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So here it is everyone, the Steve Martin monologue that was a tribute to Gilda Radner. She had died that afternoon, the same day as the season finale. While Steve is presenting the “Dancing in the Dark” sketch (from the Steve Martin/Blues Brothers episode) he’s trying to hold back tears. This was just an unforgettable SNL moment that crushes your heart when you watch it.
I’m bringing this back because today is May 20th. On this day 24 years ago, we lost Gilda Radner.
I’m in tears thinking about Madeline. What an incredibly gifted gift from God, Madeline Kahn. The funniest and most talented comedienne I think, including people like Carol Burnett, who are great, you know, and Gilda Radner who was magnificent. But nobody — listen to me, David Bianculli — nobody could approach the magnificence and wonder of Madeline Kahn.
“She was really a great gift to us all. … I saw art [in her], not just funny. But I saw a person who was gifted with art. She’s the only one who actually could have worked in opera as an opera singer, as a coloratura. She was that talented. Or I think she could have worked as a longshoreman in New Jersey. I don’t think there’s anything that Madeline Kahn couldn’t do.
-Mel Brooks
Listen to a Mel Brooks interview here. And don’t forget to watch Mel Brooks: Make a Noise tonight 9m central standard time on PBS! Can’t tune in/overseas? Fear not it is being released on dvd. You can purchase it on places like Amazon.