Plagiarism allegations have emerged about History of the World, Part II, Mel Brooks’ long-awaited sequel to the 1981 film History of the World, Part I. Broadway musical writer John O. Farell has accused the upcoming comedy series of copying a scene from his Broadway musical “Something Rotten!”, played in 2015.
Josh Gad (Shakespeare) is seen leading a writers’ room in the latest trailer for the upcoming comedy series on Hulu. As the scene continues, one of the authors recommends that Shakespeare should include music in his plays. Josh Gad (Shakespeare) dismisses the notion after a flurry of musical theater: “Anyone else with a good idea?”
Farell called out the scene on his social media, saying they “ripped off” his Broadway musical. However, in the History of the World, Part II star Josh Gad had a polite debate with John O. Farell, defending the show’s authenticity.
After the scene in focus, the stories appear to go in different directions, with Nick Bottom (Broadway’s Brian D’Arcy James) of Something Rotten! Enthusiastically embracing the response and spending the next couple of hours participating in such a musical. Shakespeare (Josh Gad) in the Brooks comedy flatly denies the idea. Gad gave O’Farrell a direct response, arguing that the trailer sequence was misrepresented and taken out of its proper context. To put it another way, a great deal of fuss over nothing.
Below is a detail of O’Farrell’s comments and Gad’s reply:
Forsooth, Mel Brooks’ new film hath ripped us off Something Rotten!
I know writers can land on the same idea but our musical ran on Broadway for 2 years then toured for 2 more, there’s no way that everyone connected with his film was unaware of it. Here’s us at the Tony awards: pic.twitter.com/AYmjc6xH2z— John O'Farrell (@mrjohnofarrell) February 8, 2023
Our premise was ‘What if they came up with the idea of the musical in Shakespeare’s London?’ And here is the extract from Mel Brooks’ new movie.
(Ironically, or show was all about writers pinching each others’ ideas!) pic.twitter.com/MNck4Z2WOA— John O'Farrell (@mrjohnofarrell) February 8, 2023
In the past I’ve had ideas I later realised I’d seen somewhere else: then you just have to come up with something new.
Mel Brooks has given me so much pleasure down the years, I’d be sad if he was now so all-powerful that no one could say to him ‘Mel, they already did that!’— John O'Farrell (@mrjohnofarrell) February 8, 2023
Big fan. All due respect the trailer takes it out of context. It’s a one off joke. Nobody breaks out into song (from what I recall) in the Shakes sketch. The trailer cuts to a completely different moment. It’s literally that line and off. Something Rotten is brilliant btw.🙌
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) February 8, 2023
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Fans on social media were quick to express their excitement at the trailer, with many sharing their favorite moments from the original film and speculating about what the sequel might have in store.
Yay! This is exactly what this shitty world needs right now: Mel Brooks in the history of the world part two!! This trailer is awesome!! Such a wonderful idea!
— Peace emoji (@NYCINK) January 13, 2023
“History of the World, Part One” was a critical and commercial success upon its release in 1981, grossing over $31 million at the box office and earning Brooks a Saturn Award for Best Director. With almost 40 years between the two films, some fans wonder if Brooks can recapture the original’s magic.
Even though Hitler on Ice, A Viking Funeral, and Jews in Space were all hinted at in Brooks’ first picture (which was designated Part I), Brooks never intended to make a Part II. Sir Walter Raleigh’s The History of the World, Volume 1, inspired the title of History of the World, Part I. Over 40 years later, Brooks collaborated with Hulu to air an 8-episode, 4-night event that included mini-dramas based on even more significant occasions from the past.
Part II of the History of the World now has many verifiable occurrences. With Wanda Sykes as Harriet Tubman during the American Civil War, Seth Rogen as Noah during the Biblical Great Flood, and Ike Barinholtz as Alexander Graham Bell just after inventing the telephone, the show’s upcoming sequel will travel across several different eras. Both “Jews in Space” and “Hitler on Ice” were hinted at in the trailer, suggesting they may appear in the film.
Now you know all you need to know. The simple fact that the trailer for the Hulu series is edited in such a manner is responsible for all of this misunderstanding. The British musical writer wrapped off the pleasant conversation by expressing gratitude to the Frozen voice actor for elaborating on several points. Although Hulu is not accessible in many countries outside the United States, here’s how you can watch Hulu from anywhere in the world.
