Billy Crystal Gives Mel Brooks the Peabody Career Achievement Award

On June 9, Billy Crystal presented Mel Brooks with the Peabody Career Achievement Award at the 84th Annual Peabody Awards. This makes Mel Brooks the fourth individual to be a PEGOT winner (Peabody, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). 

This ceremony took place at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles to celebrate those winners elected to represent the most compelling and empowering stories released in broadcasting and streaming media during 2023. 

The presentation included a short video compilation of some of the funniest moments from Brooks' films and TV shows.

Enjoy!

Mel Brooks Receives an Honorary Oscar Award and Tribute From Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane

On January 9 an Honorary Oscar statuette was presented to Mel Brooks at the Academy's 14th Governors Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

At the ceremony, Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick honored the iconic producer, writer, and actor with some comedy and song created just for him.

Here is their tribute to Mel Brooks, followed by Brooks receiving the Oscar and giving his acceptance comments.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

   

   

(A tip of the kippah to Esther Kustanowitz for bringing these videos to our attention)

Comedy Flashback: Billy Crystal Accepts the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize in 2007

Today we're turning the calendar back to 2007 when Billy Crystal gave an acceptance speech on receiving the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain prize.

The Mark Twain Prize recognizes people who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th century novelist and essayist best known as Mark Twain. As a social commentator, satirist and creator of memorable characters, Samuel Clemens was a fearless observer of society, who startled and outraged many while delighting and informing many more with his uncompromising perspective of social injustice and personal folly. He revealed the great truth of humor when he said "against the assault of laughter nothing can stand."

Billy delivered a memorable speech in which he used his impeccable sense of humor to express gratitude for the honor and also to give some insight into his personal life and special thanks to his wife and daughters.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

When Kirk Douglas Sang "Mein Yiddishe Meideleh" at an Awards Ceremony

 

In 2002, during a celebration of 100 years of the Folksbiene Yiddish theatre, New York Governor George Pataki presented a lifetime achievement award from the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York to actor Kirk Douglas.

At the celebration, Douglas (who died on February 5 at the age of 103) was 85 years old and recovering from a severe stroke in 1996. When he received the award, he reflected on his two Bar Mitzvahs (at 13 and 83) and reminisced about delivering his first Bar Mitzvah speech in Yiddish.

He then launched into a Yiddish song, Mein Yiddishe Meideleh, to the delight of the audience.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.