Bruce Vilanch (character)

Bruce Vilanch is a comedy writer and actor. He wrote a joke for Principal Skinner that was very poorly received.

History
When Springfield Elementary School unveiled its new mural, Principal Skinner spoke at the dedication ceremony and took the opportunity to try his hand at stand-up comedy. He joked, "You know, when Superintendent Chalmers suggested a school mural, I almost thought he said 'a school Muriel'."

The audience's reaction was dead silence. Skinner tried to explain the joke ("Muriel's his sister"), but the only further reaction from the audience was the sound of a shotgun being cocked. After another long awkward moment of silence, Skinner sarcastically said, "Well, thank you, Bruce Vilanch." He then continued with the dedication ceremony.

Vilanch, sitting in the audience wearing a T-shirt with Fred Flintstone on it, seemed to think the problem was with Skinner, not the material, as he commented, "Whoopi would've made it work."

Behind the Laughter
Vilanch was the head writer and a regular celebrity guest on  for four years, while Whoopi Goldberg was the regular center square. Goldberg, of course, was one of the people Vilanch wrote material for.