Customer Reviews

THE 2000 YEAR OLD MAN IN THE YEAR 2000.

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

True, it's about a two hour read for most -- five for me but I tracethe words with my finger as I read. On the plane, I laughedaloud. There was some whispering and the woman next to me changed her seat. Some of it may be recycled shtick but it still seems fresh. Most I've never seen/heard and I have listened to the Old Man CDs. I'd say there's fifty belly laughs, ten chortles, one guffaw, three titters and a smile. It will give you a few hours of delightfully outrageous grumpy old Jewish man humor. I should know. Buy it. Read it. Laugh. Eat your oatmeal and let me alone already. END

Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner have collected many of this character's "greatest hits" and put them in book form. Buy the audio tape. This is just one of those examples of a performance that doesn't translate well to the written word. Brooks and Reiner are very funny men but this is not a funny book. Trying to imagine inflection and timing is not a fun thing while you're trying to read.

The first time I read this book I was on a plane and everyone was staring at me because I could not stop laughing. You can try not to, but you just have to laugh. Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner have not lost their flair for funny.

I've said it before, I'll say it again, Mel Brooks is a comedical genius. This book is a great short read. Whether you're new to this 2000 year old man or you're a long time fan this book is hilarious. Much of it is rewording of the old acts that Mel did with Carl Reiner. They make fun of everyhting from the new miracle diets to God to sex. There's even a section called See Moses Run. The humor is if anything very Jewish which is great, if you understand Judaism.
If you like Brooks humor, buy this book. It's good for a gift if you get it along with the accompanying CD under the same title as the book or the Complete 2000 Year Old Man 4 disc set.

Yes, a lot of it is rehashed from the original routines on the records, but it's still pretty funny stuff - and if the title page made me laugh then it must be pretty funny!

You do have to be a Mel Brooks fan in order to appreciate this book. If you're not, then you just won't like it, no matter how much I or anyone else recommends it. But if you are, then be prepared for some fall-down roll-on-the-floor howls.

I laughed at this updated version of mel and carl's classic work, and it prompted me to delve further into the world of mel brooks comedy. Oye, this guy is FUNNY!

Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner have actually lived a long time, and it shows through in this book in a most positive light. The humor is edgy and street-wise without being totally cynical and self-pitying. They follow in the worthy footprints of Harry Golden and Sam Levenson who could generate adult humor without being embarassing. I would say to most of the people I know: Are you getting older and inwardly a little scared of that? Are you ever crying on the inside while you're laughing on the outside? Congratulations -- you're a bone fide member of the human race! You would like this book. (Bonus: It can be read in one sitting, but I would recommend keeping it handy for re-reading.)

I've already "listened" to this work four times in the past week. Having acquired the CD collection of all four previous efforts, the latest being created in 1973 (The 2013 year old man), I was thrilled when I read in a recent magazine article of this latest release. There are several very humorous "skits" in this publication. They did surprise me with the repetitive use of the infamous four letter word as the basis of one of the stories. A definite, worthwhile acquisition for those of us who admire the works of Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks but after a 24 year hiatus, I was expecting better.

A few laughs but not worth the money. Wish I'd gone to the Library first to read it.

A fan of both Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner I was a little disappointed in the book. It's a quick read. Interested? Go to your local library. I took mine of the Express Shelf (7-days loan.) and could have returned it the same afternoon. Unless you collect Brooks-Reiner books save your $$$.