Bringing In A Comedic Genius
While working on the screenplay for Blazing Saddles, Brooks was also developing a television program called Your Show of Shows. During his stay in New York, he was inspired after seeing a performance by Richard Pryor at the Vanguard nightclub. After getting along well with the comic, Brooks extended an offer to Pryor for a part. Pryor was crucial to its success, and the rest is history. Most of Mongo’s dialogue was written by him.
Bringing In A Comedic Genius
The Gridiron Gang
Hedley Lamar from Harvey Korman’s film, who dispatched Mongo, might not have succeeded in removing Sheriff Bart from his position. Nevertheless, Alex Karras enjoyed great success as a football player throughout his prime. Karras had an incredible 12 seasons playing in the NFL. Karras was a member of the NFL’s All-Decade squad in the 1960s and was selected to the All-Pro team nine times. He was a four-time Pro Bowler as well, but after leaving the Detroit Lions, he turned to acting. He first appeared in Webster.
The Gridiron Gang
