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Comedian and Filmmaker Mel Brooks.

Comedian and film maker Mel Brooks. Brooks has made some of the funniest films in movie history, including "The Producers," "Young Frankenstein," and "Blazing Saddles." (REBROADCAST from July 30, 1991; Also contains audio from Frankie Laine interview 07/29/1987)

17:06
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Other segments from the episode on July 2, 1993

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, July 2, 1993: Interview with George Clinton; Interview with Mel Brooks; Review of Patricia Cornwell's novel "Cruel and Unusual."
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22:05

George Clinton On His Musical Inspirations, Barbershops, and Being Sampled by Rap Artists.

The master of funk, George Clinton. He began his musical career as a teenager when he formed The Parliaments. But in the early 70s, Clinton put together a second group, "Funkadelic," that became enormously influential on the pop music scene. Their 1970 album, "Osmium," set the tone for Clinton's wickedly eclectic style; songs ranged from metaphysical gospel to country and acid rock. But their big hit came with the album "Mothership Connection." In songs like "Tear the Roof Off the Sucker," "Get Up on the Downstroke" and "Think!

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23:08

Comedian and Filmmaker Mel Brooks.

Comedian and filmmaker Mel Brooks. Brooks has made some of the funniest films in movie history, including "The Producers," "Young Frankenstein," and "Blazing Saddles." In his new movie, "Life Stinks," Brooks plays a billionaire who accepts a wager to spend a month living on the street.

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41:50

Mel Brooks: 'I'm An EGOT; I Don't Need Any More.'

The screenwriter, producer, director and actor, whose name has become synonymous with American comedy, talks about his penchant for spoofs and his decades-long friendship with Carl Reiner. Brooks, who is among a handful of people who've won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards, is the subject of a new documentary on PBS.

Interview
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09:55

A Big Voice in Theme Songs

Listeners will recognize Frankie Laine's voice from the opening sequences of Rawhide and Blazing Saddles. Laine also makes a career performing and recording pop, country and jazz tunes.

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