NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Judd Apatow on building a comedy empire
Nov 7, 2025
Judd Apatow, the mastermind behind iconic comedies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, dives deep into his comedic journey. He shares the scrapbook-style approach of his memoir, Comedy Nerd, and reflects on his early family influences and high school radio experiences. Apatow recounts the struggles of starting in Hollywood, from bombing his first stand-up to creating cult classics that blend raunch and heart. He also discusses mentoring young comedians and offers insights on crafting compelling narratives, all while prepping a new country music comedy.
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Made Work To Join The Comedy Club
- Judd Apatow built credibility by making movies and TV to be accepted by comedians he admired.
- He says he made work partly so "comedians would talk to me" and to "get in the gang."
High School Interviews With Comedy Greats
- As a teen Judd interviewed major comedians using a big tape recorder to force conversations and learn the craft.
- He treated the interviews as homework and even kept all the tapes and photos from that era.
Bombing Was Part Of The Plan
- Judd's first club stand-up bombing matched mentors' warnings and set his expectation that success takes years.
- Hearing comics say it takes seven years helped him accept early failures and keep performing.
