We Got Bruce
“Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” – Celebrating Queer Stand-Up Comedy
By Mister D
April 19, 2024

Netflix is set to premiere the groundbreaking documentary “Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” globally on June 18. This feature-length film delves into the rich history of queer stand-up comedy, exploring how it has served as an instrument for social change over the past five decades. Through a combination of stand-up performances, interviews, and archival materials, the documentary sheds light on the trailblazing work of LGBTQ+ comedians who have actively challenged cultural norms and values.

The film features an impressive lineup of comedians and historians who share their insights and experiences:

Lily Tomlin: A legendary performer known for her wit and iconic characters.
Sandra Bernhard: A fearless comedian and actress who has pushed boundaries.
Wanda Sykes: A trailblazer who fearlessly tackles social issues in her comedy.
Hannah Gadsby: The brilliant mind behind the groundbreaking show “Nanette.”
Tig Notaro: Known for her deadpan delivery and poignant storytelling.
Rosie O’Donnell: A beloved TV personality and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Margaret Cho: A fearless voice who has challenged stereotypes.
Bob The Drag Queen: A drag performer who combines humor and activism.
Trixie Mattel: A drag queen, singer, and comedian with a devoted following.

Historians and Insights

The documentary also features interviews with historians who provide context and depth:

Dave Holmes: Offering historical perspectives on queer comedy.
Roger Mason: Sharing insights into the evolution of LGBTQ+ stand-up.
Shar Jossell: Discussing the impact of comedy on social change.
Susan Stryker: Providing valuable context from an academic standpoint.
Kate Aurthur (Variety Editor-at-Large): Offering journalistic insights.

Bruce Vilanch and Other Notable Interviewees

Among other comedians interviewed are Bruce Vilanch, Fortune Feimster, Gina Yashere, Guy Branum, James Adomian, Jim David, Joel Kim Booster, Judy Gold, KJ Whitehead, Mae Martin, Marsha Warfield, Matteo Lane, Patti Harrison, River Butcher, Robin Tran, Robin Tyler, Roz Hernandez, Scott Thompson, Solomon Georgio, Suzanne Westenhoefer, and Todd Glass.

Director’s Perspective

“Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” is written and directed by Page Hurwitz. Hurwitz emphasizes the power of comedy to unite people and praises the comedians featured in the film for their trailblazing work. She hopes the documentary will honor their contributions to LGBTQ+ history and inspire audiences to discover new comedy heroes.

World Premiere and Netflix Release

Before its Netflix release, “Outstanding” will have its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Festival on June 7. Netflix greenlit the project almost two years ago, intending to complement their comedy special “Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration.”

The documentary premieres globally on June 18 on Netflix, following its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival on June 7. Get ready to laugh, learn, and celebrate the trailblazing work of LGBTQ+ comedians who have fearlessly taken the stage and changed the world, one punchline at a time! ???

The post “Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” – Celebrating Queer Stand-Up Comedy first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

TheEdAdvocate
TEACHING STUDENTS ABOUT BRUCE VILANCH
BY MATTHEW LYNCH (and Mister D)
DECEMBER 14, 2023

Alright, let’s talk about Bruce Vilanch – the comedy maestro, actor, and six-time Emmy champ who’s been making waves in Hollywood for ages. With his lightning-fast wit and one-of-a-kind style, he’s been part of some of the biggest shows in Tinseltown. But hey, there’s more to him than just jokes and laughter. Vilanch‘s also been a force for positive change, using his talent to make the world a better place. So, when you’re teaching students about this guy, you’re not just talking about humor – you’re showing them how creativity can spark real change.

Early Life and Career

Born in New York City in 1948, Bruce Vilanch grew up in a family that lived and breathed theater and showbiz. Embracing his identity as a gay man from an early age, he found his voice through comedy. His journey kicked off as a journalist covering entertainment, but soon he was writing for big TV shows like “Donny & Marie” and “The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.” I think Bette Midler is his biggest muse. as mine. and helped jump strat this new career he found. May not be true. but please just abide with me. if you can.

As his career took off, Vilanch became the brains behind major events like the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, and Tony Awards. And hey, he’s not just a wordsmith – he’s also a Broadway star, gracing the stage in the smash-hit musical “Hairspray.”

Teaching Students about Bruce’s Advocacy

Sure, Bruce‘s known for his humor, but his heart’s just as big. A fierce supporter of LGBT rights and HIV/AIDS awareness, he’s used his humor to raise millions for charitable causes. So, when you’re teaching students about him, you’re not just talking about making people laugh – you’re showing them how laughter can change the world.

In the classroom, get students digging into Bruce‘s work with organizations like amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research) and the Trevor Project. How did his humor help these causes? Let them explore and learn.

The Art of Punchlines: Teaching Students Comedy Writing

Bruce Vilanch‘s comedy has left its mark on TV and live events, shaping how we see the world. Introducing students to his style can fire up their interest in writing and help them find their own unique voice.

Why not set up a comedy writing workshop? Get students dissecting some of Vilanch’s best jokes and figuring out how they work. By inspiring them to craft their punchlines, you’re not just teaching comedy – you’re nurturing creative minds.

Role Model for Overcoming Adversity

Growing up can be tough, and students face all kinds of challenges. Bruce Vilanch‘s journey as an openly gay man in Hollywood, unapologetic about who he is, is a powerful example of resilience.

Sharing Bruce’s story with students can be a reminder that it’s okay to be yourself, no matter what. It’s a lesson in self-acceptance and embracing others for who they are.

I loved the guy who really wrote this, I just took it and rewrote it in my own style then had AI smooth out the grammar. I used these kinds of techniques in college to help me pass English, Speech. Philosophy. and Psycho;ogy papers by talking about Bette, Bruce, and the Harlettes in some way that would fit within the subjects I needed them too, as examples of somerhing. Made A’s. Can’t Beat That. So I fell in love with this topic. Hope you enjoyed….Mister D

The post Teaching “Bruce Vilanch 101” first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

ComingSoon.net
Scrooge & Marley Trailer Previews 10th Anniversary Release of Gay Holiday Comedy
By Anthony Nash
September 14, 2022

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the LGBTQ holiday comedy Scrooge & Marley will be released on digital for the first time, as well as on DVD.

The news comes from Dark Star Pictures, who are set to release the film digitally for the first time. Scrooge & Marley will also receive a special 10th Anniversary DVD release on October 4.

“Returning to the 1970s days of his teen years by the saucy Ghost of Christmas Past (Ronnie Kroell),” reads the official synopsis for the film. “Scrooge bitterly recalls being kicked out of his home during the holidays for being gay, meeting the young rogue Jacob Marley, the fabulous disco impresario Fezziwig (Bruce Vilanch), and the luckless love of his life, Bill, whose love Scrooge eventually destroys in his pursuit of wealth. The jolly Ghost of Christmas Present (Megan Cavanagh) next whisks Scrooge on a joyous, music-filled tour of current holiday sights, including a visit to a lively party hosted by Scrooge’s niece Freda (Rusty Schwimmer) and her expectant partner Mary.”

Check out the Scrooge & Marley trailer below:

Starring David Pevsner, Tim Kazurinsky, Rusty Schwimmer, Bruce Vilanch, Megan Cavanagh, Ronnie Kroell, and David Moretti, Scrooge & Marley is an adaptation of Charles Dickens’s iconic 1843 novella A Christmas Carol that reimagines the story by turning Scrooge into a successful piano bar owner who despises people and makes life miserable for everyone in the gay community that he resides in.

Originally released in 2012, the film was partially crowdfunded through an Indiegogo campaign and was released to limited theaters. Following its premiere, the film received mixed reviews, with many praising its “campy” style and attention to care to a niche audience.

The post Director/Writer Richard Knight, Jr’s ‘Scrooge & Marley’Goes Digital & DVD On 10th Anniversary first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Washington Blade
Queer history becomes ‘Visible’ on new Apple TV docuseries
By John Paul King
February 12, 2020

At a time when television is setting new records in terms of onscreen recognition for LGBTQ identities and issues, it might be easy – especially for the younger among us – to forget that it wasn’t always that way.

There was a time, not long ago, when one might never even know LGBTQ people existed based on what they saw on TV. Such figures as Liberace and Paul Lynde, who are now seen as representing a sort of queer proto-visibility with their flamboyant onscreen personas, passed in their day as straight to the majority of their viewing public, incredible as it may seem to us now; and Stonewall, now widely known as one of the most significant moments in the struggle for LGBTQ equality, was never mentioned in a single network news broadcast when it happened, a mere 50 years ago.

Partly because of the television industry’s suppression of all things queer during most of its history, most of LGBTQ history has long been invisible, preserved only in the memories of those who took part, and in greater danger of being lost forever with the passing of each succeeding generation.

Fortunately, embedded within the story of television itself is an entire narrative revealing the queer history that was taking place right before the eyes of millions of viewers, even as it was happening – and thanks to “Visible: Out on Television,” a new 5-part mini-docuseries debuting this weekend on Apple TV+, it’s a history that is now being told, out, proud and queer.

Created by Emmy-nomiinated filmmakers Ryan White and Jessica Hargrave, the series investigates the importance of television as an intimate medium that has shaped the American conscience – and illuminates how the LGBTQ movement has shaped television. It combines archival footage, interviews with key players from the movement and the screen, and narrations by community icons Janet Mock, Margaret Cho, Asia Kate Dillon, Neil Patrick Harris and Lena Waithe, to explore themes such as invisibility, homophobia, the evolution of the LGBTQ character, and coming out in the television industry.

Each hour long episode focuses on an era in the timeline of television history, paralleling the evolution of queer representation in the medium with the cultural history that was occurring around it.

*DISCLAIMER: SPOILERS BELOW

The first installment, titled “The Dark Ages,” gives us a chilling look at an era that surely exemplifies what the slogan “Make America Great Again” was meant to evoke in the minds of a nostalgic older generation – at least, those among them that had been privileged enough to ignore its inequality and injustices. We are reminded that the first mention of the word “homosexual” came in the televised Army-McCarthy hearings of 1954, during discussions about the security risks posed by LGBTQ government employees whose “deviant” lifestyle presumptively made them vulnerable to manipulation by Communist agents; that during the 1960s, the news media, including respected CBS anchor Mike Wallace, hosted “experts” of the day who propounded the belief that homosexuality was a curable psychological disorder; and that Lance Loud, the first openly homosexual person to appear on television when he was part of “An American Family,” the docuseries that followed his household for thirteen weeks in 1973, was demonized and vilified by a press that called him “leechlike” and described him as “an evil flower.” In each case, it’s impossible to ignore the echoes of similar homophobic rhetoric that has resurged during the Trump era.

Yet in the same hour, we are also shown the signs of hope that blossomed in the midst of all this darkness, through the gradual foothold that was made by an LGBTQ presence on television, from the non-stereotypical gender presentation of coded characters like Sheila Kuehl’s Zelda on “The Many Adventures of Dobie Gillis” and Lynde’s Uncle Arthur on “Bewitched,” to the groundbreaking depictions of openly queer people on Norman Lear’s “All in the Family.” The episode ends with the glimmer of an even brighter future that appeared with the emergence of openly gay Harvey Milk as a substantial political figure.

That we know all too well how his story ends gives us all the more reason to want to binge watch straight through each of these five excellent episodes.

With insight and commentary from familiar contemporary figures (such as Wanda Sykes and Wilson Cruz, both of whom are also executive producers, along with director White), historic queer icons (like Ellen DeGeneres and Bruce Vilanch), and lesser-known voices from the early days of LGBTQ activism, “Visible” presents a thoughtful, emotionally resonant, clearly focused, and deeply informative look at queer history as it fought its way into mainstream consciousness through a powerful medium that still connects us all. It’s a must-see event for LGBTQ audiences who thirst for knowledge about the community’s past, yes – but also for anyone who wants to gain an understanding of how representation on TV works to shape the culture surrounding it, as well as why it matters.

The show drops on Apple TV+ on Friday, February 14. You can watch the trailer below.

The post Queer history becomes ‘Visible’ on new Apple TV docuseries first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Metrosource
The History of Drag is Right Here Between the Covers
WRITTEN BY KEVIN PHINNEY
June 21, 2019

Not too long ago, drag entertainers were seen as edgiest outsiders of society, let alone show business. Today, in tandem with society’s increased acceptance of gay culture and RuPaul’s Drag Race’s rise as a gather-round-the-flatscreen weekly ritual, drag has moved squarely into the entertainment mainstream.

So what better time to celebrate and trace the evolution of their art form? Drag: Combing Through the Big Wigs of Show Business (Rizzoli New York; $35) boasts text by funnyman Frank DeCaro and a forward by entertainment legend Bruce Vilanch.

This handsome little tome traces drag’s unprecedented blend of fashion and fun, illusion and extravagance through a dizzying series of milestones. Just a few of these include Bosom Buddies and Tootsie, To Wong Foo… and Hedwig, La Cage aux Folles, and Kinky Boots. It’s quite a journey in not such a long time that took us from scary pariahs like Divine picking up snacks from the sidewalk and Jack McFarland mistaking Cher for an imposter.

Find LGBTQ-Friendly Resources

Among the luminaries included, you’ll also find several recent nominees for the title of Metrosource’s “Legendary NYC Drag Queen We Love,” including the effervescent Hedda Lettuce and Lypsinka. Meanwhile, some of the other boldface dames who’ll grace the pages here include Bianca del Rio, Miss Coco Peru, Varla Jean Merman, and Charles Busch. With commentary, interviews, and pictures chronicling more than 100 years of drag around the globe, this is one lewk book no fan of drag should be without. rizzoliusa.com

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The post New Book: Drag – Combing Through the Big Wigs of Show Business With A Foreward By Bruce Vilanch first appeared on We Got Bruce!.