Mel Brooks warns 'politically correct society is the death of comedy'

Esteemed comedy director Mel Brooks has spoken about how "stupidly politically correct" sensibilities will eventually lead to the "death of comedy”.

Brooks — who famously helmed Blazing Saddles, The Producers, and Young Frankenstein — made the comments while on BBC's Radio 4's Today programme

"It's not good for comedy. Comedy has to walk a thin line, take risks," he said, according to The Telegraph.

"Comedy is the lecherous little elf whispering in the king's ear, always telling the truth about human behaviour.”

Brooks added how political correctness would almost certainly prevent Blazing Saddles — which famously starred Gene Wilder — from being made today.

The Western spoof starred Cleavon Little as a black sheriff who is racially abused by the townsfolk.

"Without that the movie would not have had nearly the significance, the force, the dynamism and the stakes that were contained in it.”

While comedy can be found in almost anything, there are some things off limits: "I personally would never touch gas chambers or the death of children or Jews at the hands of the Nazis. Everything else is ok.”

Brooks has recently begun transforming his iconic comedy Young Frankenstein into a West End stage play starring Ross Noble and Lesley Joseph.