Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend Judd Apatow Returns
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Oct 27, 2025 
Judd Apatow, a filmmaker and author of 'Comedy Nerd,' joins to dive into his journey through comedy and filmmaking. He reveals how an audition for Jim Henson redirected his career from stand-up to writing. The conversation touches on his love for improvisation, the emotional depth in his work, and memorable anecdotes, including a hilarious childhood mishap involving a sex education book. Apatow reflects on his gratitude for collaborations with comedy legends, giving listeners an inside look at the joy and chaos of the industry.
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Neediness As Promotion And Friendship
- Judd Apatow opens by admitting he feels "very needy" to be Conan O'Brien's friend and pressed to appear on the podcast to plug his book.
- He framed podcast appearances as a way to test friendships and promote Comedy Nerd.
Mel Brooks: Funny And Deep
- Judd made a Mel Brooks documentary and spent long interviews, discovering emotional depth beyond jokes.
- He found Brooks both hilarious and unexpectedly tender about life and family.
Rejecting Performance Redirected His Career
- Judd says Jim Henson told him he "lacked warmth," which redirected him from performing toward writing.
- That blunt feedback changed his career path and pushed him to take behind-the-scenes roles.
