This post is part of a BlogHop (see below) about “How I met my husband”
Meeting celebrities is just part of the job when you’re a television reporter; so this was a fairly typical day at work when I was in my twenties. I was sent to the Fontainebleau Hotel on Miami Beach to cover a press conference with Sophia Loren, Sylvester Stallone, Henry Winkler and Mel Brooks, all being honored by the National Organization of Theater Owners.
My station had arranged a private interview with Mel Brooks; my cameraman Larry was a big fan and brought along a box of Raisinets which he knew Mel loved.
After the interview, the guy with Mel handed me his card and asked me to send a videocassette copy of the interview to him in Los Angeles. I was used to guys like this: I figured he was Mel’s publicist; and either wanted to represent me, or he was hitting on me.
Pretty soon I had the answer. And somehow I found myself agreeing to meet him back at the Fontainebleau for a drink, after I finished the late news.
“I don’t know why I said ok; I couldn’t think of a fast excuse,” I told my producer when I got back to the station from the interview. “I’m not gonna show up.”
“You should go, ” my producer urged me. “Maybe Mel will be there, too.”
Nah, I said. The Fontainebleau was a half hour away; plus this Hollywood guy wasn’t even my type.
I was heading up to the studio to do the 11 p.m. news when my date called to confirm. Who confirms a date that’s in an hour?
The call caught me off guard; and now I couldn’t stand him up. So after the news, I headed back to the Fontainebleau.
The Hollywood guy was waiting outside the hotel, and he climbed into my car. Now I found out he was Mel’s personal manager; he had made plans to go to a popular nightspot; he had mentioned his plans to Mel; and Mel had invited himself on our date.
Score for my producer.
Sure enough, Mel was waiting when we arrived at the Cricket Club. The management made a fuss and took lots of pictures.
When you’re on a date with Mel Brooks, the laughs and the patter and the jokes never stop. He was working the whole room. I could see Mr. Hollywood had a great sense of humor; but we barely had a chance to say two words to each other.
It was 3 a.m. when we finally got up to leave; and then we found out that Mel had dismissed his car and driver, assuming we’d take him back to the Fontainebleau with us.
So the three of us headed back in my car–me driving, Mr. Hollywood next to me, and Mel in the back seat.
Even with jet lag, Mel was wired in the middle of the night, and continued entertaining us as I drove towards Miami Beach. I still knew next to nothing about Mr. Hollywood.
And then Mel got semi-serious—and a new side of him emerged. He leaned way forward between the two bucket seats, and aimed a pointed question right at me.
“So. You got a boyfriend?”
It was the Jewish Inquisition.
I hesitated. Then I mumbled the truth: “Um. Kind of.”
Mel pounced. “Well, you don’t sound very excited about him. You should dump this boyfriend, marry my manager, and move to California.”
I was so flustered I missed the turnoff and had to get off the highway—the guys had no idea where we were, but I did— in the most dangerous neighborhood in Miami. I could just picture the newspaper headlines: Miami Newscaster Causes Injury to Beloved Comic Legend Mel Brooks.
Little did I know that there would be headlines– of a very different kind– in Liz Smith’s syndicated column when I took Mel’s advice —four months later, I married his manager Howard Rothberg, and moved to California.
Howard and I got divorced 13 years later; and the story of how I met my second husband (18 years so far) isn’t nearly as romantic. Still I feel enormously grateful to Mel Brooks for being our matchmaker—–giving me the treasure of life-long friendship with Howard, and our two fabulous kids.
Also posted on the Huffington Post
Darryle:
That one is very tough to beat! But check out my matchmaker story anyway!
BTW, I like the term the Jewish Inquisition. Even though I live in Colorado, my first few boyfriends were all Jewish… Laura Lee
Only you could tell the story about how Mel Brooks was your cupid!
Love, love, love this. It’s a story for the ages! Not to mention that your husband was totally hot.
What a fun story! I can’t imagine an evening with Mel Brooks – such a sense of humor. And some wisdom too – playing matchmaker. My “how I met my husband” story with first husband was more romantic than with my current husband which was why i shared it – so I can relate. It’s a happy ending when you meet someone you love – romantic beginning or not. BTW – how adorable you are in that picture!
Love this story, Darryle. Thanks for sharing it.
Love Mel even more now! So glad you can share the story with such warmth and humor.
I had to stifle a chuckle at “the Jewish Inquisition…”
Delightful story.
What a great story you have to tell…and I think I love Mel and the Jewish inquisition! So sweet!
Great story, Darryle. Mel Brooks has always been a favorite of mine. How cool that he played an important role in your life!
How funny and endearing that Mel matched y’all up!
I did check out your matchmaker story–so ironic how a woman who runs a dating service finds her own mate! And by the way, Jewish guys make great husbands.
Actually Howard loved telling the story as much as I did. We had the whole routine down–and by the way I didn’t even tell some of the best parts. haha
Oh he would have loved to hear you thought he was hot. He was also sweet. And we always thought it was a classic story too!
Thanks so much Barbara. Totally agree that no matter how cute you meet, it’s the happiness that matters most. I will say Howard and I had great laughs before, during and after our marriage. Which fits since anyone who’s around Mel has to have a great sense of humor. A night with him really is one of life’s great rewards.
Thanks, Barbara; also enjoyed reading your story and learning more about you; look forward to seeing you again!
How can anyone not love Mel Brooks? He’s completely endearing and adorable; and I feel nothing but warmth and humor for Howard and for Mel. Really enjoyed reading your post; and thanks for commenting.
Well there’s nothing like a Jewish inquisition when it comes to matchmaking, right? Thank you!
Thanks, Bonnie; it always made a great story when Howard and I told it; and we enjoyed telling it even after we got divorced—we both always felt the happy ending was having our kids.
Absolutely,Mel played a HUGE role. Funny enough, back when I first met Mel, he was always compared to Woody Allen—and I felt kind of guilty since I had always preferred Woody! (but don’t tell anyone I said that!) Feel really lucky that I had the chance to know both of them. Thanks so much, Helene.
Yes, and he sure wasn’t shy about it, either! We were out of the country but we sent him a telegram when we decided to get married, thanking him and letting him know he was absolutely right.
This is a terrific story. And you made a gorgeous couple.
Love this story Darryle, although I read it before, just had to read it again! Just magicall!
What a great story! It would definitely be hard to top that. Cool that there’s pictorial evidence!
Did you invite your producer and Mel to your wedding? And did they attend?
Adorable story, and quite an adorable couple! How wonderful that you could still be friends after the divorce. I remember reading about your first husband in another post. Very sad. And you have two wonderful children to remind you of all the good things about him.
Thanks so much, Janie. So sweet—I will say that as a couple, we made a gorgeous couple of kids!
I’m sure it’s a memorable story so thanks for reading again! (I did try to change some of the writing but can’t really change the facts!)
I guess that’s when being around a celebrity really comes in handy; everyone wants visual evidence they were there. How lucky we were to have that moment captured when we met.
We had a fairly small wedding in Miami. Though he got credit for the match, I don’t think Mel got an invitation. My producer did, and he came. By then he was one of my closest friends; and in fact, we’re still friends!
What a great story and I love Mel Brooks! And missing the exit, that would be just like something I’d do.
Ahh — I remember the NATO convention at the Fontainebleau so well. And of course, the best thing to come out of it — your amazing romance and your two children!
Fantastic story. You were–and are–so beautiful.
Wonderful story….how many people can say that the 2,000-year-old-man was their matchmaker? I’ve always loved Mel Brooks, and now I have one more reason to love him: he has great taste!
Thanks, Mindy, for your sweet words about Howard. I think he’d get a real kick out of seeing that so many people enjoy this story of how we met. And I like that it keeps his memory alive.
Haha. I remember thinking how cool and calm I was driving Mel Brooks around; and the next thing i know, I’m totally lost.
Wow; I love that someone else remembers that convention! Were you there? Would love to hear what you remember about it! Before going, I was mostly excited to see Sophia Loren in person. And she didn’t disappoint.
And you are so sweet. Thanks so much, Ann.
You know, what–until you said that about Mel’s taste, it never ever occurred to me–ever–to ask Howard if Mel had ever tried matching him up with anyone else!
Great story! Love Mel Brooks and Jewish husbands 🙂
Absolutely; me too! Thanks for commenting.
After the Beatles blog hop I saw Mel’s picture and thought “what????” I love Mel. So I had to read your post.
OH MY G-D!!
First that you met Mel Brooks at all is astounding to me. I love Mel and his craziness.
Second, the entire story is fun and funny and wonderful.
I love the pic of you – you look GAWgeous.
Thanks for sharing!
P.S. I wish I was at BlogHer’11 to stand up and cheer your speech. You go, Darryle! Now I am an even bigger fan (if that is possible.)
What a great story and what a great photo! Loved it!