Mel Brooks' Forgotten 1978 Robin Hood Sitcom: "When Things Were Rotten" Before "Men in Tights"
By
David Rode
Baker's choice. Dense with flavour, light on filler.
Summary
This article discusses Mel Brooks' short-lived 1978 sitcom "When Things Were Rotten," a comedic take on the Robin Hood legend that predates his more famous film "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" by 15 years. The show, which ran for only 13 episodes, featured a bumbling band of Merry Men and parodied the Robin Hood story with Brooks' signature humor. The article explores why the sitcom failed despite Brooks' involvement, including network interference, timing issues, and the challenge of sustaining a comedic premise over multiple episodes. It draws comparisons to Brooks' later successful Robin Hood parody film and examines how the sitcom laid groundwork for his future work.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledWhen it comes to comedic movies, it's good to be the king, and Mel Brooks certainly earned that title.
The show ran for only 13 episodes before being cancelled, but it showcased Brooks' signature brand of humor.
Before Men In Tights, Mel Brooks skewered Robin Hood in this failed '70s sitcom.
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