Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and George Takei on getting through a national crisis

For millions of Americans, these are challenging times. For some insight into resilience from a generation that survived a depression and world war, Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz turns to funnymen Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner. Via cyberchat, the two comedy writers, who first met in the 1950s ("Call it laugh at first sight"), talk about enduring World War II and coming out on top. Mankiewicz also talks with "Star Trek" actor and activist George Takei (who as a child was detained in a Japanese-American internment camp in the 1940s) about what Americans look for when facing an uncertain future.
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[@evancortez2]

"Don't watch the news!" - Best advice! Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner: Greatest generation, greatest comedians, greatest legends!

[@oakpkdude]

How will you know when it's over?

[@bugzyhardrada3168]

Well' at least him Mel....the other two are not so funny, But Mel is and shall forever be the King of Comedy With Monty Python as Prince Regents Respectively Im glad Terry Jones found peace before all this chaos came about Now we just need Mel to make it Through the chaos He shall not fall in times of terrible crisis

[@sharrontaylor4744]

And we all just lost Carl Reiner R.I.P.

[@legionarybooks13]

Three legends who are both national and world treasures.

[@sportsmedia25]

Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks are living legends of comedy

[@olddisneylandtickets]

Absolutely! Such amazing men. Both of them are so sharp and still have that sparkle in their eyes.

[@pyenme]

I smiled the whole time I was watching this. What treasures, all of these wonderful men. Such positive outlooks, even after all they have seen in their lives. Brooks and Reiner, both Jews serving in the military and facing the worst enemy to their people in the form of Hitler - Takei for having to endure the worse prejudice in his own country, only because of his ethnicity. Bless all of you!

[@TheHeavensFellen]

The prejudice was there, the war was the cover, some internment camps in US stayed open till like 1948

[@etsugradlib]

Honestly, about a month ago, I told my husband, “Mel Brooks is still alive. That’s all we’ve got going right now.” He and Carl Reiner are the only people I follow on Twitter. The last of the greats.

[@melvinkaminsky5904]

Thanks for your love and support 💙💙

[@msmith53]

Carl’s wisdom..” get out of bed, read the Obits, if your name isn’t there; have breakfast!” Love you guys!

[@krazykat1999]

RIP, Carl Reiner.

[@LGranthamsHeir]

RIP Carl Reiner. You were great, witty, and awesome.

[@dell177]

These men are national treasures and I'm glad they are still around to urge us to do the right thing. I thank both of them for their service and for keeping us laughing for decades.

[@Glim246]

They have both created some of the funniest moments in entertainment. They also show what love and loyalty look like in relationships. We could use all these things right now.

[@mordreddarkfall456]

Unfortunately, we lost on of them a couple days ago. 8(

[@sharondurkee9770]

Best advice EVER from three extraordinary gentlemen: 1. Be brave 2. Don't watch the news 3. Watch "Young Frankenstein" I'm in! Thank you for your service, your wisdom and the laughs💚🙏

[@mordreddarkfall456]

Love both of their work, and have for a loooong time. But one and three are great but number 2 isn't good advice. Not paying attention to the path our countries been walking for the last few decades is how we've wound up with, well, what we've wound up with. If your not paying attention, then you'll never know when it's time to stop JUST paying attention, and start acting too.

[@barbaraberkowitz27]

A spot of sunshine listening to Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner

[@dvinedzine]

I love these guys--they are a delight.

[@pukalani100]

@kevin johnson What are you on??

[@pukalani100]

@kevin johnson conspiracy theory?

[@patton303]

Rest In Peace, Mr. Reiner. You were a true gem.

[@joansnow4013]

This was the best segment I’ve watched in a while. People can learn from our elders, so glad they are staying in. “We Did it Before and We Can do it Again” it brought back some great memories of my grandpa that I hadn’t thought of in a long time. Good advise DONT WATCH CABLE NEWS Im wishing everyone at CBS to please stay well

[@melvinkaminsky5904]

Thanks for your love and support 💙💙

[@solarasolarwind4323]

@3:48 "If we Got through Hitler, we can get through this stuff!" Mel Brooks Talk about putting things in perspective! Quote of the Ages!!!

[@fredrika27]

Anne Frank spent over 700 days in hiding! That's putting things into perspective!!!

[@katee1162]

Love these gentlemen I could never get enough of them, thank you for this clip it warms my heart.

[@melvinkaminsky5904]

Thanks for your love and support 💙💙

[@rr7firefly]

Max looks a lot like his mother Anne Bancroft, doesn't he? What a lucky guy to have such great parents.

[@misterhot9163]

Omg I was just going to say that!!

[@robertlehnert4148]

That's what my wife said when we saw him at KU ("Rock chalk, Zombie hawk, KAAY-UUUU") a few years ago.

[@mrhot1042]

I’m sure he has talents that are well applied in other ways.

[@orangewelliesinc2836]

He is a bestselling author and voice actor. He doesn't have to follow in his parent's footsteps to be successful in his own right.

[@Yankee_Doodle_Dandy]

Just watched “It Happened One Night”. Great Black and White film, tomorrow I’ll be watching “The Grapes of Wrath”. Thanks for the advice Mr. Brooks! Hang in there! Sincerely, a newly unemployed 24 year old, stuck at home

[@geoben1810]

@Amy Sternheim Or 1984 by Orwell...

[@lindadann9202]

That was wonderful- and I'll listen to Mel and Carl over any governmental speech!!!

[@melvinkaminsky5904]

Thanks for your love and support 💙💙

[@dumbguymoviereview1644]

RIP Mr Reiner. Your friendship with Mr. Brooks was truly beautiful

[@chadtellevik5479]

That was really uplifting guys, everyone. Thank you.

[@lazarusdarkstar3015]

May they live another 20 years to keep us laughing!

[@curtbell6839]

Loved this. Needing this today. Thanks Sunday Morning!

[@donstanley9943]

Mel Brooks was behind 2 funniest movies of all time. Blazing Saddles, and History Of The World. What a legend.

[@djrice50]

R.I.P. Carl Reiner we will definitely miss you.

[@jefferee2002]

America's best generation. We need to get through this to do them proud.

[@m.layfette6249]

If we Stop and think about Everything our Grandparents endured so that We may Live, It pales in comparison by 10000x to COVID-19.

[@annmariesavino8234]

God Bless you both Mel and Carl thank you.

[@sharonroy2645]

Oh Mel you wonderful legend, if only we did have a strong and compassionate leader. From your lips to God's ears. Bless you and Carl for all the laughs you've given us. Now I'm gonna go watch Young Frankenstein! 💖

[@melvinkaminsky5904]

Thanks for your love and support 💙💙

[@The2010golakers]

My “adopted” comedian grandpas lol.

[@etsugradlib]

Ariel Davis you and me both, cousin.

[@garybartha3705]

Mel you have made some of the Best movies that me and my friends love. Now's the time to watch them because we all need laugh at This time God bless u Mel.

[@kellymt3811]

I love the movie Young Frankenstein. I have it as part of my collection.

[@larsanderson3072]

"Don't...put...the candle...back!"

[@marthabixler1606]

I love the friendship of Mel and Carl. They make me smile.

[@melvinkaminsky5904]

Thanks for your love and support 💙💙

[@gchance]

RIP Carl Reiner, you were one of the good ones.

[@Bdhstl95]

Our grandparents went to war, we are only asked to sit on the couch to save our lives. Can we manage to do that?

[@Yrr666]

Thank you. Not many understand hardship and sacrifice.

[@mspeggylee4214]

Also, we have the internet! Lol

[@Covid--ts5cw]

They wouldn't have belittled themselves by becoming couch potatoes, now would they...

[@inthrutheoutdoor5849]

No, because the MAGA crowd want to make it about them and not about the collective us....

[@rembrandthpc]

@@inthrutheoutdoor5849 It's only the MAGA crowd..., gotcha!

[@philipclock]

The power of the schwartz!

[@vitalitybypaul6966]

Philip Clock may the Schwartz be with you!

[@melindadouglas1673]

What an inspiration those two are! I love their spirit in this crisis.

[@rebeccagreen7241]

Those three! And YES 🙂😁🙂

[@melvinkaminsky5904]

Thanks for your love and support 💙💙

[@fousies]

Legends!!!! Timeless humor. My 14 year old loves them

[@annedwyer797]

Now that's a cool kid!

[@melvinkaminsky5904]

Thanks for your love and support 💙💙

[@janquinn261]

I love Mel and Carl!!❤️❤️

[@quad5186]

Really enjoyed this during the opening acts of the Wide Wide World of Chaos we are currently living through. Watching it again today. Bless these guys. RIP Carl Reiner.

[@howardkerr8174]

" Impersonating a Jewish pirate...." Only Mel Brooks.

[@eddiecarter946]

They charging a dollar 37 cents a yard!

[@johnkernan974]

I absolutely love Mel and Carl.I pray that we have many more years of their comedy. Shalom to both

[@michelleladd7394]

Love this! Two great comedians

[@artslover9586]

RIP Carl Reiner.True friendship between these two icons. Thank you for all the memories and laughter.

[@daniaguinaga1754]

Talk about iconic. ❤️

[@chinookvalley]

I feel so thankful for my parents (God rest their souls) who told me stories and more stories about the Depression (where they both survived as orphans going door to door for stale bread and day old coffee), The Dust Bowl (they lived in houses with cracks in the walls and dust came in by the bucket-full), WWll (Mom always said watching the military planes fly over made her feel safe), and the assassination of Kennedy, the impeachment of Nixon, 9-11, and finally a black president. I feel lucky that they taught me to save wax from old candles, keep a pantry that'll last for 3 months and have enough toilet paper and cleaning goods for myself and the neighbors, an attitude of being thankful, to volunteer at every opportunity possible, and to help clean up my neighborhood and planet whenever I could. Get up, get dressed, have a routine, and sing at the top of your lungs, dance like no one is watching, and love as if there is no tomorrow. This will be hard, you will cry and be depressed, but we can get thru this - together. I love you all, and to those who don't like me? You don't know me or you would. Stay safe everyone. We can do this.

[@HeronCoyote1234]

chinookvalley, I’m sending you a huge virtual hug! 💖🤗 I’m glad you have the wisdom to learn from your elders, the heart to make you a better part of the world, and the strength to see this through. Please be safe and stay healthy.

[@chinookvalley]

@@HeronCoyote1234 How kind of you to reply! You be well and stay strong!!

[@Bdhstl95]

chinookvalley my grandma was 65 when I was born n sounds just like the skills I got from her

[@chinookvalley]

@@Bdhstl95 We are lucky kiddos! We can do this, with grace and style. Be well and stay safe.

[@terryc4883]

Brooks and Reiner -- the greats.

[@alanlane3869]

That’s what we need more of. ✌️

[@lisamont8182]

Oh Please do more with these two great gentleman.

[@warrenshapiro1]

Very very nice. This piece just made me laugh and smile. Thanks!

[@Tonithenightowl]

Living legends of comedy !!! It doesn't get better than this ... and still sharp as a tack :o)

[@Archer335]

Those two guys are American treasures! I have been watching lots of old black and white movies. That’s good advice. And I just happen to have Young Frankenstein on DVD. “That’s Frankensteen.” I’ll be watching it soon. Thank you, Mr. Brooks!

[@Twinsuns2187]

Rip Carl. Thanks for all the laughs.

[@zazuzazz5419]

Bless these wild men for their wisdom and generosity. 💓🌎

[@pablocruise678]

Put the candle back!!!

[@denisedecarlo9311]

LOVE LOVE LOVE these two wonderful men

[@BETTERWORLDSGT]

Well, In the midst of this Coronavirus madness, George Takei can Beam Me up to the Enterprise, cause they don't have Coronavirus on Alpha Centauri!!

[@carendancer8265]

I grew up with all of these actors/directors-Mel Brooks made fun of everyone equally and it is so important to have humor and comic relief especially during hard times. My husband and I have been Trekkers for years and have seen all of the Star Trek series including movies in Star Date Order at least 10 times! Adore all of these men and thank you so much for this warm hearted video

[@ShawnVanden]

Mel Broks & Carl Reiner are American's Treasures ! Wonderful segment !

[@peterlovstrom4286]

I freaking love Brooks and Reiner....they’re just wonderful 😀

[@over50andfantabulous59]

A welcome distraction. Thank you gentlemen.❤

[@mspeggylee4214]

I watched "young Frankenstein", recently....probably 4th time I've seen it! Lol 😘❤

[@melvinkaminsky5904]

Thanks for your love and support 💙💙

[@carolmacdonald7781]

Thank you, Ben! Perfection. 💕

[@1916lunt]

“Show us by example.”

[@jerryrichardson2799]

Way too much to expect from Trump and his Administration.

[@cynthiawheeler8978]

I love Mel Brooks! He make my cry......... with laughter!

[@jenjacobson3630]

Not watching the news is the BEST therapy ever! Smart man!

[@pepejuan2924]

Two great guys Mel And Carl not to mention Heroes, very inspiring, we did it before we”ll do it again.

[@dcllaw677]

Quick Max, the cone of silence!

[@yosefdemby8792]

@kevin johnson It was also created by Buck Henry. He actually came up with the Cone of Silence.

[@yosefdemby8792]

@Amy Sternheim ndA yet I feel that Buck Hnery has been enmeshed in Brooks' shadow.

[@yosefdemby8792]

@Amy Sternheim He wasn't a cast member. He was a guest star.

[@fattymagee7937]

Ain’t love grand two of the greats thanks for all the laughs

[@vitalitybypaul6966]

Gotta love these guys!!! 93 years old!

[@isaacrobison1040]

Farewell Carl you were truly one of a kind

[@maryhummel4451]

Remembering "back" and I am not saying the "the good old days" ( we all knew they were) the times we had a job to do and did it, we also laughed, cried, and did all the normal things one has to do to survive, we were all in the same boat (so to speak) The one great thing that happened we learned to pray for each other and to get along with each other We had entertainment like the two we just watched and they did a great job keeping our heads on straight and making life matter...

[@jeffnaslund]

Love this. Two legends

[@jessicasmith7102]

Love💖Love💖LOVE💖Love💖Love These are the funniest men around. Young Frankenstein is the bEst movie. HUGS HUGS 💖🤓💖 HUGS HUGS

[@janiehelms4895]

I’m so glad I saw this

[@jameshunter5485]

Mel Brooks, an American treasure.

[@LGranthamsHeir]

RIP Carl Reiner. You were great, witty, and awesome.

[@baboom007]

Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks are simply beautiful

[@mumbdaddy]

Love Mel and Carl! That's it. Stay safe everyone.

[@zeezee1851]

Go George Takei! Yay Mel and Rob!

[@sistabarb]

Two of the greatest legends

[@49lucky]

I love u both u r a riot. My favorite movies I have them all. They make me laugh just looking at them....lol

[@angelmatos9143]

Brilliant every decade.

[@willdaviesable]

Carl Reiner 1922 - 2020 🌹🙏🌹

[@EagleRockers]

I needed that.

[@bandicoot5412]

The worlds greatest role models, what more could you ask for, huh.

[@bellasmom3895]

Hoping they stay well. Glad to see that Carl and Mel watch Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.

[@chrismorgan9154]

My mother told me that her father’s job at the dairy business in Santa Ana was to tell all the Japanese workers that they were fired. He came home after that crying and said that was hardest thing he ever had to do. Staying home for a little longer seems pretty easy during this Covid 19 time.

[@karmamelk9]

Thank you for sharing this. Bless your dad for suffering through that. He had no choice.

[@lynnmarieanderson1744]

My grandfather and my mother LOVED Jeopardy!!!!!

[@stephielulu9096]

Love all 3 of them! Stay safe boys!

[@aprilc.3697]

Rest In Peace, Carl Reiner. 😢🙏🏻

[@darthgumby2406]

We want Spaceballs 2!

[@rustyrelicsfarm2406]

@kevin johnson Whitney Cummings.

[@charleyzimmer2505]

I thought that was The Last Jedi...

[@robertsmith5744]

Spaceballs the lunch box, marketing marketing. . . .

[@goodun2974]

They could title the sequel "SpaceBoors" 'cause it rhymes with Drumpf's so-called "Space Force". Or, an X-rated sequel starring a bunch of Melania clones, titled "SpaceWhores".....

[@huntress1013]

Vale Carl. You had a long life and you gave us so much joy but your passing still saddens me. Mel? :HUG: :-(

[@hang72]

So awesome. God Bless you guys.

[@edithlazenby5839]

Love these guys!! Stay safe all!! ❤️

[@californiascreaming1131]

We love these two!

[@dolce1788]

Very few people alive know anything of the sacrifice and struggle that our previous generations had to endure. These guys are great. I hope this message starts to catch on - do your part and we'll all get through it.

[@joe6096]

My Grandfather on my Mom's side was in WWII. He was first stationed at the Panama Canal for security from '42-43. Then from '43-45 he saw action in New Guinea against Japanese forces. Part of the 158th Bushmasters Infantry out of Arizona. He passed away in 2007. These men are the reason America is what America is today. God bless them all, our greatest generation. The sacrifices people made growing up in the depression then during the war should always be a part of the American story in children's history books.

[@deseret2542]

Mel Brooks is a great comedian

[@filminginc405]

Living legends.

[@suetaitporcaro2481]

Max Brooks has his mother's eyes!!

[@joycestepancevich6591]

Bravo!

[@debbralehrman5957]

I love this.