'Airplane!' Team and Comedy A-Listers Take Off with Humorous Audiobook Project
News is afloat in Hollywood entertainment circles that the principals behind the 1980 cinematic comedy masterpiece, 'Airplane!' are teaming up for an intriguing undertaking. The movie's scriptwriters and directors, the famous ZAZ trio - David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker, are combining their collective genius once again. They will be joined by a star-studded roster of prominent names including actors, comedians, and industry insiders.
Among this assembly of prominent personalities are famed comedians Jimmy Kimmel, Bill Hader, "Weird" Al Yankovic, Molly Shannon, Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt, and Beau Bridges. Other industry heavyweights lending their voice to this collaboration include John Landis, Barry Diller, and Michael Eisner. The original cast members of the film, Bob Hays, and Julie Hagerty, will also be contributing to this venture.
'Airplane!', a comedic marvel and a cultural phenomenon, was originally released on July 2, 1980. Produced on a budget of a mere $3.5 million, the movie went on to generate a whopping $80 million at the box office. The premise of the movie - a neurotic ex-fighter pilot having to land a commercial airplane when the crew falls ill due to food poisoning - became a distinctive example of slapstick comedy.
Undergoing this new project, the ZAZ trio will narrate a comprehensive audiobook - 'Surely You Can’t Be Serious', which will serve as an account of their journey. It will trace the journey of their comedy group, aptly named 'Kentucky Fried Theater', from Madison, Wisconsin, to the Hollywood premiere of 'Airplane!' Through this audiobook, the trio will share insights into their motivation to create cinema, specifically comedy.
Other contributors who will enrich this chronicle include Dick Chudnow, Tom Parry, Arne Schmidt, Ken Collins, Bob Weiss, Jon Davison, Ross Harris, Peter Farrelly, Laura Orrico, Joe Praino, Lorna Patterson, Lloyd Schwartz, Joyce Bulifant, Lee Bryant, Rich Markey, Molly Shannon, Hunt Lowry, Marcy Goldman, Patton Oswalt, James Murray, and Pat Proft. The audiobook will be released on October 3, 2023.
Now, to the most delicious part of this airplane-inspired sundae: the commentary.
Is the world ready for a detailed account exceeding the co-pilot's coffee order and recycled oxygen masks? With the ZAZ's satirical panache and the trotting out of celebrity fans, one can only hope this audiobook won't be so serious.
Remember when 'Airplane!' recruited a veritable game of 'spot-the-comedian' approach? The same seems to be happening here. I am talking about a group of Hollywood's best laughing professionals who veritably embody wit and humor. By recruiting people like Patton Oswalt, alongside other comedy pros dedicated to staying funny even when the stewardess is handing out fish or steak, the project promises to engage the comedy-loving audience from start to finish.
'Airplane!' made us all realize that even the worst food poisoning can be made funny with the right comic timing and a phenomenal script. The film's ingenious humor shows that there's no territory too sacred for comedy. This audiobook, therefore, feels like a natural extension of their comedy philosophy, which is to find the humor in everyday situations and absurdities - no matter how unlikely they may seem.
Gather around comedians, aces, and all fans of jest. Tighten your safety harnesses as this flight of humor is set to take off soon. However, surely, we can't be serious... or can we?
