I'm Alan Alder and this is Clear and Vivid. Conversations about connecting and communicating.

Paul is devilishly clever, even now, even approaching 98. His questions, I don't feel

the leash, but I know he's walking me. And I know it. I always knew that whatever you

ask him, you can hear the funny answer. He doesn't know it's coming up. He doesn't trust

himself as much as I do because that brain of his doesn't stop. It does not stop.

I've been friends with Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks for over 40 years. They've been friends

with each other for 70 years. And during that time they've created together or separately

some of the most memorable comedy in our lives. Iconic movies and TV series and Broadway

shows. Their sketches on the Sid Cesar show in the 1950s will still leave you gasping

on the floor. And so will their recording of the 2000 year old man that began as an improvised

entertainment at parties and never stopped. Mel and Carl aren't as old yet as Mel's character

of the 2000 year old man, but they were just as wise and just as funny when I got together

with them at Carl's house in Beverly Hills. This is so great that you can be with me today.

I'm so grateful to your both. And you sure it is just not a penny in it?

Not a well on the way. I'll give you 50 cents if you're a good one. Well, we'll tell you

the story about how he feels about being paid for his work. Oh, you got a story about that?

I have. What is it? Well, Mel and I did the 2000 year old man for free, many, many, many,

many years. And ultimately we was what's his name? Steve Allen. Steve Allen. We did it at

a party and he says, you got to put this on tape, fellas. And we said, no, it's only for Jews

and non-antosemitic Gentiles. And so so he gave us his studio, World Pacific Jazz. We got

a couple dozen sofas, put people in it. And we will. He never knew what I was going to ask him.

And I never knew what he was going to say. So it was fresh from he was worried because I put

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