HBO Max Adds ‘Proper Social Context’ Disclaimer to ‘Blazing Saddles’ (Video)

cleavon little
Cleavon Little in “Blazing Saddles”

*The 1974 comedy “Blazing Saddles,” starring the late actors Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder, is available on HBO’s new streaming arm HBO Max, but with a disclaimer added to put the film’s satirical racism in its “proper social context.”

The new introduction, from TCM host and University of Chicago cinema and media studies professor Jacqueline Stewart, will play before the Mel Brooks classic begins. “The intro was added to ensure that the film was put into the proper social context,” an HBO Max spokeswoman told The Hollywood Reporter.

Stewart says in her three-minute long intro, “As the storyline implies the issue of race is front and center in Blazing Saddles. And racist language and attitudes pervade the film. But those attitudes are espoused by characters who are portrayed here as explicitly small-minded, ignorant bigots. The real, and much more enlightened perspective, is provided by the main characters played by Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder.”

Watch one of the film’s controversial scenes below.

YouTube video

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!

Anthony Mackie as Captain America
Jay-Z and Diddy - via Grok AI
Steven Ivory
Kanye and Bianca on Grammy red carpet - screenshot
William Allen Young and Courtney B. Vance Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
The Wayans Brothers
Barack and Michelle Obama - Valentin's Day 2025 - via X
Issa Rae
Kelly Rowland
Boyz II Men
Cherelle Parker - screenshot
Read More
Kanye West and Bianca Censori on Grammy Red Carpet - screenshot
Read More
Damon Wayans
Read More
Beyond the Gates
Read More
Denzel Washington - Gladiator II
Read More
Learjet after crashing - via Grok AI
Read More
Sunny Hostin
Read More
Amtrak
Read More
Will Smith (AI character from 'I Am Legend 2'
Read More
Bevelyn Beatty Williams
Read More

POPULAR

Beyond the Gates
CBS to Air Special on New Daytime Soap Opera 'Beyond The Gates'
Onijah Andrew Robinson
Black American Woman Returns to New York After Bizarre Ordeal in Pakistan | Video
Taco Bell customer and security guard who slapped her
Crunch Slap Supreme: Taco Bell Security Guard Caught Brutally Slapping Black Woman in Viral Video | WATCH
Irv Gotti - Getty
Irv Gotti's Family Expects a Packed Church for His Funeral at Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral
Kendrick Lamar performing
'Worst Halftime Show Ever!' - Reactions to Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show | WATCH
Serena Williams - via screenshot
Serena Williams Reveals Kendrick Lamar Requested Her Crip Walk Performance - That's it. No 'Git Back' at Drake
Amtrak
Amtrak's Auto Train Offers Travel with Vehicle Transport Between Virginia and Florida
Raising Kanan Fourth Season
New Trailer for 'Power Book III: Raising Kanan' Hints at Intense Season 4 | Watch
Emotional couple
12 Common Phrases that Signal Emotional Immaturity