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CNN Live Today

Writer Discusses Academy Awards

Aired March 22, 2002 - 12:51   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: From Hollywood now, actress Whoopi Goldberg will try and wow the audience and television viewers on Sunday night with jokes and jabs at Hollywood. But where does she get all the funny stuff -- if it is funny -- we shall see?

Daryn Kagan, back with us once again, in Hollywood, with more on the Oscars.

Hey, Daryn.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Bill. Hello from the red carpet from right in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard. We are getting ready for Oscars.

As you mentioned about that show on Sunday night, it's about a lot more than just who wins the awards. It's about trying to convince you to stay tuned for that 4-hour plus program, and that pressure falls on this man right here: Bruce Vilanch, head writer for the show.

Hello.

BRUCE VILANCH, ACADEMY AWARDS: Here I am.

Last year's show is just ending still. It ended in China last moment ago. Now it's in the year.

KAGAN: Sometimes it does feel like that when you are sitting at home, watching the show. When you are trying to put it together, trying to make it funny, how do you make that balance between I love the show, but it has got to go.

VILANCH: First of all, we have to have as much humor as possible, because a lot of the awards are about things that people don't really care about.

KAGAN: Why is that why can't they give those out another night, like a week from Wednesday?

VILANCH: Because the Academy was founded by a bunch of people that felt moguls were taking advantage of them back in '20s, and the actors are as important as the editors as are as important as the composers. They are all on equal footing in the Academy, and every award has to be treated like every other award. And that is the big immutable rule. That is why it goes on forever. And there are only four acting awards, unlike the Golden Globes, which give out 312 -- and all of them to Russell Crowe. We're not like that you.

So you find humor in stuff that the inside audience there will appreciate and the people around the world will appreciate. Everybody is so in tune now, thanks to things like CNN that...

KAGAN: Thanks for the plug.

VILANCH: You're very welcome. How do you spell that again? C- N-N.

KAGAN: C-N-N.

VILANCH: I understand.

KAGAN: Do you have that spelling down for Sunday night, Bruce?

VILANCH: I had James Earl Jones coaching me on how to spell it. He calls me over there: C-N-N, you spelled it wrong again. It's not CBNN, it's CNN.

KAGAN: Tell me what is looking like it's giong to be funny for Sunday. What are the themes.

VILANCH: Schizophrenia always is rewarded in Hollywood, and this year, of course, I think it is going to get some Oscars. So schizophrenia will be a permeating theme.

KAGAN: I can tell you right now there are people at home, you know, mental health advocates, going, You know, that's not funny. So do you...

VILANCH: They haven't seen the movie.

KAGAN: The movie was funny.

VILANCH: A laugh, a riot.

There's always going to be somebody who is going to be offended.

KAGAN: Going to be offended.

VILANCH: I don't know, if I were schizophrenic, I guess part of me would be upset, and the other part would be, Right on, go for it. I thought it was a very sensitive treatment of it. I don't think they have anything to be offended about.

KAGAN: There's was sensitive. I am concerned that yours on Sunday night might not be sensitive.

VILANCH: Ours is going to be a comment on their treatment, not on schizophrenia. It's on their treatment of schizophrenia. This show is all about the movies.

KAGAN: Fourth time around for Whoopi Goldberg as the host. How do you take advantage of her talent? VILANCH: She's unique. She's the only black Jewish who has ever hosted the show. She's the only woman who has hosted the show. So she has a unique perspective. She's going to try to be as classy and elegant as possible. We are all taking bets to see how long that will last. But she has the pull, she knows. She's got the spread -- you should pardon the expression. So I think it is going to be difficult this year for her, because she wants to do less is more.

KAGAN: This reminds me: We are in front of the Kodak Theater, the brand new venue. Is that going to play into the kind of show that we see on television.

VILANCH: Sure, it is brand new, and it's the new home of the show. And there's also been all the usual controversy about everything that happens with the Academy Awards, so it certainly is worth lots of comment. Actually, we are going to be going around the theater and showing different aspects of it. We have Glenn Close and Donald Sutherland, who are going to be our announcers. And they are also going to be sort of tour guides, showing different parts of the theater.

KAGAN: Share with us -- because you've been involved with the Oscars so many years -- your favorite Oscar moment. When it was, like Oh, my God, I can't believe that is happening on live television.

VILANCH: I suppose it was Jack Palace, off the top of my head, when Jack Palace won for "City Slickers" and he dropped and did 20 one-armed pushups; and of course, we knew that we had a great running gag for the rest of the night. That was the year Billy Crystal was hosting and writing. We went with it.

But there are so many moments. Val Kilmer was once riding the son of Trigger, Roy Rogers's horse, and Trigger was having none of Val Kilmer. We thought we were going to have in its start in an orchestra pit for a moment.

KAGAN: Some people in Hollywood might suggest.

VILANCH: Exactly. There's no room in this pit. John Williams has got 5,000 instruments down there -- and a shark.

KAGAN: Bruce Vilanch, thanks so much. As you said, we know you are busy, a lot of work to do, and you will be working right on through.

VILANCH: No, I came out here to get my tan. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) gorgeous in Hollywood.

KAGAN: Work on the tan for the gown on Sunday.

VILANCH: It will play off the red carpet.

KAGAN: It will look lovely.

VILANCH: Vera Wang, please do something with me, would you? (UNINTELLIGIBLE) failed me; it's your turn now. KAGAN: Bill, this is the mood out here.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: That's right. You let Bruce know if he wants to get a tan, he is going to have to shave first. A lot of hair on that man.

Hey, Daryn, while you were talking with Bruce, we were looking at some overhead shots of the red carpet. It looks like they shut down a street there in Hollywood. Did I see that right?

KAGAN: Not just one street. I am standing literally in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard, between Highland and Orange.

VILANCH: She could get arrested for this normally. Many have -- Hugh Grant. Remember that?

KAGAN: This is not the area that my parents would let be me hanging out, would they?

VILANCH: No, probably not. It depends on who your parents are; are they bikers?

KAGAN: Not lately.

VILANCH: OK, then no, probably not.

KAGAN: Not lately. They have given that up.

This part of Hollywood Boulevard is closed, but they are closing 15 blocks around here just because of security -- and with people like Bruce hanging around here, you can see why.

HEMMER: Tell Bruce that Phyllis is pretty cool.

VILANCH: I'm dangerous.

HEMMER: Your mother.

KAGAN: I will. I will.

HEMMER: See you, Daryn. See you next hour here.

KAGAN: OK.

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