Mel Brooks Does Shocking 180 on ‘Blazing Saddles’
Why did comedy maestro change his tune on classic western spoof?
“They couldn’t make that movie today.”
It’s one of the most common complaints stemming from the woke revolution. The new “rules” prevent storytellers from telling select jokes and mocking subjects suddenly deemed off limits.
It’s a key reason why big-screen comedies no longer rock the box office charts. Funny filmmakers like Todd Phillips (“The Hangover”) refuse to navigate the Cancel Culture terrain.
And “Blazing Saddles” is the ultimate “they couldn’t make that movie today” example.
The 1974 western spoof features repeated use of the “n-word,” plus a crush of envelope-shredding gags, which would cause a social media uproar today.
Brooks himself has admitted as much on more than one occasion. This 2017 interview found Brooks skewering PC culture, explaining why irreverent humor matters.
“No, no, I mean maybe ‘Young Frankenstein’ [could be made today]. Maybe a few. But never ‘Blazing Saddles,’ because we have become stupidly politically correct, which is the death of comedy … It’s okay not to hurt feelings of various tribes and groups. However, it’s not good for comedy. Comedy has to walk a thin line, take risks. Comedy is the lecherous little elf whispering into the king’s ear, always telling the truth about human behavior.”
Few would disagree. Sober voices like Joe Rogan have slammed woke culture as to why big-screen comedies no longer leave a mark. And “Blazing Saddles'” riotous takedown of racist dolts is no longer possible in today’s film universe.
Except Brooks has had a change of heart.
The comedy legend opened up to The Hollywood Reporter while promoting the new documentary, “Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man.” The conversation included his updated view on “Blazing Saddles,” one that may shock his longtime admirers.
You hear people say, “No one could get away with making that movie anymore.” Do you think you could still make Blazing Saddles today?
Sure. There were certain words we used [that would not fly today]. We used the N-word a lot, because Richard Pryor used it a lot and he was one of our writers. There were so many different things in Blazing Saddles that were in questionable taste, but who cares? Good taste doesn’t mean a thing. They realized that funny is money, so they let us get away with a lot of stuff.
What changed?
Yes, the woke handcuffs that have held back comedy are starting to loosen. We haven’t seen a flood of R-rated comedies that push us out of our comfort zones.
Still, roast comedies are making a comeback, the outrageous “Kill Tony!” is now part of the Netflix content library and stand-ups have more room to say what’s on their minds … with some exceptions.
Is Brooks referring to recent Culture War victories? Or, is he trying to placate Hollywood and the Legacy Media, two industries dedicated to far-Left groupthink?
Remember, Brooks is in promotional mode for not just the new HBO Max documentary. His “Spaceballs” sequel hits theaters next year, and he’d love to see the film repeat the original’s success.
He’s no dummy. He understands he can curry favor with the Hollywood press by ditching his woke culture critiques.
His about face on a critical comedy subject is still hard to hear.
I know I’m in the minority on this one and I may get blasted in the comments. But I’m just not on the same comedic vibration as Mel. I just never got what was so funny about his work. I always wonder if Mel Brooks fans are gaslighting me because I just don’t get the gag.
He’s the Bruce Springsteen of comedy. Wildly successful for reasons that don’t resonate with me.