Anyone watching it? I saw the first episode and it’s……ok? I’ve always felt Brooks lost a step or two comedically in Dracula, Men In Tights, and other more recent movies. Not a lot of laughs or even chuckles. I’m curious what others think.
I was underwhelmed. I’ve only watched the first episode, but the one joke and out format of short sketches reminded me more of Drunk History than Mel Brooks. I’ll give it one more shot, but if it doesn’t improve, I’m out.
It was just what I expected. Many of Mel’s works have been hit and miss, and I’m just glad for the few hits (the Romanovs, for instance) in this series.
Well, so far I think the funniest bit was literally the first bit.
“History of the World, Part 2, with all new material!” >immediately cuts to “Hitler on Ice”<
I always thought that Mel benefitted greatly by having Gene Wilder in his productions. Gene sort of damped down Mel’s zaniness. And conversely, Mel got Gene to be rather more joyously ebullient in return.
I watched the first episode and can’t help wondering how much of this is Mel Brooks and how much of it is a Nick Kroll homage to Mel Brooks. It’s like they have some Ed Wood / Bela Lugosi thing going on.
Sweet Jesus.
I recall reading an article by a guy who was allowed to examine the remains of the Romanovs found a few years ago. Something rattled in the skull he was examining. The desiccated brain of Nicholas II.
The old magic isn’t there.
we bailed 10 minutes in - just not funny.
I started with high hopes. I made it through the first two episodes thinking, “It’s got to get better.” Nope. As Love_Rhombus said, not a laugh or even a chuckle anywhere to be found. Sigh.
no offense i didn’t think the first one was all that funny …
I’ve seen three of them and they were painfully unfunny. Not a single laugh. I should tell you, though, that I just saw History of the World Part 1 and found it to be also unfunny. It’s a lot better than this show, though.
I feel like Men in Tights was the last time Mel delivered something hugely funny. That’s OK; he had about 25 years of mostly solid movie making and comedy is much harder than drama. I don’t think he wrote almost anything for this show even if he is credited in part and does announce the titles of each section.
Three episodes in and yeah, “meh” would be my review too. Will probably keep watching though, if for no other reason than to see the amazing collection of comic actors who all seem like they’re having fun.
It’s become a game between me and Mrs. solost to try to ID the actors under all the costumes, wigs, fake beards and makeup. Some are easier than others. Who’s playing Noah? That voice is so famil…Seth Rogen!
Oh and, though I do not like like musicals in general, I like ironic musical numbers, and I thought that made for some of the high points of HOTW P I. I enjoyed the musical soliloquy Jack Black did as Stalin.
I should say, I did laugh at the Jackass sketch, just for a moment. Cute idea, got a giggle from me. That’s about it.
There’s a few laughs but you really have to wait for them. I’m two episodes in and the best so far has been Judas a la Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Yeah, I think so many of the skits are based on things people are familiar with that if you’re not that they fall flat. For example, I’ve never seen Curb Your Enthusiasm.
I saw Kroll on Colbert, and both he and the clip they showed of History were damn near unwatchable.
Nick Kroll is driving me nuts. Every time I see him on screen, I think I’ve seen him before, but every time I look at a list of his credits, there’s nothing on there I’ve ever really watched. Is there some other semi-famous guy who looks and sounds just like him out there?!?
I know him from Parks & Rec as Howard “The Douche” Tuttleman.
I should clarify, I had the same reaction when I saw him in something else and it didn’t make sense until I saw he was in P&R.
I like the mocking of Footprints in the Sand. Footprints in the Sand deserves all the mocking.