The New Yorker Radio Hour Marshall Curry and Judd Apatow on “The New Yorker at 100,” a Documentary
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Dec 9, 2025 
Marshall Curry, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, and Judd Apatow, acclaimed director and producer, delve into the making of the documentary on The New Yorker’s centenary. They discuss Curry's unique 'tasting menu' approach to depict a century of journalism, and Apatow's efforts to capture the magazine's sensibility. They reflect on their personal connections to the magazine, share anecdotes about its staff, and explore the challenges of maintaining an engaging narrative from diverse, disconnected stories. Humor and a commitment to rigorous journalism remain central themes.
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Tasting-Menu Approach To A Century
- Marshall Curry framed the film as a "tasting menu" sampling key stories to convey a century of The New Yorker.
- He chose a few visual, culturally impactful episodes rather than attempting comprehensive coverage.
Choose Visual, Impactful Archives
- Pick archival stories that are visually compelling and culturally consequential when adapting a print history to film.
- Use archival research and editing to narrow many candidates into scenes that work cinematically.
How They First Met The Magazine
- Judd Apatow confessed he only started reading The New Yorker around age 42 after feeling embarrassed in front of Owen Wilson.
- Marshall Curry grew up with The New Yorker in his house and later got his own subscription in his twenties.