Mel Brooks' Movies and Quotes Earn AFI Lifetime Achievement Award

Mel Brooks' off-color movies and politically incorrect quotes have finally earned him the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award. Superstar directors and actors came out to show their support--most notably, Martin Scorsese, Carl Reiner & Robert Deniro.

There is no disputing the fact that Brooks deserves the 41st Annual American Film Institute award. From Blazing Saddles to The Producers, has he has kept us laughing for the past 50 years.

Mel got his first break from Sid Caesar on Your Show of Shows. Brooks was a writer for Caesar and didn't appear on camera until much later. Once he did, there was no turning back.

He has always been a tremendous star and remains one of the few people who actually achieved EGOT status--winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

So, it's about time Brooks receives the recognition he is due, if for no other reason than time is running out. He turns 87 this month.

Thursday evening, as he was being honored, Brooks seemed in good health with a great sense of humor. The show opened with Martin Short singing "Springtime for Hitler," the theme song of The Producers. It was met with a standing ovation.

From there, the evening alternated between guests who strictly praised Brooks for his accomplishments and those that made fun of what shortcomings tarnish his illustrious career.

Robert Deniro, who has never been asked to appear in a Brooks' film, asked if there was some sort of casting couch process he could participate in.

Billy Crystal offered up a rousing speech about how talented the guest of honor was, before revealing he thought the event was for Carl Reiner.

Conan O'Brien went on, for perhaps a bit too long, about how much Brooks meant to his family. Jimmy Kimmel, recognizing a prime opportunity for a joke, told Brooks that his family loved Mel more than Conan's family ever could.

Sarah Silverman, comedienne extraordinaire, had the night's best lines.

"Finally, a lifetime achievement award for Mel Brooks! Wow. What an elegant way to say, 'Hey, let's wrap it up.'"

Then, she took a jab at another Mel that has made waves in Hollywood.

"Handsome Mel Brooks taught us that when we contrast levity with great sadness we can get not just hilarious but also important comedy with a beautiful and deep inner core. And we also learned from another Mel, Mel Gibson, who taught us, 'Never drink and hate Jews.''