
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

March 21, 2023
Having chalked up over fifty years at the peak of the music and entertainment industry, Justin Hayward’s voice has been heard the world over. Known principally as the vocalist, lead guitarist and composer for the Moody Blues, his is an enduring talent that has helped to define the times in which he worked.

March 21, 2023
Mikey's Army, a new coming-of-age film directed by Andrew Keenan-Bolger and written by playwright Eric Ulloa, will premiere at the Outfest Fusion Film Festival. The new flim will stars Nicholas Dantes in the title role, alongside Claybourne Elder, Krystina Alabado, Shuga Cain, Jennifer Sanchez, and Timmy Thompson.

March 21, 2023
“We Used to Live Here” follows three previously released singles from the forthcoming A River Running to Your Heart, each showcasing a unique sonic edge of Eric D. Johnson’s vast songwriting ability. In support of the new album, Fruit Bats will tour the United States and Canada in April and May. Tickets are available now.

March 21, 2023
Co-written and produced by GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and producer Poo Bear (Justin Bieber, Usher, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez), “Could It Be You” is an anthemic dance-pop track accompanied by layered synths and soft keys as it speaks to the curiosity and wonder of if there is a perfect match out there. Watch the new video now!

March 21, 2023
KT TUNSTALL is ready to hit the road for a North American run of live shows beginning April 20th with four shows in eastern Canada before heading south to the U.S. - beginning on April 28th in Boston and following through hitting such markets as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis, Los Angeles and San Francisco.