The Gracious Two, Chad Gracey & John Rotolo start the podcast with a discussion about the Eagles’ Super Bowl win and their fans’ behavior. The conversation then shifts to Bruce Vilanch’s upbringing in Paterson, New Jersey, and his experiences with the city’s diverse population and decline. Vilanch also shares his views on LGBTQ+ rights, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and the impact of the coming-out movement on achieving equality. Elton John’s career faced challenges when he came out as bisexual, leading to a decline in radio play and a strategic rebranding. Bruce, a writer, recounts his journey from child actor to journalist, highlighting his early encounters with Bette Midler and other celebrities. He shares his experiences writing for various shows, including the Brady Bunch variety hour, and discusses his transition into stand-up comedy, focusing on storytelling and current events. Bruce Vilanch discusses his career in comedy, including his work on Hollywood Squares and the Oscars. He highlights the importance of knowing one’s brand and audience when performing stand-up comedy. Vilanch also shares his thoughts on the Super Bowl halftime show, praising its choreography but noting its lack of joyousness. Bruce discusses his Emmy wins, noting that while not life-changing, they were enjoyable experiences. He expresses concern about the negative tone of online culture, suggesting that people should be more mindful of their words, especially when targeting others anonymously. Bruce also shares anecdotes about working with Steven Tyler and Bette Midler, highlighting their unique personalities and experiences in the entertainment industry. Bruce discusses his experience performing in the Broadway musical “Hairspray,” highlighting the show’s subversive themes and his own comfort level on stage. He also shares his thoughts on the changing landscape of Los Angeles, noting its evolution from a small town to a global financial center with a growing homeless population and recent wildfires. Elton John’s career faced challenges when he came out as bisexual, leading to a decline in radio play and a strategic rebranding. Bruce, a writer, recounts his journey from child actor to journalist, highlighting his early encounters with Bette Midler and other celebrities. He shares his experiences writing for various shows, including the Brady Bunch variety hour, and discusses his transition into stand-up comedy, focusing on storytelling and current events. Bruce Vilanch discusses his career in comedy, including his work on Hollywood Squares and the Oscars. He highlights the importance of knowing one’s brand and audience when performing stand-up comedy. Bruce discusses his Emmy wins, noting that while not life-changing, they were enjoyable experiences. He expresses concern about the negative tone of online culture, suggesting that people should be more mindful of their words, especially when targeting others anonymously. Bruce also shares anecdotes about working with Steven Tyler and Bette Midler, highlighting their unique personalities and experiences in the entertainment industry. Bruce discusses his experience performing in the Broadway musical “Hairspray,” highlighting the show’s subversive themes and his own comfort level on stage. He also shares his thoughts on the changing landscape of Los Angeles, noting its evolution from a small town to a global financial center with a growing homeless population and recent wildfires. Bruce Vilanch discusses the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, describing it as a place where people come to pursue the American dream but often prioritize shallow goals over meaningful contributions. He acknowledges the city’s intellectual life but notes that it requires effort to find. Vilanch also shares his experiences with addiction and his sobriety, clarifying that he never engaged in excessive drug use. The audience is thanked for tuning in and reminded to check out their OnlyFans.
