Mel Brooks On Sid Caesar's Masterful Gibberish | CONAN on TBS

[@chrisgross5409]

Dude- the Sid Caesar show was LEGENDARY. His writers were Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Carl Reiner, Neil Simon, and more. Awesome show.

[@kingsleyzissou1120]

Mel Brooks will go down in history (already had really) as one of the greatest comedians of his time. Glad he's still around, appreciate every minute he's still with us.

[@LenHummelChannel]

+Kingsley Zissou probably the zaniest wit of all time. it's obvious why he and Sid teamed up so well.

[@Mikej1592]

I know, I would love to meet him, but being that I am just a nobody from Pittsburgh PA I will probably never get the chance. He truly is a comic genius. The schwartz is definitely with him.

[@schuylerjohnson3051]

Mike, never think you are a nobody, you are somebody and just as important in your world to your family and friends, as they are in theirs. Take care.

[@chrismofer]

yo mike, i've met a few celebrities though i'm the farthest thing from it. guys like mel, sometimes do live interviews and before or after the show they have meet and greets. I had a chance to meet john cleese this way, unfortunately was unable to. I've corresponded with astronauts over the mail; if you send a headshot and a nice letter to Mel with some stamps, he'll probably send it back signed with a nice letter. Come up with some cool art depicting Mel in an interesting way and post it, and that could turn in to a phone call with him. keep your hopes up, you're somebody, and if you seek out your heros you can meet them.

[@jakesnake165]

A friend of my son seen blazing saddles for the first time in edited version laughing his ass off

[@aslanmane]

I love Conan for often paying tribute to the past.

[@valfardskrigare9407]

He lived in the past.

[@krisscanlon4051]

he is a writer performer and oh doesn't do game show schlock. honors the past.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Yes ! He's a very respectful gentleman ! I greatly admire that !

[@aresef]

Your Show of Shows was a huge inspiration to him.

[@AmericaLexicon]

He got the good Harvard experience.

[@Stevo935]

"We don't wait 'til someone dies, to do that!" The way that caught Brooks off guard, makes me laugh every time, lol

[@lugaretzia]

He nods in appreciation of Conan's comic chops

[@Subparanon]

Ever year Mel Brooks is still with us is another year I feel fortunate to be alive.

[@jamesfeldman4234]

For those who might not know film history, as Mel Brooks admitted, the ending for his sketch with the German "general" was basically taken from the great German silent movie, The Last Laugh, made in 1924. That movie--a tragic drama--was written by Carl Mayer, who also co-wrote another German silent masterpiece, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. As a child I owned an 8mm print of the movie and watched it many, many times. The movie was directed by F.W. Murnau, one of the greatest silent movie directors. Sid Caesar's character was based very loosely on the character that Emil Jannings played in The Last Laugh. Obviously, Mel Brooks was a big fan of the great silent movies to not only know this film, but to find a way to incorporate one of its ideas with a theme of pathos into a brilliant comic and surprise ending.

[@runkles]

Oh wow I assumed he was talking like an earlier comedian. To "steal" from a tragic drama, wow! Haha

[@joannilson2900]

Classic Mel Brooks line: You have to know where to steal from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@DarthRelkew]

Yes sir it is!

[@tetsujin_144]

He should know prepositions aren't a thing he should end a sentence with!

[@calisongbird]

Tetsujin I see what you did there 😏

[@amandatan9092]

Man they just don't make comedy like that anymore...simple yet brilliant.

[@emgee44]

Always steal from the best

[@MasonicKryptonite]

As a German myself: Damn, he absolutely nailed the way we sound, without sounding like he's ragging on the language (which is rarer than you might think)

[@ball_is_lifelife_is_a_ball4682]

"Du hast gespritzt auf den General?!" Der war gut 😂🤣 He really sounded like a 60s or 70s german 😂👍

[@mizrahiwithattitude2733]

@@ball_is_lifelife_is_a_ball4682 more like 30s or 40s german lol

[@ball_is_lifelife_is_a_ball4682]

@@mizrahiwithattitude2733 nah, go watch some movies they made in the 60s and 70s

[@derinderruheliegt]

“Du hast geklippt die Schkinn, Dummkopf” It’s like the perfect mix of real and fake German.

[@amcc666]

I'm 19, that German general skit was the funniest thing I've ever seen!! Thanks Conan 4real for showing some of the greatness of the past

[@kenchristie9214]

Mel Brooks the master: insults everybody - offends no one.

[@thejuiceweasel]

Man, I'm German and even I couldn't say if he was talking the real deal or not. It's total gibberish, but it *sounds* so weirdly familiar.

[@ajshynoda2213]

Sounds like a mix of dutch and german

[@Traumglanz]

***** Yeah, he nailed the melody of the language really perfect. Even the english words he used sounded like he is having a german accent. Beside that, I have the feeling that he prepared well enough to have some central words in correct german even.

[@everyoneSalegend]

Lol "...but it sounds weirdly familiar" This is the biggest compliment that someone who speaks fake language could get. I am curious if someone started a conversation with you in this gibberish german (without you knowing that he is joking), would you think that there is another dialect that you were not aware of? Hahahhaha

[@timffkl]

everyoneSalegend He says a few German words. Sounds like Switzadutch

[@TommyChardonneret]

+Traumglanz Great point you make! Like true genius in any profession, Sid, Mel and Conan (we've been old pals like forever - I wish!) make it look so easy because they've worked hard to perfect their craft and further hone their genius talent. Man alive, what a treat to get a break from the economic ills, tragic worldwide social crises and the politics of vituperation that inundate much of our quotidian lives; great gifts to humanity these folks are!

[@ConanTheLibrarianUHF]

Man they just don't make comedy like that anymore...simple yet brilliant.

[@AGC-ElUncleCoach]

Nowadays it would be considered offensive against Germans, the German Association of America (or something similarly called) would issue a statement, and the news would be covered by every network and news outlet out there.

[@gustavgnoettgen]

@@AGC-ElUncleCoach I'm german and I love that we can enjoy stuff like Jojo rabbit on the big screen. The nazis used to be a taboo for some time, but jokes and exploitation are what we need to digest this stuff and to learn better.

[@streetrat48]

No, they do, it's just the majority doesn't find it funny anymore. They see it and everyone says "Ugh, SEEN IT!!! I WANT SOMETHING NEW!!" Only old comedians are allowed to do old stuff now, new guys can't do it because it's an automatic comparison game "Oh he's just 'x' with ripping off 'x's' style."

[@bluceree7312]

I haven’t a clue he wasn't actually a General. Conan is right; that ending was amazing.

[@2490debrick]

What's wonderful about it is it's inoffensive and clean! It's perfectly silly and your right no one can write this anymore!

[@GlitchMonki]

Blazing Saddles! Mel Brooks is a walking legend.

[@michellePBrainBubblybutt]

I'm zo tired off playing zee game, ain't eet a crying shame? Let'z face eet, I'm tired!

[@thisismagacountry1318]

More beans Mr. Taggart? I'd say you've had enough!!!

[@wellsleyhehr]

Hes old, hes a limping legend

[@gaylasmith5279]

Watched "Blazing Saddles" again the other night and relived the brilliance of it all. Couldn't go NEAR subject matter like that now, but Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor and the other writers had fun making fun of racism and bigotry. And did it well.

[@JimmyDaKoik]

Sid's brilliant gibberish was following in the footsteps of Chaplin, who did the same when he mocked Hitler in the 1940's in "The Great Dictator".

[@wp62]

I am glad I wasn't the only one who thought of that the minute I saw Sid's performance.

[@iconocrat]

I sense a genuine mutual respect between Conan and Mel, and that makes me feel good.

[@Vyselink]

A laugh, a handshake, and a "That was good!" from Mel Brooks. Yup. That's a career highlight right there.

[@tuxguys]

This is Multi-leveled Gold: Brooks is Genius; the Sid Caesar/Howard Morris clip is Genius; the reference to Emil Jannings, by Brooks, is cultural Genius (and accurate); and Conan gets to show that he's a Genius-in-Training.

[@tuxguys]

Natmanprime Beg pardon?

[@neil2905]

loved Sid Caesar in It's a Mad, Mad Mad World.

[@dorothyjohnson6743]

Sid Caesar so inventive, so funny

[@tombranch2261]

Mel Brooks is still sharp as a tack, like Betty White, they dont make em like they used to.

[@walterkoziol3822]

Conan has way more talent than any of the talk shows out there now. He also truly shows how much love, respect, and admiration of the ones who literally built-up Hollywood's glitz & glamor and his guests know that he's truly sincere with his passion. I am just really glad that TBS picked him up.

[@shanecline7885]

You can truly see the admiration that Conan has for Mel... I have never seen Conan laugh like he does around Mel Brooks. It seems that it was an honor for Conan to have that opportunity to speak with him and I'm glad he showed clips of his work (which were amazing!!!).

[@Gablesman888]

The "general's" valet in that old sketch is none other than Howie Morris, a wonderful comic and comic writer in his own right.

[@roygossjr]

Sid looking "a lot" like Robert De Niro back in the day. What a great clip to share and great job Mel and Conan. The ending of this clip. Conan making Mel laugh, clap his hands together and say, "that was good". I'm sure Conan will NEVER forget making Mel laugh.

[@MaskedMan66]

roy goss As I understand it, it really isn't that hard to make him laugh, but Conan was truly hilarious at that point.

[@onpsxmember]

+roy goss try that Sid Ceasar Overture 1812 video. A lot of the facial expressions reminded me of De Niro too. If anyone has a good source to watch all the "Your Show of Shows" episodes, you'd really make my day.

[@sidcaesaryourshowofshowsca2250]

Sid Caesar: Your Show of Shows/Caesar's Hour channel on YT.

[@BloodofPatriots]

De Niro is a midget if he stood next to Sid Caesar.

[@idiotflower]

Exactly what my immediate impression was of Sid.

[@Filip-emo]

Conan has such an amazing appreciation for the old greats that you just don't see very much anymore.

[@samsignorelli]

I actually ran into Conan at a sporting event today where I was on event staff and one of his kids was participating. He was very gracious when I got his attention and thanked him for bringing Mel onto the show....because I had never seen the German General sketch and later found the entire thing....genius!

[@grandexandi]

The bulk of the sketch is silly fun, mostly a display of the actors' physical talents, but the ending is brilliant.

[@0megacron]

In case anyone else is looking for the whole thing, the skit is called "The German General" and was on his show "Caesar's Hour" back in 1954. This is barely a third of it.

[@daviejay]

Seeing interviews like this makes me more angry that NBC shafted Conan.

[@kris4637]

jokes on them

[@thematt523]

Leno brought in more ratings.

[@chrismofer]

lol why you get to see it on demand for free the world round on this channel!

[@thematt523]

Chrismofer Well, NOW you can, but back in 2009, things were a little different.

[@chrismofer]

this comment was only made 5 years ago.

[@SteveShaha]

The great Mel Brooks + Conan O'Brien=Comedy gold.

[@davidkyle5017]

Mel's my hero, Sid was a god. Thanks for showing that Conan, my Dad loved when Sid did those foreign language skits (there's many more). I grew up watching them in the 60s

[@rickonami]

That was awesome !

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Mel should get the Mark Twain Award for Comedy in 2019; it's a travesty that he's gone this long without it. Thanks for all the laughs, Mr. Brooks!

[@Dietpepsiahh]

I'm going to cry when he passes away.

[@reaverofsouls]

No lie, I shed a few tears when Gene Wilder passed just recently..

[@RogueA.I.]

For sure. He’s a national treasure.

[@davefordavefor]

Conan O’Brien is easily the funniest of all the current talk show hosts.

[@shecklesmack9563]

Low bar

[@aruyashi]

as a german fellow I have to say. During the clip, I felt like the waiter in mel's story. Funny.

[@annalee117]

Wow! The skit was flawlessly done as it made it's comedic flourish end.👏🏽👏🏼👏👏🏻

[@porculizador]

i love mel one of my all-time favourite comedians, actors, producers, directors, composer, writer, anything that deals with comedy, he was (IS) a master

[@porculizador]

the best low budget comedy of all time has to go to history of the world part 1

[@hoodwillhunting]

amazing. Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner seem like they'd be the nicest guys ever if you met them. Sid Caesar was an absolute legend. I'm 29 years old, and I can't get enough of reading about these guys. rest in peace Mr. Caesar.

[@polishfish]

DU HAST KLIPPT DA SHKIN!!! DU HAST KLIPPT DA SHKIN DEM KLIP!!!!!!!!

[@hermit6208]

Lol. So funny.

[@samsignorelli]

Sid actually said "dumkopf" for the last word...literally "dumb head." One of the few actual German words in the sketch from him.

[@knytrydr73]

@@samsignorelli - and the counting when the other guy was buttoning the jacket.

[@davefordavefor]

😆

[@yvettejones5323]

SCHPIK UN SCHPAN! 🤣

[@DarthRushy]

"So lemme tell you something...!" "Yessir." I love how Conan is on his tippy-toes around this guy, immediately shutting up whenever he says a word, showing reverence to the film legend(and probably personal hero).

[@Jorganti]

Mel Brooks is a legend.

[@merowald]

Thanks for introducing me to sid caesar

[@Gunbudder]

Mel Brooks looks like he is slowly turning into a bronze statue of himself

[@robertlaughlin7318]

Mel would laugh at that comment and then steal it. ;)

[@BrendanJimenez]

The real life Yogurt

[@howardkoor2796]

The waiter knew that there was some french there...

[@MarcillaSmith]

"the other things... the pastry..."

[@astroglide420]

Golden comedy. No cursing, nothing. Just a funny, German, General like doorman.

[@yanivproselkov4555]

No need to curse when your Hitler impression doesn't need swearing

[@TheMk1960]

Great acting + great writing=great sketch.

[@marshmallowarkleseizure3742]

exactly...this is the subtle brilliance of a master comedian

[@earltrombley7646]

Thank God for Mel Brooks

[@yyaelie]

And thank God for Sid Ceasar

[@JohnSmith-uy7sv]

Why? Making people laugh or singing to people or making them happy or being a soul singer or a maverick politician or a hero or a veteran or never killing anyone has nothing to do with eternity or salvation. "for by God's grace we are saved through FAITH, not by Works, it is the free gift of God, not that anyone can boast of their salvation." "for all have sinned, all fall short of God's glorious standards." "no one is righteous, no not one." James 4:4 New Living Translation 4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

[@jeffgalus8454]

They don't make them like they use to

[@celiumpictures]

The punch line to the sketch is just absolute genius.

[@xstugee]

Great interview Conan...you wipe the floor with the other so-called late night hosts that we have to choose from...your class and humanity allow your guests the dignity they deserve.

[@MrSalad-om8td]

Absolutely

[@mattkemp7186]

Look up the clip from "Your Show of Shows" with Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca as a couple on a first date at a movie theatre. Not a word spoken. .but a comedy masterpiece.

[@onraj9mm]

SCHLIPERRY FROM THE SCHALIVA

[@starzcreamvs]

Thank god for actual celebrities like conan still spotlighting the real great performers like mel brooks. God bless them both

[@JohnSmith-uy7sv]

Why thank God? Making people laugh or singing to people or making them happy or being a soul singer or a maverick politician or a hero or a veteran or never killing anyone has nothing to do with eternity or salvation. "for by God's grace we are saved through FAITH, not by Works, it is the free gift of God, not that anyone can boast of their salvation." "for all have sinned, all fall short of God's glorious standards." "no one is righteous, no not one." James 4:4 New Living Translation 4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

[@mjkay8660]

how wonderful of mel to share this w us...sid was gr8, it was worth sneakin out of bed 2c his show..& omg..Louis Nye...wow

[@StevenTorrey]

My favorite: Sid Caesar and Nanette Fabray arguing to the 1st Movement of Beethoven's Fifth. That is priceless!

[@bonmoins]

In Finland, we have this young lady, Sara Forsberg, who came into fame talking gibberish in about ten languages. That was fun. After the KZbin fame she had the opportunity to make a career in Hollywood. She couldn't. Now she is back in Finland. Don't know what she does nowadays... This only to tell you that talking gibberish is hilarious, but you can't build your whole career on it! N.B. I don't mean Sid Caesar. He is fabulous!

[@Dymez510]

What an ending, bro. Lmao!

[@diogo.rodrigues.1884]

I wish Conan would have Mel over more often

[@NxDoyle]

It's a kind of lucky irony that I was introduced to Sid Caesar so young, but it's only with age that I realize how I was so lucky. In the late 1970's Sid starred in an Australian T.V. movie called Barnaby and Me. Now, it's one thing for a legend to book a T.V. movie, especially in the 1970's. But to do an _Australian_ T.V. movie in the 1970's? Let's just say that Barnaby and Me was not a 'passion project' for Mr Caesar. While the movie _must_ have been a pay-the-bills necessity for Sid, for me it was a revelation. Every frame in that movie was made funnier by Sid Caesar being in it. Sadly, in looking for 'related content' about Sid & the movie, I was greeted immediately by negative, mean-spirited obituaries and companion pieces.

[@huss1205]

How humble and respectful, mentioning the source for the ideas of his sketches..

[@skaf008]

what a legend growing up remember watching space balls ,hilarious

[@rayoflight9709]

Why did the NBC sack this man . To me he's much better than anyone else hosting at this time.

[@VeracityLH]

If you haven't read/heard Mel Brooks' memoir, All About Me, you are truly missing out. The audio version is read by him, which really adds to it. He has a separate chapter for each of his films! SOOOOOOO worth it!!!

[@MauriceFlower]

What a wonderful sketch! AND Mel Brooks! Oh, Mel Brooks, don't ever ever die...

[@mrrpggamer2]

Everyone dies at some point in their life. He will die sooner or later, it's part of life. And he is getting up there, I think he's close to 90 at this point, I'm not saying he's dying soon, just the fact that he might go sooner than later given his age, unless he proves me wrong and lives past 100 (which is rare).

[@LiveLoudandLiveAlive]

mrrpggamer2 ... Are you Drax the Destroyer and don't understand anything hypothetical? I'm not trying to offend you or am angry, but if that reply was on purpose, I suggest you work for Mel Brooks because that was hilarious.

[@mrrpggamer2]

Wasn't my intention to be negative, I'm just stating the facts of life. And, no, I'm not Drax the Destroyer, I have never even heard of the guy.

[@LiveLoudandLiveAlive]

mrrpggamer2 Ah, now I have a small glimpse into your world. You don't really do 'fun', do you.

[@MrHartApart]

KillerDuckasaurus Nothing goes over my head... my reflexes are too quick.

[@DaveSimonH]

"Schlippery from da saliva" lol

[@samdiego1965]

I’m so glad that out of all shows, Mel Brooks came to reminisce about Sid Caesar with Conan

[@beaumorris5289]

,Howard Morris one of the most Underrated Character Actors Ever.

[@cam_DA_Hawkdriver]

I’ve never seen this, but fondly remember Sid Caesar’s comedy genius.

[@TheAwesome2626]

Two of my favorite people together. Great clip

[@DrumsTheWord]

The other guy was really good as well. Loved the little salute wiggle at 4:45. Nice touch.

[@TheAlfsterino]

Not only is Mel one of the great comedic talents he is also so warm, generous and down to earth with no airs and graces. Listen to any interview with Ross Nobel about Young Frankenstein to find out how wonderful the man is.

[@InformationIsTheEdge]

Loved Sid Caesar, love Mel Brooks and I think Conan is hilarious! Three home runs in one!

[@honkytonkinson9787]

Danny Kaye was also very talented at making up various gibberish dialects

[@misssmargo]

Mel brooks just seems like such a nice man :)

[@backup4ever]

thought of phil hartman during this

[@manfredschmidt9872]

As a German I burst out laughing! Especially the end of the sketch...brilliant!

[@LenHummelChannel]

Great tribute to a truly GREAT performer and comedic mind. thanks.

[@KrisWiggly]

Love the amount of respect Conan offers this man on his own show. What a class act Conan is. Also, who the fuck is Mel Brooks?

[@KrisWiggly]

Just finished the video... I actually laughed pretty hard at the German General skit.

Talking about a great way of ending a sketch, Conan just did it at the end of this bit. That's wit.

[@martinwoyzeck2634]

No really the definition of what 'wit' is. But it showed Conan could also do gibberish dialect

[@Ericwvb2]

There is a great story in the book the "Undutchables" about a Dutch woman who has to speak English at a party but doesn't know it that well. When she is asked what she does for a living, she answers "I fok dogs." The Dutch word for "breed" is "fok." Dutch, German and English are all Germanic languages. When Dutch people speak German or English, they will often use the Dutch word when they don't know a word and it will work to a certain degree. The "German" is great. He uses enough real German words mixed with German sounding words that it does almost sound correct.

[@martinwoyzeck2634]

Thats funny

[@testodude]

Sid Caesar and Howard Morris together is almost too much genius on stage.

[@jeffnettleton3858]

I've worn that kind of collared tunic; that's not much of an exaggeration! Brilliantly funny man, with the best writers in television.

[@spencerlindsay7135]

Best man in show biz!

[@AKNeal81]

I love watching Conan and Mel interact!

[@Bapakgila]

Oh come on guys this is one of the greatest sketches of all time. My gosh this was the best gibberish of all time!!!!

[@jamesatipton2432]

I cry when I see this. We haven't had such genius in at least 50 years.

[@1TopGunPaintballer]

Pathos. I know what he meant! Actually a vocab word for a quiz that I had today.

[@rickenbacker40011]

MEL IS STILL ALIVE!!! THATS AWESOMEEEE

[@howardlovecraft750]

Sid was hilarious.

[@SB-hc1nt]

My favorite skit Brooks wrote it, Caesar and Morris nailed it."Your Show of Shows" Sid Caesar show is still one of funniest I've ever seen. My great great Aunt used to have him on in her house reruns of course. Most Vaudevillian and slightly after had the best timing and delivery they had to or they didn't eat. Burns and Allen were spot on as well as Jack Benny.

[@High-Overlord-Snarffie-Pug]

One of the saddest thoughts I've ever had was when I realized I'll never see a new Mel Brooks movie again. Some of my favorite movies ever made are his.

[@TickleFingers]

Mel Brooks...... The legend! National treasure.

[@JamesEvans97]

Great interview, great clip, great ending.

[@staplafara]

I`m German and find it really funny. Thanks for the remembrance of a great comedian.

[@williamriley2489]

Conan’s German gibberish at the end was gold!

[@pasqualecandelora6759]

Howard Morris was a scream also. Loved him as ernest T bass on andy Griffith

[@Trip_Fontaine]

Mel Brooks clapping for your spontaneous comedy is pretty much like winning the Nobel Prize of comedy.

[@NuncNuncNuncNunc]

Love that Sid Caesar clip everytime!

[@chrisred2010]

Just love Mel Brooks and Howard Morris and Cyd Ceaser

[@isaacisraelsolishernandez4516]

Love Mel, Love Sid, Love Conan tipping the hat to both.

[@mr.joshua7586]

Mel Brooks is absolutely hilarious. A total roar. I still laugh my butt off the chair no matter how many times I watch "Life Stinks". Mel Brooks at his Best.

[@jairkerker2821]

Conan is the only one who can measure up to comedic minds without feeling the need to. Always the best dynamic.