Mel Brooks is one of the most influential voices in comedy, what with the groundbreaking TV series “Your Show of Shows,” films like “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein” and, of course, the film-turned-musical “The Producers.” Now, Brooks will look back over his sprawling career in HBO’s “Mel Brooks Strikes Back!”
The special, which will air December 10 at 9/8c, will feature Brooks onstage with Alan Yentob, creative director for the BBC, at the Geffen Theater in Westwood, Cal. in front of a live audience. Brooks will talk about his career as a writer, director, actor, producer, composer, failed ballet dancer and comedian. The special will also take a look at the Brooks’ early life, show-business influences, early career and rise to stardom as one of Hollywood’s most successful writers and directors.
“Mel Brooks Strikes Back!” will feature clips from some of his classic movies and TV work like “Your Show of Shows,” one of Brooks and Reiner’s “2000 Year Old Man” routines and the films such as “The Producers,” “Blazing Saddles” and “High Anxiety.” Brooks will also field questions from the audience, discussing his experiences in World War II and the origins of the song “Retreat,” which he will perform in a clip with longtime collaborator Ronny Graham.
Check out the clips we have below the post. If you can’t watch “Mel Brooks Strikes Back!” on December 10, you can watch it December 13 at 8/7c, December 15 at 3/2c, December 18 at 2/1c and 11/10c, December 21 at 5/4c, December 23 at 12/11c and the morning of December 25 at 5:30/4:30c. On HBO2, the special will play at 12/1c and 8/7c.
