During the recent release of "The Simpsons Movie," I was able to talk to three of my all-time heroes for the first time. And lemme tell ya, these are the moments I dream of during "Son of the Mask" interviews.
For more than a quarter century, Harry Shearer and the two Brooks -- Albert and James L. -- have pretty much defined the term "intelligent comedy." And despite being awe-struck by their quick-witted responses, I was able to get a few fast details on what each of these [and yes, for once this term is appropriate] geniuses has coming up next.
"I've got 50 pages of a script," Brooks said of his secretive project that will be next to follow in the footsteps of "Terms of Endearment," "Broadcast News" and other classics. "I think the heroine is terrific, and I'm anxious to go back to it. It's a romantic comedy."
Shearer, meanwhile, was quick to say that he'll never make a "Spinal Tap" sequel - despite the recent short film that the band put up on the Web. "No," insisted the man sometimes known as Derek Smalls. "That was just to promote Live Earth."
Instead, Shearer is waiting by the phone these days for bandmate Christopher Guest to call with details about the next project from their improv group. "Christopher's taking a little time off," he said of the "Waiting for Guffman" mastermind. "So we're waiting to hear."
But finally there's Albert Brooks, who may have given me my new all-time favorite answer to the question of what project is coming up next. "I'm working on a very funny idea, and I'm also working on a cure for colon cancer. I'm not sure which will happen first," he deadpanned. "I still have some experiments; all the mice are dead."
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