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southernsufi's review against another edition
5.0
Whether you're a comedian or just a comedy fan, this book is a treasure.
carolynaugustyn's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very interesting and engaging read that is perfect for anyone who enjoys comedy/comedians. Judd Apatow has been obsessed with comedy from a young age and began interviewing comedians (also his heroes) in 1983/1984. The book collects several interviews from his early days in awkward interviews to interviews from podcasts to interviews he set up purely to be able to geek out about comedy with a peer. Some of these are very personal and interesting, some just silly. But the book does collect the thoughts of some of comedy's brightest stars and provides a very interesting look into the world of comedy. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys comedy but also enjoys psychology/philosophy/talking about life. I really enjoyed reading this and hope that Apatow does release a second volume with even more comedy legends.
debi_g's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a fan of Apatow's screenplays and television series, and after reading this collection of conversations he's had with scores of brilliant entertainers, I have learned a tremendous amount about him, the industry, styles of comedy, and the impressive, essential combination of moxie and work ethic required for sustained success.
Especially intriguing are the interviews with Barr, Seinfeld, Milch, Jonez, and Martin, off the top of my memories. What's more, I discovered scads of knowledge about each subject's objects of admiration and inspiration, all of which has furthered my reading.
This book is a great conversation piece, and is best read and digested in small portions over time. My husband and I both read it and we continue to discuss what we found interesting, surprising, and humorous.
Reading about the creative processes and barriers and learning curves of so many writers has been beneficial for me as a teacher. With a dose of censorship, I'll be excerpting small portions of this book for my students' benefit. (Don't worry, Judd, I'll honor copyright law.) There are many lessons to be learned from voices kids don't always get to hear in a classroom context.
I'm looking forward to volume two... someday.
Especially intriguing are the interviews with Barr, Seinfeld, Milch, Jonez, and Martin, off the top of my memories. What's more, I discovered scads of knowledge about each subject's objects of admiration and inspiration, all of which has furthered my reading.
This book is a great conversation piece, and is best read and digested in small portions over time. My husband and I both read it and we continue to discuss what we found interesting, surprising, and humorous.
Reading about the creative processes and barriers and learning curves of so many writers has been beneficial for me as a teacher. With a dose of censorship, I'll be excerpting small portions of this book for my students' benefit. (Don't worry, Judd, I'll honor copyright law.) There are many lessons to be learned from voices kids don't always get to hear in a classroom context.
I'm looking forward to volume two... someday.
ala_08's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed very few chapters of this book (tbh, some chapters I skipped entirely). At no point was I really interested in the stories, especially not with Judd constantly interrupting his interviewees
jammasterjamie's review against another edition
3.0
I would recommend this only for the more hardcore comedy fans who are more interested in the personalities and the process more than the laughs. Luckily, I'm one of those people. This was an insightful and interesting read. I don't think that I'll ever come back to it, but I'm glad that I read it.
joshheinlein's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the format of this book. I was on an airplane laughing to hard to the Mel Brooks interview that ginger ale came out of my nose. The Freaks and Geeks Oral History was an honest look at one of my favorite shows. The Spike Jones chapter genuinely made me want to work harder for my dreams. The only reason this isn't getting 5 stars is because I feel like it could have been edited a little better so I wasn't reading the same Judd Apatow story 60 times. I often skipped over when he talked once I was familiar with the story he was going to tell.
bericson13's review against another edition
4.0
I remember very distinctly the first time I read this collection and just being in awe of Apatow and his ability to have these honest and open conversations with the people he wanted to talk to. It was so much fun reading this again and getting all of these stories.