Interview with Mel Brooks for his upcoming American Masters special on PBS. What does this comic genius think and what do his cast of characters think of him. It helps to research this stuff . . .

1. History of Mel Brooks: Part 1
Preparing for the Forbes Interview

2. First Part: Do your research
In preparing to interview Mel for his American Masters special
Mel Brooks: Make A Noise on PBS May 20, it helps to do your research . . .

3. “Mel is a fascinating
combination of elements”
- Nathan Lane
@toddmwilms

4. “He takes you down a path
where you think this is
going to be so wonderful,
and then he just pulls you
into something that is so
stupid and funny” – Joan
Rivers
@toddmwilms

5. “He felt special; and he was special”
– Carl Reiner
@toddmwilms

6. “His narcissism is hilarious. It’s like the sun”
– Richard Lewis
@toddmwilms

7. “Mel is not afraid to go up
to the line; occasionally he
will cross it” – Rob Reiner
@toddmwilms

8. “I said ‘my job is finding the insane and
the bizarre in the common place?’ I don’t
remember saying that, but I will give
myself a pat on the back for that one” -
Mel
@toddmwilms

9. On Zero Mostel: “I had to be careful about not hurting his feelings
and still getting what I want” - Mel
@toddmwilms

10. On meeting Mel: “When God spoke to Moses for the first
time . . . Yes, I would say it had some minor importance on
my life.” – Gene Wilder
@toddmwilms

11. On Mel and TV: “You said, ‘Let’s
call him Maxwell Smart. Because
then we can call the show ‘Get
Smart’.” – Buck Henry
@toddmwilms

12. “I was in love with him instantly. You see, because he
looked just like my father, and acted just like my mother”
– Anne Bancroft
@toddmwilms

13. On Blazing Saddles: “The
engine that runs it and
makes it stay on track is
‘Racial Prejudice’.” - Mel
@toddmwilms

14. “The difference between comedy and
tragedy is . . . Tragedy is if I cut my
finger. Comedy is if you fall into an open
sewer and die.” – Mel
@toddmwilms

15. “How could I not do the movie
with him? The characters
name is ‘Latrine’ for God’s
sake.” – Tracey Ullman
@toddmwilms

16. Interested
in
more
Brooksisms?
Visit
Shout
Factory
or
check
out
my
interview
on
Forbes
@Toddmwilms