SOMETHING ROTTEN Writer Says Mel Brooks Ripped Them Off With HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART 2 Scene
Book writer O'Farrell took to Twitter to share his response to the trailer for Mel Brooks' History of the World Part II.
John O'Farrell, the book writer of Something Rotten!, has tweeted that Mel Brooks "ripped [them] off" with a scene in History of the World Part II.
In Something Rotten, the character of Shakespeare rejects the idea of adding songs into his plays. Much of the musical revolves around the creation of the first "musical."
In a new trailer for Mel Brooks' History of the World Part II, Shakespeare, played by Josh Gad, similarly condemns the idea of adding music into his work.
O'Farrell took to Twitter to share his response to the trailer, stating: "Forsooth, Mel Brooks' new film hath ripped us off Something Rotten! I know writers can land on the same idea but our musical ran on Broadway for 2 years then toured for 2 more, there's no way that everyone connected with his film was unaware of it."
O'Farrell also shared a clip of Brian D'Arcy James, Brad Oscar, and the cast of Something Rotten! performing "A Musical" at the Tony Awards. During that scene, a soothsayer (Oscar) reveals to a struggling playwright and actor (James) that the next big thing in theatre is a musical, bursting into song while forseeing musicals of the future.
"Our premise was 'What if they came up with the idea of the musical in Shakespeare's London?' And here is the extract from Mel Brooks' new movie. (Ironically, or show was all about writers pinching each others' ideas!)," O'Farrell continued in the thread.
"In the past I've had ideas I later realised I'd seen somewhere else: then you just have to come up with something new. Mel Brooks has given me so much pleasure down the years, I'd be sad if he was now so all-powerful that no one could say to him 'Mel, they already did that," he concluded.
While the Shakespeare plot is only a small part of the History of the World Part II trailer, the four night event will begin streaming March 6 on Hulu.
Forsooth, Mel Brooks' new film hath ripped us off Something Rotten!
- John O'Farrell (@mrjohnofarrell) February 8, 2023
I know writers can land on the same idea but our musical ran on Broadway for 2 years then toured for 2 more, there's no way that everyone connected with his film was unaware of it. Here's us at the Tony awards: pic.twitter.com/AYmjc6xH2z
In the past I've had ideas I later realised I'd seen somewhere else: then you just have to come up with something new.
- John O'Farrell (@mrjohnofarrell) February 8, 2023
Mel Brooks has given me so much pleasure down the years, I'd be sad if he was now so all-powerful that no one could say to him 'Mel, they already did that!'
Big fan. All due respect the trailer takes it out of context. It's a one off joke. Nobody breaks out into song (from what I recall) in the Shakes sketch. The trailer cuts to a completely different moment. It's literally that line and off. Something Rotten is brilliant btw.?
- Josh Gad (@joshgad) February 8, 2023
Watch the trailer for History of the World Part 2 here:
Watch Brian D'Arcy James and Brad Oscar perform "It's A Musical" on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade here:
From This Author - Michael Major
Ill Communication Release 'Doomsday Brigade' LPMarch 31, 2023
Ill Communication started as a few friends from the Oxnard and Tehachapi Hardcore scenes who had talked about making music together for over 15 years. After playing and touring North America and Europe in bands such as The Warriors, Diehard Youth, No Motiv, Retaliate and Gravemaker.
Sondre Lerche Releases New Album 'Avatars Of The Night' Featuring New Single 'The Most Savage Joke'March 31, 2023
Lerche will star in the Nordic production of Moulin Rouge! which will premiere on August 30 at Chateau Neuf in Oslo, Norway. Sondre will play 'Christian,” the character made famous by Ewan McGregor in Baz Luhrman's 2001 movie, where he starred alongside Nicole Kidman, whose character will be played by Norwegian actress Heidi Ruud Ellingsen.
OF AN AGE to Premiere on Peacock in AprilMarch 31, 2023
OF AN AGE is the latest film from Focus Features coming to Peacock joining SPOILER ALERT, TÁR and ARMAGEDDON TIME and Peacock’s growing library of the latest box office hits, including M3GAN, PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH, TICKET TO PARADISE and KNOCK AT THE CABIN.
Kelsey Waldon to Release 'No Regular Dog' Deluxe EditionMarch 31, 2023
Consisting of 18 tracks—a combination of dynamic live recordings alongside intimate work tapes and voice notes—the deluxe edition demonstrates the depth of Waldon’s artistry and the growth she experienced while creating No Regular Dog, as she chronicles the recording and touring process.
Paper Bee Announces New Album 'Thaw, Freeze, Thaw'March 31, 2023
Paper Bee collaborated on crafting Thaw, Freeze, Thaw with producer Kyle Gilbride (Swearin’, Waxahatchee) while living together as housemates through the COVID-19 quarantine. The record presents a story about queer love, heartbreak, and belonging, and serves as a final pre-HRT document of songwriter Nick Berger’s soprano voice.
