#46: Working in TV, Writing Plays, and Hollywood Inside Stories with Billy Van Zandt

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Billy Van Zandt has been writing plays, TV shows, and films for nearly half a century. So, naturally, he’s got a few stories to tell about Hollywood. Luckily, he was taking notes along the way and has put his finest moments into his new book.

GET IN THE CAR, JANE! Adventures in the TV Wasteland is a behind the scenes memoir of Emmy-nominated writer/producer Billy Van Zandt and his years making America’s favorite (and not so favorite) sitcoms. Billy shares stories of celebrities like Lucille Ball, Brooke Shields, Frank Sinatra, Don Rickles, Martin Lawrence, Richard Lewis, Bob Newhart, Dorothy Lamour, Penny Marshall, and Matthew Perry, just to name a few. Part behind-the-scenes gossip, part textbook, all truth — and a fantastic read, to boot. Here’s a delightful moment from the book:

Don Rickles on the set of Daddy Dearest with Frank Sinatra as he films what will be his last sit-com appearance:
Frank: What do I do?
Don: Nothing, Frank. Just stand there, we’ll stick a camera on you, and hope to God you’re not drooling all over yourself.

We’re chatting about all kinds of things, from Billy’s worst experience working on a television show, his late writing partner Jane Milmore, and what he’s got planned for the future. I PROMISE you will laugh a ton during this episode.

Highlights of our conversation include:

  • Tips for organizing your home and office space. (3:31)

  • Why now was the right time for Billy to write GET IN THE CAR, JANE! Adventures in the TV Wasteland and what it’s like to be the executive producer of a sitcom. (4:26)

  • The reason Billy kept journals of his experiences and how they helped him write his book. (6:08)

  • How Billy met his writing partner, Jane Milmore, and what it’s like working with someone for nearly half a century. (7:30)

  • Where Billy feels the most at home between theater, TV, and film. (11:00)

  • The worst experience Billy ever had working on a TV show. (13:44)

  • A look inside Billy and Jane’s latest collaboration: The Boomer Boys Musical. (22:08)

  • How some of Billy’s shows have found extended legs in the form of virtual table reads. (24:12)

  • Billy’s top Hollywood moments from his career, as well as what he’s working on in 2021 and beyond. (29:23)

“The key to a good writing partner in comedy is to find someone you think is funnier than you are and have them think the same thing of you, and then keep trying to make them laugh.” - Billy Van Zandt

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What’s next for Billy Van Zandt?

Don’t forget to grab a copy of GET IN THE CAR, JANE! Adventures in the TV Wasteland. Check out all the films, TV shows, and plays Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore have done at vanzandtmilmore.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram.

If you’re a fan of Good People, Cool Things, I would love your support. Feel free to subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. That helps even more people discover these wonderful guests.

You can also support the show by checking out the new Good People, Cool Things merch store. Thanks for listening!

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#47: On the Right Path and The Best NBA Dunks with Brett Gunning, Stacy Padula, and Maddy Moore

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#45: How to Grow Your Business with Zack Hurley, Indie Source