The Parrots And People Paradox May 7, 2009
I saw him for the first time in Mel Brooks' "Silent Movie" (my first date, too) and was smitten. What a lovely man, with a big heart. (CBS News)
Blazing Saddles actor dies at 81 May 7, 2009
Korman, who appeared in a number of other Mel Brooks films, was also known for co-starring in US TV classic The Carol Burnett Show. He died in Los Angeles on Thursday after suffering complications from the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm four months ago, his family said. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Comedy actor DeLuise dies May 6, 2009
DeLuise appeared in several successful Mel Brooks comedies ... DeLuise is best known for his performances in Mel Brooks' successful comic films, playing film director Buddy Bizarre in Blazing Saddles and Roman emperor Nero in History of the World: Part I.. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
'Billy Elliot' ties 'Producers' record with 15 Tony nominations May 6, 2009
By Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY NEW YORK Look out, Mel Brooks Billy Elliot has your number. AND THE NOMINEES ARE. (USA Today -- Life)
Changing Times: 'Springtime For Hitler'_ In Berlin Apr 28, 2009
Older people in the audience may "quarrel with the whole idea of having fun with what they thought was the most serious part of their lives," Mel Brooks, the musical's co-author, told The Associated Press. But for people aged 35 or 40, "I don't think there's any problem at all. ...They're hip, they're bright, and Berlin has always been a great theater town. They've always broken ground.". (CBS News -- World)
Actress Bea Arthur, Star of TV's Golden Girls, Dies at 86 Apr 28, 2009
Among the movies: "That Kind of Woman" (1959), "Lovers and Other Strangers" (1970), Mel Brooks' "The History of the World: Part I" (1981), "For Better or Worse" (1995). The plays included Woody Allen's "The Floating Light Bulb" and "The Bermuda Avenue Triangle," written by and costarring Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna. (Fox News)
A LOOK AT THE WEEK AHEAD Apr 11, 2009
Shows include Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" (Oct. 13-25); "Chicago" (Jan. (Erie Times-News, PA)
A party with Marty, and a trip down memory lane Apr 1, 2009
In New York, Jiminy floored onstage guest Mel Brooks by blurting, apropos of nothing, What is your beef with Nazis. He does admit to having a hard time keeping up with current comedy. (Globe and Mail)
PREMIERE: 'Love' was a funny thing at 'Man' debut Mar 19, 2009
Saturday Night Live's Samberg shared his own male-bonding techniques, perfected in summer camp: "I wouldn't know anybody and I'd have to casually pick up on a dude to hang out with, usually whoever was the most nerdy. I would look at a guy and ask, 'What are the odds he spent most of the last five years watching Mel Brooks and Monty Python?' If the answer was close to yes, I would give it a shot.". Mather Zickel (the rehabbing best man from Rachel Getting Married), plays one of Rudd's man-dates... (USA Today -- Life)
Paul Rudd, no longer a sidekick, stars in a 'bromance' Mar 16, 2009
Growing up, he was a fan of Steve Martin, Mel Brooks and George Carlin. But he decided to pursue classical theater at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. (International Herald Tribune)
Are The Peasants Truly Revolting? Feb 28, 2009
During the French Revolution portion of Mel Brooks epic comedy History of the World, Pt. I , Count de Money no, no you fool, Count de Monet de-Mon-A approached King Louis XVI to inform him of an against the crown. It is said that the people are revolting the Count, (portrayed brilliantly by the late Harvey Korman), tells him. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Robin Hood Republicanism? Feb 27, 2009
The idea that the GOP's Nottingham Sheriffs have genuinely become Robin Hoods might be plausible in a burlesque subtitled "Men in Tights" - but this is real life, not a Mel Brooks spoof. Then again, politics is theater of the absurd, featuring everything from a draft dodger posing as a "Top Gun" pilot to self-proclaimed "fiscal conservatives" repeatedly voting for deficit-expanding tax breaks. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Wide world of theatre Feb 19, 2009
For something completely different, there's Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. Based on the maestro's own cult comedy classic, this zany song and dance version recreates all of the original's film highlights, including the Monster tapping his way through "Puttin' on the Ritz.". (Toronto Star)
It's Friday ... again Feb 13, 2009
SHOWCASE :: Erie's Entertainment Web Site. Music as a Weapon tour with Disturbed, Killswitch Engage, Chimaira, Lacuna Coil to visit Tullio Arena on April 20; tickets on sale Feb. 14. (Erie Times-News, PA)
Army Archerd Feb 10, 2009
The return to favor couldn't have come at a better moment-she had been assured to costar in "Young Frankenstein" on B'way but after her tryout, Mel Brooks decided against her. He reminded, "I don't want her dropping dead on stage -- eight shows a week!" he allowed to me. (Variety)
Life after Seinfeld Mar 30, 2008
Along the way, he returned to the stage, which he loves, to star in the West Coast production of Mel Brooks' hilarious The Producers opposite good pal Martin Short. Alexander started out in show business with a stage role at 16, which led to his first film, a 1981 horror picture The Burning. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Sandler, Myers, Carell bring spring laughs Mar 26, 2008
Add to that the fact that Mel Brooks and Buck Henry created the original series and neither of them is involved in this remake ... I mean it's a tough act to follow Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. (MSNBC -- Movies)
Top 10 Spoof Movies Mar 25, 2008
March 24, 2008 - The spoof genre has been a big-screen staple since the Mel Brooks and Zucker brothers comedies of the 1970s and '80s ... Admittedly, Mel Brooks has made better, but this Cary Elwes flick's place in the pantheon of best spoof movies is secured by two things, the presence of Dave Chappelle (in his first film role) and the unforgettable "Men in Tights" musical number. (IGN FilmForce)
More guys wanted Mar 25, 2008
And on June 1, the channel will premiere animated series Spaceballs, based on the Mel Brooks movie, along with the TV premiere of The King of Kong, a documentary about the quest for high-scoring stardom in Donkey Kong. G4 is also supplementing syndicated staple Cops with same-week repeats of NBC's Heroes, and this fall begins airing ABC's Lost, starting with the series pilot, each weeknight. (USA Today)
Kate Hudson Didn't Help Owen Wilson's 'Drillbit' Mar 25, 2008
Already set in stone for several nominations is Mel Brooks Young Frankenstein. Andrea Martin is a lock for Best Supporting Actress, and the show itself should get all the regular nominations for Best Musical, Director (Susan Stroman, natch), Book, Lighting (Peter Kaczorowski), Set Design (Robin Wagner) etc. (Fox News)
Stop-Loss is a Cant Miss Mar 24, 2008
Well before Mel Brooks pointed it out to a whole new generation centuries later, Henry VIII was one of the first to illustrate that it is good to be the king. His exploits are the subject of the Showtime series, The Tudors, which begins its second season this week. (MSNBC -- News)
Wit intact, Gene Wilder looks back, wryly Mar 22, 2008
His director and co-scriptwriter, Mel Brooks, found him there and asked him why he was so sad. Wilder knew what was wrong but just couldn't express it. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Theaters embrace digital age Mar 21, 2008
But this season, everything from Shakespeare to Mel Brooks, from Sondheim to the Rockettes are wiggling their digitals. Theater creators initially appeared wary of digital input, fearing it was a gimmick, that it upstaged the actors, or that it was an attempt to turn theater into cinema. (Variety)
'Young Frankenstein': A 'bold' backpedaling from premium ticket prices Mar 19, 2008
Look closely at the latest television commercial for "The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein." After the usual production numbers and excited narration comes an announcement: "All tickets $50 to $120." Nothing for $450, $350 or even $225. As if Brooks's previous musical, "The Producers," the show that introduced the premium Broadway ticket in 2001, never happened. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
'Producers' star makes lasting impression with audiences Mar 15, 2008
Elizabeth Pawlowski gets several big song-and-dance turns in "The Producers," the musical based on Mel Brooks' Oscar-winning movie ... " What: "The Producers"When: 7:30 p.m. SaturdayWhere: Orpheum TheatreTickets: Available at all Ticketmaster outlets.Details: "The Producers," based on Mel Brooks' Oscar-winning movie, won more Tony Awards than any musical in Broadway history. It starred Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick and was later turned into a film. The show recently closed on Broadway. But... (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Get out of the house. Brave the snowdrifts. Have a good laugh Mar 7, 2008
Here, they've taken the classic, dark, Gothic novel - young damsel sent to work at an eerie, secluded country house run by a seemingly schizoid bachelor and his lunatic staff - and turned it into a memorable piece of silliness, stealing shamelessly from the comedic archive of Monty Python, Peter Sellers, Mel Brooks and the Marx Brothers. In fact, there's quite a lot of Mel Brooks, including one dream sequence in which three Talmudic black hats compare their physical endowments (in noisy faux... (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
O'Brien's blog Feb 29, 2008
The man asks why he was in NY, and LaSorda starts telling him, and that s when I thought of the line from History of the World, Pt. I, when Mel Brooks said, It s good to the be the king. Not that anyone was baring cleavage to LaSorda or anthing, but just to hear him tell the story of why he was in NY, this 80-year-old dude being summoned by a friend who owns an Italian-restaurant chain, to help his son with something or other, and then while he s there, his buddy Mr. Modell asks Tommy to come... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Thursday 02/21/2008 Feb 25, 2008
Entertainment news, movie reviews, awards, festivals, celebrity photos, industry events - Variety. Film Independent's Spirit Awards. (Variety)
'Idol' director may be leaving show Feb 25, 2008
Idol' director may be leaving show - Entertainment News, TV News, Media - Variety. Film Independent's Spirit Awards. (Variety)
Anne Thompson Feb 24, 2008
Columns by - Entertainment News, Celebrity News, Opinion - Variety. Film Independent's Spirit Awards. (Variety)
McCain Declares War on NYT Feb 22, 2008
He should hire Mel Brooks or novelist Christopher Buckley (or both). Tell them to start with the truth: that the New York Times newsroom isn t a business run by adults. (Human Events Online)
Innovative John Alvin master of movie poster art Feb 16, 2008
His first job was designing the one-sheet for 1974's "Blazing Saddles," with its painterly profile of Mel Brooks in Native American headdress (the Hebrew letters on the band read "Kosher for Passover"). It was an old-school take on a madcap movie; along with the work of fellow artist Drew Struzan, Alvin inaugurated the neoclassic era in movie posters, turning away from the stark postwar abstractions of Saul Bass to a softer, ironically retro presentation of stars and titles. (Boston Globe)
Steve Carell Talks About The Rock Kicking His Butt; Says 'Smart' Is The Bomb Feb 13, 2008
On the old show, which was created by legendary funnymen Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, the Cone was one of many running gags that yielded the same joke. This time, however, director Peter Segal ("50 First Dates") has filled the cast with a solid stable of improv actors. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Some kids' programs Dad likes even more Feb 9, 2008
"Jakers!" Stories - well told - of Ireland and Mel Brooks as a sheep. Different in enough ways to make the Top 20, though not a knock-out entertainment-wise. (San Francisco Chronicle)
'Narnia's' Johnson rides hot streak Feb 8, 2008
" which didn't seem to have the edge festgoers we're looking for.Johnson and Levinson go way back together. After meeting on Mel Brooks' "High Anxiety" as second assistant director and writer, respectively, Johnson and Levinson partnered for 12 years, sharing the best picture Oscar for "Rain Man" in 1989 before splitting in 1994.It was during filming of Clint Eastwood's "A Perfect World" that Johnson realized his relationship with Levinson had run its course. "Barry and I disagreed on the movies... (Variety)
The week's best films Feb 2, 2008
Blazing Saddles (Mel Brooks, 1974) 11. 20pm, Five. (Guardian Unlimited -- Film)
The Madness of John McCain Feb 2, 2008
With the world as his stage, the persona McCain has created given visible expression by what Camille Paglia trenchantly described as the over-intense eyes of Howard Hughes and the clenched, humorless jaw line of Nurse Diesel (from Mel Brooks Hitchcock parody, High Anxiety) will have every opportunity to act out his fantasies of soldierly greatness. . (The American Conservative)
'Frankenstein' rethinks its formula Feb 2, 2008
"One of the biggest mistakes I made was the pricing of these tickets, against the good advice of some very smart Broadway people," says the backer of Mel Brooks' $16 million follow-up to his legit hit "The Producers." "But there's no way to undo it. Those days are gone.". In the wake of a string of biz decisions that stirred the resentment of many in the industry, Sillerman has stepped forward to claim responsibility -- and, he says, to steer the ire away from creatives, who he feels became the... (Variety)
PR problems for 'Frankenstein' Feb 1, 2008
Sillerman has stepped forward to claim unilateral responsibility for a string of biz decisions that caused an industry backlash against "Young Frankenstein," the Mel Brooks tuner he co-produced with Brooks. "There are definitely things I wish I had done differently," he told Daily Variety. (Variety)
Flagler man's Walter Brennan imitation close to the real McCoy Jan 28, 2008
"With five children, nine grandchildren and a wife supportive of his hobby -- though she sometimes acts as his voice of reason -- Hess plans to continue his infamous Brennan impersonation for as long as it's fun.kari Did You Know?The rugged, free-thinking and hard-living cowboy is an integral part of American history that is repeatedly memorialized, and sensationalized, by the Hollywood western. Whether portrayed with humor, as in Buster Keaton's 1925 film "Go West" or Mel Brooks' "Blazing... (Daytona Beach News Journal)
The Union Square Round Table Jan 25, 2008
("What's Mel Brooks doing on Sportscenter?" Dryer interrupted, glancing at the TV.). A month after the Blue Man debacle, for the first anniversary show, the troupe sold out the house. (Boston Globe)
FULL STORY > Jan 22, 2008
MEL Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" musical opened last year. He's still tweaking it. (New York Post -- Gossip)
'Nicholas Nickleby' and 'La Cage': Iconic and well refreshed Jan 15, 2008
rables": another show adapted from a capacious 19th-century novel. "Nicholas Nickleby" has now been revived on the West End at the Gielgud Theatre, where, as is the way of such things, it happens to be playing next door to "Les Mis," which has run continuously all these years. "Nickleby," by contrast, finishes its limited run on Jan. 27, the less-than-stellar box office proof that theatrical events don't necessarily happen twice. (Though warmly received by the audience that was there, at the... (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Does anyone want to go barefoot in the park? Neil Simon play coming to Sesser Opera House Jan 12, 2008
When it comes to humorists, Neil Simon ranks right up there with Mark Twain and Mel Brooks. Many Broadway audiences virtually rolled in the aisles watching plays such as the Simon classic, Barefoot in the Park. (West Frankfort Daily American, IL)
Clinton's upset notblack and white Jan 12, 2008
In the immortal words of Governor William J Le Petomane ( Mel Brooks) in his 1974 comedy classic Blazing Saddles, "We've gotta protect our phoney baloney jobs, gentlemen!". And so, like cavalry soldiers of old, the punditocracy saddles up and rides out to the sounds of the guns. (Asia Times Online)
Mort Garson, 83; composer used Moog synthesizer Jan 11, 2008
As a composer, he wrote music for Mel Brooks' and Carl Reiner's 1975 animated television special "The 2000 Year Old Man," "The Untamed World" documentary series, game shows, movies and "Marilyn! the Musical," which debuted in London in 1983. And teamed with lyricist Bob Hilliard, he co-wrote the 1963 Ruby and the Romantics hit "Our Day Will Come," which rose to No. 1 on national charts. (Los Angeles Times)
Obituaries in the News Jan 10, 2008
Richard Stahl, whose screen credits include Mel Brooks' 1977 spoof ``High Anxiety'' and TV's ``The Odd Couple,'' plus ``Laverne ey,'' died in 2006. Ish was heavily influenced by her high school drama teacher, an old vaudeville actor, and developed a knack for imitations, Stahl said. (Guardian Unlimited -- World)
Sid Caesar is still the showman of showmen Jan 9, 2008
He had an all-star writing staff, including Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Larry Gelbart and Woody Allen. But the star had the final say. (USA Today -- Life)
Edward Albee, Josh Brolin, Ruby Dee and Sidney Lumet Added to The New York Times Arts and Leisure Week January 7 - 13 Dec 29, 2007
TimesTalks also include Paul Auster, Roger Bart, Philip Bosco, Tom Brokaw, Mel Brooks, Bob Drogin, Feist, John Gannon, Leslie Gelb, Jeff Koons, Nicole Krauss, James Levine, "Mad Men" creator Matthew Weiner and cast members including Jon Hamm and John Slattery, Theodore Mann, Wynton Marsalis, Rick Moody, Mark Morris, Megan Mullally, The Naked Brothers Band, Julian Schnabel, Thomas Schumacher, Frances Sternhagen, Martha Stewart, Susan Stroman, Jeffrey Toobin and Cornel West ... The roster of... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Long, witty line of Jewish comedians Dec 29, 2007
Then came radio, motion pictures and eventual spots on television where comics like Carl Reiner, Neil Simon and Mel Brooks defined today's talk shows and sitcoms ... The show featured a supporting cast led by Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner and Howard Morris, and an all-star team of writers including Mel Brooks, Neil Simon and Larry Gelbart (even you'd be funny with those guys working for ya). (CNN -- Showbiz)
Broadway hits high over holiday Dec 27, 2007
55 million for Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein," which does not report grosses, and the legit sector has plenty of reasons for holiday cheer. While the week between Christmas and New Year's is traditionally the season's strongest (the Dec. 25-31 frame earned a record-smashing $29. (Variety)
This List for Dec. 23 Dec 23, 2007
The cast recording for the Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein, based on the 1974 Brooks film of the same name, gets a merry Dec. 26 release. Buoyant performances by Broadway s Tony Award-winning stars Roger Bart and Sutton Foster not to mention Andrea Martin make this light-as-a-feather score sound fun. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Shows have smooth ride on road Dec 22, 2007
Mel Brooks' brand is strong, too -- explaining wide road enthusiasm for "Young Frankenstein," despite its tepid Gotham reviews. For sure, presenters are increasingly price-conscious. (Variety)
Broadway plays its strong suit Dec 22, 2007
With the post-strike shuffle prompting Disney to delay the opening of "The Little Mermaid" until January, the only big tuner news of the fall was Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein.". Perhaps inevitably, after the warm embrace extended to "The Producers," the stage reworking of Brooks' classic horror spoof was given a lukewarm greeting by critics, most of whom felt that it too slavishly tried to recreate the film rather than evolve into its own animal. (Variety)
International Hockey HoF makes room for the ladies Dec 21, 2007
What former major leaguer was quoted as saying the following: They wanted me to play third like Brooks (Robinson) so I did play like Brooks Mel Brooks. IT'S A DOG-EAT-BALL WORLD. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Drowsy Chaperone to end long Broadway run Dec 21, 2007
The show fell victim to widespread audience indifference toward original musicals not spawned from feature films or other familiar materials, such as the current Mel Brooks hit Young Frankenstein. Its box office challenge was complicated by a smart postmodern premise that spawned great word of mouth but proved difficult to market. (Globe and Mail)
Matching Candidates With Celebrities Dec 20, 2007
Or, for that matter, Rudy Giuliani with Bill Cosby, Mitt Romney with Montel Williams, or Ron Paul with Mel Brooks. In each case, the celebrity is the one who matches up most closely with that particular candidate for president on a selection of five key character traits--articulateness, intelligence, confidence, experience and how influential they are perceived to be. (Forbes)
Walk Hard ultimately stumbles Dec 19, 2007
This comedy genre has given us classics like Mel Brooks Blazing Saddles (which brilliantly skewered the Western) and Young Frankenstein (classic horror movies), not to mention the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker classic Airplane. which single-handedly destroyed the disaster movie until Jerry Bruckheimer brought it back to life with Armageddon. (MSNBC -- Movies)
Dustin Hoffman on sex and death Dec 15, 2007
"I've been doing movies since 1967. Have I been involved in movies that had scenes that made this exchange look like nothing? And did we hear stories of Jack Nicholson throwing a television set across the room trying to kill Roman Polanski in Chinatown? Did Bill Murray not pick up the producer who was running Universal and throw her into the lake on What About Bob?" The names keep coming: Gene Hackman, Mel Brooks, Robert Duvall. "We heard these things constantly. And shouldn't that happen if it... (Sydney Morning Herald)
Producer, agent Freddie Fields dies Dec 13, 2007
At ICM, Fields talent roster included Newman, Streisand, Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Woody Allen, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, McQueen and directors Arthur Penn, Steven Spielberg, Mel Brooks, Sidney Pollack, George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, and Paul Mazursky. Fields first marriage, to actress Polly Bergen, ended in divorce. (MSNBC -- News)
Internet Message Boards and Musicals Dec 8, 2007
My guilty pleasure in life is musical soundtrack albums, in particular "The Producers" (pictured from left, Richard Dreyfuss, Mel Brooks and Lee Evans) and Monty Python's "Spamalot." I'm also one of the only guys I know that liked the movie version of "Chicago" a few years ago ... My wife laughs at me when I sing every word of "Keep It Gay" from "The Producers" (Mel Brooks is a genius). (Boston Globe)
Chavez's "Democratic Authoritarianism" Dec 6, 2007
One is reminded of the quote from the film History of the World: Part I when Mel Brooks' Louis XVI announced, "It's good to be the King.". But we should not forget that, behind the bloated rhetoric, Hugo Chvez is an undeniable megalomania 00004000 c. His raison d'tre is accumulating power, and everything he has done over the past eight years has made it infinitely easier for him to seize even more power. (CBS News)
Critic's Corner chat Dec 4, 2007
Question -- and it's not related to TV, so I hope you will answer it -- but a few weeks ago I noticed you wrote the review for the Broadway opening of Mel Brooks' new stage version of "Young Frankenstein." How did that assignment come about. And how did you like doing it as opposed to your usual beat writing about TV. (USA Today -- Life)
Mel Tolkin, 'Your Show of Shows' writer Dec 3, 2007
Comedy writers for Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows:" (from left, front row) Gary Belkin, Sheldon Keller, Michael Stewart and Mel Brooks; (from left, back) Neil Simon , Mel Tolkin, and Larry Gelbart ... As head writer on the live, 90-minute "Your Show of Shows," Mr. Tolkin led a pack of writers that included Lucille Kallen, Mel Brooks, Tony Webster, and Neil and Danny Simon, among others. (Boston Globe)
The Soundbite Congress Dec 3, 2007
The history of this year s Congress should be written by Mel Brooks. Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi have spent weeks and months flapdoodling on ending the Iraq war, fiddling with FISA, bashing Gen. Petraeus and whining about obstructionist Republicans who aren t joining in their legislative mayhem. (Human Events Online)
