Mel Brooks suddenly seems to be everywhere – and that’s anything but a complaint. The PBS series American Masters just profiled him, and this weekend TNT televises his receipt of the AFI Life Achievement Award. Tonight, Encore presents two of those Life Achievements, starting with this 1974 classic that redefined comedy in films and TV – and which, Brooks told me recently, he’s playing with turning into his latest stage musical. Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder star, Richard Pryor co-wrote the script, and Madeline Kahn steals the show with her weary Marlene Dietrich impersonation.

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