Spotify
Bruce Vilanch’s Podcast: 1999 – Saving Private Oscar
By Bruce Vilanch & Tex
Feb 18, 2025

On this episode of ‘The Oscars: What Were They Thinking?’ Bruce Vilanch and “Tex” storm the beaches of one of the Academy Awards’ biggest Best Picture controversies. 

Of course we’re talking about the 1999 Oscars, for the films of 1998.  This is known as the year that changed everything thanks to a guy you may have heard of named Harvey Weinstein.  In a shocking upset, a brash, shameless, indie upstart managed to out-campaign the Hollywood elite and take home a best picture Oscar for an artsy film about love and Shakespeare. Using the test of time, many people look back at this year as a complete miscarriage of justice. But was it really? And what other controversies and unbelievable moments took place that evening? Bruce was there and is more than happy to share them with us.  What do you think?  Did Shakespeare deserve Oscar love? Or did Saving Private Ryan “Earn it?”       

MOVIES MENTIONED

From Russia With Love

Shakespeare in Love

Elizabeth

Saving Private Ryan

The African Queen

Life is Beautiful

The Thin Red Line

Armageddon

A Simple Plan

The Truman Show

Affliction

Civil Action 

Apollo 13

Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid

In Like Flint

Shine

Rushmore

The Big Lebowski

Rocky Horror Picture Show

A Fish Called Wanda

Gods and Monsters

Hillary and Jackie

Little Voice

Primary Colors

Mrs. Brown

Schindler’s List

Amistad

Warhorse

Lincoln

West Side Story

Munich

The Mask of Zorro

Out of Sight

The Big Chill

Mighty Joe Young

King Kong

What Dreams May Come

Pleasantville

Velvet Goldmine

Beloved

The Last Days

Dance Maker

The Farm Angola USA

Lenny Bruce:  Swear to Tell the Truth

Regret to Inform

Prince of Egypt

Patch Adams

Mulan

A Bug’s Life

The Horse Whisperer

Babe: Pig in the City

Skyfall

Barbie

Quest From Camelot

Wicked

Tango

The Grandfather

Children of Heaven

Central Station

Frankenstein

Bride of Frankenstein

American History X

Two Women

Lord of the Rings

One True Thing

Gia

Bulworth

The Best Years of our Lives

E.T.

The Day the Clown Cried

Guilty By Suspicion

On the Waterfront

Streetcar Named Desire

East of Eden

A Face in the Crowd

Splendor in the Grass

America, America

Gentleman’s Agreement

Viva Zapata

The post Bruce Vilanch’s Podcast: 1999 – Saving Private Oscar first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

We Got Bruce
Bruce Vilanch – Comedy Writer, Songwriter, Actor and 6 time Emmy Award Winner
By Mister D
May 21, 2024

Bruce Vilanch – Comedy Writer, Songwriter, Actor, and six-time Emmy Award Winner

Bruce Vilanch talks about Bette Midler’s impact on his career, his experience with adoption, and his various projects in Hollywood and on Broadway. Bruce is a comedy writer, songwriter, actor, and a six-time Emmy Award winner. Bruce is well known by the public for his years on Hollywood Squares as a celebrity participant. Bruce was also the head writer for the show; he wrote for the Academy Awards and was the head writer for the Oscars from 2000 to 2014. He has been a reporter, a columnist, and a songwriter, published a collection of his writings, and he’s written jokes for the likes of Lily Tomlin, Billy Crystal, Rosie O’Donnell, and Robin Williams. He has appeared on Broadway in Hairspray and various TV shows and has written and performed off-Broadway in his self-penned one-man show, Bruce Vilanch: Almost Famous.

The post Fresh Blood Podcast: Bruce Vilanch Thriving Over 40! first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

We Got Bruce
Bruce Vilanch Talks To ‘Secret Story’s From The Underground’ Podcast
By Mister D
April 18, 2024

Bruce Vilanch appeared on the podcast “Secret Stories From The Underground” in April 2021. “Secret Story’s From The Underground” is a captivating podcast hosted by Danny Whitman and Dean Whitman from the band D.N.D.

• The podcast invites some of the business’s best actors, comedians, and musicians.
• It delves into their stories, experiences, and journeys.
• Along with entertaining anecdotes, the hosts share hints for success.

Bruce Vilanch talked about his time in comedy, the great people he has had the opportunities to work with, Hollywood Squares, the Star Wars Holiday Special, and legends Bette Midler, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, and Adam Sandler.

The post Bruce Vilanch Talks To ‘Secret Story’s From The Underground’ Podcast first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

We Got Bruce
Video: A Bruce Vilanch Interview With Fanacek – May 2023
By Mister D
March 2024

I had the honor and privilege of spending time with Bruce and discussing his career, the WGA strike, Star Wars, Robin Williams, and other fun stuff. Enjoy. – Fanacek

The post Video: A Bruce Vilanch Interview With Fanacek first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Dannylize This
Bruce Vilanch Talks About His Creative Process
By Staff
January 15, 2024

Today I sat down to speak with a legend in entertainment, comedy, TV, and so much more. Bruce is most well known for his portrayal of Edna Turnblad in the play Hair spray, a contestant on Hollywood squares. During todays episode Bruce and I talk about the creative process, the difference between Stand up and Stage acting when it pertains to comedy. I truly enjoyed speaking to this legend. His wisdom and insight on culture is amazing enjoy the episode.

The post On Dannylize This, Bruce Vilanch Talks About His Creative Process first appeared on We Got Bruce!.