The Comedic Brilliance of Zucker, Zucker, and Abrahams: From ‘Airplane!’ to ‘Surely You Can’t Be Serious’
In the annals of film history, few writers have left a mark as indelible and uniquely humorous as David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker. Known collectively as ZAZ, this trio revolutionized comedy in cinema with their distinctive style, characterized by slapstick, visual gags, and deadpan delivery. Their most iconic work, the 1980 film “Airplane!”, not only redefined the comedy genre but also cemented their status as pioneers of a new comedic era. This essay delves into the careers of these remarkable filmmakers, exploring their filmography and culminating in their latest endeavor, the book “Surely You Can’t Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane!”.
Early Careers and Influences:
David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker began their collaborative journey in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They first honed their comedic skills in a theater group named the Kentucky Fried Theater, founded in 1971. This experience was instrumental in shaping their distinctive comedic voice, which combined satirical sketches with an absurdist approach to humor.
“Airplane!”: A Paradigm Shift in Comedy:
In 1980, the trio made a monumental impact on the film industry with “Airplane!”, a parody of the disaster film…
