Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks also appear in an episode of Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars getting Coffee. It can be found, officially, on Netflix in the "Light and Sweet" season: https://www.netflix.com/title/80171362.
As I recall, the episode was initially just focused on Carl Reiner, but Seinfeld was invited back later that evening to join Reiner and Brooks for dinner.
I went and watched this on your recommendation. This is really something, it left me feeling so inspired that I called up a friend who I've known for nearly 30 years to let him know that I'd be back in my hometown this coming summer and we made plans to hang out for a couple of days. After all of this time, all of the places he has lived, he ended up 2 doors down from my parents to raise his kids.
Watching this episode reminds me of the friendship that my father has with 2 of his brothers (the friendship that he has with his sister and his 2 other brothers isn't as strong, but is still formidable). They're pushing into their 70s and 80s now. And I've got twins that are under a year. I'm hopeful today that they'll have each other through a long and healthy life.
Seriously, thanks for sharing this. It made my the evening for my wife and I.
I saw it. They're awesome. That they have dinner and watch TV together regularly and haven't murdered each other yet gives me hope for humanity. The rest of humanity needs to learn how to get along too; especially in the Western world, where loneliness and friendlessness is growing to epidemic proportions.
If you’ve seen it. On the episode with Jerry Lewis. He asks for “a large order of very, very, very stiff bacon”. I’ve wondered about that synchronicity.
You should also listen to Marc Maron's WTF Podcast. He interviews Brooks and that leads to a 2nd episode with Reiner. As Mel pushes for it and then ask Marc about Reiner afterwards.
The real news is that Mel Brooks drives from Santa Monica to Beverly Hills during rush hour on a daily basis. I’d barely do that for my own kids! JK, but that’s super impressive. It is a brutal drive of the sort known to people from SV where absolutely no shortcuts work anymore.
I remember when I moved to LA in March of 2008. I remember telling my girlfriend how awesome it was that I was 6 miles from work. How exciting. Back in Ohio, I lived over 30 miles from work! SGV to Pasadena? No sweat. She giggled. I didn't understand. Then I started spending an hour one way and 45 minutes back. Now I get it.
Two of a kind, never repeated. I don't think you could make people like this today, they came from a different era. Not even sure you could make Blazing Saddles today either.
I've always viewed Tropic Thunder as somewhat of a successor to Blazing Saddles, but I largely agree that it couldn't be recreated today.
The time period in which these movies were made is a lot of what makes them so special. That's not to say that what we'll have next won't be special, but 1974 (and 2008) was a different time.
Mel Brookes got full creative control over Blazing Saddles in an accident of contract. The studio didn't notice and signed. This is why the movie is so good. Mel got to make what he thought was funny.
The movie itself alludes to that toward the end when the cowboys bust through a wall into a studio dance number, Dom Deluise as the studio's director tries to regain order, and Slim Pickins proclaims "I'm workin' for Mel Brooks" and socks him. Which is a great example of what Mel Brooks thinks is funny.
Thinking back to when Tropic Thunder came out, I remember the scandal relating to the movie had nothing to do with RDJs character, but with the fact that they say "retarded" in it.
I have to admit the “full retard” is one of the best lines I have ever heard in a movie. Maybe “10-20 million dead, tops” from Dr Strangelove is on that level.
Back in the dark ages (pre-streaming) Sky Movies showed "Dr Strangelove". The UHF scrambling only affected the picture, not the audio, so even though we didn't have a Sky subscription we could still listen in: it works wonderfully as a radio play too.
And like most of these "scandals", it was nothing more than a handful of offended people being very vocal while the vast majority didn't even notice. It's only worse now because of social media amplifying the outrage but the relative numbers are the same.
Well, to start, the number of n-bombs they drop is super uncomfortable these days, even with satire in mind. I love the movie, but that aspect just feels off now, even though I understand the intent.
> Well, to start, the number of n-bombs they drop is super uncomfortable these days, even with satire in mind.
It was, then, too, and intentionally so in contrast to the sanitized approach to the time period in conventional cinema of the time.
OTOH, that specific thing that it is satirizing is far less current and relevant today, so I suppose without active consideration of context, it might seem gratuitous as well as uncomfortable.
You’re right. But this is pure satire. The joke is that the white plains-folk are way dumber than Sheriff Bart. It’s a mockery of how stupid racism is.
I understand that its a mockery, but the word carries a lot more weight now than it did. Even just rewatching it with someone who knows nothing about it is really weird, because I have to genuinely worry if they're getting the sarcasm or if they think it was just made by racist people. It's not a casual word anymore, and that definitely affects how the film works.
It couldn't be made today in that state, because nobody would be comfortable with the language used, regardless of its historical accuracy. A TV show about
It could (many films use the "nig---" word repeatedly, look no further than tarantino) and honestly it should. Racism in the USA was brutal and still continues to this day. We should not try to whitewash it because the word, of all things, offends us.
That sort of mentality is what leads people to try to ban Huckleberry Finn from school libraries, because the depiction itself offends their sensibilities, regardless of the underlying message.
I'll concede Tarantino films are a good example. I think maybe the difference is that Hateful Eight, Jackie Brown, Pulp Fiction, and Django aren't comedies, and it tends to be a lot less casual. I recall most cases in Django being very hateful, used for a purpose. BS dropped it very casually, as if the characters were normal people talking that way every day (which is pretty accurate).
I'm not claiming anything should be whitewashed or censored at all, just that language in a modern context has an effect on how a movie comes across to the audience. I don't think that a modern audience would find it funny without the social atmosphere of the 1970s. I'm making no claims about the quality of the movie itself, as it actually was made. Similarly, if Huck Finn was written today, I do think it would have a really hard time. It works because of the place it has in history.
I don't think that really draws the ire most people expect it to, when it appears satirically.
As one example, here's an excerpt from the award-winning and highly popular Australian show Angry Boys, where a white character in blackface drops 37 n-bombs in 3 minutes. It aired on a publicly-owned broadcaster to no real disapproval.
Rob Reiner definitely tried hard to carry the torch: Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, A Few Good Men... For about 10 years he was as hot as the sun.
Max Brooks went in the opposite direction with World War Z. Also Albert Brooks was "always" at the Reiner's home and Carl talks about him always trying out new material on them.
EDIT: Albert Brooks is not related to Mel or Max. In fact his last name is Einstein. I believe it was Carl who said "Yeah guess which one got all the brains"
I wish any of my friendships was that robust. I've met a lot of people and I'm very social but for one reason or another friendships in the Bay Area never seem to become very deep (and most people I like end up leaving).
I can’t speak to friendships of 70 years, but I have a number of friends I’ve known for the better part of 10 to 15 years. I find there’s a few things that help foster these kinds of relationships:
1. You genuinely like each other.
2. The relationship is positive, meaning each party contributes in positive ways to the well-being of each other.
3. Proximity helps, but in cases where friends get separated due to circumstances of life: stay in touch. Make a point to call now and then, send a holiday card, involve them in travel plans, etc. maintaining contact is key.
4. For people you do lose contact with: check in. I know SO many people who let fantastic friendships wither due to fear of getting back in touch. What’s a year or two of downtime compared a friendship that can last decades? Reach out, they’ll be happy to hear from you.
Relationships take effort, and friendships are no different. Look for ones that add to your life in positive ways, try to do the same for them, and hang on to them as best you can. Good luck!
Buck Henry died last month. It made me wonder how much longer Mel Brooks will last. When I saw his name cross the Hacker News ether, my heart skipped a beat. I'm glad he's still going strong.
As I recall, the episode was initially just focused on Carl Reiner, but Seinfeld was invited back later that evening to join Reiner and Brooks for dinner.