Let’s take a trip back to the 1970s, where variety shows were the kings of television. Back then, it was all about The Carol Burnett Show, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, The Dean Martin Show, and more. But nestled among these giants were two shows that stood out for all the wrong reasons: Donny & Marie and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. These shows had one thing in common: the talented Bruce Vilanch. Now, Bruce isn’t just any writer—he’s a six-time Emmy winner who also penned The Paul Lynde Halloween Special and became the head writer for The Hollywood Squares. And boy, does he have stories to tell.

How Bruce Vilanch Found Himself in the World of Variety Shows

“When I first landed in California,” Bruce recalls in our exclusive podcast, “I was working on Manhattan Transfer, which was a short-lived but beloved variety show on CBS. But the networks weren’t really into those hip shows anymore. I knew I’d have to pivot to something a little less trendy. That’s when Florence Henderson, a good friend of mine, called me up and said, ‘Bruce, come do The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. No one will ever accuse you of being too cool again.’ And I thought, ‘Challenge accepted.’”

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The Brady Bunch Variety Hour: A Meta Masterpiece?

Bruce on The Brady Bunch Variety Hour: “This show was insane. The concept was that the Brady family had become TV stars. They lived in a house in Malibu and each week they’d put on a show with celebrity guests. It was like a meta-show where real Hollywood stars interacted with the Bradys. It was so bizarre, but it worked in a way that reminded me of older shows like Burns & Allen and Jack Benny. We knew it was ridiculous while we were doing it, but I was secretly hoping it would get picked up for more seasons. I mean, I wanted to buy a house, right?”

Donny & Marie: The Show That Pushed Boundaries (Sort Of)

Bruce on Donny & Marie: “When I moved over to Donny & Marie from the Bradys, the Osmond siblings were getting older and wanted the show to mature a bit. But with the watchful eyes of the Mormon community, we often heard ‘no’ more than ‘yes.’ They had strong principles, which meant Marie couldn’t do certain things or wear certain outfits. It became a running joke among the writers about all the things we couldn’t do. It was a challenge, but hey, that’s showbiz.”

Paul Lynde: The Tragic Genius Behind the Laugh Track

Bruce on Paul Lynde: “Paul was a brilliant comedian, but I think he carried a deep sadness. He was always the best friend or the quirky insurance salesman—never the lead. He was the guy who stood in the way of the hero, and that’s what made him funny. But it was tough for him. He had money, sure, but he wanted more. He’d deliver a line that brought the house down and then wait 20 minutes to come back. It wasn’t the career he wanted, and that made him bitter. It was heartbreaking to see such a talented guy struggle with that.”

For a deeper dive into Bruce Vilanch’s incredible career and the wild world of variety shows, tune into the podcast above. And don’t forget to subscribe to our Classic TV Podcast for more chats with your favorite TV legends!

And a big shout-out to the legendary Rich Little, who provided the intro for this episode of the podcast. Rich, you’re a true master of impersonations!