Hey Mel, we need a favor!
The boys of Brooklyn Paper Radio made a request to Mel Brooks that some may call an offer he can’t refuse, but for some reason he hasn’t gotten back to them.
Find out what they need now by listening to the clip from Brooklyn Paper Radio!
Or, read the text of the letter below.
Or, click on the actual letter at right and see for yourself!
Dear Mr. Brooks,
As you know, you are a legend, and nowhere is that legendariness more appreciated than here in your hometown of Brooklyn — and, more specifically, by me, Vince DiMiceli, the editor of The Brooklyn Paper.
Of course, time waits for no man, and once he is gone, his reputation is left in the hands of some of the most inept wordsmiths ever to pick up a pencil — obituary writers.
Mel, I run a newspaper, and I can tell you that the people we put in charge of the obituary page are usually interns with little writing experience, and, on some occasions, those that speak only Spanish. Are these the people you want to leave in charge of your legacy? I think not.
That is why I would like to offer you the opportunity to write your own obituary that I will print — unedited* — in your hometown newspaper for all your fans (and other people who, through no fault of yours, don’t have the foggiest idea of who your are) to read, clip out, and put on the refrigerator.
Who better to tell the story of Mel Brooks than Mel Brooks himself?
All I ask is that you keep it to our standard word count of 750, and send it along with a dated picture of yourself suitable for printing alongside an obit.
Normally, we pay anywhere from $35 to $90 for such a piece, but for someone of your stature, I’m willing to go to $99.
You’ll also have to fill out the proper paperwork and a W9-form that would set you up as a freelance writer for us, and bill us within 30 days of publication to receive payment, which usually takes about 60 days to be delivered.
I thank you for your time, and hope you chose to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Sincerely,
—–
Vince DiMiceli
Editor-in-Chief
The Brooklyn Paper
*Actually, it may be edited. In fact, it probably will be.