Mel Brooks
Spaceballs sequel in the works with Mel Brooks producing
Josh Gad will star in the sequel to the 1987 space opera parody. Spaceballs Sequel in the Works with Mel Brooks Producing Eddie Fu
Nick Kroll Explains How History of the World, Part II Got Incredible Guest Stars Like Danny DeVito and Johnny Knoxville
For those wondering how much a Mel Brooks project the upcoming History of the World, Part II might be, know that executive producer Nick Kroll spent 25 minutes at the Television Critics Association press tour explaining the comedy legend’s deep involvement with the project. “It begins with Mel,” Kroll said to journalists on Saturday. “As soon as the show was announced, people reached out saying, ‘I would love to be a part of this, Mel Brooks is a huge influence.’” Thus we get the wildly star-studded guest cast for the Hulu sketch comedy series, including Pamela Adlon, Tim Baltz, Zazie Beetz, Jillian Bell, Quinta Brunson, Dove Cameron, D’Arcy Carden, Ronny Chieng, Rob Corddry, Danny DeVito, David Duchovny, Hannah Einbinder, Jay Ellis, Josh Gad, Kimiko Glenn, Brandon Kyle Goodman, Jake...
Mel Brooks Introduces History of the World, Part II with New Trailer: Watch
Hulu has set the release date for Mel Brooks’ sequel series History of the World, Part II alongside a new teaser trailer. Watch the clip below ahead of the show’s March 6th premiere. At 96 years old, Brooks still has his comedic flair intact. While introducing the teaser for the eight-episode series, he cheekily pokes fun at his age by checking the inside of his jacket for his name. After Brooks runs through his well-known resume, the clip begins and proceeds to introduce the cast and characters of History of the World, Part II at a dizzying pace. Following in the footsteps of the 1981 film, the show will feature sketches from different periods in history. The spoofed historical figures include Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalena, Sigmund Freud, General Ulysses S. Grant, Rasputin, Amelia Ear...
Whoopi Goldberg Says Blazing Saddles Is a “Great Comedy, Would Still Go Over Today”
Whoopi Goldberg defended the 1974 satire Blazing Saddles on the December 7th episode of The View, pushing back against critics who claim it couldn’t be made in 2022. The conversation was sparked by Mindy Kaling’s recent appearance on Good Morning America, where she claimed that The Office is “so inappropriate now” and that most of the characters “would be canceled” today. Goldberg rejected the premise by citing Blazing Saddles, which might be more challenging for modern audiences. “Blazing Saddles, because it’s a great comedy, would still go over today,” she said. “There are a lot of comedies that are not good, okay? We’re just going to say that. That’s not one of them. Blazing Saddles is one of the greatest because it hits everybody.”...
Mel Brooks Writing Hulu Series History of the World, Part II
In what may be the most momentous news since the Lord announced 15 [drops tablet] ten commandments, Mel Brooks is working on History of the World, Part II. As Variety reports, the 95-year-old legend will write and executive produce the eight-episode series for Hulu. History of the World, Part I was released in 1981. Written, directed by, and starring Mel Brooks, it featured sketches from five periods in history: the Stone Age, the Old Testament, the Roman Empire, the Spanish Inquisition, and the French Revolution. While a second part was never intended, the film did end with “coming attractions,” which included Hitler on Ice and Jews in Space. Whether we can look forward to those segments or not, Part II is becoming a reality. “I can’t wait to once more tell t...
Mel Brooks Revisits The Twelve Chairs for Its 50th Anniversary: “It’s One of My Top Favorites”
Comedy and music go hand in hand. Always. Mel Brooks knows how essential this is. He used to be a drummer, after all. Back in his teenage years, he was a student of the great drummer Buddy Rich. There’s a fundamental rhythm to comedy that oftentimes gets overlooked. If the timing of the musicality is off, then the comedy falls flat. That’s why, in so many of Brooks’ films, you will see elements of music. Whether the characters themselves are breaking out into song, or he has composed a title song, or the dialogue itself is particularly snappy and hits you over the head before you even realize what the hell just happened, it’s all in the same family. You cannot have good comedy without some form of music being present. That’s why Mel Brooks is, in some ways, as much a musician as he is a co...
HBO Max Adds Disclaimer to Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles
HBO Max created a stir when it pulled Gone with the Wind from its platform in order to add a historical disclaimer. Still, the burgeoning service expressed commitment to contextualizing such potentially problematic films rather than completely removing them, and it looks like they’re following through. The streamer has now added another disclaimer ahead of Mel Brooks’ comedy classic Blazing Saddles. The 1974 Western satire centers on a Black man (Cleavon Little) who is made sheriff of a small town in a political ploy to sow chaos. With the help of an alcoholic but affable gunslinger (Gene Wilder), he ends up winning the townspeople’s respect and thwarting the crooked politicians’ plans. In a three-minute, 12-second introductory video, TCM host and University of Chicago cinema and medi...
Carl Reiner Tributes: Mel Brooks, Steve Martin, Rob Reiner, Conan O’Brien Honor Hollywood Icon
Carl Reiner, the legendary comedian, actor, and director whose career spanned seven decades, passed away Monday night at the age of 98. In the wake of his passing, close friends, family, and colleagues all offered their thoughts and condolences. His son, Rob, mourned the loss of his father early this morning on Twitter, writing: “Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light.” Longtime colleague and closest friend Mel Brooks offered a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, writing: Carl was a giant, unmatched in his contributions to entertainment. He created comedy gems like The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Jerk and Where’s Poppa? I met him in 1950 when he joined Sid Caesar on Your Show of Shows and we’ve been best friend...
