The Dick Cavett Show with Mel Brooks

I am NOT a Mel Brooks fan, not by any means, but I was held totally spellbound by this show...and it was all Cavett. He managed to bring the best out of Brooks, as he always does with his interviewees. He brings himself to the interview without being intrusive, and at 70 years old, his boyish "gee whiz" admiration of his guest just shines.

Seeing "The Dick Cavett Show" again here, using his old graphics and entrance and exit music, and seeing him just as brilliant, articulate, witty and charming as ever, well, my hat's off to you, Cavett! You make all the other talk show hosts, comedians and stand up "comics" of 2006 look cheap and stupid by comparison.

If you want to, and have the will and energy to do it, please do more of these! I for one will watch every single show with pleasure.

I thought I'd had enough Mel Brooks to last for this century. Then, I stumbled across a late-night rerun of this interview while sampling channels post-midnight. One of the luckiest "stumbles" in my life: an hour of two very bright men sharing very funny memories and sharp but gentle insights. A large studio audience was obviously charmed, treated to extraordinary humor and goodwill, and reminded of how much quality and intellect can nourish you when it's spiced with funny lines. You'll particularly like a brief segment where Brooks recalls his description of Cavett, long ago, in a New Yorker interview. This interview is a "do not miss," 'cuz before too much longer, sadly, Mel Brooks will begin to fade. Get it while it's hot. I stayed up very late, far too late, to catch every minute. Do the same!