Comedy legend Mel Brooks says one of his most popular movies could not be made today because of political correctness.
Brooks was interviewed by PBS host Tavis Smiley for a program to air later this week, according to
Mediaite, which quoted from a preview of the program.
"Political correctness restricts and restrains humor," Brooks reportedly tells Smiley. "Humor has to be very crazy and very free and very liberated. And dangerous!"
Brooks directed "Blazing Saddles" in 1974. It is known for its use of the N-word and stereotypes that Brooks doesn't believe would fly today.
But he said he got away with using the N-word because Richard Pryor was one of the movie's co-writers. Brooks said that every time he came to a point where he wanted to use the N-word he would ask Pryor if it would be OK.
Pryor would respond, "You must" or "You have to," every time, Brooks said.
Brooks said he also got complaints from Jews over the years for the song "Springtime for Hitler" in his Broadway show and movie "The Producers." He said he responded to every person that it was vital to mock people like Adolf Hitler.
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