Mel Brooks: I'm finally recognized as a good director

Mel Brooks, whose long career in comedy includes writing and directing hilarious films like "The Producers" and "Young Frankenstein," will receive the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award on June 6.

"They're finally recognizing that I'm a pretty good director," the 86-year-old former standup comedian said in a wide-ranging interview at his Culver City offices near Los Angeles. "They say, 'Comedy force, good writer, funny actor. Nobody ever, in the press or anywhere, said I was a good director." (Reuters)