Was just talking in another thread about watching Blazing Saddles last night. Mel Brooks is obviously comedy jeenyus/royalty. But with regard to Blazing Saddles, I wonder if All In the Family had any influence in his making of this flick. All In The Family started in 1971 and Blazing Saddles came out in 74'. Archie Bunker was a racist and a bigot, and the more he showed it, the more he looked like an idiot. There was nothing like it on TV and it quickly became wildly popular. That's the same premise with Blazing Saddles. Even in 1974, there's no way they could have gotten away with the over-the-top racism unless the use of it made the characters look like total boobs. I like boobs.
This has been Deep Thoughts with Jack Handy.