The Wilder Ride

We decided to put together a short promo to help advertise our latest season, where we are diving into the film Blazing Saddles, one minute at a time. If you have friends and family who want to know what our podcast is covering, you can share this on social media.

Today's episode picks up from where we left off yesterday, with Taggart heading over to Mongo. He has to beat Mongo several times before Mongo recognizes him. During this we notice a disappearing and a reappearing biscuit in Mongo's hand. When Taggart asks Mongo, how'd you like to mutilate that new sheriff, Mongo laughs with simple delight. To celebrate, Taggart gives him a cigar. Mongo promptly lights it and his head on fire. The scene dissolves to the following day in the town of Rock Ridge.

We begin today with one of the most talked about and iconic scenes in cinematic comedy. Mel Brooks famously told novice actor Burton Gilliam on the day of the campfire scene that he was going to make him famous. The first known instance of men farting on screen broke as much new comedy as the men themselves were breaking wind. As the scene unfolds, Taggart asks for a volunteer to kill the new sheriff of Rock Ridge. Lyle says, "Why don't we give him to Mongo?" The men all cackle with laughter at the thought.

The Indian war leader continues his assessment of the young Sheriff Bart and his family. He cries out to the heavens and then he tells the family it's okay to leave. As they leave the frame, the Indian leader comments to his fellow warriors, "They darker than us! Woof!!" The scene fades back to the jail where Bart finishes his story, only to find Jim has fallen asleep. As the minute winds down, we have a slow dolly shot across a string of barbed wire.

We open with the Sioux nation riding down upon the wagon train. The white folks circle their wagons, leaving Bart and his parents to circle their own by themselves. Eventually, the only covered wagon left is Bart's family's. An Indian Chief rides up to talk to them along with two other braves. As he notices their dark complexion, the chief immediately says, "Shvartzes! Zeit nisht meshugge." He looks like he may say something else, but that is where the minute comes to an end.

As Jim takes a drink it is now his turn to get some background. He asks Bart how a dazzling urbanite like him, wound up in a rustic place like Rock Ridge. As Bart begins to tell his story, the music swells and we get the Blazing Saddles theme done as full orchestra with a heavy western motif. A long line of wagons is heading west. He says in '56, he and his family were part of that train. "You might say we was bringing up the rear." Suddenly, the entire Sioux nation was riding down to attack them.

We open as The Waco Kid tells Bart all the killings got pretty gritty. Then, one day, as he was walking down the street, a voice said, "Reach for it, Mister!" The Waco Kid recalls turning around and standing face-to-face with a 6 year old kid. He threw his guns down and walked away. Then he added, "Little bastard shot me in the ass." He finishes his story, telling Bart that he crawled to the nearest saloon, crawled inside a whiskey bottle, and has been there ever since.

We begin with Jim standing across from Bart with the chess table between them. Jim asks if Bart is ready? Bart says he is. He suddenly yells, Go! Sheriff Bart slaps his hands instantly around the King. But, when when opens them to reveal it, it isn't in his hands. Bart is incredulous. Jim then asks, "Are you looking for this?" as he pulls the king out of his holster. Bart exclaims, "Well raise my rent, you are the Kid!" However, Jim corrects him, telling him he "was" the Kid.

We open with Sheriff Bart challenging Jim's claim. He says, "Well, if you the Kid, then show me something." Jim says he could have a few years ago. He then raises his right arm. Bart says it looks steady as a rock. Then Jim brings up his left arm, which is in convulsions. Sheriff Bart immediately dismisses him, saying he is pulling his lariat. He stands and then tells Bart to place his hands on either side of his king. He then says, "When you hear the word go, you try to grab it first."

Sheriff Bart asks Jim what he likes to do? Jim considers and says he likes to play chess. He then adds he likes to screw. Bart immediately suggests a game of chess. We then cut to the game in progress and just as Bart makes a move, he calls out checkmate. Jim is impressed and they toast to Bart's victory. Sheriff Bart then asks why Jim seems bent on drinking himself to death. As the episode comes to a close, Jim reveals he used to be called, "The Waco Kid."

The episode begins with Sheriff Bart helping Gene Wilder sit. Gene then grabs a bottle of bourbon from under the pillow. Bart suggests he should eat something first. He responds by saying food makes him sick before downing the rest of the bourbon. Sheriff Bart comments that a man who drinks like that without eating, he is going to die. Gene looks blankly back and asks, "When?" Bart then asks for his name. He says, "Well, my name is Jim, but most people call me...Jim."

We open with Sheriff Bart, having heard a noise, moving to the door to jail cell. Gene Wilder's character is hanging upside down from the top bunk. Bart asks if he is awake? Gene looks quizzically from his upside down position and asks, "I don't know. Are we...black?" Bart replies, "Yes, we are." Gene responds, "Then we're awake, but we're very puzzled." Sheriff Bart enters the cell and helps the man up and then starts to sit him on the bottom bunk.

The episode opens with Harriet Johnson taking to the stage to read the letter she has written to the governor. When the citizens complain at her soft voice, she apologizes. She then bellows to the point that everyone nearly jumps out of their seats. She expresses the town's displeasure at the governor's choice for their new sheriff. As she finishes, she is greeted with a round of applause. As the minute comes to an end, Bart is hanging some wanted posters up on the wall of the jail.

The episode opens with the continuation of Sheriff Bart taking himself hostage. He continues to yell for help, but the citizens are powerless. Once inside, Bart gives himself a hug, congratulating himself. He decides he is so talented and they are so dumb. We dissolve to the citizens of Rock Ridge meeting at the church for a town meeting. After a short discussion about Nietzsche and chaos, Harriet Johnson is invited to discuss the feeling the town has about the new sheriff.

The episode opens with Bart deciding he needs to also point a gun at himself. Taking on two personalities, Bart issues a threat to the people of Rock Ridge. He says the next man makes a move and the