De Niro among Kennedy Center honorees Sep 10, 2009
Bruce Springsteen, Dave Brubeck, Mel Brooks also to be honored ... Dignitaries from President Barack Obama on down will celebrate Brubeck's career, along with those of singer Bruce Springsteen, actor Robert De Niro, comic genius Mel Brooks and opera singer Grace Bumbry, the Kennedy Center announced Wednesday ... Mel Brooks, 83, is a former standup comedian who made his mark on television with the classic 2000-year-old man routine with Carl Reiner. (MSNBC -- Lifestyle)
Kennedy Center Honorees Announced Sep 10, 2009
This year's other honorees are singer Bruce Springsteen, actor Robert De Niro, comic genius Mel Brooks and opera singer Grace Bumbry. Brubeck said Wednesday's announcement would have delighted his mother, a classical pianist who was initially disappointed by her son's interest in jazz but eventually came around to his work. (KWTX.com, TX)
Keillor suffers stroke Sep 10, 2009
Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, rocker Bruce Springsteen, actor Robert De Niro, comic genius Mel Brooks, and opera singer Grace Bumbry will be feted Dec. 6 at the 32d Kennedy Center Honors Gala. The Kennedy Center Honors recognize performing artists for their contributions to American culture. (Boston Globe)
A game of adjustments Sep 4, 2009
As Mel Brooks said, "It's good to be the king!" (History of the World Part I-decent old school rental at your favorite video outlet. . (Cincinnati Sports -- Rivals.com)
Rep. Jerry McNerney, please see the public Aug 20, 2009
max stanfield wrote on Aug 17, 2009 7:03 PM:" Dogs 4 you: I have loved Mel Brooks [ an absolute film genius]ever since i was but a small child. So much creativity in one person. To Jeff: Yes Nakanishi is running for the board of equalization and from what I know he is very clean and honest. What a change. I can't find any positive about Jerry McNeb however, other than I am going to the sacramento airport in the next few days and hopefully he is polishing shoes. [or licking Nancy's boots] " ...... (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
REICH STUFF NOT 'SPRINGTIME FOR HITLER' Aug 14, 2009
But Levy never achieves the anarchist humor -- and class -- that make Mel Brooks' "The Producers" (1968) and Ernst Lubitsch's "To Be or Not To Be" (1942) classics of their kind. In German, with English subtitles. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
All American on stage this weekend in Gretna Aug 13, 2009
"Gretna High had just won the state championship (2007) and this show was about football. "When Gretna captured the title two years running, (2008) it was a sign that "All American" was definitely on the 2009 schedule," she added.The play is a Mel Brooks script based on a book by Robert Lewis Taylor.It is the story of an immigrant professor becoming an interim football coach at a Texas college when the regular coach becomes a casualty of a mad rush on the field.Music is by the Broadway team that... (Chatham Star Tribune, VA)
Robin Hood in Hollywood Aug 11, 2009
The Costner version, and many other elements of the legend, were mercilessly sent-up in 1993 by the master of spoofs Mel Brooks in Robin Hood: Men in Tights. But since then, the story has lain mostly dormant. (Suite101.com)
Daily guide to television and radio Aug 8, 2009
Mel Brooks frenzied homage to Hitchcock. PG (1978). (Boston Globe)
Comedy director John Hughes dies Aug 7, 2009
In my book; in the world of great comedy directors he is up there with Mel Brooks, Woody Allen and Billy Wilder. When someone complains that there are no teen movies that speak to the kids of today my answer is; there is. (BBC News -- Americas)
Turner Classic Movies to Launch A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES, New Series of One-Hour Specials Focusing on Film Genres Aug 6, 2009
Series from DreamWorks Television to Kick-Off in October With A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES: THE SUSPENSEFUL WORLD OF THRILLERS, Followed by a Month-Long Festival Featuring Classic Thrillers Thrillers Special to Include Interviews with Ken Follett, Diablo Cody, Kenneth Branagh, Mel Brooks, Martin Landau and Many More ... The special will feature interviews with such figures as TCM host Robert Osborne; Ken Follett, author of Eye of the Needle; Bryan Singer, writer and director of The Usual Suspects and... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
'Blazing Saddles'on screen today Jul 29, 2009
More recently, in 1974, Mel Brooks shocked and surprised moviegoers with "Blazing Saddles," a daring and provocative parody of the Hollywood western. The American Film Institute has ranked the film sixth in a list of the 100 funniest American movies of all time -- just behind "Annie Hall" and "Duck Soup.". (Erie Times-News, PA)
'In the Heights,' '39 Steps' to top SHN season Jul 28, 2009
Mel Brooks' musical "Young Frankenstein," Chaim Topol's latest tour in the perennially popular "Fiddler on the Roof" and an as-yet unspecified "current Broadway blockbuster" complete the season. The shows will be presented in SHN's Orpheum, Curran and Golden Gate theaters. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Daily TV guide Jul 10, 2009
Mel Brooks s send-up of Hollywood Westerns. Cleavon Little. (Boston Globe)
Roundup: Celebs Bid Farewell to MJ Jul 8, 2009
" - Jim to Sheriff Bart in Mel Brooks, Blazing Saddles by brianbwb-2009 July 7, 2009 8:54 PM PDT In his day, Don Rickles was quite entertaining, albeit on a different level. Anyone who can bring laughter to a generally non-funny existence is to be commended. As for Britney and Lindsay, I had a few laughs because of them too, so let us not totally trash them, ok? I mean there are worse ways to make a living, look at Bush. We could have laughed at him quite a bit, had the body count been zero. by... (CBS News)
Showtime for Hitler Jul 5, 2009
The Producers, which started life as a cult late- '60s film, became a Broadway musical in 2001 and is about to be a film (of the musical) again, bears the unmistakable stamp of Mel Brooks, Hollywood and Broadways king of schtick ... Indeed, The Producers' subtitle, carefully observed in all its promotional material, is "The new Mel Brooks musical" ... "I opened the door, ready to see this legend. Instead of shaking hands, his arms went up in the air, he launched into a song from the show, That... (The Age, Australia -- Features)
Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., Lights Up the Stage With 'Creature from The Black Lagoon - A Raging Rockin' Show,' A Broadway-Level Contemporary, Musical Adaptation of Universal's Cult Horror Film Jul 1, 2009
"Creature from the Black Lagoon - A Raging Rockin' Show" is being realized for the stage by Universal Creative and an award-winning theatrical production team drawing from the best of Broadway that includes, Tony Award-nominated Director and Choreographer Lynne Taylor-Corbett, whose credits include Footloose, starring Kevin Bacon, Bewitched, starring Nicole Kidman and Broadway's "Swing!"; Scenic Designer James Youmans, whose credits include Broadway's "West Side Story" and "Gypsy," starring... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Celebrity birthdays for the week of June 28-July 4 Jun 25, 2009
June 28: Comedian-director Mel Brooks is 83. Comedian John Byner is 72. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Kershaw answers fans' questions Jun 24, 2009
Kershaw: I love comedies and my favorite is Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. You have to see it. (MLB.com -- Los Angeles Dodgers)
Funny ladies Jun 23, 2009
Other career highlights: A trio of Mel Brooks film comedies as Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein (1974), Nurse Diesel in High Anxiety(1977) and Madame Defarge in History of the World: Part 1 (1981); Ida, the Slavic granny on Malcolm in the Middle (2001-06); made it to the sixth round on Dancing With the Stars in 2008. Pet causes: Posed in a lettuce gown for a pro-vegetarian PETA poster this year; was Timmy's mom on TV's Lassie in the '50s. (USA Today)
Movie Review: Black's Year One Jun 22, 2009
It's kind of like Mel Brooks meets Monty Python but not in the same league. Year One is written and directed with a sloppy touch by Harold Ramis. (KHOU.com, TX)
This week's DVD releases (June 21) Jun 21, 2009
95; available now) SPACEBALLS (1987) The power of the Force - er, Schwartz - is twice as strong on Blu-ray for Mel Brooks s Star Wars riff. (MGM, $29. (Boston Globe)
Local writer gets promoted from 'The Office' to the big screen with the comedy 'Year One' Jun 20, 2009
Year One showcases the manic star power of Jack Black and features Mel Brooks-worthy scenes in which Black and fellow cave dweller Michael Cera stumble upon such Old Testament figures as Abraham and Isaac ... Ramis came up with the concept of Year One when he was in college and heard Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner doing The 2000 Year Old Man. (Boston Globe)
'Year One' Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know Jun 20, 2009
To pen the script, Ramis enlisted two writers Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg who work on one of the best comedies on TV today: "The Office." As , the references for the film skewed less toward the Old Testament and more toward comedy greats like Mel Brooks and Monty Python. "It's kind of like 'The Meaning of Life' or 'Life of Brian' a funny look at biblical tales," Black told us. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Year One: Jokes from the Stone Age Jun 19, 2009
" Abraham is down on Sodom, as you can imagine, but that's where Zed and Oh are bound (there's a subplot revolving around rescuing the women they love from slavery). They meet up again with Cain (he's a running joke, but in Cross's cheerfully detestable hands, a bad one), who leads them on a tour of the city. "You know what's the best part about Sodom. " Cain says. "The sodomy. (Time.com)
Review: 'Year One' not the most evolved comedy Jun 19, 2009
Ramis, who came up with the story, seems to be aiming for his own version of the Mel Brooks classic "History of the World: Part 1." Unfortunately, there's nothing terribly memorable about these adventures. "Year One," a Columbia Pictures release, is rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content throughout, brief strong language and comic violence. (Jefferson City News Tribune, MO)
"Year One" Jun 19, 2009
Either way, there's nothing in "Year One" that's even half as funny as Carl Gottlieb's rapturously silly 1981 "Caveman" or Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner's genius "2000-Year-Old Man" (which Ramis has cited as an influence). "Year One" sets prehistoric comedy back at least 20 years. (Salon)
Allen's film, 'Whatever Works,' ideal for David Jun 17, 2009
On "Curb Your Enthusiasm," Larry David's alter ego has realized two fantasies: starring in a Mel Brooks production (as Max Bialystock in "The Producers") and acting in a Martin Scorsese film (as a Jewish gangster). Now, like a "Curb" story line come to life, David stars in Woody Allen's latest film, "Whatever Works.". (Erie Times-News, PA)
Land Of The Lost Jun 16, 2009
Spoof is perhaps the laziest form of comedy anyway, unless in the hands of a master such as Mel Brooks. It's based simply on the audience recognising what's being parodied: the bond of shared demography, as in "I saw that show too!". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Cast announced Jun 16, 2009
LASALLE ; The cast has been announced for Stage 212;s Summer 2009 musical production ;The Producers,; by Mel Brooks. The Producers; is adapted by Brooks, along with Thomas Meehan, from his own 1968 film comedy about two Broadway producers scheming to get rich by deliberately producing a flop. (Princeton Bureau County Republican, IL)
Europe.view: Laughing matters May 22, 2009
Berliners are laughing uproariously at Mel Brooks s play The Producers (pictured), which has finally opened in a German-language production in Berlin. It satirises New York theatre-land, telling the story of two producers who want to stage a failure for tax reasons; they put on the grotesque Springtime for Hitler , only to find it becomes a raging success. (The Economist)
Whats in store for next years Oscars? May 21, 2009
A best-picture trophy for producer Mel Brooks would make a nice companion bookend for his screenplay Oscar on the 1968 original. Walk the Line Joaquin Phoenix is the man in black, Johnny Cash, with Reese Witherspoon as wife June Carter. (MSNBC -- Academy Awards)
Showtime for Hitler: The Producers Comes to Berlin May 20, 2009
Like the rest of the audience at the Berlin opening of the Mel Brooks musical comedy The Producers on Sunday night, the old man waits. But when a caged pigeon named Adolf throws up a wing in a Nazi salute, no one can hold back. (Time.com)
Spam, Spam, Spam May 18, 2009
Idle's first idea for an adaptation was "The Producers." He approached Mel Brooks with the idea in 1991, nearly a full decade before the blockbuster musical version of that film reached Broadway. Idle proposed playing the stressed-out accountant, Leo Bloom, to Brooks' own conniving producer, Max Bialystock. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Tyrants In Therapy: Veteran L.A. Based Duo Brings Their Gleefully Defiant "Punk Cabaret" Vibe to a New Generation with 'High Class Trash' May 14, 2009
A Wickedly Witty, Socially Conscious Cross Between The Eurythmics and Mel Brooks, Tyrants In Therapy Have Been Public Access TV (and now YouTube) Sensations With Their Half Hour Comedy Variety Series Meet The Tyrants In Therapy ... LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tony Award winning musical satirist and comic legend Mel Brooks may have created the ultimate spoof on the Fuhrer with Springtime For Hitler. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Old movie posters mean big bucks for NJ collector May 11, 2009
DeLuca's first purchase was in the early 1990s - a poster for Mel Brooks' "The Producers." He figures he now owns tens of thousands of archival pieces, including rare photographs, original movie scripts and concert posters, for a collection worth upward of $10 million. Far fewer posters were printed in Hollywood's early years, he said, and often they were leased to the theaters and were not intended for public collecting in the same way as baseball cards or comic books. (Fresno Bee -- State)
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)
'The Producers' arrives in Germany May 7, 2009
" "The Producers" began as a film by Jewish-American comedian Mel Brooks in 1968 which he helped adapt into a stage musical in 2001. The plot revolves around two Jewish con artists on Broadway who figure that with a scam, they can make more money staging a flop musical than a hit so they set out to develop the worst play of all time. But the result, "Springtime for Hitler: A Gay Romp With Eva and Adolf at Berchtesgaden", is taken for a brilliant satire by the New York theatre crowd and the... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Tributes paid to comedian DeLuise May 7, 2009
Dom DeLuise appeared in numerous successful Mel Brooks comedies. Mel Brooks and Burt Reynolds are among those who have paid tribute to actor and comedian Dom DeLuise, who has died in Los Angeles at the age of 75 ... DeLuise is best known for his roles in such Mel Brooks comedies as Blazing Saddles, Silent Movie and History of the World: Part I.. (BBC News)
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)
* Actor, comedian, chef Dom DeLuise passes away at 75 May 7, 2009
Writer, director and actor Mel Brooks particularly admired DeLuises talent for offbeat comedy and cast him in several films, including The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Silent Movie and History of the World Part I. DeLuise was also the voice of Pizza the Hutt in Brooks Star Wars parody, Spaceballs. Dom DeLuise was a big man in every way, Brooks said in a statement on Tuesday. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
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)
Hitler back in Berlin - in Mel Brooks farce May 1, 2009
More than six decades after the Nazi dictator killed himself in his Berlin bunker, a character parodying Hitler will feature in the first production in Germany of the award-winning Broadway musical comedy by Mel Brooks, "The Producers." ... "Mel Brooks has shown how totally ridiculous Hitler was and given us the chance to laugh about him. It's not just a musical comedy about the Nazis. It's a comedy about a couple of crooks. But I'm convinced it's liberating for Germans to be able laugh about... (Yahoo News)
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)
Tongue-in-cheek twists on classic fairy tale Apr 16, 2009
com In the cast list, John Vance is called "storyteller." But it may seem like he's doubling for comedic actor/director Mel Brooks when Vance guides the action on the Seney-Stovall stage Friday and Saturday ... But it may seem like he's doubling for comedic actor/director Mel Brooks when Vance guides the action on the Seney-Stovall stage Friday and Saturday. (Athens Banner-Herald)
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)
COLUMN: Obama administrations growing pains Mar 28, 2009
Trinket Diplomacy was funny in Blazing Saddles when Harvey Koorman as Hedley Lamaar, suggested that Mel Brooks as Governor Richard LePettomaine, trade a box of Paddle Balls with the Indians in exchange for land. I wonder if Blazing Saddles is included in the DVD set that Gordon Brown got. (Malden Observer, MA)
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)
Valor knows no sexuality Mar 11, 2009
They'll take their money and run For years, I found the plot of Mel Brooks' movie and musical "The Producers" amusing. Basically, the persons in charge, in this case, the producers, come up with a scheme that is sure to fail. (NJ.com -- Times)
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)
Trails Center features unsung history of black cowboys Feb 13, 2009
Mel Brooks turned those portrayals upside down with his Western parody "Blazing Saddles" with Cleavon Little playing Sheriff Bart. "When you think of cowboys, you think of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood," Rose said. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
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)
