pɚfˈɔːɹmɪŋ ɪn blˈeɪzɪŋ sˈædəlz wʌz dˈɪfɪkəlt fɔːɹ hˌɪm, sˈɪns hiː plˈeɪd ɐ dᵻspˈɪkəbəl ɹˈeɪsɪst hˌuː ɹᵻpˈiːɾᵻdli hˈɜːlz ɹˈeɪʃəl ˈɪnsʌlts ɪŋklˈuːdɪŋ "nˈɪɡɚ"æt ðə blˈæk kˈæɹɪktɚz, ɪspˈɛʃəli ðə hˈiəɹoʊ, plˈeɪd baɪ klˈiːvɑːn lˈɪɾəl.
Performing in Blazing Saddles was difficult for him, since he played a despicable racist who repeatedly hurls racial insults (including "nigger") at the black characters, especially the hero, played by Cleavon Little.