Episode 174 - Writing the Hits: The Wonderful Words and Films of Paul Rudnick – Part 2

In Part Two of my conversation with acclaimed novelist, playwright, essayist, and screenwriter Paul Rudnick, we dive into his remarkable Hollywood career and the surprising chain of events that led him from NYC theater to major motion pictures. Paul shares how legendary producer Scott Rudin gave him his first big break on “The Addams Family”, introducing him to the world of screenwriting and script doctoring. Along the way, he reveals what it really means to rewrite a screenplay, why listening to actors can sometimes produce the best ideas.

Paul also tells the incredible behind-the-scenes story of “Sister Act”, which he originally conceived as a starring vehicle for Bette Midler. From an overnight sale to Disney to years of development chaos, firings, rewrites, convent visits, and creative battles, Paul recounts the long journey that eventually turned the film into a worldwide hit. He explains why he chose the pseudonym "Joseph Howard" for the finished movie and laughs about seeing Broadway marquees that still credit the show's origins to a name he invented on the spot. He also reflects on the enduring popularity of “Addams Family Values”, and why the film has become an unlikely Thanksgiving classic.

The conversation then turns to “Jeffrey”, the groundbreaking comedy that became both an acclaimed play and an independent feature film. Paul shares hilarious and heartfelt stories about working with Patrick Stewart, Nathan Lane, Steven Weber, Sigourney Weaver, and Bryan Batt, as well as the challenges of adapting his own work from stage to screen. He discusses filming across New York City with limited resources, the sense of community that surrounded the project during the AIDS crisis, and why the film remains an important time capsule of a pivotal era in American culture.

Finally, Paul reflects on other notable projects including “The First Wives Club”, “The Devil Wears Prada”, “The Stepford Wives”, HBO's “Coastal Elites”, and “Isn't She Great.” He also introduces his brand-new novel, “The Tuxedo Society”—a thrilling, funny, and stylish gay espionage adventure inspired by everything from James Bond and Jason Bourne to Mission: Impossible.

PAUL RUDNICK

Paul Rudnick is a novelist, playwright, essayist and screenwriter, whom The New York Times has called, “one of our pre-eminent humorists.” His plays have been produced both on and off Broadway and around the world, and include “I Hate Hamlet” “Jeffrey”, “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told”, “Valhalla”, Regrets Only” and “The New Century”. He has won an Obie Award, two Outer Critics Circle Awards and the John Gassner Playwrighting Award. His novels include “Farrell Covington And The Limits Of Style”, “What Is Wrong With You?”, “I’ll Take It”, “Playing The Palace” and “Social Disease”. He’s a regular contributor to The New Yorker and his articles and essays have appeared in The New York Times, Vogue, Esquire, Spy and Vanity Fair.

HarperCollins has published both Mr. Rudnick’s “Collected Plays” and a group of essays entitled “I Shudder”. His essays have been included in The New Yorker anthologies ”Fierce Pajamas” and “Disquiet, Please”. Mr. Rudnick’s screenplays include “In & Out”, “Addams Family Values”, “Sister Act”, “Coastal Elites” and the film adaptation of “Jeffrey”. His Young Adult novels, “Gorgeous” and It’s All Your Fault”, have been published by Scholastic. .

His new espionage thriller entitled “The Tuxedo Society" published in May of 2026 by Simon&Schuster.

Paul Rudnick Website – https://paulrudnick.com

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