That’s why comedy is a tough business

IF an “Inside the Actors Studio” interview between James Lipton and filmmaker Albert Brooks had been conducted last week, it might have gone something like this:

James Lipton: We’re talking about Mr. Brooks’ new film, “Looking for Humor in the Muslim World,” in light of recent events. Making movies is such a tough, tough business, isn’t it? You simply never know. The rioting, the flag-burnings. Did you ever, in your wildest imaginings --

Albert Brooks: Of course not. My God, no! But, not to be disingenuous, you don’t plan to make a film about something of no interest. You’re always hoping to catch lightning in a bottle. Just not a firestorm. When we started, I did think, no matter what happened, even if, God forbid, we got out of Iraq, it would still be relevant.

J.L.: Of course. It’s a hit-or-miss business. For most filmmakers, miss. Like great comedy, it’s all a matter of timing. And this isn’t the

first time you’ve almost caught lightning in a bottle.

A.B.: No, stop --

J.L.: Yes. I’m thinking of “Modern Romance”? [Audience erupts in applause.] Admit it!

A.B.: Well, maybe, I guess --

J.L.: But never ever anything quite approaching this.

A.B.: True, and if I have one regret, I have to say, it’s, if it could have happened a little earlier. While the movie was still in theaters.

J.L.: But it makes your point now, doesn’t it? The reaction to the Danish cartoon, the storming of the Western embassies? How different

cultures react differently to humor?

A.B.: I wish. Unfortunately, Jim, my point was how we all share the ability to laugh at ourselves. But could it have hurt to have had this happen, say, three weeks ago when somebody might have torched a marquee and gotten my film a little sympathy business? [Audience laughter]

J.L.: Jack Warner, and I’ll remind our students he was one of the founding Warner Bros., once famously said of socially themed pictures, “If you want to send a message, call Western Union.” Could that, do you think, possibly have applied here?

A.B.: But I couldn’t send a telegram, could I, because Western Union just got out of that business. There are no more telegrams! So if you want to send a message, I ask you, what choice do you have? You have to make a picture! Look at “Syriana,” look at “Good Night, and Good Luck” --

J.L.: Look at “Brokeback Mountain.”

A.B.: Exactly.

J.L.: Which brings me to my last question. What’s next for Albert Brooks?

A.B.: Well, my distributor is after me to do a series. We have an idea, not to give too much away, roughly “Looking for Humor in Global Warming.” Shooting for summer 2008. Should be very, very hot.

J.L.: The idea.

A.B.: No, that summer should be very, very hot. Air-conditioned theaters. But you have to get it on screens before, say, the 30th day of triple-digit heat because after that ticket sales go right in the tank. We’re also discussing “Looking for Humor in a Bird Flu Pandemic.” It’s, you’ll excuse the expression, still a little “up in the air.”

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Tepper is a writer for film and television.