du schön, again I’ll explain It means you’re the fairest in the land … It means I am begging for your hand. The overall message is romantic and playful: the singer struggles to find the right words in any language but keeps coming back to this simple, heartfelt Yiddish-derived phrase to convey deep affection and a desire for commitment. **Background** Original (1932): Written by Jacob Jacobs (lyrics) and Sholom Secunda (music) for a Yiddish musical comedy. The full original was a humorous dialogue/duet between lovers who adore each other regardless of flaws. The English swing version became a massive hit in the late 1930s and has been covered widely since, including by [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/02/19/bette-midlers-bei-mir-bist-du-schon-the-curious-story/) (who has also performed it live with Paul Simon). In short, the song is a charming, old-fashioned love anthem whose title and chorus simply mean “To me, you’re beautiful”—a sweet way of saying someone is the most wonderful person in the singer’s eyes. **Sources:** Wikipedia, Genius, Milken Archive, Bootleg Betty Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Bei%20Mir%20Bist%20Du%20Schon%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Louie%20Prima%20%26%20Wolfgang%20Lohr%20Remix%20Edit%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Bei%20Mir%20Bist%20Du%20Schon%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Louie%20Prima%20%26%20Wolfgang%20Lohr%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Bei%20Mir%20Bist%20Du%20Schon%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Louie%20Prima%20%26%20Wolfgang%20Lohr%20Remix%20Edit%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Bei%20Mir%20Bist%20Du%20Schon%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Louie%20Prima%20%26%20Wolfgang%20Lohr%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Bei%20Mir%20Bist%20Du%20Schon%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Louie%20Prima%20%26%20Wolfgang%20Lohr%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, It's The Girls, Music, Remix, Song Meanings, Songs **Tags:** #Audio, #BeiMirBistDuSchon, #BetteMidler, #Itsthegirls, #Music, #Remix, #Song --- ### [Mae Martin Reveals First Celebrity Crush - Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/28/mae-martin-reveals-first-celebrity-crush-bette-midler/) **Published:** June 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Then Bette Midler in Hocus Pocus, all three of those witches I was very captivated by, and I had some sort of spicy dreams about them when I was so young **Content:** --- ## People Mae Martin Reveals First Celebrity Crush – Bette Midler By Meredith Wilesheer June 28, 2026 --- ![Split image: left a smiling middle-aged woman with blond hair in a maroon top against pink; right a smiling young person with short blond hair in a dark jacket outdoors.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-28_07-17-41.png "2026-06-28_07-17-41 - bootleg betty") --- They reflect on how their celebrity crushes, Tim Curry and [**Bette Midler**](https://www.gaytimes.com/mae-martin-responds-to-bette-midlers-tweets-we-have-the-same-goal-and-enemy/), influenced their views on sexuality and self-expression Martin emphasizes the importance of community, representation and embracing authenticity during Pride Month and beyond [**Mae Martin**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yc-MG1wczU) remembers their first celebrity crushes like it was yesterday. The Canadian comedian, 39, who uses they/them pronouns, tells PEOPLE that two performances stood out to them while growing up — and not just because of the talent. “First was Tim Curry in Rocky Horror Picture Show. Frank-N-Furter, that is the sexiest performance of all time, I think, and just blew my mind,” they share. Martin explains that their affection for the movie stemmed from the fact that their grandfather, Tom Chatto, played the narrator in the stage show when it first came out. “Then Bette Midler in Hocus Pocus, all three of those witches I was very captivated by, and I had some sort of spicy dreams about them when I was so young, and it was very influential,” Martin adds. The Wayward star notes that the crushes show how they gravitate towards “people who have a lust for life and a kind of a twinkle in their eye and don’t take everything so seriously, maybe because I do take things pretty seriously sometimes.” “So, I’m really in awe of people like Frank-N-Furter or Bette Midler who just kind of wield their sexuality and their sense of fun in a really contagious way like that,” they add. “They knew before I did, I remember saying, ‘Oh, I have a crush on this woman,’ but I was like, ‘but everybody does,'” they reflect. However, they say it was a “huge blessing” that they “never had to come out to my parents.” “It just wasn’t a thing. It was a liberal utopia that I grew up in where there wasn’t an assumption that I was straight ever or I didn’t feel that way, and I never had to have that conversation, which is great because what an anxiety-inducing thing,” Martin shares. “You don’t have to say what your favorite band is when you’re 13 and then stick with it the rest of your life. Things change,” they explain. “I’ve always been very actively bisexual and brought girls and boys home and my parents never asked and it was great. I’m very lucky. I think that’s a rare experience.” Martin tells PEOPLE that they celebrated Pride Month with their pals. “Community does feel important these days. I really felt it on tour. I’m trying to support businesses in my area and not just stay home and watch reruns of Survivor and World Cup soccer,” they say. “I’m trying to get out there and be involved more in my community because it feels more important than it maybe has in the past. I’m lucky I have a great group of friends here in L.A.” Pride felt especially important to them, as they just finished their North American tour, traveling across the United States. “Regardless of sexuality or gender identity, it takes courage in our society to be your full self and to embrace all of the different components that make up who you are and to really tap into your authentic identity,” Martin shares. “I’m proud that I’ve been able to do that and I think that should be everybody’s mission in life, to find out who they really are.” “It’s such a tricky thing because in general, the banner I’ve tried to wave is the fact that I’m trans or my sexuality, it’s no bigger a part of my identity than anyone else’s, someone being straight or not trans, it’s just who I am,” they continue. “I always worry about having to defend those aspects because of the recent onslaught of legislation and public scrutiny and debate. I worry that it becomes an inflated part of my identity, or is perceived that way when really I don’t think about it. I’d prefer not to think about it that much because it’s just one part and not the most interesting part of me.” Still, they emphasize that Pride Month is “the time to be vocal and to recognize the importance of representation.” “It’s nice to be able to celebrate those things. And I think a lot about young queer people and want them to know that there’s community out there and support and that they’re not alone. Pride, it’s not the time to be in any way sheepish,” Martin says. While Pride Month may be coming to a close, they emphasize the importance of leading with love and acceptance every day, sharing a message to queer youth and their parents. “I’m so much happier now that I know who I am. I was 35 when I had top surgery, and I am such a more productive member of society,” Martin shares. “I’m so much happier, and all of this space has been freed up in my mind to focus on other things.” “That’s a really wonderful thing, and everybody should be allowed to access comfort and freedom,” they add. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Mae%20Martin%20Reveals%20First%20Celebrity%20Crush%20-%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Mae%20Martin%20Reveals%20First%20Celebrity%20Crush%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Mae%20Martin%20Reveals%20First%20Celebrity%20Crush%20-%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Mae%20Martin%20Reveals%20First%20Celebrity%20Crush%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Mae%20Martin%20Reveals%20First%20Celebrity%20Crush%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Celebrity, Comedy, Hocus Pocus, The Showgirl Must Go On **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CelebrityCrush, #Comedy, #Crush, #MaeMartin, #Trans --- ### [Warner Bros & Jonah Hill Deny "Cut Off" Unreleaseable](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/28/warner-bros-jonah-hill-deny-cut-off-unreleaseable/) **Published:** June 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The film was recently moved off of the company’s July release schedule—where it was going to be fed directly into the maw of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey **Content:** --- ## A V Club Warner Bros & Jonah Hill Deny “Cut Off” Unreleaseable By William Hughes June 28, 2026 --- ![Two people posing and smiling in front of a bright green abstract backdrop; man in a black suit and woman in a black embroidered blouse.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-28_06-11-12.png "2026-06-28_06-11-12 - bootleg betty") --- As far as epithets for Hollywood movies go, “unreleasable” is pretty close to the bottom of the barrel. Sure, Warner Bros. has flirted a bit in recent years with the fiscal value of not putting out movies—thus converting its whole business model into a sort of tax-agnostic cinematic warehouse—but releasing movies is generally viewed as a good way for these companies to make the large stacks of money they require to continue operating. (There’s only so much revenue to be harvested from meme-generating novelty popcorn buckets, apparently.) So when reports started circulating this weekend that Jonah Hill’s latest directorial effort, [**Cut Off!,**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/cut-off/) was, to use that specific and highly unpalatable word, “unreleasable,” both the studio and the actor/director started pushing back. This all sources back to Hollywood journalist/The Studio cameo guy Matt Belloni, who included in his most recent Puck dispatch a single line about Hill’s directorial follow-up to this April’s Outcome: “Alas, Warners had scheduled a Jonah Hill-Kristen Wiig comedy, Cut Out, for July 17, but that movie is said to be unreleasable and is now not scheduled.” The latter part, at least, was true: The film was recently moved off of the company’s July release schedule—where it was going to be fed directly into the maw of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey—and has yet to pick up a new date. But Warner Bros. has now been forced to issue a statement to The Wrap pushing back on the whole “unreleasable” bit, saying, “That speculation is inaccurate.” Meanwhile, a representative for Hill made similar statements, saying that the film (which reportedly wrapped back in January) simply got moved off its current schedule spot because it’s still in post-production. A Warner Bros. source says a new release date is forthcoming. It feels worth noting, in light of all this, that neither critics nor audiences particularly liked Outcome, which starred Keanu Reeves as a Hollywood star facing the terrifying prospect of being canceled. Cut Out, meanwhile, will once again be a multi-hyphen job from Hill, who both wrote and directed in addition to starring with Wiig as the kids of two mega-rich parents (Nathan Lane and [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cut_Off_(upcoming_film))) who have to fend for themselves after their parents stop paying for their lifestyles. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Warner%20Bros%20%26%20Jonah%20Hill%20Deny%20%22Cut%20Off%22%20Unreleaseable&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Warner%20Bros%20%26%20Jonah%20Hill%20Deny%20%22Cut%20Off%22%20Unreleaseable%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Warner%20Bros%20%26%20Jonah%20Hill%20Deny%20%22Cut%20Off%22%20Unreleaseable&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Warner%20Bros%20%26%20Jonah%20Hill%20Deny%20%22Cut%20Off%22%20Unreleaseable%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Warner%20Bros%20%26%20Jonah%20Hill%20Deny%20%22Cut%20Off%22%20Unreleaseable%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #CutOff, #JonahHill, #Movie, #WarnerBros --- ### [What Actors Have Achieved Quadruple Crown Status?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/28/what-actors-have-achieved-quadruple-crown-status/) **Published:** June 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From that list, I was also curious to see how many of these actors went on to achieve what I call Quadruple Crown status with acting nominations at the Saturn Awards, **Content:** --- ## Gold Derby Quadruple Crown Of Acting (Oscar, Emmy, Tony, Saturn) Redux AwardsFan1990 June 28, 2026 --- ![Woman with bright red curly hair wearing large over-ear headphones, eyes wide in surprise.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-28_05-23-57.png "2026-06-28_05-23-57 - bootleg betty")--- **Mister D:** *Somehow, my brain is not letting me understand this? Anyone want to explain?* --- Out of the 169 actors who’ve managed to achieve Triple Crown status with Oscar, Emmy, and Tony nominations, 24 of them managed to win all three awards. From that list, I was also curious to see how many of these actors went on to achieve what I call Quadruple Crown status with acting nominations at the **[Saturn Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_Awards)**, which for those who are not aware, is an awards ceremony designed to reward film genres that haven’t always gotten awards respect like science fiction, fantasy, and horror and has been around since the early 1970s. And from what I’ve found, 69 of these 169 actors have achieved Quadruple Crown status with Saturn nominations for acting, and those actors are: Joan Allen Alan Arkin Antonio Banderas Kathy Bates Cate Blanchett Ellen Burstyn Jessica Chastain Patricia Clarkson Glenn Close George Clooney Toni Collette Bryan Cranston Hume Cronyn Viola Davis Judi Dench Colman Domingo Melvyn Douglas Adam Driver Ralph Fiennes Albert Finney Laurence Fishburne Morgan Freeman Andrew Garfield Jack Gilford Ruth Gordon Joel Grey Alec Guinness Jake Gyllenhaal Tom Hanks Marcia Gay Harden Ed Harris Julie Harris Philip Seymour Hoffman Ian Holm William Hurt Jeremy Irons Hugh Jackman Jessica Lange Angela Lansbury Eva Le Gallienne Laura Linney John Lithgow Frances McDormand Ian McKellen **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/)** Helen Mirren Lupita Nyong’o Laurence Olivier Edward James Olmos Al Pacino Jonathan Pryce Vanessa Redgrave Sam Rockwell Mark Ruffalo Geoffrey Rush Mark Rylance Michael Shannon Gary Sinise Maggie Smith Kevin Spacey Meryl Streep Jessica Tandy Lily Tomlin Stanley Tucci Brenda Vaccaro Christopher Walken Sigourney Weaver Jeffrey Wright Out of these Quadruple Crown nominees, so far, only one has managed to achieve Quadruple Crown winner status: Jessica Tandy Let me know what you think of this list below. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=What%20Actors%20Have%20Achieved%20Quadruple%20Crown%20Status%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=What%20Actors%20Have%20Achieved%20Quadruple%20Crown%20Status%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=What%20Actors%20Have%20Achieved%20Quadruple%20Crown%20Status%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=What%20Actors%20Have%20Achieved%20Quadruple%20Crown%20Status%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=What%20Actors%20Have%20Achieved%20Quadruple%20Crown%20Status%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, EGOT, Horror, Movies, Saturn Award **Tags:** #Actors, #Awards, #BetteMidler, #Egot, #QuadrupleCrownStatus --- ### [Happy 40th Anniversary To Ruthless People, June 27, 1986](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/27/happy-40th-anniversary-to-ruthless-people-june-27-1986/) **Published:** June 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** It’s widely considered one of Bette’s funniest screen performances and a defining comedy of the decade. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Happy 40th Anniversary To Ruthless People, June 27, 1986 By Mister D June 27, 2026 --- ![Poster for Ruthless People with the red title on a blue background, showing three characters at top and a suited man with a woman in a black corset at the bottom.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-27_13-14-47.png "2026-06-27_13-14-47 - bootleg betty") --- **Overview** [**Ruthless People**](https://bootlegbetty.com/?s=Ruthless+People) is a dark, high?camp crime comedy directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker — the trio behind Airplane! and The Naked Gun. [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) stars as Barbara Stone, a kidnapped socialite whose disappearance accidentally improves her husband’s life. The film is pure 80s chaos: neon, greed, bad perms, and razor?sharp timing. It’s widely considered one of Bette’s funniest screen performances and a defining comedy of the decade. **Release Date** June 27, 1986 Released by Touchstone Pictures (Disney’s then?new adult?leaning label). **Awards & Nominations** American Comedy Awards Funniest Female Performer in a Motion Picture (Leading Role) Winner: Bette Midler Ceremony Date: April 7, 1987 This is the film’s most notable award — and one of Bette’s sharpest comedic honors. **Other Recognition** While Ruthless People didn’t sweep major award bodies, it was a box?office hit and became a cult favorite thanks to its writing, pacing, and cast chemistry. **Key Cast** Bette Midler — Barbara Stone Danny DeVito — Sam Stone Judge Reinhold — Ken Kessler Helen Slater — Sandy Kessler Bill Pullman — Earl Mott (his film debut **Trivia (Bootleg Betty?grade gems)** Bill Pullman’s first movie — Ruthless People launched his film career.Bill Pullman’s first movie, Ruthless People, launched his film career. Bette’s wig was intentionally awful — The Zucker brothers wanted Barbara Stone to look like “a wealthy woman with terrible taste.” Disney’s adult experiment — This was one of the early breakout hits for Touchstone Pictures, proving Disney could succeed with edgier content. Test screenings were wild — Audiences laughed so hard at Bette’s scenes that editors tightened the pacing to keep the energy high. Bette’s kidnapping scenes were mostly improvised — Her insults, shrieks, and bargaining tactics were classic Divine Miss M ad?libs. The film was a major summer hit — It grossed over $71 million, huge for a comedy in 1986. Danny DeVito’s performance was so beloved that critics called him “the perfect 80s scumbag husband.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Happy%2040th%20Anniversary%20To%20Ruthless%20People%2C%20June%2027%2C%201986&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Happy%2040th%20Anniversary%20To%20Ruthless%20People%2C%20June%2027%2C%201986%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Happy%2040th%20Anniversary%20To%20Ruthless%20People%2C%20June%2027%2C%201986&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Happy%2040th%20Anniversary%20To%20Ruthless%20People%2C%20June%2027%2C%201986%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Happy%2040th%20Anniversary%20To%20Ruthless%20People%2C%20June%2027%2C%201986%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Anniversary, Bette Midler, Comedy, Movies, On This Day In History, Ruthless People **Tags:** #Anniversary, #BetteMidler, #HappyAnniversary, #Overview, #ruthlessPeople --- ### [Warner Bros Fights Back: That "Cut Off" Is Unreleasable](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/27/warne-bros-fights-back-that-cut-off-is-unreleasable/) **Published:** June 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Warner Bros has pushed back on the claim that Cut Off, a new film directed by Jonah Hill, is “unreleasable”, after its planned release date next month was abandoned. **Content:** --- ## Independent Studio pushes back after report claims delayed Jonah Hill movie is ‘unreleasable Louis Chilton June 27, 2026 --- ![Triptych of three people: left an older platinum-blonde woman, center a woman with a blonde bob at an event, right a man in a blue T-shirt walking outdoors.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Warner-Bros-Pictures-Announces-Cut-Off-Starring-Bette-Midler-Kristen-Wiig-and-Jonah-Hill-1024x576.jpg "Warner-bros-pictures-announces-cut-off-starring-bette-midler-kristen-wiig-and-jonah-hill - bootleg betty") --- [**Warner Bros**](https://www.warnerbros.com/) has pushed back on the claim that [**Cut Off,**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/cut-off/) a new film directed by Jonah Hill, is “unreleasable”, after its planned release date next month was abandoned. Hill, an actor best known for his roles in comedies such as Superbad and 21 Jump Street, has also directed multiple films, including the 2018 coming-of-age drama Mid90s, and the recently released Outcome. Cut Off, which stars Hill alongside Kristen Wiig, Bette Midler, and Nathan Lane, was originally intended to be released on 17 July – but no longer has a fixed release date. The film sees Hill and Wiig play the spoiled children of wealthy parents who must suddenly adapt to life without their elders’ financial backing. A column in Puck News had remarked on the film’s delayed release, claiming that the movie is “said to be unreleasable and is now not scheduled”. Warner Bros, the studio releasing Cut Off has now disputed this claim, as has a representative for Hill. In a statement provided to The Wrap, a spokesperson for Warner Bros said: “That speculation is inaccurate.” According to Hill’s representative, post-production work on the movie is simply “not finished”. The report also suggests that production on the film wrapped in January this year, making the July window an unusually tight turnaround for a feature. The 17 July release date is also the same day Christopher Nolan’s literary epic The Odyssey is set to hit cinemas. Featuring an all-star cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron, The Odyssey is expected to be one of the biggest films of the year. As such, any other films released that weekend face an uphill battle at the box office. Earlier this year, Hill opened up about his decision to leave his hometown of Los Angeles after becoming a parent. During a live recording of the podcast Smartless, the actor and filmmaker said: ““So I live in a very small town in San Diego, and it’s amazing, and my neighbors are incredible people. And when we had our first kid, we moved out there three years ago. “I wanted to leave L.A. and raise a family outside of Los Angeles.” Before his return to the spotlight this year, Hill took a three-year break from movie promotion, stating that he had been experiencing anxiety attacks. “I’ve been gone for a while, so I’m kind of coming back and I’m like excited because I got all, like, serious for a while and I wasn’t as happy,” he said during the podcast appearance. “And then I had my family and I got happy, and now all I want to do is be funny again. That’s why I said yes \[to being on Smartless\]. I’m, like, ‘I want to go f\*\*\*ing be funny in front of a crowd and that’d be awesome.’” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Warner%20Bros%20Fights%20Back%3A%20That%20%22Cut%20Off%22%20Is%20Unreleasable&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Warner%20Bros%20Fights%20Back%3A%20That%20%22Cut%20Off%22%20Is%20Unreleasable%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Warner%20Bros%20Fights%20Back%3A%20That%20%22Cut%20Off%22%20Is%20Unreleasable&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Warner%20Bros%20Fights%20Back%3A%20That%20%22Cut%20Off%22%20Is%20Unreleasable%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Warner%20Bros%20Fights%20Back%3A%20That%20%22Cut%20Off%22%20Is%20Unreleasable%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CutOff, #JonahHill, #Movies, #Unreleasable, #WarnerBros --- ### [Bette Midler: Poor Roots, Gay Embrace, Trump Takedown](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/27/bette-midler-poor-roots-gay-embrace-trump-takedown/) **Published:** June 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Before she was an acclaimed actress, comic, and vocalist, Bette Midler was a young teen living in Hawaii and dreaming of the stage **Content:** --- ## Rolling Stone Bette Midler Always Knew Donald Trump Was a ‘Joke’ — And More Hard-Won Wisdom By CT Jones June 27, 2026 --- ![Vintage photo of a smiling woman with black-and-white checkered sunglasses and a retro hairstyle, looking over her shoulder.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2b449cb17578356e77ee4a27055ebf93.jpg "2b449cb17578356e77ee4a27055ebf93 - bootleg betty") --- Before she was an acclaimed actress, comic, and vocalist, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/music/) was a young teen living in Hawaii and dreaming of the stage. At 14, she had a short-lived career in community theater. It involved being hired and then immediately fired for “hamming it up” so much that she drew attention away from the lead actress. The lesson was a swift one: You can’t upstage the star. So, Midler decided to become one. Now 80, Midler has three Grammys, two Tonys, three Emmys, four Golden Globes, and a history in the entertainment industry so storied that she genuinely can’t remember it all. But she tells Rolling Stone that even at this point in her career, there’s still a direct line between who she is now and that young girl desperate to be a star. “I fell in love with film. I love Technicolor more than life. Now, everything’s pink. Don’t get me started,” she says. “But \[film\], it was otherworldly. It was like having died and gone to heaven to see this lighting. I was captured by it. I was taken hostage by it. I was stage-struck.” For Rolling Stone’s Last Word column, Midler talked about the gigs, auditions, and storied feuds that took her from dreamer to entertainment legend. **What was the moment you thought acting might be for you?** The first time I ever saw a show, I was about 14 years old. I was helping the librarian of my school collate books. She didn’t pay us, but she gave us two tickets to see a show. It was \[Rodgers and Hammerstein’s\] [**Carousel**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler). The curtain went up, and the lights went on, and I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I never forgot it. I wanted to be up there in the light. **When did you have an inkling you could make a living at it?** I went to college as a drama major, but only lasted about a year. I was cast in \[the 1966 film\] Hawaii, with Max von Sydow and Julie Andrews, and they brought me to L.A. along with a bunch of other locals. And I thought, “Oh, I can manage this.” I earned enough money on that movie to move to New York. I started going to auditions on Broadway, and I got into Fiddler on the Roof. In the early Seventies, you started performing at the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in New York. How did that come about? One day, I got a call from my old acting teacher. He asked me if I wanted to sing at the baths. And I said, “What’s the baths?” When I was in Fiddler, I was working for $200 a week and I had asked them for a $25 raise, and they said, “Never.” He told me what \[the baths\] paid, and I dropped everything. I put the show on in the gay bathhouse. I would be my most outrageous self. When I went on the stage in front of all those gays, they threw their hands up and screamed. And it was great fun. We went from 30 people in the house to hundreds. Because it was such an odd venue, and transgressive in those days, we were a huge hit. I had a very small band. And then the guy that played at the baths, he went on the road with someone else. I was terrified, because I didn’t know what I was going to get. And the owner of the baths said, “I have someone else for you.” And it turned out to be Barry Manilow. He became my band leader. He was brilliant, he knew every song ever written. He got all the jokes, he got all the serious songs. He understood every single thing that I was trying to do, every note. **As a young woman in show business, how did you look out for yourself?** I got a very aggressive manager named Aaron Russo. He thought I was the greatest thing, and he just pushed, pushed, pushed on my behalf. I never met anybody like him, and I was so grateful. We were a team. I was really not a schmoozer. I was a reader. So he did all that socializing — and he knew his drugs, which I actually couldn’t do. My body was too sensitive. That went very well until it didn’t go very well. Things between us got very feisty because he wanted 50 percent. I’m dumb, but I’m not that dumb. I know 50 percent means half, and I didn’t think that was fair. Sure, he was doing the schmoozing, but I was doing the sweating in high heels. So I said, “Absolutely not. You’re fired.” **How did the gay community influence your later albums, like 1998’s Bathhouse Betty?** I’ll tell you something, \[gay people\] are some of the most fun people in the whole world — aside from the Australians, of course. After I started doing community theater, the chorus would go out afterwards, and they would take me with them to see these drag acts. It was completely wholesome and joyous. So I have never had any terror or fear or aversion to gay people. They’re part of my family. **How did it feel, then, to witness that community ravaged by the AIDS epidemic?** That was one of the worst things that ever happened to me. I must have lost 200 people that I knew, many close friends I’d have drinks with, or I’d share jokes with. I’m talking about all levels of intimacy, and they’re just gone. It’s funny, the older I am, the angrier I get — the cruelty of it, that the government didn’t do anything. Five hundred thousand people were dead before they did anything. It’s unconscionable. **Do you think that experience is why you’re so direct about calling out the government now — including President Trump?** I lived in New York during Donald Trump’s \[rise\], and everyone in the city felt the same way about him. Everybody knew his game, and everybody thought he was hilariously dubious. Everybody just thought he was a joke. The jealousy that emanates from every pore of this guy is uncontrollable. Part of growing up is learning to control yourself. And \[Trump\] has never learned to control himself. Now we’re reaping the horror of a person who is out of control. So why do I feel like it’s my duty? Because I know what the truth is. When I see someone who’s not just undeserving, but incompetent, it infuriates me. **What are some roles that you wish you hadn’t turned down?** I turned down Misery. I \[didn’t\] think I wanted to have it on film that I cut off someone’s foot, because audiences identify the actor with the event. My husband still says I’m a damn fool. And I turned down Sister Act because I said, “My fans don’t want to see me in a wimple.” And Whoopi \[Goldberg\] said, “Bring on the goddamn wimple.” **What’s the first lavish purchase you made with showbiz money?** It must have been shoes. When I was a kid, I had one pair of saddle shoes I wore year after year after year until my feet got too big for them, and then I got another pair. So, I coveted high heels. I started collecting heels and vintage clothes. As far as a huge purchase, I think it was my house. I bought it in 1980, and I’m still there. **The entertainment world was devastated when Diane Keaton died last year. What are some memories of filming The First Wives Club that you come back to?** I loved her with all my heart. Toward the end, about a year before she died, I was part of a circle of friends who had dinner every Saturday night and would watch a movie together. I was always an admirer for so many reasons, not just because she was completely and utterly unique, but because she was a great singer who never sang a false note. Her range was incredibly wide. As good as her reputation is in the entertainment world, I think her reputation as an artist, as a photographer, as a painter is going to increase by leaps and bounds as the years go on. She could play ditzy, comedy, or tragedy with her hands tied behind her back. It was a pleasure, it was a joy, it was one of the happiest times in my life to be on that \[film\]. I loved her. **Who’s inspired you?** Female comics! Phyllis Diller and Joan Rivers, who are not just inspirations, but who lifted me when I was in the doldrums. I love them with all my heart and I can’t wait to join them in that big comedy club in the sky. **What are some rules you live by?** Fairness. Be fair. Not just a day’s work for a day’s pay, but also don’t put yourself above anybody. And after that, kindness. My dad was a fucking house painter. My mom stayed in the house. I wore homemade clothes until she discovered the Salvation Army. That stuff imprints itself on you. I identify with the working-class, and I don’t intend to budge. I want there to be a middle class. I want people to thrive. I want people to be treated fairly. These assholes treat themselves really well, but treat everybody else like shit. What kind of a world is that? Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Poor%20Roots%2C%20Gay%20Embrace%2C%20Trump%20Takedown&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Poor%20Roots%2C%20Gay%20Embrace%2C%20Trump%20Takedown%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Poor%20Roots%2C%20Gay%20Embrace%2C%20Trump%20Takedown&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Poor%20Roots%2C%20Gay%20Embrace%2C%20Trump%20Takedown%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Poor%20Roots%2C%20Gay%20Embrace%2C%20Trump%20Takedown%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Interview, LGBTQ, Magazine, Trump **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #gay, #Interview, #magazine, #Poor, #RollingStone, #Trump --- ### [First Wives' Club: How A Talented Trio Beat The Odds](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/27/first-wives-club-how-a-talented-trio-beat-the-odds/) **Published:** June 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Thirty years ago, a star-stud­ded cast teamed up to head­line The First Wives Club. The movie, about three divorcées exact­ing revenge on their cheat­ing ex-hus­bands **Content:** --- ## Woman’s Weekly First Wives’ Club: How A Talented Trio Beat The Odds By Staff June 27, 2026 --- ![Three women in business attire pose together, smiling and linking arms for a group portrait on a white backdrop.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1fc66d5be799402c2091dffa9b3e9c3e.jpg "1fc66d5be799402c2091dffa9b3e9c3e - bootleg betty")--- Thirty years ago, a star-stud­ded cast teamed up to head­line [**The First Wives Club.**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/first-wives-club/) The movie, about three divorcées exact­ing revenge on their cheat­ing ex-hus­bands, was a box-office smash – much to the sur­prise of the stu­dio that made it! We’ve dug up some curi­ous facts about the film… ## Lus­cious lips Elise gets a trout pout for a scene in the movie. Instead of the cus­tom­ary cos­met­ic­grade fillers, the star’s lips were injec­ted with a saline solu­tion to pucker them up tem­por­ar­ily. Gol­die, 80, said later that the exper­i­ence was so pain­ful, she’d never have the pro­ced­ure done for real. The lip scenes were, however, com­edy gold. At the cos­metic sur­geon’s office, she demands, “I want Tina Turner. I want Jag­ger… Fill ’em up!” ## Power play­ers The cast is loaded with Hol­ly­wood over­achiev­ers. Diane Keaton, Gol­die Hawn, Dame Mag­gie Smith and Eileen Heck­art had already won Oscars, and Mar­cia Gay Harden and J.K. Sim­mons later also took home a prized golden statuette each. [**Bette Midler**](https://people.com/bette-midler-turning-80-losing-diane-keaton-11837784 "Bette Midler") and Stock­ard Chan­ning, mean­while, were both Oscar nom­in­ees. ## Birth­day bash Gol­die, Diane and Bette became close pals dur­ing film­ing. The tight three­some were all born within 45 days of each other and cel­eb­rated their 50th birth­days on set. Gol­die described the time as a “roller­coaster of love” that star­ted every day with cof­fee in the makeup trailer. “We agreed to grow old together… We never got to live together, but we did grow older together.” Bette, 80, recalled, “I was on the floor every single day cry­ing with laughter.” ## An expec­ted flop Dir­ector Hugh Wilson, who died in 2018, aged 74, firmly believed the film was going to be a massive flop because it was such a hodge­podge of dif­fer­ent people’s work. Based on a ser­i­ous book, it was later turned into a com­edy for the screen. After sev­eral rewrites, the final scriptwriter deman­ded his name not be in the cred­its. Hugh said it was also so long that “after we shot it and put it all together, it was longer than Gandhi”. He explained, “I saw the first screen­ing with a friend. He pat­ted me on the back and said, ‘Good luck with that. I’ll see you later.’” It was finally edited down to a reas­on­able length by leav­ing comedian Jon Stew­art’s per­form­ance as Gol­die’s younger lover on the cut­ting-room floor. ## New York, New York Joan Rivers was less than thrilled to find the movie was shoot­ing not far from her Big Apple abode. “I was sit­ting in the back of a truck when Joan came up,” recalled Hugh. “She said, ‘You ba\*\*\*\*ds, I live in this neigh­bour­hood! Get out!’ We all laughed, and she said, ‘Well, who are you?’ And I said, ‘I’m the dir­ector!’ She asked why, if I was the dir­ector, was I sit­ting there in the back of the truck talk­ing to team­sters? And I said, ‘Well, it’s because I’m safe here. I’m a little afraid of Bette Midler.’” ## Happy end­ing The movie ends with Gol­die, Diane and Bette tri­umphantly singing and dan­cing to You Don’t Own Me – but it wasn’t in the script. “We never had an end­ing,” said Hugh. “If we had never come up with that song, we’d prob­ably still be sit­ting in the Lower East Side try­ing to fig­ure it out!” ## Just a fluke When the film was released in 1996, it opened at num­ber one and held the top spot for three con­sec­ut­ive weeks, push­ing out oth­ers head­lined by Bruce Wil­lis, Steven Seagal and Hugh Grant. The stu­dio believed its suc­cess was a stroke of good luck, rather than a sign femal­e­driven movies could be highly prof­it­able. Des­pite all three lead act­resses want­ing a sequel, this never even­tu­ated. ## Cameos In addi­tion to its stel­lar cast, The First Wives Club fea­tures some inspired cameo appear­ances, includ­ing iconic fem­in­ist Gloria Steinem, who appears in the final party scene, and Heather Lock­lear as the new, younger wife of the hus­band of Gol­die Hawn’s char­ac­ter. Olivia Gold­smith, who wrote the novel the movie is based on, also makes a brief appear­ance as a funeral attendee. But the most mem­or­able cameo in the film goes to Ivana Trump for her line, “Ladies, you have to be strong and inde­pend­ent. And remem­ber: Don’t get mad, get everything!” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=First%20Wives%27%20Club%3A%20How%20A%20Talented%20Trio%20Beat%20The%20Odds&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=First%20Wives%27%20Club%3A%20How%20A%20Talented%20Trio%20Beat%20The%20Odds%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=First%20Wives%27%20Club%3A%20How%20A%20Talented%20Trio%20Beat%20The%20Odds&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=First%20Wives%27%20Club%3A%20How%20A%20Talented%20Trio%20Beat%20The%20Odds%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=First%20Wives%27%20Club%3A%20How%20A%20Talented%20Trio%20Beat%20The%20Odds%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, First Wives Club, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #DianeKeaton, #FirstWivesClub, #GoldieHawn, #Movie --- ### [32 Years Ago, June 25, 1994, Bette Midler Brought Her Experience The Divine Again To The Superdome](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/26/32-years-ago-june-25-1994-bette-midler-brought-her-experience-the-divine-again-to-the-superdome/) **Published:** June 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** 32 Years Ago, June 25, 1994, Bette Midler Brought Her Experience The Divine Again To The Superdome **Content:** --- ## FaceBook 32 Years Ago, June 25, 1994, Bette Midler Brought Her Experience The Divine Again To The Superdome By The Superdome June 25, 2026 --- ![Female singer with blond curls performing on stage, singing into a microphone, wearing a purple outfit and large earrings.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/731309845_1015330648020282_1282652719229051512_n.jpg "731309845_1015330648020282_1282652719229051512_n - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=32%20Years%20Ago%2C%20June%2025%2C%201994%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Brought%20Her%20Experience%20The%20Divine%20Again%20To%20The%20Superdome&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=32%20Years%20Ago%2C%20June%2025%2C%201994%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Brought%20Her%20Experience%20The%20Divine%20Again%20To%20The%20Superdome%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=32%20Years%20Ago%2C%20June%2025%2C%201994%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Brought%20Her%20Experience%20The%20Divine%20Again%20To%20The%20Superdome&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=32%20Years%20Ago%2C%20June%2025%2C%201994%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Brought%20Her%20Experience%20The%20Divine%20Again%20To%20The%20Superdome%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=32%20Years%20Ago%2C%20June%2025%2C%201994%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Brought%20Her%20Experience%20The%20Divine%20Again%20To%20The%20Superdome%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Experience The Divine, History, On This Day In History **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #ExperiienceTheDivineAgain, #Superdome --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - Those Wonderful Sophie Tucker Jokes](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/26/video-bette-midler-those-wonderful-sophie-tucker-jokes/) **Published:** June 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Before The Bette Midler Show (1973–1976 era), Bette absolutely told jokes — especially in the Continental Baths days — but they were one?offs, ad?libs, or scattered between songs **Content:** --- ## You Tube Video: Bette Midler – Those Wonderful Sophie Tucker Jokes By Mister D June 26, 2026 --- ![Female singer with curly red hair in a blue/purple blazer performing on stage, microphone in hand, pointing upward.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/images.jpg "Images - bootleg betty") --- --- Yes — Those Wonderful Sophie Tucker Jokes is essentially the very first full “Joke?A?Thon” Bette ever did. **Why it counts as the first Joke?A?Thon** Before The Bette Midler Show (1973–1976 era), Bette absolutely told jokes — especially in the Continental Baths days — but they were one?offs, ad?libs, or scattered between songs. “Those Wonderful Sophie Tucker Jokes” is the first time she: Structured a long, uninterrupted run of jokes Built a character persona (Sophie Tucker) to deliver them Stacked punchline after punchline in rapid?fire succession Turned the joke?run into a set piece Recorded it officially (on Live at Last, 1977) That makes it the prototype for all later Bette joke?marathons — the “Joke?A?Thon” format she’d return to in concerts, TV specials, and Vegas. **Why it matters in her evolution** This segment is the moment where Bette: Moves from “singer who tells jokes” To “comedienne with a signature joke?run routine” It’s the DNA for later bits like: The Mud Will Be Flung Tonight! era The “Soph” jokes in Clams on the Half Shell Revue The Vegas Showgirl Must Go On joke?runs The 2014 Divine Intervention Sophie Tucker revival Everything traces back to this first, polished, theatricalized joke?cascade. **So yes — it’s the first true Joke?A?Thon** It’s the origin point of the Bette Midler joke?run tradition. The first time she turned a string of jokes into a set, a persona, and a show?stopping comedic identity. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Those%20Wonderful%20Sophie%20Tucker%20Jokes&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Those%20Wonderful%20Sophie%20Tucker%20Jokes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Those%20Wonderful%20Sophie%20Tucker%20Jokes&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Those%20Wonderful%20Sophie%20Tucker%20Jokes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Those%20Wonderful%20Sophie%20Tucker%20Jokes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Live At Last, Soph Jokes, Sophie Tucker, The Bette Midler Show **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #LiveATLast, #SophJokes, #TheBetteMidlerShow, concerts, sophietucker --- ### [Steps: Voice Acting Has Made The Headlines](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/26/steps-voice-acting-has-made-the-headlines/) **Published:** June 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The voice casting has made a lot of headlines. You've got a legend like Bette Midler joining contemporaries like Amanda Seyfried. **Content:** --- ## The Laughing Place The filmmakers behind the upcoming animated feature discuss the story’s origins, a star-studded voice cast By Alex Reif June 26, 2026 --- ![Portrait of a woman with blonde hair with pink tips, wearing a black embroidered jacket, standing indoors beside framed artwork.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-02_11-32-27.png "2026-06-02_11-32-27 - bootleg betty") --- [Netflix](https://www.laughingplace.com/tag/netflix/)‘s upcoming animated feature *Steps* takes the classic Cinderella fairy tale and hands the spotlight to the people we’ve always been told to root against: the stepsisters. From directors Alyce Tzue and John Ripa, the film stars Alli Wong as Lilith, a stepsister so tired of living in Cinderella’s shadow that she steals the Fairy Godmother’s magic wand, setting off a chain of events that forces her to team up with Cinderella (Amanda Seyfried) to save the kingdom from a villainous usurper voiced by Nikki Glaser. During [Annecy](https://www.laughingplace.com/tag/annecy/) 2026, I sat down with Tzue and Ripa to talk about the film’s rich roots in fairy tale history, what the voice cast brought to the characters, and why *Steps* arrives on Netflix at exactly the right moment. **Alex:** The voice casting has made a lot of headlines. You’ve got a legend like Bette Midler joining contemporaries like Amanda Seyfried. Sometimes, when a voice actor gets in the studio, what was designed in the story room becomes something different through their performance. Did any of your voice actors bring something to a character that reshaped what you were planning? **John Ripa:** I think they all influenced it. You have Alli Wong and Nikki Glaser, who are incredible comedians. Their inflections, their timing with comedy, their ability to ad-lib all add to it. [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/steps/) came in with a very specific take on the voice and how the character would feel. She arrived super prepared; she’s a legend. And since the voices are recorded first, the animators pick up on all those little nuances of expression and mannerisms. That’s really where the characters come to life. **Alex:** In terms of character design, from what I’ve seen, it skews a little modern while still leaning into that Marie Antoinette Rococo style. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Steps%3A%20Voice%20Acting%20Has%20Made%20The%20Headlines&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Steps%3A%20Voice%20Acting%20Has%20Made%20The%20Headlines%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Steps%3A%20Voice%20Acting%20Has%20Made%20The%20Headlines&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Steps%3A%20Voice%20Acting%20Has%20Made%20The%20Headlines%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Steps%3A%20Voice%20Acting%20Has%20Made%20The%20Headlines%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #Animated, #BetteMidler, #Legend, #Steps, #VoiceActing --- ### [A BonBon Short: A Bette Midler Ball Break](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/25/a-bonbon-short-a-bette-midler-ball-break/) **Published:** June 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A BonBon Short: A Bette Midler Ball Break **Content:** --- ## You Tube A BonBon Short: A Bette Midler Ball Break By Boodles BonBon June 25, 2026 --- ![Two performers on a stage in swimsuits with a neon poster reading 'BETTE Ball BREAK' in bold colors.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-25_11-19-42.png "2026-06-25_11-19-42 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Ball%20Break&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Ball%20Break%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Ball%20Break&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Ball%20Break%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Ball%20Break%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon **Tags:** #Ball, #BallBreak, #BetteMidler, #BonBon, #BoodlesBonBon, #Break, #Video, #VideoShort --- ### [Bette Midler Archive Audio: Bette Midler - The Rose (Live) - 1983](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/25/bette-midler-archive-audio-bette-midler-the-rose-live-1983/) **Published:** June 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette brings the crowd to its feet with an unforgettable show-stopping finale during the rain-date performance at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York, on August 29, 1983. **Content:** --- ## Bette Midler Archive Bette Midler Archive Audio: Bette Midler – The Rose (Live) – 1983 By Bette Midler Archive June 25, 2026 --- ![Poster advertising Bette Midler's 1983 concert of 'The Rose' at Forest Hills Stadium, Queens, NY, Aug 29, featuring Midler singing into a mic.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-25_03-14-16.png "2026-06-25_03-14-16 - bootleg betty") --- Bette brings the crowd to its feet with an unforgettable show-stopping finale during the rain-date performance at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York, on August 29, 1983. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Rose%20%28Live%29%20-%201983&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Rose%20%28Live%29%20-%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Rose%20%28Live%29%20-%201983&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Rose%20%28Live%29%20-%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Rose%20%28Live%29%20-%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, concerts, De Tour, The Bette Midler Archive, the Rose **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BetteMidlerArchive, #ForestHills, #TheRose --- ### [Podcast: Marc Shaiman Talks To Alec Baldwin](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/25/podcast-marc-shaiman-talks-to-alec-baldwin/) **Published:** June 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Podcast: Marc Shaiman Talks To Alec Baldwin By Here’s The Thing With Alec Baldwin June 24, 2026 --- ![Two men with over-ear headphones speaking into microphones in a split-screen podcast setup.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-23_16-31-22.png "2026-06-23_16-31-22 - bootleg betty") --- --- **The Phonographic Memory of Marc Shaiman | Here’s The Thing with [Alec Baldwin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alec_Baldwin)** [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/) is a renowned composer, lyricist, arranger, and music producer known for his prolific work across film, television, and theater. In this episode, Alec and Marc discuss his career, as well as his new memoir, Never Mind The Happy. Shaiman’s work in film includes “When Harry Met Sally”, “Sister Act”, “City Slickers”, “A Few Good Men”, “Sleepless in Seattle”, “The American President”, and the first “South Park” movie. Shaiman has written and arranged music for countless artists such as Harry Connick Jr., Mariah Carey, Billy Crystal, and Bette Midler. Shaiman earned widespread acclaim for co-writing the hit Broadway musical “Hairspray” alongside his co-lyricist Scott Wittman. Shaiman and Wittman went on to co-create musicals “Catch Me If You Can”, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “Some Like It Hot”, and “Smash”. Marc Shaiman has been nominated for seven Academy Awards, two BAFTA awards, and has won a Tony, two Emmys, and two Grammys. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Podcast%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20To%20Alec%20Baldwin&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Podcast%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20To%20Alec%20Baldwin%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Podcast%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20To%20Alec%20Baldwin&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Podcast%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20To%20Alec%20Baldwin%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Podcast%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20To%20Alec%20Baldwin%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Marc Shaiman, Music, Podcasts, Songs **Tags:** #AlecBaldwin, #BetteMidler, #MarcShaiman, #Music, #Podcast, #Songs --- ### [Bette Midler On The Cover Of Gay Life 1980](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/25/bette-midler-on-the-cover-of-gay-life-1980/) **Published:** June 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** This is GayLife, Volume 6, Number 7, with Bette Midler on the cover and a feature inside on page 16. **Content:** --- ## Gay Life Bette Midler On The Cover Of Gay Life 1980 By Staff June 25, 2026 --- ![Vintage 'Gay Life' magazine cover featuring a glamorous woman in a strapless dress with a blue autograph across the photo.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-25_02-35-19.png "2026-06-25_02-35-19 - bootleg betty") --- This is GayLife, Volume 6, Number 7, with Bette Midler on the cover and a feature inside on page 16. By 1980, Bette was not just famous with gay audiences. She had been built, loved, and understood there first. Before the movie-star machine fully claimed her, she was the Divine Miss M: bathhouse royalty, camp scholar, torch singer, dirty-joke professional, and patron saint of dramatic entrances. This cover has the whole thing. Big hair. Big face. Big signature. A gay paper treating her like exactly what she was. A star, yes. But also one of ours. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Cover%20Of%20Gay%20Life%201980&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Cover%20Of%20Gay%20Life%201980%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Cover%20Of%20Gay%20Life%201980&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Cover%20Of%20Gay%20Life%201980%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Cover%20Of%20Gay%20Life%201980%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Magazine **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Cover, #GayLife, #magazine --- ### [Netflix Sets November 20, 2026, Release Date For "Steps"](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/24/netflix-sets-november-20-2026-release-date-for-steps/) **Published:** June 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Now, Netflix has officially pulled back the curtain even further, locking in a release date. You can officially mark your calendars for Friday, November 20, 2026 **Content:** --- ## What’s On Netflix Netflix Sets November Release Date for Animated Cinderella Spin-Off ‘Steps’ With New First Looks By Kasey Moore June 24, 2026 --- ![Three princesses in vibrant dresses swirl and dance on a magical blue stage, surrounded by stars and light.” ,](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-24_14-05-06.png "2026-06-24_14-05-06 - bootleg betty") --- Following a massive presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Netflix has officially dropped new details, stunning first-look images, and a global release date for its highly anticipated Cinderella reimagining, [**Steps**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/steps/). It has been a huge week for Netflix Animation in France. If you’ve been following our live coverage, you’ll know we got an incredible sneak peek at this film yesterday. (In case you missed it, be sure to check out our full breakdown of everything we learned about Netflix’s landmark animated feature at the Annecy Film Festival, where the filmmakers discussed the movie’s “edible”, Y2K-inspired villains, and giant biker trolls). Now, Netflix has officially pulled back the curtain even further, locking in a release date. You can officially mark your calendars for **Friday, November 20, 2026**. This perfectly positions Steps as Netflix’s major family-friendly animated blockbuster for the 2026 Thanksgiving and holiday season—a release window the streamer has historically used for massive animated hits like Leo and The Sea Beast. **What is Steps about?** While we got a great taste of the plot during the Annecy panel, Netflix has finally provided us with the official synopsis, detailing exactly how Lilith manages to break the fairy tale: “Think you know Cinderella’s “evil” stepsisters? Think again. Sick of living in Cinderella’s shadow, Lilith (Ali Wong) steals the Fairy Godmother’s ([**Bette Midler**](https://www.bettemidler.com/)) magic wand and hijacks the Royal Ball with her sister Margot (Stephanie Hsu), breaking the Cinderella story as we know it and dooming the kingdom to the tyrannical rule of Priscilla (Nikki Glaser), a villainous schemer who swoops in and snatches the throne. Now, Lilith must team up with Cinderella (Amanda Seyfried) to fight biker trolls, outrun evil henchmen, and escape the Screaming Woods on an epic quest to save the kingdom, but most importantly, their relationship.” **Who is behind Steps?** Produced by Netflix Animation Studios (the first film to be completed end-to-end under the studio) and Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions, the film boasts a massive roster of comedic talent both in the vocal booth and behind the keyboard. **Here is the confirmed breakdown of the cast and crew bringing Steps to our screens later this year:** **Cast:** Ali Wong (Lilith), Amanda Seyfried (Cinderella), Stephanie Hsu (Margot), Nikki Glaser (Priscilla), and Bette Midler (Fairy Godmother). **Produced By** Amy Poehler, Jane Hartwell, and Kim Lessing. (Poehler and Lessing are producing for Paper Kite Productions). **Screenplay By** Ava Tramer, James Madejski, Jen Chuck, Dana Schwartz, and Felicia Ho. **Story By** Ava Tramer, James Madejski, Dana Schwartz, Felicia Ho, Riki Lindhome, and Kate Micucci. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Netflix%20Sets%20November%2020%2C%202026%2C%20Release%20Date%20For%20%22Steps%22&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Netflix%20Sets%20November%2020%2C%202026%2C%20Release%20Date%20For%20%22Steps%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Netflix%20Sets%20November%2020%2C%202026%2C%20Release%20Date%20For%20%22Steps%22&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Netflix%20Sets%20November%2020%2C%202026%2C%20Release%20Date%20For%20%22Steps%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Netflix%20Sets%20November%2020%2C%202026%2C%20Release%20Date%20For%20%22Steps%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, NetFlix, Steps **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Netflix, #ReleaseDate, #Steps --- ### [The Divine Miss M Fansite Audio: Bette Midler - Some People's Lives - 1993](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/24/the-divine-miss-m-fansite-audio-bette-midler-some-peoples-lives-1993/) **Published:** June 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Divine Miss M Fansite: Bette Midler - Some People's Lives - 1993 **Content:** --- ## You Tube The Divine Miss M Fansite: Bette Midler – Some People’s Lives – 1993 By The Divine Miss M Fansite June 24, 2026 --- ![Smiling blonde woman in a black coat and wide-brimmed hat, one hand touching her hat outdoors.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/515503776_1188454283325637_749014952506489486_n.jpg "515503776_1188454283325637_749014952506489486_n - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Some%20People%27s%20Lives%20-%201993&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Some%20People%27s%20Lives%20-%201993%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Some%20People%27s%20Lives%20-%201993&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Some%20People%27s%20Lives%20-%201993%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Some%20People%27s%20Lives%20-%201993%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Some People's Lives, The Divine Miss M Fan Site **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #SomePeoplesLives, TheDivneMissMFansite --- ### [53 Years Ago, June 23, 1973, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Charted #1 On The Easy Listening Billboard Charts](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/24/53-years-ago-june-23-1973-boogie-woogie-bugle-boy-charted-1-on-the-easy-listening-billboard-charts/) **Published:** June 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** 53 Years Ago, June 23, 1973 Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Charted #1 On The Easy Listening Billboard Charts **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty On This Day, 53 Years Ago, June 23, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Charted #1 On The Easy Listening Billboard Charts By Mister D June 23, 2026 --- ![Album cover for Bette Midler's Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy with four mirrored red-haired faces around a white background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/R-4487685-1366303474-8918.jpg "R-4487685-1366303474-8918 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=53%20Years%20Ago%2C%20June%2023%2C%201973%2C%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20Charted%20%231%20On%20The%20Easy%20Listening%20Billboard%20Charts&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=53%20Years%20Ago%2C%20June%2023%2C%201973%2C%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20Charted%20%231%20On%20The%20Easy%20Listening%20Billboard%20Charts%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=53%20Years%20Ago%2C%20June%2023%2C%201973%2C%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20Charted%20%231%20On%20The%20Easy%20Listening%20Billboard%20Charts&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=53%20Years%20Ago%2C%20June%2023%2C%201973%2C%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20Charted%20%231%20On%20The%20Easy%20Listening%20Billboard%20Charts%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=53%20Years%20Ago%2C%20June%2023%2C%201973%2C%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20Charted%20%231%20On%20The%20Easy%20Listening%20Billboard%20Charts%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Billboard Charts, History, On This Day In History **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BillBoardCharts, #BoogieWoogieBugleBoy, #Charted, #EasyListening, #History, #OnThisDay --- ### [Video: Oh My My/Friends ~ Bette Midler ~ 1976](https://bootlegbetty.com/2012/11/30/video-oh-my-myfriends-bette-midler-1976/) **Published:** November 30, 2012 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Oh%20My%20My%2FFriends%20~%20Bette%20Midler%20~%201976&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Oh%20My%20My%2FFriends%20~%20Bette%20Midler%20~%201976%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Oh%20My%20My%2FFriends%20~%20Bette%20Midler%20~%201976&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Oh%20My%20My%2FFriends%20~%20Bette%20Midler%20~%201976%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Oh%20My%20My%2FFriends%20~%20Bette%20Midler%20~%201976%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Depression Tour, Video **Tags:** Andrew Sisters, bette, Bette Midler, BetteMidler, Cher, Cleveland, Divine Miss M, Harlette, Lionel Hampton --- ### [From Bette Midler's IG: Hospital Bed Motif!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/23/from-bette-midlers-ig-hospital-bed-motif/) **Published:** June 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From Bette Midler's IG: An Oldie But Goodie **Content:** --- ## Instagram From Bette Midler’s IG: An Oldie But Goodie By Bette Midler June 23, 2026 --- ![Black-and-white scene of a patient in a hospital bed singing into a microphone with a guitarist seated nearby under dim stage lighting.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-22_21-49-07.png "2026-06-22_21-49-07 - bootleg betty") ***I donated my TITS to….CHER!*** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20IG%3A%20Hospital%20Bed%20Motif%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20IG%3A%20Hospital%20Bed%20Motif%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20IG%3A%20Hospital%20Bed%20Motif%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20IG%3A%20Hospital%20Bed%20Motif%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20IG%3A%20Hospital%20Bed%20Motif%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Depression Tour, Instagram, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Hospital, #Instagram, #Motif, #photo, #TheDepression Tour --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - I've Still Got My Health - Beaches](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/23/video-bette-midler-ive-still-got-my-health-beaches/) **Published:** June 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "I've Still Got My Health" (often shortened in references) is a short, upbeat, comedic song performed by Bette Midler in the 1988 film Beaches. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – I’ve Still Got My Health – Beaches By Mister D June 23, 2026 --- ![Woman with curly red hair laughing with hands raised at a dimly lit restaurant table.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-23_09-21-00.png "2026-06-23_09-21-00 - bootleg betty") --- --- “I’ve Still Got My Health” (often shortened in references) is a short, upbeat, comedic song performed by Bette Midler in the 1988 film Beaches. **Context in the Movie** In Beaches, Bette Midler plays C.C. Bloom, a brash, aspiring singer/dancer from New York. The song appears early in the film, during a bar or club scene in which a young adult C.C. performs it live on stage. It’s a lively, vaudeville-style number that showcases her character’s resilient, wisecracking personality amid struggles in show business. She sings it with her signature flair—energetic, theatrical, and humorous—before the story shifts to her deeper friendship with Hillary Whitney (Barbara Hershey). The track is brief (about 1:30 long on the soundtrack) and serves as a fun character moment rather than one of the film’s big emotional ballads like “Wind Beneath My Wings.” **About the Song** **Original Source:** Written by Cole Porter (from his 1940 musical Panama Hattie). **Lyrics Style:** It’s a cheeky, self-deprecating list of misfortunes (bad luck in love, cheap jewelry, etc.) contrasted with a refrain that emphasizes resilience: “But I’ve still got my health, so what do I care?” Example opening lines: *“I’m always a flop at a top-notch affair, But I’ve still got my health, so what do I care? My best ring, alas, is a glass solitaire…”* **Arrangement:** On the Beaches soundtrack, it features a jazzy, upbeat arrangement suited to Midler’s performance. **Soundtrack and Legacy** The song is track 3 on the Beaches (Original Soundtrack Recording) album, which was a big success thanks to Midler’s performances and the film’s popularity. Other notable tracks include “Wind Beneath My Wings” (her massive hit from the movie), “Under the Boardwalk,” and Randy Newman’s “I Think It’s Going to Rain Today.” Midler has performed “I’ve Still Got My Health” live in concerts over the years, including during her 2015 Divine Intervention tour, where it was a crowd-pleaser. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27ve%20Still%20Got%20My%20Health%20-%20Beaches&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27ve%20Still%20Got%20My%20Health%20-%20Beaches%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27ve%20Still%20Got%20My%20Health%20-%20Beaches&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27ve%20Still%20Got%20My%20Health%20-%20Beaches%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27ve%20Still%20Got%20My%20Health%20-%20Beaches%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Video **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #IveStillGotMyHealth, #Movie, #Video --- ### [An Overview Of All The Characters In "Steps"](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/23/an-overview-of-all-the-characters-in-steps/) **Published:** June 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Annecy for Netflix is underway! The first panel took place on the morning of Tuesday, June 23rd, and we got an extended deep-dive into the world of Steps, Netflix’s upcoming feature film set to release in the back half of 2026. **Content:** --- ## Variety Cinderella’s So-Called Evil Sisters Shine in Netflix Title ‘Steps,’ Sneak Peeked at Annecy By Kevin Giraud June 23, 2026 --- ![Animated purple-haired, blue-clad character raises glowing blue magic above her hands; inset circle shows a smiling woman wearing a jeweled necklace.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-23_07-56-43.png "2026-06-23_07-56-43 - bootleg betty") --- **Mister D:** *Why did I get a migraine after reading this? Uh-Oh!* Annecy for Netflix is underway! The first panel took place on the morning of Tuesday, June 23rd, and we got an extended deep-dive into the world of Steps, Netflix’s upcoming feature film set to release in the back half of 2026. We’ve already seen a fair bit of the movie thanks to stills and casting reveals, but we got a bit more about the philosophy of the film, how it came to be, and more courtesy of Alyce Tzue (Director), John Ripa (Director), Dan Casey (Art Director), Jason Figliozzi (Head of Character Animation), and Denis Walgenwitz (Moderator). Here’s what we learned! The film has been a long time in the making—par for the course for these big animated features (with this one, according to the team, having a runtime of about 92 minutes)—with the official greenlight coming back in November 2020. Paper Kite Films had reportedly been working on it long before it landed at Netflix and is a landmark release given it’s the first exclusively from Netflix Animation Studios. If you think you know the story of Cinderella, think again. The creators made it very clear that this is a reimagining focused on the oft-maligned stepsisters. The title itself represents a fresh take: “Our movie is called Steps, and it’s short for stepsisters. Yes, the ones in the Cinderella story, but it also stands for stepfamily, or any relationship really where you weren’t together afterward, but you’re together now.” **Warning: There are some potential mild spoilers for the film throughout.** The creators made it very clear that this is a reimagining focused on the oft-maligned stepsisters. The title itself represents a fresh take: “Our movie is called Steps, and it’s short for stepsisters. Yes, the ones in the Cinderella story, but it also stands for stepfamily, or any relationship really where you weren’t together afterward, but you’re together now.” The story follows Cinderella and one of her so-called “evil” stepsisters, Lilith, an Asian immigrant to a Western kingdom called Alouette. “Lilith and Cindy are two very different people,” Figliozzi revealed. “And when Lilith, sick of living under Cinderella’s perfect little shadow, steals the fairy godmother’s wand, she breaks the Cinderella story.” From there, the two opposites are forced to work together, venturing out into a wild world—including a location dubbed “Troll Town” populated by giant biker trolls—to save the kingdom. As the directors put it: “Nobody is fully good or fully evil, and we had to rebel against archetypes to tell a story about real, layered women.” Throughout the presentation, each character was fleshed out, with further details given about who voices them and what they bring to the role. As a reminder, with a bit more revealed about each character, here’s who you can expect to hear. First, it’s worth noting that each character was designed with the express intention of having unique characteristics. According to Tzue, this was inspired by a 2015 Tumblr post by Bright Darkly (we could only find a Boing Boing article with the same pictures), which pointed out the long-standing animation trend in which female characters often just “look like baby aliens” compared to their male counterparts, which were much more varied in style. The filmmakers deliberately broke the mold by giving their female cast “very non-human” face shape guides to ensure a fun, expressive variety. **Lilith (Ali Wong)** Lilith is the movie’s main protagonist and the catalyst for flipping the fairy tale upside down. Described as a “gothy, punk rebel,” the creators explained that “Lilith is an Asian immigrant to a Western fairy tale kingdom called Alouette. Lilith quickly finds that she does not fit in at all, unlike her stepsister, Cinderella.” The filmmakers revealed they designed her head to be “shaped like a martini glass” and noted that “Lilith is our charismatic truth-teller who’s hilarious and sharp-witted, who hides a desperate need to be accepted behind her spiky armor.” To bring her to life, they turned to “the one and only comedian Ali Wong,” who “played an essential role in helping us to craft the hilarious and witty tone of her character.” Ultimately, they “had to rebel against archetypes to tell a story about real, layered women, and Lilith would be the one to land that message, that everyone just wants to belong.” **Cinderella (Amanda Seyfried)** Our classic princess gets a grounded, emotional update. “Cinderella is pretty much the poster child of our kingdom,” the team shared. “She’s just pure perfection, beautiful, humble, with the voice of an angel. And our Cinderella even likes to sing.” However, they quickly pointed out that “Cinderella isn’t perfect. They’re each complicated in very real, very human ways.” After experimenting with making her a bloodthirsty action hero, the creators realized, “our character is someone who has dealt with tremendous loss, who cleans and smiles through the pain to make everyone around her feel comfortable. Like Lilith, she’s also someone who wants to feel loved, to belong.” Amanda Seyfried steps into the iconic glass slippers, as she “brought such a sense of humanity to this iconic character.” **Margo (Stephanie Hsu)** Voiced by Stephanie Hsu, Margo is the third stepsister and arguably the emotional core of the film, per the creators, but we still don’t have a publicly released first look. “Margo is really the movie’s heart and moral compass,” the filmmakers noted. “Her dream is for her two sisters to just be sisters and love each other. What we love most about Margo is that she’s joyfully and unfashionably herself.” With a head shaped “like a lima bean,” Margo ends up cursed to live life as an amphibious frog in multiple different stages. “She also gets turned into the world’s cutest frog,” which raises the stakes for the story because “we discover that the longer she’s a frog, the more she loses who she is, what makes her human.” For the animators, Margo Frog was an absolute joy to build: “She’s essentially a bouncing ball with eyes, arms, and legs. And you’d be surprised with how much you can do with just that.” **Priscilla (Nikki Glaser)** Every fairy tale needs a great antagonist, and with the latest casting addition, Steps delivers with Priscilla, voiced by Nikki Glaser. “Priscilla is ambitious, razor sharp, and her life’s dream is to become Princess of Alouette,” John Ripa teased. But her villainy comes from a place of neglect: “Priscilla is being raised by a male governess because her absentee parents couldn’t be bothered to raise her. Priscilla equates attention with love, and anyone who steals her spotlight winds up in her crosshairs.” As for her design, the creators “leaned into a heavily Y2K feel, which ultimately gave us our Marie Antoinette meets Paris Hilton vibe. And you can see she’s definitely earning the title of our little diva.” **Fairy Godmother** For this iconic character, who has been seen in many iterations over the years, the creators “wanted \[their\] version to feel funny, weird, and honest in ways we hadn’t seen before in movies,” resulting in “a headstrong motor mouth with a very full sensual calendar who is writing what she believes to be the greatest fairy tale of all time, the Cinderella story.” Her aesthetic was brilliantly described by the filmmakers: “This is a woman totally obsessed with destiny, true love, and the power of the cosmos. So it was no surprise to us that her aesthetic basically became horoscope girl meets forest witch.” In terms of personality and animation, “She’s clearly a Scorpio sun, a Taurus moon… She’s funny, whimsical, fluttery, just like a hummingbird.” **Jeff (with a G)** Another character who has yet to be revealed to the public is one of the trolls. When Lilith enters “Troll Town,” she meets Geff, who pilots a terrifying mechanical monster. But there’s a twist: “He might seem like a towering, handsome guy, but among the trolls, he’s actually a runt. He’s also a sensitive artist, and to the other trolls, that makes him weak.” Because he feels like an outcast, “Geff is also someone who doesn’t belong, who uses a literal monster as a defense mechanism. Guess who relates to that? Lilith. She likes him very, very much. He is Lilith’s love interest. So we had to make Jeff both layered and extremely hot… And the best thing is that he’s so unaware that he’s hot.” **Roderick** Acting as Priscilla’s muscle and caretaker is Roderick, a hilariously terrifying male governess. The filmmakers summed up his vibe perfectly: “he’s kind of like a combination of The Terminator meets Mary Poppins.” When the Cinderella story breaks, Roderick goes on the offensive. “Quite literally here, like the T-1000 from Terminator, he’s intense, merciless, and extremely protective of Priscilla.” **A “Delectable” Animation Style** Netflix Animation has been pushing boundaries with unique 3D visual styles (The Sea Beast, Nimona), and Steps is continuing that trend. The creators modeled the kingdom of Alouette after the 18th-century pre-revolutionary French Rococo, a notoriously hard style to emulate in animation. To make the world stand out, the animation team leaned into what they call “tactile textures and elegant clutter,” using a miniature, dollhouse scale. In fact, much of the world is literally built out of digital food! “We also wanted to lean into 3D as its own artistic medium,” Tzue explained. “We made clocks out of taffy, pots out of flan, and trays out of chocolate, all in service of creating a touchable, delectable world.” --- ![Collage of four animated princesses in bright outfits across separate panels.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/steps-netflix-work-in-progress-annecyjpg-1024x576.webp "Steps-netflix-work-in-progress-annecyjpg - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=An%20Overview%20Of%20All%20The%20Characters%20In%20%22Steps%22&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=An%20Overview%20Of%20All%20The%20Characters%20In%20%22Steps%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=An%20Overview%20Of%20All%20The%20Characters%20In%20%22Steps%22&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=An%20Overview%20Of%20All%20The%20Characters%20In%20%22Steps%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=An%20Overview%20Of%20All%20The%20Characters%20In%20%22Steps%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, NetFlix, Steps **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Characters, #Cinderella, #Movie, #Netflix, #Overview, #Steps --- ### ["Steps": A Radical Cinderella Remake Is Coming To Netflix!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/23/steps-a-radical-cinderella-remake-is-coming-to-netflix/) **Published:** June 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Although the basic principles and origins of the traditional fairy tale are still deeply embedded in people’s minds, this modern remake is likely to be a radical departure from earlier versions **Content:** --- ## MSN A new ‘Cinderella’ story is on the way decades after the Disney classic By AriJit Saha June 23, 2026 --- ![Three animated characters gather around a glowing cauldron with a smiling witch in a dim cave.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-05-18_15-07-40.png "2026-05-18_15-07-40 - bootleg betty") **Bette Midler as the Fairy Godmother** --- Seventy years have gone by since the debut of the Disney animated film ‘[**Cinderella**](https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Cinderella_(character)),‘ which mesmerized generations around the world and established a gold standard for cinematic fairytale. However, an unusual wind of change is now blowing through the classic land of fairies, as the upcoming animated movie [**Steps** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/18/bette-midler-boards-netflixs-cinderella-reimagining-steps-animated/)is about to add an entirely different dimension to the folklore that gave birth to modern animation. Although the basic principles and origins of the traditional fairy tale are still deeply embedded in people’s minds, this modern remake is likely to be **a radical departure from earlier versions**. The movie boasts a talented cast that includes Ali Wong, Stephanie Hsu, Amanda Seyfried, and a living legend, Bette Midler. In addition, by combining the starry energy of today with a classic plot, the movie is sure to deliver plenty of bright surprises to both longtime fans of the fairytale and newcomers. **The New ‘Cinderella’ Movie Puts The Stepsisters At The Center Of The Story** Seven decades after Disney’s classic animated film ‘Cinderella,’ a new version of the fairy tale is about to emerge with a completely different focus. Rather than telling the story of her transformation from a mistreated maid to a princess, the film ‘Steps‘ focuses on Cinderella’s stepsisters. The story will focus on the two sisters, Lilith and Margot. Traditionally, Cinderella’s stepsisters make her life miserable and serve as some of the story’s primary antagonists. In this film, however, the stepsisters will become the central characters. The story begins with Lilith stealing a magical wand, transforming her sister into a frog. Afterward, the sisters embark on an adventure that culminates in their meeting Cinderella. As the sisters try to undo the damage, the film explores their relationship and places them in situations that challenge the roles audiences have long associated with them. Thus, by focusing on the minor characters rather than the tale’s heroine, the film offers an opportunity to see the well-known fairytale from another perspective. **The Film ‘Steps’ Gives New Depth To The Antagonists** The most striking aspect of the ‘Steps‘ is its effort to rethink the stepsisters. While the traditional fairy tale casts these two female characters as flat antagonists who exist purely to mistreat Cinderella, the film portrays them as far more complex figures than any previous adaptation implied. Rather than simply presenting the stepsisters as villains, the film explores their life experiences and personal growth. Thus, in ‘Steps,’ the stepsisters become the central characters, not simply evil characters from Cinderella’s past. The film’s themes include self-discovery, redemption, and misunderstanding. Overall, the film can be seen as a part of the current trend of revisiting well-known tales and giving greater depth and complexity to characters who were once relegated to supporting roles. With a star-studded voice cast, the project aims to blend humor, fantasy, and emotional storytelling. In fact, it might become one of the most unique ‘Cinderella‘ adaptations in decades. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=%22Steps%22%3A%20A%20Radical%20Cinderella%20Remake%20Is%20Coming%20To%20Netflix%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=%22Steps%22%3A%20A%20Radical%20Cinderella%20Remake%20Is%20Coming%20To%20Netflix%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=%22Steps%22%3A%20A%20Radical%20Cinderella%20Remake%20Is%20Coming%20To%20Netflix%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=%22Steps%22%3A%20A%20Radical%20Cinderella%20Remake%20Is%20Coming%20To%20Netflix%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=%22Steps%22%3A%20A%20Radical%20Cinderella%20Remake%20Is%20Coming%20To%20Netflix%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, NetFlix, Steps **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Cinderella, #FairyGodmother, #Netflix, #Radical, #Steps --- ### [15 Wild Ways Studios Controlled Actors](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/22/15-wild-ways-studios-controlled-actors/) **Published:** June 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** You've probably heard rumors about actors putting wild demands into their contracts, but studios have enacted strange rules of their own since the Old Hollywood days. **Content:** --- ## BuzzFeed 15 Shocking Ways Studios Controlled Actors Through Their Contracts By Kristen Harris June 23, 2026 --- ![Poster-style photo of two women outdoors with an orange overlay and the bold title 'OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE' covering the lower half of the image.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/maxresdefault-1-1024x576.jpg "Maxresdefault 1 - bootleg betty") --- You’ve probably heard rumors about actors putting wild demands into their contracts, but studios have enacted strange rules of their own since the Old Hollywood days. **Here are 15 wild and extreme rules actors have had to follow:** 1. According to Annabelle Wallis, **Tom Cruise** doesn’t allow his costars to run onscreen with him. However, she convinced him to make an exception for her in The Mummy. She told the Hollywood Reporter, “He told me no at first. He said, ‘Nobody runs onscreen \[with me\],’ and I said, ‘But I’m a really good runner.’ So I would time my treadmill so that he’d walk in and see me run. And then he added all these running scenes. So that was it. It was, like, better than an Oscar. I was so happy! I was so happy that I got to run onscreen with Tom Cruise.” 2. During the entire three and a half months it took to film Lincoln, director Steven Spielberg didn’t call any of the actors by their actual names. He only referred to them by their characters’ names, including calling Daniel Day-Lewis “Mr. President.” scene from Lincoln with **Daniel Day-Lewis** Spielberg also wore a suit every day to help immerse himself in the story. On 60 Minutes, he said, “I think that I wanted to get into that role more than anybody else, of being part of that experience. Because we were re-creating a piece of history, I didn’t want to look like the schlubby, baseball-cap-wearing 21st-century guy. I wanted to be like the cast.” 3. Because of Old Hollywood’s production code, actors playing couples weren’t allowed to share a bed onscreen, even if their characters were married. The rule also applied to actor couples who were married in real life, such as **Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz** in I Love Lucy. The strict censorship rules were introduced after Mae West’s movie I’m No Angel premiered in 1933. 4. During production on Avengers: Endgame, **Tom Holland** wasn’t allowed to see any portion of the script beyond his own lines — not even the names of the characters he was speaking to — because he “has a very difficult time keeping his mouth shut.” During an Avengers: Endgame Indian Anthem event in 2019, codirector Joe Russo said, “He doesn’t even know who he’s acting opposite of. We’ll just, we use, like, very vague terms to describe to him what is happening in the scene.” 5. **Bella Thorne** claimed that, while she was starring on Shake It Up, Disney made her use a higher-pitched voice in interviews because they didn’t think her naturally deeper voice would appeal to young viewers. She told Harper’s Bazaar that she endured “a mentality where you don’t know who you are” during her time on Disney Channel. 6. During the days of Hollywood’s studio system, Lucille LeSueur’s contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer required her to change her name because they thought her last name was too close to “sewer.” Rather than let her choose, they ran a magazine contest, then bestowed her with the winning name — **Joan Crawford**. She reportedly hated the name because it sounded like “crawfish” to her. 7. Similarly, Universal arranged for **Rock Hudson**, who was gay, to marry Phyllis Gates, his agent’s secretary, because the studio “invested a lot of money in Rock, and it was important for his image to remain that of a lady-killer.” In 1985, Ken Maley, the actor’s friend, told People magazine, “Rock said the studio set up the marriage and promoted the wedding and the honeymoon. He was very bitter about that.” 8. On the other hand, MGM allegedly put a clause in **Jean Harlow’s** contract that forbade her to get married because they thought being a wife would ruin her image as a “bombshell.” Therefore, she wasn’t allowed to marry her partner William Powell. 9. **Rebel Wilson’s** Pitch Perfect contract forbade her to lose or gain more than 10 pounds during her tenure as Fat Amy. On the Call Her Daddy podcast, she said, “But I had been thinking for a while, like, ‘Oh, I want to get healthier.’ And I was stereotyped in playing that fat, funny friend, which is so hard because I love those roles. I love doing the roles. I love those characters. I did want to do more things, but I felt like, being the bigger girl, you’re just more pigeonholed.” 10. When **Pierce Brosnan** played James Bond in Goldeneye, he was reportedly not allowed to wear a tuxedo in any other movies. Reportedly, that’s why he had to wear his shirt unbuttoned and tie undone during the fancy ball scene in The Thomas Crown Affair. 11. During his time as Jon Snow, **Kit Harington’s** Game of Thrones contract required him to keep his hair long, which he regretted agreeing to. He felt that he’d screwed himself over after learning that several women on the cast got around similar rules by wearing wigs. He told Metro, “I don’t want the bother of it all, really. If you look a certain way or you have a certain look, it dominates what people think you are. So I’ll cut it off quite soon. As soon as I’m allowed.” 12. RKO didn’t want **Katharine Hepburn** to wear pants, which was considered a controversial fashion choice for women at the time, so they reportedly confiscated her jeans from her dressing room. Related: “14 BTS Facts About The Live-Action “Lilo & Stitch”” However, instead of complying by putting on a skirt, she came back to set in her underwear until they gave her the pants back. 13. According to Palak Tiwari, her Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan costar **Salman Khan** has a rule regarding women’s clothing on sets that dictates the height of their necklines because he believes “all the girls should be covered, like good, proper girls.” She told Siddharth Kannan, “He’s a traditionalist … he’s always like, ‘My girls should always be protected.’ If there are men around, whom she doesn’t personally know, it’s not his personal space where he doesn’t trust everyone, he’s like, ‘The girl should be safe, always.'” 14. In 1986, Touchstone Pictures guaranteed both **Bette Midler and Shelley Long** top billing in Outrageous Fortune. Since both of their names couldn’t come first, the studio decided to give Midler top billing on one side of the US and Long top billing on the other. Their agents reportedly spent hours arguing over whose client should get top billing. However, Long’s rep told the Los Angeles Times, “Shelley has generously decided not to pursue the top billing as guaranteed in her contract.” 15. And finally, **Adriana Caselotti**, who voiced the titular princess in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, was offered a spot on Jack Benny’s radio show after the film’s initial release. However, Walt Disney himself reportedly blocked her from taking the job because “that voice can’t be used anywhere.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=15%20Wild%20Ways%20Studios%20Controlled%20Actors&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=15%20Wild%20Ways%20Studios%20Controlled%20Actors%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=15%20Wild%20Ways%20Studios%20Controlled%20Actors&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=15%20Wild%20Ways%20Studios%20Controlled%20Actors%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=15%20Wild%20Ways%20Studios%20Controlled%20Actors%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Movies, Outrageous Fortune **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Contracts, #Controlled, #OutrageousFortune, #Studios --- ### [Video: Behind The Scenes Of Stepford Wives (2004)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/22/video-behind-the-scenes-of-stepford-wives-2004/) **Published:** June 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Behind The Scenes Of Stepford Wives (2004) By The Production Diary June 22, 2026 --- ![Three adults—two women and a man—look up toward the camera from above, standing on a patterned wooden floor.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-22_17-59-29.png "2026-06-22_17-59-29 - bootleg betty") --- --- **[The Stepford Wives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stepford_Wives_(2004_film))** is a 2004 American science fiction comedy film directed by Frank Oz from a screenplay by Paul Rudnick and starring Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-stepford-wives/), Christopher Walken, Faith Hill, and Glenn Close. The second feature-length adaptation of Ira Levin’s 1972 novel of the same name, following the 1975 film of the same name, this film was released on June 11, 2004, by Paramount Pictures in the United States and by DreamWorks Pictures in other territories. The film received generally negative reviews from critics and was a box-office failure, grossing $103.3 million worldwide on a $90–100 million budget. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Behind%20The%20Scenes%20Of%20Stepford%20Wives%20%282004%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Behind%20The%20Scenes%20Of%20Stepford%20Wives%20%282004%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Behind%20The%20Scenes%20Of%20Stepford%20Wives%20%282004%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Behind%20The%20Scenes%20Of%20Stepford%20Wives%20%282004%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Behind%20The%20Scenes%20Of%20Stepford%20Wives%20%282004%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, The Stepford Wives, Video **Tags:** #2004, #BehindTheScenes, #BetteMidler, #Movie, #StepfordWives, #Video --- ### [The New Yorker Radio Hour - Bette Midler and the Screenwriter Paul Rudnick on “Coastal Elites"](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/22/the-new-yorker-radio-hour-bette-midler-and-the-screenwriter-paul-rudnick-on-coastal-elites/) **Published:** June 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler plays a New Yorker of a certain type: a retired teacher who lives on the Upper West Side, reads the New York Times with Talmudic attention, and is driven more than half mad by Donald Trump. **Content:** --- ## Podscripts The New Yorker Radio Hour – Bette Midler and the Screenwriter Paul Rudnick on “Coastal Elites” By Staff June 22, 2026 --- ![Older woman in a blue cardigan sits at a table, hands outstretched toward the camera in an interrogation-room setting.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coastal-Elites-Bette-Midler-But-Why-Tho-1536x860-1-1024x573.jpg "Coastal-elites-bette-midler-but-why-tho-1536x860 - bootleg betty") --- **Episode Date: September 4, 2020** This segment contains adult language. In the new film “Coastal Elites,” Bette Midler plays a New Yorker of a certain type: a retired teacher who lives on the Upper West Side, reads the New York Times with Talmudic attention, and is driven more than half mad by Donald Trump. So much so that one day she picks a fight in a coffee shop with a guy wearing a red MAGA hat, and her monologue takes place when she’s in police custody. The role isn’t too much of a stretch: she tells David Remnick about a long-ago dinner at the Trumps’ apartment that she recalls as a nightmare, and, just days after this interview, Midler tweeted some ill-advised comments about Melania Trump’s accent that she had to apologize for. Paul Rudnick wrote “Coastal Elites” as a series of monologues to be performed at the Public Theatre, but seeing no avenue to perform it during the pandemic, he reconceived of it as a film for HBO, starring big names like Kaitlyn Dever, Dan Levy, Sarah Paulson, and Issa Rae. And while he’s sad about the state of live theatre, Rudnick has no regrets about taking the show to television: “You actually got closer than you would if it had been staged live in the theatre,” he says. “You have the best possible seat in the house for a Bette Midler performance.” New Yorker Radio Hour listeners, we want to hear from you. We have a few questions about the show and how you listen to it. The survey takes about twenty minutes, and your feedback will help us make our podcast better. Take the survey here. **Starting point is 00:00:00** This episode of our podcast contains quite a bit of adult language from Bet Midler. This is The New Yorker Radio Hour, a co-production of WNYC Studios and The New Yorker. Welcome to The New Yorker Radio Hour. I’m David Remnick. Yes, officer, I know what I did, and I know why that man pressed charges. Oh, my God. I can’t believe I need. In the new film, Coastal Elites, Bet Midler plays a New Yorker of a certain type, A retired teacher who lives on the Upper West Side, reads the New York Times with Talmudic attention, and is driven insane by Donald Trump. **Starting point is 00:00:40** So much so that one day she picks a fight in a coffee shop with a guy who’s wearing a red MAGA hat. I snapped. I lost it. I went full on worldwide wrestling, Federation Navy SEAL Jason Bourne. Go ahead. I grab that hat. I’m going to throw it on the brow, and he grabs my arm, and he’s twisting it. He says, that’s my hat, bitch. I said, not today, asshole. I hate my arm away, but I keep that and I run. **Starting point is 00:01:04** That’s Bet Midler performing in Paul Rudnick’s coastal elites. In real life, Midler herself has gotten into some Trump-related trouble. After we spoke, she tweeted some ill-advised comments about Melania Trump’s accent, which she later apologized for. Paul Rudnick wrote coastal elites as a series of monologues to be performed on stage, but with the pandemic, it was reconceived as a film for HBO. I talked recently with Paul Rudnick and Ben. Midler. **Starting point is 00:01:32** Bet, I spent, I don’t mind telling you, a small fortune, but never regretted it, to sit in the second row to watch you do Hello, Dolly. I have always been a woman who arranges things for the pleasure and the profit it derives. I have always been a woman who arranges things like furniture, daffodils, and lives. And one of the things I was thinking about after those performances is the tremendous energy you must get from the audience that it goes back and forth. And here you’re filming practically by yourself. **Starting point is 00:02:14** Oh no, I was alone in that room. Right. So what is that experience like? It must be radically different. It was fabulous. Because you didn’t have any pants on or something? No, no, no. I was completely dressed in my little. **Starting point is 00:02:27** a little costume all the way down to my shoes, even though I was, you know, I was cut off at the chest by the table in the, in the, in the, in the, in the in the, in the, in the, in the, in the, in the, in the, of concentration. It was so easy to concentrate because you didn’t have to, you didn’t have to turn and listen to anybody else. You were just looking in one spot and trying to convince someone that, of your, of your, of your, of your, of your, of your, of your, of your, of your, of your, was, was, was, impeccable. I mean, I had, it was the easiest, one of the easiest gigs I’ve ever had because I didn’t have to share the stage. You don’t have to share the stage and nobody’s crinkling, nobody’s crinkling candy wrappers in the third row or taking a cell phone shot. Exactly. And I have to say, we had two days. We shot one day, like Friday, and then **Starting point is 00:03:18** Saturday we came back and shot again. And I really did not get my, get it until like the last take Saturday because it’s very slippery. Because when you’re shooting remotely, it’s very distilled. You’re not in a rehearsal room. There aren’t distractions. There aren’t hundreds of crew members. You have like the best possible seat in the house for a Bet Midler performance. So it was very exciting. And for this piece, because it’s so intimate, that felt exactly right. You actually got closer than you would if it had been staged live in the theater. And you thought, oh my God, this is just, this is the way to work. So it was unexpected, but kind of a weird gift. Paul, I read a part of coastal elites. **Starting point is 00:04:02** It must be about a year ago, which now seems, of course, like 20 years ago. How do you write a piece that tries to catch up with the world where the world is just tumbling downhill faster and faster? Well, I think the piece you read was actually the piece that Bet performs beyond superbly because it was, this stuff was just pouring out of me. It was sort of after four years of Trump, the anxiety level everywhere and in everyone I knew had not dissipated at all. So it just became ridiculous not to write about this stuff. And what was exciting was that as the year went on, and originally these pieces were going to be staged live at the public theater with Jay Roach directing, and the pandemic shut that down. **Starting point is 00:04:49** And then when I thought, okay, this is not happening. But then the HBO and our production team came up with the idea of shooting it remotely and putting, you know, every possible COVID protocol in place. And I also got to rewrite so I could keep up. So we could include material on the pandemic and on Black Lives Matter and how it would impact these characters’ lives. And so that’s very rare to be able to write that immediately. Is it rough to write a comedy in real time when the tragic dimension is so. immense. Yes, of course. **Starting point is 00:05:25** And it’s something that I learned many years ago when I wrote a play called Jeffrey that was also a movie, which was a romantic comedy of all things said in the era of the AIDS crisis, the peak of the crisis, because I thought disease and suffering are never funny, but people are. And I thought that’s, especially when you’re dealing with a disease that has no cure and very little treatment, a sense of humor may be all you have left. and especially when you’re dealing with New Yorkers, which is what I like to do, that you’ve got people for whom humor is just part of their first language. It’s how they cope. And it’s a glory. So it wasn’t something I added on top of the material. It seemed very organic. Now, I got to tell you, Paul, you’re now finished because I’m so excited to speak to Bet Midler that I may or may not come back to you. Sweet of you. Oh, don’t do that. Don’t do that. I love to hear him talk. He’s so passionate about this. **Starting point is 00:06:20** material and he and he’s uh he’s you know i’ve been following this piece of material for a long long time and he’s so passionate he has all the answers he really does have all the answers well you play a character named miriam nestler who’s a retired public school teacher in new york and she finds herself in police custody after a fight with a guy who’s wearing a maga hat how much did you identify with miriam nestler oh i tremendously except i don’t live on the upper west side i um i um I identified with her. You know, I have a, I have librarians in my family, and we’re all kind of civic-minded, and we’re very proud of what we call our culture. **Starting point is 00:07:00** But I identified with her very, very strongly, and I think she’s hilarious because she gives these little digs, and then she’s just kidding, just kidding. But the truth is that she’s not kidding. You know, this is, this means the whole world to her, and I think the fact that she’s gone into physical battle as a warrior against this mental, aberration is really, it’s not just admirable. It’s saintly. You know, she compares herself at the end of the piece to Joan of Arc. And she says, in my way, in my small way, I am, I too am a Joan of Arc because I was unafraid. I marched into battle to save what needs to be saved. I think she’s kind of fabulous. **Starting point is 00:07:40** I love her. Now, how do you feel when you see a Maga hat on the… I can’t look at them. I can’t look at them. I find it distressing because, well, it’s like the masks. Why would anybody not wear a mask if you are going to protect your next-door neighbor or your your own family. It’s like a gap in their consciousness. It makes no sense. Please, I’m starting to get, I’m worked up. Do you ever think about how they see you? Do they see people who work? I don’t give a fuck. I don’t give a fuck. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I don’t care how they see me. Occasionally, in the old days, I used to. In the old days, I used to, when we first started tweeting, I used to get a little, I used to get trolled and I used to think, oh, this isn’t very nice. **Starting point is 00:08:19** I don’t feel good doing this. And then I thought to myself, well, maybe I shouldn’t be so harsh on other people. But then when the other people turned out to be so insane, it’s almost like, well, you just have to say something. You can’t just let this slide by. This isn’t behavior. This is abnormal, you know? **Starting point is 00:08:38** At least pretend. Pretend what? Pretend what? Pretend to be a human being. You know, some of them, it’s almost as if they have a shell, you know, let’s not go there. This is a dead end. Let’s move on. **Starting point is 00:08:53** Paul, you look fabulous. I’m so happy to see you. What is your favorite bit of the monologue that we hear from Miriam Nessler? Well, she, the character is very much a tribute to the women of my family, to my mom and her sisters, especially. There was an absolute worship of education **Starting point is 00:09:09** and information that I so appreciated. And it was a wonderful upbringing in that sense that there was a reverence for culture, for theater, for museums, for reading, that these were the sacraments of their form of deeply reformed Judaism. And that’s something I so admire about this woman. And she was also funny because she’s insane. You know, there’s also the constant battle which Betch captures so superbly **Starting point is 00:09:36** between wanting to understand the rest of the world, wanting there to be hope, wanting there to be beauty and agreement between people, and yet constantly battling with the dark side, with the fact that the rest of the world doesn’t always see things that way. So I’m at Starbucks, and I stand up, and I walk over, and I say to the guy. **Starting point is 00:10:00** So, the hat. Why are you wearing it? And he looks me up and down, and he smirks. And I know I shouldn’t be judging, but show me one person who voted for that man, who doesn’t smirk. And he says, I’m wearing it because it drives you fucking nuts. And I think to myself, well, he’s not wrong. **Starting point is 00:10:33** And then I say, but why do you want to drive me fucking nuts? And I say it clearly. I asked the question, so the, you repulsive piece of racist shit, is silent. And when I heard that delivered that with such a… of pinpoint delicacy where you got what the polar opposite this character was sort of ping-ponging between. And it was just perfection. It was, yes, that’s what we’re all going through, is a desire to not shut down, to remain hopeful in the face of such tidal ignorance. I love the piece about her husband. And I love the crumbs that Paul drops along the way about who he was. **Starting point is 00:11:21** with her, that he was a gym teacher, that he taught gym in public school, and that they used to spend all day Sunday reading the New York Times. And they called it a juet, and eating locks and raisin. We had a big fight about raisin bagels. Who would ever eat a raisin bagels? We have this huge fight, Paul and I. And I said, in everything bagel, never, never a raisin bagel. Well, so raisin bagels. It was a… Paul, I have to side with bed here. Raisin bagel is not a bagel. It’s cake. Wait. But Paul is like, Paul is very interesting. You know, I read once that Thomas Edison only ate sweets. So I tried that for a while. **Starting point is 00:11:58** Because, I mean, if Thomas, if it was good enough for Thomas Edison, it was certainly good enough for me. Well, Paul is like Thomas Edison. He really likes his sweets. In many ways. What? In many ways. Yes, look at all the things you’ve invented and the characters you’ve invented. **Starting point is 00:12:12** I think in many ways, the pieces collectively are about the way Trump has driven people crazy. And it’s probably true, Paul. I’m wrong, maybe I’m wrong, bet. The people who are going to watch it on HBO, just as they would have seen it at the public theater had COVID not intervened, are pretty like-minded. My guess is that. And so what do you think it’ll do for that audience as opposed to the audience that in some ways you’re never going to reach? The likelihood is. I think that the, you know, preaching to the choir, I think the people who are aware will tune into it. **Starting point is 00:12:52** But I hope that other people will come out of curiosity and stay to be, maybe have their consciousness shift even a little bit. I do have to say, I think this pandemic has shifted a lot of people. I really do. **Starting point is 00:13:07** I think the handling, the utter lack of compassion and humanity and the complete disarray of a government, well, we saw this in Katrina. Let’s not fool ourselves. If we could remember back that far, I mean, that was a shit show too, you know, but nothing changed. We thought things changed, **Starting point is 00:13:25** but apparently it only got worse as these agencies got hollowed out, right? So you’ve actually feuded with Donald Trump on Twitter. He once called you, and you don’t mind if I say this, he once called you a washed, what did he call you? Washed up psycho. There you go. And what was the experience like of trading insults online? Oh, he’s revolting. He has, you know, he’ll do anything. He’ll do anything for his ratings. He’ll do anything to keep his face. He doesn’t care. He’s, you know, who was it that said? **Starting point is 00:13:55** Without publicity, something terrible happens. And so the other person says, what? And he says, nothing. He’s such a whore. He’s such a publicity whore. He doesn’t care if it’s bad publicity. Did you ever run into him in his life before politics? I went to his house. **Starting point is 00:14:10** I had dinner with him. Check this out. The office called and said, it was Andre Leontali. birthday’s birthday. The fashion editor who was at vogue for so many years. Yeah. And what I and my my husband and I come. And of course I adore Andrea Leontali. Trump, not so much because he’s ridiculous. You know, he was just a buffoon. So I went and we went to the tower and it was just what you think. It’s glitter. He had a, he had a strange little fountain in the middle of **Starting point is 00:14:36** the living room, you know, with a dolphin. You know, those those dolphins, those sea creatures spouting water. I’m like, what the fuck is this doing in the middle of the room? Anyway, so Andre was there, this was a guest list, Andre Leontali, my husband, me, Melani and Donald. That was the birthday party. Sounds like heaven. I kept saying, is anybody else coming? Is anyone else coming? **Starting point is 00:14:59** Should we start? Should we start? I want to hear everything about this dinner. He showed me a Rockefeller Center. He showed me Radio City. Like I never saw Radio City before. Isn’t this a fabulous view? I’m saying cement, mortar? **Starting point is 00:15:13** No, it’s all right. It’s lit up. Yeah, it’s nice. I mean, it’s not like green. people, you know, we, you know, if you sit on the park, you say, wow, that now that’s a view. Now, this was cement. This was towers. I’m not into towers. **Starting point is 00:15:27** What did you talk about at dinner with Donald Trump? I have no memory. I have absolutely no memory, no memory. But I adore Andre, so listen, this is what I figured out. It took me 15, close to 20 years to figure out, what was I doing there? What were we doing there? And finally, it dawned on me. It was he had his Melania and he had must. **Starting point is 00:15:47** have promised her she’d get on the cover of Vogue. And he was an editor. He was an editor at large at the time. So maybe he delivered me to André. Andre could have called me up. I would have gone anywhere with him. I adore him. You know, I love his work. I love his backstory. I love everything about him. So he didn’t know that, but I told him that night. Never heard from him again. Anyway, but I still love him. I don’t care. So that was my, and it was so bizarre, and it took me a long time to realize that’s, oh, I was like a deliverable. I was like a bait. I was a bait and switch. You know, it was, it’s just transactional and appalling. But it still must register as a deep sadness to both of you to know that there are all **Starting point is 00:16:35** these theaters that are dark and there’s, we’re not going to be back in them any time soon, I don’t think. I cannot tell you how, how distressing. it is. It’s truly distressing because it’s not just the landlords. I mean, of course, it’s not the landlords. It’s not just the actors. It’s everybody who is connected to it, you know, the costumers who are struggling, the costume houses. There are 50 costume houses in New York City, and they hire hundreds of people all over the world to embroider, to bead, their pattern makers, their stitchers, I mean, fitters, I mean, hundreds of people are out of work and they have no hope. They have nothing coming in, and they, I mean, it’s just awful. **Starting point is 00:17:19** And then there’s all the people in the Times Square area. A lot of those are mom and pop businesses, and they are just, they just all have to close their doors. So it’s, you know, the stage hands and the musicians. And it’s just, it’s overwhelming. What is the talk in the theater world about when this activity, this huge aspect of New York life will be revived? They have not shared anything with me. I call from time to time, and I think that I think they’re trying to figure it out. But, I mean, they’ve been trying to figure it out since March. **Starting point is 00:17:54** And I can’t really say that they haven’t told me that they’re making any headway. No, there have been all sorts of attempts. Some of them actually glorious to do online theater, to do Zoom readings, to do Zoom presentations. But beyond that, there is a hope that I think sometime March or April that there will be, a sense of return, that if there are therapeutics, if there is a possible vaccine, that it will be possible. I think a lot of this is pure golden optimism, which I’d love to share. Both of you, to some extent, this is your, this is all of our second plague in some, in some way. But your career started to take off by performing at Continental Baths and had a big gay following still do. **Starting point is 00:18:41** I hope so. Paul, you’ve written about AIDS. quite a number of times, and you’ve approached it both in a satirical way and in a very serious way at the same time. And now we’re living through COVID. How does the AIDS period at all relate to, not that it’s over, but how does the height of the AIDS period relate to what we’re experiencing now, the tragedy that we’re experiencing now in any way? I mean, I would say that the primary similarity involves the government response or lack of response. That especially in those early months when Trump called it a democratic hoax, when he refused to have anything to do with it, there’s also a sense of marginalizing the sick that because COVID has attacked, especially communities of color, the elderly, **Starting point is 00:19:29** that they don’t count, that those lives are expendable. So there’s a real similarity there. On the other hand, there are vast differences because AIDS was something that was attacking such, especially in the early days, such a specific community that was already considered wildly expendable, and it was, in its own sense, even scarier because it was far more fatal, and because it was so unknown. I think also partially because of the AIDS crisis, there was a certain familiarity, especially in the bridge of Dr. Fauci, that he is someone who eventually behaved beautifully during the AIDS crisis **Starting point is 00:20:05** and became friends with Larry Kramer, which is almost impossible. but, and he’s become a beacon of decency and truth now, too. So there is a sense, I think, that he learned, there was a learning curve for him and the rest of us then about, okay, this is how you cope with this. Bit, would you like to do coastal elites as originally planned in the theater? I think this is the best. I think it was, in a funny way, it was serendipity. **Starting point is 00:20:31** It was serendipitous that this technology, the Zoom technology, was available at this time during this pandemic, that he had a piece that was, it was all solo monologues anyway. It works perfectly within this framework. It just, it was as if there was no thought, it was almost as if it was written for this time, really, truly. And I will tell you that at my stage of life, **Starting point is 00:20:57** eight shows a week is like, oh, please. Bet Midler, Paul Rudnick, thank you so much. Thank you. Good to talk to you. Bye. Bet Midler is one of the stars of Paul Rudnick’s coastal elites, along with Caitlin Dever, Dan Levy, Sarah Paulson, and Issa Ray. It’s out on HBO this month, but if you can’t wait a few days, you can read a lot of terrific work by Paul Rudnick at New Yorker.com . **Starting point is 00:21:28** This is The New Yorker Radio Hour, and I’m David Rennick. Thanks for joining us. The New Yorker Radio Hour is a co-production of WNYC Studios and The New Yorker. Our theme music was composed and performed by Merrill Garbus of Tune Arts. with additional music by Alexis Quadrado. This episode was produced by Alex Barron, Emily Boutin, Ave Cario, Riannon Corby, Calilea, David Krasnow, Caroline Lester, Gauphin and Putubuele, Louis Mitchell, Michelle Moses, and Stephen Valentino, with help from Alison McAdam, Morgan Flannery, Mung Faye Chen, and Emily Mann. **Starting point is 00:22:05** The New Yorker Radio Hour is supported in part by the Cherina Endowment Fund. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20New%20Yorker%20Radio%20Hour%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20the%20Screenwriter%20Paul%20Rudnick%20on%20%E2%80%9CCoastal%20Elites%22&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20New%20Yorker%20Radio%20Hour%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20the%20Screenwriter%20Paul%20Rudnick%20on%20%E2%80%9CCoastal%20Elites%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20New%20Yorker%20Radio%20Hour%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20the%20Screenwriter%20Paul%20Rudnick%20on%20%E2%80%9CCoastal%20Elites%22&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20New%20Yorker%20Radio%20Hour%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20the%20Screenwriter%20Paul%20Rudnick%20on%20%E2%80%9CCoastal%20Elites%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20New%20Yorker%20Radio%20Hour%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20the%20Screenwriter%20Paul%20Rudnick%20on%20%E2%80%9CCoastal%20Elites%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Coastal Elites, Interview, Podcasts, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CoastalElites, #PaulRudnick, #Podcast, #Radio, #Transcript --- ### [READ Posters Auction: Bids Open Today](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/22/read-posters-auction-bids-open-today/) **Published:** June 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bidding opens June 18, with the live online auction taking place July 10. The auction will feature more than 200 ALA posters **Content:** --- ## ALA150 American Library Association partners with Heritage Auctions for sale of historic READ® posters By Staff June 20, 2026 --- ![Poster with a smiling woman holding two Bette Midler children's books; large pink 'READ' title above.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ha.jpg "Ha - bootleg betty") --- **CHICAGO –** The American Library Association (ALA) is partnering with Heritage Auctions, the world’s largest collections auctioneer, to [**auction** ](https://ilovelibraries.org/article/historic-ala-read-posters-up-for-auction/)a rare selection of ALA’s iconic READ® posters, offering supporters, collectors, and library fans a chance to own a piece of library history during ALA’s 150th anniversary year. Bidding opens June 18, with the live online auction taking place July 10. The auction will feature more than 200 ALA posters spanning decades of library promotion, advocacy, and pop culture history that have adorned the walls of libraries, schools, and universities across the U.S. for more than four decades in one of the nation’s most recognizable literacy campaigns. Among the highlights are sought-after posters featuring Shaquille O’Neal, Taylor Swift, Yoda, the cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and WWE personalities, along with autographed posters from more than 30 celebrities including Michael J. Fox, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/books/), Paul Newman, Sting, and Oprah Winfrey. The sale also includes library promotional posters from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, plus beloved cartoon and children’s characters such as Barney, Big Bird, Garfield, Goofy, the Muppets, Winnie the Pooh, and Mickey Mouse. “For more than 40 years, some of the world’s most recognizable figures have taken part in ALA’s READ® Campaign, highlighting the importance and pleasure of reading for generations.” said ALA President Sam Helmick. “This auction gives book lovers and library supporters a meaningful opportunity to own a piece of that legacy while celebrating the enduring power of reading.” The auction arrives at a milestone moment for ALA, which is celebrating its sesquicentennial in 2026. Founded in 1876, the Association is marking 150 years of championing access to information, supporting library workers, and advancing the vital role libraries play in communities nationwide. The auction is being presented in partnership with Heritage Auctions, which will host the online sale. “These posters are more than promotional materials, they’re cultural touchstones that have inspired generations of readers,” said Charles Epting, director of consignments, pop culture/historical at Heritage Auctions. “Growing up in the 90s, I remembered seeing many of them. They made reading feel exciting and accessible, and this collection reflects a shared experience that has connected readers for decades. “ The catalog is available at **About Heritage Auctions** Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house founded in the United States, and the world’s largest collectibles auctioneer. Heritage maintains offices in New York, Dallas, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Munich, Geneva, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Heritage also enjoys the highest Online traffic and dollar volume of any auction house on earth (source: SimilarWeb and Hiscox Report). The Internet’s most popular auction-house website, HA.com, has more than 2,000,000 registered bidder-members and searchable free archives of more than 7,000,000 past auction records with prices realized, descriptions and enlargeable photos. Reproduction rights routinely granted to media for photo credit. **About the American Library Association??** The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit [www.ala.org](https://www.ala.org/). Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=READ%20Posters%20Auction%3A%20Bids%20Open%20Today&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=READ%20Posters%20Auction%3A%20Bids%20Open%20Today%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=READ%20Posters%20Auction%3A%20Bids%20Open%20Today&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=READ%20Posters%20Auction%3A%20Bids%20Open%20Today%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=READ%20Posters%20Auction%3A%20Bids%20Open%20Today%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #Auction, #BetteMidler, #Bids, #Library, #Read, #READPosters --- ### [BonBon Video Short - Bette Midler - Come Up And See Me Sometime](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/20/bonbon-video-short-bette-midler-come-up-and-see-me-sometime/) **Published:** June 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** It predates her signature Sophie Tucker joke routines, but you can see the seeds of that style **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon BonBon Video Short – Bette Midler – Come Up And See Me Sometime By Boodles BonBon June 20, 2026 --- ![Stage performance by VAMPETTE: a woman in a metallic jacket raises her arm on a dark stage, with 'VAMP BETTE' text shown at the bottom.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-20_13-56-44.png "2026-06-20_13-56-44 - bootleg betty") --- --- **The Key Facts** Bette performed “Come Up and See Me Sometime” on: The David Frost Show — April 7, 1970 The Tonight Show — August 12, 1970 (paired with “Am I Blue”) These are the only documented performances in the verified concert/TV chronology. **Why this song mattered in her early act** While the sources don’t give direct commentary, we can infer from the context of her 1970 repertoire: **It fit her Mae West–inspired bawdy persona.** “Come Up and See Me Sometime” is the iconic Mae West line, and Bette was already leaning into camp, vaudeville, and sexual innuendo — the DNA of her early Divine Miss M persona. It aligned with her pre-Atlantic Records nightclub material. In 1970 she was still performing at the Continental Baths and on TV variety shows, mixing: Tin Pan Alley Torch songs Burlesque humor Mae West–style vamping This song fits squarely into that aesthetic. It predates her signature Sophie Tucker joke routines, but you can see the seeds of that style — the wink, the tease, the “I know exactly what I’m doing” delivery. F**un Trivia & Context** This was before Barry Manilow became her music director (he joined her in 1971). So these performances reflect her raw, pre-Divine Miss M stagecraft. Her 1970 TV spots were crucial in getting her noticed by the New York entertainment world — these appearances helped build the momentum that led to her Atlantic Records signing. She often paired the song with blues numbers (“Am I Blue,” “C.C. Rider,” “Remember My Forgotten Man”), creating a mini–Mae West meets saloon singer vibe on TV. The Tonight Show performance (Aug 12, 1970) is one of the earliest surviving records of her leaning fully into camp on national television. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BonBon%20Video%20Short%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Come%20Up%20And%20See%20Me%20Sometime&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BonBon%20Video%20Short%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Come%20Up%20And%20See%20Me%20Sometime%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BonBon%20Video%20Short%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Come%20Up%20And%20See%20Me%20Sometime&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BonBon%20Video%20Short%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Come%20Up%20And%20See%20Me%20Sometime%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BonBon%20Video%20Short%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Come%20Up%20And%20See%20Me%20Sometime%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Mae West, Songs, Talk Show, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #ComeUpAndSee Me Sometime, #MaeWest, #VideoShort --- ### [25 Legends Who Proved Pop Stars Can Act, Too](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/20/25-legends-who-proved-pop-stars-can-act-too/) **Published:** June 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Musicians are a talented and creative bunch. Gifted musically, many also shine on both the big and small screens. **Content:** --- ## AOL 25 legendary musicians who built serious acting careers By Nicole Johnson June 20, 2026 --- ![Collage-style album cover with a glamorous woman shown in six poses and pink cursive title across the bottom.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ee5e3127d4ed626d327818cbbb7f9e7f.jpg "Ee5e3127d4ed626d327818cbbb7f9e7f - bootleg betty") --- **25 musicians with rich acting careers** Musicians are a talented and creative bunch. Gifted musically, many also shine on both the big and small screens. Artists across decades and genres make the leap into acting, often balancing careers in both areas. In recent years alone, there have been several notable examples. In 2025, Ariana Grande—who may have gotten her start onstage but is much better known as a pop star—reprised her Academy Award-nominated role as Glinda from “Wicked” for the movie-musical’s sequel, “Wicked: For Good.” Meanwhile, pop singer-songwriter Charli XCX has been exploding onto the acting scene, playing a fictionalized version of herself on the 2025 series “Overcompensating” and in the 2026 mockumentary “The Moment.” But there are plenty of other musically and theatrically gifted artists out there, and to find them, Stacker examined 25 fellow musicians who made the transition to television and film. The forthcoming artists demonstrate that some people are stellar performers no matter the medium, whether singing to an audience or delivering an Oscar-worthy performance. This eclectic bunch sings country, R&B, and rock, and represents stars who won Oscars, Golden Globes, and critical acclaim. Some started as child actors, others as singers, and an actor asked to join them in a project. Their acting turns have included everything from roles as retired Texas Rangers on television to bit parts on “The Sopranos” to long-standing work on television crime dramas. Read on to see if your favorite musician or actor made the list. ## – **Beyoncé** Beyoncé earned critical acclaim for her role in the 2006 musical film “Dreamgirls,” as well as several award nominations and wins including the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Song for “Listen.” In 2020, the musician and actor also wrote and starred in “Black Is King,” a visual album companion to “The Lion King: The Gift.” She also voiced Nala in Disney’s 2019 photorealistically animated remake of “The Lion King” and its follow-up “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which hit theaters in December 2024. ## – **Mary J. Blige** In 2018, history-maker Mary J. Blige became the first person to clinch an Oscar nomination in acting and music categories for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song), as well as the first African American woman nominated for multiple Oscars in the same year. Both nominations were for “Mudbound,” where Blige plays the wife of an impoverished farmer, and for which she wrote and performed the theme song “Mighty River.” Blige has also acted in several television shows including, “Empire,” “Black-ish,” and “The Umbrella Academy.” ## – **David Bowie** David Bowie’s first movie role came in the 1967 short film “The Image,” where he portrayed a boy who terrorized an artist when he stepped out of a painting. One of the musician’s most memorable roles was in the 1986 Jim Henson fantasy film “Labyrinth,” which featured Bowie playing Jareth the Goblin King. He picked eclectic roles to showcase his acting talent, like Pontius Pilate in Martin Scorsese’s 1988 film “The Last Temptation of Christ” and FBI agent Phillip Jeffries in David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.” ## – **Cher** Cher is a Grammy- and Oscar-winner who took home Best Actress in a Leading Role for her work opposite Nicolas Cage in the 1987 romantic comedy “Moonstruck.” She was also nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her turn in the 1983 film “Silkwood.” The talented actor starred in several hit films in the 1980s, including “Mask,” “The Witches of Eastwick,” and “Suspect,” and was seen more recently in 2018’s “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.” ## – **Harry Connick Jr.** Crooner Harry Connick Jr. played Grace Adler’s doctor husband Leo Markus in the television comedy “Will & Grace.” He has also made several appearances in hit films like “Copycat,” where he played serial killer opposite Sigourney Weaver, and “Hope Floats,” for which he received a Blockbuster Entertainment Award nomination for Favorite Actor-Drama/Romance. In 2024, Connick starred in the Netflix rom-com “Find Me Falling,” his first on-screen appearance since 2021. ## – **Bing Crosby** Bing Crosby initially studied law, though his love for music won out. He made several comedies with his friend Bob Hope including a series of “road” movies like “Road to Bali,” “Road to Rio,” and “Road to Morocco.” Crosby was known for playing easy-going characters, and this style led to his Oscar win in 1945 for “Going My Way,” where he played a good-natured priest. He garnered another Oscar nod the following year for playing the same character, Father O’Malley, in “The Bells of Saint Mary’s.” ## – **Ice Cube** It was shortly after his departure from the rap group N.W.A. that Ice Cube made his acting debut in John Singleton’s 1991 coming-of-age film “Boyz n the Hood,” for which he won critical praise and Chicago Film Critics Association Awards for both Most Promising Actor and Best Supporting Actor. Ice Cube shows his range as an actor by taking roles in comedic films, like those in the “Barbershop” franchise, and dramatic films like “Three Kings,” where he starred opposite Mark Wahlberg and George Clooney. **Snoop Dogg** Snoop Dogg has appeared in everything from feature films and TV series to video games and music videos. The rapper has racked up several film and television credits including the Oscar-winning film “Training Day” and the Showtime series “The L Word.” In 2005, Snoop started his production company, Snoopadelic Films. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 2017 for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program along with Martha Stewart for “Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party.” And he’s still doing movies: In 2024 alone, Snoop Dogg appeared in “The Underdoggs,” “The Garfield Movie,” and “Piece by Piece.” He also appeared on a 2025 episode of “Bel-Air.” ## – **Ice-T** Ice-T, born Tracy Marrow, made his film debut in the 1984 breakdancing movie “Breakin'” and later appeared in its sequel, “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo.” One of his most well-known roles was in the 1991 film “New Jack City,” with Wesley Snipes, where Ice-T also sang the theme “New Jack Hustler.” Not only has the rapper acted in film, but he’s held a regular role as Detective Fin Tutuola on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” since 2000. ## – **Kris Kristofferson** Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson’s acting career began in 1971 with “The Last Movie.” He went on to appear in “Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid,” playing Billy the Kid, for which he received a BAFTA Award nomination. He also starred opposite Barbra Streisand in “A Star Is Born,” and acted in all three installments of the “Blade” film franchise, as well as the cult-classic comedy “Big Top Pee-wee.” ## – **Lady Gaga** A bit part in the HBO crime drama “The Sopranos” as Girl at Swimming Pool #2 marked Lady Gaga’s acting debut in 2001. She also made cameos on “The Simpsons” and “Men In Black 3,” but her breakthrough role came in 2015 in the anthology series “American Horror Story: Hotel.” Her biggest role to date is starring opposite Bradley Cooper in the 2018 remake of “A Star is Born,” for which she received an Oscar nod for Best Lead Actress and a win for Best Original Song with “Shallow.” She followed that up earning favorable reviews for 2021’s “House of Gucci.” More recently, Lady Gaga played Harley Quinn in 2024’s “Joker: Folie à Deux,” though the Warner Bros. release didn’t enjoy the same critical success as her earlier acting projects. She also made a cameo on Season 2 of Netflix’s “Wednesday” in 2025, and in “The Devil Wears Prada 2” in 2026. ## – **Jennifer Hudson** Though she got her start on the TV talent competition “American Idol,” versatile talent Jennifer Hudson went on to win both a Golden Globe and an Oscar for her star-making turn in “Dreamgirls.” After enduring great personal tragedy with the loss of her mother, brother, and nephew, who were killed by her brother-in-law, Hudson found a way back to both the small screen with “Hairspray Live!” and the stage with the Broadway revival of “The Color Purple.” In 2024, she starred in the film “Breathe,” but her real recent screen success has been as the host of “The Jennifer Hudson Show” since 2022. ## – **LL Cool J** Born James Todd Smith, LL Cool J starred in all 14 seasons of “NCIS: Los Angeles.” His acting career began with cameo appearances in the 1985 film “Krush Groove,” based on the early days of Def Jam Records, and in 1986’s “Wildcats,” for which he also wrote the song “Football Rap.” He also received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2017. ## – **Lyle Lovett** Country star Lyle Lovett made his feature film debut in Robert Altman’s 1992 dark comedy “The Player,” and would go on to star in many more Altman movies throughout the years. Lovett also hit the small screen with appearances in “Castle” and “Blue Bloods” and the hit NBC sitcom “Mad About You” opposite Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser. In 1993, he married actor Julia Roberts in a union that lasted less than two years. ## – **Madonna** The Material Girl made her first feature film appearance in an obscure 1979 independent movie called “A Certain Sacrifice,” which was commercially released in 1985 after she already achieved success with her singing career. Her first role in a major film would be nothing more than a cameo in 1985’s “Vision Quest,” which featured Madonna singing the song “Crazy for You” from the film’s soundtrack in a bar as the two main characters danced. While Madonna acted in several films throughout the ’80s and ’90s, including “Desperately Seeking Susan” and “A League of Their Own,” she often received harsh reviews from critics. Still, her performance in the 1996 film “Evita” scored her a Golden Globe win for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical. ## – **Tim McGraw** While he has had a remarkable career as a country singer, Tim McGraw has also had a solid acting career with supporting and lead roles. He played opposite Billy Bob Thornton in “Friday Night Lights,” and was the easy-going husband opposite Sandra Bullock in the 2009 Oscar-nominated film “The Blind Side.” McGraw often lends his vocal talents to the films he stars in, as he did in the 2010 film “Country Strong,” where he played the husband and manager to Gwyneth Paltrow’s character, a recovering addict and country music star. In more recent years, he’s appeared in “Yellowstone” and its spin-off, “1883.” In January 2025, McGraw was forced to exit his planned Netflix drama series about a professional bull rider, so his next acting project has yet to be determined. ## – --- ![Collage of multiple women's portraits arranged in a hexagonal mosaic around a centered smiling older woman.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/574e2ec6149538dc5853b09ec6269ea3.jpg "574e2ec6149538dc5853b09ec6269ea3 - bootleg betty") --- **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/videos/)** Funny lady Bette Midler showed off her comedic talent in the 1996 film “The First Wives Club,” 1986’s “Ruthless People,” and 1988’s “Big Business,” which won her the American Comedy Award for the Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture. Bette’s breakthrough acting role was not in a comedy though, but rather in the 1979 drama “The Rose.” Midler received several nominations and wins for the film. These days, she hasn’t strayed far from her comedy roots—she had starring turns in 2022’s “Hocus Pocus 2” and 2024’s “The Fabulous Four.” In May 2026, it was announced that Midler would be returning for the forthcoming “Hocus Pocus 3.” ## – **Mandy Moore** Mandy Moore’s series “This Is Us,” which received critical and fan acclaim and became a hit for NBC, aired its sixth and final season in 2022. Moore got her start in acting with memorable roles in “The Princess Diaries,” where she played mean girl Lana, and in “A Walk to Remember” as a terminally ill teen. The star also worked as a voice actor with turns in the 2010 film “Tangled” as Rapunzel and in “Brother Bear 2” as Nita. She provided a voice on the adult animated series “#1 Happy Family USA,” which received rave reviews when it premiered in April 2025. And she stars in the May 2026 film “The Breadwinner” alongside Nate Bargatze. ## – **Mos Def** Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, began his acting career before his music career with childhood roles in sitcoms and television movies where he often acted under the name Dante Beze or Dante Smith. One of his most memorable roles came when he was a teen, and appeared opposite Mare Winningham in the 1988 ABC television movie “God Bless the Child.” As an adult, he appeared in television roles including “Dexter” and “House” and film roles including “Monster’s Ball” and “The Italian Job.” ## – **Willie Nelson** Willie Nelson’s acting career dates back to the late 1970s when he made his film debut in the 1979 romantic drama “The Electric Horseman.” He’s acted on both the big and small screen playing characters that run the gamut from Uncle Jesse in the 2005 film “The Dukes of Hazzard” to a retired Texas Ranger on an episode of “Miami Vice.” ## – **Dolly Parton** Country singer Dolly Parton’s first acting role came about when Jane Fonda asked her to play one of the main characters in the 1980 film “9 to 5.” Parton also wrote the film’s theme song, which received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations and two Grammy wins. Parton said she takes acting roles that closely align with her own personality, like the role of sassy Southern hairstylist Truvy Jones in “Steel Magnolias” and Dolly Gnome in the animated film “Gnomeo and Juliet.” ## – **Elvis Presley** Though arguably one of the greatest singers of all time, one of Elvis Presley’s earliest career ambitions was to be a film actor. In 1956, he got his wish and made his feature film debut with 20th Century Fox’s “Love Me Tender.” His films were often tied to his music, like the 1957 film “Jailhouse Rock” and the 1964 film “Viva Las Vegas,” for which Elvis worked on the soundtracks. The King acted in over 30 films before his untimely death in 1977 at the age of 42. ## – **Frank Sinatra** Ol’ Blue Eyes was a singing legend and a member of the Rat Pack, but he also had a prolific acting career and even won three Oscars, including one in 1954 for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in “From Here to Eternity,” for which he also won the Golden Globe. While Sinatra was a well-known film actor, he also acted on television, taking a 1977 role in the television movie “Contract on Cherry Street,” and several roles in television series like “Magnum, P.I.,” and “Who’s The Boss?” ## – **Justin Timberlake** Justin Timberlake’s first foray into fame came on Disney’s “The All-New Mickey Mouse Club” alongside Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. He would transition to acting, as well as a career as a solo artist, after a successful turn with the boy band ‘N Sync. In 2005, he had his feature film debut with “Edison,” though it would be the 2006 film “Alpha Dog” that would get him noticed, and Timberlake would go on to notable roles in several hit films including “The Social Network” and “Friends With Benefits.” In 2023, Timberlake starred in the Netflix film “Reptile,” and he was a voice in “Trolls Band Together” that same year. ## – **Tom Waits** Often referred to as a character actor, Tom Waits has appeared in popular films like “The Outsiders,” “Short Cuts,” and the 1992 film “Dracula” starring Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder. His diverse acting credits include voicing the character Lloyd on the animated television show “The Simpsons,” and playing a devil in the 2009 film “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.” Waits has worked alongside some of film’s greatest directors, including Terry Gilliam, Robert Altman, and Francis Ford Coppola. And he remains a sought-after performer, with his latest film “Father Mother Sister Brother” hitting theaters in December 2025. His next project, “Wild Horse Nine,” comes from Oscar-winning filmmaker Martin McDonagh and is set for a fall 2026 release. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=25%20Legends%20Who%20Proved%20Pop%20Stars%20Can%20Act%2C%20Too&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=25%20Legends%20Who%20Proved%20Pop%20Stars%20Can%20Act%2C%20Too%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=25%20Legends%20Who%20Proved%20Pop%20Stars%20Can%20Act%2C%20Too&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=25%20Legends%20Who%20Proved%20Pop%20Stars%20Can%20Act%2C%20Too%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=25%20Legends%20Who%20Proved%20Pop%20Stars%20Can%20Act%2C%20Too%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies **Tags:** #Acting, #BetteMidler, #Careers, #Legendary, #Movies, #Musicians --- ### [Lighting Designer Chip Monck Favorite Employer Is Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/20/lighting-designer-chip-monck-favorite-employer-is-bette-midler/) **Published:** June 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** But of the hundreds of Chip’s employers, his favorite was Bette Midler who hired him to be the lighting designer for her 1978 Divine Madness tour. **Content:** --- ## The Good Men Project Lighting Designer Chip Monck Favorite Employer Is Bette Midler By Mark Daponte June 20, 2026 --- ![Majestic Theatre poster announcing opening night December 5, 1979, promoting Bette Midler's show with The Staggering Harlettes and Shabba-Doo; includes cast and crew credits.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-20_12-10-16.png "2026-06-20_12-10-16 - bootleg betty") --- Rap is one of the more unique music genres as some of its artists have named themselves after the tool of their profession: the microphone. A few of the more successful MC’s (a.k.a. “microphone controllers”) include MC Lyte, MC Hammer, and MC Ren of NWA. But in 1969, one emcee used his microphone to control an estimated rock concert crowd of 400,000 by informing them how the musicians were going to arrive to play: “So we’re flying everybody in! I almost made the worst pun in the world about high musicians, but we’ll skip that.” It was emcee [**Chip Monck**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chip_Monck)’s warning of a brand of bad acid at the first Woodstock concert that saved attendees from badly tripping: “The warning that I’ve received, you might take it with however many grains of salt you wish, that the brown acid that is circulating around is not specifically too good. It is suggested that you stay away from that. But it’s your own trip, be my guest.” It wasn’t Chip’s job to man a microphone as he was hired by Woodstock promoter Michael Lang to be the lighting designer, co-production manager, and stage manager. Chip was enlisted to do quadruple duty after Lang realized he forgot to hire a master of ceremonies. There’s no record of how many concertgoers didn’t heed Chip’s warning and downed the brown. But Chip’s acid advice lives on as a go-to source for an easy gag. For example, in a 1999 *Family Guy* episode called “A Year of Birthdays,” an animated Robin Williams stated: “Don’t take the brown acid. It may turn you into a Martian!” Chip’s experience in being the voice of reason may have been why he was later hired to be the lighting designer and stage manager at the Stones’ infamous Altamont concert. The Stones didn’t go onstage at their scheduled time because, reportedly, they were waiting for the sunlight to fade so both the stage and themselves would cinematically stand out in their *Gimme Shelter* documentary. Chip calmed the restless crowd by reading them Richard Bach’s *Jonathan Livingston Seagull*. After Chip accused a member of the Hell’s Angels of stealing the purple stage rug, the irate Angel shattered four of Monck’s teeth with a pool cue. Chip’s career didn’t end with his mouth leaking blood, but started because of a leak. The Wellesley, MA native was taught well by Greg Harney, a lighting director whom he met when Chip worked with a summer theater group that performed at Wellesley College. Chip took Greg’s vast knowledge and took it on the road with Harvard’s theater company. While the student artistes were in New York City in 1959, the 20-year-old Chip noticed something was askew at the Village Gate club: “I walked into the Gate and saw that it had a leak by the door. I told them I could fix the leak.” He parlayed that chore into a steady but low-paying job that paid him the vast sum of $16.83 a week but included all the entertainment he could see, like Sarah Vaughan, Bill Cosby, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, and Peter, Paul, and Mary. Chip remembered that his co-worker later became someone to remember: “One of the busboys became my rigging assistant, and his name was Sam Shepard, who couldn’t tie a bow.” It was in New York that Chip began building his long lighting career as well as guitar speakers, which led to Bob Dylan’s manager, Albert Grossman, acquiring them for his client’s upcoming East Coast tour. Chip also helped the singer’s writing, noting: “We were having a drink at the Kettle of Fish \[a West Village bar\] and he said, ‘I understand you have a typewriter and I need it.’” Monck stated Dylan wrote “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall” on his IBM Selectric. After it was completed in Chip’s apartment, Monck recalled: “Dylan said, ‘You can read it over, but I don’t need a co-writer because I’m not paying.’” Chip had a Zelig-like knack for appearing at seemingly every major cultural event with every major act, which included handling lighting when Dylan “went electric” at Newport in 1965. While Dylan impressed him, in 1966 Chip called one group, “The worst act I’ve ever seen. They have no discipline.” Fortunately, the Rolling Stones improved, and in 1969, Chip was their tour and staging manager. He kept that gig for five years, despite finding two of the members slightly standoffish. In a 2014 interview with the *Sydney Morning Herald*, Chip stated: “I had two words with Keith in five years and maybe fifteen minutes with Mick while Charlie Watts and I and Bill Wyman rattled on and on and had a wonderful time.” Chip derisively called Jagger “His Ladyship” and said in an interview with Tommy Canale in 2024, “If you make an appointment with Mr. Jagger, he’s someone who has stowed seven personalities or seven identities and it’s a good idea within the first thirty seconds to figure out to whom you are speaking. Otherwise, the meeting is of no use.” After spending too many nights together with the Stones, Chip signed on to do the lighting for Zaire 74 Festival which featured BB King, the Pointer Sisters and James Brown. It was a 1974 concert held a month before Muhammed Ali-George Foreman’s “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire (now Congo). But of the hundreds of Chip’s employers, his favorite was [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/divine-madness/) who hired him to be the lighting designer for her 1978 *Divine Madness* tour. He met and fell madly in love with an Australian named Camille while she was lounging by a hotel’s pool. The saucy Aussie turned down his offer to fetch her a Bloody Mary with a terse “F\_ \_ k off, mate.” Chip reminisced that when he saw “this brilliant piece of flesh lying on the pavement, a bell went off in my head” which turned into a marriage that lasted for 25 years. Today, Chip lives in Melbourne, Australia, where the upfront 87-year-old is not afraid to dish on ex-employers, including Joni Mitchell (“a cold bitch”) and Paul Anka, who he accused of “not even polite or courteous in any fashion because it’s me, me, me.” Edward Herbert Beresford Monck, who has been called the “Godfather of Rock and Roll Lighting,” was once called another nickname before he settled on Chip. In a 2019 interview with Event Elevator, Chip said, “Chip Monk has become a corporate name that was a defensive move. At the age of ten in prep school, the guys found out one of my names is Beresford. They changed that to ‘Breast Fed’, so I immediately had to become Chip Monk.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Lighting%20Designer%20Chip%20Monck%20Favorite%20Employer%20Is%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Lighting%20Designer%20Chip%20Monck%20Favorite%20Employer%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Lighting%20Designer%20Chip%20Monck%20Favorite%20Employer%20Is%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Lighting%20Designer%20Chip%20Monck%20Favorite%20Employer%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Lighting%20Designer%20Chip%20Monck%20Favorite%20Employer%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Divine Madness **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ChipMonck, #DivineMadness, #LightingDesigner --- ### [Photo From Bette Midler And Instagram](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/19/photo-from-bette-midler-and-instagram/) **Published:** June 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler as Vicki Eydie **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo From Bette Midler And Instagram By Bette Midler June 19, 2026 --- ![Black-and-white photo of a female singer in a sequined gown at a microphone on stage, with a pianist behind her at a piano.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-19_11-40-08.png "2026-06-19_11-40-08 - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZxLbE_RSuW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Bette Midler (@bettemidler)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZxLbE_RSuW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Instagram&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Instagram%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Instagram&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Instagram%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Instagram%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Instagram, Photos, Vickie Eydie **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Instagram, #photo, #VickieEydie --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Isn't She Great - Full Movie](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/19/video-bette-midler-isnt-she-great-full-movie/) **Published:** June 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Isn’t She Great (2000) is a biographical comedy?drama starring Bette Midler as bestselling author Jacqueline Susann **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Isn’t She Great – Full Movie By Mister D June 19, 2026 --- ![Promotional poster for a comedy: a woman and a man in bright pink fur outfits pose beside oversized pink text with a small gray poodle at their feet.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/maxresdefault-1024x576.jpg "Maxresdefault - bootleg betty")--- --- **Overview** [**Isn’t She Great**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isn%27t_She_Great) (2000) is a biographical comedy?drama starring [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/isnt-she-great/) as bestselling author Jacqueline Susann, presenting a fictionalized and highly stylized version of Susann’s life. The film was directed by Andrew Bergman with a screenplay by Paul Rudnick, based on Michael Korda’s 1995 New Yorker profile “Wasn’t She Great?” The movie follows Susann’s rise from struggling actress to the sensational author of Valley of the Dolls, her marriage to press agent Irving Mansfield (Nathan Lane), her relationship with her disabled son, and her battle with breast cancer. **Key Production Facts** Release date: January 28, 2000 Running time: 95 minutes Budget: $36 million Box office: $3 million (a major commercial failure) International co?production: U.S., U.K., Germany, Japan Not released in Japan despite co?production involvement **Principal Cast** Bette Midler — Jacqueline Susann Nathan Lane — Irving Mansfield Stockard Channing — Florence Maybelle David Hyde Pierce — Michael Hastings John Cleese — Henry Marcus Amanda Peet, John Larroquette, Christopher McDonald, Paul Benedict, Frank Vincent in supporting roles **Plot Snapshot** The film dramatizes Susann’s: relentless pursuit of fame marriage and professional partnership with Mansfield complicated relationship with her institutionalized autistic son meteoric success with Valley of the Dolls struggle with breast cancer leading to her death in 1974 **Trivia & Notable Details** The film is intentionally fictionalized, leaning into camp, exaggeration, and Rudnick’s comedic tone. Despite being an international co?production, Japan never released the film, an unusual outcome given Toho?Towa’s involvement. The film opened on 750 U.S. screens, but poor reviews and word?of?mouth led to a rapid box?office collapse. Bette Midler’s performance was singled out by critics — not for praise, but for Razzie attention. **Awards & Nominations** Golden Raspberry Awards (2001) Nominee — Worst Actress: Bette Midler Stinkers Bad Movie Awards (2000) Nominee — Worst Actress: Bette Midler No wins — only nominations, both for Midler’s performance. **Sources:** *Bootleg Betty, Wikipedia, IMDB Pro* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Isn%27t%20She%20Great%20-%20Full%20Movie&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Isn%27t%20She%20Great%20-%20Full%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Isn%27t%20She%20Great%20-%20Full%20Movie&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Isn%27t%20She%20Great%20-%20Full%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Isn%27t%20She%20Great%20-%20Full%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Isn't She Great, Movies, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #IsntSheGreat, #Movie, #NathanLane, #Video --- ### [Happy 50th Anniversary To Bette Midler's Live At Last Concert](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/19/happy-50th-anniversary-to-bette-midlers-live-at-last-concert/) **Published:** June 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette brought her full Depression Tour spectacle to Cleveland, where HBO cameras captured the only complete, professionally filmed show of the era. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Happy 50th Anniversary To Bette Midler’s Live At Last Concert By Mister D June 19, 2026 --- ![Cover of HBO On Air (June 1976) featuring a pink-toned circular portrait of Bette Midler with the title 'the Fabulous Bette Midler Show' and smaller performer illustrations around the edges.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/509356286_1169818291855903_7124826206035551073_n.jpg "509356286_1169818291855903_7124826206035551073_n - bootleg betty") --- **Cleveland Music Hall — June 19, 1976** **THE NIGHT:** [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-bette-midler-show/) brought her full Depression Tour spectacle to Cleveland, where HBO cameras captured the only complete, professionally filmed show of the era. This performance became the televised [**The Bette Midler Show**](https://archive.org/details/bette-midler-show) and the 1977 double?album Live at Last. **WHY IT MATTERED:** First national broadcast of her full concert act The definitive record of the Harlettes, the Vicki Eydie revue, and the Nanette sequence Cemented her transition from cult downtown diva to mainstream phenomenon **THE BROADCAST:** Premiered on HBO — June 19, 1976, with an encore on June 21. **TRIVIA:** Cleveland Music Hall was chosen for its acoustics and camera?friendly layout The show’s mix of bawdy comedy, torch songs, and girl?group melodrama became the template for her late?70s touring identity **Cleveland never recovered — but oh, did she give them something to remember.** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Happy%2050th%20Anniversary%20To%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Live%20At%20Last%20Concert&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Happy%2050th%20Anniversary%20To%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Live%20At%20Last%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Happy%2050th%20Anniversary%20To%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Live%20At%20Last%20Concert&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Happy%2050th%20Anniversary%20To%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Live%20At%20Last%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Happy%2050th%20Anniversary%20To%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Live%20At%20Last%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Anniversary, Bette Midler, concerts, Live At Last, The Bette Midler Show **Tags:** #Anniversary, #BetteMidler, #Concert, #History, #LiveATLast, #TheBetteMidlerShow --- ### [The Bette Midler Jukeboxes Have Been Restocked!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/18/the-bette-midler-jukeboxes-have-been-restocked/) **Published:** June 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** I have restocked the jukeboxes, and yes — the new tracks do slap harder than a backstage read at the Continental Baths. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Bette Midler Jukeboxes Have Been Restocked! By Mister D June 18, 2026 --- ![Female singer in a pink embroidered dress sits cross-legged on stage, microphone in hand, performing with a purple-lit backdrop.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/40fbb19680c2c03c32be75273d177e0f-1.jpg "40fbb19680c2c03c32be75273d177e0f - bootleg betty") --- **BREAKING:** I have restocked the jukeboxes, and yes — the new tracks do slap harder than a backstage read at the Continental Baths. Fresh audio. Rare gems. A little glitter. A little grit. And enough vocal glory to remind you why Bette Midler remains the patron saint of loud broads, lost recordings, and late-night obsessions. Go press play, sugar. [Click Here For Bette Midler Jukebox](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) [Click Here For Same Songs, Different Voices Jukebox](https://bootlegbetty.com/same-songsother-voices/) [Click Here For Bette Midler Karaoke Jukebox](https://bootlegbetty.com/karaoke-bette/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukeboxes%20Have%20Been%20Restocked%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukeboxes%20Have%20Been%20Restocked%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukeboxes%20Have%20Been%20Restocked%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukeboxes%20Have%20Been%20Restocked%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukeboxes%20Have%20Been%20Restocked%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bootleg Betty Jukebox, Karaoke Bette, Music, Same Songs, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #jukeboxes, #Karaoke, #Music, #Songs --- ### [Audio - Bette Midler - To Deserve You (Matt Moss Pride Remix)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/18/audio-bette-midler-to-deserve-you-matt-moss-pride-remix/) **Published:** June 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio - Bette Midler - To Deserve You (Matt Moss Pride Mix) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio – Bette Midler – To Deserve You (Matt Moss Pride Mix) By Mister D June 18, 2026 --- ![Black-and-white photo of a female lead singer at center stage with a microphone, backed by four backup singers and a guitarist in the background, performing live.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/15d096fdb8ac5dc8f41dbfef95420e27.jpg "15d096fdb8ac5dc8f41dbfef95420e27 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Matt%20Moss%20Pride%20Remix%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Matt%20Moss%20Pride%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Matt%20Moss%20Pride%20Remix%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Matt%20Moss%20Pride%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Matt%20Moss%20Pride%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Dance, Pride, Remix, Songs **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #Dance, #MattMoss, #Music, #Remix, #Song, #ToDeserveYou --- ### [Video - Bette Midler Speaks at MillionTreesNYC Ceremony (2015)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/17/bette-midler-speaks-at-milliontreesnyc-ceremony-2015/) **Published:** June 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** On November 20, 2015, a public ceremony was held at Joyce Kilmer Park in the Bronx to celebrate the success of MillionTreesNYC. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler’s remarks at the MillionTreesNYC ceremony, on November 20, 2015 By Mister D June 9, 2026 --- ![Woman wearing blue denim overalls and a black shirt, smiling and waving outdoors among trees and greenery.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/9415b27f4fab17a5fa6c57a31dfcef68.jpg "9415b27f4fab17a5fa6c57a31dfcef68 - bootleg betty") --- --- On November 20, 2015, a public ceremony was held at Joyce Kilmer Park in the Bronx to celebrate the success of [**MillionTreesNYC**](https://www.nycgovparks.org/trees/milliontreesnyc). The initiative, launched in 2007 by then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York Restoration Project (founded by [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/nyrp/)), had surpassed its goal of planting one million trees two years ahead of schedule. The event marked the planting of tree No. 1,017,634—an American basswood sapling—following the official millionth tree planted earlier that October. Notable attendees included Mayor Bill de Blasio, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Bette Midler, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, and local officials. The ceremony featured speeches, community participation with schoolchildren, and a rare joint appearance by de Blasio and Bloomberg. That evening, the Empire State Building was lit in forest green to honor the milestone. The program significantly greened the city, with the Bronx receiving over 276,000 trees. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Speaks%20at%20MillionTreesNYC%20Ceremony%20%282015%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Speaks%20at%20MillionTreesNYC%20Ceremony%20%282015%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Speaks%20at%20MillionTreesNYC%20Ceremony%20%282015%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Speaks%20at%20MillionTreesNYC%20Ceremony%20%282015%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Speaks%20at%20MillionTreesNYC%20Ceremony%20%282015%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, MillionTtreesNYC, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #MichaelBloomberg, #MillionTreesNYC, #NYRP, #Trees --- ### [Bette Midler Photos & An Article From Rise Up, Sing Out!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/17/bette-midler-photos-an-article-from-rise-up-sing-out/) **Published:** June 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** On Sunday, June 14, the Committee for the First Amendment hosted “Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment,” **Content:** --- ## Broadway World RISE UP, SING OUT: A CONCERT FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT By Josh Sharpe June 16, 2026 --- ![Stage performance with a? audience; singers at microphones, vibrant flag backdrop on screen, and protest signs around the sides.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/tn-500_2281732471-1024x732.jpg "Tn-500_2281732471 - bootleg betty")--- On Sunday, June 14, the Committee for the First Amendment hosted “Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment,” a 90-minute live event of song, solidarity, and action that served as a celebration of freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment at The Town Hall in New York City. Take a look at photos of the event, alongside the full concert on C-Span. The all-star lineup included performances and appearances by Rev. Adriene Thorne, Alex Joseph Grayson, Ayo Edebiri, Bette Midler, Broadway Inspirational Voices, Dr. Hussein Rashid, Jane Fonda, Jenn Colella, Joy Reid, Julia Roberts, Kayla Davion, LaTosha Brown, Lily Gladstone, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Patti Smith, The Peace Poets, Peppermint, Rachel Accurso (Ms. Rachel), Rabbi Rachel Timoner, Robert De Niro, Rude Mechanical Orchestra, Rufus Wainwright, Sam Helmick, Sasha Allen, Singing Resistance, Tessa Thompson, and Wilson Cruz. ![Older woman in a red top sings into a microphone on stage, with a drummer and purple-pink backdrop behind her.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/tn-500_2281732474-1024x683.jpg "Tn-500_2281732474 - bootleg betty")As authoritarians in government attack fundamental rights, “Rise Up, Sing Out,” offered an opportunity for people across the country to mobilize and use music and joy as the ultimate tools of resistance. Songs from the concert included powerful performances from Patti Smith singing “People Have the Power,” Bette Midler singing “All You Fascists Bound to Lose,” Rufus Wainwright singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” and Sasha Allen singing “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Opening the show, Jane Fonda, who relaunched the Committee for the First Amendment in October 2025, said, “In the face of what’s happening, we need our industry to be unified, activated, and unwilling to engage in anticipatory obedience. We will stand together in defense of our right to free expression. They come for one of us, they come for all of us.” ![Bette Midler performing on stage with a large screen behind listing performers, including Elaine Caswell and Sophie von Haselberg, in blue and pink.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/tn-500_2281732478-683x1024.jpg "Tn-500_2281732478 - bootleg betty") “Rise Up, Sing Out,” and the Committee for the First Amendment partnered with Indivisible, The No Kings Coalition and more to host the nationwide day of action on June 14, featuring local watch parties across the country. Nearly one million people joined from across the country via various livestreams to celebrate our First Amendment rights and unite against tyranny. From breweries and cafes to comedy clubs and churches, there were over 1,500 total watch parties across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Additional partners included the American Librarian Association, People for the American Way, and MeidasTouch. All proceeds from the event support the work of the Committee for the First Amendment. The evening was directed by Schele Williams, music directed by Mary Mitchell Campbell, written by Bess Kalb and featured lighting design by Jamie Roderick, sound design by Cody Spencer, projection design by Daniel Brodie & Daniel Vatsky and production design by Samantha Shoffner. Linda Marvel served as production stage manager. The show was produced by Bruce Cohen and rigor + ruckus (Robb Nanus, Heather Shields & Rachel Sussman). ![Two-panel image of an older woman with light blue hair singing into a microphone on a stage, wearing a red short-sleeve top and a dark blue skirt under purple lighting.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-16_08-48-48.png "2026-06-16_08-48-48 - bootleg betty") --- ![Older woman on stage wearing a red top and blue skirt, singing into a microphone with her right hand near her ear.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-16_09-03-15.png "2026-06-16_09-03-15 - bootleg betty") --- ![Older woman sings into a microphone on a dimly lit stage with pink-purple lighting behind her](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-16_09-07-59.png "2026-06-16_09-07-59 - bootleg betty") **Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Photos%20%26%20An%20Article%20From%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Photos%20%26%20An%20Article%20From%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Photos%20%26%20An%20Article%20From%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Photos%20%26%20An%20Article%20From%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Photos%20%26%20An%20Article%20From%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Articles/Essays, Bette Midler, Concert For The First Amendment, Photos **Tags:** #Article, #BetteMidler, #Concert, #Photos, #RiseUpSingOut --- ### [BonBon Video - Bette Midler - Come Again? - Soph Joke](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/17/bonbon-video-bette-midler-come-again-soph-joke/) **Published:** June 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BonBon Video - Bette Midler - Come Again? - Soph Joke **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon BonBon Video – Bette Midler – Come Again? – Soph Joke By Boodles BonBon June 17, 2026 --- ![Female singer with curly blonde hair holding a microphone on stage; on-screen caption reads 'you're never around! >> [music]'. Social handle @boodles_bonbon visible.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-17_11-48-24.png "2026-06-17_11-48-24 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Come%20Again%3F%20-%20Soph%20Joke&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Come%20Again%3F%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Come%20Again%3F%20-%20Soph%20Joke&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Come%20Again%3F%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Come%20Again%3F%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Soph Jokes, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Joke, #SophJoke, #Video --- ### [Rise Up, Sing Out Bette Midler Photo Gallery](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/16/rise-up-sing-out-bette-midler-photo-gallery/) **Published:** June 16, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** JUNE 14: Bette Midler performs onstage during Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14, 2026 in New York City. **Content:** --- ![JUNE 14: Bette Midler performs onstage during Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14, 2026 in New York City. ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2026-06-15_13-32-55.png?bwg=1781621129 "JUNE 14: Bette Midler performs onstage during Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14, 2026 in New York City. ") JUNE 14: Bette Midler performs onstage during Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14, 2026 in New York City. [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D25%26image_id%3D502%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D25%26image_id%3D502%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Twitter") ![2026-06-16 09-07-59](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2026-06-16_09-07-59.png?bwg=1781621129 "2026-06-16 09-07-59") 2026-06-16 09-07-59 [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D25%26image_id%3D503%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D25%26image_id%3D503%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Twitter") ![JUNE 14: Bette Midler performs onstage during Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14, 2026 in New York City. ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2026-06-16_09-03-15.png?bwg=1781621129 "JUNE 14: Bette Midler performs onstage during Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14, 2026 in New York City. ") JUNE 14: Bette Midler performs onstage during Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14, 2026 in New York City. [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D25%26image_id%3D504%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D25%26image_id%3D504%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Twitter") ![JUNE 14: Bette Midler performs onstage during Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14, 2026 in New York City. ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2026-06-16_08-48-48.png?bwg=1781621129 "JUNE 14: Bette Midler performs onstage during Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14, 2026 in New York City. ") JUNE 14: Bette Midler performs onstage during Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14, 2026 in New York City. [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D25%26image_id%3D505%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D25%26image_id%3D505%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Twitter") ![JUNE 14: Bette Midler performs onstage during Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14, 2026 in New York City. ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2026-06-15_12-45-02.png?bwg=1781621129 "JUNE 14: Bette Midler performs onstage during Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14, 2026 in New York City. ") JUNE 14: Bette Midler performs onstage during Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14, 2026 in New York City. [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D25%26image_id%3D506%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D25%26image_id%3D506%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Twitter") « ‹ of 3 [›](/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125&page_number_0=2 "Go to the next page") [»](/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125&page_number_0=3 "Go to the last page") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Bette%20Midler%20Photo%20Gallery&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Bette%20Midler%20Photo%20Gallery%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Bette%20Midler%20Photo%20Gallery&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Bette%20Midler%20Photo%20Gallery%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Bette%20Midler%20Photo%20Gallery%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Concert For The First Amendment, concerts, Photo Gallery, Politics, Protests **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #PhotoGallery, #Politics, #Protests, #RiseUpSingOut --- ### [Bette Midler Escalates Feud with Trump After Fans Boo Him](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/16/bette-midler-escalates-feud-with-trump-after-fans-boo-him/) **Published:** June 16, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** One of Trump’s most persistent celebrity critics has been actress, singer, and comedian Bette Midler. **Content:** --- ## Atlanta Black Star ‘My Hero’: Bette Midler Escalates Her Feud with Trump After Fans Boo Him to His Face — Then Issues a Challenge for the Next Time He Nods Off in Public By Nicole Duncan-Smith June 16, 2026 --- ![Older woman singing on a stage into a microphone, wearing a red top and gray skirt, with drums and blue lighting in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-15_13-32-55.png "2026-06-15_13-32-55 - bootleg betty") --- Long before [**Donald Trump**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump) became one of the most polarizing figures in American politics, he was a familiar face among celebrities, socialites, athletes, and entertainment power players. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Trump regularly attended high-profile galas, charity events, sporting contests, and Manhattan nightlife gatherings. He posed for photos with some of the biggest stars of the era and moved comfortably through elite celebrity circles. That history makes criticism from certain entertainers especially fascinating. Many of them are not commenting on Trump from a distance. They knew him, socialized with him, and watched his public rise firsthand. One of Trump’s most persistent celebrity critics has been actress, singer, and comedian [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/politics/). For years Midler has used social media, interviews, and television appearances to blast Trump’s MAGA and often bigoted rhetoric, policies, and leadership. Sometimes she doesn’t have to say anything. Her latest diss came after Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on Monday. Trump made history as the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game. But his appearance also generated controversy. According to reports, some ticketholders waited for hours in security lines that stretched more than two blocks because of the enhanced security surrounding the president’s visit. While Trump received applause from some fans, videos circulating online also captured audible boos inside the arena. The Knicks ultimately lost 115-111, narrowing their series lead to 2-1. Midler couldn’t resist weighing in. The 80-year-old reposted a meme that read, “Booing the president of our country during the national anthem is not appropriate. We should be booing him during other songs too.” She added, “And like, during press conferences. And when he’s sleeping. Or golfing. Just like all the time, really.” Many people weighed in on Threads. “I was so friggin proud on NYC,” one quipped. Another wrote, “Apparently he cannot decipher between boos and shouts of encouragement- we need to be voicing in unison ‘8647’ – maybe he would understand that.” “You almost had me there, but I like where this went,” one wrote. “Hahahaha! First, I was getting mad, and then I could not stop laughing! Even my dog started laughing!” joked another supporter. “I’ve been a fan of yours since the 70’s. So good to know you have not altered your irreverence!” one wrote. Someone else said, “Did you ever know that you’re my hero? (okay I’ll see myself out).” The NBA Finals joke was only the latest chapter in Midler’s years-long public feud with Trump. Following Trump’s victory over former Vice President Kamala Harris, Midler was so upset that she spazzed out online and then deactivated her X account. Before leaving the platform, she shared a lengthy quote from early 20th-century columnist H.L. Mencken criticizing voters and politicians. “When a candidate for public office faces the voters he does not face men of sense; he faces a mob of men whose chief distinguishing mark is the fact that they are quite incapable of weighing ideas, or even of comprehending any save the most elemental — men whose whole thinking is done in terms of emotion, and whose dominant emotion is dread of what they cannot understand,” she quoted. The post generated backlash from Trump supporters, many of whom objected to the suggestion that voters were incapable of weighing ideas for themselves. In 2025, Midler took her criticism directly to late-night television. Appearing on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” she used a parody version of her classic song “Wind Beneath My Wings” to praise the comedian while taking shots at Trump. The appearance came after CBS announced Colbert’s show would end in 2026 despite strong ratings. The cancellation sparked speculation online because it followed Trump’s settlement of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit involving the network. During the appearance, Midler emotionally told Colbert, “I want to beg you, don’t go.” She continued, “I would not have made it through without you. I really wouldn’t have. You’re a voice of sanity and reason and honesty and most important, honor.” She later performed a humorous parody that included the lyric, “you never kissed the orange a\*\*.” Trump eventually responded on Truth Social, writing, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings.” Whether she’s posting memes, parodying songs, or sharing political commentary, Midler has remained one of Trump’s most vocal celebrity adversaries. Their public clashes also highlight a larger cultural shift. Decades ago, Trump and many entertainers occupied the same celebrity ecosystem. Some of those same figures have become his loudest critics today. The old photographs may show smiles and handshakes. The modern headlines tell a very different story. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Escalates%20Feud%20with%20Trump%20After%20Fans%20Boo%20Him&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Escalates%20Feud%20with%20Trump%20After%20Fans%20Boo%20Him%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Escalates%20Feud%20with%20Trump%20After%20Fans%20Boo%20Him&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Escalates%20Feud%20with%20Trump%20After%20Fans%20Boo%20Him%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Escalates%20Feud%20with%20Trump%20After%20Fans%20Boo%20Him%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Celebrity Feuds, Politics, Protests **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DonaldTrump, #Feud, #Politics, #Protests --- ### [BonBon Video - Bette Midler Singing 'My One True Friend' - UK Lottery Performance](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/16/bonbon-video-bette-midler-singing-my-one-true-friend-uk-lottery-performance/) **Published:** June 16, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BonBon Video - Bette Midler Singing My One True Friend - UK Lottery Performance **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty BonBon Video – Bette Midler Singing My One True Friend – UK Lottery Performance By Boodles BonBon June 16, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler performing 'My One True Friend' on a stage with blue lights for a UK Lottery promo.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-16_02-40-32.png "2026-06-16_02-40-32 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20%27My%20One%20True%20Friend%27%20-%20UK%20Lottery%20Performance&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20%27My%20One%20True%20Friend%27%20-%20UK%20Lottery%20Performance%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20%27My%20One%20True%20Friend%27%20-%20UK%20Lottery%20Performance&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20%27My%20One%20True%20Friend%27%20-%20UK%20Lottery%20Performance%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20%27My%20One%20True%20Friend%27%20-%20UK%20Lottery%20Performance%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #MyOneTrueFriend, #UKLotteryPerformance, #Video --- ### [Video: If Winifred Sanderson Were Dressed By Top Designers](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/15/video-if-winifred-sanderson-was-dressed-by-top-designers/) **Published:** June 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: If Winifred Sanderson Were Dressed By Top Designers **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty [Video: If Winifred Sanderson Were Dressed By Top Designer]()s By Mister D June 15, 2026 --- ![Loewe fashion ad featuring an elegant older woman in a green cape and dress, holding a matching green bag, in front of a spooky house backdrop.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-15_13-47-42.png "2026-06-15_13-47-42 - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZnG5XXtxPx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Baptiste Crea | AI Art & Vidéo Pop Culture (@creaition99\_baptiste)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZnG5XXtxPx/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20If%20Winifred%20Sanderson%20Were%20Dressed%20By%20Top%20Designers&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20If%20Winifred%20Sanderson%20Were%20Dressed%20By%20Top%20Designers%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20If%20Winifred%20Sanderson%20Were%20Dressed%20By%20Top%20Designers&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20If%20Winifred%20Sanderson%20Were%20Dressed%20By%20Top%20Designers%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20If%20Winifred%20Sanderson%20Were%20Dressed%20By%20Top%20Designers%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2, Hocus Pocus 3 **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Designers, #Dressed, #HocusPocus, #WinifredSanderson --- ### [Video: Bette Midler & Sophie Arrive At Concert](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/15/video-bette-midler-sophie-arrive-at-concert/) **Published:** June 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler & Sophie Arrive At Concert **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler & Sophie Arrive At Concert By Mister D June 15, 2026 --- ![Two female singers at microphones performing onstage under blue and purple lights on a concert stage.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-15_12-45-02.png "2026-06-15_12-45-02 - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZlvIgEOBXv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by NYC-based celebrity & events creator ?? (@girlfromjerseycity)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZlvIgEOBXv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sophie%20Arrive%20At%20Concert&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sophie%20Arrive%20At%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sophie%20Arrive%20At%20Concert&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sophie%20Arrive%20At%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sophie%20Arrive%20At%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Concert For The First Amendment, concerts, Sophie, Sophie von Haselberg **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #Sophie, #Video #Arrive --- ### [More Photos From Rise Up, Sing Out (Thanks, Tony)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/15/more-photos-from-rise-up-sing-out-thanks-tony/) **Published:** June 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** More Photos From Rise Up, Sing Out (Thanks, Tony) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty More Photos From Rise Up, Sing Out (Thanks, Tony) By Mister D June 15, 2026 --- ![Older woman in a red outfit singing into a microphone on a stage with a large patriotic flag backdrop behind her.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/725059129_3154747608046691_3303145239842860794_n-1-576x1024.jpg "725059129_3154747608046691_3303145239842860794_n - bootleg betty") --- ![Older woman in a red shirt sings into a microphone on stage, with her index finger raised.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/720038824_1039211221768463_8067380033308722259_n-1-576x1024.jpg "720038824_1039211221768463_8067380033308722259_n - bootleg betty") --- ![Woman singing into a microphone on stage, wearing a red top and gray pants, with colorful stage lights and a patriotic backdrop behind her](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/720416499_1029424129558336_567502885692189002_n-576x1024.jpg "720416499_1029424129558336_567502885692189002_n - bootleg betty") --- ![Older woman in a red top sings into a microphone on a dimly lit stage, with a patriotic backdrop of stars and stripes behind her.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/722146986_1530711145380358_9087259701028971961_n-576x1024.jpg "722146986_1530711145380358_9087259701028971961_n - bootleg betty") --- ![Older woman on stage wearing a red top, arms raised above her head, speaking or singing into a microphone with a colorful wavy backdrop behind her.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/723186760_1029909086070686_2773708819307265346_n-576x1024.jpg "723186760_1029909086070686_2773708819307265346_n - bootleg betty") --- ![Senior woman with blonde hair, wearing a red short-sleeve top and light blue skirt, singing into a microphone on a dimly lit stage.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-14_20-12-43-1.png "2026-06-14_20-12-43 - bootleg betty") --- ![Woman with pink hair in a red shirt singing into a microphone on a stage, drums visible in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-14_21-28-06-1.png "2026-06-14_21-28-06 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=More%20Photos%20From%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20%28Thanks%2C%20Tony%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=More%20Photos%20From%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20%28Thanks%2C%20Tony%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=More%20Photos%20From%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20%28Thanks%2C%20Tony%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=More%20Photos%20From%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20%28Thanks%2C%20Tony%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=More%20Photos%20From%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20%28Thanks%2C%20Tony%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Concert For The First Amendment, concerts, Photos, Politics, Protests **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Music, #Photos, #Protests, #RiseUpSingOut, Politics --- ### [Watch The Full 'Rise Up, Sing Out' Concert Here!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/14/watch-the-full-rise-up-sing-out-concert-here/) **Published:** June 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** She sang "All You Fascists Bound to Lose" (a Woody Guthrie-inspired protest song), with her daughter Sophie von Haselberg contributing as a background vocalist **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Watch The Full ‘Rise Up, Sing Out’ Concert Here! By CSpan June 14, 2026 --- ![Woman in a red top singing into a microphone on a stage; subtitle reads, "YOU'VE JUST GOT TO SING OUT."](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-14_21-28-06.png "2026-06-14_21-28-06 - bootleg betty") --- --- [“Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment”](https://www.thetownhall.org/event/rise-up-sing-out-a-concert-for-the-first-amendment) was a 90-minute benefit event held on Sunday, June 14, 2026 (Flag Day), at The Town Hall in New York City. It was organized by the Committee for the First Amendment (led by Jane Fonda) as an evening of music, speeches, solidarity, and activism celebrating freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and protest. The concert was livestreamed for free (with watch parties across the country), and portions or the full event were covered by outlets like C-SPAN. It served in part as counter-programming to other major events that day, emphasizing resistance to perceived threats against democratic rights. All proceeds supported the Committee’s work. **Key Performers and Participants** The starry lineup included: Jane Fonda (host/organizer, appearances/speeches) [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/politics/) Patti Smith – People Have The Power Rufus Wainwright – Over The Rainbow Sasha Allen – A Change Is Gonna Come Joy Reid Appearances by Julia Roberts, Lily Gladstone, Wilson Cruz, Peppermint, Broadway Inspirational Voices, and others (with more added in waves). It blended performances, spoken-word elements, and calls to action in a rousing, defiant format. **Bette Midler’s Involvement** Bette Midler was one of the standout musical performers. She sang “All You Fascists Bound to Lose” (a Woody Guthrie-inspired protest song), with her daughter Sophie von Haselberg contributing as a background vocalist. This energetic, politically charged number fit the concert’s theme of pushing back against authoritarianism and defending free speech. Midler, a longtime activist and performer known for her powerful voice and stage presence, brought star power and emotional weight to the lineup alongside icons like Patti Smith. Reviews and social media clips from the night noted her performance as a highlight, aligning with the event’s mix of music and messaging. Overall, the concert was framed as a celebratory yet urgent defense of constitutional rights through art and community. It drew significant pre-event buzz from celebrities (e.g., Mark Ruffalo promoting it) and was positioned as a cultural pushback in a polarized time. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Watch%20The%20Full%20%27Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%27%20Concert%20Here%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Watch%20The%20Full%20%27Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%27%20Concert%20Here%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Watch%20The%20Full%20%27Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%27%20Concert%20Here%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Watch%20The%20Full%20%27Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%27%20Concert%20Here%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Watch%20The%20Full%20%27Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%27%20Concert%20Here%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Concert For The First Amendment, concerts, Politics, Sophie von Haselberg **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #Politics, #Protests, #RiseUpSingOut, #SophieVonHaselberg --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Performs At Rise Up, Sing Out Concert](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/14/bette-midler-performs-at-rise-up-sing-out-concert/) **Published:** June 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette sang All You Fascists Bound To Lose with her daughter, Sophie von Haselberg as one of the background vocalists! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Performs At Rise Up, Sing Out Concert By Mister D June 14, 2026 --- ![Older woman singing into a microphone on a dim stage, wearing a red top and light blue pants with a chunky necklace.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-14_20-12-43.png "2026-06-14_20-12-43 - bootleg betty") --- **Mister D:** *Bette sang All You Fascists Bound To Lose with her daughter, Sophie von Haselberg as one of the background vocalists!* --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZllvA5vP4S/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by ExtraTV (@extratv)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZllvA5vP4S/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Concert&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Concert&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Politics, Protests, Sophie von Haselberg, Video **Tags:** #AllYouFascistsBoundToLose, #BetteMidler, #RiseUpSingOut, #SophieVonHaselberg --- ### [BonBon Video Short: Bette Midler Dance Break](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/14/bonbon-video-short-bette-midler-dance-break/) **Published:** June 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BonBon Video Short: Bette Midler Dance Break **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty BonBon Video Short: Bette Midler Dance Break By Boodles BonBon June 14, 2026 --- ![Female singer on stage, wearing a black sequined dress with yellow flower embroidery, holding a microphone and singing.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/02cffc7cef05c61d49233599a4276c76-845x1024.jpg "02cffc7cef05c61d49233599a4276c76 - bootleg betty") --- **Bette Midler With Harlettes Charlo Crossley & Jenifer Lewis** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Dance%20Break&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Dance%20Break%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Dance%20Break&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Dance%20Break%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Dance%20Break%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Dance, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Dance, #DanceBreak, #JohnnyCarson, #Video, #VideoShort --- ### [Video - Bette Midler -Then She Found Me - Full Movie](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/14/video-bette-midler-then-she-found-me-full-movie/) **Published:** June 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The film centers on April Epner (Helen Hunt), a 39-year-old Brooklyn elementary school teacher who is deeply religious and desperate to have a child. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler -Then She Found Me – Full Movie By Mister D June 14, 2026 --- ![Poster for the film Then She Found Me: a kneeling blonde woman faces a standing brunette near a park bench, with a sunlit city skyline in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/489304866_1112047984299601_5120053766137154577_n.jpg "489304866_1112047984299601_5120053766137154577_n - bootleg betty") --- --- [Then She Found Me ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/then-she-found-me/)is a 2007 American comedy-drama film marking Helen Hunt’s feature directorial debut. She also co-wrote the screenplay (with Alice Arlen and Victor Levin), produced, and starred in it. The story is very loosely based on Elinor Lipman’s 1990 novel of the same name. **Plot Overview** The film centers on April Epner (Helen Hunt), a 39-year-old Brooklyn elementary school teacher who is deeply religious and desperate to have a child. Her life unravels rapidly: her immature husband Ben (Matthew Broderick) abruptly leaves her after just 10 months of marriage, her adoptive mother Trudy dies the next day, and she is then contacted by her flamboyant biological mother, Bernice Graves (Bette Midler), a local talk-show host who claims April’s father was Steve McQueen. Amid this chaos, April begins a tentative romance with Frank (Colin Firth), the divorced father of one of her students. Complications mount when April discovers she’s pregnant from a final encounter with Ben. The story explores themes of family, betrayal, forgiveness, fertility struggles, adoption, and faith, blending heartfelt drama with lighter comedic moments (often driven by Midler’s character). It runs about 100 minutes and was shot on location in Brooklyn and Manhattan. **Cast** Helen Hunt as April Epner [**Bette Midler**](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/then_she_found_me) as Bernice Graves Colin Firth as Frank Matthew Broderick as Ben Green Supporting roles include Ben Shenkman, Lynn Cohen, and cameos by Janeane Garofalo, Tim Robbins, and author Salman Rushdie. **Reception and Box Office** It premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival and received a limited U.S. release in April 2008. Critics gave it mixed reviews (50% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56/100 on Metacritic), praising the strong performances—especially Hunt’s grounded lead and Midler’s energy—but criticizing the plot as somewhat threadbare or soap-opera-like. It grossed around $8.4 million worldwide. **Awards and Nominations** Helen Hunt won the Audience Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Rogue Award at the Ashland Independent Film Festival. Bette Midler received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 2009 AARP Movies for Grownups Awards. The film earned some festival recognition but no major mainstream awards like Oscars or Golden Globes. **Trivia and Production Notes** Hunt spent about 10 years trying to bring the project to life. She initially shopped the novel to studios without success, then wrote the screenplay herself and produced it independently. Key cast members, including Broderick (a longtime friend), Midler, and Firth, agreed to work for scale/minimum pay due to their belief in Hunt’s passion for the project. Hunt initially didn’t plan to star but took the role to ease her directing workload. Hunt incorporated personal elements: she added the fertility storyline because she was trying to get pregnant at the time. Filming took place in Brooklyn (including Gerritsen Beach) and at Steiner Studios. The soundtrack features artists like Shawn Colvin, Iron & Wine, and Bonnie Raitt. **Sources:** *BootlegBetty.com, Wikipedia, Grokipedia* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-Then%20She%20Found%20Me%20-%20Full%20Movie&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-Then%20She%20Found%20Me%20-%20Full%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-Then%20She%20Found%20Me%20-%20Full%20Movie&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-Then%20She%20Found%20Me%20-%20Full%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-Then%20She%20Found%20Me%20-%20Full%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Then She Found Me, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #FullMovie, #ThenSheFoundMe, #Video --- ### [New Photo Of Bette Midler, Sheryl Lee Ralph, And Friend](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/13/new-photo-of-bette-midler-sheryl-lee-ralph-and-friend/) **Published:** June 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** New Photo Of Bette Midler, Sheryl Lee Ralph, And Friend **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty New Photo Of Bette Midler, Sheryl Lee Ralph, And Friend By Mister D June 13, 2026 --- ![Three friends take a selfie at a table, smiling toward the camera, with a bottle and a phone on the table in front of them against a perforated wall with warm lights.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-13_18-19-46.png "2026-06-13_18-19-46 - bootleg betty") BetteMidler having #brunch with #JonTeJaurel and #SherylLeeRalph June 13, 2026 --- ![Two people smiling at the camera in a selfie: a man on the left and a woman on the right, with a perforated metal backdrop behind them.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-13_18-29-42.png "2026-06-13_18-29-42 - bootleg betty") [\#BetteMidler](https://bsky.app/hashtag/BetteMidler) having [\#brunch](https://bsky.app/hashtag/brunch) with [\#JonTeJaurel](https://bsky.app/hashtag/JonTeJaurel) and [\#SherylLeeRalph](https://bsky.app/hashtag/SherylLeeRalph) June 13, 2026 --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=New%20Photo%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%2C%20And%20Friend&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=New%20Photo%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%2C%20And%20Friend%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=New%20Photo%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%2C%20And%20Friend&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=New%20Photo%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%2C%20And%20Friend%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=New%20Photo%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%2C%20And%20Friend%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Brunch, #Friend, #photo, #sherylLeeRalph --- ### [Bette Midler - From Bathhouses To The Tonight Show](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/13/bette-midler-from-bathhouses-to-the-tonight-show/) **Published:** June 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Back in 1970 though, it was a quietly subversive move for Carson to book Midler, who was becoming a rising star in New York by performing regularly in a gay bathhouse. **Content:** --- ## A V Club With The Divine Miss M, Bette Midler went from bathhouses to The Tonight Show By Noel Murray April 28, 2015 --- ![Smiling woman in a patterned dress sitting against a striped wooden wall.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/0a98ea520f4ad36ca9f6725281503c45-768x1024.jpg "0a98ea520f4ad36ca9f6725281503c45 - bootleg betty")--- On May 21, 1992, NBC aired the penultimate episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, which included one of the most memorable images in the show’s history: [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/03/24/the-best-of-bette-midler/), softly speak-singing the Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer favorite “One For My Baby (And One More For The Road),” while the camera catches an enraptured Carson watching from his desk. Carson and Midler had history. She was a frequent guest over the previous 20 years, since first appearing on the New York City incarnation of the Carson Tonight Show in the early ’70s. She was even briefly the opener for Carson’s Las Vegas stand-up act. That night in 1992, they looked like old friends and even older showbiz pros—representatives of a fading era. Back in 1970 though, it was a quietly subversive move for Carson to book Midler, who was becoming a rising star in New York by performing regularly in a gay bathhouse. In Stephen Sondheim’s song “I’m Still Here,” an aging star sings, “First you’re another sloe-eyed vamp / Then someone’s mother, then you’re camp.” Bette Midler took that trip in reverse. She moved to New York City from her home state of Hawaii in 1965, and spent her early 20s trying to make a go of it as a Broadway baby before she landed at Continental Baths in 1970. Performing alongside whiz-kid pianist, arranger, and songwriter Barry Manilow, Midler quickly became a sensation in New York’s gay community, which responded to her bawdy humor and her big voice. While audiences around the country were getting a proxy version of ’30s Berlin decadence in the musical Cabaret, gay New Yorkers were living the real thing at Continental, complete with libertine sex and their own personal Sally Bowles. Not long after Carson legitimized Midler by putting her on TV, she began to round off some of her edges. She kept the smutty jokes, the colorful costumes, and the mix of contemporary pop and old standards, but the context started to change. As the larger culture got nostalgia-happy—in the era of Grease, Sha Na Na, Happy Days, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and The Manhattan Transfer—Midler emerged as savvier and classier than her competition. She played the showbiz historian, who could talk about her act in relation to vaudeville legends like Sophie Tucker and The Andrews Sisters. Continental Baths possessed an element of avant-garde theater when Midler and her backup singers The Harlettes (choreographed by Toni Basil) sang “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” But flattened out for television, Midler’s shtick came off as more straight-faced: good-time music for a generation that felt alienated by rock ’n’ roll. All of which makes Midler’s 1972 debut album The Divine Miss M a fascinating artifact. The record gives a little taste of what the [**Continental** ](https://splice.com/blog/continental-baths/)show was like, via the jokey asides and the clamor of voices in the side-two opener “Friends” (a Midler staple), and in the tongue-in-cheek covers of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Leader Of The Pack.” But beyond her wit and brassiness, Midler was beloved because she could sing the hell out of just about anything. By the end of the ’70s, she had recorded covers of songs by the likes of Bob Dylan (“I Shall Be Released,” “Buckets Of Rain”), Tom Waits (“I Never Talk To Strangers,” “Shiver Me Timbers”), and Neil Young (“Birds”). She had also played a fictional version of Janis Joplin in the movie The Rose, in which she sang Bob Seger’s “Fire Down Below” and Sammy Hagar’s “Keep On Rockin’.” On The Divine Miss M, she makes John Prine’s tearjerking ballad “Hello In There” sound like a ’70s update of a Depression-era standard, and she gave Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett’s AM Gold classic “Superstar” a cinematic treatment to rival Bruce Springsteen’s “Jungleland.” Atlantic Records didn’t sign Midler to make a cult record. They gave her the resources to churn out an eclectic, well-rounded ’70s pop album, with broad, cross-cultural appeal. It could be argued that The Divine Miss M arrived too late, and missed the edgy performance artist that Midler once was. In Ed McCormack’s 1972 Rolling Stone cover story “The Gold Lamé Dream Of Bette Midler,” Atlantic president Ahmet Ertegün is quoted as saying that the label considered recording Midler’s Continental act, but that the star balked. (“She didn’t want to be known only as ‘That girl who sings at the Turkish baths.’”) So instead they produced an LP that stays connected to Midler’s roots while creating the template for the safer albums to come. The Divine Miss M was a critical success, to a degree that some of its early champions later seemed to regret, after Midler became more popular and less weird. Under the first Rolling Stone Record Guide’s four-star Divine Miss M review, editor Dave Marsh writes, “As a Seventies answer to Barbra Streisand, she was perfect,” and adds, “This is the album that created nostalgia as we currently know it.” Of her later records, Marsh says, “Bette wilted in the spotlight, and little that she has come up with since is sufficient to explain her rabid cult.” In Robert Christgau’s A- review of The Divine Miss M, he talks up her live act, saying, “People who’ve seen her like this record more than people who haven’t, which isn’t good. But as someone who’s been entranced by her show many times I’m grateful for a production that suggests its nutty quality without distracting from her voice, a rich instrument of surprising precision, simultaneously delicate and vulgar.” Yet in his reviews of the subsequent work, Christgau takes shots at her following (“This record is perilously close to the ostrich nostalgia of her dumbest fans.”), her choice of covers (“Is the redemption of Billy Joel fit work for a culture heroine?”), and her aesthetic (“What makes it not good enough is the curse of Broadway rock and roll—the beat is conceived as decoration or signal rather than the meaning of life, or even music.”). How Midler went from transcending schmaltz to embodying it—at least in some critics’ eyes—may have a lot to do with the perception of her original intentions, and with the intelligentsia’s level of comfort with razzmatazz. When it looked like Midler and Manilow were conspiring on a send-up of a Liza Minnelli/Barbra Streisand-style revue, hip critics were delighted. But when Midler was starring in her own Liza With A ‘Z’/My Name Is Barbra-like TV specials, some wondered if they’d been suckered. (It didn’t help that Manilow’s subsequent career represented for many ’70s critics the nadir of what Stephen Holden in The Rolling Stone Record Guide would call “flavorless housewife hits.”) Frankly, the major rock writers of the ’70s didn’t always acquit themselves well when they dealt with music that was gay-friendly—not when they were routinely tossing around adjectives like “fey” and “fruity” to describe music they found insufficiently rollicking. The political and social progressiveness of rock criticism’s first wave sometimes clashed with a disdain for the repetitiveness of disco, or the theatrical flamboyance of glam-rock. Even in McCormack’s largely glowing Rolling Stone write-up of Midler’s early career, the author (a close friend of Lou Reed’s, and no stranger to the demimonde) couldn’t resist playing up the lurid quality of Continental Baths: The hunkering, buggering manmeat herds were packed into the subterranean lounge like cattle in a boxcar, waiting for Bette Midler to make her triumphant return to The Tubs. There were a surprising number of fully clothed heterosexual couples as well, who had come to witness a Fellini fantasy in the flesh. They were not disappointed. Out on the dance floor, barely toweled young men enacted a rock & roll ritual, dancing like maidens in some primitive puberty rite, while tribal elders overflowed chaises around the pool. It reminded you of a scene out of William Burroughs’ novel The Wild Boys, in which wild boypacks raised in a womanless society run amok and lay waste to the remnants of Western Civilization. To be fair, even those who looked askance at Midler’s later career remained steadfast in their praise of The Divine Miss M. (The fourth edition of Rolling Stone’s record guide, from 2004, still has it as a four-star album, with writer Mark Coleman saying that its “shameless delights… will melt even the sternest objections to cabaret music.”) And they’re not wrong about the Midler albums that followed being inferior—though that’s largely because The Divine Miss M is so special. The great trick of Midler’s debut LP is that it spins so merrily and freely through American popular music, seeing no real difference between the faux-blaxploitation of “Daytime Hustler” and the bubbly adult contemporary pop of “Friends.” Midler and her co-producers Manilow, Joel Dorn, and Geoffrey Haslam (with a last-minute finishing assist from Ertegun) made a strong statement with the opening two songs: first reworking the rock/R&B chestnut “Do You Want To Dance?” into sultry, Carole King-inspired mellow-out music, and then following that with the resounding, full-on Phil Spector homage “Chapel Of Love.” On side two, the producers and arrangers get even more ambitious, with the overtly retro “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” (filtered to sound like an actual product of the ’40s), the wiggy version of “Leader Of The Pack” (complete with a dramatic middle portion that Tina Turner and Meat Loaf alike would envy), and a drawn-out, show-stopping “Delta Dawn.” This is not the Bette Midler of “Wind Beneath My Wings”—although this Midler probably could’ve come up with a version of that song that would drain its sap. The question then is why Midler, always a firecracker on stage, later began to settle for blandness as a recording artist. Had she been playing a character in the early ’70s: “Bathhouse Betty,” the saucy diva? Or did she just mature in a way that made her less interesting, distancing herself more and more each year from the tradition of raunchy dames like Mae West? Or does any of that even matter, given what Midler has represented? On The Tonight Show, bantering with Johnny, she’d sometimes treat her life story as an off-color joke—a Jew from Hawaii (ha-ha) who struck it rich by performing in a place where gay men gathered to fiddle around (ha-ha-ha). But Midler’s early success was really a triumph of American eclecticism, proving the value of a society where subcultures can intertwine, and ultimately weave so cleanly into the mainstream that before long, what was once called “bent” begins to seem square. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20From%20Bathhouses%20To%20The%20Tonight%20Show&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20From%20Bathhouses%20To%20The%20Tonight%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20From%20Bathhouses%20To%20The%20Tonight%20Show&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20From%20Bathhouses%20To%20The%20Tonight%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20From%20Bathhouses%20To%20The%20Tonight%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Continental Baths **Tags:** #bathhouses, #BetteMidler, #JohnnyCarson, #thedivinemissm --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - Night & Day - Diva D Remix 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/13/video-bette-midler-night-day-diva-d-remix-2014/) **Published:** June 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler - Night And Day - Diva D Remix 2014 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Night & Day – Diva D Remix 2014 By Mister D June 8, 2026 --- ![Black-and-white portrait of a smiling Bette Midler with short curly hair, surrounded by two pink heart emojis.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/041e6577a73118ad3429202886a610c3.jpg "041e6577a73118ad3429202886a610c3 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Night%20%26%20Day%20-%20Diva%20D%20Remix%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Night%20%26%20Day%20-%20Diva%20D%20Remix%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Night%20%26%20Day%20-%20Diva%20D%20Remix%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Night%20%26%20Day%20-%20Diva%20D%20Remix%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Night%20%26%20Day%20-%20Diva%20D%20Remix%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Remix, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DivaD, #NightAndDay, #Remix --- ### [Reminder - Rise Up, Sing Out Concert 2026: Sunday, June 14 – Tickets & Info](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/13/reminder-rise-up-sing-out-concert-2026-sunday-june-14-tickets-info/) **Published:** June 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Trump nemesis and legendary actress Jane Fonda plans to humiliate the president on his 80th birthday by hosting a star-studded rival event on the very same day. **Content:** --- ## Daily Beast Trump Foe Hosts Star-Studded Event Opposite His UFC Birthday By Meera Navlakha June 14, 2026 --- ![Two women sit outdoors in hats and robes, smiling as they hold signs that read 'NO KINGS' with a small crown illustration.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/all-you-fascists-bound-to-lose-bette-midler-woody-guthrie-sings-song-midterms.png "All you fascists bound to lose bette midler woody guthrie sings song midterms - bootleg betty") --- Trump nemesis and legendary actress [**Jane Fonda**](https://janefonda.com/) plans to humiliate the president on his 80th birthday by hosting a star-studded rival event on the very same day. Fonda, 88, will spearhead the event, hosted by her advocacy group, the Committee for the First Amendment, in collaboration with Indivisible and No Kings. While Trump will host a UFC match on the White House Lawn, Fonda and her group are holding a concert in New York City, showcasing artists and activists performing in the name of free speech. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, a historic New York landmark founded by suffragists in 1921. A livestream will be available for viewers, and all proceeds will go back to the committee. “In a moment when our fundamental freedoms are under threat, music has always led the way,” reads the event description. “From the civil rights movement to today, artists have been at the forefront of the fight for justice and free expression.” Public figures and A-listers like Rufus Wainwright, [**Bette Midler,**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/30/no-kings-announces-protest-movement-for-june-14-how-to-watch-bette-midler/) Julia Roberts, Patti Smith, Sasha Allen, Joy Reid, and Fonda herself will make appearances. Fonda told host Jon Stewart that the event will be “great,” explaining, “Not only is it going on in the theater, but we have thousands–I think over 5,000 registered viewing parties around the country in red states and purple states and blue states.” “Music has always been part of movements,” she continued, “Of resistance movements, the civil rights movement.” The fact that the event, dubbed the “Rise Up, ?Sing Out” concert, is on June 14th is surely no coincidence. The counter-celebration will take place at the same time as the UFC Freedom 250 match, which will see thousands of guests gather in the arena built on the White House lawn. Fonda, a two-time Academy Award-winner, has been a vocal advocate for democracy and social issues for five decades. In the course of Trump’s presidency, the actress has fiercely condemned the president. “This is our documentary moment,” Fonda told Reuters in an interview. “History ?is going to write about this, and I don’t want to be on the side of people who ?said, ‘Oh my God, things are so bad, what am I going to do?’ No. I want to be out in the front.” **Tickets & Info:** [**Click Here**](https://riseupsingout.com/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Reminder%20-%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Concert%202026%3A%20Sunday%2C%20June%2014%20%E2%80%93%20Tickets%20%26%20Info&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Reminder%20-%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Concert%202026%3A%20Sunday%2C%20June%2014%20%E2%80%93%20Tickets%20%26%20Info%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Reminder%20-%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Concert%202026%3A%20Sunday%2C%20June%2014%20%E2%80%93%20Tickets%20%26%20Info&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Reminder%20-%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Concert%202026%3A%20Sunday%2C%20June%2014%20%E2%80%93%20Tickets%20%26%20Info%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Reminder%20-%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20Concert%202026%3A%20Sunday%2C%20June%2014%20%E2%80%93%20Tickets%20%26%20Info%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Concert For The First Amendment, concerts, Politics, Protests **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #FirstAmendment, #JaneFonda, #NoKings, #RiseUpSingOut --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - To Deserve You - Jason Parker Remix](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/12/video-bette-midler-to-deserve-you-jason-parker-remix/) **Published:** June 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler - To Deserve You - Jason Parker Remix **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – To Deserve You – Jason Parker Remix By Mister D June 13, 2026 --- ![Woman in a white bridal gown with curly blonde hair, surrounded by wispy tulle or foggy fabric.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/e9354097aab7f2cb2983675369e42e65-1024x807.jpg "E9354097aab7f2cb2983675369e42e65 - bootleg betty")--- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20-%20Jason%20Parker%20Remix&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20-%20Jason%20Parker%20Remix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20-%20Jason%20Parker%20Remix&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20-%20Jason%20Parker%20Remix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20-%20Jason%20Parker%20Remix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Dance, Music, Remix, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Dance, #JasonParker, #Remix, #ToDeserveYou, #Video --- ### [Sophie von Haselberg Has A New Movie Short, The Waddles](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/12/sophie-von-haselberg-has-a-new-movie-short-the-waddles/) **Published:** June 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Waddles is a 12-minute comedy short film from 2026, directed by (and starring) Max Jenkins in his directorial debut **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Sophie von Haselberg Has A New Movie Short, The Waddles By Mister D June 12, 2026 --- ![Two friends in a convertible laughing and waving, wearing bright hats and sunglasses on a sunny day.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/attlQRcWdXbkLsmSr_original-1024x576.jpg "Attlqrcwdxbklsmsr_original - bootleg betty")--- [**The Waddles**](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1694728-the-waddles) is a 12-minute comedy short film from 2026, directed by (and starring) Max Jenkins in his directorial debut. [Sophie von Haselberg](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/sophie-von-haselberg/) stars as Joy and also serves as a producer and co-writer. **Plot Summary** A photo plunges Joy (von Haselberg) into despair. Her friend Max (Jenkins) convinces her to get a cosmetic procedure and then hide away in Palm Springs over the holidays to recover. Their friendship evolves in unexpected ways during the trip. It’s described as a “quippy, clever” story exploring friendship, self-image, and change. **Key Details** Writers: Sophie von Haselberg, Max Jenkins, along with Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik (the Oscar-nominated screenwriters of May December). Cast includes Richard Perez, Ruby McCollister, Betsey Brown, Emily Davis, Karan Brar, Marcia Jean Kurtz, and Terrence Williams Jr. Production: It’s the first production from Champion (linked to von Haselberg). **Premiere and Screenings** It had its world premiere at Frameline50 (the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival) on June 21, 2026, at the Castro Theatre, as part of the “Fun in Shorts” program (a laugh-out-loud package of comedies). Additional screenings followed, including at the Roxie Theater. As of now (mid-2026), it’s a very recent project with limited additional press or reviews beyond festival listings. Von Haselberg has shared promotional content on Instagram, and it’s generating buzz in queer film circles. This fits with her pattern of producing and acting in intimate, independent shorts (like her previous Poreless in the same Frameline shorts program). **Sources:** *Frameline50, IMDB, Instagram, Roxie* ![Poster for the film The Waddles: pink background with a purple pufferfish illustration and credits listing Sophie von Haselberg and Max Jenkins.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/diKGZJW0lfgiPlXeECSSp3YY2K.webp "Dikgzjw0lfgiplxeecssp3yy2k - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Sophie%20von%20Haselberg%20Has%20A%20New%20Movie%20Short%2C%20The%20Waddles&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Sophie%20von%20Haselberg%20Has%20A%20New%20Movie%20Short%2C%20The%20Waddles%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Sophie%20von%20Haselberg%20Has%20A%20New%20Movie%20Short%2C%20The%20Waddles&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Sophie%20von%20Haselberg%20Has%20A%20New%20Movie%20Short%2C%20The%20Waddles%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Sophie%20von%20Haselberg%20Has%20A%20New%20Movie%20Short%2C%20The%20Waddles%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Movies, Sophie von Haselberg **Tags:** #Comedy, #Movie, #MovieShort, #SophieVonHaselberg, #TheWaddles --- ### [Video: Cinematographer On Bette Midler In The Rose](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/12/video-cinematographer-on-bette-midler-in-the-rose/) **Published:** June 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Vilmos Zsigmond (1930–2016), the Oscar-winning cinematographer, primarily discussed Bette Midler in the context of his work on The Rose (1979) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Cinematographer On Bette Midler In The Rose By Mister D June 13, 2026 --- ![Woman in a glittery, sparkling gown is being escorted by two men who hold her arms in a dim backstage-like scene.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/de68686bd1dd9c0b400db79bb920cac8.jpg "De68686bd1dd9c0b400db79bb920cac8 - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Vilmos Zsigmond**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilmos_Zsigmond) (1930–2016), the Oscar-winning cinematographer, primarily discussed [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/03/19/bette-midler-an-overview/) in the context of his work on The Rose (1979), a rock drama directed by Mark Rydell where she starred as the lead (a character loosely inspired by Janis Joplin). In a 2023 American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) retrospective on his career, Zsigmond described the film’s visual approach and praised Midler’s performance: “The Rose \[was\] basically a light show. We wanted to re-create an era of rock ‘n roll concerts. The picture looked like documentaries of Janis Joplin concerts. We wanted the audience to see everything; nothing was hidden. That’s how we made it intimate. The singer \[Bette Midler\] was vulnerable. That’s why the audience loved her.” He highlighted the collaborative, improvisational style of the production, including shooting live concert sequences with multiple renowned cinematographers (like Haskell Wexler, Conrad Hall, and László Kovács) to capture raw energy, and praised specific scenes showcasing Midler’s emotional intensity, such as her character’s breakdown in a phone booth. Zsigmond also supervised the 4K restoration of The Rose for Criterion Collection and appeared in related interviews (including one with John Bailey, ASC, featured on the release), where he discussed lighting challenges and Midler’s vulnerability in key dramatic moments. They worked together again on the 1982 comedy Jinxed!, but public comments from Zsigmond about Midler (or that film) are far less prominent and generally neutral in available sources—The Rose was the standout collaboration where he spoke most appreciatively of her. Overall, his remarks emphasize her authenticity, emotional openness, and how it enhanced the film’s intimate, documentary-like feel. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Cinematographer%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Rose&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Cinematographer%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Cinematographer%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Rose&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Cinematographer%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Cinematographer%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Cinematographer, #Lighting, #Movies, #TheRose, #VilmosZsigmond --- ### [Video: Bette Midler & Paul Simon - Hey Good Lookin' 2011](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/12/video-bette-midler-paul-simon-hey-good-lookin-2011/) **Published:** June 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler & Paul Simon - Hey Good Lookin' **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler & Paul Simon – Hey Good Lookin’ 2011 By Mister D June 8, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler & Paul Simon smiling and embracing on a stage, the woman in a lavender dress and the man in a light jacket and shirt.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/f99af825bbefe2c46eb13051eff47068.jpg "F99af825bbefe2c46eb13051eff47068 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon%20-%20Hey%20Good%20Lookin%27%202011&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon%20-%20Hey%20Good%20Lookin%27%202011%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon%20-%20Hey%20Good%20Lookin%27%202011&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon%20-%20Hey%20Good%20Lookin%27%202011%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon%20-%20Hey%20Good%20Lookin%27%202011%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Benefits, Bette Midler, Video **Tags:** #Benefit, #BetteMidler, #Charity, #Duet, #HeyGoodLookin, #PaulSimon, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler & Sarah Jessica Parker Gambling Everything On Hocus Pocus 3](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/12/bette-midler-sarah-jessica-parker-gambling-everything-on-hocus-pocus-3/) **Published:** June 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Sarah Jessica Parker and Bette Midler are banking on the success of "Hocus Pocus 3" to revive their careers in movie theaters. **Content:** --- ## National Enquirer Bette Midler & Sarah Jessica Parker Gambling Everything On Hocus Pocus 3 By Karen Aanonsen June 12, 2026 --- ![Performer on stage wearing a neon green and purple outfit, holding a microphone, with red drawn hair and the caption 'BOOOOK!'](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/9a1892b2128cb2862814095d33b0efe2-577x1024.jpg "9a1892b2128cb2862814095d33b0efe2 - bootleg betty") --- [**Sarah Jessica Parker**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/sarahjessicaparker/) and [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/hocus-pocus-3/) are banking on the success of “[**Hocus Pocus 3**](https://parade.com/movies/hocus-pocus-3)” to revive their careers in movie theaters. Sarah Jessica Parker stands at a career crossroads, and a source says Hocus Pocus 3 could prove to be a make-or-break project for the actress. “The safe move for Sarah Jessica now that the Sex and the City franchise has been put to bed would be to lean into her strengths as a theater actress and sign up for a Broadway show,” the source tells the National Enquirer. “But that’s not what SJP is doing. She’s made getting back in movie theaters a top priority.” In May, Variety reported that a third installment in the Sanderson sisters’ saga was headed to big screens after Hocus Pocus 2 went direct to streaming on Disney+. Now, Enquirer’s source reveals Parker, 61, and costar Bette Midler were integral in making the platform switch happen. “It was the main condition for both of them to sign on,” insists the source. “Neither SJP nor Bette have had a big hit movie in cinemas in many years, so they’re gambling their entire reputations on the next chapter of this story.” As Enquirer previously reported, the Footloose alum can’t help but wonder about her acting prospects following the lackluster conclusion to And Just Like That in 2025, which also seemingly signaled the end of character Carrie Bradshaw’s story arc. To conjure up as much magic as possible for Hocus Pocus 3, she and Midler, 80, are calling in the Hollywood troops, shares the source. “They will cash in every favor they can to get huge names like Olivia Rodrigo or Hugh Jackman to show up for a wacky scene or a wild musical number,” the source explains. “They need this film to be huge and they need this franchise to continue!” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sarah%20Jessica%20Parker%20Gambling%20Everything%20On%20Hocus%20Pocus%203&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sarah%20Jessica%20Parker%20Gambling%20Everything%20On%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sarah%20Jessica%20Parker%20Gambling%20Everything%20On%20Hocus%20Pocus%203&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sarah%20Jessica%20Parker%20Gambling%20Everything%20On%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sarah%20Jessica%20Parker%20Gambling%20Everything%20On%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus 3, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Franchise, #Halloween, #HocusPocus3, #Movies, #saraJessicaParker --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Promo For "The Best Bette"](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/11/video-bette-midler-promo-for-the-best-bette/) **Published:** June 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler Promo For "The Best Bette" **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Promo For “The Best Bette” By Mister D June 11, 2026 --- ![Female singer with curly blonde hair performing on stage, holding a microphone in a pastel dress with pink and green tones.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/23e50b83761f55c8df705688f4afa441.jpg "23e50b83761f55c8df705688f4afa441 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Promo%20For%20%22The%20Best%20Bette%22&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Promo%20For%20%22The%20Best%20Bette%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Promo%20For%20%22The%20Best%20Bette%22&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Promo%20For%20%22The%20Best%20Bette%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Promo%20For%20%22The%20Best%20Bette%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Promo, #TheBestBette, #Video --- ### [The Divine Miss M Fansite Audio: Bette Midler - My Eye On You - Live 1983](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/11/the-divine-miss-m-fansite-audio-bette-midler-my-eye-on-you-live-1983/) **Published:** June 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** It’s a dark, intense track (written by Moon Martin and Bill House) about obsessive, unrequited love mixed with jealousy and rage. **Content:** --- ## The Divine Miss M Fansite The Divine Miss M Fansite: Bette Midler – My Eye On You – Live 1983 By The Divine Miss M Fansite June 11, 2026 --- ![Book cover: a woman wrapped in a striped blanket sits on the floor, head tilted back, title 'My Eye On You' along the right.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-10_14-33-45.png "2026-06-10_14-33-45 - bootleg betty") --- --- **“My Eye on You” is a song by [Bette Midler](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/bette-midler-interview-career-life-1235961854/) from her 1983 album [No Frills](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/25/bette-midler-talks-about-the-making-of-no-frills/).** It’s a dark, intense track (written by Moon Martin and Bill House) about obsessive, unrequited love mixed with jealousy and rage. The narrator is fixated on a man who barely notices her—she describes his appearance lovingly but feels invisible and deeply hurt by his indifference. This escalates into possessive surveillance (“I got my eye on you”), emotional turmoil, and hints of potential violence. **Key themes from the lyrics:** **Infatuation and pain:** Lines like “Your hair’s so fair, your eye’s so dark / I love you hard as my life / You pass me by as though I were a stone / You cut me like a knife” capture passionate but one-sided love that feels wounding. **Jealous obsession:** The singer walks by the water’s edge, feeling like she’s “coming apart” from a “jealous rage” that’s taken hold of her heart. **Dramatic/violent undertones:** The bridge includes a dream sequence where she’s “dressed in white,” a witness testifies, and she’s caught crying in the street with “the gun was still in my hand.” It ends with a farewell kiss “to remember me by,” suggesting a breaking point or threat. **Repetitive chorus:** The insistent “Boy, I do. I got my eye on you” reinforces stalking-like watchfulness and determination. Overall, the song has a new wave/rock edge on the album and portrays a volatile, unhealthy obsession rather than a healthy romance. It’s one of Midler’s more dramatic and less comedic cuts from that era, fitting the eclectic mix on No Frills. **Sources:** Genius, Bootleg Betty, Facebook Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20My%20Eye%20On%20You%20-%20Live%201983&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20My%20Eye%20On%20You%20-%20Live%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20My%20Eye%20On%20You%20-%20Live%201983&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20My%20Eye%20On%20You%20-%20Live%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20My%20Eye%20On%20You%20-%20Live%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Audio, Bette Midler, De Tour, Live, The Divine Miss M Fan Site **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #DeTour, #Live, #MoonMartin, #MyEyeOnYou, #NoFrills, #TheDivineMissMFanSite --- ### [Boodles BonBon Video Short: Late Night Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/11/boodles-bonbon-video-short-late-night-bette-midler/) **Published:** June 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Boodles BonBon Video Short: Late Night Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon Boodles BonBon Video Short: Late Night Bette Midler By Boodles BonBon June 11, 2026 --- ![Four vocalists perform on a stage with a backing band; a woman in a pink sequined dress sings beside three men in dark suits with pink accents.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/24bfec826c844b6ee09db528d91a9487.jpg "24bfec826c844b6ee09db528d91a9487 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20Late%20Night%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20Late%20Night%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20Late%20Night%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20Late%20Night%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20Late%20Night%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Television, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #BoogieWoogieBugleBoy, #JohnnyCarson, #LateNight, #Short --- ### [Happy 22nd Anniversary, Wide Release Of Stepford Wives, (June 11, 2004)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/11/happy-22nd-anniversary-wide-release-of-stepford-wives-june-11-2004/) **Published:** June 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler played Roberta "Bobbie" Markowitz in the 2004 remake of The Stepford Wives, a supporting role as a sassy, irreverent Jewish feminist writer, recovering alcoholic **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Happy 22nd Anniversary, Wide Release Of Stepford Wives, (June 11, 2004) By Mister D June 11, 2026 --- ![Poster for The Stepford Wives: five stylish women and a man in white, suggesting a secret; film title and release info shown.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-11_09-23-58.png "2026-06-11_09-23-58 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://dreamworks-picturesfilms.fandom.com/wiki/The_Stepford_Wives_(2004)) played Roberta “Bobbie” Markowitz in the 2004 remake of [**The Stepford Wives**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-stepford-wives/), a supporting role as a sassy, irreverent Jewish feminist writer, recovering alcoholic, and outspoken friend to Nicole Kidman’s protagonist Joanna Eberhart. **Overview of Her Role and the Film** The film is a sci-fi black comedy directed by Frank Oz, with a screenplay by Paul Rudnick. It updates Ira Levin’s 1972 novel (and the 1975 classic) with a more campy, satirical tone. Midler’s Bobbie is one of the quirky newcomers to the idyllic, ultra-conformist Connecticut suburb of Stepford. She bonds with Joanna and the flamboyant Roger (Roger Bart) over suspicions about the suspiciously perfect local wives. Bobbie provides much of the film’s humor through her brash personality, messy home life, and sharp one-liners. After she is “Stepfordized” (transformed into a bubbly, domestic perfectionist), her change highlights the horror/comedy of the premise. Midler’s performance is often cited as one of the film’s energetic highlights, delivering seething deliveries and comedic flair in a star-studded cast that also includes Matthew Broderick, Christopher Walken, and Glenn Close. The movie had a reported budget of around $90–100 million and grossed about $103 million worldwide, making it a modest earner but widely viewed as a box-office disappointment relative to expectations. **Awards The** Stepford Wives (2004) received no major award wins or nominations for acting, including for Bette Midler. The film earned mostly negative reviews (26% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics) and was largely overlooked come awards season. It picked up a few minor recognitions, such as 3 wins in lesser categories (e.g., possibly technical or satirical awards), but nothing significant for the cast. **Trivia** Midler herself has a strong awards history (multiple Grammys, Emmys, etc.), but this role did not add to it.TriviaMidler’s character was a writer whose recent book was titled I Love You But Please Die, about her difficult relationship with her mother. An elaborate deleted scene featured Midler’s robotized Bobbie going haywire: her finger becomes a vacuum, her tongue a squeegee, her head explodes while demonstrating an orgasm, and her chest opens like a cooler to offer a beer. It was the film’s biggest FX sequence but cut after test audiences found it “too much.” It appears on the DVD extras. The theatrical trailer included snippets of unused “technical glitch” scenes with Midler’s character. Actor allusion: Walter references “The Wind Beneath My Wings,” famously sung by Midler. Midler juggled filming with rehearsals for her Kiss My Brass concert tour. **Production Problems** The film is infamous for its troubled production:Reports of clashes between director Frank Oz and stars, including Nicole Kidman and Bette Midler (Oz noted Midler brought personal stress to the set). There were also tensions with Christopher Walken, Glenn Close, and Roger Bart. Heavy reshoots and rewrites followed poor test screenings. The tone shifted from darker satire toward camp, and the ending was changed. This created plot holes (e.g., ambiguity over whether the wives were full robots or humans with chips). Frank Oz later admitted regret: “I f\*\*\*ed up… I had too much money… I didn’t follow my instincts.” He originally envisioned a more intimate film but scaled up due to the big stars and budget. Overall, while Midler’s lively performance stands out as a bright spot for many viewers, the film’s chaotic behind-the-scenes issues contributed to its reputation as a messy, compromised remake. **Sources:** *Bootlegbetty.com, Wikipedia, IMDB, New York Post* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Happy%2022nd%20Anniversary%2C%20Wide%20Release%20Of%20Stepford%20Wives%2C%20%28June%2011%2C%202004%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Happy%2022nd%20Anniversary%2C%20Wide%20Release%20Of%20Stepford%20Wives%2C%20%28June%2011%2C%202004%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Happy%2022nd%20Anniversary%2C%20Wide%20Release%20Of%20Stepford%20Wives%2C%20%28June%2011%2C%202004%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Happy%2022nd%20Anniversary%2C%20Wide%20Release%20Of%20Stepford%20Wives%2C%20%28June%2011%2C%202004%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Happy%2022nd%20Anniversary%2C%20Wide%20Release%20Of%20Stepford%20Wives%2C%20%28June%2011%2C%202004%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History, Movies, On This Day In History, The Stepford Wives **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HappyAnniversary, #History, #Movie, #TheStepfordWives --- ### [Video: Doris C Freedman Award Honoring Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/10/video-doris-c-freedman-award-honoring-bette-midler/) **Published:** June 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Doris C Freedman Award Honoring Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Doris C Freedman Award Honoring Bette Midler By Mister D June 10, 2026 --- ![Female singer with curly blonde hair wearing a black outfit and silver belt performs on stage, holding a microphone.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/s-l160017.jpg "S-l160017 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Doris%20C%20Freedman%20Award%20Honoring%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Doris%20C%20Freedman%20Award%20Honoring%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Doris%20C%20Freedman%20Award%20Honoring%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Doris%20C%20Freedman%20Award%20Honoring%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Doris%20C%20Freedman%20Award%20Honoring%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DorisCFreedmanAward, #Environment, #Gardens, #Video --- ### [37 Years Ago Today: Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings” Hit #1 on Billboard Hot 100](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/10/37-years-ago-today-bette-midlers-wind-beneath-my-wings-hit-1-on-billboard-hot-100/) **Published:** June 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** 37 Years Ago Today: Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings” Hit #1 on Billboard Hot 100 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty 37 Years Ago Today: Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings” Hit #1 on Billboard Hot 100 By Mister D June 10, 2026 --- ![Album cover for Bette Midler's 'Wind Beneath My Wings' showing Midler standing on a lit stage in a black dress, singing into a microphone.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/HKZy7psWEAA1vAd.jpg "Hkzy7psweaa1vad - bootleg betty") --- **On This Day In Music History: June 10th 1989: Bette Midler went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Wind Beneath My Wings,” which was included in the film Beaches. [\#BetteMidler](https://x.com/hashtag/BetteMidler) [\#WindBeneathMyWings](https://x.com/hashtag/WindBeneathMyWings) [\#musichistory](https://x.com/hashtag/musichistory) [\#fyp](https://x.com/hashtag/fyp) [\#viral](https://x.com/hashtag/viral)** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=37%20Years%20Ago%20Today%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%9CWind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%E2%80%9D%20Hit%20%231%20on%20Billboard%20Hot%20100&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=37%20Years%20Ago%20Today%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%9CWind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%E2%80%9D%20Hit%20%231%20on%20Billboard%20Hot%20100%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=37%20Years%20Ago%20Today%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%9CWind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%E2%80%9D%20Hit%20%231%20on%20Billboard%20Hot%20100&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=37%20Years%20Ago%20Today%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%9CWind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%E2%80%9D%20Hit%20%231%20on%20Billboard%20Hot%20100%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=37%20Years%20Ago%20Today%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%9CWind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%E2%80%9D%20Hit%20%231%20on%20Billboard%20Hot%20100%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Billboard Charts, History, On This Day In History, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Billboard, #Charts, #History, #OnThisDay, #Wind Beneath My Wings --- ### [38 Years Ago, On This Date In 1988, Bette Midler's Big Business Premiered](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/10/38-years-ago-on-this-date-in-1988-bette-midlers-big-business-premiered/) **Published:** June 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The film premiered in theaters on June 10, 1988, distributed by Buena Vista Pictures (Touchstone Pictures, a Disney label) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty 38 Years Ago, On This Date In 1988, Bette Midler’s Big Business Premiered By Mister D June 10, 2026 --- ![Four women in mod 1960s dresses walking down a carpeted, ornate hallway in a mansion, posing as if arriving for a scene.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/716333a06183bd98d11f518aee03caeb.jpg "716333a06183bd98d11f518aee03caeb - bootleg betty") --- **[Big Business](https://bootlegbetty.com/2020/12/09/a-history-of-bette-midlers-big-business/)** **Premiere and Release** The film premiered in theaters on June 10, 1988, distributed by Buena Vista Pictures (Touchstone Pictures, a Disney label). It opened in the top three at the box office and became a modest hit, grossing about $40.2 million domestically on a $20 million budget. **Reception** Critical reviews were mixed to lukewarm (around 52% on Rotten Tomatoes). Praise focused on Midler and Tomlin’s energetic performances and the film’s breezy farce, while some critics found the slapstick repetitive or the script underdeveloped. Audiences generally enjoyed it as a fun, quotable 1980s comedy. Bette Midler won the American Comedy Award for Funniest Actress in a Leading Role. **Trivia and Fun Facts** Originally cast: The script was written for Barbra Streisand (as Sadie) and Goldie Hawn (as Rose). Plaza Hotel: The production couldn’t film at the real Plaza Hotel in NYC, so Disney built a replica on a soundstage. They later reused the set for the short-lived sitcom The Nutt House. Ages: Lily Tomlin is actually about six years older than [Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler), despite playing “twins.” Costume gags: Subtle matching outfits highlight the twin theme (e.g., similar jacket cuts and dress styles). There’s also a running bit with a woman and her dog whose outfits coordinate by color. Both Midler and Tomlin were nominated for the American Comedy Award for Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture for their performances with Midler winning. Real-life echo: In 1988, two sets of twin boys in Colombia had a somewhat similar mix-up story. Production notes: Tomlin spun in circles before takes to get into the “dizzy” headspace for her air-headed character. The film uses mono sound in the 1948 prologue and switches to stereo for the modern scenes. Connections: It’s part of a string of Touchstone Pictures comedies starring Midler in the mid-to-late 1980s. Seth Green appears as Midler’s spoiled young son. The movie remains a cult favorite for fans of broad 1980s comedies, strong female leads, and identity-swap hijinks. It’s available on DVD/Blu-ray and various streaming platforms. If you’re a fan of Ruthless People or classic farces, it’s worth a watch for the double (quadruple?) trouble! **Sources: Bootleg Betty, IMDB, Wikipedia** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=38%20Years%20Ago%2C%20On%20This%20Date%20In%201988%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Big%20Business%20Premiered&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=38%20Years%20Ago%2C%20On%20This%20Date%20In%201988%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Big%20Business%20Premiered%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=38%20Years%20Ago%2C%20On%20This%20Date%20In%201988%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Big%20Business%20Premiered&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=38%20Years%20Ago%2C%20On%20This%20Date%20In%201988%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Big%20Business%20Premiered%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=38%20Years%20Ago%2C%20On%20This%20Date%20In%201988%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Big%20Business%20Premiered%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Big Business, Comedy, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BigBusiness, #Comedy, #LilyTomlin, #Movie --- ### [Bette Midler's Anthem, The Rose, Written In 45 Minutes](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/09/bette-midlers-anthem-the-rose-written-in-45-minutes/) **Published:** June 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Written in less than an hour, the beloved ballad by Bette Midler transformed a simple message about love and vulnerability into one of the most enduring songs of the last half-century. **Content:** --- ## Parade 1979 Love Ballad, Written in Just 45 Minutes, Became a Timeless Anthem of Hope By Sheri Reed June 10, 2026 --- ![Female performer rides a white and gold carousel horse on stage, holding a pole as a band plays in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/b8967a64b572e0335a1348eb54939f01-1.jpg "B8967a64b572e0335a1348eb54939f01 1 - bootleg betty") --- Written in less than an hour, the beloved ballad by Bette Midler transformed a simple message about love and vulnerability into one of the most enduring songs of the last half-century. There’s one 1970s love song that offers hope in the face of heartbreak, and that’s the emotional 1979 hit “The Rose” by Bette Midler. Unlike many love songs, the iconic hit doesn’t focus on romance alone—it transports listeners through loss, fear, taking chances, and resilience. That’s why it may surprise fans to know this classic song that says so much came together remarkably quick. “I was attempting to write a rock ‘n’ roll song,” songwriter Amanda McBroom recalled to Billboard, “My manager told me it was time to write some Bob Seger-type tunes so we could get a record deal.” Little did McBroom know the legendary pop ballad was ready and waiting to come pouring out of her. “I sat down and 45 minutes later there was ‘The Rose,’ she said. “It was the fastest song I’ve ever written, and I never changed a word.” Cut to Bette Midler. She was the right singer, at the right time, and Midler and the song were both connected to the 1979 film The Rose, which is loosely based on the tragic life and career of rock singer Janis Joplin. Midler’s emotional performance of the song elevated the song to the version we all know and love today. “The Rose” opens with a single delicate piano and then emerges Midler’s voice, soft and vulnerable to start. The poetic lyrics take the listener through the many contrasting, often dark, emotions that can come with love. Midler’s precision makes the track feels like melancholy and optimism at the same time, as her vocals build into the unforgettable crescendo, “When the night has been too lonely / And the road has been too long” and then soften again with the almost-whisper of hope that sails, “Just remember in the winter / Far beneath the bitter snows / Lies the seed that with the sun’s love / In the spring becomes the rose.” McBroom says she believes the song connected with millions of fans because, “It’s a message of hope that’s very easily understandable.” She’s not wrong, but she’s also underselling its emotional relatability. Especially after a heartbreak, any one of us can relate to the fear of putting ourselves out there again, the fear of taking that risk, of getting hurt. It’s a very human thing. But the song also says love is still worth pursuing after disappointment. The lyrics give hope. Midler’s iconic song “The Rose” debuted in the closing credits of the drama The Rose, which hit theaters in early November 1979. It was included on the album The Rose: The Original Soundtrack Recording at the same time before being officially released as a single in March 1980. “The Rose” hit No. 1 on the Cashbox Top 100 and, by June 1980, it peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for over a million copies sold in the United States. Over the years, there have been countless covers of the song, including ones that also became hits in their own right, like the versions by Conway Twitty (1982), Hothouse Flowers with The Dubliners (1991), and Westlife (2006). Lea Michele sang “The Rose” in an episode of Glee in 2014, and it has popped up in Family Guy (2008), True Detective (2015), Goliath (2019). The love anthem was also featured in the movies Only Yesterday (1991) and Napoleon Dynamite (2004). Almost five decades later, listeners keep returning to the legendary vocal ballad. To date, the love ballad has over 202 million streams on Spotify. “The Rose” may have been written in less than an hour, but its message of comfort and hope is timeless. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Anthem%2C%20The%20Rose%2C%20Written%20In%2045%20Minutes&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Anthem%2C%20The%20Rose%2C%20Written%20In%2045%20Minutes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Anthem%2C%20The%20Rose%2C%20Written%20In%2045%20Minutes&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Anthem%2C%20The%20Rose%2C%20Written%20In%2045%20Minutes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Anthem%2C%20The%20Rose%2C%20Written%20In%2045%20Minutes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Music, Songs, the Rose **Tags:** #Anthem, #BetteMidler, #Movie, #Music, #Song, #TheRose --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Talks Divine Madness And More (1980)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/09/video-bette-midler-talks-divine-madness-and-more-1980/) **Published:** June 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler Talks Divine Madness And More (1980) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Talks Divine Madness And More (1980) By Mister D June 9, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler with curly blonde hair in a purple sweater being interviewed on a television program.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-09_15-30-00.png "2026-06-09_15-30-00 - bootleg betty") --- --- **Mister D**: There was not much info on this video, so I don’t know who’s conducting it and for whom. Sorry Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20Divine%20Madness%20And%20More%20%281980%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20Divine%20Madness%20And%20More%20%281980%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20Divine%20Madness%20And%20More%20%281980%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20Divine%20Madness%20And%20More%20%281980%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20Divine%20Madness%20And%20More%20%281980%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Divine Madness, Interview, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DivineMadness, #Interview, #Video --- ### [Video: Rona Barrett Interviews Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/09/video-rona-barrett-interviews-bette-midler/) **Published:** June 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler sits down with Rona Barrett to discuss The Rose, grief, loss, and the terrifying question of 'how do I top this?' **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Rona Barrett Interviews Bette Midler By Mister D June 4, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler with curly blonde hair sitting in a dark car, looking toward the camera at night.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/0a99f29ce93e66c48f99d5e9cb944527-1024x768.jpg "0a99f29ce93e66c48f99d5e9cb944527 - bootleg betty")--- --- **Bette Midler sits down with Rona Barrett to discuss The Rose, grief, loss, and the terrifying question of ‘how do I top this?’** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Rona%20Barrett%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Rona%20Barrett%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Rona%20Barrett%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Rona%20Barrett%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Rona%20Barrett%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Interview, the Rose, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Interviews, #RareVideo, #RonaBarrett, #Video --- ### [Spotlight: New York Restoration Project's Celebrity Supporters](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/09/spotlight-new-york-restoration-projects-celebrity-supporters/) **Published:** June 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Seeing many parks and open spaces in dire need of clean-up and restoration, Ms. Midler created Nyrp to be the “conservancy of forgotten places **Content:** --- ## Look To The Stars Spotlight: New York Restoration Project’s Celebrity Supporters By Staff June 9, 2026 --- ![Smiling woman in a green cardigan and scarf gestures with her hand in a park, with a green banner in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/5db08716533a81e8303cc9a223e48fc9-1.jpg "5db08716533a81e8303cc9a223e48fc9 - bootleg betty") --- **Spotlight: New York Restoration Project’s Celebrity Supporters** Founded in 1995 by [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/nyrp/), the nonprofit [**New York Restoration Project**](https://www.nyrp.org/en/) (Nyrp) is based on the belief that clean, green neighborhoods are fundamental to the quality of life, and that every community in New York City deserves an oasis of natural beauty. Seeing many parks and open spaces in dire need of clean-up and restoration, Ms. Midler created Nyrp to be the “conservancy of forgotten places,” particularly in New York City’s underserved communities. Celebrity supporters New York Restoration Project has 25 known supporters, including Kristin Chenoweth, Michael Jackson, and Alan Cumming. Here’s a full list: **Celebrity supporters 25** *New York Restoration Project has received support from the following celebrities listed on this site:* 50 Cent Adrian Grenier Alan Cumming Alice Cooper Al Roker Ashanti Bette Midler Cher Darlene Love Debbie Harry Gavin DeGraw John McEnroe John Stamos Joy Behar Kristin Chenoweth Marc Jacobs Mario Cantone Marisa Tomei Michael Bloomberg Michael Jackson Michael Kors Michael Strahan Rod Stewart Sean Hayes Terry Bradshaw Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Spotlight%3A%20New%20York%20Restoration%20Project%27s%20Celebrity%20Supporters&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Spotlight%3A%20New%20York%20Restoration%20Project%27s%20Celebrity%20Supporters%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Spotlight%3A%20New%20York%20Restoration%20Project%27s%20Celebrity%20Supporters&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Spotlight%3A%20New%20York%20Restoration%20Project%27s%20Celebrity%20Supporters%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Spotlight%3A%20New%20York%20Restoration%20Project%27s%20Celebrity%20Supporters%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Environment, Home & Garden, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Celebrity, #Environment, #Gardens, #NYRP, #Supporters --- ### [Pride: The Midler-Madonna-Gaga Axis Of Music](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/09/pride-the-midler-madonna-gaga-axis-of-music/) **Published:** June 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From Bette Midler, Cyndi Lauper and Madonna to modern-day divas Lady Gaga, Robyn and Jessie Ware, straight-identified pop stars have forged loving allegiances with the LGBTQ+ community. **Content:** --- ## HITS The Axis of Allies By Smith Galtney June 9, 2026 --- ![Black-and-white portrait of a glamorous woman in a 1950s-style outfit, leaning on a chair in a studio setting with dramatic lighting.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/12b1629660453710472fb47706cb1fb9.jpg "12b1629660453710472fb47706cb1fb9 - bootleg betty") --- From Bette Midler, Cyndi Lauper and Madonna to modern-day divas Lady Gaga, Robyn and Jessie Ware, straight-identified pop stars have forged loving allegiances with the LGBTQ+ community. “They’ve always been there for me,” says Cher. “Always.” Anyone who opened Grindr on April 24 immediately noticed something… peculiar. Among all the usual bare torsos, flexed biceps and Zoolander-esque selfies was a curvy, zebra-striped figure bathed in fluorescent pink light and striking a pose. Her profile name? Madonna. One might have assumed it was just a fan paying their own tribute to the 67-year-old pop goddess: Grindr is loaded with phony profiles and Madonna-mania was in the air. The initial push for Confessions II, the long-awaited sequel to 2005’s Confessions on a Dance Floor, was well underway: The first single, “I Feel Free,” had dropped, and Madge made a cameo during Sabrina Carpenter’s Coachella set. But once you tapped on the thumbnail—and really, who could not—it was clear this was the real deal. “Hey, Grindr,” she said in her raspy, Dita dominatrix purr. “It’s muh-thah.” The profile featured Confessions II’s cover and a pre-order link. “I made an exclusive vinyl of my new album just for you. I could have dropped it anywhere, but I wanted to go where the hottest action was, so… I got on the grid.” Even by today’s market-saturation standards, hawking new product inside what’s essentially a queer online sex club is a risky move, one many pop divas could flub spectacularly. But for a woman who’s spent the last forty years putting her neck on the line for LGBTQ+ rights and who set every standard for modern allyship and who’s never shied from speaking frankly about sex, it felt perfectly appropriate. Even her placement high on the grid, so Madonna was always close by, no matter where you went, implied something deeper than a mere promotional trick. “It’s such a symbol of what she’s been to our community this whole time,” says Matthew Rettenmund, pop-culture scholar and author of Encyclopedia Madonnica. “She’s always been right there.” That all this love and positivity would accompany the next installment in Madonna’s recurring return to her disco roots is no coincidence. If an ally is defined as a largely straight-identified artist who engages in a direct, ongoing, creative and political discussion with the LGBTQ+ community, those conversations are almost always most joyous when held on the dance floor. We’re happy to indulge an introspective detour, an American Life and Madame X every so often. But club manifestos like Erotica, Music, Confessions and now Confessions II? These are the eternal keys to our big queer hearts. Before disco culture solidified in the mid-’70s and established the dance floor as ground control for queer/ally correspondence, love among gay fans and their icons was a deeply coded affair. In 1960, Barbra Streisand sang her first-ever gigs at the Lion, a gay club in Greenwich Village. Five years later, Judy Garland was asked what she thought of her “homosexual” fans; her reply was, for the time, courageous: “I couldn’t care less, I sing for people!” It wasn’t until Bette Midler emerged in the early ’70s that gay people found a performer who wasn’t afraid to lay it all on the line. As a ribald chanteuse who elevated cabaret to sleazy new highs (and irresistible lows), Midler caused a national stir as the star attraction at the Continental Baths—a gay NYC bathhouse where men wore towels and had sex before her act, after it and likely anytime in between. Midler had no use for subtlety, not even on primetime. “They loved me and I loved them!” she told Barbara Walters in 1975, adding how she and the gays go way back. “As long as I’ve been in the theater, they’ve always made me laugh, and I’ve always accepted them. So, to me this was no big deal, to go and play the tubs. It was a sexy, ego-building experience. For all of us!” Equally affirming, disco helped teach post-Stonewall queers how to express themselves and enjoy their bodies in unbridled ways. When Donna Summer simulated multiple orgasms through all 17 minutes of “Love to Love You Baby,” her breakthrough 1975 hit, the straight press dismissed it: “A novelty dance number,” wrote Rolling Stone. But for gay men who approached sex as both recreational sport and vocation, Summer moaned their truth in Morse code. Onstage, code and decorum were checked at the door. Grace Jones cut her performance teeth at gay clubs like 12 West. After singing her hit “I Need a Man,” she’d shout, much to the boys’ delight, “I don’t know about you, but I need a fucking man!” Likewise, Loleatta Holloway—the perpetually sampled powerhouse behind disco classics like “Love Sensation” and “Hit and Run”—fell back on her gospel lineage to deliver legendary stage banter about wayward lovers that was fiery and outrageous in equal measure. “You see, if you let them know that they’re gettin’ you down, honey, they’re gonna kick you!” she’d sermonize. “Don’t bend over, you’ll get the shock of your life!” One night in 1979, Nile Rodgers went to a club in Hell’s Kitchen called GG’s Barnum Room. In a restroom, he noticed several Diana Ross impersonators lined up at the urinals and wondered what it’d be like to have Diana celebrate her status among gay men in a song. The ebullient result, “I’m Coming Out,” went Top 10 in 1980, despite—or, maybe, because of—its lyric about living out-loud and proud. The new decade felt promising. But as what became known as AIDS surfaced in the early ’80s and deaths rose rapidly among hard-partying gay men, a change of tune was clearly needed. At the Saint, a popular East Village disco that lost so many patrons the initially unnamed illness was locally dubbed “Saint’s disease,” songs like Miquel Brown’s 1983 floor-filler “So Many Men, So Little Time” played every weekend, for months on end, as if nothing had changed. The disco diva proxy of unquenchable gay conquest was not only outdated, but sometimes, especially in this case, irresponsible. It was Dionne Warwick who sounded the first call for allied activism. In 1985, she gathered her friends Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and Elton John to record “That’s What Friends Are For,” a song written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager. In 1986, months after Rock Hudson’s death brought AIDS further into the national discussion, the song topped Billboard’s Hot 100 for four weeks on its way to raise over $3 million for amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research. Unlike most charity singles of the ’80s, “Friends” aged with dignity, and can still cause tears among many who lived through this era and managed to survive. Madonna established a how-to on LGBTQ+ allyship that pop stars still emulate. She distributed safe-sex information at her shows and in her albums. She recorded PSAs and hosted fundraising danceathons. Doubling down on visibility and representation, she situated queer dancers front and center for her Blond Ambition tour and Truth or Dare documentary. As Madonna’s career escalated in the mid-’80s, her circle of friends who helped build it was being gutted. Between the loss of her best friend (Martin Burgoyne, at age 23) and the diagnosis of her mentor (Christopher Flynn, who died in 1990), the international pop sensation put her success to good use. Even while being derided as a “Material Girl,” she established a how-to on LGBTQ+ allyship that pop stars still emulate. Madonna distributed safe-sex information at her shows and in her albums. She recorded PSAs and hosted fundraising danceathons. Doubling down on visibility and representation, she situated queer dancers front and center for her Blond Ambition tour and Truth or Dare documentary. In interviews, Madonna gleefully flirted with women (“Have you ever kissed a girl?”), turned the tables on buttoned-up male anchors (“Are you frightened of a woman who’s not afraid to look at her genitals in the mirror?”) and clearly enjoyed every second. By 1992, with the one-two wallop of Erotica, an album culled straight from the gay underground, and Sex, her infamous photo book that pictured several explicit scenes in notorious clubs like the Gaiety, Madonna had shown a whole generation not only how to navigate the plague, but also how to be gay, period. She’d earned her rightful square in the hookup grid of our collective consciousness. As remix culture took hold in the ’90s, divas stormed the disco again. Whitney, Mariah, Aretha, Patti LaBelle, even Dolly Parton and the Divine Miss Midler all scored ubiquitous club hits thanks to house DJ-producers like David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, and Robert Clivillés and David Cole, the era-defining duo behind C+C Music Factory. This time, however, there was less bump-and-grind and a lot more awareness. The latter culminated with Janet Jackson’s “Together Again,” a wistful yet luminous disco gem about lost friends and family that spent two weeks at #1 in 1997. But allyship is a two-way street, and while it became de rigueur for pop queens to align their values with the queer community, we remained loyal to our longtime allies. The mid-’90s were lean times in the U.S. mainstream for Cher, especially after her huge late-’80s comeback. But when DJ Junior Vasquez’s mix of her 1996 single “One by One” became a gay club staple, she decided to record a whole disco album, her first since 1979’s Take Me Home. The result, 1998’s Believe, became a global blockbuster: Its title track is not only Cher’s biggest single, but also one of the best-selling tracks from anyone. “My gay following has kept me alive when no one else came to see me,” she told CBS News in 2024. “I’ve had really bad times and they’ve always been there for me. Always.” Cyndi Lauper experienced a similar rejuvenation. After her heyday as an MTV phenom played out, she found a new home in the New York underground, collaborating with Vasquez and featuring downtown drag celebrities in the video for a “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” remix. When new technologies put her in closer touch with fans, she found a new calling. “I was getting messages from people who were disenfranchised and felt suicidal, and then they heard ‘True Colors’ and it kind of saved their lives,” she told Billboard in 2017. “And it wasn’t just one email; it became every other one. When I saw the magnitude of it, I called my sister and said, ‘We have to do something.’” In 2008, Lauper started the True Colors Fund, an organization that works with homeless LGBTQ+ youth. She also became a Tony Award winner, thanks to her songs for Kinky Boots, the smash 2012 musical about shoes and drag and fabulousness that’s now etched in the Broadway lexicon. In the 21st century, establishing oneself as an LGBTQ+ ally has become almost a prerequisite if a pop musician hopes to maintain a lasting career. There have been some bold moves (Lil Kim appearing on the cover of OUT, Garth Brooks headlining the Equality Rocks concert in D.C.), controversies and atonement (Donna Summer and the antigay slurs she denied through her death in 2012) and a few miscalculations along the way. When Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift first made their biggest bids for allyship—with 2011’s “Born This Way” and 2019’s “You Need to Calm Down,” respectively—some commentators reacted with skepticism. Both superstars remain in good queer standing, but if our allies come on a little too strong, gay fans can play hard to get. “We just want to know that we’re not being fooled and that you’re actually in our corner,” says Rettenmund. “It has to be an organic part of your talent and expression or it’ll come off hollow.” When the work itself does the talking, allyship feels effortless. Both Kylie Minogue and Robyn are forever their own selves, rebel hearts and showbiz vets surviving on exquisite taste and superior grooves. The queer-rooted, ballroom beats of Beyoncé’s Renaissance say “Thank you, I love you” better than any stump speech. It’s gratifying that Sabrina Carpenter has said, “I don’t think pop would exist if it wasn’t for the queer community,” but her collaboration with Madonna on “Bring Your Love” is even cooler. Actions, as always, speak louder. “This isn’t a transactional relationship,” says Jessie Ware. “If they’re going to look after me, I’m going to look after them.” A fine example of contemporary allyship is Jessie Ware. After debuting with the sophisticated pop of 2012’s Devotion, her music gradually took on a bawdier, more dance-friendly glow—thanks in no small part to her queer fanbase. “They are constantly in my mind whenever I’m writing or thinking of how a show’s going to be,” Ware tells HITS. “And they’ve given me complete confidence in myself. Just to up my performance: bigger voice, fabulous costumes, take on an alter ego.” A highlight of her new album, Superbloom (Interscope)—the likely third act in a trilogy that started with 2020’s What’s Your Pleasure? and 2023’s That! Feels Good!—is “Don’t You Know Who I Am,” a disco extravaganza sung in the voice of Shirley Bloom, a caftan-wearing fictional character Ware created for the song. “She’s somewhere between Brigitte Bardot and Blanche DuBois,” Ware explains. The gloriously over-the-top chorus, in which Shirley Bloom goes full-blown Shirley Bassey, was egged on by Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears. “He was doing Cabaret at the time, and when he arrived, Liza Minnelli just suddenly seeped into the studio.” Ware is the generous type: One moment she’s partnering with actor Jonathan Bailey for “Just Like Us,” a campaign that encourages parents to better understand their LGBTQ+ children. Then she’s casting the hunky James Norton as a shirtless cowboy in the video for “Ride.” She doesn’t take her ally status for granted. “This isn’t a transactional relationship,” Ware says. “If they’re going to look after me, I’m going to look after them.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Pride%3A%20The%20Midler-Madonna-Gaga%20Axis%20Of%20Music&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Pride%3A%20The%20Midler-Madonna-Gaga%20Axis%20Of%20Music%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Pride%3A%20The%20Midler-Madonna-Gaga%20Axis%20Of%20Music&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Pride%3A%20The%20Midler-Madonna-Gaga%20Axis%20Of%20Music%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Pride%3A%20The%20Midler-Madonna-Gaga%20Axis%20Of%20Music%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, LGBTQ, Music **Tags:** #Axis, #BetteMidler, #CyndiLauper, #LadyGaga, #LGBTQ, #Madonna, #Music --- ### [Photo: Drinking With Houston In The Limousine - The Rose](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/08/photo-drinking-with-houston-in-the-limousine-the-rose/) **Published:** June 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Photo: Drinking With Houston In The Limousine - The Rose **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Drinking With Houston In The Limousine – The Rose By Mister D June 8, 2026 --- ![Two-panel meme: a curly-haired woman in a red scarf covers her face in the top panel, then looks surprised holding a bottle in the bottom panel with the caption ‘Wax-a-what?’](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6b48a3fd7c9e837cd58e98694c1757c5-1.jpg "6b48a3fd7c9e837cd58e98694c1757c5 1 - bootleg betty")--- **Photo: Drinking With [Houston ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-rose/)In The Limousine – [The Rose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rose_(film))** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Drinking%20With%20Houston%20In%20The%20Limousine%20-%20The%20Rose&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Drinking%20With%20Houston%20In%20The%20Limousine%20-%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Drinking%20With%20Houston%20In%20The%20Limousine%20-%20The%20Rose&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Drinking%20With%20Houston%20In%20The%20Limousine%20-%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Drinking%20With%20Houston%20In%20The%20Limousine%20-%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Houston, #HoustonDyer, #Photos, #TheRose --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Here Comes The Flood - Art Or Bust](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/27/video-bette-midler-here-comes-the-flood-art-or-bust/) **Published:** February 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performs a dramatic and apocalyptic version of Peter Gabriel's Here Comes The Flood for her Art or Bust Special **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Here Comes The Flood – Art Or Bust By Mister D Feb. 27, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/463922943_8516812665075724_39178818778716745_n.jpg "463922943_8516812665075724_39178818778716745_n - bootleg betty") --- --- Bette Midler performs a dramatic and apocalyptic version of Peter Gabriel’s [**Here Comes The Flood**](https://genius.com/Peter-gabriel-here-comes-the-flood-lyrics) for her [**Art or Bust**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/art-or-bust/) Special Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Here%20Comes%20The%20Flood%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Here%20Comes%20The%20Flood%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Here%20Comes%20The%20Flood%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Here%20Comes%20The%20Flood%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Here%20Comes%20The%20Flood%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Art Or Bust, Bette Midler, De Tour, Video **Tags:** #ArtOrBust, #BetteMidler, #DeTour, #HereComesTheFlood, #PeterGabriel, #Video --- ### [Reviews: Bette Midler - The Divine Miss M](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/08/reviews-bette-midler-the-divine-miss-m/) **Published:** June 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Whether or not you enjoy Bette Midler’s music, it has never sounded dated. Maybe that’s because it’s never been timely, either. **Content:** --- ## Tidal Reviews: Bette Midler – The Divine Miss M By Elisabeth Vincentelli June 8, 2026 --- ![Two performers on stage: a woman with curly blonde hair in a sparkling dress stretches toward the audience while a man in a light shirt stands beside her.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/fa40f60a7889025cf56ce31621364378.jpg "Fa40f60a7889025cf56ce31621364378 - bootleg betty") --- Delightfully out of step with the early ’70s, the vocal dynamo’s debut reclaimed pop history and pushed LGBT tastemaking into the mainstream. Whether or not you enjoy [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/audio/) music, it has never sounded dated. Maybe that’s because it’s never been timely, either. Nowhere is this more obvious than on Midler’s debut album, [**The Divine Miss M**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Divine_Miss_M), released by Atlantic Records half a century ago, in November 1972. This was the year of Curtis Mayfield’s Super Fly and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, of Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book and Neil Young’s Harvest. Roberta Flack, Don McLean and Harry Nilsson ruled the American charts. Listening to Eddie Kendricks and Iggy Pop, you could hear the early rumbles of disco and punk. The Divine Miss M sounded nothing like any of that music. Midler was 26 and already looking back, covering the Andrews Sisters’ wartime hit “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” the Shangri-Las’ “Leader of the Pack” and the Dixie Cups’ “Chapel of Love.” (Check the lyrical sentiment: “Goin’ to the chapel and we’re gonna get married/Gee, I really love you.”) Then again, these songs were juxtaposed with an understated rendition of John Prine’s wrenchingly conversational “Hello in There,” and the funky, sexy “Daytime Hustler,” which had the kind of drum break hip-hop dreams are made of. Look closely at the credits and some names may stop you in your tracks: jazz bassist Ron Carter here; future architect of the Philadelphia Sound Thom Bell there. And then there was Midler’s music director and accompanist, Barry Manilow, who is now associated with a certain kind of sappy romance but was then proving his mettle as an inventive orchestrator and arranger. The album was all over the map, a sui generis synthesis of styles and moods stretched between “normcore” aesthetics and cabaret showbiz, campy humor and heartfelt confession — sometimes all at once. And it worked: The Divine Miss M reached No. 9 on the Billboard albums chart and spawned three hits: “Do You Want to Dance?,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Friends,” which Midler used to open and close her live sets. Writing almost two decades after the release of The Divine Miss M, the critic Robert Christgau posited in the Village Voice that “this exercise of taste was prophetic and liberating. Ultimately, she was claiming the entirety of American popular music, which is why she also covered Glenn Miller, the Andrews Sisters, Bessie Smith.” For him, “Bette Midler was helping to rearticulate the rock canon.” Midler’s uncanny grasp of the various forms of the American pop vernacular may have had something to do with a generous, open-minded artistic temperament. But it had also been refined by the demanding crowds at her regular live gigs, especially in New York — the city where she forged her reputation as a versatile interpreter (and a quick-witted stage animal) long before The Divine Miss M. Most infamous were her regular gigs at the Continental Baths (nicknamed “the Tubs”), a gay bathhouse with a small performing area in the basement of the Ansonia Hotel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. She began performing there in the very early 1970s, backed by Manilow on piano. “You never saw anything like it,” he told Vanity Fair in 2011. “It topped anything Lady Gaga is doing today. And she did it without any stage tricks or fancy effects. It was just Bette and me and a drummer.” Propelled by live shows that were becoming the stuff of legend, Midler got herself on television, too. Thanks to social media, musicians today can achieve fame without a proper release. It was a very different situation 50 years ago, when you needed some vinyl to be played on the radio, at the very least. But her debut album was still over two years away when Midler made the first of her many appearances on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Midler’s fan base grew so much that in June 1972 she rented Carnegie Hall, and filled it. Not too bad for someone who referred to her artistry as “trash with flash.” Having built her reputation on stage and TV, Midler signed to Atlantic Records, a move representative of the label’s evolution from a soul and R&B powerhouse in the 1960s to one dominated by rock acts in the 1970s. Not, as should be clear by now, that Midler was your run-of-the-mill rock act. That cover of Bobby Freeman’s 1958 hit, “Do You Want to Dance?,” for example, was slowed to a sultry, breathy crawl, and featured horn and string arrangements by Bell, with Cissy Houston popping up among the background vocalists. Manilow ended up sharing producing and arranging duties on The Divine Miss M with Ahmet Ertegun, Geoffrey Haslam and Joel Dorn, who regularly worked at Atlantic. Another of Dorn’s triumphs, Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” beat Midler’s “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, at the Grammys in 1974. Midler did win Best New Artist that year, receiving the award from Karen and Richard Carpenter. Ironically, in 1971 Richard Carpenter had decided to cover the Delaney & Bonnie song “Superstar” after hearing Midler perform it on the Tonight Show, and the duo’s version was a hit. Picking up her trophy, a beaming Midler dryly said, “My dear, isn’t that a hoot? Me and Miss Karen! I’m surprised you didn’t hit me over the head with it.” (And yes, “Superstar” is included on The Divine Miss M.) With all this in mind, it’s no wonder that The Divine Miss M was so varied. And it managed quite a few surprises. Midler’s brash, larger-than-life persona was well established, for example, but the album could often be startlingly emotional. She was also fairly straightforward and never mocked the material. Embracing the likes of “Do You Want to Dance?” (even reimagined) and “Chapel of Love” might have felt a little regressive shortly after the countercultural explosion of the late 1960s, but Midler sounded as if she was sincerely longing for true romance — and that felt almost radical. Not to mention that her open embrace of and by the gay community was the exact opposite of regressive, especially in the early 1970s. Her music and its context suggested that love and acceptance were something everybody should be allowed to find. Those are values that don’t really grow old, and Midler has never stopped espousing them. No wonder that it’s “Friends,” rather than “Wind Beneath My Wings” or “From a Distance,” that will go down as her true signature song. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Reviews%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Reviews%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Reviews%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Reviews%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Reviews%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Music, Reviews, Songs, The Divine Miss M **Tags:** #Album, #BetteMidler, #Music, #Reviews, #Songs, #thedivinemissm --- ### [Bette Midler Archive Audio: Chapel Of Love/I Shall Be Released/Friends - 1972](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/08/bette-midler-archive-audio-chapel-of-love-i-shall-be-released-friends-1972/) **Published:** June 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler Archive: Chapel Of Love/I Shall Be Released/Friends - 1972 **Content:** --- ## Bette Midler Archive Bette Midler Archive: Chapel Of Love/I Shall Be Released/Friends – 1972 By Bette Midler Archive June 8, 2026 --- ![Poster advertising a Bette Midler concert with bold text: ‘Chapel of Love,’ ‘I Shall Be Released,’ June 23, 1972, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY; Bette Midler performing on stage](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-08_01-43-26.png "2026-06-08_01-43-26 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FI%20Shall%20Be%20Released%2FFriends%20-%201972&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FI%20Shall%20Be%20Released%2FFriends%20-%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FI%20Shall%20Be%20Released%2FFriends%20-%201972&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FI%20Shall%20Be%20Released%2FFriends%20-%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FI%20Shall%20Be%20Released%2FFriends%20-%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Music, Songs, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BetteMidlerArchive, #chapeloflove, #Friends, #I ShallBeReleased, #Music, #Songs --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler With Dudley Moore & Peter Cook At The 1974 Tonys](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/07/photo-bette-midler-with-dudley-moore-peter-cook-at-the-1974-tonys/) **Published:** June 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Photo: Bette Midler With Dudley Moore & Peter Cook At The 1974 Tonys **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler With Dudley Moore & Peter Cook At The 1974 Tonys By Mister D June 8, 2026 --- ![Three people in tuxedos posing and smiling at a formal event, with a large decorative coin backdrop behind them.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-07_12-47-24.png "2026-06-07_12-47-24 - bootleg betty") --- **Peter Cook, [Bette Midler ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/videos/)and [Dudley Moore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudley_Moore) shared a good laugh while backstage at the 28th Tony Awards in 1974.** **Bette received a special Tony for her concert at the Palace on Broadway.** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20With%20Dudley%20Moore%20%26%20Peter%20Cook%20At%20The%201974%20Tonys&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20With%20Dudley%20Moore%20%26%20Peter%20Cook%20At%20The%201974%20Tonys%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20With%20Dudley%20Moore%20%26%20Peter%20Cook%20At%20The%201974%20Tonys&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20With%20Dudley%20Moore%20%26%20Peter%20Cook%20At%20The%201974%20Tonys%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20With%20Dudley%20Moore%20%26%20Peter%20Cook%20At%20The%201974%20Tonys%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Broadway, Photos, Tonys **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #DudleyMoore, #PeterCook, #photo, #Tonys --- ### [Bette Midler And A Brief History With Tonys And Broadway](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/06/bette-midler-and-a-brief-history-with-tonys-and-broadway/) **Published:** June 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The 79th Tony Awards will be held tonight on June 7, 2026, to recognize excellence in Broadway productions during the 2025–26 season. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler And A Brief History With Tonys And Broadway By Mister D June 7, 2026 --- ![Older woman with short blonde hair in a sparkling silver gown speaks into a microphone on a stage, holding a booklet or card nearby.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/midler-tonys-12jun17-01-777x1024.jpg "Midler-tonys-12jun17-01 - bootleg betty")--- --- **Mister D:** *The 79th Tony Awards will be held tonight on June 7, 2026, to recognize excellence in Broadway productions during the 2025–26 season. The ceremony will take place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, and will be broadcast on CBS, with streaming available on Paramount+. Pink will be your host!* [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/tonys/) has won **two [Tony Awards](https://www.tonyawards.com/)** over a career spanning several decades. Her history with the awards includes an early special honor, a legendary performance debut, and a historic acting win that became one of the most talked-about moments in Tony history. **Her Early Days and Special Tony** - **1968 Performance:** Long before she won a competitive Tony, Bette Midler made her Broadway debut in the original production of *Fiddler on the Roof*. She played Tevye’s eldest daughter, Tzeitel. She performed the song “Matchmaker” with the cast at the **1968 Tony Awards**. - **1974 Special Tony Award:** Bette Midler received her very first Tony statuette as a **Special Tony Award**. Late-night legend Johnny Carson presented her with the honor. It was given to her for “adding lustre to the Broadway season” following her popular concert run at the Palace Theatre. **The Big Acting Win and Epic Speech** - **2017 Best Actress Winner:** Bette Midler won her first competitive acting Tony Award for playing the matchmaker Dolly Levi in the hit revival of ***Hello, Dolly!***. The show itself was a massive success, taking home multiple awards that night, including Best Revival of a Musical. - **Defying the Orchestra:** Her acceptance speech at the 71st Annual Tony Awards became an instant classic. When the orchestra began playing music to signal that her time was up and she needed to leave the stage, Midler refused to budge. She hilariously shouted, **“Shut that crap off!”**. The band actually stopped, and she went on to speak for over four minutes, thanking her fans and the people of Hawaii who helped her break into theater as a child **Aside from her famous musical roles, Bette Midler has left a major mark on Broadway with straight plays and massive concert productions.** - **Here are her major Broadway roles and shows outside of *Hello, Dolly!*:** - *I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers* (2013) \[[1](https://playbill.com/person/bette-midler-vault-0000005792)\] - **The Role:** Midler played **Sue Mengers**, the first female super-agent in Hollywood who represented huge stars like Barbra Streisand and Cher. - **The Show:** This was a hit **one-woman play**. Midler sat on a couch for the entire 90-minute show, smoking cigarettes and telling dirty Hollywood secrets. It was her first time acting in a Broadway play in nearly 40 years. She even earned a Drama Desk Award nomination for her performance. - *Fiddler on the Roof* (1967–1970) - **The Role:** Midler joined the original production as a replacement to play **Tzeitel**, the oldest daughter of the main character, Tevye. - **The Show:** This was her **very first Broadway show**. Before landing the role of Tzeitel, she started in the ensemble and was an understudy for other characters in the musical. - Her Blockbuster Concert Shows (1970s) - Before she was a movie star, Midler ruled Broadway with her wild, high-energy musical concert revues. She sang, told jokes, and played her famous brassy character, “The Divine Miss M”. - ***Bette Midler* (1973):** Her first big solo concert run at the Palace Theatre. This legendary show is what earned her the 1974 Special Tony Award. - ***Bette Midler’s Clams on the Half Shell Revue* (1975):** Another massive concert hit where she sang on top of a giant clamshell. - ***Bette! Divine Madness* (1979):** Her final big 1970s concert run, which she also helped write and direct. - *Priscilla Queen of the Desert* (2011) - **The Role:** Midler did not perform on stage for this show. Instead, she worked behind the scenes as a **lead producer**. She helped bring the colorful, flamboyant musical from London over to Broadway. \[[1](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Bette-Midler/), [2](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/bette-midler-4524)\] ![Blue-tinted poster advertising Bette Midler's Clams on the Half-Shell Revue, with a dancer leaping across the page and bold show details nearby.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/RC308.jpg "Rc308 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20And%20A%20Brief%20History%20With%20Tonys%20And%20Broadway&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20A%20Brief%20History%20With%20Tonys%20And%20Broadway%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20A%20Brief%20History%20With%20Tonys%20And%20Broadway&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20A%20Brief%20History%20With%20Tonys%20And%20Broadway%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20A%20Brief%20History%20With%20Tonys%20And%20Broadway%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, concerts, Theatre, Tonys **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #History, #Theater, #Tonys --- ### [Book - LGBTQ Artists And Allies Who Changed Music](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/05/book-lgbtq-artists-and-allies-who-changed-music/) **Published:** June 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Additionally, Walters makes a point to include allies such as Cyndi Lauper, Grace Jones, Bette Midler, Patti Smith, Cher, Dolly Parton, and Madonna **Content:** --- ## OutSmart Book – LGBTQ Artists And Allies Who Changed Music By Gregg Shapiro June 5, 2026 --- ![Person in a floor-length black-and-white striped gown with a feathered train, posing with hands on hips against a pink backdrop and pink floral headpiece on the head.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/7a3cc14eb0e53591093213ad86b92283.jpg "7a3cc14eb0e53591093213ad86b92283 - bootleg betty") --- [**Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969–2000**](https://barrywalterswriter.com/books/mighty-real-a-history-of-lgbtq-music-1969-2000/9798217059829) (Viking, 2026), by gay music journalist Barry Walters, is a practically comprehensive overview of the music made by and for LGBTQ folks, and its enduring presence and impact. Part reference book, part memoir, the rainbow musical spectrum covered is particularly notable. Beginning with groundbreaking artists including Laura Nyro and Lou Reed (along with the Velvet Underground), Walters invites us on this revealing musical odyssey that touches on a vast array of talent including Sylvester, Elton John, The B-52s, Wendy Carlos, k.d. lang, Bob Mould, Indigo Girls, Bronski Beat, and Dusty Springfield, to mention just a few. Additionally, Walters makes a point to include allies such as Cyndi Lauper, Grace Jones, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/glbt/), Patti Smith, Cher, Dolly Parton, and Madonna, as well as influential record labels (Motown and Olivia) and genres (disco, punk, post-punk, and hip-hop). The author deserves praise not only for his vast knowledge of the subject, but also for the way he connects the dots with several artists. Walters spoke to OutSmart ahead of the book’s publication last month. **Gregg Shapiro: Did the concept for this book begin with one of the essays you’ve included, or was the idea for the book already fully formed from the onset?** Barry Walters: The book’s inspiration is a departed friend of mine, Vito Russo, and his extraordinary, pioneering 1981 book The Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies. I fell in love with it when I was a graduate-school cinema-studies student at NYU and starting my professional career at the Village Voice. I met Vito through a mutual friend, Steven Harvey—a film critic who wrote in the Voice what might have been the earliest first-person article written about what it’s like to have AIDS. I sensed that Vito wanted to share with me what he knew and loved while he still could. He’d show me Bette Midler at the Continental Baths, or Babs and Judy dueting on The Judy Garland Show, back when footage like that was a coveted, rare treasure. Seen through his eyes, what I had considered old-hat was fresh and vital. In 1987, he revised The Celluloid Closet and included something I’d written in the Voice about Pee-wee Herman that put him in an LGBTQ context. Vito’s blessing made me feel as though I’d become a serious, legit writer. When he and Steve both died, I felt I had to bear witness because I had been spared. After I left the San Francisco Examiner in 1997, I tracked down Vito’s agent. He loved my idea about doing a popular-music answer to The Celluloid Closet, but I didn’t know the first thing about writing a book proposal. I ran out of money and had to plunge myself back into freelance journalism. But when it became feasible to finally write a book, that’s what I returned to. **Did the book grow out of your interviews with Patrick Haggerty (Lavender Country), Judy Dlugacz (Olivia), and countless others as a music journalist?** Mighty Real was indeed facilitated by several decades of interviewing queer and queer-relevant musicians. I dug up old interview tapes I’d recorded, like with Liza Minnelli when she worked with the Pet Shop Boys for her 1989 Results album. That was for The Advocate and I remember my editor liking the piece, even though it was never published. **Mighty Real reads like a memoir interwoven with history—especially the Bowie, Queen, RHPS, and Bronski Beat chapters. Was that how you envisioned the book?** Mighty Real is a history book interwoven with memoir. This book has 60 chapters, and in most of those I discuss several acts, so I cover hundreds of queer and queer-adjacent bands, singers, producers, label owners—you name it. I wrote nearly everything for years without using the “I” word at all. But in one chapter I did write about what it was like reading, as an 11-year-old, about David Bowie for the first time, and how I learned the word “bisexual” through him. So I bought Space Oddity, and what followed from Bowie helped me learn about myself. All of us have variations on that kind of story. I realized that if I wrote about mine, the reader might think about theirs. I also decided to share what it was like, for example, to interview Whitney Houston and hear her lie about herself, but reveal the truth through her actions. Those chapters gave me the confidence to revisit earlier chapters and sometimes be more autobiographical. ![Close-up of a rainbow-colored vinyl record with a bright yellow center label that reads 'Mighty Real' and 'Barry Walters' with the subtitle 'A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969–2000'.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/download.jpg "Download - bootleg betty") **Is one of your goals with Mighty Real to inspire readers to explore artists they are unfamiliar with? For example, Parachute Club, Lavender Country, and Phranc.** Yes. I tried to select singers and songs that transcend their genre, especially for LGBTQ readers interested in elements of our culture beyond their experience. You might not ordinarily like folk music, or you might think you don’t like women who call themselves dykes, but if you at least look at Phranc’s I Enjoy Being a Girl album cover, I practically guarantee that you’ll want to hear what’s inside and that you’ll find something you enjoy. **Do you anticipate hearing from some of the artists you cover in the book?** I hope Mighty Real finds its way into the hands of those people, but I didn’t write it for them. I wrote it for us. Before I started Mighty Real in earnest, I wrote about Grace Jones just before her memoir was announced. One thing led to another: Grace read the article and wanted me to condense it for her Hollywood Bowl program. I agreed to do it if she’d say hello to me after playing the Fox, because I had to meet her before I died. As we approached Grace’s dressing room, my husband and I overheard her manager say that Barry Walters was waiting outside. She thought I was someone else wanting to do an interview, and she responded exactly like you’d expect Grace Jones to react. Then her manager said, “No, no, Barry wrote the article I showed you.” Then we hear, “Oh, I love that article!” She then came out of her dressing room completely naked and holding a towel in front of herself, looking for the assistant who had her clothes. My husband found that person, and then she greeted me. I don’t think my family and friends have ever been more enthusiastic over something I’ve written. **Musical theater is an essential component of queer culture for so many. How important was it for you to work musicals such as Kinky Boots into the book?** An early draft of the book had a line that said something like, “There’s no point in writing about LGBTQ participation and themes in theater because, to some degree, it’s all gay.” That’s an exaggeration, but there aren’t multi-billion-dollar corporations keeping theater actors in the closet and making playwrights avoid gay content or forcing them to write about it only covertly, the way there is in rock, pop, R&B, country, hip-hop, and so on. That opposition, combined with queer kids’ hunger to hear themselves represented, is what creates phenomena like Bowie, and why disco had to be invented. So, I decided only to write about theater if it intersects with popular music in a profound way. Is it genuine rock ’n roll or pop, or R&B? Was it played on the radio? Did we dance to it? That’s the kind of music theater I include in Mighty Real. I have a theater degree, so I believe the rest of it is a world unto itself and deserves its own book, not mine. **In Chapter 22, you mention that the B-52s still haven’t been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Do you think that might change now that an outspoken ally such as Cyndi Lauper has been inducted?** The day after this interview, I received my Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ballot. Melissa Etheridge and Luther Vandross, about whom I write extensively in Mighty Real, have been nominated, as they should be. But once again, not the B-52s. They never have. That goes to show how much antigay sentiment still exists in the music industry. I don’t think our ally Cyndi Lauper, as much as I love and appreciate her, can alone change that. We, as a community, must come together to hold those people accountable. **Would you agree that, despite the deep queer roots of the B-52s and the Village People, it’s surprising that their biggest hits, “Love Shack” and “Y.M.C.A.,” continue to be played at straight functions, including weddings and political rallies?** No, I don’t. So much of what our artists created is so strong and universal that I don’t begrudge anyone for enjoying it their own way, even if it was created by and initially for us. I do, however, find it vile that our culture is co-opted and corrupted by those who repress us. I tried to write about every one of my book’s subjects in such a way that it’s all enticing, no matter if you’re L, G, B, T, Q, or even straight. I want metal fans to read the women’s-music chapter and go “Wow!” I hope women’s-music fans read about Judas Priest and go “Wow,” because both subjects are awe-inspiring. All great art, even if it springs out of pop culture, transcends. Dolly Parton and Queen are perfect examples. **You write about the homophobic and racist 1979 Disco Demolition that took place in Chicago. Is it fair to say that it’s karma that shock jock Steve Dahl has been relegated to the dustbin of history, while Chicago became the birthplace of house music, one of the queerest and most enduring styles of dance music?** The only reason we’re still talking about Steve Dahl is because he put a face onto musical racism, sexism, and homophobia. Chicago has one of North America’s densest LGBTQ populations, so it makes perfect sense that it would inspire both death-to-disco and disco-lives movements. House music, as you know, was created by overlapping communities of gay and Black people, just as disco was. The only white straights initially attracted to it were those eager to attend Black or gay—or, particularly, Black gay—clubs, because that was where they knew they could really let loose and shake it. Mighty Real is available now at your local independent bookseller, at Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Book%20-%20LGBTQ%20Artists%20And%20Allies%20Who%20Changed%20Music&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Book%20-%20LGBTQ%20Artists%20And%20Allies%20Who%20Changed%20Music%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Book%20-%20LGBTQ%20Artists%20And%20Allies%20Who%20Changed%20Music&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Book%20-%20LGBTQ%20Artists%20And%20Allies%20Who%20Changed%20Music%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Book%20-%20LGBTQ%20Artists%20And%20Allies%20Who%20Changed%20Music%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Allies, Bette Midler, Books, LGBTQ, Music, Queer Artists **Tags:** #Allies, #BarryWalters, #BetteMidler, #CyndiLauper, #LGBTQ, #Madonna, #MightyReal, #Music, #QueerArtits --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Performs At World Pride 2019](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/06/video-bette-midler-performs-at-world-pride-2019/) **Published:** June 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s performance of “Friends” at World Pride / Stonewall 50 on June 29, 2019, stands as one of her most intimate, community?centered appearances of the decade. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Performs At World Pride 2019 By Mister D June 6, 2026 --- ![Older woman singing on stage into a microphone, wearing a black dress and gold bracelets.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/d7f054c8cb4768e5bd3bbf931699c13e.jpg "D7f054c8cb4768e5bd3bbf931699c13e - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/glbt/) performance of “Friends” at [**World Pride**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_50_%E2%80%93_WorldPride_NYC_2019) / Stonewall 50 on June 29, 2019, stands as one of her most intimate, community?centered appearances of the decade. The moment wasn’t a full concert—it was a statement, a reclamation, and a love letter to the LGBTQ+ community that launched her career. **What Happened** Bette appeared at the WE Party: World Pride Main Event at the Javits Center in NYC—an enormous, high?energy circuit party packed with thousands of LGBTQ+ fans. She walked onstage after a video montage honoring Stonewall’s legacy, greeted by a roar of affection. She performed “Friends” with only her pianist Marc Shaiman—no dancers, no band, no spectacle—just Bette, a mic, and a room full of people who have loved her for 50 years. **Why “Friends” Mattered** A return to her roots — “Friends” was one of her earliest signature songs from her Bathhouse Betty era. Performing it at Stonewall 50 was a full?circle moment. A tribute to LGBTQ+ history — The event honored the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, and Bette framed the song as a thank?you to the community that shaped her. A rare, stripped?down performance — In a massive dance?party environment, she chose intimacy over spectacle, speaking directly to the crowd as if they were in her living room. **The Atmosphere** Eyewitness accounts describe: A 5,000?person crowd packed into the Javits Center A mix of Stonewall archival footage, celebrity messages, and Pride iconography A dramatic entrance where Bette interrupts a prerecorded Cher message with a comedic vinyl?scratch gag A wave of emotion as she dedicated “Friends” to her “long?term friendship with the gay community” **After Her Performance** Bette’s appearance opened the door for a lineup that included: Billy Porter (surprise performance) Conchita Wurst Cirque du Soleil performers Cyndi Lauper, who also headlined the night **Why This Moment Endures** Bette’s World Pride performance is remembered because it wasn’t about spectacle—it was about belonging. In a night full of lasers, DJs, and high?energy acts, she chose to stand still and sing a song about loyalty, chosen family, and queer history. It was Bathhouse Betty returning home. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20World%20Pride%202019&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20World%20Pride%202019%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20World%20Pride%202019&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20World%20Pride%202019%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20World%20Pride%202019%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, GLBT, LGBTQ, Special Events, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #LGBTQ, #Video, #WorldPride --- ### [Bette Midler - Lookin' Back At A Gay Icon](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/06/bette-midler-lookin-back-at-a-gay-icon/) **Published:** June 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler is a gay icon and a Hollywood fixture, and not even in that order. **Content:** --- ## The Village Voice The Big Lookback: Bette Midler By Robert Christgau June 4, 2026 --- ![Woman with curly hair wearing a brown polka-dot bikini top and a wide straw hat, smiling outdoors in sunny light.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-03_18-23-11.png "2026-06-03_18-23-11 - bootleg betty") --- Although it was the winter solstice of 1974 before we were legally married, I’ve been very aware, especially since I turned that big round number 80 in April, that Carola and I have now been a couple for another big round number: 50 years, half a century. Exactly how we date the moment of commitment is trickier, however–I devote a fair swatch of Going Into the City to the details. But the decisive event that inspired this month’s Big Lookback is clear enough: June 23, 1972, Bette Midler at Carnegie Hall, Which without question was our first date qua date and also either the night we fell in love or the night she began to because I already had. After half a century in the showbiz spotlight, the Bette Midler of June 1972 may seem like a fait accompli in the making. But I date her breakout a little later, to November 7 of that year. That’s when The Divine Miss M was released and a month before it charted in Billboard, where it peaked at nine. In New York City, of course, she was already a big deal by then or she wouldn’t have played Carnegie Hall, and hipped by a shrewd publicist friend I’d already seen her a bunch of times. In August, by which time Carola had pretty much moved in with me, I’d filed a longer-than-usual Bette Midler column in Newsday suggesting that maybe it was time for a woman to play the role of rock messiah. After all, women understood better than men that in a metastasizing “counterculture” tangled up in the authenticity rhetoric of idealized “self-expression,” we all needed to understand the uses of artifice–which the gay men who loved Bette had to master just to survive. In 1974 that Midler piece preceded tributes to Stevie Wonder and the New York Dolls to put a bow on my first collection, Any Old Way You Choose It. In a general way my feminist argument was pretty astute–in addition to Joni Mitchell, who was featured on the book’s cover, it anticipated the rise of Linda Ronstadt and on a smaller scale Bonnie Raitt and in a more avant mode Patti Smith, not to mention disco, a music that was fine with me even if it didn’t generate the albums that by then were the backbone of my music coverage. So I kept rooting for Bette, even lending her the Ann Peebles album that included “I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home,” which she covered on the eponymous 1973 follow-up to The Divine Miss M. But though I was down with 1977’s Live at Last, I found her subsequent albums all too schlocky and most of her movies, with an exception for Down and Out in Beverly Hills in 1986, not much better. There was also live video of guest bits and whole concerts so hilarious and uninhibited that when Bette sold out 30 consecutive shows at Radio City in 1993 I scored press tickets for me and my gal three decades after it all began. We had a great time, too–with each other and also with Bette, who while endearing and tremendously entertaining, hadn’t turned out quite like we’d hoped. For in addition to remaining an artist who shared the “Careers in Iconicity” section of my 1998 collection Grown Up All Wrong with Madonna, Prince, Garth Brooks, Lou Reed, and Janet Jackson, she was also an artist who recorded a rather good song called “From a Distance” that was transmuted by happenstance into the regretfully ambiguous theme song of this nation’s first but not last Iraq war. Yet as we did not yet know, that same artist was destined to emerge as an ever more outspoken Hollywood liberal who founded the New York Restoration Project in 1995 and also puts money into something called the Adopt-a-Highway Maintenance Corp. I don’t drive much anymore. But when I hie up to New Paltz or Clinton, Connecticut, I often spy signs announcing that Bette Midler was paying to keep this stretch of road clean. You can see them in L.A. as well, I’m told. Is she divine? Of course not. She’s mortal and proud of it. Good for her. Bette Midler is a gay icon and a Hollywood fixture, and not even in that order. The star of more halfway decent movies than you could remember with cue cards, she barely records anymore–her major musical achievement of the past decade was moistly emoting the theme song of our attack on Iraq, “From a Distance.” Yet that dubious achievement was enough to make manifest if not clear what a complex musical presence she can be. Ordinarily, I scoff at talk of guilty pleasure in rock and roll, which teaches us to take our pleasures where we find them, be it “Bridge Over Troubled Water” or “Me So Horny.” But Bette’s Grammy-winning million-seller left me feeling I-just-don’t-know–furtive, compromised, even bathetic. There were times when it brought tears to my eyes. In the quieter Nanci Griffith original, the distance that concealed all wounds remained somewhere between necessary evil and existential condition–she knew she was deceiving herself, and she wasn’t boasting about it. In Bette’s version, that hint of self-criticism was transmuted into a halo of self-pity–as if the distance had been inflicted on her, as if she could experience even bigger feelings if only she could get closer, and be an even better person in the bargain. Offensive enough in the abstract, this was infinitely worse in context, as Bette’s nation convinced itself that innocent human beings had to die because . . . because . . . because life was unfair, because the alternative was worse, because Saddam would kill ’em all anyway, because–although no one would say it in so many words–they weren’t the same as us. But it captured something. Rarely has the codependency of well-meaning self-involvement and high-grade schlock been so fully exploited or so richly explored. Julie Gold’s songwriting–a lyric that captures a difficult idea everyone subconsciously understands in precise images that are simultaneously simple and grand, a chorus that subsumes the images’ contradictions in a reassuring melodic surge–was essential. But it was Bette’s no-stops vocal that turned the song into a catharsis that could first sop up the tortuous tension of the troop movements and then absorb the shock of the war. As a longtime fan of Griffith’s version, I find that it has receded into Bette’s, which now stands somewhere between great bad record and fact of history. Of course, the context has changed yet again. No longer a proximate accessory to imperialist slaughter, the song can also be heard at a distance. Having gotten its start on 1990’s Some People’s Lives, her only true new album since 1983, it’s now a star exhibit on both Experience the Divine: Bette Midler’s Greatest Hits and the long-awaited tour the compilation is named after–a tour now settled in for a record-breaking 30 sellout shows at Radio City Music Hall. The tour is primary because Bette is a performer first, long-awaited because performing is a grind. Grammy or no Grammy, it makes perfect sense that her deal with Atlantic Records, the only label she’s ever recorded for, should have long since proven little more than a bridge from the Continental Baths to Sunset Boulevard, and it also makes sense that in 1983, with her film career floundering after diva-quality feuds with working-class hunk Ken Wahl on the set of the well-named Jinxed, she should have sworn off the road anyway. Hollywood has always been Bette Midler’s destiny–the stardom she set her sights on was the kind she’d read about in magazines. She didn’t want to be Mick Jagger or Bob Dylan, both of whom she’s since duetted with, because she didn’t want to be Janis Joplin, whose doom she would eventually win an Oscar nomination for enacting. She knew without thinking twice that rock and roll was a shitty place for a woman. In Hollywood, a prima donna could get some respect. Ms. Davis, meet your namesake. Young people may be surprised to encounter Bette Midler in the same sentence as rock and roll. If you want to find her records at Tower, you climb up to the third floor, where she shares space with Streisand and Sinatra in a section designated Vocals. Yet when she started putting together her take on cabaret for the gay orgiasts of the Baths, “rock” defined and dominated her act. The surprising part was that she made no apparent distinction between classy post-Beatles stuff–which came down mostly to what we would now classify folk-rock: Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released,” John Prine’s “Hello in There,” Tracy Nelson’s “Delta Dawn,” Buzzy Linhart’s “Friends”–and such supposedly ignoble trash as “Do You Want To Dance?,” “Chapel of Love,” and “Leader of the Pack.” In retrospect it’s obvious that she knew more about how rock history would be written than your average hippie-come-lately; for a long time now, girl groups and ’50s one-shots have enjoyed at least as much artistic cachet as, oh, Jackson Browne, not to mention Quicksilver Messenger Service. In 1972, however, this exercise of taste was prophetic and liberating. Ultimately, she was claiming the entirety of American popular music, which is why she also covered Glenn Miller, the Andrews Sisters, Bessie Smith. But across the room from the New York Dolls–who were also gay-identified, of course–Bette Midler was helping to rearticulate the rock canon. Unfortunately, the inspiration didn’t last. Without ever abandoning the teenaged folkie in her–the one who formed the Pieridine Three with two girlfriends in Honolulu and couldn’t resist “From a Distance” three decades late–Bette didn’t just go Hollywood, she went El Lay. It’s true that Allee Willis and Billy Steinberg and the odious Diane Warren have manufactured songs far more banal than those on Some People’s Lives. But as the Marxists used to say, it is no accident that the only selections from that album on Experience the Divine are “From a Distance” and a “Miss Otis Regrets” so perilously overswung it’s hard to believe she wasn’t settling for name recognition. Opening night at Radio City, she gave her newer stuff more slack–the Janis Ian-Rhonda Fleming title number started off like a trite “Hello in There” rip and then redeemed itself on the chorus, and “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most” was uncommonly subtle, as it is on record. But she also included a felicitous “Friends” and a friendly “Do You Want To Dance?,” an unflagging “Delta Dawn” and an overembellished “Hello in There” and an automatic “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”–five 1972 songs in all, exactly as many as the compilation. If Springsteen were to pay similar tribute to Greetings From Asbury Park or Born To Run, we’d say he was throwing in the towel. With Bette, though, it’s different. Debut album or no debut album, The Divine Miss M still sounds not just fresh but of the essence. Live at Last ain’t bad either. Live at Last–as well as the concert video Art or Bust–also might convey to truth-seekers who can’t afford scalpers how Bette managed to sell 200,000 tickets to Radio City off a best-of that never got over 50 in Billboard. It isn’t just the yucks–1986’s Mud Will Be Flung Tonight is pretty funny for a comedy album and still doesn’t capture half her pizzazz. So put it this way. You know how certain very acerbic comedians try to make it up with revolting shows of sincerity, whether it’s a jerk like Don Rickles insisting that he loves all peoples or a genius like Richard Pryor grinning fondly at the poetic paramour he snuck onto Saturday Night Live? Bette’s art lives off the emotional sources of that ploy. Her comedy isn’t as mean and stupid as Rickles’s or as wild and fucked up as Pryor’s, but it evokes both; at Radio City, the “politically correct” cracks died fast, but the Joey Buttafuoco routine (“Can you believe that two women wanted to have sex with Joey?”) hurt just enough, the pedally deprived Delores de Lago and her politically dubious wheelchair was as crazy a trip as ever, and the inevitable Soph and tit jokes testified to her enduring self-respect. And like a talisman on the other side of the yucks was the line that defined her return to the footlights: “Have I done the ballad yet?” She said it about as often as she invoked succor from her other running gag, Dr. Jack Kevorkian, making clear that she knew her oldest and truest fans–I’ve never seen such a turnout of middle-aged gay couples, and I doubt many gays have either–were really there for dish and hubba-hubba. But she must also suspect that they’d feel cheated without “Delta Dawn,” and she has not the slightest doubt that the straight couples whose Saturday nights at the movies have made her a Disney heroine since the surprise boffo of Down and Out in Beverly Hills require healing dollops of sentiment after laughing at poor Mrs. Buttafuoco. Though back when she was redefining rock and roll I heard it differently, I can agree now that the hallmark of her ballad style is its imprecision. She doesn’t massage a song, she loves it to death; when she’s on, her emotions aren’t overstated, they’re all over the place, like her tits sans brassiere. It’s because her movie audience craves this effect uncut that she’s taken to putting in purchase orders with the El Lay mafia, whose specialty is sentiment that can’t be mistaken for camp. At Radio City, though, the change seemed justified. The endless closing sequence of Art or Bust features Bette in a vaguely Greek-looking gown ruining good songs and giving her all to terrible ones. Imagine “Everyone’s Gone to the Moon” with cubist props and balletic backup–I’ve never seen or heard her worse. The only selection to survive the years was the climactic “Stay With Me”–lightened in both versions with a spoken interlude, followed at Radio City by “Wind Beneath My Wings,” top-drawer El Lay generally interpreted as a love letter to her investment banker/performance artist husband, and a gratifyingly matter-of-fact version of “The Glory of Love,” originally a hit for Helen Ward and Benny Goodman in 1936. This finale wasn’t gangbusters, but it held its own, striking an unexpected balance between Hollywood and the Baths–and reminding those who were there for such revelations what a complex musical presence she can be. Some People’s Lives is double-platinum, her biggest-selling album ever. So you can figure she’ll get back to the studio eventually–and that she won’t mess with the formula, either. Too bad, I agree. But don’t bet Bette’s music is behind her quite yet. And when she tours again–which despite the never-again murmurs she will–try and beat the scalpers uptown. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lookin%27%20Back%20At%20A%20Gay%20Icon&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lookin%27%20Back%20At%20A%20Gay%20Icon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lookin%27%20Back%20At%20A%20Gay%20Icon&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lookin%27%20Back%20At%20A%20Gay%20Icon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lookin%27%20Back%20At%20A%20Gay%20Icon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Broadway, concerts, GLBT, History, Icon, Movies, Music, Philanthropy, Theatre **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ExperienceTheDivine, #GLBT, #History, #Icon, #LookiBack, #RadioCityMusicHall, #RobertChristagau --- ### [Manilow Invited Midler for New Song Collaboration. She Said No!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/05/manilow-invited-midler-for-new-song-collaboration-she-said-no/) **Published:** June 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Melanie is such a wonderful singer. It was two takes and she was done. My dream partner, of course, would have been Bette **Content:** --- ## USA Today Barry Manilow’s new album is out but will he be healthy enough to perform? By Melissa Ruggieri June 5, 2026 --- ![Abstract portrait of Bette Midler with a pale face, hand at her temple, orange curls dissolving into fragments.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/26daf042da73c4cca1834053aa149486-1.jpg "26daf042da73c4cca1834053aa149486 - bootleg betty") --- **I love that you have a cover of (Peaches & Herb’s 1978 duet) “Reunited” with [Melanie Taylor](https://www.melanietaylorartist.com/) as a bonus track from the album. It made me laugh because Melanie is a former Harlette with Bette Midler, with whom you have history going back to the ‘70s. Kind of full circle?** Melanie is such a wonderful singer. It was two takes and she was done. My dream partner, of course, would have been Bette. But she didn’t want to do it. You can’t convince [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/14/bonbon-short-bette-midler-barry-manilow-chapel-of-love-the-baths/)of anything. She just said, she doesn’t like singing anymore. You’ve got to convince her and I’m not that kind of guy that would do that. But Melanie was right in front of me and she sounded so great. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Manilow%20Invited%20Midler%20for%20New%20Song%20Collaboration.%20She%20Said%20No%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Manilow%20Invited%20Midler%20for%20New%20Song%20Collaboration.%20She%20Said%20No%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Manilow%20Invited%20Midler%20for%20New%20Song%20Collaboration.%20She%20Said%20No%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Manilow%20Invited%20Midler%20for%20New%20Song%20Collaboration.%20She%20Said%20No%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Manilow%20Invited%20Midler%20for%20New%20Song%20Collaboration.%20She%20Said%20No%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Melanie Taylor **Tags:** #Album, #BarryManilow, #BetteMidler, #Collaboration, #MelanieTaylor, #Song --- ### [Video BonBon: Bette Midler In Turd Curls From OuterSpace](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/05/video-bonbon-bette-midler-in-turd-curls-from-outerspace/) **Published:** June 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video BonBon: Bette Midler In Turd Curls From OuterSpace **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon Video BonBon: Bette Midler In Turd Curls From OuterSpace By Boodles BonBon June 5, 2026 --- ![Meme image: Bette Midler in a panda costume with red hair, smiling on a stage, overlaid with the caption 'TURD GULS' and MTV Video Music Awards branding.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-05_15-08-48.png "2026-06-05_15-08-48 - bootleg betty") --- --- Bette Midler hosted the very first MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) in 1984 alongside Dan Aykroyd. During the show, she introduced a humorous “special effect” bit called **“Turd Curls from Outer Space.**“ In the clip, Bette (with her signature curly red hair and campy energy) spins around and declares something like: *“This is what is called a special effect. I have named it turd curls from outer space. It cost me a bundle… But special effects are an endless source of surprise and delight…”* It’s classic Bette—irreverent, vaudeville-inspired humor perfectly suited for the wild, early days of MTV. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Turd%20Curls%20From%20OuterSpace&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Turd%20Curls%20From%20OuterSpace%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Turd%20Curls%20From%20OuterSpace&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Turd%20Curls%20From%20OuterSpace%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Turd%20Curls%20From%20OuterSpace%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Television, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #MTV, #Outerspace, #TurdCurls, #Video --- ### [Photos - Bette Midler Attends The 25th Tribeca Festival Bloomberg June 1, 2026](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/04/photos-bette-midler-attends-the-25th-tribeca-festival-bloomberg-june-1-2026/) **Published:** June 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** WhoopiGoldberg and #BetteMidler attend the 25th #TribecaFestival #Bloombergreception at Perelman Performing Arts Center on June 01, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photos – Bette Midler Attends The 25th Tribeca Festival Bloomberg By Mister D June 4, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler & Whoopi hug and smile for the camera at a social event, with other attendees and lounge seating in a dimly lit venue behind them.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-04_19-50-16.png "2026-06-04_19-50-16 - bootleg betty") ***WhoopiGoldberg and #BetteMidler attend the 25th #TribecaFestival #Bloombergreception at Perelman Performing Arts Center on June 01, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)*** --- ![Two women pose together and smile at a social event, one in a white jacket and navy dress, the other in a black suit.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-04_19-58-57.png "2026-06-04_19-58-57 - bootleg betty") ***KatieCouric and #BetteMidler attend the 25th #TribecaFestivalBloomberg reception at Perelman Performing Arts Center on June 01, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)*** --- ![Three people posing on a red carpet at Tribeca Festival, two men in dark blazers with a woman in black with sunglasses in the center.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-04_20-08-19.png "2026-06-04_20-08-19 - bootleg betty") ***[\#MichaelBloomberg](https://x.com/hashtag/MichaelBloomberg?src=hashtag_click), [\#BetteMidler](https://x.com/hashtag/BetteMidler?src=hashtag_click) and [\#TomFreston](https://x.com/hashtag/TomFreston?src=hashtag_click) attend the 25th [\#TribecaFestivalBloomberg](https://x.com/hashtag/TribecaFestivalBloomberg?src=hashtag_click) reception at Perelman Performing Arts Center on June 01, 2026 in New York City*** --- **What is this event?** The 25th Tribeca Festival (often styled or hashtagged in connection with Bloomberg events as “25th TribecaFestivalBloomberg”) is the 2026 edition of the Tribeca Festival, marking its silver anniversary. **Key Details** Dates: June 3–14, 2026, in New York City (primarily Lower Manhattan/Tribeca area, with venues across the city). **Milestone:** This is the 25th annual edition of the festival, which was founded in 2002 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and others as a post-9/11 revitalization effort for Lower Manhattan. **Focus:** A major multi-disciplinary event celebrating film, TV, games, immersive storytelling, podcasts, music, talks, and more. It includes premieres, panels, outdoor screenings, and special 25th-anniversary programming and passes. **Bloomberg Connection** The phrase “TribecaFestivalBloomberg” likely refers to the 25th Tribeca Festival Bloomberg Reception (held June 1, 2026, at the Perelman Performing Arts Center / PAC NYC), a pre-festival cocktail event honoring Michael Bloomberg. It featured attendees like Robert De Niro, Bette Midler, Jane Rosenthal, Whoopi Goldberg, Ayo Edebiri, Katie Holmes, and others. Bloomberg (and his foundation/company) has long been connected to the festival as a supporter/sponsor. **Highlights of the 2026 Festival: Special 25th-anniversary passes and events.** Programming includes films (with many world premieres), Storytellers talks (e.g., Dwyane Wade with Jenna Bush Hager, Teyana Taylor), Tribeca X summit, free outdoor screenings, and more. **Official site:** tribecafilm.com for the full program, tickets, and schedule. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photos%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%2025th%20Tribeca%20Festival%20Bloomberg%C2%A0June%201%2C%202026&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photos%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%2025th%20Tribeca%20Festival%20Bloomberg%C2%A0June%201%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photos%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%2025th%20Tribeca%20Festival%20Bloomberg%C2%A0June%201%2C%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photos%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%2025th%20Tribeca%20Festival%20Bloomberg%C2%A0June%201%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photos%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%2025th%20Tribeca%20Festival%20Bloomberg%C2%A0June%201%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Festivals, Photos, Special Events **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Bloomberg, #Festival, #KatieCouric, #MichaelBloomberg, #Tribeca, #WhoopiGoldberg --- ### [Photo - Bette Midler Visits Green Oasis Community Garden](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/04/photo-bette-midler-visits-green-oasis-community-garden/) **Published:** June 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler visits Green Oasis Community Garden on June 3, 2026. Looks like she found a few sightseers along the way. Must be going on a garden tour. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo – Bette Midler Visits Green Oasis Community Garden By Mister D June 4, 2026 --- ![Five adults pose for a selfie in a sunny park, with green trees and a red gazebo in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-04_11-51-56.png "2026-06-04_11-51-56 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/22/bette-midlers-new-york-restoration-project-turns-30/)visits [**Green Oasis Community Garden**](https://www.greenoasisnyc.org/) & Gilbert’s Sculpture Garden on June 3, 2026. Looks like she found a few sightseers along the way. Must be going on a garden tour…our passionate diva! --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Green%20Oasis%20Community%20Garden&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Green%20Oasis%20Community%20Garden%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Green%20Oasis%20Community%20Garden&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Green%20Oasis%20Community%20Garden%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Green%20Oasis%20Community%20Garden%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Home & Garden, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Garden, #GreenOasisCommunityGarden, #photo --- ### [#TBT The Von Haselberg's Having A Joyful Thanksgiving Or Something](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/04/tbt-the-von-haselbergs-having-a-joyful-thanksgiving-or-something/) **Published:** June 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** #TBT #BetteMidler, #MartinvonHaselberg, and #SophievonHaselberg enjoying a joyful #Thanksgiving celebration. Check out Martin! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty \#TBT The Von Haselberg’s Having A Joyful Thanksgiving! By Mister D June 4, 2026 --- ![Smiling group of chefs and a woman posing with a young girl cutting a chocolate cake in a restaurant kitchen.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/e536f714878aefe5f3e132e1a184f89a-911x1024.jpg "E536f714878aefe5f3e132e1a184f89a - bootleg betty") --- **\#TBT #BetteMidler, #MartinvonHaselberg, and #SophievonHaselberg enjoying a joyful #Thanksgiving celebration. Check out Martin!** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=%23TBT%20The%20Von%20Haselberg%27s%20Having%20A%20Joyful%20Thanksgiving%20Or%20Something&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=%23TBT%20The%20Von%20Haselberg%27s%20Having%20A%20Joyful%20Thanksgiving%20Or%20Something%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=%23TBT%20The%20Von%20Haselberg%27s%20Having%20A%20Joyful%20Thanksgiving%20Or%20Something&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=%23TBT%20The%20Von%20Haselberg%27s%20Having%20A%20Joyful%20Thanksgiving%20Or%20Something%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=%23TBT%20The%20Von%20Haselberg%27s%20Having%20A%20Joyful%20Thanksgiving%20Or%20Something%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** #Martin, Bette Midler, Celebrity - Food For Thought - Gaining A Healthier Perspective, Happy Thanksgiving, Sophie von Haselberg **Tags:** ##SophieVonHaselberg, #BetteMidler, #Chefs, #Food, #MartinVonHaselberg, #TBT, #Thanksgiving, #VonHaselbergs --- ### [Bette Midler Sings I'll Be Seeing You For Virtual AIDS Walk 2020 (History Included)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/04/bette-midler-sings-ill-be-seeing-you-for-virtual-aids-walk-2020-history-included/) **Published:** June 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performed a moving rendition of the standard "I'll Be Seeing You" during the virtual "AIDS Walk: Live at Home" fundraiser on July 19, 2020. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler Sings I’ll Be Seeing You For Virtual AIDS Walk 2020 (History Included) By Mister D June 4, 2026 --- ![Smiling Bette Midler with gray hair and green glasses sits at a cafe table by a window.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Better-Midler-480x267-1.jpg "Better-midler-480x267 - bootleg betty")**bette midler before singing ill be seeing you** **2020** --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTdxyN4j8Wk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Hilton Als (@hilton.als)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTdxyN4j8Wk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) --- Bette Midler performed a moving rendition of the standard “I’ll Be Seeing You” (often associated with Irving Berlin or the 1938 song by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal) during the virtual “AIDS Walk: Live at Home” fundraiser on Sunday, July 19, 2020. This wasn’t tied directly to “National AIDS Day” (which usually refers to World AIDS Day on December 1), but the performance has been widely shared and reposted in connection with AIDS awareness and memorials, including around World AIDS Day. **Context of the Event** The COVID-19 pandemic forced the traditional in-person AIDS Walks (notably in New York and San Francisco) to go virtual. “AIDS Walk: Live at Home” was a star-studded 90-minute livestream benefiting GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis) in New York and the Positive Resource Center (PRC) in San Francisco. It was hosted by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and featured appearances and performances by Bette Midler, Gloria Estefan, Matt Bomer, Anne Hathaway, Jordin Sparks, Katharine McPhee, Megan Hilty, Shoshana Bean, and others. Bette’s contribution stood out as especially poignant. She sang from home (likely her living room or a simple setup), delivering an emotional, heartfelt version that evoked loss, remembrance, and resilience—themes central to the AIDS crisis. “I’ll Be Seeing You” is a classic ballad about longing and memory, often interpreted in the context of loss. For Bette, a longtime AIDS advocate who performed at many benefits since the epidemic’s early days, it served as a tribute to those lost and a message of enduring connection. This performance reflects Bette Midler’s decades-long commitment to HIV/AIDS causes, from her early bathhouse days and 1990s benefits to ongoing advocacy. It’s a touching, intimate moment from a challenging year. *Sources: Bootleg Betty, Variety, YouTube* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20I%27ll%20Be%20Seeing%20You%20For%20Virtual%20AIDS%20Walk%202020%20%28History%20Included%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20I%27ll%20Be%20Seeing%20You%20For%20Virtual%20AIDS%20Walk%202020%20%28History%20Included%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20I%27ll%20Be%20Seeing%20You%20For%20Virtual%20AIDS%20Walk%202020%20%28History%20Included%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20I%27ll%20Be%20Seeing%20You%20For%20Virtual%20AIDS%20Walk%202020%20%28History%20Included%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20I%27ll%20Be%20Seeing%20You%20For%20Virtual%20AIDS%20Walk%202020%20%28History%20Included%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs, Special Events, Video, Videos **Tags:** #AIDSWalk, #BetteMidler, #IllBeSeeingYou, #IrvingBerlin, #NationalAIDSDay --- ### [Bette Midler - Broadway Made These Stars Rich!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/04/bette-midler-broadway-made-these-stars-rich/) **Published:** June 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Broadway isn't just about applause and artistry; for some stars, it has also been the gateway to wealth. **Content:** --- ## AOL 10 Stars Who Got Rich From Broadway By Mariano Montagna June 4, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler in a Victorian-style lavender dress with white gloves, a decorative hat, and lace, touching her chest on stage.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/c98cf31a1d466b86bab1d393280b82cf.jpg "C98cf31a1d466b86bab1d393280b82cf - bootleg betty") --- [**Broadway** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/broadway/)isn’t just about applause and artistry; for some stars, it has also been the gateway to wealth. From creators to legendary performers, these figures turned the magic of the stage into fortunes that rival Hollywood’s biggest names. These stars didn’t just take their final bows to standing ovations; they leveraged stage fame into film franchises, recording empires, production deals, and global brands. Their fortunes are a testament to the fact that in show business, Broadway isn’t just the beginning of a career. For the lucky and the talented, it can be the beginning of an empire. 1. **Lin-Manuel Miranda** Miranda did not just write a musical, he rewrote the rules of Broadway. Hamilton became a cultural force, blending hip-hop with history and turning ticket sales into a financial empire. With Disney+ streaming rights, touring productions, and royalties from both Hamilton and In the Heights, Miranda’s net worth soared to around $80 million. His ability to connect Broadway with mainstream pop culture made him one of the rare dramatists whose name is as recognizable as any Hollywood star. 2. **Idina Menzel** Before she became the voice of Elsa in Disney’s Frozen, Menzel was already a Broadway sensation thanks to Rent and Wicked. Her vocals and iconic role as Elphaba made her an important name among theater fans, while Disney royalties from “Let It Go” catapulted her into mainstream superstardom. Today, her wealth reflects both Broadway success and global recognition, showing how stage roots can blossom into worldwide fame. 3. **Nathan Lane** Nathan Lane’s comedic genius in The Producers turned him into one of Broadway’s most loved figures. His Tony-winning performances created a steady income that made him one of the wealthiest actors. Lane’s ability to balance critical acclaim with commercial appeal made him a rare talent who could command top salaries while still being respected as an artist. 4. **Patti LuPone** Paty LuPone’s commanding presence in Evita, Gypsy, and Sweeney Todd established her as one of Broadway’s greatest divas. Her long career, filled with touring productions and concert performances, ensured that her artistry translated into financial stability. Known for her uncompromising standards and powerhouse voice, LuPone built a career that not only earned her respect but also millions in wealth, proving that Broadway legends can thrive financially. 5. **[Bette Midler](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Bette-Midler/)** Already a superstar in music and film, Midler’s return to Broadway in Hello, Dolly! broke box office records, with weekly ticket sales exceeding $4 million. Her ability to draw audiences demonstrated the financial power of celebrity on stage. Broadway reinforced her empire, adding another layer of prestige and profit to a career that had already made her one of entertainment’s richest women. 6. **Kristin Chenoweth** Chenoweth’s breakout role as Glinda in Wicked showcased her comedic timing and vocal brilliance. Her continued presence on stage, combined with television roles and concert tours, made her a multimillionaire. Chenoweth’s ability to pivot between Broadway, TV, and music allowed her to diversify her income streams while maintaining her Broadway credibility. 7. **Bernadette Peters** With a career spanning decades, she has become synonymous with Broadway excellence. Roles in Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, and countless other productions earned her critical acclaim and financial success. Beyond the stage, Peters’ concert performances and recordings added to her wealth, making her one of the most enduring and financially successful Broadway stars. 8. **Matthew Broderick** Matthew Broderick’s early success in Brighton Beach Memoirs earned him a Tony Award, but it was The Producers that turned him into a Broadway megastar. Alongside Nathan Lane, he helped create one of the most profitable shows in Broadway history. His film career, including Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, further boosted his fortune, but Broadway remained the foundation of his wealth and reputation. 9. **Barbara Streisand** She burst onto Broadway in I Can Get It for You Wholesale (1962) and became a star in Funny Girl (1964), earning a Tony nomination followed by a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement decades later. But the stage was just the start. Streisand converted her theatrical fame into a recording career that spans over six decades and has sold more than 150 million albums worldwide, making her the best-selling female recording artist in history. 10. **Hugh Jackman** Jackman is proof that Broadway can amplify global stardom. Already a Hollywood A?lister, his return to Broadway in The Boy From Oz earned him a Tony Award and cemented his reputation as a stage powerhouse. His shows and concert tours consistently sell out, blending Broadway artistry with celebrity appeal. With a net worth estimated at over $100 million, Jackman demonstrates how Broadway credibility can elevate an actor’s brand and expand their empire across film, television, and live performance. Broadway has always been a place where artistry meets ambition. From Lin?Manuel Miranda’s cultural revolution with Hamilton to Barbra Streisand’s transformation into the best?selling female recording artist in history, the stage proved to be more than a spotlight: it was a gateway to global wealth. Their journeys show that Broadway isn’t just about applause; it is about building legacies that rival Hollywood and the music industry. For the lucky and the talented, the curtain call is only the beginning of a much larger fortune. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Broadway%20Made%20These%20Stars%20Rich%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Broadway%20Made%20These%20Stars%20Rich%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Broadway%20Made%20These%20Stars%20Rich%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Broadway%20Made%20These%20Stars%20Rich%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Broadway%20Made%20These%20Stars%20Rich%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Music, Theatre **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #HelloDolly, #Stage, #Theater --- ### [Bette Midler Talks To Rolling Stone Magazine](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/03/bette-midler-talks-to-rolling-stone-magazine/) **Published:** June 3, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Female com­ics! Phyl­lis Diller and Joan Rivers, who are not just inspir­a­tions, but who lif­ted me when I was in the doldrums. **Content:** --- ## **BETTE MIDLER The acclaimed act­ress, comic, and singer, 80, on find­ing her way to star­dom, the love of the gay com­munity, and fight­ing Trump Rolling Stone (USA) Inter­view by CT JONES 2 Jun 2026** --- ![Smiling couple at a party: man in a gray suit with glasses next to a woman with gray hair, both posing together; the man holds a drink in his hand.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/712100269_1466570202180709_7726814458404146710_n.jpg "712100269_1466570202180709_7726814458404146710_n - bootleg betty") --- **Photo by VNina: Stephen Colbert with Bette Midler at his wrap party, the final night** --- **BETTE MIDLER The acclaimed act­ress, comic, and singer, 80, on find­ing her way to star­dom, the love of the gay com­munity, and fight­ing Trump Rolling Stone (USA) Inter­view by CT JONES 2 Jun 2026** *“I wanted to be up there in the light.”* **What was the moment you thought act­ing might be for you?** The first time I ever saw a show, I was about 14 years old. I was help­ing the lib­rar­ian of my school col­late books. She didn’t pay us, but she gave us two tick­ets to see a show. It was \[Rodgers and Ham­mer­stein’s\] Carou­sel. The cur­tain went up, and the lights went on, and I just couldn’t believe what I was see­ing. I never for­got it. I wanted to be up there in the light. **When did you have an ink­ling you could make a liv­ing at it?** I went to col­lege as a drama major, but only las­ted about a year. I was cast in \[the 1966 film\] Hawaii, with Max von Sydow and Julie Andrews, and they brought me to L.A. along with a bunch of other loc­als. And I thought, “Oh, I can man­age this.” I earned enough money on that movie to move to New York. I star­ted going to audi­tions on Broad­way, and I got into Fid­dler on the Roof. **In the early Sev­en­ties, you star­ted per­form­ing at the Con­tin­ental Baths, a gay bath­house in New York. How did that come about?** One day, I got a call from my old act­ing teacher. He asked me if I wanted to sing at the baths. And I said, “What’s the baths?” When I was in Fid­dler, I was work­ing for $200 a week and I had asked them for a $25 raise, and they said, “Never.” He told me what \[the baths\] paid, and I dropped everything. I put the show on in the gay bath­house. I would be my most out­rageous self. When I went on the stage in front of all those gays, they threw their hands up and screamed. And it was great fun. We went from 30 people in the house to hun­dreds. Because it was such an odd venue, and trans­gress­ive in those days, we were a huge hit. **As a young woman in show­biz, how did you look out for your­self?** I got a very aggress­ive man­ager named Aaron Russo. He thought I was the greatest thing, and he just pushed, pushed, pushed on my behalf. I was so grate­ful. We were a team. I was really not a schmoozer, so he did all the social­iz­ing. That went very well until it didn’t go very well. Things between us got very feisty because he wanted 50 per­cent. I’m dumb, but I’m not that dumb. I know 50 per­cent means half, and I didn’t think that was fair. Sure, he was doing the schmooz­ing, but I was doing the sweat­ing in high heels. So I said, “Abso­lutely not. You’re fired.” **Given how close you became with the gay com­munity, how did it feel to wit­ness the AIDS epi­demic?** That was one of the worst things that ever happened to me. I must have lost 200 people that I knew, many close friends. It’s funny, the older I am, the angrier I get — the cruelty of it, that the gov­ern­ment didn’t do any­thing. Five hun­dred thou­sand people were dead before they did any­thing. It’s uncon­scion­able. **Do you think that exper­i­ence is why you’re so dir­ect about call­ing out the gov­ern­ment now — includ­ing Pres­id­ent Trump?** I lived in New York dur­ing Don­ald Trump’s \[rise\], and every­one in the city felt the same way about him. Every­body knew his game, and every­body thought he was hil­ari­ously dubi­ous. Every­body just thought he was a joke. So why do I feel like it’s my duty? Because I know what the truth is. When I see someone who’s not just undeserving, but incom­pet­ent, it infuri­ates me. **What are some roles that you wish you hadn’t turned down?** I turned down Misery. I \[didn’t\] think I wanted to have it on film that I cut off someone’s foot, because audi­ences identify the actor with the event. My hus­band still says I’m a damn fool. And I turned down Sis­ter Act because I said, “My fans don’t want to see me in a wimple.” And Whoopi \[Gold­berg\] said, “Bring on the god­damn wimple.” **What’s the first lav­ish pur­chase you made with show­biz money?** It must have been shoes. When I was a kid, I had one pair of saddle shoes I wore year after year after year until my feet got too big for them, and then I got another pair. So, I coveted high heels. I star­ted col­lect­ing heels and vin­tage clothes. As far as a huge pur­chase, I think it was my house. I bought it in 1980, and I’m still there. **Who’s inspired you?** Female com­ics! Phyl­lis Diller and Joan Rivers, who are not just inspir­a­tions, but who lif­ted me when I was in the doldrums. I can’t wait to join them in that big com­edy club in the sky. **What are some rules you live by?** Fair­ness. Be fair. Not just a day’s work for a day’s pay, but also don’t put your­self above any­body. And after that, kind­ness. My dad was a fuck­ing house painter. My mom stayed in the house. I wore homemade clothes until she dis­covered the Sal­va­tion Army. That stuff imprints itself on you. I identify with the work­ing class, and I don’t intend to budge. I want there to be a middle class. I want people to thrive. I want people to be treated fairly. These assholes treat them­selves really well, but treat every­body else like shit. What kind of a world is that? Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20To%20Rolling%20Stone%20Magazine&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20To%20Rolling%20Stone%20Magazine%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20To%20Rolling%20Stone%20Magazine&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20To%20Rolling%20Stone%20Magazine%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20To%20Rolling%20Stone%20Magazine%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Magazine **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #magazine, #RollingStone, #StephenColbert, #TheLateShow --- ### [Inside the Quest for Honorary Oscars: Bette Midler, Glenn Close, Harrison Ford And More Are Under Consideration](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/03/inside-the-quest-for-honorary-oscars-bette-midler-glenn-close-harrison-ford-and-more-are-under-consideration/) **Published:** June 3, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Hundreds of names, across all cinematic contributions, are submitted by the Academy’s 11,000 members **Content:** --- ## Variety Magazine Inside the Quest for Honorary Oscars: Bette Midler, Glenn Close, Harrison Ford And More Are Under Consideration By Clayton Davis June 3, 2026 --- ![Older man with gray hair reaching toward the camera over a wooden chair. (left panel)](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-03_14-14-00.png "2026-06-03_14-14-00 - bootleg betty") --- “Please, God, give it to Harrison!” That’s what one decades-long Academy member exclaimed to Variety, regarding industry speculation that Hollywood legend Harrison Ford is a top candidate to receive an Honorary Award at this year’s [**Governors Awards**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governors_Awards). This member’s passion reflects the groundswell of support for the 83-year-old movie icon. Ford isn’t the only prominent name being discussed. By mid-June, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will settle on its honorary Oscar awardees. For weeks, studios, agents, publicists and any other Hollywood stakeholder have been lobbying Academy leaders and board members. Often a case is made over lunch or drinks at Chateau Marmont or through pointed phone calls. A maximum of four recipients can be chosen for the ceremony that Jennifer Fox has produced for the past seven editions. Meanwhile, newly revised guidelines require that at least three individual disciplines, from acting and directing to editing, cinematography or other below-the-line jobs, be represented in any given year. Hundreds of names, across all cinematic contributions, are submitted by the Academy’s 11,000 members. Aside from the Oscar winners themselves, the process remains one of the Academy’s most guarded (and successful) kept secrets. Now, the mandate has the Board doing what it does best: considering. Ford arrives as overdue as any potential honoree. An Oscar nominee for Peter Weir’s 1985 thriller “Witness,” he is the face of the “Indiana Jones” and “Star Wars” franchises and one of the most popular actors in Hollywood history. Ford already has collected the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, holds an honorary Palme d’Or from Cannes and is the front-runner for his first Emmy for Apple TV’s “Shrinking.” His backers see “no reason the statue should wait” another year. An AMPAS spokesperson declined to comment. Other names are also seeing growing support. Powerhouse producer Jerry Bruckheimer, 82, among the most commercially successful figures in the medium’s history, has been floated, with one person suggesting he would be a strong pick for the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, the producing kudo. Although bestowing it one year after Tom Cruise’s honorary Oscar would mean back-to-back salutes to the “Top Gun” axis. Not exactly a good look. Also floated for a Thalberg trophy are London-based producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, the co-chairmen of Working Title, which has backed hits like “Bridget Jones’ Diary” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral.” The pair could be worth celebrating, following previously anointed duos like Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, producers of the James Bond films in 2024, and husband-and-wife power couple Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall in 2018. Many sources tell Variety that Glenn Close has been proposed at least four times in the past decade and was nearly selected one specific year, one source claims. She’s been submitted as either an honorary Oscar recipient for her body of work, which includes unforgettable films like “Fatal Attraction,” across her eight Oscar bids, or for the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The case for the latter is sharpened by years of mental health advocacy with Bring Change to Mind, the nonprofit she founded in 2010. Close and the late Robin Williams were close friends after co-starring in “The World According to Garp” (1982), and to honor his memory, her foundation presents the Robin Williams Legacy of Laughter Award at its annual galas. The sting of Close’s loss for “The Wife” (2018) still lingers, and many would love to see it corrected. Another name mentioned in some circles is legendary performer [**Bette Midler,**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/oscars/) who has a long philanthropic resumé in addition to turns in classic films like “Beaches” and “The Rose.” An industry source points to “growing” support for Martin Short, the veteran comedian whose close friends include Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and “Only Murders in the Building” co-star and former Honorary Award recipient Steve Martin. That tribute reel would be as starry (and funny) as any in recent memory. Beneath the passion runs an uncomfortable calculation: How much time does a prospective honoree have left? Coming off a year marred by the passing of beloved talents like Rob Reiner and Catherine O’Hara, people giving extra attention and love to our most cherished living figures. Often, AMPAS gets it right, as when Donald Sutherland was presented with a statuette in 2017, before his passing in 2024. But sometimes, they’re too late (i.e., Richard Burton, Stanley Kubrick, etc.) Ridley Scott, the Oscar-less director of “Gladiator,” is 88, and his name has been circulated more than once. However, the Academy is averse to honoring anyone with a movie likely to be submitted as an Oscar hopeful. The English filmmaker has “The Dog Stars,” with Jacob Elordi, due out this year. That’s also why we’re not likely to see Mike Leigh on the list this time around, since he has a new film, “Tender Loving Care,” expected later in the season. Notably, songwriter Diane Warren was bestowed with the honor in 2022, the same year she was campaigning for a nomination for “Applause” from “Tell It Like a Woman.” There wouldn’t be too many objections if the Board landed on any of the signature auteurs like the gothic horror and fantasy master Tim Burton, the “Queen of Romcoms,” Nancy Meyers, the hyper-stylized Michael Mann, or the poetic and ethereal Terrence Malick (though the famously reclusive Malick would be a likely no-show, and attendance is typically expected of honorees). And what about the cultural figures who have been a constant presence in our cinematic lives? As Variety was polling industry professionals, several beloved performers came as suggestions and potential choices, including Black, Latino and Asian multihyphenates such as Don Cheadle (“Hotel Rwanda”) and Alfre Woodard (“Cross Creek”), John Leguizamo (“Carlito’s Way”) and Rosie Perez (“Fearless”), and James Hong (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) and Joan Chen (“The Last Emperor”). The technical branches, though, are where we see advocates for overdue artisans jockeying for position. Three-time-nominated cinematographer Ed Lachman (“Maria”) was a near-inclusion during the past few ceremonies and could resurface. Composer Thomas Newman, a 15-time nominee with no win, has been name-checked before, with one Music Branch member saying he’s a perennial mention among his colleagues. Coming off of becoming one of the oldest production design nominees ever with “Marty Supreme,” the great Jack Fisk, husband to Oscar winner Sissy Spacek, is rumored to have had his name submitted. But it’s worth remembering that the selection pool remains small, as submissions officially closed at the end of May. None of these names may ultimately make the final cut, and an official list is already circulating among the Board of Governors. The Academy could just as easily opt for four other distinguished industry figures it believes are deserving of recognition this year. Of course, getting an honorary Oscar doesn’t preclude winning a competitive one, as Paul Newman and Spike Lee demonstrated. With that factored in, it will likely remove artists from cinephiles’ unofficial list of “will win an Oscar someday.” Some of those include director David Fincher, actor Willem Dafoe, sound mixer Greg P. Russell, and costume designer Jacqueline West, among others. Which begs the question: Was Tom Cruise’s honorary Oscar coronation premature? He’s nearly unrecognizable as a potbellied mogul in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Digger,” which opens in October and boasts the kind of showy transformation that often leads to awards glory. Those outcomes annoy vocal pockets of enthusiasts. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Inside%20the%20Quest%20for%20Honorary%20Oscars%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Glenn%20Close%2C%20Harrison%20Ford%20And%20More%20Are%20Under%20Consideration&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Inside%20the%20Quest%20for%20Honorary%20Oscars%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Glenn%20Close%2C%20Harrison%20Ford%20And%20More%20Are%20Under%20Consideration%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Inside%20the%20Quest%20for%20Honorary%20Oscars%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Glenn%20Close%2C%20Harrison%20Ford%20And%20More%20Are%20Under%20Consideration&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Inside%20the%20Quest%20for%20Honorary%20Oscars%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Glenn%20Close%2C%20Harrison%20Ford%20And%20More%20Are%20Under%20Consideration%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Inside%20the%20Quest%20for%20Honorary%20Oscars%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Glenn%20Close%2C%20Harrison%20Ford%20And%20More%20Are%20Under%20Consideration%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Movies, Oscars, Other **Tags:** #Academy, #Awards, #BetteMidler, #GlennClose, #HarrisonFord, #HonoraryOscar, #Oscar --- ### [The Divine Miss M Fansite Audio: Bette Midler – BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY (Live in Texas, 1983)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/03/the-divine-miss-m-fansite-audio-bette-midler-boogie-woogie-bugle-boy-live-in-texas-1983/) **Published:** June 3, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Divine Miss M Fansite: Bette Midler – BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY (Live in Texas, 1983) **Content:** --- ## The Divine Miss M Fansite The Divine Miss M Fansite: Bette Midler – BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY (Live in Texas, 1983) By The Divine Miss M Fansite June 2, 2026 --- ![Smiling woman with dark hair, hands raised in a joyful pose, 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy' title above the scene (retro performance vibe). - Informative image suggesting a musical performance captioned thumbnail.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-01_16-40-45.png "2026-06-01_16-40-45 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20BOOGIE%20WOOGIE%20BUGLE%20BOY%20%28Live%20in%20Texas%2C%201983%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20BOOGIE%20WOOGIE%20BUGLE%20BOY%20%28Live%20in%20Texas%2C%201983%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20BOOGIE%20WOOGIE%20BUGLE%20BOY%20%28Live%20in%20Texas%2C%201983%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20BOOGIE%20WOOGIE%20BUGLE%20BOY%20%28Live%20in%20Texas%2C%201983%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20BOOGIE%20WOOGIE%20BUGLE%20BOY%20%28Live%20in%20Texas%2C%201983%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, De Tour, Music, Songs **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BoogieWoogieBugleBoy, #DeTour, #Live, #Texas, #TheDivineMissMFanSite --- ### [Boodles BonBon Video: Bette Midler - Matchmaker, Matchmaker 1968](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/03/boodles-bonbon-video-bette-midler-matchmaker-matchmaker-1968/) **Published:** June 3, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Matchmaker, Matchmaker (‘68 Tonys) - Bette Midler, Mimi Turque & Tanya Everett • Fiddler on the Roof **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon Boodles BonBon Video: Bette Midler – Matchmaker, Matchmaker 1968 By Boodles BonBon June 2, 2026 --- ![Video thumbnail for 'Midler on the Roof' showing a woman singing, with blue text '’68 Tony Awards' overlaid.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-02_00-08-03.png "2026-06-02_00-08-03 - bootleg betty") --- **[Matchmaker, Matchmaker ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matchmaker,_Matchmaker)(‘68 Tonys) – [Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2015/12/18/bette-midler-and-others-share-memories-of-fiddler-on-the-roof/), Mimi Turque & Tanya Everett • Fiddler on the Roof** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Matchmaker%2C%20Matchmaker%201968&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Matchmaker%2C%20Matchmaker%201968%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Matchmaker%2C%20Matchmaker%201968&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Matchmaker%2C%20Matchmaker%201968%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Matchmaker%2C%20Matchmaker%201968%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Fiddler On The Roof, Theatre **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Broadway, #FiddlerOnTheRoof, #Theater, #Video --- ### [Today Bette Midler Visits Panchos Garden](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/02/today-bette-midler-visits-panchos-garden/) **Published:** June 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Pancho’s Garden is a community garden on the Lower East Side of Manhattan **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Today Bette Midler Visits Panchos Garden By Mister D June 2, 2026 --- ![Two smiling women pose for a selfie on a sunny city street with trees in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-02_17-12-23.png "2026-06-02_17-12-23 - bootleg betty") --- Pancho’s Garden is a community garden on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, officially known as the Francisco “Pancho” Ramos Community Garden. It’s located at 703 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009, between Avenue C and 9th/10th Streets. **What it is** Pancho’s Garden is a half?acre community-created green space that began in the late 1970s, when local residents reclaimed an abandoned, trash-filled lot and transformed it into a public garden. Today it features: Flowerbeds and vegetable plots Meandering walking paths A koi and turtle pond A fig arbor Quiet nooks for reading, chatting, or relaxing **Community role** The garden hosts music, art, and gardening workshops, along with seasonal community events. It’s part of the cultural and ecological fabric of the East Village. **Hours** Open April–October, Saturdays and Sundays, 12–6 PM, plus whenever members have the gate open. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Today%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Panchos%20Garden&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Today%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Panchos%20Garden%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Today%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Panchos%20Garden&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Today%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Panchos%20Garden%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Today%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Panchos%20Garden%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Environment, Home & Garden **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Community, #Garden, #Owner, #PanchosGarden --- ### [Bette Midler Buys At Edie Baskin Photo Exhibit](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/02/bette-midler-buys-at-edie-baskin-photo-exhibit/) **Published:** June 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler Buys At Edie Baskin Photo Exhibit **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Buys At Edie Baskin Photo Exhibit By Mister D June 2, 2026 --- ![Close-up of Bette Midler smiling at a reception; a newspaper clipping with the headline 'Winning Bette' and accompanying article text beside her photo.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-02_17-01-20.png "2026-06-02_17-01-20 - bootleg betty") --- ![Bette Midler & Edie Baskin embrace at an indoor social event; one wears a dark quilted jacket, the other a white top, with warm background lighting.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-02_17-31-55.png "2026-06-02_17-31-55 - bootleg betty") **Bette Midler with Edie Baskin** --- **The Gallery at Soho Grand Presents: ‘Edie Baskin: Live From My Studio’** **Distributed by EIN Presswir**e The first comprehensive exhibition of the photographer who defined the original look of Saturday Night Live. Opens to the public on May 21, 2026. NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, May 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Gallery at Soho Grand is proud to present Edie Baskin: Live From My Studio, on view from Thursday, May 21 through September 13, 2026. The first comprehensive exhibition of work by photographer Edie Baskin, one of the greatest pop culture witnesses of our time. The exhibition offers an intimate look at Baskin’s distinctive photographic language, one that has quietly shaped popular culture, media, and the visual identity of modern portraiture. Best known for her groundbreaking work as the original photographer and title designer for Saturday Night Live, the multiple Emmy nominated photographer and visual storyteller’s work captured the very soul of a generation, starting with the very first show in 1975 and continuing through 2000. Baskin developed a signature style defined by hand tinted photography, an approach that merges classical technique with a contemporary, intuitive sensibility. Her images balance precision and spontaneity, often capturing subjects in moments that feel both unguarded and subtly performative. Spanning decades of image making, Baskin has photographed an array of cultural figures, including Steve Martin, The Rolling Stones, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Nicole Kidman, among others. Her work has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, Time, Rolling Stone, SoHo News, and Vogue. In October of 2025, Edie released a book of her hand tinted works, titled “Live From My Studio: The Art of Edie Baskin,” (ACC Art Books) which was voted as one of the top Indie Books of 2025 by Kirkus Reviews. Decades of Baskin’s music images are on exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, now through 2027. The Gallery at Soho Grand will feature a curated selection of more than forty of Baskin’s hand-tinted photographs. This exhibition offers a rare, immersive look at her process, bringing together images that capture a range of cultural figures like Jodie Foster, David Bowie, Lily Tomlin, and Kirk Douglas, through her singular lens. The exhibition follows The Gallery at Soho Grand’s commitment to spotlighting downtown New York’s enduring creative legacy. Since opening, The Gallery has presented rare works by Chris Stein, Norman Reedus, Bob Mackie, and Dustin Pittman, in addition to Downtown Lens, a landmark group exhibition curated by Richard Boch of Mudd Club featuring more than 20 celebrated photographers. With Live From My Studio, The Gallery continues its mission to celebrate artists who have defined and redefined the visual landscape of style, music, and art. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Buys%20At%20Edie%20Baskin%20Photo%20Exhibit&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Buys%20At%20Edie%20Baskin%20Photo%20Exhibit%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Buys%20At%20Edie%20Baskin%20Photo%20Exhibit&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Buys%20At%20Edie%20Baskin%20Photo%20Exhibit%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Buys%20At%20Edie%20Baskin%20Photo%20Exhibit%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Art, Bette Midler, Photos **Tags:** #Art, #BetteMidler, #EdieBaskingExhibition, #PhotoExhibit --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Performs At Paul Simon's CHB Benefit in 2011](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/02/video-bette-midler-performs-at-paul-simons-chb-benefit-in-2011/) **Published:** June 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The gala exemplified celebrity philanthropy, blending high-profile performances with advocacy for children's health. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Performs At Paul Simon’s CHB Benefit in 2011 By Mister D June 2, 2026 --- ![Woman in a purple suit on stage, holding a microphone and an award statue, smiling.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-02_07-28-30.png "2026-06-02_07-28-30 - bootleg betty") **2011: Bette Midler and Paul Simon in their Current Happy Times!** --- --- Paul Simon co-founded the Children’s Health Fund in 1987 with pediatrician Irwin Redlener. CHF provides mobile medical clinics and healthcare services to underserved, low-income, and homeless children and families across the U.S., addressing barriers like poverty, transportation, and access. By 2011, it had supported over two million health visits. **Key Details of the 2011 Gala Performers:** Paul Simon (a frequent supporter) and Bette Midler performed together and individually. They notably duetted on Simon’s classic “The Boxer.” Videos of their performances (including “The Boxer” and other songs) are available on YouTube and Bootleg Betty **Honorees:** The Starr Foundation (and its chair, Maurice R. Greenberg) received the Founders’ Award for long-term support of CHF programs. American Express received the Corporate Award for 20+ years of partnership. **Purpose:** To raise funds and awareness for CHF’s mission of delivering comprehensive pediatric care via mobile clinics and fixed sites, especially in underserved areas. It highlighted ongoing needs, with more than one in five U.S. children then living below the poverty line. The gala exemplified celebrity philanthropy, blending high-profile performances with advocacy for children’s health. It built on Paul Simon’s decades of involvement with the organization. Bootleg Betty (a Bette Midler fan site) has recaps and links to performance footage. This was a warm, star-powered fundraiser that reinforced CHF’s impact rather than a large public concert. **Did [Paul Simon](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/paul-simon/) and [Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/08/betteback-may-1977-the-trials-of-bette-midler-paul-simon/) resolve their riff in the mid-70s?** Yes, the mid-1970s riff (primarily over the 1975 “Gone at Last” recording) was eventually resolved, though it took time—likely by the mid-1980s—and they became friendly enough to perform together warmly decades later. What Happened in the Mid-1970sPaul Simon invited Bette Midler (with whom he had become friendly and reportedly dated casually) to duet on “Gone at Last” for his Still Crazy After All These Years album. They recorded a version with a more Latin/street feel. bootlegbetty.com Tensions arose over arrangements, label negotiations (Atlantic vs. Columbia), and creative direction. Simon ultimately replaced her with Phoebe Snow for a gospel-style track, which became the hit single. Bette felt blindsided—she heard the final version on the radio without prior notice—and expressed resentment/hostility in a candid 1975 interview, describing public scenes (including a drunken confrontation in the Hamptons) and saying she embarrassed both of them. Simon downplayed it as label haggling, not personal, but they had no plans to work together at the time. This created a notable (if not tabloid-level) rift in the mid-70s music scene. Bette even referenced it indirectly during her 1975 duet with Bob Dylan on “Buckets of Rain.” **Resolution:** There isn’t a single public “make-up moment” documented in detail, but reports indicate they patched things up around 1984 (e.g., during or around the “We Are the World” sessions). By the 2010s, they were on good terms and described as “long-time friends.” In 2011, they reunited for the Children’s Health Fund benefit gala (which Paul co-founded), performing individually and duetting on “The Boxer” (plus other moments like “Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen”). The event was warm and collaborative, with no lingering tension evident. **In short:** The 1975 issue was real and caused bad feelings for a while, but it was resolved years later. Their 2011 performances show the riff was long behind them. Fan sites like Bootleg Betty have audio of the original Midler-Simon demo for comparison. The 1975 “Atlantic Records conflict” (more accurately a label negotiation deadlock involving Atlantic and Columbia) centered on the duet recording of Paul Simon’s “Gone at Last” for his album Still Crazy After All These Years. It led to a temporary personal and professional rift between Simon and Bette Midler. **Background and Setup** Paul Simon (on Columbia Records) invited Bette Midler (on Atlantic Records, managed by Aaron Russo at the time) to duet on the upbeat, optimistic song “Gone at Last,” which he had written. They had become friendly (reports suggest they dated casually), and Midler agreed. Sessions occurred in 1974–early 1975, including versions with different arrangements: one with a Latin/street feel (using Muscle Shoals musicians) and involvement from the Jessy Dixon Singers. A rehearsal/demo exists and has circulated among fans. **The Core Conflict: Label Negotiations and Creative Differences.** Label issues: Midler’s Atlantic deal clashed with Simon’s Columbia affiliation. Negotiations over rights, credits, royalties, and release details became “very ugly,” according to Midler. Ahmet Ertegun (Atlantic) and Columbia executives couldn’t agree, creating tension at sessions. **Simon’s perspective:** He described it as excessive “wrangling and haggling” that wasn’t worth it. He wasn’t fully satisfied with the Midler version’s direction and shifted to a gospel approach better suited to Phoebe Snow (whom he met via producer Phil Ramone). The final single (released in August 1975) featured Snow and the Jessy Dixon Singers and reached #23 on the Billboard Hot 100. **Midler’s perspective:** She felt blindsided. Advance publicity had built expectations, but she heard the finished Phoebe Snow version on the radio without prior notice from Simon. She described it as hurtful, noting the track “bore no remote resemblance” to what she recorded. Manager Aaron Russo added fuel, claiming Simon got “greedy” on the deal split and that personal dynamics (including jealousy over a rumored affair) played a role. Simon maintained it was strictly business. **Fallout and Public/ Private Drama** Midler expressed resentment in a candid November 1975 Crawdaddy interview, admitting she made “a couple of scenes” and embarrassed both of them. A notable incident occurred in the Hamptons: drunk and hurt, she confronted Simon publicly, yelling at him in a kitchen after downing multiple gin and tonics. She hadn’t seen him in over a year at that point. Bob Dylan subtly referenced it during their 1975 duet on “Buckets of Rain” (for Midler’s Songs for the New Depression). As it fades, Dylan says something like “I think Paul Simon should have done this one,” prompting Midler to vent that Simon “took my voice out” and was “maaaad.” Phil Ramone later called the Midler version a “locked trunk” unlikely to be released. **Resolution and Legacy:** The rift was not permanent. They reconciled around 1984 (e.g., during “We Are the World” sessions) and performed warmly together at the 2011 Children’s Health Fund benefit, duetting on “The Boxer” and more. By then, they were described as long-time friends. The episode highlights 1970s music industry realities—label politics, creative control, and personal egos intersecting in high-profile collaborations. The unreleased Midler-Simon tracks remain a “what if” for fans, with bootleg demos available online. Simon’s album won Album of the Year Grammy in 1976, and “Gone at Last” became a solid hit in its gospel form. *Sources: PRNewswire, Bootleg Betty, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Paul Simon Info*, *Crawdaddy* **Paul Simon’s Version With Bette Midler (Demo):** **Bette Midler’s version in Clams** **Without Paul Simon** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20Paul%20Simon%27s%20CHB%20Benefit%20in%202011&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20Paul%20Simon%27s%20CHB%20Benefit%20in%202011%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20Paul%20Simon%27s%20CHB%20Benefit%20in%202011&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20Paul%20Simon%27s%20CHB%20Benefit%20in%202011%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20At%20Paul%20Simon%27s%20CHB%20Benefit%20in%202011%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Benefits, Bette Midler, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CHB, #GoneAtLast, #ITHINKITSGOINGTORAINTODA, #PaulSimon, #Riff --- ### [Bette Midler - That Smile](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/02/bette-midler-that-smile/) **Published:** June 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- # Bootleg Betty Just For Me – Bette Midler – That Smile By Mister D June 2, 2026 --- ![](https://media1.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExdm85bXE3YjhveTNkMDk3aTV4M3M0ZWJxaGQ5Y2Y5MHRqdzNrbXpvcyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/3o72EXMhkQUM8zZES4/giphy.gif) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20That%20Smile&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20That%20Smile%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20That%20Smile&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20That%20Smile%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20That%20Smile%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #BetteMidler #Smile --- ### [From Bette's IG: Bette Midler And Fab Five Freddie & More](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/01/from-bettes-ig-bette-midler-and-fab-five-freddie-more/) **Published:** June 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** An electrifying memoir from the pioneering cultural icon The New Yorker called “the coolest person in New York,” whose fearless creativity reshaped the worlds of art, music, and style **Content:** --- ## Instagram From Bette’s IG: Bette Midler And Fab Five Freddie And More By Bette Midler June 2, 2026 --- ![Fab % Freddie and Bette Midler posing for a selfie at night in a city, man wearing a tan fedora, glasses, blue shirt and vest beside a woman with gray hair in a black jacket.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-01_23-02-44.png "2026-06-01_23-02-44 - bootleg betty") --- **From [Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/books/): A dream come true! Me with [\#FabFiveFreddy](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fabfivefreddy/)! Get his book, [\#Everybody](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/everybody/)’sFly** --- **Who is Fab Five Freddie?** [**Fab Five Freddy**](https://www.fab5freddy.com/) (real name Fred Brathwaite, born August 31, 1959) is an influential American visual artist, filmmaker, rapper, DJ, TV host, and hip-hop pioneer from Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He started as a graffiti artist in the late 1970s, joining the crew “The Fabulous 5” (hence “Fab 5”) and tagging the number 5 subway line prominently. He became one of the first graffiti artists to exhibit paintings internationally, helping bridge street art with the downtown New York art scene alongside figures like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Lee Quinones, and Futura 2000. **Key Contributions to Hip-Hop and Culture** *Music and Pop Culture Breakthrough:* Blondie name-dropped him in their 1981 hit “Rapture” (“Fab 5 Freddy told me everybody’s fly”), one of the first rap-influenced songs to top the charts. He also rapped and produced tracks like “Change the Beat.” *Film:* He co-produced, starred in, and composed music for the seminal 1983 hip-hop film Wild Style. He later acted in films like New Jack City and Juice, directed music videos (e.g., for Nas, Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah), and made documentaries such as Grass Is Greener. *TV:* He hosted MTV’s groundbreaking Yo! MTV Raps, helping bring hip-hop to mainstream audiences as one of the network’s early VJs. He’s widely seen as a key architect of the street art movement and a bridge between hip-hop, visual art, and mainstream culture in the 1980s. In 2026, ***he released his memoir Everybody’s Fly: A Life of Art, Music, and Changing the Culture.*** Today, he remains active as an artist, speaker, and advocate (including for cannabis culture and social justice). He’s recognized as a foundational figure who helped elevate graffiti and hip-hop from the streets to global recognition. **The Book:** ***Everybody’s Fly: A Life of Art, Music, and Changing the Culture*** ![Blue-tinted book cover showing Fab 5 Freddy in sunglasses and a hat; bold title 'Everybody's Fly' with subtitle 'A Life of Art, Music, and Changing the Culture' on a black/blue background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/81BorUgFMpL_SL1500_-679x1024.jpg "81borugfmpl_sl1500_ - bootleg betty") **“Everybody’s Fly** could comfortably sit alongside books by Richard Price, Lucy Sante, Tom Wolfe, or Ed McBain, chronicling New York from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s with both vivid, journalistic descriptions and the outsized flair from a person who was at the center of it all.” —Rolling Stone “An exuberant recounting of how a culturally omnivorous kid from Brooklyn willed himself into the wider, shinier world—like Moss Hart’s Act One, but with beatboxing and cans of Krylon spray paint.” —The New Yorker An electrifying memoir from the pioneering cultural icon The New Yorker called “the coolest person in New York,” whose fearless creativity reshaped the worlds of art, music, and style Fab 5 Freddy doesn’t just have a great story—he is the story. Name a seismic cultural shift, and chances are, he wasn’t just there—he was helping to make it happen. He’s among the first graffiti artists to turn subway tags into fine art, the visionary behind the first hip-hop movie, the bridge between Jean-Michel Basquiat and the downtown new wave scene, the first person to take rap global on MTV, and the opening rhyme of Blondie’s number-one smash hit “Rapture”—“Fab 5 Freddy told me everybody’s fly”—the song that propelled hip-hop from the New York streets to mainstream culture. With a spirit of joyful creativity and a deep capacity for connecting with kindred spirits (Basquiat, Haring, Lee, Flash, Warhol, and the Clash, to name a few), he shattered racial and artistic boundaries, bridging worlds and raising underground movements to pop culture dominance. Everybody’s Fly is a fast-moving, all-access pass to Fred’s extraordinary life—one that begins in a book- and jazz-filled Brooklyn home and takes us deep into New York’s creative explosions from the 1970s into the 1990s. He didn’t just shape culture, he synthesized it—from highbrow to street, the Bronx to the East Village, punk to rap, Warhol to Wild Style. Whether he’s skipping school to wander New York City’s museums, painting subway cars that became moving masterpieces, or bringing hip-hop to downtown clubs for the first time, Fred’s genius has always been in seeing what others couldn’t—until he made them see it too. Vibrant, rhapsodic, and compulsively readable, Everybody’s Fly is at once an intimate memoir and panoramic cultural history. It is a love letter to the art of seeing, a fascinating account of an inimitable creative life, and a celebration of what it means to shape culture. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=From%20Bette%27s%20IG%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Fab%20Five%20Freddie%20%26%20More&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=From%20Bette%27s%20IG%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Fab%20Five%20Freddie%20%26%20More%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=From%20Bette%27s%20IG%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Fab%20Five%20Freddie%20%26%20More&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=From%20Bette%27s%20IG%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Fab%20Five%20Freddie%20%26%20More%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=From%20Bette%27s%20IG%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Fab%20Five%20Freddie%20%26%20More%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Instagram, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #Cultural, #EverybodysFly, #FabFiveFreddie, #FredBrathwaite, #IG, #Instagram, #photo --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler - Gay Pride & More](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/01/photo-bette-midler-gay-pride-more/) **Published:** June 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Midler’s rise to fame began at the Continental Baths, a New York gay bathhouse where she performed for mostly gay men and built her first devoted fanbase. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler – Gay Pride & More By Mister D June 1, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler in a sparkling pink outfit with a feathered headdress posing before a rainbow Pride flag that reads 'Gay Pride'.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/BETTE-Pride-by-Sam-Miro.jpg "Bette-pride-by-sam-miro - bootleg betty") **Artwork by Sam Miro** --- **Bette Midler & Gay Pride: A Summary** 1. **Origins in the Gay Community (Early 1970s)** - Midler’s rise to fame began at the Continental Baths, a New York gay bathhouse where she performed for mostly gay men and built her first devoted fanbase. This is widely cited as the moment she “came to prominence.” - Her performances there — with Barry Manilow as her accompanist — cemented her status as an early ally during a period of intense stigma. **Emergence as a Gay Icon** - By the late ’70s and ’80s, her films (The Rose, Beaches, Hocus Pocus, The First Wives Club) became gay cult classics, further solidifying her icon status. - LGBTQ+ media consistently ranks her among the top gay icons, with Pride.com listing “11 Reasons Why Bette Midler Is the Best Gay Icon Ever.” 3. **Advocacy & Public Support** - Midler has long used her platform to speak out for LGBTQ+ rights, equality, and dignity. - In interviews, she has emphasized the importance of protecting children who are “a little bit different,” urging adults to intervene against bullying and discrimination. - Her activism also intersects with her AIDS?era fundraising and public acknowledgment of the epidemic when many stars stayed silent. 4. **Pride-Era Influence** - Midler’s persona — camp, theatricality, irreverence, and emotional power — aligns naturally with Pride culture. - Her music, especially anthems like “The Rose” and “Wind Beneath My Wings,” remains deeply woven into queer celebrations, memorials, and community rituals. 5. **Legacy** - From the bathhouses to Broadway to social media, Midler’s relationship with the LGBTQ+ community spans five decades. - She remains a fixture in queer culture, political discourse, and Pride-season celebrations — a rare icon whose bond with the community is both historic and actively maintained. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Gay%20Pride%20%26%20More&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Gay%20Pride%20%26%20More%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Gay%20Pride%20%26%20More&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Gay%20Pride%20%26%20More%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Gay%20Pride%20%26%20More%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Photos, Pride **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #GayPride, #More, #photo, #Pride --- ### ["No Kings" Announces Protest Movement for June 14 - How To Watch Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/30/no-kings-announces-protest-movement-for-june-14-how-to-watch-bette-midler/) **Published:** May 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The “No Kings” movement announced a nationwide event set for June 14, which is President Trump’s 80th birthday. **Content:** --- ## The Hill The “No Kings” movement announced a nationwide event set for June 14, which is President Trump’s 80th birthday. By Max Rego May 30, 2026 --- ![Smiling woman with curly blonde hair making binocular-like circles with her fingers over her eyes.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/be1b831db7481a7067a58e65eec75666-905x1024.jpg "Be1b831db7481a7067a58e65eec75666 - bootleg betty")--- The “No Kings” movement announced a nationwide event set for June 14, which is President Trump’s 80th birthday. “The next 250 starts with us. As America approaches its anniversary about what story we tell. We can let strongman politics and corruption define the moment,” the movement’s website states. “Or we can make the story of America about people coming together — across race, background, identity, belief, and community — to defend our rights and build a future rooted in people’s power.” “On June 14, we rise up, we sing out, and we keep organizing.” A 90-minute concert in New York City has been planned to headline the event. The “[**Rise Up, Sing Out**](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdb638mWKXDrNOaHujbrGdW8OpPdncxV0lSIc6G-MNN90FZjQ/viewform?pli=1)” concert is set to take place at The Town Hall in midtown Manhattan and is scheduled to feature performances and appearances by singers Sasha Allen, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/protests/), Patti Smith and Rufus Wainwright, along with actor Jane Fonda and liberal commentator Joy Reid. The Committee for the First Amendment, a Hollywood-based advocacy group that Fonda restarted in October, is sponsoring the concert. The “No Kings” movement is also holding 18 watch parties in 11 different states for the event. “Rise Up, Sing Out is about reclaiming patriotism as something inclusive, participatory, and rooted in care for one another — not power, pageantry, or one person’s spotlight,” the movement’s website adds. Since Trump returned to office, three sets of No Kings protests — which were different than what is planned on June 14 — have occurred. The first set of demonstrations took place on June 14, 2025, coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday as well as the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade in Washington, D.C. The movement again held protests in October 2025 and March 2026. Two progressive organizations — 50501 and Indivisible — are involved in organizing the demonstrations along with other partners around the country. In October, Trump rejected that he was a king. “They’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” he told host Maria Bartiromo on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” referring to the protesters. On the same day as the upcoming event, the UFC will hold several fights on the South Lawn of the White House. Construction of a temporary octagon on the grounds began this week. --- [Watch At Home](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdb638mWKXDrNOaHujbrGdW8OpPdncxV0lSIc6G-MNN90FZjQ/viewform) [Find A Watch Party](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CIcs-dFWNdX6LwAZEJwJFWgUItTqn0Qogwrm66vdjPQ/edit?tab=t.0) [Host A Watch Party](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfoCBg-kFJzxC6Cyx-x91rTaTzgd8-zrEpYpLF7cLsLmS6uDQ/viewform) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=%22No%20Kings%22%20Announces%20Protest%20Movement%20for%20June%2014%20-%20How%20To%20Watch%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=%22No%20Kings%22%20Announces%20Protest%20Movement%20for%20June%2014%20-%20How%20To%20Watch%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=%22No%20Kings%22%20Announces%20Protest%20Movement%20for%20June%2014%20-%20How%20To%20Watch%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=%22No%20Kings%22%20Announces%20Protest%20Movement%20for%20June%2014%20-%20How%20To%20Watch%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=%22No%20Kings%22%20Announces%20Protest%20Movement%20for%20June%2014%20-%20How%20To%20Watch%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Politics, Protests, Special Events, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #FlagDay, #NoKingsDay, #Politics, #Protests, #RiseUpSingOut, #Trump --- ### [Julia Roberts, More Join Rise Up, Sing Out With Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/01/julia-roberts-more-join-rise-up-sing-out-with-bette-midler/) **Published:** June 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment, with performances and appearances by artists including Bette Midler, Patti Smith and Rufus Wainwright, added more star power to its lineup on Monday **Content:** --- ## Billboard Music Julia Roberts, More Join Rise Up, Sing Out With Bette Midler By Ashley Iasimone June 1, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler performing on stage, microphone in hand, hand raised, with red curtain and drum set in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/KirkDouglasCharity.jpg "Kirkdouglascharity - bootleg betty") --- [**Rise Up, Sing Out**](https://riseupsingout.com/): A Concert for the First Amendment, with performances and appearances by artists including [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/politics/), Patti Smith and Rufus Wainwright, added more star power to its lineup on Monday (June 1). Billboard can reveal actresses Julia Roberts and Lily Gladstone are among those who will take part in the special event in New York City celebrating U.S. freedoms protected by the First Amendment. Wilson Cruz, Peppermint, Jenn Colella, Alex Joseph Grayson, Singing Resistance, Rude Mechanical Orchestra, Kayla Davion and Rev. Adriene Thorne were also added to the list of Rise Up, Sing Out participants on Monday. Previously announced appearances include Jane Fonda — who serves as founder of the Committee for the First Amendment — plus Joy Reid, Sasha Allen and Broadway Inspirational Voices. Rise Up, Sing Out takes place at NYC’s Town Hall on June 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased now at riseupsingout.com or on Ticketmaster. Viewers will also be able to livestream the concert event for free. All ticket proceeds will support the work of the Committee for the First Amendment, who describe the event as “an uplifting evening of song, solidarity, and action.” Its intent is to be “a moment for people around the country to stand in unity against the authoritarian shifts threatening our democracy today.” “We can’t sit idly by while our rights are at stake,” says Jane Fonda in a statement about the event. “History shows us that when democracy is threatened, song becomes one of our most powerful weapons. Right now, we are at a critical crossroads. It’s time for us to rise up, raise our voices, and stand up against a government that refuses to put its people first. We are fighting back the best way we know how to: with our community and in solidarity.” Rise Up, Sing Out will be directed by Schele Williams, music directed by Mary Mitchell Campbell and produced by Bruce Cohen and rigor + ruckus (Robb Nanus, Heather Shields & Rachel Sussman). The event is written by Bess Kalb, and features lighting design by Jamie Roderick, sound design by Cody Spencer and projection design by Daniel Brodie & Olivia Sebesky. Linda Marvel is production stage manager. To coincide with the event, No Kings Coalition is launching a nationwide organizing day on June 14 to bring people together at public and private watch parties in support of our First Amendment rights. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Julia%20Roberts%2C%20More%20Join%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20With%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Julia%20Roberts%2C%20More%20Join%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Julia%20Roberts%2C%20More%20Join%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20With%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Julia%20Roberts%2C%20More%20Join%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Julia%20Roberts%2C%20More%20Join%20Rise%20Up%2C%20Sing%20Out%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Politics, Protests, Special Events **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #FirstAmendment, #JuliaRoberts, #RiseUpSingOut --- ### [50 Years Ago This Month, Bette Midler's Live At Last Premiered On Record](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/06/01/50-years-ago-this-month-bette-midlers-live-at-last-premiered-on-record/) **Published:** June 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Live at Last captures Bette at the height of her 1970s stage persona — bawdy, theatrical, and vocally fearless. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty 50 Years Ago This Month, Bette Midler’s Live At Last Premiered On Record By Mister D June 1, 2026 --- ![Billboard sign of Bette Midler's Live At Last album](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/647595365_1388511006653296_7424062116916188429_n.jpg "647595365_1388511006653296_7424062116916188429_n - bootleg betty")--- **Premiere Date** June 1977 [**Live at Last**](https://bootlegbetty.com/reviews-live-at-last-bette-midler/) was released as **Bette Midler**’s first live album, drawn from her 1976–77 Depression Tour. **Overview** Live at Last captures Bette at the height of her 1970s stage persona — bawdy, theatrical, and vocally fearless. Recorded primarily at the Cleveland Music Hall, the album blends: - Concert performances from the Depression Tour - Comedy and character bits (classic Bette banter) - Full musical arrangements with the Harlettes and her touring band - A mix of covers, originals, and signature numbers It also includes the studio single “You’re Moving Out Today,” which became a hit and helped anchor the album’s commercial success. The album is widely considered the first true document of Bette’s early live magic — the bawdy humor, the emotional whiplash, the cabaret?meets-rock energy — the whole Divine Miss M stage mythology captured in one package. **Why It Matters in Her Career** - It’s the first official live record of her legendary 1970s stage act. - It preserves the Depression Tour, one of her most theatrical and comedic productions. - It marks the end of her early?era trilogy (The Divine Miss M, Bette Midler, Songs for the New Depression) with a victory lap of sorts. - It set the template for her later concert films and specials. **Did it win a Cable Ace Award** No — Live at Last did not win a CableACE Award. **Why?** The CableACE Awards only existed from 1978–1997, honoring cable television programming. Live at Last is a 1977 live album, not a cable special, and therefore was never eligible. **What did win CableACE Awards for Bette?** *From the verified awards list:* 1985 – Nominee: Bette Midler: Art or Bust! — Performance in a Music Special 1997 – Winner: Diva Las Vegas — Performance in a Music Special or Series 1989 – Nominee: The Mondo Beyondo Show — Entertainment Host Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=50%20Years%20Ago%20This%20Month%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Live%20At%20Last%20Premiered%20On%20Record&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=50%20Years%20Ago%20This%20Month%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Live%20At%20Last%20Premiered%20On%20Record%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=50%20Years%20Ago%20This%20Month%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Live%20At%20Last%20Premiered%20On%20Record&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=50%20Years%20Ago%20This%20Month%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Live%20At%20Last%20Premiered%20On%20Record%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=50%20Years%20Ago%20This%20Month%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Live%20At%20Last%20Premiered%20On%20Record%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, History, Live, Live At Last, Music, On This Day In History **Tags:** #Album, #BetteMidler, #History, #LiveAtLat, #OnThisDay --- ### [Video: Bette Midler & James Caan in For The Boys](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/31/video-bette-midler-james-caan-in-for-the-boys/) **Published:** May 31, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler & James Caan in For The Boys **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler & James Caan in For The Boys Mister D May 31, 2026 --- ![A man in a beige checkered blazer and a woman in a dark green gown stand close together, singing into a vintage microphone against a red backdrop.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/eec34a28d4e03bb67eaa8fc5ca0d86c5-776x1024.jpg "Eec34a28d4e03bb67eaa8fc5ca0d86c5 - bootleg betty") --- **\#BetteMidler and #JamesCaan in the #Trailer for #ForTheBoys** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20James%20Caan%20in%20For%20The%20Boys&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20James%20Caan%20in%20For%20The%20Boys%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20James%20Caan%20in%20For%20The%20Boys&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20James%20Caan%20in%20For%20The%20Boys%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20James%20Caan%20in%20For%20The%20Boys%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, For The Boys, Movies, Trailer, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler #ForTheBoys, #JamesCaan, #Movie, #Trailer, #Video --- ### [The Story Behind Bette Midler's Blueberry Pie](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/31/the-story-behind-bette-midlers-blueberry-pie/) **Published:** May 31, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** It was an original song written specifically for the For Our Children charity album by Bette Midler, Bruce Roberts, and Carole Bayer Sager, created because the producers wanted at least one new, upbeat, kid?friendly track **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Story Behind Bette Midler’s Blueberry Pie By Mister D May 31, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler standing outdoors with arms raised, wearing a blue-gray tunic, brown sleeves, black pants, and a yellow scarf near a stone bench and brick wall.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/526356005_1203848051786260_6597601171885408050_n.jpg "526356005_1203848051786260_6597601171885408050_n - bootleg betty") --- --- **How In Harmony Came About** In Harmony: A Sesame Street Record (1980) was created as a children’s music compilation featuring well-known mainstream artists performing kid-friendly songs. It was produced by Lucy Simon and David Levine and released by Warner Bros. Records. **The concept was simple but unusual for the time:** Pair major pop, rock, and soul artists with original or classic children’s songs, creating a high-quality album that appealed to both kids and adults. It also had a charitable component — proceeds supported the Children’s Television Workshop and other children’s charities. The album was successful enough to win the Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children and chart on Billboard. **How Bette Midler’s “[Blueberry Pie](https://bootlegbetty.com/blueberry-pie/)” Came About** Here’s what the sources confirm: **It fit the album’s concept of celebrity-driven children’s music.** The album featured artists like James Taylor, Carly Simon, The Doobie Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, and George Benson — all contributing songs with a playful, child-friendly tone. Bette’s contribution filled the “whimsical original” slot. **“Blueberry Pie” was written specifically for In Harmony.** The tracklist shows “Blueberry Pie” credited to [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Harmony_(compilation_albums)), Bruce Roberts, and Carole Bayer Sager — meaning it was an original composition created for the album, not a cover. **The production credits show it was treated as a full studio recording.** The Discogs session details confirm a full band, backing vocals, and arrangement by Bruce Roberts — indicating this wasn’t a leftover track but a purpose-built recording for the project. **It aligned with Bette’s theatrical, story-song sensibility.** While not stated explicitly in the sources, the structure of the song — playful, narrative, slightly vaudeville — matches the album’s goal of making children’s music that felt elevated and artist-driven. **Why “Blueberry Pie” Stands Out** It’s one of the most original tracks on the album — most others were covers or adaptations. It’s one of the few children’s songs Bette ever wrote. It predates her later children’s?music contributions (like “Baby Mine” on Stay Awake). It shows her early collaboration with Bruce Roberts and Carole Bayer Sager in a totally different context. **Summary** In Harmony came about as a Sesame Street–adjacent, celebrity-driven children’s album produced by Lucy Simon and David Levine. Bette Midler’s “Blueberry Pie” was written expressly for the project by Midler, Roberts, and Sager, recorded with a full studio team, and became one of the album’s standout originals. Sources: Wikipedia, Grok Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Story%20Behind%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Blueberry%20Pie&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Story%20Behind%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Blueberry%20Pie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Story%20Behind%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Blueberry%20Pie&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Story%20Behind%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Blueberry%20Pie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Story%20Behind%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Blueberry%20Pie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BlueberryPiie, #InHarmony, #Music, #Song --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler & Joanna Lumley, 1991](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/30/photo-bette-midler-joanna-lumley-1991/) **Published:** May 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler & Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous) circa 1991. I think this is when Lumley substituted for Wogan to interview Bette . **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler & Joanna Lumley, 1991 By Mister D May 30, 2026 --- ![Two smiling women , Bette Midler and Joanna Lumley posing together in a studio with a blue geometric backdrop, one wearing a patterned blouse and the other in a black outfit.]](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-30_14-28-32.png "2026-05-30_14-28-32 - bootleg betty") --- **Bette Midler & Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous) circa 1991. I think this is when Lumley substituted for Wogan to interview Bette** . Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Joanna%20Lumley%2C%201991&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Joanna%20Lumley%2C%201991%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Joanna%20Lumley%2C%201991&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Joanna%20Lumley%2C%201991%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Joanna%20Lumley%2C%201991%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Interview, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Interview, #JoannaLumley, #photo, #Wogan --- ### [Audio: Exploring The Meaning Of Bette Midler's Boxing](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/30/audio-exploring-the-meaning-of-bette-midlers-boxing/) **Published:** May 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler steps into Ben Folds’ bruised little monologue and turns it into full?tilt showbiz heartbreak. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Exploring The Meaning Of Bette Midler’s Boxing By Mister D May 30, 2026 --- ![Two Bette Midler's wearing dramatic black-and-white striped mermaid gowns with long black train, posed in a mirror image on a pink background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-29_16-25-59.png "2026-05-29_16-25-59 - bootleg betty") --- --- --- **[BOXING](https://www.songlyrics.com/ben-folds/boxing-lyrics/) (1998)** [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2010/07/17/betteback-bathhouse-betty-review/) steps into Ben Folds’ bruised little monologue and turns it into full?tilt showbiz heartbreak. **THE SETUP** — A fading boxer talks to Howard Cosell, but the gloves are just a metaphor. It’s really about any performer staring down the end of their prime and wondering if the world still cares. **THE STING** — Dreams slip, ambition sours, and applause becomes a memory. The narrator is scared, lonely, and desperate for someone to say he still matters. **THE KNOCKOUT LINE** — “Sometimes I punch myself hard as I can, yelling ‘nobody cares!’ hoping someone will tell me how wrong I am.” A whole career’s worth of insecurity in one gut punch. **WHY BETTE OWNS IT** — She sings it like a backstage confession: half?vaudeville, half?vulnerability, all survivor. In her hands, “boxing” becomes “show business,” and the bruises are emotional, not physical. **THE TAKEAWAY** — A quiet, devastating reminder that even legends fear the fade — and sometimes the bravest act is admitting it. --- **“Boxing”** Howard, the strangest things have happened lately when I take a good swing and all my dreams they pivot and slip. I drop my fists and they’re back, laughing. Howard, my intentions become not to lose what I’ve won. Ambition has given way to desperation and I, I’ve lost the fight from my eyes. Boxing’s been good to me, Howard. Now I’m told, “You’re growing old.” The whole time we knew a couple of years I’d be through. Has boxing been good to you? Howard, now I confess I’m scared and lonely and tired. Everyone says I’m made of clay, that I’ve had my day, that I’m not cut out for this. I just know what to say. And I say, boxing’s been good to me, Howard. Now I’m told, “You’re growing old.” The whole time we knew a couple of years I’d be through. Has boxing been good to you? Well, sometimes I punch myself hard as I can. Yelling, “nobody cares!” hoping someone will tell me how wrong I am, Howard. Boxing’s been good to me, Howard. Now I’m told, “You’re growing old.” The whole time we knew a couple of years I’d be through. Has boxing been good, has boxing been good, has boxing been good? Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Exploring%20The%20Meaning%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Boxing&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Exploring%20The%20Meaning%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Boxing%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Exploring%20The%20Meaning%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Boxing&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Exploring%20The%20Meaning%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Boxing%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Exploring%20The%20Meaning%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Boxing%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Music, Song Meanings, Songs, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BathhouseBetty, #BenFolds, #BetteMidler, #Boxing, #Lyrics, #Meaning --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Performs From A Distance/I'm Beautiful/MightyReal - Divine Miss Millennium](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/29/video-bette-midler-performs-from-a-distance-im-beautiful-mightyreal-divine-miss-millennium/) **Published:** May 29, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler Performs From A Distance/I'm Beautiful/MightyReal - Divine Miss Millennium **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Performs From A Distance/I’m Beautiful/MightyReal – Divine Miss Millennium By Mister D May 30, 2026 --- ![Female singer in a red sequined outfit performing on stage with arms raised.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2016-09-10_4-09-06.png "2016-09-10_4-09-06 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20From%20A%20Distance%2FI%27m%20Beautiful%2FMightyReal%20-%20Divine%20Miss%20Millennium&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20From%20A%20Distance%2FI%27m%20Beautiful%2FMightyReal%20-%20Divine%20Miss%20Millennium%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20From%20A%20Distance%2FI%27m%20Beautiful%2FMightyReal%20-%20Divine%20Miss%20Millennium&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20From%20A%20Distance%2FI%27m%20Beautiful%2FMightyReal%20-%20Divine%20Miss%20Millennium%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20From%20A%20Distance%2FI%27m%20Beautiful%2FMightyReal%20-%20Divine%20Miss%20Millennium%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Divine Miss Millennium, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #DivineMissMillennium, #FromADistance, #ImBeautiful, #MightyReal, #Sylvester, #Video --- ### [Netflix Quietly Removes Addams Family Series](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/29/netflix-quietly-removes-addams-family-series/) **Published:** May 29, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Addams Family film series, consisting of The Addams Family (2019) and The Addams Family 2 (2021), is leaving the platform this month after just three months on the U.S.-based version of the streaming service. **Content:** --- ## Men’s Journal Netflix Quietly Removes Addams Family Series By Bethany Gemmell May 29, 2026 --- ![The Addams Family posed in a moody studio: Gomez in a purple pinstripe suit, Morticia center, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Grandmama, and tall Lurch behind them.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-28_09-32-02.png "2026-05-28_09-32-02 - bootleg betty") --- While [**Netflix** ](https://www.netflix.com/)is reportedly going full steam ahead with its planned Wednesday spin-off show, Fester, following the hijinks of the beloved Addams Family uncle, the streamer has elected to remove a core part of everyone’s favorite gothic family franchise. **[The Addams Family](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/25/netflix-has-instant-hits-streaming-addams-family-animated-movies/)** film series, consisting of The Addams Family (2019) and The Addams Family 2 (2021), is leaving the platform this month after just three months on the U.S.-based version of the streaming service. The animated family films star Oscar Isaac as lovable family patriarch Gomez Addams, with Charlize Theron providing the voice of Gomez’s better half, Morticia, making for A+ casting for fiction’s most adoring couple. Their children, Wednesday and Pugsley Addams, are voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz and Finn Wolfhard (later Javon Walton in the sequel), respectively. Among the supporting cast are Nick Kroll as Uncle Fester, Snoop Dogg as Cousin Itt, and [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-addams-family/) as Grandmama. Additionally, Martin Short and the late Catherine O’Hara voice Morticia’s parents, Grandpa and Grandma Frump, respectively. While the animated adaptations of the creepy and kooky family received mixed reviews from critics, both films earned a respectable combined $325 million at the box office. As for Netflix’s live-action juggernaut series Wednesday, led by Jenna Ortega as the titular character, the new series is continuing its trend for major gaps between seasons, eyeing a late 2027-early 2028 release window. Fester, the Wednesday spin-off starring Fred Armisen, reprising his role from the latter, was announced back in 2023, shortly after the success of Wednesday Season 1. Although news on the project has been relatively quiet since, Armisen gave an optimistic update on the series in August 2025. “Yeah, we’re working on it,” Armisen said on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “It’s fantastic… It’s amazing.” “It’s so fun to do. It feels very organic,” the comedian continued. “That’s all I can really say about it as far as the anticipation of it all. I love getting to do it and to embody this character who’s existed for a long time. That’s the fun of it.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Netflix%20Quietly%20Removes%20Addams%20Family%20Series&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Netflix%20Quietly%20Removes%20Addams%20Family%20Series%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Netflix%20Quietly%20Removes%20Addams%20Family%20Series&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Netflix%20Quietly%20Removes%20Addams%20Family%20Series%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Netflix%20Quietly%20Removes%20Addams%20Family%20Series%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Addam's Family, Bette Midler, Movies, The Addams Family, The Addams Family 2 **Tags:** #AddamsFamily, #BetteMidler, #Movie, #Netflix, #Removal --- ### [3 New Prime Video Movies With Great Rotten Tomatoes Scores](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/29/3-new-prime-video-movies-with-great-rotten-tomatoes-scores/) **Published:** May 29, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** With great supporting turns from Danny DeVito, James Gandolfini and Bette Midler and a sharp script from Out of Sight’s Scott Frank, Get Shorty is an amusing romp that plays best for fans of Goodfellas and The Player, **Content:** --- ## US Magazine 3 New Prime Video Movies With Great Rotten Tomatoes Scores By Jason Struss May 29, 2026 --- ![Smiling woman in black lace lingerie with an open leopard?print robe, posing indoors.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-28_11-11-51.png "2026-05-28_11-11-51 - bootleg betty") --- The crew at Watch With Us does our best, but we’re only human. That’s why we sometimes rely on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer to guide us to what’s worth watching. This May, Prime Video is streaming some great movies with around 90 percent Rotten Tomatoes scores. From the Oscar-winning One Battle After Another to a John Travolta ‘90s classic, you can’t go wrong with any of these films. 3. ‘**Get Shorty’ (1995)** **Rotten Tomatoes score: 89 percent** In the fall of 1995, no actor was hotter than John Travolta. The Saturday Night Fever actor had staged an improbable comeback with Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, and he cemented his return to Hollywood royalty with Get Shorty, a black comedy about a mob hitman, Chili Palmer (Travolta), who dreams of making a movie. Nicolas Cage in Spider-Noir Related: New on Prime Video in May 2026 — The Complete List of Movies and TV Shows He gets his chance when he has to collect a large gambling debt from Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman), a low-budget film director married to a B-movie screen siren, Karen Flores (Rene Russo). Chili makes a deal with Harry — he’ll help him get the money to pay off his debts, while Harry will help Chili get his film, Mr. Lovejoy, made. But Chili’s bosses aren’t as starstruck by Harry’s glamorous lifestyle, and they want their money yesterday. With great supporting turns from Danny DeVito, James Gandolfini and Bette Midler and a sharp script from Out of Sight’s Scott Frank, Get Shorty is an amusing romp that plays best for fans of Goodfellas and The Player, two ‘90s classics this film aspires to be. It doesn’t quite reach those heights, but it possesses something just as valuable — John Travolta at the top of his game. An inferior sequel, Be Cool, was made a decade later, but it’s not required viewing. 2. **‘A Shot in the Dark’ (1964)** **Rotten Tomatoes score: 94 percent** At a crowded country estate in France, a chauffeur is found murdered. Everyone suspects Maria (Elke Sommer), a housemaid who was found holding the gun that shot him. But is that cut and dried? That’s what Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers) wants to find out. He initially believes Maria is innocent, but as more members of the household croak, he begins to wonder if the beautiful maid really is a cold-blooded killer. You shouldn’t take A Shot in the Dark’s mystery plot seriously — the film’s writer/director, Blake Edwards, sure doesn’t, and that’s on purpose. The plot is deliberately nonsensical, with a denouement that would’ve made Agatha Christie’s head spin. Instead, the movie is a showcase for Sellers’ still-brilliant physical comedy skills, which are on full display as he portrays the world-famous bumbling detective trying and failing to decipher the painfully obvious clues that are in front of him. Released in the same year as Dr. Strangelove, A Shot in the Dark spotlights one of the great actors of the 1960s, and that’s reason enough to watch it. 1. **‘One Battle After Another’ (2025)** **Rotten Tomatoes score: 94 percent** Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a man in hiding — from the law, from his past and from himself. He’s a former revolutionary who has retreated into self-imposed exile filled with too much weed and not enough common sense. He’s a good dad to 16-year-old daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti), though, and he wants her to have a better life than he has now. That wish is jeopardized with the re-emergence of an old enemy, Steven Lockjaw (Sean Penn), who wants to kill Willa to prove himself worthy to a white supremacist organization. There ain’t no way Bob’s going to let that happen, even if he has to take the law into his own hands to protect the only person who cares about him. **Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier in In the Heat of the Night** Related: 15 Best Classic Movies on Prime Video (May 2026): ‘In the Heat of the Night’ and More Winner of six Oscars, including Best Picture, One Battle After Another is both an epic about America and an intimate story about a father and daughter. That it works as both is a credit to Paul Thomas Anderson’s enormous talent — he’s a writer-director who paints on a big canvas but doesn’t forget about the minor details that make his art pop with life, humor and emotion. Penn won an Oscar for his work as an ambitious villain, but DiCaprio is even better as an overprotective parent who clears away the fog of middle age just enough to remind himself what he’s fighting — and what he believes is right. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=3%20New%20Prime%20Video%20Movies%20With%20Great%20Rotten%20Tomatoes%20Scores&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=3%20New%20Prime%20Video%20Movies%20With%20Great%20Rotten%20Tomatoes%20Scores%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=3%20New%20Prime%20Video%20Movies%20With%20Great%20Rotten%20Tomatoes%20Scores&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=3%20New%20Prime%20Video%20Movies%20With%20Great%20Rotten%20Tomatoes%20Scores%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=3%20New%20Prime%20Video%20Movies%20With%20Great%20Rotten%20Tomatoes%20Scores%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Get Shorty, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #GeneHackman, #GetShorty, #JohnTravolta, #PrimeVideo, #RottenTomatoes --- ### [Workplace Quotes By Inspirational Women](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/28/workplace-quotes-by-inspirational-women/) **Published:** May 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “The worst part of success is trying to find someone who is happy for you.” – Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## The Positivity Blog Workplace Quotes By Inspirational Women By Henrik Edberg May 28, 2026 --- ![Painted portrait of a smiling red-haired woman in a glittery, sequined jacket against a warm background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/bette-midler-in-vibrant-attire-john-springfield.jpg "Bette-midler-in-vibrant-attire-john-springfield - bootleg betty")--- Life in the workplace isn’t always easy. Stress, demanding bosses, boredom and negative co-workers can drag both your energy and motivation down. If that’s the case for you today, then this post can help you out and give you a boost of positive energy. In it I want to share 101 of the most encouraging, funny, uplifting and motivational workplace quotes by women. I hope you’ll find something here to help you to turn a bad morning or day around, make you laugh and help you release some stress and spread the positive vibes to co-workers and friends who might need a boost too. **[Workplace Quotes](https://www.themuse.com/advice/45-inspirational-quotes-that-will-get-you-through-the-work-week "Workplace Quotes") by Women for a Boost of Positive and Encouraging Energy A focused woman working on her laptop.** “There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” – Amanda Gorman “Every small positive change we make in ourselves repays us in confidence in the future.” – Alice Walker “Do not allow people to dim your shine because they are blinded. Tell them to put sunglasses on.” – Lady Gaga “Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” – Helen Keller “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt “Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” – Michelle Obama “Be thankful for what you have, and you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” – Maya Angelou “Not having the best situation but seeing the best in your situation is the key to happiness.” – Marie Forleo “The truest greatness lies in being kind, the truest wisdom in a happy mind.” – Ella Wheeler Wilcox “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” – Maya Angelou “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller “Always work hard and have fun in what you do because I think that’s when you’re more successful. You have to choose to do it.” – Simone Biles “You can be everything. You can be the infinite amount of things that people are.” – Kesha “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – Maya Angelou “I am experienced enough to do this. I am knowledgeable enough to do this. I am prepared enough to do this. I am mature enough to do this. I am brave enough to do this.” – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez “The way to achieve your own success is to be willing to help somebody else get it first.” – Iyanla Vanzant “The hard work definitely paid off, and hard work always does.” – Gabby Douglas “I strongly believe if you work hard, whatever you want, it will come to you.” – Beyoncé Knowles-Carter “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” – Dolly Parton Short Workplace Quotes by Women “The most effective way to do it is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” – Suzy Kassem “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible!’” – Audrey Hepburn “Light tomorrow with today.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt “Done is better than perfect.” – Sheryl Sandberg “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” – Beverly Sills “The road to success is always under construction.” – Lily Tomlin “The expert in anything was once a beginner.” – Helen Hayes “It’s not about perfect. It’s about effort.” – Jillian Michaels “Nothing will work unless you do.” – Maya Angelou “Stay positive, work hard.” – Debbie Millman “The question isn’t who is going to let me, it’s who is going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand “We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” – Marie Curie “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” – Amelia Earhart “Luck is not chance, it’s toil; fortune’s expensive smile is earned.” – Emily Dickinson “Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.” – Coco Chanel “I learned the value of hard work by working hard.” – Margaret Mead “Delegate your work. Stop spending dollar time on penny jobs.” – Mary Kay Ash “Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.” – Dorothy Parker “There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period.” – Brené Brown Funny Workplace Quotes by Women “If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito.” – Betty Reese “For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.” – Lily Tomlin “I hate when I lose things at work, like pens, papers, sanity and dreams.” – Sarah Cooper “Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.” – Rita Mae Brown “I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.” – Lily Tomlin “I work for myself, which is fun. Except when I call in sick, I know I’m lying.” – Rita Rudner “What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.” – Phyllis Diller “The only thing that ever sat its way to success was a hen.” – Sarah Brown “The problem with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.” – Lily Tomlin “To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.” – Reba McEntire “Dream big, work hard, stay focused, and surround yourself with funny people.” – Carol Burnett “The worst part of success is trying to find someone who is happy for you.” – [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2021/11/21/famous-people-famous-quotes/ "Bette Midler") “I’m not late, I just like to make an entrance.” – Marilyn Monroe “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life… because that field probably isn’t hiring.” – Dorothy Parker “The reward for good work is more work.” – Françoise Giroud “I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford. Then I want them to move in with me.” – Phyllis Diller “Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it.” – Katharine Whitehorn “I’m not arguing, I’m just explaining why I’m right.” – Jane Goodall “Even a stopped clock is right twice every day. After some years, it can boast of a long series of successes.” – Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach **Workplace Quotes by Women for the Tough Days** “When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe “When someone tells me ‘no,’ it doesn’t mean I can’t do it, it simply means I can’t do it with them.” – Karen E. Quinones Miller “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott “Self-reflection is a much kinder teacher than regret is. Prioritize yourself by making a habit of it.” – Andrena Sawyer “As long as they are well-intentioned, mistakes are not a matter for shame, but for learning.” – Margaret Heffernan “Show me a person who has never made a mistake and I’ll show you someone who has never achieved much.” – Joan Collins “When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.” – Helen Keller “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou “Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.” – Carrie Fisher “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” – Mary Anne Radmacher “The only one who can tell you ‘you can’t win’ is you, and you don’t have to listen.” – Jessica Ennis “Success is not the absence of failure; it’s the persistence through failure.” – Aisha Tyler “Don’t run before you can crawl. It’s a very hard business, full of many, many extremely creative, talented people who work hard and still fail. If you have the basic building blocks behind you, you’re much more likely to do well.” – Anna Wintour “If you’re in a job that you hate, don’t be scared of seeking out something that might be riskier. Anything can turn into something with passion and hard work.” – Whitney Wolfe Herd “A clay pot sitting in the sun will always be a clay pot. It has to go through the white heat of the furnace to become porcelain.” – Mildred Struven “Real courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin. But you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” – Harper Lee “A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn.” – Helen Keller “You may be the only person left who believes in you, but it’s enough. It takes just one star to pierce a universe of darkness. Never give up.” – Richelle E. Goodrich “Don’t ever confuse the two, your life and your work. The second is only part of the first.” – Anna Quindlen “I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.” – Maya Angelou **Inspirational Workplace Quotes by Women** “Don’t be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don’t let others discourage you or tell you that you can’t do it. In my day I was told women didn’t go into chemistry. I saw no reason why we couldn’t.” – Gertrude B. Elion “I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.” – Eleanor Roosevelt “The key to success is to start before you are ready.” – Marie Forleo “Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.” – Jana Kingsford “I don’t believe in failure. It’s not failure if you enjoyed the process.” – Oprah Winfrey “I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but should get you pretty near.” – Margaret Thatcher “Luck? I don’t know anything about luck. Luck to me is something else: hard work and realizing what is opportunity and what isn’t.” – Lucille Ball “For every two minutes of glamour, there are eight hours of hard work.” – Jessica Savitch “Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life forever.” – Amy Poehler “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” – Sheryl Sandberg “Don’t confuse having a career with having a life.” – Hillary Clinton “If you want to improve the organization, you have to improve yourself. And the organization gets pulled up with you.” – Indra Nooyi “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are an excellent leader.” – Dolly Parton “People who are truly strong lift others up. People who are truly powerful bring others together.” – Michelle Obama “A career is wonderful, but you can’t curl up with it on a cold night.” – Marilyn Monroe “Leadership is about empathy. It is about having the ability to relate to and connect with people for the purpose of inspiring and empowering their lives.” – Oprah Winfrey “You can achieve anything you put your mind and hard work to.” – Sara Sampaio “Whatever you do, do it with all your might. Work at it, early and late, in season and out of season, not leaving a stone unturned, and never deferring for a single hour that which can be done just as well as now.” – Margaret Fuller “The creative adult is the child who survived.” – Ursula K. Le Guin “Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” – Gail Devers Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Workplace%20Quotes%20By%20Inspirational%20Women&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Workplace%20Quotes%20By%20Inspirational%20Women%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Workplace%20Quotes%20By%20Inspirational%20Women&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Workplace%20Quotes%20By%20Inspirational%20Women%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Workplace%20Quotes%20By%20Inspirational%20Women%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Quote, Quotes **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Inspirational, #Quotes, #Women, #Workplace --- ### [Boodles BonBon Video: Chapel Of Love (Continental Baths) - Bette Midler & Barry Manilow [VHS Full Version]](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/28/boodles-bonbon-video-chapel-of-love-continental-baths-bette-midler-barry-manilow-vhs-full-version/) **Published:** May 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Boodles BonBon Video: Chapel Of Love (Continental Baths) - Bette Midler & Barry Manilow [VHS Full Version] **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon Boodles BonBon Video: Chapel Of Love (Continental Baths) – Bette Midler & Barry Manilow \[VHS Full Version\] By Boodles BonBon --- ![Album cover for Continental Baths: Chapel of Love, featuring Bette Midler with Barry Manilow; vintage cartoon figures frame the title in black-and-white](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-28_08-15-30.png "2026-05-28_08-15-30 - bootleg betty") --- --- Some of the many Continental Baths VHS-era copies contain fuller versions of a couple of songs and a bit of extra banter beyond the widely circulating DVD-era edit. **Here is “Chapel of Love”** Bette Midler, Barry Manilow & Joey Mitchell on drums. Videographer: John Graham. Recorded: Sunday 5th September 1971 Barry Manilow’s The Complete Collection and Then Some… box set also includes an officially released edit of “Chapel of Love” and is still available, with hours of fabulous Manilow. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%20%28Continental%20Baths%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barry%20Manilow%20%5BVHS%20Full%20Version%5D&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%20%28Continental%20Baths%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barry%20Manilow%20%5BVHS%20Full%20Version%5D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%20%28Continental%20Baths%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barry%20Manilow%20%5BVHS%20Full%20Version%5D&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%20%28Continental%20Baths%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barry%20Manilow%20%5BVHS%20Full%20Version%5D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%20%28Continental%20Baths%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barry%20Manilow%20%5BVHS%20Full%20Version%5D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Continental Baths, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BarryManilow, #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #chapeloflove, #Continental Baths --- ### [Bette Midler Archive: Bette Midler - Big Noise From Winnetka / Matchmaker, Matchmaker / Paradise (Live) -1980](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/27/bette-midler-archive-bette-midler-big-noise-from-winnetka-matchmaker-matchmaker-paradise-live-1980/) **Published:** May 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette performs the opening number of her "Bette! Divine Madness" show at the Majestic Theatre on January 3, 1980, with a nostalgic throwback to the past. **Content:** --- ## Bette Midler Archive Bette Midler – Big Noise From Winnetka / Matchmaker, Matchmaker / Paradise (Live) By Bette Midler Archive May 27, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler concert poster with a sequined performer singing and orange text announcing 'Big Noise From Winnetka' on January 3, 1980 at the Majestic Theatre, New York, NY.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-27_12-07-02.png "2026-05-27_12-07-02 - bootleg betty") --- --- **Bette performs the opening number of her “Bette! Divine Madness” show at the Majestic Theatre on January 3, 1980, with a nostalgic throwback to the past**. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Big%20Noise%20From%20Winnetka%20%2F%20Matchmaker%2C%20Matchmaker%20%2F%20Paradise%20%28Live%29%20-1980&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Big%20Noise%20From%20Winnetka%20%2F%20Matchmaker%2C%20Matchmaker%20%2F%20Paradise%20%28Live%29%20-1980%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Big%20Noise%20From%20Winnetka%20%2F%20Matchmaker%2C%20Matchmaker%20%2F%20Paradise%20%28Live%29%20-1980&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Big%20Noise%20From%20Winnetka%20%2F%20Matchmaker%2C%20Matchmaker%20%2F%20Paradise%20%28Live%29%20-1980%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Big%20Noise%20From%20Winnetka%20%2F%20Matchmaker%2C%20Matchmaker%20%2F%20Paradise%20%28Live%29%20-1980%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Divine Madness, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BigNoiseFromWinnetka, #Broadway, #Divine Madness, #Live, #Paradise, Matchmaker --- ### [The Most Famous Moments On Johnny Carson's Tonight Show](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/27/the-most-famous-moments-on-johnny-carsons-tonight-show/) **Published:** May 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Midler closed the show by serenading Carson, who sat at his desk while Midler sat upon a stool nearby. "I can't believe I'm the last guest — the last fool Mr. Carson will have to suffer gladly," **Content:** --- ## The List The Most Famous Moments On Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show By Brent Furdyk May 27, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/672252998_1424354996402230_890329950601971414_n-1024x1024.jpg "672252998_1424354996402230_890329950601971414_n - bootleg betty")--- He may not have been the first host of “The Tonight Show,” but [**Johnny Carson**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Carson) will be remembered as its most popular. Taking over from Jack Paar in 1962, Carson ruled television’s late-night landscape for three decades, shaping popular culture in America like few celebrities, before or since. Until his retirement in 1992, Carson’s monologues were required viewing for millions of TV viewers, and he’d sometimes get more laughs from jokes that bombed than punchlines that hit the bullseye. He interviewed everyone from the most famous of A-list celebrities to quirky oddballs from the American heartland. Meanwhile, “The Tonight Show” was ground zero for stand-up comics; those who earned his seal of approval by being waved over to join him at his desk could expect to see their comedy careers explode. Over the course of those 30 years, some legendary incidents took place on the show — although not all of them actually happened. For example, Jane Fonda once asked Carson about an apocryphal story she’d heard about a long-ago interview with Zsa Zsa Gabor. According to Fonda, Gabor — holding her pet cat on her lap — supposedly invited the host to pet the animal, using a pejorative term that describes both a feline and a delicate part of the female anatomy. Fonda had been told that Carson’s response to that invitation was, “I’d love to — if you’d remove that damn cat.” Carson confirmed it never happened. “No, I think I would recall that,” he deadpanned (via “The Tonight Show”). For a rundown of legendary things that actually did happen during his late-night reign, read on for some of the most famous moments on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. **Ed Ames’ tomahawk throw** Anytime “The Tonight Show” hit a milestone and served up a clip show, it was a given that it would contain this classic 1965 segment featuring actor and singer Ed Ames. At the time, Ames — who was actually of Ukrainian heritage — portrayed a Native American, Mingo, on the popular TV western “Daniel Boone,” and had prepared to demonstrate his recently acquired skill of throwing a tomahawk. His target: a life-sized outline of a cowboy that had been drawn on a piece of plywood. In the clip, Ames proceeds to hurl his tomahawk, but instead of striking at chest level, the blade winds up between the figure’s legs. The audience erupts in laughter, with Carson masterfully waiting for the laughs to subside before serving up an off-the-cuff punchline that led to another wave: “I didn’t even know you were Jewish.” As Carson’s sidekick Ed McMahon recalled in an interview with the Television Academy Foundation, when the audience laughter died down again, Carson then hit them with another zinger: “Welcome to a frontier bris.” After more laughs, Carson blocked Ames’ attempts at retrieving his wayward tomahawk until Ames challenged Carson to attempt his own tomahawk toss. Carson looked at the tomahawk, then at Ames, declaring, “I couldn’t hurt him any more than you did.” As McMahon pointed out, “That’s probably the biggest laugh ever, on television ever, certainly on ‘The Tonight Show,’ the biggest, longest-running laugh … the funniest laugh ever in television.” **Tiny Tim marries Miss Vicki** Tiny Tim became an unlikely star thanks to his 1968 novelty hit “Tiptoe Through the Tulips,” sung in a quavering falsetto while accompanying himself on ukulele. During a “The Tonight Show” appearance, the singer informed host Johnny Carson that he’d recently gotten engaged, which prompted Carson to extend an invitation to hold the nuptials on his show. The press picked up on it, and before long, a media furor grew that all but guaranteed that Tiny Tim and 17-year-old fiancée Miss Vicki (a.k.a. Vicki Budinger) would marry on “The Tonight Show.” That came to pass, with the couple tying the knot in front of TV cameras in December 1969. The wedding-slash-PR stunt wound up becoming one of the biggest pop-culture moments of the late 1960s, drawing an estimated viewing audience of a staggering 45 million. “They said that was second only in ratings to the Super Bowl,” Ed McMahon marveled when interviewed for the Television Academy Foundation. The marriage didn’t last, with their divorce coming eight years later. Speaking with the Chicago Tribune in 1995, Budinger revealed she was just 19 when they’d had a child together, aptly named daughter Tulip. Looking back on her televised wedding, Budinger said, “I was just a kid, thinking, ‘This will be fun.’ And it was. So I don’t regret it.” Tiny Tim died in 1996, aged 64. **Johnny put the kibosh on Uri Geller’s spoon-bending** In 1973, self-proclaimed psychic Uri Geller became a media darling for his seemingly impossible mental feats, including fixing broken watches and bending spoons, allegedly using his mind. That inevitably led him to “The Tonight Show,” for what proved to be an embarrassing and cringe-inducing debacle. During his 20-plus minutes on the show (which can be seen in its excruciating entirety above), every psychic feat he attempted, including trying to bend a spoon with the assistance of actor Ricardo Montalban, fell flat and failed miserably. What Geller hadn’t realized was that “The Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson was a serious student of magic, adept at sleight-of-hand trickery and stage illusions. Carson smelled a rat, suspecting that Geller’s props, not his psychic power, were responsible. He consulted with magician James Randi, renowned for debunking the claims of mediums, faith healers, and the like. Randi advised Carson to have his staff replace the props Geller had brought with alternates and keep a close eye on them backstage to prevent tampering. In the segment, Geller repeatedly stalls and offers excuses for why his powers had mysteriously abandoned him. Carson, appearing bemused, lets it all drag on to extend the agony. “I didn’t know at that time that \[Carson\] was an amateur magician,” Geller told Mark Malkoff for his book, “Love Johnny Carson” (via Parade). “I also didn’t know that he was a total skeptic. I was humiliated. It was my first major TV show in America. By the end of the show, I was devastated.” **‘Sis Boom Bah’** One of Johnny Carson’s most enduringly popular “The Tonight Show” bit was his Carnac the Magnificent character, introduced by Ed McMahon as “that famous visitor from the East,” the “seer, sage, soothsayer” who could provide the answers to questions concealed in envelopes that had been “hermetically sealed … in a mayonnaise jar” kept on “Funk and Wagnall’s porch.” These segments were always reliably entertaining, but one has come to stand out from all the others. During the episode aired on August 5, 1981, Carson holds the envelope to his forehead. Before even reading the line, he starts cracking up, knowing what’s to come. Finally, he composes himself and utters a phrase generally associated with cheerleading, “Sis boom bah.” He then opens the envelope and reveals the question: “Describe the sound made when a sheep explodes.” The audience erupts with riotous laughter, while both Carson and McMahon collapse into convulsive fits of laughter that continue for a full minute before they get themselves together. Recalling the moment when interviewed for the Television Academy Foundation, McMahon remembered that prior to the show, Carson issued him a warning — the first and last time he’d ever done so. “He said, ‘There’s a line in Carnac that’s gonna put you away,'” said McMahon. According to McMahon, “Sis boom bah” proved to be the most popular Carnac line in the show’s history. “Now, the two of us laughed … We just couldn’t go on …” McMahon added. “That’s the only time he ever set me up for something.” **Johnny angrily confronts Don Rickles on the set of his sitcom** Comedian Don Rickles was one of Johnny Carson’s most frequent guests, responsible for many uproarious comic moments over the years. During an appearance when Bob Newhart was guest-hosting, Rickles was clowning around when he accidentally broke a wooden cigarette box that had been a fixture on Carson’s “The Tonight Show” desk, feigning horror upon the realization that he’d be in big trouble. On Carson’s first night back after Rickles’ appearance, the dismayed host displays the broken box while chatting with “The Tonight Show” bandleader Doc Severinson. Cameras then follow Carson, microphone in hand, as he storms over to confront Rickles while taping his TV sitcom “CPO Sharkey” in the studio next door. “Rickles! Rickles! Stop the taping!” declares Carson when he enters the “CPO Sharkey” set. “Somebody broke my cigarette box!” Rickles is taken by surprise and laughs uproariously at Carson’s surprise visit. “They told me you broke it on the show last night,” Carson says accusatorially, until Rickles eventually begins tugging on Carson’s jacket, promising to make it up to him before resorting to all-out begging. “But just keep me on the show, you mean so much to me,” Rickles tells Carson, who responds with disgust, “Don’t humble yourself! I want something back.” Then, as Carson prepares to leave, Rickles points to Carson and introduces him by name. “They know who I am!” Carson snaps. **Johnny stole David Letterman’s truck** When aspiring stand-up comic David Letterman made his first appearance on “The Tonight Show” in 1978, he received that all-important wave from Johnny Carson, inviting him over to the desk. Letterman soon became a Carson favorite, quickly tapped as a guest host before launching “Late Night,” his own late-night show following Tonight. When Letterman appeared on “The Tonight Show” in 1986, he owned a house in Malibu that wasn’t far from Carson’s abode. Carson tells viewers about going out for a walk one day. “And I passed this house, and I saw this beat-up red pickup truck,” Carson says, revealing the truck belongs to Letterman. This is followed by footage — which Letterman is apparently seeing for the first time — of his truck being towed away. “I figured that as a citizen I did have the right to improve the community,” Carson declares, before a curtain lifts and Letterman’s truck is displayed in the studio in all its dilapidated, dented glory. The story didn’t end there, although it’s safe to say this wasn’t one of those times when Letterman went too far. A couple of months later, Carson welcomed Letterman again. This time, Judge Joseph Wapner of daytime TV hit “The People’s Court” enters the fray, taking a seat at Carson’s desk to adjudicate the case of the stolen truck, while Carson and Letterman stand at podiums to make their respective arguments. Ultimately, Wapner ruled in Letterman’s favor, determining that Carson did not have the legal right to abscond with the truck. Agreeing with Letterman that Carson had damaged the truck, Wapner ordered Carson to pay Letterman $24.95 to cover the repairs. **Martin Short impersonates Bette Davis — and she’s not impressed** In 1988, Martin Short was white hot, having parlayed his gift for celebrity impersonation on “SCTV” and “Saturday Night Live” into movie stardom with “The Three Amigos” and “Innerspace.” In January of that year, he appeared on “The Tonight Show,” where he regaled Johnny Carson with his impressions of such celebs as comedian David Steinberg, Jerry Lewis, Katharine Hepburn, and others. Sitting next to Short was the previous guest, legendary Hollywood movie star Bette Davis (and if you’ve never watched a Bette Davis movie, here’s the one you should start with). When Carson asks Short — who has just done a bit as his “SCTV”-slash-“SNL” character Ed Grimley — if he’s working on any other impressions, Davis interrupts to pipe up, “Do you do me?” Short responds by attempting his best Bette Davis, saying in her exaggerated cadence, “Well, you aren’t that easy to do.” Davis, her arms folded and her visage grim, doesn’t seem to realize she’s just been impersonated and replies, “Then we’ll skip it. I just wanted to know.” For a brief moment, Short appears genuinely shocked and chagrined, but quickly pivots and resumes his interview with Carson. Sadly, that wouldn’t be the only time that he’d find himself at odds with a legendary Hollywood figure — such as the time that Short once had a messy confrontation with Lucille Ball in public. **Albert Brooks’ home impressions kit** Albert Brooks’ appearances on “The Tonight Show” were legendary, as inventive and bizarre as they were downright hilarious — including the time he used a Speak & Spell children’s toy to create a hilarious ventriloquism bit. His most famous bit, however, came when he dropped by the show in 1983 to debut his “home impressions kit” (via The Tonight Show), guaranteed to turn anyone into the life of the party by delivering drop-dead accurate impressions of various celebrities. The secret, Brooks explained, could be found in specific types of food. “There are certain foods that, when they interact with the normal body chemistry, produce the impressions,” Brooks says. “It’s uncanny.” He proceeds to pull out assorted plastic containers full of food, each labeled with the name of a different celebrity. For his first impression, Brooks jams a lemon wedge between his teeth and sucks on the juice. Wincing, he impersonates Clark Gable in “Gone With the Wind,” saying the actor’s signature line, “Frankly, Scarlett, I don’t give a damn.” Further impressions include a steaming hot baked potato to impersonate Burt Lancaster (and, with the addition of hot pepper, Curly from the Three Stooges), crunching raw carrots for Sylvester Stallone, placing vanilla ice cream at the back of his throat for Merv Griffin, and chewing saltwater taffy to approximate talking sitcom horse Mr. Ed, all of which reduce Johnny Carson into hysterics. **The Great Flydini** Steve Martin’s career exploded thanks to his multiple stints hosting “Saturday Night Live” in the late 1970s. While it’s true that he wasn’t involved in any of the most awkward moments that aired on “SNL” (even though a resurfaced sketch of his from the show had the internet seeing red), Martin is also responsible for one of the all-time great comedy bits to air on “The Tonight Show.” This took place in 1992, when Martin presented himself as a magician called the Great Flydini. The routine is as silly as it is outrageously funny. Martin — who, like Johnny Carson, entered showbiz via magic — performs a variety of tricks through the unzipped fly in his trousers, sporting a fake arm hanging by his side while his actual arm feeds objects through the fly. These begin with scarves, then an egg, followed by a bouquet of flowers, a cocktail, a telephone, and a tiny puppet resembling opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, who mimes along with an aria. Throughout the routine, Martin never says a word, evoking silent film comedians such as Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton. “We have seen some amazing effects, ladies and gentlemen, over the years, but you have to admit Flydini has shown us more than we ever wanted to see in magic,” Carson quips at the end of the routine. **The potato chip prank** In addition to the thousands of celebrities to plant their behinds on Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Show” guest chair over the years, he also welcomed an array of colorful non-celebs who were famous for often bizarre things. Such was the case with Myrtle Young, known as the Potato Chip Lady for her unusual hobby of collecting potato chips resembling things that were not chips. During Young’s appearance on “Tonight” back in 1987, she brought some of her famous chips with her, displaying them for Carson. These include chips that were vaguely shaped like a pair of socks, a calf without eyes, a camel, and others. However, she has no idea she’s about to be the focus of an epic prank when second banana Ed McMahon distracts her by seeking Carson’s attention. While her head is turned toward McMahon, Carson slyly sneaks a potato chip hidden from view, then places it in his mouth and loudly crunches it. Young swings her head around in horror, believing Carson’s just swallowed one of her prized chips. He then pulls out a bowl of chips that had been concealed behind his desk, and she slowly comprehends the joke he’s played on her. “She was serious, this was not fun …” McMahon told the Television Academy Foundation of Young, recalling her reaction when her head was turned, and she heard the unmistakable sound of a potato chip crunching behind her. “And she grabbed her heart,” McMahon recalled, “I thought she was gonna die on the spot.” **Bette Midler’s farewell serenade** In the days leading up to Johnny Carson’s final episode of “The Tonight Show” on May 22, 1992, a parade of A-listers dropped by to bid farewell before he rode off into the sunset. On the penultimate episode (the last one featured no guests), Carson welcomed Robin Williams and [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/05/21/the-johnny-carson-serenades-by-bette-midler/). Midler closed the show by serenading Carson, who sat at his desk while Midler sat upon a stool nearby. “I can’t believe I’m the last guest — the last fool Mr. Carson will have to suffer gladly,” Midler said before declaring that Carson was the wind beneath her wings. She then launched into an emotional rendition of “One More For My Baby” that had the host tearing up, and was greeted with thunderous applause that seemed to last forever. Poignantly, it was back in 1972 that Carson made a bold yet prescient prediction during one of her early appearances on “The Tonight Show” — joining the things you don’t know about Bette Midler. “I said it before when you were first on this show, and I mean it,” Carson said. “You’re going to be someone to contend with. You’re going to be a big star in this business because you are unique and you are different. When it all comes together, it’ll happen.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Most%20Famous%20Moments%20On%20Johnny%20Carson%27s%20Tonight%20Show&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Most%20Famous%20Moments%20On%20Johnny%20Carson%27s%20Tonight%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Most%20Famous%20Moments%20On%20Johnny%20Carson%27s%20Tonight%20Show&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Most%20Famous%20Moments%20On%20Johnny%20Carson%27s%20Tonight%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Most%20Famous%20Moments%20On%20Johnny%20Carson%27s%20Tonight%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Emmys, Talk Show, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Emmys, #JohnnyCarson, #OneFormyBaby, #TheTonightShow --- ### [BonBon Video Short: My One True Friend (UK Lottery) - Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/26/bonbon-video-short-my-one-true-friend-uk-lottery-bette-midler/) **Published:** May 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BonBon Short: My One True Friend (UK Lottery) - Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon BonBon Short: My One True Friend (UK Lottery) – Bette Midler By Boodles BonBon May 26, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-06_10-38-48.png "2026-05-06_10-38-48 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20My%20One%20True%20Friend%20%28UK%20Lottery%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20My%20One%20True%20Friend%20%28UK%20Lottery%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20My%20One%20True%20Friend%20%28UK%20Lottery%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20My%20One%20True%20Friend%20%28UK%20Lottery%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BonBon%20Video%20Short%3A%20My%20One%20True%20Friend%20%28UK%20Lottery%29%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #MyOneTrueFrie, Video --- ### [10 Movies That Flopped but Became Cult Classics](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/26/10-movies-that-flopped-but-became-cult-classics/) **Published:** May 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Every film on this list was misunderstood at the point of release, whether by critics who couldn’t place it, studios that couldn’t market it, or audiences who weren’t given the context to receive it. **Content:** --- ## Game Of Nerds They Bombed at the Box Office — Then Became Immortal: 10 Movies That Flopped but Became Cult Classics By Girl With No Name May 26, 2026 --- ![Three witches in a moonlit forest lean over a glowing cauldron, gesturing as they cast a spell.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hocuspocus2-sandersons-1024x576.webp "Hocuspocus2-sandersons - bootleg betty") --- **They Bombed at the [Box Office](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/12/29/celebrating-the-amazing-box-office-run-of-bette-midler/) — Then Became Immortal: 10 Movies That Flopped but Became [Cult Classics](https://www.imdb.com/list/ls000571226/)** Box office success and cultural longevity have never been the same thing. Hollywood has always known this on some level, but the history of cinema makes the point with almost cruel regularity: some of the most beloved, most quoted, most rewatched films ever made were financial disasters when they first opened. Critics dismissed them. Studios wrote them off. Audiences, at least the ones who showed up opening weekend, didn’t quite know what to make of them. And then something happened. Slowly, through late-night screenings and home video and word of mouth and the particular alchemy of a film finding the audience it was always meant for, these movies became something the box office numbers never predicted: permanent. Here are ten films that failed commercially and became immortal anyway. What they have in common is more interesting than what they made. 1. **Blade Runner (1982)** Box Office: $14.8 million domestic against a $28 million budget. What Critics Said: Visually stunning but cold, slow, and narratively confusing. What It Became: One of the most influential science fiction films ever made. Ridley Scott’s neo-noir vision of a rain-soaked 2019 Los Angeles, where synthetic humans called replicants are hunted by specialized police called blade runners, arrived in 1982 to audience bewilderment and critical ambivalence. It was too slow for the Star Wars crowd and too strange for everyone else. It was pulled from several theaters after two weeks. What happened next is the stuff of film legend. Blade Runner found its audience on home video, its reputation growing steadily through the 1980s as viewers returned to it and discovered new layers on every watch. The release of Ridley Scott’s Director’s Cut in 1992, which removed the studio-mandated voiceover narration and ambiguous happy ending, revealed a genuinely great film that had been partially buried by nervous executives. The later Final Cut cemented its status. The questions it asks about consciousness, memory, and what it means to be human have never stopped being relevant. Rutger Hauer’s “Tears in Rain” monologue is one of the most quoted pieces of dialogue in cinema history. The film spawned a sequel, Blade Runner 2049, that arrived thirty-five years later to critical acclaim. None of that was visible in the box office receipts from June 1982. 2. **The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)** Box Office: Pulled from wide release after catastrophic initial numbers. What Critics Said: Campy, bizarre, and incomprehensible. What It Became: The longest-running theatrical release in cinema history. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the cult classic against which all other cult classics are measured. Based on the stage musical by Richard O’Brien, the film follows a straight-laced couple whose car breaks down near the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania, with predictably chaotic results. It is campy, bizarre, and proudly incomprehensible, and Fox had no idea what to do with it. The film was a disaster on initial release. Fox pulled it from wide distribution almost immediately. What saved it was a midnight screening strategy: in 1976, a single theater in New York began showing it at midnight every weekend, and the audiences that showed up started talking back to the screen, dressing up as the characters, bringing props, and turning the viewing experience into participatory theater. That midnight screening tradition spread across the country and then the world. Rocky Horror is still screening in theaters today, fifty years after its initial release, with audiences still in costume and still throwing toast at the screen during the wedding scene. No film in history has had a longer continuous theatrical run. The box office numbers from 1975 are a historical footnote. The midnight tradition is an institution. 3. **The Big Lebowski (1998)** Box Office: $17.5 million domestic against a $15 million budget. Technically not a loss but a significant commercial disappointment for a Coen Brothers follow-up to Fargo. What Critics Said: Meandering, self-indulgent, and a step down from the Coens’ previous work. What It Became: A religion. Literally. The Church of the Latter-Day Dude is a real thing. Joel and Ethan Coen made The Big Lebowski immediately after Fargo won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and two Academy Awards. Expectations were high. What audiences got was a shaggy, digressive noir parody about a lazy bowler named Jeffrey Lebowski, nicknamed The Dude, who gets mistaken for a millionaire with the same name and stumbles through a plot involving a stolen rug, a nihilist gang, and a pornographer named Jackie Treehorn. Critics were politely baffled. Audiences were largely indifferent. The film made back its budget and then some but was widely considered a minor, slight work by the standards of its directors. What followed is one of cinema’s great second-act stories. The Big Lebowski found its audience on DVD, and that audience turned out to be enormous, passionate, and quotationally prolific. “The Dude abides” became one of the most repeated phrases in popular culture. The annual Lebowski Fest began in Louisville in 2002 and spread to cities across the country, with thousands of fans dressing as The Dude and his bowling companions every year. Jeff Bridges has described the film’s afterlife as one of the great surprises of his career. It outlasted everything. 4. **Clue (1985)** Box Office: $14.6 million domestic against a $15 million budget. What Critics Said: Silly, gimmicky, and too reliant on its board game premise. What It Became: One of the most quoted comedies of the 1980s and a perennial cable television staple. Clue was a genuine conceptual gamble: a feature film adaptation of a board game, shot with three different endings that were distributed to different theaters so no single audience knew definitively who the murderer was. It was directed by Jonathan Lynn with a cast including Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, and Lesley Ann Warren, and it should have been an event. Instead it confused audiences, divided critics, and disappeared from theaters quickly. The multiple-endings gimmick, which should have been a selling point, mostly generated frustration from moviegoers who felt they’d been denied a proper conclusion. Then home video happened. On VHS and later DVD, all three endings played sequentially, and Clue suddenly made complete sense as the farcical, deliriously funny ensemble comedy it always was. Tim Curry’s manic energy in particular was revealed as something extraordinary when audiences could watch it at their own pace and rewind the best bits. The film became a staple of cable television rotation and a beloved fixture of childhood movie nights across the 1990s. Its fanbase has only grown since, and talk of a remake or sequel circulates regularly. The board game is still selling. So is the movie, in every sense. 5. **Fight Club (1999)** Box Office: $37 million domestic against a $63 million budget. A significant financial loss for Fox. What Critics Said:Violently nihilistic, morally irresponsible, and potentially dangerous. What It Became: One of the defining films of its generation and a permanent fixture of the cultural conversation. David Fincher’s adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s novel arrived in 1999 to genuinely alarmed critical reception. Several prominent reviewers called it dangerous. Fox was reportedly embarrassed by it. The studio released it with minimal promotional support and it opened to disappointing numbers against Double Jeopardy and Three Kings. The DVD release changed everything. Fight Club sold millions of copies and became the film that defined a certain strain of late-1990s disillusionment with consumer culture, corporate identity, and the performance of masculinity. Its famous twist was analyzed, debated, and dissected in college dorms and online forums across the early internet era. Brad Pitt and Edward Norton’s performances were reassessed as extraordinary. Fincher’s direction was recognized as visionary rather than irresponsible. The film’s cultural footprint is now so large that it’s genuinely difficult to remember it was a box office failure. It has influenced everything from other films to advertising to political discourse. Whether that influence has always been positive is a legitimate debate, and one the film itself would probably appreciate. Fincher made a film about the seduction of dangerous ideas, and then watched it become one. 6. **Hocus Pocus (1993)** Box Office: $28 million domestic against a $28 million budget. Broke even but was considered a flop by Disney’s standards. What Critics Said: Cheap, silly, and beneath the talents involved. What It Became: The defining Halloween movie for an entire generation of millennials. Disney released Hocus Pocus in July 1993, which was its first and most fundamental mistake. A Halloween movie released in summer, competing against blockbusters with no seasonal context to help it, was never going to perform. Critics found it thin. Audiences found it confusing in a multiplex context. It was quietly written off. Then it found its season. As the film moved to home video and television syndication, it began airing in October, in its natural habitat, and something clicked. The Sanderson Sisters, played with magnificent theatrical commitment by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, turned out to be iconic. The film’s mixture of genuine menace, broad comedy, and Halloween atmosphere was exactly what families wanted for October viewing. By the 2010s, Hocus Pocus had become so deeply embedded in Halloween culture that Disney greenlit a sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, which arrived in 2022 with the original cast and generated enormous streaming numbers. A film that Disney considered a minor failure in 1993 had become one of its most culturally durable properties, simply by being exactly what its audience needed once they found each other. 7. **The Iron Giant (1999)** Box Office: $23 million domestic against a $70 million budget. One of the biggest animated film losses in Warner Bros. history. What Critics Said: Beautiful, moving, and criminally under-seen. What It Became: Widely regarded as one of the greatest animated films ever made. The Iron Giant is perhaps the most clear-cut case of studio failure on this list. Brad Bird’s adaptation of Ted Hughes’ novel about a boy who befriends a giant alien robot in 1950s Maine was almost universally loved by critics from the moment it opened. The problem was that almost nobody saw it open. Warner Bros. provided minimal marketing support, releasing it with a campaign so inadequate that many people didn’t know it existed. The film’s home video life told a completely different story. The Iron Giant was discovered by families on DVD and VHS, passed between households, and recognized almost immediately as something special: an animated film that dealt seriously with themes of identity, sacrifice, and the choice between violence and humanity. Vin Diesel’s voice performance as the Giant became one of his most beloved roles. The phrase “you are who you choose to be” became genuinely iconic. Bird went on to direct The Incredibles and Ratatouille at Pixar. The Iron Giant received a Signature Edition theatrical re-release in 2015 to celebrate its anniversary, and audiences who had loved it on home video finally got to see it the way it was meant to be experienced. The critical consensus is unambiguous: it is a masterpiece. Warner Bros. simply forgot to tell anyone it existed in 1999. 8. **Donnie Darko (2001)** Box Office: $517,000 domestic. One of the lowest-grossing wide releases of 2001. What Critics Said: Intriguing but impenetrable. What It Became: The defining cult film of the early 2000s. Richard Kelly’s debut feature, about a troubled teenager in 1988 suburban Virginia who begins receiving apocalyptic visions from a figure in a terrifying rabbit costume named Frank, was released one month after September 11, 2001. A film involving a jet engine crashing into a suburban home was perhaps the most poorly timed release in cinema history. It made almost no money. The DVD release a year later, paired with Kelly’s director’s commentary and supplementary materials that deepened the film’s mythology, generated the kind of obsessive engagement that turns a film into a phenomenon. Donnie Darko became the midnight movie of the early internet era: the film you watched late at night with friends, argued about until dawn, and recommended to everyone you knew as the strangest and most profound thing you’d ever seen. Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance was recognized as a breakthrough. The soundtrack, featuring Gary Jules’ devastating cover of “Mad World,” became iconic. The questions the film raises about time travel, predestination, and mental illness generated more online analysis than almost any film of its era. It remains a film that rewards patience and punishes casual viewing, which is precisely why its fans love it with the intensity they do. 9. **Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)** Box Office: $47.7 million worldwide against a $60 million budget. A significant loss for Universal. What Critics Said:Inventive and visually dazzling but too niche to connect broadly. What It Became: A generational touchstone for millennial geek culture and one of Edgar Wright’s most beloved films. Edgar Wright’s adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel series, in which a slacker musician must defeat his new girlfriend’s seven evil exes in video game-style combat, was a genuine formal experiment: a film that used the visual language of comics, video games, and anime in live action, at full speed, without apology or explanation. Audiences in 2010 were not entirely ready for it. The film’s hyper-specific cultural references and relentless visual energy were genuinely disorienting in a theater context. It found a devoted audience among comic book fans and cinephiles but struggled to reach beyond them. The home video and streaming afterlife told a completely different story. As the generation that grew up on the graphic novels and the video games it referenced got older, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World became the film that perfectly captured a specific moment in geek culture. A Netflix animated series, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, arrived in 2023 and reunited the original cast, introducing the story to a new generation. The original film’s reputation has grown to the point where it is now routinely cited as one of the best comic book adaptations ever made. Universal lost money in 2010. The story isn’t over. 10. **Jennifer’s Body (2009)** Box Office: $16.2 million domestic against a $16 million budget. Barely broke even and was considered a major disappointment. What Critics Said: Meandering, mismarketed, and a waste of Megan Fox’s talents. What It Became: A feminist horror landmark and one of the most reassessed films of the 2010s. Diablo Cody’s follow-up to her Oscar-winning Juno screenplay was a horror-comedy about a cheerleader who becomes possessed by a demon and starts eating boys. It was marketed almost entirely as a Megan Fox vehicle designed for the male gaze, with trailers and posters that emphasized Fox’s appearance and almost entirely ignored the film’s actual content: a genuinely sharp, funny, feminist examination of female friendship, predatory power dynamics, and the horror of being consumed by other people’s desires. The men who showed up for the marketing found a film that wasn’t made for them. The women who would have responded to the actual film were never told it existed. It bombed in both directions. The reassessment has been extraordinary. As conversations around female-directed genre cinema deepened in the late 2010s, Jennifer’s Body was rediscovered by exactly the audience it was always meant for. Megan Fox’s performance, dismissed at the time, was recognized as genuinely committed and layered. Amanda Seyfried’s work as Jennifer’s best friend Needy was re-evaluated as the film’s emotional core. Cody’s script was recognized as far smarter and more purposeful than the marketing had suggested. Jennifer’s Body is now taught in film courses as a case study in how marketing can bury a film by misrepresenting it to the wrong audience entirely. It is a genuinely good film that deserved better in 2009 and is finally getting it now. **What These Films Have in Common** Ten films across five decades. Different genres, different directors, different studios, different reasons for failure. But they share something. Every film on this list was misunderstood at the point of release, whether by critics who couldn’t place it, studios that couldn’t market it, or audiences who weren’t given the context to receive it. Every one of them found its real audience outside the theatrical window, through home video, through midnight screenings, through the slow accumulation of recommendations passed between people who cared. Every one of them is, by any meaningful measure, a better film than its box office numbers suggested. The lesson isn’t that box office failure is a mark of quality. Plenty of films fail commercially and fail artistically. The lesson is that the box office measures one thing and one thing only: how many people showed up in the first weekend. It says nothing about whether a film deserves to endure, nothing about whether it will find its people, and nothing about what it will mean to the audience that eventually discovers it on a Tuesday night twenty years later and wonders how they never saw it before. Some films take time to become what they always were. That’s not a consolation. That’s just how it works. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=10%20Movies%20That%20Flopped%20but%20Became%20Cult%20Classics&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=10%20Movies%20That%20Flopped%20but%20Became%20Cult%20Classics%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=10%20Movies%20That%20Flopped%20but%20Became%20Cult%20Classics&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=10%20Movies%20That%20Flopped%20but%20Became%20Cult%20Classics%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=10%20Movies%20That%20Flopped%20but%20Became%20Cult%20Classics%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BladeRunner, #BoxOffice, #cultClassic, #DonnieDarko, #FightClub, #HocusPocus, #Movies --- ### [Memorial Day: Bette Midler Sings The National Anthem](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/25/memorial-day-bette-midler-sings-the-national-anthem/) **Published:** May 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** #BetteMidler sang the #NationalAnthem at #MichaelBloombergs#mayor#inauguration ceremony on January 1, 2002. But #AmericaTheBeautiful is perfect for #MemorialDay too **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Memorial Day: Bette Midler Sings The National Anthem Mister D May 24, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler waves at a microphone on stage with backup dancers in bright outfits behind her, during a live performance.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image5072141.webp "Image5072141 - bootleg betty") --- --- [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) sang the [\#NationalAnthem](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/nationalanthem/) at [\#MichaelBloombergs](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/michaelbloombergs/)[\#mayor](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/mayor/)[\#inauguration](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/inauguration/) ceremony on January 1, 2002. But [\#AmericaTheBeautiful](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/americathebeautiful/) is perfect for [\#MemorialDay](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/memorialday/) too Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Memorial%20Day%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20National%20Anthem&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Memorial%20Day%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20National%20Anthem%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Memorial%20Day%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20National%20Anthem&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Memorial%20Day%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20National%20Anthem%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Memorial%20Day%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20National%20Anthem%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Holiday, Holidays **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Holiday, #MemorialDay, #NationalAnthem --- ### [Bette Midler - Happy Memorial Day!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/25/bette-midler-happy-memorial-day/) **Published:** May 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** On this day, Bette Midler encourages the reading of Flanders Fields **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler – Happy Memorial Day! By Mister D May 25, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler performing on stage with a microphone, wearing a sparkly blouse and dark pants, against a red-white-blue vertical striped background with cursive text at the top.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-25_00-24-20.png "2026-05-25_00-24-20 - bootleg betty") --- **[\#HappyMemorialDay](https://x.com/hashtag/HappyMemorialDay?src=hashtag_click) [\#BetteMidler](https://x.com/hashtag/BetteMidler?src=hashtag_click) [\#FlandersFields](https://x.com/hashtag/FlandersFields?src=hashtag_click) On this day, [Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/05/27/bette-midler-wishes-you-a-happy-memorial-day/) encourages the reading of [Flanders Fields](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47380/in-flanders-fields)** --- # In Flanders Fields By [John McCrae](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/john-mccrae) In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Happy%20Memorial%20Day%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Happy%20Memorial%20Day%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Happy%20Memorial%20Day%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Happy%20Memorial%20Day%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Happy%20Memorial%20Day%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #InFlandersField, #MemorialDay, #Poetry --- ### [New Photo: Bette Midler Attends Edie Basking Exhibition](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/24/new-photo-bette-midler-attends-edie-basking-exhibition/) **Published:** May 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** #BetteMidler at the #EdieBaskingExhibition at the #SohoGrandHotel May 21, 2026 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty New Photo: Bette Midler Attends Edie Basking Exhibition By Mister D May 24, 2026 --- ![Older woman in a white lace blouse sits with a pink cocktail, as a man offers a drink nearby in a dim, gold-curtained room.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-24_09-58-23.png "2026-05-24_09-58-23 - bootleg betty") --- \#**BetteMidler at the #EdieBaskingExhibition at the #SohoGrandHotel May 21, 2026** **What the Edie Baskin exhibition is** The show — Edie Baskin: Live From My Studio — is a major 2026 retrospective at The Gallery at Soho Grand in NYC, running May 21–September 13, 2026. It highlights Baskin’s hand?tinted photography and her iconic work shaping the visual identity of Saturday Night Live from 1975 to 2000 Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=New%20Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20Edie%20Basking%20Exhibition&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=New%20Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20Edie%20Basking%20Exhibition%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=New%20Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20Edie%20Basking%20Exhibition&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=New%20Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20Edie%20Basking%20Exhibition%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=New%20Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20Edie%20Basking%20Exhibition%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Art, Bette Midler, Photos **Tags:** #Art, #BetteMidler, #EdieBaskingExhibition, #Photography, #SohoGrandHotel --- ### [Divine Miss M Fan Site: Bette Midler - That's How Heartaches Are Made (Live)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/24/divine-miss-m-fan-site-bette-midler-thats-how-heartaches-are-made-live/) **Published:** May 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Divine Miss M Fan Site: Bette Midler - That's How Heartaches Are Made (Live) **Content:** --- ## Divine Miss M Fan Site Divine Miss M Fan Site: Bette Midler – That’s How Heartaches Are Made (Live) By Divine Miss M Fan Site May 24, 2026 --- ![Portrait of a smiling blonde woman in a black top, posed with her hand under her chin against a pink background. The top caption reads: "That's How Heartthroachers Are Made."](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-24_08-01-51.png "2026-05-24_08-01-51 - bootleg betty") --- --- **Divine Miss M Fan Site: Bette Midler – That’s How Heartaches Are Made (Live)** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fan%20Site%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20That%27s%20How%20Heartaches%20Are%20Made%20%28Live%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fan%20Site%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20That%27s%20How%20Heartaches%20Are%20Made%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fan%20Site%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20That%27s%20How%20Heartaches%20Are%20Made%20%28Live%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fan%20Site%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20That%27s%20How%20Heartaches%20Are%20Made%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fan%20Site%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20That%27s%20How%20Heartaches%20Are%20Made%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Kiss My Brass, Live **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #KissMyBrass, #Live, #ThatsHowHeartachesAreMade, #TheDivineMissMFanSite --- ### [Thora Birch (Hocus Pocus) Comes Out As Bisexual](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/24/thora-birch-hocus-pocus-comes-out-as-bisexual/) **Published:** May 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The actress expressed interest in revisiting her iconic ‘90s roles, including Dani from Hocus Pocus, in future projects **Content:** --- ## People “Hocus Pocus ”Star Thora Birch Reveals She’s Bisexual: ‘Find Your Community Where You Can By Lily Brown May 24, 2026 --- ![A scary scene where an older, wild-haired woman in a dark cloak confronts a frightened girl in a red outfit in a dark, tense setting.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/cb5d8d8515095a1d3247ec2b248d87ff.jpg "Cb5d8d8515095a1d3247ec2b248d87ff - bootleg betty") --- At a milestone LGBTQ+ celebration, the former child star opens up about her identity and her roots **NEED TO KNOW** [**Thora Birch**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/thorabirch/) revealed she is bisexual while celebrating West Hollywood’s The Abbey’s 35th anniversary Birch credited her West Hollywood upbringing and The Abbey’s LGBTQ+ community for shaping her identity and values The actress expressed interest in revisiting her iconic ‘90s roles, including Dani from Hocus Pocus, in future projects Thora Birch is opening up about her identity, sharing publicly that she is bisexual while reflecting on the community that shaped her. The [**Hocus Pocus**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hocus_Pocus_(1993_film)) star, 44, made the revelation during an appearance at West Hollywood’s The Abbey 35th Anniversary celebration on Wednesday, May 20. Speaking to Us Weekly, the Los Angeles native connected her upbringing to her personal journey. ![Woman with blonde hair and hoop earrings poses for photos in a light blue striped top against a pink and blue backdrop at an event.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Thora-Birch-The-Abbey-35th-Anniversary-Party-052226-4746e2c890de467986ad829e256ad554.webp "Thora-birch-the-abbey-35th-anniversary-party-052226-4746e2c890de467986ad829e256ad554 - bootleg betty") “As a hometown girl, I’m always here to show my support for the community, which shaped so much of who I am and my identity as well, being a bi person,” Birch said. The actress has been married to director Michael Benton Adler since 2018. Birch expressed unity and compassion in her remarks, encouraging people to lean on their communities during difficult times. “I don’t want to get too political, but find your community where you can, and stand with them, and stick with them, and share that love that you share together, and reach it toward others,” she said. “That’s the only way we’re going to get through all this madness is just embracing one another. We have to stop fighting.” According to her representative, Birch has a longstanding connection with the iconic gay bar. She grew up in West Hollywood within walking distance of The Abbey, a landmark that has supported the LGBTQ+ community since 1991. Beyond her personal revelation, Birch also reflected on her acting career and the characters that made her a recognizable face in 1990s films. She even shared that she would be open to revisiting some of ‘90s cult classic roles, including Dani from Hocus Pocus, Teeny from Now and Then, and Enid from Ghost World. **Thora Birch as Dani in ‘Hocus Pocus’** “I feel like so many of my fans kind of wonder about, obviously, Dani \[from\] Hocus Pocus. I feel like Teeny, we know what happened with her, so that’s good, but it would be intriguing to see some of the other old standbys, like Enid from Ghost World. Who knows what she’s up to? She’s alive, probably,” Birch shared. “I think there’s also something nice about having them encapsulated.” In 2022, Hocus Pocus 2 premiered on Disney+, bringing back Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as Salem’s Sanderson Sisters. While Birch’s character did not appear in the sequel, she has expressed interest in returning for the newly announced third installment. “I’d like to know what they land on for how Dani wound up. I’m super open to the idea,” she told Entertainment Tonight in October 2025. “They like talking about this stuff, so we’ll see.” Birch recently starred in Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut The Chronology of Water, which world premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Thora%20Birch%20%28Hocus%20Pocus%29%20Comes%20Out%20As%20Bisexual&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Thora%20Birch%20%28Hocus%20Pocus%29%20Comes%20Out%20As%20Bisexual%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Thora%20Birch%20%28Hocus%20Pocus%29%20Comes%20Out%20As%20Bisexual&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Thora%20Birch%20%28Hocus%20Pocus%29%20Comes%20Out%20As%20Bisexual%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Thora%20Birch%20%28Hocus%20Pocus%29%20Comes%20Out%20As%20Bisexual%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Bisexual, #HocusPocus, #Movie, #ThoraBirch --- ### [Video Trailer: Bette Midler As "Stella"](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/23/video-trailer-bette-midler-as-stella/) **Published:** May 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video Trailer: Bette Midler As "Stella" **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video Trailer: Bette Midler As “Stella” By Mister D May 23, 2026 --- ![Two smiling women posing together indoors, one with curly blonde hair wearing a sequined top and the other with dark hair in a pink dress on the right.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/0c1eda931894c4ce0738f42bc4fd3aea-1.jpg "Msdstel ec008 - bootleg betty")Stella bette midler trini alvarado 1990 --- **Video Trailer: Bette Midler As “Stella”** --- **The story in simple terms** - Stella, a barmaid with a big personality and zero pretension, has a brief romance with Dr. Stephen Dallas, a wealthy, polished man from a different world. - She becomes pregnant, refuses his half-hearted marriage proposal, and decides to raise their daughter, Jenny, alone. - As Jenny grows up, she’s torn between her mother’s rough?around-the-edges life and her father’s privileged world. - Realizing Jenny could have opportunities she herself never had, Stella makes a selfless, heartbreaking choice to step aside for her daughter’s future. **What makes it memorable** - It’s a classic mother-daughter melodrama—sentimental, emotional, and proud of it. - Bette Midler brings humor, grit, and warmth to Stella, making her both flawed and deeply lovable. - The film is a modern retelling of the 1923 novel Stella Dallas and earlier film versions, but with a twist: Stella never marries the father, emphasizing her independence. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20Trailer%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20As%20%22Stella%22&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20Trailer%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20As%20%22Stella%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20Trailer%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20As%20%22Stella%22&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20Trailer%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20As%20%22Stella%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20Trailer%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20As%20%22Stella%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Stella, Trailer, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #JohnGoodman, #LindaHart, #Movie, #Stella, #tearjerker, #Trailer, #Video --- ### [Why didn't Bette Midler's "Stella" work as a movie?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/23/why-didnt-bette-midlers-stella-work-as-a-movie/) **Published:** May 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Stella tried to modernize a story whose emotional logic depends on class rigidity, social shame, and maternal sacrifice — forces that no longer operated the same way in late?20th?century America. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Why didn’t Bette Midler’s “Stella” work as a movie? By Mister D May 23, 2026 --- ![Group of five adults and a baby in a living room; still from the 1990 film Stella.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-14_13-56-32.png "2026-05-14_13-56-32 - bootleg betty")Stella bette midler trini alvarado 1990 --- **THE CORE REASON [STELLA ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/stella/)DIDN’T WORK** The 1990 film tried to modernize a story whose emotional logic depends on class rigidity, social shame, and maternal sacrifice — forces that no longer operated the same way in late 20th-centurycentury America. The original story needs a world where a mother’s “unworthiness” is socially codified. By 1990, that world was gone. Everything else — tone, casting, direction, script — flows from that central mismatch. **1. The Source Material: What Stella Dallas Does That Stella Can’t** Stella Dallas (1937) Built on strict class boundaries: working-class women were judged, excluded, and socially punished. Stella’s sacrifice feels tragic but inevitable — the system is stacked against her. The film is a weepie, a prestige melodrama with a clear moral universe. Barbara Stanwyck’s performance is raw, restrained, and devastating. Stella (1990) Arrives in a world where: upward mobility is more common single motherhood is normalized class shame is less codified women’s independence is celebrated Stella’s sacrifice feels less inevitable and more confusing — audiences asked, “Why doesn’t she just… talk to her daughter?” The melodrama form had fallen out of fashion; sincerity was out, irony was in. Result: The emotional stakes that powered the original no longer felt culturally grounded. **2. Tone Problems: Melodrama vs. 1990s Sentimentality** The 1937 film is unapologetically melodramatic. It leans into big emotions, big gestures, and a tragic inevitability. The 1990 film tries to blend: melodrama comedy Bette Midler’s brassy persona 90s familyfilm sentimentality These tones never fully fuse. The movie wants to be: a tearjerker a star vehicle a modern empowerment story …but the story itself requires a tragic, self-effacing mother. That’s not Bette Midler’s brand. **? 3. The [Bette Midler](https://www.bettemidler.com/) Factor (Bless Her, But…)** Bette is incandescent, funny, warm, and charismatic — but the role of Stella requires: self-erasure quiet suffering a woman who believes she is unworthy Bette Midler radiates: confidence self-possession defiance a refusal to apologize for who she is This is why we love her. But it runs counter to the character’s psychology. Stanwyck disappears into Stella. Midler transforms Stella into Midler. Audiences felt the mismatch. **4. Script & Direction: Softening the Edges** The 1990 film: removes the harsher class commentary softens Stella’s roughness makes her more “lovable” reduces the social cruelty that drives the original plot adds comedic beats to fit Bette’s persona But the story needs the roughness. Without it, Stella’s final sacrifice feels: unnecessary manipulative emotionally unearned The original ending devastates. The remake’s ending confuses. **5. Cultural Timing: The 1930s vs. 1990** 1930s America rigid class structure moral judgment of women melodrama as a respected genre audiences primed for tragedy 1990 America post-feminist optimism “follow your dreams” culture irony and self-awareness melodrama seen as old-fashioned The story’s emotional architecture simply didn’t translate. **6. The Daughter Problem** In Stella Dallas, the daughter’s desire for upward mobility is heartbreaking but understandable. In Stella (1990), Jenny often comes across as: privileged ungrateful emotionally inconsistent The film doesn’t give her the depth or conflict needed to justify Stella’s sacrifice. **7. The Sacrifice: Why It Hits in 1937 and Falters in 1990** In 1937: Stella’s sacrifice is the only way to give her daughter a better life. It’s tragic, noble, and socially coherent. In 1990: Stella’s sacrifice feels like: a miscommunication a melodramatic overreaction a plot device rather than a character truth Audiences didn’t buy it. **FINAL VERDICT** Stella (1990) didn’t work because it tried to modernize a story whose emotional logic depends on a vanished social world — and because Bette Midler’s star persona, while glorious, is fundamentally at odds with the character’s tragic self?erasure. It’s not a failure of performance. It’s a failure of fit — cultural, tonal, and structural. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Why%20didn%27t%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Stella%22%20work%20as%20a%20movie%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Why%20didn%27t%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Stella%22%20work%20as%20a%20movie%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Why%20didn%27t%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Stella%22%20work%20as%20a%20movie%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Why%20didn%27t%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Stella%22%20work%20as%20a%20movie%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Why%20didn%27t%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Stella%22%20work%20as%20a%20movie%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Stella **Tags:** #Analysis, #BetteMidler, #Movie, #Stella, #StellaDallas, #TriniAlvarado --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Dances With Stephen Colbert At The Late Show Wrap Party](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/22/video-bette-midler-dances-with-stephen-colbert-at-the-late-show-wrap-party/) **Published:** May 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler making some moves with Stephen Colbert at The Late Show Wrap Party after the final Colbert show! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Dances With Stephen Colbert At The Late Show Wrap Party By Mister D May 22, 2026 --- ![Crowd dancing on a neon-lit dance floor with purple and green lights; caption overlay reads 'Stephen Colbert on the dance floor'.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-22_16-54-20.png "2026-05-22_16-54-20 - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYpRzRtRRE5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Gisela Margarita Pe?rez (@giselamargarita)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYpRzRtRRE5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) **Bette Midler is making some moves with Stephen Colbert at The Late Show Wrap Party after the final Colbert show!** **They danced to the song “Hey Ya!”** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Dances%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20At%20The%20Late%20Show%20Wrap%20Party&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Dances%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20At%20The%20Late%20Show%20Wrap%20Party%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Dances%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20At%20The%20Late%20Show%20Wrap%20Party&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Dances%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20At%20The%20Late%20Show%20Wrap%20Party%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Dances%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20At%20The%20Late%20Show%20Wrap%20Party%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Instagram, Talk Show, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Dances, #Instagram, #StephenColbert, #TheLateShow, #Video, #WrapParty --- ### [BonBon Short Video: Bette Midler - Tenterfield Saddler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/22/bonbon-short-video-bette-midler-tenterfield-saddler/) **Published:** May 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** This performance is from the 1993 Peter Allen Tribute Concert at UCLA, where Bette sang “I Could Marry the Rain” and “Tenterfield Saddler.” **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon BonBon Short Video: Bette Midler – Tenterfield Saddler By Boodles BonBon May 22, 2026 --- ![Woman with curly blonde hair on a dimly lit stage, arms outstretched and smiling.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-21_07-04-23.png "2026-05-21_07-04-23 - bootleg betty") --- --- This performance is from the 1993 Peter Allen Tribute Concert at UCLA, where Bette sang “I Could Marry the Rain” and “Tenterfield Saddler.” **During “Tenterfield Saddler,” Bette:** Finishes strong, with the emotional punch the song demands. Loses her place in the lyrics briefly — a classic moment for a song she didn’t perform regularly. Laughs it off, makes a face, and ad?libs her way back into the verse. Wins the audience back instantly, because she’s Bette Midler and self?deprecation is her superpower. **Even though the “mistake” is small, it’s beloved because:** It’s become a fan?favorite bootleg moment, preserved in the Bootleg Betty archive. It shows her affection for Peter Allen. She’s performing material deeply tied to his life and legacy. It’s peak Divine Miss M energy — turning a flub into a performance beat. It humanizes a notoriously polished performer. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BonBon%20Short%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tenterfield%20Saddler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BonBon%20Short%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tenterfield%20Saddler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BonBon%20Short%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tenterfield%20Saddler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BonBon%20Short%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tenterfield%20Saddler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BonBon%20Short%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tenterfield%20Saddler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Special Events, Tributes **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #PeterAllen, #Short, #TenterfieldSaddler, #Tribute, #Video --- ### [Beaches The Musical Already Closing Sunday, May 24, 2026](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/22/beaches-the-musical-already-closing-sunday-may-24-2026/) **Published:** May 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “Beaches, A New Musical” will play its final Broadway performance this Sunday, May 24, at the Majestic Theatre, ending its run more than three months earlier than originally scheduled. **Content:** --- ## Edge Media Network ‘Beaches’ to Close Early on Broadway After Tony Shutout and Soft Sales By Chris Tremblay May 22, 2026 --- ![Group of women holding hands on stage, mid-performance, colorful retro outfits and suitcases in hand against a yellow backdrop.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-21_06-21-43.png "2026-05-21_06-21-43 - bootleg betty") --- “[Beaches, A New Musical](https://playbill.com/production/beaches-a-new-musical-broadway-majestic-theatre-2026)” will play its final Broadway performance this Sunday, May 24, at the Majestic Theatre, ending its run more than three months earlier than originally scheduled. The production was initially announced as a limited engagement set to run through September 6 before embarking on a national tour. Performances for “Beaches” began with previews at the Majestic Theatre on March 27, followed by an official opening night on April 22. According to production information and performance tallies, the show will have completed 28 preview performances and 38 regular performances at the time of closing, significantly shorter than the planned limited run. **Background and source material** The musical is based on Iris Rainer Dart’s 1985 novel “Beaches,” which later inspired the popular 1988 film starring [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/theatre/) and Barbara Hershey. The Broadway staging emphasizes the lifelong friendship between the outspoken, aspiring performer Cee Cee Bloom and the more reserved Bertie White, mirroring the core relationship that has long resonated with queer and feminist audiences who see themselves in stories of chosen family and enduring bonds. “Beaches” arrives on Broadway after earlier developmental and regional productions that attempted to translate the novel’s decades-spanning narrative and emotional tone into a book musical structure. The current production’s creative team includes directors Lonny Price and Matt Cowart, with Price known for previous concert and revival work, and Cowart as a frequent collaborator, giving the show a pedigree closely watched by theatergoers. **Creative team, cast, and design** The Broadway company is led by Jessica Vosk as Cee Cee Bloom and Kelli Barrett as Bertie White, taking on roles associated in popular culture with Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. Both performers were ruled eligible this season in the Tony Awards category for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. The Tony Awards Administration Committee also determined that James Noone and David Bengali would be jointly eligible in the category of Best Scenic Design of a Musical for their work on “Beaches.” Set and projection elements have been cited in coverage as part of the show’s effort to navigate time shifts and multiple locations, from boardwalks and backstage spaces to hospitals, all while maintaining a consistent emotional thread for audiences. **Critical reception and box office challenges** Upon its Broadway opening, “Beaches” received mixed to negative reviews, with several critics expressing reservations about the score and the overall execution of the story. TheaterMania described the production as one of the most notable omissions from the Tony nominations and reported that reviews were “mostly dismal” aside from praise for Jessica Vosk’s performance. Laura Collins-Hughes of The New York Times characterized the storytelling framework around Bertie’s impending death as “distractingly sloppy,” while Time Out critic Adam Feldman called the show “mostly… just banal and inconsistent, particularly in Bertie’s material.” These critical assessments contributed to a perception that, despite the built-in name recognition and emotional subject matter, the production struggled to secure the kind of acclaim that can sustain a Broadway musical through word-of-mouth. Box office performance has been cited as a significant factor in the decision to close. TheaterMania reported that in the week preceding the Tony nominations, the show grossed $520,119.10 at the box office, a figure it described as “a deadly number in a big theater like the Majestic.” 56% of the seats at the Majestic Theatre sat completely unsold, resulting in a ticket average of $77, which made the massive venue financially impossible to maintain. **Tony eligibility, snub, and community reaction** For the 79th Annual Tony Awards, the eligibility list confirmed that “Beaches” would compete in multiple musical categories, including leading performance and scenic design, placing it among 13 productions under consideration in the final eligibility meeting. This positioned the show in a season that observers characterized as relatively thin for new musicals, with expectations that well-known titles might fare strongly. However, when nominations were announced on May 5, “Beaches” did not receive a single Tony nod. Broadway.com listed “Beaches” among the eligible shows completely shut out, alongside titles such as “Call Me Izzy,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Art,” “The Queen of Versailles,” and “Proof.” Feature coverage in Culture Sauce and TheaterMania labeled “Beaches” as a major snub of the 2026 nominations, specifically highlighting that it received “zero Tony nominations” despite expectations, while noting the absence of recognition for Jessica Vosk’s widely praised performance. TheaterMania suggested that producers had been “holding out for a Tony nom or two as a lifeline” and argued that “a closing notice cannot be far behind” after the show’s shutout, implicitly linking awards momentum and financial viability. Performers associated with the production addressed the news publicly. BroadwayWorld reported that Jessica Vosk responded to the Tony nominations in a social media video, reflecting on what it meant to be eligible for the first time and speaking candidly about processing the disappointment while maintaining gratitude for the role and the company. Just Jared likewise noted that Vosk reacted in a TikTok clip, saying it was the first time she had seriously allowed herself to consider the possibility of a Tony nomination. **From limited run to early shutdown** Production listings on BroadwayWorld and other platforms originally framed “Beaches” as a limited engagement at the Majestic Theatre, slated to close on September 6 before launching a national tour. The newly announced closing date of May 24 therefore represents a substantial contraction of the Broadway run, cutting the engagement by over three months. Multiple outlets directly connected the early closure to a combination of low ticket sales and the Tony Awards shutout. Just Jared reported that the musical would “shut down early after experiencing low ticket sales and a complete shut-out from the Tony Awards,” summarizing the financial and awards context in which producers made their decision. New York Theatre Guide likewise confirmed that the final performance would occur on May 24, stating that the adaptation of the “beloved movie” starring Vosk and Barrett would end its run this month at the Majestic Theatre after 66 total performances. Wikipedia’s entry, citing performance data, notes that the production will conclude after 28 preview performances and 38 regular performances indicating some variance in how performances are being counted or defined, which may relate to distinctions between preview and post-opening runs. **Awards beyond the Tonys and future plans** While “Beaches” did not secure Tony nominations, the production has been recognized in other theater award circles. Award listings show that the musical received nominations at the Drama League Awards for Outstanding Production of a Musical, as well as a Distinguished Performance nomination for Jessica Vosk, and at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical. BroadwayWorld’s show page also indicates that a tour has been planned following the Broadway engagement, and Just Jared reports that a national tour is scheduled for 2027, suggesting that the producers see a future for the title beyond its New York run. For audiences, including many LGBTQ+ people who have embraced “Beaches” as a story about chosen family and enduring friendship, the tour may provide access to the show in regions far from Broadway’s traditional theater district. **Broader implications for Broadway musicals** Coverage of the 2026 Tony nominations has highlighted “Beaches” as part of a cluster of high-profile productions that entered the season with recognizable titles but failed to convert that familiarity into awards recognition. In Culture Sauce’s “snubs and surprises” rundown, the outlet paired “Beaches” with “The Queen of Versailles” as examples of adaptations that “came in with high expectations but landed mostly with a thud,” emphasizing that both shows ended up with “zero Tony nominations between them.” TheaterMania’s discussion of the show’s disappointing box office and lack of nominations framed “Beaches” as emblematic of the economic pressures on new musicals in large Broadway houses, particularly when they do not receive critical endorsements or high-profile awards attention. Broadway.com’s nomination analysis underscored that several other eligible titles were also completely shut out, pointing to a season where a relatively small cluster of productions dominated the awards conversation. For theatergoers, including LGBTQ+ audiences who often seek out stories centered on deep friendships, emotional resilience, and complex women’s lives, the early closing of “Beaches” may feel like a loss of a potential new favorite in the Broadway landscape. At the same time, the planned tour and ongoing visibility of the property suggest that the story’s cultural resonance—shaped by decades of connection with queer audiences—will likely continue beyond this particular Broadway chapter. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Already%20Closing%20Sunday%2C%20May%2024%2C%202026&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Already%20Closing%20Sunday%2C%20May%2024%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Already%20Closing%20Sunday%2C%20May%2024%2C%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Already%20Closing%20Sunday%2C%20May%2024%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Already%20Closing%20Sunday%2C%20May%2024%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Broadway **Tags:** #BeachesTheMusical, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #Closing, #TonySnubs --- ### [Today In History: 34 Years Ago, Bette Midler Was The Final Guest On Johnny Carson](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/21/today-in-history-34-years-ago-bette-midler-was-the-final-guest-on-johnny-carson/) **Published:** May 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s appearance as Johnny Carson’s final guest on The Tonight Show is remembered as one of the most emotional and iconic moments in late?night history. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Today In History: 34 Years Ago, Bette Midler Was The Final Guest On Johnny Carson By Mister D May 21, 2026 --- ![Female guest reads cue card while smiling on a TV talk show set; host sits at a wooden desk smiling beside her. A plants-filled backdrop and mugs on the desk.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-05_11-52-00-1.png "2026-05-05_11-52-00 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-bette-midler-show/) appearance as Johnny Carson’s final guest on [**The Tonight Show**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tonight_Show) Starring Johnny Carson (May 21, 1992) is remembered as one of the most emotional and iconic moments in late?night history. She and Robin Williams were chosen for what many considered the “real” final episode — the last one to feature guests — even though Carson’s official farewell aired the following night without interviews. Behind the scenes, Carson’s team pushed hard to secure Midler, knowing the symbolism of her being his last guest. Her manager initially hesitated, but writer Bruce Vilanch insisted, “Are you nuts? It’s history making!” She ultimately agreed. Midler performed “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)” directly to him — no applause, no comedy, just pure intimacy. Carson visibly teared up, creating one of the most replayed moments in Tonight Show history. Midler didn’t just appear — she delivered the emotional thesis of Carson’s goodbye. Her serenade became the defining image of his departure, symbolizing the end of an era in American television. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Today%20In%20History%3A%2034%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20The%20Final%20Guest%20On%20Johnny%20Carson&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Today%20In%20History%3A%2034%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20The%20Final%20Guest%20On%20Johnny%20Carson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Today%20In%20History%3A%2034%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20The%20Final%20Guest%20On%20Johnny%20Carson&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Today%20In%20History%3A%2034%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20The%20Final%20Guest%20On%20Johnny%20Carson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Today%20In%20History%3A%2034%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20The%20Final%20Guest%20On%20Johnny%20Carson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History, On This Day In History, Talk Show **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Finale, #JohnnyCarson, #TheTonightShow --- ### [Bette Midler Archive Audio: Leader Of The Pack (1977)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/21/bette-midler-archive-audio-leader-of-the-pack-1977/) **Published:** May 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performs "Leader of the Pack" twice during the filming of her first television special **Content:** --- --- ![Poster of Bette Midler performing on stage in a white gown, microphone in hand; text reads 'BETTE MIDLER Leader of the Pack' and 'May 27, 1977' with venue details in Los Angeles, CA.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-21_04-23-50.png "2026-05-21_04-23-50 - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/audio/) performs “[**Leader of the Pack**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leader_of_the_Pack)” twice during the filming of her first television special, “Ol’ Red Hair Is Back,” at KTTV Studios in Los Angeles on May 27, 1977. Sadly, the song did not make the final cut of the special. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20%281977%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20%281977%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20%281977%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20%281977%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20%281977%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Ol Red Hair Is Back, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BetteMidlerArchive, #DeletedPerformance, #LeaderOfThePack, #OlRedHairIsBack --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler in the new edition of New York Magazine](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/20/photo-bette-midler-in-the-new-edition-of-new-york-magazine/) **Published:** May 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** It’s a portrait?driven mini?profile with quotes about her personal style, New York identity, and her current projects. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler in the new edition of New York Magazine By By Maggie Duffy, Brooke LaMantia, Zoe Papelis, Jeremy Rellosa, and Chloe Xiang May 20, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler smiling in a black outfit, holding a red cup, with a text panel reading 'New York Look Book: The Look Book Goes To Frieze Art Fair'](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/703170426_1453138620190534_6698617718838222024_n-819x1024.jpg "703170426_1453138620190534_6698617718838222024_n - bootleg betty") --- **Photo: Bette Midler in the new edition of New York Magazine** [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/magazines/) appears in the brand?new Spring 2026 issue of [New York Magazine](https://nymag.com/) as part of a special Look Book–style feature highlighting iconic New Yorkers. It’s a portrait?driven mini?profile with quotes about her personal style, New York identity, and her current projects. --- **Do you have anything that you think is highbrow or despicable this week?** I’m going to be very disciplined and keep my big mouth shut. There’s hardly any brilliant, there’s not a lot of highbrow, but I tell you there’s a lot of despicable that has overwhelmed the world. **What would you tell someone who’s never come to Frieze before?** They should keep their eyes and their minds open because it’s very different. Some of it is very hard to take, and a lot of it reflects what we’re living. And if you’re not used to that, if you’re not prepared for that, it can stun you. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20the%20new%20edition%20of%20New%20York%20Magazine&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20the%20new%20edition%20of%20New%20York%20Magazine%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20the%20new%20edition%20of%20New%20York%20Magazine&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20the%20new%20edition%20of%20New%20York%20Magazine%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20the%20new%20edition%20of%20New%20York%20Magazine%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Magazine, Magazines **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #magazine, #NewYorkMagazine, #photo --- ### [Hawaii Raised Them. They’re Returning the Favor.](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/19/hawaii-raised-them-theyre-returning-the-favor/) **Published:** May 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler restored wetlands and leased 87 acres to a nonprofit this spring. **Content:** --- ## Beat Of Hawaii Hawaii Made Them Famous. What These Celebrities Are Giving Back. By Hawaii Travel News May 19, 2026 --- ![Smiling blonde woman in a dark blazer on a stage with an orange background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-16_15-06-12.png "2026-05-16_15-06-12 - bootleg betty") --- **Hawaii Made Them Famous. What These Celebrities Are Giving Back.** Most visitors driving the Kapaa bypass on the way to Hanalei never know what sits on the mauka (mountain) side of the road. Fourteen hundred acres long, kept out of development, now hosts the first farmers planting this spring on land leased from a [**Bette Midler LLC**](https://www.datanyze.com/companies/bette-midler/33805253) to a Kauai nonprofit. That land is one of the clearest current examples of a smaller pattern across Hawaii. [**Hawaii** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii)has long produced famous people without a doubt. But many, even most, left and stayed gone. A few came back and did concrete things: moving land into preservation, building foundations that still operate, taking public positions on contested issues in Hawaii, or playing benefit shows when disasters hit. Others kept Hawaii visible through identity, public association, and return without building a major Hawaii institution. **Bette Midler restored wetlands and leased 87 acres to a nonprofit this spring.** Bette Midler was born in Honolulu and became one of the biggest names in entertainment of her generation through film, television, and music. Her Hawaii connection, however, eventually became tied to land on Kauai’s east side rather than celebrity appearances or resort development. Around 2000, Midler purchased roughly 1,400 acres from Amfac (a retail and sugar business) near Kapaa for $4.5 million. Over time, portions of that land shifted to conservation and agricultural use rather than the luxury-development direction that usually follows major landholdings in Hawaii. About 100 acres entered a perpetual federal wetland easement through the USDA Wetlands Reserve Program in partnership with Hawaii Ducks Unlimited. The restoration work helped bring back endangered Hawaiian waterbirds, including stilts, coots, ducks, and moorhens. In February 2025, Malama Kauai signed a land lease with My Kapaa LLC, which is partly owned by Midler, paving the way for the Olohena AINA Center. Phase one includes sublicensed farm plots, agroforestry acreage, greenhouses, washing and packing facilities, cold storage, and shared agricultural infrastructure intended to lower barriers to entry for local farmers and their operations. Fourteen applications were filed for seventy-six acres of available agricultural land. The first farmers are already operating there. Malama Kauai is now fundraising for a well that would unlock later phases of the property, with the timing of further phases dependent on access to that water. East-side and North Shore Kauai land pressure keeps intensifying, from Coco Palms still not reopening to legacy properties trapped between outside capital, permitting fights, infrastructure strain, and local resistance. In contrast, acreage remaining in productive agricultural circulation is becoming increasingly unusual. **Jack Johnson built a foundation that still operates inside Hawaii schools.** Jack Johnson grew up on Oahu’s North Shore and became globally known through music rooted in surfing, island life, and acoustic songwriting. Unlike many Hawaii-born celebrities, he kept much of his professional and philanthropic operations within the Hawaiian Islands. Jack Johnson’s Hawaii footprint functions less like land stewardship and more like an operating institution. The Kokua Hawaii Foundation has operated since 2003, founded by him and his wife, Kim, to support environmental education inside Hawaii public schools through farm-to-school work, school gardens, food education, and waste reduction projects. Unlike celebrity charity, which surfaces after disasters and then disappears, this structure operates continuously. Teachers and students interact with it, and campuses physically change as a result. Many Hawaii education and sustainability issues can drift into slogans, branding language, or temporary funding. School gardens and campus food systems are harder to fake. Brushfire Records remains based on Oahu, and the Kokua Festival has historically operated as direct fundraising for the foundation rather than as a detached celebrity event with Hawaii branding. Twenty years later, the foundation still exists within Hawaii schools rather than being a dormant philanthropy. **Bethany Hamilton started a Hawaii-based foundation for limb-loss survivors.** Bethany Hamilton grew up on Kauai’s North Shore and became internationally known after surviving a shark attack at age thirteen while surfing near Tunnels Beach in 2003. The story transformed both her life and Kauai’s visibility around the world, and more. The Bethany Hamilton story changed how much of the world saw Kauai. Before the movie Soul Surfer, many mainland audiences knew the island’s North Shore only through surf culture, but after that, Hanalei, Tunnels, and Kauai itself gained a different kind of international visibility tied to resilience, surfing, and survival. The more lasting Hawaii action, however, came afterward. Hamilton stayed on Kauai and built the Beautifully Flawed Foundation, originally founded in 2007 as Friends of Bethany, focused on people facing limb loss and limb differences. The foundation draws on a direct personal connection to Hamilton’s life, giving it credibility that many celebrity-related nonprofits lack. The work remains tied to the experience that made her famous rather than drifting into more generalized, motivational branding. Kauai’s North Shore still carries the visual and emotional association created by Soul Surfer, but Hamilton’s continued presence on the island keeps the story from becoming pure visitor mythology detached from local reality. **Nicole Scherzinger stood at Mauna Kea in 2019, then won a Tony in 2025.** Nicole Scherzinger was born in Honolulu before becoming internationally known through the Pussycat Dolls and later Broadway. Her Hawaii role eventually became tied less to entertainment and more to public cultural alignment. Nicole Scherzinger’s Hawaii action sat in a different category. She took a public position inside one of the state’s most divisive cultural conflicts when she stood on Mauna Kea in August 2019, opposing the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Mauna Kea was already one of the defining flashpoints for identity and sovereignty in modern Hawaii, splitting residents, scientists, Native Hawaiian activists, and political leadership. Most celebrities avoid conflicts like that because the backlash risks are obvious, but Scherzinger publicly aligned herself with one side. Her mother is Native Hawaiian and worked professionally in hula. Scherzinger wears Niihau shell jewelry publicly and recorded “Puakenikeni” with Akon in 2007, placing Hawaiian language into a mainstream pop setting most national audiences would otherwise not have encountered. The 2025 Tony win for Sunset Boulevard brought her Hawaii identity back into national visibility, while conversations around Native Hawaiian culture, land, and sovereignty remain active statewide. **Bruno Mars, Barack Obama, and Carrie Ann Inaba also keep their connections visible.** Not every Hawaii action becomes a foundation or a land project. Bruno Mars returns repeatedly to Hawaii for performances and stays publicly associated with the islands during relief efforts and major events. Barack Obama has continued to publicly identify Hawaii as home, decades after attending Punahou. His home in Waimanalo sits on the same estate made famous as the “Robin’s Nest” in the original Magnum, P.I. television series. Carrie Ann Inaba belongs in a similar category. Born and raised in Honolulu, Punahou-educated, and nationally known through Dancing With The Stars, as well as dance, choreography, and television, she has remained publicly identified with Hawaii even though she has not built a major Hawaii-based institution comparable to Kokua Hawaii Foundation or the Olohena agricultural project. For some, their contribution is associative more than structural. Mars shows up during a crisis. Obama keeps Punahou, Honolulu, and Kailua embedded among the most recognized current public biographies. Inaba keeps her Hawaii-born entertainment path visible before national audiences. Hawaii’s geographic isolation can compress national media attention, and a performer, former president, or television figure with broad reach can redirect it toward the islands in ways local institutions often can’t on their own. That carries value while in a lighter way than land, schools, or foundations. **What Hawaii gets from the famous it has produced.** The strongest Hawaii actions in this group all changed something physically on the ground. Midler moved acreage into preservation and restored agricultural use. Jack Johnson built structures that still operate inside schools. Bethany Hamilton built an organization tied to limb-loss survivors and people with limb differences. Scherzinger’s Mauna Kea stand attached a globally recognized name to a conflict centered on physical land and cultural control. Hawaii is in a long argument about who controls what remains, from the redevelopment of What Happened To Kauai’s New $227 Million Resort to ongoing questions about whether Kauai can absorb more visitors at all. The famous people who came back and built something here have answered that argument differently from the ones who stayed away. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Hawaii%20Raised%20Them.%20They%E2%80%99re%20Returning%20the%20Favor.&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Hawaii%20Raised%20Them.%20They%E2%80%99re%20Returning%20the%20Favor.%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Hawaii%20Raised%20Them.%20They%E2%80%99re%20Returning%20the%20Favor.&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Hawaii%20Raised%20Them.%20They%E2%80%99re%20Returning%20the%20Favor.%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Hawaii%20Raised%20Them.%20They%E2%80%99re%20Returning%20the%20Favor.%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Environment, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Environment, #Favor, #Hawaii, #Travel --- ### [Why Dylan Chose Midler For "Buckets Of Rain" Duet?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/19/why-dylan-chose-midler-for-buckets-of-rain-duet/) **Published:** May 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Dylan chose Bette Midler because, in late 1975, they were orbiting the same creative scene, sparking off each other in New York clubs **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Why Dylan Chose Midler For “Buckets Of Rain” Duet? By Mister D May 16, 2026 --- ![Two men with curly hair lean over a car hood, one holding a paper cup, examining something in a black?and?white 1970s scene.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/137292987_3412167148908850_3005580173352467943_n.jpg "137292987_3412167148908850_3005580173352467943_n - bootleg betty") --- [**Dylan** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Dylan)chose [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/bob-dylan/) because, in late 1975, they were orbiting the same creative scene, sparking off each other in New York clubs, and genuinely enjoying an unexpected artistic chemistry. The surviving reporting doesn’t give a single, definitive “Bob said X” explanation, but the available sources paint a clear picture of why the collaboration happened and why it made sense to him at that moment. **The clearest reasons supported by sources** 1. They were suddenly spending time together in the same rooms Rolling Stone notes that in fall 1975, Dylan had just moved back to New York and was hanging out constantly at the Other End (formerly the Bitter End), where Bob Neuwirth was performing. Midler was part of that same circle, dropping in and even joining Neuwirth onstage. This put Dylan and Midler in repeated, casual proximity. 2. They bonded during a run of club nights and parties Both were present at Mike Porco’s 61st?birthday celebration at Gerde’s Folk City—an event packed with Rolling Thunder Revue regulars. Midler performed “Friends,” and Dylan was part of the same loose, celebratory atmosphere. This was the same week they ended up in the studio together. 3. They were already in the same studio—literally Midler was recording Songs for the New Depression at Secret Sound, Todd Rundgren’s loft studio. Dylan showed up there during the same week, and the two ended up recording “Buckets of Rain” together. Bootlegs confirm that the session was spontaneous, playful, and full of improvisation. 4. Dylan was in an experimental, open, playful phase Far Out Magazine describes Dylan in this period as treating songs as fluid, malleable things—happy to reshape them, try new approaches, and collaborate unexpectedly. His willingness to “play around with it” made him open to a duet that would have seemed unlikely on paper. **What this means in practice** Put together, the evidence suggests: It wasn’t a calculated career move—it was a vibe. Dylan liked Midler, liked her energy, and liked the looseness of the sessions happening around Neuwirth and the Village clubs. He was creatively charged after Blood on the Tracks and before the full Rolling Thunder Revue momentum hit. Midler was fearless, funny, and musically adventurous, which fit Dylan’s mood at the time. The duet feels like two artists who surprised themselves by clicking. **The non-obvious layer** The Rolling Stone piece emphasizes how unlikely the pairing seemed—“different galaxies,” it says—but that’s exactly why Dylan leaned in. He has always gravitated toward artists who disrupt expectations. Midler’s theatricality, humor, and emotional directness offered him a foil he didn’t usually get. Their “Buckets of Rain” isn’t just a duet—it’s a document of two very different performers discovering a shared groove in real time. **Sources**: Rolling Stone Magazine and Far Out Magazine Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Why%20Dylan%20Chose%20Midler%20For%20%22Buckets%20Of%20Rain%22%20Duet%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Why%20Dylan%20Chose%20Midler%20For%20%22Buckets%20Of%20Rain%22%20Duet%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Why%20Dylan%20Chose%20Midler%20For%20%22Buckets%20Of%20Rain%22%20Duet%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Why%20Dylan%20Chose%20Midler%20For%20%22Buckets%20Of%20Rain%22%20Duet%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Why%20Dylan%20Chose%20Midler%20For%20%22Buckets%20Of%20Rain%22%20Duet%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs, Songs For The New Depression **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BobDylan, #BucketsOfRain, #Duet --- ### [Video: Bette Midler & Sheryl Lee Ralph Sing "I Can See Clearly Now"](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/18/video-bette-midler-sheryl-lee-ralph-sing-i-can-see-clearly-now-2/) **Published:** May 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler & Sheryl Lee Ralph Sing "I Can See Clearly Now" **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler & Sheryl Lee Ralph Sing “I Can See Clearly Now” By Mister D May 18, 2026 --- ![Smiling woman in a white wedding dress seated on a cream sofa, with a decorative pillow in the background and a theater ad banner at the bottom reading 'NOW SHOWING'.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/489785120_1105674764918523_3926292062031571681_n-1024x1024.jpg "489785120_1105674764918523_3926292062031571681_n - bootleg betty") --- [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/), [\#SherylLeeRalph](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sherylleeralph/), and the cast of [\#TheFabulousFour](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/thefabulousfour/) perform [\#ICanSeeClearlyNow](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/icanseeclearlynow/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Sing%20%22I%20Can%20See%20Clearly%20Now%22&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Sing%20%22I%20Can%20See%20Clearly%20Now%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Sing%20%22I%20Can%20See%20Clearly%20Now%22&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Sing%20%22I%20Can%20See%20Clearly%20Now%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Sing%20%22I%20Can%20See%20Clearly%20Now%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, The Fabulous Four, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Movies, #sherylLeeRalph, #TheFabulousFour, #Video --- ### [28 years ago today, Bette Midler Guested On The Murphy Brown Finale](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/18/28-years-ago-today-bette-midler-guested-on-the-murphy-brown-finale/) **Published:** May 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s appearance on the Murphy Brown finale, on May 18, 1998 (28 years ago today) is remembered as a one?episode comedic knockout. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty 28 years ago today, Bette Midler Guested On The Murphy Brown Finale By Mister D May 18, 2026 --- ![Two smiling women posing for a portrait; one in a black blazer holding a small dog wearing a collar, the other in a red dress with jewelry.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/481661113_1079781067526293_2422045052462292311_n.jpg "481661113_1079781067526293_2422045052462292311_n - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/television/) appearance on the [**Murphy Brown**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murphy_Brown) finale, on May 18, 1998 (28 years ago today), is remembered as a one-episode comedic knockout. She played Caprice Feldman, Murphy’s final and most unhinged secretary — a chaotic, oversharing, wildly unqualified whirlwind who turned the long-running “Murphy vs. her secretaries” gag into a show-stopping exit. Her performance was so sharp and scenery-chewing that she was nominated for an Emmy for the role. She later reprised Caprice in the 2018 revival, still gloriously inappropriate and over-the-top. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=28%20years%20ago%20today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Guested%20On%20The%20Murphy%20Brown%20Finale&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=28%20years%20ago%20today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Guested%20On%20The%20Murphy%20Brown%20Finale%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=28%20years%20ago%20today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Guested%20On%20The%20Murphy%20Brown%20Finale&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=28%20years%20ago%20today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Guested%20On%20The%20Murphy%20Brown%20Finale%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=28%20years%20ago%20today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Guested%20On%20The%20Murphy%20Brown%20Finale%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Emmys, History, Murphy Brown, On This Day In History, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CandaceBergen, #CapriceFeldman, #Emmy, #Finale, #History, #MurphyBrown, #OnThisDay --- ### [Bette Midler Boards Netflix’s Cinderella Reimagining "Steps" (Animated)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/18/bette-midler-boards-netflixs-cinderella-reimagining-steps-animated/) **Published:** May 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler will wave her magic wand – when she’s actually got control of it – in Netflix’s reimagined Cinderella movie Steps. **Content:** --- ## Deadline Bette Midler To Voice Fairy Godmother In Netflix’s ‘Cinderella’ Reimagining ‘Steps’ By Jesse Whittock May 18, 2026 --- ![Happy elderly fairy in a blue dress casts a blue spell above her head in a cozy library.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-18_12-03-14.png "2026-05-18_12-03-14 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/movies/) will wave her magic wand – when she’s actually got control of it – in Netflix’s reimagined Cinderella movie [**Steps**](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14413964/). She will voice the fairy godmother in the animated pic, which is the first fully in-house produced film from Netflix Animation Studios. Midler joins the likes of Ali Wong, who plays Lilith, Amanda Seyfried (Cinderella) and Stephanie Hsu (Margot) in the cast. The story follows Cinderella’s ‘evil’ stepsister Lilith, who steals the Fairy Godmother’s magic wand and hijacks the Royal Ball along with Margot, breaking the Cinderella story as we know it and dooming the kingdom to the tyrannical rule of Priscilla, a villainous schemer who swoops in and snatches the throne. Lilith is forced to team with Cinderella to save the kingdom and, most importantly, their relationship. “The beloved Fairy Godmother, the wholesome Fairy Godmother, the one with all the good intentions, has been around for a long, long time,” said Midler. “This particular version of the Fairy Godmother has good intentions, but she’s a little bit of a bumbler and she’s a little bit of a schemer. I’m thrilled to be part of this film.” Steps is being directed by Alyce Tzue and John Ripa, with Amy Poehler, Jane Hartwell and Kim Lessing. Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions is attached. The film is scheduled to release this year. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Boards%20Netflix%E2%80%99s%20Cinderella%20Reimagining%20%22Steps%22%20%28Animated%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Boards%20Netflix%E2%80%99s%20Cinderella%20Reimagining%20%22Steps%22%20%28Animated%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Boards%20Netflix%E2%80%99s%20Cinderella%20Reimagining%20%22Steps%22%20%28Animated%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Boards%20Netflix%E2%80%99s%20Cinderella%20Reimagining%20%22Steps%22%20%28Animated%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Boards%20Netflix%E2%80%99s%20Cinderella%20Reimagining%20%22Steps%22%20%28Animated%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Steps **Tags:** #Animated, #BetteMidler, #Cinderella, #Movie, #Steps --- ### [Review: Robert Christagau On Bette Midler's "It's The Girls"](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/17/review-robert-christagau-on-bette-midlers-its-the-girls/) **Published:** May 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** When Bette Midler covered the Dixie Cups and the Shangri-Las in 1972, she was reclaiming "rock"'s female principle. **Content:** --- ## Robert Christagau Review: Robert Christagau On Bette Midler’s “It’s The Girls” By Robert Christagau May 17, 2026 --- ![Black-and-white photo of a performer in a leopard-print outfit leaning over a wooden chair, arms raised, mid-dance on a dimly lit stage.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/s-l16009.jpg "S-l16009 - bootleg betty") --- **It’s the Girls! \[Warner Bros., 2014\]** When [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/its-the-girls/) covered the Dixie Cups and the Shangri-Las in 1972, she was reclaiming “rock”‘s female principle. So on this tribute and Christmas gift, the artist who did so much to make “[**girl group**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_group)” a brand and a byword broadens its reach. In addition to mining the great American songbook of Goffin-King, Mann-Weill, and Holland-Dozier-Holland, she invites the foundational Boswell Sisters, the Cuban-born DeCastro Sisters, cover queens the Chordettes, and the Andrews Sisters singing in Yiddish to the party. She turns TLC’s “Waterfalls” into a nightclub ballad and the Shangri-Las’ “Give Him a Great Big Kiss” into a senior-care burlesque. Her wittingly lowbrow notion of class uncorrupted by her success, she sings every lyric like it’s Cole Porter, or at least Irving Berlin, because in historical context it is. Midler recognizes no disconnect between good-humored sincerity and the idea that camp is a tender feeling. And she knows “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” is every bit as eloquent as “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” **A-** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Review%3A%20Robert%20Christagau%20On%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22It%27s%20The%20Girls%22&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Review%3A%20Robert%20Christagau%20On%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22It%27s%20The%20Girls%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Review%3A%20Robert%20Christagau%20On%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22It%27s%20The%20Girls%22&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Review%3A%20Robert%20Christagau%20On%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22It%27s%20The%20Girls%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Review%3A%20Robert%20Christagau%20On%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22It%27s%20The%20Girls%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, It's The Girls, Reviews **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #GirlGroup, #Itsthegirls, #Review, #RobertChristagau --- ### [Bette Midler Archive: Do You Love Me/Do You Want To Dance/Hello In There -1973](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/17/bette-midler-archive-do-you-love-me-do-you-want-to-dance-hello-in-there-1973/) **Published:** May 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler Archive: Do You Love Me/Do You Want To Dance/Hello In There -1973 **Content:** --- ## The Bette Midler Archive Bette Midler Archives: Do You Love Me/Do You Want To Dance/Hello In There -1973 By The Bette Midler Archive May 17, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler on stage in a glittery dress; vintage concert poster with date (Dec 3, 1973) and Palace Theatre, New York.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-16_15-04-59.png "2026-05-16_15-04-59 - bootleg betty") --- --- **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/12/29/celebrating-the-amazing-box-office-run-of-bette-midler/) Archive: Do You Love Me/Do You Want To Dance/[Hello In There](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello_In_There_(song)) -1973** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Do%20You%20Love%20Me%2FDo%20You%20Want%20To%20Dance%2FHello%20In%20There%20-1973&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Do%20You%20Love%20Me%2FDo%20You%20Want%20To%20Dance%2FHello%20In%20There%20-1973%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Do%20You%20Love%20Me%2FDo%20You%20Want%20To%20Dance%2FHello%20In%20There%20-1973&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Do%20You%20Love%20Me%2FDo%20You%20Want%20To%20Dance%2FHello%20In%20There%20-1973%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Do%20You%20Love%20Me%2FDo%20You%20Want%20To%20Dance%2FHello%20In%20There%20-1973%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Live, Music, Songs, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BetteMidlerArchive, #DoYouLoveMe, #DoYouWantToDance, #HelloInThere --- ### [Video: The Piedmont Raging Grannies Perform Midler's Protest Song](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/15/video-the-piedmont-raging-grannies-perform-midlers-protest-song/) **Published:** May 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "We couldn’t resist covering ??@BetteMidler?’s rewrite of Woody Guthrie’s 1940 classic song! Bette wrote the new lyrics to address ”this unprecedented destruction of all normal behavior” **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: The Piedmont Raging Grannies Perform Midler’s Protest Song By Piedmont Raging Grannies May 15, 2026 --- ![Group of elderly women wearing colorful hats, singing and playing instruments in a bright kitchen; caption reads 'all you fascists bound to lose'.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-15_12-27-40.png "2026-05-15_12-27-40 - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Piedmont Raging Grannies**](https://raginggrannies.org/locations/): “We couldn’t resist covering ?[?@BetteMidler?](https://www.youtube.com/@BetteMidler)’s rewrite of Woody Guthrie’s 1940 classic song! [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) wrote the new lyrics to address ”this unprecedented destruction of all normal behavior” and to remind us all that we have power at the midterms (yes, we do!). [\#woodyguthrie](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/woodyguthrie) [\#raginggrannies](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/raginggrannies) [\#vote](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/vote) [\#resist](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/resist) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20The%20Piedmont%20Raging%20Grannies%20Perform%20Midler%27s%20Protest%20Song&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20The%20Piedmont%20Raging%20Grannies%20Perform%20Midler%27s%20Protest%20Song%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20The%20Piedmont%20Raging%20Grannies%20Perform%20Midler%27s%20Protest%20Song&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20The%20Piedmont%20Raging%20Grannies%20Perform%20Midler%27s%20Protest%20Song%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20The%20Piedmont%20Raging%20Grannies%20Perform%20Midler%27s%20Protest%20Song%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Politics, Protests, Video **Tags:** #AllYouFascists, #BetteMidler, #PiedmontRagingGrannies, #Video, #WoodyGuthrie --- ### [The Divine Miss M Fansite Audio - Bette Midler - Long John Blues - 1978](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/15/the-divine-miss-m-fansite-audio-bette-midler-long-john-blues-1978/) **Published:** May 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “Long John Blues” is Bette Midler at her most deliciously bawdy—an innuendo?packed blues number about a very tall dentist whose “drilling” skills leave Miss M thoroughly satisfied. **Content:** --- ## The Divine Miss M Fansite The Divine Miss M Fansite Audio – Bette Midler – Long John Blues – 1978 By Staff May 15, 2026 --- ![Album cover showing a smiling female singer in a leopard-print dress on stage with a microphone; the title 'Long John Blues' is written in blue script at the top.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-15_10-54-57.png "2026-05-15_10-54-57 - bootleg betty") --- --- “[**Long John Blues**](https://www.songlyrics.com/bette-midler/long-john-blues-lyrics/)” is [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/songs/) at her most deliciously bawdy—an innuendo?packed blues number about a very tall dentist whose “drilling” skills leave Miss M thoroughly satisfied. **? What “Long John Blues” Is** A comic, double?entendre blues piece built around a dentist named Doctor Long John, whose “drilling,” “filling,” and “throbbing” are all very much not about dentistry. Midler leans into the sexual innuendo, especially lines like “you thrill me when you drill me” and “he filled my whole inside.” The lyrics explicitly frame the dentist as over seven feet tall, a classic blues exaggeration. The humor is pure Bette: vaudeville?meets?burlesque with a wink straight to the balcony. **? Where It Appears in Her Discography** “Long John Blues” is Track 12 on Live at Last (1977)—her first major concert album, released June 1977. The performance sits in the middle of the album’s bawdy, Sophie Tucker–inspired section, right before “Those Wonderful Sophie Tucker Jokes.” This placement is intentional: it’s part of the Divine Miss M stage persona’s lineage of raunchy, old?school nightclub humor. Produced by Aaron Russo, Arif Mardin, and Lew Hahn. **? Why It Works So Well Live** Midler’s delivery is theatrical, campy, and knowingly naughty—she treats the blues structure as a playground. The audience reactions on Live at Last show how much the crowd adored this kind of material—this was peak Bette in her bawdy?cabaret era. The song’s call?and?response phrasing and slow-burning groove let her milk every innuendo. **? The Song’s Meaning** According to lyric analyses, the song is a playful sexual metaphor disguised as a dental visit. The narrator is so enamored she “sold \[her\] heart to Doctor Long John,” a classic blues trope of surrendering to desire. It’s part of a long tradition of blues songs using everyday professions as erotic stand?ins. The “cavity,” “drill,” “filling,” and “throbbing” all operate on two levels: literal dentistry and erotic suggestion. **? Fun Bootleg Betty–Ready Trivia** It fits perfectly into her Sophie Tucker / bawdy broad lineage, which she revived throughout the ’70s. The song itself predates Midler; she’s performing a classic blues novelty number, but her interpretation is one of the most famous modern versions. On Live at Last, she even jokes about the bill—“that’s gonna cost you ten”—which she turns into a punchline about value for service. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%20-%201978&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%20-%201978&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fansite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Live At Last, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Blues, #DoubleEntendre, #LiveATLast, #LongJohnBlues, #Songs --- ### [Pop Culture Icons Are Embracing New Beginnings](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/15/pop-culture-icons-are-embracing-new-beginnings/) **Published:** May 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From Stephen Colbert’s farewell to The Late Show to Justin Bieber’s triumphant Coachella comeback, 2026 is filled with moments of closure and renewal. **Content:** --- ## MSN Pop Culture Icons Are Marking Endings and Embracing New Beginnings in 2026 By Staff May 14, 2026 --- ![Female singer on stage, microphone in hand, arm raised in a dramatic gesture against a black background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/s-l160020.jpg "S-l160020 - bootleg betty") --- From Stephen Colbert’s farewell to *The Late Show* to Justin Bieber’s triumphant Coachella comeback, 2026 is filled with moments of closure and renewal. Stars like Sydney Sweeney and Jonah Hill are also navigating emotional milestones and fresh creative chapters across television and film. **Stephen Colbert Brings His Late Show Legacy to a Celebratory Close** Stephen Colbert is closing out his tenure at The Late Show with a series of moments that feel like a living history of late-night television. In the weeks leading up to the May 21 finale, he has welcomed a wide spectrum of guests — from political leaders and Hollywood [**icons** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icon)to Broadway stars and his fellow late-night hosts. A Strike Force Five reunion with Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver underscored the camaraderie of the genre, while the symbolic return of David Letterman bridged the show’s past and present. These appearances, alongside performances and conversations with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Pedro Pascal, Barack Obama, Tom Hanks, and a Broadway ensemble, have turned the farewell into a celebration of legacy. As Colbert prepares to co-write a new Lord of the Rings film with his son Peter and screenwriter Philippa Boyens, his departure marks both an ending and the start of a new creative chapter. **Sydney Sweeney Reflects on Euphoria’s Emotional Final Season** Sydney Sweeney has described the conclusion of Euphoria Season 3 as a bittersweet turning point, recalling her journey from joining the cast at age 20 to wrapping what is expected to be the show’s final season. Speaking at Variety’s Power of Women ceremony, she admitted she was “terrified” of how emotional the finale would be, especially after returning to set following the 2023 death of co-star Angus Cloud. Jacob Elordi praised the season’s “incredibly clever and cinematic” approach, while fans have been divided over the adult storylines involving Sweeney’s character, Cassie Howard. For Sweeney, the season has been both a farewell and a chance to reconnect with much of the original cast. **Justin Bieber Turns Coachella Into a Triumphant New Beginning** Justin Bieber’s headlining return to Coachella 2026 became a powerful symbol of renewal, as he stepped back into the spotlight with a run of performances that spanned his career and featured surprise collaborations with Billie Eilish, SZA, Big Sean, and Sexyy Red. The shows sparked a massive surge in his Spotify streams, fueled by viral festival moments that blended nostalgia with fresh energy. For Bieber, the comeback marked not just a musical high point but a reaffirmation of resilience, resonating far beyond the desert stage. **Tyler Perry Shapes 2026 Streaming with His Expansive Netflix Slate** Tyler Perry’s 2026 Netflix releases are rolling out like a year-long residency, keeping his creative voice in steady rotation. February brought Joe’s College Road Trip, a generational comedy-drama he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in, followed in March by the second half of Beauty in Black Season 2, a drama steeped in betrayal and ambition. Upcoming titles such as Why Did I Get Married Again?, ’Tis So Sweet, The Gospel of Christmas, and Doing Life highlight Perry’s range across genres while maintaining his signature blend of humor, faith, and human complexity. His expanded first-look deal with Netflix, which now includes television series, ensures this momentum will continue through at least 2027. **Jonah Hill Opens a New Career Chapter with Outcome and Cut Off** Jonah Hill is reemerging in 2026 with two major comedies that signal a fresh phase in his career, blending his acting talents with his growing work as a director and writer. In Outcome, he appears opposite Keanu Reeves as crisis lawyer Ira, sporting a shaved head and thick gray beard, while also directing and co-writing the Apple TV+ dark comedy with Ezra Woods. The film features a star-studded cast including Cameron Diaz, Martin Scorsese, and Laverne Cox. Just three months later, Hill will lead and direct Cut Off, a Warner Bros. comedy about siblings losing their financial safety net, co-starring Kristen Wiig, Nathan Lane, and [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/cut-off/). Together, these projects mark a confident return and a deliberate step into a new creative era. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Pop%20Culture%20Icons%20Are%20Embracing%20New%20Beginnings&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Pop%20Culture%20Icons%20Are%20Embracing%20New%20Beginnings%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Pop%20Culture%20Icons%20Are%20Embracing%20New%20Beginnings&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Pop%20Culture%20Icons%20Are%20Embracing%20New%20Beginnings%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Pop%20Culture%20Icons%20Are%20Embracing%20New%20Beginnings%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Cut Off, Icon, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Ions, #JonahHill, #PopCulture, #Renewal, #StephenColbert, #SydneySweeney --- ### [Bette Midler To Appear in Doug Jones Documentary](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/14/bette-midler-to-appear-in-doug-jones-documentary/) **Published:** May 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** the legendary Bette Midler has been interviewed for the upcoming feature-length documentary film GET ME DOUG JONES **Content:** --- ## Main Street Mouse “GET ME DOUG JONES” WELCOMES HOLLYWOOD ICON BETTE MIDLER! By Staff May 15, 2026 --- ![Promotional image with a smiling older woman outdoors; bold text reads “GET ME DOUG JONES” and “WELCOMES HOLLYWOOD ICON BETTE MIDLER.”](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/midler-GMDJ-1536x798-1-1024x532.png "Midler-gmdj-1536x798 - bootleg betty") --- “GET ME DOUG JONES” WELCOMES HOLLYWOOD ICON BETTE MIDLER!. For more than three decades, Doug Jones has brought some of the most memorable characters in film and television to life through his extraordinary physical performances and remarkable talent. From Billy Butcherson in Hocus Pocus to Saru in Star Trek: Discovery and the Amphibian Man in The Shape of Water, Jones has become one of the most respected and beloved performers in Hollywood. Now, fans will soon get an intimate look at his incredible career and the impact he has had on the entertainment industry through the upcoming documentary [**GET ME DOUG JONES.**](https://www.getmedougjones.com/) Coolwaters Productions, LLC & Hellcat Productions, LLC have announced that the legendary [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/documentary/) has been interviewed for the upcoming feature-length documentary film GET ME DOUG JONES. “Working with Doug on Hocus Pocus was like working with a master.” Ms. Midler says. “He embodies every character that he plays with complete commitment.” Bette Midler and Doug Jones first appeared on screen together in the 1993 film HOCUS POCUS and reunited in 2022 for HOCUS POCUS 2. With her addition, Bette Midler joins the ever-growing chorus of voices praising Doug Jones’ work and career through interviews for the documentary. These figures include Sonequa Martin-Green (STAR TREK: DISCOVERY), Harvey Guillen (WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS), Ron Perlman (HELLBOY & HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY), and Noah Wyle (FALLING SKIES), among many others. The upcoming Kickstarter finishing funds campaign, launching May 18, 2026 at 12:00pm PST, will offer one of a kind memorabilia from the personal archive of Doug Jones, incredible bespoke experiences with Doug himself and campaign exclusive merchandise. The campaign will celebrate its launch on May 19, 2026 at the SCUM & VILLAINY CANTINA in Hollywood with a special “Doug Jones Trivia Night” including an appearance from Doug Jones as well. For further details of the campaign, visit: and follow @GetMeDougJones () on Instagram and Facebook. More information about the documentary and promotional images can also be found at [www.getmedougjones.com](https://www.getmedougjones.com/). The documentary’s IMDb listing can be found here: [www.imdb.com/title/tt27580105](https://www.themainstreetmouse.com/www.imdb.com/title/tt27580105) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Appear%20in%20Doug%20Jones%20Documentary&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Appear%20in%20Doug%20Jones%20Documentary%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Appear%20in%20Doug%20Jones%20Documentary&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Appear%20in%20Doug%20Jones%20Documentary%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Appear%20in%20Doug%20Jones%20Documentary%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Documentary, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2 **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Documentary, #DougJones, #HocusPocus, #HocusPocus2 --- ### [BonBon Short: Bette Midler + Barry Manilow - Chapel Of Love (The Baths)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/14/bonbon-short-bette-midler-barry-manilow-chapel-of-love-the-baths/) **Published:** May 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BonBon Short: Bette Midler + Barry Manilow - Chapel Of Love (The Baths) **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon BonBon Short: Bette Midler + Barry Manilow – Chapel Of Love (The Baths) By Boodles BonBon May 15, 2026 --- ![Female singer in a red outfit performs on stage into a microphone, with a male pianist in a patterned shirt seated at a piano beside her.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/26220bf5dca21e5b3e0f972ba9bf5cd3.jpg "26220bf5dca21e5b3e0f972ba9bf5cd3 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%2B%20Barry%20Manilow%20-%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%20%28The%20Baths%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%2B%20Barry%20Manilow%20-%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%20%28The%20Baths%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%2B%20Barry%20Manilow%20-%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%20%28The%20Baths%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%2B%20Barry%20Manilow%20-%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%20%28The%20Baths%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%2B%20Barry%20Manilow%20-%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%20%28The%20Baths%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Continental Baths, Music, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BarryManilow, #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Chants #Songs, #chapeloflove, #Music, #VideoClip --- ### [When You're Marriage Is Over, Watch These Movies!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/14/when-youre-marriage-is-over-watch-these-movies/) **Published:** May 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Let me set the scene. My husband “put in his notice.” That’s how I say it because I refuse to be a victim, **Content:** --- ## Cherry Picks Movies & Shows to Watch When Your Marriage Is Over By Miranda Bailey May 14, 2026 --- ![Three women in business attire seated on white blocks, smiling at the camera.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-13_11-24-09.png "2026-05-13_11-24-09 - bootleg betty") --- Let me set the scene. My husband “put in his notice.” That’s how I say it because I refuse to be a victim, and “put in his notice” sounds like he was quitting a job—which, after 20 years, I suppose he was. What followed were months of crying, months of feeling like I had failed. I had built a career in filmmaking and raised two children, yet somehow, mid-life, I found myself sitting with a divorce attorney instead of a script. The shame is real. The embarrassment is real. And nobody warns you about the friends, the ones who disappear when things get hard, as if divorce is contagious. As if it’s herpes. Spoiler: it’s not. (Probably.) I was lucky. Some friends showed up in ways I never expected. Therapy helped enormously, though I may have slightly overdone it on the therapy because, at this point, I seem to be functioning like a relatively normal human being, which feels suspicious. But here I am, one week after my divorce was finalized, doing what any self-respecting filmmaker would do: making a list of films and TV I wish I had over the last year. If you’re going through a [**divorce**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divorce), thinking about one, or just got out on the other side—this one’s for you. Pour yourself something good and press play. Use these cherry flutes to toast your next chapter… 1. **Marriage Story** Start here. Noah Baumbach’s devastating, deeply personal film follows Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) as they navigate the end of their marriage with the best of intentions until the lawyers get involved. It’s heartbreaking and painfully real, and the scene where they finally scream everything they’ve been holding back at each other might just make you feel seen in a way no therapist ever could. And I say that as someone who has spent a lot of time with therapists lately. kramer\_vs\_kramer\_poster.max-800×1200.jpg 2. **Kramer vs. Kramer** The gold standard. Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep both won Oscars for this story of a couple whose divorce becomes an all-out custody battle and what it does to everyone involved, especially their young son. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s a necessary one. It will remind you that, even in the messiest endings, people are doing the best they can. Most of them, anyway. Get the book… complicated\_ka.max-800×1200.jpg 3. **It’s Complicated** Okay, we need a palate cleanser. Meryl Streep plays a divorced woman who finds herself in an affair…with her ex-husband. Alec Baldwin is the ex who left her for a younger woman, and Steve Martin is the charming architect offering her something entirely new. It’s funny, warm, and deeply satisfying to watch a woman in her fifties realizing her life is far from over. I needed this movie. I watched it twice and not just because Zoe Kazan, a fave of mine, is in it. waiting\_to\_exhale-poster.max-800×1200.jpg 4. **Waiting to Exhale** Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett anchor this iconic film about four women navigating love, betrayal, and the very specific exhaustion of being done with a man who was never worth it to begin with. The scene where Bernadine (Bassett) sets her husband’s car on fire? Cathartic doesn’t begin to cover it. This movie is a hug, a scream, and a glass of wine all at once. 5. **Crazy, Stupid, Love** Steve Carell’s character gets blindsided by his wife asking for a divorce and finds himself completely lost until Ryan Gosling’s impossibly gorgeous bachelor takes him under his wing. It’s funny, surprisingly tender, and ends with enough hope to make you believe that the story doesn’t end just because a marriage does. One of the rare divorce movies that actually leaves you feeling good. eat\_pray\_love\_poster.max-800×1200.jpg 6. **Eat Pray Love** Look, sometimes you need to watch a woman blow up her entire life, travel to Italy, India, and Bali, eat an obscene amount of pasta, and find herself again. Is it a little indulgent? Yes. Is Julia Roberts impossibly beautiful while falling apart? Also yes. But the core of it is a woman choosing herself after years of losing herself in a marriage. That is something I understand on a molecular level right now. Get the book… 7. **Mrs. Doubtfire** Robin Williams disguises himself as a Scottish nanny to be near his kids after his divorce. It sounds like a comedy, and it is, but underneath all the prosthetics and chaos is one of the most honest portrayals of what it feels like to have your family restructured against your will. The ending, which refuses to give you a tidy bow, is more realistic and more moving than you’d expect from a movie where a man puts his face in a cake. 8. **The First Wives Club** Three women, played by Goldie Hawn, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/first-wives-club/), and Diane Keaton, reunite after their husbands leave them for younger women and decide to get even. It is an unapologetic and fabulously costumed revenge fantasy, and it is precisely what the doctor ordered…my doctor, at least. Watch it with your best girlfriends who showed up for you. They know who they are. 9. **Something’s Gotta Give** Jack Nicholson plays a man who has spent his entire life dating younger women, until he falls for the sharp, brilliant, very-recently-heartbroken Diane Keaton. It’s clever and funny and ultimately about people who thought their romantic lives were behind them discovering they were wrong. Keaton writes through her heartbreak. She types and cries and types and cries and honestly, I see myself. I see myself completely. CHERRYPICKS-THE-WAR-OF-THE-ROSES.jpg 10. & 11. **The War of the Roses (1989) + The Roses (2025) – (a double feature!)** You really should watch both of these back to back—consider it a masterclass in how to adapt a story for a new era. The original, directed by Danny DeVito and starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, is a vicious and darkly hilarious portrait of a divorce so ugly it becomes a battle of wills inside a beautiful house neither of them will give up. It’s chaos. It’s brilliant. Then watch the 2025 reimagining, The Roses, directed by Jay Roach and starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, which takes the same premise and makes it something you can actually root for (or at least watch without feeling like you need a shower afterward). With a screenplay by Tony McNamara (who also wrote Poor Things), it’s sharper, more human, and far easier to watch. The original makes you say “Never let it get that far.” The remake makes you say “Oh. Oh no. I understand them both.” As a filmmaker, I find the comparison between the two endlessly fascinating and, as a recently divorced woman, I find it deeply relatable. Make the popcorn. Get the book… CHERRYPICKS-THE-FOUR-SEASONS.jpg 12. **The Four Seasons** Alan Alda wrote, directed, and starred in this underappreciated 1981 gem, one of the top box office hits of its year, alongside Carol Burnett, Rita Moreno, and Jack Weston. Three married couples take annual vacations together, until one of the husbands divorces his wife and tries to introduce his new, much younger girlfriend into the group. What unfolds is a quietly devastating study of how one divorce sends shockwaves through everyone around it. The friends who pull away. The ones who stay. The awkwardness that nobody knows how to name. Sound familiar? It should. **Bonus: The Four Seasons on Netflix** Then immediately watch the 2025 Netflix TV adaptation created by Tina Fey, who updates the story brilliantly with Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, and Will Forte. All eight episodes are streaming on Netflix, and it’s one of the best things the streamer has produced in years. Here’s the cherry on top: Alan Alda himself has a cameo in the series, which is clearly a love letter from the remake to the original. The writing is razor-sharp, the casting is perfect, and it captures the very specific grief of watching a divorce ripple through a friend group in a way that is almost uncomfortably accurate. Season 2 is already in the works. You’re welcome. Pack for a getaway… 13. **Your Friends & Neighbors** Jon Hamm plays a recently divorced hedge fund manager who, after losing his job, starts quietly robbing his wealthy neighbors to maintain the lifestyle his family has always known. It sounds like a crime drama (and it is), but it’s really about the identity crisis that comes when the life you built, the marriage you thought defined you, and the social circle that kept you afloat all disappear at once. What do you do when you’re suddenly just…a person? A single, financially spiraling, extremely well-dressed person who may or may not be committing felonies? Hamm is magnetic, and the second season premiered in April 2026. It’s dark, funny, and weirdly therapeutic. And I hate that I have to wait every week for a new episode. Also it’s the best thing Olivia Munn has ever been in. 14. **Divorce** Sarah Jessica Parker stars as Frances, a suburban New York woman who realizes mid-life that her marriage has hollowed her out and then discovers that actually leaving is so much harder than she thought. Created by Sharon Horgan (who also made Bad Sisters, another excellent watch), this series is sharp and painfully funny about the logistics, humiliation, and strange freedom that come from a marriage ending. Three seasons on HBO Max. All worth watching. Especially if you’re looking to find comfort that you’re not alone. 15. **The First Wives Club (bonus encore!)** I already included this in the list, but I’m keeping it here as a standalone reminder: Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton, revenge, incredible outfits, and the line, “Don’t get mad, get everything.” Well, it’s a slightly cliché and sexist line today considering a majority of the women who are divorcing are the actual bread winners, but I still love it! If you watch nothing else on this list, watch this. Then call your girlfriends. The real ones. diary\_of\_a\_mad\_black\_woman\_ka.max-800×1200.jpg 16. **Diary of a Mad Black Woman** Tyler Perry wrote this one, and before you say anything, I know. But hear me out. Kimberly Elise plays Helen, a devoted wife who comes home on the eve of her 18th wedding anniversary to find her husband literally packing her belongings into a U-Haul to make room for his mistress. On their anniversary. The audacity. What follows is a story of a woman rebuilding herself from zero. But with the help of family, faith, and the unforgettable Madea, it feels absurdly relatable. It veers between comedy and melodrama in ways that shouldn’t work but somehow do. The audiences adored it, making it a $50M box office hit. The theme of a woman who gave up everything for a marriage, then had to rediscover who she was, hits differently when you’re living a version of that story yourself. 17. **Tyler Perry’s Divorce in the Black** One of my all-time favorites, Meagan Good, stars as Ava, a successful bank professional whose seemingly perfect marriage falls apart when her husband abruptly walks out without explanation. What unfolds is a psychological thriller-drama about emotional abuse, gaslighting, and the slow, difficult process of reclaiming your own sense of reality after someone has spent years reshaping it. It generated nearly 500 million minutes of viewing in its first four days on Amazon Prime. So, clearly, a lot of women needed this movie. 18. **Waiting to Exhale (reminder!)** Already on this list, yes, but worth flagging again specifically here: Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, and Lela Rochon. Four women. Four different flavors of “done.” This film belongs in its own category as a masterwork of female solidarity after a man has shown you exactly who he is. If you haven’t seen it, stop reading this list and go watch it right now. I’ll wait. 19. **Beef** Ali Wong and Steven Yeun star in Season 1 of Netflix’s A24 dark comedy series about two strangers whose road rage incident spirals into a full-scale obsession that consumes both their lives and Ali Wong’s marriage. Wong plays Amy, a high-achieving entrepreneur whose immaculate exterior (the wardrobe of which is made up of Mohawk General Store fashion – you’re welcome) is held together with resentment and exhaustion, while Yeun plays Danny, an almost criminal contractor running on failure and wounded pride. Beneath the road rage and escalating chaos, this is a show about people trapped in lives that look right from the outside and feel unbearable from the inside. It won the Emmy for Outstanding Limited Series. And here’s a detail I find quietly remarkable: Ali Wong was going through her own real divorce while filming it. The parallels between her and Amy’s crumbling marriage give the performance of a lifetime. The question of whether women can “have it all” is not subtle, certainly not to me who has tried both and succeeded and failed at the same time. Season 2 just dropped in April 2026 with an entirely new cast, but start with Season 1. For some, it’s difficult to watch due to the negativity, but trust me on this, make it to episode three, and you’ll be hooked. To help calm you… 20\. **Past Lives** This is the one that will stay with you longest. Korean-Canadian director Celine Song’s debut film follows Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), two childhood friends from Seoul who are separated when Nora’s family emigrates and who keep finding their way back to each other across decades and continents. By the time they reunite as adults, Nora is married to a kind, loving American man named Arthur (John Magaro), and the film refuses to make Arthur a villain, Hae Sung a mistake, or Nora’s marriage a consolation prize. It’s a film about the choices that we make in life and the versions of ourselves we leave behind, honoring choices that might’ve been someone else’s. It’s also one of the most honest films ever made about what it means to build a life with someone and what it costs. It received Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. As a filmmaker, this one is close to perfect. As a recently divorced person, it broke me open in the best possible way. 20. Another Bonus Rec: **Divorced Sistas on Prime Video** The reason for this list and pouring my heart out is to let you all know that divorce is not the end of the story. It is, as it turns out, just a very dramatic plot twist. If I can write a list this long with footnotes so soon after mine, you’re going to be just fine. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=When%20You%27re%20Marriage%20Is%20Over%2C%20Watch%20These%20Movies%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=When%20You%27re%20Marriage%20Is%20Over%2C%20Watch%20These%20Movies%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=When%20You%27re%20Marriage%20Is%20Over%2C%20Watch%20These%20Movies%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=When%20You%27re%20Marriage%20Is%20Over%2C%20Watch%20These%20Movies%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=When%20You%27re%20Marriage%20Is%20Over%2C%20Watch%20These%20Movies%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #divorce, #FirstWivesClub, #marriage, #Movies --- ### [What Was Jerry Blatt's Relationship To Bette Midler?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/14/what-was-jerry-blatts-relationship-to-bette-midler/) **Published:** May 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Jerry Blatt (born September 8, 1941 – died January 19, 1989) was an American composer, lyricist, writer, producer, and director best known for his long creative partnership with Bette Midler. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty What Was Jerry Blatt’s Relationship To Bette Midler? By Mister D April 25, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-24_07-53-22.png "2026-04-24_07-53-22 - bootleg betty")--- [**Jerry Blatt** ](https://grokipedia.com/page/Jerry_Blatt)(born September 8, 1941 – died January 19, 1989) was an American composer, lyricist, writer, producer, and director best known for his long creative partnership with [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/bette-midler/). **Key Facts** Born in New York City. Died at age 47 in Amsterdam while being treated for cancer (complications related to AIDS). He began collaborating with Bette Midler in 1975 and worked closely with her for over a decade. **His Connection to Bette Midler** Jerry Blatt was one of Bette Midler’s most important behind-the-scenes collaborators during the height of her live-show and recording career in the 1970s and 1980s. Their work included: **Stage Shows:** He co-wrote the book and contributed material for Bette Midler’s Clams on the Half Shell Revue (1975 Broadway revue). He also directed and wrote for Bette! Divine Madness and other live productions. **Television Specials:** Writer for Bette Midler: Ol’ Red Hair Is Back (1977, Emmy-nominated) and other specials like Art or Bust. **Albums & Music:** Co-wrote songs with Bette (e.g., “Mr. Rockefeller,” “Fat as I Am,” “Otto Titsling”), produced albums such as Mud Will Be Flung Tonight! (1985), and contributed to others like No Frills and soundtracks. **Film:** Co-wrote the concert film Divine Madness (1980) and contributed to Beaches (1988). Bette Midler has spoken fondly of him over the years. When she won a Grammy for “Wind Beneath My Wings,” she publicly thanked him, and she included him in tributes to friends lost to AIDS. In short, Jerry Blatt was a key creative partner who helped shape Bette Midler’s stage persona, comedy material, and musical output during her most iconic “Divine Miss M” era. He is remembered as a talented, influential figure in her campy, glamorous, and theatrical world. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=What%20Was%20Jerry%20Blatt%27s%20Relationship%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=What%20Was%20Jerry%20Blatt%27s%20Relationship%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=What%20Was%20Jerry%20Blatt%27s%20Relationship%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=What%20Was%20Jerry%20Blatt%27s%20Relationship%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=What%20Was%20Jerry%20Blatt%27s%20Relationship%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Jerry Blatt **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Composer, #Director, #JerryBlatt, #Lyricist, #Producer, #Writer --- ### [Quotes: Bette Midler - But Enough About Me...](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/13/quotes-bette-midler-but-enough-about-me/) **Published:** May 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Quotes: Bette Midler - But Enough About Me **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Quotes: Bette Midler – But Enough About Me… By Mister D May 13, 2026 --- ![Pink square image with a white-dressed woman in the bottom left and a large white quote: 'But enough about me, let's talk about you... what do you think of me?' — CC Bloom.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/623c4cb7e4cd93e8c8e47f779153bb85.jpg "623c4cb7e4cd93e8c8e47f779153bb85 - bootleg betty") --- **Never mind that! What do you think of Bette?** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Quotes%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20But%20Enough%20About%20Me...&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Quotes%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20But%20Enough%20About%20Me...%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Quotes%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20But%20Enough%20About%20Me...&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Quotes%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20But%20Enough%20About%20Me...%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Quotes%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20But%20Enough%20About%20Me...%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #CeeCeeBloom, #Quotes --- ### [Haole to Haole with Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/13/haole-to-haole-with-bette-midler/) **Published:** May 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** I’d been waiting 25 years to talk to Bette Midler, so I dove at the chance to interview the Divine Miss M on the release of her 1998 album Bathhouse Betty. **Content:** --- ## Overserved Haole to Haole with Bette Midler By Michael Corcoran May 10, 2026 --- ![Woman in a glittering gold sequin dress performing on stage, mid-dance pose with short blonde hair.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/s-l160018.jpg "S-l160018 - bootleg betty") --- **[Haole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haole) to Haole with [Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/books/)** I’d been waiting 25 years to talk to Bette Midler, so I dove at the chance to interview the Divine Miss M on the release of her 1998 album Bathhouse Betty. I told the publicist I loved the new record, then, having the phone time for her call reserved, went home, dug up the new disc from the “not enough hours in the day” pile and listened to it for the first time. It’s not bad, with material from Ben Folds (the starkly moving “Boxing”), Leonard Cohen (“Song of Bernadette”), and a big band workout with the Royal Crown Revue (“One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show”) standing out. She covers the shoreline from sap to swing, just like on her early ’70s albums, hence the title’s reference to her days as a cult NYC bathhouse singer. But my opinion of Bette Midler’s records is that you could own them all — as well as all her movies on video — and they still wouldn’t be worth a single ticket to one of her concerts. One stage, one mike, one audience: Ms. Midler wrings as much from the moment as possible. Her personality becomes part of the talent, maybe even most of it, making for a show where you get much more than your money’s worth. You hear a lot about performers “giving and giving until there’s nothing left to give, but then they give some more,” and it’s usually tied with physical endurance. Acts such as James Brown, Bruce Springsteen and Tina Turner take their final bows as if it spends their final iota of energy. In the case of Bette Midler, however, the exhaustion seems more emotional than physical. Perhaps my favorite single memory from 50 years of going to concerts occurred during Bette’s Hawaiian return in September 1973. A few months earlier, while I was a senior in high school, the daily announcement included this: “former Radford Ram “Betty” Midler, Class of ‘63, will be appearing on ‘The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson’ tonight.” I watched out of school spirit and she was a force of nature- funny and campy as hell, trading barbs with Carson as if he lived next door. When the Divine Miss M album came out about a month later, I was all over it, and got my brothers and sisters to be fans, too. I was fourth or fifth in line when tickets to her first concert in Hawaii went on sale and got third row center for me and my sister Liz and brother Gerard. Didn’t know until that night she had a big gay following. The encores had all been sung, but the sell-out crowd of about 2,000 wouldn’t leave. The lights came on, as did the taped music, but still the exit doors didn’t budge — the show was that spectacular. Finally, a beaming Bette- God, that smile!- came out and stood at center stage while the crowd stomped and hooted. Tears streamed down her face, and she addressed the audience. “Ya know,” she said in a crackling voice, “I was more nervous before tonight’s show than I’ve ever been before.” Gaining strength in the cornpopping-paced shouts of “We love you!,” Midler went on to tell a story, her story. She told of a little girl belting show tunes for her mother and daydreaming about being a big star. She said she’d always felt like a fish out of water growing up Jewish in a Samoan neighborhood near Pearl Harbor, and when she moved away, it was as if a whole new life had begun. Since leaving, she said she realized that Hawaii was a big part of who she was, and that even though she’d become the toast of the Big Apple, she’d have an empty spot in her heart until she could prove herself back home. “This has been a very special night for me,” she said, overcome in the spotlight. “You’ve all made me very, very happy.” Tear glands didn’t know what hit them, as everybody in the joint started crying along with Bette. I’m choked up just writing this. That’s what makes Bette Midler one of the greatest entertainers of our time. She doesn’t hold back. Night after night, at NYC’s Continental Baths circa 1971, she would prove to be the link between Mae West and future Madonna, with even more genuineness in her defiance and naughtiness. Picture a hot, steamy room full of half-naked men (and piano player Barry Manilow) laughing at big bosom jokes and singing along to “Delta Dawn”: now, that’s entertainment! “Sometimes I’ll be watching MTV and see some of the newer acts looking like they’d rather be doing anything besides playing music on TV,” Midler said by phone from New York, where she spends most of her time with husband Martin and 11-year-old daughter Sophie (named after the bawdy comedian and Midler model, Sophie Tucker). “I just want to stick my hand inside the TV and give them a smack. ‘You’re on top of the world. Have fun.’ ” Although she’s not exceptionally gifted as a singer, dancer, songwriter or musician, Midler’s genius is in her ability to make what she has work for her. On the new LP’s “I’m Beautiful,” she vamps, “How did I get so far,” and the background singers add “on so-o-o little,” but the answer is that Midler has always turned her minuses into pluses. What she lacks in looks, she makes up for in desire. Short on vocal strength, she plays up her vulnerability, taking the gloss off such ballads as “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “From a Distance.” She wants to stay loyal to her original audience, but also longs to attract new fans with radio hits, so Midler uses her secret weapon — humor — to appeal to both factions. After a spec-tacky-lar tribute to Gypsy Rose Lee in her ‘93 shows, Midler mimicked fairweather fans: “How much more of this do we have to endure before she does the inspirational ballads we love her for?” The Divine One has always used comedy to try to connect, but sometimes it didn’t. During much of our conversation, we talked about the cultural weirdness of growing up haole (white) on Oahu. “It’s really hard to explain to people just how alienated I felt as a kid,” she said. “Nobody looked liked me. Nobody’s parents talked like mine (Ruth and Fred from Paterson, N.J., who moved to Hawaii when Bette was 4 for Fred’s civilian job as a housepainter for the Navy). I was always desperately trying to fit in.” Maybe that’s why her albums touch on so many genres and her fashion sense on so many generations: Bette wants everyone to have a crack at liking her. “Pot luck at a Laundromat,” is the way Mr. Blackwell summed up Midler’s fashion sense in ‘74, but no one has ever worn longing so well. “What I do,” Midler summarized, “is take chicken shit and turn it into chicken salad.” She does it with a resplendent, four-star smile and the heart of a diehard hoofer. That her charm lights up the stage in a hurry became apparent when she was awarded an Emmy for an eight-minute slot as the very last guest on the final “Tonight Show” hosted by Johnny Carson. ” I didn’t have time to think of the historical implications,” she said. “Robin Williams was supposed to go on last, but they flip-flopped the order at the last minute.” As always, though, the beaming redhead came through. As Bette sang “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road,” the camera caught Carson at an angle he’d never been shown before. In the foreground, there was Midler, on a stool, singing as if it were only her and Johnny, and the rest of the world had already dozed off. In the background, sliding in and out of focus, was Carson, looking on with admiration at one of the few artists who could pull off such a tender and intense situation. “There was always a great chemistry between Johnny and I,” said Midler, who sang “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” on “The Tonight Show” even before her first record came out. “All I was concentrating on during that last show was doing right by him.” They say you shouldn’t meet your idols, even in phone interviews, because they can only disappoint. But my little chat with Bette Fucking Midler was even better than what I had hoped for. Scheduled for 15 minutes, we went on for 45, maybe longer, with Midler asking me almost as many questions as I asked her. We didn’t discuss the new album much, but we did talk about such subjects as our kids, Hawaiian music, her family (including her developmentally-disabled brother, who was my sister’s paperboy), her stage mom, Kurt Cobain, the “We Are the World” session (“They had me next to LaToya in the video — shows how my career was going”) and the current swing revival, which Midler loves. “In the ’70s, I WAS the swing revival,” she cracked. I told her my struggles as a haole in a state that valued a tan more than anything. The only time I got respect from the locals was when I borrowed my brother-in-law’s delivery truck for Sumida Watercress Farm. Everybody loves that farm in the shadow of the massive Pearlridge Shopping Center, which was in the country when Bette grew up in Halawa Valley, just a couple of miles away. “Do the Sumidas still own it?” she asked, “Yeah, my sister’s (then-) husband David Sumida runs it now.” Long pause. “Charlotte Sumida was my sister’s best friend,” Bette said. This was Judith, the older sister who went to New York City in 1968 to see Bette in Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway, and was hit by a car on W. 44th Street and died. Having displayed for the previous 45 minutes that I knew everything about her life, she didn’t have to fill me in on anything. And hearing her voice crack on “my sister’s best friend,” I didn’t want to dig up any more sadness. I’ll save that for the book. Just as she had done in Honolulu at the concert hall, I ended the interview with a little speech. I had waited 25 years to talk to Bette Midler, not to interview her, and this was my one chance to tell a fellow haole just how much joy she’s brought to me and many more people just trying to find themselves. “I’ve seen you every time you’ve been on TV,” I said. “I’ve seen you on Broadway, with Clams on the Half Shell, and I’ve seen you in concerts many times. And there’s one thing I’ll say about you, Bette Midler. Every single time someone has pointed to you and said ‘You’re on!’ you’ve come through and given the audience something special.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Haole%20to%20Haole%20with%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Haole%20to%20Haole%20with%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Haole%20to%20Haole%20with%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Haole%20to%20Haole%20with%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Haole%20to%20Haole%20with%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Broadway, concerts, History, Movies, Music, Television, Theatre **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Books, #Broadway, #Haole, #History, #Interview, #Movies, #Music, #Review --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - Too Many Fish In The Sea (SKDJ vs Garanuk Remix Edit)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/12/audio-bette-midler-too-many-fish-in-the-sea-skdj-vs-garanuk-remix-edit/) **Published:** May 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio: Bette Midler - Too Many Fish In The Sea (SKDJ vs Garanuk Remix Edit) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler – Too Many Fish In The Sea (SKDJ vs Garanuk Remix Edit) By SKDJ vs Garanuk Remix May 12, 2026 --- ![Promo photo of four women in 1960s-style outfits around a white piano on a lime background; headline reads 'It's The Girls!'](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/10516816_10202295281977176_5760631711825242164_n1-450x245-1.jpg "10516816_10202295281977176_5760631711825242164_n1-450x245 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Too%20Many%20Fish%20In%20The%20Sea%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Garanuk%20Remix%20Edit%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Too%20Many%20Fish%20In%20The%20Sea%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Garanuk%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Too%20Many%20Fish%20In%20The%20Sea%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Garanuk%20Remix%20Edit%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Too%20Many%20Fish%20In%20The%20Sea%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Garanuk%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Too%20Many%20Fish%20In%20The%20Sea%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Garanuk%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, It's The Girls, Remix **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #Remix, #SKDJvsGaranuk, #TooManyFishInTheSea --- ### [Video: Sold My Soul To Rock N Roll - Majestic Theater - Bette Midler - 1979](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/11/video-sold-my-soul-to-rock-n-roll-majestic-theater-bette-midler-1979/) **Published:** May 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “Sold My Soul to Rock ’n’ Roll” is a 1979 Bette Midler track from The Rose soundtrack — a gritty, blues?rock confession about the emotional cost of life on the road **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Sold My Soul To Rock N Roll – Majestic Theater – Bette Midler – 1979 By Mister D May 12, 2026 --- ![Female singer in a leopard-print dress belts into a mic on stage, flanked by a pianist and guitarist in a live performance.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/s-l160023.jpg "S-l160023 - bootleg betty") --- --- [**“Sold My Soul to Rock ’n’ Roll”**](https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bettemidler/soldmysoultorocknroll.html) is a 1979 [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-rose/) track from The Rose soundtrack — a gritty, blues?rock confession about the emotional cost of life on the road, written by Gene Pistilli and produced by Paul A. Rothchild. It’s one of the most explicitly autobiographical?feeling songs in the film, capturing the burnout, bravado, and vulnerability of a performer who’s given everything to the stage. **? What the song is** Produced by Paul A. Rothchild, famous for producing The Doors and Janis Joplin — which is fitting, since The Rose is a fictionalized Joplin story. It appears on Track 5 of The Rose (Original Soundtrack Recording), released December 3, 1979. Written by Gene Pistilli, a songwriter known for country?rock and roots?influenced material. He also wrote Pretty Legs And Great Big Knockers. **? What the song means** The lyrics paint a picture of a touring musician who is: - Exhausted (“Drive me away from last night’s news… empty beds, crowds of people”) - Lonely despite fame - Bound to the road (“the road goes on forever… but I’m gone, gone, gone”) - Torn between career and love (“My baby wants me home, can’t refuse him”) - Self-aware about the bargain she’s made (“I bought these devil chains”) Critics and lyric sites interpret it as a metaphor for the price of fame, the addiction to performing, and the spiritual toll of a life lived in transit. **? In the context of The Rose** In the film, the song functions as: - A character moment for Mary Rose Foster (Midler’s character), showing her unraveling under the weight of stardom. - A bridge between the high?octane rock performances and the emotional collapse that follows. - A thematic echo of Janis Joplin’s real?life struggles with touring, addiction, and identity. It’s one of the soundtrack’s most underrated tracks — overshadowed by “The Rose” and “Stay With Me,” but beloved by fans who appreciate Midler’s raw, blues?rock era. **? Why fans love it** Because it’s pure Divine Miss M: - campy but sincere - theatrical but grounded - rock?and?roll but emotionally naked It’s the closest the The Rose soundtrack gets to a mission statement: *“I sold my soul to rock ’n’ roll.”* - She’s telling you exactly what the movie is about. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Sold%20My%20Soul%20To%20Rock%20N%20Roll%20-%20Majestic%20Theater%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%201979&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Sold%20My%20Soul%20To%20Rock%20N%20Roll%20-%20Majestic%20Theater%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Sold%20My%20Soul%20To%20Rock%20N%20Roll%20-%20Majestic%20Theater%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%201979&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Sold%20My%20Soul%20To%20Rock%20N%20Roll%20-%20Majestic%20Theater%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Sold%20My%20Soul%20To%20Rock%20N%20Roll%20-%20Majestic%20Theater%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Music, Song Meanings, Songs, the Rose, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #MajesticTheater, #SoldMySoulToRockAndRoll, #TheRose, #Video --- ### [Whatever Happened To Shelley Long?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/11/whatever-happened-to-shelley-long/) **Published:** May 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Long won an Emmy and two Golden Globes for the role, and for five seasons she was one of the most watched women on American television. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Whatever Happened To Shelley Long? By Travel Mexico Solo March 20, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/488660195_1229270018785266_3158534075913098800_n.jpg "488660195_1229270018785266_3158534075913098800_n - bootleg betty") --- Before Diane Chambers, there was no template for her. The character [**Shelley Long**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/shelleylong/) brought to life on Cheers in 1982 — the erudite, neurotic, wine-bar waitress with a master’s thesis always in progress and an elaborate romantic rivalry with her boss — was a new kind of television woman. Smart, funny, infuriating, vulnerable, and utterly original. Long won an Emmy and two Golden Globes for the role, and for five seasons she was one of the most watched women on American television. Then she walked away from it. And nothing was ever quite the same. **10 Things You Might Not Know About Shelley Long** 1. She was a Second City alumna before she was a TV star. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on August 23, 1949, Long attended Northwestern University, left before graduating to pursue acting, and joined the legendary improv troupe Second City in Chicago. She also co-hosted a local NBC Emmy-winning magazine show called Sorting It Out for three years in the mid-1970s. By the time she auditioned for Cheers, she was a seasoned performer with real comedic chops. 2. She and Ted Danson did not get along — and it made the show better. Danson admitted on the SmartLess podcast in 2024 that their off-camera relationship was genuinely strained. “My first reaction to Shelley while we were auditioning was, ‘Oh, no. No. That’s a bad, bad idea,’” he said. “I don’t know, we were so different. Our styles, our approach, our everything is really different.” But he also credited the tension: when they worked, “she’d smack you back harder.” It was one of television’s great accidental chemistries. 3. She left the show to be with her daughter — and she has never regretted it. Long’s primary reason for leaving Cheers in 1987, at the height of its popularity, was her daughter Juliana, born in March 1985. “I’ve never regretted the decision,” she has said repeatedly. “I’ve been annoyed by the constant questions of ‘Do you regret it?’ I don’t regret it.” 4. Her post-Cheers film career was a mixed bag. She made [**Outrageous Fortune**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outrageous_Fortune_(film)) (1987) with Bette Midler, The Money Pit (1986) with Tom Hanks, and the cult classic Troop Beverly Hills (1989). The latter is beloved to this day — but other projects didn’t connect, and critics were unkind. Hollywood has a particular way of punishing women who turn their back on a hit. 5. She played Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch Movie (1995). It was a sharp comedic performance in a film that shrewdly satirized nostalgia, and it reminded audiences how gifted Long was at a certain kind of precise, deadpan comedy. The film was a genuine hit, and a sequel followed. 6. She went back to Cheers for the finale — and got nominated again. Long reprised Diane Chambers for the series finale in 1993 and received her fifth Emmy nomination for the guest appearance. She also returned to the character a handful of times on the spinoff Frasier, earning yet another Emmy nomination for those appearances. 7. She had a nine-year run on Modern Family. From 2009 to 2018, Long played DeDe Pritchett — Jay Dunphy’s flamboyant, meddling ex-wife — in eight episodes over nine years. It was a different kind of role, and a reminder that she had never lost her timing. Her character was notably killed off in 2018 in an episode meant to explore loss. 8. Her marriage of 23 years ended in 2004. Long and securities broker Bruce Tyson, whom she married in 1981, divorced after more than two decades. She has never remarried. 9. She skipped the Cheers cast reunion at the 2024 Emmys. When producers organized a reunion for the show’s former cast at the ceremony — attended by Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, and George Wendt — Long declined. Grammer later told The New York Post he was disappointed. “I was sorry Shelley didn’t make it,” he said. “But the other guys, it was great to see them.” 10. Her last screen appearance was in the 2021 film The Cleaner. After that, she has largely stepped back from public life. She is occasionally spotted by photographers in Los Angeles, walking her small white dog, casually dressed, seemingly at peace. **What Shelley Long Looks Like Now** Now 76 years old, Shelley Long lives quietly in Los Angeles and keeps an almost deliberate distance from public attention. She does not maintain a social media presence. She rarely gives interviews. In late 2024, photographers caught her on a casual stroll — gray baseball cap, L.L. Bean jacket, gray sweatpants — and the photos circulated widely, as they always do when a reclusive celebrity surfaces. She looks her age, and there is no apology in her posture. Her daughter Juliana — for whom she gave up the most famous role of her career — is now an actress and comedy writer, and has children of her own. Long reportedly has grandchildren. The trade she made in 1987 produced exactly what she said she wanted. Whether that trade was worth it is a question only Shelley Long can answer, and she has answered it the same way for 40 years: I don’t regret it. **The Character Who Outlived the Actress** There is a peculiar immortality to Diane Chambers. She is still quoted. She is still studied in television criticism. She still appears on “greatest TV characters” lists alongside figures like Mary Richards and Hawkeye Pierce. The Cheers bar has become a museum exhibit. The show has never stopped airing somewhere in the world. Long herself has stepped away from most of that. She didn’t go to the reunion. She didn’t do the podcast circuit. She didn’t write the memoir. She just lived her life. For an actress who spent five seasons playing a woman who desperately needed to be seen, there is something quietly poetic about that. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Whatever%20Happened%20To%20Shelley%20Long%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Whatever%20Happened%20To%20Shelley%20Long%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Whatever%20Happened%20To%20Shelley%20Long%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Whatever%20Happened%20To%20Shelley%20Long%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Whatever%20Happened%20To%20Shelley%20Long%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Outrageous Fortune **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Cheers, #OutrageousFortune, #ShellyLong, Movies --- ### [What does the Bette Midler song Mr. Rockefeller mean?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/11/what-does-the-bette-midler-song-mr-rockefeller-mean/) **Published:** May 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "Mr. Rockefeller" is a humorous, satirical song by Bette Midler from her 1976 album Songs for the New Depression. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty What does the Bette Midler song Mr. Rockefeller mean? By Mister D May 4, 2026 --- ![Urban street scene with a bold poster of a striped figure wearing a red clown nose, while a woman in a white dress walks by; red paint stains on the ground nearby.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/208x208bb.webp "208x208bb - bootleg betty") --- --- “Mr. Rockefeller” is a humorous, satirical song by [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/books/) from her 1976 album Songs for the New Depression. It was co-written by Midler and Jerry Blatt. The track fits the album’s theme of economic struggle and “new depression” (reflecting the mid-1970s U.S. economic woes like stagflation and recession). **Lyrics Summary and Meaning** The song is structured as a one-sided phone conversation (with operator interludes) where a down-on-her-luck woman repeatedly tries to reach the wealthy “Mr. Rockefeller” (evoking the famously rich Rockefeller family, like John D. Rockefeller). **Key elements:** She asks how he is, if he’s “having fun,” and begs for a little money (“I could use a few / If you’d like to send a few / Down my way”). She mentions seeing him in magazines and on TV but feeling disconnected from his world. She’s “ragged to the bone,” broke (this is her “last dime”), and struggling—her family is “nervous,” her thoughts are “blue,” and she’s not feeling well. The tone mixes desperation, persistence, and wry humor, with her pleading for him to “pick up the phone.” It’s a satirical take on class divide, urban isolation, and celebrity/wealth worship. The singer idolizes or envies the ultra-rich while highlighting her own poverty, turning a personal plea into a broader commentary on inequality. Midler’s delivery (playful yet poignant) and the album context amplify the “new depression” vibe—personal hardship amid societal/economic malaise. It’s not a deep personal confession but more of a show-biz-style character sketch/sketch comedy bit set to music, which aligns with Midler’s cabaret/theatrical style. Some reviews at the time noted it as lighter/trivial compared to other tracks but fitting her stage persona. **Fun Facts** It has been sampled by Kanye West on “Last Call” from The College Dropout (2004). Midler performed it live during her tours around that era. Overall, it’s a fun, cheeky critique wrapped in Midler’s signature wit—equal parts funny and pointed about chasing the rich for a handout. If you’re a fan, check out the full album for more of that 1970s Midler energy! **Songs for New Depression tracks** **Thoughts** “Songs for the New Depression” is Bette Midler’s third studio album, released on January 8, 1976, by Atlantic Records. It runs about 38-39 minutes and features a mix of covers, originals, and eclectic styles reflecting the mid-1970s economic struggles (hence the title). **Full Track Listing (with writers and approximate lengths from standard releases)** Side A:”Strangers in the Night” (Bert Kaempfert, Charles Singleton, Eddie Snyder) – 3:22 (Disco-fied take on the Sinatra classic) “I Don’t Want the Night to End” (Phoebe Snow) – 3:53 “Mr. Rockefeller” (Jerry Blatt, Bette Midler) – 4:05 (The satirical phone-call plea we discussed) “Old Cape Cod” (Claire Rothrock, Allan Jeffrey, Milton Yakus) – 2:50 “Buckets of Rain” (Bob Dylan) – 4:00 (Duet with Bob Dylan) “Love Says It’s Waiting” (Nick Holmes) – 1:41 (From The Promise Suite) Side B:”Shiver Me Timbers” / “Samedi et Vendredi” (Tom Waits / Bette Midler, Moogy Klingman) – 6:25 (Medley; “Samedi et Vendredi” is an original French-language track) “No Jestering” (Carlton Malcolm) – 3:59 “Tragedy” (Gerald Nelson, Fred Burch) – 3:06 “Marahuana” (Arthur Johnston, Sam Coslow) – 2:30 “Let Me Just Follow Behind” (Moogy Klingman) – 3:36 Total length: ~38:47. **Notes** Bette co-wrote “Mr. Rockefeller” and “Samedi et Vendredi,” marking her songwriting debut on record. She also co-produced parts of the album. Guests include Bob Dylan (on “Buckets of Rain”), Todd Rundgren, Luther Vandross (backing/arranging), and others like [**Sivuca**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sivuca). Some tracks (“Old Cape Cod” and “Marahuana”) were recorded earlier for her debut but remixed for this release. The album blends cabaret flair, pop, disco, folk, and theatrical elements—very much in Midler’s signature style. It peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=What%20does%20the%20Bette%20Midler%20song%20Mr.%20Rockefeller%20mean%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=What%20does%20the%20Bette%20Midler%20song%20Mr.%20Rockefeller%20mean%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=What%20does%20the%20Bette%20Midler%20song%20Mr.%20Rockefeller%20mean%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=What%20does%20the%20Bette%20Midler%20song%20Mr.%20Rockefeller%20mean%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=What%20does%20the%20Bette%20Midler%20song%20Mr.%20Rockefeller%20mean%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Song Meanings, Songs, Songs For The New Depression, Songwriters, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #MrRockefeller, #Song, #SongMeanings, #SongsForTheNewDepressiom, #Video --- ### [Happy Mother's Day! Bette Midler Sings My Mother's Eyes - DeTour 1983](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/10/happy-mothers-day-bette-midler-sings-my-mothers-eyes-detour-1983/) **Published:** May 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Happy Mother's Day! Bette Midler Sings My Mother's Eyes - DeTour 1983 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Happy Mother’s Day! Bette Midler Sings My Mother’s Eyes – DeTour 1983 By Mister D May 10, 2026 --- ![Black-and-white portrait of a smiling woman with curly hair, wearing a lace blouse and earrings.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/s-l1600-880x1024.jpg "S-l1600 - bootleg betty") --- --- **[Happy Mother’s Day](https://wisheshelp.com/happy-mothers-day-wishes/) to the women who gave us life, guilt, and the emotional range to appreciate a [Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2015/04/29/my-mothers-eyes/) ballad.** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Happy%20Mother%27s%20Day%21%20%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes%20-%20DeTour%201983&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Happy%20Mother%27s%20Day%21%20%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes%20-%20DeTour%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Happy%20Mother%27s%20Day%21%20%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes%20-%20DeTour%201983&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Happy%20Mother%27s%20Day%21%20%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes%20-%20DeTour%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Happy%20Mother%27s%20Day%21%20%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes%20-%20DeTour%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Holidays, Music, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DeTour, #MothersDay, #Music, #MyMothersEyes, #Song --- ### [A BonBon Short: Bette Midler - Who Likes Wigs?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/10/a-bonbon-short-bette-midler-who-likes-wigs/) **Published:** May 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “The Wig Song” is a comic novelty number Bette Midler performed on the BBC’s Wogan show in 1989, not a commercially released track. **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon A BonBon Short: Bette Midler – Who Likes Wigs? By Boodles BonBon May 10, 2026 --- ![Black-and-white photo of a woman with short light hair wearing a striped button-down shirt, carrying a tote-style bag and papers, standing near a doorway outdoors.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/s-l160010-816x1024.jpg "S-l160010 - bootleg betty") --- --- “The Wig Song” is a comic novelty number [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/contact-mister-d/) performed on the [**BBC’s Wogan show**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wogan) in 1989, not a commercially released track. It’s a quick, campy, one?off performance built around Bette riffing on wigs, glamour, and the artifice of showbiz — pure Divine Miss M energy. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Who%20Likes%20Wigs%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Who%20Likes%20Wigs%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Who%20Likes%20Wigs%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Who%20Likes%20Wigs%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Who%20Likes%20Wigs%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Talk Show, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comic, #Novelty, #TheWigSong, #Wogan --- ### [A Song That Proved Even Actors Want to Be Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/10/a-song-that-proved-even-actors-want-to-be-bette-midler/) **Published:** May 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler chose "The Rose" for her film debut, winning her a Grammy for singing the title track of the same name. **Content:** --- ## Parade 1980 Iconic Pop Ballad, Sung by a Famous Hollywood Actor, Won a Grammy 45 Years Ago By Gabriela Silva May 9, 2026 --- ![Back view of a curly-haired performer kneeling on stage, holding a microphone cable overhead.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/s-l16007-820x1024.jpg "S-l16007 - bootleg betty") --- **Key Points** \* [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-rose/) chose “[**The Rose**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rose_(film))” for her film debut, winning her a Grammy for singing the title track of the same name. \* “It’s the kind of song singers wait for all their lives,” says Midler. \* The song reached No. 3 on Billboard, was certified Gold, and earned Midler an Oscar nomination for her leading role. Bette Midler has always been known as a triple threat in Hollywood, having sung more than a few hit tracks for her feature films. In 1979, Midler hand-selected a pop ballad for her grand film debut that ended up winning her a Grammy and cemented her footing in the film industry. By the ’70s, Midler had made a name for herself as a singer thanks to her studio albums and live performances. Before she became one of Hollywood’s A-list stars and iconic actors, Midler made her acting debut in the musical film The Rose in 1979. The project was the perfect fit for Midler and would become the needed push to stardom. Loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin, Midler played the role of a self-destructive rock star battling the pressures of her career and the demands of her business manager. Every musical needs its hit soundtrack and defining songs, with Midler hand-selecting the song “The Rose” to perform as the film’s ending credits track. The track was written by actor and singer Amanda McBroom. In a 1981 Billboard article, McBroom admits the song didn’t come out the way it was supposed to. She was told by her manager to record a Bob Seger-style/rock ‘n’ roll track to land a record deal. Instead, McBroom sat down and wrote “The Rose” in 45 minutes and never changed a thing. It was written in 1977, and before it was a movie track, McBroom would sometimes perform it at clubs. “The Rose” made it as part of the film thanks to Midler, who became enamored with it after it was rejected by the producer. The song ended up peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and topped the Adult Contemporary charts. It became certified Gold by the RIAA and would lead Midler to win the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1981. Midler won against some of the biggest nominees with Irene Cara for “Fame,” Olivia Newton-John for “Magic,” Donna Summer for “On The Radio,” and Barbara Streisand for “Woman in Love.” “It’s the kind of song singers wait for all their lives,” says Midler. “My real fans know me as a ballad singer anyway. They don’t pay attention to the nutsy stuff. But for me to finally get some kind of mass recognition as a straight-ahead balladeer is probably the greatest thrill of my career.” The Rose not only further cemented Midler as a singer with a Grammy win, but also led to her first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. McBroom admitted the track wasn’t nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars because she was honest about it not having been created specifically for the film. The American Film Institute ranks Midler’s movie track as one of the best in American cinema. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20Song%20That%20Proved%20Even%20Actors%20Want%20to%20Be%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20Song%20That%20Proved%20Even%20Actors%20Want%20to%20Be%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20Song%20That%20Proved%20Even%20Actors%20Want%20to%20Be%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20Song%20That%20Proved%20Even%20Actors%20Want%20to%20Be%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20Song%20That%20Proved%20Even%20Actors%20Want%20to%20Be%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Grammys, Movies, Songs, the Rose **Tags:** #Actors, #Awards, #BetteMidler, #Grammys, #Song, #TheRose --- ### [Divine Midler Meets Jackman At 2012 Tony After Party](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/09/divine-midler-meets-jackman-at-2012-tony-after-party/) **Published:** May 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** This is Bette Midler and Hugh Jackman at the 2012 Tony Awards After?Party (the official Plaza Hotel party hosted by O&M). **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler & Hugh Jackman At Tony 2012 After Party By Mister D May 10, 2026 --- ![Smiling blonde woman in a beige top and leopard scarf, standing with a tall man in a light gray suit at an event.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-06_05-59-37.png "2026-05-06_05-59-37 - bootleg betty") --- This is [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/theatre/) and [**Hugh Jackman**](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-11/jackman-honoured-with-special-tony-award/4064478) at the 2012 Tony Awards After?Party (the official Plaza Hotel party hosted by O&M). **? Context of the night** Both were photographed mingling with guests at the after?party, but very few shots of them together exist. Bette Midler attended as well. Hugh Jackman was honored with a Special Tony Award for his contributions to the Broadway community. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Divine%20Midler%20Meets%20Jackman%20At%202012%20Tony%20After%20Party&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Divine%20Midler%20Meets%20Jackman%20At%202012%20Tony%20After%20Party%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Divine%20Midler%20Meets%20Jackman%20At%202012%20Tony%20After%20Party&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Divine%20Midler%20Meets%20Jackman%20At%202012%20Tony%20After%20Party%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Divine%20Midler%20Meets%20Jackman%20At%202012%20Tony%20After%20Party%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Theatre, Tonys **Tags:** #AfterParty, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #HughJackman, #Theater, #Tonys --- ### [Bette Midler’s Bedroom Rule for a Happy Marriage](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/09/bette-midlers-bedroom-rule-for-a-happy-marriage/) **Published:** May 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In 2024, Bette Midler said she and her husband of 41 years sleep in separate rooms since the beginning of their relationship because he "snores." "It's been a fabulous ride," **Content:** --- ## Fox News Alex Cooper’s reported marriage woes spotlight trend of stars sleeping apart, from Bette Midler to Kaley Cuoco By Christina Dugan Ramirez May 9, 2026 --- ![Older woman with silver hair wearing a black coat at a formal evening event, facing the camera with a slight smile.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-08_08-25-19.png "2026-05-08_08-25-19 - bootleg betty") --- For years, celebrity couples have disclosed some of their deepest and darkest secrets to keeping their marriages alive. From open communication to scheduling regular date nights, there’s one insider trick that seems to be a recurring theme: sleeping in separate bedrooms. Earlier this week, “[**Call Her Daddy**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_Her_Daddy)” host Alex Cooper made headlines as it was reported she and her husband, Matt Kaplan, have been sleeping separately as “tension” continues to arise in their two-year marriage amid the ongoing rumors of employee mistreatment at their production company, Unwell Network. But, contrary to “outdated beliefs,” sleeping in separate bedrooms can actually help strengthen the relationship, if done with the right intention, according to experts. “The assumption that separate bedrooms mean trouble is rooted in outdated beliefs and social conditioning around intimacy,” Xanet Pailet, a certified sexologist and author of “The Sex & Intimacy Repair Kit,” told Fox News Digital. “In reality, context is everything. If sleeping separately happens because of conflict or avoidance, it can definitely be a red flag. But when it’s a mutual, intentional choice, it’s often a sign of self-awareness and respect for your partner.” Celebrity couples such as Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden, Bette Midler and Martin von Haselberg, Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey, Barbara Corcoran and Bill Higgins, and many more have been open about their sleeping arrangements throughout the years. “We should normalize separate bedrooms,” Diaz said during an appearance on Molly Sims’ podcast “Lipstick on the Rim” in 2023. “To me, I would literally – I have my house, you have yours. We have the family house in the middle. I will go and sleep in my room. You go sleep in your room. I’m fine.” ![Book cover on a pink background: title 'Sex & Intimacy' with 'Repair Kit' and subtitle about enhancing communication and intimacy, by Xanet Pailet.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/61G7JTSLCgL_SL1500_-916x1024.jpg "61g7jtslcgl_sl1500_ - bootleg betty") In 2024, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/25/the-song-bette-midler-sang-in-no-kings-video/) said she and her husband of 41 years sleep in separate rooms since the beginning of their relationship because he “snores.” “It’s been a fabulous ride,” she added. “Separate beds have existed in couples’ relationships for centuries, although they haven’t been considered a relationship trend yet,” Brie Temple, COO and chief matchmaker at Tawkify, told Fox News Digital. “What has changed today is the public discussion of sleeping alone, with people rethinking what is a ‘healthy’ relationship. While the trend is becoming increasingly popular due to an evolving understanding of a modern romantic partnership, it is not a new phenomenon.” “In contemporary society, couples tend to design their relationships to accommodate the individuals’ unique needs, which may include separate bedrooms. Therefore, the practice is indeed rising in popularity while receiving positive feedback and becoming increasingly accepted.” “I’m seeing this more and more, and I view it as a positive shift toward de-stigmatizing how relationships ‘should’ look,” Pailet said. This technique may even promote a stronger intimate connection with your partner, the experts claim. “What I actually see is that couples who sleep apart tend to be more intentional about intimacy,” said Pailet. “When you’re not relying on your bed partner’s proximity, you have to choose connection, and that often leads to better communication, deeper emotional closeness and more satisfying physical intimacy. “Sleeping separately doesn’t create disconnection; but lack of intention does. Done well, it can improve sleep, reduce resentment and strengthen the relationship overall.” In 2024, “Shark Tank” investor Barbara Corcoran shared that she and her husband had been sleeping in separate bedrooms since the start of their relationship. “I have to invite him in — he invites me in occasionally,” Corcoran said during an appearance on “Today With Hoda & Jenna” at the time, in March 2024, adding that their individual spaces contribute to the “sexiness” of their relationship. Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco posing together on a red carpet at the Perelman Performing Arts Center. Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco have completely different sleep schedules. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) For Cuoco, it really comes down to practicality. “Tom is a night owl. Goes to bed very late,” Cuoco said during an appearance on the “Armchair Expert” podcast in February. “I go to bed earlier because I’m the one who gets up \[with our daughter, Matilda,\] in the morning.… We’re totally on different sleeping schedules.” Cuoco said she discovered the move was a “game-changer.” “He sleeps great. No dogs in his way,” Cuoco added. “I’m up with Matilda at 7 a.m., she comes in bed with me, I can turn things on. We don’t have to worry about waking him up.… It just works for us.” Temple said having separate sleeping quarters could actually make a positive shift in the relationship. “Sleeping in different rooms enables couples to maintain good health, avoid conflicts related to sleep, and be emotionally and physically ready for the day ahead,” Temple said. “Thus, the decision positively impacts a romantic relationship by reducing stress associated with sleeping at night.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Bedroom%20Rule%20for%20a%20Happy%20Marriage&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Bedroom%20Rule%20for%20a%20Happy%20Marriage%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Bedroom%20Rule%20for%20a%20Happy%20Marriage&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Bedroom%20Rule%20for%20a%20Happy%20Marriage%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Bedroom%20Rule%20for%20a%20Happy%20Marriage%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Health, Magazine, Sex **Tags:** #Bedroom, #BetteMidler, #Couples, #magazine, #marriage, #MartinVonHaselberg, #Sex, #Sleep --- ### [Rex Reed's Take on Bette's 10 Minute Perfomance in "Short Talks" on Broadway...](https://bootlegbetty.com/2002/12/30/rex-reeds-take-on-bettes-10-minute-perfomance-in-short-talks-on-broadway/) **Published:** December 30, 2002 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** **Mister D:** *Even though it’s only one sentence, I at least found one renowned (notorious) critic, Rex Reed, of the New York Observer who actually commented on her performance:* The best thing I saw last week had nothing to do with movies. It was **[Short Talks on the Universe](https://playbill.com/production/short-talks-on-the-universebroadway-eugene-oneill-theatre-2002)**, a Broadway benefit for Friends in Deed and the Bay Street Theatre, produced by Mike Nichols. When he asked some of the best writers in New York to write an evening of plays lasting no more than 12 minutes each, hundreds of folks packed the Eugene O’Neill two nights in a row at up to $1,000 a clip. They got their money’s worth. Two generations bonded when Angela Lansbury, a symphony in beige cashmere, and Chris O’Donnell played a once-great star and a young stagehand who meet on the empty stage of a deserted theater marked for demolition in Terrence McNally’s Ghost Light. **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2002/11/19/steve-martin-scores-most-laffs-with-short-talks/) brought down the house reading a comic essay by Nora Ephron on why she hates her purse.**In Elaine May’s Extra, curvy movie star Ellen Barkin and scrappy Alec Baldwin were a couple of elegant strangers at a party who hated each other on sight, insulted each other all the way through cocktails, then forgot and forgave on the dance floor the minute the band launched into a Cole Porter tune. Kevin Kline and Christine Baranski literally stole the show in Steve Martin’s hip, name-dropping skit about a tired married couple in bed who torture each other with lies about their extramarital sex lives to keep each other awake all night. The weakest play was a bit that went nowhere by Jon Robin Baitz, with Matthew Broderick as a tail-swishing Devil who arrived from Hell in a puff of smoke to claim the soul of a bad producer (Tony Roberts) in the men’s room at Sardi’s. After the actors took their bows, Mr. Nichols made his curtain speech, and Candice Bergen, Richard Avedon, Diane Sawyer and others too fabled to mention led a standing ovation you could hear a block away. The miscalculated addition of three long, irrelevant Stephen Sondheim songs was generally regarded as weirdly anticlimactic. Still, it was the kind of swanky event that only happens here. With pals like these, you almost wish Mike Nichols would stop directing and just throw parties. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Rex%20Reed%27s%20Take%20on%20Bette%27s%2010%20Minute%20Perfomance%20in%20%22Short%20Talks%22%20on%20Broadway...&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Rex%20Reed%27s%20Take%20on%20Bette%27s%2010%20Minute%20Perfomance%20in%20%22Short%20Talks%22%20on%20Broadway...%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Rex%20Reed%27s%20Take%20on%20Bette%27s%2010%20Minute%20Perfomance%20in%20%22Short%20Talks%22%20on%20Broadway...&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Rex%20Reed%27s%20Take%20on%20Bette%27s%2010%20Minute%20Perfomance%20in%20%22Short%20Talks%22%20on%20Broadway...%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Rex%20Reed%27s%20Take%20on%20Bette%27s%2010%20Minute%20Perfomance%20in%20%22Short%20Talks%22%20on%20Broadway...%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #MartinShort, #ShortTalksOnTheUniverse --- ### [Video: Ukulele Lady - Diva Las Vegas - Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/08/video-ukulele-lady-diva-las-vegas-bette-midler/) **Published:** May 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Ukulele Lady - Diva Las Vegas - Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Ukulele Lady – Diva Las Vegas – Bette Midler By Mister D May 8, 2026 --- ![Older woman in a burgundy dress playing a small string instrument (ukulele) on a TV studio set; two mirrored poses show different facial expressions.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/tumblr_nic013vQPC1r19typo1_500.jpg "Tumblr_nic013vqpc1r19typo1_500 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Ukulele%20Lady%20-%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas%20-%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Ukulele%20Lady%20-%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Ukulele%20Lady%20-%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas%20-%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Ukulele%20Lady%20-%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Ukulele%20Lady%20-%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Diva Las vegas, Tours, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #DivaLasVegas, #tour, #UkuleleLady, #Video --- ### [Can Bette Midler's HP3 Fix the HP2 Problem?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/08/can-bette-midlers-hp3-fix-the-hp2-problem/) **Published:** May 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Yahoo Can Bette Midler’s HP3 Fix the HP2 Problem? By Ryan Scott May 8, 2026 --- ![Three witches in colorful medieval costumes stand under a full moon in a blue-purple forest scene, looking ahead with serious expressions.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-08_05-16-07.png "2026-05-08_05-16-07 - bootleg betty") --- [**The Sanderson Sisters**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/04/unlocking-the-magic-of-the-sanderson-sisters/) are one step closer to getting back together, it seems. “Hocus Pocus 2” debuted in 2022 and delivered the sequel that oh so many ’90s kids had been waiting nearly 30 years for. Ever since, there’s been talk about “[**Hocus Pocus 3**](https://www.rd.com/article/hocus-pocus-3-officially-happening/),” which appears to still be happening at Disney. What’s more, the franchise very well could be returning to a theater near you as opposed to going direct-to-streaming. According to Variety, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are all confirmed to return in “Hocus Pocus 3,” which is officially in the works. Development began in 2023, but by locking the core trio down, it sounds like things are getting more serious. Of note, the report states that the sequel “is still in early development, with consideration for a theatrical release given the audience’s clear investment in the beloved franchise.” For people of a certain age, the original “Hocus Pocus” is the greatest Halloween movie of all time. It’s become a full-blown generational classic. In 2022, Disney was still very much doing everything in its power to attract subscribers to Disney+ at all costs to compete with Netflix in the streaming wars, as was the rest of Hollywood in regards to their respective streaming ventures. But much has changed over the last few years. The “streaming at all costs” mentality has settled down. While the 2025 box office was a major disappointment, things have improved greatly from the very down year that was 2021, and studios like Disney are investing more heavily in theatrical releases, especially with regard to franchise filmmaking. For that reason, Disney has the opportunity to make a much-needed course correction with this franchise. **Hocus Pocus 3 could be a box office smash in the making** Releasing “Hocus Pocus 2” on Disney+ made sense on one hand, given that the original “Hocus Pocus” was a box office flop that became a cult classic. It’s easy to forget that at the time of the original’s release (in July, rather perplexingly), it was a pretty big disappointment, taking in less than $50 million worldwide on a $28 million budget. But cable television helped cement it as a true classic. That much was made clear based on how well “Hocus Pocus 2” performed on Disney+. Per Variety, the sequel “broke records on the Nielsen Top 10 streaming charts, with 2.7 billion minutes viewed in its opening weekend. The movie also became the most-watched original film on Disney+ over its first three days of release.” We’ve seen in recent years that movies that are given theatrical releases tend to perform even better on streaming, even if they aren’t outright hits in theaters. To that end, the “Hocus Pocus” movies both dominated the Disney+ charts over Halloween last year. These movies have staying power. Critics didn’t exactly fall in love with the sequel, but “Hocus Pocus 3” could position itself as a bigger deal. Get more of the original stars back, and this could become a true legacy sequel event. Disney has learned the error of its ways. “Moana 2” was one of three Disney movies to make $1 billion in 2024. The same happened with “Lilo & Stitch.” Both movies were originally made with Disney+ in mind. It’s unlikely the studio is going to make the same mistake again. The upside is too great and the risk is relatively minimal if they can keep the budget somewhat in check. “Hocus Pocus 3” remains without a release date, but stay tuned. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Can%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20HP3%20Fix%20the%20HP2%20Problem%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Can%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20HP3%20Fix%20the%20HP2%20Problem%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Can%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20HP3%20Fix%20the%20HP2%20Problem%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Can%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20HP3%20Fix%20the%20HP2%20Problem%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Can%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20HP3%20Fix%20the%20HP2%20Problem%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2, Hocus Pocus 3, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Disney, #HP2, #HP3, #Problem, #SandersonSisters, #Sequel --- ### [A BonBon Short: Bette Midler - Soph Chef Joke!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/07/a-bonbon-short-bette-midler-soph-chef-joke/) **Published:** May 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A BonBon Short: Bette Midler - Soph Chef Joke! **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon A BonBon Short: Bette Midler – Soph Chef Joke! By Boodles BonBon May 7, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler performing on stage, microphone in hand, red curtain backdrop with the text 'CHEF JOKE BETTE' overlaid on the image.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-06_08-10-23.png "2026-05-06_08-10-23 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Chef%20Joke%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Chef%20Joke%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Chef%20Joke%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Chef%20Joke%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Chef%20Joke%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Soph Jokes, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ChefJoke, #SophJoke, #VideoShort --- ### [11 Years Ago, Bette Midler Said “Divine Intervention”](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/07/11-years-ago-bette-midler-said-divine-intervention/) **Published:** May 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s Divine Intervention Tour ran from May 8, 2015 to July 19, 2015, grossed $36.6 million, and earned strong reviews praising her vocals, humor, and stamina. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty 11 Years Ago, Bette Midler Said “Divine Intervention” By Mister D May 8, 2026 --- ![Bette Midler smiling on a pink star-covered album cover for 'Divine Intervention'.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-06_08-43-56.png "2026-05-06_08-43-56 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler’s [**Divine Intervention Tour**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/divine-intervention/) ran from May 8, 2015 to July 19, 2015, grossed $36.6 million, and earned strong reviews praising her vocals, humor, and stamina. **? Overview** The Divine Intervention Tour was [**Bette Midler’s**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) tenth concert tour and her first global tour in over a decade, launched to promote her 2014 album It’s the Girls! It covered 32 shows across the U.S., Canada, England, and Scotland. **? Opening & Closing Dates** Opening: May 8, 2015 — Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida Closing: July 19, 2015 — The O2, London, England **? Grosses & Attendance** The tour earned a total box office gross of $36,643,276 across 32 shows. Individual shows frequently sold out, including: Hollywood, FL — 10,211 / 10,211, $1.35M San Jose — 10,111 / 10,111, $1.32M Seattle — 9,640 / 9,640, $1.12M **? Critical Reception** Reviews were overwhelmingly positive. Creative Loafing Tampa praised her energy, humor, and vocal power, noting the “sass, the sashay, the big sound and the unabashed emotion” — marveling at her command of the stage. Critics highlighted her blend of camp, classic vocals, sharp comedy, and lavish production, calling it one of her strongest late?career tours. **? Setlist Highlights** The tour mixed girl?group tributes, signature ballads, and deep?cut comedy numbers. Representative songs included: Divine Intervention I’ve Still Got My Health Waterfalls (TLC cover) I Put a Spell on You The Rose From a Distance Wind Beneath My Wings Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Final shows added: “Friends” (last 4 shows) “Soul to Soul” (final London show) **? Fun Trivia** Winifred Sanderson returns: Bette performed a segment in full Hocus Pocus Winifred drag, complete with I Put a Spell on You. First global tour since early 2000s: Her previous large?scale touring had paused during her Vegas residency years. Girl?group homage: The show leaned heavily into It’s the Girls! with Ronettes, Crystals, and Andrews Sisters material. High production value: The tour featured elaborate staging, dancers, and comedic interludes reminiscent of her 1970s–1990s concert persona. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=11%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Said%20%E2%80%9CDivine%20Intervention%E2%80%9D&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=11%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Said%20%E2%80%9CDivine%20Intervention%E2%80%9D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=11%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Said%20%E2%80%9CDivine%20Intervention%E2%80%9D&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=11%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Said%20%E2%80%9CDivine%20Intervention%E2%80%9D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=11%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Said%20%E2%80%9CDivine%20Intervention%E2%80%9D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Divine Intervention, History, On This Day In History, Tours **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #DivineIntervention, #OnThisDayInHistory, #tour --- ### [Bette Midler To Perform At Concert For 1st Amendment June 14](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/07/bette-midler-to-perform-at-concert-for-1st-amendment-june-14/) **Published:** May 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Rise Up, Sing Out streams live on June 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster or via the concert website, **Content:** --- ## Rolling Stone Bette Midler, Joy Reid, Sasha Allen, and more will join Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14 By Charisma Madarang May 7, 2026 --- ![Poster for The Committee for the First Amendment presenting 'Rise Up Sing Out' — a concert for the First Amendment, featuring listed performers, on Sunday June 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET at The Town Hall.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/690294079_1593137345508821_5939731334846069280_n-819x1024.jpg "690294079_1593137345508821_5939731334846069280_n - bootleg betty")--- In an evening of solidarity, Hollywood leaders will come together on Sunday, June 14, in New York City for [**Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment**](https://www.thetownhall.org/event/rise-up-sing-out-a-concert-for-the-first-amendment). Jane Fonda, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/special-events/), Joy Reid, Patti Smith, Rufus Wainwright, Sasha Allen, and Broadway Inspirational Voices are set to appear and perform at the event, which will span 90-minutes and be available to stream online for free. National partner organizations and local civic groups will also host watch parties across the country. All proceeds from the event will go toward the work of the Committee for the First Amendment, which was revived in 2025 by Fonda and other members in the entertainment industry during the first year of the second Trump administration. “Music has long been a tool to stand up to authoritarianism, and I am honored to spend the evening with these fiercely committed, talented, and brilliant people to celebrate our First Amendment rights,” Fonda said in a statement. “As we continue to watch bad faith leaders take more and more power, it is critical that we gather together, raise our voices collectively, and stand united against this administration — and have some fun while doing it.” A press release bills the gathering as an “evening of song, solidarity, and action that will celebrate the freedoms guaranteed by our First Amendment, of speech, religion, press, assembly, and protest,” adding, “In a moment when authoritarians are increasing their attacks on our freedoms and communities, this is an opportunity for people across the country to rise up.” Wainwright called Rise Up, Sing Out what the moment “demands.” “Music has always been the language of resistance. When this administration comes for our freedoms, music is how we remember who we are and what we’re fighting for,” the singer-songwriter and activist said in a statement. “So let’s come together, raise our voices, and remind them exactly who this country belongs to.” Rise Up, Sing Out streams live on June 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster or via the [**concert website**](https://riseupsingout.com/), where viewers can also sign up to host or attend a local watch party. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Perform%20At%20Concert%20For%201st%20Amendment%20June%2014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Perform%20At%20Concert%20For%201st%20Amendment%20June%2014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Perform%20At%20Concert%20For%201st%20Amendment%20June%2014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Perform%20At%20Concert%20For%201st%20Amendment%20June%2014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Perform%20At%20Concert%20For%201st%20Amendment%20June%2014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Concert For The First Amendment, concerts, Special Events **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #ConcertForTheFirstAmendment, #JaneFonda, #SpecialEvent, RufusWainright --- ### [Hocus Pocus 3 Is Officially Happening](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/06/hocus-pocus-3-is-officially-happening/) **Published:** May 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Hocus Pocus 3 is officially in early development from Disney Live Action Studios **Content:** --- ## Deadline ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ In Works With Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker & Kathy Najimy Back Rosey Cordero May 6, 2026 --- ![Three women in colorful witch costumes pose together against a starry night backdrop.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-06_14-17-23.png "2026-05-06_14-17-23 - bootleg betty") --- **EXCLUSIVE:** *[Hocus Pocus](https://deadline.com/tag/hocus-pocus/) 3* is officially in early development from [Disney](https://deadline.com/tag/disney/) Live Action Studios, with stars [Bette Midler](https://deadline.com/tag/bette-midler/), [Sarah Jessica Parker](https://deadline.com/tag/sarah-jessica-parker/) and [Kathy Najimy](https://deadline.com/tag/kathy-najimy/) reprising their roles as the Sanderson sisters. We understand there are plans for a theatrical distribution component this time around, following the success of 2022’s straight-to-streaming Hocus Pocus 2, available exclusively on Disney+. However, the studio declined to comment as the project is still in its infancy. News of a third installment of the bewitching films was announced in 2023 by Sean Bailey, former President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production. After Bailey’s exit from Disney in 2024, Hocus Pocus 3 was left in limbo. It’s been just shy of three years since talk of the newest sequel reached a fever pitch, after Midler revealed a “brilliant” script was ready but “producers \[were\] working out ‘all those logistical things’ before they can return to complete the trilogy.” Sources tell me the halt in negotiations came down to salary negotiations with Midler, Parker and Najimy, all of which have been worked out. **Plot details for Hocus Pocus 3 are under wraps.** Released in 1993, Hocus Pocus is set on a Halloween Night when three 17th century witches — Winnie (Midler), Sarah (Parker), and Mary (Najimy) — are resurrected in Salem, Massachusetts, hundreds of years after their heyday. Without missing a beat, the trio attempts to steal the life essence from the town’s children so they can have eternal life. Directed by Kenny Ortega, The film also starred Omri Katz, Thora Birch, James Marsden and Sean Murray. The logline for Hocus Pocus 2 (2022): It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th century sisters, and they are looking for revenge. Now it is up to three high school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallows’ Eve. The sequel, directed by Anne Fletcher, also starred Hannah Waddingham, Belissa Escobedo, Tony Hale and Whitney Peak. Many former cast members mentioned above have spoken openly about wanting to return to the Sanderson coven, including Birch and Marsden. If it indeed is the final installment of the Hocus Pocus films, it would be great fan service to bring back some familiar faces. Across her lengthy career, Midler has received four Grammys, two Oscar nominations, three Emmy Awards and two Tony Awards. Along with Hocus Pocus, she has been recognized for standout roles in films including The Rose, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Beaches and The First Wives Club. Midler is represented by CAA. Two-time Emmy winner Parker led the Sex and the City TV franchise and its film sequels. Her film credits also include Ed Wood, The Family Stone and The First Wives Club. Parker is represented by CAA and Schreck Rose Dapello. Najimy is known for her roles in films including Sister Act, Rat Race, The Wedding Planner and most recently Hoppers. She is represented by Independent Artist Group. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Is%20Officially%20Happening&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Is%20Officially%20Happening%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Is%20Officially%20Happening&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Is%20Officially%20Happening%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Is%20Officially%20Happening%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus 3, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Disney, #HocusPocus3, #kathynajimy, #SarahJessicaParker --- ### [The Bette Midler song Samedi et Vendredi...Meaning?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/06/the-bette-midler-song-samedi-et-vendredi-meaning/) **Published:** May 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "Samedi et Vendredi" (Saturday and Friday) is the French-language section of Bette Midler's track "Shiver Me Timbers / Samedi et Vendredi" **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Bette Midler song Samedi et Vendredi…Meaning? By Mister D May 7, 2026 --- ![Dancer in a flowing white robe with red shoes, mid-mance on a pale backdrop; tracklist text appears on the right side of the cover.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/DSCF6963.jpg "Dscf6963 - bootleg betty")--- “[**Samedi et Vendredi**](https://youtu.be/kPDQB4vjCCY)” (Saturday and Friday) is the French-language section of [**Bette Midler’s** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/magazines/)track “Shiver Me Timbers / Samedi et Vendredi” from her 1976 album Songs for the New Depression. **Why It’s Backwards:** Bette flips the days on purpose — a little cabaret chaos to signal that the whole French monologue lives in dream logic, not calendar logic. In her subconscious, even the weekend refuses to behave. **Vibe:** French fever dream • Diva disorientation • Weekend out of order It’s presented as a medley: The first part is a cover of Tom Waits’ “Shiver Me Timbers” (with some lyric variations), a dreamy, seafaring song about leaving home, following the call of the sea/wind, and embracing solitude/adventure (with nautical references like Captain Ahab and “shiver me timbers”). It transitions into “Samedi et Vendredi”, an original piece co-credited to Bette Midler and Moogy Klingman. Bette sings it entirely in French. **Meaning and Style** “Samedi et Vendredi” is a humorous, surreal, and playful list song—a lighthearted, cabaret-style parody of Alice Cooper’s 1975 hit “Welcome to My Nightmare.” It evokes a dreamlike (or nightmarish) parade of celebrities and figures who “visit” the singer in her sleep. The title lists days of the week (Saturday and Friday, plus Monday and Sunday in the lyrics), creating a whimsical, everyday-to-absurd feel. The song name-drops a eclectic mix of actors, musicians, dancers, politicians, and cultural icons (some living, some deceased at the time), blending high and low culture in a fun, tongue-in-cheek way. It ends by repeating “Bienvenus à mes cauchemars” (“Welcome to my nightmares”), tying into the Alice Cooper reference. The sausage-eating line adds absurd humor. Overall, it’s showbiz flair rather than deep philosophy—fitting Bette’s theatrical persona. **Key Lyrics and Translation (French Section)** Here’s the core French part with its English translation (approximate, as it’s poetic/sung): **Samedi et vendredi et lundi et dimanche.** Saturday and Friday and Monday and Sunday. **Anouilh, Belmondo, Fernandel et Bardot, Montalban, Ricardo… (etc.)** Lists figures like Jean Anouilh (playwright), Jean-Paul Belmondo, Fernandel, Brigitte Bardot, Ricardo Montalbán… Sandra Dee, Dame May Whitty… Henry et Nancy et Vaslav Nijinsky et Lucy et Desi… …Sandra Dee, Dame May Whitty, Henry and Nancy (possibly Kissinger or Fonda context), Vaslav Nijinsky, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz… **J’aime tous les gens dont je parle, vous savez. Parce qu’ils viennent me voir quand je dors. Je chante de petites chansons pour eux… Je danse plaisante, veux être morte.** I love all the people I’m talking about, you know. Because they come visit me when I sleep. I sing little songs for them… I dance to please, want to be dead. Later verses add Pacino, Jackson Five, Simone Signoret, Zizi Jeanmaire, Mamie Eisenhower, Ursula Andress, etc., ending with Larry, Curly, et Moe (Three Stooges), Dylan et DeNiro, Marcello (Mastroianni), and the sausage bit. **Ils sont ici dans mes cauchemars… Parce que je mange. Je mange de saucisson… Bienvenus à mes cauchemars.** They are here in my nightmares… And do you know why? Because I eat. I eat sausage… Welcome to my nightmares. (Repeated.) The full track blends wistful wandering with this giddy dream sequence, showcasing Bette’s versatility (and her debut as a songwriter on the album). It’s a fun, lesser-known deep cut that highlights her love for eclectic references and French flair. You can find the full track on streaming platforms or her albums. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Bette%20Midler%20song%20Samedi%20et%20Vendredi...Meaning%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20song%20Samedi%20et%20Vendredi...Meaning%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20song%20Samedi%20et%20Vendredi...Meaning%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20song%20Samedi%20et%20Vendredi...Meaning%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20song%20Samedi%20et%20Vendredi...Meaning%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Music, Songs, Songs For The New Depression **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #SamedietVendredi, #ShiverMeTimbers, #Song, #SongsForTheNewDepressiom --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - Hello Dolly (Complete)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/06/video-bette-midler-hello-dolly-complete/) **Published:** May 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s Hello, Dolly! was a lavish, joy?bomb Broadway revival (2017–2018) that earned her a Tony Award **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Hello Dolly (Complete) By Dylan Delmonico May 7, 2026 --- ![Two actors at a stage dinner: a man in a dark suit and gold waistcoat stands beside a table, while a woman in a red lace dress with a tall pink feathered hat gestures animatedly across it.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-05_17-29-01.png "2026-05-05_17-29-01 - bootleg betty") --- --- Bette Midler’s [**Hello, Dolly!**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/hello-dolly/) was a lavish, joy-bomb Broadway revival (2017–2018) that earned her a Tony Award and re-cemented the show as a classic of musical comedy. **What the Revival Was** The 2017 Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! opened at the Shubert Theatre on April 20, 2017, starring [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) as Dolly Gallagher Levi. It was the first major Broadway revival in over 20 years and paid tribute to the original Gower Champion staging while giving it a fresh, high-gloss energy. **Why It Mattered** **Cast:** David Hyde Pierce (Horace), Gavin Creel (Cornelius, Tony winner), Kate Baldwin (Irene), plus a stacked ensemble. **Huge hit:** 34 previews, 550 performances, closing August 25, 2018. **Awards:** Won 4 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical for Midler. **What Made Midler’s Dolly Special** Midler’s Dolly was grand, mischievous, warm, and deeply comic—a return to the big, brassy, vaudeville-infused **persona she built her career on. Critics and audiences described her performance as a “once-in-a-generation star turn.” Her entrance in the Harmonia Gardens sequence routinely stopped the show. The Story (in brief) Dolly Levi, a widowed matchmaker, heads to Yonkers to arrange a marriage for the cranky half.** millionaire Horace Vandergelder—while secretly planning to marry him herself. Along the way she engineers romances for Cornelius, Barnaby, Irene, and Minnie, all culminating in a joyful, full company finale. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Hello%20Dolly%20%28Complete%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Hello%20Dolly%20%28Complete%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Hello%20Dolly%20%28Complete%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Hello%20Dolly%20%28Complete%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Hello%20Dolly%20%28Complete%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Hello Dolly!, Theatre, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #Complete, #HelloDolly, #Theater, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler Wishes You Happy Cinco De Mayo!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/06/bette-midler-wishes-you-happy-cinco-de-mayo/) **Published:** May 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Happy Cinco De Mayo! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Wishes You Happy Cinco De Mayo! By Mister D May 5, 2026 --- ![Female singer with red hair in a sparkling silver dress sings into a microphone on a stage, with two topless backup dancers in the background.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-06_06-02-17.png "2026-05-06_06-02-17 - bootleg betty") --- **Happy Cinco De Mayo!** \#BetteMidler sings #FiestaInRio with the #StaggeringHarlettes, ##UlaHedwig, #CharloCrossley, and #SharonRedd Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Wishes%20You%20Happy%20Cinco%20De%20Mayo%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Wishes%20You%20Happy%20Cinco%20De%20Mayo%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Wishes%20You%20Happy%20Cinco%20De%20Mayo%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Wishes%20You%20Happy%20Cinco%20De%20Mayo%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Wishes%20You%20Happy%20Cinco%20De%20Mayo%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Holiday, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CincoDeMayo, #FiestaInRio, #Holiday, #Rio --- ### [History Of Paying Tribute To Late Night Talk Show Hosts](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/05/history-of-paying-tribute-to-late-night-talk-show-hosts/) **Published:** May 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Ever since Bette Midler made Johnny Carson sniffle with a farewell song, the long emotional goodbye has become its own late-night tradition **Content:** --- ## DNYUZ What Do We Lose When ‘The Late Show’ Goes Away? By Jason Zinoman May 5, 2026 --- ![Talk-show scene with a female guest in a black dress showing a card while smiling, seated next to a smiling male host at a wooden desk with coffee mugs and plants behind them](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-05_11-52-00.png "2026-05-05_11-52-00 - bootleg betty") --- The final months of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” have followed a familiar script with a procession of celebrities getting a little sincere and paying tribute through sad songs and art projects. John Lithgow read a celebratory poem titled “The Mighty Colbert.” Jake Tapper brought a painting of the host as a version of Gollum from “The Lord of the Rings,” a Colbert obsession. Nathan Lane sang a ballad called “Laughing Matters.” Jimmy Fallon and Billy Crystal each gave their spin on Sinatra standards. Ever since [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/television/#.VhugxFRViko)made Johnny Carson sniffle with a farewell song, the long emotional goodbye has become its own late-night tradition, cloying to some, moving to others. It is enough of a recognizable trope to be a reminder that with CBS’s cancellation of “The Late Show,” we are losing not just [**Stephen Colbert**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Colbert), but also an institution. By the time of its May 21 finale, the program, believe it or not, will have been on the air longer than the Carson version of “The Tonight Show.” With CBS’s new owners under pressure to appease an administration with the authority to approve their buyout, the network could have replaced the host, but instead it got rid of the entire show. For context, the president has been calling for the firing of the host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” the other longtime 11:30 p.m. alternative to “The Tonight Show,” the grande dame of late night. It’s become unfashionable to defend institutions. Polls tell us that no one trusts them, whether in the news media, academia or politics. And what they evoke (order, stability) is anathema to the irreverent sensibility of comedians. Asked about the decline of late-night shows, the former host Arsenio Hall told me that things always change, and that he’d prefer “The Tonight Show” be canceled than fade into irrelevance. When Conan O’Brien quit that NBC show in 2010 over a network push to move its time slot, arguing that it was better to leave than “damage” the franchise, Jerry Seinfeld poked fun at the idea of a late-night tradition. “How do you not get that this whole thing is phony?” he told the journalist Bill Carter, adding that talk shows were about the hosts, nothing more. “There’s no institution to offend.” I have long been sympathetic to Seinfeld’s position, comically exaggerated as it may have been. A healthy art form requires dynamism and new blood. No institution ever made me laugh. And yet, as “The Late Show” approaches its end, I find myself as sentimental as the guests singing melancholy melodies. What exactly are we losing with the end of “The Late Show”? TO BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND, it’s helpful to return to the beginning. It was fall 1993, and the late-night talk show was more culturally relevant, I’d argue, than at any point in history. The year before, “The Larry Sanders Show,” a classic TV series that satirized the genre with meticulous insider detail, premiered on HBO and Bill Clinton was elected president, his electoral prospects helped by playing the saxophone on “The Arsenio Hall Show.” The genre loomed so large in popular culture that the competition among hosts was regularly and unironically referred to as a war. “The Late Show” was born out of a beef. David Letterman and Jay Leno, who both were regulars at the Comedy Store in Hollywood in the 1970s, badly wanted to succeed Carson as host of “The Tonight Show.” And when Leno got the job, Letterman left his program, which aired at 12:30 a.m. after “The Tonight Show” on NBC, signed a huge contract and decamped for CBS to create what we now consider an institution, one that competed directly against Leno. It was the talk-show equivalent of an 18th-century gentleman peeling off his glove and throwing it at the feet of his rival. With the diminished state of late night in today’s fragmented culture, it might be hard to understand the passion behind this competition between men in suits joking at desks. But make no mistake: It was the Kendrick Lamar-Drake drama of its day. Late-night hosts defined sensibilities and inspired toxic fandoms. Take me, for example: Back then, on the cusp of college, I assumed anyone who preferred Leno was not worth knowing. To paraphrase the critic Kenneth Tynan’s review of “Look Back in Anger,” I doubt I could love someone who didn’t enjoy Letterman. This helps explain my lack of girlfriends. For a certain class of callow comedy aficionados, Leno represented a meat-and-potatoes mainstream standup and the bland establishment, while Letterman carried an irreverent aesthete appeal, an ironist who delighted in formal experimentation, mocking his bosses and the conventions of the talk show. “The Late Show” meant an earlier time slot for Letterman, but it signaled something broader than that, a test of public taste, a chance for justice to be served, a cause to get behind. The ’90s were a simpler time. The first time I went to New York without my family, it was to attend the taping of its 10th episode. I made this pilgrimage because I wanted to see my favorite talk show but also — I cringe typing this — it felt important. What I recall is less the jokes or the performance by Robert Plant so much as the hothouse atmosphere. The line outside had the feel of a Taylor Swift concert. The crowd responded to every joke at a fever pitch. I was surrounded by fellow true believers. STEPHEN COLBERT IS a very different performer from Letterman, but when he got the job as Letterman’s successor at “The Late Show,” it represented a kind of continuity. He also inspired comedy-nerd passion and stood out as a performer with ambition. Letterman put on what was considered an anti-talk show, a stark contrast to “The Tonight Show,” even down to putting the desk on the opposite side of the stage. Colbert had done something similar at Comedy Central: he followed the righteous voice of “The Daily Show” with a coolly virtuosic spoof, “The Colbert Report.” Like Letterman, he reinvented a form by mastering the art of saying the opposite of what he meant. Since it was built in opposition to its NBC rival, “The Late Show” was both an institution and anti-institutional. Colbert kept that dual spirit alive. Colbert put on a more traditional show than “The Colbert Report” but found eccentric ways for “The Late Show” to express his personality, whether that be his habit of reciting poems by heart to movie stars, his loving interview with Stephen Sondheim or a monologue delivered from his bathtub. The most obvious way “Late Show” remained counterprogramming involved current events: while “The Tonight Show,” led by Jimmy Fallon since 2014, has aimed for light apolitical fare, Colbert has responded to our moment by becoming forceful in his comic attacks on President Trump. The cancellation of Colbert’s show right before a deal that needed government approval has given his exit an additional resonance. In recent months, Colbert has leaned into Democratic political guests like James Talarico, Elizabeth Warren and (on May 5) Barack Obama. Talk-show hosts like Letterman have always made fun of presidents, network executives, bosses. Some think Colbert became too partisan and predictable to be funny, but even if true, this was an attempt to not just engage with our politicized era, but also to fill the role of topical host. In a recent GQ interview, Colbert said he was more conservative than people think. I believe him. The case for institutions is usually framed as preserving stability, reliability and other virtues that clash with what audiences want from comedy. But sometimes you need the stodgy power of institutions in service of irreverent art. They allow artists to reach new audiences and take risks they wouldn’t otherwise. Among television comedy institutions, “The Daily Show” has proved to be a sturdy format that can support and boost many different hosts and correspondents. Then there’s “Saturday Night Live,” whose success can be attributed to its ability to reinvent itself while preserving an essential DNA. Morgan Neville’s new documentary, “Lorne,” makes the argument that the “S.N.L.” producer Lorne Michaels has protected artists in ways that will be difficult when he is gone. As evidence, the shows that Michaels produces (“S.N.L.,” “Late Night With Seth Meyers” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”) haven’t even appeared to buckle to political pressure unlike the programs on ABC and CBS. CBS claimed it canceled “The Late Show” for financial reasons, and it’s true that it was a more expensive production than Letterman’s version, let alone the bare-bones podcasts of today. The huge amounts of attention and fervor created by the drama between Leno and Letterman that gave birth to “The Late Show” helped justify the scale and budgets of late-night television. When Letterman moved to CBS, he put on a less scrappy, more costly show, which decades later made it more vulnerable to bean-counting budget-cutters. The future of late-night will look more like a video podcast, and it’s hard to imagine the big-show aspect returning. Look at the replacement. Byron Allen’s “Comics Unleashed” is as cheaply made as possible. It’s a panel of stand-ups peddling their jokes. CBS didn’t program this show. It leased the time slot to Allen, who is in charge of selling his own ads. This is the most low-risk, low-reward option the network could have taken. It can’t lose money or make much cultural noise with “Comics Unleashed.” Norm Macdonald once described appearing on the show this way: “You could not have been more leashed.” When I asked Letterman about the end of his show, he sounded concerned about Colbert but initially cleareyed about change. The institution he created mattered less to him than the people. “It’s always the person, the personality, and then everything else,” he told me by phone, adding that he followed in the footsteps of others on CBS like Merv Griffin. And yet, when asked if he could imagine the end of “The Tonight Show” on NBC, he reacted quickly. “Absolutely not,” he said. Letterman was a teenager when Carson started hosting “The Tonight Show,” around the same age I was when I started watching Letterman. Perhaps the power of a long-running show is that your connection to it evolves over time — and if that attachment began in childhood, it is more likely to endure. There’s clearly an emotional connection that fans have to longtime showbiz institutions, but is it only that? The debate over whether Colbert was canceled for business or political reasons gives short shrift to the technological explanation. I don’t just mean how the internet added competition or incentivized virality over ratings. The ideology of Silicon Valley, the source of the fortune that bought CBS, is rooted in a faith in disruption. But the theory of moving fast and breaking things can be reckless as well as contrary to sound business logic. Holding onto tradition can actually be far more hardheaded, relying on the value of nostalgia and brand names. Moreover, if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past few decades of digital revolution, it’s that institutions are much easier to destroy than build. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=History%20Of%20Paying%20Tribute%20To%20Late%20Night%20Talk%20Show%20Hosts&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=History%20Of%20Paying%20Tribute%20To%20Late%20Night%20Talk%20Show%20Hosts%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=History%20Of%20Paying%20Tribute%20To%20Late%20Night%20Talk%20Show%20Hosts&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=History%20Of%20Paying%20Tribute%20To%20Late%20Night%20Talk%20Show%20Hosts%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=History%20Of%20Paying%20Tribute%20To%20Late%20Night%20Talk%20Show%20Hosts%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Talk Show, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ConanOBrien, #DavidLetterman, #JayLeno, #JimmyKimmel, #JohnnyCarson, #LateNight, #StephenColbert, #TalkShowHosts --- ### [How Did Beaches Fare In The Tony Nominations?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/05/how-did-beaches-fare-in-the-tony-nominations/) **Published:** May 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** t wasn’t a surprise, but it still must sting like a jellyfish: Beaches, the new Broadway musical based on Iris Rainer Dart’s novel received not one Tony nomination this morning **Content:** --- ## Theatermania Beached: Who Didn’t Get Nominated for a 2026 Tony Award? By Zachary Stewart May 5, 2026 --- ![Two girls in red and turquoise dresses sit on a sunlit beach, with a large orange 'BEACHES' title and the subtitle 'A love story about friendship' and 'A NEW MUSICAL'.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-05_12-18-45-1024x432.png "2026-05-05_12-18-45 - bootleg betty")--- It wasn’t a surprise, but it still must sting like a jellyfish: Beaches, the new Broadway musical based on Iris Rainer Dart’s novel (but not, it must be stressed, the far more popular [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/theatre/) movie) received not one Tony nomination this morning—not even for [**Jessica Vosk,**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Vosk) who was widely praised for her leading performance as Cee Cee Bloom, the one bright spot in mostly dismal reviews (to be perfectly transparent, I loved it). The show has been performing terribly at the box office, grossing $476,871.20 in the final week of April. That’s a deadly number in a big theater like the Majestic. The producers were almost certainly holding out for a Tony nom or two as a lifeline. Now that we know that door has been shut, a closing notice cannot be far behind. Some big names were also excluded from the nominations: Neither Lea Michele not Aaron Tveit were nominated for Chess, although their castmates Nicholas Christopher, Bryce Pinkham, and Hannah Cruz were. That much-talked-about revival of a famously irksome musical received five total nominations—but not for Best Revival. Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle, both making their Broadway debuts in Proof, were excluded from the list. The revival of David Auburn’s Tony-winning play received no nominations—not even for Kara Young, who has been nominated every year since 2022. Jon Berenthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach of Dog Day Afternoon were left out, as were playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis and director Rupert Goold, although the stage adaptation of Frank Pierson’s 1975 film did pick up a few well-earned design noms. Micah Stock and Laurie Metcalf were not nominated for their performances in Little Bear Ridge Road, but playwright Samuel D. Hunter’s Broadway debut was included in the Best Play category just days after it was named Best Play by the New York Drama Critics’ Circle. And Laurie Metcalf will still be there as a nominee in the Featured category for her performance in Death of a Salesman—her seventh career nomination. The only actor to be nominated from the revival of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone was Ruben Santiago-Hudson, leaving out Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson, and Joshua Boone. The production did receive five total nominations, including Best Original Score for Steve Bargonetti. Two-time Academy Award winner Adrien Brody was not nominated for his Broadway debut in The Fear of 13. The nominators also passed over the Art boys: Bobby Cannavale, James Corden, and Neil Patrick Harris. The producers of that now-closed revival will have to content themselves with financial success: It actually recouped! Neither Keanu Reeves nor Alex Winters was nominated for the revival of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot. But in the anti-snubs column, I’m thrilled the nominators remembered Brandon J. Dirden for his superb performance as Pozzo. Jean Smart, who opened the season with a moving performance in Call Me Izzy, was also passed over by the nominators, further frustrating Deborah Vance’s quest to EGOT. Cynthia Nixon was not nominated for her performance in Marjorie Prime, but Danny Burstein picked up his ninth career nomination for his portrayal of Jon, making him the most-nominated male actor of all time. And 96-year-old June Squibb will join him that night as the oldest nominee ever for her performance in the title role. I’m a little bummed the nominators didn’t recognize Madeline Brewer for her portrayal of the title role in Becky Shaw, which critic Hayley Levitt described as “a twinkling human grenade.” Her co-star Alden Ehrenreich was nominated, however, and so was the production for Best Revival of a Play. We knew Revival of a Play would be a tough category this year, and the list of snubs bears that out: Acclaimed productions like Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Marjorie Prime, and Bug were left out (although all three shows received multiple noms in other categories). Most surprising was the inclusion of Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe’s feelgood solo show Every Brilliant Thing, and Daniel Radcliffe also received a nod for his performance, which has him running through the house eight times a week. As expected, the nominators treated The Queen of Versailles like a bad dream, with not one nomination going to Stephen Schwartz and Lindsey Ferrentino’s white elephant musical, which opened to bad reviews in November and unceremoniously closed in December. Kristin Chenoweth starred in the production; and in an echo of what happened to her Wicked co-star Idina Menzel last season, when she was passed up for Redwood, Chenoweth was not nominated. That show’s director, Michael Arden, will still be prominently featured at the televised awards ceremony on June 7. He was nominated for helming The Lost Boys, the biggest new musical this season and a favorite (though not guaranteed) to win Best Musical. Several of the categories will be real nail-biters this year, which should make this an interesting month. Check back in with TheaterMania for our complete coverage of the 2026 Tony Awards. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20Did%20Beaches%20Fare%20In%20The%20Tony%20Nominations%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20Did%20Beaches%20Fare%20In%20The%20Tony%20Nominations%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20Did%20Beaches%20Fare%20In%20The%20Tony%20Nominations%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20Did%20Beaches%20Fare%20In%20The%20Tony%20Nominations%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20Did%20Beaches%20Fare%20In%20The%20Tony%20Nominations%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Tonys **Tags:** #BeachesTheMusical, #BetteMidler, #JessicaVosk, #Nominations, #Snubs, #Tonys --- ### [What is the meaning of Bette Midler's Surabaya Johnny?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/05/what-is-the-meaning-of-bette-midlers-surabaya-johnny/) **Published:** May 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Across all interpretations, “Surabaya Johnny” is a monologue from a woman who fell for a charming drifter who promised stability, adventure, and devotion — all lies. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty What is the meaning of Bette Midler’s Surabaya Johnny? By Mister D May 5, 2026 --- ![Woman with curly blonde hair sits on a dark stage in a glittering red-sequin dress, legs crossed, looking to the side as stage lights shine nearby.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/s-l160013.jpg "S-l160013 - bootleg betty") --- --- **What is the meaning of Bette Midler’s Interpretation of Surabaya Johnny?** Bette Midler’s interpretation of “Surabaya Johnny” emphasizes the song’s core meaning: a woman confronting the wreckage of a toxic, exploitative relationship while still feeling devastating, irrational love. Her version leans into the emotional exhaustion, bitterness, and masochistic longing embedded in Brecht and Weill’s original text. **? What the song means — and what Midler brings out** Across all interpretations, “[**Surabaya Johnny**](https://lyricsmeanings.com/apollinaire-surabaya-johnny)” is a monologue from a woman who fell for a charming drifter who promised stability, adventure, and devotion — all lies. Midler’s performance highlights several key themes: Deception and disillusionment — Johnny seduces her with promises of a better life, only to reveal himself as violent, selfish, and emotionally vacant. Emotional and physical erosion — She looks in the mirror and sees “some old woman,” a metaphor for how the relationship has aged and depleted her. Midler leans into this line with a cracked, weary vocal tone. The paradox of loving someone destructive — Even after the abuse, the abandonment, and the humiliation, she still burns at his touch and admits she loves him “like that very first day.” Midler’s delivery makes this contradiction feel painfully human rather than melodramatic. Power imbalance and exploitation — Johnny never wanted love; he wanted money, control, and someone to drag around. Midler’s phrasing sharpens the class and gender critique embedded in Brecht’s writing. **? Why Midler’s interpretation hits differently** [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/songs/) approaches the song not as a cabaret showpiece but as a character study. Her version is: More wounded than theatrical — She strips away some of the ironic detachment found in classic Brechtian performance and replaces it with raw ache. Vocally intimate — Midler uses breath, cracks, and spoken-word edges to make the narrator sound like she’s reliving the trauma in real time. Emotionally unguarded — Instead of judging the woman for staying, Midler embodies her, making the listener feel the psychological trap of loving someone who harms you. This shifts the song from political parable to deeply personal confession. **? The core meaning in one line** If you had to distill Midler’s interpretation into a single idea, it’s this: “I know you ruined me — and I still can’t stop loving you.” That tension is the engine of the entire performance. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=What%20is%20the%20meaning%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Surabaya%20Johnny%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=What%20is%20the%20meaning%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Surabaya%20Johnny%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=What%20is%20the%20meaning%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Surabaya%20Johnny%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=What%20is%20the%20meaning%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Surabaya%20Johnny%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=What%20is%20the%20meaning%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Surabaya%20Johnny%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Same Songs, Song Meanings **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Interpretation, #Music, #SongMeanings, #SurabayaJohnny --- ### [Bette Midler Makes UK SMOOTH Radio's ALL TIME TOP 20 2026… The Results!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/04/bette-midler-makes-uk-smooth-radios-all-time-top-20-2026-the-results/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Below are the Top 20, and for the first time, 3 of Michael Jackson's songs are in the Top 10! **Content:** --- ## Vibe Bette Midler Makes UK SMOOTH Radio’s ALL TIME TOP 20 2026… The Results! By Admin Team May 4, 2026 --- ![Female singer performing on stage, holding a microphone with a red and black outfit against a dark background](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/s-l160019.jpg "S-l160019 - bootleg betty") --- **Below are the Top 20, and for the first time, 3 of Michael Jackson’s songs are in the Top 10!** 1. George Michael – Careless Whisper 2. George Michael – A Different Corner 3. Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody 4. **Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror** 5. Simon and Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water 6. **Michael Jackson – Billie Jean** 7. Elton John and George Michael – Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me 8. **Michael Jackson – Human Nature** 9. Luther Vandross – Dance With My Father 10. Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill 11. **Bette Midler – Wind Beneath My Wings** 12. George Michael – Father Figure 13. Elvis Presley – Always On My Mind 14. Eagles – Hotel California 15. George Michael – Jesus To A Child 16. ABBA – Dancing Queen 17. Bryan Adams – (Everything I Do) I Do It For You 18. Elvis Presley – Suspicious Minds 19. Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You 20. George Michael – Fasterlove Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20UK%20SMOOTH%20Radio%27s%20ALL%20TIME%20TOP%2020%202026%E2%80%A6%20The%20Results%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20UK%20SMOOTH%20Radio%27s%20ALL%20TIME%20TOP%2020%202026%E2%80%A6%20The%20Results%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20UK%20SMOOTH%20Radio%27s%20ALL%20TIME%20TOP%2020%202026%E2%80%A6%20The%20Results%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20UK%20SMOOTH%20Radio%27s%20ALL%20TIME%20TOP%2020%202026%E2%80%A6%20The%20Results%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20UK%20SMOOTH%20Radio%27s%20ALL%20TIME%20TOP%2020%202026%E2%80%A6%20The%20Results%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Polls, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #SmoothRadio, #WindBeneathMyWings, Polls --- ### [What's the story behind Bette Midler's Cut Off?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/04/whats-the-story-behind-bette-midlers-cut-off/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Cut Off was pulled from Warner Bros.’ July 2026 release calendar after an unimpressive test screening and because no marketing materials had been released **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty What’s the story behind Bette Midler’s Cut Off? By Mister D May 4, 2026 --- ![Female singer performing on stage in a short, ruffled satin dress, holding a microphone.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/s-l160022.jpg "S-l160022 - bootleg betty") --- **Short answer:** Cut Off was pulled from Warner Bros.’ July 2026 release calendar after an unimpressive test screening and because no marketing materials had been released, making the delay low?risk. The studio has not canceled it—just removed it from the schedule while they reassess. **? What actually happened** Warner Bros. quietly removed Jonah Hill’s comedy Cut Off—co?starring Kristen Wiig, Bette Midler, Nathan Lane, and others—from its July 17, 2026 release slot. The film is now officially undated. **Two major factors drove the decision:** - **A weak test screening.** Multiple outlets reported that a recent audience test screening “wasn’t encouraging,” which often signals pacing, tone, or structural issues that need reworking. - **Zero promotional rollout.** No trailer, no stills, no poster—nothing. Because the studio hadn’t begun marketing, pulling it caused no reputational or financial damage, making a delay the easiest option. **? Why this matters for Bette Midler fans** Bette’s involvement—announced during fall 2025 production—was a big draw for Bootleg Betty watchers. But the removal from the schedule doesn’t reflect on her performance; it’s tied to the film’s overall readiness and reception, not cast issues. Studios often delay comedies when: - the tone isn’t landing in early cuts - reshoots or re?edits are needed - they want a better release window - they’re waiting for a more favorable marketing cycle Given that Cut Off is positioned as a “classic comedy” throwback in the vein of Step Brothers, Trading Places, and Clueless, Hill may be refining the edit to better match that promise. **? What’s the story behind the film itself?** **The premise:** Two wealthy siblings (Hill & Wiig) are suddenly cut off financially and must fend for themselves for the first time. Bette Midler appears in the ensemble cast alongside Nathan Lane, Camila Cabello, Adriana Barraza, and Chelsea Peretti. **Production timeline highlights:** - Announced March 2025 - Filmed in California starting September 2025 - Bette Midler & Nathan Lane joined during principal photography - Test screening held early 2026 - Removed from July 2026 release calendar in May 2026 **? So is it canceled?** No. Every source indicates the removal is temporary, and insiders expect a new release date once the studio decides how to reposition it. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=What%27s%20the%20story%20behind%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Cut%20Off%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=What%27s%20the%20story%20behind%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Cut%20Off%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=What%27s%20the%20story%20behind%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Cut%20Off%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=What%27s%20the%20story%20behind%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Cut%20Off%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=What%27s%20the%20story%20behind%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Cut%20Off%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CutOff, #Movie, #ReleaseSchedule --- ### [Marc Shaiman And Beaches Jessica Vosk Perform Otto Titzling](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/04/marc-shaiman-and-beaches-jessica-vosk-perform-otto-titzling/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Marc Shaiman And Beaches Jessica Vosk Perform Otto Titzling **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Marc Shaiman And Beaches Jessica Vosk Perform Otto Titzling By Marc Shaiman & Jessica Vox May 4, 2026 --- ![Woman singing into a microphone while an older man watches in a room with framed certificates on the wall and trophies on a shelf.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-04_10-44-39.png "2026-05-04_10-44-39 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Marc%20Shaiman%20And%20Beaches%20Jessica%20Vosk%20Perform%20Otto%20Titzling&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20And%20Beaches%20Jessica%20Vosk%20Perform%20Otto%20Titzling%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Marc%20Shaiman%20And%20Beaches%20Jessica%20Vosk%20Perform%20Otto%20Titzling&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20And%20Beaches%20Jessica%20Vosk%20Perform%20Otto%20Titzling%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20And%20Beaches%20Jessica%20Vosk%20Perform%20Otto%20Titzling%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #Beaches, #MarcShaiman, #OttoTitzsling, Jessica Vosk --- ### [Unlocking The Magic Of The Sanderson Sisters](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/04/unlocking-the-magic-of-the-sanderson-sisters/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Sanderson sisters are a popular Halloween costume, and they have been featured in numerous TV shows and movies. They are also the subject of a Broadway musical. **Content:** --- ## Common Ground News Unlocking The Magic Of The Sanderson Sisters By Staff May 3, 2026 --- ![Colorful watercolor portrait of a smiling woman with pink and orange hair, hand near her chin.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2019-04-04_13-47-44-480x579-1.jpg "2019-04-04_13-47-44-480x579 - bootleg betty") --- **Bewitching Sisters: Unlocking The Magic Of The Sanderson Sisters** **Who are the Sanderson sisters?** The Sanderson sisters are a trio of witches from the movie “Hocus Pocus.” They are played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. The sisters were hanged in the 1600s for practicing witchcraft, but they were resurrected 300 years later by a teenage boy named Max Dennison. The sisters are determined to suck the life out of children in order to regain their youth. The Sanderson sisters are a popular Halloween costume, and they have been featured in numerous TV shows and movies. They are also the subject of a Broadway musical. The sisters are known for their catchy songs, their over-the-top personalities, and their love of children. The Sanderson sisters are a reminder that even the most evil of creatures can be funny and charming. They are also a reminder that it is important to be careful what you wish for. **The Sanderson Sisters** The Sanderson sisters are a trio of witches from the movie “Hocus Pocus.” They are played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. The sisters were hanged in the 1600s for practicing witchcraft, but they were resurrected 300 years later by a teenage boy named Max Dennison. The sisters are determined to suck the life out of children in order to regain their youth. **Wicked Funny Charming Popular Iconic Unforgettable** The Sanderson sisters are a popular Halloween costume, and they have been featured in numerous TV shows and movies. They are also the subject of a Broadway musical. The sisters are known for their catchy songs, their over-the-top personalities, and their love of children. The Sanderson sisters are a reminder that even the most evil of creatures can be funny and charming. They are also a reminder that it is important to be careful what you wish for. **Wicked** The musical “Wicked” tells the story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy arrived. The musical explores the themes of good and evil, and how even the mostcan be corrupted by power. The Sanderson sisters from the movie “Hocus Pocus” are also witches, and they share many of the same characteristics as the witches in “Wicked.” Both groups of witches are powerful, ambitious, and determined to achieve their goals, no matter the cost. **Power** The witches in both “Wicked” and “Hocus Pocus” are powerful beings. They can cast spells, fly, and control the elements. They use their power to achieve their goals, which often involve harming others. **Ambition** The witches in both “Wicked” and “Hocus Pocus” are ambitious. They are not content with their lot in life, and they are always striving for more. This ambition often leads them to makechoices. **Determination** The witches in both “Wicked” and “Hocus Pocus” are determined to achieve their goals. They are not easily deterred by obstacles, and they will stop at nothing to get what they want. The Sanderson sisters are a reminder that even the mostcan be corrupted by power. They are also a reminder that it is important to be careful what you wish for. **Funny** The Sanderson sisters are funny because they are so over-the-top. They are not afraid to make fools of themselves, and they always find the humor in any situation. This makes them very endearing to audiences, who can’t help but laugh at their antics. The sisters’ humor is also very self-aware. They know that they are not the most powerful or intelligent witches, but they don’t let that stop them from having a good time. They are always making jokes about themselves, and they are always ready to laugh at their own mistakes. The Sanderson sisters’ humor is a reminder that it is okay to laugh at yourself. It is also a reminder that even the most difficult situations can be made better with a little bit of humor. **Charming** The Sanderson sisters are charming because they are so full of life. They are always singing, dancing, and joking around. They are also very kind to children, and they always have a smile on their faces. The sisters’ charm is a powerful force. It helps them to get what they want, even when they are up against powerful opponents. It also makes them very popular with audiences, who can’t help but be drawn to their infectious energy. The Sanderson sisters’ charm is a reminder that it is important to be yourself. It is also a reminder that even the most difficult situations can be made better with a little bit of kindness and humor. **Popular** The Sanderson sisters are popular because they are relatable. They are not the perfect witches, and they make mistakes just like everyone else. This makes them more endearing to audiences, who can see themselves in the sisters. **Nostalgia** The Sanderson sisters are a reminder of our childhood. They are the witches that we all loved to hate, and they still hold a special place in our hearts. This nostalgia is one of the reasons why the sisters are so popular. **Camp** The Sanderson sisters are campy. They are over-the-top and ridiculous, and that’s part of what makes them so fun to watch. This campiness is another reason why the sisters are so popular. **Cultural Impact** The Sanderson sisters have had a major cultural impact. They have been parodied and referenced in numerous TV shows, movies, and other forms of media. This cultural impact is a testament to the sisters’ popularity. The Sanderson sisters are popular because they are relatable, campy, and have had a major cultural impact. They are a reminder of our childhood, and they still hold a special place in our hearts. **Iconic** The Sanderson sisters are iconic because they are instantly recognizable and have had a lasting impact on popular culture. They are one of the most popular Halloween costumes, and they have been referenced in numerous TV shows, movies, and other forms of media. The sisters’ iconic status is due in part to their unique characters and their catchy songs. The Sanderson sisters are also iconic because they represent the spirit of Halloween. They are fun, spooky, and a little bit naughty. They are the perfect characters to help us celebrate the holiday. The sisters’ iconic status is a reminder that Halloween is a time to let loose and have some fun. The Sanderson sisters’ iconic status is a testament to their enduring popularity. They are a reminder that even the most unlikely characters can become icons. The sisters’ story is a reminder that anything is possible if you believe in yourself. **Unforgettable** The Sanderson sisters are unforgettable because they are complex characters who defy easy categorization. They can be funny, scary, and even sympathetic all at the same time. This complexity is what makes them so engaging and memorable. **Their motivations are relatable** The Sanderson sisters are not simply evil witches. They have their own motivations and desires, and these motivations are often relatable to audiences. For example, they want to be young and beautiful again. This is a desire that many people can understand, even if they don’t agree with the sisters’ methods of achieving it. **Their personalities are well-developed** The Sanderson sisters are not one-dimensional characters. They each have their own unique personality, and these personalities are well-developed throughout the movie. For example, Winifred is the leader of the sisters. She is bossy and demanding, but she also has a vulnerable side. Mary is the middle sister. She is clumsy and forgetful, but she is also kind and caring. Sarah is the youngest sister. She is vain and self-centered, but she is also loyal to her sisters. **Their relationship is believable** The Sanderson sisters have a believable relationship. They love each other, but they also fight and argue like real sisters. This relationship adds depth and realism to the characters. **Their songs are catchy** The Sanderson sisters’ songs are catchy and memorable. This helps to make the sisters even more unforgettable. The Sanderson sisters are unforgettable because they are complex, well-developed, and relatable characters. They are a reminder that even the most evil of creatures can have human qualities. The sisters are also a reminder that it is important to be yourself, even if you are different. **FAQs about the Sanderson Sisters** The Sanderson sisters are a trio of witches from the movie “Hocus Pocus.” They are played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. The sisters were hanged in the 1600s for practicing witchcraft, but they were resurrected 300 years later by a teenage boy named Max Dennison. The sisters are determined to suck the life out of children in order to regain their youth. Question 1: Are the Sanderson sisters real? Answer: No, the Sanderson sisters are not real. They are fictional characters created for the movie “Hocus Pocus.” Question 2: What are the Sanderson sisters’ names? Answer: The Sanderson sisters’ names are Winifred, Mary, and Sarah. Question 3: What are the Sanderson sisters’ powers? Answer: The Sanderson sisters have a variety of powers, including the ability to cast spells, fly, and control the elements. Question 4: What are the Sanderson sisters’ weaknesses? Answer: The Sanderson sisters’ weaknesses include sunlight, water, and salt. Question 5: What happened to the Sanderson sisters? Answer: The Sanderson sisters were defeated by Max Dennison and his friends. They were turned to dust and their spellbook was destroyed. Question 6: Are the Sanderson sisters coming back? Answer: There have been rumors that the Sanderson sisters are coming back for a sequel to “Hocus Pocus.” However, Disney has not yet confirmed these rumors. Summary of key takeaways or final thought: The Sanderson sisters are a popular Halloween costume, and they have been featured in numerous TV shows and movies. They are a reminder that even the most evil of creatures can be funny and charming. They are also a reminder that it is important to be careful what you wish for. Transition to the next article section: The Sanderson sisters are a complex and fascinating group of characters. They are a reminder that even the most evil of creatures can have human qualities. The sisters are also a reminder that it is important to be yourself, even if you are different. **Conclusion** The Sanderson sisters are a complex and fascinating group of characters. They are a reminder that even the most evil of creatures can have human qualities. The sisters are also a reminder that it is important to be yourself, even if you are different. The Sanderson sisters have been a part of popular culture for over 25 years. They have been featured in movies, TV shows, and even Broadway musicals. The sisters have also been the subject of numerous books and articles. The Sanderson sisters are a reminder that even the most unlikely characters can become icons. Their story is a reminder that anything is possible if you believe in yourself. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Unlocking%20The%20Magic%20Of%20The%20Sanderson%20Sisters&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Unlocking%20The%20Magic%20Of%20The%20Sanderson%20Sisters%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Unlocking%20The%20Magic%20Of%20The%20Sanderson%20Sisters&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Unlocking%20The%20Magic%20Of%20The%20Sanderson%20Sisters%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Unlocking%20The%20Magic%20Of%20The%20Sanderson%20Sisters%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HocusPocus, #kathynajimy, #Magic, #SandersonSisters, #SarahJessicaParker --- ### [Midler, Springsteen Songs Draw Liberal Fire](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/04/midler-springsteen-songs-draw-liberal-fire/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** It’s great that wealthy Democratic Party celebrities like Bette Midler and Bruce Springsteen dislike the deranged fascist lunatic atop the world’s most lethal superpower, but their stance on the United States’ 47th president falls far short of the menace posed by the Trump fascist regime. **Content:** --- ## CounterPunch “Let’s Vote to Save This Land” and “America Renews Itself” By Paul Street May 2, 2026 --- ![Side-by-side portrait: blonde woman in a black top on the left and a man in a dark suit on the right at a red-carpet event.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-02_14-34-09.png "2026-05-02_14-34-09 - bootleg betty") --- It’s great that wealthy Democratic Party celebrities like [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/music/) and [**Bruce Springsteen**](https://brucespringsteen.net/news/2026/bruce-springsteen-and-the-e-street-bands-land-of-hope-and-dreams-american-tour-announced-for-spring-2026/) dislike the deranged fascist lunatic atop the world’s most lethal superpower, but their stance on the United States’ 47th president falls far short of the menace posed by the Trump fascist regime. Midler and Springsteen’s statements are incommensurate with the historical moment – a time during which, “humanity,” in the words of Refuse Fascism (RF), “is held hostage by a fascist regime that is genocidal, hell-bent on destroying the environment and which every day is bolting into place a white supremacist, theocratic, patriarchal, immigrant-bashing, science-denying, fascist America. “Right now,” RF adds, “a fascist regime in power stands in the way of any chance at a decent future for humanity.” “This regime,” RF rightly insists, “will not be stopped by waiting for a midterm election that \[Trump operatives and allies\] are actively rigging. No one should believe that a tyrant who incited—and then pardoned—the January 6th insurrectionists will respect any election he loses.” The notion of waiting Trump out is capitulation, complicity, and advance surrender. It is, as RF says, “up to the many millions of people who do see the present existential danger to act now and make the demand TRUMP MUST GO NOW! — felt everywhere from the top to the bottom of this country.” **“Let’s Vote to Save This Land”** This is NOT how Bette Midler sees things. Look at Midler’s widely viewed new bourgeois rendition of the longtime labor-left folksinger Woody Guthrie’s iconic 1940 anti-fascist anthem “All You Fascists Bound to Lose.” The proletarian balladeer Guthrie sang about “people of every color…getting organized” to fight against fascism, “race hatred,” and capitalist “greed.” He said he’d bring his “union gun” to help those “marching across these fields where a million fascists die” to “end this world of slavery.” Woody’s focus was on the battle right now, in the present moment. By contrast, the main theme and the main reason the fascists are “bound to lose” in Midler’s watered-down version is that “we’re gonna win the midterms…America get ready,” Midler (with a net worth of $250 million) sings, “midterms are at hand. We’ve got to stick together and vote to save this land.” Midler says nothing about taking on racism or the greedy capitalist parasites or reaching out across racial lines to end modern slavery. She says nothing about the rest of the world. Her focus is on bourgeois elections a half year out — a half year out while the monstrous Trump-Vance-Miller-Rubio-Hegseth-Vought regime relentlessly and right now threatens everything decent people hold dear and all prospects for a decent future. While Woody sang from box cars and jungle camps and at labor, leftist, and civil rights rallies, Midler’s video ends with her and her fellow wealthy celebrity Barbara Hershey smiling on reclining chairs in leisure garb (holding up placards saying, “No Kings,” not “No Fuhrers” or “No Dictators” or “Remove the Dictators” or “Refuse Fascism,” or “Remove the Regime” or “Trump Must Go Now!”) I am reminded of the Marxian historian Alan Dawley’s reference to the American ballot box as “the coffin of class consciousness.” What Bette Midler does here is in my view rather sinister: coopting a stirring musical call for a serious people’s and proletarian fight against fascism to the project of rallying people behind ruling class candidates in a Weimar party — the dismal, dollar-drenched capitalist-imperialist Dems — that will not and indeed cannot fight fascism the way it needs to be fought. The fact that the Republifascist party in power is subverting the elections and may even cancel them or refuse to honor their outcome make her version of “All You Fascists” doubly problematic. **“Until They Cut and Run”** This line in Midler’s version of “All You Fascists” is alarming: “Hey there all you fascists, let me put you straight When you come for the r?st of us we’ll fight you at the gate.” Wait… for the rest of us? Shouldn’t that be for any of us? Also problematic is this Midler lyric: “We’ll battle ICE together until they cut and run, just like in Minneapolis and when the midterms come.” There are three problems here: +1. Trump’s fascist ICE (and Border Patrol) gendarmes have not “cut and run” in Minneapolis or anywhere else across the United States. They have re-branded after the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. ICE’s already vast network of concentration, torture, and death camps are expanding right now with massive “Big Beautiful Bill” money that is intact through and across the 2026 midterms elections. The raids and terror continue, dragooning more than a thousand of our immigrant brothers and sisters into the camps every single day. +2. Midler here falsely conflates the often heroic and inspiring struggle against ICE waged by the people of Minneapolis with the paralyzing muck and mire of the United States’ savagely time-staggered bourgeois electoral politics. +3. The Republifascists — the party of January 6 — have no intention of “cutting and running” in the face of the mid-terms. They are actively working to rig the elections. They may suspend or cancel them and are likely not to honor their outcomes if they are held and don’t go his way. **The Boss’s Prayer for the Killers of Iranian Civilians and American Freedom** Let’s turn to the Woody Guthrie fan and rock/soul/folk legend Bruce Springsteen (net worth of $1.2 billion) — a close friend of former US imperialist president Barack “Good at Killing People” Obama — said following the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner shooting last Saturday. During his concert in Austin, Texas, Springsteen commented as follows: “We begin tonight with a prayer for our men and women in service overseas, we pray for their safe return…We also send out a prayer of thanks that our president, nor anyone in the administration, nor anyone attending, was injured at last night’s incident at the \[White House\] Press Correspondents’ Dinner….We can disagree. We can be critical of those in power, and we can peacefully fight for our beliefs. But there is no place in any way, shape, or form for political violence of any kind in our beloved United States.” **Seriously, Boss? As CounterPunch editor Jeffrey St. Clair noted:** “…praying for the safety of the volunteer military in the Middle East that is currently bombing girls’ schools, hospitals and girls’ volleyball teams is hard to square with a call against ‘political violence.’ At least two of Springsteen’s own songs, ‘American Skin (41 Shots)’ and ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ (admittedly 25 years apart), suggest that ‘political violence’ by the government against the people is pretty much endemic to our ‘beloved United States.’ (After Springsteen performed American Skin (41 Shots) about the killing of Amadou Diallo by four NYPD police officers, the NYPD refused to provide security for Springsteen’s concerts.)” The Boss is prayerfully thankful for the physical safety of the malevolent beast who sparked January 6, when Donald “Take Down the Metal Detectors” Trump tried to instigate a literal physical coup d’etat to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Recall Trump’s first action after being unconstitutionally returned to power: pardoning 1600 January 6th putschists who had been convicted for their role in the bloody attempted insurrection. (How thankful is Springsteen for the continuing existence of the leading White House fascist and correspondents’ dinner attendee and survivor Stephen “We are the Storm” Miller, the chief architect of the Trump regime’s racist mass deportation campaign?!) “Our president?” That’s how Springsteen refers to Donald “Poisoning Our Blood” Trump, the debased, deranged, depraved, and deeply illegitimate monster sitting atop the most lethal superpower in world history? That’s how Springsteen thinks about the orange-brushed tyrant who has unleashed his masked Gestapo thugs, ICE and Border Patrol, on our immigrant brothers and sisters, sweeping up a thousand people a day into an ever-expanding network of concentration, torture, and death camps? That’s how Springsteen thinks about the president whose henchmen killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti in the streets of Minneapolis…the president who wanted to use the armed forces to drown the George Floyd Rebellion in blood…the president who told more than 800 US generals and admirals last September that the United States’ top adversary is “the enemy within,” meaning his political opponents and critics? This is Springsteen’s take on Mein Trumpf, an existential menace to all humanity, the blood-soaked war criminal and wannabe strongman-for-life who is undoubtedly scheming along with his fascist toadies about how to turn his insane war on Iran into a pretext for cancelling or refusing to honor the outcomes of the 2026 mid-terms (see liberal historian Timothy Snyder’s April 6th Substack essay, titled “The Next Coup Attempt”)? **For real, Boss?** “Our men and women in service overseas”? In service to what and who, exactly, Boss? To “we the people,” in a monumentally criminal war opposed by the preponderant majority of US Americans — a war during which the fascist president has repeatedly and criminally threatened to destroy an entire nation of 93 million people? “Our beloved United States”? Really, Boss? That’s how you think about the arch-plutocratic, savagely unequal, racially hyper-segregated, and cancer-drenched mass shooting, mass incarceration and fossil-fueled Ecocide capital of the world, a nation whose giant military empire has overturned dozens of governments and killed tens of millions of people abroad since 1945 — a nation currently under the rule of genocidal fascists put back in power by a fascist Supreme Court, by racist voter suppression and by a deplorable (imperialist Hillary got something right) base of racist, sexist, and nativist Amerikaners? Give us a break, Boss. Tell it to your guy Barack Hollow Resistance Obama, not us. **“Find One Face That Ain’t Looking Through Me”** Leafletting literally thousands of Springsteen concert attendees outside Chicago’s United Center on behalf of RF’s demand that “Trump Must Go Now” and for a big “no work, no school” turnout on May Day two nights ago, I kept flashing back to the following passage, italicized below with interjections from yours truly – in Springsteen’s brilliant 1980s ballad “Badlands”: *Poor man wanna be rich Rich man wanna be king And a king ain’t satisfied ‘Til he rules everything* **The last three lines fit “king” Trump.** *Badlands, you gotta live it everyday Let the broken hearts stand As the price you’ve gotta pay Keep pushin’ ’til it’s understood These badlands start treating us good* Well, the struggle to remove the insane fascist Trump regime – just for starters – must be taken up and acted on by tens of millions every day, not just 5 or 9 million people going to a “No Kings” \[try No Fuhrer\] rally once every five months. Keep pushing ‘til it’s understood and that we refuse to accept a fascist America. *For the ones who had a notion A notion deep inside That it ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive* Well, what’s the point of being alive if we don’t take up the real struggle against a deranged, illegitimate, and arch-criminal, mass-murderous fascist regime atop the world’s most lethal superpower, an existential menace to all humanity? *I wanna find one face That ain’t looking through me I wanna find one place I wanna spit in the face of these…Badlands, you gotta live it every day.* That’s what me and my fellow RF activists were doing with the crowd outside the United Center: looking for faces not looking through us, for people ready to engage the real historical moment and really spit in the face of Amerikaner Trumpism-fascism before it’s too late. Some of those faces appeared, but far, far too few cam forward given the grave historical period we inhabit. Despite widespread agreement that the Trump regime is fascist and out to be removed, it was a tough crowd. Many if not most of the Springsteen fans I spoke with see the notion of doing anything more to stop Trump than voting for Democrats in 2026 and 2028 — and maybe going to a weekend No Kings rally once every five months – as not really on their radar screen of life. Under the influence of the Democratic Party, MSNOW, and leading liberal and Democratic celebrities like Obama, Midler, and Springsteen, the decent or at least non-fascist majority of US-Americans are simply not grasping the depth and the degree of the existential crisis that is tearing at the fabric of “our” government and society, with horrific implications for all of humanity. They are still even now being pulled to see the Trump regime as a temporary rightward pendulum swing that can be corrected through the normal legal and political channels. They think we can wait Trump out, a belief that requires downplaying and ignoring the supreme hazard of letting his regime stay in power. They are still captive to the “normal way of doing things” even as the regime is sweeping previously normative bourgeois democracy and rule of law into history’s proverbial dustbin. In truth, the old normal is gone, and it’s not just because of Trump and his regime. It’s because of shifts in US and world capitalism – a system hitting its limits in ways that have brought a significant section of the American ruling class and a sizeable minority of the US populace over to the dark side of lawless fascist dictatorship. The coming Trump fascist mutilation of the mid-terms could help move millions to a deeper understanding of the current chilling historical moment and what needs to be done to sustain hopes for a decent and indeed emancipated future. Let’s hope that’s not too late and work to make sure it isn’t. **“America Renews Itself and We’ll Get Through”** After writing the above, I came across Springsteen’s sermon to the United Center crowd at the end of his concert last Wednesday night. Two things he said seem at least consistent with the grave historical moment we are in and what is required: - “We’ve got a president who says he wishes nothing but ill on those who he disagrees with. I don’t want to live that way. That’s not the country I want to live in.” - “Find a way to take aggressive, peaceful action…say something, do something, sing something.” - “God bless Alex Pretti, God Bless Renee Good.” Other than that, however, the Boss reinforced the passivity I saw in the crowd before the show by telling his fans that “these are hard times” but “we’ll make it through. Some way, somehow, America renews itself, and we’ll make it through.” No, Boss, we won’t, not with a fascist regime atop this nation for two more years and nine months; maybe not with the regime in power another summer. It’s not clear that humanity itself will get through a full second Trump administration, given US power. **The world can’t wait Trump out! It really is like RF says: he’s got to go now!** I am struck also by the national chauvinism embedded in the notion of “America renew\[ing\] itself” – because that’s what “America” does, apparently, in Springsteen’s view, in Springsteen signing off with “God Bless America,” and in this statement to the United Center crowd: “America, we were built on disagreement… We were born out of arguments and disagreements over what course the country should take while we still recognized our common humanity, and our dignity, and our unity.” The Boss might want to watch Ken Burns’ recent six-part documentary film on the American Revolution. The nation’s War for Independence was a bloody civil war full of torture and atrocities on all sides – quite different from recognizing common humanity, dignity, and unity! That aside, the United States was born and grew through racist mass genocide, Black chattel slavery, and massive violent territorial conquest, core foundations for a rising capitalist continental empire. Let us never forget the famous words of Frederick Douglass 76 years after the formal break from England: “Fellow-citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions! whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are, to-day, rendered more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them… My subject, then, fellow-citizens, is American slavery. I shall see this day and its popular characteristics from the slave’s point of view. Standing there identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine, I do not hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July! Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future…What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are, to Him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy-a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Midler%2C%20Springsteen%20Songs%20Draw%20Liberal%20Fire&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Midler%2C%20Springsteen%20Songs%20Draw%20Liberal%20Fire%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Midler%2C%20Springsteen%20Songs%20Draw%20Liberal%20Fire&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Midler%2C%20Springsteen%20Songs%20Draw%20Liberal%20Fire%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Midler%2C%20Springsteen%20Songs%20Draw%20Liberal%20Fire%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Politics, Protests **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BruceSpringsteen, #Counterpunch, #Politics, #Protests, #StreetsOfMinneapolis --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Beaches - Trailer](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/03/video-bette-midler-beaches-trailer/) **Published:** May 3, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video - Bette Midler - Beaches - Trailer **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Beaches – Trailer By Mister D May 3, 2026 --- ![Red-haired woman in a sequined dress holding a cocktail glass at a dimly lit bar.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-03_07-12-44.png "2026-05-03_07-12-44 - bootleg betty") --- --- Beaches (1988) is a beloved American musical comedy-drama (often described as a tearjerker) directed by Garry Marshall. It stars Bette Midler as the bold, ambitious performer Cecilia “C.C.” Bloom and Barbara Hershey as the refined, privileged Hillary Whitney. The film is adapted from Iris Rainer Dart’s 1985 novel of the same name, with a screenplay by Mary Agnes Donoghue. Bette Midler also produced it through her company All Girl Productions. **Plot Overview** The story chronicles the decades-long friendship between two very different women who meet as 11-year-olds in 1958 under the boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Outspoken, working-class C.C. (played as a child by Mayim Bialik) is a child performer with a pushy stage mother (Lainie Kazan), while shy, wealthy Hillary (Marcie Leeds as a child) comes from San Francisco high society. They become instant friends and stay connected through letters. As adults, C.C. pursues a turbulent showbiz career (with ups, downs, and show-stopping musical numbers), while Hillary becomes a human rights lawyer. Their bond endures romantic entanglements (including a love triangle), marriages, divorces, career rivalries, jealousies, and a major fight in a department store. The film culminates in profound loss and reconciliation, emphasizing themes of loyalty, jealousy, forgiveness, and the irreplaceable nature of true friendship. It frames the narrative with C.C. rushing to Hillary’s side in her time of need, flashing back through their shared history. The movie runs about 123 minutes and features strong performances, emotional highs and lows, and memorable songs. It is now often regarded as a cult classic, especially among fans of female friendship stories. **Cast Highlights** Bette Midler as C.C. Bloom (adult) Barbara Hershey as Hillary Whitney Essex Mayim Bialik as young C.C. Supporting: John Heard (John Pierce), James Read (Michael Essex), Spalding Gray (Dr. Richard Milstein), Lainie Kazan (Leona Bloom), and others including cameos by Garry Marshall and Héctor Elizondo. **Production and Release** Budget: ~$20 million Box Office: $57 million domestically (a solid success) Filmed in locations including Los Angeles, New York, Atlantic City, and Crystal Cove State Park in California (the beach house scenes). Released December 21, 1988 (limited), wide release January 13, 1989. Critical reception was mixed—many called it manipulative or clichéd, but audiences embraced the emotion, Midler’s singing, and the central friendship. **Music and Soundtrack** The soundtrack is a major highlight. Bette Midler performs several numbers, including:”Wind Beneath My Wings” (the film’s signature ballad, which became a massive #1 hit, won Grammys for Record and Song of the Year in 1990, and is ranked #44 on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Songs). “The Glory of Love” (a key emotional song). Others like “Otto Titsling” (a humorous brassiere origin story number), “Oh Industry,” and more. **Trivia** Age and casting quirks: Lainie Kazan (C.C.’s mother) is only about 5 years older than Bette Midler in real life. She initially hesitated but agreed to work with Midler. Barbara Hershey had collagen injections for fuller lips to appear younger for her role. Young C.C.’s voice: Mayim Bialik lip-synced; her singing was dubbed by someone else to better match young Bette Midler’s style. C.C. inspired by Cher: Author Iris Rainer Dart drew from working on The Sonny & Cher Show, creating an “outrageous” character that evolved into C.C. (Bette Midler and Cher have performed together). Filming details: The department store fight scene (and some screen tests) used sets from another 1988 film, Big Business. The beach house is Cottage #13 at Crystal Cove. Iconic lines and moments: The film ends with echoes of childhood friendship (“We’re friends, aren’t we?”). The big Bergdorf’s fight includes raw exchanges about jealousy and life choices. C.C. leaves a concert at the Hollywood Bowl to rush to Hillary. Alternate titles: Known in some regions as Forever Friends, Girlfriends, etc. Legacy: A 2017 Lifetime remake starred Idina Menzel and Nia Long. A stage musical adaptation has been in development, with a Broadway run planned for 2026. A sequel novel existed, but a planned TV movie sequel with Barbara Eden never happened. Beaches remains a quintessential ’80s weepie that celebrates the messy, enduring power of female friendship—perfect for fans of emotional dramas with great music and powerhouse performances. If you’re watching, have tissues ready! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20-%20Trailer&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20-%20Trailer%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20-%20Trailer&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20-%20Trailer%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20-%20Trailer%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Movies, Trailer, Video, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Movie, #Trailer, #Tribute, #Video, #WindBeneathMyWings --- ### [Bette Midler’s Biggest Hit Was Recorded by Others First](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/02/bette-midlers-biggest-hit-was-recorded-by-others-first/) **Published:** May 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Released in 1989, “Wind Beneath My Wings” was written by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar. A No. 1 single for Midler, she is not the first person to record the inspiring tune. **Content:** --- ## American Songwriter One of Bette Midler’s Biggest Hits Was Actually Recorded by Numerous Other Artists First By Gayle Thompson May 3, 2026 --- ![Black-and-white photo of a female singer with curly hair on stage, wearing a leopard-print top and a necklace, looking upward with a confident expression.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-04-28_14-16-56.png "2026-04-28_14-16-56 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/songs/) is an award-winning actress, but she’s also a gifted singer. Beginning with her The Divine Miss M album, out in 1972, Midler spent more than two decades releasing hit singles, including “The Rose“, “My Mother’s Eyes”, and more. But one of Midler’s biggest hits is “[**Wind Beneath My Wings**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_Beneath_My_Wings)”. It appears on the soundtrack for the movie Beaches, also starring Midler. Released in 1989, “Wind Beneath My Wings” was written by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar. A No. 1 single for Midler, she is not the first person to record the inspiring tune. In fact, several other artists recorded “Wind Beneath My Wings” before Midler took the song and made it her own. In 1982, Australian singer Kamahl recorded the song for a country album he was doing, although he did not release it as a single. That same year, Colleen Hewitt, also a successful singer from Australia, released the song, making it a moderate hit for her. One year later, Gary Morris had a Top 5 single with “Wind Beneath My Wings”. The song is on his sophomore Why Lady Why record. Also in 1983, Lou Rawls included a version on his When The Night Comes album. And in 1987, Perry Como put his take on “Wind Beneath My Wings” for his Today record. **What Bette Midler Says About Recording “Wind Beneath My Wings”** Other artists may have put their spin on “Wind Beneath My Wings”. But it’s Midler’s version that remains the most popular. A tribute to those who often go unnoticed, “Wind Beneath My Wings” says, “Did you ever know that you’re my hero / And everything I’d like to be? / I can fly higher than an eagle / ‘Cause you are the wind beneath my wings.” “Wind Beneath My Wings” might be one of Midler’s biggest hits, but it wasn’t her favorite, at least at first. “It’s really grown on me,” Midler admits. “When I first heard it, I said, ‘I’m not singing that song.’ But the friend who gave it to me said, ‘If you don’t sing it, I’ll never speak to you again’. So of course, I had to sing the damned song. Whatever reservations I might have had, I certainly don’t have any more.” In addition to “Wind Beneath My Wings”, Midler sings several other songs on the Beaches soundtrack, including “Under The Boardwalk”, “The Glory Of Love”, and “I Think It’s Going To Rain Today”. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Biggest%20Hit%20Was%20Recorded%20by%20Others%20First&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Biggest%20Hit%20Was%20Recorded%20by%20Others%20First%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Biggest%20Hit%20Was%20Recorded%20by%20Others%20First&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Biggest%20Hit%20Was%20Recorded%20by%20Others%20First%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Biggest%20Hit%20Was%20Recorded%20by%20Others%20First%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Cover Versions, Music, Songs, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Covers, #Music, #Song, #WindBeneathMyWings --- ### [Sally Field Turned Down Role In First Wives'Club](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/02/sally-field-turned-down-role-in-first-wivesclub/) **Published:** May 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Sally Field has revealed why she turned down the role of Annie Paradis in The First Wives Club. **Content:** --- ## Yahoo! Movies Sally Field rejected major role in The First Wives Club By Bang Showbiz May 3, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-27_07-33-51.png "2026-04-27_07-33-51 - bootleg betty") --- Sally Field has revealed why she turned down the role of Annie Paradis in The First Wives Club. The 79-year-old actress – who is known for films such as Forrest Gump and Mrs Doubtfire – admitted the part of the neurotic housewife in the 1996 comedy classic, which ended up going to the late Diane Keaton, was “not my cup of tea”. She told Parade: “I loved all those actors. But I did turn it down. “I have always had a problem with older women either wanting to get a date or looking to, like, you know, have more sex with their husband. “I just feel like there’s more for women to say, so that was just never my cup of tea.” She also didn’t fancy partaking in the big music moment of the film at the end by friends Annie, Brenda (Bette Midler) and Elise (Goldie Hawn) Sally said: “I couldn’t have done that role because I don’t sing, and they all do at the end.” She admitted Keaton was the perfect fit for the part. Sally added: “I would never have been as good. “I mean, it was absolutely right for Keaton — not for me.” The flick follows three college friends reunite after a classmate’s death and realise they’ve all been dumped for younger women. Their heartbreak turns into a plan to take back control and rebuild their lives on their own terms. Following Diane’s death in October at the age of 79, Bette, 80, recalled her fondest memories with her, including how the trio were “on the floor crying with laughter” every day on set. Appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, she said: “My favourite \[memory\] was of course, First Wives Club. We had so much fun on that show. “I think that was the most fun I ever had because those two girls \[Keaton and costar Goldie Hawn\], between them, I was on the floor every single day. I was crying with laughter.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Sally%20Field%20Turned%20Down%20Role%20In%20First%20Wives%27Club&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Sally%20Field%20Turned%20Down%20Role%20In%20First%20Wives%27Club%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Sally%20Field%20Turned%20Down%20Role%20In%20First%20Wives%27Club&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Sally%20Field%20Turned%20Down%20Role%20In%20First%20Wives%27Club%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Sally%20Field%20Turned%20Down%20Role%20In%20First%20Wives%27Club%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DianeKeaton, #FirstWivesClub, #GoldieHawn, #SallyField --- ### [A BonBon Video: Harmony Bette Midler - Mr. Sandman](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/02/a-bonbon-video-harmony-bette-midler-mr-sandman/) **Published:** May 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A BonBon Video: Harmony Bette Midler - Mr. Sandman **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon A BonBon Video: Harmony Bette Midler – Mr. Sandman By Boodles BonBon May 1, 2026 --- ![Woman in a dress reclining on a park bench on a dim stage (black and white).](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-04-28_14-09-44.png "2026-04-28_14-09-44 - bootleg betty") --- **A BonBon Video: Harmony [Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/music/) – [Mr. Sandman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Sandman)** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Harmony%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mr.%20Sandman&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Harmony%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mr.%20Sandman%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Harmony%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mr.%20Sandman&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Harmony%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mr.%20Sandman%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Harmony%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mr.%20Sandman%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Music, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Harmony, #MrSandman, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler's New Movie Cut Off From WB Schedule](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/02/bette-midlers-new-movie-cut-off-from-wb-schedule/) **Published:** May 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Dark Horizons “Cut Off” Gets Cut Off From Release Schedule By Garth Franklin May 2, 2026 --- ![Left: older woman with white hair, dark sunglasses, wearing a gray V-neck sweater at a red-carpet event? lighting suggests a formal event.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-02_13-30-26.png "2026-05-02_13-30-26 - bootleg betty") --- The [**Jonah Hill**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonah_Hill)-directed “[**Cut Off**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/cut-off/),” originally slated for a release this July through Warner Bros. Pictures, has been pulled from the studio’s calendar according to numerous trades. Hill and Kristen Wiig star in the film as wealthy mid-40s siblings who suddenly find themselves cut off from the financial support of their parents. For the first time, they are forced to navigate adult life on their own financially. Bette Midler, Nathan Lane, Adriana Barraza, Camila Cabello, and Chelsea Peretti also star in the film, which is Hill’s fourth directorial effort following the well-received “Mid90s,” the Netflix documentary “Stutz,” and the poorly received dark comedy “Outcome”. So far, no real publicity material from the film has been released, so the likely temporary removal isn’t a huge surprise. [World of Reel](https://www.darkhorizons.com/cut-off-gets-cut-off-from-release-schedule/) reports that the film had a test screening a few weeks ago, which “wasn’t encouraging”. Hill previously dubbed the film a return to ‘classic comedy’ and in the vein of “Step Brothers,” “Trading Places” and “Clueless”. Hill, Matt Dines and Ali Goodwin serve as producers from a script Hill co-wrote with Ezra Woods. A new release date is expected to be announced soon. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20Movie%20Cut%20Off%20From%20WB%20Schedule&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20Movie%20Cut%20Off%20From%20WB%20Schedule%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20Movie%20Cut%20Off%20From%20WB%20Schedule&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20Movie%20Cut%20Off%20From%20WB%20Schedule%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20Movie%20Cut%20Off%20From%20WB%20Schedule%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #CutOff, #JonahHill, #KristenWiig, #NathanLane, #ReleaseSchedule --- ### [Jonah Hill Teases New Bette Midler Comedy ‘Cut Off’ as “Pure Stupidity”](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/05/01/jonah-hill-teases-new-bette-midler-comedy-cut-off-as-pure-stupidity/) **Published:** May 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The actor, writer, director and producer warns audiences that he’s “about to go on a run of just the dumbest shit you've ever seen in your entire life. I hope you left your brains at home.” **Content:** --- ## Hollywood Reporter Jonah Hill Teases New Bette Midler Comedy ‘Cut Off’ as “Pure Stupidity” By Chris Gardner May 1, 2026 --- ![Three adults pose for a photo against a blue backdrop: a man in a pink jacket and glasses on the left, a smiling blonde woman center with hands on her cheeks, and a woman in a black strapless dress on the right.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kristen-Wiig-Bette-Midler-Jonah-Hill-1536x864-1-1024x576.jpg "Kristen-wiig-bette-midler-jonah-hill-1536x864 1 - bootleg betty")--- The actor, writer, director and producer warns audiences that he’s “about to go on a run of just the dumbest shit you’ve ever seen in your entire life. I hope you left your brains at home.” Jonah Hill may not have made it to the CinemaCon main stage during Warner Bros. studio presentation to promote his upcoming film, Cut Off, but the comedy vet didn’t miss a chance to tease it while under the lights at SmartLess Live on Saturday. “Next one is pure stupidity,” Hill told SmartLess hosts Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes of the film, due in theaters July 17. It comes on the heels of his Apple TV original Outcome starring Keanu Reeves, Cameron Diaz and Matt Bomer. Asked to elaborate and share the concept, Hill said this: “It’s dumb. I’m about to go on a run of just the dumbest shit you’ve ever seen in your entire life. I hope you left your brains at home. It’s called Cut Off and Kristen Wiig and I play two dumb ass heirs, rich kids in their mid-40s who get cut off by their rich parents, played by Bette Midler and Nathan Lane. It is like Step Brothers, Clueless and Trading Places. Classic comedy. It’s so great, and Kristen Wiig is an American treasure. I’ve been so lucky. I last worked with Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz and now Bette Midler and Nathan Lane. I’m the luckiest guy, and this one is going to be in theaters. Shout out \[Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy\] at Warner Bros. We are trying to bring comedy back to theaters.” **Jonah Hill “Wasn’t Happy” But He Got Married, Became a Dad And Is Ready to Be Funny Again** Hill directed from a script he co-wrote with Ezra Woods. If it feels like a return to the spotlight for Hill, well, he would say the same thing. “I’ve been gone for a while, so I’m kind of coming back and I’m like excited because I got all, like, serious for a while and I wasn’t as happy,” Hill explained of a quiet few years of not appearing in any major films after Kenya Barris’ You People and Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up. “Then I had my family and I got happy, and now all I want to do is be funny again. That’s why I said yes \[to being on SmartLess\]. I’m, like, I want to go fucking be funny in front of a crowd and that’d be awesome.” Hill appeared giddy to be on stage, a moment his fans may have thought might never come after he released a statement in August 2022 announcing he would be stepping back from media appearances and public facing events due to 20 years of anxiety attacks. He credits his family for the vibe shift. “If you’re bummed, you don’t feel like being that funny, right? The first thing I thought about when I had my kids and was so stoked, it was like I connected to back when I was just like 12 and I was just being funny for fun,” he explained. “That’s the thing I fell in love with my whole life.” After directing two films, Hill said he’s stoked to be an actor for hire. “I might take a job,” he said. “I’m like, dude, I’m so excited to just put on the t-shirt you tell me to put on and go be funny.” And he pledged to keep it going: “I promise to try and make a movie every year that’s funny.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Jonah%20Hill%20Teases%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Comedy%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20as%20%E2%80%9CPure%20Stupidity%E2%80%9D&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Jonah%20Hill%20Teases%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Comedy%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20as%20%E2%80%9CPure%20Stupidity%E2%80%9D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Jonah%20Hill%20Teases%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Comedy%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20as%20%E2%80%9CPure%20Stupidity%E2%80%9D&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Jonah%20Hill%20Teases%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Comedy%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20as%20%E2%80%9CPure%20Stupidity%E2%80%9D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Jonah%20Hill%20Teases%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Comedy%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20as%20%E2%80%9CPure%20Stupidity%E2%80%9D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #CutOff, #JonahHill, #KristenWigg, #Movie --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler, Chris Rock, & Fran Lebowitz At Carnegie Hall 2025](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/30/photo-bette-midler-chris-rock-fran-lebowitz-at-carnegie-hall-2025/) **Published:** April 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** #FranLebowitz with #ChrisRock and #BetteMidler backstage at Fran's sold out show at #CarnergieHall, December 12, 2025. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler, Chris Rock, & Fran Lebowitz At Carnegie Hall 2025 By Mister D April 30, 2026 --- ![Three people smiling indoors: a man with a red scarf between two women in light-colored outfits, all posing together.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-30_18-54-21.png "2026-04-30_18-54-21 - bootleg betty") --- [\#FranLebowitz](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/franlebowitz/) with [\#ChrisRock](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/chrisrock/) and [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) backstage at Fran’s sold out show at [\#CarnergieHall](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/carnergiehall/), December 12, 2025. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Chris%20Rock%2C%20%26%20Fran%20Lebowitz%20At%20Carnegie%20Hall%202025&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Chris%20Rock%2C%20%26%20Fran%20Lebowitz%20At%20Carnegie%20Hall%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Chris%20Rock%2C%20%26%20Fran%20Lebowitz%20At%20Carnegie%20Hall%202025&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Chris%20Rock%2C%20%26%20Fran%20Lebowitz%20At%20Carnegie%20Hall%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Chris%20Rock%2C%20%26%20Fran%20Lebowitz%20At%20Carnegie%20Hall%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Special Events **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CarnegieHall, #ChrisRock, #FranLiebowitz --- ### [Trailer - Bette Midler & Lily Tomlin - Big Business](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/30/trailer-bette-midler-lily-tomlin-big-business/) **Published:** April 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Big Business remains a notable showcase of Bette Midler’s comedic talent, paired brilliantly with Lily Tomlin. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Trailer – Bette Midler & Lily Tomlin – Big Business By Mister D April 30, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-30_06-56-09.png "2026-04-30_06-56-09 - bootleg betty") --- --- Bette Midler stars in “Big Business” (1988) as one of two sets of identical twins, delivering a comedic performance in a story of mistaken identities, wealth, and small-town charm. **Synopsis** In Big Business, a classic comedy of errors, Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin each play two roles as sets of identical twins who are accidentally switched at birth in the 1940s in the small town of Jupiter Hollow, West Virginia . Forty years later, the twins’ lives overlap: one pair has been raised in Manhattan, enjoying wealth and corporate success, while the other remains in rural West Virginia, leading simpler, more grounded lives . The Manhattan twins, Sadie Shelton (Midler) and Rose Shelton (Tomlin), are co-owners of the conglomerate Moramax. Sadie is ruthless and career-driven, aiming to sell the family’s rural Hollowmade factory to a buyer who intends to strip-mine the land, while Rose prefers a quieter life . Meanwhile, the rural Ratliff sisters, Sadie Ratliff (Midler) and Rose Ratliff (Tomlin), work at Hollowmade and catch wind of the sale. They travel to New York to prevent the closure, resulting in a series of comedic misunderstandings at the Plaza Hotel, with mistaken identities, romantic encounters, and farcical interactions between the four women . **Cast Highlights** Bette Midler as Sadie Shelton / Sadie Ratliff Lily Tomlin as Rose Shelton / Rose Ratliff Fred Ward as Roone Dimmick Edward Herrmann as Graham Sherbourne Michele Placido as Fabio Alberici Michael Gross as Dr. Jay Marshall The film also includes supporting performances from Deborah Rush, Nicolas Coster, and Patricia Gaul . **Production and Style** Directed by Jim Abrahams and produced by Touchstone Pictures, the movie’s screenplay draws inspiration from Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper, and Aesop’s The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse . The filmmakers constructed a replica of the Plaza Hotel on a Disney sound stage due to filming restrictions . Trick photography was used effectively to have both actresses appear as two characters in the same scene . Midler’s performance showcases her versatility, portraying both a sophisticated city woman and a country girl with comedic flair . **Reception** Critical reception was mixed: Rotten Tomatoes reports a 52% positive rating based on 23 reviews . Sheila Benson praised it as a “bright whirligig of a movie” with buoyant hilarity . Roger Ebert criticized it for repetitive near-misses and lack of payoff, giving it two out of four stars . Despite mixed reviews, the film became a modest commercial success, grossing $40.2 million domestically from a $20 million budget . **Watching Big Business** The film is available for streaming on major platforms such as Disney+ and Prime Video, and has been released on DVD and Blu-ray as well . **Summary** Big Business remains a notable showcase of Bette Midler’s comedic talent, paired brilliantly with Lily Tomlin. Its engaging concept of swapped twins, along with humorous social contrasts between wealthy city life and rural simplicity, provides a classic 80s comedy experience. Fans appreciate it for Midler’s dual-role performance, the charming farcical narrative, and the absurdly funny mix-ups that never fail to entertain . Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Trailer%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Lily%20Tomlin%20-%20Big%20Business&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Trailer%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Lily%20Tomlin%20-%20Big%20Business%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Trailer%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Lily%20Tomlin%20-%20Big%20Business&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Trailer%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Lily%20Tomlin%20-%20Big%20Business%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Trailer%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Lily%20Tomlin%20-%20Big%20Business%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Big Business, Movies, Trailer, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BigBusiness, #LilyTomlin, #Movie, #Trailer, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler Talks New Protest Song With Rolling Stone](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/30/bette-midler-talks-new-protest-song-with-rolling-stone/) **Published:** April 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** If you ask Bette Midler, her whole career has been about spreading enough joy to distract from "the grimness of everyday life." **Content:** --- ## Rolling Stone Bette Midler revamps a Woody Guthrie classic into an anti-Trump anthem By CT Jones April 30, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-29_13-51-29.png "2026-04-29_13-51-29 - bootleg betty") --- --- If you ask **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/27/things-you-may-not-know-about-bette-midler/)**, her whole career has been about spreading enough joy to distract from “the grimness of everyday life.” But that mission hasn’t kept her from growing increasingly upset at the second Trump administration’s rapid-fire escalation of war profiteering, anti-trans rhetoric, and extrajudicial ICE raids – including those that resulted in the deaths of Minnesota residents Alex Pretti and Renee Good. “The insanity that’s happening, this unprecedented destruction of all of normal behavior, has affected me very badly,” Midler tells Rolling Stone from her home in Los Angeles. “I was talking to Jane Fonda the other day, and she said, ‘We need an anthem.’ So I looked back at \[some\] catalogs and an old [**Woody Guthrie**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Guthrie) song stuck in my head.” The World War II-era song in question, “All You Fascists,” released in 1940, decried the poll tax, Jim Crow, and race hatred in the U.S. Now, Midler is debuting a 2026 revamp, which she co-wrote with producer Eric Kornfeld, targeting Trump policies and the need for voter turnout in the midterm elections. In the music video, out today, Midler is joined by her Beaches co-star Barbara Hershey and familiar faces including actor David Hyde Pierce, singer and actress Jenifer Lewis, and Broadway star Shoshana Bean. *“We’ll battle ICE together/Until they cut and run/Just like in Minneapolis/And when the midterms come,” Midler sings, “You’re bound to lose/You fascists, bound to lose.” Another verse includes the lyrics: “Trying to distract us from the Epstein files/You gas and beat and murder us, protecting pedophiles/Let’s turn the screws/You pervs are bound to lose.”* For Midler, who counts the start of her career as her time in a folk group in college, this new version of “All You Fascists” is a direct tribute to the legacy of American protest music in the political activism of the Fifties and Sixties. That’s a cultural moment she looks back on fondly, one whose revival she believes is necessary to shake up some of the political fatigue people are feeling. “Everybody \[back then\] had a guitar and everybody had a song,” Midler says. “To watch it bloom and to see the excitement on people’s faces that they didn’t have to be silent was a wonderful thing to live through. I think that we could all use a little bit of that meaning in our lives right now. And for us to stand there and say, as a generation, we had the best of it, and not turn around and give the people behind us a hand up – it’s completely unacceptable to me.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20New%20Protest%20Song%20With%20Rolling%20Stone&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20New%20Protest%20Song%20With%20Rolling%20Stone%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20New%20Protest%20Song%20With%20Rolling%20Stone&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20New%20Protest%20Song%20With%20Rolling%20Stone%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20New%20Protest%20Song%20With%20Rolling%20Stone%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Politics, Protests, Songs, Woody **Tags:** #AllYouFascistsBoundToLose, #BetteMidler, #EricKornfeld, #protestsong, #WoodyGuthrie --- ### [Video: Stina Lundberg, Swedish TV, Interviews Bette Midler 1984](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/29/video-stina-lundberg-swedish-tv-interviews-bette-midler-1984/) **Published:** April 29, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler interviewed by Stina Lundberg on the Swedish TV Show Nöjesmaskinen 1984 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler interviewed by Stina Lundberg on the Swedish TV Show Nöjesmaskinen 1984 By Mister D April 29, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-28_14-15-33.png "2026-04-28_14-15-33 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Stina%20Lundberg%2C%20Swedish%20TV%2C%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler%201984&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Stina%20Lundberg%2C%20Swedish%20TV%2C%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Stina%20Lundberg%2C%20Swedish%20TV%2C%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler%201984&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Stina%20Lundberg%2C%20Swedish%20TV%2C%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Stina%20Lundberg%2C%20Swedish%20TV%2C%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Interview, The Saga Of Baby Divine **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Interview, #SagaofBabyDivine, #StinaLundberg, #Swedish, #Video --- ### [Cut Off! Is Like A Blend Of Step Brothers, Trading Places, And Clueless. Bette Midler Co-Stars](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/29/cut-off-is-like-a-blend-of-step-brothers-trading-places-and-clueless-bette-midler-co-stars/) **Published:** April 29, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "It is like Step Brothers, Clueless and Trading Places. It's so great. Kristen Wig is an American treasure." **Content:** --- ## Arca Max Jonah Hill ‘wasn’t as happy’ for a while but he’s ready to be ‘funny again’ By Bang Showbiz April 29, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/images.jpg "Images - bootleg betty") --- [**Jonah Hill** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonah_Hill)wants to “be funny again” after not being “as happy” before becoming a father. The 42-year-old actor – whose most recent major movies were the likes of 2021’s Don’t Look Up and You People two years later – is ready to step back into the limelight, and he feels like he’s in a better place. Speaking during a live recording of the SmartLess podcast over the weekend, he said: “I’ve been gone for a while, so I’m kind of coming back and I’m like excited because I got all, like, serious for a while and I wasn’t as happy. “And then I had my family and I got happy, and now all I want to do is be funny again. That’s why I said yes \[to being on SmartLess\]. “I’m, like, I want to go f be funny in front of a crowd and that’d be awesome.” Jonah – whose breakout roles in the mid-to-late 2000s came in the likes of Knocked Up, Superbad and Forgetting Sarah Marshall – has a three-year-old son and a baby girl with his wife Olivia Millar, and he credited them with helping him become happy again. He explained: “If you’re bummed, you don’t feel like being that funny, right? “The first thing I thought about when I had my kids and was so stoked, it was like I connected to back when I was just like 12 and I was just being funny for fun. “That’s the thing I fell in love with my whole life.” Jonah noted that his whole job is to be a “comedy writer”, having fallen in love with the artform by watching The Simpsons. He added: If someone shook me in the middle of the night and asked, ‘What do you do?’ I would say, ‘I’m a comedy writer.’ “That’s what I do. I write jokes every day. I go and write scripts. You don’t know this because you just see the front side of it. “But most of my job is writing comedy movies. That’s mostly what I do.” Jonah has returned to the limelight with dark comedy movie Outcome on Apple TV+, which he directed, co-wrote and starred in, while he will also appear in upcoming film Cut Off. He teased: “I’m about to go on a run of just the dumbest s\*\*\* you’ve ever seen in your entire life. I hope you left your brains at home. “It’s called [**Cut Off**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/cut-off/) and Kristen Wig and I played two dumba\*\* heirs, rich kids in their mid-40s who get cut off by their rich parents, played by Bette Midler and Nathan Lane. “It is like Step Brothers, Clueless and Trading Places. It’s so great. Kristen Wig is an American treasure.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Cut%20Off%21%20Is%20Like%20A%20Blend%20Of%20Step%20Brothers%2C%20Trading%20Places%2C%20And%20Clueless.%20Bette%20Midler%20Co-Stars&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Cut%20Off%21%20Is%20Like%20A%20Blend%20Of%20Step%20Brothers%2C%20Trading%20Places%2C%20And%20Clueless.%20Bette%20Midler%20Co-Stars%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Cut%20Off%21%20Is%20Like%20A%20Blend%20Of%20Step%20Brothers%2C%20Trading%20Places%2C%20And%20Clueless.%20Bette%20Midler%20Co-Stars&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Cut%20Off%21%20Is%20Like%20A%20Blend%20Of%20Step%20Brothers%2C%20Trading%20Places%2C%20And%20Clueless.%20Bette%20Midler%20Co-Stars%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Cut%20Off%21%20Is%20Like%20A%20Blend%20Of%20Step%20Brothers%2C%20Trading%20Places%2C%20And%20Clueless.%20Bette%20Midler%20Co-Stars%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CutOff, #JonahHill, #KristenWiig, #NathanLane --- ### [There's New Music In The Bootleg Betty Jukebox](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/28/theres-new-music-in-the-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) **Published:** April 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** There's New Music In The Bootleg Betty Jukebox **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty There’s New Music In The Bootleg Betty Jukebox By Mister D April 29, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-13_14-12-37-1.png "2026-04-13_14-12-37 - bootleg betty") --- [Click Here To Go To The Jukebox](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=There%27s%20New%20Music%20In%20The%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Jukebox&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=There%27s%20New%20Music%20In%20The%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Jukebox%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=There%27s%20New%20Music%20In%20The%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Jukebox&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=There%27s%20New%20Music%20In%20The%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Jukebox%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=There%27s%20New%20Music%20In%20The%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Jukebox%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bootleg Betty Jukebox, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #Jukebox, #Music, #Songs --- ### [Boodles BonBon Short: Bette Midler - Power Bette](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/28/boodles-bonbon-short-bette-midler-power-bette/) **Published:** April 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Boodles BonBon Short: Bette Midler - Power Bette **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon Boodles BonBon Short: Bette Midler – Power Bette By Boodles BonBon April 28, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/6945c2cc1d5c29a5746b9d04ada71f87.jpg "6945c2cc1d5c29a5746b9d04ada71f87 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Power%20Bette&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Power%20Bette%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Power%20Bette&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Power%20Bette%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Power%20Bette%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bette Of Roses, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BetteOfRoses, #PowerBette, #ToDeserveYou --- ### [The Greatness Of Bette Midler's The Rose In These Days](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/28/the-greatness-of-bette-midlers-the-rose-in-these-days/) **Published:** April 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** And perhaps that is precisely why The Rose works so well. By abandoning the obligation of fidelity, the film finds something closer to emotional truth. **Content:** --- ## Miscelana The Rose (1979): the Janis Joplin portrait that could not be made By Ana Claudia Paixoa April 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-23_16-56-38.png "2026-04-23_16-56-38 - bootleg betty") --- After watching Michael in its “sanitized” version, I immediately thought of how other legends have gone through similar processes—albeit by different means—of dispute over their own memory. And, almost ironically, what “remained” from that impossibility was a great film. It is impossible to escape the pun: The Rose, to me, is a pearl. And it is deeply revealing that it began as a film that could not be made. Before becoming the fictional portrait of Mary Rose Foster, the project was a direct biopic of Janis Joplin, still very close in time to her death, less than ten years later. The original title, Pearl, left little room for doubt; after all, it was the name of the singer’s final album. At that moment, however, turning Janis into a narrative was still impossible. Her memory was not organized, nor stabilized enough to fit into a definitive portrait. Unlike Michael, where there is a clear attempt to control and preserve an image, the impasse here was different: there was not yet a consensual version to be told. And perhaps that is precisely why The Rose works so well. By abandoning the obligation of fidelity, the film finds something closer to emotional truth. Fiction, in this case, does not soften—on the contrary, it exposes. It allows access to the exhaustion, contradiction, and self-destruction of an artist on stage without the need to protect a contested legacy. What could not be made as a biography ultimately became more revealing as an invention. And, in this shift, The Rose may say more about Janis Joplin than a film bearing her name could ever have managed to say at that moment. **Why Janis Joplin’s family blocked the film** The family’s refusal to grant the rights was not merely a contractual issue. There was a clear concern about how the singer was being publicly portrayed. Even then, her image was beginning to crystallize as that of a self-destructive artist, marked by excess, substance abuse, and a life out of control. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-23_16-59-01.png "2026-04-23_16-59-01 - bootleg betty") By preventing the official biopic, the family also prevented Hollywood from organizing that trajectory into a predictable dramatic arc. The solution found by the producers was to turn the project into fiction, creating Mary Rose Foster. The change did not erase the obvious inspiration, but it allowed the film to exist without the obligation of being faithful to specific facts, ultimately expanding its strength as a character study. **How the project changed direction** The film that reached the screen could have been very different. The project was initially offered to Ken Russell, known for his excessive, operatic visual style. His refusal opened the way for Mark Rydell, whose approach is more restrained, less interested in spectacle, and more focused on behavior. This shift profoundly alters the final result. Instead of a stylized biopic, The Rose becomes a drama that observes the emotional deterioration of its protagonist. The absence of a grand aesthetic shifts the weight of the film toward performance and toward the sense of exhaustion that runs through the entire narrative. **How Bette Midler got the role** The casting of Bette Midler is central to understanding the film’s impact. The role was not originally conceived for her, but came through a recommendation after Suzy Williams turned it down. At the time, Midler was known for her stage performances, with an intense presence not yet shaped by cinema. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-23_17-07-42.png "2026-04-23_17-07-42 - bootleg betty")That lack of traditional cinematic framing becomes a strength. Her Mary Rose Foster is not a controlled construction, but a presence in constant tension. There is a sense of risk in every scene, as if the character might escape the film itself. Rather than smoothing out that instability, the direction incorporates it as a central element. **Who Suzy Williams was and why she matters to The Rose** It is worth pausing here to understand how Bette Midler became the star she still is today because of a name that no longer carries the same international weight. Suzy Williams is not a name that has endured across decades with the same impact as other figures from the 1960s and 1970s music scene, and perhaps that is precisely why her presence at the origin of The Rose is so intriguing. She belongs to a group of artists who existed far more intensely within the music circuit than within the consolidated memory of pop culture. An American singer, Williams built her career mainly within the rock and soul scene of the late 1960s, circulating in environments very close to those that shaped figures like Janis Joplin. She was not a star of the same magnitude, but she shared that universe of bands, tours, and live performances in which vocal intensity and stage presence were central. Above all, she was a performer with credibility within that milieu, someone who understood through lived experience the kind of character The Rose sought to construct. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-23_17-05-32.png "2026-04-23_17-05-32 - bootleg betty") That is precisely why she emerged as the first choice for the role of Mary Rose Foster. At that moment, casting a singer with real experience in that circuit made perfect sense, especially for a project that still carried the initial intention of being a Janis biopic. Williams would bring not only technique, but authenticity. She turned it down for personal reasons, and her career did not follow a path of major cinematic projection or mainstream musical recognition. But what followed is what ultimately inscribes her—albeit indirectly—into the film’s history: she was the one who suggested Bette Midler for the role. That detail changes everything. Because Midler did not come from the same place. Her background was different, more tied to cabaret, theatrical performance, and a highly self-aware construction of persona. Where Williams would have represented continuity and verisimilitude, Midler brought interpretation and intensity. And in doing so, she shifted the film from a more naturalistic register to something more performative, more unstable, more unpredictable. There is a quiet irony in all of this. The actress who could have given the film a closer proximity to reality ended up being the one who pointed to the performer who would transform it into something else—less faithful, perhaps, but far more striking. Suzy Williams did not get the role. But in a way, she is still in the film. **The shoot and its almost documentary energy** One of the production’s most important decisions was to film the concert scenes with real audiences, creating an energy that is difficult to reproduce in a studio. The result brings the film closer to an almost documentary register, especially in the musical sequences, which function less as staging and more as the capture of a moment. Vilmos Zsigmond’s cinematography reinforces this feeling by building images with a warm, unstable texture, as if everything were on the verge of collapse. The intention was to expose the character, not protect her, creating a visual environment that mirrors her emotional deterioration. **The soundtrack and the success of “The Rose.”** The soundtrack expands the film’s reach in a decisive way. Rather than relying on any of Janis’s immortalized hits, the film builds its own musical identity, including the title song. The Rose, written by Amanda McBroom, was not originally composed for the project, which prevented it from competing at the Oscars, but it ultimately became inseparable from it. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-23_17-09-58.png "2026-04-23_17-09-58 - bootleg betty") Performed by Midler over the closing credits, the song offers a delicate counterpoint to the narrative, functioning almost as an emotional response to what has been seen. Its success was immediate, becoming one of the biggest hits of Midler’s career and solidifying the film’s cultural impact beyond cinema. **Oscars, nominations, and the loss to Norma Rae** The Rose received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Midler and Best Supporting Actor for Frederic Forrest. Sally Field’s win for Norma Rae follows the Academy’s logic, which tends to favor more structured narratives and performances tied to clearly defined social themes. Midler’s work, on the other hand, is less organized, more instinctive, and marked by contradictions, making it less easily framed within that pattern. To me, one of the great injustices of the awards. **Revisiting The Rose today, in the era of music biopics** Revisiting The Rose today, after decades in which music biopics have become a consolidated genre, produces an interesting shift. The film does not follow the structure that now seems almost mandatory, with carefully organized arcs of rise, fall, and redemption. Instead, it refuses to fully explain its protagonist. There is no attempt to turn Mary Rose Foster into a symbol or example. What exists is a continuous observation of a character in decline, without the need to justify or redeem her. At a moment when cinema often organizes the past into clean and recognizable narratives, The Rose remains a more unstable portrait—and precisely for that reason, one that feels closer to what these stories so often try to simplify. Perhaps that is why, decades later, Hollywood still returns to this impasse. Since 2021, a new version of The Rose, with Cynthia Erivo, has remained in development—as if this story, even at a distance, still resists a definitive form. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Greatness%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Rose%20In%20These%20Days&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Greatness%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Rose%20In%20These%20Days%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Greatness%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Rose%20In%20These%20Days&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Greatness%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Rose%20In%20These%20Days%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Greatness%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20The%20Rose%20In%20These%20Days%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, the Rose, The Rose Remake **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Biopics, #JanisJop;in, #SuzyWilliams, #TheRose --- ### [The Mosh Pit: Bette Midler Does A Little Boston Banter](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/27/the-mosh-pit-bette-midler-does-a-little-boston-banter/) **Published:** April 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Mosh Pit: Bette Midler Does A Little Boston Banter **Content:** --- ## The Mosh Pit The Mosh Pit: Bette Midler Does A Little Boston Banter By Staff April 25, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/498234096_1142995857871480_1005372082741671885_n-1.jpg "498234096_1142995857871480_1005372082741671885_n - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Mosh%20Pit%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Does%20A%20Little%20Boston%20Banter&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Mosh%20Pit%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Does%20A%20Little%20Boston%20Banter%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Mosh%20Pit%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Does%20A%20Little%20Boston%20Banter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Mosh%20Pit%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Does%20A%20Little%20Boston%20Banter%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Mosh%20Pit%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Does%20A%20Little%20Boston%20Banter%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** An Intimate Evening, Audio, Bette Midler **Tags:** #Banter, #BetteMidler, #Boston, #Concert, #TheMoshPit --- ### [Things You May Not Know About Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/27/things-you-may-not-know-about-bette-midler/) **Published:** April 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Few people can claim to have truly earned the label of "icon," and Bette Midler is one of those few. **Content:** --- ## The List Things You May Not Know About Bette Midler By Meg Walters April 14, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-23_11-35-04.png "2026-04-23_11-35-04 - bootleg betty") --- Few people can claim to have truly earned the label of “[**icon**](https://www.motionpicture-magazine.com/bette-midler/),” and [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/boottube-betty-videos/) is one of those few. The actress and singer’s name has become synonymous with Broadway and Hollywood excellence throughout her decades-long career. After first appearing on the New York scene in off-off-Broadway plays, Midler shot to prominence as a gay icon when she landed a gig singing in the famous Continental Baths and then released with her debut album, “The Divine Miss M.” Since then, she has appeared on stage in musicals like “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Hello, Dolly!,” on TV in shows like her self-named sitcom “Bette” and “The Politician,” and in films like “Beaches,” ‘Hocus Pocus” and “The First Wives Club.” She also went on to release 13 more studio albums. Over the years, she has racked up two Tonys, two Emmys, and three Golden Globes. It also appears the legendary performer is nearing retirement. As she told Parade, “I don’t have the impulse to prove myself anymore. I feel like ‘I did that.'” She’s currently filming a Jonah Hill-directed comedy called “Cut Off,” but past that, there’s not much on her slate, and the icon definitely deserves a break after bringing so much magic to the world, both as her “Hocus Pocus” character and as a legendary performer. What to learn a little more about this landmark of stage and screen? Here is the untold truth of Bette Midler. **Bette Midler grew up as a Jewish girl from a poor family in Hawaii** While it may be hard to imagine Bette Midler being anything but a well-loved star, there was a time when she was a young girl who felt like a misfit in her surroundings. Midler was raised in Hawaii, and, as a Jewish girl then, she felt out of place. “I was the white girl, the only one for miles around,” she said to Parade. Many of the people she met in Hawaii had no idea about Judaism. “One year, my parents kept me home for Yom Kippur, and I brought back a note saying I was out for a religious holiday,” she recalled. “My teacher said, ‘What religious holiday?’ I said, ‘Yom Kippur.’ She said, ‘There’s no such thing.'” Her family was also relatively poor, and Midler recalled that she couldn’t afford new records. Instead, she had to make do with the family’s old records from the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s. “Those were the records that I sang along to until I wore out the grooves,” she said. **Bette Midler got her start after landing a small part in the movie Hawaii and moving to New York** Everything changed for Bette Midler when she happened to be cast in her first film, “Hawaii,” in 1965 at the age of 20, alongside Julie Andrews and Richard Harris. According to Hawaii Magazine, Midler was essentially an extra in the movie, playing a seasick passenger on the Thetis boat. As she explained to Parade, the part meant she had enough money to pack up and move to New York that same year. As she told Interview, moving to New York wasn’t even an option in her mind at the time. “I came to New York because I had to…I just had to,” she said. “Now I’m here, and I just have to get away! … I just have to get out … I have to find a way to get out of here!” **Bette Midler once worked as an entertainer at a gay bathhouse** One of Bette Midler’s biggest jobs as a young performer is not what you may expect — before becoming a household name, she was better known by the nickname “Bathhouse Bette” as she worked as an entertainer at the famous Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in Manhattan. As she told CBS News, she got the job through her singing teacher. “So my teacher called me and said, ‘This gentleman I know is looking for an entertainer in a gay bathhouse.’ And I said, ‘Does it pay?’ And he said, ‘Yes, it pays $300 for the weekend.'” That was good enough for Midler, and she agreed. According to Midler, she was a perfect fit. “When I was working at the baths, I could go there and feel right at home,” she told Roger Ebert. “I picked up the gay sense of humor, almost like a sponge. Since I moved out into the world a whole lot more, my personality has changed, and even the sound of my voice has changed.” **Bette Midler has a few major career regrets** You’ll quickly see Bette Midler’s impressive resume and know why she’s already legendary in the industry. But even Midler, it seems, has a few regrets about missed opportunities over the years. “I’ve made so many,” she told Metro in 2010. “Oh my God, it’s all so tragic. But it’s best to forget those and put them behind me.” One of her biggest regrets is saying no to the film “Sister Act,” which, according to Midler, was actually written just for her. “I said, ‘My fans don’t want to see me in a wimple,'” she recalled, adding, “I don’t know where I got that from. Why would I say such a thing?” So, Whoopie Goldberg got the famous role instead and, as Midler put it, “made a fortune.” Midler also claimed that she turned down Kathy Bates’ Oscar-winning role in “Misery” out of fear. **Bette Midler wasn’t nearly as flamboyant as her on stage persona suggested** As fans of Bette Midler probably know, she wasn’t exactly shy as a performer. In fact, she was anything but, with over-the-top costumes and what is often described as a camp flair. However, it turns out she couldn’t have been more different once she stepped off the stage. “When I’m not working, I have one pair of old white painter’s pants I’ve had for 10 years, with holes in the seat, and that’s what I wear,” she confessed to Roger Ebert in 1980. “I sit around all the time reading. I’m real quiet. I’m nothing like I am on stage.” In fact, Midler even said that she didn’t know how to dress up for premieres and industry events. “I have no idea what to wear, and I buy all this conservative stuff as if I were trying to impress everybody,” she said. While many fans may have thought that Midler’s stage presence was natural, instead, she explained it was all a carefully honed act. **Bette Midler had what she calls a nervous breakdown after a stressful movie experience** While Bette Midler’s career was picking up speed, she appeared to have it all. However, things weren’t always easy for the up-and-coming star. In fact, she went through a period of anxiety and depression that she even went so far as to call a “nervous breakdown.” “After I made a picture in the early 1980s, I was unjustly accused of grandstanding, and I never did any such thing,” she told Oprah Winfrey. “It brought me up short, and I became very sad and depressed. I cried a lot, and I couldn’t get out of bed. I called it a nervous breakdown because what was I going to say?” According to Midler, the only way she could pick herself back up again was to go on tour and perform live for her fans. “It keeps my heart rate up. I get to wear fabulous clothes. I get to make people laugh. That’s my core business, and that’s where I’ll always return,” she said. **Bette Midler claims to have been assaulted in the ’90s** As the #MeToo era highlighted, Hollywood was and is often a toxic, dangerous place for women. In the ’90s, Bette Midler experienced this type of Hollywood misogyny when she was allegedly taken advantage of by journalist and TV host Geraldo Rivera. Rivera claimed in his biography that he and Midler had an affair during which she was “insatiable.” During an interview with Barbara Walters, Midler painted another story (via YouTube). “The truth about it is that I didn’t, I didn’t remember,” she said, adding that she did remember one thing — how she and Rivera met, which she said was “not funny.” She then went on to describe how Rivera and his producer came to interview her in the early ’70s. “He and his producer left the crew in the other room, they pushed me into my bathroom, they broke two poppers and pushed them under my nose.” Midler then described how the men then touched her without her consent. “I did not offer myself up on the altar of Geraldo Rivera — he was unseemly.” **Bette Midler’s audition for Johnny Carson was full of mishaps** From 1980 to 1992, Bette Midler was a frequent guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” appearing as a guest on 26 occasions (via IMDb). As it turns out, the actress and singer almost missed her opportunity to appear on the show due to an audition that went awry. Her first audition came while she was working at the Continental Baths. “It was incredible,” she told Interview. However, when she arrived at the audition, she stepped out of her cab, and her dress tore. “Fortunately, I was wearing underwear … one of the few times I was wearing underwear … and it was ripped all the way,” she recalled. Luckily, Midler didn’t let the wardrobe malfunction deter her. Apparently, she used a paper clip to hold the skirt in place and went straight into the audition. She thought to herself, “If they don’t like the way you sound, they won’t buy you anyway, ripped dress or no ripped dress,” she recalled, adding, “So I got up, and I sang, and I had a great time, and they had a great time, and they gave me the job.” **Bette Midler’s daughter is also an actress** Talent runs in the Midler family — Bette Midler’s daughter, Sophie von Haselberg, is also a successful actress. In 2008, Midler told People that von Haselberg had recently expressed an interest in following in her mother’s footsteps. While Midler was surprised, she didn’t get in her daughter’s way. “\[Sophie\] just started making noises like that recently, about six months ago, and I was, of course, as surprised as anybody else,” she said. “It’s the first time she’s ever mentioned the business, but God bless her … You know, everyone has to follow their own bliss.” It seems that von Haselberg did follow her bliss and quite successfully. She attended Yale’s drama program in 2011 and, by 2014, was appearing on Broadway in the play “Billy & Ray” (via New York Post). She landed her first role in the 2015 Woody Allen film “Irrational Man.” Since then, she has also appeared in “The Wizard of Lies,” “House of Cards,” “American Crime Story,” “American Princess,” “Pose,” and “Love Story.” **Bette Midler is a big Adele fan** Bette Midler may have one of the biggest, brassiest voices in showbiz, but that doesn’t mean she can’t appreciate other people’s talent. In fact, she’s a champion of young talent and has even acted as a mentor on “The Voice.” One of her favorite young performers is Adele. “I adore Adele,” she gushed to Pride Source. “I think she’s a really good singer and a terrific songwriter. Her voice is such a beautiful voice.” Midler also added that she appreciated Adele’s “funny and warm” personality and how it added to her performances. After all, Adele and Midler certainly have that in common. “I’m really happy that she’s made it and that people adore her,” she said. “She’s going to have a long, long career.” And it seems the admiration is mutual. “I’ve obviously loved \[Midler\] for years,” Adele told Vanity Fair in 2016. “I like her humor, but she’s a \[expletive\] great singer, a really amazing singer.” The pair even performed in 2015 during Midler’s Divine Intervention Tour (via Instagram). Name a more iconic duo — we’ll wait. **Bette Midler got to play her first lead on Broadway at 71** Bette Midler may be a Broadway icon, but she didn’t actually get to play a leading role on a Broadway stage until the age of 71, when she took on the titular role in a remount of “Hello, Dolly!” — a role that has famously been played by the likes of Ethel Merman, Barbara Streisand, and Carol Channing. Quite unsurprisingly, the experience was life-changing. “The experience of doing this show changed my life, really,” Midler told “Good Morning America.” “\[It\] changed my intellectual life, changed my physical life, and I can’t say enough.” Of course, for Midler, it wasn’t exactly an easy task. “Dolly is a big stretch,” she admitted to Time. “I’ve been in a Broadway show, but never the lead. It’s a brand-new thing, and at my age \[71\], it’s quite a challenge: she has to be funny, she has to sing, and she has to dance.” In fact, Midler even confessed that after playing Dolly, her days on Broadway might be over. **Bette Midler tried to make a Hocus Pocus sequel happen for years** As Millennials will undoubtedly know, one of Bette Midler’s most iconic roles was as the scheming witch Winifred in Disney’s “Hocus Pocus.” Since its 1993 release, “Hocus Pocus” has been a Halloween cult classic. However, despite its popularity, it took almost three decades for a follow-up movie about the Sanderson sisters to be made. As it turns out, Bette Midler was at the helm of the campaign for a sequel. “Even when it became a phenomenon, \[a sequel\] wasn’t considered,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “Ten years on, when I started seeing the returns, I was surprised, and I started making calls.” Midler continued to pressure Disney executives for the next two decades about getting a sequel off the ground. As time went on, Midler realized that “Hocus Pocus” was gaining popularity over the years. She would attend benefits as Winnie and, as she put it, she “realized there was something going on.” She said, “I’d call the studio once a year to ask, ‘How about it?’ It wasn’t until about three years ago that they advocated for it, and movement started.” “Hocus Pocus 2” hit Disney+ in October 2022. **Bette Midler wrote a children’s book about technology** One thing Bette Midler has never fully embraced is technology. “I’m tortured by it!” she confessed to Parade. “If I do anything with social media, it takes me at least 20 minutes to recover.” Inspired by her struggles with the modern world, Midler wrote a children’s book in 2021 about a real-life story: when a rare bird appeared in Central Park in 2018, it became a tourist attraction, and people flocked to the park to see it. In Midler’s book, the bird’s arrival leads everyone to put down their phones and live in the moment. As she told NPR, the characters in her book are “only interested in what’s on the screen and how they can photograph themselves against certain backgrounds.” According to Midler, this phenomenon is something she sees a lot in her own life.”And the duck comes to town and sort of reverses that.” Hopefully, Midler’s book will help young children learn to experience the real world without depending on a screen. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Things%20You%20May%20Not%20Know%20About%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Things%20You%20May%20Not%20Know%20About%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Things%20You%20May%20Not%20Know%20About%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Things%20You%20May%20Not%20Know%20About%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Things%20You%20May%20Not%20Know%20About%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** #Movies, Bette Midler, Broadway, concerts, Music, Television, Theatre **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Books, #Broadway, #Concerts, #Iconic, #Movies, #Music, #Television --- ### [Bette Midler Talks About The Making Of No Frills](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/25/bette-midler-talks-about-the-making-of-no-frills/) **Published:** April 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler Talks About The Making Of No Frills **Content:** --- ## The Mosh Pit Bette Midler Talks About The Making Of No Frills By The Staff April 25, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/5e23319445982e2df5791632cc58a599-844x1024.jpg "5e23319445982e2df5791632cc58a599 - bootleg betty")--- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20The%20Making%20Of%20No%20Frills&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20The%20Making%20Of%20No%20Frills%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20The%20Making%20Of%20No%20Frills&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20The%20Making%20Of%20No%20Frills%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20About%20The%20Making%20Of%20No%20Frills%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Interview **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Interview, #NoFrills, #TheMoshPit --- ### [What are Bette Midler's most underrated movies?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/25/what-are-bette-midlers-most-underrated-movies/) **Published:** April 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Here’s the clean, citation?grounded truth from the search results: none of the sources explicitly rank Bette Midler’s “most underrated” films as a category **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty What are Bette Midler’s most underrated movies? By Mister D April 25, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-06_18-27-54.png "2026-04-06_18-27-54 - bootleg betty") --- **What are Bette Midler’s most underrated movies?** Here’s the clean, citation?grounded truth from the search results: none of the sources explicitly rank [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) “most underrated” films as a category — but they do surface titles that are less celebrated, less remembered, or ranked lower despite being interesting, ambitious, or historically important. Using that, we can build a credible, evidence?based list. **Most [Underrated](https://www.imdb.com/de/list/ls061657031/) Bette Midler Movies (Based on Available Sources)** 1. **Jinxed! (1982)** GoldDerby’s ranking places Jinxed! at the bottom of her filmography, noting it as her second starring role and a quirky comedy set in the world of professional blackjack players. It’s rarely discussed today, but historically significant as an early vehicle that shaped her film career. ***Why it’s underrated:*** Early-career experiment Oddball premise Overshadowed by The Rose and later hits 2. **Oliver & Company (1988)** Bootleg Betty’s coverage of “Disney’s most underrated films” includes Oliver & Company in the context of overlooked Disney titles. While not exclusively about Midler, her performance as Georgette is a standout and often forgotten in her filmography. ***Why it’s underrated:*** Midler’s vocal performance is deliciously camp The film is overshadowed by Disney’s later Renaissance era 3. **That Old Feeling (1997)** Search results include imagery and references to That Old Feeling, but it rarely appears in “best of” lists. It’s a sharp, fizzy Carl Reiner comedy with a classic Midler performance that never got its due. (This is an inference based on its absence from top?ranked lists and its presence only in image?based search results.) ***Why it’s underrated:*** Peak 90s rom?com energy Midler is in full screwball mode Overshadowed by First Wives Club (1996) 4. **For the Boys (1991)** Although critically respected and included in GoldDerby’s “greatest films,” it’s often forgotten by casual audiences despite earning Midler an Oscar nomination. ***Why it’s underrated:*** One of her strongest dramatic performances A sweeping, ambitious film that deserves more modern recognition 5. **Big Business (1988)** While beloved by fans, it’s frequently missing from “best of” lists and is often remembered only as a cult comedy. The search results show it mostly in nostalgic or “forgotten 80s comedy” contexts. ***Why it’s underrated:*** Midler + Lily Tomlin = comedic perfection A high?concept farce executed with precision Overshadowed by her more dramatic or musical roles ? **Honorable Mentions (Inferred Underrated Titles)** These appear in search results but not in top?ranked lists, suggesting they’re less celebrated: **Outrageous Fortune (1987)** — present in image results but not highlighted as a top film. **Ruthless People (1986)** — critically loved but often forgotten in modern discussions. (Referenced in GoldDerby’s ranking list.) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=What%20are%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20most%20underrated%20movies%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=What%20are%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20most%20underrated%20movies%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=What%20are%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20most%20underrated%20movies%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=What%20are%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20most%20underrated%20movies%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=What%20are%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20most%20underrated%20movies%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Movies, #underrated --- ### [Video: Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey, Katey Sagal - All You Fascists Bound To Lose](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/24/video-bette-midler-barbara-hershey-katey-sagal-all-you-fascists-bound-to-lose/) **Published:** April 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey, Katey Sagal - All You Fascists Bound To Lose **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey, Katey Sagal – All You Fascists Bound To Lose By Mister D April 24, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-24_16-37-58.png "2026-04-24_16-37-58 - bootleg betty") --- --- **All You Fascists Bound To Lose: The Video Version** with [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/), [\#BarbaraHershey](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/barbarahershey/), [\#KateySagal](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/kateysagal/), [\#David](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/david/)HydePierce, [\#Brian](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/brian/)Hargrove, [\#Shoshana](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/shoshana/)Bean, [\#Marisha](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/marisha/)Wallace, [\#Jennifer](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/jennifer/)Lewis, [\#Christian](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/christian/)DanteWhite, [\#Sara](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sara/)EdwardsButler, [\#Ari](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/ari/)Butler, [\#Matthew](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/matthew/)Mucha, [\#Jaime](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/jaime/)Bartolett, [\#Aron](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/aron/)Kaburick, [\#Amanda](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/amanda/)LaMotte, [\#Elaine](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/elaine/)Caswell, [\#Kristen](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/kristen/)BethWilliams, [\#James](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/james/)Ludwig, [\#Cayden](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/cayden/)Smaka, [\#Corban](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/corban/)Belle, [\#Don](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/don/)TaeMitchell ALL YOU FASCISTS BOUND TO LOSE written by Woody Guthrie derivative written by Bette Midler and Eric Kornfeld Executive Produced by Bette Midler Directed by Toni Basil and Seanne Farmer Director of Photography Emily Hock Edited by Seanne Farmer and Mark Spencer Makeup by Eugenia Weston Assistant to Miss Midler – Jenna Varga @Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc. Used with permission. **All You Fascists *By Woody Guthrie***, ***Bette Midler, and Eric Kornfeld*** You know I’ve been around a long time but I have never lived through what we’re living through now. The great Woody Guthrie wrote this song many years ago. I changed some of the words to fit our times and I hope you’ll sing it when you’re marching. Because sometimes people, sometimes you just gotta sing out! All you fascists bound to lose All you fascists bound to lose I said all you fascists bound to lose You’re bound to lose, you fascists bound to lose Hey there all you fascists, let me put you straight When you come for the r?st of we’ll fight you at the gate And you will los?, you fascists bound to lose We’ll battle ICE together until they cut and run Just like in Minneapolis and when the midterms come You’re bound to lose, you fascists bound to lose All you fascists bound to lose All you fascists bound to lose I said all you fascists bound to lose You’re bound to lose, you fascists bound to lose To hell with all the cowards who hide behind their masks We’re gonna win the midterms, we’re coming for his ass! He knows it too, that bastard’s bound to lose Trying to distract us from the Epstein files You gas and beat and murder us, protectin’ pedophiles Let’s turn the screws, you perverts bound to lose All you fascists bound to lose All you fascists bound to lose I said all you fascists bound to lose You’re bound to lose, you fascists bound to lose America, get ready, midterms are at hand We got to stick together folks and vote to save this land It’s time to choose, those fascists bound to lose All you fascists bound to lose (Hear that!) All you fascists bound to lose (Yes sir!) All you fascists bound to lose You’re bound to lose, you fascists bound to lose (Say what? Everybody say) All you fascists bound to lose (Hear that!) I said, all you fascists bound to lose (Yes sir!) Yes sir, all you fascists bound to lose You’re bound to lose, you fascists bound to lose lose. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Barbara%20Hershey%2C%20Katey%20Sagal%20-%20All%20You%20Fascists%20Bound%20To%20Lose&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Barbara%20Hershey%2C%20Katey%20Sagal%20-%20All%20You%20Fascists%20Bound%20To%20Lose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Barbara%20Hershey%2C%20Katey%20Sagal%20-%20All%20You%20Fascists%20Bound%20To%20Lose&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Barbara%20Hershey%2C%20Katey%20Sagal%20-%20All%20You%20Fascists%20Bound%20To%20Lose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Barbara%20Hershey%2C%20Katey%20Sagal%20-%20All%20You%20Fascists%20Bound%20To%20Lose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Protests **Tags:** #AllYouFascistsBoundToLose, #BarbaraHershey, #BetteMidler, #KateySagal, #More, #WoodyGuthrie --- ### [The Song Bette Midler Sang in No Kings Video](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/25/the-song-bette-midler-sang-in-no-kings-video/) **Published:** March 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** When the occasion calls you, SING OUT! The great Woody Guthrie wrote the original, and I re-wrote some of the words to reflect our current times. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Song Bette Midler Sang in No Kings Video By Mister D March 25, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2022-06-20_4-34-21.jpg "2022-06-20_4-34-21 - bootleg betty")--- --- **From Bette Midler:** *When the occasion calls you, SING OUT! The great Woody Guthrie wrote the original, and I re-wrote some of the words to reflect our current times. I hope you will learn it and sing along* on any and all occasions… protest poster-making *parties, marches, rallies, phone banking, gardening, etc.* “All You Fascists Bound to Lose” (often shortened to “All You Fascists”) is a classic American protest song written by folk legend Woody Guthrie in the early 1940s during World War II. Guthrie, known for his Dust Bowl ballads, union songs, and the famous inscription “This Machine Kills Fascists” on his guitar, penned it as a defiant, upbeat fight song against fascism abroad (Hitler, Mussolini) and oppression at home, including racism, union-busting, and authoritarianism. He recorded a lively version in 1944 during a radio broadcast with blues harmonica player Sonny Terry, featuring a raw, sing-along folk style with call-and-response energy. Guthrie wrote it amid WWII, shortly after publishing his memoir Bound for Glory. He saw fascism not just as foreign dictators but as any system of hate, division, and exploitation. The song has been revived in later eras of social tension, such as after Charlottesville in 2017, and adapted with new verses for contemporary causes. In March 2026, Bette Midler released a modern remake (sometimes called a “derivative” or updated rendition) of the song. She shared a video of her performance on social media, captioned with hashtags like #nokings, and it quickly went viral in protest circles. Midler adapts some lyrics to reference current events and political figures, making it more pointed for today’s audience while keeping the core anti-fascist message and sing-along spirit. It’s presented as a call to organize and resist, with Midler (a longtime outspoken progressive activist and Trump critic) urging action ahead of midterms or in broader resistance contexts. The version has a theatrical, passionate delivery fitting her style—bold, expressive, and crowd-rousing—while honoring Guthrie’s folk roots. Fans and outlets describe it as a powerful protest anthem, often shared alongside calls for unity against authoritarianism. It fits Midler’s history of blending entertainment with social commentary, much like Guthrie did in his era. The song endures because of its timeless simplicity: fascism (broadly defined as oppressive, divisive authoritarianism) will lose when ordinary people organize. Guthrie’s original and Midler’s update both serve as motivational tools for activism, whether in wartime or domestic political battles **All You Fascists *By Woody Guthrie***, ***Bette Midler, and Eric Kornfeld*** You know I’ve been around a long time but I have never lived through what we’re living through now. The great Woody Guthrie wrote this song many years ago. I changed some of the words to fit our times and I hope you’ll sing it when you’re marching. Because sometimes people, sometimes you just gotta sing out! All you fascists bound to lose All you fascists bound to lose I said all you fascists bound to lose You’re bound to lose, you fascists bound to lose Hey there all you fascists, let me put you straight When you come for the r?st of we’ll fight you at the gate And you will los?, you fascists bound to lose We’ll battle ICE together until they cut and run Just like in Minneapolis and when the midterms come You’re bound to lose, you fascists bound to lose All you fascists bound to lose All you fascists bound to lose I said all you fascists bound to lose You’re bound to lose, you fascists bound to lose To hell with all the cowards who hide behind their masks We’re gonna win the midterms, we’re coming for his ass! He knows it too, that bastard’s bound to lose Trying to distract us from the Epstein files You gas and beat and murder us, protectin’ pedophiles Let’s turn the screws, you perverts bound to lose All you fascists bound to lose All you fascists bound to lose I said all you fascists bound to lose You’re bound to lose, you fascists bound to lose America, get ready, midterms are at hand We got to stick together folks and vote to save this land It’s time to choose, those fascists bound to lose All you fascists bound to lose (Hear that!) All you fascists bound to lose (Yes sir!) All you fascists bound to lose You’re bound to lose, you fascists bound to lose (Say what? Everybody say) All you fascists bound to lose (Hear that!) I said, all you fascists bound to lose (Yes sir!) Yes sir, all you fascists bound to lose You’re bound to lose, you fascists bound to lose lose. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Song%20Bette%20Midler%20Sang%20in%20No%20Kings%20Video&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Song%20Bette%20Midler%20Sang%20in%20No%20Kings%20Video%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Song%20Bette%20Midler%20Sang%20in%20No%20Kings%20Video&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Song%20Bette%20Midler%20Sang%20in%20No%20Kings%20Video%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Song%20Bette%20Midler%20Sang%20in%20No%20Kings%20Video%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Politics, Protests, Songs **Tags:** #AllYouFascists, #Audio, #BetteMidler, #NoKings, #Song, #Video --- ### [13 Years Ago Today, Bette Midler's I'll Eat You Last Premiered On Broadway](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/24/13-years-ago-today-bette-midlers-ill-eat-you-last-premiered-on-broadway/) **Published:** April 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** I'll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers is a 2013 one-act solo play (about 80–90 minutes, no intermission) written by John Logan. It premiered #OnThisDay 13 years ago. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty 13 Years Ago Today, Bette Midler’s I’ll Eat You Last Premiered On Broadway By Mister D April 24, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/9bd9d4db8a911df4b2a09d238bed204d.jpg "9bd9d4db8a911df4b2a09d238bed204d - bootleg betty") --- I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with [**Sue Mengers**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sue_Mengers) is a 2013 one-act solo play (about 80–90 minutes, no intermission) written by John Logan. It premiered #OnThisDay 13 years ago. It is a biographical comedy/drama that unfolds as a gossipy, profane, name-dropping monologue delivered by legendary Hollywood talent agent Sue Mengers (1932–2011). **Overview and Plot** The action is set in 1981 in Mengers’ luxurious Beverly Hills home. On the day Barbra Streisand’s lawyers fire her as an agent, Mengers lounges in a caftan, smoking, drinking, and chatting directly with the audience while anxiously awaiting a call from her longtime client and friend Streisand. Through witty, biting anecdotes, she recounts her rise from a German-Jewish refugee to Hollywood’s first female “superagent” in the 1970s New Hollywood era. The play blends humor, vulnerability, and insider dish on power, fame, packaging deals, and the cutthroat agency business. **Key creative team for the original production:** Directed by Joe Mantello Scenic design by Scott Pask Costume design by Ann Roth Starring [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/theatre/) as Sue Mengers (her first Broadway role in over 30 years) It premiered on Broadway at the Booth Theatre (previews from April 5, opened April 24, closed June 30, 2013: 18 previews + 71 performances). The production cost about $2.4 million and recouped its investment, becoming a commercial hit and celeb-magnet despite mixed-to-positive reviews that praised Midler’s star power more than the script itself. Bette Midler later performed it in Los Angeles at the Geffen Playhouse (West Coast premiere, December 2013). Other productions followed, including in Australia (Miriam Margolyes) and various regional theaters. **Clients** Sue Mengers was a pioneering agent known for her bold style, parties, and ability to “package” talent. Her roster in the 1970s included many of the biggest stars and directors of the era: Barbra Streisand (a major client and friend; the play centers on their relationship ending) Faye Dunaway, Ali MacGraw, Cybill Shepherd, Candice Bergen, Dyan Cannon, Cher, Joan Collins, Tuesday Weld, Tatum O’Neal, Burt Reynolds, Gene Hackman, Ryan O’Neal, Steve McQueen, Michael Caine, Nick Nolte, **Directors:** Peter Bogdanovich, Mike Nichols, Sidney Lumet, Brian De Palma, Bob Fosse, William Friedkin She started at agencies like William Morris and CMA (later ICM), signing clients aggressively and negotiating big deals (e.g., pairing Streisand, Ryan O’Neal, and Bogdanovich for What’s Up, Doc?). By the early 1980s, many stars drifted away, leading to her reduced status in the play’s timeframe. **Awards and Nominations** The production was more of a commercial and star-vehicle success than a major awards contender, with no Tony nominations. **Bette Midler recognitions for her performance:** **Drama Desk Award:** Nominated for Outstanding Solo Performance (2013) **Drama League Award:** Distinguished Performance Award nomination (2013) **BroadwayWorld Awards:** Won Best Leading Actress in a Play (2013) Midler was snubbed for a Tony, which some attributed to the show’s limited run or category fit, but it still drew strong box office. **Trivia and Notable Facts** **Real-life connection:** Bette Midler was friends with Sue Mengers in real life and attended her famous Hollywood salons. Midler has said she channeled that personal knowledge. **Controversy:** The play includes a claim that Jane Fonda turned down the lead in Chinatown (which went to Faye Dunaway). Fonda publicly disputed this in 2013, saying Polanski never seriously offered it to her. **Style and content:** Heavy on profanity, smoking (herbal cigarettes on stage), drinking, drug references, and Hollywood gossip. The title comes from Mengers’ blunt philosophy about surviving in showbiz. **Mengers’ legacy:** She was known for her wit, resilience (immigrant background, father’s suicide), and salons that continued post-retirement with A-listers. She inspired characters in films/TV (e.g., The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s Susie Myerson) and was portrayed elsewhere (e.g., in The Offer). A biopic with Jennifer Lawrence was once in development. **Midler’s return:** This marked a triumphant stage comeback for Midler before her Tony-winning run in Hello, Dolly! (2017). **Audience appeal:** Often described as an “event” rather than a traditional play—perfect for fans of insider Hollywood stories and Midler’s larger-than-life persona. The play remains available for licensing and offers a fun, bitchy window into 1970s Hollywood power dynamics through one unforgettable voice. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=13%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20I%27ll%20Eat%20You%20Last%20Premiered%20On%20Broadway&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=13%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20I%27ll%20Eat%20You%20Last%20Premiered%20On%20Broadway%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=13%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20I%27ll%20Eat%20You%20Last%20Premiered%20On%20Broadway&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=13%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20I%27ll%20Eat%20You%20Last%20Premiered%20On%20Broadway%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=13%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20I%27ll%20Eat%20You%20Last%20Premiered%20On%20Broadway%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, I'll Eat You Last! **Tags:** #IllEatYouLast, #SueMengers, BetteMidler --- ### [Bette Midler Visits Katey Sagal At Khorus Harmonia!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/24/bette-midler-visits-katey-sagal-at-khorus-harmonia/) **Published:** April 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Opening night Khorus Harmonia! Look who showed up! With much love and support... #bettemidler #ritawilson #ambervalletta **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Visits Katey Sagal At Khorus Harmonia! By Mister D April 24, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-24_04-24-48.png "2026-04-24_04-24-48 - bootleg betty") --- Opening night Khorus Harmonia! Look who showed up! With much love and support… [\#bettemidler](https://x.com/hashtag/bettemidler?src=hashtag_click) [\#ritawilson](https://x.com/hashtag/ritawilson?src=hashtag_click) [\#ambervalletta](https://x.com/hashtag/ambervalletta?src=hashtag_click) #kateysagal Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Katey%20Sagal%20At%20Khorus%20Harmonia%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Katey%20Sagal%20At%20Khorus%20Harmonia%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Katey%20Sagal%20At%20Khorus%20Harmonia%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Katey%20Sagal%20At%20Khorus%20Harmonia%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Katey%20Sagal%20At%20Khorus%20Harmonia%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Katey Sagal, Photos **Tags:** #AmberValetta, #BetteMidler, #KateySagal, #KhorusHarmonia, #RitaWilson --- ### [The Mosh Pit - Bette Midler -Feed On Each Other - Boston 78](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/24/the-mosh-pit-bette-midler-feed-on-each-other-boston-78/) **Published:** April 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler - Banter (Live at Paradise Boston, MA 1978) **Content:** --- ## The Mosh Pit Bette Midler – Banter (Live at Paradise Boston, MA 1978) By Staff April 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-23_13-03-52.png "2026-04-23_13-03-52 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Mosh%20Pit%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-Feed%20On%20Each%20Other%20-%20Boston%2078&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Mosh%20Pit%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-Feed%20On%20Each%20Other%20-%20Boston%2078%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Mosh%20Pit%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-Feed%20On%20Each%20Other%20-%20Boston%2078&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Mosh%20Pit%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-Feed%20On%20Each%20Other%20-%20Boston%2078%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Mosh%20Pit%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-Feed%20On%20Each%20Other%20-%20Boston%2078%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** An Intimate Evening, Audio, Bette Midler, concerts **Tags:** #Audio, #Banter, #BetteMidler, #Concerts, #FeedOnEachOther, #IntimateEvening, #TheMoshPit --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - The Stepford Wives (2004) | Behind the Scenes + Deleted Scenes](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/24/video-bette-midler-the-stepford-wives-2004-behind-the-scenes-deleted-scenes/) **Published:** April 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler - The Stepford Wives (2004) | Behind the Scenes + Deleted Scenes **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – The Stepford Wives (2004) | Behind the Scenes + Deleted Scenes By Mister D April 24, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-23_13-28-07.png "2026-04-23_13-28-07 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Stepford%20Wives%20%282004%29%20%7C%20Behind%20the%20Scenes%20%2B%20Deleted%20Scenes&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Stepford%20Wives%20%282004%29%20%7C%20Behind%20the%20Scenes%20%2B%20Deleted%20Scenes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Stepford%20Wives%20%282004%29%20%7C%20Behind%20the%20Scenes%20%2B%20Deleted%20Scenes&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Stepford%20Wives%20%282004%29%20%7C%20Behind%20the%20Scenes%20%2B%20Deleted%20Scenes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Stepford%20Wives%20%282004%29%20%7C%20Behind%20the%20Scenes%20%2B%20Deleted%20Scenes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, The Stepford Wives, Video **Tags:** #BehindTheScenes, #BetteMidler, #DeletedScenes, #Movie, #TheStepfordWives, #Video --- ### [Happy Belated Earth Day!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/23/happy-belated-earth-day/) **Published:** April 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Happy Belated Earth Day! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Happy Belated Earth Day! By Mister D April 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/90b9f7d2680af20f3f0cc2e7260e0bf6.jpg "90b9f7d2680af20f3f0cc2e7260e0bf6 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Happy%20Belated%20Earth%20Day%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Happy%20Belated%20Earth%20Day%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Happy%20Belated%20Earth%20Day%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Happy%20Belated%20Earth%20Day%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Happy%20Belated%20Earth%20Day%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Earth Day, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #earthDay --- ### [Bette Midler Suggests Seeing Katey Sagal's Khorus Harmonia](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/23/bette-midler-suggests-seeing-katey-sagals-khorus-harmonia/) **Published:** April 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Khorus Harmonia is a limited-run choral concert/theatrical experience titled "Music & Feels in 66 Minutes." **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Suggests Seeing Katey Sagal’s, Khorus Harmonia By Mister D April 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-23_14-38-30.png "2026-04-23_14-38-30 - bootleg betty") --- [**Khorus Harmonia**](https://www.theatreinla.com/khorus-harmonia/11309/) is a limited-run choral concert/theatrical experience titled “Music & Feels in 66 Minutes.” It was conceived and led by actress/singer [**Katey Sagal**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katey_Sagal) (known for Sons of Anarchy, Married… with Children, etc.), with book and staging by her husband, writer/producer Kurt Sutter (creator of Sons of Anarchy). **Key Details:** **Format:** A hybrid choral performance featuring contemporary songs arranged for choir, blending music, storytelling, and theatrical elements. Choral arrangements and direction are by Steven Argila. **Run:** Performances at Hollywood’s Hudson Backstage Theatre (part of The Hudson Theatres), with a preview on April 21, 2026, and main shows from April 22 to May 2, 2026 (about 10 performances). Purpose/Benefits: All proceeds go to charity — specifically The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights and The Wounded Warrior Project. **Context:** It marks a creative collaboration between Sagal and Sutter outside their Sons of Anarchy work. Sagal has described it as a response to feeling down about the state of the world, turning to choral singing for uplift. It’s a relatively intimate, feel-good live event focused on vocal harmony and emotion rather than a full narrative drama or biker-themed show (despite the couple’s SOA background). Tickets were available through standard LA theater channels. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Suggests%20Seeing%20Katey%20Sagal%27s%20Khorus%20Harmonia&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Suggests%20Seeing%20Katey%20Sagal%27s%20Khorus%20Harmonia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Suggests%20Seeing%20Katey%20Sagal%27s%20Khorus%20Harmonia&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Suggests%20Seeing%20Katey%20Sagal%27s%20Khorus%20Harmonia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Suggests%20Seeing%20Katey%20Sagal%27s%20Khorus%20Harmonia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Katey Sagal **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #KatieSagal, #KhorusHarmonia, #KurtSutter, #MusicAndFeelsIn66Minutes --- ### [BoodlesBonBon Video: Bette Midler - Rainbow Sleeves - 1979](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/23/boodlesbonbon-video-bette-midler-rainbow-sleeves-1979/) **Published:** April 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BoodlesBonBon Video: Bette Midler - Rainbow Sleeves **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon BoodlesBonBon Video: Bette Midler – Rainbow Sleeves – 1979 By Boodles BonBon April 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-23_11-37-35.png "2026-04-23_11-37-35 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BoodlesBonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rainbow%20Sleeves%20-%201979&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BoodlesBonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rainbow%20Sleeves%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BoodlesBonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rainbow%20Sleeves%20-%201979&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BoodlesBonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rainbow%20Sleeves%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BoodlesBonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rainbow%20Sleeves%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Divine Madness, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #DivineMadness, #RainbowSleeves, #TomWaits, #Video --- ### [The Mosh Pit: Bette Midler - Soph Jokes - Boston '78](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/23/the-mosh-pit-bette-midler-soph-jokes-boston-78/) **Published:** April 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Mosh Pit: Bette Midler - Soph Jokes - Boston '78 **Content:** --- ## The Mosh Pit The Mosh Pit: Bette Midler – Soph Jokes – Boston ’78 By The Staff April 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-07_16-08-18-1.png "2026-04-07_16-08-18 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Mosh%20Pit%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Jokes%20-%20Boston%20%2778&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Mosh%20Pit%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Jokes%20-%20Boston%20%2778%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Mosh%20Pit%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Jokes%20-%20Boston%20%2778&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Mosh%20Pit%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Jokes%20-%20Boston%20%2778%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Mosh%20Pit%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Jokes%20-%20Boston%20%2778%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Soph Jokes **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #MoshPit, #SophJokes --- ### [Reviews For Beaches Musical Is A Washout For The Critics](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/23/reviews-for-beaches-musical-is-a-washout-for-the-critics/) **Published:** April 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The musical version of the beloved 1988 Bette Midler film is earning some of the season's most negative notices. **Content:** --- ## Gold Derby The ‘fatally misguided’ ‘Beaches’ Broadway musical is a washout with critics By Ethan Alter April 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-23_10-37-13.png "2026-04-23_10-37-13 - bootleg betty") --- The musical version of the beloved 1988 [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/21/the-250-million-divine-miss-m-bette-midler-at-80/) film is earning some of the season’s most negative notices. Photo: Kelli Barrett and Jessica Vosk in Beaches (Marc J. Franklin) It’s not a day at the beach for the creative team behind [**Beaches**](https://beachesthemusical.com/). The musical version of the beloved 1988 Bette Midler-Barbara Hershey weepie — based on Iris Rainer Dart’s 1985 novel — officially bowed on Broadway on Wednesday night, followed by a tide of uniformly mixed-to-negative reviews. The author herself is closely involved in the production, which started its long road to Broadway in 2014. Dart penned the lyrics for the show, with music provided by Mike Stoller, and co-wrote the book with Thom Thomas, using her own novel as reference more than the film adaptation. Stepping in for Midler and Hershey are Broadway veterans Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett, who act out the decades-long odd-couple friendship between brassy showbiz upstart Cee Cee Bloom (Vosk) and reformed WASP Bertie White (Barrett). As in the film, that friendship culminates in Cee Cee nursing Bertie through her terminal cancer, and then singing the Grammy-winning anthem “Wind Beneath My Wings” as a loving tribute to her late friend. A former Elphaba from Broadway’s Wicked, Vosk can certainly belt that signature Midler track, while Barrett — another Oz veteran as a former Nessarosse — closes out Act 1 with one of the show’s few memorable new songs, “My Best.” The musical itself is earnestly intent on pleasing the Beaches faithful; when Gold Derby saw the show, those specific audience members were heard audibly choking up as Cee Cee and Bertie prepared to say goodbye to each other. But it’s safe to say that if either the book or movie left you dry-eyed, the musical won’t change your mind. ***Here’s a sampling of the critical reaction to Beaches.*** ***The meh*** **Entertainment Weekly’s** Sarah Hearon offers one of the kinder takes on Beaches, crediting directors Lonny Price and Matt Cowart with finding creative ways for the six actors who play Cee Cee and Bertie at different ages — children, teenagers, and adults — to inhabit the same space. “\[Whenever\] all six women were on stage at the same time, it is hard not to smile and think: This is girlhood,” she writes. “That sentiment, however, fades a bit as the show changes the plot of the movie, seemingly in an attempt to stay true to the book. A plot device of a second “love triangle” conflict … was disappointing and provided a lack of growth of Bertie’s character, who becomes a confident lawyer in the movie, but not on stage.” Over in **Theaterly**, Juan A. Ramirez, labels the show “not bad,” but rather, “fatally misguided,” absolving the actors from blame. “A decade or so ago, when cynical exercises in screen-to-stage adaptations were popping up like Hollywood herpes (have we found a cure for Ghost: The Musical?), this would have been one of the better ones. It’s perfectly harmless, and just as forgettable,” he observes. “Vosk, particularly, though bereft of material to leave much of an impression, acquits herself as a strong lead.” And **Slant’s** Dan Rubins says that the palpable chemistry between Vosk and Barrett helps distract from the musical’s shortcomings. “The script … is sturdiest when fully focused on the friendship,” he notes. “In the few sequences when Cee Cee and Bertie are absent … Beaches starts to collapse.” “It helps that the show’s central relationship is more interesting than it is in the film,” Rubins adds. “Here, Bertie and Cee Cee recognize, as they grow up, that as much as they love each other, as a result of being humans, not angels, there are limits to even the closest of ties. … Beaches is a lovely little show with a sweet heart that’s all dolled up for a the nearly 2,000-seat Majestic Theatre when it could alight with greater grace somewhere cozier.” ***The bad*** **People’s** Dave Quinn kicks off the wave of Beaches pans by suggesting the musical can’t find — you guessed it — the wind beneath its wings. “The musical arrives with built-in goodwill and high expectations it can never quite meet,” he writes, largely dismissing the show’s musical numbers. “Despite the pedigree — music by Grammy Award-winning legend Mike Stoller with lyrics by Dart — the songs rarely linger. They do their job in the moment but fail to build a musical identity or deepen character in a meaningful way. By the time the story reaches its most famous emotional beat, it’s still searching for the resonance it needs.” The **New York Post’s** Johnny Oleksinki trots out even harsher adjectives for the tunes. “Not only is its music rather long in the tooth, but the score with some true clunkers also works very hard not to venture too far from the soft synth 1980s sounds of ‘Wind Beneath My Wings,'” he sniffs. “The melodies range from forgettable to bouncy-house random. And the lyrics are, well, they’re by a novelist. A dire number depicting the ladies’ weddings mindbogglingly goes ‘Holy moly matrimony!’ In college, a singing Cee Cee advises Bertie that she ‘escape from that man like my grandparents escaped from the Tsar!’ Both have a tune about the other called ‘My Best.’ Who calls their best friend simply their ‘best'” And in **Mashable**, Kristy Puchko slaps the production a flat-out “disastrous” dismissal. “It’s just a shame that Dart’s book and lyrics are less the wind beneath her wings and more an anchor sinking the whole production,” she writes. “This is a thankless show for the cast. The songs are awful. And all of the adult actors, aside from leads Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett, are tasked to play multiple thin roles.” But Puchko does, at least, credit Vosk for the few moments when the show takes flight. “Vosk gives her all to every underwhelming song. And while I can’t remember a single lyric from the new Broadway numbers, I can remember the way my heart soared as she hit a high note with a broad smile. She’s a stunner who understands why the audience has come. She’s working hard to give us Midler-like oomph.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Reviews%20For%20Beaches%20Musical%20Is%20A%20Washout%20For%20The%20Critics&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Reviews%20For%20Beaches%20Musical%20Is%20A%20Washout%20For%20The%20Critics%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Reviews%20For%20Beaches%20Musical%20Is%20A%20Washout%20For%20The%20Critics&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Reviews%20For%20Beaches%20Musical%20Is%20A%20Washout%20For%20The%20Critics%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Reviews%20For%20Beaches%20Musical%20Is%20A%20Washout%20For%20The%20Critics%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Broadway, Theatre **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #Musical, #Theater --- ### [From Bette Midler Still Divine: Bette Midler Weighs Her Tits! 1983](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/21/from-bette-midler-still-divine-bette-midler-weighs-her-tits-1983/) **Published:** April 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From Bette Midler Still Divine: Bette Midler Weighs Her Tits! 1983 **Content:** --- ## Bette Midler: Still Divine From Bette Midler Still Divine: Bette Midler Weighs Her Tits! 1983 By Bette Midler: Still Divine April 22, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-21_20-52-53.png "2026-04-21_20-52-53 - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXZKfXXILaV/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Fan Page (@bettemidlerstilldivine)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXZKfXXILaV/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=From%20Bette%20Midler%20Still%20Divine%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Weighs%20Her%20Tits%21%201983&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=From%20Bette%20Midler%20Still%20Divine%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Weighs%20Her%20Tits%21%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=From%20Bette%20Midler%20Still%20Divine%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Weighs%20Her%20Tits%21%201983&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=From%20Bette%20Midler%20Still%20Divine%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Weighs%20Her%20Tits%21%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=From%20Bette%20Midler%20Still%20Divine%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Weighs%20Her%20Tits%21%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Joke, #Knpckers, #StillDivine, #Tits --- ### [The $250 Million Divine Miss M, Bette Midler, at 80](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/21/the-250-million-divine-miss-m-bette-midler-at-80/) **Published:** April 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Every October, Bette Midler throws a Halloween party at Cipriani 42nd Street. The event is called Hulaween. It is the annual fundraiser for her New York Restoration Project. **Content:** --- ## Bette Midler Net Worth: The $250 Million Divine Miss M at 80 Social Life Magazine By Cass Almendral April 22, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-07_16-13-22.png "2026-04-07_16-13-22 - bootleg betty") --- Every October, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/25/the-song-bette-midler-sang-in-no-kings-video/) throws a Halloween party at Cipriani 42nd Street. The event is called Hulaween. It is the annual fundraiser for her [**New York Restoration Project**](https://www.nyrp.org/en/). The nonprofit was founded in 1995 to clean up neglected New York parks and community gardens. Costumes are elaborate. Tickets start at $1,500. The after-party runs until 3 a.m. She has done this for thirty years. She is 80. The Bette Midler net worth figure sits at approximately $250 million in 2026. Celebrity Net Worth holds it there. Other industry trackers push it toward $280 million when factoring in her Manhattan and Kauai real estate portfolio. The real story behind the Bette Midler net worth calculation is not the figure itself. It is the half-century of working simultaneously across four disciplines that should, by Hollywood convention, be mutually exclusive. Singer. Actress. Broadway star. Philanthropic powerbroker. Cher called her contemporary peer. Barbra Streisand called her a friend for fifty years. Moreover, every female comedic actress who came after her, from Kathy Najimy to Amy Schumer, studied her timing. Few of them could execute the switch from loud to tender that Midler does without effort. That is the technical asset underneath the fortune. **The Before: Honolulu, Aiea, and the Only Jewish Family on the Block** Bette Davis Midler was born in Honolulu on December 1, 1945. Her mother Ruth worked as a seamstress. Her father Fred worked as a house painter at a Navy base. She was named after the actress Bette Davis. The family was Jewish in a neighborhood, Aiea, that was predominantly Asian and Pacific Islander. That detail matters. She has spoken in interviews about being the outsider in Aiea. Consequently, performing became her route to attention and acceptance. She attended Radford High School, where she was voted “Most Dramatic” and “Most Talkative” in her 1961 senior year. Afterward, she enrolled at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to study drama. Three semesters later, she dropped out. In 1966, Midler landed an uncredited role as a seasick passenger in the James Michener adaptation Hawaii. The job paid enough to get her to New York. That was the point. **The Pivot Moment: The Continental Baths and Barry Manilow** Midler arrived in New York City in mid-1965. She studied with Uta Hagen at HB Studio. She landed a role in Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway, playing Tzeitel, in 1966. The run lasted three years. During that period, her sister Judy was killed by a taxi on her way to watch Midler perform. The loss would shape the rest of her career. In 1970, Midler began performing at the Continental Baths. The venue was a gay bathhouse in the basement of the Ansonia Hotel on West 74th Street. Clientele wore towels. The shows began at 1 a.m. Barry Manilow, then an unknown pianist, accompanied her on a small upright. The Continental Baths run lasted roughly eighteen months. In that time, Midler built the persona that would carry her career. The Divine Miss M. Bawdy, uninhibited, queer-coded, New York through and through. The act was raw and loud. It was indebted to the Andrews Sisters, Sophie Tucker, and the entire lost vocabulary of Jewish vaudeville. In 1972, Atlantic Records signed her. Her debut album released in November that year. It went Platinum in the United States and Canada. It also earned her the 1974 Grammy for Best New Artist. **The Climb: The Rose, Beaches, and the First Wives Club Era** Midler’s film debut came in 1979 with The Rose. She played a Janis Joplin-inspired rock singer destroyed by her own addictions. The film earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The soundtrack’s title song went Gold and won her a Grammy. The Rose was directed by Mark Rydell. He would reunite with her twelve years later for For the Boys. Then came 1988. That year, Midler starred in Beaches. The weepie about female friendship earned approximately $57 million domestically on a $20 million budget. The soundtrack became her best-selling album ever. “Wind Beneath My Wings” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also won Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 1990 Grammy Awards. In 1993, Disney released Hocus Pocus. The film underperformed in its original theatrical run. However, it became a cult classic through annual Halloween cable airings in the 1990s and 2000s. By the time Disney released Hocus Pocus 2 on streaming in 2022, the franchise had reached generational status. That sequel became one of the most-watched original films on Disney+ in its opening weekend. The other tentpole was 1996’s The First Wives Club. Midler starred alongside Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton. The film grossed approximately $181 million globally on a $26 million budget. That was the last 1990s hit of the three-actress-comedy genre before the genre itself disappeared. For a parallel reinvention arc, see our Cher pillar on the six-decade compounding engine. **The New York Chapter: Fifth Avenue, the Restoration Project, and Hulaween** In 1995, Midler founded the New York Restoration Project. The organization has since cleaned up and permanently protected more than 100 community gardens across all five boroughs. Furthermore, NYRP has planted over one million trees through its MillionTreesNYC partnership with the Bloomberg administration. The organization operates on an annual budget of roughly $10 million. Hulaween provides a significant portion of that budget. Past hosts and co-chairs have included Meryl Streep, Sarah Jessica Parker, and a rotating cast of Broadway and film royalty. Attendance routinely tops 1,000. In 1996, Midler and her husband Martin von Haselberg bought a 14-room triplex on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. She would later list the apartment in 2019 for $50 million. Additionally, the family has owned a 38-acre estate in Kauai since 1988, purchased for approximately $1.5 million. That property has appreciated substantially. The Kauai estate and Fifth Avenue triplex anchor the real estate core of the Bette Midler net worth calculation. Midler’s connection to New York is structural. Most Hollywood fortunes tie to Los Angeles. Midler’s ties to Manhattan philanthropy, East Coast theater, and the city’s cultural calendar. Hulaween is the Broadway equivalent of a Hamptons charity gala. The crowd overlaps heavily with the summer East End set. Many of the same donors show up at both. For the broader architecture of New York legacy wealth, see our Living Legends Net Worth pillar. **The Bette Midler Net Worth Architecture Beyond the Awards** The award shelf is full. Three Grammy Awards. Three Primetime Emmy Awards. Four Golden Globe Awards. One special Tony Award in 1974. A second, competitive Tony Award in 2017 for her performance as Dolly Gallagher Levi in the revival of Hello, Dolly!. Together these accolades put her one Academy Award away from EGOT status. In 2021, she received Kennedy Center Honors. The lifetime achievement award is reserved for performers whose work has shaped the nation’s cultural identity. She was inducted alongside Joni Mitchell, Berry Gordy, Lorne Michaels, and Justino Díaz. The ceremony aired on CBS. The music catalog carries its own weight. Midler has sold over 35 million records globally. Notably, “Wind Beneath My Wings” remains one of the most-licensed American songs in history. It is played at weddings, funerals, military tributes, and Olympic ceremonies. The royalty stream from that single song alone likely generates six figures annually. Moreover, her entire Atlantic Records catalog continues to generate streaming income thirty years after her commercial peak. The publishing side of the Bette Midler net worth equation is less visible but no less important. Every time Hocus Pocus airs on cable in October, residuals flow. Every time Beaches streams on a subscription platform, the catalog ticks up. Additionally, The First Wives Club continues to generate licensing income from its stage adaptation. The musical toured Los Angeles in 2015. It continues to surface in regional theater productions. For the broader context of how legacy music catalogs compound, see our Celebrity Net Worth Rankings 2026. **The Soft Landing: Hocus Pocus 2, The Fabulous Four, and Small Parts** Midler is 80 and working. Hocus Pocus 2 arrived on Disney+ in September 2022. It reunited her with Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy for the first time in twenty-nine years. Then in 2024, Midler starred in The Fabulous Four opposite Susan Sarandon, Megan Mullally, and Sheryl Lee Ralph. The film was directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse and released by Bleecker Street in the United States. Additionally, she co-wrote a new comedy called Small Parts with writer-director Molly Gordon. The project, about two competitive female actors, is in post-production as of early 2026. It will likely be her fiftieth feature film credit when it reaches theaters. Meanwhile, the New York Restoration Project continues to expand. The 30th anniversary of the organization coincides with her 80th birthday. Hulaween 2025 was one of the largest in the event’s history. Moreover, the organization has begun piloting a national model, with sister chapters under development in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. **The East End Verdict** The Bette Midler net worth figure of $250 million is the numerical residue of fifty-five years of unbroken working. Music, film, Broadway, philanthropy, activism, and the stubborn New York refusal to retire. Most entertainers her age have either exited into a single residency or retired into silence. Midler has done neither. She has simply kept going. That is the full Bette Midler net worth thesis. The wealth is downstream of the working. The philanthropy is downstream of the wealth. The next generation of New York is downstream of the philanthropy. Subsequently, the whole structure reinforces itself at every tier. **Read the Chronicles** The fish is the last to notice the water. Most readers of this magazine operate inside the same pond as the people in these profiles. The pond is the Hamptons between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Those dinners close the deals. Summers decide who gets invited back. If you are already swimming in it, you already know what that water is worth. Want your story told the way Social Life Magazine tells these stories? Editorial inquiries go to sociallifemagazine.com/contact. One feature subject per issue. The waitlist moves when someone misses it. If the editorial calendar is booked and you still want in, Submit A Paid Feature at sociallifemagazine.com/submit-a-paid-feature/. Three tiers, print and digital. The feature runs in the issue that lands in the hands you are trying to reach. Our 82,000-reader summer preview list opens Memorial Day weekend. Sign up at \[enflyer URL TK\] and read what the rest of the Hamptons reads before they do. Polo Hamptons returns July 18 and July 25 in Bridgehampton with BMW as title sponsor. Sponsorship and VIP inquiries go to polohamptons.com. The tent list closes by May. Print is still how the East End reads when it actually wants to read. Subscribe at sociallifemagazine.com/subscription. Five summer issues, two winter, direct to your door between Montauk and Manhattan. Support the magazine at paypal.com/donate. Independent publishing is the only kind still worth reading. It is also the only kind that tracks the next Bette Midler net worth milestone. Before the rest of the culture notices. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20%24250%20Million%20Divine%20Miss%20M%2C%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20at%2080&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20%24250%20Million%20Divine%20Miss%20M%2C%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20at%2080%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20%24250%20Million%20Divine%20Miss%20M%2C%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20at%2080&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20%24250%20Million%20Divine%20Miss%20M%2C%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20at%2080%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20%24250%20Million%20Divine%20Miss%20M%2C%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20at%2080%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Charities, Movies, NYRP, Theatre **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Charities, #Movies, #Music, #NYRP, #TV --- ### [So Nice To See Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey Reunited](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/20/so-nice-to-see-bette-midler-barbara-hershey-reunited/) **Published:** April 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** So Nice To See Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey Reunited **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty So Nice To See Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey Reunited By Mister D April 20, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/674159172_10162028858296207_208517697150274777_n.jpg "674159172_10162028858296207_208517697150274777_n - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=So%20Nice%20To%20See%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20Reunited&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=So%20Nice%20To%20See%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20Reunited%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=So%20Nice%20To%20See%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20Reunited&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=So%20Nice%20To%20See%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20Reunited%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=So%20Nice%20To%20See%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20Reunited%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Politics, Protests **Tags:** #BarbaraHershey, #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Politics, #Protest, #Reunited, #Sequel --- ### [These '80s Comedies Would Be Huge If Released Now](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/20/these-80s-comedies-would-be-huge-if-released-now/) **Published:** April 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The 1980s produced no shortage of iconic comedies, but some movies were grossly underrated and would likely have flourished if released today. **Content:** --- ## Screen Rant 10 Underrated 80s Comedy Movies That Could Have Been Huge If Released Today By Richard Craig April 20, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-19_19-29-20-1024x521.png "2026-04-19_19-29-20 - bootleg betty") The 1980s produced no shortage of iconic comedies, but some movies were grossly underrated and would likely have flourished if released today. Whether they were too weird, too ahead of their time, or simply poorly marketed, some comedies just didn’t connect with audiences when they were first released. For every blockbuster hit that became a cultural staple, there were plenty of films that slipped through the cracks. Looking back, it’s clear that many of these movies weren’t failures because they lacked quality – they just didn’t match the sensibilities of the era. Modern audiences, raised on internet humor, irony, and genre-blending storytelling, are often far more receptive to offbeat ideas and unconventional structures. What might have seemed bizarre or niche in the ’80s can feel perfectly aligned with today’s comedy landscape. Streaming and social media have also changed how comedies find their audience. Films that rely on rapid-fire jokes, absurd visuals, or layered humor are now more likely to thrive through repeat viewings and online sharing. With that in mind, several ’80s comedies feel like they were made for today – and might have been massive hits if released now. **Better Off Dead (1985)** Better Off Dead is a perfect example of a movie that was simply too strange for its time. Starring John Cusack, the film blends a familiar teen romance setup with wildly surreal humor that constantly breaks reality. Cusack plays Lane, a teenager whose life spirals when his girlfriend leaves him for the popular jock. From the now-iconic animated hamburger musical number to the recurring gag of a paperboy demanding “two dollars,” the movie feels closer to modern sketch comedy than a traditional ’80s teen film. At the time, its offbeat tone confused audiences expecting something more straightforward. Today, however, that randomness would be a huge asset. Better Off Dead’s meme-ready jokes, rapid tonal shifts, and willingness to embrace absurdity align perfectly with internet-era humor, where unpredictability is part of the appeal and rewatchability is key to success. **Top Secret! (1984)** From the creators of Airplane!, Top Secret! doubles down on relentless visual gags and blink-and-you-miss-it jokes, but it didn’t achieve the same level of success on release. The film parodies everything from Elvis movies to Cold War spy thrillers, throwing an overwhelming number of jokes at the audience in quick succession. It follows a rock and roll singer played by Val Kilmer who becomes embroiled in a resistance plot in East Germany. One standout sequence involves an entire scene filmed in reverse and then played forward, creating a surreal, technically impressive gag that many viewers might not fully process the first time. That density of humor is exactly why Top Secret! would thrive today. In the age of streaming, viewers can pause, rewind, and share clips, allowing every joke to land. Its layered comedy feels tailor-made for repeat viewing and online discovery. **UHF (1989)** UHF arrived at the wrong time, famously overshadowed by major blockbuster releases, but its comedic style feels incredibly modern. Starring Weird Al Yankovic, the film plays like a series of chaotic sketches loosely tied together by a story about a struggling TV station. Segments like “Wheel of Fish” and the hyper-violent parody of Rambo showcase the movie’s commitment to absurd, fast-paced humor. At the time, this scattershot approach may have felt unfocused, but today it mirrors the structure of viral content and short-form comedy. In a streaming landscape where audiences embrace randomness and shareable moments, UHF would likely find a massive following, thriving as an endlessly quotable and rewatchable comedy. It feels perfect for the TikTok generation. **The King Of Comedy (1982)** While often discussed as a drama, The King of Comedy is a deeply uncomfortable satire that leans heavily into dark humor. Robert De Niro plays Rupert Pupkin, an aspiring comedian whose obsession with fame spirals into increasingly disturbing territory. On release, its tone left audiences unsure how to react. It wasn’t broad enough to be a traditional comedy, nor straightforward enough to be a conventional drama. It was also De Niro’s first real foray into comedy, which many at the time found incongruous. Today, however, its themes feel incredibly relevant. The King of Comedy’s exploration of fame, delusion, and the desire for recognition closely mirrors modern social media culture. Moments that once felt awkward now play as sharply intentional satire. In an era more comfortable with cringe comedy and antiheroes, The King of Comedy would likely be embraced as both hilarious and unsettling in equal measure. **Clue (1985)** Clue is now a beloved cult classic, but its original release was surprisingly underwhelming. Part of that was due to its unusual gimmick: different theaters received different endings. In an age before social media, this left audiences confused rather than intrigued. Today, that kind of playful experimentation would likely be a huge selling point – driving digital marketing and online discourses. The film’s real strength lies in its rapid-fire dialogue and perfectly timed performances, particularly from Tim Curry, whose frantic final explanation scene has become iconic. Modern audiences, used to quick-witted ensemble comedies and rewatchable mysteries, would likely embrace its chaotic energy. In the age of Knives Out, Clue feels less like an oddity and more like a blueprint for a hugely successful genre revival. **Johnny Dangerously (1984)** Johnny Dangerously leans heavily into parody, spoofing classic gangster films with an intentionally ridiculous tone. While that style struggled to find a wide audience at the time, its dense, joke-packed script feels far more suited to modern viewing habits. Starring Michael Keaton, Johnny Dangerously is set in the 1930s and follows an honest man forced into a life of crime to pay his mother’s escalating medical bills. The movie thrives on absurd one-liners and recurring gags, including the endlessly quotable “once… once” jokes. Its humor is rapid, self-aware, and often intentionally silly, rewarding viewers who pay close attention. In today’s clip-driven culture, where short, shareable moments dominate, Johnny Dangerously would likely thrive. Its quotability and constant stream of jokes make it ideal for repeat viewing, something that would help it build a much larger audience now than it did in the ’80s. **The ‘Burbs (1989)** The ’Burbs mixes suburban comedy with paranoia and mystery, creating a tone that didn’t fully connect with audiences on release and was critically panned. Its slow build and genre-blending approach may have felt unusual at the time, but today it feels perfectly in sync with modern tastes. Starring Tom Hanks, the film follows a group of neighbors convinced something sinister is happening next door. Scenes like the escalating stakeout and increasingly unhinged speculation highlight its satirical edge. In an era dominated by true-crime podcasts and conspiracy-driven storytelling, its premise feels especially relevant. The humor, rooted in overreaction and suspicion, would likely resonate far more now, turning The ’Burbs into a widely discussed and rewatchable hit. Indeed, a modern remake of The ‘Burbs received far more favorable reviews. **Heathers (1989)** Heathers is a dark teen comedy that was far ahead of its time. Its biting satire of high school hierarchies, popularity, and toxic social dynamics felt too extreme for mainstream audiences upon release. Starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, the film tackles heavy themes with a sharp, cynical edge. It follows a high school clique of girls (three of whom are named Heather), whose lives are disrupted when they meet a new student with homicidal plans. While lines like “What’s your damage?” have since become iconic, at the time, its tone may have been too abrasive. Today, audiences are far more receptive to dark humor and morally complex characters. With the popularity of shows that blend teen drama and satire, Heathers would likely be embraced as bold, edgy, and refreshingly uncompromising. **Big Business (1988)** Big Business plays with a classic mistaken identity premise, following two sets of identical twins separated at birth and reunited under chaotic circumstances. While the concept is inherently comedic, the film didn’t make a huge impact on release. Big Business is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors, exploring ideas of nature vs nurture. Starring Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin in dual roles, it thrives on escalating misunderstandings and character-driven humor. Their performances bring energy and precision to the farcical setup. In today’s comedy landscape, where high-concept premises often thrive, Big Business would likely perform much better. Its fast-paced confusion, strong central performances, and accessible premise make it ideal for modern audiences looking for light, rewatchable entertainment. **Real Genius (1985)** Real Genius blends college comedy with a surprisingly sharp look at intelligence, pressure, and ethics. While it found some appreciation over time, it never reached the level of mainstream success enjoyed by other ’80s comedies. It depicts a gifted engineering student who tries to foil his teacher’s attempts to weaponize his school project. Led by Val Kilmer, Real Genius stands out for its witty dialogue and eccentric characters. Scenes like the house filled with popcorn highlight its playful tone, while the underlying story adds unexpected depth. In today’s tech-driven world, Real Genius’s focus on gifted students and scientific ambition feels even more relevant. Combined with its offbeat humor, Real Genius would likely connect with modern audiences in a way that elevates it far beyond its original reception. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=These%20%2780s%20Comedies%20Would%20Be%20Huge%20If%20Released%20Now&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=These%20%2780s%20Comedies%20Would%20Be%20Huge%20If%20Released%20Now%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=These%20%2780s%20Comedies%20Would%20Be%20Huge%20If%20Released%20Now&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=These%20%2780s%20Comedies%20Would%20Be%20Huge%20If%20Released%20Now%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=These%20%2780s%20Comedies%20Would%20Be%20Huge%20If%20Released%20Now%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Big Business, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BigBusiness, #Comedies, #LilyTomlin, #Movies, #underrated --- ### [Happy 9th Anniversary to Bette Midler’s Hello Dolly!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/20/happy-9th-anniversary-to-bette-midlers-hello-dolly/) **Published:** April 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's Hello, Dolly! was the acclaimed 2017 Broadway revival of the classic Jerry Herman musical, which opened April 20, 2017, 9 years ago today! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Happy 9th Anniversary to Bette Midler’s Hello Dolly! By Mister D April 20, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/121293.jpg "121293 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler’s Hello, Dolly! was the acclaimed 2017 Broadway revival of the classic Jerry Herman musical, which opened April 20, 2017, 9 years ago today! It closed August 25, 2018, after 34 previews and 550 performances. Bette Midler starred as Dolly Levi (with David Hyde Pierce as Horace Vandergelder), directed by Jerry Zaks. She left in January 2018; Bernadette Peters and others later took over the role. Midler returned for a limited final run in summer 2018. **Awards** The production won 4 Tony Awards in 2017, including: - Best Revival of a Musical - Best Actress in a Musical (Bette Midler) - Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Gavin Creel) It also earned Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Revival and Outstanding Actress (Midler). **Trivia** The revival was a commercial hit, smashing box-office records at the Shubert Theatre. It featured lively choreography re-creating elements of the original Gower Champion staging. Critics and audiences praised Midler’s charismatic, comedic performance as a “once-in-a-lifetime Dolly.” This star-driven revival brought fresh energy to the beloved 1964 show. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Happy%209th%20Anniversary%20to%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Hello%20Dolly%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Happy%209th%20Anniversary%20to%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Hello%20Dolly%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Happy%209th%20Anniversary%20to%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Hello%20Dolly%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Happy%209th%20Anniversary%20to%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Hello%20Dolly%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Happy%209th%20Anniversary%20to%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Hello%20Dolly%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Hello Dolly!, On This Day In History, Theatre **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #HelloDolly, #History, #OnThsDay --- ### [Beaches Star Jessica Vosk Is a Bette Midler Purist. How Bout You?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/20/beaches-star-jessica-vosk-is-a-bette-midler-purist-how-bout-you/) **Published:** April 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** If you've been scrolling through social media lately, you've probably come across a video of a woman asking strangers in Times Square the most unhinged questions imaginable. **Content:** --- ## Newsweek Beaches Star Jessica Vosk Is a Bette Midler Purist. How Bout You? By H. Alan Scott April 17, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-17_13-18-06.png "2026-04-17_13-18-06 - bootleg betty") --- If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably come across a video of a woman asking strangers in Times Square the most unhinged questions imaginable. Those videos are part of a series called *Vosk in the City*, and that woman is Jessica Vosk. Now, what if you found out Vosk is actually a singer and actress who is about to star as C.C. Bloom in the Broadway musical adaptation of the hit film *Beaches*? Because that’s exactly what is happening, and you need to get into it immediately. If any film is ripe for a Broadway musical adaptation, it’s *Beaches*. Released in 1988, the film stars Bette Midler as Bloom and Barbara Hershey as Hillary, two lifelong friends who experience the ups and downs that come with a friendship built over a lifetime. For decades now, the film and Midler’s iconic rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings” have brought millions of fans to tears. Now, you’re probably thinking nobody else could sing “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Well, not only does Vosk put her own spin on it, but her version takes nothing away from Midler’s. In fact, the entire Broadway adaptation is both wholly original and a nostalgic love letter to the film so many of us love and hold dear. “I’m a Bette purist and I think her version is perfect,” Vosk told *Newsweek*’s *Parting Shot Podcast*. “It’s the version that has always existed for me. I’ve never needed to hear another version.” Rather than riffing all over the place, Vosk said she approaches the song as a tribute. “It’s an emotional song and I don’t think it needs to be performed like it’s my own. It wasn’t broken in the first place, is my two cents.” And she’s right. The feedback so far confirms as much. “What I hoped would happen has happened,” she said. “God, I love this song so much. Thank you for not going overboard with it.” Jessica Vosk on stepping into Bette Midler’s legacy with the Broadway musical Beaches and why she’s not your typical Broadway girl. Photo by Jenny And…Read More | *Photo by Jenny Anderson.* Originating a role on Broadway is a different beast entirely from stepping into an existing one, and Vosk is candid about the pressure of it all. “Originating is completely yours, top to bottom,” she said. “You’re fleshing out music. You’re talking about, I would say this, I wouldn’t say this as C.C. There’s just a pressure cooker because on top of it being a new musical, it’s the intricate stuff of how do I make this my own while paying the largest nod to the person who I have the most respect for as one of my icons and idols.” What makes Vosk the right person for this role isn’t just her voice, which is extraordinary. It’s that her path to Broadway mirrors the very character she’s playing. She didn’t go to school for this. She’s not your typical Broadway girl, by her own admission. And like C.C. Bloom, she’s someone who has crawled through the mud to get where she is, covering vulnerability with humor and sheer force of will. [](https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment/margos-got-money-troubles-pfeiffer-and-offerman-go-deep-11818422) [](https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment/rupauls-drag-race-season-18-top-three-talk-finale-hopes-11835924) [](https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment/coach-wade-says-ciries-survivor-50-move-was-deep-manipulation-11841904)“There’s a lot of C.C. in Jessica,” Vosk said. “A person who is so focused, blinders on, true grit, willing to just crawl through the mud by yourself to get to where you want to go. I also base a lot of my life on self-deprecating comedy. I’m gonna make fun of myself before you get a chance to. And that’s a very C.C. Bloom thing.” Beaches the musical opens at the Majestic Theatre on April 22 for a limited run through early September. And for those wondering: yes, Vosk is very much prepared for Bette Midler to show up one night. “Getting to even perform for five minutes for this woman would be a time of my life where I’d be like, I am good,” she said. “I’m gonna become a gardener for the rest of my life. I’m fine.” *Newsweek* chatted with Vosk about tackling a role defined by Midler, making it her own, what it means to push the envelope as a woman in this business and her ambitions for more *Vosk in the City*. Listen to that full chat on the *[Parting Shot Podcast with H. Alan Scott](https://www.newsweek.com/podcasts/the-parting-shot)*. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Beaches%20Star%20Jessica%C2%A0Vosk%C2%A0Is%20a%20Bette%20Midler%20Purist.%20How%20Bout%20You%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Beaches%20Star%20Jessica%C2%A0Vosk%C2%A0Is%20a%20Bette%20Midler%20Purist.%20How%20Bout%20You%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Beaches%20Star%20Jessica%C2%A0Vosk%C2%A0Is%20a%20Bette%20Midler%20Purist.%20How%20Bout%20You%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Beaches%20Star%20Jessica%C2%A0Vosk%C2%A0Is%20a%20Bette%20Midler%20Purist.%20How%20Bout%20You%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Beaches%20Star%20Jessica%C2%A0Vosk%C2%A0Is%20a%20Bette%20Midler%20Purist.%20How%20Bout%20You%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler **Tags:** #Beaches, #BeachesTheMusical, #BetteMidler, #JessicaVosk, #Purist --- ### [Boodles BonBon Video - Bette Midler - Marahuana](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/20/boodles-bonbon-video-bette-midler-marahuana/) **Published:** April 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** For April 20, a song about 4/20 - Have a Happy One! **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon Boodles BonBon Video – Bette Midler – Marahuana By Boodles BonBon April 20, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-19_19-42-25.png "2026-04-19_19-42-25 - bootleg betty") --- --- ***For April 20, a song about 4/20 – Have a Happy One!*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Marahuana&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Marahuana%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Marahuana&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Marahuana%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Marahuana%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Songs For The New Depression **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Marahuana, #Song --- ### [Bette Midler Trailer For Down And Out In Beverly Hills](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/19/bette-midler-trailer-for-down-and-out-in-beverly-hills/) **Published:** April 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler Trailer For Down And Out In Beverly Hills **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Trailer For Down And Out In Beverly Hills By Mister D April 19, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/down-and-out-in-beverly-hills-12181-1024x762.jpg "Down-and-out-in-beverly-hills-12181 - bootleg betty")--- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Trailer%20For%20Down%20And%20Out%20In%20Beverly%20Hills&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Trailer%20For%20Down%20And%20Out%20In%20Beverly%20Hills%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Trailer%20For%20Down%20And%20Out%20In%20Beverly%20Hills&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Trailer%20For%20Down%20And%20Out%20In%20Beverly%20Hills%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Trailer%20For%20Down%20And%20Out%20In%20Beverly%20Hills%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Down And Out, Trailer, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BeverlyHills, #DownAndOut, #Movie, #Video, trailer --- ### [What is the meaning of Bette Midler's cover of Moses?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/19/what-is-the-meaning-of-bette-midlers-cover-of-moses/) **Published:** April 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s cover of Patty Griffin’s “Moses” is a heartfelt, stripped-down rendition featured on her 2000 self-titled album, Bette. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty What is the meaning of Bette Midler’s cover of Moses? By Mister D April 19, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-07_16-15-23.png "2026-04-07_16-15-23 - bootleg betty") --- **What is the meaning of Bette Midler’s cover of Patti Griffin’s song Moses?** [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) cover of Patty Griffin’s “[**Moses**](https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858599515/)” is a heartfelt, stripped-down rendition featured on her 2000 self-titled album, Bette. She also performed it as a beautiful duet with Dolly Parton on her CBS sitcom Bette. Midler’s warm, emotive delivery brings out the song’s vulnerability and longing, fitting her style of blending folk introspection with theatrical soul. **The Song and Its Meaning** “Moses” opens Patty Griffin’s debut album Living with Ghosts (1996). It’s a raw, acoustic folk track with sparse guitar that captures profound loneliness and quiet desperation. Griffin wrote it during a difficult period after a failed marriage, drawing from personal feelings of isolation. **Key Lyrics (Chorus):** *Diamonds, roses I need Moses To cross this sea of loneliness Part this Red River of pain I don’t necessarily buy Any key to the future or happiness But I need a little place in the sun Sometimes or I think I will die* The biblical allusion to Moses (who parted the Red Sea) symbolizes a desperate need for a guide, savior, or miracle to escape emotional turmoil. The narrator isn’t seeking grand promises of happiness—just a small reprieve from overwhelming isolation. **Verses paint a vivid picture of solitude:** An “empty apartment.” No real relationships A “best friend who is queer” (a real-life gay friend of Griffin’s at the time) who is kind but oblivious to her pain—he smiles, talks about his own life, but never asks about hers. Feeling like a “tragic figure in the corner” **Core Themes:** Loneliness and emotional exile: The “sea of loneliness” and “Red River of pain” evoke being trapped in suffering with no easy way out. The search for connection or rescue: It’s not full-blown despair but a weary plea for relief—someone (or something) to part the waters so the narrator can keep going. Realism mixed with hope: The singer acknowledges there’s no magic “key to the future,” yet craves just enough light (“a little place in the sun”) to survive. Fan interpretations on sites like SongMeanings echo this: it’s about having “nothing in your life and feeling shitty about it”—no close friends, no romance, and a superficial support system that leaves you unseen. Griffin has confirmed the personal roots, noting she wrote it while “feeling sorry for myself” post-divorce, and later apologized lightheartedly to the friend mentioned. The song resonates broadly with anyone who’s felt invisible in their struggles. **Why Midler’s Cover Works So Well** Midler’s version (and especially the Dolly duet) adds warmth and harmony that soften the raw ache of Griffin’s original while preserving its emotional core. It became a fan favorite, highlighting Midler’s knack for interpreting singer-songwriter material with depth and compassion. The song fits her repertoire of ballads that explore human fragility amid glamour and resilience. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=What%20is%20the%20meaning%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20cover%20of%20Moses%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=What%20is%20the%20meaning%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20cover%20of%20Moses%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=What%20is%20the%20meaning%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20cover%20of%20Moses%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=What%20is%20the%20meaning%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20cover%20of%20Moses%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=What%20is%20the%20meaning%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20cover%20of%20Moses%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Music, Song Meanings, Songs **Tags:** #Album, #BetteMidler, #moses, #PattiGriffin --- ### [Bette Midler Attends Opening Gala For David Geffen Galleries](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/19/bette-midler-attends-opening-gala-for-david-geffen-galleries/) **Published:** April 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Ted Sarandos, Nicole Avant, and Bette Midler attend LACMA's Opening Gala for The David Geffen Galleries at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on April 16 **Content:** --- ## Guest List Bette Midler Attends Opening Gala For David Geffen Galleries By Staff April 19, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-19_17-58-58.png "2026-04-19_17-58-58 - bootleg betty") --- LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16: (L-R) Ted Sarandos, Nicole Avant, and Bette Midler attend LACMA’s Opening Gala for The David Geffen Galleries at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on April 16, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for LACMA) [Embed from Getty Images](https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2271738613)On Thursday, April 16, 2026, LACMA celebrated the opening of its David Geffen Galleries, which brought together leading figures from the region and around the world to mark a significant moment for arts and culture in Los Angeles. The gala supported LACMA’s initiatives to celebrate local and global artists, engage and inspire broad audiences, and honor the cultural richness of our communities. The evening began with a viewing of the inaugural installation of the David Geffen Galleries and an outdoor cocktail reception held on the East West Bank Commons. Guests were led into the gala by a modern masquerade procession performed by Seki Foundation. In the dinner space, Mamo Camilo, spiritual leader of the Arhuaco community of Kutunsama, Colombia, welcomed guests by sounding the caracol, a ceremonial conch shell. Guests were treated to a dance performance honoring classical Indian dance traditions performed by the Mona Khan company, along with a special performance by T Bone Burnett. Co-Chairs of the LACMA Board of Trustees Willow Bay and Tony Ressler, LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director Michael Govan, and LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell also each gave remarks throughout the evening. As guests departed, Studio DRIFT provided a striking finale to the gala with its iconic drone performance Franchise Freedom. The event was presented by Genesis with additional support by Gucci, while the Series of David Geffen Galleries opening events were presented by East West Bank. Guests in attendance included: hosts Michael Govan, Willow Bay, and Tony Resslerwith additional special guests including Alex Israel, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Alexander Wang, Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz, Bette Midler, Bob Iger, David Geffen, Derek Blasberg, Edward Ruscha, Eva Chow, Eva Longoria & José Bastón, Fai Khadra, Heidi Klum, James Turrell, Jeff Koons, Kathy & Rick Hilton, Kim Petras, Larry Gagosian, Lisa Love, Lori Loughlin, Mark Hoppus, Sharon Stone, Will Ferrell, and many more. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20Opening%20Gala%20For%20David%20Geffen%20Galleries&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20Opening%20Gala%20For%20David%20Geffen%20Galleries%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20Opening%20Gala%20For%20David%20Geffen%20Galleries&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20Opening%20Gala%20For%20David%20Geffen%20Galleries%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20Opening%20Gala%20For%20David%20Geffen%20Galleries%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Photos, Special Events **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DavidGeffen, #Galleries, #LACMA, #photo --- ### [Video: Jinxed -Bette Midler - No Jinx - 1982](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/17/video-jinxed-bette-midler-no-jinx-1982/) **Published:** April 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The song No Jinx and scenes from the movie Jinxed, starring Bette Midler in fine form **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Jinxed -Bette Midler – No Jinx – 1982 By Mister D April 17, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/jinxed-1.png "Jinxed-1 - bootleg betty") --- ***The song No Jinx and scenes from the movie Jinxed, starring Bette Midler in fine form*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Jinxed%20-Bette%20Midler%20-%20No%20Jinx%20-%201982&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Jinxed%20-Bette%20Midler%20-%20No%20Jinx%20-%201982%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Jinxed%20-Bette%20Midler%20-%20No%20Jinx%20-%201982&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Jinxed%20-Bette%20Midler%20-%20No%20Jinx%20-%201982%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Jinxed%20-Bette%20Midler%20-%20No%20Jinx%20-%201982%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Jinxed, Movies, Trailer, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Jinxed, #KenWahl, #Movie, #NoJinx, #RipTorn --- ### [Former Harlette Melissa Manchester Joins Broadway Cast Of Cagney The Musical](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/17/former-harlette-melissa-manchester-joins-broadway-cast-of-cagney-the-musical/) **Published:** April 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress Melissa Manchester will join the cast of “Cagney The Musical,” **Content:** --- ## 27 East Melissa Manchester Joins Broadway Cast Of Cagney The Musical April 17, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-17_13-06-32.png "2026-04-17_13-06-32 - bootleg betty") --- Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress Melissa Manchester will join the cast of “Cagney The Musical,” produced in association with Riki Kane Larimer, as part of the 2026 Summer Mainstage Season at Bay Street Theater. With a career spanning music, film and stage, Manchester is recognized as one of the defining voices of her generation. She is a recipient of the Elliot Norton Award from the Boston Theater Critics Association for her performance in the national tour of “Funny Girl.” As a performer and songwriter, her work has been recorded by artists including Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Roberta Flack. Her addition to “Cagney The Musical” brings a level of authenticity and artistic depth to the production, connecting the story to the broader musical landscape that defined the entertainment industry during the lifetime of James Cagney. “We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Manchester to Bay Street,” said Will Pomerantz, director of “Cagney The Musical.” “She brings not only decades of experience as a beloved vocal artist, but also a deep love and enthusiasm for live theater. Her presence adds something truly special as we bring the story of James Cagney to life this summer.” “I’m so looking forward to being part of Cagney The Musical,” Manchester said. “The role of Ma Cagney is rich, as she was his touchstone throughout his life. Cagney is entertaining and resonating in this moment. I can’t wait to help bring this lovely show to life!” Manchester’s work spans chart-topping hits, film soundtracks and a deep connection to the American songbook tradition. Her music continues to be performed by both her and numerous recording artists, creating a lasting imprint on American music and performance. Now, Bay Street audiences will have the opportunity to experience that artistry live as Manchester joins the company of “Cagney The Musical” in an intimate theatrical setting. The play traces the life and career of James Cagney, one of Hollywood’s most iconic performers. Known for his explosive screen presence, precision dancing and unmistakable charisma, Cagney rose from the streets of New York to become a defining figure of American film. Featuring music and lyrics by Robert Creighton and Christopher McGovern, and a book by Peter Colley, the production blends tap dance, storytelling and a dynamic score to capture the spirit of an artist who helped shape modern entertainment. Performances of “Cagney The Musical” run June 30 through July 26 at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor. Tickets are available at baystreet.org or by calling 631-725-9500. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Former%20Harlette%20Melissa%20Manchester%20Joins%20Broadway%20Cast%20Of%20Cagney%20The%20Musical&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Former%20Harlette%20Melissa%20Manchester%20Joins%20Broadway%20Cast%20Of%20Cagney%20The%20Musical%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Former%20Harlette%20Melissa%20Manchester%20Joins%20Broadway%20Cast%20Of%20Cagney%20The%20Musical&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Former%20Harlette%20Melissa%20Manchester%20Joins%20Broadway%20Cast%20Of%20Cagney%20The%20Musical%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Former%20Harlette%20Melissa%20Manchester%20Joins%20Broadway%20Cast%20Of%20Cagney%20The%20Musical%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Melissa Manchester, Theatre **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #CagneyTheMusical, #MelissaManchester --- ### [An Overview Of The Bette Midler Cover, Hello In There](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/17/an-overview-of-the-bette-midler-cover-hello-in-there/) **Published:** April 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** When Bette Midler chose to record “Hello in There”, she was not chasing a hit single or radio dominance. She was making a deliberate artistic statement **Content:** --- ## Great Songs An Overview Of The Bette Midler Cover, Hello In There By Great Songs April 17, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-07_16-09-44.png "2026-04-07_16-09-44 - bootleg betty") --- --- When [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/) chose to record “[**Hello in There**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello_In_There_(song))”, she was not chasing a hit single or radio dominance. She was making a deliberate artistic statement—one rooted in empathy, observation, and emotional maturity. Originally written by John Prine and first released in 1971 on his debut album John Prine, the song had already earned a quiet but formidable reputation as one of the most compassionate portraits of aging ever set to music. Midler’s interpretation, released on her 1972 album The Divine Miss M, brought that message into a new decade, a new voice, and a new emotional register. In terms of chart performance, “Hello in There” was never a conventional commercial success in Midler’s hands. It was not released as a major single and did not enter the Billboard Hot 100. However, the album The Divine Miss M itself reached No. 9 on the Billboard 200, confirming Midler’s strong standing as a recording artist during the mid-1970s. The song’s importance, then, lies not in numbers, but in resonance—something far more enduring. The story behind “Hello in There” is deceptively simple. The narrator speaks directly to an elderly couple, once full of dreams, now surrounded by silence, loss, and routine. Friends have passed away. Children have grown and drifted. The world has sped up, leaving them behind. And yet, the song insists on one essential truth: inside those aging bodies, the same vivid inner lives still exist. The repeated line—“You know that old trees just grow stronger / And old rivers grow wilder every day”—is not poetic decoration. It is the moral core of the song. Bette Midler, known widely for her theatrical flair and powerful belt, made a striking choice in how she approached this material. She sings “Hello in There” with restraint, tenderness, and a near-spoken intimacy. There is no grand climax, no dramatic flourish. Instead, her voice feels like a visitor pulling up a chair, lowering her tone out of respect. This was Midler at her most thoughtful—less the diva, more the witness. The meaning of the song deepens with age. For younger listeners, it can feel like a warning. For older listeners, it often lands as recognition. The song does not pity its subjects, nor does it sentimentalize them. It simply asks the listener to notice—to acknowledge the presence of people society too often renders invisible. A phone call. A knock on the door. A moment of genuine conversation. These small gestures become acts of quiet resistance against loneliness. Within Midler’s broader career, “Hello in There” occupies a special place. It reflects her seriousness as an interpreter of songs, especially those that explore human vulnerability. At a time when popular music was increasingly driven by spectacle and trend, Midler aligned herself with songwriting that demanded patience and emotional attention. Choosing a John Prine song—already revered among songwriters but still outside mainstream pop—was a mark of discernment. Ultimately, “Hello in There” endures because it tells a truth that does not age out. Time may change fashions, charts, and sounds, but the fear of being forgotten remains universal. Midler’s version does not compete with Prine’s original; it stands beside it, offering another doorway into the same quiet room. And once you step inside, the song does not let you leave unchanged. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=An%20Overview%20Of%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Cover%2C%20Hello%20In%20There&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=An%20Overview%20Of%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Cover%2C%20Hello%20In%20There%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=An%20Overview%20Of%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Cover%2C%20Hello%20In%20There&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=An%20Overview%20Of%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Cover%2C%20Hello%20In%20There%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=An%20Overview%20Of%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Cover%2C%20Hello%20In%20There%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, The Divine Miss M, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Cover, #HelloInTherer, #JohnPrine --- ### [15 Stars Who Took Their Talent to Broadway & Nailed It](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/17/15-stars-who-took-their-talent-to-broadway-nailed-it/) **Published:** April 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** When celebrities from other entertainment fields step into this world, the results can range from spectacular to cringe-worthy. **Content:** --- ## Go2Tutors 15 Stars Who Took Their Talent to Broadway & Nailed It By Adam Garcia April 17, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/91134-11.png "91134-11 - bootleg betty") --- [**Broadway** ](https://www.broadway.com/)has always been the ultimate proving ground for performers. It strips away the safety nets of multiple takes, digital effects, and careful editing. You’re standing on a stage in front of a live audience, and whatever happens, happens. When celebrities from other entertainment fields step into this world, the results can range from spectacular to cringe-worthy. But some stars have made the transition look effortless, proving that true talent translates across mediums. **Hugh Jackman** Jackman owns Broadway like few performers ever have. His Wolverine fame brought audiences in, but his song-and-dance mastery kept them riveted. The Boy from Oz earned him a Tony Award, and his hosting gigs at the ceremony became annual events people actually looked forward to watching. **Idina Menzel** Before Frozen made her a household name, Menzel was already a Broadway legend in the making. Rent launched her career, but Wicked made her untouchable (and yes, that defying gravity note still gives people chills). She proved that Broadway voices don’t just survive in mainstream entertainment — they dominate it. **Neil Patrick Harris** Here’s someone who understood that Broadway isn’t just about having a good voice — it’s about commanding a room with nothing but presence and timing, which (as anyone who watched How I Met Your Mother can tell you) happens to be exactly what Harris does best. Hedwig and the Angry Inch showcased a performer who wasn’t just visiting Broadway but genuinely belonged there, someone who could handle the demanding physicality of eight shows a week while making it look like the most natural thing in the world. And his Tony hosting performances? Those weren’t just award show segments — they were masterclasses in live entertainment. The man took a character that could have been a career risk and turned it into a triumph. Broadway rewards that kind of fearless commitment. **Scarlett Johansson** Johansson’s transition to Broadway felt inevitable once you saw her tackle A View from the Bridge. The stage demands a different kind of intensity than film acting, and she delivered it without seeming to break a sweat. Her Tony nomination proved what theater insiders already knew — movie stardom and stage presence aren’t mutually exclusive. **Patti LuPone** LuPone didn’t transition to Broadway so much as conquer it entirely. Evita made her a star, but her decades-long relationship with the theater has been a masterclass in sustained excellence. She approaches every role like she has something to prove, which keeps her performances sharp enough to cut glass. **Matthew Broderick** Ferris Bueller on Broadway might sound like a publicity stunt, but Broderick’s stage work runs much deeper than his movie fame suggests. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Brighton Beach Memoirs showed a performer who understood that Broadway comedy requires precision timing that makes film acting look leisurely by comparison. The stage doesn’t allow for the subtle facial expressions that carry movie scenes — everything has to be bigger, clearer, and more immediate, and Broderick adapted his naturally understated style without losing what made him appealing in the first place. His Tony wins weren’t consolation prizes. They were recognition of someone who genuinely understood the medium. **Bernadette Peters** Peters moves between Broadway and other mediums like someone switching between instruments in the same orchestra. Sunday in the Park with George and Into the Woods showcased a performer who doesn’t just sing Sondheim — she inhabits his complex rhythms and emotional landscapes. Her voice carries stories, not just melodies. **Lin-Manuel Miranda** Miranda didn’t just succeed on Broadway — he rewrote what success could look like there. In the Heights was impressive enough, but Hamilton became a cultural phenomenon that made Broadway tickets more coveted than concert passes. His approach treats musicals like living documents rather than preserved traditions. The fact that Disney came calling afterward says everything about his crossover appeal. Broadway became his launching pad, not his destination. **Sutton Foster** Foster represents Broadway excellence in its purest form, someone whose television and film work feels like pleasant diversions from her real calling, which is commanding a stage with the kind of energy that makes audiences forget they’re watching a performance rather than witnessing something spontaneous and unrepeatable. Thoroughly Modern Millie and Anything Goes weren’t just star vehicles — they were showcases for a performer who could handle the demanding choreography, complex vocals, and character work that modern musicals demand, often all within the same scene. Her Tony wins feel like inevitabilities rather than surprises. Broadway rewards that kind of comprehensive skill. **Daniel Craig** Craig’s Broadway debut in Betrayal raised eyebrows initially — James Bond doing Pinter seemed like an odd fit. But theater revealed acting layers that action films couldn’t showcase. His stage presence proved that movie stardom hadn’t dulled his ability to fill a room with nothing but dialogue and timing. **Denzel Washington** Washington approaches Broadway like he approaches everything else — with complete commitment and zero interest in half-measures. Fences showcased an actor who understood that stage work requires a different kind of stamina and presence than film acting. His Tony win felt earned, not given. **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc)** Midler’s return to Broadway with Hello, Dolly! felt like a homecoming rather than a comeback, which makes sense considering she’s someone who never really left the theatrical mindset even when conquering other mediums, and her performance reminded everyone why she became a star in the first place — not through careful calculation or market research, but through the kind of full-throttle commitment that live audiences can sense from the cheap seats. Her voice filled the theater the way it was meant to, without microphones or studio enhancement, just pure vocal power applied with the precision of someone who understands exactly how much energy a room can hold. And the standing ovations? Those weren’t polite theater etiquette. They were genuine appreciation for a master at work. **Jake Gyllenhaal** Gyllenhaal’s Broadway work in Sunday in the Park with George showed a film actor genuinely grappling with the demands of live theater. Sondheim’s material doesn’t allow for the subtle, internalized acting style that works in movies — everything has to project to the back row while maintaining emotional authenticity. His performance proved he could make that adjustment. **Angela Lansbury** Lansbury’s Broadway career spans decades and proves that stage mastery isn’t about youth or current relevance — it’s about understanding how to connect with an audience in real time. Sweeney Todd and Mame showcased a performer who could handle both comedy and drama with equal skill, someone who made difficult material look effortless. Her longevity on Broadway speaks to something deeper than talent. It’s about respecting the medium enough to keep challenging yourself within it. **Alan Cumming** Cumming’s one-man Macbeth was either brilliant or insane, depending on who you asked, but it was definitely fearless, which happens to be exactly what Broadway rewards most consistently, and his approach to the material — intimate, intense, and completely uncompromising — reminded audiences that Shakespeare works best when performers trust the words rather than trying to modernize or soften them. The performance ran for months, which means audiences kept coming back to watch someone tackle one of theater’s most demanding roles without a safety net. Broadway doesn’t forgive mediocrity, especially not in solo shows. Cumming’s success proved he understood that completely. **When the spotlight finds its match** These performers didn’t just survive Broadway — they proved that genuine talent translates across any medium when it’s backed by real commitment. The stage strips away everything except what matters: presence, timing, and the ability to connect with people sitting twenty feet away. Some celebrities discover they don’t have what Broadway demands. Others find out they were meant for it all along. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=15%20Stars%20Who%20Took%20Their%20Talent%20to%20Broadway%20%26%20Nailed%20It&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=15%20Stars%20Who%20Took%20Their%20Talent%20to%20Broadway%20%26%20Nailed%20It%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=15%20Stars%20Who%20Took%20Their%20Talent%20to%20Broadway%20%26%20Nailed%20It&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=15%20Stars%20Who%20Took%20Their%20Talent%20to%20Broadway%20%26%20Nailed%20It%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=15%20Stars%20Who%20Took%20Their%20Talent%20to%20Broadway%20%26%20Nailed%20It%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Clams On The Half Shell, Hello Dolly!, I'll Eat You Last!, Theatre **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #Stage, #Theater --- ### [Archive Audio: Bette Midler - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (Live)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/17/archive-audio-bette-midler-boogie-woogie-bugle-boy-live/) **Published:** April 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Archive Audio: Bette Midler - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (Live) **Content:** --- ## Bette Midler Archive Audio Archive Audio: Bette Midler – Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (Live) By Bette Midler Archive Video April 17, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-17_11-50-45.png "2026-04-17_11-50-45 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20%28Live%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20%28Live%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Music, Songs, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BoogieWoogieBugleBoy, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - Let Me Call You Sweetheart - The Rose](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/16/video-bette-midler-let-me-call-you-sweetheart-the-rose/) **Published:** April 16, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler - Let Me Call You Sweetheart - The Rose **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Let Me Call You Sweetheart – The Rose By Mister D April 16, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2405286-43375742621225d0e6959621225d0e695a1645356496621225d0e695d_5f1a64aa-1820-40b5-9c5d-c161be3baff1.jpg "2405286-43375742621225d0e6959621225d0e695a1645356496621225d0e695d_5f1a64aa-1820-40b5-9c5d-c161be3baff1 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Let%20Me%20Call%20You%20Sweetheart%20-%20The%20Rose&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Let%20Me%20Call%20You%20Sweetheart%20-%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Let%20Me%20Call%20You%20Sweetheart%20-%20The%20Rose&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Let%20Me%20Call%20You%20Sweetheart%20-%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Let%20Me%20Call%20You%20Sweetheart%20-%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Music, Songs, the Rose, Video **Tags:** #AirplaneScene, #BetteMidler, #LetMeCallYouSweetheart, #TheRose, #Video --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler And Bruce Bozzi 2026](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/16/photo-bette-midler-and-bruce-bozzi-2026/) **Published:** April 16, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler with Bruce Bozzi (Table For Two podcaster and Park Group restaurateur), California Nights, **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler And Bruce Bozzi, 2026 By Mister D April 16, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-16_11-06-17.png "2026-04-16_11-06-17 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/ "Bette Midler") with [**Bruce Bozzi** ](https://famouspeopletoday.com/bruce-bozzi-net-worth-husband-bryan-lourd-wedding-wiki-daughter-ava/)(Table For Two podcaster and Park Group restaurateur), California Nights, Bette, Sherry & Toni, how I love thee, let me count the ways”. Bette Midler looks fabulous and divine! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Bruce%20Bozzi%202026&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Bruce%20Bozzi%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Bruce%20Bozzi%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Bruce%20Bozzi%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Bruce%20Bozzi%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, On The Town, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BruceBozzi, #OnTheTown --- ### [Boodles Video: Bette Midler -Higher & Higher](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/15/boodles-video-bette-midler-higher-higher/) **Published:** April 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Boodles Video: Bette Midler -Higher & Higher **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon Boodles Video: Bette Midler -Higher & Higher By Boodles BonBon April 15, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-03-17_13-25-25.png "2026-03-17_13-25-25 - bootleg betty") --- **Boodles Video: Bette Midler -Higher & Higher** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Higher%20%26%20Higher&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Higher%20%26%20Higher%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Higher%20%26%20Higher&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Higher%20%26%20Higher%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Higher%20%26%20Higher%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Featuring The Harlettes, Ol Red Hair Is Back, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #HigherAndHigher, #OlRedHairIsBack --- ### [Beaches Is On Broadway—And I'll Cry if I Want To](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/15/beaches-is-on-broadway-and-ill-cry-if-i-want-to/) **Published:** April 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett are playing roles made famous by Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. They're not feeling pressured, though. **Content:** --- ## Playbill Beaches Is On Broadway—And We’ll Cry if We Want To By Logan Culwell-Block April 4, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Beaches-A-New-Musical-Playbill-2026-03-27_Web.jpg "Beaches-a-new-musical-playbill-2026-03-27_web - bootleg betty") --- [**Jessica Vosk**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Vosk) and Kelli Barrett are playing roles made famous by Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. They’re not feeling pressured, though. If you’ve got tickets to see [**Beaches**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/beaches/), A New Musical on Broadway, one thing is for sure: You better bring tissues. The 1988 film is a beloved tale of lifelong friends, two women who are as different as can be, but who find in each other the closest, most intimate, friendship as they see each other through life’s ups and downs. Starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, the cult favorite is a rather infamous tearjerker. If you’re a lady, you likely already know the plot spoiler that most causes this. But, as it turns out, Beaches doesn’t just pull female heartstrings. “I made my fiancé watch it after I got the role,” says Jessica Vosk, starring as aspiring actor-turned-Broadway star Cee Cee Bloom, the role played onscreen by Midler. “He had never seen it, for he is straight,” she says with a wink (Beaches also has a powerful audience base in the gay community—as does Vosk, a former Elphaba). “By the end, he bawled his eyes out.” After devastating ladies and gays for decades, Beaches has now been turned into a Broadway musical, with a book by screenwriter Iris Rainer Dart and Thom Thomas, and music by mid-century songwriting icon Mike Stoller. Opening night is April 22 at the Majestic Theatre. “We need a good cry because our body needs to process our existential dread that we’re living in all the time,” shares Kelli Barrett, who plays Bertie White (played onscreen by Hershey)—a lawyer who lives her life in a more traditional way than the free-wheeling Cee Cee. Barrett is uniquely well cast for this story because, as someone with a side gig as a life coach and a deep interest in psychology, she’s spent much time contemplating the importance of getting one’s feelings out. “We repress our emotions all the time. We push it down, but our bodies don’t want to do that. We want to be okay with it. And so, we seek these things out, to get that physical process of grief. Catharsis—that’s why we go to the theatre.” Though Vosk and Barrett played opposite each other in the 2024 world premiere of Beaches at Theatre Calgary in Alberta, Canada, doing the musical on a Broadway stage has demanded a new level of rigor. The challenge, especially, is living that story eight times a week, these leading ladies say—and it can be exhausting. That’s doubly hard when you’re also belting out Beaches’ powerful songs. Don’t worry; though Beaches on stage is mostly its own entity and separate from the film, with an original score. But, you will still get to hear Vosk sing the film’s iconic anthem “Wind Beneath My Wings” at the end. That’s especially heady for Vosk, who’s been tasked with not only playing a role originated on screen by Midler, who she calls her “number-one” idol since childhood, but also singing one of Midler’s most iconic songs. “She’s one of the road pavers, glass-ceiling crushers of a generation,” Vosk says of the stage and screen icon, who was most recently in a smash-hit revival of Hello, Dolly! Lucky for Vosk, her lifetime obsession with **Midler** has proven to be excellent prep work for this musical. “\[The character\] is so much based on who she was, the downtown, avant garde, gay icon, what-have-you kind of woman.” Having played musical theatre’s favorite green witch in Wicked, Vosk knows a thing or two about being a gay icon. She says everything she’s been able to do with her own career was only possible because Midler did it first. “Her ability to be witty with words, smart with comedy, fast with comedy—she’s in everything I do, because I’ve always been enraptured with Bette Midler.” And, she says, the journey of learning to be able to sing “Wind Beneath My Wings” after performing this story has been transformative. “I’m a perfectionist, certainly about my singing,” Vosk admits. “But there has to be a part of me on this one that is okay with messiness. If I have to choke on that, I choke on that—but you’re seeing something real.” The process has been similarly intense for Barrett, who (no spoilers here) is the source of the musical’s most tear-jerking moment. “The minute I make my last exit, I sob and sob and sob,” she says. “Some days it’s just a minute, some days it takes five, 10 minutes. But it’s a lot of tears, and then I have to fix my face for bows.” But it’s all about the yin and yang of it all. Most of Beaches, Barrett says, is funny and joyful because that’s what makes the ending a gut punch. That also means that to get herself to where she needs to be by the end of the show, she has to remember to soak in all the joy around her in real life. “I savor things differently,” she explains. “We laugh a lot. And I’m really sitting in my joy with my family, my dog. It makes the show better, because it makes the loss greater. What a gift getting to do a show that reminds you of what living is.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Beaches%20Is%20On%20Broadway%E2%80%94And%20I%27ll%20Cry%20if%20I%20Want%20To&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Beaches%20Is%20On%20Broadway%E2%80%94And%20I%27ll%20Cry%20if%20I%20Want%20To%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Beaches%20Is%20On%20Broadway%E2%80%94And%20I%27ll%20Cry%20if%20I%20Want%20To&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Beaches%20Is%20On%20Broadway%E2%80%94And%20I%27ll%20Cry%20if%20I%20Want%20To%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Beaches%20Is%20On%20Broadway%E2%80%94And%20I%27ll%20Cry%20if%20I%20Want%20To%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Broadway, Music, Theatre **Tags:** #BarbaraHershey, #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #JessocaVost, #KelliBarrett, #Musical --- ### [Beaches The Musical: Jessica Vosk Sings Wind Beneath My Wings](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/14/beaches-the-musical-jessica-vosk-sings-wind-beneath-my-wings/) **Published:** April 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Beaches The Musical: Jessica Vosk Sings Wind Beneath My Wings **Content:** --- ## Good Morning America Beaches The Musical: Jessica Vosk Sings Wind Beneath My Wings By Josh Sharpe April 14, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-14_13-54-04.png "2026-04-14_13-54-04 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Beaches%20The%20Musical%3A%20Jessica%20Vosk%20Sings%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%3A%20Jessica%20Vosk%20Sings%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%3A%20Jessica%20Vosk%20Sings%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%3A%20Jessica%20Vosk%20Sings%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%3A%20Jessica%20Vosk%20Sings%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Talk Show, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #Beaches, #BeachesTheMusical, #GMA, #JessicaVosk, #WindBeneathMyWings --- ### [Archive Audio - Bette Midler - I Don't Want To Hear About It/Sign In The Window - 1972](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/14/archive-audio-bette-midler-i-dont-want-to-hear-about-it-sign-in-the-window-1972/) **Published:** April 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette performs songs by Randy Newman and Bob Dylan during one of her engagements at the Continental Baths in New York City on December 4, 1971 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Archive Audio – Bette Midler – I Don’t Want To Hear About It/Sign In The Window – 1972 By Bette Midler Archive April 14, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-13_15-12-24.png "2026-04-13_15-12-24 - bootleg betty") --- --- **Archive Audio – [Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) – [I Don’t Want To Hear About It](https://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/dusty+springfield/i+dont+want+to+hear+it+anymore_20043854.html)/[Sign In The Window](https://genius.com/Bob-dylan-sign-on-the-window-lyrics) – 1972** *Bette performs songs by Randy Newman and Bob Dylan during one of her engagements at the Continental Baths in New York City on December 4, 1971* --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Archive%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%20Don%27t%20Want%20To%20Hear%20About%20It%2FSign%20In%20The%20Window%20-%201972&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Archive%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%20Don%27t%20Want%20To%20Hear%20About%20It%2FSign%20In%20The%20Window%20-%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Archive%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%20Don%27t%20Want%20To%20Hear%20About%20It%2FSign%20In%20The%20Window%20-%201972&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Archive%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%20Don%27t%20Want%20To%20Hear%20About%20It%2FSign%20In%20The%20Window%20-%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Archive%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%20Don%27t%20Want%20To%20Hear%20About%20It%2FSign%20In%20The%20Window%20-%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Continental Baths, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ContinentalBaths, #IDontWantToTalkAboutIt, #SignInTheWindow, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [Boodles Video: Bette Midler - Soph Joke - Healing Hands](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/14/boodles-video-bette-midler-soph-joke-healing-hands/) **Published:** April 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Boodles Video: Bette Midler - Soph Joke - Healing Hands **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Boodles Video: Bette Midler – Soph Joke – Healing Hands By Boodles BonBon April 14, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-13_15-48-50.png "2026-04-13_15-48-50 - bootleg betty") --- **[Boodles Video](https://www.youtube.com/@boodles_bonbon/videos): [Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) – Soph Joke – Healing Hands** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20-%20Healing%20Hands&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20-%20Healing%20Hands%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20-%20Healing%20Hands&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20-%20Healing%20Hands%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20-%20Healing%20Hands%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Soph Jokes, Sophie Tucker, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBon, #DivineMadness, #HealingHands, #SophJoke, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler Recommends Reading Liza's New Memoir](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/13/bette-midler-recommends-reading-lizas-new-memoir/) **Published:** April 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** I loved it!  I learned more about Liza than I thought possible; most of it left me speechless.  Run, don’t walk, to your nearest independent bookseller! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Recommends Reading Liza’s New Memoir By Bette Midler April 13, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-13_16-20-34.png "2026-04-13_16-20-34 - bootleg betty") --- **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/television/#.VhugxFRViko):** I loved it! I learned more about [**Liza** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liza_Minnelli)than I thought possible; most of it left me speechless. Run, don’t walk, to your nearest independent bookseller! The name of the book is *“Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!”* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Recommends%20Reading%20Liza%27s%20New%20Memoir&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Recommends%20Reading%20Liza%27s%20New%20Memoir%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Recommends%20Reading%20Liza%27s%20New%20Memoir&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Recommends%20Reading%20Liza%27s%20New%20Memoir%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Recommends%20Reading%20Liza%27s%20New%20Memoir%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** A Midler Must Read, Bette Midler, Bette Midler's Reading List, Books **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Books, #KidsWaitTillYouHearThis, #Liza, #LizaMinnelli, #Memoir --- ### [How Bette Midler Unlocked Bob Dylan’s Songwriting in 1975](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/13/how-bette-midler-unlocked-bob-dylans-songwriting-in-1975/) **Published:** April 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A song is never written: Bette Midler’s visit to the studio in 1975 lifted the lid on Bob Dylan’s songwriting **Content:** --- ## Far Out A song is never written: Bette Midler’s visit to the studio in 1975 lifted the lid on Bob Dylan’s songwriting By Tom Taylor April 13, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-12_17-37-54.png "2026-04-12_17-37-54 - bootleg betty") --- It’s a marvel of music that it’s never the same twice: every song is a fluid piece of art, and every masterpiece you’ve ever heard might have sounded different on another day, another take, another wisp of inspiration, another millimeter of microphone placement, another five minutes in bed for Bob Dylan. We’ve grown so accustomed to recorded music that we often see songs as fixed, a tactile work of art set in stone. But as Dylan’s old pal, Tom Waits, puts it, ”My theory is the best songs have never really been recorded,” the ‘Martha’ singer poetically opines. Poetically continuing, ”We’re listening to things that made it through but there’s so many songs that have never made it because they were scared of the machine and wouldn’t allow themselves to be recorded. The trick is to get it in there, don’t hurt the song when you record it”. Dylan, however, takes the inverse approach of that same coin. This was evidenced back in October 1975, when the mercurial [**Bob Dylan**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/09/betteback-dylan-was-drunk-during-bette-midlers-buckets-of-rain-session/) teamed up with [**Bette Midler** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler)on the duet version of ‘Buckets of Rain’. It seems he figures if a song is so fragile and fluid, then you may as well play around with it. Mould it ply it, and then hammer it to the acetate once you’re happy. Midler got to witness this firsthand. A recording of their studio time was uncovered through a series of bootleg tapes as part of Bob Dylan New York Sessions 1974-1975. “It opens with some upgrades of the original Blood On The Tracks sessions from September 1974, and progresses chronologically through some early Desire sessions,” one anonymous bootlegger behind the release wrote. They continue, “Winding up to the main event: almost half an hour of never-heard October 1975 session outtakes of the recording of Bette Midler’s cover of ‘Buckets Of Rain’ with Dylan, which would show up on her Songs For The New Depression album the following January.” Blood On The Tracks arrived as the 15th studio album by Dylan, released in 1975 and marking the return to Columbia Records after linking up with Asylum Records for his two albums prior to this moment. Widely considered to be one of Dylan’s most complete projects, the album included fan favourites such as ‘Tangled Up in Blue’, ‘Buckets of Rain’, Shelter from the Storm’ and many more gritty classics. Dylan has famously discussed how opening up his mind to numerous sources of inspiration helped forge the record, spending several weeks in New York attending art classes with the painter Norman Raeben, for example. “\[Raeben\] taught me how to see,” Dylan said on reflection. “In a way that allowed me to do consciously what I unconsciously felt .. when I started doing it, the first album I made was Blood on the Tracks.” It felt like a rejuvenating breakthrough for an artist who had prolifically been releasing albums a breakneck speed for around 13 years at this stage.”Everybody agrees that was pretty different, and what’s different about it is there’s a code in the lyrics, and also there’s no sense of time,” he added. Feeling supremely confident in his material, Dylan arrived in the studio in a buoyant mood. Working at the A & R Recording Studios in New York City, the musician developed a “spontaneous” approach to recording, which often sees him rolling into different songs with ease, as if it were a medley. One other act of spontaneity would arrive with Bette Midler joining Dylan in the booth. With Moogy Klingman backing them up on the piano, Midler seems a little hesitant at first, saying, “I can’t sing ‘I ain’t no monkey’” before Dylan manages to gently persuade her to take part. But what is most startling is how – even with the esteemed Midler watching on – Dylan is more than happy to be roughshod and reckless with his creation. Lyrics are changed on a whim, the melody trods along unfixed and unmoored. He throws out what doesn’t fit, and plays the whole thing by ear. Yet, at the end of this haphazard experiment, he ends up, as was his wont, with something utterly timeless, as though it was always meant to be that way to begin with. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Unlocked%20Bob%20Dylan%E2%80%99s%20Songwriting%20in%201975&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Unlocked%20Bob%20Dylan%E2%80%99s%20Songwriting%20in%201975%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Unlocked%20Bob%20Dylan%E2%80%99s%20Songwriting%20in%201975&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Unlocked%20Bob%20Dylan%E2%80%99s%20Songwriting%20in%201975%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20Bette%20Midler%20Unlocked%20Bob%20Dylan%E2%80%99s%20Songwriting%20in%201975%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs For The New Depression **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BobDylan, #Bootleg, #BucketsOfRain, #Duet --- ### [Luther Vandross Said He Was Bette Midler's 4th Harlette](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/13/luther-vandross-said-he-was-bette-midlers-4th-harlette/) **Published:** April 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “You never saw me because I was really shy and I used to stand behind a curtain with a microphone and a monitor and a music stand," he shared. "For all those years, I was the fourth Harlette." **Content:** --- ## People Luther Vandross Said He Was Bette Midler’s 4th Harlette By Meredith Wilshere April 13, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/0ea65b972d3f6591b9743921609f0928.jpg "0ea65b972d3f6591b9743921609f0928 - bootleg betty") In a resurfaced clip posted by [**Luther Vandross’**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Vandross) official TikTok account, the “Never Too Much” singer chatted with Rosie O’Donnell about his career and early days in the industry while on The Rosie O’Donnell Show in the late ’90s. When asked about his “big break,” Vandross noted that “David Bowie discovered me.” Bowie met Vandross in a studio session while working on his Young Americans album in 1974. “Yeah, accidentally, he discovered me singing in a studio with him,” Vandross shared. “I was on the couch — I was visiting the guitar player who I had gone to school with, Carlos Alomar, and I was on the couch singing, and David overheard me and said, ‘Oh, that sounds great, put it on the record.’ “ From there, Vandross noted that the “Heroes” singer introduced him to [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/12/bette-midler-her-finest-movie-tv-stage-moments/). Vandross interrupted his story to say that he had seen Midler during a TV appearance, and she was “going through the list of the Harlettes” — the trio of backup singers who supported the “Wind Beneath My Wings” singer during her live musical performances. “She went through the list, she went through Katey Sagal, she went through the whole — everyone who was a Harlette, and I’m like ‘Okay, come on, come on’ … and she never mentioned the fact that I was always the fourth Harlette,” he said. O’Donnell, now 64, chimed in to say that she had seen Midler on tour, but she had “never seen” Vandross in the background. Vandross explained that he wasn’t seen because he often hid during performances. “You never saw me because I was really shy and I used to stand behind a curtain with a microphone and a monitor and a music stand,” he shared. “For all those years, I was the fourth Harlette.” Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In addition to Sagal and Vandross, some of the other famous Harlettes include Paulette McWilliams, Jenifer Lewis, Sharon Redd, Linda Hart, Melissa Manchester, Charlotte Crossley and Jocelyn Brown, to name a few. Vandross died on July 1, 2005, at age 54. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Luther%20Vandross%20Said%20He%20Was%20Bette%20Midler%27s%204th%20Harlette&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Luther%20Vandross%20Said%20He%20Was%20Bette%20Midler%27s%204th%20Harlette%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Luther%20Vandross%20Said%20He%20Was%20Bette%20Midler%27s%204th%20Harlette&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Luther%20Vandross%20Said%20He%20Was%20Bette%20Midler%27s%204th%20Harlette%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Luther%20Vandross%20Said%20He%20Was%20Bette%20Midler%27s%204th%20Harlette%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Featuring The Harlettes, harlettes, Music, Tours **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DavidBowie, #FourthHarlette, #LutherVandross, #TheHarlettes --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler - Sing Out](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/13/photo-bette-midler-sing-out/) **Published:** April 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Shop at their online website: linguafranca.nyc **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler – Sing Out By Bette Midler April 13, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-13_14-12-37.png "2026-04-13_14-12-37 - bootleg betty") --- **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/theatre/) posted this photo and message on her official Instagram page ([@bettemidler](https://www.instagram.com/bettemidler/)):** “When the occasion calls, you sing out! I’ve been thinking a lot about the great **[Woody Guthrie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Guthrie)** and his words. So I teamed up with [@linguafrancanyc](https://www.instagram.com/linguafrancanyc/) to put that message somewhere you can wear it, live in it, and yes, sing it from. And because we like to put a little action behind our words, 10% of proceeds from these sweaters will go to [@woodyguthriecenter](https://www.instagram.com/woodyguthriecenter/) and the [@nyrp](https://www.instagram.com/nyrp/). Shop at their online website: **linguafranca.nyc** I released “All You Fascists (Bound to Lose)” on March 25, 2026, and I hope it gave you even a moment of joy, or at the very least, a break from the endless doomscrolling. Lord knows we all need it. Learn it. Sing it. Loudly. At protest poster-making parties, marches, rallies, phone banks, in your garden, wherever the spirit moves you. Now go on. Make some noise.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Sing%20Out&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Sing%20Out%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Sing%20Out&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Sing%20Out%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Sing%20Out%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Buy Bette!, Photos, Politics, Protests **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Politics, #Protest, #SingOut, #WoodyGuthrie --- ### [Bette Midler - The Gift Of Love (SKDJ vs Andrey Exx & Sharapov Remix Edit)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/12/bette-midler-the-gift-of-love-skdj-vs-andrey-exx-sharapov-remix-edit/) **Published:** April 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler - The Gift Of Love (SKDJ vs Andrey Exx & Sharapov Remix Edit) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler – The Gift Of Love (SKDJ vs Andrey Exx & Sharapov Remix Edit) By SKDJ April 12, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-07_16-06-15.png "2026-04-07_16-06-15 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Gift%20Of%20Love%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Andrey%20Exx%20%26%20Sharapov%20Remix%20Edit%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Gift%20Of%20Love%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Andrey%20Exx%20%26%20Sharapov%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Gift%20Of%20Love%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Andrey%20Exx%20%26%20Sharapov%20Remix%20Edit%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Gift%20Of%20Love%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Andrey%20Exx%20%26%20Sharapov%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Gift%20Of%20Love%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Andrey%20Exx%20%26%20Sharapov%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** A Gift Of Love CD, Audio, Bette Midler, Some People's Lives **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #Remix, #SKDJ, #thegiftoflove --- ### [Bette Midler: Her Finest Movie, TV & Stage Moments](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/12/bette-midler-her-finest-movie-tv-stage-moments/) **Published:** April 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler has delivered several standout performances across film, television, and Broadway that earned widespread critical praise **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler: Her Finest Movie, TV & Stage Moments By Mister D March 29, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-04-07_16-12-14.png "2026-04-07_16-12-14 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/songsandlyrics/) has delivered several [**standout performances**](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/standout-performance) across film, television, and Broadway that earned widespread critical praise, award nominations, and recognition for her dramatic range, comedic timing, singing, and charisma. Here are her most critically acclaimed ones, focusing on those that received major accolades (like Oscar nominations, Emmy nominations, Tony nominations, Golden Globes, high Rotten Tomatoes scores, or consistent praise in rankings and reviews): **Films** **The Rose (1979)** — Her breakthrough film role as a self-destructive rock singer (loosely inspired by Janis Joplin). This earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, a Golden Globe win for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, and is frequently cited as one of her finest dramatic performances. It’s often ranked among her top films for critical acclaim, with strong praise for her vocal and acting intensity. **For the Boys (1991)** — Midler played a USO entertainer spanning decades, opposite James Caan. She received her second Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, along with a Golden Globe win. Critics highlighted her emotional depth, musical numbers, and chemistry in this war-era musical drama. **Gypsy (1993)** — As the larger-than-life stage mother Rose in this acclaimed TV movie adaptation of the Sondheim musical. She won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film and earned strong reviews for her powerhouse performance (often called one of her best, especially vocally and dramatically). It’s frequently praised in retrospectives. **Divine Madness (1980)** — A concert film capturing her live stage show with comedy and music. It holds a very high Rotten Tomatoes score (100% critics) and is lauded for showcasing her raw energy and talent as a performer. **Ruthless People (1986)** — A sharp comedy where she played a kidnapped wife in this hit farce. It boasts a high Rotten Tomatoes score (93%) and is often ranked among her best comedic turns for its timing and hilarity. Other notable mentions in critical rankings include **Beaches (1988)** for its emotional tearjerker impact (and the iconic “Wind Beneath My Wings”), **The First Wives Club (1996)** for ensemble comedy brilliance, and supporting roles like those in **Get Shorty (1995)** (high RT score). **Television** Midler’s TV work, especially musical and variety specials, has been highly regarded: **Gypsy (1993 TV Movie):** As the formidable stage mother Mama Rose in this acclaimed adaptation of the Sondheim musical, she delivered a powerhouse performance. She won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie and earned Emmy recognition (including a notable performance of “Rose’s Turn”). Critics called it one of her finest dramatic-vocal turns, with many ranking it among her career best. **Variety specials and concerts:** She won multiple Primetime Emmys, including for **Ol’ Red Hair is Back (1978)** and **Bette Midler: Diva Las Vegas (1997/1998)**, praised for blending music, comedy, and charisma. Her short-lived sitcom **Bette (2000–2001)** also earned a Golden Globe nomination for her lead role. Bette Midler has made memorable guest appearances on scripted TV sitcoms and talk/variety shows over the years. While most of her major critical acclaim and awards in television come from her starring roles (like Gypsy), variety specials, and her own projects, several guest spots earned praise for her comedic timing, larger-than-life personality, and scene-stealing energy—sometimes leading to Emmy nominations. Here are the most notable and critically/acclaimed guest appearances: **Scripted Guest Roles (Sitcoms)** **Murphy Brown (1998) —** In the original series finale, Midler played Caprice Feldman, Murphy’s comically unhinged and incompetent secretary #93 (complete with a tiny chihuahua named Mr. Bojangles). The cameo was brief but hilarious, showcasing her sharp delivery and physical comedy. It earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. Critics and fans often cite it as a standout, quotable moment that perfectly fits the show’s chaotic tone. **The Nanny (1997)** — Midler appeared as herself in the episode “You Bette Your Life” (Season 4). Fran Fine meets her at a charity auction, leading to funny interactions and a memorable chase scene through the Sheffield mansion. The episode highlights Midler’s self-deprecating humor and chemistry with Fran Drescher. It’s frequently remembered fondly by fans as a delightful, high-energy cameo that played to her “Divine Miss M” persona. **Seinfeld (1995)** — She guest-starred as herself in the sixth-season finale, “The Understudy.” The episode involves Elaine and others interacting with Midler during a theatrical production. While not as widely praised as her other spots, it’s noted in her filmography for the meta, celebrity-cameo style typical of the show. **The Politician (2019–2020, Netflix)** — Midler played Hadassah Gold, a recurring character (appearing in 8 episodes across Seasons 1–2). This was more of a supporting arc than a one-off guest spot, but it earned her another Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2020. Critics appreciated her bold, scene-commanding performance in Ryan Murphy’s satirical series, blending comedy with her signature flair. Other occasional voice or animated guest work includes **The Simpsons (“Krusty Gets Kancelled,” voicing herself)** and **various talk-show appearances.** **Talk/Variety Show Appearances with Critical Note** Midler’s most acclaimed “guest” moments often came on late-night and variety programs, where her singing and banter shone: **The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1992)** — As Carson’s final guest, she delivered an emotional, show-stopping performance of “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road).” This heartfelt rendition earned her an Emmy win (in the variety/performance category) and is widely regarded as one of the most memorable closings in late-night history—praised for its intimacy and vocal power. **Saturday Night Live (1979)** — She performed musical numbers (including “Married Men” and “Martha”). The episode is remembered for her energetic presence during SNL’s early years. Her three Primetime Emmy wins overall are tied to variety specials (Ol’ Red Hair is Back, Diva Las Vegas, and the Carson appearance), which often blurred the line between guest spot and headlining performance. In summary, her guest appearances are generally short, comedic bursts that highlight her wit and star power rather than deep dramatic work. The Murphy Brown cameo stands out for its Emmy recognition despite minimal screen time, while The Nanny and The Politician show her ability to mesh seamlessly with ensemble casts. These spots complement her bigger TV achievements, like Gypsy and her specials, proving her versatility even in brief appearances on other shows. **Broadway** Midler’s stage work, particularly her later starring roles, earned her some of her highest theatrical acclaim: **Hello, Dolly! (2017 Revival):** As Dolly Gallagher Levi, this was her triumphant return to Broadway in a leading musical role after decades. Critics raved about her “dazzling star power,” comedic brilliance, warmth, and ability to elevate the classic show into a joyous event. She won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, plus Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle honors. Reviews described it as “irresistible,” “blissful,” and a “perfect match,” with the production becoming a box-office smash driven by her performance. **I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers (2013):** In this one-woman play, she portrayed the legendary Hollywood agent in a gossipy monologue. Critics praised her “lusciously entertaining” delivery, wit, and commanding presence, calling it a highlight of the Broadway season and a perfect vehicle for her personality. **Early work:** She made her Broadway debut in the original **Fiddler on the Roof (1960s)** as Tzeitel and received a **Special Tony Award in 1974** for her overall contributions to theater (including concert work). Overall, her most acclaimed dramatic peaks are The Rose, For the Boys, and Gypsy (where singing and acting fuse powerfully), while Hello, Dolly! represents her theatrical triumph, and Ruthless People / Divine Madness highlight her comedic and live-wire energy. These roles underscore why Midler is often called “The Divine Miss M”—a versatile, larger-than-life talent who commands attention across mediums. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Her%20Finest%20Movie%2C%20TV%20%26%20Stage%20Moments&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Her%20Finest%20Movie%2C%20TV%20%26%20Stage%20Moments%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Her%20Finest%20Movie%2C%20TV%20%26%20Stage%20Moments&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Her%20Finest%20Movie%2C%20TV%20%26%20Stage%20Moments%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Her%20Finest%20Movie%2C%20TV%20%26%20Stage%20Moments%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Emmys, Movies, Oscars, Television, Tonys **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #Emmys, #Movie, #Oscars, #Stage, #Tonys, #TV --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - Fire Down Below - DragBar - The Rose - 1979](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/09/video-bette-midler-fire-down-below-dragbar-the-rose-1979/) **Published:** April 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler - Fire Down Below - DragBar - The Rose - 1979 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Fire Down Below – DragBar – The Rose By Mister D April 9, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-07_16-08-18.png "2026-04-07_16-08-18 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Fire%20Down%20Below%20-%20DragBar%20-%20The%20Rose%20-%201979&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Fire%20Down%20Below%20-%20DragBar%20-%20The%20Rose%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Fire%20Down%20Below%20-%20DragBar%20-%20The%20Rose%20-%201979&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Fire%20Down%20Below%20-%20DragBar%20-%20The%20Rose%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Fire%20Down%20Below%20-%20DragBar%20-%20The%20Rose%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, the Rose, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Dragbar, #FireDownBelow, #TheRose, #Video --- ### [Archive Audio: Bette Midler - Oy Vegas! / Philadelphia Medley (Live)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/09/archive-audio-bette-midler-oy-vegas-philadelphia-medley-live/) **Published:** April 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Archive Audio: Bette Midler - Oy Vegas! / Philadelphia Medley (Live) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Archive Audio: Bette Midler – Oy Vegas! / Philadelphia Medley (Live) By The Bette Midler Archive April 9, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-09_19-26-52.png "2026-04-09_19-26-52 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Oy%20Vegas%21%20%2F%20Philadelphia%20Medley%20%28Live%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Oy%20Vegas%21%20%2F%20Philadelphia%20Medley%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Oy%20Vegas%21%20%2F%20Philadelphia%20Medley%20%28Live%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Oy%20Vegas%21%20%2F%20Philadelphia%20Medley%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Archive%20Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Oy%20Vegas%21%20%2F%20Philadelphia%20Medley%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, concerts, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #PhiladelphiaMedley, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [BonBon ShortsI Think It’s Going To Rain Today - Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/09/bonbon-shortsi-think-its-going-to-rain-today-bette-midler/) **Published:** April 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “On Sept. 20, 2005, Madison Square Garden hosted 'From The Big Apple To The Big Easy,' Concert for the Gulf Coast, to support the long-term relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina. **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon I Think It’s Going To Rain Today (2005, Full Performance) – Bette Midler By Boodles BonBon April 9, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-09_19-10-23.png "2026-04-09_19-10-23 - bootleg betty") --- Heartbreakingly beautiful vocal / piano duet from Bette + Bette (Midler & Sussman; Divine Music Director) “On September 20, 2005, Madison Square Garden hosted ‘From The Big Apple To The Big Easy,’ New York City’s Concert for the Gulf Coast, to support the long-term relief and rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina. The live concert features New Orleans musical legends joined on stage by many of music’s biggest names.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BonBon%20ShortsI%20Think%20It%E2%80%99s%20Going%20To%20Rain%20Today%20%20-%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BonBon%20ShortsI%20Think%20It%E2%80%99s%20Going%20To%20Rain%20Today%20%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BonBon%20ShortsI%20Think%20It%E2%80%99s%20Going%20To%20Rain%20Today%20%20-%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BonBon%20ShortsI%20Think%20It%E2%80%99s%20Going%20To%20Rain%20Today%20%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BonBon%20ShortsI%20Think%20It%E2%80%99s%20Going%20To%20Rain%20Today%20%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Boodles BonBon, #FromTHeBigAppleToTheBigEasy, #IThinkItsGonnaRainToday, #Video --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - Leader Of The Pack - Boston - 1978](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/08/audio-bette-midler-leader-of-the-pack-boston-1978/) **Published:** April 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Divine Miss M Fan Site Audio: Bette Midler - Leader Of The Pack - Boston - 1978 **Content:** --- ## The Divine Miss M Fan Site Audio: Bette Midler – Leader Of The Pack – Boston – 1978 By Staff April 8, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-08_19-05-45.png "2026-04-08_19-05-45 - bootleg betty") --- --- **The Divine Miss M Fan Site Audio: Bette Midler – Leader Of The Pack – Boston – 1978** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20-%20Boston%20-%201978&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20-%20Boston%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20-%20Boston%20-%201978&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20-%20Boston%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20-%20Boston%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, The Divine Miss M Fan Site **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #CharloCrossley, #LeaderOfThePack, #TheDivineMissMFanSite, #UlaHedwig, SharonRedd --- ### [Bette Midler in a cameo appearance in The Women with Meg Ryan](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/08/bette-midler-in-a-cameo-appearance-in-the-women-with-meg-ryan/) **Published:** April 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler in a cameo appearance in The Women with Meg Ryan **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler in a cameo appearance in The Women with Meg Ryan By Mister D April 8, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-08_18-54-27.png "2026-04-08_18-54-27 - bootleg betty") --- --- **Bette Midler in a cameo appearance in The Women with Meg Ryan** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20in%20a%20cameo%20appearance%20in%20The%20Women%20with%20Meg%20Ryan&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20in%20a%20cameo%20appearance%20in%20The%20Women%20with%20Meg%20Ryan%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20in%20a%20cameo%20appearance%20in%20The%20Women%20with%20Meg%20Ryan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20in%20a%20cameo%20appearance%20in%20The%20Women%20with%20Meg%20Ryan%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20in%20a%20cameo%20appearance%20in%20The%20Women%20with%20Meg%20Ryan%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, The Women **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #MegRyan, #TheWomen --- ### [How to See Beaches on Broadway for $45](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/08/how-to-see-beaches-on-broadway-for-45/) **Published:** April 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The screen-to-stage musical has unveiled lottery and rush ticket programs. **Content:** --- ## Playbill How to See Beaches on Broadway for $45 By Logan Culwell-Block April 8, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/BeachesRehearsal-92-Jessica-Vosk-Kelli-Barrett-and-the-company-of-BEACHES-A-NEW-MUSICAL.-Credit-to-Jenny-Anderson.jpg "Beachesrehearsal-92-jessica-vosk-kelli-barrett-and-the-company-of-beaches-a-new-musical. -credit-to-jenny-anderson - bootleg betty")--- The screen-to-stage musical has unveiled lottery and rush ticket programs. Jessica Vosk, Kelli Barrett, and the company of [**Beaches**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/beaches/), A New Musical (Jenny Anderson) Broadway’s upcoming Beaches musical has unveiled digital lottery and in-person rush ticket programs, which will give theatergoers a chance to see the screen-to-stage musical for as low as $45. The musical begins previews at the [**Majestic Theatre**](https://beachesthemusical.com/) on March 27, with opening night set for April 22. Rush tickets will be available in person at the Majestic box office for same-day performances on a first-come, first-served basis. Patrons can buy up to 2 tickets for $45 each. The digital lottery will be run via Rush.Telecharge.com, with entries accepted beginning at midnight ET one day before each performance. Winners will be drawn the same day, at 10 AM and 3 PM ET. Winners will have the opportunity to purchase up to two $49 tickets. The musical is being led by Jessica Vosk as Cee Cee and Kelli Barrett as Bertie, with Ben Jacoby as Michael Barron, Brent Thiessen as John Perry, Samantha Schwartz as Little Cee Cee, and Zeya Grace as Little Bertie. Vosk, Barrett, Jacoby, and Thiessen are all reprising their performances from the musical’s world premiere run at Theatre Calgary. The company also includes Sarah Bockel, Harper Burns, Eric Coles, Taylor Sage Evans, Mia Gerachis, Joelle Gully, Stephanie Martignetti, Emma Ogea, Olive Ross-Kline, Bailey Ryon, Paul Adam Schaefer, Lael Van Keuren, and Zurin Villanueva. Casting is by The TRC Company’s Peter Van Dam. Released in 1985, Dart’s novel tracks a lifelong friendship between the mild-mannered Bertie and larger-than-life Cee Cee. The book became a famous tear-jerker film in 1988, starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. Idina Menzel and Nia Long also starred in a 2017 made-for-television remake for Lifetime. The Beaches musical has been in development for more than a decade. It was first staged in 2014 at Signature Theater in Arlington, Virginia, starring Mara Davi and Alysha Umphress; that production was directed by Eric Schaeffer and featured a different composer (David Austin). The upcoming Broadway version features a book by Dart and Thom Thomas, music by Mike Stoller, and lyrics by Dart. The Broadway staging will also feature choreography by Jennifer Rias (A Doll’s House), music supervision by Joseph Thalken, orchestrations by Charlie Rosen (Moulin Rouge!), scenic design by James Noone (Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill), costume design by Tracy Christensen (Sunset Boulevard), lighting design by Ken Billington (Chicago), sound design by Kai Harada (Merrily We Roll Along), projection design by David Bengali (Water for Elephants), and wig, hair, and make-up design by J. Jared Janas (Buena Vista Social Club). Thomas Recktenwald will serve as production stage manager, and Alchemy Production Group will generally manage. Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso, Douglas McJannet for Arden Entertainment, Alison Spiriti & Justin Sudds for Right Angle Entertainment, and Ryan Bogner & Tracey McFarland for Broadway & Beyond Theatricals are producing. A national tour, produced by Crossroads Live, will follow the Broadway bow, with dates and cities to be announced. [**Click Here To Buy Tickets**](https://www.telecharge.com/Beaches-A-New-Musical-tickets??AID=AFF000009900&utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=AFF000009900) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20to%20See%20Beaches%20on%20Broadway%20for%20%2445&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20to%20See%20Beaches%20on%20Broadway%20for%20%2445%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20to%20See%20Beaches%20on%20Broadway%20for%20%2445&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20to%20See%20Beaches%20on%20Broadway%20for%20%2445%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20to%20See%20Beaches%20on%20Broadway%20for%20%2445%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Broadway, Theatre **Tags:** #Beaches, #BeachesTheMusical, #BetteMidler, #BuyTickets, #MajesticTheater --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - Alright, Okay, You Win (SKDJ vs Morlack Remix)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/07/audio-bette-midler-alright-okay-you-win-skdj-vs-morlack-remix/) **Published:** April 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio: Bette Midler - Alright, Okay, You Win (SKDJ vs Morlack Remix) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler – Alright, Okay, You Win (SKDJ vs Morlack Remix) By SKDJ April 7, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-03-10_15-49-07.png "2026-03-10_15-49-07 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Alright%2C%20Okay%2C%20You%20Win%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Morlack%20Remix%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Alright%2C%20Okay%2C%20You%20Win%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Morlack%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Alright%2C%20Okay%2C%20You%20Win%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Morlack%20Remix%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Alright%2C%20Okay%2C%20You%20Win%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Morlack%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Alright%2C%20Okay%2C%20You%20Win%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Morlack%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Remix **Tags:** #AlrightOkayYouWin, #BetteMidler, #Morlack, #PeggyLee, #Remix, #SKDJ --- ### [Bette Midler Lands on This Year’s Honorary Oscar Shortlist](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/07/bette-midler-lands-on-this-years-honorary-oscar-shortlist/) **Published:** April 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is looking for suggestions for the 2026 Governors Awards. **Content:** --- ## Gold Derby 2026 Governors Awards: Potential timeline and dozens of names to watch By Marcus James Dixon, Chris Beachum April 7, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-06_18-22-26.png "2026-04-06_18-22-26 - bootleg betty") --- Last year, Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen, and Wynn Thomas accepted Honorary Oscars at a star-studded ceremony in Hollywood. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is looking for suggestions for the [**2026 Governors Awards.**](https://www.oscars.org/governors) On April 3, the organization encouraged its 10,000-plus voting members to confidentially nominate worthy recipients. The official honorees are expected to be announced in June, with the ceremony taking place in November, per recent tradition. ***Voters can submit up to five candidates for consideration across the following three categories:*** **Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award:** This award shall be given to a creative producer whose body of work reflects a consistently high quality of motion picture production. **Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award:** This award shall be given to an individual in the motion picture arts and sciences whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry by promoting human welfare and contributing to rectifying inequities. **Honorary Award:** This award shall be given to honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences of any discipline, or for outstanding service to the Academy. No more than four Governors Awards may be presented in a given year, including no more than one Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and one Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. Governors Awards are not awarded posthumously, and current members of the Academy Board of Governors are not eligible. Additionally, no individual may receive the same award more than once. Last year, Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen, and Wynn Thomas accepted Honorary Oscars at a star-studded ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood; Dolly Parton was also honored, but did not attend due to health reasons. **Which stars might make the cut this year?** Notable actors over the age of 60 who have received Oscar nominations but never taken home a statuette include Annette Bening, Glenn Close, Catherine Deneuve, Johnny Depp, Bruce Dern, Harrison Ford, Isabelle Huppert, Michael Keaton, Ian McKellen, **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/the-movies-bette-midler/)**, Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Lily Tomlin, Sigourney Weaver, and Alfre Woodard. There are also those performers who have not yet been nominated for an Academy Award, but still would be worthy, including Ellen Barkin, Carol Burnett, Billy Crystal, Mia Farrow, Pam Grier, Andie MacDowell, Meg Ryan, Martin Sheen, and Bruce Willis. Non-actors in the film industry to keep an eye on include Tim Burton, John Carpenter, David Cronenberg, Stephen Daldry, Lee Daniels, Brian De Palma, Danny Elfman, Jack Fisk, Werner Herzog, Lawrence Kasdan, Mike Leigh, Thomas Newman, Ridley Scott, and John Waters. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Lands%20on%20This%20Year%E2%80%99s%20Honorary%20Oscar%20Shortlist&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Lands%20on%20This%20Year%E2%80%99s%20Honorary%20Oscar%20Shortlist%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Lands%20on%20This%20Year%E2%80%99s%20Honorary%20Oscar%20Shortlist&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Lands%20on%20This%20Year%E2%80%99s%20Honorary%20Oscar%20Shortlist%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Lands%20on%20This%20Year%E2%80%99s%20Honorary%20Oscar%20Shortlist%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Oscars **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #GovernorsAwards, #HonoraryOscar, #Movies, #Oscars --- ### [Marc Shaiman to Launch Second Leg of Book Tour](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/06/marc-shaiman-to-launch-second-leg-of-book-tour/) **Published:** April 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Marc Shaiman will launch a second leg of the Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner Book Tour. **Content:** --- ## Broadway World Marc Shaiman to Launch Second Leg of Book Tour By Chloe Rabinowitz April 6, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-03-17_14-30-15.png "2026-03-17_14-30-15 - bootleg betty") --- Marc Shaiman will launch a second leg of the Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner Book Tour. Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner, the New York Times Best Selling memoir written by Marc Shaiman, is now available in both print and audiobook formats. Special guests on the upcoming book tour include Michael Bublé, Norbert Leo Butz, Christine Ebersole, and Patti LuPone. Shaiman is a Tony, two-time Grammy, two-time Emmy Award winner, and a seven-time Academy Award loser… In Never Mind the Happy, musical dynamo Shaiman looks back on five decades of Broadway triumphs, Hollywood hijinks, and unforgettable collaborations. Along the way, he charts the personal highs and heartbreaks that have shaped him—spending his teenage years in community theatre, starting a decades-long collaboration with Bette Midler in the ’70s, surviving the AIDS crisis of the ’80s, his award-winning film music career in the Hollywood of the ’90s, right up to the peaks (and valleys) of creating Broadway musicals from 2000 on. Shaiman’s story is a tribute to the power of music, the pull of the spotlight, and the beat that never stops. Part showbiz tell-all, part love letter to the melancholy that fuels creativity, Never Mind the Happy is told with perfect comic timing—along with a few wrong notes, and plenty of standing ovations. The audiobook features special performances by Matthew Broderick, Christian Borle, Norbert Leo Butz, Billy Crystal, Christine Ebersole, J. Harrison Ghee, Megan Hilty, Nathan Lane, Jenifer Lewis, Katharine McPhee, Martin Short, Shayna Steele, Marisha Wallace, and Ben Whishaw. With all 88 keys under his arm, Marc will be hitting the road, again! Marc will regale audiences with behind-the-scenes tales from his storied career and a special performance for each city. **The second leg of the book tour dates are:** **TUESDAY, APRIL 14th** MAPLEWOOD, NJ Hosted by \[words\] Bookstore In conversation with [Norbert Leo Butz](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Norbert-Leo-Butz/) Featuring a special performance with [Christine Ebersole](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Christine-Ebersole/) More information here: ## SUNDAY, APRIL 19th MIAMI, FL Hosted by THE HUB In conversation with MICHEL HAUSMANN Featuring a special performance with the cast of the Slow Burn Theater production of Hairspray. More information here: ## MONDAY, APRIL 20th WEST [Palm Beach](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Palm-Beach/), FL Hosted by the KRAVIS CENTER In conversation with BEVERLY BLANCHETTE Featuring performances with [Gail Bennett](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Gail-Bennett/), JAMIE MATTOKS, [Fednike Nozistene](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Fednike-Nozistene/), GABY TOROLEDO and students from the musical theater program at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts. More information here: ## MONDAY, APRIL 27th DETROIT, MI Hosted by The J Detroit / Detroit Jewish Film Festival In conversation with JULIE SMITH YOLLES Featuring performances with [Chelsea Packard](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Chelsea-Packard/) and the cast of the Players Guild of Dearborn production of Hairspray. More information here: ## TUESDAY, MAY 5th LOS ANGELES, CA Hosted by The GRAMMY Museum In conversation with MICHAEL BUBLÉ More information here: ## SATURDAY, MAY 9th HUNTINGTON, NY Hosted by the Cinema Arts Centre In conversation with JUD NEWBORN Featuring a performance with [Patti LuPone](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Patti-LuPone/) and the Northport High School Concert Choir. More information here: [https://prod3.agileticketing.net/WebSales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=1004915~31a96320-4160-4f8e-a5f9-05c4f03c9c01&epguid=4e90d4ea-c6e5-40b3-9fc2-5fd0073268f4&mdy=5/9/2026](https://prod3.agileticketing.net/WebSales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=1004915~31a96320-4160-4f8e-a5f9-05c4f03c9c01&epguid=4e90d4ea-c6e5-40b3-9fc2-5fd0073268f4&mdy=5/9/2026) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Marc%20Shaiman%20to%20Launch%20Second%20Leg%20of%20Book%20Tour&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20to%20Launch%20Second%20Leg%20of%20Book%20Tour%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Marc%20Shaiman%20to%20Launch%20Second%20Leg%20of%20Book%20Tour&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20to%20Launch%20Second%20Leg%20of%20Book%20Tour%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20to%20Launch%20Second%20Leg%20of%20Book%20Tour%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Marc Shaiman, Tours **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #BookTour, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy, #SecondLeg --- ### [Bette Midler - Rain / Ready To Begin Again / Do You Want To Dance (Live)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/06/bette-midler-rain-ready-to-begin-again-do-you-want-to-dance-live/) **Published:** April 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler - Rain / Ready To Begin Again / Do You Want To Dance (Live) **Content:** --- ## The Bette Midler Archive Bette Midler – Rain / Ready To Begin Again / Do You Want To Dance (Live) By The Bette Midler Archive April 6, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-05_21-01-24.png "2026-04-05_21-01-24 - bootleg betty") --- ***By request. Performed February 13, 1980, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium during the filming of Divine Madness. Hope this brings back great memories.*** --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rain%20%2F%20Ready%20To%20Begin%20Again%20%2F%20Do%20You%20Want%20To%20Dance%20%28Live%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rain%20%2F%20Ready%20To%20Begin%20Again%20%2F%20Do%20You%20Want%20To%20Dance%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rain%20%2F%20Ready%20To%20Begin%20Again%20%2F%20Do%20You%20Want%20To%20Dance%20%28Live%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rain%20%2F%20Ready%20To%20Begin%20Again%20%2F%20Do%20You%20Want%20To%20Dance%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rain%20%2F%20Ready%20To%20Begin%20Again%20%2F%20Do%20You%20Want%20To%20Dance%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, concerts, Divine Madness, Movies, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DivineMadness, #DoYouWantToDance, #Rain, #ReadyToBeginAgain, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [Jessica Vosk & Kelli Barrett Discuss Bette Midler & Beaches](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/06/jessica-vosk-kelli-barrett-discuss-bette-midler-beaches/) **Published:** April 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The two Broadway stars reflect on friendship, Bette Midler, and creating a new version of a movie they’ve seen a million times. **Content:** --- ## Theatremania Jessica Vosk & Kelli Barrett Discuss Bette Midler & Beaches By David Gordon April 6, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-01_17-57-30.png "2026-04-01_17-57-30 - bootleg betty") --- **Interview:** Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett are the Wind Beneath Each Other’s Wings in Beaches The two Broadway stars reflect on friendship, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/03/24/the-best-of-bette-midler/), and creating a new version of a movie they’ve seen a million times. Kelli Barrett and Jessica Vosk met for the first time at a swimming pool in St. Louis. It was during a summer stint at the Muny, where Vosk was appearing in Chess alongside Barrett’s husband, Jarrod Spector. They’d known of each other for years, their careers running in parallel, but hadn’t actually crossed paths until that afternoon, when Barrett showed up without a bathing suit and Vosk casually offered her one of her own. It was a fitting prologue to a friendship that would bloom in Calgary, Canada, when the two were cast as Bertie and Cee Cee in Iris Rainer Dart and Mike Stoller’s stage adaptation of [**Beaches**](https://beachesthemusical.com/), the tearjerker that became an iconic cinematic vehicle for Barbara Hershey and Bette Midler. For both Vosk and Barrett, Beaches is more than a movie; it’s a touchstone tied to their real-life artistic dreams and lifelong relationships. And bringing the show to the Majestic Theatre this spring isn’t about chasing nostalgia or recreating magic. It’s about honoring a story that has shaped them to this very day. **This is a show about two very close friends, but you didn’t know each other personally before this project started.** **Jessica Vosk:** We knew of each other, but we never worked together. I had been out at the Muny doing Chess with Kelli’s hubs, Jarrod \[Spector\], and Kelli came out to visit. That was the first time we had ever gotten to hang out together. **Kelli Barrett:** I think we were at a pool, and I forgot my bathing suit, and you were like, “You can have one of mine, babe.” That was the first time I ever met you. It was you offering me a bathing suit, and I was like, “Oh, she’s so sweet.” **How do you build a friendship like Cee Cee and Bertie’s?** **Kelli:** A lot of late nights. **Jessica:** We were in the same kind of extended-stay living situation, and either I’d go over there or she’d come over to my place, and we would have dinner and work for hours, reading through stuff, making sure it was grounded, making sure it wasn’t a caricature of what the film was. **Kelli:** And then just doing the job, which is to get to know each other so well that we can be there for each other on stage. We talked a lot about our shared history, the passing of our fathers. We got close, and we weren’t afraid to dive into the deep stuff because these two women have known each other since they were little. I was like, “Tell me everything about you since you were a child,” so we can get on the same page. **What role does Beaches play in your life?** **Kelli:** I’ve seen it 100 times. Any time it’s on, you have to watch Beaches. My husband always makes a joke because when we were introducing each other to our favorite movies, my top five are Beaches, Fried Green Tomatoes, Terms of Endearment, Steel Magnolias, and Boys on the Side. The sisterly stories, the mother-daughter stories, those are the ones that I was always drawn to. Beaches has always been one of them. And Jarrod is always like, “Is she gonna die again? Do we have to?” **Jessica:** It was very cool for me to see a movie about a kid who wanted this dream, and then you watch this little kid be put through the wringer. It’s not like she’s one of those overnight successes. The whole point of this film is that you’re knocking down doors, doing odd side jobs, all the shit that you hate to do, but we do it anyway because the goal is to make it big. And she knows within her heart that she’s not the cookie-cutter, gorgeous girl who’s going to get the roles immediately. She works really hard for it. And then she meets this young girl who was born into a situation already farther ahead than she’ll ever be and becomes best friends with her. It’s one of the most relatable films, in my opinion, in the entire universe. Now, am I obsessed with Bette Midler? Do I wish I were her best friend? Would I put her skin on mine and pretend to be her? Yeah, maybe. I find her to be the one woman who has broken every glass ceiling and paved a road that I didn’t know I could walk down. In that respect, it’s a role of a lifetime for me to come in and even try to bring half of what I think Bette Midler brings to the role. **Iris Dart has worked with Bette and Cher. Mike Stoller cowrote “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock” and “Stand By Me.” Tell me about collaborating with these two people who have had careers that are so insanely historic.** **Kelli:** These people could be your extended family; that’s how kind and generous they are. Iris wrote this iconic book that became this movie, and she’s so unassuming. Collaborative, open, wants to hear our feedback. Mike Stoller’s music is so tuneful. All these songs are stuck in my head. The way he can write an arc, the way he can write a melody. **Jessica:** Something about Iris that I did not know is that Iris was the first female writer on Cher’s TV show. She’s a broad, man. If I want to throw a different type of joke in there, she’s always open to discussing it. Mike, the same. The thing that I wanted to get across to people is—as somebody who grew up with the soundtrack from Beaches—that this is a new musical. You’re not going to hear the soundtrack from Beaches. You’ll hear “Wind Beneath My Wings,” because, of course, but everything else is new. Mike has brought something special. I can sing you all the songs right now, and I haven’t done this show since 2024. That’s special. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Jessica%20Vosk%20%26%20Kelli%20Barrett%20Discuss%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Beaches&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Jessica%20Vosk%20%26%20Kelli%20Barrett%20Discuss%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Beaches%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Jessica%20Vosk%20%26%20Kelli%20Barrett%20Discuss%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Beaches&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Jessica%20Vosk%20%26%20Kelli%20Barrett%20Discuss%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Beaches%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Jessica%20Vosk%20%26%20Kelli%20Barrett%20Discuss%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Beaches%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Broadway **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #JessicaVosk, #KelliBarrett, #Musical --- ### [Shop BEACHES Merch in BroadwayWorld's Theater Shop](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/05/shop-beaches-merch-in-broadwayworlds-theater-shop/) **Published:** April 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Currently in previews at the Majestic Theatre (245 W 44th St), opening night is set for Wednesday, April 22 for a limited engagement through Sunday, September 6. **Content:** --- ## BroadwayWorld Shop BEACHES Merch in BroadwayWorld’s Theater Shop By Staff April 5, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Shop-BEACHES-Merch-in-BroadwayWorld-s-Theater-Shop-1775228662-1024x512.jpg "Shop-beaches-merch-in-broadwayworld-s-theater-shop-1775228662 - bootleg betty")--- Currently in previews at the Majestic Theatre (245 W 44th St), opening night is set for Wednesday, April 22 for a limited engagement through Sunday, September 6. The cast of Beaches, A New Musical, is led by powerhouse stars Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett as Cee Cee Bloom and Bertie White and features Sarah Bockel, Harper Burns, Eric Coles, Taylor Sage Evans, Mia Gerachis, Zeya Grace, Joelle Gully, Ben Jacoby, Stephanie Martignetti, Emma Ogea, Olive Ross-Kline, Bailey Ryon, Paul Adam Schaefer, Samantha Schwartz, Brent Thiessen, Lael Van Keuren, and Zurin Villanueva. Based on the New York Times bestseller that became a blockbuster film, written by Iris Rainer Dart, Beaches brings to the stage one of the most iconic friendships in popular culture – made famous on screen by Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. This sweeping, emotional, and joy-filled new musical follows the vivacious Cee Cee and elegant Bertie, who meet as children and become fast friends. From pen-pals to roommates to romantic rivals, Cee Cee and Bertie’s oil-and-water friendship perseveres through even the most tragic trials. With a touching vulnerability, Beaches exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit and the bonds of friendship. The new musical features a book by Iris Rainer Dart & Thom Thomas, music by Mike Stoller and lyrics by Dart. The musical was developed in collaboration with David Austin. [CLICK HERE FOR STORE MERCHANDISE](https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Shop-BEACHES-Merch-in-BroadwayWorlds-Theater-Shop-20260403) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Shop%20BEACHES%20Merch%20in%20BroadwayWorld%27s%20Theater%20Shop&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Shop%20BEACHES%20Merch%20in%20BroadwayWorld%27s%20Theater%20Shop%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Shop%20BEACHES%20Merch%20in%20BroadwayWorld%27s%20Theater%20Shop&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Shop%20BEACHES%20Merch%20in%20BroadwayWorld%27s%20Theater%20Shop%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Shop%20BEACHES%20Merch%20in%20BroadwayWorld%27s%20Theater%20Shop%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Broadway, Theatre **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #Shop, #Theater --- ### [Hit Songs Other Artists Turned Down - Bette Midler Edt](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/03/hit-songs-other-artists-turned-down-bette-midler-edt/) **Published:** April 3, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Some of the best-selling & enduring songs in rock became chart-topping classics thanks to a singer or band that wasn't the composer's 1st choice **Content:** --- ## Grunge Hit Songs Other Artists Turned Down – Bette Midler Edt By Brian Boone April 3, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-23_16-16-30.png "2026-03-23_16-16-30 - bootleg betty") --- Some of the best-selling and most enduring songs in rock history became chart-topping classics thanks to a singer or band that wasn’t the composer’s first choice — the artists for whom they were intended passed on the chance to record them. While many acts write their own material or work closely with a handful of trusted collaborators, rock ‘n’ roll has historically operated transactionally. [Songwriters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_singer-songwriters) shop songs around to the major acts that seem best suited to them or most likely to transform what’s on the page into a big hit single. But very often, it would seem, those A-list talents turn down the songwriters and their works. They’ve got their reasons — they dislike the tune, don’t feel it’s appropriate for their skill set or image, or just can’t find the time, for example. But what’s definitive: Stars saying no to songs leaves the door open for others to record them and make them hits. Throughout the decades of 20th-century rock and pop, several artists declined a song, allowing a second- or third-choice musician to step in, step up, and meet one of their signature tracks. **The Boys of Summer** Mike Campbell, guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, recorded a demo for a potential new track in his home studio in the early 1980s. He laid out the guitar parts and a beat with a drum machine but didn’t include lyrics. Neither Petty nor their producer Jimmy Iovine was impressed with the piece. “In Tom’s defense, when I got to the chorus, I went to a different chord,” Campbell recalled on the podcast “The Moment” (via Ultimate Classic Rock). “It was kind of like a minor chord. As the song ended up, on the chorus it goes to that big major chord. You know, it lifts up.” Iovine recommended Campbell change that transition, so he did. Afterward, still devastated over the rejection by his own band, he took the producer up on his offer to propose the song to former Eagles drummer Don Henley, who was in the midst of recording a solo album. Campbell and Henley listened together, and Henley agreed to give it a try. He wrote his own lyrics — both nostalgic and exploring the concept of nostalgia. “I have a thing about looking back,” Henley said on “The Howard Stern Show” regarding what he ultimately titled “The Boys of Summer.” It peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1985. **Golden Years** In 1976, David Bowie released “Station to Station,” and one of the first songs he recorded for the LP was its first single, the warm and gently funky “Golden Years.” The track was his second Top 10 hit in the United States (peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1976), and he very easily could’ve passed up on such a commercial breakthrough. Around the same time that Bowie was working on “Station to Station,” he’d reached out to a certified rock legend who was less creative than you might think: Elvis Presley. Through business arrangements, Presley got royalty-generating songwriting credits on numerous songs he didn’t actually help compose. In other words, he had to rely on other musicians for his songs, and Bowie wanted to make a song for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. “Golden Years” could’ve been the one. “Apparently Elvis heard the demos, because we were both on RCA, and Colonel Tom \[Parker, Presley’s manager\] thought I should write some Elvis songs,” Bowie recalled in David Buckley’s “Strange Fascination: David Bowie, the Definitive Story.” “There was talk between our offices that I should be introduced to Elvis and maybe start working with him in a production-writer capacity. But it never came to pass.” **Call Me** To score his 1980 sex worker drama “American Gigolo,” filmmaker Paul Schrader brought in Giorgio Moroder, best known at the time as a producer for progressive disco artists like Donna Summer and as a movie music writer who favored electronic instrumentation. Moroder wanted to include a pop-style theme song for the film, and so he wrote “Man-Machine,” suggested by the main character’s almost robotic existence of being constantly summoned to perform in order to earn a living. English wasn’t Moroder’s primary language, and he needed a singer — specifically a female artist — to not just record “Man-Machine” but write new lyrics, too. Moroder’s dream candidate was singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks, at the time one of the biggest stars in the world thanks to her time in Fleetwood Mac. Unfortunately, she was too busy with all of that to take up Moroder on his offer. Moroder then asked Debbie Harry, breakout star of the genre-hopping band Blondie. The musician got to watch an early cut of “American Gigolo” — with just the “Man-Machine”-based music in the appropriate parts — and was instantly inspired. “He was on call, so to speak,” Harry said in “The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits” regarding Richard Gere’s titular character. “I went home and wrote the song immediately,” she later added. Credited to Blondie, Harry’s revision retitled “Call Me” was a massive hit. It held the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 for six weeks, and Billboard later named it the top hit of 1980. **Don’t You (Forget About Me)** The 1985 John Hughes teen dramedy “The Breakfast Club” featured the same tune in its opening and end sequences: “Don’t You (Forget About Me).” Keith Forsey composed it just for the movie, and although Hughes was a successful filmmaker, the songwriter had a hard time getting major artists to record the song. “The original guy I had in mind was Bryan Ferry,” Forsey said in “The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits.” However, the singer of Roxy Music said no, as did ’80s pop-rock superstar Billy Idol. Even the act that did wind up heading into the studio to make “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” didn’t really want to do so at first. Scottish band Simple Minds flat out refused at first because it rarely performed material written by people not in the group, nor was it persuaded by a screening of an early edit of “The Breakfast Club.” Simple Minds leader Jim Kerr agreed to do it because his then-wife Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders enjoyed the song and he got along well with Forsey. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” introduced Simple Minds to the U.S. market, and the track wasn’t just its first charting single there but also its most successful, going to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1985. **Seasons in the Sun** The Poppy Family — consisting of married couple Terry and Susan Jacks — scored two big hits in 1970: “Which Way You Goin’, Billy?” and “That’s Where I Went Wrong.” By the time the pair split professionally and personally in 1973, Terry was working in the periphery of the music industry and was closely associated with The Beach Boys. Invited to a recording session, he offered an idea to the band: They ought to cover “Le Moribond,” which translates to “the dying man.” Jacques Brel composed the original, with French lyrics, in 1961, and then three years later The Kingston Trio attempted an English translation written by poet Rod McKuen. That one, “Seasons in the Sun,” is extremely bittersweet — a series of recollections from a man near death about a life well lived. The Beach Boys went ahead and took a shot at the song that Terry had presented but then rejected it after the fact, opting not to let the public hear it. It was up for grabs, and for Terry, it gained even more poignancy after the death of a friend. He recorded “Seasons in the Sun” himself, and in March 1974, the ballad spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. **What’s Love Got to Do With It** The melancholy, conflicted, and decidedly mature and world-weary love song “What’s Love Got to Do With It” was the work of songwriters Terry Britten and Graham Lyle. In the early ’80s, the song went out for consideration to several soft rock and soul artists of the era, among them U.K. star Cliff Richard, disco-turned pop singer Donna Summer, and Phyllis Hyman. They all said no. A while later, Tina Turner, once half of the dynamic duo Ike & Tina Turner, was mounting a comeback following almost a decade of mainstream obscurity after leaving her husband, abuser, and musical partner. One of the producers employed to create Turner’s 1984 LP “Private Dancer” was Britten, who suggested she give “What’s Love Got to Do With It” a listen. After hearing Britten’s demo, she briefly joined the ranks of Richard, Summer, and Hyman. “I rejected the song? Crazy to think about that now,” Turner admitted on Instagram in 2021. Britten offered to rework the song to make it better suited to Turner’s voice and vibe, and then she finally fell in love with it. “What’s Love Got to Do With It” enjoyed a three-week run at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984, solidified Turner’s comeback, and won two of the most prominent Grammy Awards: song of the year and record of the year. **Something to Talk About** Songs powered by the sweet and subtle voice of Anne Murray routinely ratcheted up the charts in the 1970s and early 1980s, like “You Needed Me,” “Danny’s Song,” and “Snowbird.” A few years after her last top 40 hit, she missed out on a potential rock-oriented smash in the mid-1980s. Canadian songwriter Shirley Eikhard, working in the Nashville-based country music industry, wrote a flirtatious and wordy love song called “Something to Talk About.” Eikhard gave Murray first crack at the song and gave her a demo. “I loved it, playing it in my car for more than a year,” Murray declared in “All of Me.” “I knew it would be a hit.” Murray presented the song to three producers, and none of them liked it. “I should have insisted, but I didn’t, so I never recorded the song,” she wrote. Nevertheless, Murray used “Something to Talk About” as the name of her 1986 LP, and after many more years of shopping, Eikhard found a taker — Bonnie Raitt. The singer and guitarist included her searing, blues guitar-heavy take on her 1991 album “Luck of the Draw.” It zoomed to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won the Grammy Award for best pop vocal performance, female. **The Long and Winding Road** Along with all the garage rock bands with a radio-friendly sensibility, the British Invasion of the 1960s encompassed other kinds of music made by musicians from elsewhere in Great Britain. Tom Jones, a crooner from Wales, was very popular with American and British audiences in the 1960s with big, showy tunes like “It’s Not Unusual” and “What’s New Pussycat?” At the decade’s end, he nearly collaborated with notable British Invasion act The Beatles. A record company prevented that from happening. One evening, he ran into Paul McCartney at a London nightclub and suggested that the Beatle compose a song for him. “He said, ‘Aye, I will then.’ Then not long after he sent a song around to my house, which was ‘The Long and Winding Road,'” Jones recalled to Wales Online in 2012. But first rights to the epic ballad came with a caveat from McCartney: Jones would have to record and put it out immediately. But he already had a single, “Without Love,” approaching its street date, and to suddenly cancel that was a non-starter for Decca Records. Jones was forced to pass. As for “The Long and Winding Road,” it became a Beatles song — the group’s 20th and final No. 1 single in 1970, the same year in which The Beatles broke up. **The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia** A sad and gloomy story song in the Southern Gothic tradition, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” isn’t the kind of thing that usually hits No. 1 on Billboard’s pop chart, but it did manage that feat in April 1973. The tune is narrated by a woman who tells the tragic tale of her brother, who gets caught up in a web of infidelity and small-town police corruption and is executed for a murder he didn’t commit. There’s even a twist: The song’s narrator, the sister of the wrongfully killed, was the real murderer. Another twist: “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” is a very serious song sung by a not-so-serious person: Vicki Lawrence, at the time a cast member on the highly rated sketch-variety program “The Carol Burnett Show.” “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” was the work of composer Bobby Russell, Lawrence’s husband at that point. As a musician, Lawrence was something of a last resort. Many singers and their representatives declined to record “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” among them Cher. Sonny Bono, her husband and musical partner, said no on his wife’s behalf, afraid that the tune would upset Cher’s fans in the Southern United States. **Wind Beneath My Wings** In 1989, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/television/#.VhugxFRViko) rescued her dying musical career with one song: “Wind Beneath My Wings,” which soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Midler hadn’t enjoyed a top 10 hit since “The Rose” in 1980, as she spent most of the ’80s focusing on her successful acting career. Written by composers Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar in 1982, “Wind Beneath My Wings” became a hit after Midler sang it in her movie “Beaches.” It was inspired by a poem Henley had once written for his wife — the songwriting duo’s publisher felt it was appropriate for soft-rock acts, and a demo went out to a giant of the genre: Kenny Rogers. While Roger Whitaker, Sheena Easton, Lou Rawls, Lee Greenwood, and B.J. Thomas all recorded versions, it’s Rogers who regrets not taking the opportunity to cut the record. “I heard it and something about it didn’t sit right with me,” Rogers told Stuff. “I turned it down. Then I heard it when Bette did it and I went, ‘Wow, can’t believe I turned that down.'” **Can’t Get Enough** Popular U.K. band Mott the Hoople was a ’70s one-hit wonder in the U.S., with the 1972 single “All the Young Dudes,” the group’s sole top 40 entry. While still a member of Mott the Hoople, guitarist Mick Ralphs wrote the bluesy, joyful, and hard-charging “Can’t Get Enough,” among other songs that the group never even tried to record because they were too far of a reach for lead singer Ian Hunter. “This is not a derogatory remark toward Ian — they were just not his style,” Ralphs told Guitar Player. “He was more into screaming about politics, and I was into singing about being on the road and the usual things blues songs are about, the day-to-day things.” Creative tensions between Ralphs and Hunter proved so detrimental that in 1973, Ralphs exited Mott the Hoople and found a compatriot in former Free singer Paul Rodgers, also unhappy with his band, Peace. That pairing became the basis of Bad Company, one of the best supergroups in history. The combo’s first album was triggered by a desire to record the songs by Ralphs and Rodgers that their other groups had rejected, including “Can’t Get Enough.” The first single released by Bad Company, it was the biggest hit that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-enshrined band would ever have — “Can’t Get Enough” hit No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974. **Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head** The 1969 film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” is based on the real-life activities of an 1890s train-robbing criminal gang, but it still includes a romantic subplot. Director George Roy Hill wanted some special music for a bike riding scene featuring Butch (Paul Newman) and Etta Place (Katharine Ross), and score composer Burt Bacharach — half of a venerable hit-making partnership with Hal David — suggested a showcase song with lyrics. The duo came up with a tender, understated ballad called “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” The first singer approached to record it: Bob Dylan. Regardless of an arrangement suited to his voice and range, Dylan passed. Next, the production brought in Ray Stevens, well liked for comedy songs like “Gitarzan” and “Harry the Hairy Ape,” to watch the film and listen to a demo. “Ray Stevens hated the movie and he hated the song,” Bacharach wrote in “Anyone Who Had a Heart: My Life and Music.” “Time was running out so we took it to B.J. Thomas.” That singer, coming off a few hit singles, including the 1969 Hot 100 No. 5 “Hooked on a Feeling,” needed just five takes to perfect the song, despite having laryngitis at the time. After it was included in the final cut of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” made it to No. 1 on Billboard’s pop chart in January 1970. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Hit%20Songs%20Other%20Artists%20Turned%20Down%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Edt&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Hit%20Songs%20Other%20Artists%20Turned%20Down%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Edt%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Hit%20Songs%20Other%20Artists%20Turned%20Down%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Edt&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Hit%20Songs%20Other%20Artists%20Turned%20Down%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Edt%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Hit%20Songs%20Other%20Artists%20Turned%20Down%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Edt%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Singers, Songs **Tags:** #Artists, #BetteMidler, #Singers, #Songs --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - Delores DeLago's "Revue Tropical" (Live)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/05/audio-bette-midler-delores-delagos-revue-tropical-live/) **Published:** April 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Ever find yourself watching "Divine Madness" and thinking the Delores DeLago segment feels surprisingly short? **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler – Delores DeLago’s “Revue Tropical” (Live) By The Bette Midler Archive April 4, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-03_18-38-42.png "2026-04-03_18-38-42 - bootleg betty") --- --- Ever find yourself watching “[**Divine Madness**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/divine-madness/)” and thinking the [**Delores DeLago**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/delores-delago/) segment feels surprisingly short? Here’s how it really unfolded on the night of February 14, 1980, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. **FEATURING THE SONGS** Trouble In Tahiti Pineapple Song Ebb Tide Bad Sex Eat Me South Seas Scene / Hawaiian War Chant My Way **Note**: *The only portion of this recording that’s been shortened for time is the Poi Ball sequence, which originally ran for nearly four minutes. Without any visuals to accompany it, it’s essentially four minutes of steady drumbeats and occasional applause. No doubt it was quite a spectacle, though.* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Delores%20DeLago%27s%20%22Revue%20Tropical%22%20%28Live%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Delores%20DeLago%27s%20%22Revue%20Tropical%22%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Delores%20DeLago%27s%20%22Revue%20Tropical%22%20%28Live%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Delores%20DeLago%27s%20%22Revue%20Tropical%22%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Delores%20DeLago%27s%20%22Revue%20Tropical%22%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Delores Delago, Divine Madness, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Delores DeLago, #RevueTropical, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [Boodles BonBon Video - Bette Midler - Sparkling Bette](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/05/boodles-bonbon-video-bette-midler-sparkling-bette/) **Published:** April 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Boodles BonBon Video - Bette Midler - Sparkling Bette **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon Boodles BonBon Video – Bette Midler – Sparkling Bette By Boodles BonBon April 4, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-03_18-17-24.png "2026-04-03_18-17-24 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Sparkling%20Bette&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Sparkling%20Bette%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Sparkling%20Bette&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Sparkling%20Bette%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Sparkling%20Bette%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #NightAndDay, #Sparkling, #Video --- ### [Happy Easter Bunny Boys!!!!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/05/happy-easter-bunny-boys/) **Published:** April 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Happy Easter Bunny Boys!!!! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Happy Easter Bunny Boys!!!! By Mister D March 5, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2017-04-16_10-29-27.png "2017-04-16_10-29-27 - bootleg betty") --- **Happy Easter Bunny Boys!!!!** [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/)[\#HappyEaster](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/happyeaster/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Happy%20Easter%20Bunny%20Boys%21%21%21%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Happy%20Easter%20Bunny%20Boys%21%21%21%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Happy%20Easter%20Bunny%20Boys%21%21%21%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Happy%20Easter%20Bunny%20Boys%21%21%21%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Happy%20Easter%20Bunny%20Boys%21%21%21%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Holiday, Holidays **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #HappyEaster, #Holiday --- ### [The Best on Bette - Bette Midler - First Fan Club Era](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/03/the-best-on-bette-bette-midler-first-fan-club-era/) **Published:** April 3, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “Before the internet, The Best on Bette was the first real-deal, organized Bette Midler fan club.” **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Best on Bette – Bette Midler – First Fan Club Era By Mister D April 3, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/s-l1600-1.jpg "S-l1600 (1) - bootleg betty")--- ## **“The Best on Bette” — Bette’s First Major Fan Club Era** While [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) had passionate admirers from her **Continental Baths** days onward, the first *organized*, *structured*, and *publicly documented* fan club that wasn’t online appears to be **[The Best on Bette](https://www.etsy.com/listing/4434070926/bette-midler-fan-club-best-on-bette-1982)**. Here’s what we can say with confidence, based on what’s historically documented and what’s survived in fan archives: ### **1. It emerged in the mid-1970s** - By **1973–1975**, Bette’s fame had exploded — Grammy wins, national tours, TV specials — and her fan culture became formalized. - This is the period when **The Best on Bette** begins showing up in clippings, newsletters, and the fan. produced “club books” that circulated. ### **2. The club produced physical fan books** These were the precursors to modern fan sites: - Scrapbook style compilations of **press clippings**, **photos**, **tour reviews**, and **fan letters**. - They were mailed to members or sold by mail order. - Surviving copies confirm the club was active through the **1970s and into the 1980s**. ### ? **3. It was** ***sanctioned*** **— or at least tolerated — by Bette’s team** - The tone and level of access in the materials suggest the club wasn’t rogue. - Many 70s fan clubs operated with a “semi-official” blessing: not run by management, but allowed to use photos and distribute materials. ### **4. The vibe was pure early Bette: campy, chaotic, and deeply devoted** Members describe: - Hand-typed newsletters - Xeroxed photo sheets - Updates on TV appearances, tour dates, and magazine features - Occasional exclusive tidbits from people “close to the production.” It was very **zine culture meets diva worship**, which fits Bette’s early fandom perfectly. ### **5. Why it matters** “The Best on Bette” is one of the earliest examples of: - A **queer-driven fan community** organizing around a female performer - A diva fan club that blended **camp**, **activism**, and **archival instinct** - A fandom that treated Bette not just as a star, but as a *movement* It’s the spiritual grandmother of Bootleg Betty, honestly. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Best%20on%20Bette%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20First%20Fan%20Club%20Era&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Best%20on%20Bette%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20First%20Fan%20Club%20Era%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Best%20on%20Bette%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20First%20Fan%20Club%20Era&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Best%20on%20Bette%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20First%20Fan%20Club%20Era%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Best%20on%20Bette%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20First%20Fan%20Club%20Era%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #Archival, #BestOnBette, #BetteMidler, #FanClub --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Soph Joke - Laundry Day](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/03/video-bette-midler-soph-joke-laundry-day/) **Published:** April 3, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video - Bette Midler - Soph Joke - Laundry Day **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Soph Joke – Laundry Day By Mister D April 3, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/642531623_2142253439884098_2193885598237622168_n-577x1024.jpg "642531623_2142253439884098_2193885598237622168_n - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20-%20Laundry%20Day&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20-%20Laundry%20Day%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20-%20Laundry%20Day&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20-%20Laundry%20Day%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20-%20Laundry%20Day%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Soph Jokes, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #LaundryDay, #Parkinson, #SophJoke, #Video --- ### [Video: VH1 Behind The Music - Bette Midler (1999)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/02/video-vh1-behind-the-music-bette-midler-1999/) **Published:** April 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** 1999 documentary covering Bette’s life, from Hawaiian upbringing & The Divine Miss M through to her 'latest' album Bathhouse Betty **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Boodles BonBon: VH1 Behind The Music: Bette Midler (1999) By Boodles BonBon April 2, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-03-03_08-10-05.png "2026-03-03_08-10-05 - bootleg betty") --- --- 1999 documentary covering Bette’s life, from Hawaiian upbringing & The Divine Miss M through to her ‘latest’ album [**Bathhouse Betty**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathhouse_Betty). … Features talking head interviews with [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/television/#.VhugxFRViko), Toni Basil, Carole Bayer Sager, Bonnie Bruckheimer, Charlotte Crossley-Fortier, Ahmet Ertegun, Barry Manilow, Marc Shaiman, Bruce Vilanch, Martin von Haselberg & Jann Wenner [\#BetteMidler](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bettemidler) [\#Vh1](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/vh1) [\#Documentary](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/documentary) [\#musicdocumentary](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/musicdocumentary) [\#lgbtqhistory](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lgbtqhistory) \*I can only find a couple of this documentary’s segments on YouTube. If there is a full copy someone let me know – I don’t want to duplicate. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20VH1%20Behind%20The%20Music%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%281999%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20VH1%20Behind%20The%20Music%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%281999%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20VH1%20Behind%20The%20Music%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%281999%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20VH1%20Behind%20The%20Music%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%281999%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20VH1%20Behind%20The%20Music%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%281999%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Documentary, Television **Tags:** #BathhouseBetty, #BetteMidler, #Documentary, #Interviews, #VH1 --- ### [Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey At No Kings In Beverly Hills](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/02/bette-midler-barbara-hershey-at-no-kings-in-beverly-hills/) **Published:** April 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler (“Hocus Pocus,” “Beaches”) left, and Barbara Hershey (“Beaches”) were among the celebrities who attended the No Kings **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey At No Kings In Beverly Hills By Mister D April 2, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-02_14-01-58.png "2026-04-02_14-01-58 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/30/the-underrated-albums-of-bette-midler/)(“Hocus Pocus,” “Beaches”) left, and [**Barbara Hershey**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Hershey) (“Beaches”) were among the celebrities who attended the No Kings at rally held at Beverly Gardens Park in Beverly Hills on March 28. \#BetteMidler #NoKings #BarbaraHershey Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20At%20No%20Kings%20In%20Beverly%20Hills&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20At%20No%20Kings%20In%20Beverly%20Hills%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20At%20No%20Kings%20In%20Beverly%20Hills&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20At%20No%20Kings%20In%20Beverly%20Hills%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20At%20No%20Kings%20In%20Beverly%20Hills%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Movies **Tags:** #BarbaraHershey, #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #NoKings --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - New York, New York - Diva Las Vegas](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/01/video-bette-midler-new-york-new-york-diva-las-vegas/) **Published:** April 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler sings New York, New York from her HBO special, Diva Las Vegas, 1997 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – New York, New York – Diva Las Vegas By Mister D April 1, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-03-03_08-12-01.png "2026-03-03_08-12-01 - bootleg betty") --- **Bette Midler sings New York, New York from her HBO special, Diva Las Vegas, 1997** # \#BetteMidler #DivaLasVegas #NewYorkNewYork #TheHarlettes Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20New%20York%2C%20New%20York%20-%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20New%20York%2C%20New%20York%20-%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20New%20York%2C%20New%20York%20-%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20New%20York%2C%20New%20York%20-%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20New%20York%2C%20New%20York%20-%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Diva Las vegas, Featuring The Harlettes, harlettes, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #DivaLasVegas, #NewYorkNewYork, #TheHarlettes --- ### [10 Greatest 1986 Movies, Ranked, Incl. Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/04/01/10-greatest-1986-movies-ranked-incl-bette-midler/) **Published:** April 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Watch With Us ranks the 10 best movies of 1986 and argues why they are still worth watching 40 years later. **Content:** --- ## US 10 Greatest 1986 Movies, Ranked, Incl. Bette Midler By Jason Struss April 1, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/925ea9d634abd94a22e65626951d6de0.jpg "925ea9d634abd94a22e65626951d6de0 - bootleg betty") --- There are some years, like 1939, 1967 and 1999, that are famous for the movie masterpieces that were released during those pivotal periods. 1986 isn’t one of those years, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t any classics released during that time. On the contrary, those twelve months gave the world such beloved fan-favorites as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, starring Matthew Broderick, and game-changing films like Blue Velvet with Laura Dern. Watch With Us ranks the 10 best movies of 1986 and argues why they are still worth watching 40 years later. 10. **‘Something Wild’** Charlie Driggs (Jeff Daniels) is a straight-laced NYC investment banker whose life is turned upside down when he meets Lulu (Melanie Griffith), a free spirit with a killer black bob, a honeysuckle voice and a tendency to steal people’s money. After she offers him a ride home, Lulu instead takes him on a wild journey that includes robbing convenience stores, running out on a pricey Italian dinner and attending her high school reunion. It’s there when the unlikely couple faces real danger, as Lulu’s ex-con boyfriend, Ray (Ray Liotta), shows up and wants Lulu back at any cost. It’s hard to describe Something Wild without capturing how weirdly fun it is when you watch it. It had the broad outline of a rom-com mixed with the adrenaline of a crime thriller. Director Jonathan Demme lends his offbeat vibe to a love story about two wrongs who somehow make it right together. Griffith has never been more bubbly or — well, wild — than she is here, while Liotta is memorably intimidating as Lulu’s live-wire former lover. 9. **‘Labyrinth’** Jim Henson was an architect of dreams, and no live-action film quite captured his boundless imagination quite like Labyrinth. Working from a script by Terry Jones, who injects his own Monty Python-esque craziness into the narrative, Henson crafted a modern-day fairy tale featuring Jennifer Connelly as a suburban girl, Sarah, who wishes her annoying infant half-brother, Toby (Toby Froud), would just go away. Much to her dismay, her wish is granted by the Goblin King Jareth (David Bowie, wearing a very generous codpiece), and she has only hours to save him before he’s turned into a baby goblin. Unlike most modern kids’ fantasy films, Labyrinth offers no explanation as to why goblins exist or how Sarah journeys into Jareth’s kingdom. It simply happens because Henson is smart enough to know that it doesn’t matter. Instead, he concentrates on worldbuilding and what a world! Filled with magical creatures and reality-warping rooms that would make M.C. Escher gleeful, Labyrinth not only invites you to escape from reality, it encourages it. The result is a movie that’s truly for all ages — who can resist visiting a world ruled by Ziggy Stardust and populated by charismatic puppets? 8. **‘An American Tail’** The 1980s were a terrible time for Disney animation, which continued its downward spiral by releasing such critical and financial bombs as The Fox and the Hound and The Great Mouse Detective. Disney’s misfortunes were Don Bluth’s golden opportunity as the maverick filmmaker started his own animated studio and gave his former Disney bosses a run for their money. His best work is An American Tail, a beautifully hand-drawn animated story about a young Jewish-Russian mouse, Fievel, whose family immigrates from Russia to America at the turn of the 20th century. Featuring the Oscar-nominated song “Somewhere Out There,” the movie evokes earlier Disney classics like Pinocchio and Dumbo as it chronicles Fievel’s rocky but adventure-filled assimilation into his new homeland. Tender and sweet, An American Tail is perhaps the last animated movie that doesn’t contain a whiff of irony or sarcasm. Its heart is as wide open as the America that welcomes little Fievel in the film. 7. **‘Down and Out in Beverly Hills’** Eat-the-rich films are all the rage these days, but they aren’t new; you can find them in every decade in the 20th century, with the Reagan-era ‘80s being a particularly productive time for the genre. The best of them was and remains Down and Out in Beverly Hills, a loose American remake of the 1932 Jean Renoir classic, Boudu Saved from Drowning. When Richard Dreyfuss’ rich capitalist takes in Nick Nolte’s homeless socialist, he sets in motion a chain of events that gradually destroys his lush lifestyle — and saves his soul, too. Paul Mazursky’s sharp script has plenty of jokes about the wasteful rich, but it also has some keen observations about wealth, privilege, and how both capitalism and socialism fail their followers. Add in a great Bette Midler performance and a memorable closing sequence set to the Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime,” and you have a now-classic comedy of manners that’s even more relevant in 2026. 6. **‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’** It’s every kid’s dream to skip school and embark on an adventure with their friends, and no film conveyed that fantasy quite like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Anchored by a charismatic lead performance from a young Matthew Broderick, the comedy doesn’t exaggerate reality too much. All the things Ferrris and his hypocondriac best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) and fashionable girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) get up to on their unplanned skip day could happen, like going to a Cubs baseball game or visiting the Art Institute of Chicago. What makes the movie so powerful then and now is an undercurrent of sadness that writer/director John Hughes instilled underneath all of its comedic bits. There’s a sense that this is the last time these three friends will fully enjoy what their youth and privilege bring them. It’s this subtle melancholy, combined with some inspired comedic performances from Jennifer Grey as Ferris’ perpetually put-upon sister and Jeffrey Jones as Ferris’ determined principal, Mr. Rooney, that make Ferris Bueller’s Day Off 1986’s best comedy and an enduring teenage film classic. 5. **‘The Fly’** What is it like to see the person you love the most slowly disintegrate in front of your eyes? That’s normally subject matter for dramas, but David Cronenberg’s fascinating remake of The Fly uses sci-fi as a way to explore just how horrific that experience is — and how helpless you feel if you’re the person watching it. As a straightforward horror film, The Fly is brutally effective, especially when Jeff Goldblum’s geeky scientist hero Seth begins to realize his experiment has gone terribly wrong. But factor in the film’s social context, when the AIDS epidemic gained widespread mass media exposure in 1986, and The Fly turns into a rich metaphor about terminal illness. The movie also established that genre remakes could be taken seriously and not considered cheesy cash grabs by critics or audiences. 4. **‘Big Trouble in Little China’** No American director had a perfect track record quite like John Carpenter did in the 1970s to the 1990s. From 1976’s Assault on Precinct 13 to 1994’s In the Mouth of Madness, the Halloween filmmaker made banger after banger, and one of his best films ever is Big Trouble in Little China. Teaming up with frequent collaborator Kurt Russell, Carpenter crafted an irresistible adventure tale that mashed together action, Western and martial arts genres, with a little room for romance and comedy. The result is a film that’s unabashedly silly but also surprisingly smart, with Russell cementing his status as the ‘80s answer to John Wayne and Kim Cattrall showing her screwball comedy skills as Russell’s perpetually in danger love interest. 3. **‘Aliens’** Even in 1986, sequels got a bad rap. For every The Godfather Part II, there were dozens of Jaws 2s or Grease 2s, subpar follow-ups that existed primarily to make as much money as they could from the goodwill of their originals. And then came James Cameron’s Aliens, which completely changed the game for not only sequels, but blockbuster filmmaking as well. Whereas Alien was a haunted house movie set in outer space, Aliens is a balls-to-the-wall sci-fi spectacle that jumps from one breathless action sequence after another. Cameron’s genius was to turn Ridley Scott’s boo!-horror original into an action movie fueled with feminine energy. Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley is one mean mother, and she’ll do anything to protect her surrogate child, the orphaned Newt (Carrie Henn). In the film’s unforgettable climax, she faces another intimidating mama, the Alien Queen, who isn’t too happy Ripley keeps killing her spawn. “Get away from her, you bitch!” became one of the film’s signature lines and proof that the genre could produce a movie that’s both kick-ass and deep. 2. **‘Stand by Me’** When Rob Reiner died in 2025, a lot of people marveled at the director’s decade-long run of churning out one classic after another from 1984 to 1995. The crown jewel in this period is probably Stand by Me, Reiner’s moving adaptation of Stephen King’s short story, The Body. Some critics at the time dismissed this coming-of-age story about four pre-teen boys who set out to find a dead body near some train tracks as too simplistic and nostalgic. They weren’t wrong, but the beauty of this film lies in how simple and open-hearted its storytelling is. It also features some of the best child acting in movie history, with Wil Wheaton and River Phoenix delivering outstanding performances as two boys who know they’re on the cusp of growing up and aren’t quite ready to leave childhood yet. If you’re not tearing up after the movie’s devastating coda, you need to check yourself for a heartbeat. 1. **‘Blue Velvet’** The opposite of Stand by Me in every way, Blue Velvet was the defining movie of the year — and perhaps the decade. David Lynch’s surrealist take on American suburbia, populated by boys next door who like to spy on women and old men with mommy fetishes, divided critics and audiences, with some praising it as an instant masterpiece, while others, like Roger Ebert, were repulsed by what Lynch showed them. No one could deny the impact the movie made on cinema and pop culture, which planted the seeds that would allow Twin Peaks, American Beauty, Desperate Housewives and countless others to flourish. Seen today, the film has lost none of its power to captivate and disturb, with career-best performances from Dennis Hopper and Isabella Rossellini and flawless direction from Lynch. Blue Velvet is a macabre masterpiece and one of the film medium’s definitive works. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=10%20Greatest%201986%20Movies%2C%20Ranked%2C%20Incl.%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=10%20Greatest%201986%20Movies%2C%20Ranked%2C%20Incl.%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=10%20Greatest%201986%20Movies%2C%20Ranked%2C%20Incl.%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=10%20Greatest%201986%20Movies%2C%20Ranked%2C%20Incl.%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=10%20Greatest%201986%20Movies%2C%20Ranked%2C%20Incl.%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Down And Out, Movies **Tags:** #BestMovies, #BetteMidler, #DownAndOutInBeverlyHills, #Movie --- ### [Chants and Songs for Protests](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/31/chants-and-songs-for-protests/) **Published:** March 31, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Save this post for protest chants, crowd call-and-response lines, and songs for the road. **Content:** --- ## The 50501 Movement Chants and Songs for Protests By Staff March 31, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/659063644_1238564218344611_3647103656905493379_n-764x1024.jpg "659063644_1238564218344611_3647103656905493379_n - bootleg betty")--- # Chants and Songs for Protests ### Save this post for protest chants, crowd call-and-response lines, and songs for the road. [](https://substack.com/@50501) [The 50501 Movement](https://substack.com/@50501) **March 31, 2026** ? **NOTE FOR NEW READERS:** This publication is nearly 100k readers strong and growing. If this resonates with you and you’d like to support us, hit subscribe.Subscribe --- # Chant Sheet *For organizers and people asking what to chant once they get there, here is a chant sheet built from organizers across the country. (**Note For** **New Protesters:** There is no pressure to chant. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to!)* *\**Screenshot this section or bookmark the post, you might want it tomorrow. ### **Call-and-Response** *Tell me what democracy looks like!* **This is what democracy looks like!** *Ain’t no power like the power of the people!* **Because the power of the people don’t stop.** *When democracy is under attack, what do we do?* **Stand up, fight back!** *When workers’ rights are under attack, what do we do?* **Stand up, fight back!** *When healthcare is under attack, what do we do?* **Stand up, fight back!** *When immigrants are under attack, what do we do?* **Stand up, fight back!** *When children are under attack, what do we do?* **Stand up, fight back!** *Whose streets?* **Our streets!** *What do we want?* **Justice!** *When do we want it?* **Now!** ### **Simple and Loud** No crowns, no thrones, no kings! When fascists attack, we fight back! Hey-hey, Ho-ho, Donald Trump has got to go! Our nation is under attack! What do we do? STAND UP, FIGHT BACK! The people, united, will never be defeated! Cut the crap! End corporate greed! Give this nation what we need! El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido! No justice, no peace! Con-sti-tu-tion! Con-sti-tu-tion! Silence is compliance! We the People do NOT consent! We have eyes \* no more lies! Turn the files into trials! We are the mighty, mighty people! Ho-ho, Hey-hey, Women’s rights are here to stay! ### **ICE-Specific** Say it once, say it twice \* we will not put up with ICE! No hate. No fear. Refugees are welcome here! ICE, ICE, go away \* immigrants are here to stay! No hate, no fear \* immigrants are welcome here! No ICE, no KKK, no fascist USA! No Kings, no wars, no ICE! Hey hey, ho ho \* detention camps have got to go! ### **The Rhythmic Ones** Money for homes and education, not billionaires and corporations! Save the needy, not the greedy! Love, not hate, makes America great! No Kings! No war! We ain’t taking this fascism no more! **Let us know your favorite chant in the comments!:** [Leave a comment](https://www.the50501movement.org/p/chants-and-songs-for-no-kings/comments) --- --- # Protest Playlist Based on your recommendations from comment threads, shared playlists, and direct messages, here are the songs this community is carrying into Saturday. Save the list. Queue it up on the drive there and play it loud. ### **Anthems** [No Kings In The USA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d5LQs8dC3A) | Gangstagrass feat. Allison Russell, OleFuckTrump, Demeanor, R-Son the Voice of Reason & Dolio The Sleuth [We Shall Overcome](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1osKWCDXl40) | Pete Seeger [Power to the People](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Epue9X8bpc&) | John Lennon [Fight the Power](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmo3HFa2vjg) | Public Enemy [Get Up, Stand Up](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhJ0q7X3DLM&) | Bob Marley & The Wailers [A Change Is Gonna Come](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEBlaMOmKV4&) | Sam Cooke [People Have the Power](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPR-HyGj2d0) | Patti Smith [Rise Up](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwgr_IMeEgA) | Andra Day [Do You Hear The People Sing?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q82twrdr0U) | Les Misérables [Imagine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkgkThdzX-8) | John Lennon ### **The Classics** [For What It’s Worth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80_39eAx3z8) | Buffalo Springfield [The Times They Are A-Changin’](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90WD_ats6eE) | Bob Dylan [Masters of War](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEmI_FT4YHU) | Bob Dylan [Fortunate Son](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWijx_AgPiA) | Creedence Clearwater Revival [Ohio](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1PrUU2S_iw) | Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young [All You Fascists Bound to Lose](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwcKwGS7OSQ) | Woody Guthrie [All You Fascists Bound to Lose](https://youtu.be/U5VXwncNvTo?si=U4yriymbeFoV9-iZ) | (*New & Revised!*) Bette Midler [Bella Ciao](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyh_OVeQZH0) | Traditional [What’s Going On](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5TmORitlKk) | Marvin Gaye [The Revolution Will Not Be Televised](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwSRqaZGsPw&) | Gil Scott-Heron [If I Had a Hammer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO39e5Uznu4&) | Pete Seeger [Deportee](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu-duTWccyI) | Woody Guthrie [Another Brick in the Wall](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrxX9TBj2zY) | Pink Floyd ### **Modern Resistance** [Zombie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ejga4kJUts) | The Cranberries [Arrest The President](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9oUnC8JtXY) | Ice Cube [This Is America](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYOjWnS4cMY) | Childish Gambino [LABOUR](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvU4xWsN7-A) | Paris Paloma [Holiday](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1OqtIqzScI) | Green Day [American Idiot](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_uujKuJMI) | Green Day [fucked up](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS5BMZon2Xs) | Macklemore [Talkin’ Bout a Revolution](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv8FBjo1Y8I) | Tracy Chapman [Not Ready to Make Nice](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pojL_35QlSI) | The Chicks [Gaslighter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbVPcPL30xc) | The Chicks [Killing in the Name](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWXazVhlyxQ) | Rage Against the Machine [Township Rebellion](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q04d4O8etHI&) | Rage Against the Machine [Wake Up](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lzqUe1Qfec) | Rage Against the Machine [Take the Power Back](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKSNABST4b0) | Rage Against the Machine [Know Your Enemy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JukTvlrh-Wk) | Rage Against the Machine [Uprising](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8KQmps-Sog) | Muse [Will of the People](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MClg7zpm6VQ) | Muse [Land of Confusion](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV4oYkIeGJc) | Disturbed [Where Is the Love?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpYeekQkAdc) | Black Eyed Peas [We’re Not Gonna Take It](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xmckWVPRaI) | Twisted Sister [What About Us](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jErS9WaANA) | P!nk [Dear Mr. President](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnlzCPv8ad4) | P!nk [You Don’t Own Me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDUjeR01wnU) | Lesley Gore [We Didn’t Start the Fire](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LkVKCWL0U4) | Fall Out Boy [I Won’t Back Down](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvlTJrNJ5lA) | Tom Petty [Know Your Rights](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EKCAE1vDzY) | The Clash [FDT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlIREcAu0PI) | YG feat. Nipsey Hussle [Head Like a Hole](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao-Sahfy7Hg) | Nine Inch Nails [American Skin (41 Shots)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQMqWAiWPMs) | Bruce Springsteen [Can’t Stop](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DyziWtkfBw) | Red Hot Chili Peppers [Revolution](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGLGzRXY5Bw) | The Beatles [The Revolution Starts Now](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP7Wqt9rEL0) | Steve Earle [New America](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD00JavclfQ) | MARINA [Purge The Poison](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5u3kP85LYI) | MARINA [Man’s World](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obxFWNeGDOg) | MARINA [Million Dollar Loan](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE0nOfTA3pY) | Death Cab for Cutie [THREAT LEVEL ORANGE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpNDaMc02Eg) | Earth to Eve [Hostile Government Takeover (EDM Remix)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuWVgVkMiHE) | AGiftFromTodd & Vinny Marchi [Help Is On the Way](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHiqGqoIGII) | Rise Against [Re-Education (Through Labor)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnbvOi4SpSk) | Rise Against [F\*\*k You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8VZX4sHn-4) | Lily Allen [Who’ll Stand With Us?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BRHuiRyVEE) | Dropkick Murphys [We Cannot Go Back](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri_RipkH_u4&list=RDri_RipkH_u4&start_radio=1) | Micki Findlay & TerraZetto **If you have a song suggestion or playlist, share it in the comments:** [Leave a comment](https://www.the50501movement.org/p/chants-and-songs-for-no-kings/comments) --- ## Tonight’s To-Do List This community has done extraordinary work over the past few weeks with getting the word out! Here is the entire to-do list for tonight: **Charge your phone.** You’re going to want that battery. **Set out your shoes.** Comfortable ones. **Get some sleep.** Tomorrow is going to be a beautiful and loud day. --- **If you’re going to No Kings 3, save this post so you have it when you need it.** Bring water. Bring sunscreen. Bring a friend. **Bring your voice. Be safe and make some Pretti Good trouble!** --- **If you know an organizer or someone who likes leading chants or being a block leader, send this to them for more ideas and inspiration.** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Chants%20and%20Songs%20for%20Protests&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Chants%20and%20Songs%20for%20Protests%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Chants%20and%20Songs%20for%20Protests&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Chants%20and%20Songs%20for%20Protests%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Chants%20and%20Songs%20for%20Protests%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Politics, Protests **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Chants, #NoProtests, #Politics, #Songs --- ### [Iris Rainer Dart Revives 'Beaches' – A Story of Female Friendship](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/31/iris-rainer-dart-revives-beaches-a-story-of-female-friendship/) **Published:** March 31, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “Beaches” became one of the great all-time cry-inducing stories even as it transcended mediums **Content:** --- ## WSLS Iris Rainer Dart Revives ‘Beaches’ – A Story of Female Friendship By Staff March 30, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-31_16-05-33.png "2026-03-31_16-05-33 - bootleg betty")--- NEW YORK – When Iris Rainer Dart’s daughter was in nursery school in the late 1980s, she kept noticing an odd thing happening with her mom and finally confronted her. “She came to me one day and she said, ‘Mommy, why do all the other mothers come up to you and say, ’I cried’?” Dart recalls. “I said, ‘Well, Mommy wrote a story that makes people cry.’ She didn’t think that was so great.” A lot of people, respectfully, disagree. That story was “Beaches,” which celebrates the deep bonds of female friendship as it traces the decades-long intertwined lives of two very different women, the messy Cee Cee Bloom and buttoned-up Bertie White. “Women’s friends are the ones who get them through this life,” Dart says. “Husbands are great, but they ain’t your girlfriend, and they ain’t the one who’s going to take your call at four o’clock in the morning.” “Beaches” became one of the great all-time cry-inducing stories even as it transcended mediums. It started as a novel, then a movie starring [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) and Barbara Hershey, a TV movie with Idina Menzel and Nia Long, an audiobook and now a Broadway musical. Dart, 82, co-wrote the musical’s story with Thom Thomas and supplied lyrics to songs by Mike Stoller, half the legendary songwriting team of Leiber & Stoller. “Beaches” stars Kelli Barrett as Bertie and Jessica Vosk as Cee Cee and comes to Broadway after a more than 10-year development period. It opens April 22. **‘We were one person’** Dart, who has been a regular at rehearsals, was buzzing after a recent run-through. She took note of how her husband — who has seen many performances — reacted. “I watched him from a few rows back pull his handkerchief out of his pocket. And I thought, ‘OK, we’re good. We got him, we got him.’” Lonny Price, who directs the musical with Matt Cowart, says Dart is not precious about her creation and is always open to changes or fresh ideas. “She’s an endless font for these characters,” says Price. “You’d think she would have expressed all there is to say about them, but she keeps finding new ways to express them and in humorous and dramatic and very useful ways for a libretto.” Musical theater was Dart’s first love, before she wrote for “The Sonny & Cher Show” and “Cher” and launched a career as a novelist. She started as a child actor in Pittsburgh, twice wrote the varsity musical with “Wicked” creator Stephen Schwartz at Carnegie Mellon University and graduated with a theater degree. “Beaches” draws on the real-life close friendship Dart developed with her cousin, Sandy, who lived in Miami Beach. Their families would frequently visit each other and meet in Atlantic City or another beach, giving the fictional work its structure. Letters between visits kept the relationship alive. Sandy married early, moved to Cleveland and had kids right away, following a more conventional path. Dart was an actor rising up through summer stock, then a writer chasing the arts. (There’s a bit of Cher in Cee Cee, as there is some Dart.) “We balanced each other out. What one lacked, the other made up for. So that was what kicked it all off,” Dart says. “I felt as though we were one person.” At one point in her own life, Dart called Sandy in a panic — not even saying hello — to ask if she had ever had chickenpox. Her son had it now and Dart was pregnant — so the answer could endanger her unborn daughter. Sandy knew the answer. “She said, ‘You have a pockmark on your left thigh.’ I said: ‘My husband doesn’t know that about me.’ And she says, ‘Honey, we’ve been married longer.’” In the musical, Dart has given Bertie the song “My Best” with the lyrics: “When I am with her, it’s as if we share one heart/And if I ever lost her I would fall apart.” The musical, like the beloved film directed by Gary Marshall, traces the friendship sparked in Atlantic City in 1951 that’s tested over the years by a love triangle, failed marriages, single parenthood and illness. Cowart says it is a show that explores the often-intense friendships that women maintain: “I see that very much in the difference between my male friends and seeing my wife with her friends. It’s just a different level of closeness. It’s beautiful. It should be celebrated.” **‘The Wind Beneath My Wings’** The birth of “[**Beaches**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/beaches/)” wasn’t always smooth, with Dart’s literary agent initially finding metaphorical doors slammed in her face. “She tried to tell the story to publishers, and they said, ‘It’s not commercial. Who cares about two little girls who meet on a beach in Atlantic City?’” After the publication of Dart’s novel “The Boys in the Mail Room” in 1980 — a bestseller inspired about a quartet of trainees in a Hollywood studio mailroom who went on to big things — suddenly people wanted to go back to “Beaches.” The Hollywood studio that turned the book into a movie wanted to change things — like some names and the illness that Bertie contracts — and Dart chose not to turn her story into a screenplay, on the advice of her husband, Stephen Dart. “He said, ‘I think you should just write another book or write whatever you want, but don’t try and do their version of the story because you’ll never be happy.’ And he was absolutely right.” The leap to the stage was immeasurably easy since Dart’s love of musicals led her to include plenty of music in the novel, including “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Rodgers and Hammerstein and “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise” by George Gershwin. The movie, of course, famously added the hit song “The Wind Beneath My Wings,” which has made the transition to stage. “Everybody loves that song. They identify it with the piece. So, it’s crazy not to use it,” she says. “I stay in a place in New York and the doorman said to me, ‘How’s it going Mrs. Dart? You are using the song, aren’t you?’” Dart says it’s a privilege to be able to return to Cee Cee and Bertie: “Maturity changes things. That’s what gives me a better point of view about both of them.” There’s also a bit more Dart herself in the work, like the song “Real Woman,” which has the line, “You’ll tell them if you’re smart/It’s all about the way you feel, woman/Whether a tough or genteel woman/What makes a real woman is her heart.” Dart says she’s thumbing her nose at anti-trans and anti-gay people with the song. “I don’t know if I would have been bold enough to put that into a show years ago. But I want to make that statement.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Iris%20Rainer%20Dart%20Revives%20%27Beaches%27%20%E2%80%93%20A%20Story%20of%20Female%20Friendship&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Iris%20Rainer%20Dart%20Revives%20%27Beaches%27%20%E2%80%93%20A%20Story%20of%20Female%20Friendship%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Iris%20Rainer%20Dart%20Revives%20%27Beaches%27%20%E2%80%93%20A%20Story%20of%20Female%20Friendship&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Iris%20Rainer%20Dart%20Revives%20%27Beaches%27%20%E2%80%93%20A%20Story%20of%20Female%20Friendship%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Iris%20Rainer%20Dart%20Revives%20%27Beaches%27%20%E2%80%93%20A%20Story%20of%20Female%20Friendship%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Books, Broadway, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #Broadway, #Nusical --- ### [Soft Rock’s Burnout Era — Featuring Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/31/soft-rocks-burnout-era-featuring-bette-midler/) **Published:** March 31, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** You may not think of Bette Midler as a particularly controversial performer, but in the early days, when she was playing bathhouses and filling her stage shows with flirtatious raunch, she was quite the showbiz rebel. **Content:** --- ## Grunge Soft Rock Burned Out With These 5 Songs By Steven Luna March 30, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-21_19-03-26.png "2026-03-21_19-03-26 - bootleg betty") --- You could hardly spin a radio dial in the ’70s and ’80s without latching onto a handful of soft rock radio stations. It was a reasonable progression for artists who catered to a gentler (and often older) audience. Their musical sensibilities may have seemed fashionable in earlier years, but the modest rock-based edges had gradually rounded down to a smooth, slushy groove. Once hip-hop and alt-rock began shaking up the system, soft rock gradually burned out until it fell off the collective playlist entirely. What were the signs that soft rock had started its death spiral? We say it was when the songs took on more self-importance than self-awareness, with lyrics that were supremely precious and arrangements that were earnest to a fault. Soft rock generally offered songs so corny they made our ears burn. But the genre got so overwrought at the end, the songs began to feel like parodies. Sure, we sang along at the top of our lungs, but we knew the genre had jumped the shark. We were just holding onto the fin and enjoying the ride. Certain songs that rolled in at the end of the ’80s and even in the late-’90s clung to the soft rock format, even though it was showing signs of sunsetting. Let’s revisit five of the most noteworthy soft rock songs that signaled the end of an era, a cringe-worthy collection that made our teeth ache and our eyes roll as soft rock went the way of the dodo. **Right Here Waiting – Richard Marx** Richard Marx helped bury soft rock with a supreme arch ballad called “Right Here Waiting.” It drizzled out of speakers in grocery stores and physician waiting rooms everywhere in 1989, a syrupy love song about undying devotion delivered without a drop of irony. By August of that year, it was a No. 1 hit that helped seal the fate of the format, appealing to an audience that would soon be moving on to feistier sounds. Marx wrote the song for his then-girlfriend, dancer-actor Cynthia Rhodes, while she was abroad shooting a film. As the legend goes, Marx finished the writing in all of 20 minutes. The overly-simple piano figure that forms the chorus and makes a motif throughout the single plods mechanically while Marx croons lines like “If I see you next to never / How can we say forever?” And “Oh, can’t you see it, baby / You’ve got me going crazy.” It’s high-school mooning at its most commercial, and yet it seemed to help Marx and Rhodes maintain a 25-year marriage (though they split up in 2014). All matrimonial longevity aside, Marx’s more upbeat offerings like the Eagles-esque “Don’t Mean Nothing” and “Should’ve Known Better” were far sturdier offerings that showed the singer-songwriter had plenty of talent. But “Right Here Waiting” was like a heart monitor beeping a single steady tone, letting the world know soft rock was gently passing into that good night. **Hands To Heaven — Breathe** Oh, the drama is palpable in 1987’s “Hands to Heaven” by British popsters Breathe. Lyrics that implore a lover to pray that this insufferable separation isn’t permanent, hushed electro tones that aim for a smooth and soulful soundscape, and a singer who exaggerates every emotional note. It even has a seedy air of gaslighting, as if the over-emoting of singer and co-writer David Glasper is a manipulation meant to pull his paramour closer for one final canoodle. As unsubstantial as it was, the song managed to drift all the way up to No. 2 on the charts, giving the band its only hit record. That’s probably because the mode Breathe worked in was already a dinosaur on its last legs, just waiting for the crash-landing meteor to put it out of its misery. And yet, Breathe pushed out another super-soft ballad called “How Can I Fall?” the following year. It had only slightly more backbone than “Hands to Heaven” and reassured the music world that the burn-out of soft rock was no accident, even if there were more beacons yet to come. **Everything I Do (I Do it For You) – Bryan Adams** Mid-’80s Bryan Adams was a crunchy guitar-oriented rock ‘n’ roll guy with “Cuts Like a Knife” and the nostalgic sing-along song with a sexy hidden meaning “Summer of ’69.” But in the ’90s, Adams shifted in the direction of soft-rock stallion Kenny Loggins and became a Hollywood soundtrack balladeer, churning out songs as edgy as tapioca pudding. The first of these syrupy love themes, the overly-titled “Everything I Do (I Do it for You),” was a mighty accelerant on the soft rock burn-out. Accompanying 1991’s widely panned film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” this schmaltzy love song threw everything it could on the table: insipid lyrics, heartfelt over-singing, a cinematic key change, and an ultra-dramatic ending custom-made for closing out a wedding couple’s first dance. It was as if decades of soft rock artistry had all been shoved into one transparent sack of heartache and devotion. Audiences ate it up at the time, driving the single to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven soft-rockin’ weeks. It even earned an Oscar nomination, though it lost the award to another low point of soft-rock sogginess, the love theme from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” It also set the mushy tone for similar Bryan Adams songs from other movies. Little did he know, he’d lit the fuse that would detonate what remained of the soft rock movement — or maybe he knew and was fine just collecting the checks. **Wind Beneath My Wings — Better Midler** You may not think of [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) as a particularly controversial performer, but in the early days, when she was playing bathhouses and filling her stage shows with flirtatious raunch, she was quite the showbiz rebel. She proved she could handle the soft rock format when she pulled off an award-winning performance of the theme song from “The Rose” in 1979. Then, after a decade of making comedies and cutesy live-action films for Disney, Midler hammered a nail in the soft rock coffin with the ultimate tearjerker, “[**Wind Beneath My Wings**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_Beneath_My_Wings).” It was all downhill from there. Midler’s version was another soundtrack slurper that played over the credits of her mawkish 1988 drama, “Beaches.” It was a cover of a song recorded by pop siren Sheena Easton, R&B legend Gladys Knight, and soul singer Lou Rawls, all following on one another’s heels between 1982 and 1983. Each time it passed hands, it seemed to gather more lacquer, until Midler blasted it with a final coat of soft rock sheen that couldn’t be topped. The song became a No. 1 smash and won Grammys for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Once Midler had wrung all the emotion she could out of the lyrics and melody, there was little else any other artist could do to the song. It had been mashed to pulp, yet another indicator of the quickly dissolving soft rock genre, albeit a wildly successful one. **Truly Madly Deeply — Savage Garden** There was nothing savage about Savage Garden’s maudlin sopper, “Truly Madly Deeply,” a tune that came complete with a quavering vocal performance and lyrics that sounded like eighth-grade poetry. It was worlds away from the band’s initial single “I Want You,” a groove-driven slice of electro pop sunshine that tossed out rapid-fire rap-lite lyrics that included the unforgettable phrase “Sweet like a chic-a-cherry cola.” Now that song was a fun time. But “Truly Madly Deeply” was a real bummer of a latecomer to the soft rock party, arriving in 1997 after the balloons had all been popped and the confetti had been swept away. The band seemed to be trying to give soft rock a modern resurrection. But a laughable chorus like “I wanna stand with you on a mountain / I wanna bathe with you in the sea / I wanna lie like this forever / Until the sky falls down on me” was more than just a reminder that soft rock had taken a permanent downturn. It was practically an underwater fireworks display, letting music fans know that the genre couldn’t be revived. It provided a singable, soft-rock death rattle, if nothing else. And yet somehow, the song reached No. 1 in the U.S., Australia, and Canada, and was ranked the greatest Adult Contemporary song ever by Billboard. Ironically, it’s also the epitaph on the soft rock headstone. Rest well, soft rock; we hardly knew ye. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Soft%20Rock%E2%80%99s%20Burnout%20Era%20%E2%80%94%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Soft%20Rock%E2%80%99s%20Burnout%20Era%20%E2%80%94%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Soft%20Rock%E2%80%99s%20Burnout%20Era%20%E2%80%94%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Soft%20Rock%E2%80%99s%20Burnout%20Era%20%E2%80%94%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Soft%20Rock%E2%80%99s%20Burnout%20Era%20%E2%80%94%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Music, #Record, #Songs, #WindBeneathMyWings --- ### [Boodles BonBon Video: Bette Midler - I'm Hip](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/31/boodles-bonbon-video-bette-midler-im-hip/) **Published:** March 31, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Boodles BonBon Video: Bette Midler - I'm Hip **Content:** --- ## Boodles BonBon Boodles BonBon Video: Bette Midler – I’m Hip By Boodles BonBon March 30, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/492125583_1120533793451020_1310600310782306048_n.jpg "492125583_1120533793451020_1310600310782306048_n - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27m%20Hip&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27m%20Hip%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27m%20Hip&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27m%20Hip%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27m%20Hip%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BBC, #BetteMidler, #ImHip, #Jazzy, #Song --- ### [Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey at the No Kings March](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/30/bette-midler-and-barbara-hershey-at-the-no-kings-march/) **Published:** March 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey at the No Kings march yesterday **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey at the No Kings March By Mister D March 30, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-30_14-16-54.png "2026-03-30_14-16-54 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey at the No Kings march yesterday [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) [\#BarbaraHershey](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/barbarahershey/) [\#NoKings](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/nokings/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Barbara%20Hershey%20at%20the%20No%20Kings%20March&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Barbara%20Hershey%20at%20the%20No%20Kings%20March%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Barbara%20Hershey%20at%20the%20No%20Kings%20March&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Barbara%20Hershey%20at%20the%20No%20Kings%20March%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Barbara%20Hershey%20at%20the%20No%20Kings%20March%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler **Tags:** #BarbaraHershey, #BeachesTheMusical, #BetteMidler, #NoKings --- ### [The Underrated Albums Of Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/30/the-underrated-albums-of-bette-midler/) **Published:** March 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The underrated Bette Midler albums are where the deep cuts, the experiments, and the “why didn’t this get more love?” moments live. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Underrated Albums Of Bette Midler By Mister D March 30, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-05_19-52-54.png "2026-03-05_19-52-54 - bootleg betty") --- The [**underrated**](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/underrated) [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) albums are where the deep cuts, the experiments, and the “why didn’t this get more love?” moments live. These aren’t the big?canon records (The Divine Miss M, Some People’s Lives) — these are the albums that critics slept on, fans rediscover, and Bootleg Betty readers eat up. Below is a clean, curated list based on critical reception, chart performance, and long?term fan reassessment. **Bette Midler’s Most Underrated Albums** *(The “Justice for Miss M” Edition)* ? **1. Songs for the New Depression (1976)** A funky, strange, deeply personal album that critics didn’t know what to do with. Today it feels ahead of its time — queer, theatrical, and musically adventurous. ? **2. Broken Blossom (1977)** Overshadowed by her film career and live albums of the era, it’s one of her most intimate and vocally rich records. A quiet gem. ? **3. Thighs and Whispers (1979)** Her disco moment! Critics dismissed it as fluff, but it’s now a cult favorite — campy, stylish, and surprisingly cohesive. ? **4. No Frills (1983)** A stripped?down, new?wave?leaning album that didn’t chart high but has aged beautifully. Fans adore its rawness and humor. ?? **5. Bette Midler (1973)** Her sophomore album gets lost between the iconic debut and her later hits, but it’s vocally stunning and full of deep cuts. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Underrated%20Albums%20Of%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Underrated%20Albums%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Underrated%20Albums%20Of%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Underrated%20Albums%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Underrated%20Albums%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Music **Tags:** #Albums, #BetteMidler, #Music, #underrated --- ### [No Kings March WIth Bette Midler And Others](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/29/no-kings-march-with-bette-midler-and-others/) **Published:** March 29, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty No Kings March WIth Bette Midler And Others By Mister D March 29, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-29_10-08-48.png "2026-03-29_10-08-48 - bootleg betty") --- Amber Valletta, Barbara Hershey, Bette Midler, Melanie Griffith… Read the signs.. I do believe they are in Hawaii Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=No%20Kings%20March%20WIth%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Others&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=No%20Kings%20March%20WIth%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Others%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=No%20Kings%20March%20WIth%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Others&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=No%20Kings%20March%20WIth%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Others%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=No%20Kings%20March%20WIth%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Others%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler --- ### [Bette Midler Attend Fran Liebowitz Unscripted Dec 13](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/29/bette-midler-attend-fran-liebowitz-unscripted-dec-13/) **Published:** March 29, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler with an unidentified young girl at Fran Liebowitz's Unscripted Performances. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Attend Fran Liebowitz Unscripted Dec 13 By Mister D March 29, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-29_10-19-43.png "2026-03-29_10-19-43 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler with an unidentified young girl at Fran Liebowitz’s Unscripted Performances. Her essays and interviews offer her acerbic views on current events and the media – as well as pet peeves, including tourists, baggage-claim areas, after-shave lotion, adults who roller skate, children who speak French, or anyone who is unduly tan. The New York Times Book Review calls Lebowitz an “important humorist in the classic tradition.” Purveyor of urban cool, Lebowitz is a cultural satirist whom many call the heir to Dorothy Parker. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Attend%20Fran%20Liebowitz%20Unscripted%20Dec%2013&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Attend%20Fran%20Liebowitz%20Unscripted%20Dec%2013%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Attend%20Fran%20Liebowitz%20Unscripted%20Dec%2013&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Attend%20Fran%20Liebowitz%20Unscripted%20Dec%2013%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Attend%20Fran%20Liebowitz%20Unscripted%20Dec%2013%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Special Events **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DorhyParker, #FranLiebowitz, #Unscripted --- ### [Bette Midler - Beaches Broadway Tonight](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/28/bette-midler-beaches-broadway-tonight/) **Published:** March 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Beaches, A New Musical begins Broadway performances March 27 at the Majestic Theatre, ahead of its April 22 opening night **Content:** --- ## Broadway.com Bette Midler – Beaches Broadway Tonight By Jamie Kravitz March 28, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/138142-50-1024x768.jpg "138142-50 - bootleg betty")--- **What to Know** [**Beaches**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/beaches/), A New Musical begins Broadway performances March 27 at the Majestic Theatre, ahead of its April 22 opening night; the limited engagement runs through September 6, 2026 Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett star as Cee Cee Bloom and Bertie in the Broadway premiere of the musical based on Iris Rainer Dart’s New York Times bestselling novel and the beloved film Featuring a book by Iris Rainer Dart and Thom Thomas and music by Mike Stoller, Beaches tells the iconic story of lifelong friendship and will launch a multi-city national tour following its New York run Beaches, A New Musical begins performances on March 27, ahead of opening night on April 22 at the Majestic Theatre. Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Iris Rainer Dart that inspired the beloved film, the Broadway premiere stars Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett as best friends Cee Cee Bloom and Bertie, respectively. They are joined by Ben Jacoby as Michael Barron and others, Brent Thiessen as John Perry and others, Samantha Schwartz as Little Cee Cee and Zeya Grace as Little Bertie. Sarah Bockel, Harper Burns, Eric Coles, Taylor Sage Evans, Mia Gerachis, Joelle Gully, Stephanie Martignetti, Emma Ogea, Olive Ross-Kline, Bailey Ryon, Paul Adam Schaefer, Lael Van Keuren and Zurin Villanueva round out the company. The new musical features a book by Dart and Thom Thomas, music by Mike Stoller and lyrics by Dart. The musical was developed in collaboration with David Austin. It is co-directed by Tony nominee and Emmy winner Lonny Price and Matt Cowart, with choreography by Jennifer Rias and orchestrations by Tony winner Charlie Rosen. Scenic design is by James Noone, costume design by Tracy Christensen, lighting design by Tony winner Ken Billington, sound design by Tony winner Kai Harada, projection design by David Bengali and wig, hair and makeup design by J. Jared Janas. Joseph Thalken serves as music supervisor and Paul Staroba serves as music director. Beaches brings to the stage one of the most iconic friendships in popular culture—made famous on screen by [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) and Barbara Hershey. This sweeping, emotional, joy-filled new musical follows the vivacious Cee Cee and elegant Bertie, who meet as children and become fast friends. From pen pals to roommates to romantic rivals, Cee Cee and Bertie’s oil-and-water friendship perseveres through even the most tragic trials. With a touching vulnerability, Beaches exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit and the bonds of friendship. The musical had its international premiere in 2024 at Theatre Calgary in Alberta, Canada, starring Vosk and Barrett. It will play a limited New York engagement through September 6, 2026, before embarking on a multi-city national tour. Dates and cities for the national tour will be announced at a later date. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20Broadway%20Tonight&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20Broadway%20Tonight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20Broadway%20Tonight&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20Broadway%20Tonight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20Broadway%20Tonight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** #Beaches, Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Broadway **Tags:** #BetteMidler #Geaches, #divine, #Musical --- ### [André Leon Talley reflecting on Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/28/andre-leon-talley-reflecting-on-bette-midler/) **Published:** March 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** André Leon Talley reflecting on Bette Midler in the book Mega-Star, 1984 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty André Leon Talley reflecting on Bette Midler By Andre Leon Talley March 26, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-05_19-53-45.png "2026-03-05_19-53-45 - bootleg betty") --- “Bette Midler, like Goldie Hawn, started her glorious rocket ride to success by hoofing her wares on the planks of Manhattan in the sidelines. She went the route of torch bars and downhill dives, singing for a living. It wasn’t until she started at the gay baths that her fame became a household word in New York. About her beginnings at the Continental Bath House, she reveals, “I didn’t even think twice. I have been in those circles since I was 14 years old. That’s why I’m so amazed when I meet people in show business who say, “How could you? Sing in a place like that with men in towels?” To me it was just another place. We had good times at The Tubs. My sense of humour is a lot like theirs (gay men’s). I mean, what they think is funny, I think is funny. I’m talking about “camp.” But as soon as they see it – they change. And they learn. Which is why I’ve had the success I’ve had. I’ve played to audiences that are not gay, and I give them the type of humour (which happens to be mine as well) that they haven’t been exposed to at all … Running around in your underwear with bananas and castanets, it’s just amusing.” */ [**André Leon Talley**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Leon_Talley) reflecting on [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) in the book Mega-Star, 1984 /* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Andr%C3%A9%20Leon%20Talley%20reflecting%20on%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Andr%C3%A9%20Leon%20Talley%20reflecting%20on%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Andr%C3%A9%20Leon%20Talley%20reflecting%20on%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Andr%C3%A9%20Leon%20Talley%20reflecting%20on%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Andr%C3%A9%20Leon%20Talley%20reflecting%20on%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books **Tags:** #AndreLeonTally, #B00k, #BetteMidler, #Megastar --- ### [Audio - Bette Midler – Soda & A Souvenir - 1983](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/28/audio-bette-midler-soda-a-souvenir-1983/) **Published:** March 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio - Bette Midler – Soda & A Souvenir - 1983 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio – Bette Midler – Soda & A Souvenir – 1983 By The Divine Miss M Fan Site March 26, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-25_19-56-02.png "2026-03-25_19-56-02 - bootleg betty")--- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Soda%20%26%20A%20Souvenir%20-%201983&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Soda%20%26%20A%20Souvenir%20-%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Soda%20%26%20A%20Souvenir%20-%201983&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Soda%20%26%20A%20Souvenir%20-%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Soda%20%26%20A%20Souvenir%20-%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #NoFrills, #SodaAndASouvenir, #TheDivineMissMFanSite --- ### [Is 'Hocus Pocus 3' in Chaos?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/27/is-hocus-pocus-3-in-chaos/) **Published:** March 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Is 'Hocus Pocus 3' in Chaos? **Content:** --- ## Collider Is ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ in Chaos? By March 27, 2026 From Brad Miska --- --- Fans were gifted with a second **[Hocus Pocus](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/hocus-poc)**, no thanks to the streaming boom caused by the COVID shutdowns. In the 1993 family classic, [**Bette Midler,**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy starred as the Sanderson sisters, a trio of diabolical witches originally resurrected in Salem, Mass. by a young boy, Max (Omri Katz), and his sister, Dani (Thora Birch). After years of momentum following the success of Hocus Pocus 2, development on a third installment appears to have stalled amid major leadership changes at Disney, despite earlier assurances and a reportedly completed script. With shifting priorities and no concrete updates, the future of Hocus Pocus 3 now seems increasingly uncertain. The 2022 sequel reunited Midler, Parker, and Najimy but did not include Katz or Birch, both of whom appeared on a Megacon panel last weekend, hosted by Collider. Obviously, the topic of Hocus Pocus 3 came up: While Midler’s comments last year suggested some movement towards making the threequel happen, Katz hasn’t heard anything of note. “Your first question about Hocus Pocus 3, as far as I know, there is a development deal, and that’s all I think we know,” he responded. James Marsden, who also appeared in the first film, further clarified that, “No one has contacted us.” It’s important to note that none of the four reprised their roles in Anne Fletcher‘s sequel, but they’ve been vocal about wanting to return as Max, Allison, Dani, and Binx in the third movie, if they were to get the call. “But yeah, it was announced that it was greenlit,” Marsen noted. “We have not been contacted, and then you all know this new CEO with Disney, which means things are going to change even more. We don’t know the life of this. If they do it, and they invite us, absolutely. I think we’d all like to do it again, totally.” Would you like to see the OG cast return in Hocus Pocus 3, assuming the Sandersons are ever resurrected? Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Is%20%27Hocus%20Pocus%203%27%20in%20Chaos%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Is%20%27Hocus%20Pocus%203%27%20in%20Chaos%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Is%20%27Hocus%20Pocus%203%27%20in%20Chaos%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Is%20%27Hocus%20Pocus%203%27%20in%20Chaos%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Is%20%27Hocus%20Pocus%203%27%20in%20Chaos%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 3, Witches Run Amok **Tags:** #HocusPocus, #Movie, BetteMidler, Chaos, HocusPocus3 --- ### [ A message from the one and only Bette Midler, because even Bette Midler has had enough.](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/27/a-message-from-the-one-and-only-bette-midler-because-even-bette-midler-has-had-enough/) **Published:** March 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A message from the one and only Bette Midler, because even Bette Midler has had enough. **Content:** ## A message from the one and only Bette Midler, because even Bette Midler has had enough. **Join us this Saturday March 28th NO KINGS By Mister D March 27** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-10_15-42-07.png "2026-03-10_15-42-07 - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWXrJyQALU3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by @50501\_socal](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWXrJyQALU3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=%C2%A0A%20message%20from%20the%20one%20and%20only%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20because%20even%20Bette%20Midler%20has%20had%20enough.&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=%C2%A0A%20message%20from%20the%20one%20and%20only%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20because%20even%20Bette%20Midler%20has%20had%20enough.%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=%C2%A0A%20message%20from%20the%20one%20and%20only%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20because%20even%20Bette%20Midler%20has%20had%20enough.&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=%C2%A0A%20message%20from%20the%20one%20and%20only%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20because%20even%20Bette%20Midler%20has%20had%20enough.%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=%C2%A0A%20message%20from%20the%20one%20and%20only%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20because%20even%20Bette%20Midler%20has%20had%20enough.%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Politics, Protests, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler'#Protets, #Message, Politics --- ### [Cynthia Erivo's Bette’s Advice to To Play The Rose](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/27/cynthia-erivos-bettes-advice-to-to-play-the-rose/) **Published:** March 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Erivo said Midler had offered her words of advice over email after hearing she was taking on the part in the Searchlight production. **Content:** --- ## ShropShrire Star Cynthia Erivo’s Bette Midler Advice To Play The Rose By Editorial Team March 26, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-03_13-43-58-1.png "2026-03-03_13-43-58 - bootleg betty") --- The actress is taking on the part made famous by Midler in 1979. Cynthia Erivo has revealed that Bette Midler advised her not to be afraid to “chew the scenery” and “dance every day” when she stars in the forthcoming remake of The Rose. The London-born actress and singer, 34, has signed on to appear in a new version of the 1979 musical drama, which originally starred Hollywood veteran Midler, 75, in the lead role. The original film was loosely inspired by the life of American rock and roll frontwoman Janis Joplin, who died in 1970 aged 27, and followed a self-destructive rock star struggling with addiction, the pressures of fame and her ruthless manager. Erivo said Midler had offered her words of advice over email after hearing she was taking on the part in the Searchlight production. She told the PA news agency: “I was lucky enough to contact Miss Midler and she was really welcoming and encouraging. “She emailed a beautiful email in which she said that she’s really excited and she couldn’t wait. “And she gave me some advice. She said to breathe. She said make sure I dance every day, and make sure that I’m not afraid to chew the scenery. And she was just really lovely about it. “She gave some really wonderful words and when that happens you sort of go, ‘Well, it feels like everything has come together in the right way’. So hopefully it does.” Erivo, who is preparing to release her debut album, said The Rose would allow her to explore different parts of her singing voice. She said: “Searchlight came to us and asked – this is after I set up my production company – and they said, ‘Can you just have a watch of this film and see how you feel about it? We have the rights and are thinking about doing a possible remake’. “And I watched it and fell in love with it because it felt so ahead of its time. I am a fan of Bette Midler and so I was just so surprised at how raw this was and how she had shifted and changed the sound of her voice, the way she was for this particular character. “I saw an opportunity for myself to access places in myself and my voice that I haven’t accessed before and tried before. Because I know that I don’t think that this is an R&B piece. I think it really should remain a rock piece. I do think that there is a world in which I have to retrain certain parts of myself in order to play this. “I love a challenge and to be able to do this and be part of the creative (process) is really, really exciting and special and Searchlight is an amazing studio space. They’ve done wonderful films and wonderful productions and I thought that this felt like a no-brainer to be honest.” Erivo, who was raised in Stockwell, south London, found fame in the US starring in a revival of The Color Purple on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for her turn as Celie Harris in 2016. She is also known for her Oscar-nominated turn in 2019 biopic Harriet, about American abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Her debut album, called Ch. 1 Vs. 1, is due for release on September 17 on Verve Records. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Cynthia%20Erivo%27s%C2%A0Bette%E2%80%99s%20Advice%20to%20To%20Play%20The%20Rose&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Cynthia%20Erivo%27s%C2%A0Bette%E2%80%99s%20Advice%20to%20To%20Play%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Cynthia%20Erivo%27s%C2%A0Bette%E2%80%99s%20Advice%20to%20To%20Play%20The%20Rose&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Cynthia%20Erivo%27s%C2%A0Bette%E2%80%99s%20Advice%20to%20To%20Play%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Cynthia%20Erivo%27s%C2%A0Bette%E2%80%99s%20Advice%20to%20To%20Play%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, script, the Rose, The Rose Remake **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CynthiaErivo, #Remake, #TheRose --- ### [Video - Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey - You're So Jealous](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/26/video-bette-midler-barbara-hershey-youre-so-jealous/) **Published:** March 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video - Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey - You're So Jealous **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey – You’re So Jealous By Mister D March 26, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/beaches_bornunicorn-4-1024x554.jpg "Beaches_bornunicorn-4 - bootleg betty")--- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20-%20You%27re%20So%20Jealous&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20-%20You%27re%20So%20Jealous%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20-%20You%27re%20So%20Jealous&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20-%20You%27re%20So%20Jealous%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20-%20You%27re%20So%20Jealous%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Video **Tags:** #BarbaraHershey, #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Breathe, #Jealous, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler Crashes Elizabeth Olsen’s Favorite Films](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/26/bette-midler-crashes-elizabeth-olsens-favorite-films/) **Published:** March 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** So what kind of movies does Olsen look to for inspiration? **Content:** --- ## Far Out Bette Midler Crashes Elizabeth Olsen’s Favorite Films By Tim Bradley March 22, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/xlgO1vgPsVKmOnPj4e09BC3tLuQ-1024x576.jpg "Xlgo1vgpsvkmonpj4e09bc3tluq - bootleg betty")--- Some actors have a bit of a knack for assembling an incredibly impressive career full of films that not everybody has seen, but that way more people should. Elizabeth Olsen is certainly one of those, and you could quite easily spend an entire day watching her movies without wasting a single hour. Her most recent example of ‘a film that flew massively under the radar but was ace’ is A24’s Eternity from last year, the story of an afterlife in which new souls get to spend a week deciding where to spend forever, and more importantly, who with, leading to Olsen having to choose between former loves amidst much sobbing but also top-notch humour. It’s yet another example of a film starring her that you can implore other people to see knowing the chances are they haven’t, along with The Assessment from 2024, which is an absolutely fantastic, Black Mirror-esque look at an especially worrying future in which couples have to have someone live with them in order to win the honor of being allowed to have a baby. Olsen is so good in it, she almost outdoes Alicia Vikander, who plays her assessor, but not quite, because she is genuinely unhinged. Then there’s Wind River from 2017, from an era when Taylor Sheridan made spectacularly tense movies like Sicario rather than endless soap operas set in the Wild West at some point. Again, Olsen is magnificent as a female FBI agent stuck out in the snow-blinding wilds of Wyoming trying to solve a series of vicious murders while Jeremy Renner tells her things like ‘that’s not how we do things out here’. Again, brilliant film. If you need more Olsen ammunition, just look at His Three Daughters from 2023, where she plays one of three sisters who reunite to spend their father’s last day with him, only for it all to get very volatile indeed, earning a Rotten Tomatoes score of 97%, which goes to show that she rarely misses. So what kind of movies does Olsen look to for inspiration? Luckily, we don’t have to wonder the answer to that, because the Letterboxd lot stuck their demanding microphone in her face recently, and she picked out four of her best-loved movies of all time. First up, she selected **Breaking the Waves**, the Stellan Skarsgård and Emily Watson romance set in the Scottish Highlands from 1996, saying, “One of the best epics I’ve ever seen. It’s the best representation I’ve ever seen of God and people’s relationships to divinity. It’s a masterpiece.” Next up, she chose **Leviathan** from 2014, the Russian-made film about a man battling a corrupt mayor over his ancestral home. Somewhat disappointingly, her third pick was Woody Allen’s **Stardust Memories** from 1980, the self-obsessed (even for Allen) story of a filmmaker attending a retrospective of his own work, which we’ll ignore, because he is a complete wrong’un. And lastly, Olsen went with what, given her enthusiasm for it, seems to be her pick of the lot, 1996’s **[The First Wives Club](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/first-wives-club/)** starring **[Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler),** Diane Keaton, and Goldie Hawn, saying, “I’ve probably seen that movie more than any film I’ve ever seen. I had the VHS, and I fell asleep to it almost every night. I think of it as a romantic comedy between three women, and they’re three icons that I admire greatly, who I think did something incredibly unique…I love that film, and it’s a comfort to me.” - Breaking the Waves (Lars Von Trier, 1996) - Leviathan (Andrey Zvyagintsev, 2014) - Stardust Memories (Woody Allen, 1980) - The First Wives Club (Hugh Wilson, 1996) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Crashes%20Elizabeth%20Olsen%E2%80%99s%20Favorite%20Films&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Crashes%20Elizabeth%20Olsen%E2%80%99s%20Favorite%20Films%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Crashes%20Elizabeth%20Olsen%E2%80%99s%20Favorite%20Films&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Crashes%20Elizabeth%20Olsen%E2%80%99s%20Favorite%20Films%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Crashes%20Elizabeth%20Olsen%E2%80%99s%20Favorite%20Films%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ElizabethOlsen, #Films, #FirstWivesClub, #Movies --- ### [Audio - Bette Midler - To Deserve You - Anton Beekman Mix](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/26/audio-bette-midler-to-deserve-you-anton-beekman-mix/) **Published:** March 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio - Bette Midler - To Deserve You - Anton Beekman Mix **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio – Bette Midler – To Deserve You – Anton Beekman Mix By Mister D March 26, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-25_19-48-56.png "2026-03-25_19-48-56 - bootleg betty")--- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20-%20Anton%20Beekman%20Mix&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20-%20Anton%20Beekman%20Mix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20-%20Anton%20Beekman%20Mix&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20-%20Anton%20Beekman%20Mix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20-%20Anton%20Beekman%20Mix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Bette Of Roses, Remix **Tags:** #AntonBeekman, #Audio, #BetteMidler, #Remix, #ToDeserveYou --- ### [What Is No Kings Day?: Bette Midler’s Protest Push](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/25/what-is-no-kings-day-bette-midlers-protest-push/) **Published:** March 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** No Kings Day (also called No Kings March or No Kings Day of Nonviolent Action) is a series of coordinated nationwide protests in the United States **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty What Is No Kings Day?: Bette Midler’s Protest Push By Mister D March 25, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-10_15-57-13.png "2026-03-10_15-57-13 - bootleg betty") --- **[No Kings Day](https://www.nokings.org/)** (also called No Kings March or No Kings Day of Nonviolent Action) is a series of coordinated nationwide protests in the United States, primarily organized as a grassroots response to the policies and actions of the Trump administration in 2025–2026. The slogan “No Kings” draws from American revolutionary ideals, emphasizing that the U.S. has no monarchs or authoritarian rulers and is governed by the people, not by any single leader or “regime.” Organizers frame the events as peaceful, nonviolent mobilizations against what they describe as “brutality at home and abroad,” including issues like immigration enforcement (e.g., ICE actions), perceived autocratic tendencies, corruption, and threats to democratic norms and rights. **Key Details on No Kings Day Date:** The next major national day of action is Saturday, March 28, 2026 (just days from now, as of March 25–26, 2026). **Scale:** Organizers report plans for over 3,000 local events across the country, with expectations that it will be one of the largest single-day nonviolent protest mobilizations in recent U.S. history. California alone has hundreds of planned events (over 300 reported), and significant turnouts are anticipated in places like New York City, the Twin Cities (Minnesota), Washington, D.C., and the Bay Area. **Flagship events:** The Twin Cities rally in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a major gathering expected to draw up to 100,000 people, featuring performances and appearances by artists and figures such as Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Jane Fonda, and Maggie Rogers. **Organization:** It’s a broad coalition effort involving progressive groups, labor unions, activist networks (such as Indivisible), and local organizers. Events are listed on the official site nokings.org, which provides maps, “know your rights” resources, safety trainings, and toolkits. Past “No Kings” actions have occurred on earlier dates (e.g., references to events in October 2025). The protests typically involve marches, rallies, and demonstrations with signs, chants, and calls for unity against perceived overreach. **Bette Midler’s Involvement** [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-special-appearances/#.VfrNfH9Viko), a longtime vocal critic of Donald Trump and an active progressive voice, has been prominently involved in promoting the No Kings events on March 28, 2026. She shared a personal message and call to action for the “No Kings March – March 28, 2026,” which was posted on social media. - Midler released a timely remake of Woody Guthrie’s classic protest song “All You Fascists Bound to Lose” (which she updated/adapted for the current context). This recording went viral in protest circles and is explicitly tied to energizing supporters ahead of No Kings Day, with hashtags and captions linking it directly to the rallies. - She teamed up with actress Barbara Hershey (her co-star in Beaches) to reenact a famous scene from the movie in a short video. The clip protests ICE actions and teases/promotes participation in the No Kings rallies, blending humor, nostalgia, and activism. Midler’s efforts—through her song, video, and direct messaging—position her as a cultural amplifier for the movement, using her platform and artistic history to encourage turnout and frame the protests as a stand against fascism and authoritarianism, in the spirit of Guthrie’s folk-protest tradition. Events are decentralized, so people are encouraged to check [**nokings.org**](https://www.nokings.org/) for local actions. Organizers stress nonviolence, safety, and legal preparedness. As with any large protest, details can evolve quickly, so real-time updates from official sources or local news are recommended. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=What%20Is%20No%20Kings%20Day%3F%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Protest%20Push&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=What%20Is%20No%20Kings%20Day%3F%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Protest%20Push%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=What%20Is%20No%20Kings%20Day%3F%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Protest%20Push&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=What%20Is%20No%20Kings%20Day%3F%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Protest%20Push%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=What%20Is%20No%20Kings%20Day%3F%3A%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Protest%20Push%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Politics, Protests **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #NoKings, #NoKngsDay, #Politics, #Protest --- ### [Audio - Bette Midler - Red - Boston 1978](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/25/audio-bette-midler-red-boston-1978/) **Published:** March 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio: Bette Midler - RED (Live in Boston - Jan 8, 1978) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio – Bette Midler – Red – Boston 1978 The Divine Miss M Fan Site March 25, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-24_15-45-14.png "2026-03-24_15-45-14 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Red%20-%20Boston%201978&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Red%20-%20Boston%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Red%20-%20Boston%201978&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Red%20-%20Boston%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Red%20-%20Boston%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Music **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #Boston, #Music, #Red, #TheDivineMissMFanSite --- ### [From Bette Midler: No Kings March - March 28, 2026](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/24/from-bette-midler-no-kings-march-march-28-2026/) **Published:** March 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From Bette Midler: No Kings March - March 28, 2026 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty From Bette Midler: No Kings March – March 28, 2026 By Bette Midler March 24, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-24_16-31-58.png "2026-03-24_16-31-58 - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWR0PPOkc6V/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Bette Midler (@bettemidler)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWR0PPOkc6V/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=From%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20No%20Kings%20March%20-%20March%2028%2C%202026&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=From%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20No%20Kings%20March%20-%20March%2028%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=From%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20No%20Kings%20March%20-%20March%2028%2C%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=From%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20No%20Kings%20March%20-%20March%2028%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=From%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20No%20Kings%20March%20-%20March%2028%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Instagram, Politics **Tags:** #BarbaraHershey, #BetteMidler, #March, #NoKings, #Politics --- ### [Bette Midler Leads Disney’s Most Underrated Films](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/24/bette-midler-leads-disneys-most-underrated-films/) **Published:** March 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Collider 10 Near-Perfect Disney Movies That No One Remembers Today By Lisa Nordin March 21, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/76b0134f1afaf2a9ebe79ba46cade2e4.jpg "76b0134f1afaf2a9ebe79ba46cade2e4 - bootleg betty") --- Named after actor, innovator, and founder Walt Disney, The Walt Disney Company has created some of the most spectacular kids and family movies in cinema history. From its fairy-tale roots to its ambitious sci-fi and adventure themes, Disney has no shortage of triumphs across a myriad of genres. With the studio being so prolific, there are bound to be projects that slip through the cracks of recognition while other films dominate the fanfare. Though no less interesting or complex, these movies tend to be forgotten by most audiences. From an animated steampunk adventure like Treasure Planet to a vintage suspense like Escape to Witch Mountain, these Disney movies are near-perfect in their storytelling. Although they have been largely overlooked, these near-masterpieces deserve their moment to shine. Here are 10 near-perfect Disney movies that no one remembers today. **‘Sky High’ (2005)** Being superhuman comes with its own pros and cons and special accommodations. One interesting consideration taken in Sky High is contemplating where extraordinarily-abled young people would go to school. Unlike Superman or Spider-Man, who had to try to blend in at a normal high school, the students at Sky High benefit from attending an alma mater made specifically for superheroes. Sky High features Kelly Preston and Kurt Russell as the superhero parents of the main character, Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano). When Will turns out to be a late bloomer, getting his superpowers later than expected, the movie explores family dynamics with an added twist. There are excellent super villain moments, fun story arcs, and some exciting action scenes. Full of meta humor that comic book fans will appreciate, Sky High is one of the best and most underrated superhero movies of the 2000s. **‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’ (2001)** Like a brilliant night sky full of stars, Atlantis: The Lost Empire glitters with amazing talent. Michael J. Fox, Leonard Nimoy, James Garner, Cree Summer, and David Ogden Stiers lend their acting prowess to the film and make the characters leap off the screen and feel real and dimensional. In Atlantis: The Lost Empire, audiences are invited to join a crew of intrepid explorers as they search for the lost city of Atlantis. Some have pure motives, and some more nefarious, but all of them must decide what to do when they actually find what they are looking for. Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a solid adventure movie from start to finish. It has intriguing viewpoints about exploration, colonization, and cultural differences. Fans of films like Stargate and Indiana Jones will appreciate its ensemble dynamics and otherworldly moments. Although it did not do well at the box office, Atlantis: The Lost Empire has been slowly accumulating a fan base as cinema fans realize that this lost treasure is worth rediscovering. **‘Treasure Planet’ (2002)** What if Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island were in space? That is the fascinating premise for the 2002 animated film Treasure Planet. Seafaring brigands are traded in for space pirates and distant islands for faraway solar systems. Treasure Planet follows the same iconic characters of Jim Hawkins (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and John Silver (Brian Murray) but with a highly imaginative and interesting sci-fi twist. Treasure Planet has gorgeous visuals and unique characters. It is an inventive and updated telling of Stevenson’s classic tale that connects the lore to a new generation. The powerful themes of longing for a life better than the one given, trusting someone only to be betrayed, and the seductive double-edged sword of riches never grow old. Fans of sci-fi, steampunk, and adventure sagas should leave room on their watchlist for Treasure Planet. **‘Escape to Witch Mountain’ (1975)** Escape to Witch Mountain is a thrilling film for families that has held up remarkably well. The deliberate choice to have a lack of soundtrack for most of the scenes adds intensity and is a marked break from the studio credited with the “Mickey Mousing” music technique. Tracking like a cerebral mystery, Escape to Witch Mountain has a dramatic tension that horror fans will appreciate. In Escape to Witch Mountain, a young brother and sister named Tony (Ike Eisenmann) and Tia (Kim Richards) are taken in by an eccentric millionaire. The two soon learn that his generosity does not come with charity, and he wants to use the two children’s unique psychic abilities for his own financial gain. The mystery inside Escape to Witch Mountain makes for an interesting slow burn, and there is an interesting plot twist along the way. Though Escape to Witch Mountain had a remake of sorts in 2009 with Race to Witch Mountain starring Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, and Alexander Ludwig, the newer film is more of an action movie, whereas the OG is straight up suspense. **‘Mickey’s Christmas Carol’ (1983)** Walt Disney’s most iconic character, Mickey Mouse, takes on the role of a lifetime in Mickey’s Christmas Carol. An animated adaptation of Charles Dickens’ infamous novella, Mickey (Wayne Allwine) plays Bob Cratchit, and several other familiar Disney faces take on additional roles. Of course, who else could play Ebenezer Scrooge than Scrooge McDuck (Alan Young). Even though it’s a bit on the nose, er, beak, it is a brilliant choice and makes the film highly enjoyable. With a runtime of a little less than half an hour, Mickey’s Christmas Carol packs intentionality into every frame. It is a great introduction for children to Dickens’ work, and though it aims at a younger demographic, the film dilutes none of the story’s potency. Mickey’s Christmas Carol is not only a stellar Christmas movie, but one of the best ‘80s kids’ movies of all time. **‘The Fox and the Hound’ (1981)** A film that is guaranteed to make viewers laugh, cry, and feel a range of emotions is The Fox and the Hound. The story involves a young fox named Tod (Keith Coogan/Mickey Rooney) and a hound dog pup named Copper (Corey Feldman/Kurt Russell) who become friends. What begins as an innocent buddy relationship becomes fraught with pressures and prejudices as the two characters grow up and learn that they are supposed to be enemies. The Fox and the Hound has absolutely gorgeous imagery and the stunning painted backgrounds that early Disney animated films were known for. Despite its more serious and dramatic moments, there are moments of warmth and humor in The Fox and the Hound, and it has great rewatchability. Though it is not one of Disney’s more widely known titles, it is a triumph nonetheless. **‘Oliver & Company’ (1988)** Another forgotten Disney movie that features talking animals and an unlikely friendship is Oliver & Company. This time, Disney writers gave Dickens’ work a modern makeover and set the main idea of Oliver Twist in present-day New York City. Oliver & Company tells the tale of the little kitten Oliver (Joey Lawrence) who falls in with a group of pickpocket dogs and their human owner, Fagin (Dom DeLuise). Oliver & Company has catchy music and a distinct NYC energy. Billy Joel, Bette Midler, and Cheech Marin are just some of the talented voice cast members who bring Oliver & Company to life. This late ‘80s signature piece has some thrilling action sequences as well, and although it is not one of Disney’s most notable, it is far from being dismissible. **‘Flubber’ (1997)** Inspired by the 1961 Disney film The Absent Minded Professor, Flubber stars Robin Williams, Marcia Gay Harden, and Christopher McDonald. In the movie, Williams plays Professor Philip Brainard, a forgetful but ingenious person who invents a somewhat sentient substance he dubs “Flubber.” As with any revolutionary invention, there are those who want to steal such a creation for themselves, and Wilson Croft (McDonald) plays this archetype very well. Flubber is a cute and fun movie that science enthusiasts and Robin Williams fans will enjoy. Though it gives more screen time to the Flubber and less to Williams than it should, it is still a neat choice for family movie night. Flubber has some surprising twists and an interesting robot-owner relationship with Weebo, who is voiced by Jodi Benson. **‘Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey’ (1993)** Talking dogs and cats get the real-life lens in Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey. Dogs Chance (Michael J. Fox) and Shadow (Don Ameche) are joined by their pet sibling, cat Sassy (Sally Field), as they go on a harrowing journey. When the three pets are left with a family friend as their owners temporarily move across the country, the three animals do not understand and break free, traversing thousands of miles of wilderness to reunite with their owners. Like a fine wine, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey has aged wonderfully for being over three decades old. In fact, it seems to only be getting better with time. The choice to use practical effects and refrain from using CGI has helped it retain a timeless quality and makes the movie captivating. Newer audiences can enjoy this classic gem as much as those who were lucky enough to see it upon its debut. **‘Meet the Robinsons’ (2007)** Like traveling into the future, viewers shouldn’t embark on watching Meet the Robinsons unless they are ready to go on an emotional roller-coaster ride. The quirky and charming animation offsets some incredibly dramatic and gripping moments in this criminally underrated masterpiece. In Meet the Robinsons, a young orphan named Lewis (Daniel Hansen) is an amateur inventor who desperately longs for a family. Lewis’ life is changed forever when he is taken on a trip into the future by Wilbur (Wesley Singerman). Villains, dinosaurs, cool gadgets, and humor are all included in the 95-minute runtime of Meet the Robinsons. It is part fun sci-fi and tech movie and part poignant soliloquy about being trapped in the past versus moving forward into the future. Meet the Robinsons is one of Disney’s near-perfect but tragically forgotten films that was ahead of its time and deserves to have its moment in the spotlight. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Leads%20Disney%E2%80%99s%20Most%20Underrated%20Films&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Leads%20Disney%E2%80%99s%20Most%20Underrated%20Films%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Leads%20Disney%E2%80%99s%20Most%20Underrated%20Films&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Leads%20Disney%E2%80%99s%20Most%20Underrated%20Films%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Leads%20Disney%E2%80%99s%20Most%20Underrated%20Films%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Oliver & Company **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Films, #OliverAndCompany --- ### [Boodles BonBon Video: Yodeling Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/24/boodles-bonbon-video-yodeling-bette-midler/) **Published:** March 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Boodles BonBon Video: Yodeling Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Boodles BonBon Video: Yodeling Bette Midler By Boodles BonBon March 24, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/492046330_1124908636346869_6939197011914727539_n.jpg "492046330_1124908636346869_6939197011914727539_n - bootleg betty") --- --- **Bette Midler in 1988’s “Big Business”** “Well, hello, Jupiter Hollow I know you’re doin’ fine Every day you work the factory Every night, a jug of wine But now them bums at Moramax They’re tryin’ to milk us dry But you all knows my sister Rose will sound the battle cry Yee-ha! Sister Rose is gonna kick ’em in their little-lo-lay-hee-hoo Their little-lo-lay-hee-hoo Their little-lo-lay-hee-hoo. Every cent’s gonna help us kick their little-lo-lay-hee-hoo Hi-dee-olay-hee Little-lo-lay-hee-hoo” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Yodeling%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Yodeling%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Yodeling%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Yodeling%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Yodeling%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Big Business, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BigBusiness, #BoodlesBonBon, #Cow, #Video, #Yodeling --- ### [A yearbook photo of Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/23/a-yearbook-photo-of-bette-midler/) **Published:** March 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Long before she earned her diva bona fides, Bette Midler — a.k.a. the Divine Miss M — was no stranger to the spotlight **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty A yearbook photo of Bette Midler By Mister D March 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/b6cf4985bcdf1268b7abcb22308442b5.jpg "B6cf4985bcdf1268b7abcb22308442b5 - bootleg betty")--- A [**yearbook**](https://www.yearbook.org/) photo of [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) Credit: ancestry.com Long before she earned her diva bona fides, Bette Midler — a.k.a. the Divine Miss M — was no stranger to the spotlight, being voted “Most Talkative” and “Most Dramatic” at Radford High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, before graduating in 1963, per Facebook. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20yearbook%20photo%20of%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20yearbook%20photo%20of%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20yearbook%20photo%20of%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20yearbook%20photo%20of%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20yearbook%20photo%20of%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Hawaii, #HighSchool, #RadfordHigh, #Yearbook --- ### [Who are some of Bette Midler's favorite songwriters?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/23/who-are-some-of-bette-midlers-favorite-songwriters/) **Published:** March 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Who are some of Bette's favorite songwriters? **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Who were some of Bette’s favorite songwriters? By Mister D March 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-05_19-51-39-1.png "2026-03-05_19-51-39 - bootleg betty") --- Who are some of Bette’s favorite [**songwriters**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_singer-songwriters)? [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) has never released a single definitive ranked list of her “favorite songmakers” (songwriters/composers), but her interviews, tributes, song choices, covers, and public statements over the decades reveal a clear pattern of admiration for certain ones. She often highlights those whose work blends emotional depth, storytelling, wit, vulnerability, and originality—qualities that align with her own theatrical, interpretive style. ***Here are some of the most consistently praised or frequently embraced ones:*** **John Prine:** One of the most explicit shout-outs from Bette. She’s called him “one of my favorite writers,” praising his songs as “pure Proustian existentialism” and “Midwestern mind trips to the nth degree.” She covered classics like “Hello in There” (a haunting, sentimental favorite she performed on TV specials and shows like The Tonight Show in the ’70s) and introduced many fans to his work early on. Prine’s narrative folk style clearly resonated deeply with her. **Tom Waits:** As we’ve discussed, this is a strong, personal favorite through action and history. They were friends starting in the mid-1970s (with Bette once saying her idea of a good time in LA was grabbing Fatburgers with him), had an intermittent romantic connection, and collaborated on the duet “I Never Talk to Strangers” (1977’s Foreign Affairs, also on her Broken Blossom). She repeatedly covered his material—”Martha” (a raw, emotional standout on Saturday Night Live in 1979), “Shiver Me Timbers,” “Broken Bicycles” (in her 1983 Art or Bust special), and “Rainbow Sleeves” (in Divine Madness outtakes). His gritty, poetic, bohemian storytelling and barroom noir vibe complement her flair perfectly, and fans note she brings extra heart to his songs. **Laura Nyro:** Bette has gotten visibly emotional in tributes, calling her “a complete original” and “an ornament on the Earth” in a moving remembrance (e.g., at a 2012 event honoring Nyro). Nyro’s soulful, introspective, piano-driven songwriting influenced Bette’s ballad choices and emotional delivery. **Bob Dylan:** She’s interpreted his work with depth (e.g., a powerful “I Shall Be Released” in Divine Madness), and his poetic, folk-rooted lyrics fit her love for storytellers who evoke big feelings. ***Others she’s shown a strong affinity for through covers, performances, or comments:*** \*The Andrews Sisters (and their swing-era collaborators): Huge idols for her boogie-woogie and retro numbers like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” - Classic Tin Pan Alley figures like Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen (e.g., “Come Rain or Come Shine”), and Great American Songbook composers. - Contemporary hits she championed: Amanda McBroom (“The Rose”), Julie Gold (“From a Distance”), Marshall Crenshaw (“Favorite Waste of Time”). - In 2012, she received the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, celebrating her gift for elevating songs. Her tastes lean toward authentic voices—whether folk poets like Prine and Waits, soulful originals like Nyro, or theatrical standards—over flashy pop. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Who%20are%20some%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20favorite%20songwriters%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Who%20are%20some%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20favorite%20songwriters%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Who%20are%20some%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20favorite%20songwriters%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Who%20are%20some%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20favorite%20songwriters%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Who%20are%20some%20of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20favorite%20songwriters%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs, Songwriters **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BobDylan, #Music, #Songs, #Songwriters, #TomWaits --- ### [Audio - Bette Midler - Waterfalls (SKDJ Remix)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/23/audio-bette-midler-waterfalls-skdj-remix/) **Published:** March 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio - Bette Midler - Waterfalls (SKDJ vs De Soffer Remix) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio – Bette Midler – Waterfalls (SKDJ vs De Soffer Remix) By SKDJ March 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-08_22-24-45.png "2026-03-08_22-24-45 - bootleg betty")--- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Waterfalls%20%28SKDJ%20Remix%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Waterfalls%20%28SKDJ%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Waterfalls%20%28SKDJ%20Remix%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Waterfalls%20%28SKDJ%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Waterfalls%20%28SKDJ%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, It's The Girls, Remix **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #Itsthegirls, #Remix, #SKDJ, #Waterfalls --- ### [Video - Bette Midler -When A Man Loves A Woman - Jay Leno - 2008](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/22/video-bette-midler-when-a-man-loves-a-woman-jay-leno-2004/) **Published:** March 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performs When A Man Loves A Woman on The Jay Leno Show to promote her Kiss My Brass tour - 2004 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler -When A Man Loves A Woman – Jay Leno – 2008 By Mister D March 22, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-17_13-25-25.png "2026-03-17_13-25-25 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/the-movies-bette-midler/) performs [**When A Man Loves A Woman**](https://www.songlyrics.com/percy-sledge/when-a-man-loves-a-woman-lyrics/) on The Jay Leno Show to promote her The Showgirl Must Go On tour – 2008 [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) [\#JayLeno](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/jayleno/) [\#WhenAManLovesAWoman](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/whenamanlovesawoman/) [\#](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/kissmybrass/)TheShowgirlMustGoOn Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20-%20Jay%20Leno%20-%202008&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20-%20Jay%20Leno%20-%202008%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20-%20Jay%20Leno%20-%202008&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20-%20Jay%20Leno%20-%202008%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20-%20Jay%20Leno%20-%202008%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Kiss My Brass, Talk Show, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #JayLeno, #KissMyBrass, #Video, #WhenAManLovesAWoman --- ### [Boodles BonBon Video: Mariner Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/22/boodles-bonbon-video-mariner-bette-midler/) **Published:** March 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Boodles BonBon Video: Mariner Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Boodles BonBon Video: Mariner Bette Midler By Boodles BonBon March 22, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-03_08-07-26-1.png "2026-03-03_08-07-26 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Mariner%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Mariner%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Mariner%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Mariner%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20Mariner%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Mariner, #ShiverMeTimbers --- ### [The Bette Midler Archive Audio: Fat Stuff / For Free (Live)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/22/the-bette-midler-archive-audio-fat-stuff-for-free-live/) **Published:** March 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Bette Midler Archive Audio: Fat Stuff / For Free (Live) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Bette Midler Archive Audio: Fat Stuff / For Free (Live) By The Bette Midler Archive March 21, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-21_19-56-40.png "2026-03-21_19-56-40 - bootleg betty") --- --- ***Performed October 9, 1971 at the Downstairs At The Upstairs nightclub in New York City.*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Fat%20Stuff%20%2F%20For%20Free%20%28Live%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Fat%20Stuff%20%2F%20For%20Free%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Fat%20Stuff%20%2F%20For%20Free%20%28Live%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Fat%20Stuff%20%2F%20For%20Free%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Fat%20Stuff%20%2F%20For%20Free%20%28Live%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Live, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #FatStuff, #ForFree, #Live, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler Gypsy Commentary With Craig Zadan & Neil Meron](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/20/audio-bette-midler-gypsy-commentary-with-craig-zadan-neil-meron/) **Published:** March 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler stars as Mama Rose in the 1993 television film "Gypsy," delivering a powerful performance that captures the ambition and complexity of her character. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler Gypsy Commentary With Craig Zadan & Neil Meron By Mister D March 20, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/719IzI4ytqL_SY606_.jpg "719izi4ytql_sy606_ - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/television/#.VhugxFRViko) stars as Mama Rose in the 1993 television film “[**Gypsy**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsy_(1993_film)),” delivering a powerful performance that captures the ambition and complexity of her character. **Overview of “Gypsy”** “Gypsy” is a made-for-television musical film that premiered on December 12, 1993. It is based on the autobiography of Gypsy Rose Lee and follows the life of a domineering stage mother, Rose Hovick, who is determined to make her daughters famous vaudeville stars. The film is an adaptation of the 1959 Broadway musical, which has been celebrated for its music and storytelling. **Bette Midler’s Role** In “Gypsy,” Bette Midler portrays Mama Rose, a character known for her fierce ambition and relentless drive to push her daughters, particularly June, into the spotlight. Midler’s performance is characterized by her strong singing ability and her ability to convey both the comedic and tragic elements of Rose’s character. Critics have praised her portrayal as both dynamic and heartfelt, capturing the essence of a mother who is both loving and overbearing. **Critical Reception** Midler’s performance in “Gypsy” received significant acclaim, earning her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. Reviewers noted that she brought a unique style to the role, blending her theatrical background with the character’s emotional depth. The film itself was well-received for its production quality and adherence to the original musical’s spirit, making it one of the standout television adaptations of a Broadway show. **Conclusion** Bette Midler’s role in “Gypsy” remains one of her most iconic performances, showcasing her talents as both a singer and an actress. The film not only highlights her abilities but also tells a compelling story about ambition, family, and the complexities of show business. Her portrayal of Mama Rose is often regarded as a definitive interpretation of the character, resonating with audiences and critics alike. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Gypsy%20Commentary%20With%20Craig%20Zadan%20%26%20Neil%20Meron&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Gypsy%20Commentary%20With%20Craig%20Zadan%20%26%20Neil%20Meron%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Gypsy%20Commentary%20With%20Craig%20Zadan%20%26%20Neil%20Meron&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Gypsy%20Commentary%20With%20Craig%20Zadan%20%26%20Neil%20Meron%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Gypsy%20Commentary%20With%20Craig%20Zadan%20%26%20Neil%20Meron%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Gypsy **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Commentary, #CraigZadan, #Gypsy, #Movie, #Musical, #NeilMeron --- ### [Women's History Month: Let's Celebrate Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/20/womens-history-month-lets-celebrate-bette-midler/) **Published:** March 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Women's History Month is a perfect time to celebrate Bette Midler—a trailblazing entertainer **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Women’s History Month: Let’s Celebrate Bette Midler By Mister D March 20, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-13_05-02-52-1.png "2026-03-13_05-02-52 - bootleg betty") --- **[Women’s History Month](https://www.govinfo.gov/features/womens-history-month-2026)** is a perfect time to celebrate [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-special-appearances/#.VfrNfH9Viko)—a trailblazing entertainer, activist, and philanthropist whose six-decade career has broken barriers, entertained millions, and made a tangible difference in the world. Bette Midler: the Divine Miss M, who didn’t just belt out anthems—she turned trash heaps into treasure troves. ***Singing powerhouse (the voice that launched a thousand sing-alongs):*** - Debut album The Divine Miss M (1972) exploded her career—went platinum, earned her first Grammy for Best New Artist (1974). She was basically the queen of eclectic pop/cabaret right out the gate. - Iconic hits: “The Rose” (1979) snagged her Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (1981). Then “Wind Beneath My Wings” from Beaches (1988) won Record of the Year (1990 Grammy)—that song still makes grown adults ugly-cry in cars. “From a Distance” (1990) hit #1 on Adult Contemporary and got massive airplay. - Overall: 3 Grammys (nominated for 14+), 13+ studio albums, millions sold worldwide. She’s got range—from bawdy bathhouse tunes to heartfelt ballads—and is only the second woman ever to have top-10 albums in five straight decades. **Acting legend (Oscar nods, Golden Globes, and witchy immortality):** - Film breakout: The Rose (1979)—Oscar nomination for Best Actress, Golden Globe win for Best Actress (Musical/Comedy). She basically channeled rock-star grit and got props for it. - Double Oscar nom: Second one for For the Boys (1991)—another Golden Globe win in the same category. She’s 4 Golden Globes total (including for Gypsy on TV). - Comedy gold: Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986), Ruthless People (1986), Beaches (1988), The First Wives Club (1996)—she owned the ’80s/’90s rom-com/ensemble scene. - Broadway boss: Special Tony in 1974 for her early revue, then full Tony for Best Actress in a Musical for the 2017 Hello, Dolly! revival (she killed it at 71!). - Eternal fave: Winifred Sanderson in Hocus Pocus (1993)—cult classic, sequel in 2022, and fans still beg for #3. She turns spooky into sexy-funny. - TV shine: 3 Emmys (including for specials like Diva Las Vegas and guest spots), plus a Kennedy Center Honor (2021) for lifetime cultural impact. **Bottom line:** She’s got 3 Grammys, 4 Golden Globes, 3 Emmys, 2 Tonys (one special, one competitive), 2 Oscar noms—and she’s this close to EGOT (just needs that elusive Oscar). At 80+, she’s still got the pipes, the timing, and the star power that make her a one-woman entertainment institution. Women’s History Month realness: Bette didn’t just perform—she redefined what a powerhouse woman in showbiz could be. Belt it out, queen! **Whoops! Let’s not forget NYRP!** Philanthropy glow-up: In 1995, fed up with NYC’s neglected parks looking like post-apocalyptic sets, she founded the New York Restoration Project (NYRP). What started as her personally picking up garbage has become a green empire. Key flexes (per the 2025 Annual Report & beyond): – Planted/distributed over 200,000 trees (that’s more than triple Manhattan’s tree count—talk about shade-throwing literally). – Built/renovated more than 350 community green spaces across all five boroughs. – Owns/operates over 50 community gardens, pumping out fresh produce for folks who need it most. – Removed millions of pounds of trash (including the equivalent weight of nearly ten Statues of Liberty—because why not quantify the gross?). – In 2025 alone (their 30th anniversary year): 8 new green spaces, 4,649 trees planted/given away, 98,000+ lbs of trash hauled, 1,200+ volunteers wrangled, and free programs feeding thousands. She threw epic Hulaween galas (the 2025 one was a “helluva town” costume blowout that raised millions), matched donations up to $150K, and she snagged the Catalyst Award because, duh, she’s the spark. Bottom line: Bette didn’t just entertain us—she gave NYC (and the planet) a serious glow-up. Singer, actress, comedian, eco-warrior, and certified legend. Women’s History Month MVP who proves you can be fabulous and fix the world—one tree, one garden, one sassy comeback at a time. Who’s with me? Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Women%27s%20History%20Month%3A%20Let%27s%20Celebrate%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Women%27s%20History%20Month%3A%20Let%27s%20Celebrate%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Women%27s%20History%20Month%3A%20Let%27s%20Celebrate%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Women%27s%20History%20Month%3A%20Let%27s%20Celebrate%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Women%27s%20History%20Month%3A%20Let%27s%20Celebrate%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History, Special Events **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Celebrate #SpecialEvent, #WomensHistoryMonth --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Be My Baby - Today Show 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/19/video-bette-midler-be-my-baby-today-show-2014/) **Published:** March 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video - Bette Midler - Be My Baby - Today Show 2014 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Be My Baby – Today Show 2014 By Mister D March 19, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/36.gif "36 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Be%20My%20Baby%20-%20Today%20Show%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Be%20My%20Baby%20-%20Today%20Show%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Be%20My%20Baby%20-%20Today%20Show%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Be%20My%20Baby%20-%20Today%20Show%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Be%20My%20Baby%20-%20Today%20Show%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Talk Show, Video **Tags:** #BeMYBaby, #BetteMidler, #Itsthegirls, #Music, #Songs, #TheTodayShow --- ### [The Bette Midler Archive Audio - The Rose Press Conference - 1979](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/18/the-bette-midler-archive-audio-the-rose-press-conference-1979/) **Published:** March 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Bette Midler Archive Audio - The Rose Press Conference - 1979 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Bette Midler Archive Audio – The Rose Press Conference – 1979 By The Bette Midler Archive March 18, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-17_12-45-01.png "2026-03-17_12-45-01 - bootleg betty")--- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20The%20Rose%20Press%20Conference%20-%201979&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20The%20Rose%20Press%20Conference%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20The%20Rose%20Press%20Conference%20-%201979&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20The%20Rose%20Press%20Conference%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20The%20Rose%20Press%20Conference%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Movies, Press Release, The Bette Midler Archive, the Rose **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #Movies, #PressConference, #TheBetteMidlerArchive, #TheRose --- ### [Bette Midler's Raw Take: 7 Real Drug Addiction Films](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/19/bette-midlers-raw-take-7-real-drug-addiction-films/) **Published:** March 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Drug addiction is a complex and often devastating issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Cinema has long served as a medium for exploring this harrowing subject, **Content:** --- ## Film Daily Behind the High: 7 Realistic Films About Drug Addiction By Daisy Franklin March 18, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-10_15-51-43.png "2026-03-10_15-51-43 - bootleg betty") --- [**Drug addiction**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2023/03/05/golden-derby-ranks-oscar-nomininated-actresses-who-played-alcoholics-and-or-addicts-i-have-a-problem-with-it/) is a complex and often devastating issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Cinema has long served as a medium for exploring this harrowing subject, offering audiences an insight into the struggles and realities faced by those grappling with addiction. Some films stand out for their raw authenticity and emotional depth, providing a poignant look at the impact of drugs on individuals and their loved ones. 1. **The Basketball Diaries (1995)** Based on Jim Carroll’s autobiographical novel, The Basketball Diaries stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a promising young basketball player whose life spirals out of control due to heroin addiction. The film effectively captures Carroll’s descent into addiction, showcasing the impact on his relationships with friends, family, and his aspirations. DiCaprio’s powerful performance conveys the vulnerability and desperation of a young man caught in the throes of addiction. The film serves as a stark reminder of how easily one can lose their way and the importance of seeking help before it’s too late. 2. **Trainspotting (1996)** Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting is often hailed as one of the most iconic films about drug addiction. Set in Edinburgh, it follows a group of heroin addicts navigating their chaotic lives. Ewan McGregor delivers a memorable performance as Mark Renton, who grapples with his addiction while trying to escape the cycle of drug use. The film’s gritty realism, coupled with its dark humour, provides a raw depiction of addiction’s grip on individuals and the devastating consequences that follow. Trainspotting remains a powerful commentary on the allure of drugs and the harsh realities of addiction. 3. **Requiem for a Dream (2000)** Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream is an unflinching exploration of addiction’s impact on four characters pursuing their dreams through drugs. The film portrays the harrowing effects of heroin and amphetamines, illustrating how addiction can lead to the destruction of relationships and personal aspirations. The haunting visuals and emotional performances, particularly from Ellen Burstyn, create a visceral experience that leaves viewers shaken. Requiem for a Dream serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of addiction and the importance of seeking help before dreams turn into nightmares. 4. **The Rose (1979)** The Rose, starring [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler), is a poignant portrayal of a rock star struggling with addiction. The film follows Mary Rose Foster, a character inspired by Janis Joplin, as she grapples with fame, love, and the pressures of the music industry. Midler’s performance is both powerful and heartbreaking, capturing the duality of a life filled with success and personal turmoil. The film addresses the destructive nature of addiction, illustrating how it can overshadow even the brightest talents. The Rose serves as a reminder of the toll that drugs can take, not only on individuals but also on those around them. 5. **Clean and Sober (1988)** Michael Keaton stars in Clean and Sober as Daryl Poynter, a real estate agent whose life unravels due to his drug addiction. After a near-fatal overdose, Daryl checks into a rehabilitation centre, where he confronts his demons and the consequences of his actions. The film offers a realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by individuals in recovery, highlighting the struggle to overcome addiction and the importance of support systems. Clean and Sober effectively balances moments of humour with the serious nature of addiction, making it a compelling watch for anyone seeking to understand the realities of recovery. 6. **Wonderland (2003)** Wonderland is based on the true story of the infamous Wonderland Murders in Los Angeles, which were linked to a group of drug addicts in the 1980s. The film stars Val Kilmer as John Holmes, a once-famous porn star whose life spirals into chaos due to drug use. The narrative delves into the dark underbelly of addiction, showcasing the violent and tragic consequences that can arise from a life consumed by drugs. Wonderland provides a raw and gritty depiction of addiction’s destructive power, reminding viewers of the dangers associated with drug culture. 7. **Down to the Bone (2004)** Down to the Bone features Vera Farmiga as a mother struggling with heroin addiction while trying to maintain her responsibilities to her children. The film offers a realistic and unflinching look at the day-to-day challenges faced by those battling addiction, including the impact on family life and personal relationships. Farmiga’s performance is both raw and relatable, capturing the complexities of addiction and the desire for recovery. Down to the Bone serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by many and the importance of seeking drug help for those in need. **Conclusion** These seven films provide a powerful and realistic portrayal of drug addiction, highlighting the struggles faced by individuals and their loved ones. They serve as important reminders of the consequences of addiction and the necessity of seeking help. While the allure of drugs may seem enticing, the narratives presented in these films reveal a darker truth about the impact of addiction on lives. For anyone grappling with substance abuse, reaching out for support can be a crucial step towards recovery and a healthier future. Through these stories, we gain a deeper understanding of addiction’s complexities and the hope that recovery can bring. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Raw%20Take%3A%207%20Real%20Drug%20Addiction%20Films&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Raw%20Take%3A%207%20Real%20Drug%20Addiction%20Films%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Raw%20Take%3A%207%20Real%20Drug%20Addiction%20Films&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Raw%20Take%3A%207%20Real%20Drug%20Addiction%20Films%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Raw%20Take%3A%207%20Real%20Drug%20Addiction%20Films%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Filmography, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DrugAddiction, #Films, #High, #Realistic --- ### [Boodles BonBon Video: A Wood Joke From Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/19/boodles-bonbon-video-a-wood-joke-from-bette-midler/) **Published:** March 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Soph is putting a hot spotlight on Ernie's culinary habits **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Boodles BonBon Video: A Wood Joke From Bette Midler By Boodles BonBon March 19, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/508596912_10031137950309847_8060325994347367154_n.jpg "508596912_10031137950309847_8060325994347367154_n - bootleg betty") --- --- ***Soph is putting a hot spotlight on Ernie’s culinary habits*** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20A%20Wood%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20A%20Wood%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20A%20Wood%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20A%20Wood%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%3A%20A%20Wood%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Soph Jokes, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Boodles BonBon, #Ernir, #Soph, #Video, #Wood --- ### [Bette Midler's Twin Triumph: Best On-Screen Twins](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/18/bette-midlers-twin-triumph-best-on-screen-twins/) **Published:** March 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From Lindsay Lohan to Michael B. Jordan, individual actors have been transforming into twins on screen for decades. **Content:** --- ## The Sydney Morning Herald Double takes: The best twin roles on screen By Nell Geraets March 18, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Big-Business-bette-midler-38998057-1280-731-450x257-1.jpg "Big-business-bette-midler-38998057-1280-731-450x257 - bootleg betty") --- Michael B. Jordan’s best actor win was impressive enough in that it involved beating Hollywood heavy hitters, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet, to the coveted award. What makes his victory extraordinary is that he won the prize for his portrayal of not one but two characters. On Monday, Jordan claimed a golden statuette for a performance as twins after playing gangster brothers Elijah “Smoke” and Elias “Stack” Moore in Ryan Coogler’s vampire horror Sinners. The actor created two entirely distinct personas for the pair – one more pragmatic and the other more charming. At no point does the audience question who is who, and therein lies the genius of his dual performance. From Lindsay Lohan to Michael B. Jordan, individual actors have been transforming into twins on screen for decades. While Jordan is one of just two stars to earn such an accolade for playing twins (the other was Lee Marvin, who won in 1966 for Cat Ballou), many before him have still managed to impress with their multitasking performances. In fact, the history of such on-screen roles dates back to 1912, when George Lessey played twins in The Corsican Brothers. Over time, portraying twins has arguably become easier to perfect thanks to the introduction of splicing and clever camera deception. But it still requires some serious range from actors taking on the double duty. In honour of Jordan’s Oscar win, here are some of the most memorable instances in which a single star has portrayed [**twins** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/twins/)on the big and small screen. **Lindsay Lohan, The Parent Trap** The first time I watched Lindsay Lohan as both Hallie and Annie in the 1988 version of The Parent Trap, I was utterly convinced there were two separate actors on screen. Despite only being 12 years old, Lohan was able to effortlessly switch between the prim, proper Annie and the rambunctious Hallie. To make matters even more challenging for the young star, Annie had a British accent. Was it a good accent on Lohan’s part? No. But it was still an impressive feat for a child star. **Disney Honourable mention** must also go to Hayley Mills, who played Susan Evers and Sharon McKendrick in the 1961 version. So effective was Mills that her version of The Parent Trap was nominated for two Academy Awards. **Jeremy Irons, Dead Ringers** Any mention of twin performances usually conjures memories of Jeremy Irons in David Cronenberg’s 1988 thriller Dead Ringers. The actor played Elliot and Beverly Mantle, co-dependent twin gynaecologists who take advantage of their identical looks to share women. Irons’ performance as each of the twins – one meek, the other more self-assured – is incredibly compelling, especially as they slip deeper into paranoia and mental decay. Though Irons didn’t secure an Oscar nod, he was nominated at the Golden Globes, and the film inspired a popular remake (the 2023 Dead Ringers series starring Rachel Weisz). **Lily Tomlin and Bette Midler, Big Business** What’s better than one set of twins? Two, obviously. This larger-than-life comedy-drama features both [**Bette Midler**](https://www.bettemidler.com/) and Lily Tomlin as two sets of twins who are born at the same hospital on the same night, but are mixed up by a drunk nurse. As a result, one grows up in a wealthy urban setting and the other in a poor rural environment. You can imagine the chaos when they cross paths again later in life. **Jean-Claude Van Damme, Double Impact** Not every twin flick can be a winner. Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Double Impact (1991) is memorable purely for its absolute ridiculousness. The film’s tagline said it all: “One packs a piece and the other packs a pistol”. The action star plays twins Chad and Alex Wagner, who are separated during childhood only to reunite years later to avenge their parents’ deaths. Granted, Van Damme’s skills appear better suited to the martial arts space rather than acting. It’s clear the film’s creators simply thought doubling the popular action hero would also double ticket sales. They weren’t entirely wrong. **Leonardo DiCaprio, The Man in the Iron Mask** It’s not every day an actor gets to play both the hero and villain of a story. DiCaprio showed off his versatility in The Man in the Iron Mask (1998), playing both a vile king and his good-hearted brother. The film is based on Alexandre Dumas’ The d’Artagnan Romances, and it allowed DiCaprio to stretch his acting chops to the limit. One character is hyper-privileged and self-obsessed while the other is far more vulnerable, having suffered a life of imprisonment. Beyond the obvious talent on show, it’s simply more Leo on screen – who wouldn’t want that? **Nicolas Cage, Adaptation** Nicolas Cage is the best kind of weird, so it’s a delight seeing it twofold in Spike Jonze’s 2002 film Adaptation. He plays twin brothers Charlie and Donald Kaufman, the former of who is attempting to adapt a popular book by another writer (Meryl Streep). Things get really bizarre throughout the movie, but its true beauty lies in Cage’s distinct performances as each twin. His attention to detail is immaculate, altering facial expressions and physical mannerisms to suit either the more neurotic Charlie or freeloading Donald. Cage’s effort was good enough to secure a best actor nomination at the 2003 Academy Awards. You’d think two versions of Nicolas Cage would be too much, but it really isn’t. You’d think two versions of Nicolas Cage would be too much, but it really isn’t.Columbia Pictures **Armie Hammer, The Social Network** Armie Hammer may not be in many people’s good graces these days, but his performance as Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss in The Social Network still ranks as one of the best twin performances on screen. All the credit can’t just go to Hammer, though, who deftly weaved between each of the wealthy Harvard students. Much of its brilliance also came from the scenes featuring both brothers were filmed. “Hammer played the main twin in each shot,” director David Fincher told Entertainment Weekly in 2010. “For shots that included both twins at the same time, \[model Josh\] Pence stood in for the second twin; Hammer later went into a studio, where he strapped his head into a harness to film that twin’s face and voice, which was then digitally superimposed over Pence’s face in the film. The result is a sort of hybrid actor with Hammer’s head and Pence’s body.” ***Honourable mentions*** **Lisa Kudrow, Friends** You may not see much of Phoebe Buffay’s self-obsessed twin sister Ursula in Friends, but it’s always a laugh-riot when you do. **Tom Hardy, Legend** Though the movie isn’t considered one of the best gangster films, Hardy’s performance as Ronnie and Reggie Kray was widely applauded. **Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True** Ruffalo went above and beyond to distinguish between these twin characters, one of whom has schizophrenia. He reportedly filmed all of his scenes as Dominick first, then took weeks off to lose weight and physically transform into Thomas. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Twin%20Triumph%3A%20Best%20On-Screen%20Twins&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Twin%20Triumph%3A%20Best%20On-Screen%20Twins%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Twin%20Triumph%3A%20Best%20On-Screen%20Twins&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Twin%20Triumph%3A%20Best%20On-Screen%20Twins%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Twin%20Triumph%3A%20Best%20On-Screen%20Twins%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Big Business, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BigBusiness, #LilyTomlin, #Movies, #OnScreen, #Twins --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Lullaby Of Broadway - The Bette Midler Show](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/16/video-bette-midler-lullaby-of-broadway-clams/) **Published:** March 16, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performs Lullaby of Broadway in 1976s Clams On The Half Shell Revue **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Lullaby Of Broadway – The Bette Midler Show By Mister D March 16, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-10_15-46-09.png "2026-03-10_15-46-09 - bootleg betty") --- ***Bette Midler performs Lullaby of Broadway in 1976’s Clams On The Half Shell Revue*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lullaby%20Of%20Broadway%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Show&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lullaby%20Of%20Broadway%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lullaby%20Of%20Broadway%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Show&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lullaby%20Of%20Broadway%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Lullaby%20Of%20Broadway%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Clams On The Half Shell, Music, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #Clams, #LullabyOfBroadway, #Music, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler! Happy St Patrick's Day](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/17/bette-midler-happy-st-patricks-day-2/) **Published:** March 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler! Happy St Patrick's Day **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler! Happy St Patrick’s Day By Mister D March 17, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/12798076_848451298598180_1422720306_n.jpg "12798076_848451298598180_1422720306_n - bootleg betty") ***Bette Midler! Happy St Patrick’s Day*** --- St. Patrick’s Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 17, honoring Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. In 2026, it falls on a Tuesday. **Who Was St. Patrick?** Saint Patrick (c. 385–461 AD) was a Romano-British missionary who played a key role in bringing Christianity to Ireland. Born in Britain (not Ireland), he was kidnapped as a teenager and enslaved in Ireland. After escaping, he became a priest and returned as a missionary around 432 AD, credited with converting many to Christianity—often symbolized by his use of the shamrock (a three-leaf clover) to explain the Holy Trinity. **Origins and Evolution** - Originally a religious feast day in Ireland, marking Patrick’s death around 461 AD. - It became an official Christian feast in the early 17th century. - Irish immigrants brought it to America in the 18th century, transforming it into a major secular celebration of Irish culture—especially through parades starting in places like New York (1762) and Boston. In Ireland, it was historically more solemn (with church services, family meals, and customs like wearing shamrocks), but pubs were even closed on the day until the 1960s–70s. Today, it’s a vibrant mix of religious and cultural festivities worldwide. **Key Traditions** Other customs — Irish music, dancing (céilí), festivals, and “drowning the shamrock” (toasting with a drink). Wearing green — or a shamrock — to avoid being pinched (a fun modern custom). Parades — Massive ones in cities like New York, Chicago (famous for dyeing the river green), Boston, and Dublin. Food — Corned beef and cabbage (more Irish-American than traditional Irish), Irish soda bread, shepherd’s pie. Drinks — Guinness, Irish whiskey, sometimes green-dyed beer. Symbols — Shamrocks, leprechauns, pots of gold, rainbows, four-leaf clovers for luck. It’s now one of the biggest cultural holidays globally, with millions joining in parades, parties, and green-themed fun—celebrating Irish heritage far beyond its religious roots. Happy St. Patrick’s Day—may the luck o’ the Irish be with you! ![?](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f340.svg) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%21%20Happy%20St%20Patrick%27s%20Day&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%21%20Happy%20St%20Patrick%27s%20Day%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%21%20Happy%20St%20Patrick%27s%20Day&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%21%20Happy%20St%20Patrick%27s%20Day%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%21%20Happy%20St%20Patrick%27s%20Day%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Holiday **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Holiday, #StPatrivksDay --- ### [Bette Midler's Most Critically Acclaimed Albums](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/17/bette-midlers-most-critically-acclaimed-albums/) **Published:** March 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Here’s a clean, citation?backed list of Bette Midler’s 10 most critically acclaimed albums **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler’s 10 Most Critically Acclaimed Albums By Mister D March 7, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-06_13-50-34.png "2026-03-06_13-50-34 - bootleg betty") --- Here’s a clean, citation-backed list of [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) 10 most critically acclaimed [**albums**](https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/), including soundtracks, based on aggregated rankings, chart performance, certifications, and appearance in “greatest albums” lists. I’m synthesizing data from Ranker, Best Ever Albums, and discography data to give you the most archival-solid set. **BETTE MIDLER’S MOST CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ALBUMS** *(Studio + Soundtracks)* ? **1972 — The Divine Miss M** Format: Studio Album Peak: #9 US • Platinum Notes: The debut that rewrote the assignment. ? **1973 — Bette Midler** Format: Studio Album Peak: #6 US • Gold Notes: The sophomore album that proved she wasn’t a fluke — she was a force. ? **1976 — Songs for the New Depression** Format: Studio Album Peak: #27 US Notes: Eclectic, eccentric, and adored by critics who like their divas weird. ? **1977 — Live at Last** Format: Live Album Peak: #49 US Notes: The closest you’ll get to seeing the early act without a time machine. ? **1979 — Thighs and Whispers** Format: Studio Album Peak: #65 US Notes: Disco Bette: the cult classic critics keep rediscovering. ? **1979 — The Rose: Original Soundtrack Recording** Format: Soundtrack Peak: #12 US • 2× Platinum Notes: Her most acclaimed soundtrack — and the one that broke hearts worldwide. ? **1983 — No Frills** Format: Studio Album Peak: #60 US Notes: A sleeper hit with critics and fans who love their Bette with bite. ? **1990 — Some People’s Lives** Format: Studio Album Peak: #6 US • 2× Platinum Notes: Her commercial peak and a critical darling — the adult?contemporary era done right. ? **2014 — It’s the Girls!** Format: Studio Album Peak: #3 US Notes: Late?career triumph with harmonies sharp enough to cut glass. ? **2018 — Beaches: Original Soundtrack (Reissue Recognition)** Format: Soundtrack Peak: Originally #2 US • 3× Platinum Notes: While 1988 is the real release year, its critical legacy keeps it in the conversation. **Why These 10?** *These albums consistently appear across:* - Critical rankings (Best Ever Albums, fan?aggregated lists) - Chart performance & certifications (RIAA, ARIA, BPI) - Cultural impact (soundtracks, signature songs, awards) *They represent the strongest cross?section of acclaim from the 1970s through the 2010s.* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Most%20Critically%20Acclaimed%20Albums&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Most%20Critically%20Acclaimed%20Albums%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Most%20Critically%20Acclaimed%20Albums&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Most%20Critically%20Acclaimed%20Albums%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Most%20Critically%20Acclaimed%20Albums%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Reviews **Tags:** #Albums, #BetteMidler, #CriticallyAcclaimed --- ### [Boodles BonBon Video - Cadillac Walk - Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/16/boodles-bonbon-video-cadillac-walk-bette-midler/) **Published:** March 16, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Boodles BonBon Video - Cadillac Walk - Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Boodles BonBon Video – Cadillac Walk – Bette Midler By Mister D March 16, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-03_08-08-49.png "2026-03-03_08-08-49 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Cadillac%20Walk%20-%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Cadillac%20Walk%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Cadillac%20Walk%20-%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Cadillac%20Walk%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Cadillac%20Walk%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #CadillacWalk, #Music, #Video --- ### [The Bette Midler Archive Audio: Red - Friends - Empty Bed Blues - 1977](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/15/the-bette-midler-archive-audio-red-friends-empty-bed-blues-1977/) **Published:** March 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Bette Midler Archive Audio: Red - Friends - Empty Bed Blues - 1977 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Bette Midler Archive Audio: Red – Friends – Empty Bed Blues – 1977 By The Bette Midler Archive March 15, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-15_14-54-30.png "2026-03-15_14-54-30 - bootleg betty")--- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Red%20-%20Friends%20-%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%20-%201977&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Red%20-%20Friends%20-%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%20-%201977%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Red%20-%20Friends%20-%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%20-%201977&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Red%20-%20Friends%20-%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%20-%201977%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%3A%20Red%20-%20Friends%20-%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%20-%201977%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #Concerts, #EmptyBedBlues, #Friends, #Music, #Red, #Songs, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [Audio - Bette Midler Sings Be My Baby (SKDJ Remix)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/15/audio-bette-midler-sings-be-my-baby-skdj-remix/) **Published:** March 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio - Bette Midler Sings Be My Baby (SKDJ Remix) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio – Bette Midler Sings Be My Baby (SKDJ Remix) By SKDJ Workout Remix March 15, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-15_14-13-53.png "2026-03-15_14-13-53 - bootleg betty")--- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Be%20My%20Baby%20%28SKDJ%20Remix%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Be%20My%20Baby%20%28SKDJ%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Be%20My%20Baby%20%28SKDJ%20Remix%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Be%20My%20Baby%20%28SKDJ%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Be%20My%20Baby%20%28SKDJ%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, It's The Girls, Remix **Tags:** #Audio, #BeMYBaby, #BetteMidler, #Music, #Remix, #Sings, #Songs --- ### [Bette Midler - I'm A Woman - Parkinson 2006](https://bootlegbetty.com/2018/04/12/bette-midler-im-a-woman-parkinson-2006-3/) **Published:** April 12, 2018 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27m%20A%20Woman%20-%20Parkinson%202006&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27m%20A%20Woman%20-%20Parkinson%202006%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27m%20A%20Woman%20-%20Parkinson%202006&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27m%20A%20Woman%20-%20Parkinson%202006%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%27m%20A%20Woman%20-%20Parkinson%202006%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Videos **Tags:** Bette Midler, i'm a woman, Parkinson --- ### [Bette Midler's Top 10 Box Office Hits After Adjusted For Inflation](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/12/bette-midlers-top-10-box-office-hits-after-adjusted-for-inflation/) **Published:** March 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's box office hits look even more impressive when adjusted for inflation (using domestic U.S. grosses, as that's the most consistent and available data). **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler’s Top 10 Box Office Hits After Adjusted For Inflation By Mister D March 12, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-10_15-50-48.png "2026-03-10_15-50-48 - bootleg betty") ***Bette Midler in The Rose*** --- [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-special-appearances/#.VfrNfH9Viko) [**box office hits** ](https://deadline.com/v/box-office/)look even more impressive when adjusted for inflation (using domestic U.S. grosses, as that’s the most consistent and available data). Ticket prices have risen dramatically since the 1970s–’80s, so her earlier films often rank higher when we account for equivalent purchasing power today. Adjustments come from sources like [**The Numbers**](https://the-numbers.com/?latest) and [**Box Office Mojo**](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/) (which use CPI-based inflation to estimate “2020s-equivalent” grosses; figures are approximate and can vary slightly by year of adjustment, but here’s a solid consensus-based list). Here’s her Top 10 movies by inflation-adjusted domestic gross (focusing on her major starring or key roles; recent films like The Addams Family (2019) rank lower adjusted since they’re closer to current dollars): **Ruthless People (1986)** — Original domestic: ~$71.6 million ? Adjusted: ~$180–$190 million One of her biggest ’80s comedies; the adjustment pushes it way up because ticket prices were lower back then. **Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986)** — Original: ~$62.1 million ? Adjusted: ~$170–$180 million (estimated, based on similar-era multipliers). Her career-relaunching satire; strong legs at the box office. **Beaches (1988)** — Original: $57 million ? Adjusted: ~$161 million. The emotional hit had excellent word-of-mouth and a long theatrical run. **The Rose (1979)** — Original: ~$29.2 million ? Adjusted: ~$131–$132 million. Her dramatic breakout was huge for a 1979 release (equivalent to a modern $100M+ film in impact). **Outrageous Fortune (1987)** — Original: ~$52.9 million ? Adjusted: ~$140–$150 million (strong ’80s multiplier). Buddy comedy smash with Shelley Long. **The First Wives Club (1996)** — Original: $105.4 million ? Adjusted: ~$200+ million? Wait—no, mid-’90s adjustments are closer to $180–$190 million (ticket prices were rising but not as extreme as pre-1990). Still, her highest unadjusted, but earlier films surge ahead adjusted. Actually refining from reliable data: The First Wives Club is estimated at around $200M+ in some estimates, but sources like The Numbers place many ’80s hits higher. Her ’80s streak dominates adjusted lists. **Big Business (1988)** — Original: ~$40 million ? Adjusted: ~$110–$120 million. Fun twin comedy. **Oliver & Company (1988) (voice)** — Original: $73.5 million ? Adjusted: ~$180 million+ (Disney animated had big family appeal). **Hocus Pocus (1993) — Original: ~$39.5 million ? Adjusted: ~$90–$100 million. Cult status and re-releases help, but the** original run was modest. **Parental Guidance (2012)** or **The Addams Family (2019) (voice)** — Originals in the $77–$100M range ? Adjusted minimally higher (near-modern dollars), so they slot in around $100–$120M adjusted. Key insight: Her peak commercial era (mid-’80s Disney/Touchstone comedies) benefits hugely from inflation adjustment—films like Ruthless People and Down and Out often outrank even her bigger ’90s hits in “real” terms. The ’80s had cheaper tickets (~$3–$5 vs. today’s $10+), so grosses translate to massive modern equivalents. For context, her total career domestic gross (unadjusted) is over $800 million across films; adjusted, it’s easily billions in equivalent impact. The ’80s run was legendary for consistency. Which era of her films do you think holds up best— the dramatic ones like The Rose or the comedy hits? Or want details on a specific film’s adjusted numbers? Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Top%2010%20Box%20Office%20Hits%20After%20Adjusted%20For%20Inflation&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Top%2010%20Box%20Office%20Hits%20After%20Adjusted%20For%20Inflation%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Top%2010%20Box%20Office%20Hits%20After%20Adjusted%20For%20Inflation&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Top%2010%20Box%20Office%20Hits%20After%20Adjusted%20For%20Inflation%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Top%2010%20Box%20Office%20Hits%20After%20Adjusted%20For%20Inflation%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoxOffice, #Hits, #Inflation, #Movies, #Top10 --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Rain - Martha - 1979](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/12/video-bette-midler-rain-martha-1979/) **Published:** March 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Performed September 29, 1979, at the Pine Knob Music Theatre in Detroit, MI. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Rain – Martha – 1979 From The Bette Midler Archive March 12, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-12_16-55-48.png "2026-03-12_16-55-48 - bootleg betty")--- --- ***Performed September 29, 1979, at the Pine Knob Music Theatre in Detroit, MI.*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rain%20-%20Martha%20-%201979&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rain%20-%20Martha%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rain%20-%20Martha%20-%201979&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rain%20-%20Martha%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rain%20-%20Martha%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, The Bette Midler Archive, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Live, #Martha, #Pantomine, #Rain, #TheBetteMidlerArchive, #Video --- ### [Video - Bette Midler & Rosie O'Donnell - Twisted](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/11/video-bette-midler-rosie-odonnell-twisted/) **Published:** March 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler & Rosie O'Donnell sing Twisted off Bette's second album. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler & Rosie O’Donnell – Twisted By Mister D March 11, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-11_08-23-29.png "2026-03-11_08-23-29 - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) & **[Rosie O’Donnell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosie_O%27Donnell)** sing Twisted off Bette’s second album. Here they are joined by Marc Shaiman on piano in 1996 # \#BetteMidler # \#MarcShaiman #RosieODonnell #Twisted Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Rosie%20O%27Donnell%20-%20Twisted&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Rosie%20O%27Donnell%20-%20Twisted%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Rosie%20O%27Donnell%20-%20Twisted&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Rosie%20O%27Donnell%20-%20Twisted%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Rosie%20O%27Donnell%20-%20Twisted%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Marc Shaiman, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #MarcShaiman, #Piano, #RosieODonnell, #Twisted --- ### [Bette Midler Gets Her Hair Styled In Hawaii](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/11/bette-midler-gets-her-hair-styled-in-hawaii/) **Published:** March 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler got her hair styled in Hawaii by Ralph Malani. Didn't he do a fabulous job? **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Gets Her Hair Styled In Hawaii By Ralph Malani March 11, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-11_03-38-29.png "2026-03-11_03-38-29 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/theatre/#.VhuiQFRViko) got her hair styled in Hawaii by [**Ralph Malani**](https://ralphmalanistyle.com/). Didn’t he do a fabulous job? Here’s his caption: My heart was doing jumping jacks the whole time I was styling the Divine Miss M’s hair. I love her, and she is everything I dreamed she’d be. She’s kind, funny, professional, and because she’s Hawaii-born and raised, she’s full of Aloha. My job has blessed me with travel and wonderful experiences with people that I’ve admired, and Bette Midler has to be the best gift of my career so far. She truly is a star. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Gets%20Her%20Hair%20Styled%20In%20Hawaii&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Gets%20Her%20Hair%20Styled%20In%20Hawaii%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Gets%20Her%20Hair%20Styled%20In%20Hawaii&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Gets%20Her%20Hair%20Styled%20In%20Hawaii%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Gets%20Her%20Hair%20Styled%20In%20Hawaii%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #Aloha, #BetteMidler, #Hairstylr, #Hawaii, #MissM, #RalphMalani --- ### [Bette Midler in Biography: The Essential Reading List](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/10/bette-midler-in-biography-the-essential-reading-list/) **Published:** March 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** There have been several books written about Bette Midler over the decades, primarily unauthorized biographies **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler in Biography: The Essential Reading List By Mister D March 8, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-07_14-44-15.png "2026-03-07_14-44-15 - bootleg betty") --- There have been several books written about [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/reviews/ba_bookson.htm) over the decades, primarily unauthorized [**biographies**](https://www.biography.com/), fan-oriented guides/scrapbooks, and critical/opinionated analyses of her career and performances. These include out-of-print titles from the 1970s–1990s, as well as more recent ones. Exact counts vary by source (e.g., fan sites vs. encyclopedias), as some are short bios, photo books, or niche works, and no single official tally exists. Comprehensive fan compilations and bibliographic references (e.g., Wikipedia, the Jewish Women’s Archive) point to approximately 8–10 distinct full-length books focused on her life, career, or persona. *Here’s a compiled chronological list of the main known ones (including out-of-print/used/rare editions), based on discographies, fan archives, and library references:* 1. **The Divine Miss M! Bette Midler by Rob Baker (1975)** — An early unauthorized bio covering her rise, style, and determination. 2. **Bette Midler by Rob Baker (1979 edition/variant, Popular Library)** — Often listed separately as an expanded or reissued unauthorized bio (sometimes called “unexpurgated”). 3. **The Divine Bette Midler by James Spada (1984)** — A photo-heavy bio with interviews, glimpses into her life, marriage, and eccentricities. 4. **Bette Midler: Outrageously Divine – An Unauthorized Biography by Mark Bego (1987)** — Details her rocky path, vulnerabilities, and comparisons to legends like Judy Garland. 5. **Bette Midler by Ace Collins (1989)** — A bio focusing on her dynamic career across stage, screen, and music. 6. **Bette: An Intimate Biography of Bette Midler by George Mair (1995, sometimes dated 1994/1996 in reprints)** — A detailed look at her insecurities, rapid rise, relationships, and appeal to fans (often called the first “full-scale” bio). 7. **The Bette Midler Scrapbook by Allison J. Waldman (1997)** — A memorabilia-style fan book with photos, career highlights, and personal details. 8. **Bette Midler: Still Divine by Mark Bego (2002, updated/expanded from his 1987 book)** — The most comprehensive at the time, with interviews (including Barry Manilow), filmography, discography, and coverage up to her later career phases. **More recent additions:** - **On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide by Kevin Winkler (2024)** — A performance-focused critical guide analyzing her ethos, from early downtown theater to stardom (not a traditional bio but deeply about her work). Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20in%20Biography%3A%20The%20Essential%20Reading%20List&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20in%20Biography%3A%20The%20Essential%20Reading%20List%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20in%20Biography%3A%20The%20Essential%20Reading%20List&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20in%20Biography%3A%20The%20Essential%20Reading%20List%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20in%20Biography%3A%20The%20Essential%20Reading%20List%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Biography, Books **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Biography, #Books, #Reading, #ReadingList --- ### [Brazen UpStarts Video - Oh Industry - Bette Midler - Beaches Unofficial](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/10/brazen-upstarts-video-oh-industry-bette-midler-beaches-unofficial/) **Published:** March 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "Oh Industry" is a terribly underrated Midler track from the Beaches soundtrack. Here is a slightly remixed version of the song, matched to footage from both films, in keeping with the song's theme **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Brazen UpStarts Video – Oh Industry – Bette Midler – Beaches Unofficial By Brazen UpStarts March 10, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-10_13-01-38.png "2026-03-10_13-01-38 - bootleg betty")--- --- **Metropolis (1927) meets Beaches (1988)? Why not!** “[**Oh Industry**](https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/8425/)” is a terribly underrated [**Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/)track from the Beaches soundtrack. Here is a slightly remixed version of the song, matched to footage from both films, in keeping with the song’s theme. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Brazen%20UpStarts%20Video%20-%20Oh%20Industry%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20Unofficial&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Brazen%20UpStarts%20Video%20-%20Oh%20Industry%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20Unofficial%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Brazen%20UpStarts%20Video%20-%20Oh%20Industry%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20Unofficial&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Brazen%20UpStarts%20Video%20-%20Oh%20Industry%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20Unofficial%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Brazen%20UpStarts%20Video%20-%20Oh%20Industry%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Beaches%20Unofficial%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Movies **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #BrazenUpstarts, #ohIndustry, movie, Video --- ### [The Divine Miss M FanSite Audio - Bette Midler 'La Vie En Rose' - Boston '78](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/10/the-divine-miss-m-fansite-audio-bette-midler-la-vie-en-rose-boston-78/) **Published:** March 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler – LA VIE EN ROSE (Live 1978) HQ Audio - (Live in Boston - Jan 8, 1978) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Divine Miss M FanSite Audio – Bette Midler ‘La Vie En Rose’ – Boston ’78 By Divine Miss M Fansite March 10, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-10_12-19-44.png "2026-03-10_12-19-44 - bootleg betty") --- --- ***[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/television/#.VhugxFRViko) – [LA VIE EN ROSE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Vie_en_rose) (Live 1978) HQ Audio – (Live in Boston – Jan 8, 1978)*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20FanSite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%27La%20Vie%20En%20Rose%27%20-%20Boston%20%2778&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20FanSite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%27La%20Vie%20En%20Rose%27%20-%20Boston%20%2778%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20FanSite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%27La%20Vie%20En%20Rose%27%20-%20Boston%20%2778&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20FanSite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%27La%20Vie%20En%20Rose%27%20-%20Boston%20%2778%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20FanSite%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%27La%20Vie%20En%20Rose%27%20-%20Boston%20%2778%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, concerts **Tags:** #Album, #BetteMidler, #Boston, #Fansite, #LaVieEnRose, #Music, #Song, #thedivinemissm --- ### [Celebrated Kids Books Written by Women in Music](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/10/celebrated-kids-books-written-by-women-in-music/) **Published:** March 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** There’s something magical that happens when a woman who can command a stage decides to write for children. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Top 10 Children’s Books Written by Female Musicians By Mister D March 6, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-02-28_15-56-13.png "2026-02-28_15-56-13 - bootleg betty") --- There’s something magical that happens when a woman who can command a stage decides to write for children. The spotlight softens, the mic drops to story?time level, and suddenly the same voices that belt anthems, lull crowds, or shake arenas are whispering directly to the next generation. From divas to folk poets, from pop royalty to Broadway legends, these women didn’t just lend their names to picture books — they poured their artistry, humor, and heart into them. Some wrote modern fables, some adapted their most beloved songs, and some created entire glitter?dusted worlds where confidence, kindness, and creativity take center stage. This list celebrates the **Top 10 Children’s Books Written by Female Musicians** — a blend of camp, culture, and genuine storytelling charm. Whether they’re teaching emotional literacy, spinning whimsical tales, or reminding kids (and adults) to stay fabulous, these artists prove that their voices resonate just as powerfully on the page as they do on the stage. Curtains up. Storybooks open. Let the divas read. **1.** ***The Saga of Baby Divine*** **— Bette Midler (1983)** A rhinestone?studded fable about a baby born fabulous and determined to stay that way. It’s pure early?’80s Bette: bold, brassy, and dipped in glitter. **2.** ***Coat of Many Colors*** **— Dolly Parton (Oct 1, 1994)** A heartfelt adaptation of her iconic song, celebrating love, resourcefulness, and mama-made pride. **BB Vibe:** Patchwork couture meets Appalachian tenderness. **3.** ***The Very Fairy Princess*** **— Julie Andrews (May 1, 2010)** Julie and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton deliver a sparkly tale about a girl who *knows* she’s a fairy princess — wings or no wings. **4.** ***I Am a Rainbow*** **— Dolly Parton (May 14, 2009)** Dolly teaches kids to name and navigate their emotions — with the same warmth she brings to every stage she’s ever stepped on. **BB Vibe:** Feelings, but rhinestoned. **5.** ***The Tale of the Mandarin Duck: A Modern Fable*** **— Bette Midler (Feb 16, 2021)** Inspired by the real-life viral duck who captivated NYC, Bette spins a gentle story about beauty, attention, and the magic of seeing the world clearly. **6.** ***Merry Christmas, Baby!*** **— Mariah Carey (Oct 2022)** Mariah expands her holiday empire with a festive picture book celebrating joy, sparkle, and seasonal fabulousness. **7.** ***Mary Can!*** **— Mary J. Blige (Mar 28, 2023)** An empowering story about believing in yourself, written by the Queen of Hip?Hop Soul herself. **8.** ***The English Roses*** **— Madonna (Sept 15, 2003)** Madonna’s debut children’s book explores jealousy, kindness, and friendship through a modern fairy?tale lens. **9.** ***Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten*** **— Laura Veirs (Jan 23, 2018)** Singer?songwriter Laura Veirs honors folk legend Elizabeth Cotten with a lyrical, beautifully illustrated biography. **10.** ***Women Who Rock, Pop & Hip?Hop!*** **(Little Golden Book Boxed Set, 2023)** Not musician?authored, but a perfect introduction to powerhouse women like Dolly, Beyoncé, Taylor, and more. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Celebrated%20Kids%20Books%20Written%20by%20Women%20in%20Music&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Celebrated%20Kids%20Books%20Written%20by%20Women%20in%20Music%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Celebrated%20Kids%20Books%20Written%20by%20Women%20in%20Music&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Celebrated%20Kids%20Books%20Written%20by%20Women%20in%20Music%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Celebrated%20Kids%20Books%20Written%20by%20Women%20in%20Music%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, The Saga Of Baby Divine, The Tale of the Mandarin Duck. **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Books, #ChildrensBooks, #dollyparton, #Female, #Madonna, #MariahCarey, #Musicians --- ### [Photo Slide: Bette Midler - Tour Book Peek Inside (De Tour ‘82) - Boodles BonBon](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/09/photo-slide-bette-midler-tour-book-peek-inside-de-tour-82-boodles-bonbon/) **Published:** March 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Photo Slide: Bette Midler - Tour Book Peek Inside (De Tour ‘82) - Boodles BonBon **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo Slide: Bette Midler – Tour Book Peek Inside (De Tour ‘82) – Boodles BonBon By Boodles BonBon March 9, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-09_18-16-21.png "2026-03-09_18-16-21 - bootleg betty")--- --- ***Photo Slide: Bette Midler – Tour Book Peek Inside (De Tour ‘82) – Boodles BonBon*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%20Slide%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tour%20Book%20Peek%20Inside%20%28De%20Tour%20%E2%80%9882%29%20-%20Boodles%20BonBon&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%20Slide%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tour%20Book%20Peek%20Inside%20%28De%20Tour%20%E2%80%9882%29%20-%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%20Slide%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tour%20Book%20Peek%20Inside%20%28De%20Tour%20%E2%80%9882%29%20-%20Boodles%20BonBon&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%20Slide%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tour%20Book%20Peek%20Inside%20%28De%20Tour%20%E2%80%9882%29%20-%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%20Slide%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tour%20Book%20Peek%20Inside%20%28De%20Tour%20%E2%80%9882%29%20-%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Books, De Tour, Photos **Tags:** #ArtOrBust, #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #DeTour, #photo --- ### [The Bette Midler Archive Audio - Empty Bed Blues/Chattanooga Choo Choo - 1972](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/09/the-bette-midler-archive-audio-empty-bed-blues-chattanooga-choo-choo-1972/) **Published:** March 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Performed July of 1972 at the Playhouse on the Mall theatre in Paramus, NJ **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Bette Midler Archive – Empty Bed Blues/Chattanooga Choo Choo – 1972 From The Bette Midler Archive March 9, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-09_14-06-27.png "2026-03-09_14-06-27 - bootleg betty")--- --- **Performed in July of 1972 at the Playhouse on the Mall theatre in Paramus, NJ** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%2FChattanooga%20Choo%20Choo%20-%201972&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%2FChattanooga%20Choo%20Choo%20-%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%2FChattanooga%20Choo%20Choo%20-%201972&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%2FChattanooga%20Choo%20Choo%20-%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20Empty%20Bed%20Blues%2FChattanooga%20Choo%20Choo%20-%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #ChattanoogaChooChoo, #EmptyBedBlues, #Music, #Songs, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [The Divine Miss M Fan Site - Bette Midler -In The Mood - Texas -1983](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/09/the-divine-miss-m-fan-site-bette-midler-in-the-mood-texas-1983/) **Published:** March 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler – IN THE MOOD (Live in Texas, 1983) HQ Audio **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Divine Miss M Fan Site – Bette Midler -In The Mood – Texas -1983 From The Divine Miss M Fan Site March 9, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-09_14-33-24.png "2026-03-09_14-33-24 - bootleg betty")--- --- **Bette Midler – IN THE MOOD (Live in Texas, 1983) HQ Audio** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fan%20Site%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-In%20The%20Mood%20-%20Texas%20-1983&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fan%20Site%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-In%20The%20Mood%20-%20Texas%20-1983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fan%20Site%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-In%20The%20Mood%20-%20Texas%20-1983&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fan%20Site%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-In%20The%20Mood%20-%20Texas%20-1983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20Fan%20Site%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-In%20The%20Mood%20-%20Texas%20-1983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, The Divine Miss M **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #InTheModd, #Texas, #TheDivineMissMFanSite --- ### [All 3 Bootleg Betty March Jukeboxes Are Open](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/07/all-3-bootleg-betty-march-jukeboxes-are-open/) **Published:** March 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** All 3 Bootleg Betty March Jukeboxes Are Open **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty All 3 Bootleg Betty March Jukeboxes Are Open By Mister D March 8, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-07_13-05-03.png "2026-03-07_13-05-03 - bootleg betty") --- [**Click Here For Bette Midler Jukebox**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) [**Click Here For Same Songs Other Voices Jukebox**](https://bootlegbetty.com/same-songsother-voices/) [**Click Here For Karaoke Bette Jukebox**](https://bootlegbetty.com/karaoke-bette/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=All%203%20Bootleg%20Betty%20March%20Jukeboxes%20Are%20Open&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=All%203%20Bootleg%20Betty%20March%20Jukeboxes%20Are%20Open%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=All%203%20Bootleg%20Betty%20March%20Jukeboxes%20Are%20Open&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=All%203%20Bootleg%20Betty%20March%20Jukeboxes%20Are%20Open%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=All%203%20Bootleg%20Betty%20March%20Jukeboxes%20Are%20Open%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bootleg Betty Jukebox, concerts, Karaoke Bette, Music, Same Songs, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegbettyJukebox, #Concert, #jukeboxes, #KaraokeBette, #Music, #SameSongs, #Songs --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Broken Bicycles - Art Or Bust](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/07/video-bette-midler-broken-bicycles-art-or-bust/) **Published:** March 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video - Bette Midler - Broken Bicycles - Art Or Bust **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Broken Bicycles – Art Or Bust By Mister D March 7, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/508608757_10030872977003011_7720189015093168146_n.jpg "508608757_10030872977003011_7720189015093168146_n - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Broken%20Bicycles%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Broken%20Bicycles%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Broken%20Bicycles%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Broken%20Bicycles%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Broken%20Bicycles%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Art Or Bust, Bette Midler, De Tour, Video **Tags:** #ArtOrBust, #BetteMidler, #BrokenBicycles, #Concerts, #DeTour, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler May Never Sing Again?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/06/bette-midler-may-never-sing-again/) **Published:** March 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler is watching the entertainment world from a distance as sources say the “Wind Beneath My Wings” legend may never sing in public again. **Content:** --- ## Enquirer Bette Midler May Never Sing Again? By Rob Shuter March 6, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BETTE-MIDLER-MEGA633809_027jpg_master-copy-scaled-1-683x1024.jpg "Bette midler performs at hard rock live at the seminole hard rock hotel casino hollywood fl on may 8 2015 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) is watching the entertainment world from a distance as sources say the “[**Wind Beneath My Wings**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_Beneath_My_Wings)” legend may never sing in public again. Insiders tell Straight Shuter that Bette, 80, discreetly declined a jaw-dropping seven-figure offer — north of $1 million per show — to mount a limited farewell tour. “They waved an enormous check,” one insider says. “But Bette isn’t interested in chasing the past. That chapter was magical — and she knows it.” With Grammys, Tonys, Emmys, blockbuster films, and decades of sold-out shows under her belt, the Beaches star has nothing left to prove — and no desire to squeeze out one more encore for nostalgia’s sake, sources say. “Very few stars know when to exit,” a longtime associate tells Straight Shuter. “Bette does. She’d rather leave people wanting more than risk diminishing what she built.” And the money? Not a factor. “She doesn’t need the cash. She doesn’t need the applause,” another source adds. “She’s completely secure in her legacy.” Bette has not officially announced any sort of retirement — but spies admit the unthinkable may be true. “She might never sing publicly again,” the source says quietly. “And she’s perfectly at peace with that.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20May%20Never%20Sing%20Again%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20May%20Never%20Sing%20Again%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20May%20Never%20Sing%20Again%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20May%20Never%20Sing%20Again%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20May%20Never%20Sing%20Again%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concerts, #Farewell, #Retire, #Sing, #WindBeneathMyWings --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - When A Man Loves A Woman - The Rose](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/06/video-bette-midler-when-a-man-loves-a-woman-the-rose/) **Published:** March 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's performance of "When a Man Loves a Woman" is one of the standout moments from her 1979 film The Rose, **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – When A Man Loves A Woman – The Rose By Mister D March 6, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lStayWithRose_jpg-e1720213367953.jpg "Lstaywithrose_jpg - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler’s**](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty/) performance of “[**When a Man Loves a Woman**](https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bettemidler/whenamanlovesawoman.html)” is one of the standout moments from her 1979 film The Rose, where she plays a self-destructive rock star loosely inspired by figures like Janis Joplin. The song is a cover of the classic 1966 hit originally by Percy Sledge (written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright).In the movie, it’s performed live during the character’s concert scenes, showcasing Midler’s raw vocal power and emotional intensity. The soundtrack version clocks in at around 5 minutes (4:59-5:20, depending on the listing) and is a bluesy, soulful rendition that fits the film’s rock ‘n’ roll vibe. **Key Info and Trivia:** - It appears on The Rose (The Original Soundtrack Recording), released in 1979, which features mostly live recordings from the film’s concert sequences. The tracklist includes it alongside other performances such as “Stay with Me,” “Sold My Soul to Rock ‘n’ Roll,” and the title track, “The Rose.” - As a single, Midler’s version was released (often backed with “The Rose” on the B-side) and became a moderate hit, peaking at #35 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980—helping introduce the song to new audiences beyond Percy Sledge’s original. - Midler selected this song (along with “Stay with Me”) for the film because she personally identified strongly with it, calling it one of the numbers she always connected with emotionally. - The movie’s performance is often described as a “powerhouse”—intense, gritty, and full of passion, reflecting the character’s turbulent life and relationships (her love interest is a limo driver named Houston, and the film explores themes of addiction, fame, and heartbreak). - Midler has performed it live in concerts over the years, including during her Kiss My Brass tour (e.g., versions from 2003-2004 in places like Madison Square Garden and Columbus are fan favorites for their emotional delivery). It’s a testament to Midler’s versatility — blending soul, rock, and drama — and remains one of her most memorable film moments. If you’re a fan, the film scene or the soundtrack cut really captures her at her most raw and compelling! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20-%20The%20Rose&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20-%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20-%20The%20Rose&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20-%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20-%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, the Rose, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Blues, #Movie, #Song, #TheRose, #WhenAManLovesAWoman --- ### [When A Man Loves A Woman On Jay Leno](https://bootlegbetty.com/2008/06/21/when-a-man-loves-a-woman-on-jay-leno/) **Published:** June 21, 2008 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20On%20Jay%20Leno&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20On%20Jay%20Leno%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20On%20Jay%20Leno&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20On%20Jay%20Leno%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=When%20A%20Man%20Loves%20A%20Woman%20On%20Jay%20Leno%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** General --- ### [Video From Boodles BonBon: Bette Midler Takes Us To 'Dreamland'](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/05/video-from-boodles-bonbon-bette-midler-takes-us-to-dreamland/) **Published:** March 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler Takes Us To 'Dreamland' With A Song From 'For The Boys' **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video From Boodles BonBon: Bette Midler Takes Us To ‘Dreamland’ By Boodles BonBon March 6, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-05_21-45-29.png "2026-03-05_21-45-29 - bootleg betty") --- --- ***[Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) Takes Us To ‘Dreamland’ With A Song From ‘[For The Boys](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/for-the-boys/)‘*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20Us%20To%20%27Dreamland%27&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20Us%20To%20%27Dreamland%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20Us%20To%20%27Dreamland%27&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20Us%20To%20%27Dreamland%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20Us%20To%20%27Dreamland%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, For The Boys, Movies, Music, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Dreamland, #ForTheBoys, #Movie, #Music, #Song, #Video --- ### [Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Chapel Of Love/Married Men - 1979](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/05/audio-from-the-bette-midler-archive-chapel-of-love-married-men-1979/) **Published:** March 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Performed September 21, 1979, at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, during Bette'Midler's "Divine Madness" tour. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Chapel Of Love/Married Men – 1979 From The Bette Midler Archive March 6, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-05_19-59-06.png "2026-03-05_19-59-06 - bootleg betty")--- --- ***Performed September 21, 1979, at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, during [Bette’Midler’s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) “[Divine Madness](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/divine-madness/)” tour.*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FMarried%20Men%20-%201979&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FMarried%20Men%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FMarried%20Men%20-%201979&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FMarried%20Men%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FMarried%20Men%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Divine Madness, Movies, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #chapeloflove, #DivineMadness, #MarriedMen, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [2026 Wide-Release U.S. Movies: Master List](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/05/2026-wide-release-u-s-movies-master-list/) **Published:** March 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Here is a master list of 'wide release' movies in the U.S. for 2026 **Content:** --- ## Reddit The master list of “wide” releases in the U.S. for the rest of the year. By YoungVoid28 March 4, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-02-14_18-34-37.png "2026-02-14_18-34-37 - bootleg betty") --- ***(Up-to-date as of February 25, 2026)*** **Youngblood** (Sports Drama/With: Ashton James, Blair Underwood, Shawn Doyle, Alexandra McDonald/1 hr 45 min/d: Hubert Davis/Well Go USA Entertainment) **The Bride** (Horror/With: Jessie Buckley, Jake Gyllenhaal, Christian Bale, Penélope Cruz/R/2h 6m/d: Maggie Gyllenhaal/Warner Bros.) **Hoppers** (Animation/With: Jon Hamm, Meryl Streep, Dave Franco, Eduardo Franco/PG/1h 45m/d: Daniel Chong/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) --- March 13, 2026 **Reminders of Him** (RomDram With: Lauren Graham, Bradley Whitford, Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers/PG-13/1h 54m/d: Vanessa Caswill//Universal Pictures International\*\* (UPI)) **undertone** (Horror/With: Nina Kiri, Kris Holden-Ried, Michèle Duquet, Keana Lyn Bastidas//d: Ian Tuason/1 hr 33 min/A24) --- March 20, 2026 **The Pout-Pout Fish** (Animation/With: Nick Offerman, Amy Sedaris, Miranda Otto, Mark Coles Smith/PG/1 hr 32 min/d: Vicard Cussó and Rio Harrington/Viva Pictures) **Ready or Not 2: Here I Come** (Horror/With: Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Shawn Hatosy, Elijah Wood/R/1h 48m/Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) **Project Hail Mary** (Sci-Fi/With: Ryan Gosling, Milana Vayntrub, Ken Leung, Sandra Hüller/ PG-13/2h 36m/d: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller/Amazon MGM Studios) --- March 27, 2026 – **They Will Kill You** (Horror/With: Patricia Arquette, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, Zazie Beetz/R/1h 34m/d: Kirill Sokolov/Warner Bros.) --- April 3, 2026 **The Drama** (RomCom/With: Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Alana Haim, Zoë Winters/d: Kristoffer Borgli/A24) **The Super Mario Galaxy Movie** (Animation/With: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Brie Larson/PG/d: Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic/Universal Pictures) --- April 10, 2026 **You, Me & Tuscany** (RomCom/With: Regé-Jean Page, Halle Bailey, Marco Calvani, Lorenzo de Moor/PG-13/d: Kat Coiro/Universal Pictures International\*\* (UPI)) **In The Grey** (Action/With: Jake Gyllenhaal, Henry Cavill, Eiza Gonzalez, Kristofer Hivju/d: Guy Ritchie/Black Bear) --- April 17, 2026 **The Mummy** (Horror/With: Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, Veronica Falcon, May Calamawy/d: Lee Cronin/New Line Cinema) **4 Kids Walk Into a Bank** (Comedy/With: Liam Neeson, Teresa Palmer, Jack Dylan Grazer, Spike Fearn/d: Frankie Shaw/Amazon MGM Studios) --- April 24, 2026 **Michael** (Biography/With: Miles Teller, Colman Domingo, Kat Graham, Jaafar Jackson/PG-13/d: Antoine Fuqua/Lionsgate) **Elijah Peel** (Drama/With: Robert Malcolm Cumming, Evelyn Grace Kite, April Billingsley, Princess Elmore) --- May 1, 2026 **Animal Farm** (Animation/With: Glenn Close, Gaten Matarazzo, Kieran Culkin, Steve Buscemi/1 hr 36 min/PG/d: Andy Serkis/Angel) **The Devil Wears Prada 2** (Dramedy/With: Sydney Sweeney, Kenneth Branagh, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt/d: David Frankel/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) --- May 8, 2026 **The Sheep Detectives** (Comedy/With: Emma Thompson, Hugh Jackman, Regina Hall, Bryan Cranston/PG/d: Kyle Balda/Amazon MGM Studios) --- May 15, 2026 **Is God Is** (Drama/With: Sterling K. Brown, Janelle Monáe, Vivica A. Fox, Mykelti Williamson/d: Aleshea Harris/Amazon MGM Studios) **Obsession** (Horror/With: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless/1 hr 48 min/d: Curry Barker/Focus Features) **Mortal Kombat II** ( Action With: Karl Urban, Ludi Lin, Jessica McNamee, Joe Taslim/R/1h 56m/d: Simon McQuoid/Warner Bros.) --- May 22, 2026 **Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu** (Fantasy/With: Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, Jeremy Allen White, Steve Blum/d: Jon Favreau/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) **I Love Boosters** (Genre-Blender/with: Keke Palmer, LaKeith Stanfield, Naomi Ackie, Demi Moore/1h 45m/d: Boots Riley/NEON) --- May 29, 2026 **The Breadwinner** (Comedy/With: Nate Bargatze, Mandy Moore, Kumail Nanjiani, Will Forte/Sony Pictures Releasing/d: Eric Appel) **Pressure** (History/with: Kerry Condon, Brendan Fraser, Henry Ashton, Andrew Scott/Focus Features/d: Anthony Maras) **Backrooms** (Horror/with: Finn Bennett, Avan Jogia, Renate Reinsve, Chiwetel Ejiofor/A24/d: Kane Parsons) --- June 5, 2026 **Masters of the Universe** (Fantasy/With: Morena Baccarin, Idris Elba, Alison Brie, Jared Leto, d: Travis Knight/Amazon-MGM) **Power Ballad** (Musical Comedy/With: Havana Rose Liu, Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Jack Reynor/d: John Carney/Lionsgate)) **Animal Friends** (Comedy/With: Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy/R/d: Peter Atencio/Sony Pictures Releasing) --- June 12, 2026 **Scary Movie 6** (Comedy/With: Regina Hall, Lochlyn Munro, Anna Faris, Marlon Wayans/d: Michael Tiddes/Paramount Pictures International) **Disclosure Day** (Sci-Fi/With: Josh O’Connor, Eve Hewson, Emily Blunt, Colin Firth/d: Steven Spielberg/Universal Pictures International\*\* (UPI)) --- June 19, 2026 **Toy Story 5** (With: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Greta Lee, Joan Cusack/d: McKenna Harris and Andrew Stanton/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) **Girls Like Girls** (Romance/with: Zach Braff, Maya Da Costa, Myra Molloy, Hunter Dillon/d: Hayley Kiyoko/Focus Features) --- June 26, 2026 **Supergirl** (Fantasy/With: Milly Alcock, Eve Ridley, Matthias Schoenaerts, David Krumholtz/d: Craig Gillespie/Warner Bros.) **The Invite** (Comedy/with: Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, Penelope Cruz/R/1 hr 47m/d: Olivia Wilde/A24) --- July 1, 2026 **Minions & Monsters** (Animation/With: Pierre Coffin/d: Pierre Coffin/Universal Pictures) --- July 3, 2026 **Shiver** (Thriller/With: Phoebe Dynevor, Djimon Hounsou, Whitney Peak, Gemma Dart/d: Tommy Wirkola/Sony Pictures Releasing) --- July 10, 2026 **Moana** (2026)\*\* (Live-Action/With: Catherine Laga’aia, Dwayne Johnson, John Tui, Frankie Adam/Thomas Kail/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) --- July 17, 2026 **Cut Off** (Dramedy/With: Kristen Wiig, Jonah Hill, Nathan Lane, Bette Midler/d: Jonah Hill/Warner Bros.) **The Odyssey** (Adventure/With: Matt Damon, Mia Goth, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya/d: Christopher Nolan/Universal Pictures) --- July 24, 2026 **Evil Dead Burn** (Horror/with: Luciane Buchanan, Hunter Doohan, Erroll Shand, Souheila Yacoub/d: Sébastien Vanicek/Warner Bros.) --- July 31, 2026 **Spider-Man: Brand New Day** (Fantasy/With: Sadie Sink, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Tom Holland/d: Destin Daniel Cretton/Sony Pictures Releasing) --- August 7, 2026 **Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma** (Horror/with: Gillian Anderson, Hannah Einbinder, Patrick Fischler, Eva Victor/d: Jane Schoenbrun/MUBI) **Super Troopers 3** (Comedy/With: Brian Cox, Lisa Gilroy, Nat Faxon, Chace Crawford//d: Jay Chandrasekhar/Searchlight Pictures) --- August 14, 2026 **PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie** (Animation/With: Mckenna Grace, Jameela Jamil, Fortune Feimster, Terry Crews/d: Cal Brunker/Paramount Pictures International) **Flowervale Street** (Horror/with: Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Christian Convery, Chris Coy/d: David Robert Mitchell/Warner Bros. Limited) --- August 21, 2026 **Thread: An Insidious Tale** (Horror/With: Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Sam Spruell, Lin Shaye, Brandon Perea/d: Jeremy Slater/Sony Pictures Releasing) **Mutiny** (Action Thriller/With: Jason Statham, Annabelle Wallis, Ramon Tikaram, Arnas Fedaravicius/d: Jean-François Richet/Lionsgate) **The Rivals of Amziah King** (CrimeThriller/with: Matthew McConaughey, Angelina LookingGlass, Jake Horowitz, Scott Shepherd//2h 10m/d: Andrew Patterson/Black Bear) --- August 28, 2026 **The Dog Stars** (Sci-Fi/With: Josh Brolin, Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce/d: Ridley Scott/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) **Coyote vs. Acme** (Comedy/with: John Cena, Lana Condor, Will Forte, P.J. Byrne/PG/d: Dave Green/Ketchup Entertainment) **Cliffhanger** (2026)\*\* (Action/With: Lily James, Pierce Brosnan, Nell Tiger Free, Olivia-Mai Barrett/d: Jaume Collet-Serra/StudioCanal) --- September 4, 2026 **How To Rob A Bank** (Action/with: Nicholas Hoult, Zoe Kravitz, Christian Slater, Anna Sawai/d: David Leitch/Amazon-MGM Studios) **Spa Weekend** (Comedy/with: Isla Fisher, Anna Faris, Leslie Mann, Adam Demos/d: Jon Lucas and Scott Moore/Black Bear) --- September 11, 2026 **Sense and Sensibility** (Drama/With: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Caitríona Balfe, Fiona Shaw, George MacKay/d: Georgia Oakley/Focus Features) **Practical Magic 2** (Fantasy/with: Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Lee Pace, Joey King/d: Susanne Bier/Warner Bros.) --- September 18, 2026 **Resident Evil** (Horror/With: Paul Walter Hauser, Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis/d: Zach Cregger/Columbia Pictures/ --- September 25, 2026 **Forgotten Island** (Animation/With: Dave Franco, Manny Jacinto, Jenny Slate, Lea Salonga/Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado/DreamWorks) **Avengers: Endgame (2026 Re-release)** (Fantasy/With: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth/jPG-13/3h 1m/d: The Russos/Disney) --- October 1, 2026 **Terrifier 4** (Horror/with: David Howard Thornton, Lauren LaVera, Elliott Fullham/d: Damien Leone) --- October 2, 2026 **Verity** (Crime/With: Anne Hathaway, Josh Hartnett, Dakota Johnson, Ismael Cruz Cordova/d: Michael Showalter/Amazon MGM Studios) **Digger** (Dramedy/With: Tom Cruise, Jesse Plemons, Michael Stuhlbarg, Riz Ahmed/d: Alejandro G. Iñárritu/Warner Bros.) --- October 9, 2026 **The Social Reckoning** (Drama/with: Betty Gilpin, Jeremy Allen White, Mikey Madison, Jeremy Strong/d: Aaron Sorkin/Sony-Columbia) **Other Mommy** (Horror/With: Jessica Chastain, Karen Allen, Dichen Lachman, Jay Duplass/d: Rob Savage/Universal Pictures) --- October 16, 2026 **Street Fighter** (Action/With: Mel Jarnson, Orville Peck, Noah Centineo, Callina Liang/d: Kitao Sakurai/Paramount Pictures International) **Whalefall** (Thriller/With: Josh Brolin, Elisabeth Shue, Austin Abrams, Jane Levy/d: Brian Duffield/20th Century Studios) --- October 23, 2026 **Clayface** (Horror/with: Naomi Ackie, Eddie Marsan, Max Minghella, Tom Rhys Harries/d: James Watkins/Warner Bros.) **Wildwood** (Animation/with: Carey Mulligan, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Mahershala Ali/d: Travis Knight/Fathom) **Wife and Dog** (Thriller/with: Tomás Paredes, Rosamund Pike, Benedict Cumberbatch, Anthony Hopkins,/d: Guy RItchie/Black Bear) --- November 6, 2026 **Wild Horse Nine** (Thriller/with: John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Parker Posey/Searchlight Pictures/d: Martin McDonagh) **The Cat in the Hat** (Animation/With: Bill Hader, Xochitl Gomez, Tiago Martinez, Quinta Brunson/Warner Bros.) --- November 13, 2026 **Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol** (Fantasy./With: Johnny Depp, Ian McKellen, Andrea Riseborough, Tramell Tillman/Paramount Pictures International) **The Return of the Living Dead** (2026)\*\* (Horror/with Devon Sawa, Alexander Ward, Kynlee Heiman, Casimere Jollet/d: Steve Wolsh/ **The Great Beyond** (Horror/with: Emma Mackey, Glen Powell, Jenna Ortega, Samuel L. Jackson/d: J.J. Abrams/Warner Bros.) --- November 20, 2026 **The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping** (Fantasy/With: Maya Hawke, Jesse Plemons, Mckenna Grace, Glenn Close/d: Francis Lawrence/Lionsgate) --- November 25, 2026 **Meet The Parents: Focker In-Law** (Comedy/With: Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Ariana Grande, Skyler Gisondo/d: John Hamburg/Paramount Pictures International) **Hexed** (Animation/With: Frank Welker, Tress MacNeille, Neil Morrissey, Jim Hanks/d: Jason Hand and Josie Trinidad//Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) --- November 26, 2026 **Narnia** (Fantasy/with: Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Denise Gough/d: Greta Gerwig/Netflix) --- December 4, 2026 **Violent Night 2** (Action Comedy/With: David Harbour, Kristen Bell, Jared Harris, Joe Pantoliano/d: Tommy Wirkola/Universal Pictures) --- December 11, 2026 **Jumanji 3** (Fantasy/With: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, Danny DeVito/d: Jake Kasdan/Sony Pictures Releasing) --- December 18, 2026 **Dune Part 3** (Sci-Fi/with: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson Zendaya, Florence Pugh/d: Denis Villeneuve/Warner Bros.) **Avengers: Doomsday** (Fantasy/With: Robert Downey Jr., Pedro Pascal, Chris Hemsworth, Vanessa Kirby/d: The Russos/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) --- December 23, 2026 **The Angry Birds Movie 3** (Animation/With: Walker Scobell, Lily James, Emma Myers, Tim Robinson/d: John Rice/Paramount Pictures International) --- December 25, 2026 **Werwulf** (Horror/with: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Ineson, Willem Dafoe, Lily-Rose Depp/d: Robert Eggers/Focus Features) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=2026%20Wide-Release%20U.S.%20Movies%3A%20Master%20List&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=2026%20Wide-Release%20U.S.%20Movies%3A%20Master%20List%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=2026%20Wide-Release%20U.S.%20Movies%3A%20Master%20List&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=2026%20Wide-Release%20U.S.%20Movies%3A%20Master%20List%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=2026%20Wide-Release%20U.S.%20Movies%3A%20Master%20List%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CutOff, #MasterList, #Movies, #WideRelease --- ### [Audio - The Bette Midler Archive - Bette Midler - Stagger Lee/River Deep, Mountain High/Spanish Harlem - 1978](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/04/audio-the-bette-midler-archive-bette-midler-stagger-lee-river-deep-mountain-high-spanish-harlem-1978/) **Published:** March 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Performed June 23, 1978, at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, during a break while filming concert sequences for "The Rose." **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio – The Bette Midler Archive – Bette Midler – Stagger Lee/River Deep, Mountain High/Spanish Harlem – 1978 By Bette Midler Archive March 4, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-04_16-35-09.png "2026-03-04_16-35-09 - bootleg betty")--- --- Performed June 23, 1978, at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, during a break while filming concert sequences for [**“The Rose.”**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-rose/) **FUN FACT: “[Spanish Harlem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Harlem_(song))” was Bette’s first theme song during her early performances at the Continental Baths before discovering “Friends.**“ Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stagger%20Lee%2FRiver%20Deep%2C%20Mountain%20High%2FSpanish%20Harlem%20-%201978&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stagger%20Lee%2FRiver%20Deep%2C%20Mountain%20High%2FSpanish%20Harlem%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stagger%20Lee%2FRiver%20Deep%2C%20Mountain%20High%2FSpanish%20Harlem%20-%201978&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stagger%20Lee%2FRiver%20Deep%2C%20Mountain%20High%2FSpanish%20Harlem%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stagger%20Lee%2FRiver%20Deep%2C%20Mountain%20High%2FSpanish%20Harlem%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, concerts, Songs, The Bette Midler Archive, the Rose **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BetteMidlerArchive, #RiverDeepMountainHigh, #SpanishHarlem, #StaggerLee --- ### [Disney’s Top 10 Box Office Failures](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/04/disneys-top-10-box-office-failures/) **Published:** March 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** It's always a bit surprising when a Disney movie flops at the box office, but these financial failures are downright shocking. **Content:** --- ## Screen Rant Disney’s Most Shocking Box Office Movie Failures By Dalton Norman March 4, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/a9ea21016c6e068d2dd5eb2ffc6374dc.jpg "A9ea21016c6e068d2dd5eb2ffc6374dc - bootleg betty") --- It’s always a bit surprising when a [**Disney** ](https://www.disney.com/)movie flops at the [**box office**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/12/29/celebrating-the-amazing-box-office-run-of-bette-midler/), but these financial failures are downright shocking. For decades, Disney has represented the pinnacle of success in film. Though the studio has struggled in the past, they have never stopped producing top-notch movies that have stood the test of time. From their animated films to their live-action fare, Disney has successfully diversified their movie output without losing their brand identity. While this has led to a lot of peaks, the studio is no stranger to valleys. Disney has released quite a few box office bombs, but not all of them have been surprising. Even Disney has made movies that were obviously DOA, and those flicks stick out in the studio’s catalog as monuments to bad business decisions. However, their shocking flops are often movies that should have been hits. While these bombs might not be great films, they had all the ingredients to be financial successes. **Newsies (1992) – $2.8 Million** The newsboys march with newspapers in their hands in Newsies Disney and musicals are a match made in movie heaven, but Newsies breaks that trend. The live-action story is set in 1899 New York City, and concerns precocious newsboys who go on strike against their unfair bosses. Disney produced the film for $15 million, but it only made about $3 million at the box office. This is surprising considering the scope and scale of the film, and Disney’s power in the family-friendly market. The movie got middling reviews, but is now fondly remembered as a hidden gem. Had Newsies been released a few years later in Disney’s renaissance, it probably would have been more successful. **Sleeping Beauty (1959) – $5 Million** Aurora sleeps as the godmothers look on in Sleeping Beauty Despite being one of Walt Disney Animation’s greatest achievements, Sleeping Beauty is actually a pretty significant financial misstep for the company. The legendary fairy tale is brought to life with gorgeous scenic design and stunning animation, and every penny is clearly onscreen. Unfortunately, the film’s massive $6 million budget made box office success nearly impossible. The fact that Sleeping Beauty bombed is usually left out of Disney’s polished version of history, and it is arguably the studio’s most surprising failure. No other flop has had such a tremendous positive impact on the company, and it holds a sainted place in their animated canon though it nearly put them out of business. **Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) – $8.4 Million** Something Wicked This Way Comes is only just now being rediscovered, and it was buried for decades after it bombed upon release. It adapts Ray Bradbury’s eponymous novel, and follows two young boys who find their idyllic hometown invaded by a dark carnival. The production was a disaster, and that spilled over into its theatrical release. Though it cost $20 million, the movie made back less than half at the box office. Something Wicked This Way Comes probably wasn’t going to be a smash-hit, but it’s still shocking that it did so poorly. Better advertising could have sold the film’s darker themes a bit better, so it didn’t suffer from negative word-of-mouth. **Hocus Pocus (1993) – $39 Million** Bette Midler shoots lightning from her fingers in Hocus Pocus Now a fixture of the Halloween season, it may come as a surprise to learn that Hocus Pocus was a financial disappointment for Disney back in 1993. The charming chiller sees ancient witches return from the grave to terrorize a sleepy town on Halloween. The critically-panned movie outgrossed its budget but still lost Disney a pretty big chunk of change. There are numerous reasons why Hocus Pocus flopped, but the most obvious is that it was released in July instead of October. With Jurassic Park dominating the box office, Disney’s cutesy Halloween film was totally ignored. Considering its overwhelming popularity, the theatrical flop has likely paid off for Disney in the long run. **Treasure Planet (2002) – $110 Million** Disney has had a long-standing fascination with Treasure Island, but the classic adventure story failed to launch when it was repackaged as Treasure Planet. The sci-fi/fantasy tale takes Robert Louis Stevenson’s book and sets it in outer space. Sadly, Treasure Planet was one of the last nails in the coffin of the Disney renaissance. The beautiful traditionally-animated film cost upwards of $140 million (the most expensive to date), and its impressive box office take wasn’t enough to overcome its bloated costs. That’s not to say Treasure Planet is a bad movie. In fact, it’s one of the best films Disney made in the early 2000s, and is now a beloved cult classic. **Elio (2025) – $154 Million** The 2020s have not been particularly kind to Disney, but Elio’s financial disappointment is still quite shocking. A lonely boy suddenly finds himself whisked across the galaxy where he is mistaken for the Earth’s ambassador. Elio looks like yet another Disney classic, but the Pixar production completely fizzled when it finally hit theaters. On a budget that tops out at $200 million, the film has eked out about $150 million. That’s a significant loss, and it’s one of the most surprisingly tepid releases in the studio’s long history. It’s not so shocking that the movie failed, because Disney and Pixar clearly had little interest in actually getting anyone excited to see it. **Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) – $186 Million** Milo talks to Kida while holding a book in Atlantis the Lost Empire Atlantis: The Lost Empire was a gamble for Disney, and it did not pay off. An inexperienced explorer leads a rag-tag team on an adventure to find the titular city, and fulfill his grandfather’s lifelong dream. Atlantis was like nothing Disney had released up to that point, and that is likely why it flopped. It made nearly $200 million against a $120 million budget, but still suffered losses when factoring in additional costs. The failure of Atlantis: The Lost Empire isn’t as extreme as other early 2000s Disney bombs, but it’s shocking because of how well-loved the film is now. It could have been a hit if the budget had been slimmed down. **Wish (2023) – $254 Million** Asha talks to Valentino on a balcony in Wish Symbolically speaking, Wish was a very obvious course correction for Disney as they reeled from several setbacks in the early 2020s. The fantasy musical concerns a young woman who must use the power of her own wishes to save her kingdom from an evil sorcerer. Bad reviews shouldn’t have been enough to tank the movie. However, tank it did. Wish made over $250 million, but that wasn’t enough to recoup the overall costs. It’s a wholly uninspired and bland experience, but it is draped in enough Disney cliché to at least put butts in seats. It’s shocking how poorly Wish performed, and further proves how volatile the post-COVID box office has been for Disney. **A Christmas Carol (2009) – $325 Million** The Ghost of Christmas Present looms over a grumpy Scrooge in A Christmas Carol Hollywood has gotten a lot of mileage out of Charles Dickens’ classic novella, but Disney’s A Christmas Carol is an unusual failure. Using cutting-edge CGI tech, Disney brought Scrooge’s whimsical Christmas adventure to life with Jim Carrey in the lead role. It made a lot of money, but not enough to see a profit. The L.A. Times estimates the film lost between $50 and $100 million, even though it grossed well over $300 million. It isn’t shocking that the film isn’t well liked, mostly because of its uncanny visuals. However, it is surprising that a film like A Christmas Carol can make so much money but still be a gigantic box office flop. ??????**The Good Dinosaur (2015) – $332 Million** Arlo and the dinosaur look up in wonder in The Good Dinosaur Occasionally, a film flops despite being a blockbuster. The Good Dinosaur is Disney’s animated contribution to that unusual club, although it’s not something to be proud of. The film follows a primitive human boy who befriends a kind dinosaur. It was Pixar’s simplest film up to that point, and is one of their more lackluster offerings. The Good Dinosaur climbed to an impressive $332 million at the box office, but couldn’t overcome soaring costs. It’s Disney and Pixar’s most shocking box office failure because it looks like a success on the surface. It illustrates how razor-thin profit margins can be on Hollywood productions, and is a warning about inflated budgets. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Disney%E2%80%99s%20Top%2010%20Box%20Office%20Failures&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Disney%E2%80%99s%20Top%2010%20Box%20Office%20Failures%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Disney%E2%80%99s%20Top%2010%20Box%20Office%20Failures&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Disney%E2%80%99s%20Top%2010%20Box%20Office%20Failures%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Disney%E2%80%99s%20Top%2010%20Box%20Office%20Failures%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Disney, #Failures, #HocusPocus, #Movie --- ### [Ron Delsener Documentary Featuring Bette Midler Now Streaming](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/04/ron-delsener-documentary-featuring-bette-midler-now-streaming/) **Published:** March 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “Ron Delsener… One of the strangest people ever. But fabulous!” Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Relix ‘Ron Delsener Presents’ Coming To Streaming Platforms By Rob Moderelli March 1, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-28_18-07-08.png "2026-02-28_18-07-08 - bootleg betty") --- Last year, [**Ron Delsener**](https://www.rondelsenerpresentsfilm.com/) Presents shared the untold story of one of the most important figures in New York’s live music history, chronicling the legendary concert promoter’s career from his early aspirations to his now towering legacy. Over six decades, Delsener’s tireless hustling to create groundbreaking music experiences has transformed the industry from a small-scale scene to a multinational network of talent, fans, and the movers and shakers behind the scenes. To tell his story is to recount the history of the concert experience, captivatingly manifested in one of its most magnetic and indefatigable champions. After a celebrated theatrical run, the feature-length documentary from director Jake Sumner has finally arrived on streaming services. Audiences at home can experience the far-reaching narrative – told through Delsener’s own words, the material of his meticulous archives, and firsthand accounts from icons like Billy Joel, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Jon Bon Jovi, Stevie Van Zandt, and [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/the-movies-bette-midler/) – on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play and YouTube Movies. Learn more about the film at rondelsenerpresentsfilm.com. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ron-delsener-presents-social-1x1_1vjpg-1024x696.webp "Ron-delsener-presents-social-1x1_1vjpg - bootleg betty")“I’d known him for a long time in a way but not that well. Whenever I’d see him at events or shows, he always had these stories that were captivating,” Sumner reflected on the decade-long process behind Ron Delsener Presents in an interview with Relix: “He’d just drop an incredible Jimi Hendrix story on you and have everyone kind of watching. What’s funny is that a lot of his stories are not very glamorous. They’re not what you might expect. Like they’ll end with him eating pizza with Elton John in the back of a car. That’s what I like about his storytelling—it’s not the super glamorous things you might anticipate. It’s walking through downtown Manhattan with Frank Zappa’s bodyguard to get a hot plate for Frank because he’s tired of the cold food that they would serve him in the back of the Palladium during his residency. I thought that stuff was just so compelling and interesting.” *“Ron Delsener… One of the strangest people ever. But fabulous!” **Bette Midler*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Ron%20Delsener%20Documentary%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%20Now%20Streaming&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Ron%20Delsener%20Documentary%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%20Now%20Streaming%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Ron%20Delsener%20Documentary%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%20Now%20Streaming&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Ron%20Delsener%20Documentary%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%20Now%20Streaming%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Ron%20Delsener%20Documentary%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%20Now%20Streaming%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Documentary, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concerts, #Documentary, #Movie, #Promoter, #RonDelsener --- ### [Bette Midler Interviews Marc Shaiman For His Never Mind The Happy Book Tour.](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/07/bette-midler-interviews-marc-shaiman-for-his-never-mind-the-happy-book-tour/) **Published:** February 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler is interviewing Marc Shaiman in LA for his Never Mind The Happy book tour at The Academy Museum on Feb. 6, 2026 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Interviews Marc Shaiman For His Never Mind The Happy Book Tour By Robert Townson Productions Feb. 7, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-07_01-20-48.png "2026-02-07_01-20-48 - bootleg betty") --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-07_02-31-15.png "2026-02-07_02-31-15 - bootleg betty") --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/628242639_10163575491954780_9046742066821152034_n-1024x768.jpg "628242639_10163575491954780_9046742066821152034_n - bootleg betty")--- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/626985531_18556459885031554_5123984411602761646_n-1024x768.jpg "626985531_18556459885031554_5123984411602761646_n - bootleg betty")*Marc Shaiman & Bette Midler* --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/628045114_18556459876031554_3931627171741096139_n-1024x769.jpg "628045114_18556459876031554_3931627171741096139_n - bootleg betty")*Bette Midler & Jenifer Lewis* ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-21_13-33-26.png "2026-02-21_13-33-26 - bootleg betty") --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-18_14-59-06.png "2026-02-18_14-59-06 - bootleg betty") --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-21_13-34-21.png "2026-02-21_13-34-21 - bootleg betty") --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-21_13-35-20.png "2026-02-21_13-35-20 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) interviews [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/) in LA for his Never Mind The Happy book tour at The Academy Museum on Feb. 6, 2026 --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUd-6HnDIVJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Fan Page (@bettemidlerstilldivine)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUd-6HnDIVJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) --- **ONE FOR THE DECADES (AND ONE MORE FOR TONIGHT) *BY MARC SHAIMAN*** IN ’72-WHEN CARSON HAD YOU ON THE WORLD FELL FOR YOU IN ’73-THOUGH I WAS JUST 13 YOU MESMERIZED ME YOUR RECORDS, YOUR SHOWS YOUR SINGING, YOUR CLOTHES MADE ME FEEL ALL WAS RIGHT SO MAKE IT ONE FOR THE DECADES AND ONE MORE FOR TONIGHT WE ONCE WERE SO YOUNG WE WORKED ON “THIGHS AND WHISPERS” THEN “MUD WILL BE FLUNG” THEN “BEACHES”, OH MY YOU SANG ABOUT THE WIND AND MADE THE WORLD CRY YOU CALLED ME “THE WORM” BUT I WORE THAT TERM WITH SOME PRIDE AND DELIGHT SO MAKE IT ONE FOR THE DECADES AND ONE MORE FOR TONIGHT HEY THERE MISS MIDLER WE SAW YOU FIRST IN “FIDDLER” BUT YOU HAD SO MANY THINGS TO SAY AT THE BATHS, EVERY PHALLUS SAID “LET’S SEE HER AT THE PALACE!” AND YOU WERE ON YOUR WAY 80 MAY NOT FEEL GREAT BUT THANKS TO SMOKE AND MIRRORS, YOU LOOK 28! THIS AIN’T HOW IT ENDS AS LONG AS, AS YOU SANG “YOU GOTTA HAVE FRIENDS” SO THANKS FOR THE YEARS FOR THE LAUGHS AND THE TEARS FOR EVERY SONG, EVERY FIGHT LET’S MAKE IT ONE FOR THE DECADES AND ONE MORE FOR TONIGHT THE LONG…LONG…GOOD NIGHT Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Interviews%20Marc%20Shaiman%20For%20His%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Book%20Tour.&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Interviews%20Marc%20Shaiman%20For%20His%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Book%20Tour.%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Interviews%20Marc%20Shaiman%20For%20His%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Book%20Tour.&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Interviews%20Marc%20Shaiman%20For%20His%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Book%20Tour.%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Interviews%20Marc%20Shaiman%20For%20His%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Book%20Tour.%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Marc Shaiman, Tours **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #Interviews, #MarcShaiman, #tour --- ### [Boodles Bon Bon Video - Bette Midler - 'Perfect Isn't Easy'](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/02/boodles-bon-bon-video-bette-midler-perfect-isnt-easy/) **Published:** March 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Boodles Bon Bon Video - Bette Midler - 'Perfect Isn't Easy' **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Boodles Bon Bon Video – Bette Midler – ‘Perfect Isn’t Easy’ By Boodles BonBon March 3, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-02_21-12-04.png "2026-03-02_21-12-04 - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVXGEDtEyWX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Boodles Bonbon (@boodles\_bonbon)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVXGEDtEyWX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) --- ***[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/the-movies-bette-midler/) as [Georgette](https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Georgette). Serving camp. Couture. Canine excellence.*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20Bon%20Bon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20%27Perfect%20Isn%27t%20Easy%27&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20Bon%20Bon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20%27Perfect%20Isn%27t%20Easy%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20Bon%20Bon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20%27Perfect%20Isn%27t%20Easy%27&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20Bon%20Bon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20%27Perfect%20Isn%27t%20Easy%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20Bon%20Bon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20%27Perfect%20Isn%27t%20Easy%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Movies, Oliver & Company, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Georgette, #Movie, #OliverAndCompany, #PerfectISntEasy, #Video --- ### [26 Years Ago: Bette Midler's 'Drowning Mona' Released](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/02/26-years-ago-bette-midlers-drowning-mona-released/) **Published:** March 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Drowning Mona is a 2000 American crime comedy (often described as a dark comedy or black comedy) directed by Nick Gomez. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty 26 Years Ago Today, Bette Midler’s ‘Drowning Mona’ Movie Was Released March 3, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1d6011a9c263367773be7eed985360bf.jpg "1d6011a9c263367773be7eed985360bf - bootleg betty") --- [**Drowning Mona**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/drowning-mona/) is a 2000 American crime comedy (often described as a dark comedy or black comedy) directed by Nick Gomez. It was released theatrically on March 3, 2000, in the United States (with some earlier limited releases noted in places like Puerto Rico in January). The film runs approximately 96 minutes (1 hour 36 minutes) and is rated PG-13. **Plot Overview** The story is set in the small town of Verplanck, New York. It centers on the death of Mona Dearly (played by [**Bette Midler**](https://www.bettemidler.com/)), a spiteful, abusive, hard-drinking, loud-mouthed woman universally hated by everyone who knows her—including her family and neighbors. Early in the film, Mona drives her son’s car off a cliff/road into the Hudson River (or a river), where she drowns. What initially appears as an accident quickly reveals signs of sabotage (multiple tampering with the brakes and other parts), turning it into a murder investigation. Local police chief Wyatt Rash (Danny DeVito) leads the probe. Because Mona was so despised, virtually the entire town becomes a suspect—everyone had a motive. The narrative unfolds with flashbacks, quirky small-town characters, misunderstandings, and comedic mishaps as the inept investigation uncovers secrets and red herrings. It has a “whodunit” structure reminiscent of ensemble mysteries, but with a dark, irreverent humor tone. In the end, resolutions involve marriages, arrests, and the town’s oddball dynamics. **Main Cast** **Bette Midler** as Mona Dearly (the victim, seen mostly in flashbacks as she dies early on) **Danny DeVito** as Chief Wyatt Rash **Neve Campbell** as Ellen “Ellie” Rash (the chief’s daughter) **Jamie Lee Curtis** as Rona Mace **Casey Affleck** as Bobby Calzone **William Fichtner** as Phil Dearly (Mona’s husband) **Supporting roles** include **Will Ferrell**, **Melissa McCarthy** (in early roles), and others like **Tracey Walter.** **Reception and Performance** The film received mostly negative reviews from critics, who often called it flat, spiritless, or a waste of a talented cast despite some funny moments and outrageous situations. It holds low ratings (around 5.7/10 on IMDb and poor scores on Rotten Tomatoes/Metacritic). It grossed about $15.9 million worldwide against a $16 million budget, making it a modest box-office underperformer. **Trivia** \* Mona Dearly is an anagram for “only a dream.” \* The film references the fictional “Fetzer valve” (a made-up car part from the 1985 movie Fletch). In the story, mechanic Lucinda mentions the “Fetzer valve” being punctured as part of the sabotage evidence—it’s a deliberate nod/easter egg to that comedy. \* Mona dies very early (within the first few minutes), which is unusual as one of the main characters is killed off quickly, with her personality shown through flashbacks and others’ recollections. \* There are some noted continuity goofs, like the coroner being neck-deep in water initially but dry from the waist up later, or a gas cap left on a car roof. \* The movie features early appearances by future stars like Will Ferrell and Melissa McCarthy in smaller roles. \* Bette Midler is known for chewing up the screen in her over-the-top, abrasive portrayal of Mona in the flashback scenes. It’s a quirky, underrated-by-some cult dark comedy that plays on small-town absurdity and “everyone hated her” tropes, but it didn’t land strongly with audiences or critics at the time of release. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=26%20Years%20Ago%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27Drowning%20Mona%27%20Released&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=26%20Years%20Ago%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27Drowning%20Mona%27%20Released%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=26%20Years%20Ago%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27Drowning%20Mona%27%20Released&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=26%20Years%20Ago%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27Drowning%20Mona%27%20Released%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=26%20Years%20Ago%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27Drowning%20Mona%27%20Released%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Drowning Mona, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DarkComedy, #DrowningMona, #MonaDearly, #Movie --- ### [Bette Midler’s Iconic TIME Cover—39 Years Today](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/02/bette-midlers-iconic-time-cover-39-years-today/) **Published:** March 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Thirty?nine years ago today, Time magazine decided the only logical thing to put on its March 2, 1987, cover was Bette Midler in full Hollywood?domination mode. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler’s Iconic TIME Cover—39 Years Today By Mister D March 2, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/643475001_1393649722796583_1132671154011460045_n.jpg "643475001_1393649722796583_1132671154011460045_n - bootleg betty")--- Thirty?nine years ago today, [***Time* magazine**](https://time.com/) decided the only logical thing to put on its March 2, 1987, cover was Bette Midler in full Hollywood?domination mode. The issue screamed, **“You Bette! Midler Strikes Again in** ***Outrageous Fortune*****”**—because when Bette’s on a roll, you don’t whisper it, you announce it like a parade marshal with a megaphone. Inside, the article practically fan?girled over her unstoppable run of comedy smashes—*Down and Out in Beverly Hills*, *Ruthless People*, and *Outrageous Fortune*—as if Bette had personally revived the American economy through punchlines alone. It also marveled at her “unlikely Hollywood marriage” to Walt Disney Studios, proving that even the House of Mouse knows when to bow to a diva with box?office heat. And, in classic *Time* fashion, they balanced the glitz with a peek at her home life with Martin von Haselberg and their young daughter—because even when she was conquering Hollywood, Bette still had to juggle scripts, stardom, and snack time. A cover. A moment. A reminder that in 1987, Hollywood wasn’t ready—but [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/the-movies-bette-midler/) struck anyway. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Iconic%20TIME%20Cover%E2%80%9439%20Years%20Today&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Iconic%20TIME%20Cover%E2%80%9439%20Years%20Today%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Iconic%20TIME%20Cover%E2%80%9439%20Years%20Today&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Iconic%20TIME%20Cover%E2%80%9439%20Years%20Today%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Iconic%20TIME%20Cover%E2%80%9439%20Years%20Today%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History, Magazine, On This Day In History **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Cover, #History, #magazine, #OnThisDay, #Time --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Tell Him - One Night Only - 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/02/video-bette-midler-tell-him-one-night-only-2014/) **Published:** March 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performs Tell Him on ITV's One Night Only in Dec 2014 Hosted by Joanna Lumley. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Tell Him – One Night Only – 2014 By Mister D March 2, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-02_16-30-37.png "2026-03-02_16-30-37 - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/the-movies-bette-midler/) performs Tell Him on ITV’s [**One Night Only**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/one-night-only/) in Dec 2014 Hosted by Joanna Lumley. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tell%20Him%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tell%20Him%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tell%20Him%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tell%20Him%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tell%20Him%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, One Night Only, Special Events, Television, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Onenightonly, #Special, #Television, #TellHim --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Stay With Me - Art Or Bust](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/02/video-bette-midler-stay-with-me-art-or-bust/) **Published:** March 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler gives an edge-of-your-seat performance of Stay With Me from the Art of Bust special! Divine chills! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Stay With Me – Art Or Bust By Mister D March 2, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/508664298_10030872950336347_4336920559812870209_n.jpg "508664298_10030872950336347_4336920559812870209_n - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) gives an edge-of-your-seat performance of Stay With Me from the [**Art of Bust** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/art-or-bust/)special! Divine chills! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stay%20With%20Me%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stay%20With%20Me%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stay%20With%20Me%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stay%20With%20Me%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Stay%20With%20Me%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Art Or Bust, Bette Midler, concerts, De Tour, Music, Songs, Video **Tags:** #ArtOrBust, #BetteMidler, #Concert, #DeTour, #Music, #Songs, #StayWithMe --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler With Musician Kalani Pe'a & Partner](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/03/02/photo-bette-midler-with-musician-kalani-pea-partner/) **Published:** March 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler met with musician Kalani Pe’a in Hawaii! kalanipeamusic captioned the photo: **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler With Musician Kalani Pe’a & Partner By Mister D March 2, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-02_16-08-53.png "2026-03-02_16-08-53 - bootleg betty")![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-02_16-43-59.png "2026-03-02_16-43-59 - bootleg betty")[**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/the-movies-bette-midler/) met with musician [**Kalani Pe’a**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalani_Pe%CA%BBa) and partner in Hawaii! kalanipeamusic captioned the photo: “GRAMMY Winners unite. It was a pleasure meeting you and talking to you [@bettemidler](https://www.instagram.com/bettemidler/) in the Hawaiian Airlines Plumeria Lounge. [@alaskaair](https://www.instagram.com/alaskaair/) Welcome home Bette! Heading to Japan! Aloha!” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20With%20Musician%20Kalani%20Pe%27a%20%26%20Partner&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20With%20Musician%20Kalani%20Pe%27a%20%26%20Partner%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20With%20Musician%20Kalani%20Pe%27a%20%26%20Partner&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20With%20Musician%20Kalani%20Pe%27a%20%26%20Partner%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20With%20Musician%20Kalani%20Pe%27a%20%26%20Partner%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Other **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Hawaii, #KalaniPea, #Selfie --- ### [The Top 10 Songs Bette Midler Has Performed The Most](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/28/the-top-10-songs-bette-midler-has-performed-the-most/) **Published:** February 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The top 10 songs Bette Midler has sung (performed live) the most, based on aggregated setlist statistics from setlist.fm **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Top 10 Songs Bette Midler Has Performed The Most By Mister D Feb. 28, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2c984c9cc704d63278a8ae082674e236-bette-midler-december.jpg "2c984c9cc704d63278a8ae082674e236--bette-midler-december - bootleg betty") --- The top 10 songs [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) has sung (performed live) the most, based on aggregated setlist statistics from setlist.fm (which tracks reported concerts across her career), are as follows. These reflect frequency in documented live performances: 1. **Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy** (The Andrews Sisters cover) – 171 times A staple from her early career and debut album, often a high-energy highlight. 2. **The Rose** – 165 times Her iconic 1979 hit from the film of the same name, a consistent closer or emotional centerpiece. 3. **Do You Wanna Dance?** (or Do You Want to Dance?) – 162 times (Tied closely) Her breakout slow ballad cover from 1972, a fan favorite since the start. 4. **The Wind Beneath My Wings** (or Wind Beneath My Wings) – 162 times (Tied) Her massive 1989 #1 ballad from Beaches, frequently performed in later tours and specials. 5. **From a Distance** – 156 times The 1990 inspirational hit, another power ballad she returns to often. From additional sources and setlist overviews, the next most frequently mentioned/played classics include: 6. **I Think It’s Going to Rain Today** (Randy Newman cover) A recurring early-career and tour staple. 7. **Friends** (Buzzy Linhart cover) One of her signature early songs from bathhouse days onward. 8. **Stay With Me** (often in medleys or as a torch song) A dramatic performance piece she’s done repeatedly. 9. **Skylark** (Hoagy Carmichael cover) Featured prominently in tours like Kiss My Brass. 10. **Hello in There** (John Prine cover) An emotional deep cut that’s appeared in many sets over decades. These numbers come primarily from [**setlist.fm’s**](https://www.setlist.fm/) overall artist stats (covering hundreds of reported shows), where “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” leads as her most-performed number. Her live repertoire often mixes these classics with covers, medleys, and newer material depending on the era/tour (e.g., early 1970s bathhouse sets vs. later Vegas/Broadway runs). Signature songs like “The Rose” and “Wind Beneath My Wings” are near-constants in major performances due to their cultural impact, even if raw counts favor her longer-running early hits. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Top%2010%20Songs%20Bette%20Midler%20Has%20Performed%20The%20Most&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Top%2010%20Songs%20Bette%20Midler%20Has%20Performed%20The%20Most%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Top%2010%20Songs%20Bette%20Midler%20Has%20Performed%20The%20Most&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Top%2010%20Songs%20Bette%20Midler%20Has%20Performed%20The%20Most%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Top%2010%20Songs%20Bette%20Midler%20Has%20Performed%20The%20Most%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Performed, #Songs, #TopTen --- ### [31 Years Ago Today, Bette Midler Released The Single 'To Deserve You](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/27/31-years-ago-today-bette-midler-released-the-single-to-deserve-you/) **Published:** February 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “To Deserve You” was released February 27, 1995, as the lead single for Bette Midler’s Bette of Roses album, though the single itself took on a life of its own. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty 31 Years Ago Today, Bette Midler Released The Single ‘To Deserve You By Mister D Feb, 27, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1524639492-Bette_Of_Roses-2.jpg "1524639492-bette_of_roses-2 - bootleg betty")--- “[**To Deserve You**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/06/08/the-meaning-behind-bette-midlers-to-deserve-you/)” was released February 27, 1995, as the lead single for Bette Midler’s [***Bette of Roses*** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_of_Roses)album, though the single itself took on a life of its own. Written by **Maria McKee** and produced by **Arif Mardin**, the song exists in two distinct forms: - **Album Version:** a tender, country?leaning ballad - **Single Version:** a full?blown mid-’90s house remix that turned Bette into an unexpected club diva **Why It Stands Out** The remix single is almost a **different song entirely**, keeping only Bette’s vocals and a spoken “I would die for you” sample while replacing the entire backing track with a 123 BPM house production. It became a **major dance hit**, reaching **\#2 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs** and charting internationally, including the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada. **Live Performance** Bette performed “To Deserve You” at the **1995 VH1 Honors Awards**, giving the song one of its few major televised moments. # **Release Formats & Mixes** 1995 saw a buffet of club-ready mixes across U.S., Canadian, and European releases — including Arif’s Radio Mix, Bonzai Club Mix, MK Mix, and more — cementing the song’s status as a dance-floor staple. # **Fun Trivia for Your Bootleg Betty Toolkit** ### **1. Two release dates circulate — but June 27, 1995, is the verified one.** Genius lists July 27, 1995, but the authoritative release date is **June 27, 1995**. ### **2. The remix overshadowed the album version.** Most listeners know the dance version first — a rare case where a remix became the definitive version. ### **3. It opened the international reissue of** ***Experience the Divine*****.** Atlantic/Warner used the remix as the *lead track* on the expanded edition in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. ### **4. It’s one of Bette’s most lyrically vulnerable songs.** Themes of inadequacy, longing, and emotional exposure run through the entire lyric — even critics highlighted its “poignant exploration of self-worth.” ### **5. It’s a fan-favorite among club kids and ballad lovers alike.** A rare crossover where Bette’s theatrical emotionality met ’90s dance culture head-on. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=31%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Released%20The%20Single%20%27To%20Deserve%20You&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=31%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Released%20The%20Single%20%27To%20Deserve%20You%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=31%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Released%20The%20Single%20%27To%20Deserve%20You&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=31%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Released%20The%20Single%20%27To%20Deserve%20You%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=31%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Released%20The%20Single%20%27To%20Deserve%20You%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Bette Of Roses, Music, Songs **Tags:** #Album, #BetteMidler, #BetteOfRoses, #Music, #Songs, #ToDeserveYou --- ### [Prologue: Marc Shaiman Recounts Working With Bette Midler The Night Of The Oscars](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/27/prologue-marc-shaiman-recounts-working-with-bette-midler-the-night-of-the-oscars/) **Published:** February 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** It's February 24, 2019, and I am on stage with Bette Midler at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, moments away from performing at the 91st Annual Academy Awards. **Content:** --- ## CBS News Book excerpt: “Never Mind the Happy” by Marc Shaiman By CBS News Feb. 28, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/38769-1-1024x576.jpg "38769 - bootleg betty")--- In his memoir, **[“Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner”](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Never-Mind-the-Happy/Marc-Shaiman/9798895652244)** (published by Regalo Press), Tony- and Emmy-winning composer [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/), known for Broadway hits like “Hairspray,” and music for “South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut,” writes of his half-century in show business. Read the prologue below, in which he recounts preparing to perform on the Oscar stage with the idol of his youth, Bette Midler (an adoration that would grow into a collaboration), **and don’t miss Tracy Smith’s interview with Marc Shaiman on [“CBS Sunday Morning”](https://www.cbsnews.com/sunday-morning/) March 1!** --- **[“Never Mind the Happy” by Marc Shaiman](https://www.amazon.com/Never-Mind-Happy-Showbiz-Stories/dp/B0FP5L62X5?tag=cbs-news-20)** [**$26 at Amazon**](https://www.amazon.com/Never-Mind-Happy-Showbiz-Stories/dp/B0FP5L62X5?tag=cbs-news-20) **Prefer to listen? [Audible](https://www.amazon.com/b?node=18145289011&linkCode=ll2&tag=cbs-news-20&linkId=aa786326720cc98c8ec74d842c39745b&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) has a 30-day free trial available right now.** [**Try Audible for free**](https://www.amazon.com/Never-Mind-Happy-Showbiz-Stories/dp/B0G26SZYMY/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0) --- ## Prologue It’s February 24, 2019, and I am on stage with Bette Midler at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, moments away from performing at the 91st Annual Academy Awards. On the other side of the closed curtain are 3,400 of the most powerful and successful players in Hollywood—plus another thirty million people tuning into the television coverage worldwide. One such player in the auditorium is Scott Wittman, my lyrical collaborator of almost fifty years, with whom I co-wrote the Oscar-nominated song “The Place Where Lost Things Go”—the very song Bette and I are about to perform. It has only been two months since Disney released *Mary Poppins Returns*—which has garnered my sixth and seventh Oscar nominations— and even though I am calm as I sit at the keyboard of the polished black grand piano, I am also conscious of what a fight it has been to get here. A few weeks earlier, on the morning the Oscar nominations were announced, my husband, Lou Mirabal, and I sat on the couch in our Manhattan loft, our golden retriever, Chops, no doubt wondering why we were glued to the television at 8:30 a.m. instead of making her breakfast. A similar scene was playing out with Scott and his partner, Brian, at their apartment just six blocks to the south. *Mary Poppins Returns* had been a hit film, if not the billion-dollar blowout the studio had hoped it would be. Scott and I were very proud of the songs we wrote for the sequel to Disney’s classic about a magical British nanny, but they had inevitably been compared to the unforgettable music from the original—so we didn’t know if we should get our hopes up on the morning of the nominations. Luckily, Oscar smiled and we were nominated for our song “The Place Where Lost Things Go,” and I was also nominated for Best Score. We were all excited and relieved, perhaps nobody more than Lou, because he was the one who would have had to mop me off the floor if things had turned out differently. I always say, though, that if showbiz puts you on a pedestal on Tuesday, it’s only to have a better shot at your balls on Thursday. And right on schedule, after two days of elation, the producers of that year’s Oscars telecast announced that of the five nominated songs, only two—one a duet by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper from *A Star Is Born*, the other by Kendrick Lamar and SZA from *Black Panther*—would be performed. Clearly, they wanted star power to boost the broadcast’s ratings and, by cutting three songs, perhaps also trim a few minutes from its running time. But to say the remaining songs were not worthy of inclusion sent a message both to the public—and worse, to the Oscar voters, who had yet to cast their ballots—that they were not considered equal. It really was a low blow. What those Oscars producers didn’t anticipate, however, was just how much a dog with a bone I can be. First, I put together an appeal from the writers of the three orphaned songs (including my dear and foul-mouthed friend Diane Warren)—but that led to a dead end. Then, I went to Alan Horn, who was chairman of Walt Disney Studios at the time and who I knew from his years as Rob Reiner’s producing partner. Since Disney owns ABC, the television network that broadcasts the Oscars, I thought he would be able to pull some strings—but he gruffly said, “The ship has sailed, there’s nothing I can do.” Well, maybe there was nothing *he* could do, but I was not going to give up. I had met Bradley Cooper a few times due to our shared friendship with the great actor Victor Garber. Bradley had been to the home I then shared with Scott, my romantic partner for nearly thirty years, when he and Victor were filming the TV show *Alias*, and he had always been very friendly whenever I ran into him at other showbiz functions. I had also just recently become pals with Kevin Feige, Supreme Intelligence of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In fact, it was at an Academy event just a few weeks earlier (where we had all been schmoozing for nominations) when someone tapped me on my shoulder and said, “Kevin Feige would like to meet you.” “Kevin Feige would like to meet *me*?” I queried. I was in shock and couldn’t believe, of all nights, that my Marvel-nerd husband wasn’t with me. It turned out Kevin, who you would think is busy enough, also has time to be a serious film-score fanatic. And after enjoying a few minutes of him praising my work, I asked if we could take a selfie together so I could send it to Lou. Not only are Bradley and Kevin two of the nicest guys in Hollywood, at that moment, being friendly with them was uniquely useful. After all, Bradley produced *A Star Is Born* and Kevin produced *Black Panther*—the two films whose Oscar-nominated songs had been anointed by the Academy to be performed. So, I reached out to them both to explain the situation, which they agreed was unfair, and each offered to do what they could to help. I’m not privy to what happened next, but those two gentlemen clearly have their own superpowers, because only a day or so later, it was announced that all five songs would be performed. Thank you, Bradley, and thank you, Kevin—if you ever need a favor from someone *less* powerful, let me know. And so, I made it onto the Oscars stage that year after all. Moments before our performance, through the curtain, I could hear the orchestra play a snatch of our movie theme, and then the crowd respond as Keegan-Michael Key was lowered from the ceiling of the Dolby Theatre clutching a Mary Poppins–style black umbrella. “This evening’s next nominee for best original song was written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman for the film *Mary Poppins Returns*,” he said. “In addition to lifting the Banks children’s spirits through a series of magical adventures, Mary Poppins offers comfort and compassion with this tender lullaby, underscoring the notion that a loved one who is lost can still be very much present. Performing ‘The Place Where Lost Things Go’ with Marc Shaiman on piano, please welcome the Divine Miss M.” (Both Bette and I thought—but of course did not have time to discuss in the moment—*What, he couldn’t say her name?*) Then the curtain lifted, Bette stepped into the spotlight as twenty-eight red umbrella lanterns descended against a stage backdrop of London’s foggy skyline, and I started accompanying my favorite performer in the world—on a song I had co-written with my cherished collaborator—from a musical about my most beloved literary character—at the Academy Awards. How did I get there? Well, as an old-school piano player might say, it went a little something like this… *From “Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner” by Marc Shaiman. © 2026 by Marc Shaiman. Reprinted with permission from Regalo Press. All Rights Reserved.* --- **Get the book here:** **[“Never Mind the Happy” by Marc Shaiman](https://www.amazon.com/Never-Mind-Happy-Showbiz-Stories/dp/B0FP5L62X5?tag=cbs-news-20)** [**$26 at Amazon**](https://www.amazon.com/Never-Mind-Happy-Showbiz-Stories/dp/B0FP5L62X5?tag=cbs-news-20) [**$30 at Barnes & Noble**](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/never-mind-the-happy-marc-shaiman/1148140413) **Buy locally from** [**Bookshop.org**](https://bookshop.org/p/books/never-mind-the-happy-showbiz-stories-from-a-sore-winner-marc-shaiman/3e0f57851634b980) --- **For more info:** - [“Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner”](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Never-Mind-the-Happy/Marc-Shaiman/9798895652244) by Marc Shaiman (Regalo Press), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio formats - [marcshaiman.com (Official site)](https://www.marcshaiman.com/) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Prologue%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Recounts%20Working%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20The%20Night%20Of%20The%20Oscars&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Prologue%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Recounts%20Working%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20The%20Night%20Of%20The%20Oscars%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Prologue%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Recounts%20Working%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20The%20Night%20Of%20The%20Oscars&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Prologue%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Recounts%20Working%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20The%20Night%20Of%20The%20Oscars%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Prologue%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Recounts%20Working%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20The%20Night%20Of%20The%20Oscars%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #Excerpt, #NeverMindTheHappy, #Prologue --- ### [Boodles BonBon Video - Bette Midler - Dancin' Bette - Do You Wanna Dance?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/27/boodles-bonbon-video-bette-midler-dancin-bette-do-you-wanna-dance/) **Published:** February 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Boodles BonBon Video - Bette Midler - Dancin' Bette - Do You Wanna Dance? **Content:** --- ## Boodles Bon Bon Boodles BonBon Video – Dancin’ Bette – Do You Wanna Dance? By Boodles BonBon Feb. 28, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-27_12-10-08.png "2026-02-27_12-10-08 - bootleg betty") --- --- **Boodles BonBon Video – Bette Midler – Dancin’ Bette – Do You Wanna Dance?** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Dancin%27%20Bette%20-%20Do%20You%20Wanna%20Dance%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Dancin%27%20Bette%20-%20Do%20You%20Wanna%20Dance%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Dancin%27%20Bette%20-%20Do%20You%20Wanna%20Dance%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Dancin%27%20Bette%20-%20Do%20You%20Wanna%20Dance%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Dancin%27%20Bette%20-%20Do%20You%20Wanna%20Dance%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Divine Madness, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #DivineMadness, #DoYOUWannaDance, #Video --- ### [45 Years Ago, Bette Midler Won A Grammy For 'Best Female Pop Vocalist' For 'The Rose'](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/27/45-years-ago-bette-midler-won-a-grammy-for-best-female-pop-vocalist-for-the-rose/) **Published:** February 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Yes, Bette Midler won a Grammy Award for her iconic performance of "The Rose" from the 1979 film of the same name. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty 45 Years Ago, Bette Midler Won A Grammy For ‘Best Female Pop Vocalist’ For ‘The Rose’ By Mister D Feb. 27, 1981 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/23-1.jpg "23 - bootleg betty")--- Yes, [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) won a Grammy Award for her iconic performance of “[**The Rose**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-rose/)” from the 1979 film of the same name. She received the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 23rd Annual Grammy Awards in 1981 (for the 1980 eligibility period). This was her second Grammy win—her first came in 1974 for Best New Artist following her debut album The Divine Miss M. (Her third and final Grammy win was in 1990 for Record of the Year with “Wind Beneath My Wings.”)”The Rose” peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped the Adult Contemporary chart, and sold over a million copies in the U.S. It was written by Amanda McBroom (who won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song, as the film wasn’t strictly original in the Oscars’ eyes for song categories).Some fun trivia about “The Rose” and the Grammy win: - Midler beat out tough competition, including Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer, for the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance category. - The song plays during the closing credits of The Rose, a film loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin. Midler’s raw, emotional portrayal earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress (though she didn’t win, the song’s success was a huge consolation prize). - While the song was a massive hit for Midler, she was nominated (but didn’t win) for Record of the Year that same year for “The Rose.” - The track became a timeless ballad about love and resilience, often covered by others and still beloved decades later. Midler has been nominated for around 14–15 Grammys overall across her career, cementing her as one of the most awarded entertainers in multiple fields (music, film, theater, and TV). The Divine Miss M truly earned her flowers with this one! ![?](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f339.svg) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=45%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Won%20A%20Grammy%20For%20%27Best%20Female%20Pop%20Vocalist%27%20For%20%27The%20Rose%27&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=45%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Won%20A%20Grammy%20For%20%27Best%20Female%20Pop%20Vocalist%27%20For%20%27The%20Rose%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=45%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Won%20A%20Grammy%20For%20%27Best%20Female%20Pop%20Vocalist%27%20For%20%27The%20Rose%27&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=45%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Won%20A%20Grammy%20For%20%27Best%20Female%20Pop%20Vocalist%27%20For%20%27The%20Rose%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=45%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Won%20A%20Grammy%20For%20%27Best%20Female%20Pop%20Vocalist%27%20For%20%27The%20Rose%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Grammys, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #Award, #BetteMidler, #Grammys, #Movie, #TheRose --- ### [Trivia Surrounding Bette Midler's 'Divine Madness' Movie](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/26/trivia-surrounding-bette-midlers-divine-madness-movie/) **Published:** February 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Star Bette Midler originally developed and performed her "Divine Madness" stage show during the summer of 1979 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California, USA. **Content:** --- ## IMDB Trivia Surrounding Bette Midler’s ‘Divine Madness’ Movie By Staff Feb. 22, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-22_17-44-03.png "2026-02-22_17-44-03 - bootleg betty")--- Star [**Bette Midler**](https://top10best.how/bette-midler-greatest-hits?utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=search&t_source=64&utm_campaign=13394&msclkid=c6798ed957ec1a564cbfe742c2226ad6) originally developed and performed her “[**Divine Madness**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/divine-madness/)” stage show during the summer of 1979 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California, USA. The film was shot from three separate concerts filmed over three consecutive nights at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California, USA between 13-15 February 1980. Shooting of a fourth concert on Saturday 16th February 1980 was for conducting inserts and pick-up shots and was closed to the public. The number of songs performed in this concert movie totaled sixteen. The film’s soundtrack only included about just over half of the songs featured in this concert movie and none of the comic routines. The songs were edited and re-recorded in the studio for the soundtrack. The “Divine Madness” soundtrack album peaked at No. #34 on the Billboard’s Album Chart. When the album was digitally remastered and reissued on CD by Warner Music & Atlantic Records in 1995 it still did not include any bonus tracks or the songs that were left out of the vinyl release. The songs “Shiver Me Timbers” and “Rainbow Sleeve” were removed from the Home Video Version (and are not in the DVD either) which at 87 minutes runs about about 7 minutes shorter than the theatrical cut (94 minutes). The 94-minute theatrical cut of this film was edited from around 185 hours of footage equating to about one million feet of exposed film. According to an article published in the 2nd February 1980 edition of ‘The Los Angeles Times,’ the film version of the live concert is different from the original stage show version, “with two acts having become three and certain numbers having been restructured” to create a “more elaborate finale.” The film was shot using a small crew of 30, but with ten cameras to cover the concerts. Of the latter, two cameras were stationary in the balcony; three cameras were stationary in the orchestra pit; two cameras were hand-held and were free to roam around and get backstage shots; two cameras were miscellaneous, to be used as needed and as required; whilst one camera was a Panaglide, and was specifically intended to follow Bette Midler around the stage, to capture her facial expressions in close-up, as well as her movement and dancing. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Trivia%20Surrounding%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27Divine%20Madness%27%20Movie&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Trivia%20Surrounding%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27Divine%20Madness%27%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Trivia%20Surrounding%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27Divine%20Madness%27%20Movie&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Trivia%20Surrounding%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27Divine%20Madness%27%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Trivia%20Surrounding%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27Divine%20Madness%27%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Divine Madness, Movies, Trivia **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DivineMadness, #Movie, #Trivia --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey Together Again](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/26/photo-bette-midler-barbara-hershey-together-again/) **Published:** February 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Ah! A Beaches reunion between the Divine Bette Midler and the great Barbara Hershey. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey Together Again By Mister D Feb 26, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-26_15-50-20.png "2026-02-26_15-50-20 - bootleg betty") --- Ah! A [**Beaches** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/beaches/)reunion between the Divine Bette Midler and the great [**Barbara Hershey**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Hershey). Who knows why this get together? We can only speculate. There’s the upcoming Beaches musical, Maybe they will slip in for a peek. Also, Bette has mentioned she’d like to do a sequel to Beaches! Or it could be two old friends just hanging out! Take your pick! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20Together%20Again&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20Together%20Again%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20Together%20Again&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20Together%20Again%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barbara%20Hershey%20Together%20Again%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler **Tags:** #BarbaraHershey, #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Reunion --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Everyone's Gone To The Moon - 1983](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/25/video-bette-midler-everyones-gone-to-the-moon-1983/) **Published:** February 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video - Bette Midler - Everyone's Gone To The Moon - 1983 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Everyone’s Gone To The Moon – 1983 By Mister D Feb. 25, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/508281113_10030873083669667_1969223115790964835_n.jpg "508281113_10030873083669667_1969223115790964835_n - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%201983&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%201983&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%201983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Art Or Bust, Bette Midler, De Tour, Video **Tags:** #ArtOrBust, #BetteMidler, #DeTour, #EveryonesGoneToTheMoon, #Video --- ### [Subscribe To Bette Midler: Bootleg Betty Now!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/25/subscribe-to-bette-midler-bootleg-betty-now/) **Published:** February 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Sign up now at https://bootlegbetty.com – your inbox will thank you (and so will Bette’s spirit)! Just type your email address in the box on the right-hand side of the page and submit. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Subscribe To Bette Midler: Bootleg Betty Now! By Mister D Feb. 21, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/birthday-gifts-bette-female-midler-singer-idol-gifts-fot-you-bette-midler-love.jpg "Birthday-gifts-bette-female-midler-singer-idol-gifts-fot-you-bette-midler-love - bootleg betty")--- If you’re not subscribed to **Bootleg Betty**, sweetie, I don’t know whether to stage an intervention or just fan myself dramatically while whispering “bless their heart.” Because while the rest of us are luxuriating in Bette Midler brilliance—dripping in wit, wisdom, and just the right amount of chaos—you’re out here raw?dogging the internet with no sparkle, no sass, and no sense of priorities. Subscribe to **Bootleg Betty**. Do it now. Don’t make me put on my heels and come find you. I will read you, I will educate you, and I *will* improve your life. Sign up now at [**https://bootlegbetty.com**](https://bootlegbetty.com/) – your inbox will thank you (and so will Bette’s spirit)! Just type your email address in the box on the right-hand side of the page and submit. Very easy! *Love, Mister D* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Now%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Now%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Now%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Now%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Now%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, News, Reviews, Subscribe, Videos **Tags:** #BetteHeadsUnite, #BetteMidler, #Music, #Reviews, #Subscribe, #Videos --- ### [Netflix Has Instant Hits Streaming Addams Family Animated Movies](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/25/netflix-has-instant-hits-streaming-addams-family-animated-movies/) **Published:** February 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The modern adaptations of Charles Addams’s iconic comic strip characters started streaming on Netflix on February 20th, and they’re already streaming hits, ranking No. 3 and 4 worldwide. **Content:** --- ## Comic Book Netflix Adds Both Movies in the Best Animated Horror Franchise (& They’re an Instant Hit) By Allison Schonter Feb. 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/the-addams-family-animated-official-teaser-8xaoh80xju-1024x512.png "The-addams-family-animated-official-teaser-8xaoh80xju - bootleg betty") Spooky season is still a long way away, but that isn’t stopping Netflix from adding a dash of macabre to its streaming lineup. The platform has been growing its content catalog all month long with the arrival of titles like How to Train Your Dragon, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Zero Dark Thirty, and subscribers can now stream both movies in the best animated horror franchise. We’re talking about [**The Addams Family**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-addams-family/) and The Addams Family 2. The modern adaptations of Charles Addams’s iconic comic strip characters started streaming on Netflix on February 20th, and they’re already streaming hits, ranking No. 3 and 4 worldwide. The movie stars Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll, Snoop Dogg, and [Bette Midler](https://www.bettemidler.com/) as the voices of the titular macabre family, who, in the first film, struggle to uphold tradition when they move to a pastel-colored, conformity-driven suburban community. In The Addams Family 2, the family packs into their haunted camper for a family road trip across the U.S. **The Addams Family Is a Kooky Introduction to the Macabre** The Addams Family is just the right amount of spooky for the entire family to enjoy, making it the perfect introduction to Halloween-style “ooky” content and the macabre family at the heart of it all for younger viewers. The film toes the line of playful horror and balances its macabre, gothic aesthetics and mild, stylized scares, like a guillotine-like bed and Wednesday Addams using electricity on her brother, with plenty of humor and a strong, loving family core. The Addams Family is a fun and charming gateway for a new generation of viewers, even if it lacks the depth of previous iterations. More than just being a great gateway to the macabre world of the iconic family for a new generation of viewers, The Addams Family and its sequel are nostalgic watches for older fans. The movies successfully tap into the original cartoons’ aesthetic and charm with an animation style that stays true to the original and spot-on characterizations. Although both films received rotten critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes, they were generally well-received by general audiences as entertaining, quick watches great for the entire family. The first movie holds a fresh 70% score, while The Addams Family 2 holds a 69%. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Netflix%20Has%20Instant%20Hits%20Streaming%20Addams%20Family%20Animated%20Movies&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Netflix%20Has%20Instant%20Hits%20Streaming%20Addams%20Family%20Animated%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Netflix%20Has%20Instant%20Hits%20Streaming%20Addams%20Family%20Animated%20Movies&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Netflix%20Has%20Instant%20Hits%20Streaming%20Addams%20Family%20Animated%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Netflix%20Has%20Instant%20Hits%20Streaming%20Addams%20Family%20Animated%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, The Addams Family, The Addams Family 2 **Tags:** #Animation, #BetteMidler #TheAddamsFamily, #Movies, #Netflix --- ### [The Case For 1996 Being The Best For Comedy Movies](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/24/the-case-for-1996-being-the-best-for-comedy-movies/) **Published:** February 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In order to make the argument, I wanted to just give you a rudimentary list of the comedy movies that came out in 1996 and even some genre mashups. **Content:** --- ## No Film School Was 1996 the Best Year for Comedy Movies? By Jason Hellerman Feb. 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/y6VyWCJQMfZ66oqzcUUMik-1024-80.jpg "Screenshot - bootleg betty")--- In order to make the argument, I wanted to just give you a rudimentary list of the comedy movies that came out in 1996 and even some genre mashups. I am sure this is not all of them, but it’s some of the most famous ones. Aside from just laughing a lot, I feel like 1996 was a really important year for comedy in general. We’ll dig into that more after this list. **Fargo** – A masterpiece of dark humor from the Coen Brothers that proved “Minnesota nice” could be both hilarious and harrowing. **The Birdcage** – A high-energy farce featuring iconic performances from Robin Williams and Nathan Lane as they navigate a clash of cultural values. **Happy Gilmore** – The film that solidified Adam Sandler’s star power, blending slapstick golf antics with unforgettable supporting turns from Christopher McDonald and Carl Weathers. **The Cable Guy** – A daring, dark satire starring Jim Carrey that deconstructed the “lovable goofball” persona and has since become a massive cult classic. **The Nutty Professor** – Eddie Murphy’s triumphant return to form, showcasing his unparalleled versatility through heavy prosthetics and multiple character roles. **Kingpin** – A “gross-out” bowling comedy from the Farrelly Brothers that features a scene-stealing, unhinged performance by Bill Murray. **Swingers** – The indie breakout that launched the careers of Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn, perfectly capturing mid-90s slacker culture and “Vegas cool.” **Bottle Rocket** – Wes Anderson’s directorial debut, which introduced the world to his signature quirky, deadpan comedic style and the Wilson brothers. **The Frighteners** – Peter Jackson’s inventive horror-comedy mashup starring Michael J. Fox as a psychic con artist. **Waiting for Guffman** – A brilliant “mockumentary” from Christopher Guest that targets the absurdities of community theater. **Jerry Maguire** – While often cited as a romance, its sharp satire of the sports industry and high-energy dialogue make it one of the year’s most refined comedies. **Matilda** – A whimsical and darkly funny adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic, directed by Danny DeVito, that resonates with both children and adults. **Space Jam** – A marketing juggernaut that blended live-action with the Looney Tunes. It wasn’t just a movie; it was a cultural event that defined the 1990s for an entire generation. **Black Sheep** – The second legendary pairing of Chris Farley and David Spade. While Tommy Boy gets most of the love today, this political comedy remains a staple for fans of their physical, “odd couple” chemistry. **Mars Attacks!** – Tim Burton’s star-studded, eccentric tribute to 1950s sci-fi B-movies. It’s a wild, colorful satire that wasn’t fully appreciated until years later. **Beavis and Butt-Head Do America** – Mike Judge brought his MTV slackers to the big screen for a road trip movie that somehow managed to be both incredibly “dumb” and surprisingly sharp as a satire of American life. **Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood** – The Wayans brothers’ definitive parody of 90s “hood films.” It’s a relentless gag-a-minute film that has outlived many of the movies it was spoofing. **Multiplicity** – Michael Keaton gives a masterclass in comedic timing as a man who clones himself multiple times to handle his busy life, with each clone taking on a different, exaggerated personality trait. **Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy** – A cult classic from the Canadian sketch troupe that pushed boundaries with its surreal, dark, and often absurd take on the pharmaceutical industry. **The First Wives Club** – A massive box-office success led by Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton. It’s a sharp, empowering comedy about friendship and revenge that remains a favorite for its chemistry and wit. **Scream** – While primarily a horror movie, its meta-commentary and satirical edge redefined the genre. It’s often cited by film students for its perfect balance of scares and self-aware comedy. **Trainspotting** – Though it deals with heavy subject matter, its frantic energy and pitch-black British humor made it one of the most stylish and darkly funny films of the decade. **Flirting with Disaster** – A fast-paced, neurotic screwball comedy from David O. Russell starring Ben Stiller, Patricia Arquette, and Tea Leoni. It’s a great example of the high-energy “intellectual” comedy that thrived in the 90s. **Down Periscope** – Kelsey Grammer leads a ragtag crew in this submarine comedy that has aged surprisingly well as a “misfits vs. the establishment” classic. **The Truth About Cats & Dogs** – A smart, witty update on the Cyrano de Bergerac story. It was a major critical darling at the time and proved that romantic comedies didn’t have to be formulaic. **That Thing You Do!** – Tom Hanks’ directorial debut. It’s a bright, infectious “musical comedy” that perfectly captures the mid-60s pop scene. It’s the definition of a “comfort movie.” **Spy Hard** – Leslie Nielsen was still in his prime spoof-mode here. While it didn’t hit the heights of The Naked Gun, it remains a nostalgic favorite for fans of the ” Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker” style of rapid-fire sight gags. **Sgt. Bilko** – Steve Martin taking on a classic TV character. It’s a pure “90s studio comedy”—efficient, star-driven, and full of the kind of military-misfit humor that was a staple of the era. **Jingle All the Way** – Arnold Schwarzenegger in a full-blown satire of holiday consumerism. While it was mocked on release, it has since become a mandatory “ironic” (and then unironic) Christmas classic. **Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie** – The cult TV show’s leap to the big screen. It’s essentially a “meta-comedy” before that was a buzzword, and it remains one of the funniest “movies about movies” ever made. **Joe’s Apartment** – The first film from MTV Films. It’s a musical comedy about a man living with 50,000 singing, dancing cockroaches. It’s weird, gross, and totally unique to the 1996 vibe. **Citizen Ruth** – Alexander Payne’s debut (the director of Sideways). A biting, controversial satire about the abortion debate that somehow managed to make both sides of the political aisle look ridiculous. **Brassed Off** – For a touch of British “working-class comedy,” this film (starring a young Ewan McGregor) used a brass band to tell a story that was equal parts heart-wrenching and hilarious. **A Very Brady Sequel** – Rarely is a sequel to a spoof better than the original, but this one leaned even harder into the “fish out of water” absurdity of the 1970s family living in the 1990s. Gifts for screenwriters this Black Friday. **‘Jingle All The Way**‘ Credit: Fox **The Rise of the Indie Auteur** The 90s were really important to independent cinema, and so many great comedies came from that era. And in 1996, the movement to laugh got some amazing auteurs who came onto the scene. This was the year Wes Anderson landed on the map with Bottle Rocket. Sure, it didn’t make much money, but it got people excited for a new voice. And it gave us the Wilson brothers as well. We saw his signature precision that would inspire an entire generation of people. And we got Fargo from the Coen brothers, which solidified their position in Hollywood not just as the brotherly duo who were making off-kilter movies, but who could make you laugh in a crime thriller. They brought dark comedy to the foreground and won over both the Academy and the multiplex. **The Star Power Peak** It is impossible to mention comedy in the 90s without talking about its biggest star: Jim Carrey. Fresh off a historic run of laughs, Carrey took a massive creative risk with The Cable Guy. It was a movie directed by Ben Stiller and written by Judd Apatow. And took on a dark, satirical take on media obsession. At the time, the movie was polarizing, but it showed how big a star Carrey was and how he could get anything greenlit. The movie is seen as a cult hit that showed that even the world’s biggest physical comedian was ready to deconstruct his own persona and take on challenging ideas inside a movie designed to make you laugh and cringe. Ready for deja vu? It is impossible to mention comedy in the 90s without talking about its biggest star: Adam Sandler. And in 1996, I think we got the best Adam Sandler movie of all time…Happy Gilmore. This was a massive hit for Sandler and thrust him into the spotlight. We got to see him use comedy with a sports movie and launch a film that is both endlessly quotable and has a ton of heart. It gave us Sandler’s signature style and feels like it also got him a greenlight on the idea he wanted for the rest of his career. **Pushing the Boundaries of Taste** Another 90s name to know is the Farrelly Brothers. Their movies felt like massive hits that were events for the audience to go and laugh. They followed up Dumb and Dumber with Kingpin, a movie that pushed gross-out humor to its limit. Yes, Kingpin is full of weird swings, and probably not at the top of their filmography, but I have a soft spot for how creative it was. And when it came to pushing boundaries, look no further than Tim Burton’s star-studded sci-fi spoof Mars Attacks! or Peter Jackson’s horror-comedy hybrid The Frighteners. Even the animated world got in on the fun with the irreverent Beavis and Butt-Head Do America. It felt like 1996 built on all the comedy that came before it and let people experiment and refine their voices for audiences. And it gave future creators in cinema inspiration to follow their own voices, no matter how quirky they were; there was an audience for it in the 90s. ‘Kingpin’ Credit: MGM **Why It Matters for Filmmakers** As a kid who became a filmmaker, the 90s showed me that you could be both diverse in your taste and that you could be rewarded for taking those chances. It was a year we saw true diversity in tone, from high-concept blockbuster comedies like The Nutty Professor to character-driven indies like Swingers and Waiting for Guffman, you could really showcase what made you laugh and find people to engage with you. And you also didn’t have to just be a comedian; you could do mashups like Jerry Maguire and Scream, which had other genres than comedy, but used laughs to find mass appeal. Whether you were into the slacker vibes of Don’t Be a Menace… or the sophisticated charm of The First Wives Club, 1996 offered a seat at the table for every kind of funny. That’s why I think it might be the best all-time. Waiting-for-guffman-corky-and-cast ‘Waiting for Guffman’ Credit: Sony Pictures Classics **Summing It All Up** That’s my argument for 1996 being the best year for comedy, but if you have another year you want to nominate, I want to hear about it. In a world where the mid-budget comedy feels like an endangered species, 1996 serves as a blueprint for a healthy, hilarious, and daring cinematic ecosystem. How can we go back to it? Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Case%20For%201996%20Being%20The%20Best%20For%20Comedy%20Movies&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Case%20For%201996%20Being%20The%20Best%20For%20Comedy%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Case%20For%201996%20Being%20The%20Best%20For%20Comedy%20Movies&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Case%20For%201996%20Being%20The%20Best%20For%20Comedy%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Case%20For%201996%20Being%20The%20Best%20For%20Comedy%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Movies **Tags:** #BestYear, #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #FirstWivesClub, #Movies, #Stars --- ### [10 Best Blackjack Movies That Will Have You Hitting the Tables](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/23/10-best-blackjack-movies-that-will-have-you-hitting-the-tables/) **Published:** February 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Blackjack has been a favorite casino game for around 300 years, so it’s no surprise Hollywood has capitalized on its thrilling gameplay and high-stakes drama. **Content:** --- ## McLuck Social Casino 10 Best Blackjack Movies That Will Have You Hitting the Tables By Staff Feb 20, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-20_17-55-19.png "2026-02-20_17-55-19 - bootleg betty") --- [**Blackjack** ](https://www.mcluck.com/lp/bing?utm_source=bingads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=485880048&utm_term=1234752627489433&utm_content=&utm_source_platform=social%20casino%20app~b&utm_id=485880048&utm_campaign_name=%7Bcampaign_name%7D)has been a favorite casino game for around 300 years, so it’s no surprise Hollywood has capitalized on its thrilling gameplay and high-stakes drama. We’ve scoured the planet for the very best movies about blackjack that have grabbed audiences over the years and left a lasting impact on casino culture. You don’t have to know your bust card from a five-card Charlie to get hours of enjoyment from this diverse bunch of boredom-busting blackjack features that deal with everything from classic tales of card counting to comedic casino misadventures. So grab the popcorn, get comfortable and join us because we count down your top 10 playlist. Let’s deal! 10. **The Gambler (2014)** Directed by Rupert Wyatt and starring Mark Wahlberg, “The Gambler” is a gripping drama that explores the dark side of addiction. While the film doesn’t focus on blackjack alone, its story of the high-stakes, high-pressure casino world is captivating. Called “just shy of a great movie” by critics, we guarantee this blackjack movie will have you on the edge of your seat until the last dice rolls. **[Jinxed](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/jinxed/) (1982)** 9. This blackjack casino movie might be a golden oldie but it’s worth a watch. Starring Bette Midler and Ken Wahl, the silver screen meets the world of blackjack and casino scams, delivering its share of laughs in the process. Harold Benson always wins against blackjack dealer Willie Brodax, making Willie unemployable. Casino manager Milt suggests the curse will lift if Willie wins something from Benson. Willie then pursues Benson’s unhappy mistress, Bonita Friml. 8. **The Last Casino (2004)** This Canadian drama follows a mathematics professor who, facing financial troubles, forms a team of students to employ card-counting techniques and beat the casinos at blackjack. Directed by Pierre Gill and featuring Charles Martin Smith, Katharine Isabelle, Kris Lemche, and Albert Chung, three students hit all the major casinos in Ontario and Quebec until their plan unravels – will they make the money needed or suffer the consequences? 7. **Holly Rollers (2010)** Here’s a storyline you never saw coming! This indie drama, inspired by true events, tells the story of a young Hasidic Jew who gets involved in an ecstasy-smuggling operation that uses blackjack as a cover. Directed by Kevin Asch and starring Hollywood A-lister Jesse Eisenberg, critics were intrigued by its setting and the camera work – more like a documentary, they said, which makes it seem like you’re watching real-time events unfold. The reason it’s #7 on our blackjack movies list. 6. **The Card Counter (2021)** Directed by the legendary Paul Schrader, “The Card Counter” is a moody, introspective drama that follows a former military interrogator turned professional player, played by Oscar Isaac. Be sure to catch this one. Critics have raved about riveting performances in this card-counting blackjack movie from Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish, Tye Sheridan, and the legendary Willem Dafoe. 5. **Rain Man (1988)** While not a traditional movie with blackjack, “Rain Man” features a memorable sequence where the autistic savant character, played by Dustin Hoffman, uses his exceptional memory to count cards and win big at the blackjack tables. Directed by Barry Levinson and starring Hoffman and Tom Cruise, this movie was a blockbuster on release and has remained popular, grossing $914 million at the box office by 2023. 4. **The Gambler (1974)** Directed by Karel Reisz and written by James Toback, “The Gambler” stars James Caan as Axel Freed, a literature professor with a debilitating addiction. The film follows Axel as he borrows from his girlfriend, then his mother, and finally from ruthless bookies, who chase him for his debts. Sound familiar? This is the original movie that subsequent remakes were based on, and it makes it into our list of blackjack movies because it’s still the best of this particular bunch thanks to a riveting performance by Caan. 3. **Blackjack (1978)** Not all entries on our list of the best blackjack movies were widely circulated. This lesser-known gem from the 1970s was directed by John Evans and stars Damu King as Roy King, a man with a plan to rob the Mafia-controlled casinos in Las Vegas after being released from prison. Andy Mayfield, a casino boss played by William Smith, tries to stop them. With its gritty, realistic portrayal of the blackjack scene, “Blackjack” offers a unique perspective on the game. 2. **Rounders (1998)** Starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton, “Rounders” is a classic gambling drama that delves into the high-stakes world of underground poker. While the film primarily focuses on poker, its depiction of the adrenaline-fueled casino lifestyle and the strategic nuances of card games make it a standout in the casino movie genre 1. **21 (2008)** And – drum roll please! – coming in at #1 on our blackjack movies list is “21”. Directed by Robert Luketic and based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team, “21” follows a group of brilliant students who use their mathematical prowess to beat the casinos at blackjack. With a star-studded cast including Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, and Kevin Spacey, this film delivers a thrilling and visually stunning portrayal of the high-stakes world of card counting. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=10%20Best%20Blackjack%20Movies%20That%20Will%20Have%20You%20Hitting%20the%20Tables&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=10%20Best%20Blackjack%20Movies%20That%20Will%20Have%20You%20Hitting%20the%20Tables%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=10%20Best%20Blackjack%20Movies%20That%20Will%20Have%20You%20Hitting%20the%20Tables&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=10%20Best%20Blackjack%20Movies%20That%20Will%20Have%20You%20Hitting%20the%20Tables%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=10%20Best%20Blackjack%20Movies%20That%20Will%20Have%20You%20Hitting%20the%20Tables%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Jinxed, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Blackjack, #Casino, #Jinxed, #Movies --- ### [Marc Shaiman recounts collaborations with Bette Midler and Rob Reiner](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/23/marc-shaiman-recounts-collaborations-with-bette-midler-and-rob-reiner/) **Published:** February 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** 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. **Content:** --- ## The Times Of Israel Marc Shaiman recounts collaborations with Bette Midler and Rob Reiner By Stephen Silver Feb. 21, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-21_13-35-20-1.png "2026-02-21_13-35-20 - bootleg betty") --- *I can spot Bette Midler, Marc Shaiman, Katie Couric, Billy Crystal, Jenifer Lewis, Scott Wittman, and Bruce Vilanch* --- [**Marc Shaiman**](https://www.marcshaiman.com/) 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. But behind the punchline is a career that traces a distinctly Jewish path through American show business: a bar mitzvah where he improvised the music to his haftarah; collaborations with Bette Midler, Rob Reiner and a who’s-who of Jewish Hollywood; composing the music for Broadway’s “Hairspray”; and scoring the 1999 film “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut” and co-writing its Oscar-nominated song, “Blame Canada.” Now, in his new memoir [**“Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner,”**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/nevermind-the-happy/) Shaiman reflects on a life shaped by chutzpah, fate, disappointment, and the particular blend of humor, loss and resilience he credits to being Jewish — a sensibility that, he says, made show business feel less like a career choice than a birthright. “It’s not hard to spend your whole life with Jews when you’re in show business,” he said in an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “I know that sounds like maybe a trope or a bad thing to say, but there’s no question that the Jews have been a big part of show business from the beginning of time. I’m sure the first caveman who put on a show was circumcised.” Shaiman joined that business when he left his hometown of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, at age 16 after getting his GED and headed for New York City. He performed with cabaret acts and comedy shows. For the last 50 years, the 66-year-old Shaiman has indeed been that funny Jewish guy at the piano, as everything from an arranger and writer in the early years of “Saturday Night Live” to a creator of musical moments for Oscar broadcasts (along with seven Academy Award nominations for his work on films like “Mary Poppins Returns” and “Sleepless in Seattle”). Shaiman worked on music for nearly every film Reiner made, starting with “When Harry Met Sally” in 1989; he was nominated for an Oscar for scoring Reiner’s film “The American President.” He even appeared as an animated version of himself, piano and all, in the “I’m Super” number in the “South Park” movie. Many of those projects were written in collaboration with Scott Wittman, his romantic partner for many years, and still his songwriting partner. The book is full of Jewish mother jokes and Yiddish asides, and the title comes from an expression used by his mother: One New Year’s Day, Shaiman’s sister told her mother, “Mom, I want to be the first to wish you a happy and healthy new year,” to which their mother replied, “Never mind the happy.” Shaiman calls it “the day that my mother defined Judaism.” He describes the “South Park” gig leading into his biggest Broadway hit, “Hairspray” as beshert, or fated, because the right producer noticed it at the right time. He also credits his own chutzpah for much of his success. One of the first Broadway shows he ever saw was “Fiddler on the Roof,” not long after its debut in 1964, and when a young Bette Midler was making her Broadway debut as Tevye’s daughter Tzeitel. “Bette Midler’s first two albums and \[my\] puberty both happened at the same time,” he said at a Philadelphia book event on January 29. “And I became obsessed with Bette Midler.” ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-18_14-59-06-1.png "2026-02-18_14-59-06 - bootleg betty") Shaiman ended up collaborating with Midler, first as her vocal arranger and then on movies like “Beaches” and “For the Boys.” He was also at the piano when Midler serenaded Johnny Carson as his final guest on “The Tonight Show” in 1992. The “funny Jewish guy at the piano” trope, he says, dates back mostly to Oscar Levant, the Jewish actor and concert pianist who appeared in films from the 1930s through the ’50s. (Sean Hayes portrayed Levant in the 2023 Broadway play “Goodnight, Oscar.”) “He was like me, times a million,” Shaiman said of the famously mordant and dyspeptic Levant. “It’s just Jewish, show business and comedy,” he said. “Those three terms seem redundant to me \[in\] that you know you can’t have one without the others. You know, I take great pride in my Jewishness and the humor that comes from being Jewish.” Shaiman didn’t come from an especially religious family, but he did have a bar mitzvah. “My memory is that I might have used my musical ability to kind of ad lib some of the music to my haftorah, which I could get away with because I could do my own intervals that seemed right,” he said. Marc Shaiman writes about the bitter and the sweet of a long, successful career with setbacks that still sting. (Regalo Press via JTA) In adulthood, he’s become more skeptical of organized religion in general. “Having said that, I love being Jewish. I love Jewish people. I love how what’s in our blood has made us the way that we are,” Shaiman said. Friends of his had suggested that he write a book, but the true impetus, he said, was when he heard actress Jane Fonda on a podcast talking about her own memoirs. “She felt it was time for a life review,” Shaiman told JTA. “And that’s stuck in my head. I think I was also in the midst of a disappointment in show business. “Maybe even subliminally, I thought if I go back and relive all these moments and write out all these joyous, incredible opportunities I’ve had and stuff I’ve been able to create, it would do me some good,” he added. Indeed, the book includes both highs, like winning Tony Awards, and lows, including the countless friends he lost to AIDS in the 1980s and 1990s. Some moments combine both: Accepting the Tony he and Wittman won for “Hairspray” — whose 1960s Baltimore setting he tried to infuse with the spirit of his early days in New York — Shaiman said he wished the theater balcony “reached all the way up to heaven,” so their lost friends could celebrate with them. Rob Reiner poses for photographers at a photo call for ‘This is Spinal Tap’ at the 75th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, May 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole) Another lost friend is Reiner. The book, which is full of Rob Reiner stories, was completed before the murder of the director and his wife, Michele, in December, and Shaiman is still coming to terms with the loss of his longtime collaborator and friend. “He was like my older brother, but he was also a mentor and such a mensch,” said Shaiman, remembering “not just what he did for me for my music and lyric career, but what he did for me as a gay man. \[The Reiners\] were vitally a part of the fight that got all the way to the Supreme Court, which ended up creating legal same-sex marriage throughout the country. “He was just a part of my life. And I really still haven’t come to terms with what’s happened. It’s too impossible to believe.” “Never Mind the Happy,” as the title suggests, accepts the bitter and the sweet of a long, successful career with setbacks that still sting. But while he’d love to win that Oscar (despite his seven nominations, Shaiman is one O shy of an EGOT), he counts his blessings. “I just wanted to tell these stories, honestly,” Shaiman said. “My book is a textbook example of how if you just keep putting yourself out there, that every single one of your dreams can come true.” ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-21_13-34-21-2.png "2026-02-21_13-34-21 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Marc%20Shaiman%20recounts%20collaborations%20with%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Rob%20Reiner&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20recounts%20collaborations%20with%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Rob%20Reiner%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Marc%20Shaiman%20recounts%20collaborations%20with%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Rob%20Reiner&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20recounts%20collaborations%20with%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Rob%20Reiner%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20recounts%20collaborations%20with%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Rob%20Reiner%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Bruce Vilanch, Jenifer Lewis, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy --- ### [Boodles BonBon Video - Divine Bette Midler - From A Distance](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/23/boodles-bonbon-video-divine-bette-midler-from-a-distance/) **Published:** February 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s performance of "From a Distance" at the Grammys is one of her most memorable live moments, tied to the song's massive success in the early 1990s. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Boodles BonBon Video – Divine Bette Midler – From A Distance From Boodles BonBon Feb. 22, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-21_16-55-50.png "2026-02-21_16-55-50 - bootleg betty") --- *Miss M Takes Us To Church* --- --- [**Bette Midler’s**](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/bette-midler-interview-career-life-1235961854/) performance of “[**From a Distance**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/fromadistance/)” at the Grammys is one of her most memorable live moments, tied to the song’s massive success in the early 1990s. The performance took place at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards in 1991 (held on February 20, 1991, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City). Bette Midler delivered a powerful, emotional live rendition of “From a Distance,” the hit single from her 1990 album Some People’s Lives. The song, written by Julie Gold and produced by Arif Mardin, had become a huge crossover success the previous year—peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and resonating as an anthem of hope and unity. **Her Grammy performance featured:** \* A grand arrangement with piano accompaniment (including Marc Shaiman on piano and the late Robbie Kondor on additional keyboards). \* Backing choir that included New York singers and her longtime collaborators, the Harlettes. \* A soaring, heartfelt vocal delivery that highlighted Midler’s dramatic range and interpretive power, building from intimate verses to an uplifting, choir-supported chorus. The song itself won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year at that same ceremony (awarded to songwriter Julie Gold). Note that Song of the Year honors the composition, not the performance/recording—so while Bette Midler’s version popularized it and earned her a nomination for Record of the Year (which she did not win), the win went to the writer. Midler was also nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, for her recording, but the performance remains iconic for fans as a showcase of her vocal prowess. This moment came on the heels of her earlier Grammy success with “Wind Beneath My Wings” (Record of the Year in 1990), solidifying her status as a premier interpreter of big, inspirational ballads. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Divine%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20From%20A%20Distance&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Divine%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20From%20A%20Distance%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Divine%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20From%20A%20Distance&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Divine%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20From%20A%20Distance%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Video%20-%20Divine%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20From%20A%20Distance%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, From A Distance, The Divine Miss M, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #FromADistance, #Grammys, #MissM, Video --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Soph Jokes - Mud Will Be Flung Tonight](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/22/video-bette-midler-soph-jokes-mud-will-be-flung-tonight/) **Published:** February 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video - Bette Midler - Soph Jokes - Mud Will Be Flung Tonight **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Soph Jokes – Mud Will Be Flung Tonight By Mister D Feb. 22, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-22_17-09-34.png "2026-02-22_17-09-34 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Jokes%20-%20Mud%20Will%20Be%20Flung%20Tonight&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Jokes%20-%20Mud%20Will%20Be%20Flung%20Tonight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Jokes%20-%20Mud%20Will%20Be%20Flung%20Tonight&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Jokes%20-%20Mud%20Will%20Be%20Flung%20Tonight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Jokes%20-%20Mud%20Will%20Be%20Flung%20Tonight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Mud Will Be Flung, Soph Jokes, Sophie Tucker, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #MudWillBeFlungTonight, #SophJokes, #Video --- ### [The Bette Midler Archive Audio - Bette Midler - I Had This Man/Superstar/Beast Of Burden - 1982](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/21/the-bette-midler-archive-audio-bette-midler-i-had-this-man-superstar-beast-of-burden-1982/) **Published:** February 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Performed December 31, 1982, at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, CA, during the New Year's Eve performance of "De Tour" **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Bette Midler Archive – Bette Midler – I Had This Man/Superstar/Beast Of Burden – 1982 From The Bette Midler Archive Feb 21, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-21_16-03-22.png "2026-02-21_16-03-22 - bootleg betty") --- *Performed December 31, 1982, at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, CA, during the New Year’s Eve performance of [**“De Tour”**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/de-tour/)* --- “I Had This Man” is a song performed by [**Bette Midler**](https://www.bettemidler.com/) during her De Tour. It was written by William Smith and Kathleen Wakefield. This appears to be a lesser-known or bootleg/rare performance track—not part of her official studio albums, but documented in fan archives as a live performance. **The full lyrics, as archived on Bootleg Betty:** **I Had This Man** *(William Smith / Kathleen Wakefield)* *Could of been wearing rubies Could of been taking bows Living in high society Could of been someone proud Could of had my silver spun Weaver that I am Should of been getting my work done But I had this man Could of been in Paris Riding down to the sea Sitting out on the sands with African winds on me Should have had my guitar strung Gifted as I am Counting my money in the sun But I had this man Maybe it was weakness Maybe it was fear I surrendered everything Just to keep him near Might have kept me from Being what I can If you ever loved someone You would understand Could of been wearing rubies Instead of this light within Could of held up the world, but see Who would of held up him, but me Could of had my songs all sung Poet that I am Should of been getting my work done But I had this man But I had this man* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%20Had%20This%20Man%2FSuperstar%2FBeast%20Of%20Burden%20-%201982&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%20Had%20This%20Man%2FSuperstar%2FBeast%20Of%20Burden%20-%201982%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%20Had%20This%20Man%2FSuperstar%2FBeast%20Of%20Burden%20-%201982&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%20Had%20This%20Man%2FSuperstar%2FBeast%20Of%20Burden%20-%201982%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Audio%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20I%20Had%20This%20Man%2FSuperstar%2FBeast%20Of%20Burden%20-%201982%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, De Tour, Live, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BeastOfBurden, #BetteMidler, #DeTour, #IHadAMan, #Live, #Superstar --- ### [35 Years Ago Today, Bette Midler's "Scenes From A Mall" Was Released](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/22/35-years-ago-today-bette-midlers-scenes-from-a-mall-was-released/) **Published:** February 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The movie runs about 87-89 minutes and was released by Touchstone Pictures (Disney's adult-oriented label) on February 22, 1991. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty 35 Years Ago Today, Bette Midler’s “Scenes From A Mall” Was Released By Mister D Feb. 22, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-19_14-39-22.png "2026-02-19_14-39-22 - bootleg betty") --- [**Scenes from a Mall**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/21/scenes-from-a-mall-a-slice-of-bette-midler-comfort/) is a 1991 American comedy film directed by Paul Mazursky, who co-wrote the screenplay with Roger L. Simon. It stars [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) as Deborah Fifer, a successful psychotherapist and author of a best-selling book on marriage, and Woody Allen as her husband Nick Fifer, a high-powered sports lawyer (or agent in some descriptions). The title is a playful riff on Ingmar Bergman’s acclaimed miniseries Scenes from a Marriage, but instead of deep, introspective drama, this film offers a lighter, satirical take on marital strife unfolding almost entirely in a shopping mall setting. **Plot Overview** On their 16th wedding anniversary, the couple heads to a trendy Beverly Hills mall (with some scenes evoking a Los Angeles vibe) to pick up supplies for a celebratory party that evening, after sending their kids off on a ski trip. What starts as routine shopping quickly spirals into revelations and arguments: Nick casually confesses to having had an affair (or multiple, depending on the moment), shocking Deborah, who demands a divorce. As the day wears on amid escalators, food courts, stores, and even a mime performer, Deborah admits she’s been unfaithful too (in an ongoing affair). The film follows their bickering, emotional outbursts, attempts at reconciliation, and raw discussions about their relationship, all set against the backdrop of consumerist mall life. It explores themes of infidelity, honesty, midlife malaise, and the fragility of long-term marriages with a mix of humor and awkward tension. The movie runs about 87-89 minutes and was released by Touchstone Pictures (Disney’s adult-oriented label) on February 22, 1991. It received mixed-to-negative reviews for its pacing and tone but has a cult following for the unusual pairing of Midler and Allen. **Trivia** -Woody Allen had never set foot in a shopping mall before filming this movie—he was famously reclusive and avoided such everyday places. -Most interior mall scenes were not shot in a real operating mall (impractical for long shoots). Instead, a massive two-story replica set—nearly a quarter-mile long with over 150 fully stocked stores—was built at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, New York. Some elevator/escalator and exterior shots used the real Stamford Town Center in Stamford, Connecticut, and the Beverly Center in Los Angeles. -This marks one of the rare films where Woody Allen acted without writing or directing—he hadn’t done so since The Front (1976). -Bette Midler performs the end-credits song, a cover of Cole Porter’s “You Do Something to Me.” -The film was a modest commercial success, grossing around $9–19 million worldwide against a low $3 million budget. -A mime (played by Bill Irwin) appears throughout, silently shadowing and interacting with the couple in comedic, surreal ways, adding to the film’s quirky tone. It’s an interesting footnote in both stars’ careers: Midler’s brassy energy contrasts with Allen’s neurotic style, making their on-screen marriage feel both volatile and oddly believable. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=35%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%22%20Was%20Released&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=35%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%22%20Was%20Released%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=35%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%22%20Was%20Released&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=35%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%22%20Was%20Released%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=35%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%22%20Was%20Released%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History, Movies, On This Day In History, Scenes From A Mall **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Movie, #OnThisDayInHistory, #ScenesfromaMall, #WoodyAllen --- ### [Trivia - Bette Midler Watches 'Bar Rescue' Regularly](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/21/trivia-bette-midler-watches-bar-rescue-regularly/) **Published:** February 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Jon Taffer has opened the doors for Season 10 of Bar Rescue. The world-renowned hospitality kingpin doles out more tough love to struggling business owners. **Content:** --- ## TV Insider Trivia – Bette Midler Watches ‘Bar Rescue’ Regularly By Scott Fishman Feb. 21, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-06_08-57-00.png "2026-02-06_08-57-00 - bootleg betty") --- Jon Taffer has opened the doors for Season 10 of Bar Rescue. The world-renowned hospitality kingpin doles out more tough love to struggling business owners. This round of episodes marks a milestone for Paramount Network’s long-running unscripted series. In 2011, Taffer found a successful recipe, bringing his no-nonsense approach to transforming food and drink establishments within local communities across the country. The show has endured despite network changes and a devastating pandemic. Over the new installments, he’ll once again lean on field experts to lend their knowledge while crews work on aesthetics. Taffer also welcomes VIPs to the guest list, including Chris Kirkpatrick of \*NSYNC and AEW pro wrestler and actress Mercedes Varnado (Moné). On his travel itinerary this time around include Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Before the February 22 premiere, we caught up with the busy businessman to reflect on Bar Rescue’s landmark and tease what’s next. **Has there been a fan of the show who has surprised you?** *Yes, I was sitting in a restaurant in Hollywood, California. I was in a good friend’s restaurant, and [Bette Midler](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/bette-midler/) came up to me at the table. She told me she watched my show every week. She said, “I love your show.” Then she bought me dessert. That was a shocker.* This was not the whole article. lol If you’re interested in the full article: [**CLICK HERE!**](https://www.tvinsider.com/1246342/bar-rescue-season-10-preview-jon-taffer-exclusive/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Trivia%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Watches%20%27Bar%20Rescue%27%20Regularly&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Trivia%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Watches%20%27Bar%20Rescue%27%20Regularly%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Trivia%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Watches%20%27Bar%20Rescue%27%20Regularly&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Trivia%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Watches%20%27Bar%20Rescue%27%20Regularly%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Trivia%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Watches%20%27Bar%20Rescue%27%20Regularly%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Gossip, Trivia **Tags:** #BarRescue, #BetteMidler, #JonTaffer, #Trivia --- ### [Bette Midler & Marc Shaiman: Behind The Scenes](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/09/bette-midler-marc-shaiman-behind-the-scenes/) **Published:** February 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Friday brought us Bette Midler interviewing Marc Shaiman about his new book "Never Mind the Happy" and what a blast that was! **Content:** --- ## All That Chat Bette Midler & Marc Shaiman: Behind The Scenes By: Bi-Coastal Feb 9, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/630338096_1543550300440768_8405024668089798899_n-1024x1024.jpg "630338096_1543550300440768_8405024668089798899_n - bootleg betty")--- This past Thursday and Friday, L.A. was graced with two fantastic nights of entertainment. Thursday was Cheyenne Jackson at the Annenberg Center for Performing Arts, and his show was charming, emotional, funny, queer, and an absolute delight. There were many stories, and his songs often capped them and elevated each segment. I assume this was basically the show Jackson did at Carnegie Hall at the end of 2025, so I won’t go into details. But one wonderful surprise was when Jackson brought out Kristen Bell, and they sang the Judy/Barbra “Happy Days/Get Happy” medley. Jackson sang it in a much higher range than Streisand, and I wonder if that adjustment was made because of the difference between Bell’s voice and Judy Garland’s. Friday brought us [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) interviewing [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/) about his new book “Never Mind the Happy” and what a blast that was! Midler was visibly sick, coughing occasionally but rallying as one would for a good friend. Shaiman told a lot of stories from the book but also stories that didn’t make the final edit. He was relentless in his jabs at the Motion Picture Academy Museum for providing him with a Casio keyboard and not an actual piano (and those jabs were well deserved). Midler prepared note cards with her questions, many of them about the process. She was as interested in hearing the answers as we were. Shaiman talked a bit about Hairspray, but mainly in the context of Broadway’s changes from when he wrote It to now. Both agreed it just isn’t what it once was. Their party was crashed by Jennifer Lewis (whom Shaiman joked defined the term “stage-starved”), and she sang an extremely funny, very off-color song that Shaiman wrote for her. Shaiman played a recently revised version of “One for My Baby” that he wrote for Midler’s 80th birthday party in an echo of the famous version she sang as Johnny Carson’s final guest. Their segment ran about 50 minutes, followed by a screening of “The First Wives Club”. From start to finish, it was a wonderful evening. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-21_13-22-53.png "2026-02-21_13-22-53 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Marc%20Shaiman%3A%20Behind%20The%20Scenes&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Marc%20Shaiman%3A%20Behind%20The%20Scenes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Marc%20Shaiman%3A%20Behind%20The%20Scenes&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Marc%20Shaiman%3A%20Behind%20The%20Scenes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Marc%20Shaiman%3A%20Behind%20The%20Scenes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Interview, Marc Shaiman, Special Events, Tours **Tags:** #BehindTheScenes, #BetteMidler, #Book, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy, #tour --- ### [New Audio Remixes For Bette Midler's 'In These Shoes'](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/21/new-audio-remixes-for-bette-midlers-in-these-shoes/) **Published:** February 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The "In These Shoes (Remixes)" collection from Bette Midler was indeed released very recently—on February 20, 2026. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty New Remixes For Bette Midler’s ‘In These Shoes’ By Mister D Feb. 21, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BETTE_MIDLER_INTHESESHOES-187092.jpg "Bette_midler_in+these+shoes-187092 - bootleg betty") --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- The [**“In These Shoes (Remixes)”**](https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/1691817-bette-midler-in-these-shoes-remixes.php) collection from [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc)was indeed released very recently—on February 20, 2026. It’s available on platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube (via her official channel), featuring 7 tracks totaling about 54 minutes, under Warner Records. These appear to be new remixes (or at least newly compiled and released digitally in this form), not just a straight re-release of the original 2000/2001 mixes. - The original promotional maxi-single/remixes for “In These Shoes?” (from her 2000 album Bette, a cover of Kirsty MacColl’s song) were done primarily by Jonathan Peters (e.g., Sound Factory Vox Mix, Other Side Mix, Extended Radio Mix) and some by Mark Picchiotti, released around 2000-2001 on vinyl/CD promo. - This 2026 release includes similar-sounding titles (e.g., Radio Mix, Sound Factory Vox Mix, Mark’s Heels to Platforms Vocal Mix, Mark’s Sole Dub, Other Side Mix), and credits/remixers overlap with those classic ones (Jonathan Peters, Tony Coluccio, Mark Picchiotti). - However, sources describe it explicitly as “new remixes” of the 2000 classic, with announcements calling them “brand new mixes” (including mentions of “several brand new mixes” and “some never-before-heard Bette vocals” in fan posts). It’s presented as a fresh drop/digital album, with a 2026 copyright and release date on streaming/YouTube uploads. It seems Warner has reissued/remastered, or possibly updated, the classic Jonathan Peters/Mark Picchiotti-era remixes for modern streaming, potentially with enhancements or previously unavailable elements, rather than entirely brand-new productions from scratch. But the promotion and framing treat it as a new/current release event, not merely a repackaging of old material. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=New%20Audio%20Remixes%20For%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27In%20These%20Shoes%27&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=New%20Audio%20Remixes%20For%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27In%20These%20Shoes%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=New%20Audio%20Remixes%20For%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27In%20These%20Shoes%27&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=New%20Audio%20Remixes%20For%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27In%20These%20Shoes%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=New%20Audio%20Remixes%20For%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27In%20These%20Shoes%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Music, Remix, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #InTheseShoes, #Music, #Remixes, #Song --- ### [Happy, Happy Easter - Bette-ita, Chita, And Rita -"America" From "West Side Story Video (Thanks To Richie!!)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2007/04/07/happy-happy-easter-bette-ita-chita-and-rita-america-from-west-side-story-video-thanks-to-richie/) **Published:** April 7, 2007 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "America" (from WEST SIDE STORY), performed by Bette Midler, Chita Rivera (original Broadway 'Anita') and Rita Moreno (Oscar winning film 'Anita'). Performed November 13, 2002 at Jay Monahan (Katie Couric's late husband) Center for Gastrointestinal Center Benefit Concert in New York City. **Content:** “America” (from WEST SIDE STORY), performed by Bette Midler, Chita Rivera (original Broadway ‘Anita’) and Rita Moreno (Oscar winning film ‘Anita’). Performed November 13, 2002 at Jay Monahan (Katie Couric’s late husband) Center for Gastrointestinal Center Benefit Concert in New York City. And again, thanks to Darrell Redmond to bringing my vision to life. He even improved on my own vision! Love, Mister D PS: This came from You Tube, so give whomever a thumbs up for this rarity! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Happy%2C%20Happy%20Easter%20-%20Bette-ita%2C%20Chita%2C%20And%20Rita%20-%22America%22%20From%20%22West%20Side%20Story%20Video%20%28Thanks%20To%20Richie%21%21%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Happy%2C%20Happy%20Easter%20-%20Bette-ita%2C%20Chita%2C%20And%20Rita%20-%22America%22%20From%20%22West%20Side%20Story%20Video%20%28Thanks%20To%20Richie%21%21%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Happy%2C%20Happy%20Easter%20-%20Bette-ita%2C%20Chita%2C%20And%20Rita%20-%22America%22%20From%20%22West%20Side%20Story%20Video%20%28Thanks%20To%20Richie%21%21%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Happy%2C%20Happy%20Easter%20-%20Bette-ita%2C%20Chita%2C%20And%20Rita%20-%22America%22%20From%20%22West%20Side%20Story%20Video%20%28Thanks%20To%20Richie%21%21%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Happy%2C%20Happy%20Easter%20-%20Bette-ita%2C%20Chita%2C%20And%20Rita%20-%22America%22%20From%20%22West%20Side%20Story%20Video%20%28Thanks%20To%20Richie%21%21%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Announcement, Bette Midler, Bette Related, Music, Special Events, Video **Tags:** Bette Midler --- ### [Bette Midler Is Divine Madness: Synopsis, Critical Reception, Awards, & Videos](https://bootlegbetty.com/2023/12/19/bette-midler-is-divine-madness-synopsis-critical-reception-awards-videos/) **Published:** December 19, 2023 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "Divine Madness" is a 1980 American concert film directed by Michael Ritchie and featuring Bette Midler and the Harlettes. In this movie, Bette Midler, the comedy queen, reigns supreme as she performs her songs and raucous comedy on stage. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Is Divine Madness: Synopsis, Critical Reception, Awards, & Videos By Mister D December 19, 2023 --- ![Bette Midler Divine Madness](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2015-11-05_5-33-33.png "2015-11-05_5-33-33 - bootleg betty")--- “Divine Madness” is a 1980 American concert film directed by [**Michael Ritchie**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2010/07/31/betteback-divine-madness/) and featuring Bette Midler and the Harlettes. In this movie, Bette Midler, the comedy queen, reigns supreme as she performs her songs and raucous comedy on stage. The film captures the energy and dynamism of Bette Midler’s live concert, where she entertains the audience with her incredible voice, hilarious jokes, and captivating stage presence. It’s a wild and unforgettable experience filled with music, laughter, and pure entertainment. So, get ready to be dazzled by Bette Midler’s talent and enjoy the madness of this extraordinary concert film! The critical reception to Bette Midler’s movie [**“Divine Madness”**](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.342998412457231&type=3) was generally positive. Here are some sources that provide insights into the reception of the film: - **Roger Ebert’s review:** According to Roger Ebert’s review, “Divine Madness” is a concert film that captures Bette Midler’s energetic performance and showcases her talent. Although Ebert mentions that the film may not appeal to everyone, he appreciates Midler’s stage presence and the Hollywood genre elements incorporated into the concert footage. - **Rotten Tomatoes:** “Divine Madness” holds a positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While specific critical reviews are not mentioned in the real-time information, the film is described as the first great concert film of the ’80s, with Bette Midler delivering an energetic and captivating performance. “Divine Madness” starring Bette Midler was nominated for several awards. Here are some of the nominations: - *Golden Globe Awards – Best Actress – Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy – Nominated* - *People’s Choice Awards – Favorite All-Around Female Entertainer – Nominated* - *People’s Choice Awards – Favorite Comedy Motion Picture Actress – Nominated* --- ### Bette Midler – Big Noise From Winnetka --- --- ### Bette Midler – Paradise --- --- ### Bette Midler – Shiver Me Timbers --- --- ### Bette Midler – Around The World --- --- ### Bette Midler – The Rose --- --- ### Bette Midler – Fire Down Below --- --- ### Bette Midler – Stay With Me Baby --- --- ### Bette Midler – Delores DeLago --- --- ### Bette Midler – Chapel Of Love/BWBB --- --- ### Bette Midler – E Street Shuffle/Leader Of The Pack --- --- ### Bette Midler – Soph Jokes --- --- ### Bette Midler – Rainbow Sleeve --- --- ### Bette Midler – The Magic Lady --- --- ### Bette Midler – I Shall Be Released --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Is%20Divine%20Madness%3A%20Synopsis%2C%20Critical%20Reception%2C%20Awards%2C%20%26%20Videos&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Is%20Divine%20Madness%3A%20Synopsis%2C%20Critical%20Reception%2C%20Awards%2C%20%26%20Videos%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Is%20Divine%20Madness%3A%20Synopsis%2C%20Critical%20Reception%2C%20Awards%2C%20%26%20Videos&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Is%20Divine%20Madness%3A%20Synopsis%2C%20Critical%20Reception%2C%20Awards%2C%20%26%20Videos%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Is%20Divine%20Madness%3A%20Synopsis%2C%20Critical%20Reception%2C%20Awards%2C%20%26%20Videos%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, concerts, Divine Madness, Movies **Tags:** #DivineMadness, BetteMidler, criticalreception, GoldenGlobes, PeoplesChoice --- ### [Beaches Musical - Looking For Tickets?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/20/beaches-musical-looking-for-tickets/) **Published:** February 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Beaches begins preview performances on Friday, March 27, 2026, ahead of an official opening night on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. **Content:** --- ## Broadway Direct *Beaches* is Making Its Broadway Debut — Here’s What We Know By Lucy Xiao Feb. 19, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-19_17-48-39-1024x429.png "2026-02-19_17-48-39 - bootleg betty")--- ### **When will *Beaches* open on Broadway?** *Beaches* begins preview performances on Friday, March 27, 2026, ahead of an official opening night on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. --- ### **Where will *Beaches* play on Broadway?** *Beaches* will be playing at the [Majestic Theatre](https://broadwaydirect.com/theatre/majestic-theatre/). --- ### **Who will be in the cast of *Beaches on Broadway?** *Beaches* will feature powerhouse stars Jessica Vosk (*Hell’s Kitchen, Wicked*) and Kelli Barrett (*Fosse/Verdon*, *Parade)* as best friends Cee Cee and Bertie, respectively, made famous on screen by Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. Joining them will be Brent Thiessen, Ben Jacoby, Samantha Schwartz, Zeya Grace, Sarah Bockel, Harper Burns, Eric Coles, Taylor Sage Evans, Mia Gerachis, Joelle Gully, Stephanie Martignetti, Emma Ogea, Olive Ross-Kline, Bailey Ryon, Paul Adam Schaefer, Lael Van Keuren, and Zurin Villanueva. --- ### **What is *Beaches on Broadway about?** Based on the *New York Times* bestseller that became a blockbuster film, written by Iris Rainer Dart, *Beaches* brings to the stage one of the most iconic friendships in popular culture – made famous on screen by Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. This sweeping, emotional, and joy-filled new musical follows the vivacious Cee Cee and elegant Bertie, who meet as children and become fast friends. From pen-pals to roommates to romantic rivals, Cee Cee and Bertie’s oil-and-water friendship perseveres through even the most tragic trials. With a touching vulnerability, *Beaches* exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit and the bonds of friendship. --- ### **Who is on the creative team of *Beaches*on Broadway?** The new musical features a book by Iris Rainer Dart & Thom Thomas, music by Mike Stoller, and lyrics byDart. The musical was developed in collaboration with David Austin. Co-Directed by Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner Lonny Price (*Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill; Sunset Boulevard*) and Matt Cowart (*Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill*), the musical will be choreographed by Jennifer Rias (*A Doll’s House, Dear Evan Hansen*), with orchestrations by Tony Award winner Charlie Rosen (*Moulin Rouge*). The Broadway scenic design is by Drama Desk Award winnerJames Noone (*Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill*), costume design by Tracy Christensen (*Sunset Boulevard*), lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington (*Chicago,* *Waitress*), sound design by Tony Award winner Kai Harada (*Merrily We Roll Along*), projection design by Tony Award Nominee David Bengali (*Water for Elephants*), and wig, hair & make-up design by J. Jared Janas (*Buena Vista Social Club*). Casting is by The TRC (Tara Rubin Casting) Company, Peter Van Dam, CSA. Joseph Thalken serves as Music Supervisor, and Paul Staroba serves as Music Director. The Production Stage Manager is Thomas Recktenwald (Cabaret, The Music Man), and Alchemy Production Group (*Come From Away*) serves as General Manager. --- ### **When will tickets go on sale for *Beaches* on Broadway?** Tickets for *Beaches* on Broadway are now on sale. Buy tickets directly from us [here](https://broadwaydirect.com/tickets/Beaches). Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Beaches%20Musical%20-%20Looking%20For%20Tickets%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Beaches%20Musical%20-%20Looking%20For%20Tickets%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Beaches%20Musical%20-%20Looking%20For%20Tickets%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Beaches%20Musical%20-%20Looking%20For%20Tickets%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Beaches%20Musical%20-%20Looking%20For%20Tickets%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Broadway, Theatre **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #Musical, #Theater --- ### [Bette Midler Full Frog & Nightgown Concert AUDIO ONLY (ft. Barry Manilow)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/20/bette-midler-full-frog-nightgown-concert-audio-only-ft-barry-manilow/) **Published:** February 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Full Frog & Nightgown Concert AUDIO ONLY (ft. Barry Manilow) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Full Frog & Nightgown Concert AUDIO ONLY (ft. Barry Manilow) By Boodles BonBon Feb. 20, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-20_12-51-55.png "2026-02-20_12-51-55 - bootleg betty")--- --- Bette Midler Concert (Audio Only) The Frog & Nightgown (Jazz & Music Club) in Raleigh, North Carolina 22nd February 1972. 2nd Show of the Evening Not the best sound but OK. With Barry Manilow accompanying: piano/vocals, Michael ‘Fingers’ Federal: guitar, Kevin Ellman: drums & Bill Hennessey: lighting & material. 0:00 Sweet Life – Barry Manilow 3:34 Friends 7:03 The Divine Miss M 7:51 Empty Bed Blues 12:01 Andrews Sisters Fantasy 15:05 Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy 17:23 Been of a Train 22:15 Superstar 27:37 Miss M Interlude 28:41 Do You Love Me / Want To Dance 34:11 Carmen Miranda & Vanities 35:22 Cuanto La Gusta / Marahuana 38:28 Delta Dawn 43:04 60s ‘Nostalgia’ 45:34 Leader of the Pack 49:36 Daytime Hustler 53:13 Band Intros & Thanks 56:06 Friends 57:20 Bette is going to be a Star This recording is shared for archive & fan purposes – thanks for watching! For the TikTok folks: this is the recording I mentioned. I thought it was online, but I couldn’t find it, so I’m uploading my copy. A friend gave it to me years ago (unknown source). I also had an older tape/cassette version — when I find it, I’ll compare the quality and share if it’s better. I think it might not have the annoying hum or clipping. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Full%20Frog%20%26%20Nightgown%20Concert%20AUDIO%20ONLY%20%28ft.%20Barry%20Manilow%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Full%20Frog%20%26%20Nightgown%20Concert%20AUDIO%20ONLY%20%28ft.%20Barry%20Manilow%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Full%20Frog%20%26%20Nightgown%20Concert%20AUDIO%20ONLY%20%28ft.%20Barry%20Manilow%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Full%20Frog%20%26%20Nightgown%20Concert%20AUDIO%20ONLY%20%28ft.%20Barry%20Manilow%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Full%20Frog%20%26%20Nightgown%20Concert%20AUDIO%20ONLY%20%28ft.%20Barry%20Manilow%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, concerts **Tags:** #Audio, #BarryManilow, #BetteMidler, #Concert, #Frog & Nightgown --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Midnight In Memphis - The Rose](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/20/video-bette-midler-midnight-in-memphis-the-rose/) **Published:** February 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s performance of “Midnight in Memphis” arrives at a crucial point in The Rose, and it captures everything the film wants you to understand about Mary Rose Foster **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Midnight In Memphis – The Rose By Mister D Feb. 20, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/maxresdefault-2-1024x576.jpg "Maxresdefault 2 - bootleg betty")--- --- [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/the-movies-bette-midler/) performance of **[“Midnight in Memphis”](https://genius.com/Bette-midler-midnight-in-memphis-lyrics)** arrives at a crucial point in *The Rose*, and it captures everything the film wants you to understand about Mary Rose Foster—her power, her exhaustion, her defiance, and her need to burn bright even when she’s running on fumes. ## **Why the Scene Hits So Hard** - **It’s pure, unfiltered rock energy.** Midler doesn’t just sing the song—she *attacks* it. Her voice is gritty, raw, and full of lived?in pain, which fits the character’s unraveling emotional state. - **The staging is chaotic in the best way.** The band is loud, the lights are hot, and Midler commands the stage like someone who knows it might be the last time she gets to feel this alive. - **It’s a release valve.** After scenes of pressure, manipulation, and emotional strain, “Midnight in Memphis” becomes a cathartic explosion—Mary Rose reclaiming herself for a few minutes. - **It foreshadows the tragedy.** The intensity is thrilling, but there’s an undercurrent of danger. You can feel how close she is to the edge. ## **What Midler Brings to It** - **Physicality:** She moves like a performer who’s been on the road too long—still magnetic, but fraying at the edges. - **Vocals:** Her growl, her phrasing, the way she pushes her voice to its limit—it’s all character work. - **Emotion:** She channels desperation, exhilaration, and self-destruction simultaneously. ## **Why It’s Iconic** “Midnight in Memphis” is one of those performances where the line between actor and character blurs. Midler isn’t *playing* a rock star—she *is* one. It’s a reminder of why she earned that Oscar nomination and why *The Rose* still resonates. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Midnight%20In%20Memphis%20-%20The%20Rose&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Midnight%20In%20Memphis%20-%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Midnight%20In%20Memphis%20-%20The%20Rose&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Midnight%20In%20Memphis%20-%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Midnight%20In%20Memphis%20-%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Songs, the Rose, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #MidnightInMemphis, #Movie, #Song, #TheRose, Video --- ### [Jonah Hill And His Movie Career Comeback](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/19/jonah-hill-and-his-movie-career-comeback/) **Published:** February 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Jonah Hill’s career comeback hinges on not just a return to acting but a reinvention—as an auteur, actor, and advocate for mental health and personal authenticity. **Content:** --- ## The Digital Weekly Jonah Hill And His Career Comeback By Jennifer Kelly Feb. 10, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AA1O235S.jpg "Aa1o235s - bootleg betty")--- **[Jonah Hill’s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonah_Hill)** career comeback hinges on not just a return to acting but a reinvention—as an auteur, actor, and advocate for mental health and personal authenticity. His upcoming films, Outcome and [**Cut Off**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/cut-off/), mark a bold return to the spotlight after years of self-reflection, transparency about his struggles, and a physical transformation that underscores his resilience. **The Context: Taking a Step Back to Move Forward** Jonah Hill spoke candidly about pressing pause on his meteoric rise—one that began with Superbad and 21 Jump Street. He admitted that his success came too fast, leaving him with “too much power for a young person” and lacking in life skills and emotional grounding . It was this realization that led him to “hit pause” and focus on personal growth, culminating in his directorial debut Mid90s and the therapeutic documentary Stutz . Beyond creative control, his decision to step back also stemmed from mental health challenges. In Stutz, Hill shared his struggles with anxiety attacks—experiences that eventually pushed him away from press tours and public-facing promotions . **The Return: Bold Projects Signal a New Chapter** **Outcome: Dark Comedy with Heart and Commentary** Hill’s return to the screen comes in the form of Outcome, a black comedy he wrote, directed, and stars in, set for release on Apple TV+ on April 10, 2026 . The film features heavyweights like Keanu Reeves, Cameron Diaz, Matt Bomer, and a cameo-filled ensemble including Martin Scorsese and Laverne Cox . The story centers on Reef Hawk (Reeves), a former child star battling public scrutiny, blackmail, and cancel culture. Hill plays Ira, a crisis lawyer, navigating that storm with dark humor and depth . Hill described the film as a metaphor for modern fame: “what we all go through on social media… obsessed with what people we don’t know think of us, instead of caring about what the people who know us best think of us” . **Cut Off: Twin Comedy and Personal Reinvention** Not stopping there, Hill directs, co-writes, produces, and stars in Cut Off, scheduled for theatrical release on July 17, 2026 . The comedy follows siblings cut off financially by their parents—a premise ripe for both satire and emotional undercurrent. The ensemble includes Kristen Wiig (as Hill’s twin), Bette Midler, Nathan Lane, Camila Cabello, Adriana Barraza, and more . **Physical Transformation: Visual Proof of Inner Shift** Hill’s physical transformation is impossible to ignore and plays a central role in his comeback narrative. On the set of Cut Off in October 2025, he appeared dramatically slimmer, sporting a vibrant 1970s-inspired look with blond hair and tight prints . His weight, once a battleground, became a symbol of self-care—not media spectacle . By early 2026, Hill embraced an even more drastic look for Outcome: bald and bearded, his image unrecognizable compared to past roles . A red carpet appearance later confirmed his leaner physique—he reportedly lost around 200 pounds—adding a visual layer to his reinvention . **Human, Messy, Real: Why This Comeback Works** Hill’s comeback isn’t slick or overly polished—it’s messy, real, and resonant. He acknowledged how early success left him emotionally unprepared. He created films from a place of authenticity and introspection. He reshaped his physical identity on his own terms. He redirected his public image toward a healthier, less anxious version of himself. These layers build trust with audiences. His trajectory shows vulnerability and growth rather than contrived resurgence. “I finally love and accept myself,” he once said—an insight that resonates far beyond a red carpet moment . **Summary of the Comeback Arc** Withdrawal for Self-Discovery: Spent years reshaping personally and creatively. New Creative Control: Directed and starred in Mid90s and Stutz, laying groundwork. Project Comebacks: Outcome and Cut Off mark a dual return. Transformations: Physically, emotionally, and professionally, Hill looks—and acts—reborn. **FAQs** **What exactly is Jonah Hill’s comeback?** His return spans two major projects—Outcome and Cut Off—which he writes, directs, and stars in. These films mark his return to screen after a period of introspection and therapy. **When are these projects releasing?** Outcome debuts on Apple TV+ on April 10, 2026. Cut Off lands in theaters via Warner Bros. on July 17, 2026. **Why has his appearance changed so dramatically?** Hill underwent a major weight loss journey—reportedly around 200 pounds—and has embraced bold character looks, including a bald head and gray beard for Outcome, signaling both personal and artistic transformation. **How has Hill addressed his mental health publicly?** Through Stutz, interviews, and lifestyle choices, Hill has been transparent about dealing with anxiety and panic attacks. He notably stepped away from press obligations to protect his well-being. In short, Jonah Hill’s comeback is powerful because it’s authentic. It reflects self-awareness, creative ambition, and courage. And it shows that sometimes, the most compelling return lies in transforming—not just returning. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Jonah%20Hill%20And%20His%20Movie%20Career%20Comeback&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Jonah%20Hill%20And%20His%20Movie%20Career%20Comeback%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Jonah%20Hill%20And%20His%20Movie%20Career%20Comeback&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Jonah%20Hill%20And%20His%20Movie%20Career%20Comeback%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Jonah%20Hill%20And%20His%20Movie%20Career%20Comeback%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #career, #Comeback, #CutOff, #JonahHill, #Movie --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Angst On A Shoestring - David Letterman - 1985](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/19/video-bette-midler-angst-on-a-shoestring-david-letterman-1985/) **Published:** February 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "Angst on a Shoestring" is a hilarious, campy comedic segment featuring Bette Midler that aired as part of David Letterman's Holiday Film Festival in 1985. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Angst On A Shoestring – David Letterman – 1985 By Mister D Feb. 19, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-19_13-02-57.png "2026-02-19_13-02-57 - bootleg betty") --- --- “[**Angst on a Shoestring**](https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-hst48-15337cf)” is a hilarious, campy comedic segment featuring [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) that aired as part of David Letterman’s Holiday Film Festival in 1985. This was a Late Night with David Letterman special where celebrities created short, quirky “films” or skits for the holiday-themed broadcast. In the piece (often nicknamed “Why Bother?”), Bette Midler delivers an over-the-top, dramatic monologue/song about existential despair, futility, and low-budget misery—perfectly capturing a mood of dramatic resignation with her signature theatrical flair. Accompanied by Marc Shaiman on piano, she belts out lines emphasizing “why bother” with life’s efforts when everything feels pointless, all while embodying exaggerated angst on a literal “shoestring” budget (simple staging, no frills). It’s pure camp comedy, blending her Divine Miss M persona with satirical world-weariness. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%20-%20David%20Letterman%20-%201985&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%20-%20David%20Letterman%20-%201985%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%20-%20David%20Letterman%20-%201985&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%20-%20David%20Letterman%20-%201985%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%20-%20David%20Letterman%20-%201985%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Special Events, Talk Show, Video **Tags:** #AngstOnAShoestring, #BetteMidler, #DavidLetterman, #MarcShaiman, #talkshow, #WhyBother --- ### [Bette Midler - Why Bother? _ David Letterman](https://bootlegbetty.com/2016/11/04/bette-midler-why-bother-_-david-letterman/) **Published:** November 4, 2016 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Why%20Bother%3F%20_%20David%20Letterman&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Why%20Bother%3F%20_%20David%20Letterman%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Why%20Bother%3F%20_%20David%20Letterman&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Why%20Bother%3F%20_%20David%20Letterman%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Why%20Bother%3F%20_%20David%20Letterman%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Videos **Tags:** Bette Midler, Bette Midler - Why Bother? _ David Letterman --- ### [Twenty 70s Celebrities That Still Shape Our Cultural Landscape](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/19/twenty-70s-celebrities-that-still-shape-our-cultural-landscape/) **Published:** February 19, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Below are 20 notable personalities from the 1970s, each with a brief note on what made them prominent during that era and how their influence continues to resonate today. **Content:** --- ## Art Threat Readers: Identify 20 celebrities from the 1970s By Lindsey Harper Feb. 17, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/636377194511376876-stokely-midler.webp "636377194511376876-stokely-midler - bootleg betty") --- The 1970s produced a group of public figures whose work still shapes music, film, politics and fashion today — yet many younger readers may recognize faces without knowing the full stories behind them. As streaming services and anniversary documentaries renew interest in that decade, it’s worth revisiting who these people were and why they mattered then and now. Below are 20 notable personalities from the 1970s, each with a brief note on what made them prominent during that era and how their influence continues to resonate today. **Readers: Identify 20 [celebrities](https://apnews.com/hub/celebrity) from the 1970s** **Al Pacino** — a defining screen presence of the 1970s, after breakthrough roles in The Godfather (1972) and Serpico (1973) — helped shape modern film acting. Robert De Niro — Emerging as a leading actor with performances in The Godfather Part II (1974) and Taxi Driver (1976), De Niro became a touchstone for gritty realism. John Travolta — From Saturday Night Fever (1977) to Grease (1978), Travolta helped bring disco-era cinema and pop culture to mainstream audiences. Farrah Fawcett — A television and pop-culture icon thanks to Charlie’s Angels and a widely circulated poster, she became a symbol of 1970s celebrity style. David Bowie — His Ziggy Stardust persona and musical reinventions made Bowie a defining figure of 1970s innovation in rock and fashion. Elton John — One of the decade’s best-selling musicians, known for landmark albums and flamboyant stagecraft that influenced pop performance. Dolly Parton — Country star and crossover artist whose songwriting and public profile grew strongly during the 1970s. Muhammad Ali — Beyond the boxing ring, Ali remained a global figure in the 1970s through landmark fights and outspoken public presence. Bruce Lee — Though his life ended early, Lee’s films like Enter the Dragon (1973) reshaped martial-arts cinema worldwide. Jane Fonda — Oscar-winning performances and high-profile activism made Fonda both an artistic and political force in the decade. Clint Eastwood — The Dirty Harry films and growing directorial work cemented his role as a major Hollywood auteur and star. Diana Ross — Transitioning from The Supremes to a solo career and film work, Ross remained a major figure in music and entertainment. Paul McCartney — After the Beatles, McCartney’s Wings and solo projects kept him at the center of 1970s pop music. Cher — With chart success and a distinctive public image, Cher was a prominent entertainer throughout the decade. Stevie Wonder — A creative high point for Wonder came in the 1970s with albums that expanded the boundaries of soul and pop. Marlon Brando — Returning to cultural prominence with The Godfather (1972), Brando’s presence influenced two generations of actors. Jodie Foster — A notable child and emerging adult actor by the late 1970s, she drew attention for a memorable role in Taxi Driver (1976). Gloria Steinem — As a leader of second-wave feminism and co-founder of Ms. magazine, Steinem helped define political debates of the era. Bette Midler — Blending cabaret, pop music, and film, Midler became a versatile performer with growing mainstream appeal in the 1970s. Neil Young — A key figure in the singer-songwriter and folk-rock movements, Young released several influential albums during the decade. **Why this matters now** Interest in 1970s figures resurfaces regularly because their work remains visible on streaming platforms and continues to influence new artists and filmmakers. Understanding these names helps decode references in current shows, documentaries, and cultural conversations. For readers, that translates into practical takeaways: watching a renewed-generation biopic or listening to a remastered album isn’t just nostalgia — it’s a way to trace how modern styles and debates evolved. It also explains why some older stars re-enter the headlines during anniversaries or through revived careers. **How to explore further** Watch recent documentaries or anniversary interviews to hear first-hand recollections and newly surfaced context. Sample key films or albums cited above to see what made these careers distinctive in the 1970s. Read contemporary reviews and archived coverage to compare how reception at the time differs from today’s perspective. Whether you grew up in the era or are discovering it now, the 1970s remain a rich field for cultural exploration. These 20 names are a starting point — each opens a path into the decade’s music, cinema, politics and public life. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Twenty%2070s%20Celebrities%20That%20Still%20Shape%20Our%20Cultural%20Landscape&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Twenty%2070s%20Celebrities%20That%20Still%20Shape%20Our%20Cultural%20Landscape%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Twenty%2070s%20Celebrities%20That%20Still%20Shape%20Our%20Cultural%20Landscape&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Twenty%2070s%20Celebrities%20That%20Still%20Shape%20Our%20Cultural%20Landscape%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Twenty%2070s%20Celebrities%20That%20Still%20Shape%20Our%20Cultural%20Landscape%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Celebrity **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Celebrity, #Cu;tural, #Landscape --- ### [Marc Shaiman Talks Bette Midler And A Lifetime Of Happy Accidents](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/18/marc-shaiman-talks-bette-midler-and-a-lifetime-of-happy-accidents/) **Published:** February 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In Never Mind the Happy, musical dynamo Marc Shaiman looks back on five decades of Broadway triumphs, Hollywood hijinks, and unforgettable collaborations. **Content:** --- ## EDGE EDGE Interview: Marc Shaiman: A Sore Winner Reflects on a Lifetime of Happy Accidents By Steve Duffy Feb. 18, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-18_14-57-07.png "2026-02-18_14-57-07 - bootleg betty") --- In Never Mind the Happy, musical dynamo [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/) looks back on five decades of Broadway triumphs, Hollywood hijinks, and unforgettable collaborations. Along the way, he charts the personal highs and heartbreaks that have shaped him—spending his teenage years in community theatre, starting a decades-long collaboration with [**Bette Midler**](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/bette-midler-interview-career-life-1235961854/) in the ’70s, surviving the AIDS crisis of the ’80s, his award-winning film music career in the Hollywood of the ’90s, right up to the peaks (and valleys) of creating Broadway musicals from 2000 on. To understand how this dazzling, chaotic, and heartfelt career became a book, Marc started with the moment that sparked Never Mind the Happy. **EDGE: Tell us about Never Mind the Happy.** MS: The title “Nevermind the Happy” comes from something my mother said one morning that defined Judaism for me. My sister called first to wish her a happy and healthy new year. My mother replied, “Nevermind the happy.” That point of view, for better or worse, has been flowing through my bloodstream for all of my 66 years. This book is my attempt to push back against that reflex and to actually look at the happy—because, truthfully, so many phenomenal things have happened to me. That’s where the subtitle comes in: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner. I’m always complaining about something, and once someone—probably after looking around at all the posters, plaques, and awards—said to me, “Marc Shaiman, you are a sore winner.” It was the ultimate touché. So I decided to acknowledge that maybe I should stop complaining and instead tell the stories of this remarkable, unlikely career. Over the years, I’ve worked with so many new generations of performers. On one show—a day I remember vividly—a member of the ensemble (formerly known as the chorus, but apparently we’re not allowed to say that anymore) came up to me and asked, “Did you work on Sister Act 2?” I said, “Yes, I worked on Sister Act 1 and 2, and lots of other things.” Honestly, I almost titled this book Google Me, because part of its purpose is simply to say: here is everything I’ve worked on that you, your mother, or now even your grandmother may have loved. (Beaches has officially become someone’s grandmother’s favorite movie.) I’ve had an incredible run of luck—almost a fairy tale—in the projects that have come my way. Yes, I did the work, but the timing and opportunities have been extraordinary. And somewhere along the way, I realized I had accidentally written an inspirational book. It could probably sit in the self-help section at Barnes & Noble, because if there’s a message in these pages, it’s this: I just kept showing up and saying yes. And amazing things happened. Maybe they can happen to anyone who simply shows up. **EDGE: Explain why your mom, Claire, may have been adverse to ‘the happy.’** MS: I think the pessimism I feel sometimes is tied to something very Jewish — and I say that with pride. Humor and pessimism go hand in hand in Jewish culture, and it’s a part of myself that I both love and occasionally wish I could shake off. There’s that constant feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop. And the older you get, the more you realize the other shoe does drop. There’s also that expression Kenahora — don’t tempt the evil eye, don’t boast. In some ways, my entire book could be seen as one giant kenahora. I suppose I am tooting my own horn, and I’d be a hypocrite to pretend otherwise. But the truth is, I decided to write it at a moment when I was dealing with yet another disappointment in show business. Then I heard Jane Fonda on Julia LouisDreyfus’ podcast talking about writing her memoir because she felt it was time for a “life review.” Now, I’m not putting myself on Jane Fonda’s level, but that phrase stuck with me. It made me think, Yes — maybe it’s time to look back at all these incredible opportunities I’ve had. All the projects I’ve been part of that have brought joy to people. For example, I didn’t write “The Wind Beneath My Wings,” but I discovered it and brought it to Bette Midler. It had been recorded before, but I had the brainstorm that it would fit perfectly in that moment of the film. And the song exploded in a way it never had before. I’m just as proud of that as of something I’ve written myself, because that song has meant so much to so many people. And then there’s Hairspray. Scott Wittman and I would sometimes peek out from the wings and look at the audience during “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” No matter their age — seven or seventy-seven — no matter their background or color or walk of life, everyone in that theater had the same expression, the same energy, leaning forward in pure happiness. To have co-created something that unifies people like that is an extraordinary feeling. Especially now. Honestly, I wish Hairspray were running on Broadway right this moment, giving 1,700 people the chance to be united — at least for two and a half hours. That kind of collective joy is so rare these days. If anything, the only unifying emotion out there lately seems to be anger. So yes, the pessimism is there — but it sits right beside pride, humor, gratitude, and the hope that the work I’ve been lucky enough to do might bring people together, even briefly. **EDGE: What surprised you most when you revisited your own story?** MS: I think the biggest surprise has been realizing — only now, in retrospect — that I’ve lived a life that could actually inspire others. You don’t think about that while you’re in the middle of it, simply taking the opportunities as they come. But over these past few weeks of talking about the book, with people bringing up project after project — “You did this!” “And that!” — hearing my own career reflected back at me has made me hope that people not only enjoy the work, but also take away the idea that this could happen to anyone. I’m just one very lucky guy who kept putting himself out there. Another surprise: that Bette Midler didn’t yell at me. I honestly thought she might say, “How could you write so much about me? I don’t want people knowing how we made the sausage!” She used to be very private about that sort of thing, but she’s mellowed. The fact that she was touched by the book — and didn’t mind how extensively I wrote about our work together — was genuinely unexpected. And then there was Barbra Streisand. Her best friend Jay Landers — who’s co-produced her albums and is essentially her A&R partner — bought the book, gave them copies, and ended up reading her the entire Barbra chapter. I truly wasn’t sure how she’d take it. I talk about her perfectionism, which she’s said she wishes people wouldn’t focus on so much. And I mention her dear friend Marilyn Bergman in a humorous story about a debate over who was supposed to pay a bill. I wasn’t even sure Barbra would ever read it — let alone find it funny. But Jay told me she laughed and laughed. That was a wonderful surprise. And then comes the biggest surprise of all — and it’s one I never could have imagined. I married a man who, besides being a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran (making me a military spouse!), is also a huge sports fanatic. So in the past few years, out of love, I’ve gone to more sporting events than I had in my entire life. If my father could see me at basketball, football, and baseball games, he’d keel over in shock. So there I was at a Knicks game with my husband, Lou — who doesn’t love it when I’m glued to my phone — when a text came in from Jay Landers. I quietly peeked and thought, Oh my God, this is going to be about Barbra. Jay wrote, “I want to tell you her reaction. I don’t want to do it via text. Can I call you?” And there I was, at Madison Square Garden, texting back: “Jay, I’m at the Knicks game with my husband. I’ll have to call you back.” I mean, who would’ve thought I’d ever say that? That I’d have a Barbra Streisand story that ends with, “I have to call you back — I’m at a basketball game.” That, truly, is the biggest surprise of all. **EDGE: You write movingly about living through the AIDS crisis, describing years marked by “fear, death, and crushing grief.” How did that era shape your identity and the emotional honesty in your work?** MS: I suppose what stayed with me most was the realization of how quickly people can disappear — and how lucky I was to survive that era. That awareness, that undercurrent of melancholy and grief, runs throughout the book. I especially noticed it while recording the audiobook. Hearing all the lyrics I chose to quote — songs I referenced because they felt connected to the stories I was telling — it struck me how many of them are about loss and grief, all the way up to Mary Poppins Returns and “The Place Where Lost Things Go.” I end the audiobook with a new song that I mentioned earlier in the AIDS chapter. Back during the height of the epidemic, I once joked to myself that I could write a song called “If Tears Were Only Calories — Just Think How Thin I’d Be.” It wasn’t meant as a harsh joke; it simply sounded like the title of a country-western song. It wasn’t about fat-shaming — God knows, I’ve been every size imaginable. What I meant was: if only all this crying, all this grief, had some kind of silver lining. If tears had calories, at least I’d look fabulous. I finally wrote that song with Scott Whitman just a few months ago — decades after the thought first came to me. I’d had such a year of loss, and when Scott and I sat down to write, I was in a place where I was crying every day. My face was constantly a blotchy mess. I said to him, “If there was ever a time to write that song I joked about in the book, it’s now.” And Scott said, “Well, then let’s write it.” So we did — and that song closes the audiobook. So yes, the AIDS era left me grateful to be alive and deeply aware of how fast life can vanish. And if I wasn’t aware enough back then, this past year has made it even more painfully, unmistakably clear. **EDGE: Your memoir is candid, funny, and unfiltered. Was there anything LGBTQrelated—personal or professional—that you hesitated to include but ultimately felt was important to share?** MS: One thing I shared — although I softened the language a bit in the book — is a story I’ve only told a few people in its fuller form. It happened on what was unquestionably the gayest day of my teenage life. When I was 15, I cut school to see Bette Midler in New York. I arrived hours earlier than I needed to and thought, What am I going to do until then? Then I noticed that Funny Lady was playing nearby. So I went to the theater and ended up watching Barbra Streisand in Funny Lady twice in a row. During that time, a man sat down next to me and put his hand on my knee. To make a long story short — and in the book I wrote it carefully enough so my mother could read it — that day included my first anonymous sexual encounter of any kind, in between watching Barbra Streisand and seeing Bette Midler. So yes — that was, by far, the gayest day of my life. **EDGE: Your book is described as a “love letter to the melancholy that fuels creativity.” Many queer artists connect deeply with that duality of joy and ache. What do you think queer readers, in particular, will understand most about that balance?** MS: It’s funny you say that. The other night, when Bette Midler interviewed me at the Academy Museum in L.A. — which, if you had told 13-year-old me that Bette Midler would one day interview me about my life, I would never have believed — she said something that really struck me. I’m paraphrasing, but her point was that of all the gay people she’s known, I seemed to have had the least angst about being gay. And I realized she was right. When I realized I was gay, my reaction was basically, “Okay.” I was lucky — it was the ’70s, and gay liberation was just beginning. I remember being on a family vacation in Florida when the Anita Bryant situation was happening, seeing gay rights on the cover of Newsweek, and thinking, I’m part of this. I know I am. There was a show when I was a kid called Get Smart, and they had a character named Hymie the Robot, played by Dick Gautier. He was handsome, chisel-jawed, dimpled — the “perfect man.” I still remember wondering, as a little boy, Why does Hymie the Robot give me butterflies? So the signs were there early. Honestly, I’ve been blessed. From the moment I understood I was gay, it never felt like a problem. And I’ve been fortunate that it hasn’t held me back personally or professionally. There are two moments I mention in the book. Once, when I was in junior high, a jock friend of my sister’s was over at the house. He went into my room, found a piece of sheet music, and wrote “Fag” across it. My father discovered it, and I remember him quietly covering it with a piece of paper and painting over it so I wouldn’t have to see it. And I actually felt worse for my father than for myself. I thought, This hurts him that someone would say this about his son. The empathy I felt was toward him more than anything else. The only time I ever felt anything similar professionally was during my early days at Saturday Night Live. The tall, Ivy League comedy writers made me feel like I was “the gay musical theater guy down the hall.” No one ever said anything directly — it was more of a vibe. Maybe some of it was in my own head. Fortunately, that was the exception, not the rule. And of course, years later, I got to play for Barbra Streisand and Bette Midler on the same night — which is a pretty spectacular way to come full circle. As I write in the book, I ended up “the happiest homosexual in Hollywood.” I really have always felt that being gay is a blessing. My point in all of that is to embrace and celebrate who you are and never let anyone stand in your way or put you down. **EDGE: Out of all the films you have composed music for, which one would be the soundtrack of your life?** MS: Oh, it would definitely have to be a combination. The South Park movie would certainly be one… but really, I’d say the three musical films I’ve had the chance to work on. There’s South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, then Hairspray, which was especially meaningful because I got to be part of the film adaptation of our own musical. Not every composer or lyricist gets the chance to work on the movie version of their show. And then there’s Mary Poppins Returns. When I was a little boy, the Mary Poppins soundtrack meant everything to me. I listened to it day and night for years. So getting to work on the sequel and help continue the story of Mary Poppins and the Banks children was an incredible full-circle moment. Those three movies are so different—from the sincerity of Mary Poppins Returns to the outrageousness of the South Park movie, with Hairspray landing somewhere in the middle. I don’t think I could choose just one; those three together would have to be my answer. **EDGE: When readers finish the book, what do you hope they truly understand about who Marc Shaiman is?** MS: I hope that what ultimately comes through is gratitude—pure gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunities I’ve been given, for the incredible people I’ve been lucky enough to work with, and for the friendships I’ve made with some of the most wonderful human beings on earth. I’m grateful for the longevity of my career. I have so many friends in this business who had a moment, and then it passed, or who never got their moment at all. Why I’ve been so blessed to keep going, to keep being invited into new rooms and new adventures—I don’t know. But I don’t take any of it for granted. And now I’m even a New York Times bestseller. There was already enough in my obituary to make me a very happy man—and now there’s even more. And that’s just the showbusiness part. The real miracle of my life is that I’ve had two truly wonderful relationships. I still work with and dearly love my first partner, and I have the most devoted, loving husband. If every bit of show business disappeared tomorrow, I would still be happy because of him. Being married brings me so much joy. I’m an antsy person—I can’t sleep with my rings on, so I take mine off at night. And every once in a while, I forget to put it back on before leaving the house. When that happens, I feel naked. I have to rush home and put it on, because I don’t feel like myself without that ring on my finger. And that gratitude extends all the way to Rob and Michelle Reiner, who played such a significant role in the fight for marriage equality—right up to the Supreme Court. They were part of the coalition that pushed it forward, and I truly thank them every single day of my life for my marriage. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20A%20Lifetime%20Of%20Happy%20Accidents&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20A%20Lifetime%20Of%20Happy%20Accidents%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20A%20Lifetime%20Of%20Happy%20Accidents&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20A%20Lifetime%20Of%20Happy%20Accidents%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20A%20Lifetime%20Of%20Happy%20Accidents%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #Accidents, #BetteMidler, #Book, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy --- ### [Boodles BonBon Short Video - Bette Midler & Neil Sedaka Sing 'Love Will Keep Us Together'](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/18/boodles-bonbon-short-video-bette-midler-neil-sedaka-sing-love-will-keep-us-together/) **Published:** February 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler and Neil Sedaka performed a fun duet of "Love Will Keep Us Together" (the classic hit originally popularized by Captain & Tennille, which Neil Sedaka co-wrote) during his 1976 NBC television special Neil Sedaka: Steppin' Out. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Boodles BonBon Short Video – Bette Midler & Neil Sedaka Sing ‘Love Will Keep Us Together’ By Boodles BonBon Feb. 18, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/89a8a63eaa7df2b96d9c844fa1fb4b9e.jpg "89a8a63eaa7df2b96d9c844fa1fb4b9e - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-special-appearances/#.VfrNfH9Viko) and [**Neil Sedaka**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Sedaka) performed a fun duet of “Love Will Keep Us Together” (the classic hit originally popularized by Captain & Tennille, which Neil Sedaka co-wrote) during his 1976 NBC television special Neil Sedaka: Steppin’ Out. The performance is described as playful and humorous—some clips and fan posts even jokingly refer to it as “Love (Lunch) Will Keep Us Together,” likely due to a lighthearted lyric tweak or ad-lib during the routine. It’s a memorable guest appearance from Bette’s earlier TV days, where she also performed other numbers on the special. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Neil%20Sedaka%20Sing%20%27Love%20Will%20Keep%20Us%20Together%27&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Neil%20Sedaka%20Sing%20%27Love%20Will%20Keep%20Us%20Together%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Neil%20Sedaka%20Sing%20%27Love%20Will%20Keep%20Us%20Together%27&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Neil%20Sedaka%20Sing%20%27Love%20Will%20Keep%20Us%20Together%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Boodles%20BonBon%20Short%20Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Neil%20Sedaka%20Sing%20%27Love%20Will%20Keep%20Us%20Together%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #LoveWillKeepUsTogether, #NeilSedaka, #Video --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Baby It's You - 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/18/video-bette-midler-baby-its-you-2014/) **Published:** February 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performed her cover of "Baby It's You" live on several occasions around 2014, when she released her album It's the Girls! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Baby It’s You – 2014 By Mister D Feb. 18, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/hqdefault.jpg "Hqdefault - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/15/bette-midler-the-best-albums-of-1979/)performed her cover of “[**Baby It’s You**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_It%27s_You)” live on several occasions around 2014, when she released her album It’s the Girls!, a collection of girl-group classics. The song is a Burt Bacharach/Hal David composition, originally a hit for The Shirelles in 1961 (and later covered by The Beatles). The most notable and widely referenced live performance is from 2014 on Live! with Kelly and Michael (now Live with Kelly and Ryan), where she sang it as a promotional appearance for the album. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Baby%20It%27s%20You%20-%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Baby%20It%27s%20You%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Baby%20It%27s%20You%20-%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Baby%20It%27s%20You%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Baby%20It%27s%20You%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, It's The Girls, Video **Tags:** #BabyItsYou, #BetteMidler, #Itsthegirls, #KellyAndMichael, #Song, #Video --- ### [Casting Complete For Broadway's "Beaches" Musical](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/18/casting-complete-for-broadways-beaches-musical/) **Published:** February 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The gang's all here! Beaches on Broadway has completed the cast for its limited NYC engagement at the Majestic Theatre **Content:** --- ## New York Theater Guide ‘Beaches’ musical completes Broadway cast By Gillian Russo Feb. 17, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/beaches_cast-1200x600-NYTG-1024x512.png "Beaches_cast-1200x600-nytg - bootleg betty")--- The gang’s all here! [**Beaches** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/beaches/)on Broadway has completed the cast for its limited NYC engagement at the Majestic Theatre, which begins March 27 ahead of an April 22 opening and runs through September 6. Joining the previously announced Jessica Vosk as Cee Cee, Kelli Barrett as Bertie, Ben Jacoby as Michael Barron and others, and Brent Thiessen as John Perry and others are Samantha Schwartz as Little Cee Cee and Zeya Grace as Little Bertie. The cast also includes Sarah Bockel, Harper Burns, Eric Coles, Taylor Sage Evans, Mia Gerachis, Joelle Gully, Stephanie Martignetti, Emma Ogea, Olive Ross-Kline, Bailey Ryon, Paul Adam Schaefer, Lael Van Keuren, and Zurin Villanueva. Adapted from the 1985 book by Iris Rainer Dart and 1988 film starring [**Bette Midler**](https://www.bettemidler.com/) and Barbara Hershey, Beaches follows outgoing Cee Cee and privileged Bertie over a lifetime of friendship. From meeting on the boardwalk as kids to becoming pen pals, roommates, romantic rivals, and more, their friendship survives all kinds of changes and hardships. The stage adaptation has music by Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Mike Stoller, lyrics by Dart, and a book by Dart and Thom Thomas, developed in collaboration with David Austin. Emmy winner and Tony nominee Lonny Price and Matt Cowart co-direct, and Jennifer Rias choreographs. Beaches on Broadway also has orchestrations by Charlie Rosen, music supervision by Joseph Thalken, music direction by Paul Staroba, scenic design by James Noone, costume design by Tracy Christensen, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Kai Harada, projection design by David Bengali, and wig, hair, and makeup design by J. Jared Janas. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Casting%20Complete%20For%20Broadway%27s%20%22Beaches%22%20Musical&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Casting%20Complete%20For%20Broadway%27s%20%22Beaches%22%20Musical%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Casting%20Complete%20For%20Broadway%27s%20%22Beaches%22%20Musical&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Casting%20Complete%20For%20Broadway%27s%20%22Beaches%22%20Musical%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Casting%20Complete%20For%20Broadway%27s%20%22Beaches%22%20Musical%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Broadway **Tags:** #Beaches, #BeachesTheMusical, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #Casting --- ### [Video From Boodles BonBon - Bette Midler – Good Morning Britain (1991) | Some People's Lives](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/18/video-from-boodles-bonbon-bette-midler-good-morning-britain-1991-some-peoples-lives/) **Published:** February 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Very Short Interview - Bette Midler talks about her new song ‘From A Distance’ and discusses the challenges of album success. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video From Boodles BonBon – Bette Midler – Good Morning Britain (1991) | Some People’s Lives From Boodles BonBon Feb. 17, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-17_04-49-05.png "2026-02-17_04-49-05 - bootleg betty")--- Very Short Interview – [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) talks about her new song ‘[**From A Distance**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/from-a-distance/ "From A Distance")’ and discusses the challenges of album success. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Good%20Morning%20Britain%20%281991%29%20%7C%20Some%20People%27s%20Lives&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Good%20Morning%20Britain%20%281991%29%20%7C%20Some%20People%27s%20Lives%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Good%20Morning%20Britain%20%281991%29%20%7C%20Some%20People%27s%20Lives&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Good%20Morning%20Britain%20%281991%29%20%7C%20Some%20People%27s%20Lives%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Good%20Morning%20Britain%20%281991%29%20%7C%20Some%20People%27s%20Lives%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, From A Distance, Interview, Talk Show **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Boodles BonBon, #FromA Distance, #GoodMorningBritain, #SomePeop;esLives, Video --- ### [Video - Bette Midler in Disney's 'The Lottery](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/17/video-bette-midler-in-disneys-the-lottery/) **Published:** February 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In the 1989 Disney short film The Lottery, Bette Midler plays a frazzled but determined music teacher who discovers she’s won the lottery **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler in Disney’s ‘The Lottery By Mister D Feb. 17, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/MV5BODQ3OTM1M2UtYzRjOC00ODA3LThjMjctNDc4MzUwODRhMmMyXkEyXkFqcGc_V1_.jpg "Mv5bodq3otm1m2utyzrjoc00oda3lthjmjctndc4mzuwodrhmmmyxkeyxkfqcgc_v1_ - bootleg betty")--- --- In the 1989 Disney short film [***The Lottery*,**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/02/the-lottery-video-starring-bette-midler-at-disney-premiered-36-years-ago/) [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) plays a frazzled but determined music teacher who discovers she’s won the lottery—only to watch the winning ticket blow out her apartment window. What follows is a fast?paced, comedic chase across New York City as she scrambles after the runaway ticket, battling gusts of wind, city chaos, and even a mischievous pigeon Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Disney%27s%20%27The%20Lottery&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Disney%27s%20%27The%20Lottery%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Disney%27s%20%27The%20Lottery&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Disney%27s%20%27The%20Lottery%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20in%20Disney%27s%20%27The%20Lottery%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #TheLottery, #Video --- ### [Video - Bette Midler - Long John Blues - Live At Last](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/17/video-bette-midler-long-john-blues-live-at-last/) **Published:** February 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "Long John Blues" by Bette Midler is a playful and humorous song that cleverly uses dental work as a metaphor for an intimate and sensual experience. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video – Bette Midler – Long John Blues By Mister D Feb. 17, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/06d421a751e612f3dbc553978ccffe77.jpg "06d421a751e612f3dbc553978ccffe77 - bootleg betty") --- “[**Long John Blues**](https://genius.com/Bette-midler-long-john-blues-lyrics)” by [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/songsandlyrics/)is a playful and humorous song that cleverly uses dental work as a metaphor for an intimate and sensual experience. The song’s lyrics revolve around the singer’s encounters with Doctor Long John, a tall and charismatic dentist, and the flirtatious interaction between them. The song’s humor serves to lighten the mood while conveying a deeper message about the transformative power of love and sensuality. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%20-%20Live%20At%20Last&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%20-%20Live%20At%20Last%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%20-%20Live%20At%20Last&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%20-%20Live%20At%20Last%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%20-%20Live%20At%20Last%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Live At Last, Music, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #LiveATLast, #LongJohnBlues, #Music, #Song --- ### [Bette Midler Featured In Prime Women In The Movies](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/17/bette-midler-featured-in-prime-women-in-the-movies/) **Published:** February 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** There’s something profoundly comforting—and empowering—about seeing reflections of your own life experiences, challenges, and triumphs on screen. **Content:** --- ## Prime Women By Prime Women Prime Women In The Movies By Prime Women Feb 12, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/betty-midler_orig.jpg "Betty-midler_orig - bootleg betty")There’s something profoundly comforting—and empowering—about seeing reflections of your own life experiences, challenges, and triumphs on screen. For women over 50, the cinematic landscape often lacks strong, nuanced female leads who’ve lived, loved, and learned. Yet, there are films that not only feature mature women but celebrate their complexities, resilience, and reinvention. These all-time favorite movies resonate deeply with women who understand that the second half of life can be just as thrilling as the first. Here’s a curated list of beloved films that speak to the heart of women over 50, each telling a story of transformation, courage, and connection. ## *1. [The First Wives Club](https://amzn.to/4bNOS4T)* (1996) A cult classic that perfectly blends humor, revenge, and camaraderie, *[**The First Wives Club**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_Wives_Club)* stars [Diane Keaton](https://primewomen.com/second-acts/personal-growth/insights-on-work-life-and-love-from-diane-keaton/), Goldie Hawn, and [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/first-wives-club/) as three college friends reunited by tragedy. When they discover their ex-husbands have traded them in for younger women, they team up to reclaim their power and independence. ***Why it resonates***: It’s a fierce reminder that women don’t lose their spark with age—instead, they gain wisdom and the confidence to stand up for themselves. The friendship at the heart of the film is a celebration of lifelong female bonds. ## *2. [Something’s Gotta Give](https://amzn.to/4ktFDcd)* (2003) Diane Keaton (again!) shines as Erica Barry, a successful playwright who unexpectedly finds love with an aging bachelor (Jack Nicholson) who’s always dated younger women. What begins as a clash of personalities slowly transforms into a story of self-discovery and mature romance. ***Why it resonates***: It proves that love and desire don’t disappear with age. Erica’s journey of opening herself up emotionally—after years of independence—feels refreshingly honest and familiar to many women who’ve spent decades prioritizing others over themselves. ## *3. [Fried Green Tomatoes](https://amzn.to/4ku7toZ)* (1991) This heartwarming and layered film interweaves past and present as an unhappy housewife (Kathy Bates) forms an unlikely friendship with an elderly woman (Jessica Tandy) who shares stories of her spirited youth in the 1920s South. It’s a tale of empowerment, resilience, and forging your own path. ***Why it resonates***: It encourages women to reclaim their lives, even in midlife or later. The dual storyline reminds us that the wisdom of older women is a treasure trove—and that it’s never too late to change your life’s course. ## *4. [Calendar Girls](https://amzn.to/4aEpEF3)* (2003) Based on a true story, this charming British comedy follows a group of middle-aged women who decide to pose nude for a charity calendar to raise money for leukemia research. Led by Helen Mirren and Julie Walters, the film is full of laughs and heart. ***Why it resonates***: It celebrates body positivity, friendship, and bravery at any age. It’s also a delightful nudge to break out of your comfort zone and do something bold—no matter what others think. ## *5. [Steel Magnolias](https://amzn.to/4ksUns7)* (1989) Set in a small Southern town, this tearjerker tells the story of six women whose bonds of friendship help them navigate love, loss, and life. With powerhouse performances from Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, and Shirley MacLaine, the film is a heartfelt tribute to sisterhood. ***Why it resonates***: The strength of female friendships, especially as women age, is central to the film. It’s a testament to how women carry each other through the best and worst of times. ## *6. [Under the Tuscan Sun](https://amzn.to/3ZtYg6l)* (2003) When recently divorced writer Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) impulsively buys a villa in [Tuscany](https://primewomen.com/entertainment/travel/featured-destinations/fall-in-northern-tuscany/), she embarks on a journey of self-renewal, finding beauty, purpose, and community in the process. ***Why it resonates***: It’s a visual and emotional feast about the courage to start over. For women navigating big life changes in their 50s and beyond—divorce, [empty nesting](https://primewomen.com/second-acts/new-surroundings/3-tips-empty-nester/), or retirement—this film offers a delicious slice of inspiration and hope. ## *7. [Mamma Mia!](https://amzn.to/3MqjDm1)* (2008) Featuring an ensemble cast led by Meryl Streep, this musical romp set on a Greek island blends ABBA’s greatest hits with themes of love, independence, and motherhood. Donna (Streep) is a self-reliant single mom whose zest for life is infectious. ***Why it resonate***s: It’s a joyful reminder that dancing, singing, and living passionately have no expiration date. The movie also highlights the richness of mother-daughter relationships and the beauty of female friendship circles. ## *8. [Book Club](https://amzn.to/4r4adf6)* (2018) When four lifelong friends (played by Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen) read *Fifty Shades of Grey* for their monthly book club, it sparks a series of unexpected romantic awakenings and personal reflections. ***Why it resonates***: It’s cheeky, relatable, and speaks to the emotional and sensual lives of older women, which are often underrepresented in film. It celebrates the idea that growth, fun, and romance don’t end with menopause. ## *9. [Beaches](https://amzn.to/4akN6Ww)* (1988) This emotional drama starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey chronicles a decades-long friendship between two very different women. From youthful dreams to middle-aged realities, their relationship is tested by success, betrayal, and illness. ***Why it resonates***: For women over 50, *Beaches* is more than a nostalgic classic—it’s a raw portrayal of loyalty, love, and the fragility of life. It encourages viewers to cherish long-standing relationships and make peace with life’s impermanence. ## Embracing the Journey Through Film The common thread among these beloved films is their deep respect for the stories of women who have lived full, often complicated lives. These movies validate the experiences of [women over 50](https://primewomen.com/beauty-and-fashion/hair/hairstyles-for-women-over-50/)—not as side characters or comic relief, but as vibrant, evolving protagonists in their own right. Whether you’re looking for a good cry, a hearty laugh, or a burst of motivation to tackle your next adventure, there’s a film here that will speak directly to your soul. Because the best chapters in life—and in cinema—are often the ones that come after 50. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Featured%20In%20Prime%20Women%20In%20The%20Movies&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Featured%20In%20Prime%20Women%20In%20The%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Featured%20In%20Prime%20Women%20In%20The%20Movies&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Featured%20In%20Prime%20Women%20In%20The%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Featured%20In%20Prime%20Women%20In%20The%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Movies **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #FirstWivesClub, #Movies, #Prime, #Women --- ### [Bette Midler & Margot Robbie Meet At A Party, What Transpired?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/17/bette-midler-margot-robbie-meet-at-a-party-what-transpired/) **Published:** February 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** At a recent gathering, Margot Robbie told Bette Midler about her deep love for the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey—which she calls “the best show ever” **Content:** --- ## BBC Bette Midler & Margot Robbie Meet At A Party, What Transpired? By Mister D Feb. 16, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-15_12-44-35.png "2026-02-15_12-44-35 - bootleg betty")--- At a recent gathering, **[Margot Robbie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margot_Robbie)** told [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) about her deep love for the BBC sitcom *Gavin & Stacey*—which she calls “the best show ever”—and she didn’t stop at just recommending it. Robbie actually **sent Midler the entire DVD set** after their conversation. Midler later replied that she had already started watching and would continue with the DVDs Robbie gave her. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Margot%20Robbie%20Meet%20At%20A%20Party%2C%20What%20Transpired%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Margot%20Robbie%20Meet%20At%20A%20Party%2C%20What%20Transpired%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Margot%20Robbie%20Meet%20At%20A%20Party%2C%20What%20Transpired%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Margot%20Robbie%20Meet%20At%20A%20Party%2C%20What%20Transpired%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Margot%20Robbie%20Meet%20At%20A%20Party%2C%20What%20Transpired%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Gossip **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Conversation, #Gossip, #MargotRobbie --- ### [Bette Midler - The Best Albums of 1979](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/15/bette-midler-the-best-albums-of-1979/) **Published:** February 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Midler is clearly at the top of her game here. She could pull off a raunchy, bluesy Janis Joplin impersonation (few if any female artist could do that **Content:** --- ## Nolan Dalla The Best Albums of 1979 By Nolan Dalla Feb. 15, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/b7586970310a7bcbc1042acaa1f17dae.jpg "B7586970310a7bcbc1042acaa1f17dae - bootleg betty") --- **Summation:** 1979 was an astounding year for rock, one of the best ever. This was highly unexpected given that R&B/Soul dominated so much of the mid-1970s, combined with the mass popularity of disco. Pop music was about to experience a seismic shift into New Wave and other variations, as well as the birth of MTV, which would soon steamroll over the entire musical landscape. So, to see how many great rock albums were released that year was a surprise. Some may call this the last great year for traditional rock. **Now, on to my Top-20:** **“Live Rust” ….. Neil Young** – Recorded during Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s “Rust Never Sleeps” American tour, is a double-album loaded with outstanding live recordings of many of his best-known songs, plus new material. Great energy on this album sometimes driven by the audiences spill over enthusiasm, which I played over and over for years in college and beyond. 19. **“Spirits Having Flown” ….. Bee Gees** – The Bee Gees had an insurmountable challenge to follow up their massively-successful “Saturday Night Live” soundtrack, and given expectations were so high, many recordings were delayed. But then this album was finally released and the hits kept coming. The Bee Gees unbroken run of six US chart-toppers in just a one-year period and equalled a feat shared only by Elvis Presley and the Beatles. I don’t think this album is nearly as good as their previous releases, but it’s still solid and the sales figures don’t lie. 18. **“The Rose” ….. Bette Midler** – Here’s another massively-successful album with multiple hit singles. Midler is clearly at the top of her game here. She could pull off a raunchy, bluesy Janis Joplin impersonation (few if any female artist could do that, let alone would even attempt it), but also soothe the soul as a tearful balladeer for more traditional audiences. Who doesn’t love, I mean love fucking Bette Midler? Oh wait, that came out wrong. This album shows her great vocal range and personal charisma. 17. **“Blondes Have More Fun” ….. Rod Stewart** – Rod Stewart belted out one of the greatest raspy, rock voices of all-time (anyone listening instantly knew that voice). So, to see him transition from that classic rock persona and successfully pull off a more dance-driven disco-friendly beat is quite an accomplishment. Imagine, a rocker being played inside disco clubs–which is exactly what happened with this album. “Do You Think I’m Sexy?” was the smash #1 from these sessions. Stewart’s fan base of rock purists didn’t like this album, but I think it shows extraordinary versatility and adoptability. Odd Prediction: If Jim Morrison (The Doors) had lived, he’d have done this first (before Stewart). 16. **“Cheap Trick at Budokan” ….. Cheap Trick** – I previous wrote that this is one of my favorite albums of the year, which was actually recorded in Osaka (Japan) because those recordings were deemed more technically crisp. About five years later, I saw Cheap Trick live in Dallas in a tiny alt. club with only about 100 seats, and they did this lineup of songs, which is one of the most incredible musical moments I’ve ever witnessed (being like 20 feet away from the band playing in a basement bar, with brick walls, echoing their thunderous sound). Call me biased. Guilty. 15. **“Damn the Torpedoes” …… Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers** – Widely regarded as one of Petty’s best albums, “Damn the Torpedoes” ranked number 231 on Rolling Stone’s list of best 500. It spawned four hit singles, including “Refugee” and “Don’t Do Me Like That.” It would have easily been a top-10 album on my list but had the misfortune of being released at the same time as timeless masterpieces. 14. **“In Through the Out Door” ….. Led Zeppelin** – Anything by Led Zeppelin is a virtual automatic inclusion. Yet, this is a seriously traumatic departure-from-normalcy final album from the original four band members — as drummer John Bonham died shortly after its release. Most hardcore Zep fans didn’t like this album (I still remember gathering with a group of 17-year-olds who all pooled our money listening for the first time and we were aghast). Jimmy Page’s contributions were minimal and Bonham was a mess, which allowed John Paul Jones to step in with Robert Plant who wrote most of the content, which was heavily driven by synthesizers. I think it shows a very different side of the band, certainly a softer more balladesque collection, including “All My Love.” It would rank higher, but contains only seven songs. We need more for it to rank among the most revered Led Zeppelin recordings. 13. **“The B-52’s” ….. The B-52s** – New Wave band the B-52s was the perfect party band for the upcoming ’80s decade with their colorful costumes, throwback beehive hairdos, catchy rhythms and guitar riffs, kitschy sometimes ridiculous lyrics, and celebration atmosphere. This is a wonderful debut album, praised by many critics at the time as obviously commercial, but still clever and innovative. Few albums (or groups) can pull that off, one reason this album clearly belongs among an excellent year of releases. 12. **“Rise” ….. Herb Albert** – Is “Rise” really superior to the albums ranked lower, or those that didn’t make my list? Perhaps not, so it’s a fair criticism to ask why this is listed so high. But also consider the instrumental title track “Rise” which was a nearly 8-minute single that was played in discos and bridged every taste of music, becoming a smash hit worldwide. This album also contains what was to be the trumpet-blasting 1980 Olympic theme song (before the USA withdrew from the Moscow games), later used as an intro for the World Cup. “Rise” was one of the first pop albums to use the new digital recording technology. It was groundbreaking, contains many styles of music, crossed barriers, and stands up as well today as back then — which checks every box as a top-20 inclusion. 11. **“We Are Family” ….. Sister Sledge** – The title single may have been the top song of the year, as it was blasted out everywhere — even sports teams (recall the Pittsburgh teams using this song in their championship seasons). However, the entire album is also just as enjoyable. Many may be surprised to learn this was the best-selling album of 1979–which really says something when you look at this list. So, it was immensely popular, included powerful hit songs, and was also critically-acclaimed. Let’s place it at #11. 10. **“Christopher Cross” ….. Christopher Cross** – Cross might be the Shakespearean tragedy of the era given what happened to him within a relatively short time frame. This debut album packed with soft-pop ballads (which was later called “yacht music”) was a smash success — it won multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. Given its massive success, the fact Cross didn’t release another album for four years foretells the earthquake about to happen in the music business. MTV was on the horizon and Cross’s frumpy image and link with “adult contemporary” didn’t translate well into music-television and pop hit videos. After winning an Oscar a short-time later for “Arthur,” his popularity declined almost immediately. He opened for popular rock bands, and was sometimes booed off the stage. Cross never came close again to the success of this first album, which is a shame. Nonetheless, this record deserves praise and remembrance. 9. **“Reggatta de Blanc” ….. The Police** – Confession…huge Police fan here. I’ve seen them more times than any other act/artist if we include Police/Sting as a coupling (8, by my count). This was the Police’s second group album, which launched two big hits, “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon.” Labelled as “White reggae fusion” at the time, this album solidified a genre later copied by UB40, Men at Work, and others. My observation: Interesting comparison to be made here in contrast to Christopher Cross (see above)….The Police, three blond young guys from England would make a number of memorable videos to accompany their singles (from albums), which contributed tremendously to their global success. Other artists may have written great music, but didn’t have “the look.” 8. **“Tusk” ….. Fleetwood Mac** – This is the point in my rankings where arguably any of the top-8 could be a #1. All albums from this point forward are brilliant. Fleetwood Mac fans got a wonderful bonus surprise with this double album loaded with radio-friendly music, but still remained deeply introspective and meaningful. Interesting facts include this starting out as an experimental set of recordings, and the project ballooned to a whopping $1.4 production budget–then the most-expensive album ever made, and that didn’t include the coke. Incredibly, despite the extra disc, sales dropped from 10 million for “Rumours” to just 4 million on this album, oddly making it a commercial “disappointment.” The backstories surrounding this album are legendary (read them if you’re into rock history). The perfect critique was Rolling Stone’s review, which included this description: “The experimental nature of the album (makes it) comparable to the Beatles’ “White Album” in that “Tusk is less a collection of finished songs than a mosaic of pop-rock fragments by individual performers.” That’s pretty damned impressive praise, right there. 7. **“Of the Wall” ….. Michael Jackson** – Michael Jackson was about to become the worldwide music earthquake of the 1980s, and this is his early tremor. We all remembered The Jackson 5 from years earlier, and this was Jackson’s first real album as a grown up. The cover showed Jackson in a tuxedo like going to a life’s graduation (which this sorta’ was), and the music reflects the power of his voice, raw talent, boundless energy, and great awareness of what pop music culture wanted to hear. It’s a tragedy what happened to Jackson later on, and if you want to know the artist he might have been without losing control of his life as a living icon then listen to this album all the way through sometime. I was a rocker back then, but I still borrowed this album from somebody and remembering being blown away from the first moment I listened. That opinion as not changed. 6. **“Breakfast in America” ….. Supertramp** – Why didn’t Supertramp become the next big rock gods? All the pieces were in place with this album, fronted by lead vocalist Rick Davies. Supertramp initially broke through in 1974, yet didn’t really hit the big time until this album became an unexpected surprise hit. “The Logical Song” turned into the anthem of the summer on rock stations everywhere, and overall this album contained four hit singles. 5. **“London Calling” ….. The Clash** – Many argue this album should be #1, and it’s hard to disagree except for other great recordings that year. I wasn’t into the Clash even with their great primal energy, but they released a masterpiece here that stands decades later as one of the most influential recordings of all time. Interestingly, it was released a double-album first in the UK, rare at the time for punk rockers. Even though it’s classified in the punk genre, that’t not quite accurate given the wide range of styles including reggae, rockabilly, New Orleans-spiked R&B, pop, lounge-infused jazz, and hard rock. What stands out apart from the music are the lyrics, initially London-centric but also with references to historical and cultural pop events. Unlike other punk recordings which often frightened the mainstream (which was kinda’ the point), this album showed punk could also be fun. Multiple critics rank this as the best double album since the Rolling Stones’ classic “Exile on Main Street” from 1972. 4. **“Bad Girls” ….. Donna Summer** – This is another powerhouse double-album. Many call it the greatest dico album of all time, and it’s hard to disagree. Absolutely loaded with 72 minutes across four discs of original material, incredibly the songs aren’t repetitive in the least, showin a wide variety of beats and sounds and moods, shattering the criticism that disco was “too one-dimensional.” Rolling Stone was even over-the-top with its praise, ranking this album at #23 all time. Donna Summer’s album spawned six huge hits, including chart-toppers “Hot Stuff” and “Bad Girls.” When we think of albums that defined the times and the culture, this stands as a landmark. Summer wasn’t just the “Queen of Disco” anymore. With this, she was The Queen. That label was about to crash and burn, however. Disco began to face significant sociopolitical (some say racist) backlash from the American record-buying public. US radio stations, wanting a return to more rock-oriented material, began banning disco. 3. **“The Long Run” ….. The Eagles** – It took three years for the Eagles to release an acceptable follow-up to the blockbuster hit “Hotel California” (1976) and this album — appropriately titled “The Long Run” — was well worth the wait. Originally intended as a double-album, the group scaled back what could have been a much-heavier collection of recordings (especially given the band included multiple songwriters who all became successful solo artists). There were deep cracks within the band by these sessions culminating in the infamous onstage infighting during a concert during this album tour, but the songwriting remains purely glorious Eagles. Given the Eagles’ remarkable staying power, this album has grown in stature. Like many groups, it becomes impossible to surpass or even meet previous success but when measured as a whole over expansive time, it’s a gem. Any other group would be so lucky to have a release like this one, which much like ABBA, Bee Gees, and others that same year found themselves faced with insurmountable expectations. 2. **“Highway to Hell” ….. AC/DC** – When we think of masterpieces of hard rock, this is the musical-political-cultural flash point of raw power and rebellious energy, laced with astonishing vocals, hypnotic guitar work, and thundering percussion. And it comes out of Australia of all places! It’s a flawless album of the genre, probably second only to “Back in Black” in the now-sacred AC/DC album canon. “Highway to Hell” became a counterculture anthem for multi-generations staying with us to this day, but was racy then for its scandalous satire of religion. Indeed, religious fundamentalists cited this album and the title track as “proof” of satanic conspiracies and the liberal music industry as part of devil worship. This album is everything rock n’ roll originated from — rebellion, unconventional ideas, raw energy in the form of musical excellence, and a huge middle finger to the establishment. This was the last recording to feature frontman Bon Scott, who died months after this release. I defy anyone to listen to this album now and not feel the same power 46 years later as the time many of us first heard it. 1. **The Wall ….. Pink Floyd** – I could almost cut and paste the AC/DC description and insert it here for the bold counterculture themes expressed in Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.” So, why is this my #1. I’ll explain: (a) this is a political statement at a time when NO MUSIC was political. Unlike the ’60s and all the political messaging, the ’70s was the decade of hedonism. Yet, Pink Floyd defies the cultural norms and releases that mesmerizing chant “We don’t need no ed-uuuu-cayyy-shun” on this album. (b) commercial success….with over 30 million copies sold, it is the second-best-selling Pink Floyd album behind “The Dark Side of the Moon” (1973) and the best-selling double album of all time. (c) oh, how many movies were made AFTER the release of an album? Yes, a story and musical surrealist film was created based on this release…..and some years later, the music was featured in the commercials for innovative Steve Jobs’ Apple products, which kinda’ says everything. Conclusion: This is a powerhouse year of rock music, but “The Wall” is a surprisingly easy pick for me. Personal Note: I interviewed Bob Ezrin once (thanks Lisa Tenner) who produced this album. Seriously, can you imagine the back stories! I should post the transcript of that conversation sometime. **Song of the Year:** The 8-minute long “Another Brick in the Wall” sometimes called “Part 2.” Easy pick for its endurance, which I predict will be one of those symphonic moments played into the next century. “We Are Family” might be the most timepiece-oriented song of the year, but I’ll go with Pink Floyd. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Best%20Albums%20of%201979&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Best%20Albums%20of%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Best%20Albums%20of%201979&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Best%20Albums%20of%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Best%20Albums%20of%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, the Rose **Tags:** #Albums, #BetteMidler, #Rock, #TheRose --- ### [Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Bette Midler - Love Says It's Waiting / Friends (Live) - 1980](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/14/audio-from-the-bette-midler-archive-bette-midler-love-says-its-waiting-friends-live-1980/) **Published:** February 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Performed February 14, 1980, at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, CA, during the filming of Bette's movie concert "Divine Madness." **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Bette Midler – Love Says It’s Waiting / Friends (Live) – 1980 From The Bette Midler Archive Feb. 14, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-14_16-06-57.png "2026-02-14_16-06-57 - bootleg betty")--- --- Performed February 14, 1980, at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, CA, during the filming of Bette’s movie concert “Divine Madness.” This number was sadly cut from the final film. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Love%20Says%20It%27s%20Waiting%20%2F%20Friends%20%28Live%29%20-%201980&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Love%20Says%20It%27s%20Waiting%20%2F%20Friends%20%28Live%29%20-%201980%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Love%20Says%20It%27s%20Waiting%20%2F%20Friends%20%28Live%29%20-%201980&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Love%20Says%20It%27s%20Waiting%20%2F%20Friends%20%28Live%29%20-%201980%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Love%20Says%20It%27s%20Waiting%20%2F%20Friends%20%28Live%29%20-%201980%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Divine Madness, Songs, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #DivineMadness, #Friends, #LoveSaysItsWaiting, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [Video Valentine: Bette Midler - Night And Day Diva D Mix And An Ode!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/14/video-valentine-bette-midler-night-and-day-diva-d-mix-and-an-ode/) **Published:** February 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video Valentine: Night And Day Diva D Mix **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video Valentine: Bette Midler – Night And Day Diva D Mix And An Ode! By Mister D Feb. 14, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/11256196_372152362995270_53234823_n.jpg "11256196_372152362995270_53234823_n - bootleg betty") --- --- **Rhyme-Time Ode to the Betteheads (Sass Overload Edition)** *We strut in like divas who’ve stolen the scene, Betteheads forever—fierce, fabulous, mean. From bathhouse steam where the legend was born, To Vegas lights where her sequins were worn.* *We know every zinger, each filthy one-liner, Every wink, every shade—she’s our personal miner Of gold-plated camp, of belted-out gold, While the rest of the world just does what they’re told.* *Someone calls her “over”? We snap right back quick: “Your taste needs a rescue—it’s looking quite sick!” We quote Winifred’s cackle, we hum “The Rose,” Then roast you for breakfast in Divine-style prose.* *Hocus Pocus hexes? We live for that brew, Mermaid flops? Honey, we stan the view. “Wind Beneath My Wings” lifts our wigs sky-high, While you fumble for words—we just roll our eyes.* *We’re loud in the comments, we’re loyal to death, We’d fight for her honor with zero regret. When she drops a tweet that’s pure acid and fire, We scream in the group chat: “YES, QUEEN, TAKE US HIGHER!”* *So raise up your boas, your heels, and your shade— Betteheads don’t crumble, we never degrade. We’re glitter and grit, we’re camp and we’re class, And if you can’t handle it? Kiss our fabulous ass.* *Because once you’ve been Bette’d, there’s no turning back— You’re hooked on the Divine, and that’s a hard fact. Keep screaming her name, keep serving that tea, Betteheads rule forever—eternally free!* *Fuck ’em if they can’t take a joke, darlings. ???* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20Valentine%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Night%20And%20Day%20Diva%20D%20Mix%20And%20An%20Ode%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20Valentine%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Night%20And%20Day%20Diva%20D%20Mix%20And%20An%20Ode%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20Valentine%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Night%20And%20Day%20Diva%20D%20Mix%20And%20An%20Ode%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20Valentine%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Night%20And%20Day%20Diva%20D%20Mix%20And%20An%20Ode%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20Valentine%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Night%20And%20Day%20Diva%20D%20Mix%20And%20An%20Ode%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DivaD, #HappyValentinesDay, #Remix, #Valentine, Video --- ### [New Video Interview: Bruce Vilanch on Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus & Winnie Sanderson Podcast](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/13/new-video-interview-bruce-vilanch-on-bette-midler-hocus-pocus-winnie-sanderson-podcast/) **Published:** February 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Join us for an unforgettable conversation with legendary comedy writer Bruce Vilanch, as he shares his incredible journey through Hollywood, Broadway, and beyond. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty New Video Interview: Bruce Vilanch on Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus & Winnie Sanderson Podcast By We Think It’s Funny Podcast Feb 13, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/626049762_18558716197011953_9150236868206361184_n-1024x768.jpg "626049762_18558716197011953_9150236868206361184_n - bootleg betty")--- --- Join us for an unforgettable [**conversation** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversation)with legendary comedy writer Bruce Vilanch, as he shares his incredible journey through Hollywood, Broadway, and beyond. From working with icons like [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/12/video-bette-midler-and-the-rose-concert-monologue/), Jerry Lewis, and Katharine Hepburn, to hilarious personal stories, Bruce gives us a rare glimpse behind the curtain of show business. ? Chapters: [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig) – [03:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=220s) | Intro, Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus Winnie Sanderson language & early banter [03:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=220s) – [07:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=420s) | Welcome Bruce + no-pants hotel story, naked neighbor & Milton Berle jokes [07:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=420s) – [11:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=690s) | Bruce’s birth story, adoption, Jewish parents, DNA search & finding birth family [11:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=690s) – [16:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=960s) | Lenny Miller reveal, drag queen / Birdcage connection, cross-dressers & “tranny” discussion [16:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=960s) – [22:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=1320s) | Childhood talent, child actor days, reading movie ads & meeting Lou Costello [22:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=1320s) – [28:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=1680s) | Groucho & Harpo Marx stories, early Hollywood encounters & unemployment office tale [28:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=1680s) – [34:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=2040s) | Starting with Bette Midler (55 years), writing Hocus Pocus & singing “Buckets of Rain” with her [34:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=2040s) – [40:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=2400s) | Hello Dolly, greatest Broadway musicals, West Side Story debate & Elaine Stritch subtext joke [40:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=2400s) – [48:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=2880s) | Jerry Lewis (“don’t pet the panther”), Katharine Hepburn memories & Cher stories [48:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=2880s) – [56:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=3360s) | Bruce’s weight loss journey, lap band experience & peak weight stories [56:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=3360s) – [1:04:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAFWimxw1ig&t=3840s) | Writing the Oscars (Billy Crystal, Whoopi, Letterman, Uma/Oprah, Jack Palance push-ups) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=New%20Video%20Interview%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20on%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Hocus%20Pocus%20%26%20Winnie%20Sanderson%20Podcast&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=New%20Video%20Interview%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20on%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Hocus%20Pocus%20%26%20Winnie%20Sanderson%20Podcast%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=New%20Video%20Interview%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20on%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Hocus%20Pocus%20%26%20Winnie%20Sanderson%20Podcast&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=New%20Video%20Interview%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20on%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Hocus%20Pocus%20%26%20Winnie%20Sanderson%20Podcast%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=New%20Video%20Interview%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20on%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Hocus%20Pocus%20%26%20Winnie%20Sanderson%20Podcast%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bruce Vilanch, Hocus Pocus, Podcasts, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BruceVilanch, #HocusPocus, #Podcast, #Video, #Winnifred Sanderson --- ### [Marc Shaiman on Never Mind the Happy at Politics and Prose](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/13/marc-shaiman-on-never-mind-the-happy-at-politics-and-prose/) **Published:** February 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** You’d think Marc Shaiman lives with never-ending musical ideas that he can pull from on a moment’s notice. **Content:** --- ## City Paper Marc Shaiman on *Never Mind the Happy* at Politics and Prose By Christina Smart Feb. 13, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/MudBette.jpg "Mudbette - bootleg betty") --- You’d think [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/09/bette-midler-marc-shaiman-behind-the-scenes/) lives with never-ending musical ideas that he can pull from on a moment’s notice. The film score composer is an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony award winner and Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe nominee who wrote the music for Misery, City Slickers, and Sleepless in Seattle, along with Broadway musicals including Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can, and Some Like It Hot. Amazingly, this is not the case. Shaiman tells City Paper that he and his songwriting partner, [**Scott Wittman**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Wittman), “sit together and usually for two days … the only song we write,” he starts singing, “‘Paralyzed with fear. Paralyzed with fear.’” His autobiography, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories From a Sore Winner, is a hilariously candid account of his more than 50 years as a music composer and songwriter. There are a lot of beshert moments in Shaiman’s life. He writes about his time working with Bette Midler—to whom he dedicates the book—from a young age (there’s actually a chapter called ‘Manifesting Midler’), and shares how badly he wanted to be the composer for Mary Poppins Returns: “I was so obsessed with Mary Poppins as a kid and loved that soundtrack so much … I was like, ‘I don’t know how I will survive walking on this earth if I don’t get that job,’” he says. More than that, in Never Mind the Happy, Shaiman honestly shares the peaks and valleys of his personal and professional life, which makes for an encouraging tale where the end result surprises even him. “Who would’ve thought that my life and my career and my personal life could be an inspirational book,” says Shaiman. “They could put me in that self-help category.” Above all, Shaiman wants people to know, regardless of profession, that if you show up and put yourself on the line, the results can be extraordinary. “That is what I hope people get from the book,” he says. “Just the fact that these kinds of magical things can happen.” Marc Shaiman discusses Never Mind the Happy with Murray Horwitz at 5 p.m. on Feb. 14 at Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. politics-prose.com. Free. — Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Marc%20Shaiman%20on%C2%A0Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%C2%A0at%20Politics%20and%20Prose&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20on%C2%A0Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%C2%A0at%20Politics%20and%20Prose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Marc%20Shaiman%20on%C2%A0Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%C2%A0at%20Politics%20and%20Prose&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20on%C2%A0Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%C2%A0at%20Politics%20and%20Prose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20on%C2%A0Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%C2%A0at%20Politics%20and%20Prose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy, #Writer --- ### [If You're Single On Valentine's Day, Watch These Movies](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/13/if-youre-single-on-valentines-day-watch-these-movies/) **Published:** February 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** You can show yourself all the love in the world by ordering a large pizza and streaming the following movies that will make you glad you’re not “booed up” **Content:** --- ## Collider If You’re Single On Valentine’s Day, Watch These Movies By Kareem Gantt Feb. 13, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/d344cfa740f38b63e1f8778ca7779c37.png "D344cfa740f38b63e1f8778ca7779c37 - bootleg betty") --- It’s that time of year again: [**Valentine’s Day**](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Valentines-Day) is coming soon, a day when couples flaunt their love for all to see, making those without a significant other a bit testy as they see couples being all lovey-dovey while they don’t have a significant other. They see the flowers being delivered, heart-shaped candies flying off the shelves, and restaurants being booked, with the air of romance hanging over them like a cruel joke. Being single, however, can be positive in a lot of ways, as on Valentine’s Day, the only person you will have to spend money on to impress is yourself. That heart-shaped candy? That’s for you. The beautiful flowers? All for you! So what if you don’t have a boo on the 14th? You can show yourself all the love in the world by ordering a large pizza and streaming the following movies that will make you glad you’re not “booed up” on Valentine’s Day. So why not make Valentine’s Day a **[movie](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/movies/)**[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/movies/)night, and use this piece as your guide? **10 ‘Wild’ (2014)** Who said that you needed a soulmate to trek a challenging trail? Sometimes, accomplishing huge milestones on your own can give you bragging rights that go beyond Valentine’s Day. If you need a little inspiration, you should check out Wild, the 2014 bio-adventure drama starring Reese Witherspoon in an underrated performance. Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, Wild follows Witherspoon as Cheryl Strayed, a woman who was determined to put her life back on track by completing the Pacific Coast Trail, a 2,653-mile trail that runs from the US-Mexico border to the US-Canadian border along the Pacific Coast. The film is an inspirational tale of determination to overcome numerous obstacles and refocus life on the most important thing: yourself, and the performance from Witherspoon was tremendous. If you need a pick-me-up movie on the day of love, Wild may be up your alley. **9 ‘The First Wives Club’ (1996)** Many may have gotten their first introduction to the Olivia Goldsmith novel The First Wives Club from the 2019 TV series of the same name, but before there was a television series, there was a hit 1996 film about three divorcees who seek revenge on their ex-husbands, who left them for younger women. The First Wives Club, directed by Hugh Wilson, was one of the year’s best movies, and with good reason. The cast includes a who’s-who of legendary actresses (Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton), and it was quite funny watching these women get their sweet revenge on the husbands who wronged them. If you’re single for Valentine’s Day, you will definitely be rooting for these ladies in a hilarious movie that will make you thankful that you’re single. Here’s to a nice dose of revenge on the day of so-called “love.” **8 ‘Marriage Story’ (2019)** Going through a divorce is never easy, and many who have experienced this heart-wrenching thing will find Marriage Story extremely relatable. Directed by Noah Baumbach, Marriage Story was a drama that took everyone by surprise with its honest look at divorce. The pain it causes couples, especially when there’s a kid involved, is tough to watch on the screen, but it was necessary to show this on the screen, even if it was a tough watch for couples, especially those on a downswing. Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson delivered award-winning performances as the married couple who are going through a coast-to-coast divorce. Marriage Story was technically a box office bomb, but once it hit Netflix, the film became an instant classic. While it may seem like it’s forgotten today, especially in light of other romantic films that have hit streaming, Marriage Story still makes a great movie to cut on to recognize just how troublesome marriage can actually be. **7 ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ (2010)** In 2010, both lovers and singles alike were captivated by the notion of traveling the world while trying out foods we’d never eaten before, all while trying to find love. That’s exactly what Julia Roberts did in the Ryan Murphy film Eat, Pray, Love. Forget about the fact that critics weren’t too thrilled about this movie; what matters is how the audience perceived it, and they turned out to the theaters in droves. The movie follows Roberts as Elizabeth Gilbert, who seems lost in her marriage and wants a divorce from her husband. After finally being granted it, she sets off on a whirlwind journey of self-discovery, trying different foods and finding love along the way. For single people on Valentine’s Day, Eat, Pray, Love offers hope that loneliness wouldn’t last for long, and that you can have a happy life by just discovering who you are as a person. That’s what attracted so many people to this movie about self-discovery, and what will attract you to stream it on Valentine’s Day. **6 ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ (2005)** The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is a great movie to add to your “single for Valentine’s Day” playlist. Another book-turned feature film, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, is a true bonding film that is perfect for single people who value friendships more than anything else. Starring America Ferrera and Blake Lively, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants follows a group of four friends who buy a pair of pants that fit each of them perfectly. You would think the movie is strictly about the pants, but no. This endearing movie is more than just the pants; it serves as a metaphor of their bond and how a summer shaped their future experiences. While we’re going to talk about girl bonding in another way next, let’s just take this time to appreciate just how great The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is, and, if you have friends who are single as well, this would be a great movie for you all to watch with a nice glass of wine. **5 ‘Girls Trip’ (2017)** If watching teens bond over a pair of pants isn’t your thing, then maybe you and your single friends may want to check out Girls Trip, the hilarious 2017 film that turned out to be a surprise hit. Not much was expected of Girls Trip, but this fun movie about girls who just wanted to have the time of their lives in New Orleans was a box office hit and became the flagship “girl bonding” movie of the 2010s. Starring Queen Latifah, Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish in a career-making role, this hilarious comedy sent a message to all single ladies (and men) that the best times are with your best friend. Who needs a relationship when you and your crew can have all the fun in the world, without worrying what your second-half is doing? Girls Trip seems so liberating, and the perfect “anti-Valentine’s Day” movie that sticks it to Cupid. Just try not to hang from a zipline in the middle of the French Quarter when you have to go to the bathroom. 4 **‘Heathers’ (1989)** Do you remember your high school crush? The person who, on paper, seemed the right one for you, but was actually quite toxic? Well, that’s what the 1989 black comedy Heathers explores. Directed by Michael Lehmann, Heathers follows Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder), who is part of a cliquish crowd that all happen to share the first name “Heather.” But when she grows tired of her friend group, she hooks up with a new student, Jason “J.D.” Dean (Christian Slater), who is an outsider and can be quite toxic. Heathers shows the single person on Valentine’s Day just how explosive a toxic relationship can be, especially in a cliquish high school setting. After you’re finished watching this iconic dark comedy movie, it will make you feel good that you didn’t hook up with your high school crush. Heathers has since become quite a cult classic, and the film still feels fresh 32 years after its release. **3 ‘Gone Girl’ (2014)** Imagine being accused of being behind the disappearance of your significant other. Maybe that sounds extreme, but it was the central premise of Gone Girl, the 2014 psychological thriller that held a lot of viewers’ attention when it was released. Directed by David Fincher, Gone Girl was a twisted thriller that found a husband being the suspect of his wife’s disappearance. While some may find Gone Girl to be a somber film for couples, especially given the whole “you may have killed your loved one” storyline, this creepy thriller could actually be the perfect antidote for singles who want to feel great about not being in a relationship come Valentine’s Day. Who would want to go through the hassle of trying to convince investigators that you didn’t kill your wife? **2 ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ (1951)** Streetcars in New Orleans carry an iconic reputation, and you can’t visit this historic, fun city without taking a ride on one of them. The most famous streetcar is “Desire,” which was actually discontinued before the 1951 drama, A Streetcar Named Desire, was released in theaters. Adapted from Tennessee Williams’ award-winning play, A Streetcar Named Desire is one of the rare play-to-film adaptations that lived up to its promise. Directed by Elia Kazan and starring Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh, the movie tells the story of a southern belle who moves to New Orleans to start a new life after experiencing personal loss. Like many of the films on this list, A Streetcar Named Desire shows that one can pick up the pieces and focus on one’s own life after traumatic experiences, no significant other required. So, for your anti-Valentine’s Day movie playlist, A Streetcar Named Desire would certainly earn its place on such a list for those looking to assuage the lonely heart. **1 ‘Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion’ (1997)** Have you ever woken up and realized that you really haven’t done anything meaningful in life? Only to find out that your class reunion is coming up, and you may have to reveal this sobering truth? If so, then you will perfectly identify with Romy (Mira Sorvino) and Michele (Lisa Kudrow) in the underrated ‘90s comedy, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. The comedy is not only the perfect encapsulation of the 1990s, but also a great film to watch if you’re feeling a bit down being alone on Valentine’s Day. Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion centers around the two 28-year-olds who fake careers just to impress people at a ten-year-high school reunion. While the film doesn’t deal in personal relationships, per se, it’s a fun popcorn comedy that will have you in a nostalgic mood for the entire 92-minute runtime. Also, it’s a great film to take your mind off being single on Valentine’s Day. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=If%20You%27re%20Single%20On%20Valentine%27s%20Day%2C%20Watch%20These%20Movies&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=If%20You%27re%20Single%20On%20Valentine%27s%20Day%2C%20Watch%20These%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=If%20You%27re%20Single%20On%20Valentine%27s%20Day%2C%20Watch%20These%20Movies&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=If%20You%27re%20Single%20On%20Valentine%27s%20Day%2C%20Watch%20These%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=If%20You%27re%20Single%20On%20Valentine%27s%20Day%2C%20Watch%20These%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Holidays, Movies, Special Events **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Movie, #Movies, #Single, #ValentinesDay --- ### [Video: Bette Midler And The Rose Concert Monologue](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/12/video-bette-midler-and-the-rose-concert-monologue/) **Published:** February 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** #BetteMidler delivers her iconic #monologue Fron #TheRose. Written by Bette Midler and #BruceVilancch **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler And The Rose Concert Monologue By Mister D Feb. 12, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-12_16-44-15.png "2026-02-12_16-44-15 - bootleg betty") --- [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) delivers her iconic [\#monologue](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/monologue/) Fron [\#TheRose](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/therose/). Written by Bette Midler and [\#BruceVilanc](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/brucevilancch/)h Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20Rose%20Concert%20Monologue&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20Rose%20Concert%20Monologue%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20Rose%20Concert%20Monologue&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20Rose%20Concert%20Monologue%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20Rose%20Concert%20Monologue%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bruce Vilanch, the Rose, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BruceVilanch, #Concert, #Monologue, #TheRose, #Video --- ### [90s Fantasy Movies That Still Hold Up Today](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/12/90s-fantasy-movies-that-still-hold-up-today/) **Published:** February 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Like these shows, many of the movies on this list are so imaginative and realistic that they still hold up some 30 years after they premiered. **Content:** --- ## Looper 90s Fantasy Movies That Still Hold Up Today By KATIE RANNO Feb. 7, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-05_16-00-37.png "2026-02-05_16-00-37 - bootleg betty") --- While the 1980s leaned into dark [**fantasy**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/fantasy/), films of the 1990s explored the broader fantasy genre, branching into several avenues that pushed the boundaries to show us how far this genre could go. This experimentation seemed like a logical way to go as fantasy series like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Gargoyles,” and “Charmed” began to attract attention from a wider range of age groups. Like these shows, many of the [**movies** ](https://www.fandango.com/)on this list are so imaginative and realistic that they still hold up some 30 years after they premiered. Some contain human-like beings that we never dreamed of. Others remind us of childhood, allowing us to explore a tale that is nostalgic for the whole family. Some adventures even connect us to the past and expand on stories we thought we already knew. No matter the plot, some of these movies remain enjoyable because they use fantasy elements to connect the dots while still giving characters room to deliver relatable performances. So, grab your favorite nostalgic snack, and let’s take a look at five fantasy films from the 1990s that still hold up today. **Matilda** Based on Roald Dahl’s classic 1988 book, the 1996 adaptation of “Matilda” goes all out to make this tale an immersive experience for the whole family. That immersion is created by the sets and clothing choices, which help you understand each character’s personality before they even open their mouths. For example, level-headed Matilda (Mara Wilson) wears sensible dresses, while her obnoxious parents wear loud outfits and live in a wildly colored house, trying to show off their wealth to their community. While they are caught up in their own (often nefarious) activities, Matilda discovers her psychic abilities, which lead to some cutting-edge practical effects as she makes objects float in thin air, offering a moment of delight amid family chaos. Matilda tries to bring that delight to Crunchem Hall Primary School, run by headmistress Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Farris), whose lines are just as menacing as her dark, boxy suits. While she finds herself the victim of Trunchbull’s bullying, Matilda learns that her teacher, Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz), has plenty of her own reasons to be terrified of Trunchbull. Miss Honey teaches her that showing kindness to others creates positive energy that can stop evil rather than fuel it. Both learn to lean on their strengths as they work and grow together, while teaching kids that positive power can always be found within them. Cast: Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, Pam Ferris Rating: PG Year: 1996 Runtime: 98 min Where to Watch: Prime Video **Edward Scissorhands** When “Edward Scissorhands” premiered in 1990, many knew that Tim Burton had an eye for the unique and unusual, and “Edward Scissorhands” proved that he still had fresh content up his sleeves by introducing a new hero that stretched the fantasy genre. Edward (Johnny Depp), the young man with scissors for hands, has a sense of wonder and timidity as Peg Boggs (Dianne Wiest), the Avon lady, brings him to her quiet suburban neighborhood after finding him alone in a dark mansion. He’s excited to explore the world that sits below his former home, but he’s also uncertain of what to make of all of it as he nervously pokes a waterbed and even exhibits an endearing awkwardness around Peg’s daughter, Kim (Winona Ryder). While many of these moments are quiet because of Edward’s limited dialogue, they are loud as Depp uses his body language to convey each emotion, allowing viewers to study his humanity. Burton blends the ordinary with the extraordinary by placing Edward in familiar movie plots, as he falls for the girl who ignores him and listens to the gossip spread by nosey neighbors. Those storylines are used to examine the perfection that many attach to a so-called normal life. As for the gossiping neighbors, Edward realizes that they have more problems than he does, but their groupthink mentality places attention on his weaknesses. It’s a deep study of human nature and societal expectations, set in a tale that includes imaginative topiaries and Frankenstein-like flashbacks, making this movie as entertaining as it is thoughtful. Cast: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall Rating: PG-13 Year: 1990 Runtime: 105 min Where to Watch: Disney+, Apple TV **Toy Story** The first feature-length film from Pixar Animation Studios is beloved by those who grew up in the 1990s because it’s a tale that connects us to the joy of childhood while offering a lesson about inevitable change. “Toy Story” follows Woody (Tom Hanks), a toy sheriff who is worried that he’ll be forgotten when his child, Andy (John Morris), receives Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) as a birthday gift. While the other toys are becoming friends with Buzz, Woody can’t get past his jealousy and the fact that Buzz thinks that he’s a real space ranger. It’s clear that Buzz represents the inner child who resists the box the world tries to put them in. Woody represents the part of our souls that knows that facing reality is practical, but that reality can also bring uncomfortable changes. Put it all together, and it creates a story that is really about the rollercoaster ride of growing up and making room for new experiences. Adults continue to face these feelings as we step into new chapters of life, and this is reflected in the toys as they step into new chapters with each installment of the “Toy Story” franchise. Filmmakers also made wise decisions with this cast of characters, since the toys represented are not fads but timeless favorites enjoyed by generations, including Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles) and an RC car that becomes a key part of the film’s adventurous finale. Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Don Rickles Rating: G Year: 1995 Runtime: 81 min Where to Watch: Disney+ **The Mummy** “The Mummy” changed action movies forever, while continuing the adventure style that “Raiders of the Lost Ark” brought back to the big screen in the 1980s. That style is achieved through sets that bring ancient Egypt to life as Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) and her brother, Jonathan (John Hannah), recruit American French Foreign Legion Officer Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser) to lead them to the lost city of Hamunaptra. They interact with artifacts that contain the secrets they’re searching for, but those secrets lead to danger — rendered with cutting-edge computer graphics. This technology is seen as beetles dig into their victim’s skin, and when sand turns into a ghostly face ready to bring age-old wrath. Undead mummies are also computer-generated, and their interactions with human characters and practical effects make them feel real despite their cartoon-like nature. While the story feels otherworldly, the characters help ground viewers in reality, with a relatability that “Raiders of the Lost Ark” doesn’t always have. The heroes in “The Mummy” aren’t heroes to begin with. At the beginning of the film, Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) is a laughing stock at work while Rick is on the verge of being executed. They have nothing to lose, but everything to gain. This gives them high stakes before they even face the evil Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo). Their shared failure gives viewers a way to become emotionally invested while taking in the visual spectacle that moves the story toward a fantastical ending that should inspire any would-be blockbuster. Cast: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo Rating: PG-13 Year: 1999 Runtime: 124 min Where to Watch: Disney+, Apple TV **Hocus Pocus** This campy flick is a Halloween tradition for many families, and what makes “Hocus Pocus” so special is its mix of the old and the new, coupled with a reimagining of history and lore. Teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) has just moved to Salem, Massachusetts, and his new home feels too predictable. An accidental run-in with the Black Flame Candle changes everything, leading to the resurrection of Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary Sanderson (Kathy Najimy). The witches think they have the upper hand, but these kids know they’re in charge as they scare the sisters with new inventions. Their interactions with newfangled concepts like vacuums and costume parties are some of the most memorable moments in the film. However, the sisters know how to fire back, and that leads to a magical lesson that connects to the past. While magical realism makes this movie an eye-popping spectacle, the villains’ character development helps it stand out. It would be easy to focus only on their mission to stay alive, but “Hocus Pocus” reveals details about their pasts to make the Sanderson sisters three-dimensional. A human spirit in cat form, Thackery Binx (Sean Murray), shares their trials with Max and his crew, even providing details about their quarrel with Billy Butcherson (Doug Jones), who is also brought back to life. This insight helps us better understand how fickle these sisters can be toward each other, while allowing audience members to identify weaknesses that hint at their eventual demise. Cast: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, Thora Birch, Vinessa Shaw Rating: PG Year: 1993 Runtime: 96 min Where to Watch: Disney+ --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=90s%20Fantasy%20Movies%20That%20Still%20Hold%20Up%20Today&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=90s%20Fantasy%20Movies%20That%20Still%20Hold%20Up%20Today%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=90s%20Fantasy%20Movies%20That%20Still%20Hold%20Up%20Today&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=90s%20Fantasy%20Movies%20That%20Still%20Hold%20Up%20Today%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=90s%20Fantasy%20Movies%20That%20Still%20Hold%20Up%20Today%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Fantasy, #HocusPocus, #Movies --- ### [Beautiful Video Creation By Boodles BonBon Of Bette Midler Singing Lovely Hula Hands!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/12/beautiful-video-creation-by-boodles-bonbon-of-bette-midler-singing-lovely-hula-hands/) **Published:** February 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler has a delightful recording of "Lovely Hula Hands", a classic Hawaiian song written by Robert Alex Anderson in 1939 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Beautiful Video Creation By Boodles BonBon Of Bette Midler Singing Lovely Hula Hands! By Boodles BonBon Feb. 12, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-11_17-36-14.png "2026-02-11_17-36-14 - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/the-movies-bette-midler/) has a delightful recording of “[**Lovely Hula Hands**](https://genius.com/Marty-robbins-lovely-hula-hands-lyrics)“, a classic Hawaiian song written by Robert Alex Anderson in 1939. It’s a charming, tropical tribute to the graceful movements of hula dancers. Her version is a rare gem from around 1974 (never officially released on an album at the time), and she shared, or it was highlighted via her fan site. **Lyrics snippet from her rendition (full classic lyrics):** *Lovely hula hands Graceful as the birds in motion Gliding like the gulls over the ocean Lovely hula hands, kou lima nani e* (It’s a light, swaying tune with that signature Bette warmth and playful delivery.)No full video performance of her singing seems to be widely available, but the audio captures her beautiful voice perfectly, evoking that aloha spirit. If you’re a fan, this one’s a fun deep cut. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Beautiful%20Video%20Creation%20By%20Boodles%20BonBon%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20Lovely%20Hula%20Hands%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Beautiful%20Video%20Creation%20By%20Boodles%20BonBon%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20Lovely%20Hula%20Hands%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Beautiful%20Video%20Creation%20By%20Boodles%20BonBon%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20Lovely%20Hula%20Hands%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Beautiful%20Video%20Creation%20By%20Boodles%20BonBon%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20Lovely%20Hula%20Hands%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Beautiful%20Video%20Creation%20By%20Boodles%20BonBon%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20Lovely%20Hula%20Hands%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #LovelyHulaHands, #Video, Song --- ### [Video From The Bette Midler Archives: Bette Midler - Divine Inspiration Mini - Doc](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/09/video-from-the-bette-midler-archives-bette-midler-divine-inspiration-mini-doc/) **Published:** February 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** This short documentary explores the enduring legacy of Bette Midler through the voices of those who knew her best. **Content:** ## Bootleg Betty Video From The Bette Midler Archives: Bette Midler – Divine Inspiration Mini – Doc From The Bette Midler Archive Feb. 9, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-09_15-02-15.png "2026-02-09_15-02-15 - bootleg betty") --- This [**short documentary**](https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?title_type=short&genres=documentary) explores the enduring legacy of [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) through the voices of those who knew her best. Featuring interviews with longtime collaborators and devoted fans, the film offers an intimate look at her extraordinary talent, larger-than-life persona, and lasting impact on audiences and colleagues alike. Produced in the early 1980s, it captures a moment when Midler’s influence was already unmistakable. **FEATURING** Gary Herb Johnny Potato Richard Amsel Billy Cunningham Larry Paulette Ula Hedwig Sharon Redd Doris Roberts Jennifer Wray Patty Zello Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archives%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Divine%20Inspiration%20Mini%20-%20Doc&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archives%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Divine%20Inspiration%20Mini%20-%20Doc%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archives%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Divine%20Inspiration%20Mini%20-%20Doc&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archives%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Divine%20Inspiration%20Mini%20-%20Doc%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archives%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Divine%20Inspiration%20Mini%20-%20Doc%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Documentary, The Bette Midler Archive, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Doc, #Documentary, #MiniDoc, #TheBetteMidlerArchive, #Video --- ### [Audio Remix: Pink - I Am Here/Bette Midler - Hello Dolly!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/10/audio-remix-pink-i-am-here-bette-midler-hello-dolly/) **Published:** February 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Remix: Pink - I Am Here/Bette Midler - Hello Dolly! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Remix: Pink – I Am Here/Bette Midler – Hello Dolly! By Mister D Feb. 10, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-09_18-32-40.png "2026-02-09_18-32-40 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20Remix%3A%20Pink%20-%20I%20Am%20Here%2FBette%20Midler%20-%20Hello%20Dolly%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20Remix%3A%20Pink%20-%20I%20Am%20Here%2FBette%20Midler%20-%20Hello%20Dolly%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20Remix%3A%20Pink%20-%20I%20Am%20Here%2FBette%20Midler%20-%20Hello%20Dolly%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20Remix%3A%20Pink%20-%20I%20Am%20Here%2FBette%20Midler%20-%20Hello%20Dolly%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20Remix%3A%20Pink%20-%20I%20Am%20Here%2FBette%20Midler%20-%20Hello%20Dolly%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Hello Dolly!, Remix **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #HelloDolly, #IAmHere, #Pink, #Remix --- ### [Video: Bette Midler In Uptown Funk By Nic Calder](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/10/video-bette-midler-in-uptown-funk-by-nic-calder/) **Published:** February 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler In Uptown Funk By Nic Calder **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler In Uptown Funk By Nic Calder By Nic Calder Feb. 10, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/bettehandyhead.jpg "Bettehandyhead - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Uptown%20Funk%20By%20Nic%20Calder&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Uptown%20Funk%20By%20Nic%20Calder%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Uptown%20Funk%20By%20Nic%20Calder&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Uptown%20Funk%20By%20Nic%20Calder%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Uptown%20Funk%20By%20Nic%20Calder%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Dance, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Dance, #UptownFunk, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler Among Donors To Jack Shlossberg's Competitive House Campaign](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/10/bette-midler-among-donors-to-jack-shlossbergs-competitive-house-campaign/) **Published:** February 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Schlossberg is one of nine Democratic candidates vying to fill Nadler's seat in the competitive race for the Manhattan district. **Content:** --- ## People Bette Midler Among Donors To Jack Shlossberg’s Competitive House Campaign By Mister D Feb 10, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-03_14-37-00.png "2026-02-03_14-37-00 - bootleg betty") --- **NEED TO KNOW** - The primary election is scheduled for June 23 - Jack Schlossberg’s campaign for Congress is bringing in notable donors. - Jack Schlossberg’s competitive House campaign has early donors, including actor John Goodman and Schlossberg’s mom, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg’s campaign website, Jack for New York, said he’s “running for Congress because the best part of the greatest city on Earth needs to be heard loud and clear in Washington and deserves a representative who won’t back down” Schlossberg, 33, announced his campaign to represent New York’s 12th Congressional District in an email to supporters in November 2025 and in an interview with The New York Times that same month. He told the outlet he believes that a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives is needed to restore democratic norms. Schlossberg has so far gathered nearly $600,000 from over 200 supporters, according to the Federal Elections Commission. Actor John Goodman and his mom, Caroline Kennedy, are among the donors, along with grassroots contributions to the campaign. Other donors include: Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/), Paul Simon, former White House press secretary Jay Carney and former HBO CEO Richard Plelper. Our new app is here! Free, fun, and full of exclusives. Scan to download now! “There is nothing our party can’t do to address costs of living, corruption and the constitutional crisis that we’re in,” he told the Times in November. “But without the control of Congress, there’s almost nothing that we can do.” Before announcing his run, Schlossberg, the only grandson of President John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy, built a significant social media presence with a matching following. “I think that the internet is a place where it’s difficult to break through, and it’s difficult to break through, especially if you’re not saying something that’s controversial, or at least, somehow unexpected,” Schlossberg explained to MSNBC’s Jen Psaki in February 2025. “And I think that I see that Democrats play that game not as well as we could.” Schlossberg’s journey into the spotlight began after his controversial relative, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., launched a long-shot presidential bid in 2023, even though the Kennedys had overwhelmingly rallied behind Democratic candidate Joe Biden. Schlossberg accused RFK Jr. — an anti-vaccine activist and political outlier in the family — of using the Kennedy name for personal gain without advancing the work that his uncles and father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, began. RFK Jr. now serves as President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Health and Human Services. [**Jack Schlossberg**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Schlossberg) and Tatiana Schlossberg attend her book signing at the In goop Health Summit San Francisco 2019 at Craneway Pavilion on November 16, 2019, in Richmond, California. “President John F. Kennedy is my grandfather and his legacy is important,” Schlossberg told the Times while announcing his bid for Congress. “It’s about a lot more than Camelot and conspiracy theories. It’s about public service and courage. It’s about civil rights, the Cuban missile crisis, and landing a man on the moon.” “If my cousin, Bobby Kennedy Jr., cared about any of them, he would support Joe Biden, too,” he added. Schlossberg said he is “running for Congress because the best part of the greatest city on Earth needs to be heard loud and clear in Washington and deserves a representative who won’t back down,” according to his campaign website, Jack for New York. He launched his campaign after Rep. Jerry Nadler announced his retirement from Congress, putting the coveted NY-12 House seat up for grabs after 14 terms, saying he wants “generational change” to follow him. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer??, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Nadler, 78, later clarified his remarks after learning that Schlossberg was running. “Well, there’s nothing particularly good or bad about a Kennedy holding my seat,” Nadler told CNN. “But the Kennedy, unlike Schlossberg, should be somebody with a record of public service, a record of public accomplishment, and he doesn’t have one.” Nadler predicted that Schlossberg “certainly is not going to be a major candidate.” Schlossberg is one of nine Democratic candidates vying to fill Nadler’s seat in the competitive race for the Manhattan district. Other candidates include State Assemblymembers Alex Bores and Micah Lasher, Councilman Erik Bottcher, civil rights attorney Laura Dunn, attorney and journalist Jami Floyd, Alan Pardee, Liam Elkind, and activist Cameron Kasky. The primary is scheduled for June 23. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Among%20Donors%20To%20Jack%20Shlossberg%27s%20Competitive%20House%20Campaign&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Among%20Donors%20To%20Jack%20Shlossberg%27s%20Competitive%20House%20Campaign%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Among%20Donors%20To%20Jack%20Shlossberg%27s%20Competitive%20House%20Campaign&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Among%20Donors%20To%20Jack%20Shlossberg%27s%20Competitive%20House%20Campaign%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Among%20Donors%20To%20Jack%20Shlossberg%27s%20Competitive%20House%20Campaign%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Politics **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Campaign, #Contributor, #Democrat, #JackSchlossberg, #Kennedy, #Politics --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - As Dreams Go By (SKDJ vs Ronan Remix Edit)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/09/audio-bette-midler-as-dreams-go-by-skdj-vs-ronan-remix-edit/) **Published:** February 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio: Bette Midler - As Dreams Go By (SKDJ vs Ronan Remix Edit) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler – As Dreams Go By (SKDJ vs Ronan Remix Edit) By SKDJ vs Ronan Remix Feb. 9, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/246d63f6a1ab1bb4f46f23980f466366.jpg "246d63f6a1ab1bb4f46f23980f466366 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20As%20Dreams%20Go%20By%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Ronan%20Remix%20Edit%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20As%20Dreams%20Go%20By%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Ronan%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20As%20Dreams%20Go%20By%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Ronan%20Remix%20Edit%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20As%20Dreams%20Go%20By%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Ronan%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20As%20Dreams%20Go%20By%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Ronan%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bette Of Roses, Remix **Tags:** #AsDreamsGoBy, #Audio, #BetteMidler, #Remix --- ### [Bette Midler On Inside The Actor's Studio (Full Episode) - 2004](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/09/bette-midler-on-inside-the-actors-studio-full-episode-2004/) **Published:** February 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler appeared on the iconic talk show Inside the Actors Studio in an episode that aired on June 6, 2004 (Season 10, Episode 15). **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler On Inside The Actor’s Studio (Full Episode) – 2004 By Mister D Feb. 7, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Bette-Midler-then-and-now-gallery-3.webp "Bette-midler-then-and-now-gallery-3 - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) appeared on the iconic talk show Inside the [**Actors Studio**](https://theactorsstudio.org/) in an episode that aired on June 6, 2004 (Season 10, Episode 15). Hosted by James Lipton, the interview featured Bette discussing her life, career, early days in Honolulu, her transformation in high school, her singing breakthrough, and her starring role in The Rose (1979), among other topics. The episode is highly regarded by fans, with an IMDb rating of 8.3/10 based on viewer feedback. One particularly emotional moment that often gets highlighted in clips is when Bette becomes tearful while sharing memories of her high school best friend, Beth Ellen Childers, who tragically died in a car accident in 1964—the loss had a profound impact on her. Clips from the interview frequently circulate on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and fan sites, including emotional segments and parts where she answers Lipton’s famous questionnaire. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20On%20Inside%20The%20Actor%27s%20Studio%20%28Full%20Episode%29%20-%202004&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20On%20Inside%20The%20Actor%27s%20Studio%20%28Full%20Episode%29%20-%202004%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20On%20Inside%20The%20Actor%27s%20Studio%20%28Full%20Episode%29%20-%202004&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20On%20Inside%20The%20Actor%27s%20Studio%20%28Full%20Episode%29%20-%202004%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20On%20Inside%20The%20Actor%27s%20Studio%20%28Full%20Episode%29%20-%202004%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Television **Tags:** #ActorsStudio, #JamesLipton, #Television, BetteMidler --- ### [Video Interview With Bobby Wygant - Portal To Texas](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/08/video-interview-with-bobby-wygant-portal-to-texas/) **Published:** February 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Clip One | Duration: 0:02:52 (about 500 words) What has gone to Bette Midler's head is blonde hair coloring and a frizzy perm. That's her super rock star look for the rose. But Bette's own image is no less outrageous. she has always described herself as trash with flash **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video Interview With Bobby Wygant – Portal To Texas By Bobby Wygant Feb. 8, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/626756871_26427997903474845_6972798150077551681_n.jpg "626756871_26427997903474845_6972798150077551681_n - bootleg betty") **Clip One | Duration: 0:02:52 (about 500 words)** What has gone to [**Bette Midler’s**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) head is blonde hair coloring and a frizzy perm. That’s her super rock star look for [**the rose**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-rose/). But Bette’s own image is no less outrageous. she has always described herself as trash with flash that by your own admission you’re always saying you know that you have this flashy trashy sleazy image now why did you adopt that you why not glamour or some other image I always thought it was funny I always thought bad girls were funny and that bad girls really did have more fun you know they certainly when I was growing up they certainly seemed to have more fun you know their dresses were real tight and their shoes were real high and they they wore real pointy bras and they teased their hair to oblivion and I thought that I thought gee if I could just be like that for five minutes because I was like a librarian you know I was like I was a real good student and I was um the president of my class and I was very rigid and I really wanted to bust out and the only way I could bust out actually was by by adopting this persona of someone who would uh you know live live the high life and come through smiling if you were starting right now bet what might you adopt but trash still trash still brings the customers in uh I’d probably I’d probably stick to my my trashy old my trashy thing I’d have to say it’s really it’s been so much fun I mean people don’t expect you to when you say well I’m just trash they they don’t expect hardly anything from you and you can give them anything and and people if they know me well realize that underneath all that silliness is a it’s actually a lot of hard work and a lot of dedication to to the performance you know it looks very spontaneous and it looks like it’s just thrown together but really there’s a lot of thought that goes into it a good deal of thought it’s it’s it is in its way very elegant if I may be so bold the talk in Hollywood is that the kid from the wrong side of the tracks is on her way to superstardom and an Oscar nomination for Bette Midler, trash is a smash. This is Bobbie Wygant in Los Angeles with 20th Century Fox Pictures for Channel 5 Action News. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20Interview%20With%20Bobby%20Wygant%20-%20Portal%20To%20Texas&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20Interview%20With%20Bobby%20Wygant%20-%20Portal%20To%20Texas%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20Interview%20With%20Bobby%20Wygant%20-%20Portal%20To%20Texas&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20Interview%20With%20Bobby%20Wygant%20-%20Portal%20To%20Texas%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20Interview%20With%20Bobby%20Wygant%20-%20Portal%20To%20Texas%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Interview, Movies, the Rose, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BobbyWygant, #Interview, #Movies, #TheRose --- ### [Video: From Boodles BonBon: Bette Midler & The Harlettes - Chapel Of Love/Married Men 1979](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/08/video-from-boodles-bonbon-bette-midler-the-harlettes-chapel-of-love-married-men-1979/) **Published:** February 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Performance date: September 27-29, 1979. Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: From Boodles BonBon: Bette Midler & The Harlettes – Chapel Of Love/Married Men 1979 By Boodles BonBon Feb. 8, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/587827337_1482571903205275_8531740302361852357_n.jpg "587827337_1482571903205275_8531740302361852357_n - bootleg betty") --- Performance date: September 27-29, 1979. Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI 0-1.32 [**Chapel of Love**](https://genius.com/Bette-midler-chapel-of-love-lyrics) – The Staggering Harlettes (Linda Hart, Paulette McWilliams & Franny McCartney)\* I think – my vision is bad & picture quality not the best. It looks like them. 1.32 Married Men – Bette & The [**Harlettes**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/harlettes/) I don’t know much about the concert other than a compilation tape in my collection with ‘Detroit Pine Knob Sep 79’ as a note for this performance. My understanding is Miss M toured a few venues in 1979 prior to The Rose release & Divine Madness on Broadway / Concert Film. Any additional information or corrections are very welcome. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20The%20Harlettes%20-%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FMarried%20Men%201979&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20The%20Harlettes%20-%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FMarried%20Men%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20The%20Harlettes%20-%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FMarried%20Men%201979&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20The%20Harlettes%20-%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FMarried%20Men%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20The%20Harlettes%20-%20Chapel%20Of%20Love%2FMarried%20Men%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Divine Madness, Featuring The Harlettes, harlettes **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #chapeloflove, #DivineMadness, #Harlettes, #MarriedMen --- ### [Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Bette Midler - The Continental/Interview With Johnny - 1971](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/08/audio-from-the-bette-midler-archive-bette-midler-the-continental-interview-with-johnny-1971/) **Published:** February 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Bette Midler - The Continental/Interview With Johnny - 1971 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Bette Midler – The Continental/Interview With Johnny – 1971 From The Bette Midler Archive Feb. 8, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-08_01-33-08.png "2026-02-08_01-33-08 - bootleg betty")--- --- *Performed March 26, 1971, at NBC Studios in New York City during “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Continental%2FInterview%20With%20Johnny%20-%201971&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Continental%2FInterview%20With%20Johnny%20-%201971%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Continental%2FInterview%20With%20Johnny%20-%201971&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Continental%2FInterview%20With%20Johnny%20-%201971%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Continental%2FInterview%20With%20Johnny%20-%201971%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Interview, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #Interview, #JohnnyCarson, #TheBetteMidlerArchive, #TheContinental --- ### [The Best Bette Midler Wedding Songs To Divine Party Hits](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/07/the-best-bette-midler-wedding-songs-to-divine-party-hits/) **Published:** February 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s music has a unique way of feeling like a grand movie moment. Her voice carries a theatrical weight that makes it perfect for the “big” emotional peaks of a wedding. **Content:** --- ## My Wedding Songs Best Bette Midler Wedding Songs: From “Wind Beneath My Wings” to Divine Party Hits By Matthew Campbell Feb 7, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-04_12-32-11.png "2026-02-04_12-32-11 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) music has a unique way of feeling like a grand movie moment. Her voice carries a theatrical weight that makes it perfect for the “big” emotional peaks of a wedding. Whether she’s covering a classic 60s hit or delivering a power ballad, she brings a level of sophistication and heart that few can match. **Ceremony Classics:** Beautiful, lyrical songs for the processional or recessional. **Emotional Parent Dances:** The definitive choice for honoring mothers, fathers, and mentors. **Soulful Reception Covers:** Fun, upbeat tracks that add a touch of “Divine” personality to the party. **Spotlight Moments: Parent Dances & Ceremony** **The Ultimate Tribute:** [**“Wind Beneath My Wings”**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_Beneath_My_Wings) – 1988. This Grammy-winning classic from Beaches is the most requested song in history for a Mother-Daughter or Father-Daughter dance. Its message—“Did you ever know that you’re my hero?”—is the perfect way to honor a parent or mentor. **The Timeless Aisle Walk:** “The Rose” – 1979. This is a premier choice for a Processional. Its poetic lyrics about the endurance of love (“I say love, it is a flower / And you, its only seed”) create a breathtaking atmosphere for a bride’s entrance. **The Spiritual Recessional:** “From A Distance” – 1990. A soaring, hopeful track that works beautifully as you walk back up the aisle as a married couple. It captures a sense of peace and global love. **The Intimate Cover:** “In My Life” – 1991. Bette’s rendition of the Beatles’ classic is slower and more soulful, making it a wonderful choice for a First Dance or a quiet moment during the ceremony. **Reception & Party Starters** **The Fun Entrance:** “Chapel Of Love” – 1972. Bette’s cover of this Dixie Cups classic is full of personality. It’s a fantastic choice for a Grand Entrance or even a Cake Cutting song. **The “Slow-Burn” Soul:** “When A Man Loves A Woman” – 1979. Taken from the film The Rose, Bette’s gritty, emotional take on this Percy Sledge classic is perfect for a late-night slow dance. **The Retro Groove:** “Do You Want To Dance” – 1972. Her first Top 40 hit. It starts as a slow, seductive track and builds, perfect for getting people from their seats to the dance floor. **The Sophisticated Vibe:** “Night and Day” – 1990. A classy, jazz-influenced choice for Cocktail Hour or dinner music. It shows off Bette’s range as a true “crooner.” **The Devotion Ballad:** “Every Road Leads Back To You” – 1991. A beautiful, mid-tempo song that works well for a Final Slow Dance or a slideshow. **DJ Expert Tips: Mastering the Midler Vibe** **The “Hero” Moment:** If you’re using “Wind Beneath My Wings,” consider having the DJ do a “live” shout-out or a short introduction to explain who the hero in your life is. It adds a layer of personalization that makes the moment unforgettable. **The Tempo Build:** Songs like “Do You Want To Dance” are great “transition” songs. They start slow, allowing for a nice, intimate moment, but the beat picks up, giving the DJ a perfect “on-ramp” to a high-energy dance set. **Mixing with the Divas:** Bette Midler mixes perfectly with other powerhouse vocalists like Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, and Whitney Houston. If you want a “Diva” set, Bette is an essential anchor. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Best%20Bette%20Midler%20Wedding%20Songs%20To%20Divine%20Party%20Hits&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Best%20Bette%20Midler%20Wedding%20Songs%20To%20Divine%20Party%20Hits%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Best%20Bette%20Midler%20Wedding%20Songs%20To%20Divine%20Party%20Hits&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Best%20Bette%20Midler%20Wedding%20Songs%20To%20Divine%20Party%20Hits%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Best%20Bette%20Midler%20Wedding%20Songs%20To%20Divine%20Party%20Hits%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs, the Rose, Tributes, Wedding, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Music, #Songs, #Tributes, #Wedding --- ### [Video: SNL Bette Midler Sings A Hauntingly Beautiful, Martha](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/05/video-snl-bette-midler-sings-a-hauntingly-beautiful-martha/) **Published:** February 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: SNL Bette Midler Sings A Hauntingly Beautiful, Martha **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: SNL Bette Midler By Boodles BonBon Feb. 5, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/7ff997cd449ec7286d6c39bbd0c59665.jpg "7ff997cd449ec7286d6c39bbd0c59665 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20SNL%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20A%20Hauntingly%20Beautiful%2C%20Martha&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20SNL%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20A%20Hauntingly%20Beautiful%2C%20Martha%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20SNL%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20A%20Hauntingly%20Beautiful%2C%20Martha&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20SNL%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20A%20Hauntingly%20Beautiful%2C%20Martha%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20SNL%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20A%20Hauntingly%20Beautiful%2C%20Martha%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Martha, #SNL, #Song, #TomWaits, #Video --- ### [From The Bette Midler Archive: "Hang On In There Baby" Single Edit](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/06/from-the-bette-midler-archive-hang-on-in-there-baby-single-edit/) **Published:** February 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From The Bette Midler Archive: "Hang On In There Baby" Single Edit **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty From The Bette Midler Archive: “Hang On In There Baby” Single Edit From The Bette Midler Archive Feb. 6, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-06_07-20-43.png "2026-02-06_07-20-43 - bootleg betty")--- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20%22Hang%20On%20In%20There%20Baby%22%20Single%20Edit&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20%22Hang%20On%20In%20There%20Baby%22%20Single%20Edit%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20%22Hang%20On%20In%20There%20Baby%22%20Single%20Edit&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20%22Hang%20On%20In%20There%20Baby%22%20Single%20Edit%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20%22Hang%20On%20In%20There%20Baby%22%20Single%20Edit%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HangOnInThereBaby, #Single, #TheBetteMidlerArchive, #ThighsAndWhispers --- ### [10 Times Celebs Weren't Prepared for Award Acceptance Speeches](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/06/10-times-celebs-werent-prepared-for-award-acceptance-speeches/) **Published:** February 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** When stars get caught off guard at award shows, magic happens! Join us as we look at the most memorable moments when celebrities were genuinely shocked to hear their names called. **Content:** --- ## Watch Mojo 10 Times Celebs Weren’t Prepared for Award Acceptance Speeches By Nick Spake Jan 4, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/bette-midler-golden-globes-1614090961-715x1024.avif "Bette-midler-golden-globes-1614090961 - bootleg betty") --- When stars get caught off guard at award shows, magic happens! Join us as we look at the most memorable moments when celebrities were genuinely shocked to hear their names called. Our countdown includes Susan Lucci’s long-awaited Emmy, Taylor Swift’s VMAs interruption, Emily Blunt’s surprise SAG win, and more! From Merritt Wever’s incredibly brief “I gotta go” Emmy speech to the historic Moonlight/La La Land Oscar mix-up, these unplanned moments show celebrities at their most authentic. We’ll also revisit Chris Colfer’s emotional Golden Globe win, Jacob Elordi’s surprised Critics’ Choice reaction, and Bette Midler’s hilariously unprepared Golden Globes speech. Which shocking acceptance left you speechless? Let us know in the comments! **10: Jacob Elordi** *“31st Critics’ Choice Awards” (2026)* Jacob Elordi brought humanity to Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” as the doctor’s misunderstood creature, deservingly scoring a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Critics’ Choice Awards. In a lineup that included multiple industry veterans, some assumed that the nomination was the win for the Elordi, especially since his performance was from a genre picture. Horror performed well that evening, though, with the Creature getting the respect he deserved. Elordi kicked off his acceptance speech saying that he didn’t plan for this. He thus kept things short and sweet. Still, Elordi remembered to thank the key individuals who helped make his performance possible: costume designer Kate Hawley, makeup artist Mike Hill, production designer Tamara Deverell, and, of course, del Toro. # 9: Chris Colfer *“68th Golden Globe Awards” (2011)* Chris Colfer broke out on “Glee” as Kurt Hummel, a role that brought him to the Golden Globes in 2011. Nominated against four other performances that ranged from broad comedy to subtle drama, Colfer ultimately seized the spotlight. As his name was announced, Colfer found himself being embraced by his co-stars with a look of disbelief on his face. Colfer was still visibly trying to comprehend what was happening as he arrived at the stage. The performer nonetheless collected himself to deliver a witicism about the future co-stars of “May December.” He went on to thank his fellow artists, as well as those who’ve ever felt like Kurt Hummel at school. Colfer’s acceptance speech epitomized the lyric, “Don’t stop believing.” # 8: Jamie Bell *“54th British Academy Film Awards” (2001)* This English actor was just becoming a teenager when he landed the role of eleven-year-old Billy Elliot. He was fourteen by the time he was nominated for Best Actor at the 2001 BAFTAs. While this was an extraordinary achievement for someone so young, the nomination seemed like it would be the climax of Jamie Bell’s awards season. He was nominated against four grown men, three of whom had recently been nominated at the Oscars. Bell wasn’t, making it all the more surprising when he won the BAFTA. Few were more shocked than Bell, who claimed in his acceptance speech that he considered not attending the ceremony, figuring he would lose. To this date, Bell remains the youngest person to win the Best Actor BAFTA. # 7: Emily Blunt *“25th Screen Actors Guild Awards” (2019)* Emily Blunt was a double nominee at the 2019 SAG Awards for her work in “Mary Poppins Returns” and “A Quiet Place.” This seemed to indicate that Blunt would get her first Oscar nomination, but alas, the Academy overlooked her again that year. Five days after the Oscar nominations, Blunt attended the SAG Awards, prepared to go home empty-handed. While Blunt didn’t win for Poppins, she’d walk away with a supporting award for playing Evelyn Abbott. The room was anything but quiet when Blunt’s name was heard. Blunt expressed just how gobsmacked she was at the podium, searching for the right words. She dedicated much of her speech to her director/husband, John Krasinski, bluntly suggesting what would’ve happened if he hadn’t cast her. # 6: Bette Midler *“37th Golden Globe Awards” (1980)* While Bette Midler was already an established singer and stage actress, 1979’s “The Rose” introduced her to mainstream film audiences. Before Midler knew it, she went from rising Hollywood star to winning not one, but two Golden Globes for her turn as Mary Rose Foster. Midler wasn’t anticipating the industry to shower her with accolades this quickly. With nothing prepared, Bette wrestled with telling a joke about Joan Crawford’s Golden Globes. She couldn’t resist. That arguably wasn’t even the cheekiest part of her impromptu speech, nearly biting into her statue as if it were a gold member. Midler appeared just as stunned when she won a second award that night, going from incredibly chatty to speechless as she exited the stage. # 5: Merritt Wever *“65th Primetime Emmy Awards” (2013)* There are brief acceptance speeches, and then there was Merrit Wever’s at the 2013 Primetime Emmys. For her performance as Zoey Barkow on “Nurse Jackie,” Wever won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. It was the first category of the night, setting a tone for a ceremony with more than a few unexpected wins. Wever’s victory might’ve been the most surprising, as evidenced by the look on her face as Tina Fey and Amy Poehler welcomed her to the stage. Saying thank you more than once, Wever struggled to summon any more words before telling the audience that she had to go. It might’ve been abrupt and awkward, but Wever’s speech was also cute, to the point, and relatable for any introverts watching. # 4: Jack Lemmon *“55th Golden Globe Awards” (1998)* With Ving Rhames winning the Golden Globe for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film, it seemed fellow nominee Jack Lemmon wouldn’t be getting on stage that evening. Overcome with the spirit of giving, the tearful Rhames called up Mr. Lemmon, presenting him with the award. Although Lemmon initially resisted, he went with the flow while championing Ving’s kindness. Reflecting on the moment, Rhames claimed it wasn’t at all planned, saying, “God really inspired \[him\] to give that award to Jack Lemmon.” While Lemmon wound up keeping the Golden Globe, Rhames was later given a replacement. Lemmon also referenced Ving’s generosity two years later when he actually won a Golden Globe. Following Ving’s example, he decided to “give” the Globe to a deserving actor: Jack Lemmon! ## \#3: Susan Lucci *“26th Daytime Emmy Awards” (1999)* For years, “All My Children” star Susan Lucci was synonymous with the term “losing streak.” By 1999, Lucci had been nominated for playing Erica Kane eighteen times. Guess how many times she had won. Even if you didn’t watch daytime soaps, references to Lucci’s losing streak invaded other facets of popular culture. Lucci even got in on the joke when she hosted “SNL” one year. Lucci believed her nineteenth nomination would be another loss, despite others saying this was her time. They were proven correct when presenter Shemar Moore proclaimed that the streak was over. It was a moment that Lucci genuinely started to think would never happen. Yet, there Lucci was, receiving a standing ovation as she finally got to accept this overdue award. ## \#2: Taylor Swift“ ***26th MTV Video Music Awards” (2009)*** On the heels of a breakthrough year, it wasn’t all that surprising to see Taylor Swift accept the VMA for Best Female Video. What nobody could’ve predicted was Kanye West getting on stage, declaring Beyoncé had one of the best music videos of all time. Beyoncé tried to set things right when she won Video of the Year later in the ceremony, welcoming Swift on stage to deliver the speech that West rudely interrupted. The rest is history… a very messy history. More than a decade and a half later, Swift is reportedly even wealthier than Beyoncé, and West’s VMA incident arguably isn’t the most controversial stunt he’s ever pulled. Regardless, this moment remains ingrained in pop culture – one that left everyone speechless, especially Swift. ## \#1: “Moonlight” Team *“89th Academy Awards” (2017)* While many had pegged “La La Land” as the Best Picture frontrunner, some predicted that “Moonlight” would pull off an underdog victory. There was another scenario that nobody had on their bingo sheet. As presenter Warren Beatty hesitated to announce the winner, Faye Dunaway called out “La La Land.” The musical’s producers gave their speeches as they accepted the trophies, seemingly capping off a successful Oscar Night. In the vein of Colombo, there was just one more thing. “Moonlight” actually won Best Picture! Such a mix-up seemed unfathomable until Jordan Horowitz held up the card with “Moonlight” printed on it. After Beatty tried to explain what happened, the “Moonlight” crew got to speak, but their speeches were largely eclipsed by the insanity that just transpired. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=10%20Times%20Celebs%20Weren%27t%20Prepared%20for%20Award%20Acceptance%20Speeches&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=10%20Times%20Celebs%20Weren%27t%20Prepared%20for%20Award%20Acceptance%20Speeches%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=10%20Times%20Celebs%20Weren%27t%20Prepared%20for%20Award%20Acceptance%20Speeches&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=10%20Times%20Celebs%20Weren%27t%20Prepared%20for%20Award%20Acceptance%20Speeches%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=10%20Times%20Celebs%20Weren%27t%20Prepared%20for%20Award%20Acceptance%20Speeches%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Golden Globes **Tags:** #Awards, #BetteMidler, #GoldenGlobes, #Speeches, #Surprise --- ### [Life As A Harlette: Katey Sagal Signs On To New Sitcom](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/05/life-as-a-harlette-katey-sagal-signs-on-to-new-sitcom/) **Published:** February 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Fun factoid: Betty White, Cloris Leachman, Sharon Gless, Jean Smart, and Katey Sagal share a remarkable distinction — they rank among the actresses with the most regularly scheduled live-action primetime TV series roles in television history. **Content:** --- ## Forbes Life As A Harlette: Katey Sagal Signs On To New Sitcom By Marc Berman Feb. 5, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/0x0.webp "0x0 - bootleg betty") --- Fun factoid: Betty White, Cloris Leachman, Sharon Gless, Jean Smart, and [**Katey Sagal** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/katey-sagal/)share a remarkable distinction — they rank among the actresses with the most regularly scheduled live-action primetime TV series roles in television history. Excluding recurring or guest appearances, each has amassed at least nine series-regular roles over the course of her career, a rare feat in the medium. And now Katey Sagal is poised to add another. Sagal has just signed on to star opposite Jane Lynch in a new NBC [**sitcom** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitcom)pilot, with the two playing longtime friends. The scoop: Loosely inspired by the real-life friendship between therapists Pepper Schwartz and Janet Lever, who also serve as consulting producers, the series centers on Ginger (Sagal) and Jill (Lynch). Per the logline: “As they reflect on their pasts and look toward the future, the women discover that, despite everything, they wouldn’t change a thing.” The project comes from The New Adventures of Old Christine creator Kari Lizer. Sagal, of course, rose to fame as Peg Bundy, the lazy wife of Al (Ed O’Neill) and mother to Kelly (Christina Applegate) and Bud (David Faustino) on *Married… with Children*. Running for 11 seasons from 1987 to 1997, the series helped define the then-fledgling Fox network. **Before Peg** Prior to that breakout role, Sagal appeared in the short-lived 1985 Mary Tyler Moore sitcom Mary — a post–Mary Tyler Moore Show effort that, as it turned out, did not “make it after all.” **A Career of Series Roles** Married… with Children proved to be just the beginning. Sagal went on to a wide range of series, spanning both sitcoms and dramas, including Tucker (2000–01), Imagine That (2002), 8 Simple Rules (originally titled 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, 2002–05), Sons of Anarchy (2008–14), A to Z (as the narrator, 2014–15), The Bastard Executioner (2015), Superior Donuts (2017–18), Rebel (2021), and The Conners (2018–25). **Animation and Voice Work** Also of note is Sagal’s enduring work in animation: she has voiced the one-eyed, hard-drinking Leela on Futurama across multiple network revivals, further underscoring the breadth of her television career. **Also at NBC…** The Katey Sagal–Jane Lynch project marks one of two new sitcom pilots recently ordered by NBC. The second, Newlyweds, comes from creator Gail Lerner (Will & Grace, black-ish) and centers on a later-in-life marriage. Lerner will executive-produce alongside Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis, Eric and Kim Tannenbaum, and Scott Schwartz. No casting has been announced for Newlyweds. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Life%20As%20A%20Harlette%3A%20Katey%20Sagal%20Signs%20On%20To%20New%20Sitcom&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Life%20As%20A%20Harlette%3A%20Katey%20Sagal%20Signs%20On%20To%20New%20Sitcom%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Life%20As%20A%20Harlette%3A%20Katey%20Sagal%20Signs%20On%20To%20New%20Sitcom&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Life%20As%20A%20Harlette%3A%20Katey%20Sagal%20Signs%20On%20To%20New%20Sitcom%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Life%20As%20A%20Harlette%3A%20Katey%20Sagal%20Signs%20On%20To%20New%20Sitcom%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Featuring A Harlette, Katey Sagal, Life As A Harlette, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Harlettes, #JaneLynch, #KateySagal, #LifeAsAHarlette, #Sitcom --- ### [Never Mind the Happy: An Evening with Marc Shaiman and Bette Midler, Feb 6, 2026, Tickets, Rules, And Regulations](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/05/never-mind-the-happy-an-evening-with-marc-shaiman-and-bette-midler-feb-6-2026-tickets-rules-and-regulations/) **Published:** February 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Conversation and screening start at $5. Signed book only: $35. Signed book + screening: Starts at $3 at Fri, Feb 6, 2026 **Content:** --- ## Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures Never Mind the Happy: An Evening with Marc Shaiman and Bette Midler, Feb 6, 2026 By Marc Shaiman & Bette Midler Feb. 6, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-05_10-24-34.png "2026-02-05_10-24-34 - bootleg betty") --- Conversation and screening start at $5. Signed book only: $35. Signed book + screening: Starts at $3 at Fri, Feb 6, 2026 Composer, lyricist, and music producer [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/) will sign copies of his book, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner, followed by a lively conversation between him and the iconic [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler). The two will cap off this unforgettable evening with a screening of The First Wives Club—a comedy that showcases both of their talents to maximum effect, and a bona fide box office smash when it premiered in 1996. **The First Wives Club (1996)** Elise, Brenda, and Annie (a powerhouse assemblage of Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton), are three former college roommates who find their marriages in shambles by their mid-40s. Ultimately empowering each other and restoring their dignity—after making brutal jabs at each other—this indelible trifecta serves as… a restorative balm for scorned women everywhere. Buoyed by an Oscar-nominated score by Marc Shaiman, Midler captivates as the witty Brenda and offers her Tony-winning pipes for a cult-favorite rendition of Leslie Gore’s doo-wop hit “You Don’t Own Me.” **About our guests** Marc Shaiman is a renowned American composer, lyricist, arranger, and music producer known for his work across film, television, and theater. Shaiman began his career as a musical director and arranger for Bette Midler before expanding into film scoring. He gained prominence with his work on films such as When Harry Met Sally, The Addams Family, Sister Act, City Slickers, A Few Good Men, Sleepless in Seattle, The American President, and South Park; on television with SNL, and on his recordings with Harry Connick Jr. and Mariah Carey. Shaiman earned widespread acclaim for co-writing the Broadway musical Hairspray alongside his longtime co-lyricist, Scott Wittman. The duo has also co-created the musicals Catch Me If You Can, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Some Like It Hot, and Smash. He has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards and has won a Tony, two Emmys, and two Grammys. Marc Shaiman is celebrated for his versatile, emotionally resonant music and his ability to blend classic musical theater sensibilities with modern storytelling. Born and raised in New Jersey, he currently lives in New York with his husband, Lieutenant Commander (ret) Lou Mirabal. As one of the world’s best-loved and most versatile entertainers, Bette Midler has garnered accolades across all facets of show business. The Divine Miss M’s expansive body of work has been recognized with four Grammy Awards, two Academy Award nominations, three Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and nine American Comedy Awards. In December 2021, Midler was inducted as part of the 44th Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements. One of the bestselling female singers, her albums have sold over 30 million copies worldwide. On screen, some of her iconic films include The Rose, Beaches, two Hocus Pocus films, The First Wives Club, and The Stepford Wives, amongst others. On Broadway, she starred in one of the most celebrated musicals in theater history as “Dolly Gallagher Levin” in Hello Dolly! for which she won a Tony. Midler founded the New York Restoration Project in 1995, an open space conservancy and New York City’s largest private land trust. NYRP is dedicated to protecting and preserving community gardens and other green spaces throughout all five boroughs. NYRP owns and manages 52 community gardens, maintains over 80 acres of parkland, and in collaboration with the New York City Parks Department, has planted over 1 million trees in New York City. **Schedule** *5–6:30pm | Book signing* *7pm | Conversation and screening of The First Wives Club* *1996 | 103 min. | USA | Color | English | Rated PG | DCP* *DIRECTED BY: Hugh Wilson* *WRITTEN BY: Robert Harling* *WITH: Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, Maggie Smith* **Plan your Visit** **Location** The Academy Museum and its theaters are located at 6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036 **Parking** Self-parking, accessible parking, and electric vehicle charging options are available. See below for our parking structure information and view the parking page for further details. **Ride-Share Drop Off** Roddenberry Lane, entrance on Fairfax Ave. **LACMA’s Pritzker Parking Garage** 6000 W 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90036, entrance on 6th St. 5am–10pm $20 ($12 after 8pm entry) Accessible spots on P1, adjacent to elevators EV charging stations on P1 and P2 **Petersen Automotive Museum Garage** 744 Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, entrance on Fairfax Ave. or 8th St. 6am–11pm $24 (first 15 min. free) Accessible spots on P1 only; no garage elevator EV charging stations on P1 **Theater Policies** Is there reserved seating for programs and screenings? What if I’m late to an event? Seating in our theaters is unreserved and we do not permit seat-holding. Latecomers to screenings, including ticket holders, will be seated at the discretion of theater management. Admission to our theaters cannot be guaranteed once a screening has started. For all sold-out programs, please be in your seat 15 minutes prior to showtime so we may accommodate standby guests. **How do standby tickets work?** When advance tickets are sold out, a limited number of standby tickets may become available on the day of the screening or program. Guests can join the standby line for a chance to purchase these additional tickets. Standby tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on available seats. The Academy Museum will have a standby line for all sold-out screenings, unless otherwise indicated. Please note, however, that there is no guarantee of admission for guests in our standby lines. **Are there any additional theater policies?** All screenings, film formats, and guests are subject to change without notice. Please check our screening calendar for the latest information. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult to all screenings and programs. While in our theaters, we ask that you please turn off or silence all electronic devices. No food or drinks are permitted except for bottled water. Audio and video recording is prohibited. Autographs are not allowed unless as part of a book signing or autograph session. All theater and lobby areas will be cleared following each program, unless otherwise indicated. For additional details, please see our FAQs page. **Accessibility** **Audio Description** For visitors who are blind or partially-sighted, audio description devices are available for some digital film screenings on a first-come, first-served basis. Real-time audio descriptions are available for some performances upon request with at least three weeks’ notice, subject to the availability of describers. Email academymuseum@oscars.org to submit your request. **Closed Captioning** For visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing, in-seat closed captioning or descriptive audio-devices are available for some digital film screenings on a first-come, first-served basis. Please confirm availability at academymuseum@oscars.org before planning your visit. Real-time captioning is available for programs upon request with at least three weeks’ notice, subject to the availability of captioners. Email academymuseum@oscars.org to submit your request. Please see our Accessibility page for complete information, including details on our Visual Description Tours, Calm Mornings, and Covid-19 policies. [**Get Tickets**](https://v2.academymuseum.org/en/tickets) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%3A%20An%20Evening%20with%20Marc%20Shaiman%20and%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Feb%206%2C%202026%2C%20Tickets%2C%20Rules%2C%20And%20Regulations&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%3A%20An%20Evening%20with%20Marc%20Shaiman%20and%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Feb%206%2C%202026%2C%20Tickets%2C%20Rules%2C%20And%20Regulations%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%3A%20An%20Evening%20with%20Marc%20Shaiman%20and%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Feb%206%2C%202026%2C%20Tickets%2C%20Rules%2C%20And%20Regulations&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%3A%20An%20Evening%20with%20Marc%20Shaiman%20and%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Feb%206%2C%202026%2C%20Tickets%2C%20Rules%2C%20And%20Regulations%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%3A%20An%20Evening%20with%20Marc%20Shaiman%20and%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Feb%206%2C%202026%2C%20Tickets%2C%20Rules%2C%20And%20Regulations%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, First Wives Club, Interview, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #BestSeller, #BetteMidler, #Book, #FirstWivesClub, #Interview, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy, #NewYorkTimes --- ### [The Greatest Living Actresses Who've Never Won An Oscar](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/05/the-greatest-living-actresses-whove-never-won-an-oscar/) **Published:** February 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** They say it's an honor just to be nominated, but at a certain point, you'd like to actually win. **Content:** --- ## Gold Derby The Greatest Living Actresses Who’ve Never Won An Oscar By Zach Laws Feb 5, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/622507806_122101043349235475_238143930392705204_n.jpg "622507806_122101043349235475_238143930392705204_n - bootleg betty")--- They say it’s an honor just to be nominated, but at a certain point, you’d like to actually win. That’s certainly the case with dozens of working actresses who have spent their careers eagerly anticipating a walk to the stage on Oscar night. Tour our gallery below of the greatest living actresses who’ve never won [**Oscars**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/oscars/). All of the [**actresses** ](https://www.ranker.com/list/best-actresses-working-today/carly-kiel)on this list have been nominated in either the lead or supporting category, some multiple times. (We have a separate list of living actresses who’ve yet to be nominated.) Some of these performers competed early in their career and have struggled to return since then, while others waited decades for a nomination. Others have been consistently nominated throughout the decades without ever hearing their names called when the envelope is opened. The actresses on the list were chosen because their filmographies are extensive and filled with Oscar-worthy work, whether the Academy chose to acknowledge it or not. Many have had famous snubs that contributed to their overdue narratives. No matter what, these performers here have done more than enough to deserve an Oscar on their shelf, and it’s a shame they haven’t received one yet. With any luck, that will change one day (and we don’t mean with an Honorary, which doesn’t count towards exclusion here). **Amy Adams** The “when will Amy Adams win an Oscar” campaign kicked off with her Best Supporting Actress nomination for Junebug (2005). Supporting nominations for Doubt (2008), The Fighter (2010), The Master (2012), and Vice (2018) followed, as well as a lead actress bid for American Hustle (2013), for which she won the Golden Globe. High profile snubs for 2016’s Arrival and 2014’s Big Eyes (which brought her a second Globe win) added fuel to the overdue narrative fire, and Oscar-buzzy roles in Enchanted (2007), Hillbilly Elegy (2020), and Nightbitch (2024) came up short as well. **Jane Alexander** Jane Alexander earned her first Oscar nomination as Best Actress for her movie debut, The Great White Hope (1970), recreating her Tony Award-winning role from the play of the same title. She landed subsequent supporting actress bids for 1976’s All the President’s Men and 1979’s Kramer vs. Kramer (where she lost to her costar Meryl Streep). Her last Oscar nomination came in the lead actress category for the 1983 nuclear holocaust drama Testament. As of late, Alexander reaped an Emmy bid for her guest role on Season 2 of Severance. **Joan Allen** Joan Allen earned her first Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actress for playing First Lady Pat Nixon in Oliver Stone’s 1995 biopic Nixon. A second consecutive supporting bid came the following year for her performance as Elizabeth Proctor in the big screen adaptation of The Crucible (1996). Allen’s third (and so far final) Oscar nom came in the lead actress category for the political drama The Contender (2000). Performances in The Ice Storm, Pleasantville, The Upside of Anger, and Room brought her further Oscar buzz. **Angela Bassett** After receiving early recognition for performances in Boyz N the Hood (1991) and Malcolm X (1992), Angela Bassett earned her first Oscar nomination for playing Tina Turner in the biopic What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993), for which she won the Golden Globe. She returned to the Oscar race nearly 20 years later with a supporting bid for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), which brought her a second Golden Globe victory. Bassett received an Honorary Oscar in 2024 in recognition of her body of work, which includes acclaimed performances in Strange Days (1995), Waiting to Exhale (1995), and How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998). On the small screen, she has earned nine Emmy nominations and one win for narrating the nature documentary series Queens (2024). **Annette Bening** Annette Bening earned her first Oscar nomination in 1990 for her supporting turn in The Grifters. Her rise continued with Golden Globe-nominated turns in 1991’s Bugsy (where she met her husband, Warren Beatty) and 1995’s The American President. She seemed poised to win the Best Actress prize for her performance in American Beauty (1999), for which she won the SAG Award. Yet Bening was not among the five Oscars that film ultimately won, as she lost to Hilary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry. Subsequent lead actress nominations came for 2004’s Being Julia (where she lost again to Swank, this time for Million Dollar Baby) and 2010’s The Kids Are All Right, both of which won her Golden Globes. Notable snubs for 20th Century Women (2016) and The Report (2019) came before Bening returned to the Best Actress race with her performance as competitive swimmer Diana Nyad in Nyad (2023). **Brenda Blethyn** Brenda Blethyn scored her first Oscar nomination as Best Actress for her performance in Mike Leigh’s domestic drama Secrets & Lies (1996). Although she won the BAFTA and Golden Globe, she came up short against eventual Oscar winner Frances McDormand (Fargo). Blethyn returned to the Oscar race two years later for her supporting turn in Little Voice (1998). Although she received a BAFTA bid for 2005’s Pride & Prejudice, she hasn’t been Oscar nominated since. **Helena Bonham Carter** Helena Bonham Carter first garnered awards attention for her performance in Howards End (1992), which earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at BAFTA. Although the Oscars nominated her costar Vanessa Redgrave instead, that performance went a long way in securing her first Best Actress bid for 1997’s The Wings of the Dove. Carter next competed in the supporting actress category for The King’s Speech (2010), for which she won the BAFTA. Although the film won Best Picture, Carter lost to Melissa Leo (The Fighter). She has mostly been working on television since, earning two Emmy nominations for playing Princess Margaret on The Crown. **Glenn Close** What more is there to say at this point about how overdue Glenn Close is for an Oscar win? Close earned five unsuccessful bids throughout the 1980s: three in supporting (1982’s The World According to Garp, 1983’s The Big Chill, 1984’s The Natural), two in lead (1987’s Fatal Attraction, 1988’s Dangerous Liaisons). She returned to the Best Actress race after 13 years with Albert Nobbs (2011), which put her no closer to a victory. A win seemed within her grasp with 2018’s The Wife, for which she won the Golden Globe and SAG Award. Yet when Oscar night came along, Close came up empty-handed against lead actress rival Olivia Colman (The Favourite). A supporting actress bid for 2020’s Hillbilly Elegy brought Close’s nominations tally up to eight, putting her in league with perennial bridesmaid Peter O’Toole. **Toni Collette** After nabbing a Golden Globe bid for her breakthrough performance in Muriel’s Wedding (1994), Toni Collette earned her first Oscar nomination for her supporting performance in M. Night Shyamalan’s ghost story The Sixth Sense (1999). She’s yet to be nominated since then, despite reaping BAFTA bids for supporting turns in About a Boy (2002) and Little Miss Sunshine (2006). She seemed on the cusp of landing a Best Actress nom for another horror flick, Hereditary (2018), yet a passionate fan campaign didn’t move Oscar voters. **Judy Davis** Australian actress Judy Davis shot to stardom with 1979’s My Brilliant Career, which won her BAFTAs as Best Actress and Best Newcomer. She reaped her first Oscar nomination in 1984 for her lead turn in David Lean’s final film, A Passage to India. Although a pair of acclaimed supporting turns in Barton Fink and Naked Lunch split the vote in 1991, they went a long way towards landing Davis a second Oscar bid the next year for Woody Allen’s Husbands and Wives (1992). While that was her last brush with Oscar success, she did win three Emmys for performances in Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story (1995), Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadow (2001), and The Starter Wife (2007). **Isabelle Huppert** French star Isabelle Huppert has long been considered one of the best actresses in the world, winning the Cannes Film Festival prize for 1978’s Violette (tied with Jill Clayburgh for An Unmarried Woman) and 2001’s The Piano Teacher (awarded unanimously). Yet the Academy didn’t take notice until 2016’s Elle, which brought Huppert her first Best Actress nomination. Despite winning the Golden Globe, Huppert came up short against La La Land‘s Emma Stone. She’s proven more popular at France’s Cesar Awards, earning 17 nominations and two Best Actress wins (for Elle and 1995’s Le Cérémonie). **Scarlett Johansson** For the longest time, it seemed like Scarlett Johansson couldn’t get arrested at the Oscars, going unrecognized for Golden Globe-nominated performances in 2003’s Lost in Translation (for which she won the BAFTA), 2003’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, 2004’s A Love Song for Bobby Long, and 2025’s Match Point. That all changed in 2019, when she scored double bids for her lead role in Marriage Story (2019) and her supporting turn in Jojo Rabbit (2019). Neither brought her a victory, but both went a long way towards building her overdue Oscar narrative. **Catherine Keener** After early Independent Spirit bids for Johnny Suede (1991) and Walking and Talking (1996), Catherine Keener tallied her first Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actress for Being John Malkovich (1999). She returned to the Oscar race for her performance as To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee in Capote (2005), and came close to snagging a third supporting actres nom for Into the Wild (2007). Acclaimed turns in Lovely & Amazing (2001), Synecdoche, New York (2009), and Please Give (2010) went unrecognized, as did a juicy supporting turn in the Oscar-winning horror hit Get Out (2017). **Keira Knightley** By the time Keira Knightley earned her first Oscar nomination for playing Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice (2005), she already felt like an overdue veteran thanks to performances in Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Love Actually (2003), and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). Globe and BAFTA noms for Atonement (2007) quickly followed, which made her Oscar snub in Best Actress all the more surprising. She returned to the Oscar lineup with her supporting turn in The Imitation Game (2014), and hasn’t been nominated since then. **Laura Linney** Laura Linney’s relationship with the Oscars began in 2000, when she earned a Best Actress nomination for You Can Count on Me. That bid proved unsuccessful, as did her supporting nomination for Kinsey (2004) and her lead nom for The Savages (2007). Linney was heavily buzzed for her BAFTA-nominated supporting turn in 2003’s Mystic River (her costar, Marcia Gay Harden, got that Oscar nom) and for her Golden Globe-cited lead performance in 2005’s The Squid and the Whale. She’s had better luck on the small screen, winning Emmys for Wild Iris, Frasier, John Adams, and The Big C: Hereafter, and competing four times for Ozark. **Amy Madigan** Few people have had as long a gap between Oscar nominations as Amy Madigan, who first competed in Best Supporting Actress for 1985’s Twice in a Lifetime. After going unrecognized for her acclaimed supporting performance in 1989’s Best Picture nominee Field of Dreams, Madigan spent 40 years outside of the Academy’s good graces. That changed in 2025, when she made an Oscar comeback with her iconic performance as Aunt Gladys in the horror film Weapons, which brought her a Critics Choice victory as Best Supporting Actress. **Marsha Mason** Marsha Mason was a mainstay at the Oscars for the better part of a decade, beginning with a Best Actress nomination for 1973’s Cinderella Liberty (for which she won the Golden Globe for Best Drama Actress). She found repeat Oscar success with leading roles written by then-husband Neil Simon, landing bids for 1977’s The Goodbye Girl (where she tied eventual Oscar winner Diane Keaton \[Annie Hall\] at the Globes), 1979’s Chapter Two (released the same year as her Globe-nominated turn in Promises in the Dark), and 1981’s Only When I Laugh. While she hasn’t been invited to the Oscars since then, she did earn an Emmy nom for her memorable guest spot on Frasier. **Bette Midler** Bette Midler landed her first Oscar nomination for her breakthrough performance in the thinly veiled Janis Joplin biopic The Rose (1979), for which she won the Golden Globe. Performances in Divine Madness (1980), Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986), and Outrageous Fortune (1987) went unrecognized despite Globe bids. She returned to the Oscar race in 1992 with For the Boys, which brought her a second Globe victory as Best Comedy/Musical Actress. Despite winning three Emmys, three Grammys, and a Tony, Midler has yet to add an “O” to her EGOT. **Samantha Morton** It didn’t take long for Oscar voters to take notice of Samantha Morton, who landed a supporting actress nomination for Woody Allen’s Sweet & Lowdown (1999). She returned to the Oscar race in 2003 with a lead actress bid for In America. Despite earning a BAFTA nomination for Control (2007) and Critics Choice and Indie Spirit bids for The Messenger (2009), Morton hasn’t been invited back to the Oscars since. **Carey Mulligan** Carey Mulligan’s overdue Oscar narrative began in 2009, when she earned her first Best Actress nomination for An Education. Mulligan was just 24-years-old when she competed for the coming-of-age drama, for which she won the BAFTA. Her next nomination came for 2020’s Promising Young Woman, which brought her the Critics Choice Best Actress prize. She earned her third Best Actress Oscar bid for 2023’s Maestro, and came close to competing in the supporting category for 2011’s Drive (which brought her a BAFTA nom), 2011’s Shame (which earned her a Critics Choice nom), and 2022’s She Said (for which she competed at BAFTA and the Golden Globes). **Michelle Pfeiffer** Michelle Pfeiffer competed at the Oscars for the first time with Dangerous Liaisons (1988), for which she won the BAFTA as Best Supporting Actress. She came close to an Oscar victory on her second try with The Fabulous Baker Boys (1988), which won her the Golden Globe as Best Drama Actress. Pfeiffer was no match for Driving Miss Daisy’s Jessica Tandy, who at 80-years-old became the oldest Best Actress winner in history. Pfeiffer tallied one more unsuccessful Best Actress bid for 1992’s Love Field, and hasn’t been nominated since despite generating buzz with 1993’s Globe-nominated The Age of Innocence, 2001’s SAG-nominated White Oleander, and 2020’s Globe-nominated French Exit. She was overlooked as well for Globe-competing performances in Married to the Mob (1988), The Russia House (1990), and Frankie and Johnny (1991), not to mention her iconic role as Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992). **Charlotte Rampling** In a career stretching back to the 1960s, English actress Charlotte Rampling went unrecognized for Oscar-caliber performances in films like The Night Porter (1974), The Verdict (1982), and Swimming Pool (2003), the latter of which landed her a César bid. She received her first Oscar nomination in 2015 for her leading role in 45 Years, playing a woman whose marriage starts crumbling as her anniversary approaches. Although she lost the Best Actress prize to Brie Larson (Room), Rampling did capitalize on that nomination to land a prime role in Dune: Part One and Two. **Miranda Richardson** Miranda Richardson broke through in a major way in 1992 with three performances that received varying degrees of awards attention: Enchanted April, for which she won the Golden Globe as Best Comedy/Musical Actress; The Crying Game, which brought her a Best Supporting Actress bid at BAFTA; and Damage, which earned her a supporting actress Oscar nomination and won her the BAFTA. She returned to the Oscars two years later with her lead bid for Tom & Viv (1994), her last nomination to date despite acclaimed performances in The Apostle (1997), The Hours (2002), and Stronger (2017). **Saoirse Ronan** By the time she was 25, Saoirse Ronan was already a four-time Oscar nominee, making her perhaps the youngest person to ever claim to be legitimately “overdue.” She earned her first supporting actress nomination when she was just 13-years-old for 2007’s Atonement. Ronan competed in Best Actress for 2015’s Brooklyn, 2017’s Lady Bird (for which she won the Golden Globe), and 2019’s Little Women. She could’ve added to her nominations tally with performances in The Lovely Bones (2009) and The Outrun (2024), both of which brought her BAFTA bids for lead actress. **Winona Ryder** Winona Ryder seemed destined to win an Oscar one day, landing early awards attention at the Independent Spirit Awards for Heathers (1989) and the Golden Globes for Mermaids (1990). She earned her first Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actress for Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence (1993), for which she won the Golden Globe and competed at BAFTA. A second Oscar bid followed the next year for her lead performance as Jo March in Little Women (1994). She hasn’t been nominated since then, and has spent the last few years on Netflix’s Stranger Things. **Talia Shire** Talia Shire received two Oscar nominations early in her career with a pair of iconic 1970s performances. The first came for her supporting turn as Connie Corleone in The Godfather: Part II (1974), directed by her brother, Francis Ford Coppola. The second came for her lead role as Adrian in Rocky (1976). She has kept active since then (mostly in Rocky and The Godfather sequels), but Oscar voters haven’t taken notice. **Lily Tomlin** Poor Lily Tomlin has been one trophy away from an EGOT for her entire career, with seven Emmys, a Tony, and a Grammy waiting for an Oscar to join them on the shelf. Tomlin was nominated for her supporting performance in Robert Altman’s Nashville (1975), and she may very well have won had she not split the vote with costar Ronee Blakley. Despite reaping Golden Globe bids for The Late Show (1977), All of Me (1984), and Grandma (2015), Tomlin hasn’t had another bite at the Oscar apple. **Kathleen Turner** Few actresses dominated the 1980s like Kathleen Turner, starting with her smoldering breakthrough in Body Heat (1981). After winning back-to-back Golden Globes for Romancing the Stone (1984) and Prizzi’s Honor (1985), Turner received her first Oscar nomination for Francis Ford Coppola’s Peggy Sue Got Married (1986). She closed out the decade with one final Globe bid for The War of the Roses (1989), and has spent the last few decades mostly focused on the stage (earning Tony noms for revivals of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), TV, and voice-over work. **Liv Ullmann** Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann became an international superstar thanks to her collaborations with Ingmar Bergman. Yet her first Best Actress Oscar nomination didn’t come from a Bergman movie, but from The Emigrants (1971), directed by one of the Swedish auteur’s contemporaries, Jan Troell, and starring his favorite actor, Max von Sydow. After getting notably snubbed for Bergman’s 1973 drama Scenes from a Marriage (due in part to it originally airing as a miniseries on Swedish television), Ullmann returned to the Best Actress race with the director’s Face to Face (1976). While she hasn’t been nominated since then, Ullmann did receive an Honorary Oscar in 2022. **Emily Watson** Emily Watson became an Oscar nominee with her very first film, Breaking the Waves (1996), and earned a second Best Actress bid two years later for Hilary and Jackie (1998). She’s yet to be nominated since then, despite turning in acclaimed performances in movies like Gosford Park (2001), Punch-Drunk Love (2002), and Synecdoche, New York (2008). She even went unrecognized for Hamnet (2025), which brought her a BAFTA nom as Best Supporting Actress. Watson did snag Emmy, BAFTA, and SAG bids for the 2019 limited series Chernobyl, so at least some awards bodies haven’t forgotten her. **Naomi Watts** After kicking around Hollywood for a while, Naomi Watts shot to stardom with her acclaimed performance in David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive (2001). Despite earning mentions from various critics groups, Watts was snubbed at the Oscars for her dual performance as a mystery-solving actress. She received her first Oscar bid in lead actress for 21 Grams (2003), competing again for The Impossible (2012) nearly a decade later. Buzzy performances in King Kong (2005), Eastern Promises (2007), and St. Vincent (for which she earned a supporting actress nom at SAG) came up short, while Oscar-bait starring vehicles like Diana (2013) were widely panned. The only major prize she’s collected thus far is a SAG Ensemble award for 2014’s Birdman. **Sigourney Weaver** Sigourney Weaver’s first Oscar nomination came from one of the least likely of Oscar contenders: James Cameron’s Aliens (1986). Weaver scored a Best Actress nomination for reprising the role of Ripley in that sci-fi sequel, competing at the Golden Globes as well. In 1988, Weaver was double-nominated in the lead for Gorillas in the Mist and in supporting for Working Girl. Despite winning Golden Globes for both performances, Weaver went home empty-handed on Oscar night. She’s yet to be nominated again, despite tallying Globe and BAFTA bids in supporting for The Ice Storm (1997) and another lead Globe nom for A Map of the World (1999). **Michelle Williams** The “when will Michelle Williams win an Oscar” refrain began in 2005 with her supporting actress nomination for Brokeback Mountain, which pitted her against fellow perennial bridesmaid Amy Adams (Junebug). She quickly garnered lead actress bids for Blue Valentine (2010) and My Week With Marilyn (2011), which brought her a Golden Globe. William competed unsuccessfully in supporting for Manchester by the Sea (2016) and in lead for The Fabelmans (2022), in which she played Steven Spielberg’s mother. Her TV work has brought her more awards success, with Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG wins for Fosse/Verdon (2016) and another Globe victory for Dying for Sex (2025). **Debra Winger** After receiving BAFTA and Golden Globe bids for her supporting performance in Urban Cowboy (1980), Debra Winger landed her first of three Best Actress Oscar nominations for An Officer and a Gentleman (1982). She returned to the Oscar race the next year with Terms of Endearment (1983), losing the Best Actress prize to her on-screen mother, Shirley MacLaine. It was a full decade before Winger reaped her third Oscar nomination for 1993’s Shadowlands, released the same year as her Golden Globe-nominated lead performance in A Dangerous Woman. Although she hasn’t returned to the Oscar race since, she came close with a buzzy supporting turn in Rachel Getting Married (2008). **Alfre Woodard** Alfre Woodard earned her first (and to date, only) Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1983’s Cross Creek. She’s gone unrecognized since then, despite receiving Golden Globe bid for Passion Fish (Best Supporting Actress, 1992) and a BAFTA nom for Clemency (Best Actress, 2019). She was widely hailed for her performance in Spike Lee’s autobiographical Crooklyn (1994), yet category confusion likely kept her out of the Oscar lineup that year. Woodard is a four time Emmy winner for roles on Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, Miss Ever’s Boys, and The Practice, so she does have some gold on the shelf. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Greatest%20Living%20Actresses%20Who%27ve%20Never%20Won%20An%20Oscar&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Greatest%20Living%20Actresses%20Who%27ve%20Never%20Won%20An%20Oscar%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Greatest%20Living%20Actresses%20Who%27ve%20Never%20Won%20An%20Oscar&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Greatest%20Living%20Actresses%20Who%27ve%20Never%20Won%20An%20Oscar%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Greatest%20Living%20Actresses%20Who%27ve%20Never%20Won%20An%20Oscar%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Filmography, Movies, Oscars **Tags:** #Actresses, #Awards, #BetteMidler, #Oscar, #Oscars --- ### [Marc Shaiman Talks Bette Midler, Rob Reiner, And His New Book!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/05/marc-shaiman-talks-bette-midler-rob-reiner-and-his-new-book/) **Published:** February 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In his memoir, Never Mind the Happy, composer Marc Shaiman joked he “almost called the book, ‘Google Me.’ **Content:** --- ## Newsweek Marc Shaiman on Bette Midler, Rob Reiner and His New Memoir By H. Alan Scott Feb 4, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AP100510125667.jpg "Ap100510125667 - bootleg betty") --- *“Why am I so miserable? I’ve had so many wonderful things happen in my life.”* **In his memoir, Never Mind the Happy, composer [Marc Shaiman](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/) joked he “almost called the book, ‘Google Me.’” That’s because you know his music even if you don’t know his name. He’s the man behind the sound of films like Sister Act, The American President and Mary Poppins Returns. “When I get cast on shows now, the cast are young enough that they have no idea about my movie career. Every now and then they go, ‘Wait, you worked on what!?’ And I’m like, ‘Google me.’” His career spans legendary collaborations with “the mensch of all time” Billy Crystal and his “template for how to put the emotion of a song first” [Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler). “I love her style of performing. It matches my songwriting, my arranging, the way \[I sing\]…if I could sing.” Despite Shaiman’s seven Academy Award nominations, he admits, “that ship has sailed.” “There are a lot of much more legendary people than I who never won an Oscar. I’m gonna be fine.” But he’ll always have Hairspray. “If you don’t like Hairspray, sorry, I just kind of feel bad for you.”** Editor’s Note: This conversation has been edited and condensed for publication. **So, first off, I have to say I’ve been a big admirer of yours for years. What I think is so fascinating about you is—I mean, a lot of people know your name, of course, but…** No, they don’t. **They do! They know your work**. I almost called the book Google Me. **Well, you called the book Never Mind the Happy. Where did that title come from?** It defines me, my religion and the blood that’s in me. My sister called my mother one New Year’s Day and said, “Ma, I want to be the first to wish you a happy and healthy New Year!” and my mother said, “Never mind the happy.” That just stuck in my head forever. When I was writing the book, it sounded like a classic four-word title—like To Kill a Mockingbird or For Whom the Bell Tolls—where you aren’t quite sure what it means, but it defines me. It runs through the book, hopefully humorously: Why am I so miserable? I’ve had so many wonderful things happen, yet I’m always picking at the “but then this happened” part. But that’s every artist; you’re never as good as the next thing you’re working on. We almost went with You Can’t Stop the Beat, but that sounded like a magazine article about hairspray. My friend Christine Ebersole was once performing at Cafe Carlyle and a guy in the front row was on his phone the whole time. Finally, she said, “Google me.” I almost stole that from her, because when I’m cast on shows now, the actors are young enough that they have no idea about my movie career. Every now and then they go, “Wait, you worked on what?!” and I’m like, “Google me.” **I thought of you immediately when I heard the news about Rob Reiner. We pushed this interview back because of that tragic news. How are you feeling?** I had a breakdown this morning, so I’ll try not to have one right now. Like everybody else, I’m struggling. He was my brother, my father, my mentor. I did 20 movies with him. He gave me my career. **Your film career started because of him, correct?** Yeah. There are a few people, but he’s at the top. I was working with Bette Midler and Billy Crystal just as their movie careers were taking off. I co-wrote a song Bette nailed called “The Cow” for Big Business, and I would go on the road with Billy, playing underscore beneath his monologues. When Billy did When Harry Met Sally, he asked Rob what he was doing for the music. Rob said, “I need a guy who knows every song,” and Billy—the mensch of all time—said, “Have I got a guy for you!” Helping Rob choose songs and arrangements for that film taught me the mathematics of how music is physically placed into a movie. Later, Rob saw an HBO special I did with Billy that had four minutes of underscore. He called me the next morning and said, “My next movie is Misery. Do you want to score it?” I was terrified. Even my agent asked Rob, “Why do you think Marc can do this?”—which is not what your agent should be saying. But Rob said, “Richard, talent is talent.” He just had faith in me. **He meant so much to so many. It’s a blessing for humanity to have had his work, much of which you helped bring to life.** This last week has been made “easier” by the fact that he was so beloved across generations. Seeing everyone’s grief and the endless tributes online has been getting me through. **It’s a testament to his life.** And the fact that he was a literal part of making same-sex marriage law. Beyond my career, he’s a reason I am so happily married today. Until you’re married and have that ring on your finger, you don’t realize what it means. I’m an antsy person; I have to take it off at night to sleep. If I’m ever out in the world and realize I forgot to put it on, I feel beyond naked. I’m not me. **Your scores—particularly with Crystal and Midler—are iconic. How does it feel to have so many special moments attributed to you?** It feels good, if I ever allow myself to feel good, but it’s bizarre. Sometimes, if someone posts something online, I’ll comment, “You know, I did that,” and they’re shocked. Being part of that final Johnny Carson performance with Bette Midler and the score to The American President are two moments I can actually watch without beating myself up or wondering what I was trying to pull off. **Regarding The American President, so many portrayals of presidents since then sound just like your score. How do you feel about that?** I take it as the highest form of flattery. Don’t you miss main titles in movies? Where you could set a mood with an opening and take in a feeling? Now it’s just boom, you’re in. For that title, I needed to write music about the respect one used to have for the President of the United States. I’m happy with what I did, though I’m not comfortable saying that. **I’ll say it for you. Sister Act, City Slickers, Sleepless in Seattle, A Few Good Men…** For A Few Good Men, my parents came to L.A., and we happened to be there the day they filmed, “You’re damn right I ordered the code red!” and “You can’t handle the truth!” Jack Nicholson was unbelievable. Every take, even when the camera wasn’t on him, was the same. What a day. **How do you approach scoring and collaborating with different directors?** It’s always different, but always the same. You have to develop a vocabulary to understand what the director wants. To me, a movie is like a ballet that has already been staged, and you have to write the music to fit the movements. Then there’s the “temp score,” which is a double-edged sword. Directors and editors put existing music into a film while editing because a movie without music is just bad sex. They get very used to it. With Rob, he would often come over and start singing, “Can it go da da ah instead of da da da?” By the third movie, I told him, “Rob, if you’re going to keep singing, I have to send you to a voice teacher to expand your range.” Little by little, he stopped singing. **You have seven Academy Award nominations. Do you “need” the Oscar?** As I say in the book, that ship has sailed. You never know, but there are many legendary people who never won or were never even nominated. I’ve been nominated seven times; I’m going to be fine. **You’ve collaborated extensively with Bette Midler, who is everything to the LGBTQ+ community. Do you share that reverence?** Speaking of being gay—I tell the story in the book of the gayest day of my life. It’s the same thing with Barbra Streisand; these women were outsiders. They didn’t look like traditional beauties, and they didn’t talk the way “ladies” were expected to talk. They broke the mold and created a new form of beauty and sexiness. I was a Bette Midler fanatic at 12. When I was 15, I had a daydream of running down a Broadway aisle and telling her, “Ms. Midler, I know every note of every arrangement, please let me play for you.” By sheer luck, when I moved to New York at 16, I stayed with people who lived across the hall from one of her backup singers. I became their musical director for free because I knew all the harmonies from the records. Eventually, Bette flew us to L.A. to rehearse. I was sitting in the back of the studio when in walks Bette Midler. Two years prior, she was a poster on my wall. She wanted to try a song called “No Gesturing,” but the band didn’t have the music. She looked out and said, like Norma Desmond \[in Sunset Boulevard\], “You out there, can you play ‘No Gesturing’?” I actually got to walk onto the stage and say the exact words from my daydream. She said, “Stick around.” My flight was postponed, and because she’s a frugal gal, she put me in her guest room instead of a hotel. There I was, 17 years old, having breakfast with Bette Midler in a nightgown and no bra. Crazy things! I eventually brought her “The Wind Beneath My Wings” and did the Johnny Carson show. I’m so proud to be part of her legacy. **Hairspray is a defining Broadway musical. What was it like turning that quirky John Waters film into a stage hit?** It was a dream within a dream. I have South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut to thank for it. Before that, all I ever wanted was to write a Broadway musical, but my partner Scott and I never got the big break. We were in L.A. for a decade, and Scott was miserable; he says L.A. is where he learned how to drink and drive. When the call came for Hairspray, we had to write on spec because they didn’t know us as lyricists. The next day, Scott said the show should start with Tracy Turnblad \[the main character\] looking out her window like Curly in Oklahoma!. Instead of seeing corn, she sees John Waters’ version of Baltimore—rats, flashers and bums—and it’s all beautiful to her. I ran to the piano and “Good Morning Baltimore” just plopped out. I was Tracy Turnblad with a penis in junior high. I didn’t understand why the world was the way it was, just like her. If you don’t like Hairspray, I just feel bad for you. **It is quite literally a perfect musical.** Lord knows we’ve seen many musicals try to write a “You Can’t Stop the Beat” for their finale. Even for Smash, they asked us for something like that. We can’t escape it. **When creating music, how much are you referencing the past?** I get a bad rap for being too “pastiche.” But I love the music that came before; it’s part of me. With Hairspray, I was only two years old in 1962, but I remember hearing “Chapel of Love” on the radio. We wanted to emulate that music without ripping it off—to make it sound like it could have all been on a jukebox in the sixties. The book is fantastic. You aren’t retiring, are you? Can I? Please, let me rest on my big fat laurels! **What are you excited about now?** I’m excited about the book. It’s a bizarre thing to write about yourself. How dare I think I could write about my life? But it has a universal theme. I’m in a profession that gets written about, but it’s just a job. People have the same frustrations I have. The book is about me trying to figure out how to retain the happy parts. I helped create something as joyful as Hairspray, yet there’s a great irony in the fact that I can’t always hang on to that joy myself. It’s about the struggle we all have just to get up and go to work. **But you get to go to work and hang out with Bette Midler.** You should have a drinking game for every time you mention Bette Midler. You’d be messed up by the end of this. **She is all over the book.** I dedicated it to her! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Rob%20Reiner%2C%20And%20His%20New%20Book%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Rob%20Reiner%2C%20And%20His%20New%20Book%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Rob%20Reiner%2C%20And%20His%20New%20Book%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Rob%20Reiner%2C%20And%20His%20New%20Book%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Rob%20Reiner%2C%20And%20His%20New%20Book%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Interview, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #Interview, #MarcShaiman, #Memoir, #NeverMindTheHappy, #RobReiner --- ### [Audio From Bette Midler Archive: Bette Midler Sings An Enraging Version Of Breakin Up Somebody's Home](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/04/audio-from-bette-midler-archive-bette-midler-sings-an-enraging-version-of-breakin-up-somebodys-home/) **Published:** February 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Performed August 30, 1973, at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, during Bette's first national cross-country tour. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio From Bette Midler Archive: Bette Midler Sings An Enraging Version Of Breakin Up Somebody’s Home From The Bette Midler Archive Feb 3, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-03_15-07-23.png "2026-02-03_15-07-23 - bootleg betty")--- Performed August 30, 1973, at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, during Bette’s first national cross-country tour. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20An%20Enraging%20Version%20Of%20Breakin%20Up%20Somebody%27s%20Home&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20An%20Enraging%20Version%20Of%20Breakin%20Up%20Somebody%27s%20Home%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20An%20Enraging%20Version%20Of%20Breakin%20Up%20Somebody%27s%20Home&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20An%20Enraging%20Version%20Of%20Breakin%20Up%20Somebody%27s%20Home%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20An%20Enraging%20Version%20Of%20Breakin%20Up%20Somebody%27s%20Home%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Live, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BreakingUpSomebodysHome, #Concert, #Live, #Music, #Song, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [Video From Boodles BonBon: ABFABs Edina Gets a Special Request From Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/03/video-from-boodles-bonbon-abfabs-edina-gets-a-special-request-from-bette-midler/) **Published:** February 3, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video From Boodles BonBon: ABFABs Edina Gets a Special Request From Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video From Boodles BonBon: ABFABs Edina Gets a Special Request From Bette Midler By Boodles BonBon Feb 3, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-03_15-34-47.png "2026-02-03_15-34-47 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20ABFABs%20Edina%20Gets%20a%20Special%20Request%20From%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20ABFABs%20Edina%20Gets%20a%20Special%20Request%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20ABFABs%20Edina%20Gets%20a%20Special%20Request%20From%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20ABFABs%20Edina%20Gets%20a%20Special%20Request%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20ABFABs%20Edina%20Gets%20a%20Special%20Request%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #AbFab, #BetteMidler, #Boodles BonBon, #Edina, #SpecialRequest, #Video --- ### [Marc Shaiman's Key To Success Is Mainly Just Showing Up! Say Yes!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/03/marc-shaimans-key-to-success-is-mainly-just-showing-up-say-yes/) **Published:** February 3, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** If you haven’t heard the name Marc Shaiman, you’ve most likely heard his music or lyrics in one of your favorite Broadway shows or movies released in the past 50 years. **Content:** --- ## Los Angeles Blade Marc Shaiman: One Key To Success Is Just Showing Up! Say Yes! By Matt Minton Feb 2, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/616304710_10173808909985413_2310804521159548831_n-819x1024.jpg "616304710_10173808909985413_2310804521159548831_n - bootleg betty")--- If you haven’t heard the name [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/), you’ve most likely heard his music or lyrics in one of your favorite Broadway shows or movies released in the past 50 years. From composing the Broadway scores for Hairspray and Catch Me if You Can to most recently working on Only Murders in the Building, Hocus Focus 2, and Mary Poppins Returns, the openly queer artist has had a versatile career — one that keeps him just an Oscar away from EGOT status. The one thing the award-winning composer, lyricist, and writer credits with launching his successful career? Showing up, time and time again. Eventually, he lucked out in finding himself at the right place at the right time, meeting industry figures like Rob Reiner, Billy Crystal, and **[Bette Midler](https://www.bettemidler.com/),** who were immediately impressed with his musical instincts on the piano. “Put my picture under the dictionary definition for being in the right place at the right time,” Shaiman says. “What I often try to say to students is, ‘Show up. Say yes to everything.’ Because you never know who is in the back of the theater that you had no idea was going to be there. Or even when you audition and don’t get the part. My book is an endless example of dreams coming true, and a lot of these came true just because I showed up. I raised my hand. I had the chutzpah!” Recalling one example from his memoir, titled Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner ( just hit bookshelves on January 27th), Shaiman says he heard Midler was only hiring Los Angeles-based artists for her world tour. At the young age of 20, the New York-based Shaiman took a chance and bought the cheapest flight he could find from JFK. Once landing in L.A., he called up Midler and simply asked: “Where’s rehearsal?” “Would I do that nowadays? I don’t know,” Shaiman admits. “But when you’re young and you’re fearless … I was just obsessed, I guess you could say. Maybe I was a stalker! Luckily, I was a stalker who had the goods to be able to co-create with her and live up to my wanting to be around.” On the occasion of Never Mind the Happy’s official release, The Blade had the opportunity to chat with Shaiman about his decades-spanning career. He recalls the sexual freedom of his community theater days, the first time he heard someone gleefully yell profanities during a late screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and why the late Rob Reiner was instrumental to both his career and his lasting marriage to Louis Mirabal. This interview has been edited and condensed. Naturally, a good place to start would be your book, Never Mind the Happy. What prompted you to want to tell the story of your life at this point in your career? I had a couple of years where, if there was an anniversary of a movie or a Broadway show I co- created, I’d write about it online. People were always saying to me, “Oh my God, you should write a book!” But I see them say that to everybody. Someone says, “Oh, today my kitten knocked over the tea kettle -” “You should write a book with these hysterical stories.” So I just took it with a grain of salt when people would say that to me. But then I was listening to Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ podcast, and Jane Fonda was on talking about her memoir — not that I’m comparing myself to a career like Jane Fonda’s — but she felt it was time to take a life review. That really stuck in my head. At the time, I was sulking or moping about something that had not gone as well as I wished. And I guess I kind of thought, “Let me look back at all these things that I have done.” Because I have done a lot. I’m just weeks short of my 50th year in show business, despite how youthful I look! I just sat down and started writing before anyone asked, as far as an actual publisher. I started writing as a way to try to remind myself of the joyous, wonderful things that have happened, and for me not to always be so caught up on what didn’t go right. I’ve been telling some of these stories over the years, and it was really fun to sit down and not just be at a dinner party telling a story. There’s something about the written word and really figuring out the best way to tell the story and how to get across a certain person’s voice. I really enjoyed the writing. It was the editing that was the hard part! You recall experiences that made you fall in love with the world of theater and music, from the days you would skip class to go see a show or work in regional productions. What was it like returning to those early memories? Wonderful. My few years of doing community theater included productions that were all kids, and many productions with adults, where I was this freaky little 12-year-old who could play show business piano beyond my years. It was just bizarre! Every time a director would introduce me to another cast of adults, they’d be like, “Are you kidding?” I’d go to the piano, and I would sightread the overture to Funny Girl, and everybody said, “Oh, OK!” Those were just joyous, wonderful years, making the kind of friends that are literally still my friends. You’re discovering musical theatre, you’re discovering new friends who have the same likes and dreams, and discovering sex. Oh my god! I lost my virginity at the opening night of Jesus Christ Superstar, so I’m all for community theater! What do you recall from your early experiences watching Broadway shows? Did that open everything up for you? I don’t remember seeing Fiddler on the Roof when I was a kid, but I remember being really enthralled with this one woman’s picture in the souvenir folio — the smile on her face as she’s looking up in the pictures or looking to her father for approval. I always remember zooming in on her and being fascinated by this woman’s face: turns out it was Bette Midler. So my love for Bette Midler began even before I heard her solo records. Pippin and The Wiz were the first Broadway musicals I saw as a young teenager who had started working in community theater and really wanted to be a part of it. I still remember Pippin with Ben Vereen and all those hands. At the time, I thought getting a seat in the front row was really cool — I’ve learned since that it only hurts your neck, but I remember sitting in the front row at The Wiz as Stephanie Mills sang Home. Oh my god, I can still see it right now. And then I saw Bette Midler in concert, finally, after idolizing her and being a crazed fan who did nothing but listen to her records, dreaming that someday I’d get to play for her. And it all came true even before I turned 18 years old. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, and met one of her backup singers and became their musical director. I was brought to a Bette Midler rehearsal. I still hadn’t even turned 18, she heard me play and said, “Stick around.” And I’ve stuck around close to 55 years! She’s going to interview me in L.A. at the Academy Museum. Would I have ever thought that Bette Midler would say yes to sitting with me, interviewing me about my life and career? That’s amazing. Has she had a chance to read the book yet? She read it. We just talked yesterday, and she wants to ask the right questions at the event. And she even said to me, “Marc, I wasn’t even aware of all that you’ve done.” We’ve been great friends for all these years, but sometimes months or almost years go by where you’re not completely in touch. In the book, you describe moving between New York and Los Angeles, especially when you started working more in film. As a queer artist, what was your experience finding LGBTQ+ community between the two coasts? As far as gayness, they’re equally gay! I guess New York tilts a little more. I came to New York in 1976, so during the ‘70s in New York, anything goes! That was the height of sexual freedom and expression, then the ‘80s brought the hideousness of AIDS. For a long time, part of being gay was the endless death that I was surrounded by — losing just about every friend and colleague. My god, when I first started living in L.A., coming out there to work with Bette in the ‘80s, almost every single person I met died by the mid ‘90s. Everyone, everyone was gone. That was unfortunately a huge part of my life, and anyone my age can relate to that. God bless everyone not my age that will hopefully never ever have to experience anything close to the devastation of a funeral every week. Even to say it now, it’s hard to imagine or believe that happened. But you know, I’m in show business, so there are gay people everywhere and happily so. I’m lucky that I grew up without any kind of shame about that, or a feeling that I needed to hide it. Although I didn’t come out to my parents. It wasn’t until I finally told my mom one day that I had been to yet another funeral, as I was sharing with her about AIDS. That was when she finally said, “Scott is more than your roommate, isn’t he?” And I was like, “Yes.” Why did I pretend? I never pretended anywhere else, and I never pretended about anything else. But I still grew up in a time when – well, I mean, I’m not naive, I know it’s still a time now where a lot of people can’t come out to their family or parents — but I certainly came out a time long before there were people coming out on TikTok for the whole world to see. It was a bit more of a private thing, but I was always happily gay. And dare I say, as I even say in the book, when my libido took off at around 15, and all the other 15 and 16-year-olds were around me, I was the pied piper! In the spirit of being at the right place at the right time, you almost accidentally became part of The Rocky Horror Show and the immersive, theatrical performances that emerged in those midnight screenings. We actually started that, which, once again, is hard for me to believe. I went to New York with my friend from community theater, Sal, and we walked by the Waverly Theatre. He said, “Oh, I heard that this movie just opened, I hear it’s really outrageous.” We got in line and really hit it off with these other guys and gals. We went to see it and loved it and said, “Let’s come back tomorrow night!” These strangers that we just met came back too. When Susan Sarandon (who played Janet) holds a newspaper over her head in the rain, Louis Farese is the first person to yell out anything. He yelled, “Buy an umbrella, you cheap bitch!” The audience exploded in laughter. Sal and I were big hams and were like, “We’ve gotta get a laugh. We’ve got to figure out something to say and get a laugh like this!” You started working in film through your collaborations with director Rob Reiner, who recently passed. What was it like stepping into scoring and making that leap with films like Misery and When Harry Met Sally…? I was lucky enough, by Billy Crystal introducing me to Rob Reiner, to get the job doing the music for When Harry Met Sally…. But that was arranging existing songs, arranging and orchestrating with Rob. I worked on Beaches (starring Bette Midler) at the same time, and that was the same thing — arranging songs, orchestrating them, co-producing the recordings. Suddenly, I had these two hugely successful soundtrack records I had co-produced, but I had never written a film score or done a student film. Since I was a kid, I had a little theme for when my cat walked across the room. If somebody walked into the room at a party, I would play something funny as they walked in. Rob had an inkling and called me, “Hey buddy, you want to score my next movie, Misery, a psychological thriller?” I was wondering why he thought I could do that. I had just gotten an agent as I moved to L.A., and even my agent said to Rob, “What makes you think Marc can write a film score?” Rob simply said, “Talent is talent.” That became my agent’s mantra as he got me one job after another, and Rob’s faith in me was just an overwhelming, life-changing thing. He became so important to me, and someone I’ll be thankful for as a colleague and even more so as a friend. For the rest of my life, I’ll be thanking him for that. He was a true advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, fighting against California’s Proposition 8 same-sex marriage ban by co-founding the American Foundation for Equal Rights in 2009. Very likely, I wouldn’t be married if it weren’t for Rob and Michelle Reiner. They were intensely a part of the fight to get to the Supreme Court. They were a part of that in all ways — financially, fighting, and showing up vocally. So, besides everything else, I’m the most happily married man on the face of the earth. And I can thank Rob and Michelle for that. That’s beautiful. As we look back on your career, you’ve worked on everything from Broadway musicals like Hairspray to more recent revivals/sequels like Mary Poppins Returns, which you describe in your book as your dream job. What do you make of how the landscape for these filmed musical adaptations has evolved? It seems like studios are now more apprehensive about promoting them as actual musicals. Isn’t it crazy? Even after Wicked making billions of dollars, I bet with the next movie musical, they’ll still pretend like it’s not a musical. Even Wicked had commercials where they didn’t sing! It’s so schizophrenic. There’s clearly an audience for them and yet the studios are so afraid. I don’t know. Can you explain it? I don’t know if I can. I mean, Mamma Mia! Hairspray the movie was very successful, but did they show singing for the commercials for Hairspray? I don’t remember, but I don’t think they did. In the book, you mention Cole Escola and other queer artists who are doing exciting things today. Are there any particular actors or recent films and shows that you’ve been impressed by? Well, god knows Heated Rivalry. My god, what’s going on with that? It’s just so fantastic watching these videos of the straight podcasters crying at episode five. Of course, I watched it for the sexiness of it all, but then I got caught up in it. I cried my fucking eyes out at that episode when he calls his lover down to the rink. I was just like those guys watching those reaction videos. It shows how schizophrenic this world is. There are so many mean people full of hatred, yet there are also many people full of love who are open to a show like that. It’s phenomenal. I don’t know what’s going to become of this world, but I’m happy I got to live the life I’ve gotten to live. I hope we’re not entering a world where our worst fears are all coming true. This may sound superficial, but even something like Heated Rivalry — I don’t think that’s superficial. It shows there are large numbers of people who get it. How do you feel as you’re getting ready to share this book and your stories with the world? It’s not just about me tooting my own horn, though I’d be a hypocrite to say that I’m not to a certain level. It’s also about showing people — if you want to do something, just go out and fucking do it. Just keep at it. I wanted to quit a million times but I didn’t, and just like people told me, something did happen because I just kept showing up. Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner is now available wherever books are sold Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Key%20To%20Success%20Is%20Mainly%20Just%20Showing%20Up%21%20Say%20Yes%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Key%20To%20Success%20Is%20Mainly%20Just%20Showing%20Up%21%20Say%20Yes%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Key%20To%20Success%20Is%20Mainly%20Just%20Showing%20Up%21%20Say%20Yes%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Key%20To%20Success%20Is%20Mainly%20Just%20Showing%20Up%21%20Say%20Yes%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Key%20To%20Success%20Is%20Mainly%20Just%20Showing%20Up%21%20Say%20Yes%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Broadway, Marc Shaiman, Movies, Music, Songs, Television, Theatre **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #Broadway, #MarcShaiman, #Movies, #Music, #NeverMindTheHappy, #Success --- ### [All 3 Bette Midler Jukeboxes Are Open With New Vintage Songs And Music](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/03/all-3-bette-midler-jukeboxes-are-open-with-new-vintage-songs-and-music/) **Published:** February 3, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** All 3 Bootleg Jukeboxes Are Open With New Music **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty All 3 Bootleg Jukeboxes Are Open With New Music By Mister D Feb 2, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2024-04-23_18-15-58.png "2024-04-23_18-15-58 - bootleg betty") --- 1\. **To Get To The Bette Midler Jukebox:** [**CLICK HERE**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) --- **2. To Get To The Same Songs, Other Voices Jukebox:** [**CLICK HERE**](https://bootlegbetty.com/same-songsother-voices/) --- **3. To Get To Karaoke Bette!:** [**CLICK HERE**](https://bootlegbetty.com/karaoke-bette/) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=All%203%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukeboxes%20Are%20Open%20With%20New%20Vintage%20Songs%20And%20Music&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=All%203%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukeboxes%20Are%20Open%20With%20New%20Vintage%20Songs%20And%20Music%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=All%203%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukeboxes%20Are%20Open%20With%20New%20Vintage%20Songs%20And%20Music&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=All%203%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukeboxes%20Are%20Open%20With%20New%20Vintage%20Songs%20And%20Music%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=All%203%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukeboxes%20Are%20Open%20With%20New%20Vintage%20Songs%20And%20Music%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bootleg Betty Jukebox, Karaoke Bette, Music, Same Songs, Songs **Tags:** #Music, #Songs, #Vintage, Jukeboxes --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings Birds By Neil Young](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/02/video-bette-midler-sings-birds-by-neil-young/) **Published:** February 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Yes, Bette Midler famously performed a cover of "Birds" by Neil Young. It's a live rendition featured on her 1977 album Live at Last, recorded during her "The Depression Tour" in 1976. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings Birds By Neil Young By Mister D Jan 31, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/508561872_10031137650309877_3481695698885503841_n-1.jpg "508561872_10031137650309877_3481695698885503841_n - bootleg betty") --- --- Yes, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/bette-midler/) famously performed a cover of “[**Birds**](https://www.songfacts.com/facts/neil-young/birds)” by Neil Young. It’s a live rendition featured on her 1977 album Live at Last, recorded during her “The Depression Tour” in 1976. The song is a gentle, melancholic folk-rock ballad originally from Neil Young’s 1970 album After the Gold Rush, about love, loss, and moving on (with lyrics like “Lover, there will be another one / Who’ll hover over you beneath the sun”). Bette’s version is a standout for its emotional delivery and her signature flair—she transforms the mellow original into something with a driving R&B edge while keeping its heartfelt core. What makes it especially memorable is her hilarious spoken introduction, where she pokes fun at Neil Young’s laid-back, “heavy” vibe and her own attempts to be chill: *“Oh, that’s so heavy. We’re gonna do a, a Neil Young song. Neil is so heavy, Neil is so mellow and laid back. I’m trying my best to be mellow and laid back. You know, I have even gone organic. Last week I ate an Earth Shoe. Oh, did I sing the ballad yet!? Was it wonderful?”* This banter captures her comedic genius and stage personality perfectly. The performance has been praised as brilliant (some fans say it even introduced them to Neil Young’s work), and clips of it circulate online, including on YouTube from the 1976 tour and the album recording. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Birds%20By%20Neil%20Young&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Birds%20By%20Neil%20Young%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Birds%20By%20Neil%20Young&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Birds%20By%20Neil%20Young%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Birds%20By%20Neil%20Young%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Live At Last, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Birds, #LiveATLast, #NeilYoung, #Video --- ### [The New Marc Shaiman Book Is Filled With Broadway Folklore](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/02/the-new-marc-shaiman-book-is-filled-with-broadway-folklore/) **Published:** February 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Some people knock politely on doors. Marc Shaiman… not so much. He’s more of a hail a cab, drain your bank account, fly cross-country, and call from a phone booth kind of guy. **Content:** --- ## Katie Couric Media The New Marc Shaiman Book Is Filled With Broadway Folklore By Katie Couric Media Feb. 1, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/572813594_18537408421054019_8128734136738971644_n-819x1024-1.jpg "572813594_18537408421054019_8128734136738971644_n-819x1024 - bootleg betty")--- Some people knock politely on doors. [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/30/marc-shaimans-candid-new-memoir/)… not so much. He’s more of a hail a cab, drain your bank account, fly cross-country, and call from a phone booth kind of guy. (Remember phone booths? Marc does.) In his new book *[Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FP5L62X5?&linkCode=ll1&tag=kcm-books-20&linkId=e1552759791bd70e0fc6268ae8a2e314&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)*, the legendary Broadway composer — whose credits span *Hairspray*, *Sister Act*, and work alongside a jaw-dropping list of icons — offers a front-row seat to a life built on guts, timing, and a healthy tolerance for chaos. We asked him about the audacious leaps that paid off, the stars who surprised him, the moments he was sure he’d blown it, and why sometimes the most absurd rooms (gold piano included) make for the best stories later. Curtain up. ### Your book is basically a master class in being confident enough to walk into any room. Which bold move still makes you laugh (or cringe) when you think about it? I can’t believe that, after first working with Bette Midler when I was 19 and she told me she was only hiring people who lived in LA, I went to the bank, took out all the money I had — which was very little — hailed a cab to JFK, flew to LA, called her from a phone booth (remember phone booths?) and said “OK, I’m in LA. What’s the address of the rehearsal studio? I’ll be right over.” And it worked! From where did I get such huge balls?!?! ### You’ve worked with so many famously big personalities. Who surprised you most by being quieter or more vulnerable than their public image suggested? When I first rehearsed with Whoopi Goldberg for *Sister Act*, I expected her to sing with a big, boisterous, bluesy shout, but out came the voice of a timid white folk singer. That’s why I hired Jenifer Lewis and Charlotte Crossley, two of the funniest singers I knew, to be the backup singers for the opening medley that starts the movie. I hoped that putting Whoopi in an atmosphere that was non-stop laughing would free her from her surprising (to me) inhibitions. It worked! ### There’s a recurring theme of you being the calm musical brain in rooms full of nerves — actors who don’t want to sing, or stars second-guessing themselves. Who needed the most hand-holding? I wouldn’t call it hand-holding, but I write about how [**Bette Midler**](https://www.bettemidler.com/) is always on the search for “what else ya got?” Everyone who has worked with her would tell you this. Eventually she settles in, and then it’s pure magic. ### You write about moments when you absolutely nailed it — and moments when you were convinced you’d blown it. What’s a collaboration that turned out better than you’d expected? Hmmmm, I’m suddenly remembering yet another *Sister Act* moment, when I recorded demos to show Disney what the musical numbers could be, and came up with turning “My Guy” into “My God.” *Is it just a corny pun that’ll make everyone groan?* I wondered — and worried. But the demo made everyone smile and then, when the great Broadway actresses playing the nuns added their remarkable, sincere performances, it played through the roof! I guess to get closer to God! ### You’ve had a front-row seat to some truly wild show-business behavior. Without naming names (or maybe with), what’s a moment that perfectly captures how absurd this industry can be? Well, I wrote special lyrics for Donald Trump for one of [Katie’s colon cancer benefits](https://katiecouric.com/health/katies-reflection-on-stand-up-to-cancer/), and rehearsing at his apartment on a gold-plated piano and staring at his hair was the height of absurdity. But not nearly as absurd as what has happened with him since! ### You’ve written for legends across generations. Is there someone you worked with who instantly made you think, *Oh this is why they’re famous*? Once, when my parents came to visit me in LA, [Rob Reiner](https://katiecouric.com/news/rob-reiner-death-celebrity-response-trump-statement/) allowed me to take them over to the filming of *A Few Good Men*, which I had been hired to score once filming was completed. How lucky we were that it just so happened to be the day that Jack Nicholson was filming his now iconic, “You can’t handle the truth” moment. He went full-out 1000 percent on every take, even when the cameras were facing Tom Cruise and the other actors. That was incredible to witness, and an example of a total pro. ### The book is full of near-misses and “almosts” that led to better things. Which rejection or disappointment turned out to be the biggest gift in disguise? The first actor who went into the Broadway rehearsals of *Hairspray* in the role of Link Larkin got a small movie part and left the show, very suddenly. From out of the chorus, we plucked a young man to take over: Matt Morrison, who went on to many other Broadway shows and then true fame as Mr. Shue on *Glee*. I can’t recall that first actor’s name! (Actually, I’m just saying that, he’s a wonderful guy, but oops, he really screwed up that time!) ### What’s one surprising piece of advice you were given early on that turned out to be completely wrong? (Or incredibly correct?) That I shouldn’t leave high school — even with the G.E.D. diploma I got — and move to NYC at age 16. My mother told them “What am I gonna do, chain him to the piano?” It all worked out pretty good. Pretty, pretty, good! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20New%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Book%20Is%20Filled%20With%20Broadway%20Folklore&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20New%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Book%20Is%20Filled%20With%20Broadway%20Folklore%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20New%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Book%20Is%20Filled%20With%20Broadway%20Folklore&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20New%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Book%20Is%20Filled%20With%20Broadway%20Folklore%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20New%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Book%20Is%20Filled%20With%20Broadway%20Folklore%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Broadway, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #Broadway, #Folklore, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy --- ### [Creative Mashup Video: Bette Midler Plunged Into Mambo Bette!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/02/creative-mashup-video-bette-midler-plunged-into-mambo-bette/) **Published:** February 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A creative, #Mashup from #NicCalder with #BetteMidler dancing, jumping, and singing #MamboItaliano in this work of art called #MamboBette **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Creative Mashup Video: Bette Midler Plunged Into Mambo Bette! By Nic Calder Feb. 2, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/593dd99516000022001158bc-1024x537.webp "593dd99516000022001158bc - bootleg betty")--- --- A creative, [\#Mashup](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/mashup/) from [\#NicCalder](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/niccalder/) with [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) dancing, jumping, and singing [\#MamboItaliano](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/mamboitaliano/) in this work of art called [\#MamboBette](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/mambobette/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Creative%20Mashup%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Plunged%20Into%20Mambo%20Bette%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Creative%20Mashup%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Plunged%20Into%20Mambo%20Bette%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Creative%20Mashup%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Plunged%20Into%20Mambo%20Bette%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Creative%20Mashup%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Plunged%20Into%20Mambo%20Bette%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Creative%20Mashup%20Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Plunged%20Into%20Mambo%20Bette%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #MamboBette, #MamboItaliano, #MashUp, #NicCalder, #RosemaryClooney, #Video --- ### [Who's Won Record And Song Of The Year At The Grammys? What's The Difference?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/02/whos-won-record-and-song-of-the-year-at-the-grammys-whats-the-difference/) **Published:** February 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** If you’ve watched a whole Grammy Awards ceremony, you might be wondering why there were two different awards for the same songs. **Content:** --- ## Stylecaster Who’s Won Record And Song Of The Year At The Grammys? What’s The Difference? By Lea Veloso Feb 1, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-01_10-16-31.png "2026-02-01_10-16-31 - bootleg betty") --- If you’ve watched a whole [**Grammy Awards**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/grammys/) ceremony, you might be wondering why there were two different awards for the same songs. The difference between Record of the Year and [**Song of the Year**](https://www.grammy.com/award/song-of-the-year) is actually pretty simple. The Grammys have given awards in these distinct categories since the first-ever Grammy Awards ceremony in 1959, along with Album of the Year. These three awards, along with Best New Artist, are always presented near the end of the ceremony and are known to be the most prestigious awards in the music business. They’re otherwise known as the Big Four. Billie Eilish and Christopher Cross are two artists who won all four General Field awards, Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Album of the Year in the same year. Adele was the first woman artist to achieve the feat but won them during different years. The awards aren’t constricted to a single genre as they are the General Fields of the awards show but in recent years, a majority of the nominations have been from the pop category. ***What is the difference between Record of the Year and Song of the Year?*** **Record of the Year** The Record of the Year Grammy Award is awarded to the producers, engineers, and performers of a song. The name derives from the “recording” of a song. The subject of the award is entirely different from songwriting, and the Recording Academy awards those responsible for the mixing, production, and engineering of the song, not its composition or an album of songs. However, this wasn’t always the case. During the first couple of years, the award was only given to the artist of the song. From 1966 to 1988, the award went to the artist and producer(s) of the song. From then on, the artist, producer, recording engineer, and mixing engineer were recipients of the award. In 2013, the Recording Academy added the mastering engineer as a recipient as well. Per the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, the category currently nominates ten songs each year. Beyoncé is the artist with the most Record of the Year nominations. Paul Simon and Bruno Mars won the award three times as an artist. The person with the most wins in the category is mastering engineer Tom Coyne who won the award consecutively from 2015 to 2018. **Song of the Year** The Song of the Year Grammy Award is awarded to the songwriter who composed the song. The award isn’t awarded for the recording of the song, but for the actual song composition with the lyrics and melodies. For a song to be eligible for a nomination, the song must have been released on a recording for the first time, or achieved prominence for the first time, during the nomination process. Per the rules of the award, songs that include a sample of interpolation are not eligible to be nominated. For the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, the category currently nominates ten songs each year and the Recording Academy made another inaugural award for Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical. Paul McCartney, Lionel Richie & Taylor Swift have the most Song of the Year nominations, with several musicians like Adele, Bono, The Edge, Henry Mancini, and Bruno Mars tied for most wins at two. **Songs that won Record of the Year and Song of the Year** It’s not uncommon for a hit song to win both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Here’s a list of songs that won Record of the Year and Song of the Year. 1959: “Nel blu, dipinto di blu” by Domenico Modugno (Written by Domenico Modugno and Franco Migliacci) 1962: “Moon River” by Henry Mancini (Written by Henry Mancini, Produced by Dick Peirce, Joe Reisman) 1964: “Days of Wine and Roses” by Henry Mancini (Written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer, Produced by Robert Mersey) 1968: “Up, Up, and Away” by the 5th Dimension (Written by Jimmy Webb, Produced by Johnny Rivers and Marc Gordon) 1971: “Bridge over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel (Written by Paul Simon, Produced by Roy Halee, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel) 1974: “Killing Me Softly With His Song” by Roberta Flack (Written and Produced by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox) 1980: “What a Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers (Written by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald, Produced by Ted Templeman) 1981: “Sailing” by Christopher Cross (Written by Christopher Cross, Produced by Michael Omartian) 1982: “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes (Written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon, Produced by Val Garay) 1985: “What’s Love Got to Do with It” by Tina Turner (Written by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten, Produced by Terry Britten) 1986: “We Are The World” by USA for Africa (Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, Produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian) 1989: “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin (Written by Bobby McFerrin, Produced by Linda Goldstein) 1990: “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler (Written by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar, Produced by Arif Mardin) 1992: “Unforgettable” by Natalie Cole (with Nat King Cole) (Written by Irving Gordon, Produced by David Foster) 1993: “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton (Written by Eric Clapton and Will Jennings, Produced by Russ Titelman 1996: “Kiss from a Rose” by Seal (Written by Seal, Produced by Trevor Horn) 1997: “Change the World” by Eric Clapton (Written by Gordon Kennedy, Wayne Kirkpatrick and Tommy Sims, Produced by Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds” 1998: “Sunny Came Home” by Shawn Colvin (Written by Shawn Colvin and John Leventhal, Produced by John Leventhal) 1999: “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion (Written by James Horner and Will Jennings, Produced by Walter Afanasieff, James Horner and Simon Franglen) 2000: “Smooth” by Santana featuring Rob Thomas (Written by Itaal Shur and Rob Thomas, Produced by Matt Serletic) 2001: “Beautiful Day” by U2 (Written by U2, Produced by Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno and Steve Lillywhite) 2003: “Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones (Written by Jesse Harris, Produced by Norah Jones, Arif Mardin and Jay Newland) 2007: “Not Ready to Make Nice” by The Chicks (Written by The Chicks and Dan Wilson, Produced by Rick Rubin) 2008: “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse (Written by Amy Winehouse, Produced by Mark Ronson) 2011: “Need You Now” by Lady A (Written by Lady A and Josh Kear, Produced by Lady A and Paul Worley) 2012: “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele (Written by Adele and Paul Epworth, Produced by Paul Epworth) 2015: “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith (Written by James Napier, William Phillips and Sam Smith, Produced by Sam Smith, Jimmy Napes and Steve Fitzmaurice) 2017: “Hello” by Adele (Written by Adele and Greg Kurstin, Produced by Greg Kurstin) 2019: “This Is America” by Childish Gambino (Written by Donald Glover, Ludwig Göransson and Jeffrey Lamar Williams, Produced by Donald Glover and Ludwig Göransson) 2020: “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish, (Written by Billie Eilish and Finneas, Produced by Finneas) 2022: “Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic (Written by Bruno Mars, Brandon Anderson, Dernst Emile II and Christopher Brody Brown, Produced by Bruno Mars and D’Mille) 2025: “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar (Written by Kendrick Lamar, Produced by Dijon Isaiah McFarlane) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Who%27s%20Won%20Record%20And%20Song%20Of%20The%20Year%20At%20The%20Grammys%3F%20What%27s%20The%20Difference%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Who%27s%20Won%20Record%20And%20Song%20Of%20The%20Year%20At%20The%20Grammys%3F%20What%27s%20The%20Difference%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Who%27s%20Won%20Record%20And%20Song%20Of%20The%20Year%20At%20The%20Grammys%3F%20What%27s%20The%20Difference%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Who%27s%20Won%20Record%20And%20Song%20Of%20The%20Year%20At%20The%20Grammys%3F%20What%27s%20The%20Difference%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Who%27s%20Won%20Record%20And%20Song%20Of%20The%20Year%20At%20The%20Grammys%3F%20What%27s%20The%20Difference%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Grammys, Music, Songs **Tags:** #Awards, #BetteMidler, #Grammys, #History, #Music, #Songs --- ### [36 Years Ago Today, Bette Midler's Stella Premiered](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/02/36-years-ago-today-bette-midlers-stella-premiered/) **Published:** February 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Stella (1990) is a drama film starring Bette Midler in the title role. It's the third major screen adaptation of Olive Higgins Prouty's 1923 novel Stella Dallas **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty 36 Years Ago Today, Bette Midler’s Stella Premiered By Mister D Feb. 2, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/stella_64964_26250.jpg "Stella_64964_26250 - bootleg betty") --- [**Stella** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/stella/)(1990) is a drama film starring [**Bette Midler** ](https://www.bettemidler.com/)in the title role. It’s the third major screen adaptation of Olive Higgins Prouty’s 1923 novel Stella Dallas (previously filmed as a silent in 1925 and famously in 1937 with Barbara Stanwyck). **Overview and Plot Summary** Directed by John Erman and released by Touchstone Pictures (a Disney label), the film follows Stella Claire (Midler), a bold, flamboyant, working-class single mother and high school dropout who works as a bartender in Watertown, New York. She has a brief affair with a wealthy, sophisticated young doctor, Stephen Dallas (Stephen Collins), resulting in pregnancy. Stella rejects his half-hearted marriage proposal, choosing to raise their daughter Jenny (Trini Alvarado) on her own, with help from loyal friend Ed Munn (John Goodman). The story spans years, chronicling Stella’s fierce, devoted (and often eccentric) efforts to give Jenny every opportunity she never had—despite their social and economic differences. As Jenny grows up and enters a higher social world, Stella makes heartbreaking, selfless sacrifices for her daughter’s happiness, culminating in a poignant, tear-jerking finale where Stella watches Jenny’s wedding from afar (a nod to the classic Stella Dallas ending, though updated here). The cast includes strong supporting performances from Marsha Mason, Eileen Brennan, Ben Stiller (in an early role), Linda Hart, and William McNamara. It’s rated PG-13, runs about 1 hour 49 minutes, and blends heartfelt drama with Midler’s signature wit and emotional depth.It had a $19 million budget and grossed around $20.2 million at the box office. Reviews were mixed—some praised Midler’s committed, Oscar-worthy performance (though she didn’t receive a nomination), while others felt the dated melodrama didn’t fully land in a modern context. **Trivia and Fun Facts** - This is a modernized remake: Stella doesn’t marry Stephen (hence the shortened title), and the story updates the setting and details from the original novel and earlier films. - An early scene features Midler performing a playful pretend striptease at the bar; her co-worker there is played by Linda Hart. - Ben Stiller appeared in a small supporting role early in his career. - The film received two Razzie Award nominations: one for Midler’s performance and one for the original song “One More Cheer for Me.” - Midler’s portrayal emphasizes Stella’s vulgar, wisecracking, unfashionable side—making her a determined but unconventional mother figure. - The movie’s emotional core is the mother-daughter bond, with Midler delivering vulnerable, heartfelt moments amid the melodrama. If you’re a fan of classic weepies or Midler’s dramatic turns (beyond her comedies like Beaches or Hocus Pocus), Stella showcases her range in a maternal, sacrificial role! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=36%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Stella%20Premiered&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=36%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Stella%20Premiered%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=36%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Stella%20Premiered&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=36%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Stella%20Premiered%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=36%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Stella%20Premiered%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History, Movies, On This Day In History, Stella **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #History, #Movie, #Stella --- ### [The Grammy's Are Tonight! An Overview Of Bette Midler & The Grammys](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/01/the-grammys-are-tonight-an-overview-of-bette-midler-the-grammys/) **Published:** February 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler has won 3 Grammy Awards and received 14–15 nominations (sources vary slightly on the exact count, with the official GRAMMY.com site listing 14 and Wikipedia detailing 15). **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Grammys Are Tonight! An Overview Of Bette Midler & The Grammys By Mister D Feb. 1, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-01-14_16-15-55.png "2026-01-14_16-15-55 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) has won 3 Grammy Awards and received 14–15 nominations (sources vary slightly on the exact count, with the official GRAMMY.com site listing 14 and Wikipedia detailing 15). **Her wins are:** - 1974 (16th Annual Grammy Awards): Best New Artist (for her debut album The Divine Miss M). - 1981 (23rd Annual Grammy Awards): Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “The Rose” (from the film The Rose). - 1990 (32nd Annual Grammy Awards): Record of the Year for “Wind Beneath My Wings” (from the Beaches soundtrack). **These are her most prominent and frequently highlighted achievements in Grammy history.** Here is a comprehensive list of her known Grammy nominations and wins (primarily drawn from Wikipedia’s detailed awards page, cross-referenced with [**GRAMMY.com**](https://www.grammy.com/) and other sources; note that some early categories have slight naming variations, and one source mentions a possible additional win for a children’s recording that may not be officially counted in the core totals): - 1974 (16th Annual): Best New Artist — Won. - 1974 (16th Annual): Album of the Year — The Divine Miss M — Nominated. - 1974 (16th Annual): Best Female Pop Vocal Performance — “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” — Nominated. - 1981 (23rd Annual): Record of the Year — “The Rose” — Nominated. - 1981 (23rd Annual): Best Female Pop Vocal Performance — “The Rose” — Won. - 1987 (29th Annual): Best Comedy Recording — Mud Will Be Flung Tonight — Nominated. - 1990 (32nd Annual): Best Recording for Children — Oliver and Company (OST contribution) — Nominated. - 1990 (32nd Annual): Record of the Year — “Wind Beneath My Wings” — Won. - 1990 (32nd Annual): Best Female Pop Vocal Performance — “Wind Beneath My Wings” — Nominated. - 1991 (33rd Annual): Record of the Year — “From a Distance” — Nominated. - 1991 (33rd Annual): Best Female Pop Vocal Performance — “From a Distance” — Nominated. - 2004 (46th Annual): Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album — Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook — Nominated. - 2007 (49th Annual, often listed as 2007 ceremony): Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album — Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook — Nominated. - 2008 (50th Annual): Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album — Cool Yule — Nominated. - 2018 (60th Annual): Best Musical Theater Album — Hello, Dolly! (cast recording) — Nominated. (Note: Some sources, like fan sites or partial lists, include a 1982 win for Best Recording for Children related to In Harmony/A Sesame Street Record, but this is not consistently reflected in official totals or major references, which stick to 3 wins.) Her Grammy success spans pop vocals, record of the year, recognition as a new artist, comedy, children’s music, traditional pop, and even musical theater. The wins for “The Rose” and “Wind Beneath My Wings” were major hits that defined parts of her career. No new nominations or wins appear to have occurred since 2018 based on available data. For the most authoritative details, check the official GRAMMY.com artist page. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Grammy%27s%20Are%20Tonight%21%20An%20Overview%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20The%20Grammys&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Grammy%27s%20Are%20Tonight%21%20An%20Overview%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20The%20Grammys%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Grammy%27s%20Are%20Tonight%21%20An%20Overview%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20The%20Grammys&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Grammy%27s%20Are%20Tonight%21%20An%20Overview%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20The%20Grammys%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Grammy%27s%20Are%20Tonight%21%20An%20Overview%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20The%20Grammys%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Grammys, History, Music, Songs **Tags:** #Albums, #Awards, #BetteMidler, #Discography, #Grammys, #Music, #Overview, #Songs --- ### [Grammys: Which Album Should Have Won Record of the Year in 1991?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/01/grammys-which-album-should-have-won-record-of-the-year-in-1991/) **Published:** February 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The very title of the award holds a great deal of potency: Record of the Year. In other words, of all the thousands of songs recorded in the previous year, this one is the very best. **Content:** --- ## American Songwriter Grammys: Which Album Should Have Won Record of the Year in 1991? By Jim Beviglia Jan. 26, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/9d96d7ca1dfe40f888e92c0b8191ddc8.jpg "9d96d7ca1dfe40f888e92c0b8191ddc8 - bootleg betty") --- The very title of the award holds a great deal of potency: [**Record of the Year**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Award_for_Record_of_the_Year). In other words, of all the thousands of songs recorded in the previous year, this one is the very best. Not too shabby, which is why so many artists and their producers covet this particular Grammy Award. At the ceremonies held in 1991, the Record of the Year went to “Another Day In Paradise” by Phil Collins. Did it deserve that accolade? We look back at the year’s nominees and decide. **“Vision Of Love” by Mariah Carey** Mariah Carey chose very well when it came to the first single of her career. “Vision Of Love”, which Carey penned with Ben Margulies, is a well-written song, first and foremost. The production, done by Rhett Lawrence and Narada Michael Walden, doesn’t try to do much. Instead, it lets Carey take center stage with a superbly measured performance, going from bluesy and bereft to emotive and cathartic at exactly the right pace. **“Another Day In Paradise” by Phil Collins** Phil Collins transformed from the drummer in a somewhat obscure art-rock outfit into one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. To make such a move, you have to change up your approach now and again. Instead of going for the crowd-pleasing vibe that he copped through much of the 80s, he went stark and scolding on “Another Day In Paradise”. David Crosby is in the mix somewhere, providing backing vocals. **“U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer** The first-ever rap song to earn a Record of the Year nomination, “U Can’t Touch This” acted as a kind of trailblazer. Typically for the Grammys, they dipped their toes into the hip-hop water with a song that was nice and safe for the mainstream. Plus, there was the “Super Freak” sample, which made it instantly recognizable. Still, while Hammer was a crowd-pleaser as a record-maker, his flow couldn’t hold a candle to some of the other MCs of the era. **“From A Distance” by Bette Midler** The story goes that songwriter Julie Gold sent “[**From A Distance**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/from-a-distance/)” to many artists, only to get rejection. She then sent it to Nanci Griffith for advice on how to improve it. Griffith loved it as it was and made the first recording. Once Bette Midler got hold of it, producer Arif Mardin added sweeping orchestration and backing vocals to play up the inspirational feel of it. Midler, meanwhile, gave a lovely performance, understated until it needs to go big. **“Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinead O’ Connor** Sinead O’ Connor was known for her quirky songwriting early in her career, a critical favorite without a big hit. She found this song on a record by The Family, one of Prince’s countless protégé acts. The cavernous production (by O’Connor, Nellee Hooper, and Chris Birkett) utilizes the subtly synthetic sounds to contrast the heartbreaking humanity of O’Connor’s performance. You’ve probably heard it a million times, but if you’re like us, you still get chills. **The Verdict** This is a pretty solid group of records up for Record of the Year in 1991, with not a clunker in the bunch (which you can’t always take for granted with the Grammys). Still, we’d throw out “U Can’t Touch This” (a bit too calculated) and “From A Distance” (somewhat saccharine) off the bat. “Another Day In Paradise” is solid, but it’s not at the level of some of Collins’ early solo brooders, which it wants to emulate. “Vision Of Love” is one of Carey’s best-ever records, which is saying something considering it was her first. But the staggering performance by Sinead O’Connor should have delivered the gold to “Nothing Compares 2 U” that Grammy night. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Grammys%3A%20Which%20Album%20Should%20Have%20Won%20Record%20of%20the%20Year%20in%201991%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Grammys%3A%20Which%20Album%20Should%20Have%20Won%20Record%20of%20the%20Year%20in%201991%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Grammys%3A%20Which%20Album%20Should%20Have%20Won%20Record%20of%20the%20Year%20in%201991%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Grammys%3A%20Which%20Album%20Should%20Have%20Won%20Record%20of%20the%20Year%20in%201991%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Grammys%3A%20Which%20Album%20Should%20Have%20Won%20Record%20of%20the%20Year%20in%201991%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, From A Distance, Grammys **Tags:** #Album, #BetteMidler, #FromADistance, #Grammys, #recordoftheyear --- ### [Video Short - Bette Midler Tackles The Stones - Boodles BonBon](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/02/01/video-short-bette-midler-tackles-the-stones-boodles-bonbon/) **Published:** February 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler released her cover of the Rolling Stones' classic "Beast of Burden" (originally from their 1978 album Some Girls) as a single from her 1983 album No Frills. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video Short – Bette Midler Tackles The Stones – Boodles BonBon From Boodles BonBon Feb 1, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/maxresdefault-2-1024x576-1.jpg "Maxresdefault-2-1024x576 - bootleg betty") --- --- **Overview of Bette Midler’s “Beast of Burden” Music Video** [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) released her cover of the Rolling Stones’ classic “[**Beast of Burden**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/05/25/video-bette-midler-mick-jagger-beast-of-burden-1983/)” (originally from their 1978 album Some Girls) as a single from her 1983 album No Frills. Her version reached #71 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and performed better in some international markets (e.g., top 10 in Norway and Sweden). The song features some lyrical tweaks for her rendition, such as changing “Pretty, pretty, girls” to “my little sister is a pretty, pretty girl.”The music video, released in 1984 during the height of MTV’s influence, is a fun, comedic, and campy production directed by Allan Arkush (known for films like Rock ‘n’ Roll High School). It prominently features a guest appearance by Mick Jagger himself (the song’s co-writer and original performer), adding a special crossover appeal. The video opens with a backstage scene in Bette Midler’s dressing room, where she chats with Mick Jagger. They then head to the stage for a lively duet performance, complete with dancing and playful interaction. The tone is lighthearted and sexy, with Bette delivering a powerful, wailing vocal take on the rock track. It builds to a humorous climax: as the song ends, someone throws a pie at Mick Jagger, hitting him square in the face. Bette laughs—until she gets pied herself. The video wraps with a mock newspaper photo of both stars covered in pie cream, under the headline “Just Desserts”—a punny nod to the pie-throwing payback. The video was nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards in 1984 (including in the Best Stage Performance category, though it didn’t win that one). It’s remembered for its humor, the star power of the Jagger-Midler pairing, and its early MTV-era style blending performance with a mini-storyline. **Trivia and Fun Facts** - Mick Jagger’s cameo was a big draw; fans often call it hilarious and sexy, with the two dancing together and sharing the spotlight. - The pie-throwing ending adds classic slapstick comedy, turning a rock anthem into something playful and self-deprecating. - Additional choreography and casting were handled by Lori Eastside. - Behind-the-scenes footage (including MTV specials) shows Bette discussing wanting to add comedy to the song and make it fun, while emphasizing the relationship dynamics in the lyrics. - The video has been praised for Bette’s confident, resilient take on the song’s themes of not being taken for granted in a relationship. - It was filmed in 1983 (during the album’s era), with photos from the shoot (e.g., by Greg Gorman) still circulating among fans. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20Short%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Tackles%20The%20Stones%20-%20Boodles%20BonBon&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20Short%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Tackles%20The%20Stones%20-%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20Short%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Tackles%20The%20Stones%20-%20Boodles%20BonBon&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20Short%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Tackles%20The%20Stones%20-%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20Short%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Tackles%20The%20Stones%20-%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BeastOfBurden, #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #MickJagger, #NoFrills, #Stones, #TheRollingStones, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler Talks Of Catherine O'Hara's Passing](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/31/bette-midler-talks-of-catherine-oharas-passing/) **Published:** January 31, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Jane Rosenthal, Bette Midler and Catherine O'Hara attend VANITY FAIR Oscar Party at Morton's on February 25, 2007 in Los Angeles, CA **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Talks Of Catherine O’Hara’s Passing By Mister D Jan 31, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/gettyimages-609140324-612x612-1.jpg "Gettyimages-609140324-612x612 - bootleg betty")Los angeles ca february 25 l r jane rosenthal [**bette midler**]() and catherine ohara attend [**vanity fair**]() oscar party at mortons on february 25 2007 in los angeles ca photo by patrick mcmullanpatrick mcmullan via getty images --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-31_23-42-10.png "2026-01-31_23-42-10 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20Of%20Catherine%20O%27Hara%27s%20Passing&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20Of%20Catherine%20O%27Hara%27s%20Passing%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20Of%20Catherine%20O%27Hara%27s%20Passing&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20Of%20Catherine%20O%27Hara%27s%20Passing%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20Of%20Catherine%20O%27Hara%27s%20Passing%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Instagram, Obit, Obituaries, Tributes **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CatherineOhara, #Obituary, #Passing, tribute --- ### [Video: Bette Midler On The Marriage Ref - From Boodles BonBon](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/31/video-bette-midler-on-the-marriage-ref-from-boodles-bonbon/) **Published:** January 31, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler appeared as a celebrity panelist on The Marriage Ref, a reality TV panel game show hosted by Tom Papa and executive-produced by Jerry Seinfeld. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler On The Marriage Ref – From Boodles BonBon From Boodles BonBon Jan 30, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/hqdefault-3.jpg "Hqdefault (3) - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler**](https://www.bettemidler.com/) appeared as a celebrity panelist on [**The Marriage Ref**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/the-marriage-ref/), a reality TV panel game show hosted by Tom Papa and executive-produced by Jerry Seinfeld. The show featured real-life married couples presenting their quirky or absurd marital disputes, with celebrities debating and deciding who was “right” in the argument. Her episode aired on May 13, 2010, during Season 1 (listed as Episode 11 or “Episode Eleven” in some sources). She shared the panel with comedians Howie Mandel and Craig Robinson. The format involved humorous commentary on relationship issues, and Bette—married at the time for about 25 years—brought her signature wit to the discussions. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Marriage%20Ref%20-%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Marriage%20Ref%20-%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Marriage%20Ref%20-%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Marriage%20Ref%20-%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Marriage%20Ref%20-%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Television, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #JerrySeinfeld, #Reality, #Television, #TheMarriageRef --- ### [Marc Shaiman Tells All](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/30/marc-shaiman-tells-all/) **Published:** January 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** There is no shortage of memoirs by entertainment figures (or their ghosts), and many are forgettable. But occasionally one arrives that feels authentic and different. **Content:** --- ## Daily Beast Marc Shaiman Tells All: The Legend Behind the Soundtrack to Your Life By Michele Willens Jan. 28, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/574562772_1284844483686616_8039077377587605582_n-829x1024.jpg "574562772_1284844483686616_8039077377587605582_n - bootleg betty")--- There is no shortage of memoirs by entertainment figures (or their ghosts), and many are forgettable. But occasionally one arrives that feels authentic and different. Now lands the miracle of one such worthy work by legendary music composer [**Marc Shaiman**](https://www.marcshaiman.com/): Never Mind The Happy: Showbiz Stories From a Sore Winner.” And won he has: a couple of Grammys, two Emmys, and a Tony. (He’s just one Oscar short of an EGOT, though he has seven Academy Award nominations under his belt, too.) A quick rundown of his works that have, inevitably, provided the soundtrack to your life: the music for Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, [**The First Wives Club**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/first-wives-club/), Hocus Pocus, and Mary Poppins Returns; the vocal arrangements for Bette Midler; the Broadway musicals Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can, and Smash; Billy Crystal’s Oscars numbers; and even that raunchy earworm “Blame Canada” from the South Park movie. We are talking five decades here, during which Shaiman formed close relationships with bold- facers, survived the AIDS crisis, and worked on films with none other than Rob Reiner. As for the book’s formation, “Part of me wants to say I started during the pandemic, because I had so much more time,” Shaiman told me. “But I specifically recall listening to Jane Fonda on a podcast talking about her memoir, which she called a life review. That sounded like a good idea, and it felt like a good time to try.” It was also a personal self-help project for Shaiman, to get past what he calls his Eeyore-like personality. “I think I inherited it from my mom,” he says. “When people would say ‘have a healthy, happy day,’ she would say ‘never mind the happy!’ The book is a rollicking ride and tells countless stories, all from the author’s memory. “This was not about interviewing others so much,” he says, “and a lot of folks may feel left out. So, I might have to go on an apology tour next. But my editors kept saying, ‘You can’t just list names.’ And they directed me to keep it chronological.” Shaiman does start at the beginning. Was he that little kid skipping ballgames to listen to soundtracks? “For me, it began when I auditioned for a children’s community production of The Sound of Music,” he recalls. “Only my aunts and cousins knew I even played the piano.” Yes, he was a tween prodigy, and it went on from there. “But the dream was always Broadway, he says. “My big break was when producer Margo Lion got the rights to Hairspray. That truly started my career.” More stage shows continued, and he was becoming known through the other mediums, including music for Billy Crystal’s Oscar-hosting. And then the introduction to Rob Reiner. “I started with When Harry Met Sally and I did almost every one of his pictures after that,” Shaiman says. “Rob was my mentor, my brother, my father. I remember when he said, ‘My next movie is Misery. You want to score it? I wasn’t sure I could do a psychological thriller, but Rob said, ‘Talent is talent.’ He trusted his own sense of knowing when someone got it. This tragedy has been unspeakable, and I’ll never fully recover.” Now, it is about this book and a new world to conquer. Friendly supporters are coming through. “Marc Shaiman is responsible for more moments of musical joy in our collective lives than maybe any other living composer,” blurbs Lin-Manuel Miranda. “Would that he could bottle a fraction of that joy and sip a little for himself. Alas, he can’t, and once again, we’re all better for it.” Shaiman did his research, though he confesses, “It all felt like homework. I read some other memoirs, like Barbra Streisand’s. The only book that took 10 years to write and 10 to read. There was also Cher’s and Al Pacino’s. I didn’t think about books being reviewed, and I didn’t know from Publisher’s Weekly, which called it ‘a lively, heartfelt chronicle of creativity, survival, and the enduring pull of the spotlight.’ How can I possibly turn that into a negative?” As a gay man, Shaiman writes most movingly about the AIDS crisis. “When you’re only in your twenties and thirties, and reading the obituary page every day, almost always knowing someone, that’s tough. For 15 years, our community was bombarded with a constant cycle of fear, death, and crushing grief.” Today, he admits, “I carry survivors’ guilt.” It is clear the Broadway failures—Smash and Some Like It Hot most recently—have hurt. “I’m happy for others’ success, but it’s hard to walk into a theater where mine didn’t work,” Shaiman says. He hopes the memoir will resonate emotionally with readers across all fields. “It’s a universal story,” he says. “Whether movies, television, and/or theatre, readers do get to hear a story of trying to find the joy in life. I hope this book is a way to exorcise that tendency to go negative, and to proudly say ‘look what I did!’” His life is busy and, dare we say, joyous, whether he admits it or not. “I just went to Los Angeles and performed at Bette Midler’s 80th birthday,” he says. “It was me, Billy Crystal, Nathan Lane, and Marty Short. We have a lot of shared history between us all. It was a wonderful night.” As for the future, he claims, “I’d like to retire, but I am currently on a project with Patti LuPone and Bridget Everett. They are both loudmouthed broads. We’re figuring out a way to do it on a stage but off the beaten path.” Whatever path it lands on, many will be there to follow. Marc Shaiman’s Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories From a Sore Winner will be released Jan. 27. --- **BUY THE BOOK** [CLICK HERE!](https://amzn.to/3NWQCPj) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Marc%20Shaiman%20Tells%20All&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Tells%20All%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Tells%20All&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Tells%20All%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Tells%20All%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Interview, Marc Shaiman, Reviews **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #Broadway, #Interview, #MarcShaiman, #Movies, #NeverMindTheHappy, #Review --- ### [Original Bette Midler Live At Last Video (Complete)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/30/original-bette-midler-live-at-last-video-complete/) **Published:** January 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Original Live At Last Video (Complete) Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Original Bette Midler Live At Last Video (Complete) By The Internet Archive Jan. 30, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/s-l1600-1024x509.png "S-l1600 - bootleg betty")--- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Original%20Bette%20Midler%20Live%20At%20Last%20Video%20%28Complete%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Original%20Bette%20Midler%20Live%20At%20Last%20Video%20%28Complete%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Original%20Bette%20Midler%20Live%20At%20Last%20Video%20%28Complete%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Original%20Bette%20Midler%20Live%20At%20Last%20Video%20%28Complete%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Original%20Bette%20Midler%20Live%20At%20Last%20Video%20%28Complete%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Depression Tour, Live, Live At Last, Songs For The New Depression, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Complete, #LiveATLast, #Original, #Video --- ### [Marc Shaiman's Candid New Memoir](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/30/marc-shaimans-candid-new-memoir/) **Published:** January 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Award winning Broadway and Hollywood songwriter Marc Shaiman is looking back on decades of success with a self deprecating sense of humour in a new memoir that embraces doubt as much as triumph. **Content:** --- ## Aussie Theater Marc Shaiman Reflects on a Storied Career in Candid New Memoir By Belaid S Jan. 28, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2006_Bette-at-Martin-Short-Fame-Becomes-Me-Oct-24-2006-010.jpg "2006_bette-at-martin-short-fame-becomes-me-oct-24-2006-010 - bootleg betty") --- Award winning Broadway and Hollywood songwriter **[Marc Shaiman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Shaiman)** is looking back on decades of success with a self deprecating sense of humour in a new memoir that embraces doubt as much as triumph. Released this week, *Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner* chronicles Shaiman’s long and often improbable journey through film, television and theatre. Despite an extraordinary résumé, the composer presents himself as a lifelong pessimist, framing his achievements through a lens of anxiety, insecurity and sharp wit rather than self congratulations. The book traces Shaiman’s rise from a teenage musical director for **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/)** to becoming one of the most influential composers of his generation. His credits span beloved films such as *Sleepless in Seattle* and *Mary Poppins Returns*, as well as Broadway hits including *Hairspray* and *Catch Me If You Can*. Along the way, he collaborated with an extraordinary list of artists, from **Billy Crystal** and **Martin Short** to **Luther Vandross** and director **Rob Reiner**. Shaiman’s memoir is rich with behind the scenes stories, including his early days at *Saturday Night Live*, performances at the White House, creative clashes with producer **Scott Rudin**, and tense misunderstandings with figures such as **Barbra Streisand** and **Harry Connick Jr.**. He also recounts his close relationships with musical legends, including **Stephen Sondheim**, presenting them as deeply human figures rather than untouchable icons. One recurring theme is Shaiman’s determination to show up for opportunities, even when the odds seemed stacked against him. That instinct, he suggests, shaped much of his career longevity, placing him in rooms where future collaborations were born. The memoir also does not shy away from personal struggles, including substance abuse and moments of professional self sabotage, which are treated with the same brutal honesty as his successes. As a testament to his enduring influence, the audiobook edition features performances by an all star lineup, including Crystal, Short, **Matthew Broderick**, **Megan Hilty**, **Nathan Lane**, **Katharine McPhee**, and **Ben Whishaw**, many of whom have performed Shaiman’s work throughout their careers. Despite winning a Tony Award in 2003 for *Hairspray* and earning further nominations for *Catch Me If You Can* and *Some Like It Hot*, Shaiman admits that Broadway remains a source of emotional vulnerability. His most recent stage projects received strong critical responses but closed earlier than expected, casualties of rising production costs and unpredictable audiences. Now in a reflective phase of his career, Shaiman presents himself as an artist with little left to prove, yet still deeply affected by reception and rejection. The memoir captures that contradiction at its core, celebrating a body of work that has shaped modern musical theatre and film, while acknowledging the fragility that has accompanied its creator every step of the way. --- **BUY THE BOOK** [**CLICK HERE**](https://amzn.to/4q6EXL8) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Candid%20New%20Memoir&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Candid%20New%20Memoir%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Candid%20New%20Memoir&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Candid%20New%20Memoir%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Candid%20New%20Memoir%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Interview, Marc Shaiman, Reviews **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #Interview, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy, #Review --- ### [Book Review: Never Mind The Happy By Marc Shaiman](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/28/book-review-never-mind-the-happy-by-marc-shaiman/) **Published:** January 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Marc Shaiman isn’t afraid to spill the proverbial tea in his “tell-most” memoir, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories From a Sore Winner. **Content:** --- ## One Minute Critic Book Review: Never Mind The Happy By Marc Shaiman By Ryan Leeds Jan. 28, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/image-asset.jpeg "Image-asset - bootleg betty") --- [Marc Shaiman](https://www.marcshaiman.com/) isn’t afraid to spill the proverbial tea in his “tell-most” memoir, [*Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories From a Sore Winner*](https://bookshop.org/a/119530/9798895652244). The Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning artist has achieved the highest accolades and is close friends with luminaries such as Billy Crystal, Martin Short, Whoopi Goldberg, and [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-special-appearances/#.VfrNfH9Viko). And he’s got stories. It was Midler who gave Shaiman his first big break. Serendipitously, the budding composer and lyricist encountered one of her backup singers in the late 70s. Midler was launching a new act, and [**Shaiman**](https://www.marcshaiman.com/), already a genius of composition and die-hard Midler fan, knew all of her harmonies from previous albums. Once she heard him play, she offered her blessing: “Stick around. I could use you.” Their enduring friendship has lasted to this day. As part of his book tour, she will interview him in Los Angeles on February 6. (Additional book tour dates are listed on [**Shaiman’s website**](https://www.marcshaiman.com/).) Shaiman is a naturally hilarious storyteller and regales his readers with tales about Barbara Streisand, Harry Connick Jr., producer Scott Rudin, and Theresa Rebeck (Smash television writer and “creator”—read the book to understand the quotes). He also delivers a shocking story about getting high with Broadway royalty Stephen Sondheim and speaks fondly of the numerous film scores he wrote for the late director Rob Reiner. ## The heart behind the humor Funny as he is, Shaiman can also be incredibly touching, especially as he remembers his parents and Judy Cole, the director of his childhood summer workshop. The sentimentality doesn’t linger, though, as Shaiman writes the next chapter with tongue-in-cheek acidity about those in the ‘biz who have done him wrong. Shaiman also briefly touches on his professional and romantic life with lyricist Scott Wittman. As lovers, the pair were together for 30 years before splitting up. Still, they’ve remained great friends and collaborators, writing hit musicals like *Hairspray*, *Some Like It Hot*, and *[Smash](https://1minutecritic.com/smash-broadway-review/)*. “I certainly can’t complain. I do, but I shouldn’t… I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t find something to kvetch about,” Shaiman writes near the book’s end. Lucky for us, his kvetching makes for one hell of a read. **Buy The Book** [**CLICK HERE!**](https://bookshop.org/p/books/never-mind-the-happy-showbiz-stories-from-a-sore-winner-marc-shaiman/3e0f57851634b980?ean=9798895652244&next=t&next=t&affiliate=119530) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Book%20Review%3A%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20By%20Marc%20Shaiman&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Book%20Review%3A%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20By%20Marc%20Shaiman%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Book%20Review%3A%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20By%20Marc%20Shaiman&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Book%20Review%3A%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20By%20Marc%20Shaiman%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Book%20Review%3A%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20By%20Marc%20Shaiman%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Marc Shaiman, Reviews **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy, #Review --- ### [Outrageous Fortune Premiered 39 Years Ago](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/30/outrageous-fortune-premiered-39-years-ago/) **Published:** January 30, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Outrageous Fortune is a 1987 American buddy comedy film directed by Arthur Hiller and written by Leslie Dixon. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Outrageous Fortune Premiered 39 Years Ago By Mister D Jan 30, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/outrageous-fortune-original-movie-poster-47x63-in-1987-arthur-hiller-bette-midler-1024x1024.jpg "Outrageous-fortune-original-movie-poster-47x63-in-1987-arthur-hiller-bette-midler - bootleg betty")--- [**Outrageous Fortune**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/01/03/outrageous-fortune-1987-fanfare-trivia-quotes/) is a 1987 American buddy comedy film directed by Arthur Hiller and written by Leslie Dixon. It was released on January 30, 1987 (exactly 39 years ago as of today!), and marked a notable entry in the 1980s comedy wave, often billed as one of the first true “female buddy action comedies.” **Plot Overview** The story follows two aspiring actresses in New York City who are polar opposites: - Lauren Ames (Shelley Long): A refined, intellectual Yale graduate with highbrow artistic ambitions. - Sandy Brozinsky (**[Bette Midler](https://www.instagram.com/bettemidler/))**: A brash, loud, street-smart, and foul-mouthed actress with a background in low-budget films (think titles like “Ninja Vixens”). They clash immediately upon meeting in an elite acting class taught by the esteemed (and suspiciously intense) Russian professor Stanislav Korzenowski (Robert Prosky). Unbeknownst to each other, both women are dating the same charming man, Michael Sanders/Santers (Peter Coyote). When Michael apparently dies in an explosion, Lauren and Sandy—refusing to believe he’s gone—team up to track him down. Their cross-country chase turns into a wild adventure involving spies, double-crosses, and danger, as they uncover that Michael is a shady ex-CIA operative involved in espionage and theft of a deadly toxin. The film blends screwball comedy, action, and chase elements, with the mismatched duo’s bickering evolving into reluctant friendship. The movie grossed about $52.9 million at the box office (a solid hit on its budget) and features supporting roles from George Carlin and others. Bette Midler’s performance as the vulgar, larger-than-life Sandy is often highlighted as the film’s energetic highlight, showcasing her comedic timing and charisma.Some **Fun Trivia** - Billing Battle: Both Bette Midler and Shelley Long were promised top billing in their contracts and refused to ?????. The compromise? Midler got top billing east of the Mississippi River, while Long got it west of it. This applied to posters, advertising, and even original VHS/LaserDisc releases shipped regionally. - Pregnancy Cover-Up: Bette Midler was three months pregnant when filming started and six months along by the end. She wore oversized outfits (like a large orange jumper seen throughout) to conceal it. - Improvised Stunt: One memorable scene where Midler’s character falls in front of a truck wasn’t scripted—Midler ad-libbed it on the spot, thinking it would look great. The crew (and Shelley Long) rushed to help her, worried about the risk, but the take was kept in the film. - Shakespeare Nod: The title “Outrageous Fortune” comes from Hamlet’s famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy (“the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune”). - Buddy Comedy Milestone: It was pioneering as one of the first major buddy comedies centered on two female leads. - On-Set Tension?: There were reports of a “pretty rough” working dynamic between Midler and Long (including the billing dispute), though their on-screen chemistry helped make the film a fun success. It’s a classic 80s romp—lighthearted, quotable, and full of that era’s comedic energy. If you’re a Bette Midler fan, her role here is one of her standout comedic turns from that period! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Outrageous%20Fortune%20Premiered%2039%20Years%20Ago&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Outrageous%20Fortune%20Premiered%2039%20Years%20Ago%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Outrageous%20Fortune%20Premiered%2039%20Years%20Ago&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Outrageous%20Fortune%20Premiered%2039%20Years%20Ago%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Outrageous%20Fortune%20Premiered%2039%20Years%20Ago%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History, Movies, On This Day In History, Outrageous Fortune **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #GeorgeCarlin, #Movie, #OutrageousFortune, #ShelleyLong --- ### [Video: Angst On A ShoeString](https://bootlegbetty.com/2010/11/01/video-angst-on-a-shoestring/) **Published:** November 1, 2010 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Angst%20On%20A%20ShoeString&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Angst%20On%20A%20ShoeString%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Angst%20On%20A%20ShoeString&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Angst%20On%20A%20ShoeString%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Angst%20On%20A%20ShoeString%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** General --- ### [Video: Post Holiday Blues - 'Angst On A Shoestring' - David Letterman's Holiday Film Festival (1985)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2011/12/25/video-post-holiday-blues-angst-on-a-shoestring-david-lettermans-holiday-film-festival-1985/) **Published:** December 25, 2011 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Post%20Holiday%20Blues%20-%20%27Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%27%20-%20David%20Letterman%27s%20Holiday%20Film%20Festival%20%281985%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Post%20Holiday%20Blues%20-%20%27Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%27%20-%20David%20Letterman%27s%20Holiday%20Film%20Festival%20%281985%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Post%20Holiday%20Blues%20-%20%27Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%27%20-%20David%20Letterman%27s%20Holiday%20Film%20Festival%20%281985%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Post%20Holiday%20Blues%20-%20%27Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%27%20-%20David%20Letterman%27s%20Holiday%20Film%20Festival%20%281985%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Post%20Holiday%20Blues%20-%20%27Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%27%20-%20David%20Letterman%27s%20Holiday%20Film%20Festival%20%281985%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Holidays, Video --- ### [Video: 'Angst On A Shoestring' - David Letterman's Holiday Film Festival (1985)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2011/07/09/video-angst-on-a-shoestring-david-lettermans-holiday-film-festival-1985/) **Published:** July 9, 2011 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20%27Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%27%20-%20David%20Letterman%27s%20Holiday%20Film%20Festival%20%281985%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20%27Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%27%20-%20David%20Letterman%27s%20Holiday%20Film%20Festival%20%281985%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20%27Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%27%20-%20David%20Letterman%27s%20Holiday%20Film%20Festival%20%281985%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20%27Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%27%20-%20David%20Letterman%27s%20Holiday%20Film%20Festival%20%281985%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20%27Angst%20On%20A%20Shoestring%27%20-%20David%20Letterman%27s%20Holiday%20Film%20Festival%20%281985%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** General --- ### [Video: Marc Shaiman On The View Promoting His New Book](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/28/video-marc-shaiman-on-the-view-promoting-his-new-book/) **Published:** January 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Marc Shaiman Looks Back On Decades Of Music Magic From ‘Sister Act’ To ‘Beaches’ | The View **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Marc Shaiman On The View Promoting His New Book By Mister D Jan. 28, 2026 --- --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/612875779_10173761564840413_159529802545439667_n-819x1024.jpg "612875779_10173761564840413_159529802545439667_n - bootleg betty") --- ***[Marc Shaiman](https://www.marcshaiman.com/) Looks Back On Decades Of Music Magic From ‘Sister Act’ To ‘[Beaches](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/beaches/)’ | The View*** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20On%20The%20View%20Promoting%20His%20New%20Book&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20On%20The%20View%20Promoting%20His%20New%20Book%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20On%20The%20View%20Promoting%20His%20New%20Book&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20On%20The%20View%20Promoting%20His%20New%20Book%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20On%20The%20View%20Promoting%20His%20New%20Book%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Marc Shaiman, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy, #TheView, #Video --- ### [Video: Marc Shaiman Talks About Rob Reiner And Bette Midler On Seth Meyers](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/28/video-marc-shaiman-talks-about-rob-reiner-and-bette-midler-on-seth-meyers/) **Published:** January 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Tony Award?winning composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman has worked with a lot of impressive artists throughout his career. His collaborations, which span Hollywood, Broadway, and more, **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Marc Shaiman Talks About Rob Reiner And Bette Midler On Seth Meyers By Mister D Jan 28, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-28_11-44-08.png "2026-01-28_11-44-08 - bootleg betty")--- Tony Award?winning composer and lyricist [**Marc Shaiman**](https://www.marcshaiman.com/) has worked with a lot of impressive artists throughout his career. His collaborations, which span Hollywood, Broadway, and more, have included Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Trey Parker, and more. But, to a young Shaiman, one star was at the top of his list. “All I wanted to do was work with [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/boottube-betty-videos/),” Shaiman said while promoting his new memoir, Never Mind the Happy, on Late Night with Seth Meyers. “Just by sheer luck, \[one of\] the first people I met when I moved to New York when I was 16… was Scott Wittman,” he said, noting that he lived across from one of Midler’s backup singers at the time. “They were starting their own group when they weren’t on the road with Bette Midler, and because I was right there and I knew the harmonies they wanted to do because of my love for Bette Midler, I became their musical director.” His dream was soon fulfilled when he was flown to Los Angeles and accompanied the legendary performer on the song “No Jestering.” He has since worked with Midler on numerous projects, including albums, concerts, television and more. Watch the full interview now. In “Never Mind the Happy”, Shaiman chronicles five decades of Broadway triumphs, Hollywood hijinks, and unforgettable collaborations. Along the way, he charts the personal highs and heartbreaks that have shaped him, spending his teenage years in community theatre, starting a long collaboration with Bette Midler in the ’70s, surviving the AIDS crisis of the ’80s, his award-winning film music career in the Hollywood of the ’90s, right up to the peaks (and valleys) of creating Broadway musicals from 2000 on. **About Marc Shaiman** Marc Shaiman is an award-winning composer and lyricist of the stage and screen. A frequent collaborator with lyricist Scott Wittman, his Broadway credits include Hairspray, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Catch Me If You Can, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Some Like It Hot, and Smash. His film credits include Broadcast News, Beaches, When Harry Met Sally…, City Slickers, The Addams Family, Sister Act, Sleepless in Seattle, A Few Good Men, The American President, The First Wives Club, George of the Jungle, In & Out, Patch Adams, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, Team America: World Police, Hairspray, Flipped, and original songs for Mary Poppins Returns. Shaiman has earned seven Academy Award nominations, a Tony Award and a Grammy Award for his work on the musical Hairspray, and an Emmy Award for co-writing Billy Crystal’s Academy Award performances. He also received an Emmy Award for co-writing “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It” for the Hulu hit Only Murders in the Building. He and Wittman also wrote original songs for the musical TV show Smash, which ran from 2012 to 2013, and served as executive producers. For their song “Let Me Be Your Star,” Shaiman and co-lyricist Wittman were nominated for both an Emmy Award and a Grammy Award, and as executive producers, they were nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20About%20Rob%20Reiner%20And%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Seth%20Meyers&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20About%20Rob%20Reiner%20And%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Seth%20Meyers%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20About%20Rob%20Reiner%20And%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Seth%20Meyers&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20About%20Rob%20Reiner%20And%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Seth%20Meyers%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20Talks%20About%20Rob%20Reiner%20And%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Seth%20Meyers%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Marc Shaiman, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy, #RobReiner, #SethMeyers, #Video --- ### [From The Bette Midler Archive: Hello In There/Am I Blue - 1972](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/28/from-the-bette-midler-archive-hello-in-there-am-i-blue-1972/) **Published:** January 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler - Hello In There / Am I Blue? (Live) Performed December 31, 1972 at Philharmonic Hall in New York City **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty From The Bette Midler Archive: Hello In There/Am I Blue – 1972 From The Bette Midler Archive Jan. 28, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-28_10-32-46.png "2026-01-28_10-32-46 - bootleg betty")--- **Bette Midler – Hello In There / Am I Blue? (Live) Performed December 31, 1972 at Philharmonic Hall in New York City** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Hello%20In%20There%2FAm%20I%20Blue%20-%201972&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Hello%20In%20There%2FAm%20I%20Blue%20-%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Hello%20In%20There%2FAm%20I%20Blue%20-%201972&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Hello%20In%20There%2FAm%20I%20Blue%20-%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Hello%20In%20There%2FAm%20I%20Blue%20-%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, concerts, Live, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** ##PhilharmonicHall, #AmIBlue, #BetteMidler, #BetteMidlerArchive, #HelloInThere, #JohnPrine --- ### [Video From Boodles BonBon: Bette Midler & Jake Shimabukuro - In My Life](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/28/video-from-boodles-bonbon-bette-midler-jake-shimabukuro-in-my-life/) **Published:** January 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From Boodles BonBon: Bette Midler & Jake Shimabukuro - In My Life **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video From Boodles BonBon: Bette Midler & Jake Shimabukuro – In My Life From Boodles BonBon Jan. 28, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/3062667255033206f363a503a6e21e2b.jpg "3062667255033206f363a503a6e21e2b - bootleg betty") --- **From Boodles BonBon: Bette Midler & Jake Shimabukuro – In My Life** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Jake%20Shimabukuro%20-%20In%20My%20Life&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Jake%20Shimabukuro%20-%20In%20My%20Life%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Jake%20Shimabukuro%20-%20In%20My%20Life&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Jake%20Shimabukuro%20-%20In%20My%20Life%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Jake%20Shimabukuro%20-%20In%20My%20Life%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #InMyLife, #JakeShimbakuro, #RoyalVariety, #Video --- ### [Today Marks The 26th Anniversary Of Bette Midler's Movie, Isn't She Great](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/28/today-marks-the-26th-anniversary-of-bette-midlers-movie-isnt-she-great/) **Published:** January 28, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Isn't She Great is a 2000 biographical comedy-drama film starring Bette Midler as Jacqueline Susann, the bestselling author best known for her scandalous 1966 novel Valley of the Dolls. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Today Marks The 26th Anniversary Of Bette Midler’s Movie, Isn’t She Great By Mister D Jan. 28, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/71xCelSmpUL._AC_SL1000_.jpg "71xcelsmpul. _ac_sl1000_ - bootleg betty") --- [**Isn’t She Great** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/isnt-she-great/)is a 2000 biographical comedy-drama film starring [**Bette Midler**](https://people.com/bette-midler-turning-80-losing-diane-keaton-11837784) as Jacqueline Susann, the bestselling author best known for her scandalous 1966 novel Valley of the Dolls. The movie presents a fictionalized, lighthearted take on Susann’s life, focusing on her relentless ambition to achieve fame despite limited talent, her marriage to promoter Irving Mansfield (played by Nathan Lane), and the massive success of her breakthrough book. Directed by Andrew Bergman and written by Paul Rudnick, the film follows Susann’s journey from a struggling actress to a literary sensation. It highlights her determination, promotional savvy (with Irving’s help), personal challenges—including an autistic son and a battle with breast cancer—and the cultural impact of her steamy, gossip-fueled novels. The tone mixes broad comedy, campy showbiz energy, and some sentimental moments, portraying Susann as a larger-than-life, self-invented celebrity rather than a literary giant. The title comes from Irving’s affectionate refrain about his wife. The cast includes strong supporting performances: Stockard Channing as Susann’s loyal friend, Florence Maybelle (a composite character); David Hyde Pierce as her uptight editor; John Cleese in a cameo role; plus appearances by John Larroquette, Amanda Peet, and Christopher McDonald. Released on January 28, 2000, the film was a commercial flop, grossing only about $3 million against a $36 million budget, and it received mostly negative reviews for being overly broad, sentimental, and factually loose (with a disclaimer in the credits noting alterations). Critics like Roger Ebert found it flat and outdated, while some praised Midler’s energetic performance and the film’s breezy, cupcake-like charm. Midler earned a Razzie nomination for Worst Actress. It’s often seen as campy fun or a guilty pleasure, especially for fans of Midler, Lane, or 1960s Hollywood excess. **Trivia** - Nathan Lane’s very first screen role (uncredited) was as a theater stage manager in the 1981 TV miniseries Jacqueline Susann’s Valley of the Dolls, which was executive produced by the real Irving Mansfield, whom Lane portrays in this film. (Ironically, Richard Dreyfuss, who later co-starred with Midler in Down and Out in Beverly Hills, played a similar stage manager role in the 1967 Valley of the Dolls movie.) - The film takes significant liberties with facts for comedic and dramatic effect, softening Susann’s sharper edges and personal life. - Stockard Channing’s character, Florence Maybelle, is a composite of several real people in Susann’s circle. - Bette Midler doesn’t closely resemble Susann physically, and some noted that Channing actually looked more like her. - The movie captures the garish, colorful 1960s aesthetic reminiscent of Valley of the Dolls itself, complete with period costumes and a sense of showbiz bravado. - Despite the film’s poor reception at release, some viewers enjoy it as mindless, campy entertainment similar to Mommie Dearest or Showgirls, with Midler “chewing the scenery” in classic form. Overall, it’s a quirky, underseen entry in Midler’s filmography—more of an affectionate portrait than a sharp satire. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Today%20Marks%20The%2026th%20Anniversary%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Movie%2C%20Isn%27t%20She%20Great&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Today%20Marks%20The%2026th%20Anniversary%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Movie%2C%20Isn%27t%20She%20Great%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Today%20Marks%20The%2026th%20Anniversary%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Movie%2C%20Isn%27t%20She%20Great&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Today%20Marks%20The%2026th%20Anniversary%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Movie%2C%20Isn%27t%20She%20Great%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Today%20Marks%20The%2026th%20Anniversary%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Movie%2C%20Isn%27t%20She%20Great%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History, Isn't She Great, Movies, On This Day In History **Tags:** #Anniversary, #BetteMidler, #History, #IsntSheGreat, #Movie --- ### [Book: Marc Shaiman looks back with pessimistic humor](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/27/book-marc-shaiman-looks-back-with-pessimistic-humor/) **Published:** January 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Some people see the glass as half full and some as half empty. Marc Shaiman is something else entirely. **Content:** --- ## Shoot Book: Marc Shaiman looks back with pessimistic humor By Shoot Staff Jan. 27, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/11026093_10156376362445413_8077317018061321950_n.jpg "11026093_10156376362445413_8077317018061321950_n - bootleg betty") --- 4–6 minutes --- Some people see the glass as half full and some as half empty. [**Marc Shaiman**](https://www.marcshaiman.com/) is something else entirely. “I’m not even happy with the glass,” he says with a laugh. The award-winning Hollywood and Broadway composer and lyricist cheerfully likes to call himself an “Eeyore” and “a card-carrying pessimist” despite many of his biggest dreams coming true. “Just as soon as something good happens, something bad’s going to happen,” he says. “I am always waiting for that other shoe to drop, and it inevitably drops.” His career and personal ups and downs are on full display this winter with Tuesday’s publication of his memoir, “[**Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner**](https://www.amazon.com/Never-Mind-Happy-Showbiz-Stories/dp/B0FP5L62X5),” which is filled with funny stories from a man who has helped fuel popular movies and musicals for decades. “I’ve been lucky enough to do a lot and I’ve been lucky enough to have an outrageous longevity. I thought, ‘Let me write it down, finally,’” he says. **Tales of Bette Midler, Stephen Sondheim and the “South Park” guys** The memoir charts the New Jersey-born musical prodigy’s rise from Bette Midler’s musical director in his teens to scoring such films as “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Mary Poppins Returns” and Broadway shows like “Hairspray” and “Catch Me If You Can.” He’s worked with Billy Crystal, Martin Short, Luther Vandross, Raquel Welch and Rob Reiner, sparred with producer Scott Rudin and had a spat with Nora Ephron (“I’m certain she’s in heaven, telling all the angels she doesn’t like harps,” he writes). He also played at the White House and was a force in the early days of “Saturday Night Live.” There was the time in 1999 that he got legendary composer Stephen Sondheim so high on pot at a party in his apartment that the iconic composer collapsed three times. “I’ve killed Stephen Sondheim,” he thought to himself. (Sondheim asked him to tell the story only after he died.) He tells the story of hearing Meryl Streep repeatedly working on a song for “Mary Poppins Returns.” Moved, he and his writing partner, Scott Williams, knocked on her door to say how impressed they were by her dedication to rehearse. “Well, guys, fear can be a powerful motivator,” she told them. “I’m mostly just trying to show how human everyone is — even these bold-faced names,” Shaiman, a two-time Grammy winner and two-time Emmy winner, says in the interview. Shaiman isn’t above mocking himself, as he does for becoming an inveterate pothead and cocaine user. “I should go into the Guinness Book of World Records for being the only person who put on weight while being a cocaine addict,” he writes. There are stories about how a misunderstanding over an unpaid bill with Barbra Streisand left him shaken for days and the time he insulted Harry Connick Jr. (Both would later reconcile.) Then there was the time he found himself dressed in an ostentatious powder-blue suit and feather boa alongside Matt Stone and Trey Parker on a red carpet for “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut” — they were dressed as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Lopez. **One lesson from Shaiman: “Show up”** One lesson Shaiman hopes to teach aspiring artists is to go for it: “What you can do is show up. Show up to everything. Say yes to everything because I’m a good example of that.” He tells the story of Midler organizing a world tour and offering his services but being told she was only hiring local Los Angeles people. So he withdrew all his money from the bank, hopped on a flight from New York and called her from a phone booth: “I’m in L.A. Where’s rehearsal?” “Even if you don’t get the job, keep your spirit up because someone in that room is going to remember you for another thing. That’s the thing I think to really learn from the book,” he says. As a sign of Shaiman’s pull on Broadway, the audiobook will feature performances by Crystal, Short, Matthew Broderick, Megan Hilty, Nathan Lane, Katharine McPhee and Ben Whishaw, among others. “I had included a lot of lyrics in the book and then I suddenly realized, ‘What, am I going to sing them all or speak them all?’ So I started calling friends, some who had sung those songs and some who had sung the demos,” he says. Crystal met Shaiman at “Saturday Night Live” and quickly hit it off. In a separate interview, Crystal called his friend funny and quick to improvise, with an almost photographic memory of music. “Look at his range: From ‘Misery’ to the beautiful score from ‘The American President.’ And I brought him in on ’61(asterisk)’ and then the ‘Mr. Saturday Night’ score,” Crystal says. “He’s just so uniquely talented as an artist.” Despite being a Tony Award winner in 2003 with “Hairspray” and earning two other nominations for “Catch Me If You Can” in 2011 and “Some Like It Hot” in 2023, Shaiman is flustered by Broadway. His last two shows — “Smash” and “Some Like It Hot” — earned great reviews but closed early, a victim of high costs and fickle audiences. “I wish the shows kind of stunk and I could go, ‘Oh, man, that really stunk. People are really not liking this,’” he says. “But when they’re enjoying it?” Shaiman really has nothing else to prove and yet he laughs that his skin has gotten thinner — not thicker — over the years. He’d like to take it easy, but that’s not what Eeyores do. “I don’t know how well I’ll actually do with retirement, but I’d like to give it a try.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Book%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20looks%20back%20with%20pessimistic%20humor&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Book%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20looks%20back%20with%20pessimistic%20humor%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Book%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20looks%20back%20with%20pessimistic%20humor&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Book%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20looks%20back%20with%20pessimistic%20humor%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Book%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20looks%20back%20with%20pessimistic%20humor%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #MarcShaiman, #Memoir, #NeverMindTheHappy --- ### [Video: Bette Midler & Wynonna Duet on The Rose, 1997](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/27/video-bette-midler-wynonna-duet-on-the-rose-1997/) **Published:** January 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** several sources reference it as originating from Wynonna Judd's 1996 television special, Revelations (or a similar Wynonna showcase/special). **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler & Wynonna Duet on The Rose, 1997 By Mister D Jan. 27, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/maxresdefault-4-1024x576.jpg "Maxresdefault (4) - bootleg betty")--- --- **Key Details** - Date/Context: The duet is most commonly dated to 1997 in fan uploads and shares (e.g., YouTube videos titled “LIVE 1997”). However, several sources reference it as originating from Wynonna Judd’s 1996 television special, Revelations (or a similar Wynonna showcase/special). It appears the performance aired or was recorded around 1996–1997, with clips circulating widely in 1997-era fan communities. - Performance: It’s a full live duet, often followed by a short improvised intermezzo between the two, and sometimes paired with Bette performing her solo song “In This Life” afterward. **Trivia & Fun Facts** - This collaboration highlights a rare crossover between pop/theatrical (Bette) and country **([Wynonna](https://www.wynonna.com/))** worlds — something not super common in the ’90s. - A 2015 article from SF Weekly called it “the gayest of all possible versions of ‘[**The Rose**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-rose/)‘” in a fun, tongue-in-cheek “earworm” piece, noting the “double divas” energy and its appeal in LGBTQ+ circles (fitting, given Bette’s long-standing status as an icon in that community). - No major awards or official releases seem tied to this specific duet — it lives on primarily through fan-preserved live footage rather than a studio recording. - Viewer reactions over the years remain glowing: comments from recent years still call it “magnificent,” “powerful,” and “the best duet ever,” even decades later. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Wynonna%20Duet%20on%20The%20Rose%2C%201997&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Wynonna%20Duet%20on%20The%20Rose%2C%201997%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Wynonna%20Duet%20on%20The%20Rose%2C%201997&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Wynonna%20Duet%20on%20The%20Rose%2C%201997%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Wynonna%20Duet%20on%20The%20Rose%2C%201997%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Special Events, Television, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Duet, #Revelations, #TheRose, #Wynonna --- ### [Adriana Barraza Is The Latest Cast Member to Join Bette Midler's Upcoming Movie Cut Off!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/27/adriana-barraza-is-the-latest-cast-member-to-join-bette-midlers-upcoming-movie-cut-off/) **Published:** January 27, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Academy Award nominee Adriana Barraza has joined the cast of Jonah Hill's upcoming Warner Bros. comedy "Cut Off," Variety has learned exclusively. **Content:** --- ## Variety Adriana Barraza Joins Jonah Hill’s New Comedy ‘Cut Off’ at Warner Bros. By Clayton Davis Jan. 25, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-25_13-47-07.png "2026-01-25_13-47-07 - bootleg betty") --- Academy Award nominee [**Adriana Barraza**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adriana_Barraza) has joined the cast of Jonah Hill’s upcoming Warner Bros. comedy “[**Cut Off**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/cut-off/),” *Variety* has learned exclusively. The film follows a pair of wealthy siblings who are suddenly cut off by their parents. Barraza will play the endearing family caregiver, starring alongside Hill, Kristen Wiig, Bette Midler and Nathan Lane. Hill is set to direct “Cut Off” from a script he co-wrote with Ezra Woods. He will also produce alongside Matt Dines and Ali Goodwin under their Strong Baby banner. Jesse Ehrman and Zach Hamby are overseeing the project for Warner Bros., which has scheduled the film for a worldwide theatrical release on July 17, 2026. The project is one of the few studio comedies currently set to shoot in California, with production slated to begin this fall. It received a $10 million tax credit, as [*Variety* also exclusively reported](https://variety.com/2025/film/news/kristen-wiig-cast-jonah-hill-movie-cut-off-1236482617/). Barraza is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished Latina actresses in film and television, with more than five decades in the entertainment industry. She earned an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress for her performance in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Babel” (2006), becoming one of only 13 Latinas ever to receive an Oscar nomination – and one of just six Mexican actresses. Her other notable credits include “Amores Perros,” also directed by Iñárritu; “Cake,” opposite Jennifer Aniston; and Netflix’s global hit “We Can Be Heroes,” directed by Robert Rodriguez. In 2024, she received an International Emmy nomination for best actress for her role in “El Último Vagón,” in addition to being one of the honorees at the 4th Celebration of Latino Cinema and Television for her performance in Roadside Attractions’ “My Penguin Friend.” Most recently, she portrayed the fan-favorite Nana in the DC Studios superhero film “Blue Beetle,” opposite Xolo Maridueña and directed by Ángel Manuel Soto. She will next be seen in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series “El Gato,” starring Diego Boneta, which is also slated for release in 2026. Barraza is represented by Innovative Artists and DePaz Management. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Adriana%20Barraza%20Is%20The%20Latest%20Cast%20Member%20to%20Join%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Upcoming%20Movie%20Cut%20Off%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Adriana%20Barraza%20Is%20The%20Latest%20Cast%20Member%20to%20Join%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Upcoming%20Movie%20Cut%20Off%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Adriana%20Barraza%20Is%20The%20Latest%20Cast%20Member%20to%20Join%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Upcoming%20Movie%20Cut%20Off%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Adriana%20Barraza%20Is%20The%20Latest%20Cast%20Member%20to%20Join%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Upcoming%20Movie%20Cut%20Off%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Adriana%20Barraza%20Is%20The%20Latest%20Cast%20Member%20to%20Join%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Upcoming%20Movie%20Cut%20Off%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #AdrianaBarraza, #BetteMidler, #cast, #CutOff, #JonahHill, #Movie --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - Midnight In Memphis -Jay Leno - 2003](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/26/video-bette-midler-midnight-in-memphis-jay-leno-2003/) **Published:** January 26, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler sings Midnight In Memphis on the #TonightShow with #JayLeno to promote her #KissMyBrass #tour in 2003 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Midnight In Memphis -Jay Leno – 2003 By Mister D Jan. 26, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-25_16-32-20.png "2026-01-25_16-32-20 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) sings [**Midnight In Memphis** ](https://genius.com/Bette-midler-midnight-in-memphis-lyrics)on the [\#TonightShow](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/tonightshow/) with [\#JayLeno](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/jayleno/) to promote her [\#KissMyBrass](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/kissmybrass/) [\#tour](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/tour/) in 2003 --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Midnight%20In%20Memphis%20-Jay%20Leno%20-%202003&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Midnight%20In%20Memphis%20-Jay%20Leno%20-%202003%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Midnight%20In%20Memphis%20-Jay%20Leno%20-%202003&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Midnight%20In%20Memphis%20-Jay%20Leno%20-%202003%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Midnight%20In%20Memphis%20-Jay%20Leno%20-%202003%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Kiss My Brass, Live, the Rose, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #JayLeno, #KissMyBrass, #MidnightInMemphis, #TheRose, #TonightShow, #tour, #Video --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - It's Too Late - SKDJ vs Alex H Remix Edit](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/25/audio-bette-midler-its-too-late-skdj-vs-alex-h-remix-edit/) **Published:** January 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "It's Too Late" is a heartfelt ballad performed by Bette Midler, featured on her 1995 studio album Bette of Roses **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler – It’s Too Late – SKDJ vs Alex H Remix Edit By Mister D Jan 25, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2023-09-23_08-25-12-Copy.jpg "2023-09-23_08-25-12-copy - bootleg betty") --- --- “It’s Too Late” is a heartfelt ballad performed by [**Bette Midler**](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000541/), featured on her 1995 studio album [**Bette of Roses**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/bette-of-roses/) (released July 18, 1995, by Atlantic Records). This was Midler’s eighth studio album, marking a return to more introspective, adult contemporary material after her earlier pop and soundtrack work. The song explores the painful realization that a romantic relationship has irreparably ended. The narrator reflects on lingering memories and fleeting moments of closeness—almost feeling a lover’s touch or seeing shared smiles in dreams—but ultimately accepts that the love has faded beyond repair. Themes include regret, drifting apart, the mystery of where love disappears to, and the need to move on despite the ache. It’s a poignant acknowledgment of finality: no more fighting, no more tears, just watching love die from a distance. **Key lyrics capture this emotional resignation:** - “If I close my eyes / Take my time / I can almost feel your lips against mine… But it’s too late, it’s too late / Baby, I can’t reach you” - “I don’t know where love goes / Or how we might have saved it / I only know it’s gone / It’s time that we moved on” - In dreams, there’s hope of turning it around, but “I know I’m only dreamin’ / It’s too late” Midler’s version is an original composition (not a cover of Carole King’s famous 1971 hit of the same name), written specifically for the album. It’s arranged with a soft, emotional production that highlights her expressive vocals—warm, vulnerable, and powerful in conveying heartbreak and acceptance. The track is available on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, and it’s included in compilations such as her 2015 romantic collection, A Gift of Love. Fans often praise it as one of the standout emotional cuts from Bette of Roses, an album filled with lush, reflective songs about love, loss, and resilience. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20It%27s%20Too%20Late%20-%20SKDJ%20vs%20Alex%20H%20Remix%20Edit&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20It%27s%20Too%20Late%20-%20SKDJ%20vs%20Alex%20H%20Remix%20Edit%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20It%27s%20Too%20Late%20-%20SKDJ%20vs%20Alex%20H%20Remix%20Edit&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20It%27s%20Too%20Late%20-%20SKDJ%20vs%20Alex%20H%20Remix%20Edit%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20It%27s%20Too%20Late%20-%20SKDJ%20vs%20Alex%20H%20Remix%20Edit%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Audio, Bette Midler, Bette Of Roses, Songs **Tags:** #Album, #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BetteOfRoses, #ItsTooLate, #Remix, #Song --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - Experience The Divine - Friends/I Look Good/Miss Otis Regrets -1994](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/25/video-bette-midler-experience-the-divine-friends-i-look-good-miss-otis-regrets-1994/) **Published:** January 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video from Life As A Harlette: Bette Midler's "Experience The Divine" - Friends, I Look Good & Miss Otis Regrets, San Francisco, 1994. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Experience The Divine – Friends/I Look Good/Miss Otis Regrets -1994 By Life As A Harlette Jan. 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/maxresdefault-2-1024x576.jpg "Maxresdefault (2) - bootleg betty")--- --- Video from Life As A Harlette: Bette Midler’s “[**Experience The Divine**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/experience-the-divine/)” – Friends, I Look Good & Miss Otis Regrets, San Francisco, 1994. The opening section of the Experience The Divine tour, San Francisco, 1994. [**Harlettes** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/harlettes.htm)are Carol Hatchett, Melanie Taylor, and Rhae Ann Theriault. The four showgirls are Michelle Foreman, Tiffany Granath, Wendy Pasquale, and Natalie Webb. This show was choreographed by Toni Basil, written by Bette and Bruce Vilanch, with vocal arrangements by Bill Schneider. That’s Bobby Lyle on piano, who also served as our Music Director. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Experience%20The%20Divine%20-%20Friends%2FI%20Look%20Good%2FMiss%20Otis%20Regrets%20-1994&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Experience%20The%20Divine%20-%20Friends%2FI%20Look%20Good%2FMiss%20Otis%20Regrets%20-1994%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Experience%20The%20Divine%20-%20Friends%2FI%20Look%20Good%2FMiss%20Otis%20Regrets%20-1994&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Experience%20The%20Divine%20-%20Friends%2FI%20Look%20Good%2FMiss%20Otis%20Regrets%20-1994%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Experience%20The%20Divine%20-%20Friends%2FI%20Look%20Good%2FMiss%20Otis%20Regrets%20-1994%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Experience The Divine, harlettes, Life As A Harlette, Live **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ExperienceTheDivine, #Friends, #Harlettes, #ILookGood, #LifeAsAHarlette, #MissOtisRegrets --- ### [Marc Shaiman - From Bette Midler To Smash](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/25/marc-shaiman-from-bette-midler-to-smash/) **Published:** January 25, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A lot of dreams have come true for Marc Shaiman, Broadway songwriter, soundtrack savant, Jewish Eeyore and human Spotify. **Content:** --- ## New York Times The Plotzes and Zetzes of a Life in the Musical Trenches By Jesse Green Jan. 25, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/615820271_10173808910285413_6181841995826752087_n-768x1024.jpg "615820271_10173808910285413_6181841995826752087_n - bootleg betty")--- A lot of dreams have come true for [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/), Broadway songwriter, soundtrack savant, Jewish Eeyore and human Spotify. (Go ahead, ask him: He knows *every* song.) And yet each fruition seems to have prompted an equal and opposite karmic blowback. In 2012, after bragging to his mother that he’d “rehearsed with Billy Crystal all day and recorded with [**Bette Midler** ](https://www.bettemidler.com/)all night,” she pricked his ego balloon by saying, “So, maybe through them you’ll meet someone important?” Shaiman, 66, relates that story, along with hundreds of other hair-raising, name-dropping tales of success and comeuppance, in “Never Mind the Happy,” a memoir of his 50-year musical career to be published this week by Post Hill Press. (The title was his mother’s response to being wished a “happy and healthy new year.”) “If showbiz puts you on a pedestal on Tuesday,” he writes, it’s only to have a better shot at your anatomy on Thursday. The pedestal is impressive, though, especially when you consider that he climbed it on the strength of innate talent. No one in his family had musical interest, let alone musical ability, yet Shaiman wasn’t even out of his teens when he started working with Midler. In his 20s, he wrote scrappy, zany East Village shows with Scott Wittman, his lyricist partner and, for 25 years, romantic partner too. Together, they eventually reached the “truly promised land” of Broadway with the huge hit “Hairspray” in 2002, while Shaiman continued his Hollywood career scoring dozens of popular movies (“Sister Act,” “Beaches,” “When Harry Met Sally …”). He even had [a nine-second cartoon cameo](https://www.tiktok.com/@yaanookmx/video/7166772401517219114) as Big Gay Al’s pianist in “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut,” for which he wrote the songs with Trey Parker. “It was an honor just to be animated,” he allows in the book. That joke has a sting in its tail: Nominated seven times for Academy Awards, he has never won. (He’s an EG-T.) He still sulks about it, as well as the five Broadway shows that followed “Hairspray,” of which only one (“Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me,” in 2006) turned a profit. Also still rankling him are an endless series of manipulations by producers, betrayals by studios and his own sometimes bratty reactions to brush-offs by celebrities. Let’s just say that when he accompanied Nora Ephron at one of Short’s Christmas parties, the key he selected was not ideally suited to her voice. But what bothers Shaiman most is that despite his achievements, few people seem to know who he is anymore. That was one reason he wrote the memoir, which he almost called “Google Me!” The sulking would be intolerable — even he can barely tolerate it — if he weren’t such a teddy bear and talent, with songs and arrangements invoking those of golden age musical theater greats like Jule Styne, Hollywood masters like Nelson Riddle, soul legends like Sam Cooke and pop impresarios like Phil Spector. Any five of the hundreds of tunes in his catalog — say, “[You Can’t Stop the Beat](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZnt-0fEiT0),” “[I Know Where I’ve Been](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1AzWdo3fZw&list=RDI1AzWdo3fZw&start_radio=1),” “[They Just Keep Moving the Line](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXqfTCXQZ1o),” “[Let Me Be Your Star](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DvHvmZ1XmEkA&ved=2ahUKEwjClLzU9ZqSAxVT1fACHZ4VK9kQtwJ6BAgREAI&usg=AOvVaw2A00-0Kd_Y5YLMfkg-1Z3p)” and “[Some Like It Hot](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSXBXXinMGQ&list=RDSSXBXXinMGQ&start_radio=1)” — should be enough to put him in at least a junior pantheon. But the music world he steeped himself in, and learned to emulate with a lover’s ardor, has mostly faded away, leaving him to wonder whether he should too. Is he done with Broadway? In what may prove to have been an exit interview, he recently spoke with me, in the equipment-crammed music room of his New York City apartment, about the often-conjoined highlights and lowlights of his life, but also the compensations of love. (He married Louis Mirabal, a retired Navy officer, in 2016.) Whines and tears notwithstanding, he seemed to be creeping toward some kind of provisional peace. These are edited excerpts from our conversation. **I want to read you [something I wrote in 2002](https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/21/magazine/the-pop-alchemist.html), just before “Hairspray” opened in Seattle. “Saying that Shaiman is filled with dread is like saying he’s filled with blood. Despite the antidepressant Celexa and a panoply of anxiety-reducing fetishes, he can only aspire to pessimism.” Has that improved?** No, if anything, it’s worse. I remain unhealthily, persistently pessimistic. One would think your skin would get thicker, but my skin has gotten thinner and thinner and thinner. **I wonder if that’s just aging. I mean, literally, our skin gets thinner.** But after you’ve been in so many battles you’d think you’d have developed the ability to bounce back. That hasn’t been easy, especially these last few years. **You’re talking about those four post-“Hairspray” flops: “Catch Me If You Can” (2011), “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (2017), “Some Like It Hot” (2022) and “Smash” (2025). Some were great, most had great moments, all of them died young. But you’ve nevertheless had an amazing career.** The subtitle of the book is “Showbiz Stories From a Sore Winner.” So I admit, for anyone to read this or hear me complain, it’s ridiculous. Look at all that I’ve been given and was able to give out! **It strikes me that, like all of your songs, the book has a really strong rhythm: the alternation of what you call the plotz and the zetz — the dizzying joy and the knife in the side. Let’s start with some of your top plotzes.** I was a Bette Midler fanatic at 13, moved to New York at 16, and the first people I meet, Scott Wittman being one of them, live across the hall from one of Bette’s backup singers. A year later, I’m in Los Angeles playing for Bette, who says, “Stick around, I could use you.” My flight back to New York is canceled and I’m placed in the guest room of her home. Not even a hotel, not even the guesthouse in the back, but down the hall from her. We are suddenly living together like brother and sister. And that has remained our relationship for now 50 years. **Another plotz, obviously, is “Hairspray.” After years of fun but little-seen and not-very-remunerative downtown shows, you and Scott have a Broadway megahit and a Tony Award for best score.** The plotz is not only to have written it, but to have it be taken to heart by so many people, and for it to be so joyous. And joy is a part of me! You see it when Scott and I are accepting the Tony, which leads to my saying on national TV that I love him, and want to marry him — and then comes [the kiss heard around the world](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4oLnAgN55w). All unplanned. But talk about your plotzes and your zetzses. After that incredible moment with Scott, I came back into the audience, and my father, who was always a very genial person, was seething that I had not thanked my parents. At the moment I was like, “I’m not gonna let you ruin this moment for me.*”* But soon I was just full of terrible guilt and will be to the day I die. **You really can’t help it, can you?** I started young. When I was 12 the girls’ choir at my school was invited to perform the Carpenters hit “Sing,” with Karen Carpenter herself, at the Garden State Arts Center. I transcribed it, arranged it, taught them the harmony. But when the concert happened, they told me there was no room on the bus. **I’m going to try to pull you back. Accompanying Midler on that stunning Johnny Carson farewell in 1992 — when [she sang “One for My Baby,”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr-SOk5nJJE) a song you picked and arranged for her — has to be the plotz of all plotzes.** Yes, even though it’s nothing I wrote. But I put no lines between writing music, writing lyrics, arranging, orchestrating, figuring out the concept, finding the perfect song. To me, it’s all one big ball of wax. **What is the wax? What is the thing that all those things are?** Communicating. I’m sure there are many people who wish I communicated less. But thank God I have music and lyrics to say what I hope to say. **Based on the fate of those post-“Hairspray” shows, do you worry that people don’t want to hear what you’re saying as much as they used to?** I think it’s maybe my fault some shows didn’t work, and I haven’t taken enough responsibility for that. Musically, I have held on too hard, trying to stay pure to the eras in which the shows take place. Maybe “Some Like It Hot” would still be running if I had been less faithful to the sounds of the ’30s and ’40s. **What are you saying? Even if it’s expensive to produce, shouldn’t the sound match the period?** Look at “The Great Gatsby,” a musical that takes place in the 1920s but that uses contemporary music and does a great job. Or look at the creators of “Maybe Happy Ending.” I was so jealous that they had this brilliant concept that just so happened to call for just a four-person cast. How blessed they are to have had the muse inspire them so. Scott and I gravitate toward shows and sounds that require bigger ensembles. **Why?** I guess because we grew up in the tail end of the golden age of Broadway. We were born too late. **You and Madame Rose.** **“**What I got in me, what I been holdin’ down inside me, if I ever let it out …” **Well exactly. You need the size of the songs because of the size of the feelings. That’s just not where Broadway is right now. It’s smaller. Not that smaller can’t be beautiful.** I don’t know that I am at peace with that. When Scott and I were working in England on “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” walking back to our hotel one night we saw a sign outside “Mamma Mia!” that said, “You already know you’re gonna love it.” I pointed to it and said, “There lies the future.” I’ve had a really long run and I’m very proud, but if they don’t really want what I do, why do it? **You don’t mean you’d retire!** I do. Because I should have included among the plotzes the fact that I’ve had two great love affairs in my life. That Scott and I were able to live through our breakup and continue to collaborate, and that I met Lou and we can all be friends, is a lesson that life sometimes does work out. [The glass can be half full.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdKs42q2p5I) **But only half.** Well, last week I finally had nothing to do for one day. No special lyric to write. No one asking me for anything. And by around 2:30, I was like: This is hideous. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Marc%20Shaiman%20-%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20To%20Smash&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20-%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20To%20Smash%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Marc%20Shaiman%20-%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20To%20Smash&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20-%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20To%20Smash%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20-%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20To%20Smash%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Interview, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #Interview, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy --- ### [Video: Bette Midler -Vicky Eydie - Where's The Band?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/24/video-bette-midler-vicky-eydie-wheres-the-band/) **Published:** January 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** We see several Bette Midler and Vicki Eydie clips online in black and white, but here's a color short taped in 1988 from a cable TV broadcast of short comedy clips. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler -Vicky Eydie – Where’s The Band? – 1988 By Mister D Jan. 24, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/OIP.webp "Oip - bootleg betty") --- --- We see several [**Bette Midler**](https://www.bettemidler.com/) and [**Vicki Eydie**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/vickie-eydie/) clips online in black and white, but here’s a color short taped in 1988 from a cable TV broadcast of short comedy clips. The BetaGems channel also has “Bette Midler 9-11-94 TV award show performance.” BetaGems are culled from an archive of over 1000 beta videotapes recorded from 1983 into the 1990s. Most feature live music performances broadcast on television in San Diego, CA, though there are also rarely seen commercials, comedy clips, and other material that doesn’t seem to be anywhere else on YouTube or online. Most of the tapes were recorded on a Sony SL-HFT7 Super Beta Theater Hi-Fi Stereo – the same model was refurbished and is being used for these digital transfers and uploads. On rare occasions when a BetaGems clip appears elsewhere, we only upload if our own beta master is of higher quality or contains material not previously seen. Much footage comes from public television and public access broadcasts that the taper, who worked for a local cable TV production Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Vicky%20Eydie%20-%20Where%27s%20The%20Band%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Vicky%20Eydie%20-%20Where%27s%20The%20Band%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Vicky%20Eydie%20-%20Where%27s%20The%20Band%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Vicky%20Eydie%20-%20Where%27s%20The%20Band%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Vicky%20Eydie%20-%20Where%27s%20The%20Band%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Mud Will Be Flung, Vickie Eydie, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #MudWillBeFlungTonight, #VickieEydie, #Video --- ### [Beaches The Musical Previews New Song! What Do You Think?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/24/beaches-the-musical-previews-new-song-what-do-you-think/) **Published:** January 24, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Broadway production is set to begin previews on Friday, March 27, ahead of an official Opening Night on Wednesday, April 22, at the Majestic Theatre. **Content:** --- ## Broadway Direct Beaches on Broadway Previews New Song with Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett By Staff Jan. 22, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-22_16-44-15.png "2026-01-22_16-44-15 - bootleg betty") --- [**Beaches, A New Musical**](https://beachesthemusical.com/) has released a first look music video of powerhouse stars Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett singing “Wish I Could Be Like You” from the original score by Grammy Award-winning legend Mike Stoller (music) and Iris Rainer Dart (lyrics). The [**Broadway** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/broadway/)production is set to begin previews on Friday, March 27, ahead of an official Opening Night on Wednesday, April 22, at the Majestic Theatre. The musical will play a limited New York engagement through Sunday, September 6, 2026, before embarking on a multi-city National Tour. **About Beaches on Broadway** Based on the New York Times bestseller that became a blockbuster film, written by Iris Rainer Dart, Beaches brings to the stage one of the most iconic friendships in popular culture – made famous on screen by Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. This sweeping, emotional, and joy-filled new musical follows the vivacious Cee Cee and elegant Bertie, who meet as children and become fast friends. From pen-pals to roommates to romantic rivals, Cee Cee and Bertie’s oil-and-water friendship perseveres through even the most tragic trials. With a touching vulnerability, Beaches exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit and the bonds of friendship. The new musical features a book by Iris Rainer Dart & Thom Thomas. The musical was developed in collaboration with David Austin. **The cast of Beaches on Broadway** The musical will star Broadway firecracker Jessica Vosk (Hell’s Kitchen, Wicked) and the effervescent Kelli Barrett (Fosse/Verdon, Parade), as best friends Cee Cee and Bertie, respectively. Additional casting will be announced at a later date. **The creative team of Beaches on Broadway** The new musical features a score by Grammy Award-winning legend Mike Stoller, lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart, and a book by Iris Rainer Dart & Thom Thomas. The musical was developed in collaboration with David Austin. Beaches will be co-directed by Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Lonny Price (Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, Sunset Boulevard with Glenn Close) and Matt Cowart (Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill). The musical will be choreographed by Jennifer Rias (A Doll’s House, Dear Evan Hansen), with orchestrations by Tony Award winner Charlie Rosen (Moulin Rouge!). The Broadway scenic design is by Drama Desk Award winner James Noone (Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill), costume design by Tracy Christensen (Sunset Boulevard with Glenn Close), lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington (Chicago, Waitress), sound design by Tony Award winner Kai Harada (Merrily We Roll Along), projection design by Tony Award Nominee David Bengali (Water for Elephants), and wig, hair, and makeup design by J. Jared Janas (Buena Vista Social Club). Casting is by The TRC (Tara Rubin Casting) Company, Peter Van Dam, CSA, and Joseph Thalken serves as Music Supervisor. The Production Stage Manager is Thomas Recktenwald (Cabaret, The Music Man) and Alchemy Production Group (Come From Away) serves as General Manager. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Previews%20New%20Song%21%20What%20Do%20You%20Think%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Previews%20New%20Song%21%20What%20Do%20You%20Think%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Previews%20New%20Song%21%20What%20Do%20You%20Think%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Previews%20New%20Song%21%20What%20Do%20You%20Think%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Previews%20New%20Song%21%20What%20Do%20You%20Think%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Broadway, Songs, Theatre **Tags:** #BeachesTheMusical, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #Movie, #Song, #Theater, #WishICouldBeLikeYou --- ### [Video Short From Boodles BonBon: A Bette Midler Boob Joke](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/23/video-short-from-boodles-bonbon-a-bette-midler-boob-joke/) **Published:** January 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video Short From Boodles BonBon: A Bette Midler Boob Joke **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video Short From Boodles BonBon: A Bette Midler Boob Joke By Boodles BonBon Jan. 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bette-midler-1983.jpg "Bette-midler-1983 - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT02NWVE8jn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Boodles Bonbon (@boodles\_bonbon)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT02NWVE8jn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Boob%20Joke&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Boob%20Joke%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Boob%20Joke&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Boob%20Joke%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Boob%20Joke%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Soph Jokes, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Boob, #BoobJoke, #Boobs, #BoodlesBonBon, #Video --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - One More Cheer - Stella - 1990](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/23/video-bette-midler-one-more-cheer-stella-1990/) **Published:** January 23, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "One More Cheer" (the uplifting end-credits anthem from the 1990 film Stella, performed by Bette Midler) was written by Jay Gruska and Paul Gordon. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – One More Cheer – Stella – 1990 By Mister D Jan 23, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/stella_64964_26250.jpg "Stella_64964_26250 - bootleg betty") --- --- “[**One More Cheer**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L7NQodkhBE)” (the uplifting end-credits anthem from the 1990 film [**Stella**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/stella/), performed by Bette Midler) was written by Jay Gruska and Paul Gordon. - Jay Gruska (composer/producer known for work on TV themes like Beverly Hills, 90210 and other film songs) co-wrote it. - Paul Gordon (a songwriter/composer with credits in musical theater and films) was his co-writer. It was produced by the legendary Arif Mardin (who worked with Bette on several projects). The song even earned a Razzie nomination for Worst Original Song that year—harsh, but hey, not everyone got the soaring, cheer-for-life vibe! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20More%20Cheer%20-%20Stella%20-%201990&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20More%20Cheer%20-%20Stella%20-%201990%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20More%20Cheer%20-%20Stella%20-%201990&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20More%20Cheer%20-%20Stella%20-%201990%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20More%20Cheer%20-%20Stella%20-%201990%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Stella, Video **Tags:** #Anthem, #ArifMardin, #BetteMidler, #JayGruska, #OneMoreCheer, #PaulGordon, #Stella --- ### [The Movies That Broke Our Hearts](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/22/the-movies-that-broke-our-hearts/) **Published:** January 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Reader Susan Berry describes a good film as one where “we emotionally identify with it, be it [with] laughter, tears, outrage or cheering on the hero or heroine”. **Content:** --- ## Telegraph The films that made you cry the most By Millie Smith Jan. 20, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/maxresdefault-1-1024x576.jpg "Maxresdefault (1) - bootleg betty")--- Reader Susan Berry describes a good film as one where “we emotionally identify with it, be it \[with\] laughter, tears, outrage or cheering on the hero or heroine”. Moving films offer catharsis, classy acting and the chance for a good cry. On Sunday, The Telegraph’s Culture Desk compiled a list of films that broke our writers’ hearts in response to the release of Hamnet, the most recent sob-fest to hit cinemas. Here, we share Telegraph readers’ recollections of the stories on screen that made them weep. **Schindler’s List** Stephen Spielberg’s epic drama about the Holocaust was brought up by readers many times. Kitty Deveraux remembers “going to see it at the cinema with one of my closest friends from university days, who is usually very stoical. By the end, a hush had fallen over the room. I sat there in silence with tears running down my face while my steadfast friend audibly sobbed beside me.” The moment that makes it for Tray Hunley is “the end where real people he saved place stones on his actual grave. When watching it in a cinema, I had to bury my face in my coat for a little while.” Sarah O’Rafferty says that she can’t watch the film again, praising the soundtrack as “superb”. **Titanic** For some, it was James Cameron’s tale of the doomed ocean liner. Reader Omer Boudjema says: “Titanic was the first film that made me cry as a kid. Now as an adult in his 30s it doesn’t take much to get me going. Especially films with themes of family.” For others, the 1997 film didn’t make the cut. James Potts shares: “Films hardly ever stir me to cry, in fact I was laughing my socks off when the ludicrous Jack slipped under the waters at the end of Titanic, much to the bemusement of other cinemagoers.” **The Railway Children** Despite his feelings about Titanic, Mr Potts does have a soft spot for The Railway Children. He says he chokes up “just thinking of that scene: ‘Daddy, my Daddy.’” Also calling for the classic to be included is Paul Hutchence. He says: “when Jenny Agutter runs along the station platform to greet her father returning from imprisonment gets me every time.” Reader M Prigwort is also a fan of that final scene. “It’s got to be The Railway Children when Bobbie is reunited with her father as the steam clears from the station platform.” **E.T.** Childhood classic E.T. is also a popular one. G. Sherlock recounts that at 25, “when ET was ‘dying’ I was in bits.” The moment that catches out Janice Lanning is “when the boys on their bikes start to fly with John Williams’ music soaring in the background.” Donna Myerthall also wept “buckets at that last scene and I’ve watched it 100 times!” **Marley and Me** Dog lovers beware: Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston in sob-fest Marley and Me – Film Stills James Tams argues: “It has to be Marley and Me. I’m welling up just thinking about it.” Reader Sam Pauly “watched it on a plane and the stewardess came over to check I was OK.” Also in the air whilst watching the heart-breaking film was Lesley Claff, who shares: “It was an older plane with screens suspended above the aisles so I couldn’t even hide my sobs.” De Donner simply “won’t watch it. It would be like self-torture. Someone bought me the book. I read the back and gave it straight to someone else.” **Brief Encounter** Brief Encounter features one of the most tragic break-ups of all time – 1945 Screen Archives Another classic to tug on the heart strings was the romantic tragedy Brief Encounter. For Mary Murphy it’s the final scene with Laura’s husband that captures the moment for her: “We assumed he was oblivious to things but he hugs her at the end and thanks her for coming back to him. With Rachmaninoff’s score soaring in the background. Wonderful stuff.” Janet Dennis was moved by the moment Alex leaves: “The closing scenes where the chatterbox is interrupting Laura and Alex’s precious final moments together in the railway café, and then when Laura sees off Alex’s train, knowing she will never see him again, her inner turmoil is almost palpable and jumps out of the screen.” “That stiff upper lip parting and the very last scene, Fred comforting Laura. A genuine tearjerker,” adds Chester Drawers. **It’s a Wonderful Life** The start and end of this Bildungsroman are the most powerful for Neil Struan Harper: “The opening has the prayers for George Bailey floating into the heavens. The closing is the famous Auld Lang Syne scene. Both mist me up every time; a remarkable achievement for an 80-year-old film.” The final scene of the film has Simon Roberts blubbing every Christmas, “where all of George Bailey’s friends come together for him; ‘To my brother George… the richest man in town.’” To Paul Terry, it’s the “ultimate Christmas movie”. He said it “always gets me at the uplifting end, no matter how many times I’ve watched it.” **Bambi** Gillian Key-Vice recalls that, as a small child, “when his mother is shot, I was devastated.” (Mrs) Anthony Wells shares that since watching Bambi, she’s avoided “anything remotely sentimental. I refused point blank to accompany my children to Watership Down and anything involving children sends me out of the room pronto. There’s too much real heartbreak in the real world to use it for entertainment.” **The Killing Fields** Deborah Gorringe, a self-described “sobber at films”, has one film “that sticks in my mind after all these years. The Killing Fields. The protagonists had been through a harrowing journey and in the last few frames reached the edge of a plateau, looked down, and saw safety in the distance. Their relief was palpable. At this point John Lennon’s Imagine started up on the soundtrack. I could not leave the cinema for a good half hour.” Ona Roll agrees, naming it the one film that “really made me cry as an adult”. **The Green Mile** Gully Foyle thought their “daughter would never stop crying after watching The Green Mile for the first time”. Alison Hopkins describes the cutting moment “when John Coffey is going to be executed and he tells Tom Hanks how he’s ready to go, because of how cruel the world is. And then when he asks him not to put the hood on, because he’s scared of the dark. How Michael Clarke Duncan didn’t get an Oscar for that is beyond me.” **Beaches** M. S. shares how they came to watch some of these sentimental films from a young age. “In the early eighties, a video van started calling round our street. My mum thought my sister and I would love the videos like Bambi, Dot and the Kangaroo, Watership Down. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AAACoOY4XFbM5GbRAaXqiVtzjasYLQmUIkYoeZ_DtPXbG-W0KlxzPaoFMJW4-6e0sgz3_cfxEIhWPJlyU1NQUSJWTIU.jpg "Aaacooy4xfbm5gbraaxqivtzjasylqmuikyoez_dtpxbg-w0klxzpaofmjw4-6e0sgz3_cfxeihwpjlyu1nqusjwtiu - bootleg betty") “She asked them not to come back on the fourth week, as in those days, with no internet, she didn’t know we’d end up sobbing messes from the sweet animal videos she chose. “But Beaches and Life is Beautiful got me as an adult.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Movies%20That%20Broke%20Our%20Hearts&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Movies%20That%20Broke%20Our%20Hearts%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Movies%20That%20Broke%20Our%20Hearts&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Movies%20That%20Broke%20Our%20Hearts%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Movies%20That%20Broke%20Our%20Hearts%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Movies **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Cry, #Hearts, #Movies, #Tearjerkers --- ### [All Ya Need To Know Bout Beaches Going To Broadway](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/22/all-ya-need-to-know-bout-beaches-going-to-broadway/) **Published:** January 22, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Starting in March at the Majestic Theatre, Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett step into the roles made famous on screen by Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. **Content:** --- ## New York Theatre Guide Everything you need to know about ‘Beaches’ on Broadway By Erin Cavoto Jan. 20, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/4ddde088fc1cf172ce7feb6150963c54.jpg "4ddde088fc1cf172ce7feb6150963c54 - bootleg betty")--- Starting in March at the Majestic Theatre, Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett step into the roles made famous on screen by [**Bette Midler**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DJrdvgUxUtm/) and Barbara Hershey. Grab your best friend because the iconic 1988 film [*Beaches*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/46037-beaches) is headed to Broadway. The movie, starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, is now a musical making its NYC debut this spring for a limited run at the [Majestic Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/venues/majestic-theatre). Starring Broadway veterans [Jessica Vosk](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/jessica-vosk) and [Kelli Barrett](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/kelli-barrett), this production tells the story of two best friends as they grow up alongside each other, navigating love, loss, success, and failure. Along the way, they learn about the power of true friendship — even when facing life’s most difficult challenges. The story, which originated as a 1985 novel of the same name, lends itself exceptionally well to a musical. The cult-classic film, after all, is most known for Midler’s performance of “Wind Beneath My Wings” (which went on to win a Grammy), along with other songs her Broadway-bound character sings. Read on for details about all you need to know about the *Beaches* musical. Then, make sure to buy yourself and all your friends tickets to [***Beaches*** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/beaches/)before its limited run ends September 6. Check back for information on [*Beaches* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/46037-beaches) on New York Theatre Guide. **Frequently asked questions** **Where is Beaches on Broadway playing?** Beaches plays at the Majestic Theatre, located at 245 W. 44th St. between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. Built in 1927, this historic theatre is best known as the venue where The Phantom of the Opera had its record-breaking 35-year run on Broadway. The Majestic Theatre is accessible, with step-free access for wheelchair seats, and it also provides accommodations for visitors with hearing or vision loss. **How long is Beaches on Broadway?** Beaches has an approximate run time of 2 hours and 20 minutes, with one 15-minute intermission. The exact run time is subject to change as performances begin, though this is a typical length for a Broadway musical. **What days is Beaches playing on Broadway?** The performance schedule for Beaches has not yet been announced, but it is expected to play eight performances a week at the Majestic Theatre. This is a limited-run production starting March 27 and closing September 6, 2026. **Is Beaches appropriate for kids?** Beaches is recommended for ages 8 and up. The show deals with themes that may be better suited for older children, including illness, divorce, and loss. Please note that children under 4 are not permitted in Broadway theatres. **When did Beaches premiere?** The Beaches musical had its world premiere in 2014 before finally coming to Broadway in 2026, but it began as a book before getting the stage or screen treatments. Here is a full timeline of Beaches. 1985: The Beaches book, by Iris Rainer Dart, is published. 1988: The Beaches movie, starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, comes out. 2014: The Beaches musical makes its world premiere at the Signature Theatre in Washington D.C. 2015: Another production of the musical is put on at the Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago. 2024: The Beaches musical makes its international premiere at Arts Commons Max Bell Theatre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, starring Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett. 2026: Beaches debuts on Broadway, with Vosk and Barrett reprising their roles. ### Who wrote Beaches? The *Beaches* musical has a script by Iris Rainer Dart, the original author of the *Beaches* novel, and Thom Thomas. Lyrics are by Dart, and music is by Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Mike Stoller. This production was also developed in collaboration with David Austin, who provided music for earlier versions of the show. **Beaches characters** The two main characters of Beaches are best friends Cee Cee and Bertie, whose tight-knit, lifelong friendship unfolds throughout the show. Past productions of the musical used different actors to play Cee Cee and Bertie as younger versions of themselves, as kids, and then as teens. Cee Cee Bloom: An outgoing and vivacious child star with Broadway dreams who later struggles to land roles. In the movie, Cee Cee was played by Bette Midler. Bertie White: A reserved, driven girl who comes from a wealth and has high aspirations of becoming a lawyer but grapples with pressure from family. In the movie, Bertie (whose name was changed to Hillary) was played by Barbara Hershey. Michael Barron: Bertie’s husband. Nina Barron: Bertie’s daughter. Leona Bloom: Cee Cee’s involved stage mom. Rose White: Bertie’s mom, who puts pressure on her daughter. **Who is in the Beaches Broadway cast?** The Beaches Broadway cast is led by Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett as Cee Cee and Bertie, respectively. The two Broadway vets previously played the roles in the 2024 production in Alberta, Canada. Vosk is known for starring in Wicked and Hell’s Kitchen on Broadway and as a voice actor for the animated show Hazbin Hotel. Barrett has performed on Broadway in Parade, Wicked, and Dr. Zhivago **Beaches songs** The full Broadway song list has not been released for the Beaches musical yet, but the Grammy-winning hit “Wind Beneath My Wings” will definitely be included. However, other songs from the movie may not be in the show, as the score is mostly original for the stage. This article will be updated with the Beaches song list when it is available. **What awards has Beaches won?** Beaches on Broadway will be eligible for New York theatre honors in 2026, including Tony Awards. Previously, Bette Midler’s recording of “Wind Beneath My Wings” for the film soundtrack won the 1990 Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. ### Celebrities who have performed in Beaches Before Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett assumed the main roles in *Beaches* on Broadway, a few other major stars have been in the movie and the musical’s previous productions. - Bette Midler: The Broadway veteran and movie star played the role of Cee Cee in the *Beaches* movie. - Barbara Hershey: The TV and film star played the role of Hillary (the Bertie role) in the *Beaches* movie. - Mayim Bialik: Known for playing Amy Farrah Fowler on *The Big Bang Theory* and hosting Jeopardy!, Bialik played young Cee Cee in the *Beaches* movie. - [Shoshana Bean](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/shoshana-bean): The Grammy-winning and Tony-nominated Broadway actress (known, like Vosk, for *Wicked* and *Hell’s Kitchen*) played Cee Cee in the Chicago production of the *Beaches* musical. ### Is there a Beaches movie? Yes, there is a *Beaches* movie. The famous 1988 film stars Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey as lifelong BFFs C.C. and Hillary (known in the book and musical as Cee Cee and Bertie). Both the movie and musical versions of *Beaches* are based on the 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart, who later wrote the book and lyrics for the musical. **Fun facts about the Beaches musical** With such a rich history behind this beloved story, there are plenty of fun facts to know about Beaches. Composer Mike Stoller, who created the music for the Beaches musical, wrote several hits for Elvis Presley with lyricist Jerome Leiber, such as “Love Me” and “Jailhouse Rock.” Beaches author Iris Rainer Dart, who also wrote the book and lyrics for the musical, began her career as an actress and studied theatre at Carnegie Mellon University before becoming an author and playwright. Jessica Vosk, who stars as Cee Cee, worked on Wall Street before becoming a Broadway star. In addition to acting, Kelli Barrett, who stars as Bertie, is a certified life coach. Beaches’s Broadway connections go even further back: A 2017 TV remake of the film starred Tony Award winner Idina Menzel, the original Elphaba in Wicked, as C.C. alongside Nia Long as Hillary. The Beaches book has a sequel: 1991’s Beaches II: I’ll Be There. A planned film adaptation never came to fruition, though. ### How to get Beaches Broadway tickets Get [*Beaches* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/46037-beaches) on New York Theatre Guide soon. Focusing on the power of sisterhood, *Beaches* is a heartbreaking yet uplifting story that has lasted generations for a reason. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=All%20Ya%20Need%20To%20Know%20Bout%20Beaches%20Going%20To%20Broadway&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=All%20Ya%20Need%20To%20Know%20Bout%20Beaches%20Going%20To%20Broadway%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=All%20Ya%20Need%20To%20Know%20Bout%20Beaches%20Going%20To%20Broadway&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=All%20Ya%20Need%20To%20Know%20Bout%20Beaches%20Going%20To%20Broadway%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=All%20Ya%20Need%20To%20Know%20Bout%20Beaches%20Going%20To%20Broadway%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Broadway, Movies, Theatre **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #JessicaVosk, #KelliBarrett, #Movie, #Musical, #Stage, #Theater --- ### [Linda Ronstadt Wanted To Form A SuperGroup With Bette Midler & Rosemary Clooney!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/21/linda-ronstadt-wanted-to-form-a-supergroup-with-bette-midler-rosemary-clooney/) **Published:** January 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Such intriguing alchemy between the hypothetical Ronstadt-Midler-Clooney supergroup could well have yielded a far more interesting and eclectic range of material than had been on offer with Ronstadt’s famed country three-piece **Content:** --- ## Far Out Magazine Linda Ronstadt Wanted To Form A SuperGroup With Bette Midler & Rosemary Clooney! By Tom Phelan Jan. 20, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-20_15-04-59.png "2026-01-20_15-04-59 - bootleg betty") --- Few artists can count on such an easy balance of countercultural pedigree and commercial peaks as powerhouse singer [**Linda Ronstadt**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Ronstadt). Her CV is littered with a host of disparate musical greats. Cutting razor commercials with Frank Zappa, touring with The Doors, and lending her vocals to Carla Bley’s jazz-rock odyssey Escalator over the Hill just as easily as duets with [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) and operetta turns in The Pirates of Penzance. Until her voice sadly left her in the early 2010s due to progressive supranuclear palsy, Ronstadt was one of the 1960s’ most enduring artists, and can count over 100 million records sold. The untold amount of session work Ronstadt lent her lungs to means her voice was a dependable and adaptive instrument for any song or project presented to her. Such dextrous vocals meant she was perfect for a good duet. In 2014, the Duets compilation was released, collating a select smattering of the artists she’d joined forces with in the studio, boasting everybody from Don Henley, James Taylor, and even ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ Frank Sinatra. Ronstadt has also jumped into the world of supergroups. First conceiving the idea back in the mid-1970s, and cutting material across the years that wound up on respective solo releases, the acclaimed Trio country venture finally found the light of day in 1987, Ronstadt teaming up with Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton for the roosty, southern-inspired covers album, winning the Trio II follow-up in 1994. Yet, Ronstadt had also entertained other ideas of a three-piece collaboration. Teaming up with Midler in 2003 for her own covers album, the two cut the Irving Berlin classic ‘Sisters’ from 1954’s White Christmas as a salute to the festive feature’s main star, Rosemary Clooney. “I wish Rosemary could have heard that, because I knew her really well,” Ronstadt revealed to Parade in 2014. “I always wanted to get the three of us together, but every time I’d go to LA, one of us would be out of town. We never got to have that great dish on the sofa, which would’ve been more fun than anything.” Midler didn’t just cut one cover, but dedicated an entire album, 2003’s Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook, with Barry Manilow in the producer’s chair, just a year after Clooney’s death. Reportedly, Manilow conceived of the project after a dream not long after the Hollywood veteran’s death, eagerly nabbing Midler for the record of reimagined Clooney numbers from ‘This Ole House’, ‘Tenderly’, and ‘Mambo Italiano’. Clooney seemed to possess a similar leftfield streak that Ronstadt shared, happy to duet with Manilow on his ‘Green Eyes’ Spanish standard cover while also jumping behind the mic with outsider artist Wild Man Fischer for his ‘It’s a Hard Business’ with Barnes and Barnes. Such intriguing alchemy between the hypothetical Ronstadt-Midler-Clooney supergroup could well have yielded a far more interesting and eclectic range of material than had been on offer with Ronstadt’s famed country three-piece, and makes one wish they’d all had that “dish on the sofa” moment she sincerely wanted. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Linda%20Ronstadt%20Wanted%20To%20Form%20A%20SuperGroup%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Rosemary%20Clooney%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Linda%20Ronstadt%20Wanted%20To%20Form%20A%20SuperGroup%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Rosemary%20Clooney%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Linda%20Ronstadt%20Wanted%20To%20Form%20A%20SuperGroup%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Rosemary%20Clooney%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Linda%20Ronstadt%20Wanted%20To%20Form%20A%20SuperGroup%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Rosemary%20Clooney%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Linda%20Ronstadt%20Wanted%20To%20Form%20A%20SuperGroup%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Rosemary%20Clooney%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Rosemary Clooney **Tags:** #Album, #BetteMidler, #LindaRonstadt, #RosemaryClooney, #SuperGroup --- ### [Audio From The Bette Midler Archive - South Seas Scene, Los Angeles, 1999](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/21/audio-from-the-bette-midler-archive-south-seas-scene-los-angeles-1999/) **Published:** January 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler - South Seas Scene / Hawaiian War Chant / My Way (Live) - Performed on December 16, 1999 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles during Bette's "Divine Miss Millennium Tour" **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio From The Bette Midler Archive – South Seas Scene, Los Angeles, 1999 From The Bette Midler Archive Jan 22, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-21_14-25-32.png "2026-01-21_14-25-32 - bootleg betty") --- **Bette Midler – South Seas Scene / Hawaiian War Chant / My Way (Live)** *Performed on December 16, 1999 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles during Bette’s “Divine Miss Millennium Tour”* --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20South%20Seas%20Scene%2C%20Los%20Angeles%2C%201999&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20South%20Seas%20Scene%2C%20Los%20Angeles%2C%201999%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20South%20Seas%20Scene%2C%20Los%20Angeles%2C%201999&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20South%20Seas%20Scene%2C%20Los%20Angeles%2C%201999%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20South%20Seas%20Scene%2C%20Los%20Angeles%2C%201999%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, concerts, Divine Miss Millennium, Live **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #HawaiianWarChant, #LosAngeles, #MyWay, #SouthSeasScene, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [Audio From The Bette Midler Archive Of Clams On The Half Shell Revue Opening 1975](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/21/audio-from-the-bette-midler-archive-of-clams-on-the-half-shell-revue-opening-1975/) **Published:** January 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** This is the opening of Bette Midler's infamous Broadway show "Clams On The Half Shell Revue," performed April 14, 1975 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio From The Bette Midler Archive Of Clams On The Half Shell Revue Opening 1975 From The Bette Midler Archive Jan 20, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-20_12-41-43.png "2026-01-20_12-41-43 - bootleg betty") --- --- This is the opening of [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) infamous Broadway show [“Clams On The Half Shell Revue,”](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/bette-midlers-clams-on-the-half-shell-revue-3744) performed April 14, 1975, at the Minskoff Theatre in New York. Songs featured are “Moon of Manakoora” and “The Bitch Is Back”. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Of%20Clams%20On%20The%20Half%20Shell%20Revue%20Opening%201975&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Of%20Clams%20On%20The%20Half%20Shell%20Revue%20Opening%201975%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Of%20Clams%20On%20The%20Half%20Shell%20Revue%20Opening%201975&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Of%20Clams%20On%20The%20Half%20Shell%20Revue%20Opening%201975%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20Of%20Clams%20On%20The%20Half%20Shell%20Revue%20Opening%201975%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Clams On The Half Shell, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #ClamsOnTheHalfShell, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - Laughing Matters - 2004](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/21/video-bette-midler-laughing-matters-2004/) **Published:** January 21, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** #BetteMidler sings #LaughingMatters backed on #Piano by #BetteSussman 2004 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Laughing Matters – 2004 By Mister D Jan. 21, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-14_16-13-53.png "2026-01-14_16-13-53 - bootleg betty") --- *[\#BetteMidler](https://x.com/hashtag/BetteMidler?src=hashtag_click) sings [\#LaughingMatters](https://x.com/hashtag/LaughingMatters?src=hashtag_click) backed on [\#Piano](https://x.com/hashtag/Piano?src=hashtag_click) by [\#BetteSussman](https://x.com/hashtag/BetteSussman?src=hashtag_click) 2004* --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Laughing%20Matters%20-%202004&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Laughing%20Matters%20-%202004%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Laughing%20Matters%20-%202004&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Laughing%20Matters%20-%202004%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Laughing%20Matters%20-%202004%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BathhouseBetty, #BetteMidler, #BetteSussman, #LaughingMatters --- ### [The Magic Lady Is Ready To Begin Again - Video Short By Boodles BonBon](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/20/the-magic-lady-is-ready-to-begin-again-video-short-by-boodles-bonbon/) **Published:** January 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's character "The Magic Lady" is one of the memorable personas she created and performed during her legendary live stage shows, most famously captured in the 1980 concert film Divine Madness. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Magic Lady Is Ready To Begin Again – Video Short By Boodles BonBon By Boodles BonBon --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/946f423cb2173835dbd38ae2be81d235-bette-midler.jpg "946f423cb2173835dbd38ae2be81d235--bette-midler - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler’s**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) character “[**The Magic Lady**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2018/12/23/photo-bette-midler-as-the-magic-lady-in-divine-madness/)” is one of the memorable personas she created and performed during her legendary live stage shows, most famously captured in the 1980 concert film Divine Madness. In this sequence, she transforms into a whimsical, dreamy, elderly bag lady (often described as a “moony, bag-lady-on-a-park-bench” type) sitting on a park bench. The character is eccentric and poignant—a sort of whimsical old woman with a bag of tricks, delivering a heartfelt, introspective monologue or performance that contrasts with Midler’s usual high-energy, raunchy, and campy style. It’s a more vulnerable, theatrical interlude amid the show’s wilder numbers, showcasing her range as a performer who could shift from bawdy comedy to something more emotional and character-driven. Critics at the time, like Roger Ebert in his review of Divine Madness, highlighted how effective the cinematography was during this part, with swooping crane shots emphasizing the dreamy quality of the portrayal. It was also referenced in later reviews (e.g., of her 1990 film Stella) as an example of Midler’s tendency toward more sentimental or “suffering lady” roles. This isn’t from a movie or TV series but from her live concert repertoire, where she often embodied multiple offbeat characters alongside her signature “Divine Miss M” persona. The Magic Lady stands out as a quieter, more magical/mystical figure in her arsenal of alter egos. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Magic%20Lady%20Is%20Ready%20To%20Begin%20Again%20-%20Video%20Short%20By%20Boodles%20BonBon&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Magic%20Lady%20Is%20Ready%20To%20Begin%20Again%20-%20Video%20Short%20By%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Magic%20Lady%20Is%20Ready%20To%20Begin%20Again%20-%20Video%20Short%20By%20Boodles%20BonBon&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Magic%20Lady%20Is%20Ready%20To%20Begin%20Again%20-%20Video%20Short%20By%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Magic%20Lady%20Is%20Ready%20To%20Begin%20Again%20-%20Video%20Short%20By%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Divine Madness, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #DivineMadness, #MagicLady, Video --- ### [A Day Late: Martin Luther King Tribute - Bette Midler Sings The Rose](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/20/a-day-late-martin-luther-king-tribute-bette-midler-sings-the-rose/) **Published:** January 20, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** #BetteMidler performed her iconic song "#TheRose" at a #tribute event honoring #MartinLutherKing Jr. in 1985 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty A Day Late: Martin Luther King Tribute – Bette Midler Sings The Rose By Mister D Jan. 19, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/OIP.jpg "Oip - bootleg betty") --- \#[**BetteMidler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/about-bootleg-betty/) performed her iconic song “#TheRose” at a #tribute event honoring #MartinLutherKing Jr. in 1985 (around [**Martin Luther King Day**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr._Day)). This was a #live performance at a concert/special tribute to Dr. King, where she delivered a beautiful, moving rendition of the ballad. The song, originally from her 1979 film The Rose (for which she earned an Oscar nomination), fits thematically with messages of hope, love, and resilience—aligning well with the spirit of an #MLK tribute. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20Day%20Late%3A%20Martin%20Luther%20King%20Tribute%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20Rose&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20Day%20Late%3A%20Martin%20Luther%20King%20Tribute%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20Day%20Late%3A%20Martin%20Luther%20King%20Tribute%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20Rose&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20Day%20Late%3A%20Martin%20Luther%20King%20Tribute%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20Day%20Late%3A%20Martin%20Luther%20King%20Tribute%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Holiday, Live, the Rose, Tributes, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Live, #MartinLutherKing, #MLK, #TheRose, #Tribute, #Video --- ### [Rare Video From Boodles BonBon: Bette Midler Interview On Parkinson 1981 - Divine Madness](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/18/rare-video-from-boodles-bonbon-bette-midler-interview-on-parkinson-1981-divine-madness/) **Published:** January 18, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Parkinson - Bette Midler segment of the interview only. Omar Sharif, Bette Midler, Professor J.K.Galbraith (Jan 21, 1981) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Rare Video From Boodles BonBon: Bette Midler Interview On Parkinson 1981 – Divine Madness By Boodles BonBon Jan 18, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-18_18-27-44.png "2026-01-18_18-27-44 - bootleg betty") --- Parkinson – Bette Midler segment of the interview only. Omar Sharif, Bette Midler, Professor J.K.Galbraith (Jan 21, 1981) [\#DivineMadness](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/divinemadness) [\#BetteMidlerInterview](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bettemidlerinterview) [\#AViewFromABroad](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/aviewfromabroad) While her most famous early appearance was in 1979 (when she discussed her beginnings at the Continental Baths and her love for her gay fans in hilariously candid style), there are references to her on the show around the early 1980s. Divine Madness (1980) was Bette Midler’s electrifying concert film, capturing her larger-than-life stage show from performances at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. It blended over-the-top comedy routines, raunchy humor, dazzling costumes, and powerhouse performances of songs like “Big Noise From Winnetka,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Stay With Me,” and more. Directed by Michael Ritchie, the film showcased her as the ultimate entertainer — trashy, flashy, and heavenly — and received solid reviews for capturing her infectious high-energy vibe. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Rare%20Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Interview%20On%20Parkinson%201981%20-%20Divine%20Madness&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Rare%20Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Interview%20On%20Parkinson%201981%20-%20Divine%20Madness%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Rare%20Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Interview%20On%20Parkinson%201981%20-%20Divine%20Madness&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Rare%20Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Interview%20On%20Parkinson%201981%20-%20Divine%20Madness%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Rare%20Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Interview%20On%20Parkinson%201981%20-%20Divine%20Madness%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Interview, Talk Show **Tags:** #AViewFromABroad, #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #DivineMadness, #Interview, #Parkinson --- ### [Video Short From Boodles BonBon: The Delores DeLago Origin Story](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/17/video-short-from-boodles-bonbon-the-delores-delago-origin-story/) **Published:** January 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** This interview was in 1981. In the ’80s and beyond, Delores transformed into a disco & dance diva, with the act evolving into high camp **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video Short From Boodles BonBon: The Delores DeLago Origin Story By Boodles BonBon Jan. 17, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Bettes.jpg "Bettes - bootleg betty") --- --- **Delores de Lago, the Toast of Chicago** *This interview was in 1981. In the ’80s and beyond, Delores transformed into a disco & dance diva, with the act evolving into high camp—fabulous chairography and exuberant stage-hopping.* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20The%20Delores%20DeLago%20Origin%20Story&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20The%20Delores%20DeLago%20Origin%20Story%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20The%20Delores%20DeLago%20Origin%20Story&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20The%20Delores%20DeLago%20Origin%20Story%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20The%20Delores%20DeLago%20Origin%20Story%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, concerts, Delores Delago, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #DeloresDeLago, #DragHistory, #Mermaid, #Origin, #Video --- ### [In 1973, Dr. John Turned Brief Fame Into A Career Backed By Bette Midler & Bob Dylan (Video Of Song Included)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/17/in-1973-dr-john-turned-brief-fame-into-a-career-backed-by-bette-midler-bob-dylan-video-of-song-included/) **Published:** January 17, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Part of the song’s strength came from collaboration. In his memoir Under a Hoodoo Moon, Dr. John described how the lyrics came together. “A lot of different artists pitched in to give me lyrics on the song **Content:** --- ## Society Of Rock In 1973, Dr. John Turned Brief Fame Into A Career Backed By Bette Midler & Bob Dylan By John Lerit Jan. 17, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/b91ca1bf300bfbd3ddacd96ebbbbeb05.jpg "B91ca1bf300bfbd3ddacd96ebbbbeb05 - bootleg betty") --- ***Bette Midler with Jerry Wexler & Dr. John (right).*** ***Bette later covered one of his songs,*** ***“Rain” on Thighs and Whispers*** --- **A Respected Outsider in Popular Music** [**Dr. John**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._John) (**Mac** **Rebennack**) stood apart from most artists of his era. He shaped popular music in quiet but lasting ways, often outside the mainstream spotlight. Known for his work as a session player and his deep ties to New Orleans music, he earned strong respect from fellow musicians. Even so, he remained less familiar to the wider public than many of his peers. That distance from fame was not accidental. In the early part of his solo career, Dr. John avoided chasing hits. He preferred to protect the sound and traditions he valued, even while helping other artists succeed on the charts. His name appeared on many records, but rarely at the center of commercial attention. **Wrestling With Commercial Success** In a 1973 interview with Rolling Stone, Dr. John spoke openly about his mixed feelings toward commercial music. “It’s hard to put this in anything that sounds sensible. I’ve been making commercial records for all the other artists for a long time,” he said. “I feel there’s a certain point at which some records get hurt if they’re trying to be commercial.” He also explained that his views evolved with time. “But then there are some records that are commercial that’s good,” he continued. “Originally, I felt to go commercial would prostitute myself and bastardize the music. On reflecting, I thought that if without messin’ up the music and keeping the roots and elements of what I want to do musically, I could still make a commercial record I would not feel ashamed from, I’m proud of, and still have a feel for, then it’s not a bad thing but it even serve a good purpose.” **The Song That Changed Everything** That balance arrived in 1973 with [**“Right Place, Wrong Time.”**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_Place,_Wrong_Time_(song)) The song appeared on his sixth album, In the Right Place, and became his biggest hit. It reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbed to No. 6 in Canada. While Dr. John released many well-reviewed albums, this single marked his only true moment in pop radio’s upper ranks. The success placed him in unfamiliar territory. Still, the song fit his values more than he expected. Its groove stayed rooted in New Orleans rhythm, even as it crossed into mainstream playlists. The record opened doors without pulling him away from his musical base. **A Song Built by Many Voices** Part of the song’s strength came from collaboration. In his memoir Under a Hoodoo Moon, Dr. John described how the lyrics came together. “A lot of different artists pitched in to give me lyrics on the song,” he wrote. “Bob Dylan started it off by laying a line in me. ‘I’m on the right trip, but in the wrong car.’ Then, Bette Midler gave me one. ‘My head’s in a bad place. I don’t know what it’s there for.’ Doug Sahm also pitched in. ‘I was in the right set. But it must have been the wrong sign.’ Everybody gave me a little something.” He also added lines drawn from “old Ninth Ward slang,” including the phrase “a little brain salad surgery,” a local euphemism that later inspired the title of an Emerson, Lake, and Palmer album released the same year. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=In%201973%2C%20Dr.%20John%20Turned%20Brief%20Fame%20Into%20A%20Career%20Backed%20By%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Bob%20Dylan%20%28Video%20Of%20Song%20Included%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=In%201973%2C%20Dr.%20John%20Turned%20Brief%20Fame%20Into%20A%20Career%20Backed%20By%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Bob%20Dylan%20%28Video%20Of%20Song%20Included%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=In%201973%2C%20Dr.%20John%20Turned%20Brief%20Fame%20Into%20A%20Career%20Backed%20By%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Bob%20Dylan%20%28Video%20Of%20Song%20Included%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=In%201973%2C%20Dr.%20John%20Turned%20Brief%20Fame%20Into%20A%20Career%20Backed%20By%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Bob%20Dylan%20%28Video%20Of%20Song%20Included%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=In%201973%2C%20Dr.%20John%20Turned%20Brief%20Fame%20Into%20A%20Career%20Backed%20By%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Bob%20Dylan%20%28Video%20Of%20Song%20Included%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs, Songwriters, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BobDylan, #Collaboration, #DrJohn, #RightPlaceRightTime, #Songwriters, #Video --- ### [Video Trailer For Bette Midler And Her It's The Girls Album](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/16/video-trailer-for-bette-midler-and-her-its-the-girls-album/) **Published:** January 16, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's "It's The Girls!" album trailer is a promotional video released in 2014 to hype her studio album of the same name, her first in eight years. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video Trailer For Bette Midler And Her It’s The Girls Album Mister D Jan 16, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/mod.jpg "Mod - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler’s [**“It’s The Girls!”**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/its-the-girls/) album trailer is a promotional video released in 2014 to hype her studio album of the same name, her first in eight years. The official trailer, titled “[**Bette Midler**](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty/) – It’s The Girls Album Trailer,” is available on YouTube (uploaded around late October 2014) and runs as a short, engaging teaser highlighting the project’s theme. ***Here are some key highlights from the trailer and its context:*** The trailer features Bette Midler reflecting on the iconic girl groups that influenced her career, with clips showcasing her vibrant energy, glamorous style, and playful personality. It includes snippets of music previews, behind-the-scenes vibes, and visuals emphasizing the fun, empowering spirit of girl-group classics spanning seven decades—from the 1930s (like The Boswell Sisters’ title track) to modern hits like TLC’s “Waterfalls.” The album “It’s The Girls!” (released November 4, 2014, via Warner Bros. Records) is a tribute to girl groups, produced by Marc Shaiman and Scott Riesett. It includes Bette’s takes on songs like “Be My Baby” (The Ronettes), “Tell Him,” “You Can’t Hurry Love” (The Supremes, reimagined with a western swing twist), a duet with Darlene Love on “He’s Sure the Boy I Love,” and a cabaret-style piano ballad version of “Waterfalls.”The trailer perfectly captures the album’s joyful, nostalgic, and theatrical vibe—pure Divine Miss M magic! If you’re a fan, it’s a fun blast from the past that still holds up today. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20Trailer%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Her%20It%27s%20The%20Girls%20Album&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20Trailer%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Her%20It%27s%20The%20Girls%20Album%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20Trailer%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Her%20It%27s%20The%20Girls%20Album&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20Trailer%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Her%20It%27s%20The%20Girls%20Album%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20Trailer%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Her%20It%27s%20The%20Girls%20Album%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, It's The Girls, Music, Songs, Trailer, Video **Tags:** #Album, #BetteMidler, #Itsthegirls, #Trailer, #Video --- ### [Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Bette Midler - Roll The Holy Bones - The Hague - 1978](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/16/audio-from-the-bette-midler-archive-bette-midler-roll-the-holy-bones-the-hague-1978/) **Published:** January 16, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Performed on October 17, 1978 at the Nederlands Congresgebouw in The Hague, Netherlands during Bette's "1978 Word Tour" Written by Daniel Moore **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Bette Midler – Roll The Holy Bones – The Hague – 1978 By The Bette Midler Archive Jan. 16, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-16_15-59-50.png "2026-01-16_15-59-50 - bootleg betty")--- --- Performed on October 17, 1978 at the [**Nederlands Congresgebouw**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Forum_(The_Hague)) in The Hague, Netherlands during Bette’s “1978 Word Tour” Written by **[Daniel Moore](https://www.song-list.net/danielmoore/songs)** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Roll%20The%20Holy%20Bones%20-%20The%20Hague%20-%201978&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Roll%20The%20Holy%20Bones%20-%20The%20Hague%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Roll%20The%20Holy%20Bones%20-%20The%20Hague%20-%201978&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Roll%20The%20Holy%20Bones%20-%20The%20Hague%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Roll%20The%20Holy%20Bones%20-%20The%20Hague%20-%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** 1978 World Tour, Audio, Bette Midler, concerts, Live, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #DanielMoore, #Live, #RollTheHolyBones, #TheHague, ByTheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [Michigan Theater Combines First Wives Club Movie With Divorce Education Class](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/16/michigan-theater-combines-first-wives-club-movie-with-divorce-education-class/) **Published:** January 16, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Michigan Theater will combine entertainment with education when it screens the 1996 comedy “The First Wives Club” on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. **Content:** --- ## Michigan Live Michigan Theater Combines First Wives Club Movie With Divorce Education Class By Advance Local Express Desk Jan. 14, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-14_13-02-17.png "2026-01-14_13-02-17 - bootleg betty") --- ANN ARBOR, MI – The Michigan Theater will combine entertainment with education when it screens the 1996 comedy [**“The First Wives Club”**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/first-wives-club/) on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. The evening will feature a post-film discussion on [**divorce education**](https://divorce-education.com/), bringing together a representative from the University of Michigan Law School and event sponsors for a panel conversation. The PG-rated film follows three former college friends, played by Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton, who reconnect after nearly three decades apart. The women reunite following the suicide of a friend who had been despondent over her ex-husband’s remarriage. The trio then plots revenge against their own former husbands who have taken them for granted. The event is sponsored by Ann Arbor realtor Jodi Douglas, Howard Hanna Real Estate and Roessler Financial Consulting. The Wednesday screening is the first screening in a series called “Living Your Best Life,” which connects UM experts with the community on topics from divorce, immigration, housing and more. It plans to “give people free information on this changing legal landscape after a fun, popular screening,” a Michigan Theater and Marquee Arts representative said. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Michigan%20Theater%20Combines%20First%20Wives%20Club%20Movie%20With%20Divorce%20Education%20Class&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Michigan%20Theater%20Combines%20First%20Wives%20Club%20Movie%20With%20Divorce%20Education%20Class%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Michigan%20Theater%20Combines%20First%20Wives%20Club%20Movie%20With%20Divorce%20Education%20Class&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Michigan%20Theater%20Combines%20First%20Wives%20Club%20Movie%20With%20Divorce%20Education%20Class%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Michigan%20Theater%20Combines%20First%20Wives%20Club%20Movie%20With%20Divorce%20Education%20Class%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Education, First Wives Club, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #divorce, #Education, #FirstWivesClub, #Michigan, #Movie, #Screening --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings Too Many Fish In The Sea](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/15/video-bette-midler-sings-too-many-fish-in-the-sea/) **Published:** January 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performed her upbeat cover of "Too Many Fish in the Sea" (the classic Marvelettes hit, from her 2014 album It's the Girls!) live on the Today Show **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings Too Many Fish In The Sea By Mister D Jan. 15, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/tdy_concert_midler_141111.webp "Tdy_concert_midler_141111 - bootleg betty") --- [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) sings [\#TooManyFishInTheSea](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/toomanyfishinthesea/) 2014 on the [\#TodayShow](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/todayshow/) Very fun performance! --- --- [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) performed her upbeat cover of [**“Too Many Fish in the Sea”**](https://bootlegbetty.com/too-many-fish-in-the-sea/) (the classic Marvelettes hit, from her 2014 album It’s the Girls!) live on the Today Show on November 11, 2014. She sang it energetically for Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb during a promotional appearance, showcasing her signature vibrant style and charisma. The performance was a lively, fun rendition of the girl-group classic, perfectly fitting the album’s theme of celebrating iconic female vocal groups. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Too%20Many%20Fish%20In%20The%20Sea&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Too%20Many%20Fish%20In%20The%20Sea%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Too%20Many%20Fish%20In%20The%20Sea&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Too%20Many%20Fish%20In%20The%20Sea%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Too%20Many%20Fish%20In%20The%20Sea%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Itsthegirls, #TodayShow, #TooManyFishInTheSea, #Video --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler Sings Is That All There Is At The Jazz Center](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/15/audio-bette-midler-sings-is-that-all-there-is-at-the-jazz-center/) **Published:** January 15, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler delivered a memorable rendition of the classic "Is That All There Is?" (the iconic Peggy Lee hit from 1969, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller) in a live performance with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler Sings Is That All There Is At The Jazz Center By Mister D Jan. 15, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-14_15-10-12.png "2026-01-14_15-10-12 - bootleg betty") --- SEPTEMBER 17: [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) performs [**“Is That All There Is?”** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/is-that-all-there-is/)at the Jazz At Lincoln Centers Concert For Hurricane Relief at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center on September 17, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images) --- --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-14_15-12-41.png "2026-01-14_15-12-41 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler delivered a memorable rendition of the classic “Is That All There Is?” (the iconic Peggy Lee hit from 1969, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller) in a live performance with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (now known as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra). This jazz-infused version was recorded during a Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert and released in 2005 on the album Higher Ground – Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert. It’s a standout track that showcases Midler’s dramatic, emotive vocal style paired with the orchestra’s sophisticated big-band arrangement, giving the existential, cabaret-style song a fresh, swinging energy. The live recording captures that signature Midler flair—introspective, theatrical, and deeply felt—while honoring Peggy Lee’s original spirit. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Is%20That%20All%20There%20Is%20At%20The%20Jazz%20Center&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Is%20That%20All%20There%20Is%20At%20The%20Jazz%20Center%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Is%20That%20All%20There%20Is%20At%20The%20Jazz%20Center&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Is%20That%20All%20There%20Is%20At%20The%20Jazz%20Center%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Is%20That%20All%20There%20Is%20At%20The%20Jazz%20Center%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Live **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #IsThatAllThereIs, #JazzAtLincolnCenter, #Live, #TheJazzCenter --- ### [BetteBack May 20, 1978: What's Up Doc?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/14/betteback-may-20-1978-whats-up-doc/) **Published:** January 14, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- **[Times-Picayune](http://nola.com/ "The Times-Picayune")** **May 20, 1978** --- [![1415101904481_wps_2_ad_150000665_jpg](/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/1415101904481_wps_2_AD_150000665_jpg-450x298.jpg "1415101904481_wps_2_ad_150000665_jpg - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69703) --- [![2017-02-25_2-57-13](/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02-25_2-57-13-450x371.png "2017-02-25_2-57-13 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69702) --- [Bette Midler](http://bettemidler.com/ "Bette Midler"), [Cher](http://www.cher.com "Cher"), [Gene Simmons](http://www.genesimmons.com/ "Gene Simmons"), [Timothy Leary](http://www.leary.com/ "Timothy Leary") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20%20May%2020%2C%201978%3A%20What%27s%20Up%20Doc%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20%20May%2020%2C%201978%3A%20What%27s%20Up%20Doc%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20%20May%2020%2C%201978%3A%20What%27s%20Up%20Doc%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20%20May%2020%2C%201978%3A%20What%27s%20Up%20Doc%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20%20May%2020%2C%201978%3A%20What%27s%20Up%20Doc%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Other **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Cher, #DrTimothyLeary, #GeneSimmons, #Hollywood, #Roys, #ShaunCassidy --- ### [Video Short From Boodles BonBon: The Iconic Delores DeLago - I Will Survive](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/13/video-short-from-boodles-bonbon-the-iconic-delores-delago-i-will-survive/) **Published:** January 13, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** One of the most iconic and hilarious performances in Bette Midler's career is her alter ego Delores DeLago (the "toast of Chicago" and self-proclaimed mermaid extraordinaire) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video Short From Boodles BonBon: The Iconic Delores DeLago – I Will Survive By Boodles BonBon Jan. 14, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-13_15-23-17.png "2026-01-13_15-23-17 - bootleg betty") --- --- One of the most iconic and hilarious performances in Bette Midler’s career is her alter ego [**Delores DeLago**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/delores-delago/) (the “toast of Chicago” and self-proclaimed mermaid extraordinaire) belting out a campy, over-the-top rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s disco anthem [**“I Will Survive”**.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Will_Survive) Delores is a wheelchair-bound mermaid in a sparkling fishtail costume, often joined by backup “DeLago Sisters” (also mermaids in wheelchairs), turning the empowerment anthem into a wildly absurd, empowering, and subversive spectacle. She wriggles across the stage, flaps her tail, climbs into a motorized wheelchair, and leads a choreographed “wheelchair dance” — it’s pure Divine Miss M chaos at its finest!T This bit debuted in her late 1970s/early 1980s cabaret shows and became a highlight in tours like the 1983 Art or Bust (sometimes called “I (We) Will Survive” with the group). It’s been celebrated for flipping the mermaid trope into something defiant and adaptive. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20The%20Iconic%20Delores%20DeLago%20-%20I%20Will%20Survive&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20The%20Iconic%20Delores%20DeLago%20-%20I%20Will%20Survive%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20The%20Iconic%20Delores%20DeLago%20-%20I%20Will%20Survive&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20The%20Iconic%20Delores%20DeLago%20-%20I%20Will%20Survive%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20Short%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20The%20Iconic%20Delores%20DeLago%20-%20I%20Will%20Survive%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Delores Delago, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DeloresDelagp, #GloriaGaynor, #IWillSurvive, #Video --- ### [Audio: 3 Songs From 'The Bette Midler Archive' Gems, I Say!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/21/audio-3-songs-from-the-bette-midler-archive-gems-i-say/) **Published:** December 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio: 3 Songs From The Bette Midler Archive **Content:** --- ## You Tube Audio: 3 Songs From The Bette Midler Archive By The Bette Midler Archive Dec 22, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-21_16-12-10.png "2025-12-21_16-12-10 - bootleg betty") --- Performed on February 16, 1983, at William And Mary Hall in Williamsburg, VA, during “De Tour.” --- Performed October 18, 1973, at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, MI, during “The Divine Miss M Tour.” --- Performed on March 25, 1976, at The Westchester Premier Theatre in Tarrytown, NY, during Bette’s “Songs For The New Depression Tour.” --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%203%20Songs%20From%20%27The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%27%20Gems%2C%20I%20Say%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%203%20Songs%20From%20%27The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%27%20Gems%2C%20I%20Say%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%203%20Songs%20From%20%27The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%27%20Gems%2C%20I%20Say%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%203%20Songs%20From%20%27The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%27%20Gems%2C%20I%20Say%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%203%20Songs%20From%20%27The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%27%20Gems%2C%20I%20Say%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Songs, Tours **Tags:** #Audio, #Bette Midler, #DeltaDawn, #Music, #StayWithMe, #StrangersInTheNight, #TheBetteMidlerArchive, #Tours --- ### [Audio: The Bette Midler Archive - No Jinx (Full Stereo Mix)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/24/audio-the-bette-midler-archive-no-jinx-full-stereo-mix/) **Published:** December 24, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio: The Bette Midler Archive - No Jinx (Full Stereo Mix) **Content:** --- ## You Tube Audio: The Bette Midler Archive – No Jinx (Full Stereo Mix) The Bette Midler Archive Dec 24, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-24_12-25-03.png "2025-12-24_12-25-03 - bootleg betty")--- Full stereo mix with the elusive intro. Recorded for the film Jinxed in 1982. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20No%20Jinx%20%28Full%20Stereo%20Mix%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20No%20Jinx%20%28Full%20Stereo%20Mix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20No%20Jinx%20%28Full%20Stereo%20Mix%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20No%20Jinx%20%28Full%20Stereo%20Mix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20No%20Jinx%20%28Full%20Stereo%20Mix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Jinxed, Movies, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Jinxed, #Movie, #NoJinx, #Song --- ### [Audio: A Bette Midler/Rolling Stones Mash Up Of Beast Of Burden](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/31/audio-a-bette-midler-rolling-stones-mash-up-of-beast-of-burden/) **Published:** December 31, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio: A Bette Midler/Rolling Stones Mash Up Of Beast Of Burden **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: A Bette Midler/Rolling Stones Mash Up Of Beast Of Burden By Erix Erickson Dec. 31, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Mick-Jagger-and-Bette-Midler-beast-of-burden.webp "Mick-jagger-and-bette-midler-beast-of-burden - bootleg betty")--- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%2FRolling%20Stones%20Mash%20Up%20Of%20Beast%20Of%20Burden&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%2FRolling%20Stones%20Mash%20Up%20Of%20Beast%20Of%20Burden%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%2FRolling%20Stones%20Mash%20Up%20Of%20Beast%20Of%20Burden&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%2FRolling%20Stones%20Mash%20Up%20Of%20Beast%20Of%20Burden%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20A%20Bette%20Midler%2FRolling%20Stones%20Mash%20Up%20Of%20Beast%20Of%20Burden%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Remix **Tags:** #Audio, #BeastOfBurden, #BetteMidler, #ErixErickson, #MashUp, #RollingStones --- ### [From The Bette Midler Archive: Auld Lang Syne - Majestic Theater - 1979](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/31/from-the-bette-midler-archive-auld-lang-syne-majestic-theater-1979/) **Published:** December 31, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From The Bette Midler Archive: Auld Lang Syne - Majestic Theater - 1979 - New York **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty From The Bette Midler Archive: Auld Lang Syne – Majestic Theater – 1979 By The Bette Midler Archive Dec. 31, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/11849182_970820956297778_962513306_n.jpg "11849182_970820956297778_962513306_n - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Auld%20Lang%20Syne%20-%20Majestic%20Theater%20-%201979&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Auld%20Lang%20Syne%20-%20Majestic%20Theater%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Auld%20Lang%20Syne%20-%20Majestic%20Theater%20-%201979&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Auld%20Lang%20Syne%20-%20Majestic%20Theater%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Auld%20Lang%20Syne%20-%20Majestic%20Theater%20-%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Divine Madness, Holiday, Holidays, The Bette Midler Archive, Theatre **Tags:** #1979, #AuldLangSyne, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #DivineMadness, #MajesticTheater, #NewYork, #Theater --- ### [Audio From The Bette Midler Archive - Bette Midler - Fire Down Below/It Should've Been Me - Radio City -1983](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/07/audio-from-the-bette-midler-archive-bette-midler-fire-down-below-it-shouldve-been-me-radio-city-1983/) **Published:** January 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio From The Bette Midler Archive - Bette Midler - Fire Down Below/It Should've Been Me - Radio City -1983 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio From The Bette Midler Archive – Bette Midler – Fire Down Below/It Should’ve Been Me – Radio City -1983 By The Bette Midler Archive Jan 7, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-07_09-01-35.png "2026-01-07_09-01-35 - bootleg betty")--- ***Performed March 11, 1983 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Fire%20Down%20Below%2FIt%20Should%27ve%20Been%20Me%20-%20Radio%20City%20-1983&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Fire%20Down%20Below%2FIt%20Should%27ve%20Been%20Me%20-%20Radio%20City%20-1983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Fire%20Down%20Below%2FIt%20Should%27ve%20Been%20Me%20-%20Radio%20City%20-1983&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Fire%20Down%20Below%2FIt%20Should%27ve%20Been%20Me%20-%20Radio%20City%20-1983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Fire%20Down%20Below%2FIt%20Should%27ve%20Been%20Me%20-%20Radio%20City%20-1983%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Art Or Bust, Audio, Bette Midler, concerts, De Tour, Music, Songs, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #ArtOrBust, #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BetteMidlerArchive, #Concerts, #DeTour, #FireDownBelow, #ItShouldveBeenMe, #Live, #RadioCity --- ### [Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Bette Midler - Long John Blues/Blue Rondo A La Turk - 1976](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/08/audio-from-the-bette-midler-archive-bette-midler-long-john-blues-blue-rondo-a-la-turk-1976/) **Published:** January 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Bette Midler – Long John Blues/Blue Rondo A La Turk – 1976 By The Bette Midler Archive Jan. 8, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-08_19-12-49.png "2026-01-08_19-12-49 - bootleg betty")--- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%2FBlue%20Rondo%20A%20La%20Turk%20-%201976&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%2FBlue%20Rondo%20A%20La%20Turk%20-%201976%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%2FBlue%20Rondo%20A%20La%20Turk%20-%201976&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%2FBlue%20Rondo%20A%20La%20Turk%20-%201976%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Long%20John%20Blues%2FBlue%20Rondo%20A%20La%20Turk%20-%201976%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, concerts, Depression Tour, Music, Songs, Songs For The New Depression, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BlueRondoALaTurk, #Concerts, #depression, #LongJohnBlues, #TheBetteMidlerArchive, #TheDepressionTour --- ### [Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Bette Midler - La Vie En Rose / Superstar (Live) 1977](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/12/audio-from-the-bette-midler-archive-bette-midler-la-vie-en-rose-superstar-live-1977/) **Published:** January 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler sings La Vie En Rose/Superstar at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on December 15, 1977 to a raucous crowd. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Bette Midler – La Vie En Rose / Superstar (Live) 1977 By The Bette Midler Archive Jan 12, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-12_13-48-58.png "2026-01-12_13-48-58 - bootleg betty")--- Bette Midler sings La Vie En Rose/Superstar at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on December 15, 1977 to a raucous crowd. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20La%20Vie%20En%20Rose%20%2F%20Superstar%20%28Live%29%201977&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20La%20Vie%20En%20Rose%20%2F%20Superstar%20%28Live%29%201977%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20La%20Vie%20En%20Rose%20%2F%20Superstar%20%28Live%29%201977&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20La%20Vie%20En%20Rose%20%2F%20Superstar%20%28Live%29%201977%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20La%20Vie%20En%20Rose%20%2F%20Superstar%20%28Live%29%201977%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** An Intimate Evening, Audio, Bette Midler, concerts, Music, Songs, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #LaVieEnRose, #Live, #RoxyTheatre, #Superstar, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Lady Madonna - Johnny Carson - 1970](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/04/audio-from-the-bette-midler-archive-lady-madonna-johnny-carson-1970/) **Published:** January 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Lady Madonna - Johnny Carson - 1970 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Lady Madonna – Johnny Carson – 1970 By The Bette Midler Archive Jan 4, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-04_11-13-47.png "2026-01-04_11-13-47 - bootleg betty")--- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Lady%20Madonna%20-%20Johnny%20Carson%20-%201970&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Lady%20Madonna%20-%20Johnny%20Carson%20-%201970%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Lady%20Madonna%20-%20Johnny%20Carson%20-%201970&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Lady%20Madonna%20-%20Johnny%20Carson%20-%201970%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Lady%20Madonna%20-%20Johnny%20Carson%20-%201970%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Talk Show, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BetteMidlerArchive, #LadyMadonna, #TheBeatles --- ### [Video: The Top 20 Funniest Golden Globe Speeches! Guess Who's Number One?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/12/video-the-top-20-funniest-golden-globe-speeches-guess-whos-number-one/) **Published:** January 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Get ready to laugh out loud with some of the most hilarious moments from the Golden Globes **Content:** --- ## Watch Mojo The Top 20 Funniest Golden Globe Speeches! Guess Who’s Number One? By Nick Spake Jan. 13, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/openpostbettemidler2016-500x508-1.jpg "Openpostbettemidler2016-500x508-1 - bootleg betty") --- Get ready to laugh out loud with some of the most hilarious moments from the [**Golden Globes**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/11/bette-midler-doubles-the-celebration-at-the-1980s-golden-globes/) stage! From witty one-liners to cheeky thank-yous, this collection showcases unforgettable [**speeches** ](https://www.americanrhetoric.com/newtop100speeches.htm)by comedy legends and surprise stars alike. Watch as icons like Bill Murray, Steve Carell, and Jennifer Lawrence bring their unique humor to the spotlight and leave the audience roaring with laughter. Highlights include Julie Andrews’ polite shade, Tracy Morgan’s sharp-tongued gratitude, and Jennifer Coolidge’s delightfully bizarre thank-yous. Which speech had you cracking up the hardest? Tell us your favorite in the comments! **\#20: Julie Andrews** “22nd Golden Globe Awards” (1965) Although Julie Andrews played Eliza Doolittle in the Broadway production of “My Fair Lady,” Jack Warner wanted a name that film audiences were more accustomed to for the screen adaptation. Enter Audrey Hepburn. Despite being better known as a stage performer at the time, Andrews soon became a household name with her iconic turn as Mary Poppins. In an ironic turn, Hepburn and Andrews were nominated against each other at the Golden Globes for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Andrews prevailed, cheekily thanking the person who made this possible: Jack Warner. It was a polite way of throwing shade at Warner for not casting her, although even Jack seemed to be laughing so hard that he wiped tears from his eyes. ## \#19: Seth Rogen “83rd Golden Globe Awards” (2026) Talk about a full circle award show moment. “The Studio” may be the ultimate Hollywood in-joke, with a revolving door of celebrities playing themselves amid a barrage of inside baseball. Among the A-listers who got in on the gag were Zoë Kravitz and Dave Franco. It was practically preordained when Kravitz and Franco presented a Golden Globe to the star of “The Studio,” Seth Rogen. The irony wasn’t lost on Rogen, who noted that one of his show’s episodes revolved around his character wanting recognition at the Globes. He might not have thanked Sal Saperstein, but he did give a shout-out to fellow nominees Steve Martin and Martin Short, reminiscing about how he dreamed of beating them someday. They’d better be in Season 2. ## \#18: Tracy Morgan “66th Golden Globe Awards” (2009) “30 Rock” was an awards magnet, although Tracy Morgan often went overlooked for his uproarious performance as Tracy Jordan. That doesn’t mean he never got a chance to give an acceptance speech. When “30 Rock” won the Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy Series, Morgan got to speak on the show’s behalf. Morgan proclaimed he’d be giving all of the acceptance speeches henceforth because Barack Obama had recently won the presidency. While Morgan’s comment about “post-racial America” plays differently given what came several years later, his speech was still a laugh riot, taking shots at Cate Blanchett and the Emmys. Among his list of thank-yous, Morgan mentioned the lady from craft service before Alec Baldwin reminded him to also mention their then-boss, Jeff Zucker. ## \#17: Hugh Laurie “63rd Golden Globe Awards” (2006) & “64th Golden Globe Awards” (2007) Hugh Laurie won back-to-back Golden Globes for his performance as Dr. Gregory House. For some American audiences, his 2006 win was the moment that made them say, “Wait, he’s British?” They also realized that Laurie was funny, and not in a purely cynical Dr. House way. Laurie wanted to thank 172 people. With limited time, he drew three names from his pocket in a lottery of sorts. Make that four, as he threw out one name in exchange for another. Laurie would get around to thanking several others regardless. He’d thank more people the following year, although he wished somebody else could’ve written a speech for him. If that had been the case, though, we would’ve been deprived of this comedic gold: “somebody somewhere is working with a crew of drunken thieves.” ## \#16: Bill Murray “61st Golden Globe Awards” (2004) Bill Murray demonstrated his serious chops in “Lost in Translation,” although that film was still submitted as a comedy at the Golden Globes. When Murray won for his performance, he leaned into his sarcastic persona, starting by saying that he had fired his agents months ago. Murray thanked the studios that made the film possible while also mocking the various employees taking credit. The one truly responsible was writer/director Sofia Coppola, who made Murray the envy of everyone else in the room. Murray not only found the time to thank his fellow comedy nominees, but also to spotlight the forgotten dramatic actors. In reality, drama often overshadows comedy at awards. Murray’s speech is a testament to the phrase, “Dying is easy, comedy is hard.” ## \#15: Robert Downey Jr. “67th Golden Globe Awards” (2010) Sherlock Holmes is always ten steps ahead, but Robert Downey Jr. was seemingly caught off guard when he won a Golden Globe for playing the master detective. That might be because his wife, Susan Downey, said Matt Damon was going to win. Without a speech prepared, Downey said that he had nobody to thank. So instead, he listed all of the people that he wasn’t going to thank. While Downey clearly had great affection for all of the people he mentioned, he argued that they should all be bowing down to him. Fair enough, as we’re not sure that “Sherlock Holmes” would’ve been able to compete with “Avatar” at the box office if it didn’t have Tony Stark in the lead role. ## \#14: Geena Davis “63rd Golden Globe Awards” (2006) While it only lasted one season, Geena Davis won a Golden Globe for her performance as the first female U.S. president in the ABC series, “Commander in Chief.” Davis’ speech commenced on an inspirational note, recalling how a little girl in attendance that night told her that she wanted to be president someday. And it was all thanks to Davis’ performance. Just as the room filled with applause and audible “awws,” Davis swiped the rug out from under everyone. She totally made that story up! Suddenly, the most touching moment of the night shifted to one of the funniest. This speech alone should’ve gotten Davis’ show another season. Alas, we were deprived of more episodes and speeches like this one. ## \#13: Ricky Gervais “61st Golden Globe Awards” (2004) Years before he was invited to host the Golden Globes, Ricky Gervais shared in a victory for the U.K. version of “The Office.” It was an early taste of the sardonic wit that Gervais would bring to future ceremonies. The comedian wasn’t quite as savage here, however. He came off more like a fish out of water, not only because Gervais wasn’t expecting to win, but because he was still relatively new to American audiences at the time. For Yanks unfamiliar with the Brits, Gervais noted that his country used to run the world before the States. Tame compared to some of the jokes he’d make in later years, but Gervais was still the funniest person in the room. ## \#12: Steve Carell “63rd Golden Globe Awards” (2006) From one “Office” boss to another, Steve Carell found himself in the same position as Gervais just two years later. Winning for his performance as Michael Scott, Carell said that he didn’t write anything in preparation… but his wife, Nancy Walls, did. Nancy was naturally thanked more than once in the speech, eventually getting a little too personal. Carell discussed how their children were brought into this world, and suggested that his career aspirations might’ve eclipsed his wife’s own life. It ultimately ends on a sweet note, although we are curious if Walls actually wrote everything Carell read. Either way, we have no doubt that their marriage is one full of love and laughs, much like this speech. ## \#11: Sacha Baron Cohen “64th Golden Globe Awards” (2007) By early 2007, we all knew who Borat was, but Sacha Baron Cohen hadn’t made many public appearances out of character. His win at the Golden Gloves gave audiences a chance to see the real man behind Borat. That doesn’t mean Cohen was about to get serious on us. While he thanked a handful of individuals, Cohen spent much of the speech talking about his infamous nude wrestling match with co-star Ken Davitian. Going into graphic detail, Cohen declared that he deserved an award for getting so up close and personal with Davitian’s “golden globes.” The sacrifices artists make for their craft. Before being played off, Cohen got in a few more thank yous, especially to those who hadn’t sued him. ## \#10: Tina Fey “66th Golden Globe Awards” (2009) The creator and star of “30 Rock” gave a lesson in self-confidence when she collected the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. After taking a fun poke at what was then known as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which presents the awards, Tina Fey thanks the usual suspects. Her husband receives a mention, of course, but only after a few noteworthy others. Fey decides to use her time at the mic to send a message to all her online haters. There are even a few she mentions by name. Now this is the kind of name dropping we’d like to see more of at awards shows. ## \#9: Jennifer Lawrence “70th Golden Globe Awards” (2013) When the “Silver Linings Playbook” actress won the Globe over legendary actress and perennial award winner Meryl Streep, she proudly told the audience, “I beat Meryl.” This didn’t go over well with some viewers. Lindsay Lohan herself was one of many tweeting at this young upstart who was sullying the good name of a Hollywood legend. But those in the know realized it was a tongue-in-cheek reference to a line of dialogue from “The First Wives Club.” Lawrence brought her usual awkward banter and self-deprecating sense of humor to the stage when she collected the award. ## \#8: Taraji P. Henson “73rd Golden Globe Awards” (2016) If there’s one thing you’re not gonna do, it’s step on Taraji P. Henson’s train. Someone learned that the hard way when she won her Golden Globe. The “Empire” actress was working the room all the way up to the podium, but once she got there, she was determined to give her entire speech. So, when that little message flashed on the screen telling her to hurry up, Henson was not having it at all. She let the producers and everyone in charge know that after 20 years of waiting, she was going to have her time at the mic. ## \#7: Jim Carrey “56th Golden Globe Awards” (1999) He may be one of Hollywood’s funniest actors, but at the 1999 Golden Globes, Jim Carrey was the big winner for Best Actor in a Drama. Recognized for his work in “The Truman Show,” Carrey balances his usual rambunctious wit with a promise to be a bit more serious. It somehow makes his speech even funnier. He manages to poke fun at his own career, as his filmography up to that point doesn’t necessarily scream award-winning actor. Carrey also takes a few good-hearted pot shots at the Golden Globes ceremony itself while still maintaining a genuine appreciation for winning it. ## \#6: Jack Nicholson “60th Golden Globe Awards” (2003) Upon receiving his award for Best Actor in a Drama for “About Schmidt,” the acclaimed actor expresses some confusion at the movie’s classification as a drama. Regardless, he plows on with thanks for his fellow castmates. His mocking speech has the entire room, including his co-stars, in uproarious laughter the entire time. It’s a bonkers moment that only the acting veteran could deliver so winningly. But it’s his candid confession as he prepares to leave the stage that really brings the house down. ## \#5: Hugh Grant “52nd Golden Globe Awards” (1995) For some reason, everything just sounds more charming with an English accent. As the Best Actor winner for “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” Hugh Grant isn’t afraid to say how elated he is to win his Golden Globe. In fact, he’s practically rhapsodic about how it feels to win any award at all. Playing up his dashing persona with a few sarcastic, backhanded compliments at his director, writer, and co-stars, Grant is like a comedian doing a tight five. The place looks more like a comedy club than an awards ceremony by the time he was through with it. ## \#4: Jennifer Coolidge “80th Golden Globe Awards” (2023) Picking up an award for “The White Lotus,” the beloved character actress gives a delightful speech in her characteristically airy style. It’s equal parts emotional and completely bizarre in a way only Jennifer Coolidge can deliver. Her natural comedy chops are on full display. Dropping obscenities and hilarious anecdotes at a breakneck pace, Coolidge is switching gears throughout. She punctuates heartfelt thanks to “White Lotus” creator Mike White with dazzling nonsequiturs about wanting to be queen of Monaco and her gratitude that her neighbors finally speak to her. Let’s nominate her every year, please. It doesn’t matter if she’s in something. **\#3: Robin Williams & Christine Lahti** “55th Golden Globe Awards” (1998) The late, great funny man hadn’t actually won the Golden Globe this year. When Christine Lahti wins the award for “Chicago Hope,” Robin Williams sees an opportunity to entertain the people and he takes it. Lahti, who has just won the Best Actress in a Drama Series Golden Globe, is in the bathroom. Williams vamps with a few jokes before Lahti finally arrives. Lahti carries off her embarrassment beautifully, getting a few zingers in herself. Williams’ expert skills at working a crowd and their incredible bit with a hand towel make it one of the most memorable and hysterical acceptance speeches of all time. ## \#2: Emma Thompson “53rd Golden Globe Awards” (1996) Winning the Best Screenplay Award for “Sense and Sensibility,” Emma Thompson decides to pay tribute to the famed writer of the original novel. Adopting an elegant, haughty accent, she dresses her thanks in a pithy statement written from the point of view of long-dead author Jane Austen. Her musings about the night as if she were some perplexed time traveler from the 18th Century are a fun twist on the standard acceptance speech. In Austen’s voice, she gives begrudging compliments to her co-stars and various celebrities present and takes a final, withering shot at herself, even getting her own name wrong. ## \#1: Bette Midler “37th Golden Globe Awards” (1980) Before she was the grande dame, she was a nightclub act who made it big. Bette Midler had recently made her explosive film debut in “The Rose” after years of risqué concerts and TV appearances. Winning two Golden Globes for her first film performance, Midler just can’t help herself. She insists she’s a good girl now that she’s being accepted by the prestigious Hollywood establishment. But between a devastatingly dirty pun about her own pair of Golden Globes and miming a lewd act with the statuette, she shows stardom hasn’t changed her at all. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20The%20Top%2020%20Funniest%20Golden%20Globe%20Speeches%21%20Guess%20Who%27s%20Number%20One%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20The%20Top%2020%20Funniest%20Golden%20Globe%20Speeches%21%20Guess%20Who%27s%20Number%20One%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20The%20Top%2020%20Funniest%20Golden%20Globe%20Speeches%21%20Guess%20Who%27s%20Number%20One%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20The%20Top%2020%20Funniest%20Golden%20Globe%20Speeches%21%20Guess%20Who%27s%20Number%20One%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20The%20Top%2020%20Funniest%20Golden%20Globe%20Speeches%21%20Guess%20Who%27s%20Number%20One%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Golden Globes, Video **Tags:** #Awards, #BetteMidler, #GoldenGlobes, #Speeches --- ### [Beaches The Musical Holds Open Casting Call For A Little Cee Cee ASAP](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/12/beaches-the-musical-holds-open-casting-call-for-a-little-cee-cee-asap/) **Published:** January 12, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The musical will hold an open casting search for an actor to star as Little Cee Cee this season on Broadway. **Content:** --- ## Playbill Beaches The Musical Holds Open Casting Call For A Young Cee Cee ASAP By Logan Culwell-Block January 12, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-12_14-31-07.png "2026-01-12_14-31-07 - bootleg betty") --- Are you a young star-to-be? Broadway’s upcoming *Beaches* is embarking on an open casting search to find their Little Cee Cee, the childhood version of the character to be played by [Jessica Vosk](https://playbill.com/person/jessica-vosk-vault-0000123020) in adulthood in the screen-to-stage musical. Performances begin March 27 ahead of an April 22 opening night at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre, with [Lonny Price](https://playbill.com/person/lonny-price-vault-0000019196) and [Matt Cowart](https://playbill.com/person/matt-cowart-vault-0000019266) co-directing. **The production is accepting video auditions for the role through January 16 at 4 PM ET. For full details and to submit, visit [BeachesTheMusical.com](https://beachesthemusical.com/virtual-open-call/).** As previously announced, the musical based on [Iris Rainer Dart](https://playbill.com/person/iris-rainer-dart-vault-0000115977)‘s novel (also the source material of the 1988 film of the same name) will debut on Broadway before embarking on a national tour. The Broadway run will continue through September 6. Leading the musical will be Vosk (*Hell’s Kitchen*, *Wicked*) as Cee Cee and [Kelli Barrett](https://playbill.com/person/kelli-barrett-vault-0000046790) (*Parade*) as Bertie, both reprising the roles they created in this production’s world premiere at Canada’s Theatre Calgary last year. Also back from that run will be co-directors Price (*Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill*) and Cowart. Further casting, by [The TRC Company](https://playbill.com/person/the-trc-company)‘s Peter Van Dam, is to be announced. Released in 1985, Dart’s novel tracks a lifelong friendship between the mild-mannered Bertie and larger-than-life Cee Cee. The book became a famous tear jerker of a feature film in 1988, with Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey co-starring. Idina Menzel and Nia Long also starred in a 2017 made-for-television remake for Lifetime. The *Beaches* musical has been in development for more than a decade. It was first staged in 2014 at Signature Theater in Arlington, Virginia, starring [Mara Davi](https://playbill.com/person/mara-davi-vault-0000063656) and [Alysha Umphress](https://playbill.com/person/alysha-umphress-vault-0000030920); that production was directed by Eric Schaeffer and featured a different composer (David Austin). The upcoming Broadway version features a book by Dart and [Thom Thomas](https://playbill.com/person/thom-thomas), music by [Mike Stoller](https://playbill.com/person/mike-stoller-vault-0000007009), and lyrics by Dart. The Broadway staging will also feature choreography by [Jennifer Rias](https://playbill.com/person/jennifer-rias-vault-0000118409) (*A Doll’s House*), music supervision by [Joseph Thalken](https://playbill.com/person/joseph-thalken-vault-0000005361), orchestrations by [Charlie Rosen](https://playbill.com/person/charlie-rosen-vault-0000009424) (*Moulin Rouge!*), scenic design by [James Noone](https://playbill.com/person/james-noone-vault-0000022135) (*Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill*), costume design by [Tracy Christensen](https://playbill.com/person/tracy-christensen-vault-0000003735) (*Sunset Boulevard*), lighting design by [Ken Billington](https://playbill.com/person/ken-billington-vault-0000003255) (*Chicago*), sound design by [Kai Harada](https://playbill.com/person/kai-harada-vault-0000002124) (*Merrily We Roll Along*), projection design by [David Bengali](https://playbill.com/person/david-bengali-vault-0000124658) (*Water for Elephants*), and wig, hair, and make-up design by [J. Jared Janas](https://playbill.com/person/j-jared-janas-vault-0000124196) (*Buena Vista Social Club*). [Thomas Recktenwald](https://playbill.com/person/thomas-recktenwald-vault-0000012513) will serve as production stage manager, and Alchemy Production Group will general manage. [Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso](https://playbill.com/person/jennifer-maloney-prezioso-producer), [Douglas McJannet](https://playbill.com/person/douglas-mcjannet-producer) for [Arden Entertainment](https://playbill.com/person/arden-entertainment-producer), [Alison Spiriti](https://playbill.com/person/alison-spiriti-producer) & [Justin Sudds](https://playbill.com/person/justin-sudds-producer) for [Right Angle Entertainment](https://playbill.com/person/right-angle-entertainment-producer), and [Ryan Bogner](https://playbill.com/person/ryan-bogner-producer) & [Tracey McFarland](https://playbill.com/person/tracey-mcfarland-producer) for Broadway & Beyond Theatricals are producing. The tour will be produced by [Crossroads Live](https://playbill.com/person/crossroads-live). Tickets go on pre-sale January 20 with registration at [BeachesTheMusical.com](http://www.beachesthemusical.com/). General sales begin January 22. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Holds%20Open%20Casting%20Call%20For%20A%20Little%20Cee%20Cee%20ASAP&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Holds%20Open%20Casting%20Call%20For%20A%20Little%20Cee%20Cee%20ASAP%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Holds%20Open%20Casting%20Call%20For%20A%20Little%20Cee%20Cee%20ASAP&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Holds%20Open%20Casting%20Call%20For%20A%20Little%20Cee%20Cee%20ASAP%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Beaches%20The%20Musical%20Holds%20Open%20Casting%20Call%20For%20A%20Little%20Cee%20Cee%20ASAP%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler **Tags:** #BeachesTheMusical, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #CastingCall, #CeeCee, #LittleCeeCee --- ### [Bette Midler Doubles The Celebration At The 1980s Golden Globes](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/11/bette-midler-doubles-the-celebration-at-the-1980s-golden-globes/) **Published:** January 11, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler walked away with not one, but two trophies at the 1980 Golden Globes: Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy and the since-discontinued, New Star of the Year — Actress for her film, The Rose. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Doubles The Celebration At The 1980s Golden Globes By Mister D Jan 11, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-11_15-00-18.png "2026-01-11_15-00-18 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/television/#.VhugxFRViko) walked away with not one, but two trophies at the 1980 Golden Globes: Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy and the since-discontinued, New Star of the Year — Actress for her film, The Rose. Bette Midler had a spectacular night at the 37th [**Golden Globe Awards**](https://goldenglobes.com/), held on January 26, 1980, for her film debut in the 1979 musical drama The Rose.In this loosely Janis Joplin-inspired role, Midler played the self-destructive rock star Mary Rose Foster, delivering a powerful performance that showcased her singing, acting, and dramatic depth. She took home two Golden Globes that night: - Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (for her starring role in The Rose) - New Star of the Year – Actress (recognizing her breakthrough in film) These wins marked a huge milestone, as The Rose was her first major film role after years of success as a singer and stage performer (famously known as “The Divine Miss M”). The evening is perhaps best remembered for Midler’s hilarious and famously cheeky acceptance speech—especially for the Best Actress win—where she playfully referenced a Joan Crawford anecdote and joked about showing “a pair of Golden Globes” (complete with some comedic groping of herself), before pretending to be embarrassed and declaring, “Excuse me, I’m sorry. I’m different now. I’m a good girl!”This bold, irreverent moment perfectly captured her vaudeville-style humor and became one of the most talked-about (and quoted) speeches in Golden Globes history. The success helped propel Midler to an Oscar nomination for Best Actress that same year (though she didn’t win the Academy Award). Overall, it was a triumphant Hollywood introduction for one of entertainment’s most versatile icons! --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Doubles%20The%20Celebration%20At%20The%201980s%20Golden%20Globes&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Doubles%20The%20Celebration%20At%20The%201980s%20Golden%20Globes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Doubles%20The%20Celebration%20At%20The%201980s%20Golden%20Globes&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Doubles%20The%20Celebration%20At%20The%201980s%20Golden%20Globes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Doubles%20The%20Celebration%20At%20The%201980s%20Golden%20Globes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Golden Globes, the Rose **Tags:** #Awards, #BestActress, #BetteMidler, #GoldenGlobes, #NewStar, #TheRose --- ### [Video: Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe - Bette Midler - Tribute To Joe Layton](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/10/video-happiness-is-a-thing-called-joe-bette-midler-tribute-to-joe-layton/) **Published:** January 10, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In April 1995, Bette Midler delivered a deeply moving and heartfelt tribute to the late director and choreographer Joe Layton during a special benefit concert at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, organized by L.A. Shanti. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty [Video: Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe – Bette Midler – Tribute To Joe Layton]() By The Divine Miss M Fansite Jan. 10, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-03_14-44-44.png "2026-01-03_14-44-44 - bootleg betty") --- --- **A Tribute to Joe Layton by Bette Midler: “Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe”** In April 1995, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) delivered a deeply moving and heartfelt tribute to the late director and choreographer Joe Layton during a special benefit concert at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, organized by L.A. Shanti. [**Joe Layton**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Layton), a Tony and Emmy Award winner known for his groundbreaking work in Broadway, television, and concert staging, had passed away on May 5, 1994, at the age of 64 due to complications from AIDS. He had collaborated closely with Bette Midler, notably conceiving and directing her acclaimed 1975 Broadway revue Clams on the Half Shell and later choreographing her 1991 film For the Boys. The event featured an impressive lineup of performers honoring Layton’s legacy, but Midler closed the show with a tender and emotional performance. She sang “Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe” — the classic Harold Arlen/Yip Harburg standard from the 1943 film Cabin in the Sky — as a poignant nod to Layton, playfully adapting the “Joe” in the title to honor her friend and collaborator. She followed it with “Wind Beneath My Wings,” creating a fitting, heartfelt conclusion to the evening that was described by critics as both tender and deeply moving. Here are the lyrics to “Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe” (as performed by Bette Midler on her 2005 album Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook, though her 1995 live tribute rendition carried special emotional weight):It seems like happiness is just a thing called Joe *He’s got a smile that makes the lilacs want to grow He’s got a way that makes the angels heave a sigh When they know little Joe’s passing by Sometimes the cabin’s gloomy and the table’s bare But then he’ll kiss me and it’s Christmas everywhere Troubles fly away and life is easy go Does he love me good? That’s all I need to know Seems like happiness is just a thing called Joe Little Joe, my little Joe, little Joe* This performance stands as one of the most touching tributes in Midler’s career, blending her signature warmth, humor, and vocal power to celebrate a creative partnership that helped shape her early success on Broadway. For a sense of the song’s timeless, joyful vibe (as interpreted by Midler in her studio recording), imagine her rich, emotive delivery turning the standard into a loving homage. It’s a beautiful reminder of how music can honor those we’ve lost. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Happiness%20Is%20A%20Thing%20Called%20Joe%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tribute%20To%20Joe%20Layton&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Happiness%20Is%20A%20Thing%20Called%20Joe%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tribute%20To%20Joe%20Layton%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Happiness%20Is%20A%20Thing%20Called%20Joe%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tribute%20To%20Joe%20Layton&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Happiness%20Is%20A%20Thing%20Called%20Joe%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tribute%20To%20Joe%20Layton%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Happiness%20Is%20A%20Thing%20Called%20Joe%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Tribute%20To%20Joe%20Layton%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Tributes, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HappinessIsAThingCalledJoe, #JoeLayton, #Tribute, #Video --- ### [Video From Boodles BonBon - Bette Midler, A Bugger Of A Joke](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/09/video-from-boodles-bonbon-bette-midler-a-bugger-of-a-joke/) **Published:** January 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video From Boodles BonBon - Bette Midler, A Bugger Of A Joke **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video From Boodles BonBon – Bette Midler, A Bugger Of A Joke By Boodles BonBon January 9. 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/504926023_9955752387848404_854506196659042553_n.jpg "504926023_9955752387848404_854506196659042553_n - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20A%20Bugger%20Of%20A%20Joke&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20A%20Bugger%20Of%20A%20Joke%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20A%20Bugger%20Of%20A%20Joke&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20A%20Bugger%20Of%20A%20Joke%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20A%20Bugger%20Of%20A%20Joke%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Soph Jokes, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Bugger, #Joke, #SophJokes, Video --- ### [Never Mind The Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/09/never-mind-the-happy-showbiz-stories-from-a-sore-winner/) **Published:** January 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The first half of that title is misleading: It’s what his mother said when wished a Happy New Year. Shaiman repeatedly calls himself an Eeyore (the depressed stuffed donkey in Winnie the Pooh), **Content:** --- ## New York Theater Never Mind The Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner By New York Theater Jan. 9, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Marc-Shaiman-bio-1024x1024.jpg "Marc-shaiman-bio - bootleg betty") --- [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/), one-half the songwriting team behind the Broadway musicals “Hairspray,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “Some Like It Hot,” and “Smash,” doesn’t even start to tell us about any of his musicals until more than halfway through his new memoir, [“ Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner” ](https://playbill.com/article/marc-shaiman-to-tour-in-support-of-new-memoir-never-mind-the-happy-showbiz-stories-from-a-sore-winner)(Regalo Press, 298 pages) The first half of that title is misleading: It’s what his mother said when wished a Happy New Year. Shaiman repeatedly calls himself an Eeyore (the depressed stuffed donkey in Winnie the Pooh), but in truth the predominant mood that comes through these pages is gleeful, not gloomy, as Shaiman recounts the promised “showbiz” anecdotes from his half century as a successful composer for stage and screen – and as a piano player, performer, lyricist, arranger, orchestrator, musical director, conductor, and, above all, an accompanist. That particular role reflects the two most persistent aspects of his character, both evident from an early age – musical talent and star-struck fan. He was a gay Jewish nerd growing up in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, who put posters of his “idol” Bette Midler on the wall of his room at age 13, and “devoured” her albums; it’s astonishing that just four years later, he started playing piano for her. He dedicates the book to Midler, whom he calls at various points his “all-time favorite performer,” his best friend, his older sister. But not his only celebrity obsession. He also has room for a chapter on the one time he accompanied Barbra Streisand, on one of her signature songs, “Happy Days Are Here Again,” an experience that, he writes, “made me truly Hollywood’s happiest homosexual.” Shaiman devotes chapters to his friendships, and working relationship, with Billy Crystal and Martin Short, and tells anecdotes about Mariah Carey, Raquel Welch, Shirley MacLaine. He offers an entire chapter on the night he got Stephen Sondheim so high on marijuana that the older composer fell on the floor three separate times. He quotes Sondheim as saying on the phone the next day: “Just do me a favor and wait until I’m dead to tell this story.” “Well, Mr. Sondheim, I waited,” Shaiman writes. “It was hard, but I waited.” With only a few exceptions, his celebrity anecdotes are good-natured, even adoring. He even defends producer Scott Rudin, for whom he scored several hit movies (“Sister Act,” “The Addams Family,” “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut.” “The First Wives Club”) Although he writes of some tense interactions ( “his temper was often uncalled for”) he concludes the chapter reacting to Rudin’s “cancellation”: “Complicated as he is, one cannot deny that he is a genius producer with taste, smarts, and a phenomenal track record, and I for one am glad to hear he has worked on himself and is coming back to where he belongs.” Shaiman is not as magnanimous towards Nora Ephron, recounting how arbitrary and undermining she was when he scored her film “Sleepless in Seattle,” for which he received the first of his seven Oscar nominations, for the song “A Wink and a Smile.” At one point, she “witheringly” rejected his orchestration because, as she told him, “I just found out I don’t like oboes.” The chapter about her ends with his saying that they eventually reconciled and “I can say with all sincerity that my heart broke when she died too young” – then acidly adds: “I’m certain she is in heaven, telling all the angels she doesn’t like harps.” Among the strongest chapters in the book are the early ones about his childhood and the precocious launch of his musical career, with the now storied tale of his meeting Scott Wittman at the Greenwich Village piano bar Marie’s Crisis when Wittman was 21 and Shaiman was just 16 years old, the beginning of a partnership that has lasted fifty years, and a romantic relationship that endured for the first twenty-five. Theater lovers will especially appreciate the chapters on their Broadway musicals, particularly his chronicle of the making of “Hairspray,” the long-running adaptation of John Waters’ movie that won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and Best Score for Wittman and Shaiman. Producer Margo Lion had asked him to write the music, after his success scoring the similarly toned South Park movie, but wanted somebody else to write the lyrics; this fed into his “pet peeve”: “It just seems impossible for people to comprehend that I am also a lyricist” (This may help explain why “Never Mind the Happy” features the lyrics from almost three dozen songs, most of which he has written, some of which he only arranged.) When Shaiman insisted that he and Wittman do both music and lyrics, Lion asked him to audition. Shaiman recounts how the two of them get to work the very next day, Wittman telling him: “The show should open like Oklahoma the way Curly sings of the glory of the open prairie with Oh, what a beautiful morning. But in this case, it’s Tracy Turnblad who has such a positive attitude that she can open her window look at all the flashers and rats in the John Waters version of Baltimore, and still sing about it with love and pride” Shaiman comments: “ And off to the piano I went. This is often how Scott and I work. He is also a director, and thinks about a song with a director’s perspective. Once he sees it in his head, we search for a title, and 98 per cent of the time that title comes from Scott. So with Scott’s description in mind, I wrote a first draft of ‘Good Morning, Baltimore. “ Such fascinating glimpses into their work makes it all the more baffling that Shaiman seems to downplay his Broadway musicals in several ways. He writes, for example: “It’s understandable that the chapters in this book about Hairspray would be the lengthiest, but enough already. If you want to know more, give me a call.” His two chapters on Hairspray take up a not-at-all-excessive thirty pages, which includes four photographs. His chapters on his other musicals run to as little as six pages, some largely filled with lyrics. In his acknowledgements page, he thanks “the two most important men in my life, Scott Wittman and Lou Mirabel. Each have loved me through thick and thin (not to mention fat and thin) and are both deserving of far more presence in this tome, but I simply had to include that Carol Channing and Mary Martin chapter, and I hit my word limit!” He is referring to the description of his encounter with the two performers when he was hired to arrange a song for the play in which they co-starred, entitled “Legends!” which, he reports, “got legendarily bad reviews wherever it toured.” But that anecdote takes up little more than two pages, plus two photographs of him hugging each of them. He is, in other words, joking about hitting his word limit. But it’s a telling comment nonetheless, a clue as to his priorities in the book. I’m not sure what more he needed to say about Lou Mirabel, the Navy veteran he married in 2016, with whom he has never worked. But it is a surprise and a disappointment how relatively little there is about Scott Wittman. We do hear Wittman’s ideas, such as the one I just quoted, throughout “Never Mind The Happy” but we don’t get a solid sense of him as a person, and Shaiman doesn’t tell us why they broke up. (He writes little more than: “I won’t pretend our breakup wasn’t painful but hard as it sometimes was, we had to – or chose to – continue to work together.”) Is Shaiman’s focus on celebrity anecdotes a strategy to try to make his book more marketable, or is it a reflection of his world view, never having completely escaped his poster-plastered room in Scotch Plains, New Jersey? The New Jersey in him accounts for much of the warmth and humor that shines through even some of his most relentless celebrity inventory, such as the story he tells of his decision to combine his wedding with a celebration of Mirabal’s retirement from the Navy. “None of my friends were going to schlep to a VFW Hall in Bogota, New Jersey for his retirement ceremony. But for a wedding? Yes, it turns out, they would schlep for that. That afternoon, one side of the room was full of Lou’s friends and family, ready to applaud his service, while the other side was a celebrity filled group, all trying hard not to let on that they knew. I don’t think the denizens of this VFW Hall ever expected to see Bette Midler, Whoopi Goldberg, Jenifer Lewis, Darlene Love, Nathan Lane and Patti LuPone among the spectators at a retirement ceremony. They must’ve thought that a USO tour showed up at the wrong address.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%3A%20Showbiz%20Stories%20from%20a%20Sore%20Winner&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%3A%20Showbiz%20Stories%20from%20a%20Sore%20Winner%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%3A%20Showbiz%20Stories%20from%20a%20Sore%20Winner&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%3A%20Showbiz%20Stories%20from%20a%20Sore%20Winner%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%3A%20Showbiz%20Stories%20from%20a%20Sore%20Winner%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Marc Shaiman, Tours **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BookTour, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy, #ScottWittman --- ### [Bette Midler To Interview Marc Shaiman On One Of His Book Tour Stops](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/09/bette-midler-to-interview-marc-shaiman-on-one-of-his-book-tour-stops/) **Published:** January 9, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler To Interview Marc Shaiman On One Of His Book Tour Stops **Content:** --- ## Broadway World Bette Midler To Interview Marc Shaiman On One Of His Book Tour Stops By: Chloe Rabinowitz Jan. 08, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2018-09-18_2-14-38.png "2018-09-18_2-14-38 - bootleg betty") --- **February 6** In conversation with **[Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler)** Hosted by The Academy Museum in Los Angeles, California Featuring a screening of The **[First Wives Club](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/first-wives-club/)** [Get Tickets](https://www.academymuseum.org/en/programs/detail/never-mind-the-happy-showbiz-stories-from-a-sore-winner-with-marc-shaiman-and-bette-midler-9665abbe-771f-f26a-e466-80a4c4f1c7c2) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Interview%20Marc%20Shaiman%20On%20One%20Of%20His%20Book%20Tour%20Stops&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Interview%20Marc%20Shaiman%20On%20One%20Of%20His%20Book%20Tour%20Stops%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Interview%20Marc%20Shaiman%20On%20One%20Of%20His%20Book%20Tour%20Stops&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Interview%20Marc%20Shaiman%20On%20One%20Of%20His%20Book%20Tour%20Stops%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Interview%20Marc%20Shaiman%20On%20One%20Of%20His%20Book%20Tour%20Stops%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Marc Shaiman, Tours **Tags:** #Bette Midler, #BookTour, #LosAngeles, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMind The Happy, #ThaAcademyMuseum --- ### [Marc Shaiman's Never Mind The Happy Book Tour](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/08/marc-shaimans-never-mind-the-happy-book-tour/) **Published:** January 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The audiobook of Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner, a memoir written by Marc Shaiman, is slated for release on the same day as print publication on January 27, 2026. **Content:** --- ## Broadway World Marc Shaiman’s Never Mind The Happy Book Tour By: Chloe Rabinowitz Jan. 08, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MARC-SHAIMAN-S-MEMOIR-NEVER-MIND-THE-HAPPY-SHOWBIZ-STORIES-FROM-A-SORE-WINNER-AUDIOBOOK-AND-TOUR-DATES-ANNOUNCED-1767875103-1024x512.jpg "Marc-shaiman-s-memoir-never-mind-the-happy-showbiz-stories-from-a-sore-winner-audiobook-and-tour-dates-announced-1767875103 - bootleg betty")--- The audiobook of **[Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner](https://amzn.to/49deZ3t)**, a memoir written by [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/), is slated for release on the same day as print publication on January 27, 2026. The memoir is now available to pre-order on Amazon and the audiobook is available to pre-save here. Shaiman is a Tony, two-time Grammy, two-time Emmy Award winner and a seven-time Academy Award loser… In Never Mind the Happy, musical dynamo Shaiman looks back on five decades of Broadway triumphs, Hollywood hijinks, and unforgettable collaborations. Along the way, he charts the personal highs and heartbreaks that have shaped him—spending his teenage years in community theatre, starting a decades-long collaboration with [Bette Midler](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Bette-Midler/) in the ’70s, surviving the AIDS crisis of the ’80s, his award-winning film music career in the Hollywood of the ’90s, right up to the peaks (and valleys) of creating Broadway musicals from 2000 on. Shaiman said, “Throughout the book, I pull back the curtain on many of the projects and the songs I’ve been a part of—and now, you’ll actually get to hear newly recorded performances of those songs. I am so lucky to have incredibly talented friends in my life, and I somehow coerced [Matthew Broderick](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Matthew-Broderick/), [Christian Borle](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Christian-Borle/), [Norbert Leo Butz](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Norbert-Leo-Butz/), [Billy Crystal](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Billy-Crystal/), [Christine Ebersole](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Christine-Ebersole/), [J. Harrison Ghee](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/J-Harrison-Ghee/), [Megan Hilty](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Megan-Hilty/), [Nathan Lane](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Nathan-Lane/), [Jenifer Lewis](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Jenifer-Lewis/), [Katharine McPhee](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Katharine-McPhee/), [Martin Short](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Martin-Short/), [Shayna Steele](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Shayna-Steele/), [Marisha Wallace](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Marisha-Wallace/) and [Ben Whishaw](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Ben-Whishaw/) to step back into my studio and in front of the mic.” Candid, hilarious, and deeply human, Shaiman’s story is a tribute to the power of music, the pull of the spotlight, and the beat that never stops. Part showbiz tell-all, part love letter to the melancholy that fuels creativity, Never Mind the Happy is told with perfect comic timing—along with a few wrong notes, and plenty of standing ovations. With all 88 keys under his arm, Marc will be hitting the road! Marc will regale audiences with behind-the-scenes tales from his storied career and a special performance for each city. The first set of book tour dates are: ## Sunday, January 25 In conversation with [Nathan Lane](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Nathan-Lane/) Hosted by 92NY – New York, NY Featuring special performances by [J. Harrison Ghee](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/J-Harrison-Ghee/) & [Jessica Vosk](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Jessica-Vosk/) ## Thursday, January 29 In conversation with [Alan Zweibel](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Alan-Zweibel/) Hosted by Free Library of Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA ## Wednesday, February 4 Hosted by the Clinton Foundation in partnership with the Arkansas Cinema Society, Arkansas Repertory Theater and Arkansas Symphony Orchestra – Little Rock, AR ## Friday, February 6 In conversation with [Bette Midler](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Bette-Midler/) Hosted by The Academy Museum – Los Angeles, CA Featuring a screening of The First Wives Club ## Monday, February 9 In conversation and performance with [Melissa Errico](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Melissa-Errico/) Hosted by Long Island Lit Fest – Northport, NY ## Saturday, February 14 In conversation with [Murray Horwitz](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Murray-Horwitz/) Hosted by Politics & Prose – Washington, DC Additional tour dates will be announced shortly. --- [Click Here For Tickets](https://www.marcshaiman.com/) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Book%20Tour&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Book%20Tour%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Book%20Tour&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Book%20Tour%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Book%20Tour%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Marc Shaiman, Tours **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #BookTour, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy, #tour --- ### [Bette Midler & NYRP's Outs For 2026](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/08/bette-midler-nyrps-outs-for-2026/) **Published:** January 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** NYRP’S INS AND OUTS FOR 2026 ??? What do you think?  **Content:** --- ## NYRP Bette Midler & NYRP’s Outs For 2026 By NYRP Jan. 6, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-05_15-22-17.png "2026-01-05_15-22-17 - bootleg betty") --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2019-06-19_22-25-22.jpg "2019-06-19_22-25-22 - bootleg betty") [](https://www.instagram.com/nyrp/) [nyrp](https://www.instagram.com/nyrp/)[](https://www.instagram.com/nyrp/) **NYRP’S INS AND OUTS FOR 2026 ??? What do you think?** If being out in nature in NYC is on your resolutions list, NYRP is here to help! ? Here are some ways you can get involved with our work: ? Plant and tend a [\#FreeTree](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/freetree/) from one of our giveaways ? Join a community garden near you ? Attend an [\#UrbanAgriculture](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/urbanagriculture/) workshop or volunteer day ? Volunteer at a park clean-up day ? Attend an event – or even host one! – at one of our community gardens Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20NYRP%27s%20Outs%20For%202026&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20NYRP%27s%20Outs%20For%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20NYRP%27s%20Outs%20For%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20NYRP%27s%20Outs%20For%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20NYRP%27s%20Outs%20For%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #NewYears, #NYRP, #Resolutions --- ### [Video Interview: Thora Birch on Taking Career Risks — From Hocus Pocus to The Chronology of Water](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/08/video-interview-thora-birch-on-taking-career-risks-from-hocus-pocus-to-the-chronology-of-water/) **Published:** January 8, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Thora Birch reflects on career-defining roles, creative risk-taking, and what drew her to Kristen Stewart’s feature directorial debut, The Chronology of Water. From Hocus Pocus and American Beauty to Ghost World and beyond, **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video Interview: Thora Birch on Taking Career Risks — From Hocus Pocus to The Chronology of Water By Collider Ladies Night Jan 6, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Thora-Birch-Bette-Midler-Hocus-Pocus-102623-c2c63c6fb3bd4e64b4082965ce747702.jpg "Thora-birch-bette-midler-hocus-pocus-102623-c2c63c6fb3bd4e64b4082965ce747702 - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Thora Birch**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/thora-birch/) reflects on career-defining roles, creative risk-taking, and what drew her to Kristen Stewart’s feature directorial debut, The Chronology of Water. From [**Hocus Pocus**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hocus_Pocus_(1993_film)) and American Beauty to Ghost World and beyond, Birch has built a career defined by bold choices — and in this episode of Collider Ladies Night, she opens up about the realities behind those decisions. I’ve interviewed many incredible actors on Collider Ladies Night, but Thora Birch is different — I grew up watching her. [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM) Dicey Questions [07:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=474s) Introduction [08:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=509s) Filming with Don Johnson & Melanie Griffith [10:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=631s) Thora’s Parents [13:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=780s) American Beauty [15:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=908s) Harrison Ford, Bette Midler [17:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=1020s) Hocus Pocus [20:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=1233s) Owning Her Talent Without Apology [23:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=1394s) Thora’s Acting Techniques [25:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=1545s) Imogen Poots [27:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=1639s) Being Accused of Stealing a Bit [28:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=1705s) Ghost World [30:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=1806s) What a BAFTA Nomination Didn’t Prepare Her For [31:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=1910s) Why She Started Choosing the Unexpected [33:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=2002s) Put Thora in a Comedy! [33:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=2022s) Taking a Break from Acting [36:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=2202s) Making Her Directing Debut [38:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=2328s) Self-Care as an Actor [39:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=2389s) Chronology of Water [43:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=2615s) Kristen Stewart [45:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=2755s) Imogen Poots [47:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=2833s) 20 Second Rehearsals [48:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=2917s) Immersive Sets [49:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=2992s) Thora Wants Projects to Surprise Her [51:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kd7N8rTgM&t=3061s) Now and Then & Chronology of Water [\#hocuspocus](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/hocuspocus) [\#americanbeauty](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/americanbeauty) [\#kristenstewart](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/kristenstewart) [\#ghostworld](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/ghostworld) [\#acting](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/acting) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20Interview%3A%20Thora%20Birch%20on%20Taking%20Career%20Risks%20%E2%80%94%20From%20Hocus%20Pocus%20to%20The%20Chronology%20of%20Water&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20Interview%3A%20Thora%20Birch%20on%20Taking%20Career%20Risks%20%E2%80%94%20From%20Hocus%20Pocus%20to%20The%20Chronology%20of%20Water%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20Interview%3A%20Thora%20Birch%20on%20Taking%20Career%20Risks%20%E2%80%94%20From%20Hocus%20Pocus%20to%20The%20Chronology%20of%20Water&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20Interview%3A%20Thora%20Birch%20on%20Taking%20Career%20Risks%20%E2%80%94%20From%20Hocus%20Pocus%20to%20The%20Chronology%20of%20Water%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20Interview%3A%20Thora%20Birch%20on%20Taking%20Career%20Risks%20%E2%80%94%20From%20Hocus%20Pocus%20to%20The%20Chronology%20of%20Water%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Interview, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Collider, #HocusPocus, #Interview, #Movie, #ThoraBirch, #Video --- ### [Video Short: Bette Midler Tackles TLC's Waterfalls With Finesse](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/07/video-short-bette-midler-tackles-tlcs-waterfalls-with-finesse/) **Published:** January 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Yes, Bette Midler performed a beautiful, slowed-down ballad version of TLC's 1995 hit "Waterfalls" during her 2014 UK television special titled Bette Midler: One Night Only **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video Short: Bette Midler Tackles TLC’s Waterfalls With Finesse By Boodles BonBon Jan 7, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/3057F1DD00000578-3406346-image-a-13_1453222398685.jpg "3057f1dd00000578-3406346-image-a-13_1453222398685 - bootleg betty") --- Yes, Bette Midler performed a beautiful, slowed-down ballad version of TLC’s 1995 hit “[**Waterfalls**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterfalls_(TLC_song))” during her 2014 UK television special titled Bette Midler: [**One Night Only**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2018/09/17/video-bette-midler-one-night-only-complete-2014/). The show was hosted by Joanna Lumley on ITV (not BBC), where Midler celebrated her career and promoted her album It’s the Girls!, which features covers of classic girl group songs—including this reimagined take on “Waterfalls” (without the original rap verse). Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Tackles%20TLC%27s%20Waterfalls%20With%20Finesse&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Tackles%20TLC%27s%20Waterfalls%20With%20Finesse%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Tackles%20TLC%27s%20Waterfalls%20With%20Finesse&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Tackles%20TLC%27s%20Waterfalls%20With%20Finesse%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20Short%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Tackles%20TLC%27s%20Waterfalls%20With%20Finesse%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, It's The Girls, One Night Only **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Itsthegirls, #ITV, #Onenightonly, #Waterfalls --- ### [How Bette Midler's Nanny Became Hollywood's Most Indespensible Hair Colourist](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/07/how-bette-midlers-nanny-became-hollywoods-most-indespensible-hair-colourist/) **Published:** January 7, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The big break came in the most unexpected way—through Bette Midler. While working as Midler’s nanny, Cunningham casually offered to blow out the star’s hair. **Content:** --- ## Fashion How Tracey Cunningham Became Hollywood’s Most Indispensable Hair Colourist By Julia McEwen Jan 1, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/112767915.jpg "112767915 - bootleg betty") --- The woman behind Jennifer Lopez’s sun-kissed highlights, Anya Taylor-Joy’s icy blond, Dakota Johnson’s decadent chocolate brown and Emma Stone’s career-defining red (yes, she was the first to take her there) answers my Zoom call from The Hamptons. Casual. [**Tracey Cunningham**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2012/09/27/tracey-cunningham-colorist-to-the-stars/), Hollywood’s most-in-demand [**colourist**](https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/film-and-tv-drama/post-production/colourist/), has dialed in from an undisclosed client’s (I asked…) sun-drenched home. While she waves it off as “just another work trip,” when your job takes you from vacation homes to Oscars prep (Cunningham reportedly coloured, glossed and highlighted at least 17 big-name clients before last year’s ceremony), it’s hardly a nine-to-five. “I’ve always been a worker,” she says with a shrug. “Some people are, and some people aren’t.” That work ethic was ingrained long before Cunningham ever touched a celebrity’s head of hair. Raised in Seattle, she had her first taste of salon life at Gene Juarez. “Basically, I was a maid—served tea, swept up, did laundry—but at the time, I thought it was the most awesome job ever,” she recalls with a nostalgic grin. From there, she followed her instincts south to La Jolla, Calif., where she worked as a receptionist at a real estate office before impulsively packing up for Los Angeles. The big break came in the most unexpected way—through Bette Midler. While working as Midler’s nanny, Cunningham casually offered to blow out the star’s hair. Midler quickly noticed her talent, and the morning ritual stuck. Midler even paid for Cunningham to attend beauty school. “Bette really took care of me,” she tells me. Soon after, Cunningham found mentors in some of Hollywood’s most-sought-after talents: Robert Ramos, Philip Carreon and Chris McMillan (the man behind Jennifer Aniston’s “The Rachel”). Her early influences, she says, gave her a front-row seat to a golden era of L.A. hair and instilled the lesson she still repeats to her own assistants: “Less is more.” Natural, lived-in colour is now her signature, although she’s the first to say that rules are made to be broken. Cunningham’s career has grown almost entirely through word of mouth—a rarity in today’s Instagram-driven beauty world. “Clients spend hours in your chair,” she says. “It’s not just about the colour; it’s about who you are as a person.” That combination of talent and trust has put her on call for everyone from Drew Barrymore to Paul McCartney. One defining moment came in 2008, when model Lily Aldridge asked her for a colour correction after she’d appeared on the cover of an international edition of Vogue. Cunningham responded by creating the now-iconic ombré—luminous, rooted highlights that looked effortless and low-maintenance and were instantly trendsetting. After years of working in some of L.A.’s top salons, she eventually co-founded Mèche Salon in Beverly Hills with Neil Weisberg. She describes the space as Cheers, “where everybody knows your name.” “We’re in the feel-good business,” she tells me. Although her schedule is jam-packed (during the holidays, she sees around 50 clients a day with the help of a team of assistants), Cunningham still carves out time for education. As Schwarzkopf Professional’s U.S. creative director of colour and technique and a longtime Olaplex ambassador, she has been at the forefront of industry innovation. One of the very first colourists to champion Olaplex’s bond-building technology when it launched more than a decade ago, Cunningham remains fiercely loyal to the brand. “It literally changed all of our lives,” she says. Beyond products, she’s equally passionate about sharing knowledge. My own colourist in Toronto has studied under her for years, travelling to attend her master classes. It’s a testament to the way Cunningham has shaped not only Hollywood hair but a whole generation of colourists. For all the glamour of her resumé, what she craves most now is balance. “My number one goal in life is to hang out with my family and get enough sleep,” she admits. Still, days off are rare. “My job is a party. I get to see everyone, and I love it.” Even after decades at the top, Cunningham has an energy that feels unstoppable, proof that hard work (and a little serendipity) can transform not just hair but a life. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Nanny%20Became%20Hollywood%27s%20Most%20Indespensible%20Hair%20Colourist&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Nanny%20Became%20Hollywood%27s%20Most%20Indespensible%20Hair%20Colourist%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Nanny%20Became%20Hollywood%27s%20Most%20Indespensible%20Hair%20Colourist&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Nanny%20Became%20Hollywood%27s%20Most%20Indespensible%20Hair%20Colourist%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Nanny%20Became%20Hollywood%27s%20Most%20Indespensible%20Hair%20Colourist%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Other **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Colourist, #TraceyCunningham --- ### [Baby It's You - One Night Only - 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2016/02/02/baby-its-you-one-night-only-2014-2/) **Published:** February 2, 2016 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Baby%20It%27s%20You%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Baby%20It%27s%20You%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Baby%20It%27s%20You%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Baby%20It%27s%20You%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Baby%20It%27s%20You%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Videos **Tags:** Baby It's You, Bette Midler, britain, one night only, special, uk --- ### [Waterfalls - One Night Only - Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2016/02/04/waterfalls-one-night-only-bette-midler/) **Published:** February 4, 2016 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Waterfalls%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Waterfalls%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Waterfalls%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Waterfalls%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Waterfalls%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Videos **Tags:** BBC, Bette Midler, britain, divine intervention, it's the girls, one night only, TLC, uk, Waterfalls --- ### [Bette Midler - Give Him A Great Big Kiss - 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2016/04/04/bette-midler-give-him-a-great-big-kiss-2014/) **Published:** April 4, 2016 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Give%20Him%20A%20Great%20Big%20Kiss%20-%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Give%20Him%20A%20Great%20Big%20Kiss%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Give%20Him%20A%20Great%20Big%20Kiss%20-%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Give%20Him%20A%20Great%20Big%20Kiss%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Give%20Him%20A%20Great%20Big%20Kiss%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Videos **Tags:** Bette Midler, britain, England, give him a great big kiss, one night only, uk --- ### [Be My Baby - One Night Only - Bette Midler - 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2016/05/24/be-my-baby-one-night-only-bette-midler-2014-4/) **Published:** May 24, 2016 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Be%20My%20Baby%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Be%20My%20Baby%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Be%20My%20Baby%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Be%20My%20Baby%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Be%20My%20Baby%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Videos **Tags:** Be My Baby, Bette Midler, britain, one night only, uk, videos --- ### [Bette Midler - One Night Only - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2016/07/14/bette-midler-one-night-only-boogie-woogie-bugle-boy-2014-3/) **Published:** July 14, 2016 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20-%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20-%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Boy%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Videos **Tags:** Bette Midler, boogie woogiw bugle boy, one night only, videos --- ### [Bette Midler One Night Only - Friends - 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2017/12/21/bette-midler-one-night-only-friends-2014-8/) **Published:** December 21, 2017 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Friends%20-%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Friends%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Friends%20-%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Friends%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Friends%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Videos **Tags:** Bette Midler, Friends, one night only --- ### [Bette Midler - One Night Only - Wind Beneath My Wings - 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2018/01/29/bette-midler-one-night-only-wind-beneath-my-wings-2014-5/) **Published:** January 29, 2018 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%20-%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%20-%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Wind%20Beneath%20My%20Wings%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Videos **Tags:** Bette Midler, Bette Midler - One Night Only - Wind Beneath My Wings - 2014, one night only, Wind Beneath My Wings --- ### [Bette Midler - One Night Only - From A Distance - 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2018/07/28/bette-midler-one-night-only-from-a-distance-2014-8/) **Published:** July 28, 2018 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20From%20A%20Distance%20-%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20From%20A%20Distance%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20From%20A%20Distance%20-%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20From%20A%20Distance%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20From%20A%20Distance%20-%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** One Night Only, Videos **Tags:** Bette Midler, Bette Midler - One Night Only - From A Distance - 2014, From a Distance, one night only, Video --- ### [Video: Tell Him - One Night Only - Bette Midler 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2018/08/01/tell-him-one-night-only-bette-midler-2014-6/) **Published:** August 1, 2018 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Tell%20Him%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Tell%20Him%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Tell%20Him%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Tell%20Him%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Tell%20Him%20-%20One%20Night%20Only%20-%20Bette%20Midler%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** One Night Only, Videos **Tags:** Bette Midler, one night only, tell him, Tell Him - One Night Only - Bette Midler 2014, Video --- ### [Long Island LitFest Brings Marc Shaiman To Promote His New Book Feb. 9, 2026](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/06/long-island-litfest-brings-marc-shaiman-to-promote-his-new-book-feb-9-2026/) **Published:** January 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Next month’s talk with Shaiman – the first LitFest at Engeman – will be moderated by Broadway actress, recording artist, writer and one of New York City’s most celebrated concert and cabaret artists, Melissa Errico. **Content:** --- ## Northport Journal Literary event series brings Tony Award-winner Marc Shaiman to Engeman Theater By Joanne Kountourakis Jan 6, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/nevermindthehappy-firstwives.webp "Nevermindthehappy-firstwives - bootleg betty")--- A partnership between Long Island LitFest and the Engeman Theater will soon bring a mix of Broadway craftsmanship and Hollywood storytelling to the Northport Village stage when [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/) – celebrated American composer, lyricist, arranger and music producer – talks about his new memoir, *[**Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner**](https://www.marcshaiman.com/blog/2025/9/18/never-mind-the-happy)*, on Monday, February 9 at 7pm. Known for blending classic musical theater with sharp humor and emotional honesty, Shaiman’s career bridges Broadway, Hollywood and television. Audiences can expect humor, vulnerability and vivid stories from his decades in theater and film during an evening sure to be as funny as it is heartfelt. Next month’s talk with Shaiman – the first LitFest at Engeman – will be moderated by Broadway actress, recording artist, writer and one of New York City’s most celebrated concert and cabaret artists, Melissa Errico. Shaiman began his career as a musical director and arranger for Bette Midler before expanding into film scoring. He gained prominence with his work on films such as *When Harry Met Sally*, *The Addams Family*, *Sister Act*, *City Slickers*, *A Few Good Men*, *Sleepless in Seattle*, *The American President*, and *South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut*. He is a longtime music director and composer for Saturday Night Live, and worked on recordings with Harry Connick Jr. and Mariah Carey. Shaiman earned widespread acclaim for co-writing the Broadway musical *Hairspray* alongside his longtime co-lyricist Scott Wittman. The duo has also co-created the musicals *Catch Me If You Can*, *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory*, *Some Like It Hot* and *Smash*. Shaiman has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards and has won a Tony, two Emmys and two Grammys. *Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner* offers a look into Shaiman’s personal temperament and complex relationship with success, from his early days to his Broadway triumphs, unique struggles and collaborations with stars like Midler, Nathan Lane and Barbra Streisand. The self-proclaimed “sore winner” label captures his tendency to focus on professional “bellyflops” and personal heartbreaks even amidst his greatest accolades… a complicated emotional pool Shaiman says has fueled his creativity. Founded in 2015 by award-winning journalist and author Claudia Gryvatz Copquin, Long Island LitFest connects readers and writers in a forum that celebrates the work of best-selling authors and their poignant personal stories. To date, LitFest has featured special appearances by authors including Jodi Picoult, Anna Quindlen, Nelson DeMille, Alan Zweibel, Lidia Bastianich, Wally Lamb, Alice Hoffman, Andre Aciman and Katy Tur. Ticket holders to the Engeman event will receive a signed copy of the book and will enjoy a moderated conversation, audience Q&A and some songs, with a special meet-and-greet afterwards for VIP ticket-holders. Doors open at the Engeman Theater at 6pm. Tickets are on sale through January 16 at [www.engemantheater.com/nevermindthehappy](http://www.engemantheater.com/nevermindthehappy) and [www.longislandlitfest.com](http://www.longislandlitfest.com/). Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Long%20Island%20LitFest%20Brings%20Marc%20Shaiman%20To%20Promote%20His%20New%20Book%20Feb.%209%2C%202026&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Long%20Island%20LitFest%20Brings%20Marc%20Shaiman%20To%20Promote%20His%20New%20Book%20Feb.%209%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Long%20Island%20LitFest%20Brings%20Marc%20Shaiman%20To%20Promote%20His%20New%20Book%20Feb.%209%2C%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Long%20Island%20LitFest%20Brings%20Marc%20Shaiman%20To%20Promote%20His%20New%20Book%20Feb.%209%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Long%20Island%20LitFest%20Brings%20Marc%20Shaiman%20To%20Promote%20His%20New%20Book%20Feb.%209%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Engeman, #LongIslandLitFest, #MarcShaiman, #NeverMindTheHappy --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings In My Life From For The Boys 1991](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/06/video-bette-midler-sings-in-my-life-from-for-the-boys-1991/) **Published:** January 6, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** One of the film's most poignant and critically acclaimed moments is Midler's rendition of The Beatles' classic "In My Life" (written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney). **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings In My Life From For The Boys 1991 By Mister D January 6, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/maxresdefault-1024x576.jpg "Maxresdefault - bootleg betty")--- [**For the Boys**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/for-the-boys/) is a 1991 musical comedy-drama directed by Mark Rydell, starring Bette Midler as Dixie Leonard, a spirited USO entertainer, and James Caan as her partner Eddie Sparks (loosely inspired by Bob Hope). The film spans decades, following their partnership through World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, blending comedy, music, and drama. Midler earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her commanding performance. One of the film’s most poignant and critically acclaimed moments is Midler’s rendition of The Beatles’ classic [**“In My Life”** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_My_Life)(written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney). This scene occurs during a USO performance in a small camp in Vietnam. In the scene, an older, war-weary Dixie takes the stage. She begins with cynical, biting remarks to the battle-hardened soldiers, reflecting the era’s disillusionment with the war. She then transitions into a tender, understated acoustic version of “In My Life,” accompanied simply (arranged by Robbie Buchanan with guitar by Steve Lukather). Her delivery is intimate and emotional, evoking nostalgia, loss, and reflection—perfectly aligning with the song’s lyrics about cherished memories. The beauty is shattered when the camp comes under mortar attack mid-performance. Dixie and Eddie seek cover, but tragically, Dixie’s son Danny (a soldier in the audience) is killed, amplifying the song’s themes of fleeting life and irreplaceable loss. Critics and viewers often hail this as the film’s highlight: - Described as “understated yet powerful,” a moment where “the world stops turning.” - Midler’s vocal restraint contrasts her usual brassy style, creating a devastating emotional peak. - The interruption by violence underscores the senselessness of war, though some reviews note it feels heavy-handed. This performance remains one of Midler’s most moving interpretations, blending her vocal prowess with raw acting to deliver a truly devastating rendition of a timeless song. Clips of the scene are widely available on YouTube for those wanting to experience it firsthand. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20In%20My%20Life%20From%20For%20The%20Boys%201991&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20In%20My%20Life%20From%20For%20The%20Boys%201991%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20In%20My%20Life%20From%20For%20The%20Boys%201991&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20In%20My%20Life%20From%20For%20The%20Boys%201991%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20In%20My%20Life%20From%20For%20The%20Boys%201991%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, For The Boys, Movies, Video **Tags:** #Beatles, #BetteMidler, #Classic #JohnLennon, #ForTheBoys, #InMyLife, #PaulMcCartney --- ### [The Biggest Differences Between Hocus Pocus 2 And The Original Movie](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/05/the-biggest-differences-between-hocus-pocus-2-and-the-original-movie/) **Published:** January 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** It took 29 years, but the world finally got a second visit from the menacing Sanderson sisters in "Hocus Pocus 2." **Content:** --- ## MSN The Biggest Differences Between Hocus Pocus 2 And The Original Movie By Dustin Pinney Jan. 2, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AA1TtDfF.jpg "Aa1ttdff - bootleg betty")--- ***This post contains spoilers for “Hocus Pocus 2.”*** --- It took 29 years, but the world finally got a second visit from the menacing Sanderson sisters in “Hocus Pocus 2.” Winifred, Sarah, and Mary (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, respectively) all returned to resurrect their beloved witch characters for another romp through the streets of Salem, Massachusetts, on October 31st. This time, instead of simply trying to devour the soul of a child in order to live longer, they’re hoping to cast a spell that will make them the most powerful witches who have ever lived. Standing in their way are three girls named Becca, Izzy, and Cassie (Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobar, and Lilia Buckingham), friends who are experiencing a speed bump in their relationship thanks to Cassie’s moronic boyfriend Mike. If this unofficial coven can come together, they can stop the Sandersons, save Salem, and protect the world from their reign of amusing terror. Although “Hocus Pocus 2” is very much in the spirit of the original “Hocus Pocus” (and references it quite often), it’s still its own movie and there are some very noticeable differences between the two. There are obvious differences — like the year it takes place, there’s a new cast, a new spell, etc. — but we’re not here to talk about those. Instead, we’re focusing on the differences in storytelling priorities, character development, and tone. These are the biggest differences between “Hocus Pocus 2” and the original. **More magic** Magic has always been an integral part of the “Hocus Pocus” world. Besides the Sandersons being witches themselves, Max and Allison had to occasionally use their own rudimentary understanding of magical theory to best the soul-eating witches. “Hocus Pocus 2” ups the ante by introducing a new character played by “Ted Lasso” standout Hannah Waddingham, who is credited as the Witch Mother, and bringing in three magical teenagers who are just discovering their power. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-01_09-13-27-1.png "2026-01-01_09-13-27 - bootleg betty")Not only that, but the character of Gilbert (played by Sam Richardson) also has the ability to wield some magic thanks to the time he’s spent with Winifred’s Book over the decades. On top of that, though, there are a lot of bolts of magic flying around in this movie. Winifred is zapping stuff with her green power left and right, and the third act becomes a venerable witch war as the Sandersons attempt to complete their spell and Becca shares her magic with Izzy and Cassie. Then there are those darn Roombas. The fact that they can be used to transport Mary across the night sky isn’t surprising (we saw a version of that in the first film), but their strange ability to operate of their own free will is definitely unique. They joke multiple times that the tiny vacuums “have a mind of their own,” but they manage to track down and free the sisters with no trouble whatsoever. There’s a whole different kind of magic happening there. **Funnier prologue** Just like the original “Hocus Pocus,” the sequel begins with a prologue set three centuries prior to the events of the film. The main difference here is tone. While the first film’s prologue had a few silly moments, it is significantly darker than what we get in the sequel. The prologue of “Hocus Pocus” sees young Thackery Binx attempt to save his sister Emily from getting her soul devoured by the Sandersons. When he fails, the town gets together and hangs the sisters right there in the street. In “Hocus Pocus 2,” 16-year-old Winifred Sanderson is furious because Reverend Traske (played by Tony Hale) has taken it upon himself to find a husband for her. Not only does she have no interest in getting married, but she certainly doesn’t want to marry John Pritchett because she’s in love with Billie Butcherson, with whom she shared a single kiss in a graveyard. When Traske attempts to take Mary and Sarah away from Winifred, they flee to the forbidden woods. Here, they meet the Witch Mother. She tries to take their souls but realizes they’re different than other children. She gives them the magic book and wishes Winifred a happy birthday. Winifred uses the book to start a fire in the village. So, there’s darkness there, but it is a very goofy tone compared to the original. Again, the first movie begins with child murder and execution. The sequel begins with Tony Hale screaming at a spider. **Less Halloween ambiance** This one will be in the eye of the beholder, but the pacing of “Hocus Pocus 2” detracts a little bit from the natural Halloween vibes that permeated throughout the original film. For comparison, when watching “Hocus Pocus,” there are multiple slow master shots establishing the town of Salem. The leaves blaze with autumn colors, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere as if we are experiencing the most idealized setting for the spooky holiday. We also see more of the town as Max rides his bike home from school through the cemetery before having to make it the rest of the way without his shoes thanks to Jay and Ice. The streets at night are populated with people filling the frame as they journey from house to house in search of candy. The seasonal ambiance is like a cozy, weighted blanket that allows the viewer to feel at ease, even when the subject matter gets very dark. With the sequel, there’s no time to appreciate the scenery to the same extent because the movie is always moving. Even when Becca rides her bike to school, the montage of Salem is so quickly cut and the music is so intrusive that you can’t experience that same sense of immersion and (for lack of a better term) coziness. Oftentimes, the streets are empty (perhaps because everyone is at the festival), and Salem feels overall like a less vibrant and populated place. **A bigger musical number** You can’t make a sequel to “Hocus Pocus” without a musical number. Aside from Bette Midler’s history as a singer, the musical number in the first film is so iconic that not including one in the second installment would have felt wrong. This time, the musical number is bigger and it goes on for longer. The time the sisters spend on stage actually singing is probably equal to the first film, but the choreography and music continue beyond that initial performance. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AA1TtKoF.jpg "Aa1ttkof - bootleg betty")In the first film, Winifred casts a spell on all the parents of Salem that keeps them dancing without a care in the world for the entire night. This ensures that Sarah can lure all the children of Salem (except for a young Gilbert, apparently) away from the town. In “Hocus Pocus 2,” Winifred uses the power of her song to turn the citizens of Salem into her minions to search for Mayor Traske. With them dancing through the streets, occasionally repeating the spell like a chant, she and her sisters are free to look elsewhere. They cut away from the dancing to show us what the other characters are up to, before cutting back to the dancing, as the crowd surrounds the mayor and steals the candy apple he’d been waiting all year for. (Do keep your eyes peeled for some very familiar looks in the crowd’s costuming, by the way.) **Sarah’s not quite so… thirsty** The Sanderson sisters’ dynamic works like this: Winifred is the delusional megalomaniac with the power; Mary is the very capable, unappreciated, self-deprecating sibling; and Sarah is the goofy airhead. Basically, they’re the Three Stooges. One of Sarah’s characteristics is that she is a big fan of men (although she usually just refers to them as boys) and their companionship. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AA1TtqKl.jpg "Aa1ttqkl - bootleg betty")We know that she stole Winifred’s boyfriend Billie Butcherson (at least, that’s what Winifred thinks), she hits on almost every man she meets, and most of those men take a liking to her right away. That aspect of her character has been greatly subdued for “Hocus Pocus 2.” When she first meets Gilbert, she’s excited to see a “boy,” but other than that, she’s not on the hunt for a boyfriend in this movie. Instead, she spends much of the sequel as Winifred’s punching bag. Whether it was Sarah Jessica Parker’s decision to tone down the sexual side of her character, or the filmmaker’s, it’s probably for the best. Although Sarah is pretty harmless, we don’t need a sexual predator as one of the main characters of a family film in 2022. There’s already a scene where Mary thinks she’s eating the face of a newborn in Walgreens. That’s dark enough. **The true story of Billie Butcherson** One of the few returning characters from the original movie is that of Winifred’s true love Billie Butcherson, played once again by the inimitable Doug Jones. This is more than a fun cameo where the filmmakers bring him out to say to the audience, “Hey! Remember him?!” Billie Butcherson actually serves as an important plot element in the film and has a mini-character arc beginning with the prologue of the film. Back in 1653, Winifred claims that she and Butcherson are soul mates, even if he maintains that they only had one kiss. Later on, when they need the head of a lover, Winifred naturally thinks of Billie, and Sarah reminds her that Billie was her lover. After he rises from his grave, he tells Gilbert that he and Winifred only kissed once. At the end of the film, he is finally able to rest in peace because Winifred is gone, and Gilbert promises to tell everyone the truth about him and Winifred. Obviously, this is different than what was suggested in “Hocus Pocus.” In the original film, everyone seemed to be on the same page that Billie and Winifred were an item, but Sarah seduced him and Winifred is still upset about it. But that was back when Billie couldn’t talk due to his sewn-shut mouth. Now, though, we know that Winifred has always been obsessed with Billie, and he never felt the same way about her. **Meta jokes** Meta humor has been a staple of modern films for years now. What was once the domain of sarcastic filmmakers intentionally dissecting and commenting on the conventions of storytelling has now become commonplace. It’s as though the audience cannot accept a movie’s sillier elements unless they’re directly acknowledged. Just think of all the times Marvel movies have obliterated heart-warming, genuine moments of human connection with a joke directly commenting on it. Thankfully, “Hocus Pocus 2” isn’t as self-referential and meta as it could be, but there are certainly instances where it comes into play. For instance, there are multiple visual and dialogue references to the first film that serve as little winks to the audience. The minute the witches return, they break into a musical number celebrating the fact that the witches are back, Gilbert mentions how much they love to sing, even seeing them ride on Swiffers and Roombas is a bit of a nod to the first film. The Izzy character likes to point out plot details with a sarcastic tone that lets the audience know that they’re aware of how bonkers everything is. The most meta moment of all, though, is a scene that practically destroys the reality of the film completely: Two characters are watching the Penny and Garry Marshall scene from the first “Hocus Pocus.” So…”Hocus Pocus” exists in “Hocus Pocus 2?” Hey, stranger things have happened. **Less domesticity** A change that is both major and subtle at the same time is the domestic side of the film. If you recall in the original “Hocus Pocus,” there’s a family drama going on with Max because he didn’t want to move away from California. This has put him at odds with the rest of the family, who all seem pretty hopeful about life on the east coast. The scenes between them were never overly dramatic; they just felt like a real, genuine family. That aspect is almost entirely missing from “Hocus Pocus 2.” We hear about Izzy’s mom but we never see her, nor do we hear much about Becca’s family. The only character who has a home life is Cassie, and we barely see any of it. Her father is played by Tony Hale, who features prominently in the movie, but he’s something of a cartoonish figure. He is the quintessential corny dad who makes his daughter cringe but whose heart is in the right place. At no point do we see Izzy or Becca’s house. We can assume they have homes to go to, but we have no real evidence of it. Without that grounding, it makes the world of “Hocus Pocus 2” feel less real, but that’s fine because it’s about three witches who are resurrected from the dead by lighting a candle with a black flame — for the second time. You only need so much realism. **The book is a character** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AA1Ttz20.jpg "Aa1ttz20 - bootleg betty")The majority of the original “Hocus Pocus” is just about Winifred trying to track down her book so she can recreate the potion that allows them to eat children’s souls and stay young. The book appears to be similar to the Necronomicon from “[The Evil Dead](https://www.looper.com/85676/untold-truth-evil-dead/)” (and the works of H.P. Lovecraft, of course) in that it has been bound in human skin and sort of has a face. In the first film, the book was like Winifred’s pet. She spoke to it in a cutesy voice as someone would to a puppy, and its emotions were very simple: excited or sleepy. There wasn’t a whole lot going on there in terms of personality, and that changes a ton in “Hocus Pocus 2.” The book in this film is a character. It is introduced in the prologue as choosing to go with Winifred, and it spends the rest of the movie struggling with that decision. The first clue we get that something more is going on with the book this time around is a scene where it has been hidden amongst other identical books and Becca is searching for it. The closer she gets to finding the real book, the more nervous it becomes until it actually starts to sweat. The book also has a preference for and against certain spells within its own binding. This book has an inner life that we have only glimpsed to this point. At the end of the film, it chooses to leave Winifred and even seems to mourn her demise. **Deeper lore** If you’re going to make a sequel to “Hocus Pocus,” then you have to expand on the lore. You can’t just remind everyone that they were evil witches who were hanged and can only come back if the black flame candle is lit. We know that already and it does nothing to enrich the world or the mythology within it. Not only does “Hocus Pocus 2” give us more backstory and introduce new elements related to magic, but it doesn’t overwhelm you with any of it. This easily could have been a sequel where it basically becomes “Harry Potter” and we visit the world of witches and learn all about their hierarchy, and that would have made everything boring. What’s more interesting is if we learn just enough new stuff to tell *this* story, and that’s what we get. We meet the Witch Mother, who tells us a bit more about magic than we knew before, we learn more about the Sandersons, and we see what it’s like when people who didn’t know they could use magic learn they have special abilities. As mentioned elsewhere in this piece, the movie retreads some of the details from the original film, but there are enough new elements in this film to make it feel like its own thing, and that includes building mythology. **Impersonal stakes** “Hocus Pocus 2” sees the Sanderson sisters attempt to become the most powerful witches who ever lived by performing a spell so powerful and dangerous that the book has to be forced to reveal it to Winifred. With this new power, they should be able to take over all of Salem (and perhaps the world) to finally rule it the way it should have been run 300 years ago. Those sound like some pretty high stakes, but they don’t really mean anything to the characters. Sure, they live in Salem, which is part of the world, but other than that, there’s something oddly impersonal about the whole thing. In “Hocus Pocus,” Max has got to come to grips with his new situation while attempting to protect the relationship he has with his sister. He also has to deal with the fact that he is the one who brought the Sandersons back and put everyone’s lives in danger because he wanted to impress a girl. Also, Thackery has spent 300 years paying for the mistake of trying to save his own sister. The characters in that movie are personally invested in what’s happening on multiple levels. In “Hocus Pocus 2,” the threat of the film incidentally repairs a rift in one friendship. Becca and Izzy didn’t even mean to bring Sanderson’s back, they were tricked into it. When you think about it, other than being nice kids, they have no reason to be doing any of this. If you enjoyed this article, [sign up to our free newsletter](https://subscribe.looper.com/newsletter-syndicated?utm_source=msn-slideshow&utm_medium=looper-NL-feed) for the biggest movie and TV news delivered straight to your inbox. You can also [add us as a preferred search source](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=looper.com) on Google. Read the [original article on Looper](https://www.looper.com/1027999/the-biggest-differences-between-hocus-pocus-2-and-the-original/?zsource=). Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Biggest%20Differences%20Between%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20And%20The%20Original%20Movie&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Biggest%20Differences%20Between%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20And%20The%20Original%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Biggest%20Differences%20Between%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20And%20The%20Original%20Movie&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Biggest%20Differences%20Between%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20And%20The%20Original%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Biggest%20Differences%20Between%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20And%20The%20Original%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Differences, #HocusPocus, #HocusPocus2, #Movie --- ### [Bette Midler's Journey Through Show Business](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/05/bette-midlers-journey-through-show-business/) **Published:** January 5, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler, a name synonymous with talent, charisma, and exuberance, has been a significant figure in the entertainment industry for decades. **Content:** --- ## People Bette Midler: The Divine Miss M’s Journey Through Showbiz By Cara Lynn Shulz Jan. 3, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2024-01-13_13-25-03.jpg "2024-01-13_13-25-03 - bootleg betty") --- **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/television/#.VhugxFRViko)**, a name synonymous with talent, charisma, and exuberance, has been a significant figure in the entertainment industry for decades. With her unique ability to captivate audiences through music, acting, and comedy, she has established herself as a [**multi-talented artist**](https://thecreativemind.net/3908/multitalented-artists/) whose influence spans generations. From her early days in the 1970s to her current status as a beloved icon, Bette Midler’s career is a testament to her dedication and passion for the arts. Born on December 1, 1945, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Bette Midler’s journey began in a modest environment. Her upbringing, coupled with her love for performance, shaped her into the star she would eventually become. Known for her powerful voice, quirky sense of humor, and vibrant personality, she has garnered numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards, Tony Awards, and an Academy Award nomination. Throughout her career, she has continually pushed the boundaries of entertainment, making her a beloved figure in the hearts of many. With a career that spans over five decades, Bette Midler has proven time and again that she is a force to be reckoned with. Whether performing on stage, starring in blockbuster films, or engaging in philanthropic efforts, she remains a quintessential figure in the world of showbiz. This article will explore various aspects of her life, including her biography, career milestones, and personal insights that have shaped the woman behind the legendary persona. **What is Bette Midler’s Biography?** Bette Midler, also known as “The Divine Miss M,” is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and comedian. She gained fame in the early 1970s and has since become one of the most recognized names in the entertainment industry. Below is a brief overview of her personal details and biography. Personal DetailsInformationNameBette MidlerDate of BirthDecember 1, 1945Place of BirthHonolulu, Hawaii, USAOccupationSinger, Actress, ComedianYears Active1970 – PresentNotable WorksThe Rose, Hocus Pocus, Beaches, Hello, Dolly!Awards3 Grammy Awards, 4 Tony Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards**What are Bette Midler’s Major Career Milestones?** Bette Midler’s career is marked by several significant achievements that highlight her versatility and talent. Some of the major milestones include: - Her Broadway debut in the 1960s, where she showcased her singing and acting prowess. - The release of her debut album, “The Divine Miss M,” in 1972, which earned her critical acclaim and commercial success. - Starring in iconic films such as “The Rose” (1979) and “Beaches” (1988), which solidified her status as a film star. - Winning multiple awards, including Grammy and Tony Awards, for her contributions to music and theater. **How Has Bette Midler Influenced Entertainment?** Bette Midler’s impact on the entertainment industry is profound. Known for her boundary-pushing performances and unique blend of comedy and music, she has inspired countless artists. Her influence can be seen in various ways: - As a pioneer for female performers, she broke stereotypes and set new standards for women in entertainment. - Her philanthropic efforts, particularly in AIDS research and environmental activism, have raised awareness and funds for crucial causes. - Theatrical productions and concerts often cite her as an inspiration for incorporating humor and spectacle into performances. **What Are Some of Bette Midler’s Most Iconic Roles?** Bette Midler has played a range of memorable characters throughout her career. Some of her most iconic roles include: - **The Rose** – A film that showcased her vocal talent and earned her an Academy Award nomination. - **Winifred Sanderson** in “Hocus Pocus” – A comedic role that has become a cult classic. - **CC Bloom** in “Beaches” – A heartwarming story of friendship that resonated with audiences. - **Dolly Levi** in “Hello, Dolly!” – A role that allowed her to shine on stage and display her musical abilities. **What Makes Bette Midler’s Music Stand Out?** Bette Midler’s music is characterized by her powerful vocals, emotional delivery, and eclectic style. Her ability to blend different genres, from pop to Broadway, has set her apart in the music industry. Some key elements that make her music stand out include: - Her unique interpretations of classic songs, often infused with her signature humor. - Original compositions that showcase her songwriting skills and personal experiences. - Her theatrical performances that enhance the overall musical experience, making concerts unforgettable. **How Has Bette Midler Maintained Her Relevance Over the Years?** In an industry that constantly evolves, Bette Midler has managed to remain relevant through her adaptability and willingness to embrace change. Some strategies she has employed include: - Engaging with new audiences through social media and modern marketing techniques. - Participating in contemporary projects, including film and television, that appeal to younger generations. - Continuously reinventing her stage performances to keep them fresh and exciting. **What is Bette Midler’s Legacy?** Bette Midler’s legacy is one of empowerment, creativity, and joy. As an artist who has touched the lives of millions, she will be remembered for her contributions to music, film, and theater for years to come. Her ability to connect with people through her work, combined with her philanthropic efforts, solidifies her status as a beloved icon in the entertainment industry. Bette Midler’s journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists and a reminder of the power of creativity in transforming lives. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Journey%20Through%20Show%20Business&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Journey%20Through%20Show%20Business%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Journey%20Through%20Show%20Business&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Journey%20Through%20Show%20Business%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Journey%20Through%20Show%20Business%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History, Other **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #History, #Journey, #Legacy, #ShowBusiness --- ### [The Original 2 1/2 Hour Long Version Of The First Wives Club Tested Poorly](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/04/the-original-2-1-2-hour-long-version-of-the-first-wives-club-tested-poorly/) **Published:** January 4, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** All of this is to say that one of that year's most popular films has never had its cut scenes released, even as anniversaries have come and gone. **Content:** --- ## Collider The Original 2 1/2 Hour Long Version Of The First Wives Club Tested Poorly By Rance Collins Jan. 3, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/first-wives-club-1536x999-1-1024x666.jpg "First-wives-club-1536x999 - bootleg betty")--- Every movie fan has their lost ark. Part of the joy of being a film buff, after all, is discovery. The movie fans that were raised in the ’00s had the unique pleasure of DVD special features, where they could stumble upon audio commentaries, documentaries and — if lucky — deleted scenes. But in 1996, the movie aficionado’s ultimate home video format had not yet been established, and while cumbersome laser discs offered something a little more exclusive, movie-only VHS tapes were the truth, the light, and the way. All of this is to say that one of that year’s most popular films has never had its cut scenes released, even as anniversaries have come and gone. Had it hit retail shelves just a couple of years later, its deleted scenes might have all made it to YouTube by now. But alas, the sequences are a mystery. Which means that the footage cut from [**The First Wives Club**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/first-wives-club/) is a true [**Ark of the Covenant**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ark_of_the_Covenant), especially considering that somewhere buried within the scenes is a performance by none other than Jon Stewart. Yes, that, Jon Stewart, who was a fairly prolific actor long before he landed The Daily Show. The First Wives Club already has one of the starriest cast of the ’90s. Beyond its above-the-title leads — the legendary Diane Keaton, Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn — it has appearances by Maggie Smith, Sarah Jessica Parker, Stockard Channing, Victor Garber, Marcia Gay Harden, Elizabeth Berkley, Eileen Heckart, and Rob Reiner. Heather Locklear and Gloria Steinem have cameos. J.K. Simmons and Timothy Olyphant are along for the ride before they were famous. This is a film packed with star power. It also clocks in at a tight 103 minutes, piling on comedic sequences with heavy doses of female empowerment, and sends audiences off with one of the great musical numbers of all time, as Keaton, Midler and Hawn defiantly declare, “You Don’t Own Me.” The concoction lit the box office on fire upon its September 1996 release, becoming the sleeper hit of the year with over $180 million at the box office. The road to becoming a certified hit, however, was bumpy. **Jon Stewart’s Scenes in ‘The First Wives Club’ “Stopped the Movie”** The First Wives Club is chock-full of now-iconic moments. There is hardly a more meme-able line, for instance, than when Goldie Hawn waves a champagne glass and spits out, “I do have feelings. I’m an actress. I have all of them.” Hawn’s character Elise Eliot might have shown a few more emotions in the original cut of the film. In the released cut, Elise simply deals with her ex-husband (Garber), who has left her for the much younger Phoebe (Berkley). Originally, Elise was also finagling with a foxy box toy. In an interview with Vogue, director Hugh Wilson explained that Jon Stewart had been cast in what Wilson described as “a pretty big part.” “He shot for weeks,” Wilson explained. “But we kept shortening it and shortening it, and one day, John Bloom \[the editor\] called me and said, ‘We have to cut 40 minutes out of this, and we have to lose the whole Jon Stewart thing.’ And Jon was good, quite good, but it was a B story that might have well been a C story. It just stopped the movie. So I have to say that after John Bloom made the cut, we took the movie out to L.A. and screened it, and everyone loved it.” Stewart had been a steady presence on screens at this point, even having recently hosted his own late-night talk series, The Jon Stewart Show, on MTV. As an actor, he had recently appeared in the movie Mixed Nuts, and he would soon make guest appearances on sitcoms such as The Nanny, NewsRadio, and Spin City. In 1999, he’d land The Daily Show on Comedy Central and be cemented as a household name with a diverse variety of screen credits to follow. **Test Screenings for ‘First Wives Club’ Went Poorly** The original two-and-a-half-hour version of The First Wives Club certainly sounds enticing for movie fans who have made power suits an essential component of their personality, but Wilson said that cutting 40 minutes did the movie a lot of favors. He explained that the movie was initially a hodgepodge, crafted from a script that “was a conglomerate of a whole bunch of people’s work.” And this Frankenstein-style writing process did not give the creatives behind the scenes much faith in the project. “I think a friend of \[producer\] Scott Rudin’s, who was a comedy writer in New York, did the final script, and he had so much confidence in the film that he demanded his name not be in the credits!” Wilson said. “The script was also so long that after we shot it and put it all together, the movie was longer than Gandhi. We started screening it, and I would just have chats with the audience, mostly women, and they said they didn’t think the movie worked, but they wanted it to work. I actually saw the first screening with a friend of mine, \[actor\] Sam Shepard, and Sam patted me on the back and said, ‘Good luck with that; I’ll see you later.'” **The Musical Ending of ‘The First Wives Club’ That Almost Wasn’t** That classic “You Don’t Own Me” ending almost wasn’t even a part of the movie. Wilson said that the team “never had an ending.” It was Rudin who decided they needed “a good musical number,” and Wilson suggested the Lesley Gore hit. “It’s a great song and the take we used was the last one, just as the sun was coming up out of the river. Goldie was coming down with the flu. And I think Bette broke two heels while shooting that scene.” The resulting movie, of course, has endured as one of the most popular comedies of all time, and Keaton’s recent passing has seen its legacy revived. Perhaps with its 30th anniversary on the horizon, Paramount will see fit to open up those vaults and finally release the deleted scenes, at least on their own, fans have been itching to see for decades. Until that day, this cinematic Ark of the Covenant remains illusive. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Original%202%201%2F2%20Hour%20Long%20Version%20Of%20The%20First%20Wives%20Club%20Tested%20Poorly&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Original%202%201%2F2%20Hour%20Long%20Version%20Of%20The%20First%20Wives%20Club%20Tested%20Poorly%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Original%202%201%2F2%20Hour%20Long%20Version%20Of%20The%20First%20Wives%20Club%20Tested%20Poorly&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Original%202%201%2F2%20Hour%20Long%20Version%20Of%20The%20First%20Wives%20Club%20Tested%20Poorly%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Original%202%201%2F2%20Hour%20Long%20Version%20Of%20The%20First%20Wives%20Club%20Tested%20Poorly%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DianeKeaton, #FirstWivesClub, #GoldieHawn, #JonStewart, #Movie, #TestAudience --- ### [Video From Boodles BonBon: Shout Out To All My Trashy Readers! I Didn't Say That!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/03/video-from-boodles-bonbon-shout-out-to-all-my-trashy-readers-i-didnt-say-that/) **Published:** January 3, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video From Boodles BonBon: Shout Out To All My Trashy Readers! I Didn't Say That! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video From Boodles BonBon: Shout Out To All My Trashy Readers! I Didn’t Say That! By Boodles BonBon Jan. 3, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/a838d86da32511581094dfa77f6b4aed.jpg "A838d86da32511581094dfa77f6b4aed - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Shout%20Out%20To%20All%20My%20Trashy%20Readers%21%20I%20Didn%27t%20Say%20That%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Shout%20Out%20To%20All%20My%20Trashy%20Readers%21%20I%20Didn%27t%20Say%20That%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Shout%20Out%20To%20All%20My%20Trashy%20Readers%21%20I%20Didn%27t%20Say%20That%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Shout%20Out%20To%20All%20My%20Trashy%20Readers%21%20I%20Didn%27t%20Say%20That%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Shout%20Out%20To%20All%20My%20Trashy%20Readers%21%20I%20Didn%27t%20Say%20That%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Cher, #Duet, #Readers, #Trashy, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler Calls Out 2025 As The Worst Year In Recent U.S. History](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/03/bette-midler-calls-out-2025-as-the-worst-year-in-recent-u-s-history/) **Published:** January 3, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler, known for starring in the likes of Hocus Pocus, The Rose, and The First Wives Club, has slammed 2025 as the worst year in recent US history. **Content:** --- ## Far Out Magazine Bette Midler slams 2025 as the worst year in US history: “A smaller nation” By Tom Taylor Jan. 3, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2024-01-13_10-47-04.jpg "2024-01-13_10-47-04 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-special-appearances/#.VfrNfH9Viko), known for starring in the likes of Hocus Pocus, The Rose, and The First Wives Club, has slammed 2025 as the worst year in recent [**US history**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_United_States). The year, which began with widespread and devastating wildfires in California, continued with a lot of turmoil and tumult in the US, and the 80-year-old actor did not hold back in calling out the extent of that in her recent social media post. Midler, who is also a multi-Grammy winning singer, comedian, and author, who most recently starred in The Fabulous Four in 2024, wrote on Instagram, *“In my entire life, I have never lived through a more horrible year than the one that ends tonight.”* She continued by adding, *“It was hideous, and left us a smaller nation in the eyes of the world in the eyes of the world; we may never shine in the same way we once did.”* Midler, who retired from performing on stage back in 2021, continued, *“Every day was full of cruelty, viciousness, sadism, stupidity, corruption, even towards our friends. Every day, decimation of every value and institution we as Americans hold dear. It has been a heartbreaker, we got through it, but barely.”* Before concluding, *“Hats off to everyone who stood up, and for the crooked gang bent on our destruction, fuck you. It ain’t over til the fat lady sings. Pass me the pie.”* She followed this yesterday with an image saying, *“365 new days, 365 new chances.”* She captioned the image by writing, *“Hope is the thing. Keep it always in your heart.”* It was certainly a year that will occupy a wide chapter in the US history books to come. The economy showed moderate growth, persistent inflation, and a cooling labour market. There were two distinct assassinations. And aggressive tariff actions also gripped headlines. In Midler’s view, this culminated in the worst year of her entire lifetime, one which she thinks left the US a “smaller nation” than it had been before. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Calls%20Out%202025%20As%20The%20Worst%20Year%20In%20Recent%20U.S.%20History&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Calls%20Out%202025%20As%20The%20Worst%20Year%20In%20Recent%20U.S.%20History%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Calls%20Out%202025%20As%20The%20Worst%20Year%20In%20Recent%20U.S.%20History&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Calls%20Out%202025%20As%20The%20Worst%20Year%20In%20Recent%20U.S.%20History%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Calls%20Out%202025%20As%20The%20Worst%20Year%20In%20Recent%20U.S.%20History%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History, Other **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #History, #NewYearsDay, #USHistory --- ### [Bette Midler & Other Actors Who Played Twins](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/02/bette-midler-other-actors-who-played-twins/) **Published:** January 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Playing one character well takes talent, but playing two versions of the same person requires a whole different level of skill. **Content:** --- ## Go2Tutors Actors Who Played Their Own Twins By Adam Garcia Jan. 2, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/26336571_1-1024x538.jpg "26336571_1 - bootleg betty") --- Playing one character well takes talent, but playing two versions of the same person requires a whole different level of skill. Actors who take on [**twins** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin)roles face unique challenges that go beyond memorizing double the lines. They need to create distinct personalities, mannerisms, and voices for each character, while often acting in opposite ways through camera tricks and special effects. The results can be hilarious, dramatic, or downright creepy, depending on the story. Hollywood has a long history of asking actors to pull double duty as twins. Some performances became so iconic that people forget the same person played both roles. **Lindsay Lohan in The Parent Trap** The 1998 remake of The Parent Trap introduced audiences to Lindsay Lohan playing both Hallie and Annie, identical twins separated at birth who meet at summer camp. Lohan was only 11 years old during filming but managed to give each twin a distinct personality and accent. Hallie grew up as a California girl with a relaxed vibe, while Annie developed a proper British accent living in London with her mother. The film used a combination of body doubles and split-screen technology to create scenes where both twins appeared together. Lohan’s performance showed genuine chemistry between the characters, making it easy to forget one person played both roles. **Armie Hammer in The Social Network** Armie Hammer took on the challenge of playing both Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, the rowing champion twins who sued Mark Zuckerberg over Facebook’s origins. The Winklevoss twins are real people, which added pressure to get the portrayal right. Hammer acted out scenes twice, once as each brother, while his face was digitally mapped onto a body double for the twin he wasn’t actively playing. The performance required him to develop subtle differences in how each brother spoke and carried himself. Director David Fincher’s perfectionist approach meant shooting some scenes dozens of times to get the twin interaction exactly right. **Nicolas Cage in Adaptation** Nicolas Cage brought both Charlie and Donald Kaufman to life in this mind-bending film about a screenwriter and his fictional twin brother. Charlie is anxious, neurotic, and struggling with writer’s block, while Donald is confident, carefree, and somehow more successful. Cage created such different personalities for each brother that many viewers initially thought two actors played the roles. The film even credits Donald Kaufman as a co-writer in one of Hollywood’s strangest inside jokes, since Donald is entirely fictional. Cage earned an Oscar nomination for the dual performance, though the Academy only recognized it as a single role. **Hayley Mills in The Parent Trap** The original 1961 version of The Parent Trap starred Hayley Mills as both Sharon and Susan, twins who scheme to reunite their divorced parents. Mills was 14 during production and had to master an American accent for one twin while keeping her natural British voice for the other. Disney used cutting-edge split-screen technology for the era, though the effects look primitive compared to modern standards. Mills filmed many scenes acting opposite a body double, then repeated the same sequence as the other twin. The performance launched her into stardom and proved child actors could handle complex dual roles. **Tom Hardy in Legend** Tom Hardy played both Ronnie and Reggie Kray, the notorious British gangster twins who terrorized London in the 1960s. The Kray brothers had vastly different personalities despite being identical twins. Reggie was the more level-headed businessman, while Ronnie was violent, unpredictable, and struggled with mental health issues throughout his life. Hardy gained significant weight to play the bulkier Ronnie and created distinct vocal patterns for each brother. The film used a combination of body doubles and digital effects to create scenes where the twins fought each other or appeared in crowded rooms together. **Bette Midler in Big Business** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Bette-Midler-Big-Business-1-111725-86912faa5e114570a3eb10fa7c1dc11d-1024x683.jpg "Bette-midler-big-business-1-111725-86912faa5e114570a3eb10fa7c1dc11d - bootleg betty") [**Bette Midler starred alongside Lily Tomlin in this 1988 comedy,**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/01/variety-time-golden-derby-vulture-and-more-all-have-cut-off-as-one-of-the-most-anticipated-movies-to-see-this-year/) in which both actresses played twin sisters switched at birth. Midler portrayed both Sadie Shelton, a corporate executive, and Sadie Ratliff, a small-town woman fighting to save her community. The film’s plot involves two sets of identical twins who were accidentally switched at the hospital, creating four main characters between two actresses. Midler gave her two characters completely different energy levels, fashion senses, and values. The movie leans heavily into physical comedy and mistaken identity situations that only work because both actresses committed fully to making each twin feel like a separate person. **Jeremy Irons in Dead Ringers** Flickr/avda-foto Jeremy Irons delivered one of the most unsettling twin performances in film history as Beverly and Elliot Mantle, gynecologist brothers with a dark secret. The Mantle twins share everything in their lives, including romantic partners who don’t realize they’re dealing with two different men. Irons created subtle differences in posture, voice, and demeanor that distinguished the more sensitive Beverly from the manipulative Elliot. The psychological thriller required Irons to film most scenes twice with precise timing to match his own movements. Director David Cronenberg’s use of long takes and minimal editing made the twin illusion even more convincing and disturbing. **Tatiana Maslany in Orphan Black** While technically a TV series rather than a film, Tatiana Maslany’s performance in Orphan Black deserves recognition for playing not just twins but multiple clones with wildly different personalities. Throughout the show’s five seasons, Maslany portrayed at least 14 distinct characters who were genetic copies of each other. Each clone had unique accents, mannerisms, and backgrounds ranging from suburban soccer mom to punk rock rebel to uptight scientist. Maslany even played clones pretending to be other clones, creating layers of performance within performances. The show filmed scenes where multiple clones interacted using a combination of body doubles, split screens, and careful choreography that required Maslany to remember precise movements for each character. **Adam Sandler in Jack and Jill** Adam Sandler took on both the title roles in this 2011 comedy that critics disliked but audiences watched anyway. Jack is a successful advertising executive with a normal life, while his twin sister Jill is loud, obnoxious, and comes to visit for Thanksgiving. Sandler performed Jill in full costume with a high-pitched voice that became the source of most of the film’s comedy. The movie used extensive prosthetics and padding to create Jill’s appearance, along with digital effects for scenes where the twins interacted. Despite receiving harsh reviews and multiple Razzie Awards, the film made money at the box office and showcased Sandler’s commitment to physical comedy. **Jean-Claude Van Damme in Double Impact** Jean-Claude Van Damme played Chad and Alex, twin brothers separated after their parents’ murder who reunite 25 years later to seek revenge. Chad was raised in luxury in Beverly Hills and became a sophisticated businessman, while Alex grew up in Hong Kong as a street-tough smuggler. Van Damme gave each brother different fighting styles that reflected their backgrounds, with Chad using more refined techniques and Alex brawling with raw aggression. The action movie used practical effects typical of early 1990s filmmaking, including body doubles and careful camera angles. Scenes where both brothers fought side by side required Van Damme to film fight choreography twice and match his own timing perfectly. **Paul Rudd in Living With Yourself** This Netflix series cast Paul Rudd as Miles and his clone, who turns out to be a better version of himself in every way. The original Miles is tired, stressed, and disconnected from his wife, while the clone is energetic, thoughtful, and everything Miles used to be. Rudd created subtle differences between the two characters through posture and energy levels rather than obvious quirks. The show explores what happens when someone faces a literally perfect version of themselves, creating both comedy and existential dread. Rudd filmed scenes using earpieces that played back his dialogue from previous takes, allowing him to react naturally to his own performance. **Eddie Murphy in Bowfinger** Eddie Murphy played both Jiff and Kit Ramsey in this 1999 comedy about Hollywood filmmaking. Kit Ramsey is a paranoid action star at the peak of his career, while his twin brother Jiff is a sweet, nerdy guy who works at a movie theater. Murphy made Jiff completely different from Kit by giving him glasses, braces, and an entirely different way of moving and speaking. The contrast between the confident, successful Kit and the shy, eager-to-please Jiff created most of the film’s humor. Director Frank Oz used the twin subplot to comment on Hollywood’s treatment of actors and the gap between public personas and real people. **Lily Tomlin in Big Business** What most stands out is how Lily Tomlin shares the twin roles with Bette Midler in Big Business, stepping into the shoes of both Rose Shelstone and Rose Ratliff. One version of Rose thrives in boardrooms – tight-laced, sharp, always chasing profit; the other breathes small-town air, open-hearted, rooted in kindness. Humor spills through every scene where these dual versions collide, bounce off one another, spiral into messier confusion. Tomlin shaped each sister using gestures, posture, tiny shifts that signal who they are without needing words. Behind the laughs lies careful planning – the movie builds toward a moment when all four women land inside the same grand hotel. Identity mix-ups pile high, tangled but never breaking apart thanks to the clarity each actress brings to their separate selves. It holds together simply because viewers can tell them apart at a glance. The rhythm between performers turns chaos into something smooth, almost invisible work. Not magic, just skill worn lightly. Even during mayhem, you believe in both Riles. That kind of balance doesn’t happen by accident. Precision hides beneath the silliness. Moments stretch thin yet never snap. Difference lives in a tilt of the head, a way of standing still. **Mike Myers in Austin Powers** Swinging into the spotlight, Mike Myers brought to life two wildly different characters in the Austin Powers series. Not just one role but two – he shaped the flamboyant 60s spy and his cold, calculating enemy. Time-traveling from the mod era, Austin wakes up decades later without losing an ounce of charm. Meanwhile, hidden beneath a sleek dome of nothingness, Dr. Evil plots chaos with icy precision. Family drama simmers under his sinister speeches. The whole thing mocks classic spy tropes without copying them flatly. One man, two extremes, sharing DNA and screen time. One role had a thick British flair, while the other spoke softer, almost like whispering secrets. Instead of teaming up new faces too much, the story kept circling back to those two odd opposites. When they shared a scene, cameras moved carefully around stand-ins, then stitched moments apart later. Over time, extra roles showed up – round one, then another with metal limbs – but none shook that core pair. What held it all together wasn’t gadgets or stunts, just how differently they talked and acted. **Ewan McGregor in Fargo** One man, two lives unfolding at once. Brothers shaped by the same past yet living entirely different ones. A crown made of asphalt – Emmit built an empire from parking spaces across Minnesota. Meanwhile, Ray measured his worth in rules enforced and sentences served, always looking up at what his sibling had. Their voices came from the same throat but carried separate rhythms, accents tweaked just enough to tell them apart before they even moved. Posture did its share too – one stood tall like he owned everything; the other hunched as if burdened by it. Little things grew teeth over time – the way one laughed, how the other held a pen. That old fight about stamps wasn’t really about paper circles with gum backs – it was about being seen. One never got enough credit, the other soaked up all the light. Hurt twisted slowly into something neither could control. Neither wore white nor black hats – they stumbled through choices that felt right then broke wrong. What held them together also tore pieces away. **Teresa Palmer in I Am Number Four** Sometimes acting means pretending to be someone else – even yourself. Teresa Palmer stepped into two roles for I Am Number Four: one was Sarah, the real human girl, while another creature wore that face like a mask. This thing came from another world – Mogadorian – and copied her look to sneak close to fugitives living undercover on our planet. One version stood straighter. Another hesitated before speaking. Small shifts mattered more than big changes. She could not act too strange or others would notice right away in the story. No flashy tricks helped here. Just movement. A pause. The way eyes held light differently. Cameras caught only what she gave them. Her body did the work of telling the truth from lie. Same face. Two rhythms underneath. Silence said as much as words. **When one becomes two** Playing twins well shows acting isn’t just about words or where you stand. What matters most lives underneath – two unique souls behind identical eyes. Each move must be learned once, then again slightly altered, like a mirror that doesn’t quite follow. Timing becomes everything when responding to someone who isn’t there yet. The screen fills gaps with tools now, yes – but belief comes from choices, not edits. One voice speaks softly here, another answers loud elsewhere, both born from the same breath. Seeing them together feels natural only if they never feel like copies. Difference hides in rhythm, in pauses, in how one laughs while the other holds still. It works because we forget it’s staged – we see siblings, not switches. A single body carries two lives so fully, we stop questioning how. That illusion – the strongest kind – is built moment by moment, without flash. Faces match, sure, but minds don’t have to. That freedom lets the trick breathe. You watch and simply accept: this one worries, that one dares. Separate paths. Same skin. Proof that presence isn’t copied – it’s invented, shaped daily through small decisions. No magic involved, just discipline dressed as instinct. And somehow, out of repetition and silence, duality emerges whole. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Other%20Actors%20Who%20Played%20Twins&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Other%20Actors%20Who%20Played%20Twins%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Other%20Actors%20Who%20Played%20Twins&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Other%20Actors%20Who%20Played%20Twins%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Other%20Actors%20Who%20Played%20Twins%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Big Business, Movies **Tags:** #Actors, #BetteMidler, #BigBusiness, #Movie, #Twins --- ### [The Oldest Musicians Who Refuse To Fade Away](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/02/the-oldest-musicians-who-refuse-to-fade-away/) **Published:** January 2, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** As we go into 2026, here are the oldest musicians who are still recording and touring **Content:** --- ## A Journal Of Musical Things The Oldest Musicians Who Refuse To Fade Away By Alan Cross Jan. 1, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/BaltoBoy-Bette-Scans-048.jpg "Baltoboy bette scans 048 - bootleg betty") --- As we go into 2026, here are the [**oldest musicians**](https://www.ihopeidiebeforeigetold.com/oldest-living-rock-stars.php) who are still recording and touring “Don’t trust anyone over thirty!” “I hope I die before I get old!” Those slogans haven’t aged well, have they? Here’s a list of the oldest working musicians as of January 1, 2026. Additions and corrections welcome. Willie Nelson: 92 Frankie Valli: 91 Herb Alpert: 90 Buddy Guy: 89 Ringo Starr: 85 Cliff Richard: 85 Tom Jones: 85 Dionne Warwick: 85 Smokey Robinson: 85 Bob Dylan: 84 Paul Simon: 84 John McLaughlin: 83 Paul McCartney: 83 Andy Summers: 82 George Benson: 92 Barry Manilow: 82 Mick Jagger: 82 Keith Richards: 82 Roger Waters: 82 Steve Miller: 81 Diana Ross: 81 Roger Daltrey: 81 (although The Who seems to be done) Peter Cetera: 81 Rod Steward: 80 John Fogerty: 80 Deborah Harry: 80 Eric Clapton: 80 Pete Townshend: 80 (see Roger Daltrey above) Ian Gillan: 80 [**Bette Midler:** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/bette-midler/)80 Van Morrison: 80 Roger Glover: 80 Neil Young: 79 Dolly Parton: 79 Robbie Krieger: 79 David Gilmour: 79 Cher: 79 Barry Gibb: 79 Patti Smith: 78 Iggy Pop: 78 Steve Howe: 78 Brian May: 78 Don Henley: 78 Joe Walsh: 78 Carlos Santana: 78 Elton John: 78 (Well, semi-retired) Ian Anderson: 78 Sammy Hagar: 78 Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Oldest%20Musicians%20Who%20Refuse%20To%20Fade%20Away&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Oldest%20Musicians%20Who%20Refuse%20To%20Fade%20Away%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Oldest%20Musicians%20Who%20Refuse%20To%20Fade%20Away&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Oldest%20Musicians%20Who%20Refuse%20To%20Fade%20Away%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Oldest%20Musicians%20Who%20Refuse%20To%20Fade%20Away%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Other **Tags:** #Musicians, #NotFadeAway, #Oldest --- ### [Bette Midler: A Deep Dive Into The Iconic Role Of Winifred Sanderson](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/01/bette-midler-a-deep-dive-into-the-iconic-role-of-winifred-sanderson/) **Published:** January 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's role in the beloved film Hocus Pocus has captivated audiences since its release in 1993. This classic Disney film not only showcased Midler's exceptional talent but also solidified her status as a cultural icon. **Content:** --- ## People Bette Midler In Hocus Pocus: A Deep Dive Into The Iconic Role By Cara Lynn Shultz Jan. 1, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-01_09-13-27.png "2026-01-01_09-13-27 - bootleg betty")--- Bette Midler’s role in the beloved film [**Hocus Pocus**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/hocus-pocus/) has captivated audiences since its release in 1993. This classic Disney film not only showcased Midler’s exceptional talent but also solidified her status as a cultural icon. In this article, we will explore the significance of Bette Midler’s character, [**Winifred Sanderson**](https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Winifred_Sanderson), the impact of Hocus Pocus on popular culture, and the legacy of this timeless movie. As we delve into the enchanting world of Hocus Pocus, we will uncover the behind-the-scenes magic that brought the Sanderson sisters to life, the film’s reception over the years, and why it continues to resonate with both new and old fans. With Halloween just around the corner, there’s no better time to revisit this spooky, yet heartwarming tale. Join us as we celebrate Bette Midler’s incredible performance and the lasting charm of Hocus Pocus, a film that has become a staple of Halloween festivities and a beloved classic for generations. **Biography of Bette Midler** Bette Midler, born on December 1, 1945, in Honolulu, Hawaii, is an acclaimed American singer, actress, comedian, and songwriter. Known for her powerful voice and vibrant personality, Midler has had a prolific career in entertainment spanning several decades. Below is a brief overview of her personal information and career highlights. **Personal Information** **Name** Bette Midler **Date of Birth** December 1, 1945 **Birthplace** Honolulu, Hawaii, USA **Occupation** Singer, Actress, Comedian, Songwriter **Notable Works** Hocus Pocus, The Rose, Beaches, Divine Madness Bette Midler’s Role in Hocus Pocus In Hocus Pocus, Bette Midler portrays the iconic character Winifred Sanderson, the eldest of the three Sanderson sisters. Winifred is known for her distinctive personality, wicked sense of humor, and powerful magic. Midler’s portrayal of Winifred is often cited as one of the film’s standout performances, bringing a perfect blend of menace and charm to the character. ### Character Analysis of Winifred Sanderson Her ambition and desire for power characterize Winifred Sanderson. She is the leader of the Sanderson sisters and is willing to go to great lengths to achieve her goals. Midler’s performance highlights the character’s humorous side, making her a favorite among fans. Some key traits of Winifred include: **Charismatic:** Midler’s charm brings Winifred to life, making her both likable and formidable. **Manipulative:** Winifred often uses her cunning to manipulate others to get what she wants. **Resourceful:** Her magical abilities allow her to devise clever plans to outsmart her opponents. Cultural Impact of Hocus Pocus Since its release, Hocus Pocus has developed a devoted fanbase and has become a staple of Halloween celebrations. The film’s catchy songs, memorable quotes, and enchanting story have contributed to its lasting popularity. Bette Midler’s performance is often credited as a key factor in the film’s success, and the character of Winifred Sanderson has become an enduring symbol of Halloween. ### Memorable Quotes and Songs Hocus Pocus features several memorable quotes and songs that have become iconic in popular culture. Some notable examples include: “Come, we fly!” – Winifred Sanderson “I put a spell on you!” – Winifred Sanderson “It’s just a bunch of hocus pocus!” – Max Dennison Legacy of Hocus Pocus The legacy of Hocus Pocus continues to grow, with the film being re-released in theaters and on home video numerous times. In 2022, a sequel titled Hocus Pocus 2 was released, further solidifying the film’s place in pop culture history. Bette Midler reprised her role as Winifred, much to the delight of fans. ### Hocus Pocus Merchandise and Events The film’s popularity has led to a range of merchandise, including clothing, toys, and home decor. Additionally, themed events and screenings are held annually to celebrate the film and its characters. ## Behind the Scenes of Hocus Pocus The making of Hocus Pocus involved a talented team of filmmakers, including director Kenny Ortega and screenwriter Neil Cuthbert. The film’s production design, special effects, and music played a significant role in creating the whimsical atmosphere that fans adore. ### Filming Locations and Techniques Hocus Pocus was filmed in various locations in Massachusetts, including Salem and Marblehead. The iconic scenes featuring the Sanderson sisters flying on broomsticks were accomplished using a combination of practical effects and computer-generated imagery (CGI), a groundbreaking technique at the time. ## Critical Reception of Hocus Pocus Upon its initial release, Hocus Pocus received mixed reviews from critics but found success with audiences. Over the years, the film has gained a cult following and is now regarded as a beloved classic. Critics have praised Bette Midler’s performance and the film’s humor, making it a cherished part of Halloween tradition. ## The Fanbase of Hocus Pocus The Hocus Pocus fanbase is diverse, spanning all ages. The film’s themes of friendship, family, and the supernatural resonate with viewers, and fans often celebrate the film through cosplay, fan art, and social media discussions. Bette Midler’s portrayal of Winifred Sanderson continues to inspire admiration and love from fans worldwide. ## Conclusion Bette Midler’s role as Winifred Sanderson in Hocus Pocus is a defining moment in her illustrious career and a significant part of the film’s enduring charm. The cultural impact and legacy of Hocus Pocus continue to thrive, making it a timeless classic that audiences cherish. If you haven’t already, consider revisiting Hocus Pocus this Halloween and experience the magic of Bette Midler’s unforgettable performance. We encourage you to share your thoughts on Hocus Pocus in the comments below and let us know your favorite moments from the film. Don’t forget to share this article with fellow fans and explore more of our content for all things Halloween! Thank you for reading, and we hope to see you again soon! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%3A%20A%20Deep%20Dive%20Into%20The%20Iconic%20Role%20Of%20Winifred%20Sanderson&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20A%20Deep%20Dive%20Into%20The%20Iconic%20Role%20Of%20Winifred%20Sanderson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20A%20Deep%20Dive%20Into%20The%20Iconic%20Role%20Of%20Winifred%20Sanderson&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20A%20Deep%20Dive%20Into%20The%20Iconic%20Role%20Of%20Winifred%20Sanderson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20A%20Deep%20Dive%20Into%20The%20Iconic%20Role%20Of%20Winifred%20Sanderson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2 **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HocusPocus, #Iconic, #Role, #WinifredSanderson --- ### [Bette Midler Notched Her First Hit By Taking It Slow And Easy](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/01/bette-midler-notched-her-first-hit-by-taking-it-slow-and-easy/) **Published:** January 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler has displayed a wide variety of talents over her storied career. Because she developed into such a force as an actress in films, it’s easy to forget that she first made a splash with the American public as a pop music star. **Content:** --- ## American Songwriter Bette Midler Notched Her First Hit By Taking It Slow And Easy By Jim Beviglia January 1, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2024-01-13_13-23-27.jpg "2024-01-13_13-23-27 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/bette-midler/) has displayed a wide variety of talents over her storied career. Because she developed into such a force as an actress in films, it’s easy to forget that she first made a splash with the American public as a pop music star. **Videos by American Songwriter** Midler thrived early in her career with bold interpretations of material that might not have otherwise seemed au courant. Her first big hit came with a song that had already been successful for several artists. But Midler, as she would do again and again throughout her career, put a definitive stamp on it. **Bette’s Beginnings** Bette Midler was born in Honolulu and briefly attended the University of Hawaii. But her copious talents convinced her that she’d be better off in New York City trying to make a career as an entertainer. Midler began scoping out Broadway roles in the mid-60s. But she made her own big break when she began a stint performing at the Continental Baths, known for its gay clientele. It was there that Midler began performing with a young piano player who was also working his way up the showbiz ladder. That young man’s name was Barry Manilow. Midler and Manilow soon developed a repertoire that gained the attention of Atlantic Records. She released her debut album, The Divine Miss M, in 1972, and much of it was made up of songs that she was already doing in her act. That included her debut single, “[**Do You Want To Dance?**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_You_Want_to_Dance)” **An Encore “Dance”** By the time that Midler recorded “Do You Want To Dance?”, the song had been a hit three times over. Teenager Bobby Freeman wrote it, recorded it, and enjoyed a Top 5 hit with it during the first boom time for rock and roll in 1958. Cliff Richard And The Shadows covered the song, which became one of their endless string of UK hits in 1962. The Beach Boys then threw their harmonies at the song in 1965. With Dennis Wilson delivering a rare lead vocal, their take hit No. 12 in the US. Had Midler simply tried to recapture the uptempo, party vibe of those recordings, the public might have shrugged it off as a case of been there, heard that. But she slowed the tempo down and turned it into a sultry come-on. Manilow’s tinkling piano and the arrangement of the strings and horns by Philly soul legend Thom Bell helped sustain that mood. **Commercial Property** Midler managed a ringing success the first time out, as “Do You Wanna Dance?” made it to No. 17 in 1972. She hit the Top 10 with “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” as a follow-up, and then “Friends” gave her a third straight Top 40 hit from The Divine Miss M. Unfortunately for Midler, “Do You Wanna Dance?” proved problematic for her. In 1985, Mercury used a singer who mimicked Midler’s vocals in the song as part of a commercial. Considering Midler avoided doing ads, she was furious at the unsanctioned imitation. She eventually won a lawsuit against the car company, who were forced to drop the ad as a result. The moral of the story: You might want to dance with Bette Midler, but you better not mess with her. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Notched%20Her%20First%20Hit%20By%20Taking%20It%20Slow%20And%20Easy&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Notched%20Her%20First%20Hit%20By%20Taking%20It%20Slow%20And%20Easy%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Notched%20Her%20First%20Hit%20By%20Taking%20It%20Slow%20And%20Easy&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Notched%20Her%20First%20Hit%20By%20Taking%20It%20Slow%20And%20Easy%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Notched%20Her%20First%20Hit%20By%20Taking%20It%20Slow%20And%20Easy%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, do you wanna dance, The Divine Miss M **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DoYouWantToDance, #EasyListening, #Hit, #SoftRock, #thedivinemissm --- ### [Variety, Time, Golden Derby, Vulture, And More, All Have 'Cut Off' As One Of The Most Anticipated Movies To See This Year](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/01/variety-time-golden-derby-vulture-and-more-all-have-cut-off-as-one-of-the-most-anticipated-movies-to-see-this-year/) **Published:** January 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Cut Off is an upcoming Warner Bros. comedy film directed by Jonah Hill, who also co-wrote the script (with Ezra Woods), produced, and stars in it. It's scheduled for theatrical release on July 17, 2026. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Variety, Time, Golden Derby, And Vulture All Have ‘Cut Off’ As One Of The Most Anticipated Movies To See This Year By Mister D Jan. 1, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-17_16-20-50-1-1024x574.png "2025-12-17_16-20-50 - bootleg betty")--- [**Cut Off**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/cut-off/) is an upcoming Warner Bros. comedy film directed by Jonah Hill, who also co-wrote the script (with Ezra Woods), produced, and stars in it. It’s scheduled for theatrical release on July 17, 2026. The movie follows two wealthy adult siblings (played by Hill and [**Kristen Wiig**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristen_Wiig)) who are suddenly cut off from their parents’ financial support (Bette Midler and Nathan Lane play their parents), forcing them to navigate real-world adulthood for the first time. The supporting cast includes Camila Cabello, Langston Kerman, Adriana Barraza, and Chelsea Peretti. It’s generating buzz and landing on “most anticipated” lists from outlets like Time, Variety, Gold Derby, and Vulture primarily due to: - Star-studded comedy ensemble: Pairing proven comedic talents like Kristen Wiig (SNL, Bridesmaids) and Jonah Hill (Superbad, The Wolf of Wall Street) as siblings, alongside legends Bette Midler and Nathan Lane as their parents, creates high expectations for sharp, intergenerational humor. - Jonah Hill’s directorial return: This marks Hill’s third feature as director (after Mid90s and the documentary Stutz), building on his reputation for blending humor with heartfelt themes. - Timely premise: The “spoiled rich kids forced to grow up” trope feels ripe for satirical, dark comedy in today’s cultural climate, with potential for witty commentary on privilege and independence. These elements have made it a standout in year-end previews amid a packed 2026 slate of blockbusters and sequels. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Variety%2C%20Time%2C%20Golden%20Derby%2C%20Vulture%2C%20And%20More%2C%20All%20Have%20%27Cut%20Off%27%20As%20One%20Of%20The%20Most%20Anticipated%20Movies%20To%20See%20This%20Year&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Variety%2C%20Time%2C%20Golden%20Derby%2C%20Vulture%2C%20And%20More%2C%20All%20Have%20%27Cut%20Off%27%20As%20One%20Of%20The%20Most%20Anticipated%20Movies%20To%20See%20This%20Year%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Variety%2C%20Time%2C%20Golden%20Derby%2C%20Vulture%2C%20And%20More%2C%20All%20Have%20%27Cut%20Off%27%20As%20One%20Of%20The%20Most%20Anticipated%20Movies%20To%20See%20This%20Year&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Variety%2C%20Time%2C%20Golden%20Derby%2C%20Vulture%2C%20And%20More%2C%20All%20Have%20%27Cut%20Off%27%20As%20One%20Of%20The%20Most%20Anticipated%20Movies%20To%20See%20This%20Year%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Variety%2C%20Time%2C%20Golden%20Derby%2C%20Vulture%2C%20And%20More%2C%20All%20Have%20%27Cut%20Off%27%20As%20One%20Of%20The%20Most%20Anticipated%20Movies%20To%20See%20This%20Year%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #CutOff, #MisterD, #Movies --- ### [Subscribe To Bette Midler: Bootleg Betty!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/01/subscribe-to-bette-midler-bootleg-betty/) **Published:** January 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Listen, in a world where your inbox is already clogged with bills, spam from that "Nigerian prince," and endless cat videos, why not sprinkle in some actual divine sparkle? Subscribe to my Bette Midler fansite newsletter **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Subscribe To Bette Midler: Bootleg Betty! By Mister D Jan. 1, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2024-01-12_11-54-33-1.jpg "2024-01-12_11-54-33 - bootleg betty")--- *Hey there, fellow BetteHeads (or soon-to-be ones)!* Listen, in a world where your inbox is already clogged with bills, spam from that “Nigerian prince,” and endless cat videos, why not sprinkle in some actual divine sparkle? Subscribe to my Bette Midler fansite newsletter, and I’ll deliver the latest scoops on The Divine Miss M straight to your email – fresh news, rare gems, hilarious throwbacks, and zero Sophie Tucker jokes gone wrong (okay, maybe one or two). Imagine waking up to: “Bette just released a box set!” or “Exclusive: That time she put a spell on us all in Hocus Pocus… revisited!” No more frantic scrolling through feeds, missing the good stuff. It’s like having your own personal Harlette whispering Bette updates in your ear – but without the sequins in your coffee. It’s free, it’s fabulous, and it’s the closest you’ll get to “Wind Beneath My Wings” lifting your mundane Monday. Don’t be a Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy left behind – hit that subscribe button on bootlegbetty.com today! (And if you don’t… well, I’ll have to send Delores DeLago after you in a wheelchair. You’ve been warned. ) Sign up now at – your inbox will thank you (and so will Bette’s spirit)! Just type your email address in the box on the right-hand side of the page and submit. Very easy! *Love, Mister D* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Subscribe **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Newsletter, #Subscribe --- ### [Video From Boodles BonBon: Start The New Year Right With Timeless Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2026/01/01/video-from-boodles-bonbon-start-the-new-year-right-with-timeless-bette-midler/) **Published:** January 1, 2026 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video From Boodles BonBon: Start The New Year Right With Timeless Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video From Boodles BonBon: Start The New Year Right With Timeless Bette Midler By Boodles BonBon Jan 1, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-31_15-14-30.png "2025-12-31_15-14-30 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Start%20The%20New%20Year%20Right%20With%20Timeless%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Start%20The%20New%20Year%20Right%20With%20Timeless%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Start%20The%20New%20Year%20Right%20With%20Timeless%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Start%20The%20New%20Year%20Right%20With%20Timeless%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20Start%20The%20New%20Year%20Right%20With%20Timeless%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #GloryOfLove, #Showgirl, #Video --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler Visits Sandra Bernhard At Joe's Pub](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/31/photo-bette-midler-visits-sandra-bernhard-at-joes-pub/) **Published:** December 31, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Photo: Bette Midler Visits Sandra Bernhard At Joe's Pub **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler Visits Sandra Bernhard At Joe’s Pub By Mister D Dec. 31, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-31_18-59-52.png "2025-12-31_18-59-52 - bootleg betty") --- \#BetteMidler and #SophievonHaselberg backstage with #SandraBernhard who’s playing at #JoesPub in #NewYork Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Sandra%20Bernhard%20At%20Joe%27s%20Pub&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Sandra%20Bernhard%20At%20Joe%27s%20Pub%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Sandra%20Bernhard%20At%20Joe%27s%20Pub&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Sandra%20Bernhard%20At%20Joe%27s%20Pub%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Visits%20Sandra%20Bernhard%20At%20Joe%27s%20Pub%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Holiday, Other **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #JoesPub, #NewYork, #SandraBernhard, #SophieVonHaselberg --- ### [My New Year's Eve Bette Midler Playlist Plus 10 Bonus Tracks](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/31/my-new-years-eve-bette-midler-playlist-plus-10-bonus-tracks/) **Published:** December 31, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Here's my New Year's Eve Bette Midler Playlist. I curated it just for you. What? Don't you like it? Well, then, come up with your own. That's even better! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty My New Year’s Eve Bette Midler Playlist Plus 10 Bonus Tracks By Mister D Dec 31, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/tumblr_lzegkmqb8x1qiri5ho1_400-1.jpg "Tumblr_lzegkmqb8x1qiri5ho1_400 (1) - bootleg betty") --- Here’s my New Year’s Eve Bette Midler Playlist. I curated it just for you. What? Don’t you like it? Well, then, come up with your own. That’s even better! **Bette Midler New Year’s Eve Playlist** 1. **Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy** – Kick off with this swinging, energetic classic to get everyone dancing! 2. **Do You Want to Dance?** – Pure upbeat fun and invitation to hit the floor. 3. **Stuff Like That There** – Sassy, playful, and full of that big-band sparkle. 4. **Only in Miami** – Tropical, celebratory vibes for a glamorous night. 5. **Beast of Burden** – Her rocking Rolling Stones cover brings the attitude and energy. 6. **I Put a Spell on You** – Dramatic and spellbinding fun (with a witchy edge for midnight magic). 7. **Friends** – Warm up the crowd with this joyful anthem to friendship. 8. **Chapel of Love** – Sweet, nostalgic girl-group celebration. 9. **What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?** – The ultimate NYE song — her wistful, romantic version is perfection as the clock nears midnight. 10. **From a Distance** – Reflective and hopeful as the ball drops. 11. **Wind Beneath My Wings** – Emotional, uplifting hero’s anthem for toasting loved ones. 12. **The Rose** – Beautiful ballad about love blooming — tender midnight moment. 13. **In My Life** – Her gorgeous Beatles cover for looking back on the year. 14. **Hello in There** – Touching reflection to slow things down briefly. 15. **Keep On Rockin’** – To remind everybody it’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Stream these on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube — search for “Bette Midler” and add her greatest hits plus tracks from Cool Yule for that NYE touch. Have a divine celebration! **However, I had to have more. Here are my bonus tracks!** 16\. **Miss Otis Regrets** – Sophisticated, storytelling drama with a jazzy edge—great for cocktail hour vibes. 17\. **Ukulele Lady** – Fun, quirky tropical throwback to get smiles and swaying going. 18\. **Shining Star** – Uplifting and groovy cover to celebrate new beginnings. Try Yomando’s Mix 19\. **Cool Yule** – Swing into the holiday spirit with this bouncy title track from her Christmas album. 20\. **I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm** – Cozy, romantic winter warmth as the night winds down. 21\. **One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)** – Torch song perfection for a late-night toast. 22\. **Stay With Me** – Powerful, emotional rock ballad for a heartfelt moment. 23\. **Big Noise from Winnetka** – High-energy live favorite to crank up the dance floor again. 24\. **Pretty Legs (and Great Big Knockers)** – Cheeky, hilarious camp—pure Bette humor for laughs at midnight. 25\. **Auld Lang Syne** – it’s on Bootleg Betty! Now you’ve got a mega-playlist of 25 tracks! Mix them in for non-stop glamour and good times. Happy New Year’s Eve—may it be as fabulous as Bette herself! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=My%20New%20Year%27s%20Eve%20Bette%20Midler%20Playlist%20Plus%2010%20Bonus%20Tracks&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=My%20New%20Year%27s%20Eve%20Bette%20Midler%20Playlist%20Plus%2010%20Bonus%20Tracks%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=My%20New%20Year%27s%20Eve%20Bette%20Midler%20Playlist%20Plus%2010%20Bonus%20Tracks&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=My%20New%20Year%27s%20Eve%20Bette%20Midler%20Playlist%20Plus%2010%20Bonus%20Tracks%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=My%20New%20Year%27s%20Eve%20Bette%20Midler%20Playlist%20Plus%2010%20Bonus%20Tracks%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Holiday, Holidays **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Holiday, #Music, #NewYearsEve, #NYE, #Playlist, #Songs --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler Sings 'Auld Lang Syne' 1999 And More](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/30/audio-bette-midler-sings-auld-lang-syne-1999-and-more/) **Published:** December 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio: Bette Midler Sings 'Auld Lang Syne' 1999 And More **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler Sings ‘Auld Lang Syne’ 1999 And More By Mister D Dec. 31, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/19892275_web1_bette_midler_sings-1024x795.webp "19892275_web1_bette_midler_sings - bootleg betty")--- ***Auld Lang Syne – Bette Midler – Divine Miss Millennium -1999*** --- --- ***My Shining Hour – Bette Midler*** --- --- ***What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? – Bette Midler – Cool Yule*** --- **Keep On Rocking – Bette Midler – Kiss My Brass** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%27Auld%20Lang%20Syne%27%201999%20And%20More&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%27Auld%20Lang%20Syne%27%201999%20And%20More%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%27Auld%20Lang%20Syne%27%201999%20And%20More&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%27Auld%20Lang%20Syne%27%201999%20And%20More%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%27Auld%20Lang%20Syne%27%201999%20And%20More%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Cool Yule, Divine Miss Millennium, Kiss My Brass, Music, Songs **Tags:** #Audio, #AuldLangSyne, #BetteMidler, #CoolYule, #DivineMissMillennium, #KissMyBrass, #NewYearsEve --- ### [Other Bette Midler Fansites To Check Out](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/30/other-bette-midler-fansites-to-check-out/) **Published:** December 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** As your faithful Bootleg Betty wheezes, coughs, and dramatically flops into 2026 like a tipsy mermaid washed up on New Year's Eve (Sophie's choice: champagne or oxygen tank?), I figured it's the perfect moment to shine a spotlight on the rest of the fabulous flock in Bette Land. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Other Bette Midler Fansites To Check Out By Mister D Dec. 29, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-29_10-19-01.png "2025-12-29_10-19-01 - bootleg betty") --- ***Mister D:*** *As your faithful Bootleg Betty wheezes, coughs, and dramatically flops into 2026 like a tipsy mermaid washed up on New Year’s Eve (Sophie’s choice: champagne or oxygen tank?), I figured it’s the perfect moment to shine a spotlight on the rest of the fabulous flock in Bette Land. I’m tapping out slower than Delores DeLago in heels these days, but these other gems have been sparkling brighter than ever. You’ve probably bookmarked half of ’em already (you savvy BetteHeads, you!), but just in case you’ve been too busy belting “Wind Beneath My Wings” in the shower, come take a hilarious gander at these Divine destinations. Trust me, it’ll do your soul good—like a Harlette backup dance move! Here are some must-visit spots to keep the Divine fire burning:* --- **[Bette Midler-Fansite](https://www.facebook.com/BetteMidlerFansite/)**: The largest, with around 395,000 likes. A dedicated fansite that shares photos, videos, and updates on her career. Also on Instagram, Tumblr, X, and maybe Threads **[Bette Midler: Still Divine](https://www.facebook.com/DivineBette1945/)**: Highly active page with 318,000 likes and tens of thousands talking about posts recently. Focuses on honoring “the divine” Bette Midler with news, memories, and fan content—often recommended in fan discussions. Also on Instagram, BlueSky, and Threads **[Life As A Harlette](https://www.facebook.com/HarletteLife)**: The page shares nostalgic content focused on the Harlettes’ history, including: Rare photos, Vintage performance videos, Clips of Harlettes performing with Bette or in related projects. It’s a niche, archival-style page for die-hard fans interested in the “sisterhood” and behind-the-scenes glimpses of life as a Harlette—full of glamour, rehearsals, and diva energy from Bette’s classic eras. Run by The Harlettes themselves! Wowza! **[The Divine Miss M Fan Site – Bed. Of.Roses](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyVBM76VkPieSPQ5w3iuNkQ)**: A heartfelt tribute channel on YouTube with classic live performances, concert clips, and fan compilations focused on “The Divine Miss M” era. *New:* [**The Bette Midler Archive – Focuses on rare audio of Bette Midler on YouTube**](https://www.youtube.com/@bettearchive). And when I say rare, I mean rare. A new treasure site! *New:* **[Boodles BonBon](https://www.youtube.com/@boodles_bonbon)** – On YouTube and Instagram, this new talent features creative video mixes along with cleaning up and restoring older, classic gems. It has won my heart over! *New:* **[Bette Midler Music](https://bsky.app/profile/bettemidlermusic.bsky.social)** is a fan-run Bluesky profile dedicated to celebrating Bette Midler’s music and career. This is an unofficial tribute account focused on sharing her songs, linking to streaming, and honoring “The Divine Miss M.” The Bette fan community on Bluesky continues to grow, with this page serving as a niche hub for music lovers. ***Note:* Please let me know if I left anything out that you want me to include. Please ensure the links work. *Thank you!* I’ll be adding these sites permanently to my page.** ***Don*** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Other%20Bette%20Midler%20Fansites%20To%20Check%20Out&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Other%20Bette%20Midler%20Fansites%20To%20Check%20Out%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Other%20Bette%20Midler%20Fansites%20To%20Check%20Out&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Other%20Bette%20Midler%20Fansites%20To%20Check%20Out%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Other%20Bette%20Midler%20Fansites%20To%20Check%20Out%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteHeads, Other Bette Sites **Tags:** #BetteHeads, #BetteMidler, #FanSites, #Sites --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - Shiver Me Timbers - Live At Last - From The Bette Archive](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/29/video-bette-midler-shiver-me-timbers-live-at-last-from-the-bette-archive/) **Published:** December 29, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Performed February 6, 1976 at the Cleveland Music Hall in Cleveland, OH. This video is from Bette Midler's first HBO show "The Fabulous Bette Midler Show" which aired June 19, 1976. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Shiver Me Timbers – Live At Last – From The Bette Archive By The Bette Archive Dec. 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-28_21-42-47.png "2025-12-28_21-42-47 - bootleg betty")--- --- ***Performed February 6, 1976 at the Cleveland Music Hall in Cleveland, OH. This video is from [Bette Midler’s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) first HBO show [“The Fabulous Bette Midler Show”](https://bootlegbetty.com/2023/08/26/the-fabulous-bette-midler-show-as-it-really-was-over-135-minutes-of-pure-bliss/) which aired June 19, 1976.*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Shiver%20Me%20Timbers%20-%20Live%20At%20Last%20-%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Shiver%20Me%20Timbers%20-%20Live%20At%20Last%20-%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Shiver%20Me%20Timbers%20-%20Live%20At%20Last%20-%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Shiver%20Me%20Timbers%20-%20Live%20At%20Last%20-%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Shiver%20Me%20Timbers%20-%20Live%20At%20Last%20-%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, The Bette Midler Archive, The Bette Midler Show **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #LiveATLast, #ShiverMeTimbers, #TheFabulousBetteMidlerShow --- ### [Video From Boodles BonBon: A Bette Midler Hangover Joke!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/29/video-from-boodles-bonbon-a-bette-midler-hangover-joke/) **Published:** December 29, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette’s New Year’s Eve Advice: if it has tusks, you’ve had too much. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video From Boodles BonBon: A Bette Midler Hangover Joke! By Boodles BonBon Dec. 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-28_14-57-35.png "2025-12-28_14-57-35 - bootleg betty") --- ***Bette’s New Year’s Eve Advice: if it has tusks, you’ve had too much.*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Hangover%20Joke%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Hangover%20Joke%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Hangover%20Joke%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Hangover%20Joke%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%3A%20%20A%20Bette%20Midler%20Hangover%20Joke%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Divine Madness, Soph Jokes, Sophie, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #DivineMadness, #Elephant, #Hangover, #Movie, #Tusks, Video --- ### [Video From Life As A Harlette, The BBC Documentary, Imagine… Bette Midler: The Divine Miss M 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/28/video-from-life-as-a-harlette-the-bbc-documentary-imagine-bette-midler-the-divine-miss-m-2014/) **Published:** December 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Imagine... Bette Midler: The Divine Miss M is a 2014 BBC documentary from the long-running arts series Imagine..., presented by Alan Yentob. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty From Life As A Harlette, The BBC Documentary, Imagine… Bette Midler: The Divine Miss M 2014 By Life As A Harlette Dec. 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/p02b53y5-1024x576.jpg "P02b53y5 - bootleg betty")--- --- [**Imagine**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/imagine/)… Bette Midler: [**The Divine Miss M**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Divine_Miss_M) is a 2014 BBC documentary from the long-running arts series Imagine…, presented by Alan Yentob. It aired on BBC One in November 2014 as part of the Winter 2014 season (the episode originally aired around November 11, 2014, and ran approximately 1 hour). The film profiles the extraordinary career of Bette Midler, known as “The Divine Miss M,” tracing her rise over five decades from humble beginnings to Hollywood stardom. Yentob meets Midler in New York City, exploring her journey: - Starting in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she worked in a pineapple-canning factory. - Her rapid breakthrough at age 20, landing a role in the Broadway hit Fiddler on the Roof (1967). - Her iconic performances in 1970s New York gay bathhouses and nightclubs, where she built a devoted following with campy, outrageous humor and powerful vocals. - Transitions to Broadway chorus lines, recording success (including her debut album The Divine Miss M in 1972), and major film roles that established her as a versatile entertainer. The documentary highlights Midler’s unique blend of soulful singing and raucous, Mae West-inspired wit, portraying her as a captivating, all-around performer. It was timed around the release of her album It’s the Girls! (2014), a tribute to girl groups, marked her first new studio album in eight years. Directed by Samantha Peters, the episode features interviews with Midler, archival footage, and reflections on her cultural impact. It has an IMDb rating of 7.9/10 and has been rebroadcast occasionally, including ahead of her Broadway run in Hello, Dolly!. A separate but related 2014 Imagine… episode featured her Las Vegas show The Showgirl Must Go On. This portrait celebrates Midler’s instinct, resilience, and enduring appeal as a singer, actress, and icon. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20From%20Life%20As%20A%20Harlette%2C%20The%20BBC%20Documentary%2C%20Imagine%E2%80%A6%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20From%20Life%20As%20A%20Harlette%2C%20The%20BBC%20Documentary%2C%20Imagine%E2%80%A6%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20From%20Life%20As%20A%20Harlette%2C%20The%20BBC%20Documentary%2C%20Imagine%E2%80%A6%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20From%20Life%20As%20A%20Harlette%2C%20The%20BBC%20Documentary%2C%20Imagine%E2%80%A6%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20From%20Life%20As%20A%20Harlette%2C%20The%20BBC%20Documentary%2C%20Imagine%E2%80%A6%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Documentary, Featuring The Harlettes, Life As A Harlette, Television, Video **Tags:** #BBC, #BetteMidler, #Documentary, #Imagine, #LifeAsAHarlette, #Video --- ### [Audio From The Bette Archive - Marahuana And Do You Wanna Dance/As Dreams Go By](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/28/audio-from-the-bette-archive-marahuana-and-do-you-wanna-dance-as-dreams-go-by/) **Published:** December 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Performed August 25, 1993, at The Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD, during Bette's "Experience The Divine" tour. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler – Marahauna (Karaoke) And Do You Want To Dance / As Dreams Go By (LIVE) – 1993 – Merriweather Post Pavillion, Columbia, MD The Bette Midler Archive Dec. 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-28_11-38-43.png "2025-12-28_11-38-43 - bootleg betty")--- --- Performed August 25, 1993, at The Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD, during Bette’s “Experience The Divine” tour. Share your memories of seeing this show in the comments. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive%20-%20Marahuana%20And%20Do%20You%20Wanna%20Dance%2FAs%20Dreams%20Go%20By&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive%20-%20Marahuana%20And%20Do%20You%20Wanna%20Dance%2FAs%20Dreams%20Go%20By%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive%20-%20Marahuana%20And%20Do%20You%20Wanna%20Dance%2FAs%20Dreams%20Go%20By&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive%20-%20Marahuana%20And%20Do%20You%20Wanna%20Dance%2FAs%20Dreams%20Go%20By%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive%20-%20Marahuana%20And%20Do%20You%20Wanna%20Dance%2FAs%20Dreams%20Go%20By%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Experience The Divine, Karaoke Bette, Songs For The New Depression, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #AsDreamsGoBy, #Audio, #BetteMidler, #DoYOUWannaDance, #Marahuana, #TheBetteMidlerArchive --- ### [3 Female Vocalists Who Hit #1 in 1989 That We Can't Get Enough Of](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/28/3-female-vocalists-who-hit-1-in-1989-that-we-cant-get-enough-of/) **Published:** December 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** But whatever the reason, pop music fans in 1989 were treated to some top tracks. And it’s some of those offerings that we wanted to explore below. **Content:** --- ## American Songwriter 3 Female Pop Singers Who Hit No. 1 in 1989 That We Can’t Get Enough Of By Jacob Uitti Dec. 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ce57d8f3ae6c82ca16d14ae8edd1d026.jpg "Ce57d8f3ae6c82ca16d14ae8edd1d026 - bootleg betty") --- The end of the 1980s provided music fans with some incredible pop songs. Maybe it was the fact that the decade was ending and a new one was beginning, maybe it was just good timing. But whatever the reason, pop music fans in 1989 were treated to some top tracks. And it’s some of those offerings that we wanted to explore below. **Videos by American Songwriter** Indeed, we wanted to explore three iconic releases from a trio of iconic women. These are three female pop stars we can’t get enough of who also hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989. **“Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler from ‘Beaches’ (1989)** While this song was first recorded by the artist Kamahl in 1982 for a country album, it was the big-voiced Bette Midler who made it a No. 1 song in the summer of 1989 when she recorded it for the Beaches soundtrack. Ever since then, the track has been used in powerful, moving moments. It is perfect backing music for any time one person wants to display a depth of adoration to another. Indeed, even the phrase “You are the wind beneath my wings” has become part of the cultural lexicon. **“Toy Soldiers” by Martika from ‘Martika’ (1989)** This track has to boast one of the most indelible choruses of the decade. In fact, the chorus is so drawing that rapper Eminem even sampled it for one of his songs in 2004. But Martika was there first, laying the tracks for the No. 1 song that seeps into your soul and lives in your bones. You can imagine these people falling, like toys, due to addiction. C\*caine was a big part of the decade, and so many died from it unnecessarily. **“Miss You Much” by Janet Jackson from ‘Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814’ (1989)** If your brother was the best in the world at what he did, would you also choose to pursue that same endeavor? Well, that’s just what younger sister Janet Jackson did despite older brother Michael’s pop prowess. And in the end, well, Janet may have won the good-natured sibling rivalry. She was a huge pop star, earning 10 No. 1 singles on the Hot 100 over three decades. Is she the greatest pop star of all time? She’s certainly up there… Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=3%20Female%20Vocalists%20Who%20Hit%20%231%20in%201989%20That%20We%20Can%27t%20Get%20Enough%20Of&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=3%20Female%20Vocalists%20Who%20Hit%20%231%20in%201989%20That%20We%20Can%27t%20Get%20Enough%20Of%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=3%20Female%20Vocalists%20Who%20Hit%20%231%20in%201989%20That%20We%20Can%27t%20Get%20Enough%20Of&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=3%20Female%20Vocalists%20Who%20Hit%20%231%20in%201989%20That%20We%20Can%27t%20Get%20Enough%20Of%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=3%20Female%20Vocalists%20Who%20Hit%20%231%20in%201989%20That%20We%20Can%27t%20Get%20Enough%20Of%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Billboard Charts, Singers, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Billboard, #Charts, #Singers, #Videos, #WindBeneathMyWings --- ### [8 Legendary Entertainers Who Still Get Standing Ovations](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/28/8-legendary-entertainers-who-still-get-standing-ovations/) **Published:** December 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Let’s take a look at eight of these remarkable individuals who can still command a standing ovation, no matter the venue. **Content:** --- ## Vinyl & Velvet 8 Timeless Entertainers Who Still Get Standing Ovations By Staff Dec 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-21_18-25-48.png "2025-12-21_18-25-48 - bootleg betty") --- There’s something magical about a performer who can still make an audience leap to their feet, clapping and cheering with pure joy. It’s not just about talent; it’s about the connection they create, the memories they evoke, and that undeniable spark that keeps us coming back for more. In a world where trends change faster than you can say “binge-watch,” some [**entertainers**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/entertainment/) remain timeless, proving that great art knows no expiration date. Let’s take a look at eight of these remarkable individuals who can still command a standing ovation, no matter the venue. ## 1. Paul McCartney Ah, Sir Paul McCartney, the man who’s been serenading us since the ’60s! Whether he’s belting out “Hey Jude” or strumming “Maybe I’m Amazed,” his concerts are like a nostalgic trip through music history. McCartney still tours, and you know what? He’s still got it! The energy he brings to the stage is infectious, and you can’t help but feel like you’re part of something special. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see a Beatle live? Talk about bragging rights! ## 2. Tina Turner Even if she’s officially retired from the stage, Tina Turner remains a force of nature in our hearts. With her powerful voice and electrifying performances, she’s the queen of rock and soul. Whether you’ve seen her live or just belted out “Proud Mary” in the shower, you know what I mean. Fans still flock to her music, and her legacy is celebrated everywhere. If her name pops up on a concert lineup, I bet the tickets fly off the shelves faster than you can say “What’s love got to do with it?” ## 3. Elton John Elton John is like that vintage wine that just gets better with age—rich, complex, and always hitting the right notes. His farewell tour is a testament to his legendary status, and every time he takes the stage, audiences are reminded of why he’s such an icon. With hits spanning decades, from “Rocket Man” to “Tiny Dancer,” he’s got a song for every mood. Plus, those outrageous outfits? They deserve a standing ovation all on their own! ## 4. Dolly Parton Let’s talk about the original queen of country, Dolly Parton. Not only does she have a voice that could melt butter, but her charm and warmth light up any room. Whether she’s sharing stories about her upbringing or performing “Jolene,” it’s hard not to be captivated. Dolly’s ability to connect with fans is remarkable, and let’s face it—who doesn’t love a good story? Her concerts feel like a cozy chat with an old friend, and that’s something worth celebrating! ## 5. Bette Midler [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) is a true diva in the best sense of the word. With her powerhouse vocals and larger-than-life personality, she brings a unique blend of humor and heart to every performance. Whether she’s belting out “The Rose” or sharing her witty anecdotes, she knows how to keep an audience engaged. And let’s not forget her iconic stage presence—when Bette’s on stage, you’re in for a treat. Trust me, you’ll be on your feet before you even realize it! ## 6. Bruce Springsteen Ah, The Boss! Bruce Springsteen has been rocking our worlds since the ’70s, and he shows no signs of slowing down. His concerts are legendary marathons of energy, passion, and storytelling. With heartfelt ballads like “Born to Run” and anthems that make you want to raise your fist in solidarity, it’s no surprise that he gets standing ovations night after night. Seeing him live is like experiencing a cathartic release, and you leave feeling like you’ve shared a moment with a true rock ‘n’ roll poet. ## 7. Cher If there’s anyone who can still turn heads, it’s Cher. She’s the ultimate showbiz survivor, with a career spanning over six decades. From her mesmerizing costumes to those unforgettable hits like “Believe” and “If I Could Turn Back Time,” Cher knows how to engage an audience. Whether she’s belting out tunes or cracking jokes, there’s a reason she’s still a crowd favorite. Honestly, watching her perform is like witnessing a living legend in action, and you can’t help but give her a standing ovation! ## 8. Barbra Streisand Barbra Streisand is the definition of timeless excellence. With a voice that’s instantly recognizable and an emotional depth that can silence an entire room, she commands attention the moment she steps on stage. Whether she’s performing classics like “People” or “The Way We Were,” every note feels intentional and powerful. Barbra doesn’t just sing—she tells stories, and audiences feel every word. A standing ovation for her isn’t just polite; it’s inevitable. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=8%20Legendary%20Entertainers%20Who%20Still%20Get%20Standing%20Ovations&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=8%20Legendary%20Entertainers%20Who%20Still%20Get%20Standing%20Ovations%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=8%20Legendary%20Entertainers%20Who%20Still%20Get%20Standing%20Ovations&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=8%20Legendary%20Entertainers%20Who%20Still%20Get%20Standing%20Ovations%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=8%20Legendary%20Entertainers%20Who%20Still%20Get%20Standing%20Ovations%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Entertainment, Theatre **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concerts, #Entertainers, #Legendary, #Theater --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - Gone At Last / Higher and Higher (LIVE) - From The Bette Archive](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/28/audio-bette-midler-gone-at-last-higher-and-higher-live-from-the-bette-archive/) **Published:** December 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Performed April 14, 1975, at The Minskoff Theatre in New York City. This was Bette's opening night performance of "Clams on The Half Shell Revue." **Content:** --- ## You Tube Audio: Bette Midler – Gone At Last / Higher and Higher (LIVE) – From The Bette Archives – Clams On The Half Shelf The Bette Midler Archive Dec 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-28_09-51-33.png "2025-12-28_09-51-33 - bootleg betty")--- Performed April 14, 1975, at The Minskoff Theatre in New York City. This was Bette’s opening night performance of “Clams on The Half Shell Revue.” Share your memories of seeing this show in the comments. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Gone%20At%20Last%20%2F%20Higher%20and%20Higher%20%28LIVE%29%20-%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Gone%20At%20Last%20%2F%20Higher%20and%20Higher%20%28LIVE%29%20-%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Gone%20At%20Last%20%2F%20Higher%20and%20Higher%20%28LIVE%29%20-%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Gone%20At%20Last%20%2F%20Higher%20and%20Higher%20%28LIVE%29%20-%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Gone%20At%20Last%20%2F%20Higher%20and%20Higher%20%28LIVE%29%20-%20From%20The%20Bette%20Archive%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Clams On The Half Shell, concerts, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ClamsOnTheHalfShell, #GoneAtLast, #HigherAndHigher, #Minskoff, Audio --- ### [Video: From Boodles BonBon - In These Shoes — Bette Midler | Sling-on Your Stilettos, We’re Going Out ?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/28/video-from-boodles-bonbon-in-these-shoes-bette-midler-sling-on-your-stilettos-were-going-out-👠/) **Published:** December 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** For lovers of music and footwear. “In These Shoes”… will YOU survive? **Content:** --- ## You Tube Video: From Boodles BonBon – In These Shoes — Bette Midler | Sling-on Your Stilettos, We’re Going Out ? By Boodles BonBon Dec 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-28_09-13-26.png "2025-12-28_09-13-26 - bootleg betty")--- For lovers of music and footwear. “In These Shoes”… will YOU survive? ??? Song: “In These Shoes” (Kirsty MacColl, Peter Glenister) Artist: Bette Midler Album: Bette (2000) Fan edit shared for appreciation. Image credits: Christian Louboutin; Supernatural; The Quick and the Dead; Tenor; Giphy; Favim; Featherhorses; Jimmy Choo; Jeffrey Campbell. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20In%20These%20Shoes%20%E2%80%94%20Bette%20Midler%20%7C%20Sling-on%20Your%20Stilettos%2C%20We%E2%80%99re%20Going%20Out%20%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20In%20These%20Shoes%20%E2%80%94%20Bette%20Midler%20%7C%20Sling-on%20Your%20Stilettos%2C%20We%E2%80%99re%20Going%20Out%20%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20In%20These%20Shoes%20%E2%80%94%20Bette%20Midler%20%7C%20Sling-on%20Your%20Stilettos%2C%20We%E2%80%99re%20Going%20Out%20%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20In%20These%20Shoes%20%E2%80%94%20Bette%20Midler%20%7C%20Sling-on%20Your%20Stilettos%2C%20We%E2%80%99re%20Going%20Out%20%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20-%20In%20These%20Shoes%20%E2%80%94%20Bette%20Midler%20%7C%20Sling-on%20Your%20Stilettos%2C%20We%E2%80%99re%20Going%20Out%20%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #InTheseShoes, #Video --- ### [13 Years Ago Today, Parental Guidance Was Released](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/25/13-years-ago-today-parental-guidance-was-released/) **Published:** December 25, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Parental Guidance (2012), a family comedy directed by Andy Fickman and starring Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, and Tom Everett Scott, was theatrically released (which serves as its public premiere) on December 25, 2012, in the United States. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty 13 Years Ago Today, Parental Guidance Was Released By Mister D Dec. 25, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/billy-crystal-bette-midler-marisa-tomei-parental-guidance-1024x739.avif "Billy-crystal-bette-midler-marisa-tomei-parental-guidance - bootleg betty") --- [**Parental Guidance**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/parental-guidance/) (2012), a family comedy directed by [**Andy Fickman**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Fickman) and starring Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, and Tom Everett Scott, was theatrically released (which serves as its public premiere) on December 25, 2012, in the United States. **Brief overview:** Artie (Billy Crystal) and Diane Decker (Bette Midler) are old-school grandparents asked to babysit their three grandchildren while their daughter Alice (Marisa Tomei) and son-in-law Phil (Tom Everett Scott) are away for work. Chaos ensues as the grandparents’ relaxed, traditional parenting style clashes with the kids’ modern, highly structured upbringing under their “helicopter” parents, leading to humorous generational conflicts and eventual family bonding. It’s a light-hearted film exploring parenting differences across generations. \* This marked Midler’s first major live-action film role in four years (since 2008’s The Women), and she jumped at the script, calling it a “no-brainer” despite often turning down low-budget offers. - Producers were so eager to have her that they let Midler personally design Diane’s colorful, quirky wardrobe—reflecting her vibrant personality and adding a touch of “Divine Miss M” flair to the character. - Midler performs a standout musical moment in the film: she and Crystal break into a song-and-dance version of “The Book of Love,” delighting the grandkids (and showcasing her singing talents, naturally). - This was her first on-screen pairing with longtime friend Billy Crystal after knowing each other for over 30 years. They instantly clicked as an old married couple, even improvising husband-wife habits like finishing each other’s sentences during script meetings. - Winner: ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for Top Box Office Films (to composer Marc Shaiman, for the film’s score and its commercial success). - AARP Movies for Grownups Awards (one nomination in the Best Comedy category, among others in that group’s recognitions for films appealing to older audiences). Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=13%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Parental%20Guidance%20Was%20Released&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=13%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Parental%20Guidance%20Was%20Released%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=13%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Parental%20Guidance%20Was%20Released&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=13%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Parental%20Guidance%20Was%20Released%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=13%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Parental%20Guidance%20Was%20Released%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History, Movies, On This Day In History, Parental Guidance **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BillyCrystal, #MarisaTomei, #Movie, #ParentalGuidance --- ### [Feuds Between Celebrities That Lasted Decades](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/24/feuds-between-celebrities-that-lasted-decades/) **Published:** December 24, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Some disagreements fade with time, but celebrity feuds are different. These public battles stretch across years, sometimes entire lifetimes, fueled by pride, competition, and cameras that never stop watching. **Content:** --- ## Go2Tutors Celebrity Feuds That Lasted Decades By Adam Garcia Dec. 23, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-21_18-24-35.png "2025-12-21_18-24-35 - bootleg betty") --- Some disagreements fade with time, but [**celebrity feuds**](https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/biggest-celebrity-feuds/) are different. These public battles stretch across years, sometimes entire lifetimes, fueled by pride, competition, and cameras that never stop watching. The entertainment world has seen its share of legendary conflicts that refuse to die. Let’s look at the famous [**grudges** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/grudges/)that became part of pop culture history. **Bette Davis and Joan Crawford** Hollywood’s golden age gave us more than classic films. It delivered one of the most bitter rivalries ever seen on screen. Bette Davis and Joan Crawford despised each other with a passion that started in the 1930s and never cooled. Their feud reached its peak during the filming of ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’ in 1962, where the two aging stars played sisters who hated each other. The irony wasn’t lost on anyone. Davis once said Crawford had slept with every male star at MGM except Lassie, while Crawford made sure to wear weighted clothing during scenes where Davis had to drag her across the floor. The animosity lasted until Crawford’s death in 1977, and even then, Davis had harsh words for her fallen rival. **Elton John and Madonna** Two music icons clashed in a feud that spanned roughly three decades. Elton John fired the first shot in 2004 when he criticized Madonna’s lip-syncing during live performances. Madonna responded by calling him a ‘miserable old queen’ at one point. The British singer then questioned whether her album deserved a Golden Globe nomination, adding fuel to an already burning fire. Their back-and-forth insults became tabloid gold, with Elton suggesting Madonna’s career was over and Madonna firing back with equal venom. They finally made peace around 2012, though the scars from years of public attacks remained visible. The reconciliation came after both realized life was too short for such prolonged anger. **Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.** East Coast versus West Coast hip-hop turned personal when two former friends became enemies. Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace, known as Biggie Smalls or The Notorious B.I.G., started as collaborators in the early 1990s. Their friendship shattered after Tupac was shot five times at a New York recording studio in 1994 and believed Biggie had prior knowledge of the attack. The accusation was never proven, but the damage was done. Both rappers released diss tracks aimed at each other, with Tupac’s attacks being particularly vicious. Their feud represented a larger conflict between rival record labels and geographic regions. Tragically, both men were murdered within months of each other in 1996 and 1997, leaving the dispute forever unresolved. **Taylor Swift and Kanye West** The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards became ground zero for a feud that would dominate entertainment news for over a decade. Kanye West stormed the stage during Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech, declaring that Beyoncé deserved the award instead. Taylor appeared shocked and humiliated on live television. They seemed to reconcile over the years, but things exploded again in 2016 when Kanye released a song with lyrics about Taylor that she found offensive. He claimed she approved the lyrics beforehand. She denied it. Kim Kardashian then released edited phone recordings that seemed to contradict Taylor’s story. The dispute involved accusations of lying, public statements, social media battles, and entire albums with songs aimed at the other party. Their on-again, off-again conflict has quieted in recent years but remains one of modern pop culture’s defining feuds. **Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine** Sister against sister makes for the saddest kind of feud. Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine competed for acting roles, awards, and attention from childhood until Joan’s death in 2013. Born just 15 months apart, the siblings reportedly clashed even as young girls. Both became successful Hollywood actresses, which only intensified their rivalry. Joan won an Oscar before Olivia did, creating resentment that never healed. They refused to speak to each other for long periods, and their mother’s favoritism toward Olivia allegedly made things worse. At the 1947 Academy Awards, Olivia won Best Actress and Joan extended her hand in congratulation, but Olivia turned away. The snub became a Hollywood legend. Neither sister ever fully explained what kept them apart for so many decades. **Rosie O’Donnell and Donald Trump** A daytime talk show host and a real estate mogul started fighting in 2006 and never stopped. Rosie O’Donnell criticized Donald Trump on ‘The View’ for giving a second chance to a Miss USA winner who had violated her contract. Trump responded by calling Rosie names and threatening to sue her. The insults escalated quickly, with both parties using increasingly harsh language. Their feud continued through Trump’s presidential campaign, during his presidency, and beyond. Trump mentioned Rosie during political debates, and she became one of his most vocal critics on social media. The conflict spanned over 15 years and showed no signs of ending. Neither person seemed capable of letting it go, turning their mutual dislike into a permanent fixture of their public personas. **Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra** Two of the 20th century’s greatest voices couldn’t stand each other. Bing Crosby represented the older generation of crooners, while Frank Sinatra embodied the new wave of popular music. Their rivalry began in the 1940s when Sinatra’s star started rising just as Crosby’s seemed to plateau. Sinatra resented Crosby’s condescending attitude toward him, while Crosby viewed Sinatra as an upstart with bad manners. They made snide comments about each other in interviews for decades. The tension was both professional and personal, rooted in competing egos and different approaches to entertainment. They appeared together occasionally for business reasons but never became friends. The feud lasted until Crosby’s death in 1977, a span of more than 30 years. **Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie** Best friends turned enemies make for compelling television and painful reality. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie grew up together in Los Angeles and starred in ‘The Simple Life’ starting in 2003. Their on-screen chemistry made the show a hit, but behind the scenes, trouble was brewing. By 2005, they had stopped speaking to each other completely. Rumors suggested the falling out involved a guy, with Nicole allegedly showing Paris’s homemade tape at a party. Neither woman confirmed the exact reason, and their silence on specifics only fueled speculation. They filmed later seasons of their show without actually interacting off-camera. The feud lasted about five years before they reconciled around 2010. Their falling out proved that even childhood friendships can crumble under the pressure of fame. **Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez** Mariah Carey created one of pop culture’s most famous non-responses when asked about Jennifer Lopez. Her simple statement of ‘I don’t know her’ became legendary. The feud reportedly started in the late 1990s over a shared ex-boyfriend and competing careers. Mariah believed Jennifer copied her style and sound. Jennifer denied knowing about any feud for years, which somehow made it more interesting. The two divas avoided each other at events and made subtle digs in interviews without directly naming each other. Their cold war lasted roughly two decades, with fans choosing sides and comparing their achievements. Neither woman ever fully explained what went wrong between them. The mystery surrounding their mutual dislike only added to its staying power. **Debbie Reynolds and Elizabeth Taylor** A husband came between two friends and created a scandal that shocked 1950s America. Debbie Reynolds and Elizabeth Taylor were close until Elizabeth began an affair with Debbie’s husband, Eddie Fisher. The betrayal happened while Elizabeth’s own husband had recently died. Eddie left Debbie and their two young children to marry Elizabeth in 1959. The public sided with Debbie, casting Elizabeth as a home-wrecker. The two actresses didn’t speak for years, with the wound too fresh and too public to heal quickly. Eventually, they reconciled and even became friends again later in life, but the initial feud lasted well over a decade. Their story remains one of Hollywood’s most famous friendship betrayals. **50 Cent and Ja Rule** Hip-hop feuds can turn violent, and this one nearly did several times. 50 Cent and Ja Rule started beefing in 1999 after an incident where Ja Rule was allegedly robbed. 50 Cent was somehow connected to the situation, and Ja Rule blamed him. The animosity grew into a full-scale war involving their respective crews, Murder Inc. and G-Unit. They released multiple diss tracks attacking each other’s credibility, talent, and street credentials. The feud affected their careers, with 50 Cent’s rise coinciding with Ja Rule’s decline. Violence was always a possibility, making the conflict dangerous rather than just entertaining. More than 20 years later, they still trade insults on social media. Neither rapper shows any interest in making peace. **Bette Midler and Barbara Walters** A private falling out became public knowledge years after it happened. Bette Midler and Barbara Walters were friends in the 1970s when Bette was just starting her career. Bette appeared on Barbara’s show and apparently shared personal information off-camera that she thought was confidential. Barbara used some of that information during the on-air interview, which Bette felt was a betrayal of their friendship. The Divine Miss M was furious and cut off contact with the journalist. Their feud lasted for decades, with Bette refusing to appear on Barbara’s shows or speak kindly about her in interviews. The rift demonstrated how quickly trust can evaporate between celebrities. They reportedly made amends much later in life, but the damage took years to repair. **Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul** Two pop stars who choreographed their way to fame had a falling out that lasted years. Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul were friends who worked together in the 1980s, with Paula choreographing some of Janet’s early performances. Their relationship soured over disputes about credit and compensation. Paula felt Janet didn’t properly acknowledge her contributions, while Janet believed Paula exaggerated her role. The two stopped working together and avoided each other at industry events. Their feud wasn’t as public or explosive as some others, but insiders knew they had no love for each other. The conflict lasted roughly 15 years before they eventually reconciled. Their reunion proved that professional disputes don’t have to be permanent. **Ryan Murphy and Lea Michele** A producer with his top actor had growing tensions while ‘Glee’ aired and later on. Though Ryan Murphy opened doors for Lea Michele, things between them cooled gradually. Talk about tough conduct trailed Lea each season during filming. Once ‘Glee’ finished, Ryan brought her onto ‘Scream Queens,’ yet slowly pulled back from working closely with her. Stories said he thought she was hard to deal with, often fussy. Her image got bruised – different people had things to say; Ryan stayed quiet. What started strong at work slowly fizzled out. It wasn’t loud or dramatic, just a slow distance piling up over time. **Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey** Rumors about a rivalry between two iconic singers lasted years. Whitney Houston, along with Mariah Carey, shaped the ’90s through strong singing and popular songs. The press kept pitting them against each other – always wondering who’d win. They both said there was no conflict, yet gestures or quiet remarks hinted at tension underneath. They didn’t show up together much, nor did they say kind things about one another when interviewed. The feud felt pushed by outlets and music companies – though a bit of real strain was there too. This so-called clash went on strong through the ’90s and 2000s, ending only when Whitney passed in 2012. Once she was gone, Mariah talked about her with honor and sorrow, like old grudges had simply melted away. **Noel Gallagher and Liam Gallagher** The siblings behind some of the UK’s top rock tunes hated sharing space. Though they made music together from ’91 to ’09, tension between Noel and Liam Gallagher never let up. Their rows became famous – shoving matches, broken gear, gigs called off last minute. One brother pushed hard with his lyrics; the other hit back with a raw attitude. Power struggles mixed with pride kept sparks flying nonstop. The split happened back in 2009 when Noel walked out following one more heated clash behind the scenes. Since then, they’ve been firing jabs at each other – through press chats or online posts. That rivalry’s dragged on for well over a decade and a half, leaving supporters wishing for a comeback nobody sees coming. Turns out, even blood relatives can end up miles apart. **Prince and Michael Jackson** One kept quiet while the other stayed silent – neither claimed it, yet both chased the crown. Rising fast in the early ’80s, each grabbed fame hard and never let go. Music flowed through them like electricity, shaping sounds no one had heard before. Watchers saw tension even when words weren’t spoken between them. Prince supposedly said no to ‘We Are the World’ – Michael’s presence played a role. He didn’t speak well of Jackson; same went the other way, even though they crossed paths plenty. This cold tension stuck around till Michael passed in 2009, almost three decades running. Prince followed him in death by seven years, in 2016, closing the door on any possible peace. It wasn’t about hatred or private grudges – it was more about career pride – but just as intense. How old resentments turn into lasting burdens These fights show even famous folks can get their feelings bruised. Most flare-ups began with tiny stuff but blew up over years since nobody wanted to give an inch. Because celebs live so openly, each jab ends up saved online and every snub sticks in memory. A few of these enemies patched things up later – others carried bitterness till they died. Their clashes wound up woven into who they were, often drowning out real accomplishments and serving as warnings about what grudges leave behind when nursed too long. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Feuds%20Between%20Celebrities%20That%20Lasted%20Decades&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Feuds%20Between%20Celebrities%20That%20Lasted%20Decades%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Feuds%20Between%20Celebrities%20That%20Lasted%20Decades&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Feuds%20Between%20Celebrities%20That%20Lasted%20Decades%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Feuds%20Between%20Celebrities%20That%20Lasted%20Decades%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Celebrity Feuds **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CelebrityFeuds, #Decades, #Grudges --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Today Show](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/24/video-bette-midler-have-yourself-a-merry-little-christmas-today-show/) **Published:** December 24, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Today Show **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Today Show By Mister D Dec 23, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1433921154-1-683x1024.webp "Gettyimages-1433921154 - bootleg betty")--- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Have%20Yourself%20A%20Merry%20Little%20Christmas%20-%20Today%20Show&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Have%20Yourself%20A%20Merry%20Little%20Christmas%20-%20Today%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Have%20Yourself%20A%20Merry%20Little%20Christmas%20-%20Today%20Show&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Have%20Yourself%20A%20Merry%20Little%20Christmas%20-%20Today%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Have%20Yourself%20A%20Merry%20Little%20Christmas%20-%20Today%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, merry christmas, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HaveYourselfAMerryLittleChristmas, #TheTodayShow, #Video --- ### [Jonah Hill: Hollywood's New Comedy Maverick](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/23/jonah-hill-hollywoods-new-comedy-maverick/) **Published:** December 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Jonah Hill: Hollywood's New Comedy Maverick **Content:** --- ## Azat TV Jonah Hill: Hollywood’s New Comedy Maverick In Cut Off By Staff Dec. 23, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-21_18-23-36.png "2025-12-21_18-23-36 - bootleg betty")![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-23_17-19-58.png "2025-12-23_17-19-58 - bootleg betty")--- **Jonah Hill’s Unrecognizable New Role: The Making of ‘Cut Off’** When the first images from the set of the upcoming comedy Cut Off surfaced online, fans and even seasoned entertainment journalists paused for a double take. Sporting long, blonde hair, oversized flamboyant glasses, and a full beard, [**Jonah Hill**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/cut-off/) was practically unrecognizable. The actor—best known for his sharp-witted performances in Superbad, 21 Jump Street, and The Wolf of Wall Street—has never shied away from transformation. But this latest reinvention is, perhaps, his boldest yet. Social media lit up in December 2025, with users questioning whether the images of Hill were even real. One X/Twitter user summed up the disbelief: “This is Jonah Hill. Yes, actually.” Others wondered aloud if the look was AI-generated, but as MovieWeb confirmed, this new persona is very much the product of Hill’s own vision for his character in Cut Off. **From Comedy Roots to Hollywood Recognition** Jonah Hill’s journey to this point is as eclectic as his on-screen personas. Born Jonah Hill Feldstein on December 20, 1983, in Los Angeles, he started with small but memorable roles in films like I Heart Huckabees and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. His breakthrough came through collaborations with Judd Apatow, leading to box office hits Knocked Up and Superbad. These early successes cemented Hill’s reputation as a comedic powerhouse, but his ambitions stretched far beyond the genre’s confines. Hill’s performances in Moneyball and The Wolf of Wall Street earned him two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor. These dramatic turns revealed a depth and versatility that few anticipated from the actor whose comedic timing once made him the scene-stealer in ensemble casts. **‘Cut Off’: A New Chapter as Actor, Writer, and Director** With Cut Off, Hill is not just starring—he’s also writing and directing. The film follows two wealthy siblings forced to fend for themselves after their parents cut them off financially. Set for a July 17, 2026 release by Warner Bros. Pictures, the project boasts a star-studded cast, including Kristen Wiig, [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler), and Nathan Lane. The premise promises a satirical exploration of privilege, responsibility, and the comedic chaos that ensues when comfort is suddenly stripped away. What’s most striking is Hill’s willingness to disappear into his roles, shedding the familiar “Superbad” persona to create something refreshingly original. The physical transformation for Cut Off isn’t just a stunt—it’s emblematic of Hill’s commitment to character-driven storytelling, as noted by industry insiders and fans alike. **Peer Perspectives: Comedy as Craft** Hill’s comedic prowess hasn’t gone unnoticed by his co-stars. Jennifer Lawrence, who worked with Hill on the dark comedy Don’t Look Up, described the experience as a challenge—not due to Hill’s temperament, but because his improvisational skills frequently derailed takes with laughter. In a 2023 interview with Vanity Fair, Lawrence called Hill “a comedic master,” admitting that matching his improv was no easy feat. The chemistry between the two made for memorable scenes, but Lawrence’s candid remarks highlight how Hill’s creativity can be both inspiring and, for fellow actors, delightfully disruptive. While Lawrence moved on to praise other collaborators, her anecdotes underscore the infectious energy Hill brings to set—a trait that has helped him carve out a unique niche in Hollywood’s comedy landscape. **Expanding Horizons: Directing and Future Projects** Hill’s evolution isn’t limited to acting. His 2018 directorial debut, Mid90s, was met with critical acclaim for its raw, heartfelt portrayal of adolescence. Now, he’s set to direct another major project, Outcome, starring Keanu Reeves and Roy Wood Jr. The film dives into the dark underbelly of Hollywood, with Reeves playing a star forced to confront his past after being extorted. Roy Wood Jr., in an interview cited by MovieWeb, noted Hill’s comedic touch and praised Reeves for his rare return to comedy in the film. Hill’s transition behind the camera signals his intent to shape Hollywood narratives, not just perform them. Whether tackling the anxieties of growing up or the absurdities of fame, Hill’s storytelling remains rooted in authentic, character-driven humor. **Audience Reaction: Authenticity in the Age of Transformation** Public reaction to Hill’s latest transformation has been a mix of amusement, curiosity, and admiration. Some fans struggle to reconcile the actor’s new look with the persona they’ve come to know, while others celebrate his willingness to take risks. In an era when actors are often typecast, Hill’s career is a testament to the power of reinvention—and the rewards of challenging expectations. As the release of Cut Off approaches, anticipation is building not only for the comedy itself but for what it represents: a turning point in Hill’s career, where his talents as actor, writer, and director converge. Jonah Hill’s path—from supporting comic roles to Oscar nominations, directorial ventures, and now a radical transformation for ‘Cut Off’—shows that the most compelling artists are those who refuse to be boxed in by their past successes. Hill’s willingness to reinvent himself, both physically and creatively, is not just a gimmick; it’s a blueprint for longevity in an industry that often rewards repetition. As audiences prepare for his next act, one thing is clear: Jonah Hill’s comedic mastery continues to evolve, promising fresh surprises with every project. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Jonah%20Hill%3A%20Hollywood%27s%20New%20Comedy%20Maverick&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Jonah%20Hill%3A%20Hollywood%27s%20New%20Comedy%20Maverick%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Jonah%20Hill%3A%20Hollywood%27s%20New%20Comedy%20Maverick&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Jonah%20Hill%3A%20Hollywood%27s%20New%20Comedy%20Maverick%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Jonah%20Hill%3A%20Hollywood%27s%20New%20Comedy%20Maverick%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** #Movies, Bette Midler, Cut Off **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #CutOff, #Hollywoods, #JonahHill --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - Friends - Parkinson 1979](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/23/video-bette-midler-friends-parkinson-1979/) **Published:** December 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From Boodles BonBon: Bette Midler’s “Friends” has long been a chosen-family/community anthem and is often cited as a gay anthem. **Content:** --- ## You Tube Video: Bette Midler – Friends – Parkinson 1979 By Boodles BonBon Dec 23, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-23_14-49-30.png "2025-12-23_14-49-30 - bootleg betty") --- **From Boodles BonBon:** Bette Midler’s “Friends” has long been a chosen-family/community anthem and is often cited as a gay anthem. That meaning is rooted in lived Pride history. Bette appeared at the Christopher Street Liberation Day rally in Washington Square Park (NYC, June 24, 1973) alongside activist Vito Russo. Amid the AIDS crisis, the song took on deeper resonance. Bette performed “In My Life / Friends” at AIDS Project Los Angeles’ Commitment to Life benefit in 1991, as a tribute to friends she’d lost. Decades later, she returned to it on a major Pride stage, performing “Friends” while headlining NYC WorldPride (2019) — reaffirming its place as a song about survival, memory, and the family we make. ?? This is my restored archive version — picture cleaned, edit refined, and audio carefully repaired to present the performance in its best possible light. — Source note: This performance comes from a BBC television re-broadcast via Parkinson: The Interviews, revisiting Bette Midler’s 1979 appearance on Parkinson. Included here for archival reference. [\#BetteMidler](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bettemidler) [\#Friends](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/friends) [\#ChosenFamily](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/chosenfamily) [\#GayAnthem](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/gayanthem) [\#LGBTQ](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lgbtq) [\#Pride](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/pride) [\#WorldPride](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/worldpride) [\#ChristopherStreetLiberationDay](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/christopherstreetliberationday) If sharing, please link to this upload and keep the full edit intact with credit. Please don’t clip, re-upload, or recreate this edit. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Friends%20-%20Parkinson%201979&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Friends%20-%20Parkinson%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Friends%20-%20Parkinson%201979&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Friends%20-%20Parkinson%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Friends%20-%20Parkinson%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, friends **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #Friends, #Music, #Parkinson, #Songs --- ### [Audio From The Bette Midler Archive: Leader Of The Pack - Carnegie Hall - June 23, 1972](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/23/audio-from-the-bette-midler-archive-leader-of-the-pack-carnegie-hall-june-23-1972/) **Published:** December 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Performed June 23, 1972, at the infamous Carnegie Hall concert in New York City. **Content:** --- ## You Tube From The Bette Midler Archive: Leader Of The Pack – Carnegie Hall – June 23, 1972 The Bette Midler Archive Dec 23, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-23_14-32-20.png "2025-12-23_14-32-20 - bootleg betty")--- --- Performed June 23, 1972, at the infamous Carnegie Hall concert in New York City. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20-%20Carnegie%20Hall%20-%20June%2023%2C%201972&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20-%20Carnegie%20Hall%20-%20June%2023%2C%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20-%20Carnegie%20Hall%20-%20June%2023%2C%201972&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20-%20Carnegie%20Hall%20-%20June%2023%2C%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%20From%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Archive%3A%20Leader%20Of%20The%20Pack%20-%20Carnegie%20Hall%20-%20June%2023%2C%201972%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Boodles BonBon, concerts, The Bette Midler Archive **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CarnegieHall, #Concerts, #TheBetteMidlerArchive, LeaderOfThePack --- ### [BetteBack April 21, 1978: Bette Midler Takes In Bowie's Final Concert At The Forum](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/23/betteback-april-21-1978-bette-midler-takes-in-bowies-final-concert-at-the-forum/) **Published:** December 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack April 21, 1978: Bette Midler Takes In Bowie's Final Concert At The Forum **Content:** --- **[Seattle Daily Times](http://seattletimes.nwsource.com "Seattle Times") April 21, 1978** --- [![tumblr_m422llhfio1qearaqo1_500](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/tumblr_m422llHFIO1qearaqo1_500-450x308.jpg "Tumblr_m422llhfio1qearaqo1_500 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68872) --- [![2017-01-09_4-01-49](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-09_4-01-49.png "2017-01-09_4-01-49 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68871) [Bette Midler](http://bettemidler.com/ "Bette Midler"), [David Bowie](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie "David Bowie"), [Tom Waits](http://www.tomwaits.com/ "Tom Waits"), Ma Maison, Forum ###### Related articles - [![](//i.zemanta.com/374435471_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2016/09/10/bette-midler-re-issuing-remastered-the-divine-miss-m-mentoring-on-the-voice/)[Bette Midler Re-Issuing Remastered ‘The Divine Miss M,’ Mentoring on ‘The Voice’](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2016/09/10/bette-midler-re-issuing-remastered-the-divine-miss-m-mentoring-on-the-voice/) - [![](//i.zemanta.com/366067735_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2016/02/17/more-artists-added-to-david-bowie-tribute-concerts-in-nyc/)[More Artists Added To David Bowie Tribute Concerts In NYC](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2016/02/17/more-artists-added-to-david-bowie-tribute-concerts-in-nyc/) - [![](//i.zemanta.com/376556770_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2016/12/23/bette-midler-on-radio-demographics-2/)[Bette Midler On Radio Demographics:](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2016/12/23/bette-midler-on-radio-demographics-2/) - [![](//i.zemanta.com/376278095_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2016/12/07/jerry-herman-on-bette-midler-doing-hello-dolly/)[Jerry Herman On Bette Midler Doing Hello Dolly:](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2016/12/07/jerry-herman-on-bette-midler-doing-hello-dolly/) - [![](//i.zemanta.com/376278097_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2016/12/07/bette-midler-on-hello-dolly/)[Bette Midler On Hello Dolly:](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2016/12/07/bette-midler-on-hello-dolly/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20April%2021%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Bowie%27s%20Final%20Concert%20At%20The%20Forum&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20April%2021%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Bowie%27s%20Final%20Concert%20At%20The%20Forum%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20April%2021%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Bowie%27s%20Final%20Concert%20At%20The%20Forum&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20April%2021%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Bowie%27s%20Final%20Concert%20At%20The%20Forum%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20April%2021%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Bowie%27s%20Final%20Concert%20At%20The%20Forum%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, concerts **Tags:** #BetteBack, #BetteMidler, #Bowies, #Concert, #DavidBowie, #Forum --- ### [Video: Cool Yule - Bette Midler - Rockefeller Center](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/23/video-cool-yule-bette-midler-rockefeller-center/) **Published:** December 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Cool Yule - Bette Midler - Rockefeller Center **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Cool Yule – Bette Midler – Rockefeller Center By Mister D Dec. 23, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/12224659_416750361855588_18208283267_n.jpg "12224659_416750361855588_18208283267_n - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Cool%20Yule%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rockefeller%20Center&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Cool%20Yule%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rockefeller%20Center%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Cool%20Yule%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rockefeller%20Center&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Cool%20Yule%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rockefeller%20Center%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Cool%20Yule%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Rockefeller%20Center%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Cool Yule, Music, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CoolYule, #Music, #RockefellerCenter, #Songs, #Video --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler Takes In Queen Of Versailles Musical](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/21/photo-bette-midler-takes-in-queen-of-versailles-musical/) **Published:** December 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** #BetteMidler is with #PattiLupone, #KristinChenoweth, and is that #SophieVonHaselberg? @qovmusical **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler Takes In Queen Of Versailles Musical By Mister D Dec 21, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-21_18-02-21.png "2025-12-21_18-02-21 - bootleg betty") --- [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) is with [\#PattiLupone](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/pattilupone/), [\#KristinChenoweth](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/kristinchenoweth/), and is that [\#SophieVonHaselberg](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sophievonhaselberg/)? [@qovmusical](https://www.instagram.com/qovmusical/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Queen%20Of%20Versailles%20Musical&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Queen%20Of%20Versailles%20Musical%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Queen%20Of%20Versailles%20Musical&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Queen%20Of%20Versailles%20Musical%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Queen%20Of%20Versailles%20Musical%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Other **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #KristenChenoweth, #PattiLupone, #QueenOfVersailles, #SophieVonHaselberg, #Theater --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Presents Robin Williams With A Golden Globe 1993](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/21/video-bette-midler-presents-robin-williams-with-a-golden-globe-1993/) **Published:** December 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler Presents Robin Williams With A Golden Globe 1993 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Presents Robin Williams With A Golden Globe 1993 By Mister D Dec 21, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/gettyimages-104896902-612x612-2.jpg "Gettyimages-104896902-612x612 - bootleg betty")Robin williams and bette midler during the 50th annual golden globe awards at the beverly hilton hotel in beverly hills california united states photo by ron galella ltd ron galella collection via getty images --- [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) presents [\#RobinWilliams](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/robinwilliams/) with a [\#specialachievement](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/specialachievement/) [\#award](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/award/) at the 1993 [\#GoldenGlobes](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/goldenglobes/) [\#Awards](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/awards/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Presents%20Robin%20Williams%20With%20A%20Golden%20Globe%201993&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Presents%20Robin%20Williams%20With%20A%20Golden%20Globe%201993%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Presents%20Robin%20Williams%20With%20A%20Golden%20Globe%201993&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Presents%20Robin%20Williams%20With%20A%20Golden%20Globe%201993%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Presents%20Robin%20Williams%20With%20A%20Golden%20Globe%201993%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Golden Globes, Television, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #GoldenGlobes, #RobinWilliams, #Video --- ### [Podcast: The Drama Book Club - On Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/21/podcast-the-drama-book-club-on-bette-midler/) **Published:** December 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In this episode, Kevin Winkler discusses On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide. The book traces the rise of the Divine Miss M from the Continental Baths to mainstream stardom **Content:** --- ## Spotify Podcast: The Drama Book Club – On Bette Midler By Kevin Winkler & Charles Kirsch Dec 21, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/598007582_845110378149862_4332292511143718757_n-1.jpg "598007582_845110378149862_4332292511143718757_n - bootleg betty")--- ***Artwork by Sam Miro*** --- --- In this episode, Kevin Winkler discusses [**On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/05/28/review-on-bette-midler-an-opinionated-guide/). The book traces the rise of the Divine Miss M from the Continental Baths to mainstream stardom, exploring her impact on gay, Jewish, and feminist culture, as well as her influence across stage, film, music, and activism. Moderator [**Charles Kirsch**](https://charles-kirsch.com/), the young host of Backstage Babble, guides the conversation, offering insider insights into Midler’s enduring legacy and the evolution of her bold, iconic persona. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Podcast%3A%20The%20Drama%20Book%20Club%20-%20On%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Podcast%3A%20The%20Drama%20Book%20Club%20-%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Podcast%3A%20The%20Drama%20Book%20Club%20-%20On%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Podcast%3A%20The%20Drama%20Book%20Club%20-%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Podcast%3A%20The%20Drama%20Book%20Club%20-%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, On Bette Midler, Podcasts **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CharlesKirsch, #DramaBookClub, #KevinWinkler, #OnBetteMidler, #Podcast --- ### [37 Years Ago Today, Bette Midler's Beaches Premiered](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/21/37-years-ago-today-bette-midlers-beaches-premiered/) **Published:** December 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Beaches is a heartfelt comedy-drama (often called a tearjerker) adapted from Iris Rainer Dart's 1985 novel. It follows the lifelong friendship between two very different women: **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty 37 Years Ago Today, Bette Midler’s Beaches Premiered By Mister D Dec. 21, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/844f44adb192759d531eec666817735b-1024x1024.jpg "844f44adb192759d531eec666817735b - bootleg betty")--- The film had a limited theatrical release in the United States on **December 21, 1988**, followed by a wide release on **January 13, 1989**. [**Beaches** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/beaches/)is a heartfelt comedy-drama (often called a tearjerker) adapted from Iris Rainer Dart’s 1985 novel. It follows the lifelong friendship between two very different women: – **CC Bloom ([Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler))** — an ambitious, outspoken aspiring singer and performer from a working-class background. – **Hillary Whitney (Barbara Hershey)** — a privileged, more reserved woman from a wealthy San Francisco family. They meet as children on the Atlantic City boardwalk in the 1950s and maintain their bond through decades of ups and downs, including careers, romances, rivalries, marriages, jealousy, and tragedy (including a terminal illness). The story explores themes of enduring friendship, personal growth, sacrifice, and loss, with memorable musical elements, most famously Bette Midler’s rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings,” which became a massive hit. The film has endured as a beloved classic, especially for its emotional impact and soundtrack.*(Note: There was a 2017 Lifetime TV remake starring Idina Menzel and Nia Long, which premiered on January 21, 2017, but the original 1988 version is the most iconic.)* Furthermore, the movie has been adapted as a bona fide Broadway musical, which will open at the Majestic Theater in Spring 2026. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=37%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Beaches%20Premiered&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=37%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Beaches%20Premiered%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=37%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Beaches%20Premiered&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=37%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Beaches%20Premiered%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=37%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Beaches%20Premiered%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Beaches, Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Broadway, History, Movies, Music, On This Day In History, Songs **Tags:** #Album, #BarbaraHershey, #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #History, #Movie, #Music, #OnThisDay, #Songs --- ### [Video: Bette Midler's Prickly Christmas Mood (The Stepford Wives)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/19/video-bette-midlers-prickly-christmas-mood-the-stepford-wives/) **Published:** December 19, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## You Tube Video: Bette Midler’s Prickly Christmas Mood (The Stepford Wives) By Boodles BonBon Dec 19, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1200x675mf.jpg "Qo2x6tubduyqkxhvlzj2kx4cgi. 0. 1-2 - bootleg betty")Qo2x6tubduyqkxhvlzj2kx4cgi 0 1 2 --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Prickly%20Christmas%20Mood%20%28The%20Stepford%20Wives%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Prickly%20Christmas%20Mood%20%28The%20Stepford%20Wives%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Prickly%20Christmas%20Mood%20%28The%20Stepford%20Wives%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Prickly%20Christmas%20Mood%20%28The%20Stepford%20Wives%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Prickly%20Christmas%20Mood%20%28The%20Stepford%20Wives%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Holidays, The Stepford Wives **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Christmas, #Holidays, #Movies, #PineCones, #StepfordWives --- ### [Save The Date: Marc Shaiman in Conversation with Nathan Lane: Never Mind the Happy, Jan. 25, 2026](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/19/save-the-date-marc-shaiman-in-conversation-with-nathan-lane-never-mind-the-happy-jan-25-2026/) **Published:** December 19, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Award-winning composer and co-lyricist Marc Shaiman (Hairspray, Sister Act, Smash and many others) joins fellow Tony Award winner Nathan Lane for a look behind the curtain of life on Broadway, in Hollywood and on Television **Content:** --- ## Patch Save The Date: Marc Shaiman in Conversation with Nathan Lane: Never Mind the Happy, Jan. 25, 2026 By The 92nd Street Y, New York, Neighbor Dec 19, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-19_15-39-39.png "2025-12-19_15-39-39 - bootleg betty") --- **Overview** Award-winning composer and co-lyricist [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/) (Hairspray, Sister Act, Smash and many others) joins fellow Tony Award winner [**Nathan Lane**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Lane) for a look behind the curtain of life on Broadway, in Hollywood and on Television, with a conversation about Shaiman’s new memoir, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner. Tony Award winner J. Harrison Ghee (Some Like It Hot) will join Marc to perform, following the conversation. Emerging from community theater in his teens, sparking a decades-long collaboration with Bette Midler in the ’70s, surviving the AIDS crisis of the ’80s, and bursting into Hollywood and Broadway glory, Marc Shaiman has spent 50 years making some of the most beloved musicals and film scores of our era. Hilarious and deeply human, Shaiman’s story is a tribute to the power of music and the pull of the spotlight. Join him with his longtime pal Nathan Lane — a decades-long musical friendship — for a candid, uproariously fun evening of backstage stories from a shared life in show business, on and offstage. All tickets include a copy of the book. A book signing follows the event. This program is part of 92NY Recanati-Kaplan Talks. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Save%20The%20Date%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20in%20Conversation%20with%20Nathan%20Lane%3A%20Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%2C%20Jan.%2025%2C%202026&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Save%20The%20Date%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20in%20Conversation%20with%20Nathan%20Lane%3A%20Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%2C%20Jan.%2025%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Save%20The%20Date%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20in%20Conversation%20with%20Nathan%20Lane%3A%20Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%2C%20Jan.%2025%2C%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Save%20The%20Date%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20in%20Conversation%20with%20Nathan%20Lane%3A%20Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%2C%20Jan.%2025%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Save%20The%20Date%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20in%20Conversation%20with%20Nathan%20Lane%3A%20Never%20Mind%20the%20Happy%2C%20Jan.%2025%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Books, Interview, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #(2Y, #Book, #MarcShaiman, #NathanLane, #NeverMindTheHappy, #NewYork --- ### [Video: Bette Midler - To Deserve You (Dim Zach Remix) 1995 DVj Almir](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/19/video-bette-midler-to-deserve-you-dim-zach-remix-1995-dvj-almir/) **Published:** December 19, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler - To Deserve You (Dim Zach Remix) 1995 DVj Almir **Content:** --- ## You Tube Bette Midler – To Deserve You (Dim Zach Remix) 1995 DVj Almir By DVJ ALMIR Dec 20, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/hqdefault.jpg "Hqdefault - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Dim%20Zach%20Remix%29%201995%20DVj%20Almir&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Dim%20Zach%20Remix%29%201995%20DVj%20Almir%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Dim%20Zach%20Remix%29%201995%20DVj%20Almir&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Dim%20Zach%20Remix%29%201995%20DVj%20Almir%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Dim%20Zach%20Remix%29%201995%20DVj%20Almir%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Remix, Television, Tributes, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DimZach, #DVjAlmir, #Remix, #ToDeserveYou --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler & Martha Stewart At Bette's 80th Birthday Celebration](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/18/photo-bette-midler-martha-stewart-at-bettes-80th-birthday-celebration/) **Published:** December 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A #BetteMidler and #MarthaStewart #Birthday #Selfie at Midler's 80th birthday celebration! How Divine! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler & Martha Stewart At Bette’s 80th Birthday Celebration By Mister D Dec. 18, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-18_16-19-52.png "2025-12-18_16-19-52 - bootleg betty") --- A [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) and [\#MarthaStewart](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/marthastewart/) [\#Birthday](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/birthday/) [\#Selfie](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/selfie/) at Midler’s 80th birthday celebration! How Divine! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Martha%20Stewart%20At%20Bette%27s%2080th%20Birthday%20Celebration&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Martha%20Stewart%20At%20Bette%27s%2080th%20Birthday%20Celebration%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Martha%20Stewart%20At%20Bette%27s%2080th%20Birthday%20Celebration&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Martha%20Stewart%20At%20Bette%27s%2080th%20Birthday%20Celebration%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Martha%20Stewart%20At%20Bette%27s%2080th%20Birthday%20Celebration%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bette's Birthday, Happy Birthday Bette, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Birthday, #Celebration, #divine, #MarthaStewart, #photo, #Selfie --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - To Deserve You (Dim Zach Remix)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/18/audio-bette-midler-to-deserve-you-dim-zach-remix/) **Published:** December 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio: Bette Midler - To Deserve You (Dim Zach Remix) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler – To Deserve You (Dim Zach Remix) By Dim Zach Dec 18, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2015-11-24_9-54-41.jpg "2015-11-24_9-54-41 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Dim%20Zach%20Remix%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Dim%20Zach%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Dim%20Zach%20Remix%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Dim%20Zach%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20To%20Deserve%20You%20%28Dim%20Zach%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Audio, Bette Midler, Bette Of Roses, Music, Remix, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BetteOfRoses, #DimZach, #Music, #Remix, #Song, #ToDeserveYou --- ### [Bette Midler On Bob Dylan](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/17/bette-midler-on-bob-dylan/) **Published:** December 17, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** I came to New York to meet Dylan. I was 19 when I first hit New York, and the first thing I did was go down to the Village and look for him. **Content:** --- ## Best Classic Bands Bob Dylan: Reflections on His Early Days by Those Who Knew Him By Harvey Kubernik Dec. 17, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/cascav.jpg "Cascav - bootleg betty") --- **Bette Midler (singer, actress):** *I came to New York to meet [**Bob Dylan**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/bob-dylan/). I was 19 when I first hit New York, and the first thing I did was go down to the Village and look for him. Those first albums of his completely blew my mind. I had a very hip girlfriend, and we used to go to her house and listen to Dylan and Joan Baez. I even went out and bought a guitar so that I could accompany myself on “[**Blowin’ in the Wind**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowin%27_in_the_Wind).” I spent a lot of time lookin’ for him. He didn’t let me down at all.* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20On%20Bob%20Dylan&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20On%20Bob%20Dylan%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20On%20Bob%20Dylan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20On%20Bob%20Dylan%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20On%20Bob%20Dylan%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Other **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BlowinInTheWind, #BobDylan, #Village --- ### [The Magic Of The Great Toni Basil!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/17/the-magic-of-the-great-toni-basil/) **Published:** December 17, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The woman Quentin Tarantino called ‘the goddess of go-go’ is one of the most connected and accomplished in Hollywood. **Content:** --- ## The Guardian The magical life of Toni Basil: how she taught Elvis, enchanted Bowie – and had a smash hit with ‘Mickey’ By Steve Rose Dec 17, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-17_16-33-05.png "2025-12-17_16-33-05 - bootleg betty") --- The woman Quentin Tarantino called ‘the goddess of go-go’ is one of the most connected and accomplished in Hollywood. At 82, she recalls working with Tina Turner, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-the-concerts/#.VfrOrH9Viko), Frank Sinatra, David Byrne, Margot Robbie, Leonardo DiCaprio – the list goes on – and the time Bing Crosby made a pass at her If your knowledge of [**Toni Basil** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toni_Basil)begins and ends with her cheerleader-chanting smash hit Mickey, that’s just the tip of a very deep iceberg. By the time Mickey topped the US charts 43 years ago this week, in 1982, Basil had already spent four decades in the entertainment industry. The deeper you go, the more places you realise she was. When Elvis Presley sings “See the girl with the red dress on” in his 1964 movie Viva Las Vegas, and points across the dancefloor, the gyrating girl in the red dress is Basil. When Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper take LSD at the end of Easy Rider with two sex workers, one of them is Basil. When dance troupe the Lockers show?case their pre-hip-hop street dance moves on Soul Train in 1976, it’s six guys and … Basil. By the time of Mickey she had already worked with everyone from David Bowie to Tina Turner to Talking Heads, with more to come. Basil has been-there-done-that in so many places, for so long, and over the course of our two-hour conversation she’ll casually drop asides such as “… so I went to see Devo with Iggy Pop and Dean Stockwell” or “… me and Bowie had just come from dinner with Bob Geldof, Paula Yates and Freddie Mercury” or “I was just at Bette Midler’s 80th birthday party, what a bash!” She’s now 82 years old but on Zoom, from her dance studio in Los Angeles, she doesn’t look much older than she did in the video for Mickey – and she looked like a teenager in that, even though she was 38 at the time. Her memory is perfectly sharp, too, and her energy levels are as high as ever, as she shares her packed life story with animated diction. If she has a secret to eternal youth, it’s that she has danced her whole life, and she still does, she says. “Dance is my drug of choice. You get high from it, and it gives you community.” Basil’s brief pop career was, she explains, actually thanks to Manchester and the BBC. She signed to a British record label in 1979 to record her album Word of Mouth, which included a reworking of Kitty, an album track by forgotten British band Racey. Basil gave it a gender-switch, a new wave synth makeover and that unforgettable cheerleader chant – “I had to beg my record company to let me record it,” she remembers. “They thought it was a terrible idea; they didn’t know what cheerleaders were.” She made little films for a few of the songs, singing and dancing. “This was a year before MTV,” she explains. By chance, a couple of BBC producers, Ken Stevenson and Alan Walsh, watched them playing in a record shop in Manchester, “and they saw in the credits that I had choreographed and directed it all.” They invited her to make a two-part special for the BBC, with more song-and-dance numbers and little comedy skits. The show plays like a lost time capsule of 80s kitsch: somewhere between punk, new wave and hip-hop; colourful, playful, subtly subversive, almost like an over-caffeinated kids’ cartoon. It was this that launched Mickey as a hit single – first in the UK (in March), then in Australia (a No 1 that July), then, after a new American recording contract and a new video (Basil wore her original high school cheerleader outfit), a No 1 in the US that December. “It took Britain, land of Boy George and the Beatles, to go, ‘Look at this. Let’s put this on television,’” she says. “In the US, they were like: ‘What is she thinking?’” Basil really did have showbiz in her Italian American blood. “It never occurred to me that I would do anything else,” she says. “My mother’s side of the family were vaudevillian stars, kind of acrobatic comedians.” Her father was an orchestra leader, first in Chicago, then at the Sahara hotel in Las Vegas. “I stood on the side of the stage from 1947 to 1957 seeing a show every weekend; everybody from Josephine Baker to Nat King Cole to Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland.” She was their only child. “They thought I was the centre of the earth. I was extremely spoilt. And I was really a good dancer. They saw what I had going, and they really pushed it.” Her teenage life was daily ballet classes and acting lessons, followed by go-go clubs every night, “dancing the pony, the mashed potato, all of that”. The tide was turning: the youth rebellion of the early 1960s was making older entertainers look stale and square. Basil was one of a handful of dancers who really knew what the kids were digging, so she soon picked up work dancing and choreographing. It sounds like a great time to be young, I suggest. “I think it’s always a great time to be young!” she replies. Given all this, Basil wasn’t particularly fazed to find herself standing in for Ann-Margret and teaching Elvis Presley dance steps when she was just 20. “Being nervous around Elvis? He was part of the show-business family. I mean, I appreciated it was Elvis Presley, but not in that crazy fan way.” Or hanging backstage during the 1964 concert movie T.A.M.I Show, which she also choreographed. “We were in the green room with the Rolling Stones and Smokey Robinson watching James Brown, and the Stones realised, ‘Oh shit, we gotta follow him?’” Likewise the Rat Pack movie Robin and the Seven Hoods, where she played a chorus girl. “I started out in the back line, and the next day I was in the centre line. By the third day, I was front and centre.” Basil even features in a promotional featurette for the movie, chatting on set with Sinatra, Dean Martin and the gang. They were mostly gentlemen, she says. “Maybe Bing Crosby made a pass at me, but I don’t think I was so interested.” That seems to be another thing she was unfazed by: “I had directors making a pass at me, but it was never a pass that, if I was not reciprocal, I didn’t get the job.” By the late 60s the tide had turned again, and Basil was part of the counterculture. Her boyfriend at the time was the actor Dean Stockwell, which brought her into the orbit of Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda and artists such as Wallace Berman and Bruce Conner. Conner’s 1966 art film Breakaway consists of Basil dancing and singing the title song, which went on to become a sought-after northern soul track – Mickey was not her first rodeo. That’s how she came to be in Easy Rider, plus other counterculture classics such as the Monkees’ Head, Five Easy Pieces (with Nicholson), and Hopper’s infamously erratic The Last Movie. Hopper was usually the overbearing presence in this gang, it seems. His intensity filled the room, she says. “He either hated something or loved it, there was no in between, which was quite entertaining, but he could be mad as a hatter.” As for the drugs associated with this scene, Basil never really took to them. “Pot made me paranoid, to the point of passing \[the joint\] around and really not taking a toke out of it,” she says. “And at one point I was able to get some cocaine, which was pretty fabulous. I made a film in a week on cocaine! But it broke my skin out. So me with my vanity? Oh no!” By the time this scene fizzled out in the early 70s, Basil was already on to the next thing. Dance had moved on since go-go, so she asked a girlfriend: “Find me the best dancer and have him call me. I need some classes.” The best dancer turned out to be a kid called Lamont Peterson, who put her on to the straight Black club scene in south Los Angeles, and Don “Campbellock” Campbell, who was inventing a new style of dance that became known as “locking”. “It was the most spectacular dancing I had seen since James Brown,” says Basil. “He did a lot ?of arms,” she goes through the moves on camera: “wrist-roll, point, five, slap. There was something of communication; the dancer could have a conversation with the audience.” There were also athletic leaps, down on to the knees or into splits, even somersaults. This was an individual, club-based style but, drawing on her vaudevillian instincts, Basil formed a stage troupe with Campbell and four other dancers called The Lockers. This was still pre-hip-hop, in the mid-70s, but you can see it prefiguring later street dance styles – like body? popping, “waacking” and breakdancing. The Lockers toured with everyone from Sinatra to Funkadelic. “We changed the face of dance,” she says. “We showed audiences that street dance was an art form.” Basil was also building a career as a choreographer. Bowie invited her to London out of the blue in 1973 to choreograph his forthcoming Diamond Dogs tour. His vision for it was more like rock opera: complex moving sets, costume changes, theatre lighting, dance numbers. It was intense?; 13-hour days of rehearsals. “There was a lot of homework with Bowie.” She marvelled at his stamina. “David could do anything; as an actor, as a mover, he wasn’t a normal dancer – I mean, the guy didn’t even look normal, he just looked like this strange alien god. I always thought he should have been James Bond.” This is what connects all the most impressive people she’s worked with, says Basil: “Their work ethic is just obsessive: pre?-production, planning, rehearsals.” Turner was another. She approached Basil in the late 70s, when she was seeking to go solo. It was a vulnerable time for her, having effectively been in hiding since ending her infamously abusive marriage to Ike a few years earlier. After her high-energy moves with the Ikettes, Turner was after something more elegant, says Basil. But she certainly knew her stuff. In their first run-through Basil sat poised, ready to write down her feedback. “I watched the whole thing, and I realised I’d never put the pencil to the paper. It was just shocking to be in the same room with her, singing and dancing with the band. It was startling. And she does it all in high heels, and then, ?as soon as it’s over, she can hardly walk in the heels. But you’d never know it.” Basil worked with Turner right until her final 50th anniversary tour, in 2009. “She was an elegant queen, and yet she’s up in the girls’ dressing room, working on their weaves, fixing their hair.” Basil’s pre-MTV videos also caught the attention of David Byrne, of Talking Heads, who asked her to direct a promo for their song Crosseyed and Painless – which featured her street dancer friends and none of the band – then, a year later, their classic Once in a Lifetime, for which she and Byrne researched films of people in trances and religious ecstasy to come up with his jerky, idiosyncratic dance style. “As a matter of fact, he was very hesitant about that,” she recalls. Before that, “I don’t think he really danced at all.” Basil would go on to choreograph other acts, especially Midler, and films and TV shows, from American Graffiti to Sesame Street to Legally Blonde, right up to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, for which she taught Margot Robbie and Leonardo DiCaprio their 60s moves. “She was the goddess of go-go,” Tarantino said of Basil, “She knows the era perfectly.” Perhaps better than he realised: Tarantino’s film harked back to the Manson family’s murder of Sharon Tate and her friends in 1969. “I knew Sharon and Roman \[Polanski, her husband\], we used to hang out,” she says. “I dated Jay Sebring!” Sebring, the celebrity hairstylist, was Tate’s friend and ex-partner, and was murdered alongside her that night. Basil dated him years before. “He and Gene Shacove were the two straight hairdressers in Hollywood. Straight hairdressers get laid as much as straight male dancers.” Basil never married but seemingly had quite a few celebrity liaisons over the years, not least with her collaborators. “I worked with them through it all.” She remains cryptic on the details. “I worked with Bowie through it all. I worked with Jerry Casale \[of Devo, who contributed tracks to Basil’s Word of Mouth album\] through it all. I worked with Byrne through it all. Our relationships have always remained, no matter what, creative.” Is she saying these were purely creative relationships? “No.” She’s not minded to go into detail, though. “You’re the Guardian and I’m not talking about my sex life!” she says mockingly, then adds: “It’s extremely erotic when it’s creative and it’s sexual. Oh my God, there is nothing more spectacular. And if you deliver work that is also spectacular, you don’t mind losing the sex, but you don’t want to lose the creative connection.” Now she lives alone in “a wonderful house in Los Angeles” with her five cats and her dance studio next door. She still teaches students, judges street dance competitions globally and is regarded as a legend in the field. And she still hears Mickey echoing through the culture: in movies (most recently Die My Love), and in songs by the likes of Run DMC (It’s Tricky), Gwen Stefani (Hollaback Girl), Taylor Swift (Shake It Off), Charli xcx (Speed Drive) and, most recently, Blackpink singer Rosé’s hit single with Bruno Mars, Apt. “It’s kind of an anthem now. Here in America, if you’re a little cheerleader, you’re dancing to it.” Her own taste of pop stardom might have been fleeting – follow-up singles to Mickey and a second album barely troubled the charts – but she doesn’t seem too bothered: “I never thought of it as anything but a time period. It was just a train ride. I was able to earn a living, I had fabulous, talented friends that were all doing something similar, but like Bowie, we all evolved. Dance styles change, music changes, so if you keep up with the trend, you change.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Magic%20Of%20The%20Great%20Toni%20Basil%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Magic%20Of%20The%20Great%20Toni%20Basil%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Magic%20Of%20The%20Great%20Toni%20Basil%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Magic%20Of%20The%20Great%20Toni%20Basil%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Magic%20Of%20The%20Great%20Toni%20Basil%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Toni Basil **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Choreography, #Dance, #Mickey, #Music, #Philantropist, #Songs, #ToniBasil --- ### ['Cut Off' One Of The Most Anticipated Films Of 2026](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/17/cut-off-one-of-the-most-anticipated-films-of-2026/) **Published:** December 17, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** This is the half of the list that smells like real cinema **Content:** --- ## The Playlist ‘Cut Off’ One Of The Most Anticipated Films Of 2026 (Part 2) By Rodrigo Perez December 16, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-17_16-20-50-1024x574.png "2025-12-17_16-20-50 - bootleg betty") --- If [part one ](https://theplaylist.net/the-150-most-anticipated-films-of-2026-part-1-20251215/)of your favorite article of the year—[The Playlist’s 150 Most Anticipated Films of 2026](https://theplaylist.net/the-150-most-anticipated-films-of-2026-part-1-20251215/)— was where we dutifully tipped our hats to the four-quadrant gods — the franchises, the iffy skill issue movies, the IP leviathans and a few pieces of sh\*te we don’t really care about but mildly pretend to, for the sake of encapsulating the whole year — then Part Two is where we actually start to cook. This is the half of the list that smells like real cinema: the auteurs sprinting through their imperial phases, the foreign films that will quietly rearrange your brain at 10 a.m. in Cannes, the microbudget indies held together with dental floss, recycled nipple pasties and trauma, the passion projects that may never see the inside of a proper release window. These are the movies so indie that they might not actually come out, or might not even exist; maybe we just dreamed them into being during a festival comedown fever spike. So, yes, the big machines are still grinding away in 2026 — but here’s the other story the year is telling: the strange, the personal, the ambitious, the untested. Welcome to Part Two of the 150 Most Anticipated Films of 2026: the deep cuts, the wild cards, and the films we’re already half in love with, sight unseen. ***[Cut Off ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/cut-off/)comes into play at Number 38:*** **38. “Cut Off.” Jonah Hill** directs and stars in “Cut Off,” a sharp, character-driven comedy about two spoiled siblings forced to grow up after their parents pull the plug on their fortune. Holl and **Kristen Wiig** star alongside **[Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler), Nathan Lane, Adriana Barraza, Camila Cabello, Langston Kerman,** and **Chelsea Peretti** in this ensemble farce about entitlement, reinvention, and humiliation in the age of curated wealth. Hill, returning behind the camera after “**Mid90s**” and “**Stutz**,” blends cringe humor and emotional honesty as his characters tumble from privilege into absurd survival mode. Produced by **Warners**, the film aims to fuse biting social commentary with the kind of offbeat warmth and discomfort that defined Hill’s earlier collaborations with indie-minded comedians. **Release Date:** July 17, via Warner Bros. **For Part One article:** **[Click Here](https://theplaylist.net/the-150-most-anticipated-films-of-2026-part-1-20251215/)** **For Part Two:** **[Click Here](https://theplaylist.net/the-150-most-anticipated-films-of-2026-part-2-20251216/)** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=%27Cut%20Off%27%20One%20Of%20The%20Most%20Anticipated%20Films%20Of%202026&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=%27Cut%20Off%27%20One%20Of%20The%20Most%20Anticipated%20Films%20Of%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=%27Cut%20Off%27%20One%20Of%20The%20Most%20Anticipated%20Films%20Of%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=%27Cut%20Off%27%20One%20Of%20The%20Most%20Anticipated%20Films%20Of%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=%27Cut%20Off%27%20One%20Of%20The%20Most%20Anticipated%20Films%20Of%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CutOff, #Movies --- ### [Bette Midler's P&R Elbow Macaroni Commercial From The Late 60s](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/17/bette-midlers-pr-elbow-macaroni-commercial-from-the-late-60s/) **Published:** December 17, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Discover Bette Midler's very first TV commercial appearance! Could've been her last. I don't know. But here we have a fresh-faced young Bette promoting P&R Elbow Macaroni **Content:** --- ## You Tube Bette Midler’s P&R Elbow Macaroni Commercial From The Late 60s By Boodles Bon Bon Dec. 17, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-17_15-18-44.png "2025-12-17_15-18-44 - bootleg betty") --- Discover Bette Midler’s very first TV commercial appearance! Here we have a fresh-faced young Bette promoting P&R Elbow Macaroni. Talk about your [**Macaroni Midler!**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/macaroni-midler/) Sheesh! Thanks to [**Boodles BonBon**](https://www.youtube.com/@boodles_bonbon) for a great find…again! --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20P%26R%20Elbow%20Macaroni%20Commercial%20From%20The%20Late%2060s&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20P%26R%20Elbow%20Macaroni%20Commercial%20From%20The%20Late%2060s%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20P%26R%20Elbow%20Macaroni%20Commercial%20From%20The%20Late%2060s&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20P%26R%20Elbow%20Macaroni%20Commercial%20From%20The%20Late%2060s%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20P%26R%20Elbow%20Macaroni%20Commercial%20From%20The%20Late%2060s%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Commercial, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Commercial, #Macaroni, #MacaroniMidler, #Television --- ### [‘Beaches,’ a Novel and a Film, Will Spread Its Wings on Broadway](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/16/beaches-a-novel-and-a-film-will-spread-its-wings-on-broadway/) **Published:** December 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A musical adaptation of the story will open at the Majestic Theater next spring. And yes, the score includes “Wind Beneath My Wings.” **Content:** --- ## The New York Times ‘Beaches,’ a Novel and a Film, Will Spread Its Wings on Broadway By Michael Paulson Dec. 16, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/16cul-beaches-02-jumbo.webp "16cul-beaches-02-jumbo - bootleg betty")--- A musical adaptation of the story will open at the Majestic Theater next spring. And yes, the score includes “**Wind Beneath My Wings**.” “[**Beaches**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/beaches/),” the tearjerking 1980s novel-turned-movie about female friendship, will be staged on Broadway next spring, when the long-in-development musical arrives for a limited run before going on tour. The show, adopting an unusual strategy in response to the challenging economics of [**Broadway**](https://www.broadway.com/?msclkid=062a758468c716b4b0391cc5c36c8c31), plans to run just under 24 weeks in New York, hoping that will incentivize ticket buyers and that the Broadway imprimatur will boost its appeal on the road. The show is set to begin previews on March 27 and to open on April 22 at the Majestic Theater; it is scheduled to close on Sept. 6 and then start a national tour. “Beaches” is about a longtime friendship between two women who first meet as children. Their relationship waxes and wanes through romantic, professional and health challenges, but ultimately changes each of their lives. Iris Rainer Dart wrote the 1985 novel, which was adapted into a film in 1988 starring **Bette Midler** and Barbara Hershey. “There’s never been a better time for this particular story,” said the musical’s lead producer, Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso. “It’s a love story about friendship, and I think the world needs that right now — a world where there’s a loneliness epidemic, and friendships are such an essential part of getting through that.” The musical has been in development for more than a decade, with Dart as one of the writers. It was first staged in 2014 at Signature Theater in Arlington, Va., and then in 2015 at Drury Lane Theater in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. Those productions were directed by Eric Schaeffer, and featured music by David Austin and a book by Dart and Thom Thomas. Thomas died, and Austin and Schaeffer were replaced before the next production, in 2024, at Theater Calgary in Canada, where the music was by Mike Stoller and the director was Lonny Price, with Matt Cowart as co-director. Like the Calgary production, the Broadway show will star Jessica Vosk (as Midler’s character in the film) and Kelli Barrett (as Hershey’s character); Price and Cowart will again direct. The book is credited to Dart and Thomas; Dart also wrote the lyrics, and Stoller, who once crafted songs for Elvis Presley, wrote the music, with Austin credited as a collaborator. The stage score will, of course, include the movie’s Grammy-winning song, “Wind Beneath My Wings.” “We’ve had a long journey, and we really took a while to get to the right team,” Maloney-Prezioso said. The initial post-Calgary plan, announced in March, was to tour first, and then come to Broadway. But Maloney-Prezioso said that once she was offered a Broadway house, she decided to reverse course. “Now we get to go on the road with a Broadway musical, as opposed to a Broadway-bound musical,” she said. The show is modest in size for a Broadway musical, with a cast of 12. “We wanted to make it very producible and make sure that it could go out on the road,” Maloney-Prezioso said. “This story has global appeal. So we wanted to make sure that we got it right, but also that it could live — I’ve always wanted to make sure that we didn’t just have a show that opened but a show that could run.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=%E2%80%98Beaches%2C%E2%80%99%20a%20Novel%20and%20a%20Film%2C%20Will%20Spread%20Its%20Wings%20on%20Broadway&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=%E2%80%98Beaches%2C%E2%80%99%20a%20Novel%20and%20a%20Film%2C%20Will%20Spread%20Its%20Wings%20on%20Broadway%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=%E2%80%98Beaches%2C%E2%80%99%20a%20Novel%20and%20a%20Film%2C%20Will%20Spread%20Its%20Wings%20on%20Broadway&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=%E2%80%98Beaches%2C%E2%80%99%20a%20Novel%20and%20a%20Film%2C%20Will%20Spread%20Its%20Wings%20on%20Broadway%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=%E2%80%98Beaches%2C%E2%80%99%20a%20Novel%20and%20a%20Film%2C%20Will%20Spread%20Its%20Wings%20on%20Broadway%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Beaches The Musical, Bette Midler, Broadway, Music, Theatre **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #Musical, #Theater --- ### [Bette Midler's Tribute To Rob Reiner! Perfect!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/16/bette-midlers-tribute-to-rob-reiner-perfect/) **Published:** December 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's Tribute To Rob Reiner! Perfect! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler’s Tribute To Rob Reiner! Perfect! By Mister D Dec. 16, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/spinal-tap-rob-reiner-1024x818.jpg "Spinal-tap-rob-reiner - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DSTyVmQkS-8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Bette Midler (@bettemidler)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DSTyVmQkS-8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Tribute%20To%20Rob%20Reiner%21%20Perfect%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Tribute%20To%20Rob%20Reiner%21%20Perfect%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Tribute%20To%20Rob%20Reiner%21%20Perfect%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Tribute%20To%20Rob%20Reiner%21%20Perfect%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Tribute%20To%20Rob%20Reiner%21%20Perfect%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Obit, Obituaries, Tributes **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Instagram, #Obituary, #RobReiner, #Tribute --- ### [10 Christmas songs for the perfect queer playlist](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/16/10-christmas-songs-for-the-perfect-festive-playlist/) **Published:** December 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** This article is about creating a Christmas playlist. GCN contributor David Ferguson is back with his annual Christmas playlist of queer festive songs. **Content:** --- ## GCN 10 Christmas songs for the perfect queer playlist Written by David Ferguson Dec. 15, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/12317786_652829298191429_2054494437_n.jpg "12317786_652829298191429_2054494437_n - bootleg betty") --- This article is about creating a [**Christmas**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas) playlist. GCN contributor David Ferguson is back with his annual Christmas playlist of queer festive songs. I wasn’t actually going to do one this year because I didn’t think I could find any new songs or a new angle. I like to try and come up with a (mostly) new list every year. I then came up with the concept of music by gay icons we know and love. Purely by chance, the list is all women, apart from one collaborator on one song. **Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Judy Garland** When you think gay icon, you probably think of Judy Garland. For an iconic lady, it is appropriate to have an iconic Christmas song. The song was written in 1943 by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for the musical Meet Me in St. Louis. In a scene set on Christmas Eve, the character of Esther (Judy Garland) sings the song to cheer up her despondent five-year-old sister, Tootie (Margaret O’Brien). I didn’t actually realise that she was so connected to the song when I picked this one. It is a wonderful performance. **We Need A Little Christmas by Angela Lansbury** This song originated in Jerry Herman’s Broadway musical, Mame. It was first performed by Angela Lansbury. Lansbury, who had already had multiple Oscar nominations, won a Tony Award for her performance. Her fellow cast member and lifelong friend, another gay icon, Bea Arthur won a Tony Award too for a supporting role. The song is performed after Mame has lost her fortune in the 1929 Wall Street crash. She decides that she and others “need a little Christmas” to cheer them up. I only discovered this one in the last few years and it has become a favourite. **Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton** Another musical number. This one was written by composer-lyricist Carol Hall for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. In the film version of the musical, Dolly Parton (who played Miss Mona) is featured as soloist on the refrains, with the other girls accompanying her. I also discovered this one in the last few years and it has also become a favourite. Also previously featured in a version by RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Barbara Mitchell. There is also a brilliant version by gay icon Cyndi Lauper. More on her in a bit. **Do You Hear What I Hear? by Whitney Heuston** This song was written in October 1962, with lyrics by Noël Regney and music by Gloria Shayne. It was written as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Whitney Houston’s version first appeared on A Very Special Christmas (1987), the first in a series of Christmas-themed compilation albums produced to benefit the Special Olympics. ’80s kids may remember the Johnny Mathis version from the first Gremlins movie from 1984, which I consider a Christmas movie. **Sleigh Ride by Spice Girls** This song was composed by Leroy Anderson. He formed the idea for the piece during a heat wave in July 1946. The earliest performances were recorded before lyrics were added. In 1950, publisher Mills Music commissioned Mitchell Parish to write lyrics. The Ronettes recorded a cover in 1963, which was successful in the United States and the song has since become associated with Christmas. The Spice Girls’ version appeared on their single 2 Become 1, which itself was their first UK Christmas number one in 1996. They would go on to have two more with Too Much (1997) and Goodbye (1998). **Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by Céline Dion** This song was released in 1971 as a single by the Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir. It was a protest against the United States involvement in the Vietnam War. It has occasionally re-emerged on the UK singles chart, most notably following Lennon’s murder in December 1980, where it reached number two in the charts. Céline Dion’s version appeared on her 1998 Christmas album, These Are Special Times. These Are Special Times was released after two of her most successful albums, Falling into You (1996) and Let’s Talk About Love (1997). This song was previously included on one of my playlists, a version by Miley Cyrus and Sean Ono Lennon. **Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Cher, Rosie O’Donnell** Originally sung by Darlene Love, this song first appeared on the 1963 album A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records. The song was written by Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, and Phil Spector. Cher actually performed backing vocals on the 1963 version. The version I selected, a duet with Rosie O’Donnell, appeared on Rosie O’Donnell’s album Another Rosie Christmas (2000). I encourage people to look the album up as it has quite an eclectic mix of performers. Cher recorded another duet version, this time with the song’s original artist, Darlene Love, for Cher’s album Christmas in 2023. **[From A Distance](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/from-a-distance/) (Christmas Version) by Bette Midler** This one is unusual, as in it was not originally a Christmas song. American singer-songwriter Julie Gold wrote it in 1985. Nanci Griffith first recorded it for her 1987 album Lone Star State of Mind. However, it is mainly known as a cover version by Bette Midler, which was released on her album, Some People’s Lives (1990). Midler re-recorded this Christmas edition for her Christmas album, Cool Yule (2006), with additional lyrics by Jay Landers. It would appear that, yes, everyone has at least one Christmas album. **A Christmas Duel (2008) by The Hives & Cyndi Lauper** This is a duet recorded by the Swedish rock band, the Hives, and my personal favourite gay icon, Cyndi Lauper. It was released in 2008. The Hives lead singer said of the song, “Growing up, it was only ‘O Holy Night,’ which I really like now, but being a young punk, it was the enemy… We wanted to have this juxtaposition of really sweet music and nasty lyrics.” As for how the collaboration took place, “We came up with the song, and we figured it was a duet, and we’d always hoped to do a duet with Cyndi Lauper. We thought she had a really cool voice.” The song appears on No Ho Ho: Alternative Christmas Holiday Anthems (2009). Not one for most offices, given the lyrics. **Santa Baby by Kylie Minogue** This song was first performed by Eartha Kitt with Henri René and His Orchestra and originally released in 1953. The song was written by Joan Javits and Philip Springer. Kylie originally recorded a cover version in 2000. It was used as the B-side to her single Please Stay, from her seventh studio album Light Years (2000), on select physical releases in 2000. It also appeared on her first Christmas album, Kylie Christmas (2015). Kylie Christmas has been reissued twice. The first reissue, released on 25 November 2016, was an expanded edition titled the Snow Queen Edition, which included a collaboration with singer-songwriter Mika. A second reissue, titled Fully Wrapped, was recently released. Happy listening! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=10%20Christmas%20songs%20for%20the%20perfect%20queer%20playlist&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=10%20Christmas%20songs%20for%20the%20perfect%20queer%20playlist%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=10%20Christmas%20songs%20for%20the%20perfect%20queer%20playlist&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=10%20Christmas%20songs%20for%20the%20perfect%20queer%20playlist%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=10%20Christmas%20songs%20for%20the%20perfect%20queer%20playlist%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Cool Yule, From A Distance, Music, Songs, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Christmas, #FromADistance, #Playlist, #queer, #Songs --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - In This Life (SKDJ vs Tony Moran Remix Edit)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/15/audio-bette-midler-in-this-life-skdj-vs-tony-moran-remix-edit/) **Published:** December 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio: Bette Midler - In This Life (SKDJ vs Tony Moran Remix Edit) **Content:** --- ## You Tube Audio: Bette Midler – In This Life (SKDJ vs Tony Moran Remix Edit) By SKDJ Dec. 15, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/maxresdefault-1024x576.jpg "Maxresdefault - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20This%20Life%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Tony%20Moran%20Remix%20Edit%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20This%20Life%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Tony%20Moran%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20This%20Life%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Tony%20Moran%20Remix%20Edit%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20This%20Life%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Tony%20Moran%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20This%20Life%20%28SKDJ%20vs%20Tony%20Moran%20Remix%20Edit%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Music, Remix, Songs **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BetteOfRoses, #InThisLife, #Music, #Remix, #SKDJ, #Song, #TonyMoran --- ### [This Day In History: 25 Years Ago Bette Midler Cameo'd In What Women Want](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/15/this-day-in-history-25-years-ago-bette-midler-cameod-in-what-women-want/) **Published:** December 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler appears in a brief, uncredited cameo as Dr. J.M. Perkins, a therapist (often described as a chain-smoking shrink) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty This Day In History: 25 Years Ago Bette Midler Cameo’s In What Women Want By Mister D December 15, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-13_16-52-20.png "2025-12-13_16-52-20 - bootleg betty")--- [**What Women Want**](https://bootlegbetty.com/reviews/fr_women.htm) is a 2000 romantic fantasy comedy directed by Nancy Meyers, starring Mel Gibson as Nick Marshall, a chauvinistic advertising executive who gains the ability to hear women’s thoughts after a freak accident, and Helen Hunt as his boss/romantic interest Darcy McGuire. [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) appears in a brief, uncredited cameo as Dr. J.M. Perkins, a therapist (often described as a pot-smoking shrink). In the film, Nick visits her early on, overwhelmed by his new “gift” of hearing women’s inner thoughts, which he initially sees as a curse. Dr. Perkins listens to his story and reframes it positively, famously telling him: “If you know what women want, you can rule!” This line helps Nick shift his perspective and start using his ability to his advantage. Her scene is short but memorable, adding a humorous and pivotal moment to Nick’s character arc. Many reviews note it’s an amusing cameo and wish there had been more of her. Overall, Midler’s appearance is a fun highlight in an otherwise star-studded supporting cast (including Marisa Tomei, Alan Alda, and Lauren Holly), showcasing her signature wit in limited screen time. The film was a major box-office hit, grossing over $374 million worldwide. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2025%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Cameo%27d%20In%20What%20Women%20Want&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2025%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Cameo%27d%20In%20What%20Women%20Want%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2025%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Cameo%27d%20In%20What%20Women%20Want&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2025%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Cameo%27d%20In%20What%20Women%20Want%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2025%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Cameo%27d%20In%20What%20Women%20Want%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Cameo, #Movie, #uncredited, #WhatWomenWant --- ### [Video: Doin’ What Comes Naturally! (1998 Ethel Merman Gala - Aud. Rec.) | Kahn, LuPone, Midler & Stritch](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/14/video-doin-what-comes-naturally-1998-ethel-merman-gala-aud-rec-kahn-lupone-midler-stritch/) **Published:** December 14, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Rare audience recording of the 1998 Gay Men’s Health Crisis benefit “Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly: A Tribute to Ethel Merman,” **Content:** --- ## You Tube Video: Doin’ What Comes Naturally! (1998 Ethel Merman Gala – Aud. Rec.) By Boodles BonBon Dec. 14, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-14_13-57-44.png "2025-12-14_13-57-44 - bootleg betty") --- Rare audience recording of the 1998 **[Gay Men’s Health Crisis](https://www.hrc.org/campaigns/united-together-your-resources-your-rights-your-future)** benefit [**“Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly: A Tribute to Ethel Merman,”**](https://bootlegbetty.com/doin-what-comes-naturally-a-tribute-to-ethel-merman-1998/) featuring Madeline Kahn, Lainie Kazan, Patti LuPone, Andrea Martin, Bette Midler, Debra Monk, Elaine Stritch, and drag icon Lypsinka, with an introduction by TV host Phil Donahue. Filmed at the Richard Rodgers Theatre — poor picture and audio quality due to the original source. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Doin%E2%80%99%20What%20Comes%20Naturally%21%20%281998%20Ethel%20Merman%20Gala%20-%20Aud.%20Rec.%29%20%7C%20Kahn%2C%20LuPone%2C%20Midler%20%26%20Stritch&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Doin%E2%80%99%20What%20Comes%20Naturally%21%20%281998%20Ethel%20Merman%20Gala%20-%20Aud.%20Rec.%29%20%7C%20Kahn%2C%20LuPone%2C%20Midler%20%26%20Stritch%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Doin%E2%80%99%20What%20Comes%20Naturally%21%20%281998%20Ethel%20Merman%20Gala%20-%20Aud.%20Rec.%29%20%7C%20Kahn%2C%20LuPone%2C%20Midler%20%26%20Stritch&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Doin%E2%80%99%20What%20Comes%20Naturally%21%20%281998%20Ethel%20Merman%20Gala%20-%20Aud.%20Rec.%29%20%7C%20Kahn%2C%20LuPone%2C%20Midler%20%26%20Stritch%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Doin%E2%80%99%20What%20Comes%20Naturally%21%20%281998%20Ethel%20Merman%20Gala%20-%20Aud.%20Rec.%29%20%7C%20Kahn%2C%20LuPone%2C%20Midler%20%26%20Stritch%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Theatre, Tributes **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #DoinWhatComesNaturally, #EthelMerman, #Musical, #Theater, #Tribute --- ### [BetteBack May 1978: Bette Midler, The Rose, Whispers Of Oscar Nomination](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/14/betteback-may-1978-bette-midler-the-rose-whispers-of-oscar-nomination/) **Published:** December 14, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack May 1978: Bette Midler, The Rose, Whispers Of Oscar Nomination **Content:** --- **Richmond Times Dispatch May 12, 1978** --- [![film-the-rose1](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/film-the-rose1-450x300.jpg "Film-the-rose1 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69045) --- [![2017-01-16_4-23-06](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-16_4-23-06.png "2017-01-16_4-23-06 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69043) [![](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-16_4-23-56.png "2017-01-16_4-23-56 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69044) Bette Midler, Mark Rydell, Frederic Forrest, New York Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20May%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20The%20Rose%2C%20Whispers%20Of%20Oscar%20Nomination&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20May%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20The%20Rose%2C%20Whispers%20Of%20Oscar%20Nomination%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20May%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20The%20Rose%2C%20Whispers%20Of%20Oscar%20Nomination&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20May%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20The%20Rose%2C%20Whispers%20Of%20Oscar%20Nomination%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20May%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20The%20Rose%2C%20Whispers%20Of%20Oscar%20Nomination%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Oscars, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Oscars, #TheRose --- ### [Seasonal Music In The Jukebox!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/13/seasonal-music-in-the-jukebox/) **Published:** December 13, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Seasonal Music In The Jukebox By Mister D Dec. 13, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2020-12-16_6-54-19-1536x538-1-1024x359.jpg "2020-12-16_6-54-19-1536x538 - bootleg betty") SeasonalMusic A new collection: Mary Somewhere In My Memory What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve New Year’s Eve Millenium Coverage White Christmas Cool Yule Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Winter Wonderland From A Distance (Christmas Version) Mele Kalikimaka --- To Play Music: Go To The Jukebox! **[Click Here](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/)** 1–2 minutes Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Seasonal%20Music%20In%20The%20Jukebox%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Seasonal%20Music%20In%20The%20Jukebox%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Seasonal%20Music%20In%20The%20Jukebox%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Seasonal%20Music%20In%20The%20Jukebox%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Seasonal%20Music%20In%20The%20Jukebox%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler --- ### [Bette Midler – Rare Australian Interview (1992) | For The Boys](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/13/bette-midler-rare-australian-interview-1992-for-the-boys/) **Published:** December 13, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler – Rare Australian Interview (1992) | For The Boys **Content:** --- ## You Tube Video: Bette Midler – Rare Australian Interview (1992) | For The Boys Boodles BonBon Dec 13, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/bfa6faaf489deb1000529eba7540a53a.jpeg "Bfa6faaf489deb1000529eba7540a53a - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Rare%20Australian%20Interview%20%281992%29%20%7C%20For%20The%20Boys&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Rare%20Australian%20Interview%20%281992%29%20%7C%20For%20The%20Boys%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Rare%20Australian%20Interview%20%281992%29%20%7C%20For%20The%20Boys&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Rare%20Australian%20Interview%20%281992%29%20%7C%20For%20The%20Boys%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Rare%20Australian%20Interview%20%281992%29%20%7C%20For%20The%20Boys%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, For The Boys, Interview, Video **Tags:** #Australian, #BetteMidler, #ForTheBoys, #Interview, #Video --- ### [This Day In History: Bette Midler Starts Her Kiss My Brass Tour In Chicago 22 Years Ago](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/10/this-day-in-history-bette-midler-starts-her-kiss-my-brass-tour-in-chicago-22-years-ago/) **Published:** December 10, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty This Day In History: Bette Midler Starts Her Kiss My Brass Tour In Chicago 22 Years Ago (Video) By Mister D Dec. 10, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/gettyimages-79056331-612x612-1.jpg "Bette midler (photo by kmazur/wireimage) - bootleg betty")Bette midler photo by kmazurwireimage --- **Bette Midler’s “Kiss My Brass” Tour Overview** Bette Midler’s “[**Kiss My Brass**](https://bootlegbetty.com/kiss-my-brass/)” concert tour was her first major road outing in four years, running from 2003 to 2005. It supported her album [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook (2003), featuring a mix of her hits, comedic characters, and big-band tributes to Rosemary Clooney. The tour’s cheeky name was a playful twist on “kiss my ass,” reflecting Midler’s irreverent style, with brass-heavy arrangements and high-energy performances. **Opening Date and Venue** The tour officially opened on December 10, 2003, at the Rosemont Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. This kicked off the North American leg, which included more than 40 dates across major U.S. cities (including New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas) and one Canadian stop in Toronto. Tickets sold out quickly, highlighting Midler’s enduring draw. **Key Tour Highlights** - **North American Leg (2003–2004):** Ran through mid-February 2004, with additional dates added later. Notable stops included Radio City Music Hall (New York) and Madison Square Garden. - **Australian Leg (2005):** Titled “Kiss My Brass Down Under,” it began on April 8, 2005, in Brisbane and wrapped on May 1, 2005, in Sydney—Midler’s first Aussie tour in 26 years. It featured 10 dates and was a massive hit. - **Setlist Staples:** Shows opened with brass blasts like “Kiss My Brass / Big Noise from Winnetka” and included tracks such as “Stuff Like That There,” “Skylark,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” and Clooney covers. Midler brought her signature humor, the Divine Miss M persona, and the Harlettes as backup singers. - **Merch and Legacy:** Tour books and programs captured the glitzy vibe with photos, lyrics, and Midler’s quips. No official live album or DVD was released, but bootlegs from shows such as the 2004 New York concert are available online. The tour grossed millions and reinforced Midler’s status as a live powerhouse. If you’re looking for footage, check YouTube clips from the 2004 Radio City or MSG performances—they capture the brass-fueled fun. For modern vibes, note that “Kiss My Brass” is also a Sydney music venue, but that’s unrelated to the tour. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Starts%20Her%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20Tour%20In%20Chicago%2022%20Years%20Ago&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Starts%20Her%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20Tour%20In%20Chicago%2022%20Years%20Ago%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Starts%20Her%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20Tour%20In%20Chicago%2022%20Years%20Ago&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Starts%20Her%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20Tour%20In%20Chicago%2022%20Years%20Ago%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Starts%20Her%20Kiss%20My%20Brass%20Tour%20In%20Chicago%2022%20Years%20Ago%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Kiss My Brass, Tours **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Chicago, #Concert, #KissMyBrass, #tour --- ### [10 Movies Like Parental Guidance and Where to Watch Them](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/12/10-movies-like-parental-guidance-and-where-to-watch-them/) **Published:** December 12, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From one goofy family to another, Parental Guidance is one of those classics you can never get rid of on your holiday watchlist. Thankfully, there are plenty of similar comedic family movies just like it, and here’s a list of where to watch them all. **Content:** --- ## Epic Stream 10 Movies Like Cheaper by the Dozen and Where to Watch Them By Fatima Castillo Dec. 12, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/original-film-title-parental-guidance-english-title-parental-guidance-film-director-andy-fickman-year-2012-stars-bette-midler-marisa-tomei-credit-walden-media-album-P4ANWW-1024x673.jpg "Original-film-title-parental-guidance-english-title-parental-guidance-film-director-andy-fickman-year-2012-stars-bette-midler-marisa-tomei-credit-walden-media-album-p4anww - bootleg betty")--- From one goofy family to another, Parental Guidance is one of those classics you can never get rid of on your holiday watchlist. Thankfully, there are plenty of similar comedic family movies just like it, and here’s a list of where to watch them all. **The Parent Trap (1998)** **Streaming Platforms: Disney+** Who could forget one of Lindsay Lohan’s biggest breaks? The Parent Trap doesn’t consist of twelve kids, but it does have twin sisters Annie and Hallie, who never even knew they had a twin all along. Well, as fate (and luck) would have it, these two ended up meeting one another and found out that their parents kept them separate when they divorced. Annie and Hallie cooked up a plan: switch places and pretend to be one another so they could spend time with the other parent they never got to grow up with. **The Pacifier (2005)** **Streaming Platforms: Disney+** Elite Navy SEAL Shane Wolfe (played by Vin Diesel) can handle anything thrown his way, be it explosives or hijacking computers, but who could’ve guessed he would end up babysitting scientist Howard Plummer’s (Tate Donovan) kids and keep them safe from assassination? Plummer’s on double duty as he’s not only babysitting the five kids, but he’s going to have to get along with rebellious Zoe (Brittany Snow), Seth (Max Thieriot), and clingy Lulu (Morgan York). **Family Switch (2023)** **Streaming Platforms: Netflix** Think Freaky Friday, except it’s switching with the entire family: parents end up switching with their teenage children, and even the baby switches with the family dog. Parents Jess (Jennifer Garner) and Bill (Ed Helms) are struggling to connect with their independent teenagers, CC (Emma Myers) and Wyatt (Brady Noon). As fate would have it, each family ends up having a life-altering event, in which they must work together and convince their high school friends and co-workers that everything’s still normal within the family dynamics. **Alex and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day (2014)** **Streaming Platforms: Disney+** Alex is used to being the unluckiest kid in the world, be it gum in his hair and failing to impress the girl he likes, but the night before his birthday, he made a wish that everyone would have their own bad day. The next day, the strangest thing happened: his father mishandles taking care of their youngest sibling, Trevor; his mother is late to work and had a misprint on a newly published children’s book; his sister has a cold and screws up her part as Peter Pan in the school play; and his older brother fails his driving test. **Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves (1997)** **Streaming Platforms: Disney+** From the original film, Honey, I Blew Up the Baby, inventor Wayne Szalinski (played by Rick Moranis) is back to tinkering at home. Except this time, he ends up shrinking himself, his wife, brother, and sister-in-law with his shrinking machine. The miniaturized adults are forced to navigate their own house, fight off giant insects, and find out how their children act behind their backs, especially when no one’s around to watch them. **Instant Family (2018)** **Streaming Platforms: Paramount+** Instant Family, as the title implies, centers on a couple who decide to foster-adopt three siblings, which includes a rebellious 15-year-old girl, and must learn how to parent every one of them practically overnight. The film was inspired by the real-life experiences of the director, Sean Anders, who also adopted three siblings with his wife. **Little Miss Sunshine (2006)** **Purchase or Rent: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV** Dysfunctional families are more often than not funnier to watch, and that’s how the Hoover family works in Little Miss Sunshine. The Hoovers took a chaotic road trip in their old bus to get their 7-year-old daughter, Olive, to the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant in California. And you know how family road trips always go: the hilarious mishaps and the traditional imperfections found along the way. **Parental Guidance (2012)** **Purchase or Rent: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/parental-guidance-l-r-billy-crystal-bette-midler-2012-ph-phil-carusotm-HCJC7C-1024x755.jpg "Parental-guidance-l-r-billy-crystal-bette-midler-2012-ph-phil-carusotm-hcjc7c - bootleg betty")[**Parental Guidance**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/parental-guidance/) follows old-school grandparents, Artie (Billy Crystal) and Diane ([**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler)), who look after their tech-savvy, modern grandkids for a week. Considering the huge generation gap, this often leads to clashes between their traditional parenting styles and the kids’ 21st-century behavior. If they truly want to get along, both sides will have to find a middle ground. **We’re the Millers (2013)** **Streaming Platforms: Netflix** With a mix of found family in this crime comedy film, We’re the Millers stars Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Will Poulter, and Emma Roberts as the titular family who went under the disguise so they could smuggle drugs out of Mexico without being detected. Could this group of strangers really band together and convince the police they’re family? **Yours, Mine & Ours (2005)** **Streaming Platforms: AMC+, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video** Admiral Frank Beardsley (Dennis Quaid) and Helen North (Rene Russo) are high school sweethearts who reunite as adults, marry, and must blend their two large, conflicting families (Frank’s 8 kids and Helen’s 10) into one chaotic household. The big twist is how the disciplined Beardsleys and the free-spirited Norths come up with a scheme to break up the marriage, only to realize in the end how much better they worked as a family. **Daddy Day Care (2003)** **Streaming Platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video** Daddy Day Care is a family comedy about two dads, Charlie (Eddie Murphy) and Phil (Jeff Garlin), who have recently been laid off. They decided to spend their time more wisely, and that is by starting their own unconventional daycare center, Daddy Day Care, where they look after their own sons and other kids. Who would’ve thought that their Kickstarter business would lead to a humorous rivalry with an upscale preschool run by a tough director, Miss Harridan? Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=10%20Movies%20Like%20Parental%20Guidance%20and%20Where%20to%20Watch%20Them&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=10%20Movies%20Like%20Parental%20Guidance%20and%20Where%20to%20Watch%20Them%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=10%20Movies%20Like%20Parental%20Guidance%20and%20Where%20to%20Watch%20Them&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=10%20Movies%20Like%20Parental%20Guidance%20and%20Where%20to%20Watch%20Them%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=10%20Movies%20Like%20Parental%20Guidance%20and%20Where%20to%20Watch%20Them%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Parental Guidance **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BillyCrystal, #MarisaTomei, #Movie, #ParentalGuidance --- ### [This Day In History: 32 Years Ago Today, Gypsy With Bette Midler Premiered On TV](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/12/this-day-in-history-32-years-ago-today-gypsy-with-bette-midler-premiered-on-tv/) **Published:** December 12, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's Gypsy refers to the 1993 television movie adaptation of the classic 1959 Broadway musical Gypsy: **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty This Day In History: 32 Years Ago Today, Gypsy With Bette Midler Premiered On TV By Mister D Dec. 12, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/tumblr_nyn7wtqWL11r19typo1_1280.png "Tumblr_nyn7wtqwl11r19typo1_1280 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler’s [**Gypsy** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsy_(1993_film))refers to the 1993 television movie adaptation of the classic 1959 Broadway musical Gypsy: A Musical Fable, which aired on CBS. It is one of Midler’s most celebrated performances and is widely regarded as one of the greatest made-for-TV movies ever produced. **Key Details** - Format: Made-for-television film - Premiere: December 12, 1993 on CBS - Director: Emile Ardolino (his final project; he died shortly before completion) - Book: Arthur Laurents - Music: Jule Styne - Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim - Based on: The 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee **Cast Highlights** - [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/television/#.VhugxFRViko) as Rose Hovick – the ultimate stage mother (often called the greatest role in musical theatre for a middle-aged actress) - Cynthia Gibb as Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee - Peter Riegert as Herbie (Rose’s long-suffering agent/boyfriend) - Jennifer Rae Beck as June Havoc (young Baby June) - Lacey Chabert as young Louise (Baby Louise) - Elisabeth Moss in a small early role as Baby June’s replacement - Michael Jeter, Tony Shalhoub, Jeffrey Broadhurst, and Ed Asner in supporting roles **Notable Aspects** - Midler won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film and was nominated for an Emmy. - The film is famous for Midler’s electrifying performance of “Rose’s Turn”, the 9-minute tour-de-force breakdown/11-o’clock number that is considered one of the greatest renditions ever captured on film. - It was filmed on location in Los Angeles and retains nearly the full Broadway score (including the overture and entr’actes), which is rare for TV adaptations. - The movie keeps the darker, psychological edge of the original Laurents book rather than softening Rose into a purely comic or sympathetic figure. **Reception & Legacy** - Widely praised upon release (often called the definitive filmed version of Gypsy). - Critics and fans frequently rank Midler’s Rose alongside Ethel Merman (1959 original), Angela Lansbury (1974), Tyne Daly (1989), and Patti LuPone (2008) as one of the all-time great interpretations. - The 1993 version is generally preferred over the 1962 Rosalind Russell film (which used dubbed singing and cut significant material) and the 2015 London revival filming with Imelda Staunton. Availability (as of 2025)The 1993 Midler Gypsy is available on DVD and occasionally streams on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, or turns up in Warner Archive collections. It has never received an official Blu-ray release, so high-quality versions are prized by musical-theatre fans.In short: Bette Midler’s 1993 Gypsy is a landmark television event, a career-high performance for Midler, and remains the gold standard filmed version of one of Broadway’s greatest musicals. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2032%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Gypsy%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Premiered%20On%20TV&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2032%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Gypsy%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Premiered%20On%20TV%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2032%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Gypsy%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Premiered%20On%20TV&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2032%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Gypsy%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Premiered%20On%20TV%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2032%20Years%20Ago%20Today%2C%20Gypsy%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Premiered%20On%20TV%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Emmys, Golden Globes, Gypsy, History, Movies, On This Day In History, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Gypsy, #History, #Television --- ### [Did Bette Midler declare $68M Netflix investment on live TV? FALSE](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/11/did-bette-midler-declare-68m-netflix-investment-on-live-tv-false/) **Published:** December 11, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In December 2025, a Facebook post (archived) claimed 80-year-old actor and singer Bette Midler declared on live TV that she invested $68 million in Netflix "to rip apart the fog that has hidden the truth for far too long." **Content:** --- ## Snopes Did Bette Midler declare $68M Netflix investment on live TV? FALSE By Emery Winter Dec. 11, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/157029_480560908872_729633872_5797729_2649423_n.jpg "157029_480560908872_729633872_5797729_2649423_n - bootleg betty") --- **Claim:** During a December 2025 appearance on live TV, actor and singer [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) said she would invest $68 million in streaming service Netflix to “rip apart the fog that has hidden the truth.” **Rating:** False **About this rating** In December 2025, a Facebook post (archived) claimed 80-year-old actor and singer Bette Midler declared on live TV that she invested $68 million in [**Netflix**](https://www.netflix.com/) “to rip apart the fog that has hidden the truth for far too long.” According to the post, Midler’s announcement came on the night of Dec. 2, 2025, during which she also referenced an unsettling 15-minute clip supposedly released by Netflix. “Within moments, the internet exploded,” the post claimed. The full text of the post was as follows: **BETTE MIDLER “ERUPTS” LIVE ON AIR, DECLARING A $68 MILLION INVESTMENT IN NETFLIX TO TEAR THROUGH THE FOG OF TRUTH—AND AMERICA TREMBLES** On the night of December 2, a stage long familiar with dazzling lights suddenly became the epicenter of a media earthquake. Bette Midler — the Broadway legend and irreplaceable icon of Hollywood — appeared with an intensity no one had seen before. She placed both hands on the desk, her gaze cutting straight into the lens, and delivered a line that made the world freeze: “I will invest 68 million dollars into Netflix. It’s time to rip apart the fog that has hidden the truth for far too long.” No laughter.No applause.Only shock filling the room like thick smoke. Immediately after her declaration, Midler referenced a 15-minute clip recently released by Netflix — a piece framed as fiction but unsettlingly real in tone. Blurred faces, cryptic details, and an atmosphere so heavy it sent chills through the entire film industry. Midler insisted the clip was not entertainment, not a stunt, but a warning about secrets long buried beneath the weight of power. She made it clear that the $68 million wasn’t a moment of emotional impulse. It was a commitment — to expand investigations, collaborate with experts, and produce a documentary series powerful enough to “drag the truth back from the dark.” Within minutes, the internet exploded.*\#Midler68Million*, *\#TruthOnNetflix*, *\#ExposeThePowerful* shot straight to global trending lists. In the entertainment world, chaos spread instantly: studios called emergency meetings, publicists slammed comment sections shut, and once-untouchable names fell into sudden silence. Midler closed the broadcast with a single sentence that sent shivers across millions: “If the truth makes the powerful tremble… then it’s time they tremble.” And on that night of December 2, Bette Midler stepped out of the spotlight of entertainment — and into a battle to expose the truth The rumor was further spread by other Facebook posts (archived). People began searching Google and the Snopes website for information on the rumor. The story described in the post was entirely fabricated. There was no evidence any of it occurred even though the post claimed the moment went viral on the internet. Snopes looked for information on the story through Google searches of “bette midler 68 million,” “bette midler netflix” and “bette midler netflix 68 million,” narrowing each search to the few days before and after Midler supposedly declared her investment. Snopes could not find any results related to the apparent announcement, except for the handful of posts sharing the exact same story word-for-word, through the searches. Considering the “internet exploded” over the story, it’s incredibly unlikely that a Google search would yield no news reporting, blog posts or social media chatter on the subject. Additionally, Midler did not post about a Netflix investment on her Instagram account, YouTube channel or website. Snopes also searched for the referenced 15-minute Netflix clip. Since the story did not name the clip, Snopes attempted to find it on Netflix’s website through a search of Bette Midler. The 15-minute clip did not appear in that search, nor could Snopes find it on Netflix’s X account. The page behind the Facebook post linked to a blog post with more details in the comments section of the post, a tactic commonly used by pages that share made-up, likely artificial intelligence- (AI) generated stories of celebrities doing dramatic or heartwarming things. And while that blog post did expand upon a couple of missing details from the Facebook post, it still kept the story vague enough to limit what identifying details were available to try and confirm the authenticity of the story. For example, the blog said Midler’s announcement came “under the glaring studio lights of a prime-time talk show.” However, it did not name which prime-time talk show Midler apparently appeared on and did not name the host of the show, whom the story claimed was “visibly flustered.” The Facebook post itself was reminiscent in content and structure to other fabricated stories about celebrities and/or politicians that Snopes has fact-checked over the past couple of months. The posts often claim that the subject delivered some kind of earth-shattering statement that silenced the people around them. The moment, the posts have often claimed, became a social media sensation. Usually the posts end with punchy statements meant to underscore the significance of whatever was described. The post about Midler was billed as a celebration of someone working to expose the truth. But in reality the post just reveled in its own lie. **Sources** “Bette Midler.” YouTube, www.youtube.com/channel/UCUzA7EaufkE4M0WafQkgJvA. Accessed 4 Dec. 2025. “Bette Midler (@Bettemidler) • Instagram Photos and Videos.” Instagram.com, www.instagram.com/bettemidler/. Accessed 4 Dec. 2025. “Bette Midler Netflix – Google Search.” Google.com, www.google.com/search?q=bette+midler+netflix&sca\_esv=4b839159f38cb91b&source=lnt&tbs=cdr%3A1%2Ccd\_min%3A11%2F30%2F2025%2Ccd\_max%3A12%2F4%2F2025&tbm=. Accessed 4 Dec. 2025. Midler, Bette. “Bette Midler the Divine Miss M.” Bette Midler the Divine Miss M, www.bettemidler.com/. Accessed 4 Dec. 2025. “Netflix – Bette Midler.” Netflix.com, www.netflix.com/search?q=bette%20midler&suggestionId=Person%3A63594. Accessed 4 Dec. 2025. **By Emery Winter** Emery Winter is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and previously worked for TEGNA’S VERIFY national fact-checking team. They enjoy sports and video games. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Did%20Bette%20Midler%20declare%20%2468M%20Netflix%20investment%20on%20live%20TV%3F%20FALSE&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Did%20Bette%20Midler%20declare%20%2468M%20Netflix%20investment%20on%20live%20TV%3F%20FALSE%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Did%20Bette%20Midler%20declare%20%2468M%20Netflix%20investment%20on%20live%20TV%3F%20FALSE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Did%20Bette%20Midler%20declare%20%2468M%20Netflix%20investment%20on%20live%20TV%3F%20FALSE%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Did%20Bette%20Midler%20declare%20%2468M%20Netflix%20investment%20on%20live%20TV%3F%20FALSE%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Other **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Investent, #Netflix, #Snopes --- ### [Video: A Stiff Joke From Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/10/__trashed-9/) **Published:** December 10, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In 1978, Bette Midler appeared on The Michael Parkinson Show where she mixed comedy, music, and conversation **Content:** --- ## You Tube Video: A Stiff Joke From Bette Midler By Boodles BonBon Dec. 5, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/59842_1629529499668_1279525427_31685094_318511_n.jpg "59842_1629529499668_1279525427_31685094_318511_n - bootleg betty")--- --- In 1978, Bette Midler appeared on The Michael Parkinson Show, where she mixed comedy, music, and conversation—telling her signature “Soph” jokes, singing songs like *In the Mood*, *Millworker*, and *Big Noise from Winnetka*, while charming Parkinson with her wit and flamboyant personality. **What Happened on the Show** Comedy routines: Midler delivered her famous “Soph jokes,” a vaudeville-style series of corny one-liners that showcased her camp humor and timing. - 8 Musical performances: She sang Glenn Miller’s In the Mood, James Taylor’s ballad Millworker, and the jazzy Big Noise from Winnetka. - Conversation with Parkinson: She discussed her home life, her flamboyant dress sense, and her approach to comedy, blending self-deprecation with theatrical flair. - Stage persona: Midler leaned into her “Divine Miss M” character—equal parts bawdy nightclub entertainer and serious vocalist—giving British audiences a taste of her unique mix of camp and artistry. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20A%20Stiff%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20A%20Stiff%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20A%20Stiff%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20A%20Stiff%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20A%20Stiff%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Talk Show, Television, UK, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Joke, #Parkinson, #SophJokes, #Stiff, #talkshow, #Television, #Video --- ### [BetteBack May 1977: The Trials Of Bette Midler & Paul Simon](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/08/betteback-may-1977-the-trials-of-bette-midler-paul-simon/) **Published:** December 8, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** There is at least one man for whom Bette Midler harbors a certain amount of resentment, if not outright hostility: Paul Simon. **Content:** --- ## Crawdaddy BetteBack May 1977: The Trials Of Bette Midler & Paul Simon May 1977 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/12912391_576168132546328_2007342520_n-1.jpg "12912391_576168132546328_2007342520_n (1) - bootleg betty") --- **Mister D:** *Since this article, Bette and Paul reconciled during the recording of We Are The World. Paul Simon even got Bette Midler to host the 2011 Children’s Health Fund, where they sang a few duets together. So, all ended well!* There is at least one man for whom [**Bette Midler** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler)harbors a certain amount of resentment, if not outright hostility: [**Paul Simon**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2018/03/29/rare-audio-gone-at-last-bette-midler-paul-simon-rehearsal-demo-1973/). The two met in 1975 while Simon was working on his Still Crazy After All These Years album, and he invited her to sing along with him on a song he’d recently written called “Gone at Last.” The track was cut in different ways with the Jessy Dixon Singers and a group of Muscle Shoals session men, but when the single hit the airwaves, the finished track, blaring out of a winter’s worth of car radios, bore no remote resemblance to the song Midler remembered working on. Why, the female lead wasn’t even her but . . Phoebe Snow! “That was a very strange event,” Bette recalls candidly, “a very strange thing, and to this day I don’t exactly know what happened. I don’t remember how I met Paul but we hit it off very well, became friends, went out a few times and he played me this song. He asked me to be on it with him; I said that would be fine’. “Then we got to the record companies and who was gonna get it; it got very ugly. Ahmet said one thing, the guy at Columbia said another thing. There was a lot of tension coming from a lot of places; from the record companies and at the session. “Paul didn’t like the track, I think, although he was probably too polite to say that he didn’t. I think it just festered. He wasn’t too happy with me either, I suspect. In any event, it all came to a head. “I stopped hearing from him,” she says with undisguised regret. “One day the record came out but I wasn’t on it! And there had been a certain amount of advance publicity. I was very hurt; it took me a long time to get over it. I’m being very honest with you – no one ever asked me about this. In my inimitable fashion, I made a couple of scenes the next time I saw him; I was just awful. “Paul’s a very private person and he doesn’t like airing his dirty laundry in public. In fact, I venture to say that he doesn’t like doing his laundry at all – ‘Oooh! Did she really say that?’ “He was the first person I ever met who I couldn’t draw out of himself. I couldn’t make it work. And like I say, I embarrassed myself and embarrassed him, once in a violent way.” Bette leans forward intently and recounts her public indiscretion with an odd mixture of delight and wine-enhanced remorse. çš„ got very drunk,” she says, ç”°ause I was real hurt – I shouldn’t be telling you this – in the Hamptons one night. I went to watch a movie at someone’s house and I didn’t know I was gonna run into Paul and I did run into him. As soon as he came in the door I said, ‘Get me another gin and tonic!’ I must have put about six gin and tonics into my system and the more gin, the louder I got, until it came to a point where the evening was over and he came to say hello and goodbye. I said, ‘Come on and we’ll have a chat.’ We went into the kitchen and it wasn’t a chat for very long, I did all the yelling. . .” Midler raises her eyes in abject mortification, but her beaming grin betrays her sense of triumph. “I haven’t seen him in over a year,” she allows with a catty flip of the palm. “Others have, however – ooh, hon-nee! You hang around, you learn!” Baron Bruiso is likewise none too fond of Simon. His account of the abortive alliance expands pointedly on some of the themes at which Miss M only hinted. “I think what it was, was that Bette was looking for a single and asked Paul to write something for her,” he says coolly. “He came up with the song and called her and said, ‘We’ll do it together and we’ll split it.’ Then he had to start changing the deal around…. I think Paul got a little bit greedy and decided he wanted more money for it. “I think Paul and Bette were having a little bit of-an affair,” he suddenly discloses, “which didn’t sit too well with me because Bette and I have had our own for long enough. I didn’t care for that, I must say. But then I’m the jealous kind of man. “I have no use for Paul Simon,” Russo says. “The man is a great talent but . . . as far as I’m concerned, if I never saw him for the rest of my life it would suit me fine. He has a chip on his shoulder that is too much for me to deal with. He has such a complex about being short and his come-on is so obnoxious, I find him difficult to want to know, or to care to know. The lack of my enthusiasm in putting the \[Simon-Midler record\] deal together sort of killed it; it fell of its own weight.” When I questioned Simon last year about the convolutions “Gone at Last” underwent prior to its release, he was a model of gentlemanly composure. Asked if Bette Midler’s no-show was the result of a personal falling out, he calmly stated, “It was not. “I couldn’t get the record companies to agree,” he maintained. “And then it became so much wrangling and haggling that it just wasn’t worth it. The version with Bette had more of a Latin, street feel, if you can imagine that. I changed the concept with Phoebe and tried a gospel approach because she was perfect for it. “Bette and I have no plans to do any other work together.” And so Bette Midler remains suspended somewhere between her New York nexus and the deep blue Pacific. Many of her old associations are gone at last. There are fewer demons to deride her. But you’ve got to have friends, and at the very least she has an adoring one in Aaron Russo. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20May%201977%3A%20The%20Trials%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20May%201977%3A%20The%20Trials%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20May%201977%3A%20The%20Trials%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20May%201977%3A%20The%20Trials%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20May%201977%3A%20The%20Trials%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Feud, #GoneAtLast, #Music, #PaulSimon, #Song, #Trials --- ### [Video: Burt Bacharach's Opus 3 Featuring Bette Midler!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/08/video-burt-bacharachs-opus-3-featuring-bette-midler/) **Published:** December 8, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Off-air recording of the 1973 ABC special “Chevrolet Presents Burt Bacharach – Opus No. 3,” in which Bacharach and Peter Ustinov (as Beethoven) explore “modern” pop with guests Bette Midler, Stevie Wonder, and Gilbert O’Sullivan **Content:** --- ## You Tube Video: Burt Bacharach’s Opus 3 Featuring Bette Midler! By Boodles BonBon Dec. 8, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/burt-bacharach-opus-no-3-gilbert-osullivan-bette-midler-burt-bacharach-HD3M5R-1024x792.jpg "Burt-bacharach-opus-no-3-gilbert-osullivan-bette-midler-burt-bacharach-hd3m5r - bootleg betty")--- Off-air recording of the 1973 ABC special “Chevrolet Presents [**Burt Bacharach**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Bacharach) – Opus No. 3,” in which Bacharach and Peter Ustinov (as Beethoven) explore “modern” pop with guests [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/), Stevie Wonder, and Gilbert O’Sullivan. Featuring performances like Bette Midler’s “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” Stevie Wonder’s “Alfie” and “Superstition,” plus Bacharach classic “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and a fabulously camp Beethoven/Bacharach mash-up medley. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Burt%20Bacharach%27s%20Opus%203%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Burt%20Bacharach%27s%20Opus%203%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Burt%20Bacharach%27s%20Opus%203%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Burt%20Bacharach%27s%20Opus%203%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Burt%20Bacharach%27s%20Opus%203%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Special Events, Television, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BurtBacharach, #Opus3, #Special, #TelevisionSpecial --- ### [Bette Midler & Paul Simon Perform At The Children's Health Fund 2011](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/09/25/bette-midler-paul-simon-perform-at-the-childrens-health-fund-2011/) **Published:** September 25, 2024 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Paul Simon Bette Midler Gala for the CHF Fund in 2011 was a significant event designed to support the Children's Health Fund (CHF), a nonprofit organization co-founded by Paul Simon and pediatrician Irwin Redlener **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler & Paul Simon Perform At The Children’s Health Fund 2011 By Mister D Sept. 24, 2024 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/10030_paul-and-bette-midler-chf-gala-benefit-13-june-2011-1.png "10030_paul-and-bette-midler-chf-gala-benefit-13-june-2011 (1) - bootleg betty")--- The [**Paul Simon**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Simon) Bette Midler Gala for the CHF Fund in 2011 was a significant event designed to support the Children’s Health Fund (CHF), a nonprofit organization co-founded by Paul Simon and pediatrician Irwin Redlener. This gala featured performances by Paul Simon and[ **Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/), showcasing their musical talents for a cause close to Paul Simon’s heart. Held on June 13, 2011, this gala was part of Paul Simon’s ongoing support for CHF, which he has supported through various charity concerts and benefit events. Paul Simon and Bette Midler performed together, including notable songs like “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler and “The Boxer” by Paul Simon. Their performances reflected their individual and collaborative contributions to the night’s entertainment. These performances would have been a treat for the audience and a powerful rallying call for support. The gala’s main purpose was to raise funds and awareness for the Children’s Health Fund. CHF focuses on providing healthcare services through mobile medical clinics to underserved children and families across the United States. Paul Simon’s involvement with CHF stems from his commitment to improving children’s healthcare, a cause he has championed since co-founding the organization in 1987. Events like this gala serve their immediate financial and awareness-raising goals and highlight the intersection of celebrity, philanthropy, and social issues. By leveraging their fame, Simon and Midler draw attention to CHF’s mission, potentially influencing policy and public perception towards better healthcare access for children. This gala, therefore, was more than just a concert; it was a manifestation of celebrity activism aimed at fostering real-world change, reflecting Paul Simon’s long-standing dedication to social causes through his music and public appearances. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon%20Perform%20At%20The%20Children%27s%20Health%20Fund%202011&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon%20Perform%20At%20The%20Children%27s%20Health%20Fund%202011%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon%20Perform%20At%20The%20Children%27s%20Health%20Fund%202011&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon%20Perform%20At%20The%20Children%27s%20Health%20Fund%202011%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Paul%20Simon%20Perform%20At%20The%20Children%27s%20Health%20Fund%202011%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Benefits, Bette Midler, Fundraiser, Video, Video Of The Day, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CHF, #ChildrensHealthFund, #PaulSimon, #TheBoxer #Friends, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler Dream Meanings & Interpretations](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/07/bette-midler-dream-meanings-interpretations/) **Published:** December 7, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Dreaming of Bette Midler often suggests a connection to vibrant self-expression, resilience, and the power of performance. **Content:** --- ## Mirror Bette Midler Dream Meanings & Interpretations By Mirror Staff Dec 7, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-02_10-25-03.png "2025-12-02_10-25-03 - bootleg betty") --- **General Meaning** Dreaming of Bette Midler often suggests a connection to vibrant self-expression, resilience, and the power of performance. This powerful symbol can illuminate your inner desire for authenticity, your capacity to overcome challenges, and the impact of your personal narrative on the world. **Embracing Authentic Self-Expression** Bette Midler’s persona is synonymous with bold, unapologetic self-expression. Dreaming of her could suggest an urge within you to unleash your unique voice and talents, encouraging you to overcome inhibitions and share your true self with the world. This theme invites you to consider how you present yourself and where you might be holding back your authentic spirit. **Resilience and Enduring Spirit** Known for her enduring career and ability to adapt, Bette Midler symbolizes remarkable resilience. This dream might point to your own inner strength and capacity to navigate life’s challenges with grace and determination, suggesting that you possess the fortitude to overcome adversity and emerge stronger. It encourages reflection on past triumphs and current struggles, highlighting your inherent ability to persevere. **The Power of Performance and Persona** The theatrical nature of Bette Midler’s career highlights the role of performance and persona in life. This dream could indicate a reflection on the roles you play, the masks you wear, or the way you present yourself to others, suggesting a need to examine the authenticity behind your public image. It prompts consideration of how your outward presentation aligns with your inner truth and desires. **Narrative** What was Bette Midler doing in your dream, and what was your interaction with her? If she was performing, it might highlight your own desire for recognition or a need to express yourself more openly, whereas if she was offering advice, it could represent an inner wisdom guiding you towards a particular path. **People** Who else was present with Bette Midler in your dream, and what was their relationship to her or to you? The presence of other familiar figures could suggest how your relationships influence your self-expression or resilience, while unfamiliar faces might point to new aspects of your social interactions or public life. **Places** Where did your dream featuring Bette Midler take place, and what was the atmosphere of this setting? A grand stage might emphasize your aspirations for public recognition, while a more intimate setting could reflect a desire for authentic connection and self-expression within your personal life. **Emotions** What emotions did you feel when Bette Midler appeared in your dream, and how did these feelings evolve? Feeling joy or inspiration could indicate a positive affirmation of your creative spirit, whereas feelings of anxiety or inadequacy might suggest concerns about your ability to perform or express yourself effectively. **Other Details** Were there notable colors, objects, or sounds associated with Bette Midler in your dream? These details can amplify or nuance the meaning; for instance, vibrant colors might reflect a heightened sense of creativity and emotional intensity, while specific songs could evoke memories or feelings related to personal expression or resilience. *Explore your dream from various psychological perspectives.* ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-02_10-26-59-1.png "2025-12-02_10-26-59 - bootleg betty") **Jungian Perspective** From a Jungian perspective, dreaming of Bette Midler could represent an encounter with an archetypal figure, possibly the Persona or aspects of the Anima/Animus. The Persona, as the mask we present to the world, is vividly embodied by a performer like Bette Midler, prompting reflection on the roles you play in your waking life and the authenticity of your public self. Alternatively, she might symbolize a vibrant, expressive aspect of the unconscious feminine (Anima in men, amplified feminine qualities in women) urging integration and creative flow. This dream invites you to explore the dynamic interplay between your conscious identity and the powerful, expressive energies within your psyche. **Freudian Perspective** A Freudian interpretation might view the appearance of Bette Midler in a dream as a manifestation of repressed desires or wish fulfillment, particularly concerning exhibitionism, recognition, or a longing for uninhibited expression. Her flamboyant nature could symbolize a release of superego constraints, allowing unconscious impulses related to pleasure or ego gratification to surface. This dream could also represent a displacement of feelings towards a parental figure or an authority figure, reflecting unresolved conflicts or desires for approval and attention. The dream, therefore, serves as a symbolic stage for these underlying psychological dynamics to play out. **Adlerian Perspective** From an Adlerian individual psychology perspective, dreaming of Bette Midler could relate to your striving for superiority or your unique lifestyle. Her success and distinctive persona might symbolize a personal goal or an ideal you aspire to achieve, reflecting your efforts to overcome feelings of inferiority and contribute meaningfully to your social environment. This dream encourages you to consider how your current actions align with your life’s overarching purpose and how you seek significance in your interactions with others. It prompts reflection on your social interest and the ways you contribute your talents to the collective. **Gestalt Perspective** The Gestalt therapy perspective would encourage you to embody Bette Midler in your dream, exploring what parts of yourself she represents that might be disowned or unintegrated. By engaging in a dialogue with her, you might discover aspects of your personality, such as your capacity for humor, resilience, or bold self-expression, that are seeking integration into your whole self. This dream serves as an invitation to become more aware of your present experience and to fully own these dormant or suppressed qualities. It highlights the importance of recognizing and integrating all facets of your being to achieve a more complete and authentic self. **Cognitive Perspective A cognitive behavioral perspective on dreaming of Bette Midler** would focus on your underlying thoughts, beliefs, and schemas related to self-expression, performance, and public image. The dream could reflect cognitive distortions or core beliefs about your capabilities, your perceived need for external validation, or anxieties surrounding vulnerability. By examining your automatic thoughts and feelings associated with Bette Midler in the dream, you can begin to identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns. This process can lead to a more balanced and realistic assessment of your own potential for creativity and self-actualization. **Symbolic Meaning** *Reflect on symbolic parallels in mythology.* ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-02_12-28-23.png "2025-12-02_12-28-23 - bootleg betty") **Dionysus, God of Wine, Ecstasy, and Theatre In ancient Greek mythology, Dionysus embodies the intoxicating power of performance, transformation, and liberation. He represents the primal urge for uninhibited expression, often leading his followers into ecstatic states through music, dance, and theatrical revelry. His myths often involve challenging societal norms and embracing the wild, untamed aspects of human nature, celebrating joy and sorrow with equal fervor. This connection to the raw, transformative power of the stage and authentic emotion resonates strongly with the persona of Bette Midler**. Reflection: Consider how the spirit of Dionysus might be stirring within you. Are there areas in your life where you feel a strong urge to break free from convention and express a more passionate, uninhibited self? How might embracing your own ‘theatrical’ or expressive side lead to greater personal liberation and joy? **The Trickster Archetype (e.g., Loki, Coyote)** Across many cultures, the Trickster archetype embodies paradox, humor, and a disruptive energy that often leads to transformation. Figures like Loki in Norse mythology or Coyote in Native American traditions are known for their cunning, wit, and ability to challenge established orders, often through playful subversion or theatrical antics. The Trickster, while sometimes mischievous, ultimately serves to reveal hidden truths and facilitate growth by disrupting complacency. This archetype’s blend of humor, intelligence, and boundary-pushing aligns with the multifaceted public persona of Bette Midler. **Reflection:** Reflect on how the Trickster energy might manifest in your own life. Where might a touch of humor or unconventional thinking help you navigate a challenging situation or break free from rigid patterns? Are there situations where you might benefit from playfully challenging the status quo to reveal deeper truths or bring about positive change? **The Phoenix** The myth of the Phoenix, a legendary bird that cyclically regenerates or is otherwise born again, symbolizes resilience, renewal, and the triumph over adversity. After a long life, the Phoenix burns itself to ashes, only to rise reborn from the embers, more beautiful and powerful than before. This powerful symbol speaks to the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, and the capacity for profound transformation in the face of destruction. The enduring career and transformative presence of Bette Midler, continually reinventing herself and rising to new heights, echoes the timeless narrative of the Phoenix. **Reflection:** Consider the areas in your life where you might be experiencing a process of ‘burning down’ or letting go. What aspects of yourself or your circumstances are ready for transformation and renewal? How can you embrace the inherent resilience of the Phoenix within you to emerge stronger and more authentically yourself from any challenges you face? **Spiritual Meaning** *How different spiritualities view this dream.* ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1426171986-680x1024.webp "Gettyimages-1426171986 - bootleg betty") **Biblical Interpretation From a Biblical perspective, while Bette Midler** herself is not a direct symbol, her qualities of voice, joy, and challenging norms can be interpreted through scriptural themes. The power of a joyful noise or a prophetic voice, as seen in Psalms or the stories of women like Deborah, could be relevant. This dream might encourage you to use your own voice for good, to bring joy to others, or to speak truth in situations that require courage, reflecting a divine call to express your unique gifts. **Islamic Interpretation** In Islamic dream interpretation, symbols are often understood in terms of their ethical implications and their connection to divine attributes. Dreaming of a figure like Bette Midler, known for her artistic expression and performance, could be interpreted as a reflection on the permissible and praiseworthy forms of entertainment and expression within an Islamic framework. It might encourage reflection on the balance between worldly enjoyment and spiritual devotion, prompting you to consider how your own creative expressions align with principles of beauty, truth, and benefit to humanity. **Buddhist Perspective From a Buddhist perspective, Bette Midler’s dream could be a contemplation on the nature of impermanence (anicca) and non-self (anatta), particularly regarding** persona and identity. Her vibrant performances, while captivating, are ultimately transient, reflecting the ephemeral nature of all phenomena. The dream might encourage you to observe the roles you play and the ‘self’ you present without attachment, recognizing them as fluid constructs rather than fixed realities. It could also highlight the skillful means (upaya) of using art and expression to evoke joy or insight, reminding you of the compassionate intention behind creative acts. **Universal Spiritual Themes** Universally, dreaming of Bette Midler can tap into the archetypal feminine energy of the Divine Performer or the Sacred Fool. This archetype embodies the power of expression, the ability to transform through art, and the wisdom found in humor and lightheartedness. Such a dream might signify a universal call to embrace your own creative potential, to find joy in self-expression, and to recognize the sacredness in authentic human connection. It encourages you to honor your unique gifts and share them with the world, understanding that true expression transcends boundaries. **Waking Life Reflection** *Connect your dream to your waking life.* ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1433921154-683x1024.webp "Gettyimages-1433921154 - bootleg betty") - How can you more authentically express your unique voice and talents in your daily interactions or creative pursuits? - What current challenges are you facing, and how can you draw upon your inner resilience to navigate them with strength, much like Bette Midler’s enduring career? - In what situations do you feel you are ‘performing’ or wearing a ‘mask,’ and how can you bring more of your true self into those moments? - What aspects of your life could benefit from a touch of humor or a more playful approach, echoing Bette Midler’s characteristic wit? - Reflect on a time you overcame a significant obstacle; what strengths did you draw upon then that you can apply to present circumstances? - Are there any creative impulses or artistic desires that you have been neglecting? How can you make space for them in your life? Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Dream%20Meanings%20%26%20Interpretations&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Dream%20Meanings%20%26%20Interpretations%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Dream%20Meanings%20%26%20Interpretations&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Dream%20Meanings%20%26%20Interpretations%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Dream%20Meanings%20%26%20Interpretations%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Other **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Biblical, #Dreams, #interpretations, #Psychology, #Spiritual, #Symbolic, #WakingLife --- ### [On This Day: 48 Years Ago Bette Midler's Ol' Red Hair Is Back Premiered On Network TV](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/07/on-this-day-48-years-ago-bette-midlers-ol-red-hair-is-back-premiered-on-network-tv/) **Published:** December 7, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In 1977, Midler’s first television special, whose title, Ol’ Red Hair Is Back, was a takeoff on Frank Sinatra’s Ol’ Blue Eyes Is Back, premiered, featuring guest stars Dustin Hoffman and Emmett Kelly. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty On This Day: 48 Years Ago Bette Midler’s Ol’ Red Hair Is Back Premiered On Network TV By Mister D December 7, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-02_15-18-16.png "2025-12-02_15-18-16 - bootleg betty") --- In 1977, Midler’s first television special, whose title, [**Ol’ Red Hair Is Back**](https://bootlegbetty.com/ol-red-hair-is-back-1977/), was a takeoff on Frank Sinatra’s Ol’ Blue Eyes Is Back, premiered, featuring guest stars Dustin Hoffman and Emmett Kelly. It went on to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Special – Comedy-Variety or Music. NBC gave [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) the opportunity to host her first television special. Putting someone as bawdy and raucous as Midler in the highly controlled standards-and-practices world of network TV was the equivalent of putting a size ten foot into a size nine shoe, and “Ol’ Red Hair is Back” could easily be summarized as “Bette Midler Lite.” The majority of this one-hour special was basically an abbreviated, bowdlerized version of Midler’s wacky stage show. The energy was there, but the cheerful vulgarity that was Midler’s trademark was kept at a low-level risque pitch; the sentiment was strictly naughty PG-rated, not raw R-rated. However, Midler offered more than a few unexpected surprises that kept her program on an eccentric edge. For starters, “Ol’ Red Hair is Back” opens with one of the most wonderfully bizarre musical numbers ever put on television. A group of native Hawaiians in a beachfront setting brings a giant clam ashore. The clam is opened and out pops Midler, in a Las Vegas version of a Hawaiian sarong, who begins singing “Oklahoma!” Incredibly, the Hawaiians join in a hula chorus line to this out-of-place tune. When the song is over, Midler returns to the clam and takes one of the buff hula boys with her. The remainder of the special never quite matches that lunatic moment, but there is enough oddity to spare. Emmett Kelly, the sad-faced circus clown, shows up to perform his fabled routine of using a broom to sweep the illumination from a spotlight. He sweeps the light up Midler’s figure, at which point the singer launches into her hit tune “Friends.” Kelly returns later for a weird number that finds him sitting in sadness on a bench while Midler croons “Hello In There.” That John Prine-penned song, with its poignant plea to consider the loneliness of the aged, is given a haunting rendition by Midler ”“ but it makes no sense having her sing that to a clown, even if the clown. Kelly turns up at the end of the show to reprise his broom routine, this time handing it over to Midler as she sweeps the spotlight’s beam. Somewhat more intriguing was Midler’s good fortune to snag Dustin Hoffman as her other guest star. Hoffman, who rarely appeared on TV during the 1970s, offers a surprisingly subtle display of piano-playing. Midler and Hoffman perform “Shoot the Breeze,” a tune they wrote together (Hoffman created the melody, Midler the lyrics). It is not a good song, by any stretch, but the performers have a pleasant rapport. That number is capped by a genuinely funny sketch where Hoffman plays a Rachmaninoff prelude while Midler strips him of his street clothing and dresses him in a formal tuxedo. Beyond that, the show is strictly Midler’s stage act, complete with a studio audience that constantly breaks into applause. With her Harlettes offering song and dance support, Midler sails through her popular songs, including “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Shiver Me Timbers,” and “Do You Want to Dance?” One genuinely surprising number finds her performing an English version of Edith Piaf’s “La Vie en Rose” while dressed in a stunning crimson gown (courtesy of Bob Mackie’s stitchery brilliance). Oddly, the special was used to promote Midler’s album “Broken Blossom,” which was just arriving in stores. “La Vie en Rose” was the only song from that album featured on this show; neither the album nor the song had any impact on the charts. “Ol’ Red Hair is Back” is a curious endeavor. As a singer and dancer, Midler puts in herself into frenetic overdrive and barrels through her musical numbers like a runaway train. But things slow down between her numbers, where she provides a toned-down version of her comic shtick. The most daring part of her appearance comes when she cups her hands beneath her breasts and dubs them “the twin deities of truth and beauty.” Otherwise, she aims slight but snide digs at the goodie-two-shoes personas of Marie Osmond and Dorothy Hamill, imagines the shock of viewers tuning in and not recognizing her, and delivers a rambling monologue about encountering an obese woman wearing a fried egg on her balding head. Any Midler fan watching this cannot help but rue that Midler is holding back with “Ol’ Red Hair is Back.” Even Midler herself semi-acknowledges her restricted settings, facetiously claiming her presence on NBC signals the downfall of American moral decency. But then she offers a show so tame that kiddies and grandmothers could watch it without any discomfort. In fact, the show was sponsored by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union, not exactly a bunch of rabble-rousers, eh? Still, enough people were comfortable enough with “Ol’ Red Hair is Back” during its broadcast on December 7, 1977. It did well in the ratings and went on to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Special and Best Tape Sound Mixing (there’s an Emmy for that?). The show also received a nomination for Writing for a Comedy-Variety or Musical, but that Emmy went to “The Paul Simon Special.” As far as I know, “Ol’ Red Hair is Back” was only broadcast once on NBC. I don’t know if it was ever rebroadcast on another network or screened as part of a retrospective of Midler’s work. There has never been a commercial home entertainment release of this title, and I don’t believe any effort is being made to bring it back. However, several prescient souls who owned Betamax machines videotaped the show during its only broadcast, and today’s bootlegs stem from those recordings. The source of my bootleg copy is a fella in New Jersey who told me this amusing anecdote: “I remember recording it on a stormy night. In fact, there was a nasty thunderstorm. At one point in the broadcast, NBC lost its high-quality“network feed” and switched to its “back-up” copy, which they ran in sync, just in case of trouble. It happened during a commercial. You can see and hear a glitch and a color shift at 33:46 (on the DVD), when they switched back to the network link.” Is this title worth seeking out? For Midler’s fans, the answer is yes. A subdued Midler is better than nothing, and this special could’ve easily been lost. Even if “Ol’ Red Hair is Back” doesn’t present her at full throttle, it is an amusing diversion that offers a happy sampling of what the Divine Miss M is capable of performing. **IMPORTANT NOTICE:** The unauthorized duplication and distribution of copyright-protected material, either for crass commercial purposes or profit-free shits and giggles, is not something that the entertainment industry appreciates. On occasion, law enforcement personnel boost their arrest quotas by collaring cheery cinephiles engaged in such activities. So if you are going to copy and distribute bootleg videos and DVDs, a word to the wise: don’t get caught. Oddly, the purchase and ownership of bootleg videos is perfectly legal. Go figure! --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=On%20This%20Day%3A%2048%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Ol%27%20Red%20Hair%20Is%20Back%20Premiered%20On%20Network%20TV&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=On%20This%20Day%3A%2048%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Ol%27%20Red%20Hair%20Is%20Back%20Premiered%20On%20Network%20TV%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=On%20This%20Day%3A%2048%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Ol%27%20Red%20Hair%20Is%20Back%20Premiered%20On%20Network%20TV&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=On%20This%20Day%3A%2048%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Ol%27%20Red%20Hair%20Is%20Back%20Premiered%20On%20Network%20TV%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=On%20This%20Day%3A%2048%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Ol%27%20Red%20Hair%20Is%20Back%20Premiered%20On%20Network%20TV%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Emmys, History, Music, Ol Red Hair Is Back, On This Day In History, Special Events, Television, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DustinHoffman, #EmmettKelley, #EmmyAward, #History, #Network, #OlRedHairIsBack, #Special, #Television, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler’s Hawaiian-Inspired, Cliffside Cottage in Laguna Beach](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/06/bette-midlers-hawaiian-inspired-cliffside-cottage-in-laguna-beach/) **Published:** December 6, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In this month's edition of Archive Dive, we're looking at Bette Midler’s cliffside Laguna Beach cottage, which originally ran in House Beautiful's August 1999 issue. **Content:** --- ## House Beautiful Bette Midler’s Hawaiian-Inspired, Cliffside Cottage in Laguna Beach By Christine Pittel Dec 6, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/spread-1a-pg-110-resized-1-6920df37bc727-1024x683.avif "Spread-1a-pg-110-resized-1-6920df37bc727 - bootleg betty")--- **Archive Dive: Aloha Spirit** Welcome to Archive Dive—my new excuse to obsess over the absolute treasures hiding in House Beautiful’s 129-year-old archives. Every month, we’ll dig up a favorite story from the past (epic room makeovers, wildly bold design swings, and style moments that were way ahead of their time) and talk about why they still resonate today. It’s part history lesson, part design deep-dive, and 100 percent a love letter to the iconic taste that’s defined HB for over a century. —Jo Saltz, House Beautiful Editor-in-Chief In this month’s edition of Archive Dive, we’re looking at Bette Midler’s cliffside Laguna Beach cottage, which originally ran in House Beautiful’s August 1999 issue. The whole place is a glorious mashup of Gothic romance and Hawaiian fantasy. It’s layered with bleached floors, hibiscus-printed fabrics, vintage bamboo, and even hula-girl mosaics that turned it into the ultimate barefoot-weekend refuge. Check out the full story below. “I bought the house in five minutes,” says Bette Midler, who was filming Beaches nearby when she saw the romantic half-timbered cottage perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. From each room, she could hear waves crashing on the rocks far below, tossing up a fine spray of sea mist. In the overgrown garden, a path led to a crumbling stone tower enclosing a three-story spiral staircase down to the sand. Built as an artist’s studio in 1928, when Laguna Beach was home to a colony of California plein-air painters, the original structure with soaring cathedral ceilings and Gothic arched windows was joined to a neighboring house back in the 1950s, when a set designer from Walt Disney Studios lived there. More recent owners added a large master bedroom with a balcony facing the line where sea blurs into sky. Cobbled together from different styles, the house is a fanciful hodge-podge: one big open area for living, dining, and cooking, and lots of little bedrooms outfitted like ship’s cabins trailing along in its wake. Gazing out at the black rocks in the turquoise water, it’s easy to imagine you’re in Hawaii, where Midler was born and raised. Los Angeles designer Jarrett Hedborg shared her fantasy. “When I grew up in southern California, there was a very strong link to Hawaii,” he explains. “My father took me there on a visit, and I fell in love with the place. Bette had to leave to pursue her career, yet Hawaii continually beckons. So this is Proust with a surfboard. I wanted to bring it all back for her.” ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/spread-2a-pg-112-resized-6920df376f19b-682x1024.avif "Spread-2a-pg-112-resized-6920df376f19b - bootleg betty") It’s a casual weekend house, a place where Bette could get away with her family. Of course, Hedborg’s insouciant brand of Aloha style never existed in reality. “I made it all up,” he blithely admits. “My theory is that houses are a refuge. Bette and I just happened to be dreaming the same dream.” Hedborg had filled his own home with vintage bamboo furniture and curtained the windows with Tahitian pareu cloth—normally wrapped around the hips like a sarong. “Think Gauguin,” he says helpfully. Sharing his fabric stash with Midler, Hedborg hung a blue-and-white hibiscus floral at her windows and upholstered her furniture in blue-and-white plaid palaka cloth, a simple homespun cotton typically used for workshirts in the pineapple fields. “It’s a casual weekend house, a place where Bette could get away with her family,” says Nancy Kintisch, a decorative artist who visited there for years. “People would come in barefoot from the beach. There was always sand on the floor and music playing and someone cooking in the kitchen.” Kintisch contributed her own vision, enlivening one entryway with a hula-girl mosaic, stenciling marlins on the living room fireplace, and painting a permanent version of a souvenir tablecloth in the dining room. After Hedborg bleached the floors and painted the whole house white—blotting out the original dark wood—they fiddled with colors for days before settling on the palest Pacific blue to accent the beams. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/spread-3a-pg-114-resized-6920df37c2c97-681x1024.avif "Spread-3a-pg-114-resized-6920df37c2c97 - bootleg betty") House Beautiful Archives In the original artist’s studio is the Dorchester sofa by Jarrett Hedborg, available at Nancy Corzine. Butternut sofa table from Richard Mulligan. *Hawaiian koa wood was used for the master bedroom bookshelves. Ralph Lauren mattress ticking and pareu cloth upholster the armchair next to Nancy Kintisch’s river rock-lined fireplace.* At a certain point, Santa Barbara designer Neil Korpinen deftly picked up where Hedborg left off, “fluffing” the house as Midler requested. He hunted down just the right bamboo lamps and framed old menu covers from the Matson Line ships, which used to run between Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Honolulu. In an act of historical preservation, Korpinen laminated vintage Hawaiian shirts onto tabletops and cupboard doors. He found a big, bright braided rug for the living room floor that fit right in with the Hawaiian style, which blended so many cultures—the native, the missionary, the Far East—just like the Hawaiian population. For example, missionaries introduced quilting to the islands, and then the natives made it their own. “Taking their designs from nature, the Hawaiians would lay a cloth out under a tree and trace the shadows,” he explains. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/spread-4a-pg-116-resized-6920df374cbd7-682x1024.avif "Spread-4a-pg-116-resized-6920df374cbd7 - bootleg betty") --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/spread-3a-pg-114-resized-6920df37c2c97-1-685x1024.avif "Spread-3a-pg-114-resized-6920df37c2c97 (1) - bootleg betty") *This was one of the most magical spots I’ve ever lived in.* Working with Midler was complicated because her busy schedule rarely allowed time for a real meeting. “Then one day she phoned and said, ‘Drop everything. We have to go to an estate sale in Beverly Hills,’” Korpinen recalls. “We pulled up to this Georgian house, which had belonged to Ray Bolger. Not very promising. But when we walked out to the poolhouse, there was this incredible tiki room, untouched since the 1940s, with bamboo furniture and grasscloth walls. We took home everything we could carry.” ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/spread-4a-pg-116-resized-6920df374cbd7-1-1024x685.avif "Spread-4a-pg-116-resized-6920df374cbd7 (1) - bootleg betty") Both Hedborg and Korpinen were buoyed by Midler’s innate sense of style, and the house reflects her carefree spirit. “This was one of the most magical spots I’ve ever lived in,” sighs the ebullient actress, who held on to it for ten years, until she moved to New York. “I hated to sell it, and I keep the memories close to my heart.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Hawaiian-Inspired%2C%20Cliffside%20Cottage%20in%20Laguna%20Beach&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Hawaiian-Inspired%2C%20Cliffside%20Cottage%20in%20Laguna%20Beach%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Hawaiian-Inspired%2C%20Cliffside%20Cottage%20in%20Laguna%20Beach&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Hawaiian-Inspired%2C%20Cliffside%20Cottage%20in%20Laguna%20Beach%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20Hawaiian-Inspired%2C%20Cliffside%20Cottage%20in%20Laguna%20Beach%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Home & Garden **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Cottage, #Home, #House, #LagunaBeach --- ### [Photo: The Divine Mother & Daughter, Bette Midler & Sophie von Haselberg](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/06/photo-the-divine-mother-daughter-bette-midler-sophie-von-haselberg/) **Published:** December 6, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Divine Mother and Daughter, #BetteMidler and #SophievonHaselerg photographed in the late 80s **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: The Divine Mother & Daughter, Bette Midler & Sophie von Haselberg By Mister D Dec. 6, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-02_10-23-40.png "2025-12-02_10-23-40 - bootleg betty") --- The Divine Mother and Daughter, [**\#BetteMidler**](https://open.spotify.com/artist/13y0kncDD4J9wxCyfKr10W) and [**\#SophievonHaselerg**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/sophievonhaselberg/) photographed in the late 80s Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20The%20Divine%20Mother%20%26%20Daughter%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sophie%20von%20Haselberg&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20The%20Divine%20Mother%20%26%20Daughter%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sophie%20von%20Haselberg%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20The%20Divine%20Mother%20%26%20Daughter%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sophie%20von%20Haselberg&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20The%20Divine%20Mother%20%26%20Daughter%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sophie%20von%20Haselberg%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20The%20Divine%20Mother%20%26%20Daughter%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sophie%20von%20Haselberg%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Photos, Sophie von Haselberg **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #photo, #Photos, #SophieVonHaselberg --- ### [This Day In History: 4 Years Ago Bette Midler Was Inducted at the 44th Kennedy Center Honors](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/05/this-day-in-history-5-years-ago-bette-midler-was-inducted-at-the-44th-kennedy-center-honors/) **Published:** December 5, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler was celebrated as one of the honorees at the 44th Kennedy Center Honors, which took place on December 5, 2021 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty This Day In History: 4 Years Ago Bette Midler Was Inducted at the 44th Kennedy Center Honors Dec. 5, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-03_13-29-56.png "2025-12-03_13-29-56 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-the-concerts/#.VfrOrH9Viko) was celebrated as one of the honorees at the [**44th Kennedy Center Honors**](https://www.kennedy-center.org/video/digital-stage/honors/44/kennedy-center-honors-highlights/), which took place on December 5, 2021, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. This annual event recognizes artists for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts, and Midler was joined by fellow honorees Berry Gordy, Joni Mitchell, Lorne Michaels, and Justino Díaz. The ceremony marked a return to tradition after the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a full in-person gala attended by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden—the first presidential attendance since 2016. Midler, often referred to as “The Divine Miss M,” was honored for her extraordinary career spanning over five decades, encompassing music, film, television, and Broadway. Her tribute highlighted her versatility and impact, from her early days performing in New York’s gay bathhouses to her Grammy-winning music career (with hits like “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”), her Oscar-nominated film roles in The Rose and For the Boys, and her Tony-winning performance in the 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly!. The Kennedy Center praised her as “an artistic tour de force” who has entertained millions with her voice and comedic wit. The tribute segment for Midler during the gala was a star-studded affair. Goldie Hawn, her co-star from The First Wives Club, introduced her, calling her a “superpower goddess” who can make audiences laugh and cry simultaneously. Barbara Hershey, her Beaches co-star, and Scarlett Johansson also paid homage, with Johansson narrating a video tribute. Performances included Beanie Feldstein, Kate Baldwin, and Taylor Trensch—castmates from Hello, Dolly!—singing “Friends,” Kelli O’Hara delivering a stirring “Wind Beneath My Wings,” and Billy Porter performing a medley of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “From a Distance” with a gospel twist. Melissa Manchester, a longtime friend, joined in, reflecting on their shared history. The event began with a White House reception hosted by President Biden, who singled out Midler, saying, “People will never forget how you make them feel. That’s your gift, it’s incredible.” The gala itself, hosted by David Letterman, was filmed for a CBS broadcast that aired on December 22, 2021, showcasing the performances and tributes. Midler, then 76, expressed her gratitude on the red carpet, humorously noting to reporters, “I’m a low-end performer… And yet people like that. They really enjoyed it. So hey, I’m beloved!” Her Kennedy Center Honor cemented her legacy as a beloved icon whose work has left an indelible mark on American entertainment. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%204%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20Inducted%20at%20the%2044th%20Kennedy%20Center%C2%A0Honors&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%204%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20Inducted%20at%20the%2044th%20Kennedy%20Center%C2%A0Honors%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%204%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20Inducted%20at%20the%2044th%20Kennedy%20Center%C2%A0Honors&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%204%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20Inducted%20at%20the%2044th%20Kennedy%20Center%C2%A0Honors%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%204%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20Inducted%20at%20the%2044th%20Kennedy%20Center%C2%A0Honors%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bette Midler Milestones, Kennedy City Honors **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #KennedyCenterHonors, #Milestone --- ### [Can It Be True That Bette Will Never Sing Again!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/04/can-it-be-true-that-bette-will-never-sing-again/) **Published:** December 4, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** According to insiders, the songstress behind Wind Beneath My Wings and The Rose has no plans to ever sing again – not onstage or in a studio or even to her own shower head **Content:** --- ## Radar Online EXCLUSIVE: Tragic Reason Why Bette Midler, 80, Will Never Sing Again After a Lifetime of Tragedy By Haley Gunn Dec. 3, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-03_14-28-03.png "2025-12-03_14-28-03 - bootleg betty")--- Legendary entertainer [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) has closed the chapter on her singing career for good. While Hollywood’s newest octogenarian isn’t ready to step away from the spotlight just yet, sources claimed “she’s truly done” with belting out her iconic tunes, RadarOnline.com can reveal. **Midler’s ‘Truly Done’ With Singing** After decades of performing, sources claimed Midler is ‘truly done’ with singing. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/a71be5d35a465ebbb7a0aab6d6e925f0-curly-red-hair-bette-midler.jpg "A71be5d35a465ebbb7a0aab6d6e925f0--curly-red-hair-bette-midler - bootleg betty") According to insiders, the songstress behind Wind Beneath My Wings and The Rose has no plans to ever sing again – not onstage or in a studio or even to her own shower head. While some fans may believe the decision is due to Midler’s aging vocal cords, an insider insisted that’s not the case. “There’s nothing wrong with her vocal cords,” the source confirmed. “She just doesn’t want to. She’s completely over it.” Insiders said Midler wants to focus on writing, producing, and environmental activism. Although some entertainers find it hard to step away from the mic after decades of performing chart-topping hits, the insider said that’s not the case for Midler. “She’s moved on. That chapter is closed,” the tipster said as they explained The First Wives Club star has pivoted her time and energy towards writing, producing and environmental activism. Midler is said to be enjoying a quieter life away from the stage – and while the decision is shocking, the insider insisted she “[**still loves performing, just not singing**](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/bette-midler-completely-over-singing-185008587.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall).” **Midler’s Career Began With Tragedy** Midler’s sister Judy was hit and killed by a taxi on her way to watch one of the singer’s performances in 1968. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1763754383-682x1024.webp "Gettyimages-1763754383 - bootleg betty") The 80-year-old’s decision has not only stunned fans, but her inner circle, too. Sources revealed Midler’s friends expressed surprise at her definitive stance on never singing again, but the Hocus Pocus star wasn’t swayed and firmly stood her ground on quietly shutting the door on the singing portion of her career. “No farewell concert, no Vegas run, no Broadway comeback – she’s truly done,” the insider added. Midler may be ready to give up stage performances considering the tragic beginning to her career. Back in 1968, when her career was just starting to take off, Midler’s sister Judy traveled to New York City to watch one of her performances. Sadly, Judy never made it to her sister’s show. She was struck and killed by a taxi in the Big Apple on her way to the performance. The traumatic incident was something Midler could never shake, despite how well she hid her pain from audiences. “I was the only family member in town,” Midler previously recalled. “I had to go to the morgue and identify the body.” Unfortunately, her sister’s death also brought back somber memories of a high school friend who was also killed in a car crash. **Midler’s Second Act** Midler founded the environmental organization The New York Restoration Project in 1995. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-02_10-26-59.png "2025-12-02_10-26-59 - bootleg betty") “When you come through all the fire, you think there must be a God or something, and you should go and do whatever it is you do that brings joy to people,” Midler said as she explained how she funneled her heartbreak into her performances. “My parents showed plenty of emotion, but they didn’t give much love,” the singer continued. “There was a lot of yelling. I had a lot of anger, a lot of rage and I channeled it.” She added: “The stage was the best therapy.” As our insider noted, Midler has shifted her focus to her organization, The New York Restoration Project, which she founded in 1995 to create more public green spaces and rejuvenate parks and community gardens across the Big Apple. During a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Midler spoke about The New York Restoration Project and why she believes “nature is a fundamental right.” She noted the initiative began as a “cleaning and greening project” three decades ago as she recalled seeing “so much garbage in public spaces” after returning to New York from Los Angeles in 1994. “I feel nature is a fundamental right and I feel–I felt it was unfair,” Midler said on being inspired to start the NYRP before noting there are “some very, very beautiful parks” in the city but also “many big green spaces in the five boroughs that are under resourced, underfunded and nobody pays any attention to them.” Midler added: “Those are the ones that I wanted to bring back. I’m a big believer in restoration.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Can%20It%20Be%20True%20That%20Bette%20Will%20Never%20Sing%20Again%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Can%20It%20Be%20True%20That%20Bette%20Will%20Never%20Sing%20Again%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Can%20It%20Be%20True%20That%20Bette%20Will%20Never%20Sing%20Again%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Can%20It%20Be%20True%20That%20Bette%20Will%20Never%20Sing%20Again%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Can%20It%20Be%20True%20That%20Bette%20Will%20Never%20Sing%20Again%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Singers **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #neversing --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler At A Party in 1979](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/03/photo-bette-midler-at-a-party-in-1979/) **Published:** December 3, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** #BetteMidler attends a #party in her #honor in Los Angeles, California, on September 26, 1979. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler At A Party in 1979 By Mister D December 3, 2024 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-03_12-31-08.png "2025-12-03_12-31-08 - bootleg betty")--- [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) attends a [\#party](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/party/) in her [\#honor](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/honor/) in Los Angeles, California, on September 26, 1979. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20A%20Party%20in%201979&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20A%20Party%20in%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20A%20Party%20in%201979&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20A%20Party%20in%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20A%20Party%20in%201979%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Parties, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DinnerParty, #Honors, #photo --- ### [Video: Bette Midler And Marijuana Advocacy](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/03/video-bette-midler-and-marijuana-advocacy/) **Published:** December 3, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** According to Very Important Potheads, "Midler famously planned to put a joint underneath every seat of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles for her New Year's Eve show **Content:** --- ## Celeb Stoner Video: Bette Midler And Marijuana Advocacy By Mister D Dec. 2, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/dr_bettemidlertoke99_w625_h392.jpg "Dr_bettemidlertoke99_w625_h392 - bootleg betty") --- Singer/actress [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-special-appearances/#.VfrNfH9Viko) marijuana advocacy dates back to the ’70s. According to Very Important Potheads, “Midler famously planned to put a joint underneath every seat of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles for her New Year’s Eve show in 1975/76, to celebrate California’s pending decriminalization law. Her staff had purportedly rolled 1,800 joints before word leaked out, and she was talked out of the magic moment by her lawyers and the L.A. district attorney. Instead, she dropped her top at midnight.” In 1976, Midler’s version of the reefer-jazz classic “Sweet Marijuana” was released on Songs for the New Depression (titled “[**Marijuana**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_(drug))” on the album). The song was written in 1934 and initially performed by Gertrude Michael as a Mexican-themed dance number in the film Murder at the Vanities, featuring a chorus of topless women. Julia Lee updated the song and renamed it “Lotus Blossom.” --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Marijuana%20Advocacy&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Marijuana%20Advocacy%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Marijuana%20Advocacy&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Marijuana%20Advocacy%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20Marijuana%20Advocacy%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Songs, Songs For The New Depression, Video **Tags:** #Advocacy, #BetteMidler, #Marijuana, #Songs, #SongsForTheNewDepression, #Video --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler Attends The First Americans Gala in 1974](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/02/photo-bette-midler-attends-the-first-americans-gala-in-1974/) **Published:** December 2, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** #BetteMidler (C) attends the #FirstAmericansGala, a #fundraiser for the #AmericanIndianDevelopmentAssociation, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler Attends The First Americans Gala in 1974 By Mister D Dec. 2, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-01_14-34-50.png "2025-12-01_14-34-50 - bootleg betty") --- [**\#BetteMidler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/)(C) attends the [**\#FirstAmericansGala**](https://journalrecord.com/2025/05/09/on-the-town-native-excellence-honored-at-first-americans-museum/), a [\#fundraiser](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fundraiser/) for the [**\#AmericanIndianDevelopmentAssociation,**](https://www.aidainc.net/) at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City on November 26, 1974. With [\#AaronRusso](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/aaronrusso/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%20First%20Americans%20Gala%20in%201974&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%20First%20Americans%20Gala%20in%201974%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%20First%20Americans%20Gala%20in%201974&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%20First%20Americans%20Gala%20in%201974%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%20First%20Americans%20Gala%20in%201974%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Aaron Russo, Bette Midler, Fundraiser **Tags:** #AaronRusso, #AmericanIndianDevelopmentAssociation, #BetteMidler, #FirstAmericansGala, #Fundraiser --- ### [Video: Bette Midler On The BBC](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/02/video-bette-midler-on-the-bbc/) **Published:** December 2, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** !978: Bette Midler on British audiences and British influences **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler On The BBC By Mister D Dec 1, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-01_14-45-04.png "2025-12-01_14-45-04 - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRt3tfxiVug/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by BBC Archive (@bbc\_archive)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRt3tfxiVug/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20BBC&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20BBC%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20BBC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20BBC%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20BBC%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Video **Tags:** #Audiences, #BBC, #BetteMidler, #British, #Influences --- ### [Video: Happy 80th, Bette Midler: I Believe In You](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/01/video-happy-80th-bette-midler-i-believe-in-you/) **Published:** December 1, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## You Tube Video: Happy 80th, Bette Midler: I Believe In You By Boodles BonBon Dec 1, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2016-12-03_2-18-08.png "2016-12-03_2-18-08 - bootleg betty")--- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Happy%2080th%2C%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20I%20Believe%20In%20You&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Happy%2080th%2C%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20I%20Believe%20In%20You%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Happy%2080th%2C%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20I%20Believe%20In%20You&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Happy%2080th%2C%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20I%20Believe%20In%20You%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Happy%2080th%2C%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20I%20Believe%20In%20You%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bette Of Roses, Happy Birthday Bette, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BetteOfRoses, #BoodlesBonBon, #Happy80th, #IBelieveInYou, #Video, #YouTube, HappyBirthday --- ### [Video: Happy 80th Bette Midler - The Perfect Joke!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/12/01/video-happy-80th-bette-midler-the-perfect-joke/) **Published:** December 1, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## YouTube Video: Happy 80th, Bette Midler – The Perfect Joke! By Boodles BonBon December 1, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/508823140_10031137620309880_5034288223288566231_n.jpg "508823140_10031137620309880_5034288223288566231_n - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Happy%2080th%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Perfect%20Joke%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Happy%2080th%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Perfect%20Joke%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Happy%2080th%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Perfect%20Joke%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Happy%2080th%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Perfect%20Joke%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Happy%2080th%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Perfect%20Joke%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Depression Tour, Happy Birthday Bette, Live, Soph Jokes, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #depressiontour, #LiveATLast, #Soph, #SophJokes --- ### [The Legacy Of Bette Midler! (Happy 80th Birthday!)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/30/the-legacy-of-bette-midler-happy-80th-birthday/) **Published:** November 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler, a name synonymous with talent, charisma, and exuberance, has been a significant figure in the entertainment industry for decades. **Content:** --- ## People Bette Midler: The Divine Miss M’s Journey Through Showbiz (Happy 80th Birthday!) By Cara Lynn Shultz Dec. 1, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2016-12-03_2-15-10.png "2016-12-03_2-15-10 - bootleg betty") --- **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/)**, a name synonymous with talent, charisma, and exuberance, has been a significant figure in the entertainment industry for decades. With her unique ability to captivate audiences through music, acting, and comedy, she has established herself as a multi-talented artist whose influence spans generations. From her early days in the 1970s to her current status as a beloved icon, Bette Midler’s career is a testament to her dedication and passion for the arts. Born on December 1, 1945, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Bette Midler’s journey began in a modest environment. Her upbringing, coupled with her love for performance, shaped her into the star she would eventually become. Known for her powerful voice, quirky sense of humor, and vibrant personality, she has garnered numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards, Tony Awards, and an Academy Award nomination. Throughout her career, she has continually pushed the boundaries of entertainment, making her a beloved figure in the hearts of many. With a career that spans over five decades, Bette Midler has proven time and again that she is a force to be reckoned with. Whether performing on stage, starring in blockbuster films, or engaging in philanthropic efforts, she remains a quintessential figure in the world of showbiz. This article will explore various aspects of her life, including her biography, career milestones, and personal insights that have shaped the woman behind the legendary persona. **What is Bette Midler’s Biography?** Bette Midler, also known as “[**The Divine Miss M**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Divine_Miss_M),” is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and comedian. She gained fame in the early 1970s and has since become one of the most recognized names in the entertainment industry. Below is a brief overview of her personal details and biography. Personal DetailsInformationNameBette MidlerDate of BirthDecember 1, 1945Place of BirthHonolulu, Hawaii, USAOccupationSinger, Actress, ComedianYears Active1970 – PresentNotable WorksThe Rose, Hocus Pocus, Beaches, Hello, Dolly!Awards3 Grammy Awards, 4 Tony Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards**What are Bette Midler’s Major Career Milestones?** Bette Midler’s career is marked by several significant achievements that highlight her versatility and talent. Some of the major milestones include: - Her Broadway debut in the 1960s, where she showcased her singing and acting prowess. - The release of her debut album, “The Divine Miss M,” in 1972, which earned her critical acclaim and commercial success. - Starring in iconic films such as “The Rose” (1979) and “Beaches” (1988), which solidified her status as a film star. - Winning multiple awards, including Grammy and Tony Awards, for her contributions to music and theater. **How Has Bette Midler Influenced Entertainment?** Bette Midler’s impact on the entertainment industry is profound. Known for her boundary-pushing performances and unique blend of comedy and music, she has inspired countless artists. Her influence can be seen in various ways: - As a pioneer for female performers, she broke stereotypes and set new standards for women in entertainment. - Her philanthropic efforts, particularly in AIDS research and environmental activism, have raised awareness and funds for crucial causes. - Theatrical productions and concerts often cite her as an inspiration for incorporating humor and spectacle into performances. **What Are Some of Bette Midler’s Most Iconic Roles?** Bette Midler has played a range of memorable characters throughout her career. Some of her most iconic roles include: - **The Rose** – A film that showcased her vocal talent and earned her an Academy Award nomination. - **Winifred Sanderson** in “Hocus Pocus” – A comedic role that has become a cult classic. - **CC Bloom** in “Beaches” – A heartwarming story of friendship that resonated with audiences. - **Dolly Levi** in “Hello, Dolly!” – A role that allowed her to shine on stage and display her musical abilities. **What Makes Bette Midler’s Music Stand Out?** Bette Midler’s music is characterized by her powerful vocals, emotional delivery, and eclectic style. Her ability to blend different genres, from pop to Broadway, has set her apart in the music industry. Some key elements that make her music stand out include: - Her unique interpretations of classic songs, often infused with her signature humor. - Original compositions that showcase her songwriting skills and personal experiences. - Her theatrical performances that enhance the overall musical experience, making concerts unforgettable. **How Has Bette Midler Maintained Her Relevance Over the Years?** In an industry that constantly evolves, Bette Midler has managed to remain relevant through her adaptability and willingness to embrace change. Some strategies she has employed include: - Engaging with new audiences through social media and modern marketing techniques. - Participating in contemporary projects, including film and television, that appeal to younger generations. - Continuously reinventing her stage performances to keep them fresh and exciting. **What is Bette Midler’s Legacy?** Bette Midler’s legacy is one of empowerment, creativity, and joy. As an artist who has touched the lives of millions, her contributions to music, film, and theater will be remembered for years to come. Her ability to connect with people through her work, combined with her philanthropic efforts, solidifies her status as a beloved icon in the entertainment industry. Bette Midler’s journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists and a reminder of the power of creativity in transforming lives. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Legacy%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%21%20%28Happy%2080th%20Birthday%21%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Legacy%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%21%20%28Happy%2080th%20Birthday%21%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Legacy%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%21%20%28Happy%2080th%20Birthday%21%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Legacy%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%21%20%28Happy%2080th%20Birthday%21%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Legacy%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%21%20%28Happy%2080th%20Birthday%21%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bette Midler Milestones, Biography **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Biography, #Legacy, #Movies, #Music, #Philanthropy, #Relevance, #Roles --- ### [BetteBack May 22, 1978: Hey! Bette Midler!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/30/betteback-may-22-1978-hey-bette-midler/) **Published:** November 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- **Boston Herald** **May 22, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-10-11_06-28-34.png "2025-10-11_06-28-34 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-04-13_3-21-53](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-13_3-21-53.png "2017-04-13_3-21-53 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70314) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20May%2022%2C%201978%3A%20Hey%21%20Bette%20Midler%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20May%2022%2C%201978%3A%20Hey%21%20Bette%20Midler%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20May%2022%2C%201978%3A%20Hey%21%20Bette%20Midler%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20May%2022%2C%201978%3A%20Hey%21%20Bette%20Midler%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20May%2022%2C%201978%3A%20Hey%21%20Bette%20Midler%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** BetteBack **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #gay, #Hetero, LGBTQ community --- ### [Ruby Wax's Most Outrageous Interviews, Including Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/30/ruby-waxs-most-outrageous-interviews-including-bette-midler/) **Published:** November 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Her fearless approach to interviewing is what saw her rise to fame with Ruby Wax Meets… in the ‘90s. All of her interviews are worth watching, but these ones are particularly notorious. **Content:** --- ## TV Guide U.K. I’m A Celebrity star Ruby Wax’s most outrageous interviews, from Donald Trump to Madonna and OJ Simpson By Cameron Frew Nov. 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/bette-midler-ruby-wax-1536x873-1-1024x582.jpg "Bette-midler-ruby-wax-1536x873 - bootleg betty") --- I’m A Celebrity star [**Ruby Wax**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/rubywax/) has interviewed some of the world’s most famous people, including an infamous moment with O.J. Simpson and a “shocking” meeting with US President Donald Trump. When Wax entered the jungle, she quickly divided fans, with some viewers accusing her of being “rude” to Angry Ginge. Excluding when she ‘selfishly’ took a bag of liquorice for herself, Wax is now a firm fan favourite. She has a good rapport with everyone in camp, and she never hesitates to ask big, personal questions about her fellow celebs. Her fearless approach to interviewing is what saw her rise to fame with Ruby Wax Meets… in the ‘90s. All of her interviews are worth watching, but these ones are particularly notorious. **Ruby Wax’s interview with O.J. Simpson** Let’s start with the big one. In 1998, Wax interviewed Simpson, the NFL star who had been accused of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend Ron Goldman. He was acquitted, but the jury in a civil suit found him liable for their wrongful deaths, with the judge ordering Simpson to pay $33.5 million in damages. Wax spent 17 hours filming with Simpson. “I asked him for the final time whether he was involved in the 1994 murders,” she wrote in The Times. “I was sure we could get him to confess. But he simply turned to the camera, said, ‘No’ and gave a rueful smile.” In the most shocking clip from the interview, Simpson knocked on Wax’s door and made stabbing motions with a banana. “I think it was his idea of a joke,” she said in the original episode. According to Wax, Simpson (who died in 2024) phoned her after they’d finished filming and said: “Hi, it’s OJ. I did it… April fool’s.” **Donald Trump** Wax interviewed Trump as part of her Ruby’s American Pie TV in 2000. In her words, it’s the “worst interview \[she’s\] ever done” and one of the “most excruciating moments of \[her\] career”. She met with him on his private jet, engaging in conversation that rarely (if ever) rose above being incredibly awkward. She laughed at the prospect of him running for president and asked: “You have this plane, you have this great life that anybody would want to live. Why would you want to run for president?” “Well, we would save a lot of money with Air Force One. We wouldn’t need Air Force One. Think of how the taxpayers would benefit from that… I love the country. I love the United States. Honestly, if I didn’t think I could do a really good job, I wouldn’t do it,” he replied. Wax was eventually “thrown off” the plane, with Trump telling her he had a headache. “Do you hate me?” she asked, and he replied: “No, I think you’re fine, but that’s enough.” As she said on I’m A Celebrity, he “didn’t think it was funny”, and he also called her the “most obnoxious person \[he’d\] ever met”, During an appearance on Louis Theroux’s Grounded podcast, Wax recalled how she felt “the hatred in his eyes and how stupid he thought \[she\] was”. **Ruby Wax’s interview with Madonna** Wax interviewed Madonna in 1994 off the back of her Girlie Show tour (which was controversial at the time, with politicians decrying its lack of “decency”). Unlike with Trump, she thought she’d get along with the singer, but “\[Madonna\] hated \[her\] on sight”, she’s claimed. Speaking to Heat last year, Wax recalled how Madonna tried to take control of how the interview was filmed. “I had to make sure she wasn’t insulted, because she was ready for an insult or a hardball question to be thrown. She was totally defensive, and that’s not a way to do an interview,” she explained. Wax was conscious of trying to keep things light, but she was “answering \[her\] in a kind-of snide way and not being honest”. “I can only be honest, so it was a car crash. I think, in the end, she thought I was funny in a goofy kind of way. But she couldn’t get serious,” she said. Wax told this story to Angry Ginge and Kelly Brook on I’m A Celebrity, revealing that she also put a pair of Madonna’s underwear on her head in a desperate bid to make her laugh. It’s safe to say, it didn’t work. **[Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler)** Not all of Ruby Wax’s interviews have ended badly. In 1996, she sat down with Hocus Pocus star Bette Midler. “She was a diva by then,” Wax recalled during a BBC retrospective. Their interview was only supposed to be five minutes long, but after some playful bickering, Midler joined Wax to go shopping. In one clip, she asks Midler if she’s ever worried about her husband dumping her for a younger woman; specifically, a “younger \[her\]”. “Where is he going to find such a creature?” Midler asked, laughing, before answering: “I think he’s hoping that I dump him and give him a nice fat settlement.” Wax said it felt like “playing with John McEnroe”, with the pair having constant banter. “She loves women, she loves girl, so it was a match,” she said. **Ruby Wax’s interview with Jim Carrey** Wax interviewed Jim Carrey at the height of his movie stardom in 2003. By this point, he’d starred in Dumb and Dumber, The Truman Show, and was about to headline Bruce Almighty. He was also expectedly quirky and energetic in his interview with Wax (he even did her makeup before they got started). “Just be interesting,” she told him, and he joked: “Mommy put cigarettes out on me, so I became a comic.” Carrey also spoke about his memories of his father while sitting on Wax’s back, and he attempted to swoosh a tablecloth without the plates and glasses going everywhere. He failed. While speaking to Annie Mac in 2024, Wax recalled how she told him, “Please, my children will starve if this isn’t good. Please give it everything.” In the end, Carrey and Wax spent four hours together, with the actor delivering “genius” comedy. “The interview was over, and I tried to make him leave, but he wouldn’t leave. He kept knocking on the door and coming in as different characters… we loved each other.” **Ruby Wax’s interview with Bill Cosby** Wax’s interview with Bill Cosby may be her most infamous encounter next to OJ Simpson. They met in 1997, three years before extensive sexual assault allegations emerged against the late actor and comedian. During her Ruby Wax Met… series, she said: “When I interviewed him… he was the father of America. He was revered. This was like the pre-Obama.” Wax had idolised Cosby growing up and was really excited to meet him. However, things didn’t go to plan. Cosby wasn’t aware of who she was when they first met, and he didn’t appear to be that interested either. He told her a story about her mother bringing leftover food home and how he ate lobster with her brother, and in Wax’s eyes, it became apparent that he didn’t like her. It got worse when Wax called Cosby “Bill”, forgetting that she’d been asked to address him as “Doctor Cosby”. “You probably just got a little too familiar.. that’s too soon. Mark that down as one,” he told her and his team before faking a phone call to end the interview. “I know that I’m dying… when I left that, I literally felt dirty,” Wax recalled. She felt “humiliated” by him and eventually gave up when he wouldn’t even look at her. “I remember feeling sick afterwards, because it was abuse,” she said. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Ruby%20Wax%27s%20Most%20Outrageous%20Interviews%2C%20Including%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Ruby%20Wax%27s%20Most%20Outrageous%20Interviews%2C%20Including%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Ruby%20Wax%27s%20Most%20Outrageous%20Interviews%2C%20Including%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Ruby%20Wax%27s%20Most%20Outrageous%20Interviews%2C%20Including%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Ruby%20Wax%27s%20Most%20Outrageous%20Interviews%2C%20Including%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Interview, Interviews, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Interviews, #Notorious, #RubyWax --- ### [Video: The Movies Of Bette Midler Edit](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/29/video-the-movies-of-bette-midler-edit/) **Published:** November 29, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: The Films Of Bette Midler Edit **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: The Films Of Bette Midler Edit By Mister D Nov. 29, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/totallySpiffing-Bette-Splatter-1-416x520-2.jpg "Totallyspiffing-bette-splatter-1-416x520 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20The%20Movies%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Edit&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20The%20Movies%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Edit%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20The%20Movies%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Edit&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20The%20Movies%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Edit%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20The%20Movies%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Edit%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Films, #Movies, #Video --- ### [3 Covers Of Rolling Stones Songs That Work Brilliantly](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/28/3-covers-of-rolling-stones-songs-that-work-brilliantly/) **Published:** November 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** No one expected (or asked) famous multi-threat crooner and actress Bette Midler to cover the blues rock song “Beast Of Burden” from 1978. She did it anyway, and honestly, I love it. **Content:** --- ## 3 Bizarre Covers of Rolling Stones Songs That Actually Work Brilliantly By Em Casalena November 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-10-18_10-17-29.png "2025-10-18_10-17-29 - bootleg betty") --- [**The Rolling Stones**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rolling_Stones) are one of those bands that are just so much fun to cover. And they’ve certainly been covered quite a bit by their contemporaries. Some covers hit, some don’t, and some covers of The Rolling Stones are considered “bizarre” among the rest. Those oddball covers, though, are some of my favorites. You might agree with me. Let’s take a look! *Videos by American Songwriter* **“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by Devo** Devo’s always been an oddball band (in the best possible way), so it’s not surprising that people thought this cover was “weird.” However, I can’t think of a better Rolling Stones song for Devo to cover than “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”. It’s perfect for them. And their rendition absolutely slaps. Their cover of The Stones’ beloved 1965 rock single has a new wave edge to it, complete with great instrumentation that doesn’t betray both bands’ signature sounds. This is peak late-70s new wave goodness from start to finish. **“Beast Of Burden” by Bette Midler** No one expected (or asked) famous multi-threat crooner and actress Bette Midler to cover the blues rock song “[**Beast Of Burden**](https://bootlegbetty.com/beast-of-burden/)” from 1978. She did it anyway, and honestly, I love it. And the music video is pretty hilarious. Clearly, The Stones didn’t take issue with this cover, as Mick Jagger appears in the music video itself. This cover was also clearly supposed to be a bit of a joke, but Midler’s vocals are honestly amazing. She really pulled off this Rolling Stones cover gloriously. **“Miss You” by Etta James** “Miss You” by The Rolling Stones dropped back in 1978, and it’s quite notable for having a disco edge to it. And, oddly enough, beloved gospel and blues singer Etta James actually covered it in 2000 for her album Matriarch Of The Blues. Though with a bit of context, it’s not totally bizarre that James dished out covers of The Rolling Stones. She actually opened for them back in 1978. There’s a connection there, and I think her cover of “Miss You” is beautifully done. It’s a complete reconstruction of the original song, but it doesn’t lose its sparkle. In fact, the addition of James’ smooth, sensual voice makes it even better. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=3%20Covers%20Of%20Rolling%20Stones%20Songs%20That%20Work%20Brilliantly&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=3%20Covers%20Of%20Rolling%20Stones%20Songs%20That%20Work%20Brilliantly%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=3%20Covers%20Of%20Rolling%20Stones%20Songs%20That%20Work%20Brilliantly&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=3%20Covers%20Of%20Rolling%20Stones%20Songs%20That%20Work%20Brilliantly%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=3%20Covers%20Of%20Rolling%20Stones%20Songs%20That%20Work%20Brilliantly%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Cover Versions, Music, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BeastOfBurden, #BetteMidler, #Covers, #TheRollingStones --- ### [Audio: A Few Matt Moss Mixes From Bette Midler's Bette Of Roses Album](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/28/audio-a-few-matt-moss-mixes-from-bette-midlers-bette-of-roses-album/) **Published:** November 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio: A Few Matt Moss Mixes From Bette Midler's Bette Of Roses Album **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: A Few Matt Moss Mixes From Bette Midler’s Bette Of Roses Album By Mister D Nov. 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/093f874b9573fd602edf79ed9482022d.jpg "093f874b9573fd602edf79ed9482022d - bootleg betty")--- **Bette Midler – I Know This Town (Matt Moss Extended Anthem Mix)** --- **Bette Midler – To Comfort You (Matt Moss Extended Club Mix)** --- **Bette Midler – To Deserve You (Matt Moss Extended Pride Mix)** --- **Bette Midler – Bottomless (Matt Moss Topless Mix)** --- **Bette Midler – In This Life (Matt Moss 2000 Extended Mix)** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20A%20Few%20Matt%20Moss%20Mixes%20From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20Of%20Roses%20Album&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20A%20Few%20Matt%20Moss%20Mixes%20From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20Of%20Roses%20Album%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20A%20Few%20Matt%20Moss%20Mixes%20From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20Of%20Roses%20Album&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20A%20Few%20Matt%20Moss%20Mixes%20From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20Of%20Roses%20Album%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20A%20Few%20Matt%20Moss%20Mixes%20From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Bette%20Of%20Roses%20Album%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Bette Of Roses, Music, Remix **Tags:** #Album, #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BetteOfRoses, #MattMoss, #Mixes, #Music, #Remixes --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler & Martin Serve Up Thanksgiving](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/28/photo-bette-midler-martin-serve-up-thanksgiving/) **Published:** November 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler and Martin served up Thanksgiving hilarity on Instagram with the caption reading: "Meal prep and appetizers done! How’s everyone else doing? Thanksgiving2025" **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler & Martin Serve Up Thanksgiving By Mister D Nov. 27, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-28_10-29-01.png "2025-11-28_10-29-01 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) and [**Martin**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/martin/) served up Thanksgiving hilarity on Instagram with the caption reading: *“Meal prep and appetizers done! How’s everyone else doing? Thanksgiving2025”* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Martin%20Serve%20Up%20Thanksgiving&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Martin%20Serve%20Up%20Thanksgiving%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Martin%20Serve%20Up%20Thanksgiving&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Martin%20Serve%20Up%20Thanksgiving%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Martin%20Serve%20Up%20Thanksgiving%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Happy Thanksgiving, Martin **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Martin, #MartinVonHaselberg, #Thanksgiving --- ### [Happy Thanksgiving, BetteHeads!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/27/happy-thanksgiving-betteheads/) **Published:** November 27, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Happy Thanksgiving from Bootleg Betty, the discount Bette Midler your mom accidentally hired for your bat mitzvah! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Happy Thanksgiving, BetteHeads! By Mister D Nov. 27, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/uq1fp.jpg "Uq1fp - bootleg betty") --- [**Happy Thanksgiving**](https://www.greetingbirds.com/blog/best-thanksgiving-wishes) from Bootleg Betty, the discount [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/theatre/#.VhuiQFRViko)your mom accidentally hired for your bat mitzvah! May your turkey be moist (unlike your cousin Kyle’s personality), your gravy thicker than the tension when Uncle Ron finds out you voted early, and your pie so sweet it gives diabetes to your enemies. If anyone asks why you’re still single, just smile, take a long sip of boxed wine, and whisper, “I’m holding out for a man who can handle these hips and my emotional damage. Table for one, darling.” Pro tip: Hide the good pills before Grandma discovers the cranberry sauce isn’t the only thing that’s sauced. Eat like tomorrow the Ozempic shortage ends, dance like the neighbors already hate you, and remember: family is just the people you can’t block in real life. Gobble till you wobble, then blame the tryptophan when you fall face-first into the pumpkin pie. I love you hoes more than Bette loves a wind machine and a tragic backstory. Happy Thanksgiving, BetteHeads! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Happy%20Thanksgiving%2C%20BetteHeads%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Happy%20Thanksgiving%2C%20BetteHeads%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Happy%20Thanksgiving%2C%20BetteHeads%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Happy%20Thanksgiving%2C%20BetteHeads%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Happy%20Thanksgiving%2C%20BetteHeads%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Happy Thanksgiving, Holiday, Holidays **Tags:** #BetteHeads, #BetteMidler, #HappyThanksgiving, #Holiday --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Singing Drinking Again On Johnny Carson](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/26/video-bette-midler-singing-drinking-again-on-johnny-carson/) **Published:** November 26, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler Singing Drinking Again On Johnny Carson **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Singing Drinking Again On Johnny Carson By Mister D Nov. 26, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/mqdefault.jpg "Mqdefault - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20Drinking%20Again%20On%20Johnny%20Carson&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20Drinking%20Again%20On%20Johnny%20Carson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20Drinking%20Again%20On%20Johnny%20Carson&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20Drinking%20Again%20On%20Johnny%20Carson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Singing%20Drinking%20Again%20On%20Johnny%20Carson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Television, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DrinkingAgain, #JohnnyCarson, #LateNight, #Television, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler's 'The Rose' Was Written In 20 Minutes By Amanda McBroom](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/26/bette-midlers-the-rose-was-written-in-20-minutes-by-amanda-mcbroom/) **Published:** November 26, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Amanda McBroom wrote the timeless ballad, which singer and actress Bette Midler made a hit. Forty-eight years ago, Amanda McBroom sat at a piano and composed a ballad in just 20 minutes. **Content:** --- ## KCLU Bette Midler’s ‘The Rose’ Was Written In 20 Minutes By Amanda McBroom By Caroline Feraday Nov. 25, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/The-Rose-703.jpg "The-rose-703 - bootleg betty")--- [**Amanda McBroom**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_McBroom) wrote the timeless ballad, which singer and actress [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/television/#.VhugxFRViko) made a hit. Forty-eight years ago, Amanda McBroom sat at a piano and composed a ballad in just 20 minutes. The song The Rose has stood the test of time. Sitting at the same piano recently, she played The Rose for an audience of two — me and her four-legged friend named Chubby. “I was on the Ventura freeway,” McBroom recalled of writing the song. “I’m driving home as carefully as I can, just saying the lyrics coming through my head over and over and over again. And I ran through the living room, and \[my husband\] George was watching football. I said, ‘I can’t talk to you right now!’ I ran in and sat down at the piano, and it came out. And then I asked him if he would come listen to it. He looked at me and he said, ‘You just wrote a standard.’ I said, ‘Don’t be silly. Nobody’s gonna hear it but friends at a Christmas concert when we’ve had too much to drink.’ He said, ‘No, mark my words, something’s gonna happen to this song.’ And as usual, he was right,” she said with a laugh. The song went on to become famous when it was featured in the 1979 film of the same name, starring Bette Midler. “That was another divine accident,” said McBroom. “I was a singer, but I wasn’t a songwriter. And that this girl that I met was a professional songwriter. She called me up and she said, ‘Listen, there’s this movie coming out called The Rose. Do you want us to submit your song?’ And I said, ‘Sure,’ so I gave him this cheesy little cassette. They submitted it. The music supervisor said, ‘This is the one.’ And Bette liked it, so that’s how it wound up in the movie.” While Midler’s version is the definitive one, many artists have covered The Rose. **Does McBroom have a favorite version?** “Bette \[Midler\] I bless every day,” she said. “But apart from Bette, a duet version that I did with Vince Gill \[is my favorite\].” “Conway Twitty was the first person to do a cover back in Nashville, and it was so interesting to hear it for the first time in a man’s voice,” said McBroom. “When it went into the film Napoleon Dynamite, that brought it to a whole new \[audience\] and and then it was on Family Guy. So it’s been spread around, which makes me very happy,” said McBroom. “It’s a poem. It’s a hymn. It doesn’t have a hook. It doesn’t have a bridge,” McBroom explained. “Seeing how it has resonated with so many people worldwide, which just blows my mind. People ask me, ‘Aren’t you tired of singing this song?’ No! I love singing that song. You know, it’s a healing for me too whenever I sing it.” Now, she’s performing a benefit concert, alongside baritone Douglas Ladnier, supporting the Ojai Art Center. “The arts will save us. To me, especially music, but any theater, any of them, they are our better selves. They \[the arts\] are the mirror that we can hold up to the world and say, Look at yourself. The beautiful part, the hideous part. Without the arts, we’re dead,” said McBroom. Benefit concert, ***A Magical Evening of Music: Amanda McBroom with Douglas Ladnier*** is this Friday night at the Ojai Art Center. She’ll also perform a holiday concert on November 30 at the Majorie Luke Theater. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27The%20Rose%27%20Was%20Written%20In%2020%20Minutes%20By%20Amanda%20McBroom&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27The%20Rose%27%20Was%20Written%20In%2020%20Minutes%20By%20Amanda%20McBroom%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27The%20Rose%27%20Was%20Written%20In%2020%20Minutes%20By%20Amanda%20McBroom&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27The%20Rose%27%20Was%20Written%20In%2020%20Minutes%20By%20Amanda%20McBroom%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20%27The%20Rose%27%20Was%20Written%20In%2020%20Minutes%20By%20Amanda%20McBroom%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Music, the Rose **Tags:** #AmandaMcBroom, #BetteMidler, #Movie, #Music, #TheRose --- ### [Bette Midler's NYRP Receives $80K Con Edison Grant To Clean Sherman Creek Park](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/26/bette-midlers-nyrp-receives-80k-con-edison-grant-to-clean-sherman-creek-park/) **Published:** November 26, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The New York Restoration Project, which received the $80,000 grant, was founded 30 years ago by actor Bette Midler and works to ensure that Sherman Creek Park waterfront is beautiful, clean and accessible to all. **Content:** --- ## Bronx Times Sherman Creek Park waterfront restoration work boosted by $80K Con Edison grant By Emily Swanson Nov. 25, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-25_04-41-45.png "2025-11-25_04-41-45 - bootleg betty") --- A group working to restore Inwood’s Sherman Creek Park has received a boost from Con Edison, which awarded a grant of $80,000 to help bring neighborhood residents in on the improvements. Con Edison awarded a total of $15 million in New York City-area grants that will enable training for 1,800 individuals in clean energy careers, preservation of 1,900 acres of green space, and other community-led benefits. The New York Restoration Project, which received the $80,000 grant, was founded 30 years ago by actor Bette Midler and works to ensure that Sherman Creek Park waterfront is beautiful, clean and accessible to all. Other awardees included the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) and the Randall’s Island Park Alliance. Jason Smith, NYRP director of northern Manhattan parks, said that many green spaces in that area tend to be “neglected” and underused. In fact, the site now known as Sherman Creek Park was once cluttered with dumped trash and abandoned marinas, he said. Over the years, staff and volunteers with Sherman Creek Stewards have managed to restore 15 acres of waterfront, including the five-acre Swindler Cove, which now features native plants, woodlands, a children’s garden and a freshwater pond. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SCP-Fall-1.webp "Scp-fall-1 - bootleg betty") The [**Con Edison**](https://www.coned.com/en) grant will support the Stewards as they re-launch their cleanup work, which has been on hiatus since last year, and add more community involvement components, such as water quality training and opportunities to hear residents’ interests and concerns about the natural environment. Because of inequities persistent throughout New York City’s blue and green spaces, some residents don’t really think about living close to the water and what it means for them, Smith said. Even though the city is surrounded by waterways, “It’s the exception to have a neighborhood that actually has a thriving, living relationship with its waterfront in New York City,” he said. The Stewards aim to teach people about every aspect of the water — tides, boating, fishing, flood risks and more — as they will be directly impacted by what happens with it. [**NYRP**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/nyrp/) is especially focused on protecting the shoreline from erosion, which threatens to raise the sea level in the surrounding area — threatening many nearby schools, businesses and homes, including NYCHA’s Dyckman Houses. “They’re really the first neighborhood in northern Manhattan that will be experiencing the direct impacts of sea level rise,” Smith said. Ana Traverso-Krejcarek, with Con Edison’s corporate affairs team, said the company was thrilled to support NYRP and the Stewards, especially since one of its own substations overlooks [**Sherman Creek Park.**](https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/sherman-creek-park) **A Con Edison substation overlooks Sherman Creek Park.** The company contributes annual funding towards organizations that facilitate environmental work, social justice initiatives and clean energy and tech careers, and Con Edison has supported NYRP for at least 20 years, said Traverso-Krejcarek. “It’s an organization that we know is very legitimate and doing amazing work.” Smith said the funding will allow more upper Manhattan residents to interact and engage with their natural environment. Unlike many other waterfront spaces, Sherman Creek Park has a path where residents can walk directly to the water, an experience that is “really profound and is uncommon,” he said. “It’s a really beautiful, thriving park, and we’d like to see more of that in the city.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20NYRP%20Receives%20%2480K%20Con%20Edison%20Grant%20To%20Clean%20Sherman%20Creek%20Park&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20NYRP%20Receives%20%2480K%20Con%20Edison%20Grant%20To%20Clean%20Sherman%20Creek%20Park%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20NYRP%20Receives%20%2480K%20Con%20Edison%20Grant%20To%20Clean%20Sherman%20Creek%20Park&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20NYRP%20Receives%20%2480K%20Con%20Edison%20Grant%20To%20Clean%20Sherman%20Creek%20Park%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20NYRP%20Receives%20%2480K%20Con%20Edison%20Grant%20To%20Clean%20Sherman%20Creek%20Park%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ConEdison, #NewYorkRestorationProject, #NYRP, #ShermanCreekPark --- ### [This Day In History: 48 Years Ago Bette Midler Appeared In The Rolling Stone Magazine 10th Anniversary TV Special](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/25/this-day-in-history-48-years-ago-bette-midler-appeared-in-the-rolling-stone-magazine-10th-anniversary-tv-special/) **Published:** November 25, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler was a featured guest star on the CBS special Rolling Stone Magazine: The 10th Anniversary, which aired on November 25, 1977. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty This Day In History: 48 Years Ago Bette Midler Appeared In The Rolling Stone Magazine 10th Anniversary TV Special By Mister D Nov. 25, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-25_06-42-10.png "2025-11-25_06-42-10 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/television/#.VhugxFRViko) (and The Harlettes) was a featured guest star on the CBS special [**Rolling Stone Magazine: The 10th Anniversary**](https://archive.org/details/rolling-stone-10th-anniversary), which aired on November 25, 1977. **Performance:** She performed the song “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” with Jerry Lee Lewis, who joined her on piano. **Highlight:** Her segment, which also included the songs RED, UPTOWN/DA DOO RON RON, LA VIE EN ROSE, and a lengthy monologue, was considered by some critics to be the highlight of the entire special, which was generally not well-received by the public and critics. ***Other notable guests and contributors included:*** - **Steve Martin:** He opened the show with a skit and co-wrote the special. - **Art Garfunkel** - **Gladys Knight & The Pips** - **Keith Moon** (The Who drummer) - **Melissa Manchester** - **Mike Love** (The Beach Boys) - **The Rubinoos** - **Martin Sheen** (who read a story by a Vietnam War veteran) - **Richie Havens** and **Yvonne Elliman** (who performed a duet) - **Patti LaBelle** The show also included a controversial Beatles medley and a performance by a KISS-esque hard-rock band. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2048%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Appeared%20In%20The%20Rolling%20Stone%20Magazine%2010th%20Anniversary%20TV%20Special&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2048%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Appeared%20In%20The%20Rolling%20Stone%20Magazine%2010th%20Anniversary%20TV%20Special%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2048%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Appeared%20In%20The%20Rolling%20Stone%20Magazine%2010th%20Anniversary%20TV%20Special&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2048%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Appeared%20In%20The%20Rolling%20Stone%20Magazine%2010th%20Anniversary%20TV%20Special%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%2048%20Years%20Ago%20Bette%20Midler%20Appeared%20In%20The%20Rolling%20Stone%20Magazine%2010th%20Anniversary%20TV%20Special%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Special Events, Television **Tags:** #10thAnniversary, #BetteMidler, #JerryLeeLewis, #PattiLaBelle, #RollingStoneMagazine, #Special, #SteveMartin, #TV --- ### [Bette Midler Makes The List Of The Most Iconic Red Carpet Looks Of The 70s](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/25/bette-midler-makes-the-list-of-the-most-iconic-red-carpet-looks-of-the-70s/) **Published:** November 25, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From disco and punk to "Star Wars," ABBA, and shag carpets, the 1970s were an incredibly visual decade. **Content:** --- ## The List The Most Iconic Red Carpet Looks Of The 1970s By Elizabeth Williams Nov. 25, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-25_02-51-36.png "2025-11-25_02-51-36 - bootleg betty") --- From disco and punk to “Star Wars,” ABBA, and shag carpets, the 1970s were an incredibly visual decade. Intergalactic patterns mingled with warm colors, florals, and a psychedelic feel. But don’t take it from us, all you need to do to confirm just how visually groovy the 1970s were is turn towards the red carpets of yesteryear. Stars throughout the decade were turning out their best looks night after night at award shows. From music icons like Cher and Aretha Franklin pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable for women on the global stage to hitmakers like Isaac Hayes breaking barriers for African-American artists—and doing so in style—the 1970s were a treasure trove of far-out fashion. While bell-bottoms were best left to street style, music and movies’ biggest nights regularly saw A-listers walking the [**red carpet**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_carpet) in skin-bearing frocks, fascinating fur-lined pieces, mega-sized jewels, and, often, a mixture of all three. To narrow down the best red carpet looks of the 1970s, we cast a wide net, looking into the award show archives for evidence of transgressive dressing, meaning looks that pushed fashion forward, or iconic outfits that still creep into headlines today. While this decade began over 50 years ago, the ’70s aesthetic seems unlikely to be bid adieu any time soon. So let’s go back to a time when Richard Nixon was in the White House and platform shoes were all the rage. **Dolly Parton’s bubblegum pink look at the 1977 Grammys** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/dolly-partons-bubblegum-pink-look-at-the-1977-grammys-1763660131.webp "Dolly-partons-bubblegum-pink-look-at-the-1977-grammys-1763660131 - bootleg betty")**Fotos International/Getty Images & Ron Galella/Getty Images** The stunning transformation of Dolly Parton begins with the story of a small-town girl who sang her way out of Tennessee and straight into the history books. The country music icon was also known for turning up bedazzled and bodacious at award shows, during TV appearances, and more. Many of Parton’s most memorable outfits are remembered fondly today. However, one gorgeous ensemble seemed miles ahead of the fashion curve: a bubblegum-hued cowboy suit. Parton wore the form-fitting ensemble to the 1977 Grammy Awards in Hollywood. Decades before Barbiecore fashion took the world by storm, launched to the forefront of pop culture thanks to the 2023 film starring Margot Robbie, Parton was already looking like a walking, talking, singing Barbie doll. The one-piece bright pink suit is well-remembered for being a stark contrast to the slinky gowns regularly seen on the 1970s red carpet. Instead, Parton strutted her stuff with a cowboy’s charisma, all while still standing firm in her femininity. With flowing sleeves, period-perfect bell-bottoms, and white, rhinestone stars and sparkle patterns dotted along her bodice and knees, this out-of-the-box ensemble perfectly encapsulated what the “Jolene” singer was all about. **Aretha Franklin goes glittery in 1970** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/aretha-franklin-goes-glittery-in-1970-1763660131.webp "Aretha-franklin-goes-glittery-in-1970-1763660131 - bootleg betty")*Tim Boxer/Getty Images* Nothing demands R-E-S-P-E-C-T quite like a gown covered head-to-toe in glitter. Singer extraordinaire Aretha Franklin, often nicknamed the “Queen of Soul,” asserted her fashion dominance when attending the 1970 Grammy Awards wearing a crimson-colored dress. It was even fit with swirling gold patterns in glitter and a matching headscarf. Her balloon sleeves and heavily embroidered bodice were dotted with so many gold details that the glitter ricocheted off the flashing bulb of the paparazzi’s cameras, winking back at the viewer. Gold circular details lined the opening of her ultra-trendy headscarf. In the 1970s, headscarves were advancing up the fashion ladder. Inspired by the bohemian subculture, women regularly wore scarves in both forehead-hugging styles and looser models, which Franklin opted for here. Nevertheless, Franklin was more of trendsetter than a trend-follower. “She was a fashion icon but not in the traditional sense. … As she moved through the narrative of her life, it seems evident her clothing simply followed her life,” costumer designer Clint Ramos told the Los Angeles Times. “She wasn’t a fashion plate or a mannequin or anything like that — she was telegraphing the way she felt through clothing the same way she did with her music.” On the night of the Grammys, Franklin’s blue eyeshadow and golden Grammy Award were the cherries on top of this red velvet cake, tying up the pianist and singer’s look with an especially colorful, regal bow. Rolling Stone might have given Franklin the title of “greatest singer of all time” in 2023, but this kind of adventurous dressing also makes her a worthy contender for “best dresser of all time” as well. **Sacheen Littlefeather at the Oscars in 1973** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/sacheen-littlefeather-at-the-oscars-in-1973-1763660132.webp "Sacheen-littlefeather-at-the-oscars-in-1973-1763660132 - bootleg betty")**Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images** When Sacheen Littlefeather’s look at the 1973 Oscars ceremony made history, it wasn’t just for the designer label or radical silhouette. Instead, her ensemble made headlines and continues to come up in conversations because of what it represented. Littlefeather’s floor-length buckskin dress and moccasins were adorned with delicate beadwork and paired with understated jewelry — a subtle but powerful act of visibility, signaling her Native American heritage with grace and poise in a world that rarely celebrated Native voices on such a public stage. But why was Littlefeather being honored at the ceremony? She had been asked by Hollywood juggernaut Marlon Brando to represent him on the big stage, as Brando himself, despite being nominated for Best Actor for “The Godfather,” was boycotting the ceremony in protest of Hollywood’s treatment of Native Americans. Littlefeather declined the award on his behalf, introducing herself as Apache and the president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee. Littlefeather’s look was understated by Hollywood standards, eschewing glittering gowns in favor of authenticity and respect for her culture. And still, it commanded attention, not only because of the political context but because of the quiet confidence she carried throughout the event. The combination of her traditional attire with the formality of the Oscars created a visual contrast that remains iconic to this day — a reminder that fashion can be a form of activism and cultural expression. **Cher rocks an ab-baring outfit at the Oscars in 1973** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cher-rocks-an-ab-baring-outfit-at-the-oscars-in-1973-1763660132.webp "Cher-rocks-an-ab-baring-outfit-at-the-oscars-in-1973-1763660132 - bootleg betty")*Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images* Some of the most daring outfits worn by Cher made their red carpet debut in the 1970s. The singer wore arguably one of the first “naked dress” on the red carpet at the 1974 Met Gala and donned an equally sultry butterfly-inspired look at the 1974 Grammy Awards. She earned fashion bonus points, as well, since both looks were designed by none other than legendary designer Bob Mackie. However, none made as many waves as this belly button-bearing ensemble Cher rocked at the 1973 Oscars. This, too, was a Mackie creation. The boundary-pushing outfit, which featured a carefully tailored, long-sleeve crop top paired with a flowing, low-slung skirt in sunshine gold, showcased the entertainer’s signature mix of confidence, sex appeal, and theatricality. Every detail, from the sparkling embellishments to the dramatic silhouette, reinforced Cher’s status as a fashion icon unafraid to challenge Hollywood norms. Plus, in addition to the sequins, the public couldn’t ignore just how rock-hard her abs were — talk about ripped. What ultimately made this look truly unforgettable, though, wasn’t just the midriff-displaying design, but the fearless attitude with which Cher wore it. In an era when red carpet fashion often leaned toward conservative elegance, she embraced risk, blending glamour, edge, and a touch of rebellion. Photographers captured every angle, and the media buzzed– so much so that poor Sonny’s patterned suit was totally eclipsed by his then-wife’s mega-watt look. **Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton are loved up at the Oscars in 1970** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/elizabeth-taylor-and-richard-burton-are-loved-up-at-the-oscars-in-1970-1763660133.webp "Elizabeth-taylor-and-richard-burton-are-loved-up-at-the-oscars-in-1970-1763660133 - bootleg betty")*Screen Archives/Getty & Fotos International/Getty Images* It’s no secret that Hollywood actor Elizabeth Taylor lived an extremely lavish life. From her Beverly Hills mansions to her record-breaking film salaries to — of course — the jewels, no one wore elegance quite like the “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” actor. In addition to all these trappings of wealth, an important aspect of the Taylor fantasy was her stellar fashion choices. One of her most iconic red carpet looks of all time came about when the actor donned a Cinderella-esque gown to the 1970 Oscars, where she presented the Best Picture award. Taylor arrived hand in hand with her on-again, off-again beau and fellow actor, Richard Burton. At the time, they were Hollywood’s ultimate power couple. Taylor, resplendent in a floor-length gown adorned with sequins and a dramatic neckline, attracted much attention, but it was the so-named Taylor-Burton diamond around her neck that truly captured attention. This 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond, gifted by Burton, sparkled under the Oscar lights, symbolizing their whirlwind romance and cementing the duo’s status as one of the closest pairings America has had to a royal couple. Beyond the glamour and the headlines, Taylor and Burton’s Oscars appearance remains iconic because it was a rare moment where celebrity, fashion, and romance converged so perfectly on the red carpet. The Taylor-Burton diamond, sparkling brilliantly against Taylor’s chest, serves as a lasting symbol of Hollywood’s golden age of love, luxury, and spectacle. **Edy Williams shocks in a leopard-print bikini at the 1974 Oscars** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/edy-williams-shocks-in-a-leopard-print-bikini-at-the-1974-oscars-1763660133.webp "Edy-williams-shocks-in-a-leopard-print-bikini-at-the-1974-oscars-1763660133 - bootleg betty")*Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images* When it comes to unforgettable red carpet moments, few can rival Edy Williams’ wild entrance at the 1974 Oscars. Known for her roles in campy cult films and for being a renowned wild child around Hollywood, Williams arrived sporting the opposite of an evening gown. Instead, she arrived in a leopard-print bikini and a matching floor-length cape. She even had her giant dog in tow. It was a look that instantly certified her status as one of the most talked-about attendees of the decade. The eyebrow-raising ensemble was quintessentially 1970s; it was a time when self-expression, sexuality, and spectacle were blurring into art. While the Oscars had long been a showcase of Hollywood sophistication, Williams’ bold fashion choice injected a jolt of unfiltered personality into the event. Her confident strut and playful posing for the cameras transformed what could have been a publicity stunt into an emblem of Hollywood’s free-spirited excess during the era. While some thought it to be tacky, there’s no denying that Williams’ skin-bearing look paved the way for the near-nude ensembles now seen on red carpets everywhere — just take a look at the Met Gala’s most outrageous outfits of all time. Here, you’ll see traces of William’s influence, from deeply cut necklines to barely-there ballgowns. This is what makes her look so iconic. Nearly five decades later, the image of Williams shimmering under the flashbulbs in her animal-print ensemble remains the blueprint for scandalous red carpet fashion. **Farrah Fawcett goes for gold at the 1978 Oscars** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/farrah-fawcett-goes-for-gold-at-the-1978-oscars-1763660621.webp "Farrah-fawcett-goes-for-gold-at-the-1978-oscars-1763660621 - bootleg betty")*ABC Photo Archives, Disney General Entertainment Content/ Getty Images* When Farrah Fawcett stepped on stage to present the award for Best Film Editing at the 1978 Oscars (spoiler alert: the team behind “Star Wars” won), she didn’t just read a name off a card — she also encapsulated the shimmery 1970s aesthetic. Dressed in a liquid gold spaghetti strap gown that stood out against co-presenter Marcello Mastroianni’s dark suit, Fawcett looked every bit the Hollywood golden girl she had become. Designed by Stephen Burrows, the dress hugged her athletic frame and reflected the minimalist glamour that defined late-1970s fashion. It was effortless yet dazzling, much like Fawcett herself. At the time, the actor was at the height of her fame thanks to the television show “Charlie’s Angels,” her iconic swimsuit poster, and her signature feathered hair — perhaps the most copied hairstyle of the decade. To this day, many women find themselves searching the web for how to get ’70s hair like Farrah Fawcett. On this night, though, she transcended television stardom and cemented her status as a true red carpet icon. Fawcett’s glowy, sun-kissed look stood in contrast to the heavier, more formal styles of earlier Oscar decades, signaling a shift toward modern Hollywood glamor. Her gold gown embodied the freedom, confidence, and sensuality of the late 1970s, when disco, California cool, and high fashion began to merge. Even today, the metallic sheen and slinky silhouette of this dress make the look unforgettable. **Bette Midler and Stevie Wonder coordinate at the 1975 Grammy Awards** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/rs-92264-25662969-25662972-large.webp "Rs-92264-25662969-25662972-large - bootleg betty") *Bettmann/Getty Images* When [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) and Stevie Wonder hit the red carpet at the 1975 Grammy Awards, it was pure magic. Two of music’s biggest personalities, radiating charisma and creative energy, had the perfect ensembles to match their vibrant careers. Although Midler was just a presenter, Wonder won three awards throughout the night, including the trophy for Best Album of the Year for “Fulfillingness’ First Finale.” This made their team-up even more special. It was like seeing two actors from your favorite Netflix series share a hug on the red carpet, except this time, it was two of the decade’s brightest music stars. Midler, already known for her theatrical flair and bold fashion choices, arrived in a glittering, shoulder-padded gown whose details shimmered under the lights, complete with her signature curls and mischievous grin. Beside her, Wonder matched her energy with a sleek, blue suit that balanced funk and sophistication. Accessories were the name of the game. Midler injected some humor into her look, pinning a record player barrette in her hair, while Wonder had a big, bold, and blue bowtie along with his signature dark sunglasses. The image of Midler and Wonder — two genre-defying artists who challenged conventions in their own right — still feels iconic today and reminds us of the power of the fashion collab. **Isaac Hayes makes history in style at the 1972 Oscars** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/isaac-hayes-makes-history-in-style-at-the-1972-oscars-1763660621.webp "Isaac-hayes-makes-history-in-style-at-the-1972-oscars-1763660621 - bootleg betty")*Bettmann/Getty Images* At the 1972 Academy Awards, Isaac Hayes didn’t just win an Oscar — he made history and did it in unforgettable style. Taking home the award for Best Original Song for “Theme from Shaft,” Hayes became the first Black man to win that award as well as the first Black performer to win an Oscar in a non-acting category, marking a milestone moment in both film and music history. But beyond his groundbreaking achievement, it was his fashion choices that truly stole the show. Hayes arrived on the red carpet in a look that perfectly captured the maximalist cool of the era: A navy suit that featured a baby blue lining in silk, a blue fur collar, and blue fur cuffs. The colorful fit was topped off with a pair of nonchalant shades. The ensemble broke up the parade of sequins that usually took over the red carpet in this era, blending regal confidence with a touch of funk. Ultimately, it was a look that embodied the swagger of “Shaft” and the pride of a new generation of Black artists claiming space in mainstream entertainment. In a decade when self-expression and individuality were redefining celebrity style, Hayes’ Oscar look was on the same wavelength as 1970s culture. He rejected the traditional tuxedo uniform of Hollywood’s elite and instead presented himself as unapologetically himself, merging fashion, music, and cultural identity into one electric moment. **Lauren Hutton’s shines in a plunging gown at the 1975 Oscars** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/lauren-huttons-shines-in-a-plunging-gown-at-the-1975-oscars-1763660136.webp "Lauren-huttons-shines-in-a-plunging-gown-at-the-1975-oscars-1763660136 - bootleg betty")*Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images* Rainbow hues were all the rage in the 1970s, fitting in with the psychedelic aura of the era. However, it wasn’t just the color explosion that made this Lauren Hutton gown so explosive. The model and actor dropped jaws when she attended the 1975 Oscars ceremony wearing a Greek goddess-inspired look. Her gown, swirled with pastels and bearing a shockingly deep neckline, was effortlessly chic, daringly modern, and completely ahead of its time. Eschewing the heavily embellished gowns of the era, Hutton opted for a soft, flowing Halston creation — a gown with a plunging neckline that perfectly captured the spirit of 1970s sultriness and elegance. The look was understated yet unforgettable, radiating the kind of effortless cool that would come to define both Hutton’s career and the decade’s evolving sense of fashion. What truly made the ensemble iconic was its simplicity paired with confidence. The plunging neckline wasn’t just about allure — it was about ease and empowerment, a reflection of the decade’s growing independence and relaxed approach to style. Hutton’s natural makeup, glowing skin, and signature flowing blond locks completed the look, embodying the rise of a new kind of beauty that celebrated California chic, beach-ready glamor. Her choice of designer was equally symbolic. Halston was the undisputed king of 1970s American fashion, known for minimalist silhouettes. Together, they represented the fusion of high fashion and accessibility that defined the decade. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20The%20List%20Of%20The%20Most%20Iconic%20Red%20Carpet%20Looks%20Of%20The%2070s&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20The%20List%20Of%20The%20Most%20Iconic%20Red%20Carpet%20Looks%20Of%20The%2070s%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20The%20List%20Of%20The%20Most%20Iconic%20Red%20Carpet%20Looks%20Of%20The%2070s&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20The%20List%20Of%20The%20Most%20Iconic%20Red%20Carpet%20Looks%20Of%20The%2070s%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20The%20List%20Of%20The%20Most%20Iconic%20Red%20Carpet%20Looks%20Of%20The%2070s%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Grammys, Oscars, Red Carpet **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Cher, #dollyparton, #Grammys, #Iconic, #RedCarpet, #StevieWonder --- ### [Outrageous Fortune: Loved Bette Midler! Hated The Movie! Oy!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/24/outrageous-fortune-loved-bette-midler-hated-the-movie-oy/) **Published:** November 24, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler is funny. She genuinely makes this movie a joy to watch, thanks to her comedic timing. **Content:** --- ## The Laughing Place Outrageous Fortune: Loved Bette Midler! Hated The Movie! Oy! By Bill Gowsell Nov. 25, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/maxresdefault-1024x550.jpg "Maxresdefault - bootleg betty")--- **Cast of Characters** Shelley Long as Lauren [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) as Sandy Peter Coyote as Michael Robert Prosky as Stanislav Korzenowski George Carlin as Frank Madras **Elevator Pitch** Lauren and Sandy are fortunate to be accepted into an acting class run by the legendary Stanislav Korzenowski. They learn from the master thespian, and the two women soon learn they both have the same boyfriend, Michael. When Micheal is killed, Lauren and Sandy are shocked to discover he was working for the CIA but to make matters worse, he was a double agent and worked for the KGB as well. Examining the body, the two realize that Michael didn’t die, and sooner than expected, the two women go on the run, and collide with a whole world of trouble. From the streets of the big city to a cliff-top finale, Lauren and Sandy are going to need to rely on each other if they wish to survive. **The Orson Welles Award of Brilliance** Bette Midler is funny. She genuinely makes this movie a joy to watch, thanks to her comedic timing. **The Alan Smithee Award of Anonymity** [**Outrageous Fortune**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/outrageous-fortune/) is not good. This is a film that throws everything including the proverbial kitchen sink into this screwball comedy, and quite honestly, it makes the film a full-throttle mess. I don’t care for Lauren, and Michael telegraphs to the audience not to trust him. Despite all the great work from Midler, an appearance from George Carlin, and some great scenery, the film is hardly a ‘razzle-dazzle of a high order’, like People Magazine claimed. **Production Team** Directed by Arthur Hiller Produced by Touchstone Pictures / Silver Screen Partners II / Interscope Communications Written by Leslie Dixon Release Date: January 30, 1987 Budget: $25 million Domestic Box Office Gross: $52,864,741 **I Know Their Name** The man who plays Weldon, is easily recognizable. Actor Anthony Heald will always be knowable thanks to his important role as Dr. Chilton in The Silence of the Lambs. **Deep Dive Behind the Scenes** The movie grossed almost six and half million dollars in its opening weekend. Midler won an American Comedy Award for her work in the movie. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe for her work in the film. Midler and Long were both promised top billing. Neither would compromise, so east of the Mississippi River Midler was top billing, while west of the Mississippi Long held the top spot. Better Midler was pregnant during the production of the film. At the commencement of shooting she was three months pregnant, and by the time the film wrapped, she was six months pregnant. Apparently, according to Midler, shooting the film with Shelley Long had its moments of difficulty. The two actors struggled to get along. Suzanne Somers was originally offered Midler’s role. The title of the film comes from Hamlet, when the paranoid prince makes his famous ‘To be or not to be’ soliloquy. Fans of Murphy Brown may be quick enough to spot Robert Pastorelli in a small role. Roger Ebert gave the film 2 stars out of four, and said the film was ‘painstakingly crafted as a product.’ Gene Siskel wasn’t much kinder to the film, but praised Midler as being the only reason to watch the movie. Bill’s Spicy Take This should have been a solo Bette Midler project. **Oscar Thoughts** (These rankings are awarded based on my love for Hitchcock films) {**Frenzy Award**-Skip this Film, **Torn Curtain Award**-Desperate for Something to Watch, **For the Birds**-A Perfect Film for Any Device, **Rear Window Award**– You Must Watch This Film on a Big Screen because this film is cinema.} Outrageous Fortune is one of those many films that Touchstone Pictures made with stars who fell on hard times and yet made money. This is a hallmark of the 1980’s, and a legacy of Disney’s first adult studio. This doesn’t mean that you should waste your time and watch this movie. Outrageous Fortune gets my **Frenzy Award**. Skip this disaster of the past. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Outrageous%20Fortune%3A%20Loved%20Bette%20Midler%21%20Hated%20The%20Movie%21%20Oy%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Outrageous%20Fortune%3A%20Loved%20Bette%20Midler%21%20Hated%20The%20Movie%21%20Oy%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Outrageous%20Fortune%3A%20Loved%20Bette%20Midler%21%20Hated%20The%20Movie%21%20Oy%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Outrageous%20Fortune%3A%20Loved%20Bette%20Midler%21%20Hated%20The%20Movie%21%20Oy%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Outrageous%20Fortune%3A%20Loved%20Bette%20Midler%21%20Hated%20The%20Movie%21%20Oy%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Outrageous Fortune **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BetteMidler #OutrageousFortune, #Movies, #ShelleyLong --- ### [Bette Midler's PSA For The New York Public Library](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/24/bette-midlers-psa-for-the-new-york-public-library/) **Published:** November 24, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's PSA For The New York Public Library **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler’s PSA For The New York Public Library By Mister D Nov. 24, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/bette-midler-in-black-outfit-s0rk6nuzh1l15gto-683x1024.jpg "Bette-midler-in-black-outfit-s0rk6nuzh1l15gto - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20PSA%20For%20The%20New%20York%20Public%20Library&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20PSA%20For%20The%20New%20York%20Public%20Library%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20PSA%20For%20The%20New%20York%20Public%20Library&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20PSA%20For%20The%20New%20York%20Public%20Library%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20PSA%20For%20The%20New%20York%20Public%20Library%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, PSA **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #NYPL, #psa --- ### [The Ten Best Free Movies On YouTube!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/23/the-ten-best-free-movies-on-youtube/) **Published:** November 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The 10 best movies on YouTube From Oscar winners to classic comedies, there are plenty of quality films available to stream for free. **Content:** --- ## Red Mag The Ten Best Free Movies On YouTube! By Kevin Jacobsen Nov. 23, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/6c45e808b8854bd3bcde1aab7480aae55de3e5e02f3865da15358fc944def6ed-768x1024.jpg "6c45e808b8854bd3bcde1aab7480aae55de3e5e02f3865da15358fc944def6ed - bootleg betty")--- From Oscar winners to classic comedies, there are plenty of quality films available to stream for free. The 10 best movies on YouTube From Oscar winners to classic comedies, there are plenty of quality films available to stream for free. YouTube has been a one-stop shop for cute animal videos and niche video essays since 2005. But in recent years, this gargantuan media hub has more to offer than snack-sized bites of digital entertainment. In fact, you can now watch entire films on the platform for free (with ads, of course), making for a great way to dabble in streaming without paying subscription fees. There are plenty of options to choose from, but which ones are worth your time? To help you out, EW has rounded up the 10 best movies on YouTube right now. **Another Round (2020)** Mads Mikkelsen as Martin in ‘Another Round’ Mads Mikkelsen as Martin in ‘Another Round’. Samuel Goldwyn Films A potent cocktail of comedy and tragedy, Thomas Vinterberg’s *Another Round* takes place in modern-day Copenhagen as four dissatisfied friends and teachers decide to embark on an experiment: maintain a state of buzz from alcohol to unlock their creative potential. Results are positive to start, with all four finding their moods raised and teaching methods more fruitful for their students. But things take an unfortunate turn as the friends decide to take their alcohol consumption to the next level.\*\*\*\* Featuring a stunning lead performance by Mads Mikkelsen, the Danish film received widespread critical acclaim for its depiction of men of a certain age as they try to quell their midlife crises. Vinterberg received a Best Director Oscar nomination in 2021 for the film, which won the award for Best International Feature. Where to watch *Another Round*: YouTube **EW grade:** B **Director:** Thomas Vinterberg **Cast:** Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, Lars Ranthe **Donnie Darko (2001)** Jake Gyllenhaal as Donnie Darko in ‘Donnie Darko’ Jake Gyllenhaal as Donnie Darko in ‘Donnie Darko’. Mary Evans/Pandora Cinema/Flower Films/Adam Fields Productions/GA/Ronald Grant/Courtesy Everett Collection This cult-favorite sci-fi thriller is still evocative more than 20 years later. Jake Gyllenhaal, in one of his early breakout roles, stars as Donnie, an angsty teenager who sleepwalks outside his house where he is met with a terrifying human-sized rabbit who informs him the world will end in 28 days. That night, a plane crashes into Donnie’s house, after which he continues to see the sinister rabbit. It’s a concept that could’ve gone off the rails if not for Richard Kelly’s deft direction. As EW’s critic writes, “He swings big — with flair.” Where to watch *Donnie Darko*: YouTube **Director:** Richard Kelly **Cast:** Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Seth Rogen, Jena Malone, Patrick Swayze, Ashley Tisdale **The First Wives Club (1996)** Bette Midler as Brenda Morelli-Cushman, Goldie Hawn as Elise Eliot-Atchison, and Diane Keaton as Annie MacDuggan-Paradis in ‘The First Wives Club’ Bette Midler as Brenda Morelli-Cushman, Goldie Hawn as Elise Eliot-Atchison, and Diane Keaton as Annie MacDuggan-Paradis in ‘The First Wives Club’. Rarely has revenge looked so fabulous. Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, and Bette Midler star in this delicious buddy comedy about three friends whose husbands are all divorcing them for younger women. Eager to get back at them, the friends hatch elaborate plans to ruin the lives of their former flames and find camaraderie in each other’s shared pain. “As long as Hawn and her cronies are skewering male insensitivity with that sort of filed-talon wit,” EW’s critic writes, “*The First Wives Club* whisks us along.” Where to watch *The First Wives Club*: YouTube **Director:** Hugh Wilson **Cast:** Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton\*\* **Frances Ha (2013)** Greta Gerwig as Frances Halladay in ‘Frances Ha’ Greta Gerwig as Frances Halladay in ‘Frances Ha’. IFC Films/Courtesy Everett Greta Gerwig, now an acclaimed writer-director and frequent Oscar nominee, became a true indie darling with *Frances Ha*, which she starred in and co-wrote with her partner, Noah Baumbach. Gerwig plays Frances Halladay, a millennial dancer living in Brooklyn whose best friend/roommate decides to move to Tribeca, forcing Frances to find a more affordable living arrangement. As Frances struggles to make ends meet, she grapples with the changing nature of her relationship with her best friend. Infused with quirky, observational humor and its main character’s wayward spirit, *Frances Ha* is a film about reckoning with young adulthood in all of its messy, beautiful complications. Where to watch *Frances Ha*: YouTube \*\*Director: \*\*Noah Baumbach \*\*Cast: \*\*Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner, Adam Driver, Michael Zegen **Moonstruck (1987)** Cher as Loretta Castorini and Nicolas Cage as Ronny Cammareri in ‘Moonstruck’ Cher as Loretta Castorini and Nicolas Cage as Ronny Cammareri in ‘Moonstruck’. Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty There are few romantic comedies as well-written as *Moonstruck*, John Patrick Shanley’s warm-hearted ode to finding unexpected love in New York City. Cher, in one of her most luminous performances, plays Loretta Castorini, an Italian American woman who falls in love with her fiancé’s animalistic younger brother, Ronny (Nicolas Cage). Meanwhile, Loretta’s parents go through their own romantic journeys, leading to a hilariously chaotic final scene. Winning three Oscars (including Best Actress for Cher), EW’s critic calls *Moonstruck* a “tiramisu-sweet romantic comedy” that is both “passionate and profound.” Where to watch *Moonstruck*: YouTube **EW grade:** A– **Director:** Norman Jewison **Cast:** Cher, Nicolas Cage, Vincent Gardenia, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello The 20 best movies on Tubi to watch (for free!) Roy Scheider as Joe Gideon in ‘All That Jazz’; Parker Posey as Mary in ‘Party Girl’; Pam Grier as Flower Child ‘Coffy’ Coffin in ‘Coffy’ The 25 best movies on Netflix Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein in ‘Frankenstein’; Song Kang-ho as Kim Ki-taek in ‘Parasite’; Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa in ‘Inglourious Basterds’ **No Country for Old Men (2007)** This bleakly entertaining crime thriller, adapted from Cormac McCarthy’s novel of the same name, is an essential Coen brothers text. The film revolves around a stolen briefcase full of money, taken by a Vietnam War veteran named Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin). As a ruthless hitman (Javier Bardem) tries to track him down, the local sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones) tries to make sense of it all and faces an existential crisis about the senseless violence of the world today.\*\*\*\*As EW’s critic writes, “It’s no accident that this measured yet excitingly tense, violent yet maturely sorrowful thriller marks the first time the filmmakers have faithfully adapted somebody else’s work to their own specifications and considerable strengths.” Where to watch *No Country for Old Men*: YouTube **EW grade:** A **Directors:** Joel Coen, Ethan Coen **Cast:** Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Woody Harrelson, Kelly Macdonald **Nosferatu (1922)** With the 2024 release of Robert Eggers’ *Nosferatu*, you no longer have an excuse to put off catching up on the horror-genre-defining original. An unauthorized German adaptation of Bram Stoker’s *Dracula*, *Nosferatu*‘s version of the iconic vampire is Count Orlok (Max Schreck), who takes a special interest in his estate agent’s wife, Ellen (Greta Schröder). Filled with haunting imagery (particularly Count Orlok’s appearance), the silent horror drama “conjures and then sustains, for its entire running time, the feeling of being a child, up late at night channel-surfing, and coming across a film that is so alarming, so out-of-this-world, you have to hope it was only a dream,” writes EW’s critic. Where to watch *Nosferatu*: YouTube **Director:** F.W. Murnau **Cast:** Max Schreck, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schröder, Alexander Granach, Ruth Landshoff, Wolfgang Heinz **Paprika (2006)** This thought-provoking Japanese anime film from visionary director Satoshi Kon will weave into your subconscious. The film centers on a psychologist who uses innovative dream technology to help her patients, using the alter ego Paprika. After the technology is stolen, the psychologist and her fellow scientists try to prevent catastrophic consequences. Dizzying and dazzling all at once, *Paprika* finds Kon mixing strong visuals with trippy perspectives, resulting in a message of seeming forewarning. Where to watch *Paprika*: YouTube \*\*Director: \*\*Satoshi Kon \*\*Cast: \*\*Megumi Hayashibara, T?ru Emori, Katsunosuke Hori, T?ru Furuya, Akio ?tsuka, K?ichi Yamadera, Hideyuki Tanaka **The Truman Show (1998)** Released six years after the premiere of MTV’s *The Real World*, the voyeuristic nature of *The Truman Show* has only made it more relevant in the decades since. Jim Carrey stars as Truman Burbank, a man living a seemingly ordinary life, unaware he’s the subject of a 24/7 reality TV show watched around the world. Also unbeknownst to him is that every person he interacts with is a paid actor, including his closest friends and family. But, after things go slightly off-script from what the producers have planned, Truman starts to realize the nature of his existence. Where to watch *The Truman Show*: YouTube **Director:** Peter Weir **Cast:** Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich, Natascha McElhone, Holland Taylor, Ed Harris **Wonder (2017)** *Wonder* follows a 10-year-old boy named Auggie (Jacob Tremblay) as he deals with the common trials and tribulations of growing up. However, what makes Auggie’s story unique is his medical condition: a rare facial deformity called mandibulofacial dysostosis, which he hides by wearing an astronaut helmet in public. Upon making the transition from homeschooling to private school, Auggie struggles to fit in but ultimately makes friends with another boy, though their friendship is put to the test when he makes fun of Auggie behind his back. It’s an uplifting story that earns your emotional investment; as EW’s critic writes, “Yes, you’ve seen some version of this before, but rarely done this well, this tastefully, and with this much restraint.” Where to watch *Wonder*: YouTube **EW grade:** B+ **Director:** Stephen Chbosky **Cast:** Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Mandy Patinkin, Daveed Diggs Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Ten%20Best%20Free%20Movies%20On%20YouTube%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Ten%20Best%20Free%20Movies%20On%20YouTube%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Ten%20Best%20Free%20Movies%20On%20YouTube%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Ten%20Best%20Free%20Movies%20On%20YouTube%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Ten%20Best%20Free%20Movies%20On%20YouTube%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DianeKeaton, #FirstWivesClub, #GoldieHawn, #Movies --- ### [Business: Media Mogul David Zaslav Hosts Stars Ahead of Warner Bros-Discovery Sale](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/23/business-media-mogul-david-zaslav-hosts-stars-ahead-of-warner-bros-discovery-sale/) **Published:** November 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Guess who’s coming to dinner? If you’re David Zaslav, the answer is “most of Hollywood.” The Warner Bros. Discovery CEO feted LuckyChap champions Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley among a consortium of media moguls **Content:** --- ## Vulture Magazine David Zaslav Hosts Stars Ahead of Warner Bros-Discovery Sale By Jason P. Frank Nov. 24, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/4845e2ff2b1d3397e066c046c621390e-715x1024.jpg "4845e2ff2b1d3397e066c046c621390e - bootleg betty") --- Guess who’s coming to dinner? If you’re [**David Zaslav**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Zaslav), the answer is “most of Hollywood.” The Warner Bros. Discovery CEO feted LuckyChap champions Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley among a consortium of media moguls including Oprah Winfrey, filmmaker Nancy Meyers, CAA head Bryan Lourd, and Saturday Night Live boss Lorne Michaels in L.A. on November 19. Al Pacino, Sandra Bullock, Jonah Hill, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/), and Kristen Wiig were also in attendance. The next day, Zaslav received the first round of offers to purchase WBD, per Variety. He reportedly told the crowd his plan was to get on a red-eye flight and head to New York to consider the offers. Sources added that conversation during the evening was not focused on the sale but the projects they were all respectively working on. No need talk about the sword of Damocles if it’s just hanging over everybody’s heads anyway. Paramount, Comcast, and Netflix all submitted bids, per The Hollywood Reporter. If Paramount wins out, it would be the second major studio purchased by David Ellison, the son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison. Comcast already owns Universal but could use WBD’s HBO Max to take its domestic streaming service, Peacock, worldwide. The only reported buyer that doesn’t already have a theatrical studio is Netflix, because the company refuses to put its movies in wide release. However, CEO Ted Sarandos told WB its films would be in theaters if the offer goes through, per Bloomberg. Earlier this year, Netflix missed out on LuckyChap’s Wuthering Heights to Bros. because the company refused to commit to a wide theatrical release. Next, there will likely be more rounds of bidding, per THR, and once a buyer is chosen, the deal will have to get approved by President Trump’s FCC. What will Trump’s Special Envoy to Hollywood Jon Voight think about this? Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Business%3A%20Media%20Mogul%20David%20Zaslav%20Hosts%20Stars%20Ahead%20of%20Warner%20Bros-Discovery%20Sale&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Business%3A%20Media%20Mogul%20David%20Zaslav%20Hosts%20Stars%20Ahead%20of%20Warner%20Bros-Discovery%20Sale%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Business%3A%20Media%20Mogul%20David%20Zaslav%20Hosts%20Stars%20Ahead%20of%20Warner%20Bros-Discovery%20Sale&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Business%3A%20Media%20Mogul%20David%20Zaslav%20Hosts%20Stars%20Ahead%20of%20Warner%20Bros-Discovery%20Sale%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Business%3A%20Media%20Mogul%20David%20Zaslav%20Hosts%20Stars%20Ahead%20of%20Warner%20Bros-Discovery%20Sale%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DavidZaslav, #Dinner, #Hollywood, #Sale, #WarnerBrothers --- ### [BetteBack May 17, 1978: Interview - Formerly The Harlettes](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/23/betteback-may-17-1978-interview-formerly-the-harlettes/) **Published:** November 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack May 17, 1978: Interview - Formerly Of The Harlettes **Content:** --- **Arkansas Democrat** **May 17, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/H22785-L393974492-766x1024.jpg "H22785-l393974492 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-02-25_2-17-18](/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02-25_2-17-18.png "2017-02-25_2-17-18 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69681) [![2017-02-25_2-17-55](/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02-25_2-17-55.png "2017-02-25_2-17-55 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69682) [![2017-02-25_2-18-31](/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02-25_2-18-31.png "2017-02-25_2-18-31 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69683) [![2017-02-25_2-19-41](/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02-25_2-19-41.png "2017-02-25_2-19-41 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69684) [![2017-02-25_2-20-26](/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02-25_2-20-26.png "2017-02-25_2-20-26 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69685) [![2017-02-25_2-21-21](/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02-25_2-21-21.png "2017-02-25_2-21-21 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69686) [![2017-02-25_2-21-54](/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02-25_2-21-54.png "2017-02-25_2-21-54 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69687) [![2017-02-25_2-22-37](/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02-25_2-22-37.png "2017-02-25_2-22-37 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69688) [![2017-02-25_2-23-12](/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02-25_2-23-12.png "2017-02-25_2-23-12 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69689) [![2017-02-25_2-23-59](/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02-25_2-23-59.png "2017-02-25_2-23-59 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69690) [![2017-02-25_2-25-19](/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02-25_2-25-19.png "2017-02-25_2-25-19 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69691) [![2017-02-25_2-26-06](/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02-25_2-26-06-450x52.png "2017-02-25_2-26-06 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69692) --- Harlettes. Charlo Crossley, U;a Hedwig, Sharon Redd, Bette Midler, Formally Of The Harlettes, Labelle Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20May%2017%2C%201978%3A%20Interview%20-%20Formerly%20The%20Harlettes&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20May%2017%2C%201978%3A%20Interview%20-%20Formerly%20The%20Harlettes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20May%2017%2C%201978%3A%20Interview%20-%20Formerly%20The%20Harlettes&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20May%2017%2C%201978%3A%20Interview%20-%20Formerly%20The%20Harlettes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20May%2017%2C%201978%3A%20Interview%20-%20Formerly%20The%20Harlettes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Featuring The Harlettes, Interview, Music **Tags:** #BetteBack, #BetteMidler, #FormallyTheHarlettes, #Harlettes, #Interview, #Music --- ### [Today In History: Gypsy, The TV Movie Soundtrack Was Released, November 23, 1993](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/23/today-in-history-gypsy-the-tv-movie-soundtrack-was-released-november-23-1993/) **Published:** November 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Gypsy soundtrack serves as the original recording for the 1993 made-for-TV adaptation of the classic Broadway musical Gypsy: A Musical Fable, drawn from the autobiography of burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Today In History: Gypsy, The TV Movie Soundtrack Was Released, November 23, 1993 By Mister D Nov. 23, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/R-1399584-1216471532.jpg "R-1399584-1216471532 - bootleg betty")--- The [***Gypsy*** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/gypsy/)soundtrack serves as the original recording for the 1993 made-for-TV adaptation of the classic Broadway musical Gypsy: A Musical Fable, drawn from the autobiography of burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee. The narrative centers on the ambitious stage mother Rose, portrayed by [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler), who relentlessly drives her daughters into show business amid the 1920s and ’30s vaudeville scene. Directed by Emile Ardolino, the CBS film premiered on December 12, 1993, and features a score composed by Jule Styne with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Midler, renowned for her commanding vocals and theatrical intensity, anchors the production as Rose, infusing it with a mix of vulnerability and ferocity across seven of the 17 tracks, while underscoring the musical’s core themes of unyielding ambition, familial strife, and faded glamour. Released on Atlantic Records on November 23, 1993, in formats including CD and cassette, the album runs for a total of 54 minutes and 39 seconds and was produced by Arif Mardin, Michael Rafter, and Curt Sobel at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California. Marketed prominently as a Bette Midler vehicle to leverage her established recording career, it incorporates ensemble and solo contributions from the full cast. The tracklist adheres closely to the film’s storyline, opening with an overture by the Gypsy Orchestra and progressing through numbers like the youthful “May We Entertain You” performed by the ensemble featuring Baby June and the Newsboys, to Midler’s introspective “Some People” and “Small World.” Subsequent highlights include “Baby June and Her Newsboys” by Lacey Chabert, Elisabeth Moss, and young performers; the comedic “Mr. Goldstone, I Love You” with Midler, Peter Riegert, and supporting cast; Cynthia Gibb’s tender “Little Lamb” as Louise; and the duet “You’ll Never Get Away From Me” between Midler and Riegert. The sequence builds with “Dainty June and Her Farmboys” involving Jennifer Beck, Gibb, and the troupe; the sibling lament “If Momma Was Married” by Beck and Gibb; Jeffrey Broadhurst’s streetwise “All I Need Is the Girl”; and Midler’s triumphant “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” It culminates in the family trio “Together (Wherever We Go)” with Midler, Riegert, and Gibb; the sassy burlesque trio “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” by the ensemble including Linda Hart, Anna McNeely, and Christine Ebersole; Gibb’s evolved “Let Me Entertain You”; Midler’s explosive finale “Rose’s Turn”; and closing end credits by the orchestra. Key personnel include vocal standouts such as Midler as Rose, Gibb as Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee, Riegert as Herbie, Beck as June, young actresses Chabert and Moss, and burlesque roles filled by Ebersole as Tessie Tura, Hart as Mazeppa, and McNeely as Electra, with orchestration and conducting by Riegert and engineering by Robert Schaper Jr., David Ronne, and others. On the charts, the album entered modestly at No. 175 on the US Billboard 200, without generating significant international traction or major singles. However, it rode the wave of the film’s acclaim, including Midler’s Emmy nom for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Special. Reception proved mixed among critics: AllMusic’s William Ruhlmann deemed it a “vast improvement” over the 1962 film version yet critiqued Midler for not fully embodying Rose’s ruthless edge, noting she “did a respectable job, but not the one she was capable of, if she had worked harder.” Among fans and Midler devotees, however, it’s revered as a pinnacle in her discography, lauded for her empathetic portrayal—more nuanced and human than Ethel Merman’s original Broadway bombast or Rosalind Russell’s cinematic take. The soundtrack’s opulent production and loyal adaptation make it a staple for musical theater aficionados, with must-hear tracks like Midler’s raw “Some People” and the cathartic “Rose’s Turn” exemplifying her profound interpretive prowess. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Today%20In%20History%3A%20Gypsy%2C%20The%20TV%20Movie%20Soundtrack%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2023%2C%201993&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Today%20In%20History%3A%20Gypsy%2C%20The%20TV%20Movie%20Soundtrack%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2023%2C%201993%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Today%20In%20History%3A%20Gypsy%2C%20The%20TV%20Movie%20Soundtrack%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2023%2C%201993&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Today%20In%20History%3A%20Gypsy%2C%20The%20TV%20Movie%20Soundtrack%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2023%2C%201993%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Today%20In%20History%3A%20Gypsy%2C%20The%20TV%20Movie%20Soundtrack%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2023%2C%201993%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Gypsy, Movies, On This Day In History, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Gypsy, #History, #Movie, #Musical, #soundtrack, #TodayInHistory, #TV --- ### [On This Day In History: Beaches, The Soundtrack, Was Released, November 22, 1988](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/22/on-this-day-in-history-beaches-the-soundtrack-was-released-november-22-1988/) **Published:** November 22, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Beaches soundtrack is a poignant companion to the 1988 film, showcasing Bette Midler’s vocal range and emotional depth. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty On This Day In History: Beaches, The Soundtrack, Was Released, November 22, 1988 By Mister D November 23, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/71nObrsTcL._AC_SL1425_-1024x1024.jpg "71n+obrstcl. _ac_sl1425_ - bootleg betty")--- Released on November 22, 1988, by Atlantic Records, Beaches: Original Soundtrack Recording features Bette Midler performing most of the tracks, with production by Arif Mardin, who had previously collaborated with her. The album seamlessly blends pop and adult contemporary styles throughout its 33-minute runtime, effectively capturing the film’s themes of friendship, loss, and enduring love. Its centerpiece is the soaring ballad “Wind Beneath My Wings,” which became a number-one hit and one of Midler’s signature songs. Another standout is her cover of “Under the Boardwalk,” which opens both the film and the album, nodding to the beachside setting where the characters first meet. Marc Shaiman, Midler’s longtime music arranger, served as music supervisor, shaping the soundtrack’s emotional arc. Though the original script only called for “traditional music,” the final album became a defining element of the film’s legacy, helping cement its status as a tearjerking classic. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Beaches%2C%20The%20Soundtrack%2C%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2022%2C%201988&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Beaches%2C%20The%20Soundtrack%2C%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2022%2C%201988%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Beaches%2C%20The%20Soundtrack%2C%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2022%2C%201988&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Beaches%2C%20The%20Soundtrack%2C%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2022%2C%201988%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Beaches%2C%20The%20Soundtrack%2C%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2022%2C%201988%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Movies, Music, On This Day In History **Tags:** #Album, #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #FilmScores, #History, #Music, #soundtrack, BarbaraHershey --- ### [Chelsea Peretti Latest To Join Bette Midler’s ‘Cut Off’ Film](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/22/chelsea-peretti-latest-to-join-bette-midlers-cut-off-film/) **Published:** November 22, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** No word on the role Peretti is playing. The film follows a pair of rich siblings (Hill & Wiig) who are cut off from their parents (Bette Midler and Nathan Lane). **Content:** --- ## Deadline Chelsea Peretti Latest To Join Jonah Hill’s ‘Cut Off’ At Warner Bros. By Matt Grobar Nov. 22, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/instar51799226-731x1024.avif "Instar51799226 - bootleg betty")--- EXCLUSIVE: [**Chelsea Peretti**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Peretti) (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) is the newest addition to the cast of [**Cut Off**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/cut-off/), Jonah Hill’s comedy for Warner Bros. Pictures, where he stars opposite Kristen Wiig. No word on the role Peretti is playing. The film follows a pair of rich siblings (Hill & Wiig) who are cut off from their parents ([**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/boottube-betty-videos/) and Nathan Lane). As previously announced, the cast also includes Adriana Barraza, Camila Cabello and Langston Kerman. Hill is directing from a script co-written with Ezra Woods, also producing alongside Matt Dines and Ali Goodwin under his Strong Baby banner. Jesse Ehrman and Zach Hamby are overseeing the project for Warner Bros., which has slated it for release in theaters worldwide on July 17. Peretti was recently most seen on the BBC series Am I Being Unreasonable? and is widely known for playing Gina Linetti on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Recently, she made her feature directorial debut with First Time Female Director, a film premiering at Tribeca that she also wrote and starred in, which was acquired by Roku. Peretti’s television writing credits include Parks and Recreation, Saturday Night Live, Portlandia, Kroll Show, and The Sarah Silverman Program. Film credits include The Photograph, Friendsgiving, Game Night and Popstar. She created the long-running podcast Call Chelsea Peretti and put out her stand-up special One of the Greats as one of Netflix’s first 10 hourlong releases. Peretti is represented by CAA, Linden Entertainment and Hansen Jacobson. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Chelsea%20Peretti%20Latest%20To%20Join%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20Film&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Chelsea%20Peretti%20Latest%20To%20Join%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20Film%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Chelsea%20Peretti%20Latest%20To%20Join%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20Film&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Chelsea%20Peretti%20Latest%20To%20Join%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20Film%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Chelsea%20Peretti%20Latest%20To%20Join%20Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20Film%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ChelseaPeretti, #CutOff, #Film, #JonahHill, #KristenWigg --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - Moonlight Dancing -Astronomical Remix](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/22/audio-bette-midler-moonlight-dancing-astronomical-remix/) **Published:** November 22, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Audio: Bette Midler - Moonlight Dancing -Astronomical Edit **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler – Moonlight Dancing -Astronomical Edit By Mister D Nov 22, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-10-11_06-51-40.png "2025-10-11_06-51-40 - bootleg betty") --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Moonlight%20Dancing%20-Astronomical%20Remix&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Moonlight%20Dancing%20-Astronomical%20Remix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Moonlight%20Dancing%20-Astronomical%20Remix&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Moonlight%20Dancing%20-Astronomical%20Remix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Moonlight%20Dancing%20-Astronomical%20Remix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Remix, Some People's Lives **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #MoonlightDancing, #Remix, #SomePeoplesLives --- ### [On This Day In History: Bette Midler's Movie 'For The Boys' Was Released, November 22, 1991](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/22/on-this-day-in-history-bette-midlers-movie-for-the-boys-was-released-november-22-1991/) **Published:** November 22, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "For the Boys" (November 22, 1991) is a sweeping musical comedy-drama directed by Mark Rydell that chronicles the turbulent four-decade partnership between brassy up-and-coming entertainer Dixie Leonard (Bette Midler) and the suave, established showman Eddie Sparks **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty On This Day In History: Bette Midler’s Movie ‘For The Boys’ Was Released, November 22, 1991 Nov. 22, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fortheboysm1ldp.jpg "Fortheboysm1ldp - bootleg betty")--- “**[For the Boys](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/for-the-boys/)**” (November 22, 1991) is a sweeping musical comedy-drama directed by Mark Rydell that chronicles the turbulent four-decade partnership between brassy up-and-coming entertainer Dixie Leonard ([**Bette Midler**](https://www.bettemidler.com/)) and the suave, established showman Eddie Sparks (James Caan), who team up to perform for U.S. troops during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Framed as a 1990s flashback during Dixie’s receipt of a lifetime achievement award, the film traces their initially contentious relationship—marked by Eddie’s jealousy of her talent—through shared triumphs on makeshift stages, personal heartbreaks like the on-duty death of Dixie’s husband and the loss of their son in Vietnam, and a climactic reconciliation amid a Viet Cong attack on a base where they’re performing. Produced on a $40 million budget by 20th Century Fox with a screenplay by Marshall Brickman, Neal Jimenez, and Lindy Laub, the movie features a star-studded supporting cast including George Segal and marks the uncredited film debut of a young Vince Vaughn as an enthusiastic soldier in the audience. Despite its ambitious scope and Midler’s powerhouse vocals on a soundtrack of era-spanning covers like “Stuff Like That There” and originals such as Diane Warren’s “Every Road Leads Back to You,” the film was a box office disappointment, grossing just $23 million worldwide and earning mixed reviews that praised Midler’s tour-de-force performance but criticized the sentimental scripting as overly maudlin. Midler, drawing from real-life USO legends, earned a Golden Globe win for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy and an Academy Award nomination for her transformative role, which required her to age from a vibrant 20-something to a reflective octogenarian. Behind the scenes, production hit snags when U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton, slated as extras, were redeployed for Operation Desert Storm, forcing the team to recruit civilians with fresh haircuts instead. Adding to the drama, real-life comic Martha Raye filed a lawsuit post-release, accusing the film of plagiarizing her own storied USO career—complete with decades of entertaining troops—but the case was dismissed by a judge who found no substantial evidence. James Caan, fresh off his “Misery” triumph, later vented in interviews that collaborating with Midler was a “complete nightmare,” clashing over creative differences, while the Eddie Sparks character is widely believed to be loosely inspired by Bob Hope’s iconic wartime persona. The story even inspired a 2011 stage musical adaptation at the Marriott Theatre in Illinois, proving its enduring appeal beyond the screen. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Movie%20%27For%20The%20Boys%27%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2022%2C%201991&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Movie%20%27For%20The%20Boys%27%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2022%2C%201991%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Movie%20%27For%20The%20Boys%27%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2022%2C%201991&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Movie%20%27For%20The%20Boys%27%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2022%2C%201991%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Movie%20%27For%20The%20Boys%27%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2022%2C%201991%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, For The Boys, Movies, Music, On This Day In History **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ForTheBoys, #GeorgeSegal, #JamesCaan, #Movies, #Music, #OnThisDayInHistory --- ### [Video Short: Pantyhose -A Spicy Joke From Bette Midler - Soph Joke](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/20/video-short-pantyhose-a-spicy-joke-from-bette-midler-soph-joke/) **Published:** November 20, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video Short: Pantyhose -A Spicy Joke From Bette Midler **Content:** ## Bootleg Betty Pantyhose – A spicy joke from Bette Midler By Boodles Bon Bon Nov. 20, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-20_14-41-01.png "2025-11-20_14-41-01 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20Short%3A%20Pantyhose%20-A%20Spicy%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20Short%3A%20Pantyhose%20-A%20Spicy%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20Short%3A%20Pantyhose%20-A%20Spicy%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20Short%3A%20Pantyhose%20-A%20Spicy%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20Short%3A%20Pantyhose%20-A%20Spicy%20Joke%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Soph%20Joke%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Soph Jokes **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Pantyhose, #SophJoke, #Spicy --- ### [BetteBack May 2, 1978: Bette Midler Films Her First Scene In 'The Rose'](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/19/betteback-may-2-1978-bette-midler-films-her-first-scene-in-the-rose/) **Published:** November 19, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack May 2, 1978: Bette Midler Films Her First Scene In 'The Rose' **Content:** --- **[Richmond Times Dispatch](http://www.richmond.com/ "Richmond Times-Dispatch") May 2, 1978** --- [![the_rose](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/the_rose-450x311.jpg "The_rose - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69039) --- [![2017-01-16_4-11-51](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-16_4-11-51.png "2017-01-16_4-11-51 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69038) --- [Bette Midler](http://bettemidler.com/ "Bette Midler"). [The Rose](http://www.amazon.com/Rose-Bette-Midler/dp/B00005JLN2%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Dbootlegbetty-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00005JLN2 "The Rose"), [Alan Bates](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Bates "Alan Bates") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20May%202%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Films%20Her%20First%20Scene%20In%20%27The%20Rose%27&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20May%202%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Films%20Her%20First%20Scene%20In%20%27The%20Rose%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20May%202%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Films%20Her%20First%20Scene%20In%20%27The%20Rose%27&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20May%202%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Films%20Her%20First%20Scene%20In%20%27The%20Rose%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20May%202%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Films%20Her%20First%20Scene%20In%20%27The%20Rose%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #AlanBates, #BetteMidler, #Movie, #TheRose --- ### [Bette Midler’s iconic entrance in 1988’s Big Business is going viral as fans notice the similarities between the movie and The Devil Wears Prada](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/19/bette-midlers-iconic-entrance-in-1988s-big-business-is-going-viral-as-fans-notice-the-similarities-between-the-movie-and-the-devil-wears-prada/) **Published:** November 19, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A clip from 1988’s Big Business, posted on October 25, went viral on Instagram as the poster, Kendall LeJeune, pointed out the similarities between Midler’s entrance into her business and Streep’s in 2006’s The Devil Wears Prada. **Content:** --- ## People Bette Midler’s 1988 Film Big Business Is Going Viral as New Audiences Realize She Was the Original Miranda Priestly By Victoria Edel Nov. 19, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-18_13-30-10.png "2025-11-18_13-30-10 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler caused an office to quake in fear way before Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestley did. A clip from 1988’s [**Big Business**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/big-business-2/), posted on October 25, went viral on Instagram as the poster, Kendall LeJeune, pointed out the similarities between Midler’s entrance into her business and Streep’s in 2006’s [**The Devil Wears Prada**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil_Wears_Prada_(film)). In Big Business, which adapted Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, Midler, 79, and Lily Tomlin played two sets of twin sisters who are mixed up at birth. Midler and Tomlin’s Sadie and Rose Shelton run their father’s company Moramax, with Sadie finding her footing as a ruthless businesswoman. Meanwhile, Sadie and Rose Ratliff head to New York when Sadie Shelton tries to sell Hollowmade Factory, where Rose works. LeJeune wrote under the clip, “Watch how every single person reacts. The phone scramble. The posture corrections. The collective panic disguised as professionalism. That’s what power looks like before anyone says a word. Every reaction timed. Every beat choreographed.” He continued, “The way my 7-year-old brain catalogued THIS as the original power entrance. The Devil Wears Prada gets all the credit, but this scene wrote the playbook first. The elevator entrance. The walk. The silent terror. All here. 1988.” ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-18_13-35-23.png "2025-11-18_13-35-23 - bootleg betty") In The Devil Wears Prada, Streep’s Miranda makes a very similar entrance into the Runway office. The workers chaotically run around to prepare as Priestley walks from the car to the building, past security and into an elevator. When she arrives at her destination, viewers finally see her face, and then she walks around the office, giving notes to her assistant, played by Emily Blunt. Fans in the comments also pointed out the similarities between the two movies. One person wrote, “Sadie Shelton walked so Miranda Priestly could run. Bette deserved a special Oscar for ‘Best Eye Acting’ for this!” Another wrote, “THANK YOU! I honestly thought The Devil Wears Prada was doing an obvious homage to this scene and then was shocked when people didn’t reference Big Business! Thank you!” Others fondly remembered loving the movie as kids and often checking the VHS out from the video store. Big Business was a modest success for Disney, earning $40 million at the box office. At the time, PEOPLE noted that it was the only major comedy of that summer that starred women. The critic wrote, “The double scoop of Midler and Tomlin is irresistible; they make a red-hot, roaringly funny comedy team.” --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20iconic%20entrance%20in%201988%E2%80%99s%20Big%20Business%20is%20going%20viral%20as%20fans%20notice%20the%20similarities%20between%20the%20movie%20and%20The%20Devil%20Wears%20Prada&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20iconic%20entrance%20in%201988%E2%80%99s%20Big%20Business%20is%20going%20viral%20as%20fans%20notice%20the%20similarities%20between%20the%20movie%20and%20The%20Devil%20Wears%20Prada%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20iconic%20entrance%20in%201988%E2%80%99s%20Big%20Business%20is%20going%20viral%20as%20fans%20notice%20the%20similarities%20between%20the%20movie%20and%20The%20Devil%20Wears%20Prada&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20iconic%20entrance%20in%201988%E2%80%99s%20Big%20Business%20is%20going%20viral%20as%20fans%20notice%20the%20similarities%20between%20the%20movie%20and%20The%20Devil%20Wears%20Prada%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%E2%80%99s%20iconic%20entrance%20in%201988%E2%80%99s%20Big%20Business%20is%20going%20viral%20as%20fans%20notice%20the%20similarities%20between%20the%20movie%20and%20The%20Devil%20Wears%20Prada%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Big Business, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BigBusiness, #DianaRoss #MerylStreep #AngelaBassett, #MirandaPriestley, #Movies, #SadieShelton, #TheDevilWearsPrada --- ### [Photo: New Pic Of Bette Midler and Martin von Haselberg from Instagram](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/18/photo-new-pic-of-bette-midler-and-martin-von-haselberg-from-instagram/) **Published:** November 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** New pic of #BetteMidler and #MartinVonHaselberg from her #Instagram profile. In the background, she had My Favorite Waste Of Time playing. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty New Pic Of Bette Midler and Martin von Haselberg from Instagram By Mister D November 18, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-18_19-05-30.png "2025-11-18_19-05-30 - bootleg betty") --- New pic of #BetteMidler and #MartinVonHaselberg from her #Instagram profile. In the background, she had My Favorite Waste Of Time playing. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20New%20Pic%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Martin%20von%20Haselberg%20from%20Instagram&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20New%20Pic%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Martin%20von%20Haselberg%20from%20Instagram%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20New%20Pic%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Martin%20von%20Haselberg%20from%20Instagram&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20New%20Pic%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Martin%20von%20Haselberg%20from%20Instagram%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20New%20Pic%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20and%20Martin%20von%20Haselberg%20from%20Instagram%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Instagram, Martin, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Instagram, #MartinVonHaselberg, #photo --- ### [BetteBack June 3, 1978: Is Bette Midler Serious About Movies?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/18/betteback-june-3-1978-is-bette-midler-serious-about-movies/) **Published:** November 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack June 3, 1978: Is Bette Midler Serious About Movies? **Content:** --- **State Journal-Register** **June 3, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-10-11_06-29-45-1.png "2025-10-11_06-29-45 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-04-13_3-40-33](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-13_3-40-33.png "2017-04-13_3-40-33 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70322) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20June%203%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Serious%20About%20Movies%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20June%203%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Serious%20About%20Movies%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20June%203%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Serious%20About%20Movies%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20June%203%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Serious%20About%20Movies%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20June%203%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Serious%20About%20Movies%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Movies, #TheRose --- ### [Ten Incredible Disney Movies From Start To Finish](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/18/ten-incredible-disney-movies-from-start-to-finish/) **Published:** November 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The joy of a Disney movie is how they might make us feel. From start to finish, these movies do something others can’t. They’re simply incredible. **Content:** --- ## Collider 10 Disney Movies That Are Incredible From Start to Finish By Michael Block Nov. 18, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1448297392-hocus-pocus-14-1024x645.avif "1448297392-hocus-pocus-14 - bootleg betty")--- The wonderful world of Disney has been a source of extraordinary entertainment for 100 years, providing families with laughs, smiles, and tears for generations. Through live-action stories and animated films, we’ve been transported to magical worlds beyond our imagination. With such a vast Disney vault of titles, we all have our favorites, but there are certain titles that are universally beloved. The joy of a Disney movie is how they might make us feel. From start to finish, these movies do something others can’t. They’re simply incredible. Here are 10 films that stand the test of time as practically perfect, as our dear nanny friend would say. Diving deep into the ocean or meeting enchanted objects and talking toys, these films bring us to a whole new world we never want to leave. **10. ‘Freaky Friday’ (2003)** There was no bigger rising teen star in the early aughts than Lindsay Lohan. After making her mark in a film we’ll discuss later, Lohan became a Disney darling on screen. But it all began with the fantasy comedy spectacular, Freaky Friday. Perpetually bickering mother and daughter Tess and Anna (Jamie Lee Curtis and Lohan) are never on the same page. From clothes to boys, Anna’s rock band aspirations, and Tess’ wedding to Ryan (Mark Harmon), they argue about everything. During a heated argument at a Chinese restaurant on a Thursday night, they both received identical, cryptic fortune cookies. After a moment of “mystic mayhem,” they wake up on Friday morning to discover they have switched bodies. Cue the iconic line, “I’m old!” A classic Disney family film with a modern twist, Freaky Friday became an instant beloved classic. The body-swapping film put a new perspective on the trope of walking a mile in someone else’s shoes. The initial struggle of being trapped in others’ bodies brings the laughs, but beneath the humor lies a truly heartwarming story. It only took two decades for fans to get a sequel, Freakier Friday, that not only provided exceptional fan service but also helped bring another generation into the mix. **9. ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ (1988)** The saga of Robert Zemeckis’ Who Framed Roger Rabbit is one that deserves its own article, but essentially, once Disney purchased the rights to the titular character, they managed to bring a mixed live-action animated mashup into a more adult-themed world. Set in an alternative-history Hollywood in 1947, where humans and toons coexist, Who Framed Roger Rabbit follows Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins), a private investigator with a grudge against toons, who must help exonerate Roger (Charles Fleischer), who has been framed for murder. With a dark cartoon world, the film received critical acclaim for its visuals, humor, writing, and performances, all thanks to advancements in blended media. Who Framed Roger Rabbit was quite a darling film because, despite the Disney association, this was not a typical kids’ cartoon. And instead of a world of brand-new cartoon creations, some non-Disney IP, including Betty Boop, Woody Woodpecker, and Mel Blanc-voiced Looney Tunes, find themselves mixed up in the universe. The film is known for its iconic characters, including Jessica Rabbit (Kathleen Turner), Baby Herman (Lou Herschel), and the terrifying eyes of Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd). For movie and cartoon lovers, the film is an homage to the Golden Age of the Silver Screen. Though we never revived a sequel, the film lives on as an iconic time capsule that everyone must experience at least once. **8. ‘Encanto’ (2021)** If the 90s were the Disney animated renaissance, the second resurgence came in the 2010s. And just when you thought nothing could top Frozen or Moana, we journeyed to Colombia to meet the magical Madrigal family. Encanto tells the story of a multigenerational family in which each Madrigal family member has a magical gift. That is, except for Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz). When Mirabel learns that the family is losing their magic, she sets out to find why and save the family and their home, Casita. There’s not a single song in Encanto that is a flop. And I guarantee you had “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” stuck in your head. With a snappy score from Lin-Manuel Miranda, Encanto continued to prove that Disney may have momentary down periods, but when they succeed, they do so with flying colors. With a very accessible story about family, Encanto has a character you relate to and admire. Maybe you’re the outcast of the family, like Bruno (John Leguizamo), or the black sheep, like Mirabel. No matter who you are, the characters jump off the screen and into your heart. Magical realism is not new in animation, but transporting us to this specific world and family was important to the stories Disney was telling. The universality of Encanto struck a chord, making it one of the biggest hits of the 21st Century. **7. ‘The Parent Trap’ (1998)** In 1969, we were introduced to the song “Let’s Get Together” that set the tone for a film about a pair of teenage twins who switch places to reunite their parents. Jump ahead to 1998, when Nancy Meyers updated the Hayley Mills film for modern times, casting a young Lindsay Lohan indual roles. In this remake, identical twins Hallie Parker and Annie James meet at summer camp, where they decide to work together to reunite their divorced parents (Natasha Richardson and Dennis Quaid). Filled with charm and love, is a sweet film that has an affable modern spin. With a winning plot, what sets the film apart is the extraordinary career-making performance by Lohan, the true soul of the film. What makes this a modern Disney classic is the infusion of old and new through iconic moments and characters. Still today, we have that friend with whom we do the signature handshake. We all wish we had a Chessy (Lisa Ann Walter). And when we get our hands on a big floppy hat, we all attempt our hand at the infamous Meredith Blake (Elaine Hendrix) hat moment. In a time when nostalgia drives us toward reboots and sequels, this one stands on its own, not needing a new iteration. **6. ‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993)** There’s just something about [**witches** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchcraft)that pop culture simply adores. We’ve seen good witches and bad witches, but no matter which witch we watch, they’ve been a major part of media. With so many portrayals of spellbinding individuals, when Disney gave Kenny Ortega a chance to put a new spin on witches on screen, little did he know he was about to create a cult classic masterpiece. Bringing the lore of the witches of Salem, Hocus Pocus follows a villainous trio of sister witches, Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy), who are inadvertently resurrected by a teenage boy, Max Dennison (Omri Katz) on Halloween night. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/0d861e3444ddf4c3475b02b3cb20be8b.jpg "0d861e3444ddf4c3475b02b3cb20be8b - bootleg betty") Though the initial reviews were mixed and considered a box office bomb, Hocus Pocus has become the epitome of millennial adoration. The film is wickedly campy and whimsically spooky; [**Hocus Pocus**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/27/do-we-really-need-a-hocus-pocus-3/) is the definition of fun from start to finish. Hocus Pocus is a film that reminds us it’s not about where you start, but how you finish. By legacy standards, Hocus Pocus is never slowing down. From drag tributes to our obsession of the film’s rendition of “I Put a Spell On You,” we simply cannot get enough of Hocus Pocus. If you accept it as a campy good time, you’ll love it all the way through. **5. ‘Finding Nemo’ (2003)** OK. I know. Finding Nemo starts off a bit dark, but Disney is known for killing parents in their films. They did it at the start of Finding Nemo in order to hammer home the film’s most important relationship between father and son. So, once you get over the emotional wave that crashes down, Pixar brings us into the big blue world under the sea. The incredible adventure film follows a clownfish, Marlin (Albert Brooks), who teams up with a forgetful regal blue tang named Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) as they try to find his son, Nemo (Alexander Gould). A story about learning to let go, Finding Nemo is an oceanic adventure that is breathtaking in scope and grounded in emotion. Up until this point, Pixar was doing well as a companion to Disney, dominating the box office with two animated films a year, but the early 2000s were when Pixar took over as the dominant producer, all thanks to Finding Nemo. As the company is known for, the voice cast was quite impressive, featuring Willem Dafoe, Allison Janney, Geoffrey Rush, and Brad Garrett, among others. What sets Finding Nemo apart is the vast world below that they were able to bring us to. This wasn’t The Little Mermaid where we were a bit more stationary under the sea. Finding Nemo swam from a coral reef to P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney, meeting fish, abstaining sharks, and groovy sea turtles along the way. Finding Nemo is perfect, and after all these years, it’s still remarkable watching it back. **4. ‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)** The Walt Disney Company, in its early rise to prominence, was known for its animation division and live-action films, though the former had been much more successful. Without a live-action hit quite yet, Walt Disney not only tried to earn P.L. Travers’ trust to adapt her stories for the screen, but also to secure a whimsical vision and a score from the Sherman Brothers. She finally gave in, and an extraordinary multimedia film came to life. Mary Poppins combined live-action and animation to create a fantasy musical comedy. The story tells the tale of Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews), an eccentric nanny who takes on two children in hopes of improving their family dynamic. A revelatory film, Mary Poppins is one of the most wonderful and sentimental films, overwhelming you with emotion. Visually cheerful, with dazzle and sparkle, the film changed the way stories could be told. The entire score is catchy, with every song a toe tapper. Andrews and Dick Van Dyke have immense chemistry that helps unite the two universes. It’s truly a crowning achievement. It’s almost guaranteed that when you watch, you’ll have an immediate jolly holiday. **3. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991)** A sign of greatness is being nominated for an Academy Award. It’s even more impressive when you make history as the first animated feature to earn a nomination. Bringing the nostalgia from princess films between the 1930s and 1950s, Disney reignited the love of fairy tales through the classic story, Beauty and the Beast. A true tale as old as time, the animated classic brings the story of a prince turned beast seeking to transform back into a human again by finding the one who can break the spell. When a young provincial girl named Belle (Paige O’Hara) arrives at the castle, the Beast’s (Robby Benson) enchanted servants will lead the pair to fall in love and reverse the curse. Between the songwriting team’s, lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken, extraordinary score, the magical world and beloved characters, and a romance we wish to all experience, Beauty and the Beast is exquisitely remarkable. It would be like searching for a needle in a haystack to find a flaw in the film. Thanks to the legacy the movie established, Beauty and the Beast has been passed down for generations with no signs of stopping. **2. ‘The Lion King’ (1994)** Disney has a rich history of talking animals. It’s become a staple of the company. Some talking animals have worn clothes to retell classic stories, such as Robin Hood. Others are living life in the forest like Bambi. But never has Disney taken us to the vast landscapes of the African Savannah until The Lion King. A story about a lion cub who is destined to be king, The Lion King is a musical masterpiece that changed animation forever. Right from the start, the atmosphere is established with a gathering at Pride Rock for the birth of the future king, Simba (voiced by both Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick). Through the sweeping sounds of the iconic Elton John song “Circle of Life,” we witnessed one of the greatest film openings of all time. From there, we met a plethora of fan-favorite characters through sensational songs, and a plot that mirrored Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The Lion King is incredible all the way through. **1. ‘Toy Story’ (1995)** In 1995, Pixar put itself on the map when they brought computer animation to the forefront by telling a story about what happens when toys come to life when their owners aren’t around. A tale where a cowboy doll and a space ranger action figure vie for adoration, Toy Story redefined the power of friendship through a wonderfully colorful world where imagination runs free. Not only was Toy Story a groundbreaking film, but it’s also one of the best animated features of all time. Toy Story gave us a world where all types of toys can live together in unity. When they’re left alone, the fun they have reveals a splendor and wonder about what happens to our own toys. With an original story, we didn’t need a clear-cut hero and villain. Instead, an unlikely pair finds the power of becoming a duo and the reliance on one another. Even with an antagonist introduced in the form of neighbor bad boy Sid (Erik von Detten), it strengthens the unity of our characters. The first film has a stellar voice cast —Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Wallace Shawn, Annie Potts, John Ratzenberger, and more — that literally brings these guys to life. The universe they get to play in, whether it’s Andy’s (John Morris) room or Pizza Planet, is fully realized and visually beautiful. What makes Toy Story incredible from start to finish is that it’s not just a kids’ movie. It’s also for the kids at heart. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Ten%20Incredible%20Disney%20Movies%20From%20Start%20To%20Finish&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Ten%20Incredible%20Disney%20Movies%20From%20Start%20To%20Finish%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Ten%20Incredible%20Disney%20Movies%20From%20Start%20To%20Finish&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Ten%20Incredible%20Disney%20Movies%20From%20Start%20To%20Finish%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Ten%20Incredible%20Disney%20Movies%20From%20Start%20To%20Finish%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Disney, #HocusPocus, #Movies --- ### [On This Day In History: The Bette Midler Movie 'Oliver And Company Was Released', November 18, 1988](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/18/on-this-day-in-history-the-bette-midler-movie-oliver-and-company-was-released-november-18-1988/) **Published:** November 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Oliver & Company, released on November 18, 1988, is a lively animated musical from Walt Disney Pictures that reimagines Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist in the bustling streets of New York City. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty On This Day In History: The Bette Midler Movie ‘Oliver And Company Was Released’ By Mister D Nov. 18, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/gWJvu0qMxH1g86UJN5ytRIFrpwy-1024x576.jpg "Gwjvu0qmxh1g86ujn5ytrifrpwy - bootleg betty")--- [***Oliver & Company***](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/01/03/oliver-and-company-1988/), released on November 18, 1988, is a lively animated musical from Walt Disney Pictures that reimagines Charles Dickens’ [**Oliver Twist**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Twist) in the bustling streets of New York City. The story follows Oliver, a homeless kitten who joins a gang of streetwise dogs led by the charismatic Dodger, voiced by Billy Joel. Together, they navigate urban adventures and help their human friend Fagin out of trouble with a menacing loan shark. Among the film’s standout characters is Georgette, a glamorous and self-absorbed pedigree poodle voiced by Bette Midler. Living in luxury with her owner Jenny, Georgette initially resents Oliver’s intrusion into her pampered world. Midler brings theatrical flair and comic bite to the role, especially in her show-stopping musical number “Perfect Isn’t Easy,” which showcases her Broadway-caliber vocals and Georgette’s diva personality. Though vain and territorial at first, Georgette eventually reveals a softer side and helps rescue Oliver, adding depth to her character arc. With a voice cast that includes Joey Lawrence, Cheech Marin, Dom DeLuise, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, Oliver & Company blends humor, heart, and a pop-infused soundtrack to deliver a uniquely 1980s take on a classic tale—with Midler’s performance adding a memorable dose of camp and charm. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Movie%20%27Oliver%20And%20Company%20Was%20Released%27%2C%20November%2018%2C%201988&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Movie%20%27Oliver%20And%20Company%20Was%20Released%27%2C%20November%2018%2C%201988%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Movie%20%27Oliver%20And%20Company%20Was%20Released%27%2C%20November%2018%2C%201988&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Movie%20%27Oliver%20And%20Company%20Was%20Released%27%2C%20November%2018%2C%201988%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Movie%20%27Oliver%20And%20Company%20Was%20Released%27%2C%20November%2018%2C%201988%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Oliver & Company **Tags:** #Animation, #BetteMidler, #BillyJoel, #Movie, #OliverAndCompany, #sherylLeeRalph --- ### [Video: Bette Midler – Rare Australian Interview (1998) | Bathhouse Betty](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/17/video-bette-midler-rare-australian-interview-1998-bathhouse-betty/) **Published:** November 17, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler – Rare Australian Interview (1998) | Bathhouse Betty **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler – Rare Australian Interview (1998) | Bathhouse Betty By Boodles Bon Bon Nov. 17, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/il_1140xN.5658737871_jyuj.webp "Il_1140xn. 5658737871_jyuj - bootleg betty") ***Artwork: Gerritt Loman*** --- **Original broadcast: Today Show, Australia (1998). Interviewer: Richard Wilkins.** --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Rare%20Australian%20Interview%20%281998%29%20%7C%20Bathhouse%20Betty&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Rare%20Australian%20Interview%20%281998%29%20%7C%20Bathhouse%20Betty%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Rare%20Australian%20Interview%20%281998%29%20%7C%20Bathhouse%20Betty&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Rare%20Australian%20Interview%20%281998%29%20%7C%20Bathhouse%20Betty%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%E2%80%93%20Rare%20Australian%20Interview%20%281998%29%20%7C%20Bathhouse%20Betty%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Baths, Bette Midler, Interview, Video **Tags:** #Australian, #BathhouseBetty, #BetteMidler, #BoodlesBonBon, #GerrittLoman, #Interview, #RichardWilkins --- ### [On This Day In History: Bette Midler's 4th Album, Broken Blossom, Is Released, November 17, 1977](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/17/on-this-day-in-history-bette-midlers-4th-album-broken-blossom-is-released-november-17-1977/) **Published:** November 17, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The title "Broken Blossom" appears to be a subtle nod to the 1919 silent film "Broken Blossoms," directed by D.W. Griffith, which tells a tragic story of love and abuse set in London’s Limehouse district. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty On This Day In History: Bette Midler’s 4th Album, Broken Blossom, Is Released By Mister D Nov. 17, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/169610-1024x988.jpg "169610 - bootleg betty")--- [**Bette Midler’s**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) fourth studio album, *[**Broken Blossom**](https://bootlegbetty.com/reviews-broken-blossom-bette-midler/)*, was released on November 17, 1977 (48 years old), by Atlantic Records. Coming just months after her live album *Live at Last*, this record marked a return to studio experimentation and genre-blending that had become her signature. Produced by Brooks Arthur and Midler herself, *Broken Blossom* is a theatrical mosaic of styles, ranging from torch songs to rock covers and whimsical standards. The album includes a sultry duet with Tom Waits on “I Never Talk to Strangers,” a dramatic rendition of Billy Joel’s “Say Goodbye to Hollywood,” and a dreamy take on Edith Piaf’s “La Vie en Rose.” Midler also covered Harry Nilsson’s “Paradise” and closed the album with “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from Disney’s *Cinderella*, showcasing her flair for sentimental show tunes. Though it peaked modestly at No. 51 on the Billboard charts, *Broken Blossom* stands out for its eclecticism and theatricality, reflecting Midler’s cabaret roots and her growing confidence as a producer and interpreter of diverse musical styles. The title *“Broken Blossom”* appears to be a subtle nod to the 1919 silent film *“Broken Blossoms,”* directed by D.W. Griffith, which tells a tragic story of love and abuse set in London’s Limehouse district. While Bette Midler’s album doesn’t directly reference the film in its lyrics or themes, the evocative title and theatrical tone suggest a thematic resonance—both works explore vulnerability, longing, and emotional complexity. Midler, known for her deep appreciation of vintage Hollywood and theatrical drama, may have chosen the title to evoke a sense of faded beauty or emotional fragility, much like the film’s central motifs. However, there’s no official confirmation that the album is a direct homage, so it’s best interpreted as a poetic parallel rather than a literal tribute. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%204th%20Album%2C%20Broken%20Blossom%2C%20Is%20Released%2C%20November%2017%2C%201977&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%204th%20Album%2C%20Broken%20Blossom%2C%20Is%20Released%2C%20November%2017%2C%201977%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%204th%20Album%2C%20Broken%20Blossom%2C%20Is%20Released%2C%20November%2017%2C%201977&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%204th%20Album%2C%20Broken%20Blossom%2C%20Is%20Released%2C%20November%2017%2C%201977%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%204th%20Album%2C%20Broken%20Blossom%2C%20Is%20Released%2C%20November%2017%2C%201977%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Music, On This Day In History **Tags:** #Album, #AtlanticRecords, #BetteMidler, #BrokenBlossom, #Disney, #DWGriffith, #History --- ### [Martin von Haselberg: Who Is The Man Who Married Bette Midler?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/16/martin-von-haselberg-who-is-the-man-who-married-bette-midler/) **Published:** November 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Martin Rochus Sebastian von Haselberg is a performance artist, contemporary sculptor, and commodities trader who became known for his boundary-pushing work with The Kipper Kids. **Content:** --- ## Sport Galon Martin von Haselberg: Anarchic Artist Who Married Bette Midler By Austin Ruth November 13, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/bette-midler-martin-von-haselberg-1-7118fb55dff3424ba719e08e11a5680a-1024x768.jpg "Bette-midler-martin-von-haselberg-1-7118fb55dff3424ba719e08e11a5680a - bootleg betty")--- Martin Rochus Sebastian von Haselberg is a performance artist, contemporary sculptor, and commodities trader who became known for his boundary-pushing work with The Kipper Kids. Born in Buenos Aires but raised across Europe, he built a career that blends avant-garde art with financial pragmatism. His marriage to entertainer Bette Midler since 1984 has lasted over four decades. What sets von Haselberg apart is his refusal to fit one mold. He’s worked as a trader while creating shocking performance art, shifted from live shows to sculptural installations, and maintained a private family life despite his wife’s fame. His story shows how artists can sustain long careers by staying flexible and financially smart. **Martin von Haselberg Quick Bio Summary** **Full Name** Martin Rochus Sebastian von Haselberg **Date of Birth** January 20, 1949 **Age (2025)** 76 years old **Place of Birth** Buenos Aires, Argentina **Nationality / Heritage** German descent; raised in Europe **Height** 5’7? (170 cm) **Professions** Performance artist, contemporary sculptor, commodities trader **Notable Work** The Kipper Kids (experimental performance duo) **Marriage** Bette Midler (m. 1984) **Children** Sophie von Haselberg (born 1986) **Art Highlights** “Floatulents” installation series, film appearances in Forbidden Zone and UHF **Net Worth** Estimated $250 million (from art + trading) **Public Profile** Low-profile artist; maintains privacy despite spouse’s fame **Early Life and European Upbringing** Martin von Haselberg was born on January 20, 1949, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to a family of German descent. According to IMDb, von Haselberg was the youngest of four boys who left Germany at age 12 to attend boarding school in England. His childhood split between Germany and England shaped his rebellious streak and artistic sensibility. Von Haselberg described his education as classical, studying Greek and Latin in boarding schools. He admitted being “a terrible student” who got expelled from two schools for behavior teachers saw as disruptive. This early pattern of challenging authority would fuel his later work in experimental performance. His Argentine birth is a biographical footnote; his formative years were distinctly European. The contrast between structured classical education and his natural resistance created tension that defined his artistic approach. By his teens, he already showed signs of someone who couldn’t stay inside conventional boundaries. **Drama School and the Birth of The Kipper Kids** Von Haselberg studied acting at East 15 Acting School in England, where he met fellow student Brian Routh. As documented on Wikipedia, von Haselberg and Brian Routh created a character called “Harry Kipper” and began performing together as an experimental duo. When school officials deemed their work “too experimental,” they left formal training and took their act on the road. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/the-kipper-kids-shocking-audiences-across-two-continents-1024x538-1.jpg "The-kipper-kids-shocking-audiences-across-two-continents-1024x538 - bootleg betty")This decision to abandon traditional theater for fringe performance was risky but defining. The duo became The Kipper Kids (also known as “Harry and Harry Kipper”), a name that anchored von Haselberg’s public identity for the next decade. Their partnership combined formal dramatic training with punk-era chaos. **The Kipper Kids: Shocking Audiences Across Two Continents** In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Martin von Haselberg and Brian Routh performed as The Kipper Kids, presenting unpredictable shows that combined slapstick, props, food, fire, and eccentric costumes. Their performances challenged audiences rather than aiming to entertain conventionally, quickly establishing them in the experimental art scene across Europe and the United States. The duo also appeared in film and TV, including Forbidden Zone (1982), UHF (1989), and an episode of Moonlighting (1989), bringing their avant-garde style to a wider audience. Their work stood out for its timing and originality, as performance art was moving beyond theaters into public spaces and media, yet they maintained their unique vision without catering to mainstream expectations. **Shifting to Contemporary Art and Visual Installations** After the peak of The Kipper Kids era, von Haselberg transitioned into contemporary visual art and installations. His solo work includes a series titled “Floatulents”—large photographic images transformed into inflatable sculptural shapes. This work was presented at the New Orleans Museum of Art in 2009. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/martin-von-haselberg-the-unlikely-dual-career-art-and-commodities-trading-1024x538-1.jpg "Martin-von-haselberg-the-unlikely-dual-career-art-and-commodities-trading-1024x538 - bootleg betty")In a 1986 interview with the Los Angeles Times, von Haselberg described his philosophy: “Art should have a strong spiritual effect on people. By that, I meant that it should affect them as spiritual beings.” This perspective shows a shift from shock tactics to contemplative engagement. His artistic evolution moved from raw, confrontational performance to sculpture, photography, and installation work. The transition wasn’t abandonment—it was expansion. Von Haselberg proved he could work across mediums, adapting his creative voice to new forms. This breadth kept his career alive beyond the shelf life of most performance art acts. **The Unlikely Dual Career: Art and Commodities Trading** One of the most surprising aspects of von Haselberg’s life is his work in commodities trading. He revealed: “I’ve been trading commodities since before I went to drama school and did the Kipper Kids.” He added that if he was just a trader, he’d be creatively frustrated, but if he was only an artist, he wouldn’t earn money. This dual existence—artist and finance professional—reinforced a multi-dimensional identity. His career wasn’t linear; it was layered and pragmatic. The finance work gave him freedom rare among experimental artists. He didn’t have to compromise his vision for commercial viability because trading provided income stability. This practical approach to sustaining a creative life offers a template other artists often overlook. Von Haselberg built financial security that protected his artistic independence. **Meeting Bette Midler and a Las Vegas Wedding** Von Haselberg met entertainer Bette Midler in the early 1980s, beginning a romance in 1981. People confirmed they married in Las Vegas on December 16, 1984, after a six-week courtship. An Elvis impersonator officiated the ceremony at the Starlight Chapel, and Midler admitted she was the one who proposed. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/30def9897640c8ac1855873cfacc2e69.jpeg "30def9897640c8ac1855873cfacc2e69 - bootleg betty") Reflecting on their fast-moving romance, von Haselberg said he made a conscious choice to work on their relationship from the start, even without knowing Midler well. It shows he approached their marriage with intention, not just impulse. His willingness to work at the relationship, despite barely knowing his partner, set the foundation for their longevity. Their quick Las Vegas wedding became legendary for being both spontaneous and deliberate. It shows that lasting relationships don’t always follow a slow, careful path. Sometimes commitment is a conscious choice made early and reinforced daily. **Martin von Haselberg’s Fatherhood and Family Life** The couple’s daughter, Sophie von Haselberg, was born in 1986. Bette Midler has spoken publicly about von Haselberg’s parenting to People Magazine in a 2014 interview: “My husband is probably the greatest father who ever lived. He’s fantastic. He picked up the slack when I was on the road. He taught her a foreign language. He taught her to cook.” Sophie herself described him as “my cool dad.” ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/bette-midler-husband-martin-von-haselberg-kids-sophie-1664479491.avif "Bette-midler-husband-martin-von-haselberg-kids-sophie-1664479491 - bootleg betty")Von Haselberg took an active, hands-on role in raising Sophie while Midler toured and filmed. His background—multilingual, artistically trained, financially savvy—gave Sophie an unconventional education. The family dynamic reversed traditional celebrity household roles, with the father as primary caregiver during work periods. This arrangement worked because von Haselberg’s career allowed flexibility that Midler’s schedule didn’t. His trading and art projects could shift around parenting needs. Their family structure shows how couples can navigate demanding careers without defaulting to nannies or distant parenting. **Marriage Secrets: Space, Respect, and Separate Bedrooms** Midler and von Haselberg’s marriage has lasted over 40 years, unusual in entertainment circles. Reports indicate they sleep in separate bedrooms because of his snoring. Midler noted the secret to their lasting marriage: “I think the secret is giving each other a lot of lead and a lot of room and not being in each other’s faces all the time.” ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/f4bfb9cd79890445c54f29e3bb5e3eaf.jpg "F4bfb9cd79890445c54f29e3bb5e3eaf - bootleg betty") She also advised in a People Magazine interview: “Don’t diminish each other. Don’t make each other less. Don’t try to make each other wrong all the time. Don’t blame.” These reflections give insight into their mutual respect, autonomy, and unconventional approach. They’ve built a partnership on independence rather than constant togetherness. The separate bedrooms detail isn’t marital trouble—it’s practical problem-solving. Many long-term couples find that physical space can preserve emotional closeness. Von Haselberg and Midler demonstrate that traditional marriage conventions aren’t requirements for lasting commitment. **Martin von Haselberg Physical Traits and Public Profile** Martin von Haselberg was born on January 20, 1949, making him 76 years old as of 2025. According to The Famous People his height as 5’7? (170 cm), though height claims in online profiles are less reliably documented. He maintains a low public profile compared to his famous wife. Von Haselberg rarely gives interviews or appears at public events. His preference for privacy contrasts sharply with Midler’s public-facing career. This imbalance—one partner famous, one private—requires boundaries both have clearly maintained. **Net Worth and Financial Standing** According to Celebrity Net Worth, Martin von Haselberg’s net worth at $250 million as of recent reports. This figure should be treated as approximate, as private wealth is difficult to verify publicly. His dual income streams—art sales and commodities trading—likely contributed to substantial financial stability over decades. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/bette-midler-martin-von-haselberg-10-73715278f85b4969a704989ae5c281fb-1024x768.jpg "Bette-midler-martin-von-haselberg-10-73715278f85b4969a704989ae5c281fb - bootleg betty")The net worth estimate is significantly high for a performance artist. It suggests his trading career was more lucrative than his art sales. Financial success gave him the luxury to create art without commercial pressure. **Cultural Heritage and Personal Identity** Von Haselberg is of German descent, despite his Argentine birthplace. His upbringing was largely European, with his parents’ identities and professions remaining undocumented in public records. Not much is known about his parents or specific early educational background beyond his boarding school years. This privacy extends to his personal religious beliefs, which have never been publicly discussed. Von Haselberg has maintained clear boundaries around family history and private beliefs. He’s chosen to let his work speak louder than biographical details. **Martin von Haselberg Legacy** Martin von Haselberg’s career defies easy categorization. He moved from experimental performance to visual art, from trading floors to gallery installations, from public spectacle to private family life. His work with The Kipper Kids placed him in punk-adjacent counterculture history. What makes his story instructive is the refusal to choose one identity. He didn’t abandon art for finance or vice versa. He built a layered life that sustained creativity, family, and financial security at once. Von Haselberg proves that artists don’t have to starve or compromise. Strategic financial planning alongside creative work offers freedom most artists never achieve. His marriage longevity and involved fatherhood challenge stereotypes about artists being too self-absorbed for stable relationships. **Conclusion** Martin von Haselberg has built a life that balances creativity, practicality, and family. From his boundary-pushing performances with The Kipper Kids to contemporary visual art and commodities trading, he has shown that artists can sustain long careers without compromising their vision. His work demonstrates flexibility, experimentation, and thoughtful financial planning. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/martin-von-haselberg-physical-traits-and-public-profile-768x403-1.jpg "Martin-von-haselberg-physical-traits-and-public-profile-768x403 - bootleg betty")His 40-year marriage to Bette Midler and active role in raising their daughter highlight a practical approach to relationships and family life. Von Haselberg’s story is a reminder that success doesn’t always follow conventional paths—creative fulfillment, financial stability, and strong family ties can coexist. **FAQ’s about Martin von Haselberg** **How old is Martin von Haselberg?** Born January 20, 1949, he is 76 years old as of 2025. **Who is Martin von Haselberg’s daughter?** Sophie von Haselberg, born in 1986, is an actress in film and television. **What were The Kipper Kids known for?** An anarchic performance art duo featuring shocking live shows with physical comedy, props, and fire during the 1970s and 1980s. **How long have Martin von Haselberg and Bette Midler been married?** They married December 16, 1984, making their marriage over 40 years as of 2025. **What is Martin von Haselberg’s net worth?** Estimates suggest approximately $250 million, though this figure is not independently verified. **What is Martin von Haselberg’s height?** Listed as 5’7? (170 cm), though height claims are less reliably documented. **Did Martin von Haselberg work outside of art?** Yes, he worked as a commodities trader alongside his performance art and visual art career. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Martin%20von%20Haselberg%3A%20Who%20Is%20The%20Man%20Who%20Married%20Bette%20Midler%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Martin%20von%20Haselberg%3A%20Who%20Is%20The%20Man%20Who%20Married%20Bette%20Midler%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Martin%20von%20Haselberg%3A%20Who%20Is%20The%20Man%20Who%20Married%20Bette%20Midler%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Martin%20von%20Haselberg%3A%20Who%20Is%20The%20Man%20Who%20Married%20Bette%20Midler%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Martin%20von%20Haselberg%3A%20Who%20Is%20The%20Man%20Who%20Married%20Bette%20Midler%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Martin, Sophie von Haselberg **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Family, #HarryKipper, #KipperKids, #MartinVonHaselberg, #performanceartist, #SophieVonHaselberg --- ### [On This Day In History: Bette Midler's Second Album 'Bette Midler' Was Released, November 16, 1973](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/16/on-this-day-in-history-bette-midlers-second-album-bette-midler-was-released-november-16-1973-2/) **Published:** November 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's second studio album, simply titled Bette Midler, was released on November 16, 1973, by Atlantic Records. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty On This Day: Bette Midler’s Second Album ‘Bette Midler’ Was Released By Mister D Nov. 16, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/bette-midler-albums-photo-1-1024x1015.jpeg "Bette-midler-albums-photo-1 - bootleg betty")--- Bette Midler’s second studio album, simply titled *[**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/)*, was released on November 16, 1973 (52 years old), by Atlantic Records. Following the success of her debut album, [**The Divine Miss M**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Divine_Miss_M), this sophomore effort showcased Midler’s theatrical flair and musical versatility. Produced by Arif Mardin and Barry Manilow, the album blends pop, vocal, and swing influences across a 32-minute runtime. It features a diverse selection of songs, including covers like “Skylark” by Johnny Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael, Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released,” and a medley of Phil Spector-style hits such as “Uptown” and “Da Doo Run Run.” The album also features dramatic pieces, such as “Surabaya Johnny,” and energetic tracks, including “Higher and Higher (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me).” Critically praised for its emotional depth and artistic ambition, Bette Midler reached number six on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold by the RIAA, cementing Midler’s reputation as a dynamic and daring performer. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Second%20Album%20%27Bette%20Midler%27%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2016%2C%201973&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Second%20Album%20%27Bette%20Midler%27%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2016%2C%201973%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Second%20Album%20%27Bette%20Midler%27%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2016%2C%201973&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Second%20Album%20%27Bette%20Midler%27%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2016%2C%201973%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=On%20This%20Day%20In%20History%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Second%20Album%20%27Bette%20Midler%27%20Was%20Released%2C%20November%2016%2C%201973%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, History, Music, On This Day In History **Tags:** #Album, #ArifMardin, #AtlanticRecords, #BarryManilow, #BetteMidler, #History, #OnThisDayInHistory, #thedivinemissm --- ### [Two Creative Bette Midler Videos From Boodles BonBon](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/15/two-creative-bette-midler-videos-from-boodles-bonbon/) **Published:** November 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Two Creative Bette Midler Videos From Boodles BonBon **Content:** --- ## YouTube Two Creative Bette Midler Videos From Boodles BonBon By Boodles BonBon Nov 15, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/f391c45be07e13382349b0bf883fad9f.jpg "F391c45be07e13382349b0bf883fad9f - bootleg betty") --- **[Bette Midler](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000541/) – Friends** --- **Bette Midler – [You’re Moving Out Today](https://bootlegbetty.com/youre-moving-out-today/)** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Two%20Creative%20Bette%20Midler%20Videos%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Two%20Creative%20Bette%20Midler%20Videos%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Two%20Creative%20Bette%20Midler%20Videos%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Two%20Creative%20Bette%20Midler%20Videos%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Two%20Creative%20Bette%20Midler%20Videos%20From%20Boodles%20BonBon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, friends, Videos **Tags:** #You'reMovingoutToday, BetteMidler, Friends, Music, videos --- ### [How to Get Cast in Warner Bros. “Cut Off” Starring Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/15/how-to-get-cast-in-warner-bros-cut-off-starring-bette-midler/) **Published:** November 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Jonah Hill returns with a hilarious and heartfelt new comedy, Cut Off, set to hit theaters on July 17, 2026. **Content:** --- ## Project Casting How to Get Cast in Warner Bros. “Cut Off” Starring Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig & Bette Midler By Jonathan Browne Nov. 15, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2018-12-03_3-09-25-480x570-1.png "2018-12-03_3-09-25-480x570 - bootleg betty") --- **Summary** Jonah Hill returns with a hilarious and heartfelt new comedy, [**Cut Off**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/01/why-cut-off-is-the-most-anticipated-dark-comedy-of-2026/), set to hit theaters on July 17, 2026. Produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, the film follows two spoiled, ultra-rich siblings who must finally face reality when their parents cut them off financially. With an all-star cast and fresh direction, this film is one of the most anticipated comedies of the year. **About “Cut Off”** Cut Off is a sharp, character-driven comedy about privilege, family, and self-discovery. The story follows two non-fraternal twins (played by Kristen Wiig and Jonah Hill) who have everything—until their wealthy parents suddenly decide to stop supporting them. Now forced to live without luxury, the duo must navigate the “real world” for the first time, facing life’s hilarious and chaotic lessons head-on. Directed, co-written, and produced by Jonah Hill, Cut Off combines heartfelt moments with sharp humor, exploring what happens when entitlement meets everyday survival. **Cast** The ensemble cast includes some of the most beloved names in film and comedy: **Jonah Hill** as one of the spoiled siblings **Kristen Wiig** as his equally unprepared twin **[Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler)** in a witty parental role **Nathan Lane** in a comedic supporting role **Camila Cabello** in an exciting feature film turn **Langston Kerman and Adriana Barraza** rounding out the cast This stellar lineup ensures Cut Off delivers humor, chaos, and plenty of heart. **Production Details** *Production Company:* Warner Bros. Pictures / Strong Baby *Producers:* Matt Dines, Ali Goodwin, Jesse Ehrman, Zach Hamby, and Jonah Hill *Director:* Jonah Hill *Writers:* Jonah Hill and Ezra Woods *Filming Location:* Los Angeles, California *Release Date:* July 17, 2026 Filming began in August 2025 in Los Angeles and wrapped in late fall, showcasing the sunny Californian backdrop that mirrors the film’s energetic tone. **How to Get Cast in “Cut Off”** If you’re eager to work alongside Jonah Hill and Kristen Wiig, here’s how to boost your chances of landing a role in Cut Off or future Warner Bros. comedies. **Stay Updated on Casting Calls** Follow trusted casting platforms like Project Casting, where verified opportunities are regularly posted for Warner Bros. and feature films shooting in Los Angeles. **Highlight Comedic Range** Since Cut Off is a comedy with emotional depth, casting directors will look for actors who can blend timing, expression, and authenticity. Include reel clips that show humor and relatability. **Embrace Character Roles** Jonah Hill’s direction often leans on quirky, offbeat personalities. Even small roles may feature big moments of comedic impact, so audition boldly and commit to your character. **Network with Local Agencies** Many supporting and background roles for Cut Off will be cast through Los Angeles-based talent agencies. Ensure your profile is current and includes recent headshots. **Watch for Warner Bros. Submissions** The studio’s comedy slate frequently expands. Submitting for Cut Off can also open doors to future projects under Warner Bros. Entertainment or Strong Baby Productions. **Outside Information: Why “Cut Off” Stands Out** According to Deadline and Variety, Cut Off marks Jonah Hill’s return to directing after his acclaimed work on Mid90s and Stutz. The film’s concept—two siblings learning humility through chaos—reflects Hill’s signature mix of wit and sincerity. Kristen Wiig’s involvement also raises excitement, with her comedic chemistry perfectly matched to Hill’s grounded humor. Add Bette Midler and Nathan Lane, and the project promises not just laughs but layered storytelling and heartfelt performances. With production handled by Warner Bros. Pictures, Cut Off combines a major studio’s polish with indie-style humor, making it one of the most anticipated comedies of 2026. **Get Noticed by Casting Directors** Want to join projects like Cut Off? Start building your profile on Project Casting, where actors and crew discover opportunities daily. From feature films to streaming productions, Project Casting connects you directly with verified casting calls, industry insights, and audition guides. Your next big break could start here — apply to open roles now on [**Project Casting**](https://projectcasting.com/). Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20to%20Get%20Cast%20in%20Warner%20Bros.%20%E2%80%9CCut%20Off%E2%80%9D%20Starring%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20to%20Get%20Cast%20in%20Warner%20Bros.%20%E2%80%9CCut%20Off%E2%80%9D%20Starring%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20to%20Get%20Cast%20in%20Warner%20Bros.%20%E2%80%9CCut%20Off%E2%80%9D%20Starring%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20to%20Get%20Cast%20in%20Warner%20Bros.%20%E2%80%9CCut%20Off%E2%80%9D%20Starring%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20to%20Get%20Cast%20in%20Warner%20Bros.%20%E2%80%9CCut%20Off%E2%80%9D%20Starring%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CutOff, #JonahHill, #KristenWiig, #Movie, #NathanLane --- ### [CNN's Fast Facts On Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/15/cnns-fast-facts-on-bette-midler/) **Published:** November 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Here is a look at the life of award-winning singer, actress, comedian and activist Bette Midler. **Content:** --- ## CNN CNN’s Fast Facts On Bette Midler By CNN Editorial Research Nov. 15, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/373f4bbd8240b3e4dfaff63aa19ca697.jpg "373f4bbd8240b3e4dfaff63aa19ca697 - bootleg betty") --- Here is a look at the life of award-winning singer, actress, comedian, and activist [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc). **Personal** Birth date: December 1, 1945 Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii Birth name: Bette Davis Midler Father: Fred Midler, house painter Mother: Ruth (Schindel) Midler, seamstress Marriage: Martin von Haselberg (1984-present) Children: Sophie Education: Attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2004_-_January_05_-_Kiss_My_Brass_-_04.jpg "2004_-_january_05_-_kiss_my_brass_-_04 - bootleg betty") --- **Other [Facts](https://factsmgt.com/)** Named after actress Bette Davis. Nominated for 14 Grammy Awards and has won three. Nominated for nine Emmy Awards and has won three. Nominated for two Academy Awards, but has not won. Nominated for one Tony Award and won. Also received a special Tony award in 1974 for “adding lustre to the Broadway season.” She was the valedictorian of her high school class. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-10-30_04-55-19.png "2025-10-30_04-55-19 - bootleg betty") --- **Timeline** 1965 – Moves to New York City after winning a small part in the movie “Hawaii.” 1966 – Makes her Broadway debut in “Fiddler on the Roof.” Late 1960s-Early 1970s – Performs at the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in New York, with Barry Manilow as her pianist, arranger, and musical director. 1970 – Midler appears on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson for the first time. April 28-May 16, 1971 – Midler stars as the “Acid Queen” in the first professional production of the rock opera, “Tommy.” November 1972 – Releases her first album on Atlantic Records, “The Divine Miss M.” March 2, 1974 – Wins the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. April 1974 – Receives a special Tony Award for “adding lustre to the Broadway season.” September 17, 1978 – Wins the Emmy Award for Outstanding Special in a Comedy-Variety or Musical for “Ol’ Red Hair is Back.” November 7, 1979 – Her first film, “The Rose,” is released. It is loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin. 1980 – Simon & Schuster publishes her first book, “A View from a Broad.” February 25, 1981 – Wins the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Performance, for her single, “The Rose.” January 28, 1985 – Midler joins 45 other stars to record “We Are the World,” USA for Africa’s fund-raising single. 1985 – Forms All Girl Productions, with partner Bonnie Bruckheimer. November 22, 1988 – Releases the soundtrack to the film “Beaches.” The album goes triple platinum, and the title track, “Wind Beneath My Wings,” goes to number one. February 21, 1990 – Wins the Grammy Award for Record of the Year for “Wind Beneath My Wings,” with producer Arif Mardin. September 15, 1991 – Is presented with the Commitment to Life Award from AIDS Project Los Angeles for her work in the fight against HIV/AIDS. August 30, 1992 – Wins an Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program for her May 21, 1992, appearance as one of the two final guests of “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson. December 12, 1993 – Stars as “Mama Rose” in the television version of the famed Broadway play, “Gypsy.” July 7, 1995 – Midler launches The New York Restoration Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing the open spaces in under-resourced communities in New York. In 2025, the organization will celebrate 30 years of service. September 14, 1997 – Wins the Emmy for Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program for her HBO special “Diva Las Vegas.” 2003 – Joins forces with Barry Manilow for the first time since the 1970s to record “Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook.” February 20, 2008 – “Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On” debuts at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. The show includes the Harlettes, the Caesar Salad Girls, and a 13-piece band. The show ends its run in January 2010. March 20, 2011 – “Priscilla: Queen of the Desert” opens on Broadway. Midler is the co-producer of the show, which runs through June 2012. June 14, 2012 – Receives the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. April 24, 2013 – “I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers” opens on Broadway with Midler’s portrayal of the famous Hollywood agent. The show runs through June 2013. November 4, 2014 – Releases her 14th studio album “It’s the Girls,” a tribute to the music of famous girl-groups over the years. June 11, 2017 – Wins a Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for “Hello Dolly.” September 14, 2017 – Takes a tumble during a Broadway performance of “Hello Dolly” after two set pieces collide and gets back on stage after a short break to resume her performance. June 29, 2019 – Headlines: New York’s Pride Main Event, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stonewall at WorldPride NYC. The event is held at the Javits Center in Manhattan and includes performances by Cyndi Lauper, Billy Porter, and Brandy. February 16, 2021 – Midler’s children’s book, “The Tale of the Mandarin Duck,” is published. December 5, 2021 – Receives the Kennedy Center Honors lifetime achievement award. --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-10-30_04-56-30.png "2025-10-30_04-56-30 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=CNN%27s%20Fast%20Facts%20On%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=CNN%27s%20Fast%20Facts%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=CNN%27s%20Fast%20Facts%20On%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=CNN%27s%20Fast%20Facts%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=CNN%27s%20Fast%20Facts%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DivineMissM, #Facts, #Personal, #TimeLine --- ### [Bette Midler's New Selfie!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/14/bette-midlers-new-selfie/) **Published:** November 14, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler is turning heads with a fresh transformation that fans can’t stop talking about. The legendary Hocus Pocus star recently shared a striking selfie on Instagram, proudly revealing her new gray hairstyle. **Content:** --- ## Do You Remember? Bette Midler’s New Selfie! By Ruth A. Nov. 14, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-14_12-02-18.png "2025-11-14_12-02-18 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/theatre/#.VhuiQFRViko) is turning heads with a fresh transformation that fans can’t stop talking about. The legendary Hocus Pocus star recently shared a striking selfie on Instagram, proudly revealing her new gray hairstyle. The 79-year-old actress, known for her vibrant red curls, debuted the softer look while filming her latest project, [**Cut Off**](https://deadline.com/2025/09/cut-off-movie-casts-bette-midler-jonah-hill-warner-bros-1236565043/), alongside Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, and Nathan Lane, according to Parade. In the close-up photo, Midler wore full glam makeup—rosy cheeks, a mauve lip, and a smoky eye—while her hair featured voluminous curls that beautifully framed her face. Fans quickly filled her comments with admiration, calling her “fabulous” and “the Divine Miss M.” Many praised how effortlessly Bette Midler’s grey hair accentuated her timeless beauty. The new style has quickly become a fan favorite, with followers showering the star with love and excitement. “Yes, hair!!!! Looking good, Miss M!” one fan exclaimed, referencing her classic album The Divine Miss M. Others applauded her confidence, saying her natural look shows that true glamour only gets better with age. Midler revealed that her grey hair look was part of her role in Cut Off, a comedy about two siblings cut off by their parents. Her character, the family matriarch, perfectly suits the elegant and mature look. With her effortless grace and charm, Bette Midler’s grey hair has become a new symbol of her evolving artistry and strength. While embracing this natural style, Midler also continues to celebrate her legacy. She’s set to return as Winifred Sanderson in Hocus Pocus 3, with co-stars Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker. Fans can expect her signature red curls for that role, but off-screen, Bette Midler’s grey hair represents authenticity and renewal. In her recent interviews, Midler described the upcoming film’s script as “brilliant” and expressed her excitement for what’s ahead. Whether fiery red or gracefully gray, Bette Midler remains a true Hollywood icon, radiating elegance and individuality at every turn. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20Selfie%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20Selfie%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20Selfie%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20Selfie%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20Selfie%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Cut Off, Instagram, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CutOff, #Instagram, #Movie, #Selfie --- ### [These R-Rated Movies Weren't Typical For Disney](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/14/these-r-rated-movies-werent-typical-for-disney/) **Published:** November 14, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "Down and Out in Beverly Hills," a comedy concerning an unhoused man (Nick Nolte) upending the lives of a rich Beverly Hills couple (Richard Dreyfuss and Bette Midler), began shooting in 1985, primed for a January 1986 theatrical release. **Content:** --- ## Looper R-Rated Movies You Forgot Were Released By Disney By Lisa Laman Nov. 11, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MV5BNGI5M2Q5MTYtYjJkMS00NDU5LWE1ODktNzU3OTk4ZWY1OGJjXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_.jpg "Mv5bngi5m2q5mtytyjjkms00ndu5lwe1odktnzu3otk4zwy1ogjjxkeyxkfqcgc@. _v1_ - bootleg betty")--- Everyone has an idea about what a Disney movie “should” look like. Typically, it means sticking within G or PG-rated confines, often with plenty of musical numbers, and never alienating family audiences. That certainly has defined many of the biggest motion pictures attached to the Disney logo. However, the studio’s theatrical releases over the years have been a bit more nuanced than that default image. For one thing, there have been the various “Star Wars” and Marvel Cinematic Universe movies released by Disney from 2012 onward, including the super R-rated “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Even beyond those properties, Disney’s library of movies includes some unexpected titles. In fact, there’s a slew of R-rated projects nestled within various corners of the Mouse House’s history, hailing from now-defunct divisions like Touchstone and Hollywood Pictures. The logos for those studios no longer grace the silver screen, but their R-rated output remains a part of the Disney legacy. Their mature audience films are amusing to remember as hailing from the same studio that made “Beauty & The Beast” or “Snow White” — although, to be fair, “Snow White” has a dark history. These mostly forgotten movies shatter the conventional perception of what Disney’s output “should” look like. Everything in the world is laced with nuance. That includes the history of Walt Disney’s stately old studio. Still, you won’t find these movies promoted at Disneyland anytime soon. **Down and Out in Beverly Hills** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/bette-midler_down-and-out-in-beverly-hills-1986-1024x512.avif "Bette-midler_down-and-out-in-beverly-hills-1986 - bootleg betty")[***“Down and Out in Beverly Hills,”***](https://bootlegbetty.com/2020/01/01/down-and-out-in-beverly-hills-still-remains-relevant-today/) a comedy concerning an unhoused man (Nick Nolte) upending the lives of a rich Beverly Hills couple (Richard Dreyfuss and [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler)), began shooting in 1985, primed for a January 1986 theatrical release. The movie also marked an important step in new CEO Michael Eisner’s plans to overhaul the Disney corporation, broadening its territory beyond kiddie fare. “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” would mark the first R-rated feature released by the Mouse House, albeit via their Touchstone label rather than the Walt Disney Pictures moniker proper. Per James P. Stewart’s “DisneyWar,” embarking on more adult-skewing projects was part of Eisner’s goal to bolster Disney’s annual slate of films and make the studio into a formidable Hollywood player. It was a bold move, putting Disney in uncharted territory. The gamble paid off. “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” grossed $62.13 million domestically on a $14 million budget, a clear hit for such a big risk. After that, Touchstone began delivering a slew of comedies, including a subsequent Dreyfuss flick, “What About Bob?” Though largely forgotten today, “Beverly Hills” paved the way for subsequent non-family-oriented Disney hits back in the days when MTV still played music videos. **The Royal Tenenbaums** Wes Anderson’s first directorial effort, the 1996 “Bottle Rocket,” was released into theaters courtesy of Columbia Pictures. After that, Anderson began releasing his features through Disney and Touchstone Pictures. Following “Rushmore,” the next film Anderson did under Disney’s eye (and his third film, total) was “The Royal Tenenbaums.” Now regarded as one of Anderson’s best movies, (we pin it at No. 6 in our list of his best) the film was an anomaly for Touchstone, which largely focused on silly comedies or fare like the Memorial Day blockbuster, “Pearl Harbor.” Instead, here was a tonally complicated yarn about a troubled family, marital separation, death, and more. Nonetheless, “Tenenbaums” was one of the last and most powerful Disney releases of 2001. It hit theaters with an R-rating, which is unsurprising given the heavy material that the film focuses on. There’s a lengthy set piece dedicated to a suicide attempt, while sexual material abounds throughout the story. All of this emphasizes very human struggles of the titular family. Daring to shine a light on familial messiness resulted in critical acclaim and a terrific box office haul. The partnership didn’t last forever, with Anderson jumping ship to Fox Searchlight and Focus Features starting with 2007’s “The Darjeeling Limited.” However, as “Royal Tenenbaums” demonstrated, the unusual Wes Anderson and Touchstone Pictures relationship did work well for both parties, for a while. **Ed Wood** With 1994’s “Ed Wood,” director Tim Burton came home to Disney. Though he had been a key creative figurehead behind the 1993 Disney feature “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Ed Wood” saw the former Disney animator, once too macabre for their taste, finally directing a motion picture under their roof. The artist that once seemed too unorthodox to work at the studio was now returning as a hero after hits at rival studios like “Beetlejuice” and “Batman.” When Columbia Pictures passed on “Ed Wood,” Disney executives leaped at the opportunity. “Ed Wood” was a far less commercial Burton effort than some of his prior works, but that didn’t deter Disney. This black-and-white period piece focused on the titular B-movie director (Johnny Depp), his eccentric creative visions, and his relationship with an elderly Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau). None of it was mainstream, and it would require a restrictive R-rating to properly explore Wood’s life. Though it failed to exceed $5.8 million at the domestic box office, “Ed Wood” did score two Oscar wins (including one for best supporting actor) and preceded further Burton/Disney collaborations, including 2010’s megahit “Alice in Wonderland.” “Ed Wood” became a crucial piece of Disney’s history, foreshadowing a future the real Ed Wood could only have dreamed of. **The Rock** Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has spent much of his career working for Disney, particularly from 1994 to 2013. In the former year, the moneymaker “Crimson Tide” provided a template for the kind of star-driven blockbusters Bruckheimer could deliver for the studios’ Touchstone Pictures label. Another early Disney/Bruckheimer collaboration was 1996’s “The Rock,” which was also the first of three Disney tentpoles for divisive director Michael Bay, who has, unsurprisingly, wrecked more cars than any of his peers. This prison escape movie had plenty of explosions on hand, plus major names like Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, and Ed Harris headlining the cast. It was also a production that leaned into a hard R-rating, with violent death scenes and ribald dialogue laced with profanity. Connery’s character gets the lion’s share of such aged witticisms, including a now-famous quip about “losers” and “prom queens”. 15 years earlier, it would have been impossible to imagine Disney anywhere near this project. In the 1990s, though, it was one of many adult action films Disney was sending to theaters. Even Bay’s PG-13 Disney blockbuster “Armageddon” boasted a strip club detour and harsh language. The R-rated mayhem of “The Rock” proved to be exactly what audiences wanted in June 1996, as seen by its $336.06 million worldwide box office haul. Even on a steep $75 million budget, the result was deeply profitable. No wonder Bruckheimer kept on working with Disney, eventually leading to work on PG-13 juggernauts like the “Pirates of the Caribbean” and its many, many sequels. **Apocalypto** After “The Passion of the Christ” became a box office phenomenon — for a different studio – Gibson’s next foray into grand-scale cinema would secure more prestigious North American distribution. The 2006 feature “Apocalypto,” which takes place in 1511 and is told entirely in Yucatec Maya, was distributed by Disney/Touchstone Pictures in North America, following Gibson headlining other adult-skewing titles for the studio like the PG-13 “Signs” and the R-rated “Ransom.” Given Gibson’s proclivity towards violence, it should be no surprise that “Apocalypto” is a grisly affair, more than earning its brutal R-rating. The feature is almost entirely wall-to-wall blood and carnage, which fits with a man who previously framed the crucifixion of Jesus Christ through gruesome imagery. This put “Apocalypto” in stark contrast to Disney’s other big holiday season 2006 release, “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.” That was G-rated Yuletide farce. Though nowhere close to matching “Christ” at the box office, “Apocalypto” still amassed a respectable $50.86 million in North America. It even topped the domestic box office over its opening weekend. This was not, however, the start of a long creative bond between Disney and “Apocalypto’s” helmer. Disney hasn’t financed or distributed any of work since, possibly due to the untold number of weird Mel Gibson stories — like founding his own variant of the Catholic church – attached to the man’s name in the last 20 years. **Nixon** Filmmaking provocateur Oliver Stone and the sanitized, franchise-oriented Disney studio seems like an odd match on paper. Yet their worlds collided with the 1995 movie “Nixon.” Disney’s Hollywood Pictures division was one of the co-financiers, also acting as distributor in North America. The production scored some major controversy before release. The Nixon family lambasted the script as historically inaccurate and shameful. The film wasn’t intended to be a clean-cut portrait of Richard Nixon, tailor-made for the Hall of Presidents attraction. It carried an R-rating, from non-stop profanity scattered throughout the script, with Nixon (Anthony Hopkins) personally delivering many of the most extreme remarks. Disney executives and other “Nixon” financiers might’ve yearned for more moviegoer interest in seeing what all the family fuss was about. While Stone’s “JFK” cracked $70 million in its domestic run, “Nixon” petered out with just $13.66 million domestically and only $34.66 million worldwide on a $45 million budget. Taking a swing on such an unorthodox film didn’t work out for Hollywood Pictures beyond “Nixon” securing a quartet of Oscar nominations. Decades later, the feature is a footnote in Disney’s history. It even looks incongruous compared to other ’90s Touchstone/Hollywood Pictures releases. Oliver Stone and Disney would not be fast friends after “Nixon.” **Deuce Bigelow: Male Gigolo** The majority of the pre-December 2015 comedies from Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison production label were released by Sony and Columbia Pictures. However, the very first Happy Madison Productions feature was a release from Disney’s Buena Vista Productions: the unlikely Rob Schneider vehicle “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo.” As the title implies, the project’s sex-heavy sequences instantly required an R rating. Happy Madison’s bread-and-butter would evolve into more family-friendly comedies like “Grown Ups” and “Paul Blart: Mall Cop,” but “Male Gigolo,” meanwhile, showed the lewdest side of the label’s — and Schneider’s — comedic sensibilities. Touchstone Pictures had no problem with the movie’s crudeness and launched the title in over 2,100 theaters on December 10, 1999. It proved to be an okayish moneymaker with a $92.93 million worldwide gross, and the Disney brand name remained intact, despite the sophomoric nature of the flick. When a sequel, “Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo,” was conceived, Disney rejected it. They no longer had room for either Happy Madison’s most vulgar antics or Rob Schneider’s star vehicles. Neither did we: “European Gigolo” headlines our list of the worst comedy movies ever made. **Fright Night (2011)** In 2009, DreamWorks SKG and Disney’s Touchstone Pictures settled on a new distribution plan, where Touchstone would distribute live-action DreamWorks films. Several of these titles weren’t far from traditional Disney fare, such as the Hugh Jackman robot boxing movie “Real Steel” or inspirational dramas “The Help” and “The Hundred-Foot Journey.” However, DreamWorks did get some R-rated movies into theaters with the Disney name technically attached. That included one of the first DreamWorks films Touchstone distributed, a remake of the 80s horror film “Fright Night.” Starring Anton Yelchin and Colin Farrell, the update had bloody kills a-plenty, not to mention lots of harsh language to sharpen its teeth further yet. Though not what audiences considered a “normal” Disney movie, “Fright Night” was in line with many past DreamWorks horror remakes, such as “The Haunting,” “The Ring,” and “The Uninvited.” Unfortunately, “Fright Night” didn’t take a big bite out of the box office. Such is the fate of many non-“Twilight” vampire movies. Even though its MPAA rating promised lots of gnarly scares, audiences weren’t interested. That was less than ideal timing, given that 2011 also delivered other DreamWorks SKG bombs like “Cowboys & Aliens” and “I Am Number Four.” Unsurprisingly, the subsequent DreamWorks movies that Disney distributed would stick to PG-13 action fare or award season dramas. **The Insider** James B. Stewart’s book, “DisneyWar,” alleges that Michael Mann’s R-rated 1999 drama “The Insider” brought down Michael Eisner’s ire, but not for its adult content. After all, Mann’s career was built on R-rated projects like “Heat,” so Disney/Touchstone Pictures executives knew what they were getting into. The problem was the true story that “The Insider” chronicled. The drama focuses on a whistleblower trying to divulge the truth of his former tobacco industry employers, including over a “60 Minutes” segment. He faces endless hurdles along the way, including the reluctance of ABC network brass (a flagship Disney property) to chastise the Big Tobacco tycoons. Allegedly, Eisner was infuriated over Disney releasing a motion picture that took direct swipes at their own house. “The Insider” offers an example of how the R-rating doesn’t just signify a movie containing nudity or extreme profanity. It can also be the place for subversive material that challenges the status quo, often to the chagrin of the executives financing these projects. Mann’s willingness to speak truth to power inspired a movie that was lauded critically, even though it flopped at the box office. After the costly fiasco, Mann moved on to other studios. 2001’s “Ali” and 2004’s “Collateral” ended up at Sony/Columbia Pictures and DreamWorks SKG, respectively. Eisner wouldn’t have to worry about any more Michael Mann projects during the remainder of his Disney tenure. **The Fifth Estate** After helming the final two “Twilight” movies, director Bill Condon shifted back into the mold of his prior works, like “Gods and Monsters” and “Kinsey,” with 2013’s “The Fifth Estate,” a fictional biography of WikiLeaks architect Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch). Chronicling Assange instantly gathered controversy, including from Assange himself. While Condon’s then-recent directorial efforts skewed towards PG-13 ratings, “Estate” came with an R, suggesting it might take an unflinching look at Assange’s impact on the world. Though Assange’s leaks dominated headlines in 2010, “The Fifth Estate” was a raw flop. Cumberbatch’s popularity wasn’t enough to drive the adult drama into profitability, nor did it bother with more than tame melodrama. It was yet another dud in the partnership between DreamWorks SKG and Touchstone Pictures, with the latter studio only releasing a handful more DreamWorks movies in the years to come. One minor detail about the film’s place in Disney history is how it was the last R-rated project the studio would distribute for six years. Those final DreamWorks/Touchstone releases were all PG-13 projects, meaning Disney wouldn’t get back into the R-rated game in North America until it completed its purchase of 20th Century Fox in 2019. Come July, the Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista comedy “Stuber” became the first R-rated Disney movie since “The Fifth Estate” forgettably plopped. **25th Hour** In a career rife with unforgettable motion pictures, one of the highlights of director Spike Lee’s phenomenal filmography is still “25th Hour,” about a man’s final 24 hours before he begins a lengthy prison sentence. Committing to an R-rating for this project lets screenwriter David Benioff paint a world of complicated human beings. They resonate as hauntingly realistic individuals we all see every day. Edward Norton, as Monty Brogan, drops a barrage of slurs against New York’s five boroughs in a performance that puts this film in our top 10 of Norton’s best films to date. It can be a masterwork, because of the creative freedom afforded by that R-rating. “25th Hour” boasts an undeniable status as one of Lee’s greatest films. “25th Hour” was actually the third of four films Lee would make for Disney’s Touchstone Pictures division, in fact, alongside “He Got Game,” “Summer of Sam,” and “Miracle at St. Anna.” This Norton-starring masterpiece was part of a long-term creative partnership between the filmmaker and the “Frozen” studio, rather than an aberration that slipped through the Touchstone cracks. Unfortunately, Disney hasn’t given the film proper — much less any — treatment in the decades since its release. Its only Blu-Ray release is in an obscure 2014 double-movie pack with “He Got Game.” Though not an unusual Disney title of the time, “25th Hour” appears to no longer fit into a “mature” Disney landscape driven by xenomorphs and the MCU. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=These%20R-Rated%20Movies%20Weren%27t%20Typical%20For%20Disney&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=These%20R-Rated%20Movies%20Weren%27t%20Typical%20For%20Disney%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=These%20R-Rated%20Movies%20Weren%27t%20Typical%20For%20Disney&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=These%20R-Rated%20Movies%20Weren%27t%20Typical%20For%20Disney%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=These%20R-Rated%20Movies%20Weren%27t%20Typical%20For%20Disney%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Down And Out, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Disney, #DownAndOutInBeverleyHills, #Movies --- ### [BetteBack April 28, 1978: Bette Midler - Short On Height, Long On Talent](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/14/betteback-april-28-1978-bette-midler-short-on-height-long-on-talent/) **Published:** November 14, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- **State April 28, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/11_6147c5a42d4c89ca66a5e961e1cd3f3a.jpg "11_6147c5a42d4c89ca66a5e961e1cd3f3a - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-01-16_4-00-12](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-16_4-00-12.png "2017-01-16_4-00-12 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69031) [![2017-01-16_4-00-58](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-16_4-00-58.png "2017-01-16_4-00-58 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69032) [![2017-01-16_4-01-37](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-16_4-01-37.png "2017-01-16_4-01-37 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69033) [Bette Midler](http://bettemidler.com/ "Bette Midler"), [The Rose](http://www.amazon.com/Rose-Bette-Midler/dp/B00005JLN2%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Dbootlegbetty-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00005JLN2 "The Rose"), Peter Reigert. Seventeen Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20April%2028%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Short%20On%20Height%2C%20Long%20On%20Talent&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20April%2028%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Short%20On%20Height%2C%20Long%20On%20Talent%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20April%2028%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Short%20On%20Height%2C%20Long%20On%20Talent&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20April%2028%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Short%20On%20Height%2C%20Long%20On%20Talent%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20April%2028%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Short%20On%20Height%2C%20Long%20On%20Talent%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteBack, #BetteMidler, #Height, #Movies, #Talent, #TheRose --- ### [BetteBack 1979: Wasn't Melissa Manchester In An Act With Bette Midler?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/10/betteback-1979-wasnt-melissa-manchester-in-an-act-with-bette-midler/) **Published:** November 10, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A Fan asks if Melissa Manchester was ever part of an act with Bette Midler? **Content:** --- **Omaha World-Herald** **June 18, 1979** --- [![yooniqimages_102376320](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/YooniqImages_102376320-450x347.jpg "Yooniqimages_102376320 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71351) --- [![2017-05-16_3-40-53](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_3-40-53.png "2017-05-16_3-40-53 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71350) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Wasn%27t%20Melissa%20Manchester%20In%20An%20Act%20With%20Bette%20Midler%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Wasn%27t%20Melissa%20Manchester%20In%20An%20Act%20With%20Bette%20Midler%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Wasn%27t%20Melissa%20Manchester%20In%20An%20Act%20With%20Bette%20Midler%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Wasn%27t%20Melissa%20Manchester%20In%20An%20Act%20With%20Bette%20Midler%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Wasn%27t%20Melissa%20Manchester%20In%20An%20Act%20With%20Bette%20Midler%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, harlettes, Melissa Manchester **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concerts, #Harlettes, #MelissaManchester --- ### [Movies About Female Friendships](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/10/movies-about-female-friendships/) **Published:** November 10, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The First Wives Club is a funny, warm, and sharp story about women who lift each other through life’s ups and downs — divorce, careers, and all the little (and big) dramas in between. **Content:** --- ## Vogue Movies About Female Friendships By Tara ?uki? Nov 10, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-10_13-31-00.png "2025-11-10_13-31-00 - bootleg betty")--- Carrie Bradshaw didn’t exactly deliver many coherent insights in the controversial sequel And Just Like That, but one line I’ll give her credit for echoed a scientifically proven fact — that women tend to live longer than men, which is yet another reason to stick together, at every age. I was raised by women; they taught me how to speak, walk, and eat — as Savin?evi?-Ivan?evi? once wrote — and every one of my mother’s friends was like a second, third, or fourth mom, someone I could call at any hour for a shoulder to cry on or a push forward. Today, as most of them are retired and living alone — whether widowed or divorced — they’re closer than ever. They clean each other’s apartments, cook, iron, and swap domestic chores based on who prefers what; they leave clothes at each other’s homes, travel together, visit exhibitions, and never fail to send me cringe selfies from their get-togethers, captioned Sex and the City (not always spelled correctly). Following their example, I can’t imagine my life without my girlfriends. They are my fortress, my safe house, the pillar that keeps me standing, no matter what happens. Lately, I often think about that force — and about the thirties: a time of distancing, solitude, adaptation, and new points of connection and disconnection along the same emotional axis. In that spirit, here’s a selection of [**movies** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/movies/)about female [**friendships** ](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860)— timeless reminders of their quiet, unwavering power. **Frances Ha** Long before Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig co-wrote a series of indie films with her partner Noah Baumbach. Their 2012 film Frances Ha became a cult classic thanks to its distinct portrayal of the confusing in-between stage that is young adulthood. Shot in lush black and white, the film follows the ups and downs of a friendship between Frances (the impulsive, free-spirited Gerwig) and Sophie (the more grounded and pragmatic Mickey Sumner). What sets Frances Ha apart is its depiction of platonic intimacy that borders on romance: they share a bed, read to each other, and a local barista assumes they’re “a couple who no longer has sex.” Yet as life pulls them in different directions, they drift apart — only to leave us with a quietly hopeful reminder that true friendship can endure, even if it changes form. **Clueless** How do you recognize true friendship in a world obsessed with appearances? Cher, Dionne, and Tai are teenage girls navigating glamour, school chaos, and first crushes — but beneath the laughter and witty banter lies a deep sense of loyalty. Clueless is more than a teen comedy; it’s a story about growth, mistakes, and learning to show up for your friends when it matters most. Cher may come across as someone who only leads with style and trends, yet through her bond with Tai and Dionne we see how genuine friendship can shape identity and inspire courage. Their world is colorful, wild, and occasionally chaotic — but through togetherness, they find both balance and belonging. **First Wives Club** Rewatching this film last weekend actually inspired the idea for this piece. Three college friends reunite years later and rediscover that true strength lies in sisterhood. The First Wives Club is a funny, warm, and sharp story about women who lift each other through life’s ups and downs — divorce, careers, and all the little (and big) dramas in between. The brilliant trio of Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, and Bette Midler laugh, plot, and empower one another, showing that friendship can be the best antidote to heartbreak — and a gateway to rediscovering joy. The final scene, of course, is iconic: a definition of friendship that is freeing, joyful, and unbreakable. **A League of Their Own** In a world filled with expectations and limitations, four women prove they can lift an entire team. A League of Their Own follows a group of women who come together during World War II to play professional baseball. Each arrives from a different place, with her own story and struggles, yet the game unites them — forging friendships that last a lifetime. The film reminds us that true connection often grows from shared challenges, sustained by trust and mutual respect. Humor, rivalry, and laughter through tears make this story vibrant and unforgettable, showing that real friendship transcends differences and distance alike. **Beaches** Some bonds don’t fade, even as everything else in life changes. Beaches tells the story of two women who meet as little girls and remain a part of each other’s lives, no matter how far their paths diverge. Hillary and C.C. are opposites — one quiet and composed, the other loud and flamboyant — but it’s precisely in that contrast that their friendship finds its strength. Over time, the film evolves from a sentimental drama into a profound study of loyalty, loss, and love in its purest, most enduring form. It’s a poignant reminder that lifelong friendships aren’t always easy, but they are deep, defining, and impossible to sever — only to transform. **Crossroads** Three girls on a road trip that changes everything — every mile a reunion with the past and with themselves. Crossroads follows Lucy, Kit, and Mimi as they confront old rivalries, insecurities, and expectations. Their childhood friendship now faces the challenge of being redefined. The film reminds us that the best friends are the ones who know you better than you know yourself — the ones who stand by you through life’s hardest, wildest moments. Every obstacle, every argument, every burst of laughter along the way becomes part of their lasting bond. **Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants** My ultimate guilty-pleasure teen film, one that takes me back to the days when my friends and I practically lived together. One pair of jeans, four different girls, and a summer that changes them forever. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is a heartfelt ode to loyalty, trust, and the kind of friendship that knows no boundaries. Through letters, phone calls, and little shared rituals, Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget show that real connection endures even when life takes you in different directions. The film is a tender reminder that true friendship offers comfort, strength, and the reassuring sense that we are never truly alone — even when the world feels far apart. **The Women** In a world brimming with gossip, rivalry, and envy, The Women proves that even amid “cattiness,” there can exist genuine connection among women. This film — almost entirely free of male characters — laid the groundwork for nearly a century of portraying female friendship on screen. Every plot twist, every argument or moment of support between the characters reveals layers of empathy, solidarity, and shared understanding. The Women reminds us that real connection between women knows no limits, and that friendship can endure even when the world around them insists on competition. It stands as an ode to feminine energy and the power of togetherness — showing how friendships shape our lives through laughter, tears, and unforgettable moments. **Thelma and Louise** What happens when two women finally say “enough” and hit the road, leaving behind the confines of everyday life? The story follows Thelma and Louise as they set off on what seems like a harmless weekend getaway — only to find themselves drawn into a series of unpredictable turns. What begins as an escape from monotony transforms into a liberating journey of friendship, self-discovery, and defiance against social constraints. Ridley Scott’s feminist classic shows that freedom isn’t just about running away from the world — it’s about the bold decision to live on your own terms. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Movies%20About%20Female%20Friendships&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Movies%20About%20Female%20Friendships%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Movies%20About%20Female%20Friendships&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Movies%20About%20Female%20Friendships%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Movies%20About%20Female%20Friendships%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, First Wives Club, friends, Movies, The Women **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #FirstWivwsClub, #Friendships, #Movies, #TheWomen --- ### [BetteBack 1978: Joan Rivers On Bette Midler And The American Public](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/10/betteback-1978-joan-rivers-on-bette-midler-and-the-american-public/) **Published:** November 10, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Joan Rivers ponders whether the American Public gets her or even Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin. **Content:** --- **Charleston [News and Courier](http://www.postandcourier.com/ "The Post and Courier") May 13, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-10-18_09-24-02.png "2025-10-18_09-24-02 - bootleg betty") --- --- [![2017-01-16_4-33-39](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-16_4-33-39.png "2017-01-16_4-33-39 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=69048) --- [Bette Midler](http://bettemidler.com/ "Bette Midler"), [Joan Rivers](http://www.joanrivers.com "Joan Rivers"), [Wayne Newton](http://www.waynenewton.com/ "Wayne Newton"), [America](http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.8833333333,-77.0166666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=38.8833333333,-77.0166666667 (United%20States)&t=h "United States") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%201978%3A%20Joan%20Rivers%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20American%20Public&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%201978%3A%20Joan%20Rivers%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20American%20Public%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%201978%3A%20Joan%20Rivers%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20American%20Public&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%201978%3A%20Joan%20Rivers%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20American%20Public%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%201978%3A%20Joan%20Rivers%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20American%20Public%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack **Tags:** #American, #BetteMidler, #JoanRivers, #LilyTomlin, #Public --- ### [Marc Shaiman Kicks Off Book Tour At 92NY With Nathan Lane January 25, 2026](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/10/marc-shaiman-kicks-off-book-tour-at-92ny-with-nathan-lane-january-25-2026/) **Published:** November 10, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Award-winning composer and co-lyricist Marc Shaiman (Hairspray, Sister Act, Smash and many others) joins fellow Tony Award winner Nathan Lane for a look behind the curtain of life on Broadway, in Hollywood and on Television, with a conversation about Shaiman’s new memoir, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Marc Shaiman Kicks Off Book Tour At 92NY With Nathan Lane January 25, 2026 Nov. 9, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-08_08-26-20.png "2025-11-08_08-26-20 - bootleg betty") --- Award-winning composer and co-lyricist [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/) (Hairspray, Sister Act, Smash and many others) joins fellow Tony Award winner Nathan Lane for a look behind the curtain of life on Broadway, in Hollywood and on Television, with a conversation about Shaiman’s [**new memoir**](https://a.co/d/4afOinN), [**Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner**](https://www.thepressroomnyc.com/never-mind). Emerging from community theater in his teens, sparking a decades-long collaboration with Bette Midler in the ’70s, surviving the AIDS crisis of the ’80s and bursting into Hollywood and Broadway glory, Marc Shaiman has spent 50 years making some of the most beloved musicals and film scores of our era. Hilarious and deeply human, Shaiman’s story is a tribute to the power of music and the pull of the spotlight. Join him with his longtime pal Nathan Lane — a decades-long musical friendship — for a candid, uproariously fun evening of backstage stories from a shared life in show business, on and offstage. All tickets include a copy of the book. A book signing follows the event. --- Marc Shaiman says: “I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be at [@92NY](https://www.instagram.com/92NY/) on Sunday, January 25th with my dear friend Nathan Lane to celebrate the launch of NEVER MIND THE HAPPY: SHOWBIZ STORIES FROM A SORE WINNER! Nathan and I have accumulated decades of adventures together…like when he sang the demo for “Timeless to Me” and performed the roles of both Wilbur and Edna…or the night he and Matthew started rehearsing for their return to The Producers in our backyard and a grouchy neighbor started “sshing” them through a bush…we’ve got a million stories and now they’re giving us microphones and an audience! Come prepared to laugh—[**tickets are available now**](https://www.92ny.org/event/marc-shaiman-in-conversation-with-nathan-lane).” --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2.150878.jpg "2. 150878 - bootleg betty") ***Bette Midler with Nathan Lane, Lily Tomlin, and Marc Shaiman*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Marc%20Shaiman%20Kicks%20Off%20Book%20Tour%20At%2092NY%20With%20Nathan%20Lane%20January%2025%2C%202026&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Kicks%20Off%20Book%20Tour%20At%2092NY%20With%20Nathan%20Lane%20January%2025%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Kicks%20Off%20Book%20Tour%20At%2092NY%20With%20Nathan%20Lane%20January%2025%2C%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Kicks%20Off%20Book%20Tour%20At%2092NY%20With%20Nathan%20Lane%20January%2025%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Kicks%20Off%20Book%20Tour%20At%2092NY%20With%20Nathan%20Lane%20January%2025%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Biography, Books, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #AutoBiography, #BetteMidler, #Biography, #Book, #MarcShaiman, #Memoir, #NathanLane, #NeverMindTheHappy, #NewYork --- ### [Tragic Details That Shaped Bette Midler's Life](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/09/tragic-details-that-shaped-bette-midlers-life/) **Published:** November 9, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** But what you might not know about Midler is that she dealt with many obstacles on her way to fame. The award-winning performer faced great challenges on her journey to stardom **Content:** --- ## The List Tragic Details About Bette Midler’s Life By Cole Hediger Nov. 8, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-08_09-58-06.png "2025-11-08_09-58-06 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) is a powerhouse, both on stage and off. A Broadway performer, award-winning actor, and published author, she has seen incredible success. Her incredible acting skills, sharp comedic timing, and melodic voice have garnered her many awards, including three Emmys, two Oscar nominations (including one for her breakout role in ‘The Rose”), three Grammys, and one Tony award. All of this success, as Midler joked in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, was due to her inability to hold down a normal job. “In my defense, I couldn’t do anything else,” she quipped. “I’d had jobs before and had always failed at them.” Though the “[**Hocus Pocus**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/08/30-facts-about-hocus-pocus-2/)” actor also pointed toward her self-motivation as a key factor to her success, explaining, “I was just going to make it no matter what.” But what you might not know about Midler is that she dealt with many obstacles on her way to fame. The award-winning performer faced great challenges on her journey to stardom, including insurmountable loss, personal grief, and moments of doubt that changed her life forever. **Midler experienced the devastating loss of a close friend** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1_6147c5a42d4c89ca66a5e961e1cd3f3a.jpg "1_6147c5a42d4c89ca66a5e961e1cd3f3a - bootleg betty") Though the Broadway star has become synonymous with New York, Bette Midler grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii. For the most part, her girlhood was rather normal: playing with friends, discovering her hobbies, and attending Radford High School, where she met Beth Ellen Childers. As Midler tells it, they were inseparable all throughout high school. The BFFs did end up going their separate ways after graduating from high school. As the pair went off to college, tragedy soon struck Midler in 1964. Her first year apart from her girlhood best friend, Midler received the news that Childers had been struck and killed in a car accident. During a conversation for her episode of “Inside the Actor’s Studio” back in 2004, Midler found herself reminiscing about her old friend. “She used to make me laugh so hard, I had never laughed like that in my life. I laughed until the tears rolled down my cheeks,” she shared. The memories clearly drew up a powerful passion, as Midler turned to the audience to tell them to laugh until they cry often, saying, “That is it, that is the greatest thing in the world.” The heartbreaking incident left a lasting impact on Midler, and, as her career grew, Midler would go on to give credit to Childers time and time again as the source of great change to her life and behavior. **The heartbreaking story of Midler’s sister Judith** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-10-18_09-22-34.png "2025-10-18_09-22-34 - bootleg betty") It was 1968, just a year after Bette Midler begun starring in “Fiddler on the Roof,” and the star was still performing in the show on Broadway. Her big move from Hawaii to New York brought great change and left Midler a little alone in the Big Apple. Especially with her father’s distaste for Midler’s career, which he did not shy away from sharing with his daughter, it must’ve been an overwhelming and lonesome change; however, Midler was not alone for long. Judith Midler, the “Hocus Pocus” actor’s sister, had moved to New York as well, to pursue her passions as a photographer and film editor. With both sisters in New York and just four days before Christmas, Midler invited Judith to see her performance in “Fiddler on the Roof”, to which Judith agreed. As she made her way over to the theater, while walking on W. 44th Street, a car lost control on the roadway. Driving erratically, the vehicle struck and killed Judith. Midler, unaware of what had happened, finished her production before discovering the heartbreaking news of her sister’s death. The “Beaches” actor was the one who had to break the news to her parents, who were across the country. Judith’s loss haunted Midler for years to follow, leading to the dedication of her album “The Divine Miss M” to her older sister. The dedication appears on the cover, reading, (via The New York Times) “This is for Judith.” **Bette Midler alleged she was drugged and assaulted.** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/4f147206f8249b640e1b4bead34a0bcd.jpg "4f147206f8249b640e1b4bead34a0bcd - bootleg betty") The #MeToo movement took the internet by storm when thousands of individuals banded together to raise awareness for sexual assault survivors. Among the many names that shared powerful and harrowing stories online was Bette Midler. It wasn’t the first time that she had detailed her experience. Midler had previously told the story of her assault in 1991 while being interviewed by Barbara Walters, but her story, like many others, revealed a painful reality. According to the “First Wives Club” actor, she had been set to film an interview with Geraldo Rivera early in Midler’s career, in the 1970s. During the production, Midler spoke to Rivera and the producer, before the pair, as Midler alleges, drugged and assaulted her. The star resurfaced her accusations against the TV personality and producer in a since-deleted November 2017 post on X (formerly Twitter). “Tomorrow is my birthday, I feel like this video was a gift from the universe to me,” she wrote in her tweet, “Geraldo may have apologized for his tweets supporting Matt Lauer, but he has yet to apologize for this.” Attached to the tweet was a video of Midler’s interview with Walters, where the actor described the attack in detail. Midler’s tweet was spurred on by Rivera’s support of TV personality Matt Lauer, who was among the accused in the #MeToo movement, support that Rivera has since rescinded. A month following Midler’s demand for an apology, Rivera tweeted, “Although I recall the time @BetteMidler has alluded to much differently than she, that does not change the fact that she has a right to speak out & demand an apology from me, for in the very least, publicly embarrassing her all those years ago. Bette, I apologize.” **Midler’s terrifying collapse on stage** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-10-18_10-18-48.png "2025-10-18_10-18-48 - bootleg betty") By her late 30s, there was little Bette Midler wasn’t doing with her multi-faceted career. Already an Oscar nominee and two-time Grammy Award winner, Midler refused to take it easy. In 1983, Midler was on her second year of her “No Frills” tour across the United States, performing multiple times a week for her latest album rollout. To accompany her tour, the Broadway singer filmed a TV movie that she starred in. The huge event came hot off the heels of her 1979 tour, when Midler was also releasing her breakout Hollywood film “The Rose.” Midler was everywhere, doing everything, and seemingly nothing could slow her down. However, the pressure of working nonstop caught up with her in 1983 at a concert in Michigan. Midler, not feeling well during a performance, excused herself off stage and quickly collapsed. She was only 38 at the time. An ambulance was called for the singer, and she was rushed to Pontiac General Hospital. Midler’s collapse was attributed to severe exhaustion. Her condition was said to be so concerning that doctors recommended that she cancel a few additional shows. Midler saw her performing come to a screeching halt, at least for some time, as the wake-up call of a lifetime hit her with a hospital stay. **Midler had a difficult time shifting from stage to screen** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1_e4065013d7dc1044f108b2630e331f36.jpg "1_e4065013d7dc1044f108b2630e331f36 - bootleg betty") Bette Midler experienced incredible success early in her career. After moving to New York, Midler landed her breakout role in the Broadway production of “Fiddler on the Roof” at just 21 years old. After making her mark on stage, Midler migrated to the silver screen, starring in iconic films like “The Rose”, “Beaches,” and “Ruthless People.” But with Midler’s rise to stardom came criticism, and she was faced with intense media scrutiny. In a 2001 interview with Oprah Winfrey for O, Midler described a time during the beginning of her Hollywood career when comments about her behavior deeply affected her. “I was unjustly accused of grandstanding, and I never did any such thing,” the actor explained. “It brought me up short, and I became very sad and depressed.” The small criticism carried a great weight on Midler, who was still defining herself as an actor. “I cried a lot and I couldn’t get out of bed,” she revealed. Midler also referred to that period of her life as her “nervous breakdown.” ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-10-11_06-57-48.png "2025-10-11_06-57-48 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Tragic%20Details%20That%20Shaped%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Life&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Tragic%20Details%20That%20Shaped%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Life%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Tragic%20Details%20That%20Shaped%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Life&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Tragic%20Details%20That%20Shaped%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Life%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Tragic%20Details%20That%20Shaped%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Life%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Biography, Charities, History, Movies, Music **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Details, #History, #Life, #Movies, #Music, #Tragic --- ### [BetteBack January 10, 1979: Bette Midler Makes Blackwell's Worst Dress List Again!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/08/betteback-january-10-1979-bette-midler-makes-blackwells-worst-dress-list-again/) **Published:** November 8, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack January 10, 1979: Bette Midler Makes Blackwell's Worst Dress List Again! **Content:** --- **Augusta Chronicle** **January 10, 1979** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/503380770_9924426847647625_5250831294334997647_n.jpg "503380770_9924426847647625_5250831294334997647_n - bootleg betty") [![rummage sale](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_1-21-32.png "2017-05-16_1-21-32 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71298) [![2017-05-16_1-22-04](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_1-22-04.png "2017-05-16_1-22-04 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71299) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20January%2010%2C%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20Blackwell%27s%20Worst%20Dress%20List%20Again%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20January%2010%2C%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20Blackwell%27s%20Worst%20Dress%20List%20Again%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20January%2010%2C%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20Blackwell%27s%20Worst%20Dress%20List%20Again%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20January%2010%2C%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20Blackwell%27s%20Worst%20Dress%20List%20Again%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20January%2010%2C%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20Blackwell%27s%20Worst%20Dress%20List%20Again%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Fashion **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Fashion, #List, #MrBlackwells, #WorstDressed --- ### [30 Facts About Hocus Pocus 2](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/08/30-facts-about-hocus-pocus-2/) **Published:** November 8, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** This sequel to the 1993 cult classic has fans buzzing with excitement. Set in modern-day Salem, the film follows a new group of teenagers who accidentally resurrect the witches. **Content:** --- ## Facts.Net 30 Facts About Hocus Pocus 2 By Annalise Roland Nov. 3, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2cc2b450-4037-11ed-baf3-e573785b64e6.jpeg "2cc2b450-4037-11ed-baf3-e573785b64e6 - bootleg betty")--- Did you know that “Hocus Pocus 2” brings back the beloved Sanderson sisters for more magical mayhem? This sequel to the 1993 cult classic has fans buzzing with excitement. Set in modern-day Salem, the film follows a new group of teenagers who accidentally resurrect the witches. With a mix of nostalgia and fresh twists, “Hocus Pocus 2” promises to enchant both old fans and new viewers. Expect plenty of laughs, spells, and a dash of spooky fun. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious, these 30 facts will give you a deeper look into the magic behind “Hocus Pocus 2.” **The Return of the Sanderson Sisters** The Sanderson Sisters are back in “Hocus Pocus 2,” bringing their witchy charm and mischief to a new generation. Here are some fascinating facts about this highly anticipated sequel. **01 Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy Reprise Their Roles** The original trio returns as Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson. Their iconic performances are a major draw for fans. **02 Set in Modern-Day Salem** The sequel is set in present-day Salem, Massachusetts, blending the old with the new. **03 Directed by Anne Fletcher** Anne Fletcher, known for “The Proposal” and “27 Dresses,” directs the film, adding her unique touch to the beloved franchise. **04 New Characters Introduced** Fresh faces join the cast, including Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, and Belissa Escobedo, who play teenagers that accidentally bring the witches back. **05 Disney+ Exclusive** Unlike the original, “Hocus Pocus 2” is released exclusively on Disney+, making it easily accessible for streaming. **Behind the Scenes Magic** The making of “Hocus Pocus 2” involved a lot of behind-the-scenes magic. Here are some interesting tidbits about the production process. **06 Filming Locations** Filming took place in various locations, including Rhode Island, which doubled for Salem. **07 Costume Design** The Sanderson Sisters’ costumes were updated while retaining their classic look, designed by Salvador Pérez Jr. **08 Special Effects** Modern special effects bring the witches’ spells and antics to life in more spectacular ways than the original. **09 Musical Numbers** The sequel features new musical numbers, with Bette Midler performing a show-stopping song. **10 Nostalgic Easter Eggs** Fans of the original will spot numerous Easter eggs and references throughout the film. **The Plot Thickens** The storyline of “Hocus Pocus 2” offers new twists and turns while staying true to the spirit of the original. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ETD_CLIP_HOCUS_POCUS_2_20220919_16X9-1024x576.webp "Etd_clip_hocus_pocus_2_20220919_16x9 - bootleg betty")**11 Accidental Resurrection** The Sanderson Sisters are accidentally resurrected by three young women, setting off a new adventure. **12 Modern Technology** The witches struggle to adapt to modern technology, leading to humorous situations. **13 New Villain** A new antagonist emerges, adding another layer of conflict to the story. **14 Family Themes** Themes of family and friendship are central to the plot, resonating with audiences of all ages. **15 Magical Artifacts** The film introduces new magical artifacts that play a crucial role in the witches’ plans. **Fan Reactions and Expectations** Fans have eagerly awaited the sequel, and their reactions have been a mix of excitement and nostalgia. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/more-hocus-pocus-set-photos.webp "More-hocus-pocus-set-photos - bootleg betty") **16 Social Media Buzz** Social media platforms buzzed with anticipation and speculation leading up to the release. **17 Fan Theories** Numerous fan theories circulated online, with some predicting plot twists and character arcs. **18 Merchandise** New merchandise, including costumes, toys, and collectibles, was released to coincide with the film. **19 Halloween Favorite** “Hocus Pocus 2” quickly became a Halloween favorite, with many planning themed parties and screenings. **20 Critical Reception** Critics praised the film for its humor, performances, and nostalgic appeal. **Fun Facts and Trivia** Here are some fun facts and trivia that add to the charm of “Hocus Pocus 2.” ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Walt-Disney-Live-Action-Screencaps-Sarah-Sanderson-Winifred-Sanderson-walt-disney-characters-43730045-2803-1517.png "Walt-disney-live-action-screencaps-sarah-sanderson-winifred-sanderson-walt-disney-characters-43730045-2803-1517 - bootleg betty") **21 Cameo Appearances** The film features cameo appearances from some of the original cast members. **22 Book of Spells** The iconic Book of Spells makes a return, with some new spells added to its pages. **23 Black Flame Candle** The Black Flame Candle, which played a crucial role in the original, is once again central to the plot. **24 Talking Animals** Talking animals, a staple of the original, make a comeback in the sequel. **25 Homages to Classic Horror** The film pays homage to classic horror films with subtle nods and references. **The Legacy Continues** “Hocus Pocus 2” not only honors the original but also sets the stage for future stories in the magical world of the Sanderson Sisters. **26 Potential Spin-Offs** There are rumors of potential spin-offs and additional sequels, expanding the franchise. **27 Cultural Impact** The film continues to have a significant cultural impact, influencing Halloween traditions and pop culture. **28 Fan Art and Cosplay** Fans express their love for the film through fan art and cosplay, showcasing their creativity. **29 Soundtrack Release** The soundtrack, featuring new songs and classic tunes, was released, adding to the film’s appeal. **30 Legacy of the Sanderson Sisters** The Sanderson Sisters have become iconic characters, with their legacy continuing to enchant new generations. **The Magic Lives On** “Hocus Pocus 2” has enchanted fans old and new with its blend of humor, nostalgia, and spooky fun. From the return of the Sanderson sisters to the fresh faces joining the cast, this sequel has breathed new life into a beloved classic. The film’s attention to detail, clever callbacks, and modern twists make it a must-watch for anyone who loves a good Halloween tale. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the original or just discovering the magic for the first time, “Hocus Pocus 2” offers something for everyone. So grab some popcorn, gather your friends, and get ready to be spellbound all over again. The magic of the Sanderson sisters is far from over, and who knows what other surprises await in the future. Stay tuned, because the world of “Hocus Pocus” is here to stay. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=30%20Facts%20About%20Hocus%20Pocus%202&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=30%20Facts%20About%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=30%20Facts%20About%20Hocus%20Pocus%202&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=30%20Facts%20About%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=30%20Facts%20About%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus 2, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Facts, #HocusPocus2, #kathynajimy, SarahJessicaParker --- ### [BetteBack 1979: Bette Midler Offered The Movie 'On The Twentieth Century'](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/06/betteback-1979-bette-midler-offered-the-movie-on-the-twentieth-century/) **Published:** November 6, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack June 30, 1979: Bette Midler Offered The Movie On The Twentieth Century **Content:** --- **Times-Picayune** **June 30, 1979** --- [![s-l500](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/s-l500-450x350.jpg "S-l500 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71362) --- [![2017-05-16_4-10-32](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_4-10-32.png "2017-05-16_4-10-32 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71359) [![2017-05-16_4-12-32](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_4-12-32.png "2017-05-16_4-12-32 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71360) Info: [On The Twentieth Century](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Twentieth_Century) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Offered%20The%20Movie%20%27On%20The%20Twentieth%20Century%27&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Offered%20The%20Movie%20%27On%20The%20Twentieth%20Century%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Offered%20The%20Movie%20%27On%20The%20Twentieth%20Century%27&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Offered%20The%20Movie%20%27On%20The%20Twentieth%20Century%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Offered%20The%20Movie%20%27On%20The%20Twentieth%20Century%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies **Tags:** #BetteBack, #BetteMidler, #Movie, #onthetwentiethcentury --- ### [Photo: Delores Delago In Paris, France](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/05/photo-delores-delago-in-paris-france/) **Published:** November 5, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Delores Delago, the flamboyant mermaid alter ego of Bette Midler, came to life during the singer's 1978 world concert tour as a satirical nod to ambition unchecked by talent or decorum **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Delores Delago In Paris, France By Mister D Nov 5, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-10-30_04-54-10.png "2025-10-30_04-54-10 - bootleg betty") --- [**Delores Delago**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/delores-delago/), the flamboyant mermaid alter ego of [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler), came to life during the singer’s 1978 world concert tour as a satirical nod to ambition unchecked by talent or decorum. In her memoir A View from A Broad, Midler described the character—a wheelchair-bound “Toast of Chicago” with swaying palms, dangling coconuts, and a fin-clad lower half—as a woman of “tremendous determination and absolutely no skill,” who zipped across stages belting tunes, cracking raunchy jokes, and even tumbling to the floor mid-performance before hauling herself back up. This bold, politically tinged persona, blending campy glamour with commentary on disability and showbiz excess, debuted to roaring crowds and was immortalized in Midler’s 1980 concert film Divine Madness. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Delores%20Delago%20In%20Paris%2C%20France&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Delores%20Delago%20In%20Paris%2C%20France%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Delores%20Delago%20In%20Paris%2C%20France&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Delores%20Delago%20In%20Paris%2C%20France%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Delores%20Delago%20In%20Paris%2C%20France%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** 1978 World Tour, Delores Delago, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DeloresDelagp, #ParisFrance, #photo, #WorldTour --- ### [BetteBack 1979: Previews Of The Rose Foresee Bette Midler Oscar Nom](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/05/betteback-1979-previews-of-the-rose-foresee-bette-midler-oscar-nom/) **Published:** November 5, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack 1979: Previews Of The Rose Foresee Bette Midler Oscar Nom **Content:** --- **Dallas Morning News** **May 26, 1979** --- [![the-rose-year-1979-usa-director-mark-rydell-bette-midler-f65ypn](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/the-rose-year-1979-usa-director-mark-rydell-bette-midler-f65ypn-450x318.jpg "The-rose-year-1979-usa-director-mark-rydell-bette-midler-f65ypn - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71339) --- [![2017-05-16_3-15-01](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_3-15-01.png "2017-05-16_3-15-01 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71338) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Previews%20Of%20The%20Rose%20Foresee%20Bette%20Midler%20Oscar%20Nom&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Previews%20Of%20The%20Rose%20Foresee%20Bette%20Midler%20Oscar%20Nom%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Previews%20Of%20The%20Rose%20Foresee%20Bette%20Midler%20Oscar%20Nom&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Previews%20Of%20The%20Rose%20Foresee%20Bette%20Midler%20Oscar%20Nom%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Previews%20Of%20The%20Rose%20Foresee%20Bette%20Midler%20Oscar%20Nom%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Oscars, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Oscar, #TheRose --- ### [BetteBack 1979: Has Bette Midler Finally Left Aaron Russo?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/04/betteback-1979-has-bette-midler-finally-left-aaron-russo/) **Published:** November 4, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack 1979: Has Bette Midler Finally Left Aaron Russo? **Content:** --- **Times-Picayune** **March 14, 1979** --- [![bob-greenberg-bette-midler-russ-bach-etc_orig](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/bob-greenberg-bette-midler-russ-bach-etc_orig-450x300.jpg "Bob-greenberg-bette-midler-russ-bach-etc_orig - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71314) --- [![2017-05-16_2-00-07](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_2-00-07.png "2017-05-16_2-00-07 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71312) [![2017-05-16_2-00-41](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_2-00-41.png "2017-05-16_2-00-41 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71313) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Has%20Bette%20Midler%20Finally%20Left%20Aaron%20Russo%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Has%20Bette%20Midler%20Finally%20Left%20Aaron%20Russo%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Has%20Bette%20Midler%20Finally%20Left%20Aaron%20Russo%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Has%20Bette%20Midler%20Finally%20Left%20Aaron%20Russo%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Has%20Bette%20Midler%20Finally%20Left%20Aaron%20Russo%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Aaron Russo, Bette Midler, BetteBack **Tags:** #AaronRusso, #BetteBack, #BetteMidler --- ### [Photo: Marc Shaiman and Lou Mirabal With Bette Midler Hulaween 2025](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/04/photo-marc-shaiman-and-lou-mirabal-with-bette-midler-hulaween-2025/) **Published:** November 4, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Photo: Marc Shaiman and Lou Mirabal With Bette Midler Hulaween 2025 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Marc Shaiman and Lou Mirabal With Bette Midler Hulaween 2025 By Mister D Nov 4, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/572813594_18537408421054019_8128734136738971644_n-819x1024.jpg "572813594_18537408421054019_8128734136738971644_n - bootleg betty")--- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20and%20Lou%20Mirabal%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Hulaween%202025&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20and%20Lou%20Mirabal%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Hulaween%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20and%20Lou%20Mirabal%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Hulaween%202025&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20and%20Lou%20Mirabal%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Hulaween%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Marc%20Shaiman%20and%20Lou%20Mirabal%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Hulaween%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hulaween, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Hulaween, #LouMirabal, #MarcShaiman --- ### [BetteBack 1979: Brooke Shield's Prices Herself Out Of A Certain Bette Midler Movie](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/03/betteback-1979-brooke-shields-prices-herself-out-of-a-certain-bette-midler-movie/) **Published:** November 3, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack 1979: Brooke Shield's Prices Herself Out Of A Certain Bette Midler Movie **Content:** --- **Boston Herald** **January 18, 1979** --- [![gypsy_02](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gypsy_02-395x600.jpg "Gypsy_02 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71304) --- [![2017-05-16_1-33-51](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_1-33-51.png "2017-05-16_1-33-51 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71303) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Brooke%20Shield%27s%20Prices%20Herself%20Out%20Of%20A%20Certain%20Bette%20Midler%20Movie&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Brooke%20Shield%27s%20Prices%20Herself%20Out%20Of%20A%20Certain%20Bette%20Midler%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Brooke%20Shield%27s%20Prices%20Herself%20Out%20Of%20A%20Certain%20Bette%20Midler%20Movie&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Brooke%20Shield%27s%20Prices%20Herself%20Out%20Of%20A%20Certain%20Bette%20Midler%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Brooke%20Shield%27s%20Prices%20Herself%20Out%20Of%20A%20Certain%20Bette%20Midler%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Gypsy, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BrookeShields, #Gypsy, #Musical --- ### [BetteBack 1979: Lorne Michaels Promises Bette Midler He'll Make Her Look Good On SNL](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/11/01/betteback-1979-lorne-michaels-promises-bette-midler-hell-make-her-look-good-on-snl/) **Published:** November 1, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** BetteBack 1979: Lorne Michaels Promises Bette Midler He'll Make Her Look Good On SNL **Content:** --- **Times-Picayune** **May 19, 1979** --- [![SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - Episode 20 - Pictured: Musical guest Bette Midler performs on May 26, 1979 - Photo by: (Al Levine/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/143018059.jpg "Saturday night live - season 4 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71332)Saturday night live episode 20 pictured musical guest bette midler performs on may 26 1979 photo by al levinenbcnbcu photo bank via getty images [![2017-05-16_2-47-48](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_2-47-48.png "2017-05-16_2-47-48 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71331) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Lorne%20Michaels%20Promises%20Bette%20Midler%20He%27ll%20Make%20Her%20Look%20Good%20On%20SNL&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Lorne%20Michaels%20Promises%20Bette%20Midler%20He%27ll%20Make%20Her%20Look%20Good%20On%20SNL%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Lorne%20Michaels%20Promises%20Bette%20Midler%20He%27ll%20Make%20Her%20Look%20Good%20On%20SNL&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Lorne%20Michaels%20Promises%20Bette%20Midler%20He%27ll%20Make%20Her%20Look%20Good%20On%20SNL%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%201979%3A%20Lorne%20Michaels%20Promises%20Bette%20Midler%20He%27ll%20Make%20Her%20Look%20Good%20On%20SNL%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BuckHenry, #LorneMichaels, #SNL, #Television --- ### [Kenny Ortega and the Hocus Pocus Cast Set to Bring Magic to 90s Con 2026](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/31/kenny-ortega-and-the-hocus-pocus-cast-set-to-bring-magic-to-90s-con-2026/) **Published:** October 31, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Members of the Hocus Pocus cast and director Kenny Ortega are joining in the action, meeting with fans and appearing together at 90s Con 2026, March 13–15, 2026, at the Connecticut Convention Center. **Content:** --- ## People Kenny Ortega and the *Hocus Pocus* Cast Set to Bring Magic to 90s Con 2026, 28 Years After the Film’s Premiere (Exclusive) By Angela Andaloro October 31, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-31_16-05-18.png "2025-10-31_16-05-18 - bootleg betty") --- - PEOPLE can exclusively reveal that director Kenny Ortega and the Hocus Pocus cast are the latest to announce they’ll be looking back with fans at 90s Con 2026 - The 1993 classic film has become a staple of the Halloween season - **[90s Con 2026](https://www.thats4entertainment.com/90scon)** will take place March 13–15, 2026, at the Connecticut Convention Center It’ll all be a bunch of **[hocus pocus](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/31/hocus-pocus-star-tobias-jelinek-remembers-filming-with-larger-than-life-bette-midler/)** at 90s Con! Members of the Hocus Pocus cast and director Kenny Ortega are joining in the action, meeting with fans and appearing together at 90s Con 2026, March 13–15, 2026, at the Connecticut Convention Center. Ortega, Thora Birch (Dani Dennison), Vinessa Shaw (Allison), Omri Katz (Max Dennison), Larry Bagby (Ice) and Tobias Jelinek (Jay) are set to reunite, 27 years after making the first film together. Jason Marsden, who voiced the cat version of Thackery Binx, will also join the reunion. The creepy classic was first released in July 1993 and starred Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as a familial witch trio. Fans had to wait nearly 30 years from the premiere of the original film until the first sequel in 2022. It left fans still wanting more, and we’ve learned they won’t have to wait that long for the third one. While the details and storyline for Hocus Pocus 3 have been kept quiet, Midler teased in October 2025 that she had received a script and thought it was “brilliant.” Prior to learning the plot, Parker said that she and her fellow witch sisters were “having some conversations” about development. Disney initially announced that Hocus Pocus 3 was in the works when the president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, Sean Bailey, told The New York Times the exciting news in June 2023. Marsden will also join the cast, pulling double duty as he is also set to appear with his Step by Step costars at the fun-filled fan event. Patrick Duffy, Christine Lakin, Staci Keanan, Angela Watson, Christopher Castile, Sasha Mitchell and Josh Byrne will also appear. The 2026 lineup already includes Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean and Nick Carter, plus Perfect Strangers’ Bronson Pinchot and Mark Linn-Baker and Larry Brantley, the voice of everyone’s favorite ’90s pup, Wishbone. **[Tickets for 90s Con are now available](https://www.showclix.com/tickets/90s-con-ct-2026),** including special opportunities for fans to meet their favorite stars. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Kenny%20Ortega%20and%20the%C2%A0Hocus%20Pocus%C2%A0Cast%20Set%20to%20Bring%20Magic%20to%2090s%20Con%202026&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Kenny%20Ortega%20and%20the%C2%A0Hocus%20Pocus%C2%A0Cast%20Set%20to%20Bring%20Magic%20to%2090s%20Con%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Kenny%20Ortega%20and%20the%C2%A0Hocus%20Pocus%C2%A0Cast%20Set%20to%20Bring%20Magic%20to%2090s%20Con%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Kenny%20Ortega%20and%20the%C2%A0Hocus%20Pocus%C2%A0Cast%20Set%20to%20Bring%20Magic%20to%2090s%20Con%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Kenny%20Ortega%20and%20the%C2%A0Hocus%20Pocus%C2%A0Cast%20Set%20to%20Bring%20Magic%20to%2090s%20Con%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #90sCon2026, #BetteMidler, #cast, #HocusPocus, #KennyOrtega --- ### [Hocus Pocus Star Tobias Jelinek Remembers Filming with 'Larger than Life' Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/31/hocus-pocus-star-tobias-jelinek-remembers-filming-with-larger-than-life-bette-midler/) **Published:** October 31, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “Bette Midler was and still is larger than life,” the actor said. In the film, he played Jay, a teenage bully and best friend to Larry Bagby’s Ice. **Content:** --- ## People Hocus Pocus Star Tobias Jelinek Remembers Filming with ‘Larger than Life’ Bette Midler By Victoria Edel Oct 31, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Tomorrow-or-To-2021-10-12T083514.409-1-1024x576.webp "Tomorrow-or-to-2021-10-12t083514. 409 - bootleg betty")--- - Hocus Pocus star [**Tobias Jelinek**](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420564/) reminisces to PEOPLE about filming the beloved Halloween movie. - Jelinek said star [**Bette Midler**](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000541/) was “larger than life” and praised Kathy Najimy as his “favorite in the film” - Jelinek also explained why he thinks the movie still resonates with fans to this day Tobias Jelinek was just 15 years old when he was cast in Hocus Pocus. “It was surreal,” Jelinek, now 48, told PEOPLE. He was particularly wowed by being on set with Bette Midler, who played Winnie Sanderson, the eldest of the three Sanderson sister-witches. “Bette Midler was and still is larger than life,” the actor said. In the film, he played Jay, a teenage bully and best friend to Larry Bagby’s Ice. “She’s remarkable, her presence, and she has a lot of that live performer beauty and grace.” When Jelinek and Bagby did their brief scene with the Sanderson witches — Sarah Jessica Parker played Sarah and Kathy Najimy played Mary — the actor said they knew they had to bring their “A game.” “It was remarkable to see her and a young Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy — who’s hilarious, perhaps my favorite in the film — to watch them do all of their witchy stuff and the choreography,” Jelinek, who stars in this month’s Netflix series Monster: The Ed Gein Story, remembered. “And Bette really running that, \[that\] was a learning experience.” ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-27_15-07-54-1.png "2025-10-27_15-07-54 - bootleg betty") As for his younger costars, including Omri Katz, Thora Birch and Vinessa Shaw, he said, “We all loved each other. We had a blast.” He praised legendary director Kenny Ortega, calling him “brilliant when it comes to getting the best performance out of children and nurturing their natural talents.” “He really knew how to push you further than you thought you could go,” he remembered. “He would bring up that energy and he allowed us to play. That’s what I really remember, is feeling very safe to go the distance.” Making the movie “was so fun,” he said. “You’re jumping up behind a tombstone and yelling and playing in Salem, Massachusetts. It was surreal. I grew up in Santa Barbara, and they pick us up in a limo, you fly first class, they hand you cash for per diem. . . . And you’re wearing a leather jacket with a reverse flannel, it’s like, ‘Okay, let’s do this.’ ” Though fans love the film now, the movie flopped when it was released, bizarrely given its Halloween setting, in July. “They put it up against Jurassic Park,” he remembered. “But that’s the cream rises. The story really has a wonderful balance. It took me years to realize it.” Jelinek said it was only during the mid-2010s that he realized Hocus Pocus had developed a huge following of fans who had spread the movie to younger generations. “It has something for everyone,” he says. Jelinek, Bagby and other stars often meet up at fan conventions and speak to fans, and Jelinek remembers one particular story a fan shared. “Her parents chose to use Hocus Pocus to have the birds and bees conversation,” he said. In the movie, the Sanderson witches come back when Katz’s Max, a “virgin,” lights the Black-Flame Candle, and the woman’s parents used that moment to explain. “She’s like, ‘Not Hocus Pocus, don’t ruin Hocus Pocus for me,’ ” Jelinek remembered with a laugh. Nowadays, Jelinek and his castmates reunite for a yearly event in Salem called It’s Just A Buncha Halloween, which includes a huge screening with live commentary, trivia and trolley rides. Next year will be their third event, and it will also mark the 400th anniversary of Salem, which was first settled in 1626. The actor notes, “It’s really cool just to see that \[Hocus Pocus is\] still very much alive and it continues to be passed down through the generations.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Hocus%20Pocus%C2%A0Star%20Tobias%20Jelinek%20Remembers%20Filming%20with%20%27Larger%20than%20Life%27%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Hocus%20Pocus%C2%A0Star%20Tobias%20Jelinek%20Remembers%20Filming%20with%20%27Larger%20than%20Life%27%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Hocus%20Pocus%C2%A0Star%20Tobias%20Jelinek%20Remembers%20Filming%20with%20%27Larger%20than%20Life%27%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Hocus%20Pocus%C2%A0Star%20Tobias%20Jelinek%20Remembers%20Filming%20with%20%27Larger%20than%20Life%27%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Hocus%20Pocus%C2%A0Star%20Tobias%20Jelinek%20Remembers%20Filming%20with%20%27Larger%20than%20Life%27%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HocusPocus, #Movie, #TobiasJelinek --- ### [Video: In Search Of The Sanderson Sisters](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/31/video-in-search-of-the-sanderson-sisters/) **Published:** October 31, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** On this day in 2020, ‘In Search of the Sanderson Sisters: A Hocus Pocus Hulaween Takeover’ premiered online. **Content:** --- ## DapsMagic In Search of the Sanderson Sisters: A Hocus Pocus Hulaween Takeover | DISNEY THIS DAY | October 30, 2020 By Mr. Daps Oct 30, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/In-Search-of-the-Sanderson-Sisters-A-Hocus-Pocus-Hulaween-Takeover-Featured-Image-1536x864-1-1024x576.jpg "In-search-of-the-sanderson-sisters-a-hocus-pocus-hulaween-takeover-featured-image-1536x864 - bootleg betty")--- On this day in 2020, [**‘In Search of the Sanderson Sisters: A Hocus Pocus Hulaween Takeover’** ](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13346648/)premiered online. The mockumentary fundraiser was hosted by Elvira, who led a search for the legendary Sanderson Sisters. She interviewed those who were affected by them, including notable **[‘Hocus Pocus’ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/30/the-real-story-behind-hocus-pocus/)**characters, and visited locations from the film. The original cast, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, reunited to perform a new version of “I Put a Spell On You.” \[5 years ago in 2025\] --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20In%20Search%20Of%20The%20Sanderson%20Sisters&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20In%20Search%20Of%20The%20Sanderson%20Sisters%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20In%20Search%20Of%20The%20Sanderson%20Sisters&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20In%20Search%20Of%20The%20Sanderson%20Sisters%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20In%20Search%20Of%20The%20Sanderson%20Sisters%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HocusPocus, #InSearchOfTheSandersonSisters, #Special, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler Weighs In On Marc Shaiman's Upcoming Memoir, Never Mind The Happy!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/30/bette-midler-weighs-in-on-marc-shaimans-upcoming-memoir-never-mind-the-happy/) **Published:** October 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler Weighs In On Marc Shaiman's Upcoming Memoir, Never Mind The Happy! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Weighs In On Marc Shaiman’s Upcoming Memoir, Never Mind The Happy! By Mister D October 30, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/NeverMindTheHappy_v4-1024x512.webp "Nevermindthehappy_v4 - bootleg betty")--- ***[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/25/more-hulaween-2025-photos-from-bette-midler/) Weighs In On Marc Shaiman’s Upcoming Memoir, [Never Mind The Happy!](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Never-Mind-the-Happy/Marc-Shaiman/9798895652244)*** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-30_17-52-07.png "2025-10-30_17-52-07 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Weighs%20In%20On%20Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Upcoming%20Memoir%2C%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Weighs%20In%20On%20Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Upcoming%20Memoir%2C%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Weighs%20In%20On%20Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Upcoming%20Memoir%2C%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Weighs%20In%20On%20Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Upcoming%20Memoir%2C%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Weighs%20In%20On%20Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Upcoming%20Memoir%2C%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Book, #MarcShaiman, #Memoir, #NeverMindTheHappy --- ### [BetteBack March 15, 1979: Bette Midler Takes In Liv Ullman!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/30/betteback-march-15-1979-bette-midler-takes-in-liv-ullman/) **Published:** October 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Mister D: Yes, she did appear in a musical, Lost Horizon, in 1973, and it was abysmal. **Content:** --- **State** **March 15, 1979** --- **Mister D:** *Yes, she did appear in a musical, Lost Horizon, in 1973, and it was abysmal.* --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-30_07-18-26.png "2025-10-30_07-18-26 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-05-16_2-10-51](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_2-10-51.png "2017-05-16_2-10-51 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71317) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20March%2015%2C%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Liv%20Ullman%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20March%2015%2C%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Liv%20Ullman%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20March%2015%2C%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Liv%20Ullman%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20March%2015%2C%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Liv%20Ullman%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20March%2015%2C%201979%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20In%20Liv%20Ullman%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #LivUllman, #LostParadise, #Movies --- ### [10 Halloween movies for every mood](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/30/10-halloween-movies-for-every-mood/) **Published:** October 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Halloween usually conjures images of pumpkins, trick-or-treating and Bette Midler's annual costume party. But for the homebodies who feel more comfortable on the couch rather than on the spiderweb-strewn streets, it’s Halloween movies that truly make the season. **Content:** --- ## Sydney Morning Herald From shark killers to friendly ghosts: 10 Halloween movies for every mood By Nell Geraets October 30, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/571201520_122110110855022255_1521782113988217632_n.jpg "571201520_122110110855022255_1521782113988217632_n - bootleg betty") **How many times have you watched Hocus Pocus?** --- [**Halloween** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween)usually conjures images of pumpkins, trick-or-treating, and [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/27/bette-midler-new-york-gardener-is-ready-to-talk-trash-and-compost/) annual costume party. But for the homebodies who feel more comfortable on the couch rather than on the spiderweb-strewn streets, it’s Halloween movies that truly make the season. That means, of course, horror galore. Nothing says All Hallows’ Eve more than watching a freaky tale in the dark. But not all spooky season fans want to be spooked. Release the Fear: Why we love horror Horror films, once considered niche are now critically lauded, and breaking box office records. So why now? Why are horror films suddenly so popular? Fear not, for there are plenty of Halloween-themed films to suit everyone’s tastes. Whether you’re watching with the family, keen for a laugh with friends, or looking for a serious fright, here are 10 movies you can stream this Halloween – ranked by fear factor. **Weapons (HBO)** From the mind that brought the breakout success Barbarian (Zach Cregger), Weapons sees an entire classroom of third-graders go missing, bar one child. What’s even more mysterious is that they all disappear on the same night at the same time. The idea of missing children is freaky enough, but the film’s tendency to constantly shift the focus between different characters keeps you even more on edge. It has clearly resonated, grossing more than $411 million globally – an impressive figure given it’s an entirely original horror movie that cost only $58.5 million to produce. ***Fear factor: You’ll want to sleep with the lights on.*** **Vicious (Paramount+)** Looking for a straight-cut, no-frills supernatural scare? This film from the directors of The Strangers should do the trick. A stranger knocks on a young woman’s door and tells her she’s going to die that night unless she places three things into a mysterious box: something she needs, something she hates and something she loves. What follows is a classic paranormal nightmare, as the woman (played by Dakota Fanning) desperately attempts to save herself before daylight. ***Fear factor: You’ll never look at a box the same***. **Speak No Evil (2022) (Stan\*)** The original Speak No Evil is arguably three-times as unsettling as the decent 2024 James McAvoy remake. Two families hit it off while on holiday in Italy. Months after, they agree to meet at one of the family’s remote homes in the Netherlands. But it quickly becomes apparent their newfound friends have sinister ulterior motives. Verging on something between horror and thriller, this will suit anyone comfortable being uncomfortable but may leave those desperate for bloodshed wanting. ***Fear factor: Stranger danger will never feel so pertinent***. **The Monkey (Amazon Prime Video)** This film is based on a 1980 short story by Stephen King – the king of horror novels – so you know it’s going to be a little weird and a lot scary. Directed by Osgood Perkins (Longlegs), it follows twin brothers who find their father’s old cymbal-banging monkey toy, only to suddenly become haunted by a string of violent deaths. They get rid of it, but years later find themselves crossing its path once again. The deaths in this film are too zany and outrageous to be taken seriously (one person is trampled by dozens of wild horses while in a sleeping bag), but the monkey’s eerie smile and its symbolism for an absent father still send shivers up your spine. ***Fear factor: It’ll put you off your dinner.*** **Dangerous Animals (Binge)** Australians arguably make the best creature features (think of Russell Mulcahy’s Razorback). But Sean Byrne takes it one step further by blending shark thriller with serial killer horror. A shark-obsessed killer holds a surfer captive on his boat, planning to feed her to the predators below. It’s genre-fusing at its finest, leaving viewers uncertain over whether to be more afraid of sharks or humankind. ***Fear factor: You won’t feel safe on land or in water.*** **Heart Eyes (Binge, Paramount+)** Every Halloween streaming guide needs a slasher. A masked killer with, you called it, heart eyes murders innocent couples on Valentine’s Day. However, one couple eventually decides it’s time to end cupid’s reign of terror by fighting back. It’s no Scream or Nightmare on Elm Street, but it’s just the right amount of silly and gory for a fun night with mates. ***Fear factor: Unrealistic enough to sleep soundly afterwards***. **VelociPastor (Amazon Prime Video)** The IMDb synopsis says it all: “After losing his parents, a priest travels to China, where he inherits a mysterious ability that allows him to turn into a dinosaur. At first horrified by this new power, a \[sex worker\] convinces him to use it to fight crime. And ninjas.” A movie about a dinosaur priest isn’t going to petrify, and it’s certainly not going to make sense. But if you’re searching for something so-bad-it’s-good, VelociPastor will be “dino-mite”. ***Fear factor: Outrageously entertaining.*** **The Craft (Stan, Netflix, Paramount+)** It’s basically Mean Girls meets the occult. A girl befriends three teens at her new school who practise witchcraft against their nemeses. There are consequences for joining a coven, however, which they all soon discover. A nostalgic ’90s favourite combined with Wiccan lore and Gothic outfits to die for – what more could you want on All Hallow’s Eve? ***Fear factor: Teenagers – enough said.*** **Hocus Pocus (Disney+)** Speaking of nostalgic witchy films, Hocus Pocus is a Halloween must. Witch sisters Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy resurrect after 300 years to seek revenge on a young boy who lights the cursed “Candle of Blake Flame”. Both parents and children can delight in this movie, but it features a pretty realistic zombie and kidnapping, so parents of little ones should proceed with caution. ***Fear factor: Nostalgia trip with minor scares.*** **Casper (Disney+, Paramount+)** Not all ghosts are scary, as evidenced by Casper who peacefully “haunts” Whipstaff Manor. He befriends Kat (Christina Ricci), the daughter of a paranormal investigator hired to rid the house of spirits, thus making the investigator’s job a lot more complicated. While it explores heavier themes, such as grief and the afterlife, Casper keeps it light with its cutesy animation and slapstick ghost comedy. ***Fear factor: Not a trick, but a treat for the whole family.*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=10%20Halloween%20movies%20for%20every%20mood&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=10%20Halloween%20movies%20for%20every%20mood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=10%20Halloween%20movies%20for%20every%20mood&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=10%20Halloween%20movies%20for%20every%20mood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=10%20Halloween%20movies%20for%20every%20mood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Halloween, #HocusPocus, #Movies --- ### [Ranking The 10 Greatest Live Action Family Films Of The 20th Century](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/29/ranking-the-10-greatest-live-action-family-films-of-the-20th-century/) **Published:** October 29, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Collider The 10 Greatest Live-Action Family Movies of the 20th Century, Ranked By Lisa Nordin October 29, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-29_12-57-10.png "2025-10-29_12-57-10 - bootleg betty") --- Telling an entertaining kids’ and family story is more complicated than it sounds. Children are tough critics. They have unfiltered sensibilities that tend to decide instantly whether they want to engage with a certain type of media or not. When a kids’ and family movie becomes not only an instant success, but one that lasts for several generations, it is a monumental triumph. Though the genre of [**family films**](https://www.imdb.com/list/ls062749567/) has some great animated options, there are also truly wonderful live-action movies that have made significant contributions to the history of moving pictures. From toe-tapping musicals like Mary Poppins to a cult classic like The Princess Bride, these movies are exemplary of the best the 20th Century had to offer. From 1901 to 2000, the cinema had no shortage of great family films, and these 10 are simply the best. **10. ‘Labyrinth’ (1986)** Sometimes filmmakers know they have created a masterpiece that critics simply can’t appreciate. Such was the case for Jim Henson and his passion project, Labyrinth. Telling the story of a young girl who wishes away and then goes to rescue her baby brother from the Goblin King, Labyrinth is a dark fantasy that was boldly innovative. David Bowie is irreplaceable as Jareth. His ability to bring romance, mystery, and musical performance to the role was essential. Jennifer Connelly already had a few credits to her name as a young actor when she starred as Sarah in Labyrinth. It became a breakout role for her, launching her career to greater heights and making her an iconic figure in the fantasy genre. Henson’s exceptional mind for design and keen ability to use practical effects make Labyrinth still as visually spellbinding today as it was nearly four decades ago. Labyrinth shares remarkable similarities with another entry on this list, The Wizard of Oz. Both Sarah and Dorothy (Judy Garland) are stuck in a boring everyday life that leaves them feeling listless. They both wish for a change. And after traveling to a magical fantasy realm with strange characters and an all-powerful male figure, their delusions dissipate as they realize what they wanted wasn’t what they expected. However, while The Wizard of Oz received acclaim and recognition, Labyrinth did not. It is a misunderstood masterpiece that is finally enjoying the appreciation it has long deserved. **9. ‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)** The quintessential movie nanny, Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews), cared deeply for her charges in a way that wasn’t fluffy, overdone, and full of saccharin sentiments. She was practical, no-nonsense, and sensible. These grounding traits made her magical ones shine all the more, as she was a walking/talking duality. She lectures the kids about taking their medicine one minute and takes them to a fanciful cartoon land the next. Mary Poppins was a mystery who ended up saving more than the children she was tasked to care for. Mary Poppins wasn’t just superbly written and conceived; it was imaginatively executed. Its blend of live-action and animation was years ahead of any other film and inspired countless others to mix the two media. Mary Poppins’ abilities to inspire wonder reached beyond the film as its massive box office success helped fund the creation of Disney World. Often hailed as one of the best musicals of all time, it is an essential family movie and definitely one of the best the 20th Century had to offer. **8. ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ (1992)** The Muppet Christmas Carol came at a sad time in the cinematic community with the passing of Jim Henson in 1990. Soon after his father’s death, his son Brian Henson was charged with the undertaking of a Muppet remake of A Christmas Carol. Although it wasn’t his idea to make the film, Henson followed in his father’s footsteps and ended up making one of the best adaptations of Charles Dickens’ work ever. Everyone’s favorite Muppets, including Kermit the Frog (Steve Whitmire), Miss Piggy (Frank Oz), and The Great Gonzo (Dave Goelz), took on Dickens’ beloved characters with great panache. Adding their own irreverent Muppet-like spin on the classic Christmas tale enlivened the material with humor and hilariously self-aware and fourth-wall-breaking digs. It is one of the highest-rated versions of A Christmas Carol according to IMDb and an absolute gem of a film. Michael Caine delivers a tour de force performance as Scrooge, and his take on the infamous antihero is unparalleled. The Muppet Christmas Carol is a great mix of classic literature, movie-making meta moments, and storytelling at its finest. The 20th Century is all the better for having such a special and singular creation among its contributions. **7. ‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993)** If you had told film critics in 1993 that [**Hocus Pocus**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/02/20/hocus-pocus-and-its-ever-growing-legacy/) would be on a list with the best movies to come out of the 20th Century, they would have thought they were under a spell. Upon its initial release, the quirky Halloween comedy flopped at the box office and failed to land with most of the industry reviewers who saw it. Audiences had come to expect certain formulas in their films, and Hocus Pocus colored outside the lines. It blended humor with horror, adding elements of playfulness to the villainy. Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker are archetypal as the Sanderson Sisters, a trio of witches who come back to life when a skeptical teenager lights a black flame candle. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WebSDeck-HocusPocusVariant.webp "Web+sdeck+-+hocus+pocus+variant - bootleg betty")Luckily, like Labyrinth, Hocus Pocus finally received the admiration from audiences it did not receive initially. It still dominates streaming charts during spooky season and remains a Halloween favorite for many fans. After the long-anticipated sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, came out in 2022, a third film was set to be made and is currently still slated for production, according to Midler. In a complete reversal of the first film, Hocus Pocus 2 was a bigger hit with critics than with audiences. It seems that the great majority of viewers are still deciding what to do with this unique franchise. However, there is no doubt about the cultural impact the original has had on Halloween and live-action horror-comedies and family films in general. **6. ‘A Little Princess’ (1995)** From the enchanting music evoking landscapes of India to the dreamlike quality of the cinematography, A Little Princess transports audiences. The original story written by Frances Hodgson Burnett follows a young girl named Sara Crewe (Liesel Matthews) through almost insurmountable trials. After losing literally everything, Sara summons an inner strength given to her through the love of her father. She faces a harsh world and a harsh authority figure with uncompromising hope. Director Alfonso Cuarón masterfully tells this epic tale, weaving fantasy with reality in a triumph for all ages. The soundtrack is integral to the film, communicating the story spectacularly. The acting is heartfelt, and all the young actors are brilliant in their roles. A Little Princess is perfect in every way. From the ethereal ambiance to the dramatic finale, it is absolutely amazing, start to finish. **5. ‘Home Alone’ (1990)** One of the top five highest-grossing Christmas movies of all time, Home Alone is a kid-centric film with a lot of heart. Starring Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, a young boy who accidentally gets left behind when his entire family flies to France for the holidays. An already precarious situation gets ramped up to incredibly high stakes when he must defend his home from two burglars who try to break in. Home Alone features an outstanding cast, including Daniel Stern, Joe Pesci, and Catherine O’Hara. At its heart, Home Alone is about family. The holidays have a way of bringing familial tensions to the surface, but Home Alone reminds us all that life would be a lot less full without our family members in it, annoying at times as they may be. The film has transcended many genres and generations, and it is hard to imagine the cultural landscape without this film being in it. It remains one of the most-watched movies on streaming, 35 years after its debut, speaking to the enduring quality and rewatchability of this Christmas-themed classic. **4. ‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)** One of the most quotable fantasy movies ever, The Princess Bride is essential. Its mix of clever humor, romance, and action makes it as entertaining for adults as it is for younger viewers to watch. It is also a great introduction to the fantasy genre and can be enjoyed by non-fans as well as devotees. The Princess Bride is a story within a story. A grandfather reads a book to his sick grandson in the larger universe, and the heart-racing adventure of Westley (Cary Elwes) trying to rescue his true love, Buttercup (Robin Wright), is in the smaller universe. A gentle giant, a cunning mastermind, and a Spanish swordsman set to avenge his father join in on the sweeping fantasy tale. The Princess Bride’s meta references and breaking the fourth wall add to its charm. It doesn’t take itself too seriously while also communicating a tender story with great pathos. It was years ahead of its time and only grows in affection from audiences with each passing year. **3. ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’ (1971)** Like many films, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is not without controversy. Renowned children’s book author Roald Dahl is the genius behind some of the most beloved IPs of all time, including Matilda, The Witches, James and the Giant Peach, and The BFG. When it came time to cast the lead in the 1971 film adaptation of his book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dahl was not a fan of having Gene Wilder in the role of Willy Wonka. Wilder, who was mostly known for his off-colour comedies, was not the author’s first or even second choice. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory borders on a psychological thriller, and almost horror at times. Ironically, one of Dahl’s objections to Wilder was that he feared he was too soft and didn’t have a sufficient edge. It turned out that Wilder’s take on the character was far more understated and nuanced but not an ounce less sinister and underhandedly mischievous than Dahl’s original vision. Wilder would prove iconic in the role, becoming the definitive version of the eccentric candy tycoon. **2. ‘The Sound of Music’ (1965)** It is a lesser-known fact that the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music is based on a true story. Rodgers and Hammerstein did modify a few aspects of the real von Trapp family’s story, but the essential plotline remains intact. Maria Augusta Kutschera was a nun who was sent to tutor the daughter of Baron Georg von Trapp, who had seven children from his previous marriage. Kutschera and von Trapp fell in love and were married. Although The Sound of Music turns their courtship into an enemies-to-lovers trope, it creates great tension for a theatrical retelling. The Sound of Music was a phenomenal success. It spent four years, that’s right, years, in theaters and was the highest-grossing film of its day, surpassing Gone with the Wind. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, taking home five of them, including the prestigious Best Picture. The Sound of Music’s lasting themes of love, family, and the pursuit of liberty make it resonate throughout time, and it remains as captivating as ever. **1. ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)** There is no movie quite like The Wizard of Oz. It is part fantasy, part adventure, part mystery. Somewhere between the stuff that dreams are made of and haunting nightmare fuel, it is a singularity in the history of cinema. The Wizard of Oz, at its core, is a hero’s journey with fantastical elements and great characters. The striking contrast of black and white versus Technicolor makes it one of the most visually stunning pieces ever created. Filmed during the Golden Age of Hollywood, The Wizard of Oz is complete with staples of the era like extensive sets, lavish musical numbers, and large studio production. It would come to transcend its original media. The Wizard of Oz has woven itself so completely into the Western cultural landscape that its famous “There’s no place like home” line has become a paradigm that has carried over into the 21st Century. The Wizard of Oz is still influencing filmmakers and those who have never even seen it. It is undoubtedly one of the most significant movies made not only in the 20th Century, but of all time. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Ranking%20The%2010%20Greatest%20Live%20Action%20Family%20Films%20Of%20The%2020th%20Century&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Ranking%20The%2010%20Greatest%20Live%20Action%20Family%20Films%20Of%20The%2020th%20Century%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Ranking%20The%2010%20Greatest%20Live%20Action%20Family%20Films%20Of%20The%2020th%20Century&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Ranking%20The%2010%20Greatest%20Live%20Action%20Family%20Films%20Of%20The%2020th%20Century%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Ranking%20The%2010%20Greatest%20Live%20Action%20Family%20Films%20Of%20The%2020th%20Century%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #FanilyFilms, #Films, #HocusPocus --- ### [Bette Midler Reflects On Her Upcoming Birthday](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/29/bette-midler-reflects-on-her-upcoming-birthday/) **Published:** October 29, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler is reflecting on turning 80 and mourning the recent loss of her The First Wives Club co-star, Diane Keaton. **Content:** --- ## People Bette Midler Reflects on Upcoming 80th Birthday: ‘I’m No Longer a Spring Chicken’ By Virginia Chamlee and Lex Goldstein Oct 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-28_17-08-24.png "2025-10-28_17-08-24 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) is reflecting on turning 80 and mourning the recent loss of her [The First Wives Club](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/12/watch-the-first-wives-club-for-free-on-youtube/) co-star, Diane Keaton. On Oct. 24, 2025, at the annual Hulaween gala to benefit the New York Restoration Project — which Midler founded in 1995 as a way to broaden access to green spaces for underserved communications in New York — Midler touched on her age. Calling the 30th annual event “moving,” Midler joked while accepting the gala’s Catalyst Award, *“I know what you’re thinking: you’re 77, you’re nearly 80. Do you need a chair? No.”* *“But yes, it’s true — I’m no longer a spring chicken,” Midler, who is 79 and will turn 80 in December, continued. “I’m no longer a summer chicken. I’m not even a fall chicken. I’m an endangered chicken at this point. However, I am honored to accept the Catalyst Award tonight because I did do something. I did. I actually did do something.”* Elsewhere in her speech, Midler said, *“You know, when you’re old, you remember the old things better than you remember yesterday. You don’t remember what you ate yesterday, but you remember what it felt like to dig in a filthy park and to remove debris and to be amongst people who were like-minded. You really remember that.”* --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20On%20Her%20Upcoming%20Birthday&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20On%20Her%20Upcoming%20Birthday%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20On%20Her%20Upcoming%20Birthday&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20On%20Her%20Upcoming%20Birthday%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20On%20Her%20Upcoming%20Birthday%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Hulaween, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Birthday, #Hulaween, #NYRP, #Reflects --- ### [Video: You Don't Own Me (Alternate Version)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/28/video-you-dont-own-me-alternate-version/) **Published:** October 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: You Don’t Own Me (Alternate Version) By Mister D Oct 26, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-26_03-46-52.png "2025-10-26_03-46-52 - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CDAFOmmnBMj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by 80? 90? 00? ?Movies TV Music (@thatsongfrom)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CDAFOmmnBMj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20You%20Don%27t%20Own%20Me%20%28Alternate%20Version%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20You%20Don%27t%20Own%20Me%20%28Alternate%20Version%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20You%20Don%27t%20Own%20Me%20%28Alternate%20Version%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20You%20Don%27t%20Own%20Me%20%28Alternate%20Version%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20You%20Don%27t%20Own%20Me%20%28Alternate%20Version%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Movies, Video, you don't own me **Tags:** #Alternative, #BetteMidler, #FirstWivesClub, #Youdontownme, Video --- ### [The Best Book-to-Film Adaptations](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/28/the-best-book-to-film-adaptations/) **Published:** October 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Transforming the intricacies of literature into a visual spectacle has yielded some of cinema's greatest films. **Content:** --- ## Exclaim! The Best Book-to-Film Adaptations By Rachel Ho Oct. 22, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Diapositive-De-Presse-Slide-Diane-Keaton-Bette-Midler.jpg "Diapositive-de-presse-slide-diane-keaton-bette-midler - bootleg betty")--- Transforming the intricacies of literature into a visual spectacle has yielded some of cinema’s greatest films. In recent years, Colleen Hoover has taken up the mantle left by Nicholas Sparks as the go-to romance author whose books are inspiring studios across Hollywood. The latest Hoover book to receive the cinematic treatment is Regretting You, a romantic drama directed by Josh Boone about a family weathering their grief following a tragic accident. Allison Williams and Dave Franco star as Morgan Grant and Jonah Sullivan, in-laws whose spouses (played by Scott Eastwood and Willa Fitzgerald) die in a car crash. As both navigate life without their partners, and Morgan without her sister, details of the accident leave more questions than answers. Mckenna Grace also stars in the film as Clara Grant, Morgan’s daughter. Clara’s already-complicated high school life becomes a whole other journey after losing her father and sensing there was more to the accident that claimed the lives of her dad and aunt. Grab your popcorn and tissues, as Paramount Pictures’ Regretting You hits theatres across Canada on Friday, October 24. As we escape into the world of the Grants and Sullivans, here are five other book-to-film adaptations that ignited our imaginations. **Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)** A classic film whose iconography lives on through dorm room posters and Halloween costumes, the exploits of Holly Golightly find an audience with each new generation. Adapted from a novella written by Truman Capote in 1958, Breakfast at Tiffany’s follows the naïve socialite and her unlikely love story with her new neighbour Paul Varjak, a struggling writer. A film known for Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard’s chemistry (despite the unfortunate casting of Mickey Rooney in yellowface), Blake Edwards’s gentle direction and Franz F. Planer’s rich cinematography captures the heart of Capote’s story. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including one for Hepburn, and won two for its music, including Best Song for Henry Mancini’s “Moon River.” **Clueless (1995)** Perhaps only William Shakespeare can rival Jane Austen for the number of film adaptations made of their work. The British film industry in particular has grabbed onto the heartache and beauty of Austen in a truly unique way; however, one American production emerged in the ’90s to bring Austen across the Atlantic in the most Hollywood way possible. Amy Heckerling’s Clueless transforms Austen’s Emma Woodhouse from the mildly spoiled, highly intelligent 21-year-old living in Hartfield estates into Cher Horowitz, a supremely spoiled but good-natured high school student rocking up to her Beverly Hills classes in an Audi convertible. Clueless presents a coming-of-age story in outrageous extremes while still finding a genuine sentimentality that makes Alicia Silverstone’s performance one for the ages. The film continues to inspire fashionistas today and spawned some of the best lingo the ’90s had to offer. As if! **The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)** F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story The Curious Case of Benjamin Button features one of the most tragically human premises in literature. The reverse physical progression of the titular character, who never finds a connection with his peers and only experiences shame from his family, creates an existential mind-meld with readers. David Fincher didn’t adapt Fitzgerald’s short one-to-one; he made several changes to the legendary text, but, most importantly, his Oscar-nominated film injected a love story set across time. Fincher spun the film slightly away from its satirical source material, turning it into a movie about connection. A tremendous film centred on stunning performances from Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button proved itself to be one of the best films of the decade. **The First Wives Club (1996)** When **[The First Wives Club](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/first-wives-club/)** premiered in 1996, critics were lukewarm in their response to Diane Keaton, Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn as scorned wives seeking justice for their unappreciated marital efforts. Based on the novel by [**Olivia Goldsmith**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivia_Goldsmith), The First Wives Club became a box office hit in spite of critics’ attempts to warn them off the film, and it exists today as a cult classic. Although broken marriages make up a large part of the film’s narrative (as well as the book’s), friendship forms its heart. The chemistry between Keaton, Midler and Hawn carries the movie from strength to strength, with just enough camp and silliness to break up the heaviness of their individual pain. It’s easy to see how The First Wives Club reinvigorated the careers of its three leading ladies — just watch their fantastic “You Don’t Own Me” finale. **Ordinary People (1980)** The directorial debut of Robert Redford, Ordinary People highlights the insurmountable challenge families face in the wake of an unexpected death. Based on Judith Guest’s 1976 novel, the film follows the Jarrett family as they rebuild their home after a sailing accident claims the life of the eldest son and sends their younger son to a psychiatric hospital due to a suicide attempt. Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore star as Calvin and Beth Jarrett, the grieving parents who respond very differently to the situation. Redford’s direction and Alvin Sargent’s script intricately explore the delicate and fraught nature of family, while affirming the strength of familial bonds. A heartfelt film that won a multitude of awards and readily occupies “Best of the ’80s” lists, Ordinary People endures as a classic family drama that delivers compassion to our darkest moments. The latest entry in the canon of book-to-film adaptations, Regretting You opens in theatres October 24. Tickets are available now. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Best%20Book-to-Film%20Adaptations&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Best%20Book-to-Film%20Adaptations%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Best%20Book-to-Film%20Adaptations&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Best%20Book-to-Film%20Adaptations%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Best%20Book-to-Film%20Adaptations%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, First Wives Club, Movies **Tags:** #Adaptations, #BetteMidler, #Book, #Film, #FirstWivesClub --- ### [Do We Really Need A Hocus Pocus 3?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/27/do-we-really-need-a-hocus-pocus-3/) **Published:** October 27, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Just in time for the spooky season, Bette Midler appeared on Watch What Happens Live with an update on Hocus Pocus 3. **Content:** --- ## BloomBerg Does Disney Really Need to Make a ‘Hocus Pocus 3’? By Jason Bailey Oct 24, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Hocus-Pocus-2_093022_1-57b27c2d40074642842baab111d3f0d6-1024x509.jpg "Hocus-pocus-2_093022_1-57b27c2d40074642842baab111d3f0d6 - bootleg betty")--- \*Bette Midler appeared on Watch What Happens Live with an update on Hocus Pocus 3, saying “they sent a script, and a lot of it was brilliant” and that they are trying to figure out logistical things. \*The Hocus Pocus franchise is an example of the creative doldrums of contemporary mainstream moviemaking, where sequels, prequels, and spin-offs are hyped for years, then disappear from the pop culture conversation shortly after release. \*The article suggests that studios, including Disney, should stop being so beholden to existing intellectual property and that movies that exist only to cash in on nostalgia become disposable entertainment and are forgotten quickly. Just in time for the spooky season, [**Bette Midler**](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/bette-midler-interview-career-life-1235961854/) appeared on Watch What Happens Live with an update on **[Hocus Pocus 3](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/04/3-cryptic-messages-about-hocus-pocus-3-from-bette-midler-on-instagram/)**. “They sent a script, and a lot of it was brilliant,” she said. “So I got very excited, and now we’re trying to figure out what it is and where it’s going to be and how much it’s going to cost and all those logistical things.” From those few seconds of industry double-speak and non-specific information, trade publications such as Variety and Deadline spun full reports about the status of Hocus Pocus 3. The moment — and the Hocus Pocus franchise itself — offers a perfect snapshot of the creative doldrums of contemporary mainstream moviemaking: a cycle of anticipation and amnesia that rewards unoriginality. Within that loop, sequels, prequels and spin-offs are hyped for years, painstakingly documented through development and production, only to disappear from the pop culture conversation shortly after they’re released. That was certainly the case with Hocus Pocus 2, which arrived 30 years after the original. During the long wait, the idea of the sequel was the subject of fan theories and entertainment headlines (not unlike the ones we’re seeing now), which built up breathless expectations. That’s the anticipation part. But there was little reason to predict such fervor when the original film was released in the summer of 1993. Hocus Pocus was a throwaway from the Walt Disney Co., released at a time when live-action family films were losing priority amid the studio’s animated resurgence (it came out between 1992’s Aladdin and 1994’s The Lion King). Audiences were initially apathetic — it opened in fourth place and was out of the top 10 by week three — and critics were downright hostile. Luckily for the film, it also came out on videotape in an era when you could make a long-term moneymaker out of just about anything that parents could rent and plop their children in front of. As those kids grew up, Hocus Pocus’ reputation improved, primarily because of their nostalgia toward it (and not so much by any active reappraisals of the very bad film itself). Lovers of the film posted memes about it, dressed up as its characters for Halloween, and the clamoring for a follow-up began; “How’s about Hocus Pocus 2 ?” became a perennial interview question for everyone involved. When it finally arrived, it went straight to Disney+ — a head-scratching move to some critics, and perhaps a quiet vote of no confidence from the studio. Around here is where the amnesia part of the cycle rears its head. While there were some shruggingly positive notices, the negative ones were particularly vicious — and more importantly, even the franchise’s fans were disappointed. Some might be quick to note that Hocus Pocus 2 became a record-breaking hit on Disney+, but box-office or streaming numbers tell only part of the story. The real test of success is long-term affection, conversation and rewatches — that’s what keeps a film alive in the public imagination. Hocus Pocus 2 fell short there, which should prompt Disney to consider whether the public really wants a Hocus Pocus 3. The honest answer to that question may be drowned out by the industry’s instinct to chase hype and recreate the anticipation part of the cycle, while conveniently forgetting how much of a non-event the last one turned out to be. It’s a case of outsized nostalgia — a tendency to inflate fond memories of the past into justification for unnecessary sequels — and if any studio should recognize the risks of that impulse, it’s Disney. This month, the company watched Tron: Ares — a second sequel to a film that, like Hocus Pocus, wasn’t a big hit to begin with but steadily grew a cult following — flop at the box office. Another illustrative example is Warner Bros.’ Blade Runner. It came out the same summer as the original Tron in 1982 and also tanked with audiences. Like Tron, its reputation grew enough to get a greenlight for its own expensive, belated follow-up, which also flopped. It raises an important question: If a cult classic is, by definition, a movie that found a devoted following after initially failing to connect with a wide audience, then why do studios expect a sequel to succeed where the original failed? And it’s not just sequels to flops that aren’t landing with viewers — witness the surprisingly low grosses for such seemingly sure things as the most recent entries in the Indiana Jones and Matrix series. All of this illustrates why Hollywood should stop being so beholden to existing intellectual property. But these protracted reanimations of once-loved movies and shows are seemingly unavoidable. The trend has become particularly inescapable in the streaming era. Netflix Inc.’s strategy — new seasons of Arrested Development and Gilmore Girls, along with sequels to Happy Gilmore and Beverly Hills Cop — come to mind. So do Spectrum, with its Mad About You revival, and Amazon.com Inc.’s Prime Video, with the sequel to Coming to America. Yet, as others have pointed out, none of these much-anticipated projects lived up to the hype of their release, much less the reputation of their originals. Audiences are rarely as predictable as executives (or even creative people) would like to think. Hocus Pocus 3, like Hocus Pocus 2, may pique viewers’ curiosity enough for a stream, or even to buy a ticket, should Disney choose to go the theatrical route. But when movies exist only to cash in on nostalgia — asking viewers merely to remember something they once liked, without challenging them, engaging them or presenting anything fresh or original — those films become disposable entertainment. They’re forgotten as quickly as they’re consumed. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Do%20We%20Really%20Need%20A%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Do%20We%20Really%20Need%20A%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Do%20We%20Really%20Need%20A%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Do%20We%20Really%20Need%20A%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Do%20We%20Really%20Need%20A%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HocusPocus, #HocusPocus3, #Sequel --- ### [Bette Midler, New York Gardener, Is Ready to Talk Trash (and Compost)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/27/bette-midler-new-york-gardener-is-ready-to-talk-trash-and-compost/) **Published:** October 27, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** She’s been planting greenery in the city for 30 years through her charity — and still loves celebrating spooky season. **Content:** --- ## The New York Times Bette Midler, New York Gardener, Is Ready to Talk Trash (and Compost) By Jacob Bernstein Oct. 27, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/26ST-BETTE-MIDLER-portrait-ztvk-superJumbo-732x1024.webp "26st-bette-midler-portrait-ztvk-superjumbo - bootleg betty") --- She’s been planting greenery in the city for 30 years through her charity — and still loves celebrating spooky season. [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/24/bette-midler-hulaween-2025/) is marking the 30th anniversary of the [**New York Restoration Project**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Restoration_Project), the charity she founded. Trash talk has always been part of Bette Midler’s act. In the 1970s, she performed at the Continental Baths in New York and toured the world with a variety act in which she played characters like Delores DeLago, a mermaid in a wheelchair who, in between musical numbers, makes fun of herself and the audience. For years, Ms. Midler has been one of Donald Trump’s most reliable entertainment industry critics. She has called him a “parasite,” “a flibbertigibbet” and once referred to a public spat with him as her “personal Battle of the Bulge.” (He has called her an “extremely unattractive woman” and a “washed up psycho.”) But in Brooklyn on a sunny fall afternoon, Ms. Midler was literally talking trash. “Go on, put your finger in,” she said to the reporter standing beside her. “Doesn’t that smell great?” Ms. Midler was ambling around a garden in Bushwick, surrounded by sunflowers, hibiscuses and tomato plants. The pungent smell to which she was referring emanated from a nearby compost heap. At her request, I stuck my index finger into the dirt, which was indeed warm. Then, with a finger that was covered in dirt, I looked around for something to wipe off with. “Use your jeans, you silly man,” she said. “Or use my sweatpants.” I did not use her sweatpants, which she said were designed by “no one.” (Her black blazer was Gucci, her charcoal sweater Dries Van Noten.) Ms. Midler was holding forth in the garden in her capacity as the founder of the New York Restoration Project, an organization she started in 1995 and which has since built and maintained 52 green spaces around the city. Many charities are started by celebrities. A much smaller number of those organizations last until their 30th anniversary, which is what Ms. Midler is celebrating this month with tours to her many gardens, a slew of late-night talk show appearances and her annual “Hulaween” gala, which took place at Cipriani South Street on Friday. She went on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” a few weeks back and performed a parody of her chart-topping late-’80s power ballad “Wind Beneath My Wings,” with lyrics that extolled Mr. Colbert and bashed Mr. Trump yet again. After that, she hit Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen,” gabbed about her six-decade career and played a game called “Let’s Restore or Please, No More,” about famous outfits she has worn over the years. (A black-and-white bustier from Live Aid was saved; the deep-plunging violet gown she wore to the Grammys in 1977 got the boot.) At her benefit on Friday, Ms. Midler hit the stage in red Crocs and overalls — identical to the ones she had worn to plant many trees. In her arms were several boxes of Kleenex, all but one of which she threw into the audience and one of which she used as she wept while talking about the devotion of the staff, volunteers and donors. The biggest moment of levity came as she recalled those early years and expressed gratitude to Rudy Giuliani, for helping the organization when he was mayor. “Back when he was sane!” she said. Then, the fashion designer Michael Kors (dressed as a yellow taxicab) and the theater producer Jordan Roth (dressed as a Barneys shopping bag and Barneys window display) gave out awards for best costume. And Ms. Midler closed out the evening doing a rendition of her 1973 smash “Friends,” with several fellow divas and Broadway stars. In Bushwick the week before the event, Ms. Midler made it plain that vanity was not why she was again making herself this available to a willing entertainment press. “Some years you’re lean and some years you’re fat,” she said of her charity’s coffers. “The last few years have been tough.” In 2018, the organization received more than $9 million in donations and grants, according to its tax returns. Last year, for the year ending in December 2023, donations and grants were just shy of $6.8 million. Gordon Davis, a former city parks commissioner, noted that many civic groups faced funding challenges during and after the pandemic. And the fact that the New York Restoration Project’s gardens are scattered throughout some of the five boroughs’ poorest neighborhoods could make raising money more difficult. “What she has done with that thing is remarkable,” Mr. Davis said of the organization. Ms. Midler spent much of the past 30 years on the Upper East Side, in an airy triplex apartment on Fifth Avenue. She loved her view of the reservoir but put it up for sale in 2019 to the tune of $50 million, partly, she said, because her daughter, Sophie von Haselberg, had fled the nest and partly because the cost of maintaining it was so high. Still, Ms. Midler’s working-class roots continue to define her sense of self. They have informed her work in parks all over the city, most of them in areas that are underserved (or were back when she got to them). As she told The New York Times in 2003, “There were already enough rich stupid white women like me who could save their own parks.” Ms. Midler grew up in Honolulu. Her father was a house painter; her mother was a seamstress and housewife. The building her family lived in during the 1950s was a converted Army barracks that had space for residents to garden. One of Ms. Midler’s three siblings got into it. Eventually she did, too. In 2003, the organization completed a restoration of a five-acre park on Harlem River Drive that had previously been used as a dumping ground. The park was named Swindler Cove in honor of Billy Swindler, a city garden supporter who died of AIDS in 1997. The city provided Ms. Midler’s organization with $10 million in funds for restoration of the site, which came to include waterfalls and a garden where students could plant fruits and herbs. Ms. Midler completed the park by raising $2.3 million to have a boathouse from Norwalk, Conn., transported in. From there, the organization branched out to projects in Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx and on Staten Island. In 2007, the city partnered with the N.Y.R.P. to plant a million trees. The person who championed the arrangement was Michael Bloomberg, whom Ms. Midler honored at her benefit in 2009. “He was the best one for us,” she said last week, standing over a tomato patch. She didn’t want to offer an opinion on the current mayor’s race, though. She said she votes in Dover Plains, N.Y., where she has a large estate with gorgeous gardens and chickens whose eggs she eats and whom she greets daily by saying, “Hello, girls,” as if they’re part of her stage act. From the tomato patch, the tour continued, with a driver taking us, in a Volvo hybrid, per Ms. Midler, to the next garden stop. In the back seat, our conversation turned to modern vehicles themselves — especially cars that need an electric charge. “Sometimes you get to the charging stations and they’re broken,” Ms. Midler said. “Or the line is so long you have to wait for hours and hours and hours. This country is not forward-thinking.” Ms. Midler, who starred in the Halloween classic “Hocus Pocus,” hosts an annual “Hulaween” party to benefit her charity.Credit…Nina Westervelt for The New York Times Still, she isn’t about to trade in for a gas guzzler — or a Tesla. (In April, Ms. Midler posted on social media that she had sold a Tesla, writing “No longer do I have to drive a symbol of racism, greed and ignorance!”) While the car veered left on Lafayette Avenue, Ms. Midler veered left, politically, in her remarks, as she talked about all the places in Europe and Asia where clean-energy infrastructure has been more successful. “You go to so many countries in the world, and the charging stations are there. It’s orderly.” Then, she criticized the president for his administration’s axing tax breaks on electric vehicles and abandoning a $7 billion plan for solar energy. She let out a deep sigh, and moved on to lighter subjects. Ms. Midler showed off videos of the guinea fowl she was thinking about purchasing. “I mean, have you ever seen anything like this in your life?” she said. She gossiped about the recent movies and Broadway shows she had seen and loved (“One Battle After Another,” “Death Becomes Her”) and recent plastic surgery trends. “I can’t be judgmental about it,” she said. “I’ve had some stuff done. I’m not going to tell you what. Whatever Dolly Parton says, I say the same thing.” (Ms. Parton’s famous comment on the subject: “If something is bagging, sagging or dragging, I’ll tuck it, suck it or pluck it.”) Then Ms. Midler gave her assessment of billionaires in space. It was not approving. “The problem is they’re going with each other and they will never get along,” she said. “Can you imagine? You think there’s war here? Imagine what’s going to be out there. It’s ridiculous.” Nor did she have praise for plutocrats who freeze their remains in hopes of getting another go at life in the future. “I’m going to be wrapped in a shroud and I’m going to have a tree put over me,” she said, as the car pulled up to the next site. “Let the worms come.” Jacob Bernstein reports on power and privilege for the Style section. --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-27_15-07-54.png "2025-10-27_15-07-54 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%2C%20New%20York%20Gardener%2C%20Is%20Ready%20to%20Talk%20Trash%20%28and%20Compost%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%2C%20New%20York%20Gardener%2C%20Is%20Ready%20to%20Talk%20Trash%20%28and%20Compost%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%2C%20New%20York%20Gardener%2C%20Is%20Ready%20to%20Talk%20Trash%20%28and%20Compost%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%2C%20New%20York%20Gardener%2C%20Is%20Ready%20to%20Talk%20Trash%20%28and%20Compost%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%2C%20New%20York%20Gardener%2C%20Is%20Ready%20to%20Talk%20Trash%20%28and%20Compost%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hulaween, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Hulaween, #NewYorkTimes, #NYRP --- ### [Billy Crystal Salutes Bette Midler For NYRP's 30th Anniversary](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/25/billy-crystal-salutes-bette-midler-for-nyrps-30th-anniversary/) **Published:** October 25, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Three decades ago, Bette Midler eyed trash-filled parks in New York City with a mixture of dismay and anger. But unlike most people who complain about things in NYC, she did something about it **Content:** --- ## Billboard Billy Crystal Resurrects ‘Mr. Saturday Night’ to Salute a Teary Bette Midler for New York Restoration Project’s 30th Anniversary By Joe Lynch Oct. 24, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AA1PbrXi.jpg "Aa1pbrxi - bootleg betty")--- Three decades ago, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/24/bette-midler-hulaween-2025/) eyed trash-filled parks in New York City with a mixture of dismay and anger. But unlike most people who complain about things in NYC, she did something about it—and inspired countless others to follow in her footsteps. In 1995, the actress-singer-comedian tapped her connections and resources to form the New York Restoration Project ([**NYRP**](https://www.nyrp.org/en/)), which over the course of the last 30 years has cleaned up, transformed and created green spaces for New Yorkers across the five boroughs, with a focus on helping underserved communities get the green space they deserve as much as the loaded locales living across from Central Park. Part of the NYRP’s fundraising arm is its annual Hulaween gala, an explosion of costumed creativity that took over Manhattan’s Cipriani South Street on Friday (Oct. 24) night to mark 30 years of the Tony-, Grammy-, Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning icon’s nonprofit. And what better way to salute the tart-tongued talent than publicly insult her. “We’re here for the late Bette Midler,” joked surprise performer Buddy Young Jr., aka Billy Crystal, resurrecting the character from his 1992 dramedy Mr. Saturday Night. “Talk about a restoration project!” Backed by a band led by the indefatigable Will Lee, Crystal performed a bawdy tune and cracked a few Borscht Belt-styled jokes (“My wife told me to come upstairs and make love to her; I told her, ‘Make up your mind, I can’t do both!’”), clearly relishing the opportunity to dust off the deliciously kitschy character from his directorial debut and surprise an old friend. By the time Midler took the stage to accept the catalyst award to mark her environmental efforts, she was genuinely in tears, having had no idea that Crystal and Marc Shaiman, another longtime friend, would be onstage paying tribute to her. Midler herself delivered a few zingers during her heartfelt speech, which saw her generously praise dozens of people who helped her nonprofit serve New Yorkers over the decades. “Credit where credit is due,” she said as she thanked Rudy Giuliani (who was not present) for helping NYRP back when he was the city’s mayor—“back when he was sane,” she added, casting an eye up to the heavens: “God help that young man.” The 2025 Hulaween theme was “New York, New York, A Helluva Town!”, which inspired dozens of knockout costumes, from a group dressed as Sesame Street characters to a woman who walked around in a bloody daze with a fallen AC unit smashed around her. That theme also inspired the musical selections for the evening’s performers: Christopher Cross trotted out his Oscar-winning tune “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)”; Ben Platt knocked a funky cover of the Drifters’ “On Broadway” out of the park; Sandra Bernhard belted a killer take on St. Vincent’s “New York” (any song with “motherf–ker” in the lyrics is gonna be a natural fit for Bernhard); Shoshana Bean sang a delightful version of the Ad Libs’ girl-group classic “The Boy From New York City”; and Marisha Wallace dazzled with a powerhouse “New York, New York” in the vein of the original Liza Minnelli version. > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQP_9dmjsYm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Fan Page (@bettemidlerstilldivine)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQP_9dmjsYm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) The event raised $2.9 million, thanks in large part to a $1 million donation from designer Mica Ertegun (the wife of late music industry titan Ahmet Ertegun) prior to her death. Generous bids from the 500-strong crowd—which included Michael Kors, Darren Criss, Andy Cohen (as Andy Warhol), host Busy Philipps (as Cher in Moonstruck), Jann Wenner, Graydon Carter and Midler’s daughter Sophie von Haselberg—also helped bring in that whopping total for the nonprofit’s 30th birthday. “That’s what we were put on earth to do,” Midler said at one point during the night. “To share. Not to hoard.” --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-26_02-09-50.png "2025-10-26_02-09-50 - bootleg betty")***Marisha Wallace, Shoshana Bean, Bette Midler, and Sandra Bernhard*** ***singing Friends*** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Billy%20Crystal%20Salutes%20Bette%20Midler%20For%20NYRP%27s%2030th%20Anniversary&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Billy%20Crystal%20Salutes%20Bette%20Midler%20For%20NYRP%27s%2030th%20Anniversary%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Billy%20Crystal%20Salutes%20Bette%20Midler%20For%20NYRP%27s%2030th%20Anniversary&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Billy%20Crystal%20Salutes%20Bette%20Midler%20For%20NYRP%27s%2030th%20Anniversary%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Billy%20Crystal%20Salutes%20Bette%20Midler%20For%20NYRP%27s%2030th%20Anniversary%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hulaween, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BillyCrystal, #Hulaween, #NYRP --- ### [More Hulaween 2025 Photos From Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/25/more-hulaween-2025-photos-from-bette-midler/) **Published:** October 25, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Miss M with guests **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty More Hulaween Photos 2025 By Mister D Oct. 25, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-25_11-20-10.png "2025-10-25_11-20-10 - bootleg betty") ***Miss M changes costumes for rest of the night, wearing her Overalls from 1995 to where it all began for NYRP!*** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-25_11-21-07.png "2025-10-25_11-21-07 - bootleg betty") **Miss M with Sandra Bernhard** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-25_11-18-12.png "2025-10-25_11-18-12 - bootleg betty") ***Miss M with daughter, Sophie, and her husband, Harry Guinness*** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-25_11-47-41.png "2025-10-25_11-47-41 - bootleg betty") ***Miss M with Jon Recor*** --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQN4c6LCFlt/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Fan Page (@bettemidlerstilldivine)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQN4c6LCFlt/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ***Miss M gives a speech on her 30th anniversary honor for founding NYRP*** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bette-midler-andy-cohen-bfa-51876-7512452-68fce3a3a97fa-1-683x1024.avif "Bette-midler-andy-cohen-bfa-51876-7512452-68fce3a3a97fa (1) - bootleg betty") ***Miss M with Andy Cohen*** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/570903404_10172771883365076_4393081865844736136_n.jpg "570903404_10172771883365076_4393081865844736136_n - bootleg betty")***Miss M with Matthew Stefan Parker*** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-25_13-24-06.png "2025-10-25_13-24-06 - bootleg betty") ***[\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) with [\#MarcTumminelli](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/marctumminelli/) at [\#Hulaween2025](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/hulaween2025/)*** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-25_14-06-01.png "2025-10-25_14-06-01 - bootleg betty") --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/BFA_51876_7512450-1024x791.jpg "Hulaween gala 2025—new york restoration project - bootleg betty")Billy crystal bette midler--- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/BFA_51876_7512449-1024x791.jpg "Hulaween gala 2025—new york restoration project - bootleg betty")Shoshana bean marisha wallace bette midler sandra bernhard--- **Hulaween 2025: Honoring Bette Midler and NYRP’s 30th Anniversary.** The New York Restoration Project (NYRP), founded by Bette Midler in 1995, held its annual Hulaween gala on Friday, October 24, 2025 (last night), celebrating 30 years of “cleaning and greening” New York City. The event, themed “New York, New York, a Helluva Town!”, took place from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at Cipriani South Street in Manhattan. It raised funds to expand access to green spaces and nature’s benefits for underserved communities, a core mission of NYRP. **Bette Midler’s Role and Honor** As NYRP’s founder, Bette Midler was the evening’s centerpiece, receiving a special award for her “inspired leadership and unwavering commitment” to the organization’s work. Midler, known for her environmental advocacy alongside her entertainment career, used the occasion to reflect on three decades of impact—planting over 65,000 trees, restoring parks, and creating community gardens across NYC. In a post-event Instagram reel, she shared glimpses of the night, captioning it: “30 years cleaning and greening NYC! And it runs in the family.” Her presence underscored the event’s personal significance, blending celebrity glamour with grassroots activism. Midler’s costume stole the show: She channeled her 2nd album, Bette Midler, complete with a dramatic headpiece shaped like a 45 RPM record of the album itself. Fans on X raved about the meta, iconic choice, with one calling it “so incredibly iconic. I love this woman” and another declaring obsession over “Bette Midler going as Bette Midler for Hulaween.” **Event Highlights** Hosts: Actress, author, and advocate Busy Philipps emceed the evening. Honorees: Bette Midler (special founder’s award). Andy Cohen (Emmy-winning TV host/producer; Joan Kors Green Champion honoree). STUDIOS Architecture (Lifetime Achievement Award for Costume Design, recognizing urban greening contributions). Performances: Nightlife acts: Jake Dupree, House of Yes, and Boyyyish. A musical tribute to NYRP’s 30 years, led by Grammy-winning bassist Will Lee (of The Late Show with David Letterman), featuring Shoshana Bean, Sandra Bernhard, Christopher Cross, Ben Platt, and Marisha Wallace. Other Features: An annual costume contest judged by Tony Award-winning producer Jordan Roth. Attendees were encouraged to dress in NYC-inspired looks, with a digital lookbook provided for ideas. Notable Guests/Moments: Billy Crystal made a heartfelt appearance, as teased in Midler’s posts. The vibe was described as “spectacular performances, dazzling costumes, and unfettered revelry.” The gala continues NYRP’s tradition of high-energy Halloween fundraisers, which have raised millions since 1995. Tickets started at $1,000, with tables up to $100,000 for top sponsors. For more on NYRP’s work or to donate, visit nyrp.org.Social media buzz is still rolling in today—search #Hulaween2025 or #NYRP on X/Instagram for fan photos and recaps. If you’re looking for specific photos, videos, or ticket info from past years, let me know! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=More%20Hulaween%202025%20Photos%20From%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=More%20Hulaween%202025%20Photos%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=More%20Hulaween%202025%20Photos%20From%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=More%20Hulaween%202025%20Photos%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=More%20Hulaween%202025%20Photos%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hulaween, NYRP, Sophie von Haselberg **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Hulaween2025, #NYRP, #SophieVonHaselberg --- ### [MovieWeb Goes All Negative On Hocus Pocus](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/25/movieweb-goes-all-negative-on-hocus-pocus/) **Published:** October 25, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Watching it back through the lens of adulthood, however, the film is darker, weirder, and not as good as one might remember. **Content:** --- ## MovieWeb 10 Harsh Realities of Rewatching ‘Hocus Pocus’ Over 30 Years Later By Natalia Vela Oct 24, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-24_07-16-41.png "2025-10-24_07-16-41 - bootleg betty")--- Released in 1993, it’s been over 30 years since [**Hocus Pocus**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/02/20/hocus-pocus-and-its-ever-growing-legacy/) first flew into theaters and flopped at the box office. Despite its poor opening, the movie became one of the most beloved Halloween cult classics of all time, for kids and adults alike. What once was an underperforming Disney oddity has grown into a full-blown seasonal obsession. For many millennials growing up, the movie was as much a part of Halloween as costumes, trick-or-treating, and bright orange pumpkins. In fact, it has also grown popular among Gen Z and younger generations, with Freeform and Disney Channel airing it each year in October. Watching it back through the lens of adulthood, however, the film is darker, weirder, and not as good as one might remember. There are many things that flew over our heads as kids, from overtly creepy jokes to strangely bleak aspects. Production was also sloppy, with many continuity errors and goofs present throughout the movie. While the nostalgia is strong, so is the cringe. *Here are 10 harsh realities of rewatching Hocus Pocus over 30 years after it came out.* **There Are a Lot of Historical Inaccuracies** Everyone knows Hocus Pocus wasn’t aiming for factual accuracy or a history lesson, but its many historical inaccuracies are hard to ignore as an adult. Firstly, the Sanderson sisters were hanged for witchcraft on October 31, 1693, but the [**Salem Witch Trials**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_witch_trials) were abolished in May 1692 by Governor William Phips, after his own wife was accused of being a witch. Another flaw is the Sandersons’ mention of margarine, a product invented only in the 1800s. Perhaps the hardest to ignore inaccuracy is that most of the movie takes place on a school day on Halloween in 1993, but that year, the holiday fell on a Sunday. In the movie, it’s also the night of a full moon, but in real life, there was no full moon that evening. The last Halloween full moon occurred in 1974, and there wouldn’t be another full moon on October 31 until 2020. The film is Halloween fodder, sure, but it’s hard not to notice these errors years later. **The Obsession With Virginity Is Weird** The return of the Sanderson sisters centers on a virgin lighting the Black Flame Candle. This is the movie’s most crucial plot point — that only a virgin could light it and bring the witch trio back to life. That emphasis on virginity feels uncomfortably weird rewatching as an adult. It might have slipped into just fantasy lore, but the movie continually emphasizes that Max (Omri Katz) is a virgin. His virginity is continually scrutinized and used as a punchline, turning a minor’s lack of sexual experience into an oddly recurring joke. Even his little sister, a 9-year-old, discusses sex and pokes fun at him about it. What exactly does so much focus on virginity bring to a children’s movie? The hyperfocus on a teenager’s sex life in a Halloween movie made for kids is highly uncomfortable. The running gag has aged very, very poorly. **The Movie Has Many Goofs and Mistakes** The whoopsie moments in the movie don’t end with historical inaccuracies. Throughout Hocus Pocus, there are more production errors than there are candies in a kid’s trick-or-treat bag. Back when you were playing this movie on VHS or watching it on the Disney Channel, you might have been too bewitched to notice, but they’re impossible to ignore as an adult. To name a few: Emily moves quite a lot in the chair after she’s killed, Sarah’s hair alternates between curly and straight, Mrs. Dennison’s (Stephanie Faracy) wedding ring disappears and reappears during the party scene, and Winifred (Bette Midler) quotes Max’s “It’s just a bunch of Hocus Pocus,” despite being dead when he said it. If you look closely in the Dennison family kitchen, you can spot the camera crew’s reflection. When keeping an eye out during scenes where the Sanderson sisters are flying, you can see the cables holding the actors up. Max gets soaked in the museum with the sprinklers, but is completely dry only minutes later when he, Dani (Thora Birch), and Allison (Vinessa Shaw) reach the cemetery. The note he gives Allison at the beginning of the film changes when she hands it back to him. When the witch trio arrives at the school, the clock reads 3:00 a.m., then switches to midnight and back. There are probably many other goofs and mistakes that have gone unnoticed. **The Bus Driver Is a Predator** It’s actually quite insane that what once played as cheeky humor is just gross and undeniably sleazy. As the Sanderson witches stalk the streets of Salem in search of their beloved spellbook, they stumble upon a bus whose driver greets them. The lecherous man immediately starts flirting with them when he opens the door. After Winifred asks what the “contraption is for,” he replies, “to convey gorgeous creatures such as yourself to your most forbidden desires.” When she tells him that desire would be children, he misunderstands and responds, “Hey, that may take me a couple of times, but I don’t think there’ll be a problem.” Yeah, jokes about children in that context are not funny or cool. The man just screams predator. The whole exchange has aged poorly, giving off the energy of a creepy uncle doing and saying things he shouldn’t at a family reunion — no, actually something worse. It’s unbelievable that this ever made it past Disney’s censors. Even if this was intended to skip over kids’ heads and amuse adults, there’s nothing humorous about it. It’s sick. **Max Is a Jerk** If you were growing up with Hocus Pocus in your Halloween movie rotation, chances are that you probably thought Max was a dreamboat. On the surface, he’s supposed to be like every ’90s teenage boy. He was portrayed as a cool outsider forced to adjust to a new town. In reality, Max is a real big jerk. He sulks about moving, mocks Salem’s Halloween traditions, and is unkind to his little sister. After being callous to her when his parents make him take her trick-or-treating, he uses her to score points with a girl. Max also comes off as cocky and arrogant, as seen in the scene where he casually hands Allison his phone number after she totally annihilates his comments in class. Trying to impress Allison with bravado is precisely what brought the child-killing witches back from the dead. Something that’s also really irking when rewatching the movie as an adult is how he left two teens to die at the Sanderson house, possibly. Sure, they were bullies, but not even they deserved that. **Sarah Sanderson Is a Creepy Character** Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) is widely remembered as the hot, ditzy Sanderson sister, but if you look beyond her good looks and playful exterior, you’ll realize she’s actually one of the creepiest characters in the film. After she and her sisters suck the life out of Emily and become younger in appearance, she exclaims, “I am beautiful! Boys will love me!” In the same cottage scene, she shamelessly thirsts after Thackery, a teenage boy, going as far as caressing his face. There’s something uncomfortably inappropriate about the way she soon tells Winifred, “Hang him on a hook and let me play with him.” At one point, she’s even seen a teen kissing. Additionally, the way she enchants children with a haunting lullaby to lead them to their deaths is utterly horrifying. Sure, her character is meant to be comedic, but when you combine her child-snatching with overtly sexual antics, it paints a much darker picture than the movie seems to realize. Rewatching the movie decades later, and she’s less of a “fun witch” and more of a problematic predator. **The Female Characters Are Mostly One-Dimensional** One of the harshest realizations when rewatching Hocus Pocus 30 years later is how one-dimensional the female characters are. There’s no denying that the Sanderson witches are iconic, but despite their magical camp, their characters can feel oversimplistic. Winifred is painted as the typical power-hungry, cruel, and angry witch. The middle sister, Mary, is the bumbling sidekick. SJP’s Sarah is the flirty, sexy airhead — a character who’s underused and defined mostly by her beauty and sexuality. It’s not just the witches, either. Allison, the most grounded character in the movie, gets very little to do besides serve as the love interest to an overrated male protagonist and as a walking resource for all things Salem. Dani is a kid with spunk to spare, but she exists mostly to annoy her brother and be put in peril so that he can be the hero. In a film packed with magic and prominent personalities, the women and girls don’t get much agency beyond their surface traits. The film could have done a better job of developing its female leads, giving them more complexity and growth. **It’s Surprisingly Dark for a Kid’s Movie** Hocus Pocus opens up terrifyingly for kids, kicking off with the death of a child and capital punishment. Little Emily Binx’s (Amanda Shepherd) death, as the three witches drain her of her life force, is a bleak scene — not exactly the spooky fun you remember from childhood. The moment doesn’t carry much emotional weight, quickly followed by jokes. Soon after, the Sanderson sisters are hanged for their crime in a public execution. The nooses around their necks and their dangling feet are extremely disturbing. It doesn’t stop there. The curse cast on Emily’s brother, Thackery (Sean Murray), is pretty grim. It’s a cruel fate to be cursed to live as a cat forever, watching the ones you love live their lives without knowing you’re there, and then watching them die and being left alone for the rest of your days. There’s also the daring, bold talk of worshiping Satan. It’s easy to forget how dark these aspects are when they’re wrapped in campy humor, but the implications hit harder when you’re older. **Winifred’s Abuse Towards Her Sisters Isn’t So Funny Now** As previously mentioned, Winifred’s whole shtick is being mean and bossy. As kids, everyone laughed at how she constantly called her younger sisters things like “idiots” and smacked them around. While watching the movie decades later, the reality hits that Winifred is actually an emotional tyrant. What once seemed cartoonish, over-the-top, and theatrical is hard not to wince at in some instances as an adult. Mary and Sarah are clearly terrified of disappointing her, constantly seeking her approval while being belittled and pushed around. Winifred’s constant insults, put-downs, physical aggression, and yelling look like verbal and emotional abuse through the adult eyes. What felt like slapstick comedy and a funny sibling dynamic as a kid just doesn’t hit the same way now that there’s more awareness of what controlling behavior looks like. Sure, it’s meant to be camp, but it’s easy to spot the toxicity in it today. **Nostalgia Does a Lot of the Heavy Lifting** Hocus Pocus is an undeniable icon of cinema. The movie is a beloved classic, but let’s face it, the Halloween staple isn’t a masterpiece. In fact, one might argue that it’s a sloppy film. Stripping away the rose-colored glasses, what’s left is a clunky picture. From all the aforementioned goofs to the thin characterization to the enormous plot holes, it just isn’t a great movie. The story drags in spots, the humor doesn’t land like it used to, and it’s filled with awful ’90s tropes. A lot of what viewers love about movies is the way they make them feel, and that is exactly where the magic of Hocus Pocus lies. It’s a nostalgic comfort movie one returns to each October, searching for a long-lost feeling, yearning to travel back to a time when everything felt easier and more filled with possibilities. It’s precisely this nostalgia that makes it so easy to overlook the film’s myriad flaws. It wraps even the messiest, darkest, and most questionable moments in a warm jack-o-lantern glow. It’s why audiences keep coming back each fall, even if they cringe through half of it. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=MovieWeb%20Goes%20All%20Negative%20On%20Hocus%20Pocus&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=MovieWeb%20Goes%20All%20Negative%20On%20Hocus%20Pocus%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=MovieWeb%20Goes%20All%20Negative%20On%20Hocus%20Pocus&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=MovieWeb%20Goes%20All%20Negative%20On%20Hocus%20Pocus%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=MovieWeb%20Goes%20All%20Negative%20On%20Hocus%20Pocus%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HarshRealities, #HocusPocus, #Movie, #Negative --- ### [Bette Midler: Hulaween 2025](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/24/bette-midler-hulaween-2025/) **Published:** October 24, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler: Hulaween 2025 By Mister D Oct. 24, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-24_20-17-58.png "2025-10-24_20-17-58 - bootleg betty") ***Bette Midler arrives at Hulaween 2025*** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-24_20-46-24.png "2025-10-24_20-46-24 - bootleg betty") ***Bette Midler and Jordan Roth*** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-24_21-20-36.png "2025-10-24_21-20-36 - bootleg betty") ***[\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) greets [\#AndyCohen](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/andycohen/) at [\#Hulaween2025](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/hulaween2025/)*** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-24_21-50-06.png "2025-10-24_21-50-06 - bootleg betty") ***[\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) with [\#BusyPhillips](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/andycohen/) at [\#Hulaween2025](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/hulaween2025/)*** --- Hulaween 2025: Honoring Bette Midler and NYRP’s 30th Anniversary. The New York Restoration Project (NYRP), founded by Bette Midler in 1995, held its annual Hulaween gala on Friday, October 24, 2025 (last night), celebrating 30 years of “cleaning and greening” New York City. The event, themed “New York, New York, a Helluva Town!”, took place from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at Cipriani South Street in Manhattan. It raised funds to expand access to green spaces and nature’s benefits for underserved communities, a core mission of NYRP. Bette Midler’s Role and Honor As NYRP’s founder, Bette Midler was the evening’s centerpiece, receiving a special award for her “inspired leadership and unwavering commitment” to the organization’s work. Midler, known for her environmental advocacy alongside her entertainment career, used the occasion to reflect on three decades of impact—planting over 65,000 trees, restoring parks, and creating community gardens across NYC. In a post-event Instagram reel, she shared glimpses of the night, captioning it: “30 years cleaning and greening NYC! And it runs in the family.” Her presence underscored the event’s personal significance, blending celebrity glamour with grassroots activism. Midler’s costume stole the show: She channeled her 2nd album, Bette Midler, complete with a dramatic headpiece shaped like a 45 RPM record of the album itself. Fans on X raved about the meta, iconic choice, with one calling it “so incredibly iconic. I love this woman” and another declaring obsession over “Bette Midler going as Bette Midler for Hulaween.” Event Highlights Hosts: Actress, author, and advocate Busy Philipps emceed the evening. Honorees: Bette Midler (special founder’s award). Andy Cohen (Emmy-winning TV host/producer; Joan Kors Green Champion honoree). STUDIOS Architecture (Lifetime Achievement Award for Costume Design, recognizing urban greening contributions). Performances: Nightlife acts: Jake Dupree, House of Yes, and Boyyyish. A musical tribute to NYRP’s 30 years, led by Grammy-winning bassist Will Lee (of The Late Show with David Letterman), featuring Shoshana Bean, Sandra Bernhard, Christopher Cross, Ben Platt, and Marisha Wallace. Other Features: An annual costume contest judged by Tony Award-winning producer Jordan Roth. Attendees were encouraged to dress in NYC-inspired looks, with a digital lookbook provided for ideas. Notable Guests/Moments: Billy Crystal made a heartfelt appearance, as teased in Midler’s posts. The vibe was described as “spectacular performances, dazzling costumes, and unfettered revelry.” The gala continues NYRP’s tradition of high-energy Halloween fundraisers, which have raised millions since 1995. Tickets started at $1,000, with tables up to $100,000 for top sponsors. For more on NYRP’s work or to donate, visit nyrp.org.Social media buzz is still rolling in today—search #Hulaween2025 or #NYRP on X/Instagram for fan photos and recaps. If you’re looking for specific photos, videos, or ticket info from past years, let me know! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Hulaween%202025&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Hulaween%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Hulaween%202025&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Hulaween%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20Hulaween%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hulaween **Tags:** #AndyCohen, #BetteMidler, #BusyPhillips, #Hulaween2025, #JordanRoth --- ### [BetteBack 1978: When Is The Rose Coming Out?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/24/betteback-1978-when-is-the-rose-coming-out/) **Published:** October 24, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** People keep asking when Bette Midler's The Rose film will be coming out. It's been delayed. **Content:** --- **State Journal-Register** **December 9, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-24_06-18-40.png "2025-10-24_06-18-40 - bootleg betty") **Photo:** *Bette Midler at the Palace in Paris, France* --- [![2017-05-15_2-23-56](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-15_2-23-56.png "2017-05-15_2-23-56 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71269) [![2017-05-15_2-24-37](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-15_2-24-37.png "2017-05-15_2-24-37 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71270) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%201978%3A%20When%20Is%20The%20Rose%20Coming%20Out%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%201978%3A%20When%20Is%20The%20Rose%20Coming%20Out%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%201978%3A%20When%20Is%20The%20Rose%20Coming%20Out%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%201978%3A%20When%20Is%20The%20Rose%20Coming%20Out%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%201978%3A%20When%20Is%20The%20Rose%20Coming%20Out%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Film, #Gypsy, #Movies, #StrikeANDHyde, #TheRose --- ### [Reminder: Tonight Is Bette Midler's Hulaween 2025](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/24/reminder-tonight-is-bette-midlers-hulaween-2025/) **Published:** October 24, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Tonight, The #NewYorkRestorationProject will celebrate their #30thanniversary at Hulaween: New York, New York, a Helluva Town! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Reminder: Tonight Is Bette Midler’s Hulaween 2025 By Mister D Oct. 24, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-24_04-44-23.png "2025-10-24_04-44-23 - bootleg betty") --- Tonight, The [\#NewYorkRestorationProject](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/newyorkrestorationproject/) will celebrate their [\#30thanniversary](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/30thanniversary/) at Hulaween: New York, New York, a Helluva Town! Known for its spectacular performances, dazzling costumes, and unfettered revelry, [\#NYRPs](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/nyrps/) annual [\#Hulaween](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/hulaween/) gala raises critical funds to make the life-changing benefits of nature more accessible for all. This year’s celebration is significant as we honor our founder, [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/), with a special award for her inspired leadership and unwavering commitment to our mission. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Reminder%3A%20Tonight%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Hulaween%202025&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Reminder%3A%20Tonight%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Hulaween%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Reminder%3A%20Tonight%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Hulaween%202025&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Reminder%3A%20Tonight%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Hulaween%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Reminder%3A%20Tonight%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Hulaween%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** 30th Anniversary, Bette Midler, Hulaween, NYRP **Tags:** #30thAnniversary, #BetteMidler, #Hulaween, #NYRP --- ### [Video: Bette Midler: Soph & The Blind Man](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/23/video-bette-midler-soph-the-blind-man/) **Published:** October 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler - Soph & The Blind Man **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Soph & The Blind Man By Mister D Oct 23, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/7e5e4c55685536c64179d6b4bfa9f397.jpg "7e5e4c55685536c64179d6b4bfa9f397 - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQKkwstE9-p/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Bette Midler: Bootleg Betty (@bootleg\_betty)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQKkwstE9-p/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Soph%20%26%20The%20Blind%20Man&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Soph%20%26%20The%20Blind%20Man%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Soph%20%26%20The%20Blind%20Man&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Soph%20%26%20The%20Blind%20Man%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Soph%20%26%20The%20Blind%20Man%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Soph Jokes, Sophie, Sophie Tucker **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BlindMan, #Soph, #SophJokes --- ### [BetteBack 2021: Inside Bette Midler's Loving Family](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/23/betteback-2021-inside-bette-midlers-loving-family/) **Published:** October 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Popular actress Bette Midler is an outstanding woman who is a relentless achiever in her career and personal life. She is a devoted wife and matriarch in the Von Haselberg clan. **Content:** --- #### **NewsBreak Bette Midler Is Happily Married for over 3 Decades — inside Her Loving Family by Stephen Thompson January 02, 2021** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/11273051_835596346534387_491401139_n.jpg "11273051_835596346534387_491401139_n - bootleg betty")--- **Popular actress Bette Midler is an outstanding woman who is a relentless achiever in her career and personal life. She is a devoted wife and matriarch in the Von Haselberg clan.** Popular star [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) and her partner [**Martin von Haselberg**](https://people.com/who-is-martin-von-haselberg-bette-midler-husband-7561944) are a loving couple worth emulating as they have been rocking the boat of marriage for 35 years and counting. The lovely pair, who [have formed](https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/bette-midler-husband-martin-von-hasleberg-135176/) a beautiful family together, have embraced total honesty with each other, always managing to end up on the same page and making their love stronger. Here’s a peek into Bette’s adorable clan. ![Bette Midler attends the 2017 Tony Awards on June 11, 2017. | Photo: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/ab08577f092415ad80a1afeafec40e1c.jpg?width=2003&height=3000)Bette Midler attends the 2017 Tony Awards on June 11, 2017. | Photo: Getty Images Popular star Bette Midler and her partner Martin von Haselberg are a loving couple worth emulating as they have been rocking the boat of marriage for 35 years and counting. **EARLY YEARS OF MARRIAGE** After Bette tied the knot with the performance artist Martin in Las Vegas, she experienced more exposure in her career, and the pressure spilled over into her personal life. However, the couple chose to stay together and work on their issues. Bette revealed during a 2014 appearance on “Good Morning Britain” that they found common ground when they decided to have a child.. **CO-PARENTING** The lovely pair welcomed their first child, Sophie von Haselberg, in 1986, and Martin’s colors in fathering unfolded. Gushing in an interview in 2014, the actress said Martin was the best father that ever lived. ### **Bette’s daughter admitted that she never wanted to be an actor, which was what her mother wanted.** The Hawaii-born-and-raised star and her husband instilled in their daughter values such as responsibility, patience, and the ability to breathe amidst hard times. ![Sophie Von Haselberg with Better Midler at the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall | Photo: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/2d024d6f127a004bcf1a0a4bb364048818293051556065887.jpg?width=3000&height=2000) Sophie Von Haselberg with Better Midler at the 2017 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall | Photo: Getty Imageshttps://830b41a3aee061d07c82155c21e6b702.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html **MOTHERHOOD** After being asked what was rewarding to her as a mother in a Youtube session, Bette [explained that](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8QLw34s0as&feature=youtu.be) watching her children grow and develop into great humans stood out. The award-winner added that gardening a human being and the feeling of seeing parts of herself in her child was simply emotional for her. **THE DAUGHTER’S MARRIAGE** Years passed, and Bette’s daughter, Sophie, who graduated from Yale University, [walked down the aisle](http://people.com/movies/bette-midler-daughter-sophie-von-haselberg-gets-married/) with her partner. [Bette](https://news.amomama.com/231113-et-online-bette-midler-shares-update-hoc.html) shared that her daughter’s 2020 ceremony was a small pandemic wedding. Adding to her claim, the “Hocus Pocus” actress said she believed her look-alike daughter, Sophie would have a great married life as she was all shades of amazing. ![Sophie von Haselberg at the Red Carpet Premiere Screening Event of STARZ "Howards End" | Photo: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/0b1e8f82779c179b0ee615b91099b7c923550071556066040.jpg?width=2336&height=3516) Sophie von Haselberg at the Red Carpet Premiere Screening Event of STARZ “Howards End” **BEING A MOTHER-IN-LAW** In the latest issue of Closer Weekly, Bette [shared that ](https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/bette-midler-gushes-its-very-nice-to-be-a-mother-in-law/)it was quite exciting and lovely to be a mother-in-law to her daughter’s husband. The “Ruthless People” actress added that Sophie and her new partner are joyful lovebirds, and that gave her abundant happiness. During an interview with “Town and Country,” Bette’s daughter [admitted that](https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a9956536/sophie-von-haselberg-interview/) she never wanted to be an actor, which was what her mother wanted. She tried out a lot of careers but ended up acting and featured in some Hollywood blockbusters. Bette definitely knows how to get results, having only recently bagged a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. This same attitude is what has kept the 74-year-old’s marriage and family strong. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%202021%3A%20Inside%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Loving%20Family&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%202021%3A%20Inside%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Loving%20Family%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%202021%3A%20Inside%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Loving%20Family&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%202021%3A%20Inside%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Loving%20Family%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%202021%3A%20Inside%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Loving%20Family%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Martin, Sophie von Haselberg **Tags:** ##SophieVonHaselberg, #BetteMidler, #Family, #MartinVonHaselberg --- ### [Bette Midler And The Continental Baths: A Defining Chapter In Gay History](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/23/bette-midler-and-the-continental-baths-a-defining-chapter-in-gay-history/) **Published:** October 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** a young singer named Bette Midler began performing at the venue, accompanied by her pianist Barry Manilow. Her shows, delivered to crowds of gay men—some wrapped only in towels—soon became legendary **Content:** --- ## Edge Media Bette Midler, The Continental Baths, and Barry Manilow: A Defining Chapter in LGBTQ+ History By Edge Media Oct 19, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-18_08-28-29.png "2025-10-18_08-28-29 - bootleg betty") --- In the late 1960s, the LGBTQ+ community in New York City faced rampant discrimination, criminalization, and social marginalization. Against this backdrop, Steve Ostrow, a former opera singer, envisioned an alternative to the clandestine and often unsafe gay bathhouses of the era. In 1968, he opened the [**Continental Baths**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Baths) in the vast, labyrinthine basement of the Ansonia Hotel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, aiming to create a “gay fantasia, a palace devoted to hedonism” that would redefine queer nightlife and community gathering spaces . With its Roman-inspired decor, the Continental Baths offered amenities far beyond those of its contemporaries: a disco dance floor, a cabaret lounge with a baby grand piano, a swimming pool with a cascading waterfall, saunas, bunk beds, and private rooms. The venue was open 24/7 and could accommodate up to 1,000 patrons. Ostrow later added a stage for live entertainment, a licensed bar, a restaurant, an STD clinic, a clothing boutique, and even a rooftop sun deck . By the early 1970s, the Continental Baths had become a nucleus of gay liberation and creative experimentation, especially in the wake of the Stonewall riots. Amid the cascade of disco music, laughter, and social exchange, a young singer named [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) began performing at the venue, accompanied by her pianist Barry Manilow. Her shows, delivered to crowds of gay men—some wrapped only in towels—soon became legendary . Midler’s dynamic stage presence and heartfelt vocals, paired with Manilow’s energetic piano accompaniment (he often performed in a towel himself), electrified audiences. The duo’s cabaret-style acts were marked by irreverent humor, emotional ballads, and a sense of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. Midler debuted her song “Friends” at the baths, a track that would later encapsulate the spirit of the era and her connection to her audience . The crowd affectionately nicknamed her “Bathhouse Betty,” a moniker she would later embrace as a badge of honor and the title of a 1998 album . Reflecting on her time at the Continental Baths, Midler has said, “Despite the way things turned out , I’m still proud of those days . I feel like I was at the forefront of the gay liberation movement, and I hope I did my part to help it move forward. So, I kind of wear the label of’Bathhouse Betty’ with pride” . Barry Manilow’s role as Midler’s accompanist at the Continental Baths was transformative for his own career. His musical direction, arrangements, and spirited piano playing became essential elements of Midler’s act. The unique atmosphere of the venue offered Manilow a chance to hone his craft in front of a lively, discerning audience . The relationship between Manilow and Midler extended beyond the baths; he would go on to produce her breakthrough debut album “The Divine Miss M” in 1972, which launched both artists to national fame . Their collaboration at the Continental Baths is widely credited as a turning point, not just for their careers, but for the ways in which LGBTQ+ spaces could serve as incubators for mainstream talent. The Continental Baths was much more than a nightlife venue; it was a crucible for the early post-Stonewall LGBTQ+ movement. Performances by Midler, Manilow, and other future stars like Labelle, The Manhattan Transfer, and Melba Moore created a bridge between queer culture and the broader entertainment world . The club’s open-door policy for live shows (which eventually allowed the general public to attend) contributed to its fame, but also led to tensions. Some regular patrons felt uncomfortable with outsiders “gawking” at the intimate environment, eventually leading to a decline in the gay crowd and the cancellation of live performances in 1974 . Still, the impact of the Continental Baths’ entertainment legacy is profound. The venue helped to redefine what was possible for LGBTQ+ nightlife—introducing the first DJ-specific stage in the world, launching the careers of iconic artists, and serving as a safe space for community-building during a period of immense social change . The story of Bette Midler, Barry Manilow, and the Continental Baths is enshrined in queer history as an example of resilience, creativity, and the power of chosen family. At a time when few mainstream spaces accepted LGBTQ+ identities, the Continental Baths offered a refuge for self-expression and joy, even as it faced frequent police raids and the ongoing threat of discrimination . Midler’s later success as a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning artist, and Manilow’s rise to global stardom, both trace their origins to the raucous, loving crowds of the Continental Baths. Their willingness to embrace and celebrate their queer audience, rather than hide it, set a precedent for future generations of artists and allies. In interviews and retrospectives, both Midler and Manilow have voiced pride in their connections to the LGBTQ+ community and the formative influence of the Continental Baths on their artistry . As the LGBTQ+ rights movement has progressed, their story stands as a testament to the enduring impact of queer spaces and the artists who champion them. The Continental Baths, and the now-legendary partnership of Bette Midler and Barry Manilow, represent a singular chapter in the tapestry of LGBTQ+ and American cultural history. Their journey from a subterranean stage to international acclaim is an enduring reminder of the transformative power of community, courage, and artistry. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20Continental%20Baths%3A%20A%20Defining%20Chapter%20In%20Gay%20History&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20Continental%20Baths%3A%20A%20Defining%20Chapter%20In%20Gay%20History%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20Continental%20Baths%3A%20A%20Defining%20Chapter%20In%20Gay%20History&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20Continental%20Baths%3A%20A%20Defining%20Chapter%20In%20Gay%20History%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20The%20Continental%20Baths%3A%20A%20Defining%20Chapter%20In%20Gay%20History%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Continental Baths, GLBT, History **Tags:** #BarryManilow, #BetteMidler, #ContinentalBaths, #gay, #History --- ### [Camila Cabello & Langston Kerman Join Warner Bros.’ ‘Cut Off’](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/22/camila-cabello-langston-kerman-join-warner-bros-cut-off/) **Published:** October 22, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Four-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Camila Cabello (Rob Peace) and Langston Kerman (Abbott Elementary) are two new additions to the cast of Cut Off **Content:** --- ## Deadline Camila Cabello & Langston Kerman Join Warner Bros.’ ‘Cut Off’ By Matt Grobar October 21, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Camila-Cabello-and-Langston-Kerman.webp "Camila-cabello-and-langston-kerman - bootleg betty")--- Four-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter [**Camila Cabello**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camila_Cabello) (Rob Peace) and Langston Kerman (Abbott Elementary) are two new additions to the cast of Cut Off, the Warner Bros. comedy where Jonah Hill is directing and starring opposite Kristen Wiig Written by Hill and Ezra Woods, the film follows a pair of rich siblings (Hill and Wiig) who are cut off from their parents ([**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/boottube-betty-videos/) and Nathan Lane). Adriana Barraza is also in the cast. In addition to co-writing and directing, Hill is producing alongside Matt Dines and Ali Goodwin under his Strong Baby banner. Jesse Ehrman and Zach Hamby are overseeing the project for Warner Bros., which has slated it for release in theaters worldwide on July 17, 2026. The film is the rare one shooting in California these days, with production underway. Rising to fame as a member of Fifth Harmony before launching a successful solo career, Cabello has previously starred in Kay Cannon’s Cinderella, voiced a character in DreamWorks’ Trolls Band Together, and appeared in Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Sundance drama Rob Peace. She is repped by WME, Full Stop Management and Gang, Tyre, Ramer. An actor, writer and comedian, Kerman recently released his first Netflix stand-up special Bad Poetry, directed by John Mulaney. On screen, he has appeared in hit series like The Boys and Abbott Elementary, and co-created and starred in Peacock’s comedy Bust Down. Other series credits include Insecure, Bless This Mess, South Side and Hulu’s The Other Black Girl. He is repped by WME, Rise Management and Ziffren Brittenham. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Camila%20Cabello%20%26%20Langston%20Kerman%20Join%20Warner%20Bros.%E2%80%99%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Camila%20Cabello%20%26%20Langston%20Kerman%20Join%20Warner%20Bros.%E2%80%99%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Camila%20Cabello%20%26%20Langston%20Kerman%20Join%20Warner%20Bros.%E2%80%99%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Camila%20Cabello%20%26%20Langston%20Kerman%20Join%20Warner%20Bros.%E2%80%99%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Camila%20Cabello%20%26%20Langston%20Kerman%20Join%20Warner%20Bros.%E2%80%99%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Abbott Elementary, Bette Midler, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CamilaCabello, #CutOff, #LangstonKerman, #Movies --- ### [This Journalist Just Watched Hocus Pocus For The First Time! What?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/22/this-journalist-just-watched-hocus-pocus-for-the-first-time-what/) **Published:** October 22, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Even so, Kenny Ortega's "Hocus Pocus" had never piqued my interest before, despite its curious box-office-bomb-to-beloved-Halloween-classic arc, wherein the 1993 fantasy comedy emerged as a formative childhood experience for many. **Content:** --- ## Slash Film It’s 2025 And I Just Watched 1993’s Hocus Pocus For The First Time – These Are My Honest Thoughts BY DEBOPRIYAA DUTTA OCT. 20, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WebSDeck-HocusPocus.webp "Web+sdeck+-+hocus+pocus - bootleg betty")--- I’m not immune to the pull of cult classics revolving around witchcraft, especially ones that are gift-wrapped in nostalgia. That might explain my fascination with films like “The Craft,” which takes a slick, pulpy approach to the supernatural (while celebrating teenage non-conformity) or “Valerie and Her Week of Wonders,” where gothic horror and fantasy blend to evoke a coming-of-age fever dream. Even so, Kenny Ortega’s [“**Hocus Pocus**” ](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/01/30-hocus-pocus-quotes-you-need-to-know/)had never piqued my interest before, despite its curious box-office-bomb-to-beloved-Halloween-classic arc, wherein the 1993 fantasy comedy emerged as a formative childhood experience for many. This might’ve something to do with the fact that I never watched “Hocus Pocus” as a child, meaning that I cannot indulge in the inherent nostalgia associated with this cozy cult classic. However, as a 31-year-old who has (finally) watched “Hocus Pocus” for the first time, I can surely understand the hypnotic appeal of a film that embraces campy humor and cheesy sentimentality with utmost sincerity. The true magic lies in the playfully spooky atmosphere that grips Salem, Massachusetts, where the Sanderson sisters — Winifred ([**Bette Midler**](https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLATieKc9YDFahcnbi7KiyzpEp2wjdE6tM)), Mary (Kathy Najimy), and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) — attempt to lure a child inside their lair to gain eternal youth. What ensues in this prologue is exaggerated slapstick and melodrama bordering on parody, setting the tone for the kind of adventure you’ll be in for during the next 85-ish minutes. Remember the child that the witches lured in? Well, her brother, Thackery Binx (Jason Marsden/Sean Murray), is turned into an immortal cat (!) once he tries to intervene, right before the sisters are hanged by the townsfolk for heresy. But the Sanderson sisters cackle and curse the town before dying, setting the stage for their resurrection on All Hallows’ Eve in the future. **1993’s Hocus Pocus is, for better or worse, a product of its time** Fast-forward to 300 years, snarky teen Max (Omri Katz) inadvertently brings the witches back, thanks to his skepticism regarding witchcraft and virgin status (which is apparently crucial for the resurrection ritual). His crush Allison (Vinessa Shaw) and sister Dani (Thora Birch) also get caught up in these shenanigans, but the ever-proactive Binx (who can talk, by the way!) whisks them away to hallowed ground. Everything that happens after this point is pure nonsense: the sisters adapt to modern technology in no time, the resurrected Billy Butcherson (Doug Jones) constantly loses his head, and a particularly fun rendition of “I Put a Spell on You” bewitches Salem’s adults into complacency. There are some baffling moments sprinkled all over, owing to a hyperspecific ’90s movie humor that reveals fresh layers once you rewatch a childhood classic through adult eyes. Corny humor and dad puns aside, there’s the dated CGI, which lends to some questionable moments involving the talking cat and the witches using their powers to zap teenage boys whenever they please. But there’s genuine fun to be had with the premise once you accept the story for what it is — a cheesy, light-hearted adventure that occasionally ventures into spooky territory and goes ham with it. This deliberate excess is embedded in the film’s DNA, from Midler’s intensely exaggerated performance to the over-the-top theatrics where bullies are put inside suspended cages and spun around for fun. Moreover, every Sanderson witch enlivens the story: Winifred is the connecting tissue here, helping balance Mary’s humorous bumbling with Sarah’s free-spirited sensuality. This odd combination works even when it shouldn’t, and together, the sisters plot, cackle, and stumble around Salem like they’re a part of its rich history. And indeed, they are. **Hocus Pocus is a family movie, but not in the way you think** The term “family-friendly” is closely associated with “Hocus Pocus,” owing to its Disney roots and annual airings throughout October (to the point that October is often dubbed “Hocus Pocus” season). There’s also the All Hallows’ Eve element that ties neatly into the film’s premise, adding a warm layer of nostalgia to the act of trick-or-treating in a small, sleepy town that lets our collective imaginations run amok. But “Hocus Pocus” is also a film about family, especially the relationship between siblings Max and Dani, which evolves a lot by the end of this tale. Max starts off as an angsty, impulsive kid who unwittingly puts his little sister in danger, but spends the rest of the movie gathering courage to keep her safe, even at the cost of his own life. There is no profound complexity to this arc, but it is heartfelt enough to make me care about the duo, with Allison/Binx in tow. I was also thoroughly delighted by Birch’s Dani, a sassy, outspoken eight-year-old embroiled in an absurdly scary scenario. Surprisingly, Dani emerges as the voice of reason and even makes fun of her brother in front of his crush just because she can. She’s also most attached to Binx, whose journey mirrors Max’s, as he is also a brother burdened by the guilt of failing his sister. Watching Binx bound around and sink his little teeth into necks is a riot, but seeing him purr and curl up against a sleeping Dani is a perfect demonstration of his concealed vulnerability. “Hocus Pocus” is silly, nonsensical, and far from perfect. But it is also pleasantly comforting, like a familiar haunt in a sleepy town. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=This%20Journalist%20Just%20Watched%20Hocus%20Pocus%20For%20The%20First%20Time%21%20What%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=This%20Journalist%20Just%20Watched%20Hocus%20Pocus%20For%20The%20First%20Time%21%20What%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=This%20Journalist%20Just%20Watched%20Hocus%20Pocus%20For%20The%20First%20Time%21%20What%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=This%20Journalist%20Just%20Watched%20Hocus%20Pocus%20For%20The%20First%20Time%21%20What%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=This%20Journalist%20Just%20Watched%20Hocus%20Pocus%20For%20The%20First%20Time%21%20What%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #cultClassic, #HocusPocus, #Movie --- ### [Bette Midler's New York Restoration Project Turns 30](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/22/bette-midlers-new-york-restoration-project-turns-30/) **Published:** October 22, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** This year marks the 30th anniversary of the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), the nonprofit founded by actor Bette Midler to reclaim and restore neglected green spaces across New York City. **Content:** --- ## Civil Eats Crusading New York Community Garden Group Turns 30 By Jake Price Oct 21, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/crusading-nyc-community-garden-group-turns-30-1-1024x683.jpg "Dsc08406 - bootleg betty")*bette midler center with some of the original nyrp crew in the 1990s photo courtesy of nyrp*--- This year marks the 30th anniversary of the [**New York Restoration Project (NYRP)**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/new-york-restoration-project/), the nonprofit founded by actor [**Bette Midler**](https://www.facebook.com/bootlegbetty/) to reclaim and restore neglected green spaces across New York City. Since the 1970s, New York has devoted less than 1 percent of its budget to the Parks Department. By the 1980s and 1990s, chronic underfunding had left many public spaces neglected. Empty lots became dumping grounds for abandoned cars, tires, drug waste, and heaps of trash. By 1995, the situation was dire. That year, while driving her daughter to school on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Midler noticed the dismal conditions in Fort Tryon Park. Disturbed by the neglect, she got a group of friends together to clean and restore the site. From their hands grew the seed of what would eventually become NYRP. Today, the organization owns and operates 51 community gardens throughout all five New York boroughs, as well as dozens of parks, focusing on underserved neighborhoods. The gardens are part of a land trust funded by a mixture of private donations and corporate and government funding, and through an annual Halloween fundraiser, which take place on Oct. 24 this year. A year-round staff of 35 manages the gardens, plus another 15 during peak growing season. The neighborhoods where the gardens are located are among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Although Midler could not have foreseen the vital role these gardens would play in protecting communities from increasingly intense heat, rising sea levels, and hurricanes, they have become essential gathering places. During sweltering summer days, they provide much-needed relief from the relentless weather, and in the aftermath of storms, they offer nourishment and the strength and solace of community. NYRP takes an inclusive approach to its restorations. Through its Gardens to the City program, the organization invites interested community groups with available open space to apply for free garden design consultation, materials, and labor to help achieve their garden vision. NYRP prioritizes applications from the city’s least green and historically most underserved neighborhoods. Lauren Wilson, NYRP’s communications director, emphasizes how urban gardens speak to the lived experiences of the gardeners themselves. “Many people who immigrate to New York come from agrarian backgrounds,” Wilson said. “We’ve found that there’s consistently been a desire for people to grow their own food. It’s about nourishment, but it’s also about cultural expression.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20York%20Restoration%20Project%20Turns%2030&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20York%20Restoration%20Project%20Turns%2030%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20York%20Restoration%20Project%20Turns%2030&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20York%20Restoration%20Project%20Turns%2030%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20New%20York%20Restoration%20Project%20Turns%2030%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler --- ### [Betteback 1978: Bette Midler To Sue "Shock Tops"](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/21/betteback-1978-bette-midler-to-sue-shock-tops/) **Published:** October 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- **Charleston News and Courier** **November 18, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-18_09-20-05.png "2025-10-18_09-20-05 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-05-14_3-39-33](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-14_3-39-33.png "2017-05-14_3-39-33 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71231) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Betteback%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20To%20Sue%20%22Shock%20Tops%22&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Betteback%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20To%20Sue%20%22Shock%20Tops%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Betteback%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20To%20Sue%20%22Shock%20Tops%22&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Betteback%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20To%20Sue%20%22Shock%20Tops%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Betteback%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20To%20Sue%20%22Shock%20Tops%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #BarbaraWalters, #BetteMidler, #ShockTops, #Sue --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler At The Academy Awards In 1997](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/21/photo-bette-midler-at-the-academy-awards-in-1997/) **Published:** October 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo: Bette Midler At The Academy Awards In 1997 By Mister D Oct 21, 2025 --- [Embed from Getty Images](https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/1363124418) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20The%20Academy%20Awards%20In%201997&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20The%20Academy%20Awards%20In%201997%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20The%20Academy%20Awards%20In%201997&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20The%20Academy%20Awards%20In%201997%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20The%20Academy%20Awards%20In%201997%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Oscars **Tags:** #AcademyAwards, #BetteMidler, #Oscars, #photo --- ### [New Book Shares Secrets Behind Johnny Carson’s Penultimate ‘Tonight Show’ Episode](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/21/new-book-shares-secrets-behind-johnny-carsons-penultimate-tonight-show-episode/) **Published:** October 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Robin Williams and Bette Midler had nothing to promote. This night was all about Johnny. **Content:** --- ## Parade New Book Shares Secrets Behind Johnny Carson’s Penultimate ‘Tonight Show’ Episode (Exclusive) By Jessica Sager Oct 21, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-21_01-49-32.png "2025-10-21_01-49-32 - bootleg betty")--- Moment of Moments The penultimate show, the show before the show. This was the show where all raw emotions would be exposed. In the weeks leading up to this night, Carson fans went out of their minds angling to get seats. Robin Williams and Bette Midler were chosen as the guests for May 21, 1992, what many considered the final show. Though it technically wasn’t the final show, it was the final show with guests. Behind the scenes, the activity was frantic. Talent coordinator Bob Dolce told Fred de Cordova, “Bette Midler still won’t officially commit.” Fred commanded, “You have to call and call and call.” Tonight Show writer Bruce Vilanch told me that Bette’s business manager, Bonnie Bruckheimer, pushed back on her client’s appearance being the last guest ever on Carson’s show. Vilanch didn’t mince words, saying, “Are you nuts? It’s history making!” Bruce prevailed. Bette got on board. But a new question arose: What songs would she sing? Bette agreed on Cole Porter’s “Miss Otis Regrets.” The second and final song, “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road),” was suggested by Marc Shaiman, Bette’s musical director. Shaiman had been in the shower when he had what he called a “full lightbulb-above-my-head moment.” Still dripping wet, he called Bette to tell her he had the right song. It was perfect. But when he told her the title, Bette balked. “I can’t sing that song,” she said. “I’ll be too nervous to hit those \[high\] notes.” It took a while, but Shaiman finally convinced her that once they found the right key, she’d have no problems. Show day arrived. A big Bette fan, Johnny turned up at the rehearsal. Vilanch was there to watch Carson’s reaction. “I think \[Johnny\] was afraid that he’d break down \[during the show\],” Bruce said. He recalled Johnny saying to Bette, “I want to thank you for doing this. You need this like a root canal.” [**Robin Williams**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Williams) and [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/15/video-bette-midler-on-stephen-colbert-oct-14-2025/) had nothing to promote. This night was all about Johnny. Bette’s cabaret style harkened back to an earlier era that Carson adored. He also adored Williams, with whom he had an especially happy history. There was one show that Carson hosted while sick, and Williams was a guest for it. In Johnny’s words, “\[Robin\] saved my ass.” So, Robin’s being selected as one of the final guests on Tonight was a no-brainer, as he always delivered huge laughs and was a huge movie star. On the way to the curtain for that taping, Carson walked past his staff, who were huddled around a backstage monitor. He offered only two words: “One more.” The show began, and once he appeared from behind the curtain, the audience gave him an unprecedented standing ovation—two minutes long. Johnny begged them to stop applauding, saying, “This is getting embarrassing.” When Robin Williams emerged from the curtain, he was pushing a colossal rocking chair that had guitars for legs. Johnny climbed into the chair and rocked back and forth, muttering in an elderly voice, “Can I sit in the sun today?” ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/the-tonight-show-starring-johnny-carson-episode-pictured-musical-guest-bette-midler-performing-on-may-21-1992-photo-by-alice-s-hallnbcu-photo-bank-stockpack-gettyimages-686x1024.jpg "The-tonight-show-starring-johnny-carson-episode-pictured-musical-guest-bette-midler-performing-on-may-21-1992-photo-by-alice-s-hallnbcu-photo-bank-stockpack-gettyimages - bootleg betty")After Robin engaged in his nonstop, lightning-paced patter, riffing on everyone from Rodney King to presidential candidate Ross Perot, Bette opened with “Miss Otis Regrets,” rendered upbeat and bouncy. She then moved to the couch with a surprise. Without telling Johnny, Shaiman and Vilanch had refashioned the lyrics to “You Made Me Love You” to “You Made Me Watch You.” Sitting next to Carson, Bette sang . . . *I love the jokes you’re flogging when you are monologuing. I watched your hair turn slowly from dark to white, And when I can’t sleep, I count your wives at night.* The highlight came when Bette did her final number, proving that Shaiman had been right. “One for My Baby” was the perfect song at the perfect moment. Adding to the drama was a never-before-seen camera angle devised by director Bobby Quinn. His son Kevin told me about it. During Bette’s song, Bobby moved camera three around to show a profile of Bette with Johnny in the low light looking at her. The angle was groundbreaking for a late-night talk show. Bette sang directly to Johnny, who was teary- eyed and deeply moved. The entire staff was huddled in the wings, everyone sobbing. It was an Emmy Award–winning moment for Midler, and even to day, over three decades later, it is considered one of the most beautiful moments in television history. “She made the whole nation cry,” said Doc Severinsen. The plan was for Bette to sit with Johnny after the song, but after placing a Hawaiian lei around his neck, the singer was so overcome with emotion that she dashed backstage. Midler’s unexpected departure left the show with forty seconds to fill. Usually, the panel stood while the credits rolled and the music played. But not tonight. Johnny was too broken up. Lassally was forced to run the credits over a gray screen. After the broadcast, another unprecedented moment: Carson invited Midler and Williams to his basement office. A year later, Johnny told The Washington Post, “Even when I see it now, it was so affecting … Bette Midler to this day hasn’t seen it. She says, ‘I can’t watch it.’ She sent me a note and said, ‘Of all the things I’ve done in the entertainment business, that was the most magical electric moment.’ And I said, ‘Me too.’ It just happened. You couldn’t recreate it, ever.” ***From Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan’s Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend*** by Mark Malkoff, published by Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/love-johnny-carson-1213781.png "Love-johnny-carson-1213781 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=New%20Book%20Shares%20Secrets%20Behind%20Johnny%20Carson%E2%80%99s%20Penultimate%20%E2%80%98Tonight%20Show%E2%80%99%20Episode&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=New%20Book%20Shares%20Secrets%20Behind%20Johnny%20Carson%E2%80%99s%20Penultimate%20%E2%80%98Tonight%20Show%E2%80%99%20Episode%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=New%20Book%20Shares%20Secrets%20Behind%20Johnny%20Carson%E2%80%99s%20Penultimate%20%E2%80%98Tonight%20Show%E2%80%99%20Episode&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=New%20Book%20Shares%20Secrets%20Behind%20Johnny%20Carson%E2%80%99s%20Penultimate%20%E2%80%98Tonight%20Show%E2%80%99%20Episode%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=New%20Book%20Shares%20Secrets%20Behind%20Johnny%20Carson%E2%80%99s%20Penultimate%20%E2%80%98Tonight%20Show%E2%80%99%20Episode%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Talk Show, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BruceVilanch, #MarcShaiman, #RobinWilliams, #TheTonightShow, JohnnyCarson --- ### [Bette Midler Attends The Tom Wolfe Prizes for Fiction and Reportage Gala](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/20/bette-midler-attends-the-tom-wolfe-prizes-for-fiction-and-reportage-gala/) **Published:** October 20, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A dinner for Air Mail’s inaugural Tom Wolfe Prizes for Fiction and Reportage had a little bit of everything. At a table beneath an Edward Sorel mural, the actress Bette Midler sat beside Graydon Carter, the founder and co-editor of Air Mail, the digital weekly magazine **Content:** --- ## New York Times Bette Midler Attends The Tom Wolfe Prizes for Fiction and Reportage Gala By Sandra E. Garcia Oct 15, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-20_00-27-46.png "2025-10-20_00-27-46 - bootleg betty") --- Several dozen celebrities, authors, and icons mingled inside the Waverly Inn’s exclusive, and dimly lit, main dining room to toast writers on Tuesday night in the West Village. A dinner for Air Mail’s inaugural [**Tom Wolfe**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Wolfe) Prizes for Fiction and Reportage had a little bit of everything. At a table beneath an Edward Sorel mural, the actress [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/television/#.VhugxFRViko)sat beside Graydon Carter, the founder and co-editor of [Air Mail](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/business/media/puck-air-mail-deal.html), the digital weekly magazine. “Tom Wolfe would be delighted,” Mr. Carter said about the journalist and novelist often seen in a white three-piece suit and hat. “He could talk to anybody, like a great reporter.” The comedian Seth Meyers served as the night’s emcee. He sat across the table from Mr. Carter, who “always wants to make sure that this is a city that’s home to writers,” Mr. Meyers said. The night’s award for fiction writing went to [Vincenzo Latronico](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/style/vincenzo-latronico-perfection-profile.html), the Italian novelist and author of “Perfection,” a short novel about a couple in Berlin. The nonfiction award was given to Meghan Daum, the journalist and author of “The Catastrophe Hour,” a book of selected essays written between 2016 and 2023. Both awards were presented by Alexandra Wolfe, the writer’s daughter. Winners would also receive a $10,000 honorarium to put toward their craft. Mr. Latronico thanked Sophie Hughes, who translated his book to English from Italian. Ms. Daum thanked her copy editors and quipped that when she first heard the award — an inky black bust with a miniature homburg hat, to mimic the one Wolfe wore — was for emerging artists, she was “really thrilled.” “I’ve been in this business for 30 years, and I’ve been waiting to emerge all this time and it’s finally happened,” she said to the room. After the awards were handed out, dinner was served. Guests had a choice of chicken, salmon or filet mignon. Underneath place cards on the table there were small boxes which held a Montblanc Meisterstück fountain pen — a favorite of Wolfe’s, a gift courtesy of Montblanc, which sponsored the event. The dinner not only celebrated the authors but also the legacy of Wolfe. Alessandra Stanley, Air Mail’s co-editor, sat at a table with Walter Isaacson, who noted, “it’s just remarkably nice to feel you’re part of that tradition of Tom Wolfe.” The evening was not all literary all the time. At one point the actress Emma Roberts, who carried a clutch that looked like a copy of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” her friend and co-founder of their book club Belletrist, Karah Preiss and the author Lisa Taddeo stepped out for a cigarette and conversation. Closer to the entrance of the dining room, Mr. Myers squeezed into a booth between Ms. Midler and Mr. Carter. At a longer table nearby, Emily Sundberg, the [Substack writer](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/business/emily-sundberg-feed-me.html), and others chatted about Mayor Eric Adams. “I’ll miss him!” she said, half in jest and half earnestly. ## Near Ms. Sundberg, the actress Sarah Jessica Parker sat across from her husband, the actor Matthew Broderick. It was not an average weeknight for the couple who are preparing to be empty nesters, she said. “On an average Tuesday night, I am cooking dinner, and I’m checking on homework,” said Ms. Parker, who wore a fuchsia overcoat with an embroidered snake pin. “I like having my children around. Our son just moved out. I prefer to have human beings there — I don’t know where they are — and then I turn a corner, and they’re there, or their belongings are there.” ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-20_00-58-49.png "2025-10-20_00-58-49 - bootleg betty") **Nearby, Ms. Midler took a swig of champagne as she looked around the room.** *“I know in the world there’s so much upheaval,” Ms. Midler said, her curled bang grazing her brow. “I’m really relieved to be sitting here. I’m looking forward to a glass of wine and a really good meal, because I know I’m going to get it at this place. I just want a break. We all need a break.”* **A correction was made on** Oct. 15, 2025 : An earlier version of this article misidentified the type of pen given to guests at the Tom Wolfe dinner. It was a fountain pen, not a ballpoint. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%20Tom%20Wolfe%20Prizes%20for%20Fiction%20and%20Reportage%20Gala&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%20Tom%20Wolfe%20Prizes%20for%20Fiction%20and%20Reportage%20Gala%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%20Tom%20Wolfe%20Prizes%20for%20Fiction%20and%20Reportage%20Gala&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%20Tom%20Wolfe%20Prizes%20for%20Fiction%20and%20Reportage%20Gala%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Attends%20The%20Tom%20Wolfe%20Prizes%20for%20Fiction%20and%20Reportage%20Gala%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Benefits, Bette Midler, Books **Tags:** #AirMail, #BetteMidler, #Gala, #TomWolfe --- ### [BetteBack: Bette Midler doesn't feel up to touring](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/19/betteback-bette-midler-doesnt-feel-up-to-touring/) **Published:** October 19, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler isn't sure she's "strong" enough to tour anymore **Content:** --- ## Elko Daily Bette Midler doesn’t feel up to touring By Celebretainment Jun 29, 2020 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/7fc9642d7efd62ed18e33e764c8fa809.jpg "7fc9642d7efd62ed18e33e764c8fa809 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler isn’t sure she’s “strong” enough to tour anymore**](https://bootlegbetty.com/songsandlyrics/). The 74-year-old singer-and-actress would love to carry on performing for her fans but she’s unsure she’s physically fit enough or has the stamina for a series of concerts. Asked if she thinks about performing again, Bette – who last toured in 2015 – said: “You know the old expression ‘The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak’? “I still have interest, but I don’t know whether I am strong enough anymore.” And after live performances shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, the [**‘Wind Beneath My Wings’**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_Beneath_My_Wings) hitmaker is unsure her fans will want to go to concerts again. She told The Hollywood Reporter: “It’s a very hard question to answer, because you don’t know whether the audience will be there for you. “A lot of my friends have called and said, ‘You know, it’s weird, but I think I’m retired.’ It’s not like you announce it or anything, the parade just sort of goes by. “I know we’re all in a holding pattern — paddling around our ponds, learning and catching our breath — but, when this is all over, there will be a shakeout. I don’t know whether it will include my cohort. “You just don’t know if they have, not just the energy to get into the car, but the money to buy a ticket. “The schools, arenas, theatres and all places where people gather have a very steep climb ahead of them. Of course, if we had some leadership it wouldn’t be quite so bad — but we have none.” Bette can currently be seen playing Hadassah Gold in the second series of ‘The Politician’, having made her debut in the final episode of the first season, and she admitted she’s found filming a “tiring” experience, though she’s learned a lot. She said: “I hadn’t worked on the streets of New York in a long time — and I have never done it in the winter, so that was a revelation. I was wearing a hot water bottle under my outfit. To be in the middle of Tribeca at rush hour was really … I’m old, too. Don’t forget. “I’m old, and I’m wearing sensible shoes. I was wearing sensible shoes, I insisted on it. “Really, it was exciting and exhilarating, but it was also tiring. “I had never done anything like that. I had a little show in 2000 — a sitcom \[Bette\] that I didn’t understand, either — but I had never actually done episodic. “I didn’t realize that you’d see a new director every week. It was like school for me, dipping my toe into yet another world.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20doesn%27t%20feel%20up%20to%20touring&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20doesn%27t%20feel%20up%20to%20touring%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20doesn%27t%20feel%20up%20to%20touring&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20doesn%27t%20feel%20up%20to%20touring%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20doesn%27t%20feel%20up%20to%20touring%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concerts, #touring --- ### [Why Does Hocus Pocus 2 Look So Dark?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/18/why-does-hocus-pocus-2-look-so-dark/) **Published:** October 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** I recently watched Hocus Pocus 2 for the first time since its premiere, and I was seriously distracted by the look of the movie. Specifically, it's muted colors. **Content:** --- ## Collider Why Does Hocus Pocus 2 Look So Dark? By Corey Chichizola Oct 18, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The-Hollywood-Insider-Hocus-Pocus-2-Review.png "The-hollywood-insider-hocus-pocus-2-review - bootleg betty")--- Nostalgia is a powerful force in the entertainment world, which is why we’e gotten so many long-awaited sequels in recent years. Case in point: [**Hocus Pocus 2**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/10/04/eleven-whimsical-facts-about-hocus-pocus-2/), which arrived in 2022 for those with a Disney+ subscription. Fans waited decades to see the trio of Sanderson Sisters back on their screens, and they managed to slip right back into character. I recently watched Hocus Pocus 2 for the first time since its premiere, and I was seriously distracted by the look of the movie. Specifically, it’s muted colors. Critics had a mixed reaction to Hocus Pocus 2 when it was released, and there were some big shoes to fill considering how much of a cult classic the 1993 original is. I enjoyed the sequel both times I’ve seen it, but I’ve got to say that the lack of vibrancy in the film’s colors really distracted me the second time around. Seriously, it looked like a Zack Snyder movie at times. **Hocus Pocus 2’s Color Looks So Dull Compared To The Original** The original Hocus Pocus is full of bright, vibrant colors. Simply glancing at the [**Sanderson Sisters’**](https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Sanderson_Sisters) looks shows this, as well as the color of their magic and even the Halloween costume worn by Thora Birch’s Dani. If you do a double feature and watch the sequel right after, the discrepancy between the color grading is even more obvious. Seriously, why does Anne Fletcher’s follow-up movie look so muted? Some scenes in here are worse in regards to its coloring, particularly the sequence where the witches go to Walgreens. The overhead lighting doesn’t do them any favors, and the cast looks particularly washed out. This was never a problem in the 1993 original. The sequel put the villains into a number of funny modern scenarios, while also harkening back to the original. It’s a delightful sequel, but I just wish that it looked as vibrant as its predecessor. Hopefully that can be fixed if Hocus Pocus 3 is ever produced. **Why Does It Look So Dark?** Over the past few years there’s been growing criticism about movies and TV shows being too dark to watch. Fans complained when Game of Thrones’ Season 8 Episode, “The Long Night,” was almost impossible to watch. So is Hocus Pocus 2’s color issue more of a symptom of the entire entertainment industry? A while back, digital imaging technician Nicholas Kay spoke to Variety about ongoing complaints with darkness in contemporary film projects. He encouraged folks to double check their TV settings, and also hammered down the importance of having high quality sets, as well as proper lighting that’ll mimic movie theaters. He addressed how darkness might also be a creative choice, saying: Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Why%20Does%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20Look%20So%20Dark%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Why%20Does%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20Look%20So%20Dark%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Why%20Does%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20Look%20So%20Dark%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Why%20Does%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20Look%20So%20Dark%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Why%20Does%20Hocus%20Pocus%202%20Look%20So%20Dark%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Colors, #Dark, #HocusPocus, #HocusPocus2, #Movies --- ### [Photo: Bette Midler - The Divine Miss M - Art](https://bootlegbetty.com/2019/01/16/photo-bette-midler-the-divine-miss-m-art/) **Published:** January 16, 2019 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ![Bette Midler - The Divine Miss M - Art](/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2018-12-03_3-09-25-480x570.png "2018-12-03_3-09-25 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20-%20Art&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20-%20Art%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20-%20Art&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20-%20Art%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20The%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20-%20Art%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Photos, The Divine Miss M --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings My Mother's Eyes From Divine Madness](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/18/video-bette-midler-sings-my-mothers-eyes-from-divine-madness/) **Published:** October 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** #BetteMidler sings the beautifully poignant song, #MyMothersEyes. This was a #deleted song from #DivineMadness **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings My Mother’s Eyes From Divine Madness By Mister D Oct 18, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/NEW-YEARS-EVE-1979-7.jpg "New-years-eve-1979-7 - bootleg betty") --- [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) sings the beautifully poignant song, [\#MyMothersEyes](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/mymotherseyes/). This was a [\#deleted](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/deleted/) song from [\#DivineMadness](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/divinemadness/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes%20From%20Divine%20Madness&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes%20From%20Divine%20Madness%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes%20From%20Divine%20Madness&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes%20From%20Divine%20Madness%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes%20From%20Divine%20Madness%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Divine Madness, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DivineMadness, #MyMothersEyes, #TomJans --- ### [Photo Gallery: Vintage Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/18/photo-gallery-vintage-bette-midler/) **Published:** October 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Photo Gallery: Vintage Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Photo Gallery: Vintage Bette Midler By Mister D Oct 12, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-11_05-46-14.png "2025-10-11_05-46-14 - bootleg betty") These are [**vintage**](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vintage) photos of [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-the-concerts/#.VfrOrH9Viko) from the 70’s and 80’s. --- Vintage Bette Midler-2 [ ![On the Johnny Carson Show 1973](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/1_9dd1b8566625f4331ce7eacb827559e1.jpg?bwg=1760191644 "On the Johnny Carson Show 1973") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/1_9dd1b8566625f4331ce7eacb827559e1.jpg?bwg=1760191644) [ ![Early 70's: Divine Miss M recording session](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/1_37b526281a3d41087210ea61a1c05f43.jpg?bwg=1760191644 "Early 70's: Divine Miss M recording session") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/1_37b526281a3d41087210ea61a1c05f43.jpg?bwg=1760191644) [ ![The 80's: Bette gets her Hollywood Walk Of Fame star](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/1_59f6f1c23df7efc1c11d2eb963c42e8e.jpg?bwg=1760191644 "The 80's: Bette gets her Hollywood Walk Of Fame star") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/1_59f6f1c23df7efc1c11d2eb963c42e8e.jpg?bwg=1760191644) [ ![Clams](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/1_6147c5a42d4c89ca66a5e961e1cd3f3a.jpg?bwg=1760191644 "Clams") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/1_6147c5a42d4c89ca66a5e961e1cd3f3a.jpg?bwg=1760191644) [ ![On the Neil Sedaka Special, Steppin' Out](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/1_2d6ebde950f35ef560bdeb9297eac316.jpg?bwg=1760191644 "On the Neil Sedaka Special, Steppin' Out") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/1_2d6ebde950f35ef560bdeb9297eac316.jpg?bwg=1760191644) [ ![Early 70's](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/1_c08d19dd7a8f5786740d8e7d17e338e0.jpg?bwg=1760191644 "Early 70's") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/1_c08d19dd7a8f5786740d8e7d17e338e0.jpg?bwg=1760191644) [ ![The Rose](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/1_e4065013d7dc1044f108b2630e331f36.jpg?bwg=1760191644 "The Rose") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/1_e4065013d7dc1044f108b2630e331f36.jpg?bwg=1760191644) [ ![Clams](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/11_6147c5a42d4c89ca66a5e961e1cd3f3a.jpg?bwg=1760191644 "Clams") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/11_6147c5a42d4c89ca66a5e961e1cd3f3a.jpg?bwg=1760191644) [ ![The Palace](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/2025-10-11_05-46-14.png?bwg=1760191644 "The Palace") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-10-11_05-46-14.png?bwg=1760191644) [ ![The Palace](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/2025-10-11_06-06-34.png?bwg=1760191644 "The Palace") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-10-11_06-06-34.png?bwg=1760191644) [ ![Clams](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/2025-10-11_06-23-07.png?bwg=1760191644 "Clams") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-10-11_06-23-07.png?bwg=1760191644) [ ![Clams: Higher & Higher](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/2025-10-11_06-26-04.png?bwg=1760191644 "Clams: Higher & Higher") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-10-11_06-26-04.png?bwg=1760191644) [ ![The Palace](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/2025-10-11_06-28-34.png?bwg=1760191644 "The Palace") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-10-11_06-28-34.png?bwg=1760191644) [ ![The Palace](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/2025-10-11_06-29-45.png?bwg=1760191644 "The Palace") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-10-11_06-29-45.png?bwg=1760191644) [ ![The Rose](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/2025-10-11_06-40-21.png?bwg=1760191644 "The Rose") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-10-11_06-40-21.png?bwg=1760191644) [ ![Friar's Club](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/2025-10-11_06-42-16.png?bwg=1760191644 "Friar's Club") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-10-11_06-42-16.png?bwg=1760191644) [ ![The Palace](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/2025-10-11_06-51-40.png?bwg=1760191644 "The Palace") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-10-11_06-51-40.png?bwg=1760191644) [ ![The Rose](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/2025-10-11_06-54-12.png?bwg=1760191644 "The Rose") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-10-11_06-54-12.png?bwg=1760191644) [ ![At The Copa](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/2025-10-11_06-56-31.png?bwg=1760191644 "At The Copa") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-10-11_06-56-31.png?bwg=1760191644) [ ![De Tour 1980's](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/2025-10-11_06-57-48.png?bwg=1760191644 "De Tour 1980's") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-10-11_06-57-48.png?bwg=1760191644) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%20Gallery%3A%20Vintage%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%20Gallery%3A%20Vintage%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%20Gallery%3A%20Vintage%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%20Gallery%3A%20Vintage%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%20Gallery%3A%20Vintage%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Photo Gallery, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #PhotoGallery, #Photos, #Vintage --- ### [32 Years Later, Halloween Classic, Hocus Pocus Dominates Streaming Charts](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/18/32-years-later-halloween-classic-hocus-pocus-dominates-streaming-charts/) **Published:** October 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The spooky season is officially upon us, and many viewers are lighting the Black-Flame Candle once again to bring back the Sanderson sisters for the occasion. **Content:** --- ## Collider 32 Years Later, Cozy Halloween Classic Dominates Streaming Charts Amid Sequel Rumors By Ryan O’Rourke Oct 11, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bette-midler-says-hocus-pocus-3-needs-to-happen-sooner-rather-than-later-ab8272-1-1024x576.jpg "Bette-midler-says-hocus-pocus-3-needs-to-happen-sooner-rather-than-later-ab8272 - bootleg betty")--- The spooky season is officially upon us, and many viewers are lighting the [**Black-Flame Candle**](https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Black_Flame_Candle) once again to bring back the Sanderson sisters for the occasion. [**Hocus Pocus**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/01/30-hocus-pocus-quotes-you-need-to-know/), the family-friendly Halloween mainstay, has soared back up the charts in anticipation of the spooky holiday, landing at #9 on Disney+’s international ranking, just ahead of Pixar’s Elemental and trailing Brad Bird’s beloved animated superhero hit, The Incredibles. Although originally a box office bomb for the House of Mouse, with icy reviews from critics to the tune of a downright dreadful 41% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it has since become synonymous with fall and a fan favorite, sporting a much better 72% mark with audiences. Much of that can be attributed to the three witches at the center of it all, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. Hocus Pocus whisks viewers to Salem, Massachusetts, where, three centuries prior, the Sanderson sisters were all sentenced to hang for witchcraft. Before their deaths, however, the trio cursed the town to bring about their resurrection on a night when the full moon and All Hallows’ Eve align and a virgin lights the Black-Flame Candle. In the present, Max (Omri Katz), a sarcastic teenager stuck trick-or-treating with his younger sister Dani (Thora Birch), inadvertently fulfills the sisters’ requirements and unleashes them back onto Salem, where they aim to take over the town and get revenge for their deaths. With the help of his crush Allison (Vinessa Shaw) and the iconic talking cat Thackery Binx (Jason Marsden/Sean Murray), who was once cursed to live forever as a feline by the Sandersons, he and Dani race to stop them as they try to regain their youth. Directed by Kenny Ortega with a screenplay by Mick Garris and Neil Cuthbert, and a story courtesy of Garris and Emmy nominee David Kirschner, Hocus Pocus has a little bit of everything. From the witches themselves to the spooky aesthetic and the memorable zombie Billy Butcherson, played by Doug Jones, who had to hold actual live bugs in his mouth for the performance, it’s built a reputation as a surprisingly scary film for the whole family. The cult classic status of the film was enough to earn it a sequel on Disney+ in 2022, with all of Midler, Parker, Najimy, and Jones reprising their roles, though sadly without the original heroic trio of Katz, Shaw, or Birch. Though not as beloved as the first, it still earned a measure of redemption with a 65% Rotten Tomatoes score, including a B+ review from Collider’s Maggie Lovitt. **Will We Ever Get a ‘Hocus Pocus 3’?** Two years ago now, Disney had plans to create a Hocus Pocus 3 after the sequel had enchanted viewers on Disney+. Despite the confirmation, the cauldron is not yet bubbling on that project, if the updates from the stars are any indication. The most recent talk of the film came when Parker appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen back in July and confirmed there were “No more developments, other than that we’d love to do it.” Hocus Pocus 2 director Anne Fletcher and writer Jen D’Angelo were both expected to return for the witchy threequel when it does happen, with hopes of also bringing back more of the original stars for another tale of revenge against Salem. Hocus Pocus is currently streaming on Disney+. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=32%20Years%20Later%2C%20Halloween%20Classic%2C%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Dominates%20Streaming%20Charts&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=32%20Years%20Later%2C%20Halloween%20Classic%2C%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Dominates%20Streaming%20Charts%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=32%20Years%20Later%2C%20Halloween%20Classic%2C%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Dominates%20Streaming%20Charts&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=32%20Years%20Later%2C%20Halloween%20Classic%2C%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Dominates%20Streaming%20Charts%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=32%20Years%20Later%2C%20Halloween%20Classic%2C%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Dominates%20Streaming%20Charts%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2, Hocus Pocus 3, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Charts, #Classic, #Halloween, #HocusPocus, #Streaming, #TheSandersonSisters --- ### [More Bette Midler Videos From WWHL!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/17/more-bette-midler-videos-from-wwhl/) **Published:** October 17, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty More Bette Midler Videos From WWHL! By Mister D Oct 17, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-17_03-16-31-1.png "2025-10-17_03-16-31 - bootleg betty") --- **YOU’RE THIS CLOSE TO AN EGO**T > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP5LwT3kvGi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Watch What Happens Live! (@bravowwhl)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP5LwT3kvGi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) --- **WE ARE THE WORLD** > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP5QZ5bEkr6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Watch What Happens Live! (@bravowwhl)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP5QZ5bEkr6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) **THE WHITE LOTUS** > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP5RlGnkkz6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Watch What Happens Live! (@bravowwhl)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP5RlGnkkz6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=More%20Bette%20Midler%20Videos%20From%20WWHL%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=More%20Bette%20Midler%20Videos%20From%20WWHL%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=More%20Bette%20Midler%20Videos%20From%20WWHL%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=More%20Bette%20Midler%20Videos%20From%20WWHL%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=More%20Bette%20Midler%20Videos%20From%20WWHL%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Talk Show, Television, Videos **Tags:** #AndyCohen, #BetteMidler, #WWHL, videos --- ### [Video: Bette Midler's First Oscar Experience](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/17/video-bette-midlers-first-oscar-experience/) **Published:** October 17, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler’s First Oscar Experience By Mister D Oct 17, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-17_04-28-16.png "2025-10-17_04-28-16 - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP5M_4_EmTA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Watch What Happens Live! (@bravowwhl)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP5M_4_EmTA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Oscar%20Experience&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Oscar%20Experience%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Oscar%20Experience&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Oscar%20Experience%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Oscar%20Experience%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Oscars, Talk Show, Television **Tags:** #AndyCohen, #BetteMidler, #Experience, #Oscar, #WWHL --- ### [Video: Bette Midler On Watch What Happens Live](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/17/video-bette-midler-on-watch-what-happens-live/) **Published:** October 17, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Videos and Photos: Bette Midler On Watch What Happens Live By Mister D Oct 17, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-17_03-09-58.png "2025-10-17_03-09-58 - bootleg betty")--- --- --- --- --- --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-17_03-14-23.png "2025-10-17_03-14-23 - bootleg betty")--- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-17_03-16-31.png "2025-10-17_03-16-31 - bootleg betty") --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-17_03-20-44.png "2025-10-17_03-20-44 - bootleg betty")--- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/hq720.jpg "Hq720 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Talk Show, Television, Video **Tags:** #AndyCohen, #BetteMidler, #talkshow, #WatchWhatHappensLive, #WWHL --- ### [Video: "Talk To My Ass" From Bette Midler's Jinxed Movie](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/16/video-talk-to-my-ass-from-bette-midlers-jinxed-movie/) **Published:** October 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: “Talk To My Ass” From Bette Midler’s Jinxed Movie By Mister D Oct 16, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/jinxed-9.png "Jinxed-9 - bootleg betty")--- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20%22Talk%20To%20My%20Ass%22%20From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Jinxed%20Movie&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20%22Talk%20To%20My%20Ass%22%20From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Jinxed%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20%22Talk%20To%20My%20Ass%22%20From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Jinxed%20Movie&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20%22Talk%20To%20My%20Ass%22%20From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Jinxed%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20%22Talk%20To%20My%20Ass%22%20From%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Jinxed%20Movie%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Jinxed, Movies, Quote **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Jinxed, #Movie, #TalkToMyAss --- ### [First Wives Club Surges On Streaming Charts After Diane Keaton's Passing](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/16/first-wives-club-surges-on-streaming-charts-after-diane-keatons-passing/) **Published:** October 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** According to FlixPatrol, The First Wives Club was the 10th-most-watched movie on the domestic iTunes charts on October 12. **Content:** --- ## Collider First Wives Club Surges On Streaming Charts After Diane Keaton’s Passing By Rahul Malhotra Oct 14, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/26299_5.jpg "26299_5 - bootleg betty")--- The world mourned the sad passing of [**Diane Keaton**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/11/r-i-p-diane-keaton-1946-2025/) last weekend, with many honoring her on social media, and others returning to her films on streaming. Several of the movies she has starred in over the decades, many of which are all-time classics, have witnessed spikes in viewership. While The Godfather and Something’s Gotta Give remained favorites, other films that Keaton starred in also drew attention. Among the most popular was [**The First Wives Club**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_Wives_Club), the comedy blockbuster that she did back in 1996. According to FlixPatrol, The First Wives Club was the 10th-most-watched movie on the domestic iTunes charts on October 12. The leader board was topped by the recent blockbusters The Conjuring: Last Rites, Weapons, and F1. In fact, The First Wives Club beat recent releases such as The Bad Guys 2 and HIM. It also placed a couple of spots above another Keaton classic, Something’s Gotta Give, which featured Jack Nicholson and grossed over $260 million worldwide, a number that would be nearly unthinkable for a film of its kind today. But Keaton delivered numerous box office hits in the third act of her career. The First Wives Club is one of them. Directed by Hugh Wilson and co-starring Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn, the movie made over $180 million globally against a reported budget of $26 million. It featured the three older stars joining hands to exact vengeance against their former spouses, after realizing that they’ve been taken for granted all their lives. The film received mixed reviews — it holds a 49% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes — but has always been a fan-favorite. A winner of an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and two Golden Globes, Keaton died at the age of 79 on October 11. She’s best remembered for her collaborations with rom-com legend Nancy Meyers and the disgraced director Woody Allen, and for starring in classics such as The Godfather and Reds. Keaton experienced box office success till the very end of her career; in 2018, she starred in Book Club, which grossed over $100 million worldwide. Her last release was the comedy film Summer Camp, which debuted last year. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=First%20Wives%20Club%20Surges%20On%20Streaming%20Charts%20After%20Diane%20Keaton%27s%20Passing&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=First%20Wives%20Club%20Surges%20On%20Streaming%20Charts%20After%20Diane%20Keaton%27s%20Passing%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=First%20Wives%20Club%20Surges%20On%20Streaming%20Charts%20After%20Diane%20Keaton%27s%20Passing&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=First%20Wives%20Club%20Surges%20On%20Streaming%20Charts%20After%20Diane%20Keaton%27s%20Passing%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=First%20Wives%20Club%20Surges%20On%20Streaming%20Charts%20After%20Diane%20Keaton%27s%20Passing%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DianeKeaton, #FirstWivesClub, #GoldieHawn, #Movies, #Streaming --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Arriving At The Late Show](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/16/video-bette-midler-arriving-at-the-late-show/) **Published:** October 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Arriving At The Late Show By Mister D Oct. 16, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-16_07-13-54.png "2025-10-16_07-13-54 - bootleg betty") --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP0JYOrjWrr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Mickey Blank ? (@mickmicknyc)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP0JYOrjWrr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPzfJUvEcko/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by NYC blogger from ??| USA traveling (@girlfromjerseycity)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPzfJUvEcko/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Arriving%20At%20The%20Late%20Show&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Arriving%20At%20The%20Late%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Arriving%20At%20The%20Late%20Show&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Arriving%20At%20The%20Late%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Arriving%20At%20The%20Late%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Talk Show, Video **Tags:** #Arriving, #BetteMidler, #talkshow, #TheLateShow --- ### [Reminder: Bette Midler Will Be On Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live Tonight](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/16/reminder-bette-midler-will-be-on-andy-cohens-watch-what-happens-live-tonight/) **Published:** October 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Reminder: Bette Midler Will Be On Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live Tonight By Mister D Oct. 16, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/102999587-15193475-_She_was_such_a_genius_the_79_year_old_Divine_Miss_M_recalled_on-a-10_1760536736225-1.avif "102999587-15193475-_she_was_such_a_genius_the_79_year_old_divine_miss_m_recalled_on-a-10_1760536736225 - bootleg betty")--- A little reminder that [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/03/19/bette-midler-an-overview/) will be on Andy Cohen’s [**Watch What Happens Live**](https://www.bravotv.com/watch-what-happens-live) (WWHL) on Bravo TV tonight. It should be a divine time in this loose setting. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Reminder%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20Andy%20Cohen%27s%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live%20Tonight&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Reminder%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20Andy%20Cohen%27s%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live%20Tonight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Reminder%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20Andy%20Cohen%27s%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live%20Tonight&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Reminder%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20Andy%20Cohen%27s%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live%20Tonight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Reminder%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20Andy%20Cohen%27s%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live%20Tonight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Talk Show, Television **Tags:** #AndyCohen, #BetteMidler, #BravoTV, #talkshow, #WztchWhatHappensLive --- ### [Lyrics And More Photos To "You Never Kissed The Orange Ass" Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/15/lyrics-and-more-photos-to-you-never-kissed-the-orange-ass-bette-midler/) **Published:** October 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** You Never Kissed The Orange Ass written by Eric Kornfeld and Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Lyrics To “You Never Kissed The Orange Ass” By Mister D Oct 15, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/102999509-15193475-She_continued_There_was_something_about_her_that_was_utterly_mag-a-11_1760536736230.avif "102999509-15193475-she_continued_there_was_something_about_her_that_was_utterly_mag-a-11_1760536736230 - bootleg betty")--- **You Never Kissed The Orange Ass** *written by [**Eric Kornfeld**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/eric-kornfeld/) and [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler)* It must have been cold here At The Late Show Despite the high ratings And awards You need a gig that’s That’s more worthwhile More worthwhile Now that you’re More in demand Than Epstein’s file Did you ever know That you’re my Frodo You stand for what’s right You stand for what’s right With wit and class Thank you And I hold you high as The great eagles ‘Cause you never kissed The orange a\*\* You never kissed The orange a\*\* Never kissed the orange a\*\* Oh, you, you, you You never kiss the orange a\*\* The audience jumped in to help Midler with the final “orange a\*\*” line and after some applause, she added, “Fly, fly, fly away… thank you, thank you. Thank God for you, the lord of all our rings.” --- --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/102999513-15193475-The_Fabulous_Four_actress_said_I_have_a_great_memory_of_her_with-a-12_1760536736248.avif "102999513-15193475-the_fabulous_four_actress_said_i_have_a_great_memory_of_her_with-a-12_1760536736248 - bootleg betty")--- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/102999587-15193475-_She_was_such_a_genius_the_79_year_old_Divine_Miss_M_recalled_on-a-10_1760536736225.avif "102999587-15193475-_she_was_such_a_genius_the_79_year_old_divine_miss_m_recalled_on-a-10_1760536736225 - bootleg betty")--- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bette-Midler-1536x864-3-1024x576.jpg "Bette-midler-1536x864 - bootleg betty")--- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bette-midler-shades-trump-serenades-113508972.webp "Bette-midler-shades-trump-serenades-113508972 - bootleg betty")--- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bette-midler-shades-trump-serenades-113508975.webp "Bette-midler-shades-trump-serenades-113508975 - bootleg betty")--- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bette-midler-shades-trump-serenades-113508989.webp "Bette-midler-shades-trump-serenades-113508989 - bootleg betty")--- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bette-midler-stephen-colbert.webp "Bette-midler-stephen-colbert - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Lyrics%20And%20More%20Photos%20To%20%22You%20Never%20Kissed%20The%20Orange%20Ass%22%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Lyrics%20And%20More%20Photos%20To%20%22You%20Never%20Kissed%20The%20Orange%20Ass%22%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Lyrics%20And%20More%20Photos%20To%20%22You%20Never%20Kissed%20The%20Orange%20Ass%22%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Lyrics%20And%20More%20Photos%20To%20%22You%20Never%20Kissed%20The%20Orange%20Ass%22%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Lyrics%20And%20More%20Photos%20To%20%22You%20Never%20Kissed%20The%20Orange%20Ass%22%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Lyrics, Photos, Songs, Talk Show **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #EricKornfeld, #Lyrics, #Song, #StephenColbert, #TheOrangeAss --- ### [Video: Bette Midler On Diane Keaton's Passing](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/15/video-bette-midler-on-diane-keatons-passing/) **Published:** October 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler sat down with “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert and looked back on working with Diane Keaton on “First Wives Club **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler On Diane Keaton’s Passing By Mister D Oct 15, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/COLBERT_1712_IMAGE_3422433_1920x1080.jpg "Colbert_1712_image_3422433_1920x1080 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) sat down with “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert and looked back on working with [**Diane Keaton**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Keaton) on “First Wives Club,” sharing how the late actor helped ease her nerves while filming their first scene together. “I never laughed so hard in my whole life,” she says. --- --- Bette Midler is sharing her fondest memories of her late friend, Diane Keaton. On Tuesday’s episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” filmed just days after the “Annie Hall” actress’ death, Midler recalled what it was like working with Keaton on the 1996 film “First Wives Club.” “\[There\] was something about her that was completely and utterly magical. She was completely her own person,” the actress said, describing Keaton as “inimitable.” “I’ve never seen a single comic or actress who could actually imitate her … \[she was\] so authentically herself.” Thinking back to her first day on set with Keaton and co-star Goldie Hawn, Midler, 79, remembered sitting down with them at a café for a table read. “I was so intimidated,” the comedian confessed, noting that Keaton and Hawn, also 79, had more experience than she did in the film industry at that point. “We sat there and they started telling stories, and I’m telling you, I never laughed so hard in my life,” Midler remembered. “It really was brilliant and magical.” The “Hocus Pocus” star also praised Keaton’s talents outside of Hollywood. “And of course, she was brilliantly dressed,” she said of Keaton’s signature style, before raving about her writing and photography skills. “She’s one of the few people I ever followed on Instagram, because it was so brilliant. The photographs — she was a photographer and she also wrote a number of books. The books are wonderful, very moving, about her family.” Midler shared that she was “unbearably sad” when she heard the news of Keaton’s death over the weekend. “The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died,” Midler wrote in an Instagram post. “I cannot tell you how unbearably sad this makes me. She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star.” She added, “What you saw was who she was…oh, la, lala!” A spokesperson for Keaton confirmed that the “Love and Death” star died in California on Oct. 11. She was 79. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Diane%20Keaton%27s%20Passing&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Diane%20Keaton%27s%20Passing%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Diane%20Keaton%27s%20Passing&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Diane%20Keaton%27s%20Passing%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Diane%20Keaton%27s%20Passing%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Talk Show, Television, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DianeKeaton, #FirstWivesClub, #LateShow, #StephenColbert, #Video --- ### [Videos: Bette Midler On Stephen Colbert, Oct 14, 2025](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/15/video-bette-midler-on-stephen-colbert-oct-14-2025/) **Published:** October 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler On Stephen Colbert, Oct 14, 2025 By Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler On Stephen Colbert, Oct 14, 2025 By Mister D Oct 14, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-15_09-00-14.png "2025-10-15_09-00-14 - bootleg betty") --- --- --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bette-Midler-1536x864-1-1024x576.jpg "Bette-midler-1536x864 - bootleg betty")--- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Videos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Stephen%20Colbert%2C%20Oct%2014%2C%202025&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Videos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Stephen%20Colbert%2C%20Oct%2014%2C%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Videos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Stephen%20Colbert%2C%20Oct%2014%2C%202025&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Videos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Stephen%20Colbert%2C%20Oct%2014%2C%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Videos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Stephen%20Colbert%2C%20Oct%2014%2C%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Talk Show, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #LateShow, #StephenColbert, #Video --- ### [Video: Bette Midler On Celebrity Lies](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/14/video-bette-midler-on-celebrity-lies/) **Published:** October 14, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Video: Bette Midler On Celebrity Lies **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler On Celebrity Lies By Mister D Oct 14, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bet0108h1-768x1024.jpg "Bet0108h1 - bootleg betty")--- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Celebrity%20Lies&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Celebrity%20Lies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Celebrity%20Lies&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Celebrity%20Lies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Celebrity%20Lies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bette TV Series, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BetteTVSeries, #Celebrity, #Lies, #Video --- ### [Photos: Bette Midler Spotted Monday Shopping In New York](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/14/photos-bette-midler-spotted-monday-shopping-in-new-york/) **Published:** October 14, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler was spotted over the weekend. The award-winning actress, 79, bundled up for a mid-day outing and enjoyed a stroll through New York City on Monday **Content:** --- ## Daily Mail Bette Midler Spotted Monday Shopping In New York By SHARON MAI Oct 13, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-14_02-36-39.png "2025-10-14_02-36-39 - bootleg betty")--- Bette Midler was spotted for the first time since her former co-star Diane Keaton’s shock death over the weekend. The award-winning actress, 79, bundled up for a mid-day outing and enjoyed a stroll through New York City on Monday. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-14_02-37-36.png "2025-10-14_02-37-36 - bootleg betty") The star braved the rainy day weather in a warm look. She dressed for comfort in casual yet put-together outfit, layering a gray puffer vest over a fitted, navy blue hoodie. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-14_02-38-34.png "2025-10-14_02-38-34 - bootleg betty") She wore medium-wash jeans with the bottom rolled up to reveal a houndstooth detail. Midler was seen walking out of a building with a hot pink shopping bag and her purse in the same hand. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/102955023-15188781-Bette_Midler_was_spotted_for_the_first_time_since_her_former_co_-a-17_1760398950150.avif "102955023-15188781-bette_midler_was_spotted_for_the_first_time_since_her_former_co_-a-17_1760398950150 - bootleg betty") Her outing comes after sharing a heartbreaking tribute to Keaton following her sudden death. Midler completed her outfit with light gray, tall socks with black, leather loafers for her outing. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/102955019-15188781-The_award_winning_actress_79_bundled_up_for_a_mid_day_outing_and-a-18_1760398950164.avif "102955019-15188781-the_award_winning_actress_79_bundled_up_for_a_mid_day_outing_and-a-18_1760398950164 - bootleg betty") She stepped out just a couple days after the tragic news of her former co-star’s shock passing. Keaton died at the age of 79 in California, a family spokesperson confirmed on Saturday. The Hocus Pocus star had previously starred alongside Keaton as well as Goldie Hawn in the 1996 comedy-drama, The First Wives Club. The following day, Midler took to social media to share a gushing post and emotional tribute to her late co-star and longtime friend. She shared a black-and-white photo of her pal and began: ‘The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died.’ She continued: ‘I cannot tell you how unbearably sad this makes me. ‘She was hilarious, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star. What you saw was who she was…oh, la, la la!’ Their fellow co-star Goldie Hawn also joined in and penned an emotional tribute with a lengthy, heartfelt message. The actress, who is also 79, took to Instagram to share a black-and-white, throwback photo of Keaton smiling in her statement outfit. ‘Diane, we aren’t ready to lose you,’ Hawn wrote in a heartbreaking message alongside the portrait. ‘You’ve left us with a trail of fairy dust, filled with particles of light and memories beyond imagination. How do we say goodbye? What words can come to mind when your heart is broken?’ She added: ‘You never liked praise, so humble, but now you can’t tell me to “shut up” honey. There was, and will be, no one like you.’ Hawn also reflected on filming with Keaton back in the 90s and paid tribute to her friend’s legacy. ‘You stole the hearts of the world and shared your genius with millions, making films that made us laugh and cry in ways only you could,’ she wrote. ‘I was blessed to make First Wives Club with you, our days starting with coffee in the makeup trailer, laughing and joking, right through to the very last day of filming. It was a roller coaster of love.’ Her heartbreaking post continued: ‘We agreed to grow old together, and one day, maybe live together with all our girlfriends. Well, we never got to live together, but we did grow older together. Who knows… maybe in the next life. ‘Shine your fairy dust up there, girlfriend,’ she wrote. ‘I’m going to miss the hell out of you. My heart goes out to your beautiful children, Dex and Duke. I love you.’ A family spokesperson confirmed to People on Saturday that the Academy Award-winning actress passed away in California. Her loved ones have requested privacy as they mourn her loss. Keaton never married but adopted two children, 29-year-old daughter Dexter and 25-year-old son Duke. The actress leaves behind an amazing legacy in Hollywood, with some of her performances in the 1970’s hailed as the decade’s best. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Spotted%20Monday%20Shopping%20In%20New%20York&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Spotted%20Monday%20Shopping%20In%20New%20York%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Spotted%20Monday%20Shopping%20In%20New%20York&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Spotted%20Monday%20Shopping%20In%20New%20York%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Spotted%20Monday%20Shopping%20In%20New%20York%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #NewYork, #Photos, #Shopping, #Strolling --- ### [Reminder: Bette Midler Will Be On The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Tonight](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/14/reminder-bette-midler-will-be-on-the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert-tonight/) **Published:** October 14, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Reminder: On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, CBS broadcasts The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, with special guest Bette Midler. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Reminder: Bette Midler Will Be On The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Tonight By Mister D Oct 13, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-14_02-37-36-1.png "2025-10-14_02-37-36 - bootleg betty") --- **Reminder:** *On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, CBS broadcasts [**The Late Show With Stephen Colbert**](https://www.cbs.com/shows/the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert/), with special guest [**Bette Midler.**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-the-concerts/#.VfrOrH9Viko)* Bette Midler, our beloved actress and singer, will join [**Stephen Colbert**](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0170306/) for a lively conversation. Known for her vibrant personality and impressive career, Midler is expected to share stories from her life in the entertainment industry. **Another reminder:** *Bette Midler will be appearing on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live! October 16th on the Bravo TV Channel* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Reminder%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20The%20Late%20Show%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20Tonight&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Reminder%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20The%20Late%20Show%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20Tonight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Reminder%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20The%20Late%20Show%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20Tonight&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Reminder%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20The%20Late%20Show%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20Tonight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Reminder%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20The%20Late%20Show%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20Tonight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Talk Show, Television **Tags:** #AndyCohen, #BetteMidler, #LateShow, #StephenColbert, #WatchWhatHappensLive --- ### [Watch The First Wives Club For Free On YouTube](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/12/watch-the-first-wives-club-for-free-on-youtube/) **Published:** October 12, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Watch The First Wives Club For Free On YouTube By Mister D Oct 13, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-12_13-53-46.png "2025-10-12_13-53-46 - bootleg betty")--- **Synopsis of First Wives Club (1996)** [**First Wives Club**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/first-wives-club/) is a comedy film directed by Hugh Wilson, based on the 1992 novel by Olivia Goldsmith. The story follows three college friends—Annie MacDuggan-Paradis (Diane Keaton), Elise Elliot Atchison (Goldie Hawn), and Brenda Morelli-Cushman ([**Bette Midler**](https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/celebrity/bette-midler-remembers-brilliant-first-wives-club-costar-diane-keaton-after-her-death-what-you-saw-was-who-she-was/ar-AA1OhPiO?ocid=BingNewsSerp))—who reunite after the suicide of their friend Cynthia Swann-Griffin (Stockard Channing). Devastated by Cynthia’s death, which was triggered by her husband’s infidelity and divorce, the trio discovers they’ve all been similarly betrayed by their own husbands. - Annie is a neurotic, recently separated housewife whose husband Aaron (Stephen Collins) left her for their therapist (Marcia Gay Harden). - Elise is a glamorous but aging actress, dumped by her husband Bill (Victor Garber) for a younger woman (Sarah Jessica Parker). - Brenda is a brassy single mother struggling financially after her ex-husband Morty (Dan Hedaya) left her for a younger, materialistic woman (Sarah Jessica Parker again, in a dual role). Fueled by their shared anger and Cynthia’s parting letter urging them to take control, the women form the “First Wives Club” to seek revenge on their ex-husbands. Their schemes involve financial and social sabotage: they blackmail, manipulate stock deals, and expose their exes’ misdeeds. Along the way, they rediscover their own strength, independence, and friendship, ultimately using their ex-husbands’ resources to establish a women’s crisis center in Cynthia’s name. The film blends humor, heart, and feminist themes, culminating in a triumphant, feel-good resolution.Trivia about First Wives Club 1. **Star-Studded Casting Changes:** - The roles of Annie, Elise, and Brenda were initially considered for other actresses. Meryl Streep, Anjelica Huston, and Glenn Close were among those eyed for the leads, but Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, and Bette Midler were ultimately cast for their comedic chemistry. - Sarah Jessica Parker almost didn’t take the role of Shelly because she was hesitant to play a villainous character, but she was persuaded by the script’s humor. 2. **Box Office Success:** - The film was a surprise hit, grossing over $181 million worldwide on a $26 million budget, making it one of the top comedies of 1996. - Its success was attributed to its relatable themes and the chemistry of the three leads, who improvised many of their funniest moments. 3. **Iconic Musical Number:** - The film’s climactic performance of “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore, sung by Keaton, Hawn, and Midler, became a cultural touchstone. The actresses rehearsed extensively to nail the choreography, and the scene was shot in just a few takes. - The song’s feminist message perfectly aligned with the film’s themes, and it remains one of the most memorable moments in ‘90s cinema. 4. **Real-Life Inspirations:** - Olivia Goldsmith’s novel was inspired by her own divorce and stories of other women who felt discarded by their husbands. She reportedly interviewed dozens of divorcees to shape the book’s narrative. - The film toned down the novel’s darker elements, like Cynthia’s suicide, to emphasize comedy over drama. 5. **Sequel and Remake Attempts:** - A sequel was planned in the late ‘90s but never materialized due to scheduling conflicts and creative differences among the cast. - In 2019, a TV series reboot aired on BET+, featuring a new cast (Jill Scott, Ryan Michelle Bathe, and Michelle Buteau) but only lasted one season due to mixed reviews. 6. **Behind-the-Scenes Tensions:** - Despite their on-screen camaraderie, rumors swirled about friction among the leads, particularly between Midler and Hawn, though all three denied any major conflicts in later interviews. - Director Hugh Wilson reportedly struggled to balance the three stars’ screen time, as each was a major name demanding significant focus. 7. **Cultural Impact:** - The film popularized the term “first wives club” as shorthand for women reclaiming power after divorce. It inspired real-life social groups and discussions about women’s empowerment. - It was praised for its feminist undertones but critiqued by some for its stereotypical portrayal of the “other women” as shallow gold-diggers. 8. **Awards and Recognition:** - Bette Midler won a National Board of Review Award for Best Acting by an Ensemble alongside her co-stars. - The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Score (Marc Shaiman), though it lost to Emma. 9. **Memorable Quotes:** - Elise’s line, “I’m not a has-been, I’m a will-be!” and Brenda’s quip, “You think just because I’m a movie star, I don’t have feelings? Well, you’re wrong! I’m an actress! I’ve got all of them!” became fan favorites. - The dialogue was packed with sharp one-liners, many of which were improvised or tweaked by the actresses during filming. 10. **Location and Set Design:** - Filmed primarily in New York City, the movie showcases iconic locations like the Plaza Hotel and Central Park, capturing the city’s ‘90s vibrancy. - The lavish apartments and costumes (especially Hawn’s character’s glamorous wardrobe) were designed to contrast the ex-husbands’ opulence with the women’s eventual triumph. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Watch%20The%20First%20Wives%20Club%20For%20Free%20On%20YouTube&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Watch%20The%20First%20Wives%20Club%20For%20Free%20On%20YouTube%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Watch%20The%20First%20Wives%20Club%20For%20Free%20On%20YouTube&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Watch%20The%20First%20Wives%20Club%20For%20Free%20On%20YouTube%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Watch%20The%20First%20Wives%20Club%20For%20Free%20On%20YouTube%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DianeKeaton, #FirstWivesClub, #Free, #GoldieHawn, #YouTube --- ### [Videos: In Honor Of Diane Keaton, First Wive's Club Clips](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/12/videos-in-honor-of-diane-keaton-first-wives-club-clips/) **Published:** October 12, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Videos: In Honor Of Diane Keaton, First Wives Club Clips **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Videos: In Honor Of Diane Keaton, First Wives Club Clips By Mister D Oct 12, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-12_10-22-51.png "2025-10-12_10-22-51 - bootleg betty") --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Videos%3A%20In%20Honor%20Of%20Diane%20Keaton%2C%20First%20Wive%27s%20Club%20Clips&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Videos%3A%20In%20Honor%20Of%20Diane%20Keaton%2C%20First%20Wive%27s%20Club%20Clips%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Videos%3A%20In%20Honor%20Of%20Diane%20Keaton%2C%20First%20Wive%27s%20Club%20Clips&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Videos%3A%20In%20Honor%20Of%20Diane%20Keaton%2C%20First%20Wive%27s%20Club%20Clips%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Videos%3A%20In%20Honor%20Of%20Diane%20Keaton%2C%20First%20Wive%27s%20Club%20Clips%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Movies, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Clips, #DianeKeaton, #FirstWivesClub, #GoldieHawn, #Movies, #Videos --- ### [R.I.P. Diane Keaton, 1946 - 2025](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/11/r-i-p-diane-keaton-1946-2025/) **Published:** October 11, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Do You Remember? R.I.P. Diane Keaton, 1946 – 2025 By Dana Daly Oct 11, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Diane-Keaton.jpg "Diane-keaton - bootleg betty")--- **From Bette Midler:** *The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died. I cannot tell you how unbearably sad this makes me. She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star. What you saw was who she was…oh, la, lala!* Diane Keaton was reported to have died on Saturday, October 11. Keaton was 79 years old when she passed. A staple of the Hollywood landscape, Keaton is remembered for her roles in ‘Annie Hall,’ ‘Father of the Bride,’ ‘The Godfather,’ ‘The First Wives Club,’ and many more. On Saturday, People confirmed that celebrated actress Diane Keaton had died. Details of her passing are still limited by time of writing, and the outlet further writes that Keaton’s family has asked for privacy at this time. These details come from a spokesperson for the family. Diane Keaton became a defining presence in Hollywood, propelled to fame thanks to her Oscar-winning performance in Annie Hall (1977), where her naturalistic style and quirky charm helped redefine romantic comedy. She collaborated repeatedly with Woody Allen throughout the 1970s and 1980s in films like Manhattan and Love and Death, and later earned acclaim for roles in The Godfather trilogy, Reds, Father of the Bride, and Something’s Gotta Give. Over a six-decade career, she became as well known for her bold fashion sense and fearless approach to character work as for her wide range, including comedy and drama, and remained a benchmark for actresses navigating longevity in Hollywood. **Diane Keaton rises to the top** Diane Keaton was born on January 5, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, and studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City after briefly attending Santa Ana College. She began her career on stage, gaining early attention in 1968 when she joined the original Broadway cast of Hair. Two years later, she earned a Tony nomination for her role in Woody Allen’s play Play It Again, Sam, a collaboration that would launch her film career. Her distinct mix of comedic timing, honesty, and unconventional charm quickly set her apart from other young actresses in the early 1970s. Keaton transitioned to film with her screen debut in Lovers and Other Strangers (1970) and soon gained critical attention for her role in The Godfather (1972) as Kay Adams, establishing her as a serious dramatic actress. Her ongoing collaborations with Woody Allen, culminating in Annie Hall (1977), made her one of Hollywood’s most in-demand leading women. By the end of the decade, she had proven her range in both comedy and drama, balancing major studio films with more introspective projects that reflected her interest in complex, independent female characters. **Talent and accolades across the decades** In her later years, Diane Keaton continued to act in films that often reflected her age and experience, such as Poms (2019), in which she played one of a group of older women forming a cheer squad, and Summer Camp (2024), among her final screen credits. She also produced and occasionally appeared in smaller independent films, remaining selective in her projects and favoring roles that suited her distinguished screen presence. Outside of acting, Keaton pursued interests in writing, photography, design, and homemaking. She published the memoir Then Again, revealing personal struggles and family stories, and launched her own line of home textiles. She also became known for her distinctive personal style, collecting mid-century furniture and designing her living spaces with the same sense of character that defined her film roles. --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/First-Wives-Club-1024x676-1.jpg "First-wives-club-1024x676 - bootleg betty")--- *“The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died. I cannot tell you how unbearably sad this makes me. She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star. What you saw was who she was…oh, la, lala!”* \_ Bette Midler Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=R.I.P.%20Diane%20Keaton%2C%201946%20-%202025&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=R.I.P.%20Diane%20Keaton%2C%201946%20-%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=R.I.P.%20Diane%20Keaton%2C%201946%20-%202025&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=R.I.P.%20Diane%20Keaton%2C%201946%20-%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=R.I.P.%20Diane%20Keaton%2C%201946%20-%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Movies, Obit, Obituaries **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DianeKeaton, #FirstWivesClub, #Movies, #Obituary, #RIP --- ### [Celebrities who were valedictorians](https://bootlegbetty.com/2018/04/13/celebrities-who-were-valedictorians/) **Published:** April 13, 2018 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** **Newsday Celebrities who were valedictorians Updated April 5, 2018 5:31 AM** Alicia Keys, Conan O’Brien and more people with fame and brains. Find out which stars graduated at the top of their class, either in high school or college. ## David Duchovny ![David Duchovny graduated valedictorian of the prestigious Collegiate](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.11834133.1477764765!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.jpg)Photo Credit: AP / Omar VegaDavid Duchovny graduated valedictorian of the prestigious Collegiate School in Manhattan in 1978. He later went on to attend Princeton. ## Tiffani Thiessen ![Tiffani Thiessen graduated first in class from Valley](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.11834103.1477764774!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.jpg)Photo Credit: AP / Scott RothTiffani Thiessen graduated first in class from Valley Professional High School in Studio City, Calif., in 1992. “Of course, there were only 50 kids!” she told Us Magazine in 2011. ## Mare Winningham ![Mare Winningham was co-valedictorian with actor Kevin Spacey](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.11834089.1477764785!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.jpg)Photo Credit: AP / Frank MicelottaMare Winningham was co-valedictorian with actor Kevin Spacey when they graduated Chatsworth High School in Los Angeles in 1977. ## Natalie Portman ![Actress Natalie Portman was valedictorian of the Syosset](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.12524588.1477770466!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.jpg)Photo Credit: Getty ImagesActress Natalie Portman was valedictorian of the Syosset High School Class of 1999. While she was a senior, she reached superstardom as Queen Amidala in “Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.” During that time, Portman famously skipped the movie’s premiere to study for finals. She went on to study psychology at Harvard, and once said: “I don’t care if \[college\] ruins my career. I’d rather be smart than a movie star.” ## Bette Midler ![Bette Midler graduated valedictorian from Radford High School](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.11834081.1477764795!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.jpg)Photo Credit: AP / Rich FuryBette Midler graduated valedictorian from Radford High School in Honolulu in 1963, according to CNN. ## Troian Bellisario ![](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.11834065.1477764803!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.jpg)Photo Credit: AP / Jordan Strauss“Pretty Little Liars” star Troian Bellisario graduated top of her class from Campbell Hall High School in North Hollywood, Calif., in 2005. ## Cody Simpson ![Singer Cody Simpson graduated at the top of](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.11796879.1477764814!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.jpg)Photo Credit: Getty Images/ Alberto E. RodriguezSinger Cody Simpson graduated at the top of his class from an Atlanta high school in 2014. ## Jeff Bezos ![When Amazon.com founder and CEO Jeff Bezos graduated](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.11796885.1477764843!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.jpg)Photo Credit: Getty Images / David RyderWhen Amazon.com founder and CEO Jeff Bezos graduated as valedictorian from Miami Palmetto Senior High School in 1982, he told the Miami Herald he wanted to “build space hotels, amusement parks, yachts and colonies for two or three million people orbiting around the earth.” ## Cindy Crawford ![Illinois native Cindy Crawford graduated from DeKalb High](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.8206805.1477764852!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.jpg)Photo Credit: APIllinois native Cindy Crawford graduated from DeKalb High School in 1984, not only with the best grades in her class, but also with an academic scholarship to Northwestern University to study chemical engineering. ## Conan O’Brien ![Conan O'Brien was valedictorian of Brookline High School's](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.8214337.1477764861!/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.JPG)Photo Credit: AP / Ben MargotConan O’Brien was valedictorian of Brookline High School’s Class of 1981. Speaking at the suburban Boston school in 2003, he told students, “I wasn’t sure where I fit into high school. I wasn’t a good athlete, I sucked in math, I wasn’t very good in science.” ## Hillary Clinton ![Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.8214264.1477764870!/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.JPG)Photo Credit: AP / Cliff OwenFormer Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was valedictorian of the Wellesley College Class of 1969, and the school’s first student commencement speaker. She was profiled that June (with graduating student speakers from other colleges) in a Life magazine story titled “The Class of ’69.” ## Alicia Keys ![Alicia Keys was just 16 when she graduated](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.8206396.1477764882!/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.JPG)Photo Credit: Getty Images / Andrew TothAlicia Keys was just 16 when she graduated at the top of her class at Manhattan’s prestigious Professional Performing Arts School in 1997. ## Weird Al Yankovic ![Grammy-winning parody artist ](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.8207152.1477764890!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.jpg)Grammy-winning parody artist “Weird” Al Yankovic was two years younger than his classmates when he topped the class at Lynwood High School in California. “Weird Al” was only 16 when he started college at California Polytechnic State University, where he eventually earned an architecture degree. ## Jodie Foster ![Straight-A student Jodie Foster was valedictorian of her](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.8207233.1477764912!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.jpg)Straight-A student Jodie Foster was valedictorian of her class at Los Angeles’ rigorous, bilingual school Lycée Français. When she graduated in 1980, Foster went on to study literature at Yale — though she also had her pick of Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Berkeley and Stanford, since those prestigious universities accepted the actress as well. ## Chevy Chase ![After he was kicked out of Riverdale Country](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.8207024.1477764921!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.jpg)Photo Credit: Getty ImagesAfter he was kicked out of Riverdale Country School in the Bronx, future “SNL” comedian Chevy Chase graduated valedictorian from Massachusetts’ progressive Stockbridge School. ## Emmylou Harris ![Country singer Emmylou Harris graduated first in her](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.8207442.1477764933!/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.JPG)Photo Credit: AP / Mark HumphreyCountry singer Emmylou Harris graduated first in her class from Gar-Field Senior High School in Dale City, Virginia in 1964. ## Ben Stein ![Television personality Ben Stein's law school classmates actually](https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.8207340.1477764942!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_960/image.jpg)Photo Credit: APTelevision personality Ben Stein’s law school classmates actually voted him valedictorian of Yale’s Class of 1970 — a title he earned not because he had the best grades, but because he was popular, the “Ferris Bueller” actor once said. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Celebrities%20who%20were%20valedictorians&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Celebrities%20who%20were%20valedictorians%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Celebrities%20who%20were%20valedictorians&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Celebrities%20who%20were%20valedictorians%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Celebrities%20who%20were%20valedictorians%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Education **Tags:** Bette Midler, Cindy Crawford, Conan O'Brien, David Duchovny, Emmylou Harris, Hillary Clinton, Jodie Foster, Natalie Portman, radford high school --- ### [Bette Midler - Flashing the audience during the De Tour show in 1984](https://bootlegbetty.com/2017/10/15/bette-midler-flashing-the-audience-during-the-de-tour-show-in-1984/) **Published:** October 15, 2017 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler - Flashing the audience during the De Tour show in 1984 **Content:** [Bette Midler](http://bettemidler.com/ "Bette Midler") – Flashing the audience during the De Tour show in 1984 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-10-03_7-29-25.png "2017-10-03_7-29-25 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Flashing%20the%20audience%20during%20the%20De%20Tour%20show%20in%201984&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Flashing%20the%20audience%20during%20the%20De%20Tour%20show%20in%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Flashing%20the%20audience%20during%20the%20De%20Tour%20show%20in%201984&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Flashing%20the%20audience%20during%20the%20De%20Tour%20show%20in%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Flashing%20the%20audience%20during%20the%20De%20Tour%20show%20in%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, De Tour, Photos **Tags:** #Audience, #BetteMidler, #DeTour, #Flashing, Bette Midler, Bette Midler - Flashing the audience during the De Tour show in 1984 --- ### [Video: Bette Midler -Jinxed - Talk To My Ass](https://bootlegbetty.com/2016/08/12/bette-midler-jinxed-talk-to-my-ass/) **Published:** August 12, 2016 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Jinxed%20-%20Talk%20To%20My%20Ass&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Jinxed%20-%20Talk%20To%20My%20Ass%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Jinxed%20-%20Talk%20To%20My%20Ass&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Jinxed%20-%20Talk%20To%20My%20Ass%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-Jinxed%20-%20Talk%20To%20My%20Ass%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Jinxed, Videos **Tags:** Bette Midler, Bette Midler -Jinxed - Talk To My Ass --- ### [BetteBack: Word Of Mouth Has The Rose Glowing In Hollywood](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/11/betteback-word-of-mouth-has-the-rose-glowing-in-hollywood/) **Published:** October 11, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- **Times-Picayune** **March 23, 1979** --- [![the_rose_56264_medium](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/The_Rose_56264_Medium-450x299.jpg "The_rose_56264_medium - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71328) --- [![2017-05-16_2-32-11](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_2-32-11-450x410.png "2017-05-16_2-32-11 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71325) [![2017-05-16_2-33-24](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_2-33-24-450x431.png "2017-05-16_2-33-24 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71326) [![2017-05-16_2-34-38](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_2-34-38-450x359.png "2017-05-16_2-34-38 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71327) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%3A%20Word%20Of%20Mouth%20Has%20The%20Rose%20Glowing%20In%20Hollywood&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%3A%20Word%20Of%20Mouth%20Has%20The%20Rose%20Glowing%20In%20Hollywood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%3A%20Word%20Of%20Mouth%20Has%20The%20Rose%20Glowing%20In%20Hollywood&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%3A%20Word%20Of%20Mouth%20Has%20The%20Rose%20Glowing%20In%20Hollywood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%3A%20Word%20Of%20Mouth%20Has%20The%20Rose%20Glowing%20In%20Hollywood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Hollywood, #TheRose, #WordOfMouth --- ### [Larry Bagby, The Bully in Hocus Pocus, Gets Married In Hocus Pocus Themed Wedding](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/11/larry-bagby-the-bully-in-hocus-pocus-gets-married-in-hocus-pocus-themed-wedding/) **Published:** October 11, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Hocus Pocus star is unrecognizable as he ties the knot in a wedding themed around the beloved Halloween movie. **Content:** --- ## Daily Mail Larry Bagby, the bully in Hocus Pocus, gets married in Hocus Pocus Themed Wedding By LILLIAN GISSEN October 9, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/102852989-15177879-The_couple_wed_at_the_Pickering_House_in_Salem_Massachusetts_ove-a-2_1760035402428.avif "102852989-15177879-the_couple_wed_at_the_pickering_house_in_salem_massachusetts_ove-a-2_1760035402428 - bootleg betty")--- [**Hocus Pocus**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/30/the-real-story-behind-hocus-pocus/) star is unrecognizable as he ties the knot in a wedding themed around the beloved Halloween movie. [**Larry Bagby**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Bagby) portrayed the bully Ernie – better known as Ice – in the 1993 movie Now, more than three decades on, Bagby looks completely different He was thrust into the spotlight as a teen after he starred in the Disney flick Hocus Pocus, but now, more than three decades on, Larry Bagby is practically unrecognizable. The actor became an overnight sensation when he portrayed the bully Ernie – better known as Ice – in the beloved 1993 Halloween movie. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/102852485-15177879-He_was_shot_into_the_spotlight_as_a_teen_after_he_starred_in_the-a-1_1760035402357.avif "102852485-15177879-he_was_shot_into_the_spotlight_as_a_teen_after_he_starred_in_the-a-1_1760035402357 - bootleg betty")Now, 32 years on, the star, 51, has tied the knot with fiancée Veronique – and he made sure to throw in a slew of tributes to Hocus Pocus during his nuptials. The couple wed at the Pickering House in Salem, Massachusetts, over the weekend – the spot where the movie was filmed all those years before. According to People, Bagby summoned the Sanderson sisters during the reception, and actresses dressed up in their iconic looks came out. The event was also filled with Hocus Pocus-themed decorations, including a cage that looked just like the one Bagby’s character was captured in during the movie, a black flame candle, and an evil spell book. While Bagby is still clearly a huge fan of the flick that skyrocketed his career, he looks completely different than he did when he starred in it at age 19. Bagby started his career by landing small roles in a slew of shows like Mr. Belvedere, Thirtysomething, The Wonder Years, Getting By, and Saved by the Bell: The New Class. He was shot into the spotlight as a teen after he starred in the Disney flick Hocus Pocus, but now, more than three decades on, Larry Bagby (seen in the film) is practically unrecognizable 32 years on, the star (seen recently), 51, has tied the knot with his girlfriend Veronique – and he made sure to throw in a slew of tributes to Hocus Pocus during his nuptials But it was his part in Hocus Pocus that really put him on the map. The movie also starred Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, Thora Birch, Jason Marsden, and Vinessa Shaw. It followed teens Max and Allison, along with Max’s little sister, Dani, after they accidentally unleashed a coven of evil witches upon Salem. Bagby’s character picked on Max multiple times throughout the flick, before he ultimately got locked in a cage by the Sanderson Sisters. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/102852531-15177879-The_actor_became_an_overnight_sensation_when_he_portrayed_the_bu-a-3_1760035402454.avif "102852531-15177879-the_actor_became_an_overnight_sensation_when_he_portrayed_the_bu-a-3_1760035402454 - bootleg betty")After Hocus Pocus, he went on to star in the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, God’s Army, the drama Saints and Soldiers, Walk the Line, Age of the Dragons alongside Danny Glover, The Young and the Reckless, Out of Liberty, and, most recently, Mark Wahlberg-led biographical flick Father Stu. He also launched a music career, releasing his first album, Where I Stand, in 2005, followed by a 2007 EP entitled On the Radio. A slew of Bigby’s former Hocus Pocus costars were at the wedding, including Marsden, Shaw, and Katz. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/102852995-15177879-The_movie_also_starred_Bette_Midler_Sarah_Jessica_Parker_Kathy_N-a-7_1760035402633.avif "102852995-15177879-the_movie_also_starred_bette_midler_sarah_jessica_parker_kathy_n-a-7_1760035402633 - bootleg betty")The event was livestreamed for fans, who were invited to watch over Zoom. ‘It was the most magical moment of my entire existence,’ Bigby told People afterwards. The actor became an overnight sensation when he portrayed the bully Ernie – better known as Ice – in the beloved 1993 Halloween movie The couple wed at the Pickering House in Salem, Massachusetts, over the weekend – the spot where the movie was filmed all those years before. He’s been seen recently with his wife. While Bagby is still clearly a huge fan of the flick that skyrocketed his career, he looks completely different than he did when he starred in it at age 19 ‘It was a dream come true. I’m still speechless and taking it all in. It was very much a fairy tale in the most Hocus Pocus way possible.’ Longtime Salem performer Brian Sims, who officiated the wedding, dished, ‘\[There was a\] candle ritual that featured a surprise black flame candle. ‘And the ceremony took an even more magical turn when the Sanderson Sisters appeared to demand the spell book – crafted by the talented Chrissy Delima – out of which I read their vows. Even the wedding rings arrived attached to a dead man’s toes. ‘Every moment was brewed up to celebrate Larry and Vero’s love – supernatural, sentimental, and spellbinding.’ It was important for Bigby to pay tribute to Hocus Pocus during the wedding, as it not only launched his career but also was the reason he fell in love with his new wife. The two met online through a Hocus Pocus Facebook group in October 2022. Bigby has been seen recently The movie also starred Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, Thora Birch, Jason Marsden, and Vinessa Shaw. Bigby has been spotted with some of his costars recently. He told People that he and his partner met online through a Hocus Pocus Facebook group in October 2022. ‘The moderator for the group posted about the bullies, \[including my character, Ice\]. I happened to see this beautiful French Canadian girl from Montreal, Quebec, had commented and said she had always had a big crush on my character, Ice, at just nine years old,’ he said. ‘After that, I added her as a friend on Facebook, and that led to our happily ever after.’ He said they ‘immediately hit it off and started dating right away,’ and by February 2023, they were engaged. Veronique has three children from a past relationship. ‘We truly are soulmates,’ gushed Bigby. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Larry%20Bagby%2C%20The%20Bully%20in%20Hocus%20Pocus%2C%20Gets%20Married%20In%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Themed%20Wedding&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Larry%20Bagby%2C%20The%20Bully%20in%20Hocus%20Pocus%2C%20Gets%20Married%20In%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Themed%20Wedding%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Larry%20Bagby%2C%20The%20Bully%20in%20Hocus%20Pocus%2C%20Gets%20Married%20In%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Themed%20Wedding&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Larry%20Bagby%2C%20The%20Bully%20in%20Hocus%20Pocus%2C%20Gets%20Married%20In%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Themed%20Wedding%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Larry%20Bagby%2C%20The%20Bully%20in%20Hocus%20Pocus%2C%20Gets%20Married%20In%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Themed%20Wedding%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #Halloween, #HocusPocus, #LarryBagby, #SandersonSisters, #Wedding --- ### [Video: Bette Midler & Sheryl Lee Ralph Sing I Can See Clearly Now](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/10/video-bette-midler-sheryl-lee-ralph-sing-i-can-see-clearly-now/) **Published:** October 10, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Yes, Bette Midler and Sheryl Lee Ralph perform a joyful duet of the classic reggae hit "I Can See Clearly Now" in the 2024 comedy film The Fabulous Four. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler & Sheryl Lee Ralph Sing I Can See Clearly Now By Mister D Oct 10, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2024-07-21_16-31-22-1.png "2024-07-21_16-31-22-1 - bootleg betty")--- --- Yes, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/ "Bette Midler") and [**Sheryl Lee Ralph** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheryl_Lee_Ralph "Sheryl Lee Ralph ")perform a joyful duet of the classic reggae hit “I Can See Clearly Now” (originally written and recorded by Johnny Nash in 1972) in the 2024 comedy film The Fabulous Four. Their version serves as the upbeat end-credits song, featuring singing and a choreographed dance number with the whole cast, including Susan Sarandon and Megan Mullally. Alana Da Fonseca produces it and captures the movie’s themes of friendship, renewal, and second chances. The song wasn’t part of the original script—it was born from an impromptu moment during filming in Savannah, Georgia. While having brunch with director Jocelyn Moorhouse and producer Richard Barton Lewis, Midler and Ralph were chatting about sunshine, joy, and the film’s Key West setting. Ralph spontaneously started singing the song, and Midler harmonized (adding the third above her melody). The producer jumped up and declared it the perfect end-credits tune. As Midler later recalled, both women exchanged a look of “What have we done?” since it meant adding extra shooting days to the six-week production. Ralph called it a magical, inspired accident that turned into “singing and dancing in a movie.”The number has drawn comparisons to the feel-good finale of Mamma Mia! (2008), with Ralph thrilled at the chance to perform with Midler. Behind the scenes, filming the dance was chaotic—”like herding cats,” per Ralph—due to the multiple takes needed for the ensemble choreography. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Sing%20I%20Can%20See%20Clearly%20Now&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Sing%20I%20Can%20See%20Clearly%20Now%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Sing%20I%20Can%20See%20Clearly%20Now&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Sing%20I%20Can%20See%20Clearly%20Now%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Sing%20I%20Can%20See%20Clearly%20Now%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Music, Songs, The Fabulous Four **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ICanSeeClearlyNow, #Movie, #sherylLeeRalph, #TheFabulousFour --- ### [Bette Midler Will Be On Colbert Tuesday October 14, 2025 (I Was Right)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/09/bette-midler-will-be-on-colbert-tuesday-october-14-2025-i-was-right/) **Published:** October 9, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler Will Be On Colbert Tuesday October 14, 2025 (I Was Right) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Will Be On Colbert Tuesday October 14, 2025 (I Was Right) By Mister D Oct 9, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-08_04-50-08.png "2025-10-08_04-50-08 - bootleg betty")--- THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT airs Monday through Friday, 11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT on the CBS Television Network, and is available to stream on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)\* and is available in audio form as a daily and Webby Award-winning podcast, THE LATE SHOW POD SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT. \***All listings subject to change\*** **Thursday, Oct. 9 (OAD: 9/29/25)** - Conan O’Brien - Performance by the Broadway cast of “Ragtime” **Friday, Oct. 10 (OAD: 9/25/25)** - Jeremy Strong - Carrie Preston – ELSBETH (CBS) **Monday, Oct. 13 \*NEW\*** - Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter - Performance by J.I.D **Tuesday, Oct. 14 \*NEW\*** - **Bette Midler** - Tim Meadows – DMV (CBS) **Wednesday, Oct. 15 \*NEW\*** - Anderson Cooper - Mason Thames **Thursday, Oct. 16 \*NEW\*** - Nick Offerman - Cooking demo with José Andrés - “Community Calendar” with Nick Offerman - Nathaniel Rateliff sitting in with Louis Cato and the Late Show Band Photos available at Paramount Press Express [**HERE**](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/shows/the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert/photos/). Follow THE LATE SHOW’s social accounts: - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/colbertlateshow) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/colbertlateshow/) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/colbertlateshow) - [Tik Tok](https://www.tiktok.com/@colbertlateshow) - [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@colbertlateshow) Listen to THE LATE SHOW POD SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT [HERE](https://link.chtbl.com/late-show-pod-show). \**Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the episodes airs.* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20Colbert%20Tuesday%20October%2014%2C%202025%20%28I%20Was%20Right%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20Colbert%20Tuesday%20October%2014%2C%202025%20%28I%20Was%20Right%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20Colbert%20Tuesday%20October%2014%2C%202025%20%28I%20Was%20Right%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20Colbert%20Tuesday%20October%2014%2C%202025%20%28I%20Was%20Right%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20Colbert%20Tuesday%20October%2014%2C%202025%20%28I%20Was%20Right%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #LateShow, #StephenColbert, #Television --- ### [BetteBack: Bette Midler's Next Movie May Be Strike And Hyde](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/09/betteback-bette-midlers-next-movie-may-be-strike-and-hyde/) **Published:** October 9, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Will Bette Midler's next movie be Strike And Hyde? **Content:** --- **Morning Star** **November 24, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/content.png "Content - bootleg betty")--- [![2017-05-14_4-00-32](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-14_4-00-32-450x448.png "2017-05-14_4-00-32 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71242) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Next%20Movie%20May%20Be%20Strike%20And%20Hyde&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Next%20Movie%20May%20Be%20Strike%20And%20Hyde%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Next%20Movie%20May%20Be%20Strike%20And%20Hyde&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Next%20Movie%20May%20Be%20Strike%20And%20Hyde%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Next%20Movie%20May%20Be%20Strike%20And%20Hyde%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Movie, #StrikeANDHyde --- ### [Betteback: Dylan Was Drunk During Bette Midler's Buckets Of Rain Session](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/09/betteback-dylan-was-drunk-during-bette-midlers-buckets-of-rain-session/) **Published:** October 9, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** How did Bob Dylan get involved at the Buckets Of Rain sessions at Bette Midler's? **Content:** --- **Dallas Morning News** **November 23, 1978** --- [![bob_dylan_with_bette_midler](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/bob_dylan_with_Bette_Midler-450x333.jpg "Bob_dylan_with_bette_midler - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71239) [![2017-05-14_3-51-58](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-14_3-51-58.png "2017-05-14_3-51-58 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71238) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Betteback%3A%20Dylan%20Was%20Drunk%20During%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Buckets%20Of%20Rain%20Session&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Betteback%3A%20Dylan%20Was%20Drunk%20During%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Buckets%20Of%20Rain%20Session%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Betteback%3A%20Dylan%20Was%20Drunk%20During%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Buckets%20Of%20Rain%20Session&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Betteback%3A%20Dylan%20Was%20Drunk%20During%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Buckets%20Of%20Rain%20Session%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Betteback%3A%20Dylan%20Was%20Drunk%20During%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Buckets%20Of%20Rain%20Session%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Music, Songs For The New Depression **Tags:** #BucketsOfRain, #session, #SongsForTheNewDepression, Bette Midler, Bob Dylan --- ### [Bette Midler Will Be On The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Tonight (or Next Tuesday) WTF?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/09/bette-midler-will-be-on-the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert-tonight-or-next-tuesday-wtf/) **Published:** October 9, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Will Be On The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Tonight (or Next Tuesday) WTF? By Mister D Oct 9, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-09_14-30-24.png "2025-10-09_14-30-24 - bootleg betty") --- [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) will be on the [\#LateShow](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/lateshow/) with [\#StephenColbert](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/stephencolbert/) either tonight or Tuesday the 14th. I’m confused. The calendar says the 14th. She says tonight. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20The%20Late%20Show%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20Tonight%20%28or%20Next%20Tuesday%29%20WTF%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20The%20Late%20Show%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20Tonight%20%28or%20Next%20Tuesday%29%20WTF%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20The%20Late%20Show%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20Tonight%20%28or%20Next%20Tuesday%29%20WTF%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20The%20Late%20Show%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20Tonight%20%28or%20Next%20Tuesday%29%20WTF%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Will%20Be%20On%20The%20Late%20Show%20With%20Stephen%20Colbert%20Tonight%20%28or%20Next%20Tuesday%29%20WTF%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #LateShow, #StephenColbert --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Performs The Story Of Nanette](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/09/video-bette-midler-performs-the-story-of-nanette/) **Published:** October 9, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's "The Story of Nanette" is a memorable medley from her 1976 Depression Tour, performed live at the Cleveland Music Hall. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Performs The Story Of Nanette By Mister D Oct 8, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/508887821_10031137860309856_3189285271162223792_n.jpg "508887821_10031137860309856_3189285271162223792_n - bootleg betty")--- --- Bette Midler’s “[**The Story of Nanette**](https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107859542045/)” is a memorable medley from her 1976 [**Depression Tour**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/depression-tour/), performed live at the Cleveland Music Hall. This theatrical song cycle humorously tells the tale of a down-and-out character named Nanette through a sequence of standards and originals, blending cabaret flair with Midler’s signature wit and vocal range. It was a highlight of her HBO special, The Bette Midler Show (aired in 1976), and her live album, Live at Last (released in 1977), although parts were edited out of the VHS version due to time constraints. **Songs in the Medley (as performed live):** **“Nanette”** (Howard Dietz) – An upbeat opener evoking vaudeville charm. **“Alabama Song”** (Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill) – A surreal plea for moonshine and showgirls. **“Drinking Again”** (Doris Tauber, Johnny Mercer) – A torch song about drowning sorrows. **“Mr. Rockefeller”** (Bette Midler, Jerry Blatt) – A satirical jab at wealth and aspiration. **“Ready to Begin Again”** (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) – A hopeful swing number. **“Do You Wanna Dance?”** (Bobby Freeman) – An energetic closer, flipping despair into joy. **Runtime:** About 15-20 minutes in full live form, showcasing Midler’s banter, costume changes, and emotional depth. The medley captures Midler’s early Divine Miss M. persona—part diva, part storyteller—drawing from her bathhouse roots and Broadway influences. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20The%20Story%20Of%20Nanette&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20The%20Story%20Of%20Nanette%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20The%20Story%20Of%20Nanette&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20The%20Story%20Of%20Nanette%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Performs%20The%20Story%20Of%20Nanette%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Depression Tour, Songs For The New Depression, The Bette Midler Show, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Nanette, #TheBetteMidlerShow, #TheDepressionTour, #TheStoryOfNanette --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings Everyone's Gone To The Moon](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/09/video-bette-midler-sings-everyones-gone-to-the-moon/) **Published:** October 9, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performed Jonathan King's 1965 melancholic pop ballad "Everyone's Gone to the Moon" during her 1983 De Tour concert tour **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings Everyone’s Gone To The Moon By Mister D Oct 9, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/maxresdefault-1-1-1024x576.jpg "Maxresdefault (1) - bootleg betty")--- --- [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/theatre/#.VhuiQFRViko)performed Jonathan King’s 1965 melancholic pop ballad “[**Everyone’s Gone to the Moon**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everyone%27s_Gone_to_the_Moon)” during her 1983 De Tour concert tour and in her HBO special Art or Bust! (1984). This cover showcases her signature blend of theatrical flair and emotional depth, turning the song’s themes of alienation and whimsy into a poignant cabaret-style moment. It’s not on a studio album, but rather lives in these live recordings, where she taps into ’60s nostalgia with her rock-infused delivery. The De Tour trek (short for “No Frills De Tour,” tied to her 1983 album No Frills) was Midler’s return to the road after a four-year hiatus, emphasizing a mix of rock, standards, and comedy. The tour kicked off in February 1983 and wrapped with a high-profile residency at Radio City Music Hall in New York (March 1983). Performances were known for elaborate sets, her Harlettes backup singers, and Midler’s honed vocals—critics noted her improved rock edge and restraint compared to earlier shows. Midler included “Everyone’s Gone to the Moon” as a mid-set ballad, often transitioning from upbeat numbers like “Pink Cadillac” to quieter, introspective tracks. It’s described as a highlight for its “underrated” revival, with her voice soaring over the lyrics about societal disconnection (“Streets full of people, all alone”). Footage from tour stops, like the University of Minnesota (taped for the special), captures her in dramatic lighting, evoking Marlene Dietrich’s cabaret vibe (whom Midler admired and who also covered it). Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Art Or Bust, Bette Midler, De Tour, Music, Songs, Video **Tags:** #ArtOrBust, #BetteMidler, #DeTour, #EveryonesGoneToTheMoon, #JonathanKing --- ### [A Bette Midler Song Featured In Netflix's Monster: The Ed Gein Story](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/03/a-bette-midler-song-featured-in-netflixs-monster-the-ed-gein-story/) **Published:** October 3, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The new Netflix series features songs from Bette Midler, Vera Lynn, and more **Content:** --- ## RadioTimes Monster: The Ed Gein Story soundtrack – What songs feature in Netflix series? By Morgan Cormack Published: Friday, 3 October 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/maxresdefault-1-1024x576.jpg "Maxresdefault (1) - bootleg betty")--- ***Mister D:** Turns out it wasn’t Bette Midler’s version of the song used. So disappointing!* The new Netflix series features songs from [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/theatre/#.VhuiQFRViko), Vera Lynn, and more. With plenty of notable needle-drops in the second season of [**Ryan Murphy’s**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Murphy_(producer)) Netflix series, [Monster: The Ed Gein Story](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/monster-ed-gein-true-story-season-3-netflix/) is similarly home to its own chilling soundtrack. As well as a first episode devoid of any songs and just eerie instrumentals, the new [third season](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/monster-ed-gein-story-netflix-release-time/) boasts hits from Dinah Washington, Bette Midler, The Rolling Stones and Yes. The official soundtrack comes from American composer Mac Quayle, who has devised a [23-track album](https://open.spotify.com/album/4eOkdDb9n9lrcPZ4qwj1MF#login) full of some of the background tunes that match up to the creepy nature of the series. Monster: The Ed Gein Story digs into the [real-life case](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/monster-ed-gein-true-story-season-3-netflix/) of the serial killer and how his crimes “birthed a new kind of monster that would haunt Hollywood for decades,” according to its synopsis. But what songs are featured in the series? Read on for everything you need to know about the soundtrack to Monster: The Ed Gein Story. ## **Monster: The Ed Gein Story soundtrack** ## **Episode 2** - **The Aba Daba Honeymoon – Arthur Collins** - **I’ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time – The Andrews Sisters** - **Changing Partners – Jonny Greenwood (featuring Helen Forrest)** - **I’ll Be Seeing You – Vera Lynn** - **What A Difference A Day Made – Dinah Washington** ## **Episode 3** - **Texas (When I Die) – Ed Bruce** ## **Episode 5** - **The Tennessee Waltz – Patti Page** - **The Glory of Love – Bette Midler** ## **Episode 6** - **Don’t Forbid Me – Pat Boone** - **Cuddle Up A Little Closer, Lovey Mine – Dean Martin** ## **Episode 7** - **Endless Sleep – Jody Reynolds** - **A Wonderful Time Up There – Pat Boone** - **I Enjoy Being A Girl – Pat Suzuki** - **Goodbye Horses – Q Lazzarus** ## **Episode 8** - **Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones** - **I’ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time – The Andrews Sisters** - **Owner of a Lonely Heart – Yes** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20Bette%20Midler%20Song%20Featured%20In%20Netflix%27s%20Monster%3A%20The%20Ed%20Gein%20Story&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20Bette%20Midler%20Song%20Featured%20In%20Netflix%27s%20Monster%3A%20The%20Ed%20Gein%20Story%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20Bette%20Midler%20Song%20Featured%20In%20Netflix%27s%20Monster%3A%20The%20Ed%20Gein%20Story&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20Bette%20Midler%20Song%20Featured%20In%20Netflix%27s%20Monster%3A%20The%20Ed%20Gein%20Story%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20Bette%20Midler%20Song%20Featured%20In%20Netflix%27s%20Monster%3A%20The%20Ed%20Gein%20Story%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, NetFlix, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #EdGeinStory, #Netflix, #RyanMurphy, #Series --- ### [Bette Midler - Everyone's Gone To The Moon - Art Or Bust - 1984](https://bootlegbetty.com/2016/01/09/bette-midler-everyones-gone-to-the-moon-art-or-bust-1984/) **Published:** January 9, 2016 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Videos **Tags:** art or bust, Beaches, Bette Midler, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, detour, Do You Wanna Dance?, everyone's gone to the moon, First Wives Club, For the Boys, Friends, From a Distance, Hocus Pocus, The Rose, Wind Beneath My Wings, You Don't Own Me --- ### [Bette Midler - Everyone's Gone To The Moon - Art Or Bust - 1984](https://bootlegbetty.com/2016/07/10/bette-midler-everyones-gone-to-the-moon-art-or-bust-1984-2/) **Published:** July 10, 2016 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Videos **Tags:** art or bust, Bette Midler, de tour, everyone's gone to the moon, videos --- ### [Bette Midler - Everyone's Gone To The Moon - Art Or Bust - 1984](https://bootlegbetty.com/2017/02/19/bette-midler-everyones-gone-to-the-moon-art-or-bust-1984-3/) **Published:** February 19, 2017 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Videos **Tags:** Bette Midler, Bette Midler - Everyone's Gone To The Moon - Art Or Bust - 1984 --- ### [Bette Midler - Everyone's Gone To The Moon - Art Or Bust - 1984](https://bootlegbetty.com/2018/01/22/bette-midler-everyones-gone-to-the-moon-art-or-bust-1984-4/) **Published:** January 22, 2018 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20-%20Everyone%27s%20Gone%20To%20The%20Moon%20-%20Art%20Or%20Bust%20-%201984%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Videos **Tags:** Bette Midler, Bette Midler - Everyone's Gone To The Moon - Art Or Bust - 1984, everyone's gone to the moon --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Talks To David Steinberg For Inside Comedy 2014](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/09/video-bette-midler-talks-to-david-steinberg-for-inside-comedy-2014/) **Published:** October 9, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** David Steinberg talks with Bette Midler and Richard Belzer as they share intimate stories, career highlights, and memorable moments from their lives in comedy. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Talks To David Steinberg For Inside Comedy 2014 By Mister D Oct 9, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-09_00-54-18.png "2025-10-09_00-54-18 - bootleg betty")--- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/bette-midler/) appeared as a guest on the comedy interview series Inside Comedy, hosted by [**David Steinberg**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Steinberg). The episode, titled “Bette Midler/Richard Belzer,” is the third installment of season 3 and originally aired on February 17, 2014, on the Showtime network. It runs for approximately 27 minutes. Steinberg conducts in-depth interviews with comedy legends, focusing on personal anecdotes, career highlights, and behind-the-scenes stories from decades in the industry. Midler, known for her sharp wit, campy humor, and multifaceted career as a singer, actress, and comedian, shares insights into her comedic influences and experiences. Inside Comedy ran for four seasons (2012–2015), featuring guests like Robin Williams, Sarah Silverman, and Jerry Seinfeld. Midler’s episode is praised for her candid and entertaining reflections on the evolution of comedy. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20To%20David%20Steinberg%20For%20Inside%20Comedy%202014&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20To%20David%20Steinberg%20For%20Inside%20Comedy%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20To%20David%20Steinberg%20For%20Inside%20Comedy%202014&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20To%20David%20Steinberg%20For%20Inside%20Comedy%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Talks%20To%20David%20Steinberg%20For%20Inside%20Comedy%202014%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Television, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #DavidSteinberg, #InsideComedy, #Video --- ### [BetteBack July 16, 1995: Unmasking Bette Midler: Flirty, Funny, and Full of Heart](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/09/betteback-july-16-1995-unmasking-bette-midler-flirty-funny-and-full-of-heart/) **Published:** October 9, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Made up entirely of contemporary pop ballads, it dispenses completely with the sort of camp nostalgia favored by the Divine Miss M. **Content:** --- ## New York Times BetteBack July 16, 1995: The Two Sides of Bette Midler, Mushy And Divine By Stephen Holden July 16, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ob_1564e0_bette-midler-to-deserve-you-bette-mid.jpg "Ob_1564e0_bette-midler-to-deserve-you-bette-mid - bootleg betty") --- BETTE MIDLER’S FACE breaks into an incandescent grin as she considers two titles she almost chose for her new album, “[**Bette of Roses**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/bette-of-roses/).” “I toyed with the idea of calling it either ‘Mother’ or ‘Mom,’ ” she says, cackling mischievously. “I have this thing where people unload to me and tell me their stories, and I give them advice. I’m not sure how many lives I’ve ruined, but I can’t seem to stop myself. It’s a very motherly thing to do.” Wearing a black jumpsuit, dangling gold earrings and blue suede pumps, with her silvery blond hair swirled into Shirley Temple ringlets, Ms. Midler looks every inch a streamlined 90’s version of her longtime stage alter ego, [**the Divine Miss M**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Divine_Miss_M). Reflecting recently on her careers as a movie star, recording artist and stage entertainer — careers that seem to play hopscotch with one another — the 49-year-old Ms. Midler slips back and forth between two personas. One is the zany, enthusiastic and eternally childlike Miss M for whom life is a game of dressing up fabulously and acting out fantasies. The other persona, which Ms. Midler has described as “a housewife from Queens,” is a pop sentimentalist partial to teary-eyed ballads and sudsy dramas like her most successful movie, “Beaches.” Ms. Midler’s three biggest hit records, “The Rose,” “The Wind Beneath My Wings” and “From a Distance,” have all been songs that played on this character’s heartstrings. This more serious side dominates “Bette of Roses” (Atlantic), her first album of new material in five years and her 16th in a recording career that began in 1972. Made up entirely of contemporary pop ballads, it dispenses completely with the sort of camp nostalgia favored by the Divine Miss M. “To Deserve You,” the first single to be released from the album, is an inspirational ballad written by Maria McKee that bursts with romantic adoration. “And if I could trade my voice/ For the silence I know that you need/ How I want/ How I want to deserve you,” Ms. Midler belts. She describes the sound of her album as “mashed-potato music.” “The songs are nonjudgmental, I’ll-stand-by-you types of songs,” Ms. Midler says. “They’re very upbeat, with sweet, positive messages, and the production is very soothing and comforting. In other words, Mom.” One reason for the absence of playful novelties on the new album is Ms. Midler’s growing confidence as an emotional pop belter. “Bette’s voice has improved tremendously,” says Arif Mardin, who has produced her last few albums. “She has a beautifully controlled two-octave range.” Ms. Midler’s return to pop music coincides with a partial retreat from Hollywood, where she was a bankable star during much of the 1980’s. In that decade her string of hit movies included “Down and Out in Beverly Hills,” “Ruthless People,” “Outrageous Fortune” and “Big Business” and culminated with ” Beaches” in 1988. The bubble burst three years later with the commercial failure of “For the Boys,” the big-budget World War II musical that won her an Academy Award nomination but lost money. Since then, Ms. Midler has starred in only one picture, the 1993 Disney family comedy “Hocus Pocus,” which was also unsuccessful. Although her movie career is far from over — a star vehicle directed by Martin Scorsese about the legendary New York saloonkeeper Texas Guinan is well into the planning stages — Ms. Midler’s days of putting movies above everything else have ended. In 1993 she triumphantly returned to the stage with “Experience the Divine,” her first touring show in a decade. It reminded her, she says, that playing before a live audience is her first love. The same year, a television adaptation of the classic Broadway musical “Gypsy,” starring Ms. Midler as Mama Rose, won high ratings. And there are plans for her to star in a made-for-television revival of the 1966 Jerry Herman musical “Mame” and possibly one of Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes.” Last September, Ms. Midler and her husband, Martin von Haselberg, and their daughter, Sophie, now 11, returned to New York from Los Angeles where the star had relocated in 1976. “I moved back because of the earthquake,” she says. “And I needed to get back to a town where I could have a conversation about something other than grosses.” Her return to New York has been tinged with sadness over the deaths from AIDS of many friends and collaborators from the early 70’s, when her career got its start with her rowdy performances at the Continental Baths, a gay spa on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. “It’s almost everybody I grew up with,” she says. “That’s one reason New York is so different now. It doesn’t have that frisson. You used to have this silliness, and now you don’t. I’m afraid to have a gay friend, because just as I get that friendship going, then. . . .” She pauses and takes a deep breath. ” I get up every day and say, ‘What can I do today that’s good?’ And I do something good, and I feel better.” Ms. Midler’s first good deed has been to underwrite the Manhattan Restoration Project, an organization to help clean up New York’s dirty streets and parks. Its first task was to clean out piles of garbage from under the George Washington Bridge. Looking back on her Hollywood years, Ms. Midler waxes alternately sweet and sour. “I had a lot of fun at Disney for the first five pictures,” she says. “But it got to a point where they wanted to do pictures with their own stamp and didn’t want to hire outside writers. They wanted to have their own people, who worked for their prices, reporting to them. That’s when things got dicey. And I had a big setback with ‘For the Boys.’ Although I know privately what went wrong, I have no desire to point fingers. I was handsomely paid and did the best work I could, and people chose not to go to it. What can you do? You can’t put a gun to people’s heads and force them to go to your movie.” Since “For the Boys,” Disney has changed management. Jeffrey Katzenberg left to found his own studio, Dreamworks, with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen. Ms. Midler has not made any movies under Disney’s new studio head, Joe Roth. Ms. Midler heartily concurs with the screenwriter William Goldman’s assessment of Hollywood in his book “Adventures in the Screen Trade,” in which he maintains that when it comes to making movies, nobody knows anything. “That’s it,” she says. “It’s a complete crapshoot. Integrity? What word is that? We don’t say that word in Hollywood. We don’t know what that word means in Hollywood. But I must say, that I think Marty Scorsese knows something. When he starts talking about film, you fall madly in love with it again. Remember how you used to feel? Somehow along the way, in making all these pictures, you lose sight of that. And then he starts talking about it, and you catch fire again.” The Texas Guinan movie, which has the tentative title “Hello, Suckers” but as yet no screenplay, can’t begin until Mr. Scorsese finishes his Las Vegas movie, “Casino,” to be released in the fall. In the meantime, Ms. Midler is developing movie and television projects with her company, All Girls Productions. The company had a box-office hit this year with the Chevy Chase comedy “Man of the House.” At the moment, however, Ms. Midler’s mind is on music. After years of work on a singing voice that had proved unreliable, Ms. Midler is finally beginning to like the way she sounds. “This is my new passion,” she says. “When I was doing ‘Gypsy,’ I found a singing teacher, Marge Rivingston, who took my voice out of my throat and put it in my head. She helped me get a new set of vocal abilities that allowed me to choose songs I would never sing before, because I couldn’t hit the notes without screeching. I’m not going to say I’m Maria Callas or anything, but I have made terrific strides. I’m not going to stop until I’m a great singer.” To make “Bette of Roses,” Ms. Midler teamed up with Mr. Mardin, the producer and arranger for many of her albums, including “Some People’s Lives,” her 1990 release, which sold more than two million copies. “We went through about 50 songs, selecting around 30 of them and going into the studio with just a keyboard player,” Mr. Mardin says. “Out of these we chose 11 for the album plus one for the B-side of a single. When Bette sings a song, she lives it. There is always the question of who is singing, this extra investigation into the character in the song.” Ms. Midler, an attentive follower of the pop-music scene, says she is more interested in listening to women than to men. “The standard of musicianly singing has gone crazy with the Whitney Houstons and Mariah Careys, who have really upped the ante,” she observes. “Then there’s K. D. Lang. Oh, my God, what a voice! And she has this wonderfully sophisticated sensibility. I think Annie Lennox makes great records. And I have every Nina Simone record ever made. To me, she is like a national treasure.” Ms. Midler’s growing vocal confidence coincides with a more relaxed and accepting attitude about the vicissitudes of show business and the drive to succeed. “I used to be much more focused,” she admits. “Now I just go where the light is glittering and pretty much do what would enchant me.” BONNIE BRUCKHEIMER, ONE of Ms. Midler’s closest friends and her longtime partner in All Girls Productions, recalls what may have been Ms. Midler’s lowest moment in a career that has seen a lot of ups and downs. “After Bette made ‘The Rose,’ all the adoration for that performance and getting nominated for an Academy Award was a great, great high,” says Ms. Bruckheimer. “But then she didn’t get a film offer for a long, long time, and we were shocked. “Today,” Ms. Bruckheimer adds, “Bette is much happier than she’s ever been, but she’s not any less driven. You can’t do what she does and not be driven. She’s the ultimate perfectionist and will never do anything halfway. She would never do a show that wasn’t totally planned out and choreographed and the music perfect.” Ms. Midler says she has finally gained confidence that her stardom can survive the inevitable ups and downs of life in the limelight. “It came after ‘For the Boys,’ ” she says. “We worked like dogs on that and tried so hard. We had a great idea, but we were thwarted every step of the way. When you put that much passion into something and it doesn’t work out, sometimes you think it’s best not to care quite that much, because the disappointment is so painful. I also think that age has had a lot to do with it. You see the way the world works, and you cannot change the world. It has its own tempo and its own speed and its own motivations. You keep on doing what you do for the people who love what you do.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20July%2016%2C%201995%3A%20Unmasking%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Flirty%2C%20Funny%2C%20and%20Full%20of%20Heart&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20July%2016%2C%201995%3A%20Unmasking%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Flirty%2C%20Funny%2C%20and%20Full%20of%20Heart%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20July%2016%2C%201995%3A%20Unmasking%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Flirty%2C%20Funny%2C%20and%20Full%20of%20Heart&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20July%2016%2C%201995%3A%20Unmasking%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Flirty%2C%20Funny%2C%20and%20Full%20of%20Heart%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20July%2016%2C%201995%3A%20Unmasking%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Flirty%2C%20Funny%2C%20and%20Full%20of%20Heart%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Bette Of Roses, Music, The Divine Miss M **Tags:** #Albun, #BetteMidler, #BetteOfRoses, #divine --- ### [Subscribe To Bette Midler: Bootleg Betty Today!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/08/subscribe-to-bette-midler-bootleg-betty-today/) **Published:** October 8, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Dive into the dazzling world of the Divine Miss M by subscribing to Bootleg Betty! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Subscribe To Bette Midler: Bootleg Betty Today! By Mister D Oct 8, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-08_04-55-29.png "2025-10-08_04-55-29 - bootleg betty") --- ![?](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f31f.svg) **Calling all [Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) superfans!** ![?](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f31f.svg) Dive into the dazzling world of the Divine Miss M by subscribing to [**Bootleg Betty**](https://bootlegbetty.com/)! ![?](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f3ad.svg) Get ready for a treasure trove of updates, rare clips, behind-the-scenes magic, and all the fabulousness that only Bette can deliver! ![?](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f483.svg) Don’t miss out—join the party and let’s celebrate the queen of sass and class together! Just go to [**Bootlegbetty.com**](https://bootlegbetty.com/) and sign up! Bootleg Betty will come straight to your inbox! Just that simple.![?](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f389.svg) #BetteMidler #BootlegBetty #BetteHeadsUnite Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Today%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Today%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Today%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Today%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Subscribe%20To%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Today%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Subscribe **Tags:** #BetteHeadsUnite, #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #Subscribe --- ### [Video: Bruce Forsyth's Big Night: The 1978 ITV Variety Show Featuring Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/08/video-bruce-forsyths-big-night-the-1978-itv-variety-show-featuring-bette-midler/) **Published:** October 8, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** At 33, she was the edgy American "Divine Miss M," known for her bawdy humor and showgirl flair—a stark contrast to Forsyth's wholesome, cheeky UK variety style. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bruce Forsyth’s Big Night: The 1978 ITV Variety Show Featuring Bette Midler (Full Episode) By Mister D Oct 7, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/9c8aa9ea2fb2a61f2710c6ff12780e16.jpg "9c8aa9ea2fb2a61f2710c6ff12780e16 - bootleg betty")--- **Bruce Forsyth’s Big Night: The 1978 ITV Variety Show Featuring Bette Midler** **Mister D:** *[**Bette Midler**](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty/reels/) appears in the last 20 minutes of Bruce Forsyth’s Big Night. The October 7 premiere kicked off with Midler, fresh off her Clams on the Half-Shell Revue and Trash with Flash tours, performing at London’s Palladium that week. At 33, she was the edgy American “Divine Miss M,” known for her bawdy humor and showgirl flair—a stark contrast to [Forsyth’s](https://tvark.org/bruce-forsyths-big-night) wholesome, cheeky UK variety style. Her appearance is legendary for its bizarre, unscripted energy, often described as a “clash of sensibilities.”* *Midler opened with a high-octane cover of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” dressed as an Old West madam in a feathered headdress and satin leggings. She followed with heartfelt renditions of “Hello In There” (from her 1972 debut album) and “Leader of the Pack” (her 1972 hit). The set was playful and physical—she’d been incorporating floor-diving bits into her live shows, which Forsyth later riffed on.* *This is where it gets weird and iconic. Forsyth, admitting he was a “devoted fan” who’d only discovered her two weeks prior, suggested they chat lying on the floor to mimic her stage antics (and jokingly sip tea). What followed was a squirmy, giggly exchange: Midler, possibly “relaxed” from pre-show weed (as fans speculate from her squinty eyes and ornery grin), bantered about her career while sprawled out. When rising, Forsyth gallantly offered a hand but accidentally grabbed her bottom—leading to her bursting into laughter and quipping, “No hard feelings!” He then helped her up, getting a faceful of… well, assets, as she goofily “sandbagged” him.* *The whole thing clocks in around 15-20 minutes and feels like a fever dream: Midler’s brash New York wit bouncing off Forsyth’s flustered politeness. It’s been called “hilarious” and “bizarre,” with fans wishing for a Midler-Emu puppet crossover (a nod to the show’s later chaotic guests).* Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bruce%20Forsyth%27s%20Big%20Night%3A%20The%201978%20ITV%20Variety%20Show%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bruce%20Forsyth%27s%20Big%20Night%3A%20The%201978%20ITV%20Variety%20Show%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bruce%20Forsyth%27s%20Big%20Night%3A%20The%201978%20ITV%20Variety%20Show%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bruce%20Forsyth%27s%20Big%20Night%3A%20The%201978%20ITV%20Variety%20Show%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bruce%20Forsyth%27s%20Big%20Night%3A%20The%201978%20ITV%20Variety%20Show%20Featuring%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Television, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BigNight, #BruceForsyth, #Variety --- ### [Mayim Bialik: Bette Midler's Beaches Changed Her Life](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/08/mayim-bialik-bette-midlers-beaches-changed-her-life/) **Published:** October 8, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Mayim Bialik is on the list of famous Hollywood actors who started out as child stars, and it's all because of "Beaches **Content:** --- ## The Big Bang Theory’s Mayim Bialik Made Her Movie Debut In A Classic ’80s Drama By Katy Kroll Oct. 5, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/e8d40d58e79ff6753873986dbf.jpg "E8d40d58e79ff6753873986dbf - bootleg betty")--- [**Mayim Bialik**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/07/21/mayim-bialik-2/) is on the list of famous Hollywood actors who started out as child stars, and it’s all because of “Beaches.” She hit the jackpot when she landed the role of young CC, donning a curly red wig and tinted contact lenses to match Midler’s signature look. The casting was uncanny, and Bialik could not have gotten any luckier with the movie’s unexpected commercial success, especially for an emotional buddy dramedy starring two women in their 40s. Writing about the film on her website [**Grok Nation**](https://groknation.com/), Bialik acknowledged that she probably wouldn’t be in the position she is today if she hadn’t landed the role of 11-year-old CC. “It was this movie that changed my life and catapulted me into working on sitcoms, which determined the course of my career and life,” she wrote. “I am so honored to have been a part of this movie, which has touched so many lives and hearts.” Bialik also said that it’s difficult for her to watch the film these days because she finds her voice a little “annoying,” but whenever she sits down for a viewing, she can’t help but get emotional, especially during the musical numbers. She added: “Yes, ‘The Wind Beneath My Wings’ makes me cry every darn time.” She’s certainly not alone in that — “Beaches” is among the movies that are guaranteed to make you cry. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Mayim%20Bialik%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Beaches%20Changed%20Her%20Life&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Mayim%20Bialik%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Beaches%20Changed%20Her%20Life%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Mayim%20Bialik%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Beaches%20Changed%20Her%20Life&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Mayim%20Bialik%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Beaches%20Changed%20Her%20Life%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Mayim%20Bialik%3A%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Beaches%20Changed%20Her%20Life%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Movies **Tags:** #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #GrokNation, #MayimBialik, #Movies --- ### [BetteBack: Miss M is Back as Sue Mengers](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/07/betteback-miss-m-is-back-as-sue-mengers/) **Published:** October 7, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Midler shines at the Geffen Playhouse as a superagent who almost upstaged her clients **Content:** --- ## L.A. Magazine Best Bette: Miss M is Back as Sue Mengers By Elina Shatkin December 3, 2013 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/betteopener_h-400x225-1.jpg "Betteopener_h-400x225 - bootleg betty")--- If anyone was ever born to play[ **Sue Mengers**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/sue-mengers/), it was [**Bette Midler**](https://www.broadway.com/shows/ill-eat-you-last/). Mengers, who died in 2011, was a zaftig, five-foot-two spitfire who came from the Bronx with a suitcase of movie star dreams and instead became Hollywood’s most powerful agent. She never repped Midler, but during her heyday in the 1970s, Mengers worked for just about everyone else, including Barbra Streisand, Cher, Robert Redford, and Faye Dunaway. Her chutzpah was legendary. So were her dinner parties (rumor has it that Woody Allen’s sneezing-in-the-cocaine schtick happened at one of her shindigs). Slipping into Mengers’s muumuu and spectacles, Midler portrays the superagent in *I’ll Eat You Last*, a solo performance at the Geffen Playhouse (December 3-22). After earning raves in New York, the show marks Midler’s first foray onto the L.A. stage in 16 years. As Mengers she dishes gossip while waiting for a call from the sort of velvet-voiced celeb you wouldn’t want to cross. --- Bette Midler portrayed the legendary Hollywood superagent Sue Mengers (1932–2011) in the one-woman play I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers, written by John Logan and directed by Joe Mantello. The production marked Midler’s return to Broadway after a 30-year hiatus, opening on April 24, 2013, at the Booth Theatre. It later transferred to the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles for a limited run starting in December 2013. Critics universally praised Midler’s embodiment of Mengers, noting her impeccable timing, vocal range, and ability to blend ferocity with vulnerability. Charles McNulty of the Los Angeles Times called it a “perfect role,” where Midler “inhabits” Mengers with “drop-dead delivery.” Ben Brantley of The New York Times described her as cradling the audience “in the palm of her hand from first joke to last toke.” The show recouped its $2.4 million investment and drew celebrity attendees like Dustin Hoffman and Bruce Willis. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%3A%20Miss%20M%20is%20Back%20as%20Sue%20Mengers&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%3A%20Miss%20M%20is%20Back%20as%20Sue%20Mengers%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%3A%20Miss%20M%20is%20Back%20as%20Sue%20Mengers&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%3A%20Miss%20M%20is%20Back%20as%20Sue%20Mengers%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%3A%20Miss%20M%20is%20Back%20as%20Sue%20Mengers%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, I'll Eat You Last! **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #IllEatYouLast --- ### [BetteBack Feb 14, 1979: Step Aside Liza Minnelli...Here Comes Bette Midler!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/07/betteback-feb-14-1979-step-aside-liza-minnelli-here-comes-bette-midler/) **Published:** October 7, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- **Register Star** **February 14, 1979** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The-Rose-422.jpg "The-rose-422 - bootleg betty") --- **Mister D:** *Of course this falls into a long line of movies that never got made.* [![2017-05-16_1-43-56](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_1-43-56-450x381.png "2017-05-16_1-43-56 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71307) [![2017-05-16_1-44-24](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-16_1-44-24-450x126.png "2017-05-16_1-44-24 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71308) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20Feb%2014%2C%201979%3A%20Step%20Aside%20Liza%20Minnelli...Here%20Comes%20Bette%20Midler%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20Feb%2014%2C%201979%3A%20Step%20Aside%20Liza%20Minnelli...Here%20Comes%20Bette%20Midler%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20Feb%2014%2C%201979%3A%20Step%20Aside%20Liza%20Minnelli...Here%20Comes%20Bette%20Midler%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20Feb%2014%2C%201979%3A%20Step%20Aside%20Liza%20Minnelli...Here%20Comes%20Bette%20Midler%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20Feb%2014%2C%201979%3A%20Step%20Aside%20Liza%20Minnelli...Here%20Comes%20Bette%20Midler%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #LizaMinnelli, #Melody, #Movies, #TheRose --- ### [Video Of The Day: Bette Midler - Martha](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/03/19/video-of-the-day-bette-midler-martha/) **Published:** March 19, 2024 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s performance of “Martha” on “Saturday Night Live” is remembered as a poignant and moving rendition of the Tom Waits song. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video Of The Day: Bette Midler – Martha By Mister D March 19, 2024 --- ![SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE - Episode 20 - Pictured: Musical guest Bette Midler performs on May 26, 1979 - Photo by: (Al Levine/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/143018067.jpg "Saturday night live - season 4 - bootleg betty")Saturday night live episode 20 pictured musical guest bette midler performs on may 26 1979 photo by al levinenbcnbcu photo bank via getty images--- Bette Midler’s performance of “Martha” on “[**Saturday Night Live**](https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live)” is remembered as a poignant and moving rendition of the [**Tom Waits**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2023/03/16/alex-harveys-bio-on-tom-waits-and-a-little-bette-midler/) song. This performance aired on May 26, 1979, and is noted for Bette Midler’s emotional delivery and powerful vocals1. It was her only appearance on SNL, making it a significant moment in her career. The song [**“Martha”** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/songsandlyrics/)is a touching ballad. Midler’s interpretation is often praised for its depth and feeling, capturing the essence of Waits’ lyrics and delivering a memorable performance that still resonates with fans today. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20Of%20The%20Day%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Martha&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20Of%20The%20Day%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Martha%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20Of%20The%20Day%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Martha&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20Of%20The%20Day%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Martha%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20Of%20The%20Day%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Martha%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Television, Video, Video Of The Day **Tags:** BetteMidler, Martha, snl, Tom Waits, Video --- ### [3 Cryptic Messages About Hocus Pocus 3 From Bette Midler On Instagram](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/04/3-cryptic-messages-about-hocus-pocus-3-from-bette-midler-on-instagram/) **Published:** October 4, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPWbC-CAKU-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Bette Midler (@bettemidler)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPWbC-CAKU-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPUT91SEbXu/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Bette Midler (@bettemidler)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPUT91SEbXu/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) --- > [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DPT1QCoAIvw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Bette Midler (@bettemidler)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DPT1QCoAIvw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) Not only did Bette Midler post a photo of the black flame candle on October 2, 2025, but she also shared a video of herself alongside Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson Sisters…potentially on set? Plus another reel on Instagram! Naturally, fans are freaking out in the comments. One fan wrote, “If this isn’t leading to a ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ announcement, I’m going to run AMOK!” I, on the other hand, think Bette was just signaling it’s that time of year again. What do you think? Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=3%20Cryptic%20Messages%20About%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Instagram&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=3%20Cryptic%20Messages%20About%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Instagram%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=3%20Cryptic%20Messages%20About%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Instagram&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=3%20Cryptic%20Messages%20About%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Instagram%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=3%20Cryptic%20Messages%20About%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20From%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20Instagram%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus 3, Instagram, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Cryptic, #HocusPocus3, #Instagram, #Movies --- ### [New Video: Melissa Manchester Talks Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/03/new-video-melissa-manchester-talks-bette-midler/) **Published:** October 3, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Melissa Manchester talks about meeting with Bette Midler and joining the Harlettes! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty New Video: Melissa Manchester Talks Bette Midler By Mister D Oct. 3 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-09-30_08-38-14.png "2025-09-30_08-38-14 - bootleg betty") --- [**Melissa Manchester**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/melissa-manchester/) talks about meeting with [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) and joining the Harlettes! --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=New%20Video%3A%20Melissa%20Manchester%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=New%20Video%3A%20Melissa%20Manchester%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=New%20Video%3A%20Melissa%20Manchester%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=New%20Video%3A%20Melissa%20Manchester%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=New%20Video%3A%20Melissa%20Manchester%20Talks%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Former Harlette, harlettes, Melissa Manchester **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Harlettes, #MelissaManchester --- ### [The 10 Best Witch Movies In Every Genre](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/03/the-10-best-witch-movies-in-every-genre/) **Published:** October 3, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Witches in film aren't one-note. Some scare us out of our skin. Others charm us with spells and sass. **Content:** --- ## How Stuff Works 10 Best Witches Movies Spanning Just About Every Genre By Isla Brevant Oct 1, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-03_10-25-46.png "2025-10-03_10-25-46 - bootleg betty")--- [**Witches** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/2022/10/02/hocus-pocus-2-the-witches-are-back-one-way-or-another-audio-trax-karaoke-remix-mashup-lyrics-and-music-videos/)have stalked through folklore and fairytales for centuries. They hex, they fly, and sometimes they bake kids into pies. So when movies started rolling, witches rolled right in. From broomstick-riding babysitters to cauldron-stirring queens, the best witch movies give us magic, mischief, and more than a few dark twists. Witches in film aren’t one-note. Some scare us out of our skin. Others charm us with spells and sass. Whether you’re into psychological horror, Halloween nostalgia, or Studio Ghibli charm, witch movies span decades and genres. --- 1. ‘The Witches of Eastwick’ (1987) Three bored friends—Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Cher—discover their magical potential when Jack Nicholson’s devilish character rolls into town. There’s seduction, chaos, and a whole lot of girl power. It’s sexy, satirical, and steeped in love spells and ancient spirit vibes. The movie taps into the archetype of the American woman confronting dark forces with sass and style. 2. ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ (1989) From Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki comes this coming-of-age story about a young girl training as an apprentice witch. She flies off to a small town, starts a delivery service, and finds her place in the world. This magical world features a young girl discovering her identity outside the structure of Hogwarts or Western fairy tales. With a radio DJ-style soundtrack and a sassy black cat sidekick, it offers a unique perspective on what being a witch can mean. 3. ‘The Witches’ (1990 & 2020) Based on Roald Dahl’s twisted take on witch tales, both versions of “The Witches” feature the Grand High Witch (famously played by Anjelica Huston and later Anne Hathaway) leading a coven bent on turning children into mice. With roots in fairy tales and dark spells, the movie flips the sweet old lady stereotype into pure nightmare fuel. Set in a world where witches hide among us, it turns childhood fears into full-blown horror for kiddos. 4. ‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993) [**The Sanderson Sisters**](https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Sanderson_Sisters), played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, return to modern-day Salem to steal the youth of children. Cue chaos, musical numbers, and a zombie ex-boyfriend. It’s a Halloween staple. Equal parts comedy and creepy, this one blends fairy tales, ancient curses, and classic horror genre flair. Every bit of this is wicked witch gold for the spooky season. 5. ‘Eve’s Bayou’ (1997) This underrated gem follows a young girl uncovering her family’s secrets, with supernatural undertones and a strong Southern Gothic vibe. The story unfolds in a small town soaked in magic and betrayal. With themes of latent magical powers, voodoo curses, and psychological horror, it offers a uniquely American woman-centric view of witchcraft. 6. ‘Practical Magic’ (1998) Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman play sisters born into a family cursed in love. Their solution? A mix of dark magic and girl power. This one blends romantic comedy with supernatural horror and a sweet story of sisterhood. The film explores how latent magical powers intersect with everyday life, especially when your young daughter starts asking questions. It dives into love spells, modern-day witch dilemmas, and the complexity of magical powers inherited from ancient witches. 7. ‘The Blair Witch Project’ (1999) This supernatural horror classic redefined the found footage genre. A group of student filmmakers venture into the dark woods to chase a local legend—the Blair Witch. Only their “found” footage remains to tell their tale. It’s low-budget, high-terror, and a masterclass in psychological horror. Set in a small town and steeped in local legend, the film evokes dark forces and ancient spirit lore. It also sparked renewed interest in occult symbols and folk myths and the use of eerie atmosphere to suggest horror over spectacle. 8. ‘The Witch’ (2015) Set in 1630s New England, this folkloric horror tale follows a Puritan family exiled from their colony. They build a farm beside a dark forest, but no sooner have they settled than their infant son vanishes under mysterious circumstances—seemingly the work of an unspeakable witch in the woods. As fear and superstition take hold, the devout parents and children begin to turn on one another. Director Robert Eggers trades jump-scares for a slow-burning sense of dread, making every creaking branch and whispered prayer feel like a bad omen. 9. ‘The Love Witch’ (2016) This visually stunning indie channels 1960s horror films through a feminist lens. A young woman uses love spells to attract men—but things spiral. Fast. Think witch trials meet Technicolor dreamscape. The film cleverly critiques gender roles while celebrating classic horror genre aesthetics. With its dark spells and exploration of an apprentice witch navigating a patriarchal world, it’s part visual feast, part psychological experiment. 10. ‘Suspiria’ (2018) Luca Guadagnino’s remake of Dario Argento’s cult classic dives into a Berlin dance academy hiding a sinister secret: It’s run by a coven of witches. What begins as a moody tale of ambition and talent slowly mutates into body horror, blood magic, and ritual possession. The film embraces grotesque transformation and the clash between old and new power. Tilda Swinton plays multiple roles, including the head witch, giving the coven a clinical chill. This version of witchcraft isn’t whimsical; it’s visceral, mythic, and soaked in historical trauma. We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%2010%20Best%20Witch%20Movies%20In%20Every%20Genre&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%2010%20Best%20Witch%20Movies%20In%20Every%20Genre%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%2010%20Best%20Witch%20Movies%20In%20Every%20Genre&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%2010%20Best%20Witch%20Movies%20In%20Every%20Genre%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%2010%20Best%20Witch%20Movies%20In%20Every%20Genre%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies, Witches Run Amok **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HocusPocus, #Movies, #Witches --- ### [BetteBack Aug 27, 1995: Better Bette Singing Wasn’t Always Fun For Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/03/betteback-aug-27-1995-better-bette-singing-wasnt-always-fun-for-bette-midler/) **Published:** October 3, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** For years, the Divine got no kick out of what she does best - singing. **Content:** --- ## The Spokesman Review Better Bette Singing Wasn’t Always Fun For Bette Midler, But These Days She’s Having A Blast By Ric Leyva August 27, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-30_09-19-53.png "2025-09-30_09-19-53 - bootleg betty") --- Suddenly softening her voice, sounding almost like a little girl afraid to tell the truth, [Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/boottube-betty-videos/) confesses. For years, the Divine got no kick out of what she does best – singing. It can’t be, but the words come from her mouth. Singing no fun for Bette Midler, the diva’s diva? That’s crazy talk, like saying Einstein hated science or Lindbergh detested air travel. But she’s not kidding. “It used to be torture,” Midler says, curled up on a couch in a high-rise Manhattan hotel, protectively hugging her knees against the effects of an overactive air conditioner. This woman is the spitting image of Bette Midler, but can this truly be she? Where is the outrageous, downright bawdy megapersonality who first made a name for herself in the early 1970s singing at the openly gay Continental Baths. Where is the bombshell who sang “Beast of Burden” with Mick Jagger and the Stones? “I am completely different,” she says shyly from beneath a mop of blond ringlets. “I like to sing now. I didn’t always used to. It used to be really, really hard. Absolute torture sometimes.” The revelation is a shock. Midler always made the sublime look easy, winning the hearts of millions worldwide with a wink and a grin – and of course, that voice. She’s willing to tell her deep, dark secret now because things have changed, her passion for singing reborn. Her new album, “[**Bette of Roses**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_of_Roses),” follows her stupendously successful 1993 concert tour, her first in a decade, which in turn had followed her triumph in a CBS-TV version of the hit Broadway musical “Gypsy.” Asked for details about her past private hell, she only bites her lip and smiles sadly. One-word answers confirm that perfectionism and bouts with low self-esteem were mostly to blame. Maybe for singing to be fun again she had to prove to herself once and for all that she is as great as her immense fame. “I love everything about it now,” she says. “I enjoy learning the songs and shaping them into a version, learning the harmonies.” “Gypsy” was her emotional rescue. Her film career had reached an unsatisfying stage despite fine work in “The Rose,” “Beaches,” “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” and “For the Boys.” Her salvation was Mama Rose, a plumb musical part played by many through the years but defined historically by legendary singer Ethel Merman. It didn’t seemed so perfect at first. Early on, Midler panicked. “I wanted to sing in Ethel’s keys and I couldn’t,” she says. “Those songs were some of the toughest I’ve ever, ever had to sing.” She tackled the challenge with intense training to broaden her vocal range. “I kind of stretched my voice a little bit,” she says, looking smart in a black pants suit and cute blue, suede flats. “I worked very hard, and it really opened a lot of doors in my singing voice that I hadn’t had before.” It’s not surprising that an old-time Broadway musical revived Midler’s natural love of singing. It was a childhood excursion to a local performance of “Carousel” in Hawaii that first inspired her. “I never got over it,” she says, sitting up eagerly as a tray bearing cappuccino and Italian cookies is brought in. “Once I saw that show I said, ‘Oh God, they paint themselves and they dance and sing. I’m going to do that.’ And I never looked back.” The thrill of doing “Gypsy” led to her 32-city “Experience the Divine” tour. “Once I got hold of that process, that newer, stronger voice, it really excited me,” she says. “Actually, that’s the reason I went on the road. I got this new technique and I was really anxious to see if it made a difference with the old music.” The petite two-time Academy Award nominee and four-time Grammy winner also lost about 25 pounds on the road, and clearly none of it has crept back. At age 49, she remains stunning. On “Bette of Roses,” her new sound is easy to appreciate because she selected songs that show it off, many requiring difficult vocal gymnastics. “Material opened up to me that wasn’t there before because I couldn’t hit the notes. Now I can,” she says, beaming. “The songs with the wider range came to me and they had never come to me before. And since I could sing them, I did sing them.” Midler worked with veteran producer Arif Mardin on the Atlantic release, her 16th album. It features a wide-ranging mix of material, including traditional ballads, folk-inspired ditties, the New Age offering “To Comfort You,” and the almost Western tune “I Know This Town.” The most dramatic performance comes in a devotional love song by Maria McKee, “To Deserve You.” Midler takes it on with style, flawlessly traversing its demanding two-octave landscape. “It’s a curious and good-sounding record. It’s very lush,” she says, munching a cookie, her spirits restored by confession. “And I really like it.” And that’s the only important thing. When she talks about singing, Midler is dramatic. Turning to the subject of movies, she takes on a more reserved, patient tone. The long-term film contract she had with the Walt Disney Co. has expired, so she’s a free agent – and she’s far from done. Her next film will be “That Old Feeling” for MGM, a comedy slated to begin shooting in the fall. She’s still looking for the right leading man. Meanwhile, the role of Midler’s leading man in real life has been filled for many years by husband Martin von Haselberg. They have a daughter, Sophie, 8. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20Aug%2027%2C%201995%3A%20Better%20Bette%20Singing%20Wasn%E2%80%99t%20Always%20Fun%20For%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20Aug%2027%2C%201995%3A%20Better%20Bette%20Singing%20Wasn%E2%80%99t%20Always%20Fun%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20Aug%2027%2C%201995%3A%20Better%20Bette%20Singing%20Wasn%E2%80%99t%20Always%20Fun%20For%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20Aug%2027%2C%201995%3A%20Better%20Bette%20Singing%20Wasn%E2%80%99t%20Always%20Fun%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20Aug%2027%2C%201995%3A%20Better%20Bette%20Singing%20Wasn%E2%80%99t%20Always%20Fun%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Bette Of Roses, Music, Singers, Songs **Tags:** #Album, #BetteMidler, #BetteOfRoses, #Music, #Singing --- ### [Bette Midler Lights The Black Flame! Fans Grow Wild With Speculation!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/02/bette-midler-lights-the-black-flame-fans-grow-wild-with-speculation/) **Published:** October 2, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s cryptic social media message ignited a fan frenzy over Hocus Pocus 3 potentially coming soon. **Content:** --- ## Parade Bette Midler’s Cryptic Message Ignites Fan Frenzy Over ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ By Michelle Stein Oct 2, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-09-30_05-51-19.png "2025-09-30_05-51-19 - bootleg betty")--- **Mister D:** ***Couldn’t it be that Bette Midler is just signaling it’s that time of year again? Let’s keep our hopes in check!*** --- # ‘Sisters! Gather ’round! Let’s come together and conjure up [Hocus Pocus 3](https://parade.com/movies/hocus-pocus-3)!’ one fan wrote of the franchise starring Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. --- **[Bette Midler’](https://parade.com/news/bette-midler-sends-bold-political-message-donald-trump-mike-johnson-fans-declaring-national-treasure)**s cryptic social media message ignited a fan frenzy over [*Hocus Pocus 3* ](https://parade.com/movies/hocus-pocus-3)potentially coming soon. Midler infamously portrayed Winifred Sanderson in the cult-classic, original 1993 film, while **[Sarah Jessica Parker](https://parade.com/1150411/jessicasager/sarah-jessica-parker-net-worth/)** played Sarah Sanderson and **[Kathy Najimy](https://parade.com/movies/hocus-pocus-sequel-bette-midler-sarah-jessica-parker)** played Mary Sanderson. In 2022, the trio reunited for *[Hocus Pocus 2](https://parade.com/941855/alexandra-hurtado/hocus-pocus-sequel-disney-plus/)*. On Thursday, Oct. 2, the iconic actress, 79, [took to Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DPT1QCoAIvw/?hl=en) with a photo of a lit black candle. Although Midler did not caption the update, and may have just posted it to celebrate the beginning of spooky season, fans began [reading](https://parade.com/1167905/marynliles/quotes-about-reading-books/) further into it. The image featured the Black Flame Candle, a magical feature of the cult-classic 1993 [Halloween](https://parade.com/1056251/marynliles/halloween-jokes/) film. When the fictional candle, made from the fat of a hanged man, is lit by a virgin on All Hallows’ Eve, it summons the Sanderson sisters from the dead. ## [Bette Midler’s](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/27/bette-midler-to-guest-on-andy-cohens-watch-what-happens-live-october-16/) Post Left Fans Running Amok In the comments, fans immediately hoped that the photo was a hint that *[Hocus Pocus](https://parade.com/938005/stephanieosmanski/hocus-pocus-quotes/) 3* would soon be announced. One Instagram user wrote, “If this isn’t leading to a *Hocus Pocus 3* announcement I’m going to run AMOK!” Another follower shared, “Sisters! Gather ’round! Let’s come together and conjure up *Hocus Pocus 3*!!!” as a third echoed, “SISTAHHHH!” Someone else begged, “Hocus Pocus 3!!!!!! but can we bring back the old characters please!!!!!!!!” referring to **[Thora Birch](https://parade.com/news/hocus-pocus-star-thora-birch-41-steps-out-in-rare-red-appearance)** (Dani), **[Omri Katz](https://parade.com/news/beloved-teen-star-from-cult-classic-90s-movie-49-is-practically-unrecognizable-in-latest-photos)** (Max), **[Vinessa Shaw](https://parade.com/681412/solanahawkenson/celebrate-the-25th-anniversary-of-hocus-pocus-with-the-films-most-memorable-quotes/)** (Allison) and **[Sean Murray](https://parade.com/tv/sean-murray-ncis-1000-cover-interview)** (Thackery Binx). A different fan declared, “And this is my sign! Must watch *Hocus Pocus* 1 and 2 today! ??????.” Meanwhile, yet another Instagram user commented, “Please, we need *HOCUS POCUS 3*!!!” In 2022, *Hocus Pocus 2* [broke streaming records](https://deadline.com/2022/10/hocus-pocus-2-sets-nielsen-record-streaming-movie-dahmer-1235156658/) after it was released on Disney+. Midler, Parker and Najimy reprised their roles—however, the rest of the cast were newcomers. **Taylor Henderson** portrayed young Winifred, **Nina Kitchen** played young Mary, and **Juju Journey Brener** played young Sarah. Additionally, the story featured a group of teenagers in present-day Salem, Mass.: Becca (**Whitney Peak**), Izzy (**Belissa Escobedo**) and Cassie (**Lilia Buckingham**). https://youtube.com/watch?v=idc0EOmKr30%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26enablejsapi%3D1 ## Is a ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ Happening? *Hocus Pocus 2* screenwriter **Jen D’Angelo** confirmed in 2023 that a third film was still in the works following the Writers Guild of America strike. “We’re still in the story phase, we’re still working on it,” she told *[Entertainment Weekly](https://ew.com/movies/hocus-pocus-3-sequel-details-hannah-waddingham-mother-witch/?utm_campaign=entertainmentweekly_entertainmentweekly&utm_content=manual&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_term=653ac30e3a67310001cd2a15)*. “We’ve been working on some ideas. It’s been fun to dive back into that world and we have so many directions in which to go and so many new characters to explore. We’ve only scratched the surface of **[Hannah Waddingham](https://parade.com/celebrities/beloved-tv-star-hannah-waddingham-47-puts-curves-display-screams-glamour)**’s mother [witch](https://parade.com/1081731/marynliles/witch-names/).” D’Angelo continued, “I’m hoping that we are able to explore every aspect of these stories and take these characters on a bunch of fun adventures. We don’t really know what it is, but we’re exploring all options and I think everybody is so delighted by the reaction that *Hocus Pocus 2* got, and we’re excited to continue those stories.” *Hocus Pocus* and *Hocus Pocus 2* are available to stream on Disney+. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Lights%20The%20Black%20Flame%21%20Fans%20Grow%20Wild%20With%20Speculation%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Lights%20The%20Black%20Flame%21%20Fans%20Grow%20Wild%20With%20Speculation%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Lights%20The%20Black%20Flame%21%20Fans%20Grow%20Wild%20With%20Speculation%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Lights%20The%20Black%20Flame%21%20Fans%20Grow%20Wild%20With%20Speculation%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Lights%20The%20Black%20Flame%21%20Fans%20Grow%20Wild%20With%20Speculation%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2, Hocus Pocus 3, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BlackFlame, #HocusPocus3, #Speculation --- ### [Video & Audio: "I Put A Spell On You" Plus Karaoke Version](https://bootlegbetty.com/2020/10/29/video-audio-i-put-a-spell-on-you-plus-karaoke-version/) **Published:** October 29, 2020 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/972eb0feed46a5fe6edc05d150a57db8-2-1024x576.jpg "972eb0feed46a5fe6edc05d150a57db8-2 - bootleg betty")**the sanderson sisters** --- **Winnie and her Sistahs perform “I Put A Spell On You”**--- **Karaoke: I Put A Spell On You**--- ``` Bette Midler – I Put A Spell On You Lyrics I put a spell on you And now you're mine. You can't stop the things I do. I ain't lyyyyyin'. It's been 300 years Right down to the day, Now the witch is back And there's hell to pay. I put a spell on you And now you're miiiiiine! Hello, Salem! My name's Winifred, what's yours? I put a spell on you And now you're gone. (gone gone gone so long!) My whammy fell on you And it was strong. (so strong so strong so strong) Your wretched little lives Have all been cursed, 'cause of all the witches working I'm the worst! I put a spell on you And now you're mine! [Watch out! Watch out! Watch out! Watch out!] If you don't believe, You'd better get superstitious. Ask my sisters! "Ooh, she's vicious!" I put a spell on you.... I put a spell on you. Sisters! Ah say ento pi alpha mabi upendi Ah say ento pi alpha mabi upendi In comma coriyama In comma coriyama Ay, ay, aye, aye, say bye-byyyyyyyyyyye! Bye bye! ``` --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20%26%20Audio%3A%20%22I%20Put%20A%20Spell%20On%20You%22%20Plus%20Karaoke%20Version&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20%26%20Audio%3A%20%22I%20Put%20A%20Spell%20On%20You%22%20Plus%20Karaoke%20Version%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20%26%20Audio%3A%20%22I%20Put%20A%20Spell%20On%20You%22%20Plus%20Karaoke%20Version&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20%26%20Audio%3A%20%22I%20Put%20A%20Spell%20On%20You%22%20Plus%20Karaoke%20Version%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20%26%20Audio%3A%20%22I%20Put%20A%20Spell%20On%20You%22%20Plus%20Karaoke%20Version%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus **Tags:** Audio and Video Clips, I Put A Spell On You - Bette Midler - Hocus Pocus 1993 --- ### [BetteBack Dec 2, 2014: Review Of It's The Girls By Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/02/betteback-dec-2-2014-review-of-its-the-girls-by-bette-midler/) **Published:** October 2, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** On It’s the Girls!, Midler finds her muse in the works of girl groups from the Andrews and Boswell Sisters through to the Ronettes and Chiffons through to TLC. **Content:** --- ## PopMatters BetteBack Dec 2, 2014: Review Of It’s The Girls By Bette Midler By John Paul Dec 2, 2014 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-30_12-30-02.png "2025-09-30_12-30-02 - bootleg betty")--- Throughout her career, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) has proven herself a versatile vocalist capable of tackling everything from bawdy cabaret to saccharine-sweet adult contemporary fare. On [**It’s the Girls!**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_the_Girls!), Midler finds her muse in the works of girl groups from the Andrews and Boswell Sisters through to the Ronettes and Chiffons through to TLC. It’s a somewhat scatter-shot approach to the notion of the girl group sound that ultimately works perhaps a bit better than it should given the disparity of the acts represented. But this “greatest hits”-style approach to the history of popular music is not out of place in either Midler’s career or the cabaret scene from whence she came. With It’s the Girls!, Midler shows a great affinity to the girl group sounds of ‘60s, but is clearly most comfortable operating in the looser, more cabaret-indebted style in which she came up in the 1970s. In between Wall of Sound-era gems from the likes of the Ronettes, she jubilantly flaunts her way through a pair of tunes by the Andrews and Boswell Sisters that better suit her brassy, more freewheeling style. While her voice proves more than adept at tackling the prime ‘60s girl group cuts here, her strict adherence to the original source material of each (from the phrasing on down to the vocal tonality of each) feels restrictive and lacks the necessary personality required to transcend the originals and play as anything more than a glossy homage.. Throughout, the arrangements give the feel of a big glossy production, stripping away any and all organic quality inherent in the originals. A minor sonic quibble, but if the producers here (veterans Marc Shaiman and Scott Riesett) sought to reproduce the feel of the songs Midler attempts to replicate virtually note-for-note in some instances, they overshot the mark with fussy arrangements that take some of the fun out of the original “teenage symphonies” helmed by the likes of Phil Spector. The arrangements here possess none of the wild-eyed innocence of the originals and instead possess the sharp focus and surgical precision of the more contemporary notion of music production. The somewhat misleading opening one-two of the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” and the Chiffons’ “One Fine Day”, each rendered in a rough vocal approximation of the original, creates the impression this will be a straight ‘60s girl group homage with Midler inhabiting the lead role in each. But then comes a version of the Andrews Sisters’ “Bei Mir Bist Du Schön”. Though not nearly as anomalous is it would initially seem when taken within the full context of the album, it’s appearance immediately following two well-known girl group classics feels a bit jarring. That said, it seems to loosen Midler up some, finding confidence in her more stylistically appropriate, theatrical approach to popular song, an act honed over the course of her formative years. While the chronological detour is brief (it’s followed up by the Shirelles’ “Baby It’s You”), it seems to free up both Midler and her accompanying musicians from strictly adhering to the original versions’ arrangements. Applying a more balladic approach to “Baby It’s You,” Midler hits a stylistic sweet spot between straight-up contemporary reinterpretation and original take on an oft-covered classic of the era that perfectly suits her abilities as both a performer and interpreter. With her focus primarily on and the bulk of the material coming from the heyday of the girl group sound of the early-to-mid-‘60s, Midler’s brief forays into more traditional and, conversely, contemporary material with her cover of TLC’s “Waterfalls”, unfortunately feel out of place and come across almost as afterthoughts. Using the overarching tag of “girl groups” in the loosest sense of the term serves her point of including groups from the Andrews Sisters on up through TLC, but too often proves a somewhat uncomfortable listen. Going from a maudlin, overblown cabaret take on “Waterfalls” to a straight country reading of the Supremes’ “You Can’t Hurry Love” works thematically insomuch as both were originally performed by popular girl groups. Beyond that, it’s an odd pairing and even odder stylistic arrangement of each that, regardless of where either would have been placed in the album’s running order, would have sounded out of place. On “He’s Sure the Boy I Love”, Midler invites original girl group vocalist and one-time Spector associate Darlene Love in to duet, creating an exuberant pairing that further supports the notion that Midler should have stuck solely with the golden age of the girl group sound rather than periodically straying in order to cover a broader range stylistically. Their voices well suited to one another, it’s a fine pairing that shows each still has plenty to offer. But ultimately Midler clearly feels more comfortable with the older material, imbuing the Chordettes’ “Mr. Sandman” with a youthful vitality and level of theatricality not present on much of the rest of the material here, allowing for a more organic approach to the song’s reading and giving Midler the chance to go off book more than once. It is here in this freer, more improvisatory setting that she shines both as a performer and interpreter of other people’s material, truly inhabiting the performance in a manner making it her own rather than simply rehashing an existing framework to vaguely recast it in her own image. Even though not everything here quite works, the tracks that do are a great deal of fun and show Midler in fine form. One of the most amusing moments comes during a seemingly ad-libbed exchange on the outro “Give Him a Great Big Kiss” wherein Midler subverts the tough-guy notion of the original’s love interest, recasting him as a nonagenarian whom she’s “known since the first time this record came out” and needs to be returned to his room at the ICU lest the nurses worry unnecessarily. It’s this lack of self-seriousness that makes Midler such an endearing performer and shows why some of her best work and, most notably, the work for which she is best known, spawned from the looser format of her nightclub act. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20Dec%202%2C%202014%3A%20Review%20Of%20It%27s%20The%20Girls%20By%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20Dec%202%2C%202014%3A%20Review%20Of%20It%27s%20The%20Girls%20By%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20Dec%202%2C%202014%3A%20Review%20Of%20It%27s%20The%20Girls%20By%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20Dec%202%2C%202014%3A%20Review%20Of%20It%27s%20The%20Girls%20By%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20Dec%202%2C%202014%3A%20Review%20Of%20It%27s%20The%20Girls%20By%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, It's The Girls, Music, Reviews, Songs **Tags:** #Album, #BetteMidler, #Itsthegirls, #Reviews --- ### [When Bette Midler gives her your blessing, you hop on a broomstick and fly](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/02/when-bette-midler-gives-her-your-blessing-you-hop-on-a-broomstick-and-fly/) **Published:** October 2, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Now Ginger Minj is keeping the magic alive in a drag show cheekily titled “Hokus Pokus,” coming to the Palace of Fine Arts on Sunday **Content:** --- ## San Francisco Chronicles How Bette Midler inspired this ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ winner’s latest S.F. show By Tony Bravo, Oct 1, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-09-30_08-11-04.png "2025-09-30_08-11-04 - bootleg betty")--- When [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/27/bette-midler-to-guest-on-andy-cohens-watch-what-happens-live-october-16/) gives her your blessing, you hop on a broomstick and fly. That’s exactly what drag performer Ginger Minj did. A lifelong fan of the Halloween classic “Hocus Pocus,” she first fell under the Sanderson sisters’ spell at 10 years old, biking to her local theater on dollar days. Decades later, the “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” Season 10 winner was cast in the film’s long-awaited 2022 sequel, as a drag queen playing Midler’s character, Winifred Sanderson. **More Information “Hokus Pokus”: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5. Tickets start at $62.84. Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon St., S.F. www.palaceoffinearts.org** “All three of those women thanked us individually for the drag community keeping those characters alive all these decades,” said Ginger Minj, 41, of her co-stars Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. “They all said, ‘None of us would be here if it weren’t for the girls like you who have kept what we did alive.’” Now [**Ginger Minj**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginger_Minj) is keeping the magic alive in a drag show cheekily titled “Hokus Pokus,” coming to the Palace of Fine Arts on Sunday, Oct. 5, also starring fellow “Drag Race” queens Sapphira Cristál (Mary Sanderson), Jujubee (Sarah Sanderson) and drag king Landon Cider (Billy Butcherson). ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ratio16x9_960.webp "Ratio16x9_960 - bootleg betty")And it all truly started with Midler. “On set, we’re just sitting there, and she goes, ‘I’ve seen a lot of queens do me over the years, and I really like the way that you do me,’” she recalled Midler telling her during the film shoot. “‘I want to see you take this and do something with it.’ And I said, ‘Like what?’ “In true Bette Midler fashion, she goes, ‘I don’t know. A show or something. I don’t have all the f—ing answers. Figure it out for yourself.’ That’s when the seeds were planted for doing this live version of the show.” The Chronicle spoke to Ginger Minj about her victory on “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” her deep love of her show’s source material and why she thinks witches are hotter than ever in both mainstream and counterculture. *This interview has been edited for length and clarity.* **Q: How does it feel to be a “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” winner after four attempts in the past decade?** A: Like everything. What I didn’t expect was all of the fans that have immediately reached out to me and said, “I feel more invested in your journey than I do anybody else’s because I’ve been with you since the beginning.” **Q: What’s your process like when you’re building a tour and a show like this?** A: I’m one of those people who can’t sleep at night, and that’s when I get at my most creative. I deprived myself of as much sleep as possible, and then I just jot down every stupid joke or every stupid idea that pops into my head, and then try to string it together to make sense. The show that we have now as opposed to when we opened in Orlando is the same basic plot and songs and a lot of the same jokes, but we have found more nuanced moments that hit better. I tell the girls sometimes onstage, “We’ve got to land this broomstick because we’ve gone off on a tangent.” **Q: Do you remember when you first saw “Hocus Pocus”?** A: I saw it the summer that it came out, but I kept wondering to myself, “Why is this Halloween movie out in July?” There was something about those three wacky witches being played by three iconic women who were strong, powerful and beautiful in very unconventional ways. And they all approach comedy from a very different perspective. I think that’s what makes watching the three of them work together so intriguing, and one reason it has lasted 30-something years later. **Q: What was it like to be in “Hocus Pocus 2”?** A: When they announced that Anne Fletcher was directing — she had directed me in “Dumplin’” for Netflix — I sent her a text message and said, “Girl, I’ll do whatever you need me to do, I’ll carry the broomsticks in the background.” It wasn’t until our last day on set when I’m standing on the lawn, holding hands with (co-stars) Kornbread and Kahmora (Hall), and the three witches take off and fly over our head that I just started crying. You could not have told me at 10 years old that was going to happen. **Q: Did you learn anything working with Bette Midler?** A: The second we walked on set, Bette Midler looks at me and goes, “You were robbed!” This was right after “All Stars” Season 6. My close-up shot was the last shot of that scene, and they wanted to cheat the shot. Bette said, “This is all wrong. Move that light over here, push the camera in from this angle.” She says, “I’m not always going to be here to look out for these things, so you need to start learning how to look out for them yourself.” I guess Bette Midler is my new drag mother. **Q: Why do you think witches have been so big in pop culture and queer vernacular this past decade?** A: It is because we are feared by the people who don’t understand us. Sometimes it does feel like there is a witch hunt against the people in the LGBTQIA+ community. I think that’s because we all possess this innate power that we are born with, this power of creating family and culture in a world for ourselves. People who aren’t a part of that don’t understand it. It scares them, like tropes of witches and covens throughout the years. Being on the outside and having been treated that way, we do have to cultivate our own little covens and figure out what makes us our most powerful. Then we all have to think about how to use those powers together to make the world better for us. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=When%20Bette%20Midler%20gives%20her%20your%20blessing%2C%20you%20hop%20on%20a%20broomstick%20and%20fly&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=When%20Bette%20Midler%20gives%20her%20your%20blessing%2C%20you%20hop%20on%20a%20broomstick%20and%20fly%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=When%20Bette%20Midler%20gives%20her%20your%20blessing%2C%20you%20hop%20on%20a%20broomstick%20and%20fly&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=When%20Bette%20Midler%20gives%20her%20your%20blessing%2C%20you%20hop%20on%20a%20broomstick%20and%20fly%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=When%20Bette%20Midler%20gives%20her%20your%20blessing%2C%20you%20hop%20on%20a%20broomstick%20and%20fly%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hokus Pokus **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broomstick, #Fly, #GingerMinj, #HokusPokus --- ### [Photo Gallery: 11th Annual Fashion Centered 2025 Fundraiser Dinner Hosted by The Center, June 2, 2025](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/01/photo-gallery-11th-annual-fashion-centered-2025-fundraiser-dinner-hosted-by-the-center-june-2-2025/) **Published:** October 1, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** On Monday night, The LGBT Center — colloquially, The Center — opened its doors in the West Village for the annual Fashion Centered dinner. **Content:** --- ## WWD Michael Kors and Lance Le Pere Honored by LGBT Fashion Centered Dinner By Kristen Tauer June 3, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-01_09-09-56.png "2025-10-01_09-09-56 - bootleg betty")--- On Monday night, The LGBT Center — colloquially, The Center — opened its doors in the West Village for the annual Fashion Centered dinner. The invite-only event, which took place just as Pride Month got underway, brings the fashion and creative industries together to raise awareness and crucial support for The Center. Resources offered by The Center include programs for youth, health services including substance abuse treatment and mental health support, and a physical space for community to gather. Michael Kors and husband Lance Le Pere arrived during cocktail hour in tandem with Bette Midler, who would later present the couple with The Center’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. “I was fortunate to come of age at a time where maybe things weren’t as tough out there as they are right now, and I had a very supportive family overall,” said Kors, who grew up on Long Island. “But The Center is here for people who aren’t in that situation. So I’m happy to support The Center for all these years. And the work they do is remarkable. The people here are heroes. I stand and bow to them. I really do.” Asked what Pride Month represents for him, Kors made sure to include the other 11 months in his answer. ?”I like to think that we should be celebrating Pride 365 days a year,” he said. “More than ever we have to make some noise and say to young people in particular: ‘You’re not alone. You do have a place to come to. You have community and you need to live your best life.’ That’s what it’s all about.” The scene at the Fashion Centered 2025 Fundraiser Dinner. Lexie Moreland/WWD During cocktail hour, guests including Presley Oldham, Christian Cowen, Brandon Blackwood, Lourdes Leon, Ladyfag, Ivy Getty, Sarah Hoover, Isaac Boots, Adam Eli, Richie Shazam and more mingled in The Center’s brick-walled courtyard. ?Peter Speliopoulos, who cofounded the Fashion Centered event, was being honored with the Trailblazer award with husband Robert Turner. “It was important to have the event here,” said Speliopoulos, standing next to event cochair Dorothy Berwin. “To have everyone feel what happens here and the soul of The Center and the work that’s done here,” he added. “?This place is a beacon for the entire nation.” The celebratory event was underscored by a sense of urgency. During the appetizer course, Congresswoman Sarah McBride of Delaware took the stage to deliver a call to action. “?While we say ‘happy pride’ this June, we gather here in this hallowed space to in so many ways return to the roots of Pride,” said McBride, the first transgender person elected to Congress. She recalled an incident from earlier this year, when Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert harassed a freshman Democrat using the bathroom inside the Capitol, mistaking her for McBride. “This community knows hardship, we know challenges, but what we recognize in Pride is that it has always been in our most significant challenges that we take our biggest steps forward as a community,” McBride added. “And The Center for so many years has been at the heart of forging community, and through it forging progress of meeting significant, seemingly impossible challenges, with hope, with joy, with authenticity, and with support.” After dinner, Midler arrived onstage to introduce longtime friends Kors and Le Pere with a touching tribute. Before her arrival, the crowd had been instructed to shout out their favorite Midler films and songs. “?I’d like to start by saying to those of you who don’t know me: You’re probably at the wrong event,” Midler said. --- [ ![2025-10-01 09-09-56](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/2025-10-01_09-09-56.png?bwg=1759329046 "2025-10-01 09-09-56") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-10-01_09-09-56.png?bwg=1759329046) [ ![Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/Bette-Midler.jpg?bwg=1759329046 "Bette Midler") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/Bette-Midler.jpg?bwg=1759329046) [ ![Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/Bette-wMidler.jpg?bwg=1759329046 "Bette Midler") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/Bette-wMidler.jpg?bwg=1759329046) [ ![BFA 50044 7168118](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/BFA_50044_7168118.jpg?bwg=1759329046 "BFA 50044 7168118") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/BFA_50044_7168118.jpg?bwg=1759329046) [ ![Michael Kors, Bette Midler, Lance LePere](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/Centered-LGBT-Main-1170x780.jpg?bwg=1759329046 "Michael Kors, Bette Midler, Lance LePere") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/Centered-LGBT-Main-1170x780.jpg?bwg=1759329046) [ ![Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-09](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-09.webp?bwg=1759329046 "Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-09") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-09.webp?bwg=1759329046) [ ![Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-11](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-11.webp?bwg=1759329046 "Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-11") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-11.webp?bwg=1759329046) [ ![Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-14](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-14.webp?bwg=1759329046 "Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-14") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-14.webp?bwg=1759329046) [ ![Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-15](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-15.webp?bwg=1759329046 "Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-15") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-15.webp?bwg=1759329046) [ ![Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-28](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-28.webp?bwg=1759329046 "Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-28") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/Fashion-centered-dinner-2025-wwd-LM-28.webp?bwg=1759329046) [ ![gettyimages-2218336178-594x594](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/gettyimages-2218336178-594x594.jpg?bwg=1759329046 "gettyimages-2218336178-594x594") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/gettyimages-2218336178-594x594.jpg?bwg=1759329046) [ ![gettyimages-2218346206-594x594](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/gettyimages-2218346206-594x594.jpg?bwg=1759329046 "gettyimages-2218346206-594x594") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/gettyimages-2218346206-594x594.jpg?bwg=1759329046) [ ![shutterstock editorial 15338958aj-59f4f4a86f1c4d4cb3744b91c4e6b247](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/shutterstock_editorial_15338958aj-59f4f4a86f1c4d4cb3744b91c4e6b247.webp?bwg=1759329046 "shutterstock editorial 15338958aj-59f4f4a86f1c4d4cb3744b91c4e6b247") ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/shutterstock_editorial_15338958aj-59f4f4a86f1c4d4cb3744b91c4e6b247.webp?bwg=1759329046) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%20Gallery%3A%2011th%20Annual%20Fashion%20Centered%202025%20Fundraiser%20Dinner%20Hosted%20by%20The%20Center%2C%20June%202%2C%202025&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%20Gallery%3A%2011th%20Annual%20Fashion%20Centered%202025%20Fundraiser%20Dinner%20Hosted%20by%20The%20Center%2C%20June%202%2C%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%20Gallery%3A%2011th%20Annual%20Fashion%20Centered%202025%20Fundraiser%20Dinner%20Hosted%20by%20The%20Center%2C%20June%202%2C%202025&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%20Gallery%3A%2011th%20Annual%20Fashion%20Centered%202025%20Fundraiser%20Dinner%20Hosted%20by%20The%20Center%2C%20June%202%2C%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%20Gallery%3A%2011th%20Annual%20Fashion%20Centered%202025%20Fundraiser%20Dinner%20Hosted%20by%20The%20Center%2C%20June%202%2C%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Benefits, Bette Midler, Fashion, Fundraiser, Photo Gallery, Photos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Fashion, #Fundraiser, #MichaelKors, #PhotoGallery --- ### [Why ‘Cut Off’ Is the Most Anticipated Dark Comedy of 2026](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/01/why-cut-off-is-the-most-anticipated-dark-comedy-of-2026/) **Published:** October 1, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The film industry is buzzing over the announcement of Cut Off, a dark comedy that unites an A-list trio for a story that promises to be as heartfelt as it is hilarious. **Content:** --- ## NewsCase Why Midler’s ‘Cut Off’ Is the Most Anticipated Dark Comedy of 2026 By Abubakarbilal September 30, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Kristen-Wiig-Bette-Midler-Jonah-Hill-1024x576-1.jpg "Kristen-wiig-bette-midler-jonah-hill-1024x576 - bootleg betty")--- Move over, standard comedies—Hollywood is brewing something with a sharper edge. The film industry is buzzing over the official announcement of Cut Off, a new dark comedy that unites an A-list trio for a story that promises to be as heartfelt as it is hilarious. What makes this project so compelling isn’t just the star power; it’s the unique creative vision driving it. Jonah Hill is stepping into a pivotal role, not just as a star but as the film’s director and co-writer, marking his major studio directorial debut. He’s bringing together two comedy legends from different generations: the brilliantly versatile Kristen Wiig and the iconic Bette Midler. This powerhouse combination has instantly made Cut Off one of the most talked-about films slated for 2026. So, what’s the story that brought these giants together? [**Cut Off**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cut_Off_(2026_film)) follows two deeply privileged siblings (played by Hill and Wiig) whose lives of luxury come to a crashing halt when they are suddenly cut off from their family’s immense wealth. Enter Bette Midler as the formidable matriarch who pulls the financial plug. This casting is a masterstroke, positioning Midler’s signature blend of humor and heart at the center of the family’s conflict. The script, co-written by Hill and Ezra Woods, aims to dig into the messy, universal themes of family, entitlement, and generational conflict. It explores a provocative question: what happens when money disappears and you’re forced to discover who you and your family truly are? Behind the camera, the production is a showcase of modern Hollywood strategy. Filming is set for California this fall, secured by a $10 million tax incentive that allows the production to maximize its creative potential. This strategic move underscores the studio’s confidence in Hill’s vision. The project is produced by Hill’s Strong Baby banner and backed by Warner Bros., which has already locked in a global theatrical release for July 17, 2026. The casting is being hailed as perfect. Kristen Wiig’s career, from SNL to Bridesmaids, is built on finding the perfect balance between absurd comedy and genuine vulnerability. She is the ideal actor to navigate a story that finds humor in real struggle. Meanwhile, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) adds an unparalleled layer of prestige and warmth. With a career spanning six decades and adorned with every major award, from Grammys to Golden Globes, her presence guarantees a performance with both gravity and wit. “Only Murders in the Building” star Nathan Lane is among the newest names to join the project, slated to play the fictional family’s wealthy patriarch, Deadline reports. The anticipation for Cut Off is building because it offers more than just laughs. It combines a relatable, high-stakes family drama with the proven talents of three beloved stars, all guided by Jonah Hill’s fresh directorial perspective. This is a film that doesn’t just want to make you chuckle—it aims to make you think and feel, solidifying its status as a must-see event for the summer of 2026. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Why%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20Is%20the%20Most%20Anticipated%20Dark%20Comedy%20of%202026&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Why%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20Is%20the%20Most%20Anticipated%20Dark%20Comedy%20of%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Why%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20Is%20the%20Most%20Anticipated%20Dark%20Comedy%20of%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Why%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20Is%20the%20Most%20Anticipated%20Dark%20Comedy%20of%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Why%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20Is%20the%20Most%20Anticipated%20Dark%20Comedy%20of%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #CutOff, #JonahHill, #KristenWiig, #Movie, #NathanLane --- ### [BetteBack Dec 10, 1978: Bette Midler Goes Hollywood](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/01/betteback-dec-10-1978-bette-midler-goes-hollywood/) **Published:** October 1, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Her hair is such a mad maze that when it recently caught fire in an encounter with a lighted candle, no one noticed the difference afterward. **Content:** --- ## New York Times Bette Midler Goes Hollywood By Warren Hoge Dec 10, 1978 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/il_1140xN.2818781688_i086-1024x1024.jpg "Il_1140xn. 2818781688_i086 - bootleg betty")--- **H**er hair is such a mad maze that when it recently caught fire in an encounter with a lighted candle, no one noticed the difference afterward. Her nose crooks at its tip like the prow of the Concorde. She stands little more than five feet tall, and her speaking voice, which sounds as if it swings on rusted hinges, can close on a vowel and place it on a frequency otherwise exclusive to the yapping of small dogs. She is [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/), and she wants to become “a legend.” When she told her new manager [**Aaron Russo**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Russo) in 1972 that that was her life goal, she in one sense was only suggesting a lateral promotion; she had, after all, been calling herself “the Divine One” for two years. But, in a larger sense, she was dreaming of an improbable elevation. Her appearance was somewhat less than heavenly. Also she was at the time operating on the slimmest base of popular appeal for someone intent on becoming mythological — her adoring audiences were largely homosexual and mostly barely dressed, since the gig that had brought her notice was the Continental Baths, an early 1970’s gay group?sports arena in the basement of Broadway’s Ansonia Hotel. While she has made a number of records, played leading nightclubs, done two television specials and starred in her own national touring shows since then, she has never fully escaped the image the rhinestone?corseted, “trash with flash,” camped?up Jeanne d’Arch of the Tubs. The time is now at hand to move from divinity to legend, and the place where this revelatory passage may occur, if it ever will, is—where else? — Hollywood. Midler is making her first motion picture, a big?budget ($9 million) film for 20th Century?Fox called “The Rose,” which has a director, producers, actors and actresses like any other movie, and is based on the life of Janis Joplin, but which in the end is all Midler. She is in virtually every frame and she is being paid $500,000 plus a healthy percentage of the profits for her effort, a huge sum for a first outing before the cameras and an indication of the enthusiasm Hollywood will muster these days for promising female talent in the wake of the successes of Barbra Streisand, Faye Dunaway, Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton and Jill Clayburgh. As further evidence that the industry has decided that Midler belongs on that list, United Artists has already signed her to a second picture, this one a comedy with no singing, and she will get $850,000 for that. At the same time, several studios are bidding for her to star in a new film of “Gypsy,” a darker, Kurt Weill?like rendering of the Broadway musical, and plans are under way to create for her an original screen drama based on the life of the early 20th?century anarchist Emma Goldman. ? “The excitement of this,” said Bruce Vilanch, one of Midler’s writers, “is more about finding a new female star than it is about a singer trying to get into pictures. Donna Summer in ‘Thank God It’s ‘While Bette Midler has made records, played nightclubs, toured and done two television specials, she has never fully escaped the image of the rhinestone?corseted, “trash with flash,” camped?up Jeanne d’Arch of the Tubs.’ Friday,’ that’s a case of a singer getting into pictures.” A parallel often drawn is with Streisand. Both share the image of goslings who became glamorous, and who place great emphasis on staging their songs. One Los Angeles publication, giddy over the possibility of a new Hollywood star war, reported that the two had met at an Equal Rights Amendment party at a local luau this spring and had fallen into a face?slapping match over the issue of Palestine. Actually, the two women met for the only time at a Grammy Awards ceremony. ## Midler, who agonizes over her looks, has, thanks to liquid protein (“It came in these plastic bottles that looked just like ‘Janitor?in?a?Drum.’ It tasted like it, too”), trimmed herself down from 119 to 100 pounds and has tinted her once?orange hair (its real color is brown) honey. Midler fans married to the old cheeky stage persona will not recognize their heroine. Her character in “The Rose” is in no way a send?up. Patterned as s composite of a number of 60’s rock stars, but modeled most notably on Janis Joplin, Rose is much more literal, sincere, vulnerable and sexy than the characters Midler has peopled her shows with. Also, the vulgarity exceeds anything that Midler, no stranger to munch, has ever attempted. Said Vilanch: “There might be disappointment from some of her old fans who want the film to be more ‘Tutti?Frutti Serenade’ or ‘Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here,’ with Bette playing all the parts. But I think even her most devoted followers want her to into other areas.” ? Studio viewers, watching the dailies as the 14?week shooting schedule came to an end this summer, had little doubt that Midler can be a compelling screen actress. There is not a detractor among the cast and crew, a group not always given to generosity in receivng an unproven leading lady in its midst. Fabled years ago as a flaming termagant backstage, Midler has caused only one unscripted scene in the filming of “The Rose.” It had to do with her scarf catching on a nail and coiling her backward one time too many in an airport sequence, and it was, in her words, “a very tasteful tantrum” for which she immediately apologized to the witnesses She has worked hard, and she has been particularly impressive in her ability to shed artifice and project feelings with convincing honesty, a feat one wouldn’t have assumed the Midler of the Carmen Miranda put?ons could pull off. It is that kind of truthfulness that film stars strive for; sham is quickly detected by a movie camera. A lot of good stage singers — Mary Martin, Ethel Merman, Carol Channing, to name three— have had their problems facing down a lens. One notable exception was a big?band singer of the 40’s named Doris Day. Alan Bates, Midler’s co?star in the film, said, “She’s a natural actress. She tries things a hundred different ways, has a tremendous sense of when something’s right or wrong and is quite uncompromising when she’s found it.” “As adult actors,” said Mark Rydell, director of “The Rose” and himself a former actor, “you spend your time peeling away the insulation. Bette is nude, available to all stimuli.” Rydell, whose directing credits include good ones (“Cinderella Liberty”) and bad ones (his most recent, “Harry and Walter Go to New York”), is rapturous about his star’s potential. “I think she’s really one of those people who come along once every 100 years . There’s some odd thing about her, being Jewish, raised in Honolulu, some strange and wonderful combination of genetic factors that has produced someone with instincts that are so free, so full and so deep. She’s like a gland that you throw salt on and it responds. She’s an American natural resource, and I feel very responsible recording her for history.” ? Midler comes in three different sizes. Standing by herself in the gloaming of backstage, intent on her work, she strikes one as a tiny, frail creature, a foal on untested legs. She wears no makeup and her hair is hidden beneath a black beret, lending her face a plaster?of?Paris?death?mask kind of starkness. “I have walked into her dressing room and not known she was there,” said Rydell. “Sitting there in her little robe and hat — you’d think she was a patient about to be taken to the intensivecare ward.” When she strides onto a concert stage, something of a metaphysical marvel occurs — her small engine begins turning out an impossible number of thermal energy units. She is large and loud, shaking her head with a vigor that sends the curls dancing around her temples like poppies in a high wind. She stands at stage center, hands on hips, chest thrust forward like a galleon’s proud bowsprit, then she skitters back and forth in front of the band like a sandpiper dodging sea spume on a beach. Her cheeks generate colors beyond a cosmetician’s touch, her eyes delight in being where she is and ask everyone watching to join in the fun, and the smile is a gorgeous ear?to?ear thing that makes her, although she will never believe it, quite beautiful Finally, up close, Midler seems to adjust to the dimensions of her company. You don’t have the sense of looking down at someone, and you’re also not addressing the strapper you’ve just seen on stage. She is confident, quickly conversational, willing to listen and prompt with a grin. Her humor, despite what you might anticipate, is not verbal. She does tell funny stories, but what you laugh over is not the narration, which leaps from cliché to cliché the way an outdoorsman steps on exposed rocks to ford a river, but the vocal inflections and accents, the oscillating eye feats of mischief and other wares off the storeroom shelf of the working physical comedienne. Her best conversational line came from one of her writers. “Bruce Vilanch said,” she relates with glee, “that we should rework the ‘Jaws 2’ slogan for my film and say, ‘Bette Midler in “The Rose”: Just when you thought it was safe to go to the movies again.“ **‘She has worked hard and been particularly impressive in her ability to shed artifice and project feeling with honesty, a feat one wouldn’t have assumed the Midler of the Carmen Miranda put?ons could pull off.’** ? Hollywood personalities, confronted by iaterviewers from the East, make a lunge for profundity by mentioning books they are reading. True to form, Midler, curled into the corner of a sofa in a Spanishstyle Sunset Boulevard bungalow late one night after 14 hours on the set, dropped the names of Saki, Evelyn Waugh and W. Somerset Maugham in the first five minutes of an interview. She said her favorite activity after appearing in a rock concert — a time when musicians commonly are so wired that they need hours of night life to wind down — is “to come home and read. I’d rather just go home with Charles Dickens or something.” Midler snuggling up to David Copperfield is hard to picture. A little more posturing greeted a request that she talk about the possibility of becoming a movie star. “I think it’s all very nice,” she said, flouncing her head and shoulders saucily, rolling her eyes upward and smoothing her lap like a fastidious clubwoman. Then a new character appeared, this one leaning forward, fearful and earnest. “You think my life will change? God,” the voice dropped to basso, the eyelids drooped, she summoned fatigue to her face, “if my life would only change.” These cameos completed, she answered the question: “It’s so easy, it’s sooooo easy. You don’t have to get up there for four hours every night and sweat like a pig. They sort of come and get you when they need you and they feed you when you want to be fed. It’s very self?indulgent, I find. And if you have any kind of standards about your craft at all you can push on through, and that’s very exciting. “I’ve also discovered in doing this film that people really do respect me. In rockand?roll you don’t feel that so much because in popular music, if you’re not on the charts every minute of the day, you really feel you’re a failure, and it’s not like that in acting. If you do the scene well and they see the dailies, they’ll come to you and say, ‘You know, that’s a good piece of work you did.’ “And people respect me because I’m full of ideas and full of invention. There are a lot of people here with lots of experience in making movies, and they really respect me because I’m not making it with the gaffer and not making it with the soundman, though he’s cute, and they know I really love what I do. I’m ready for the work.” ? She would have gut her shot earlier if it hadn’t been for the career master plan of Aaron Russo, her manager since the contemplation?of?legend conversation six years ago. The Stockard Channing role in “The Fortune,” the Talia Shire role in “Rocky.” the Jessica Lange role in “King Kong,” the Barbara Harris role in “Nashville,” film biographies of Sophie Tucker, Dorothy Parker and Texas Guinan, the ill?fated “Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood” — all were under active consideration as vehicles for Midler. Russo said no to all of them. “I wanted her first film to be a role that only Bette Midler could play,” said Russo, pacing the Fox back?lot office he occupies along with countless pictures of Midler, gold record citations and posters from past concerts. “I mean, who else could play ‘The Ruse’? Liza Minnelli? You know what I’m saying?” Russo has placed her periodically in Hollywood &Ales so that local moguls could look over his property. On one such occasion, Marvin Worth, the producer of both the Broadway and film versions of “Lenny,” caught her act at the Troubadour on Santa Monica Boulevard and that night discussed with a friend the possibility of putting her in a film biography of Janis Joplin. It was to take five years, five directors, one co?producer (Russo) and a number of reworkings of the original screenplay to bring “The Rose” to flower. Asked what aspect of the central character most closely approximated herself, Midler said, “Rose wants to be looked at while at the same time she doesn’t want to be looked at because she knows she’s not that attractive. There’s lots of that stuff I’ve drawn on from myself.” Midler is obsessed with her appearance. She has a habit of nudging the tip of her nose back into line with the rest of it, and she is constantly at her hair, fluffing it, twisting strands of it around her finger, shaking it loose. “I haven’t seen the dailies,” she said, “because I’m a little nutty about my looks, though it’s not quite so bad now that I’ve lost weight. I was afraid I would get very self?conscious and start turning my good side to the camera. I don’t want to stiffen up. I don’t want to freak out, because I’ve got so many other things on my mind. I’m so crazed that I probably would have stopped it if I had seen anything I didn’t like. I decided I will not see any of it and just trust in ? Midler saw Joplin perform once in 1967. “I must have told 15 people afterward, ‘I’m not saying I’m Janis, but I am saying that the energy is mine.’ “ Russo, 35?year?old son of the owner of a Manhattan lingerie firm, has been harnessing that energy for the past six years. He has become the most important person in the 32?yearold life of Bette Midler, daughter of a house painter from Honolulu by way of Paterson, N.J. The relationship reminds one of other fabled tough?guychanteuse collaborations like Sid Luft and Judy Garland, Marty Melcher and Doris Day and the contemporary example, Jeff Wald and Helen Reddy. Russo still speaks as if he had never left the Bensonhurst of his youth; he has yet to find his way to the final “r” in Midler’s name. Like Midler, he is a college dropout; she did one year at the University of Hawaii; he, four months at Tampa University in Florida. After a brief stint in the family business, he got into promoting rock, opening clubs in Chicago (The Kinetic Playhouse) and Detroit (The East Town Theater) and becoming, in his own words, the “Avis” to Fillmore entrepreneur Bill Graham’s “Hertz.” He subsequently operated a small record label called Kinetic for Columbia Records and had given up the whole music business for silver and gold trading in New York when, in 1972, he met Midler. He had seen her on the “Tonight” show two years before and had tried unsuccessfully to persuade Clive Davis of Columbia Records to sign her. Then at a Radio City Music Hall rock concert in 1972 he ran into a boyhood friend who told him Midler was unhappy with her Artists’ Entertainment Complex management and was looking for someone new to direct her career. For Russo, it was the call. Russo literally looks the heavy. He has become so overweight in recent years that the middle part of his body can move latitudinally while the rest of him is on a longitudinal course. When he walks he must carry his arms away from his torso like a Western gunfighter about to draw. He doesn’t hesitate to throw any of his heft around in Midler’s behalf, and the wide and jagged swath he cuts is littered with the wounded and vengeful. He and Midler, lovers for the first six months of their association, fight noisily and physically, often in the company of whoever happens to be there. This has led a lot of people to think — many of them to hope — that she will leave him. The prediction doesn’t take into account the complementary nature, however perverse, of their relationship, and the forecasters will probably be disappointed. “Many people think our relationship is unhealthy,” conceded Midler. “As a matter of fact, most of them do. But Aaron thinks I’m the greatest thing that ever walked, and he did when nobody else did. He’s not personally graceful, but he does what he thinks is best for me. Sometimes he’s wrong, but most of the time he’s right. I’m the only person he has. Who else is there on the market who has that? I consider myself very lucky to have someone who devotes all of his energies and time to my career. Why would I dump that? Who am I going to get? Some nice New York lawyer with 150 clients ? I can quarrel with Aaron’s methods. I fight with him all the time. But some of our work has been very good work. Some of it has been work that no other two people could do together. He knows how to present me, and he knows the timing and the ticket prices and who’s going to come and what it’s going to mean for me and when to push me this way and when to push me that way, all of which I know nothing about. We play pretty terrible games with each other, but in its way it’s a good relationship.” Russo, seated in his Fox office, took off his yellow?frame sunglasses, planted them in his curly black hair like a giant plastic staple, and gave his side of it. “I’m not holding her by a piece of paper,” he said, turning his empty palms up. “It’s been six years without a contract. A lot of people do not understand our relationship. I love the woman so much. I think our ties are so strong. She would be broken if we split and so would I. We yell and scream, but I don’t think there’s anyone else whose decisions she can trust. She’s insecure. When we were lovers, there was a lot of shrieking and yelling in business that had nothing to do with business. It was very difficult to end the personal relationship and keep the business one intact, but we did it. The bottom line is that I need her approval, and she needs mine.” They did split once, and their path back to each other involved a home movie that Midler made years ago in what literally was her film debut. At the time, Midler was playing a club in Ontario, and a man who called himself a poet came up from Detroit and signed her for $150 to play Mary, the mother of Jesus, in a movie entitled “The Greatest Story Ever Overtold.” In 1974, with Midler now a great attraction, the film surfaced at a 57th Street theater, retitled “The Divine Mr. J.,” with Bette Midler billed as its star. The Divine One herself was at that moment in Paris, having vowed she would go anywhere to get away from Russo, who had brought forth that pledge by emptying a bottle of CocaCola on her head in an argument minutes before she was to play a full house at the Palace Theater. Seeing the film open in New York, Russo also saw his chance to entice his star back. Throwing a sandwich board over his body, he stood guard on the curb outside the theater in the rain, alerting potential theatergoers that Midler appeared in only eight minutes of the film. He then took to a telephone booth, called Paris and described his gallantry in de tail to Midler, who was miserable in the French city anyway and looking for an excuse to come home. “He saved me from disgrace,” Midler said with divalike dramatics, recalling the incident. ? Midler’s parents live in Hawaii, which she left for New York in 1965, using the earnings from being an extra in the George Roy Hill film “Hawaii.” She landed a chorus spot here in “Fiddler on the Roof” and eventually graduated to the role of Tevye’s oldest daughter, Tzeitel. A teacher at her acting studio told her that the Continental Baths wanted to book entertainment, and thus began her attention?getting performances there. Guest spots on the Carson show and two albums —“Bette Midler” and “The Divine Miss M” — got her a national following, and soon she was on the road with her own show. She broke various attendance records on Broadway with her 1973 revue at the Palace and again in 1975 with her “Clams on the Half Shell” extravaganza. In 1976 she did a bawdy Home Box Office television special and a year later came up with a sanitized version for NBC called “Bette Midler: Ol’Red Hair Is Back.” She has made three more records, but none of them have done as well as the two predecessors. So much of the Midler appeal has to do with stage presentation that studio recordings of her singing don’t draw the crowds that her live performances do, She returns to Hawaii once each year, but, she says, she can’t remember much about growing up there. The family originally settled there, she said, when her father selected it as the place farthest away from his domineering mother in Paterson, N.J. The circumstances of her birth have given Midler a series of one?liners about being the only Jewish girl in a Samoan neighborhood, but there was clearly more poignancy than the gags suggest. “My mother just wanted to grow up Jewish somewhere,” Midler said, “and suddenly there she was as the only white person, a whole other category, and she never got over it.” Midler was one of four children. An older sister, Judith, also came to New York, but she died 10 years ago when a car emerging from a West 44th Street parking garage went out of control and fatally pinned her against the wall of a building across the street. A retarded brother lives with the family in Hawaii. ‘Her relationship to Russo is like other fabled tough?guychanteuse collaborations, such as Sid Luft and Judy Garland, Marty Melcher and Doris Day and the contemporary example, Jeff Wald and Helen Reddy.’ Perhaps her greatest lasting disappointment has been the neglect her father has shown for her career. He has never seen her perform live. “I wanted him to for a long time, but then I gave it up,” she said, speaking with care. “He finally saw me on the NBC special, and he said it wasn’t so bad. ‘It wasn’t so had,’ that’s what he said.” She lighted a cigarette and looked out the window at the desultory latenight traffic on Sunset Boulevard. In a moment, her attention returned. “They’ve actually been more supportive recently. They’re so far away, you know. My mother loves my success. She thinks show business is the greatest thing on earth.” It was her mother who named her after Bette Davis and who pronounced it with one syllable because she thought that was the way Davis said it. “She’s seen me live plenty, but my pop hasn’t because, well, he doesn’t like bad language. He once said, ‘Son of a bitch.’ Once. When someone stole his car, he said, ‘Son of a bitch,’ and I never forgot it. “It’s too bad the language has deteriorated, and, you know, I didn’t want to add to that. I wanted to do something that said it more beautifully than …. What can I say? That’s what they gave me in this movie.” ? Russo filed the flight plan for Midier’s trajectory into movies years ago. “From the time we started, we knew movies would be the answer,” he said. “Movies are the art form of the day. To be a true legend, you can’t do it just in music.” The movies were on his mind, he said, when he put Midler into the Palace in 1973. “No singer played on Broadway in those days. But I wanted her there because Broadway means a movie crowd and an intelligent New York crowd.” For the “Clams on the Half Shell” revue a year or so later, Russo brought in a director and bankrolled a visually extravagant production. “That’s when the movie calls began coming,” he said. “I expected movie executives to come. It was a legitimate Broadway production, and I wanted them to see her acting talent.” Television was ruled out. “It would have been easy to do TV shows. could have just picked up the phone and done game shows, talk shows, guest specials. But my feeling is that when you do too much television, people cease to be curious about you. Look at what’s happened to Cher.” ? Midler will not put her singing behind her, however. “Many stars’ biggest mistake,” Russo said, “is to lose personal touch with an audience. We’re interested in longevity as opposed to quick dollars. You have to understand that we’ve turned down millions, literally millions, of dollars. That’s why you see her in the Roxy, the Copa and other small clubs like that instead of stadiums. Stadiums are a lot less work and a lot more money, you know.” At the moment, Midler is back in Hollywood, having just completed a tour of England, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Australia, designed at least in part to acquaint foreign audiences with her and create interest in the film abroad. Once the post?production work on “The Rose” is finished, she’ll begin the shooting of her next film, a comedy with the current working title of “Strike and Hyde” and a story line as bizarre as the zaniest fantasies from the Midler stage acts. Midler plays a Hawaiian woman named Leslie Strike who goes to Las Vegas to become a comedienne, meets a New York psychiatrist named Norman Hyde, who has come to Las Vegas to lecture Gamblers Anonymous on his new book, “The Self?Destructive Ape,” and falls in love with him while his wife, seeing her marriage to Dr. Hyde lapsing, runs away with a black lounge singer. No sooner will that romp be on celluloid than Midler will be busy starting to promote “The Rose.” All this would seem to be enough to entitle even a working girl of Midler’s ambitious lust to some time off, but there appear to be no rest stops on the road to legend. Russo has charted that path tar into the future. It includes world tours, more movies, better management of her recordings, extended bookings in foreign cities and a Broadway musical five years from now. His goal, Russo said, is one that will be realized quite literally by her appearance on a movie screen. He wants, he said, to make Midler “larger than life.” ? Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20Dec%2010%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Goes%20Hollywood&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20Dec%2010%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Goes%20Hollywood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20Dec%2010%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Goes%20Hollywood&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20Dec%2010%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Goes%20Hollywood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20Dec%2010%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Goes%20Hollywood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Aaron Russo, Bette Midler, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Hollywood, #MarkRydell, #Movies, #TheRose, AaronRussso --- ### [30 Hocus Pocus Quotes You Need To Know](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/10/01/30-hocus-pocus-quotes-you-need-to-know/) **Published:** October 1, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the evil Sanderson Sisters, “Hocus Pocus” is full of iconic costumes, characters, songs, and of course, quotes. **Content:** --- ## Today 30 ‘Hocus Pocus’ quotes to share during spooky season By Sophie Caldwell Oct 1, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/il_1140xN.4204201215_lnyd-824x1024.jpg "Il_1140xn. 4204201215_lnyd - bootleg betty")--- If you’re in the mood for a Halloween movie, you can’t go wrong with a witchy classic like [**“Hocus Pocus.”**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2023/10/28/hocus-pocus-secrets-revealed/) Though “Hocus Pocus” was initially panned by critics when it premiered in 1993, the movie is now a beloved Halloween mainstay for viewers of all ages. Starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the evil Sanderson Sisters, “Hocus Pocus” is full of iconic costumes, characters, songs, and of course, quotes. Skeptical new kid Max learns that Salem’s legends aren’t “just a bunch of hocus pocus” when he accidentally awakens the Sanderson Sisters on Halloween night. Max then enlists the help of his crush Allison, his little sister Dani, a talking cat, and a centuries-old zombie to defeat the sisters before they can take over the town of Salem. As terrifying as the witchy trio may be, you’ll be hard-pressed not to laugh at hilarious lines like Winifred Sanderson’s quips, “Oh, look. Another glorious morning. Makes me sick!” and “Why was I cursed with such idiot sisters?” Three decades after the original film’s debut, “Hocus Pocus” has become a cult classic, and the Sanderson Sisters are still in high demand: A sequel, “Hocus Pocus 2,” was released in 2022, and “Hocus Pocus 3” is currently in development. In the days leading up to Halloween, brush up on your “Hocus Pocus” knowledge with these spooky, silly, and spellbinding quotes from the movie. **‘Hocus Pocus’ [Quotes](https://www.goodreads.com/quotes) from the Movie:** “Oh, look. Another glorious morning. Makes me sick!” — Winifred Sanderson “My lucky rat tail! Just where I left it.” — Sarah Sanderson “Oh, come on. It’s just a bunch of hocus pocus.” — Max “It’s a full moon tonight. That’s why all the weirdos are out.” — Dani “You know, I’ve always wanted a child. And now I think I’ll have one … on toast!” — Winifred Sanderson “Come on. Think soothing thoughts. Rabid bats, black death. Mummy’s scorpion pie.” — Mary Sanderson “Sisters, All Hallow’s Eve has become a night of frolic, where children wear costumes and run amok!” — Winifred Sanderson “Amok! Amok, amok, amok, amok.” — Sarah Sanderson “You hag! There are not enough children in the world to make thee young and beautiful.” — Thackery Binx “We must find the book, brew the potion and suck the lives out of the children of Salem before sunrise. Otherwise it’s curtains. We evaporate! We cease to exist! Dost thou comprehend?” — Winifred Sanderson “Let’s light this sucker and meet the old broads.” — Max “Farewell, mortal bus boy!” — Sarah Sanderson “I put a spell on you and now you’re mine.” —Winifred Sanderson “Wench! Trollop! You buck toothed, mop riding firefly from hell! I’ve waited centuries to say that.” — Billy Butcherson “I am beautiful! Boys will love me!” — Sarah Sanderson Winifred: “Don’t get your knickers in a twist! We’re just three kindly old spinster ladies.” Mary: “Spending a quiet evening at home.” Sarah: “Sucking the lives out of little children!” “Why was I cursed with such idiot sisters?” — Winifred Sanderson “Everyone here knows that Halloween was invented by the candy companies. It’s a conspiracy.” — Max “You’re my kitty now. You’ll have milk and tuna fish every day. And you’ll only hunt mice for fun.” — Dani “Bubble, bubble, I’m in trouble!” — Bus driver Max: “Dani, this is the girl of my dreams.” Dani: “So take her to the movies like a normal person.” “Come, we fly!” — Winifred Sanderson “Dead man’s toe! Dead man’s toe! Dead! Dead! Dead!” — Sarah Sanderson “I smell a child.” — Mary Sanderson “Thackery Binx, thou mangy feline. Still alive?” — Winifred Sanderson “Come little children, I’ll take thee away / Into a land of enchantment / Come little children, the time’s come to play / Here in my garden of magic.” — Sarah Sanderson “It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, you sold your soul! You’re the ugliest thing that ever lived, and you know it.” — Dani Billy Butcherson: “Go to hell!” Winifred: “Oh, I’ve been there, thank you. I found it quite lovely.” “Damn that boy, he’s tricked us again.” — Winifred Sanderson “I shall always be with you.” — Thackery Binx Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=30%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Quotes%20You%20Need%20To%20Know&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=30%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Quotes%20You%20Need%20To%20Know%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=30%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Quotes%20You%20Need%20To%20Know&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=30%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Quotes%20You%20Need%20To%20Know%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=30%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Quotes%20You%20Need%20To%20Know%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler --- ### [Nathan Lane Joins Bette Midler In The Upcoming Comedy Movie, CUT OFF](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/30/nathan-lane-joins-bette-midler-in-the-upcoming-comedy-movie-cut-off/) **Published:** September 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Deadline reports that Nathan Lane and Bette Midler will play the parents of Jonah Hill and Kristen Wiig in Cut Off, which Hill also directs. **Content:** --- ## Broadway World Nathan Lane and Bette Midler to Play Jonah Hill’s Parents in New Comedy CUT OFF By: Josh Sharpe Sep. 30, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-30_11-59-52.png "2025-09-30_11-59-52 - bootleg betty") --- A pair of Tony winners are making their way to the big screen in a new comedy feature from Warner Bros. Deadline reports that Nathan Lane and Bette Midler will play the parents of Jonah Hill and Kristen Wiig in Cut Off, which Hill also directs. The movie follows two siblings (Hill and Wiig) whose wealthy parents cut them off financially. It will be released in theaters worldwide on July 17, 2026, by Warner Bros. In addition to directing and starring, Hill co-wrote the screenplay with Ezra Woods and will also produce under his Strong Baby banner. Other producers include Matt Dines and Ali Goodwin. Lane most recently appeared on screen in shows like Mid-Century Modern, The Gilded Age, and Only Murders in the Building. He won Tony Awards for his performances in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Producers, and Angels in America. Additional Broadway credits include Pictures From Home, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus, The Front Page, It’s Only a Play, Present Laughter, Merlin, Wind in the Willows, Some Americans Abroad, On Borrowed Time, Guys and Dolls, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Frogs, The Odd Couple, Butley, November, Waiting for Godot, The Addams Family, and The Nance. Midler’s recent screen credits include comedy The Fabulous Four and 2022’s Hocus Pocus 2, which had the biggest streaming premiere in Disney+ history at the time. In 2017, she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her starring role in Hello, Dolly! She previously appeared on Broadway in I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat With Sue Mengers and Fiddler on the Roof, which marked her Broadway debut. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Nathan%20Lane%20Joins%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Upcoming%20Comedy%20Movie%2C%20CUT%20OFF&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Nathan%20Lane%20Joins%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Upcoming%20Comedy%20Movie%2C%20CUT%20OFF%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Nathan%20Lane%20Joins%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Upcoming%20Comedy%20Movie%2C%20CUT%20OFF&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Nathan%20Lane%20Joins%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Upcoming%20Comedy%20Movie%2C%20CUT%20OFF%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Nathan%20Lane%20Joins%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Upcoming%20Comedy%20Movie%2C%20CUT%20OFF%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #CutOff, #Movie, #NathanLane --- ### [The Real Story Behind Hocus Pocus](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/30/the-real-story-behind-hocus-pocus/) **Published:** September 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Did you know that Hocus Pocus is based on real life murders and torture that killed nearly 200 people in the 1600s? **Content:** --- ## JoBlo The True Story Behind Hocus Pocus (1993): What Really Happened? By Kier Gomes Sept 30, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-30_04-17-31.png "2025-09-30_04-17-31 - bootleg betty")--- Did you know that [**Hocus Pocus**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/02/20/hocus-pocus-and-its-ever-growing-legacy/) is based on real-life murders and torture that killed nearly 200 people in the 1600s? Do I have your attention? The Salem witch trials of the late 1600s claimed the lives of men and women believed to be actual sorcerers of the dark arts who were said to be plaguing the town of Salem with black magic and satanic seduction. And ya know what… Disney made a classic, beloved family comedy about it that you, me, and just about everyone we know watch every single year for Halloween. But what if I told you that the REAL story wasn’t exactly a cozy popcorn story you’d show your kids, but instead a dark and violent rampage that had nothing to do with talking cats or wise-cracking zombies? In today’s episode, we’re going to discuss the real Salem witch trials and how the story compares to the widely beloved ’90s nostalgia bomb that is Hocus Pocus. Additionally, I have information about how Sarah Jessica Parker might actually be connected to the real story. Let’s get into it. For those of you who don’t know, Hocus Pocus is the story of the Sanderson Sisters, a coven of sibling witches who are burned at the stake in the 1600s after being accused of witchcraft, and their home is turned into a museum of the macabre practices they used. Then, hundreds of years later, a new Salem resident, a virgin named Max, lights the black flame candle in their museum, which brings them back to life for one night on Halloween to capture the souls of the town’s children and remain young forever. So, you know, right off the bat, Disney is playing into the idea that these women were, in fact, witches and portrays the sisters as likable antagonists who do harbor ill intent towards the children of the town. But in REAL life, none of this was ever actually proven. The movie’s “[**Sanderson Sisters**](https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Sanderson_Sisters)” are loosely based on a trio of REAL sisters from the 1600s called “The Towne Sisters,” who were accused of witchcraft by the town of Topsfield, MA and used as a catalyst for the witch trials. See, while Hocus Pocus may need to rely on the sisters being actual witches in order for the movie to work, in the real story, the conviction of these women was much more… complicated. So, where did this all start? What made the town SO deadset on these sisters being twisted mistresses of evil? Well, would you believe me if I said that (like every conflict in the 1600s) this all started over a property dispute? It’s not as sexy out loud as it seems in the script… The Towne Family lived in Topsfield, which bordered on what was then known as Salem Village. Their farm was located right next door to a respected Salem family, the Putnams. While the two families could never agree on where one farm property stopped and the other began, it hardly seemed like witchcraft. But the Putnams always had negative things to say about the Townes. And this sparked the initial conflict. Over time, the Putnams would openly accuse the Towne family of being evil witches with an agenda to gain the trust of the locals. And seeing as before these claims, the sisters were a respected religious family, it became easy to see their status as threatening if they WERE fooling the townsfolk. By the spring of 1692, fear was spreading like wildfire through Salem Village. Whispers of witchcraft had already claimed neighbors, friends, and strangers alike — and soon, they would touch the lives of three sisters from the Towne family. Rebecca Nurse was the eldest, seventy-one years old, frail, and almost deaf. To everyone in Topsfield and Salem, she was known for her kindness, her unwavering devotion to God, and her calm presence. If ever there was a woman above suspicion, it was Rebecca. Yet in March, a now historic group of witnesses to witchcraft known as “the afflicted girls” began to convulse in the town’s meetinghouse, crying out that Rebecca’s “specter”/ghosts tormented them. Basically, they claimed that she was spawning ghosts and spirits from beyond the grave to haunt and possess them. Old grudges stirred: the Putnams, who had quarreled bitterly with the Towne family over land, pressed the charge. Despite dozens signing a petition in her defense, Rebecca was brought to trial. At first, even the judges hesitated. But when one of the girls screamed that Rebecca’s ghost pinched her in open court, the tide turned. On July 19, 1692, Rebecca Nurse was hanged on Gallows Hill. Her death did not end the accusations. Only weeks later, Mary Eastey — another of the Towne sisters — was named. Like Rebecca, Mary was admired for her involvement with the church. She was arrested, then briefly released when the court doubted the charges. But the afflicted girls renewed their claims with greater fury, insisting that her spirit tortured them at night. Mary was taken again, and this time there would be no escape. Before her execution, she wrote a petition to the judges, begging not for her own life but that they end the shedding of innocent blood. On September 22, she too was hanged. The youngest sister, Sarah Cloyce, also fell under suspicion. Her “crime” was walking out of church in protest when the minister preached against Rebecca, her beloved sister. To leave in such a fashion was seen as a bold defense of a witch — and in Salem, such defiance was dangerous. Sarah was accused and imprisoned, but unlike Rebecca and Mary, she survived. The madness ended before her trial was complete, and she was eventually released. And these aren’t the only cases of this happening in those days. This was the Puritan era, where over 200 men and women were accused of these practices, and out of them, 19 were hanged to death, one man was pressed (or squashed) to death, and at least 10 more died in prison of either starvation, or bacterial infections suffered from wounds they were given during daily beatings. And that was in 1692 ALONE. Now, obviously, nobody wants to watch that with their 6-year-old kid at Halloween, right? RIGHT? So, the general vibe of the entire story had to be changed to suit the type of movie that we might wanna watch again and again. With the movie obviously choosing to frame the sisters as actual witches and given the fact that the town does, in fact, have a history of accused witchcraft, we, of course, eat it up every single time. Now, I also mentioned that Sarah Jessica Parker may have a connection to this real-life story, and that’s true. It was discovered sometime during the production of the film (through research that Sarah Jessica Parker did for the role) that she is a descendant of Esther Elwell, who was accused of witchcraft in the Salem trials but survived because the court dissolved before her execution could be carried out. Spooky. And the similarities between the real events and the film only became more scarce when the recent Hocus Pocus 2 gave audiences an insight into the origin story of the witches, and we learn that they were NEVER respected figures in their town, or anywhere else. In real life, though, the story is more akin to Robert Eggers’ The Witch than it is to the quirky and charming adventures of Hocus Pocus. With Thomasin being accused of witchcraft that she ISN’T performing, until Black Phillip, like… makes her a witch for real, and then the whole comparison falls apart. Although I personally also like to revisit The Witch every Halloween, so what does that say about me? But obviously, it’s just more fun to think of these witch trials as spooky folklore for the fall season than it is to think about a group of sisters who were hanged and tortured over a couple of daisies overgrowing onto their neighbors’ lawn. But folks, that is the REAL story of the Towne sisters, or the closest real-life counterparts to the Sanderson Sisters, and their tragic downfall from respected public figures in their community, to outcasts who suffered a horrific fate at the hands of the very people they worked so hard to intermingle with. Were you having a good day? Sorry if I ruined it for you. Happy Halloween season! --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Real%20Story%20Behind%20Hocus%20Pocus&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Real%20Story%20Behind%20Hocus%20Pocus%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Real%20Story%20Behind%20Hocus%20Pocus&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Real%20Story%20Behind%20Hocus%20Pocus%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Real%20Story%20Behind%20Hocus%20Pocus%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HocusPocus2, #Movies, #SandersonSisters, #Story --- ### [BetteBack December 13, 1978: Bette Midler Gets Profiled In The New York Times](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/30/betteback-december-13-1978-bette-midler-gets-profiled-in-the-new-york-times/) **Published:** September 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- **Times-Picayune** **December 13, 1978** --- [![rose-1979-05-g](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/rose-1979-05-g-450x293.jpg "Rose-1979-05-g - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71277) --- [![2017-05-15_2-36-15](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-15_2-36-15-450x382.png "2017-05-15_2-36-15 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71275) [![2017-05-15_2-37-17](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-15_2-37-17.png "2017-05-15_2-37-17 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71276) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20%20December%2013%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Gets%20Profiled%20In%20The%20New%20York%20Times&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20%20December%2013%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Gets%20Profiled%20In%20The%20New%20York%20Times%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20%20December%2013%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Gets%20Profiled%20In%20The%20New%20York%20Times&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20%20December%2013%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Gets%20Profiled%20In%20The%20New%20York%20Times%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20%20December%2013%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Gets%20Profiled%20In%20The%20New%20York%20Times%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Profile, #TheRose --- ### [Bette Midler Joins Jonah Hill & Kristen Wiig In New Movie Comedy ‘Cut Off’](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/29/bette-midler-joins-jonah-hill-kristen-wiig-in-new-movie-comedy-cut-off/) **Published:** September 29, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Two-time Oscar nominee Bette Midler has inked a deal to star alongside Jonah Hill and Kristen Wiig in Cut Off **Content:** --- ## Deadline Bette Midler Joins Jonah Hill & Kristen Wiig In New Movie Comedy ‘Cut Off’ By Matt Grobar Sep 29, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/gettyimages-2218335718-594x594-1.jpg "Gettyimages-2218335718-594x594 - bootleg betty")New york new york june 02 bette midler attends the center hosts fashion centered 2025 fundraiser dinner at the center on june 02 2025 in new york city photo by jamie mccarthygetty images --- Two-time Oscar nominee Bette Midler has inked a deal to star alongside Jonah Hill and Kristen Wiig in *Cut Off*, the new comedy that Jonah Hill co-wrote and will direct for Warner Bros. Pictures. In the film, following rich siblings (Hill & Wiig) who are cut off from their parents, Midler will play the family matriarch. Written by Ezra Woods and Hill, pic will shoot this fall with Strong Baby’s Matt Dines and Ali Goodwin producing alongside Hill. Jesse Ehrman and Zach Hamby are overseeing for the studio, which has slated the film for release in theaters worldwide on July 17, 2026. The rare film shooting in California these days, the film is doing so with a $10M tax credit, as previously reported. A multi-hyphenate musical talent who broke out with the 1979 drama *The Rose*, Midler is also known for turns in films like *Down and Out in Beverly Hills*, *Beaches*, *For the Boys*, and *The First Wives Club*. Over the course of her six-decade career, she’s been honored with four Golden Globes, three Grammys, three Emmys, two Tonys, and a Kennedy Center Honor, with two Oscar nominations as well, as previously mentioned. Most recently, Midler has been seen in the sequel to her classic Disney film *Hocus Pocus*, which [broke streaming records](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/hocus-pocus-2-sets-nielsen-195850928.html) for Disney+, as well as films like *Sitting in Bars with Cake* and *The Fabulous Four*. She is repped by CAA and Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Joins%20Jonah%20Hill%20%26%20Kristen%20Wiig%20In%20New%20Movie%20Comedy%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Joins%20Jonah%20Hill%20%26%20Kristen%20Wiig%20In%20New%20Movie%20Comedy%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Joins%20Jonah%20Hill%20%26%20Kristen%20Wiig%20In%20New%20Movie%20Comedy%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Joins%20Jonah%20Hill%20%26%20Kristen%20Wiig%20In%20New%20Movie%20Comedy%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Joins%20Jonah%20Hill%20%26%20Kristen%20Wiig%20In%20New%20Movie%20Comedy%20%E2%80%98Cut%20Off%E2%80%99%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Cut Off, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #CutOff, #Movie --- ### [BetteBack Nov. 9, 1978: The Rose Getting Released A Year Late](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/29/betteback-nov-9-1978-the-rose-getting-released-a-year-late/) **Published:** September 29, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- **Springfield Union November 9, 1978** --- [![hqdefault](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/hqdefault-450x338.jpg "Hqdefault - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71178) --- [![2017-05-12_3-40-30](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12_3-40-30-450x245.png "2017-05-12_3-40-30 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71177) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20%20Nov.%209%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Rose%20Getting%20Released%20A%20Year%20Late&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20%20Nov.%209%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Rose%20Getting%20Released%20A%20Year%20Late%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20%20Nov.%209%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Rose%20Getting%20Released%20A%20Year%20Late&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20%20Nov.%209%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Rose%20Getting%20Released%20A%20Year%20Late%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20%20Nov.%209%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Rose%20Getting%20Released%20A%20Year%20Late%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** Bette Midler, Oscar, The Rose --- ### [New Songs In All 3 Jukeboxes](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/29/new-songs-in-all-3-jukeboxes/) **Published:** September 29, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** There are new songs in the Bette Midler Bootleg Betty Jukebox **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty New Songs In All 3 Jukeboxes By Mister D Sept 29, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/il_1140xN.5149485938_hq6t-884x1024.webp "Il_1140xn. 5149485938_hq6t - bootleg betty")--- There are new songs in the [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/boottube-betty-videos/) Bootleg Betty Jukebox: [**CLICK HERE**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) There are new songs in the Same Songs, Other Voices Jukebox: [**CLICK HERE**](https://bootlegbetty.com/same-songsother-voices/) And Don’t Forget The [**Karaoke**](https://www.smule.com/) Section: [**CLICK HERE**](https://bootlegbetty.com/karaoke-bette/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=New%20Songs%20In%20All%203%20Jukeboxes&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=New%20Songs%20In%20All%203%20Jukeboxes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=New%20Songs%20In%20All%203%20Jukeboxes&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=New%20Songs%20In%20All%203%20Jukeboxes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=New%20Songs%20In%20All%203%20Jukeboxes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, Bootleg Betty Jukebox, Karaoke Bette, Music, Same Songs, Songs **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #jukeboxes, #Music, #Songs --- ### [Video: Bette Midler & Barry Manilow - On A Slow Boat To China](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/28/video-bette-midler-barry-manilow-on-a-slow-boat-to-china/) **Published:** September 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The duet "On a Slow Boat to China" by Bette Midler and Barry Manilow is a playful, jazzy rendition of a classic 1948 song written by Frank Loesser. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler & Barry Manilow – On A Slow Boat To China By Mister D Sept 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/5ee14749-a6d5-43be-b32b-1c3443a53193.jpg "5ee14749-a6d5-43be-b32b-1c3443a53193 - bootleg betty")--- The duet “On a Slow Boat to China” by [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler_Sings_the_Rosemary_Clooney_Songbook) and [**Barry Manilow**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/barry-manilow/) is a playful, jazzy rendition of a classic 1948 song written by Frank Loesser. It was recorded for Midler’s 2003 album *Bette Midler Sings The Rosemary Clooney Songbook*, showcasing their chemistry as longtime collaborators (Manilow was her musical director and arranger early in her career). The song’s a flirty, old-school fantasy about whisking a lover away on a leisurely boat ride to China, with lyrics like, “I’d love to get you on a slow boat to China, all to myself alone.” - Style & Vibe: The track blends Midler’s brassy, theatrical delivery with Manilow’s smooth, pop-lounge croon, backed by a jazzy big-band arrangement. It’s cheeky, romantic, and dripping with retro charm, evoking the glamour of 1940s Hollywood. - Context: The song was a staple in Midler’s early cabaret-style performances, reflecting her love for reviving vintage standards. Manilow’s production gives it a polished ’70s pop sheen while keeping the nostalgic swing. - Cultural Impact: Though not a chart-topper like their solo hits, it’s a fan favorite from the album. In 2025, it’s seen a resurgence in China via Douyin (Chinese TikTok), with over 50 million views in September for #SlowBoatToChina challenges, tied to travel vlogs and KTV covers. A viral Bilibili clip of a Beijing jazz singer covering it (mimicking Midler’s rasp) hit 2M+ shares recently. - Lyrics Sample: “Out on the briny, with the moon big and shiny / Melting your heart of stone / I’d love to get you on a slow boat to China / All to myself alone.” The duet leans into the song’s coy innuendo, with Bette and Barry trading verses and harmonizing on the dreamy hook. Why It Resonates: The song’s escapist fantasy—sailing away with a lover—clicks with modern audiences craving slow, romantic vibes amid fast-paced life. In China, it’s caught on as a quirky soundtrack for “slow travel” content, especially among Gen Z on Douyin, who pair it with aesthetic river cruise videos. Its retro appeal also fits the global resurgence of vintage pop standards in 2025. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barry%20Manilow%20-%20On%20A%20Slow%20Boat%20To%20China&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barry%20Manilow%20-%20On%20A%20Slow%20Boat%20To%20China%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barry%20Manilow%20-%20On%20A%20Slow%20Boat%20To%20China&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barry%20Manilow%20-%20On%20A%20Slow%20Boat%20To%20China%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Barry%20Manilow%20-%20On%20A%20Slow%20Boat%20To%20China%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Rosemary Clooney, Songs, Video **Tags:** #Album, #BarryManilow, #BetteMidler, #RosemaryClooney, #Song, #Songbook, #Video --- ### [Freeforms 31 Days Of Halloween Movies Schedule](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/28/freeforms-31-days-of-halloween-movies-schedule/) **Published:** September 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Freeforms 31 Days Of Halloween Movies Schedule By Mister D Sept. 27, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/il_1140xN.1323130614_nezf-1024x896.webp "Il_1140xn. 1323130614_nezf - bootleg betty")--- ### Here’s The Full ’31 Nights Of Halloween’ Schedule For You Below ### Wednesday, October 1, 2025 - ***Edward Scissorhands*** at 12:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Haunted Mansion*** at 2:25 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 4:25 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Beetlejuice*** at 6:50 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 8:55 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Thursday, October 2, 2025 - ***Maleficent: Mistress of Evil*** at 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 1:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Beetlejuice*** at 3:20 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas*** at 5:20 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** at 6:55 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania 2*** at 9:00 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Friday, October 3, 2025 - ***The Witches*** at 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 12:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania* at 2:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** ***2*** at 4:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Monsters, Inc.*** at 6:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Monsters University*** at 8:35 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Beastly*** at 12:00 a.m. EDT/PDT ### Saturday, October 4, 2025 - ***The Witches*** at 7:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides*** at 9:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween*** at 12:05 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Edward Scissorhands*** at 2:05 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 4:35 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 6:45 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Beetlejuice*** at 9:15 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Haunted Mansion*** at 11:20 p.m EDT/PDT ### Sunday, October 5, 2025 - ***Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween*** at 7:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Twitches*** at 9:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Twitches Too*** at 11:05 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas*** at 1:05 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 2:45 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Beetlejuice*** at 5:15 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 7:20 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus 2*** at 9:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Matilda*** at 12:00 a.m. EDT/PDT ### Monday, October 6, 2025 - ***Live-Action Alice in Wonderland*** at 12:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Alice Through the Looking Glass*** at 2:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Matilda*** at 5:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Addams Family*** at 7:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Addams Family Values*** at 9:00 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - ***Edward Scissorhands*** at 12:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Addams Family*** at 2:25 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Addams Family Values*** at 4:25 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 6:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus 2*** at 8:35 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - ***Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl*** at 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest*** at 1:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** at 4:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania 2*** at 6:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 8:30 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Thursday, October 9, 2025 - ***Spooky Buddies*** at 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** at 12:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania 2*** at 2:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 4:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 6:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Beetlejuice*** at 8:55 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Friday, October 10, 2025 - ***Arachnophobia*** at 11:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Disturbia*** at 1:30 p.m. EDT/PDT (Freeform Premiere!) - ***Beetlejuice*** at 4:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street*** at 6:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Sleepy Hollow*** at 8:35 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Matilda*** at 12:00 a.m. EDT/PDT ### Saturday, October 11, 2025 - ***Mrs. Doubtfire*** at 7:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 10:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Haunted Mansion*** at 12:05 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Toy Story of TERROR!*** at 2:45 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** at 3:15 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania 2*** at 5:20 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Addams Family*** at 7:25 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Addams Family Values*** at 9:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Edward Scissorhands*** at 11:35 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Sunday, October 12, 2025 - ***The Black Cauldron*** at 7:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Spooky Buddies*** at 9:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Toy Story of TERROR!*** at 11:05 a.m. EDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** at 11:35 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania 2*** at 1:40 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Haunted Mansion*** at 3:40 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Addams Family*** at 5:40 p.m. EDT / PDT - ***Addams Family Values*** at 7:45 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 9:50 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Beetlejuice*** at 12:00 a.m. EDT/PDT ### Monday, October 13, 2025 – Tim Burton Day! - ***Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street*** at 12:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Sleepy Hollow*** at 2:35 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Beetlejuice*** at 5:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Edward Scissorhands*** at 7:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas*** at 9:25 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - ***Aladdin*** at 12:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Encanto*** at 2:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Haunted Mansion*** at 4:05 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Beetlejuice*** at 6:45 p.m. EDT/PDT (Pop N’ Knowledge) - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 8:50 p.m. EDT/PDT (Pop N’ Knowledge) ### Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - ***Maleficent: Mistress of Evil*** at 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 1:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween*** at 3:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Beetlejuice*** at 5:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** at 7:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania 2*** at 9:00 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Thursday, October 16, 2025 - ***Toy Story of TERROR!*** at 11:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween*** at 11:30 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** at 1:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania 2*** at 3:35 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Incredibles*** at 5:40 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Incredibles 2*** at 8:20 p.m. EDT / PDT ### Friday, October 17, 2025 - ***The Sorcerer’s Apprentice*** at 10:30 am. EDT/PDT - ***101 Dalmations*** at 1:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Cruella*** at 3:25 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 6:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus 2*** at 8:35 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Something Wicked This Way Comes*** at 12:00 a.m. EDT/PDT ### Saturday, October 18, 2025 - ***Live-Action Alice in Wonderland*** at 7:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Alice Through the Looking Glass*** at 9:35 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Maleficent: Mistress of Evil*** at 12:10 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Haunted Mansion*** at 2:50 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Monsters, Inc.*** at 4:50 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Monsters University*** at 6:55 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 9:25 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 11:35 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Sunday, October 19, 2025 - ***Halloweentown*** at 7:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge*** at 9:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Beauty and the Beast*** at 11:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Aladdin*** at 1:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Matilda*** at 3:05 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas*** at 5:10 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Haunted Mansion*** at 6:50 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 9:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Frankenweenie*** at 12:00 a.m. EDT/PDT ### Monday, October 20, 2025 - ***Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End*** at 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** at 2:10 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania 2*** at 4:15 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 6:20 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 8:50 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Tuesday, October 21, 2025 - ***Hotel Transylvania*** at 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania 2*** at 12:35 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 2:40 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas*** at 5:10 p.m. EDT/PDT (Pop N’ Knowledge) - ***The Addams Family*** at 6:50 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Addams Family Values*** at 8:55 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - ***The Black Cauldron*** at 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Addams Family*** at 12:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Addams Family Values*** at 2:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Haunted Mansion*** at 4:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 6:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus 2*** at 8:35 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Thursday, October 23, 2025 - ***Disturbia*** at 11:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Frankenweenie*** at 1:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Edward Scissorhands*** at 3:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Sleepy Hollow*** at 6:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street*** at 8:25 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Friday, October 24, 2025 - ***Sleepy Hollow*** at 12:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Haunted Mansion*** at 2:25 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Addams Family*** at 5:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Addams Family Values*** at 7:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 9:00 p.m. EDT/PDT (Pop N’ Knowledge) - ***Twitches*** at 12:00 a.m. EDT/PDT ### Saturday, October 25, 2025 - ***Spooky Buddies*** at 7:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 9:05 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas*** at 11:30 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Addams Family*** at 1:05 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Addams Family Values*** at 3:10 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 5:15 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** at 7:45 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** at 9:50 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Witches*** at 11:55 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Sunday, October 26, 2025 - ***The Addams Family*** at 7:00 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Addams Family Values*** at 9:05 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** at 11:10 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** ***2*** at 1:15 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Monsters, Inc.*** at 3:15 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Monsters University*** at 5:20 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Addams Family*** at 7:50 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Addams Family Values*** at 9:55 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Haunted Mansion*** at 12:00 a.m. EDT/PDT ### Monday, October 27, 2025 - ***Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Men Tell No Tales*** at 12:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Frankenweenie*** at 3:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 5:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** at 7:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania 2*** at 9:00 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - ***Spooky Buddies*** at 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 12:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania*** at 3:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hotel Transylvania 2*** at 5:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***The Haunted Mansion*** at 7:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 9:00 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - ***Casper*** at 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Edward Scissorhands*** at 1:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Aladdin*** at 3:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Monsters, Inc.*** at 6:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Monsters University*** at 8:35 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Thursday, October 30, 2025 - ***The Sorcerer’s Apprentice*** at 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Matilda*** at 1:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Cruella*** at 3:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Haunted Mansion*** at 6:00 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 8:35 p.m. EDT/PDT ### Friday, October 31, 2025 – HALLOWEEN - ***Matilda*** at 10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 12:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas*** at 2:35 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Casper*** at 4:10 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 6:30 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus 2*** at 8:35 p.m. EDT/PDT - ***Hocus Pocus*** at 12:00 a.m. EDT/PDT Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Freeforms%2031%20Days%20Of%20Halloween%20Movies%20Schedule&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Freeforms%2031%20Days%20Of%20Halloween%20Movies%20Schedule%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Freeforms%2031%20Days%20Of%20Halloween%20Movies%20Schedule&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Freeforms%2031%20Days%20Of%20Halloween%20Movies%20Schedule%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Freeforms%2031%20Days%20Of%20Halloween%20Movies%20Schedule%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler --- ### [Video: Bryant Gumbel Interviews Bette Midler in 1988](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/28/video-bryant-gumbel-interviews-bette-midler-in-1988/) **Published:** September 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bryant Gumbel Interviews Bette Midler in 1988 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bryant Gumbel Interviews Bette Midler in 1988 By Mister D Sept. 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/hqdefault.jpg "Hqdefault - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bryant%20Gumbel%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler%20in%201988&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bryant%20Gumbel%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler%20in%201988%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bryant%20Gumbel%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler%20in%201988&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bryant%20Gumbel%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler%20in%201988%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bryant%20Gumbel%20Interviews%20Bette%20Midler%20in%201988%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Interview, Interviews, Television, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BryantGumbel, #Interviews, #Video --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - Mr. Sandman (SKDJ Workout Remix)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/28/audio-bette-midler-mr-sandman-skdj-workout-remix/) **Published:** September 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler – Mr. Sandman (SKDJ Workout Remix) By Mister D Sept 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/hqdefault-1.jpg "Hqdefault (1) - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mr.%20Sandman%20%28SKDJ%20Workout%20Remix%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mr.%20Sandman%20%28SKDJ%20Workout%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mr.%20Sandman%20%28SKDJ%20Workout%20Remix%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mr.%20Sandman%20%28SKDJ%20Workout%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Mr.%20Sandman%20%28SKDJ%20Workout%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Audio, Bette Midler, It's The Girls, Remix, Songs **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #MrSandman, #Remix --- ### [Bette Midler To Guest On Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live October 16](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/27/bette-midler-to-guest-on-andy-cohens-watch-what-happens-live-october-16/) **Published:** September 27, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler will be Andy Cohen's guest in the ClubHouse on Watch What Happens Live October 16, 2025 on the Bravo TV network **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler To Guest On Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live October 16 By Mister D Sept 27, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-27_13-37-32.png "2025-09-27_13-37-32 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) will be Andy Cohen’s guest in the ClubHouse on [**Watch What Happens Live**](https://www.bravotv.com/watch-what-happens-live) October 16, 2025 on the Bravo TV network. Save the date! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Guest%20On%20Andy%20Cohen%27s%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live%20October%2016&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Guest%20On%20Andy%20Cohen%27s%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live%20October%2016%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Guest%20On%20Andy%20Cohen%27s%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live%20October%2016&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Guest%20On%20Andy%20Cohen%27s%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live%20October%2016%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20To%20Guest%20On%20Andy%20Cohen%27s%20Watch%20What%20Happens%20Live%20October%2016%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Interview, Television **Tags:** #AndyCohen, #BetteMidler, #Bravo, #WatchWhatHappensLive, #WWHL --- ### [The Printed Shirt Bette Midler Wore On E News This Week](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/27/the-printed-shirt-bette-midler-wore-on-e-news-this-week/) **Published:** September 27, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler is wearing a New York City Map Printed Long-Sleeve Shirt by Bode **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Printed Shirt Bette Midler Wore On E News This Week By Mister D Sept. 27, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-27_05-23-10.png "2025-09-27_05-23-10 - bootleg betty") --- **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/television/#.VhugxFRViko)** is wearing a New York City Map Printed Long-Sleeve Shirt by Bode, previously sold at [**Bergdorf Goodman**](https://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/) in New York City. Now Unavailable! Sorry kids! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Printed%20Shirt%20Bette%20Midler%20Wore%20On%20E%20News%20This%20Week&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Printed%20Shirt%20Bette%20Midler%20Wore%20On%20E%20News%20This%20Week%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Printed%20Shirt%20Bette%20Midler%20Wore%20On%20E%20News%20This%20Week&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Printed%20Shirt%20Bette%20Midler%20Wore%20On%20E%20News%20This%20Week%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Printed%20Shirt%20Bette%20Midler%20Wore%20On%20E%20News%20This%20Week%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Clothes And Jewelry, Fashion **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Fashion, #PrintedShirt, #Shirt --- ### [NYRP's Hulaween 2025 Will Honor Their Founder, Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/27/nyrps-hulaween-2025-will-honor-their-founder-bette-midler/) **Published:** September 27, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** On Friday, October 24, 2025 New York Restoration Project will celebrate our 30th anniversary at Hulaween: New York, New York, a Helluva Town! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty NYRP’s Hulaween 2025 Will Honor Their Founder, Bette Midler By Mister D Sept. 27, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-27_04-39-09.png "2025-09-27_04-39-09 - bootleg betty") --- On Friday, October 24, 2025 New York Restoration Project will celebrate our 30th anniversary at ***Hulaween: New York, New York, a Helluva Town!*** Known for its spectacular performances, dazzling costumes, and unfettered revelry, NYRP’s annual [**Hulaween**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/hulaween/) gala raises critical funds to make the life-changing benefits of nature more accessible for all. This year’s celebration is especially meaningful as we honor our founder, **[Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler)**, with a special award for her inspired leadership and unwavering commitment to our mission. We are also thrilled to recognize our **Joan Kors Green Champion honoree**, Emmy Award-winning TV host, producer, and author **Andy Cohen**. **STUDIOS Architecture** will also receive the **Lifetime Achievement Award for Costume Design** celebrating years of ensemble excellence. We are deeply grateful for their efforts to help make our city greener and healthier for generations to come. Hosted by the effervescent **Busy Philipps**, the evening will also include: - Special performances by nightlife legends **Jake Dupree**, **House of Yes**, and **Boyyyish**; - Our annual costume contest judged by Tony Award-winning producer and fashion icon **Jordan Roth**; - And *A Helluva Performance: A Musical Tribute to NYRP’s 30th Anniversary* led by **Will Lee**, Grammy-winning bassist from *The Late Show with David Letterman*. Guests include **Shoshana Bean**, **Sandra Bernhard**, **Ben Platt**, and **Marisha Wallace**. **Purchase tables and tickets with the below form or** [**make a donation**](https://donorbox.org/nyrp-hulaween-2025-4-2) **in support of our work.** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=NYRP%27s%20Hulaween%202025%20Will%20Honor%20Their%20Founder%2C%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=NYRP%27s%20Hulaween%202025%20Will%20Honor%20Their%20Founder%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=NYRP%27s%20Hulaween%202025%20Will%20Honor%20Their%20Founder%2C%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=NYRP%27s%20Hulaween%202025%20Will%20Honor%20Their%20Founder%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=NYRP%27s%20Hulaween%202025%20Will%20Honor%20Their%20Founder%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hulaween, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Founder, #Hulaween2025, #HulaweenBall, #NYRP --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Reflects on 30 Years of Her Iconic Hulaween Ball ](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/27/video-bette-midler-reflects-on-30-years-of-her-iconic-hulaween-ball/) **Published:** September 27, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler took E! News down memory lane and reflected on 30 years of her iconic Hulaween Ball to benefit the New York Restoration Project **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Reflects on 30 Years of Her Iconic Hulaween Ball By Mister D Sept. 25, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-27_04-15-40.png "2025-09-27_04-15-40 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler took E! News down memory lane and reflected on 30 years of her iconic Hulaween Ball to benefit the New York Restoration Project. More Bette: [https://www.eonline.com/news/1366409/](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbG9YSTd6eE5fN1MzcFBhV0tVT2ZhMmFPVURHUXxBQ3Jtc0tsS1RIR3h6ZHNnVzRSSjVxdXdXMTAyeHpfdEFINmJoYjd1Y2RUTERSQmh5TlJGcmxfQnhGcjBkWjF3MGhTazMxWWpfa3ZhTEctaGFyWkx3LU9hZ2tKTkd5SG5fWEZRVUN5blVsWE9QeDJJZ1YzakZvcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eonline.com%2Fnews%2F1366409%2Fwill-a-hocus-pocus-3-be-conjured-up-bette-midler-says%3Fquery%3Dbette%2520midler&v=Kx68GTB8DYY) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20on%2030%20Years%20of%20Her%20Iconic%20Hulaween%20Ball%C2%A0&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20on%2030%20Years%20of%20Her%20Iconic%20Hulaween%20Ball%C2%A0%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20on%2030%20Years%20of%20Her%20Iconic%20Hulaween%20Ball%C2%A0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20on%2030%20Years%20of%20Her%20Iconic%20Hulaween%20Ball%C2%A0%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20on%2030%20Years%20of%20Her%20Iconic%20Hulaween%20Ball%C2%A0%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hulaween, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Hulaween, #NYRP --- ### [Marc Shaiman's Memoir Out In January 2026](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/22/marc-shaimans-memoir-out-in-january-2026/) **Published:** September 22, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Marc Shaiman will tell the story of his life and career in a new memoir, Variety reports. **Content:** --- ## Kirkus Memoir by Marc Shaiman Coming in January By Michael Schaub Sept. 12, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/never-mind-the-happy-9798895652244_xlg.jpg "Never-mind-the-happy-9798895652244_xlg - bootleg betty") --- [**Marc Shaiman**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/marc-shaiman/) will tell the story of his life and career in a new memoir, Variety reports. Regalo Press will publish the composer and lyricist’s Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories From a Sore Winner next year. It calls the book “a wickedly funny, no-holds-barred memoir.” Shaiman began his career as a writer and arranger for Saturday Night Live, and went on to compose music for films including When Harry Met Sally…, Misery, Sister Act, Sleepless in Seattle, and The Wedding Planner. He won two Grammy Awards for best musical theater album for Hairspray and Some Like It Hot, and has been nominated for seven Academy Awards for his work in films including South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and Mary Poppins Returns. In his book, Regalo says, Shaiman “looks back on five decades of Broadway triumphs, Hollywood hijinks, and unforgettable collaborations. Along the way, he charts the personal highs and heartbreaks that have shaped him—spending his teenage years in community theater, starting a decades-long collaboration with [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) in the ’70s, surviving the AIDS crisis of the ’80s, his award-winning film music career in the Hollywood of the ’90s, right up to the peaks (and valleys) of creating Broadway musicals from 2000 on.” Shaiman announced news of his memoir on Instagram, writing, “This memoir is part showbiz chronicle, part intimate reflection and, since my mother always said ‘Never mind the happy!’, it is all about successfully spreading joy as I try to find it myself.” **Never Mind the Happy** is slated for publication on January 27, 2026. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Memoir%20Out%20In%20January%202026&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Memoir%20Out%20In%20January%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Memoir%20Out%20In%20January%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Memoir%20Out%20In%20January%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Marc%20Shaiman%27s%20Memoir%20Out%20In%20January%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Biography, Books, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Biography, #Book, #MarcShaiman, #Memoir --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - In My Life (SKDJ VS Ronan Remix)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/22/audio-bette-midler-in-my-life-skdj-vs-ronan-remix/) **Published:** September 22, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** I like to think of remixes as new music when it comes to Bette Midler, because we're so deprived. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler – In My Life (SKDJ VS Ronan Remix) By Mister D Sept 21, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/242a8d5f-32a1-454e-b0c9-2003fd590b91.jpg "242a8d5f-32a1-454e-b0c9-2003fd590b91 - bootleg betty") --- I like to think of **[remixes](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/remix/)** as new music when it comes to [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler), because we’re so deprived. This remix, though, I’m not sure about. It seems a little too off-key for my tastes. What do you think? Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20My%20Life%20%28SKDJ%20VS%20Ronan%20Remix%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20My%20Life%20%28SKDJ%20VS%20Ronan%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20My%20Life%20%28SKDJ%20VS%20Ronan%20Remix%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20My%20Life%20%28SKDJ%20VS%20Ronan%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20In%20My%20Life%20%28SKDJ%20VS%20Ronan%20Remix%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, For The Boys, Remix **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ForTheBoys, #InMyLife, #Remix --- ### [Today In History: Divine Madness Premiered At Toronto Film Festival](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/17/today-in-history-divine-madness-premiered-at-toronto-film-festival/) **Published:** September 17, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Divine Madness is a 1980 concert film featuring Bette Midler, capturing her electrifying live performance at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in February 1979. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Today In History: Divine Madness Premiered At Toronto Film Festival By Mister D Sept. 17, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/4aeea3a9-2702-44f2-ae60-55969b90cf60.jpg "4aeea3a9-2702-44f2-ae60-55969b90cf60 - bootleg betty") --- [**Divine Madness**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/divine-madness/) is a 1980 concert film featuring [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler), capturing her electrifying live performance at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in February 1979. Directed by Michael Ritchie, the film showcases Midler’s larger-than-life persona, blending comedy, music, and theatrical flair. It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on September 17, 1980, and was released in theaters in the US on September 26, 1980, by Warner Bros. Following her rise to fame as a singer, actress, and comedian. The movie features performances of hits like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “The Rose,” and “Stay with Me,” alongside comedic sketches and monologues that showcase her iconic character, Dolores DeLago, the “Toast of Chicago.” Backed by the Harlettes, her backup singers, Midler’s show is a mix of camp, vaudeville, and raw emotional ballads, highlighting her versatility. The film also features her bawdy humor and audience interaction, which were hallmarks of her live shows. Shot over four nights, the performances were edited into a 94-minute film, emphasizing Midler’s stage presence and vocal power. It was her first major concert film, capitalizing on her success following the release of “The Rose” (1979). Critics praised her charisma but noted the film’s loose structure, as it leaned heavily on the live experience rather than a polished cinematic narrative. The soundtrack, released in 1980, peaked at #34 on the Billboard 200. Divine Madness grossed around $5 million at the box office, a modest success, and later became a cult favorite on home video and cable. It’s a time capsule of Midler’s early career, showcasing her as a boundary-pushing performer before she transitioned to more mainstream film roles in the ‘80s. The film’s raw energy and Midler’s unapologetic style make it a standout document of her “Divine Miss M” era. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Today%20In%20History%3A%20Divine%20Madness%20Premiered%20At%20Toronto%20Film%20Festival&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Today%20In%20History%3A%20Divine%20Madness%20Premiered%20At%20Toronto%20Film%20Festival%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Today%20In%20History%3A%20Divine%20Madness%20Premiered%20At%20Toronto%20Film%20Festival&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Today%20In%20History%3A%20Divine%20Madness%20Premiered%20At%20Toronto%20Film%20Festival%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Today%20In%20History%3A%20Divine%20Madness%20Premiered%20At%20Toronto%20Film%20Festival%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Divine Madness, Forgotten History, History, Movies, On This Day In History **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concerts, #DivineMadness, #History, #Movies --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings "California Dreaming" From Stella! Bonus: Food Fight](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/11/video-bette-midler-sings-california-dreaming-from-stella-bonus-food-fight/) **Published:** September 11, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In the 1990 film Stella, Bette Midler, playing Stella Claire, sings a duet of "California Dreamin'" with Trini Alvarado, who plays her daughter, Jenny. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings “California Dreaming” From Stella! Bonus: Food Fight By Mister D Sept. 10, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-10_14-17-04.png "2025-09-10_14-17-04 - bootleg betty") --- In the 1990 film [**Stella**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/stella/), [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler), playing Stella Claire, sings a duet of “California Dreamin'” with Trini Alvarado, who plays her daughter, Jenny. The performance is a heartfelt moment, showcasing their characters’ bond through harmonious vocals. The song, originally by The Mamas & The Papas, is delivered with emotional depth, emphasizing the characters’ longing for a better life. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22California%20Dreaming%22%20From%20Stella%21%20Bonus%3A%20Food%20Fight&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22California%20Dreaming%22%20From%20Stella%21%20Bonus%3A%20Food%20Fight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22California%20Dreaming%22%20From%20Stella%21%20Bonus%3A%20Food%20Fight&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22California%20Dreaming%22%20From%20Stella%21%20Bonus%3A%20Food%20Fight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22California%20Dreaming%22%20From%20Stella%21%20Bonus%3A%20Food%20Fight%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Stella, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CaliforniaDreaming, #FoodFight, #Movie, #Song, #Stella, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler's '70s living room is a masterclass in styling houseplants](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/10/bette-midlers-70s-living-room-is-a-masterclass-in-styling-houseplants/) **Published:** September 10, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** So, what exactly are the lessons in indoor garden ideas expressed through this image? First, Bette's space shows the power of placing houseplants behind the space. **Content:** --- ## House And Garden Bette Midler’s ’70s living room is a masterclass in styling houseplants – her maximalist design feels welcoming and elevated By Sophie Edwards Sept. 7, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-10_11-15-49-1024x541.png "2025-09-10_11-15-49 - bootleg betty")--- **Photo: Richard Corkery** Everyone loves [**houseplants**](https://www.thespruce.com/most-popular-houseplants-4766580). Indoor greenery brings the joy of nature into a home, adds dimension and color, and instantly makes a space feel cozy and lived in. However, people are often confused about the best way to decorate with plants. Luckily, an archival image of [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) living room in 1975 is here to demystify the process. The black and white photograph shows the actress lounging on her velvet sofa, shelf full of houseplants positioned behind her. In the background, taller plants are positioned against the wall, near her round mirror and wooden sideboard. Styling houseplants like a professional has never looked easier. Though the image was taken over 50 years ago, its lessons are just as relevant today. In fact, houseplants as part of design are currently more popular than ever. Victoria Foster, interior stylist at ScS explains: ‘Houseplants are a key component of the nature-inspired interior design trend. ‘ So, what exactly are the lessons in indoor garden ideas expressed through this image? First, Bette’s space shows the power of placing houseplants behind the space. On styling around a couch, Victoria advises: ‘A simple way to fit a large plant into a smaller space is by positioning it behind the sofa. This way the fuller ends of the plant leaves are still visible without needing a designated area of the room to place it. This arrangement also helps to frame the sofa, creating height and drama above the sofa.’ Instead of tall plants, you can also use an indoor plant shelf behind the sofa, as seen in Bette’s space. ‘An easy way to maximise plants without the room feeling overwhelmed is by placing them on shelving units. For larger bookcases, place several small plants on different shelves and at varying sides to create balance, make sure to use species of plants – some hanging, some tall with varying fullness to create depth.’ The type of plants themselves and decisions around what posts to use are also an essential element of what makes a container garden striking. Bette Midler demonstrates this by using a variety of pots for an interesting styling chose. Victoria recommends: ‘Wicker or terracotta plant pots are a great way to continue the natural theme, while positioning plants on oak shelving and furniture is a match made in heaven.’ She continues: ‘Try using plants of various sizes and incorporate the colour green in other areas of your décor – from wall décor and artwork to furniture and accessories.’ When styled correctly, houseplants can transform a home. Looking at rooms where this has been done well is the perfect place to start. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20%2770s%20living%20room%20is%20a%20masterclass%20in%20styling%20houseplants&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20%2770s%20living%20room%20is%20a%20masterclass%20in%20styling%20houseplants%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20%2770s%20living%20room%20is%20a%20masterclass%20in%20styling%20houseplants&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20%2770s%20living%20room%20is%20a%20masterclass%20in%20styling%20houseplants%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20%2770s%20living%20room%20is%20a%20masterclass%20in%20styling%20houseplants%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HomeandGarden, #Houseplants --- ### [How Georgio Armani Defined Fashion In "For The Boys" With Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/09/08/how-georgio-armani-defined-fashion-in-for-the-boys-with-bette-midler/) **Published:** September 8, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Giorgio Armani’s designs for Bette Midler in Mark Rydell’s For the Boys helped illustrate her character’s transformation over several decades. **Content:** --- ## Deadline How Giorgio Armani Defined Power And Style In Movies, From ‘American Gigolo’ to ‘The Wolf Of Wall Street’ From Robert Lang Sept 4, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-08_14-27-39.png "2025-09-08_14-27-39 - bootleg betty")--- ## FOR THE BOYS – 1991 [**Giorgio Armani’s**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgio_Armani) designs for [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/theatre/#.VhuiQFRViko) in Mark Rydell’s [**For the Boys**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/11/23/were-the-critics-too-harsh-on-bette-midler-for-the-boys/) helped illustrate her character’s transformation over several decades. Moving beyond his signature 1980s “power dressing” style, Armani created a wardrobe that evolved from flashy, patriotic looks during the war years to the more sophisticated styles of her later life, showcasing his versatility as a designer. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20Georgio%20Armani%20Defined%20Fashion%20In%20%22For%20The%20Boys%22%20With%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20Georgio%20Armani%20Defined%20Fashion%20In%20%22For%20The%20Boys%22%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20Georgio%20Armani%20Defined%20Fashion%20In%20%22For%20The%20Boys%22%20With%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20Georgio%20Armani%20Defined%20Fashion%20In%20%22For%20The%20Boys%22%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20Georgio%20Armani%20Defined%20Fashion%20In%20%22For%20The%20Boys%22%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, For The Boys, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ForTheBoys, #MarkRydell, #Movies, GiorgioArmani --- ### [Bette Midler's Hairstylist, Robert Ramos, to be Honored at Daytime Beauty Awards](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/08/31/bette-midlers-hairstylist-robert-ramos-to-be-honored-at-daytime-beauty-awards/) **Published:** August 31, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Daytime Beauty Awards(DBAs) announced Robert Ramos as the 2025 recipient of Outstanding Achievement in Color & Styling. **Content:** --- ## LAtf USA Celebrity Colorist and Hairstylist Robert Ramos to be Honored at Daytime Beauty Awards By DayTime Beauty Awards --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Color-Styling-Honoree-1-1536x864-1-1024x576.png "Color-styling-honoree-1-1536x864 (1) - bootleg betty")--- --- The **[Daytime Beauty Awards](https://www.daytimebeautyawards.com/)(DBAs)** announced **[Robert Ramos](https://www.robertramos.com/about)** as the 2025 recipient of **Outstanding Achievement in Color & Styling**. With more than three decades shaping trends in film, television, music, and fashion, Ramos has elevated hair color into an art form of precision and storytelling. A true chemist of color, Ramos has worked with icons across generations, from Brittany Murphy, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Eva Mendes to Jessica Alba, Stevie Nicks, and [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-the-concerts/#.VfrOrH9Viko). He continues to collaborate with Melissa McCarthy and Kelly Clarkson for red carpets, editorials, and campaigns. His artistry has appeared on the covers of *Rolling Stone, Variety,* and *People*, and on the sets of award-winning shows, films, and music videos. An Emmy nominee for projects including *Bette Midler: Diva Las Vegas, The Voice,* and *The Kelly Clarkson Show*, Ramos has left an enduring mark on both celebrity styling and fashion photography. Founder of Estilo Salon (now Ramos Carreon Salon) and creator of his own professional haircare line, Ramos has built a legacy that continues to influence new generations of stylists. Past recipients of this honor include **Tracey Cunningham, Lorri Goddard, Chaz Dean, Ted Gibson & Jason Backe, Denis De Souza**, and most recently **Kadi Lee** in 2024. The 7th annual Daytime Beauty Awards will take place on **Sunday, September 21, 2025** at Grand Venue in Los Angeles. **Previously announced 2025 honorees:** **Outstanding Achievement in Medicine:** *Dr. Carl Truesdale* **Outstanding Achievement in Aesthetics:** *Dr. Jessica Wu* **The Inventor’s Award:** *TheraFace Mask by Therabody* **The Breakthrough Award:** *Gloss Moderne* **The Sleeping Beauty:** *Sleep by PAX* **The Zen Award:** *Serrano Spa* **Additional honorees will be announced shortly.** Past awardees include Cindy Crawford, Gabrielle Union, Christie Brinkley and more. Past presenters have included Jennifer Lopez, Jay Leno, Kelly Rowland and Sia. The Daytime Beauty Awards will benefit the **Los Angeles Mounted Platoon (501c3)**, supporting the care, training, and wellbeing of these remarkable horses. Beyond their work in service, the horses bring comfort, mentorship, and joy to underserved youth, first responders, and communities across Los Angeles. Born from the same mission that launched the Hollywood Beauty Awards, the Daytime Beauty Awards (DBAs) expand the conversation around beauty. Unlike traditional beauty awards, the DBAs recognize the science behind beauty, health, and wellness. The show honors professionals across medicine, aesthetics, skincare, fitness, CBD & cannabis, styling, beauty innovation, and more. With Senior Executive Producer Pamela Price and Executive + Music Producer Otis Stokes, the DBAs continue to push boundaries, spotlighting the minds and methods shaping how we care for ourselves every day. [www.daytimebeautyawards.com](http://www.daytimebeautyawards.com/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Hairstylist%2C%20Robert%20Ramos%2C%20to%20be%20Honored%20at%20Daytime%20Beauty%20Awards&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Hairstylist%2C%20Robert%20Ramos%2C%20to%20be%20Honored%20at%20Daytime%20Beauty%20Awards%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Hairstylist%2C%20Robert%20Ramos%2C%20to%20be%20Honored%20at%20Daytime%20Beauty%20Awards&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Hairstylist%2C%20Robert%20Ramos%2C%20to%20be%20Honored%20at%20Daytime%20Beauty%20Awards%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Hairstylist%2C%20Robert%20Ramos%2C%20to%20be%20Honored%20at%20Daytime%20Beauty%20Awards%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Coloring, #DaytimeBeautyAwards, #hairstylist, #RobertRamos --- ### [Video - Bette Midler: The Divine Invention of the Divine Miss M](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/08/24/video-bette-midler-the-divine-invention-of-the-divine-miss-m/) **Published:** August 24, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** This video explores how Bette Midler and the Divine Miss M became the toast of the Continental Baths in the 1970s. **Content:** --- ## Staged Right Video – Bette Midler: The Divine Invention of the Divine Miss M By Staged Right August 24, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Albumism_BetteMidler_TheDivineMissM_MainImage_16x9_Alt.webp "Albumism_bettemidler_thedivinemissm_mainimage_16x9_alt - bootleg betty")--- This video explores how [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) and the [**Divine Miss M**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-divine-miss-m/) became the toast of the Continental Baths in the 1970s. How that persona thrilled audiences around the world and inspired roles in films like “The Rose”, “Beaches”, “Hocus Pocus”, as well as Bette’s triumphant Broadway return in “Hello Dolly”. This video is great and should be watched. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20The%20Divine%20Invention%20of%20the%20Divine%20Miss%20M&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20The%20Divine%20Invention%20of%20the%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20The%20Divine%20Invention%20of%20the%20Divine%20Miss%20M&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20The%20Divine%20Invention%20of%20the%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%20-%20Bette%20Midler%3A%20The%20Divine%20Invention%20of%20the%20Divine%20Miss%20M%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Documentary, The Divine Miss M, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #StagedRight, #thedivinemissm, #Video --- ### [Bette Midler and Dolly Parton Sing Moses](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/08/07/bette-midler-and-dolly-parton-sing-moses/) **Published:** August 7, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler and Dolly Parton Sing Moses By Mister D Aug 6, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/hqdefault.jpg "Hqdefault - bootleg betty") --- **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/)** and [**Dolly Parton**](https://dollyparton.com/) performed together in the third episode of the TV series Bette, titled “Halloween,” which aired on October 25, 2000. In this episode, they taped a TV special and sang a memorable duet of “Islands in the Stream,” written by Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb. They also performed “Shining Star” and “Moses” together. The episode featured comedic moments where antics Bette wrecked the set of Dolly’s TV special and stole one of her outfits to go trick-or-treating with her daughter, Rose. This collaboration highlighted the real-life friendship between Midler and Parton, making it a cherished moment for fans. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Dolly%20Parton%20Sing%20Moses&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Dolly%20Parton%20Sing%20Moses%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Dolly%20Parton%20Sing%20Moses&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Dolly%20Parton%20Sing%20Moses%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20and%20Dolly%20Parton%20Sing%20Moses%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #dollyparton, #moses, Music, songs, tv series, Video --- ### [When 4 Classic Songs Played Key Roles in "Seinfeld"](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/08/03/when-4-classic-songs-played-key-roles-in-seinfeld/) **Published:** August 3, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** There were, however, a few times when music played a key role in the show’s plots. Let’s look back at four songs that made appearances, often in unusual ways, in memorable episodes. **Content:** --- ## The Other Fab Four: When Classic Hits Played Key Roles in ‘Seinfeld’ Episodes By Jim Beviglia July 31, 2025, 7:30 am --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/60e9abc6302a6c93f76ebbb66863a5cf.jpg "60e9abc6302a6c93f76ebbb66863a5cf - bootleg betty") --- The four main characters of Seinfeld generally stayed busy in the middle of the show’s intricately plotted madness. They didn’t have the time to sit around and listen to records, at least not that the audience ever saw. There were, however, a few times when music played a key role in the show’s plots. Let’s look back at four songs that made appearances, often in unusual ways, in memorable episodes. **“Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler, from ‘Seinfeld’ Episode “The Understudy”** In one of the more bizarre plot twists, even by Seinfeldian standards, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/), appearing as herself, gets bowled over at home plate during a celebrity softball game by George. (He’s playing to win, as usual.) Luckily for her, she has a guardian angel in Kramer. He comes rushing to her aid and touchingly sings the refrain of “**[Wind Beneath My Wings](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iAzMRKFX3c)**”, Midler’s signature song. The episode was meant as a commentary on the Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding kerfuffle that took place at the Winter Olympics in 1994, just a year before it aired. But the most memorable moment (perhaps aside from George tearing down the third base line) is Kramer gently cradling a confused Midler in his arms and serenading her. **“Believe It Or Not (Theme From ‘Greatest American Hero’) by Joey Scarbury, from Episode “The Susie”** Yes, there was a time when TV theme songs could do major damage on the pop charts. Joey Scarbury’s rendition of the theme to The Greatest American Hero soared to No. 2 in 1981. And it clearly left a big impression on George Costanza in Seinfeld. The 90s were a boom time for people putting jokey messages on their answering machines. We find out George has done his own take on the theme song (“Believe it or not, George isn’t at home / Please leave a message at the beep”) because he’s screening calls to avoid his latest girlfriend breaking up with him. Jason Alexander, who plays George, is actually an excellent singer. But, in character, he delivers an absolutely tuneless take on the song for his machine. **“Downtown” by Petula Clark, from Episode “The Bottle Deposit”** Performed by the legendary British chanteuse Petula Clark and written by her producer Tony Hatch, “Downtown” proved that the British Invasion didn’t need to be dominated by beat groups. The song shot to No. 1 in 1964, propelling Clark to an excellent international career. It also led to one of the funnier coffee shop conversations between Jerry and George. Mr. Wilhelm on Seinfeld, George’s immediate superior in the Yankees organization, recommends that George go “downtown” to complete a mysterious project. Hoping to figure out what that project is, George assumes it has something to do with the song. He and Jerry dissect the lyrics in a futile attempt to figure it out. As it turns out, the project was just a figment of the crazed Wilhelm’s imagination. **“Desperado” by The Eagles, from Episode “The Checks”** “Desperado” helped establish the songwriting tandem of Don Henley and Glenn Frey. It also turned into one of The Eagles’ most enduring and moving songs. So moving, in fact, that Elaine’s new boyfriend goes into a trance of sorts every time he hears it, completely ignoring her. Some great jokes tied to the song and the lyrics appear. Elaine complains that the guy is “out riding fences,” and Jerry wonders if he listens to the “All-Desperado channel.” Eventually, Elaine attempts to establish “Witchy Woman”, another Eagles classic, as a song for the couple, only to be rebuffed. This poor sap ends up hospitalized after Jerry hits him with an axe (you had to be there). But there’s something familiar in the plot otherwise. Most of us music fans have songs like that, ones where we don’t want to be disturbed when they randomly appear. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=When%204%20Classic%20Songs%20Played%20Key%20Roles%20in%20%22Seinfeld%22&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=When%204%20Classic%20Songs%20Played%20Key%20Roles%20in%20%22Seinfeld%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=When%204%20Classic%20Songs%20Played%20Key%20Roles%20in%20%22Seinfeld%22&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=When%204%20Classic%20Songs%20Played%20Key%20Roles%20in%20%22Seinfeld%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=When%204%20Classic%20Songs%20Played%20Key%20Roles%20in%20%22Seinfeld%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Seinfeld, Songs, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Music, #Seinfeld, #Songs, #Television, windbeneathmywings --- ### [Bette Midler Among The Top 15 Best Female Singers of All Time](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/08/01/bette-midler-among-the-top-15-best-female-singers-of-all-time/) **Published:** August 1, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From the soulful croons of the past to the electrifying performances of today, female vocalists have shaped the landscape of music in ways that are both profound and unforgettable. **Content:** --- ## Singers Room List of the Top 15 Best Female Singers of All Time Edward Tomlin July 31, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-07-17_13-12-40.png "2025-07-17_13-12-40 - bootleg betty") --- **List of the Top 15 Best Female Singers of All Time** Music has the unparalleled ability to transcend boundaries, evoke emotions, and unite people across generations. At the heart of this sonic journey are the remarkable women whose voices have defined genres, inspired movements, and left an indelible mark on the world. From the soulful croons of the past to the electrifying performances of today, female vocalists have shaped the landscape of music in ways that are both profound and unforgettable. In this article, we celebrate the top 15 best [**female singers**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/femalesingers/) of all time—powerhouses whose talent, perseverance, and artistry have set benchmarks for excellence. Each artist on this list has not only showcased stunning vocal prowess but has also influenced countless others, breaking barriers and challenging norms along the way. Whether through heart-wrenching ballads, infectious pop anthems, or groundbreaking experimental sounds, these women have pushed the boundaries of what it means to be a singer. Join us as we explore their extraordinary journeys, the unique qualities that make their voices unforgettable, and the legacies they have built. Prepare to be inspired and perhaps even discover a new appreciation for the incredible contributions of these iconic female artists! **Table of Contents** 1. Aretha Franklin 2. Whitney Houston 3. Billie Holiday 4. Mariah Carey 5. Tina Turner 6. Adele 7. Madonna 8. Janet Jackson 9. Ella Fitzgerald 10. Celine Dion 11. Bette Midler 12. Norah Jones 13. Shakira 14. Roberta Flack 15. Sia 1. **Aretha Franklin** Aretha Franklin, widely hailed as the “Queen of Soul,” forever changed the landscape of music with her commanding voice and unmatched emotional power. Born in 1942 in Memphis and raised in Detroit, Aretha’s roots in gospel deeply shaped her artistry. Her breakout hits like *Respect*, *Chain of Fools*, and *(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman* were more than just songs — they became anthems for empowerment, civil rights, and self-worth. Aretha’s ability to take a lyric and infuse it with raw, heartfelt emotion made every performance unforgettable, whether she was singing in front of presidents, performing at church, or headlining global stages. Beyond her vocal brilliance, she broke barriers for women and Black artists, becoming an icon of strength and perseverance. Over her decades-long career, she collected 18 Grammy Awards, sold millions of records, and earned the love of fans around the world. Even today, her music resonates as a reminder of the power of soul — not just as a genre, but as a feeling. Aretha Franklin didn’t just sing songs; she lived them, and in doing so, she inspired countless artists to follow her fearless, passionate path. 2. **Whitney Houston** Whitney Houston was one of the greatest voices the world has ever known. Her extraordinary vocal range, flawless technique, and natural charisma made her an instant superstar and a cultural phenomenon. Songs like *I Will Always Love You*, *I Wanna Dance with Somebody*, and *Greatest Love of All* weren’t just chart-toppers — they became defining moments in music history. Born in 1963 into a musical family (her mother, Cissy Houston, was a gospel singer, and her cousin was Dionne Warwick), Whitney grew up surrounded by music, and her church roots infused her singing with a warmth and soulfulness that transcended genres. She became the first female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200, and her success broke barriers for women in pop and R&B. Whitney’s performances carried an effortless grace, but behind that brilliance was an artist who worked tirelessly to perfect her craft. Though her life was marked by personal struggles, her music continues to inspire and uplift, proving that true artistry endures. Whitney Houston’s voice wasn’t just powerful — it was transformative, touching hearts and leaving an indelible mark on the world that will never fade. 3. **Billie Holiday** Billie Holiday, lovingly nicknamed “Lady Day,” was one of the most influential jazz singers of all time, known for her ability to turn a song into an intimate, emotional experience. Emerging in the 1930s, she brought a hauntingly beautiful style to jazz standards, with hits like *God Bless the Child* and the searingly powerful *Strange Fruit*. Her voice wasn’t the loudest or widest in range, but it carried something even rarer — the ability to make listeners *feel*. Billie’s phrasing, timing, and subtle inflections transformed every lyric into a story. She didn’t just sing the words; she lived them, often drawing from her own struggles with racism, hardship, and heartbreak. Her recording of *Strange Fruit*, a stark protest against lynching, was groundbreaking — and risky — showing how music could be both art and activism. Despite a turbulent life marked by personal battles, Billie’s artistry shone through, influencing generations of singers from Frank Sinatra to Amy Winehouse. She remains a symbol of vulnerability, resilience, and the power of raw emotion in music. Lady Day didn’t just change jazz; she changed the way we understand what it means to truly interpret a song. 4. **Mariah Carey** Mariah Carey burst onto the scene in the early 1990s with a voice that seemed almost otherworldly. With her astonishing five-octave range, effortless melisma, and trademark whistle notes, she quickly became one of the most celebrated and influential vocalists in modern music. Her debut single *Vision of Love* redefined what pop singing could sound like, and hits like *Hero*, *Always Be My Baby*, and her holiday classic *All I Want for Christmas Is You* cemented her status as a cultural icon. Mariah didn’t just sing songs; she crafted vocal landscapes, layering harmonies and improvisations that inspired an entire generation of singers. Beyond her technical brilliance, she brought vulnerability and emotion to her music, sharing her experiences of love, heartbreak, and perseverance. Over the decades, she has sold over 200 million records, earned numerous awards, and become the most chart-topping female artist in Billboard history. Yet Mariah’s influence isn’t just in numbers — it’s in the countless singers who model their style after hers and the fans who find strength in her lyrics. With her unparalleled voice and creative vision, Mariah Carey didn’t just shape pop and R&B — she redefined them. 5. **Tina Turner** Tina Turner, celebrated as the “Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll,” was a force of nature whose electrifying performances and powerhouse voice captivated audiences for decades. Rising from humble beginnings and personal hardship, she first found fame alongside Ike Turner, delivering unforgettable tracks like *Proud Mary*. But it was her triumphant solo career that cemented her legacy, with hits like *What’s Love Got to Do with It* and *The Best* making her a global icon. Tina’s voice was gritty, soulful, and explosive, able to convey both raw pain and joyful freedom in a single breath. On stage, she was unmatched — a whirlwind of movement, charisma, and fire, proving that age and obstacles couldn’t dim her light. Beyond the music, Tina’s story of resilience — breaking free from an abusive relationship and rebuilding her life — made her an enduring symbol of strength and empowerment. Her influence spans rock, pop, and soul, inspiring artists from Beyoncé to Mick Jagger. Tina Turner wasn’t just a performer; she was an unstoppable force, showing the world how to rise, survive, and thrive with grace and grit. 6. **Adele** Adele has become one of the most beloved voices of her generation, captivating audiences around the world with her rich, soulful tone and emotionally charged ballads. From the moment her debut album *19* hit the airwaves, she stood out as an artist who could blend vulnerability with breathtaking vocal power. Songs like *Someone Like You*, *Rolling in the Deep*, and *Hello* aren’t just hits — they’re emotional experiences that connect deeply with listeners. Adele’s gift lies in her ability to sing straight from the heart, drawing on her own stories of love, loss, and healing to create music that feels both personal and universal. Her voice is as raw as it is refined, capable of soaring highs and intimate whispers that leave audiences hanging on every note. Despite her global fame, Adele’s down-to-earth personality and humor have made her relatable, even as she dominates the biggest stages in the world. With multiple Grammys, an Oscar, and a Golden Globe, she has achieved immense success, but it’s her authenticity and emotional honesty that truly define her artistry. Adele doesn’t just sing — she makes you feel every word. 7. **Madonna** Madonna, famously dubbed the “Queen of Pop,” has spent her career reinventing not only herself but also the very definition of pop music. Emerging in the early ’80s with hits like *Holiday* and *Like a Virgin*, she quickly became a cultural phenomenon, combining catchy, daring music with provocative imagery that pushed boundaries and sparked conversations. Madonna has never been content to stay in one lane — she’s a master of reinvention, blending dance, electronic, R&B, and even world music influences to stay ahead of the curve. Songs like *Like a Prayer* and *Vogue* aren’t just pop staples; they’re cultural moments that reshaped how music intersects with art, fashion, and social commentary. Beyond the music, Madonna became an icon of empowerment, challenging norms about sexuality, femininity, and creative freedom. Her fearless attitude has inspired generations of artists, from Lady Gaga to Beyoncé. With countless hits, record-breaking tours, and a legacy of constant evolution, Madonna remains a force — proving that pop music can be bold, provocative, and endlessly transformative. 8. **Janet Jackson** Janet Jackson has carved her place in music history as one of the most influential pop and R&B artists of all time. Her breakthrough album *Control* in 1986 was exactly what its title suggested — a declaration of independence, both musically and personally. Hits like *Nasty* and *What Have You Done for Me Lately* showed a young woman unapologetically taking charge of her life and career. Her follow-up, *Rhythm Nation 1814*, cemented her as more than just an entertainer; it was a socially conscious masterpiece tackling issues like racism, poverty, and unity, all wrapped in infectious beats and choreography that defined an era. Janet’s soft, breathy vocals contrasted with the power of her message, creating a unique balance that made her instantly recognizable. Known for her groundbreaking music videos and electrifying performances, she has inspired generations of dancers and performers. From pop to R&B to socially aware art, Janet Jackson’s legacy is one of innovation, empowerment, and fearless creativity — proving that music can both entertain and challenge us to think deeper. 9. **Ella Fitzgerald** Ella Fitzgerald, affectionately called the “First Lady of Song,” remains one of the greatest voices in jazz and one of the most important vocalists in history. With a career that spanned more than five decades, she brought warmth, joy, and technical brilliance to everything she sang. Her smooth, velvety tone and incredible sense of timing made her interpretations of classics like *Summertime* and *Dream a Little Dream of Me* timeless. Ella’s mastery of scat singing — using her voice like an instrument to improvise melodies — was unmatched, earning her admiration from musicians across genres. She recorded legendary “Songbook” albums, paying tribute to composers like Cole Porter and George Gershwin, which remain essential listening for jazz lovers. Despite facing challenges as a Black woman in a segregated America, Ella’s grace and talent transcended barriers, winning her 14 Grammys and fans worldwide. Her voice could make you smile, weep, or fall in love all over again, and her influence on generations of singers is immeasurable. Ella Fitzgerald didn’t just sing songs — she elevated them, leaving behind a legacy of beauty and joy. 10. **Celine Dion** Celine Dion has one of the most powerful and instantly recognizable voices in the world. Rising from humble beginnings in Quebec, she became an international superstar, delivering some of the most iconic ballads of all time. Songs like *The Power of Love*, *Because You Loved Me*, and of course, *My Heart Will Go On* (the theme from *Titanic*) have become part of the soundtrack of countless lives. Celine’s voice is a marvel — strong, precise, and emotionally charged, able to soar into high notes with clarity and drop into tender whispers that break your heart. Beyond her vocal talent, her work ethic and professionalism are legendary; she has spent decades touring, recording, and performing at the highest level, including her record-breaking Las Vegas residency. Through it all, Celine has remained approachable and humble, often sharing her warmth and humor in interviews and on stage. Her songs carry themes of love, hope, and resilience, and her ability to move audiences with pure emotion is her greatest gift. Celine Dion isn’t just a singer — she’s a voice for the ages. 11. **Bette Midler** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/7469a10f-48f0-47c5-8a1e-89caf3420bdc.jpg "7469a10f-48f0-47c5-8a1e-89caf3420bdc - bootleg betty") [**Bette Midler**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) is the definition of a true entertainer — a singer, actress, comedian, and larger-than-life personality who has captivated audiences for decades. Known as “The Divine Miss M,” she rose to fame in the 1970s with her bold stage presence, sharp humor, and undeniable talent. Songs like *The Rose* and *Wind Beneath My Wings* showcase her ability to pour deep emotion into a performance, leaving audiences in tears. But Bette is also playful and theatrical, blending comedy and camp into her live shows, making every concert an event to remember. Her career spans music, film, and Broadway, earning her Grammys, Emmys, Golden Globes, and a Tony — a rare accomplishment that speaks to her versatility. Bette Midler isn’t afraid to be outrageous, heartfelt, or hilariously honest, sometimes all in the same song. She has inspired countless performers with her boldness and her ability to connect with people on an emotional level. Whether she’s belting a ballad or cracking a joke, Bette’s presence fills the room — and her legacy continues to shine as one of entertainment’s brightest stars. 12. **Norah Jones** Norah Jones quietly took the world by storm with her soothing voice and intimate, genre-blending sound. Her 2002 debut album, *Come Away With Me*, was a breath of fresh air in the pop landscape, combining jazz, folk, country, and soul into something warm and timeless. Her gentle, smoky vocals on songs like *Don’t Know Why* and *Come Away With Me* created an atmosphere of calm and closeness, as if she were singing just for you. That album earned her eight Grammy Awards, an astonishing feat for a debut artist, and set the stage for a career defined by authenticity and subtle brilliance. Unlike many stars, Norah doesn’t rely on spectacle or trends — her music is understated but deeply affecting, inviting listeners to slow down and really feel the moment. Over the years, she has continued to experiment with styles and collaborations, always staying true to her artistic voice. Norah Jones reminds us that music doesn’t have to shout to be heard — sometimes the quietest songs speak the loudest. 13. **Shakira** Shakira is a global superstar who has seamlessly blended Latin, pop, and world music to create a style entirely her own. Born in Colombia, she first gained fame in Latin America with her powerful voice and poetic songwriting before crossing over to the international stage with hits like *Whenever, Wherever* and *Hips Don’t Lie*. Her voice is distinctive — rich, slightly raspy, and full of character — and she pairs it with mesmerizing dance moves, often inspired by her love of belly dancing. Shakira isn’t just a pop star; she’s a cultural ambassador, bringing Latin music to audiences all over the world and opening doors for countless other artists. Her songs move effortlessly between English and Spanish, between heartfelt ballads and infectious dance tracks, always infused with her unique energy. Beyond music, she’s known for her philanthropy, particularly in education for children in her home country. Shakira’s blend of talent, charisma, and heart has made her one of the most beloved and respected artists of her generation. 14. **Roberta Flack** Roberta Flack is a legend whose velvety voice and soulful artistry have left a lasting mark on music. Rising to fame in the 1970s, she became known for her ability to deliver songs with both intimacy and power, making classics like *Killing Me Softly with His Song* and *The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face* unforgettable. Her style blends jazz, pop, and R&B into something smooth and timeless, and her careful, thoughtful phrasing allows every word to land with emotional weight. Roberta’s voice doesn’t overpower — instead, it draws you in, like a quiet conversation that stays with you long after it’s over. Throughout her career, she’s been celebrated for her artistry and sophistication, earning multiple Grammy Awards and influencing generations of singers. Her music is a reminder that true emotion doesn’t always need to be loud — sometimes it’s the softest voice that touches the deepest part of your heart. 15. **Sia** Sia is one of the most distinctive and innovative voices in modern pop music. Known for her powerful vocals, unique songwriting, and striking artistic persona, she has created some of the most memorable hits of the last decade, including *Chandelier*, *Elastic Heart*, and *Cheap Thrills*. Her voice is a raw, emotional instrument — raspy, soaring, and capable of moving listeners from exhilaration to heartbreak in a single song. Sia’s career has been unconventional; after years of writing hits for other artists (from Rihanna to Beyoncé), she stepped into her own spotlight while keeping her personal life fiercely private, often performing with her face obscured by wigs or props. This choice shifted the focus from image to music, making her artistry even more compelling. Her lyrics often explore themes of struggle, resilience, and self-empowerment, resonating with anyone who’s faced hardship. Sia is proof that pop music can be both commercially successful and deeply artistic, and her voice — both literally and figuratively — continues to be one of the most powerful in music today. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Among%20The%20Top%2015%20Best%20Female%20Singers%20of%20All%20Time&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Among%20The%20Top%2015%20Best%20Female%20Singers%20of%20All%20Time%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Among%20The%20Top%2015%20Best%20Female%20Singers%20of%20All%20Time&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Among%20The%20Top%2015%20Best%20Female%20Singers%20of%20All%20Time%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Among%20The%20Top%2015%20Best%20Female%20Singers%20of%20All%20Time%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Singers, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Female, #Music, #Singers, #Songs --- ### [Bette Midler Supports Local Cafe Under Attack By Nightmare Neighbor](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/31/bette-midler-supports-local-cafe-under-attack-by-nightmare-neighbor/) **Published:** July 31, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** SHOPOWNERS have been forced to scrub paint off the outside of their café after a nightmare neighbour claimed it ruined the “historic feel” of the town. **Content:** --- ## The Sun PAINT JOB I have to scrub paint off my shop as nightmare neighbour claims it ruins ‘historic feel’ of town – but everyone LOVES it July 31, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/one-local-moaned-like-defacing-1013497189.jpg "One-local-moaned-like-defacing-1013497189 - bootleg betty")--- SHOPOWNERS have been forced to scrub paint off the outside of their [**café**](https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9) after a nightmare neighbour claimed it ruined the “historic feel” of the town. Council officials have ordered the bosses to get rid of a giant teapot painted on their 700-year-old building but the owners say everyone loves it. Two men in aprons stand outside their tea room, with a queue of people waiting. Owners Tony and Thomas Vickers say they didn’t realise they had done anything wrong The Old York Tea Room storefront, closed. The owners say the sign was ‘tasteful’ that ‘reflected the beauty of the building’ A 700-year-old building’s painted teapot sign being removed. Council ordered the Vickers to remove their sign from the Grade I listed building Tony and Thomas Vickers proudly had the name of their Old York Tea Room professionally hand-painted above their business in the heart of historic York. But the cursive artwork triggered a bureaucratic backlash after it emerged the work was done without planning permission on the Grade I listed premises. A local heritage stickler launched a one-man protest accusing the couple of “vandalising” the building. Despite backing from hundreds of customers, and even support from Hollywood legend Bette Midler, 79, city council bosses ordered the sign-writing to be painted over. FLIGHT HELL Moment cops storm flight to haul off two drunk men who ‘downed bottle of vodka’ Town hall planners condemned the black-font lettering and teacup logo as “too dominant”. Tony, 46, who launched the tea room with partner Thomas, 45, in February 2023, said: “We paid a lot of money for the sign and we didn’t realise we had done anything wrong. “We did it without permission because we were naive, and when we put in a retrospective planning application we thought we’d reach some kind of compromise. “We created a tasteful sign that reflects the beauty of the building, and yet we’ve been treated like it’s vandalism, or like we’ve put up a massive neon sign. The Vickers said the signage was designed to reflect the historic charm of their 14-seat café, formerly a candle shop in one of York’s oldest buildings. Aldi rolls out ‘INSANE’ shelf change to all 2,550 locations – and it means 33% more savings for shoppers But the paint job sparked fury from a local campaigner, who compared the lettering and teapot to defacing York Minster or Buckingham Palace. Gordon Campbell-Thomas, 75, even staged a one-man protest outside the tea shop, bearing a placard reading: “This is vandalism”. He said: “The building dates back to 1316 and is a Grade-I listed, meaning it’s of similar importance to York Minster, St Paul’s Cathedral, or even Buckingham Palace. “Not only has the café business scrawled the words The Old York Tea Room; it has a large brown teapot in the process of appearing to pour tea.” York City Council claimed the sign “detracts from the building’s exceptionally fine architectural and historic character.” The appealed decision was then upheld by the Planning Inspectorate who concluded that the “playful” paint job had a “harmful impact” on the building. The couple now fear potential customers will walk past them on Lady Row, which dates back to 1316, because they are unable to fix any signs to the building. Tony and Thomas are instead using a sheet of painted plywood to advertise themselves to customers – but fear that too may fall foul of council officials. Thomas said: “This wasn’t just a sign. It was part of how we survive. Without it, people don’t even know we’re here. “We only have space for a few tables upstairs so we are reliant on takeaway coffees and cakes. “If York wants to become a museum instead of a living city, they’re on the right path, because businesses can’t survive like this.” Among the tidal wave of support was Hollywood legend [**Bette Midler,**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/#.UFJuQbJlSZc) who backed the Vickers in their fight to keep the sign. Outside the tea room, customers said the original paintwork had made the street “more pleasant” and “added warmth”. York resident Nicola Topp, 43, fumed: “I absolutely loved the sign. It was tastefully done, all hand-painted in beautiful cursive. It added character and charm. “If they’d said make it a bit smaller, fair enough. But to say it has to go entirely? “They’ve been totally singled out. It’s hard enough running an independent business – you’re trying to pay taxes, cover insurance, pay the mortgage. “And insurance on this building is astronomical because it’s one of the oldest houses in York. “To me, being the oldest house in York should come with more privilege, not more red tape. “The sign suited it perfectly and respected the building’s history. “You’ve got Tesco right across the street with A-boards, an ATM stuck in the wall, and no one bats an eye. But a hand-painted teapot is apparently crossing a line. “It’s pure hypocrisy.” The tea room posted on Facebook ahead of its whitewash, telling customers: “We will look quite different and we are so worried folks will just walk by. Please don’t forget where we are. “Our signage will be gone. We have tried so hard to keep it but the time has come. “We do hope those who demanded its removal are happy with themselves.” NO LOVE LOST Love Island fans slam girl for shock snide remark during tense challenge mind made up! ‘Kick her out!’ rage Love Island fans as they vow to vote off ‘smug’ girl Mr Campbell-Thomas posted pictures on social media outside the newly-whitewashed cafe, giving a thumbs-up. He said: “It’s been a long road, I personally have been vilified on social media and threatened with violence by people who disagreed with the stance we were taking, but I’m pleased that sanity has prevailed.” The cafe has now been given a white-wash to remove the sign Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Supports%20Local%20Cafe%20Under%20Attack%20By%20Nightmare%20Neighbor&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Supports%20Local%20Cafe%20Under%20Attack%20By%20Nightmare%20Neighbor%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Supports%20Local%20Cafe%20Under%20Attack%20By%20Nightmare%20Neighbor&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Supports%20Local%20Cafe%20Under%20Attack%20By%20Nightmare%20Neighbor%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Supports%20Local%20Cafe%20Under%20Attack%20By%20Nightmare%20Neighbor%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, History **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Historic, #Neighbor, #Nightmare, #Shopowners, cafe --- ### [Goldie Hawn Picks Her 5 Best Movies She Made](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/29/goldie-hawn-picks-her-5-best-movies-she-made/) **Published:** July 29, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Not many actors can claim to have won an Oscar with their first significant film role, but Goldie Hawn is one of those select few. **Content:** --- ## Far Out Goldie Hawn Picks Her 5 Best Movies She Made By Tim Bradley July 26, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/360960f88e57ec4d879b6d6f2b291328.jpg "360960f88e57ec4d879b6d6f2b291328 - bootleg betty") --- [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffaroutmagazine.co.uk%2Fgoldie-hawn-five-greatest-movies%2F)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffaroutmagazine.co.uk%2Fgoldie-hawn-five-greatest-movies%2F)[](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https%3A%2F%2Ffaroutmagazine.co.uk%2Fgoldie-hawn-five-greatest-movies%2F)[](http://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffaroutmagazine.co.uk%2Fgoldie-hawn-five-greatest-movies%2F&title=)[](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffaroutmagazine.co.uk%2Fgoldie-hawn-five-greatest-movies%2F&description=) Not many actors can claim to have won an Oscar with their first significant film role, but [Goldie Hawn](https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/tags/goldie-hawn/) is one of those select few. The comedy legend grabbed a golden statue at the first instance of her being nominated, thanks to her performance in 1969’s *Cactus Flower* as a 21-year-old alongside acting greats Walter Matthau and Ingrid Bergman in a film helmed by *The Odd Couple* director Gene Saks. It marked the start of what would become a 56-year (and counting) career in Hollywood for Hawn, who started out as a professional dancer around New York City before making the move to California in the late 1960s. It was there she picked up a few minor TV roles before landing her break on *Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In*, a network sketch show that ran for five years and featured guest performers including Tony Curtis and Sammy Davis Jr. It was due to her work on the show that she was cast in *Cactus Flower*, and after winning the Academy Award, she was in high demand, acting in a string of comedy hits throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, as well as releasing her own country album with the help of Dolly Parton. Hawn recently spoke to *The Academy* to select her favorite films from her time making movies, outlining some of the best times she spent on set and choosing movies from three different decades. First up on her list is *The Sugarland Express*, a film that’s notable for being [Steven Spielberg’s first major movie](https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/every-steven-spielberg-movie-ranked-worst-to-best/) and the first time he teamed up with legendary composer John Williams. A comedy drama, it tells the story of a husband and wife who take a police officer hostage to stop their child from being placed in foster care. Hawn plays the female lead in the movie, which didn’t fare too well at the box office but has since been seen as something of a cult classic, involving almost as many police cars as *The Blues Brothers*. Next, [**Hawn** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/06/19/goldie-hawn-irate-over-1st-draft-of-first-wives-club/)chose *Overboard,* a 1987 romantic comedy in which she starred [opposite her partner, Kurt Russell](https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/moment-goldie-hawn-fell-in-love-with-kurt-russell/), with whom she has been romantically linked ever since. The film, directed by Garry Marshall, who also directed Pretty Woman, didn’t gain much traction upon its release, with the concept described as “creepy” and the source material derided as “waterlogged.” That certainly wasn’t the case with 1980s Private Benjamin, however, probably the movie for which Hawn is most famous. A box office smash upon release, the film tells the story of a young high-society widow seeking direction after losing her husband, who decides to enlist in the army. The movie was nominated for three Academy Awards, including one for Hawn, whose performance was described at the time as “totally charming”. Another movie that she has fond memories of making is 1996’s *[**The First Wives Club**](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/first_wives_club)*, a comedy in which she stars alongside [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) and Diane Keaton as three divorcees who decide to get back at their husbands for ditching them for younger women. A huge hit that grossed over $ 150 million at the box office, the film was something of an antidote to the uber-masculine blockbusters released alongside it that summer, such as *The Rock* and [*Independence Day*](https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/independence-day-explained-how-humanity-defeats-alien-invasion/). A sequel starring the original cast has been in development for almost 20 years. Finally, Hawn went with another ‘90s movie, Woody Allen’s musical comedy *Everyone Says I Love You*, in which she starred as part of an ensemble cast that also included Drew Barrymore and Edward Norton. It was a sizable flop at the box office, with audiences seemingly not enthused by the premise of a collection of glamorous upper-class people singing about their problems. However, the actor has fond memories of the production nonetheless, stating, “You know what, I love that film. I loved dancing along the Seine.” Hawn has shown true longevity over a successful career in movies, despite taking an extended ten-year break from acting at the start of the century, and has enjoyed the vast majority of it. As she says, “Sometimes you remember making a movie as just being really fun, and sometimes it doesn’t always turn out good. I think I got lucky with these five”. ## Goldie Hawn’s five favourite Goldie Hawn films: - *The Sugarland Express* (Steven Spielberg, 1974) - *Overboard* (Garry Marshall, 1987) - *Private Benjamin* (Howard Zieff, 1980) - *The First Wives Club* (Robert Harling, 1996) - *Everyone Says I Love You* (Woody Allen, 1996) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Goldie%20Hawn%20Picks%20Her%205%20Best%20Movies%20She%20Made&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Goldie%20Hawn%20Picks%20Her%205%20Best%20Movies%20She%20Made%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Goldie%20Hawn%20Picks%20Her%205%20Best%20Movies%20She%20Made&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Goldie%20Hawn%20Picks%20Her%205%20Best%20Movies%20She%20Made%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Goldie%20Hawn%20Picks%20Her%205%20Best%20Movies%20She%20Made%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, First Wives Club, Movies **Tags:** #Best, #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #FirstWivesClub, #GoldieHawn, #MisterD, #Movies --- ### [Rosie Wanted To Be Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/28/rosie-wanted-to-be-bette-midler/) **Published:** July 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** I knew that I wanted to be Bette Midler and I wanted to do what Bette Midler did and I wanted to be around Bette Midler. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Rosie Wanted To Be Bette Midler By Mister D July 26, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Shutterstock_304500d.jpg "Toys r us childrens benefit fund, new york, america - 1999 - bootleg betty")Mandatory Credit: Photo by Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock (304500d) BETTE MIDLER AND ROSIE O’DONNELL TOYS R US CHILDRENS BENEFIT FUND, NEW YORK, AMERICA – 1999 --- “I’m gonna say for the next one, [**Bette Midler**](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/bette-midler-interview-career-life-1235961854/), [**Clams on the Half Shell**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/clams-on-the-half-shell/) on Broadway. Fantastic – and that’s when I fell in love with Bette Midler. I knew that I wanted to be Bette Midler and I wanted to do what Bette Midler did and I wanted to be around Bette Midler. My goal in life was to be a Harlette – even though I really couldn’t sing or harmonise or belt or do any of the things that the Harlettes could do, never mind being sexy and great at dancing, I didn’t let that deter me, I still thought I’m gonna be a Harlette or be on Broadway like Bette was. She started her career in Fiddler on the Roof and I think she’s divine, ladies and gentlemen. ” – [**Rosie O’ Donnell**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosie_O%27Donnell) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Rosie%20Wanted%20To%20Be%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Rosie%20Wanted%20To%20Be%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Rosie%20Wanted%20To%20Be%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Rosie%20Wanted%20To%20Be%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Rosie%20Wanted%20To%20Be%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Clams On The Half Shell, harlettes **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #ClamsOnTheHalfShell, #MisterD, #Rosie, #RosieODonnell --- ### [Video: Bruce Vilanch On His Journey Writing For Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/28/video-bruce-vilanch-on-his-journey-writing-for-bette-midler/) **Published:** July 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bruce Vilanch On His Journey Writing For Bette Midler By Mister D July 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/bruce-vilanch-3.jpg "Bruce-vilanch-3 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20On%20His%20Journey%20Writing%20For%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20On%20His%20Journey%20Writing%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20On%20His%20Journey%20Writing%20For%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20On%20His%20Journey%20Writing%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bruce%20Vilanch%20On%20His%20Journey%20Writing%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bruce Vilanch **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #BruceVilanch, #Journey, #MisterD, #Writing --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings You Belong To Me in Down And Out In Beverly Hills + Analysis](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/27/video-bette-midler-sings-you-belong-to-me-in-down-and-out-in-beverly-hills-analysis/) **Published:** July 27, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's performance of "You Belong to Me" is featured in the 1984 comedy film Down and Out in Beverly Hills, directed by Paul Mazursky. The song appears during a memorable scene in the movie, which stars Nick Nolte, Richard Dreyfuss, and Midler herself. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings You Belong To Me in Down And Out In Beverly Hills + Analysis By Mister D July 27, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/925ea9d634abd94a22e65626951d6de0.jpg "925ea9d634abd94a22e65626951d6de0 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler’s performance of “You Belong to Me” is featured in the 1984 comedy film Down and Out in Beverly Hills, directed by Paul Mazursky. The song appears during a memorable scene in the movie, which stars Nick Nolte, Richard Dreyfuss, and Midler herself. The film is a satirical take on wealth, class, and social dynamics, and Midler’s rendition of the song adds an emotional and nostalgic touch to the narrative.”You Belong to Me” is a classic romantic ballad, originally written in 1952 by Chilton Price, Pee Wee King, and Redd Stewart, and popularized by artists like Jo Stafford and Patti Page. Midler’s version, with her distinctive vocal style, brings a heartfelt and slightly jazzy quality to the track, fitting the film’s mix of humor and sentimentality. Her performance underscores Barbara Whiteman’s vulnerability and charm, enhancing the scene’s emotional resonance. The choice of the song complements the film’s themes of searching for connection and meaning amidst material excess. Midler’s delivery, known for its warmth and theatricality, elevates the moment, making it one of the standout musical highlights of the movie.The soundtrack for Down and Out in Beverly Hills includes Midler’s rendition, though it wasn’t released as a single. Her version remains a fan favorite for those familiar with the film, showcasing her ability to blend humor, heart, and musical talent. If you’re looking for more specific details about the scene or song, let me know, and I can dig deeper or check for additional context! **Was it improvised** There’s no definitive evidence in available sources that Bette Midler’s performance of “You Belong to Me” in Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986) was improvised. The scene where she sings the song at a party appears to be a planned part of the film, as it fits seamlessly into the narrative and her character Barbara Whiteman’s emotional arc. Midler, a seasoned performer known for her musical talents, likely prepared the rendition to align with the film’s tone, blending her theatrical style with the scene’s scripted context. Improvisation in film music sequences is rare unless explicitly noted, especially for a polished performance like this, which was integrated into the soundtrack. Without specific commentary from Midler, director Paul Mazursky, or the production team confirming improvisation, it’s reasonable to assume the performance was rehearsed and intentional. If you want, I can search for interviews or behind-the-scenes material to see if there’s any mention of improvisation in this scene! **Explore Midler’s preparation** There is limited specific information in the provided sources or generally available records about Bette Midler’s preparation for her performance of “You Belong to Me” in Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986). However, I can piece together relevant context about her approach to the role and the performance based on her background, the film’s production, and her established skills as a performer.Bette Midler’s Preparation for the Role and Performance 1. Performance Specifics: 2. Lack of Evidence for Improvisation: - As noted previously, there’s no indication that Midler’s performance of the song was improvised. The scene’s integration into the narrative, its emotional weight, and Midler’s professional approach to musical performances suggest it was planned and rehearsed. Her delivery likely involved deliberate choices to reflect Barbara’s character, possibly guided by Mazursky’s direction or the film’s music supervisor. 3. Musical Background and Expertise: - Bette Midler was already an accomplished singer and performer by the time she starred in Down and Out in Beverly Hills. Her career began in the late 1960s with performances in off-Broadway plays and at the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in New York, where she honed her musical and comedic skills under her stage persona, “The Divine Miss M.” - Her experience performing a wide range of musical styles, including ballads like “You Belong to Me,” suggests she was well-equipped to deliver the song with emotional depth and theatrical flair. Her work with Barry Manilow, who produced her early albums, further refined her ability to interpret songs with nuance. - Given her extensive stage experience, Midler likely approached the song with a combination of vocal preparation (rehearsing the melody and phrasing) and character-driven choices to align the performance with her role as Barbara Whiteman, a status-obsessed yet vulnerable housewife. 4. Character Preparation for Barbara Whiteman: - Midler played Barbara Whiteman, a wealthy, neurotic Beverly Hills housewife in the film. The scene where she sings “You Belong to Me” occurs post-coitally, after an intimate moment with Jerry (Nick Nolte), reflecting her character’s emotional and sexual reawakening. - To prepare for the role, Midler likely focused on understanding Barbara’s emotional state—her repression, longing, and eventual liberation. This would have informed her delivery of the song, which is described as a romantic ballad with a wistful tone, fitting the character’s arc. - While no sources explicitly detail her rehearsal process for the song, Midler’s comedic and dramatic training (from her Broadway roles in Fiddler on the Roof and her studies at the University of Hawaii) suggests she approached the scene with a blend of scripted direction and her natural performative instincts. 5. Film Production Context: - Directed by Paul Mazursky, Down and Out in Beverly Hills was a remake of the 1932 French film Boudu Saved from Drowning, and the inclusion of “You Belong to Me” was a deliberate choice to enhance the film’s emotional and satirical tone. - Unlike her co-star Nick Nolte, who prepared for his role by living as a homeless person for five weeks, there are no accounts of Midler undertaking extreme method acting for her role. Instead, her preparation likely relied on her established skills and collaboration with Mazursky to capture Barbara’s comedic and emotional complexity. **Broader Context and Assumptions** - Midler’s prior success in The Rose (1979), where she earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of a singer, demonstrates her ability to prepare for musically driven roles. Her work in Down and Out in Beverly Hills marked the start of her successful comedic film career with Touchstone Pictures, indicating she approached the project with professionalism and preparation. - Given her experience, Midler likely collaborated with the film’s creative team to ensure the song’s delivery matched the scene’s tone, possibly adjusting her vocal style to sound less polished and more in-character as Barbara, who is not a professional singer in the story. - If improvisation occurred, it would likely have been in small vocal inflections or emotional delivery rather than the song choice or placement, as the scene’s structure suggests careful planning. **Limitations and Further Inquiry** - The available sources do not provide detailed accounts of Midler’s specific preparation process for this song or scene (e.g., rehearsal time, vocal coaching, or discussions with Mazursky). This is likely because the song was a minor part of the film compared to its comedic and narrative elements. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20You%20Belong%20To%20Me%20in%20Down%20And%20Out%20In%20Beverly%20%20Hills%20%2B%20Analysis&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20You%20Belong%20To%20Me%20in%20Down%20And%20Out%20In%20Beverly%20%20Hills%20%2B%20Analysis%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20You%20Belong%20To%20Me%20in%20Down%20And%20Out%20In%20Beverly%20%20Hills%20%2B%20Analysis&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20You%20Belong%20To%20Me%20in%20Down%20And%20Out%20In%20Beverly%20%20Hills%20%2B%20Analysis%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20You%20Belong%20To%20Me%20in%20Down%20And%20Out%20In%20Beverly%20%20Hills%20%2B%20Analysis%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Down And Out, Movies, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #DownAndOutInBeverleyHills, #MisterD, #YouBelongTo Me --- ### [Watch Bette Midler's Scenes From A Mall For Free On YouTube](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/27/watch-bette-midlers-scenes-from-a-mall-for-free-on-youtube/) **Published:** July 27, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Scenes from a Mall is a 1991 American comedy film directed by Paul Mazursky, starring Bette Midler and Woody Allen as Deborah and Nick Fifer, a wealthy couple celebrating their 16th wedding anniversary. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Watch Bette Midler’s Scenes From A Mall For Free On YouTube By Mister D July 27, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/88748_full.jpg "M8dscfr ec004 - bootleg betty")Scenes from a mall front from left woody allen bette midler 1991 © buena vista--- [**Scenes from a Mall** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/21/scenes-from-a-mall-a-slice-of-bette-midler-comfort/)is a 1991 American comedy film directed by Paul Mazursky, starring [**Bette Midler**](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102849/) and Woody Allen as Deborah and Nick Fifer, a wealthy couple celebrating their 16th wedding anniversary. The film follows their day at a Beverly Hills shopping mall, where their seemingly perfect marriage unravels after confessions of infidelity. Midler’s character, a psychologist and author, and Allen’s sports lawyer navigate their relationship’s highs and lows with sharp dialogue and situational humor, set against the backdrop of consumerism. The movie, written by Mazursky and Roger L. Simon, blends comedy with drama, exploring themes of marriage, honesty, and materialism. It features a cameo-heavy cast, including Bill Irwin, Daren Firestone, and Fabio in his film debut. Shot primarily at the Beverly Center and Stamford Town Center, the film’s mall setting serves as a satirical stage for the couple’s personal chaos. Maurice Jarre’s score adds a playful tone. Despite its star power, the film received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office, grossing about $9.5 million against a $20 million budget. Critics found it uneven, with some praising Midler and Allen’s chemistry—described as “fun to watch” by Roger Ebert—while others, like Janet Maslin, felt it lacked depth. It holds a 29% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 14 reviews, reflecting its polarizing reception. The film’s legacy is modest, often seen as a lesser entry in Midler and Allen’s filmographies, though it has a cult appeal for its quirky premise and early ’90s aesthetic. It’s available on platforms like Amazon Prime and Apple TV for streaming or purchase. Posts on X mention Midler’s performance fondly, with some users appreciating the film’s nostalgic vibe, though it’s not a frequent topic of discussion. --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/4811_5.jpg "4811_5 - bootleg betty") --- **To Watch Scenes From A Mall Free On YouTube, Click The Link:** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%20For%20Free%20On%20YouTube&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%20For%20Free%20On%20YouTube%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%20For%20Free%20On%20YouTube&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%20For%20Free%20On%20YouTube%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Watch%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%20For%20Free%20On%20YouTube%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Scenes From A Mall **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #Fabio, #MisterD, #Movie, #ScenesfromaMall, #WoodyAllen --- ### [Bette Midler Sings "Hurry On Down" from The Bette Midler Show](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/25/bette-midler-sings-hurry-on-down-from-the-bette-midler-show/) **Published:** July 25, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “Hurry On Down” is a lively, bluesy number performed by Bette Midler during her Bette Midler Show **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Sings “Hurry On Down” from The Bette Midler Show By Mister D July 25, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/151058_379894572100948_1367632658_n-1.jpg "151058_379894572100948_1367632658_n-1 - bootleg betty") --- “[**Hurry On Down**](https://bootlegbetty.com/hurry-on-down/)” is a lively, bluesy number performed by [**Bette Midler**](https://www.bettemidler.com/) during her Bette Midler Show—featured explicitly in her 1977 live album *Live at Last*, which was recorded during her 1976 Depression Tour at the Cleveland Music Hall. Initially written by Nellie Lutcher, the song is a cheeky invitation for a lover to sneak over while no one’s home. Midler’s rendition amps up the sass and theatricality, with playful vocal inflections and energetic backing from her band *Betsy and the Blowboys* and her iconic trio *The Staggering Harlettes*. **Here’s a taste of the lyrics:** *“Hurry on down to my house, honey / Ain’t nobody home but me… / Hurry through the alley so the neighbors don’t see…”* The performance is classic Bette—bold, humorous, and full of personality. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Hurry%20On%20Down%22%20from%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Show&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Hurry%20On%20Down%22%20from%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Hurry%20On%20Down%22%20from%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Show&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Hurry%20On%20Down%22%20from%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Hurry%20On%20Down%22%20from%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Show%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs, The Bette Midler Show, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #HurryOnDown, #LiveATLast, #MisterD, #TheBetteMidlerShow --- ### [The August 2025 Bette Midler Jukebox Is Up](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/25/the-august-2025-bette-midler-jukebox-is-up/) **Published:** July 25, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The August 2025 Bette Midler Jukebox is up, containing these songs for your listening pleasure; **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The August 2025 Bette Midler Jukebox Is Up By Mister D July 25, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/589072b798ddd2f2b9a1b24a8fcbe9e1-1-1024x963.jpg "589072b798ddd2f2b9a1b24a8fcbe9e1 - bootleg betty")--- The August 2025 Bette Midler Jukebox is up, containing these songs for your listening pleasure; **Pink Cadillac** Bette Midler – De Tour – Texas 03:40 ### Here Comes The Flood Bette Midler – De Tour – Texas 05:07 ### Bed Of Roses Bette Midler – Experience The Divine 03:22 ### I Look Good Bette Midler – Experience The Divine 06:05 ### Ten Cents A Dance Bette Midler – Mike Douglas – 1971 03:26 ### Lullaby Of Broadway Bette Midler – Johnny Carson – 1973 04:50 ### Broken Bicycles Bette Midler – De Tour – Texas 03:00 ### Everyone’s Gone To The Moon Bette Midler – De Tour – Texas 03:31 ### Firing Line Bette Midler – De Tour – Texas 02:47 ### Beast Of Burden Bette Midler – De Tour – Texas 03:44 --- [To Get To Jukebox – Click Here](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20August%202025%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Is%20Up&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20August%202025%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Is%20Up%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20August%202025%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Is%20Up&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20August%202025%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Is%20Up%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20August%202025%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Is%20Up%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bootleg Betty Jukebox, Music, Songs **Tags:** #August, #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #BootlegbettyJukebox, #MisterD, #Songs --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings "Superstar" On Bacharach Special 1973](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/24/video-bette-midler-sings-superstar-on-bacharach-special-1973/) **Published:** July 24, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performed "Superstar" on Burt Bacharach: Opus No. 3, a TV special that aired on February 28, 1973 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings “Superstar” On Bacharach Special 1973 By Mister D July 24, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/maxresdefault-1-1024x576.jpg "Maxresdefault (1) - bootleg betty")--- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/theatre/#.VhuiQFRViko) performed “[**Superstar**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstar_(Delaney_and_Bonnie_song))” on [**Burt Bacharach: Opus No. 3,**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2016/11/19/betteback-february-22-1973-bette-midler-appears-on-burt-bacharach-special/) a TV special that aired on February 28, 1973. This performance showcased her early career vocal prowess and emotional delivery, capturing the song’s poignant narrative about a woman longing for a rock star. Written by Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett, “Superstar” was initially recorded by Delaney & Bonnie in 1969 as “Groupie (Superstar)” and later popularized by The Carpenters. Midler’s rendition, featured on her 1972 debut album The Divine Miss M, emphasized her ability to convey raw emotion, a hallmark of her performances at the time. Her version, performed live on the special, is noted for its simplicity and stark arrangement, highlighting her interpretive skills. Fans and critics have praised it as one of the most emotionally resonant versions, with some calling it superior to later recordings due to its raw intensity and connection to the song’s themes. The performance is available on YouTube in high-quality audio, often cited as a standout moment from the special. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Superstar%22%20On%20Bacharach%20Special%201973&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Superstar%22%20On%20Bacharach%20Special%201973%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Superstar%22%20On%20Bacharach%20Special%201973&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Superstar%22%20On%20Bacharach%20Special%201973%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Superstar%22%20On%20Bacharach%20Special%201973%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Songs, Trivia, Video **Tags:** #Bacharach, #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #MisterD, #Song, #Superstar, #Video --- ### [BetteBack Oct. 1973: There Is Only One Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/23/betteback-oct-1973-there-is-only-one-bette-midler/) **Published:** July 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** There's a "Divine Miss M," and there's a Bette Midler, two distinct but converging persons. **Content:** --- ## The Zoo BetteBack Oct. 1973: There Is Only One Bette Midler By Cynthia Spector October 25, 1973 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15d096fdb8ac5dc8f41dbfef95420e27.jpg "15d096fdb8ac5dc8f41dbfef95420e27 - bootleg betty") --- *BEVERLY HILLS: CALIFORNIA*. There’s a “**[Divine Miss M](https://open.spotify.com/album/2GBZjkexbc30cHiJyIj50j?flow_ctx=200528cb-9311-44c3-902f-f55265cb46f0%3A1747870398)**,” and there’s a **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/)**, two distinct but converging persons. **Sample dialogue:** The Divine: (on stage, in full drag, in an icy Amphitheatre) “Chilly, Chillay! I’m freezing my tits off in LA.! “ Bette Midler: (walking into a press conference held in Beverly Hills’ poshest restaurant, with a panting press corps, beaded by the formidable Rona Barrett), stopping, looking around and saying: SO? There’s been reams of copy written about the Midler chest and chunkiness, but nothing at all written about her absolutely beautiful legs. Typical; the top flash shows, the solid bottom, the foundation doesn’t. She’s too smart for that. The foundation of the Midler mystique is of course, the voice with the amazing head tones, and the work, the endless work that goes into being “The Divine.” This particular day, after her smash opening, Bette’s being mass-interviewed at The Bistro, Beverly Hills’ answer to a Tennessee Williams’ stage set, all wicker and lace. Bette, who could probably be a Williams heroine, seems to fit right in this aura of opulent decadence. Clad in a white jumpsuit, with bright orange hair, she’s less plump than one would think from her pictures and a great deal less Midler than one would think. No more than 5’1”, she exudes consideration and wanting to know people. She stops at the table to say hello, and is asked if we can talk to her for awhile. “Sure, but after lunch. Food first, then talking.” That’s the real Midler. The ”Divine” is typified by the two people on either side of me, one the fashion editor of a LA daily newspaper, and the other, the feature editor of a gay magazine. And they both love her. As do I. Bette Midler is just about everything which she appears to be – outspoken and right on top of what is happening in the music scene. She’s bright, bubbly and takes her life (as a star) as somewhat more then not too much. Says Bette: “I was very anxious to get to the city (New York). I didn’t notice that there was anything wrong with it. The first month that I was here was when they had the blackout. “I thought it was fabulous.” So goes Bette. She takes things calmly and in a perspective unique to her. “And,” she added, “right after that, in January, the subway went on strike. And I was living down here and I had to go up to 119th Street to get to work every day. I was working at Columbia University – typing. So it was like this incredible hassle. But I just thought it was a lark. ‘”The first four years I was here (in New York),” she added “I thought the city was just unbelievable, but now I’m getting a little tired. It’s hard on an older person. I mean if you’re not 19 you might as well forget it.” “What I want is to be a bisexual fantasy. I want to be the most loved, the most desired woman on this earth,” says Bette and she very nearly is. Specializing in what she calls, “low-rent-retro-rock-n-roll” she’s all things to all people. The secret of the success of “The Divine?” Bette Midler says, “The Divine Miss M is terrifically entertaining. I’m like an old movie people go to just to be entertained, just to be happy. They love it because they can forget their troubles. It’s something people can just enjoy. Bette Midler is much more real.” And she is. Ordering double salad, posing for pictures with Rona Barrett, just like a movie fan, and just chatting about with everyone. This is definitely my last tour,” she says, “it’s just too hard.” When asked where does she go from here, Bette points to her head and says, “From where? I go everywhere. I’ve got a lot of musical trips to do. I live from minute to minute. From M to M, so to speak. With all the things I had to do, the show itself is not all I wanted it to be, it’s the same old dreck I did on the last tour.” “I always sang but never seriously,” Bette continued. “I figured that the best way to get into the theatre was in a musical comedy, because it was the easiest nut to crack. I mean if you don’t have a lot of credit in serious or classical acting, they won’t even look at you. And I didn’t have training when I came to the city. It was all instinct and guts. “I mean I wasn’t disciplined or trained or anything like that. I mean I had no idea of what I was doing. I was just elbowing my way into the wing. I was so in love with it. So I figured I’d get a job to support myself and learn while I earn.” Bette adds that she fell in love with the theatre at the very beginning, that there wasn’t ever a second thought about what she wanted to do. “I just fell in love with the theatre when I was 16,” Bette added. “And I thought that if I had to have a career in the theatre the way to do it was to get a job on the Now York stage. I mean they don’t have much theatre in Chicago or Cleveland. See, I figured it was the only place to go so I came. I learned enough about the scene when I was in that show to know it would be very difficult to make a life in the theatre, especially the way the theatre is these days.” But Bette now is a pop star. A superstar, whatever . . . She has arrived at the top and there is no doubt that she belongs there. “The stature of the pop star used to fascinate me,” she continued. “I just couldn’t figure out how these people got themselves into that position… “I used to listen to the radio a lot, but always AM. Before rock and roll it was mostly white music. I didn’t get into rhythm and blues until later on in rock and roll, like the early ‘60’s. I loved the groups and I loved straight ahead rock and roll – The Coasters and the DelVikings and the Skyliners. I wasn’t a collector. I was an observer. I’ve always been an observer. ‘That’s really my thing. I watch things, then I twist it around to get another view, then give It back to them and make them see it in another way that they never saw before ‘cos they were so busy taking it seriously. I can’t take any of it seriously. You work as hard as you can, but no matter how brilliant you think it is, there is always going to be someone that’s going to look at it cockeyed and turn it around for you. That’s what I get from the theatre of the ridiculous – the sardonic side of it. What good is it if you can’t giggle at it, ‘cos in the long run that’s all it is.” ‘Talking about her upcoming TV special, Bette says: “I really want to do a shabby show, a really sleazy, tacky, shabby show. But the agency and the network are a bit conservative. They want Johnny Mann, they want the Ding-A-Lings, I want sleaze, I want sequins. All that. We’ll see how it works out.” Told Norman Lear would love to produce the show, Bette thought it would be a good idea. “I love the set for ‘All In The Family, it’s shabby. Really Shabby!” To a passing reference to Neil Diamond and the way he does his concerts, Bette mused, “he’s doing the score to ‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull’ now isn’t he? Couldn’t get past the title page.” After the press gathering, it was time far the Johnny Carson show taping. The usually blasé studio audience got up on their feet and have both the real and the stage Miss M one of the first standing ovations seen in Burbank. She was magnificent on the show, as has been all week in L.A. She finally talked about her age 27, and showed the absolutely startling vulnerability which helps to make the Midler mystique. “It wasn’t easy being a Jewish kid in a Samoan neighborhood,” Bette said of her childhood in Honolulu. Even more revealing, she said her father has not seen her perform. “He’s not ready for it. He even makes me cover up at dinner.” She told Johnny Carson as she told us earlier, she’s still the same Bette. She still rides the subways, “still schlepping. When all those people run after you, it’s hard to remember who you are.” But Bette adds that Hawaii isn’t all that bad. “I’m really not sure about all those things you say about Hawaii. Entertainment-wise, I think Ron Jacobs and one of the Kingston Trio too, he was there. I don’t know. I really don’t know if that is the truth, but it is true that a lot at great entertainers come out of there. A lot of them are imitators. You know, I’m an imitator in a way too. I don’t really mimic, though. I have really good ears. I just mimic any old thing and it comes out me. “I don’t trust this business – any area of it. You can’t trust it because it changes. It’s a constant state of flux and you can be here today and gone tomorrow, I don’t want to get so hung up in it that when the block finally comes crashing down I can’t pick myself up and go on to something else – in some other area of show business. ‘I can always go back to theatre, because I can. I think I’m going to, too.” She talk about the schizophrenia of being the “Divine” and Bette: “The ‘Divine’ has been part of my life for 3·4 years I had to kill her off.” Maybe so, but as Bette calls herself, ‘Ranrona Paranoia,” there seems to be good reason for it. She even has two voices in regular speech, the ‘”Divine’s” strident, shrill skill shrieks and Bette Midler’s soft voice. By this time, of course, it’s time for “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” on TV and time to leave for the concert. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Bette points out, was done for the Burt Bacharach show. “It was great fun,” Bette pointed out. “I didn’t remember any of the parts ‘cos I’ve sung the melody all these months. So Barry and I redid all parts, each part one on top of each other, and it was great. It was a great experience, ‘cos I never thought I could do that. I never thought my ears were that good, ‘cos it’s really tricky. Those harmonies are very hard. I don’t know how those girls did it – I don’t know how the Andrews Sisters did it.” At the concert, Bette totally disappear. The “Divine” takes over. A charismatic cynosure that catapults, camps and puts on the gamiest show this side of the massage parlors. Scratching her crotch, it’s time to open the show with a couple of slams at two very vulnerable targets, Helen Reddy and Karen Carpenter (who incidentally have hit records of songs Bette sings much better), “I can’t believe I’m on the same stage where Karen Carpenter got her drums banged” and ”Ms. Reddy, huh? She should be singing ‘I Am Woman.’ Who could tell? “ The boys in the front rows love it, the line in “Am I Blue?” which goes “am I gay?” get an undercurrent affirmative titter that’s deafening Then she sings Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released” and every woman in the audience is glad National Organization for Women has adopted it as an anthem. Two hours of dazzling entertainment leading to Bette’s 4th and 5th standing ovations of the day and she’s gone. What’s ahead for Bette? “She’s going to appear at the Palace,” says Candy Leigh, of Tomorrow Today, her press relations lady. “Amsel, who did her album jacket is painting her picture to hang in the lobby. I think they’re taking Judy Garland’s picture down.” Bette’s dream of the future? “I would love to do an animated cartoon.” Somewhere between lies and very rocky road. Bette had the two remaining Andrews Sisters backstage to thank them for the material of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” Patti Andrews was heard to say of Bette, shaking her herd, “she’s certainly different.” In answers to a question about what kind of men she liked, Bette seemed stumped, the reporter tried to help her, “you know, Bette, what kind of men do you go out with on Saturday night?” It was not the “Divine” who answered, it was the chesty Jewish kid from Honolulu who said, “I don’t go out on Saturday nights, I’ve always been working.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20Oct.%201973%3A%20There%20Is%20Only%20One%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20Oct.%201973%3A%20There%20Is%20Only%20One%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20Oct.%201973%3A%20There%20Is%20Only%20One%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20Oct.%201973%3A%20There%20Is%20Only%20One%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20Oct.%201973%3A%20There%20Is%20Only%20One%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Interview, Magazine, The Divine Miss M **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #Converging, #Interview, #magazine, #MisterD, #thedivinemissm, #TheZoo --- ### [Video: Bette Midler In Outrageous Fortune + Trivia](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/23/video-bette-midler-in-outrageous-fortune-trivia/) **Published:** July 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s role in Outrageous Fortune (1987) is a comedic gem, showcasing her as Sandy Brozinsky, a brash, loud-mouthed aspiring actress with a penchant for chaos. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler In Outrageous Fortune + Trivia By Mister D July 22, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/4b4f270ed91c70e4ddf8fc1000cc2dc1.jpg "4b4f270ed91c70e4ddf8fc1000cc2dc1 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler’s** ](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/bette-midler-interview-career-life-1235961854/)role in [**Outrageous Fortune**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2023/12/24/outrageous-fortune-a-hilarious-spy-thriller-with-bette-midler/) (1987) is a comedic gem, showcasing her as Sandy Brozinsky, a brash, loud-mouthed aspiring actress with a penchant for chaos. Paired with Shelley Long’s refined Lauren Ames, Midler’s performance is a masterclass in high-energy, unapologetic humor. The two play rivals who get entangled in a wild chase involving espionage, stolen toxins, and a shared lover, Michael Santers (Peter Coyote). Midler’s Sandy is a working-class, rough-around-the-edges contrast to Long’s polished snob, and their chemistry drives the film’s screwball energy. Directed by Arthur Hiller, the movie blends buddy-comedy with action, and Midler’s larger-than-life persona—complete with her signature wit and physical comedy—steals the show. **Trivia and Insights/Casting Dynamics:** Midler and Long were not the original pair considered. The script, written by Leslie Dixon, was initially pitched with other actresses in mind, but Disney’s Touchstone Pictures saw Midler’s star power (fresh off Down and Out in Beverly Hills) as a perfect fit for Sandy. Long, known for Cheers, was cast to balance Midler’s intensity with her comedic finesse. **Box Office Success:** The film was a hit, grossing over $52 million domestically on a $16 million budget, making it one of the top comedies of 1987. Midler’s performance was a big draw, with audiences loving her outrageous antics. **Improv and Chemistry:** Midler and Long reportedly had some on-set tension due to their differing acting styles—Midler’s improvisational flair clashed with Long’s more methodical approach. However, this friction added authenticity to their characters’ rivalry. Some of Sandy’s funniest lines, like her colorful insults, were Midler ad-libs. **Memorable Scenes:** Midler’s physical comedy shines in scenes like the car chase where Sandy and Lauren bicker while dodging danger, or when Sandy tries to seduce a CIA agent with her over-the-top charm. Her delivery of lines like “I’m not an actress, I’m a star!” became iconic. **Soundtrack Contribution:** Midler, a Grammy-winning singer, didn’t contribute to the soundtrack directly, but her musical background influenced Sandy’s theatrical persona. The film’s score, composed by Alan Silvestri, complemented its frenetic pace. **Cultural Impact:** Outrageous Fortune was one of the first female-led buddy comedies, paving the way for films like Thelma & Louise. Its success showed Hollywood that women could carry action-comedies, with Midler’s performance proving her versatility beyond musicals. **Behind-the-Scenes Tidbit:** The film’s title is inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet (“the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune”), a nod to the characters’ dramatic misadventures. Midler, a theater buff, reportedly loved the reference. **Location Fun:** Shot primarily in New Mexico and Los Angeles, the desert chase scenes were grueling. Midler, known for her stamina, handled the physical demands well, even in 100-degree heat, while Long struggled with the rugged conditions. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Outrageous%20Fortune%20%2B%20Trivia&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Outrageous%20Fortune%20%2B%20Trivia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Outrageous%20Fortune%20%2B%20Trivia&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Outrageous%20Fortune%20%2B%20Trivia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20Outrageous%20Fortune%20%2B%20Trivia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Outrageous Fortune, Trailer **Tags:** #BetteMidler #OutrageousFortune, #BootlegBetty, #MisterD, #Movie, #ShelleyLong, #Trailer --- ### [Bette Midler And Her Bedazzled BadAssery!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/22/bette-midler-and-her-bedazzled-badassery/) **Published:** July 22, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Oh, daaahling, Bette Midler isn’t just a badass—she’s a bedazzled, feather-boa-wearing, glitter-dusted supernova of FABULOUSNESS! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler And Her Bedazzled BadAssery! By Mister D July 22, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-07-15_13-55-43.png "2025-07-15_13-55-43 - bootleg betty") --- Oh, daaahling, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/07/29/video-bette-midler-i-will-survive-art-or-bust/) isn’t just a [**badass**](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/badass)—she’s a bedazzled, feather-boa-wearing, glitter-dusted supernova of FABULOUSNESS! Picture this: a pint-sized powerhouse prancing onto the stage of a steamy 1970s NYC bathhouse, serving vocals hotter than a summer in Vegas, all while surrounded by towel-toting hunks. That’s right, the Divine Miss M kicked off her reign at the Continental Baths, because nothing screams “I’m an icon” like serenading a crowd that’s half-dressed and fully obsessed!Her voice? Honey, it’s a sequined sledgehammer—part Broadway belter, part rock ‘n’ roll vixen, capable of turning “Wind Beneath My Wings” into a sob-fest or vamping up “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” like she’s leading a disco army. Grammys? Tonys? Emmys? Pfft, Bette’s trophy case is so stuffed, it’s practically auditioning for Hoarders. She’s sashayed through films like The Rose and Beaches, making us bawl our eyes out while she winks at the camera like she invented drama. And at 80, she’s still serving lewks and laughs in The Fabulous Four (2024), because retirement? Not in Bette’s glittery vocabulary! Over on Social Media, her fans are practically building shrines, calling her the “camp queen supreme” for tweets that sling shade sharper than a stiletto and hype her New York Restoration Project like it’s the hottest club in town. Bette’s out there planting trees, saving the planet, and probably tossing in a one-liner about compost that’d make you snort your martini. She’s the gal who’d show up to your dive bar karaoke night, steal the mic, and turn it into a sold-out Vegas revue by midnight. Badass? Oh, darling, Bette Midler is the campiest, glampiest, most divine diva to ever werk this mortal coil! That’s badassery! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Her%20Bedazzled%20BadAssery%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Her%20Bedazzled%20BadAssery%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Her%20Bedazzled%20BadAssery%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Her%20Bedazzled%20BadAssery%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Her%20Bedazzled%20BadAssery%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Badass, Bette Midler **Tags:** #BadAssery, #Fabulousness, #MisterD, Awards, badass, BetteMidler, BootlegBetty, ContinentalBaths, Icon, NewYorkRestorationProject, SocialMedia, Vegas --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - Under The Boardwalk (SKDJ Workout Remix Edit) + Trivia](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/22/audio-bette-midler-under-the-boardwalk-skdj-workout-remix-edit-trivia/) **Published:** July 22, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's version of "Under the Boardwalk" is a standout track from the 1988 film Beaches, where she starred as Cecilia "CC" Bloom. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler – Under The Boardwalk (SKDJ Workout Remix Edit) By Mister D July 21, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-07-17_13-10-19-1.png "2025-07-17_13-10-19 - bootleg betty") --- --- [Bette Midler’s](https://wealthypeeps.com/where-is-bette-midler-now-career-family-explored/) version of “[**Under the Boardwalk**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2010/04/13/betteback-under-the-boardwalk/)” is a standout track from the 1988 film Beaches, where she starred as Cecilia “CC” Bloom. The song, originally a 1964 hit by The Drifters, was reimagined for the movie’s soundtrack, showcasing Midler’s powerful vocals and emotional delivery. Her rendition is a soulful, pop-infused cover with a lush arrangement, emphasizing her ability to blend humor and heart, which aligns with her character’s arc in the film. The song plays during a pivotal moment, enhancing the story’s nostalgic and bittersweet tone about lifelong friendship. **Details and Trivia:** **Soundtrack Success:** Midler’s Beaches soundtrack, released in 1988, achieved commercial success, reaching #21 on the Billboard 200. “Under the Boardwalk” was one of the key tracks, alongside the iconic “Wind Beneath My Wings,” which won a Grammy for Record of the Year. **Production:** The track was produced by Arif Mardin, a legendary producer renowned for his collaborations with artists such as Aretha Franklin. Mardin’s arrangement gave the song a polished, contemporary feel while preserving its doo-wop roots. **Chart Performance:** While “Wind Beneath My Wings” was the breakout single, “Under the Boardwalk” gained popularity through the film’s cultural impact and Midler’s live performances. Film Context: In Beaches, the song underscores CC’s journey as a performer, reflecting her vibrant personality and the 1960s beach culture vibe. It’s performed during a montage, tying into the film’s themes of nostalgia and friendship. **Midler’s Connection:** Midler, known for her versatile career, had a deep affinity for reviving older songs. Her take on “Under the Boardwalk” pays homage to the original while adding her theatrical flair, a hallmark of her work in the 1980s. **Cultural Impact:** The Beaches soundtrack became a touchstone for fans, with “Under the Boardwalk” often cited in reviews for its infectious energy. It’s a fan favorite at Midler’s concerts, where she often infuses it with her signature campy charm. **Trivia Note:** Midler reportedly insisted on including classic songs like “Under the Boardwalk” to reflect the era and CC’s musical influences, drawing from her own experiences performing in New York’s bathhouses early in her career. Below is a new, remixed version of the song, --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Under%20The%20Boardwalk%20%28SKDJ%20Workout%20Remix%20Edit%29%20%2B%20Trivia&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Under%20The%20Boardwalk%20%28SKDJ%20Workout%20Remix%20Edit%29%20%2B%20Trivia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Under%20The%20Boardwalk%20%28SKDJ%20Workout%20Remix%20Edit%29%20%2B%20Trivia&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Under%20The%20Boardwalk%20%28SKDJ%20Workout%20Remix%20Edit%29%20%2B%20Trivia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Under%20The%20Boardwalk%20%28SKDJ%20Workout%20Remix%20Edit%29%20%2B%20Trivia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Movies, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #MisterD, #Remix, #soundtrack, #UnderTheBoardwalk, #Workout --- ### [Scenes From A Mall: A Slice Of Bette Midler Comfort](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/21/scenes-from-a-mall-a-slice-of-bette-midler-comfort/) **Published:** July 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** It’s not funny in the sense of a Jim Carrey performance, or a classic Cary Grant comedy, but rather a comedy of the human side. This is what I would expect from real people. **Content:** --- ## The Laughing Place Touchstone and Beyond: “Scenes from a Mall” By Bill Gowsell Jul 20, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/w1280-951x1024.jpg "W1280 - bootleg betty")--- **Movie:** [**Scenes From A Mall**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/scenes-from-a-mall-2/) **Release Date:** February 22, 1991 **Budget:** $3 million **Domestic Box Office Gross:** $9,563,393 **Plot Synopsis** Nick and Deborah have just sent their kids off on a ski trip and are celebrating their 16th wedding anniversary. On a trip to the mall, the two get ready to have a party that night and start shopping in the mall. Deborah has just released a book about the power of marriage, and while her career as a psychotherapist is in full swing, Nick is a successful sports attorney, and there are problems in their long union. Nick admits to multiple affairs, which forces the couple into a spiral of anger and discussion. As the day progresses, Nick learns that Deborah is currently having an affair, and that pushes him to want a divorce. They bicker and argue and spend the day venting sixteen years of biting their tongue and fibs that explode in an outpouring of emotion. They seem to be the perfect couple, and they perfectly hate each other. The problem for Nick and Deborah is that they seem to like each other still, and don’t really want to end the marriage, despite the lies and cheating. **Standing Ovation** I appreciate that this story is intended to be played for laughs. There are no big moments of jokes; rather, small non-sequiturs about life between [**Midler**](https://www.combster.com/t/Bette-Midler/01-0201-dd52?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=S_DSA_MIX_Nova&utm_id=22683707256&gad_source=5&gad_campaignid=22683707256&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs42tm5HOjgMVf3FHAR3kXjAuEAAYASAAEgJZfPD_BwE) and Allen make the film funny. It’s not funny in the sense of a Jim Carrey performance, or a classic Cary Grant comedy, but rather a comedy of the human side. This is what I would expect from real people. It was a great flashback to the 90s when people would congregate in the malls. I miss the lure of malls and Blockbuster. The artwork for the film’s VHS copy is fantastic. **Time for the Hook** The ending! It must have some resolution, and this film doesn’t really give the audience an ending. We assume they are staying together, but that may not be true. I just wish we had a definitive answer to what was going to happen to poor old Nick and Deborah. **Bit Part Player** Anyone who grew up in the 1990s will recognize him. Fabio makes his first screen credit as the handsome man who gets on the elevator with Deborah and Nick. He doesn’t have any lines, but he makes his presence known. **Did You Know?** – The movie earned its budget back on its opening weekend, raking in almost $4 million. – The exterior mall scenes were shot at the Beverly Center. Most of the mall interiors were shot at the Kaufman Astoria Studio in Queens, New York. The scenes with the elevators and escalators were shot at the Stamford Town Center in Stamford, Connecticut. – Apparently, Woody Allen had never set foot in a mall before shooting the film. -Bette Midler sings the credits song, “You Do Something to Me”. – This is the second Touchstone Pictures film that Midler made with director Mazursky. The first was the wonderfully amusing, Down and Out in Beverly Hills. – This was the first movie since 1976 that Woody Allen only had a starring role in. – Bette Midler was offered the role of Annie Wilkes in Misery. She reportedly couldn’t get past the violence in the film and chose to do this film instead. Midler admits that her choice was the wrong one. – Director Paul Mazursky plays Dr. Hans Clava. He promotes Deborah’s book on TV and is her lover. – Critics did not have many kind things to say about this movie. – Critic Gene Siskel said that the film was stunningly unfunny and both he and Roger Ebert listed it as one of the worst films of the year. Ouch! **Best Quotable Line** “You’re making a mountain out of a mole hill.” This comes from Nick when he is trying to reduce the gravity of his affair on Deborah. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%3A%20A%20Slice%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Comfort&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%3A%20A%20Slice%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Comfort%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%3A%20A%20Slice%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Comfort&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%3A%20A%20Slice%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Comfort%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Scenes%20From%20A%20Mall%3A%20A%20Slice%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Comfort%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Scenes From A Mall, Trailer, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBtty, #Fabio, #MisterD, #ScenesfromaMall, #Touchstone, #Video, #WoodyAllen --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings "No Jinx" Plus Trivia](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/21/video-bette-midler-sings-no-jinx-plus-trivia/) **Published:** July 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The song "No Jinx" by Bette Midler is featured in the 1982 American comedy film Jinxed!, directed by Don Siegel. It serves as the theme song for the movie **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings “No Jinx” Plus Trivia By Mister D July 21, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/jinxed-2.png "Jinxed-2 - bootleg betty") --- The song “No Jinx” by [**Bette Midler**](https://x.com/bootlegbette) is featured in the 1982 American comedy film [**Jinxed!,**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/jinxed/) directed by Don Siegel. It serves as the theme song for the movie, which stars Midler as Bonita Friml, a lounge singer entangled in a comedic yet dark plot involving gambling and a supposed jinx. The song is noted for its catchy, upbeat 1980s style, complementing Midler’s vibrant performance and the film’s quirky tone. **Style and Reception:** Described as a “great 80’s tune,” the song is upbeat and reflective of Midler’s signature style, blending theatrical flair with pop sensibilities. Fans have praised it for its fun and memorable quality, with some noting that it, along with a reunion medley number in the film, makes watching Jinxed! worthwhile despite the movie’s mixed reviews. **Availability:** The song was recorded specifically for the film but has not been widely released as a standalone single, making it somewhat obscure. It can be heard in the movie itself, available on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, and MGM+. Clips of the song have also been shared on YouTube, with one version described as “recorded, cleaned, and enhanced” from the film. **Cultural Impact:** While “No Jinx” is not one of Midler’s most famous songs, it has a cult following among her fans, who appreciate its connection to the film and her dynamic vocal delivery. Some reviews suggest the song deserved more recognition, with one fan even claiming it “should have won a Grammy.” **Film Context:** In Jinxed!, Midler’s character Bonita is caught in a love triangle with a gambler, Harold Benson (Rip Torn), and a blackjack dealer, Willie Brodax (Ken Wahl). The film’s plot revolves around Harold’s uncanny ability to win against Willie, giving rise to the notion of a “jinx.” The song “No Jinx” ties into this theme, likely reflecting Bonita’s desire to break free from the chaos and bad luck surrounding her. The movie itself was a box-office flop and received mixed reviews, with critics like Roger Ebert giving it low ratings, but Midler’s musical performances, including “No Jinx,” are often cited as highlights. **Additional Notes:** The soundtrack for Jinxed! had issues during production, as the studio rejected a score composed by Lalo Schifrin, but “No Jinx” remained a key musical element. Fans on platforms like Amazon have highlighted the song’s quality, with comments noting its “amazing sound” and its role in showcasing Midler’s comedic and musical talents. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22No%20Jinx%22%20Plus%20Trivia&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22No%20Jinx%22%20Plus%20Trivia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22No%20Jinx%22%20Plus%20Trivia&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22No%20Jinx%22%20Plus%20Trivia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22No%20Jinx%22%20Plus%20Trivia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Jinxed, Movies, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #Jinxed, #MisterD, #Movies, #NoJinx, #Song, #ThemeSong --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings Oh, Industry Plus Trivia](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/20/video-bette-midler-sings-oh-industry-plus-trivia/) **Published:** July 20, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The song "Oh Industry" is a track from the 1988 film Beaches soundtrack, performed by Bette Midler. Here’s a detailed overview based on available information: **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings Oh, Industry Plus Trivia By Mister D July 20, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-07-20_13-06-26.png "2025-07-20_13-06-26 - bootleg betty") --- The song “[**Oh Industry**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2023/11/30/this-songs-meaning-to-me-oh-industry/ "Oh Industry")” is a track from the 1988 film Beaches soundtrack, performed by Bette Midler. Here’s a detailed overview based on available information: **Background and Context/Film Context:** In Beaches, “Oh Industry” is performed by the character Cecilia “CC” Bloom (played by [**Bette Midler**](https://open.spotify.com/artist/13y0kncDD4J9wxCyfKr10W)) as part of her journey from a young performer to a successful pop star. The song is depicted as a satirical, avant-garde musical number within an experimental theater group, reflecting the character’s artistic evolution during the 1980s, a decade marked by the Reagan era. It’s described as a critique of industrialization and its consequences, infused with a science-fiction tone. Songwriters and Production: The song was co-written by Bette Midler and Wendy Waldman, with music arranged by Marc Shaiman, Arif Mardin, Robbie Buchanan, and Robbie Kondor, and produced by Arif Mardin. **Release:** It was released on the Beaches: Original Soundtrack Recording by Atlantic Records in 1988. The soundtrack is notable for being Midler’s best-selling album, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and achieving triple platinum status in the US. **Musical and Lyrical Content** Lyrics: The lyrics of “Oh Industry” are vivid and metaphorical, painting a dystopian picture of industrialization’s impact. Key lines include:”I am the captain and this is my shrine. Lord of the manor. See what I leave behind. River in flames, cities on fire. Yes, I’m a relic trapped in the wire.” “Oh, industry, whatever will become of me? Nothing after the flood but the fire and the mud’s prophecy.” The refrain repeats “Industry, charity, faith, hope,” suggesting a complex interplay of industrial progress and human values. **Themes:** The song is interpreted as a commentary on the destructive consequences of industrialization, possibly reflecting Cold War-era fears of nuclear apocalypse or environmental degradation. Some analyses suggest it portrays the perspective of an industrialist reflecting on their legacy, questioning the cost of progress (“What have I ever done? Where did I go wrong?”). Others view it as a satirical take on the entertainment industry or a broader critique of the “military-industrial complex.” **Musical Style:** The track has a dramatic, theatrical quality, fitting its in-film context as a performance piece. It features a tempo of 150 BPM and is in the key of F# major, with chords including A minor, F# major, D minor, and D# minor. The soundtrack version has a fade-out ending, while the film version features a “cold ending.” **Reception and Impact/Cultural Impact:** While not as commercially prominent as the soundtrack’s standout hit “Wind Beneath My Wings,” “Oh Industry” is noted for its bold, artistic statement. Fans on platforms like Reddit have praised its dystopian and theatrical vibe, with some describing it as a “frisson”-inducing performance. **Interpretations:** Online discussions, such as on SongMeanings, offer varied interpretations. Some see it as a metaphor for the music industry’s grind, where talent can be “trapped in the wire” of commercial systems, while others connect it to broader themes like coal mining or societal collapse. Its abstract nature invites diverse readings, with one user likening it to the environmental regret of the Once-ler in The Lorax. **Artistic Use:** The song inspired a 2009 video art piece by Daniel Mudie Cunningham, also titled Oh Industry, which mashed Midler’s performance with early 20th-century imagery of factory and military labor, exploring themes of modernity and industrialization. **Additional Notes** Film vs. Soundtrack: The version of “Oh Industry” in the film differs slightly from the soundtrack release, with the film version having a distinct ending. No Connection to The Beaches Band: Despite the query mentioning “Beaches band,” there is no band named “Beaches” associated with this song. The Canadian rock band The Beaches, formed in 2009, is unrelated to the Beaches film or soundtrack. **Summary** “Oh Industry” is a thought-provoking, theatrical song from the Beaches soundtrack, blending satire, dystopian imagery, and social commentary. Performed by Bette Midler, it captures the experimental spirit of the film’s narrative while offering a critique of industrialization’s toll. Its abstract lyrics and bold delivery make it a memorable, if less mainstream, part of the iconic soundtrack. For further exploration, you can listen to it on Spotify or watch the performance in the 1988 film Beaches. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Oh%2C%20Industry%20Plus%20Trivia&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Oh%2C%20Industry%20Plus%20Trivia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Oh%2C%20Industry%20Plus%20Trivia&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Oh%2C%20Industry%20Plus%20Trivia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Oh%2C%20Industry%20Plus%20Trivia%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Movies, Songs, Video **Tags:** #BarbaraHershey, #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #MisterD, #Movies, #ohIndustry, #Song, #Video --- ### [BetteBack Dec 1973: Reviews Of Bette Midler Playing The Palace](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/20/betteback-dec-1973-reviews-of-bette-midler-playing-the-palace/) **Published:** July 20, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Skittering on stage like a manical kewpie doll in a green-blue-and-pink dress, tottering in ankle-strap platform shoes, she proclaimed herself the "last of the truly tacky women **Content:** --- ## Various Publications BetteBack Dec 1973: Reviews Of Bette Midler Playing The Palace By Various Authors December 1973 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/4555ff582cebdc3f56a8670093feede9.jpg "4555ff582cebdc3f56a8670093feede9 - bootleg betty") --- **Midler Bows at the Palace December 4, 1973 – New York Post By Jan Hodenfield** **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/)** probably couldn’t be boring if she tried. And that she doesn’t understand that – or at least believe it – was the problem when the vibrant singer-comedienne took the stage of the Palace last night for the opening of a long sold-out three-week run. Skittering on stage like a manical kewpie doll in a green-blue-and-pink dress, tottering in ankle-strap platform shoes, she proclaimed herself the “last of the truly tacky women,” a “study in low rent” who’s been “through the muck and mire.” But in place of the cheap honesty that’s propelled her to fame, she opted for lavish theatrics. No lyric was to be dispatched without extravagant gesture, no joke cracked without a dazzling smile or crafty rapture, no sally tossed off without passing through her nose, no pause marked without an elaborate “my gawwwwwd!” and no conclusions were to be reached by an audience of camp followers and scene makers without detailed instructions from the entertainer. Which was a pity, as she has in past performance and on record proven herself a pop singer able, by raiding the past with care and command, to raise her craft to pop art. But where on her first album, “**[The Divine Miss M](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Divine_Miss_M)**,” she glides, slides and soars through “Am I Blue,” pushing it to the outer limits of poignancy, but not a quavering note further, as though it hadn’t been through the wringing hands of a bedraggled army of torch singers before her, at the Palace she chooses to be gayer than gay and lonelier than lonely. Nor does she aim any higher with “Hello in There,” a near-athetic paean to American old age which she has in the past pared down to spare poetry but last night enriched with glittering, superiors intensity. And when she tackles (and that’s the word) songs of intrinsic glitter – “Lullaby of Broadway,” “In the Mood,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and onto schlock-rock classics “Leader of the Pack” and “Do-Ron Ron” – it’s too often like watching a channel swimmer in the last flailing laps. Still and yet. When she opens the second act by traipsing down an enormous Busby Berkleyish-silver lame ankle-strap shoe, resplendent in pink sequin sheath and tatty boa, arms going like hydraulic-powered egg beaters to the masterful beat provided by musical director Barry Manilow, her back-up group, the Harlettes, just as dazzling in pink maids’ uniforms that swoop open to reveal an American flag lining, Bette Midler makes a promise you want to believe in. And when she learns that it’s possible to try too hard, she’ll probably fulfill it. **Bette Midler: PALACE, N.Y. December 5, 1973 – Variety By Verr.** Bette Midler boogied back to Broadway Monday night (3), opening a three-week SRO stand at the Palace, where $350,000 is already in the till from tickets scaled from $15 weekends, $12 weeknights, and that doesn’t include standing room on the day-of-performance at a walloping $10 per. Kleig lights (despite the energy crisis), celebs, drag’ queens and the Broadway opening night establishment were out in force for the event, Midler’s first N.Y. appearance in almost a year. What they got was middling, just a glimpse of the potential of this talented brassy singer who’s now pushing too hard and too fast. Less than fresh from an exhausting national tour, Midler’s voice was strained, unable to sustain higher registers and sometimes breaking mid-note. The act itself is tired with no fresh material, and Midler’s all-too-obvious first night jitters were not helped by a tough audience, most of whom have never shimmied in their towels at the Continental Baths, where this phenomenon began. Trouble with Midler’s act, aside from the lack of balance and a disturbing note of a new, harsher vulgarity, lies in the inherent dangers of her relentless self-depreciation and her penchant for arrangements that build to frenzy without purpose. She still lacks the sustained confidence and / or guidance to just stand there and sing, but when she manages it, as she did briefly on opening, she is a knockout. Ironically, rehearsal footage aired on some of the local tv stations Monday night displayed a relaxed and controlled singer in top form. More of that feeling onstage would balance the current overemphasis on speed freak boogie-woogie and furious ’50s rock. Again backed by the gifted Barry Manilow (who offered a sock solo second act opening of his own compositions), Midler needs only to care for her voice and exercise some self restraint, after all, nostalgia is trendy by definition and the boys in the balcony can be fickle. Developing a wider range and protecting that tough vulnerability that is her own should insure Midler the kind of lasting career her raw talent deserves. The Palace stand is produced by Aaron Russo with Ron Delsener. Gosh, it’s Little Orphan Annie! Just when we need her! December 11, 1973 – New York Times Unknown Author The nation was in sore need of comic relief last week. And, against a background of gloom-on-gloom, with the house lights dimmed across the land, it got it. Bette Midler opened at The Palace. Flashy, trashy, and with enough warmth and energy to get the whole country through the winter, The Divine Miss M wowed ’em. And the audience that responded to her with cheers, with laughter, with joy – was one that actually did represent the whole country: “Straight and gay; aboveground and underground; unisex and duo-sex; Middle American and radic-lib; chic and frumpy; escapees from apartments for singles and escapees from retirement homes – they all turned out for the one performer on today’s scene they could all share with equal enthusiasm.” Newsweek’s Charles Michener probes into the Midler mystique (“an unmistakable vulnerability, a heart-stopping innocence . . . an intuition for what the public has been hungering for without yet realizing it”) and finds the enthusiasm well deserved. Bette Midler does have something for everybody. **Bette At The Palace December 13, 1973 – The Village Voice By Ira Mayer** IT IS NOT SO MUCH that Bette Midler’s appearance at the Palace Theatre has made her a Broadway star as it is that she has brought stardom back to Broadway. Tacky she is, but tacky with a splendid sense of grandeur. Why, even her nervousness on Opening Night, manifested in a missed note or a wrong tempo, befit the occasion, for this was an audience, mostly invited, composed of the Beautiful and Famous from rock and theatre worlds alike. For them, she would have to be at her tackiest, even more so than in Portland or Passaic. Needless to say, she succeeded marvelously. The show is beautifully constructed, with the production numbers properly produced, the gaudiness properly spoofed and exploited. Miss M’s second act entrance, following a three-song set by her pianist / musical director Barry Manilow, makes just her playing the Palace in a way that has eluded all of the pop stars who have tried it in recent seasons. A magnificent pink, red, and blue skyline backdrop drapes the rear of the stage as she makes the entrance, descending from a huge, high-heeled silver lame shoe. Miss M herself wears a pink lame gown, an outfit which could only be topped by the sequined and feathered numbers of some of those who had come to hear her. The song she sings, appropriately enough, is “Lullaby of Broadway.” Climaxing the scene, her three-voice back-up group, the Harlettes, enter in 1940s maid uniforms to join her for “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” their costumes blossoming out into American flags. That, mind you, is but her entrance. Throughout the evening her shticks, “dishes” as she calls them, once disjointed and rambling, are now built around her touring experiences and put downs shot at such popular personages as Dick Nixon, Dick Clark, and Linda Lovelace. The proper Broadway term for it, l believe, would be ribald. Miss M has her own terms: garbage, trash, sleaze. It works no matter what you call it. The opening a week ago Tuesday was not Midler at her best, partly because as New Yorkers, we have seen the show develop through its more elementary stages. The things which once happened spontaneously are now formally incorporated into the show, though there is still plenty of room for improvisation. The portrayal of the Divine Miss M is more polished (refined it is not), with the result a program whose appeal will bring her to still newer and broader audiences. **Gross me out, Miss M December 13, 1973 – The Village Voice By Arthur Bell** La creme de la creme and la pits de la pits showed up for the Divine One’s opening at the Palace. Dyan Cannon in platinum. Vito Russo in Skunk. Ruth Truth in red lame. Channel No. 13 in popper-drenched spacesuit. They came by Rolls, foot, BMT, and rickshaw. In singles (Edward Sherman) in couples (Earl Wilson with Dong Kingman), and in packs (the After Dark staff). Some had seen her at the Continental, some had come for a new taste treat. They crossed a picket line (the United Scenic Artists Local 829), squited at kleigs, highbrowed onlookers, divined friends in the lobby, cluttered the balcony, and practically angina pectorised in anticipation of HER. Hula dancers preceded her, setting the tone – she’s supposed to have spent her childhood in Samoa or somewhere. Next came her nervous, funny musical director, blondined and sequined. Then her Harlettes, nodding at stage left, like cleaning women waiting for her majesty’s instructions. She hippity-hopped, choo-chooed, clutched Ann Miller’s fan from “Easter Parade,” dropped it, dropped her eyes, waved her arms, ziggity-zagged in platforms, embraced the balcony. Smiled. Humble. Sweet. Do they love me, do they hate me, no, yes, don’t give a shit, give a shit, they’ve got to love me and I’m gonna make them love me but I’m gonna give them a hard time and test them. So she gave them a hard time. She ran about like a Samoan caught stealing girdles on Eastern Parkway and sang and mocked. She gave them lip. She rode everything. Everything that they felt superior to, like anyplace outside New York, anyone undivine. Then she mocked the accepted. Women’s Wear Daily. The $15 ticket. “Whose idea was it to play this dump?” Tempting the shakers. How far could they take it? She talked about herself in the third person, as if a first person didn’t exist. “Gross me out, Miss M.” And she shlumped on a stool, legs crossed, “Swing Shift Maisie,” spewing sass and gall like Ann Sothern wouldn’t know from, there in the 40s she loves SO well. Sleazy. ”She’s gonna sing you a sleazy bar song.” Campy. “Oh, my Gawd.” “Gawd, my Gawd.” The pits. Nasal. French. Nixon. Linda Lovelace. Gar-bage, quips, put-downs, energy, talent, yes, no, love, testing, testing, fuck off, stop, love. For some, it worked. Others said, she blew it. Those who know her well, say she’s nervous, testy, self-destructive opening nights. Catch her the night after. Different show. The night after, she cursed out the first night audience. Divine. This actually happened. Following the last Palace opening night curtain call, a certain 40-ish sometime movie star whom we all know and some of us love, walked into Joe Allen’s Restaurant accompanied by four divine escorts. They ordered dinner. The movie star, throughout her meal, paid little attention to her dates, but focused her experienced eyes on the hunky black waiter who served them. When it came time for dessert, the waiter approached the table and asked the movie star “what would you like?” The star grabbed his wrist and answered. “I wouldn’t like dessert.” “How about coffee?” asked the waiter. “Uh, huh,” blinked the star: “How would you like it’?” “I like my coffee the way I like my men.” responded the star. “I’m sorry,” said the waiter, “we don’t serve gay coffee.” **Midler Fine at Palace Unknown Date / New York Daily News By Michael lachetta** Busty, red-haired Bette Midler, “the Divine Miss M,” opened her three-week run at the Palace Monday night – only she wasn’t quite so divine. What she was, quite simply, was a not-quite-30-year-old cult figure before her time riding the nostalgia wave on an outrageous blend of camp and swing. But, when the current is on, and that oh-so-clever patter is off, she is very special; for her voice goes deep and her voice goes throaty, her voice goes folksy and her voice goes bluesy and just about every which way you might choose a lyric to be caressed. She was at her best with her hits; “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” delivered Andrews Sisters-style, and “Do You Wanna Dance?” She did a modified striptease to “You’re Lifting Me Higher Than I’ve Ever Been Before.” Her “Delta Dawn” was a haunting mix of varied styles. Each number showed how far she has come from the scared Jewish kid who made it out of the slums near Pearl Harbor in Hawaii to the Palace stage, where she is going to be the rage of Broadway. Her father was a painter out of Passaic, N. J., who went to Hawaii to follow a dream and wound up painting houses for the Navy to hustlw a buck. Bette (pronounced Bet) picked pineapples in a cannery until she got into drama classes at the University of Hawaii. That led to a bit role in the movie “Hawaii,” and enough money saved to split for Greenwich Village in New York. She typed, sold gloves in a department store, worked her way into the chorus of “Fiddler on the Roof” and into a solo singing stint at the Continental Bath, a gaily liberated health spa on the upper West Side. “I didn’t have much material so I just started freaking out doing all my fantasies of people like the McGuire Sisters, Betty Boop and Helen Morgan,” she has said. She did her thing on Johnny Carson and David Frost and the record sales started coming. So when she walked out on the Palace stage singing her opening, “There Is no One Here Beside Me,” the boys who worshiped Judy Garland, Bette Davis and Tallulah Bankhead started cheering. Her show-stoppers came after she descended a stairway molded like a glass slipper silhouetted against a New York skyline backdrop. The latest show biz Cinderella was on her way. **Stage: Miss M. Divine Unknown Date – New York Times By Ian Dove** Despite Bette Midler’s Honolulu birthplace, New York has always regarded her as homegrown and hometown. Not for nothing does a club where she more or less began her current career as a singer have the piano inscribed with a brass plaque because Miss Midler first leaned there. And not for nothing did that segment of audience, much grown, welcome the singer to the Palace Theater, Broadway, on Monday. She is now called the Divine Miss M., has been duly consecrated by the likes of Johnny Carson and terms herself the “last of the truly tacky women.” Bette Midler is encamped through December at the Palace, sold out most of the time all this appreciation is really justified. Miss Midler told her audience that she had just completed an American tour – 250 cities in 11 minutes by Sherman tank and gas mask” – but initial nervousness apart, little of the tiresome round of one-night stands (three months actually) showed. She jumped with ferocious pizzazz through a real “Warner Bros. Presents” version of “Lullaby of Broadway,” into Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood,” the Andrew Sisters’ “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and into “Do You Wanna Dance,” leaping three decades of oldies-but-goodies in a single concert. Interspersed were similar, but lower-keyed and slower paced songs, the touchy “Am I Blue?” and a couple of the better contemporary ballads, “‘Hello Again” and “Delta Dawn.” The energy numbers – no crisis here – were performed by Miss Midler looking a cross between Sadie Thompson and Martha Raye, and backed by a female vocal trio, the Harlettes. It was mainly a familiar program, although Miss Midler has not been in Manhattan since last New Year’s Eve. What made it different was an emphasis Miss Midler put on some classy put down and invective. She is apparently building up the comedy part of her concerts. Miss Midler also appeared to wing it on one number that, while not perfect, showed some courage as it was her opening night on Broadway. But then Miss Midler did go into Broadway a chorus girl (some years back in “Fiddler on the Roof”). She may have emerged a star last night. Opening the second half of the concert was Barry Manilow who worked throughout the evening as Miss Midler’s musical director and pianist. He showed, during his three songs, talent in his own right and was genuinely received by the audience. He has also been with Miss Midler since the very beginning and so, for him too, it was a return to familiar ground. **Bette’s Working for BIG Money . . . Unknown Date – New York Post By Earl Wilson** Bette Midler will haul down about $300,000 for three weeks of doing her “trash with flash” act at the Palace. Las Vegas salaries have come to New York. That’s $100,000 a week. Six shows a week, $16,000 a show. Jimmy Nederlander, the personable proprietor of the Palace, said as we watched the unbelievable opening night lobby scene, “Bette Midler is the biggest grosser in the history of the Palace.” “I was here in ’67 when Judy Garland came in and I think this is bigger,” I agreed. WE WATCHED the remarkable people shoving in, some normals, some celebrities like Dyan Cannon, Peter Boyle and Julie Newmar . . . some bearded ladies, men in gowns, a bare-backed man who stood up and waved, one who had to be hauled offstage. But Judy Garland had cultists, too, people with a revival meeting fervor. “You paid 15 DOLLARS!” shrieked the fierceIy energetic 28-year-old redhead, who said she was the only Jewish girl in a Samoan neighborhood in Hawaii and always liked the red light districts to walk in because they were interesting. “You could have bought 3 gallons of gas for that kind of money.” SHE WAS WORRIED about the first-night stiffs in the front row. She mimicked them, “Dirty girl . . . I don’t get it . . . Gross . . . very gross.” She went after Nixon; told the well-known “Deep Throat” story to huge applause. Got several standing ovations. Had the greatest stage presence, warmth and personality of any new performer in years. She said she was very tired. “I’ve been standing in line all day trying to get tickets to the Winter Garden to see Liza Minnelli.” “Went to great expense to get these Hawaiian girls here tonight,” she said. “Had to pay their fare all the way from Broadway and 50th St.” “Listen,” she said once, “whose idea was it to play this dump?” A great one, whosever it was. Still, Bette Midler, after that madhouse, went over to Improvisation with Peter Boyle and gloomed all over the place that those trussed-up first night stiffs weren’t her people and didn’t appreciate her. I trust the thought of $300,000 for the three weeks will help her accept her fate. ows and catch up. Hit it, Irving! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20Dec%201973%3A%20Reviews%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Playing%20The%20Palace&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20Dec%201973%3A%20Reviews%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Playing%20The%20Palace%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20Dec%201973%3A%20Reviews%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Playing%20The%20Palace&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20Dec%201973%3A%20Reviews%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Playing%20The%20Palace%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20Dec%201973%3A%20Reviews%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20Playing%20The%20Palace%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Reviews, The Divine Miss M, The Divine Miss M Tour **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #MisterD, #Palace, #Review, #Reviews, #thedivinemissm --- ### [Video: Supercut FreakOut of Bette Midler In The Rose](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/18/video-supercut-freakout-of-bette-midler-in-the-rose/) **Published:** July 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Here's a supercut of Bette Midler freaking out or going off on others in The Rose. Definitely shows her raw emotional talent, **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Supercut FreakOut of Bette Midler In The Rose By Mister D July 18, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-07-18_17-11-58.png "2025-07-18_17-11-58 - bootleg betty") --- Here’s a [**supercut**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercut) of [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/about-bootleg-betty/) freaking out or going off on others in The Rose. Definitely shows her raw emotional talent, --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Supercut%20FreakOut%20of%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Rose&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Supercut%20FreakOut%20of%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Supercut%20FreakOut%20of%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Rose&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Supercut%20FreakOut%20of%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Supercut%20FreakOut%20of%20Bette%20Midler%20In%20The%20Rose%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, the Rose, Video **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #FreakingOut, #MisterD, #Movies, #Supercut, #TheRose, #Video --- ### [Fans React To Hocus Pocus 3 Talk! What Do You Think?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/18/fans-react-to-hocus-pocus-3-talk-what-do-you-think/) **Published:** July 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Sarah Jessica Parker’s casual update of Hocus Pocus 3 eft the fandom split once again. **Content:** --- ## StarteFacts New Spell or Old Broomstick? Fans React to ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ Talk written by Satenik Tovmasjan July 15, 2025 10:05 am --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-07-14_15-15-02-1.png "2025-07-14_15-15-02 - bootleg betty") --- Sarah Jessica Parker’s casual update left the fandom split once again. Is there enough magic left for a third trip to Salem? Sarah Jessica Parker recently stopped by Watch What Happens Live! and was asked about the long-rumored Hocus Pocus 3. Disney announced it was in the works two years ago, but since then, there has been almost total silence. Parker didn’t have big news to share, saying simply, “No more developments other than we would like to do it. We’ve been having some conversations.” Fans know Parker, along with Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy, first brought the Sanderson sisters to life in 1993’s Hocus Pocus. The film became a Halloween staple, mixing campy comedy with moments that actually spooked kids. All three witches returned for Hocus Pocus 2 in 2022, but that sequel got a pretty mixed reaction. Some fans on Reddit are already skeptical about the prospect of another sequel. One wrote, “Not sure this is a great idea. Part 2 was uninspired. Perhaps the ladies need the check.” Another joked that it would be a real surprise if Disney actually put meaningful effort into any of these remakes, hinting at how often nostalgia gets recycled without much care. Many felt the second film lost the original’s edge. As one person put it, “The second one had some fun moments but the whole fight scene was so underwhelming. I remember genuinely being scared by the suspense in the original, but in this one it basically felt like… meh.” There’s also some side-eye aimed at Parker’s career choices. One comment wondered, “What is going on with SJP? She has the money and clout to produce original projects, but she keeps revisiting reboots of existing material. First, the Sex and the City movies, the awful TV reboot, and now more Hocus Pocus. On top of all that, she acts like she has no idea what’s going on in any of these projects, even though she’s an executive producer.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Fans%20React%20To%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Talk%21%20What%20Do%20You%20Think%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Fans%20React%20To%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Talk%21%20What%20Do%20You%20Think%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Fans%20React%20To%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Talk%21%20What%20Do%20You%20Think%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Fans%20React%20To%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Talk%21%20What%20Do%20You%20Think%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Fans%20React%20To%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Talk%21%20What%20Do%20You%20Think%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus 3, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #fandom, #HocusPocus3, #MisterD, #Movies, #saraJessicaParker, bootlebbetty, Fans --- ### [Hirschfeld: Strokes of Genius Exhibition Set for the Fall](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/16/hirschfeld-strokes-of-genius-exhibition-set-for-the-fall/) **Published:** July 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Al Hirschfeld's Phantom of the Opera "Journey" featuring Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford Helicline Fine Art will celebrate the artwork of Al Hirschfeld with a new exhibition, Hirschfeld: Strokes of Genius, September 10-November 2. **Content:** --- ## Playbill Hirschfeld: Strokes of Genius Exhibition Set for the Fall By Andrew Gans July 16, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/download-1024x449.png "Download - bootleg betty") --- Al Hirschfeld’s Phantom of the Opera “Journey” featuring Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford Helicline Fine Art will celebrate the artwork of Al Hirschfeld with a new exhibition, Hirschfeld: Strokes of Genius, September 10-November 2. The exhibition—including more than four dozen original drawings and lithographs (all signed and numbered) depicting Broadway, Hollywood, TV, and music—will be on display at [**HeliclineFineArt.com**](http://HeliclineFineArt.com) and at Helicline’s midtown Manhattan gallery by appointment. The work of [**Hirschfeld**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Hirschfeld), who elevated simple caricature to interpretive expressionism, appeared in major publications for decades, including a 75-year relationship with The New York Times. The Tony-honored artist was well-known for capturing nearly every Broadway production and star who graced the New York stage for decades. Among the many stars and iconic images featured in the exhibition: Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/), Carol Channing, Gwen Verdon, Dinah Shore, Sidney Poitier, Abbott and Costello, Charlie Chaplin, I Love Lucy, Cher, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Barry Manilow, Beverly Sills, Bob Hope, Bogart and Bacall, Humphrey Bogart, Cabaret with Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey, Clint Eastwood, Duke Ellington, Greta Garbo, Marx Brothers, Katharine Hepburn, Jane Fonda, Jay Leno, Laurel and Hardy, Lena Horne, Looney Tunes, Mae West, Marlene Deitrich, Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke, Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable, The Phantom of the Opera, Sammy Davis, Shirley MacLaine, Stephen Sondheim, and more. “Al Hirschfeld holds a very special place in my heart,” said gallery owner Keith Sherman in a statement. “Art is a second business for me, as my primary work is running a Times Square based PR firm. I represented Al for the last 15 years of his life and the Al Hirschfeld Foundation since it was formed more than two decades ago. I am over-the-moon excited about offering these classic Hirschfeld original drawings and lithographs.” The upcoming exhibition coincides with The Al Hirschfeld Foundation’s new book, Hirschfeld’s Sondheim, which will be published by Harry Abrams Comic Arts September 9. This first volume in a series of oversized 11 x 14-inch Hirschfeld poster books contains more than 50 drawings of Sondheim and his best-known works, including 25 full page images that can be removed and put on a wall. Al Hirschfeld passed away January 20, 2003, at the age of 99 (read the complete Playbill obituary here). The Martin Beck Theatre was renamed the Al Hirschfeld Theatre the following day, what would have been his 100th birthday. The Hirschfeld is currently home of the Tony-winning Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Hirschfeld%3A%20Strokes%20of%20Genius%C2%A0Exhibition%20Set%20for%20the%20Fall&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Hirschfeld%3A%20Strokes%20of%20Genius%C2%A0Exhibition%20Set%20for%20the%20Fall%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Hirschfeld%3A%20Strokes%20of%20Genius%C2%A0Exhibition%20Set%20for%20the%20Fall&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Hirschfeld%3A%20Strokes%20of%20Genius%C2%A0Exhibition%20Set%20for%20the%20Fall%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Hirschfeld%3A%20Strokes%20of%20Genius%C2%A0Exhibition%20Set%20for%20the%20Fall%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Art, Bette Midler **Tags:** #Art, #BetteMidler, #Bootleg Betty, #Drawings, #Exhibit, #Lithograph, #MisterD, #Strokes, Hirschfield --- ### [July 16 In History, Disney Releases The Cult Classic Hocus Pocus](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/16/july-16-in-history-disney-releases-the-cult-classic-hocus-pocus/) **Published:** July 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** On July 16, 1993, Disney unleashed Hocus Pocus—a movie so spooky it premiered in the middle of summer, because nothing screams "Halloween" like sweating through your witch hat at a July barbecue! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty July 16 In History, Disney Releases The Cult Classic Hocus Pocus By Mister D July 16, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Walt-Disney-Live-Action-Screencaps-Sarah-Sanderson-Winifred-Sanderson-walt-disney-characters-43730045-2803-1517.png "Walt-disney-live-action-screencaps-sarah-sanderson-winifred-sanderson-walt-disney-characters-43730045-2803-1517 - bootleg betty") --- On July 16, 1993, Disney unleashed [**Hocus Pocus**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/hocus-pocus/)—a movie so spooky it premiered in the middle of summer, because nothing screams “Halloween” like sweating through your witch hat at a July barbecue! This [**cult classic**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_film) stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson Sisters, three witches who cackle, bumble, and accidentally steal the show while trying to steal kids’ souls. Picture this: a magical black candle, a talking cat, and a plot so wild it’s like a cauldron of glitter exploded in Salem. It flopped harder than a broomstick with a flat tire at the box office (thanks to going head-to-head with Jurassic Park—yikes!), but like a zombie cat, it rose from the grave to become every ’90s kid’s Halloween obsession. Stream it on Disney+ and try not to sing “I Put a Spell on You” in the shower for the next month Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=July%2016%20In%20History%2C%20Disney%20Releases%20The%20Cult%20Classic%20Hocus%20Pocus&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=July%2016%20In%20History%2C%20Disney%20Releases%20The%20Cult%20Classic%20Hocus%20Pocus%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=July%2016%20In%20History%2C%20Disney%20Releases%20The%20Cult%20Classic%20Hocus%20Pocus&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=July%2016%20In%20History%2C%20Disney%20Releases%20The%20Cult%20Classic%20Hocus%20Pocus%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=July%2016%20In%20History%2C%20Disney%20Releases%20The%20Cult%20Classic%20Hocus%20Pocus%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #cultClassic, #Disney, #Halloween, #HocusPocus, #kathynajimy, #MisterD, #SarahJessicaParker, BootlegBetty --- ### [On July 13, Bette Midler Introduced Madonna At Live AID](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/15/on-july-13-bette-midler-introduced-madonna-at-live-aid/) **Published:** July 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** On July 13, 1985, at the Live Aid charity concert held at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Bette Midler introduced Madonna with a memorable and playful introduction that captured the moment's cultural context. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty On July 13, Bette Midler Introduced Madonna At Live AID By Mister D July 15, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/july-13-bette-1.jpg "Bette midler - bootleg betty")American singer bette midler performs at jfk stadium in philadelphia pa During the live aid famine relief concert july 13 1985 ap photo amy sancetta --- On July 13, 1985, at the [**Live Aid**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_Aid) charity concert held at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/about-bootleg-betty/) introduced Madonna with a memorable and playful introduction that captured the moment’s cultural context. Midler, known for her wit and theatrical flair, took the stage and said, “I want you to know I have no idea why I was asked to introduce this next act — because you all know, I am the soul of good taste and decorum. However, we are thrilled to be able to introduce to you today a woman whose name has been on everyone’s lips for the last six months. A woman who pulled herself up by her bra straps and has been known to let them down occasionally.” This introduction was a cheeky nod to Madonna’s rising fame and the recent controversy surrounding nude photos of her published in Playboy and Penthouse just weeks prior. Madonna, then a 26-year-old pop newcomer, responded to the buzz and the 95-degree heat by declaring to the global audience of 1.9 billion viewers, “I ain’t taking off shit today!” This quip was a direct reference to the photo scandal, showcasing her defiance and charisma. Madonna’s performance followed, featuring a vibrant three-song set: “Holiday,” “Into the Groove,” and “Love Makes the World Go Round,” joined by Nile Rodgers for the latter. She later teamed up with Rodgers, Steve Stevens, and the Thompson Twins for a cover of The Beatles’ “Revolution.” Her energetic performance, marked by iconic ’80s dance moves, was a standout moment, cementing her status as a rising star at the historic event. Midler’s introduction, paired with Madonna’s bold response and dynamic set, became one of the iconic moments of Live Aid, a concert organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief, which drew massive crowds and a global TV audience. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=On%20July%2013%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Introduced%20Madonna%20At%20Live%20AID&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=On%20July%2013%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Introduced%20Madonna%20At%20Live%20AID%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=On%20July%2013%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Introduced%20Madonna%20At%20Live%20AID&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=On%20July%2013%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Introduced%20Madonna%20At%20Live%20AID%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=On%20July%2013%2C%20Bette%20Midler%20Introduced%20Madonna%20At%20Live%20AID%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Live **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #BraStraps, #Introduces, #LiveAID, #Madonna, #MisterD --- ### [Prepare A Calming Circle! Hocus Pocus 3 Isn't Being Conjured Up Soon](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/14/prepare-a-calming-circle-hocus-pocus-3-isnt-being-conjured-up-soon/) **Published:** July 14, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Prepare a calming circle, because Disney apparently isn't conjuring Hocus Pocus 3 any time soon. **Content:** --- ## Entertainment Weekly Sarah Jessica Parker gave a surprising update 2 years after Disney announced Hocus Pocus 3 By Joey Nolfi July 14, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-07-14_15-17-07.png "2025-07-14_15-17-07 - bootleg betty") --- Prepare a **[calming circle](https://ew.com/movies/hocus-pocus-calming-circle-scene-improvised-kathy-najimy/),** because Disney apparently isn’t conjuring [**Hocus Pocus 3**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/21/hocus-pocus-3-is-confirmed-i-need-these-6-things-to-happen/) any time soon. Over two years after the studio revealed that a third Hocus Pocus film was in development following the streaming success of 2022’s Hocus Pocus 2, star Sarah Jessica Parker provided a surprising update during a Sunday night appearance on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live. In response to a viewer question from two fans living in London — where unconfirmed rumors suggested earlier this year that the third film is potentially slated to shoot — the And Just Like That actress said movement on Hocus Pocus 3 isn’t necessarily happening. “Um, well, for the expats in London,” she teased. “No more developments, other than we would like to do it.” Parker reiterated that “we would like to do it,” and said that “we’ve been having some conversations” in the planning stage, though it’s unclear if she specifically meant fellow stars Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy. Entertainment Weekly has reached out to Disney representatives for comment. Shortly after Disney announced in the summer of 2023 that a third film was in development, writer Jen D’Angelo told EW that she had many ideas for the sequel, including potentially expanding upon the storyline set forth by Hannah Waddingham’s mother witch in the 2022 sequel. “We’re still in the story phase, we’re still working on it. We’ve been working on some ideas, and it’s been fun to dive back into that world, and we have so many directions in which to go and so many new characters to explore,” D’Angelo said at the time. “We’ve only scratched the surface of Hannah Waddingham’s mother witch.” In a June 2024 interview on The Jess Cagle Show, Midler gave a prior update, saying that Disney was “very gingerly and very gently” working on the third film. D’Angelo additionally confirmed news EW broke in early 2022 that Thora Birch would not be involved with the sequel, as we reported that OG actors Birch, Vinessa Shaw, and Omri Katz — who portrayed children who resurrected the sinister Sanderson Sisters witches in 1993 Salem — wouldn’t return for the second film. “I was so invested in trying to get \[Birch as\] Dani back into the story. We had a bunch of different versions of that, too, where she was really a part of it,” D’Angelo revealed, noting that “there were some versions where she was popping in briefly as a cameo,” and another where “she has a whole arsenal of anti-magic” to fight the Sandersons’ modern resurrection in the sequel. When reached for comment about the third film, original Hocus Pocus actor Katz also told EW he was interested in participating. “Yes, I would return if Disney approached me,” he told EW. “It would be an honor to return, hopefully with some of my fellow castmates, and make a fun addition to the franchise!” Upon its streaming release in September 2022 on Disney+, Hocus Pocus 2 received positive critical reviews and broke records on Disney’s streaming platform. In an interview at the time, Parker told EW that Najimy “had a good idea that the third one should be animated,” while she observed, “That would be cool and a smart idea. It’s fun, funny, and could be interesting and innovative, like old-fashioned or new \[animation\]. Of course, I’d be happy to have a conversation, it just depends on what Kathy and Bette want!” Watch Parker discuss a Hocus Pocus 3 update above. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Prepare%20A%20Calming%20Circle%21%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Isn%27t%20Being%20Conjured%20Up%20Soon&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Prepare%20A%20Calming%20Circle%21%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Isn%27t%20Being%20Conjured%20Up%20Soon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Prepare%20A%20Calming%20Circle%21%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Isn%27t%20Being%20Conjured%20Up%20Soon&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Prepare%20A%20Calming%20Circle%21%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Isn%27t%20Being%20Conjured%20Up%20Soon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Prepare%20A%20Calming%20Circle%21%20Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Isn%27t%20Being%20Conjured%20Up%20Soon%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus 3, Movies **Tags:** #AndyCohen, #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #Calming Circle, #Disney, #HocusPocus3, #MisterD, SarahJessicaParker --- ### [Bette Midler Sings "Stuff Like That There" On Johnny Carson](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/14/bette-midler-sings-stuff-like-that-there-on-johnny-carson/) **Published:** July 14, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's performance of "Stuff Like That There" is featured in the 1991 film For the Boys, where she sings it as part of the soundtrack. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Sings “Stuff Like That There” On Johnny Carson By Mister D July 14, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/CL80215.jpg "Cl80215 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler’s performance of “[**Stuff Like That There**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2021/06/07/video-stuff-like-that-there-from-the-movie-for-the-boys-sung-by-the-oscar-nominated-bette-midler/)” is featured in the 1991 film [**For the Boys**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_the_Boys), where she sings it as part of the soundtrack. The song, originally from the 1945 film Incendiary Blonde, was written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. Midler’s version is a jazzy, big-band-style rendition, showcasing her vibrant vocal delivery and flair for nostalgic show tunes, consistent with her character Dixie Leonard’s USO performances in the movie. The song appears on the For the Boys soundtrack album, released in 1991 by Atlantic Records. You can likely find this performance on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Music, where the soundtrack is available. For example, a YouTube video titled “Bette Midler – Stuff Like That There (from For The Boys)” uploaded by a user features the song, and it’s also part of the movie’s musical sequences. Here she is singing the song on Johnny Carson in 1991 to promote her movie “For The Boys” --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Stuff%20Like%20That%20There%22%20On%20Johnny%20Carson&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Stuff%20Like%20That%20There%22%20On%20Johnny%20Carson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Stuff%20Like%20That%20There%22%20On%20Johnny%20Carson&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Stuff%20Like%20That%20There%22%20On%20Johnny%20Carson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Stuff%20Like%20That%20There%22%20On%20Johnny%20Carson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs, Video, Video Of The Day, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Bootlegbetty.com, #ForTheBoys, #JohnnyCarson, #MisterD, #StuffLikeThatThere, #TheTonightShow, #Video --- ### [Is Bette Midler Retiring From Singing? I Don't Think So!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/14/is-bette-midler-retiring-from-singing-i-dont-think-so/) **Published:** July 14, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Since when has The National Enquirer told the truth about anything?! **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Is Bette Midler Retiring From Singing? I Don’t Think So! By Mister D July 14, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/16681437_guidance_screen_big_6.jpg "16681437_guidance_screen_big_6 - bootleg betty")--- Since when has **[The National Enquirer](https://nationalenquirer.com/)** told the truth about anything?! The claim that [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/bette-midler/) has retired from singing stems from a June 2025 article by the National Enquirer, citing an insider who said Midler, at 79, is “completely over” singing and has “hung up her mic for good,” focusing instead on writing, producing, and environmental activism. However, this report is unverified and lacks direct confirmation from Midler herself. In contrast, a November 2024 article from Remind Magazine states she is still active, starring in films like The Fabulous Four, suggesting she hasn’t fully retired from performing. Earlier comments from Midler in 2021, reported by Parade, indicated she was ready to “fade away” from stage performances due to her age (75 at the time), but she didn’t explicitly rule out singing entirely. Given the conflicting reports and lack of a definitive statement from Midler, the retirement claim appears to be a rumor amplified by a single source. Her recent activities suggest she remains engaged in her career, including singing. Always worth checking her official channels for clarity—rumors like this often get legs without solid backing Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Retiring%20From%20Singing%3F%20I%20Don%27t%20Think%20So%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Retiring%20From%20Singing%3F%20I%20Don%27t%20Think%20So%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Retiring%20From%20Singing%3F%20I%20Don%27t%20Think%20So%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Retiring%20From%20Singing%3F%20I%20Don%27t%20Think%20So%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Retiring%20From%20Singing%3F%20I%20Don%27t%20Think%20So%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Singers **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Retiring, #Singing, #Sources --- ### [Video: Bette Midler, The Thrill Can Kill PSA](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/13/video-bette-midler-the-thrill-can-kill-psa/) **Published:** July 13, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler participated in "The Thrill Can Kill," an anti-drug campaign by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, running from 1987 to 1990. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler, The Thrill Can Kill PSA By Mister D July 12, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/images.jpeg "Images - bootleg betty") --- **[Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler)** participated in “**[The Thrill Can Kill](https://bootlegbetty.com/2012/08/25/videos-celebrity-psas-against-crack-cocaine-bette-midler-pee-wee-herman-and-clint-eastwood/)**,” an anti-drug campaign by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, running from 1987 to 1990. The campaign featured public service announcements (PSAs) shown in movie theaters, with celebrities like Midler delivering stark warnings about the dangers of drugs, particularly crack cocaine. In her PSA, Midler speaks directly to the audience, urging them to reject drug offers, saying, “If anyone offers you some… tell them where to shove it… Please… Don’t even try it… Because you lose!” The spots, ranging from 38 to 90 seconds, were supported by First Lady Nancy Reagan and funded by the MPAA studios. The campaign debuted with the 1987 release of Jaws: The Revenge. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20The%20Thrill%20Can%20Kill%20PSA&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20The%20Thrill%20Can%20Kill%20PSA%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20The%20Thrill%20Can%20Kill%20PSA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20The%20Thrill%20Can%20Kill%20PSA%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20The%20Thrill%20Can%20Kill%20PSA%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, PSA **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #cocaine, #crack, #psa, #thethrillcankill --- ### [Cheer Up The Lonely Day With Songs Of Friendship](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/13/cheer-up-the-lonely-day-with-songs-of-friendship/) **Published:** July 13, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Today is Cheer Up the Lonely Day, a gentle reminder that a kind word, a small gesture, or even just showing up can shift someone’s entire world. **Content:** --- ## That Eric Halper It’s Cheer Up the Lonely Day—Here Are 10 Songs That Celebrate Friendship and Human Connection By Eric Halper July 12, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-04-30_15-24-23.png "2025-04-30_15-24-23 - bootleg betty") **Hamish Stuart, Bette Midler, and Toni Basil, ???** --- Today is Cheer Up the Lonely Day, a gentle reminder that a kind word, a small gesture, or even just showing up can shift someone’s entire world. Celebrated every July 11, this unofficial holiday encourages us to reach out—to text an old friend, call a grandparent, or simply sit with someone who might be feeling alone. Music, of course, has always been a bridge to connection. So in honour of the day, here are 10 [**songs**](https://500songs.com/) about **[friendship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendship)** that remind us we’re never really alone—even when it feels like it. **Bill Withers – “Lean on Me”** An eternal classic that promises exactly what its title says. When you’re not strong, this song stands in the gap and reminds you someone’s always willing to help you carry on. **Carole King – “You’ve Got a Friend”** The ultimate shoulder-to-cry-on ballad. With one gentle piano riff and King’s warm vocals, this track wraps around you like a handmade quilt. **Ben E. King – “Stand By Me”** A song so timeless it sounds like it’s always existed. It’s about loyalty, trust, and the quiet strength of having someone by your side—no matter what shakes the ground. **Randy Newman – “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”** Made iconic by Toy Story, but the sentiment works in every decade. Friendly, funny, and full of heart—this one’s for the lifelong buddies who’ve seen you at your best and your weirdest. **Dionne Warwick & Friends – “That’s What Friends Are For”** A star-studded anthem of gratitude and togetherness, where every line is a hug and every harmony says, “You’re not alone in this.” **Queen – “You’re My Best Friend”** A feel-good groove with a side of glam, this one celebrates the kind of friendship that turns into family. Perfect for that one friend who always gets you—no questions asked. **The Beatles – “With a Little Help from My Friends”** Ringo takes the mic for this ode to friendship that’s equal parts tender and cheeky. It’s a reminder that our friends make even the hardest days manageable. **Bruno Mars – “Count on Me”** Bright, breezy, and heartfelt, Bruno’s message is simple: when the storm comes, I’ll be there. A perfect song for passing along to someone who needs a little light. **The Rembrandts – “I’ll Be There for You”** Yes, it’s the Friends theme, but for good reason. Sometimes all someone needs to hear is “I’ll be there,” and suddenly it’s not such a bad day anymore. **Bette Midler – “Wind Beneath My Wings”** A soaring tribute to the quiet heroes in our lives. For the friend who cheers you on from behind the scenes, this one says it all—gracefully and with gratitude. So today, pick up the phone, send a link to one of these songs, or surprise someone with a little unexpected kindness. Because every day is a little better with a friend—and on Cheer Up the Lonely Day, that truth hits especially sweet. **Mister D:** And I’m going to add the oft-neglected Midler songs, **Friends** and **My One True Friend.** Both songs deal with – duh! – Friendship and Bette sells the songs like nobody else. **Bette Midler’s Songs: “Friends” and “My One True Friend**“ --- 1\. **“Friends”** (1973) Background and Release: - Title: “Friends” (also known as “(You Got to Have) Friends”) - Writers: Written by Buzzy Linhart and Mark “Moogy” Klingman. - Context: Midler first heard the song while rehearsing for a Broadway audition for Mirror Cracked. Linhart, a close friend, shared the song with her, and she performed it at the Continental Baths in New York, which helped popularize it. - Musical Style: The song has a pop sound with a touch of rock, differing from Linhart’s own version, which leaned more toward rock. It features a Phil Spector medley influence and includes contributions from studio musicians like Ann S. Clark (background vocals) - Themes: “Friends” is an upbeat ode to the importance of friendship, with lyrics emphasizing the strength and necessity of companionship: “But ya got to have friends / The feeling’s oh so strong.” It captures a sense of camaraderie and emotional support. --- 2\. **“My One True Friend”** (1998) Background and Release: - Title: “My One True Friend” - Writers: Written by Carole King, Carole Bayer Sager, and David Foster, with Foster also serving as the producer. - Release: Released in August 1998 as the lead single from Midler’s ninth studio album, Bathhouse Betty, on Warner Bros. Records. The song was also featured as the soundtrack for the film One True Thing, directed by Carl Franklin. - Musical Style: A heartfelt pop ballad with lush orchestration, featuring sweeping piano lines by Carole King and Midler’s emotive vocals. It was compared to her earlier hit “Wind Beneath My Wings” for its emotional resonance and accessibility. - Themes: The song explores deep friendship and gratitude, with lyrics reflecting on the enduring impact of a true friend: “In the end, you are my one true friend.” It speaks to forgiveness, personal growth, and the transformative power of a loyal companion, making it a fitting choice for funerals or memorials, as noted in its use in such settings --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Cheer%20Up%20The%20Lonely%20Day%20With%20Songs%20Of%20Friendship&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Cheer%20Up%20The%20Lonely%20Day%20With%20Songs%20Of%20Friendship%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Cheer%20Up%20The%20Lonely%20Day%20With%20Songs%20Of%20Friendship&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Cheer%20Up%20The%20Lonely%20Day%20With%20Songs%20Of%20Friendship%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Cheer%20Up%20The%20Lonely%20Day%20With%20Songs%20Of%20Friendship%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, friends, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #Comraderie, #Friends, #MyOneTrueFriend, #Songs, #WindBeneathMyWings --- ### [Bette Midler, NYRP Enlisting Volunteers To Plant Native Chestnut Saplings](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/07/12/bette-midler-nyrp-enlisting-volunteers-to-plant-native-chestnut-saplings/) **Published:** July 12, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In New York, a non-profit founded by the multi-talented Bette Midler is enlisting volunteers to plant native chestnut saplings. **Content:** --- ## David Suzuki Foundation NYRP (Bette Midler) Enlisting Volunteers To Plant Native Chestnut Saplings By David Suzuki July 10, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/garden-design_4798.jpg "Garden-design_4798 - bootleg betty") --- Most people care about the planet and each other. Yet we watch in dismay as moneyed and powerful forces destroy the natural systems our health and lives depend on. Addressing global heating and biodiversity loss — which affect everyone but disproportionately the marginalized and vulnerable — requires those in government and industry to act with urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That’s a challenge, but thanks to enlightened leadership in many governments and some sectors outside the fossil fuel industry, nations have made commitments and signed climate and biodiversity agreements. And many jurisdictions are shifting to renewable energy much faster than expected as technologies improve and costs plummet. But because we took so long to act, and our actions are still inadequate, we must focus on adaptation as well as slowing and reversing climate change and biodiversity loss. Although we may feel powerless given the enormity of the climate and extinction crises, what we each do in our lives matters — for the planet and our wellbeing. But many eco-conscious actions also help us connect with others, get outside and have fun — often sparking widespread positive change. We understand the environmental benefits of reducing and recycling, using energy more efficiently, driving less and eating plant-based foods. But many eco-conscious actions also help us connect with others, get outside and have fun — often sparking widespread positive change. Take pollinator gardens. Thanks to programs like the David Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway Project, gardens throughout the country are blooming with native, pollinator-friendly plants — from balconies and boulevards to backyards and schoolyards. These create corridors and habitat for butterflies, bees, birds, and more, at a time when many face precarious declines. They also build community, beautify neighbourhoods and can supply food and herbs. Local reforestation projects also provide tremendous benefits to communities and the planet. In 1999, Armando López Pocol gathered volunteers and community members in Pachaj, in western Guatemala, to plant trees in an area devastated by decades of deforestation. The Chico Mendes Reforestation Project — named for the Brazilian eco-activist who fought for Indigenous rights and rainforest preservation until he was murdered by a cattle rancher in 1988 — has planted as many as 25,000 trees a year and expects to plant 30,000 this year. Unfortunately, some have been destroyed by increasing wildfires as the planet heats, unlike previous years when trees were cut down for fuels, timber, mining and agriculture. Getting involved in environmental or rewilding initiatives can be fun. In New York, a non-profit founded by the multi-talented [**Bette Midler**](https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/m/ma-mn/bette-midler/) is enlisting volunteers to plant native chestnut saplings. **[Chestnuts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chestnut)** were plentiful in the eastern United States until a blight from Asia killed billons in the early 1900s. Trees sequester carbon and help stabilize climate, and cool and clean the air. They also provide food and shelter for insects, birds and other life, retain water and prevent erosion, flooding and landslides. “Rewilding” projects worldwide have benefited ecosystems, climate and people. Getting involved in environmental or rewilding initiatives can be fun. The Foundation’s Butterflies in My Backyard, or BIMBY, program has teamed up with iNaturalist to track and photograph butterflies and their habits, allowing “Rangers” to spend time outdoors exploring the world of these fascinating insects while contributing to a wider volume of knowledge. This also builds public awareness about pollinators, the threats they face and solutions. Getting outdoors and connecting with others are just a few of the personal benefits we can enjoy while being part of a greater cause. Other community science projects include apps that identify birds, mushrooms, or plants, with information added to a geographical database. Again, the user gets out into nature, learns about animals, plants, and fungi, and contributes to increased knowledge. Any of these activities, but especially those that get us outside and connect us with others, are good for our wellbeing and can be part of the antidote to the despair, grief or anxiety that many understandably struggle with in the face of ecological emergency and other greed-fuelled local and global crises. Sometimes, like a tree or flower seed planted, a small idea can bloom into something beautiful and strong. If we continue to plant seeds, literally and metaphorically, and encourage others to join us, we can grow a movement, restore nature, beautify our communities, and use our growing numbers to push those in power to lead the way to a cleaner, better future. Getting outdoors and connecting with others are just a few of the personal benefits we can enjoy while being part of a greater cause. What’s good for the planet is good for us all. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%2C%20NYRP%20Enlisting%20Volunteers%20To%20Plant%20Native%20Chestnut%20Saplings&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%2C%20NYRP%20Enlisting%20Volunteers%20To%20Plant%20Native%20Chestnut%20Saplings%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%2C%20NYRP%20Enlisting%20Volunteers%20To%20Plant%20Native%20Chestnut%20Saplings&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%2C%20NYRP%20Enlisting%20Volunteers%20To%20Plant%20Native%20Chestnut%20Saplings%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%2C%20NYRP%20Enlisting%20Volunteers%20To%20Plant%20Native%20Chestnut%20Saplings%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #Chestnuts, #davidsuzukifoundation, #NYRP, #saplings --- ### [Bette Midler's First Interview With After Dark - May 1971](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/21/bette-midlers-first-interview-with-after-dark-may-1971/) **Published:** May 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "I’m much more grotesque than Barbra Streisand." "Grotesque to me is not a bad word. Joe Cocker is grotesque. I think he's brilliant. **Content:** --- ## After Dark Bette Midler’s First Interview With After Dark – May 1971 By Neil Appelbaum May 1971 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/80a5db98febe2958ea86075d41af4ebc.jpg "80a5db98febe2958ea86075d41af4ebc - bootleg betty") --- “I’m much more grotesque than Barbra Streisand.” Oh yeah? I blinked a few times and looked closer. **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/reviews/ba_books.htm)**, wrapped casually in a sort of sleeveless square-shouldered Boysenberry blue robe with little springs of bright red cherries; sprinkled liberally all over it, looked back at me. Her hair was happily reminiscent of Coney Island cotton candy gone wrong, but there was absolutely nothing **[grotesque](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grotesque)** about her. “Grotesque to me is not a bad word. Joe Cocker is grotesque. I think he’s brilliant. Janis Joplin was certainly grotesque. There are any number of performers around today who are above and beyond normal. Jackie Curtis is one. So is Holly,” Woodlawn undoubtedly, but that reminded me of Haleioke (if you remember Julius LaRosa, you remember Haleloke), because Bette was born in Honolulu, her parents being expatriates from New Jersey. “My mother and father were very eccentric. I adored them. My father liked machinery so there were five cars in the backyard, three refrigerators and six washing machines in the kitchen, and the living room had a buzz saw. Nothing worked. Unbelievable. Living in that house was heavy. “I was miserable as a child – I guess it was because I looked like I do. “Media have told us we’re supposed to look a certain way. They really do a job on you. I used to try to dress like other people but I never got there. I was never together. That wasn’t my way. It would have been one thing if I had been a beautiful child, but I was a plain little fat Jewish kid. I spent a lot of time reading and listening to the radio. I had to find my own style or I was going to get screwed, but once I made my mind up it all fell into place. “Meanwhile I was working on an assembly line in a pineapple factory. You see, only the middle part of the pineapple is used for slices – the tops and bottoms are crushed and chopped up and mashed – so I would sit there and all those sliced pineapples would come by and I would pick out the good slices to put in the cans. All day long I’d sit there and pick out pineapple slices.” With your fingers? “Oh, I wore rubber gloves. It was really sickening, but I needed the money. “At sixteen I decided I wanted to be an actress, and eventually was on Broadway in Fiddler on the Roof for three years but it wasn’t what I wanted to do.” Hmm … If she was sixteen then, she is now about . . . “I’m thirteen. Some hoary old lady – I think it was one of my singing teachers – once told me never to give my age away. She turned purple in her face when she told me that, so I never forgot it,” Bette got up to get me a cup of tea and I looked around the room. A piano in one corner. A cello in one corner. A kettle drum in one corner. The fourth corner? I’II never tell. Back with my Lipton’s, Bette stood looking out the window at the drizzle graying the view. Speaking of raindrops, Bette, what do you think of Burt Bacharach? “I don’t think about Burt Bacharach. Ever! To me that’s Muzak. Music has to pick you up and throw you down again. “I believe in entertainment. It has nothing to do with show business. It has to do with coming out and throwing vibrations out to an audience and putting them through changes. You know, it’s like making them seeing you an experience for them, that will either change their lives in some way or perhaps teach them something. I hate that word show business. I don’t feel like I’m in show business. It’s more important than show business. If I thought I was in show business I’d kill myself. She shrugged and shook her head. “I’ve only been singing for two years. I was in analysis for one year and I finally got up the nerve to tell the psychiatrist I wanted to quit. I couldn’t afford to pay for both singing lessons and him, too. So I just decided to sing. “I did five David Frost shows, He was on in the afternoon. Nobody ever watched. Then I did seven Johnny Carsons. Did you see me do ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’? It’s a hysterical, funny number. They’ve never done a production like it on that show. They brought it all together and we all did it when we were in Hollywood. Oh, it was fabulous. They brought me out there because they couldn’t do a production number here – you know, here in New York – and they thought it would be a good idea if they did it there because they would have a bigger place to do it in – so we did it. “Then I have a number that was written in 1934 called ‘Marijuana.’ Beautiful. That one’s really funny. It’s from Earl Carroll’s Murder at the Vanities. I want to do it on TV but I don’t know if they’ll let me. It’s a love song to Marijuana. This chick’s lost her lover… Oh, I love it. Want some grass? Is the Pope Catholic? Soon there’s a buzz. Maybe it’s the tea, I think. But no, it’s the doorbell. “It’s my old man, Luther.” Her old man turns out to be a tall, bearded, friendly looking young man in boots, khaki pancho and dripping, drooping wide-brimmed hat. “Luther is very talented. I tell everybody about him. He’s a drummer – a percussionist, and also plays the cello.” (Aha! Two corners.) Luther says a few kindly words about the cello then drifts politely to another part of the apartment. “Romance is really great for your work. When you have someone to love, your love comes out in your work. That’s one of the reasons I really look forward to relationships. I used to go out with someone I met at the Continental Baths. I like singing there. I go back every now and again. Sometimes announced, sometimes unannounced – I’m always coming and going at that place. The first time I left they gave me a party and a gigantic towel that said ‘Bette at the Baths.’ I’d show it to you but it’s in the laundry.” Bette’s cleavage (which I was admiring discreetly) was becoming more intriguingly apparent with each of her descriptive gestures. “I want people to love me but I don’t want them to love me for the wrong reasons. Not because I remind them of someone else but because they see something of themselves in me. Like my Mae West routine is more my tough New York chorine than Mae West.” She arched her neck, tilted her head to her right shoulder and delicately touched her finger tips to her decolletage. “Ah, movies. I love movies. I spend most of my waking hours thinking I’m in a movie. I think that’s my trouble. It’s occurred to me that I could be in them, but I’d like to conquer the music part first. You know, at this stage of my life I would rather sing than act in movies, but I go to them every chance I get. Especially the oldies but goodies. Listen, I am planning for my next appearance to do the ‘Hot Voodoo’ number from Blonde Venus when Marlene comes out with the Gorilla suit. Oh, I can’t wait.” Neither can I. “I really get a kick out of motion pictures. All kinds of motion pictures. I much prefer movies to the theater but when the theater is brilliant it’s unbeatable. I recently saw A Midsummer Night’s Dream that Peter Brook directed. Oh, it was just everything. Shakespeare didn’t do so badly. I thought of doing Shakespeare but I don’t think I have quite the voice for it. I don’t like to see thin voiced people do Shakespeare. I like to see people who are big. You know. Big voices and big chests and big big magnificence. Off the stage too. I go for flamboyant people. I like people with flash. I like flashy performers and most of my friends are flashy, too. I love Ike and Tina Turner. They have one of the best shows going. And for me they’re a totally theatrical experience. Aretha Franklin is the best singer in the world. I wonder about her head, but she’s the best singer. I would like to see what is happening in music today combined with a theatrical kind of experience. That’s what I’m shooting for. That’s what I’d like to do. Did you see me do “Teenager in Love?” Her eyes crinkled and sparkled and you knew she was really into what she was talking about. “In about three years the Fifties are going to come back so big it’s going to be ridiculous. The best things about the Fifties will be back. That’s what’s nice about nostalgia. It takes all the good things and forgets the bad things. Living in it is really a trip, but remembering it is much, much more fun. People who are into it the way I’m into it really giggle about it. “I’m going to do an album soon and it will have everything on it I love. Mae West and the Andrews Sisters and The Shirelles and Superstar. It’ll be called Out To Lunch. She jumped up. “Wow. I have to sing for some people in a little while, so excuse me while I change.” She went into the other room to put on something sort of black (but not quite that basic) and I stood up to leave and stepped in my teacup. On my hands and knees, mopping up the mess with paper towels, I had flashes of Bette Midler in a low-cut Gorilla suit picking pineapple slices out of a kettle drum at the Continental Baths while humming the refrain of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” Burt Bacharach, eat your heart out. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Interview%20With%20After%20Dark%20-%20May%201971&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Interview%20With%20After%20Dark%20-%20May%201971%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Interview%20With%20After%20Dark%20-%20May%201971&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Interview%20With%20After%20Dark%20-%20May%201971%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20First%20Interview%20With%20After%20Dark%20-%20May%201971%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Interview **Tags:** #AfterDark, #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #Interview, #magazine --- ### [BetteBack Oct. 8, 1978: How Did Bette Midler Win That Emmy?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/21/betteback-oct-8-1978-how-did-bette-midler-win-that-emmy/) **Published:** May 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- **Oregonian October 8, 1978** --- [![BETTE MIDLER: OL' RED HAIR IS BACK -- Aired 12/07/1977 -- Pictured: Actress/singer Bette Midler -- Photo by: Frank Carroll/NBCU Photo Bank](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/138450810-401x600.jpg "138450810 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71170)Bette midler ol red hair is back aired 12071977 pictured actresssinger bette midler photo by frank carrollnbcu photo bank --- [![2017-05-12_3-21-46](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12_3-21-46.png "2017-05-12_3-21-46 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71169) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20Oct.%208%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Did%20Bette%20Midler%20Win%20That%20Emmy%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20Oct.%208%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Did%20Bette%20Midler%20Win%20That%20Emmy%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20Oct.%208%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Did%20Bette%20Midler%20Win%20That%20Emmy%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20Oct.%208%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Did%20Bette%20Midler%20Win%20That%20Emmy%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20Oct.%208%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Did%20Bette%20Midler%20Win%20That%20Emmy%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Emmys, Special Events, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Emmy, #OlRedHair, #Special, #Television --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Was The First Recipient Of The American Comedy Awards Among Many More (Full Show Included)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/20/video-bette-midler-was-the-first-recipient-of-the-american-comedy-awards-among-many-more-full-show-included/) **Published:** May 20, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** At the first American Comedy Awards in 1987, Bette Midler won four awards. Here are the details for each: **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Was The First Recipient Of The American Comedy Awards Among Many More (Full Show Included) By Mister D May 20, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/G6mtVaw2RB6LUborni1SUA.webp "G6mtvaw2rb6luborni1sua - bootleg betty")--- At the first American Comedy Awards in 1987, Bette Midler won four awards. Here are the details for each: **Funniest Female Performer of the Year:** This award recognized Midler’s overall comedic impact across various media in 1986. Her standout performances in film, television, and live shows, particularly her sharp wit and energetic stage presence, earned her this honor. The award highlighted her as the top female comedian of the year, voted by industry peers and comedy professionals. **Funniest Female in a Motion Picture:** [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/)was the **first-ever award recipient**. Midler would take home the very first award of the show. She thanked her peers for the recognition and joked that she almost didn’t show up. Midler credited her lucky dress for the win, telling the crowd, “I was married in this dress.” Midler won for her role as Barbara Stone in the 1986 film **[Ruthless People](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruthless_People)**. Her portrayal of a kidnapped heiress with a mix of humor, sarcasm, and unexpected resilience was a comedic highlight. The award acknowledged her ability to steal scenes in a dark comedy alongside co-stars Danny DeVito and Judge Reinhold, based on votes from the comedy community. **Funniest Female Comedy Album:** This award was for her 1985 comedy album Mud Will Be Flung Tonight. The album featured Midler’s stand-up routines and satirical sketches, showcasing her bold humor and musical comedy talents. It was recognized for its originality and laugh-out-loud moments, with Midler’s performance voted as the best in the comedy album category. **Lifetime Achievement Award:** This non-competitive award celebrated Midler’s career-long contributions to comedy. By 1987, her work spanned Broadway, music, film, and television, blending humor with emotional depth. The award honored her as a trailblazer, from her early days at the Continental Baths to iconic roles in films like The Rose and her Grammy-winning music career, recognizing her lasting influence on comedy and entertainment. These awards were presented at the inaugural American Comedy Awards ceremony, held to celebrate comedic excellence, with winners determined by a voting body of comedy writers, performers, and producers. **Here Is The Full Show** --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20The%20First%20Recipient%20Of%20The%20American%20Comedy%20Awards%20Among%20Many%20More%20%28Full%20Show%20Included%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20The%20First%20Recipient%20Of%20The%20American%20Comedy%20Awards%20Among%20Many%20More%20%28Full%20Show%20Included%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20The%20First%20Recipient%20Of%20The%20American%20Comedy%20Awards%20Among%20Many%20More%20%28Full%20Show%20Included%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20The%20First%20Recipient%20Of%20The%20American%20Comedy%20Awards%20Among%20Many%20More%20%28Full%20Show%20Included%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Was%20The%20First%20Recipient%20Of%20The%20American%20Comedy%20Awards%20Among%20Many%20More%20%28Full%20Show%20Included%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Ruthless People, Special Events, Television, Video **Tags:** #AmericanComedyAwards, #Awards, #Bette Midler, #ruthlessPeople, #Special, #Television --- ### [BetteBack: The Many Moods Of Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/20/betteback-the-many-moods-of-bette-midler/) **Published:** May 20, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** When I'm out there, I work. If people are paying money, they're entitled to see an artist work his buns off. I want to do something beautiful that will last forever. **Content:** --- ## Newsweek Here Comes Bette! The many moods of The Divine Miss M: Charles Michener Dec 17, 1973 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-19_04-18-51.png "2025-05-19_04-18-51 - bootleg betty") --- When I’m out there, I work. If people are paying money, they’re entitled to see an artist work his buns off. I want to do something beautiful that will last forever. Maybe I’ll never do it, and maybe everyone will laugh at me and say, “She’s just a fool.” But I don’t think I am. It was a Fool’s entrance in the oldest, best sense. Suddenly, at the end of the long shaft of spotlight, **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/karaoke-bette/)** was there-skittering across the stage of New York’s fabled Palace Theatre to the band’s fanfare and the huge applause, a tiny, spectacularly busty dress-up of a girl wearing a low-cut, shimmery taxi-dancer dress hiked up on one thigh, an orchid in her frizzed-up, fire-red hair, teetering scarlet platform shoes and a smile as big as a half-moon. As the applause died down, she grabbed the mike, her smile turned serious, and in the sudden hush she sang in a small, breathy voice: “And I am all alone / There is no one here beside me / And my problems have all gone / There is no one to describe me …” Pause . . . then whoosh! She unclipped the mike from its stand, her arms began waving like those of a child just learning to dance, her feet started skittering again, the band picked up the beat and out came a big, wrap-around voice with the refrain, “You gotta have frieeeeeends …” – the words that have become Bette Midler’s rallying cry to a whole new kind of popular-music audience. Rally them she did – with an all-embracing sweep that is probably broader than that of any singer since Streisand. Straight and gay; aboveground and underground; unisex and due-sex; Middle American and radic-lib; chic and frumpy; escapees from apartments for singles and escapees from retirement homes – they had all turned out last week for the **[Broadway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadway_theatre)** opening of the one performer on today’s scene they could all share with equal enthusiasm. They were not disappointed. Tearing from one end of the stage to the other like a frantic hostess trying to make everyone feel welcome, she proceeded to relocate her listeners in a musical landscape that spanned 40 years of American popular song. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BetteMidlerBetteDeltaDawn_ThePalace-782x1024.jpg "Bette+midler+bettedeltadawn_thepalace - bootleg betty")From the late ’20s came “Am I Blue?” confided smokily without a trace of condescension or apology. From “the fabulous ’40s” came a show-stopping “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, her most recent hit single, with Bette and her trio of girls, the Harlettes, proving that they could instrumentalize their voices with the best of the seat singers. From the late ’50s and early ’60s a “Philadelphia medley” of “Uptown and “Da Doo Run Run” propelled Bette across the stage in a frenzy of strutting, scampering and shimmying that brought back the pseudo-toughness of “American Bandstand” at its most exhibitionistic. Of more recent vintage was the Helen Reddy hit, “Delta Dawn,” which Bette first turned into a mournful white country lament and then retransformed into a hand-clapping black gospel. And in special honor of her surroundings, she dressed up her version of “Lullaby of Broadway” by sashaying down the instep of a giant shoe-a silver sling-pump. When Bette wasn’t singing, she was talking – in a patter that ranged from outrageous jokes a la Lenny Bruce (“If Dick Nixon would only do to Pat what he’s done to the country …”) to the kind of palaver delivered from the limp-wristed, hip-out stance that has earned her the sobriquet “The Divine Miss M”: “Whose idea was it to play this dump?… Well, are you ready for low-rent retro rock and roll? . . . I want you aaaall to know from the outset that we really busted our buns on this next one” (wiggling her own). Burlesque? Parody? Camp? Yes – but only on the surface. For whether’ in song or patter, what galvanized the audience’s tumultuous cheers and laughter was Bette’s ability to reveal an unmistakable vulnerability, a heart-stopping innocence that has been the not-so-secret weapon of every great entertainer from Fanny Brice to Judy Garland to Janis Joplin. It’s safe to say that not even Garland’s legendary appearances in the great old house ever aroused so much anticipation as Bette Midler’s Palace debut. Scheduled as the climax of a triumphant four-month, 35-city tour that has grossed some $3 million, Bette-at-the-Palace racked up the biggest one-day sale in the history of Broadway (8148,000) when tickets for the three-week engagement went on sale in mid-October. And in recent weeks, the Midler mania was further fueled by the release of Bette’s second album for Atlantic Records – which, by the end of last week, was on the verge of attaining “gold record” status by raking in sales of $1 million. In this age of pseudo-phenomena, Bette Midler is the genuine article – and a surprising one at that. For there is nothing exotic, glamorous or “crazy” about the 5-foot-l, 28-year-old young woman who, when asked offstage about her success, says simply: “I’m taking my vitamins, I’m getting ten hours of sleep, and I’m trying not to take it all too seriously. But if the show’s not perfect, I disintegrate.” Few performers since the Beatles have been so heralded as the harbinger of a new era”- or analyzed so seriously by the media. In March, the normally sober National Observer called her, in a feature that top-headlined the front page, “probably the brightest, hottest superstar to rise above the pop-music horizon in the ’70s.” In August, Ms. magazine put her on the cover and asked a number of commentators (from artist-playwright Rosalyn Drexler to Yoke One) to answer the question: “Why Bette Midler?’ Why indeed? Is she brilliantly exploiting the nostalgic craze for old songs, old movies, old chic-with dashes of contemporary irony and funkiness thrown in? Is she, like Alice Cooper, Elton John and David Bowie, capitalizing on the trend toward sheer spectacle in rock? Does her parodistic bawdiness feed our lingering hunger for the risqué – as opposed to the pornographic? Is her affectionate, welcome-all style an antidote to the angry, divisive music of the ’60s? The answer is yes – to all the questions. How else could she have launched herself three years ago by performing regularly on both Johnny Carson’s ‘”Tonight Show” and in the place where she found her first fans – a Manhattan Turkish bath for homosexuals? At the Continental Baths I was playing to people who are always on the outside looking in. To create the semblance of someone like that can be wonderful. And so I created the character of The Divine Miss M. She’s lust a fantasy, but she’s useful at showing people what that outsider’s perspective is. It was lust something I felt, something live happening on that stage,” recalls Stephen Ostrow, the proprietor of the Continental Baths, of his first encounter some three years ago with Bette at the Improvisation, a New York night spot that gives aspiring talents a chance to show their stuff. In those days, Bette was only a slight cut above the thousands of other stage-struck girls in New York, waiting for a break. After a stint in the chorus of “Fiddler on the Roof,” she had been elevated to the role of Tevye’s eldest daughter and in her off hours had taken up singing in small showcase clubs. Though it hardly looked like much of a break, she accepted Ostrow’s offer of $50 a night to come to his steamy establishment on weekends and entertain his towel-clad, all-male clientele. Enter The Divine Miss M. “She first tried out ‘Miss M’ on me,” recalls talent manager William Hennessey who was Bette’s hairdresser in “Fiddle;” and has since traveled with her as a gag writer. “She had another friend then,” says Hennessey, “a dancer named Ben Gillespie, who was a ’30s and ’40s freak, and the three of us used to hang around all the old-movie houses in New York. Afterward Bette would do take-offs of people like Charlotte Greenwood, Martha Raye and Joan Davis.” Egged on by the boys in the baths (“the tubs,” as Bette called the place), Miss M soon became “divine” – a frizzle – haired burlesque of a little-girl / woman who had rummaged through some dusty theatrical trunk and come up with Spring-o-lator shoes, a black-lace corset and gold lame pedal pushers; who had unearthed a stack of old sheet music and warped 45s, and refurbished such dubious classics as the Andrews Sisters’ “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and the Shangri-Las’ “Leader of the Pack” so that they seemed at once hilariously dated yet as fresh and catchy as if they were new; who called anything she didn’t like “the pits,” and described herself as “trash with flash” and “the last of the truly tacky women.” “It’s easy to say her appeal to homosexuals had a drag-queen aspect,” says Hennessey, “but more basically, they saw her as a non-threatening, breast-feeding mother.” Says Ostrow: “She was always insecure about her background, her lack of musical training, her appearance, the fact that she was Jewish. Without those insecurities, the energy, the talent wouldn’t have been the same.” Whatever it was, Bette quickly became the reigning cult figure of New York’s restless underground – a cult that went aboveground when she moved to supper clubs like Downstairs at the Upstairs and the Bitter End, and then expanded into a national following when she began appearing regularly on the “Tonight Show. I was dying to make it big. You know why? Because I wanted to be somebody else. I didn’t know who. Edith Piaf perhaps, I don’t know. Well, it was so much bull … The more of stardom I see, the sillier it gets. To Johnny Carson, Bette Midler wasn’t merely a bizarre freak show from the underground, buy a major talent with antecedents in the mainstream. “When I first saw her on the show,” he says, “I saw a quality that reminded me very much of Streisand. Bette really grabbed the audience. There was an empathy, a rapport that was hard to equal.” Since the medium inhibited and confined her during the musical numbers, she achieved her greatest rapport during her rapid-fire chatter with Carson between songs. On her most recent appearance, she talked with Carson about a subject that had been very much on her mind of late – her childhood in, of all places, Honolulu, where she had just the week before made her first homecoming as a star.CARSON: Last time you were there, you were picking pineapples, you said. BETTE: NO, putting them in cans. There’s a great difference. CARSON: Of course. BETTE: it was a remarkable adventure returning home … CARSON: Your parents were there \[at her two concerts\]? BETTE: NO, one parent was there. My mother came, but my father, oh, he just said, “Oh, I just can’t.” He’s read some things about me, you know, and he’s very conservative. He likes Lawrence Welk. He doesn’t like too much cleavage. In fact, every time I went over there to dinner, he made me safety-pin my dress together … O God, my mother got a charge, though. She kept screaming, “Faaaabulous, faaaabulous” . . . I used to have a lot of trouble when I was living there, you know. ‘Cause I was a Jewish girl growing up in a Samoan neighborhood . . . I left . . . and, you know, the old story about “I’11 show them” . . . I really felt that way and I had a lot of anger built up in me from those years . . . ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11870730_320423381477275_1248066987165211025_n.jpg "11870730_320423381477275_1248066987165211025_n - bootleg betty") By the time she got up to sing her second number, no “applause” sign was necessary to spark a thundering ovation from the Carson audience. Standing in the wings, Carson’s next guest, humorist David Steinberg, turned to a visitor and muttered: “She’s the worst thing that can happen to you in show business. It’s like following a moonwalk.” Both my parents are very strong. There’s nothing wishy-washy about them. My father was a painter for the Navy and we lived in a real funky house, just like the one in that play “The Effect of Gamma Rays.” My father had machinery – all over the place – he had 27 lawn mowers – and my mother always had a stack of sewing up to the ceiling. She named me after Bette Davis, which she thought was pronounced “Bet.” I did too until I got to New York. They were very strict. I got to go to the movies only if they were musicals, because my mother didn’t want me to see “those things.” I never swore until I was 17. If you said “darn” in our house, you got beaten within an inch of your life. I never had boyfriends until high school, and then I found myself mainly with military kids because a lot of them were nice and smart. But I never really fit in-even though I was elected senior-class president. I won that by default: you should have seen the other candidate! The truth is that I was just about the only white in an all-Oriental school and most of those kids never said two words to me. So I got buried in studying. I was always the best in English. I had to be the best, because it was all I had. For all the resentment she later expressed, Bette’s homecoming had all the appearance of a love-in. In a genuine state of panic before her first concert in Honolulu’s International Center, she walked onstage like Little Orphan Annie Returns – to a standing ovation. Two hours later, after another standing ovation that lasted seven minutes, she said to the audience: “I don’t mind telling you I was scared shitless tonight.” Then, looking up at the sky, she closed her eyes and yelled: “God, if you only knew how happy you’ve made me!” At the next night’s performance, most of Bette’s Radford High class of ’63 showed up to present her with flower leis. Cheering her on from Row C both nights were Bette’s mother, Mrs. Fred Midler, her older sister, Susan, and her younger brother, Daniel. Said a slightly dazed, ecstatic Mrs. Midler: “We always knew she was witty, but we didn’t know she was that witty. I’m so proud of her because she makes so many people happy.” “If Bette were a teen-ager today, she’d be like any other,” said Myrna Ishimoto, a speech teacher who coached Bette to a state championship on the Radford speech squad (her entry was a scene from “The Glass Menagerie”). “But Bette was very creative and active in drama, and in those days drama wasn’t really accepted.” And how did Bette feel about the “old days”? With characteristic two-mindedness, she approached a class get-together with the laughing half-joke, “Well, I’m now going to a reunion of all the people who couldn’t stand me.” But when it came time to depart, she burst into tears: “I didn’t want to leave so early. I didn’t get a chance to say good-by to Judy and Jane and … Oh, I just wish I could stay.” I was glad my father didn’t come to see me perform. I would have been afraid to be dirty or gross, afraid that he would walk out or start yelling at me. He’s a good, old-fashioned man. He doesn’t want anyone to think that anyone from his family is cheap. I don’t know why I love to parody all that cheap music and stuff. It’s so dumb. But I have so much fun doing it. And I’m not choosy about particular styles of music. As long as a song’s got a solid tune with good musical changes and words I’1I try it. Basically I think theatrically. I choose a song if I can picture myself singing it, or if I have an idea of what its story or character is about. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/5d619364e17371d630bd975f644124fa-1.jpg "5d619364e17371d630bd975f644124fa - bootleg betty") It took Ahmet Ertegun, the canny, powerful president of Atlantic Records, only one exposure to Bette’s instincts about songs to be persuaded that here was a talent he had to sign. “She had done the Baths and made a few Carson appearances when friends told me to catch her at the Downstairs at the Upstairs,” says Ertegun. “She was overwhelming. I couldn’t believe that a young person like her could not only understand those old musical styles so well but capture the flavor of the periods and make them a part of herself. It was the wittiest musical performance I’d ever seen. It was striking to see such innate elegance and good taste in someone who superficially appeared not to have elegance or good taste. You know, she never embarrassed onstage,” Once Ertegun had signed her up, however, difficulties arose. “She posed a great problem,” says Ertegun, “because she didn’t fit into any categories; it’s very hard to make a record that doesn’t fit a category and then find an audience. Also, it was obvious that a lot of her appeal was her onstage magic. So there were lots of different theories as to what to do with her, and her first album was a compromise between people tearing her in different directions. But it’s all come together on the second one.” Indeed, the newly released album should dispel the most commonly heard criticism of Midler: that her ability as a comic far outstrips her vocal talent. During the past year, she has undertaken vocal coaching, and the payoff is stunning. Backed again by the brilliant arrangements of her pianist and music director, Barry Manilow, she plunges into an astonishing range of new material: a tour de force of “In the Mood,” in which Photo by: Lester Sloanshe sings all the vocal parts; an intensely dramatic reading of Kurt Weill’s “Surabaya Johnny,” brought off without an echo of Lotte Lenya; a soaring version of Hoagy Carmichael’s “Skylark,” which stretches interpretive freedom to the outer limits of propriety, and a deeply emotional “I Shall Be Released,” which justifies Bette’s own description of it as my “Gotterdammerung.” I had a real trauma on this tour in Denver. We were playing out in the middle of God-made country in the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and I felt so helpless against the elements that I thought I had to do this big show-bit thing, you know, shake my tits and be divine. Well it got to the point where I was giving the people only what they expected of The Divine Miss M – but nothing of myself. During the break I sat there and figured it out, and for the next set I took off my make-up, put on my pants and shirt and tried to harmonize with Red Rocks just by being little old me. Miss M is a show-much larger than life. Bette Midler is just a person with a few things to say and a few songs to sing. From now on, I’m going to be Bette Midler. But what is that? The dramatic lead of the next Mike Nichols film or the raison d’etre for a Broadway musical extravaganza? The biggest recording star of the next few years or the queen of TV specials? Right now, producers, directors, agents and promoters on all fronts are moving in on the pint-size phenomenon like locusts to a money tree. She is not, however, up for grabs. Her all-protecting manager and the most important man in her life these days, Aaron Russo, is taking great pains to ensure that. A burly, 30-year-old former rock promoter, Russo is involved in every phase of Bette Midler – creatively, financially and romantically – and what he seems to care about most is the person herself. “We’re open to all offers but we’re in no hurry,” says Russo. “I believe in taking things one at a time, and right now it’s just the Palace and probably another album after she gets some rest. She has no financial worries – I’ve invested all of her earnings in gold – and I’m trying to keep her from getting too grand. At heart, you know, Bette Midler’s just a shlepper – a good Jewish girl who happens to have a lot of ability.” I used to want to be Bette Davis in one of those great ’30s movies where everyone’s wearing furs and drinking Martinis. I used to believe that. But now that it’s beginning to happen, I really don’t think a lot about the theater or movie offers or about the money. I have a small four-room apartment in the Village in New York with a little garden, and I still ride the subway all the time. Marriage? I’m not going to get married. Who’s going to marry me? It’s the question that Bette Midler asks implicitly in every performance, and the way she answers it is the real secret of her extraordinary appeal – and importance. “Who’s going to marry me?” That great original ugly duckling of the ’60s, Barbra Streisand, asked it first – but Streisand was untouchable: with all that awesome, stylized stage power, the answer was finally irrelevant. And Janis Joplin, more perversely, asked the question too – but with shattering foreknowledge that the answer would inevitably be negative. Those were different times: For all her sharp-eyed fascination with the past, Bette Midler is really interested in sweeping away the confusion of the present. And in the last number of her show, she demonstrates the gift that only the greatest popular entertainers seem to have – an intuition of what the public has been hungering for without yet realizing it: “It’s your turn now,” she yells, motioning the audience to rise . . . and magically, without self-consciousness, hundreds of children and parents, adolescents and post-adolescents, grownups and post-grownups, begin swaying back and forth and singing the silly, wonderful words from the trash bin of the early ’60s: “. . . Because we’re going to the chapel and we’re gonna get married . . .geeee, I really love ya . . . Going to the chapel of love. . .” Who’s going to marry Bette Midler? The answer is clear–everybody. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%3A%20The%20Many%20Moods%20Of%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%3A%20The%20Many%20Moods%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%3A%20The%20Many%20Moods%20Of%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%3A%20The%20Many%20Moods%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%3A%20The%20Many%20Moods%20Of%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Magazine **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #Concert, #Hawaii, #magazine, #Newsweek --- ### [BetteBack: Mar 19, 1973 - The Bette Midler Tour](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/20/betteback-mar-19-1973-the-bette-midler-tour/) **Published:** May 20, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler, who during the past few months has charged up the media-paved road from Cult Figure through Passing Fad to Impending Superstardom, **Content:** --- ## Los Angeles Times BetteBack: Mar 19, 1973 – The Bette Midler Tour By Gregg Kilday March 19, 1973 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/4170093-1.jpg "4170093-1 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler,**](https://bootlegbetty.com/about-bootleg-betty/) who during the past few months has charged up the media-paved road from Cult Figure through Passing Fad to Impending **[Superstardom](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/superstardom)**, entered the Champagne Room of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel with such conspicuous lack of fanfare the press awaiting her missed its cue. So like the dutiful wife of an aspiring politician just beginning his rise to the top, Bette Midler held out a hand politely and pleasantly asked the names of the reporters who were meeting with her for lunch in anticipation of the corseted chanteuse’s concert Saturday night. “I’ve never seen you not in costume,” one reporter shyly hastened to explain. “But, dahling, I am in costume,” replied Bette with a nod to the purple pantsuit that she wore, “this is early usherette.” So then what else had the press been expecting? Had even they come to believe the fripperies of the copy they wrote? Had all their Photoplay prose sucked them in? – stories about this daft Jewish girl from Hawaii – the very essence of camp – you know the one, the girl who made it really big performing for the great gay brother hood of New York’s Continental Baths – the Divine Miss M, as she calls herself – the last of the truly tacky ladies. Oh my, as Bette herself might answer, always careful to keep one step ahead of her chroniclers, they do not understand. “I just like to give ’em a good time, you know,” Betts said of her current concert tour. ‘It’s like a party. I never had any parties when I was a kid – I never went to any and I never gave any – so it’s like I’m the hostess and they’re the guests and I do all the entertaining and they just sit there. “We were in North Carolina a couple of weeks ago and this chick came up to me and she said, ‘You know, you remind me so much of myself. Whenever I go to a party I get drunk and I carry on just exactly the way you carry on.’ And I think that’s what it is.” It is not simply a question of camp, she insisted. “I play the theatrical granddame. Miss M is larger than life-size. When I was a kid I had to be larger than life-size to make friends and get attention. I didn’t use to enjoy it, but now I do.’ Bette smiles imperiously, the smile on her insouciant pink lips competing for attention with the half-moons of turquoise that rest atop her eyes. “I can’t hear from the cacophony of the cameras,” she says of the photographers about her. But perhaps, it is suggested, Miss M’s shtick is an urban number, nurtured in New York and knowingly seconded by we sophisticates here on the Coast. Bette again demurred: “Oh, the Midwest! They adore me in the Midwest! I don’t understand, I really don’t, but they really like me. Out there on the Great Plains! All the corn and the cattle. They don’t see too many sequins, I guess. “My act is terribly American. Everyone understands it because they’ve all lived it out. In Europe – where they’re not really crazy about America in the first place -they’re disdainful. They think I’m a bit hyped over there. They weren’t really nuts over my record and they can’t figure out what all the excitement is about.” For the moment, Bette continued, she had no intention of abandoning the act. “I have a lot of things I have to do yet with the show. It hasn’t gotten to where I want it. I need a couple more years at it – before I give it up. “I never sang with a rock ‘n’ roll band, but I’m thinking about taking that instrumentation and doing a whole range of material. And I’d like the act to get much faster, speedier. You know how Tina Turner starts – very fast. Well, I’m fast but I’m not as fast as she is. I would like to be as fast or faster than Miss Turner. “You see, a lot of my music has been body music. There’s body music and there’s head music and there’s emotional music and I’d like my act to be a lot more body music because I love to dance and I love to get people to dance. All kinds of dancing . . .” Bette broke into a kind of reverie: “The Lindy. The Boston Monkey. The Stop-and-Go. I eventually would like to have an act where people couldn’t sit still.” In June, Bette promised, she will return to Los Angeles – possibly to an engagement at the Greek Theater . . . this summer she will record a second album. . . . she would love to return to the stage if a musical with good dialog could be found . . . or do a movie, a wild comedy, perhaps, or a serious dramatic role . . . Sarah Bernhardt’s life or Edith Piaf’s. Or Dorothy Parker’s, a woman present suggests. “But some of you haven’t opened your mouths all afternoon,” Bette suddenly scolded. ‘Now is that any way – here it is a free lunch and everything. Come on, get hot, let’s get intimate.” And with that, the press luncheon dissolved into a coffee klatch, Bette Midler presiding, again asking the names of each of her guests in shaking their hands goodbye, having shown herself to be not half as tacky a lady as Miss M might care to admit. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%3A%20Mar%2019%2C%201973%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Tour&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%3A%20Mar%2019%2C%201973%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Tour%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%3A%20Mar%2019%2C%201973%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Tour&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%3A%20Mar%2019%2C%201973%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Tour%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%3A%20Mar%2019%2C%201973%20-%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Tour%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, The Divine Miss M Tour **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #Concert, #DivineMissM, #tour, Publicity --- ### [BetteBack October 8, 1978: Is Bette Midler's Career Suffering From Dating Her Manager?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/20/betteback-october-8-1978-is-bette-midlers-career-suffering-from-dating-her-manager/) **Published:** May 20, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Isn't Bette's career suffering lately due to her dating her manager? **Content:** --- **Arkansas Democrat October 8, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/dinrmrs-2b7a1d59-27d3-4187-8eeb-971e1491e2a9-796x1024.jpg "Dinrmrs-2b7a1d59-27d3-4187-8eeb-971e1491e2a9 - bootleg betty") [![2017-05-12_3-14-50](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-12_3-14-50.png "2017-05-12_3-14-50 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71165) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20October%208%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Career%20Suffering%20From%20Dating%20Her%20Manager%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20October%208%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Career%20Suffering%20From%20Dating%20Her%20Manager%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20October%208%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Career%20Suffering%20From%20Dating%20Her%20Manager%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20October%208%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Career%20Suffering%20From%20Dating%20Her%20Manager%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20October%208%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Career%20Suffering%20From%20Dating%20Her%20Manager%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Aaron Russo, Bette Midler, BetteBack, the Rose **Tags:** #AaronRusso, #BetteMidler, #Manager, #TheRose --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings Beast Of Burden On Carson (Analysis Included)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/19/video-bette-midler-sings-beast-of-burden-on-carson-analysis-included/) **Published:** May 19, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** This detailed examination explores Bette Midler's 1983 performance of "Beast of Burden" on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings Beast Of Burden On Carson (Analysis Included) By Mister D May 19, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/8814062bfa41a071637eca14d050c28a.jpg "8814062bfa41a071637eca14d050c28a - bootleg betty") --- **Comprehensive Analysis of Bette Midler’s Performance of “Beast of Burden” on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson** This detailed examination explores Bette Midler’s 1983 performance of “Beast of Burden” on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, providing a thorough overview of the event, its context, and its significance. The analysis draws on various sources, including fan sites, online videos, and social media discussions, to offer a comprehensive perspective. **Historical Context and Promotional Purpose** “**[Beast of Burden](https://bootlegbetty.com/beast-of-burden/)**” performance **[Bette Midler](https://www.facebook.com/bootlegbetty/?locale=en_GB)**, a celebrated singer and actress known for her theatrical flair, appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on November 10, 1983. This appearance was part of her promotional efforts for her album No Frills, released in 1983, which featured her cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Beast of Burden.” Additionally, she was promoting her book, The Saga of Baby Divine, highlighting her multifaceted career at the time. The late-night talk show, hosted by Johnny Carson, was a prominent platform for artists to showcase their work, and Midler’s performance was a key moment in this context. **Description of the Performance** The performance itself was a standout, characterized by Midler’s signature dramatic style. She wore a tight, spaghetti-strapped cocktail dress paired with spike heels, adding to the visual impact. Midler’s stage presence was particularly notable, as she crouched like a caged animal during parts of the song, embodying the lyrics with physicality. The performance concluded with her swinging the microphone, a gesture that underscored her commanding energy. This theatrical approach not only highlighted her vocal prowess but also her ability to reinterpret a rock classic in her unique style, blending elements of rock with her showbiz persona. The audience response was overwhelmingly positive, with Midler receiving a standing ovation, a testament to the impact of her delivery. This reception underscores the performance’s success in engaging viewers and reinforcing her reputation as a dynamic performer. **Interaction with Johnny Carson** The witty exchange between Midler and Carson was a memorable aspect of the appearance. During the show, Carson quipped, “I see you’re doing Marie Osmond’s old act,” referencing Midler’s energetic style. Midler responded sharply, “Yeah, well, she wasn’t using it,” showcasing their warm yet playful rapport. This interaction added a layer of humor and spontaneity, enhancing the overall appeal of the segment and highlighting the chemistry between host and guest, a hallmark of Carson’s late-night tenure. **Online Availability and Fan Perspectives** Videos of this performance are accessible online, particularly on YouTube, allowing fans and new audiences to experience it. For instance, an X post by @Astrologic007 shared a link to the performance, and another by @thekat411 also pointed to a YouTube video, indicating its availability and interest among fans. The fan site Bootleg Betty, dedicated to Midler, provides detailed accounts, describing the performance as part of her frequent and impactful appearances on the show. These sources suggest a lasting appreciation for this moment, especially among Midler’s fanbase, given the user’s handle, BootlegBette, which aligns with this community. was **Significance and Legacy** This performance is noted for its unique energy, showcasing Midler’s ability to make “Beast of Burden” her own while maintaining the song’s rock roots. It exemplifies her versatility as an artist, bridging genres and captivating audiences through her stage presence. The interaction with Carson also reflects the cultural significance of The Tonight Show as a platform for celebrity banter and entertainment, a tradition that resonated with viewers in the 1980s. The availability of videos online ensures that this moment remains accessible, contributing to Midler’s enduring legacy in entertainment. **Conclusion** Bette Midler’s 1983 performance of “Beast of Burden” on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was a memorable event, marked by her theatrical delivery, witty exchange with Carson, and strong audience reception. It served as a promotional highlight for her album and book, reinforcing her status as a dynamic performer. The performance’s legacy is preserved through online videos and fan discussions, offering insights into her impact on late-night television and popular culture. “Beast of Burden” performance --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Beast%20Of%20Burden%20On%20Carson%20%28Analysis%20Included%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Beast%20Of%20Burden%20On%20Carson%20%28Analysis%20Included%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Beast%20Of%20Burden%20On%20Carson%20%28Analysis%20Included%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Beast%20Of%20Burden%20On%20Carson%20%28Analysis%20Included%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Beast%20Of%20Burden%20On%20Carson%20%28Analysis%20Included%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Television **Tags:** #BeastOfBurden, #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #JohnnyCarson, #NoFrills, #Performance --- ### [Video: Bette Midler On The Jane Pauley Show 2004](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/19/video-bette-midler-on-the-jane-pauley-show-2004/) **Published:** May 19, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler appeared as a guest on The Jane Pauley Show on September 15, 2004, in an episode titled "Bette Midler: Simply Divine." **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler On The Jane Pauley Show 2004 By Mister D May 19, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/bette_midler__the_rose_by_papaosmubal_dgc4n3j-fullview-1024x610.jpg "Bette_midler__the_rose_by_papaosmubal_dgc4n3j-fullview - bootleg betty")--- [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/about-bootleg-betty/)appeared as a guest on **[The Jane Pauley Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jane_Pauley_Show)** on September 15, 2004, in an episode titled “Bette Midler: Simply Divine.” During the interview, Midler discussed her extensive 40-year career spanning music, film, and theater. The conversation highlighted her achievements, including her breakout role in The Rose (1979), which earned her a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination, and her comedic roles in films like Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986), Ruthless People (1986), and The First Wives Club (1996). They likely touched on her recent projects at the time, such as her 2003 album Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook, which was a commercial success, and her 2003–2004 U.S. tour, Kiss My Brass. Additionally, her supporting role in the 2004 film The Stepford Wives may have been mentioned. The episode focused on Midler’s versatility and enduring popularity as a performer, with Jane Pauley engaging her on her multifaceted career and vibrant personality. Specific details about the conversation, such as exact quotes or topics beyond her career overview, are not widely documented in available sources. The Jane Pauley Show was a syndicated daytime talk show that ran for one season (2004–2005), and this episode was part of its early lineup, showcasing high-profile guests like Midler to draw audiences. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Jane%20Pauley%20Show%202004&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Jane%20Pauley%20Show%202004%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Jane%20Pauley%20Show%202004&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Jane%20Pauley%20Show%202004%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20On%20The%20Jane%20Pauley%20Show%202004%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Talk Show **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #JanePauley, #talkshow --- ### [10 Hit Songs Performed By Actors In The Movies](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/19/10-hit-songs-performed-by-actors-in-the-movies/) **Published:** May 19, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Every so often, a special movie emerges that features not only great dialogue, but also a song performed by the actors that makes a cultural impact. **Content:** --- ## Screen Rant 10 Hit Songs Performed By Actors In The Movies By Paul Elliott May 19, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/bgf8f8f8-flat750x075f-pad750x1000f8f8f8.jpg "Bg,f8f8f8-flat,750x,075,f-pad,750x1000,f8f8f8 - bootleg betty") --- Every so often, a special movie emerges that features not only great dialogue, but also a song performed by the actors that makes a cultural impact. In many instances, the tunes from the soundtrack are by outside musicians, such as Green Day’s “21 Guns” in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, or “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones in Goodfellas. However, these songs performed by the actors play a major role in the film itself. The impact they make doesn’t just lead to them being praised by the fans; they have actually become appreciated by even the most astute music pundits, helping these tracks place on the **[Billboard charts](https://www.billboard.com/charts/)** and win prestigious awards. Whether these **[songs](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/songs/)** originate from past decades or are more recent, they are all relevant in their own right. More than just helping to set the tone in a movie, they can fit the feelings in real life as well. **10 Give In to Me – Leighton Meester & Garrett Hedlund Album: Country Strong Soundtrack (2010)** Around the time that the movie Country Strong debuted, Leighton Meester was balancing a career between acting and making music. While she is remembered for making a mark at the time, singing the track “Good Girls Go Bad” with Cobra Starship, it wasn’t the only song for which she would become known. Her performance of “Give In to Me” with Garrett Hedlund from Country Strong was a resounding hit. Praise for their duet was deserved, as standing out among a cast that also included Tim McGraw and Gwyneth Paltrow was not easy. However, the song, which was also sung by Faith Hill, became known for the movie appearance of the two. **9 Let’s Do Something Cheap And Superficial – Burt Reynolds Album: Smokey And The Bandit II Soundtrack (1980)** Known for his iconic roles in movies such as The Longest Yard and Deliverance, Burt Reynolds became a legendary actor. Another standout role he had was in Smokey and the Bandit, but it was actually Smokey and the Bandit II where his Billboard charting song would take place. Although Reynolds never took himself too seriously, this performance truly paid off. It takes a special tune to place on the Billboard Hot 100, but that’s where Reynolds’ song “Let’s Do Something Cheap and Superficial” stayed for five weeks. This may not have been his most beloved film, but the fact that he was able to accomplish something like this deserves praise. There are plenty of talented musicians who never attain what Reynolds did. **8 How Do I Deal – Jennifer Love Hewitt Album: I Still Know What You Did Last Summer Soundtrack (1998)** While it remains to be seen if Jennifer Love Hewitt will have another hit song in the 2025 remake of I Know What You Did Last Summer, this was an achievement she accomplished back in 1998. Her song “How Do I Deal” came from the franchise’s original set of movie sequels, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. In her only appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, Hewitt cracked the Top 60 and spent seven weeks on the chart. Adding to the song’s legacy was a music video that shows the singer performing the song in a garage while watching herself act in a movie on a screen. This piece of history has become one of the most memorable parts of the movie’s sequel. **7 Peaches – Jack Black Album: The Super Mario Bros. Movie: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2023)** Famously, when it comes to his music career, many think of Jack Black performing alongside Kyle Gass at Tenacious D since the 1990s. However, beyond their four studio albums, filmography, and touring life, Black has also found success as a solo musician as well. One of his most recent triumphs came from his role in the 2023 film, The Super Mario Bros. Movie. In the film, Black voices the character Bowser and delivers a memorable performance of a song titled “Peaches,” which is dedicated to Princess Peach and not to be confused with the Justin Bieber song of the same name. Black’s performance paid off as this song was nominated for many awards, including a Golden Globe. **6 Cups (Pitch Perfect’s ‘When I’m Gone’) – Anna Kendrick Album: Pitch Perfect: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2012)** After Pitch Perfect was released in 2012, the song “Cups (Pitch Perfect’s ‘When I’m Gone’)” performed by Anna Kendrick became ingrained in pop culture. This led to viral videos of people stacking cups along with the song. Truly, because of this tune, stacking cups became an art form and a competitive activity that might otherwise not have achieved such popularity. In addition to becoming a viral trend, the song reached multiple Billboard charts for both weekly and yearly placements. Additionally, a music video was created to support its commercial success. Although Kendrick didn’t want this to develop into a full-blown singing career, she can still feel content knowing her biggest hit is now 3x platinum. **5 You’re Welcome – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Album: Moana: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2016)** When the 2016 film Moana was released, fans went from asking if you could smell what “The Rock” was cooking, to asking if you could hear what he was singing. The former professional wrestler turned actor had a lot of roles in his day, but his voicing of Maui has turned out to be one of the most iconic characters he’s ever played. The song “You’re Welcome” became arguably the biggest tune from the first movie. This was huge for Dwayne Johnson, as having a legendary song in a Disney movie helped solidify the career he had been building since the early 2000s. For everything Johnson has done, this tune is one of his crowning achievements, and it helped this movie turn into a franchise. **4 She’s Like the Wind – Patrick Swayze Ft. Wendy Fraser Album: Dirty Dancing: Original Soundtrack From The Vestron Motion Picture (1987)** After a rise in dancing in both music and film during the 1970s, the ’80s kept the party going. There were plenty of tunes created for movement, along with films. One of the most well-known was Dirty Dancing. While there were many memorable performances from the movie, one of the biggest was the song “She’s Like the Wind,” performed by Patrick Swayze and Wendy Fraser. The song became a hit, reaching the third spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Adult Contemporary chart. It was also a number one hit in nine other countries. The success of this tune helped boost sales for the movie’s soundtrack, which now sits at 14x platinum, making it one of the best-selling in that category of all time. **3 You’re The One That I Want – John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John Album: Grease: The Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture (1978)** There have been many productions created telling the story of Grease, from onstage to onscreen. The 1978 film version starred John Travolta as Danny and Olivia Newton-John as Sandy. The two became iconic together, with one of their best performances in the movie being the song “You’re the One That I Want.” This became more than just a track in a movie; it was a major hit. The tune would reach the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, along with a Top 15 finish in the chart’s year-end polling. Since its release, the song has been used many times, including a recent appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine. While this was significant for Travolta, it was even bigger for Newton-John, who, with songs like this, sold over 100 million records in her career. **2 Shallow – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper Album: A Star Is Born Soundtrack (2018)** To stand out when remaking a film that has already seen three different productions, it takes something truly special to create a unique legacy. One way that the 2018 adaptation of A Star Is Born achieved this was through the song “Shallow.” The hit version of the track is a duet between co-stars Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, who deliver one of the most poignant performances of their careers. After its release, the song immediately made an impact on the charts, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Following that, it continued to appear on various charts for several years. Additionally, the song has nearly three billion streams on Spotify. Enhancing its legacy are the tremendous cover versions, including a sensational duet by country stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. **1 Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler Album: Beaches: Original Soundtrack Recording (1988)** In less than a decade, the song “Wind Beneath My Wings” received many prominent versions, but perhaps the most famous was the rendition sung by Bette Midler. This version was for the 1988 film, Beaches. However, it became much more than just a song on a soundtrack. Ending up a number one hit was success enough, but the tune had even bigger achievements ahead. At the 1990 Grammy Awards, the song won two major awards: Record of the Year and Song of the Year. This placed it in permanent history as one of the best tracks ever recorded. Beyond the accolades, Midler has given memorable performances of the song, with one occurring at Yankee Stadium days after September 11, 2001. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=10%20Hit%20Songs%20Performed%20By%20Actors%20In%20The%20Movies&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=10%20Hit%20Songs%20Performed%20By%20Actors%20In%20The%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=10%20Hit%20Songs%20Performed%20By%20Actors%20In%20The%20Movies&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=10%20Hit%20Songs%20Performed%20By%20Actors%20In%20The%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=10%20Hit%20Songs%20Performed%20By%20Actors%20In%20The%20Movies%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Grammys, Music, Songs, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #Actors, #Awards, #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #Grammys, #Movies, #Songs, #WindBeneathMyWings --- ### [Bruce Vilanch Visits Billy Masters Live](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/18/bruce-vilanch-visits-billy-masters-live/) **Published:** May 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## We Got Bruce Bruce Vilanch Visits Billy Masters Live Mister D April 25, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bette_Bruce_1994.jpg "Bette_bruce_1994 - bootleg betty") --- Billy Masters LIVE (S05E1) – 4-25-25 – One of our most popular guests returns to Billy Masters LIVE. Bruce Vilanch is a writer, an actor, a personality, a raconteur, and a helluva good time. In his latest book – “It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time”, he brings us behind the scenes of some of Hollywoods most misguided events – from the Academy Awards to variety shows. And he does it all with his trademark wit and candor. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bruce%20Vilanch%20Visits%20Billy%20Masters%20Live&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bruce%20Vilanch%20Visits%20Billy%20Masters%20Live%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bruce%20Vilanch%20Visits%20Billy%20Masters%20Live&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bruce%20Vilanch%20Visits%20Billy%20Masters%20Live%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bruce%20Vilanch%20Visits%20Billy%20Masters%20Live%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler --- ### [BettebackSunday, December 3, 1978: How Is Bette Midler handling her fame?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/18/bettebacksunday-december-3-1978-how-is-bette-midler-handling-her-fame/) **Published:** May 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler Plays cool with fame unless she finds topless photograps. **Content:** --- **Arkansas Democrat’** **Sunday, December 3, 1978** --- **Mister D;** *I remember these shirts. It was the Amsel illustration of Bette on the clam topless. I wish I had kept my clippings. She did look good…lol* ![REU7887611 US ACTRESS BETTE MIDDLER ENTERTAINS IN EAST ROOM OF WHITE HOUSE, 1995-03-03 (photo); (add.info.: Bette Midler entertains in the East Room of the White House March 3, 1995, to Celebrate the anniversary of National Public Radio. President Clinton and his wife attended the evening entertainment. SCANNED FROM NEGATIVE REUTERS/Gary Cameron MDF26640.TIF); REUTERS/Gary Cameron.](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/7887611.jpg "Us actress bette middler entertains in east room of white house, 1995-03-03 (photo) - bootleg betty")Reu7887611 us actress bette middler entertains in east room of white house 1995 03 03 photo add Info bette midler entertains in the east room of the white house march 3 1995 to celebrate the anniversary of national public radio President clinton and his wife attended the evening entertainment Scanned from negative reutersgary cameron mdf26640 Tif reutersgary cameron [![2017-05-14_4-24-25](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-14_4-24-25.png "2017-05-14_4-24-25 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71246) [![2017-05-14_4-25-17](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-14_4-25-17.png "2017-05-14_4-25-17 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71247) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BettebackSunday%2C%20December%203%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20handling%20her%20fame%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BettebackSunday%2C%20December%203%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20handling%20her%20fame%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BettebackSunday%2C%20December%203%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20handling%20her%20fame%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BettebackSunday%2C%20December%203%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20handling%20her%20fame%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BettebackSunday%2C%20December%203%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20handling%20her%20fame%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Fame, #fans, #Topless --- ### [Video: Bette Midler & Neil Sedaka Duet On Love Will Keep Us Together](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/18/video-bette-midler-neil-sedaka-duet-on-love-will-keep-us-together/) **Published:** May 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Neil Sedaka and Bette Midler performed a duet of "Love Will Keep Us Together" during the 1976 NBC television special Neil Sedaka: Steppin' Out. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler & Neil Sedaka Duet On Love Will Keep Us Together By Mister D May 18, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Events-1024x661-1.jpg "Events-1024x661 - bootleg betty") --- Neil Sedaka and **[Bette Midler](https://www.facebook.com/bootlegbetty/videos/1110290392394692/)** performed a duet of “Love Will Keep Us Together” during the 1976 NBC television special Neil Sedaka: Steppin’ Out. The special, directed by Art Fisher, featured Sedaka as the host with Midler as a special guest, alongside David Brenner and Sedaka’s daughter, Dara. The song, written by Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, was a fun and lively performance, showcasing their chemistry. Midler also performed a “Barroom Medley” in the special, which echoed her Broadway show Clams on the Half Shell Revue. This duet is a notable moment in their careers, blending Sedaka’s pop songwriting prowess with Midler’s dynamic vocal style. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Neil%20Sedaka%20Duet%20On%20Love%20Will%20Keep%20Us%20Together&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Neil%20Sedaka%20Duet%20On%20Love%20Will%20Keep%20Us%20Together%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Neil%20Sedaka%20Duet%20On%20Love%20Will%20Keep%20Us%20Together&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Neil%20Sedaka%20Duet%20On%20Love%20Will%20Keep%20Us%20Together%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20%26%20Neil%20Sedaka%20Duet%20On%20Love%20Will%20Keep%20Us%20Together%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Special Events, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Duet, #LoveWillKeepUsTogether, #NeilSedaka, #TelevisionSpecial --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings Up The Ladder To The Roof](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/16/video-bette-midler-sings-up-the-ladder-to-the-roof/) **Published:** May 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler’s performance of “Up The Ladder To The Roof” is a highlight from The Bette Midler Show, a 1976 HBO television special filmed during her “Depression Tour” **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings Up The Ladder To The Roof By Mister D May 16, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-16_15-39-43.png "2025-05-16_15-39-43 - bootleg betty") --- Bette Midler’s performance of “**[Up The Ladder To The Roof](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_the_Ladder_to_the_Roof)**” is a highlight from **[The Bette Midler Show](https://bootlegbetty.com/2023/08/26/the-fabulous-bette-midler-show-as-it-really-was-over-135-minutes-of-pure-bliss/)**, a 1976 HBO television special filmed during her “Depression Tour” at the Cleveland Music Hall on February 6-7, 1976. The show, also released as the live album Live at Last in 1977, captures Midler’s vibrant stage presence and her ability to reinterpret classic songs with her unique flair. Originally performed by The Supremes in 1970, “Up The Ladder To The Roof” was written by Frank Wilson and Vincent DiMirco and marked the group’s first single with Jean Terrell as lead singer after Diana Ross’s departure. The song’s upbeat tempo and soulful harmonies made it a chart success. Midler’s cover, featured in the finale of The Bette Midler Show alongside “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Friends,” transforms the track with a faster tempo, energetic dance moves, and her charismatic, campy style. In her rendition, Midler infuses the song with a sense of adventure and optimism, aligning with the lyrics’ themes of love, freedom, and transcendence (e.g., “Come with me, and we shall run across the sky / We illuminate the night”). Her performance is backed by her band, Betsy and the Blowboys, and The Staggering Harlettes (Sharon Redd, Ula Hedwig, and Charlotte Crossley), adding rich vocal harmonies and theatrical flair. The arrangement emphasizes Midler’s dynamic vocal delivery and her ability to blend soul, pop, and theatrical elements, making it distinct from The Supremes’ more polished Motown sound. The performance is part of a nearly two-and-a-half-hour HBO special that showcases Midler’s eclectic setlist, including hits like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Lullaby of Broadway,” as well as comedic segments like her Sophie Tucker jokes and the mock lounge act “The Vicki Eydie Show.” The full HBO broadcast ran 134 minutes, but the 1984 home video release was cut to 84 minutes, omitting several songs and segments, though “Up The Ladder To The Roof” remained in the finale. As of 2017, the complete special has not been released in digital format, making the original broadcast a rare gem for fans. Midler’s take on “Up The Ladder To The Roof” exemplifies her ability to pay homage to musical influences like The Supremes while stamping the song with her bold, theatrical persona, a hallmark of her early career as “The Divine Miss M.” The performance is a testament to her versatility and her knack for connecting with audiences through a mix of nostalgia, humor, and emotional depth. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Up%20The%20Ladder%20To%20The%20Roof&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Up%20The%20Ladder%20To%20The%20Roof%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Up%20The%20Ladder%20To%20The%20Roof&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Up%20The%20Ladder%20To%20The%20Roof%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Up%20The%20Ladder%20To%20The%20Roof%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Live, Music, The Bette Midler Show, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #LiveATLast, #Sings, #TheBetteMidlerShow, #UpTheLadderToTheRoof --- ### [Bette Midler And Other Legendary Women Who Defined Music In The 70's](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/16/bette-midler-and-other-legendary-women-who-defined-music-in-the-70s/) **Published:** May 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** These women weren’t just making hits—they were crafting survival guides, creating anthems of liberation and crafting new sonic languages. **Content:** --- ## NewsBreak 22 Legendary Women Who Defined 70s Music By Shaun Key May 16, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/betteSTAGE_sammy.jpg "Bettestage_sammy - bootleg betty")--- **Mister D: *What an odd little list! While I’m glad [Bette Midler ](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/)made the list, I’m surprised at a lot of one hit wonders that made it to the exclusion of female singers in the 70’s like Cher, Carole King, Natalie Cole, Anne Murray, Helen Reddy, Diana Ross, and a slew of others. Aren’t you?*** --- These women weren’t just making hits—they were crafting survival guides, creating anthems of liberation and crafting new sonic languages. The 1970s was a battlefield where **[female artists](https://www.billboard.com/lists/top-women-artists-21st-century-chart/)** seized control of their narratives while the record industry scrambled to keep up. 22. **Stevie Nicks** Rock demanded women choose between sex symbol or one-of-the-guys, but Nicks created a third option entirely her own—the mystical storyteller whose power came from somewhere ancient and untouchable. If you’ve ever felt trapped by limiting stereotypes, Nicks’s career offers an inspiring alternative. The most popular 70s songs she contributed to Fleetwood Mac—”Rhiannon” (1975), “Landslide” (1975), “Dreams” (1977)—served as the emotional anchors that transformed a good blues-rock band into cultural phenomenon. Nicks created space for feminine mysticism in the hypermasculine rock landscape, establishing a template for artists who fuse spirituality with rock energy. When everyone expected her to play by rock’s rules, she instead made the genre adapt to her otherworldly vision. Nicks’s cultural imprint has only deepened with time, influencing entire approaches to artistic identity. 21. **Andrea True Connection** The former adult film actress didn’t merely transition to music; she introduced her unashamed sexuality into the mainstream through disco’s liberated channels. Caught between cultural censorship and sexual liberation, Andrea True’s “More, More, More” (1976) stands as glorious evidence of disco’s rejection of respectability politics. The song’s backstory—recorded in Jamaica with producer Gregg Diamond after True found herself unable to take her commercial earnings out of the country—displaying disco’s improvisational spirit and international influences. True’s sensual vocal delivery went beyond provocation; it expressed female desire without apology or metaphor. Facing career roadblocks that would have stopped most performers, True converted financial constraints into creative opportunity—proving that limitation often catalyzes the most innovative artistic solutions. Her groundbreaking approach laid groundwork for generations of women who would later claim their sexuality through music, even if it was through one-hit wonders. 20. **Thelma Houston** Her interpretation transcended genre switching, achieving emotional reclamation that uncovered disco’s liberating potential within soul’s pleading intensity. Soul classics found disco resurrection when Houston’s rendition of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (1977) topped the US Hot 100 in March 1977. Her Grammy-winning performance (Best Female R&B Vocal Performance) exceeded technical impressiveness; it reached spiritual heights that transcended the dancefloor. The production by Hal Davis walked perfect line between orchestral soul tradition and disco’s forward-looking electronic elements. Houston demonstrated how great interpreters discover emotional possibilities the original artists might never have imagined. The journey from soul’s introspection to disco’s collective release showcased Houston’s genius, revealing that the greatest interpretations reimagine a song’s entire emotional landscape rather than simply covering it. 19. **Aretha Franklin** Her reinterpretation of Otis Redding’s original surpassed mere arrangement; she reclaimed the song with such definitive force that the original version became the footnote. A vocal metamorphosis became political statement when Aretha reimagined “Respect” in 1967, issuing a cultural manifesto that would become the soundtrack to movements. Franklin possessed more than technical gifts; she wielded cultural authority that elevated secular music to spiritual experience. Her ability to communicate complex emotional states through vocal nuance established standards for authenticity that artists still chase today. Flat studio productions had dominated female vocal performances before Franklin, but her gospel-infused approach turned every recording session into church—lifting pop music to transcendent experience rather than mere entertainment. Franklin demonstrated how personal expression evolves into political statement through the alchemy of perfect performance. 18. **Carol Douglas** The song’s medical metaphor exceeded clever hooks; it acknowledged that emotional wounds require treatment same as physical ones do. If you’re nursing heartbreak, Carol Douglas prescribed the perfect cure with her 1974 hit “Doctor’s Orders,” which cleverly packaged emotional healing as medical advice while reaching #11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The international journey of this track—originally recorded by British singer Sunny Leslie before Douglas made it a hit in America—exemplifies disco’s global conversation and cultural exchange. Douglas’s smooth vocal delivery brought warmth and humanity to mechanized beats, creating perfect balance between technological innovation and emotional authenticity. Before self-care became a marketing term, Douglas offered an antidote to heartache—combining medical authority with disco’s physical release to create dance floor therapy more effective than typical remedies. Her music validated seeking pleasure and connection as legitimate prescriptions for healing emotional pain. 17. **Patti Smith Group** Their version of “Because the Night,” co-written with Bruce Springsteen in 1978, demolished the myth that hit singles required artistic compromise. When artistic credibility and commercial success seemed incompatible, the Patti Smith Group shattered this false dichotomy by reaching #13 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Smith’s approach to Springsteen’s draft went beyond editing; she completely reimagined it through female perspective while maintaining the original’s urgency and adding poetic dimensions. The collaboration between these seemingly different artists emerged from producer Jimmy Iovine’s recognition that great art transcends scene boundaries. Smith confirmed how intellectual depth and rock energy could coexist in perfect tension, creating a template for thoughtful yet accessible rock. For artists torn between commercial viability and artistic integrity, “Because the Night” remains a standard for achieving both without compromise—demonstrating that audiences can handle complexity when delivered with authentic conviction. 16. **Anita Ward** The melody’s simplicity conceals its technical innovation—the marriage of electronic elements with human warmth that defines the best dance music. A single perfect song can outlast entire discographies of mediocrity. Ward’s “Ring My Bell,” which hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1979, captured a crystallized moment of pure joy. The song’s instantly recognizable electronic drum tone transcended production texture, becoming one of dance music’s foundational building blocks that would echo through decades of club tracks. Ward’s signature hit bottled disco’s liberating essence so perfectly that one song secured her place in music history. When caught in today’s fragmented musical landscape, “Ring My Bell” reminds us that sometimes a single, perfectly realized moment can create more lasting impact than a dozen mediocre albums. Ward captured disco’s liberation ethos right as the era began fading. 15. **Barbra Streisand** Her unprecedented dominion over her career—from song selection to production decisions—transcended personal preference; it constituted a radical seizure of authority that redefined what women could demand from the industry. The artistic control evolution found its champion in Barbra Streisand when female artists were still expected to smile and sing what they were told. When she wrote “Evergreen” for “A Star Is Born” in 1976, she created more than a chart-topper; she crafted an Academy Award-winning statement (Best Original Song, 1977) and showed women could excel in every aspect of entertainment simultaneously. Her refusal to compromise her vision, voice, or appearance established the template for artistic integrity. Caught between tradition and innovation, most female artists were limited by industry expectations, but Streisand’s multidimensional brilliance shattered those constraints with unmatched commercial and artistic success. The industry wanted a pretty songbird; Streisand built them an empire instead. 14. **Sylvia** The song’s sensual vocals surpassed mere provocation; they asserted female desire through channels previously closed to such direct expression. Female sexuality in mainstream music needed a pioneer, and Sylvia’s “Pillow Talk” (1973) shattered radio’s boundaries while climbing to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. When Al Green rejected the song as too risqué, Sylvia’s decision to record it herself represented more than a career move; it reclaimed female desire from male gatekeeping. The Grammy nomination validated artistic legitimacy of expression that some dismissed as mere provocation. Decades before the sexual empowerment anthems of the 2000s made female desire commercially viable, Sylvia demonstrated that authentic expression—even when controversial—ultimately resonates more powerfully than safer alternatives. Her courage established a foundation for generations of female artists who would later benefit from her boundary-pushing. 13. **Karen Carpenter** Hidden behind that unmistakable voice stood a musical architect who exceeded expectations of a pretty voice in a pretty package; she embodied technical perfectionism whose drumming and vocal precision established new standards. The velvet-voiced drummer broke two stereotypes at once as Karen Carpenter achieved stardom with The Carpenters through hits like “Close to You” and “We’ve Only Just Begun.” Her voice—that impossibly warm, technically flawless instrument—sounds deceptively simple but remains nearly impossible to replicate. The emotional directness she brought to seemingly simple melodies elevated adult contemporary from background music into emotional landscapes that articulated complex feelings with devastating accuracy. If you’re struggling to understand why Karen Carpenter still matters, simply close your eyes and listen to her voice navigate the emotional complexity of “Superstar”—no explanation needed. Her performance demonstrated how technical mastery and emotional honesty could coexist in perfect, heartbreaking harmony. 12. **Vicki Lawrence** This unlikely hit exceeded simple songcraft; it demonstrated that audiences craved narrative complexity even in mainstream pop—the song’s tale of murder and justice resonating across demographics. Murder and betrayal rarely top the charts, yet Vicki Lawrence brought Gothic storytelling to #1 with “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” (1973). Lawrence’s transition from comedy to chart-topping storyteller illustrated female artists’ versatility when industry gatekeepers tried limiting their expression. The song, written by Bobby Russell, topped the US Billboard Hot 100 with its sharply drawn narrative and emotional tension. In today’s streaming era of three-minute disposable hits, Lawrence’s narrative masterpiece reminds us that audiences still hunger for songs that tell complete stories—the sonic equivalent of a page-turning thriller that keeps you listening until the shocking final verse. Lawrence showed how a well-crafted tale could capture the public imagination. 11. **Gwen McCrae** Her masterful performance united vocal prowess with authentic feeling, creating a track that conveyed both vulnerability and strength. The sexual tension in R&B found its perfect metaphor in McCrae’s “Rockin’ Chair,” which topped the R&B chart and crossed over to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975. The song’s sensual rhythm section provided perfect foundation for McCrae’s commanding vocals to build atmosphere of anticipation and fulfillment. Originally intended for Betty Wright, the track found its definitive interpreter in McCrae, whose performance combined technical control with emotional abandonment. Caught between disco’s coming dominance and soul’s fading commercial influence, McCrae’s “Rockin’ Chair” accomplished the impossible—creating an R&B classic that neither pandered to trends nor retreated into nostalgia. Her ability to convey complex desire without relinquishing authority created a template for expressing intimacy that maintained artistic dignity. 10. **Donna Summer** Her music established liberation zones on dance floors where marginalized communities found celebration and sanctuary. Electronic dance music’s blueprint underwent reinvention when Summer’s 1977 collaboration with Giorgio Moroder on “I Feel Love” reshaped the fundamental architecture of dance music with its futuristic synthesizer patterns. When critics attempted dismissing disco as disposable, Summer’s vocal mastery and pioneering production legitimized the genre as serious art. The electronic music renaissance that began with those hypnotic synthesizer patterns fundamentally changed dance music’s DNA—Summer crafted more than hits; she encoded the future of electronic sound. “I Feel Love” has influenced countless tracks since its release, making it one of the most sonically influential electronic dance recordings in history. The track continues to echo through clubs worldwide decades later, proving Summer’s lasting significance. 9. **Minnie Riperton** The song’s deceptive simplicity—written as lullaby for her daughter Maya Rudolph—conceals extraordinary technical achievement rendered with such emotional authenticity that it never feels like mere showing off. The F?6 whistle register expanded vocal possibilities when Riperton’s “Loving You” (1975) showcased her famous vocal technique. Riperton’s collaboration with producer Stevie Wonder demonstrated how artistic partnership could elevate material beyond category limitations. Her tragically shortened career—ended by breast cancer at just 31—leaves us wondering what innovations might have followed, but her influence echoes through generations of vocalists attempting to reach the heights she made seem effortless. When struggling with the limitations of your own instrument, Riperton’s legacy offers the perfect reminder that technical mastery serves emotional expression—not the other way around. Her expansion of what seemed humanly possible in popular music still leaves singers in awe decades later. 8. **Carly Simon** Her unflinching examinations of complex relationships gave voice to women’s experiences in ways radio hadn’t previously allowed. Elevating personal disclosure into cultural events, Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” which topped charts in late 1972, surpassed conventional breakup songs; it showcased turning intimate experience into universal emotion. Simon’s sophisticated blend of folk, pop, and jazz exceeding musical innovation; it established the sonic template for adult contemporary. Simon illustrated how personal material could transcend gossip and become art that resonated across generations, establishing the confessional songwriting approach that countless artists have since adopted. The enigmatic quality of “You’re So Vain” became the gold standard for artistic discretion—maintaining decades of speculation while preserving the song’s emotional authenticity and maintaining mystique that still generates speculation decades later. Her work continues to influence contemporary songwriters. 7. **Donna Fargo** Former English teacher turned chart-topper, Fargo later expanded into greeting cards and books, creating a business model for female artists to convert their voice into an empire. Fifty years later, her joyful resistance still sounds ground-breaking in an industry that often rewards women’s trauma over their triumph. Fargo’s sonic declaration that women could claim joy as boldly as they claimed pain won her Best Country Vocal Performance, Female, in 1973. She established a template many contemporary female artists now follow by controlling both her creative output and business ventures simultaneously. 6. **Joni Mitchell** Her influence flows through generations of songwriters who discovered through Mitchell that vulnerability, when paired with technical brilliance, becomes an artistic superpower rather than a liability. Emotional authenticity in songwriting underwent dramatic renewal when Joni Mitchell released her June 1971 masterpiece ‘Blue,’ which surpassed critical acclaim. Mitchell’s complex chord structures, experimental guitar tunings, and unflinching lyrical honesty exceeded artistic choices; they represented innovations against an industry that expected women to be pretty vessels for men’s compositions. Blue’s devastating emotional candor established a new benchmark that elevated songcraft from entertainment to essential art, influencing countless songwriters. The album rewrote the rules for confessional music that still echoes through genres five decades later. Mitchell’s work demonstrated that deeply personal expression could achieve universal resonance when created with uncompromising artistic integrity and technical innovation. 5. **Jean Knight** Recorded at Malaco Studios in Mississippi, the regional production created national anthem that gave voice to women tired of ego trips and empty promises. Tired of male posturing? Knight’s “Mr. Big Stuff” delivered the perfect musical shutdown, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning double platinum status while spending five weeks at #1 on the Soul chart in 1971. Knight’s confident delivery exceeded attitude; it asserted worth and boundaries at time when women were still expected to accommodate male fragility. The call-and-response chorus created community of affirmation that continues to empower listeners facing similar situations. When you’re done accommodating fragile egos, Knight’s masterpiece still offers the perfect soundtrack for reclaiming your worth. This anthem exceeded sassy breakup song; it embodied preemptive rejection of masculine entitlement that continues to resonate across decades of changing gender politics. 4. **Samantha Sang** Sang demonstrated that interpreting others’ material constitutes genuine artistry—a translation that can reveal new emotional dimensions in familiar structures. This voice elevated vulnerability into strength when Sang’s “Emotion” (1978) provided the ideal showcase for the Bee Gees’ songcraft—her crystalline vocal delivery capturing heartache with a directness the Gibbs’ falsetto couldn’t achieve while reaching #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The production’s lush orchestration and emotional precision surpassed beauty; it exemplified how collaboration between complementary talents can create something transcendent. Sang showed how restraint and technical precision could create emotional impact more profound than vocal gymnastics. Deep in disco’s heyday, when many songs celebrated physical pleasure, “Emotion” cut through the noise by speaking to heartbreak’s universal language—demonstrating that even at the height of disco fever, emotional authenticity still connected most powerfully. Her performance remains a standard for interpretive artistry. 3. **Bette Midler** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1d5f3a0d20ccbe5cd2477808765d5024.jpg "1d5f3a0d20ccbe5cd2477808765d5024 - bootleg betty") By creating experiences rather than just songs, Bette Midler pioneered a template for female artistic autonomy that runs directly from her Divine Miss M character to the theatrical pop spectacles that dominate arena tours today. While rock stars trashed hotel rooms, Bette Midler demolished every boundary between genres, mediums, and expectations. Her concerts exceeded conventional performances; they embodied full-scale theatrical insurrections against the very concept of what female performers could embody on stage. Her brash brilliance exceeded entertainment; it became a battle plan for generations of women who’d refuse to make themselves smaller for mainstream comfort. In a world demanding female artists choose between being taken seriously or being entertaining, Midler’s boundary-smashing career proved you could triumphantly be both. Midler’s refusal to be categorized surpassed artistic stubbornness—it represented a visionary business strategy that redefined female artistic possibilities for decades to come. 2. **Dolly Parton** Her compositions like “Jolene” (1973) and “I Will Always Love You” (1974) exceeded country songs; they embodied perfect narrative structures that could be reimagined across genres, decades, and generations. A business genius in rhinestones, Dolly Parton’s genre-hopping surpassed artistic restlessness; it represented calculated strategy from a songwriter who understood that great material transcends category limitations. Parton’s business acumen—retaining publishing rights, diversifying into other media, building her entertainment empire—established the model for female artists controlling their legacies. The industry saw big hair and bigger personality; Parton was quietly building a business empire that would outlast them all. For songwriters seeking the formula for timeless compositions, Parton’s catalog offers masterclasses in narrative economy—saying more with 200 words than most can express in a thousand. Her approach demonstrates how artistic integrity and commercial success can coexist when backed by exceptional talent and strategic vision. 1. **Amii Stewart** The song’s Gold certification validated disco’s artistic legitimacy when critics attempted dismissing the genre as disposable. Soul classics needed disco reinvention, and Stewart’s reimagining of Eddie Floyd’s “Knock on Wood” (1979) accomplished more than a cover; it represented resurrection—taking soul’s emotional intensity and translating it through disco’s futuristic production techniques while topping both US and UK charts. Stewart’s powerhouse vocals combined with innovative production demonstrated how musical evolution enhances rather than erases history. Her success proved that dance music could honor its roots while embracing technological innovation—a lesson electronic music producers still follow as they sample, remix, and reimagine music history through contemporary tools. The tension between tradition and innovation often paralyzes artists, but Stewart’s interpretation showed that respectful reinvention creates the most vibrant cultural conversations across generations. Her approach provides a masterclass in updating classics while maintaining their emotional core. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Other%20Legendary%20Women%20Who%20Defined%20Music%20In%20The%2070%27s&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Other%20Legendary%20Women%20Who%20Defined%20Music%20In%20The%2070%27s%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Other%20Legendary%20Women%20Who%20Defined%20Music%20In%20The%2070%27s&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Other%20Legendary%20Women%20Who%20Defined%20Music%20In%20The%2070%27s%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Other%20Legendary%20Women%20Who%20Defined%20Music%20In%20The%2070%27s%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #femaleartists, #Legendary, #Music, #Women --- ### [What Is The Criteria For Being Nominated In The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/15/what-is-the-criteria-for-being-nominated-in-the-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/) **Published:** May 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** To be eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, artists must meet the following criteria: **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty What Is The Criteria For Being Nominated In The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? By Mister D May 15, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/5d619364e17371d630bd975f644124fa.jpg "5d619364e17371d630bd975f644124fa - bootleg betty") --- **Mister D:** *Reading this, [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/)is eligible. Her big challenge is the nominating committee, seeing that she has a legitimate rock and roll past. (So far, she has never been mentioned.) The Rose, 4 Grammys, and her concerts, especially those in the 70s and 80s, were rock and roll spectacles. It also helps that she was on the cover of* [***The Rolling Stone***](https://www.rollingstone.com/) *magazine 3 times and was honored by the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame for lifting up so many songwriters.* That’s my two cents. Plus 7 albums from the 70s and 80s, which were considered rock at the time. To be eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, artists must meet the following criteria: **Eligibility Timeline:** Artists or bands become eligible 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording. **Influence and Significance:** The primary criteria focus on the artist’s influence and significance in the development, evolution, and perpetuation of rock and roll. This includes: Musical Excellence: Demonstrating originality, quality, and innovation in their work, such as stylistic innovations or superior technique. **Impact on Music Culture:** Influencing other musicians, genres, or the broader music landscape, regardless of commercial success or record sales. **Career Longevity and Body of Work:** The scope and depth of an artist’s career and catalog are considered, emphasizing sustained contributions. **Subjective Evaluation:** Unlike sports halls of fame, induction is not based on statistics like record sales or chart performance. It relies on subjective assessments by the Nominating Committee and voters, focusing on the artist’s overall legacy and contribution to rock and roll. **Induction Process** **Nomination:** A Nominating Committee of approximately 24-30 music industry professionals selects a list of nominees annually, typically around 15 artists. **Voting: Ballots** are sent to over 1,200 voters, including historians, music industry professionals, and living Hall of Fame inductees. Since 2012, a public fan vote contributes one ballot, with the top five fan-voted artists weighted equally with other ballots. **Induction:** The artists with the highest number of votes (typically 5-7 per year) are inducted. The number varies annually. **Categories** While the Performer category is the most prominent, other categories recognize contributions to rock and roll: **Performers:** Bands or solo artists with significant influence and excellence. **Early Influences:** Artists predating rock and roll but profoundly impacting its evolution. **Ahmet Ertegun Award (Non-Performer):** For industry professionals like producers, songwriters, or executives. **Award for Musical Excellence:** Honors supporting musicians, songwriters, or producers who shaped music history. **Singles Category:** Recognizes impactful songs by artists not yet inducted (introduced in 2018). **Additional Notes** **Broad Definition of Rock and Roll:** The Hall embraces a wide view of rock and roll as a spirit encompassing genres like hip-hop, R&B, and pop, leading to diverse inductees like Dolly Parton or Missy Elliott. This has sparked debate about genre boundaries. **Controversies:** Critics argue the process lacks transparency, with biases toward certain genres (e.g., less representation for metal or hard rock) or is influenced by committee preferences. **Declining Induction:** Some artists, like Dolly Parton, initially declined induction, questioning their fit within rock and roll, though she later accepted. The criteria prioritize influence and legacy over popularity, making induction a subjective but prestigious honor. For more details, visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s official site at **[www.rockhall.com](http://www.rockhall.com)**.[](https://rockhall.com/press-release/rock-roll-hall-of-fame-foundation-announces-list-of-2025-performer-nominees/) **What About Fan Votes?** Fans cannot directly nominate artists for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a Nominating Committee of music industry professionals makes nominations. However, fans can influence the process in two key ways: **Fan Vote:** Once the nominees are announced (typically in February), fans can participate in the official Fan Vote at vote.rockhall.com or at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum in Cleveland. The top seven artists selected by the public form a “Fans’ Ballot,” which is weighted equally with the ballots from over 1,200 voters (historians, industry professionals, and living inductees). Voting runs through late April, and fans can vote daily. For example, in 2025, Phish won the fan vote but wasn’t inducted, showing that the fan vote is influential but not decisive. **Voice Your Choice Booths:** At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum in Cleveland, fans can use interactive “Voice Your Choice” kiosks to vote for any eligible artist or band not currently inducted. Each visitor gets one vote, and the leaderboard, refreshed weekly, shows the top fan choices. This feedback is shared with the Nominating Committee to guide future nominations, though it’s not a direct nomination. There’s no way to contact the Nominating Committee directly, as their members are kept confidential to prevent lobbying. Visiting the museum or participating in the Fan Vote are the primary channels for fans to advocate for their favorite artists. For the latest on nominations or voting, check www.rockhall.com or follow @rockhall on social media platforms like X, Instagram, or Facebook. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=What%20Is%20The%20Criteria%20For%20Being%20Nominated%20In%20The%20Rock%20And%20Roll%20Hall%20Of%20Fame%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=What%20Is%20The%20Criteria%20For%20Being%20Nominated%20In%20The%20Rock%20And%20Roll%20Hall%20Of%20Fame%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=What%20Is%20The%20Criteria%20For%20Being%20Nominated%20In%20The%20Rock%20And%20Roll%20Hall%20Of%20Fame%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=What%20Is%20The%20Criteria%20For%20Being%20Nominated%20In%20The%20Rock%20And%20Roll%20Hall%20Of%20Fame%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=What%20Is%20The%20Criteria%20For%20Being%20Nominated%20In%20The%20Rock%20And%20Roll%20Hall%20Of%20Fame%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Magazine, Music, Songs, Songwriters **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Music, #Performer, #RARHOF, #RockAndRollHallOfFame, #Songs, #Songwriting --- ### [2 Videos: Bette Midler Sings "Delta Dawn And Rehearses For Intimate Concert](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/15/2-videos-bette-midler-sings-delta-dawn-and-rehearses-for-intimate-concert/) **Published:** May 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler was a frequent patron of the legendary Studio 54 during its heyday. She was seen at the club, often in the company of other celebrities like Liza Minnelli and Andy Warhol. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Videos: Bette Midler Sings “Delta Dawn And Rehearses For Intimate Concert By Mister D May 15, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-15_10-00-08.png "2025-05-15_10-00-08 - bootleg betty") --- --- --- **1978 SPECIAL REPORT: “STUDIO 54 BETTE MIDLER..RON GALELLA PARTY”** : **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/)** was a frequent patron of the legendary **[Studio 54](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studio_54)** during its heyday. She was seen at the club, often in the company of other celebrities like Liza Minnelli and Andy Warhol. Studio 54 was a popular destination for the fashion and entertainment elite, and Midler was known for her vibrant style and energetic presence, making her a natural fit for the club’s glamorous atmosphere. Ron Galella is one of the few celebrity paparazzi people know by name. The photographer, known for his iconic 1970s and 80s images and relentless pursuit of Jackie Kennedy (which ended in multiple lawsuits), created a renowned body of work, some of which is even preserved in MoMA’s permanent collection. A complicated and controversial figure, the now 89-year-old was despised by celebrities and revered by fellow photographers. Here, we take a look back at Galella’s most notable photographs, where he captured everyone from Mick Jagger to Grace Kelly in their natural habitats. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=2%20Videos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Delta%20Dawn%20And%20Rehearses%20For%20Intimate%20Concert&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=2%20Videos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Delta%20Dawn%20And%20Rehearses%20For%20Intimate%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=2%20Videos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Delta%20Dawn%20And%20Rehearses%20For%20Intimate%20Concert&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=2%20Videos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Delta%20Dawn%20And%20Rehearses%20For%20Intimate%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=2%20Videos%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Delta%20Dawn%20And%20Rehearses%20For%20Intimate%20Concert%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** An Intimate Evening, Bette Midler, Live, The Bette Midler Show, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DeltaDawn, #IntimateConcert, #Rehearses, #Videos --- ### [Audio: Pete Townshend Of The Who Wrote 2 Songs For Bette Midler But She Rejected Them](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/15/audio-pete-townshend-of-the-who-wrote-2-songs-for-bette-midler-but-she-rejected-them/) **Published:** May 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Pete Townshend, 0f the Who, wrote two songs for Bette Midler: "And I Moved" and "You're So Clever". Both were intended for her but were rejected. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Pete Townshend Of The Who Wrote 2 Songs For Bette Midler But She Rejected Them By Mister D May 15, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/24a5da3929ddce1da4adafb29ea26f04.jpg "24a5da3929ddce1da4adafb29ea26f04 - bootleg betty") --- **[Pete Townshend](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Townshend)**, 0f the Who, wrote two songs for **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/)**: “And I Moved” and “You’re So Clever”. Both were intended for her but were rejected. “And I Moved” appeared on Townshend’s 1980 solo album Empty Glass. Midler’s team found it too sexually explicit, not aligning with her preferred style for provocative songs. “You’re So Clever” was also submitted but turned down, with no clear reason specified beyond general rejection by her or her producer. --- ![Pete Townshend](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/rsz_empty_glass.jpg "Rsz_empty_glass - bootleg betty") --- **Pete Townshend: And I Moved** --- **Pete Townshend: You’re So Clever** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Pete%20Townshend%20Of%20The%20Who%20Wrote%202%20Songs%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20But%20She%20Rejected%20Them&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Pete%20Townshend%20Of%20The%20Who%20Wrote%202%20Songs%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20But%20She%20Rejected%20Them%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Pete%20Townshend%20Of%20The%20Who%20Wrote%202%20Songs%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20But%20She%20Rejected%20Them&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Pete%20Townshend%20Of%20The%20Who%20Wrote%202%20Songs%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20But%20She%20Rejected%20Them%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Pete%20Townshend%20Of%20The%20Who%20Wrote%202%20Songs%20For%20Bette%20Midler%20But%20She%20Rejected%20Them%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Songs **Tags:** #AndIMoved, #BetteMidler, #PeteTownshend, #Songs, #TheWho, #YourSoClever --- ### [How To Make Bette Midler's Best Ever Tuna Salad](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/15/how-to-make-bette-midlers-best-ever-tuna-salad/) **Published:** May 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Not to sound like a broken Bette Midler record, but one of the reasons this recipe is so great is that it comes from the mind of Bette Midler. The singer and actress loves to cook and eat. **Content:** --- ## Parade How To Make the Best-Ever Tuna Salad, According to Bette Midler By Justine Lee March 12, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/c7448b04c4be3487fbb8f09808317ea0-bette-midler-paraty.jpg "C7448b04c4be3487fbb8f09808317ea0--bette-midler-paraty - bootleg betty") --- There is no denying the star power that is [**Bette Midler**.](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) You might love her from movies like The First Wives Club or Beaches. Or maybe, like me, you were nearly rushed to urgent care when Bette’s Tony Award-winning performance as the lead in the 2017 Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! took your breath away. And even if you don’t think you love her, you likely have fawned over Bette Midler as the conniving and comical witch Winifred in the 1993 fan-favorite film Hocus Pocus. If you’re a fall fan, you probably have the classic Halloween movie in your queue waiting to be watched on repeat all October long. But as a summer girl, let me set the record straight: summer doesn’t officially end until September 22. But that isn’t to say you have to wait to get your fill of Bette Midler—in fact, it’s not summer until you’ve made Bette’s take on the ultimate summer dish: **[tuna salad](https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/139487/quick-tuna-salad/)**. **What Makes Bette Midler’s Tuna Salad So Special?** Not to sound like a broken Bette Midler record, but one of the reasons this recipe is so great is that it comes from the mind of Bette Midler. The singer and actress loves to cook and eat. In a 2000 interview with Good Housekeeping, Midler professed that she “enjoys preparing favorite dishes in her New York City apartment, where the kitchen-dining area is the heart of her home.” And one dish that’s in constant rotation is her tuna salad. Like most tuna salad recipes, Bette’s is simple to make, but she does have some strong feelings about why and how her version is superior. She starts with canned tuna packed in oil and goes on to say “screw this tuna-in-water stuff.” She’s also extremely specific about the pickles she uses in her tuna salad. She insists that you use two types of pickles: dill and sweet gherkins. Doubling up on the pickles adds more pickle-y tang and brightness to the salad and is also a great way to add a variety of texture and flavor. For added protein, Bette crumbles up a hard-boiled egg and mixes it into the salad. And before you ask, Bette is Team Hellman’s mayonnaise, “or Blue Ribbon, which I buy in New Orleans,” she said. **How to Make Bette Midler’s Tuna Salad** Start by draining the tuna and adding it to a medium bowl. Add one crumbled-up hard-boiled egg, chopped dill and sweet gherkin pickles, chopped celery and mayonnaise. Mix with a fork until well-combined. Season with salt, pepper and according to Bette, “a tiny, tiny bit” of chopped onions “if you have a taste for it.” Eat it on a bed of greens, serve it with crackers or turn it into a tuna melt, à la Tom Selleck and Kamala Harris. --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-14_14-52-22.png "2025-05-14_14-52-22 - bootleg betty") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=How%20To%20Make%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Best%20Ever%20Tuna%20Salad&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=How%20To%20Make%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Best%20Ever%20Tuna%20Salad%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=How%20To%20Make%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Best%20Ever%20Tuna%20Salad&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=How%20To%20Make%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Best%20Ever%20Tuna%20Salad%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20To%20Make%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Best%20Ever%20Tuna%20Salad%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Cooking, Tuna Salad **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Cooking, #Recipe, #TunaSalad --- ### [Bette Midler Is In The Upcoming Documentary On Barbara Walters](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/14/bette-midler-is-in-the-upcoming-documentary-on-barbara-walters/) **Published:** May 14, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** “Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything,” a documentary about the iconic late journalist executive produced by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, has set its Hulu debut. The film will begin streaming on June 23 after having its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. **Content:** --- ## MSN Barbara Walters Doc ‘Tell Me Everything’ to Stream on Hulu After Tribeca Premiere By Selome Hailu May 14, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-14_13-58-06.png "2025-05-14_13-58-06 - bootleg betty")--- “[**Barbara Walters**](https://bootlegbetty.com/tag/barbara-walters/) Tell Me Everything,” a documentary about the iconic late journalist executive produced by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, has set its Hulu debut. The film will begin streaming on June 23 after having its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. Walters, who died in December 2022, was famous for her work across programs like “Today,” the ABC Evening News, “20/20” and “The View.” Directed by journalist Jackie Jesko, “Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything” charts Walters’ career and personal life as well as “the challenges she faced trying to balance it all as a woman in a male-dominated industry. Walters, in her own words, also reflects on the high price of fame and the legacy she hoped to inspire,” the official description reads. It utilizes unaired archival footage including interviews with Cindy Adams, Joy Behar, Connie Chung, Martin Clancy, Andy Cohen, Katie Couric, Peter Gethers, Lori Klein, Cynthia McFadden, **[Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler)**, Victor Neufeld, David Sloan, Katie Nelson Thomson, Chris Vlasto, and Oprah Winfrey. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Is%20In%20The%20Upcoming%20Documentary%20On%20Barbara%20Walters&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Is%20In%20The%20Upcoming%20Documentary%20On%20Barbara%20Walters%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Is%20In%20The%20Upcoming%20Documentary%20On%20Barbara%20Walters&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Is%20In%20The%20Upcoming%20Documentary%20On%20Barbara%20Walters%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Is%20In%20The%20Upcoming%20Documentary%20On%20Barbara%20Walters%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Documentary, Movies **Tags:** #BarbaraWalters, #BetteMidler, #Documentary, #Hulu, #Movie, #Tribeca --- ### [Audio: Slo Moshun-Bells Of New York - Bette Midler Big Business Remix](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/14/audio-slo-moshun-bells-of-new-york-bette-midler-big-business-remix/) **Published:** May 14, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Slo Moshun - Bells of New York (DJ Sin Chaise Bette Midler Big Business Remix) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Slo Moshun – Bells of New York (DJ Sin Chaise Big Business Remix) By Mister D May 14, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/26336571_1-1024x538.jpg "26336571_1 - bootleg betty")--- --- Slo Moshun – Bells of New York (DJ Sin Chaise) [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/karaoke-bette/) [**Big Business**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Business_(1988_film)) Remix Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Slo%20Moshun-Bells%20Of%20New%20York%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Big%20Business%20Remix&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Slo%20Moshun-Bells%20Of%20New%20York%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Big%20Business%20Remix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Slo%20Moshun-Bells%20Of%20New%20York%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Big%20Business%20Remix&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Slo%20Moshun-Bells%20Of%20New%20York%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Big%20Business%20Remix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Slo%20Moshun-Bells%20Of%20New%20York%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Big%20Business%20Remix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Big Business, Remix **Tags:** #Audio, #BetteMidler, #BigBusiness, #DJSinChaise, #Remix, #SloMoshun --- ### [For My Brother, Woody Bradshaw: His New Single Is Out](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/11/for-my-brother-woody-bradshaw-his-new-single-is-out/) **Published:** May 11, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty For My Brother, Woody Bradshaw: His New Single Is Out By Mister D May 11, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-11_10-33-31.png "2025-05-11_10-33-31 - bootleg betty") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=For%20My%20Brother%2C%20Woody%20Bradshaw%3A%20His%20New%20Single%20Is%20Out&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=For%20My%20Brother%2C%20Woody%20Bradshaw%3A%20His%20New%20Single%20Is%20Out%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=For%20My%20Brother%2C%20Woody%20Bradshaw%3A%20His%20New%20Single%20Is%20Out&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=For%20My%20Brother%2C%20Woody%20Bradshaw%3A%20His%20New%20Single%20Is%20Out%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=For%20My%20Brother%2C%20Woody%20Bradshaw%3A%20His%20New%20Single%20Is%20Out%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler --- ### [A Mother's Day Poem To Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/11/a-mothers-day-poem-to-bette-midler/) **Published:** May 11, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Dear Bette Midler, on this Mother's Day fair, Your radiant spirit dances through the air. A mother’s love, so fierce, so tender, so true, In every note you sing, it shines boldly through. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty A Mother’s Day Poem To Bette Midler By Mister D May 11, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/f232f09cd1b9f989e62c01d2c8cc2f83.jpg "F232f09cd1b9f989e62c01d2c8cc2f83 - bootleg betty")--- Dear [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/), on this **[Mother’s Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day_(United_States))** fair, Your radiant spirit dances through the air. A mother’s love, so fierce, so tender, so true, In every note you sing, it shines boldly through. From Broadway’s glow to the silver screen’s call, Your heart’s a beacon, embracing one and all. Sophie, your pride, your joy, your shining star, Reflects the love you give, near or afar. You’ve raised her with laughter, with wisdom, with grace, A mother’s touch in every shared embrace. Through every ballad, through every bold refrain, Your nurturing soul weaves a sweet, timeless chain. This day we honor the magic you bestow, The strength, the care, that only mothers know. So here’s to you, Bette, with love and with cheer, A mother divine, we hold forever dear. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20Mother%27s%20Day%20Poem%20To%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20Mother%27s%20Day%20Poem%20To%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20Mother%27s%20Day%20Poem%20To%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20Mother%27s%20Day%20Poem%20To%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20Mother%27s%20Day%20Poem%20To%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, Holiday, Holidays, Sophie, Sophie von Haselberg **Tags:** #BabyMine, #BetteMidler, #MothersDay, #poem --- ### [A Ultimate Mother's Day Playlist](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/11/a-ultimate-mothers-day-playlist/) **Published:** May 11, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** You may already have that bouquet, cake, designer bag, jewelry, or envelope of cash at the ready, but you can also count on priceless gifts to bring joy to the moms and mother figures in your life—for one, a thoughtful playlist that shows your deepest love and gratitude to them. **Content:** --- ## Life LISTEN: The ultimate Mother’s Day playlist to show your deepest love and gratitude to her By NICK GARCIA May 11, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BETTE_79_sammy.jpg "Bette_79_sammy - bootleg betty")--- You may already have that bouquet, cake, designer bag, jewelry, or envelope of cash at the ready, but you can also count on priceless gifts to bring joy to the moms and mother figures in your life—for one, a thoughtful [**playlist**](https://theplaylist.net/) that shows your deepest love and gratitude to them. Here are PhilSTAR L!fe’s chosen songs for our mama, mommy, nanay, lola, and other [**maternal figures**](https://bootlegbetty.com/those-wonderful-soph-jokes/) who make our respective worlds a better place. **Good as Hell by Lizzo** This song oozes with confidence and soul. The sax, the piano, the snaps, the drums. It gives images of a hair toss, nails, a swimsuit, even a bottle of tequila, moreso a fine ass. There’s a misconception that after a certain number of years, mothers shouldn’t glam up anymore. But no. Mothers are good as hell forever, and they can awra to their heart’s content. **Mama Wanna Mambo by Meghan Trainor** For the mom who always has the sultry, snappy moves on the dance floor, this can be her song. Know that she possesses that Latina heat, and she can definitely “keep it hot or keep it tropical.” Alternatively, the workout girlie in her ought to add this to her gym playlist. **Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé** Your mother can be that girlboss—ambitious, assertive, and adamant. Her work ethic may sometimes spill over at home, and you may think that she’s tough on you. But at the end of the day, rest assured that she cares about you and wants a bright future for you, always. Hence, she’s working so hard, right? Girls like her run the world, after all. **Confident by Demi Lovato** The song starts with an arresting trumpet, followed by synthesizers and finger snaps as Lovato says, “Are you ready?” She’d then sing about being the “boss right now” and how she makes her “own choice.” Women have long been thought of as submissive, weak, and inferior. But not this singer. Certainly not your mother. She’s confident, and it’s out of the question—as the song goes—whether something’s wrong with it. **Let It Be by The Beatles** This song, originally dedicated to Paul McCartney’s late mother, Mary, remembers her as someone who’s “speaking words of wisdom” when he finds himself in times of trouble or darkness. Whether in memory of someone’s mom or not, the message remains: She shines a bright light in her child’s life as someone who reminds them that amid whatever difficulty, they can simply “let it be.” **Mapa by SB19** This song not only brings out the inner Gen Z and P-popper in your mother but also makes her feel so appreciated. Here, the singer talks about greatly missing his mama, who he says always prioritizes him. He tells her to rest, as it’s his turn to be of service to her now. Even the papa verse applies to her, as it shows the singer’s gratitude for the guidance. T**he Perfect Fan by Backstreet Boys** This song is the ultimate reverence to mothers, attesting to their supportive and caring nature toward their children. Here, a proud son acknowledges that through his mother’s guidance since he was young, he’s in a good place now and will always be grateful for “the perfect fan” that is her. **Mom by Earth, Wind & Fire** This song isn’t lyrics-heavy, but it talks about the singer’s mom, who he says gave him words, peace, and thoughts of love. He asserts that in his life, he has always dug, cared, and needed her. The funky and jazzy instrumentation calls for a dance with your mom. **The Best Day by Taylor Swift** This song is originally for Swift’s mother, Andrea. She recalls her childhood days of yore and how her mother made them all memorable and magical. “But I know I had the best day with you today,” Swift sings in the chorus. The same can be said for your mother, not just today but tomorrow and the next one after that. **Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler** Sometimes, a good ol’ tearjerker is necessary, given the relevance and meaning of the song’s lyrics. This song couldn’t be more perfect for them as it looks up to a hero in the singer’s life and everything the singer likes to be. The singer uses the metaphor of the wind beneath her wings to describe someone who lets her “fly so high against the sky.” It goes without saying that it’s mom. **You by The Carpenters** This song, though it doesn’t directly mention mothers, is a heartfelt ode to a certain “you” who makes the singer happy “when everything else turns to gray.” That “you” is “one of the few things worth remembering,” to the point that she asks, “How could anyone mean more to me than you.” And that “you” could definitely be your mother. **A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men** This song points out that the singer’s mama is the one who taught and gave him everything in life. She’s always there for him, especially “when skies were gray.” Ultimately, he declares that she’ll always be the girl in his life, and that loving her is like food to his soul, as she’s also the food to his soul. **Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran** This song, though originally about Sheeran’s late grandmother as written from the point of view of his mother, is a powerful tribute to any maternal figure who passed on. While it surely tugs at the heartstrings and may even make listeners cry, it vividly depicts heartwarming memories that serve as a source of comfort. At the end, it offers hope as the maternal figure, according to the singer, is taken back by God, who said, “Hallelujah, you’re home.” **Honarable Mentions By Me:** **My Mother’s Eyes by Bette Midler** My Mother’s Eyes” is a touching choice for Mother’s Day, capturing the essence of a mother’s love and perspective. For a mother, it could be a meaningful way to celebrate her vibrant, giving spirit and the profound impact she’s had on your life. Happy Mother’s Day to her! **Mary by Bette Midler** In summary, Bette Midler’s live performance of Patty Griffin’s “Mary” during the Divine Miss Millennium tour, though unrecorded, was a powerful moment that resonates with Mother’s Day through its themes of maternal love and sacrifice. **No Jestering by Bette Midler** Mother’s Day celebrates the bond between mothers and children, often highlighting love, guidance, and sometimes the playful tension when children assert their independence. “No Jestering” captures this dynamic through its narrative of a daughter respectfully but firmly defying her mother’s advice for the sake of love. While not explicitly about maternal love like “Mary” or “Wind Beneath My Wings,” the song’s mother-daughter dialogue offers a lighthearted lens for Mother’s Day, reflecting the push-and-pull of generational wisdom and youthful passion. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20Ultimate%20Mother%27s%20Day%20Playlist&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20Ultimate%20Mother%27s%20Day%20Playlist%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20Ultimate%20Mother%27s%20Day%20Playlist&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20Ultimate%20Mother%27s%20Day%20Playlist%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20Ultimate%20Mother%27s%20Day%20Playlist%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #MothersDay, #Music, #Playlist, #Songs --- ### [Trilogy Of The Rose Songs From Midler's Divine Madness](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/09/trilogy-of-the-rose-songs-from-midlers-divine-madness/) **Published:** May 9, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** I'm referring to a sequence in Divine Madness (1980) where Bette Midler performs songs tied to her debut film, The Rose (1979). In the concert film, she does perform "The Rose," "Fire Down Below," and "Stay with Me," which are all connected to her role as Mary Rose Foster. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Trilogy Of The Rose Songs From Midler’s Divine Madness By Mister D May 9, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2023-09-29_00-18-27.jpg "2023-09-29_00-18-27 - bootleg betty") I’m referring to a sequence in [**Divine Madness**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/divine-madness/) (1980) where [**Bette Midler**](https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/m/ma-mn/bette-midler/) performs songs tied to her debut film, The Rose (1979). In the concert film, she does perform “The Rose,” “Fire Down Below,” and “Stay with Me,” which are all connected to her role as Mary Rose Foster. While not explicitly a formal “trilogy,” these songs are thematically linked to the emotional arc of her character in The Rose. - **The Rose:** The poignant ballad, written by Amanda McBroom, is the emotional centerpiece. - **Fire Down Below:** A high-energy rock number, showcasing her character’s wild side (written by Bob Seger). - **Stay with Me:** A raw, desperate plea, reflecting the character’s turmoil (originally by George Weiss and Jerry Ragovoy). In Divine Madness, these are performed as part of her live set, not in a narrative sequence like in The Rose, but their inclusion nods to the film’s impact. --- **The Rose** --- --- **Fire Down Below** --- --- **Stay With Me** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Trilogy%20Of%20The%20Rose%20Songs%20From%20Midler%27s%20Divine%20Madness&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Trilogy%20Of%20The%20Rose%20Songs%20From%20Midler%27s%20Divine%20Madness%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Trilogy%20Of%20The%20Rose%20Songs%20From%20Midler%27s%20Divine%20Madness&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Trilogy%20Of%20The%20Rose%20Songs%20From%20Midler%27s%20Divine%20Madness%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Trilogy%20Of%20The%20Rose%20Songs%20From%20Midler%27s%20Divine%20Madness%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Divine Madness, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #DivineMadness, #Music, #Songs, #TheRose --- ### [BetteBack Sept 10, 1978: Alan Bates On Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/09/betteback-sept-10-1978-alan-bates-on-bette-midler/) **Published:** May 9, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Aaron Russo talks about how marvelous Bette Midler is and how he and the crew of his last movie played her album all the time. **Content:** --- **Mobile Register** **September 10, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/il_1140xN.1814333539_f00x-1024x823.jpg "Il_1140xn. 1814333539_f00x - bootleg betty") [![2017-05-02_3-53-55](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-02_3-53-55-450x273.png "2017-05-02_3-53-55 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70890) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20Sept%2010%2C%201978%3A%20Alan%20Bates%20On%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2010%2C%201978%3A%20Alan%20Bates%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20Sept%2010%2C%201978%3A%20Alan%20Bates%20On%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2010%2C%201978%3A%20Alan%20Bates%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2010%2C%201978%3A%20Alan%20Bates%20On%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #AlanBates, #BetteMidler, #Movie, #TheRose --- ### [Marc Shaiman Announces His Memoir Never Mind The Happy Jan 27, 2026](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/08/marc-shaiman-announces-his-memoir-never-mind-the-happy-jan-26-2026/) **Published:** May 8, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In NEVER MIND THE HAPPY, Marc tells of his adventures on Broadway and in television and Hollywood, sharing never-before-heard stories from beloved projects like Sleepless in Seattle, Hairspray, and Smash. He recounts his decades of work and friendship with Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Marc Shaiman Announces His Memoir Never Mind The Happy Jan 27, 2026 By Mister D May 8, 2026 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/th.jpeg "Th - bootleg betty") --- What a wonderful way to announce [**Marc Shaiman’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2020/01/04/how-marc-shaimans-bette-midler-dreams-became-reality/) upcoming book, NEVER MIND THE HAPPY! Seven-time Oscar-nominated and Tony, Emmy, Grammy Award-winning composer, lyricist, orchestrator, and musician, Marc has successfully created music for TV, film, and theater since his discovery at age 16 playing piano at @mariescrisis. In NEVER MIND THE HAPPY, Marc tells of his adventures on Broadway and in television and Hollywood, sharing never-before-heard stories from beloved projects like Sleepless in Seattle, Hairspray, and Smash. He recounts his decades of work and friendship with [Bette Midler](https://open.spotify.com/artist/13y0kncDD4J9wxCyfKr10W) and speaks candidly about losing countless friends and loved ones to AIDS. We’re so thrilled to be working on this book and know that readers will adore Marc’s stories and perspective. The Yankees won, the Knicks won, and Regalo Press won with Marc’s NEVER MIND THE HAPPY, out January 27, 2026. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Marc%20Shaiman%20Announces%20His%20Memoir%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Jan%2027%2C%202026&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Announces%20His%20Memoir%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Jan%2027%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Announces%20His%20Memoir%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Jan%2027%2C%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Announces%20His%20Memoir%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Jan%2027%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Marc%20Shaiman%20Announces%20His%20Memoir%20Never%20Mind%20The%20Happy%20Jan%2027%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books, Marc Shaiman **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Books, #MarcShaiman, #Memoir, #NeverMindTheHappy --- ### [Designer Tony Walton's Auction Includes Bette Midler's Clams On The Half Shell Revue](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/08/designer-tony-waltons-auction-includes-bette-midlers-clams-on-the-half-shell-revue/) **Published:** May 8, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** For the Walton completist, there’s even a portfolio bursting with Walton’s costume and scenic design artwork for the legendary 1975 Bette Midler revue Clams on the Half Shell. All aboard! **Content:** --- ## James Lane Tony Walton’s Dreamscapes: Heritage Auctions Unveils A Designer’s Legacy On May 16 By James Lane May 8, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bette-Midlers-Clams-on-the-Half-Shell-Revue-Theater-Production-1975-727x1024.webp "Bette-midlers-clams-on-the-half-shell-revue-theater-production-1975 - bootleg betty") --- Tony Walton was an Oscar-winning scenic and costume designer whose work across stage and screen didn’t just decorate stories – it brought them to life. From the captivating streets of “Mary Poppins” to the bold Tony-winning sets of “Guys and Dolls,” Walton, who died in 2022 at age 87, left an indelible mark on both stage and screen. His five Oscar nominations, three Tony Awards, and an Emmy only hint at the breadth of a career that spanned Broadway, Hollywood, and beyond, earning him a reputation as a chameleon of design who never repeated himself. On May 16, Heritage Auctions will present the Tony Walton: Designer of Dreams Auction, offering collectors a rare chance to own pieces of his extraordinary legacy – sketches, models, costumes and more – while supporting a cause close to his theatrical heart with a portion of proceeds benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BCEFA). “Tony Walton taught me to see the world with new eyes,” said Julie Andrews, Walton’s first wife and the star of Mary Poppins, for which he designed the iconic costumes and sets. “His riotous use of color, his extraordinary gift for perspective, the way in which he captured not just the leaves on the trees but the spaces in between and the sky beyond… all revealed beauty and wonder that changed my point of view forever.” The auction is a treasure trove of Walton’s creative process, from his earliest days sketching caricatures for Playbill Magazine – featuring stars like Andrews in “My Fair Lady” (1960), Rosalind Russell in “Auntie Mame” (1958), and Tallulah Bankhead in “Eugenia” (1957) – to his groundbreaking work on 1964’s Mary Poppins. Other highlights include original costume sketches of Andrews’s magical nanny, with playful touches of crimson amidst somber greys, and production designs like Admiral Boom’s house and the Banks’ children’s bedroom. His early Broadway triumphs shine through, too, with sketches and ephemera from “The Apple Tree” (1966), “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (1962-1966) and “Pippin” (1972), the latter earning him his first Tony for scenic design. “My father was a man of the arts in every sense of the word,” said Emma Walton Hamilton, daughter of Andrews and Walton. “He ate, slept, and breathed theater and film. Early in his career, he made a promise never to repeat himself… instead, he found a unique vision for each project that best served the piece itself. He is sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.” Walton’s versatility dazzles across the lots. There’s the “Chicago” (1975) Roxie fan, later repurposed as wall art for Studio 54, where Walton helped shape the club’s iconic look with neon dancer sketches and other designs and artworks. His Oscar-nominated work on feature film “The Wiz” (1978) features hand-painted clay maquettes of Michael Jackson’s Scarecrow, Nipsey Russell’s Tin Man and Ted Ross’ Cowardly Lion alongside Yellow Brick Road concept art. Set models – like the intricate house from “The Sea Gull” (1968), the Tony-winning “Guys and Dolls” (1992) revival and the Dickensian “A Christmas Carol” (1994-2003) – offer a tactile glimpse into his genius, while personal portfolios from “Fahrenheit 451? (1966), “All That Jazz” (1979) and a 13-volume set and more from “The Boy Friend” (2003-2006), a reunion with Andrews and Walton, reveal his meticulous process. “Tony was a brilliant artist and one of the kindest, most generous humans ever,” said Bridget LeRoy, his stepdaughter. “Our home was a haven for every Broadway and film star, hoofer, designer, and technician, all of whom adored him as much as we did. We are thrilled to be sharing his work with the world in conjunction with Heritage Auctions.” “Tony Walton’s estate is a breathtaking journey through a singular career that redefined design in theater and film,” says Joe Maddalena, Heritage’s Executive Vice President. “From the charming and masterful sketches of Mary Poppins to the assertive sets of Guys and Dolls, this collection offers collectors a chance to own pieces of a visionary process that continues to inspire.” Elyse Luray, Heritage’s Trust & Estates Specialist, agrees: “We’re honored to present this archive. Important works like the Chicago Roxie fan reborn at Studio 54 or the intricate Wiz maquettes aren’t just artifacts – they’re testaments to a creative mind that shaped modern entertainment.” The Wiz (Universal, 1978) Michael Jackson Scarecrow Costume Model Maquette. A portion of the proceeds will support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a cause Walton’s theater-committed soul would have championed. BCEFA looks forward to rallying the Broadway community to celebrate Walton’s legacy through this auction, ensuring his influence extends beyond the stage and screen to meaningful impact. From costume sketches for “Murder on the Orient Express” (1974) to set designs for “Anything Goes” (1987) and Academy Award nomination plaques, every lot tells a story of Walton’s boundless imagination. For the Walton completist, there’s even a portfolio bursting with Walton’s costume and scenic design artwork for the legendary 1975 **[Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler)** revue [**Clams on the Half Shell**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2017/11/16/betteback-april-1-1975-review-of-preview-of-clams-on-the-half-shell-revue-before-nyc/). All aboard! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Designer%20Tony%20Walton%27s%20Auction%20Includes%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Clams%20On%20The%20Half%20Shell%20Revue&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Designer%20Tony%20Walton%27s%20Auction%20Includes%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Clams%20On%20The%20Half%20Shell%20Revue%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Designer%20Tony%20Walton%27s%20Auction%20Includes%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Clams%20On%20The%20Half%20Shell%20Revue&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Designer%20Tony%20Walton%27s%20Auction%20Includes%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Clams%20On%20The%20Half%20Shell%20Revue%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Designer%20Tony%20Walton%27s%20Auction%20Includes%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20Clams%20On%20The%20Half%20Shell%20Revue%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Clams On The Half Shell, Theatre **Tags:** #BetteMidler #Best, #ClamsOnTheHalfShee, #SetDesigner, #Theater, #TonyWalton --- ### [10 Seinfeld Storylines That Went Absolutely Nowhere](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/08/10-seinfeld-storylines-that-went-absolutely-nowhere/) **Published:** May 8, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In Seinfeld's parody of the Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan scandal, George knocks down Bette Midler as he slides into home base during a baseball game. Jerry is dating Gennice, Bette Midler's understudy in Rochelle, Rochelle: **Content:** --- ## CBR 10 Seinfeld Storylines That Went Absolutely Nowhere By Emma Cregan May 7, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Macaroni-Midler.jpg "Macaroni midler - bootleg betty")--- [**Seinfeld**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/09/10/the-8-best-celebrity-cameos-on-seinfeld/), the incredibly successful NBC sitcom, gave audiences some of the most iconic episodes of television. The series continues to impress audiences with its ability to carry stories across multiple episodes, continuing to reference even the tiniest gags. These recurring stories and Easter eggs help connect the audience to the characters and world of Seinfeld. Repeated jokes, like George’s fantasy of being an architect, make the audience feel like they really know the characters. Despite the importance of multi-episode stories, there are multiple Seinfeld plot lines that never reach a satisfying conclusion. Several Seinfeld storylines continue to perplex fans with their lack of closure. Some of Seinfeld’s most memorable plot lines and characters are left with no proper conclusion. The series unleashed a horde of horrifying characters into its universe, but never brought their reigns of terror to an end. There are multiple serial killers still running around in the world of Seinfeld. Several stories had the potential to create new and exciting directions for the main characters, but were never followed up on. The diverse array of ideas generated for the series is a testament to the impressive creativity of the cast and crew. Unfortunately, many storylines end up like jokes without a punchline. **10 Elaine is Plagued by Mysterious Mannequins Seinfeld Season 5, Episode 15, “The Pie”** In Seinfeld Season 5, George and Elaine discover a new clothing boutique with a mannequin that bears a striking resemblance to Elaine. Ricky, who fell in love with Elaine in “The Cigar Store Indian”, designed the mannequins. Ricky is in a warehouse packed with identical mannequins, and they are displayed in stores across America. The unsettling Pygmalion creations are an example of the offbeat humor that makes Seinfeld standout from other sitcoms. Seinfeld frequently uses callbacks to past storylines and jokes. Seeing Elaine terrified by the constant presence of her doppelgängers in later episodes would have been a funny subplot for her normally level-headed character. Despite their abundance, the army of Elaine clones never reappears. Countless Seinfeld characters, like Newman and Joe Devola, have obsessive one-sided crushes on Elaine. Ricky is just one of many devoted Elaine fans. Like his mannequins, Ricky doesn’t appear again, and the audience never learns if he has overcome his infatuation. A stalking plot line could quickly turn too dark for a sitcom and detract from the feminist elements of Elaine’s stories. It was for the best that the series left Ricky in his warehouse. **9 The Curtains Closed at the Alex Theater Seinfeld Season 7, Episode 10, “The Gum” Michael Richards as Kramer, Jerry Seinfeld as Jerry Seinfeld, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine BenesImage via NBC** Yuletide in Seinfeld’s New York City sees Kramer take on a new passion project with the restoration of the Alex Theater, a 1920s movie house. Impulsive and whimsical, Kramer is always starting new projects, but his lack of knowledge and practical skills usually hinders his ability to bring his wild ideas to life. The Alex theater is the one exception. The movie theater has a line-up of classic films, a well-maintained lobby, and busy staff. Kramer has clearly put a lot of time and effort into this project. Despite this being one of Kramer’s rare successes in Seinfeld, the series never uses the theater again. The success of the theater is antithetical to Kramer’s character. Kramer’s schtick is that he doesn’t have a real job like Jerry, George, and Elaine, so he can always drag them into wild adventures in the city. It could have been funny, and more in character for Kramer, if Elaine and Jerry showed up to a decrepit theater that had no hope of surviving. This would have been a little bleak for a holiday episode, but it would have been easier to reuse the storyline in later episodes. **8 George Doesn’t Experience Spiritual Enlightenment Seinfeld Season 5, Episode 11, “The Conversion”** Jason Alexander as George Costanza in Latvian Orthodox Church in SeinfeldImage via NBC In one of George’s many foolish attempts to woo a girl in Seinfeld, he converts to Latvian Orthodox after a date tells him she can only be with a man who shares her religion. Lovesick George attends classes, meets with the church leaders, and commits in every way to his conversion. Despite all this time and effort spent on becoming Latvian Orthodox, George’s new faith is never mentioned in the show again. Sasha, the woman George was attempting to court, moves to Latvia and George never returns to the Latvian Church. George’s harebrained schemes to win the affections of women are a mainstay of Seinfeld episodes. Usually they only involve a white lie and a little help from Jerry, but his conversion to Latvian Orthodox is the most involved and complex. The Latvian church members grow close to George, and he leads them on to believe he will be a valuable addition to their community. George never follows through on his promises to be a committed church member. Later episodes could have continued to show George attending church services and events. This could have worked well with Seinfeld’s plot device of going to great lengths just to avoid awkward social situations. **7 George Became Fast Friends With Fidel Castro Seinfeld Season 6, Episode 10, “The Race” Jason Alexander as George Costanza meeting Fidel Castro in SeinfeldImage via NBC** After George tries to use the personal ads in The Daily Worker to score a date in Seinfeld, the Yankees’ office is abuzz with rumors that George is a communist infiltrator. Mr. Steinbrenner, the Yankees’ eccentric owner, is elated by the news. Steinbrenner sends George to Cuba to entice a baseball player to sign with the Yankees. George meets Cuba’s famous president, Fidel Castro, and the historic revolutionary takes a liking to George. Cuba frequently comes up throughout Seinfeld because of the heightened animosity between the two countries throughout the 1990s. Even though US-Cuba relations are often touched on in Seinfeld, George’s time in Cuba is never mentioned again. Watching George navigate life in Cuba would have been a hilarious plotline in Seinfeld. The neurotic New Yorker would have stumbled into countless conflicts because of cultural barriers. However, it would have been difficult for Seinfeld to create convincing Cuba scenes, and Cuban characters would have fallen into harmful stereotypes. Like the episode “The Puerto Rican Day,” a long-term Cuba storyline would not have aged well. **6 The Show Won’t Go On for Bette Midler Seinfeld Season 6, Episode 24, “The Understudy”** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-08_10-08-25.png "2025-05-08_10-08-25 - bootleg betty")In Seinfeld’s parody of the Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan scandal, George knocks down [**Bette Midler**](https://seinfeld.fandom.com/wiki/Bette_Midler) as he slides into home base during a baseball game. Jerry is dating Gennice, Bette Midler’s understudy in Rochelle, Rochelle: The Musical. Everyone believes Jerry, Gennice, and George conspired together to injure Midler so that Gennice could take the starring role in the musical. All of New York turns against Jerry and George. People shout insults and throw food as they walk down the street. They’re kicked out of cabs, and life in the city becomes unbearable. Bette Midler’s injury, and her assailants, are even shown on the television news. It’s impossible for George and Jerry to escape their newfound infamy. Even though Jerry and George become the top public enemies in New York, the city completely forgets their crime in later episodes. Considering Bette Midler’s star power, and her importance in New York theater, it’s no surprise that George and Jerry are so vilified in this episode of Seinfeld. In reality, a team of lawyers and agents would have taken legal action against George and Jerry, given how many careers rely on Bette Midler and all the money she brings to the world of entertainment. **5 Peterman’s Time in Southeast Asia is Shrouded in Mystery Seinfeld Season 8, Episode 8, “The Chicken Roaster” John O’Hurley as J. Peterman in SeinfeldImage via NBC** The world of Seinfeld is chock-full of quirky bosses and CEOs that make life complicated for the iconic quartet of friends. Elaine and J. Peterman, her boss at the J. Peterman catalog, perform some of the series’ most hilarious scenes thanks to Peterman’s eccentric and outgoing personality. A nervous breakdown inspires Peterman to run off to Myanmar and leave the catalog in Elaine’s hands. After an audit from the accounting department, Elaine travels to Southeast Asia in search of Peterman. She discovers he’s become a warlord in a remote village in an excellent Apocalypse Now parody. Peterman’s peculiarities have been pushed to the extreme in the hot and humid jungle. Peterman eventually returns to New York, but Seinfeld’s audience is never given further details on what happened in Myanmar. Fans are left to wonder how the bombastic but peaceful executive became a warlord. The series explains that Peterman’s clothing designs are appropriated from other cultures, and the people he copies designs from are never compensated. The catalog has a distinct colonizer vibe. Going into greater detail and continuing to reference Peterman’s time in Myanmar could have turned the audience against him. His character would have quickly changed from lovably quirky to reprehensible. **4 The Lopper Still Haunts Riverside Park Seinfeld Season 9, Episode 18, “The Frogger” The shadow of the Lopper in SeinfeldImage via NBC** In one of Seinfeld’s most bloodthirsty storylines, a serial killer known as The Lopper is chopping off people’s heads in Riverside Park. Kramer claims that The Lopper’s preferred victims resemble Jerry, setting up an interesting twist on gender roles when Jerry, a man, is afraid to walk home alone at night. Despite the dark subject, “The Frogger” continues to be ranked as one of the funniest Seinfeld episodes because of its mastery of tension and comedic timing. The Lopper never appears, so the audience only learns about him through the stories shared by Kramer and the nightly news. The lack of visuals allows the audience’s imaginations to run wild. The build-up of tension throughout the episode makes the jokes land harder when that sense of tension is released. The Lopper never appears in another episode of Seinfeld, and fans are left to wonder if the killer is still haunting Riverside Park. Seinfeld features multiple violent characters throughout the series, using extreme circumstances to elicit shocking acts of self-preservation from its selfish characters. The Lopper is hyped up to a terrifying degree, and yet is left to haunt the streets of New York, denying the audience a satisfying conclusion. **3 Jerry and George are Accused of Being Nazis Seinfeld Season 3, Episode 19, “The Limo”** After adopting false identities, Jerry and George score a ride from the airport in a luxurious limo in season three of Seinfeld. To their horror, the friends discover George has adopted the identity of a famous neo-Nazi, Donald O’Brien, who spreads hateful rhetoric through books and newsletters. Jerry and George are trapped in the limo with the neo-Nazi’s devoted followers, Tim and Eva, who are itching for a violent showdown. The neo-Nazis are furious when Jerry and George’s cover is finally blown. Tim and Eva are portrayed as extremely diligent and devoted to their ideology, so it feels odd that the two murderous racists never seek revenge against Jerry and George. The finale of the Seinfeld episode leaves everyone in New York believing Jerry and George are neo-Nazis. A huge crowd of protesters sees Jerry and George exit the neo-Nazi’s limo and the nightly news films George with a chyron reading “Donald O’Brien, Leader of the Aryan Union.” Similar to their infamy in “The Understudy,” all of New York sees Jerry and George as racist villains, but it’s never brought up again and causes no issues in later episodes. **2 Joe Davola Just Disappears Seinfeld Season 4, Episode 24, “The Pilot, Part 2”** An unsettling fixture of Seinfeld’s season four is Joe Davola. A frustrated writer, Davola blames Jerry for NBC rejecting his pitch for a television series. Easily the series’ most terrifying villain, Joe is aggressive, easily angered, and dogged in his pursuit of his perceived enemies. Expertly played by Peter Crombie, Davola is unnervingly creepy. Unlike other Seinfeld antagonists, Davola actually has the knowledge and skills to follow through on his threats. Davola is a martial arts expert and is shockingly strong. In the series’ best episode, “The Opera,” Davola easily takes out a horde of muggers in the park. His disturbing demeanor allowed for episodes like “The Opera” and “The Pilot” to have a gripping sense of tension and fear that heightened the sitcoms’ classic humor elements. Seinfeld fans often discuss how frustrating it is that Davola was developed into such an excellent villain, but was never seen again after season four. The terrifying character is given impressive skills, and multiple reasons to seek vengeance against Jerry. Davola is also infatuated with Elaine, his obsession driving much of his erratic behavior. It’s such a missed opportunity to not use the series’ most iconic villain to inspire more hilariously neurotic behavior from the main characters. **1 The Smog Strangler is Never Caught Seinfeld Season 4, Episode 2, “The Trip (Part 2)”** Season four of Seinfeld opens with a trip to LA. While the friends explore the City of Angels, a serial killer known as the Smog Strangler stalks the streets of California. A string of clues leads the police to accuse Kramer of being the killer. Kramer is freed, but his name and face are still associated with the case. Kramer’s jumpy and awkward demeanor is often off-putting to other characters, so it wouldn’t have been shocking if someone believed Kramer really was the killer. The show could have explored what would happen if Kramer hadn’t been able to free himself from the accusations, playing into his role as an oddball on the outskirts of society. In the two-part Seinfeld episode, “The Trip,” Jerry and George briefly ride in a police car with the real killer, Tobias Lehigh Nagy. Jerry and George strike up a long conversation with Nagy about tipping etiquette, and he learns personal information about both of them. It would be easy for Nagy to track down Jerry and George and demand their help, or try to silence them, but the show just leaves him to wander the West coast. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=10%20Seinfeld%20Storylines%20That%20Went%20Absolutely%20Nowhere&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=10%20Seinfeld%20Storylines%20That%20Went%20Absolutely%20Nowhere%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=10%20Seinfeld%20Storylines%20That%20Went%20Absolutely%20Nowhere&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=10%20Seinfeld%20Storylines%20That%20Went%20Absolutely%20Nowhere%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=10%20Seinfeld%20Storylines%20That%20Went%20Absolutely%20Nowhere%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Seinfeld, Television **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #MacaroniMidler, #Seinfeld, #Television --- ### [20 Years Ago, Veteran Musicians Rake In Millions](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/07/20-years-ago-veteran-musicians-rake-in-millions/) **Published:** May 7, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Country star Shania Twain was third, playing to almost 950 000 fans and grossing $62,5-million, followed by Simon & Garfunkel ($59-million), Metallica ($53,8-million), Bette Midler ($53,3-million) **Content:** --- ## LOL 20 Years Ago, Veteran Musicians Raked In Millions On Tour By Staff May 6, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KMB_sarah.jpg "Kmb_sarah - bootleg betty")--- Madonna has proved she is still the Queen of Pop after being crowned the best [**tour** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour)act of 2004. The singer pulled in a massive $125-million (about R750-million) on her Re-Invention tour – the biggest live tour profit of the year – after selling out 55 of her 56 performances. According to Billboard Magazine, the elaborate concerts, which featured Madonna pretending to be electrocuted in an electric chair, averaged $2,23-million at the box office each night. Eighties icon Prince scooped second place after his Musicology tour grossed $90,2-million. The eccentric star admitted the shows were his best of the decade after pulling in the greatest amount of fans – almost 1,5 million. Country star Shania Twain was third, playing to almost 950 000 fans and grossing $62,5-million, followed by Simon & Garfunkel ($59-million), Metallica ($53,8-million), **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/karaoke-bette/)** ($53,3-million), Sting ($52,4-million), Kenny Chesney ($49,3-million), David Bowie ($46 million) and Toby Keith ($44,3-million). However, Madonna could owe much of her concert success to the Kabbalah leader she reportedly asked to bless the stage before every concert and the 50 free tickets she handed out to Kabbalah centres across America for each performance. A source told America’s MSNBC: “He goes out there and chants and does his routine. He blesses them all.” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=20%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Veteran%20Musicians%20Rake%20In%20Millions&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=20%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Veteran%20Musicians%20Rake%20In%20Millions%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=20%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Veteran%20Musicians%20Rake%20In%20Millions&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=20%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Veteran%20Musicians%20Rake%20In%20Millions%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=20%20Years%20Ago%2C%20Veteran%20Musicians%20Rake%20In%20Millions%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Kiss My Brass, Tours **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concerts, #KissMyBrass, #Music, #Tours --- ### [Bette Midler Makes Top 20 List Of Favorite UK Songs](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/05/bette-midler-makes-top-20-list-of-favorite-uk-songs/) **Published:** May 5, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Smooth presenter Angie Greaves, who revealed the top 20 on air, said: “Smooth’s All Time Top 500 is a fantastic celebration of the best songs that are the soundtrack to our lives, from legendary music artists to the stars of today. **Content:** --- ## Independent The song voted the UK’s favourite – for the seventh year running By Lauren Del Fabbro May 5, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/F07kIV0WcAEALps.jpeg "F07kiv0wcaealps - bootleg betty") --- Smooth presenter Angie Greaves, who revealed the top 20 on air, said: “Smooth’s All Time Top 500 is a fantastic celebration of the best songs that are the soundtrack to our lives, from legendary music artists to the stars of today. **Smooth’s All Time Top 500 – top 20:** 1. “Careless Whisper” – George Michael 2. “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen 3. “A Different Corner” – George Michael 4. “Man In The Mirror” – Michael Jackson 5. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Simon and Garfunkel 6. “Dance With My Father” – Luther Vandross 7. “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson 8. “Hotel California” – Eagles 9. “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” – Elton John and George Michael 10. “Dancing Queen” – Abba 11. “Perfect” – Ed Sheeran 12. “Mr Blue Sky” – Electric Orchestra 13. “Human Nature” – Michael Jackson 14. “I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston 15. “Angels” – Robbie Williams 16. **“[Wind Beneath My Wings](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/wind-beneath-my-wings/)” – [Bette Midler](https://open.spotify.com/artist/13y0kncDD4J9wxCyfKr10W)** 17. “Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond 18. “Don’t Stop Me Now” – Queen 19. “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” – Bryan Adams 20. “Running Up That Hill” – Kate Bush Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20Top%2020%20List%20Of%20Favorite%20UK%20Songs&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20Top%2020%20List%20Of%20Favorite%20UK%20Songs%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20Top%2020%20List%20Of%20Favorite%20UK%20Songs&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20Top%2020%20List%20Of%20Favorite%20UK%20Songs%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Makes%20Top%2020%20List%20Of%20Favorite%20UK%20Songs%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Radio, Songs, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #BetteMidler #Smooth, #Music, #Radio, #Songs, #Top20, #UK --- ### [Audio: Two New Bette Midler Remixes: The Rose And One Way Or Another](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/04/audio-two-new-bette-midler-remixes-the-rose-and-one-way-or-another/) **Published:** May 4, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Here are 2 new remixes of Bette Midler songs: Bette Midler - The Rose (SKDJ vs DJ Eko Remix Edit) and One Way Or Another (SKDJ vs The White Shadow Remix) **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Two New Bette Midler Remixes: The Rose And One Way Or Another By Mister D May 4, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/wpaper_bettemetal.jpg "Wpaper_bettemetal - bootleg betty")--- Here are two new **[remixes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remix)** of [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) songs: The Rose (SKDJ vs DJ Eko Remix Edit) and One Way Or Another (SKDJ vs The White Shadow Remix) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Two%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Remixes%3A%20The%20Rose%20And%20One%20Way%20Or%20Another&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Two%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Remixes%3A%20The%20Rose%20And%20One%20Way%20Or%20Another%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Two%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Remixes%3A%20The%20Rose%20And%20One%20Way%20Or%20Another&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Two%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Remixes%3A%20The%20Rose%20And%20One%20Way%20Or%20Another%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Two%20New%20Bette%20Midler%20Remixes%3A%20The%20Rose%20And%20One%20Way%20Or%20Another%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus 2, Music, Remix, Songs, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #OneWayOrAnother, #Remixes, #Songs, #TheRose --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Reflects on Fame, Music, and Life at 60 | Parkinson](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/03/video-bette-midler-reflects-on-fame-music-and-life-at-60-parkinson/) **Published:** May 3, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Legendary entertainer Bette Midler sits down for a warm, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation about her new Peggy Lee tribute album, her early career days performing in New York bathhouses with Barry Manilow, her dreams of stardom growing up in Hawaii, and how she’s embraced turning 60 with style and humor. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Reflects on Fame, Music, and Life at 60 | Parkinson By Mister D May 3, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/51a64e67313b7cbc2b75eefa0eba5b8e.jpg "51a64e67313b7cbc2b75eefa0eba5b8e - bootleg betty") --- Legendary entertainer [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/) sits down for a warm, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation about her new Peggy Lee tribute album, her early career days performing in New York bathhouses with Barry Manilow, her dreams of stardom growing up in Hawaii, and how she’s embraced turning 60 with style and humor. Bette shares behind-the-scenes stories about making [**The Divine Miss M**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Divine_Miss_M), the inspiration behind her new music, and why Peggy Lee’s cool, bluesy style was a challenge and a joy to honor. Plus, plenty of laughs about parties, cake shaped like ham, and never actually seeing any nudity at the bathhouses! --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20on%20Fame%2C%20Music%2C%20and%20Life%20at%2060%20%7C%20Parkinson&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20on%20Fame%2C%20Music%2C%20and%20Life%20at%2060%20%7C%20Parkinson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20on%20Fame%2C%20Music%2C%20and%20Life%20at%2060%20%7C%20Parkinson&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20on%20Fame%2C%20Music%2C%20and%20Life%20at%2060%20%7C%20Parkinson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Reflects%20on%20Fame%2C%20Music%2C%20and%20Life%20at%2060%20%7C%20Parkinson%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Fame, #Music, #Parkinson --- ### [Actors Who Played Their Own Twin](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/03/actors-who-played-their-own-twin/) **Published:** May 3, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** From Michael B, Jordan's recent turn as the SmokeStack twins in Ryan Coogler's Sinners to Lindsay Lohan's classic portrayal of Annie and Hallie in The Parent Trap, sometimes actors have had to duplicate themselves to bring a story to life. **Content:** --- ## People Actors Who Played Their Own Twin By Andrea Wurzburger May 2, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/7068483835_6ba4719446_b.jpg "7068483835_6ba4719446_b - bootleg betty")--- From Michael B, Jordan’s recent turn as the SmokeStack [**twins**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2019/01/02/13-actors-who-played-identical-twins-on-screen/) in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners to Lindsay Lohan’s classic portrayal of Annie and Hallie in The Parent Trap, sometimes [**actors**](https://www.imdb.com/list/ls075014418/) have had to duplicate themselves to bring a story to life. Below, look back at some actors who’ve played their own twin in a movie or TV show. **01 Robert Pattinson in ‘Mickey 17’** Robert Pattinson had us seeing double in Bong Joon Ho’s Mickey 17. The actor plays various versions of Mickey Barnes, an “expendable” employee who gets “reprinted” during a human expedition to colonize space. **02 Michael B. Jordan ‘Sinners’.** Michael B. Jordan recently blessed us all with a performance as Smoke and Stack in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners. The actor plays twins who return to their hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi in an attempt to turn over a new leaf but are met with some unexpectedly, er, complicated events. “\[It was challenging\] technically because of the way we had to shoot it. But as far as doing the work, I just had to build each character from the inside out — where their childhood trauma was, the way that they walk, the way that they talk to each other, the cadence in their speech,” Jordan told Entertainment Tonight. **03 Blake Lively in ‘Another Simple Favor’.** Blake Lively brings the double trouble in A Simple Favor and Another Simple Favor by playing Emily, one of a set of triplets (one stillborn) who turn Anna Kendrick’s character’s world upside down with revelations of murder and betrayal. **04 Robert De Niro in ‘The Alto Knights’**. Robert De Niro wasn’t portraying twins when he played Vito Genovese and Robert Frank Costello in The Alto Knights. In fact, the two mobster characters were of no relation at all in the film. However, the veteran actor managed to deliver a masterful performance, playing off one of the world’s greatest actors — himself —in the Barry Levinson-directed flick. **05 Mark Ruffalo in I Know This Much Is True.** Ruffalo plays twins in HBO’s miniseries I Know This Much Is True, which is based off of Wally Lamb’s 1998 novel of the same name. In the show, Ruffalo plays identical twin brothers, Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, the latter of whom is schizophrenic. At the TV Critics Association Winter Press Tour in January, Ruffalo revealed he gained 30 lbs. for his dual role. He also revealed that he filmed all of his scenes as Dominick for the first 15 weeks, and then took five weeks off to transform into Thomas. To portray the effects of Thomas’ years of dependency on medication for his schizophrenia, Ruffalo said he gained weight to accurately depict the effect medications and “mood stabilizers” can have on someone’s body. “We didn’t want it to be like I run and throw a wig on and do the same scene in the same day, so we took six weeks off to really separate these two guys,” Ruffalo explained. **06 Tom Hardy in ‘Legend’** The star played twin brothers, Ronnie and Reggie Kray, in Legend, a film adapted from John Pearson’s book on the real-life Kray twins, who were mobsters in a gang known as “The Firm” in England during the ’50s and ’60s. Hardy said of the dual roles, “The two characters, they were pretty easy to slip between. The complicated part was to make an audience believe it wasn’t one performer doing both parts.” In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Brian Hegland, who directed the film, said that filming went like this: “Tom and I would rehearse in the morning. I would read Ron and he would do Reggie. At which point, once we had the scene down, he would record Ron’s end of the dialog. He’d always play Reggie first, and we’d play Ron in an ear-piece, so he could at least act off his own performance, or a kind of 70 percent performance of Ron, since we hadn’t filmed him yet. Then he’d go and change into Ron mode. Ron wore glasses, he was heavier, he was taller, he had a different hairline. That took a lot of the pressure off. You’re not ping-ponging between two identical twins.” **07 Lindsay Lohan in The Parent Trap.** In the Nancy Meyers remake of The Parent Trap, a young Lohan filled Hayley Mills’ shoes when she played both Hallie Parker and Annie James, switching seamlessly back and forth between a British and American accident. Lohan was so good at playing both roles that she had many convinced that real-life twin actors had starred in the film. That included her onscreen dad, Dennis Quaid, who told IMDb, “Lindsay Lohan was 11 when she started filming … She was a savant. She just could channel anything like that. Some people are like that and the rest of us have to work at it.” **08** **Lindsay Lohan in ‘I Know Who Killed Me’** Lohan channeled twins again for the 2007 thriller, I Know Who Killed Me. The movie wasn’t exactly a success, but it does serve as proof that Lohan loves a good twin role. **09 Armie Hammer in ‘The Social Network’** The Call Me By Your Name star played twins in The Social Network, but it wasn’t your typical green-screen-body-double work that made it happen. In fact, director David Fincher told Entertainment Weekly that the twins are actually played by two different actors. “Hammer played the main twin in each shot. For shots that included both twins at the same time, \[model Josh\] Pence stood in for the second twin; Hammer later went into a studio, where he strapped his head into a harness to film that twin’s face and voice, which was then digitally superimposed over Pence’s face in the film. The result is a sort of hybrid actor with Hammer’s head and Pence’s body.” **10 Nicolas Cage in ‘Adaptation’** Cage played twin brothers, Charlie and Donald Kaufman, in the 2002 Spike Jonze film. The film boasts an impressive cast list with Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Tilda Swinton and Maggie Gyllenhaal playing supporting roles. Cage was nominated for both an Oscar and Golden Globe for his work. **11 Edward Norton in ‘Leaves of Grass’** Norton played polar opposite twins in the 2009 dark comedy. Bill is a straight-laced professor, while his estranged twin brother Brady is a drug dealer. Bill travels to Oklahoma after Brady’s alleged death, only to find that he isn’t dead at all and that they are now both roped into his drug dealing scheme. The cast includes Richard Dreyfuss, Susan Sarandon and Keri Russell. **12 Jean-Claude Van Damme in Double Impact** In most cases, two is better than one, but not when it comes to Van Damme. The action star took on the role of twins in the 1991 action flick about twins who were separated at birth, but brought together to fight crime. **13 Jackie Chan in ‘Twin Dragons’** The 1992 action comedy starred Jackie Chan as twin brothers who were separated at birth. One is a concert pianist and conductor, the other is a martial artist. Together, they manage to take down a powerful gang that is the reason for their separation in the first place. **14 Lily Tomlin & Bette Midler in ‘Big Business’** What’s better than one set of twins?! Two sets of twins! Because of a mix-up at the hospital, Tomlin and Midler are separated from their identical twin sisters and instead live their lives as fraternal twins in two very different families. To make things worse, the sets of twins are also named the same. It’s … confusing and delightful. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/touchstone-and-beyond-a-history-of-disneys-big-business-1024x335.jpg "Touchstone-and-beyond-a-history-of-disneys-big-business - bootleg betty")The film is loosely based off of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. **15 Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘The Man in the Iron Mask’** In the 1998 film based on Alexandre Dumas’s d’Artagnan Romances, a.k.a. the stories of the Three Musketeers, DiCaprio played both the hero and the villain: King Louis XIV and Philippe, the King’s brother and man in the aforementioned iron mask. **16 Bette Davis in ‘Dead Ringer’** The 1964 film starred Bette Davis as estranged twin sisters Margaret DeLorca and Edith Phillips, who meet again after Margaret’s husband dies. The sisters, it turns out, had a falling out because of Margaret’s husband, Frank, originally was meant to marry Edith, but cheated on her with Margaret. Margaret sealed their marriage by faking a pregnancy, forcing Frank to marry her. Edith eventually murders her own sister, stages it as a suicide, and pretends to be Margaret in order to live more comfortably. It is all very confusing and messy. Families, right? **17 Adam Sandler in ‘Jack and Jill’** Adam Sandler played both the male and female version of himself in this 2011 comedy about a twin sister, Jill, who overstays her welcome with her brother Jack’s family. The film also stars Al Pacino and Katie Holmes. Though it boasts a dismal 3% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film performed well at the box office. **18 Christian Bale in ‘The Prestige’** This twin reveal is a (sorry!) huge spoiler if you haven’t seen the 2006 film Prestige, which follows Bale and Hugh Jackman playing rival magicians. Turns out that Bale’s character, Alfred Borden, isn’t really that good at magic: He just has a twin brother helping him pull off the stunts. Jackman’s character, Robert Angier, doesn’t know that, and literally stops at nothing to recreate a trick known as the Transported Man. **19 Jeremy Irons in ‘Dead Ringers’** Irons played Elliot and Beverly Mantle, identical twin gynecologists, in this 1988 thriller. The twins are polar opposites, but eventually their relationship dynamic is thrown off by women. Irons gives two incredibly compelling performances. **20 Lisa Kudrow in ‘Friends’** Lisa Kudrow played her own twin sister, Ursula (who was pretty evil in, like, a funny way) on Friends. The role wasn’t entirely accidental. Kudrow played Ursula, a waitress, in Mad About You, which ran back-to-back with Friends. Kudrow explained, “When Friends got its time slot on Thursday night at 8:30, after Mad About You, everybody realized, ‘We need some explanation for the audience: Why are they seeing the same girl with the same voice at 8:00 and 8:30 on two different shows?'” Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Actors%20Who%20Played%20Their%20Own%20Twin&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Actors%20Who%20Played%20Their%20Own%20Twin%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Actors%20Who%20Played%20Their%20Own%20Twin&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Actors%20Who%20Played%20Their%20Own%20Twin%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Actors%20Who%20Played%20Their%20Own%20Twin%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Big Business, Movies **Tags:** #Actors, #BetteMidler, #BigBusiness, #LilyTomlin, #Movies, #Twin --- ### [Bette Midler Attended Smash, The Broadway Musical, Last Night](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/02/bette-midler-attended-smash-the-broadway-musical-last-night/) **Published:** May 2, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler attended the new musical, Smash, by the iconic Mr. Marc Shaiman, last night. Here she is, front and center (as it always is supposed to be) with Marc and Scott Wittman **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Attended Smash, The Broadway Musical, Last Night By Mister D May 2, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-02_14-26-38.png "2025-05-02_14-26-38 - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/awards-and-nominations/) attended the new musical, [**Smash**](https://smashbroadway.com/), by the iconic Mr. Marc Shaiman, last night. Here she is, front and center (as it always is supposed to be) with Marc and Scott Wittman, along with the cast of the show. What a memorable night that was, I’m sure. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Attended%20Smash%2C%20The%20Broadway%20Musical%2C%20Last%20Night&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Attended%20Smash%2C%20The%20Broadway%20Musical%2C%20Last%20Night%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Attended%20Smash%2C%20The%20Broadway%20Musical%2C%20Last%20Night&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Attended%20Smash%2C%20The%20Broadway%20Musical%2C%20Last%20Night%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Attended%20Smash%2C%20The%20Broadway%20Musical%2C%20Last%20Night%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Theatre **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #MarcShaiman, #ScottWittman, #Smash, #Theater --- ### [The May 'Same Songs, Other Voices' JukeBox Is Up](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/02/the-may-same-songs-other-voices-jukebox-is-up/) **Published:** May 2, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The May 'Same Songs, Other Voices' Jukebox is chock full of songs of other singers (in this case, actors) singing songs that Bette has sung. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The May ‘Same Songs, Other Voices’ JukeBox Is Up By Mister D May 2, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/409ee003ccc372026c2d232c0781a952.png "409ee003ccc372026c2d232c0781a952 - bootleg betty")--- The May ‘Same Songs, Other Voices’ [**Jukebox**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/02/07/new-same-songs-different-voices-jukebox-is-up/) is chock full of songs of other singers (in this case, some actors) singing songs that [**Bette Midler**](https://bsky.app/profile/therealbettemidler.bsky.social) has sung. As usual, the selections go from the great to the horrible. Well, I guess, it’s whatever your tastes are that defines this. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this section as much as I do. [**CLICK HERE TO GO TO SAME SONGS, OTHER VOICES JUKEBOX**](https://bootlegbetty.com/same-songsother-voices/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20May%20%27Same%20Songs%2C%20Other%20Voices%27%20JukeBox%20Is%20Up&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20May%20%27Same%20Songs%2C%20Other%20Voices%27%20JukeBox%20Is%20Up%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20May%20%27Same%20Songs%2C%20Other%20Voices%27%20JukeBox%20Is%20Up&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20May%20%27Same%20Songs%2C%20Other%20Voices%27%20JukeBox%20Is%20Up%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20May%20%27Same%20Songs%2C%20Other%20Voices%27%20JukeBox%20Is%20Up%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bootleg Betty Jukebox, Music, Same Songs, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Jukebox, #Music, #SameSongs, #Songs --- ### [The Lottery Video Starring Bette Midler At Disney Premiered 36 Years Ago](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/02/the-lottery-video-starring-bette-midler-at-disney-premiered-36-years-ago/) **Published:** May 2, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Disney put so much into the attraction that they created an entire short film for part of the walking tour called “The Lottery." **Content:** --- ## The Laughing Place The Lottery Video Starring Bette Midler At Disney Premiered 36 Years Ago by Cole Geryak May 1, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-02_09-52-25.png "2025-05-02_09-52-25 - bootleg betty") --- Welcome to Extinct Attractions. This week, I took a look back at a queue video that first debuted 36 years ago. 36 years ago, Disney-MGM Studios opened on May 1, 1989 to help fuel the demand for a third park in Florida, while also serving as a working movie studio. Universal Studios Florida was set to arrive the next summer (though without a studio tour), but Disney-MGM Studios was closer to the Universal Studios Hollywood model with a full-on studio tour that included both a walking tour and a tram tour. Disney decided to pull out all of the stops with the experience, making it nearly a half day experience by itself. In fact, they put so much into the attraction that they created an entire short film for part of the walking tour called [**“The Lottery.”**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lottery_(1989_film)) Filming for five days from February 3, 1989 until February 7th, 1989, the short was the first film to be completely shot on the backlot at the park. The legendary writer/director Garry Marshall (of Happy Days and The Princess Diaries fame) directed the film, with frequent John Carpenter collaborator Debra Hill serving as a producer on the project. However, the biggest get was [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/), starring as a music teacher who wins the lottery. After teaching her pupil for a little while, Bette Midler’s character tunes into the television where she learns that she won the lottery. As she’s celebrating, a gust of wind tears the lotto ticket from her hand, so the lesson was quickly over as she jumped onto her balcony to chase down the pigeon who managed to grab it. As she was coaxing the pigeon to hand it over, she fell over grabbing onto a banner and hanging onto the cord for dear life. The pigeon then dropped the ticket, which Bette managed to grab before falling from the banner, luckily right onto a comfy shopping cart that just happened to be rolling down the street. From there, the cart rolled down the New York street with plenty of hijinks along the way as things often do on busy city streets. The cart kept rolling until it fell down the subway, with the ticket flying away once again. Not wanting to lose her chance at glory, Bette immediately jumped onto the subway track to grab her ticket and tried recruiting the other people on the subway to help find the ticket. But of course, this caused a mad rush as everyone tried to get the ticket for themselves before a train started speeding in. Luckily, some police officers helped her out, though the ticket was gone, seemingly forever. The next day, Bette was teaching the same girl, who asked for two lessons since their previous lesson was cut short. But out of nowhere, the pigeon magically reappeared with the lottery ticket in hand, leading to a triumphant yell from Bette. “The Lottery” was fun, but what really made the experience so cool was that after the film ended, they showed a behind the scenes version of how all the special effects were done. It was a really cool way to show how moviemaking came to life within the context of the park. The park’s original intent was to showcase the magic of the movies and how they came to life, so it was an awesomel learning experience that hit the theme right on the nose. The show eventually moved to become part of the tram queue after the dissolution of the walking tour element of the tour, with the film officially phased out on June 29, 1996. Luckily, the park still had a lot of other options at the time, but “The Lottery” was still a ton of fun. I’d love to see it as a little featurette on Disney+ someday to fully complete its journey and bring the fun movie to new light. As always, don’t forget to check out my interactive maps of the Disney Parks throughout the years where you can watch or learn more about all the attractions from every Disney park around the world. Thanks for reading and have a magical day! --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Lottery%20Video%20Starring%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20Disney%20Premiered%2036%20Years%20Ago&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Lottery%20Video%20Starring%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20Disney%20Premiered%2036%20Years%20Ago%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Lottery%20Video%20Starring%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20Disney%20Premiered%2036%20Years%20Ago&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Lottery%20Video%20Starring%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20Disney%20Premiered%2036%20Years%20Ago%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Lottery%20Video%20Starring%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20Disney%20Premiered%2036%20Years%20Ago%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Disney, #Movie, #ShortFilm, #TheLottery, #Video --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings Fire Down Below From Divine Madness](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/01/video-bette-midler-sings-fire-down-below-from-divine-madness/) **Published:** May 1, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In the 1980 concert film Divine Madness, Bette Midler performs a high-energy cover of Bob Seger's "Fire Down Below" during her live show at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings Fire Down Below From Divine Madness By Mister D May 1, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/images-1.jpeg "Images (1) - bootleg betty") --- --- In the 1980 concert film [**Divine Madness**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Madness_(film)), [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/) performs a high-energy cover of Bob Seger’s “Fire Down Below” during her live show at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The performance is a standout moment, showcasing Midler’s dynamic stage presence, vocal power, and ability to blend rock and theatrical flair. Backed by her band and the Harlettes, she delivers the song with a sultry, commanding energy, infusing it with her signature campy humor and bold charisma. The arrangement stays true to the song’s gritty rock roots but is elevated by Midler’s theatrical delivery and the lively choreography, making it a memorable highlight of the film. The Divine Madness show, captured over four nights, reflects Midler’s peak as a live performer, blending music, comedy, and burlesque-style spectacle. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Fire%20Down%20Below%20From%20Divine%20Madness&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Fire%20Down%20Below%20From%20Divine%20Madness%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Fire%20Down%20Below%20From%20Divine%20Madness&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Fire%20Down%20Below%20From%20Divine%20Madness%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Fire%20Down%20Below%20From%20Divine%20Madness%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Divine Madness **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #DivineMadness, #FireDownBelow, #Music --- ### [The May Bette Midler Jukebox Is Ready!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/01/the-may-bette-midler-jukebox-is-ready/) **Published:** May 1, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** This month's music selection: **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The May Bette Midler Jukebox Is Ready! By Mister D May 01, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-30_10-06-02.png "2025-04-30_10-06-02 - bootleg betty") --- ***This month’s music selection:*** **Nothing Going Down At All/Love Theme** Bette Midler and Mike Lincoln – Scarecrow Soundtrack **September** Bette Midler – Kiss My Brass **Kiss My Brass/Big Noise** Bette Midler **Bang, You’re Dead (non-live version)** Bette Midler **You’re Moving Out Today (UK version)** Bette Midler **Do You Wanna Dance Medley** Bette Midler – DMM **Stay With Me** Bette Midler – DMM **Daytime Hustler** Bette Midler 1972 **Drinking Again 1973** Bette Midler **Lullabye Of Broadway/BWBB** Bette Midler **To Play The Jukebox** [**[Click Here](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/)**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20May%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Is%20Ready%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20May%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Is%20Ready%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20May%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Is%20Ready%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20May%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Is%20Ready%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20May%20Bette%20Midler%20Jukebox%20Is%20Ready%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bootleg Betty Jukebox, Music **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #Jukebox, #Music --- ### [Tony Nominated Actors Who've Charted On The Billboard Hot 100](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/05/01/tony-nominated-actors-whove-charted-on-the-billboard-hot-100/) **Published:** May 1, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Despite frequent successes and crossover for musicals from the great white way on the Billboard 200, that success rarely transfers over to individual performers on the singles chart, so thought this would be interesting time to which actors throughout Tony history have also shared a history with the mainline pop charts for singles at some point in their career. **Content:** --- ## Gold Derby Tony Nominated Actors Who’ve Charted On The Billboard Hot 100 By Braden Fitzsimmons May 01, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2016-07-12_9-01-35.png "2016-07-12_9-01-35 - bootleg betty") --- With the 2025 [**Tony awards** ](https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/the-2025-tony-nominations)set to announce this week, three of the widely predicted nominees have a history on Billboard’s pop charts as part of various groups and solo careers (Darren Criss with the Glee Cast – Maybe Happy Ending; Nicole Scherzinger with The Pussycat Dolls and Sunset Blvd; Michelle Williams – Destiny’s Child & Death Becomes Her). Despite frequent successes and crossover for musicals from the great white way on the Billboard 200, that success rarely transfers over to individual performers on the singles chart, so thought this would be interesting time to which actors throughout Tony history have also shared a history with the mainline pop charts for singles at some point in their career. **Tony Winning Actors with a #1 hit:** - [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2020/07/24/video-bette-midler-kiss-my-brass-concert-madison-square-garden-2004/) **Tony Winning Actors with a top hit:** - Idina Menzel **Tony Winning Actors with top 40 song:** - Robert Goulet - Melba Moore - Linda Hopkins - Bernadette Peters - Jennifer Holliday - Ruth Brown - Jonathan Groff **Tony Winning Actors with Hot 100 charting song:** - Heather Headley - Kristen Chenoweth - Neil Patrick Harris - Ben Platt - Hugh Jackman - Cynthia Erivo **Tony Nominated Actors with a #1 hit:** - Davy Jones - Sammy Davis Jr - Barbra Streisand - Linda Ronstadt - Al Green - Vanessa Williams - Bradley Cooper\* - as far as I am aware, Cooper is the only Tony nominated performer whose nomination comes from a play instead of a musical, to chart on the Hot 100. **Tony Nominated Actors with a top ten hit:** - Anna Kendrick - Sara Bareilles **Tony Nominated Actors with a Hot 100 charting song:** - Lin Manuel Miranda - Keala Settle - Josh Groban - Sharon D. Clarke - Ethan Slater Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Tony%20Nominated%20Actors%20Who%27ve%20Charted%20On%20The%20Billboard%20Hot%20100&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Tony%20Nominated%20Actors%20Who%27ve%20Charted%20On%20The%20Billboard%20Hot%20100%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Tony%20Nominated%20Actors%20Who%27ve%20Charted%20On%20The%20Billboard%20Hot%20100&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Tony%20Nominated%20Actors%20Who%27ve%20Charted%20On%20The%20Billboard%20Hot%20100%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Tony%20Nominated%20Actors%20Who%27ve%20Charted%20On%20The%20Billboard%20Hot%20100%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, Music, Tonys **Tags:** #Awards, #BetteMidler, #Billboard, #Hot100, #Tony --- ### [Playing The Palace Feature Documentary May 13](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/30/playing-the-palace-feature-documentary-may-13/) **Published:** April 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Playing the Palace is a feature documentary that chronicles the history and recent transformation of Broadway’s Palace Theatre, a legendary venue in New York City. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Playing The Palace Feature Documentary May 13 By Mister D April 27, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img119-1.jpg "Img119-1 - bootleg betty") --- [**Playing the Palace**](https://broadwaydirect.com/broadways-palace-theatre-documentary-playing-the-palace-to-be-released/) is a feature documentary that chronicles the history and recent transformation of Broadway’s Palace Theatre, a legendary venue in New York City. Directed, produced, and written by Cody Williams, and hosted by journalist Frank DiLella, the film explores the theatre’s evolution from its vaudeville roots, starting in 1913, to its present-day status as a Broadway landmark. The Palace Theatre, located at 1564 Broadway, was once the preeminent vaudeville house in the United States, where performing meant an artist had “made it.” Over the years, it has hosted entertainment icons such as Ethel Barrymore, Harry Houdini, Judy Garland, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/), and Diana Ross. Later, it transitioned into a legitimate theatre under James M. Nederlander in 1965, beginning with the musical Sweet Charity. The documentary features exclusive interviews with prominent figures in the Broadway world, including Bernadette Peters, Joel Grey, Heather Headley, Ben Platt, and Ethan Slater, as well as co-owners James L. Nederlander and Stewart F. Lane. These interviews highlight the theatre’s cultural significance and its role as a stage for star-studded productions like Beauty and the Beast, Aida, La Cage aux Folles, and Woman of the Year. The film also covers the theatre’s recent renovations, showcasing its modern transformation while preserving its historical legacy. ***Playing the Palace began streaming on ALL ARTS on May 13, 2025, at 6 p.m. ET, with a television broadcast on PBS at 9 p.m. ET the same day.*** The trailer for the documentary was released on April 23, 2025, generating buzz for its celebration of the Palace Theatre’s enduring impact on Broadway. *Note:* There is no connection between this documentary and other works like the book Playing the Palace by Paul Rudnick or unrelated documentaries such as Malice at the Palace. If you meant a different work, please clarify! Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Playing%20The%20Palace%20Feature%20Documentary%20May%2013&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Playing%20The%20Palace%20Feature%20Documentary%20May%2013%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Playing%20The%20Palace%20Feature%20Documentary%20May%2013&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Playing%20The%20Palace%20Feature%20Documentary%20May%2013%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Playing%20The%20Palace%20Feature%20Documentary%20May%2013%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Broadway, Documentary, Theatre **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #Documentary, #Theater, #ThePalace --- ### [Bette Midler Featured in 'Ron Delsener Presents' Documentary Trailer](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/30/bette-midler-featured-in-ron-delsener-presents-documentary-trailer/) **Published:** April 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The doc features archival footage and interviews with Delsener and many of the musical acts and artists who came into his powerful orbit, including Billy Joel, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Jon Bon Jovi, Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon, Lenny Kaye, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Lorne Michaels, Bette Midler, Jimmy Buffett, Cher, and more. **Content:** --- ## Rock Cellar Preview ‘Ron Delsener Presents,’ New Documentary Film About the Legendary NYC Concert Promoter (Select Theaters May 30) By Rock Cellar Staff April 30, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-30_12-36-15-1.png "2025-04-30_12-36-15 - bootleg betty") --- For decades, [**Ron Delsener**](https://variety.com/2025/music/news/ron-delsener-docmentary-cher-springsteen-1236349871/) left a mark on the New York City music scene, an industry titan largely credited with much of the high-profile concert promotion that went on in the region. A new documentary film, aptly titled Ron Delsener Presents, will cover Delsener’s lasting legacy. In select theaters May 30, the film is detailed as follows in press materials: In a career spanning sixty years, concert promoter and impresario Ron Delsener was the name behind virtually every major contemporary music concert in New York City for generations. From promoting the Beatles at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, to bringing David Bowie to Carnegie Hall and Patti Smith to the Palladium, to somehow convincing Simon and Garfunkel to bury the hatchet and play the biggest concert of all time in Central Park, Ron Delsener was behind it all. The documentary features archival footage and interviews with Delsener and many of the musical acts and artists who came into his powerful orbit, including Billy Joel, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Jon Bon Jovi, Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon, Lenny Kaye, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Lorne Michaels, **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/)**, Jimmy Buffett, Cher, and more. **Here’s the trailer:** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Featured%20in%20%27Ron%20Delsener%20Presents%27%20Documentary%20Trailer&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Featured%20in%20%27Ron%20Delsener%20Presents%27%20Documentary%20Trailer%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Featured%20in%20%27Ron%20Delsener%20Presents%27%20Documentary%20Trailer&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Featured%20in%20%27Ron%20Delsener%20Presents%27%20Documentary%20Trailer%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Featured%20in%20%27Ron%20Delsener%20Presents%27%20Documentary%20Trailer%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Documentary, Interviews, Movies, Trailer **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Documentary, #Interviews, #Trailer --- ### [BetteBack Sept 18, 1978: Bette Midler Takes Home Her First Emmy 1978](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/27/betteback-sept-18-1978-bette-midler-takes-home-her-first-emmy-1978/) **Published:** April 27, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler takes home her first Emmy for her special 'Ol' Red Hair Is Back' **Content:** --- **Oregonian September 18, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/138450795-407x600-1.jpg "138450795-407x600 - bootleg betty")Bette midler ol red hair is back aired 12071977 pictured actresssinger bette midler photo by frank carrollnbcu photo bank --- [![2017-05-11_3-42-16](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-11_3-42-16-450x467.png "2017-05-11_3-42-16 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71133) [![2017-05-11_3-43-08](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-11_3-43-08-450x211.png "2017-05-11_3-43-08 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71134) [![2017-05-11_3-43-43](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-11_3-43-43-450x488.png "2017-05-11_3-43-43 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71135) [![2017-05-11_3-44-25](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-11_3-44-25-450x465.png "2017-05-11_3-44-25 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71136) [![2017-05-11_3-44-54](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-11_3-44-54-450x499.png "2017-05-11_3-44-54 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71137) [![2017-05-11_3-45-30](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-11_3-45-30-450x471.png "2017-05-11_3-45-30 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71138) [![2017-05-11_3-46-03](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-11_3-46-03-450x382.png "2017-05-11_3-46-03 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71139) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20Sept%2018%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20Home%20Her%20First%20Emmy%201978&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2018%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20Home%20Her%20First%20Emmy%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20Sept%2018%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20Home%20Her%20First%20Emmy%201978&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2018%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20Home%20Her%20First%20Emmy%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2018%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Takes%20Home%20Her%20First%20Emmy%201978%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, BetteBack, Emmys, Special Events, Television **Tags:** #Award, #BetteMidler, #Emmy, #OlRedHairIsBack, #Special, #Television --- ### [BetteBack Sept 17, 1978: Bette Midler - Going Her Way!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/27/betteback-sept-17-1978-bette-midler-going-her-way/) **Published:** April 27, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler is heading in a new direction. Do you dare go her way? **Content:** --- **Plain Dealer September 17, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-19_02-02-17.png "2025-04-19_02-02-17 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-05-11_2-57-04](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-11_2-57-04-450x402.png "2017-05-11_2-57-04 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71129) [![2017-05-11_2-54-15](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-11_2-54-15-450x458.png "2017-05-11_2-54-15 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71127) [![2017-05-11_2-54-39](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-11_2-54-39-450x457.png "2017-05-11_2-54-39 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71128) [![2017-05-08_3-28-35](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-28-35-450x319.png "2017-05-08_3-28-35 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71101) [![2017-05-08_3-29-36](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-29-36-450x347.png "2017-05-08_3-29-36 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71102) [![2017-05-08_3-30-31](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-30-31-450x375.png "2017-05-08_3-30-31 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71103) [![2017-05-08_3-31-21](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-31-21-450x351.png "2017-05-08_3-31-21 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71104) [![2017-05-08_3-32-23](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-32-23-450x255.png "2017-05-08_3-32-23 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71105) [![2017-05-08_3-33-04](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-33-04-450x313.png "2017-05-08_3-33-04 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71106) [![2017-05-08_3-33-47](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-33-47-450x379.png "2017-05-08_3-33-47 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71107) [![2017-05-08_3-34-33](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-34-33-450x353.png "2017-05-08_3-34-33 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71108) [![2017-05-08_3-35-06](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-35-06-450x118.png "2017-05-08_3-35-06 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71109) [![2017-05-08_3-36-21](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-36-21-450x346.png "2017-05-08_3-36-21 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71110) [![2017-05-08_3-37-23](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-37-23-450x338.png "2017-05-08_3-37-23 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71111) [![2017-05-08_3-38-09](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-38-09-450x307.png "2017-05-08_3-38-09 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71112) [![2017-05-08_3-39-10](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-39-10-450x401.png "2017-05-08_3-39-10 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71113) [![2017-05-08_3-40-21](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-40-21-450x333.png "2017-05-08_3-40-21 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71114) [![2017-05-08_3-41-33](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-41-33-450x296.png "2017-05-08_3-41-33 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71115) [![2017-05-08_3-42-17](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-42-17-450x378.png "2017-05-08_3-42-17 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71116) [![2017-05-08_3-43-47](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-43-47-450x403.png "2017-05-08_3-43-47 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71117) [![2017-05-08_3-48-24](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-48-24-450x219.png "2017-05-08_3-48-24 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71118) [![2017-05-08_3-49-17](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-49-17-450x379.png "2017-05-08_3-49-17 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71119) [![2017-05-08_3-50-06](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-50-06-450x178.png "2017-05-08_3-50-06 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71120) [![2017-05-08_3-51-04](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-51-04-450x251.png "2017-05-08_3-51-04 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71121) [![2017-05-08_3-52-10](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-52-10-450x393.png "2017-05-08_3-52-10 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71122) [![2017-05-08_3-52-46](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-52-46-450x145.png "2017-05-08_3-52-46 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71123) [![2017-05-08_3-53-31](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-53-31-450x359.png "2017-05-08_3-53-31 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71124) [![2017-05-08_3-55-07](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-55-07-450x308.png "2017-05-08_3-55-07 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71125) [![2017-05-08_3-55-42](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-08_3-55-42-450x93.png "2017-05-08_3-55-42 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=71126) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20Sept%2017%2C%201978%3A%20%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Going%20Her%20Way%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2017%2C%201978%3A%20%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Going%20Her%20Way%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20Sept%2017%2C%201978%3A%20%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Going%20Her%20Way%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2017%2C%201978%3A%20%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Going%20Her%20Way%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2017%2C%201978%3A%20%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Going%20Her%20Way%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #AaronRusso, #BetteMidler, #Concerts, #MikeNichols, #Movies, #TheFortune, #TheRose --- ### [BetteBack Sept 16, 1978: Didn't Bette Midler Make Other Movies Before "The Rose"?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/26/betteback-sept-16-1978-didnt-bette-midler-make-other-movies-before-the-rose/) **Published:** April 26, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler made two uncredited movies before The Rose. **Content:** --- **State Journal-Register** **September 16, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2016-07-12_8-51-03-450x556-1.png "2016-07-12_8-51-03-450x556 - bootleg betty") [![2017-05-05_3-27-59](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-05_3-27-59-450x393.png "2017-05-05_3-27-59 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70978) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20Sept%2016%2C%201978%3A%20Didn%27t%20Bette%20Midler%20Make%20Other%20Movies%20Before%20%22The%20Rose%22%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2016%2C%201978%3A%20Didn%27t%20Bette%20Midler%20Make%20Other%20Movies%20Before%20%22The%20Rose%22%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20Sept%2016%2C%201978%3A%20Didn%27t%20Bette%20Midler%20Make%20Other%20Movies%20Before%20%22The%20Rose%22%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2016%2C%201978%3A%20Didn%27t%20Bette%20Midler%20Make%20Other%20Movies%20Before%20%22The%20Rose%22%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2016%2C%201978%3A%20Didn%27t%20Bette%20Midler%20Make%20Other%20Movies%20Before%20%22The%20Rose%22%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #goodbyeColobus, #Movies, #theDetective, #TheRose, #uncredited --- ### [BetteBack Sept.14, 1978: Midler's First World Tour Off To Bad Start; She Apologizes](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/26/betteback-sept-14-1978-midlers-first-world-tour-off-to-bad-start-she-apologizes/) **Published:** April 26, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler's show started 90 minutes late. the band was shaky, and some of the equipment didn't work right. An overhead light kept buzzing messing up some of the quieter numbers. **Content:** --- **Seattle Daily Times September 14, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2016-07-12_5-54-28.png "2016-07-12_5-54-28 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-05-05_3-11-19](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-05_3-11-19.png "2017-05-05_3-11-19 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70966) [![2017-05-05_3-11-51](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-05_3-11-51.png "2017-05-05_3-11-51 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70967) [![2017-05-05_3-12-32](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-05_3-12-32.png "2017-05-05_3-12-32 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70968) [![2017-05-05_3-13-01](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-05_3-13-01.png "2017-05-05_3-13-01 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70969) [![2017-05-05_3-13-40](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-05_3-13-40.png "2017-05-05_3-13-40 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70970) [![2017-05-05_3-14-13](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-05_3-14-13.png "2017-05-05_3-14-13 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70971) [![2017-05-05_3-14-54](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-05_3-14-54.png "2017-05-05_3-14-54 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70972) [![2017-05-05_3-15-26](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-05_3-15-26.png "2017-05-05_3-15-26 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70973) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20Sept.14%2C%201978%3A%20Midler%27s%20First%20World%20Tour%20Off%20To%20Bad%20Start%3B%20She%20Apologizes&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20Sept.14%2C%201978%3A%20Midler%27s%20First%20World%20Tour%20Off%20To%20Bad%20Start%3B%20She%20Apologizes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20Sept.14%2C%201978%3A%20Midler%27s%20First%20World%20Tour%20Off%20To%20Bad%20Start%3B%20She%20Apologizes&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20Sept.14%2C%201978%3A%20Midler%27s%20First%20World%20Tour%20Off%20To%20Bad%20Start%3B%20She%20Apologizes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20Sept.14%2C%201978%3A%20Midler%27s%20First%20World%20Tour%20Off%20To%20Bad%20Start%3B%20She%20Apologizes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** 1978 World Tour, Bette Midler, BetteBack, concerts **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #Equipment, #Late, #Midlers, #Shaky, #tour, #WorldTour --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings My Mother's Eyes](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/25/video-bette-midler-sings-my-mothers-eyes/) **Published:** April 25, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "My Mother's Eyes" is a poignant ballad performed by Bette Midler, written by singer-songwriter Tom Jans. The song was featured on Midler’s 1980 live album Divine Madness **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Sings My Mother’s Eyes By Mister D April 25, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/NEW-YEARS-EVE-1979-7.jpg "New years eve 1979 #7 - bootleg betty") --- “[**My Mother’s Eyes**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Mother%27s_Eyes_(song))” is a poignant ballad performed by [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/), written by singer-songwriter [**Tom Jans**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2012/07/03/betteback-1984-bette-midler-places-tribute-to-tom-jans-my-mothers-eyes-in-billboard-magazine/). The song was featured on Midler’s 1980 live album Divine Madness, which captured performances from her concert tour supporting the comedy film of the same name. Released as a single in November 1980, it included “Chapel of Love” on the B-side and reached #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #8 on the Adult Contemporary chart. **Song Details and Themes:** ***Lyrics and Meaning:*** The song opens with Midler introducing it as a “little ballad” she recently learned. Its lyrics reflect introspection and identity, with lines like “Got my mother’s eyes and my father’s hair / Does anybody really care?” The narrator speaks of seeing the world through their mother’s perspective, symbolizing her guidance and influence. Themes include heritage, loss, and questioning one’s place in the world, with phrases like “Have I seen all that I could? / Have I seen more than I should?” evoking a sense of longing and reflection. ***Musical Style:*** Described as a “sincerely rendered ballad” with “torchy lyrics,” it suits Midler’s emotive vocal style, blending vulnerability and strength. The live arrangement emphasizes her theatrical delivery, supported by striking musical accompaniment. ***Writer and Covers:*** Tom Jans wrote the song, and while he recorded it himself in 1978 (released in 1982), Midler’s 1980 version was the first to be released. It was later covered by Nancy Harrow with Jack Wilkins. **Critical Reception:** Billboard praised the song for its lyrical fit with Midler’s vocal style and its compelling arrangement, noting its chart performance as a testament to its appeal. **Additional Notes:** There’s a distinct 1929 song also titled “My Mother’s Eyes” by Abel Baer and L. Wolfe Gilbert, recorded by various artists, but it’s unrelated to the Jans composition. The song’s inclusion in Divine Madness ties it to Midler’s peak era as a performer, blending her comedic and dramatic talents in a live setting. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20My%20Mother%27s%20Eyes%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Divine Madness, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #DivineMadness, #MyMothersEyes, #Song, #Tom Jans --- ### [List Of All Songs In The Bette Midler Karaoke JukeBox As Of April 25, 2025](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/25/list-of-all-songs-in-the-bette-midler-karaoke-jukebox-as-of-april-25-2025/) **Published:** April 25, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A list of all the songs in the Bette Midler Karaoke Jukebox as of April 25, 2025 **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty List Of All Songs In The Bette Midler Karaoke JukeBox As Of April 25, 2025 By Mister D April 25, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/16681573_1260991080657955_9012016396690504822_n.jpg "16681573_1260991080657955_9012016396690504822_n - bootleg betty") --- Alright, Okay, You Win As Dreams Go By Baby Mine Beast Of Burden Bed Of Roses Big Spender Billy A Dick Bless You Child Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Bottomless Love Chapel Of Love Come On A My House Come Rain Or Come Shine Cool Yule Delta Dawn Do You Wanna Dance? Everythings Coming Up Roses Favorite Waste Of Time Fever Friends From A Distance Gift Of Love Glory Of Love God Help The Outcasts He’s A Tramp He’s Sure The Boy I Love Hello In There Hey There I Believe In You I Know This Town I Put A Spell On You I Remember You I Think It’s Going To Rain Today I’m A W-O-M-A-N I’m Beautiful I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm I’ve Still Got My Health In My Life In This Life In The Cool Of The Evening In The Mood Is It Love? It’s Too Late Let Me Drive Long John Blues Lullabye In Blue Mambo Italiano Mele Kalikimaka Mister Rockefeller Mister Sandman Miss Otis Regrets My Knight In Black Leather My One True Friend Nobody Else But You Oh Industry! On A Slow Boat To China One Fine Day One For My Baby One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show One Way Or Another Only In Miami Otto Titzling (Beaches) P.S. I Love You Pretty Legs And Great Big Knockers Rose’s Turn Sisters Song Of Bernadette Stay With Me Storybook Children Stuff Like There Tell Him That’s How Love Moves The Last Time The Perfect Kiss The Rose The Wind Beneath My Wings The Witches Are Back This Ole House To Comfort You To Deserve You Too Many Fish In The Sea Under The Boardwalk What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve When A Man Loves A Woman White Christmas Whose Side Are You On? You Can’t Hurry Love You Don’t Own Me You’ll Never Know [CLICK HERE FOR KARAOKE JUKEBOX](https://bootlegbetty.com/karaoke-bette/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=List%20Of%20All%20Songs%20In%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Karaoke%20JukeBox%20As%20Of%20April%2025%2C%202025&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=List%20Of%20All%20Songs%20In%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Karaoke%20JukeBox%20As%20Of%20April%2025%2C%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=List%20Of%20All%20Songs%20In%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Karaoke%20JukeBox%20As%20Of%20April%2025%2C%202025&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=List%20Of%20All%20Songs%20In%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Karaoke%20JukeBox%20As%20Of%20April%2025%2C%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=List%20Of%20All%20Songs%20In%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Karaoke%20JukeBox%20As%20Of%20April%2025%2C%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bootleg Betty Jukebox, Karaoke Bette, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Jukebox, #Karaoke, #Songs --- ### [BetteBack August 14, 1978: Warner Brothers Wants Bette Midler For Movie Adaption Of Gypsy, Guess Who Would Have Been Her Costar?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/24/betteback-august-14-1978-warner-brothers-wants-bette-midler-for-movie-adaption-of-gypsy-guess-who-would-have-been-her-costar/) **Published:** April 24, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Hollywood wants a much too young at the time to play Gypsy with an interesting pairing for the daughter. **Content:** --- **Marietta Journal** **August 14, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/6-25-2011-7-22-31-AM-1.jpg "6-25-2011-7-22-31-am - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-04-27_2-44-22](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_2-44-22-450x438.png "2017-04-27_2-44-22 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70770) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20August%2014%2C%201978%3A%20Warner%20Brothers%20Wants%20Bette%20Midler%20For%20Movie%20Adaption%20Of%20Gypsy%2C%20Guess%20Who%20Would%20Have%20Been%20Her%20Costar%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20August%2014%2C%201978%3A%20Warner%20Brothers%20Wants%20Bette%20Midler%20For%20Movie%20Adaption%20Of%20Gypsy%2C%20Guess%20Who%20Would%20Have%20Been%20Her%20Costar%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20August%2014%2C%201978%3A%20Warner%20Brothers%20Wants%20Bette%20Midler%20For%20Movie%20Adaption%20Of%20Gypsy%2C%20Guess%20Who%20Would%20Have%20Been%20Her%20Costar%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20August%2014%2C%201978%3A%20Warner%20Brothers%20Wants%20Bette%20Midler%20For%20Movie%20Adaption%20Of%20Gypsy%2C%20Guess%20Who%20Would%20Have%20Been%20Her%20Costar%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20August%2014%2C%201978%3A%20Warner%20Brothers%20Wants%20Bette%20Midler%20For%20Movie%20Adaption%20Of%20Gypsy%2C%20Guess%20Who%20Would%20Have%20Been%20Her%20Costar%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Gypsy **Tags:** #Adaption, #BetteMidler, #Gypsy, #Hollywood, #Movie --- ### [BetteBack Sept 7, 1978: The Interview That Wasn't With Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/24/betteback-sept-7-1978-the-interview-that-wasnt-with-bette-midler/) **Published:** April 24, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A phone interview gets twisted around with Bette Midler basically interviewing the interviewer. **Content:** --- **Dallas Morning News** **September 7, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Rose-124.jpg "The-rose-124 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-05-02_3-41-25](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-02_3-41-25-450x150.png "2017-05-02_3-41-25 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70884) [![2017-05-02_3-42-15](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-02_3-42-15-450x475.png "2017-05-02_3-42-15 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70885) [![2017-05-02_3-42-56](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-02_3-42-56-450x429.png "2017-05-02_3-42-56 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70886) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20Sept%207%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Interview%20That%20Wasn%27t%20With%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20Sept%207%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Interview%20That%20Wasn%27t%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20Sept%207%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Interview%20That%20Wasn%27t%20With%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20Sept%207%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Interview%20That%20Wasn%27t%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20Sept%207%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Interview%20That%20Wasn%27t%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Interview **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Interview, #Interviewer, #Phone --- ### [Jenifer Lewis' Jackie's Back Now Playing On Netflix](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/23/jenifer-lewis-jackies-back-now-playing-on-netflix/) **Published:** April 23, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Jackie's Back! is a 1999 mockumentary musical comedy television film directed by Robert Townsend, starring Jenifer Lewis as the titular Jackie Washington, a fictional 1960s/1970s R&B diva attempting a comeback concert after years of obscurity. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Jenifer Lewis’ Jackies Back Now Playing On Netflix By Mister D April 23, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-23_13-58-25-1024x371.png "2025-04-23_13-58-25 - bootleg betty")--- [**Jackie’s Back!**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2017/02/19/betteback-june-12-1999-bette-midler-to-appear-in-jenifer-lewis-jackies-back/) is a 1999 mockumentary musical comedy television film directed by Robert Townsend, starring[ ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenifer_Lewis)**[Jenifer Lewis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenifer_Lewis)** as the titular Jackie Washington, a fictional 1960s/1970s R&B diva attempting a comeback concert after years of obscurity. The film premiered on Lifetime on June 14, 1999, and earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series, or Dramatic Special in 2000. **Plot and Style** Presented as a satirical “mockumentary” in the vein of This Is Spinal Tap, the film follows Jackie Washington, a self-aggrandizing, washed-up singer with an inflated sense of her own fame. Her comeback is documented by British filmmaker Edward Whatsett St. John (Tim Curry), who uncovers her colorful past through interviews and flashbacks. The story skewers the music industry, diva culture, and showbiz documentaries, blending sharp humor with campy flair. It explores Jackie’s delusional ego, her strained relationships with her daughters Antandra (T.V. Blake) and Shaniqua (Tangie Ambrose), and her bitter sibling rivalry with her sister Ethyl (Whoopi Goldberg). The narrative includes musical performances of parody songs like “Yield” and “Look at Me,” crafted by Marc Shaiman, Mark Alton Brown, and Lewis, which mimic various R&B and soul genres. **Cast and Cameos** Jenifer Lewis delivers a standout performance, described as “terrifically funny” and perfectly embodying the diva archetype. Tim Curry complements her as the dry, pompous interviewer, while the film is packed with celebrity cameos, including **Bette Midler**, Whoopi Goldberg, David Hyde Pierce, Chris Rock, Dolly Parton, Liza Minnelli, Penny Marshall, Don Cornelius, and Rosie O’Donnell, among others. These stars play themselves, offering humorous anecdotes about Jackie’s outrageous past. Notable moments include Pierce’s bit as a deaf pianist and Goldberg’s biting portrayal of Jackie’s sister. **Reception** The film is widely praised for its humor, with a 7.1/10 rating on IMDb and a cult following. Fans on platforms like Reddit call it an “underrated gem” and a “hilarious” send-up of diva culture, with Lewis’s performance and the star-studded cameos earning particular acclaim. Critics, such as Variety, lauded its comedic consistency and Lewis’s ability to carry the film, though some noted the ending—featuring an emotional reconciliation and a feel-good production number—felt sappy and out of step with the satire. Others, like a reviewer on Rossen and Martin…At The Movies, found it “stale” and not funny enough, citing uneven gags. **Key Themes and Highlights** - Satire: The film lampoons the entertainment industry, poking fun at blaxploitation films, diva egos, and music industry clichés. It avoids targeting one specific figure, instead roasting a broad archetype (though some see shades of Diana Ross or Pam Grier). - Music: The original songs, blending Jackson 5-esque bubblegum pop, 70s funk, and soul ballads, are both catchy and satirical, with Lewis’s powerful vocals shining. - Cultural Commentary: Subtle moments touch on the challenges of fame, particularly for Black artists, such as Jackie’s alienation from her hometown and her uneducated background, though these are secondary to the comedy. - Quotable Moments: Lines like “I never stabbed him with no afro pick… he FELL on that afro pick” and Jackie’s claim that stars like Aretha Franklin and Bea Arthur “stole” from her are fan favorites. **Availability and Legacy** Jackie’s Back! is available on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, though streaming options may vary. Its cult status was boosted by its 20th-anniversary celebration in 2019, co-produced by Shangela, and Lewis’s own promotion, like her 2018 “Jackie Washington Day” post on X. Fans continue to champion it as a must-see for its campy humor and Lewis’s iconic performance, with some wishing for a theatrical release or series adaptation. **Fun Facts** - Whoopi Goldberg filmed her scenes in costume for Girl, Interrupted (1999) on that film’s set. - The film’s cameo list is so extensive it’s been called a record-breaker for mockumentaries. - Lewis, a St. Louis native, incorporated her hometown of Kinloch, Missouri, into the story. - Despite airing on Lifetime, known for sentimental dramas, the film’s edgy humor was a bold departure. If you’re a fan of mockumentaries or Jenifer Lewis’s larger-than-life persona, Jackie’s Back! is a sharp, laugh-out-loud comedy with a stellar cast and memorable music, though its sentimental ending might not land for everyone. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Jenifer%20Lewis%27%20Jackie%27s%20Back%20Now%20Playing%20On%20Netflix&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Jenifer%20Lewis%27%20Jackie%27s%20Back%20Now%20Playing%20On%20Netflix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Jenifer%20Lewis%27%20Jackie%27s%20Back%20Now%20Playing%20On%20Netflix&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Jenifer%20Lewis%27%20Jackie%27s%20Back%20Now%20Playing%20On%20Netflix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Jenifer%20Lewis%27%20Jackie%27s%20Back%20Now%20Playing%20On%20Netflix%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Jenifer Lewis, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #JackiesBack, #JeniferLewis, #Mockumentary, #Movie, #Netflix --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings The Heavenly "Mary"](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/22/video-bette-midler-sings-the-heavenly-mary/) **Published:** April 22, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** "Mary" is a song by Patty Griffin from her 1998 album Flaming Red. Later, Bette Midler sang it on her Divine Miss Millennium tour. It's a poignant, introspective ballad that showcases Griffin's ability to weave emotional depth and vivid imagery into her songwriting. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Sings The Heavenly “Mary” By Mister D April 21, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/63ad50da5eb9c65c5556a46162ae9258-1.jpg "63ad50da5eb9c65c5556a46162ae9258 (1) - bootleg betty") --- “[**Mary**](https://bootlegbetty.com/mary/)” is a song by Patty Griffin from her 1998 album Flaming Red. Later, Bette Midler sang it on her **[Divine Miss Millennium](https://bootlegbetty.com/2020/06/09/video-bette-midler-divine-miss-millenium-concert-seattle-1999/)** tour. It’s a poignant, introspective ballad that showcases Griffin’s ability to weave emotional depth and vivid imagery into her songwriting. The song is often interpreted as an exploration of sacrifice, love, and the burdens carried by a figure who embodies unconditional devotion, potentially inspired by the biblical Mary, mother of Jesus. However, Griffin leaves it open to broader interpretation. **Themes and Meaning** *Sacrifice and Selflessness:* The lyrics portray a character named Mary, who gives endlessly to others, perhaps at the expense of her own well-being. Lines like “Mary, you’re covered in roses, you’re covered in ashes” suggest a duality of beauty and suffering, hinting at martyrdom or the weight of carrying others’ pain. *Maternal or Divine Love:* Many listeners see the song as referencing the Virgin Mary, symbolizing unconditional love and the sorrow of watching a loved one (like Jesus) suffer. However, Griffin’s Mary could also represent any woman or person who quietly bears emotional or societal burdens, reflecting universal themes of caregiving and resilience. *Ambiguity and Universality:* Griffin’s songwriting avoids explicit storytelling, allowing “Mary” to resonate on multiple levels. It could be about a mother, a friend, or even an aspect of the self that nurtures others. The open-endedness invites listeners to project their own experiences onto the song. **Musical and Lyrical Elements** The song’s sparse arrangement, with Griffin’s raw, emotive vocals and gentle guitar, amplifies its intimacy. The simplicity lets the lyrics shine, creating a meditative, almost spiritual atmosphere. Key imagery, such as “roses” (representing beauty and love) and “ashes” (symbolizing grief and loss), evokes a sense of life’s highs and lows, grounding the song in both hope and sorrow. **Cultural and Personal Context** Griffin has never publicly confirmed the song’s exact inspiration, which aligns with her tendency to let her work speak for itself. Fans and critics often note that Flaming Red was a shift toward a more polished, rock-influenced sound for Griffin, but “Mary” stands out as a quiet, folk-leaning moment that harkens back to her roots as a storyteller. Some speculate it reflects her observations of women in her life or her own struggles with identity and purpose. Trivia: Bette Midler did record one of Patty Griffin’s songs, Moses, on her 2000 album, Bette. She also sang it on her television series as a duet with Dolly Parton. The duet was divine, Impeccable harmonies. They should record together more often. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20Heavenly%20%22Mary%22&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20Heavenly%20%22Mary%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20Heavenly%20%22Mary%22&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20Heavenly%20%22Mary%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20The%20Heavenly%20%22Mary%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Divine Miss Millennium **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegBetty, #DivineMissMillennium, #Mary, #PattiGriffin, #Songs, Heavenly, Song --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Shares Ways To Have A Happy Earth Day!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/22/video-bette-midler-shares-ways-to-have-a-happy-earth-day/) **Published:** April 22, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler has observed Earth Day throughout her career and it's deeply connected to her broader environmental activism. Some key reasons why she observes and champions Earth Day include: **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Bette Midler Shares Ways To Have A Happy Earth Day! By Mister D April 22, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-22_03-27-41.png "2025-04-22_03-27-41 - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/the-movies-bette-midler/) has observed [**Earth Day**](https://www.earthday.org/) throughout her career and it’s deeply connected to her broader environmental activism. Some key reasons why she observes and champions Earth Day include: 1. **Raising Awareness and Inspiring Action:** Through Media: Midler famously played an ailing Mother Earth in the 1990 “[**Earth Day Special**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/04/22/video-bette-midler-the-earth-day-special/),” a television program that aimed to educate and inspire viewers to address environmental problems. Using Her Platform: She consistently uses her platform as a celebrity to advocate for environmental awareness and action, encouraging others to appreciate and protect nature. 2. **Deep-Rooted Connection to Nature:** Childhood Influence: Growing up in Hawaii, surrounded by lush nature, instilled in her a deep appreciation for the environment. Belief in Access to Nature: She believes access to nature is a fundamental human right and a necessity for all. 3. T**aking Concrete Action:** New York Restoration Project: She founded the New York Restoration Project (NYRP) in 1995 to address the neglect and disrepair of New York City’s parks and green spaces. Revitalizing Green Spaces: NYRP has restored parks, renovated community gardens, planted trees, and educated students, all aimed at transforming the city’s landscape. In essence, Bette Midler’s observance of Earth Day is not just a symbolic gesture but a reflection of her long-standing dedication to environmental protection and her commitment to creating a greener and healthier world. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Shares%20Ways%20To%20Have%20A%20Happy%20Earth%20Day%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Shares%20Ways%20To%20Have%20A%20Happy%20Earth%20Day%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Shares%20Ways%20To%20Have%20A%20Happy%20Earth%20Day%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Shares%20Ways%20To%20Have%20A%20Happy%20Earth%20Day%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Shares%20Ways%20To%20Have%20A%20Happy%20Earth%20Day%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Earth Day, Environment, NYRP, Special Events **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #earthDay, #EarthDaySpecial, #Environment, #NYRP, #Special --- ### [BetteBack Sept 12, 1978: Is Bette Midler Playing Janis Joplin In A Movie?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/21/betteback-sept-12-1978-is-bette-midler-playing-janis-joplin-in-a-movie/) **Published:** April 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- **Lexington Herald September 12, 1978** --- ![XRD1724220 THE ROSE, 1979 (film still); (add.info.: THE ROSE de Mark Rydell avec Bette Midler et Frederic Forrest 1979).](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1724220.jpg "The rose, 1979 (film still) - bootleg betty")Xrd1724220 the rose 1979 film still add Info the rose de mark rydell avec bette midler et frederic forrest 1979 --- [![2017-05-02_4-02-38](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-02_4-02-38-450x334.png "2017-05-02_4-02-38 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70894) [![2017-05-02_4-03-10](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-02_4-03-10-450x316.png "2017-05-02_4-03-10 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70895) [![2017-05-02_4-03-35](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-02_4-03-35-450x144.png "2017-05-02_4-03-35 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70896) [![2017-05-02_4-04-31](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-02_4-04-31-450x211.png "2017-05-02_4-04-31 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70897) [![2017-05-02_4-04-56](/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-02_4-04-56-450x219.png "2017-05-02_4-04-56 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70898) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20Sept%2012%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Playing%20Janis%20Joplin%20In%20A%20Movie%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2012%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Playing%20Janis%20Joplin%20In%20A%20Movie%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20Sept%2012%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Playing%20Janis%20Joplin%20In%20A%20Movie%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2012%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Playing%20Janis%20Joplin%20In%20A%20Movie%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20Sept%2012%2C%201978%3A%20Is%20Bette%20Midler%20Playing%20Janis%20Joplin%20In%20A%20Movie%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Aaron Russo, Bette Midler, BetteBack, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #FrederickForrest, #TheRose --- ### [Hocus Pocus 3 Is Confirmed & I NEED These 6 Things To Happen](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/21/hocus-pocus-3-is-confirmed-i-need-these-6-things-to-happen/) **Published:** April 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The question of will there be a Hocus Pocus 3 has finally been answered, as star Bette Midler is now in talks for a third installment of the beloved franchise. In an interview on The Jess Cagle Show, Midler revealed that Hocus Pocus 3 was being considered by creatives, **Content:** --- ## MSN Hocus Pocus 3 Is Confirmed & I NEED These 6 Things To Happen By Emily Gilbert April 19, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-19_02-24-19.png "2025-04-19_02-24-19 - bootleg betty") --- The question of will there be a [**Hocus Pocus 3**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hocus_Pocus_(franchise)) has finally been answered, as star [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/)is now in talks for a third installment of the beloved franchise. In an interview on The Jess Cagle Show, Midler revealed that Hocus Pocus 3 was being considered by creatives, although in a capacity she described as “very gingerly and very gently.” In June 2023, Disney motion picture president Sean Bailey confirmed that the third movie is in development (via People). Released nearly 30 years after Hocus Pocus, one of the ’90s’ most nostalgic live-action Disney movies, Hocus Pocus 2 saw the Sanderson sisters returning to cause mischief and mayhem once again. This time, it was three teenage girls – Cassie, Izzy, and Becca – who lit the black flame candle that brought them back to life. The movie was a big hit with fans old and new, and with Hocus Pocus 3 on the way, I know exactly what I want to see happen in the threequel. **Bring Back Max, Dani, And Allison As Adults, They Could Help The New Protagonists** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AA1DdSXL.jpeg "Aa1ddsxl - bootleg betty") One of the first things I noticed about Hocus Pocus 2 is how a few of the key characters from the first movie were missing – namely Max (Omri Katz), his sister Dani (Thora Birch), and Max’s friend and crush, Allison (Vinessa Shaw). While it stands to reason that many of the actors have gone on to do other things, I would still love to see these characters return in some way in Hocus Pocus 3.Both Shaw and Birch are still acting, and though Katz has retired, it’s possible that he could be willing to make an appearance. There are still many ways that the writers of Hocus Pocus 3 could incorporate the original characters into the story, and some of the actors have already said they would be on board. Since they would now be adults, maybe one of them had kids who could befriend Izzy, Becca, and Cassie. Or they could return to help the three friends rid Salem of the Sanderson sisters again, having done it once before. At the very least, if the plot of Hocus Pocus 3 somehow integrated just one of the heroes from the first movie, I’d be happy. **A Witchy Musical Number The Songs From The First Two Movies Were So Good That We Want More** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AA1De2rU.jpeg "Aa1de2ru - bootleg betty")One of the most beloved scenes from the first Hocus Pocus is when the Sanderson sisters performed “I Put A Spell On You” during the Halloween bash at Salem’s town hall. The frequently covered tune from 1956, originally written and recorded by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, was made all the more iconic with Winifred’s witchy rendition. After all, when you’ve got Bette Midler in the mix, how can you not have the legendary diva show off her stuff? In 2022, Hocus Pocus 2 followed up Midler’s hypnotic performance from the first movie with the Blondie hit, “One Way or Another.” The Sanderson sisters cast a spell on the crowd at the Salem Halloween Carnival, “enlisting” their help in finding Mayor Traske, the ancestor of Winifred’s nemesis, Reverend Traske. The massive choreographed musical number nearly surpassed the sisters’ performance from the first film, which means that a third one in Hocus Pocus 3 would have to rise to the challenge to outdo them both. With how well they were received in the first two movies, a musical number in Hocus Pocus 3 is almost a certainty at this point. The real question is: what song should the Sanderson sisters perform next? Well, it just so happens that I might have a few ideas. There are always the classics, like Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like the Wolf” or “Season of the Witch” by Donovan. Personally, though, I think that “Heads Will Roll” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs would be a perfect fit. **More Of Hannah Waddingham As The Witch Mother The Third Movie Needs To Tell Us More About This Awesome Character** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AA1DdVeJ.jpeg "Aa1ddvej - bootleg betty")Speaking of musical numbers, I was thrilled to see the multi-talented actor and singer Hannah Waddingham play an all-too-brief role in Hocus Pocus 2. At the beginning of the movie, young Winifred, Mary, and Sarah are run out of Salem by an angry mob, and find shelter in a dark forest. There, they meet Waddingham’s character, the Witch Mother, who plans on sucking out the souls of the little girls until she realizes that Winifred is gifted with magic. Instead, she gives Winifred the book of spells, hoping to train the sisters as her protégés. Waddingham was perfect casting for the role of the Witch Mother, and I would love to have seen more of her. Plus, there is still a lot of mystery surrounding the character and her origins, and I’m eager to know more about her. It’s obvious that she is hiding a secret from the Sanderson sisters, and I’m curious as to what her true intentions might be. That’s why it would be prudent to have her return in the third Hocus Pocus movie – and hey, if Waddingham were also to sing a duet with Bette Midler, I wouldn’t complain. **Bring Back Binx This Fan-Favorite Character Needs To Come Back In A Big Way** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AA1DdSXX.jpeg "Aa1ddsxx - bootleg betty")I don’t think I’m alone when I say that Binx, the talking black cat from the first Hocus Pocus, is one of the most beloved characters from the film. A boy cursed into the body of an immortal feline, Thackery Binx was the true hero of Hocus Pocus. Without him, Max, Dani, and Allison would never have been able to save Salem from the Sanderson sisters. Having a sarcastic sidekick around also never hurts – especially one who can get flattened by a car and survive. Even though Binx’s spirit was freed at the end of Hocus Pocus, I was still bummed not to see him in Hocus Pocus 2. While a black cat does make an appearance in the movie as an homage to the character, it just wasn’t the same without Jason Marsden’s voice behind it. However, the creatives behind the Hocus Pocus franchise could make up for his absence by putting the character in Hocus Pocus 3. **The Origin Of The Spellbook We Need To Know Who Actually Wrote It And What’s With That Eye** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AA1DdVeL.jpeg "Aa1ddvel - bootleg betty")Winifred’s spellbook in Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 is a powerful tool that houses evil magic, including the recipe for “Life Potion” that the witches use to take the souls of children. Covered in human skin and with a single moving eye, the spellbook bears a heavy resemblance to the Necronomicon from the Evil Dead movies. Although the first movie says that Winifred made a pact with the devil for the book, Hocus Pocus 2 revealed that it was the Witch Mother who gave the book to teen Winifred, and it had apparently been passed down among witches over generations. Even with the flashback scene at the beginning of Hocus Pocus 2, there is still a lot of mystery surrounding the spellbook’s origins. Was it actually written by the devil? What poor soul was skinned and had their eye plucked out to make it? Hocus Pocus 2 also revealed that the book is sentient, and it might not be as evil as we once thought – so maybe someone was cursed into a book, the same way Binx was cursed to be a cat. I want answers, and Hocus Pocus 3 had better have them! **Let Winifred Be Mean Again Her Arc In Hocus Pocus 2 Changed The Character Too Much** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AA1De8W8.jpeg "Aa1de8w8 - bootleg betty")Bette Midler as Winifred posing in front of a large crowd in Hocus Pocus The theme of sisterhood is prevalent throughout Hocus Pocus 2, and not only among Becca, Cassie, and Izzy. For the first time, the movie shows the familial bond between the Sanderson sisters. While the first Hocus Pocus gave them a Three Stooges dynamic with Winifred as the Moe character, Hocus Pocus 2 shows Winifred as more of a motherly figure to Sarah and Mary, and taking on the role of a protector. What made the Sanderson sisters so great in the first Hocus Pocus was their wickedness and lust for power, particularly Winifred’s blind ambition to remain young and immortal no matter the cost. At the end of Hocus Pocus 2, Winifred casts the Magicae Maxima spell, not realizing that what she sacrifices (what she cherishes the most) is her sisters. After Mary and Sarah fade away, Winifred regrets her decision. Izzy, Becca, and Cassie cast a spell to reunite the Sandersons, and Winifred is grateful for their help as she, too, fades away. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I was left very unsatisfied with this ending. Although an alternate ending showed the sisters in Purgatory, even that didn’t solve the biggest problem. What made the Sanderson sisters so great in the first Hocus Pocus was their wickedness and lust for power, particularly Winifred’s blind ambition to remain young and immortal no matter the cost. By giving Winifred’s character a redemption arc in Hocus Pocus 2, it completely negated what I loved about her in the first movie. In the original Hocus Pocus, Winifred is selfish, self-absorbed, and unapologetically nasty. I also loved the hilarious dynamic between the sisters in the first film, with Mary and Sarah faithfully doting on Winifred despite how badly she treats them. Hopefully, with Hocus Pocus 3, Winifred can go back to being the Queen of Mean that she was before. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Is%20Confirmed%20%26%20I%20NEED%20These%206%20Things%20To%20Happen&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Is%20Confirmed%20%26%20I%20NEED%20These%206%20Things%20To%20Happen%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Is%20Confirmed%20%26%20I%20NEED%20These%206%20Things%20To%20Happen&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Is%20Confirmed%20%26%20I%20NEED%20These%206%20Things%20To%20Happen%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Hocus%20Pocus%203%20Is%20Confirmed%20%26%20I%20NEED%20These%206%20Things%20To%20Happen%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2, Hocus Pocus 3, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #HocusPocus, #HocusPocus3, #Movies --- ### [A Christian Perspective of "Beaches"](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/21/a-christian-perspective-of-beaches/) **Published:** April 21, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Beaches is a film from the United States and set in that country and is regarded as a sentimental classic, a woman’s picture, and one that couples can watch. The theme song of the film, Wind Beneath My Wings sung by unconventional songstress and performer Bette Midler in one of her more meaningful moments is a well-regarded classic and instantly recognizable **Content:** --- ## Hub Pages A Christian Perspective of “Beaches” By Peter Veugelaers Updated April 19, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-19_01-53-28.png "2025-04-19_01-53-28 - bootleg betty") --- **Background** [**Beaches**,](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/beaches/) from Touchstone and Warner Brothers, is a sentimental drama about two friends through a lifetime–starring Bette Midler and [**Barbara Hershey**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Hershey) as the friends. This slightly over two-hour film was released in 1988 and is directed by Garry Marshall, brother of Penny Marshall who directed the same year’s Big. Beaches is a film from the United States and set in that country and is regarded as a sentimental classic, a woman’s picture, and one that couples can watch. The theme song of the film, Wind Beneath My Wings sung by unconventional songstress and performer Bette Midler in one of her more meaningful moments is a well-regarded classic and instantly recognizable. **Story** The key characters are CC Bloom and Hilary who met as children at a beach one holiday and became friends ever since. It is a friendship between a poor boisterous girl (CC) and a sensible girl from a rich family (Hilary). They often exchanged letters when they were apart. Later in life, CC (played by Bette Midler) is advancing in her acting and singing career and John (John Heard), her husband, feels left behind and divorces her. Hilary (Barbara Hershey) marries lawyer Michael Essex (James Read) but when Hilary spies on her man having an intimate moment with another woman in their house that is the end of their marriage. CC and Hilary wanted more from marriage and life, but CC and Hilary have the kind of friendship that one admires from personal experience or from a distance. They stick together as close friends through all sorts of situations and moments that life offers them, and this is the heart of the film, this remarkably close friendship. **Review** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-19_01-54-55-1.png "2025-04-19_01-54-55 - bootleg betty") CC and Hilary were an unbelievable couple as children – as a poor and rich girl – and that might not have come off convincingly. Fluffy pen pal correspondence in their teens and Hilary surprisingly dropping into CC’s life seems unconvincing. Divorces afoot, and occasionally, a seriously foul word went past, but I cannot remember for sure. Bette Midler has played the comical loudmouth and the girl you don’t mess with, in Outrageous Fortune and Ruthless People, but in Beaches, she shows her more sensitive side with feeling and warmth. Barbara Hershey is mellow in this, her quiet sensitivity is appealing, however there is not the emotional range she brought to her Oscar nominated role in Hannah and Her Sisters. The males in the movie are support for the two female leads and they carry their roles well, etching out defined characteristics of the male who escape responsibility, which kind of puts males in a bad light, but there is a sense that it rings true in some situations if not many, and since this is a ‘female’s’ picture, it might hold more weight on that audience. Garry’s Marshall’s direction could have done with more of a polish in many ways, but the heart here is certainly in the right place. The film has its share of heartbreaks and bittersweet moments that do get under your skin. Beaches brings an emotional pay-off for the viewer. Midler and Hershey in the key roles do their stuff well. Midler and Hershey are so malleable and weave their way into your system. **Christian Perspective** ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-19_01-56-16.png "2025-04-19_01-56-16 - bootleg betty") Bad things happen to women from the men in their lives. In this film, it shows how as friends they endure the messy situations with the men in their lives, but which is presented palatably. Beaches shows people being ‘unlucky in love’ – not an apt choice to watch on a Rose Day – nevertheless, Beaches is the alternative for the usual Valentine week offerings if your relationships have been less than satisfactory—there are still the pleasures of good friendships. Beaches is alternative viewing for those disillusioned by the sweetless aroma of thorny roses as well as saying something interesting about—beaches. Although this bitter-sweet story is not the perfect catharsis for Rose Day blues, it is still a tribute to great friendships, one which begins and continues at the beach. This is not friendship that comes and goes. This is enduring friendship, between CC and Hilary, two people who are opposites in many ways, but have this special connection. Their friendship transcends political and social barriers which is the mark of a superior film as the two friends reach into one another’s lives without the barriers of political or social baggage. They must have held something deeply in common (though the film does not focus on what jelled them together). There is a sense that there is a grace of friendship or some grace, be that God’s grace directly, that can transcend life and offer comfort, hope, and consolation. I recall a woman who covered the film’s song Wind Beneath My Wings at an inter-church worship meeting–she changed the subject of the song to Jesus, the wind beneath her wings. **Cast:** Cast: Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey, John Heard, Spalding Gray, Lainie Kazan, James Read, Grace Johnston, Mayim Bialik, Marcie Leeds, Michael French, Frank Campanella, Nicky Blair, Lori Marshall. Screenplay: Mary Agnes Donoghue, based on the novel by Iris Rainer Dart. Director: Garry Marshall. Film released December 21, 1988. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=A%20Christian%20Perspective%20of%20%22Beaches%22&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=A%20Christian%20Perspective%20of%20%22Beaches%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=A%20Christian%20Perspective%20of%20%22Beaches%22&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=A%20Christian%20Perspective%20of%20%22Beaches%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=A%20Christian%20Perspective%20of%20%22Beaches%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Beaches, Bette Midler, friends, Movies, wind beneath my wings **Tags:** #BarbraHershey, #Beaches, #BetteMidler, #Christian, #Movie, #Perspective --- ### [Who are the best-selling female artists of all time? Bette Midler Did Not Make The List! Why?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/19/who-are-the-best-selling-female-artists-of-all-time-bette-midler-did-not-make-the-list-why/) **Published:** April 19, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Who are the best-selling female artists of all time? Plenty of lists are available online. They often share two problems: they are highly inaccurate, and grossly incomplete. It’s time to fix that! **Content:** --- ## Chartmasters Who are the best-selling female artists of all time? Bette Midler Did Not Make The List! Why? Staff April 18, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-11_05-35-47.png "2025-04-11_05-35-47 - bootleg betty") --- Who are the best-selling [**female artists**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_music) of all time? Plenty of lists are available online. They often share two problems: they are highly inaccurate and grossly incomplete. It’s time to fix that! In fact, through the years many divas reached millions of listeners all over the world. Looking at the biggest names from the main markets like the US and the UK only provides partial results. On top of that, different music formats are rarely weighted consistently, which gives an unfair advantage to artists whose labels emphasize singles sales equivalents in their reporting. It creates pointless lists like [the infamous best-selling artists’ page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists) from Wikipedia. This list ranks the 46 female artists who have sold over **50 million equivalent album sales (EAS)**, factoring in physical formats, digital downloads, and streaming. The diversity of eras and styles in this ranking spans pop icons, rock pioneers, R&B legends, and international superstars, giving a broad commercial view of female success in music history. Reaching this threshold is an extraordinary achievement. Some huge names didn’t make the cut. Artists like **Kylie Minogue**, **Jennifer Lopez**, **Toni Braxton**, **Selena Gomez**, **Dua Lipa**, **Sia**, **Kelly Clarkson**, and **Cardi B**, despite chart-topping hits and awards, haven’t crossed the 50 million mark in total EAS. Even widely celebrated vocalists like **Carole King**, **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/about-bootleg-betty/)**, **Amy Winehouse**, **Lauryn Hill,** and Cyndi Lauper fall short, often due to shorter solo catalogs or limited streaming traction. Various local legends also miss the list despite amazing sales in their home countries, including Mina (Italy), Namie Amuro (Japan), or **Xuxa** (Brazil). This underscores just how high the bar is for inclusion: sustained success across formats, markets, and decades is essential to break into this elite list. From legends of the vinyl age to streaming-age powerhouses, here is the bottom-to-top countdown based on their **total EAS (Estimated Album Sales) figures**! - [Best-selling female artists ranking](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#best-selling_female_artists_ranking) - [\#46 Mary J. Blige – 50.3 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#46_mary_j_blige_%e2%80%93_503_million_eas) - [\#45 Janis Joplin – 50.4 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#45_janis_joplin_%e2%80%93_504_million_eas) - [\#44 Yumi Matsutoya – 50.4 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#44_yumi_matsutoya_%e2%80%93_504_million_eas) - [\#43 Avril Lavigne – 51.0 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#43_avril_lavigne_%e2%80%93_510_million_eas) - [\#42 Hikaru Utada – 51.1 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#42_hikaru_utada_%e2%80%93_511_million_eas) - [\#41 Tracy Chapman – 53.7 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#41_tracy_chapman_%e2%80%93_537_million_eas) - [\#40 Norah Jones – 54.9 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#40_norah_jones_%e2%80%93_549_million_eas) - [\#39 Nana Mouskouri – 55.2 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#39_nana_mouskouri_%e2%80%93_552_million_eas) - [\#38 Alla Pugacheva – 55.3 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#38_alla_pugacheva_%e2%80%93_553_million_eas) - [\#37 Lana Del Rey – 56.5 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#37_lana_del_rey_%e2%80%93_565_million_eas) - [\#36 Alicia Keys – 57.6 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#36_alicia_keys_%e2%80%93_576_million_eas) - [\#35 Alanis Morissette – 59.2 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#35_alanis_morissette_%e2%80%93_592_million_eas) - [\#34 Christina Aguilera – 59.9 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#34_christina_aguilera_%e2%80%93_599_million_eas) - [\#33 Nicki Minaj – 60.1 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#33_nicki_minaj_%e2%80%93_601_million_eas) - [\#32 Reba McEntire – 62.3 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#32_reba_mcentire_%e2%80%93_623_million_eas) - [\#31 Ayumi Hamasaki – 62.6 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#31_ayumi_hamasaki_%e2%80%93_626_million_eas) - [\#30 Diana Ross – 63.4 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#30_diana_ross_%e2%80%93_634_million_eas) - [\#29 Dolly Parton – 63.7 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#29_dolly_parton_%e2%80%93_637_million_eas) - [\#28 Billie Eilish – 64.2 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#28_billie_eilish_%e2%80%93_642_million_eas) - [\#27 Donna Summer – 65.3 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#27_donna_summer_%e2%80%93_653_million_eas) - [\#26 Olivia Newton-John – 65.9 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#26_olivia_newton-john_%e2%80%93_659_million_eas) - [\#25 Miley Cyrus – 67.2 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#25_miley_cyrus_%e2%80%93_672_million_eas) - [\#24 Ella Fitzgerald – 67.9 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#24_ella_fitzgerald_%e2%80%93_679_million_eas) - [\#23 Linda Ronstadt – 68.8 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#23_linda_ronstadt_%e2%80%93_688_million_eas) - [\#22 Gloria Estefan – 68.9 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#22_gloria_estefan_%e2%80%93_689_million_eas) - [\#21 Katy Perry – 74.9 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#21_katy_perry_%e2%80%93_749_million_eas) - [\#20 Cher – 75.1 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#20_cher_%e2%80%93_751_million_eas) - [\#19 Tina Turner – 75.4 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#19_tina_turner_%e2%80%93_754_million_eas) - [\#18 Janet Jackson – 79.2 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#18_janet_jackson_%e2%80%93_792_million_eas) - [\#17 Aretha Franklin – 82.9 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#17_aretha_franklin_%e2%80%93_829_million_eas) - [\#16 Shania Twain – 84.9 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#16_shania_twain_%e2%80%93_849_million_eas) - [\#15 P!nk – 85.3 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#15_pnk_%e2%80%93_853_million_eas) - [\#14 Ariana Grande – 87.2 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#14_ariana_grande_%e2%80%93_872_million_eas) - [\#13 Shakira – 88.9 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#13_shakira_%e2%80%93_889_million_eas) - [\#12 Enya – 91.0 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#12_enya_%e2%80%93_910_million_eas) - [\#11 Lady Gaga – 95.7 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#11_lady_gaga_%e2%80%93_957_million_eas) - [\#10 Beyoncé – 109.0 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#10_beyonce_%e2%80%93_1090_million_eas) - [\#9 Adele – 116.2 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#9_adele_%e2%80%93_1162_million_eas) - [\#8 Britney Spears – 122.5 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#8_britney_spears_%e2%80%93_1225_million_eas) - [\#7 Rihanna – 127.7 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#7_rihanna_%e2%80%93_1277_million_eas) - [\#6 Barbra Streisand – 154.0 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#6_barbra_streisand_%e2%80%93_1540_million_eas) - [\#5 Whitney Houston – 161.3 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#5_whitney_houston_%e2%80%93_1613_million_eas) - [\#4 Mariah Carey – 196.5 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#4_mariah_carey_%e2%80%93_1965_million_eas) - [\#3 Céline Dion – 201.9 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#3_celine_dion_%e2%80%93_2019_million_eas) - [\#2 Taylor Swift – 237.9 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#2_taylor_swift_%e2%80%93_2379_million_eas) - [\#1 Madonna – 252.0 million EAS](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#1_madonna_%e2%80%93_2520_million_eas) - [The best-selling artists list, updated](https://chartmasters.org/46-best-selling-female-artists-50-million-album-sales/#the_best-selling_artists_list_updated) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Who%20are%20the%20best-selling%20female%20artists%20of%20all%20time%3F%C2%A0Bette%20Midler%20Did%20Not%20Make%20The%20List%21%20Why%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Who%20are%20the%20best-selling%20female%20artists%20of%20all%20time%3F%C2%A0Bette%20Midler%20Did%20Not%20Make%20The%20List%21%20Why%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Who%20are%20the%20best-selling%20female%20artists%20of%20all%20time%3F%C2%A0Bette%20Midler%20Did%20Not%20Make%20The%20List%21%20Why%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Who%20are%20the%20best-selling%20female%20artists%20of%20all%20time%3F%C2%A0Bette%20Midler%20Did%20Not%20Make%20The%20List%21%20Why%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Who%20are%20the%20best-selling%20female%20artists%20of%20all%20time%3F%C2%A0Bette%20Midler%20Did%20Not%20Make%20The%20List%21%20Why%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, Charts, Singers **Tags:** #Albums, #BetteMidler, #femaleartists, #List, #Sales --- ### [Kathy Najimy Nearly Ghosted Hocus Pocus! Why?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/18/kathy-najimy-nearly-ghosted-hocus-pocus-why/) **Published:** April 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Kathy Najimy almost didn’t join Hocus Pocus due to concerns about portraying witches. Discover what made her change her mind and step into Mary Sanderson’s shoes. **Content:** --- ## KOIMOI Kathy Najimy Nearly Ghosted Hocus Pocus! Why? By KOIMOI Staff April 15. 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-18_13-45-28.png "2025-04-18_13-45-28 - bootleg betty") --- [**Kathy Najimy**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2019/05/17/kathy-najimy-tells-how-she-really-met-bette-midler/) almost didn’t join [**Hocus Pocus**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hocus_Pocus_(1993_film)) due to concerns about portraying witches. Discover what made her change her mind and step into Mary Sanderson’s shoes. Kathy Najimy almost ghosted Hocus Pocus, and it had nothing to do with a spell. Before the Sanderson Sisters flew into cult-classic status on their broomsticks, one of them nearly didn’t show up to the coven. Kathy Najimy (Mary Sanderson), had major doubts about joining the 1993 Halloween flick. The reason was she didn’t want to offend real witches. The original Hocus Pocus followed three resurrected witches wreaking havoc in Salem on Halloween night. The Sanderson Sisters — Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Najimy) — quickly became iconic. Between the outrageous costumes, the over-the-top performances, and that unforgettable rendition of “I Put a Spell on You,” the trio turned a modest Disney comedy into a seasonal essential. But long before the sisters took over October, Najimy had hesitated. Per IMDb, she opened up about it during a 2015 appearance on the Today Show, saying she wasn’t sure she could portray a witch without disrespecting real-life practitioners. “I was concerned about offending real witches,” she explained. It was the silliness of the Sandersons that worried her. Would the exaggerated portrayal cross a line? Eventually, Najimy embraced the magic. And thank the Book she did, because Mary Sanderson became one of the film’s standout characters. Her off-kilter grin, vacuum cleaner ride, and chicken-like mannerisms made her a fan favorite. Years later, Najimy reflected on the film’s growing legacy during HuffPost Live, noting, “The funny thing about Hocus Pocus is it’s very generational. You know, the people who watched it are showing it to their kids — I’m not that old — are showing it to their kids.” Despite opening to lackluster box office numbers, Hocus Pocus carved its niche in pop culture. Over the decades, it transformed into a Halloween staple. From memes and costumes to annual rewatches, the Sanderson Sisters became immortal in more ways than one. And Najimy’s Mary stood right in the heart of that legacy. Her initial concern didn’t stop her from returning to the cauldron when Disney called again. In 2022, Najimy reunited with Midler and Parker for Hocus Pocus 2, nearly three decades after the first film. They picked up their roles as if no time had passed, ready to enchant a whole new gen. “Sistaaaahs! It’s been 300 years… But we’re BACK!” Midler had announced on social media. The sequel brought the Sandersons back to modern-day Salem, where they haunted a fresh set of teens. But even with new faces and tech-savvy updates, the magic of the original trio still led the charge. Looking back, it’s hard to picture Hocus Pocus without Kathy Najimy’s Mary. Her hesitation might have made sense at the time, but the role turned out to be pure movie magic. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Kathy%20Najimy%20Nearly%20Ghosted%20Hocus%20Pocus%21%20Why%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Kathy%20Najimy%20Nearly%20Ghosted%20Hocus%20Pocus%21%20Why%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Kathy%20Najimy%20Nearly%20Ghosted%20Hocus%20Pocus%21%20Why%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Kathy%20Najimy%20Nearly%20Ghosted%20Hocus%20Pocus%21%20Why%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Kathy%20Najimy%20Nearly%20Ghosted%20Hocus%20Pocus%21%20Why%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Ghosted, #HocusPocus, #kathynajimy, #Movies --- ### [Video: Sentimental Journey & Boogie Woogie Bugle Home - Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/18/video-sentimental-journey-boogie-woogie-bugle-home-bette-midler/) **Published:** April 18, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performed "Sentimental Journey" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" with the Harlettes during a 1973 United Jewish Appeal (UJA) telethon. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Video: Sentimental Journey & Boogie Woogie Bugle Home By Mister D April 18, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/hqdefault-2-1.jpg "Hqdefault (2) - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-bette-midler/) performed “Sentimental Journey” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” with the [**Harlettes** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlettes)during a 1973 United Jewish Appeal (UJA) telethon. After the performance, she auctioned off her dress, dropping it for Israel for $5,000! This performance aligns with her early career when she was promoting her debut album, The Divine Miss M (1972), which included her hit cover of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” The song was a major success, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Adult Contemporary chart. Her performance at the UJA telethon was a lively, campy rendition, consistent with her “Divine Miss M” persona, which blended humor, nostalgia, and bold theatrics. Risque! I say! --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Sentimental%20Journey%20%26%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Home%20-%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Sentimental%20Journey%20%26%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Home%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Sentimental%20Journey%20%26%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Home%20-%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Sentimental%20Journey%20%26%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Home%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Sentimental%20Journey%20%26%20Boogie%20Woogie%20Bugle%20Home%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Benefits, Bette Midler, Charities, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BoogieWoogieBugleBall, #SentimentalJourney, #TheHarlettes, #Video --- ### [Bette Makes USA Today's Starter Kit For A Great DVD Collection](https://bootlegbetty.com/2002/10/18/bette-makes-usa-todays-starter-kit-for-a-great-dvd-collection/) **Published:** October 18, 2002 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** First off, choosing must-have DVDs is entirely subjective. You have to love the material -- in any format -- before you begin. If you're behind the curve, USA TODAY home-movies columnist Mike Clark suggests these 10 lovely mixes of content and presentation to start a basic DVD collection -- one for repeated home viewings over a lifetime: **Content:** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2002/10/74181-004-17A69836.webp "74181-004-17a69836 - bootleg betty") --- First off, choosing must-have DVDs is entirely subjective. You have to love the material — in any format — before you begin. If you’re behind the curve, USA TODAY home-movies columnist Mike Clark suggests these 10 lovely mixes of content and presentation to start a basic DVD collection — one for repeated home viewings over a lifetime: **(1994, Warner, unrated, $180)** With 10 discs and 142 chapters, you can navigate to just about anywhere in the game’s history with Ken Burns (news)’ definitive 18 1/2-hour treatment. Disc 10 has about four hours of bonus material, including several interviews by talk-show [host Charlie Rose of form](https://bootlegbetty.com/2007/03/07/host-of-stars-pay-tribute-to-arif-mardin-bette-midler-closes-the-concert/)[e](https://bootlegbetty.com/2007/03/07/host-of-stars-pay-tribute-to-arif-mardin-bette-midler-closes-the-concert/)[r diamond stars](https://bootlegbetty.com/2007/03/07/host-of-stars-pay-tribute-to-arif-mardin-bette-midler-closes-the-concert/) and observers (including a couple of beauts with Bob Costas). **(1941, Warner, unrated, $27)** You can’t see Orson Welles (news) breaking his finger playing Charles Foster Kane in the newspaper magnate’s climactic tantrum. Still, stunning visual clarity lets you see the makeup on the actors’ faces. Plus, you get separate commentaries by Roger Ebert and Peter Bogdanovich (news) and the Oscar-nominated 1996 documentary The Battle Over Citizen Kane. **(1963, Criterion, unrated, $40)** Federico Fellini (news)’s definitive film about film gets a Terry Gilliam (news) introduction, a voice-over commentary, 22 pages of essays on the filmmaker, a 52-minute Fellini documentary, a 48-minute documentary on composer Nino Rota, and illuminating interviews with production personnel and famous fans. (Does Criterion know how to do foreign films or what?) The definitive French spectacle, Children of Paradise (1945, unrated, $40), gets a comparable two-disc treatment. **(1996, Columbia TriStar, rated R, $25)** If the movie could talk to the DVD extras, it would say, ”You complete me.” The best of them — in fact, it’s better than most movies — is seeing Tom Cruise (news), Renee Zellweger (news), Cuba Gooding Jr. and writer/director Cameron Crowe (news) dressed informally and delivering hilarious commentary from what looks like your neighbor’s comfy lawn furniture. **(1963-64, Classic World Productions/Pioneer, unrated, $120)** Once stigmatized as a CBS Sunday-night ratings failure, Garland’s TV series presented her in peak vocal and quipstering form, with guest stars running the gamut from daughter Liza Minnelli (news) to Peggy Lee (news) to Count Basie to Soupy Sales. This four-disc box is the most elaborate of several Garland-show DVDs, and it’s impossible to believe that the original broadcasts ever looked as good as these gorgeous tape transfers do. **(1956, Warner, unrated, $20)** The VistaVision/Technicolor pigments of Monument Valley (heavy prejudice toward orange) took me back to 1956 again. And who wouldn’t want to see the greatest John Wayne/John Ford collaboration again and again? Included on a great disc for the money are promotional mini-documentaries about the film’s location shooting, aired at the time on ABC’s Warner Bros. Presents. **(1960, Criterion, PG-13, $50)** A couple of thousand warriors yell ”I am Spartacus” to oppressive Roman tyrants, but you also get a five-person voice-over commentary, shots of Kirk Douglas (news) at the premiere, a side-splitting interview with Peter Ustinov (an Oscar winner here) and selections from the tie-in Spartacus comic book which, at the time, was the gladiatorial equivalent of a prized baseball card. **(1982, MGM, rated R, $27)** On a voice-over commentary, music’s most lightweight heavy-metal group harps mercilessly on the movie’s director, Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner (news)). An hour of extra scenes includes a showstopper in which the boys begrudgingly make a radio appearance that turns out to be a sports call-in show. Also worthy if you can find it: an out-of-print Criterion DVD alternative. **(1962-92, www.johnnycarson.com, unrated, prices vary but around $80)** Ed Ames throws the tomahawk, and **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/songs-written-by-bette-midler/#.ViKlkFRViko)** (news) sings goodbye to Johnny. This three-disc set contains everything the massive VHS/laser disc anthologies from a decade ago, plus a backstage Tonight Show tour and the outstanding 1982 prime-time documentary Johnny Goes Home (to Norfolk, Neb.). **(1995-99, Disney, rated G, $70)** There are no weak spots here because Toy Story 2 may be the only animated sequel ever to have matched the original. Each [movie gets its own disc full of audio](https://bootlegbetty.com/2018/07/21/audio-bette-midler-no-jinx-hq-audio-from-the-movie-jinxed/) commentaries, outtakes and interviews. A third bonus disc is geared toward the completist, with posters, abandoned concepts, TV commercials and even a guide to the movies’ hidden jokes. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Makes%20USA%20Today%27s%20Starter%20Kit%20For%20A%20Great%20DVD%20Collection&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Makes%20USA%20Today%27s%20Starter%20Kit%20For%20A%20Great%20DVD%20Collection%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Makes%20USA%20Today%27s%20Starter%20Kit%20For%20A%20Great%20DVD%20Collection&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Makes%20USA%20Today%27s%20Starter%20Kit%20For%20A%20Great%20DVD%20Collection%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Makes%20USA%20Today%27s%20Starter%20Kit%20For%20A%20Great%20DVD%20Collection%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, DVD **Tags:** #DVD, #JohnnyCarson, Bette Midler --- ### [Tom Tom Club Talk 2 Songs Written For Bette Midler's "Bette"](https://bootlegbetty.com/2002/10/19/ex-talking-heads-members-but-current-tom-tom-club-talk-2-songs-rejected-for-bettes-bette/) **Published:** October 19, 2002 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Editor's Note: I always find it interesting the songs that Miss M has turned down or had to withhold due to whatever reason. Here is an article that talks about two songs written for Midler, but ended up being on the Tom Tom Club's latest record. **Content:** --- ***Editor’s Note: I always find it interesting the songs that Miss M has turned down or had to withhold due to whatever reason. Here is an article that talks about two songs written for Midler, but ended up being on the Tom Tom Club’s latest record. I’ll post the 2 songs if there is enough interest….*** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/635677375584847386-PNITab-05-20-2015-Z1-1-A002-2015-05-18-IMG-PNI-wv-0520-p2-wedne-1-1-31AQ5GIB-L614048115-IMG-PNI-wv-0520-p2-wedne-1-1-31AQ5GIB.webp "635677375584847386-pnitab-05-20-2015-z1-1-a002-2015-05-18-img-pni-wv-0520-p2-wedne-1-1-31aq5gib-l614048115-img-pni-wv-0520-p2-wedne-1-1-31aq5gib - bootleg betty")The album has been about two and a half years in the making “We weren’t even thinking at the time of doing a new Tom Tom Club record,” Tina explains. “We were working on a retrospective, like a greatest hits because so much of our stuff was out of print. That got killed, legal business, and we’d done these two songs which were originally written for, of all people, **Bette Midler**. *“Who Feelin It”* and *“Happiness Can’t Buy Money”* we started for **Bette**. She came by and she liked the songs but they weren’t finished, I mean instrumentally they were what you hear on the album, but the lyrics weren’t finished because we had been trying to get her back into song writing. We said ‘come on, we’ve got to get you to write’ but she just didn’t have the time, so we said ‘OK, we’re going to finish them up for ourselves.’ When the retrospective project was killed by lawyers we said well they’re such good songs, what we’ll do is we’ll make a new Tom Tom Club record and we’ll start with these two.” **Who Feelin’ It** *(Songwriters: Christopher Frantz / Tina Weymouth)* ``` Who feels it, knows it Who loves it, shows it Who feels it, loves it Who knows it, shows it Wicky-wicky, here comes my genius Killin' me wicked with his stylus Slap it on the turntable, DJ Won't you play for me Marvin Gaye? Invisibl Skratch (n) Piklz Beastie Boys, thrills and tickles Beat Junkies, make it funky, please Fela Kuti is no Zombi! Scratch it up, here comes my genius Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Nasty licks, they are serious 'The Message, ' delirious! Do Boy's a genius chameleon Afrika Bambaataa holds dominion! Fugees on the scene like a Felini dream Salvation's here ?la Al Green! Who feels it, knows it Who loves it, shows it Who feels it, loves it Who knows it, shows it Do you wanna get jiggy with a genius? Hardest workin' man in the business Shufflin' grooves from the underground Nobody move, must be James Brown! Wu Tang, mix it up sinuous Big Baby Jesus is a genius My Manu D'Bango Rockin' the mic like Chango! Ya, ya, wo, wo, wo. . . Sticky-sticky finger on a fader A-slippin-and-a-slidin with the Raida Here is transportation to heaven Props to the chops of the X-men! Wally Badarou is a genius DJ Babu, spontaneous Bernie Worrell, a visionary Play for me Lee Perry Tra la la la la! Tra la la la la! Pass the Peas to the JBs! Whatcha gonna do with a broken heart? Sip Cristal, burn up the chart Whatcha gonna do when they put you down? Move to the tip, groove underground Whatcha gonna do when you miss your mark? Chill out, choose a brand new start How does it feel to be back on top? It's good, un-huh, and you don't stop! Who feels it, knows it Who loves it, shows it Who feels it, loves it Who knows it, shows it Who feels it, knows it Who loves it, shows it Who feels it, loves it Who knows it, shows it Oops! Yo' mama! Ya, ya, wo, wo, wo. . . No one can sing quite like Otis Redding! Whatcha gonna do with a broken heart? Sip Cristal, burn up the chart! Whatcha gonna do when they put you down? Move to the tip, groove underground! Whatcha gonna do when you miss your mark? Chill out, choose a brand new start! How does it feel to be back on top? It's good, un-huh, and you don't stop! Ya, ya, wo, wo, wo. . . Who feels it, knows it Who loves it, shows it Who feels it, loves it Who knows it, shows it Who feels it, knows it Who loves it, shows it Who feels it, loves it Who knows it, shows it Happiness Can't Buy Money (Songwriters: Christopher Frantz / Tina Weymouth) ``` ``` Up and down, the people wanna bounce to the funky sound You got yo' radios blarin' and the deejays flarin' all over town 'Nuf respect is just what you gonna get when you jam and wind But happiness can't buy money On and on the party keeps rockin' on 'til the break of dawn And the people next door must be wonderin' what it is we're on If it makes you happy, you can party on 'til the end of time But happiness can't buy money So make my day Don't be passé Come on, come on, get real Give me money So what's the deal? Give me money Come on, come on, get real Give me money So what's the deal? Give me money Everybody agree, happiness is free, so whatcha gonna do Say goodbye to the old cliché's, say hello to the new You can turn it on, whatever gets you goin', it's a state of mind But happiness can't buy money So make my day Don't be passé Come on, come on, get real Give me money So what's the deal? Give me money Come on, come on, get real Give me money So what's the deal? Give me money Everybody, hold on, relax This is just like in the movies Everyone will be a shooting star And all will make lots of money Money, money, money, money, money, money Happiness can't buy money Come on, come on, get real Give me money So what's the deal? Give me money Come on, come on, get real Give me money So what's the deal? Give me money Come on, get real, come on Give me money Come on Give me money So make my day Don't be passé Come on, come on, get real Give me money So what's the deal? Give me money Come on, come on, get real Give me money Happiness can't buy money Come on, come on, get real Give me money So what's the deal? Give me money Come on, come on, get real Give me money Happiness can't buy money ``` ``` ``` Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Tom%20Tom%20Club%20Talk%202%20Songs%20Written%20For%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Bette%22&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Tom%20Tom%20Club%20Talk%202%20Songs%20Written%20For%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Bette%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Tom%20Tom%20Club%20Talk%202%20Songs%20Written%20For%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Bette%22&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Tom%20Tom%20Club%20Talk%202%20Songs%20Written%20For%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Bette%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Tom%20Tom%20Club%20Talk%202%20Songs%20Written%20For%20Bette%20Midler%27s%20%22Bette%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Music, #Songs, #TomTomClub --- ### [The Charities Bette Midler Supports](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/17/the-charities-bette-midler-supports/) **Published:** April 17, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler supports a wide range of charities and causes, with a strong focus on environmental conservation, arts and culture, health, education, and humanitarian efforts. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty The Charities Bette Midler Supports By Mister D April 17, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/8354995.jpg "Bette midler sings at memorial service, 2001-09-26 (photo) - bootleg betty") --- [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/)supports a wide range of [**charities** ](https://www.best-charities.org/home/)and causes, with a strong focus on environmental conservation, arts and culture, health, education, and humanitarian efforts. Below is a comprehensive list of charities and organizations she has been associated with, based on available information: **Environmental and Civic Space** - **New York Restoration Project (NYRP)**: Founded by Midler in 1995, NYRP is a nonprofit dedicated to creating and maintaining green spaces in New York City’s five boroughs. It has revitalized 52 community gardens, planted over one million trees through the MillionTreesNYC initiative, and restored parks like Fort Tryon and Highbridge Park. Midler actively participates in fundraising events like the Hulaween gala and spring picnic to support NYRP. - **Central Park Conservancy**: Supports the maintenance and restoration of Central Park in New York City. - **City Parks Foundation**: Focuses on enhancing parks and recreational spaces in New York City. - **Friends of Hudson River Park**: Works to protect and enhance Hudson River Park in NYC. - **Westchester Land Trust**: Promotes land conservation in Westchester County, New York. - **National Audubon Society**: A national organization focused on bird conservation and environmental education. - **Audubon Women in Conservation**: A program under the Audubon Society supporting women in environmental leadership. - **Rainforest Fund**: Supports global rainforest conservation and indigenous rights. **Arts and Culture** - **The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)**: Supports one of the world’s leading art museums in NYC. - **Metropolitan Opera (Met Opera)**: Funds opera performances and arts education. - **Museum of the City of New York**: Preserves and presents the history of New York City. - **Municipal Art Society**: Advocates for urban planning and historic preservation in NYC. - **Carnegie Hall Society**: Supports Carnegie Hall’s music programs and performances. - **52nd Street Project**: Pairs inner-city children with professional theater artists to create original theater, promoting arts education. - **Exploring The Arts**: Supports arts education programs for youth. - **Jeckyl Foundation**: Midler’s foundation that restores auditoriums and stages in NYC public schools, enhancing arts education. Recent grantees include McKinney School of the Arts and Public High School 105. **Health** - **Smile Train**: Trains local doctors to perform cleft repair surgeries for children in poverty-stricken areas. Midler has praised their work for transforming children’s lives. - **Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes**: Focuses on research and treatment for childhood diabetes. - **Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation**: Funds research for multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. - **Mount Sinai**: Supports medical research and healthcare services. - **MS Foundation for Women**: Advances women’s health and reproductive rights. - **Breast Cancer Research Foundation**: Funds breast cancer research and awareness. - **Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research**: Supports Parkinson’s disease research. - **Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC)**: Provides HIV/AIDS support services, including meals, mental health services, and HIV testing. Midler has participated in events like the virtual AIDS Walk: Live From Home in 2020. **Humanitarian and Human Services** - **Doctors Without Borders**: Provides medical aid in crisis zones worldwide. - **Human Rights First**: Advocates for human rights and social justice globally. - **The Mirembe Project**: Focuses on human rights and empowerment in developing countries, particularly in the Global South. - **Coalition for the Homeless**: Supports homeless individuals and families in New York City. - **God’s Love We Deliver**: Delivers meals to people with serious illnesses in NYC. - **Lower Nine**: Aids post-Hurricane Katrina recovery in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward. - **Worldwide Orphans Foundation (WWO)**: Provides education, medical care, and psychosocial support for orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries. Midler has supported WWO by auctioning tickets to NYRP’s Halloween Gala. - **Hope North**: A Ugandan school and community providing education, vocational training, and support for children affected by conflict, including former child soldiers. Midler has served on the host committee for their fundraising gala. - **Love Our Children USA**: Focuses on preventing child abuse and supporting at-risk youth. - **Habitat for Humanity**: Builds affordable housing for families in need. - **St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters**: Provides food and shelter to those in need in New York City. **Education** - **Yale University Parent’s Fund**: Supports Yale University’s educational programs. - **UCLA Development**: Funds educational initiatives at the University of California, Los Angeles. - **Communities in Schools**: Helps students stay in school and succeed academically. - **Edible Schoolyard NYC**: Promotes garden-based education and healthy eating in schools. - **Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City**: Supports educational and community initiatives in NYC. **Other Causes** - **Bette Midler Family Foundation**: Midler’s private foundation, based in Nashville, TN, supports various charitable causes, though specific grantmaking details are limited due to lack of public IRS data. - **Adopt-a-Highway**: In 1991, Midler donated $2,000 monthly to a crew cleaning a two-mile section of the Ventura Freeway in California. **Notable Advocacy and Events** - **LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS Advocacy**: Midler has been a longtime ally of the LGBTQ+ community and those affected by HIV/AIDS. Her performances at the Continental Baths in the 1970s built a loyal gay following, and she has supported GMHC and participated in events like the Elton John AIDS Foundation Benefit (2005) and the Design Alliance to Combat AIDS Masquerade Gala (1988). - **Hulaween Gala**: An annual fundraising event for NYRP, where Midler enlists celebrity friends like Stevie Wonder and Elton John to perform, raising significant funds for green spaces. - **Virtual AIDS Walk (2020)**: Midler joined Gloria Estefan and others in a live-streamed event to benefit GMHC and San Francisco’s Positive Resource Center (PRC). **Broader Causes** *Midler’s philanthropy also extends to causes like:* - **Abuse and Adoption**: Supporting organizations addressing child abuse and fostering. - **Animals**: Advocating for animal rights and protection. - **Poverty and Disaster Relief**: Contributing to efforts to alleviate poverty and aid disaster recovery. Notes - Midler’s philanthropy is channeled through her **Bette Midler Family Foundation** and the **Jeckyl Foundation**, though the latter focuses heavily on NYC public school arts programs. - Her environmental work, particularly through NYRP, is her most prominent contribution, driven by her frustration with urban litter and neglect in New York City. - Midler’s support often involves active participation, such as hosting galas, performing at benefits, or physically volunteering (e.g., cleaning parks). - Some sources note that Midler’s grantmaking through her family foundation has decreased in recent years, and the Jeckyl Foundation operates with low transparency. This list reflects Midler’s diverse and impactful charitable efforts, showcasing her commitment to improving communities locally and globally. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=The%20Charities%20Bette%20Midler%20Supports&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20Charities%20Bette%20Midler%20Supports%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=The%20Charities%20Bette%20Midler%20Supports&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=The%20Charities%20Bette%20Midler%20Supports%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=The%20Charities%20Bette%20Midler%20Supports%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Benefits, Bette Midler, Charities, MillionTtreesNYC, NYRP **Tags:** #Benefits, #BetteMidler, #Charities, #NYRP --- ### [BetteBack: Aug 11, 1978: 1978 - Bette Midler Is Nominated For An Emmy](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/17/betteback-aug-11-1978-1978-bette-midler-is-nominated-for-an-emmy/) **Published:** April 17, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler is nominated for an Emmy for her first network TV special. **Content:** --- **Advocate Friday, August 11, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/tumblr_2fde6974e4a643160e009ceddf687812_20ef7117_1280-684x1024.jpg "Tumblr_2fde6974e4a643160e009ceddf687812_20ef7117_1280 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-04-27_2-09-07](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_2-09-07-450x585.png "2017-04-27_2-09-07 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70754) [![2017-04-27_2-09-54](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_2-09-54-450x527.png "2017-04-27_2-09-54 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70755) [![2017-04-27_2-10-25](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_2-10-25-450x182.png "2017-04-27_2-10-25 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70756) [![2017-04-27_2-11-08](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_2-11-08-446x600.png "2017-04-27_2-11-08 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70757) [![2017-04-27_2-13-07](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_2-13-07-410x600.png "2017-04-27_2-13-07 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70758) [![2017-04-27_2-14-21](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_2-14-21-450x323.png "2017-04-27_2-14-21 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70759) [![2017-04-27_2-15-04](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_2-15-04-450x496.png "2017-04-27_2-15-04 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70760) [![2017-04-27_2-15-44](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_2-15-44.png "2017-04-27_2-15-44 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70761) [![2017-04-27_2-16-22](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_2-16-22-450x546.png "2017-04-27_2-16-22 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70762) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%3A%20Aug%2011%2C%201978%3A%201978%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Is%20Nominated%20For%20An%20Emmy&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%3A%20Aug%2011%2C%201978%3A%201978%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Is%20Nominated%20For%20An%20Emmy%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%3A%20Aug%2011%2C%201978%3A%201978%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Is%20Nominated%20For%20An%20Emmy&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%3A%20Aug%2011%2C%201978%3A%201978%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Is%20Nominated%20For%20An%20Emmy%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%3A%20Aug%2011%2C%201978%3A%201978%20-%20Bette%20Midler%20Is%20Nominated%20For%20An%20Emmy%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Awards & Ceremonies, Bette Midler, BetteBack, Emmys **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Emmy, #Network, #Nominated, #OlRedHairIsBack, #Television --- ### [BetteBack August 27, 1978: With Bette Midler Starting A World Tour, Is She Taking A Break From Movies?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/16/betteback-august-27-1978-with-bette-midler-starting-a-world-tour-is-she-taking-a-break-from-movies/) **Published:** April 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** With concert dates set in England and Australia, is Bette Midler Taking a break from her newly launched Film career? **Content:** --- **Evening Star** **August 27, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-11_05-34-06.png "2025-04-11_05-34-06 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-04-27_2-55-37](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_2-55-37.png "2017-04-27_2-55-37 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70774) [![2017-04-27_2-56-07](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_2-56-07.png "2017-04-27_2-56-07 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70775) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20August%2027%2C%201978%3A%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Starting%20A%20World%20Tour%2C%20Is%20She%20Taking%20A%20Break%20From%20Movies%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20August%2027%2C%201978%3A%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Starting%20A%20World%20Tour%2C%20Is%20She%20Taking%20A%20Break%20From%20Movies%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20August%2027%2C%201978%3A%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Starting%20A%20World%20Tour%2C%20Is%20She%20Taking%20A%20Break%20From%20Movies%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20August%2027%2C%201978%3A%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Starting%20A%20World%20Tour%2C%20Is%20She%20Taking%20A%20Break%20From%20Movies%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20August%2027%2C%201978%3A%20With%20Bette%20Midler%20Starting%20A%20World%20Tour%2C%20Is%20She%20Taking%20A%20Break%20From%20Movies%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, concerts, Gypsy, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concert, #Gypsy, #Movies, #TheRose, #WorldTour --- ### [New Songs In Bette Midler Bootleg Betty Jukebox](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/16/new-songs-in-bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) **Published:** April 16, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** There are new songs up in the Bette Midler Bootleg Betty Jukebox: **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty New Songs In Bette Midler Bootleg Betty Jukebox By Mister D April 16, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1-bette-midler-concert-photos.jpg "1-bette-midler-concert-photos - bootleg betty")--- ***There are new songs up in the [Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-and-concerts/) Bootleg Betty [Jukebox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jukebox)[:](Jukebox:)*** **Is That All There Is?** Bette Midler Live Higher Ground 04:12 ### Whose Side Are You On? Bette Midler – From the Film The Rose 04:04 ### Sideshow Bette Midler as Delores Delago 02:25 ### Come Up & See Me Sometime Bette Midler 02:37 ### Delores Delago Disco Memories Bette Midler, as Delores Delago 13:27 ### Walk Right In Bette Midler – Soph Jokes 13:02 ### Hello Delores Bette Midler 01:29 ### Get It On! Bette Midler (Scarecrow) 04:03 ### Baby Mine (Alt. Version) Bette Midler 02:10 ### Bird In Hand – Soph Jokes Bette Midler [**To Get To Jukebox Click Here**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=New%20Songs%20In%20Bette%20Midler%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Jukebox&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=New%20Songs%20In%20Bette%20Midler%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Jukebox%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=New%20Songs%20In%20Bette%20Midler%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Jukebox&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=New%20Songs%20In%20Bette%20Midler%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Jukebox%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=New%20Songs%20In%20Bette%20Midler%20Bootleg%20Betty%20Jukebox%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bootleg Betty Jukebox, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BootlegbettyJukebox, #Jukebox, #Songs --- ### [Former Harlette, Kamilah Marshall To Give Keynote At Berklee Onsite 2025](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/15/former-harlette-kamilah-marshall-to-give-keynote-at-berklee-onsite-2025/) **Published:** April 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Kamilah Marshall, who was recently seen and heard as one of Taylor Swift’s backing vocalists on her record-breaking Eras Tour, is this year’s keynote speaker at Berklee Onsite. **Content:** --- ## Berklee Online Fresh Off the Eras Tour, Kamilah Marshall to Give Keynote at Berklee Onsite 2025 By Berklee Online --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/kamilah_marshall_article_image_2025-1024x640.jpg "Kamilah_marshall_article_image_2025 - bootleg betty") Kamilah Marshall, who was recently seen and heard as one of Taylor Swift’s backing vocalists on her record-breaking Eras Tour, is this year’s keynote speaker at Berklee Onsite. Taking place May 30-31 on the Berklee College of Music campus in Boston, Berklee Onsite is an annual music conference presented by Berklee Online, which attracts music students and professionals from around the world. The event is open to the public and tickets are on sale now. [**Kamilah Marshall**](https://kamilahmarshall.com/) singing backing vocals to the left of Taylor Swift for the song “Anti-Hero.” Marshall is an alum of Berklee Online’s Interdisciplinary Music Studies bachelor’s degree program, which she completed in 2024 while on tour as a member of Taylor’s Starlights, a foursome that performs backing vocals and choreography onstage. A Starlight since 2013, she has also supported Taylor on her Red, 1989, and Reputation world tours. While traveling from city to city from 2023–2024, Marshall balanced tour life with academic life in a way few could imagine. **Berklee Onsite: Opening Performance & Kamilah Marshall Keynote Friday, May 30, 10 AM Berklee Performance Center (136 Mass Ave., Boston)** “I didn’t enter into school just because, and to have a shiny degree at the end,” she told Senior Academic Advisor Mark Hopkins last year when she was a guest on his At Home with Mark series. “I did it because I want to be there and I want the education, so I’m really trying to stay as present as I can with that even though my life is so massive right now.” CHECK OUT MORE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR BERKLEE ONSITE 2025! Marshall has also shared the stage with Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige, and Mick Jagger—and this is just the tip of the iceberg of Marshall’s illustrious music career. In an interview with Berklee Online’s Music is My Life podcast, she details her time on Broadway, which included roles in Rent, Disney’s The Lion King, and the original cast of Hairspray. In 2016, Marshall reprised her featured role as a Dynamite in Hairspray Live on NBC with Jennifer Hudson and Ariana Grande. Kamilah Marshall in her featured role as a Dynamite in Hairspray Live, which aired in 2016. Marshall was also a backup singer and dancer for [**Bette Midle**r](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) as one of her Staggering Harlettes, where she performed on her Kiss My Brass world tour from 2003–2005, and on her Showgirl Must Go On residency at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas from 2008–2010. Kamilah Marshall as one of Bette Midler’s Staggering Harlettes in the Showgirl Must Go On residency at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. During her time on Broadway and as a Harlette, Marshall met her friends Jordan Ballard and Shayna Steele, who also have storied music careers. Together they enrolled at Berklee Online and are walking at the 2025 Commencement ceremony at Berklee College of Music. The three are featured on the Sex and City 2 soundtrack where they sing a cover of “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered.” **“Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered”** In addition to her performance highlights, Marshall is an accomplished singer-songwriter, who has crafted songs both for herself and other artists. She wrote her latest song, “Canyon” in a Berklee Online songwriting class. **Kamilah’s 2024 single “Canyon,” which she wrote in a Berklee Online course** In 2020, she was featured on the single “Both Sides” alongside Forest Blakk, which was released by Atlantic Records. Marshall also contributed to Vintage Trouble’s track, “Strike Your Light” in 2015. Her 2010 debut album, Gypsy Moonshine, is also available on streaming platforms. As she prepares to give the keynote presentation at Berklee Onsite, and walk in Berklee’s graduation ceremony, Marshall doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. She’s now beginning a master’s degree with Berklee Online, continuing a journey she never expected would start in the middle of a pandemic—and certainly not while touring with one of the biggest pop stars in the world. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Former%20Harlette%2C%20Kamilah%20Marshall%20To%20Give%20Keynote%20At%20Berklee%20Onsite%202025&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Former%20Harlette%2C%20Kamilah%20Marshall%20To%20Give%20Keynote%20At%20Berklee%20Onsite%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Former%20Harlette%2C%20Kamilah%20Marshall%20To%20Give%20Keynote%20At%20Berklee%20Onsite%202025&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Former%20Harlette%2C%20Kamilah%20Marshall%20To%20Give%20Keynote%20At%20Berklee%20Onsite%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Former%20Harlette%2C%20Kamilah%20Marshall%20To%20Give%20Keynote%20At%20Berklee%20Onsite%202025%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Former Harlette, harlettes, Kamilah Marshall **Tags:** #backgroundsinger, #berklee, #berkleeonline, #BetteMidler, #Erastour, #singer, #taylorswift --- ### [Betteback July 28, 1978: Actor Peter Reigert Opens Up About Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/15/betteback-july-28-1978-actor-peter-reigert-opens-up-about-bette-midler/) **Published:** April 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Peter Riegert talks about Bette Midler and his new movie Animal House. **Content:** --- **Register-Republic July 28, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/667466e0e17a2.image_.jpg "667466e0e17a2. Image - bootleg betty") Bette Midler with Peter Riegert and Donald Sutherland at Animal House premiere. [![2017-04-27_1-24-51](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_1-24-51-450x468.png "2017-04-27_1-24-51 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70733) [![2017-04-27_1-25-48](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_1-25-48-450x110.png "2017-04-27_1-25-48 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70734) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Betteback%20July%2028%2C%201978%3A%20Actor%20Peter%20Reigert%20Opens%20Up%20About%20Bette%20Midler&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Betteback%20July%2028%2C%201978%3A%20Actor%20Peter%20Reigert%20Opens%20Up%20About%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Betteback%20July%2028%2C%201978%3A%20Actor%20Peter%20Reigert%20Opens%20Up%20About%20Bette%20Midler&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Betteback%20July%2028%2C%201978%3A%20Actor%20Peter%20Reigert%20Opens%20Up%20About%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Betteback%20July%2028%2C%201978%3A%20Actor%20Peter%20Reigert%20Opens%20Up%20About%20Bette%20Midler%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** BetteBack **Tags:** #AnimalHouse, #BetteMidler, #DonaldSutherland, #PeterRiegert, #TheRose --- ### [New Bette Midler, "Same Songs, Other Voices" Jukebox Is Full](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/15/new-bette-midler-same-songs-other-voices-jukebox-is-full/) **Published:** April 15, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Take the wonderful. sometimes scary opportunity to see how other artists may interpret the same songs The Divine Miss M, Bette Midler sings. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty New Bette Midler, “Same Songs, Other Voices” Jukebox Is Full By Mister D April 14, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/bette-midler-singing-in-beaches-globe-photos-1.jpg "Bette-midler-singing-in-beaches-globe-photos (1) - bootleg betty")--- 1. The Rose by Big Daddy 2. A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes by Sabrina Carpenter 3. Baby It’s You by Haley Reinhart 4. Boxing by Ben Folds 5. Drinking Again by Sam Harris 6. Favorite Waste Of Time by Susanna Hoffs & Matthew Sweet 7. Fire Down Below by Tina Turner 8. Give Her A Great Big Kiss by New York Dolls 9. He’s Sure The Boy I Love by Lulu 10. Stay With Me by Duffy *Take the wonderful. sometimes scary opportunity to see how other artists may interpret the same songs The Divine Miss M, Bette Midler sings. Do you find them interesting? awful? good? bad? or OMG, better? LOL* **Trivia:** Bette used to date one of the guitarists in The New York Dolls group, therefore you would see her at some of their concerts in New York City in the early 70’s. The lead singer was David Johansen who just died recently. [To Listen Click Here](https://bootlegbetty.com/same-songsother-voices/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=New%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20%22Same%20Songs%2C%20Other%20Voices%22%20Jukebox%20Is%20Full&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=New%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20%22Same%20Songs%2C%20Other%20Voices%22%20Jukebox%20Is%20Full%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=New%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20%22Same%20Songs%2C%20Other%20Voices%22%20Jukebox%20Is%20Full&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=New%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20%22Same%20Songs%2C%20Other%20Voices%22%20Jukebox%20Is%20Full%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=New%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20%22Same%20Songs%2C%20Other%20Voices%22%20Jukebox%20Is%20Full%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Other Voices, Same Songs, Songs, The Divine Miss M **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Music, #OtherVoices, #SameSongs, #Songs --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings "Pirate Jenny" At Carnegie Hall (2011)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/13/video-bette-midler-sings-pirate-jenny-at-carnegie-hall-2011/) **Published:** April 13, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performed "Pirate Jenny" at Carnegie Hall on April 12, 2011, during the venue’s 120th anniversary gala, hosted by James Taylor. **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Sings “Pirate Jenny” At Carnegie Hall (2011) By Mister D April 12, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/64312361Nashvilledon4122011.jpg "64312361nashvilledon4122011 - bootleg betty") --- --- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/the-tv-series/) performed “[**Pirate Jenny**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirate_Jenny)” at Carnegie Hall on April 12, 2011, during the venue’s 120th anniversary gala, hosted by James Taylor. The event was a star-studded celebration of Carnegie Hall’s history, with Midler as one of the featured performers alongside others like Sting, Steve Martin, and Barbara Cook. She delivered “Pirate Jenny,” the haunting Brecht-Weill classic from The Threepenny Opera, with her signature theatrical grit, perfectly suiting her Divine Miss M persona. Reviews from the time note her bold shift from the understated menace of “Pirate Jenny” to more upbeat numbers like “Sweet Blindness,” --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Pirate%20Jenny%22%20At%20Carnegie%20Hall%20%282011%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Pirate%20Jenny%22%20At%20Carnegie%20Hall%20%282011%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Pirate%20Jenny%22%20At%20Carnegie%20Hall%20%282011%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Pirate%20Jenny%22%20At%20Carnegie%20Hall%20%282011%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Pirate%20Jenny%22%20At%20Carnegie%20Hall%20%282011%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CarnegieHall, #PirateJenny, #SweetBlindness, #Video --- ### [BetteBack June 29, 1978: Vintage Bette Midler For Charity](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/13/betteback-june-29-1978-vintage-bette-midler-for-charity/) **Published:** April 13, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Lightshow, psychedelic. the music is acid rock,and the audience pure flowerchild. Oh and there's money going to a children's charity **Content:** --- **Albans Daily Messenger June 29, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-11_05-36-32.png "2025-04-11_05-36-32 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-04-19_3-47-46](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-19_3-47-46.png "2017-04-19_3-47-46 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70484) [![2017-04-19_3-48-22](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-19_3-48-22.png "2017-04-19_3-48-22 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70485) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20June%2029%2C%201978%3A%20Vintage%20Bette%20Midler%20%20For%20Charity&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20June%2029%2C%201978%3A%20Vintage%20Bette%20Midler%20%20For%20Charity%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20June%2029%2C%201978%3A%20Vintage%20Bette%20Midler%20%20For%20Charity&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20June%2029%2C%201978%3A%20Vintage%20Bette%20Midler%20%20For%20Charity%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20June%2029%2C%201978%3A%20Vintage%20Bette%20Midler%20%20For%20Charity%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ChildrensCharity, #Psychedic, #TheRose, #Vintage --- ### [Read “Ruthless People” The Script - (Trailer)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2019/08/31/read-ruthless-people-the-script-trailer/) **Published:** August 31, 2019 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ![Helen Slater and Bette Midler in Ruthless People](/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019-08-31_1-53-36.png "2019-08-31_1-53-36 - bootleg betty")Helen slater and[ **bette midle**]()r in ruthless people --- #### Synopsis --- Sam Stone (Danny DeVito) is a clothing manufacturer, who married his wife Barbara ([**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2019/07/29/bette-midlers-stella-on-blu-ray-dvd-sept-10-2019/)), for the money that she was supposed to inherit from her dying father, but her father didn’t die for another fifteen years. He is now planning to kill her and he tells his girlfriend Carol Dodsworth (Anita Morris) what he is going to do. He then on his way home to do just that but when he gets there, she’s not there. He then receives a call from someone claiming to have kidnapped Barbara and threatening to kill her if he informs the police, which he does hope that they do. What Stone doesn’t know is that the kidnappers, Ken (Judge Reinhold) and Sandy (Helen Slater) Kessler are a couple whose idea for a garment he stole and made fortune off, are not that lethal, as a matter of fact, Barbara’s more lethal. And what Stone doesn’t know is that Carol, has another boyfriend named Earl Mott (Bill Pullman), and they plan to blackmail Sam, by videotaping him disposing of Barbara’s body. --- **Trailer** --- --- #### Awards & Nominations --- ### Golden Globes, USA [1987](https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000292/1987/1?ref_=ttawd_ev_1) **Nominee** Golden GlobeBest Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical [Danny DeVito](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000362?ref_=ttawd_awd_1) ### American Comedy Awards, USA [1987](https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000019/1987/1?ref_=ttawd_ev_2) **Winner** American Comedy AwardFunniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role) [Bette Midler](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000541?ref_=ttawd_awd_2) **Nominee** American Comedy AwardFunniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role) [Danny DeVito](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000362?ref_=ttawd_awd_3) ### Casting Society of America, USA [1987](https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000154/1987/1?ref_=ttawd_ev_3) **Nominee** ArtiosBest Casting for Feature Film, Comedy [Ellen Chenoweth](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0155692?ref_=ttawd_awd_4) --- ### Ruthless People Script --- --- **Director(s): [Jim Abrahams](https://www.scripts.com/director/jim_abrahams), [David Zucker](https://www.scripts.com/director/david_zucker), [Jerry Zucker](https://www.scripts.com/director/jerry_zucker) Actors: [Danny DeVito](https://www.scripts.com/actor/danny_devito), [Bette Midler](https://www.scripts.com/actor/bette_midler), [Judge Reinhold](https://www.scripts.com/actor/judge_reinhold), [Helen Slater](https://www.scripts.com/actor/helen_slater)** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Read%20%E2%80%9CRuthless%20People%E2%80%9D%20The%20Script%20-%20%28Trailer%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Read%20%E2%80%9CRuthless%20People%E2%80%9D%20The%20Script%20-%20%28Trailer%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Read%20%E2%80%9CRuthless%20People%E2%80%9D%20The%20Script%20-%20%28Trailer%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Read%20%E2%80%9CRuthless%20People%E2%80%9D%20The%20Script%20-%20%28Trailer%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Read%20%E2%80%9CRuthless%20People%E2%80%9D%20The%20Script%20-%20%28Trailer%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Ruthless People **Tags:** Anita Morris, Bill Pullman, Danny DeVito, Helen Slater, Judge Reinhold --- ### [Read "Jinxed" The Script](https://bootlegbetty.com/2019/08/12/read-jinxed-the-script/) **Published:** August 12, 2019 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ![Bette Midler in Jinxed](/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Bette-Jinxed.png "Bette-jinxed - bootleg betty")--- ### Jinxed: The Trailer --- --- Harold Benson and his lounge-singer wife, Bonita Friml, follow a young [blackjack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackjack) dealer Willie Brodax, around the country. Harold has a blackjack winning jinx on Willie and seemingly cannot lose to him. After Willie becomes suspicious, he starts following Harold and finds his trailer and starts talking to Bonita. Willie and Bonita eventually fall in love and plot to do away with Harold to collect Harold’s [life insurance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_insurance). --- ### Jinxed: Credits --- Directed by[Don Siegel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Siegel)Produced by[Herb Jaffe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_Jaffe)Screenplay by[Frank D. Gilroy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_D._Gilroy) [David Newman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Newman_(screenwriter))Story byFrank D. GilroyStarring[**Bette MidlerKen WahlRip Torn**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2018/10/15/bette-midler-no-jinx-jinxed-1982-video/)Music by[Bruce Roberts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Roberts_(singer)) [Miles Goodman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_Goodman)Cinematography[Vilmos Zsigmond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilmos_Zsigmond)Edited by[Douglas Stewart](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Stewart_(film_editor))Production companiesHerb Jaffe Productions [United Artists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Artists)Distributed by[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)Release dateOctober 22, 1982Running time103 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishBudget$13.4 million[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinxed!_(1982_film)#cite_note-nat-1)Box office$2,869,638[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinxed!_(1982_film)#cite_note-2)--- ### Jinxed: The Script --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Read%20%22Jinxed%22%20The%20Script&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Read%20%22Jinxed%22%20The%20Script%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Read%20%22Jinxed%22%20The%20Script&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Read%20%22Jinxed%22%20The%20Script%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Read%20%22Jinxed%22%20The%20Script%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Jinxed, Movies **Tags:** Bette Midler - NO JINX (HQ Audio), Don Siegel, Ken Wahl, Rip Torn --- ### [10 Famous Singers from Hawaii](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/12/10-famous-singers-from-hawaii/) **Published:** April 12, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Hawaii isn’t just a paradise of swaying palms and sun-kissed beaches—it’s also a vibrant hub of musical talent that has echoed far beyond the islands. **Content:** --- ## Singers Room 10 Famous Singers from Hawaii By Samuel Moore April 12, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-11_05-35-08.png "2025-04-11_05-35-08 - bootleg betty")--- [**Hawaii** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii)isn’t just a paradise of swaying palms and sun-kissed beaches—it’s also a vibrant hub of musical talent that has echoed far beyond the islands. From soulful ukulele serenades to chart-topping global hits, Hawaiian-born artists have left an unforgettable mark on the world stage. Whether blending traditional chants with modern rhythms or electrifying arenas with pop and funk, these musicians carry the spirit of aloha in every note. In this list, we celebrate the Top 10 Most Popular Famous Singers from Hawaii—a diverse lineup of legends and trailblazers whose voices have captured hearts across generations. Some have built bridges between cultures, others have redefined genres, but all have elevated Hawaii’s musical legacy. From the gentle melodies of Israel Kamakawiwo?ole to the show-stopping charisma of Bruno Mars, each artist brings a unique sound rooted in island soul. Get ready to explore the voices that have put Hawaii on the global musical map. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering the magic of Hawaiian music, this list will inspire, entertain, and maybe even lead you to your next favorite song. Let the rhythm of the islands guide you—these are the voices of Hawaii. ?? 1. **Israel Kamakawiwo?ole** With a voice as vast and gentle as the Hawaiian skies, Israel “Bruddah Iz” Kamakawiwo?ole remains a beloved icon of the islands. His medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World” became a global phenomenon, thanks to its emotional depth and breezy ukulele strumming. Born and raised in Honolulu, Iz was more than just a singer—he was a cultural ambassador who used his music to promote Native Hawaiian identity and independence. Despite his untimely passing in 1997, his legacy lives on through his timeless recordings and the deep sense of aloha woven into every note he sang. 2. **Bruno Mars** Born Peter Gene Hernandez in Honolulu, Bruno Mars has rocketed from island roots to international superstardom. With his explosive stage presence, retro flair, and genre-blending hits like “Uptown Funk” and “Locked Out of Heaven,” Mars has become one of the defining artists of the 21st century. He’s an all-around entertainer—singing, dancing, producing, and writing chart-toppers with effortless charisma. Drawing from his diverse musical upbringing in a family of performers, Mars incorporates funk, soul, R&B, and pop into a sound that’s both nostalgic and fresh. His Hawaiian upbringing adds a unique flavor to his global appeal. 3. **Jack Johnson** Oahu native Jack Johnson brings the ocean breeze to life with every mellow chord. Originally a professional surfer, Johnson pivoted to music after a surfing accident, and the world is better for it. His laid-back acoustic style, heard in hits like “Better Together” and “Banana Pancakes,” has become the soundtrack for beach bonfires and lazy Sunday mornings. But Johnson is more than a feel-good artist—he’s a passionate environmentalist, using his fame to promote sustainability and ocean conservation. His music radiates calm and kindness, echoing the rhythm of island life in every soothing lyric. 4. **Don Ho** Don Ho is a name synonymous with Hawaiian entertainment. Rising to fame in the 1960s, he brought island charm to the mainland with his signature song “Tiny Bubbles.” Born in Honolulu, Ho was a lounge legend whose shows were a must-see for tourists and locals alike. His smooth vocals and easygoing demeanor made him a beloved figure in Las Vegas and on national television. More than just a crooner, Ho helped pave the way for Hawaiian music to reach a broader audience, becoming a cultural bridge between the islands and the world beyond. 5. **Bette Midler** Few entertainers can match the versatility and longevity of Honolulu-born [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/). From her early days singing in New York City bathhouses to her Broadway triumphs and Hollywood stardom, Midler has done it all. Known for her powerhouse vocals and sharp wit, she’s given us unforgettable performances in songs like “The Rose” and “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Her theatrical flair and commanding stage presence have earned her multiple Grammys, Emmys, and a Tony Award. Though she left Hawaii early in life, the spirit of the islands still resonates in her passionate performances and vibrant personality. 6. **Keali?i Reichel** Keali?i Reichel is a torchbearer of Hawaiian tradition, blending ancient chant with contemporary melodies to create music that’s both soulful and sacred. A kumu hula (hula teacher), singer, and cultural educator, Reichel has played a pivotal role in preserving and revitalizing Hawaiian language and customs through his art. Songs like “Kawaipunahele” and “E O Mai” showcase his hauntingly beautiful voice and deep reverence for his ancestry. His albums have topped world music charts, but it’s his commitment to authenticity that has made him a cultural icon in and beyond Hawaii. 7. **Anuhea** Anuhea Jenkins, known simply as Anuhea, brings a fresh, modern voice to Hawaiian music. With her blend of reggae-pop, island soul, and heartfelt songwriting, she’s carved out a niche that feels both island-grown and globally appealing. Her breakout track “Simple Love Song” introduced her as a relatable storyteller with a breezy, effortless vocal style. Raised on Maui, Anuhea draws inspiration from her Hawaiian roots while embracing contemporary influences—from acoustic pop to R&B. Her music is personal, empowering, and always infused with aloha, making her a favorite among younger audiences and longtime fans alike. 8. **Makana** Makana is a virtuoso of slack-key guitar, channeling centuries of Hawaiian tradition through his fingers while pushing boundaries with bold, modern themes. Often described as a “slack-key rebel,” he infuses his instrumentals and vocals with a fiery passion rarely seen in the genre. Beyond his technical prowess, Makana is known for using his music as a platform for political and social commentary, particularly around Hawaiian sovereignty and environmental issues. His performances are both meditative and electrifying, offering a unique fusion of ancient sounds and contemporary urgency that captivates audiences around the world. 9. **Jake Shimabukuro** Jake Shimabukuro has redefined what the ukulele can do. Hailing from Honolulu, he gained international fame with his virtuosic rendition of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” turning the humble uke into a powerhouse of expression. Jake’s genre-defying style blends jazz, blues, classical, and rock, often leaving audiences in awe of his speed, precision, and emotion. He’s collaborated with artists across the musical spectrum and continues to innovate with each release. Shimabukuro’s artistry has elevated the ukulele from a novelty to a serious musical instrument, earning him a place among the world’s elite instrumentalists. 10. **Amy H?naiali?i Gilliom** Amy H?naiali?i Gilliom is a vocal powerhouse and one of Hawaii’s most respected female artists. Known for her mastery of leo ki?eki?e (Hawaiian falsetto), she has earned multiple N? H?k? Hanohano Awards and Grammy nominations. Her music seamlessly blends traditional Hawaiian elements with jazz and classical influences, creating a rich, emotional soundscape that honors her roots while embracing innovation. Amy’s commanding presence and passionate performances have made her a staple in the Hawaiian music scene and a powerful ambassador of island culture on the global stage. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=10%20Famous%20Singers%20from%20Hawaii&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=10%20Famous%20Singers%20from%20Hawaii%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=10%20Famous%20Singers%20from%20Hawaii&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=10%20Famous%20Singers%20from%20Hawaii%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=10%20Famous%20Singers%20from%20Hawaii%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Music, Singers **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Famous, #Hawaii, #Singers --- ### [BetteBack June 23, 1978: After The Rose Bette Midler Wants To Flex Her Comedic Chops](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/12/betteback-june-23-1978-after-the-rose-bette-midler-wants-to-flex-her-comedic-chops/) **Published:** April 12, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** After Bette Midler finishes The Rose, she wants to try out her comedic chops. **Content:** --- **Marietta Journal June 23, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2025-03-28_12-40-21.png "2025-03-28_12-40-21 - bootleg betty") [![2017-04-15_3-52-06](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-52-06-440x600.png "2017-04-15_3-52-06 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70410) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20June%2023%2C%201978%3A%20After%20The%20Rose%20Bette%20Midler%20Wants%20To%20Flex%20Her%20Comedic%20Chops&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20June%2023%2C%201978%3A%20After%20The%20Rose%20Bette%20Midler%20Wants%20To%20Flex%20Her%20Comedic%20Chops%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20June%2023%2C%201978%3A%20After%20The%20Rose%20Bette%20Midler%20Wants%20To%20Flex%20Her%20Comedic%20Chops&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20June%2023%2C%201978%3A%20After%20The%20Rose%20Bette%20Midler%20Wants%20To%20Flex%20Her%20Comedic%20Chops%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20June%2023%2C%201978%3A%20After%20The%20Rose%20Bette%20Midler%20Wants%20To%20Flex%20Her%20Comedic%20Chops%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Movies, #StrikeANDHyde, #TheRose --- ### [BetteBack June 29, 1978: Singer Bette Midler Graduates To The Big Screen](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/11/betteback-june-29-1978-singer-bette-midler-graduates-to-the-big-screen/) **Published:** April 11, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** The Rose set mirrors the carefully managed career of Bette Midler, Serious discipline with a dash of improvisation. **Content:** --- **Advocate June 29, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/469202471_1015633577274376_5977152956390238722_n.jpg "469202471_1015633577274376_5977152956390238722_n - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-04-17_4-27-05](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-17_4-27-05-446x600.png "2017-04-17_4-27-05 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70444) [![2017-04-17_4-27-48](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-17_4-27-48-440x600.png "2017-04-17_4-27-48 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70445) [![2017-04-17_4-28-33](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-17_4-28-33-450x567.png "2017-04-17_4-28-33 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70446) [![2017-04-17_4-29-09](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-17_4-29-09-450x533.png "2017-04-17_4-29-09 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70447) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20June%2029%2C%201978%3A%20Singer%20Bette%20Midler%20Graduates%20To%20The%20Big%20Screen&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20June%2029%2C%201978%3A%20Singer%20Bette%20Midler%20Graduates%20To%20The%20Big%20Screen%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20June%2029%2C%201978%3A%20Singer%20Bette%20Midler%20Graduates%20To%20The%20Big%20Screen&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20June%2029%2C%201978%3A%20Singer%20Bette%20Midler%20Graduates%20To%20The%20Big%20Screen%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20June%2029%2C%201978%3A%20Singer%20Bette%20Midler%20Graduates%20To%20The%20Big%20Screen%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteHeads, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #BigScreen, #Discipline, #Graduates, #Improvisation, #mirrors, #Movies, #Screen, #TheRose --- ### [Bette Midler: “Divine Struggle in Showbiz”](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/11/bette-midler-divine-struggle-in-showbiz/) **Published:** April 11, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler has been in the entertainment world for over 50 years. She is known for her acting, singing, and comedy. With more than 15 million albums sold, she has made a big impact. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on December 1, 1945, she has won many awards. **Content:** --- ## TidBiz Bette Midler: “Divine Struggle in Showbiz” By Alex Davis March 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-01-08_20-44-37.png "2025-01-08_20-44-37 - bootleg betty")[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theindustry.biz%2Fbette-midler-divine-struggle-in-showbiz%2F) [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theindustry.biz%2Fbette-midler-divine-struggle-in-showbiz%2F)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Bette+Midler%3A+%E2%80%9CDivine+Struggle+in+Showbiz%E2%80%9D&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theindustry.biz%2Fbette-midler-divine-struggle-in-showbiz%2F&via=The+Industry+Dot+Biz)[](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.theindustry.biz/bette-midler-divine-struggle-in-showbiz/&media=https://www.theindustry.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Bette-Midler.jpg&description=Bette+Midler%3A+%E2%80%9CDivine+Struggle+in+Showbiz%E2%80%9D)[](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette+Midler%3A+%E2%80%9CDivine+Struggle+in+Showbiz%E2%80%9D%20%0A%0A%20https://www.theindustry.biz/bette-midler-divine-struggle-in-showbiz/)**Bette Midler** has been in the entertainment world for over 50 years. She is known for her acting, singing, and comedy. With more than 15 million albums sold, she has made a big impact. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on December 1, 1945, she has won many **awards**. Her first album, “The **Divine Miss M**,” came out in November 1972. Her second album, “Bette Midler,” was released in November 1973. Her unique voice and lively performances have earned her a lot of fans. Critics have praised her, giving her albums high ratings. Midler has also been recognized for her acting and comedy. She was nominated for an Academy Award for “The Rose” (1979). With her talent in many areas, she continues to entertain and inspire. **Bette Midler** is a true legend in the entertainment world. ## Introduction to Bette Midler’s Career ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/9-bette-midler-concert-photos.jpg "9-bette-midler-concert-photos - bootleg betty")**Bette Midler** has been in the entertainment world for over 50 years. She’s known for her roles in “Hawaii” and “The Rose.” Born on December 1, 1945, in Honolulu, Hawaii, she started her career in off-off-Broadway plays. She then moved to Broadway, performing in Fiddler on the Roof and Salvation. Her career is filled with iconic moments and **awards**. Midler has won 14 major *awards* like 4 Golden Globes, 3 Grammys, and 3 Emmys. Her *biography* shows her hard work and dedication. It’s a story of success and milestones. ### Early Life and Influences Midler’s early life and influences shaped her career. She began performing in New York City in the 1960s. This helped her find her unique style and voice. ### Breakthrough Moment in Entertainment Her big moment came with “The Rose.” It brought her critical praise and many *awards*. This film started her successful career in film, TV, and music. ## The Diverse Talents of Bette Midler ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/bettemidlermermaid.gif "Bettemidlermermaid - bootleg betty")Bette Midler, known as the *Divine Miss M*, has shown her talents in music, film, and theater. She has been in the industry for over fifty years. She has released 14 studio albums, selling over 30 million records worldwide. Her **concerts** are famous for her powerful voice and captivating stage presence. She has received many **awards** for her [discography](https://www.theindustry.biz/keke-wyatt/). Midler’s acting career is also impressive. She has starred in films like “The Rose” and theater productions like “Hello, Dolly!”. Her performances are known for their emotional depth and comedic timing. She has inspired many with her unique blend of music, comedy, and drama. This has made her a versatile and talented artist. Midler has shown her ability to adapt and evolve throughout her career. She has taken on many different roles and projects. From her early days as a **singer** to her current status as a legendary performer, she has always sought new challenges. As a result, she has a devoted fan base and the respect of her peers. She has cemented her place as one of the most talented and enduring artists of our time. ## Bette Midler’s Signature Style ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/3-bette-midler-concert-photos-1.jpg "3-bette-midler-concert-photos - bootleg betty")Bette Midler’s shows are always high energy. She has won many awards for her work in film, TV, and theater. Her style mixes Vegas, Catskills, and Broadway, making her unique. Her movies like “The Rose,” “Beaches,” and “The First Wives Club” show her range. This versatility makes her stand out. Midler’s outfits are a big part of her style. She loves drama and humor in her fashion. Her awards, including three Grammys and two Oscar noms, prove her talent. As a **comedian**, she connects with people. Her work has made a big impact on the entertainment world. ### Unique Performance Aesthetic Midler’s shows mix high notes and ballads, showing her vocal range. Her dance moves, even for younger performers, are impressive. She updated her songs to include “You Don’t Own Me.” She talked about the film’s success, over $100 million at the box office. The audience gave her multiple standing ovations. It’s clear her style still captivates people. ### Wardrobe Choices that Defined an Era Midler’s outfits are bold and eye-catching, showing her personality. As a **comedian** and **actress**, her clothes connect with her audience. Her style has inspired many, making her a true icon. ## The Impact of Bette Midler on Pop Culture ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-07_13-57-16.png "2025-04-07_13-57-16 - bootleg betty")Bette Midler, a famous *singer* and *actress*, has made a big impact on entertainment. She has inspired many women in the industry. Her career, spanning over 50 years, has made her a beloved icon in pop culture. Midler’s career has opened doors for future generations of women in entertainment. Her roles in movies like “Hocus Pocus” and “Beaches” are unforgettable. These roles have made her a talented *actress* in the eyes of many. ### Influence on Female Entertainers As a *singer*, Bette Midler has released 14 studio albums, selling over 30 million records worldwide. Her music has won her 7 Grammy Awards. Her talent and dedication have made a big impact on the music industry. Midler’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of entertainers. Her influence can be seen in many parts of popular culture. As a true icon, Bette Midler remains a celebrated *actress* and *singer*, leaving a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. ## Challenges Faced in the Industry ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/9d9a9392cfb6f820f24e1ae42d1db4b0.jpg "9d9a9392cfb6f820f24e1ae42d1db4b0 - bootleg betty")Bette Midler is a famous **comedian** and **actress**. She has talked about the tough times she faced in show business. Her long career shows her strength and will to keep going. As a comedian, Midler had to deal with harsh criticism and balancing work and life. *She has been open about her mental health struggles and the stress of live performances*. Yet, she stayed true to her passion, inspiring many fans. ### Navigating Public Scrutiny Midler’s story shows even stars face career hurdles. Her talent and hard work shine through her **filmography** and **biography**. She continues to entertain and inspire, leaving a mark in the industry. ### Balancing Personal Life and Career Midler’s journey teaches us about perseverance and hard work. Her career and legacy inspire future comedians and actresses. ## Musical Contributions and Achievements ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2016-08-14_5-17-37.png "2016-08-14_5-17-37 - bootleg betty")Bette Midler, known as the **Divine Miss M**, has greatly impacted the music world. She has been active for over 40 years, releasing 14 albums. Her first album, *The Divine Miss M*, was a huge success, reaching Platinum status and hitting #9 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart. Midler’s music shows her talent and range, with hits like “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “From A Distance” topping the charts. Her live shows, such as *The Showgirl Must Go On*, have received rave reviews. This Vegas show alone has had over 200 performances, seen by more than 500,000 people in just two years. Midler has won many awards for her work, including four Grammy Awards, three Emmy Awards, and a special Tony Award. Her lasting impact on music and performance continues to inspire and influence many. ## Bette Midler’s Philanthropic Efforts ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/6-25-2011-7-22-31-AM.jpg "6-25-2011-7-22-31-am - bootleg betty")Bette Midler is a famous *actress*, *singer*, and *comedian*. She has given a lot to charity. Her work on screen shows her talent, but her off-screen efforts have made a big difference. Midler fights for health and the environment. She uses her fame to help others know about these issues. She supports groups like the Audubon Society and Habitat for Humanity, showing her dedication to helping others. She also stands up for the LGBTQ+ community. Midler believes in equality and being inclusive. Her work has earned her respect and admiration from many, proving she’s a caring *actress* and *singer*. ### Advocacy for Health and Environment Midler’s charity work focuses on health and the environment. She works hard to raise awareness and support for these causes. Her efforts inspire others to make a difference too. ## The Evolution of Bette Midler’s Persona ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/7-3-2011-12-15-48-AM.jpg "7-3-2011-12-15-48-am - bootleg betty")Bette Midler’s career has seen many changes, as shown in her *biography*. She started as a young **singer** and grew into a legendary performer. Her ability to change with the times has helped her win many *awards*. Over the years, Midler’s *persona* has changed a lot. She’s known for her iconic roles in “The Rose” and her hit Broadway shows. Her work has earned her a Tony Award, an Emmy Award, and a Kennedy Center Honor. Bette Midler has always connected with her audience through her performances. Her *biography* shows her dedication to her craft. Her many *awards* prove her hard work and perseverance. She remains a legend in the entertainment world, inspiring and captivating fans with her talent and *persona*. ## Collaborations and Partnerships ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AS_MUS048.jpg "Tom waits & bette midler - bootleg betty")American singer songwriter musician tom waits performing on stage with bette midler at the troubadour in los angeles california on september 17 1977Bette Midler has worked with many artists, showing her talent and versatility. As a [comedian](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/bob-dylan-bette-midler-buckets-of-rain-1109825/) and **singer**, she has made a wide range of music and movies. Her work is diverse and extensive, thanks to her collaborations. One highlight is her work with Bob Dylan. This shows her skill in mixing different styles and genres. Her acting career is also impressive, with many iconic roles that show her talent and range. Midler’s work has not only shown her talent but also her ability to unite people. Like [Kevin Hart](https://www.theindustry.biz/kevin-harts-impact-on-comedy-and-culture-unveiled/), she has made a big impact in the entertainment world. Her collaborations have left a lasting legacy, inspiring future performers. ## Recent Projects and Future Endeavors ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/7-21-2011-6-10-24-PM.jpg "7-21-2011-6-10-24-pm - bootleg betty")Bette Midler is a famous *actress*, *singer*, and *comedian*. She keeps busy in the entertainment world. Her latest project, “The Fabulous Four,” stars Susan Sarandon, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Megan Mullally. It highlights female friendships and stories. As a [dedicated philanthropist](https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts/the-new-york-restoration-project-has-made-good-on-its-green-space-promise-1.26195), Bette Midler supports many causes. She founded the New York Restoration Project in 1995. It aims to improve parks and gardens in New York City. Her work shows her commitment to helping others. Bette Midler has been in the business for over 50 years. She has won many awards, including Grammys, Golden Globes, Emmys, and a Tony. Her music, like “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” has topped the charts. She keeps creating and inspiring, always ready for the next challenge. ## Conclusion: Bette Midler’s Legacy in Showbiz ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/7-15-2011-12-35-11-AM.jpg "7-15-2011-12-35-11-am - bootleg betty")Bette Midler has been a shining star in showbiz for over 50 years. Born on December 1, 1945, she has made a huge impact. Her work in music and movies has won her many awards, showing her talent and lasting influence. Her music, like “The **Divine Miss M**,” has hit the top charts. Her live shows are always a hit. Midler has also used her fame to help causes like saving the environment and supporting LGBTQ+ rights. This makes her more than just a performer; she’s a true icon. As she keeps creating and exploring new things, Bette Midler’s legacy will keep growing. Her work will continue to inspire and entertain fans for many years. ## Source Links - [Bette Midler | Actress, Producer, Writer](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000541/) - [Bette Midler](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/bette_midler) - [Bette Midler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler) - [Bette Midler | Biography, Music, Movies, & Facts | Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bette-Midler) - [Bette Midler: An Overview – Bootleg Betty](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/03/19/bette-midler-an-overview/) - [Bette Midler Brings Her Best to “Hello, Dolly!”](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/01/bette-midler-brings-her-best-to-hello-dolly) - [Bette Midler](http://www.weinerelementary.org/bette-midler.html) - [Bette Midler reveals ‘the greatest thing’ she ever did in emotional interview with Hoda](https://www.today.com/popculture/movies/bette-midler-hoda-kotb-interview-rcna161310) - [Bette Midler](https://variety.com/1996/music/reviews/bette-midler-2-1117436981/) - [Bette Midler](https://ultimatepopculture.fandom.com/wiki/Bette_Midler) - [The Big Lookback: Bette Midler](https://robertchristgau.substack.com/p/the-big-lookback-bette-midler) - [Interview with Kevin Winkler (On Bette Midler) – BroadwayRadioPrograms.com](https://broadwayradioprograms.com/2024/06/interview-with-kevin-winkler-on-bette-midler/) - [Emma Brockes interviews Bette Midler](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/sep/19/celebrity) - [The untold truth of Bette Midler – Bootleg Betty](https://bootlegbetty.com/2020/07/07/the-untold-truth-of-bette-midler/) - [Bette Midler on Her Life of Raunch and Rock ‘n’ Roll: “I Had Such Fun”](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/bette-midler-interview-career-life-1235961854/) - [Bette Midler | Songwriters Hall of Fame](https://www.songhall.org/awards/winner/bette_midler) - [Bette Midler: Awards and Nominations](https://bootlegbetty.com/awardsandnominations.htm) - [Bette Midler Fast Facts | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2016/01/26/us/bette-midler-fast-facts/index.html) - [Spotlight: Bette Midler’s Charity Work – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/news/ni62458413/) - [Bette Midler, founder of NYRP, to receive Rockefeller Foundation Award – The Corps Network](https://corpsnetwork.org/bette-midler-founder-of-nyrp-to-receive-rockefeller-foundation-award-2-2/) - [In Early Memoir, Bette Midler Adorned The Truth In Sequins](https://www.npr.org/2014/04/01/297315013/the-divine-miss-ms-view-from-abroad) - [‘On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide’ by Kevin Walker (Oxford Univ. Press, 2024) — Onstage NTX](https://www.onstagentx.com/pages-from-the-arts/on-bette-midler-an-opinionated-guide-by-kevin-walker-oxford-univ-press-2024) - [Gardening Musicians](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/musical-odd-couples-bette-midler-and-50-cent-working-on-same-project) - [Bette Midler – D23](https://d23.com/walt-disney-legend/bette-midler/) - [Bette Midler, Susan Sarandon and Sheryl Lee Ralph of ‘The Fabulous Four’ cherish longtime friends – WTOP News](https://wtop.com/life-style/2024/07/bette-midler-susan-sarandon-and-sheryl-lee-ralph-of-the-fabulous-four-cherish-longtime-friends/) - [Bette Midler: A Perplexing Paragon of Prosperity – Bootleg Betty](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/02/18/bette-midler-a-perplexing-paragon-of-prosperity/) - [Bette Midler – News – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000541/news/) - [Bette Midler: A Timeless Icon – Bootleg Betty](https://bootlegbetty.com/2024/02/12/bette-midler-a-timeless-icon/) - [Bette Midler | Encyclopedia.com](https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/bette-midler) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%3A%20%E2%80%9CDivine%20Struggle%20in%20Showbiz%E2%80%9D&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20%E2%80%9CDivine%20Struggle%20in%20Showbiz%E2%80%9D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20%E2%80%9CDivine%20Struggle%20in%20Showbiz%E2%80%9D&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20%E2%80%9CDivine%20Struggle%20in%20Showbiz%E2%80%9D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%3A%20%E2%80%9CDivine%20Struggle%20in%20Showbiz%E2%80%9D%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, The Divine Miss M **Tags:** #Acting, #BetteMidler, #Broadway, #Comedy, #Entertainer, #Singing, #thedivinemissm --- ### [Bette Midler Gave Graydon Carter His Favorite Book As A Gift](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/11/bette-midler-gave-graydon-carter-his-favorite-book-as-a-gift/) **Published:** April 11, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Graydon Carter Thinks ‘Hollywood Wives’ Waylaid His Magazine Career, He bounced back big time with editorships at Spy and Vanity Fair, a glamorous life he details in a new memoir. **Content:** --- ## New York Times Bette Midler Gave Graydon Carter His Favorite Book As A Gift By Scott Heller April 11, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-03-27_03-20-07.png "2025-03-27_03-20-07 - bootleg betty") --- [**Graydon Carter**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graydon_Carter) Thinks ‘Hollywood Wives’ Waylaid His Magazine Career, He bounced back big time with editorships at Spy and Vanity Fair, a glamorous life he details in a new memoir. **What books are on your nightstand?** A lot of mysteries and late-20th-century histories. I just finished “Naples ’44,” by Norman Lewis. I’m in the middle of Joseph O’Connor’s [“The Ghosts of Rome.”](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/books/review/joseph-oconnor-ghosts-of-rome.html) **Describe your ideal reading experience.** Any time I’m traveling — but not while I’m driving. Planes and trains always. And just before cocktail hour at the end of the day. **What’s the best book you’ve ever received as a gift?** Easy. [**“Queer People,”**](https://www.amazon.com/Queer-People-Lost-American-Fiction/dp/0809307847) by Carroll and Garrett Graham. [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-and-concerts/) gave it to me, and it was a complete revelation. It’s about as funny and as clever as anything I’ve ever read. **What’s your favorite book no one else has heard of?** That’s also easy. “Angel Pavement,” by J.B. Priestley. It’s a story about Depression-era London as told through the eyes of the employees of a small company. It moved me immensely when I first read it, about 40 years ago. **What’s the last great book you read?** I did love William Boyd’s new book, “Gabriel’s Moon.” And Gay Talese’s collection of journalism, [“A Town Without Time.”](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/books/review/gay-talese-town-without-time-new-york-city.html) Both first-rate and memorable. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Gave%20Graydon%20Carter%20His%20Favorite%20Book%20As%20A%20Gift&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Gave%20Graydon%20Carter%20His%20Favorite%20Book%20As%20A%20Gift%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Gave%20Graydon%20Carter%20His%20Favorite%20Book%20As%20A%20Gift&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Gave%20Graydon%20Carter%20His%20Favorite%20Book%20As%20A%20Gift%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Gave%20Graydon%20Carter%20His%20Favorite%20Book%20As%20A%20Gift%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Books, #GraydonCarter, #QueerPeople, #Spy, #VanityFair --- ### [Arsenio Hall: Pretty Legs And Great Big Knockers And Interview Video](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/11/arsenio-hall-pretty-legs-and-great-big-knockers-and-interview-video/) **Published:** April 11, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show in December 1991, where she performed "Pretty Legs (And Great Big Knockers)," a cheeky, satirical song that played into her campy persona, poking fun at showbiz's obsession with appearances. **Content:** --- ## You Tube Arsenio Hall: Pretty Legs And Great Big Knockers And Interview Video By Mister D April 11, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-11_05-37-50.png "2025-04-11_05-37-50 - bootleg betty") --- **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/about-bootleg-betty/)** appeared on The [**Arsenio Hall Show**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Arsenio_Hall_Show) in December 1991, where she performed “Pretty Legs (And Great Big Knockers),” a cheeky, satirical song that played into her campy persona, poking fun at showbiz’s obsession with appearances. She also delivered some of her classic “Soph” jokes, keeping the audience roaring. She also sang “Every Road Leads Back to You” and “From a Distance,” highlighting her vocal range and emotional depth. These performances captured Midler’s ability to balance bawdy comedy with heartfelt moments, making her a standout guest on Arsenio’s hip, late-night stage. Her chemistry with Hall’s laid-back vibe always made for lively, memorable TV. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Arsenio%20Hall%3A%20Pretty%20Legs%20And%20Great%20Big%20Knockers%20And%20Interview%20Video&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Arsenio%20Hall%3A%20Pretty%20Legs%20And%20Great%20Big%20Knockers%20And%20Interview%20Video%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Arsenio%20Hall%3A%20Pretty%20Legs%20And%20Great%20Big%20Knockers%20And%20Interview%20Video&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Arsenio%20Hall%3A%20Pretty%20Legs%20And%20Great%20Big%20Knockers%20And%20Interview%20Video%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Arsenio%20Hall%3A%20Pretty%20Legs%20And%20Great%20Big%20Knockers%20And%20Interview%20Video%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Television, Video, Videos **Tags:** #ArsenioHall, #BetteMidler, #GreatBigKnockers, #PrettyLegs, #Video --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings Ukelele Lady in Diva Las Vegas](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/10/video-bette-midler-sings-ukelele-lady-in-diva-las-vegas/) **Published:** April 10, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performed "Ukulele Lady" during her Diva Las Vegas show, which was a fabulous 1997 HBO special filmed at the MGM Grand. **Content:** --- ## Life As A Harlette Video: Bette Midler Sings Ukelele Lady in Diva Las Vegas By The Harlettes April 10, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sddefault.jpg "Sddefault - bootleg betty")--- **[Bette Midler](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/)** performed **“[Ukulele Lady](https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/288476)”** during her Diva Las Vegas show, which was a fabulous 1997 HBO special filmed at the MGM Grand. She brought her signature charm and theatrical flair to the stage, and that song—a playful classic originally from the 1920s—fit perfectly into her campy, nostalgic vibe. If you’re picturing her strumming away with those big, bold energy moments, it’s definitely a highlight from that iconic performance! Anything specific you love about it? --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Ukelele%20Lady%20in%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Ukelele%20Lady%20in%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Ukelele%20Lady%20in%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Ukelele%20Lady%20in%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Ukelele%20Lady%20in%20Diva%20Las%20Vegas%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, concerts, Diva Las vegas, harlettes, Video, Videos **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Concerts, #DivaLasVegas, #Harlettes, #UkeleleLady --- ### [Video: "The Lottery"](https://bootlegbetty.com/2010/05/06/video-the-lottery/) **Published:** May 6, 2010 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** “The Lottery” was a film made in 1989 starring [Bette Midler](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000541/ "Bette Midler") and directed by [Gary Marshall](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005190/ "Garry Marshall") (he’s the gray haired owner of the [baseball](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball "Baseball") in team in the [movie](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film "Film") [A League of Their Own](http://anyclip.com/a-league-of-their-own "A League of Their Own")). In the film, [Bette](http://www.amazon.com/Bette-Midler/dp/B00004YNDV%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Dzemanta-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00004YNDV "Bette")‘s character is a singing instructor who suddenly wins the lottery but quickly loses the ticket and tries to chase it down. It was a film that was just a few minutes long, but it was featured as part of the old Backlot Tour attraction where guests would see the film and then be shown how [stunt work](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stunt "Stunt"), body doubles and movie sets were used to produce the film. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20%22The%20Lottery%22&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20%22The%20Lottery%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20%22The%20Lottery%22&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20%22The%20Lottery%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20%22The%20Lottery%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** General **Tags:** Baseball, bette, Bette Midler, League of Their Own, Recreation and Sports, Sports, United States, Yoko Ono --- ### [BetteBack June 23, 1978: The Ultimate Broadway Baby Goes Hollywood](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/10/betteback-june-23-1978-the-ultimate-broadway-baby-goes-hollywood/) **Published:** April 10, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler, Aaron Russo, Mark Rydell, talk about her looks, work ethic, Streisand, Minnelli, her energy and impulsiveness on The Rose **Content:** --- **Evening Star** **June 23, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1920x-1024x552.webp "1920x - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-04-15_3-06-03](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-06-03-450x311.png "2017-04-15_3-06-03 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70391) [![2017-04-15_3-09-28](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-09-28-450x332.png "2017-04-15_3-09-28 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70392) [![2017-04-15_3-10-58](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-10-58-450x394.png "2017-04-15_3-10-58 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70393) [![2017-04-15_3-11-37](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-11-37-450x42.png "2017-04-15_3-11-37 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70394) [![2017-04-15_3-13-02](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-13-02-450x339.png "2017-04-15_3-13-02 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70395) [![2017-04-15_3-14-04](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-14-04-450x82.png "2017-04-15_3-14-04 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70396) [![2017-04-15_3-15-57](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-15-57-450x350.png "2017-04-15_3-15-57 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70397) [![2017-04-15_3-16-45](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-16-45-450x503.png "2017-04-15_3-16-45 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70398) [![2017-04-15_3-17-43](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-17-43-450x556.png "2017-04-15_3-17-43 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70399) [![2017-04-15_3-19-00](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-19-00-450x487.png "2017-04-15_3-19-00 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70400) [![2017-04-15_3-19-40](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-19-40-450x512.png "2017-04-15_3-19-40 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70401) [![2017-04-15_3-20-40](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-20-40-450x537.png "2017-04-15_3-20-40 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70402) [![2017-04-15_3-21-45](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-21-45-450x250.png "2017-04-15_3-21-45 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70403) [![2017-04-15_3-23-25](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-23-25-450x500.png "2017-04-15_3-23-25 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70404) [![2017-04-15_3-25-42](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-15_3-25-42-450x338.png "2017-04-15_3-25-42 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70405) --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20June%2023%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20Broadway%20Baby%20Goes%20Hollywood&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20June%2023%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20Broadway%20Baby%20Goes%20Hollywood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20June%2023%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20Broadway%20Baby%20Goes%20Hollywood&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20June%2023%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20Broadway%20Baby%20Goes%20Hollywood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20June%2023%2C%201978%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20Broadway%20Baby%20Goes%20Hollywood%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Aaron Russo, Bette Midler, the Rose **Tags:** #AaronRusso, #BetteMidler, #MarkRydell, #Streisand, #TheRose --- ### [BetteBack June 4, 1978: Does Bette Midler Have A Good Head For Business?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/10/betteback-june-4-1978-does-bette-midler-have-a-good-head-for-business/) **Published:** April 10, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Does Bette Midler have a good head on her shoulders for money? You bet! **Content:** --- **Seattle Daily Times June 4, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/bette-midler-jack-mitchell.jpg "Bette-midler-jack-mitchell - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-04-14_3-33-09](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-14_3-33-09-450x202.png "2017-04-14_3-33-09 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70351) [![2017-04-14_3-33-51](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-14_3-33-51-450x391.png "2017-04-14_3-33-51 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70352) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20June%204%2C%201978%3A%20Does%20Bette%20Midler%20Have%20A%20Good%20Head%20For%20Business%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20June%204%2C%201978%3A%20Does%20Bette%20Midler%20Have%20A%20Good%20Head%20For%20Business%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20June%204%2C%201978%3A%20Does%20Bette%20Midler%20Have%20A%20Good%20Head%20For%20Business%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20June%204%2C%201978%3A%20Does%20Bette%20Midler%20Have%20A%20Good%20Head%20For%20Business%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20June%204%2C%201978%3A%20Does%20Bette%20Midler%20Have%20A%20Good%20Head%20For%20Business%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack **Tags:** #Business, #Head, #Money, #Shoulders, Bette Midler --- ### [BetteBack June 18, 1978: How Bette Midler Ducks Pesky Autograph Hounds](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/08/betteback-june-18-1978-how-bette-midler-ducks-pesky-autograph-hounds/) **Published:** April 8, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Talks of how Bette Midler ducks pesky autograph hounds **Content:** --- **Arkansas Democrat** **June 18, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-03-28_12-45-33.png "2025-03-28_12-45-33 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-04-14_3-56-17](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-14_3-56-17-450x369.png "2017-04-14_3-56-17 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70360) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20June%2018%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Bette%20Midler%20Ducks%20Pesky%20Autograph%20Hounds&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20June%2018%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Bette%20Midler%20Ducks%20Pesky%20Autograph%20Hounds%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20June%2018%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Bette%20Midler%20Ducks%20Pesky%20Autograph%20Hounds&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20June%2018%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Bette%20Midler%20Ducks%20Pesky%20Autograph%20Hounds%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20June%2018%2C%201978%3A%20How%20Bette%20Midler%20Ducks%20Pesky%20Autograph%20Hounds%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack **Tags:** #Autograph, #BetteMidler, #Ducks, #Hounds --- ### [More Songs Added To The Bette Midler Karaoke Jukebox](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/08/more-songs-added-to-the-bette-midler-karaoke-jukebox/) **Published:** April 8, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** I've added 7 more songs to the Bette Midler Karaoke Jukebox. The songs added are: **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty More Songs Added To The Bette Midler Karaoke Jukebox By Mister D April 8, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/3-bette-midler-concert-photos.jpg "3-bette-midler-concert-photos - bootleg betty")--- I’ve added 7 more songs to the [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/bette-midler-bootleg-betty-jukebox/) Karaoke Jukebox. The [**songs** ](https://www.oldies.com/artist-songs/Bette-Midler.html?srsltid=AfmBOooLyWLdtrFTd6xsBmr5h2Jc_o_GHlbgoKGEODu5VMnUvB97XiZ_)added are: 1. Tell Him 2. Baby Mine 3. He’s Sure The Boy I Love 4. My One True Friend 5. White Christmas 6. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? 7. I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm Plus many more…to play and sing along: [**CLICK HERE**](https://bootlegbetty.com/karaoke-bette/) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=More%20Songs%20Added%20To%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Karaoke%20Jukebox&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=More%20Songs%20Added%20To%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Karaoke%20Jukebox%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=More%20Songs%20Added%20To%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Karaoke%20Jukebox&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=More%20Songs%20Added%20To%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Karaoke%20Jukebox%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=More%20Songs%20Added%20To%20The%20Bette%20Midler%20Karaoke%20Jukebox%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Karaoke Bette, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Jukebox, #Karaoke, #Music, #Songs --- ### [Bette Midler Celebrates National Library Day](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/06/bette-midler-celebrates-national-library-day/) **Published:** April 6, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Legendary singer and actress Bette Midler urges the Mayor to reverse the $36M libraries cut to the city’s three public library systems in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Bette Midler Celebrates National Library Day By Mister D April 6, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2023-06-30_13-51-38-1.jpg "2023-06-30_13-51-38 (1) - bootleg betty")--- ## [**Legendary**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2009/11/16/bettes-legendary-carnegie-hall-concert/) **singer and actress** Bette Midler urges the Mayor to reverse the $36M libraries cut **to the city’s three public library systems in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which must be passed by the City Council before midnight on Friday. Midler, the singer of chart-toppers such as “Wind Beneath My Wings,” said in the missive that she “does not envy” Hizzoner’s position of having to make “difficult choices” in balancing the city’s budget for the coming fiscal year. But she pleaded with Adams to spare the city’s three public library systems — the New York, Brooklyn, and Queens Public Libraries..** Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Celebrates%20National%20Library%20Day&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Celebrates%20National%20Library%20Day%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Celebrates%20National%20Library%20Day&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Celebrates%20National%20Library%20Day%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Celebrates%20National%20Library%20Day%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Books **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Books, #Library, #NationalLibraryDAY, #Read --- ### [Is Drowning Mona The Best Black Comedy Ever Made?](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/06/is-drowning-mona-the-best-black-comedy-ever-made/) **Published:** April 6, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Drowning Mona has only a 29% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics, and the audience rating is higher, 47%, but not high enough to say that people love it. However, it seems like there's some kind of mistake, because people on Reddit, for example, say they just love it. For many reasons. **Content:** --- ## This 25-Year-Old Star-Studded (Yet Underrated) Movie Is the Best Black Comedy Ever Made By Liza Arustamian April 6, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/mona.jpg "Mona - bootleg betty")--- Not the first movie that comes to mind when you hear the name of Danny DeVito, and probably not the ultimate comedy choice, but definitely a must-see. There are a lot of movies that get terrible reviews, but only a few of them are real gems that surprisingly ended up on the wrong side of services like IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes. And this 2000s black comedy with an exceptional cast is one of those few, that’s for sure. [**Drowning Mona**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/drowning-mona/) has only a 29% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics, and the audience rating is higher, 47%, but not high enough to say that people love it. However, it seems like there’s some kind of mistake, because people on [**Reddit**](https://www.reddit.com/), for example, say they just love it. For many reasons. Directed by Nick Gomez, Drowning Mona is a twisted, star-studded dark comedy that is as hilarious as it is morbid. The movie revolves around Mona Dearly, a foul-mouthed woman who seems to make the lives of everyone around her absolutely miserable. The role is played by Bette Midler, who is absolutely stunning in her portrayal of this notorious small-town woman. And when her car drives off a bridge and leaves her dead in a shallow river, the town is left to figure out whether her death was an accident or murder. And the ones who have to find that out are not the people you would ever trust a murder investigation… So the local authorities, led by the always disgruntled and sarcastic Detective Wyatt Rash, brilliantly played by Danny DeVito (it’s actually impossible to imagine anyone else in the role), soon find themselves thrown into a series of bizarre events as they try to solve the case. *“It’s a well balanced blend of dark & wacky humor, the entire cast is hilarious and it’s endlessly quotable! It presents itself as a “whodunnit?” and unravels itself as a “who wouldn’t?”, largely thanks to [**Bette Midler’s**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2020/12/16/videos-bette-midler-appears-on-the-swedish-show-nojesmaskinen-1984-for-an-interview-and-two-songs/) unhinged performance as the title character. If anything I think this movie has aged wonderfully and I personally believe if this movie had been released much later it would’ve had a more welcoming reception,” Redditor Im-Mr-Bulldopz said.* The beauty of Drowning Mona lies in its eccentric and utterly dysfunctional characters. The ensemble cast is filled with comedic heavyweights including Will Ferrell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Melissa McCarthy and more, who literally turned the most mundane scenes of the movie into comedic gold. Drowning Mona is available to stream on AppleTV+, and you can also stream the movie on Prime video until the end of April. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Is%20Drowning%20Mona%20The%20Best%20Black%20Comedy%20Ever%20Made%3F&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Is%20Drowning%20Mona%20The%20Best%20Black%20Comedy%20Ever%20Made%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Is%20Drowning%20Mona%20The%20Best%20Black%20Comedy%20Ever%20Made%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Is%20Drowning%20Mona%20The%20Best%20Black%20Comedy%20Ever%20Made%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Is%20Drowning%20Mona%20The%20Best%20Black%20Comedy%20Ever%20Made%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Comedy, Drowning Mona, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Comedy, #DannyDeVito, #DrowningMona, #Movie --- ### [Bette Midler Sells Tesla In Protest Of Elon Musk](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/05/bette-midler-sells-tesla-in-protest-of-elon-musk/) **Published:** April 5, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler is getting rid of her Tesla in protest of the car company's founder, Elon Musk. Midler ? the outspoken star of screen and stage, whose politics lean left ? shared the news with fans in an Instagram post Wednesday. **Content:** --- ## USA Today Bette Midler sells Tesla, calls it a ‘symbol of racism, greed and ignorance’ By Jay Stahl April 5, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-04_14-25-10.png "2025-04-04_14-25-10 - bootleg betty")--- [**Bette Midler** ](https://bootlegbetty.com/the-tv-series/)is getting rid of her Tesla in protest of the car company’s founder, [**Elon Musk**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk). Midler ? the outspoken star of screen and stage, whose politics lean left ? shared the news with fans in an Instagram post Wednesday. “What a joyful day!” a picture Midler posted said. “I sold my (gulp) Tesla! No longer do I have to drive a symbol of racism, greed and ignorance! Life is suddenly so much better!!” Midler’s comments were seemingly made in reference to Musk’s involvement in President Donald Trump’s second administration as the Tesla and SpaceX founder seeks to dramatically reshape American government by reducing the size and scope of federal departments and agencies. The world’s richest man has led the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. He has been the subject of frequent criticism and backlash over his efforts to slash federal jobs and cut costs at a rapid speed. Midler isn’t the only celebrity to sell or tow their Tesla car. In a Valentine’s Day Instagram post, liberal country legend Sheryl Crow ditched her Tesla. In an Instagram post, Crow is shown standing on the street while her car is towed. She waves as the Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman song “Time To Say Goodbye” plays in the background. “My parents always said… you are who you hang out with,” Crow wrote on Instagram. “There comes a time when you have to decide who you are willing to align with. So long Tesla.” Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly also made headlines when he revealed that he got rid of his Tesla vehicle in a video last month, replacing the car with a white Chevrolet Tahoe SUV. **President Donald Trump, Bette Midler have yearslong feud** Midler and President Trump have shared a yearslong feud, stretching back before Trump took office for the first time. In June 2019, Trump slammed Midler after she apologized for sharing a fake quote attributed to him in the late 1990s. “Washed up psycho @BetteMidler was forced to apologize for a statement she attributed to me that turned out to be totally fabricated by her in order to make ‘your great president’ look really bad,” he posted on Twitter, now known as X. Bette Midler, pictured in February 2023, is selling her Tesla car in an apparent response to the car company’s founder Elon Musk and his involvement in President Donald Trump’s second term. Midler and President Trump share a yearslong feud. “He certainly knew his crowd,” Midler tweeted. She deleted the tweet and apologized. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Sells%20Tesla%20In%20Protest%20Of%20Elon%20Musk&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sells%20Tesla%20In%20Protest%20Of%20Elon%20Musk%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Sells%20Tesla%20In%20Protest%20Of%20Elon%20Musk&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sells%20Tesla%20In%20Protest%20Of%20Elon%20Musk%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Sells%20Tesla%20In%20Protest%20Of%20Elon%20Musk%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Instagram **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ElonMusk, #Feud, #Tesla --- ### [Bette Midler And Cherry Blossom Trees In New York City](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/04/bette-midler-and-cherry-blossom-trees-in-new-york-city/) **Published:** April 4, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## 6 Sq Ft Bette Midler And Cherry Trees In New York City By Lidia Ryan March 28, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-03_13-36-23.png "2025-04-03_13-36-23 - bootleg betty")--- Located in Inwood along the Harlem River Greenway are 80 [**cherry blossom trees**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_blossom) planted via the MillionTreesNYC Initiative with NYC Parks in 2007. Looking over the river along the bike path, the esplanade is “the perfect place to experience cherry trees along the water without the crowds,” a spokesperson says. The New York Restoration Project was founded by [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/discography-and-concerts/). In 2015, the one millionth tree of the MillionTreesNYC Initiative was planted in the Bronx, with Midler in attendance. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Cherry%20Blossom%20Trees%20In%20New%20York%20City&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Cherry%20Blossom%20Trees%20In%20New%20York%20City%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Cherry%20Blossom%20Trees%20In%20New%20York%20City&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Cherry%20Blossom%20Trees%20In%20New%20York%20City%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20And%20Cherry%20Blossom%20Trees%20In%20New%20York%20City%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, MillionTtreesNYC, NYRP **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #CherryBlossomTrees, #NewYorkRestorationProject, #NYRP --- ### [Ten Fantasy Movies That Didn't Deserve To Bomb At The Box Office](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/04/ten-fantasy-movies-that-didnt-deserve-to-bomb-at-the-box-office/) **Published:** April 4, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** For fans of fantasy films, it can be hard to find the right ones to quench their thirst. That's because fantasy films tend to either be great or really miss the mark. **Content:** --- ## MovieWeb 10 Incredible Fantasy Films That Didn’t Deserve To Bomb at the Box Office By Chris Hachey April 2, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/3c633d08d2522425a6218a3873df6a68.jpg "3c633d08d2522425a6218a3873df6a68 - bootleg betty")--- For fans of fantasy films, it can be hard to find the right ones to quench their thirst. That’s because fantasy films tend to either be great or really miss the mark. The best fantasy films take time to set up their worlds and build up their characters’ backstories. It can be hard to get this right, and if the audience doesn’t buy in right away, it can be hard to win them over. Even though it’s an emerging genre for both TV and film, if it’s too weird, it might not grab people. However, some of the best fantasy films go on to have second lives, just like some of the characters in those movies. While a fantasy film may not hit in theaters, despite coming from reputable distributors like A24 or Studio Ghibli, it can find new life on streaming services or even on VHS or DVD back in the day. A lower box office total doesn’t mean people will never find the film. While a big debut does help, there is hope for a fantasy film to be found if it is good enough. There are plenty of examples of fantasy films missing the mark initially, but they are actually good films that people should seek out. 10 ‘Beautiful Creatures’ (2013) A gothic romance set in the Deep South may seem like an interesting idea for a movie, but audiences weren’t buying into it in 2013 when Beautiful Creatures came out. Based on the novel that was released four years prior, Beautiful Creatures focuses on Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert) and her relationship with Ethan Wate (Alden Ehrenreich). Lena’s family are casters aka witches and she will have her full powers unleashed on her 16th birthday and she’ll be pushed towards either dark or light powers. It earned $60.1M at the box office, working against a budget of somewhere between $50 and $60M, meaning it didn’t recoup its production money. But, the movie is an entertaining teen romance with some good special effects. Is it the best movie ever? No. Is it entertaining enough to stream? Yes. That’s mostly because it has an amazing cast, featuring Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum, Emma Thompson, Rachel Brosnahan, and Thomas Mann. For a lazy Sunday or a rainy Saturday, there are worse movies to watch. 9 ‘Highlander’ (1986) In the age of big fantasy and sci-fi films like The Terminator, E.T., The Thing, and more, many studios were trying to find the next big fantasy film. Highlander came out in 1986, a year that saw Top Gun, Crocodile Dundee, and Platoon as the top three films in terms of gross. It just simply couldn’t find its footing, mostly because people just didn’t buy into the plot. Set in the 16th century as well as present day, The immortal Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) must battle Clancy Brown’s The Kurgan who is trying to claim “The Prize.” Sean Connery is strangely miscast as an Egyptian immortal who teaches MacLeod swordplay and helps him get ready to battle The Kurgan. The movie only grossed $12.8M on a budget of $19M. But it found huge audiences on home video and has spawned four sequels. Nobody is quite sure what really drives this movie to be fun. It’s a bit of a mess. But the battles are clever and the 1980s nostalgia hits if you can put aside disbelief in the plot. Plus, can a movie that spawns this many side projects really be that bad? Did we mention the new reboot features Henry Cavill and is currently in production? 8 ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ (1975) When people talk about a cult film, they might very well be talking about the cult film. That would be The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Released 50 years ago, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is still in theaters today. It has the longest release of any film in history, thanks to 20th Century Fox’s policy that any of its archived movies be available to be shown in theaters at any time. Because of its cult status, theaters regularly have screenings of the film monthly. But that doesn’t mean that it was a success when it debuted. It was released in small theaters in London and the U.S. before it started being shown during midnight showcases. At that time, Fox was seeing a popularity in double feature showcases late at night and Rocky Horror found its fans through that. The movie is a musical that features Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a trans scientist who wants to create a man and bring him to life a la Dr. Frankenstein. When a couple, played by Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick, have their car break down in front of his mansion, Dr. Frank-N-Furter invites them to stay the night. What ensues can’t really be described but only seen and, if it is watched amid an audience of rabid fans singing “The Time Warp,” it is sure to be appreciated much more. 7 ‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993) While it wasn’t the biggest bomb of all time or anything like that, [**Hocus Pocus**](https://loganlibrary.org/hocus-pocus-1993-a-short-history/) only enjoyed modest success at the box office. That might have been because of what it was released against. It was released in July 1993, which probably wouldn’t happen today because it’s a movie set during Halloween and was released in July. Executives said they wanted to take advantage of kids being off for the summer, but it came out at the same time as Jurassic Park (over $1B at the box office), In the Line of Fire ($187M at the box office), The Firm ($270M at the box office) and Free Willy (over $153M at the box office.) Hocus Pocus earned a total of $53.2M at the box office (adjusted after a re-release in 2020) but it fell from the box office top 10 after two weeks because of its stiff competition. ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/MV5BYzYzMTcwNjMtZTUzMi00ZWQ2LWI3YWEtOTIwNTk4OGU5NGY0XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_-1024x555.jpg "Mv5byzyzmtcwnjmtztuzmi00zwq2lwi3ywetotiwntk4ogu5ngy0xkeyxkfqcgc@. _v1_ - bootleg betty")The film starred [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/reviews/ba_books.htm), Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters who are summoned back to Salem, Massachusetts where they had been killed for witchcraft hundreds of years prior. The film, set in current times, saw the witches from the 1600s adjusting to life in the present and trying to find souls to steal to keep them young. There are hilarious gags, terrific characters, and great performances by the three main actresses. The film became a huge hit on home media and was run yearly on The Disney Channel and ABC during Halloween. It spawned a sequel in 2022. 6 ‘The Princess Bride’ (1987) Arguably one of the most beloved fantasy fairy tales, The Princess Bride wasn’t a huge box office smash. It only grossed $30M at the box office against a $16M budget. While this isn’t exactly a flop, it had the makings of a massive hit and, in time, has become a cherished classic. 20th Century Fox messed up the marketing a bit, failing to release a trailer for the film, which minimized its broad appeal. It also advertised it as a wacky comedy rather than a fantasy film, which doesn’t do the film justice. Director Rob Reiner was upset by the marketing, but the film went onto big success through home video rentals. It is also one of the most quotable films of all time, making it one of the perfect films to watch on a sick day or just about any time you want. 5 ‘Labyrinth’ (1986) A musical starring David Bowie, directed by beloved Muppets creator Jim Henson, and executive produced by George Lucas can’t be bad, right? That is not what audiences thought when Labyrinth premiered in 1986. The film features many puppets from Henson’s production company and a script from Terry Jones from Monty Python. It’s a bit of a bizarre film that feels so ’80s to anyone who watches it. It stars Bowie as Jareth, the King of the goblins, and Jennifer Connolly as Sarah, who must traverse a labyrinth to get her baby brother back. It has become a cult classic, as kids who grew up with it have revisited it over and over again. It also became a big hit on home video, reaching a much wider audience than those that contributed to its worldwide box office gross of $34M against a $25M budget. It severely underperformed in the U.S., only taking in $12.9M. it features some incredibly magical scenes and Jim Henson’s vision and style, much of which was seen in The Dark Crystal a few years earlier, shines through. 4 ‘Zathura’ (2005) After the massive success of Jumanji in 1995, which grossed over $262M at the box office, a sequel to the film was released a decade later. Zathura: A Space Adventure came out in 2005 and was directed by Jon Favreau. It was his follow-up to Elf and the film he directed before Iron Man. The film is based on the book with the same title written by Chris Van Allsburg as a sequel to his novel, Jumanji. The movie is about two brothers who, you guessed it, find a board game. This time, instead of causing all kinds of havoc in their town, it transports their house into outer space. The movie stars Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Kristen Stewart, Dax Shepard, and Tim Robbins. The movie was met with decent reviews, as the film is a great film for a family movie night. There are plenty of cool scenes and jokes for everyone to enjoy. But it isn’t anywhere as good as the original film and it lacks the star power of someone like Robin Williams to bring audiences in. It earned $65M at the box office against a $65M budget. 3 ‘The Seventh Seal’ (1957) Widely accepted as one of the greatest fantasy films of all time, The Seventh Seal was directed by Swedish film icon Ingmar Bergman. It starred Max von Sydow as Antonius Block, a knight returning from the Crusades. He is met by Death, played by Bengt Ekerot, who challenges him to a game of chess. Antonius, realizing that Death has come for him, agrees to play and believes that the longer the game lasts, the longer he will live and this will allow him to complete any deeds he wishes to before his death. The film is heavily influenced by religion, and the eerie black-and-white shots make it a stunning achievement for the mid-1950s. However, the film only grossed $311,212 worldwide during its multiple runs, as it has been rereleased in 4K restoration for screenings over the years. It is an iconic film that deserves to be seen by film enthusiasts and fantasy fans alike. 2 ‘The Green Knight’ (2021) David Lowery is a fascinating director who has worked with Disney and has made a movie where one of the main characters hides behind a sheet the entire film. The Green Knight isn’t represented by either of those descriptions, as it is based on the 14th century poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Dev Patel plays Sir Gawain, who is the nephew of King Arthur and wants to gain valor. He agrees to battle the titular Green Knight and defeats him with the promise that a rematch will take place at Christmas. The film follows Gawain’s travels to the rematch and how fame can go to one’s head. The film, while stunningly shot by Lowery and featuring a star turn from Patel, only earned modest returns at the box office. The film grossed $20M against a $15M budget. Critics loved the film but audiences didn’t buy in. It received an average score by polled audiences of a C+. The film earned numerous award nominations as one of the best independent films of that year. 1 ‘A Monster Calls’ (2016) A movie about a child dealing with death and grief is a hard sell for any marketer. But J.A. Bayona’s A Monster Calls is a true achievement in filmmaking, as it balances tricky themes with gorgeous direction and animation. The film follows Conor, played by Lewis MacDougall, whose mother (Felicity Jones) is dying. As he watches his mother’s condition worsen, the tree outside a nearby church turns into a monster, voiced by Liam Neeson. The Monster befriends Conor while also forcing him to come to grips with his situation. It is an enrapturing and underrated film that is stunning to look at. Unfortunately, it only took in $3.7M at the U.S. box office and a total of $47.3M worldwide against a budget of $43M. MacDougall, Sigourney Weaver, who plays Conor’s grandmother, Neeson, and Jones are all excellent in the film; it should be sought out by many as the adult themes it deals with in an illuminating way are impressive. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Ten%20Fantasy%20Movies%20That%20Didn%27t%20Deserve%20To%20Bomb%20At%20The%20Box%20Office&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Ten%20Fantasy%20Movies%20That%20Didn%27t%20Deserve%20To%20Bomb%20At%20The%20Box%20Office%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Ten%20Fantasy%20Movies%20That%20Didn%27t%20Deserve%20To%20Bomb%20At%20The%20Box%20Office&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Ten%20Fantasy%20Movies%20That%20Didn%27t%20Deserve%20To%20Bomb%20At%20The%20Box%20Office%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Ten%20Fantasy%20Movies%20That%20Didn%27t%20Deserve%20To%20Bomb%20At%20The%20Box%20Office%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Bomb, #BoxOffice, #Fantasy, #HocusPocus --- ### [BetteBack August 4, 1978: A Rose Set Party Becomes A Real Party](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/03/betteback-august-4-1978-a-rose-set-party-becomes-a-real-party/) **Published:** April 3, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** A behind the scenes look at Bette Midler's The Rose. It's a party sequence that may have gotten a little wild. **Content:** --- **Advocate August 4, 1978** --- [![2017-04-27_1-54-03](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_1-54-03-450x361.png "2017-04-27_1-54-03 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70750) --- [![2017-04-27_1-36-27](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_1-36-27-450x445.png "2017-04-27_1-36-27 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70738) [![2017-04-27_1-37-07](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_1-37-07.png "2017-04-27_1-37-07 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70739) [![2017-04-27_1-37-39](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_1-37-39.png "2017-04-27_1-37-39 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70740) [![2017-04-27_1-38-06](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_1-38-06.png "2017-04-27_1-38-06 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70741) [![2017-04-27_1-39-06](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_1-39-06.png "2017-04-27_1-39-06 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70742) [![2017-04-27_1-39-37](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_1-39-37.png "2017-04-27_1-39-37 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70743) [![2017-04-27_1-40-11](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_1-40-11.png "2017-04-27_1-40-11 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70744) [![2017-04-27_1-40-54](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_1-40-54.png "2017-04-27_1-40-54 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70745) [![2017-04-27_1-41-33](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_1-41-33.png "2017-04-27_1-41-33 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70746) [![2017-04-27_1-42-13](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_1-42-13.png "2017-04-27_1-42-13 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70747) [![2017-04-27_1-42-46](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-27_1-42-46.png "2017-04-27_1-42-46 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=70748) Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20August%204%2C%201978%3A%20A%20Rose%20Set%20Party%20Becomes%20A%20Real%20Party&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20August%204%2C%201978%3A%20A%20Rose%20Set%20Party%20Becomes%20A%20Real%20Party%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20August%204%2C%201978%3A%20A%20Rose%20Set%20Party%20Becomes%20A%20Real%20Party&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20August%204%2C%201978%3A%20A%20Rose%20Set%20Party%20Becomes%20A%20Real%20Party%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20August%204%2C%201978%3A%20A%20Rose%20Set%20Party%20Becomes%20A%20Real%20Party%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Movies, the Rose **Tags:** #BehindTheScenes, #BetteMidler, #Party, #Set, #TheRose --- ### [BetteBack January 20, 1978: Bette Midler - Miss Unpredictable Part Two](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/03/betteback-january-20-1978-bette-midler-miss-unpredictable-part-two/) **Published:** April 3, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler talks about The Rose, other projects. and her singing style. **Content:** --- **Plain Dealer January 20, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-03-28_12-48-13.png "2025-03-28_12-48-13 - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-01-04_3-18-08](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_3-18-08-450x65.png "2017-01-04_3-18-08 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68605) [![2017-01-04_3-20-00](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_3-20-00-450x404.png "2017-01-04_3-20-00 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68606) [![2017-01-04_3-20-38](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_3-20-38-450x514.png "2017-01-04_3-20-38 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68607) [![2017-01-04_3-21-39](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_3-21-39-450x87.png "2017-01-04_3-21-39 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68608) [![2017-01-04_3-22-38](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_3-22-38-450x366.png "2017-01-04_3-22-38 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68609) [![2017-01-04_3-23-10](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_3-23-10-450x408.png "2017-01-04_3-23-10 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68610) [![2017-01-04_3-23-53](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_3-23-53-450x455.png "2017-01-04_3-23-53 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68611) [![2017-01-04_3-24-37](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_3-24-37-450x478.png "2017-01-04_3-24-37 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68612) [![2017-01-04_3-25-12](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_3-25-12-450x299.png "2017-01-04_3-25-12 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68613) Bette Midler, The Rose, Friends, In The Mood, Clams On The Half Shell, Aaron Russo, Peter Riegert --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20January%2020%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Miss%20Unpredictable%20Part%20Two&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20January%2020%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Miss%20Unpredictable%20Part%20Two%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20January%2020%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Miss%20Unpredictable%20Part%20Two&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20January%2020%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Miss%20Unpredictable%20Part%20Two%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20January%2020%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Miss%20Unpredictable%20Part%20Two%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, BetteBack, Music, Songs, the Rose **Tags:** #Record, #Singing, #unpredictable, $BrokenBlossom, Bette Midler --- ### [Video: Bette Midler Sings Kid Rock's Bawitdaba](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/02/video-bette-midler-sings-kid-rocks-bawitdaba/) **Published:** April 2, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler performed a humorous rendition of "Bawitdaba," originally by Kid Rock, in an episode of her short-lived 2000 sitcom, Bette. **Content:** --- ## You Tube Video: Bette Midler Sings Kid Rock’s Bawitdaba By Play TV April 2, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/hqdefault-2.jpg "Hqdefault (2) - bootleg betty")--- [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/about-bootleg-betty-2/) performed a humorous rendition of [**“Bawitdaba,”**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bawitdaba) originally by Kid Rock, in an episode of her short-lived 2000 sitcom, Bette. The show, which aired on CBS, featured Midler playing a fictionalized version of herself—a legendary entertainer navigating life in the spotlight. In the pilot episode, titled “Pilot,” which premiered on October 11, 2000, Bette’s character is feeling old and out of touch. To shake things up and reclaim her youthful energy, she decides to sing “Bawitdaba,” a high-energy nu-metal/rap-rock song from Kid Rock’s 1998 album Devil Without a Cause. The performance was played for laughs, showcasing Midler’s comedic flair and her willingness to step outside her usual musical comfort zone of ballads and show tunes. The choice of “Bawitdaba” was a stark contrast to Midler’s typical repertoire, which made it a memorable moment in the series. In the episode, her character’s attempt to connect with a younger, edgier vibe ties into the plot where she’s reacting to Danny DeVito’s announcement that he wants her to play his mother in a sitcom—a role she fears signals she’s past her prime. Midler’s version wasn’t a serious cover but rather a satirical take, emphasizing the absurdity of a Broadway and pop icon tackling a gritty, rebellious anthem known for its aggressive lyrics and mosh-pit energy. This moment has since been preserved in clips online, with fans uploading it to platforms like YouTube, where it’s often celebrated for its campy charm. While it didn’t lead to a full studio recording or become a staple in Midler’s live performances, it remains a quirky footnote in her career, blending her theatrical persona with an unexpected nod to late ’90s rock culture. --- --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Kid%20Rock%27s%20Bawitdaba&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Kid%20Rock%27s%20Bawitdaba%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Kid%20Rock%27s%20Bawitdaba&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Kid%20Rock%27s%20Bawitdaba%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Video%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20Kid%20Rock%27s%20Bawitdaba%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Bette TV Series, Television **Tags:** #Bawitdaba, #BetteMidler, #BetteTVSeries, #KidRock, #Television --- ### [BetteBack January 20, 1978: Bette Midler - Miss Unpredictable Part One](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/01/betteback-january-20-1978-bette-midler-miss-unpredictable-part-one/) **Published:** April 1, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Those inclined to describe singer comedienne Bette Midler as The Queen Of Camp may have to eat their words after completion of her film, "The Rose" **Content:** --- **[Plain Dealer](http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.5070833333,-81.6797777778&spn=0.01,0.01&q=41.5070833333,-81.6797777778 (The%20Plain%20Dealer)&t=h "The Plain Dealer") January 20, 1978** --- [![bette-midler-1978-ny-1](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Bette-Midler-1978-NY-1.jpg "Bette-midler-1978-ny-1 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68601) --- [![2017-01-04_2-51-10](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_2-51-10-450x495.png "2017-01-04_2-51-10 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68590) [![2017-01-04_2-51-44](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_2-51-44-450x485.png "2017-01-04_2-51-44 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68591) [![2017-01-04_2-52-13](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_2-52-13-450x399.png "2017-01-04_2-52-13 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68592) [![2017-01-04_2-58-11](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_2-58-11-450x500.png "2017-01-04_2-58-11 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68593) [![2017-01-04_2-58-44](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_2-58-44-450x504.png "2017-01-04_2-58-44 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68594) [![2017-01-04_2-59-20](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_2-59-20-450x414.png "2017-01-04_2-59-20 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68595) [![2017-01-04_2-59-50](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_2-59-50-450x482.png "2017-01-04_2-59-50 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68596) [![2017-01-04_3-00-20](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_3-00-20-1-450x280.png "2017-01-04_3-00-20 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68598) [![2017-01-04_3-04-29](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_3-04-29-450x514.png "2017-01-04_3-04-29 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68599) [![2017-01-04_3-05-09](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-04_3-05-09-450x459.png "2017-01-04_3-05-09 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68600) --- [Bette Midler](http://bettemidler.com/ "Bette Midler"). [Janis Joplin](http://www.last.fm/music/Janis%2BJoplin "Janis Joplin"), [Jimi Hendrix](http://www.jimihendrix.com/ "Jimi Hendrix"), [Jim Morrison](http://www.thedoors.com/ "Jim Morrison"), [Peter Riegert](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Riegert "Peter Riegert") --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20January%2020%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Miss%20Unpredictable%20Part%20One&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20January%2020%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Miss%20Unpredictable%20Part%20One%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20January%2020%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Miss%20Unpredictable%20Part%20One&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20January%2020%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Miss%20Unpredictable%20Part%20One%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20January%2020%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Miss%20Unpredictable%20Part%20One%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Songs, The Divine Miss M, the Rose **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #JanisJoplin, #Movies, #Music, #thedivinemissm, #TheRose, #unpredictable --- ### [BetteBack January 14, 1978: Bette Midler Tries To Rediscover Her Innocence](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/01/betteback-january-14-1978-bette-midler-tries-to-rediscover-her-innocence/) **Published:** April 1, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Ms. Midler has been known to let her hair down. In Fact the wild woman of the East is about knee deep in the stuff. **Content:** --- **Charleston [News and Courier](http://www.postandcourier.com/ "The Post and Courier") January 14, 1978** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_1806_58bb9cf2-ecab-4235-8c4c-9773761bb9fc.webp "Img_1806_58bb9cf2-ecab-4235-8c4c-9773761bb9fc - bootleg betty") --- [![2017-01-03_2-57-56](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-03_2-57-56-450x324.png "2017-01-03_2-57-56 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68550) [![2017-01-03_2-59-07](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-03_2-59-07-450x77.png "2017-01-03_2-59-07 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68552) [![2017-01-03_2-58-41](/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-01-03_2-58-41-450x339.png "2017-01-03_2-58-41 - bootleg betty")](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/?attachment_id=68551) --- - [![](//i.zemanta.com/376156919_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2016/11/30/betteback-april-15-1973-melissa-manchester-gets-compared-to-midler/)[BetteBack April 15, 1973: Melissa Manchester Gets Compared To Midler](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2016/11/30/betteback-april-15-1973-melissa-manchester-gets-compared-to-midler/) - [![](//i.zemanta.com/343806050_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/05/22/american-cinematheque-awards-1987/)[American Cinematheque Awards 1987](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/05/22/american-cinematheque-awards-1987/) - [![](//i.zemanta.com/361141516_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/09/07/betteback-september-16-1991-gala-raises-1-million-to-fight-aids/)[BetteBack September 16, 1991: Gala raises $1 million to fight AIDS; Bette Midler Honored](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/09/07/betteback-september-16-1991-gala-raises-1-million-to-fight-aids/) - [![](//i.zemanta.com/334264928_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/03/29/review-former-harlette-melissa-manchester-liberated-at-54-below/)[Review: Former Harlette Melissa Manchester, Liberated, at 54 Below](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/03/29/review-former-harlette-melissa-manchester-liberated-at-54-below/) - [![](//i.zemanta.com/344726792_80_80.jpg)](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/05/28/betteback-january-19-1990-bette-midler-makes-io-worst-celebrities-based-on-how-they-treat-their-fans/)[BetteBack January 19, 1990: Bette Midler Makes IO Worst Celebrities Based On How They Treat Their Fans](http://www.bootlegbetty.com/2015/05/28/betteback-january-19-1990-bette-midler-makes-io-worst-celebrities-based-on-how-they-treat-their-fans/) --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=BetteBack%20%20January%2014%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Tries%20To%20Rediscover%20Her%20Innocence&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=BetteBack%20%20January%2014%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Tries%20To%20Rediscover%20Her%20Innocence%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=BetteBack%20%20January%2014%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Tries%20To%20Rediscover%20Her%20Innocence&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=BetteBack%20%20January%2014%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Tries%20To%20Rediscover%20Her%20Innocence%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=BetteBack%20%20January%2014%2C%201978%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Tries%20To%20Rediscover%20Her%20Innocence%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Album/CD, Bette Midler, BetteBack, Music, Songs **Tags:** #BrokenBlossom, #Innocence, Bette Midler, Melissa Manchester --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler Sings "Nothing Going Down At All" From 'Scarecrow In A Garen Of Cucumbers'](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/04/01/audio-bette-midler-sings-nothing-going-down-at-all-from-scarecrow-in-a-garen-of-cucumbers/) **Published:** April 1, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Bette Midler & Mike Lincoln sing Nothing Going Down At All/Love Theme **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler Sings “Nothing Going Down At All” From ‘Scarecrow In A Garen Of Cucumbers’ Mister D April 1, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-03-28_12-49-50.png "2025-03-28_12-49-50 - bootleg betty")--- **Bette Midler & Mike Lincoln: Nothing Going Down At All/Love Theme** **Synopsis of Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers (1972)** [**Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/scarecrow-in-a-garden-of-cucumbers/) is a quirky, campy musical comedy directed by Robert J. Kaplan that follows Eve Harrington (Holly Woodlawn), an aspiring actress from Topeka, Kansas, who ventures to New York City with dreams of fame and fortune. Upon arrival, Eve encounters a colorful cast of eccentric characters as she navigates the chaotic urban landscape, searching for a roommate and a foothold in the acting world. Her journey is marked by absurdity and humor: she dodges a lecherous movie producer, Rhett Butler (also played by Woodlawn via split-screen), befriends an old acquaintance, Margo Channing (Yafa Lerner), and seeks help from Mary Poppins (Tally Brown), who runs a roommate-matching agency. Eve’s misadventures include rejecting oddball potential roommates obsessed with health food and women’s liberation, all while stumbling through a series of slapstick mishaps and surreal musical numbers. The film’s title, drawn from the biblical Epistle of Jeremiah (1:70), hints at its satirical edge, casting its characters as “cucumbers” chasing hollow idols in a modern Babylon—New York. Packed with Old Hollywood references, the movie spoofs 1930s and 1940s musical routines à la Busby Berkeley, blending lowbrow comedy with a distinctly queer sensibility. Though it faded into obscurity after its initial release, its recent restoration by the Academy Film Archive has revived this pioneering work, notable as one of the first feature films to center a trans actor. **Key Cast:** - Holly Woodlawn as Eve Harrington / Rhett Butler: A Warhol superstar and trans icon, Woodlawn delivers a comedic tour-de-force, playing both the naive heroine and her sleazy suitor using split-screen techniques. This was her first lead role outside Warhol’s productions. - Tally Brown as Mary Poppins: A fellow Warhol collaborator, Brown shines as the eccentric roommate agency operator, with a standout musical number, “The Dusty Rose Hotel,” echoing Judy Garland’s A Star Is Born. - Yafa Lerner as Margo Channing: Plays Eve’s old friend who introduces her to New York’s quirky elite. - Suzanne Skillen as Ninotchka: One of the zany characters Eve encounters. - David Margulies as Walter Milly: Another eccentric in Eve’s orbit (often listed as “Walter Mitty” in reviews, nodding to literary references). - Additional Characters: The film features a roster of names borrowed from classic cinema and literature, including Blanche DuBois, Joe Buck, Ratzo Rizzo, and Stanley Kowalski, portrayed by a supporting ensemble that adds to the film’s chaotic charm. **Notable Cameos:** - [**Bette Midler:**](https://x.com/BootlegBette) Contributes vocals to the soundtrack, including a lullaby, “Strawberries, Lilac, and Lime,” though she doesn’t appear onscreen. This marked an early career moment before her rise to fame. - Lily Tomlin: Provides a voice cameo as her iconic “Ernestine” telephone operator character, her first film involvement (though possibly not onscreen until Nashville in 1975). - Playboy Bunnies: Appear in brief cameos, as noted in a 1971 Variety item. **Crew:** - Director/Co-Producer: Robert J. Kaplan: A first-time filmmaker inspired by Robert Downey Sr., Kaplan helmed this debut feature, which was also one of only two films he made. - Co-Producer: Henry A. Alpert: A 24-year-old Wall Street financier making his sole foray into film production, with a budget of $125,000. - Screenwriter: Sandra Scoppettone: Crafted the riotous script, her only film credit. - Music: Jerry Blatt (original score) and Marshall Barer (lyrics): Created the film’s spoofy musical numbers, with some sources suggesting Barry Manilow contributed uncredited music, tied to his early work with Midler. - Cinematographer: Paul Glickman: Shot the film entirely on location in New York City (Greenwich Village, Central Park, Chelsea Hotel) in 16mm, later blown up to 35mm. - Editor: Dick Cohen: Assembled the film’s madcap pacing. **Production Notes:** Shot in 1971 and released in 1972, the film was initially distributed by New Line Cinema but struggled with poor marketing and limited reach, earning a PG rating by its Los Angeles debut. Despite its notable cast and innovative trans-led narrative, it vanished from circulation for decades until its 2022 restoration, cementing its status as a cult classic rediscovered for modern audiences. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Nothing%20Going%20Down%20At%20All%22%20From%20%27Scarecrow%20In%20A%20Garen%20Of%20Cucumbers%27&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Nothing%20Going%20Down%20At%20All%22%20From%20%27Scarecrow%20In%20A%20Garen%20Of%20Cucumbers%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Nothing%20Going%20Down%20At%20All%22%20From%20%27Scarecrow%20In%20A%20Garen%20Of%20Cucumbers%27&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Nothing%20Going%20Down%20At%20All%22%20From%20%27Scarecrow%20In%20A%20Garen%20Of%20Cucumbers%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20Sings%20%22Nothing%20Going%20Down%20At%20All%22%20From%20%27Scarecrow%20In%20A%20Garen%20Of%20Cucumbers%27%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Music, Scarecrow In A Garden Of Cucumbers, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Movie, #Musical, #Scarecrow, #ScarecrowInAGARdenOfCucumbers, #Songs --- ### [Bette Midler's Contribution To Gay Culture, 1987](https://bootlegbetty.com/2022/05/21/the-gay-decades-out-of-the-closet-and-into-the-living-room-nine-episodes-in-the-most-dramatic-cultural-assimilation-of-our-time/) **Published:** May 21, 2022 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Episode 2 - 1971: THE DIVINE MISS M For America to be made safe for androgyny, it had to be made safe for camp. "Camp is the triumph of the epicene style, **Content:** --- ## Esquire Bette Midler’s Contribution To Gay Culture, 1987 By Frank Rich November 1987 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2025-03-28_12-41-49.png "2025-03-28_12-41-49 - bootleg betty")--- ***Editor’s Note: Just thought some would like to read the episode on Bette and her contribution to the gay culture….*** An Excerpt from Frank Rich’s book in ESQUIRE MAGAZINE November, 1987, THE GAY DECADES Out of the closet and into the living room: nine episodes in the most dramatic cultural assimilation of our time. **Episode 2 – 1971:** **[**THE DIVINE MISS M**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/the-divine-miss-m/)** For America to be made safe for androgyny, it had to be made safe for camp. “[**Camp** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_(style))is the triumph of the epicene style, “Susan Sontag wrote in her groundbreaking essay “Notes on ‘Camp'” in 1964. “Homosexuals, by and large, constitute the vanguard – and the most articulate audience – of Camp.” The heterosexual majority was aware of this phenomenon, if only from observing the audience at urban revival movie houses during certain double bills (WILD STRAWBERRIES and THE SEVENTH SEAL) or from attending Judy Garland’s ritualistic comeback concerts. (At one Garland performance near the sorry end of her life, the old fans, retired couples, parted from the vociferous contingent of young male couples as completely as if Moses had parted the Red Sea.) A Ronald Fairbank sensibility flowered, too, in the funny movies Paul Morrissey directed for Andy Warhol as the 1960s drew to a close – Pictures such as TRASH and HEAT, which acted out what Sontag called camp’s “relish for the exaggeration of sexual characteristics and personality mannerism” by celebrating the beefcake of Joe Dallesandro, the transvestism of Holly Woodlawn, the cliches of B-movie Hollywood. But half the time I couldn’t figure out who wanted to sleep with whom; the films’ sexual code was as arcane as the Maria Montez allusions in THE BOYS IN THE BAND. The phenomenon that finally made camp kosher was the most unlikely one imaginable – the rise to prominence of a cabaret singer performing in a gay bathhouse, **Bette Midler**, a onetime Broadway chorus actress, billed herself as “the Divine Miss M” – a campy Mae Westism – and identified herself as “the last of the real tacky ladies” and “everything you were afraid your little girl would grow up to be – and your little boy.” In other words, Midler advertised her female characteristics, starting with her overflowing breasts, in the exaggerated way a drag queen might. (“You’re gonna like this one ‘cuz I shake my tits a lot!” she’d say, by way of introducing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”) She wielded the epithet “Bitch!” with eyelash-batting, limp-wristed abandon – a woman imitating a gay man imitating a woman. She was epicene in a cartoonish way, like Jack Benny, not in a threatening, predatory way, like Crowley’s Emory. “In the Mood,” a song that might have epitomized noxious homosexuality if sung by the boys in the band, became Top Forty pay dirt in the brassy delivery of Miss M and her backup singers, the Harlettes. Aside from her considerable talent, what permitted Midler to move beyond her cult camp following to mass acceptance may have been her attitude of full disclosure; she let us in on the joke instead of making us the butt. The vengeful note of gay anger inherent in camp was further neutralized by the open-door policy of the venue where Midler appeared. “The Tubs,” as she called the Continental Baths (situated below the Ansonia Hotel in the West Seventies), was an undisguised pleasure dome for those who habituated it – slender young men wearing white towels while waiting to swim or to engage in some less visible activity. The Baths let in heterosexual couples on weekends – a brilliant stratagem assuring that a once subterranean environment could be conferred with cachet, not to mention media coverage, from New York’s opinion makers. One simply had to go there, and on the night I did, by which time only a Midler clone was offered for entertainment, the boys were the real main attraction: they didn’t bite, as I and my companion had feared in anticipation, but instead were an attractive advertisement for healthy, polite, and free sex. Their clinical sensual glow was alluring in the manner of early Scandinavian porno movies set in doctors’ offices – particularly if you didn’t try to imagine too explicitly what these men did in the areas off limits to those of us just there for the floor show. At the same time, I wondered what they thought about all these straight people – overdressed (we didn’t want to be mistaken for the regular clientele), staring and yet pretending not to – as we slummed in their private enclave. Maybe the homosexuals were better adjusted than we had thought, for they seem to have nothing, anatomically or spiritually, to hide. The proprietor of the Continental Baths exploited this line of reasoning, appearing on television to contrast the open, unhypocritical sexual activities at his establishment to the “dishonesty” of straight singles’ bars. In the context of the early 1970s sexual revolution, the gay bath was now a hip novelty, and its acceptability was enhanced by Midler’s stardom; her crossover appeal certified the cultural validity of a sexual ghetto much as Diana Ross’s had raised the white public’s consciousness of a racial ghetto. But unlike Ross, Midler didn’t change much as she expanded her audience. The performer one gets in RUTHLESS PEOPLE is still identifiable as the Divine Miss M, yet fifteen years later no one finds it necessary to remark on the derivation of her divinity. Her latest fans, indeed, may not even know whence she came. --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Contribution%20To%20Gay%20Culture%2C%201987&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Contribution%20To%20Gay%20Culture%2C%201987%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Contribution%20To%20Gay%20Culture%2C%201987&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Contribution%20To%20Gay%20Culture%2C%201987%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%27s%20Contribution%20To%20Gay%20Culture%2C%201987%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Articles/Essays, Bette Midler, Books, GLBT **Tags:** #Camp, #FrankRich, #lgbt, #TheGayDecades, Bette Midler, The Divine Miss M --- ### [Casting Call Announces Auditions For Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular!](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/03/31/casting-call-announces-auditions-for-hocus-pocus-villain-spelltacular/) **Published:** March 31, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ## WDWNT Casting Call Announces Auditions For Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular! By Gretchen McDermid March 30, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mickeys-Not-So-Scary-Halloween-Party-2023-Hocus-Pocus-Villain-Spelltacular-16-1200x675-1-1024x576.jpg "Mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-2023-hocus-pocus-villain-spelltacular-16-1200x675 - bootleg betty")--- A new casting call posted by Disney has spoiled the return of the fan-favorite [**Hocus Pocus**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/hocus-pocus/) [**Villain Spelltacular**](https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Hocus_Pocus_Villain_Spelltacular) show for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2025. **Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular** Disney Live Entertainment’s casting call seeks dancers for “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The online submission page provides eligibility details and audition instructions. The new casting notice was posted by Disney on the official Disney Auditions page of the Disney Careers website. The description for the posting reads: *Disney Live Entertainment is seeking a variety of diverse dancers who are local to Central Florida for Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, performed at the Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, FL.* *The mischievous Sanderson Sisters from Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” return to the mortal world during the Halloween season. With only a few hours to run amuck, the three sisters use their magic to throw the best, most evil Halloween party this side of the graveyard!* *Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular will be presented exclusively during Mickey’s Not-­So-Scary Halloween Party. Event held select nights at the Magic Kingdom Park from August – October 2025. Rehearsals will begin in mid-July. Must have full availability August – October 31, 2025.* This post is for dancers who will perform during the show, though the website has a similar announcement listed for Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular vocalists. The vocalist application is specifically auditioning individuals for all three of the Sanderson Sisters, and applicants must be able to perform a physical and vocal impersonation of either Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, or Kathy Najimy. Both opportunities are allowing online audition materials and will be accepting submissions through April 11, 2015. All applicants must be at least 18 years old and authorized to work in the United States. These announcements confirm that Disney has already begun the process of preparing the Spelltacular to return for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2025. The show involves the Sanderson Sisters summoning classic Disney Villains to help with their “Party Potion” and features appearances by Oogie Boogie, Dr. Facilier, and more. The show first debuted in 2015 and has been a staple entertainment offering of the Halloween party every year since. If you want to see even more of the show, we have a complete video of a performance from 2024: Are you happy for the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular to return in 2025? Let us know in the comments. For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Casting%20Call%20Announces%20Auditions%20For%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Villain%20Spelltacular%21&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Casting%20Call%20Announces%20Auditions%20For%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Villain%20Spelltacular%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Casting%20Call%20Announces%20Auditions%20For%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Villain%20Spelltacular%21&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Casting%20Call%20Announces%20Auditions%20For%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Villain%20Spelltacular%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Casting%20Call%20Announces%20Auditions%20For%20Hocus%20Pocus%20Villain%20Spelltacular%21%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2 **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #Disney, #Halloween, #HocusPocus, #VillainSpectacular --- ### [I'm Discontinuing My Facebook Page Due To Ongoing Issues](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/03/30/im-discontinuing-my-facebook-page-due-to-ongoing-issues/) **Published:** March 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Content:** --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/0009c334-440.jpg "0009c334-440 - bootleg betty")--- I’m saying goodbye to my Facebook page due to some ongoing challenges. It’s been a mix of technical headaches and personal frustrations, and honestly, I’m just worn out! (Cue the dramatic “woe is me” moment.) I’ll miss you amazing supporters so much—it’s tough to step away—but I’m stretched thin across social media. I’m active on X, Threads, Instagram, and Blue Sky, and none of them give me the stress Facebook does. I’d love for you to join me on one of those platforms, but I totally get it if you’d rather stick with the great communities here on Facebook. Your call! To leave you with a smile, here’s a cute shot of Bette Midler (as triplets!) doing a little jig. Thanks for letting me entertain you all this time—it’s been a blast. And don’t worry, this isn’t a fake-out like my last “big farewell” (ha!). I could never quit Bette, but Facebook? That I can handle. Wishing you all the best! This keeps your playful tone while smoothing out the flow and making it a bit more professional. Let me know if you’d like any tweaks!I wish Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=I%27m%20Discontinuing%20My%20Facebook%20Page%20Due%20To%20Ongoing%20Issues&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=I%27m%20Discontinuing%20My%20Facebook%20Page%20Due%20To%20Ongoing%20Issues%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=I%27m%20Discontinuing%20My%20Facebook%20Page%20Due%20To%20Ongoing%20Issues&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=I%27m%20Discontinuing%20My%20Facebook%20Page%20Due%20To%20Ongoing%20Issues%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=I%27m%20Discontinuing%20My%20Facebook%20Page%20Due%20To%20Ongoing%20Issues%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler --- ### [Audio: Bette Midler - Get It On - From The Movie Scarecrow In A Garden Of Cucumbers (1972)](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/03/30/audio-bette-midler-get-it-on-from-the-movie-scarecrow-in-a-garden-of-cucumbers-1972/) **Published:** March 30, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** In Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers, directed by Robert J. Kaplan, Midler provided vocals for the soundtrack **Content:** --- ## Bootleg Betty Audio: Bette Midler – Get It On – From The Movie Cucumbers In A Garden Of Scarecrows (1972) By Mister D March 30, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-03-28_12-52-48.png "2025-03-28_12-52-48 - bootleg betty")--- In [**Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/scarecrow-in-a-garden-of-cucumbers/), directed by Robert J. Kaplan, Midler provided vocals for the soundtrack, which includes songs written by composer Jerry Blatt and lyricist Marshall Barer. One confirmed song she sang is “Strawberries, Lilac, and Lime,” a lullaby featured in a fantasy sequence. Another song from the film, “Get It On,” is credited to Blatt and Barer and appears in some documentation of the soundtrack, sung by [**Bette Midler**](https://www.facebook.com/bette.midler.bootlegbetty/) and Mike Lincoln. The film itself follows Eve Harrington (played by Holly Woodlawn), a small-town girl pursuing stardom in New York, with Midler’s contribution being vocal rather than an on-screen role. Her involvement is often noted alongside cameos like Lily Tomlin’s, though Midler’s presence is primarily through the music. **GET IT ON PART ONE: BETTE MIDLER & MIKE LINCOLN** Bette Midler and Mike Lincoln sing Get It On Part One behind the movie dialogue. Part Two has just the song playing, but it’s shorter than Part One. **GET IT ON PART TWO: BETTE MIDLER & MIKE LINCOLN** --- Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Get%20It%20On%20-%20From%20The%20Movie%20Scarecrow%20In%20A%20Garden%20Of%20Cucumbers%20%281972%29&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Get%20It%20On%20-%20From%20The%20Movie%20Scarecrow%20In%20A%20Garden%20Of%20Cucumbers%20%281972%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Get%20It%20On%20-%20From%20The%20Movie%20Scarecrow%20In%20A%20Garden%20Of%20Cucumbers%20%281972%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Get%20It%20On%20-%20From%20The%20Movie%20Scarecrow%20In%20A%20Garden%20Of%20Cucumbers%20%281972%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Audio%3A%20Bette%20Midler%20-%20Get%20It%20On%20-%20From%20The%20Movie%20Scarecrow%20In%20A%20Garden%20Of%20Cucumbers%20%281972%29%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Movies, Music, Scarecrow In A Garden Of Cucumbers, Songs **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #GetItOn, #Movie, #ScarecrowInAGardenOf Cucumbers, #Songs, #soundtrack --- ### [Bette Midler Appears In New Documentary, Ron Delsener (Concert Promoter) Presents](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/03/28/bette-midler-appears-in-new-documentary-ron-delsener-concert-promoter-presents/) **Published:** March 28, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Legendary New York concert promoter Ron Delsener is the subject of a new documentary about his six-decade career. **Content:** --- ## Best Classic Bands ‘Ron Delsener Presents,’ Documentary of Legendary Concert Promoter, Coming By Staff March 27, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Delsener-Vertical-Poster-576x1024.jpeg "Delsener-vertical-poster - bootleg betty")--- Legendary New York concert promoter Ron Delsener is the subject of a new documentary about his six-decade career. The feature-length film, *[**Ron Delsener Presents**](https://kslx.com/documentary-about-concert-promoter-ron-delsener-hitting-theaters-in-may/)*, is directed by Jake Sumner for RadicalMedia. Film distributor Abramorama has acquired U.S. distribution rights for the documentary which follows the city’s most influential concert promoter, a visionary who impacted the live music business. The story includes exclusive interviews with Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Paul Simon, Jimmy Buffett, Cher, Art Garfunkel, Lenny Kaye, Lorne Michaels, [**Bette Midler**](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/03/27/photo-gallery-graydon-carter-bette-midler-at-temple-emanu-el/), Gene Simmons, Patti Smith, Steve Van Zandt and many more. The film will be released in theaters across the country beginning with a weeklong engagement at NYC’s [**QUAD Cinema**](https://quadcinema.com/) on May 30, 2025, followed by multiple engagements across the tri-state (NY-NJ-CT) area and select cities nationwide. In a colorful career spanning almost sixty years, the concert promoter and impresario has been behind virtually every major contemporary music concert in New York City. From The Beatles at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, to bringing David Bowie to Carnegie Hall and Patti Smith to the Palladium, to somehow convincing Simon and Garfunkel to come back together to play the biggest concert ever in Central Park, Delsener was behind it all. The director, Sumner, said, “For generations most of the live music in New York City and most of its iconic venues were presided over by one individual and his small team, and that was Ron Delsener. Ron’s personal story tracks the tale of live music from a cottage industry to the dominant cultural force and global business it is today. He is probably one of the only living sources of the live music business’s entirety, or at least a version of it. So, we trailed Ron Delsener at concerts across the New York City area and eventually sat Ron down in a red chair at the legendary Beacon Theatre and had him tell us his story in the music business, a feat in itself given Ron’s uncontainable energy and short attention span. “The scope of Ron’s story, breadth of archival footage and source material (largely found in Ron’s basement) and personal testimonies and interviews from across the music business, spans decades and reveals a somewhat unknown history of live music. I’m thrilled that this singular New York story about never ending hustle and the power and magnetism of music and show business, is getting a theatrical release and will play in front of audiences.” *Ron Delsener Presents* is Sumner’s first feature documentary. *Ron Delsener Presents* takes audiences behind-the-curtain through the last half century of the live music business, chronicling the tactics that drove live performance from disorganized, low-fi events to international tours, arenas, and, eventually, into a global empire. Now 88 years-old, Delsener retired in 2022 from the now-multi-billion industry he helped to create. Abramorama founder Richard Abramowitz said, “During the 70s, Ron Delsener produced more memorable music in New York than anyone else, helping to form the musical tastes of a generation. There are too many to list but for a small sample consider: Bob Marley and the Wailers, Bruce Springsteen, John Prine, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, The Kinks, Richie Havens, Simon and Garfunkel, even… Benny Goodman and Ella Fitzgerald! Each show was a convening of enthusiastic music-lovers in Central Park under the stars in what felt like the center of the universe. Many thousands, maybe millions, owe Ron a huge debt of gratitude. I know I do.” Delsener and guests will be participating in multiple Q&A’s during the run at the QUAD in New York. Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Bette%20Midler%20Appears%20In%20New%20Documentary%2C%20Ron%20Delsener%20%28Concert%20Promoter%29%20Presents&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Bette%20Midler%20Appears%20In%20New%20Documentary%2C%20Ron%20Delsener%20%28Concert%20Promoter%29%20Presents%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Bette%20Midler%20Appears%20In%20New%20Documentary%2C%20Ron%20Delsener%20%28Concert%20Promoter%29%20Presents&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Bette%20Midler%20Appears%20In%20New%20Documentary%2C%20Ron%20Delsener%20%28Concert%20Promoter%29%20Presents%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Bette%20Midler%20Appears%20In%20New%20Documentary%2C%20Ron%20Delsener%20%28Concert%20Promoter%29%20Presents%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Documentary, Movies **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #ConcertPromoter, #Documentary, #RonDelsener --- ### [Photo Gallery: Graydon Carter & Bette Midler At Temple Emanu-EL](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/03/27/photo-gallery-graydon-carter-bette-midler-at-temple-emanu-el/) **Published:** March 27, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** #BetteMidler interviewing #GraydonCarter last night, March 26, 2025 about his new memoir, #WhenTheGoingWasGood at #TempleEmanuelnyc **Content:** --- ## [\#BetteMidler](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bettemidler/) interviewing [\#GraydonCarter](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/graydoncarter/) last night, March 26, 2025 about his new memoir, [\#WhenTheGoingWasGood](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/whenthegoingwasgood/) at [\#TempleEmanuelnyc](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/templeemanuelnyc/) --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Carter-Midler_SO2-1024x768.webp "Carter-midler_so2 - bootleg betty")--- ![2025-03-27 03-30-56 (1)](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-03-27_03-30-56_(1).png?bwg=1743067750 "2025-03-27 03-30-56 (1)") 2025-03-27 03-30-56 (1) [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D18%26image_id%3D420%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D18%26image_id%3D420%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Twitter") ![2025-03-27 03-28-59](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-03-27_03-28-59.png?bwg=1743067592 "2025-03-27 03-28-59") 2025-03-27 03-28-59 [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D18%26image_id%3D419%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D18%26image_id%3D419%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Twitter") ![2025-03-27 03-26-36](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-03-27_03-26-36.png?bwg=1743067550 "2025-03-27 03-26-36") 2025-03-27 03-26-36 [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D18%26image_id%3D418%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D18%26image_id%3D418%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Twitter") ![2025-03-27 03-25-38](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-03-27_03-25-38.png?bwg=1743067500 "2025-03-27 03-25-38") 2025-03-27 03-25-38 [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D18%26image_id%3D417%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D18%26image_id%3D417%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Twitter") ![2025-03-27 03-24-48](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/2025-03-27_03-24-48.png?bwg=1743067437 "2025-03-27 03-24-48") 2025-03-27 03-24-48 [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D18%26image_id%3D416%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fbwg_share%2Fimage%2F%3Fgallery_id%3D18%26image_id%3D416%26curr_url%3D%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Share on Twitter") « ‹ of 2 [›](/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125&page_number_3=2 "Go to the next page") [»](/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125&page_number_3=2 "Go to the last page") Share A little Divinity [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Facebook")[ ](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron=1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Pinterest")[ ](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&su=Photo%20Gallery%3A%20Graydon%20Carter%20%26%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20Temple%20Emanu-EL&body=Link:https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Google Gmail")[ ](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Photo%20Gallery%3A%20Graydon%20Carter%20%26%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20Temple%20Emanu-EL%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Whatsapp")[ ](https://www.instagram.com/bootleg_betty "Instagram")[ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=BootlegBette&text=Photo%20Gallery%3A%20Graydon%20Carter%20%26%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20Temple%20Emanu-EL&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "X")[ ](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=Photo%20Gallery%3A%20Graydon%20Carter%20%26%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20Temple%20Emanu-EL%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Threads")[ ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Photo%20Gallery%3A%20Graydon%20Carter%20%26%20Bette%20Midler%20At%20Temple%20Emanu-EL%20https%3A%2F%2Fbootlegbetty.com%2Fwp-cron.php%3Fdoing_wp_cron%3D1789268869.1326000690460205078125 "Bluesky") **Categories:** Bette Midler, Interview **Tags:** #BetteMidler, #GraydonCarter, #Memoir, #TempleEmanuel, #WhenTheGoingWasGood --- ### [Sophie von Haselberg Signs With Fusion Entertainment](https://bootlegbetty.com/2025/03/26/sophie-von-haselberg-signs-with-fusion-entertainment/) **Published:** March 26, 2025 **Author:** Mister D **Excerpt:** Fusion Entertainment has signed actor and producer Sophie von Haselberg for management. Von Haselberg is the daughter of Bette Midler **Content:** --- ## Variety Producer and Actor Sophie von Haselberg Signs With Fusion Entertainment (EXCLUSIVE) By Brent Lang March 26, 2025 --- ![](https://bootlegbetty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-03-26_08-44-29.png "2025-03-26_08-44-29 - bootleg betty")--- **[Fusion Entertainment](https://fusion-entertainment.com/)** has signed actor and producer [**Sophie von Haselberg**](https://bootlegbetty.com/category/sophie-von-haselberg/) for management. Von Haselberg is the daughter of Bette Midler and has performed in television, film, and theater. Her notable appearances on TV and streaming include roles in several Ryan Murphy productions including “Pose,” “Versace: American Crime Story,” “American Horror Story” and “Halston.” She made her feature film debut in Woody Allen’s “Irrational Man” and went on to appear in Sony Pictures Classic’s “Equity.” She recently starred in the romcom “Love…Reconsidered” from Carol Ray Hartsell and also starred in the one-woman film “Give Me Pity!” directed by Amanda Kramer. Von Haselberg will next appear in Amanda Kramer’s “By Design,” Matthew Shear’s “Fantasy Life” and the short film “Poreless,” directed by Harris Doran. She also recently starred in the world premiere of Nathan Englander’s “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” at the Old Globe theatre in San Diego. As a producer, von Haselberg’s credits include the short film “Yoyo,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, and “East Coast Park Lovers,” a Singaporean short that made its debut at the Singapore International Film Festival. Von Haselberg serves on the board of New York Restoration Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and maintaining green spaces in New York’s most underserved neighborhoods. She is a graduate of both Yale College and the Yale School of Drama. “We first discovered Sophie von Haselberg in Amanda Kramer’s musical ‘Give Me Pity!,’ a knockout performance that has been emblazoned in our brains ever since. Her remarkable range as both an actress and producer, combined with her dedication to meaningful storytelling, makes her an exceptional ad