Ruthie's Table 4: Mel Brooks

Watch Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, listen to The 2000-Year-Old Man, read his autobiography, All About Me, and you will know why. But for me, having known Mel for 25 years, ‘funny’ is not the first word I would use to describe this extraordinary man. Fiercely proud of his children and grandchildren, the first one to pick up a phone to a friend in trouble, refusing an award in opposition to the Iraq War and waiting to accept it later from President Obama. To Mel, food and wine are crucial—many of his life's important moments occurred in restaurants. And, as for wine, he will tell you himself. Today at his home we are together. Lucky me. We're going to talk about movies, family, memories and more. And be prepared to laugh because Mel Brooks is indeed funny.