Martin Short opens the AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute to Mel Brooks

Martin Short's opening performance of "I Want To Be A Producer" at the 2013 AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Mel Brooks.
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[@thegorn68]

If it were up to me, Martin Short would host EVERYTHING. Especially, the Academy Awards Show.

[@Louie_The_Dago]

Martin Short is basically a super human mutant. I saw him perform live in 2019 at nearly 70 years old, running through the crowd, back and forth across the stage, for nearly 2 hours. You could see him catching his breath and sweating. I’ve never in my life seen a live entertainer put in so much. I bought front row seats, and they cost an entire weeks pay, and I actually feel like not only did I get every penny’s worth, but that I still owe more. I’m glad this video exists just to visually prove he aint lip syncing, you can hear his timed gasps, and see him actually sweat.

[@tylermac842001]

That's awesome, thanks for sharing!

[@AAZEDLARC]

I didn't appreciate Martin Short until his part on SNL as Trumph's corrupt Doctor. Now I think he's amazing.

[@marthawoodworth]

As a kid, Mel saved my life. I was abused and neglected...basically, a motherless child. But I got a record player for Christmas and the 2000 Year Old Man album with Mel an Carl, and every night I laid my tear-stained face on my pillow and fell asleep with a smile thanks to those two outrageously funny men. I miss Carl, and hope that Mel is not too lonely without him. I know we can't live forever, but I feel certain that Mel Brooks will live forever in every great comic sensation he's created.

[@stokedmtb333]

Hope you have found peace…

[@stuvs830]

This was a lovely tribute. Martin Short was the perfect choice.

[@griffinmathers929]

Martin is 5"7, so the ladies are pretty tall! :) This is fabulous, Mel Brooks, Marty, my day is made! :)

[@Rcity2332]

Martin always delivers! A true Legend In Hollywood.

[@griffinmathers929]

And all of Canada. And New York.... :)

[@rickythekid]

This is Martin’s second tribute to Mel after the one in Kennedy Center. What a fantastic tribute from another comic legend.

[@decibellone696]

as a contractor in the late 80s, I got to meet Mel brooks on a repair job...he was fantastic and even had his staff make me lunch - we chatted, it was fun then I went to my task... I met many actors in Hollywood and folks in the industry while I worked in West LA (Brentwood, pacific palisades, and Topanga canyon.). he's one of the good ones. - and I worked there for 21 years, there weren't many in the movie industry that was nice, most were self-appointed divas (even for a simple task)... Mel Brooks was the exception.

[@marthawoodworth]

Great story! I was standing in line ordering an ice cream cone when I realized Rob Reiner was in front of me. I tapped him on the shoulder and when he turned around I told him I was a fan of his, and that Mel and Carl made me feel like the funny uncles every kid loves to have, the ones who cheer you up when you're sad, and buy you ice cream. I told him how much they had done for me as a kid, listening to their uplifting comedy shtick. He smiled, said thank you, and "They did the same for me." I'm sure Frau Bucher (Neighhhh!) is looking down with amusement at Marty's adorable tribute to the uber-producer.

[@TheSandralr]

I spoke to him in 1988 I helped him with his home purchase and he found it hilarious that I didn’t know his movies... in reality I did know then but I blanked because I was so busy. He mentioned all his movies and I would say no sir I don’t know that movie... it was a long day. Anyways that night having dinner at home it came to me it was THEE Mel brooks! Till this day I want to apologize to him. LOL

[@sewthernbelle]

sandra cuevas eh, he probably made a joke about it later, so I wouldn't worry too much...

[@sha11235]

Well, maybe because he hadn't done that much at the time. The joke in Spaceballs with the video cassettes was probably also to reintroduce the new generation to his earlier films.

[@Moralessheryl]

Martin Short is a treasure And the perfect choice for this tribute. No one else could come close.

[@sha11235]

Love the Elephant Man joke. People may not realize this, but he was a producer on that film. He didn't take a credit, though. Hell, I would've if I was him.

[@paperbagman8913]

sha11235 he didn’t want people to think it was a comedy

[@tomshea8382]

Well, his production company was called Brooksfilms, so I think most people knew it. Having Anne Bancroft in it was another hint.

[@twenty2ccsofair880]

Now it makes sense! I thought it was just a funny joke but that's pretty cool to know that now.

[@sha11235]

@@paperbagman8913 Wouldn't they have noticed it from watching the thing? Unless they were all stupid people.

[@zvimur]

Which is how we got John Hurt in History of the World, and Spaceballs.

[@AuntieMamie]

I’m speechless and spellbound. Thank you so much. We’ll deserved award and best presenter. I wish I could watch this all day.

[@djquinn4825]

When you're stuck for an ending, always go with a conga! lol

[@CoachingHigher]

3:32 God I swear that guy's at EVERY AFI tribute. Meryl's, Diane Keaton's, Steve Martin...

[@prissilou]

Mel Brooks is the absolute best. No one has ever made me laugh so much, so hard. In Heaven, after I get to greet all my beloved long lost relatives, I just know that Mel, Madeline, Gilda, and a host of others will be there to entertain.

[@bangnee]

Martin Short is an international treasure.

[@MrDavey2010]

Isn't Martin Short talented? And the cowgirl - wow!

[@shazamflash3326]

Who knew he could sing? Not me.

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

Whoa there, Cowboy!

[@MrCristoforoantonio]

Great job! And Mel is my favorite!

[@Ihaveanamenowtaken]

The Cowgirl... holy mother of god.

[@tomshea8382]

Unbelievable.

[@lewko1]

smlbstcbr I would Weinstein the shit out of her.

[@tommytimp]

I gotta say I like the thiccness of the Elephant Girl too.

[@dixonpinfold2582]

Oh to be her bull of choice.

[@juanapolancodevilcarino6027]

muy buen montaje, las bailarinas preciosas un hermoso y magnifico tributo a Mel Brooks

[@Martinowor]

I've never been a fan of Martin Short, but he's really fabulous here! Chapeau!

[@gob2poof812]

Oh, I thought everyone was a fan of Martin Short lol

[@Martinowor]

@@gob2poof812 , LOL

[@joannthompson3764]

Love this Mel Brooks the best

[@RevWillTheThrill1974]

Wow! He really is short. Every single one of those chorus girls towers over him.

[@Padawan79]

That is the joke. His last name is Short and he got all chorus girls to be taller than him.

[@RevWillTheThrill1974]

I kinda figured.

[@griffinmathers929]

...... and he really is 5 foot 7. So yep, short in name and height, but huuuge in talent.

[@redactedE]

Hmmm

[@TheTibmeister]

Great voice

[@robertpetricko1968]

Timeless and couldn't have been done better by any body but the Great Betty White

[@sikckaputten]

"always leave the audience wanting less"

[@christinavalentino3959]

Omg Martin short is amazing

[@idiotsdoesthings5737]

Loved the screens of Amy Yasbeck and Carey Elwes

[@joeyscerbo7776]

See, ever since Lucy defrosted him, Jack has been doing good for himself!

[@cindyland6273]

Mel Brooks is Brilliant!!

[@KidFabulous72]

Martin short would have been great as Leo Bloom

[@georgegraham9822]

I think he did play Leo for a while after Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick left the show

[@griffinmathers929]

He was Mel Brooks' first choice, actually. I can't remember where I saw this, but it's probably in his memoir.... Nathan Lane and Marty were on a talk show and asked publicly to do the show, sign up kinda RIGHT NOW, then Marty had to beg off later, as he lived on the West Coast, didn't want to uproot his 3 kids, and he admittedly doesn't like to commit to very long-term projects, likes to be free to do whatever crazy, random, fun thing that comes up. His book is great, I recommend it. But in audiobook form, because he reads it, and who doesn't want to hear him do Ed Brimley and Kate Hepburn, etc. :) He's a gem.

[@JoeLibby]

He did play Leo, opposite Jason Alexander as Max, in the original Los Angeles production.

[@YouzTube99]

01:10 I didn't know Mel/Marty was a Senator!!

[@Sharperthanu1]

The only thing is Martin Short isn't the "casting couch" type.I don't know if their even is such a thing as "the casting couch" in the modern world.

[@lucamolta]

And now you get to rethink this.

[@tomshea8382]

Hasn't aged well, has it?

[@dixonpinfold2582]

There will always be a casting couch as long as there are two people who wish to voluntarily exchange services for mutual benefit, and nothing can prevent it. Marriages, some of them happy and lasting, are also made this way.

[@AAZEDLARC]

Oh, there is. I never understood it b/c there is no guarantee of a job for trade. LOL.

[@adarov]

i came here after judd apatow netflix special

[@TheTibmeister]

Isnt he just gorgeous?

[@marias7599]

Jane Kirk He’s adorable

[@Pothos969]

Most people don't know that Mel Brooks produced "The Elephant Man" movie.

[@presto709]

I did not know that. I was wondering why that was in there.

[@sha11235]

Should've said, "I love the snake joke."

[@LordofDarknessX]

Good.....

[@TheDoodoosh]

I don't recognize the second character - the one after the cowgirl. Anyone?

[@GMYellowstone]

From Young Frankenstein.

[@HueyRocks23]

No "Hot two hot two" from "Life Stinks"?

[@maryalexander1517]

I wonder if that man flashed for a moment is Martin's son. And the one sitting with Mel. Anyone know?

[@nssquared9174]

His and Anne Bancroft's son.

[@Divamarja_CA]

Max Brooks, yes, his son.

[@tcrpgfan]

@@Divamarja_CA He's famous in his own right. As he wrote the original World War Z.

[@alexaraya2018]

It’s good to be Martie

[@nobonespurs]

who is the blonde

[@bigfoothunt8831]

1:36 what film is that one i know the other ones

[@sha11235]

You kidding us? The Producers, the first film Mel directed.

[@bigfoothunt8831]

@@sha11235 I thought his first film was young Frankenstein

[@sha11235]

@@bigfoothunt8831 Well, you were wrong.

[@bigfoothunt8831]

@@sha11235 what is it about?

[@sha11235]

@@bigfoothunt8831 It's about these two producers who plan to stage a Broadway flop in order to swindle investors. Look it up.

[@fayeadvento2960]

Is that Amanda Kloots?

[@melvinwren]

cammmmell tooee

[@ry2thepoint]

This is why I was legit okay with Martin short stealing Christmas. At least it had better shows

[@lucamolta]

so the thicker shorter thighs are the elephant man hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[@vortega472]

Late comer to this, sorry. Don't get me wrong, I love Mel, he is just so fantastic and so funny. But - after seeing this video - I don't think we - as a species - deserve Martin Short.

[@montannaglaze9575]

Preminger came out a lil bit 😂

[@charleschuckfinley3304]

Cowgirl and Nazigirl 🥰🥰♥️♥️

[@Freedomboy006]

they didnt have the balls to show a swatstika!

[@meirwise1107]

You couldn't get away with that today more's the pity!

[@Jorg-ug3ie]

No, you couldnt, and I'm glad. Because truly...this act too me wasnt funny at all & very sexist indeed. Lets be a little more creative, classy & smart in putting together opening acts.

[@tomshea8382]

This was seven years ago. Come on, now. If you're doing a lifetime tribute to a filmmaker who is notorious for getting results out of lowbrow humor and crass jokes, you absolutely can get away with it. Doing a tribute to Mel Brooks like you would do one for Anthony Hopkins or the late Jessica Tandy would be dumb. Know the room.

[@charleschuckfinley3304]

@@Jorg-ug3ie what a sad sad sad person you are….

[@Jorg-ug3ie]

@@charleschuckfinley3304 I'm glad glad glad to be me 😊

[@sblack48]

Not sure that aged well

[@presto709]

A P.C. tribute to Mel Brooks wouldn't be a tribute to Mel Brooks

[@watermelonsunglop]

Mel is alive and well as I write this comment, and funnier than you’ll ever be. Aging well has nothing to do with comedy. Better yet, his material is still hysterical.

[@sblack48]

@@watermelonsunglop really? So a minstrel show is still funny? No it isn’t. Comedy is of its time and doesn’t always age well. You are clearly of his era so you think it’s great.

[@watermelonsunglop]

@@sblack48 i’m 30 lol - good luck

[@LiamHagan]

They couldn't afford a decent backing track? How embarrassing.

[@Rcity2332]

I know!

[@YouzTube99]

+Liam Hagan What? You've got something against Radio Shack keyboards?? AFI is a non-profit. They can't afford a Casio! Harumph!!

[@dianeevans8215]

oh my gosh , are those women extra tall or is martin short , that short?

[@XxXxTwofirstnames69420xXxXx]

He's just short.

[@dianeevans8215]

Dombuscus Tobuscus he's short , cute and funny, love him!

[@XxXxTwofirstnames69420xXxXx]

+Diane Evans everyone loves him! XD

[@dianeevans8215]

Dombuscus Tobuscus yes they do!

[@XxXxTwofirstnames69420xXxXx]

His last name fits him well XD

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

This is weird

[@cobramcjingleballs]

that didn't age well

[@ameliacone2465]

This is so incredibly distasteful. It's like a stripper tribute to Mr. Brooks' genius. ugh

[@talia5507]

Lol wdym?

[@DenkyManner]

I love Mel Brooks and Martin Short but this kind of thing is painfully unfunny to me and embarrassing. Hollywood thinking it's being ironic and subversive while actually just being cringe inducing. And you can tell it's not working, the glazed smiles and the crowd as they pretend to be enjoying it, including Brooks himself.

[@sha11235]

You're nuts. It was damn funny, like the Snake Joke.