We all know our jazz pianist, Rhodes scholar mayor is multi-talented. But Angelenos may not be so aware of his goofy side. When Zócalo and KCRW asked Mayor Eric Garcetti to screen his favorite movie, we thought he’d pick some egg-heady documentary, or maybe one of those old black-and-white films with subtitles that we’re all supposed to see. It turns out, however, that our mayor selected Airplane!, the 1980 classic Leslie Nielsen comedy about an ill-fated journey from Los Angeles to Chicago featuring food poisoning gags, an inflatable doll, and Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar playing the role of a pilot. After the screening, Mayor Garcetti sits down with KCRW’s Madeleine Brand to talk about why he chose Airplane!, what it means to him, and his definition of funny. They’ll also be joined by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker–the trio who directed, wrote, and produced Airplane!–to talk about the making of the movie and why its humor has endured.
The Takeaway
Eric Garcetti Gets Goofy with Airplane!
At the Zócalo/KCRW ‘My Favorite Movie’ Series, L.A.’s Mayor Discusses the 1980 Comedy Classic with the Filmmakers and KCRW’s Madeleine Brand
Ever wondered what makes L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti laugh? June Cleaver speaking jive, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as a pilot, and a bowl of Jell-O on a turbulent plane. When asked to …