It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time

The Worst TV Shows in History and Other Things I Wrote

De: Bruce Vilanch

Narrado por: Bruce Vilanch

Bruce Vilanch is known as a go-to comedy writer for award shows, sitcoms, and top-heavy variety specials, but he has also been responsible for quite a few of the worst shows ever put on television—legendarily bad productions.

Some of his work lives in infamy—The Star Wars Holiday Special, The Paul Lynde Halloween Special, Rob Lowe dancing with Snow White at the Oscars, and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. How did these ever seem like a good idea?

Well, everyone has screwed up a few times, or had their work screwed up by others. It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time is a lifetime reflection of what Vilanch has experienced, learned, forgotten, dismissed, and embraced in decades of working in show business, specifically the south forty acres known as comedy. It involves very famous people and people who were not very famous but should have been.

And it explains to the person in the audience who says to himself, once he has gotten his jaw off the floor, “’How did this ever get made?”

Don’t we all want to know?

©2025 Bruce Vilanch (P)2025 Blackstone Publishing

universally Funny

Everyone, including people who freak out about transgenic mice will love this. Hell as a unclosested man, Bruce may hate wokeness as much as you.

Pure Bruce...Pure Camp!

If you have ever wondered..."who thought of such a thing?"...this book is for you. Bruce takes us through the craziest things on television and film. The Brady Bunch Comedy Hour...classic camp. The Star Wars Holiday Special...so out there it's hard to forget. I enjoyed this listen as Bruce describes inspiration, key players and good, old-fashioned gossip.

voice a little gravelly

enjoy his work especially Paul Lynde special. Got note from late Florence Henderson. I also enjoyed his backstory on CSTM, Ice Pirates and all those other comic tragedies. Allan Carr was a mess, remember being cruised by he and then Bruce Jenner. Those were the days.

Super fun piece of candy

Ready by Vilanch himself...priceless. He's got a great dry demeanor and hearing him tell his stories made it even better. If you like TV, the behind the scenes of how things are made or not made, the decision makers good and bad. You'll love this. Lots of stories, some of which you might have heard of. The story is easy and moves along entertaining along the way. Really enjoyed.

Fun

Short but fun. Five stars based on my pure enjoyment of this listen. It probably helps that I actually watched and enjoyed the Star Wars Holiday Special when it was first released.

“The Guiness World Record for longest Flatulence “

Now that I got your attention: the title is pure clickbait. It isn’t a real quote nor a description of the book. Bruce narrates a book I’ve gleefully enjoyed mostly while high on pot gummies. He’s unashamedly gay and the parts where he talks about crushing on certain guys was pure delight. I feel if I were to write an unfiltered memoir, the tone wouldn’t veer much from his. A must read -especially if you love good camp.

clever wording, funny observations

his voice was a little rough and his delivery a bit speedy and monotonic.

For show biz lovers

Bruce is an old friend when we were both Chicago newspaper people. He certainly found something more fun to do, and how wonderfully

A great story well told

Like having a smart, funny friend tell you all sorts of cool stories about working in Hollywood.

Only complaint: too short!

Juicy Juicy

How can you go wrong with a book written by Bruce Vilanch telling Hollywood juicy back stories.