Mel Brooks claims that his 1991 film "Life Stinks" would have won him an Academy Award had Steven Spielberg directed it instead of himself. Brooks starred as Goddard Bolt, a wealthy CEO who bets to live on the streets for thirty days, and believes his name as director overshadowed his acting performance and set incorrect audience expectations for the film's tone. He argues that using his name makes audiences expect outrageous comedy rather than the drama he was attempting, and cites his earlier film "Twelve Chairs" as having suffered from the same problem.

"Life Stinks" was a commercial and critical disaster, becoming Brooks' worst-reviewed film upon its release. Whilst a more accomplished director like Spielberg might have improved the overall quality of the film, the article contends Brooks' argument lacks merit, as his acting performance itself was fundamentally flawed—closer to being Razzie-worthy than Oscar-worthy. Even with a directorial change, no amount of craftsmanship would have lifted his performance to award-winning standard, suggesting Brooks' reasoning is simply his ego protecting itself from acknowledging his limitations as both director and actor on this particular project.