Mel Brooks Isn't Done Punching Up the History of the World - The New York Times
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The comedian, at 96, is happy to inspire a new generation to make their own Hitler jokes.
Mel Brooks at home in Santa Monica, Calif.Credit...Chantal Anderson for The New York Times
By Maureen Dowd
- Published March 11, 2023 Updated March 15, 2023
Mel Brooks is a sophisticated guy. He collected fancy French wines and did a tasting on Johnny Carson's show. He drops references to Nikolai Gogol's "Dead Souls." He was married for 40 years to that epitome of elegance, Anne Bancroft. He was a favorite lunch companion of Cary Grant, the suavest man who ever lived.
But in the new Hulu show "History of the World, Part II," you can still find all the Mel Brooks signature comedy stylings: penis jokes, puke jokes and fart jokes.
"I like fart jokes," he said, Zooming from his home in Santa Monica, Calif. "It adds some je ne sais quoi to the comedy. A touch of sophistication for the smarter people helps move the show along."
After all, with the percussive campfire scene in his 1974 comedy classic, "Blazing Saddles," where the cowhands sit around eating beans and passing wind, he elevated flatulence to cinematic history.
The comedy legend, 96, preferred to meet on Zoom because he's wary of Covid. Strangers love to hug him and say, "Mel, I love you!" he said, adding, "I'm a target."
The man behind outlandish, hilarious movies like "The Producers," "Young Frankenstein," "Spaceballs," "High Anxiety," "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" and "History of the World, Part I," along with the hit TV spy comedy "Get Smart," no longer lives in a time where he can have "absolutely no restrictions on any and all subjects," as he said about writing "Blazing Saddles" (which was slapped with its own content warning in 2020 when it was on HBO Max). And he lost the two loves of his life, Ms. Bancroft and Carl Reiner. But Mel Brooks is still a ball of fire.
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Mel Brooks, who will be 98 in June, is still a ball of fire...
an iconic comedy genius that conquered the small and large screen. I saw all of his movies in theaters when they came out and always watch them again on cable. both he and carl reiner turned 60's TV sitcom actors into movie stars. I seem to recall that mel was also a WWII vet.
I totally agree-- one of the best comedians of all time!
I love the guy
Ball of fire?
when compared to a bag of ice
you spelled ass wrong ...
just need peace
Contrarianism extended to a comic genius and national treasure is taking it too too far. What is your problem with Brook's good health and creative mental productivity now well into his tenth decade?
I have no problem with Mel Brooks and have enjoyed his work.
Keep on keeping on, Mel
Can you imagine what a redo of Blazing Saddles would look like today?
I shudder to imagine it's Springtime For Donald And MAGA Land...
going to a trump rally is pretty close...
Nope
oh yes ...
au contraire
some sit in the front row with their white sheets at the ready
cause they're yellow
Only Mel Brook could take something like the Spanish Inquisition and turn it into a musical. The man is a comedy genius.
undoubtedly.
Such a classic.
all's fair in love, war, and comedy...