Bruce Vilanch Explores the Art of the Hollywood Flop in New Memoir: ‘How Did These Things Get Made?’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Bruce Vilanch and the cover of ‘It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time’.Photo:Rick Stockwell; Chicago Review Press

Rick Stockwell; Chicago Review Press

Ever wonder what it takes to make a Hollywood flop? Bruce Vilanch has the answers.PEOPLE can exclusively announce that the author, writer and comedian will publish his forthcoming memoir,It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time, in spring 2025. The book details Vilanch’s career as a comedy writer — including on some “legendarily bad productions,” per the memoir’s description.

Vilanch is best known as a comedy writer on a variety of shows and specials, including some that now live “in infamy,” likeTheStar WarsHoliday Special,The Brady BunchVariety Hourand that unforgettable 1989 Oscars opening number withRob Loweand Snow White.

Chicago Review Press

InIt Seemed Like a Bad Idea, Vilanch looks back on it all, and tells PEOPLE that the book stemmed from fans’ curiosity about some of these projects.

“They’d seen them all on YouTube and what theyreallywanted to know was … how did these things get made?  Who said yes? And has that person paid their debt to society? Plus … what was it like to be in the middle of these particular wars?”

Bruce Vilanch.Rick Stockwell

Rick Stockwell

Vilanch is a two-time Emmy winner, and has written material for the Tony Awards, the Grammy Awards and the Academy Awards. As a lyricist, he’s written songs for legends like the Village People and Eartha Kitt, and has even worked in musical theater, as the co-creator of the Broadway musicalPlatinum.

His new memoir, while exploring the origins of Hollywood flops, also looks at the lessons that Vilanch had learned throughout his time in show business, and the comedic aspects of it all.

“The book answers those questions and more — it seemed like a bad idea at the time,” Vilanch says.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Timewill be published on March 4, 2025 via Chicago Review Press and is now available for preorder, wherever books are sold.

source: people.com